Welcome to the Monday Fish Wrap, a look back at a few things that stood out when watching yesterday’s game between the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.

• It was noticeable in week one that the entire defensive unit has embraced the punch. Saw it several times as Raiders were going to the ground, including the effort by S Michael Taaffe that was just a fraction too late to earn the Dolphins an early turnover.
• I am a fan of DT Zeek Biggers and the possibilities he offers in terms of flexibility, but saw him lined up as a 0 tech at one point. This is the one spot I do not think Biggers serves the team well. I get that head coach Jeff Hafley likes to disguise looks and bring pressure from anywhere, but from where I sit, Biggers is just too tall to play over center. A big defensive end in run downs or a pass rushing tackle on -and long situations is what will serve his skillset best. On the play in particular I watched, he got washed easily.
• Miami’s safeties stood out early, likely because they performed better than expectations. Zayne Anderson was aggressive and Taaffe showed a fearless style and nose for the ball.
• CB Chris Johnson admittedly did have it tough at times, but overall I liked a lot of what I saw. He’s a tough kid and clearly has his head in the right place. Once in the second quarter, I noticed him directing veteran Juju Brents defensively. Its possible that Johnson’s mini-struggles were simply a result of having a lot asked of a rookie in his first NFL game. Johnson is going to be a good pro.
• Not sure if it was a regular thing the entire game, but the failed 3rd & 1 in the second quarter that led to Miami’s first score of the season — a Riley Patterson field goal — was a play that accentuated a lack of explosion off the ball by Jonah Savaiinaea. He was noticeably slower off the ball than his block/defender, despite having the advantage of knowing the count.
• Wide receiver Caleb Douglas looks to be an example of what NFL coaching can do. Yes, he still makes mistakes. But I watched every college catch the kid made, watched every route on those catches and I don’t remember him ever running one like he ran to get the Dolphins a crack at a field goal before half. At near full speed, he threw shake at the top of his route that had his defender both scared to get beat deep, and lost. It was an NFL receiver route, dialed in by a guy with a lot of traits. Encouraging. 
• Taaffe’s first career interception wasn’t just a bad throw by Kirk Cousins, it was a bad decision. If he’d thrown it on the money, it would have been Jacob Rodriguez first career interception as the underneath coverage by the latter gave no clear passing lane to Cousins.
• Almost goes without saying but Willis’ touchdown run is something we’ve really never seen in Miami. Having an offense that can play 11v11 is always a good thing. 
• On the 3rd quarter Ashton Jeanty touchdown catch, Willie Gay Jr. seemed to read run and signaled heavy to his teammates just before the snap, which may have led to Rodriguez being drawn in and missing Jeanty sneaking out of the backfield.
• The flip side with Douglas is still his semi-sloppy play. A lack of nuance to his route was highlighted on the broadcast by Mark Schlereth in the second half and it was absolutely true. Running straight lines doesn’t work like it may have in college. You’re rarely without company in an NFL secondary, even when you have size and elite speed. If Douglas had pressed his man outside on the play referenced by Schlereth, the outcome may have been a long completion.  
• The field goal miss can’t be blamed on anyone but Patterson, but Malik Willis getting sacked the play before is worth consideration. His ability to extend a play will always be desirable. The confidence in it, however, shouldn’t come at the crossroads of smart quarterback play. If he had found any place in that scramble, even just before falling, to throw the ball away, it’s a 30-something yard attempt that even a shank may squeeze through. 
• If there is one thing to watch with Willis moving forward, it is absolutely how much time he takes to process and get the ball out. He definitely leans on his legs to extend plays, but there still needs to be an internal clock because nobody has eyes in the back of their head.
• Watching Hafley’s defense, the goal is clear — force turnovers. This will be a fun defense to watch when it is fully-funded.
• Color me surprised to see the team used recently-cleared Chris Bell on punt coverage. I would have said that about tight end Greg Dulcich too, but I don’t think him being out on special teams is straight up dumb. I do feel that way about putting Bell out there.
• Finally, yes, special teams again looks pretty atrocious … again.