One of the NFL’s most respected pundits just gave the Miami Dolphins a rave review from training camp

The Miami Dolphins got a big badge of honor from one of the NFL’s most respected pundits.

Kyle Crabbs — NFL National Writer
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Jul 30, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive backs/passing game coordinator Ryan Downard speaks to his players during practice at Baptist Health Training Complex. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Miami Dolphins now have two training camp practices under their belt. Jeff Hafley’s team is going to have to make the most of their work to gel and create chemistry around a hoard of new players and coaches in 2026.

Miami had a special guest in attendance for their Thursday practice. NFL Network pundit Brian Baldinger — who shared after practice his assessment of the work Miami got done on the field. Let’s just say he’s a fan of what he saw.

NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger offers rave review of the Miami Dolphins’ training camp work under Jeff Hafley

“I just saw the longest team period I’ve ever seen without an interruption. There was inside run, it was blitz, it was third down. The whole thing. But they literally believe in a big individual period and a long team period. Real football. None of these breakdowns, like you see sometimes 7 on 7. That’s not what Jeff Hafley does…I thought it was a great day here for the Dolphins. This is day two of Dolphins practice right now. Out here in the elements of South Florida — the soup of South Florida. It was a fun day, good watching. But like I said, that team period might have gone an hour straight without a break. Without water, without intermission. They got after it.”

— NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger on the Miami Dolphins’ practice structure

Let’s put Baldinger’s statement about the longest team period he’s ever seen into perspective. He played more than a decade in the NFL from 1982 through 1993. After his playing career wrapped, Baldinger has been in broadcasting since 1995, including covering NFL games on Sundays as far back as the late 1990s. This man has seen a lot of football. From a lot of different generations.

So in assessing the Dolphins’ extensive team periods and the quality of their work, Miami should consider it a heck of a compliment. And Baldinger threw in a compliment to the new man in charge of the Dolphins, too.

“Coach Hafley is definitely the right man for this team,” he wrote. Time will tell, but the early returns sure feel promising about where this team is headed.

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