Hard Knocks 2012: The Best Storylines and Most Dramatic Moments of Episode 5

After the Miami Dolphins' game against the Dallas Cowboys, HBO's Hard Knocks cameras caught Joe Philbin stressing to his team that they had a lot of improving to do for the regular season.

The Dolphins lost 30-13 to the Cowboys, and while the first-team offense produced three points in its limited action, little else went right for Miami. 

There are very few positives to take away for the Dolphins, however, and here are the more notable moments from that episode. 

Jake Long's Knee Injury

The episode began with something no Dolphins fan wants to see: Jake Long hitting the practice turf with knee pain. 

The standout left tackle is one of the team's best players and losing him on the blind side would be a huge blow. Luckily for them, the news on Long got better as the episode went on. 

The Sun Sentinel's Mike Berardino passed along this information on Long: 

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Dolphins trainer Kevin O'Neill's initial report to Joe Philbin was that the franchise left tackle should be ready for Houston in Week 1. "I'd be surprised if he wasn't."

 

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Miami's Terrible Receivers 

Things are not looking good for the Dolphins receiving corps. The coaches did not seem particularly pleased with the group as the preseason rolled to a close.

Via ESPN's Rich Cimini:

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Hard Knocks: Philbin says, deep down, he has reservations on whether WR Gates is a football player -- now member of #Jets.

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) September 5, 2012"

Gates is second-year receiver Clyde Gates, who had two catches for 19 yards last year with Miami. 

Gates wasn't the only one frustrating the coaches. Mike Berardino captured that with this quote by Joe Philbin:

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[Philbin's] conversation with Jeff Ireland, who of course brought all of them in. "What's the name of the game you'd play at a birthday party when you were a kid? Blindfold yourself? " "Pin the tail on the donkey," Ireland answered helpfully.

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The Dolphins better hope they enjoy good health at the receiver position, because their depth is looking terrible. 

QB Battle

With Ryan Tannehill entrenched as the team's starter, the attention turned to who the No. 2 will be on the depth chart. To this end, David Garrard was cut by the Dolphins on Tuesday, and after watching this episode, it is no surprise. Philbin loves third-string QB Pat Devlin. 

This episode showed Philbin talking up Devlin to other coaches and during practice, noting the vast improvements Devlin has made to his game. 

An undrafted free agent out of Delaware in 2011, Devlin caught on with Miami's practice squad last year and went 7-of-12 for 63 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions in the preseason finale against the Cowboys.

The young QB comes much cheaper than Garrard, and obviously has many more years of football ahead of him. 

Chad Johnson Working to Get Back in the League

Chad Johnson, who was cut in a previous episode, was shown working out in a Rocky-like montage at the gym and beach. The only thing missing was too-short shorts and Apollo Creed hugging him while they splashed in the water. 

The former Pro Bowl receiver was sure to take full responsibility for his release, and he is determined to prove he can still play football at the highest level.