Josh Rosen started at quarterback for the Dolphins on Friday, but it was the defense and Charles Harris’ 1.5 sacks that impressed most in Miami’s 16-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

TAMPA — Josh Rosen started at quarterback for the Dolphins on Friday night, but the most encouraging aspects of a game at the Buccaneers came on defense.

The Miami defense held Tampa Bay to 2.5 yards per play in the first half, recording three sacks and one forced fumble.

Miami has its issues, particularly along the offensive line and in the secondary. As Brian Flores attempts to instill a culture discipline, accountability and toughness, one overriding problem figures to plague the team this season — a lack of talent.

Here are five instant takeaways from Miami’s second preseason game of the season, a 16-14 last-second loss to the Buccaneers.

1. Encouraging pass-rush signs. Defensive end Charles Harris recorded 1.5 sacks in the first half at Tampa, showing speedy glimpses of the player Miami drafted in the first round. Linebacker Jerome Baker had several near sacks, and one half-sack, blitzing up the middle in demonic fashion, as we have so often seen in practice in the spring and summer. Baker may need to refine his finishing moves. Rookie defensive tackle Christian Wilkins picked up his first career sack. Miami believes it can get pressure this season, despite the lack of an accomplished, elite pass-rusher. Flores might be right.

2. The offensive line is a problem. Starting quarterback Josh Rosen was sacked three times in the first half, playing primarily behind Miami’s projected starting offensive line. There was a lack of communication at times, which allowed free runs at Rosen. And a few times, players who are expected to start, such as Jesse Davis and Shaq Calhoun, were physically beaten 1-on-1. "Growing pains, for sure," center Daniel Kilgore said during the television broadcast. If Rosen starts the majority of games for Miami this season, even if he doesn’t start the opener, there may be a tendency to make excuses because of constant duress. It should not be allowed. No excuses. One thing Rosen demonstrated again is an ability to make successful passes when escaping pressure, and on the run.

3. Preston Williams has not arrived — yet. Williams, the undrafted rookie free agent from Colorado State, followed up a strong week of practice with a shaky preseason start. Williams showed off his remarkable athleticism, ball control and talent when he nearly hauled in a touchdown after he tapped the ball into the air going into Tampa’s end zone. But one of Williams’ feet had stepped out of bounds. Williams was targeted six times in the first half by Rosen, but had only one catch for seven yards to show. Williams had two drops and arguably may have been able to catch another. How Williams bounces back from the adversity will be telling.

4. Linebacker Sam Eguavoen showed why he’s starting. The Dolphins went without injured linebackers Raekwon McMillan and Kiko Alonso on Friday. But even if they were healthy, it seems like a good bet Miami is still intent on frequently playing Eguavoen, the former CFL standout. In the first quarter, Eguavoen showed why, forcing a fumble and making several physical, run-stuffing plays. The coaches like Eguavoen’s athleticism and he has consistently been paired with Baker throughout the summer. After a quiet opening preseason game, Eguavoen played with more confidence and assertiveness on Friday.

5. Rosen didn’t do enough to overtake Fitzpatrick. Rosen posted a passer rating of 72.0 in the first half at Tampa, which is a tad better than what he accomplished as a rookie at Arizona. Rosen had no touchdowns, no interceptions and one low pass on a fourth-down try to Isaiah Ford at the goal line. "I would like to not see him take as many sacks; but I thought he threw the ball well, had some drops – that didn’t help him," Flores said at halftime. "But I thought overall, he played well." Rosen seemed intent on showing better body language. There was one pass intended for Williams he would surely have liked back. It should have been intercepted. Here’s the bottom line: Rosen is a project worth developing. But he really didn’t prove in overwhelming fashion — which is what he would have needed to overtake Fitzpatrick — that he should be starting ahead of Fitzpatrick in the season-opener against Baltimore.

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jschad@pbpost.com