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OTA Day 1 Complete Coverage

The Finsiders — Tue, 21 May 2013 20:40:11 +0000

On Tuesday, The Dolphins kicked off the final portion of their voluntary offseason workout schedule, Phase Three, with their first OTA practice. Though live contact is still not permitted, this begins the part of the offseason where the team is able to hold team drills (7-on-7, 9-on-7, 11-on-7).

In case you missed it, here’s a complete roundup of Dolphins.com’s coverage of Tuesday’s OTA practice:

Notes From Day 1 of OTA Practices
Grimes Makes A Solid First Impression
Philbin: I Thought The Guys Practiced Fast
REPORT: Jamar Taylor Misses Practice Due To Injury
2013 New Veteran Numbers Released
Wake, Pouncey and Fields Win Team Awards
Instant Analysis: Dolphins OTA#1
Photo Gallery: Dolphins Hit the Field for OTA #1
VIDEO: Joe Philbin Press Conference
VIDEO: Mike Wallace Media Availability
VIDEO: Ryan Tannehill Media Availability
VIDEO: Reshad Jones Media Availability
VIDEO: Brian Hartline Media Availability
AUDIO: John Congemi‘s Practice Report
AUDIO: OTA Blitz: The Dolphins Offense

REPORT: Jamar Taylor Misses Practice Due To Injury

The Finsiders — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:45:12 +0000

One of the questions to emerge from today’s OTA practice concerned the whereabouts of rookie second round pick Jamar Taylor, the cornerback from Boise St.

Coach Joe Philbin declined to comment on his absence, but Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that it is due to a recent surgical procedure to repair a hernia.

Kelly writes that the injury will likely keep Taylor out for a couple of weeks, though he could be ready for the team’s mini-camp that begins on June 11th.

PHOTOS: Day 1 of OTA practices

Taylor speaks to reporters at rookie mini-camp

Boise St. coach Chris Petersen discusses Taylor

Taylor calls The Finsiders after being drafted

Instant Analysis: Dolphins OTA #1

John Congemi — Tue, 21 May 2013 19:13:11 +0000

It was hot and humid start to the first day of organized team activities for the Miami Dolphins but the weather didn’t stop the rapid pace and play making abilities on the field. The team focused on individual drills and special teams and finished up going offense verses defense. When the mid-morning rain storm rolled into Davie it cooled the players off a bit, but the level of execution didn’t diminish. Here are a couple of observations from from my viewpoint:

1) Tannehill Takes Control – From the first snap of the workout, there was a certain confidence and demeanor that Tannehill put on full display. I felt like he was in complete control of his surroundings and looked like a seasoned quarterback. His velocity, control and location of the football was right on and looked comfortable throwing to his new toys!

2) Tempo, Tempo, Tempo – It was noticeable right from the start that this team will dictate and operate the way they want to play football. The goal will be to play with more efficiency on offense, stay on the field and convert third down opportunities. New players like wide receiver Mike Wallace and linebacker Dannell Ellerbe both talked about the need to get accumulated to the rapid fire of plays and get into playing shape quickly because of the South Florida heat.

3) Competition is Everywhere – Multiple positions are up for grabs but the areas of running back, wide receiver and defensive back just might be the hottest battles moving forward. Each of these positions have talented players all trying to step up and grab the starting nod. Cornerback Brent Grimes looked like he hasn’t lost any athletic ability and made multiple plays on the football. Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas were running and catching with efficiency while wideouts Rishard Matthews, Armon Binns and Brian Tyms will hopefully push each other to continue to strengthen this position.

Related: Photos of Dolphins OTA #1

2013 New Veteran Numbers Released

The Finsiders — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:28:28 +0000

It was announced that Mike Wallace would wear the No. 11 earlier this offseason, and now with OTA’s set to begin today, the rest of new Dolphins’ number choices are official.

Below is a complete list of the new numbers and number changes.

NEW VETERAN PLAYERS

10 Brandon Gibson WR
11 Mike Wallace WR
21 Brent Grimes CB
52 Philip Wheeler LB
59 Dannell Ellerbe LB
61 Lance Louis G
77 Tyson Clabo T
81 Dustin Keller TE
87 Marvin McNutt WR
90 Vaughn Martin DT

NUMBER CHANGES

14 Jeff Fuller WR (Was 83)
18 Rishard Matthews WR (Was 86)
23 De’Andre Presley CB (Was 21)
24 Dimitri Patterson CB (Was 32)
32 Jonas Gray RB (Was 46)
56 Jonathan Freeny LB (Was 59)
86 Kyle Miller TE (Was 87)

Click here to see a complete list of the Dolphins rookies’ numbers

Related: Mike Wallace Highlights

Related: Dustin Keller Highlights

Rizzi Breaks Down Dolphins Special Teams

Sean Logan — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:53:47 +0000

The battle for spots on the back end of the roster becomes increasingly more interesting as a team begins to solidify itself under a new regime.

You got a taste of it last year on Hard Knocks, when several fringe players were profiled, but, remember, this was before Ryan Tannehill had won the starting quarterback job — there was more uncertainty and first impressions were important, even for those whom you’d have expected to be a lock to start.

Now, with a big free-agent haul beginning to be integrated, things are beginning to heat up, and Darren Rizzi, the Dolphins’ special teams coordinator, recently sat down with The Finsiders to walk through the process of building a successful unit.

“The thing we do from day one is really explain to the rookies, hey, listen, this is going to potentially be your way onto the football team,” Rizzi said. “If you start, great go get ‘em. Chances are most rookies aren’t going to be a ‘starter’ at their position.”

Putting together a formidable unit presents bit of a catch-22 for Rizzi: He has to pick the right blend from a pool of players who have likely never played special teams before. At the Division 1 level, rosters are large enough that starters are typically spared from double duty, due in part to a fear Once you start to get a feel for the roster, you begin to look for guys that can be multiple. Which special teams players can potentially help out on offense or defense — and vice versa?

So there is a running dialogue, Rizzi said, with both Mike Sherman and Kevin Coyle at this time of year to start sketching out who may be a good fit.

“Special teams, as you guys know, you can’t be one-dimensional; you have to wear a lot of hats,” Rizzi said. “You’ve got to be able to run down the field and make a tackle, and flip around the next time and block somebody. Sometimes those one-dimensional guys aren’t the guys you’re looking for. You’re really looking for a more well-rounded guy that can play what we call the four core teams.”

One of those malleable pieces, Marcus Thigpen, returns to the unit in 2013, perhaps even earning an expanded role on offense after a superb rookie season. A two-sport athlete in college — he also ran track — Thigpen caught on in the CFL, becoming the first player in league history to score a touchdown five different ways (kickoff return, punt return, missed field goal return, receiving, rushing). Once Dolphins coaches, including Rizzi, had a chance to work with him last summer, there was a sense that they had found a “diamond-in-the-rough type of player.”

A taste of NFL success has left Thigpen wanting more, and there is a mutual feeling that the best is yet to come.

“We still feel the ceiling is still high for him. He can still improve,” Rizzi said. But you sit back and look at this time of the year and he was in the top five both kick return average and punt return average, which for us is a great problem. We had a guy that was a quality guy last year but we feel can continue to improve.”

One of the summer’s most direct, one-on-one position battle will take place right under Rizzi’s watch. The Dolphins went against maintaining the status quo this offseason, bringing in Caleb Sturgis, the former Florida kicker, to compete with Dan Carpenter, the entrenched veteran.

“It’s going to be a very interesting battle,”said Rizzi, who helped conduct a nationwide search for a college kicker. “It’s the classic case of the young guy coming up and seeing if he can make the transition against a proven professional kicker. So we’re looking forward to the competition, for sure.”

REPORT: Mike Gillislee Signs With Dolphins

The Finsiders — Sun, 19 May 2013 15:24:36 +0000

According to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the Dolphins have agreed to terms with running back Mike Gillislee, the first of the team’s two fifth round selections. Once the signing is official, Gillislee will join Jelani Jenkins, Dion Sims, Caleb Sturgis and Don Jones as rookie draft picks who have signed with the team.

Dolphins fifth-round running back Mike Gillislee’s deal is worth $2.322 million, including $162,800 bonus

— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) May 17, 2013

Gillislee had an impressive senior year for the Gators in 2012 as he rushed for 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gillislee joins a young Dolphins running back room that includes Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Jonas Gray, Marcus Thigpen and undrafted rookie free agent Cameron Marshall.

Gillislee spent this weekend participating in the NFLPA rookie premiere in Los Angeles:

Wow! @mikescogilly has cut on a dime skills! @nflplayers #RookiePremiere twitter.com/ToppsFB/status…

— Topps Football (@ToppsFB) May 18, 2013

When the Gillislee signing becomes official, the Dolphins will have signed five of the team’s nine selections in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Related: Mike Gillislee Highlights

Jordan Comments On Jason Taylor Comparisons

The Finsiders — Fri, 17 May 2013 20:18:39 +0000

It’s an overly obvious one to make now that he’s a Dolphin, but the Dion Jordan-Jason Taylor comparison likely would have happened anyway. After all, Jordan has a similar tall, wiry frame and is incredibly athletic.

Jordan has heard the comparisons, telling NFL Network’s Michelle Beisner this week in Los Angeles that he’s focused on himself at this stage.

“After watching JT play for a while, I can see why they try to (compare) us, maybe because of our body size, the way we’re built.” Jordan said. “For me, I just want to build my own name. It’s good to be compared to somebody of his caliber, who has done a lot for that organization. But I’m Dion, and I’m looking forward to carving out my own path.”

How Jordan will initially be used remains a bit of mystery. At first, he could be a situational pass rusher, used on the line on passing downs and dropped back in coverage at other times — something of a defensive wild card. Jordan said that, while he see’s a primary role as a bookend rusher opposite Cameron Wake, that he’ll also be able to operate in space, if asked.

Time will tell if he can be a disruptive force like Taylor, able to consistently force quarterbacks into errors. The most prescient question now: When will Jordan be able to give it a full go on the practice field? Because of Oregon’s academic calendar, the third overall pick will have to a miss a portion of the offseason schedule, including next week’s OTA — Josh Kaddu and Jonathan Martin were put in the same spot last summer. The hope is that Jordan, who is recovering from February surgery, will be back at full strength by the start of training camp.

“My shoulder, and the injury that I had, is something that I’m really paying attention to,” Jordan said, “something I’m taking very seriously.”

RELATED: Dion Jordan Highlights

Defensive Back Wilson Ready To Put The Pads On

The Finsiders — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:28:40 +0000

The freshness that a regime change injects into a franchise can be difficult to carry over into a second year, but there is still a genuine enthusiasm around the Dolphins facility these days.

A bold offseason has a host of Dolphins players, including Jimmy Wilson, buzzing about what could be in 2013.

The California native never left South Florida this spring, telling The Finsiders in a recent interview that he decided to stick around to start working out.

So what, exactly, are he and his teammates doing this early in the program? Well, the defense has yet to see much of the offense on the practice field — though Wilson says he is excited to go up against Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and the rest of the team’s new faces — so right now it’s all about becoming familiar with some of those much-publicized additions.

“We all fit in together. There’s no awkward silences, never. We’re all on the same page.” Wilson said. “We’ve got Brent Grimes in the secondary. That guy, there’s a reason he is who he is. He’s cat-like quick; he can jump out of the gym.”

Despite close to zero turnover on the coaching staff, there are sure to be tweaks to the Dolphins defensive scheme heading into this season; these types of subtle changes happen to adjust to incoming personnel and/or tighten up some of the soft spots that opposing offenses exploited. A change here or there shouldn’t affect Wilson, though, who says he has really become comfortable with defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle’s scheme.

“I know this thing like the back of my hand,” said Wilson, who is entering his third NFL season, all with the Dolphins. “All of our DB’s and guys that have been here, we’re calling out plays, we’re calling out what the linebackers should do, what the d-ends should do. We’re really focusing.”

An NFL offseason is a grind, the players like to say — a day-after-day gauntlet that tests your limits, physically and mentally. But this summer’s on-field work could help Wilson, a defensive chameleon of sorts, lock down a solid spot. Whatever the role ends up being — nickel or dime defender, backup strong safety, etc. — Wilson is ready to go.

“I’m there. I probably haven’t been in this good of shape ever.” Wilson said. “I don’t even want that month off. I wish they would just cut these out of the way and let us go ahead straight to camp on, put the pads on.”

RELATED: Brent Grimes Highlights

South Florida Prospects Leads The Way In 2013 Draft

The Finsiders — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:42:55 +0000

Another year, another influx of local talent makes its way into the NFL. South Florida continues to be one of the nation’s true football hotbeds, consistently churning out future pro prospects.

In last month’s draft, South Florida’s high schools were again well-represented. Of the 17 high schools that had multiple players selected, three are located in the tri-county area, USA Football announced on Tuesday. Miami Norland (Xavier Rhodes, Minnesota; Tourek Williams, San Diego), Miramar (Geno Smith, Jets; Stedman Bailey, St. Louis) and North Miami Beach Senior (Jonathan Cyprien, Jacksonville; Kemal Ishmael, Atlanta) each had two players drafted.

With 27 players selected, no state produced more draftees than Florida and California.

Chandler High School, located in Chandler, Arizona, was the only school that had three former players selected. It, of course, isn’t located in South Florida, but it does have a Dolphins tie — first-round pick Dion Jordan is a graduate.

“There’s a lot of great athletes that come out of the program,” Jordan said. “They train us well to get us ready for college, make sure we take care of business in school, first of all, so we can have that opportunity. Because of the community and the coaching, a tremendous amount of athletes come from our area.”

Three Dolphins Players Make CBS Sports NFL Top 100

The Finsiders — Wed, 15 May 2013 00:24:06 +0000

A new influx of talent is set to enter the NFL this season after last month’s draft. But what would happen if we suspended reality and every single player was eligible to be acquired? Who are the best NFL players heading into 2013?

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, the longtime NFL reporter, took a shot at figuring it out , putting together a list of the 100 best players in the NFL heading into 2013 based on film study and talking to coaches and general managers, and three Dolphins — Cameron Wake, Mike Pouncey and Reshad Jones — made the cut.

Wake, who came in at No. 13, was the second-highest ranked player in the AFC East, trailing only Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (No. 5 overall).

Though he was not named to the first- or second-team All-Pro squads — Seattle’s Max Unger and Mike’s brother, Maurkice, the Steelers center were the two selections — Pouncey was the top center on Prisco’s list (No. 44 overall).

On the heels of his breakout season, Jones earned a spot on the list, one of only four safeties, checking in at No. 74.