Training Camp CompWatch: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

The countdown is down to just FIVE days until the Miami Dolphins bring in the new year down in Davie, FL.

Better get going.  In this edition of "CompWatch" I'll breakdown the, arguably, most improved area on your 2013 Miami Dolphins:

The Wide Receivers.

I'll also be taking a look at an intriguing battle between the Tight Ends, more specifically, the battle for that second and third TE spot.

Lets do it.


The Players:  Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Armon Binns, Rishard Matthews, Dustin Keller, Charles Clay, Michael Egnew, Dion Sims.

The Heavyweight(s):  Obviously, Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Dusitn Keller are all penned in for opening day starts in Cleveland.  Honestly, I really shouldn't even have to clarify that.  Wallace was brought in on the heels of a disastrous 2012 campaign, Brian Hartline aside, by Miami Dolphin wide receivers, and will be leaned upon heavily by second year man Ryan Tannehill.  The $65 million dollar man should open the field by leaps and bounds for Tannehill, Hartline, and other offensive weapons for the Fins.

In regards to Brian Hartline and Dustin Keller, what can you say about these two? Hartline had an outstanding season a year ago, and developed immediate chemistry with then rookie Ryan Tannehill, despite missing all of training camp.  He was brought back by GM Jeff Ireland in March, in one of the wisest moves the embattled GM has ever made, and should expect another solid year this season, especially with the addition of Wallace.

Dustin Keller was another Ireland move that I found genius.  If you've followed this blog at all in the last two years then you should know that former TE Anthony Fasano was my absolute worst enemy.  He was inconsistent, dropped easy passes, and, quite simply, wasn't a PLAYMAKER.

Look, I'm not saying Keller is Vernon Davis or Aar-, nevermind, (too soon?) but he's got good size, is a legitimate seam threat, and can make some big PLAYS.  That is a HUGE upgrade in my opinion.


The Contenders:  This is where the real battles begin.  Brandon Gibson was another key offseason signing by Jeff Ireland, and is being groomed to take over for newly departed Davone Bess in the slot.

However, Armon Binns may have something to say about that. Reports out of OTA's and mini camp had Binns coming out with the clear upper hand over Gibson, both in chemistry with Tannehill and overall plays made.  Binns has great size to him (6'3), and can be a legitimate redzone threat week in and week out.  However, it will take a monumental effort from the waiver wire pick up of a year ago to unseat the newly signed Gibson.  Look for this to be the highlight of camp day in and day out.

In regards to backing up Dustin Keller, two names come to mind: Michael Egnew, and Charles Clay. The ladder had his moments last season (check Indianapolis and Seattle), but was widely inconsistent, as he disappeared for weeks on end.  That brings us to Egnew, the third round pick out of Missouri who seriously, seriously underperformed last season  (and by that I mean he didn't even dress until WEEK 16!).  The reviews on Egnew have been improved thus far, but word is he still has quite a ways to go.  However, don't turn a blind eye on the kid just yet.  His size, and raw athletic ability have the chance to be solid NFL material if he just gets the chance to put it all together.  We'll see going into year two.


The Dark Horse(s):  Don't think I forgot about the two youngsters, in-fact, these two may excite me the most.  WR Rishard Matthews was the final pick of the Fins' 2012 draft, and wasn't expected to play much, if it all, last season.  However, injuries and poor WR play allowed Matthews to work his way onto the field, and by the end of the season the kid had built up a nice rapport with fellow rookie Ryan Tannehill.  Matthews showed us glimpses of big play ability in his 2012 campaign (December Buffalo game), and proved he could catch the football; this, combined with an already established chemistry with Ryan Tannehill makes Matthews a real threat to his fellow teammates.

Last, but not least, we have rookie TE Dion Sims.  The fourth round pick of Michigan State possess great downhill speed for his size (6'6, 285), and is a solid pass blocker. Word out of Miami is that Sims impressed during OTA's and Mini Camp, and even ran plays with the first team offense.  There is no doubt that Sims will be a bit of a project at the start, but if he continues to impress as he has thus far, don't be surprised to see the rookie on more than one Sunday (yes, I'm talking to you, Michael Egnew) this season.


Alright, continue watching the All Star game, all while keeping the fact that the NFL is set to resume in FIVE days in the back of your mind.

Until next time.