Training Camp recap: Day one and two

The Miami Dolphins are all systems go right now, especially with the Hall of Fame game against Dallas a mere 13 days away.

The team wrapped up its second morning of practice just a few hours ago, and so far there has been plenty to report.

Here are some highlights and observations from the first two days of camp, via the Sun Sentinel, the Miami Herald, and, of course, yours truly.  Enjoy.


Sunday:

• It's becoming more and more clear why the Fins passed on FB Vonta Leach last week, when all reports indicated he wanted to be in Miami.  The first two days of practice the Fins haven't even had a FB on the field with the first team offense.  Instead, they've opted to use a TE in the back field as the lead blocker.  Sound familiar?  It should, as that is the EXACT same formation the Green Bay Packers use.  It's obvious that the Fins want as many play makers on the field at one time as humanly possible, and with so much being invested into the team's TE's (Dustin Keller, Charles Clay), this seems to be the route Miami is going.

• Second year DE Olivier Vernon has so far impressed through the first two days.  He's been in on a handful of big plays in the backfield, and with rookie Dion Jordan still sidelined with the shoulder injury, this will be a very interesting competition to watch unfold over the next month.

• Speaking of Dion Jordan, should we be concerned yet?  No.  He had shoulder surgery five months ago, it's only two days into camp, lets give it some time, folks.

• As I said last week, the two corner spots seem pretty set in stone with Brent Grimes and Richard Marshall.  Grimes has been everything he was two years ago and more, while Marshall has seemed fully healthy and has made some big plays through two days of camp.

• Ryan Tannehill and the Fins offense got off to a slow start yesterday.  The first play of the day was long sideline pass to Mike Wallace, which was overthrown.  It's clear, as expected, that those two will need some time to develop some chemistry.  Nothing to panic about, besides, which team isn't rusty on the first day of training camp?  Tannehill did connect with Brian Hartline a handful of times, and hit Dustin Keller and Brandon Gibson a handful of times over the middle.

• I'm not even going to discuss trench play, because until players put on pads (tomorrow), it's pretty much irrelevant.

• A player to watch?  WR Marvin McNutt, a first year player out of Iowa, who impressed Sunday, catching 5 passes from QB Matt Moore.

• The kicking battle?  There wasn't one on Sunday, as Dan Carpenter got all the repetitions.  He converted 10/10 FG's.  Caleb Sturgis kicked today, and we'll get to that in a minute.

The day one starting units looked like this, according to the Miami Herald:

• Defense -- DL was Olivier Vernon, Paul Soliai, Randy Starks and Cameron Wake up front. Jared Odrick spent much of his time inside at DT and also shared snaps with Starks with the first team. At LB Koa Misi, Dannell Ellerbe in the middle and Phillip Wheeler. Grimes and Marshall were at CB. Reshad Jones and Chris Clemons were at safety.

• Offense -- OL was Martin at LT, Richie Incognito at LG, C Mike Pouncey, RG John Jerry and RT Clabo. WRs were Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline in two-wide and Brandon Gibson added to the three-wide. Tight end was Dustin Keller and obviously Tannehill at QB.

Monday:

• The offense looked better today, but still waiting for that long TD strike to Mike Wallace.  Tannehill and Wallace did hook up a number of times today, but on slant routes and out patterns, nothing deep.

• Richard Marshall blew up two running plays in the backfield, he's looked good, as I mentioned earlier.

• Lamar Miller has looked fast so far, but while everybody (including myself) has already crowned him the starting RB, a Fins official told the Miami Herald today not to count out Daniel Thomas, saying that if the third year man can stay healthy, expect a big year out of him.  We'll see.

• Jared Odrick and Randy Starks were together on the first team Defensive line today.

• Caleb Sturgis converted 2/3 FG's, including a 48 yarder.  Carpenter and Sturgis seem to be alternating kicking days.

• The read option IS in the playbook.  That's all we've been told.  Take of it what you'd like.

• Rishard Matthews had a good day in the 11-11 portion of practice, as did Michael Egnew.

• QB Pat Devlin took second team snaps today, while Matt Moore worked with the third team.

• No Dion Jordan sighting today, you'd expect he's in the trainers room inside.

• Not much from the two rookie CB's yet, although Jamar Taylor did have noticeable limp today.

• Tyson Clabo has so far impressed, and seems to be the solid veteran the Fins expected him to be when they signed him.  That's good news for Ryan Tannehill.

That's all for now, check back later for anything new.  The next scheduled practice is set for tomorrow morning.