The Miami Dolphins were back at it Wednesday and Thursday after their first day off since camp started. The Quarterback battle continued to be the hot topic around camp as coach Joe Philbin continued to state that the competition is "wide open." After practice, Chad Johnson talked to the media for the first time since camp opened last week, and as always, didn't disappoint.
But first to the camp highlights:
- Receivers Brian Hartline and Clyde Gates did not practice again as the former battles a calf injury and the latter a hamstring issue. Time is beginning to be an issue for Hartline, who missed all of the offseason OTA's. The new coaching staff has yet to see the fifth year reciever on the field and with 12 recievers competing for six spots Hartline could begin to fall.
- Speaking of the receiver competition, Roberto Wallace seems poised to grab one of the open spots. He has earned praise thus far in practice for his height and speed, but his drops have been a thing he must improve upon.
- Reggie Bush fumbled three times during yesterday's practice.
- Matt Moore threw two interceptions (by Reshad Jones and Anderson Russell) and fumbled on a strip sack by Randy Starks. Moore has never been a great practice player, and may need to prove that when preseason games begin as he seems to be giving way to David Garrard, who was once again the better QB in Wednesday's practice.
- However, Moore came back nicely today, as he started the 11-11 on drills with the first team and hit a couple nice throws to Roberto Wallace. Once again struggled handling the snap from center Mike Pouncy, though, and that seems to be a bad trend with Moore thus far.
- The Dolphin defense has looked like the better of the two teams so far, throwing a lot of blitzes at the offense and getting good penetration from the Odrick-Wake-Vernon combo.
- Rooke Ryan Tannehill took reps with the first team in today's practice.
- Some Quotes:
- Coach Joe Philbin on Tannehill's poise after yesterday's practice: "He's so kind of cool and collected."
- "Smart kid, has a great arm, really anticipates where the opening are," tight end Anthony Fasano said of Tannehill after practice today.
- "I think he's under rated in this league. The best route runner I've ever been around," Ryan Tannehill said today of receiver Davone Bess.
- Joe Philbin says the Dolphins are 75 percent through installing offense and QB competition is "very close."
- Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/#storylink=cpy
Some play-by-play of yesterday's 11-11:
First team offense versus first team defense:
Garrard complete to Reggie Bush who beats Vontae Davis one-on-one, but Davis strips the ball for a fumble.
Garrard complete to Legedu Naanee for 12 yards.
Garrard incomplete when Roberto Wallace drops a pass.
Garrard to Davone Bess for 8 yards.
Garrard incomplete
Third team offense versus second and third team defense:
Tannehill incomplete.
Tannehill to B.J. Cunningham in flat.
Tannehill to Cunningham for 20 yards.
Tannehill to Rishard Matthews for 18 yards.
Tannehill to Michael Egnew in the flat for 4 yards.
Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2012/08/quickie-camp-post-for-wednesday-afternoo.html#storylink=cpy
The Dolphins will practice again tomorrow, which signals the one week mark until their preseason opener against Tampa Bay. Until then, enjoy Chad Johnson's interview with the South Florida media after yesterday's practice. Beware, it is not edited.
