Report from Fins second week of OTA's

Yes, it's been a while.  But, until this past week, the biggest news coming out of Dolphins camp was Mike Wallace comparing the locker room to a college locker room..

Yeah, it's been slow.

But that's just the unfortunate reality of the NFL in May and June.  It's depressing, disheartening, and mind numbingly boring.

BUT, the wait is almost over.  In just 96 days the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns will kick things off from Paul Brown Stadium!

In just 67 days the Fins and Cowboys will kickoff the 2013 preseason from Canton, Ohio in the Hall of Fame game!

And, in just over six weeks, the Miami Dolphins will officially begin their march to the post season with the opening of training camp in Davie, Florida.

We're almost there, folks.  Just hold on a little bit longer.  Just. A. Little. Bit. Longer.

Need something to hold you over, though?

Of course you do!

Here are the notes from today's OTA's, provided by Omar Kelly of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.  Enjoy.



-- Lamar Miller began yet another OTA session as the starting tailback. Daniel Thomas was next in line.

-- Brent Grimes and Richard Marshall were the starting cornerbacks.

-- Dolphins second-round pick Jamar Taylor continues to be sidelined by a hernia injury. He might participate in minicamp on a limited basis.


-- New Dolphins WR Courtney Gardner is wearing No. 88.

-- Dolphins OG Lance Louis, a free agent addition, continues his rehab work. He's recovering from a torn ACL. Expects to be cleared for camp.

-- Dolphins rookie OT Dallas Thomas (shoulder) continues his rehab assignment.

-- Chad Pennington is here to work with the quarterbacks. "Share my experiences a little bit," Pennington said.

-- Dolphins first-round pick Dion Jordan continues to miss OTAs because of Oregon's class schedule. Likely won't be here till training camp.

-- Dolphins are playing Jam pony express today. Old school.

-- Dolphins DT Paul Soliai, who had elbow surgery this offseason, is not wearing his elbow brace today.

-- Coaches from Florida Atlantic University are at today's Dolphins OTA.

-- Dolphins DT Randy Starks is again absent from the OTA. He said he plans to attend the mandatory minicamp.


-- De'Andre Pressley just stepped in front of Aaron Corp's pass during JV 7-on-7 and pick-sixed it.

-- Brian Hartline with another TD during 7-on-7s.

-- Just watched Marcus Thigpen run away from Phillip Wheeler during 7-on-7.


-- RJ Stanford with a breakup of a Pat Devlin pass to Jeff Fuller during 7-on-7.

-- Armon Binns just scored 2 straight touchdowns during goal line work. I'm sensing he's a big target in tight zone.

-- Brian Hartline scored a TD for Matt Moore during redzone work.

-- Kelcie McCray just broke up a would-be TD pass to Armon Binns. Great diving play, gave up his body. Almost got hurt.

-- Koa Misi just pick-sixed Ryan Tannehill during red zone work. Next play Tannehill gets a would-be sack.

-- Olivier Vernon just produced a would-be sack on Ryan Tannehill.

-- Phillip Wheeler almost intercepted a Ryan Tannehill pass tipped at the line of scrimmage.

-- Matt Moore just threw a pretty impressive pass to Courtney Gardner during 7-on-7 half field work. Gardner fought the ball on the catch.

-- Brian Tyms' release off the line just made me curse. He's explosive.

-- Nice breakup by Chris Clemons during 7-on-7 half field work.

-- Michael Egnew continues to work as the second-team TE and Charles Clay is behind him.

-- Jonathan Freeny deflected a pass to Marcus Thigpen during red zone work.

-- Nate Garner is working just about everywhere on the offensive line, just like usual.

-- Daniel Thomas scored a TD in red zone during 11-on-11. He's having a solid day.

-- The Dolphins have four fullbacks in camp now. Last year there might have been two. Is this a change in approach?

-- Armon Binns worked as the starting receiver paired with Brian Hartline during the one team sessions the Phins held so far.

-- Dolphins receiver Mike Wallace is not here at the team's OTA session.


-- Rishard Matthews caught a touchdown pass from Tannehill during 11-on-11s.

-- Marcus Thigpen dropped a pass when he heard Nolan Carroll's footsteps. Thigpen had plenty of drops.

-- Will Davis deflected a pass during JV's 11-on-11s. He jumped the route.

-- Chandler Burden was working as the JV center and clearly needs work. He had a ridiculously high snap. Looked like a field goal.

-- Aaron Corp got sacked by rookie defensive tackle Chris Burnette.

-- Caleb Strugis missed a 47 yard field goal then made a 32-yarder, 48-yarder, and 49-yarder. No work during team session for Dan Carpenter.

-- Austin Spitler forced Matt Moore to throw the ball away during his second snap of 11-on-11.

-- Kelcie McCray intercepted a Matt Moore pass. Great safety play. He's clearly a sleeper.

-- Ryan Tannehill threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Keller, who was wide open. Tannehill said the play got called back. I didn't see the penalty.

-- On the next play H-back Charles Clay roasted Reshad Jones down the seam for a touchdown pass Tannehill ripped throw the secondary. Bold throw!

-- Rishard Matthews scored three touchdowns today. One on a deep ball and two in the red zone.

-- Kyle Miller caught two red zone passes that set up Cameron Marshall's touchdown run for the JV squad.

-- Armons Binns caught a jump ball touchdown on a QB scramble from Pat Devlin.


WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

-- "We thought he was decisive in the way he plays the game," Philbin said of Dannell Ellerbe.

-- "He's a big guy. Catches the ball with his hands well. He's an intriguing prospect," Philbin said of new WR Courtney Gardner.


-- Because the defense got the best of the offense today Joe Philbin joked that "I'm a defensive coach today."

-- "He moves around like a football player," Philbin said of Kelcie McCray. "His play speed has been increasing. Some rust needs to come off."

-- "He's a real pro," Philbin said of Dustin Keller. "That's one thing that really was a pleasant surprise for the coaching staff."

-- Philbin said blitz pickup and route running will be the way the tailbacks are evaluating other than running the ball.

-- Philbin said he expects the RB competition to be fierce, but team hasn't gotten to the point they are rotating.

-- "Clearly we would like to practice a little faster," Philbin said of the practice pace.

-- "He's a good ball catcher. He catches the ball in his hands well and he went after the ball," Philbin said of Brandon Gibson.

-- "I like the way he plays. I always have," Joe Philbin said of Brent Grimes game.

-- Philbin said Brent Grimes "had excellent instincts and competitiveness....he plays bigger than his size."

-- Joe Philbin said today was the red zone day. They were teaching them the new scoring plays.

-- "At the end of the day depending on how you did you'll be where you need to be as far as the depth chart," Will Davis said.

-- "No doubt about that. I definitely would have been a first rounder," Courtney Gardner said. He claims he runs a 4.51 at 225 pounds.

-- "Most cornerbacks are 5-11. I'm not 5-6. I'm short, but I make plays," Brent Grimes said.

-- "Football is football, especially for the cornerback position. You've got to cover the guy in front of you," Brent Grimes said.

-- "You've just got to make the plays when they come to you," Brent Grimes said.

-- "Its different. The first day I got here it was like a fire drill," Brent Grimes on the team's fast pace.

-- Nice score by Rishard Matthews on a diving catch on a pass from Ryan Tannehill.

(The full story can be found at www.sun-sentinel.com)

[UPDATE: Mike Wallace was not there today because of a family emergency]


Until next time, and I say that loosely because, let's be honest, it's June, adios!

Miami Dolphins going 'Gator' heavy on day three

So far today, the draft's third and final day, GM Jeff Ireland has taken a page out of Bill Belichick draft handbook, and taken THREE Florida Gators for his first four pick.

First, the Fins took LB Jelani Jenkins with the 104th pick (4th round).

After taking Michigan State TE Dion Sims two picks later, Ireland then took Florida RB Mike Gillislee with the 164th pick, only to then take Gator kicker Caleb Sturgis three picks later.

Sturgis is an interesting pick because he went in the 5th round.  It's well known around the league that if you take a kicker that high up you intend to keep him.  After Dan Carpenters early season struggles last season, you've got to think this is a clear message being sent to the former Pro Bowl kicker.

The other two Gators, Gillislee and Jenkins, were interesting picks by Ireland, especially the ladder.

Gillislee ran for 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season at Florida.  The breakout season clearly raised his draft stock, and makes him an interesting player to follow going forward, especially with Lamar Miller expected to take the reigns this season for the Fins.  The two young running backs could be a nice duo together if they pan out.

TE Dion Sims is intriguing as well.  He has a massive build, and is good in the blocking game, which is something Dustin Keller struggles with at times.  The knock on Sims, however, is his track record.

He missed all of the 2010 season because he was suspected for his involvement in a theft ring involving 104 laptops and the Detroit Public School system.

Sims plead guilty and was sentenced to one year probation and 15 hours of community service. However, his conviction was eventually expunged.

More to come.

Fins trade back into 3rd round, nab Utah St. CB Will Davis

The Dolphins traded picks 109, 146 and 224 for the Green Bay Packer's 93rd overall pick, which was used on CB Will Davis from Utah State.

Davis has good size, quick hands and feet, and is a physical corner.  The knock on him, however, is his lack of experience at the position.

Regardless, he was named first team All-WAC last season.

This, from Davis:

"I had a good feeling about the Dolphins but once they made their last pick and then traded out of their pick, I didn't know," Davis said. "It was kind of disappointing. But then I got the call they traded back in and, I tell you what, I'm ear to ear smiling right now."

The Fins have now drafted two corners, an offensive lineman, and, of course, Dion Jordan.

Dolphins draft OT Thomas with 77th pick

The Miami Dolphins have drafted OT Dallas Thomas with the 77th overall pick.

Thomas played LT and LG at the University of Tennessee, so it is unsure where the Fins plan on playing him.

Thomas suffered an injury at Senior Bowl, and didn't work at the Combine.

The three year starter is 6-5, 300 pounds and started 25 straight games at left tackle, and 12 games at left guard his senior year.

He was selected as a Second Team All-SEC member for 2012.


[UPDATE: The Fins have traded their 82nd pick to the Saints.  They will now have the 7th, 9th, and 12th picks of the fourth round tomorrow.]

BREAKING: With 54th overall pick, Miami Dolphins select...

Boise State CB Jamar Taylor.

This is the first time the Fins have drafted a CB since Sean Smith in the 2009 draft.

Taylor was a 3-year starter for Boise State. He's contributed 137 tackles, seven interceptions and forced six fumbles during his career.

He's one of the fastest and strongest CB's in this year's draft.  ESPN's Mel Kiper had him going in the 5th round before this past season, and then put him as a second round talent after the year he had.

One more note: This is the pick that the Fins got in return for the Vontae Davis trade a year ago.

Give a corner, get a corner.

Good pick by Jeff Ireland.  Addressed another pressing need.

BREAKING: Dolphins trade WR Bess to Browns

As was speculated all day yesterday, Davone Bess has been officially traded to the Cleveland Browns.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the news via twitter, and was soon followed by ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The two teams swapped draft spots in two rounds, including the 4th rd. There were no actual pick given up.

Bess has spent his entire career with the Fins since being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2008.

Faulk: "This move is all about getting to Tom Brady"; other analysts react to Jordan pick

At this point, you should know how I feel about the Dion Jordan pick last night by the Miami Dolphins.  If not, go read the column I posted last night.

I loved it.  It was an AGGRESSIVE move by Jeff Ireland.  The days of boring, safe, vanilla draft picks are no more.  Ireland went all in last night.  Joe Philbin loved the pick, "I was all for it."  Stephen Ross said it was "a great day" for the organization.

Why do I love this move?  Well, NFL Network's crew summed it up best: "This move is all about getting to Tom Brady."

EXACTLY.  Last night, the Miami Dolphins' defensive front four became one of the most feared groups in the National Football League.

Cameron Wake.

Paul Soliai.

Randy Starks.

And now, Dion Jordan.

This defense just got really, really good.  Offenses have had to gameplan for ONE player in the past when playing the Miami Dolphins, that being Cameron Wake.

Now, you've got a 6'7 athletically gifted talent opposite Wake on the right side of the line. You've got somebody who's freakishly quick for his size, who can cover tight ends, who can cause fumbles, who can get to the QB in the blink of an eye.

Is he raw?  Sure.  Does he need to put on 20 pounds?  Probably.  Was he a bit of a reach?  Maybe.  But is he worth it?

Absolutely.

ESPN's Jon Gruden said he was "shocked" by the pick.

Skip Bayless didn't like it at all (he also didn't like the Ryan Tannehill pick last year).
ESPN’s Mel Kiper said he’s best suited to be a 3-4 outside linebacker instead of a defensive end in a 4-3.

However, the overwhelming reaction has been positive.

NFL Network’s Mike Mayock: “He’s breathtaking off the edge. He’s got the potential to be Jason Taylor. He looks a little bit like an Aldon Smith. If he puts 20 pounds on that 6-7 frame, someday he might even be a DeMarcus Ware. He’s got that edge speed."

NFL Network’s Steve Mariucci: “When he puts on a little muscle, he’s going to be dynamite. They’re going to find a way to have this guy on the field most downs.”

NFL Network’s Marshall Faulk: “If you’re going to compete against the Patriots two times a year, you have to be able to beat a guy one-on-one and not blitz Tom Brady. You need this guy.”

ESPN's Chris Morteson was even impressed with the trade itself, saying the Fins gave up very little to move all the way up to the third pick (only ONE second round pick).

Some question Jordan's college stats, as he only posted 5.5 sacks in his final season at Oregon.  Please, don't look into that too much like some people will.  Jordan played most of his snaps at the OLB position.  He played in a very different system at Oregon than he will be playing this season in Miami.

Can he make the transition?

“Not a problem for me,” Jordan said. “I feel like I’ll do well.”


Can you be a strip-sack-fumble-and-touchdown type of defensive end?  Jordan’s answer:

“Of course.”

Listen, this wasn't the safe pick for the Miami Dolphins.  That would have been LT Lane Johnson.  But, as I said, those days are over.  Years ago, the Fins passed up players such as Joe Flacco or Matt Ryan, who had the chance to be great but needed time to get there, for safe pick Jake Long.

I've got one question for you..

How did that work out?

On a night that started with the uniform evolution show down in Miami ended with something much more significant in New York:

A new era.

And an exciting one too.