Camp Observations: Dolphins fate tied to Tannehill

[gafin]

DAVIE, Fla. – I spent the last two days watching an improved Miami Dolphins squad, focusing especially on Ryan Tannehill’s development entering his third season and how new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is pushing the quarterback to see how much volume he can handle.

The one overriding takeaway about these Dolphins came from straight-shooting wide receiver Brian Hartline, who told me flat out that Tannehill is a franchise guy who has handled everything Lazor has thrown at him with poise, including recalibrating his mechanics.
The Dolphins have also added some good offensive pieces in rookie receiver Jarvis Landry, right tackle Ja’Wuan James, free-agent left tackle Branden Albert and tailback Knowshon Moreno.
Hartline’s take on Lazor’s offense?
“It will be hard on defenses,’’ Hartline told me. “Bill Lazor is a hell of a coach.’’
Bottom line: It all comes down to winning more games for these Dolphins. Or else owner Stephen Ross will have no choice other than to start over. Again.

I’ll take Tannehill to be that guy who separates from second-year signal callers EJ Manuel and Geno Smith. Manuel and Smith have shown flashes, but Tannehill has shown more maturation and has more experience given his 32 career starts.

If the Dolphins can run the ball better with an improved Lamar Miller and Moreno, who just returned today from the physically unable to perform list, the Dolphins are poised to contend for a playoff spot.

Though Lazor is coming from Philadelphia and Chip Kelly’s high-revving offense, Tannehill told me the Dolphins won’t be a no-huddle knockoff of Kelly’s Eagles.

Lazor is stressing timing, up-tempo play speed, balance and, of course, more points after averaging just 19.8 per game last season and misfiring when they failed to score enough in season-ending losses to the Jets and Bills that caused them to miss the playoffs.

It would be suicide for the Dolphins to run a lot of no-huddle at Kelly’s breakneck speed given how they’re breaking in an entirely revamped line.

It was hard for coach Joe Philbin to fire former offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, who was Philbin’s mentor in Green Bay. But change and a more dynamic offense could put the offense over the top.

• Mike Wallace told me he is confident that he and Tannehill will connect more often on the deep ball. Philbin has made that vertical connection a point of emphasis after Tannehill and Wallace connected last season on just six of 36 passes of 20 yards or deeper, according to Pro Football Focus. They worked hard to better their synergy starting in OTAs. But that work hit a snag the last few days with Wallace nagged by a tight hamstring. “The deep ball is going to be there,’’ Wallace told me. “That’s what I do. I’m going to be open on those nine out of 10 times. If I keep catching those short balls, I’m going to be even more open on those deep balls. Just Ryan and I having another year under our belt is really going to help. Ryan is doing a good job throwing the deep ball to other guys. Just to see him hitting those guys on deep balls, the feeling is when I get back feeling healthy, it’s going to be the same thing. We started OTAs on the right page. I’ve had a little setback with my hammy, but I’m working hard to get back full ASAP.’’
• Former LSU receiver Jarvis Landry has been impressive. He’s a polished, natural hands catcher with the versatility to play the slot or outside. And he’s so sure-handed, the second round pick is also back catching punts. Philbin, Lazor, Tannehill, Hartline and Wallace each raved about the kid as a tough football player with excellent playing speed. Landry will help Tannehill move the sticks and open up Wallace on those deep shots.

• Much has been made of Tannehill’s seven interceptions the past three practices when he’s been noticeably up and down. Sure, he’s been uneven. But I’ll put more weight on how sharp Tannehill performed when the lights were on during Saturday’s intra-squad scrimmage. He went 15 of 27 for 139 yards with two touchdowns, a two-point conversion and no interceptions. Both Philbin and Lazor told me they were impressed with how dialed in Tannehill was in his decision making, flashing the type of command they are emphasizing. Expect Tannehill to get a couple of series with the first team against the Atlanta Falcons in Friday night’s preseason opener since nothing will be more valuable than game reps in Lazor’s system.
• Quarterback-center snap exchanges have been an issue with Mike Pouncey sidelined by late June surgery to repair a torn hip labrum. Pouncey was working on the side during Wednesday’s practice going through ladder agility and pass-set drills and looked ahead of schedule. Philbin told me it’s too soon to know. But Samson Satele, who started last season for the Indianapolis Colts, has stabilized the issue as the starting center the last two days and is expected to start Friday night and hold down the position.
• Love the swagger that Cortland Finnegan and safety Louis Delmas have brought to the back end for Kevin Coyle’s defense. Finnegan is a feisty, complete corner who seems revitalized by his signing with the Dolphins after stints with the Tennessee Titans and St. Louis Rams. He’s been a thorn for Tannehill with four picks the last three days. And his ball-hawking play is rubbing off on Brent Grimes, who had three picks the last few days. And Delmas is a local kid happy to be returning home after playing in Detroit the last few years. He’s an in-the-box thumper in the middle of a defense whose weak link last season was stopping the run, especially at linebacker.

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[mnphinfan]

Man, Hartline really goes out of his way to praise both Lazor and Tannehill. The players have totally bought into the new offensive scheme and definitely believe Tannehill can run it.

Landry definitely getting some love as well. I dont think it will take long before he becomes a weapon opposing defenses will have to worry about.

 

[nick1]

Hartline sure never lacked confidence

 

[finjim]

Isn't every team's fate tied to the QB?

 

[Zounds]

Much has been made of Tannehill’s seven interceptions the past three practices when he’s been noticeably up and down. Sure, he’s been uneven. But I’ll put more weight on how sharp Tannehill performed when the lights were on during Saturday’s intra-squad scrimmage. He went 15 of 27 for 139 yards with two touchdowns, a two-point conversion and no interceptions. Both Philbin and Lazor told me they were impressed with how dialed in Tannehill was in his decision making, flashing the type of command they are emphasizing.

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This is a very telling point. All of the INTs we have heard about during practices were just that, practice throws - which I think some people were reading too much into. But during the scrimmage he has a great performance.

PS - Its nice hearing an perspective that doesn't come from Omar or Armando.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Well, Tannehill got Hartline paid, so what is he going to say? That the guy sucks?

 

[phinfan40353]

Sometimes you can almost feel the offense is chomping at the bit to unleash a can of WA on some defenses to put last year in the rear view mirror with authority.

 

[gafin]

It sure would be nice to have an offense that you felt really good about. It has been a long time, maybe this is the year they turn the corner.

 

[NRA]

Well, Tannehill got Hartline paid, so what is he going to say? That the guy sucks?

oh? tanny caught the balls for hartline?

hartline was PAID for wht HE did himself, and that is CATCHING THE BALL!! tanny didnt do a damn thing to get him his deal. no more than hartline is responsible for any of tannys successes. hartline doesnt throw the ball. tanny doesnt catch it.

come on man. no reason to FORCE negativity where it isnt warranted. it's kind of becoming a theme lately.

 

[nick1]

oh? tanny caught the balls for hartline?

hartline was PAID for wht HE did himself, and that is CATCHING THE BALL!! tanny didnt do a damn thing to get him his deal. no more than hartline is responsible for any of tannys successes. hartline doesnt throw the ball. tanny doesnt catch it.

come on man. no reason to FORCE negativity where it isnt warranted. it's kind of becoming a theme lately.

I don't see that as negative maybe he meant it that way I don't know his intentions. But I'm sure what he means is hartline was Tannehill’s favorite WR and had his breakout year until tannehill as a rookie and followed up with another 1000 yard year in Tannehill's second season. Who knows maybe a different QB doesnt favor hartline and he never becomes the WR he is

 

[BlueFin]

Man, Hartline really goes out of his way to praise both Lazor and Tannehill. The players have totally bought into the new offensive scheme and definitely believe Tannehill can run it.

Landry definitely getting some love as well. I dont think it will take long before he becomes a weapon opposing defenses will have to worry about.

Yep....I think Landry is one of those guys that's going step right in and never look back.....great pick!