ESPN's Dolphins Camp Watch

[nerfball]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/44726/dolphins-camp-watch

Three thoughts as training camps open around the NFL:

One thing I'm certain of: “Hard Knocks” will be a good thing for the Dolphins. This is a team in need of exposure and a better national perception after another poor, 6-10 season. The Dolphins started 2011 0-7 and the rest of the league pretty much forgot about them.

The storylines in Miami are not sexy, but they are plentiful. There is a quarterback competition, a new coaching staff and colorful receiver Chad Ochocinco. HBO does a tremendous job on these shows, and it will be up to the Dolphins to put their best foot forward.

One thing that might happen: We might see a resurgence from the 34-year-old Ochocinco in training camp. But he cannot be as bad as the player we saw last year with the New England Patriots. Ochocinco never fit the system in New England and recorded just 15 catches. He still might be Miami’s most dynamic receiver entering his 12th season. Perhaps that’s more of an indictment of Miami’s receivers.

Ochocinco looked pretty good in minicamp. He still has a quick first step and made several big plays against Miami’s secondary in practices. The Dolphins need the old Ochocinco to return -- or least a player close to it. Ochocinco first needs a solid camp and preseason to earn a starting job.

One thing we won't see: Ryan Tannehill will not be a factor in Miami’s quarterback competition. It’s being billed as a three-way race for the starting job, but Tannehill is a long shot. David Garrard and Matt Moore are the two legitimate quarterbacks battling for Miami’s starting job in Week 1. Both veterans have looked far ahead of the rookie Tannehill in offseason workouts.

Tannehill has just 19 career starts at quarterback in college. It is hard to make that jump to the NFL with limited experience, and Tannehill is already showing that with his uneven offseason performance. It would be shocking if Tannehill can make up so much ground on Moore and Garrard in a few weeks.

 

[DuderinoN703]

and Tannehill is already showing that with his uneven offseason performance.

All of a few OTAs huh? Cut him

 

[Hawaii 5-0]

All of a few OTAs huh? Cut him

yeah, what a bust!

 

[datruth55]

Tannehill's uneven performance is typical of a rookie, especially a rookie QB.

I was just reading Barry Jackson's blog and Chad Johnson sounds like he's very motivated this year. Don't know if that means he'll perform any better but it sure can't hurt. He also said that Olivier Vernon's contract is close but not much for Tannehill or Egnew's contracts.

 

[hemidemon]

I think people forget Tannehill was gonna need some grooming. I'm not surprised.

 

[34miami23]

You can already hear the critics rip the Fins for Tannehill in preseason games ... (adam schein)

I think he will be great as long as we let him "cook" and not falling into the temptation to "microwave" him.

 

[ckparrothead]

With everyone (self included) being positive that Ryan Tannehill is out of the QB race, it would be really really cool if he suddenly made a serious run at the job. Just saying.

 

[Fin Thirteen]

Every single rookie QB that ever was says the same thing when asked about the difference between training in the NFL versus college "the speed of the game is on another level". What was RT having to adjust to in OTAs? The speed.

It's been so long since we drafted a high profile QB, we have no experience as a fanbase or a media watching a rookie develop under the spotlight. We've forgotten that ALL new QBs to the NFL have to adjust and refine their games - from A Luck all the way down to the UDFA guy. What separates them is how long the adjustment takes and the end result. It's WAAAAY to early to judge that with any new QB - RT, AL and RG3 included.

I'll say this though. I predict that RG3 will be a gamechanger for the QB position in the NFL, if used correctly.

 

[datruth55]

With everyone (self included) being positive that Ryan Tannehill is out of the QB race, it would be really really cool if he suddenly made a serious run at the job. Just saying.

That would be cool but unlikely. The game needs to slow down for him a lot for him to be able to make that run. From reports he's show flashes in OTAs and mini camps but the consistancy isn't there and he's taken a lot of would be sacks which is a good indicator that things are still moving to fast for him right now.

 

[bmacnasty20]

Nice

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

With everyone (self included) being positive that Ryan Tannehill is out of the QB race, it would be really really cool if he suddenly made a serious run at the job. Just saying.

VERY GOOD POINT!!!!! Say what you want about Ireland but he has handled the situation with RT perfectly IMO. Now all the pressure is off the kid and he can just sit back and learn at a pace that HE is comfortable with. If he isn't ready day one then he wasn't supposed to be, but if he gets up to speed and is ready day one, he is ahead of schedule. Good Job Jeff!!!

 

[Rev Kev]

Every single rookie QB that ever was says the same thing when asked about the difference between training in the NFL versus college "the speed of the game is on another level". What was RT having to adjust to in OTAs? The speed.

It's been so long since we drafted a high profile QB, we have no experience as a fanbase or a media watching a rookie develop under the spotlight. We've forgotten that ALL new QBs to the NFL have to adjust and refine their games - from A Luck all the way down to the UDFA guy. What separates them is how long the adjustment takes and the end result. It's WAAAAY to early to judge that with any new QB - RT, AL and RG3 included.

I'll say this though. I predict that RG3 will be a gamechanger for the QB position in the NFL, if used correctly.

RG3 will be on the carpet every other play if he lasts the season without significant injury I will be surprised - who is blocking for RG3?

 

[ckparrothead]

That would be cool but unlikely. The game needs to slow down for him a lot for him to be able to make that run. From reports he's show flashes in OTAs and mini camps but the consistancy isn't there and he's taken a lot of would be sacks which is a good indicator that things are still moving to fast for him right now.

Don't be surprised if it looks on Hard Knocks like Ryan Tannehill is making a serious run at the job. If I can think of it, so can they.

---------- Post added at 01:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 PM ----------

VERY GOOD POINT!!!!! Say what you want about Ireland but he has handled the situation with RT perfectly IMO. Now all the pressure is off the kid and he can just sit back and learn at a pace that HE is comfortable with. If he isn't ready day one then he wasn't supposed to be, but if he gets up to speed and is ready day one, he is ahead of schedule. Good Job Jeff!!!

I'm not sure what you mean. What did Jeff Ireland do that puts Ryan Tannehill in a perfect situation? Can you be specific?

 

[Mile High Fin]

I believe Hard Knocks will be edited to imply a tighter QB race than actually exists (especially with Ryan).

I'm not saying it won't be a tight competition in actuality, but anything they can edit to make it appear EVEN TIGHTER, will only help ratings....

Of course, with perception = reality, many Dolfans will be clamoring for Ryan to start since he's so "close". Ha.

 

[Krush]

Makng up ground? this kid is teaching the veterans the offense. Cam newton wasn't bad at Auburn but what else did they have? so how many games did Cam Newton Start? If you count blinn college I can imagine about 22 games, and at florida he came in at mop up time. Tannehill is just as atheletic as Newton and can do some of the things that newton does. Getting Garrard doesn't make since, he might might win 2 more games than Tannehill, but in the long run Tanny needs to start to find out what's he is made of.