[/COLOR]DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins completed their second session of organized team activities that was open to the media.
Here are some interesting developments and observations:
Wallace
Wallace
•Dolphins No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace lit up practice Monday. He had three touchdowns in team drills and each was of a different variety. Wallace caught his trademark streak from quarterback Ryan Tannehill for approximately a 20- or 25-yard touchdown to get things going. Then, Wallace also caught a skinny post over the middle for a touchdown and another score in the corner of the end zone on a broken play. Wallace is being moved around this year and there are early signs of success. “Nobody can have a key on me,” Wallace explained. “Last year ... it was every game in the same spot. When you move around, it's hard for a defense to know where you're at.”
•As Wallace’s stats can attest, it was a much better day overall from Tannehill. Last week, Tannehill struggled with his accuracy and overall command of the offense. This week he was more consistent. Tannehill made quick decisions, his throws had zips and it led to big passing plays. He did throw one interception to safety Jimmy Wilson, but the pass was initially dropped and wasn’t Tannehill’s fault.
Moreno
It’s early June, but Dolphins tailback Knowshon Moreno doesn’t look game ready. He’s currently working as a backup behind starter Lamar Miller and didn’t look sharp at OTAs. Moreno also looks a little thicker than usual. Philbin was asked Monday about Moreno’s conditioning. “I think my instincts tell me for this time of the year it’s pretty good,” Philbin said. “But I think there is certainly some room [for improvement] as we get rolling.”
•One other standout in Monday’s practice was defensive tackle Randy Starks. He applied good pressure on the quarterback and schooled new Miami starting guard Shelley Smith several times.
•Dolphins return specialist Marcus Thigpen returned to practice after missing last week reportedly with a back injury. Thigpen’s roster spot is in question this year. The Dolphins have a bevy of kick returners vying for that spot, and Thigpen doesn’t offer much on offense. He worked only with the receivers Monday. “We’re just taking a look at get the best players opportunities to get their hands on the football and utilize the people that we have,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said.
•Keep in mind that it's very early, but I've been pleasantly surprised so far with the development of second-year guard Dallas Thomas. The Dolphins are playing Thomas with the first team at left guard, and he's holding his own next to Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert. Thomas suffered through injuries and looked mostly confused last year as a rookie playing guard and offensive tackle. But he's healthy and more experienced this year. Thomas has to hold off rookie third-round pick Billy Turner in training camp.
•Speaking of Turner, he looks a little raw in the two practices I've seen him. Turner still plays a bit high, which is understandable because he was a left tackle at North Dakota State. The stance at guard is much different. Turner also needs to work on some of his footwork and fundamentals, such as his punch, at the NFL level.
•New Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is trying many new things, which is refreshing to see. Miami's offense was stale and predictable last year under former offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. But Lazor is doing several creative things, such as moving No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace around and using a lot of motion and tempo to dictate to the defense.
•Miami head coach Joe Philbin said the team should have about 85 percent of the new offense installed by the end of this week. One of the biggest storylines to watch this offseason is how quickly third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the rest of the group can pick up the offense. This week's practice was more crisp that last week's session.
•One interesting wrinkle I saw in practice Monday was Miami using Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller in the same backfield. There are plenty of possibilities with that pairing.
•Dolphins' second-year defensive end Dion Jordan continues to impress with his athleticism. This week he ran Miami tailback Mike Gillislee down from behind. Keep in mind Jordan is 265 pounds. Miami must find a way to get Jordan on the field. He looks ready for increased responsibility.
Here are some interesting developments and observations:
Wallace
Wallace
•Dolphins No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace lit up practice Monday. He had three touchdowns in team drills and each was of a different variety. Wallace caught his trademark streak from quarterback Ryan Tannehill for approximately a 20- or 25-yard touchdown to get things going. Then, Wallace also caught a skinny post over the middle for a touchdown and another score in the corner of the end zone on a broken play. Wallace is being moved around this year and there are early signs of success. “Nobody can have a key on me,” Wallace explained. “Last year ... it was every game in the same spot. When you move around, it's hard for a defense to know where you're at.”
•As Wallace’s stats can attest, it was a much better day overall from Tannehill. Last week, Tannehill struggled with his accuracy and overall command of the offense. This week he was more consistent. Tannehill made quick decisions, his throws had zips and it led to big passing plays. He did throw one interception to safety Jimmy Wilson, but the pass was initially dropped and wasn’t Tannehill’s fault.
Moreno
It’s early June, but Dolphins tailback Knowshon Moreno doesn’t look game ready. He’s currently working as a backup behind starter Lamar Miller and didn’t look sharp at OTAs. Moreno also looks a little thicker than usual. Philbin was asked Monday about Moreno’s conditioning. “I think my instincts tell me for this time of the year it’s pretty good,” Philbin said. “But I think there is certainly some room [for improvement] as we get rolling.”
•One other standout in Monday’s practice was defensive tackle Randy Starks. He applied good pressure on the quarterback and schooled new Miami starting guard Shelley Smith several times.
•Dolphins return specialist Marcus Thigpen returned to practice after missing last week reportedly with a back injury. Thigpen’s roster spot is in question this year. The Dolphins have a bevy of kick returners vying for that spot, and Thigpen doesn’t offer much on offense. He worked only with the receivers Monday. “We’re just taking a look at get the best players opportunities to get their hands on the football and utilize the people that we have,” Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin said.
•Keep in mind that it's very early, but I've been pleasantly surprised so far with the development of second-year guard Dallas Thomas. The Dolphins are playing Thomas with the first team at left guard, and he's holding his own next to Pro Bowl left tackle Branden Albert. Thomas suffered through injuries and looked mostly confused last year as a rookie playing guard and offensive tackle. But he's healthy and more experienced this year. Thomas has to hold off rookie third-round pick Billy Turner in training camp.
•Speaking of Turner, he looks a little raw in the two practices I've seen him. Turner still plays a bit high, which is understandable because he was a left tackle at North Dakota State. The stance at guard is much different. Turner also needs to work on some of his footwork and fundamentals, such as his punch, at the NFL level.
•New Dolphins offensive coordinator Bill Lazor is trying many new things, which is refreshing to see. Miami's offense was stale and predictable last year under former offensive coordinator Mike Sherman. But Lazor is doing several creative things, such as moving No. 1 receiver Mike Wallace around and using a lot of motion and tempo to dictate to the defense.
•Miami head coach Joe Philbin said the team should have about 85 percent of the new offense installed by the end of this week. One of the biggest storylines to watch this offseason is how quickly third-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the rest of the group can pick up the offense. This week's practice was more crisp that last week's session.
•One interesting wrinkle I saw in practice Monday was Miami using Knowshon Moreno and Lamar Miller in the same backfield. There are plenty of possibilities with that pairing.
•Dolphins' second-year defensive end Dion Jordan continues to impress with his athleticism. This week he ran Miami tailback Mike Gillislee down from behind. Keep in mind Jordan is 265 pounds. Miami must find a way to get Jordan on the field. He looks ready for increased responsibility.
