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The Miami Dolphins begin a three-day minicamp on Tuesday. It will be the final time the team gets together before the beginning of July’s training camp. Unlike the OTAs that were recently completed, this camp is mandatory. That is ironic because it is mandatory for head coach Joe Philbin to lead his club into the playoffs in 2015 or his tenure as Dolphins boss will most likely be terminated. Here are a few things that should make this minicamp most interesting.
The continued development of quarterback Ryan Tannehill is anticipated. The harmony Tannehill has with new receivers Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings will be under the microscope. Slot receiver Jarvis Landry put on a show in OTAs and watching him take over the No. 1 receiver spot is an awesome sight to see. Rishard Matthews will have to step up now that rookie first-round draft pick DeVante Parker is out for most of the summer. Matthews was annoyed by being dropped on the depth chart after the signing of Jennings and the drafting of Parker. With increased action, it is time for Matthews to put up or shut up.
Miami’s potentially potent offense will be nothing more than a pipe dream if the offensive line does not dominate. Veteran left tackle Branden Albert is still injured, so the player who fills in for the former Pro Bowl player will be in the spotlight. The always-intriguing battle of the guards will write another chapter this week. Two starting spots are up for grabs among the quintet of Billy Turner, Dallas Thomas, Jeff Linkenbach, Jacques McClendon and rookie Jamil Douglas. The Dolphins also brought back offensive lineman Jason Fox who was steady if not spectacular in a backup role in 2014. Will Fox find some larger responsibilities this season starting on Tuesday?
Everyone associated with the NFL knows who Miami’s most enormous free agent acquisition was this offseason. Ndamukong Suh skipped the weightlifting sessions this spring, but he was a participant in OTAs. Since this event is open to reporters, it’s a safe bet that Suh will be scrutinized on every snap. At this moment, the tackle starting next to Suh is Earl Mitchell, but A.J. Francis, Anthony Johnson, rookie second-round pick Jordan Phillips and newly signed C.J. Mosley will offer competition to the former Arizona Wildcat.
Philbin is a huge fan of middle linebacker Koa Misi. The coach is such an admirer of Misi’s that Miami refused to upgrade that position in free agency or the draft. With Misi in the middle and Jelani Jenkins on one side of him, the Dolphins have the makings of a solid corps of linebackers. The battle for the third starting ‘backer will begin at the minicamp.
A battle is also brewing in the defensive backfield where only two spots are cemented. Brent Grimes will be one cornerback and Reshad Jones will be the first string strong safety. Louis Delmas is needed to recover from a knee injury and reclaim the free safety position. That return will not happen before real training camp commences. Jamar Taylor is penciled in as the starter opposite Grimes, but he will have to prove that he is both an NFL quality corner and that he can stay injury free. OTAs proved that the defensive backfield is still an enormous work in progress.
No one should overreact to any of the happenings this week, because the players will only be wearing shorts and helmets. While they may look comfortable the next three days, these Dolphins will be anything but that when the whistle blows in a few weeks for July camp. The best thing that can happen at this minicamp is that everyone remains in good health. Miami has not had any of the debilitating injures that a few other clubs have been hit with since April. If none of the Dolphins are severely scarred heading into this weekend, then the excitement heading into training camp should be higher than it has been in recent memory.
