May 3, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) during rookie minicamp at the Doctors Hospital Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

During April’s 2013 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins sent one of their second round selections and the number twelve overall selection to the Oakland Raiders for the third overall selection. Many were assuming Miami was moving up to select Oklahoma Tackle, Lane Johnson, as the other two tackles worthy of a top ten pick were off the board – Eric Fisher to Kansas City and Luke Joeckel to Jacksonville.

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Oct.14, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during a game against the St. Louis Rams at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Dolphins started their OTA’s on Tuesday, and the chatter around the team and media is the development and progression this team is gaining by competing and learning against each other.

Coming into the 2013 offseason, general manager Jeff Ireland and staff knew what they desired, but little did they know that the acquisitions of these explosive, distinct players would make the roster more firm and versatile.

Reshad Jones, who has become an elite safety for head coach Joe Philbin‘s team, envisions a lot of room for advancements from the newcomers.

“Those guys [Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson] are explosive,” Jones said after the first day of OTA’s. “They are veteran guys who have been around the league and have done a lot this league. I think that is only going to help us [secondary] play against guys like that on Sundays.”

The Dolphins will utilize their new guys in more ways than one. Philbin, who will be in his second season with second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill and company, has preached many aspects about the game of football, and one specific part of the coaching and learning process was preparation.

The amount of highly competitive and all-around players will allow every player in the depth chart to progress and emerge out of their comfort zone, especially Tannehill. The 6-foot-4 quarterback, who is coming off an average season in his rookie campaign, acknowledges what kind of talented weapons are surrounding him.

“We are still learning, but I’m excited about what I’m seeing with these guys,” Tannehill said. “They are all grasping the offense and we are starting to get a lot of repetitions with each other. I’m excited about what they bring to the team and what they showed today.”

The second-year quarterback not only can throw the football, but can learn about rout running and timing from the newly acquired five-year wide receivers. The word Tannehill used immensely in his media availability on Tuesday was “excited,” as well as he should be.

There are high expectations around this South Florida team, but as long as every player is taking accountable and looking to get better, this team can improve rapidly.

The Miami Dolphins kicked off OTAs (Organized Team Activities) yesterday. The team is scheduled to complete OTAs May 20-23, May 29-31 and June 3-6. This will be the first time we will see the new-look Miami Dolphins in action after a complete make-over this off-season.

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