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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August 10, 2012; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chad Johnson (85) is defended by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Anthony Gaitor (26) during the first quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Other than providing serious entertainment on HBO’s Hard Knocks series last fall, WR Chad Johnson ultimately did nothing during his short stint as a Miami Dolphin. That’s not necessarily a bad thing either. The former Fin experiment has been doing a lot lately, but not on a football field. On May 7, a warrant was issued for Johnson’s arrest in Broward County, Florida (per NFL.com). Johnson, who was released for failure to follow Joe Philbin’s etiquette off the field, also failed to follow his parole guidelines.

Before such warrant was ever stated, Johnson was also accused of head-butting his wife of the time, Evelyn Lozada. Johnson has spent the last two years in and out of the media headlines, for everything other than football.

The case of Chad Johnson shows two things: the trouble a player can get into when not focusing his effort and mind on his production on the field, and the correct coaching decision of Miami’s Joe Philbin. Philbin knew that Johnson was not what the organization needed in terms of conduct. He could have given Johnson multiple warnings and do-overs, hoping that Johnson would spark what was then a feeble offense. However, Philbin stuck to his roots and cut Johnson, and looking back now it was the right thing to do. Take a second and look how far this team has grown in the short time since cutting Johnson. It is a completely different team: new logo, new uniforms, almost a completely new roster, and more importantly, a new mindset. No longer is Miami starving for stars who will come in and perform great for a year, then leave. They are building a complete team that will play together deep into the month of January. While Chad Johnson was busy getting himself into more and more trouble, the Miami Dolphins were busy building a stronger team.

FINS UP!

Photo via Joe Rimkus Jr./The Miami Herald Staff

The way Mike Wallace sees it, Ryan Tannehill has a better arm that Ben Roethlisberger.  The way Ryan Tannehill sees it, Mike Wallace is everything that was billed.

There is no bigger need for the Miami Dolphins this 0ff-season than for Tannehill and Wallace to be on the same page.  So far, this off-season the chemistry between the two is maturing at a very nice pace.  Tannehill and Wallace have been working out together.  They have been working on their timing and on their connections.  It’s an important step for two players who don’t know a thing about each other.

The fact that Wallace is already in Miami and working with his QB to be speaks volumes of his attitude.  Wallace was never really viewed as a “diva-receiva” but he had his moments.  He held out, wanted a new contract, at times seemed to not play 100% every down, and he did drop more than a few balls last season.  Regardless he has already done more thus far in Miami than former Dolphins big name WR Brandon Marshall.  As in, he is actually working out.

In Marshall’s first season with the Dolphins, Marshall opted out of participating in the off-season player only sessions they organized.  Partly due to his recovering from another off-season injury.  Mainly the stabbing by his wife.  Yet even after the injury had healed, Wallace didn’t seem eager to working out with his teammates.  In fact the following season, Wallace again worked out mostly on his own and away from non-team organized practices.  In other words, he didn’t work out much with Chad Henne.

There will still be lingering questions about whether or not Wallace will produce the same as Marshall but it shouldn’t be for a lack of effort on his part.  Wallace and Tannehill met for dinner shortly after Wallace was signed.  Just the two of them  getting to know each other as both teammates and people.  They have struck a bond and a friendship and that is more than important for a sophomore QB and an incoming free agent.  The ability of Tannehill and Wallace to gel early will be a key factor in the success of the season early on.  The Dolphins have a brutal opening month.

While most of the focus has been on the Tanny-Wall connection, it should be fairly noted that slot WR Brandon Gibson has also been working and putting in extra time with his new QB as has several other players as well.  This is the kind of team effort that will bode well for the Dolphins.  It’s also a clear indication of the type of players Joe Philbin wants on his football team.  It’s a manifest of the Green Bay Packers.  Team first, foremost, and only.