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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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.