OTA Debut For WR & More
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins are conducting OTA’s or “organized team activities” this week as part of a two week “practice” session. WR Brian Hartline made his Dolphins debut today as OSU has graduated it’s senior class. NFL rules prohibit draft picks still in college to participate until their school has graduated it’s class. With the local and national media (but not Internet bloggers) access to the sessions today, more news has come out of the Davie training center than in the previous days of ’09 OTA’s.
Starting with the WR that had many, including myself, shaking our heads during the NFL draft coverage, Brian Hartline made his debut as noted and did so by turning some heads. Greg Camarillo (more on him in a minute) came away impressed with what he saw on day 1.
"“We’re competing as a group to produce the best receivers in camp. I was impressed with how quickly he picked up the offense. It’s hard to miss two weeks of installation and come right in. He did a pretty good job and I was impressed with his knowledge. It seems like he just has a solid football background, and that will help him."
Because of the late graduation of OSU, Hartline is a bit behind in the playbook, something he says he is working on diligently. He also will be working on the punt return team as well. At some point Hartline will work on the Punt team, considering he likes to hit people.
For Greg Camarillo it was a great day. Cam who tore his ACL last year in the 2nd game against the New England Patriots late in the season returned to practice today. Camarillo who is still rehabbing his surgically repaired knee did some individual drills and some team drills. Camarillo appeared upbeat and while the Phins are taking his return with caution it’s a very good sign for a player so soon removed from the injury that popped him on IR. Camarillo has stated in the past that he will be ready for July’s training camp start.
All 3 QB’s today ran their share of the “Spread Offense” or “WildCat“. Pat White, Chad Henne, and even Chad P. lined up behind center with the RB’s split (empty formation). According Omar Kelly, Ronnie Brown was the big benefactor catching balls downfield.
Other names making the rounds today from the media witnesses are Cameron Wake who had a very nice rush on Jake Long…remember NO PADS. Jason Taylor’s day was marred by an off-sides call and then a would be sack redeemed him.
Chad Pennington was reportedly his usual self making the high percentage passes with his accuracy while missing on some of the upfield stuff. Chad Henne struggled with some of his sideline tosses downfield.
I tend not to put too much stock in what the defense does this time of year. Without pads it’s hard to gauge what they can and can’t do. For example, secondary defenders may jump a ball on a WR for an interception…a good sign…but later miss a tackle that allows a touchdown…a bad one. However, without pads and without hitting, it’s hard to say if that defender would have knocked the hell out of the WR instead.
Same goes for the offensive line. It’s tough for an interior lineman to get his trench style working. It’s more of a hands and footwork kind of deal. At the RG spot however, Brandon Frye, Shawn Murphy and Ikechuku Ndukwe rotated as the starter.
Eric Green apparently performed well today breaking up two intended passes to Ted Ginn. On the offensive side of things, Joey Haynos the 6-7″ TE dropped 4 passes which will not endear him to the coaches. John Nalbone who got ripped last week by Tony Sparano for dropping passes, dropped another one today…but he also caught a few.
Ernest Wilford apparently is not doing himself any favors either. In a route over the middle (as reported by the Palm Beach Post) Wilford let a perfectly thrown ball hit him in the gut and get broken up by Safety Ethan Kilmer…who the hell is Ethan Kilmer? I don’t think Wilford has much to offer anymore and 6 million dollar deal or not, I don’t think he will be with the team opening weekend.
Now of course I was not at today’s practices so I can only go off what was reported by Armando “I’m not a blooger blogger” Salguero and the much more down to earth Omar Kelly over at the Sentinel along with his co-worker Harvey Fialkov. Edgar Thompson over at the Post also did a nice job today as well.
Oh yeah, former Browns HC and current friend of Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano Romeo Crennel was at practice today…Sparano denied that Crennel could be offered a position…which means that he will likely get signed by the Jets, Patriots, or Bills.
Here are the links to the local reports from OTA’s today.
Omar Kelly – Sun-Sentinel
Harvey Fialkov – Sun-Sentinel
Edgar Thompson – Palm Beach Post
Armando Salguero – Miami Herald