Ryan Tannehill sees a lot of positives in Durham Smythe

When the Miami Dolphins drafted Mike Gesicki most thought that was the end of it but Miami also drafted Durham Smythe. He is getting props from his quarterback.

Most fans and media are concentrating on the development of Gesicki but you can’t overlook Durham Smythe. The Notre Dame product is a solid blocker but wasn’t given much opportunity to catch the ball with the Fighting Irish. Miami however said they saw something in him that made them think otherwise.

Five days into practice and the team is realizing they may have been right. Smythe has caught the attention of offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and his quarterback.

Speaking with the media today, Ryan Tannehill praised the young rookie.

"“With Durham, he’s had a strong start to camp. (Offensive Coordinator) Dowell (Loggains) has pointed out a couple of times to me just his improvement in blocking – his soundness and his fundamentals and how he is improving in blocking. – Ryan Tannehill via MiamiDolphins.com"

Smythe however is also getting some looks as a pass catcher and that too translated from the field to the quarterbacks room where they also were surprised by his ability to get off the line and into his route.

"Yesterday he had a pass route where he got off the ball and was running and flashed. You don’t think of him as a burner or a speed guy, but he got off the ball and was moving. In the quarterback room, we kind of noticed like, ‘Wow, he’s moving on this rep.’ You kind of think of him maybe as more of a blocker, but he does have the speed and athleticism to help us in the passing game as well."

Fans will point out that the two of the teams new tight-ends are similar to the Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez draft where Gronkowski was the pass catcher and Hernandez more of the blocker. Yet the Patriots found Hernandez was a good receiver as well.

Miami would be lucky to get even some of that production from their two rookies. The NFL tendency is that tight-ends often take longer to develop. It seems that in Miami there is some success starting to develop.

Tannehill also commented on the fights that broke out today at camp saying that it happens when players are going 100% in pads. He even said that sometimes he gets a little mouthy too, especially with Bobby McCain who seems to be the loudest trash talker.

"I don’t go in there throwing hands or anything, but yes, especially with Bobby (McCain). I like to talk a lot of noise with Bobby just because Bobby never shuts up. I like to give it back to him as much as I can.”"

As for his knee, Tannehill says he feels good with no soreness and that he is ready for this season and what lies beyond. Of course Miami needs him to stay healthy as the depth behind him isn’t receiving a lot of glowing reviews.