This morning, the Miami Dolphins get back on the practice field for their third day of training camp workouts. Today's practice, however, is not open to the general public, but instead is limited to season ticket members.
The most important fact about today's practice, though, is not the crowd in the stands. It's the fact that the players on the field will be wearing pads for the first time this year. Practice intensity should go up today, and we should start getting a better idea of how the offensive line and running backs look against the defensive line and linebackers.
Yesterday's practice was better than the Friday's first workout, and hopefully it's a stepping stone to an even better practice today. The snaps did not seem nearly as bad as they were during that first workout, with the Dolphins looking to get center Shelley Smith comfortable with the exchange to quarterback Ryan Tannehill due to the injury to Mike Pouncey during offseason workouts.
The offense was also able to start putting together some good plays, though the defense still clearly was the stronger unit. What happens when the pads come one? We shall find out today.
If you are reading this, you probably aren't at the practice, but that doesn't mean you don't have a chance to go to the next one. You can check out the link to the right (or below on a mobile device) to get all the information you need to attend camp this year.
Be sure to also check out our Training Camp StoryStream, pinned into the first position under the cover on the main page of the site. We will collect all of our training camp stories in that one place, so you can always catch up to anything you missed. You can also subscribe to the StoryStream, which will then make sure you get notified of all of the stories as they post on your Facebook wall.
Below, we will run a collection of tweets from the various beat writers covering camp this morning. Feel free to discuss any observations you make, either by attending camp or from what you are reading, in the comments at the bottom of the page.
Practice starts at 8am ET this morning. We will update the tweets as soon thereafter as we can.
It's full pads today at #Dolphins training camp. You gotta love it. pic.twitter.com/iZfSJehwKC
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
All present and accounted for again today at Dolphins camp.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
Same starting o-line for the third day in a row for the #Dolphins during warmups. Shelley Smith is at center.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Dolphins in pads today. Guard Davonte Wallace must have some sort of issue. In shorts.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
Another day of football practice in Davie begins. pic.twitter.com/qgeLKGhgLW
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Jimmy Wilson is paired with Don Jones as the second team safeties today.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Matt Moore just threw deep to Wallace inside the bubble during 11 on 11s. Didn't connect.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Matt Moore narrowly overthrows Mike Wallace deep ball. They're not afraid to throw deep so far in camp.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins players leave the bubble and head outside. Let's see who wants to shine today in full pads. pic.twitter.com/VAzpr3X9iq
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Small crowd here at Dolphins practice but that's by design. Invite only for this one - - exclusive season ticket member practice.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins done w/bubble session, now taking field for first practice in pads. pic.twitter.com/4EhGt6kHwA
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Time to put the pads on. pic.twitter.com/keUju8UsTz
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Defensive backs practicing tackling technique. #Dolphins pic.twitter.com/iVD0nKalkv
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
The Dolphins began the first day of padded practice working on the fundamentals of tackling. pic.twitter.com/6JuhzrCPhJ
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
It's funny to see QBs Ryan Tannehill-Matt Moore practice form tackling 1st day in pads. It's bad news if they're doing a lot of that this yr
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Day 3. Full pads. Let's go! #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/JpgxDtz4Zp
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 27, 2014
RB Daniel Thomas just buried LB Jonathan Freeny
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
DBs vs. WRs one-on-one coming up. Finnegan good coverage on Hartline. Williams beats Jamar Taylor. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
RB Mike Gillislee blocks LB Tariq Wallace. Good for Gillislee. Had nice block vs. Dion Jordan yesterday.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
LB Jelani Jenkins just got by RB Lamar Miller. This area needs improvement for Miller to play more.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Watched Daniel Thomas put Jonathan Freeny on the ground. His blocking skills has value.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
WR Marcus Thigpen beats S Don Jones.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
CB Will Davis makes a nice INT in one-on-ones covering WR Brandon Gibson. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
WR Jarvis Landry shakes CB Walt Aikens. Good route. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Armon Binns just beat Reshad Jones deep. Glad to see he's still got his get up and go speed.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Shelley Smith remains the starting center for day 3. Looks like this is the plan. No experimenting going on to replace Mike Pouncey.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
11-on-11...Gibson laying down on sideline. Not sure he'll participate.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
First practice of 11 on 11 and Daryn Colledge just moved Randy Starks out his hole. Impressive.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
CB Jamar Taylor replaces Cortland Finnegan at RCB on second play of 11-on-11.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Armon Binns worked with the starters during 11-on-11 as the slot. Brandon Gibson possibly got nicked up during 1 on 1.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Team drills open up with Ellerbe laying down a nasty hit on Lamar Miller. Pads!
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
Dannell Ellerbe just blasted Lamar Miller and Miller didn't go down. Take that @chrisperk
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
DT AJ Francis with nice play vs. Daniel Thomas. Woulda been 1-yd loss. Defense doing well...as expected.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Tannehill keeps, goes right for moderate gain, maybe 7 or 8 yds. Nice execution.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Ryan Tannehill just kept it on an option. Glad to see Bill Lazor will let him use his athleticism, but could it put him at risk of injuries?
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Rookie CB Walt Aikens with a nice break-up -- throw from Moore to Hartline.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
Jarvis Landry is working as the split end while Damian Williams is the slot. Dolphins are cross training the rookie WR.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Finnegan still out during these contact team drills. Taylor is ahead of Will Davis on depth chart, at this time.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
Matt Moore to Rishard Matthews for maybe 20 yds...Brent Grimes called for holding. Nice play by offense.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
RB Daniel Thomas trips for minus yards on a handoff from QB Ryan Tannehill. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Randy Starks just drove Sam Brenner into the backfield with easy. Brenner can't block Starks.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
RB Mike Gillislee is stuffed at the line if scrimmage for little gain. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Then Gillislee comes back with a nice run for about 7 yards. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Running backs are getting stuffed so far today. #dolphins
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
CB Will Davis comes up and puts a decent stick on RB Damien Williams after a nice gain. Williams has flashed a few times this weekend.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Matt Moore narrowly overthrows Wallace on deep ball...again...Wallace running free today. Speed.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Jason Fox is working as the backup left tackle and Nate Garner is the backup right tackle today. That's a swap of roles. Makes more sense.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
So if Walt Aiken's move to FS sticks that's 4 safeties - Aikens, Don Jones, Jordan Kovacs, Michael Thomas - competing for 1 or 2 spots
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Dolphins are trying Lamar Miller as a returner and he's struggling to field kicks today.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins WRs Marcus Thigpen, Damian Williams, Jarvis Landry and Matt Hazel are fielding punts today during special-team's period.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Jarvis Landry and Damian Williams both look like decent returner options, which COULD make Marcus Thigpen expendable.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
I know it is early, but I find the interior lineman competition, and the backup safety battle as camp's most intense SO FAR. Stay tuned.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Longtime Dolphins person who has witnessed years and years of practices told me today this looks like 10-6 team to him.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
So far with the pads on Daryn Colledge passes the sniff test. That's all I got.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
We also learned that Armon Binns is the 4th receiver on the depth chart because he replaced Brandon Gibson, not Jarvis Landry.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
I want to see that OL in game action before I buy the optimism. I know people within the org. are very concerned about that unit.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
With Brandon Gibson shelved Rantavious Wooten has gotten the call up. I really like him. Shifty guy.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Dolphins going half speed, WRs vs. DBs...interesting patterns by WRs. See signs of different offense all the time.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
WR Brandon Gibson just emerged from facility. Not wearing pads.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Nice pass defense by LB Philip Wheeler in drill. Gotta keep that going.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins QB Matt Moore throws a pick to LB Jason Trusnik in passing drills.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
LB Jason Trusnik INT on Matt Moore pass...Moore doesn't struggle often but he's struggling today.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Finnegan back on the field in 11-on-11s.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
Rishard Matthews is out there for Brandon Gibson during 11 on 11s.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Ellerbe likely sack vs. Tannehil. If not Ellerbe, Starks had sack.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Gillislee to the locker room. Towel over his head.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins WR Damian Williams with a catch over CB Cortland Finnegan in team drills.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Jamar Taylor PBU vs. Dion Sims on Tannehill pass. Nice job.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Jimmy Wilson just dropped a Tannehill interception.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Okay, I'm sold on Daryn Colledge. Good signing. He's a solid NFL starter based on the first day of pads.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Dion Jordan INT...batted pass in air and caught it vs. Tannehill
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Focus. Koa Misi. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/hZ1KRuX0oy
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 27, 2014
Dion Jordan picked off Ryan Tannehill on a bubble screen. Would have taken it to the house.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Great diving catch from Jarvis Landry on a pass that was a little off from Matt Moore.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
About 100 Dolphins Cycling Challenge riders here at practice. Kickoff to event, which this year is Feb. 7-8. Goal is to raise $5M.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
Lamar Miller breaks open for a run. Didn't see beginning of the play, but it ended nicely.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
Lamar Miller to da house!! Nice run, nice hole. Good job by 1st-team OL.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
WR Ratavious Wooten, WR Marcus Thigpen, WR Damian Williams fielding punts in special teams drill.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Jarvis Landry looks pretty good as a flyer on special teams. He's tough. That's the one thing I can say about him with conviction.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Just watched Rishard Matthews. Field a punt. That's new. He hasn't done that for 2 years, but he did it in college.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Cortland Finnegan really spends a lot of time talking to the young CBs. He's dispelling the "Its about me" rep he has pic.twitter.com/HbhI85OtfY
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Just watched Randy Starks put Dallas Thomas on his knees during 1-on-1 trench play. Truth Serum!
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Great diving deep ball grab from Tannehill to Rishard Matthews during 7-on-7. I think you've got yourself a QB Dolphins fans.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Tannehill to Landry over Will Davis...likely TD. Nice throw & catch.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Tannehill just connected on a leading deep pass to Jarvis Landry, who got between both safeties in 7-on-7. KILLING IT
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
QBs making good decisions overall today. Each might have thrown one they want to have back, but good decisions.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
For the record, Jarvis Landry would have scored a TD. Nobody was catching him. He flashed speed I didn't know he had.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Can't say enough about Jarvis Landry. #dolphins
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
Rishard Matthews having big day today. WRs gonna be good.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
AJ Francis and Earl Mitchell just collapsed the pocket during tandem trench play work.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Something small I noticed on rookie WR Jarvis Landry: Even when not the primary read, he runs his route hard and to completion. Vet move.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
It is obvious Ryan Tannehill is FINALLY getting the ball out his hand quicker in 7-on-7. Obvious sign he's growing up.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Okay, maybe I spoke too soon on Tannehill in 7-on-7. He just had a constipation moment in the pocket.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins CB Jamar Taylor with another batted ball covering WR Brian Hartline.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
.@_RMatthews pulls in a beauty. #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/h9ekPBghXP
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) July 27, 2014
David Arkin just knocked off Anthony Johnson's helmet. But Johnson collapsed the pocket.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
DE Terrence Fede is another kid (along w/Darkwa) who always seems to be making plays. Nice showing in 1on-1s.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Great breakup from Michael Thomas on a pass to Jarvis Landry. Is Thomas playing CB now?
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Michael Thomas is indeed working as a nickel cornerback today. Same role he played in the Patriots win.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
#Dolphins blitz and QB Ryan Tannehill misses an open TE Charles Clay in team drills.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Misi to the locker room.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) July 27, 2014
LB Koa Misi headed into facility with left shoe in his hand.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Assume Trusnik will play MLB in this 11-on-11. Defense in nickel right now.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Grimes diving PBU on Tannehill pass to sideline.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
S Jimmy Wilson, blitzing from slot position, woulda had sack on Tannehill on that play.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Rookie Billy Turner getting some snaps with first team OL at LG.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
Another nice grab by WR Jarvis Landry. Kid looks like a baller.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
It appears #Dolphins are bringing the heat nearly every play on this team drill to see how QB Ryan Tannehill and the offense responds.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Wallace in motion and runs pattern from slot position on that play. Gotta like the variety in this offense
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Matt Moore just misfires on a deep ball to Damian Williams. I like his ability to go deep. He gets open.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Well-executed screen...Dion Jordan stormed in toward QB and got fooled.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Great quick hitch throw to Rishard Matthews, who has really has some impressive catch and run plays today.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
The fact that #Dolphins rookie WR Jarvis Landry had his best camp practice so far during first day in pads tells me something.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Billy Turner is getting both first- AND second-team LG reps this team period. Getting worked.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
Today is the first day I've REALLY been impressed with Jarvis Landry. Before it was all media hype, ball watcher hype. He moves WITH PADS.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
About prior tweet ... Billy Turner getting worked as in being used a lot. Not getting beat down. Feel me?
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
RB Mike Gillislee went inside facility few minutes ago and hasn't returned.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Brandon Gibson put ice on his left knee. Best to shut him down since he's not even 10 months into his ACL rehab. WR spot is deep in camp.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
WR Chris Chambers working w/#Dolphins WRs today, and I think all week.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Cam Wake just blew up Tannehill on 1st play of 11-on-11 segment. Wow! No tackling, but wow!!
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Wake schooling JWJ again. Rookie learning time.
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonPBP) July 27, 2014
Cameron Wake just pimp slapped JaWuan James and would have put Ryan Tannehill in the hospital on a sack. Not pretty!
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Can Wake got an easy sack on QB Ryan Tannehill off play action in team drills. That would've been ugly for the #Dolphins QB.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Tannehill with a nice seam route to Armon Binns. Bulleted the throw into coverage.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Odrick nice play vs. Lamar Miller on run. Defense having very nice day in full pads.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Tannehill on a 20 yard pass on a drag to Mike Wallace. Nice play design, opening created due to pre-snap motion.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Cortland Finnegan is not working in most team periods today. Jamar Taylor taking first-team snaps now.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
Tannehill scrambles for a short gain on his final snap of 11-on-11s.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
With Koa Misi out Dannell Ellerbe has returned to MLB.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
Yes. RT @jrozenblat: all I hear is James keeps getting owned. Granted, it's against Wake. But still. Only day 2... am I overreacting?
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) July 27, 2014
Based on what I've seen, there's opportunities in #Dolphins' playbook this year for QB Ryan Tannehill to run. He better learn how to slide.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Daniel Thomas remains the team's starting third down back. I'm sensing the Dolphins are testing out Damien Williams in the same role.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014
Sack on QB Matt Moore. There's been a few today. #DolphinsTrainingCamp
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) July 27, 2014
Practice nearing completion...defense very good showing, especially DL...WRs strong showing...DBs, QBs OK.
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 27, 2014
Chris McCain with a would-be sack of Brock Jensen, but he threw the ball anyway for a completion.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) July 27, 2014