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Dolphins Training Camp 2013: Day 4 Recap

The Miami Dolphins continued training camp yesterday with their fourth day of practice. Here is a look at what happened during the workout.

USA TODAY Sports

The fourth day of the Miami Dolphins' 2013 training camp was yesterday. Here's a look at what happened throughout the day.

Practice Observations

  • The Dolphins held their longest practice of the week yesterday, and Head Coach Joe Philbin said after practice that it would be the longest workout of camp.
  • The offense responded on Wednesday after getting soundly beat by the defense on Tuesday. Overall, the team looked sharper and more in rhythm. Wednesday's practice focused on a lot of redzone work, which was a weak point for Miami last year.
  • Ryan Tannehill, specifically, played better, avoiding the interceptions that plagued him on Tuesday. He found Mike Wallace a few times on the day, including two passes for over 20 yards, they may signal the two are starting to get onto the same page. It's way too early in camp to worry about why the two are not connecting as much as expected, but it is nice to see it happen at least once in the first week of practices.
  • Tannehill connected on a touchdown pass to Rishard Matthews during the team drills.
  • Fullback Jorvorskie Lane lined up as a fullback for the first time this year. It's not something the team did during their first three days. Instead of using Lane, the team had been using tight ends Dustin Keller, Charles Clay, Dion Sims, and Michael Egnew as lead blockers.
  • Egnew had another up and down day as he tries to prove he is worth a roster spot a year after being selected in the third round. He opened practice as one of two people to fumble during the fumble drill in the practice bubble. Each offensive player had to hold one ball in each arm, then run through two defenders who tried to strip the ball. Egnew and running back Daniel Thomas each dropped a ball. But, Egnew bounced back on the practice fields, catching several passes, including a touchdown. He did have one bad drop on an easy completion, however.
  • In a move the team started last year with Marcus Thigpen, Tuesday saw all of the running backs lining up as slot receivers. It goes back to the idea that Miami wants to have flexibility with all of their players, lining them up in multiple locations and going no-huddle. Miami wants to dictate matchups, and that's going to be one of the ways they can do it.
  • The offensive line saw some experimentation during the practice, both on the first and second units. The major change on the first team saw reserve center Josh Samuda, who had his car temporarily stolen Tuesday night, replace John Jerry at right guard.
  • Tuesday, the team did a lot of punt return work. On Wednesday, the kickoff return package got its turn. Thigpen remains the favorite to return kicks, as he did last year, but he was joined by Lamar Miller, Jasper Collins, and Nolan Carroll today.
  • Speaking of special teams, third overall pick Dion Jordan found himself working as a blocker on kick returns Wednesday. He was on the second unit, so it's not likely the team will actually use him in that role, but it was a way to get him some more action, while still keeping him out of team and position drills, as well as getting him touched for the very first time. With the team off on Thursday, expect Jordan to start getting more defensive action over the weekend.
  • Kicker Battle Day 4: Caleb Sturgis stepped up for his second day as the primary kicker, and he struggled. He missed two of his three field goal attempts, all in the practice bubble, while Dan Carpenter has been hot so far in camp. Of note, however, the team is making DC$ kick a lot more than Sturgis. Could they be saving the rookie's leg for the regular season?

Injury News

  • Not couting Jamar Taylor, who has missed the last couple of practices with what is assumed to be problems related to his offseason sports hernia surgery, the Dolphins suffered their first injury of camp yesterday. Rookie running back Cameron Marshall pulled up during a kickoff return and immediately grabbed his hamstring. He was seen later standing on the sideline with ice wrapped around his leg. No word on any severity of the injury.


Press Conference Quotes

  • "They can go. They've got a collection of guys that have different strengths. When you have different strengths you just do what you do best and then I'm going to add to it and now we've got a sundae here, with bananas and whipped cream and nuts and it looks real good and tasty. They have a mix of speed and power and some veterans in the mix, too. So who says it's not your turn?" - Hall of Fame inductee Warren Sapp on the Miami defensive front seven
  • "Rest. No seriously, hydrate, rest, take care of their bodies. We got a lot of lot of work in, but we've got a ton of work left to do. I mean they have to take care of their bodies, if they need to they have to be in here getting their little aches and bumps and bruises that everybody has during training camp taken care of." - Joe Philbin on what he told the players before their first day off
  • "Maybe watch a movie. Tomorrow is our off day, (so) kick the feet up, drink a lot of water, massage tonight and try to relax a little bit." - Brian Hartline on his Thursday plans
  • "It's really easy. Obviously last year seeing Hard Knocks, I did that a lot last year. It (isn't anything) new." - John Jerry on taking reps with the first, second, and third offensive line during practice
  • "We are getting there every single day. I think we are doing better every single day. We are going in the right direction. We have a lot of days before our first preseason game, and especially before the regular season. As long as we are good by game one, I think we'll be fine." - Mike Wallace on buliding chemistry with Ryan Tannehill
  • "We have different days where we do different things. I have all the confidence that Coach (Mike) Sherman is going to put it in how it is needed to be put in. I'm not really worried about that. I think that will come in due time. It is only day (four at practice). We have a lot more days to go at camp and especially before the regular season. I think everything will fall in place. I think they have a good plan in place for us." - Mike Wallace on if the team has practiced the deep routes as much as he would like

Next Public Practice

  • Players off on Thursday.
  • Friday, July 26 at 8am ET - Doctors Hospital Training Facility, Nova Southeastern University, Davie