Dolphins Training Camp 2013: Day 11 Recap

The 11th day (and ninth practice) of the Miami Dolphins' 2013 training camp was yesterday. Here's a look at what happened throughout the day.

Practice Observations

• The star of Wednesday night's practice was clearly rookie defensive end Dion Jordan, who was a full participant in practice for the first time. He recorded two sacks and was moving extremely well throughout all of the one-on-one and team drills.
• While Jordan, and the rest of the Miami defense, continued to get pressure on Miami's quarterbacks, the offensive line is starting to be questioned. It's too early for real concern, but the play on Wednesday was so bad that Jordan came in on one play where he was completely un-blocked, leading to Ryan Tannehill spiking the ball into the ground in frustration after the sack.
• Tannehill has not thrown an interception in six straight practices.
• Marvin McNutt and Brian Tyms both took the added reps they are getting with receivers Mike Wallace, Brian Hartline, and Rishard Matthews all slowed by injuried, and they made cases for making the 53-man roster. Tyms had multiple catches along the sideline, across the middle, and in the endzone, including a catch on a bomb from Matt Moore. McNutt also had several good receptions, including a ne-handed grab. Both could be working their way onto the roster if they continue practicing like that.
• Another player getting a look at receiver is return man Marcus Thigpen. Listed as a running back, the Dolphins looked at Thigpen as a slot receiver last year, and now could be considering moving him there permanently this year.
• As a whole, the receivers struggled on Wednesday, dropping several passes, despite Tannehill hitting them in the hand.
• The offensive line continued their shuffling on Wednesday, with Josh Samuda and Nate Garner both playing right guard during the workout. Mike Pouncey, who had practice at guard a few times during recent practices, remained as center the entire time. Intestingly, Garner worked at center with the second team last night. Center is the one line position he has not played in his career.
• Philip Wheeler had the play of the practice, picking off a Matt Moore pass that had been deflected by cornerback Brent Grimes. Wheeler returned it for a touchdown.
• Julius Pruitt and Keenan Davis, two receivers who signed Tuesday, were participants in practice Wednesday.
• Kicking update: Caleb Sturgis returned from injury and kicked multiple balls, connecting from between 42 and 47 yards on numerous kicks.

Injury News

• Mike Wallace stood on the sideline throughout the practice, but did not do any rehab work. Coach Joe Philbin refuses to talk about players who do not practice, so there is still no word on why Wallace, who also sat out Monday's scrimmage, is not working.
• Fellow wide receiver Brian Hartline did do rehab work on Wednesday, running along the sidelines and stretching his leg. Hartline is believed to have injured his calf during warmups before the scrimmage on Monday night. However, it's not believed to be a serious injury.
• Jamar Taylor returned to practice, though he was limited in the drills he completed.
• Rookie guard Brian Thomas limped off the field during practice and went straight into the team facility. The nature of his injury has not been disclosed.
• Cameron Marshall and John Jerry continue to sit out the workouts. Jerry is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.
• Rishard Matthews also sat out practice with an what is being described as a knee injury. He is expected to be out for several weeks.

Press Conference Quotes

• "This year I think is probably the fourth game as opposed to the third game. I always feel like what we do prior to that second-to-last preseason game is treat it like a game week, how we operate in the building, how we meet how we practice. It will be very similar to what we do against Cleveland. With that in mind, if it is possible and you can have your lineup set by then, that's great because that then kind of gets everybody in the mindset of, "This is how we get ready to prepare and perform in a game." - Joe Philbin on when he would like the offensive line to be set
• "I thought he played well the other night. I think he's doing well. His technique is improving. We like his development." - Joe Philbin on Jonathan Martin's progress
• "Of course he is. I'm going to say that so we can always get our players here at OTAs. Way behind (laughs). He looks good. He's a professional. He's been at this for a while. He knows the requirements of his job. He knows the scheme well. He's a serious student. I think he's having a good camp." - Joe Philbin on Randy Starks and if he is behind after missing OTAs
• "I wouldn't rule it out. In fact, I really like what he's doing this camp. I like everything he's doing because when you throw the film on, whether he is playing running back, receiver, or return game, he's doing everything fast. He's doing it with a lot of effort. He's doing the very best he can. That's all you can ask from for a player, so I'm delighted for him." - Joe Philbin on the potential of Marcus Thigpen being a wide receiver
• "Well we want to move the ball and score points. I think that's the ultimate job of a quarterback is to get your team in the end zone and put points on the board. I want to take care of the ball, get first downs, and score points." - Ryan Tannehill on what he expects from himself Sunday night in the Hall of Fame Game
• "I haven't been told any kind of hint of what I'm going to play, so you're going to have to ask Coach Philbin on that one." - Ryan Tannehill on how much he expects to play Sunday
• "Yeah, we just talked about it this morning actually. He said going back to the home stadium, high school stadium, so I think it's kind of fun for him, at this point in his career to be able to go back and play where he played in high school. I think it'll be a lot of fun for us, only two teams a year get to play in this game, get to take a trip as a team to the Hall of Fame, so I think it'll be a lot of fun." - Ryan Tannehill on if he has talked to Brian Hartline about playing in Fawcett Stadium

Next Public Practice

• Thursday, 1:30pm ET - Doctors Hospital Training Facility, Nova Southeastern University, Davie

More Dolphins Coverage:

• NFL Announces Changes To The Pro Bowl
• Can Tannehill lead his Dolphins into rare waters?
• Dolphins Over-Under line moves
• Dolphins release first depth chart of preseason
• Miami Training Camp: Day 9 Scrimmage Twitter Recap
• Dolphins sign Julius Pruitt
• Dolphins sign wide receiver Keenan Davis