Dolphins OTA camp report [Updated again and again and again and ... ]

The Dolphins are conducting their first public (open to the media) OTA day of the offseason.

It's a party!

Here are some observations:

Donald Thomas, who general manager Jeff Ireland declared 100 percent healthy just prior to the draft, is not working. He has clearly suffered an injury setback of some kind. [Update: Aside from Ireland saying Thomas was healthy, the player talked to colleague David J. Neal on draft day and the question of his injury came up then.

"I'm great," he said then, "That's behind me. I don't even like to talk about it."

Well, Thomas was asked moments ago what the problem is and he obviously still doesn't like to talk about it, but for a vastly different reason. He deflected questions about why he's not working and referred them to coach Tony Sparano.]

[Update: Scouts.com is reporting the Thomas injury is a torn pectoral muscle. Sparano just confirmed the injury and declined to give any timetable for his return. Question for you: At what point do you begin to wonder that Thomas is injury prone? I mean, geez, the guy has played one quarter of NFL football and has already sustained two significant injuries.]

Brandon Frye, a tackle last season, is working with the starting offensive line at right guard. Thomas, a rookie a year ago, missed all but one start (the opener) with a fracture in a foot. [Another question for you: Do you agree that Shawn Murphy, a fourth-round pick which the Dolphins moved up to select and did not play a down last year, has much to prove and improve on this year because the Dolphins have a huge need at RG?]

Justin Smiley, recovering from major knee surgery, is apparently doing quite well in his rehab. He's in his usual left guard spot. [Update: "I feel great," Smiley said. "I feel as quick as I've ever been. I'm 100 percent and ready to go.]

Greg Camarillo (knee), David Martin (undisclosed injury) and rookie Brennan Marion (undisclosed) are also not working in all the drills today. Camarillo is doing some drills but being being held out of others, particularly the ones that require he cuts on the knee. [Update again: Coach Tony Sparano just said Martin has had a sports hernia "taken care of," which is code for surgery.] 

[Update: Camarillo said he expects to be 100 percent healthy by the start of training camp, but admitted being 100 percent healthy and confident, "doesn't come until much later." Obviously there is the mental battle players must wage to being confident they can take a hit with no adverse effects. That battle is separate and apart from the physical battle of getting completely healthy. How's that for an amateur psychological analysis?]

[Update again: Rookie receiver Brian[ Hartline is not at the OTAs because Ohio State has not graduated yet and NFL rules prohibit rookies from working at OTAs until their class graduates.]

Jason Taylor is in the house just as I told you yesterday he'd be. He is working with the second team defense at OLB. He is also working as a long snapper. Charlie Anderson is the other second-team OLB.

The starting OLBs are Joey Porter and Matt Roth.

[Update: Taylor looks just like he did when he last put on a Dolphins uniform. He's lithe and quick. The Dolphins will be moving him around a lot this year and they did that in practice today. I guarantee you this Miami coaching staff will figure out how to maximize these guys.

Joey Porter made the point today that he welcomes the Taylor signing and sees no problem being on the field at the same time as Taylor. That brought back a question I had for weeks and months in 2007 when the Dolphins had a clear plan of using both players as they'd been used previously, had a template they could follow to sucess, and then inexplicably went away from the plan. The Dolphins asked Porter to rush from a three-point stance and had him covering tight ends while they stopped moving Taylor all over the field.

As a result Taylor was a shadow of the player he was under Nick Saban and Porter was diminished to the point everyone, including himself, questioned what the heck was going on. Look, Dom Capers had proven himself a fine defensive coordinator in his career, but the decisions he made in 2007 were inexcusable and clearly didn't work.]

[Update again: Offseason acquisition Cameron Wake, of whom much is hoped and expected, is working with what amounts to the fourth team. It's Porter and Roth, then Taylor and Anderson on second team, then Quentin Moses and Erik Walden with the third group, then Wake and Tearrius George with the fourth group.]

Jason Allen, the first round draft pick in 2006, is working with the third team at CB. Rookies Sean Smith and Vontae Davis are second team while Will Allen and Eric Green are the first team cornerbacks today.

A couple of secondary backup had a difficult moment when Pat White threw a 50-yard bomb to Todd Lowber who beat a blown coverage by Courtney Bryan and Scorpio Babers.

[Update again: I know some of you are quoting reports about White is having a bad day today. Can we get serious here? This is an OTA day in May. One more time. It is one OTA in May. Yes, White had a couple of errant high tosses. But that means nothing in the grand scheme of things so please let's get some perspective. The only thing that really matters at this point is who is hurt, who is healthy and looking at where players line up to judge what coaches are thinking about their players. That is it. If you're reading somewhere that White was erratic or somebody struggled in an OTA day practice and that is means something significant, that should give you pause.

Sparano, by the way, said White had a very good day on Monday so there. It means nothing!]

The starting receivers today are Ted Ginn Jr. and Davone Bess. Ginn beat Eric Green on a 40-some-yard pass from Chad Pennington. The play went for a TD that will mean nothing in September or even tomorrow.

Ernest Wilford is working with the second team. [Update: Wilford worked exclusively at WR during the practice. But after practice Wilford got some work in at tight end. Wilford spent time with tight end coach George DeLeone after practice.]

{Update again: Sparano said Wilford is getting a preliminary look at the F tight spot, which is the H-back. The Dolphins want to see if Wilford has the flexibility to play here and create some matchup problems against linebackers. The interesting thing is the Dolphins have plenty of F tight ends and rookie John Nalbone is among that group.]

Comments

[Mackie Knight]

I saw on PFT that Adam Caplan from Scout.com is reporting Thomas injured himself again and wont be back until the begining of the 09 regular season which sucks. 2 years in the pros followed by two years of injuries, I was hopin this guy would be a steal, too bad hes injury prone.

[Geoff]

Armando, according to another website, Donald Thomas suffered a torn pectoral muscle during a recent workout. That is probably why he is not working out.

[RON]

watch special team play what new, who is not there from last year.

[Mr Culito]

How come Joe Berger isnt starting at Right Guard.

Shawn Murphy is so crappy he isnt playing in front of Frye

[Mr Culito]

Sounds like we know that Jason Allen will not be starting this year. What a waste of a pick!

[Mr Culito]

now we realize why these guys drafted a TE and brought another UDFA. Fasano and Haynos are the only healthy ones.

[HvK]

Hey Mando, is Wake and Clemons 3rd team? Hows our new center Grove?

[Lawson]

Good to hear that Pennington can even through it 40plus yards, and White has a 50. Is Henne there with the 2nd string or is Pat White 2nd? I want to hear a lot about Henne. I bet the Trifecta is waiting for someones quarterback to get hurt this preseason and trade Penny away for a good pick and we end up starting Henne. Thats why we picked up White. Not just for the wildcat, but as the back up. Wait and see.

[Gopats]

tuna will start Henne this year for at least a few gamesto see if he should keep Penne for 2 more years in case Henne will turn to be a bust.

Henne could turn to be the bust of all busts G

[Andy]

What a tough break for Thomas. I was hoping he would develop into something. I always support the underdog, so here's to hoping that he recovers quick. And while we're at it, we can say the same for Camarillo.

Let's see what they do to shore up RG. My guess is that they will experiment at the position using different movable parts. Hence why they're starting Frye there today. Tomorrow it will likely be someone else, perhaps Berger or Ndukwe.

Good news on the Justin Smiley front. Looks like he'll be ready to start. I will also point out that Shawn Murphy is a natural LG, so he likely won't be taking over the duties at RG.

Jason Allen is probably a goner. Davis and Smith will probably stay 2nd team until they beat out the vets. Watch for Davis to eventually edge out Green for a starting spot. Jason Taylor is another "moveable part", they will likely have him freelancing along the line, utilizing him like Saban did in 2005-06.

They will also likely mix and match receivers to see which sets are most effective. My guess is that Ginn is likely penciled in as a starter with the other slot in contention. Note that this is an offense with no fixed #1 or #2 receiver.

Omar Kelly reported on the Sun-Sentinel that Pat White is struggling today. Let's see if he learns from his mistakes and improves. That's really key when evaluating a QB's performance.

[Gopats]

Andy, don't worry about Pat White, his mentor Henne will help him to improve to take his job

[Brown]

Looks like Brown torn is pectoral muscle......should be back start of season.

[dinther]

Thomas' injury illustrates what an obtuse draft this was -- drafting as though the team was so deep on the O-line that it could afford to overlook Levitre and other offensive guard prospects and reach for a 10-play-a-game player (White) and two unremarkable wide receivers.

When the back-up guard is getting blown up against New England, Parcells' draft will look less "daring" and more "foolish."

[Rick on the Beach]

How do you tear your pectoral muscles??? Jeez

[jordan]

Mando, whats up with Chad Henne? How did he perform in the OTAs?

[rickNY]

mando,how is jason doing , is he moving ?

[klndry]

Thanks for the update. I can see by the report that everyone is all over the place. Placing a guy on third team this early in camp means nothing. It could be a confidence thing or timing issue on Allen's part. JT as a long snapper. Well waddaya know?

[NJING]

How about Duke Robinson in the 5th round...the 5th round!! Phins had 2 guards coming off season ending injury.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Rick on the beach. How do you tear your pectoral muscle ?. LOL . Obviously you never lifted weights.

[Mark in Toronto]

Tear a pec lifting weights? Bah, I've lifted for so darn long and can't say I've ever torn anything. EAT LESS FRIES!!!! Should not have traded Satele, sure he got pushed around at C but he could have been a nice depth player at guard. Not like he was costing you much and you could let him walk at the end of the season or whenever his contract ran out. Not like we got a goldmine for him either.

Nice to see Davone Bess is picking up where he left off. He's awesome!!!

[Mark in Toronto]

Jason Taylor at long snapper?????

Guess Sparano really likes those guys that can play special teams.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Mark in toronto. Lifting light weights don't count.

[Rick on the Beach]

NJ PHIN FAN, I know how you tear them... I said that out of frustration... is that ok with you?? Thanks. Oh yes and by the way NJING, I agree with you 200% in that we should have picked up Duke Robinson instead of wasting the pick on a WR that at best is going to end up on the PS.

[Mark in Toronto]

Hahah, nice NJPHIN FAN! Not to toot my own horn but I could hold my own lifting in the NFL combine. Maybe not with the really big boys - but I could get 225 up about 17 times - maybe early 20s if I could quit my job and just concentrate on working out like these real athletes do. Not bad for a 205 lbs guy. My 40 time and vertical leap aren't very good though, lol!

[HvK]

JT was the backup long snapper in 07 and I think even before that. Nothing new here.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Mark in toronto. OK. LOL. just busting your chops. I do this for a living.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

OK. rick on the beach. LOL.

[rickNY]

Mark in Toronto,225 is ok but i can do 265 in a good day, if you need help ,let me know

[Mark in Toronto]

225 is the combine weight for reps. If you could do it 20 times, I'd be very impressed. My max is beyond 265, but how did this become a weight lifting blog?

.... so how about the Jason Taylor, our new long snapper???

[CHAMP]

NJ PHIN FAN, on the look out to show off even w/ Rick on the beach RE injury, he's a doctor now .

[NJ PHIN FAN]

mark in toronto. I'm taking about bodybuilding and Physical fitness for a living. Not busting chops. LOl. Though i'm known to do that once in awhile.

[rickNY]

Mark, you the one who started the lifting blog here ,you smart azzz

[Mark in Toronto]

ok, rickyNY, fine. I'm not sure I started anything, it was just a couple of guys going back and forth busting chops but fine, I'm a smart azz! Leave it to a New Yorker to start with the name calling.

How are the Yankees doing by the way? I'll let you jump on my Blue Jay bandwagon if you stop name calling in the blog.

(P.S. I'm just busting chops again, no need to get offended)

[rickNY]

mark, i lift 285, would you like to get together and see who wins

[C]

NJ phin, do you lift weight ? you must be ,to lift all these pipes.

[Bart DePalma]

Armando:

Is Wake practicing at the strong or weak side?

[Mark in Toronto]

Haahaha, sure rickNY. I am going to spend my time lifting weights with you. Why don't we see who's head is larger at the same time or who can pee further or who has the bigger member?

Can we talk about the Dolphins? I never said I was stronger than so and so. It was a comment based on how poor Donald Thomas getting injured and that I can relate to his weight lifting schedule on relative basis because I do it too. For example, I can relate better than a guy who has never lifted or maintained a physically active lifestyle. Now I can't lift as much as him or several others simply because I don't have the muscle fibre of a 320 lbs professional athlete who's job it is to be finely tuned physically.

By the way, 320lbs!

[That guy]

Update Donald Thomas] Just in from OTA whew its hot out there sitting in my lawn chair. Thomas pulled a groin muscle. What has Bill Parcells really upset is that it was someone else's groin.

Update Ernest Wilford] The position change from WR to TE should come as no suprise. I once knew a guy that went into prison as a tight end and came out as a wide receiver.

Thats all for now... I'll be back with more updates. Or not...

[rickNY]

I UNderstand mark your points, 320 is very high for me but what 's your routine before lifting and i sure have a bigger every thing than you but not the head over my neck

[NJ PHIN FAN]

C/Menace. Do you lift weights ?. You must be to lift 12 once beer cans at a time and your flashlight at your security guard job.

[C]

The only thing i lift is women off their feet ,no weight, no pipes nj phin.

that guy, very funny,get jt in next one

[Mark in Toronto]

Hahaha, went in tight ends and came out wide receivers. That's good stuff!

[NJ PHIN FAN]

C/ menace . Sweep women off their feet . You'll scare them off if youlift them . No go back to lifting flashlights.

[C]

i wonder who was that guy who went to prison and came out more open minded, nj phin or falconballa2

[rickNY]

mark ,did you ever played football as TE or WR

[Mark in Toronto]

No rickNY, I didn't play either.

I heard you were an all NY State ball holder in your time though.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

C/menace. You should know alot about tight end and wide recievers being around jails all the time ( yeah right !) Got your salad tossed lately .

[C]

NJ phin ,seems like you never lifted and swept a women off her feet with love and passion, the pipe hardened you heart and rusted you soul and leaked your eyes

[rickNY]

Mark, the only thing you have bigger than any one is your azzzz

[NJ PHIN FAN]

LOL@c

[Mark in Toronto]

C, that was beautiful!! NJ PHIN FAN, stop being so hard!!!!

[C]

LIFTING a women is amazing thing to do , when she's worth lifting and delivering better than iorn

[Mark in Toronto]

Sounds like rickNY is another great product of the American Public School system.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

Mark. keep getting your salad tossed with that big azzzzzzzzz of yours.

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. Salguero

Is there any trueth to the rumor I am starting
that Jason Taylor is giving Paul Soliai makeup and wardrobe advise for his soon appearence on the TV show The Biggest Loser ?

Soiled :)

[rickNY]

Sounds like Mark in Toronto is another product of canada body building Public program system, all air and little brain.

my BO is bigger than your BO

[That guy]

I could teach you kids a thing or two about picking up women, but I won't.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Bc0WjTT0Ps

[Mark in Toronto]

NJ Phin Fan, sounds like you are a big fan of the show Oz. Never heard anyone use taht phrase as much as you have in this blog.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Freed choice and the American way and all that.

[Mark in Toronto]

Yes, rickNY, I'm a product of the "canada body building Public program system" Oh my!!!

[MJZ]

I can lift 225 50 times! That is, a 22.5 ounce mug of beer 50 times to my mouth.