Day 2 Of Dolphins Training Camp: No Milk & Cookies For The Players
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Day two of Miami Dolphins training camp is coming to a close, but players shouldn't expect milk and cookies from head coach Joe Philbin.
"Their wives have to step it up a little bit and maybe give them some cookies since they're working so hard," Philbin said jokingly.
But the chuckle and smirk didn't detract from the fact that while he said practice went well, no one really stood out in his mind on day two.
"Nothing specific. I thought it was good," said Philbin. "I thought our second team period wasn't really as sharp as it should have been. That's why I kind of called the guys up at the end there just for a minute or so."
However, if one person does deserve a treat, it would be rookie Jordan Phillips.
The defensive tackle spent the offseason training with four-time Pro Bowler and big free-agent signee Ndamukong Suh.
Philbin felt the offseason work has shown some tangible results.
"Yeah, he's looked good, he's had a good start to camp yesterday," said Philbin. "Obviously, I haven't watched the film yet of today, but I think he appears like he's handled the heat pretty well and the tempo of practice I think he's handled well so far. I think it's good so far."
If Phillips keeps up the hard work, he will be a part of a potent defensive line, according to all-star cornerback Brent Grimes.
"We added Ndamukong Suh who is an awesome player and he's going to help us a great deal," said Grimes. "Quarterbacks don't like getting hit and, with a D-line like that putting pressure on the quarterback without even having to blitz. It's a great advantage for us. It can help us make some plays."
On the flip side of the ball, Kenny Stills said the offense is working to get on the same page.
"The receiving corps is a group that's really focused right now on getting on the same page with the quarterbacks and making sure that all of the timing is correct," said Stills. "We know we have a lot of guys that can make plays and we want to go out there and do it."
If quarterback Ryan Tannehill jells with his receivers quickly, the long ball could become a fixture of the offense.
"If the coverage dictates that, and a lot of plays in our offense, if a receiver has a vertical route, at times, not every single play, that the quarterbacks have the freedom and the flexibility when the coverage is right to take advantage of that and go to that one-on-one matchup on a vertical throw, at times," said Philbin. "I think Zac (Taylor) and Ben Johnson and Bill (Lazor) have done a good job in the meetings room of we know that's something that we want more of – we want more explosive passes."
The team still has a long way to go, but Philbin is hopeful Saturday will provide a new spark – especially since it's the first time the players will practice in pads.