Wide receiver Mike Wallace signed one of the larger contracts during free agency this offseason after he left the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Miami Dolphins. Wallace is expected to headline the receiving core and be a big weapon for second-year quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins made a number of big moves in the offseason to help to the team improve. With added expectations for the 2013 season, Wallace believes the team is set for success.
Miami has the potential to have one of the better passing games in the NFL. The Dolphins signed three new targets for Tannehill to throw to. After showing promise as a strong passer in his rookie year, new weapons will only make him better. Along with Wallace, tight end Dustin Keller came over from the Jets and Brandon Gibson signed on as well. Not to mention 2012's breakout star Brian Hartline is back. Wallace believes the team's diversity is what gives them an edge.
"We all present a different type of challenge for the defense. We're all different types of players. When you get us all together, it's going to be fun," Wallace said.
Wallace is thrilled to be working with quarterback Tannehill. After spending time with the likes Ben Roethlisberger for a number of years, Wallace sees a lot of similarities in the two quarterbacks. The wide receiver notes that Tannehill might actually have the better arm of the two quarterbacks with the ability to throw farther. Tannehill was shining example of that last season, throwing for over 3,200 yards.
Hartline is echoing the statements of Wallace. He believes the revamped offense is really going to take the team to another level in the offseason and he knows that it all starts with Tannehill.
"I mean everyone said all the quote unquote experts say that there's a big jump for a lot of guys from year one to year two and with Ryan I fully expect it," Hartline said. "I think at this point he's focusing on taking it one day at a time, understanding that he has to go through all of camp and get into the season and play through the whole season, so there's a lot of football to go to get evaluated on."
Hartline says he really cannot ask for more from Tannehill. After spending time in OTAs and minicamp, the receiver sees a lot of progress in the deep ball and the quarterback's accuracy.
If Wallace and Hartline are correct with their evaluations, the Dolphins are set for success in 2013. The team went out and spent big money on free agents, so results are expected to come.
