The Maim Dolphins enter the 2013 season as one of the most imprioved teams in the NFL after adding Mike Wallace and Dannell Ellerbe in free agency and after trading up to draft Dion Jordan, the franchise could be one to surprise in the AFC East with New England Patriots and New York Jets this year.
The team is having training camp workouts this week and ESPN.com was there for some observations and so far the reports on Jordan have been very good, with the Oregon star reportedly looking very sharp in practice and giving the offensive line plenty of trouble. The report said that Jordan was giving left tackle Jonathan Martin some solid play and that his athleticism has come out in drills so far since signing his rookie deal.
The Oakland Raiders traded with the Dolphins for their number 12 pick and that allowed the team to move up and snag Jordan, a player they felt was the most athletic and talented in the draft. Jordan can play multiple positions and his raw talent should be enough for him to be one of the primary defensive stars for the team this season. The Dolphins are expecting quarterback Ryan Tannehill to develop and that will be due to the two wideouts they signed in the offseason, including free agent Mike Wallace and their own receiver Brian Hartline.
The Dolphins see the offense running through those two players with Lamar Miller in the backfield, but so far in training camp the two wideouts have been held out of practice. Hartline was on the sidelines after getting an injury on Monday and Wallace didn't participate in team drills after possibly getting injured as well. Tannehill showed some flashes last season as a rookie and the Dolphins are hoping that he can take the nest step this season.
The Dolphins also lost Sean Smith and left tackle Jake Long this offseason and after adding corner Brent Grimes, the team feels that the defense should be strong. The Dolphins also signed linebacker Phillip Wheeler from the raiders and brought in Ellerbe to help bolster that part of the defense and that should help improve the rush defense as well. The team is looking to get back to the playoffs after missing out over the past few years and they feel that Tannehill now has enough weapons on offense.
