The Miami Dolphins are set for the preseason opener against the Bears and Ryan Tannehill will start the game along with the regular starters, but they will only play for part of the first quarter and this comes after the first depth chart was released by the team and if the guards do not improve in camp, the Dolphins could bring in Evan Mathis as a free agent option.
The Dolphins just signed Tannehill to a contract extension this offseason and he now is looking to take another step this season. Tannehill is set to play against the Bears and ESPN reports that the starters will play 10-15 snaps in the game. The first depth chart was released and some interesting info has Jordan Cameron number one at tight end, Greg Jennings, Kenny Stills and Jarvis Landry at WR, while Lamar Miller is the top RB.
The Dolphins are looking to get back to the playoffs after spending a ton of money and missing out on the postseason for the past few years. The team signed Ryan Tannehill to a long contract extension and they shelled out huge money for Ndamukong Suh to help anchor the defense. All of that adds to some pressure for the Dolphins this season and camp is the first chance to see the team in action. DeVante Parker is expected to make an impact as a rookie, but he is injured and is out while rehabbing from foot surgery.
The absence of Parker could give Rishard Matthews the chance to play a bigger role this season, as he had a disappointing year in 2014. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins have interest in bringing in free agent Evan Mathis, but the team is not close to a deal right now. The Herald reports that Miami has kept tabs on Mathis this offseason, but that they would like to see how their guards perform in camp before adding another player to the mix. Mathis has also had interest from the Giants, Jets, Falcons and 49ers this summer.
The Dolphins are hoping that more consistent play from the offensive line can help Ryan Tannehill, who had a career season in 2014. Tannehill was signed to an extension and the Dolphins are firmly behind him as the starter going forward. According to MiamiDolphins.com, Tannehill has looked "comfortable" in camp and part of that likely has to do with his security on that extension. John Congemi had some observations from camp and on Day 3 he wrote that Tannehill was "on target" with most of his passes and that includes deep throws.
The Dolphins receivers will be one unit to watch this season, as the team put together a deep group and with DeVante Parker out with an injury, players have been able to step up. Congemi writes that the receivers are "pushing each other" in camp and that Michael Preston is "emerging" with Parker out of the mix for the moment. Rishard Matthews dealt with reports that he could be cut or traded this offseason, but he has been solid in camp and caught a nice deep ball from Tannehill.
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