Fins Start Sloppy, Promise More Polish

Fumbled snaps, falling barricades marked the Dolphins' first day at camp

An hour into the first training camp practice, the Miami Dolphins lined up for an 11-on-11 drill. As spectators leaned forward in anticipation, Chad Henne took the snap and handed off to the fullback, who immediately ran into a defense.

It looked a lot like last year, but the Dolphins began workouts Friday anticipating things will be much different this season.

Not everything went smoothly on the first day. The two top rookies were absent because they had yet to sign. There were half a dozen fumbled snaps and moments of confusion when players lined up. At the end of practice, a barricade near the locker room fell over with an appropriate thud.

And then Henne unintentionally served up a scoop by telling reporters the team had reached a contract agreement with free-agent quarterback Matt Moore.

For a team promising more polish — and perhaps even a playoff win for the first time since 2000 — it was a slow start. But after the 4½-month NFL lockout, sloppiness was to be expected.

"There was a long period of hurry up and wait," coach Tony Sparano said. "Now we're in a little bit of a track meet. But everybody is playing by the same rules."

One indication the rules are different came after practice, when Miami cut linebacker Channing Crowder, a starter since his rookie season in 2005.

The most notable addition was spectator Reggie Bush, who stood behind the offense, nodding as coaches and teammates pointed out wrinkles in the playbook he must learn. The Dolphins acquired Bush from the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, but the post-lockout calendar requires he wait until Aug. 4 to practice.

Moore must also wait until that date. He'll compete for playing time with Henne, who regressed last year in his second season as a starter and was benched at one point as the Dolphins lost confidence he was a long-term solution.

"Everybody knows I've wanted to bring in competition here," said Sparano.

Moore started 13 games for the Carolina Panthers from 2007 to 2010. He went 1-4 as a starter last year, when he threw five touchdown passes and had 10 interceptions.

"This league is all about competition. I'm here to compete," Henne said. "Nobody said who has the job yet. I'm just working to be that guy."

Sparano said he wants to see more assertive leadership this year from Henne, and the fourth-year pro showed signs of taking charge by leading informal offseason workouts during the lockout.

"As far as I'm concerned, Henne is our quarterback until proven otherwise," receiver Brian Hartline said. "And I'll be surprised if that can be proven otherwise."

Henne's only competition at the position for the first practice were Pat Devlin, an undrafted rookie from Delaware, and second-year pro Tom Brandstater. Ranks were also thin at running back, where Bush is expected to share time with second-round draft pick Daniel Thomas, who signed a four-year contract with Miami according to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, Miami's top pick, center Mike Pouncey, remained unsigned.

Three picks signed in time to take part in the first workout — fullback-tight end Charles Clay, cornerback Jimmy Wilson and defensive tackle Frank Kearse.

Owner Stephen Ross, who had his own misadventures this offseason unsuccessfully courting Jim Harbaugh for Sparano's head coaching job, watched from the shade of the video crew's tower.

"I share the dream that all of us have in South Florida," he said shortly before practice. "I'm a fan. That's the reason I bought the team — I share that dream of winning the Super Bowl. I'm not going to make any predictions. I just believe that we have the nucleus of a great winning team."

The nucleus may yet change. Among those absent from practice was general manager Jeff Ireland, who sat in his office on the phone playing catch-up on offseason moves.

After the workout, as players found refuge from the midday sun, they checked out the latest NFL news on the locker room TVs.

"It's crazy. Every 10 minutes there's a new acquisition or trade," linebacker Cameron Wake said. "Coach already told us the team will be much different in five or six days. Things are going to change."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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