Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Grand designs
Gase plans to take advantage of his receivers’ strengths with variety of deceptive looks
DAVIE — The Miami Dolphins group of receiving targets may not be the most heralded players in the NFL. But coach Adam Gase believes he and quarterback Ryan Tannehill can utilize their unique strengths to throw opposing defenses off-balance throughout the 2018 season.
During the season-opening win against the Tennessee Titans, Gase unleashed a series of creative looks with receivers and tight ends lining up in a variety of spots along the line of scrimmage.
Newcomer Danny Amendola worked customarily from the slot receiver position, but other slot receivers like Kenny Stills, Jakeem Grant and Albert Wilson each saw select plays lining up on the outside.
Wilson — a 5-foot-9 receiver who earned his reputation as a shifty playmaker with the Kansas City Chiefs — was even used in some option and wildcat looks.
“Sorry I didn’t show it in training camp,” Gase said with a laugh on Wednesday.
The Dolphins have a unique set of receivers and plan to take full advantage of their wide-ranging skill sets.
Stills — the Dolphins No. 1 receiver, now in his fourth season with the team — earned a reputation of solely being a deep threat during his six-year career.
While Stills scored a 75-yard touchdown while lining up on the outside, Gase believes Stills can do more damage simply with more touches altogether.
“I think there’s more underneath and there’s more as far as receptions per game go, to where maybe instead of four catches for [106] yards, it might end up being like
“You try to stay within the framework of the system and be creative at the same time.” Adam Gase, Dolphins head coach, on playcalling for the wide receivers
seven or eight catches, where there might be a couple of shorter throws in there,” Gase said of Stills.
“I think that’s something we’re going to keep working on and improving.”
Wilson, a slot receiver in Kansas City who had seen the occasional carry during four seasons with the Chiefs, is a player the Dolphins sought out exclusively to execute other wrinkles in Gase’s offense.
Wilson had three catches for 31 yards, including a 21-yard reception on the outside that yielded a first down. He also had two rushes for 7 yards, including a wildcat run up the middle that could have been pitched on an option to running back Kenyan Drake.
Gase said he stole a play or two from his mentor Mike Martz, who visited Dolphins practice last month.
“You try to stay within the framework of the system and be creative at the same time,” Gase said. “When you have good players, you’re able to do that and it’s fun to call those plays.”
When Wilson has the ball, he simply loves making defenders miss him. He takes pride in being a catalyst for offensive drives, and exciting his teammates with an explosive play.
While Wilson is excited about Gase’s plans to expand his role, Wilson is happy he and his fellow receivers are being utilized in different ways.
“It’s very exciting,” Wilson said. “You just know that defenses can’t come with one game plan so for everyone to be able to do everything, it gives us an advantage.”
Along with the slot receivers, the Dolphins used tight end Mike Gesicki, a 6-6 rookie out of Penn State, as a red-zone target in the opener. Gesicki was unable to haul in his opportunity for a touchdown, getting intercepted by Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler.
Miami is also still awaiting the return of 6-5 receiver DeVante Parker, who has been sidelined since the preseason with a broken finger.
With so many options at his disposal, Gase plans to keep spreading the ball around to provide a variety of looks.
Tannehill — who completed 20-of-28 passes for 230 yards with two touchdowns despite two interceptions in the opener — enjoys the variety, too.
“We do have a lot of speed, and I think that’s an asset our offense has. It’s going to create problems for defenses throughout the year,” Tannehill said. “We have probably three, four guys that are burners. It’s a lot of fun to play with them. We can do a lot of things with them.”
Parker works in drills
Parker took an encouraging step in his recovery from a broken finger by working in position drills during Wednesday’s practice for the first time since suffering the injury.
Parker caught passes from quarterbacks in his second practice since breaking the middle finger on his right hand on Aug. 12.
Parker, who was inactive for Miami’s season opener, was a limited participant in practice.
He could still be doubtful to play in the Dolphins’ Week 2 matchup at the New York Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. in MetLife Stadium.
But when Parker is ready, Gase said Parker will be “right on track” for a seamless return.
“He looks like he wants to get out there and get going for real. It was good to see him running and catching balls. We’ll take the progression towards the next step and we’ll move on from there.”
While lining up on the left side of the field, Parker tried to catch passes into his left hand while securing the catch with his right hand. While lining up on the right side, Parker was able to catch a pass directed at his right hand.
When it was Parker’s turn to throw passes back, he used his left hand . ...
Amendola was one of two starters not present at practice, but Gase said Amendola will sit out of every Wednesday practice during the season.
Amendola, who signed a two-year deal with Miami in the offseason, caught four passes for 26 yards in his Dolphins debut last week. Amendola also lined up as a punt returner during the Dolphins’ win over the Titans 27-20 in the season opener at Hard Rock Stadium . ...
Starting left guard Josh Sitton (shoulder) also did not practice . ...
Long snapper John Denney (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice, but Gase said Denney will play against the Jets . ...
Defensive end William Hayes (finger), offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James (hamstring), offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (hamstring) were listed on Miami’s injury report Wednesday as full participants in practice.