Tannehill relishes return to ‘the grind’
But says wife’s help in recovery has left an indelible mark.
DAVIE — Ryan Tannehill had the support of his Miami Dolphins coaches during his long recovery from last summer’s knee injury.
He had the support of teammates and fans.
But the person he leaned on the most, and the one who lifted his spirits the best, was the one you should have guessed.
“My wife, honestly,” Tannehill said Wednesday of Lauren. “Having her supporting me throughout that season was tough. It was a long year. There were some dark times. I tried to stay positive and take it in stride as much as I could and just do the best that I could in rehab and grow and get stronger each and every day. But it’s hard.”
When Tannehill reinjured his knee in training camp last year, it cost him the 2017 season but may have afforded him a bit more time with infant son Steel in the first year of his life.
Even so, Tannehill is a football player, and football players want to be preparing to play football. Tannehill found he missed preparations even more than game days.
“It was a hard time for me just not being around the guys, not being out at practice,” Tannehill said. “I was around in meetings, but it’s just not the same. You can’t replicate that time of grinding it out on the practice field together and going through the ups and downs of playing games and going through practice. That was the hardest part for me.
“I think initially when you get hurt, you kind of think, ‘Oh, the games will be what I miss the most.’ And yes, I really missed the games. It was tough every Sunday seeing the guys run out there on the field and not being a part of it. But what I miss the most was day in and day out, the grind of the preparation, of competing with the guys, pushing them and trying to make them the best players that they could be, making the offense the best it could be and just driving the offense. That was the hardest part for me.”
As far as Lauren goes, there’s an excellent chance she knows how much he appreciates her. Last year, he got a tattoo on his right arm.
“It’s laurel leaves for my wife,” he said. “My wife’s name is Lauren. Lauren means ‘by the laurel leaves,’ so that’s it.”
Speedy new WR: Newly acquired wide receiver Albert Wilson is a bit soft-spoken. But when it comes to speed, he’s not lacking for confidence.
He is fast. In fact, he believes he is the fastest. The fastest Dolphin.
“Definitely,” Wilson said Wednesday.
According to Post research conducted earlier this month, the Dolphins with the best pre-draft 40-yard dash times are: Jakeem Grant (4.38 seconds), Kenny Stills (4.38 seconds), Wilson (4.43 seconds) and Kenyan Drake (4.45 seconds).
So we asked Wilson if he would be willing to participate in a 40-yard dash against the two other receivers.
“Oh yes, definitely,” Wilson said.
But would he be willing to do it on the practice field, in front of reporters?
“If it sets up that way, definitely,” Wilson said.
But what would happen? “I’ll win,” Wilson said. In the first organized team activity open to the media, Wilson caught a long pass from Brock Osweiler. Make no mistake, he is a burner. And make no mistake, the Dolphins offense is fleeter overall.
“When you have the kind of athletic ability he does, the speed he does, the playmaking ability, you just try to find ways to get the ball in his hands and let him do his thing,” Dolphins coach Adam Gase said Wednesday.
Wilson said he’s already lined up in at least three positions. His versatility and speed should help offset the loss of Jarvis Landry.
“I really like working on the inside,” Wilson said. “I feel like I’ve got that down pat. But I work good on the outside also, so it really doesn’t matter.”