Dolphins confident Tannehill is ready
Ryan Tannehill was among the first players on the field Tuesday, tossing short passes to an assistant equipment manager before practice even began, trying to make up for lost time and lost games.
The Dolphins plan to start Tannehill for the first time in seven weeks Sunday against the Colts. Coach Adam Gase said Tannehill has progressed enough in his recovery from a throwing shoulder injury to rejoin the lineup, and said the quality of his passes appears to be 100 percent.
“You don’t look at him and go, ‘Is he trying to feel his way?’ ” Gase said. “I don’t see that. I see a guy who’s confident in where he’s at and is doing a good job of turning the ball loose and putting it where it needs to be.”
Tannehill said his shoulder still hurts when he throws, but the stabbing pain he felt earlier is gone.
“I’m not completely pain-free, but it’s at a tolerable rate and it’s something I can deal with, and it doesn’t affect any throws I make,” he said. “I’m ready to put this behind me and move forward and start winning games.”
Tannehill’s return provides a welcome lift. Replacement Brock Osweiler went 2-3 as the starter, and the offense has gone nine quarters without a touchdown.
Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed and Champ Bailey are among 25 semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
In all, 13 defensive players, nine on offense and three coaches — Jimmy Johnson, Tom Flores and Don Coryell — made the cut.
Making it to the semifinals for the first time, although previously eligible, are Flores and linebacker Zach Thomas.
The 25 modern- day semifinalists from an original group of 103 will be reduced to 15 on Jan. 3. The selection meeting will be Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl, in Atlanta.
Inductions will be on Aug. 3 at the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
The semifinalists are: safety Steve Atwater, cornerback Champ Bailey, cornerback/safety Ronde Barber, tackle Tony Boselli, wide receiver Isaac Bruce, safety LeRoy Butler, Coryell, guard Alan Faneca, Flores, Gonzalez, wide receiver Torry Holt, guard Steve Hutchinson, running back Edgerrin James, Johnson, cornerback Ty Law, safety John Lynch, linebacker Clay Matthews, center/ guard Kevin Mawae, linebacker Karl Mecklenburg, linebacker Sam Mills, Reed, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, Thomas, wide receiver Hines Ward and safety Darren Woodson.
Adam “Pacman” Jones’ short stint in Denver is over.
The Broncos waived the 14-year veteran Tuesday after he appeared in seven games, posting nine tackles and one interception and three pass breakups.
At 35, Jones might have a hard time finding another team in need of a cornerback/ kick returner.
He signed with the Broncos in August. Coach Vance Joseph, who once served as an assistant in Cincinnati, vouched for Jones, who spent eight seasons with the Bengals.