McTyer takes aim at starting CB spot

DAVIE — Dolphins cornerback Torry McTyer did everything right on his interception in Friday’s practice. While defending wide receiver Jakeem Grant, McTyer read the slant pattern, jumped the route and finished by using his blazing speed to intercept the pass.

“It was just me just playing the situation and playing down and distance, and just getting a read on the quarterback,” McTyer said after Saturday’s third practice of training camp.

Coaches noticed that play, just as they have the others McTyer has made. That’s why McTyer lined up with the first team for a few snaps Saturday.

“I think he’s had a good start to camp,” coach Adam Gase said.

And now McTyer, who made the team last year as an undrafted rookie from Nevada-Las Vegas, has injected himself into the starting right cornerback picture alongside

FRESHWATER: Try the Butler Chain for plenty of panfish. Use crickets, redworms and small jigs or Rooster Tail lures in shallow waters for bluegills along with a few warmouth and shellcrackers. Try deeper and grassy waters for bass. Senkos and Texas-rigged plastic worms and flukes work well.

SALTWATER: The flats near Sebastian Inlet have been good for trout and redfish along with a few snook, tarpon, Spanish mackerel and plenty of jacks and ladyfish. Use surface plugs at daybreak near bait pods, points, sea walls and docks. Switch to jerkbaits, jigs and swimbaits at mid-morning. Shrimp under popping corks work well also.

Note: Tides on back Sports section.

Solunars of AUTO RACING: Daniel Suarez made NASCAR history when he became the first Mexican driver to win a pole in the Cup series for Sunday’s race at Pocono Raceway. The times of front-row starters Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch were tossed out because their cars failed inspection. Suarez had qualified third but officially starts his bid for his first Cup win from the pole.

CYCLING: Tom Dumoulin won the 20th stage of the Tour de France, but Geraint Thomas remained 1 minute, 51 seconds ahead of Dumoulin for the overall lead heading into Sunday’s final stage.

GOLF: Bruce Lietzke, the fun-loving, draw-hitting PGA Tour winner whose practice regime — or lack of one — spawned an often-told spoiled banana story, died Saturday of brain cancer. He was 67. Lietzke’s family said he died at his Athens, Texas, ranch. ... Top-ranked Dustin Johnson shot a 7-under 65, using a fast start and a late eagle, to grab a share of the lead after three rounds of the RBC Canadian Open in Oakville, Ontario. Johnson, Kevin Tway, Byeong Hun An and Whee Kim all stood at 17-under 199. ... Miguel Angel Jimenez shot an even-par 72 in blustery conditions to remain 9-under overall and two shots clear after three rounds of the Senior British Open in St. Andrews, Scotland. Defending champion Bernhard Langer, Tom Pernice, Kirk Triplett and Stephen Ames were tied for second. ... Ariya Jutanugarn and Amy Yang each shot 2-over 73 to remain tied atop the Ladies Scottish Open after three rounds in Gullane, Scotland. ... Richard McEvoy shot a 3-under 69 to pull into a share of the lead with Bryson DeChambeau after three rounds of the European Open in Hamburg, Germany.

NFL: Panthers starting RT Daryl Williams suffered an apparent right knee injury halfway through practice at Wofford College. Williams required assistance to stand, and had to be carted off the field. Saturday was the team’s first day in pads. The injury appeared to be non-contact. ... Redskins DL Daron Payne, the team’s first-round pick, is expected to miss two to three weeks because of an ankle injury. Coach Jay Gruden said Payne will be in a walking boot for about a week. ... Patriots QB Tom Brady said it’s “ridiculous” to suggest the suspension of WR Julian Edelman is related to Brady’s personal health coach, Alex Guerrero. Edelman brushed aside a similar question in his first comments since receiving his four-game ban for a drug-policy violation. ... The Seahawks reached an agreement on a multiyear contract extension with T Duane Brown. NFL Network reported the new deal is for three years and $36.5 million.

NHL: The Rangers avoided arbitration with D Brady Skjei, agreeing on a six-year, $31.5 million contract. GM Jeff Gorton announced the deal with the 24-year-old restricted free agent, three days before Sjkei’s arbitration hearing was scheduled. Playing all 82 games last season, Sjkei averaged a career-high 21 minutes a game and had four goals and 21 assists.

WNBA: Lynx star Maya Moore won her third straight All-Star MVP award to lead Team Parker past Team Delle Donne 119-112 in the WNBA All-Star Game in Minneapolis. Cordrea Tankersley Tony Lippett.

But he seems unmoved. “I’m not really paying attention to that,” McTyer said of going with the starters. “I just want to come out here and work hard every day.”

Because of that, and his performance, McTyer, whose father, Tim, played in the NFL with Philadelphia (1997-98) and Cleveland (1999), has been a beneficiary of the Dolphins’ new training-camp philosophy.

In past years youngsters would have to show their stuff for a few days before getting snaps with the first team. Things are different now.

“I’ve told the defensive staff, ‘Let’s not wait around,’ ” Gase said. “‘If we feel like a guy is playing well, give him opportunities, especially with the first group.’

“They feel like he’s played well enough to be put into that spot and compete with that first group.”

McTyer, such as most other rookies, first earned playing time last year on special teams. Late in the season he played from and scrimmage. That experience has carried over into training camp.

“It gave me a lot of confidence, just being out there, getting some experience at corner and just knowing that I can play with those guys,” McTyer said.

The Dolphins are routinely rotating starters on both sides of the ball. But few expected McTyer to earn snaps with the first team so early in training camp.

Perhaps this is the result of the offseason work McTyer did back home in Los Angeles, with former Dolphins cornerback Jamar Taylor (now with Arizona), among others. McTyer said he’s added 8 pounds of muscle (he’s up to 190 pounds) while still maintaining his 4.3-second 40-yard dash speed.

The race for starting right cornerback will eventually work itself out before the Sept. 9 season opener against Tennessee.

McTyer is taking the same approach to that, and his eventual role on the team, as he did lining up with the starters Saturday.

“I just want to come out here and do what I can do to help the team win,” he said. “So whatever that is, it is what it is.”