Intended O-line lineup to debut
DAVIE — Dolphins starting cornerback Xavien Howard missed practice Friday because of a knee injury and has been ruled out for Sunday, making it likely veteran Byron Maxwell will return to the lineup against the Tennessee Titans.
Veteran left t a ckle Branden Albert (illness/ankle) returned to practice and with center Mike Pouncey (hip) back as a starter, Miami’s intended season-opening lineup should make its debut Sunday.
Running back Arian Foster (hamstring) was practicing and moving fairly well, though his official status is doubtful. Tight end Jordan Cameron was not seen at practice. How long he’ll be out with what is at least his fourth concussion is unknown. But he’s out for Sunday.
Linebacker Jelani Jenkins (groin) was seen practicing, while linebacker Koa Misi (neck) was on the sideline and will not play Sunday.
OC says Tannehill must ‘find a way:’ If you’re waiting to see Ryan Tannehill make clutch plays — even when clutch plays don’t appear to present themselves — you’re not alone.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen also wants to see his quarterback make signature plays that separate decent QBs from outstanding ones.
Christensen said when judging quarterbacks, he emphasizes performance on third down, in the red zone and in two-minute drills.
“If you pin me down and I’ve got to say one, it would be that: convert third downs, somehow,” Christensen said of one area in which Tannehill needs improvement. “Find a way to convert them.”
The Dolphins are converting only 26.7 percent of third downs and have an average time of possession of 24:19. They’re last in the league in both categories.
Tannehill is 21st in the NFL in third-down passing efficiency with a rating of 74.7.
By comparison, Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger — whom the Dolphins face next weekend — leads the league with a 130.9 rating on third down. Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota, this week’s opponent, is 23rd at 70.3.
Christensen said sometimes the way for Tannehill to move the chains isn’t with his arm.
“I think we’ve got to use his legs a little bit on third down, too,” Christensen said. “Every week you look up and there’s a thirdand-12 and the quarterback takes off running and converts a third down where everyone was covered or something.
“Those things aren’t as clean and pretty as the way you draw them up.”
For much of the season Tannehill has led the Dolphins in rushing, but he’s now third behind Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake with 12 runs for 54 yards, a 4.5 average.
In breaking down Tannehill’s game, one area where Christensen has been impressed is deep throws, which until this season had been the element of his game drawing huge criticism.
“I think he’s been really, really good on his deep throws,” Christensen said. “I think when I came here, everyone said that it was a deficiency and I haven’t seen that. I think he’s done a good job with his deep throws.”
Surprisingly good, some might say. Tannehill is tied with New Orleans’ Drew Brees for fourth in the NFL with 17 passes of 20 yards or more. The only passers above them are Atlanta’s Matt Ryan (21), Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton (20) and Roethlisberger (18).
Overall, Christensen said Tannehill’s performance has mirrored the offense’s.
“At times he’s done things really, really well,” Christensen said. “At times I think he’d love to have a do-over.”