Top News: Dolphins Wrap Up Training Camp

The Dolphins officially wrapped up training camp Tuesday after practicing in the morning at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. It was the 14th practice of training camp, which began on the morning of July 26, the day after the veterans reported to the facility and eight days after the rookies first arrived. “I feel we had a really good two weeks out here and a lot of competitiveness,” said running back Kenyan Drake. “I feel like the offense really came together, the defense really came together, so we just want to continue to mesh as we go into the season.”The Dolphins continue their preseason schedule Friday night against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium and won’t practice again in Davie until Sunday. The hard work doesn’t stop with the end of camp, though players now will go home at night after staying at the team hotel for the past two-plus weeks. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill said he actually was disappointed training camp has come to an end. “I love training camp,” he said. “I love the grind. I love the time that we’re able to spend together, spend out here on the practice field, spend in the meeting room. I think you get your biggest gains in this time of year. You gain all times of the year, but I think your biggest gains are made in training camp. So, part of me is sad, but the other part of me is excited, because it marks the next phase, the next chapter of this season and getting ready for game one.”Head Coach Adam Gase said he was pleased with what he saw during training camp, particularly when it comes to the players understanding what the coaches wanted to accomplish. “We changed it up a little bit,” Gase said. “I think this one was probably a little harder than what we’ve done in the past. We were out there a little longer and — take yesterday out of it — I think guys acted professional and there was a lot of physicality. There was a better sense of what we were looking for as far as how we want to tackle, how we want our ball security to be, our turnovers. Just all these little details that we’ve been talking about — pre-snap penalties. “We (had) a very good point of emphasis this camp. The first year we were trying to figure things out, like who are we and what do we need to work on, who’s staying, who’s going. The second year, I don’t think we were as clear as probably what we needed to be. I feel like this year everybody is all on the same page. We all know what we’re looking to do.”‘80s flashback: During a discussion about the no-huddle offense, quarterback Ryan Tannehill revealed that the fastest tempo the Dolphins use is called “ludicrous speed.” Gase later confirmed that “ludicrous speed” indeed was taken from Mel Brooks’ 1980s sci-fi spoof “Spaceballs.” “You know it,” Gase said. “There’s a lot of ‘80s terms. You’ve got to remember when we started this thing (in Denver) who the quarterback was (Peyton Manning). The only problem was nobody else knew what we were talking about. (laughter). So it was good between me and him, but nobody else.” Drake discussion: Gase said he had a conversation with Drake after practice Monday involving the need to keep his composure when scuffles break out. Gase said Drake’s ejection from the finale against the Buffalo Bills last season came to his mind when Drake was involved in an altercation at practice Monday. “For me, I lost my cool a little bit because I was a little frustrated that he got upset because that’s exactly the first thing that popped in my head,” Gase said. “It’s a little harder to call plays when he’s out of the game or he’s not even available. We talked about that and at the same time I think he has a clear understanding of, we’re counting on him. There’s a lot of people that if he’s not in the game or he’s not on the sideline or we don’t have him because he’s either ejected or he gets hurt because of something like that, he’s letting a lot of people down. I think that hit him to where he understands … he understood where I was coming from. I love his emotion, I love his passion. You don’t want to take that away, but at the same time he’s a really good player and he’s young and we need to have him on the field.” Defensive tackle Gabe Wright, who was involved in the scuffle with Drake on Monday, officially was waived before practice Tuesday. “It was time for us to move on,” Gase said. “I don’t really think I need to get into more detail than that. It’s part of the NFL.” Parker plan: Wide receiver DeVante Parker again sat out practice with a hand injury, and Gase said afterward it was a week-to-week situation. “Right now he wouldn’t be able to catch the ball, so we’ll just keep evaluating that,” Gase said. “We just need to make sure that we’re keeping him in great shape and when they tell us that he’s good to go, then we’ll have him ready to go.” When asked whether Parker would be ready for the start of the regular season, Gase said it was early to think in those terms: “I don’t even … I’m not going that far ahead right now.” Parker was injured when he got tangled with cornerback Xavien Howard at practice Sunday.Practice report: The Dolphins practiced in uppers today. … Longtime Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas and former running back Terry Kirby both were guests at practice. … Running back Kalen Ballage and tight end MarQueis Gray are in the concussion protocol and did not practice Tuesday. … Along with Parker, the players sitting out were WR Kenny Stills (ankle), LB Mike Hull (knee), DE William Hayes (hamstring) and OL Jake Brendel (calf). … Running back Frank Gore was back at practice after being the day off Monday. … Rookie defensive tackle Jamiyus Pittman got to quarterback David Fales for a would-be sack in team drills. … Buddy Howell and Brandon Radcliff both had nice runs up the middle in team drills. … Bryce Petty had a nice completion to Francis Owusu near the sideline in a two-minute drill.Youth is served: In keeping with their commitment to youth football, the Dolphins welcomed members of Cypress Bay High School, as well as Gold Coast Pop Warner teams, to practice Tuesday. After watching practice, the players got the chance to meet Dolphins players and get autographs. The Dolphins also presented the Cypress Bay team with a framed jersey to remember assistant coach Carlo Ullysse Jr., who tragically lost his life this past weekend.