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Tannehill, Woods quickly developing good rapport




Robert Woods has been able to get on the same page quickly with Ryan Tannehill, thanks in part to both players' experience.Terry McCormick / Main Street Nashville

Robert Woods has been able to get on the same page quickly with Ryan Tannehill, thanks in part to both players’ experience.Terry McCormick / Main Street Nashville

With Ryan Tannehill breaking in an almost entirely new set of wide receivers this season, it should come as little surprise that one of the first newcomers he has gotten comfortable throwing to is veteran Robert Woods.

Woods, who came over in the offseason in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, had four catches for 85 yards Sunday in a win over Las Vegas, including explosive play gains of 41 and 21 yards.

Woods, being in his 10th NFL season, and Tannehill, also in Year 10, have been able to significantly reduce the time it normally takes for a quarterback and receiver to develop a consistent rapport. That is in large part because both are veterans, and that experience can translate much sooner than if younger players are in the mix.

“It’s big coming into a new offense, a new system. It’s all about being able to build a good relationship as fast as we can. I think that’s what we were able to do,” Woods said. “Just the experience and playing the zones and being able to go against a lot of different defenses, knowing where the gaps are, that helps us kind of move our offense ahead.”

 

 

Tannehill said the trust with a guy like Woods can be developed much more quickly because both players are veterans.

“It definitely shortens it. It’s a quick conversation as opposed to having to introduce something,” Tannehill said.” He’s already seen it before, heard it before. We’re just getting on the same page. Some things I don’t even have to tell him. He just already knows and does it. Having that veteran presence in that room, that veteran leadership there, as far as getting on the same page with me, he’s done a great job so far, and it’s showing.”

The nuances between passer and catcher require plenty of practice, but they also involve being able to predetermine and anticipate what the other player is likely to do. And that is where being an experienced player comes into the equation.

“It’s really good because ball placement, knowing when they throw the ball, and even as a receiver, knowing when to get the spot. In this league, you’ve got to be able to anticipate and see the defense move and know where the spot is,” Woods said.

Tannehill said he has already seen his on-field relationship with Woods grow just in the early going of the season.

“Robert’s done a good job the past two weeks, really kind of building on what he did in Buffalo (four catches, 39 yards) and coming out and having another really good game here at home last week. We just want to keep it going in that direction with him,” he said.

Injury report

Rookie receiver Treylon Burks (illness) was not at practice. Also out were safety Amani Hooker (concussion), linebacker Zach Cunningham (elbow) and tight end Austin Hooper (neck).

Linebacker Ola Adeniyi (neck), nickelback Ugo Amadi (ankle), cornerback Kristian Fulton (knee) and receiver Kyle Philips (shoulder) were all limited. Linebacker Bud Dupree was a full go with a hip injury.

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