Dolphins' Brian Hartline a sophomore to watch

From KC Joyner's "Second-Year Itch"

May 17, 2010

Brian Hartline is Pretty Freakin’ Good

What do Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson, Carolina’s Steve Smith, Ocho Cinco, and Andre Johnson have in common? They all averaged fewer yards per catch than Miami’s Brian Hartline.

The Dolphins held onto the tragic hope that Ted Ginn would emerge as a playmaking wideout for much of 2009. What did they have to show for it? 454 yards (11.9 per reception) and a single touchdown. In fact, in his entire tenure with Miami poor Teddy caught just five touchdowns. Count ‘em. Five. Thank heavens the Trifecta pulled the plug on #19. It will be a much needed fresh start for both the Dolphins and Ginn.

Davone Bess was his sturdy, slot receiver self last season, hauling in a team high 76 passes for 758 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Greg Camarillo added 50 catches for 552 yards. However, neither of them averaged more than 11 yards per grab. It was Brian “Crazylegs” Hartline who emerged as the receiving corps biggest playmaker with four total touchdowns and 16.3 yards per reception.

With all the receivers fighting for receptions last season, Hartline never caught more than four balls in a game. It’s what he did with those catches that was impressive. Brian proved that he was more than just a good hands guy. He showed good speed, and a knack for the big play. He recorded the two longest receptions of all Miami’s receivers, with catches of 67 and 57 yards. Hartline also scored four times (one TD on the ground). And though 506 yards may not sound like much, when you look at the limited targets he received it hints that bigger things are in store for #82.

Obviously Brandon Marshall is coming in as our undisputed #1 wideout. So let's take a look at a pair of the NFL’s rising #2 WRs, and how Brian stacks up. I’ve chosen Pierre Garcon (wingman to Wayne), and Jeremy Maclin (wingman to Desean).

Maclin 55rec, 762 yds, 4 TD in 90 targets
Garcon 47 rec, 765 yds 4 TD in 92 targets
Hartline 31 rec, 506 yds, 3 TD in 56 targets

The key stat here is targets. With so many receivers looking for the ball in Hartline’s rookie season, he had only 56 chances to make a play. Both Maclin and Garcon were cemented into their roles in the #2 slot on their respective teams. Both had over 90 balls thrown their way, and both averaged about 8.4 yards per target.

Let’s assume that Hartline becomes the “Bake” to Marshall’s “Shake”. If Hartline reaches 90 targets he would have 813 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns, outperforming both Maclin and Garcon. Not bad, right?

But looking at the target numbers around the league is even more eye opening. If Hartline was targeted as much as Donald Driver (1b to Jennings) he would also be a 1,000 yard receiver. If he received the same targets as Anquan Boldin (1b to Fitzgerald) Brian would have 1155 yards and seven TDs. Boldin only managed 1,029yds and five scores.

Of course none of this is an exact science, but the numbers indicate that if Hartline was given a more prominent role, he’d be more than up to the task. Hell, if we really committed to him opposite Marshall he might put up Pro Bowl numbers. Math is fun, isn’t it boys and girls?

This offseason the Trifecta needs to decide if Hartline is a wingman or a 1b. Either way, it looks like the front office “done good” finding him in 2009′s fourth round.

Brian Hartline : An ideal complement to Brandon Marshall

By Omar Kelly

April 15th, 2010

I’m going to present two batches of statistics for the Miami Dolphins fan base, and the world to dissect.

Before I tell everyone the names, and the breakdowns of who these individuals are, or what offense they work in, just look at the numbers.

Individual No. 1: 45 receptions, 680 yards, 15.1 yards per catch, four touchdowns in 15 starts (with two different teams).

THEN

Individual No. 2: 31 receptions, 506 yards, 16.3 yards per catch, and four touchdowns (one rushing) in a season where he started just two games.

Drum roll please…..

The first receiver is New York Jets wide out Braylon Edwards, a talented but still unpolished fifth-year veteran, who is becoming fairly expensive, and has a little bit of diva in him.

The second receiver is Miami Dolphins receiver Brian Hartline, a smart and savvy youngster from Ohio State, who is coming off an impressive rookie season where he split time with four other receivers.

Hartline works fairly cheap (base salary is less than $400,000 in 2010), doesn’t have much of an ego (yet…it’s never too late), and it appears he has plenty of upside, especially with newly acquired “Alpha Dog” receiver Brandon Marshall lined up across from him.

If you don’t believe Hartline has the goods I encourage you to check out some of the athletic catches he made last season around the 4 minute-mark of this Dolphins highlight video, which certainly got me excited about the playmakers on the team in the post-Marshall era.

While I think Ted Ginn Jr. is the most talented athlete in the unit (behind Marshall of course), and I have the greatest amount of respect for what Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess have achieved in their brief careers, if you made me guess who lines up opposite Marshall right now…..

Hartline would be my answer.

With that said, whoever performs in practice during OTAs, minicamps, training camps, and the exhibition season, deserves the job.

But a quick, and unbiased look at Hartline’s numbers, and a sampling of his body of work in his one NFL season, sure does hint that he might have the goods.

I’d say the Dolphins wide receiver unit isn’t looking too shabby these days.

Miami Dolphins' Brian Hartline Praised for Speed, Smarts, and Making the Big Plays

By Omar Kelly

February 11th, 2010

No offense to any of the Miami Dolphins’ other receivers, but 2009 provided plenty of evidence that Brian Hartline is the wide out with the most upside.

This entry is not meant to speak badly about Ted Ginn Jr., or disrespect the hard work Davone Bess and Greg Camarillo have done to make themselves respectable NFL players.

It’s also not meant to shame fellow rookie Patrick Turner for not developing as quickly as Hartline.

This blog entry is meant to point out that this rookie out of Ohio State stood out from the pack, which is a good sign for a team in need of an upgrade at the position.

Hartline, who contributed 506 receiving yards off 31 catches, produced most of the passing game’s biggest plays last season. He led the team in yards per reception (16.3), and also scored most of the passing game’s touchdowns in the red zone (four).

Last season Hartline proved he can make tough catches (only two drops), possesses enough speed to open up the deep passing game, and his coaches swear he’s the smartest player in that unit.

All those attributes likely means Hartline has the potential to do more. The potential to become a solid starter, helping the Dolphins’ anemic passing game grow while he continues to blossom.

I predict he’ll be a starter in 2010, and I’m curious to see what’s the upside?

During this unfiltered Hartline talks about the valuable experience he gained, and how it’ll benefit him next season. He said he felt he was “walking in the dark” his rookie season, but that’s no longer the case.

But what kind of improvements can we expect?

“My focus in the offseason is bigger and stronger,” said Hartline, who was selected in the fourth round. “I want to add that dynamic to my game. Being able to push guys around and not always having to run around guys all the time.”

Dolphins' Hartline leads kids in NFL Play 60 fitness program

February 2, 2010

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline visited Sunset Elementary in Coral Gables to participate in NFL PLAY 60, the league's youth health and fitness campaign. Fifth graders at Sunset Elementary took part in the NFL PLAY 60 Challenge - a Super Bowl program that taught students the importance of getting 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Cleveland Browns running back/kick returner Josh Cribbs was also in attendance.

The Play 60 Challenge, developed in conjunction with the American Heart Association, is the primary in-school curriculum for NFL PLAY 60. Over 14,000 South Florida 4th and 5th graders participated in the Challenge in the months leading up to Super Bowl Week.

Hartline makes "tremendous" play against Titans

From "Sparano: Henne needed to make better decisions"

December 22, 2009

(On Brian Hartline making big plays yesterday) - "The play that Brian made at the end of the game yesterday is a tremendous play, really tremendous play because he became a defender on the player. That was really an interception. The ball was in the kids hands, Brian stuck his hand underneath the ball to play defense with it and knocked it out and then out wrestled the safety for the ball. Heck of an individual effort by a young guy in a critical situation. He made two big plays in the course of the game yesterday. Consistency at that position in that position is important too. You see the two big plays; I see some of the other things. He is getting better and better, but we got to continue to get consistent."

Wide receiver Brian Hartline making most of his chances

Brian Hartline has been getting it done.

By Edgar Thompson

December 9, 2009

Many wondered what Brian Hartline was thinking when left Ohio State after a 21-catch junior season.

Now they know.

Hartline’s unexpected impact as a rookie kicks off today’s talking points.

Hartline makes a play nearly every time he catches the ball.

Hartline’s 21 receptions are fourth among Dolphins’ wideouts, and sixth overall.

But 17 of those catches are for first downs, including a team-high three touchdowns, the most by a Dolphins’ rookie wide receiver since Chris Chambers had seven in 2001.

Hartline leads the team in average per catch (14.8 yards), and also has chipped in four special teams tackles.

When the Dolphins drafted Hartline in the fourth round last April, he appeared to be a copy of Greg Camarillo. Both run excellent routes, but Hartline has an extra gear Camarillo lacks, however he makes up for it with the best hands on the team.

Dolphins rookie Brian Hartline proves he's a quick study

By Omar Kelly

October 9, 2009

DAVIE - According to Dolphins coach Tony Sparano, there's a simple explanation why rookie receiver Brian Hartline has quickly worked his way up the Dolphins' depth chart.

Hartline, who scored his first touchdown last Sunday against the Bills, has already learned all three of the team's receiver spots, and can play them all effectively according to Sparano.

Despite Hartline's limited NFL experience, Sparano labeled the Ohio State product the smartest receiver amongst the units, and said he's even begun to take charge in their meeting room.

But that aspect of Hartline's makeup really isn't too surprising to Sparano considering he and General Manager Jeff Ireland first noticed it during the draft process when they conducted a film study with Hartline.

Ireland said it was that intimate session that made Hartline, who caught 90 passes for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns in his three seasons for the Buckeyes, a draft target.

"Smart player, really smart player," Sparano said of Hartline, who was selected in the fourth-round with the draft's 106th pick. "[He] can go into the game at any one of [the receiver spots] at any course of the game and handle that workload. I think he has really come along very, very well. He is exactly what we thought he would be."

So far, Hartline has caught six passes for 53 yards while fellow rookie, Patrick Turner, a USC standout the Dolphins selected in the third-round, hasn't dressed for a single game.

Sparano points out that Turner, who excelled during OTA sessions and training camp, had his best week of practice this week, but said it's a "numbers game" regarding his playing status.

While Hartline can contribute on four special teams phases Turner can only do two, and the Dolphins typically only carry four receivers on the game day roster.

"He's been getting better and better at practice and at some point [will] get an opportunity," Sparano said.

Dolphins' rookie Hartline stars in national ad for Gatorade

Miami Dolphins rookie Brian Hartline impresses in start

The competition just got more interesting as rookie receiver Brian Hartline led Miami with three catches in Thursday night's game.

BY SCOTT PURKS

August 28, 2009

TAMPA -- Brian Hartline has been nothing if not persistent.

Always.

And it appears that personality trait might pay off -- big time -- for the Dolphins.

Case in point was Thursday night's preseason game in Tampa.

Hartline, a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, got his first start in a Miami uniform and ended up making the most of it: For the game, mostly against the Buccaneers' starting group, Hartline led Miami with three catches for 79 yards.

The most telling catch, perhaps, was a 54-yarder early in the third quarter to Tampa's 6-yard line, which set up a 2-yard touchdown toss to tight end Anthony Fasano.

No doubt this is exactly the type of thing coach Tony Sparano was looking for: Another solid receiver to compliment quarterback Chad Pennington's penchant for hitting multiple targets.

If Hartline pans out, Pennington's numbers could shoot into the stratosphere.

Consider that last season Pennington completed 67.4 percent of his passes for 3,653 yards and did it by hitting 14 different receivers. Six of those guys had more than 30 catches and three -- Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess -- had more than 50.

When it was announced this week that Hartline was getting the start Thursday, Sparano was questioned as to what this meant in regards to who would start opposite Ginn.

Sparano played it rather close to the vest.

``It's still uncertain to me, we looked at [Hartline] out there in the first group last week, it's still uncertain to me right now,'' Sparano said. ``It's starting to clear up a little bit more for me, but it will take a little bit more time. . . .

``[Hartline] had a good week of practice, and, I think, I mentioned this [type of consideration] all along. I think, from my end, getting a chance to see some of these players against higher-level competition sometimes [offers better perspective]. . . . Just giving him an opportunity to go out there and see him against better people kind of evens the reps out a little bit.''

And, in the case of Thursday night, probably intensified the competition at receiver.

Behind Hartline, in those more pertinent first three quarters, no other receiver had more than one catch. And then there was this: Hartline was thrown at five times, or two more than the next receiver.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Camarillo made a significant play of his own, a 52-yard catch and run deep in Tampa territory. But Miami failed to convert the play into a score. Chad Henne was picked off a few plays later.

Miami Dolphins: Rookie receiver Brian Hartline making a splash

By Mike Berardino

August 27, 2009

Who has been the biggest rookie surprise so far from this Miami Dolphins draft? My vote is for receiver Brian Hartline, who got the start last Saturday against Carolina and could start again Thursday night at Tampa Bay.

I tweeted it at the time (Twitter.com/MikeBerardino) but probably not enough was made of a tremendous heads-up play by Hartline on that 23-yard TD pass from Chad Pennington to Ronnie Brown on the Dolphins' first drive against the Panthers.

Ronnie ran a circle route and Hartline, lining up in the slot, was able to pick off the linebacker (fourth year man James Anderson) covering Ronnie, which left him WIDE open on the right sideline.

"It was a man coverage, so I knew someone was up on Ronnie," Hartline told me after the game. "My idea was I really wasn’t worried about my guy (fellow Ohio State product Chris Gamble). I knew my man, wherever I went he would come with me. But I was trying to chip Ronnie's guy and free him up. It worked out. I saw [the linebacker] line up on the line of scrimmage and was able to get a pick. "

And did Brown at least say thanks?

"I told him, 'Hey, I got you a good pick,' " Hartline said. "He just laughed."

Dolphins' Hartline is "a brilliant kid"

By Barry Jackson

August 26, 2009

CHATTER

Coach Tony Sparano said Tuesday he is uncertain who will start at receiver opposite Ted Ginn Jr. this season. Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess are the strongest candidates. The Dolphins love the rookie Hartline, who continues to work with the first team offense. ``He is a brilliant kid,'' Sparano said.

Miami Dolphins rookie Brian Hartline confident despite logjam at WR

BY JEFF DARLINGTON

August 13, 2009

Talk about taking the fast track to adulthood.

Dolphins rookie wide receiver Brian Hartline has crammed enough life events into four months to make the heads of most 20-something bachelors spin with a combination of fear and envy.

He decided to forgo his final year of athletic eligibility at Ohio State. He wrapped up his degree in communications. He got married. And he moved his new wife to South Florida shortly after being drafted by the Dolphins. Impressive, right?

Hartline still has plans for something more.

``I'm not a guy who puts ceiling on things,'' the fourth-round draft pick said. ``I don't want to put a limit on what could happen.''

By the time his crazy year is over, Hartline is shooting to be one of the team's starting wide receivers. More than a week into camp, he has at least shown flashes that suggest he could be in the mix.

The rookie stood out during the team's first scrimmage at the end of last week, and he has also made several nice plays during the team's regular practices.

``Obviously, the first goal coming in was to make the 53-man roster, learn from these vets and then you never know what could happen,'' Hartline said. ``But just being the competitor I am, after a couple of weeks of thinking that's the goal, I'm jumping the goal up to, `hey man, why not? I want to start. I want to be a top-three guy. Why not?' ''

For him to fulfill that goal, it's going to be a serious challenge -- something the rookie certainly realizes.

He is stuck at one of the deepest positions on Miami's roster, and it would be reasonably easy to justify any of eight receivers making a roster that can't afford to keep more than six (and possibly as few as five) pass catchers.

EIGHT'S A CROWD

Although his current level of play -- and his rookie status -- almost guarantees he will stick, the concept of starting would require him to beat out, at the very least, Greg Camarillo, Ted Ginn Jr. or Davone Bess. That doesn't even include Patrick Turner.

Still, his teammates have been impressed to this point.

``He's a good dude, and he's got the right attitude,'' Camarillo said.

When Camarillo saw that Miami took two wide receivers during the NFL Draft -- adding to the six already on the roster -- he knew Hartline must have been talented. He also knew exactly what his team was trying to do.

``We knew we didn't have that much depth at that position last year, and they wanted to increase the level of competition in the receivers' work room,'' Camarillo said. ``We knew what they were doing. They were increasing the competition, and it's working.''

Despite a solid impression during the first week of practice, Hartline still has some strides to make before completely selling coach Tony Sparano on his potential as an immediate impact player.

During Wednesday's practice, for instance, Hartline had a ball stripped by a defender, which might not have been a major deal had it not been a fumble drill when the mistake occurred.

``Again, it's a part of being consistent, and it really is part of being mature,'' Sparano said. ``It's coming out here when it's hot, and, you know, maybe when you don't feel great all the time, and to be able to do it over and over again, so I was on him about that.''

But Sparano also realizes that Hartline is a mature person -- and a smart one. Those are two of the qualities that impressed the coach when he was scouted at Ohio State. But being NFL mature is different than being college mature.

MOVING FORWARD

Hartline knows that. He also realizes his rise to becoming a solid receiver won't be easy -- and becoming a starter for the Dolphins will be an even bigger task.

``I want to keep making strides,'' he said. ``I don't want to stop."

``You're going to hit some down points, but I'm just trying to maintain a steady pace, keeping my goals high and never really putting a ceiling on anything I do.''

Miami Dolphins' rookie receiver Brian Hartline making an instant impact at camp

By EDGAR THOMPSON

August 6, 2009

DAVIE — Many wondered what wide receiver Brian Hartline was thinking when he decided to leave Ohio State University a year early.

At times, Hartline was among them, although his concerns had nothing to do with his playing ability. He agonized over leaving what he called a "magical" place.

"Columbus, the nightlife, everything - it's a great place to be," he said. "It was tough to leave."

The Dolphins eased his doubts and dismissed those of the so-called experts by drafting Hartline in the fourth round in April. That was a couple of rounds higher than projected after he had only 21 catches as a junior. He has rewarded the Dolphins with an impressive first week of camp.

"He keeps amazing me every day," wide receiver Brandon London said.

Hartline entered camp hoping to have a big play each day. Tuesday, he had a leaping sideline grab over 6-foot-3 rookie cornerback Sean Smith. A day later, Hartline made a diving catch in the end zone on a Chad Henne bomb.

"That's part of camp; (coaches) say, "Make us watch you. Catch our eye,' " Hartline said. "That's the thing I'm trying to keep in mind each and every day and every play I get to the line of scrimmage - it could be that play."

His instant impact hasn't surprised coach Tony Sparano. Before the draft, he hit the road to visit campuses with General Manager Jeff Ireland and wide receivers coach Karl Dorrell.

At Ohio State, the Dolphins spent a lot of time with Hartline, who had only 90 catches in three seasons and was considered a far lesser talent than Brian Robiskie, who went to Cleveland in the second round.

Sparano and Co. watched a lot of film of Hartline's sophomore year, when he had 52 catches, 694 yards and six TDs.

His hands, quickness, versatility and football IQ sold Sparano.

"I thought he had some savviness to him," Sparano said. "We talked a lot of football with him, and it didn't take long to figure out he's a pretty smart guy."

Smart enough to know college football had run its course for him.

Ohio State, which reached the national championship game after the 2006 and '07 seasons, took a step back in 2008.

A quarterback switch from fifth-year senior Todd Boeckman to freshman Terrelle Pryor divided the locker room and changed the offense from a pro-style scheme to a spread, meaning less passing and less opportunity for Hartline.

He said he wasn't bitter, but despite the allure of campus life, he decided it was time for a change. Football aside, he had been in college for four years, had earned a degree in communications and also had a new bride.

"It wasn't like, 'I need to get out of here,' " he said. "I was ready to on with my life, keep learning, keep moving. That's all it was."

Now he is fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster, competing with the likes of London, 2008 practice squad member Anthony Armstrong and fellow rookie Patrick Turner.

Ted Ginn Jr., Greg Camarillo and Davone Bess - Miami's top receivers last year - are locks for three of the five or six spots.

"I'm thinking back to Ohio State when we're carrying 110 (players)," Hartline said. "I'm like, 'Wow.' "

But he seems to have the right mentality to stick. In college, Hartline (6-foot-2, 186 pounds) was a demon on special teams. He twice won the Jack Tatum hit-of-the-week award at Ohio State.

"He covered kicks like a madman," Buckeyes receivers coach Darrell Hazel said Thursday. "He was a fearless guy."

Hartline said he hopes to show that in Dolphins camp.

"If you're on this team, you're going to be making some plays somewhere," he said. "And I intend on doing it. That's the mind-set I have."

Meet the 2009 Rookies: Brian Hartline

June 24, 2009

When the Dolphins drafted wide receiver Brian Hartline in the fourth round of April's NFL Draft they not only added size and speed to their receiving corps, but they also reunited two Ohio State Buckeyes in the process.

Third-year wideout Ted Ginn, Jr., who competed against Hartline in high school track and football up in Ohio, had been the only former Ohio State player wearing Miami's aqua and orange and had to stare down second-year quarterback Chad Henne and second-year left tackle Jake Long by himself last year when the two former Michigan Wolverines were rookies. Now he has another Ohio State alum in Hartline to keep him company - and he also has a familiar face running pass patterns with him during practice.

The 22-year-old Hartline is about three inches taller than Ginn at 6-feet-2 inches and a little heavier at 186 pounds compared to Ginn's 180, and while he would be hard pressed to cross the finish line ahead of Ginn in a foot race, he can get behind many a defensive back. At Glen Oak High School in North Canton, Ohio, Hartline captured state titles in the 110-meter and 300-meter hurdles as a senior and used that speed to his advantage as a two-year starter for the Buckeyes before opting to leave school early and declare for the draft. His study habits and athleticism left a lasting impression on the Dolphins receiver he no doubt will most often be compared to – Greg Camarillo – during OTAs and the three-day mini-camp held in the middle of June.

"He's faster than me and he makes some big plays, he's definitely a skilled receiver and I'm excited to see what he can do for us this year," said Camarillo, who is entering his fourth season and coming back from a torn ACL that cut short his 2008 campaign. "He's a smart guy. He picks up everything real quickly and I think he knows that if he asks questions he can learn a lot faster."

Hartline has leaned on Ginn more for the off-the-field stuff as he transitions to life as a professional football player since Ginn went through it under a bigger microscope as the ninth overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. During the short time he was on the same field and in the same locker room and weight room as the veterans, Hartline stayed close to Camarillo and listened intently to receivers coach Karl Dorrell.

Some of Hartline's most beneficial lessons, however, came inside the practice bubble away from the rest of the team when veteran quarterback Chad Pennington put in some extra work with the receivers. This is something Pennington has done throughout his career, not only with the receivers but with the offensive line as well, and for rookies like Hartline and Patrick Turner, the third-round pick out of USC, these sessions are invaluable.

"I love playing for him. I think he's a guy that's very meticulous and knows what he wants out of his receivers," Hartline said. "Again he's a veteran so he can kind of give you some ideas about running some routes and even kind of coach you up because he's seen so much of it. So to me that's a definite plus playing with Pennington and also playing with Henne."

Prior to his freshman year in high school, Henne played running back and linebacker and has talked about how that background helped him and still helps him on the field because he is aware of the linebackers' tendencies in the passing game and can appreciate how the running backs react as receivers. For Hartline, he can relate – but in reverse as he started out as a quarterback his junior year in high school before switching to wide receiver midway though the season.

Michael Hartline is Brian's younger brother and he evolved at the quarterback position to the point where he is currently the starting quarterback at the University of Kentucky, but Brian credits his experience as a quarterback along with his overall athleticism (he also played baseball and basketball in addition to football and track and field) with preparing him to succeed as a receiver. Head Coach Tony Sparano has liked what he has seen to this point, specifically with how Hartline fits in with the rest of the receivers.

"As of right now, I like the way it is shaping up. I really do. I think we have added a little more speed to our group right now," said Sparano, who hasn't ruled out keeping as many as six receivers on the roster. "When you look at (Anthony) Armstrong, Teddy (Ginn, Jr.), Hartline; these guys from a speed standpoint out there and the way they run (is a plus). We have added a little more size to the group certainly. Hartline is a big guy; Turner is certainly a big guy out there, Brandon London, so we have some size and athleticism.

"I think a couple guys will be interesting competition and might perform the same jobs as we get on in this thing. You have guys like (Davone) Bess, Camarillo, and Hartline, all guys that can play in the slot and do some of those type things as inside receivers, so it will be interesting to watch how the whole thing shakes down. I like the way the group complements each other and however many guys we keep at that position, we will be able find a role for each one of them at the game."

Another role Hartline is comfortable playing is on special teams as a gunner. He has been quoted boasting how he "likes to crack heads," and as a redshirt freshman with the Buckeyes he delivered the Jack Tatum hit of the week against Indiana while on special teams. Sparano and his staff place a lot of emphasis on being able to excel on special teams and will consider a player's prowess on that unit when making the decision on who to play and who not to play.

So far Hartline has said and done all the right things in the eyes of the coaches and his new teammates, and he harkens back to some of the important lessons he learned from his different high school coaches, specifically his hurdles coach at Glen Oak, Chad Palmer. Every coach he has played for has left an imprint on Hartline's development and he is looking forward to gleaning as much as he can from Sparano and Dorrell, as well as offensive coordinator Dan Henning and the other coaches.

"Every trait that Coach Sparano has is a trait that I like to see in a coach," said Hartline, who finished his college career with 90 catches for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns and earned the Paul Warfield award as the school's outstanding receiver as a sophomore. "He's very meticulous. He knows what he wants and he and Chad Pennington really kind of mirror each other sometimes and I think they have a great correlation that again rubs off on everyone else. He has high expectations, loves competition and again that kind of facilitates the rest of the team."

Hartline's goals and expectations headed into training camp are to continue to improve as a receiver and to show enough to Sparano and the others form a versatility standpoint to warrant a spot on the final 53-man roster. At least if that happens he'll be able to hold up his end of the bargain when the war of words about the Ohio State-Michigan game commence.

Hartline looks good at Dolphins' rookie camp

Dolphins rookie camp wrap - Day 2

From Omar Kelly's SunSentinel Blog on May 2, 2009

Every rookie camp the Miami Dolphins throw as much as they possibly can at the rookies and newcomers and watch to see whose head is swimming, and which players gobble it up. Who improves throughout the weekend, and who regresses.

Coach Tony Sparano said today was about seeing who can handle how much information -- take the stuff they're taught in the classroom and apply it on the field.

"We beat them up pretty good in the meeting rooms. We gave them an awful lot," said Sparano, who admitted he's pulling for two undrafted rookies to make the team.

I've always felt the small school players have the toughest road, but the upside is promising.

While I didn't see Saturday's session because of my wife's graduation, cohort Steve Gorten (my hockey homeboy) did his best to keep The Mob from missing a beat.

Steve, who runs a nice Panthers blog I'd like you to click on just to say "THANK YOU STEVE", says....

Fourth-round draft pick Brian Hartline looked good. He caught about a 15-yard pass from Nathan Longshore and a 20-yarder over Vontae Davis on a pass from Pat White. The second one, near the sideline, was an especially nice throw and catch. Hartline also had another impressive catch against Davis.

Hartline said he finally caught up with fellow Buckeye Ted Ginn Jr. and they chatted at the Dolphins' facility on Friday. While he's trying to digest the playbook Hartline is also busy juggling school work, trying to finish up his classes at Ohio State.

On balancing classes and NFL, Hartline said: "It is a little difficult, I’d be lying if I said otherwise, just because it’s really a second priority now. School being a second priority still demands a lot. This is my most important thing right now. Finishing up classes, but also being focused on this has been a little difficult, but I’m getting through it."

The dude also apparently was licking his chops to get his Dolphins playbook:

"I enjoy that kind of stuff. Sometimes it can help separate you, so I was more eager to get it so I could get started," Hartline said. "Once I received it, I calmed down and just got into it."

Sports Illustrated "Loves" Dolphins' Draft Pick Brian Hartline

From Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarterback," April 27, 2009

Miami. Love Pat White; great pick to run the option. (And stop the silliness, Dolphins, about White having a good shot to beat out Chad Henne as the successor to Chad Pennington. I'm not buying it for a second.) One of the most intriguing prospects of this, or any, draft came in round four: 6-4 corner Sean Smith from Utah ... One guy I'd watch closely in camp is Brian Hartline, the round-four receiver, because he played special-teams for three years at Ohio State, played slot receiver and split receiver. He's a fascinating prospect.

Ten Things I Think I Think

• I don't like Brian Hartline to the Dolphins in the fourth round. I love it.

NC Sports Clients Washington, Hartline selected in NFL draft

Seven Buckeyes go in draft

April 27, 2009

By Doug Lesmerises

When USC drummed Ohio State, 35-3, last September, the game was like an NFL exhibition. Over the weekend in the NFL Draft, the Trojans beat the Buckeyes again, but no other school did.

With cornerback Donald Washington (Kansas City) and receiver Brian Hartline (Miami) selected in the fourth round Sunday and linebacker Marcus Freeman taken in the fifth round (Chicago), Ohio State finished with seven players taken in the seven-round draft, after Malcolm Jenkins and Chris "Beanie" Wells went in Saturday's first round and James Laurinaitis and Brian Robiskie went in the second.

That tied Oregon State and South Carolina for the second-most picks, behind the 11 the Trojans produced, including eight on the defensive side. No wonder Ohio State didn't score a touchdown in that game.

But the day ended without a selection for OSU offensive tackle Alex Boone, defensive tackle Nader Abdallah and quarterback Todd Boeckman. Boone, a Lakewood St. Edward grad, signed as a free agent with the San Francisco 49ers shortly after the draft.

"It was a humbling experience, that's for sure," Boone said of watching the draft all day. He was projected as a high pick before his senior season at Ohio State, but saw his status affected by an arrest in California for public intoxication before the NFL Combine.

"I learned some lessons the hard way," Boone said. "But the 49ers called and were very interested and pushing for me, and right now it's the best fit for me."

Freeman was picked, but he also waited and went lower than many expected.

"You go through a mixture of emotions," Freeman said after he was the 17th linebacker selected and the 154th overall pick. "Once you get out of the first couple of rounds you go from excited to anxious to nervous to disappointed. But once it's over, it's over, and your emotions go out the window and you're relieved to be able to go and play."

Washington, pick No. 102, and Hartline, No. 108, had to be somewhat satisfied with their positions after they had turned heads at the NFL Combine, Washington with his vertical jump and athleticism and Hartline with his agility and quickness.

Kansas City coach Todd Haley said the Chiefs thought about moving up to get Washington in the third round and were happy he fell to them in the fourth. Washington was suspended for two games for violating OSU team rules last season, but Haley said the Chiefs put that to rest after meeting with Washington for a day-and-a-half and talking extensively with OSU coaches and agent Neil Cornrich before the draft.

"He's a very good athlete, I mean very good," Haley said at a news conference in Kansas City. "I think he's under the radar just a little bit because he didn't start full time last year."

Hartline is expected to work in as a slot receiver, though Miami selected one of those USC players, receiver Patrick Turner, ahead of him in the third round. Hartline should also be a special teamer with the Dolphins, telling reporters on a conference call that he liked "cracking heads" on kick coverage. He'll join fellow former Cleveland Glenville High and OSU receiver Ted Ginn Jr. in Miami, though he said his best NFL comparison is his OSU mentor, Cleveland St. Ignatius graduate Anthony Gonzalez of the Indianapolis Colts.

Considering both Washington and Hartline surprised some fans by turning pro as juniors, they at least didn't have to wait too long on the draft's second day.

"After I went to the combine I felt a lot better about my decision," Hartline said on a conference call. "It worked out. It's hard to justify what exactly made me decide to further my career [in the NFL], but Ohio State was great to me, and hopefully one day I can repay the favor."

SI's NFL Team Draft Choices

From Peter King's "Monday Morning Quarerback," March 30, 2009

Team (Top-100 picks) Overall choices.

1. New England (6) 23, 34, 47, 58, 89, 97.
Strategy: Look for the Pats to trade one of their three second-rounders -- and, if need be, a later pick -- for some team's 2010 first-rounder.

2. New York Giants (5) 29, 45, 60, 91, 100.
Strategy: Unless they can deal for either Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, the Jints will use one of the first three picks on a receiver.

3. Miami (4) 25, 44, 56, 87.
Strategy: Bill Parcells went to see North Carolina wideout Hakeem Nicks the other day, underscoring how desperate they are to get a Ted Ginn bookend.

4. Minnesota (3) 22, 54, 86.
Strategy: The right side of the offensive line is a concern, as is receiver and youth on the defensive line.

5. Atlanta (3) 24, 55, 90.
Strategy: His freshman draft shows GM Thomas Dimitroff will make a trade to chase a player he really wants. If only Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo were gettable.

6. Baltimore (3) 26, 57, 88
Strategy: Corner, receiver. Receiver, corner. Ozzie Newsome's getting the best of both available at some time in the first three rounds.

7. Indianapolis (3) 27, 61, 92
Strategy: Colts always go by the book and take the best player at need positions. There's a slot receiver with Bill Polian's name on him: Ohio State's Brian Hartline.

8. Tennessee (3) 30, 62, 94
Strategy: If the Titans don't get Torry Holt in bargain-basement free-agency, they'll join the club of good teams yearning for a receiver in the first or second round.

9. Pittsburgh (3) 32, 64, 96
Strategy:Bryant McFadden took his physical cover skills to Arizona, and the Steelers will want a cover guy with the first or second pick.

10. Carolina (2) 59, 93
Strategy:Jeff Otah is this year's first-rounder; that's how the Panthers have to look at their '09 draft. Don't be surprised if the Patriots and Panthers deal.

Hartline impressive at NFL Combine, OSU Pro Day

From Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback, "Ten Things I Think I Think," March 16, 2009:

I think, after the Ohio State Pro Day Friday, I've got one name for you to remember for the end of round two or the guts of round three: Brian Hartline. Receiver. Played in the shadow of Ted Ginn Jr., then Brian Robiskie, in Columbus. Caught just 21 balls last fall while Ohio State struggled adjusting to Terrelle Pryor running the offense.

Hartline had a great combine, can play the slot and outside, and impressed with his hands and route-running on Friday; his 4.50 40- time is OK, but not special. (Teammate Robiskie ran a 4.47.) Two months ago, Hartline was a fifth-round pick. Now he just might go in the top 64.