The Miami Dolphins are on the field for the first time during this 2009 training camp and you are right there with them.

Cameron Wake, the much-heralded, much YouTubed pass-rush specialist out of the Canadian Football League, is getting a cruel lesson in NFL blocking.

Matched against left tackle Andrew Gardner, a rookie sixth-round pick, Wake seems overmatched. Offering precious little leverage and nothing that can be defined as a slippery pass-rush move, Wake is gobbled up by Gardner.

It happens on a pass play where Gardner stands his ground against Wake. And it happens on a couple of running plays to the other side of the formation where Gardner stands up Wake and turns him into a non-factor.

Dolphins fans might be tempted to think this is bad news because Wake came from the CFL with gaudy statistics and a glowing reputation.

But look on the bright side: Gardner plays for the Dolphins, too.

And maybe the offensive lineman is about to blossom into something. And Wake, you should remember, has another 20 practices to improve before the Dolphins play their preseason opener against Jacksonville at Land Shark Stadium.

Rookie receiver Patrick Turner, built like a muscle-bound shooting guard at 6-5 and 220 pounds, is coming off the field after having arguably the best practice any rookie receiver has had in these parts in years.

GOOD START

He had one sideline reception where he adjusted to an underthrown pass from Chad Pennington and smoothly scooped the ball before it skipped into the turf. He had another catch in which he faked a cornerback to the turf by stepping one direction, pivoting, and going another as the crowd cheered.

``It was just a reaction,'' Turner says.

``The guy was coming at me so I went the other way. Just trying to make a play.''

Turner might have caught more passes than any Miami receiver during this practice. But that gives this rookie no sense of entitlement.

``I still have a long way to go,'' he says rightly. ``I did a lot of things I need to improve on. I had a couple of routes that could have been better. I had some I needed to get the distance right.

``There are detail things I need to improve that could have made the plays better.''

This kid has far to go. But after one practice, his journey has started on the right foot.

STEPPING UP

Nat Moore, among the greatest receivers ever to play for the Dolphins, is watching practice. He focuses on Ted Ginn Jr. -- and likes what he sees.

Ginn didn't make any crowd-pleasing catches this day and afterward talks about how he still ``has to earn'' being thought of as Miami's No. 1 receiver. But Moore sees signs that will happen.

``He's taking ownership out there,'' Moore says. ``You see he's the first guy in line during drills. He looks like he's ready to lead.''

Let's hope.

Coach Tony Sparano says the starting cornerback job opposite Will Allen is open to anyone who will take it. Eric Green, the veteran favorite to take it, didn't exactly do that on Sunday.

That jaw-dropping move by Turner that made the cornerback miss? Green was that cornerback.

Rookie first-round pick Vontae Davis, meanwhile, helps his cause by running stride for stride with Ginn on a deep pass that ultimately falls incomplete.

``I was surprised,'' Davis said when asked about being able to shadow the speedy, more experienced Ginn.

But Ginn runs the 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds, among the best in the NFL?

``Yeah, I know,'' Davis repeats. ``I was surprised.''

Don't be surprised if Davis or fellow rookie Sean Smith wins the starting job during this training camp.

PROVING GROUND

And whatever happens the next month as the Dolphins prepare for their Sept. 13 regular-season opener, you will hear time and again how this team feels disrespected and underappreciated by the Vegas bookies and national media.

``If anything,'' Ricky Williams says, ``we don't think we've [been given] the kind of respect we deserve.''

That is probably true based on Miami's 2008 accomplishments. Of course, respect is rarely inherited.

So the Dolphins should feel free to go and earn it for 2009.