DAVIE, Fla. Sean Elliott Jersey . -- New dad Ryan Tannehill is ready to take charge and scold when necessary, even in public, because he knows whatever happens reflects on him.As a quarterback, that is.Tannehills 2-week-old son might not need reprimanding yet, but the perennially problematic Miami Dolphins offense does. And at the urging of new coach Adam Gase, Tannehill said hes assuming more of a leadership role.Adam has completely enabled me, Tannehill said. I think I have the credibility now to pretty much demand excellence out of these guys. Thats what Im trying to do.Tannehill made his comments following Tuesdays practice, when the offense tried to redeem itself for a woeful performance in a scrimmage three days earlier. Gase said his quarterback did a good job of reorienting teammates in a positive direction.He came out with a purpose, and was very aggressive as far as chirping a little bit out there, Gase said. I saw some growth there as far as his personality coming out and taking control of the offense.Tannehills not a holler guy by nature, and in the past critics found the easygoing Texan too passive when the Dolphins sputtered, which was often.But with four NFL seasons and 64 starts on his resume, Tannehill acknowledged its time for him to become more assertive.Its part of my role to push the guys around me to be the best they can be, he said. I think thats part of being a leader.Gase has done some nudging. The first-time head coach won praise for his work as an assistant with Peyton Manning, Jay Cutler and Tim Tebow, and was hired because the Dolphins believe hell make Tannehill better.Gase is giving Tannehill more responsibility than hes had in the past, including flexibility with audibles at the line. The coaching staff raves about the way Tannehill has absorbed the new playbook.Weve been unbelievably impressed how much hes picked up, offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said. It would have drowned an average man.Tannehill and company flunked their first big test, however. In a scrimmage Saturday, the offense managed one first down in eight series and didnt cross midfield.It was a collective failure, and Tannehill let his teammates hear about it.Im not going to get into what I said, but everyone already knew that it wasnt acceptable, he said. We didnt play well anywhere on the offensive side of the ball from top to bottom.Perhaps the return of receiver DeVante Parker will help. The 2015 first-round pick was back at practice Tuesday after being sidelined by a right hamstring injury, rejoining receivers Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills on the first unit.In the huddle I said, `Man, its nice to have you back, Tannehill said. Hes a good player. He stretches the field for us. You put him on one side, Kenny on the other side, and Jarvis in the middle, and we have three really dynamic playmakers.There are numerous question marks, however, with inexperienced Jay Ajayi the first-team running back, and with top draft pick Laremy Tunsil relegated to the second team at guard even though the starting offensive line has looked only so-so.Perhaps by the time Tannehills son Steel attends his first practice -- Hopefully in the next couple of weeks, Dad said -- some issues will be resolved. The next test will be the opening exhibition game Friday at the New York Giants, with the starters seeing limited action.Im looking forward to taking advantage of every rep we get, Tannehill said, and really just playing fast.If the Dolphins dont, theyll hear about it from their quarterback.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/steven-wine Tim Duncan Jersey . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. Cheap Swingman Spurs Jerseys . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. http://www.cheapspursjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-dennis-rodman-jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. TUCSON, Ariz. -- Two games in and Arizona freshman Lauri Markkanen is already drawing high praise from his coach.Lauris one of the best players in college basketball, Sean Miller said. He is. Hes a monster.The 18-year-old 7-footer from Finland scored 26 points and the 10th-ranked Wildcats held off a furious second-half rally by Cal State Bakersfield for a 78-66 victory on Tuesday night.Jaylin Airington scored 31 for the Roadrunners (1-1) and led a 17-0 run that cut Arizonas lead to four with 9:04 to play. But Markkanen sank a 3-pointer, converted a three-point play and made a short jumper to lead the Wildcats out of trouble.Markkanen is accustomed to such moments.I am used to it, he said. Pretty much my whole life, in big moments, I have the ball in my hands.The already short-handed Wildcats (2-0) were without starting senior guard Kadeem Allen, who sprained a knee in Arizonas 65-63 victory over Michigan State last Friday in Honolulu.Rawle Alkins was 4 for 6 on 3-pointers and scored 15 for the Wildcats and Kobi Simmons added 13. Both also are freshmen.Dedrick Basile added 14 for BakersfieldHaving the opportunity to play a top 10 team is going to give us an opportunity to have some confidence coming out of this game, Roadrunners coach Rod Barnes said.Airington was 10 for 25 from the field, and Miller said its hard to get 25 shots in a college game. It wasnt enough.It was a good individual effort, Airington said, but I wanted to win more than anything.Arizona was up 44-26 at the half and was cruising along when a tip-in by yet another freshman, Keanu Pinder, gave the Wildcats a 53-32 lead with 14:45 to play. Arizona didnt score for the next 6:46.The McKale Center crowd fell into an uncomfortable silence when Damine Durhams basket cut the lead to 53-49 with 9:04 to play.A ruckus under the Arizona basket finally woke the Wildcats up.Chance Comanche went up for a layup and was hit hard by a pair of Bakersfield defenders. Some shoving occurreed with Comanche lying on the court and officials called time out to review the incident on video. Cheap NBA Jerseys. Taze Moore was called for a flagrant foul one and Comanche ended the long drought by making one of two free throws with 7:59 left. Arizona got the ball out of bounds on the play and Markkanen sank his only 3 of the night to boost the lead to 57-49.Playing small forward on Arizonas big front line, he drove hard down the lane, was fouled and converted a three-point play with 5:51 left and made a short jumper with 5:17 to go, giving the Wildcats a 64-54 lead and they held on from there.Lauris strong, Miller said. Hes not skinny, hes not thin. Hes 18 years old buy physically he can take a pounding and I think that really shows. He doesnt appear to be 7 foot because hes not a rail-thin 7-footer.His pull-ups that he made tonight, watching him go to the free throw line under pressure, hes a special, special player.Hes also a great team player and a good student.I dont think hes got a B at Arizona, Miller said. And practice-wise hes consumed with becoming a great player. Hes one of our teams hardest workers. ... Im so glad we have him.BIG PICTURECal State Bakersfield: The Roadrunners were not cowed by the atmosphere and look like WAC contenders.Arizona: After the opener against a big name school, the young Wildcats fell into a lull with a big lead. That might not have happened if Allen had been available.PLAYER SHORTAGEThe absence of Allen left Arizona with only seven scholarship players with a particular shortage at guard. It got even worse when Jackson-Cartwright got into foul trouble.UP NEXTCal State Bakersfield: returns home to face UC Santa Barbara Saturday night.Arizona: Plays the second of three straight home nonconference game against teams from lesser conferences, facing Sacred Heart on Friday night. ' ' '