Miami Dolphins

This blog has moved

2010-04-15T07:35:00.001-05:00

This blog is now located at http://miami-dolphins.betfile.com/.
You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here.

For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to
http://miami-dolphins.betfile.com/feeds/posts/default.

Dolphins Shuffle

2005-12-24T07:29:00.000-05:00

Ricky Williams will probably get the start on Saturday against the Titans. The Dolphins are likely to have to shuffle things - Ronnie Brown is unlikely to play due to injuries suffered in last weeks win over the Jets. Brown missed practice this week, leaving Williams to receive the snaps with the offense.

"We will make a game-time decision on Ronnie's status in terms of what he can or can't do and might even have to work him out before the game," Nick Saban said.

Williams, off the bench, has rushed for 309 yards and three touchdowns on 65 carries. In that same span, Brown has 211 yards and one touchdown on 59 rushes.

Miami will have the services of quarterback Gus Frerotte (finger), who practiced Wednesday and Thursday after missing Tuesday's session.

Miami are on a four-game winning streak entering Saturday's home game against Tennessee. It's good stuff - if a little late.

Sports betting spreads have Miami at -5.5 for the Tennessee game.

Frerotte Likely Starter

2005-11-19T08:48:00.000-05:00

Gus Frerotte returned to practice Friday and appears as though he can start Sunday's game in Cleveland. "We feel like he probably could play in the game, based on what he did today," said coach Nick Saban.

He was a little cagey however, as Saban give away too much information to the Cleveland Browns - so did not confirm anything. Saban added that it was key for Frerotte to get in some work at least by Friday. "Guys who have more experience and have been doing something probably can go out and perform with less reps than younger, more inexperienced guys," Saban said.

Cleo Lemon will serve as the second-string quarterback. Lemon was acquired in a trade with San Diego for A.J. Feeley and a 2006 sixth-round draft choice.

"He has made a lot of progress," Saban said of Lemon. "A lot of it is learning the offense and feeling comfortable with it... He could probably use a little more time to develop but I also feel confident that if he plays, he can do the job for us."

Rosenfels Waiting In Wings

2005-11-17T11:17:00.000-05:00

Being stand-by QB for the Miami Dolphins is something Sage Rosenfels is used to. But he worked with Miami's first-team offense in Wednesday's practice due to Gus Frerotte sufferng a sprained right finger that has him listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

"This is my fourth year here and fifth year in the league, and I have been in this position twenty times probably where the starter isn't 100 percent healthy," Rosenfels said. "If Gus is 100 percent healthy and everything is 100 percent fine, I'd still be prepared to play ... This team needs a win. So whoever is out there, this offense needs to pick it up and get a victory."

Some fans think Rosenfels gives the Miami, 3-6, a better chance of stepping it up than Frerotte, who is a lowly 28th in the league in passer rating. Frerotte did pass for 360 yards in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Patriots, but the Dolphins were nevertheless defeated for the fifth time in the last six games.

"I definitely want to start. Who wouldn't want to start? If you don't want to start in this his business, you shouldn't be in it because nobody wants to be a career backup and all of those things that (the media) talk about."

Nick Saban has resisted the switch of quarterbacks. But Frerotte's finger injury, has possibly opened the door for Rosenfels to have the chance to make Saban reconsider.

"When he had the opportunities in the preseason, he played well," said Saban. "He has a good understanding of what he is doing. He has had a lot of reps.

Falcons To Run Before They Fly

2005-11-06T08:49:00.000-05:00

Atlanta will want to follow up their last win at home with another today when they visit Miami to take on the Miami Dolphins. Atlanta is 5-2 against Miami's 3-4 record.

Oddsmakers favor the Falcons, opening the line at 2.5 in their favor. The Falcons are 4-3 ATS this season, while the Dolphins are 3-4. The total, which is 6-1 to the OVER in Miami Dolphins games and 4-3 to the OVER in Atlanta Falcons games, has been set at 39.

Last time out, the Falcons beat the Jets 27-14 as 8-point favorites with the total going over the closing total, while Miami Dolphins won against New Orleans 21-6 as 2 point dogs.

Note that the Falcons have one of the best running games in the NFL. They average over 188 yards per game.

Some trends to consider:
Falcons are 2-4-1 SU in its last 7 games after being 7.5 to 10 point favorites
Falcons are 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games after being 7.5 to 10 point favorites
Falcons are 1-4-0 OU in its last 5 games against Miami
Falcons are 2-5-0 ATS in its last 7 away games

Dolphins are 13-5-0 OU in its last 18 games
Dolphins are 2-4-0 ATS in its last 6 games
Dolphins are 7-1-0 OU in its last 8 at home
Dolphins are 2-4-0 SU in its last 6 games after scoring 21 to 30 points

Saban Spoils Saints Return

2005-10-31T16:09:00.000-05:00

The Dolphins' 21-6 victory over the Saints on Sunday was the type of defensive masterpiece that Saban made commonplace in Louisiana, when he won a BCS national title two seasons ago. His defense allowed only two field goals, in snapping a three-game losing streak.

Ricky Williams showed signs of a return to form as he gained 82 yards on 17 carries. Ronnie Brown rushed for 106 yards.

"We were very effective using both of those guys," Saban said. "I think we're learning and growing on how we do that."

Good for Miami - but they would do well to remember that they were playing a Saints team that is at a low ebb. The true test will come when they face stiffer opposition.

While the NFL's Paul Tagliabue offered hope to those in Louisiana who'd like to keep the state's NFL franchise, the Saints now on a four game losing run, did little to leave their fans hopeful about this season.