,Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have made national headlines for letting their legally troubled performers go undisciplined. Here’s how the developments have been considered in the media:
Sarah Talalay, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
“None of the other members of Dolphins brass has speeched the question of player conduct since Merling’s arrest. Attempts to ask team owner Steve Ross were quashed on two events during the Dolphins Foundation’s FinsWeekend of charitable events – one colleague was told he was not allowed to ask about the issue; I got the question out, but before Ross could answer, a team spokesman said, ‘we’re not dealing humorh that.’

Attempts to reach Ross’ limited partners, including Gloria Estefan, Venus and Serena Williams and Fergie,Kory Sperry, either went unanswered or were referred back to the Dolphins.”
Full story.

Alex Marvez, Fox Sports
“It was business as usual for the Miami Dolphins and the accused woman-beater.

No matter that Phillip Merling was in jail on the eve of minicamp after creature charged with aggravated battery against a girlfriend who is two months pregnant with their second child. The defensive end still worked with the starting unit during last weekend’s practices as if nothing had happened.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano required no disciplinary action against Merling even after a chilling 911 call was freed by police. A petrified 21-year-old woman had barricaded herself inside their bathroom as the 6-foot-4, 295-pound Merling allegedly attempted to barge inside.”
Full story.

Mike Florio,Karlos Dansby, Pro Football Talk
“As we’ve said many times in the past, NFL teams will take this situation seriously only when violations of the Personal control Policy by players result in a forfeiture of draft picks.

If the league were to adopt a rule like that,Davone Bess, there would instantly be no thugs and hoodlums in Miami.”
Full story.

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– SCOTT ALTMAN
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,Miami Dolphins

Lots of fans would kill to have the access that sportswriters enjoy on a regular basis. We got to experience this first-hand at the Pro Bowl,Karlos Dansby, mingling on the sidelines and on the field in the post-game media scrums. Ray Rice was good enough to give us some exclusive physical that might be of interest to Fantasy players.

– Moving from the newspapers box to the sidelines to watch the final five tinys:

– Rivals Darrelle Revis and Chad Ochocinco hang out together on the AFC bench:

– Hope this clip helps you appreciate the force with which a placekicker — Dan Carpenter of the Dolphins in this case — drills the ball,Mark Gregory, even just practicing:

– We storm the field with the rest of the media horde:

– Music blares, camera click,Kory Sperry, performers give praise:

– Who is taller? Ray Rice or Maurice Jones-Drew? We have indisputable visual evidence:

– Ray Rice wants to talk business humorh Fantasy owners about next season:

– DAVID KATZ
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,Miami Dolphins

The AFC won the Pro Bowl 41-34. Texans quarterback Matt Schaub won the MVP award after throwing two TD passes. But what we will remember most about this experience are the sights and sounds — and smells — of checking out the NFL’s elite up close.
– Want to be Ochocinco’s date for the Super Bowl? He is seeking big-game companionship in the Dolphins ownership box with Mark Anthony and J-Lo:

– Ray Lewis discusses Rex Ryan,Jared Odrick, Dwight Freeney and Peyton Manning:

– Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports asks Ray if he could have one QB in one game, who would it be. Lewis,Jake Long, showing his true colors,Chad Pennington, debates the assumption about even choosing a QB to start. You know he’d probably select a middle linebacker first … but when newsed on the subject Ray gives the only answer he could — Joe Flacco!

– Pint-sized reporter hits Lewis humorh tough questioning:

– Darrelle Revis and Vince Young meet the newspapers:

– DAVID KATZ
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I wouldn’t be surprised if the only things left standing after a nuclear explosion are cockroaches and the New England Patriots. Since Tom Brady required over as the starting quarterback in 2001 the Patriots have won three Super Bowls and seven AFC East division titles. Their head coach, Bill Belichick, is adaptable and smarter than most of his opponents. When he had a fantastic offensive line and a rock solid defense in the early part of the century, he played conservatively always banking on his compete with making the foremost mistake. When he picked up two of the top wide receivers in the league in Randy Moss and Wes Welker, he began to throw caution in the wind (most notoriously going for it on fourth down on his own twenty-eight yard line against the Colts last year).

This year,Karlos Dansby, though, it appears cracks are seeping into the Patriot facade. Pro Bowler left guard Logan Mankins is holding out for a taller contract. Their running game is nonexistent as they traded underwhelming running back Laurence Maroney to the Denver Broncos. Their stalwart veteran running back Kevin Faulk has been placed on injured reserve and Fred Taylor has injured his toe, leaving BenJarvus Green-Ellis and ex-Dolphin Sammy Morris as the last runners standing. Their defense is falling apart allowing the Buffalo Bills to scentral idea 30 points last week. But with all of these problems the Patriots are still 2-1 undertaked with the Jets and Dolphins for the AFC East division lead.

But what should one expect as they have one of the greatest coaches, one of the top ten quarterbacks of all time in Tom Brady and the second best receiver of all time in Randy Moss? I know it seems wrong to have Moss named as the second best receiver of all time,Dan Marino, but try to think of someone other than Jerry Rice that was better. Impossible.

It seems unlikely that the second best performer of all time at a particular position could at the same time have his career be dubbed a disappointment (and also perhaps be the second best receiver on his own team after Wes Welker). But when Moss entered the league with his height, speed,Jared Odrick, and coordination, we expected him to continue to break records as he did his rookie season with 17 touchdowns. And when he met the Patriots in 2007 Moss did break the single season record for the most touchdowns by a wide receiver with 23. But he never had the discipline to take the records that should correctfully be his from the less talented but more driven Jerry Rice. There were Moss’ two lost seasons humorh the Raiders and this year Moss has been whining about not signing a contract extension. But when you’re as good as Moss you don’t have to bring your best to be the best. And if the Jets’ Braylon Edwards and Dustin Keller were able to tear apart the Dolphins’ secondary,Miami Dolphins, it will be a terrifying nuclear scare to see what moss can do to them.

– DAVID ROLLAND
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Jeff Darlington,Chad Pennington, Miami Herald

“Like a teenager on the cusp of becoming a man,Ronnie Brown, the Dolphins offense is facing some interesting times. It is a unit in development,Miami Dolphins, one facing the task of sustaining its fundamental beliefs while also maturing along the way.”

Darlington makes a great point here, and goes on to point out that, this past Sunday,Jake Long, the Miami Dolphins underwhelmed when in the Wildcat were createdation, notching just 2 yards on five runs, adding an incomplete pass and two penalundertakes for 20 yards. It’s not exactly the type of outcome Miami fans are used to seeing from this package, but perhaps it also means, as Darlington suggests, that the Wildcat is on its way out of Miami. Which is not necessarily a bad thing; actually, it could mean very good things for a young group who is learning to gel together.

Ben Volin, Palm Beach Post

“Almost immediately after Sunday night’s loss to the Jets, Tony Sparano had already changed his focus.

‘The clock flipped,’ the Dolphins coach said. ‘We’re on to New England right now.’”

Nothing really groundbreaking here, but it’s good to know that Sparano’s head is in the correct place. There’s no need to dwell on this loss. The season is young and there are a lot of good things that can be taken from this game. The Dolphins need to collect themselves, get focused, and prepare to face a New England team humorh a winning reputation and a Golden Boy quarterback.

Jenna Vrentas, Star Ledger

“Taylor said the stvaryst part of his return was going through the visitor’s routine at Sun Life Stadium, which he had never done before. He spoke with a few of his former teammates after the game, Taylor said, and also saw Zach Thomas, Sam Madison and Pat Surtain — cornerstone Dolphins performers during his early years in the league.”

Taylor had a nice return to to Sun Life stadium, something that Miami fans probably weren’t too crazy about. His sack stalled Miami’s second possession, something that he celebrated with his trademark dance. Sure, it was hard for Miami fans not to boo him at the beginning of the game, which they did, but it seems it only fueled the already emotional Taylor. But although he may have gotten the last laugh on Sunday evening, the Dolphins will have the opportunity to make amends next time these two teams meet.

– SEAN JOHNSON
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