As Ricky Williams was scoring three touchdowns Thursday, his ``pranic healer'' was listening to the game on the radio in California -- in between conducting a meditation session -- just in case Williams needed his help.
The Dolphins made their first appearance on NFL Network's Thursday night package, and fortunately the channel has improved its game presentation since initially miscasting Bryant Gumbel as a play-by-play announcer. Still, there is room for improvement.
Bill Parcells doesn't speak to local reporters and general manager Jeff Ireland rarely does, but Dolphins owner Stephen Ross offered an assessment of his team and doesn't sugarcoat the deficiencies at receiver.
With the Dolphins at the season's midpoint, key spring decisions will be shaped by the final eight games. Five questions needing clarity:
When the University of Miami program was floundering a couple years ago, one of thecomplaints -- as voiced by ex-Cane Jonathan Vilma at the time -- was that ``guys are notimproving year to year.'' That clearly has changed.
A six pack of Dolphins:
Gibril Wilson wants to make one thing clear: He said he has not lost his starting safety job, even though Chris Clemons was on the field instead to open the Jets game. ``That was just a certain package,'' Wilson said. Yeremiah Bell ``and I are still the starters. Nobody needs to get antsy.''For years, major colleges from lower-profile conferences have bent over backward to accommodate ESPN, scheduling basketball games at midnight, football games on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and asking ``How high?'' when ESPN says jump.
Four Dolphins rookies had major roles Sunday -- Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, Brian Hartline and Chris Clemons. But what's the deal with Pat White (13 snaps all season) and Patrick Turner (who hasn't played)?
The Dolphins' disappointing start generated plenty of commentary from team alums at Don Shula's and O.J. McDuffie's charity events last week. Ted Ginn Jr. drew derision from several former Dolphins for drops and his penchant for running out of bounds.
Football media musings from the couch:
Best TV rookies? ESPN's Jon Gruden has commanding TV presence, but this award goes to Rodney Harrison and Tony Dungy for their refreshing candor in NBC's studio.
Even as Heat fans await the key summer of 2010, this season should provide answers to pressing questions. Among them, and what NBA people are saying:
The number of Marlins coaches that will not return next season doubled, from two to four, on Friday when the team announced that third base/outfield coach Bo Porter and bullpen coach Steve Foster declined contract offers for 2010.
The spotlight on Channing Crowder gets brighter this week, with the Dolphins playing on the high-profile Monday night stage and his summer spat with Jets coach Rex Ryan providing fodder for the ESPN broadcast.
For the first time this season, UM offensive coordinator Mark Whipple and defensive coordinator John Lovett spoke at length about their players Tuesday. Some highlights:
As the Dolphins turn the offense over to Chad Henne on Sunday, it would help if the struggling secondary can contain Buffalo's Terrell Owens and Dolphins nemesis Lee Evans. The two combined interceptions by Denver's Andre Goodman and Renaldo Hill -- whom Miami didn't re-sign -- are two more than Miami has.
Asking and answering:
From a television standpoint, what is the best news about the baseball playoffs that begin next week?
Word around the Marlins is significant offseason changes are likely coming, with some familiar faces to be jettisoned.
It was late Monday, and Dolfans heard something familiar: ESPN's Ron Jaworski saying how ``Miami lacks explosiveness'' and Matt Millen bemoaning how the Dolphins ``cannot make a big play.''
Besides Hurricanes fans, you know who else is thrilled about the University of Miami football program's revival?
The notion that other teams passed the Heat this summer? Coach Erik Spoelstra said he doesn't believe it.
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