If it's already the second Sunday in November, it must be time for our midseason NFL report card, featuring the good, the bad and the baffling.
Two key cogs in the Dolphins defense, middle linebacker Channing Crowder and nose guard Jason Ferguson, are listed on the final injury report as ``doubtful'' for Sunday's game against New England, which has the AFC's No. 1 offense.
Two key cogs in the Miami Dolphins defense -- middle linebacker Channing Crowder and nose guard Jason Ferguson -- are listed on the final injury report as ``doubtful'' for Sunday's game against New England, which has the AFC's No. 1 offense.
Well, let's see here. I missed on Dolphins-Jets game, missed on Vikings-Packers ``Favre Bowl,'' missed badly on my Upset of the Week pick (Houston-Buffalo), and totally misread Giants-Eagles, too. The only person in South Florida who had a worse week than me: Disgraced Fort Lauderdale attorney and accused scam-artist Scott Rothstein. Close call, though.
Defiantly, or perhaps obliviously, Edgerrin James told reporters in Seattle last month, ``It's up to me how long I want to play and how far I move up that [all-time rushing] chart.'' If only.
Halfway through the 2009 fantasy season, are you kicking yourself for letting Cedric Benson slide by round after round? Did you cast your lot with the wrong Steve Smith? Have you hurled epithets in Larry Johnson's direction that could get you suspended by the NFL?
As the Dolphins get used to starting three rookies in the secondary, safety Yeremiah Bell embraces a new, bigger role as a defensive leader.
It was a sports fan's dream: Dolphins vs. Jets, an NBA game, an NHL game and Game 4 of the World Series. Four games, four sports, four states in one day - all attended in person.
It has been wild and wacky up in Wisconsin this week in the buildup for what promises to be one of the most emotional football games in Green Bay Packers history.
Anthony Fasano and Joey Haynos have modest reception statistics so far, but is that a byproduct of the Dolphins' running game or their failure to get open?
Although middle linebacker Channing Crowder missed all the practice reps this week as the Dolphins installed their defensive game plan for the Jets, coach Tony Sparano said he doesn't anticipate any problems with Crowder being mentally ready if his left shoulder is ready to go Sunday.
Here's all you need to know in a nutshell, and I choose that word carefully:
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.
In the 13 games played last weekend, only four were decided by 10 or fewer points. The average margin of victory in the other nine was 26 points. Six teams were held to single-digit scores, including the goose egg posted by Oakland.
Had Dolphins over Saints as my Upset of the Week last week, and with Miami up 24-3 late in first half the Upset Bird was preening insufferably up in the press boxAnyhow, the Dolphins choked, of course, but it was all good. I emerged a solid 7-4-2 against the spread anyway, and my sports writing colleagues delighted to violate the no-cheering-in-the-press box edict by showering the unpopular Upset Bird with invective and derision in lockstep with the Dolphins' collapse. ``Aaawwwk!'' mocked a grinning Edwin Pope. ``Awww.''
Has any NFL head coach in recent memory ever been more emasculated by a team's front office than Jim Zorn, the embattled and soon-to-be-fired man no longer much in charge of the Washington Redskins?
Old England samples New England on Sunday as the NFL's ever-increasing foray into international markets continues with the latest game in London. Brits get Patriots-Tampa Bay, meaning they'll see the best that American football has to offer, other than the Buccaneers.
Just like clockwork, everything fell into place on one of the most predictable weekends of the fantasy football season.
Hit another Upset of the Week against the spread with Ravens covering vs. Minnesota, and also had underdog Texans and Chiefs with points. But let's not put a bow on a pig, or, for that matter, a fedora on an Upset Bird. I got beat up last week, both ways. Had complete, embarrassing misreads on Giants-Saints and Cards-Seahawks. Can't beat myself up much on Eagles-Raiders -- who saw that coming? -- but some of those other picks were roughly as successful as the Titans' pass defense against Tom Brady.
Hall of Fame coach Don Shula said he appreciates the 2009 Dolphins, especially the Wildcat package that is behind the No. 1 running game in the NFL.
RSS|
My Yahoo|
Newsletters|
Widgets|
Mobile|
Alerts|
Twitter
Terms of Service| Privacy Policy| About our ads| Copyright| About The Miami Herald| About the McClatchy Company| Corrections| Contact Us| Advertise
Partners: El Nuevo Herald| Newspaper in Education| WLRN | Miami Herald News| CBS4 WFOR-TV| More
Copyright 2009 Miami Herald Media Co. All rights reserved
