As the season progresses, NFL injury reports usually grow similar to a lying Pinocchio's nose, an appropriate comparison given the way some teams fudge the thrice-weekly accounts of bumps and bruises.

But the Dolphins' injury report, again, remains emptier than a real estate agent's office.

''We've just been really lucky to be able to be in this position,'' coach Tony Sparano said. ``We've had a couple nicks and bumps along the way over the last several weeks. To be here in Week 11 and not have any injuries is a good problem.''

It's not that the Dolphins don't have some players who are aching. Most NFL players are by late November. But even the top players see the way other players have been slashed from the roster once they were deemed expendable and all know that Bill Parcells is the vice president of football operations. That's the same guy who famously once told players, ``I can't tell how good you are in the training room.''

Tight end David Martin, who played through a back injury earlier this season, missed Friday's practice because of what Sparano termed a ``personal problem.''

RANDY NOT DANDY

No Tom Brady has meant less of Randy Moss in the Patriots' offense this season. Moss has 46 receptions, three fewer than the Dolphins' Greg Camarillo and averages the same yards per catch (13.4) as Ted Ginn Jr.

The first game between the Dolphins and Patriots on Sept. 21 might have been the low point of Moss' season: four catches for 25 yards, with a long catch of 7 yards for the player who statistics show is the finest deep threat of the past 10 years.

Dolphins cornerback Andre' Goodman said just because Moss isn't as prominent in the pregame discussions among media and fans didn't mean he wasn't still a hot topic among the team's defensive backs.

''He's still Randy Moss,'' Goodman said, clearly remembering Moss' two jump-ball catches of deep touchdown passes last year at Dolphin Stadium.

PENALTIES AREN'T ISSUE

The yellow flags shouldn't fly as often Sunday as they flew last week during the NASCAR Sprint Cup finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Patriots have the fewest penalties in the NFL (31). The Dolphins are tied with Seattle -- yes, 2-8 Seattle -- for the second-fewest with 42.

Stunning as it might seem, this represents an improvement over the years for the Patriots.

Even during their Super Bowl years, they could find themselves bedeviled by presnap penalties, especially false starts. This year, they have been penalized 308 yards, or 9.94 yards a penalty. The Dolphins have been nailed for 376 yards, or 8.95 yards a penalty.

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