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Posted on Friday, 11.13.09

Miami Dolphins OL Justin Smiley's shoulder injury examined by doctor

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WEB VOTE Who will be the key to the second half of the Dolphins' season?

BY DAVID J. NEAL

dneal@MiamiHerald.com

Left guard Justin Smiley, perhaps the Dolphins best offensive lineman this year, missed a second consecutive practice Thursday and went to the doctor to have his injured shoulder examined.

Smiley had offseason surgery on his right shoulder, the same shoulder that ended his 2007 season after eight games. Nate Garner took Smiley's place in practice Thursday and would be the likely replacement Sunday against Tampa Bay if Smiley must be scratched.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said the defensive line has been the team's most consistent unit (Sunday in New England notwithstanding), and he clearly is dissatisfied with the offensive line's performance of late.

``I just want to see better play,'' Sparano said. ``I want to see less sacks. I want to see less minus plays. I want to see more of us on the other side of the line of scrimmage. I want to see us finish blocks, do some of these things that are necessary for us to win, and that is something they can do.''

Also not practicing for the second consecutive day were linebacker Joey Porter, nose guard Paul Soliai and linebacker Erik Walden. A hip problem limited tight end Anthony Fasano.

SMITH VS. DAVIS

Nobody criticized Vontae Davis' effort Sunday against New England wide receiver Randy Moss, especially when graded on the curve of a rookie against a future Hall of Famer. One question unanswered froim Sunday, especially after Davis hurt his hip in the first quarter: Why didn't the Dolphins match their other rookie cornerback, Sean Smith, more on Moss?

``Because he's on a specific side of the field, there are specific alignment rules based on what you're doing,'' Dolphins defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni said. ``Sometimes, you can try to do those things in the middle of the stream. But you can be more disruptive, make the players too uncomfortable, not being familiar with exactly where they are.''

So the Dolphins just kept Davis on the defensive left side and Smith on the right. Smith said he didn't think switching would cause any confusion. ``Vontae and I are very good corners and both capable of making plays,'' Smith said. ``You saw the interception he had. It was a great play on Moss.''

When it was pointed out that the long-limbed, 6-3 Smith mirrored Moss' physical build more than the 5-10 Davis, Smith said, ``Yeah, but Vontae can jump 40-something odd inches.''

Smith leaped 34 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine, below Davis' 37.5 at Illinois pro day and 36 at the combine.

They haven't gone one-on-one on the hardwood ``but I would dunk on Vontae,'' Smith said firmly. ``Let's get that out in the open now.''

SUNDAY'S A SELLOUT

Sunday's game was declared a sellout Thursday and will be available in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market on Channel 7-WSVN and in Palm Beach County on Channel 29-WFLX.

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