Archives for December 2, 2004

‘He was with the first team as practice opened.’

‘Bills 24, Dolphins 13.’

‘We had planned to use the onside kick earlier against the Seahawks but we scored with very little time to go in the half so there was no sense kicking the ball onside then because we would have only had time for one offensive play. While in the locker room we discussed the option even more and made the decision at that time that we were going to use the onside kick to start the second half. When we came out of the locker room the play was on.’

”’Lee has progressed,” quarterback Drew Bledsoe said. ”I think to a certain extent he was a victim of circumstance early on where plays just weren’t going his way.”’

‘"We can’t go in there thinking we’re going to roll over these guys just because of their record," tight end Mark Campbell said. "They have a tough defense that can still make plays and we’re going to have to play well to come out of there with a victory."’

‘"We had like 82 people at our first meeting," VanHall said. "I said, "Oh my gosh, this is unreal! Where did all of these people come from?’"’

‘”The main thing is winning. When you’re 1-9, a win just upbeats everybody in the organization,” Bates said. “There have been many struggles, the turmoil that we’ve gone through. It seems like ever since January, there’s been a lot of issues, a lot of things have happened to this football team. It was just good to get that good feeling and take the long flight back and give the guys a couple of days off.”‘

‘Williams has played good football the past seven weeks, and line coach Jim McNally says the right tackle has become an asset on the offense. "It seems like everybody’s got the wrong opinion of Mike," McNally said. "I’m not going to overplay it. But he’s doing it. He’s getting it done. I think he’s got a bad rap."’

‘The Dolphins rank 29th in the NFL against the run this season.’

‘A few days before training camp, I received a telephone call from our team internist, Joseph Armenia. He told me that he had some concern about the score of my PSA test that had been administered as part of my yearly physical. When I told Dr. Armenia that I didn’t know the PSA from the college board SAT exams, he explained that the PSA was a procedure used to detect prostate cancer. He suggested that I have a biopsy to determine whether there actually was cancer present. The biopsy verified that there was.’

‘McGahee has topped 100 yards in five of his six NFL starts, and while the offensive line has been given credit for its improved play of late, McGahee is quick to remind that Shelton has played an equally integral role in the Bills’ recent success running the ball. “He’s like the unsung hero of the team right now,” said McGahee. “He’s been phenomenal as far as blocking. He didn’t get a lot of credit, but I try to recognize him every time I see it. He’s plugging all the time.”‘

‘Most NFL observers questioned why the Bills would draft damaged goods with their 23rd pick, especially when they had Travis Henry, who had gained 1,438 yards with 10 touchdowns in his second season. No one is second-guessing now.’

‘Robert Bronstein, an orthopedic surgeon at Strong Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y., said 30 or 40 years ago, doctors would have considered amputating McGahee’s leg.’

‘There’s no question the Buffalo Bills will blitz the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. The only question is how many times will the Bills do it, and will the Dolphins’ offensive line ever be able to stop it?’

Foes puttin’ on the blitz (Miami Herald)

Bates, safety Knight clear the air (Miami Herald)

McGahee runs home (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins’ Thomas out for Sunday’s game; James to return (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Pope replaces Thomas as ‘Fins linebacker (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Odds defied, McGahee returns (Palm Beach Post)

Thomas won’t play Sunday vs. Buffalo (Palm Beach Post)

Blitzes still haunt Miami (Florida Today)

Dolphins’ Thomas won’t play Sunday (Florida Today)

Williams will seek to have $8.6 million award thrown out (AP)

Feeley staying upbeat after season of hard knocks (AP)

Thomas ruled out for Dolphins’ game with Buffalo (AP)

Inside slant (CBS Sportsline)

Strategy and personnel (CBS Sportsline)

Notes, quotes (CBS Sportsline)

Injured Fin (The Sports Network)

Jason Taylor Named AFC Defensive Player Of The Week (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins-Bills Injury Reports (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins Sign Winston Taylor To Practice Squad (MiamiDolphins.com)

DVD Pick: The Boondock Saints (MiamiDolphins.com)

Alexander (MiamiDolphins.com)