Archives for December 2005

‘Dolphins win 21-20.’

‘”The only thing I’m probably doing different is week to week I’m preparing better,” said Schobel, who is in his fifth season. “I know what I’m going to do more than I used to, so I think that may have benefited me a little. Yeah, it’s always good to be on pace to get double digits.”‘

‘”There’s more on the line right now,” quarterback J.P. Losman said. “We have to get a winning streak started. It’s not much different from the beginning of the year. We have our backs against the wall.”‘

‘Two things are indisputable: 1, Williams wasn’t a good pick; 2, None of the prominent draft analysts questioned the Bills’ selection of Williams at No. 4 overall. So the Bills should have done something different. But exactly what is hard to pinpoint.’

‘”Tight ends are very valuable,” Losman said. “We’ve been trying to hit them outside a bit but we’re also trying to establish the run. You can see more people around the ball trying to stop the run so that means they’re putting someone on the tight end. That’s why it’s tougher to get him the ball right now.”‘

Saban reiterates his long-term philosophy (Miami Herald)

Dolphins’ Tillman lets his play do the talking (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Jason Taylor probable, Thomas doubtful for Sunday (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Critics won’t drive Madison crazy (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins are playoff longshot (Florida Today)

Nick Saban’s Post-Practice Press Conference Transcript (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins-Bills Game Declared Sellout, Will Be Televised Locally (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘Dolphins 19, Bills 13.’

‘If Milloy can’t play, backup Coy Wire will make his first start of the season at strong safety. Wire started three games last year when Milloy was out with a broken forearm. "Nothing changes for me," Wire said. "I prepare every week as if I’m the starter, and I pride myself on preparing well each week."’

‘Without success, the Bills become the local media’s target of venom, still supplanting anything the Sabres accomplish. The familiar, stupid refrain of waiting till January to watch the Sabres no longer cuts it. The Bills stink and they don’t seem too serious about being competitive. How can they be when they employ a general manager who has no concept of building offensive and defensive lines? The Bills have a losing attitude, and outside of the Kelly-era teams, the Bills have pretty much been a moribund franchise with little success.’

‘It wasn’t supposed to be like this.’

‘Quarterback J.P. Losman is fiery and shows signs he could become a strong leader. But he’s still trying to prove himself and doesn’t wield the clout of a veteran. The team’s best player, Willis McGahee, is a happy-go-lucky guy in his first full season as a starter. He’s not an emotional leader yet. The Bills’ best defensive player, Takeo Spikes, is widely viewed as “the pulse” of the team. But he’s in Atlanta rehabilitating his torn Achilles tendon. Veteran receiver Eric Moulds always has given his all but knows he has one foot out the door. His salary-cap status is going to force his departure after this season. London Fletcher and Lawyer Milloy are fiery leaders. It’s up to them and other veterans to look forward, not back, and lead by example.’

‘”I feel very good about where I’m at, but there’s always room for improvement,” Moorman said. “It should be the AFC Special Teams Unit of the Month. Those guys are covering like crazy, and they don’t just do it on the punt team. Our goal is to be the No. 1 special teams unit in the league, and we’re on pace to do that.”‘

‘While not pinning the blame solely on McGahee for Buffalo’s stagnant offense, coach Mike Mularkey gave the impression earlier this week that his star running back may need to start taking his job a little more seriously. “He has to understand his role here and know that our success here, a lot of it is riding on what he does,” Mularkey said. “He has to understand that. And we’re still trying to get to that phase.”‘

‘Did the Bills think they’d miss Williams this much? “I think if Ron was still here (we’d be in better shape),” said linebacker London Fletcher, who still keeps in touch with Williams. “I do feel the tackles we have, have done a good job the last three or four ballgames. But losing a player like Pat, definitely it’s going to bring down your run-stopping ability, because Pat is one of the best. He does a lot of things most nose tackles can’t do because he has a lot of quickness and strength. I love Pat to death.”‘

Secondary gets a minor victory (Miami Herald)

Saban: Thomas out for Sunday (Miami Herald)

Hope and reality collide for Dolphins (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

‘Soon’ for Thomas – just not this week, Saban says (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins seek consistency (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins postpone Thomas’ return (Palm Beach Post)

Thomas still out (Florida Today)

League honors Taylor (Florida Today)

Brown adjusts to life with Ricky (Naples Daily News)

Thomas out again this week, Saban says (AP)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Post-Practice Press Conference Transcripts From Wednesday, November 30 (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins Sign Towns, Release Moreno; Zach Thomas Listed As Doubtful Vs. Bills (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphns To Hold Annual Toys For Tots Drive At Sunday’s Game (MiamiDolphins.com)

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