Archives for September 14, 2006

‘"It’s still real fresh," said Leonhard after practice Thursday. "The defense that we’re running is pretty simple right now. It’s just a matter of getting back on the field and getting in that game shape. It’s amazing how quick it can go on you in a week and a half when you’re not seeing things. I was still working out, but it’s different when you’re practicing."’

‘"I still have a chip on my shoulder from the draft," said Simpson, who was a unanimous All-Southeastern Conference first team pick last year for the Gamecocks. "I thought I should have went higher than what I did. I just feel like I’m good enough to play at this level. I’m going to go out there and show what I can do and prove myself."’

‘Bills linebacker Takeo Spikes missed his second day of practice Thursday with a pulled right hamstring, leaving his status in doubt for Buffalo’s game at Miami this weekend. Spikes remains listed as questionable on the Bills injury report, but coach Dick Jauron held out hope he would be able to play and said after Thursday’s practice it will likely be a game-time decision.’

‘What was your lowest point? Spikes: I was getting ready to come to Buffalo for the game against Kansas City. I wanted to show everybody how good I was doing, how good I felt, how I was walking strong. I had to see Dr. [James] Andrews, first and I was expecting he’d take my walking boot off. He looked at me and said, "It’s looking pretty good." Then he said, "Six to eight more weeks in the boot you’ll be fine."’

‘”Obviously, we like both of them,” said Bills coach Dick Jauron. “We drafted them. We think they’re going to be really good players. There is going to be some learning. It will take some time. But they’ll be out there performing.”‘

‘Spikes doesn’t believe Vincent’s injury is as bad as the team contends. Spikes said they might as well put him on IR, too, because his hamstring injury is similar to Vincent’s. He was asked if he felt Vincent could have returned in four or five weeks. “Ain’t no if,” Spikes said. “Let’s be real about it. There ain’t no ifs about it. He could have come back. He would have come back. I don’t want to take anything away from the [young] players we have in this locker room. I think we have some helluva good players on this team. But you can’t replace experience.”‘

‘The Bills will start rookie Keith Ellison if Spikes can’t go. When Ellison entered the game at New England, he played weak-side ‘backer and Angelo Crowell shifted over to Spikes’ spot, on the strong side.’

‘Whether McGahee’s head is in the right place remains to be seen, but it’s time for him to begin materializing as the “elite” back he’s been made out to be. The Dolphins’ game, under the circumstances, is an ideal time for that to take place. If not, the Dolphins could blow Buffalo out.’

‘The only clear advantage that the Dolphins possess going into Sunday’s matchup is the most obvious one, homefield advantage. Miami did beat Buffalo at home last year, and has an impressive track record of winning home contests in September. Perhaps, as it has been in the past, the South Florida heat and humidity – coupled with a dose of friendly crowd noise – will be the difference in what should prove to be just another hard-fought AFC East battle.’

‘"It’s frustrating, but you have to play ball," Losman said. "He knows he’s the guy; he’s going to get double-covered. The two chances they gave us single coverage on him, both times ended up in sacks; we couldn’t hold up and get him the ball. That’s just the way it goes."’

‘”The decision with Troy was a difficult one. It came down to the fact that it’s so hard to tell how long a hamstring will take,” Jauron said. “We thought it was definitely in the best interest of our team in the short term. We’re going down for a warm game in Miami, Matt’s not going to be available, we don’t think, so we needed to get another healthy safety in here. The bottom line was the uncertainty on how long the healing will take.”‘

‘Now his future in Buffalo is uncertain. While Vincent is signed through 2009, he is scheduled to make $3 million in base salary each of his final three seasons and that could be too expensive for an aging veteran coming off an injury.’

‘Stith becomes the tallest player on the Bills, as he stands 6-foot-9.’

‘The Dolphins have reason for confidence entering the Bills game. Buffalo was gouged for 183 rushing yards on 41 carries in last Sunday’s 19-17 loss to New England. The Bills also could be without starting linebacker Takeo Spikes (hamstring) and safety Matt Bowen (leg). Safety Troy Vincent (hamstring) went on injured reserve Wednesday, ending his season.’

Saban: ‘Sky did not fall’ (Miami Herald)

Alterations made in secondary (Miami Herald)

Saban: Daniels’ injury ‘frustrating’ (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins’ Wilkinson misses practice again (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Q&A with Dolphins writer Alex Marvez (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Time ripe for Dolphins to run ball on Buffalo (Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel)

Culpepper would be well served by short memory (Palm Beach Post)

Secondary has more uncertainty (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins secondary will use signals (Florida Today)

Fins await Daniels’ return (Florida Today)

Inside slant (The Sports Xchange)

Strategy and personnel (The Sports Xchange)

Notes, quotes (The Sports Xchange)

Dolphins Players Post-Practice Press Briefings (MiamiDolphins.com)

Nick Saban Post-Practice Press Briefing (MiamiDolphins.com)

Jimmy Cefalo To Host Expanded Dolphins Radio Show (MiamiDolphins.com)