Archives for October 2009

‘"I scouted Drew Brees in college when I was with Buffalo," he said of the Saints’ star quarterback. "If I had drafted him I’d probably still be there."’

‘”Every division game is a rivalry,” said defensive end Chris Kelsay. “People ask me who’s our biggest rival, New England, Miami or the Jets. They all are because if you win your division you’re going to the playoffs. So this is a big game and it’s one we have to win.”‘

‘Is this the week Terrell Owens breaks out of his funk? Owens has been a nonfactor with five catches for 98 yards. As was speculated when he first joined the Bills, he has made more news off the field than on it. There are questions about whether he has lost a step at age 35 and there may be some validity to that. Perhaps against this weak Miami secondary he can find his groove.’

Miami Dolphins’ Chad Henns is calm, cool and under control (Miami Herald)

Who has the edge: Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills (Miami Herald)

What pressure for Miami Dolphins’ Chad Henne? Be like Marino or bust (Miami Herald)

Veterans in secondary are struggling for Miami Dolphins (Miami Herald)

Don’t count the Miami Dolphins out just yet (Miami Herald)

Miami starts 13 one-week seasons (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Fiedler’s heard it all: Ex-Miami Dolphins QB has words of wisdom for Henne on eve of first NFL start (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Who has the edge? (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins set the bar high for Chad Henne (Palm Beach Post)

Cousin excited about Henne’s first start (St. Lucie News Tribune)

‘If the team doesn’t take advantage of the weak Miami secondary this week, the Bills will just be digging the hole deeper. It’s hard to say a game is a must-win this early in the season, but that’s where Buffalo stands this weekend against Miami. If they’re unsuccessful, it could spell out a less than stellar remainder to the regular season.’

‘Without providing details, the Bills made the announcement in a release issued Saturday evening.’

‘The Dolphins have played three playoff teams from last season to start the year and have lost to all of them to start 0-3. Miami however, has been in every game. The difference for Miami between winning and losing has been the big play. Buffalo has big play weapons and must connect on at least half of their handful of big play opportunities in the game for a chance to win.’

‘"I’m probably the most excited guy on the team that Marshawn’s back," Jackson said. "When he comes back he brings a different energy. He does some good things for us, so I’m excited about it and I’m looking forward to seeing where it takes us."’

‘"I think the importance of pressure on the quarterback is higher when you are facing a young guy because he doesn’t have that experience to fall back on," said Bills defensive end Ryan Denney. "With Pennington, he’s a poised guy who is confident in the pocket because he’s seen just about every defense. But for a young quarterback, you want to do some things to confuse him and force him into mistakes. Anything we can throw at him to add to that pressure is going to aid the defense."’

‘”We just have to stay on the field,” Jackson said. “The more plays we get, the more balls we have to get to people. We’ve got to convert third downs."’

‘”Everybody who’s been here knows that the Miami game is a big game,” receiver Lee Evans said. “Not just because it’s Miami, but it’s a division game and it means a lot.”‘

Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano maintains faith in team, system (Miami Herald)

Miami Dolphins’ Joey Porter will be game-time decision (Miami Herald)

Dolphins tight ends struggling to reach marks made in 2008 (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter says he’s a ‘warrior’ and plans to play (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Bills WR Terrell Owens brings his talented but selfish act to Miami on Sunday (Palm Beach Post)

Joey Porter’s availability vs. Bills will be a game-time decision (Palm Beach Post)

Dolphins LB Porter still out with sore hamstring (AP)

Dolphins’ Porter questionable vs. Bills (The Sports Network)

Running Backs And O-Line To Take Charge Against Buffalo; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Miami Dolphins Transcripts – 10/2/09 (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘”I think they’re going to try to keep doing what they’re doing,” Buffalo running back Fred Jackson said. “They’re not going to change anything just because they’re 0-3.”‘

‘Still, former Bill and CBS analyst Steve Tasker said it’s a no-lose situation for both sides. "The Bills needed some help for Lee Evans, and with the one-year contract they’re not tied to him," Tasker said. "And if he has a big year he’ll have a chance to get one more big contract. It’ll be interesting to see whether it works out."’

‘It’s obviously an important game for us. Some of the younger guys might not realize it as much as the veterans, but this is an intense rivalry. Anytime you play in the division, they’re must wins. Whether it be New England, Miami or the New York Jets, they’re very important games. You play them twice a year so you know them really well. You tend to work on them pretty hard throughout the off-season because those are the games that matter. You win your division, you go to the post-season.’