Archives for December 2010

‘There are at least four hurdles to clear before the proposal can be implemented, Brady said. Fans must be willing to invest. A bank or other financial institution, preferably one with a major presence in Buffalo, must be willing to manage the transaction. And ownership must be willing to participate.’

‘Miami pass defense ranks sixth in the league because although their young corners are improving, their pass rush is fierce, led by Cameron Wake. Buffalo’s pre-snap protection calls have to be dead on and execution has to be just as good if the Bills offense is to put enough points on the board to post a road win.’

‘But my hat is off to Fitzpatrick for doing whatever it takes to get the most out of this offense despite the fact that there have been a lot of moving parts lately. That in turn has helped him show the confidence that the quarterback needs to have in his receivers.’

‘"Things are not going the way I want them to go or getting it done," a dejected-looking Whitner said in the locker room before practice. "It might come to me actually hitting the free agent market because we’re far off. We’re far off in dollars, we’re far off in everything, so that’s what it’s going to be."’

‘At some point, however, the Bills will need a quarterback. Fitzpatrick’s throw-by-throw accuracy isn’t up to what the position demands. The quarterback who looks ready to audition for the lead role in a remake of Castaway has been questionable in the clutch. It’s hard to envision him leading a team on a lengthy playoff run. Fitz is good enough to get the Bills in the vicinity of 8-8 which, if it were to happen, wouldn’t necessarily be in the best interests of the franchise.’

‘"Just excited and want to make the most of this opportunity," he said. "The whole year Coach [Chan Gailey] has been telling me to be ready and to always be prepared when you have to step in, so Coach has been doing a good job getting everyone prepared and ready for this opportunity."’

‘Joey Harrington had 0.0 for Miami vs. Buffalo in 2007. He went 5 of 17 for 20 yards with 2 INTs. Other QBs who did it vs. the Bills were Pittsburgh’s Cliff Stoudt and Terry Bradshaw (in the same game in 1982), and Joe Namath in the infamous monsoon game in Orchard Park in 1974. Namath was 2 of 18 for 33 yards with 3 INTs.’

Miami Dolphins’ Kevin Curtis rallies from injuries and health scare (Miami Herald)

NFL sack leader Cameron Wake is continuing to make a name for himself (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Lydon Murtha on taking over at right tackle: ‘I’m ready to roll’ (South Florida Sun Sentinel)

Miami Dolphins coordinator Mike Nolan helps to develop another leading pass rusher in Cameron Wake (Palm Beach Post)

New York Jets’ chicanery shows there is a fine line between cheating and gamesmanship (Palm Beach Post)

Kevin Curtis Out To Prove Cancer Can’t Keep Him Down; Other Notes (MiamiDolphins.com)

Davone Bess And Jake Long Selected To USA Football/NFLPA All-Fundamentals Team (MiamiDolphins.com)

Dolphins Host Canned Food Drives For Remaining Home Games (MiamiDolphins.com)

http://www.miamidolphins.com/promotions/coach-sparano-press-briefing-transcript-12-16-10 (MiamiDolphins.com)

‘”As I got older, I looked outside the Dallas bubble and started studying Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. I learned from them. I loved Tim Brown because he was a blocker and a punt returner and kick returner. I loved trying to learn from the best receivers,” said Nelson. “I was just a big football fan, I always had my head in the books, always watching film, always watching college football and the NFL, always watching the upper-level players, like Roy Williams. My coaches would go to camps and get me film, they knew how much I loved to study, they would get me film on other players so I could study them.”‘

‘Dolphins 13, Bills 10.’

‘Dolphins 19, Bills 17.’

‘Referring to himself as surprised and hurt, Whitner says he and the Bills are far apart after the two sides held talks this week. He didn’t sound optimistic a deal can be reached, while noting the Bills are scheduled to contact his agent on Thursday.’

‘”Whenever you can’t make it to the playoffs, (you) have to play to spoil other people’s seasons,” safety Donte Whitner said. “I know it sounds bad, but not when they’re in your division. We have the feeling that if we can’t go to the playoffs, we don’t want them going to the playoffs.”‘

‘"He’s a guy I’ve loved since we started the off-season stuff, so it’ll be good to get him in there," Fitzpatrick said of the University at Buffalo product. "Namaan is a playmaker; if you throw it in his direction he’s going to come down with it. He’s Mr. Reliable, and I’ve been able to develop a good chemistry with him (in practice)."’

‘Players are chosen based on their ability to consistently execute the fundamentals of their positions and for making a positive impact on their communities.’