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		<description>RUWT? News for Miami Dolphins</description>
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		<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:07:20 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Ricky Williams a workhorse once again]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

DAVIE, Fla.(AP) -- Ricky Williams is having his best season since
retiring.

That was in 2004, when a marijuana habit drove Williams out of
the NFL. The following year he began a comeback that proceeded
fitfully because of Miami Dolphins coaching changes, a
season-ending injury and an 18-month suspension.

The Dolphins stuck with Williams, and now he might just save
their season. Picking up the slack for injured starter Ronnie
Brown, the 32-year-old Williams totaled 221 yards rushing in two
games over a five-day stretch, and Miami (5-5) won both to reach
.500 for the first time this year.

"It puts us on the right track," Williams said. "We have been
trying to get here all year, and we finally got here. It's just
the next step to where we want to go."

Williams is leading the way. Making his first start of the year
in Thursday's 24-17 victory at Carolina, he rushed for 119 yards
and two scores and added a 14-yard touchdown catch. It was his
second three-TD game this season, and the first time in his
career he scored rushing and receiving in the same game.

"I was really impressed with Ricky," coach Tony Sparano said
Friday. "He did a tremendous job. He ran the ball hard, really
hard."

Williams scored once as Brown's replacement taking the snap in
the wildcat. He scored on a 46-yard dash to seal the win,
outrunning the Panthers' secondary to the end zone. He carried
22 times - not a lot for a back who once had 392 attempts in a
season, but his highest total in four years.

The 100-yard game was Williams' 22nd with Miami, extending his
franchise record. He's the oldest 100-yard rusher in team
history.

"He's not 32, I don't care what he says," rookie receiver Brian
Hartline said. "He definitely doesn't look 32 out there, and he
definitely has a lot of gas left in his wheels."

Williams never fit the mold of the typical NFL player, and
that's still the case. Last spring he agreed to a contract
extension for 2010 without an agent or negotiations. Working
toward a college degree, he wants to become an osteopath. He's
so particular about his diet that Sparano laughingly speaks of
"Ricky food."

And Williams remains skittish with the media.

"I don't like talking about myself," he said after Thursday's
game.

Instead, teammates gushed about him. Younger players seemed
especially tickled to see him trample Panthers.

"He has been here for a long time, and he knows what he's
doing," receiver Ted Ginn Jr. said. "When he sees something, he
was just trying to run through. That was what he was taught to
do as a young 'un."

Sparano said he's confident Williams can handle a starter's
workload the rest of the season, and the Dolphins really have no
choice but to rely heavily on their only thirtysomething
offensive player.

Brown underwent season-ending surgery Friday on his broken right
foot. Williams' backup, second-year pro Lex Hilliard, had his
first career rushing attempt Thursday night. And the passing
attack ranks third-worst in the league.

That means Williams, seven years removed from his NFL rushing
title, will try to carry Miami to the playoffs.

"It's hard to replace Ronnie Brown," Hartline said. "But Ricky
Williams is still Ricky Williams."

Even with limited playing time this season, Williams is on pace
for his first 1,000-yard season since 2003. He's averaging a
career-best 5.3 yards per carry. And he ranks among NFL leaders
with 10 touchdowns.

At Charlotte, Williams thrived behind a patchwork front. Four
Miami offensive linemen left the game with injuries, and the
Dolphins used three centers, including one moved from tackle who
had not practiced snaps.

"It's tough," Williams said. "Guys are dropping like flies."

"We were down to me going in the game," said Sparano, a former
center. "I've never seen anything like it."

Sparano provided no update Friday on the severity of the
injuries. Players have the weekend off before beginning
preparations to play the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 29.

"We'll get a chance to heal up," Sparano said. "Right now the
boys need a bit of rest."

Even Williams "got a little bit dinged" in the fourth quarter
but was expected to be fine, Sparano said. The most serious
injury appeared to be to nose tackle Jason Ferguson, who hurt
his right knee and underwent an MRI.

Despite the heavy toll, Sparano was in a cheerful mood Friday.
After winning three games in the first 63 days of the season,
the Dolphins won twice in five days, and they're only one
victory behind AFC East leader New England.

"There's a lot of football left," Sparano said.

Look for lots of handoffs to Williams in the weeks to come. Over
the years the Dolphins are 19-3 when he rushes for 100 yards.

"Hopefully he can rest up these next 10 days," teammate Jason
Taylor said, "and do it again next week."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135766-Ricky-Williams-a-workhorse-once-again</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135766-Ricky-Williams-a-workhorse-once-again</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:52:20 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Williams leads Dolphins over Panthers 24-17]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.(AP) -- With Ronnie Brown lost for the season, the
Miami Dolphins turned to their aging running back.

Ricky Williams showed he's still got it.

The 32-year-old Williams rushed for 119 yards and scored three
touchdowns, and the Dolphins beat the Carolina Panthers 24-17 on
Thursday night for their fourth win in six games to get into the
AFC playoff picture.

A day after learning Brown is lost for the season to a foot
injury, the Dolphins (5-5) continued their surge after an 0-3
start behind Williams. The 2002 NFL rushing champion had a
receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game for the first
time in his career that included a couple of lost seasons.

"Coach always talks about finishing," Williams said. "Sometimes
in this league, in a physical game, it's difficult to finish. I
think in the past we've prided ourselves on finishing games and
we did a good job tonight."

DeAngelo Williams rushed for 122 yards for the Panthers (4-6),
but Jake Delhomme had his streak of three games without an
interception snapped. His desperation pass into the end zone was
knocked down as time expired.

"We just didn't tackle well," Carolina defensive tackle Damione
Lewis said. "Ricky is a hard running, big tailback, He broke
some tackles, and that's him."

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano hinted his team might abandon the
wildcat without Brown, who was placed on injured reserve
Wednesday. Miami didn't use the formation until the second
quarter. It coincided with the Dolphins' first touchdown drive -
Chad Henne's 14-yard touchdown pass to Williams, who wrestled
away from linebacker Na'il Diggs.

Miami took a 14-3 halftime lead when Williams took the direct
snap at the 1 and got to the end zone ahead of linebacker Jon
Beason.

The Panthers got within 17-14 on Steve Smith's leaping 27-yard
touchdown catch and DeAngelo Williams' 2-point conversion run
with 5:18 left. But Ricky Williams bounced to the outside and
shook off Sherrod Martin at the Carolina 5 on a 46-yard
touchdown run.

Williams also caught two passes for 19 yards and a touchdown.
Chad Henne overcame losing his center and the backup and
committed no turnovers.

"We struggled at bit during the game, but the defense kept it
close to give us an opportunity and give us time to get it
together," Williams said.

Still, the Dolphins had to hold off the Panthers. After
Williams' long run, the Panthers got a field goal. They then
forced a punt, and Delhomme found Gary Barnidge on passes of 29
and 17 yards. But from the Miami 26, Delhomme's lob into the end
zone was knocked down by Tyrone Culver.

"Guys are fighting their tail off," Delhomme said. "We are just
not getting it done. ... We are not winning the close ones."

Early on, Carolina's offense stalled because of its makeshift
offensive line and the return from exile of Dolphins linebacker
Joey Porter.

Benched from Sunday's win over Tampa Bay, Porter served as a
captain for the coin toss, then sacked Delhomme on third down on
Carolina's opening drive, leading to John Kasay's 29-yard field
goal.

The Panthers mixed in some of the no-huddle offense on the drive
after its effective debut Sunday against Atlanta. They used it
sparingly after that, and the offense got bogged down without
Pro Bowl left tackle Jordan Gross.

Porter had two of Miami's three first-half sacks, beating Gross'
replacement Travelle Wharton.

The Dolphins had their own offensive line troubles. Center Jake
Grove left in the third quarter with an ankle injury and was
replaced by Joe Berger. Nate Garner moved to center when Berger
went down early in the fourth. Henne bobbled Garner's second
snap, but recovered.

Berger returned on the next series and was injured again. Henne
completed 17 of 29 passes for 172 yards.

DeAngelo Williams' 50-yard run early in the third seemed to give
Carolina life. But the drive ended when Nathan Jones picked off
Delhomme's pass intended for Smith at the Miami 4.

Smith caught seven passes for 87 yards despite getting into a
minor car accident on the way to the game.

Delhomme, who had thrown 13 interceptions in his first six
games, had gone turnover-free this month. But he was just 19 of
42 for 247 yards, and Carolina fell to 0-4 against the Dolphins.
It was a crushing loss for the Panthers, who also began eyeing
the playoffs after starting 0-3.

"There's still a lot of football left and we're still no way in
any stretch out of it," Panthers coach John Fox said.

The loss to Fox's old offensive coordinator leaves them in tough
shape. Dan Henning, fired by Carolina after the 2006 season,
found a way to score just enough without Brown.

Williams, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner, continued his
resurgence after a career that included a brief retirement and a
drug-related suspension. The time off might be helping him now
when many running backs decline after they turn 30.

NOTES: Panthers LB Landon Johnson, filling in for the injured
Thomas Davis, left with a knee injury. ... Panthers DE Julius
Peppers again played mostly on passing downs only because of a
right hand injury. ... Dolphins backup RB Lex Hilliard, who came
in without an NFL carry, ran four times for 24 yards. ... The
Dolphins and Texans (0-2) are the only teams the Panthers have
never beaten.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135566-Williams-leads-Dolphins-over-Panthers-24-17</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135566-Williams-leads-Dolphins-over-Panthers-24-17</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:34:29 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins lose C Grove to injury against Panthers]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CHARLOTTE, N.C.(AP) -- The Miami Dolphins are getting thin at
center.

Starter Jake Grove left Thursday night's game against the
Carolina Panthers because of an ankle injury early in the third
quarter and was questionable to return. Then, backup Joe Berger
left with an unspecified injury early in the fourth for a series
before returning with about 5 minutes left in the period.

The Dolphins then moved Nate Garner to center after Garner had
started at left guard in place of Justin Smiley. Garner and
quarterback Chad Henne got off to a bumpy start with a botched
snap on their second play, forcing Henne to dive on the ground
to recover the fumble.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135555-Dolphins-lose-C-Grove-to-injury-against-Panthers</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135555-Dolphins-lose-C-Grove-to-injury-against-Panthers</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:10:10 GMT</pubDate>
			</item>
		
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins lead Panthers 14-3 after 3rd quarter]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By AARON BEARD
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.(AP) -- Ricky Williams had a 14-yard touchdown
catch and ran for a short score in the final 4 minutes of the
second quarter to give the Miami Dolphins a 14-3 lead against
the Carolina Panthers after the third quarter on Thursday night.

Williams put the Dolphins ahead on the pass from Chad Henne with
3:57 left in the first half, then ran for a 1-yard touchdown out
of the wildcat formation in the final minute. Williams had 45
yards rushing and 19 yards receiving through the first three
quarters after a slow start, showing plenty of burst and power
as he replaced injured starter Ronnie Brown in the Dolphins'
backfield.

It marked the first time in the 2002 NFL rushing champion's
career that he had a rushing and receiving touchdown in the same
game.

John Kasay kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Panthers a
3-0 lead after the first quarter. Carolina's DeAngelo Williams
was having a big rushing night, but the Dolphins took control in
the second quarter as Miami played its first game without Brown,
the team's top rusher.

Brown, placed on injured reserve with a right foot injury
sustained last week, had run for 648 yards and eight touchdowns,
but more importantly, he served as the team's triggerman on the
wildcat - a formation the Brown-less Dolphins didn't use in the
first quarter Thursday.

The Dolphins unveiled the wildcat midway through the second with
Williams carrying for 1 yard, but that modest gain started an
81-yard, 5 1/2-minute march.

Along the way, backup running back Lex Hilliard - whose first
NFL carry went for a first down but was negated by a holding
penalty - had an 18-yard run up the middle on a third-and-16 to
move the chains. Three plays later, Henne threw a short pass to
Williams, who broke free of a diving tackle attempt from Na'il
Diggs and bounced off a goal line hit from Jon Beason for the
14-yard score.

Then, after forcing a three-and-out, the Dolphins drove inside
the 5 before Williams took the direct snap and sprinted to his
right, beating Beason to the corner as he dove for the right
pylon to make it 14-3 with 57 seconds left in the half.

The Panthers started strong, mixing in some of the no-huddle
offense they rolled out in last week's win against Atlanta to
march downfield on the opening drive. Carolina put together a 5
1/2-minute drive and pushed all the way to the Miami 7 before
Joey Porter - who was inactive for what was cryptically
described as a "coach's decision" last week - sacked Jake
Delhomme on third-and-goal to force Carolina to settle for
Kasay's kick with 9:31 left in the first.

Porter added a second sack on Carolina's three-and-out between
Williams' touchdowns.

DeAngelo Williams, playing despite a nagging knee injury, ran
for 119 yards on just 12 carries through the first three
quarters, including a 50-yarder on Carolina's first drive of the
second half. But Delhomme threw a costly interception at the
Miami 4 to end the drive, his first pick in four games after
throwing 13 in the first six contests.

Two possessions later, Williams added a nifty 18-yard gain when
he ran to his left, then cut back to his right toward the middle
of the field for the big run that put Carolina inside the Miami
10 to close the third quarter.

Carolina was playing without left tackle Jordan Gross, who broke
his right ankle last week. The Panthers moved veteran Travelle
Wharton from guard to tackle to replace Gross, while Mackenzy
Bernadeau moved to Wharton's spot at guard.

The night got off to a bumpy start for Panthers receiver Steve
Smith, who was involved in a minor car accident on the way to
the game. A team official said somebody "bumped into" Smith's
car, but he was able to drive to the stadium afterward and had a
10-yard catch for a first down on Carolina's second offensive
play.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135512-Dolphins-lead-Panthers-14-3-after-3rd-quarter</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135512-Dolphins-lead-Panthers-14-3-after-3rd-quarter</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:50:09 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Williams, Stewart a go for Panthers vs. Dolphins]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[CHARLOTTE, N.C.(AP) -- Carolina running backs DeAngelo Williams
and Jonathan Stewart are active against Miami despite nagging
injuries.

Williams missed practice Wednesday with a sore left knee.
Stewart was held out a day earlier with a sore left Achilles'
tendon. Both were listed as questionable for Thursday's game.

The Panthers were without reserve defensive end Charles Johnson
(pectoral), fullback Brad Hoover (ankle) and safety Charles
Godfrey (ankle).

Dolphins left guard Justin Smiley (shoulder) was active, but he
was replaced in the starting lineup by Nate Garner. Reserve
safety Tyrone Culver was active despite being questionable with
an ankle injury.

Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano (hip) missed his second
straight game.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135472-Williams-Stewart-a-go-for-Panthers-vs-Dolphins</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135472-Williams-Stewart-a-go-for-Panthers-vs-Dolphins</guid>
				<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:15:48 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins-Panthers Preview]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By BRETT HUSTON
STATS Writer

Powerful running games helped the Carolina Panthers and Miami
Dolphins grind out what may have been season-saving victories
last weekend, but there's not much time to recover.

They'll also have to move on without key cogs in their ground
attacks.

Ronnie Brown's absence could limit the effectiveness of the
Dolphins' wildcat formation Thursday night in Charlotte, while
the Panthers will try to get back in the wild-card mix without
star tackle Jordan Gross paving the way for their tailback
tandem.

Carolina and Miami both began 0-3 after winning their respective
division titles in 2008, seemingly putting themselves in major
peril considering no team has made the playoffs after such a
poor start since the 1998 Detroit Lions.

Instead, they've each won four of six to improve to 4-5. The
Panthers' 28-19 win over Atlanta on Sunday put them one game
behind the Falcons, Packers, Eagles and Giants in the wild-card
picture, with a game at New York still remaining on their
schedule.

"I think we were at a major crossroad in the season being 3-5,"
said receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who had six catches for 91 yards
in his return from a knee injury. "If you look at the playoff
picture, we have as good a chance as anybody else with seven
games left in the season."

Muhammad's return, Steve Smith's two touchdowns and a no-huddle
offense - which Smith referred to as "controlled chaos" - seem
to have signaled a resurgence for Jake Delhomme, who has three
touchdowns and zero interceptions in the past three weeks.
Delhomme had thrown an NFL-high 13 picks in his first six games,
when many were calling for him to be benched.

The Panthers have survived on their running game, which is third
in the league (156.6 yards per game) behind DeAngelo Williams
(5.1 yards per carry, seven touchdowns) and Jonathan Stewart
(4.8, six). Williams had 92 yards Sunday and Stewart finished
with 82 and two scores.

That rushing attack - and Delhomme's blind-side pass protection
- might be in trouble with the loss of Gross, the All-Pro left
tackle who broke his ankle against Atlanta. Gross had only
missed one game in his seven-year career, but he's out for the
season after undergoing surgery Sunday night.

"He's a leader, a top-10 pick," Delhomme said of the eighth
selection in the 2003 draft. "He was placed at tackle at the
first minicamp and he hasn't left."

Now, veteran Travelle Wharton will move from left guard to left
tackle, and Mackenzy Bernadeau, an untested 2008 second rounder,
will fill Wharton's spot with just two practices to prepare for
Miami.

The Dolphins appeared on the verge of dropping to 3-6 on Sunday
in Tampa after Chad Henne's interception with under 2 minutes to
play led to a touchdown that gave the Buccaneers a 23-22 lead
with 1:14 to go.

Henne didn't make a mistake when Miami got the ball back,
though. He completed two passes for 41 yards and Ricky Williams'
27-yard run put the Dolphins in position for Dan Carpenter's
25-yard field goal, which gave them a 25-23 win.

Henne finished 17 for 31 for 175 yards and improved to 4-2 as a
starter.

"I told him after the game in the locker room, 'You grew up
today,'" defensive end Jason Taylor said. "It's a maturation
process. He's going to make mistakes. We all make mistakes. I
still do after 13 years. The key is to bounce back when you do,
and that's what he did today."

Williams topped 100 yards for the first time this season, part
of a 199-yard day for the league's fourth-best rushing attack
(156.2). But Brown hurt his right foot in the victory and was
placed on injured reserve Wednesday.

That means the 32-year-old Williams, who's averaging a
career-best 5.3 yards per carry, will be the triggerman in the
wildcat formation.

"He's a good pro and knows that if Ronnie's not out there, his
role is going to change," coach Tony Sparano said. "The guy
carried the ball 20 times the other night. (We're) talking about
a guy that led the league in rushing at one point. He gets it,
he knows what he has to do."

The Dolphins figure to be in better position to stop the run,
considering they feature the league's seventh-best rush defense
(97.6). Carolina allows 128.1 yards per game on the ground to
rank 25th.

Miami will get pass-rushing linebacker Joey Porter back this
week after Sparano deactivated him for "off-field conduct"
against Tampa, but it's been vulnerable through the air,
allowing 239.4 yards per game and ranking 27th.

The Panthers' pass defense ranks fourth (186.4), and they've
picked off eight passes in their past three games.

Carolina has never beaten the Dolphins in three meetings and
hasn't faced them in Charlotte since Nov. 15, 1998.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134839-Dolphins-Panthers-Preview</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134839-Dolphins-Panthers-Preview</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:31:15 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins' Ronnie Brown out for year]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI(AP) -- Ronnie Brown's season has ended with an injury -
again.

The Miami Dolphins' leading rusher was placed on injured reserve
Wednesday because of a right foot injury suffered in Sunday's
victory over Tampa Bay.

A fifth-year pro, Brown missed the final nine games of the 2007
season with a right knee injury.

The Dolphins had hoped Brown might be able to return this year
but made the roster move after he was examined by a specialist.
It's a big blow for a team that ranks fourth in the NFL in
rushing and 30th in passing.

The move was announced shortly after the Dolphins (4-5) departed
for Thursday's game against Carolina. Ricky Williams, the 2002
NFL rushing champion, will replace Brown in the starting lineup.

Brown was on pace for the best year of his career with 648 yards
rushing and eight touchdowns, and he threw for another. He was
the triggerman in the wildcat, and it's uncertain how much the
Dolphins will use the package with Williams taking snaps.

Williams has rushed for 558 yards. He's coming off his first
100-yard game of the season and is averaging a career-best 5.3
yards per carry, but he's 32, and it's uncertain whether he can
handle a workhorse role.

The backup running back is now 2008 sixth-round draft pick Lex
Hilliard, who has yet to carry the ball in the NFL. Reserve
running back Patrick Cobbs was sidelined for the season by a
knee injury last month.

For Brown, the setback could be costly, because he's in the
final year of his rookie contract. Depending on when a
collective bargaining agreement is reached, he could become a
free agent after this season, and a second major injury in three
seasons is sure to hurt his market value.

Brown rebounded from his knee injury to start 13 games last
season to rush for 916 yards and 10 scores.

To replace him on the roster, the Dolphins signed safety Nate
Ness from the practice squad.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135332-Dolphins-Ronnie-Brown-out-for-year</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135332-Dolphins-Ronnie-Brown-out-for-year</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:50:46 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins' Ronnie Brown out for year]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI(AP) -- Ronnie Brown's season has ended with an injury -
again.

The Miami Dolphins' leading rusher was placed on injured reserve
Wednesday because of a right foot injury suffered in Sunday's
victory over Tampa Bay.

A fifth-year pro, Brown missed the final nine games of the 2007
season with a right knee injury.

The Dolphins had hoped Brown might be able to return this year
but made the roster move after he was examined by a specialist.
It's a big blow for a team that ranks fourth in the NFL in
rushing and 30th in passing.

The move was announced shortly after the Dolphins (4-5) departed
for Thursday's game against Carolina. Ricky Williams, the 2002
NFL rushing champion, will replace Brown in the starting lineup.

Brown was on pace for the best year of his career with 648 yards
rushing and eight touchdowns, and he threw for another. He was
the triggerman in the wildcat, and it's uncertain how much the
Dolphins will use the package with Williams taking snaps.

Williams has rushed for 558 yards. He's coming off his first
100-yard game of the season and is averaging a career-best 5.3
yards per carry, but he's 32, and it's uncertain whether he can
handle a workhorse role.

The backup running back is now 2008 sixth-round draft pick Lex
Hilliard, who has yet to carry the ball in the NFL. Reserve
running back Patrick Cobbs was sidelined for the season by a
knee injury last month.

For Brown, the setback could be costly, because he's in the
final year of his rookie contract. Depending on when a
collective bargaining agreement is reached, he could become a
free agent after this season, and a second major injury in three
seasons is sure to hurt his market value.

Brown rebounded from his knee injury to start 13 games last
season to rush for 916 yards and 10 scores.

To replace him on the roster, the Dolphins signed safety Nate
Ness from the practice squad.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135151-Dolphins-Ronnie-Brown-out-for-year</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135151-Dolphins-Ronnie-Brown-out-for-year</guid>
				<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:54:33 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins TE Fasano to miss second straight game]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[DAVIE, Fla.(AP) -- Miami Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano has
been ruled out of Thursday night's game at Charlotte because of
a hip injury.

Nose tackle Paul Soliai (ankle) and linebacker Erik Walden
(hamstring), both reserves, were also ruled out Wednesday.

Guard Justin Smiley (shoulder) and reserve safety Tyrone Culver
(ankle) are questionable, and safety Gibril Wilson (hamstring)
is probable. Running back Ronnie Brown (foot) was ruled out
earlier.

Fasano also missed Sunday's win over Tampa Bay. Kory Sperry
helped to fill in and caught a touchdown pass in his first NFL
game.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135079-Dolphins-TE-Fasano-to-miss-second-straight-game</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135079-Dolphins-TE-Fasano-to-miss-second-straight-game</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:26:05 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Panthers wary of Dolphins, old coordinator Henning]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.(AP) -- Miami coach Tony Sparano and assistant
David Lee get plenty of credit for making the wildcat a
much-copied NFL sensation.

Offensive coordinator Dan Henning had little trouble making it
work - perhaps because he first used direct snaps to running
backs when directing Carolina's offense in 2006. It's a story
that's often forgotten when the formation's rise to prominence
is discussed.

"Dan added his two cents into the mix when we started talking
about it a little bit and drawing up for our preseason stuff,"
Sparano said. "He did mention at that time that it was something
(the Panthers) did."

It's with that backdrop that the Dolphins (4-5) and Panthers
(4-5) meet Thursday night in a critical game for their renewed
playoff hopes. The main component of Miami's wildcat, running
back Ronnie Brown, won't play because of a foot injury. But that
only makes the Panthers more nervous in a short week.

What will Henning, fired by Carolina in 2006 amid criticism he
was too conservative, cook up to make up for Brown's absence?
Will Ricky Williams line up in that formation? What about rookie
Pat White? Will they not use it all?

"I have all the trust in the world of Dan on game day to let him
do his thing," Sparano said. "One of the things I learned as a
play caller was that the head coach can get in the way
sometimes. People in your ear, too many chefs in the kitchen,
that can be a problem. I like to stay out of the way of Dan as
much as possible."

That wasn't the case with the Panthers. Conservative coach John
Fox limited what Henning could do. Many felt Henning was made
the scapegoat after a miserable 2006 season - even after his
inventive way to win a game late that season.

Jake Delhomme was hurt and backup Chris Weinke was hampered by
an injured throwing shoulder. Henning lessened Weinke's load by
occasionally putting DeAngelo Williams behind center against
Atlanta. The then-rookie picked up first downs on seven of eight
third-down carries. The Panthers threw seven passes all game and
won 10-3.

A month later, Henning was gone, and the Panthers have used the
wildcat sparingly since.

"He's a good football coach, a very smart man," Delhomme said.
"I do miss him, but that's coaching. Sometimes things just don't
mesh at certain times."

After a year out of football, Henning returned to work for buddy
Bill Parcells, unveiling double-reverse passes by running backs
that Fox never would have signed off on as the Dolphins won the
AFC East last season.

The Panthers, with Jeff Davidson calling plays in their
run-first approach, won a division title, too. Both teams got
off to 0-3 starts this year before winning four of their next
six to put them back on the edge of the playoff picture.

"Mirror images, both had double-digit wins last year and they're
just trying to get back to .500," Delhomme said of the first
Thursday game in Carolina's 15-year history. "We're doing some
decent things and we've got to see if we can carry it over."

Carolina veered from its play-it-safe approach a bit Sunday,
using a no-huddle offense that produced two touchdown passes to
Steve Smith in a 28-19 win over the Falcons. Delhomme went
turnover-free for the third straight game after 13 interceptions
in his first six.

But the Panthers lost left tackle Jordan Gross to a broken
ankle, causing them to shuffle the offensive line. Delhomme
hinted that might lead to ditching the no-huddle.

Sparano said maybe Brown's injury will mean no wildcat, too. Or,
with only three days of preparation time, maybe both teams are
already running misdirection plays.

"You have to recover from a game pretty quickly," Dolphins
linebacker Jason Taylor said. "I'm not 25 anymore."

Joey Porter is expected to line up with Taylor at linebacker
Thursday after he was a healthy scratch in Sunday's
uncomfortably close 25-23 win over Tampa Bay. But how much he'll
play is uncertain after replacements Charlie Anderson and
Cameron Wake combined for two sacks.

The Panthers will play their second game without weakside
linebacker Thomas Davis, lost for the season with a torn knee
ligament. The Panthers were helped Sunday when Michael Turner
left with a second-quarter ankle injury after already rushing
for 111 yards.

Now Carolina faces the NFL's fourth-ranked rushing offense
without Brown. Ricky Williams rushed for 102 yards in his place
Sunday and is averaging 5.3 yards a carry despite being 32. He's
taken some snaps in the wildcat, but Brown's injury could mean
more time for White.

"It's good to have that kind of backup at the running back
position, so we aren't going to change our package," quarterback
Chad Henne said.

It might be tweaked a little bit, though. Henning, who declined
interview requests this week, may have a few surprises for the
team that didn't give him much freedom, then sent him packing.

"Dan Henning, he was good for us because he knew how to take the
personnel and craft plays around what he had," Panthers receiver
Muhsin Muhammad said. "That's what he's doing in Miami. He
crafted this style, trick plays, wildcat and all this different
stuff."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135073-Panthers-wary-of-Dolphins-old-coordinator-Henning</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135073-Panthers-wary-of-Dolphins-old-coordinator-Henning</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:59:47 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Wednesday's National Football League Capsules]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[OPENING LINE - Panthers by 3

RECORD VS. SPREAD - Miami 4-5; Carolina 4-5

SERIES RECORD - Miami leads 3-0

LAST MEETING - Dolphins beat Panthers 27-24, Sept. 25, 2005

LAST WEEK - Dolphins beat Buccaneers 25-23; Panthers beat
Falcons 28-19

DOLPHINS OFFENSE - OVERALL (23), RUSH (4), PASS (30)

DOLPHINS DEFENSE - OVERALL (19), RUSH (7), PASS (27)

PANTHERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (21), RUSH (3), PASS (25)

PANTHERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (12), RUSH (25), PASS (4)

STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES - Matchup of division winners from last
season looking to get into playoff mix after slow starts. ...
Each club depends on its running game, but Dolphins RB Ronnie
Brown (foot) is out. ... Ricky Williams is expected to get bulk
of carries and take some snaps in wildcat. Williams rushed for
102 yards Sunday vs. Bucs. ... Game marks return of Dolphins
offensive coordinator Dan Henning to Carolina, where he was
fired after 2006 season. ... Henning first used wildcat in
Carolina late in 2006 season, when DeAngelo Williams rushed for
seven first downs in eight tries in win over Atlanta. ...
Dolphins LB Joey Porter's status is uncertain after he was
healthy scratch vs. Bucs. ... With Brown out, Miami rookie Pat
White could get increased role at site of final college game,
where he became first starting QB to go 4-0 in bowls. ... Miami
is 1-3 on road. ... Dolphins' first trip to Charlotte since
1998. ... It's first Thursday game in Panthers' 15-year history.
... Miami and Houston (0-2) are only teams Carolina has never
beaten. Panthers are only team Dolphins have never lost to. ...
Panthers unveiled no-huddle offense vs. Falcons, and Jake
Delhomme went turnover-free for third straight game. He had 13
INTs in first six games. ... Panthers have improved from
minus-14 turnover margin to minus-7 in last three games. ...
Panthers lost Pro Bowl LT Jordan Gross to broken ankle vs.
Atlanta. Travelle Wharton moves to his spot and Mackenzy
Bernadeau is inserted at LG. ... Steve Smith's two2 TD catches
vs. Falcons tripled output by Carolina WRs this season. ...
Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 174 yards and two TDs
vs. Falcons.

END CAPSULE]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135040-Wednesdays-National-Football-League-Capsules</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/135040-Wednesdays-National-Football-League-Capsules</guid>
				<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:27:14 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins' Brown to miss Panthers game]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[DAVIE, Fla.(AP) -- Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown will
miss Thursday night's game at Carolina because of an injured
right foot, and his status for the rest of the regular season is
uncertain.

The Dolphins' leader rusher was to see a specialist for further
evaluation, coach Tony Sparano said Tuesday. Brown was hurt in
Sunday's win over Tampa Bay.

Ricky Williams will replace Brown and start for the first time
this season. He'll also become the primary triggerman if the
Dolphins run the wildcat formation.

"Who knows? May not even run it," a coy Sparano said. "Never
know."

The game is the first Brown has missed since his season-ending
knee injury in 2007.

At 32, Williams has rushed for 558 yards and is averaging a
career-best 5.3 yards per carry.

"The guy takes tremendous care of himself," Sparano said. "This
guy has worked like crazy for the year and a half that we've
been here. Watching him work the way he works, you wouldn't
think he's 30-plus years old."

The 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and 2002 NFL rushing champion has
avoided the media for much of this season but spoke to them
briefly Tuesday about starting.

"It's my job right now," he said. "Obviously I'll have to carry
the ball a little bit more."

Tight end Anthony Fasano (hip) didn't practice Tuesday for Miami
(4-5). Guard Justin Smiley (shoulder) and safety Gibril Wilson
(hamstring) were limited, as were two reserves, nose tackle Paul
Soliai (ankle) and linebacker Erik Walden (hamstring).]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134817-Dolphins-Brown-to-miss-Panthers-game</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134817-Dolphins-Brown-to-miss-Panthers-game</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:31:40 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Pennington not sure whether he'll play again]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI LAKES, Fla.(AP) -- Chad Pennington's latest comeback is
under way, even though he's not sure he'll play again.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback has completed the first phase of
rehabilitation from season-ending shoulder surgery, and he'll
fly Wednesday to Birmingham, Ala., to consult with Dr. James
Andrews, who performed the operation Oct. 2. They'll map out a
program for the next six weeks, and Pennington said he may wait
until March to decide whether to play in 2010.

"I can't make the decision until I get to the point where I see
how I feel and how it responds," Pennington said at a Dolphins
luncheon. "Then I can say I've given it everything I can give it
to make the right decision for me and my family.

"I'm going full steam ahead for the next five months. My goal is
by March 1 to be ready to work out for any team, including this
team, and be able to make a decision where I can go into an
offseason program full steam ahead not considered an injured
athlete."

The operation was the third on Pennington's throwing shoulder.
Twice he has returned from injuries to win NFL Comeback Player
of the Year, including in 2009, when he led the Dolphins to
their first playoff berth in eight years.

Pennington's replacement, second-year pro Chad Henne, has staked
a strong claim to the No. 1 job by going 4-2 as a starter.
Pennington's contract expires after this season, and he said he
has not talked with the Dolphins about returning next year.

"Chad Pennington is an outstanding pro," coach Tony Sparano said
after practice Tuesday. "There will be a time and place for us
to have that discussion at some point down the road, but I think
everyone knows my feelings on Chad."

Pennington, 33, said he would consider remaining in Miami as
Henne's backup rather than taking a No. 1 job elsewhere.

"Part of me believes I'm here for a reason," Pennington said.
"I'm a loyal guy and I believe in this organization, and I enjoy
this organization and this area. The other part is that I'm a
competitor, and I lead and I win games. That's what I do as a
quarterback. So there's a part of me that if there's an
opportunity (to start), it's going to be a very difficult
decision. And I have no idea what I'm going to do. ...

"I'm speaking as if there are going to be opportunities. There
may not be opportunities."

Pennington dislocated his shoulder in the third game of the
season at San Diego. There was no muscle damage, and the repair
wasn't as extensive as with his other operations. Pennington
said he was told by Andrews he should be able to play next year
if he chooses, and he hopes to start throwing in mid-January.

Pennington is around the team during the week and helps with
game plans, but he watches the games at home on TV with his
three young sons.

"They've got their Dolphin helmets on and they're throwing the
football," he said with a chuckle. "It gets pretty rowdy and
loud."

Pennington watched Sunday as Henne threw an ill-advised
interception that cost Miami the lead, then regrouped to direct
a 77-yard drive for the winning field goal in the final 1:10
against Tampa Bay.

"Chad does a great job of preparation, and that has allowed him
to have some success and play with confidence," Pennington said.
"The telltale sign is for a guy who makes a mistake at the end
of the game and then able to bounce back and lead the team to
victory. That says a lot. There are not a lot of young
quarterbacks who can bounce back from a situation like that."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134796-Pennington-not-sure-whether-hell-play-again</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134796-Pennington-not-sure-whether-hell-play-again</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:28:30 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Porter declines to talk about benching]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

DAVIE, Fla.(AP) -- Back from a benching, Joey Porter lacked his
usual bluster.

The Miami Dolphins' loquacious linebacker practiced Monday but
had little to say about sitting out Sunday's win over Tampa Bay.
He was listed as inactive because of a "coach's decision," and
the Dolphins haven't elaborated on the reason for the demotion.

"It was a coach's decision," Porter said. "There's nothing else
to talk about."

Porter has endured a frustrating season, and it's unclear
whether his role will be reduced in Thursday's game at Carolina.
Slowed much of this year by a sore right knee and hamstring, he
has only 2 1/2 sacks after leading the AFC with 17 1/2 last
year.

"It's never about me," he said. "It was proven last week it's
not about me. As long as we're winning, everything will take
care of itself. I learned that a long time ago. It's not about
what I'm doing."

In Porter's absence at outside linebacker, replacements Charlie
Anderson and Cameron Wake had a sack apiece against the
Buccaneers.

"They did a great job to step into a role and not having any
setback," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "It was a great
challenge for them, knowing the guy they were taking the role
from."

Coach Tony Sparano also praised the play of reserve outside
linebacker Matt Roth.

But Sparano also defended the production this season by Porter,
saying that while his sack total is down, he has improved in
other phases.

"That's a credit to Joey," Sparano said. "When you can teach an
old dog a new trick and get something out of him, he's letting
his coaches coach him, and that's a positive."

Porter said he's healthy and "ready to go" against the Panthers.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134541-Porter-declines-to-talk-about-benching</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134541-Porter-declines-to-talk-about-benching</guid>
				<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:32:55 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins' Brown likely to miss Panthers game]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

DAVIE, Fla.(AP) -- Ronnie Brown stuck his head through the
entrance of the Miami Dolphins dressing room Monday, tossed a
pair of shoes toward his locker and disappeared.

His arm is fine. His foot, not so good.

The Dolphins' leading rusher and wildcat triggerman remained on
crutches 24 hours after hurting his right foot during the
Dolphins' 25-23 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday. He's unlikely to
play Thursday at Charlotte and could be sidelined much longer.

"I can only tell you I'm still in the middle of gathering
information," coach Tony Sparano said. "We've got to prepare for
all the scenarios."

The most likely scenario is that Brown will be replaced in the
starting lineup in Charlotte by Ricky Williams, who came off the
bench against the Buccaneers for his first 100-yard rushing game
this season.

The Dolphins initially said Brown hurt his ankle but listed the
injury Monday as being to his foot. Either way it's a big loss -
Brown is the Dolphins' leading rusher with 648 yards and eight
touchdowns, and he takes the snap on most of the team's wildcat
plays.

However, even at age 32, Williams is no ordinary backup. The
1998 Heisman Trophy winner and 2002 NFL rushing champion has run
for 558 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.3 yards per
carry.

He ran for 102 yards against the Bucs, extending his franchise
record to 21 games with at least 100 yards.

"I'm completely comfortable with Ricky getting a bigger load, if
that's what has to happen," Sparano said. "I know the shape he
is in and the way he takes care of his body."

Williams has taken some snaps in the wildcat, and the Dolphins
will still run the package if Brown's out, Sparano said.

"There are going to be some other people, if Ronnie's not able
to be out there, that would come into play," Sparano said.

Miami's third-string running back is 2008 sixth-round draft pick
Lex Hilliard, who has yet to carry the ball in the NFL.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134524-Dolphins-Brown-likely-to-miss-Panthers-game</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134524-Dolphins-Brown-likely-to-miss-Panthers-game</guid>
				<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:17:06 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Henne helps Dolphins rally by Bucs 25-23]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI(AP) -- Chad Henne stood on the sideline stewing about the
costly interception he had just thrown and rooting for the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers to score.

Henne wanted the ball back.

Tampa Bay obliged, taking the lead with 1:14 to go. Henne then
directed a 77-yard drive, Dan Carpenter kicked a 25-yard field
goal with 10 seconds remaining and the Miami Dolphins beat the
Bucs 25-23 Sunday.

"We had a minute left," Henne said. "It's your time to go out
there and make a comeback."

Henne's heroics spoiled the Bucs' comeback led by Josh Freeman,
who rallied his team in the fourth quarter for the second time
in two NFL starts. The rookie shook off an awful first half and
led Tampa Bay to a pair of late touchdowns.

An ill-advised pass by Henne was intercepted to set up Tampa
Bay's go-ahead TD. With the Bucs at the Miami 1-yard line, Henne
said he wanted them to score quickly to give him more time for a
rally.

"It's tough, especially when it's your fault with that
interception," he said. "But you can't let it bother you
forever."

Miami (4-5) won despite losing running back Ronnie Brown to a
right ankle injury in the third quarter. Tampa Bay (1-8) was
unable to build momentum after beating Green Bay a week earlier.

The Dolphins fell behind 23-22, then started from their own 16.
Henne hit Davone Bess for gains of 25 and 16 yards, and Ricky
Williams ran for 27 yards to the 7.

Carpenter came on to kick his fourth field goal, more than
compensating for the extra-point attempt he had blocked in the
first quarter.

Henne, a second-year pro, finished 17 for 31 for 175 yards and
improved to 4-2 as a starter.

"I told him after the game in the locker room, 'You grew up
today,"' teammate Jason Taylor said. "It's a maturation process.
He's going to make mistakes. We all make mistakes. I still do
after 13 years. The key is to bounce back when you do, and
that's what he did today."

A pivotal replay reversal helped the Dolphins score 10 points in
the final 1:25 of the first half. The sequence included a
touchdown catch by Kory Sperry, making his NFL debut after being
signed from the practice squad Saturday.

"I don't think that much when I'm playing, but when I saw that
ball I was thinking, 'Don't drop this,"' Sperry said.

Williams ran for 102 yards for Miami, and Brown rushed for 82
and a touchdown before his injury.

The Dolphins' defense stymied Freeman in the first half. He
fumbled a snap under center and Miami recovered to end a Bucs
scoring threat. He mishandled a shotgun snap and lost 13 yards
to stall another drive. He fumbled twice when sacked, although
the Bucs recovered each time.

Then Freeman hit Maurice Stovall with a 33-yard touchdown pass
on the first play of the final period to cut Miami's lead to
19-16. Linebacker Quincy Black intercepted Henne at the
Dolphins' 26 with 1:43 left, setting up Carnell Williams' 1-yard
touchdown run to put the Bucs ahead - but only briefly.

Freeman finished 16 for 28 for 196 yards.

"That kid is going to be good," Taylor said. "He has great poise
for a young quarterback. He moves around well. I've got a lot of
respect for that young kid."

Freeman found little comfort in such praise.

"I feel pretty miserable right now because of the loss," he
said. "You hate to lose. That's the only thing on my mind."

The replay review helped Miami build a 13-point halftime lead.
With the Bucs at their own 4 late in the first half, Michael
Clayton bobbled a pass and Taylor snatched the ball. The throw
initially was ruled incomplete, but following a replay review -
and a penalty on an irate Bucs coach Raheem Morris for
unsportsmanlike conduct - the officials credited Taylor with an
interception and gave the Dolphins the ball at the Bucs' 8.

Miami scored two play later when Henne hit Sperry for a 5-yard
score.

"This loss is solely on me," Morris said. "Getting a personal
foul as a head coach is totally unacceptable. I'm taking those
points; that's how much we lost by. I should take the blame for
that. I used the wrong type of language to the official."

The Bucs' Connor Barth tied an NFL record held by three other
kickers when he made three field goals of 50 yards or more. They
covered 51, 50 and 54 yards - the three longest kicks of his
career.

NOTES: Dolphins LB Joey Porter will be at practice Monday, coach
Tony Sparano said. Porter sat out the game because of a coach's
decision. ... The Dolphins beat their cross-state rivals for the
first time since 1991. Tampa Bay had won three in a row.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134252-Henne-helps-Dolphins-rally-by-Bucs-25-23</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134252-Henne-helps-Dolphins-rally-by-Bucs-25-23</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:40:35 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Dolphins' Brown hurts right ankle]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MIAMI(AP) -- Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown was on
crutches following his team's victory Sunday against Tampa Bay,
and it's unclear how long he'll have them.

Brown hurt his right ankle in the third quarter, limped off the
field assisted by teammates and later hobbled to the locker
room, where he watched the end of Miami's 25-23 win.

"We took X-rays. We'll wait to see what happens," Brown said. "I
don't think it's too bad."

Brown was hurt on a running play that ended with his lost
fumble.

"I kind of rolled my foot to the inside," he said. "It's tough
coming out of the game. Fortunately we were able to get a W. I
just don't like being on the sidelines."

Brown is the Dolphins' leading rusher this season and the
triggerman on most of their wildcat plays. His absence meant a
busier load for Ricky Williams, who ran for a season-high 102
yards.

Brown ran for 82 yards and a touchdown.

"He's our guy," teammate Jason Ferguson said. "Luckily we've got
another guy who can pick it up. That's Ricky. He did a great
job."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134236-Dolphins-Brown-hurts-right-ankle</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134236-Dolphins-Brown-hurts-right-ankle</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:05:13 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Smiley, Fasano inactive for Dolphins]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[MIAMI(AP) -- Guard Justin Smiley and tight end Anthony Fasano were
inactive Sunday for the Miami Dolphins' game against Tampa Bay.

Smiley missed practice this week with a shoulder injury. Fasano
has been bothered by a sore hip.

Reserve defensive linemen Paul Soliai (ankle) and linebacker
Joey Porter (coach's decision) were also inactive.

Nate Garner started for Smiley, Kory Sperry started for Fasano,
and Charlie Anderson started for Porter.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134200-Smiley-Fasano-inactive-for-Dolphins</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/134200-Smiley-Fasano-inactive-for-Dolphins</guid>
				<pubDate>Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:31:38 GMT</pubDate>
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				<title><![CDATA[Porter out Sunday _ coach's decision]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI(AP) -- Joey Porter won't be making any tackles this week,
either.

Less than 24 hours before kickoff, the Miami Dolphins' outspoken
linebacker was ruled out of Sunday's game against Tampa Bay
because of a coach's decision. The Dolphins didn't give any
information about the reason for the move Saturday by coach Tony
Sparano.

Porter made no tackles in last week's loss to the Patriots after
calling them cheaters and saying he hated them. New England
quarterback Tom Brady said his team was inspired by Porter's
comments.

Porter has been slowed most of the season by a sore right
hamstring. The four-time Pro Bowl player sat out practice
Wednesday and Thursday but participated in full drills Friday.

Porter has only 2 1/2 sacks this season, compared with an
AFC-high 17 1/2 last year. The usually talkative linebacker
declined to talk to local reporters this week, but following
Friday's practice, Sparano praised Porter's attitude.

"I see no frustration," Sparano said. "What I do see is a guy
that's played in enough football games to know, 'There are some
things I need to do better out there.' There are a lot of things
that people say about Joey that are not always favorable, but
one of the good things about Joey is the guy's a pretty good
pro. He takes it personally. The guy cares."

Porter missed a game Oct. 4 against Buffalo because of his
injury. The Dolphins will likely start Charlie Anderson or Matt
Roth in his place against the Buccaneers.

In an unrelated move, the Dolphins signed tight end Kory Sperry
from the practice squad.]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133902-Porter-out-Sunday-_-coachs-decision</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133902-Porter-out-Sunday-_-coachs-decision</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:32:23 GMT</pubDate>
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			<item>
				<title><![CDATA[Miami finally a favorite against Bucs]]></title>
				<description><![CDATA[By STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer

MIAMI(AP) -- By going 3-5 the first half of the season, reigning
AFC East champion Miami actually beat the odds.

At least one bookmaker listed the Dolphins as underdogs in each
of their first eight games, which would suggest they've
overachieved.

The Dolphins don't feel that way, though. They're tied with
Buffalo for last in the division and might need a sweep of their
final eight games to make the playoffs.

The good news: The schedule eases beginning Sunday, when the
Dolphins will take the field as favorites against Tampa Bay
(1-7).

Miami's first eight opponents are a combined 39-17, which is why
the Dolphins have repeatedly been underdogs. Their remaining
eight opponents are 30-35, and the next three have losing
records.

"It's a stretch of games where we should come out on top,"
safety Yeremiah Bell said. "But if we don't take care of
business, we could be on the losing end."

The Buccaneers don't look like quite as much of a pushover as a
week ago. They're coming off their first win, a 38-28 victory
over Green Bay, which made 21-year-old Josh Freeman the
second-youngest quarterback to win his first NFL start since
1970.

"It was a blast," Freeman said. "It's always a great time when
you come away with a win."

The third quarterback selected in this year's draft, Freeman
threw three touchdown passes and rallied the Bucs from a 28-17
deficit in the fourth quarter.

First-year coach Raheem Morris defended his decision to wait
until Tampa Bay was 0-7 before giving Freeman a start, saying he
doesn't want to rush the youngster's development. Still, the
Bucs hope for speedy progress.

"Now Josh Freeman's in our offense, so hopefully you can see
steady improvement in our offense every game," Morris said. "I
don't know if he's going to go out and throw three touchdowns
again, but you just want to see steady improvement.

Despite the win, the young Bucs still rank 28th in offense and
29th in defense. But the switch at quarterback has rejuvenated
them, and Morris is pleased with the positive mood at the team
complex.

"We all know where we're going," Morris said. "We all can see
glimpses of it. And the closer you get to the building, the more
light that comes from it."

Meanwhile, the Dolphins are annoyed to find themselves three
games behind New England in the AFC East race.

"We all feel we're much better than our record," receiver Davone
Bess said.

Miami's losses have all been to playoff contenders. Especially
galling were defeats against Indianapolis and New Orleans, the
NFL's only unbeaten teams. The Dolphins held fourth-quarter
leads in both games.

"We've played some good teams," safety Gibril Wilson said. "But
we're a good team."

Bearing the brunt of the blame for Miami's cellar-dwelling
status have been the wideouts. They have totaled two touchdowns,
and the Dolphins' average of 9.8 yards per completion ranks
second worst in the league.

"Any time you're in the bottom tier in the NFL, you take it to
heart and want to fix it," Bess said.

The Dolphins have dropped to 29th in the league in yards passing
after ranking 10th last year. The biggest change from 2008 has
been at quarterback, where Chad Pennington was sidelined in
September by a season-ending shoulder injury.

Second-year pro Chad Henne is 3-2 as a starter, but ranks 41st
in league passer ratings. He has thrown just four touchdown
passes, and only one covering more than 5 yards.

Is chemistry between the receivers and the new QB a problem?

"We're getting to the point where that's not really an excuse,"
wideout Brian Hartline said. "We've got to start producing some
yards."

Given the underwhelming air attack, count on the Buccaneers to
stack eight defenders close to the line. That's what Miami's
recent opponents have done, sometimes blitzing even their
cornerbacks.

As a result, Ronnie Brown has been held under 50 yards rushing
in each of the past three games.

"Everyone is trying to put eight guys in the box to stop the
running game and making me throw the ball," Henne said. "They
think they can beat us if they stop the run and make us throw
the ball and make our wide receivers make plays."]]></description>
				<category><![CDATA[nfl]]></category>
				<link>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133706-Miami-finally-a-favorite-against-Bucs</link>
				<guid>http://areyouwatchingthis.com/nfl/news/133706-Miami-finally-a-favorite-against-Bucs</guid>
				<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 05:01:33 GMT</pubDate>
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