My Miami Dolphins

If Tomlin was trying to speed the Steelers’ escape from Miami, he couldn’t be blamed. He probably did not want to give officials any more time to reconsider a replay decision that was so baffling that even the Steelers’ chairman, Dan Rooney, said he had never seen anything like it in all his years in football. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger fumbled just before he crossed the goal line, officials ruled, but they could not clearly determine who recovered, even though it looked very much as if the Dolphins had.

“We’ll take it and exit stage left,” Tomlin said.

Good thinking. The victory makes the Steelers 5-1 and starts their three-game road trip with a critical A.F.C. victory.

Even after holding the Dolphins to two field goals after two early turnovers, the Steelers were one very weird replay from a loss. They were trailing, 22-20, with less than three minutes to play when Roethlisberger, on third-and-goal from the 2-yard line, lined up in the shotgun and kept the ball on a designed run.

He dived for the goal line with the ball in his right hand. The Dolphins’ Chris Clemons dived at Roethlisberger, grazing his elbow and setting the ball loose inches from the goal line. A scrum developed in the end zone, with Roethlisberger, Clemons and a host of others grasping for the ball.

That was where the trouble began.

Officials had already signaled a touchdown. Roethlisberger said later that he had control of the ball under the pile until a member of the officiating crew patted him on the back and told him it was a touchdown. That, Roethlisberger said, is when he let go.

In the meantime, the Dolphins claimed they had recovered. Coach Tony Sparano requested a replay. And although at least one angle showed that Roethlisberger clearly did not have control when he crossed the goal line, the official Gene Steratore said it was not clear that the defense had possession of the ball before the scrum developed, a critical part of the ruling.

“In order to overturn this and give another team the football, I have to have clear video evidence of the team recovering the fumble,” Steratore said, according to a pool report. “We did have a fumble, but we did not have video evidence and a confirmation on who recovered the football. But we could not award the defense in this situation the football because we don’t have video evidence of the defense recovering the ball.”

And why wasn’t it clear?

“It is a pile of bodies in there and you don’t have a clear recovery,” Steratore said.

Tomlin said: “I don’t know what the definition of a scrum is. But I’ll take it.”

The end result: Jeff Reed kicked an 18-yard field goal to give Pittsburgh the lead. Then the defense, which had kept the Steelers alive with the two early holds, took over.

The Dolphins, who had passed their way into the game by keeping extra players in to protect Chad Henne from the Steelers’ blitzes, could not get a first down, and the game was over.

The loss dropped the Dolphins to 3-3, with all of their losses coming at home, where the early-season heat usually favors them.

“I’m not going to get into what I think,” Sparano said. “What I think is that at the end of the day ... I mean, it was a big play in the game, but it shouldn’t have come down to that.”

That is little comfort for the Dolphins, who 10 years ago were called out of the locker room in Foxborough, Mass., as they were celebrating winning the A.F.C. East, after officials overturned a blown call on a fumble at the end of the game and put a few seconds back on the clock. Thirty-five minutes later, play resumed for one play, with some people on the sidelines in bathrobes to see Miami complete the victory. No wonder Tomlin was in such a rush.

Roethlisberger is undefeated in two games since returning from his four-game suspension, this time completing 19 of 27 passes for 302 yards and 2 touchdowns. That included one 43-yard completion to Hines Ward on third-and-16 after Roethlisberger was flushed out of the pocket and threw a perfect touch pass while falling backward.

Still, the Steelers, who face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, gave up a season high in points, and their defense had a significant loss when end Aaron Smith tore a triceps muscle, ending his season.

But at least the Steelers do not have to worry about the mind-set of linebacker James Harrison, who was at the center of last week’s debate over hits to the head; he was fined $75,000 for a hit and briefly contemplated retirement. Harrison said that he had thought about the controversy during the week but that he was not trying to prove a point with his play.

Harrison did say, however, that he held up on one play when Ronnie Brown was coming across the middle. Harrison said he pulled up because he saw Brown go into a slide. Harrison said if he had gone after Brown as he normally would have, he probably would have hit him high. Instead, Larry Foote made the tackle.

“I didn’t want to jump in there on that play because next time they’ll probably suspend me,” Harrison said. “Other than that, it didn’t change much. I really didn’t have to change too much.”

Nor, it seems, will the Steelers.

View the original article here

by Matty I on Oct 23, 2010 5:00 AM EDT in Miami Dolphins News

On Sunday the Dolphins will host one of the two or three best teams in the league when the Steelers march into Sun Life Stadium. Though I have a feeling there won't be many picking the Dolphins, let's see who the media is picking:

This is about what I expected. And it's fair, I suppose. The Dolphins are 0-2 at home against very good teams. The Steelers are another very good team. Many are calling Pittsburgh Super Bowl contenders - and for good reason.

That's why the Dolphins have a chance to really make a statement. But if they come up short, we're all going to be wondering if this is just what the 2010 version of the dolphins are - an above average team that hasn't beaten the league's best teams.

With that said, I'm expecting a strong showing this week. I believe the Dolphins will go toe to toe with the big bad Steelers. But will they do enough to win this slugfest?

You tell me...

Poll Read More: Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins, Oct 24, 2010 1:00 PM EDT

View the original article here

by Matty I on Oct 18, 2010 5:00 AM EDT in Miami Dolphins News

If there's one thing we've come to expect as Dolphin fans, it's to understand that nothing ever comes easy in this league for this team. There have been times over the past two and a half years that the Dolphins have had opportunities to really take control of football games early on - but have failed to capitalize.

Yesterday was no different. With a 7-3 lead and on the cusp of another scoring drive, Chad Henne threw an interception that likely led to one thought in the collective minds of Dolphin fans - here we go again. To the Dolphins credit, though, the team battled for four quarter and for five extra minutes in overtime. And when all was said and done, the Dolphins found themselves walking out of Lambeau Field with a 23-20 overtime win over the Packers - the team's first overtime win since the infamous Greg Camarillo game-winner back in 2007.

Let's discuss some of the story lines from Sunday's win:

Pass rush comes up big time and time again

The Packers may be banged up. I won't dispute how bad they've been bitten by the injury bug. But with Aaron Rodgers and those talented receivers all healthy, this Green Bay offense - and their passing attack in particular - is very dangerous. The easiest way to contain an explosive passing attack? By disrupting the quarterback with pressure, of course.

That's exactly what the Dolphins were able to do on Sunday - and is a big reason why Rodgers only completed 55% of his pass attempts. Taking the stat a little further, Rodgers only completed 18 passes on 41 drop-backs - after factoring in three scrambles and five sacks.

The Dolphins were constantly pressuring Aaron Rodgers on Sunday. The team tallied five sacks and ten quarterback hits. Rookie Koa Misi picked p his third sack of the season, adding a QB it as well. Randy Starks picked up his second sack of 2010 while adding two quarterback hits.

But it was Cameron Wake, of course, who was the defensive star of the game for the Dolphins. Wake terrorized Aaron Rodgers all game long, abusing rookie Bryan Bulaga - Green Bay's 2010 first round pick - the entire day. Wake ended the game with three sacks, giving him six on the season (4th most in the league), to go with six quarterback hits.

The timing of Wake's sacks couldn't have been any better, either. The first sack knocked the Packers out of field goal range in the second quarter. His second came on a key third down in the fourth quarter of a tie game. Wake's final sack of the afternoon came on a third down in overtime to end Green Bay's only OT possession.

Cameron has quickly become the star we all thought he would be when we saw him flash in a number of game last year. On Sunday, Wake was unquestionably the player of the game for the Dolphins. I'm 100% sure of this comment: the Dolphins do not win this football without Wake. Period.

Offensive balance and efficiency

Outside of one poor throw by Chad Henne - and I'll touch on this more in a bit - the Dolphins were efficient on offense. We all knew that the Dolphins would look to run the football more and they did just that. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combined for 137 yards rushing on 32 carries (4.28 ypc) and helped keep the Dolphins balanced on offense.

The Dolphins ran 78 offensive plays and had a near even 50/50 split - 41 pass plays and 37 run plays. That kind of balance resulted in 381 yards of total offense. Yes, the Dolphins again failed to score more than two touchdowns for the fifth time in five games. But this was the best all-around offensive effort of the season.

You also have to give credit to offensive coordinator Dan Henning for this kind of offensive balance. Did he make some dumb decisions? A few. I especially did not like how the Dolphins decided to run three pass plays to open overtime, resulting in a three and out. How do you not let Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams take a handoff on that opening possession of OT?

Still, head coach Tony Sparano had positive thoughts to share about Henning, saying after the game, "I thought Dan really did a good job this entire day. There were some situations where he needed to be a little bit more unconventional, and he did that, that throw to Fasano being one of those situations."

That "unconventional" play Sparano is referring to is a perfect example of why it's hard to criticize play-calling often. We're talking about the well designed and executed play in the fourth quarter when Chad Henne rolled right and then threw back to the left, connecting with Anthony Fasano - who used a great Jake Long block to help find the endzone and give the Dolphins a fourth quarter lead. The timing of the call was absolutely perfect, coming against a Green Bay blitz and leaving few defenders for Fasano to dodge en route to pay dirt.

We sit here today and praise the call because it worked. But what if it didn't? We all know fans would be killing Henning if that play fails. But I guess that's just the nature of the business.

Looking at the game as a whole, though, you have to admit Henning had a strong day - effectively mixing runs with passes en route to a 380 yard, 23 point effort in a hostile environment.

Special teams units bounce back

When Brandon Fields had his first punt of the afternoon tipped, Dolphin fans everywhere were probably expecting more of the same out of Miami's special teams units. But Darren Rizzi's units bounced back and put together a very good day - highlighted, of course, by Dan Carpenter's field goals of 53, 41, and 43 yards (including the game winner in overtime).

Carpenter wasn't the only bright spot of special teams. Rookie Nolan Carroll had his best day as the team's return man, averaging 26 yards per kickoff return - including returns of 36 and 37 yards. He's now locked into that return job and should only get better as he gains experience. On the flip side, coverage on kickoffs was much improved as well, holding GB to under 20 yards per kickoff return. What do those numbers mean in terms of field position? On kickoffs alone, the Dolphins average starting field position was the 31 yard line while Green Bay's was the 24 yard line.

QUICK HITS

More quick thoughts on Sunday's win:

Chad Henne had a decent day. Did he miss on some passes? Yes. But he also made some excellent throws. He admitted after the game that the interception was on a pass that he needed to throw more to the outside. I also thought he was late in getting the ball out - perhaps a problem with anticipating throws. Even still, I saw more positives than negatives out of Henne this week.Brandon Marshall. Enough said.What a job done by Miami's offensive line in protecting Chad Henne. Henne was only hit a handful of times and was given all day to throw on a number of occasions. That was simply A+ pass protection.Yes, that was one of the worst spots ever on that 4th & 1 run by Ronnie Brown. I really have to question what Ed Hochuli was looking at when he reviewed the spot. But the refs redeemed themselves when they called (correctly, I might add) the huge penalty on GB for lining up over the long snapper. If that penalty isn't called, I'm not sure how this game unfolds.Regardless of if there should have been safety help, Vontae Davis bit badly on that double move by Greg Jennings that resulted in an 80+ yard touchdown. He also got victimized on GB's game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter on that fourth down completion to Jennings. Big deal? Not really. Vontae's still getting better and better. The amazing thing here is how surprised we all were that he gave up those two big completions. That says a lot about how far he's come since last year.Dolphins on third down: 6/14 (42%). Packers on third and fourth down: 5/15 (33%).I 100% disagree with Sparano's decision not to try a bomb into the endzone to close out the fourth quarter. Pass protection was dominant all day long so that's a non-issue. Why not try one long heave? You never know - Marshall could make the catch. The Dolphins could draw a flag. There's no reason not to make the attempt. Bad decision there.
I realized today how much this defense missed Channing Crowder. He wasn't all over the field by any means. But he has an obvious role with this team as a solid run defender and vocal leader. As the number one ILB, Crowder is a disappointment. As a compliment to Karlos Dansby, he's just what this defense needs.Speaking of Dansby, he gave us all a scare in overtime when he left with a knee injury. But he's going to be just fine. Multiple reports said that Dansby was riding the bike on the sideline while the Dolphins were putting together their game-winning drive in OT and was seen walking without a limp in the locker room. Big sigh of relief right there.

The Dolphins sit at 3-2 now but remain in third place in the AFC East - perhaps the league's best division. Still lots of football to come, though, and a big game with the Steelers looms next weekend. This team is proving to be very resilient. But are they ready to take that next step?

Read More: Karlos Dansby (LB - MIA), Greg Jennings (WR - GBP), Aaron Rodgers (QB - GBP), Ronnie Brown (RB - MIA), Ricky Williams (RB - MIA), Randy Starks (NT - MIA), Greg Camarillo (WR - MIN), Anthony Fasano (TE - MIA), Brandon Fields (P - MIA), Jake Long (OT - MIA), Dan Carpenter (K - MIA), Chad Henne (QB - MIA), Cameron Wake (LB - MIA), Vontae Davis (CB - MIA), Bryan Bulaga (OT - GBP), Nolan Carroll (CB - MIA), Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers, Oct 17, 2010 1:00 PM EDT

View the original article here

The home of the Miami Dolphins has a new name — Sun Life Stadium — in time for the Super Bowl.
Skip to next paragraph Paul Jasienski/Associated PressThe building is the same, but its names have gone from Joe Robbie Stadium to Sun Life Stadium.
Recent developments on the 2010 N.F.L. Playoffs with background, analysis, timelines and earlier events from NYTimes.com and Google.
That gives it as many names as Elizabeth Taylor has had husbands: seven.
When the stadium opened in 1987, it was named Joe Robbie Stadium, after the Dolphins’ owner at the time. It became Pro Player Park, then shifted ever so slightly to Pro Player Stadium. That name stuck to the building even after it was rendered meaningless for several years by the sports apparel company’s liquidation.
In 2005, it was renamed Dolphins Stadium, which shrank a smidgen to Dolphin Stadium from 2006 until last May, when it turned into Land Shark Stadium. Two weeks ago, it reverted to Dolphin Stadium.
Will Sun Life, a financial services company, finally bring nomenclatural stability to the stadium?
“We sure hope it does,” said Mike Dee, the Dolphins’ chief executive. “We wanted a name that we felt fit our brand and a company that represented what we believed in. We love what Sun Life stands for — and its name.”
A name that evokes sunlight in South Florida, or to be precise, Miami Gardens, is a plus.
But Sun Life has guaranteed only five years (with options for five more), a short period for a naming-rights deal, at an average annual net fee of $4 million, according to a person briefed on the deal but not authorized to discuss it publicly. The company will also make a yearly contribution to the Dolphins’ foundation.
Sun Life’s goal is to raise national awareness of its name through its commitment to the Miami market as the Dolphins’ official insurance and wealth-management partner. The stadium is far from Sun Life’s United States headquarters in Wellesley, Mass.
Sun Life is following the lead of another Massachusetts company, Staples, which went far afield to be the first and only name on Staples Center in Los Angeles.
“We were looking for something we could own,” said Priscilla Brown, the senior vice president for Sun Life’s United States marketing. “We didn’t want to be an also-ran on a scoreboard with other sponsors.”
Finding a company to pay for naming rights — Land Shark paid nothing — is the latest deal by the Dolphins’ new owner, Stephen M. Ross. He has brought in as investors big names like Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Fergie, and Venus and Serena Williams.
More Articles in Sports » A version of this article appeared in print on January 20, 2010, on page B12 of the New York edition.
View the original article here

by Brandon on Oct 17, 2010 11:25 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

The complete inactives report for both the Green Bay Packers and Dolphins from NFL.com. 

The only name I was looking specifically for was QB Aaron Rodgers, who is active and starting. No setback for WR Donald Driver either. The rest are no surprises, but it's still hard to look at the list with so many high priced and talented players on it (LB Brandon Chillar, TE Jermichael Finley, LB Clay Matthews, DE Mike Neal, DE Ryan Pickett, and RT Mark Tauscher).

Finley and Matthews are irreplaceable, but rookie TE Andrew Quarless and rookie LB Frank Zombo will try their best. Unfortunately LB Brady Poppinga is the starter according to the Journal-Sentinel, and will probably play more while providing zero pass rush. Starting rookie DE C.J. Wilson in the absence of Neal and Pickett is a downgrade. 

I'm not as familiar with the Dolphins roster, but they're without 1st round pick DE Jared Odrick and they had been counting on him coming into this season.

Read More: Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers, Oct 17, 2010 12:00 PM CDT

View the original article here

by Brandon on Oct 16, 2010 11:24 PM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

The injury report for Green Bay Packers is so bad, there's no way to sugar coat it. There were two surgeries this week alone. The first one probably ended TE Jermichael Finley's season. And another one that did end LB Nick Barnett's season.

The biggest loss is LB Clay Matthews. He's listed as doubtful, but he hasn't practiced all week and the Packers don't push hamstring injuries. It's not a season ending injury, but there doesn't appear to be any timetable for his return. The good news is that LB Frank Zombo, who was hurt during the Redskins game too, has practiced all week and at least offers more potential then LB Brady Poppinga.

The lone bright spot was QB Aaron Rodgers. He was a full participant in practice on Friday, and he wouldn't have been out there if he hadn't been cleared after his concussion. He's still listed as probable, but while probable is technically a 75% chance to play, players listed as probable rarely miss games.

WR Donald Driver was hurt in practice on Thursday, and sat out on Friday. He too is listed as probable, but I've got no idea if he'll play since this is such a recent injury. 

LB Brandon Chillar was expected back this week, and even practiced on Wednesday, but obviously had a setback and is out. Despite the loss of Barnett and Chillar, LB A.J. Hawk and LB Desmond Bishop have been playing well in their absence and this hasn't been a problem.

RT Bryan Bulaga will have his second career start (first home start) in place of RT Mark Tauscher. Bulaga's probably playing better anyway.

With both DE Ryan Pickett and DE Mike Neal likely out, rookie DE C.J. Wilson is expected to start on the left side. I wouldn't expect anything more from DE Jarius Wynn, but this could be a big problem. If the Dolphins can run to the strong side, they might find some running lanes as Wilson and Poppinga aren't great at getting off blocks. Zombo might play outside too, and he's better at fighting off blockers. 

One last bit of silver lining: CB Sam Shields appears to be healthy after suffering a calf injury a couple weeks ago. I'm not his biggest fan, but it does mean fewer appearances for CB Jarrett Bush.

Read More: Nick Barnett (LB - GBP), Jarrett Bush (CB - GBP), Donald Driver (WR - GBP), A.J. Hawk (LB - GBP), Ryan Pickett (DE - GBP), Brady Poppinga (LB - GBP), Aaron Rodgers (QB - GBP), Mark Tauscher (OT - GBP), Brandon Chillar (LB - GBP), Desmond Bishop (LB - GBP), Jermichael Finley (TE - GBP), Clay Matthews (LB - GBP), Frank Zombo (LB - GBP), Bryan Bulaga (OT - GBP), Mike Neal (DE - GBP), C.J. Wilson (DE - GBP), Sam Shields (CB - GBP), Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers, Oct 17, 2010 12:00 PM CDT

View the original article here

Occasionally, he flunks a test.

Henne’s many fans include the former Dolphins coaches Don Shula and Jimmy Johnson, who say the franchise finally has a keeper at quarterback. But there are detractors, too, especially in the wake of an erratic prime-time showing last Monday.

Henne matched a career high with three interceptions, all ugly and one returned for a touchdown in a 41-14 loss to the New England Patriots. He finished the game on the bench, but he will be back behind the center when the Dolphins play next Sunday at Green Bay. They have a bye this weekend.

“He’s a guy who bounces back with a pretty good intensity,” Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano said. “He doesn’t really get rattled a whole lot.”

Henne, a third-year player considered by many to be a work in progress, said he was capable of leading the Dolphins to the playoffs.

“Definitely,” he said. “There’s no question I see myself each and every day getting better at things that I wasn’t so good at last year.”

In 17 career starts, Henne has thrown 17 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions while leading the Dolphins to a 9-8 record. They are 2-2 this season, with consecutive home losses in division games after winning their first two games on the road.

A rugged part of the schedule awaits, with the next six opponents a combined 16-8, and the stretch could be especially telling for Henne.

He may be no Dan Marino, but boosters still think Henne can be the Dolphins’ best quarterback since Marino. Among his supporters is Sparano, who looked beyond the three interceptions against New England.

“I see progress in a lot of areas,” Sparano said. “Where you’re behind like we were behind and you have to throw it as much as we had to throw it, to make the decisions that he made at times and to throw some of the balls that he threw I thought was really impressive.”

Interceptions aside — and that is a huge aside — Henne went 29 for 36 for 302 yards. He has surpassed 300 yards five times, which is already more than any passer in the Dolphins’ 45-year history except Marino. Those performances all came in Henne’s past nine games, including a career-best 363-yard effort in a loss to the Jets two weeks ago.

The Dolphins have netted 836 yards the past two weeks, their highest total in back-to-back games since early in the 2008 season.

“There are some really positive things to build on,” said Chad Pennington, the Dolphins’ backup quarterback and Henne’s mentor. “Chad has made some really good progress in his consistency with his reads, and aside from Monday, his consistency in taking care of the ball.”

The off-season addition of Brandon Marshall gave Henne a Pro Bowl target, and they have connected 27 times for 340 yards. But the tandem has produced only one score, and Henne has misfired trying to hit Marshall 18 times, which ties for the third-highest incompletion total for any receiver in the N.F.L.

The twosome has engaged in more than one heated conversation on the sideline, with Marshall doing much of the talking, raising suspicions about curdled chemistry. Marshall wore out his welcome with the Denver Broncos, but he and Henne said their relationship was fine.

“When he goes off in his rampages, just let him be,” Henne said. “That’s the way he plays the game, and you just let him be himself, and he’ll come back to you and make some great plays.”

Marshall said he complained too much about not getting the ball enough.

“Receivers think they know it all,” Marshall said. “There was one play where I came to the sideline and I went to Pennington and I said, ‘Man: I’ve got one-on-one with a linebacker. Wouldn’t you guys come to me first?’ He looks at me and said, ‘Yeah, absolutely. I would definitely come to you if you’re one-on-one with a linebacker.’

“Then he says, ‘Were you open?’ and I said, ‘No.’ ”

Marshall laughed and said Henne knew better than to take him too seriously.

“It’s one of those things where wide receivers always think they’re open, so don’t mind me,” Marshall said. “Nine times out of 10, I probably wasn’t, and he did exactly what he was supposed to do.”

It is that 10th time that gets Henne in trouble. He sometimes forces throws against soft defenses, and that was the case against the Patriots, who often dropped seven or eight players into coverage.

“The next thing to fall into place for Chad is continually being patient,” Pennington said. “The Patriots’ philosophy was to see if this young quarterback can be patient. It was a good learning experience for him.”

Henne has two weeks to absorb the latest lesson in his public N.F.L. education.

View the original article here

 
This summer Ashton traveled to New York City to be photographed for Maxim in the 2010 football preview. Her photographs were submitted and chosen by the Maxim creative team to be one of the cheerleader models. Only four teams were given the opportunity to be featured.
The photographer called to let Ashton know that the entire shoot would take place on a trampoline! “How is that going to work?” Ashton commented. She soon found out that photography on a trampoline is very athletic and takes lots of stamina. With the help of a hair and make-up crew and several industrial fans to keep the perspiration at a minimum, Ashton flew through the air and posed with poms and a cheerleader megaphone for the sexy spread.
You can see the action in the September issue of Maxim or online at maxim.com.
View the original article here

Not long ago, Jacobs was angry at seemingly everyone for his reduced role at running back, as the backup to Ahmad Bradshaw. But now there is a kinder, gentler Jacobs. Although it may seem counterintuitive, his new outlook has helped to revive his identity as a punishing back.

“I feel more accepting of my role,” Jacobs said. “Now I tell them every week, ‘Let me know when you’re ready for me, and I’ll do my job.’ I’m here when they’re ready.”

In the past two weeks, Jacobs has run more like the back who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2007 and 2008, even though his carries have been limited.

“I think what he’s doing, he’s being a little bit more trusting of his reads and of his decisions,” Kevin Gilbride, the offensive coordinator, said. “And when he does that and he turns himself into a north-south with the correct read, he’s a special guy.”

Jacobs leaned on his family, speaking frequently with his aunt, Dianne Cheavious, whom he lived with as a child. She told him to remain faithful and be patient.

“I told him that everything happens for a reason,” Cheavious said in a telephone interview. “You don’t question every decision. It’s a business, and you’re only as good as your last game.”

Now Jacobs sounds different. He seems at ease. He looks happy.

“I don’t mind watching Ahmad run and try 4 yards out of something that was supposed to be nothing,” Jacobs said. “I can’t do that. He’s so pinballish in there where he can make something out of nothing. And I like watching him do that. When I get my opportunities to get in there and run over somebody and get some yards, that’s just what I do.”

If Bradshaw is a pinball, Jacobs is a bowling ball. But Coach Tom Coughlin chastised Jacobs for not running that way, saying he was trying to run with too much finesse for a 6-foot-4, 264-pound back.

After tossing his helmet into the stands during a loss in Indianapolis, Jacobs said that he was not happy being used merely as the pile-driving rusher and that he wanted to showcase his playmaking ability. He said that he would be willing to maintain his punishing style but that it would be unfulfilling.

Jacobs said Thursday that he realized that serving as the counterbalance to the shifty Bradshaw was his best means for success — and playing time. At least publicly, he has seemed to embrace it.

Before the Giants defeated the Bears on Oct. 3, Jacobs stood at the center of a pregame huddle and delivered an impassioned speech to his teammates, only days after he had complained about his role.

In the fourth quarter, Jacobs fumbled, and Coughlin had stern words for him. But Coughlin showed confidence in Jacobs by calling his number at the Bears’ 2 on the next possession, allowing him to score. Jacobs finished with 62 yards on six carries.

Last Sunday, Jacobs had another solid performance. He rushed for 41 yards on 10 carries, running with authority and punching in a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter of the Giants’ win over the Texans.

About 15 members of Jacobs’s family made the trip to Houston, the first time they had been to a game this season. He spent two hours with them Saturday night, then had breakfast with them before the game. Cheavious noticed that Jacobs seemed happier in their conversations. He seemed comfortable again, and he showed it on the field.

“You could just see him relaxing,” Cheavious said. “He was back to being himself. There’s still a lot of football left for Mr. Jacobs.” REVIS COULD PLAY Coach Rex Ryan said Darrelle Revis would travel with the Jets to Denver on Friday.

“He wants to be with his team whether he can play or not,” Ryan said.

If it were unlikely that Revis would play Sunday, the Jets would have left him home to receive treatment and rest his left hamstring, which has bothered him since Week 2. Ryan said he told his defensive coaches to prepare as if Revis were not playing.

Outside linebacker Calvin Pace, who played his first game of the season against Minnesota last week, will also make the trip, Ryan said. Pace is recovering from a broken foot, which is sore but less so with each day. Pace is more likely to play than Revis, Ryan said. GREG BISHOP

RODGERS EXPECTS TO PLAY Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was cleared by doctors and returned to practice for the Green Bay Packers after sustaining a concussion last Sunday in an overtime loss at Washington. Assuming he does not have a setback in his recovery, he said, he was optimistic he would start Sunday’s game against Miami. (AP)

AVOIDING LOCKER ROOMS Ines Sainz, a reporter for Mexico’s TV Azteca who said the Jets made her feel uncomfortable in their locker room, is returning to work next week and said she suggested to the N.F.L. that she talk to players on the field or on the sideline rather than in locker rooms. (AP)

View the original article here

When the Dolphins announced just before the season that Bill Parcells was ceding full control of the football operations to General Manager Jeff Ireland, it launched speculation about whether Parcells’s peripatetic career would soon take him out of South Florida.

Parcells made his first public remarks since the job change on Thursday during a conference call to mark his inclusion in the Giants’ new Ring of Honor that will be unveiled Sunday night.

His vague comments will do little to convince anyone that he will not soon leave the Dolphins, where he is now a consultant, entirely. And that he won’t be retiring when he does it.

“I am not a sit-around-the-fireplace guy,” Parcells said. “I don’t know. I am not certain about it. We will see what happens when the time comes. I know I want to do something even if it is not day to day or something like that, I know I want to do something. I don’t like sitting around. I like to get up and go do something. We will figure it out when the time comes.”

And with that, a handful of N.F.L. owners probably reached for their checkbooks. Parcells, 69, has resigned and then resurfaced almost as often as Brett Favre, but he has rebuilt teams at every stop either as a coach or in a general manager’s role, starting with the Giants, where he won two Super Bowls.

Later, he took the Patriots to the Super Bowl, took the Jets to the A.F.C. championship game, and made the Cowboys playoff contenders again. Parcells was being wooed by the Falcons’ Arthur Blank when he decided to accept an offer from the former Dolphins owner, H. Wayne Huizenga, to head to Miami instead. The Dolphins won one game in 2007, the season before he started. The following season, they won the A.F.C. East and Parcells, Ireland and Coach Tony Sparano have almost entirely overhauled the roster and expectations in the process.

But since then, Huizenga has sold the team to the real estate developer Stephen Ross and Parcells’s contract, which runs through 2011, reportedly gives him an out whenever he wants it, with full pay on the remaining portion of his four-year, $16 million contract. Ross is close friends with the former Chiefs president, Carl Peterson, and if Parcells leaves, he could be a leading candidate to assume a role with the Dolphins.

MEDIATION OFFER The president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O. is offering to mediate the N.F.L.’s labor negotiations. The league has a problem with that: The head of the N.F.L. Players Association sits on the executive council of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., a labor union federation.

In a letter obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, the president of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., Richard Trumka, said he could sit down with N.F.L. Commissioner Roger Goodell and the players association executive director, DeMaurice Smith, to work on the parameters for a new collective bargaining agreement.

The current agreement expires in March, and Smith contends league owners are preparing to lock out the players before the start of next season.

The sides held their most recent negotiations Tuesday in Washington.

Not surprisingly, the NFL was not receptive to Trumka’s proposal while the union took a different stance.

Trumka’s letter went to NFL owners, mayors of NFL cities and governors of states that have NFL teams.

Two weeks ago, Trumka sent another letter to the 32 team owners, saying a lockout could cost thousands of Americans their jobs and cities more than $140 million in revenue. (AP)

MANNINGHAM TO PLAY Mario Manningham, who sustained a concussion last Sunday, returned to practice Thursday and is expected play against the Chicago Bears.

Manningham was injured late in Sunday’s game against the Titans but did not tell the Giants’ medical staff until that night that he had symptoms. He said Thursday that he passed the ImPACT test, a computerized evaluation of memory, brain processing and visual motor skills.

“Just had a little headache, that’s all it was,” Manningham said. “I’m good. I practiced today. I’m all right. Ready to play Sunday.” MARK VIERA LINEBACKER FINED FOR HIT Packers linebacker Frank Zombo said he was fined $7,500 by the N.F.L. for his hit on Bears quarterback Jay Cutler on Monday night.

Zombo was penalized for roughing the passer after making contact with Cutler’s helmet on the hit in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Bears. The penalty wiped out an interception by linebacker Nick Barnett and helped the Bears drive for a game-tying field goal.

As for the fine, he said, “It’s going to hurt.” He is an undrafted free agent making $320,000 this season. (AP)

View the original article here