Yardbarker: Miami Dolphins

2008 Fantasy Football Projections - Philadelphia Eagles

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:59:51 -0500

Determined to reclaim the starting quarterback position with authority after backup Jeff Garcia led the Philadelphia Eagles to a playoff berth in 2006, Donovan McNabb started the season in solid fashion. The sports hernia injury he suffered that paved the way for Jeff Garcia two years ago was healed and McNabb proved he still had it in him as he played in 14 games – the most since 2004 – and threw for 3,324 yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 61.5 percent of his passes. Unfortunately, the Eagles did not have the playmakers necessary for the rest of the offense to succeed as the team fizzled its way to an 8-8 record. Make sure to read more of what Bruno Boys Fantasy Football staff writer Cory Steger has to say about the Philadelphia Eagles and their fantasy football worthy players heading into the 2008 season by clicking below...

15,000 General Admission Tickets for London NFL Game Sell Out in 30 min.

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:30:11 -0500

The 15,000 tickets made available in the second general admission sale for the NFL's overseas regular-season game on October 26 at Wembley Stadium in London, England sold Friday in 30 minutes. Last month, the first 40,000 tickets for the game between the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints sold out in 90 minutes. "Once again this demonstrates the huge interest in the sport in the UK," said Alistair Kirkwood, managing director of the NFL's UK office. "Fans here are excited to be able to see two teams of this caliber playing in the UK, and with a full Wembley Stadium, we expect the atmosphere to be electric when the Saints and Chargers take the field." The NFL has committed to playing at least one game in the UK for each of the next three seasons, beginning with this year's matchup of teams who have each come within one game of reaching the Super Bowl in the past two seasons. The New York Giants and Miami Dolphins played the NFL's first regular-season game outside North America last year, when a sellout crowd of 81,176 packed Wembley Stadium on Sunday, October 28. The Giants earned a 13-10 win en route to capturing a Super Bowl title.Source: National Football LeagueOTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK FInal AL All-Star Game Voting Update has Tight Races - The Biz of Baseball DC and Virginia Lotteries Team with Nationals For Scratch-It - The Biz of Baseball Aw, Tapioca! Kozy Shack the Official Pudding of the Mets - The Biz of Baseball MLB.com Releases 3-D Enhancements to Gameday - The Biz of Baseball Take in an Orioles Game, Win $50,000 or $100,000 - The Biz of Baseball SEE IT: Red Sox/AAA Ford Fusions to Run Sat. and Sun. at New Hampshire Motor Speedway - The Biz of Baseball Deadline Pushed Back to July 31st for Cubs/Wrigley Field Sale - The Biz of Baseball Dunkin?' Donuts Promo Features Joba Chamberlain and Jonathan Papelbon - The Biz of Baseball Ducks owner Henry Samueli Suspended by NHL - The Biz of Hockey NHL 2K9, First Officially Licensed Game by NHL and NHLPA for Wii, Coming this Fall - The Biz of Hockey Dion Phaneuf Selected for Cover of EA Sports "NHL 09" - The Biz of Hockey NBC Reports 6.8 Million Viewers for Game 6. Up 111% from 2006 - The Biz of Hockey Minnesota Timberwolves Unveil New Updated Logos - The Biz of Basketball Record Sales of Merchandise Set for 2008 NBA FInals - The Biz of Basketball History Made: First D-League Player Drafted by the NBA: Mike Taylor, Idaho Stampede - The Biz of Basketball The 2008 Playoffs: Where the Revival of the NBA's Two Flagship Franchises Happened - The Biz of Basketball Olympic Free Agents? - The Biz of Basketball TNT Lands Full Slate of Sponsors For "Wide Open Coverage" Telecasts - Maury Brown's Biz of Sports Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

Possible Fits for Favre

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:24:11 -0500

Currently, Brett Favre is attempting to get in touch with Green Bay's General Manager, Ted Thompson, to discuss the possibilities of being taken off the retired/reserve list and placed on the Packers active roster. Technically, all that Favre needs to do is send a letter of intent to play with the Packers. From that point, the Packers have 24 hours to trade him, release him, or put him on the active roster. Trading a player like Brett Favre would be hard to do... emotionally and financially, so naturally it might take longer than the alloted 24 hours (maybe that's why Favre hasn't sent in his letter yet. Out of respect for the Packers organization, he doesn't want to be an inconvenience in making them rush to make a decision, b/c a rushed decision wouldn't benefit either party). It's hard to imagine Brett Favre in any jersey other than a Packer jersey... but didn't we think the same thing about Joe Montana when he made the switch from San Francisco to Kansas City? If Green Bay doesn't want Favre to return on their roster, their only options would be to trade or release Favre. Green Bay probably won't release him for a couple reasons. 1) Salary cap ramifications and 2) Allowing Favre to pick whatever team he wants, might land Green Bay in hot water if he landed in Chicago/Minnesota or Detroit, divisional opponents. If the Pack were to trade Favre, they would probably trade him out of the conference to the AFC. Below is a list of all the AFC teams... and where I think Favre might fit in the best. AFC NORTH Baltimore - Makes a lot of sense... If Favre could bring consistency to the Raven offense, we already know that their defense can perform at playoff quality... Baltimore could compete next season w/ Favre. Gunslinging Joe Flacco can take notes from the one of the best 'gunslingers' in the history of the NFL. Favre probably has a little more left in the tank than McNair did when he went to Baltimore a couple seasons ago. 99% fit. Pittsburgh - No. Unless Big Ben gets pummeled and injured... but I don't think Favre should be traded to a team that would only use him as an insurance policy. 5% fit. Cincy - Again, he would only be used as an insurance policy if Carson went down. 5% fit. Cleveland - No. 0% fit. AFC SOUTH Tennessee - Would be interesting... he would be closer to home (TN is a neighboring state to Mississippi). Vince Young kinda scared me w/ his offseason comments about wanting to retire after his rookie season. Favre knows how to perform well with unknown targets (much like McNair could, and VY for that matter). I think Favre made Antonio Freeman a house-hold name in the 90s, even though he isn't particularly a dominating WR. Favre would be an insurance policy, but proximity makes this an interesting fit. 50% fit. Indy - No. 0% fit. Houston - Not really a good fit... although they do run a west coast style offense. Favre would be backup to Schaub in a divison that features the Colts and the Jaguars. 5% fit. Jacksonville - Not a good fit. Garrard is their guy, and they have good QB depth with Cleo Lemon and Todd Bouman. 0%. AFC EAST Miami - Makes above average sense. Who in Hades is going to start in Miami anyway between Chad Henne/John Beck/Josh McCown... I know Bill Parcells got to the playoffs w/ QUINCY CARTER as his QB, but cmon... This QB crop is slim-pickings, and could use a Favre boost for the next year or two. I'd say a 90% fit. I would not doubt the possibility of Miami making a quick turn-around (record wise) from behind 1-15, to being at least 8-8 with the acquisition of Favre, Parcells, and a new philosophy. New England - No. 0% New York (Jets) - It would be interesting to see Brett Favre in the Big Apple... I can imagine Brett Favre actually being able to utilize Leverneus Coles' deep threat abilities a little better than Chad Pennington. But they already have a lot of money tied up to Chad and they are grooming Kellen Clemens (I think). 15% fit. Buffalo - Naw. 0% fit. AFC WEST Oakland - This actually might be a good fit. Al Davis has a love for rookie coaches and veteran QBs. Jamarcus Russell is an impressive prospect, but might not be as seasoned as the most optimistic Black Hole inhabitants are hoping he will be in his first full season as an NFL starter. The Raiders cap situation looks a little ugly, so I don't think they could comfortably accommodate Favre. Favre would be 5 years older than his head coach, Lane Kiffin. The QB depth behind Russell is bleak, consisting of Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo, and Sam Keller (rookie from Nebraska). A Favre acquisition reunites him with newly acquired Raider WR (former Packer WR) Javon Walker... and puts Oakland in the realm of playoff relevance immediately. 45% fit. Denver - Who does Denver have behind Jay Cutler? Patrick Ramsey? I don't think their QB depth is anything to go crazy about, but Cutler is entrenched as the franchise's starting QB. Denver has optimism that Cutler will be much improved this season with the assistance of diabetes treatment. 15% fit. San Diego - No. 0% fit. Kansas City - This would be an interesting destination. Personally, I don't believe Brodie Croyle is the future of Kansas City. I don't think he has the ability to put up big numbers with the current roster. An accelerated-aging Larry Johnson could benefit with an upgrade at the QB position. A Favre acquisition could help increase Larry Johnson's longevity, taking immense amounts of pressure off of him. Teams probably couldn't play 8-in-the-box with Favre at QB. The quality of LJ's carries would increase, meaning that he wouldn't have to carry the ball 400+ times a season. All in all, Kansas City probably won't be competing for a Super Bowl this season, so it's not a totally solid fit. 30% fit.

NFL Insider -- 2008 Team Outlook: Todays Team is : Cleveland Browns

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:21:26 -0500

Over the next several days we will take a look at the outlook of the 32 NFL Teams. They will be informative for both the fan of football and also some have information for you fantasy football buffs too. Give us your feedback by leaving your comments. Thank you and have a great season... 2008 Team Outlook: Cleveland As per Joel Welser, Now that the quarterback situation settled itself out, Derek Anderson looks to build on his 3,787 passing yards and 29 touchdowns of a year ago. The Cleveland Browns will look to the air quite a bit and that will boost Anderson's numbers and make him one of the more attractive fantasy quarterbacks. He is also a little risky due to his high amount of interceptions and the fact that if things get bad, Browns fans will be screaming for Brady Quinn. With Donte' Stallworth joining the team, Anderson will have a whole lot of targets. Braylon Edwards caught 80 passes for 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns and will once again be the big play threat for Cleveland. Joe Jurevicius is getting up there in age, but he is still a smart receiver who will compliment Edwards quite well. Stallworth is joining his fourth team in as many years, but he has been relatively consistent throughout his career. Tight end Kellen Winslow caught a team high 82 passes last year and will be Anderson's favorite check down target. With the addition of Stallworth, the rest of the receivers might see their numbers decrease a little bit. However, Edwards will still make all the big catches and Winslow will get plenty of opportunities. Stallworth will not tally a large number of receptions, but he is a big play receiver. After rushing for over 1,300 yards last year, Jamal Lewis hopes to repeat that performance. Heading into the season last year it looked like Lewis would be the main offensive threat, but then Anderson made the passing attack very effective and Lewis was not needed to do as much. However, Lewis did have four of his five 100 yard games during the last six games of the season and if he can stay healthy and strong for the entire season, Lewis will be a great second back on any fantasy team. The defense is not horrible, but they are not a good fantasy defense. The Browns do not create a lot of turnovers or force a lot of sacks. Only the Bills and the Lions gave up more yards per game than the Browns. The bend but not break defense will work on the field for the most part, but it will not give owners many fantasy points. QB Derek Anderson, CLE (QB - #5) - Stud (low risk) Derek Anderson had a superb year last season. The line gave him plenty of time to throw and he took advantage of an under appreciated group of receivers. To make things even better, he now has Donte' Stallworth joining Braylon Edwards, Kellen Winslow and Joe Jurevicius as his receivers. With that group to throw to and a year getting comfortable with the passing game, Anderson could be in for a huge, huge year. But there is the lingering question that neither Anderson, nor the Browns, can keep such a productive offense clicking consistently. When the weather got cold in December, Anderson started to struggle throwing seven touchdowns and eight interceptions in those five games. He also had three of his five under 200 yard passing games during that span. RB Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB - #20) - Solid/Safe Pick There were questions about how productive an aging Jamal Lewis would be behind a questionable line in Cleveland. But Lewis, and the line, put those concerns to rest last year when he rushed for 1,304 yards and nine touchdowns and added 30 receptions and a couple more trips to the endzone. Those are not bad numbers for a second fantasy running back, but the Browns could look to the air a little more this year than they did last year. Anderson is now a relatively proven quarterback and the team added Donte' Stallworth to an already decent group of receivers. RB Jason Wright, CLE (RB - #73) - Fantasy Handcuff Even if Jamal Lewis were to get hurt, does Jason Wright have the ability to be the team's full-time back? Wright had his best season of his career last year when he rushed for 277 yards on 60 carries and a touchdown. As the Browns figured out last year, he is a decent receiver out of the backfield and caught 24 passes for 233 yards. But even if Wright ended up starting due to an injury to Lewis, the Browns have Jerome Harrison and Lawrence Vickers who would likely help cover the carries. At best, Wright is a handcuff just in case Lewis gets hurt, but that will not even be necessary in most leagues unless there happens to be room on the roster. WR Braylon Edwards, CLE (WR - #3) - Stud (low risk) Whoever said wide receivers have a breakout year during their third season in the league has another example to add to their list. Braylon Edwards nearly doubled his touchdown output from his first two seasons in the league and nearly eclipsed the 1,300 yard receiving plateau. He might not reach the endzone 16 times again, but Edwards has proven to be one of the top five fantasy receivers in the NFL. Any fantasy owner who believes the Browns and quarterback Derek Anderson are in for a big year has to have Edwards high on their list of receivers. But Anderson has yet to prove that he is a consistent signal caller at this level and a bad year for him means an average year for Edwards. WR Joe Jurevicius, CLE (WR - #64) - Bye Week Fill-in Nobody's numbers will take a hit due to the addition of Donte' Stallworth more than Joe Jurevicius'. In most leagues, the 34-year-old Jurevicius was a bye week fill-in at best last season. A year older and a year slower, the Browns are preparing for life without the savvy veteran and so should fantasy owners. Jurevicius has not caught a touchdown pass since September and through most of the rest of the season quarterback Derek Anderson was putting up great numbers. Those passes were mostly going to Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow. There is potential for the occasional big game, but Edwards, Stallworth and Winslow will be Anderson's first, second and third targets. WR Donte' Stallworth, CLE (WR - #54) - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential) After moving around to four different teams in as many years, Cleveland Browns fans hope Donte' Stallworth has finally found a home. The former first round selection is a big play receiver and averages over 15 yards per catch on his career. The same can be expected in Cleveland this year. It will be interesting to see how quarterback Derek Anderson adapts to Stallworth's style of play and if the two can find a connection down the field. Stallworth probably will not be a favorite target in the endzone for Anderson, but he should still get to the promise land a few times due to his big play capabilities. TE Kellen Winslow, CLE (TE - #3) - Solid/Safe Pick Kellen Winslow has stayed healthy for two straight seasons, so we can put that concern to bed. And in those two years he has led the team in receptions, catching 89 passes in 2006 and 82 in 2007. The touchdown numbers are not as great as a fantasy owner would hope from their 6-4 tight end, but he did go up to five touchdown receptions last year after only three the previous season. Quarterback Derek Anderson will certainly look Winslow's way many times, but the addition of Donte' Stallworth to the receiving corps could take away a few catches here and there.

The Thought Alone Is A Debate

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:38:45 -0500

Look at the picture to the right. What is the first thought, the very first thought that comes to your mind? WOW!? Love it? Cringe? What is it? Every picture can evoke an emotional response almost instantly. Perhaps no picture these days can do that more than this one. The thought of Brett Favre playing [...]

A Message for Running Backs: Remember Ricky Williams

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:05:36 -0500

If you look at Ricky Williams' stats this past season, you will look at a player that didn't play a lot. He only played in one game with six attempts for 15 yards. If you don't know anything about football, maybe you are a new fan, you might think, why is this guy getting the time of day? www.rawsportsblog.com

NFL Season Preview: Miami Dolphins

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:55:19 -0500

The team that narrowly missed creating history with the number 16 in one column and zero in the other, the Miami Dolphins, ended the season just one shy of that magic 16, going 1-15. I will now completely preview the Dolphins without mentioning the infamous Dancing With the Stars incident. www.rawsportsblog.com

Fantasy Football Preview: Run Baby Run

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 09:22:31 -0500

If you want to compete in your league, in almost any league type, you have to run baby. That means you need to draft RB's often and early. Once the top backs are gone, your drafting backups. I see more often than not, FF'ers going WR and QB early then struggling later to find a [...]

Even A Little Praise Is Still Praise

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:08:29 -0500

The NFL experts don't give the Miami Dolphins much in the way of praise these days. In fact, over the last several years, basically since many predicted Miami would challenge for the AFC title in Nick Saban's second year, the Dolphins don't get much of anything…prediction wise. So when someone, and I really mean anyone, [...]

Passing Of Bob Ackles Stirs Both Sides Of The Border

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:50:38 -0500

Bob Ackles was only a member of the Miami Dolphins staff a short while. Part of the Jimmy Johnson regime. For the NFL and the CFL, his tenure in sports touched the lives of many. Earlier today it was announced that Ackles had died from a heart attack at the age of 69. From north of [...]

Fantasy Football Preview - Prep work

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:22:36 -0500

The NFL season may still be 2 months away but the fantasy football season has already started. For the die hard fans who can't wait for training camps to shake out, free league sites are already filling up with custom leagues and scoring. Drafts are happening as we speak and already most fantasy football players [...]

2008 Fantasy Football Projections - San Francisco 49ers

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:38:11 -0500

After finishing the 2006 season on a hot streak, many league officials thought that the 2007 version of the San Francisco 49ers could compete for the NFC West title. Unfortunately, this was before offensive coordinator Norv Turner bolted to take the San Diego Chargers head coaching job and the 49ers were stuck with unproven Jim Hostler calling the plays on offense. The offense was supposed to flourish under the breakout season of running back Frank Gore and third year quarterback Alex Smith showed signs of promise towards the end of the '06 campaign. Instantly, the 49ers got off to a hot start, winning their first two games, but after the quick start it all went downhill. The 49ers proceeded to drop eight straight games en route to finishing the season with a 5-11 record and another disappointing season for the once proud franchise.

The Envelope Please…And The Loser Is…

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:49:55 -0500

Well, O.k. maybe loser is a strong word, losers may be more appropriate. Round 1 of the "worst events in Dolphins history" has been completed. Starting Wednesday we will begin round 2. Who wants to wait until Wednesday though to know who lost, who, ahem, won, and what the match-ups will be? I don't, but [...]

Who Is The Best NFL Rivalry?

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:49:55 -0500

It's a fair question. NY vs. Miami? Dallas Vs. Washington? Green Bay and Chicago? The list could go on and on and on. In reality though, it all depends on who you root for. My good friend, Matt Loede, over at NFLGridironGab.com asked that very question. While the results might surprise you in his NFL round table [...]

The Week Ahead

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:49:55 -0500

The start of the Miami Dolphins training camp is a little more than 2 weeks away so until the Phins sign their 3 remaining draft picks, we will venture further into the "worst of" polling and take a unique look at the fantasy football season. This is what you can expect with the week [...]