Defensive end Philip Merling said he has knocked down the dreaded Rookie Wall after he kept `pushing.'
A year ago, most Dolfans presumably had never heard of Davone Bess, Dan Carpenter, Lousaka Polite and Brandon London. And yet here were these undrafted first-year Dolphins making big plays Sunday, while undrafted Ikechuku Ndukwe continued to start at guard. No team has done better this season identifying and developing undrafted players.
When the Dolphins stepped off their plane Sunday night, when their cellphones again were within range after a return flight from St. Louis, the news began to quickly spread to each of them:
Last season, the pitiful 1-15 Miami Dolphins could not buy luck with a blank check. Today, at 7-5, the Dolphins are living that Irish blessing. The road rises to meet them, the wind blows always at their backs, the sun shines warm upon their faces and their lottery numbers win the jackpot.
It wasn't bold or impressive. It wasn't really all that entertaining, either. But as the Dolphins continue their quest to remain alive in the AFC wild card hunt, only one quality of Sunday's lackluster game against the Rams really mattered.
The loss of guard Justin Smiley hurts Miami's line and also removes an important mentor to top draft pick Jake Long.
Despite getting Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson and Orlando Pace back from injuries, the Rams again failed to score a TD.
ST. LOUIS -- The truth about today's Miami Dolphins is they have come light years from that forgettable bunch of a season ago that now haunt only in our nightmares like a black and white NFL Films screening.
When Dolphins wide receiver Greg Camarillo sustained a season-ending knee injury last week against the Patriots, it left an opening for one of three other receivers to slide into a prime position as a starter aside Ted Ginn Jr.
Dolphins wide receiver Ernest Wilford has been activated for Sunday's game against the Rams, only the fourth time this season.
Although none of the Dolphins rolled up the gaudy individual rushing statistics they would have liked -- and to which they seemed well on their way after the first half -- the running game powered Miami's touchdown drive in the second quarter and set up some of its later downfield success.
Chad Pennington wasn't exactly off target, but any day Ronnie Brown has a better rating and completion percentage is not a great day for the regular quarterback.
Ronnie Brown has rushed for less than 60 yards in eight of 11 games. The Rams' run defense could be the best medicine.
The No. 1 draft pick rarely goes head to head against the No. 2 draft pick in their rookie season. But that matchup looms Sunday when Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long takes on Rams defensive end Chris Long.
The NFL apparently isn't only interested in curbing overly aggressive behavior -- it is also interesting in getting rid of overly aggressive trash talk.
Chad Pennington proved last week he could account for a lot of passing yards when the Dolphins need it. But the Dolphins hope they don't need it because it really isn't their strength.
With No. 1 pick Jake Long and second pick Chris Long meeting Sunday -- contingent on Jake Long's ankle -- here's a quick progress report on Miami's draft class:
Ernest Wilford had high hopes coming to Miami, but has spent most of his time on the sideline. That finally will change Sunday.
Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was fined $7,500 for unsportsmanlike conduct during the fourth quarter of Sunday's loss to the Patriots.
cap A few tough decisions await the NFL and NBC in the next month as they consider flexible-schedule options.
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