Dolphins Home Opener Ratings Worst In At Least A Decade

NFL Week 2 Power Rankings: Miami Dolphins Dead Last

Miami's Week 1 loss to the Houston Texans didn't dispel any notion for NFL experts out there that the Dolphins are one of the worst teams in football. In SB Nation's latest power rankings, that's exactly where Miami is ranked -- as football's worst team.

Here's what the experts at SB Nation had to say about the Dolphins, as the No. 32 team in the league.

This'll be a dogfight for the No. 32 spot every week. Miami gutted its way into a 30-10 loss and deserves this honor.

It certainly wasn't pretty on Sunday. Rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill was 20-of-36 passing, for 219 yards -- which isn't too bad. However, the other side of that statline -- no touchdowns and three interceptions -- is a lot worse.

Elsewhere in the AFC East, the New England Patriots are ranked No. 2, the Jets are No. 15 and the Bills are No. 20.

Miami will look to climb out of the gutter in Week 2, when they play host to the Oakland Raiders.

For the latest on the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider.

Miami Dolphins Cut LB Sammy Brown

The Miami Dolphins announced Tuesday that they have cut linebacker Sammy Brown from the active roster, according to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald.

Brown had been waived by the St. Louis Rams and claimed by the Dolphins on Sept. 1, but lasted just 10 days with the Dolphins before being waived again.

Brown, a rookie linebacker out of Houston, did not play for the Dolphins in Miami's 30-10 loss to the Texans.

As a senior linebacker in 2011 for the Houston Cougars, Brown racked up 89 tackles in 13 games, including 28 tackles for loss. Brown also tallied 12.5 sacks in 2011.

Miami also announced that Chris Hogan has been cut from the team's practice squad.

By cutting Brown, the Dolphins now have just 52 players on the 53-man active roster. We'll see if the Dolphins have another move up their sleeve, as they get ready to host the Oakland Raiders in Week 2.

For the latest on all things Miami Dolphins, check out The Phinsider and join the discussion.

NFL Power Rankings Week 2: Miami Dolphins Near Bottom Across Polls

NFL Power rankings were not kind to the Miami Dolphins after their 30-10 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday. The SB Nation Power Rankings have the Dolphins dead last at No. 32:

This'll be a dogfight for the No. 32 spot every week. Miami gutted its way into a 30-10 loss and deserves this honor.

The National Football Post has the Dolphins ranked at No. 31, only slightly above the Cleveland Browns:

Starting Tannehill is the right call in Miami, but don't expect a lot of wins this season for Joe Philbin.

ESPN.com's power rankings had the Dolphins ranked the highest at No. 30, ahead of both the Browns and the Indianapolis Colts. Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com took note of a frustrating statistic:

The Dolphins are in familiar territory: winless after Week 1 for the eighth time in the past 10 years.

Last but not least, the Dolphins are ranked last in the NFL.com's power rankings, receiving eight last place votes.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

NFL Injury Report: Concussion Could Sideline Dolphins RB Daniel Thomas

Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas suffered a concussion in the second quarter of his team's game against Houston on Sunday and may not be available in Week 2. Thomas was injured on a hit by Texans safety Glover Quin; the hit caused a fumble, which the Texans recovered and quickly converted into points.

Related: NFL Rookie Quarterback Comparison

Miami head coach Joe Philbin spoke about Thomas on Monday but declined to offer any specifics. The team will release an updated status report on Wednesday.

Thomas finished the game with three carries for 11 yards and one reception for 32 yards. His absence could mean that rookie Lamar Miller gets his first opportunity to play.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans 2012: Ryan Tannehill Has Work To Do

The Miami Dolphins lost 30-10 to the Houston Texans on Sunday, and rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill was not at his best. Several of his passes were tipped at the line of scrimmage, and in discussing the matter after the game, SB Nation's The Phinsider noted that part of the problem was Tannehill's failure to look off defenders:

On two of the deflections, I saw them coming from the stands. Tannehill has to change that. He has to look off defenders, and he has to make sure he is throwing the ball through a passing lane - not directly into a defender's arms.

Related: NFL Rookie Quarterback Comparison

Two of those deflected passes resulted in interceptions. The Dolphins committed four turnovers on the day, which helped the Texans create some separation on the scoreboard.

For updates on the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins' Ryan Tannehill Among Rookie QBs Who Struggled

Ryan Tannehill wasn't the only rookie quarterback who struggled on Sunday. Despite Robert Griffin III making it look easy, rookie quarterbacks struggled mightily on Sunday, proving that RG3 was the exception, and not the rule.

The folks over at The Phinsider broke down the performance of all five of the five rookie quarterbacks.

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts - 23-for-45, 51.1% completion, 309 yards, 6.8 yards per attempt, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions, QB rating 52.9

Those aren't really the numbers you want to see out of a No. 1 overall draft pick, but Luck was playing on the road against a tough Chicago Bears defense.

Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins - 19-for-26, 73.1% completion, 320 yards, 12.3 yards per completion, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, QB rating 139.0

RG3 is a unique talent, and is quite awesome. Moving on.

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins - 20-for-36. 55.5% completion, 219 yards, 6.1 yards per attemps, 0 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, QB Rating 39.0

Tannehill certainly struggled, and looked ugly in Miami's loss to the Texans. Dolphins fans can take solace in the fact that other rookies struggled mightily, too.

Brandon Weeden, Cleveland Browns - 12-for-35, 33.5% completion, 118 yards, 3.4 yards per completion, 0 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, QB rating 5.1

Ouch. A 5.1 quarterback rating is beyond abysmal, and makes Tannehill's stat line look acceptable.

Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks - 18-for-34, 52.0% completion, 151 yards, 4.4 yards per completion, 1 touchdown , 1 interception, QB rating 62.5

Wilson was fine, but he wasn't great. He had a chance to lead the Seahawks to victory, but threw two straight incompletions on third- and fourth-and-goal, sealing Seattle's four point loss to Arizona.

So, there you have it Dolphins fans. You're not alone with your rookie quarterback struggling.

For more on the Dolphins, check out The Phinsider and join the discussion.

Dolphins' Ryan Tannehill Had Trouble With Tipped Passes In College

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill had trouble with tipped passes against Houston on Sunday, and it's a problem that dates back to his college career. As NFL scout Russ Lande wrote prior to April's NFL Draft, Tannehill tends to hold the ball low in the pocket:

"He holds the ball low on his chest while going through progressions," Lande wrote. "Further, he has a low release point at shoulder height, which causes him to pass like a shorter quarterback. Consequently, his passes get tipped at the line."

Related: Dolphins at Texans Reactions from the Stands

Four of Tannehill's passes were tipped at the line by the Texans, and two of those resulted in interceptions; it was those turnovers that helped shift the game decisively in Houston's favor. Defensive end J.J. Watt was credited with three of the tips.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland Could Be In Trouble

Miami Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland is officially on the hot seat.

After a dismal showing against the Houston Texans, an NFL.com report surfaced that Ireland might be in trouble if the Dolphins don't end the season with a winning record.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is aiming higher. He said he expects to make the playoffs. If that doesn't happen, changes could be on the way.

A "friend" of Ross' told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald that general manager Jeff Ireland will be in "serious trouble" if the Dolphins don't have a winning record this year. Ross reportedly doesn't have "blind faith" in Ireland. Another source said that Ireland would probably not survive the season if the Dolphins went 5-11. After all, Ireland's roster doesn't seem to be getting any better.

Miami has had just one winning season since 2005, when they went 11-5 and won the AFC East in 2008. Of course, the New England Patriots also finished 11-5 that year, but were without Tom Brady for the entire season.

Stephen Ross hasn't enjoyed a winning season since buying the team in 2008, and it looks like he's fed up with losing. We'll see how the season plays out, but it's certainly looking dicey for Ireland.

For the latest Dolphins news and analysis, check out The Phinsider.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Final Score: Miami Drops Opener, 30-10

The Miami Dolphins begin the season in a tough way, falling to the Houston Texans, 30-10, in Week 1. The Dolphins struck first with a 39-yard field goal by Dan Carpenter, but then saw Houston run off 24 unanswered points behind the running of Arian Foster.

The Texans scored three touchdowns in the second quarter to take control of the game with two coming on the ground via Foster. Matt Schaub connected with Andre Johnson for a 14-yard strike with just seven seconds remaining to put Miami down 24-3 at halftime.

The Miami offense struggled during Ryan Tannehill's debut as starter. Tannehill was 20-of-36 for 219 yards, but was intercepted three times. Reggie Bush rushed for 69 yards on 14 carries and caught six passes for 46 yards. There wasn't much else positive on the Miami side other than a 72-yard punt return touchdown by Marcus Thigpen for the Dolphins lone touchdown.

Matt Schaub finished 20-of-31 for 266 yards and a score. Foster needed 26 carries to amass 79 yards, but did have two touchdown runs. Andre Johnson hauled in eight passes for 119 yards and a touchdown.

The Dolphins return to Miami next week for their home opener, where they will take on the Oakland Raiders.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider and Texans blog Battle Red Blog. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Score: Houston Up 27-10 Through Three Quarters

After a disastrous second quarter -- really, it was just the last two minutes of the second quarter—the Miami Dolphins scored their first touchdown of the season and now trail the Houston Texans 27-10 through three quarters.

On the first drive of the second half, the Dolphins defense forced Houston to go three and out. Donnie Jones fired a 49-yard punt to the Miami 28, and Dolphins returner Marcus Thigpen returned it 72 yards for a touchdown with 13:30 left in the third.

Houston countered with an 11-play drive that ended with a 40-yard Shayne Graham field goal. Graham is now 2-of-3 on field-goal attempts Sunday with makes from 35 and 40 yards.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider and Texans blog Battle Red Blog. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Score: Houston Up 24-3 At Halftime After Late Barrage

The Houston Texans scored three times in the final two minutes of the second quarter to take a 24-3 lead into halftime against the Miami Dolphins.

Things are not going well for Dolphins rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill in his first career start. He threw three interceptions in the first half, two of which led to touchdowns with less than two minutes until halftime. The Dolphins also fumbled in their own territory with less than a minute until the half, and that also led to a Houston touchdown.

On the first score, the Texans took over at their own 46-yard line after Brian Cushing intercepted Tannehill. The Texans converted two third downs on the ensuing drive, setting up an Arian Foster 14-yard touchdown run with 1:58 until halftime.

After the Texans' kickoff, Tannehill was intercepted on the first play of the drive; this time, it was Kareem Jackson with the pick. The new drive started at the Miami 27, and on the first play, Miami cornerback Richard Marshall was called for pass interference in the end zone.

Two plays later, Foster ran it in from two yards out for his second touchdown with 49 seconds left.

The Dolphins started another drive against the clock, this one at their own 30-yard line. And on the first play, running back Daniel Thomas fumbled. Danieal Manning recovered for the Texans at the 31. This time, the Texans scored on three plays, capped by a Matt Schaub 14-yard touchdown pass to Andre Johnson with seven seconds left.

Somehow, it could have been worse for the Dolphins. Just one drive earlier, Tannehill threw an interception near midfield that Jonathan Joseph returned down to the Dolphins 14-yard line. But Miami center Mike Pouncey was called for unnecessary roughness on the return, so Houston started a first-and-goal drive at the 7-yard line.

The Dolphins' defense stood tall and forced Houston to kick a field goal, which Shayne Graham made from 35 yards.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider and Texans blog Battle Red Blog. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Score: Miami Up 3-0 Through One Quarter

The Miami Dolphins are leading the Houston Texans after one quarter on a 39-yard Dan Carpenter field goal.

The Dolphins took the lead on their second drive of the game, the second drive in the career of rookie quarterback Ryan Tannehill. After a Houston missed field goal—Shayne Graham missed from 52 yards, Miami took over at its own 42-yard line. Tannehill led the Dolphins into the red zone and as close as the Houston 14-yard line.

But on a third-and-two play, Reggie Bush fumbled. Miami tackle Jonathan Martin recovered at the 21, setting up the Carpenter field goal.

In the first quarter, Tannehill was 5 of 6 for 36 yards.

Houston running back Arian Foster, who was listed as questionable with a knee injury, had four carries for 20 yards. He was also targeted for one pass, but it fell incomplete.

For updates on the game, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more in-depth coverage, be sure to check out Dolphins blog The Phinsider and Texans blog Battle Red Blog. And for more news, notes and analysis from around the league, visit SB Nation'sNFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans 2012: Game Preview, Kickoff Time, TV Schedule And More

The Dolphins open up their season against the Texans.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Injury Report: Houston Banged Up For Opener

The Miami Dolphins open the 2012 NFL season on the road Sunday against the Houston Texans, and the Dolphins' injury report reads much thinner than their opponent's.

The only player listed as questionable on the official injury report for the Dolphins is second-string defensive end Tony McDaniel (toes, knees). Wide receiver Brian Hartline, guard John Jerry, offensive tackle Jake Long, linebacker Koa Misi, defensive end Derrick Shelby and linebacker Jason Trusnik are all listed as probable. Jerry, Long and Misi are all first-string players, and they all participated in practice on Friday.

Houston's injury report goes a bit deeper. Questionable are running back Arian Foster (knee) and linebackers Brooks Reed (hip) and Bryan Braman (hamstring). Among those listed as probable for the Texans are defensive tackle Shaun Cody, wide receiver Andre Johnson, linebacker Brian Cushing, tight end Owen Daniels, safety Shiloh Keo, center Chris Myers, running back Ben Tate and defensive end J.J. Watt.

Foster and Reed were both injured during practice Thursday. Foster left practice early Thursday after complaining of knee soreness. An MRI was negative, but he did not practice Friday.

The Dolphins kick off against Houston on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

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Arian Foster A Game-Time Decision Sunday Vs. Dolphins

Houston Texans running back Arian Foster will be a game-time decision for Sunday's season opener against the Miami Dolphins, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said during a media availability after practice Friday.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, Kubiak said he's optimistic Foster will play. But McClain tweeted that Kubiak "didn't sound real encouraging" when discussing Foster's status.

Foster was pulled from practice after complaining of knee soreness Thursday, Kubiak said, and he did not practice Friday. An MRI was already taken on Foster's knee, and the results didn't find anything to worry about.

Linebacker Brooks Reed was also injured in a non-contact drill Thursday and did not practice Friday, and he's also a game-time decision for Kubiak against the Dolphins.

Foster led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2010, and he rushed for 1,224 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games last season.

If Foster were to miss Sunday's game, the Texans' primary rusher would be Ben Tate. Tate ran for 942 yards and four touchdowns last season as a rookie.

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

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Dolphins CB Nolan Carroll Gets Advice From Mom

Miami Dolphins cornerback Nolan Carroll received some advice from his mother, Florida Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, as he prepares for his fourth career start against the Houston Texas Sunday.

In an interview with Brian Briggane of the Palm Beach Post, Carroll speaks with his mother on an almost daily basis, mostly about football. Carroll himself is impressed with some of the information she gives him, like when the Dolphins switched to a 4-3 defense,

"I didn’t think she knew about it, but she was like, ‘I like the 4-3 because now we have Cam (Wake) on the line at all times. I was like, ‘That’s weird. You knew about that?’ "

Nolan also gets plenty of coaching advice from his mother as well,

"She’s trying to tell me how to do my job most of the time; that’s how most moms are.

"It’s funny to hear her talk sometimes; she’s trying to coach me up and I’ll just say, ‘Yes, ma’am, I’ll do it next time.’ "

The third year player out of Maryland has been given a more prominent role with the defense after the Dolphins traded Vontae Davis to the Indianapolis Colts during training camp. Miami head coach Joe Philbin has been impressed with Carroll's improvement over the offseason,

"We believe in the kid, like his competitive skills. Doesn’t say a whole lot. Comes to work, and works awful hard. I have a saying that we’re looking for an honest day’s work out of the guys, and he fits the bill there."

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Hope For A Quick Start

The Miami Dolphins are painfully adjusted to slow starts, but new coach Joe Philbin is trying to break the habit.

The Dolphins are now practicing faster under the first-year head coach—the former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator who took a high-scoring, Aaron Rodgers-led offense to a Super Bowl win—in hopes that a slow start in Week 1 doesn't turn into a season lost before it's half over.

Last season, the Dolphins started their season with seven straight losses. Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald dug up more on the Dolphins' early-season woes in recent years:

The Dolphins have been dreadful early on in recent years. Since 2002, they have gone 11-21 in September, including 3-7 in road openers.

Three times in the past decade, they have gone winless through at least the first six games of the year.

- -snip- -

"I don't know if I'd wish the beginning of last year on my worst enemy," said tight end Anthony Fasano, one of roughly three-dozen players who lived though last year's debacle.

"But you've got to learn your lesson from it. Building some confidence and momentum early on is big for us."

One problem with the Dolphins' wish for a fast start in Week 1 is that they play on the road against the Houston Texans, who are favored to win by anywhere from 12 to 14 points. The Texans are considered to be one of the top teams in the AFC; they certainly return a lot from last year's AFC South championship team.

Part of Philbin's rationale for running a fast practice is so that the team can play fast, yes, but also to build mental toughness for any kind of adverse situation his team will face. So even if the Dolphins don't win Sunday, the hope is that it won't snowball into something more significant.

The Dolphins kick off against Houston on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

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Dolphins Injury Report: Long, Jerry Limited While Hartline and Shelby Return To Full Participation

Injuries limited key Miami Dolphins players during Thursday's practice as the Dolphins prepared for their opening week battle with the Houston Texans.

Left tackle Jake Long, who is battling knee injuries, was limited for the second straight day at practice, while right guard John Jerry's ankle kept him from participating fully. A duo of linebackers — Koa Misi (back) and Jason Trusnik (ankle) — also saw their reps limited in practice Thursday.

The Dolphins saw some key play makers return to full practice, as defensive end Derrick Shelby, who was battling shoulder injuries, returned to full participation during Thursday. Wide receiver Brian Hartline also returned in full on Thursday.

The Texans are battling injuries of their own, as Houston running back Arian Foster, linebacker Brian Cushing and tight end Owen Daniels were all limited. Daniels was fighting an illness. A handful of Texans, including wide receiver Andre Johnson and defensive end J.J. Watt, returned to full Texans practice on Thursday.

For more injury reports, visit NFL.com.

For more Dolphins coverage, visit The Phinsider.

Reggie Bush Doesn't Think Players Play Harder In A Contract Year

Miami Dolphins running back Reggie Bush is in the final year of his contract, but he says that won't change anything about the effort he puts forth on the field.

In a radio interview with Jorge Sedano of WQAM in Miami, Bush was asked if players try harder in contract years:

"No. I mean, I don’t know. I can’t really speak for other guys; I can only speak for myself. Obviously, I’m at the end of my contract, last year, final year, but for me, it’s the last thing on my mind. I’m focusing on being a leader on this team, being effective when I’m in the game, helping out the younger guys, getting better and helping this team progress on a weekly basis, on a daily basis and making a push in this division and in the playoffs. … There will come a time and a place for that to handle that, but right now it’s football time."

Bush is coming off his best season as a pro, when he rushed for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Week 1 NFL Odds: Dolphins Vs. Texans

The Miami Dolphins enter their first game of the season against the Houston Texans as a major underdog. After opening as a 6.5-point underdog, the Dolphins are now facing a 13.5-point spread with three days until kickoff.

With so many questions surrounding the Dolphins, those odds are to be expected. Miami has an unproven, rookie quarterback in Ryan Tannehill as well as a group of untested, average or formerly unwanted wide receivers in Anthony Armstrong, Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, Rishard Matthews, Marlon Moore and Legedu Naanee. The Dolphins also went winless in the preseason.

Houston, meanwhile, is coming off a 3-1 preseason with established threats at the skill positions in quarterback Matt Schaub, running backs Arian Foster and Ben Tate and wide receiver Andre Johnson. Led by linebacker Brian Cushing, The Texans also boast one of the NFL's top defenses.

The game is set for 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Miami Dolphins 2012 Preview: Can Fins Repeat Bizarre Road Success with Ryan Tannehill at QB? (via sbnation)

Position Switch Helps Will Yeatman Make Dolphins Roster

Miami Dolphins second-year player Will Yeatman switched positions from tight end to offensive tackle this preseason. Doing so helped him make Miami's 53-man roster. According to CBS Sports, Yeatman made the position switch early in camp and got increased reps as the preseason continued.

"He's making progress every day, but there is still some room for him to grow, obviously," Dolphins coach Joe Philbin said. "We like what we see. We like his size, we like his length, he can run well and he has pretty good quickness. He is certainly not bashful and he has the right temperament to play the position."

Yeatman played college football and lacrosse at both Maryland and Navy. Miami picked him up off of waivers in September, 2011. He is known for his agility, which should help him grow into his lineman role. Yeatman will back up starter Jake Long at the start of the 2012 season.

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

Dolphins Vs. Texans A Homecoming For Javorskie Lane

Miami Dolphins fullback Javorskie Lane will celebrate a homecoming when the Dolphins travel to Houston on Sunday to take on the Texans. Lane is a former Texas A&M Aggie and was born in nearby Lufkin, Texas. He became a fan favorite on the HBO "Hard Knocks" series with his bruising hits and his inspiring weight loss story. Lane mixed up his training routine to get into playing shape.

"Really, I got away from football," Lane told the Finsiders. "I learned that MMA training, boxing training, was the best training. So that’s what I did. I got away from football because I knew in my mind that going out running routes and catching the ball and stuff like that, that’s natural because we’ve been doing it for so long."

Lane's connections to Texas A&M stayed with him throughout preseason camp. Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was the Aggies' head coach while Lane was there. Sherman switched Lane from running back to fullback at A&M, and later helped him get into shape.

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

Dolphins Injury Report: Jake Long Returns To Practice

Veteran left tackle Jake Long returned to practice Wednesday, according to the Florida Sun-Sentinel. Long hadn't practiced in more than a week after spraining the MCL in his right knee. It appears that he'll be available for Miami's season opener on Sunday against the Houston Texas.

In addition to Long, Dolphins guard John Jerry also returned to practice Wednesday. Jerry rolled his ankle in the Dolphins' preseason game against the Cowboys. He also appears to be available on Sunday against the Texas.

According to the Phinsider, Long will assume his normal starting spot at left tackle, while Jerry will start at right guard. In addition to those two, Richie Incognito is set to start at left guard, Mike Pouncey is slated to start at center, and Jonathan Martin will start at left tackle.

The Dolphins' line took a major hit in the team's first preseason game when projected starter Artis Hicks suffered a neck injury and landed on injured reserve.

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

Dan Marino Tells Dolphins Fans To Be Patient With Ryan Tannehill

Miami Dolphins legend Dan Marino told fans they needed to be patient with rookie starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Marino spoke at a Dolphins Touchdown Club event Tuesday, and pointed to Tannehill's youth and the long road ahead for the Dolphins rebuilding project.

"Be patient," Marino said, according to the Palm Beach Post. "You look around the NFL and things don't just turn around overnight. Be patient with this group, and hopefully the young quarterback works out great for us."

Marino praised the decision to name Tannehill as the starter.

"They’re in a rebuilding phase right now, and I like the idea of starting a young quarterback right away," he said.

As for advice for Tannehill, Marino suggested that the rookie learn to have a "short memory."

"If you have some bad games, forget about it, play with a lot of confidence," Marino said. Obviously they all believe in him because they picked him and he’s the starting quarterback. I would tell him, just go out there and turn it loose."

For more on the Dolphins, please be sure to check out our blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay for all the latest news and updates.

Texans J.J. Watt Ready For Miami Dolphins

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt missed the entire preseason with an injured elbow, but it appears he will be available as the Texans open the season against the Miami Dolphins. As a rookie last season, Watt had 5.5 sacks and 56 tackles. His playoff performance against Baltimore was even bigger, as he had 12 tackles and 2.5 sacks in a 20-13 loss to the Ravens:

"I’ll feel really good (Sunday against Miami). I think I’ll be 100 percent. Had my first full-padded practice today. It felt really good. I’m really excited about it. It doesn’t really feel like it’s going to hinder me at all."

Watt will be going after Ryan Tannehill, who is making his first NFL start at quarterback for the Dolphins.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Odds: Miami Big Underdog To Houston

The Miami Dolphins take on the Houston Texans in an opening weekend affair, and according to the oddsmakers the Dolphins are one of the biggest underdogs in Week 1.

According to OddsShark.com, the Dolphins are anywhere from an 11.5-point to a 13.5-point underdog to the Texans, who won the NFC South last year. The Dolphins are the biggest underdog this week, according to OddsShark, with the Indianapolis Colts as the only other double-digit underdog on the week.

This is the first regular season game for new Dolphins coach Joe Philbin, who moved from Green Bay over the offseason to replace Tony Sparano.

Oddsmakers also set the game's over/under at 43 points, which will be held at Reliant Stadium in Houston.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

NFL Power Rankings: Miami Dolphins Sit Near Bottom

Most sports websites do power rankings in the various pro-leagues and SB Nation is no different. So as the start of the 2012 NFL season nears, it's time to look at the most recent power rankings now that all of the preseason games have been played and all 32 teams have been evaluated based on what they've shown on the field.

As it relates to the Miami Dolphins, fans may not be too pleased as they've been ranked 30th out of 32 teams, down three spots from the original rankings which were done before training camp began:

30. Miami Dolphins (LW: 27): I don't know where the points will come from. Reggie Bush is your best offensive weapon? This could be a long year in South Florida.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Miami Dolphins Depth Chart: Not Many Surprises Heading Into Season Opener

The Miami Dolphins cut their roster down to the league mandated 53 as of last week. Now, as the team prepares to open its 2012 season against the Houston Texans on the road at Reliant Stadium, the depth chart is set with very few surprises, according to blogger Kevin Nogle of The Phinsider:

Looking at the chart, there really aren't any surprises to the depth chart right now, although there may be a disappointment. Starting along side wide receiver Davone Bess is Legedu Naanee, who many fans would rather see the team release. Newcomer Anthony Armstrong is listed as the fifth wide out, while Brian Hartline, who just started practice after missing all of the preseason with a calf injury, is listed as sixth.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Still Figuring Out 'Leadership Council'

If you've been keeping up with HBO's Hard Knocks series on the Miami Dolphins, you may remember the episode where Reggie Bush, Karlos Dansby and Jake Long sat down with head coach Joe Philbin and discussed forming a 'leadership council' where players on the team could voice their opinions to the coaching staff through a select group of appointed individuals.

It sounded like a good plan but according to Kevin Nogle, blogger for The Phinsider, the council has yet to be established:

"We're still kind of formulating that," Philbin responded when asked if the leadership council would continue into the regular season. "If we decide to go with that, we'll probably start it up like next week, in another week or so, but haven't finalized anything in that yet."

Philbin was then asked if the council was likely to happen. "Yeah, I'm giving it consideration. I'm giving it serious consideration."

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Reggie Bush Thinks Dolphins Offense Has To Clean Up Mental Mistakes

The Miami Dolphins finished the 2012 preseason winless at 0-4 and were outscored, 96-43. As the team prepares to open the season Sunday against the Houston Texans, running back Reggie Bush offered up his thoughts on what every man on the roster must do if the Dolphins are to have a successful season this year:

(On Whether It's Plausible That The Offense Can Just "Turn It On" And Be Productive After Not Getting It Done During The Preseason) -

"It starts with practice. It starts with our preparation. It starts with today. We were just out there on the football field and we had some mistakes that we need to clean up. We mentally have to be able to clean that up when we're watching film and that has to translate to the next day of practice. So, that's really what it's about; just putting in the time, work and effort that it's going to take on a daily basis to get better. That's going to take a collective effort by all 53 guys, including the practice squad."

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

David Garrard's Return To Practice Could Make Matt Moore Trade Bait

David Garrard signed with the Miami Dolphins in the offseason, and expectations were that he would be the starter at quarterback. Unfortunately, Garrard has missed significant time in the preseason after undergoing knee surgery on August 12th. Since then, rookie Ryan Tannehill has taken over the top spot at QB for the Dolphins.

The veteran QB returned to practice Monday, and Kevin Nogle of SB Nation's The Phinsider says that may impact Matt Moore's future in Miami:

The absence of Garrard, who was expected to be named the starter for the Dolphins this season, opened the door for rookie Ryan Tannehill to grab the top depth chart slot. Currently, the Dolphins have four quarterbacks on their roster, with Matt Moore and Pat Devlin joining Garrard and Tannehill.

If Garrard can prove he is healthy, it could make Moore expendable. NFL teams have reportedly already been calling the team to judge if there is any interest in trading the team's 2011 starting quarterback

Garrard completed 63% of his passes for 23 touchdowns as the starter for Jacksonville a season ago. Moore connected on 61% of his throws for 16 touchdowns.

For more on the Dolphins, head to The Phinsider and stick with SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Jabar Gaffney Reportedly Works Out For Miami Dolphins

Veteran wide receiver Jabar Gaffney is working out for the Miami Dolphins on Monday, according to a report from the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Gaffney spent the 2011 season with the Washington Redskins, where he caught 67 passes for 947 yards and five touchdowns.

Related: Miami Dolphins Jersey Number Assignments

The Dolphins are still seeking reliable options at wide receiver; they expected to get some help from Chad Johnson, but the team parted ways with Johnson after he was arrested on domestic assault charges earlier in the preseason.

Gaffney is entering his 11th NFL season, and the Dolphins would be the fifth team that he has played for. He set career highs in both receptions and receiving yards in 2011.

For more coverage of the Dolphins, stay tuned to SB Nation Tampa Bay and The Phinsider. For more news, notes and analysis from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL hub.

Dolphins Vs. Texans Preview: Ryan Tannehill Debuts In Home State

The rookie QB will take his first career NFL snaps a short ride down the road from where he starred at Texas A&M.