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This was a game that was supposed to be the one to win, a must win game in the AFC. San Diego came off a Thursday Night Football loss to Denver but they had 10 days to prepare for the dreaded trip to Miami.

It's no secret that San Diego's record in Miami over the last few years is abysmal but the Chargers went into the game looking to bounce back and avoid a third straight defeat. So in what turned out to be an embarrassing shut out, just where did it go wrong for the Chargers?

First drive

On 4th-and-1 the Chargers elected to run the football instead of attempting a field goal. That decision was costly and it just went from bad to worse from there on in.

Pocket protection

Philip Rivers was hurried as the pocket collapsed around him on more than one occassion. Rivers was sacked three times on the night. The Chargers signal caller forced the play too many times and it looked like the team of old under Norv Turner. It was the first time Rivers had ever gone for three picks without throwing for a passing touchdown in his career. D.J. Fluker was brushed aside with ease on too many occassions.

No plays, no points

The Chargers managed a whimper of offense, 178 in total and a low number of 50 yards on the ground. 3rd down efficiency was 3-of-11. There was no productivity from the defense or speacial teams either. This was agaisnt a quarterbakc in Ryan Tannehill who has been relatively easy to get to over the last two seasons. It was one of those days.

Credit to the Miami Dolphins, they converted the first downs, controlled the game and where dominent on all three phases of the football. Coach McCoy has to figure out how to manage his roster in the right manner going into the bye-week. The senior players must keep their heads and show leadership especially at a time where they have slipped from 5-1 to 5-4. 

Forget the play-offs, right now it's about getting back on track and picking up another win. The Chargers schedule looks unfavourable at this moment in time. Trips to the 49ers and Chiefs finish off the season that is after hosting the Patriots and the Broncos.

The most dissapointing thing is the way in which the season seems to be folding in on itself. Talk of winning the AFC West and a possible MVP for Rivers is fading away fast. It's easy to point the finger at one or two individuals but everyone must take equal responsibility. As it stands right now I would take an 8-8 season. The Chargers must prove that they are better than that record. Over to you San Diego.

This was a game that was supposed to be the one to win, a must win game in the AFC. San Diego came off a Thursday Night Football loss to Denver but they had 10 days to prepare for the dreaded trip to Miami.

It's no secret that San Diego's record in Miami over the last few years is abysmal but the Chargers went into the game looking to bounce back and avoid a third straight defeat. So in what turned out to be an embarrassing shut out, just where did it go wrong for the Chargers?

First drive

On 4th-and-1 the Chargers elected to run the football instead of attempting a field goal. That decision was costly and it just went from bad to worse from there on in.

Pocket protection

Philip Rivers was hurried as the pocket collapsed around him on more than one occassion. Rivers was sacked three times on the night. The Chargers signal caller forced the play too many times and it looked like the team of old under Norv Turner. It was the first time Rivers had ever gone for three picks without throwing for a passing touchdown in his career. D.J. Fluker was brushed aside with ease on too many occassions.

No plays, no points

The Chargers managed a whimper of offense, 178 in total and a low number of 50 yards on the ground. 3rd down efficiency was 3-of-11. There was no productivity from the defense or speacial teams either. This was agaisnt a quarterbakc in Ryan Tannehill who has been relatively easy to get to over the last two seasons. It was one of those days.

Credit to the Miami Dolphins, they converted the first downs, controlled the game and where dominent on all three phases of the football. Coach McCoy has to figure out how to manage his roster in the right manner going into the bye-week. The senior players must keep their heads and show leadership especially at a time where they have slipped from 5-1 to 5-4. 

Forget the play-offs, right now it's about getting back on track and picking up another win. The Chargers schedule looks unfavourable at this moment in time. Trips to the 49ers and Chiefs finish off the season that is after hosting the Patriots and the Broncos.

The most dissapointing thing is the way in which the season seems to be folding in on itself. Talk of winning the AFC West and a possible MVP for Rivers is fading away fast. It's easy to point the finger at one or two individuals but everyone must take equal responsibility. As it stands right now I would take an 8-8 season. The Chargers must prove that they are better than that record. Over to you San Diego.

This was a game that was supposed to be the one to win, a must win game in the AFC. San Diego came off a Thursday Night Football loss to Denver but they had 10 days to prepare for the dreaded trip to Miami.

It's no secret that San Diego's record in Miami over the last few years is abysmal but the Chargers went into the game looking to bounce back and avoid a third straight defeat. So in what turned out to be an embarrassing shut out, just where did it go wrong for the Chargers?

First drive

On 4th-and-1 the Chargers elected to run the football instead of attempting a field goal. That decision was costly and it just went from bad to worse from there on in.

Pocket protection

Philip Rivers was hurried as the pocket collapsed around him on more than one occassion. Rivers was sacked three times on the night. The Chargers signal caller forced the play too many times and it looked like the team of old under Norv Turner. It was the first time Rivers had ever gone for three picks without throwing for a passing touchdown in his career. D.J. Fluker was brushed aside with ease on too many occassions.

No plays, no points

The Chargers managed a whimper of offense, 178 in total and a low number of 50 yards on the ground. 3rd down efficiency was 3-of-11. There was no productivity from the defense or speacial teams either. This was agaisnt a quarterbakc in Ryan Tannehill who has been relatively easy to get to over the last two seasons. It was one of those days.

Credit to the Miami Dolphins, they converted the first downs, controlled the game and where dominent on all three phases of the football. Coach McCoy has to figure out how to manage his roster in the right manner going into the bye-week. The senior players must keep their heads and show leadership especially at a time where they have slipped from 5-1 to 5-4. 

Forget the play-offs, right now it's about getting back on track and picking up another win. The Chargers schedule looks unfavourable at this moment in time. Trips to the 49ers and Chiefs finish off the season that is after hosting the Patriots and the Broncos.

The most dissapointing thing is the way in which the season seems to be folding in on itself. Talk of winning the AFC West and a possible MVP for Rivers is fading away fast. It's easy to point the finger at one or two individuals but everyone must take equal responsibility. As it stands right now I would take an 8-8 season. The Chargers must prove that they are better than that record. Over to you San Diego.

This was a game that was supposed to be the one to win, a must win game in the AFC. San Diego came off a Thursday Night Football loss to Denver but they had 10 days to prepare for the dreaded trip to Miami.

It's no secret that San Diego's record in Miami over the last few years is abysmal but the Chargers went into the game looking to bounce back and avoid a third straight defeat. So in what turned out to be an embarrassing shut out, just where did it go wrong for the Chargers?

First drive

On 4th-and-1 the Chargers elected to run the football instead of attempting a field goal. That decision was costly and it just went from bad to worse from there on in.

Pocket protection

Philip Rivers was hurried as the pocket collapsed around him on more than one occassion. Rivers was sacked three times on the night. The Chargers signal caller forced the play too many times and it looked like the team of old under Norv Turner. It was the first time Rivers had ever gone for three picks without throwing for a passing touchdown in his career. D.J. Fluker was brushed aside with ease on too many occassions.

No plays, no points

The Chargers managed a whimper of offense, 178 in total and a low number of 50 yards on the ground. 3rd down efficiency was 3-of-11. There was no productivity from the defense or speacial teams either. This was agaisnt a quarterbakc in Ryan Tannehill who has been relatively easy to get to over the last two seasons. It was one of those days.

Credit to the Miami Dolphins, they converted the first downs, controlled the game and where dominent on all three phases of the football. Coach McCoy has to figure out how to manage his roster in the right manner going into the bye-week. The senior players must keep their heads and show leadership especially at a time where they have slipped from 5-1 to 5-4. 

Forget the play-offs, right now it's about getting back on track and picking up another win. The Chargers schedule looks unfavourable at this moment in time. Trips to the 49ers and Chiefs finish off the season that is after hosting the Patriots and the Broncos.

The most dissapointing thing is the way in which the season seems to be folding in on itself. Talk of winning the AFC West and a possible MVP for Rivers is fading away fast. It's easy to point the finger at one or two individuals but everyone must take equal responsibility. As it stands right now I would take an 8-8 season. The Chargers must prove that they are better than that record. Over to you San Diego.

In a nail-biter, the Arizona Cardinals held on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20; extending the Cardinals' record to 6-1 and keeping them atop the NFC West (by two games over the 49ers and Seahawks). The Eagles drop to 5-2 and remain behind the Cowboys in the NFC east who host the Redskins Monday night. 

It was most certainly an air campaign today with Nick Foles completing a career-high 36 passes out of a whopping 62 attempts for 411 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. WR Jeremy Maclin caught 12 of those balls for an impressive 187 yards and both scores, the second one coming after a terrible helmet-to-helmet collision with Arizona CB Patrick Peterson; the latter would not return after sustaining a concussion. RB LeSean McCoy managed 83 yards on 21 carries.

On the other side, Carson Palmer was 20-of-42 for 329 yards and two touchdowns. WR extraordinaire Larry Fitzgerald caught seven passes for 160 yards and a career-best 80-yard touchdown (really only a short pass with the rest all Fitz). Rookie WR John Brown caught what turned out to be the game-winning 75-yard touchdown reception on a third-and-five with 1:23 left in the game. RB Andre Ellington scored the other touchdown on his 23 carries for 71 yards. 

Of interest, neither quarterback was sacked today.

So, what'd we learn? 

1. Rookies are sure strutting their stuff this season. As mentioned, Brown snagged the game-winning touchdown while Cardinals' rookie S Deone Bucannon brilliantly broke up a deep pass from Foles to TE Zach Ertz with :07 left in the game. Both teams' rookie kickers did well too. Arizona's Chandler Catanzaro hit his three extra points and nailed a 28-yard field goal, his 16th consecutive since he entered the league. Philadelphia's Cody Parkey went two-for-two on field goals including an NFL career-long (eight-game career, I know, but still) 54 yarder and was successful on both extra points.

2. Of particular note were the ridiculous penalties in this game. Philadelphia was dinged 11 times for 103 yards while Arizona was punished 10 times for 95 yards; a mere five penalties shy of the current record for most penalties in a game (26) which occurred in the 9/14/2014 match-up between the Bears and the 49ers.

3. Coming into today's game the Cardinals' defense was ranked first versus the run; holding opponents to, on average, 72 yards per game this season. Today it gave up 110 net yards rushing. Arizona's defense also entered today's match-up with the fewest missed tackles in the league but bungled quite a few today. Neverthless, the Cardinals' defense is still something. CB Antonio Cromartie picked off Foles twice--extending Arizona's consecutive-games-with-a-takeaway record to 19--and, after allowing the Eagles to march down the field in the final minute of the game, managed to sustain the lead and get the win. 

Next week, the 6-1 Cardinals travel to the (currently) 6-1 Cowboys while the 5-2 Eagles visit the 4-4 Texans who snapped a three-game skid in Tennessee on Sunday thanks to RB Arian Foster's three scores.

This was the year of the receiver, with five going in the first round. Of those five, four of them have averaged more than 50 yards receiving, while the fifth one has recorded three touchdowns over his first three games. Sammy Watkins and Kelvin Benjamin rank 10th and 13th in receiving yards, respectively, while also recording five touchdowns each. Second-round pick Allen Robinson has topped 50 yards in six of his last eight outings, while teammate Allen Hurns caught four passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener. Late-round picks have performed well too, with John Brown of the Cardinals and Martavis Bryant of the Steelers, both picked later than the second round, emerging as explosive playmakers, combining for 283 yards and four touchdowns over the past two weeks.

On the other side of the ball, there have been some outstanding linebackers. First-round pick C.J. Mosley has proven to be a steal, while second-round pick Preston Brown has more than adequately filled in for the injured Kiko Alonso. Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr were picked high and have been given high expectations, and both rookies have performed up to standards. Kyle Fuller of the Bears was the fourth ranked cornerback, behind Justin Gilbert, Bradley Roby, and Darqueze Dennard. Fuller has outperformed all three corners and is leading the NFL in forced turnovers, with three picks and three forced fumbles just midway through the season. A sixth-round pick out of Missouri, E.J. Gaines stepped as the starter opposite of Janoris Jenkins and has been one of the most impressive corners of the draft. Gaines has made rookie mistakes, but a day-three pick, he is most definitely a steal.

The quarterback draft class looked weak, with no surefire first-overall pick, and mostly questionable first-round picks. Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, and Teddy Bridgewater were all picked in the first round, but all three quarterbacks have either not seen extensive playing time or have not played well in opportunities given. Derek Carr, the fourth quarterback taken, has easily been the most impressive of this draft class. With nine touchdowns and five interceptions, Carr's stats are not flashy, but he has been efficient and reliable.

They say that this is a passing league, but several rookie runners have made an impact. Bishop Sankey, Jeremy Hill, and Carlos Hyde were the first three backs taken off the board, and all three have made an impact on their teams, combining for 658 yards and six touchdowns. What has been more impressive, though, is the production of undrafted and late-round picks. Jerick McKinnon, a third-round pick, and Lorenzo Taliaferro, a fourth-round pick, have both carved out starting roles, while undrafted backs Branden Oliver and Isaiah Crowell have seen extensive playing time. Third-round pick Tre Mason has not seen too much time, playing in only three games, but he has played well against defenses like San Francisco and Seattle. This class will likely be remembered for its wide receivers, but there is definitely some value in this running backs.

In a nail-biter, the Arizona Cardinals held on to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-20; extending the Cardinals' record to 6-1 and keeping them atop the NFC West (by two games over the 49ers and Seahawks). The Eagles drop to 5-2 and remain behind the Cowboys in the NFC east who host the Redskins Monday night. 

It was most certainly an air campaign today with Nick Foles completing a career-high 36 passes out of a whopping 62 attempts for 411 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. WR Jeremy Maclin caught 12 of those balls for an impressive 187 yards and both scores, the second one coming after a terrible helmet-to-helmet collision with Arizona CB Patrick Peterson; the latter would not return after sustaining a concussion. RB LeSean McCoy managed 83 yards on 21 carries.

On the other side, Carson Palmer was 20-of-42 for 329 yards and two touchdowns. WR extraordinaire Larry Fitzgerald caught seven passes for 160 yards and a career-best 80-yard touchdown (really only a short pass with the rest all Fitz). Rookie WR John Brown caught what turned out to be the game-winning 75-yard touchdown reception on a third-and-five with 1:23 left in the game. RB Andre Ellington scored the other touchdown on his 23 carries for 71 yards. 

Of interest, neither quarterback was sacked today.

So, what'd we learn? 

1. Rookies are sure strutting their stuff this season. As mentioned, Brown snagged the game-winning touchdown while Cardinals' rookie S Deone Bucannon brilliantly broke up a deep pass from Foles to TE Zach Ertz with :07 left in the game. Both teams' rookie kickers did well too. Arizona's Chandler Catanzaro hit his three extra points and nailed a 28-yard field goal, his 16th consecutive since he entered the league. Philadelphia's Cody Parkey went two-for-two on field goals including an NFL career-long (eight-game career, I know, but still) 54 yarder and was successful on both extra points.

2. Of particular note were the ridiculous penalties in this game. Philadelphia was dinged 11 times for 103 yards while Arizona was punished 10 times for 95 yards; a mere five penalties shy of the current record for most penalties in a game (26) which occurred in the 9/14/2014 match-up between the Bears and the 49ers.

3. Coming into today's game the Cardinals' defense was ranked first versus the run; holding opponents to, on average, 72 yards per game this season. Today it gave up 110 net yards rushing. Arizona's defense also entered today's match-up with the fewest missed tackles in the league but bungled quite a few today. Neverthless, the Cardinals' defense is still something. CB Antonio Cromartie picked off Foles twice--extending Arizona's consecutive-games-with-a-takeaway record to 19--and, after allowing the Eagles to march down the field in the final minute of the game, managed to sustain the lead and get the win. 

Next week, the 6-1 Cardinals travel to the (currently) 6-1 Cowboys while the 5-2 Eagles visit the 4-4 Texans who snapped a three-game skid in Tennessee on Sunday thanks to RB Arian Foster's three scores.

This was the year of the receiver, with five going in the first round. Of those five, four of them have averaged more than 50 yards receiving, while the fifth one has recorded three touchdowns over his first three games. Sammy Watkins and Kelvin Benjamin rank 10th and 13th in receiving yards, respectively, while also recording five touchdowns each. Second-round pick Allen Robinson has topped 50 yards in six of his last eight outings, while teammate Allen Hurns caught four passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener. Late-round picks have performed well too, with John Brown of the Cardinals and Martavis Bryant of the Steelers, both picked later than the second round, emerging as explosive playmakers, combining for 283 yards and four touchdowns over the past two weeks.

On the other side of the ball, there have been some outstanding linebackers. First-round pick C.J. Mosley has proven to be a steal, while second-round pick Preston Brown has more than adequately filled in for the injured Kiko Alonso. Khalil Mack and Anthony Barr were picked high and have been given high expectations, and both rookies have performed up to standards. Kyle Fuller of the Bears was the fourth ranked cornerback, behind Justin Gilbert, Bradley Roby, and Darqueze Dennard. Fuller has outperformed all three corners and is leading the NFL in forced turnovers, with three picks and three forced fumbles just midway through the season. A sixth-round pick out of Missouri, E.J. Gaines stepped as the starter opposite of Janoris Jenkins and has been one of the most impressive corners of the draft. Gaines has made rookie mistakes, but a day-three pick, he is most definitely a steal.

The quarterback draft class looked weak, with no surefire first-overall pick, and mostly questionable first-round picks. Blake Bortles, Johnny Manziel, and Teddy Bridgewater were all picked in the first round, but all three quarterbacks have either not seen extensive playing time or have not played well in opportunities given. Derek Carr, the fourth quarterback taken, has easily been the most impressive of this draft class. With nine touchdowns and five interceptions, Carr's stats are not flashy, but he has been efficient and reliable.

They say that this is a passing league, but several rookie runners have made an impact. Bishop Sankey, Jeremy Hill, and Carlos Hyde were the first three backs taken off the board, and all three have made an impact on their teams, combining for 658 yards and six touchdowns. What has been more impressive, though, is the production of undrafted and late-round picks. Jerick McKinnon, a third-round pick, and Lorenzo Taliaferro, a fourth-round pick, have both carved out starting roles, while undrafted backs Branden Oliver and Isaiah Crowell have seen extensive playing time. Third-round pick Tre Mason has not seen too much time, playing in only three games, but he has played well against defenses like San Francisco and Seattle. This class will likely be remembered for its wide receivers, but there is definitely some value in this running backs.

(Reuters) - Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley are among the names not on the roster for Landon Donovan's national team farewell match against Ecuador on Friday, according to the squad named by U.S. head coach Juergen Klinsmann on Monday. With Dempsey and Bradley among the crop of players who have key Major League Soccer matches this weekend, Klinsmann is going with a 21-man squad that he expects to make several changes to before next week's friendly against Honduras. ...

(Reuters) - Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley are among the names not on the roster for Landon Donovan's national team farewell match against Ecuador on Friday, according to the squad named by U.S. head coach Juergen Klinsmann on Monday. With Dempsey and Bradley among the crop of players who have key Major League Soccer matches this weekend, Klinsmann is going with a 21-man squad that he expects to make several changes to before next week's friendly against Honduras. ...

(Reuters) - Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley are among the names not on the roster for Landon Donovan's national team farewell match against Ecuador on Friday, according to the squad named by U.S. head coach Juergen Klinsmann on Monday. With Dempsey and Bradley among the crop of players who have key Major League Soccer matches this weekend, Klinsmann is going with a 21-man squad that he expects to make several changes to before next week's friendly against Honduras. ...

The Miami Dolphins' win over the Oakland Raiders was mostly due to the improvement of quarterback Ryan Tannehill in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s game plan.

Tannehill is not the only player who showed improvement in his play in Sunday in London. The receivers and their play improved as well, something Lazor has been quite proud of this week.

Tannehill got all his receivers involved Sunday, with his 23 completions being spread out among the five wide receivers on the roster, tight ends Charles Clay and Sims, and running backs Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas.

Lazor was highly complementary of the performance of the wide receivers — Hartline, Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews and Jarvis Landry — against the Raiders.

“You saw guys when they got the ball in their hand they were excited to have the ball in their hand,” Lazor said. “They were really working as hard as I’ve seen them work to do something with it. I thought they were physical blocking for each other on the perimeter. At times you could include the tight ends with that. I thought they started to develop an attitude of how they wanted to play with the football in their hand.”

JONES TO RETURN

Safety Reshad Jones is scheduled to rejoin the Dolphins this week and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is hoping to get him back into the mix quickly.

“He’s an outstanding player, a guy that’s made a lot of contributions to our defense and we’ll try to figure how we can package certain groupings to our advantage,” Coyle said. “We want to get him up to speed as fast as possible. He’s a playmaker. He can be a difference-maker for us.”

Jones, who’ll be coming back from his league suspension, isn’t the only prominent defensive player who could be back in action when the Dolphins face the Green Bay Packers at Sun Life Stadium on Oct. 12.

Linebacker Koa Misi also could be back after missing the last three games because of an ankle injury.

SIGNING JAMES TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD

The Miami Dolphins continue to show their need for depth at the running back position by adding LeMichael James to its practice squad.

Originally a second-round selection out of Oregon in 2012, James, 24, spent the first two years of his career with the 49ers before he was released after Week 1 of the 2014 season. Through his career, James has 184 yards rushing on 41 carries, and has also recorded 738 yards as a kick returner including a long of 62 yards in 2012.

The team also added to its defensive side of the ball by signing the New York Giants defensive end Emmanuel Dieke.

The Miami Dolphins' win over the Oakland Raiders was mostly due to the improvement of quarterback Ryan Tannehill in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s game plan.

Tannehill is not the only player who showed improvement in his play in Sunday in London. The receivers and their play improved as well, something Lazor has been quite proud of this week.

Tannehill got all his receivers involved Sunday, with his 23 completions being spread out among the five wide receivers on the roster, tight ends Charles Clay and Sims, and running backs Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas.

Lazor was highly complementary of the performance of the wide receivers — Hartline, Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews and Jarvis Landry — against the Raiders.

“You saw guys when they got the ball in their hand they were excited to have the ball in their hand,” Lazor said. “They were really working as hard as I’ve seen them work to do something with it. I thought they were physical blocking for each other on the perimeter. At times you could include the tight ends with that. I thought they started to develop an attitude of how they wanted to play with the football in their hand.”

JONES TO RETURN

Safety Reshad Jones is scheduled to rejoin the Dolphins this week and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is hoping to get him back into the mix quickly.

“He’s an outstanding player, a guy that’s made a lot of contributions to our defense and we’ll try to figure how we can package certain groupings to our advantage,” Coyle said. “We want to get him up to speed as fast as possible. He’s a playmaker. He can be a difference-maker for us.”

Jones, who’ll be coming back from his league suspension, isn’t the only prominent defensive player who could be back in action when the Dolphins face the Green Bay Packers at Sun Life Stadium on Oct. 12.

Linebacker Koa Misi also could be back after missing the last three games because of an ankle injury.

SIGNING JAMES TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD

The Miami Dolphins continue to show their need for depth at the running back position by adding LeMichael James to its practice squad.

Originally a second-round selection out of Oregon in 2012, James, 24, spent the first two years of his career with the 49ers before he was released after Week 1 of the 2014 season. Through his career, James has 184 yards rushing on 41 carries, and has also recorded 738 yards as a kick returner including a long of 62 yards in 2012.

The team also added to its defensive side of the ball by signing the New York Giants defensive end Emmanuel Dieke.

The Miami Dolphins' win over the Oakland Raiders was mostly due to the improvement of quarterback Ryan Tannehill in offensive coordinator Bill Lazor’s game plan.

Tannehill is not the only player who showed improvement in his play in Sunday in London. The receivers and their play improved as well, something Lazor has been quite proud of this week.

Tannehill got all his receivers involved Sunday, with his 23 completions being spread out among the five wide receivers on the roster, tight ends Charles Clay and Sims, and running backs Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas.

Lazor was highly complementary of the performance of the wide receivers — Hartline, Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson, Rishard Matthews and Jarvis Landry — against the Raiders.

“You saw guys when they got the ball in their hand they were excited to have the ball in their hand,” Lazor said. “They were really working as hard as I’ve seen them work to do something with it. I thought they were physical blocking for each other on the perimeter. At times you could include the tight ends with that. I thought they started to develop an attitude of how they wanted to play with the football in their hand.”

JONES TO RETURN

Safety Reshad Jones is scheduled to rejoin the Dolphins this week and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle is hoping to get him back into the mix quickly.

“He’s an outstanding player, a guy that’s made a lot of contributions to our defense and we’ll try to figure how we can package certain groupings to our advantage,” Coyle said. “We want to get him up to speed as fast as possible. He’s a playmaker. He can be a difference-maker for us.”

Jones, who’ll be coming back from his league suspension, isn’t the only prominent defensive player who could be back in action when the Dolphins face the Green Bay Packers at Sun Life Stadium on Oct. 12.

Linebacker Koa Misi also could be back after missing the last three games because of an ankle injury.

SIGNING JAMES TO THE PRACTICE SQUAD

The Miami Dolphins continue to show their need for depth at the running back position by adding LeMichael James to its practice squad.

Originally a second-round selection out of Oregon in 2012, James, 24, spent the first two years of his career with the 49ers before he was released after Week 1 of the 2014 season. Through his career, James has 184 yards rushing on 41 carries, and has also recorded 738 yards as a kick returner including a long of 62 yards in 2012.

The team also added to its defensive side of the ball by signing the New York Giants defensive end Emmanuel Dieke.

(Reuters) - U.S national team goalkeeper Tim Howard says he will take a year off from international duty in order to spend more time with his family. Howard, who will continue to play in England's Premier League with Everton, has been capped 104 times by the U.S. Soccer Federation on Thursday, Howard, 35, said he had told U.S. Jurgen has always been up front with all the players in saying you have to earn your place, which is something I agree with, so I look forward to coming back next fall and competing for a spot." Howard's absence will open the way for Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan to become first choice keeper while Real Salt Lake's Nick Rimando, who was the third keeper at the World Cup in Brazil, could also get chances to start.