Dolphins' defense hurting as it prepares for Jets
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By Omar Kelly
Sun Sentinel
(MCT)
DAVIE, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins began preparation for Monday night's game against the New York Jets without three of the team's key defenders.
Defensive end Phillip Merling and starting linebackers Joey Porter and Akin Ayodele watched Wednesday's practice as they nursed significant injuries.
Merling, who started his first game of the season against Buffalo, sprained his left ankle in the final quarter of Sunday's victory over the Bills. He was in a walking boot Monday but had it removed for Wednesday's practice, where he gingerly participated in agility drills with team trainers closely watching.
Porter, who sat out his first game since the 2006 season because of a strained right hamstring, did not participate in the team practice, but was running on the side.
However, coach Tony Sparano said he's encouraged by what he saw from the Dolphins' top pass rusher Wednesday.
"Those injuries are hard injuries, but we will see where it is," Sparano said of Porter's timetable for a return.
Ayodele, who is tied for third on the team with 16 tackles, has been battling back problems since the first week of the season, and Sparano said it tightened up on him again.
Reggie Torbor filled in for Ayodele as one of the starting inside linebackers and is preparing himself for what could be his second start as a Dolphin.
"Everybody on this team is one play away from starting," said Torbor, who has started 20 NFL games in his six seasons. "If (Ayodele) is down, I'll go. If he's not, I'll play my role."
Charlie Anderson continues to serve as Porter's replacement, but it is likely that former CFL standout Cameron Wake, a rookie who registered six tackles and three sacks against Buffalo, will be used on passing downs if Porter is sidelined again.
CBs make statement
After rookie cornerback Vontae Davis got into the end zone courtesy of his 23-yard interception, he celebrated by holding his index finger over his mouth, as if he were asking the jubilant crowd to be quiet. But it wasn't the fans this first-round pick wanted to silence.
"It was a move for the critics. I'm shushing the critics. I wouldn't shush my fans. I play for the Dolphins," said Davis, who is sharing the workload with starter Sean Smith, also a rookie. "It's just for the critics who said I'd probably never make it."
Davis said the next time he makes a big play he'll have something different planned.
Sparano likes the fact that both his rookie cornerbacks are confident and "feisty."
"They have each been beat and had to respond," Sparano said. "These guys have a bit of resiliency to them and they bounce back pretty well. You can talk to players about short memories at those positions, but easier said than done."...
The Dolphins have released linebacker K.C. Asiodu from the practice squad, replacing him with defensive tackle Derrick Jones, who was cut by the Bills at the end of training camp. Jones joins his sixth NFL team in three seasons.
Practice squad cornerback Will Billingsley, who was arrested ondomestic battery charges earlier this week, participated in Wednesday's practice. But the Dolphins are holding workouts for players at his position. ...
Sparano celebrated his 48th birthday Wednesday.
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Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
