Miami Dolphins

The Cincinnati Bengals agreed to terms with running back and second-round draft choice Giovani Bernard on Thursday.

New York Giants fullback Henry Hynoski will undergo surgery on Friday to repair an injured medial collateral ligament and a chip fracture to the lateral plateau in his left knee.

More touchdowns should be the goal for Brian Hartline in 2013 After the Dolphins traded Brandon Marshall to the Bears and chose not to select a receiver in the early or middle rounds of the draft in 2012, their outlook at the position was about as bleak as it gets. Lacking playmakers on the outside was far from ideal after the Dolphins drafted Ryan Tannehill 8th overall and eventually started him right out of the gate, essentially throwing him to the dogs. Brian Hartline putting the unit on his back and producing over 1,000 yards was the last thing anyone expected to happen. But that’s exactly what Hartline did, proving that he was more capable than even the most biased, aqua sunglasses wearing Dolphins fan would have told you. The Dolphins were impressed enough with Hartline’s performance to re-sign him to a five-year, $30.7 million deal. But not enough to pass on Mike Wallace in free agency to be Tannehill’s new number one target, signing the former Steeler for twice as much as Hartline. Will Hartline’s numbers suffer as the number two? Or will he continue to thrive with Tannehill at the helm and defenses shading their coverages more towards Mike Wallace and Dustin Keller? Let’s play over/under. Brian Hartline’s over/under: 69.5 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, 1.5 touchdowns My take: Under on receptions and receiving yards, over on touchdowns I still expect Brian Hartline to be productive in 2013, but not as productive as he was last season when he was force-fed as the Dolphins number one receiver. He’s clearly the number two receiver now with Mike Wallace in town, and his numbers should reflect that. But Hartline will benefit from not having to face the opposing team’s top corner week in and week out. The attention new weapons like Wallace and Dustin Keller will draw should free up Hartline in ways he couldn’t even dream of a year ago. Throwing Hartline’s way could see a higher rate of success than even 2012 for the Dolphins. I just expect Ryan Tannehill to target him less now. Brian Hartline’s hands are reliable as they come. He knows how to contort his body in ways that help him make spectacular catches, particularly along the sideline. He’s also a crafty route runner who utilizes a variety of gimmicks to get open. But Hartline simply lacks the top end speed to provide consistent separation and he doesn’t have the size or leaping ability to be a factor in the red zone. He’s not a legitimate number one receiver and never will be. He may never surpass the 1,000-yard milestone again. If Tannehill becomes the franchise quarterback many think he will develop into, anything will be possible for Hartline and the rest of Miami’s receiving corps. But that doesn’t change the fact that Hartline’s numbers were slightly inflated a year ago. My expectations for Hartline’s season are still relatively high. Over 60 receptions and 800 or 900 yards would be an excellent season for him. And after three consecutive one-touchdown campaigns, I think Hartline finally strings together multiple scores this year with less attention and an improved Tannehill. A career-high four touchdowns is my official prediction for Hartline, breaking his previous high of three as a rookie. You know the drill. It’s your turn to tell me if you see 70 receptions, 1,000 yards, and at least two touchdowns for Brian Hartline in 2013. State your case in the comments!

The Carolina Panthers have signed defensive tackle Star Lotulelei, the club's first-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Well, actually, my wife asked me a question last Sunday that got me to thinking.

The New England Patriots have claimed offensive tackle Kevin Haslam off waivers from the San Diego Chargers.

  During April's 2013 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins sent one of their second round selections and the number twelve overall selection to the Oakland Raiders for the third overall selection. Many were assuming Miami was moving up to select Oklaho

May 3, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Dion Jordan (95) during rookie minicamp at the Doctors Hospital Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports During April’s 2013 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins sent one of their second round selections and the number twelve overall selection to the Oakland Raiders for the third overall selection. Many were assuming Miami was moving up to select Oklahoma Tackle, Lane Johnson, as the other two tackles worthy of a top ten pick were off the board – Eric Fisher to Kansas City and Luke Joeckel to Jacksonville. (more…)

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a huge setback yesterday with a torn Achilles tendon suffered by wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Last year, Crabtree became the first 1,000 yard receiver for San Francisco since Terrell Owens eclipsed the mark in 2003. As the 49ers, and their fans, deal with the six months of rehab facing one of their top offensive weapons, it made me wonder who would be the worst loss for the Miami Dolphins? I know some are going to hate this topic, because it could "jinx" someone, but I went ahead and wrote it anyway. Now, knock on wood, nothing will happen. Looking at the Dolphins' roster, I really think there is only one person that a season ending injury would completely change an aspect of the Dolphins' game. Don't get me wrong, losing anyone would be bad, and the team would have to adapt, but one player sticks out in my mind as someone the team would not be able to replace. Niners Nation:: Michael Crabtree reportedly suffers torn Achilles So, who is it? Let's see: Ryan Tannehill. Nope. Not Tannehill. As bad as it would be for Miami to lose Tannehill, there's a reason the team kept Matt Moore. Moore is the "best backup quarterback in the league." Losing Tannehill would be bad, but having Moore behind him softens the blow. Mike Wallace. Nope. If the Dolphins could make it through a season with Brian Hartline, half a Davone Bess, and no one else, I am sure they would be able to overcome the loss of their newest toy. The offense would not be as explosive, but Hartline, Brandon Gibson, Armon Binns, and Dustin Keller would be able to pick up the slack, I am sure. Cameron Wake. Still no. The defense would be hobbled by the loss of Wake, but that does not mean it would go down for the count. Paul Soliai and Randy Starks would still be able to clog the middle. Jared Odrick, Olivier Vernon, Derrick Shelby, and rookie Dion Jordan would simply have to step up and get to opposing quarterbacks. Reshad Jones. I almost went here, just because Jones has become the playmaker of the secondary. I assume that the change in cornerbacks this year, and either Kelcie McCray or Jimmy Wilson would be able to fill in for the loss of Jones. In other words, nope. Mike Pouncey. Okay, this one is even closer to being the right answer. With Jake Long gone, the offensive line needs a leader. Pouncey was given the team's Don Shula Leadership Award on Tuesday, so he better be the leader of the line. Losing him could be devastating to a retooled offensive line, where it looks like three of the five positions are already going to be manned by players that were not in those positions to start last year. Pouncey might be the right answer. But, he's not my answer. So, who is? Brandon Fields. Fields led the league in punting average last year. He kicks the ball over 50-yards a kick. He pinned teams inside their own 20-yard line 29 times. To put into perspective what the Dolphins have in Fields, Reggie Roby lead the league one time, in 1991, when he averaged 45.7 yards per kick. That's the only year he topped 45 yards per kick in his career - and he only kicked 54 times. Field kicked 74 times last year. In six seasons, Fields has been better than 46 yards per kick four times, all the last four years. He's never kicked the ball fewer than 73 times. Simply put, Fields is a weapon that the Dolphins have, and cannot afford to lose. The loss of Tannehill, Wake, Wallace, Jones, Pouncey, or anyone else would be horrible for the team, but it is not like there is another punter capable of getting anywhere near Fields' production. The others can be replaced - maybe not to the same level, or by just one person, but they can be replaced. Lose Fields, and you lose the ability to simply change field position at any time during the game. I know many, many of you will disagree with me, so let's hear it in the comments below. (Oh, and check out David Fucillo's reaction to the news that the

A couple of weeks ago, amid the feel-good reflections of the offseason, guard Richie Incognito said the Dolphins had no questions. No, he wasn't suggesting the team is winning a championship in 2013. He was making the point he sees...