#miami-dolphins

#miami-dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS - When rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers takes the field Sunday against Cincinnati at Hard Rock Stadium, he'll be the sixth member of the Dolphins' eight-man 2025 draft class to start a game this season. That's significant considering the Dolphins and coach Mike McDaniel made a philosophical change this season, relying on draftees and youngsters instead of veterans. The rookie draftees has been so-so overall.

The Dolphins are extending that celebration to the sideline once they get back to the bench, with the offense on the field. Team-released social media video has recently shown an array of instances of Dolphins defenders huddling around the player who forced the turnover chanting their name with a series of claps to follow, like something that would be heard from fans in the stands at sporting events.

The previously new-school Miami Dolphins are now winning in an old-school fashion - with the run game and defense. That's a big departure from the big-play passing offense of recent years. Ideally, the Dolphins (6-7) will keep it going when they visit Pittsburgh (7-6) on Monday night. This is good, clean football. Coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa have traded in their splashy analytics and highlight reel throws for strong offensive line play, favorable turnover margin and few penalties.

That's because no one was surprised by what happened on the field. The resurgent Dolphins, a team with a four-game winning streak, an emerging physical presence, a consistent running game and a big-play defense, expect to win nowadays. That type of confidence is huge, and it stems from one thing. "Belief, man," linebacker Jordyn Brooks said. Their steadfast belief is now being rewarded. The The Dolphins (6-7), who remain playoff longshots despite their winning streak, seem on the verge of shocking the world.

MIAMI GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins have won three consecutive games and four of the past five after squeaking by the New Orleans Saints, 21-17. They completed an undefeated November (3-0), aided by their last loss being a Thursday nighter on Oct. 30 instead of Week 9's Sunday, Nov. 2 while also having their bye week within the month. Most NFL teams winning at this clip crossing over into December would be firmly in the playoff race.

You can recount the weekly heroics of running back De'Von Achane, or this week's heroics of safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. You can wonder how the Miami Dolphins wavered in those final few minutes, but appreciate how they ultimately held it together. The view from field level is they made the biggest plays like Fitzpatrick's two-point conversion interception and a fourth-down stop to beat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

I have no timetable on James Daniels," coach Mike McDaniel said Monday, as his team returned from the bye week that followed an overseas trip to Madrid, Spain. "I don't want to arbitrarily say he is or he isn't (playing this season), but I don't really know if he will return or not. So that's kind of where I'm at.

The first time that I really noticed Lt. Commander Joe Cardona was when he was doing pass defense drills with the Dolphins linebackers. Cardona, a 33-year-old supply and logistics officer attached to a West Coast-based Navy special warfare unit, seemed to move pretty well for a long snapper. Yes, Lt. Commander Joe Cardona is Dolphins long snapper Joe Cardona, perhaps the most intriguing guy in the locker room. Cardona attended the Naval Academy and is an active reservist in the Navy.

MIAMI GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins signed cornerback A.J. Green from the Los Angeles Rams practice squad on Wednesday and placed cornerback JuJu Brents (foot) on the injured reserve list. Green, 27, has made two starts in 36 career games. The 6-foot-2, 199-pound Green has totaled 26 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defended and two recovered fumbles. He has 14 special teams tackles.