My Ronnie Brown Blog

Yes folks, it's about that time: time to start thinking about which players to draft for your 2007 Fantasy Football teams. Some of us may still be relishing in our surprising picks from last year (hello, Frank Gore) or seething because of those who had less than stellar seasons (thanks a lot, Randy Moss), but it's time to put both the good and the bad of last year behind us and remember this year, it's a whole new ball game...sixteen of them.

Now, there are about a million lists out there telling everyone who to draft (LaDainian Tomlinson) and who not to draft (anyone from the Oakland Raiders) and each list includes a plethora of players. For the sake of time, and potential cramps in my typing fingers, I am simply listing the top three players to pick from any of the Florida organizations (Florida, after all, has like fifty football teams...or maybe just three).

Chris Chambers, WR, Miami Dolphins: Chris Chambers was a player who allowed many of us, myself included, to sail into the playoffs during the 2005 season, a season in which his stats erupted. Unfortunately, 2006 did not produce the same results. But, we can't blame this on Chambers, at least not all of it. Last season saw Miami with quarterback instability - an instability that hopes to be resolved with Trent Green - and a coaching style that just didn't seem to include much of ol' Chris. Chris Chambers, last season, simply seemed to disappear.

He might be down, but he's not out.....

As Miami starts a new quarterback, and Cam Cameron starts as head coach, this receiver will regain the explosiveness that saw me getting an "I Heart Chambers" tattoo on my ankle with my 2005 Fantasy Football winnings. It's also worth it to note that Chambers - like the entire Miami Dolphin's team - has a tendency to get on fire towards the end of the season. For many fantasy players, the end of the season games are the most important: depending on who's team he is on, Chris Chambers has the potential to make grown men cry....either tears of joy, or just plain tears.

Joey Galloway, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joey Galloway, taking a page from the Chris Chambers handbook, did the same thing as his Miami counterpart: he had an awesome 2005 year only to be silenced in 2006. However, Galloway's silencing wasn't as quiet as Chambers': he still had 1057 yards and seven touchdowns. On the downside, Galloway often went several games without catching much to having one game where he suddenly became a Fantasy owner's BFF. These inconsistent performances often left people unable to know when to sit him and when to start him.

Yet, Galloway, like Chambers, was forced to deal with his fair share of quarterback instability and an overall dreadful Tampa Bay offense (even Cadillac Williams preformed more like a Pinto). Assuming the Buccaneers stick with a quarterback - be it Jeff Garcia, Chris Simms, or an "Oh I'm not really retired" Jake Plummer - Galloway will bounce back to a great season. If Jeff Garcia starts, which (as of now) it looks like he will, Galloway could have a truly career year; the Tampa Bay running game will just be the meat between the veteran sandwich of Garcia and Galloway.

Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins: Ronnie Brown didn't have the best season ever last year, but it wasn't bad: though he was out for three games with a broken hand, he still scored five touchdowns, and rushed for 1008 yards. This year, Brown, and his stats, have nowhere to go but up...way up.

Assuming he stays healthy, 2007 could be a career year for Ronnie. Not only will he get plenty of playing time - as the Miami Dolphins do not have the most solid selection of second string running backs - but he will also be playing under Cam Cameron. As the former offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, I think - I think - Cam Cameron just might know a thing or two about turning good running backs into great ones.

So, there you have it, the top three players from Florida to place on your Fantasy team. I know, I know...getting Fantasy Football advice from a woman might seem ridiculous to some of you men out there (ahem, the 1950's called and they want their ideologies back), but I always play Fantasy Football and I always do well; I win, and then I burn my bra.

Jennifer Jordan is a senior editor for http://www.milleniumlimo.com. An avid sports fan, she likes the Miami Dolphins but her heart belongs to the Denver Broncos.

As teams around the league are asked of their interest level in soon to be released quarterback and inmate Michael Vick, most teams show distinct separation from the subject. Many organizations were quoted as saying that the acquisition of Michael Vick is "highly doubtful" and that they are "not interested." But why? Sure his image was ruined, boycotted, and defaced, but his athletic ability was unquestionable.

The obvious reason for turning the cheek on Michael Vick is his current prison sentence and the bad name associated with him. With the Vick name comes boycott; PETA comes to mind. So why is this a major problem? The NFL is still a business and will always be treated as so. If you don't make the fans happy and make them want to buy apparel, attend games, and cheer on their team, you will ultimately land unsuccessful. Can his image be repaired? If you remember prior to the dog fighting scandal, Michael Vick was a household name, icon, and jersey seller. He was seen in Nike and Powerade commercials showcasing his iconic and athletic "super image." Michael Vick jerseys were once a hot commodity among Falcon fans, NFL fans, and street walkers. The Michael Vick jersey was worn as a sense of fashion in some areas. Who says a repaired image cannot return such glory to the Vick name? When Michael Vick played football, he simply put fans in seats and eyes on television sets. What more could you ask for as an owner?

One thing you could ask for in a player is talent. Michael Vick's prior marketability did not come without talent. With his blazing speed and first-class agility, Vick ran the ball like a tailback. In his last season prior to suspension, Michael Vick rushed for over one thousand yards as a quarterback on only one hundred three carries. In case your math stayed in your SAT study guide, Vick averaged a little under eight and a half yards per carry: double the yardage that a good running back averages. So why did he not play running back? Other than the fact he may be slightly undersized, he had an arm too.

Michael Vick was known for his rocket arm. Vick's arm is described as having the ability to effortlessly flick the ball sixty yards downfield without the use of legwork. Name me a running back in the NFL that can throw the ball sixty yards to begin with. Although his completion percentages were low, Vick seemed to have decent passing numbers with his no name, finger-less receivers. Vick always threw more touchdowns than interceptions, and even threw for twenty touchdowns the same year he rushed for one thousand yards. From what it seemed, Michael Vick possessed all the talent to make him the most lethal weapon of all time, but he seemed to have a tragic flaw. Vick lacked the decision-making skills. So what could you do with a player like this?

Although I do believe Michael Vick could start as the quarterback for many teams, he could provide the x-factor in today's new style of play: the "Wildcat." What kind of player would you want as the signal caller in the Wildcat formation? Ideally, you would like someone who is fast and agile for the ability to run, but can also pass the ball in the option. Eerily enough, Michael Vick seems to fit the description perfectly. Ronnie Brown ran the "Wildcat" offense effectively in the 2008 season, enough to earn him a bid to the pro bowl. If Ronnie Brown is considered fast, what do you consider Vick's speed who ran the forty yard dash in a reportedly faster time than Brown? In any case, Vick's speed indicated enough presence as a runner. But what makes the "Wildcat" so dangerous? The option to throw the ball puts a halt on over pursue from the defenders. You cannot overload the run when a receiver is open down field. However, is Ronnie Brown that big of a threat through the air? Although I cannot specifically comment on Brown's throwing ability, Vick's former position as a quarterback certain warrants support in his case as a good passer. So with the two extraordinary abilities of Michael Vick mashed into the "Wildcat" formation, you have a defensive nightmare.

Along with preparing a regular defensive scheme for the regular offense, you must contend with the scary idea of having a physical "freak" running the "Wildcat." Although some teams may be better off with Michael Vick as their starting quarterback, almost all teams could easily implement a "Wildcat" package featuring the skills of Vick. Although Vick may carry a media circus with him to wherever he goes, his value in the new "Wildcat" sub package scheme spreading throughout the NFL is undeniable.

However, there are some potential problems. Vick carries with him an "untrade-friendly" high contract and bad name baggage. Ideally, a team would like to pick up Vick through free-agency if released to a low contract. But what about the hippies carrying the anti-Vick signs outside the practice field that would soon follow? Although Vick will forever be known as the dog fighter that was thrown in jail, he could try to help salvage his image through actions following his release. If he is able to rid his bad image, you still have to contend with his mentality. It might even run in the family: do you recall the Marcus Vick (Michael's younger brother) incidences? Off the field, Marcus Vick was involved in two criminal convictions in 2004 alone. During the 2005 season he played at Virginia Tech, Marcus Vick was highly criticized for displaying the middle finger to a crowd and intentionally stomping the leg of an opponent. After being dismissed from Virginia Tech due to "a cumulative effect of legal infractions and unsportsmanlike play" (Hokie Sports), Vick had a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. After the non-existent career of Marcus Vick in the NFL, he continued to spiral down a path of legal trouble including brandishing firearms, molestation of a minor, countless speeding tickets, and a DUI. Do the brothers share a mentality? Perhaps they have similar characteristics, but for the benefit of the doubt, each person has his or her own independent identity. However, Vick does have his own line of some legal troubles including two incidents involving Marijuana. Two men were arrested in Virginia for distributing Marijuana with a truck that was registered to Michael Vick. A more interesting story however was the water-bottle compartment scandal. In the security check of an airport, Michael Vick's water bottle was taken from him by airport security that had a secret compartment in it. Originally, security reported that there was marijuana-like substance inside the compartment, but it was later cleared after tests revealed that there were no illegal substances inside the water bottle. Vick claimed that the bottle was used to hold jewelry. What kind of jewelry did Vick own, jewelry that resembles marijuana? Although these seem to be minor character flaws, Vick was also fined $10,000 and ordered to donate $10,000 to charity for giving the middle finger to an unimpressed, booing Atlanta Falcon crowd after losing a game at the Georgia Dome. What's with the Vicks and their middle fingers? Altogether, the Vick family does not seem to mesh too well with authority.

Is Vick worth the risk? Is he worth the baggage, the boycott, and the media circus? I do not think the high-profile Cowboys could afford to take a stab at Vick with the current media circus surrounding them, but many under-the-radar teams could spice up their image with some Vick on their roster. Although the Dolphins liked to run the "Wildcat," I do not see Parcells having any of that. The Vikings on the other hand seem to be an interesting match. Adrian Peterson has recently garnered the face of the franchise, and I do not think Vick could deter the new Viking image. In any case, many see Tarvaris Jackson as a "poor man's" Michael Vick, so why not just get the real deal? Wherever Michael Vick could fit, I do not see him having anymore behavioral problems, at least not after what he went through with the dog-fighting scandal. However, I was wrong about the Cowboy experiment with Adam Jones, he ended up being released after only one season in which he was suspended. But to Adam Jones' defense, the bodyguard dispute was very minor and the incident that removed Adam Jones from the Cowboys happened prior to his signing with Dallas. Your history does come back to bite you in the behind. What it comes down to, if your team hides in the shadows of the media spot-light, you have some quarterback inconsistency, and you want to add another dimension to spice up your offense, Vick might be right for you.

Gabe Pinchev,
http://www.TheOvertime.com

The rebirth that the Miami Dolphins are experiencing this season may have to continue without running back Ronnie Brown, at least for now. Brown had to have a surgical intervention on Friday to stabilize a broken left hand. So far nobody has revealed any timeframe in which the Dolphins will be playing without Brown, all we know is that the team's left handed leading rusher and No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft will be "evaluated on an ongoing basis".

Brown suffered the injury on Thursday as Miami won its fourth straight game, beating Detroit 27-10 and climbing within two games of the AFC's wild-card slots. If Brown cannot play on December 3rd when Miami plays at home against Jacksonville, then Sammy Morris will likely get the start in his place.

Morris already had 91 yards on 12 carries; all after Brown got hurt in the third quarter against the Lions. If someone goes out, the next guy has to step up and fill their shoes no matter how big and Morris did a good job on that first attempt. It is all part of football, injuries are a big part of it, and again, the players have to make the most of it when their number is called.

Morris' highlight was a career-long 55-yard run, 20 yards longer than any other in his career, and he matched a career best in yards rushing. Every player has to have a lot of confidence, and for them to come in and be able to break a big run like that Morris did on Thursday, it had to be big for him and for the offense. Big breaks like that are what give the players future starting roles.

Ally White is a top senior copy writer on sportsbook action for http://www.instantactionsports.com Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.

How could have anyone guessed that the Dolphins would have been doing this good at this point of the season. After going 1 and 15 last year, Bill Parcells stepped in as the vice president of football operations and surgically dissected this team, and now they are playoff contenders. Here is a list of positives from what we have seen so far from the Miami Dolphins.

1. "Wild cat, wild cat, wild cat". I cant say this enough. Ok, the wild cat is not the only reason for the Dolphins recent success, but it has it's positives. This formation, which consists of a direct snap to the running back with the quarterback lining up in a slot position has had some defenses baffled. The best part of the wildcat formation is that it forces other teams to focus on it instead of preparing for their base offense, which Miami has also been known to run trickery out of.

2. Chad Pennington. I cant say enough good things about what Chad Pennington brings to this team. He bring Leadership, poise, confidence, and most of all, he does not turn the football over very often.

3. Tony Sparano. Lets give credit where credit is due. The work ethic and fundamental teachings of this coach is what drives this team. Right now the Miami Dolphins are getting the job done.

4. Tedd Ginn Jr. This guy is special. The forty yard touchdown off of the reverse that he ran against the Raiders showed just how hungry this guy is. It makes you think that anything can happen when this guy touches the ball.

5. Joey Porter. He leads the NFL in sacks, need I say more.

6. The Dolphins win games. They had so many close calls last year. This year they are getting the job done. They are finishing games with long drives that take time off of the clock, and guess what, they are scoring touchdowns at the end of these drives.

7. The Ronnie and Ricky show. With Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the backfield they have two Pro Bowl caliber running backs running the football.

8. Patric Cobbs. He goes in unnoticed, and scores touchdowns.

Lets not scream Superbowl, because we know that that is probably not gonna happen, but the playoffs sound really nice considering this Dolphins team has been struggling to find their identity in recent years. Time will tell, and hopefully the Dolphins will prevail.

http://miamidolphinsplace.blogspot.com/

It was announced this week that star running back Ronnie Brown of the Miami Dolphins is out for the rest of this season with a "lisfranc injury" sustained during their victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. Brown was no slouch, running for a team-leading 648 yards and eight rushing touchdowns - the fourth-most in the NFL at this point in the season. Lisfranc injuries in the NFL are not uncommon, and have recently also threatened the careers of Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts, Kevin Jones of the Detroit Lions, and also Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Typically, a Lisfranc injury occurs when there is a severe twisting force on the joints connecting the forefoot and midfoot. The forefoot is stuck in place as the force of the athlete's weight twists around the fixed forefoot during a sudden change in direction on the field or with a tackle. Another mechanism in offensive lineman results from a direct blow compression injury through their foot while blocking an opposing defender. Lisfranc injuries can tear ligaments between the forefoot and midfoot bones, fracture the bones themselves, or have a combination of both injuries.

Lisfranc injuries are usually diagnosed based on the athlete's description of the injury mechanism and the physical examination. There is typically severe pain in the midfoot region and an inability to bear weight on the foot. Swelling and bruising often occurs and may even become evident on the bottom of the foot. On a physical exam, the injured athlete will be tender over the midfoot and painful to motion passive motion at the midfoot and forefoot junction.

A Lisfranc Injury is serious and can be career threatening for elite athletes if it is not recognized and appropriately treated. Failure to restore the anatomy can result in chronic foot pain and secondary arthritis of the involved joints. If there is any displacement of the bones or associated fractures in this region, surgical fixation is usually necessary to restore normal anatomy and increase the likelihood of predictable healing. Consult with your SportsMD specialist if you suspect that you have sustained an athletic Lisfranc injury, and read more about this injury and its management in our SportsMD injury knowledgebase.

Dr. Bedi is a freelance writer for SportsMD Media Inc, a new idea in sports health information and the most trusted medical resource for people engaged in sports everywhere. SportsMD is a trusted brand for anyone looking to improve their health and their game.

Miami Dolphins Ronnie Brown Ahead of Schedule on Rehab of Foot

Running back Ronnie Brown of the Miami Dolphins was having a career year last year when in one play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers his season came crashing down with his football future in jeopardy. He suffered a Lisfranc's fracture of his right foot which required surgery. Fortunately for him and the Dolphins, he is ahead of schedule and plans to take part in summer workouts and be ready for the upcoming season.

Lisfranc's joint is a joint in the middle of the foot where the tarsal bones (midfoot) and metatarsal bones (long bones of the foot or forefoot) come together. Injury usually occurs when there is a traumatic impact or a violent rotational force where both the forefoot and midfoot come together, causing a ligament strain or complete dislocation of the joint or joints involved. This twisting force can also cause a fracture due to the ligamentous attachments. These injuries usually occur when players make a cut or shift in direction suddenly. It can also occur from a direct impact such as when a football player plants his foot to tackle an opposing player head on. While there are several different types of Lisfranc's injuries ranging from sprains to dislocations to fractures, injuries to this area can have a lingering effect if not completely healed. Several athletes have suffered from Lisfrancs injuries including Larry Johnson of the Kansas City Chiefs, Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts and Kevin Jones of the Detroit Lions.

Lisfranc injuries are usually very painful and patients are usually unable to walk or bear weight on the affected foot. The imjury is also accompanied by swelling, bruising and diminished range of motion to the foot and toes. They are diagnosed initially by physical examination while taking into account the patient's description of the injury, but a more accurate assessment is done by MRI, CT, Xray or all three.

Treatment consists primarily of restoring normal anatomy whether it be through cast immobilization or surgery. Following the surgery, physical therapy is done to strengthen the foot, reduce swelling and get the patient used to using the foot again. Once the injury is resolved, an orthotic is then used to support and maintain the anatomic alignment. These injuries can be serious and career threatening for elite athletes if they are not treated appropriately. If anatomic alignment is not properly restored, these injuries can become chronic and severely limit a patient's ability to walk normally, let alone compete at a high level in professional sports.

If you suspect you have sustained a Lisfrancs injury, consult your local podiatrist for a thorough exam and treatment plan. Delaying or avoiding treatment can have serious detrimental effects on the function of your foot.

Dr. Marco A Vargas is a board certified podiatrist who specializes in foot and ankle surgery. His office is located in Sugar Land, TX. For more information on general foot health, get a free copy of his book, "Got Foot Pain?" by visiting his website: http://www.thefootpros.com