Looking Up at the Dolphins: AFC East Camp Reports; FasterNFL 8-4

Miami Dolphins

Linebacker Matt Roth is supplying the Dolphins with the requisite training camp drama. The Miami Herald reports he may have lied to Miami coach Tony Sporano twice after he failed a conditioning test on Sunday. Roth said he was ill. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, is saying its because he has a groin injury. Sporano is mounting an investigation. It’s not a dogfighting ring, but Coach Sporano can’t be too happy about it. The Daily Dolphin says Roth was a no-show for day three of Dolphins’ practice. And it could cost him his job.

The Herald’s Armando Salguero shares what he knows about the controversy and advises Roth to come clean.

Jason Taylor is a direct beneficiary of these shenanigans. As of right now, Taylor is Miami’s starting strong-side linebacker. Taylor has looked impressive in practice so far, and apparently is not showing signs of aging. If he can turn back the clock, Miami has every reason to be excited about the damage he and Joey Porter can do.

The Daily Dolphin wraps up the Dolphins’ day three morning practice.

New England Patriots

The Boston Globe’s Mike Reiss weighs in on the Patriots training camp. Big Surprise of the Day: The offense looks good. But Reiss sees some holes on defense. Can Michael Vick play linebacker? Not only did Tom Brady get a Gatorade shower and a cake to the face from his teammates in honor of his 32 second birthday on Monday, but he managed to make it look like a Polo commercial too.

The Pats also decided to sign a veteran to battle Kevin O’Connell for the backup QB spot.

The Globe also reports that there is a five-way battle for the Pats’ starting TE slot. And defensive end Jarvis Green is predicting a breakout season. Pats’ day three practice summary courtesy of the Examiner.

New York Jets

The New York Daily News looks at the battle for the starting quarterback position. And their beat guy, Rich Cimini, reports that the Jets are getting physical early in camp. The Bleacher Report says this is a step in the right direction.

Rich Cimini also reports that new Jets coach Rex Ryan is a stark contrast to the now deposed Eric Mangini dictatorship.

After a very disappointing rookie season, the Jets still don’t know what to expect out of enigmatic former sixth-pick Vernon Gholston. After posting five tackles and no sacks in his rookie season and the four game suspension of Calvin Pace to start the season, the Jets need to get results out of this kid if they are going to matter in their division.

Buffalo Bills

BuffaloFootballReport.com reports on how much a team that has not made the playoffs in nine years is enjoying basking in Terrell Owens’ shine.

The Rochester Democrat AND Chronicle thinks that Bills’ third year running back Fred Jackson has a chance to breakout this year. I think if the Bills are counting on a guy who toiled on in Division III for four years and bounced around various minor leagues before landing in Buffalo to carry the load out in their backfield while Marshawn Lynch serves his three game suspension, we can just go ahead and pencil in “haven’t made the playoffs in 10 years.”

And Lynch will be serving the suspension he earned after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge.

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