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Despite optimism before the 2010 season (owner Stephen Ross predicted a Super Bowl appearance in June), the Dolphins finished with a 7-9 record and lost four of their last five games of the season.

The Patriots in particular made quick work of Miami in their two meetings last year, winning both matchups by a combined score of 79-21. There was plenty of room for improvement for coach Tony Sparano’s team, and New England will be the first to see how much progress Sparano and his staff made in the lockout-shortened offseason.

Here are three areas to watch for from the Dolphins:

* Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne has really struggled with his intermediate and deep throws against the Patriots' pass defense. In two games last year, Henne completed four of his 12 pass attempts of 11-plus yards with two interceptions. Henne’s teammate Tyler Thigpen didn’t exactly solve the problem, posting an identical 4-for-12 line with a touchdown and an interception. Overall, Dolphins quarterbacks had the lowest completion percentage (33.3 pct) and yards per attempt (6.7) while throwing the most interceptions (three) of any Patriots opponent in 2010 on throws of 11-plus yards. Offensive coordinator Brian Daboll indicated Henne this season will have more freedom to audible out of plays based on reads at the line, something the Patriots may try to exploit with different pre-snap defensive looks and pressures.

* While Henne and the Miami passing attack received media scrutiny a year ago, the Dolphins also struggled a year ago rushing the ball up the middle. The Dolphins averaged only 3.5 yards per rush up the middle (T-27th in NFL), despite attempting 247 of those rushes last season, and the Patriots had particular success slowing Miami’s ground game, holding the Dolphins to 1.9 yards per rush up the middle (second-best among Dolphins opponents). Miami revamped its running game in the offseason, bringing in running backs Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas and now Larry Johnson to handle rushing duties behind a new-look offensive line. First-round draft pick Mike Pouncey and free-agent right tackle Marc Colombo are the two newcomers to an offensive line that features All-Pro left tackle Jake Long.

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Of the five panelists asked to pick the AFC East, four had the Dolphins finishing third and I picked them to finish second. Here's my intelligence report on Miami:

Five things you need to know about the Dolphins:

1. Henne must improve: Chad Henne needs to play better in 2011 than he did a year ago. He just didn't convert enough big plays to throw as many interceptions as he did (19). Still, I do think he was slightly unfairly criticized and I think he can revive his career, especially since Miami was quite proactive this offseason in getting him a lot of help at surrounding positions. And as Football Outsiders so adeptly notes, Henne was the most "unlucky" quarterback in the league last year as far as interceptions -- no quarterback paid more for his mistakes. This offense also has to get more aggressive with play calling. But any way you cut it, the Dolphins will go only as far as Henne can take them.

2. Defense is elite: I love the Dolphins' defense. Led by a very deep but greatly underappreciated defensive line, I fully expect Miami to have one of the top three or four defenses in the league. Vontae Davis and Cameron Wake are budding superstars with a ton of big-play potential, but young complementary players like Sean Smith and Koa Misi are also quite effective -- and should only be getting better. This defense needs to do a better job of taking the football away, and I don't love its free safety situation, but all in all, there are only a couple of NFL defenses that I rank ahead of the Dolphins'. And Mike Nolan is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league.

3. The Reggie Bush effect: As a former second overall pick in the draft, many consider the often-injured Bush a bust. I am not going to say that Bush was worth such a lofty draft slot, but I will tell you that he can make a major difference in Miami. Bush is as much wide receiver as he is running back, which makes accounting for him extremely difficult when he is on the field. Do you play nickel or base defense when he is the lead back? If you chose the smaller, more athletic defensive personnel, Miami will run the ball with Bush. If you chose the heavier base set, the Dolphins can split Bush away from the formation and get a coverage mismatch against a linebacker. His stats are not extraordinary, but Bush's effect on the game can be. Bush and Brandon Marshall should quickly become Henne's best friends.

4. Offensive line rebuilt: Henne isn't very fleet of foot. He struggles against interior pass-rush pressure, which was a big problem a year ago. In turn, Miami used its mid first-round pick on the best interior offensive lineman in the draft, Mike Pouncey, who is penciled in as the starting center. Former right tackle Vernon Carey has moved to right guard. That move is a bit curious, though, as I have major reservations about now-starting right tackle Marc Colombo. The plan is that the revamped line should help an ailing running game while also providing better interior protection for the immobile Henne.

5. More team speed: Miami clearly made a concerted effort to become a faster team this offseason. On offense, the Dolphins added a burner at wide receiver, Clyde Gates, who should open room for the Dolphins' other skill positions. We touched on Bush's potential effect in this offense, but clearly he is an improvement just in terms of his pure speed compared to the running backs from a year ago. Miami desperately needs more big plays on offense. On defense, the addition that really sticks out is every-down linebacker Kevin Burnett, who is replacing the slower run-stuffing Channing Crowder. Burnett's athletic ability and extreme versatility should serve Miami very well, especially when dealing with the Patriots' wide array of tight ends and running backs who can torture a defense from a matchup standpoint. He should make a very formidable inside linebacker pair with Karlos Dansby in Miami's 3-4 scheme.

Buffalo Bills

Andy Levitre says he'll use his demotion to the second team as motivation.

Stevie Johnson says he wants to share the leadership role.

Miami Dolphins

After his abrupt "retirement," Channing Crowder says he plans to return to the NFL next year.

With training camp about to break, the Dolphins have a chance to assess where things stand.

New England Patriots

Shalise Manza Young of The Boston Globe weighs in on the apparent unsettled nature of the Patriots' secondary.

Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak of ESPNBoston.com offer their latest roster projections.

New York Jets

Injuries are forcing New York to come up with a new backup plan for its offensive line.

Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News: "After one exhibition game -- which admittedly is as decisive as an Iowa straw poll -- the Jets are smiling through some rather large cavities on offense."

Buffalo Bills

Receiver Lee Evans is trying to ignore rumors that the team might trade him. Evans said he is happy in Buffalo and wants to stay with the team, but anything involving a trade is "out of [his] control."

Receiver Roscoe Parrish injured his leg in practice Wednesday night was ruled out of the team's first preseason game against Chicago.

Miami Dolphins

After a portion of a team practice ended up onYouTube, the team is asking fans to not post practice videos online.

Reggie Bush is unlikely to return punts for the Dolphins -- at least for now. Bush isn’t listed among the three punt returners on the team's initial depth chart, but coach Tony Sparano said Bush "may do it at some point down the road."

New England Patriots

Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth have restructured their contracts, presenting low-risk, high-reward scenarios for the team, according to Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com.

Reiss counts off the main things he'll be looking for in the Patriots' preseason opener against the Jaguars.

New York Jets

Former defensive lineman Sean Gilbert, who just a year ago played a prominent role is Darrelle Revis' holdout -- is serving as a Jets coaching intern.

All eyes will be on wideout Plaxico Burress at practice Thursday, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Rich Cimini. "If Burress doesn't practice Thursday, following a day of rest, we'll know the ankle injury is more serious than the Jets are letting on."

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. graded each AFC team on how much it improved after the NFL lockout ended in this ESPN Insider piece. Here are some of the things he had to say about each team in the AFC East.

New England Patriots: B+

The Patriots released a couple of key contributors from their past few seasons. But they obviously adhere to the philosophy that it is better to get rid of a player a year too early instead of a year too late, and their track record pretty much speaks for itself. Because of that track record, many tend to just assume that adding Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco will pay off in spades. Well, personally, I think one of these two moves will pay off (and pay off huge), and that is the addition of Haynesworth.

New York Jets: B

When the lockout ended, the Jets were a team that wasn't in particularly good shape with respect to the salary cap. But they were quick to lock up Santonio Holmes, a guy I view as a true No. 1 wide receiver (and I very rarely use that distinction). Although his off-the-field history is a concern, bringing Holmes back was a must to keep things as simple as possible for Mark Sanchez.

Miami Dolphins: B-

Miami hasn't gone out and grabbed a big-time quarterback, but I see this team as vastly improved. The Dolphins have improved the supporting cast around the quarterback position and have made life easier on Chad Henne. I also expect Miami to have one of the elite defenses in football this year. Bringing back Tony McDaniel for depth is a valuable re-signing, but upgrading from Channing Crowder to Kevin Burnett -- who offers a wider overall skill set -- makes a lot of sense, considering that, to thrive in this division, the Dolphins need to deal with the wide variety of offensive personnel groupings New England will throw at them.

Buffalo Bills: D+

Buffalo probably isn't the most attractive place for free agents to go, but the Bills need to be more active than what they have done so far if they are ever going to compete in the AFC East. Nick Barnett is a fine consolation prize after losing Paul Posluszny and his leadership, every-down skills, and ability to play in an even or odd front, a prize that should pay off immediately in Buffalo's multiple defense.

» Best of NFC: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

As part of the Best of the NFL Week on ESPN.com, here are five bests for the AFC East:

Best hands, Davone Bess: Just to get a rise out of everybody, I could have gone with New York Jets receiver Braylon Edwards here. After all, he dropped only one ball last season on 98 targets and 53 receptions. But I couldn't bring myself to do it based on his track record. So I'm going with Bess, the Miami Dolphins' slot receiver, who drops one on occasion, but that's expected given his volume. The past two seasons, Bess has dropped 10 passes -- but on 233 targets and 155 receptions.

Best celebrator, Steve Johnson: The flamboyant receiver endeared himself to Buffalo Bills fans with his breakout 2010 season. He caught 82 passes for 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns. But his signature moment -- well, his positive signature moment -- came in Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He caught eight passes for 137 yards and three touchdowns. He further showed up the self-proclaimed "Batman and Robin" duo of Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco. Johnson scored a TD and triumphantly lifted his jersey to reveal a T-shirt with a line from the Joker: "Why so serious?"

Best trash talker, Channing Crowder: Not many players would get into a verbal sparring match with an NFL coach, but the Dolphins linebacker gleefully engaged Rex Ryan two summers ago. Crowder's diatribes are enthralling, although sometimes dotted with malapropisms. After he accused Baltimore Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain of spitting in his face, Crowder went on a rant that invoked Anne Frank when trying to mock officials for being blind. He meant Helen Keller.

Best nickname, Meat: That's what the Jets call right guard Brandon Moore. Why is it the best nickname? I don't know. Because it makes me laugh when I hear it, I guess. Maybe because it reminds me of the dialogue between Crash Davis and Nuke LaLoosh in "Bull Durham."

Best intimidator, Darrelle Revis: He's not a snarling, frothing menace on the other side of scrimmage. But when it comes to eliminating top receivers, Revis is the best in the business -- and the opposition knows it. He causes dread in coaches, quarterbacks and receivers the week they play the Jets.

Buffalo Bills

Because of the lockout, the Bills' coaching staff is losing valuable time to develop the team's young players.

Receivers coach Stan Hixon believes Steve Johnson can improve on last season's 82-catch, 10-touchdown campaign.

Miami Dolphins

The weekend radio show hosted by linebacker Channing Crowder, a six-year starter for the Dolphins, launched Sunday on WQAM (560AM).

Rookie running back Daniel Thomas is ready to make his mark with the Dolphins.

New England Patriots

Patriots cornerback Ty Law (1995-2004) will be honored Tuesday night at the 10th annual "Tradition", held at TD Banknorth Garden.

New York Jets

Insurer MetLife is close to a deal to buy the naming rights to New Meadowlands Stadium, according to a SportsBusiness Journal report.

Miami Dolphins

• Andrew Carter of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel drops by the mass workout of Dolphins and other locked out AFC East players in Boca Raton, Fla., and writes up linebacker Channing Crowder's comments about players already gutting their funds.
• Palm Beach Post reporter Ben Volin updates the Brandon Marshall stabbing, with no charges filed against the star receiver's wife and his refusal to cooperate.

Buffalo Bills

• Associated Press reporter John Wawrow writes about the front office's decision to stop funding employee pensions during the lockout.
• Patrick Moran of Buffalo Sports Daily marks the arrival of first-round draft choice Marcell Dareus for informal team workouts in Elma, N.Y.

New England Patriots

• Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis was invited to fly in an F-16 fighter jet with the Thunderbirds, Ian R. Rapoport writes for the Boston Herald.
• Comcast SportsNet New England gadabout Tom E. Curran has been previewing the free agent market and wonders if former Bills outside linebacker Akin Ayodele is a good fit for the Patriots.

New York Jets

• Kristian Dyer of Metro New York catches up with receiver Jerricho Cotchery to discuss back and groin injuries that made him such an inspiration last season.
• Chris Hearing of the Wall Street Journal draws parallels between the Jets and the Miami Heat when it comes to the pursuit of championships.

Sports labor squabbles often are described as billionaires arguing with millionaires over money.

While that's a catchy rhyme that sums up fan frustration, the phrase is not entirely true.

Inspired by a blog entry from the minister of all things AFC South, Paul Kuharsky, I looked at NFL Players Association files to count up the number of AFC East players scheduled for $1 million base salaries in 2011.

Granted, up-front bonuses and incentives can make base salaries misleading. But base salaries are the only figures that create a common ground, player for player.

You'll see a vast majority of NFL players make much less than $1 million a year. Although many will make seven figures before they walk away from the game, careers are short and treacherous. They'll never see that kind of cash again for the rest of their lives.

That's why they're fighting for every dollar now.

Of the 226 players under contract in the AFC East, only 62 of them (27.4 percent) will make base salaries of $1 million or more.

The NFLPA hasn't acknowledged any franchise tags that have been signed. Those players are marked with an asterisk and not factored into the totals.

Buffalo Bills

• Receiver Lee Evans, $3.275 million
• Cornerback Terrence McGee, $3.2 million
• Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, $3.195 million
• Defensive end Spencer Johnson, $3 million
• Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, $2.75 million
• Defensive end Dwan Edwards, $2.6 million
• Center Geoff Hangartner, $2.55 million
• Outside linebacker Chris Kelsay, $2 million
• Running back Fred Jackson, $1.75 million
• Defensive lineman Kyle Williams, $1.75 million
• Kicker Rian Lindell, $1.45 million
• Punter Brian Moorman, $1.425 million
• Cornerback Reggie Corner, $1.2 million
• Receiver Steve Johnson, $1.2 million
• Safety Bryan Scott, $1.15 million
• Linebacker Andra Davis, $1.1 million
• Receiver Roscoe Parrish, $1.025 million
• Safety George Wilson, $1.025 million
• Cornerback Leodis McKelvin, $1 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 19

Players under contract: 54

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 35.2

Miami Dolphins

• Nose tackle Paul Soliai, $12.47 million*
• Tackle Jake Long, $11.2 million
• Receiver Brandon Marshall, $6.5 million
• Tackle Vernon Carey, $4.15 million
• Safety Yeremiah Bell, $3.7 million
• Defensive end Randy Starks, $3.625 million
• Inside linebacker Karlos Dansby, $2.7 million
• Inside linebacker Channing Crowder, $2.5 million
• Tight end Anthony Fasano, $1.9 million
• Cornerback Benny Sapp, $1.9 million
• Inside linebacker Tim Dobbins, $1.7 million
• Cornerback Will Allen, $1.5 million
• Safety Tyrone Culver, $1.25 million
• Fullback Lousaka Polite, $1.25 million
• Receiver Davone Bess, $1.013 million
• Kicker Dan Carpenter, $1.005 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 15

Players under contract: 55

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 27.3

New England Patriots

• Quarterback Tom Brady, $5.75 million
• Cornerback Leigh Bodden, $3.9 million
• Tackle Nick Kaczur, $3.4 million
• Defensive end Ty Warren, $3.1 million
• Center Dan Koppen, $2.9 million
• Safety James Sanders, $2.8 million
• Tight end Alge Crumpler, $2.4 million
• Outside linebacker Tully Banta-Cain, $2.3 million
• Receiver Deion Branch, $2.2 million
• Receiver Wes Welker, $2.15 million
• Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, $1.7 million
• Cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, $1.2 million
• Offensive lineman Dan Connolly, $1.025 million
• Inside linebacker Gary Guyton, $1 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 14

Players under contract: 60

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 23.3

New York Jets

• Quarterback Mark Sanchez, $14.75 million
• Inside linebacker David Harris, $10.1 million*
• Cornerback Darrelle Revis, $6 million
• Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, $5.615 million
• Inside linebacker Bart Scott, $4.9 million
• Outside linebacker Calvin Pace, $3.855 million
• Outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, $3.2 million
• Guard Brandon Moore, $2.75 million
• Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, $2.425 million
• Center Nick Mangold, $2.26 million
• Defensive end Mike DeVito, $2.125 million
• Safety Jim Leonhard, $1.95 million
• Receiver Jerricho Cotchery, $1.8 million
• Defensive tackle Sione Pouha, $1.28 million
• Quarterback Mark Brunell, $1.25 million

Base salaries of $1 million or more: 14

Players under contract: 57

Percentage of roster making $1 million or more: 24.6

Last weekend, Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder said something unbelievable.

What else is new, right?

Crowder made a surprising claim that sent Cameron Wake to the Internet. Wake logged onto NFL.com and clicked on the stats page.

"I actually checked," Wake said, "and there my picture was."

Wake saw his own face staring back at him. The photo accompanies the list of sacks leaders. He didn't know he was on top until Crowder informed him.

All at once, Wake's long, bizarre football journey reached another milestone in just his second NFL season.

The undrafted player who couldn't get invited to training camp as a rookie, who spent two years working as a mortgage agent and a fitness trainer, who underwent a name change along the way, who went to play in the Canadian Football League and then who, once making it to the NFL, got ripped by a star teammate for not being good enough, leads the league with 14 sacks.

"It just ... It's hard to explain in words what it means," said Wake, "coming from a guy literally sitting on the couch and watching games on Sunday and believing in the deepest part of your heart 'I can play this game and need an opportunity.'

"I thank the stars and my angels every day the Miami Dolphins gave that opportunity. Every time I step on that field I treat it as a blessing."

He has been an impact outside linebacker all season. Wake recorded sacks on two of the New York Jets' final three plays to close out a 10-6 victory Sunday at the Meadowlands. He forced a fumble on the first sack, but Jets guard Brandon Moore recovered.

Wake's certainly headed for his first Pro Bowl and will be considered for the NFL's defensive player of the year.

"He might actually be the best option for defensive player of the year," Scouts Inc. analyst Matt Williamson said. "Some of the other top guys like Trent Cole and Clay Matthews have slowed down, but Wake continues to get better."

Wake will have a great opportunity to pad his sack total Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. He collects a majority of his sacks from the offense's right, and that side of the Bills' line has been caved in.

"He is very, very quick, and he's relentless," Bills head coach Chan Gailey said. "He has a good feel for it. He understands when he has leverage on a tackle, whether it's underneath the leverage or outside leverage. He's able to take advantage of it."

Wake turns 29 years old next month. That means he's entering his prime, but in many ways he's still in the developmental stage because of his strange but inspiring path to the NFL.

He went by the name Derek Wake when he was a linebacker and a captain at Penn State, aka Linebacker U.

But he wasn't much of a pro prospect despite raw athleticism. Nobody drafted him in 2005. The New York Giants signed Wake as a rookie free agent to play 4-3 stack linebacker. After one set of organized team activities in shorts, the Giants cut him.

Bill Sheridan, the Giants' linebackers coach at the time, can laugh (a little) about their gross misjudgment. Sheridan is Wake's position coach with the Dolphins now.

"I bet we never got to see him do one pass rush in that entire OTA," Sheridan said of Wake's brief look with the Giants. "We were trying to teach him how to play linebacker and pass drop. He never had a chance to demonstrate any of this.

"Obviously in hindsight that was very foolish on our part because we let him go."

You know who looks really foolish these days? Joey Porter.

Porter went on a media rampage the week before the Super Bowl 10 months ago, ripping into the Dolphins' organization for daring to give Wake some situational snaps last year ahead of him and Jason Taylor.

The Dolphins had no choice but to dump the inflammatory Porter. He eventually signed with the Arizona Cardinals and is tied for 38th in the NFL with five sacks. Taylor is tied for 55th with four sacks.

"If I got a dollar for all the naysayers and doubters that I've encountered in the last two, three years, I'd be a very, very wealthy man," Wake said. "I've had people that claim to be close to you, claim to be your friends, your family, coaches, teammates, everybody at some point all along the line has had something to say.

"But at the end of the day I had to stick to my goal, stick to my dream. I didn't really care if Joey Porter or anybody else said I couldn't do it. It was about me and going out there and saying 'I believe I can' and going out there and showing everybody I can."

The Dolphins certainly feel vindicated in their decision to catapult Porter from the roster.

They took a gamble with the swap. Wake was an unproven NFL commodity, while Porter led the Dolphins in sacks the previous two seasons. In 2008, Porter topped the AFC with 17.5 sacks.

"When you make a move like that and you move out veteran players and you put a guy into the lineup that obviously hasn't played a lot," Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said, "from a coaching standpoint, it's always good to see him validate your convictions.

"We were just convinced the more than Cameron would play the better he would get. We just felt getting a young player in there with that kind of energy and athleticism was the right thing to do."

Wake arrived in Miami as a project, but an intriguing one. He was a superstar pass-rusher in two Canadian Football League seasons with the BC Lions, amassing 39 sacks and earning its defensive player of the year award both times. The Dolphins outbid the Bills, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos for his services, giving him a five-year deal that was the richest in CFL-to-NFL history.

"Ability-wise, there aren't going to be too many guys in the league more blessed than Cam," Sheridan said. "But he can be a more dominant player on a down-in, down-out basis."

Wake's run-stopping and pass-coverage skills remain, as Sparano said, "a work in progress." But Sparano also said Wake's development in those areas "has been really remarkable."

That's why Wake can't be considered a situational player. He is an every-down player on the NFL's fifth-ranked defense.

"He is exceptional," Williamson said. "His run defense was a big problem before this season, but he has corrected that. And he is a stud pass-rusher. He turns speed into power very effectively, has a nice array of moves and is very quick and agile while also consistently hustling to the whistle. He's a real handful."

On a weekly basis, the NFL is discovering just that.

Even if he wasn't aware how great his sack numbers were until Crowder told him, Wake is showing how -- all along -- he knew more about himself than a lot of others assumed.

He can do this.

"It's been a crazy road, a long road," Wake said. "I just enjoy playing football and living the dream."

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- A shaken and remorseful Sal Alosi issued a public apology Monday, claiming it was "inexcusable and irresponsible" of him to trip Miami Dolphins player Nolan Carroll on Sunday on the New York Jets' sideline.

Alosi, the Jets' strength and conditioning coach, held a five-minute news conference at the team's facility. He said he hasn't been disciplined by the team or the league, adding, "I'll take whatever discipline they decide."

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets have struggled to make plays on the field. Apparently, they've resorted to trying to make them on sideline.

CBS Sports replays showed Jets head strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi stick his knee out and lean toward the field to trip Miami Dolphins gunner Nolan Carroll, who was running down the sideline to cover a punt with 3:11 left in the third quarter Sunday.

Carroll crumpled to the turf with a knee injury. Dolphins trainers tended to him on the field during the commercial break. He limped off the field under his own power and eventually returned to the game. The Dolphins won 10-6.

"They're cheaters," Dolphins inside linebacker Channing Crowder said. "They do what they do. They cheat. They talk junk. But we beat the hell out of them today.

"I wish they'd tripped me. I'd have broken that old man's leg. I didn't see anything. He stuck his leg out and tripped him? He should be ashamed of himself. A grown man from the coaching staff? That's high character."

Alosi is a 33-year-old former Hofstra linebacker who joined the Jets as a strength and conditioning intern in 2001. He worked for the Atlanta Falcons before returning to the Jets in 2006.

Alosi, in a statement released by the Jets, said he apologized to Carroll and Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano before they departed the stadium. Alosi also expressed his sorrow to Jets owner Woody Johnson, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and head coach Rex Ryan.

"I made a mistake that showed a total lapse in judgment," Alosi said in the statement. "My conduct was inexcusable and unsportsmanlike and does not reflect what this organization stands for.

"I accept responsibility for my actions as well as any punishment that follows."

Before he met with Alosi, Sparano told reporters he would forward video evidence of the shameful incident to the NFL for a review.

"There was a player down on the sideline, and that's not good," Sparano said. "We're trying to take care of players in this game."

Dolphins defensive end Kendall Langford said of the trip: "That was bad. Unfortunately, he had to do that, and he really could have hurt Nolan. He could have ended his career with that. I think maybe somebody needs to do something about that as far as the league goes. I think he should get fined. We get fined for illegal stuff. Why can't the coaches?"

Upon seeing a photo of Alosi's trip, Dolphins inside linebacker Karlos Dansby railed for a suspension or even a permanent dismissal.

"That is dirty," Dansby said. "That is so dirty, man. Come on, man. That needs to be on Monday night [on ESPN segment] 'Come on, man.' Check this picture out. Freeze-frame it. Come on, man. No. 1, by far. That's dirty, low down. That's sad.

"Four games? The rest of the season? Suspend him, man. Get him up out of there. He's got to go, bringing down a whole organization like that. That's sad. You don't do a man like that."

Alosi also better be careful the next time he travels to Florida. Carroll's mother is the lieutenant governor-elect.

Carroll is a rookie cornerback, drafted in the fifth round out of Maryland. He had an interception in the first quarter to set up a field goal to give the Dolphins a 3-0 lead.

There are some notable inactives to report for Sunday's games involving AFC East teams.

For their must-win game against the Cleveland Browns in Sun Life Stadium, the Miami Dolphins have scratched receiver Brandon Marshall, linebacker Channing Crowder and cornerback Al Harris.

The absences of Crowder and Harris might be more significant than Marshall. The Dolphins won without him last week in Oakland, and quarterback Chad Henne played one of his best games.

Dolphins defensive end Phillip Merling is back from his Achilles injury and active for the first time this year.

For the Buffalo Bills' game at the Metrodome, guard Eric Wood, tight end Shawn Nelson and cornerback Terrence McGee are out, as expected.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson will play, but receivers Percy Harvin, Greg Lewis and Hank Baskett are out. So is right guard Steve Hutchinson. That might help Bills nose tackle Kyle Williams add to his sack total.

As NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert notes, the Vikings have just three receivers: Sidney Rice, Bernard Berrian and Greg Camarillo. Rookie quarterback Joe Webb could see some action as a target.

Wednesday was jammed with so much AFC East news, I wanted to compile a few items that might've gotten overshadowed by bigger stories.

Buffalo Bills

Head coach Chan Gailey classified the leg injury outside linebacker Shawne Merriman sustained as "minor." Gailey hasn't officially ruled him out for Sunday's game against the Lions, but the chances Merriman makes his Bills debut appear slim.

"You've got to realize he hasn't played a lot of football," Gailey said of Merriman. "He hasn't had pads on in a while, all that kind of stuff. You want him out there, but he's not quite ready. We're not going to put him out there till he's ready. That's the No. 1 thing."

Miami Dolphins

The NFL didn't find conclusive evidence to punish Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain for allegedly spitting in Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder's face.

"You can see it on film," Dolphins defensive tackle Tony McDaniel said in a South Florida Sun-Sentinel article. "For them not to take any action, it says it's all right for us to spit on each other. Maybe they'll start something by not fining him for that."

New England Patriots

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady missed Wednesday's practice with a sprained foot, but is expected to play Sunday against the Steelers.

The signing of kicker Shayne Graham isn't intended to be temporary. The Patriots placed Stephen Gostkowski on season-ending injured reserve with a torn quadriceps muscle. The switch is a bad one for New England. Gostkowski was an All-Pro two seasons ago. Graham was on the street after missing two field goals for the Bengals in a first-round playoff loss to the Jets.

New York Jets

Inside linebacker Bart Scott fired another shot at Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, who belittled Scott's claim the Lions are the NFL's dirtiest team. Schwartz said "consider the source."

"Listen, I don't have to play Detroit for another four years," Scott said. "I couldn't care less what that man has to say. Don't even exist to me anymore. Does it really matter? I don't have to see him ever again. Do I have to see him at the Super Bowl? Playoffs? Probably not. In the parking lot? ... We're playing the Browns. I'm not going to oblige him. He'll be watching TV in January."

Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said he has video evidence that supports inside linebacker Channing Crowder's claim that Baltimore Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain spit in Crowder's face during the third quarter of Sunday's game.

Sparano spoke about the alleged incident for the first time Monday and indicated he would forward video to the NFL. McClain denied spitting at Crowder, one of the NFL's most notorious trash talkers, who went on an epic postgame tirade in the locker room.

"It's upsetting to me," Sparano said. "There's a lot of things that go on in this game from a talking standpoint and trash-talking standpoint. I'm standing there on the sideline yesterday, and I had a player talking trash to me from the other team, and I didn't say one word to the guy.

"Now, that being said, that's part of the game. I get it. I mean, that's whatever floats your boat out there, OK? Really, I don't think it's part of the game, OK? But to some of them that’s what gets them going.

"But this whole deal here about spitting in somebody's face, nowhere in this game do I see any place for that. I just don't."