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NFL Coaches Fight Club, Round 2: Andy Reid vs. Jim Caldwell


NFL Coaches Fight Club: the Tournament. Because we have nothing better to do than predict what might happen if head coaches started punching each other in the face.



Fantasy Football Cut-N-Go: Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith Split Carries

Jamaal CharlesCut-N-Go is Fantasy Football FanHouse's weekday roundup of the NFL news with fantasy football impact.

You had to be crazy not to see this coming. And whether you think the penalty was too stiff or not harsh enough for the crime, just know that Larry Johnson is being punished. In a release from the Kansas City Chiefs, we find out that Johnson will receive a two-game suspension.
The Kansas City Chiefs have suspended RB Larry Johnson for Conduct Detrimental to the Club effective immediately. Johnson will not be permitted to participate in any team activities or be on team premises until Monday, November 9th. The Chiefs will have no further comment on Johnson's status at this time.
This punishment wasn't as harsh as I predicted, but since I have no say in the matter let's focus on what the Chiefs are doing to make sure their rushing attack doesn't suffer.

Matt Roth Finally Returns to Practice, Then Sprains Ankle

Matt RothOn Wednesday, Miami Dolphins linebacker Matt Roth returned to practice for the first time since failing a conditioning test on the first day of training camp -- thus ending a strange roller-coaster ride of mysterious illnesses and phantom injuries that lasted almost three months. At least we thought the ride was over.

Roth apparently suffered an ankle injury in his first practice back and will miss Miami's game against New Orleans this Sunday.

Back in August, Roth failed his conditioning test. He failed even though he had signed a statement that every player signs, saying that he was not injured in any way, shape or form.

NFL Coaches Fight Club: Tony Sparano (3) vs. Jim Caldwell (6)


NFL Coaches Fight Club: the Tournament. Because we have nothing better to do than predict what might happen if head coaches started punching each other in the face.

NFL Coaches Fight Club: The Tournament


NFL Coaches Fight Club: the Tournament. Because we have nothing better to do than predict what might happen if head coaches started punching each other in the face.


Consider this hypothetical: what if two coaches met in a dark alley and threw down in a no-holds-barred brawl? Who would emerge victorious?

First, some background: back when I was in high school, when my friends and I were pretty creative in finding ways to avoid actually paying attention in class, we'd create brackets (think NCAA Tournament) where we'd pit our teachers against each other**. Whoever we thought would win in a fight advanced to the next round. It always ended with our offensive line coach against our wrestling coach in the finals and a huge argument as to who would come out on top.

Anyway, last week, the Back Porch staff somehow ended up discussing whether Rex Ryan or Tom Cable would win in a old school playground scrap. I passed along the above information, and shortly after that, an idea was born -- NFL Coaches Fight Club: the Tournament.

Chad Henne Suddenly in Familiar Spot

Chad HenneAs soon as Chad Pennington exited Miami's Week 3 game at San Diego with a shoulder injury, the Dolphins, rather unexpectedly, became Chad Henne's team. The second-year pro had never started an NFL game and seen extensive action in just one game prior to last Sunday, a Week 2 loss to Arizona in 2008.

But with Pennington going under the knife this week -- the third time in his career he's had surgery on his throwing shoulder -- the Dolphins will turn to Henne, both now and for the foreseeable future, even after a trade for Tyler Thigpen.

It's a difficult spot. Henne steps into the starting lineup before anyone thought he would, and he inherits a team that, despite an 0-3 start, had huge hopes coming into 2009. And while Henne may not save Miami this season, don't be surprised if he plays above his years and surprises some people.

After all, he's been in this situation before.

Miami Dolphins Season Preview: Expectations Are High

Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

In 2007, the Miami Dolphins were one overtime loss against the Baltimore Ravens away from a winless season. Needless to say, expectations couldn't have been much lower heading into 2008. A new head coach, a new quarterback and 10 additional wins later, and the Miami Dolphins were one of the most unexpected playoff teams in recent memory. Can they do it again?

Matured Ricky Williams at Peace With Role in Miami

Ricky WilliamsDAVIE, Fla. -- The massage therapist, who does yoga and battles temptations, stands outside the Dolphins practice bubble looking as relaxed as the sun.

Ricky Williams used to be a big deal around here.

His jersey sits in an enclosed glass case in the lobby of the Dolphins' complex. If you check the record books, Williams is second all-time in franchise history with 4,642 rushing yards -- right behind Larry Csonka. Williams leads the franchise with 20 100-yard games during his career. From 2000-2003, Williams rushed for 5,470 yards, second most in the league behind only Ahman Green.

But those days are long-gone now for the 32 year old running back.

Jason Taylor a Starter Again? Odd Situation in Miami Could Pave the Way

Jason TaylorDAVIE, Fla. -- When Jason Taylor returned to the Dolphins in May, he agreed to become a third-down, pass rush specialist. Matt Roth was entrenched as Miami's starting strongside linebacker, meaning Taylor would serve as the backup.

But after five practices at the Dolphins' training camp, Roth finds himself playing the role of a spectator while Taylor works as the starter.

Roth has been dealing with a mysterious injury that has the team baffled -- and maybe a little angry. After Miami's first practice on Sunday, Roth told coach Tony Sparano that he had an illness. Roth didn't complete his conditioning drills, and Monday, the team put him on the PUP/non-football illness list.

Dolphins WRs Not Big Mel Kiper Fans

It seems Mel Kiper can't open his mouth without upsetting someone. First, he went off on ESPN colleague Todd McShay (wait, what?), and now he's drawn the ire of the Dolphins' wide receivers after dismissing the group that has played together since 2008.

Brandon London, a former Giants practice-squadder and part-time model before coming to Miami, was especially bothered by the comments, and took it upon himself to share Kiper's message of hate* with his teammates in an effort to motivate them.

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