Giants have real problems
The Dolphins have issues at punter and kick returner, but their woes don't compare to the Giants' special-teams mess.
This isn't the easiest week for Dolphins special teams coach Keith Armstrong, and it could get tougher next week. Besides having to switch punters from Mark Royals to Matt Turk, the Dolphins are trying to fix their return game and get more consistent work from long snapper Sean McDermott.
( BY JASON COLE, jcole@herald.com, 10/01/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

DOLPHINS
Seau, three other players are affected by staph infection
The Miami Dolphins' hot tub, a possible culprit in a mini-breakout of staph infection among players, was drained, scrubbed and disinfected as a precautionary measure, team equipment manager Tony Egues said.
( BY MICHELLE KAUFMAN, mkaufman@herald.com, 10/01/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Strategy may come to pass
The Dolphins, who usually ride the coattails of Ricky Williams, might try to soar this weekend against the NFL's worst pass defense.
Chambers eyes big day How wretched are the New York Giants on defense? They have faced three quarterbacks this season, and all three have passed for more than 300 yards.
( BY ARMANDO SALGUERO, asalguero@herald.com, 09/30/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK
Turk is signed to replace Royals; Griese close to return
In a business that puts a premium on youth, the NFL seems to be combing Century Village for punters recently. Such is the case with the Dolphins, who chose 35-year-old Matt Turk to replace 38-year-old Mark Royals on Monday. The team took Turk rather than re-sign 24-year-old Kevin Stemke, who outperformed Royals in training camp.
( BY JASON COLE, jcole@herald.com, 09/30/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

Ogunleye steps into the light
A knee injury almost relegated the defensive end to the shadows, but his study of literature teaches him about maintaining his sense of self.
In the dark of a summer night in 1999, Dolphins defensive end Adewale Ogunleye saw he had a future in football.
( By JASON COLE, jcole@herald.com, 09/29/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

DOLPHINS PUNTER
Turk returns; Royals looks to be getting boot
The Dolphins are expected to release punter Mark Royals today and replace him with veteran Matt Turk, the man Royals replaced before the 2002 season.
( BY JASON COLE, jcole@herald.com, 09/29/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

It's an air of repair
Aches and pains have a way of subsiding when Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas enters his hyperbaric chamber.
Zach Thomas strips down to his shorts, rolls a newspaper in one hand, holds a portable DVD player in the other and still finds enough dexterity to grab a knife that has quite an intimidating blade. Now, he's ready to extend his NFL career and perhaps his life.
( BY ARMANDO SALGUERO, asalguero@herald.com, 09/28/2003 03:01 AM EDT)

DOLPHINS SPOTLIGHT
Chowing down on corn pasta, turkey meatloaf
The Davie Grill is not exactly the place you'd expect to find quinoa flour, avocado oil or any of a bunch of spices and extracts normally associated with Whole Foods Market.
( BY JASON COLE, Jcole@herald.com, 09/28/2003 03:01 AM EDT)