Miami Dolphins talking points: Did Lousaka Polite get dissed?

Coach Tony Sparano’s politicking on behalf of fullback Lousaka Polite and defensive end Randy Starks for Pro Bowl consideration apparently fell on deaf ears as both players were passed over when the rosters were named Tuesday. Starks didn’t make an appearance in the locker room Wednesday, but his chances were never better than remote for two reasons: 1) he’s only begun to make a splash this season, and 2) defensive ends tend not to get a lot of attention in 3-4 defensive schemes. Polite did talk, so that’s where we begin our Thursday talking points: 1. Polite had a better season than Pro Bowler Le’Ron McClain of Baltimore. McClain had slightly better stats in both rushing and receiving than Polite. He carried 45 times for 175 yards, a 3.9 average, compared to Polite’s 35-117 and 3.3 average. He also caught 20 passes for 135 yards; Polite had more catches (35) but for fewer yards (117). But numbers don’t tell the story. Both are excellent blockers, but Polite had a role in Miami’s Wildcat scheme. And nobody was better than Polite on third-and-one and fourth-and-one situations; he’s a perfect 15-for-15 over the past two years. Most importantly, the Dolphins needed Polite to play an expanded role when Ronnie Brown went down and he’s done just that. Polite’s take: “It didn’t happen for me, that’s fine, I’ll just keep working and maybe one day it’ll happen. But that’s not my first goal. It’s team first, and trying to get this team into the playoffs. Those accolades come in time. It wasn’t my time.” 2. The Dolphins might consider upgrading their placekicking situation in the offseason. More than one player wondered aloud after Sunday’s game just how much more interesting it might have been had Dan Carpenter been able to hit the 54-yard field goal he missed with 5:52 left in the third quarter and the Dolphins trailing Houston 27-10. For one thing, they

would have been within a touchdown on what proved to be their final drive, when they still needed two scores to tie and opted to have Carpenter kick a 38-yard field goal on fourth-and-4 from the 20. Carpenter has been good if not great this year, hitting 24-of-27 on field goals. But he’s just 1-of-2 beyond 50 yards, and might have misjudged the wind Sunday. The wind was coming from the north that day and the kick drifted a few inches wide right at the east end of the stadium. A lot of people scratched their heads when Connor Barth came in and seemed to outkick Carpenter in training camp only to get cut. Barth has gone on to have a solid season in Tampa Bay, and kicked the overtime winner against New Orleans Sunday. Expect another kicking competition next training camp – unless Carpenter is gone by then. 3. The Jets could make the playoffs on back-to-back walkovers. And how crazy would that be. After Indianapolis basically handed Gang Green a win by pulling their starters early in the third quarter Sunday, there’s now speculation that Cincinnati may not even play Carson Palmer and some of their other stars against the Jets Sunday night if New England wins earlier in the day, thus cementing Cincy’s No. 4 seed in the AFC bracket. It’s hard to think of any other sport that rests star players with something on the line. And Miami could be one of several teams with a stake in what happens at Giants Stadium. Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy have been among those who insist the Colts and Bengals have earned the right to rest starters if the situation warrants. But what about the right of other potential playoff teams to make the Jets earn their spot rather than back their way in?

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Miami Dolphins talking points: Did Lousaka Polite get dissed?

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