Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dolphins mum on Maualuga’s arrest, release
MIAMI GARDENS – Coach Adam Gase didn’t have much to say Sunday about Saturday’s release of middle linebacker Rey Maualuga, which followed his arrest after an incident at a downtown Miami nightclub, Club E11even.
The Miami Dolphins decided to start undrafted rookie Chase Allen at middle linebacker, which was the second time this season Allen got last-minute news he’d be a surprise starter. Allen, who attended Southern Illinois, started the Los Angeles Chargers game at strongside linebacker after Lawrence Timmons went AWOL the day before the game.
“That was just kind of how it [felt] for us,” Gase said of starting Allen. “We were repping him this week anyways.”
Allen, who started over Mike Hull, the starter before Maualuga was signed, ended with no tackles. It’s unclear whether he’ll continue as the starter next week at New England.
As for releasing Maualuga, who had 23 tackles in six games, Gase said “that was just a decision we came to when we heard [of his arrest]. It wasn’t very hard.”
Maualuga, who spent his first seven seasons with Cincinnati, was released by the Bengals in the offseason for financial reasons and signed with Miami in August. It took him a few weeks to get on the field due to weight/conditioning issues and a hamstring injury.
Injury update Quarterback Jay Cutler (concussion
protocol) didn’t play in the second half after being diagnosed at halftime. Gase sidestepped the question when asked whether Cutler would be the starter next week if healthy, saying, “I want to get to tomorrow first, see how he’s feeling.”
Right guard Jermon Bushrod (foot) left the game in the third quarter and didn’t return.
Linebacker Stephone Anthony (knee) left in the fourth quarter and didn’t return, and Allen (concussion protocol) returned after leaving in the fourth quarter.
Stills has big day
Wide receiver Kenny Stills had a careerbest 180 receiving yards against Tampa Bay, the seventh-best total in franchise history.
Stills previous best was 162 yards against Pittsburgh in 2014. Stills’ seven receptions were the second-higest total in his career behind an eight-reception performance in 2014.
Williams has nice run, but…
Running back Damien Williams started the game with a 69-yard run that was the longest of his career and the ninth-longest in franchise history.
Williams, who ended with 10 carries for 78 yards, led a Dolphins ground game that totaled 83 yards on 19 carries (4.4 yards per carry).
The ground game didn’t do much aside from Williams run. Kenyan Drake ended with seven carries for 4 yards.
Williams’ 78 yards rushing are a career best and the 10 carries are the second-most of his career.
In the past three games, since running back Jay Ajayi was traded to Philadelphia, Miami has rushed for 269 yards, mainly on the strength of runs of 42, 66 and 69 yards, which account for 177 yards.
Controversial non-safety
The Dolphins had a chance to pull within, 20-15, in the fourth quarter but had a possible safety turn into a mere sack for a 7-yard loss on a questionable call. Tampa Bay quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was apparently sacked in the end zone by defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. But upon review it was ruled Fitzpatrick was tackled just beyond the goal line. The safety could have allowed Miami to change strategy as it progressed toward the end of the game. …
Miami’s run defense might be back. Well, sort of. The Dolphins allowed a season-low 53 yards rushing to Tampa Bay. …
Linebacker Kiko Alonso had a careerhigh 10 tackles. …