• The Dolphins, who had some concerns about their defensive line after Jason Ferguson retired and Phillip Merling was injured, are feeling good about the unit, nine days into camp. Randy Starks and rookie Jared Odrick (``stout and has good pass rush moves,'' Jake Long said) have had good camps. Lionel Dotson has impressed the Dolphins with his improvement, and some other teams like his upside.
Miami likes Tony McDaniel and broached a contract extension, though McDaniel instead might test free agency next spring.
The Dolphins, who kept seven defensive linemen to start last season, have six safe bets in Odrick, Starks, Kendall Langford, McDaniel, Paul Soliai and Marques Douglas. It's a battle among Dotson, Charles Grant, Ryan Baker, Montavious Stanley and long shot Travis Ivey for at least one other spot. Dotson and Grant generated a strong pass rush in Saturday's practice.
• Not only has Brandon Marshall bolstered the offense, but he has done wonders for the players' psyche. ``It took us forever to score last year,'' Vernon Carey said. ``Now we can score quickly like other teams do.''
• When Koa Misi was ``about 10 years old,'' his father told him to watch Baltimore and ex-UM linebacker Ray Lewis. The studying paid dividends: Tony Sparano raved about how ``conscientious'' Misi is.
``He's going to be a hell of a player,'' Channing Crowder said. ``I'm excited about playing with him because his physicality really helps. I'm playing behind him, and he clears stuff out for me. He doesn't know anything about trying to save your body.''
• Cornerback Will Allen, who vowed in February that he would be a starter, told us, ``I got in a little trouble for that. I'm going to leave that fire alone.'' Allen remains with the second team. . . . Crowder, on second-team outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis, the former defensive end who been one of camp's biggest surprises: ``Let's see what he can do in the open field. But teams will not run the ball his way -- he's as strong as an ox
