NFL

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said he’s gaining confidence in Ronnie Brown’s ability to throw the ball out of the Wildcat. This is naturally the next step in the evolution of the Wildcat, as Brown must be able to throw out of it in order to keep the secondary honest. Sparano said Brown has been working on throwing regularly and if he is able to complete two or three passes per game, the Wildcat could be here to stay for the Miami Dolphins.

Elsewhere around the NFL:

Houston: Texans QB Matt Schaub said he “could see [Kevin Walter] catching more balls” with Owen Daniels (knee) out for the season. Schaub praised Walter for his willingness to go over the middle and his hands, but did indicate later that Daniels targets will be spread out amongst a number of players.

Houston: Texans RB Ryan Moats will start at running back for the Houston Texans Sunday, according to ESPN’s Bob Holzman. Holzman got the news from Texans coach Gary Kubiak and relayed it to Adam Schefter. This certainly isn’t a shock due in large part to Steve Slaton struggling to hang on to the football. Slaton and Chris Brown will both likely be involved in the offensive game plan, but Moats is a good add for fantasy owners looking for a RB.

Carolina: Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad (knee) is out for Sunday’s game against the Saints. Muhammad did not travel to New Orleans with the team and will be replaced by the unproductive Dwayne Jarrett.

Kansas City: The Chiefs have released WR Bobby Engram. Engram, 36, only had five catches on the season and this appears to be the end of his career.

Kansas City: The Kansas City Chiefs have activated RB Kolby Smith (knee) from the PUP list. With Larry Johnson suspended, Smith will play behind Jamaal Charles and could take carries away from the new starting RB.
However, keep in mind that Smith is coming off major knee surgery and Charles is the better player.

Tampa Bay: Bucs WR Antonio Bryant said the long plane ride home from London was partially to blame for the setback he is having with his knee. It don’t do me no good to play for a game or two and then be right back and have to sit down again,” Bryant said. Its sounds as if Bryant’s attitude, not a bum knee or a plane ride, has already mailed in the season.

Washington: The Redskins have demoted Malcolm Kelly from his starting flanker job in large part because of his route running. At 6′4/227 Kelly was supposed to be a red zone target for Jason Campbell, but he has been a disappointment thus far in his career.