Like I told you last week, our usual "Game Balls" author - Mosul_DolFan - will be unable to share his infinite wisdom with us. But I think I did a solid job filling in a week ago - and I'm going to attempt to do so again this week.
Sunday's win against Tennessee presented a number of candidates who are worthy of being mentioned below. But I had to narrow the list to five. So here they are.
1-Yard Game Ball: Yeremiah Bell. It was Bell who led the team in tackles on Sunday. It was also Bell who had the huge sack and forced fumble early in the third quarter to set up the Dolphins with excellent field position. Two plays later, the Dolphins took a ten point lead. Huge play from Bell, who hasn't made as many in 2010 as we've seen in the past. Hopefully this performance jump starts his second half of 2010.
2-Yard Game Ball: Reshad Jones. The rookie safety was forced into action after injuries struck the defensive backfield. Both Bell and Chris Clemons had to miss some plays on Sunday. The rookie stepped in and had a hell of a fourth quarter, picking up his first career sack and first career interception on consecutive plays.
3-Yard Game Ball: Chad Henne. After being benched and publicly scrutinized last week, Henne was asked to step back in and lead this team just two plays into the game when Chad Pennington was injured. After a rough start, all Henne did was complete 68% of his passes for 240 yards and a touchdown (and a bad interception - but it happens). Henne was really starting to heat up in the third quarter, too - completing 9 of 11 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown before suffering that knee injury.
4-Yard Game Ball: Anthony Fasano. The big tight end had a career day on Sunday, making five receptions for a career-high 107 yards and a touchdown. He made perhaps two of the games biggest plays, too, late in the game. His 31 yard reception and then ensuing 9 yard touchdown reception helped the Dolphins seal the deal and put away the game.
5-Yard Game Ball: Tyler Thigpen. So maybe he only played one quarter and only attempted six passes. But Tony Sparano gave Thigpen the game ball in the locker room - and that's good enough for me. After starting out 0 for 2, Thigpen connected on his next four passes for 64 yards, leading the Dolphins down the field for that game-clinching touchdown. Not bad for a guy who has received nothing but scout team work since the season began. On Thursday night, though, we'll see what - if anything - Thigpen can really bring to this offense.