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Chambers Re-Emerging As Dangerous Threat...
In an article published Thursday, Associated Press sports writer Mark Long described a play in which Chris Chambers caught the ball between two defenders, got crunched on the tackle, then jumped to his feet.

It wasn't a diving catch or a one-handed grab. But the 11-yard reception in front of Jets cornerback Ray Mickens and behind linebacker Marvin Jones last week may have been more impressive -- and maybe more important -- for the Miami Dolphins.

It was an encouraging sign for the third-year receiver who spent part of last season recovering from a concussion.

"That catch was a toughness catch," head coach Dave Wannstedt said. "He took a couple of good shots and bounced straight up. That was every bit as important for his confidence as a one-handed one."

Chambers caught four passes for 91 yards against the Jets. Although his numbers against Houston in the opener were better -- seven receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns -- his Week 2 performance was more complete.

He caught passes down the sideline and over the middle. Some easy, some hard. Some when he was open, some when he wasn't. He even caught a pass intended for tight end Randy McMichael.

It was a clear indication that he has regained his confidence -- and his role as the team's go-to receiver.

"I learned a lot from last year," Chambers said. "The toughest part of it was just not getting the opportunities. I just tried to stay patient."

Chambers had to be helped from the field last October after sustaining a concussion when he took a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit from Denver safety Kenoy Kennedy.

Kennedy was later suspended without pay for one game.

Chambers missed a game, but never really was the same. He had 23 catches and two touchdowns in the five games before the injury; he had 29 receptions and one touchdown in his final 10 games.

"You have to stay mentally tough," Chambers said. "The worst part is you go through the whole week and practice so hard and you're catching balls and you're feeling good and then you get in the game and you don't get the same results."

Chambers doesn't want to talk specifically about the concussion, which left him with headaches for several days, and his silence had some questioning whether he would return to normal. He caught just four passes for 71 yards in the preseason and seemed tentative at times.

But few could question him after the first two games -- especially after the tough catch against the Jets.

"He is really coming into his own now," Jay Fiedler said. "He just understands the game so much better. He is getting to the point where he is attacking defenders, and that is what we want to see from him.

Also of interest. ...

According to the Sports XChange, Ricky Williams is coming off a 125-yard outing against the Jets. But with the offseason upgrades Buffalo has made on defense, it would be unfair to expect a repeat of his personal-best 228-yard performance last November at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

In fact, Williams may be hard-pressed to hit the century mark Sunday if Chambers remains the only significant threat in Miami's passing game.

"The more plays we have, the more chances Ricky is going to have," Fiedler noted. "That goes hand in hand with the run and the pass."

And finally. ...

Versatile fullback Rob Konrad played without a cast on his surgically repaired right pinkie for the first time against the Jets. The former Syracuse star caught two passes for 17 yards and did a solid job blocking.