There are very few positive takeaways from Miami’s 45-23

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primetime loss to the Houston Texans. In fact , the list is about three notes long: Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake continued to run the ball well, DeVante Parker had a strong outing for the first time all season, and Jason Sanders looks like he can be a long-term solution at kicker. The last of those is to the full credit of Dolphins Special Teams Coordinator and Assistant Head Coach Darren Rizzi.Over the past few years, Rizzi has shown a tendency for finding diamonds in the rough all throughout the special teams unit. He’s found stars in former Dolphins safety Michael Thomas, who got two-year contract for the New York Giants due to his playmaking acumen as a gunner. Other key finds by Rizzi include linebacker Chase Allen, linebacker Mike Hull, defensive back Walt Aikens, and kick returner turned wide receiver Jakeem Grant. Miami’s punters and kickers are no exception. Matt Darr was a solid punter in South Florida before Rizzi found an even better option in the left footed Matt Haack, who’s had himself a solid season thus far. At kicker, Miami got good milage out of Andrew Franks , who kicked a long game winning field goal on a snowy day in Buffalo in 2016 that helped launch Miami into the playoffs. The team also got a very good season from Cody Parkey, who cashed in a contract year where he made over 91% of his field goals to get $15 million from the Chicago Bears. Now, it looks like Rizzi has struck gold again with rookie Jason Sanders.Sanders was virtually unknown coming out of college at New Mexico University. Over the course of his collegiate career, he went just 25/35 (71.4%) on field goal attempts, a number far below what’s expected of kickers at the NFL level. Yet, with Rizzi’s insistence, the Dolphins took a chance on Sanders with a 7th-round draft pick this past April, a decision that confused many fans and critics. Rizzi also brought in former FAU standout Greg Joseph during training camp. Joseph had a college field goal percentage equal to Sanders, and the two competed for the starting job which Sanders went on to win.Yet, it looks like Rizzi found two unheralded collegiate kickers and knew both could be coached up to NFL level. Through eight games , Sanders has made 9/10 field goals (90.0%) and 19/20 extra points (95%) for the Dolphins with a long of 50 yards, including a game winner against the Chicago Bears two weeks ago. In Thursday night’s game against the Houston Texans, Sanders made all three of his field goals with a long of 46 yards, including both of his extra points. Joseph, to his credit, has done well for himself since being released by the Dolphins. The former high school soccer player was signed by the Cleveland Browns going into Week 3 and has made 8/9 field goals (88.9%) and 6/7 extra points (85.7%), including a game-winning field goal of his own to help the Browns take down the Baltimore Ravens in overtime. After his two interception game, Xavien Howard has taken home the AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor. Howard is flying under the radar as no one is talking about him or respecting him. The cornerbacks contract is through 2019 and his asking price continues to come up. Howard is developing into a fine shut down corner and the Dolphins should do all they can to get him extended.You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.Dolphins' Howard Named AFC Defensive Player of the Week - NBC 6 South FloridaXavien Howard was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career on WednesdayDolphins Special TeamsAC In The AM: The Story Behind Punter Matt HaackIt’s time we got to know punter Matt Haack a little bit better. I mean doesn’t he deserve a closer look after what he has done so far this season, the uncanny accuracy inside the 20 yard line , how he has been as consistently good as any player on this team and undoubtedly as reliable.Dolphins 2018 SeasonMiami Dolphins practice report: Xavien Howard absent, Danny Amendola update - Sports - The Palm Beach Post - West Palm Beach, FLMIAMI GARDENS — Xavien Howard was not at Miami Dolphins practice on Wednesday.Howard, the Dolphins' Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, missed one snap in Sunday's defeat of the Bills after he appeared to pull up. Howard was also listed on Miami's injury report with an ankle injury last week.Miami needs Howard on Sunday against the Patriots. If he were to be absent, the Dolphins would have to consider how to re-align their secondary, including where to play Bobby McCain, Minkah Fitzpatrick andKelly: Very little of what Dolphins envisioned has panned out this season | Commentary - Sun SentinelNot much has gone right for the Miami Dolphins this NFL season, but coach Adam Gase's team has a .500 record with fourth games left in the regular season, and is still fighting for a playoff berth.Phinsider News You May Have MissedMiami Dolphins News 12/5/18: Dolphins Looking To Finish Strong - The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone , the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.Around SB Nation: What Other NFL Blogs Are Discussing - The PhinsiderWeekly, we take a look around the SB Nation family of NFL blogs. Here are the news stories and analysis they are discussing.Dolphins place A.J Derby on IR, add defensive back to roster - The PhinsiderThe Miami Dolphins have placed another offensive weapon on injured reserve.Meme Central: Game 12 - The PhinsiderFins defeat Tebow 2.0Dolphins Walk of Fame inductions - The PhinsiderThis past Sunday, before the Miami Dolphins beat the Buffalo Bills, the franchise inducted six new members into the team’s Walk of Fame in front of Hard Rock Stadium’s North Gate and the Joe Robbie...Opposing Player Spotlight: Week 14, New England Patriots - The PhinsiderThis week, Hard Rock Stadium will play host to one of the best WR-CB matchups in the league.