NFL Update

Sunday dawns on the West Coast as the Miami Dolphins plan to open their delayed season and where is linebacker Lawrence Timmons? To pilfer from the epic film “Do The Right Thing,” those that know don’t tell and those that tell don’t know.

Timmons, signed as a free agent in the spring, didn’t seem to give any hints that he might do the “thin air” trick, but Sunday morning, as the Dolphins got ready to play the Los Angeles Chargers, he was not to be found. Coach Adam Gase said he would address the matter after the game, won 19-17 by the Dolphins, but he either couldn’t or chose not to.
Monday? More of the same? Here is veteran NFL player beginning his 11th NFL season (but first away from the Pittsburgh Steelers), a player who had not missed a start since 2009, and he is missing. Gone. Not present. He really needs to work but one day a week – especially that Sunday, as the Dolphins’ opener had been postponed by Hurricane Irma – and he is starring in “The Invisible Man.”

You want clarity? Look elsewhere. If Gase knew anything, he did not disclose it on Monday as the Dolphins regrouped at headquarters in Davie, Florida.

Any update? “Not currently.” Talked to Timmons? “No.” Is he in the building? “No.”

Thanks.

The Oakland Raiders went through this on the morning of the Super Bowl after the 2002 season when center Barret Robbins vanished and was unavailable for the big game. There’s no point in rehashing all of that because these are different people. But where is Timmons and why don’t the Dolphins know? Timmons has an agent – he cut a a two-year, $12 million deal with the Fins. Can’t speak for you, but your friendly neighborhood blog tends to let his employers know when he won’t be available.

ESPN reported that Timmons would meet with team doctors on Monday, which the team did not confirm. And Timmons, according to sources (???), said he wanted to play Sunday against the New York Jets (and who wouldn’t)?

We can only hope he is OK, that whatever drove him to miss a game with no apparent notice, will be rectified. Maybe we will get answers and maybe we won’t. But the rule in the NFL is you need to be part of the “able” family – reliable and available.

The jury is out.

 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman