Dolphins no longer rank as NFL whipping boys

MIAMI: The laughing stock of the NFL last season, when they managed just a solitary win, the Miami Dolphins are suddenly being taken seriously again.

Three victories so far, two against strong divisional rivals including Sunday's opponents the Buffalo Bills, do not make them play-off material just yet, but they certainly indicate that the changes made during the close-season are starting to pay off.

After that 1-15 campaign, head coach Cam Cameron was fired and two-time Superbowl winning coach Bill Parcells was appointed head of football operations and promptly brought in several former staffers from his old club the Dallas Cowboys, including Tony Sparano as head coach.