Tom Coughlin gets mowed over on sideline, pops right back up (VIDEO)

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin got completely mowed over on the sideline in the fourth quarter of the Giants' game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.

Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill, under pressure, heaved a high pass to the Giants' sideline, throwing the ball away. Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was tracking it out of bounds when he inadvertently crashed into the 69-year-old coach.

Coughlin's toughness has never been called into question, but I'm guessing those jumping jacks at his presser this week helped him spring back up just a little quicker.

Tom Coughlin Did Jumping Jacks At Todays Press Conference, So The GMen Are Super Bowl Locks https://t.co/3tpeP4gl36 pic.twitter.com/OAI3aCnBaF

— Clemzingis (@TheClemReport) December 10, 2015

Wife of Dolphins' Brent Grimes arrested for 'headbutting' police outside Sun Life Stadium (VIDEO)

The wife of Miami Dolphins' cornerback Brent Grimes, who is already known for her outspoken views and harsh criticism of NFL culture, might be adding police to that list after an incident outside Sun Life Stadium Sunday afternoon.

Miko Grimes' day apparently started off bad enough — even before her husband's team was humiliated 41-14 by the Buffalo Bills — after Grimes was arrested when police say that she pushed her way through a police blockade and into traffic despite being given several warnings to stop. 

The missus reportedly started screaming obscenities at the cops before allegedly charging at one officer while flailing her arms. The officer then put her in a bear hug and took her to the ground, where she was handcuffed.

After getting up off the pavement, she is said to have headbutted one cop before being taken away.

Video footage taken in the parking lot before the game shows her on her chest wearing her husband's jersey while being pinned down by several cops.

She can be heard yelling hysterically as the cops try to restrain her — loud enough to make her voice hoarse. She then starts shouting: "Get off my leg."

Video Warning: Graphic Language

The wife of Miami Dolphins CB Brent Grimes getting arrested after Sunday's game outside stadium. #BUFvsMIA @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/8Fp827Nhqp

— Joe Floccari TV News (@JoeFloccari) September 28, 2015

A frantic Grimes is heard screaming, "Are you f***ing serious right now? Are you f***ing serious right now? You better f***ing listen to me right now."

Cops say she was put on to a police golf cart, which took her to a nearby station where she continued to be uncooperative.

According to reports, Grimes injured her right knee and her arm during the confrontation, and she was given medical attention at the station. She has been charged with disorderly conduct, battery on a police officer and resisting arrest with violence.

Her husband reportedly didn't know about the arrest until after the game, but Grimes' wife is known to text him every game during halftime, so it is possible he may have known, or at least suspected that something was wrong by the third quarter.

Former Miami Dolphin, Rob Konrad swims 9 miles to shore after falling off boat: Report

Some retired NFL players wear their team's namesake on their sleeve but, in this case, maybe carries it on his fin.

Former Miami Dolphins fullback Rob Konrad turned into a human Flipper after he swam nine miles back to shore after falling off his boat while fishing alone off the South Florida coast on Wednesday — and is OK. 

The U.S. Coast Guard said that Konrad — who played for the Dolphins from 1999 to 2004 — had gone fishing by himself after being dropped off at a Boca Raton dock. Friends became concerned after he didn't meet them for dinner, and the Coast Guard later sent a helicopter to scour the Atlantic Ocean looking for him.

The Coast Guard said Konrad apparently fell off the 36-foot boat, which had been on auto pilot. 

Unable to get back to the boat, Konrad began swimming toward shore. He made it some time after 4 a.m. Thursday and contacted the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office — after surviving almost 10 hours of swimming in the chilly water.

Officials say the 38-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was treated for possible hypothermia.

After playing four years at Syracuse, Konrad was drafted by the Dolphins in 1999, where he stayed for five years. And it sounds like he was born to be a Fish.

Brent Grimes says his one-handed INT was better than Beckham Jr.'s catch (VIDEO)

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.'s incredible one-handed catch Sunday night is being called the greatest catch of all time but, at least one NFL player is claiming he made a better grab just two weeks before.

That's right. Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes thinks his similar leaping interception robbing the Lions' Calvin Johnson of a touchdown during Week 10 deserves as much consideration as Beckham's widely publicized play — and maybe more.

"It was a cool catch. I may be biased, I think mine was better," Grimes joked, via ESPN’s James Walker. "I jumped and everything. I was on defense. They weren't throwing me the ball. That was a great catch, though."

Here's Beckham's fantastic catch ... again:



Let's make it simple and separate Big Apples from Orange Bowls by calling it like it is: Best Catch and Best Interception — respectively.

Settled.

Fracking mogul bids over $1 billion for Buffalo Bills: Report

A Pennsylvania fracking mogul bid more than $1 billion for the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday — making it likely the team will attract a record sales price for an NFL team.

It was one of only two known bids — which were due by 5 p.m. Tuesday — for the storied NFL franchise, according to the New York Post.

Terrence Pegula, who owns the NHL Buffalo Sabres, made the record-breaking opening offer. The team was put on the block last spring following the March 25 death of owner Ralph Wilson Jr..

Donald Trump made the other offer but has admitted he probably underbid because he's "not going to do something stupid" to call the team his.

It could not be learned whether other bids were received by banker Morgan Stanley, which is running the auction, said the newspaper.

A controversial group fronted by Jon Bon Jovi that includes Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, owner of the NBA Toronto Raptors and the NHL Maple Leafs, and the Canadian Rogers family, which controls Rogers Communications, was expected to bid.

The Bon Jovi group is expected to try and move the team to Toronto. A move that has made the rocker an unpopular figure in the western New York city.

“Man, f–k Bon Jovi,” legendary Bills receiver Andre Reed, told New York Magazine. “You might as well just take this city, throw it in the river, and let it go down Niagara Falls.”

And, as usual, there were rumored bidders who were eyeing a move to Los Angeles, which has been without an NFL team since 1994.

First-round bids are usually just high enough to pique the interest of a seller and kick off the selling process.

The $1.1 billion sale of the Miami Dolphins in 2008 is the highest price ever paid for an NFL team.

Former Giants RB Derrick Ward slams ESPN for airing Michael Sam kiss: Report

Former New York Giants running back Derrick Ward, a member of the team’s Super Bowl championship team in 2007, slammed ESPN for showing Michael Sam kissing his boyfriend after he became the first openly gay player drafted by an NFL team.

Ward, who retired from the Houston Texans in 2012, said the sports network’s decision to run footage of the kiss after the St. Louis Rams selected Sam on Saturday set a bad example for children.

“Man U got little kids lookin at the draft,” Ward griped on Twitter Saturday. “I can’t believe ESPN even allowed that to happen.”

Man U got little kids lookin at the draft. I can't believe ESPN even allowed that to happen.
— Derrick Ward (@derrickward32) May 10, 2014

Sam broke down in tears when the Rams made him the 249th overall pick in the draft. Like many drafted players do, Sam celebrated by kissing his significant other — Vito Cammisano.

Ward sparked outrage with his tweet. But he didn’t back down.

“Everyone who comments on my page saying what dude did was fine is getting blocked,” Ward tweeted. “So far I’ve blocked 10 people.”

He went on to tweet that putting “your tongue into the other person’s mouth is a little overboard. But people seen that as oh i’m bashing him because he’s gay. Who cares!!!”

The paring your tongue into the other persons mouth is a little over board. But people seen that as oh I'm bashing him because he's gay. Who
— Derrick Ward (@derrickward32) May 11, 2014

At least Ward won't have to whip out his checkbook like Miami Dolphins player Don Jones who also expressed his disdain for Sam’s on-air smooch by calling it "horrible."

Jones was fined an undisclosed amount by the Dolphins for his thoughts.

Dolphins player calls Rams' NFL draft selection of Michael Sam 'horrible': Report

A negative one-word tweet from Miami Dolphins safety Don Jones about the drafting of Michael Sam by the St. Louis Rams drew a quick response from the NFL team.

After the Rams selected Sam in the seventh round and cameras showed him kissing his boyfriend Saturday, Jones tweeted, "Horrible." The tweet was taken down a short time later.

Sam is the first openly gay player to be selected in the NFL draft.

The Dolphins already have plenty of public relations woes and were at the center of the bullying scandal last season that embarrassed the league and drew nationwide scrutiny of locker room culture in the NFL.

After the draft, Dolphins general manager Dennis Hickey said he was made aware of their defensive back's tweet.

"I was disappointed in those comments," Hickey said. "That's not what we stand for as an organization. The draft weekend is the culmination for so many players of their lifetime achievement of their dream to achieve their goal. For Michael Sam, for all the other players, it's such a great celebration as they begin their future.

"We're going to sit down with Don Jones and address (the tweet) appropriately."

Dolphins' Phillip Wheeler defends girlfriend for breastfeeding photo

Philip Wheeler is lashing out at the haters who criticized his model girlfriend after she posted a picture of her breastfeeding his son last month.

The Miami Dolphins linebacker is defending his partner Ashley Nicole, claiming she is being "unfairly attacked" over the photograph she uploaded to her Instagram profile.

The new mother posted the picture to her 23,000 followers showing her son feeding inside the couple's home.

She wrote: "Was on the way out the door but then mommy duty called... Everything stops for him! #breastisbest #natureisbeautiful"

Wheeler told TMZ.com: "I wish everybody would just leave it alone. She's a model. She takes pictures for a living."

Wheeler pointed out that when supermodel Gisele Bundchen posted a picture of her breastfeeding her daughter Vivian in December, she received nothing but praise.

The photograph is still post on Ashley's Instagram page and it is understood Nicole has no plans to remove it.

The image has so far attracted more than 2,000 likes from users as well as a raft of comments supporting Miss Nicole.

Posting her reaction to those negative comments, Miss Nicole posted another picture to her Instagram profile, alongside the caption: "For all the people who had something negative to say about my post feeding my baby... #normalizebreastfeeding #getalife."

"People always want to see your breasts, until you're feeding a baby then it's considered indecent,"she wrote. "Anyone else see the flaw in this logic?"

Woody Johnson emails Jets season ticket holders: 'Rex has more passion than anyone I have ever met.'

The New York Jets 20-7 victory over the Miami Dolphins Sunday did more than end the Fish's playoff hopes and extend Rex Ryan's future in New York, it inspired Woody Johnson to sit at keyboard and screen to wax poetic.

Shortly after the inspirational victory, and after Johnson told a choked up Ryan and Jets players in the locker room that Ryan would be back next season, the owner emailed season ticket holders a letter reiterating his belief in his head coach. Here's the full letter obtained by the N.Y. Daily News:

"Our 2013 season ended earlier today with a victory over the Dolphins. It’s no secret that when this season started many people outside the Jets organization had low expectations for our team. But not us – we set out this year, and every year, with the high expectations of winning games and making Jets Nation proud.

I am writing to you, a valued Jets Partner, today to address 2014 and beyond.

Obviously, one of the first steps in moving forward is making a decision about our Head Coach. I hired Rex Ryan in January of 2009 for many reasons, but one of his strengths really stands out. Rex has more passion than anyone I have ever met. Passion for the Jets. Passion for teaching and motivating his players and coaches. Passion for winning. Like any NFL Head Coach, he’s had ups and downs, but Rex has been a tremendous leader of this football team.

That is why, after today’s game, I informed the team of our carefully-considered decision: Rex Ryan will continue as Head Coach of the New York Jets.

We won three of our last four games, but we're obviously not satisfied with our overall up-and-down 2013 performance. There were many moments, including today, when we showed real signs of progress and reasons for optimism, with a young, talented, competitive, and resilient team. But there were also too many games where we couldn’t sustain that progress. The reality is that we’re not yet the complete and consistent team that you demand and deserve.

We're confident that, with the leadership of General Manager John Idzik, working closely with Rex, we will enter 2014 with great opportunities to improve. We have the resources in place to continue to build our team, including more draft picks and roster flexibility than in previous years. In short, we’re on the right path. We are going to continue to move forward together, always looking to be better and stronger, building on our successes and learning from our failures.

We are focused on fielding a consistently competitive team with the sole mission of winning. We have our work cut out for us, but I know that we have the grit and determination to get the job done. We’ll continue to set high expectations and then work hard to exceed them. And I promise you that not one person in this organization will rest until we meet our ultimate goal of fielding a championship team.

Thank you for your intense loyalty and unyielding support for the Jets."

Now, about that contract extension...

Dolphins officially put an end to Jonathan Martin's season: Report

Jonathan Martin's NFL season ended over a month ago but the Miami Dolphins finally made it official on Saturday.

The team put the troubled offensive tackle on the reserve/non-football illness list, freeing up his roster spot so safety D.J. Campbell could be promoted from the team's practice squad.

His season of despair will no doubt linger on.

The move was not unexpected. Martin left the Dolphins on Oct. 28, the start of what became an explosive probe into allegations that a culture of bullying was around the team and inside its locker room.

Offensive lineman Richie Incognito was suspended Nov. 3 for his alleged role in the turmoil. Media reports Friday said the Dolphins and Incognito agreed to extend his suspension past the four-week window typically allowed by league rule, and that Incognito would resume getting paid.

Investigator Ted Wells' probe of the team and its workplace environment is ongoing.

Former NFLer Channing Crowder admits that he urinated on himself before every game for six years (VIDEO)

Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder has revealed in an interview that he used to urinate on himself during every game of his six-year career in the NFL.

The 29-year-old Crowder — the son of former Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Crowder — retired from football in 2011 after being released by the team.

The former player's frank but embarrassing confession went viral on YouTube Tuesday after his appearance on an NFL Films Presents segment about players' and coaches' hidden talents. 

For the outspoken Crowder, his special skill was taking a leak on himself – for fun.

"I never went to the bathroom in the toilet," he unabashedly declared. "Every game I peed myself. Six years straight I peed down my leg. I would just be in the huddle and just... pee."

A graduate of the University of Florida, Channing Crowder was the Dolphins' third-round pick in 2005, the Sun-Sentinel reported. 

He took part in a total of 82 games, and according to Crowder, he relieved himself on the gridiron during every one of them.

Jonathan Martin says nothing while arriving for 'bullying' meeting with NFL's investigator

A smiling Jonathan Martin said nothing to reporters as he entered a Midtown Manhattan law office early Friday morning. The Miami Dolphins offensive lineman was scheduled to meet with Ted Wells, the prominent attorney appointed by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to review charges that Martin's teammates verbally and physically abused him.

Martin's lawyer, David Cornwell, maintained that Martin endured a "malicious physical attack and "daily vulgar comments."

Martin and a companion arrived at Wells’ Manhattan office and were met by a crush of cameras and reporters. The "bullied" lineman smiled but did not respond to questions while entering the building.

Teammate Richie Incognito was suspended indefinitely by the Dolphins for his role in the alleged mistreatment. Incognito has denied any wrongdoing, and filed a non-injury grievance against the Dolphins for suspending him.

Richie Incognito held offensive line meetings at strip club: Report

Richie Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by the Miami Dolphins, presumably for his alleged role in bullying left tackle Jonathan Martin, who left the team last week and is currently in California seeking counseling. While the NFL investigates the matter, new details of the left guard's antics continue to pile up.

The latest accusation against Incognito, according to NationalFootballPost.com's Jason Cole, is he would regularly hold meetings for the offensive line at a South Florida strip club and would "fine" teammates if they didn't show up.

“Richie wanted to set up Richie's world as a way for everybody to act,” a team source told Cole. “Richie thinks everybody should act that way. He doesn't get that some guys aren't into that behavior. Some guys don't want to constantly explain to their wife or girlfriend why they have to go to a strip club.”
And if players didn't go? Incognito would mock them for not being part of the group, Cole wrote.

On Thursday, Cam Cleeland, who was a tight end with the Rams when Incognito was drafted, said this about his former teammate.

"I'm not afraid to say that he was an immature, unrealistic scumbag," Cleeland told the Los Angeles Times. "When it came down to it, he had no personality, he was a locker-room cancer, and he just wanted to fight everybody all the time. It was bizarre beyond belief."

Although Incognito's Miami teammates came to his defense this week and he is expected to file a grievance against the team for losing his $235,294.12 weekly salary, the new details into his behavior don't help his case.

Martin, meanwhile, has hired high-powered attorney David Cornwall, who alleged Thursday night that his client was the victim of verbal abuse in the Dolphins' locker room.

On Thursday, Dolphins coach Joe Philbin told the media, "I think we have a strong group of men in the locker room. I believe we had one before this occurred. And I believe we'll have one after."

Just bring lots of dollar bills.

Richie Incognito suspended by Dolphins for Jonathan Martin bullying allegations: Report

Less than 24 hours after ESPN reported that he wanted his "name cleared," now Miami Dolphins’ offensive lineman Richie Incognito has been suspended indefinitely by the team. Incognito had been named as the “ringleader” of a group of Dolphins’ players who had been allegedly bullying and tormenting teammate Jonathan Martin since his rookie season of 2012. Fox Sports reported that Incognito allegedly sent Martin “threatening, racialy-charged texts.”

Incognito had been protesting his innocence via Twitter:

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. Buddha
— Richie incognito (@68INCOGNITO) November 3, 2013

Martin left the team on Oct. 28, and his representatives have blamed Incognito and other teammates for his departure, saying that Martin was fearful of “what might happen to him” if he returned.

After initially downplaying reports of bullying as “mere speculation”, the Dolphins on Sunday released a statement saying that they would investigate the matter. Then, late Sunday night the team announced his suspension for "conduct detrimental to the team."

Garafolo: "Multiple sources told me Martin's camp informed Dolphins and NFLPA that Incognito sent threatening and racially charged texts"
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 4, 2013

At least two sources have implicated Incognito for alleged harassment incidents of Martin dating to his rookie season in 2012. It may have centered around money: CBS reporting that Martin was pressured to chip in $15,000 for a team trip to Las Vegas, and feared what would happen to him if he didn’t.

The NFL Players Association says they are investigating.

Gio Bernard makes Brent Grimes miss two tackles during incredible TD run (VIDEO)

Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard covered so much ground on this 65-yard touchdown run that one Miami Dolphins defender had the chance to miss two tackles on the same play.

And it might be the most impressive TD run of the season.

Cincinnati was trailing Miami 17-10 in the fourth quarter of Thursday night's game, when the rookie out of North Carolina took the hand off from Andy Dalton and took off to his right. The play nearly ended before Bernard even got back to the line of scrimmage as cornerback Brent Grimes almost dragged him down. Somehow staying on his feet, Bernard reversed direction and bolted for the far sideline, taking a serpentine route that brought him even further behind the line of scrimmage. After reaching the far sideline, Bernard followed three blockers — including quarterback Andy Dalton — up the edge of the field. At the 10-yard line, Bernard veered back toward the center of the field as he closed in on the end zone. At this point, Grimes had another chance at a tackle. And he missed, again.

Touchdown Run of the Year or Worst Tackling On Same Play of the Year? You decide.

Obama invites '72 Dolphins to White House for long overdue ceremony

The Miami Dolphins team that achieved the only perfect season in NFL history will be honored by the White House next Tuesday, more than 40 years —and eight presidents — after its unequaled accomplishment.

President Obama will welcome the 1972 Dolphins for the first White House ceremony honoring the only team to go 17-0. Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Don Shula plans to accompany players from the team to the event.

“It’s a long time coming, but we’re finally getting there,” said '72 linebacker Nick Buoniconti about the log-awaited tribute. Most of the former teammates are in their 70's and many are not around but, some of the living players still celebrate together when the last undefeated NFL team finally loses each season.

The ‘72 Dolphins team didn’t make it to the White House in the months after their Super Bowl victory, because President Nixon — a big sports fan — was preoccupied with the Watergate scandal.

“Nixon was too busy calling plays” former-running back Mercury Morris said with a laugh. Nixon once suggested a Super Bowl play to Shula.

Dolphins representatives recently raised the idea of honoring the "No Name" team with the White House.

“I’m honored that the accomplishments of the 1972 Dolphins are going to be recognized by the president with a ceremony at the White House,” Shula said in a statement. “It is a very special occasion, and I know it’s something that all of us will enjoy and remember.”

Current Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is paying expenses for the team’s trip. Ross said the entire organization was excited about the invitation.

“By going undefeated all year en route to a Super Bowl championship, the ‘72 Dolphins reached the pinnacle of sports achievement and set a standard for excellence that has yet to be duplicated,” Ross said in a statement. “In addition, coach Shula and his players were just as successful off the field in their charitable and civic activities, becoming role models for the South Florida community

“The players and coaches are most deserving of this unique honor, and they are looking forward to their trip to the White House and their ceremony with the president.”

Hall of Famers on the legendary ‘72 team include quarterback Bob Griese, receiver Paul Warfield, fullback Larry Csonka, center Jim Langer and guard Larry Little.

One burning question remains. What took so long?

Dolphins' rookie asks ESPN: Where are the fat people in 'The Body Issue?'

One NFL rookie wants to "super-size" ESPN The Magazine's ‘Body Issue’ which hit the stands this week.

Miami Dolphins' heavyweight A.J. Francis took one look at the perfectly sculpted bodies in the annual issue and wondered, "where are all the fat people?" via his Twitter account.

The former Maryland star stands 6 foot, 5 inches tall and weighs 309 pounds.

The not so svelte defensive lineman started his Twitter conversation with this:

Hey @espn you need a fat guy in the body issue... Call my agent. #FatIsSexyToo
— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) July 10, 2013

I'd be willing to bet I'm more famous than some of the athletes in the Body issue from obscure sports... @espn give the fat kids a sex idol.
— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) July 10, 2013

@WRTreezy @espn nah b I'm serious. I'm fat and sexy and I'm not alone in that. The world needs to accept me and my people lol
— A.J. Francis (@AJFrancis410) July 10, 2013

Francis sounded a little litigious in one of his last sarcastic tweets. The notorious Twitter user thumbed out:

"I have a hell of a discrimination lawsuit on my hands ... Your move Walt Disney"

Is it time for bigger people to bare it all?  One XXX-Large man thinks so.

Victor Cruz will sign long-term deal with Giants: Report

Is that salsa music coming from MetLife Stadium?  You bet it is.

Popular New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz will reportedly sign a long-term deal before the start of training camp on July 26, according to league sources.

And it couldn't be too soon for the Big Blue offense.

Terms of the deal have been agreed upon by both sides and only the final details remain to be worked out, reports ESPN.  No obstacles are expected to squash the deal.

Monday night, Cruz tweeted: "Good things come to those who wait."

Last month, Cruz signed his one-year, $2.879 million free-agent tender which got the ball rolling.

Negotiations between the two sides have been friendly and a long-deal contract had been expected to be agreed upon before training camp. 

The 26-year-old Cruz is said to be seeking a deal worth between $9 million and $11 million per season, the market rate for a No. 1 wide receiver. This offseason, Mike Wallace signed a five-year, $60 million deal with Miami that includes $27 million guaranteed.

The Giants reportedly offered Cruz a contract paying him roughly $8 million per season with between $15 million to $18 million guaranteed.

Cruz, an undrafted free agent out of UMass, has had a meteoric rise to stardom in his own backyard. In the past two seasons, the New Jersey native has caught 168 passes for 2,628 yards and 19 touchdowns.

He’s the only player in club history to have at least 80 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in a season and he's done it twice.

Good things come to those who wait.
— Victor Cruz (@TeamVic) July 2, 2013

Cruz burst onto the NFL scene when he caught three touchdowns in a 2010 preseason game against the Jets. But he was injured early in the regular season and was placed on injured reserve that season. 

He made his first Pro Bowl last season.

Dustin Keller: Too much 'nonsense' around Jets

Former New York Jets tight end Dustin Keller sounded like he was putting all the blame for the team's failures over the past two seasons squarely on everyone but his old quarterback Mark Sanchez and seemed happy to get away from Gang Green and the tumultuous atmosphere.

"There's always some type of nonsense," Keller said. "We didn't go to the playoffs the year before but it seemed like we were in the media more than anybody else for the wrong reasons and you never want that. Could that have anything to do with the season -- kind of -- things falling apart? I really don't know."

Speaking on Sirius XM yesterday, Keller — who left the Jets as a free agent during the offseason and signed with their division-rival Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal after an injury-plagued 2012 — criticized the Jets but stuck up for his old quarterback.

The former favorite target of Sanchez's said that the incumbent quarterback probably didn't like the fact that the team took Geno Smith in the second round.

"It definitely lit a fire underneath him, I think," Keller said. "I’ve talked to him a couple times this offseason, and he’s been working. So I think you can expect some good things from him.”

Keller hung out socially with Sanchez during his time with the Jets, so his comments don't come as a big surprise. The two are good friends and, like he said,  still keep in contact. 

The tight end still has his buddy's back and believes Sanchez can hold on to the starter's job even after his miserable 2012 play.

"I think he'll be able to pick things up and get back on the right track this year," Keller said. 

Dan Marino involved in shocking 'love child' scandal

Despite a longtime marriage and and respectable image,  NFL Hall of Famer Dan Marino is involved in the shocking revelation that he fathered a "love child' with a CBS network underling and then paid her millions of dollars to keep quiet.

Marino, who will be broadcasting this Sunday's Super Bowl in New Orleans for CBS, reportedly got  Donna Savattere, a then 35-year-old production assistant at CBS Sports' Manhattan studio, pregnant, according to an exclusive story in The New York Post.  She gave birth in June, 2005.

"They had an affair, and she had a baby," said a source.  "Everything was on the down-low and secretive."

At the time of the affair, the ex-Miami Dolphins quarterback was married to his wife, Claire, for 20 years.

The 51-year-old Marino agreed to pay Savattere millions to care for the child named Chloe, said sources.  She moved to Texas as part of the deal.  It was not disclosed exactly how much he paid but Savattere has apparently been living large and was a fixture on the Hamptons social scene, said The Post.

Yesterday, Marino — who has six kids with his wife —  owned up to the dalliance.

"This is a personal and private matter. I take full responsibility both personally and financially for my actions now as I did then," Marino told Page Six of The Post. "We mutually agreed to keep our arrangement private to protect all parties."

Marino said the marriage was still intact, despite the the affair and baby.

"My wife and I have been married for almost 30 years and have six children together," he wrote yesterday — which happens to be their 28th wedding anniversary.

Sources said Marino was in touch with the 7-year-old Chloe.

"They would have impromptu meetings, as was part of the deal," a source said.

Savattere later married Nahill Younis, whom she met in 2009.

The birth of the baby Chloe came about two months before Marino was inducted into the Hall of Fame — where his son Daniel paid a moving tribute to his father.

Marino, a pre-game analyst with CBS since 2003, will be doing the Super Bowl broadcast this Sunday.