Ricky Williams got the most attention for his 42 carries against Buffalo on Sunday, but he wasn't the only Miami Dolphin overworked. Just ask tight end Randy McMichael.
Coach Dave Wannstedt said McMichael had 80 plays against the Bills, the most of any player, which is why McMichael is looking forward to this week's bye.
"I'm tired," McMichael said. "I've never been this tired before. But it's a satisfying tired. If I have to play 90 plays and we do what we did Sunday, I'll play them. It's fun being out there."
The Dolphins' offense had 73 plays against Buffalo, and McMichael also played special teams.
McMichael entered the game with four catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He finished the Bills game with four catches for 57 yards, including a crucial 33-yard reception in the third quarter that led to a field goal and a 10-0 lead.
As usual, McMichael showed just how much fun he was having with his celebrations after every catch. Jay Fiedler and Rob Konrad both said it is hard to find someone who loves the game more than McMichael.
"I know for Randy it was very big because he loves the ball," receiver Chris Chambers said. "He probably shows how much he loves it more than we do. It was good to see him get going."
McMichael came into this season with high expectations and looking to prove that last year he did not hit the "rookie wall." After starting last season with 26 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns in the first eight games, McMichael finished with just 13 catches for 146 yards and no touchdowns in the final eight.
McMichael hopes to have more games like he did against the Bills to show he still is a playmaker.
"It's very important to me," McMichael said. "You always want to shut up critics. I'm looking forward to a big year this year, and Sunday was a start of better things to come."
Said Wannstedt: "That was a big confidence boost, which he needed."
Wannstedt said getting McMichael more involved in the offense was not by design, but the Dolphins know if McMichael can be more of a contributor it would only help. Opposing defenses gear up to stop Williams, and Chambers has been the only receiver making plays this season.
"Getting him involved is going to be a big key," Fiedler said. "It will take more pressure off the running game and off us throwing it outside. He's a hell of an athlete, a hell of a receiver."
McMichael's next challenge is seeing how he compares to Jeremy Shockey, the high-profile tight end from the same draft class. The Dolphins play the New York Giants on Oct. 5.
So far Shockey is a little ahead of McMichael with 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. Shockey also gets far more attention for the things he says.
"I think I'm just as good or better than he is, but that's me," McMichael said. "I don't think anybody's better than me."
Said Chambers: "It'll be good to see him go against Shockey because I think he's better than him. I always thought he was last year."
McMichael, who called Shockey a good guy and a great tight end, is glad Shockey is more criticized than he is. McMichael, despite his celebrations, would rather just be known as a guy who makes plays.
"I don't want attention," McMichael said. "I let him have all the attention. Mine is not fake, mine is all emotion and coming from the heart and everything. Sometimes people do things to get attention, but mine is strictly from the heart."
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