Miami Notes: Dolphins Continue To Struggle With Character Evaluations

In Miami, Armando Salguero wonders if the Dolphins' "black eye to the organization and the blemish on the brand -- one of a growing number in recent years" was "worth the gamble" the team took by signing former RB Mark Walton. The team signed Walton in May after he already had "been arrested three times on weapons, drugs and battery charges," and he was cut on Tuesday because he allegedly "beat his pregnant girlfriend." Walton now "grows the list of Dolphins' character misjudgements that stretches years." Salguero: "We're seeing a pattern of questionable character evaluation. We're seeing the Dolphins trusting and believing some players are one thing ... And those guys eventually show character traits that unmask them as something else" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/20).

HEATING BACK UP: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde wrote the Heat's rebuild "should embarrass every other franchise in town." There is a "reward in smart constancy," and the Heat, who are currently 10-3, once again have "shown why in rebuilding on the fly with the kind of integrity others forfeited." Hyde: "No tanking like the Dolphins. No five-year rebuild like the Marlins. No owner-backed upheaval like the Panthers." The Heat are "doing what they've always done, what the best franchises forever do: They're being smart" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 11/20).

ENTER NEW COACH: MLS expansion club Inter Miami CF Sporting Dir Paul McDonough said that the club is "'actively negotiating' for two high-profile international players, in 'the contract stage' with a head coach and plans to name the coach 'in the next couple of weeks.'" The only hint he gave is, "You'll know his name" (MIAMI HERALD, 11/20).