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6C Sun Sentinel SunSentinel.com Wednesday, September 7, 2016 pn NFL DOLPHINS leaves team for owner Ross' firm Aponte By Dave Hyde Staff writer Dawn Aponte, the Dolphins' executive vice president of football administration since 2010 and one of the NFL's highest-ranldng female officials, has left the organization to be an executive in team owner Steve Ross's RSE Ventures. Aponte served as the team's top contract negotiator and support administrator for the Dolphins for years, though her role had been diminished in recent reached a high-water mark of public attention during an organizational rift between coach Joe Philbin and general manager Jeff Ireland and saw her role diminished in the changes this past offseason under vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbuam Aponte was in charge of salary-cap administration and contract dealings for much of her time with the Dolphins. But her role went beyond that in essentially handling administrative work so the coach and general manager could concen trate on football decisions. During the infamous "Bullygate" situation in 2013 involving Jonathan Martin, Aponte helped synchronize the league investigation with the team She also became a counselor to Philbin, siding with him as his relationship with Ireland deteriorated during that season. Aponte recendy has been rumored to be taking jobs inside the NFL (as vice president of football operations) and with the Detroit Lions in a front-office role.

Aponte called her 6 lA DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK Team gets ready for Seattle minus starting center Pouncey were talking about different ways of expanding my skill set and using my experience in a away to continue to develop and grow," Aponte said Tuesday. RSE President Matt Hig-gins said the company will take advantage of Aponte's "unique background" involving law, contracts and team administration to build the company. One example he gave was expanding the company's venture into drone racing. Aponte was brought in by Dolphins owner Steve Ross during Bill Parcells' regime, here." Steen said the toughest challenge in replacing Pouncey is making sure he makes the appropriate offensive line adjustments, since the calls at the line of scrimmage are his responsibility. "I'm trying to stay focused, watching film, making sure I know what I'm doing more than anything," said Steen, who said he's leaning on Pouncey, quarterback Ryan Tannehill and 10-year veteran Jermon Bushrod, the Dolphins' starting right guard, to speed up his learning.

"The mental part is just getting in shape. It's all about who wants it more." Injury update Also held out of practice Tuesday were starting split end DeVante Parker (hamstring), starting weakside months as the team reshuffled its front office. At RSE, a sports entertainment and technology firm, Aponte will be an executive working in business Aponte ment "I've been in this league for over 25 years and doing a lot of the same stuff for close to 20 years now, and we have forced Pouncey, a former Florida Gators standout, to miss eight games the past three seasons. The Dolphins won't declare Pouncey's status for Sunday until after practice Friday in Seattle. Gase said he'd prefer players practice at least once in the week if Miami's going to put them on the field for games, but Gase hinted he'd make exceptions based on a player's experience level.

Anthony Steen, a former Alabama right guard the Dolphins converted to center during the offseason, will make his first NFL start in his first regular-season game. "He has been great. He's a sharp guy. He picked things up quick," Gase said. "When you get thrown in there and all of a sudden you're the guy, that's a lot on your plate.

I haven't seen him really change his demeanor from the day he arrived RANDY VAZQUEZSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Center Mike Pouncey (51) and coach Adam Gase during Dolphins practice Tuesday in Davie. By Omar Kelly Staff writer DAVIE The Dolphins are preparing to play their regular-season opener without starting center Mike Pouncey for the second time in three seasons. Pouncey, who has been rehabbing a hip injury he suffered nearly three weeks ago, hasn't been cleared to practice. And even though coach Adam Gase insists that Pouncey is day-to-day, it's unlikely that Miami's Pro Bowl center will be on the field Sunday when the Dolphins face the Seattle Seahawks. This is the second time Pouncey's hip has forced him to miss a season opener.

He missed the first four games of the 2014 season because of a procedure he had on his left hip. This time it's his right hip that's giving the 27-year-old trouble. Hip and foot injuries ell regaining his starting defensive tackle spot, which is presendy held by Jordan Phillips, Miami's 2015 second-round pick. Joseph said he's been pleased with Phillips' play during the preseason, when he had three tackles in the three games he played. "I think he can jump right back into it," Gase said of Mitchell, who had 22 tack years with the Dolphins a "great experience." "I've been involved in a ton here," she said.

"I got to touch every aspect of football operations." As far as being one of few top-ranking female executives in team sports, Aponte said: "I never characterized myself as one of few women or 'the highest ranking whatever you want to call it It was about continuing to develop and grow for me. I feel I not only had a great 6 lA years with the Dolphins but 25 years in the league." les in 12 games last season as a starter. "Obviously, we're going to be somewhat smart with how many snaps he gets. SI wouldn't want him to run out there and play 65 snaps or anything like that. We're going to be smart as far as how many snaps he actually gets in the game." The Dolphins signed linebacker Brandon Watts to the practice squad.

can be Sunday, and how that affects how he is covered by the Jaguars. "It depends on how healthy they think he is," Rodgers said. "But I think we're all looking forward to the sight of No. 87 back on the field and healthy." No charges for Elliott: A prosecutor said charges won't be filed against Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott following domestic violence allegations. The office of Columbus City Attorney Richard Pfeiffer cited conflicting and inconsistent information in evidence supporting the filing of criminal charges.

A police report said Elliott denied allegations that he assaulted his girlfriend in July, causing bruises and abrasions. The NFL said it would conduct its own review of the matter, and spokesman Brian McCarthy said that is continuing. Extra points: The Jets waived TE Brian Parker after he failed his physical. He had been acquired on waivers from the Chiefs two days earlier. Bills Aaron Williams returned to practice after missing nearly a month recovering from a concussion and is set to start in the season opener Sunday against the Ravens in Baltimore.

The Saints changed kickers, cutting veteran Kai For-bath and signing Wil Lutz, a rookie who spent the preseason with the Ravens. No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff will be inactive for the Rams' opener Monday night against the 49ers, according to an NFL Network report. Coach Jeff Fisher said Sean Mannion will be the backup behind starter Case Keenum. NFL NOTEBOOK Nelson says knee won't be an issue linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee) and tailback Isaiah Pead (hamstring).

Rookie receivers Leonte Carroo and Jakeem Grant are competing to see who replaces Parker on Sunday, but it's likely that both will play. Spencer Paysinger has been filling in for Jenkins, and Kenyan Drake's recovery from a hamstring injury he nursed all of training camp has eased the void Pead's absence caused. Taking it slow with Mitchell Earl Mitchell, who has been sidelined the past month with a calf injury, practiced for the second consecutive day and is expected to play against Seattle. However, defensive coordinator Vance Joseph wouldn't commit to Mitch- has three seasons of at least 1,200 yards rushing and eight touchdowns, with the last coming in 2014, has loftier expectations this year. "I don't want to share them with y'all though," he said, "because then y'all take them and write articles about them." Foster said he's never met his season goals because he sets them so high.

Gase seems to think both Wake and Foster can get back to their Pro Bowl days. "Having two guys like that, who have been through a lot, seen a lot of things, as a coach to have guys like that on both sides of the ball is comforting," he said. "Because when things get tough, and they will, because that's the nature of this business, those guys are always going to be the ones leading the charge." Running back Arian Foster (wears his new number 29 during RANDY VAZQUEZSTAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Dolphins practice Tuesday in Davie. Associated Press Jordy Nelson's knees aren't going to keep him from playing football Sunday. How much the receiver is on the field in the Packers' season opener at Jacksonville may simply come down to how much he can stand the heat.

Otherwise, Nelson is ready and eager to play for first time in more than a year. "I'm playing football," Nelson said Tuesday in a brief response when asked if his knees were an issue. Nelson tore the ACL in his right knee in an exhibition game last summer in Pittsburgh, an injury that knocked him out for the 2015 season. He arrived this preseason with what he described as a minor issue in his left knee. It was concerning enough to the coaching staff that Nelson only started practicing again a few weeks ago.

He didn't play in any exhibitions. "Would it have been better going through camp? Yeah, probably. It wouldn't have hurt," Nelson said. "But I'm not worried about it, I don't think anyone in this locker room is worried about it" He sat in on meetings. On the field, when he wasn't practicing, Nelson looked like a coach, watching plays and interacting with other receivers.

Nelson is one of the best in the business when healthy. In his last full season in 2014, Nelson had 80 catches for L519 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has a highlight reel full of deep balls, back-shoulder receptions and high-wire sideline catches from quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The mystery for now is just how effective Nelson "When things get tough, and they will because thats the nature of this business, those guys are always going to be the ones leading the Dophins coach Adam Gase, speaking of veterans Cameron Wake and Arian Foster DOLPHINS Continued from Page 1C "Just like in football, they always use that concept of the next play is the most important play," he began, "so I can't harp on the things that happened before, and I'm concentrating on moving forward and doing my best in this game." Foster, the two-time All Pro who led the NFL is rushing in 2010 with 1,616 yards, said it was around March or April that he felt he was physically ready. The oft-injured running back, who goes through a rigorous stretching regimen every day, said he doesn't feel as though his body is falling apart.

"You hear all the geniuses that say that's what's supposed to happen at 30," said Foster, who played 13 games in 2014 but hasn't played in every game in a season since 2012. "But I feel like if you take care of your body and you train like I train, you should be able to do good things." Foster was named the starter Monday when the Dolphins released their depth chart. He won the job over a fairly unproven field of Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams, Isaiah Pead and Kenyan Drake. The Dolphins like what Foster, who has proven to be the most complete back on the roster, has to offer. "We felt like, obviously, he gave us the best chance right from the get-go," offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen said.

"I think especially with a road game of this magnitude and that kind of place, that's what he's here for." Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore are the only 30-something running backs to rush for at least 1,000 yards in any of the past three seasons. Despite that, Foster, who.