Injuries comments play in susan millers

Miami coach Randy Shannon said he has been more aware of players’
injuries this season in the context of when to play them and when to
let them rest.

The 37-29 victory last year at Florida State, Shannon said, ‘was
supposed to be a springboard, but we had so many injuries that it
wasn’t the springboard we thought it would be. When you have all those
injuries and you say, `OK, we’re ready to take that next step,’ you
better evaluate what kind of injuries you have because they may
prevent you from getting there.

‘I realize from last year to this year, I feel very leery of that now.
I look at our injuries all the time to see who is nicked and who is
not, and who is going to play. Like [defensive tackle] Marcus Forston
— he didn’t play the other day. You probably could have said, `Let’s
try him out and see if he can make it,’ but if you aggravate it more .
. . you definitely wouldn’t get him for Florida State. Maybe you give
him another week, and now he’ll be fully recovered.”

The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Monday that Miami’s game Oct.
11 against the University of Central Florida will kick off at 3:45
p.m. at Dolphin Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share
information, experiences and observations about what’s in the news.
Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the
newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day,
and ask that you refrain from personal comments and remarks that are
off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of
MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you
post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

The leading hotels of the world paris miami venue south

Miami Herald staff writer Steve Rothaus covers gay and lesbian issues
in South Florida. Steve joined The Herald in 1985, while a journalism
major at Florida International University. He came out at work in 1987
and served five years as a board member of the National Lesbian & Gay
Journalists Association (NLGJA). He founded the association’s Newsroom
Outreach Project and traveled the country visiting newspapers,
television stations and college campuses to discuss gay news coverage
and workplace issues. Steve won the 1998 GLAAD Media Award for
outstanding newspaper columnist.

OUT AND ABOUTThank you to The Queen Beeand our Boston based
promotional partner Bill Friar Entertainment for making possible the
great interview with DJ/Producer Oren Nizri which can currently be
seen on the BPMBuzz entertainment website based in New York. The site
has a lot of traffic especially in the northeast part of the USA.
BPMBuzzis a premier online resource for the latest “Buzz” in the dance
music industry, and features the background and the current most
exciting and upcoming projects of established artists, DJs, music
producers and recording artists in the house music genre in this
country. To read the interview and to check the valuable content of
the website, click on

On the other hand, South Florida is all exited about the grand opening
of Living Room Nightclub, the multi-room, multi-million dollar venue
that will be opening its doors in a few more weeks in Fort Lauderdale.
We have been receiving endless e-mails as well requesting information
and details about the venue, and as of right now, we can share with
you the following: the mega-club will offer different rooms (indoors
and outdoors) and different formats of music. The design is classy,
sophisticated and revolutionary. One of the room is called the Opal
Room, a white and clean water based mood space. Then you have
Meditation, which is an industrial loft with an elevated VIP area that
will be overlooking the yachts and the Intercoastal Waterway. The
third indoor room, The Gate, is the main dance floor, which is darker,
sexier, opulent and perfectly suited for hardcore dancing. Living Room
Nightclubhas pure cyber-based technology and the most impressive sound
system that Fort Lauderdale has ever seen. As you can see above,
owners Mark Loweand Christian Leonardwere interviewed by Hot Spots
Magazinelast week. You can read the entire article using the virtual
features of the magazine website at

On Tuesdays, Buck15 at 707 Lincoln Lane keeps up to its reputation as
the most underground lounge and bar to ever hit a second-floor loft
space in South Beach. The local hotspot offers easy access and no
attitude along with the sounds of its resident DJ Keen One, who works
the turntables with an eclectic variety of sounds and mash-ups.
Perfectly suited for underground lovers and with a New York vibe and
an artsy decor,Buck15can certainly host a fun night out on a Tuesday
night in the Lincoln Road area with its usual fanatics and followers.
To learn more about its Tuesday soiree and the venue, feel free to
visit

On Thursdays, Luigi Loneand Tom Schuhpresent their Fashionista soiree
at BED Miami, the long running hotspot located at 929 Washington
Avenue. Among sheets, pillows, fashion shows and hipsters, the
sophisticated venue welcomes “the babydolls and the trendsetters who
come play in bed”, as the mantra of the night goes. The funky beats
are provided by Miami DJ Armand Pena, who makes sure you get your
grooving from beginning to end. Dress to impress and party in South
Beach style. This is as good as it can get in the sultry high-energy
venue, which is a preferred place to spend the night and one which is
recommended by most concierges in town. For more info, click on

On Sundays, Omar Gonzalezand Dustin Reffca’s CLICK is on the move to
the the airplane looking 5,000 square foot two-room venue Aero
Barlocated at 247 23rd Street in Miami Beach. CLICKis scheduled to be
re-launched on Sunday, September 28 with a house warming party theme.
The night will feature the sounds of Kidd Maddonnyand Daniel
Kristopherreand Omar is very excited to start the festivities in his
new home with great additions in entertainment and with what he calls
in his own words “a dream team”. Can’t wait to be there! For more
information about the venue, visit its website

The former Lincoln Road eatery Pacific Timere- opened a couple of
months ago in the design district. Luckily, its loyal followers didn’t
have to wait too long as the contemporary American bistro and outdoor-
indoor venue is now located at 35 NE 40th Street, Miami. With an
extraordinary Morris Lapidus-inspired amber-lit bar, khaki leather
blanquettes, chocolate mahogany tables and chairs, an open kitchen and
an outdoor patio, chef Jonathan Eismann is keeping the consistency and
his talent for which he is famous. From its traditional tuna tartar
and pan broiled sweetbreads to roasted leg of Colorado lamb, grilled
local swordfish and prime New York sirloin, the variety in choices and
flavors is certainly a highlight of the menu. Open daily for lunch and
dinner, reservations are always recommended.

Baires Grillon historic Washignton Avenue gives diners a reason to
celebrate authentic Argentinean cuisine. In 1999, Baires Grillwas
opened by restaurateurs Ricky Aliettiand Marcelo Ferreiros, and has
been a Miami staple ever since. The menu offers an array of meats, all
with high quality ingredients and spices. With over 15 different cuts
of steak, pastas and homemade tasting side dishes, there is constant
detail with every dish, along with an extensive wine list from all
over the globe. Baires Grill also offers a sense of charm with its
classic atmosphere, trendy red walls, long mirrors and elegant white
tablecloths. You meat lovers can’t afford to miss the experience of
this sensation.

Marriott South Beachat 161 Ocean Drive has to be one of the most chic
hotels on our island with a very exquisite Miami flavor to it. The art
deco vibe of its art and decor along with the high-end yet very
inviting ambiance of the property makes it one of the preferred places
to stay and enjoy the weather on the Beach. Not only that, but the
Deco Blue Terracerestaurant and outdoor lounge overlooks the beautiful
pool area and is located only a few yards away from the ocean. The
Terrace is a fantastic place for frozen drinks in the afternoon, for a
casual dinning experience throughout the day and even brunch on the
weekends. A venue that offers a very personalized service for locals
and visitors alike, it’s just perfect as a different hang-out place to
experience in the South of Fifth area. For more information, click on

If you’re in the mood for treating yourself and taking care of your
appearance, (so South Beach, you may think) Rock Star Tansis the place
to head for. It is located in the heart of our island, at 1245
Washington Avenue and in addition to its state-of-the-art tanning
beds, Rock Staroffers top quality spray tans, body painting,
manicures, pedicures, massages, hair care, facials and even
acupuncture treatments. Owners Prashant Thakkerand Laura Crespo have a
fantastic and knownledgable staff that is committed to providing you
with a memorable experience as you indulge in their exclusive
services. Their clients range from celebrities to nightlife
impresarios to some of the sexiest locals and tourists who get a bang
for their buck, as the prices are very reasonable for the quality of
their personalized services. For full information about the store and
to make appoinments, visit their web site

The buzz is that 305 Music Loungeis the new name of the recently
renovated Laundry Barlocated at 721 North Lincoln Lane. According to
the first information that the venue sent to the media, a world class
location, top notch music, talented local artists, loyal customers and
a dedicated staff will be the backbone of this new venture. The
laundry machines are out but the energy and the new look of the
legendary space still have a lot to offer. Details next week! Word is
thatKaru & Y is ready to re-open its doors keeping its name but under
new ownership on the last weekend of September. The mega-complex will
be unveiling a new vision of entertainment just in time for high-
season in South Florida. The details are still not officially
announced but all eyes are on the new owners and management to see
what they come up with. At least we are happy to see that such a
beautiful venue will be up and running again and we certainly wish
them the best of luck!

Even though a number of venues have been forced to close down during
this Summer season including Nikki Beach Coconut Grove which recently
shut its doors after a short run, there are venues that have been
pumping with loyal customers and filled with special events and
campaign activities as is the case with Halo Loungeon Michigan Avenue.
For instance, only yesterday Wednesday, September 17, Governor
Corizine of New Jersey had a private meeting with local GLBTleaders.
Also, it’s not unusual to find a line especially on the weekends. All
we have to say is that owner Babak Movahediand his GM Jason
Tamaninihave played their cards right. This Saturday, September 20,
come to experience Fort Lauderdale based Daniel Kristopherre’s fresh
beats and groove and drink in the futuristic hotspot until the wee
hours. Stop by!

The word is out that The Webster Hotelat 919 Collins Avenue built in
1939 is about to become Miami’s new fashion headquarters. According to
owner Milan Vukmirovic, design superstar and co-founder of the famous
Paris store Colette: “We want to bring French taste and a French eye
to Miami. Milan is creating a luxurious mini- department store
featuring valet parking, a US outpost of the trendy Parisian
restaurant Caviar Kaspiaand clothes from the world’s most elite and
expensive labels. The complex is expected to open in time for theArt
Baselcrowds, in December.

Last but not least, on Saturday, October 4, the Miami- Dade Gay and
Lesbian Chamber of Commerceinvites you to EXPO Explore, at the Miami
Mart Airport Hotel located at 711 NW 72nd Avenue, Miami. In its first
year, EXPO Exploreis an exhibition open to the entire South Florida
community, gay and allied, where companies can communicate their
business attributes to other exhibitors and attendees. The Chamber is
expecting over 500 participants for this day of networking
opportunities. To take part of this event and to learn more about it,
click on the website

BEST BETSOne of our favorite dining extravaganzas started at the
beginning of August, Miami Spice 2008! Join The Greater Miami
Convention & Visitors Bureauand savors Miami’s eclectic and fine
cuisine duringMiami Spice, the summer mouth-watering restaurant
promotion that invites you to experience South Florida’s most refined
restaurants and chefs from all over the world. Until the end of
September, Miami’s hottest eateries offer three-course meals (Lunch
23$, Dinner 36 $) featuring exquisite dishes at really affordable
prices. A real treat and opportunity for the locals during this Summer
season to experience the magnificent dining spots and innumerable
cuisines in Miami-Dade County. For more information about Miami Spice
2008and the participating restaurants, visit its web site

On Saturday, September 27, Pridelines Youth Services “Welcomes to the
Jungle”, and invites you to their annual dinner and dance function at
Parrot Jungle Island, starting at 7 PM. The evening will feature great
music, entertainment, food and friends in grand style and in the
special surroundings that Parrot Junglehas to offer. If you didn’t
know, Pridelines Youth Servicesis dedicated to educating, empowering
and improving the lives of South Florida’s GLBTQ youth and their
straight allies in a safe and diverse environment. For more
information about the organization and to purchase tickets to the
event, contact Frank Avila at

The 12th Annual Miami Recognition Dinneris scheduled to take place on
Saturday, October 18th at the elegant Intercontinental Hotelin
downtown Miami. Presented and produced by the National Gay & Lesbian
Task Force(producers of Winter Party), this dinner celebration is one
of the most prestigious annual events that has as a goal to continue
unifying the community and to honor its most hard-working community
leaders and heroes. The fantastic evening will start with cocktails
and a silent auction at 6:30 PM, immediately followed by the dinner
and ceremony at 8 PM and the dance party starting at 10 PM. For
detailed information regarding sponsorship opportunities, to become a
host of the event and to purchase tickets, click on its web site

The 7th Annual Miami International Wine Fairto be held October 25-27
at the Convention Center, is the largest wine expo in Florida and one
of the leading industry events in the country, featuring 65,000 square
feet of exhibit space and some 1,200 wines from 15 countries available
for tasting. Whether you are seeking new competitive brands to
increase your portfolio, or anxious to find distributors around the
country for your existing wine collection, the Miami International
Wine Fairis the one event that you can’t afford to miss this year.

One of the most celebrity attended and most media covered 100%
HIV/AIDS fundraisers in the world, White Party Week Miami, is
scheduled this year from November 26th through December 1st 2008.The
producer and beneficiary of the event, Care Resource,announced the
theme of “Mount Olympus” for this year’s festivities. Florida
Resident’s Passes and tickets are available for purchase starting
September 1. The Florida Resident Passes are available for 150
dollars, which gets the holder admission to both the 24th Annual White
Party at Villa Vizcaya on Saturday, November 29th, and Poseidon’s
Muscle Beachparty on Sunday, November 30th. This limited offer is
available to Florida residents only with proof of residency. The line-
up of exhilarating parties and world-class DJs include names such as
Abel, Alyson Calagna, Bill Hallquist, David Knapp, Herbie James, Kidd
Madonny, Joe Gautheraux, Manny Lehman, Oren Nizri, Phil B, Power
Infiniti, Randy Bettis, Tony Moran, Victor Calderoneand Wendy Hunt. To
learn much more about Care Resource, White Party Week 2008and all the
details, click on its web site

Al davis raiders’s kiffin running tuesday

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders fired Lane Kiffin on Tuesday
just four games into his second season, ending a public feud with
owner Al Davis that had been simmering since the start of the year.

Kiffin had a 5-15 record since being hired last year, losing his final
game 28-18 on Sunday to San Diego.

The decision to remove Kiffin was as much about his frequent
criticisms of Davis’ franchise as it was the team’s performance on the
field. Those critiques reached a peak when Kiffin distanced himself
from the defense after a blowout loss in the season opener, saying
that was under coordinator Rob Ryan and Davis’ control.

However, during a news conference Tuesday, Davis also critiqued
several of Kiffin’s coaching and personnel decisions. Among other
things, he said Kiffin objected to the Raiders using the first pick in
the 2007 draft on quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

The Raiders said Kiffin was fired for cause, meaning they will likely
try not to pay him for the remainder of his contract.

The Raiders did not immediately announce a replacement for Kiffin, but
there are plenty of candidates on staff, including Ryan and receivers
coach James Lofton, who both interviewed for the job when Kiffin got
it in 2007. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, running backs coach Tom
Rathman, Cable and advance scout Paul Hackett also could be possible
choices.

MIAMI – Ricky Williams says he was briefly tempted to smoke marijuana
during the Miami Dolphins’ bye weekend, an act that could have ended
his roller-coaster NFL career.

Williams told The Miami Herald for Tuesday’s editions that when
players were given Friday off, “automatically your mind, which is so
constrained since training camp began … says, ‘I’m free, what can I
do?’ ”

“So there was definitely an urge,” he said. “But I just thought about
what I have to lose, and it was easy. The urge didn’t last very long.”

Since 2004, the Dolphins running back has played only 16 NFL games,
including three this year. If Williams were to smoke marijuana again,
he would likely be out of the NFL for good because he has already
violated the league drug policy four times.

CINCINNATI – Running back Cedric Benson signed Tuesday with the
Cincinnati Bengals, who needed another runner and were undeterred by
two alcohol-related arrests in Texas that prompted the Chicago Bears
to let him go.

Benson will take the spot of running back DeDe Dorsey, who was placed
on injured reserve Tuesday after hurting his hamstring in a 20-12 loss
to Cleveland. Chris Perry is Cincinnati’s starting running back.

He missed five games with an ankle injury last season, but had a
career-high 674 yards. Benson was arrested in May on charges of
boating while intoxicated and resisting arrest, and again in June on a
drunken driving charge in Austin, Texas.

Two grand juries in Travis County, Texas, declined to indict Benson on
the charges last week, ending the cases.

Al davis picture’s urge fans resisting

Ricky Williams admitted he had an urge to smoke some weed, and Lisa
Horne wonders what college football nation has fought the urge to do.

Miami Dolphins’ running back, Ricky Williams, recently admitted having
to fight the urge to take a hit on a blunt. Or bong. Whatever floats
his boat. The team was on a bye, and he was free to do whatever he
wished.

He told the Miami Herald that when the Dolphins had a bye,
“automatically your mind, which is so constrained since training camp
began … says, ‘I’m free, what can I do?”‘

It’s amazing that he thinks about his freedom when he has already been
officially caught “free” four times in the NFL. But surely, those were
accidents, and he has been “cured,” right?

“I’d be lying if I said I’m never going to do it again after I’m
done,” he said. “I don’t know. I don’t spend much time thinking about
it.”

But he does spend time thinking about it. In fact, the second he has
any kind of freedom he’s already deciding which munchies he’ll be
stocking up on before he expands his mind. And lungs.

Williams, by his own free admission to the press, has become the
official poster-child for smoking dope. Not that there’s anything
wrong with that. (Seinfeldfans, sorry, but it’s a great line.)

But hey, Williams likes his dope. Williams lives for dope. Williams
will be smoking dope when he retires. That’s his deal. It’ll probably
be legal by then anyways. Move to Cali, Ricky, we wouldn’t notice one
more stoner there.

Charlie Weis is probably resisting the urge…to punch me in the mouth
after I said his team would not win nine games. Six more to go
Charlie, and have had it, big guy.

Chase Daniel is fighting the urge to clear some mantle space for some
new hardware. Hold off, young man, D-Mac and Vince Young did the same
housecleaning and it didn’t work out.

Pete Carroll is fighting the urge to call up Norm Chow, and offer him
double whatever the powder blue is paying him. Oh hell, whatever he
wants.

SEC fans probably are resisting the urge to call me an SEC-hater
because I think some teams in that conference are ranked too high.
Dang it! Last weekend was kind of a damper, wasn’t it?

Saban is probably resisting the urge to talk about his tough path.
Then again, it worked for Les. Nick, we await your speech with open
arms and speakers. I’m listening.

Is this the year Mangino talks about his tough path? Is he resisting
the urge? Any urge?

Phil Fulmer is resisting the urge….oh stop, Phil can’t resist an
urge. Phil has a coach-for-life contract. Well, not really, but ask
any Vols fan about Phil’s extension and Rocky Top will be by replaced
with Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Penn State fans are fighting the urge to scream anything remotely
close to “Miami in January.” They know better, don’t they? Michigan
awaits.

South Carolina fans are fighting the urge to boycott games, but
college football would be a vacuum without “Go Cocks Go,” wouldn’t it?

USC fans are fighting the urge to take Oregon and the 16.5 points
against USC. Don’t give into the Dark Side, unless you want to make
some coin this Saturday.

Touchdown Jimmy Clausen is fighting the urge to rent a white Hummer
again and hold a press conference saying, “OK, now let the hype
begin.”

Longhorns’ fans are resisting the urge to make their uniforms more
orange and less burnt-looking, because so far, nobody is paying
attention to them.

The Idaho Vandals’ fans are resisting the urge to boycott all Vandals’
games because their cheerleaders’ uniforms were deemed too short and
risqué. Dang, those poor folks have nothing to look forward to,
do they?

Raiders fans are resisting the urge to hire some little men in white
coats and have Al Davis committed.

Me? I’m resisting the urge to drink some of that Big XII Kool-Aid. It
looks pretty tasty—damn tasty. There are different flavors:
Sooner Red, Burnt Orange, Mizzou Black, and the always-refreshing
Kansas Blue.

I don’t know if I can fight it. I’ll do my best. But on Saturdays, I’m
free. And, sometimes these urges can’t be stopped.

Something tells me there’s going to be a lot of urges and hopefully
the result is a 12,500 article campaign on the Bleacher Report where
we expose the NCAA and the Bowl system for what it is and demand a
playoff as we say NO to 6-6 teams in blowl games with the losers being
less than .500 on the season. 26 stars and 4 POTD’s.

Mitch- with ya on the bowl stuff…and they added more bowls, so you
too can be a loser in your conference, but beat 4 cupcakes in non-
conference play, and be rewarded for beating two cellar-dwellers. It’s
the BCS way!

That’s understandable, but it’s basically the truth. But you have
bragging rights now. The Cowboys will never beat the Skins at Texas
Stadium ever again.

Lisa, remember that the SEC always beats up on the SEC, and then goes
and wins the big one. It ain’t over till it’s over. But we don’t think
you hate us….you just like riling us up.

Thanks for the pick GG. I don’t like riling ya up…I’m completely
jealous. I’ll explain in a later post…it’s been building!

Lisa, this is a great article. I wrote an article about Ricky Williams
and his temptation as Breaking News but it was also to express my
opinion. Please feel free to look at the article.

Yeah…the soccer moms had a meeting and decided it was a no-go. I
thought their unis were cute. Seriously. I see less flesh at the mall!

yea – i saw this, and wanted to pass it on to you, but you got to it
first

was it J-kimmel in his ESPY’S monologue, who told – that it is time
they stop testing Ricky for pot – and test pot for Ricky ….

liked this one a lot – i like em all, but for the ones in which you
get too technical

That sounds like a line I heard on some VH1 “I love Best Fantabulous
something” show once.

Some comedian said, “McJagger was recently blood tested and believe it
or not they actually found some blood in his heroin stream.”

and – why is this SEC hating – i dont understand that (am learning,
and hence i’ll ask some basic ques soimetimes Lise)

It wuld take to long to explain…but I’ll put it in soccer
terms…imagine the La Liga screaming “La Liga” everytime one of their
teams won, even though most of the fans screaming it were not fans of
the winning team? The La Liga fans will scream it, even though their
own team stinks because they at least can feel superior knowing the
Liga won.

hah, thats so odd, thats like saying, am proud EPL won – even though
am a Man U fan – it is Chelsea who actually won it for the EPL – and
am celebrating, thats weird, but thanks

may be Man U is not a good example – may be a 3rd rated team like –
Middlesboro – OK gotcha

– and hey – i have absolutely no probl with stats and nos. I only read
your generic articles because am still not cognizant enough to
understand the X’s and O’s of football – but thats my problem. I am
sure you have an audience – the hard core audience who dont mess
around

if i wanna write about Rodge, I would write about him on a macro and a
micro scale too – the slams and numbers as well as the basic mechanics
on why his forehand is obscenely elegant and powerful

Don’t agree with him…he’s just sucking up to me because he’s my
guest picker this week….picks will be posted tomorrow. 🙂

Yeah but they are undefeated in conference play! (who cares if they
haven’t played any Big XII teams yet?)

Ask Missy State how beating most of your cupcakes and have a .500
record or below conference record can get you in a bowl. Ain’t college
football great?

Want to vote in next week’s poll? Voting reopens Sunday morning. To
receive your ballot and get notified when the polls open, add College
Football to your Lineup.

Standard Messaging Rates or other charges apply. To Opt-out text STOP
to 4INFO (44636). For more information text HELP to 4INFO (44636).
Contact your carrier for more details.