NFL: O-line still a big question, but Webb's not the answer

Head coach Dave Wannstedt brought in other tackles on Friday and Tuesday, looking for a backup for rookie left tackle Wade Smith, who had a poor game on Sunday in his eighth NFL start. With Mark Dixon finally being placed on injured reserve, Wannstedt is hoping to fill that spot on the roster with another lineman.

"We didn't really work Richmond," Wannstedt said of Webb, who played 11 of his 13 seasons in Miami before being cut by Cincinnati in the offseason. "We gave him a physical and just talked to him. I don't see us making a decision on anything this week."

OTHER BOWENS BACK SOON: Defensive end David Bowens is hoping for a happy Thanksgiving. That could be when he plays for the first time this year.

"I'm shooting for Thanksgiving," Bowens said. "We're going to be safe about it and not do anything stupid."

Bowens, who is no relation to defensive tackle Tim Bowens, suffered a knee injury in the offseason, underwent surgery and has been rehabilitating ever since. The fourth-year pro out of Western Illinois became a key backup in the Dolphins' defensive line rotation last year. He had 20 tackles and 1-1/2 sacks in 2002.

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Think pro football's not a job? Check out the players' schedule on Wednesday:

7 a.m. -- breakfast/treatments and taping; 7 a.m.-9 a.m. -- weightlifting; 8:15 a.m. -- special teams meeting; 9 a.m. -- team meeting, offense/defense meetings to follow; 11 a.m. -- offense/defense walkthrough; 11:30 a.m. -- special teams walkthrough; 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. -- lunch/treatments and taping/weightlifting; 1 p.m. -- individual meetings; 1:45 p.m. specialists on field; 2 p.m. -- practice; post-practice -- watch tapes on own, weightlifting, treatments.

INJURY UPDATE: Defensive tackle Larry Chester (hamstring/quad), quarterback Jay Fiedler (knee), fullback Rob Konrad (shoulder/knee), cornerback Patrick Surtain (ankle) and linebacker Zach Thomas (groin) all were listed as questionable on Wednesday's injury report.

"I think he's better than he was last week," Wannstedt said of Fiedler, who has missed the past two games and will not start at Tennessee on Sunday. "The doctor's recommendation was to rest Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and then see where he's at on Thursday. He'll come out (today) and work and then we'll make a determination as far as the progress that he's made."

Defensive tackle Tim Bowens (neck), linebacker Tommy Hendricks (neck), running back Travis Minor (shoulder), wide receiver Derrius Thompson (groin) and running back Ricky Williams (leg) were probable.

Dolphins midseason report card

-- Rushing offense -- Last year, Ricky Williams rushed for 1,853 yards and led the NFL. This year, he'll be lucky to get 1,200. The offensive line has been porous at best. Grade: C

-- Passing offense -- Last year, the Dolphins couldn't throw the ball down the field. This year? The Dolphins can't throw the ball down the field. Randy McMichael has been great, but he was great in the first half a year ago. Grade: D

-- Rushing defense -- The best part of the team. Tackles Tim Bowens, Larry Chester and Jeff Zgonina are run-stuffers and take up space, allowing Zach Thomas to go sideline to sideline. The secondary also is good at coming up and making tackles. Grade: A

-- Passing defense -- A very close second. The secondary is the best in the league and is creating turnovers after a slow start. However, they're susceptible to mid-range passes in the middle of the field and dump-offs. Grade: A-

-- Special teams -- Two long snappers. Two punters. Two kickoff returners. Two punt returners. One messed up placekicker. This unit is a mess besides the coverage teams, which are good, but that's about it. Grade: C

-- Overall Midseason Grade: B-