NFL: Dolphins claim media tries to 'create division'

Monday, it was Wannstedt's emotional plea to the team following a 31-7 loss to Tennessee last Sunday.

Tuesday, it was a "positive" meeting between Wannstedt and Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga.

Wednesday, it was several players insisting that the perceived mutiny on the Dolphins' suddenly listing ship is just a part of the media's imagination.

"People in the media, some of the fans...they're trying to create division," Taylor said. "We're working hard together and we're a close group. I think it's more a matter of people, some people, coming in with ideas on what they want to write."

Heading into Sunday's game against Baltimore at Pro Player Stadium, the Dolphins (5-4) know the only way to quiet the din of the quickly maddening crowd is by whipping the 5-4 Ravens.

"The last thing we need to be is 5-5," Taylor said.

Well, that and another week of dissension -- even if it's just perception and not reality -- among the ranks.

"It may be gloom and doom with some people," Wannstedt said. "Other than comments by the media trying to divide the team, our locker room has been solid."

Said cornerback Terrell Buckley: "I've been around winning teams and I understand how things work. You have good days and bad days. The atmosphere here ... people expect us to be better. Those are the kind of expectations you want."

On the field, Wannstedt said quarterback Brian Griese will start against the Ravens. Jay Fiedler, sidelined the last month with a left knee injury, did limited work in practice Wednesday but the knee isn't well enough for Fielder to start against the league's second-ranked defense.

"If we wanted to drop back and have Jay throw 60 times, he could play," Wannstedt said. "But with the movement and stuff and the things we like to do with him, he can't start."

Wannstedt didn't rule out Fielder playing, but said it will be entirely on a need basis.

Whoever is under center will have to be more careful with the ball than they were last week, when the offense turned the ball over five times and looked disjointed and uninspired.

"Everyone has got to be better," Griese said. "I can make better decisions. I can hold on to the ball longer."

And memory can be fickle. The Dolphins were 5-4 at this time last year and in the midst of a three-game losing streak. They recovered to win four of their next five. The first win in that stretch? A 26-7 victory over the Ravens.

"We're not as bad as everyone is making it out to be," said defensive end Adewale Ogunleye. "We know if we can make this a part of people's imagination if we go out and get two or three wins."

Added Griese: "We're not a great team, but we're a good team. We're not in a state of desperation."

NOTES: The team signed tight end Dwayne Blakley to the practice squad Wednesday.

Blakley, 24, most recently spent three weeks with the San Diego Chargers' practice squad. ...

Center Tim Ruddy spent the afternoon practice gingerly testing his left knee, injured against Tennessee. Cornerback Patrick Surtain (right knee) and linebacker Zach Thomas (groin) are listed as questionable but both practiced Wednesday and are expected to play.