Dolphins' Matthews ‘just trying to contribute’ in '13

BY DAN BEGNOCHE

For a seventh-round rookie, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Rishard Matthews saw a decent amount of work last season, thanks to a weak receiving corps.

Fast forward to 2013 -- the former Nevada product will be battling through a talented depth chart in hopes of some playing time.

Matthews spoke with Dolphins.com’s Andy Kent recently about his expectations for the season ahead. He said that he’s planning to use his sophomore season as a learning year but will also take advantage of any chance he’s given to show his worth.

In Bess's absence, Dolphins' Fasano gets extra work

BY NICK ST. DENIS

With Davone Bess missing the first game of his career, a pair of untested receivers in Rishard Matthews and Marlon Moore were moved up the depth chart to fill the void.

Starting tight end Anthony Fasano got the call, too.

Fasano caught a season-high six passes for 56 yards, adding a touchdown and a two-point conversion reception in the Miami Dolphins' 24-3 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

We expected the tight end would draw quarterback Ryan Tannehill's attention, and that he did. Fasano was targeted a team-high seven times in the game, working out of the slot all game.  (photo: Bob B. Brown, Flickr)

Dolphins' Bess to miss game for first time in career

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Davone Bess has been a mark of consistency in his five seasons with the Miami Dolphins, and in more than one way.

A reliable route-runner with good hands, Bess hasn't missed a game (77) his entire career. That streak, however, will come to an end Sunday when the Dolphins host the Jacksonville Jaguars. (photo: photo-gator, Flickr)

Bess, who has near-identical stats as fellow Dolphins wideout Brian Hartline, missed practice all week with a back injury and was officially ruled out Friday. He's expected to be replaced by Marlon Moore, and the three-receiver set will likely be filled out by rookie Rishard Matthews.

Dolphins sign pair of draft picks in Martin, Matthews

BY SEAN DONOVAN

Four draft picks down, five to go.

Tuesday, the Dolphins reached agreements with second-round offensive tackle Jonathon Martin and seventh-round receiver Rishard Matthews, the third and fourth members of their 2012 draft class to sign with the team.

Martin was a four-year starter at Stanford where he was tasked with protecting 2012 No. 1 overall Andrew Lucks's blindside. He is an experienced, intelligent lineman who is a frontrunner to win the starting right tackle job right away for the Dolphins.

There he would replace retired veteran and 2011 turnstile Marc Colombo to shore up a weak right side of the line. His athleticism makes him a perfect fit in the zone-blocking scheme that Joe Philbin plans to run.

Matthews is a possession receiver who has a knack for making the catch in traffic. He was extremely productive in two seasons at Nevada, catching 147 passes for 2,243 yards and 13 touchdowns.