Cam Ward drew up controversy when he didn’t play the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Ward played the first half and sat the second after he broke the Division I record for most passing touchdowns in a career (156), surpassing Case Keenum.

Arguments were aplenty. 

Many felt Ward took a risk in playing in a meaningless bowl game as potentially the No. 1 overall pick. On the flip side, others felt Ward was selfishly in it for only the record. The Hurricanes lost, 32-31.

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The future first-round pick received lots of praise and criticism, but his now former head coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense this week.

“I don’t feel the need to go race to squash false narratives and a bunch of bulls— that people like to start because that’s their way of doing whatever their job is,” he said on Monday. “That’s where it’s at. That’s where it’s always been. Cam has been an exceptional, an elite, Miami Hurricane. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He’s elevated the profile, the exposure of the University of Miami. 

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Cam Ward (1) celebrate a 52-45 win against Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

EX-FLORIDA QB JESSE PALMER TALKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF, FRENCH-ONION BEER, AND SHEDEUR SANDERS, CAM WARD

“He is leaving a legacy that’s gonna be impactful for generations to come. I mean, he’s the best I’ve been around, and I look forward to watching him lead an NFL franchise to championships and watching him play on Sundays.”

“He’s a big reason why he won 10 games and had a chance to really win every game,” Cristobal added. “He set the tone for what the standard is, right, the expectation is going forward — as difficult as that might be and sound.”

Miami controlled its own destiny in the College Football Playoff heading into the final week of the regular season, but the Canes fell to Syracuse to knock themselves out of the ACC title game and lose their chance of making the Playoff. Perhaps the conversation would have gone away on both sides if Ward had more to play for in December.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) stands back to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla.  (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both in the conversation about being the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, which is owned by the Tennessee Titans.

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Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler reiterated to team president Pat Riley in a face-to-face meeting last week that he wants to be traded, league sources told ESPN.

Butler told Riley that he will not sign a new deal in Miami and that he intends to use his $52 million player option for 2025-26 in the offseason only as a trade maneuver, sources said.

Butler’s seven-game, team-issued suspension from the Heat — for what was termed “detrimental conduct” — ends Thursday, at which point Miami will be faced with finding a path forward for Butler, with options including a return to the roster or a trade. Heat officials will meet later this week to discuss the best route with Butler, who requested a trade earlier this month, league sources said.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and players such as Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have spoken in the past week about finding clarity and eliminating the distraction of Butler’s circumstances during his absence.

The Heat, 20-18 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, have gone 3-2 so far on their current six-game road trip. They finish the trip Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, then host the Denver Nuggets on Friday in Miami.

“This is what we wanted, just to get back on the road, get away from all the chaos,” Herro told reporters after Saturday night’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers. “Rallying around each other, making it about the guys that are here now. We got enough.”

The Heat suspended Butler on Jan. 3, saying in a statement, “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”

Spoelstra said the day after Butler’s suspension that the team aimed to “quiet all the distractions.”

The Heat have engaged with multiple teams on Butler trade scenarios and have received offers but have been hesitant to negotiate further, sources said. Riley has not shown an urgency in these talks, as the trade deadline looms Feb. 6, sources added.

ESPN reported on Christmas Day that Butler prefers a trade out of Miami, with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets as desired destinations. One day later, Riley issued a statement that said, in part: “We will make it clear — we are not trading Jimmy Butler.”

In the midst of that, Butler was sidelined. After 13 days away from the team due to what was called an illness and reconditioning period, Butler had two low-impact games in his return. Butler scored nine points in 25 minutes in a Jan. 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans and then nine points in 27 minutes in a blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers one night later. He took a total of 11 shots over those two games.

One issue that led to Butler’s decision to request a trade, sources said, was an implication from team officials that he hadn’t played his hardest in the Heat’s victory over the Pelicans on New Year’s Day. Butler had made clear to the Heat before his suspension that he planned to partake in team activities while his status is in limbo, sources said.

Butler is in the final year of a contract that pays him $49 million this season and has a player option for 2025-26. His suspension is slated to cost him $2.35 million, but the National Basketball Players Association filed a grievance, calling the suspension “excessive and inappropriate.”

Butler, 35, is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting a career-best 55.2% from the field this season — but his 10.5 field goal attempts per game is his fewest since 2013-14. In his career, Butler has been selected to five All-NBA teams, including three during his Heat tenure. His teams have made the playoffs in 12 of his 13 seasons, including the five previous campaigns with Miami, which he has led to two NBA Finals and one additional Eastern Conference finals.

Stop me if you have heard this before, but the Miami Dolphins didn’t have a good offensive line this season. The two weak points were the guard spots as Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg were pretty underwhelming. Then it got worse with Terron Armstead fighting through injuries and losing Austin Jackson for the season. At last weeks conference, Chris Grier stated the offensive line would be a point of emphasis this offseason. We can only hope he gets some players in here to fix this mess.

You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.

‘Not well-constructed.’ How a lack of investment along the O-line doomed the Dolphins in 2024 – Yahoo Sports
‘We’re going to have to invest in the offensive line now,’ general manager Chris Grier said.

Dolphins Quarterbacks

‘Nobody in Football Was Giving Tua $55 Million’ — Former NFL QB Rips Dolphins for Overpaying Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is being criticized during the team’s offseason — and his contract is the primary target.

Miami Dolphins need a backup QB. Here are 5 NFL draft prospects they could target. – Yahoo Sports
The Miami Dolphins will study quarterbacks in the next NFL Draft, according to general manager Chris Grier. Here are five we like.

Dolphins Defense

Miami Dolphins Lessons from Wild-Card Weekend
The Philadelphia Eagles’ continued success on defense remains a bad look for the Dolphins

Phinsider News You May Have Missed

Reasons for a disappointing Dolphins season – Miami Dolphins News 1/13/25 – The Phinsider
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.

Cam Newton believes Tua Tagovailoa’s Arm Strength Is The Problem – The Phinsider
Cam Newton discusses the Dolphins offensive problems between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.

Skylar Thompson no longer a member of Miami Dolphins roster – The Phinsider
Skylar Thompson a free agent after practice squad contract expires.

Miami Dolphins fan confidence poll: Final review of 2024 season – The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins crashed out of the 2024 NFL regular season with a loss to the New York Jets. How are fans feeling about the direction of the team?

What’s next for Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead? – The Phinsider
Will Miami’s anchor in the trenches return for another season?

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Rams Live Thread & Game Information – The Phinsider
Join us live to follow and discuss this evening’s NFC Wild Card Round game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams.