Miami Dolphins open 2012 season at Houston Texans - MiamiHerald.com

By David J. Neal The Miami Herald

The Dolphins will open the 2012 NFL regular season against Houston, at 1 p.m. Sept. 9, and have their first home game against Oakland at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 16.

So, a new Dolphins coaching staff with a new offense will attempt to turn around the team’s custom of slow starts against a franchise the Dolphins never have beaten in six previous games. That includes the last time the Dolphins faced the Texans in a season opener, a 21-20 loss in 2003, and a 23-13 Dolphins loss in Week 2 of last season.

Coming off their fifth losing season in the past six and with fan frustration perhaps at a peak, the threat of local TV blackouts looms. But perennial blackout beaters, the Jets and New England, visit Sept. 23 and Dec. 2, respectively. Their third AFC East opponent, Buffalo, comes in Dec.23. Aside from the Oakland game, all the Dolphins’ home games are scheduled for 1 p.m.

The first game against Buffalo, on Thursday, Nov. 15 on NFL Network, is the Dolphins’ only scheduled prime-time game. Only four previous times since the 1970 merger â€" 1970 (1), 2005 (1), 2007 (1) and 2008 (0) â€" have the Dolphins been in prime time as few as once. Of course, once flex scheduling kicks in for the final seven weeks of the season, a game could be moved into the prime Sunday night slot.

The rematch with the Patriots closes the season Dec. 30 and the Jets rematch is Oct. 28. The Dolphins’ bye week is Oct. 21.

“Our players, staff and organization are excited about the 2012 season, which kicks off against Houston on Sunday, Sept. 9,” first-year coach Joe Philbin said in a statement from the team. “We look forward to the challenges that await us and encourage our loyal and supportive fans to stand behind us as we begin this journey.”

Signings

The Dolphins signed wide receiver Legedu Nanee and linebacker Gary Guyton on Tuesday.

Nanee (6-2, 220 pounds) started 20 games over four seasons with San Diego before being with Carolina in 2011. He started 10 games there, and caught 44 passes for 467 yards.

Guyton (6-3, 245) was an undrafted free agent but fashioned a four-year career with New England. During a conference call Tuesday, Guyton said he didn’t know what his role would be.