THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins are in better shape than a year ago -- in more ways than one.

It helps that the Dolphins are coming off an 11-6 season and an AFC East title, as opposed to 2007, when they went 1-15.

The Dolphins say they are also in better physical condition than in the summer of 2008, when coach Tony Sparano was beginning his first season.

"I am noticing guys still have their legs under them right now," Sparano said Tuesday. "We are physically a lot better strength-wise out there. We have less guys in the training room right now at this time than maybe last year.

"I have to believe we are ahead that way, but I am not sure. I hope that all means something in the end."

Wide receiver Greg Camarillo said it will make a difference. He said Sparano whipped the Dolphins into excellent condition last year, and it paid off with a series of close victories.

"We took pride in being in great condition winning games in the fourth quarter," Camarillo said. "The hard work we put in in this heat is what prepares us to do that. We know NFL games come down to five points, three points, one point, and it's usually in the last two minutes of the game. We're ready to fight to that last minute, and we're in shape to do that."

Running back Patrick Cobbs credits the team's improved condition this year to excellent attendance at off-season workouts.

"Everybody showed up and we conditioned hard, and it showed when we came out here," he said. "The sun hasn't beaten us up too much. It's hot, but we've gone through it at full strength."

Training camp is always taxing in South Florida, with its high humidity and sunny, 90-degree weather almost every afternoon in August. Sparano said up to 15 players require intravenous fluids after practice to rehydrate.

"I'm very, very aware of who loses X amount of pounds in practice," Sparano said. "The other day we had one guy lose 13 pounds and one guy lose 12 pounds from one practice. So I have to be on top of that for a lot of reasons, health being one."

But Sparano is pleased with how his players have held up -- so much so he's conducting more practices in the team's indoor bubble than a year ago to provide a break from the heat.

"They are in this constantly," he said, "so going out here and having to practice every day, two times a day in it won't really prove anything."