The Miami Dolphins are glad next week’s games don’t count. They have to play twice because the NFL wants them on national television.

“They do crazy things in this league,” safety Brock Marion said. “Two games in four days is a prime example.”

The Dolphins open their exhibition season Monday at Tampa Bay. On Thursday, they play the New Orleans Saints in Miami.

“I feel like a baseball team,” defensive end Jason Taylor said. “Unfortunately we can’t stand out in the outfield and rest.”

The Dolphins were left with the peculiar schedule when their game at Tampa was pushed back three days to accommodate ESPN. It will be the final game of the first full weekend of the NFL preseason.

Miami was locked into Thursday for its second game because that’s the only night Pro Player Stadium is available next week.

The Florida Marlins have home games on the other dates.

“It makes no sense,” coach Dave Wannstedt said.

In fact, the Dolphins will go five days without practicing in pads. They’ll work out today and Sunday against the Buccaneers in Orlando. Players are off Tuesday and Friday, and Wednesday’s practice will be a brief walkthrough.

Vikings: Derrick Alexander, signed as a free agent, was supposed to replace Cris Carter at wide receiver and complement Randy Moss.

But a quadriceps injury has hampered Alexander, who had 470 yards and three touchdowns in an unspectacular 2001 with the Chiefs.

Coach Mike Tice is disappointed that Alexander hasn’t been able to practice much. So D’Wayne Bates, signed from Chicago, is now the starter.

I wish all players would compete for that spot, but that’s not the case with all players.”