The Jimmy Johnson school of defense put on a clinic for the Washington Redskins last night in Miami as the Dolphins defeated the Redskins by the score of 28-7. The Dolphin defense forced 5 turnovers in the first half, scoring one touchdown directly and setting up another off of fumble returns.
This game was almost a mirror image of the first 3 games of the preseason. Last night, the Dolphins had a strong running attack and a devastating defense that was able to save a passing attack that was virtually non-existent. For the most part, however, the team put on such an entertaining show that no one noticed that Dan Marino only completed one pass for six yards on the night.
The game started with several substitutions from the normal Dolphins' starting lineup. #60 John Bock started at center, #34 Tim Jacobs started in Calvin Jackson's place at cornerback and #35 Irving Spikes started for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at running back. JJ started Bock to see how good he was going to be as a backup center, but that was expected based on JJ's pre-game comments.
The two bigger surprises were Irving Spikes starting in place of Abdul-Jabbar and Tim Jacobs starting instead of Sam Madison. It appears that Abdul-Jabbar was suited up and ready to play, but was having some pain from a nagging hip problem, so they decided to sit him out to allow it to rest. And it was known that Calvin Jackson would not start, but it was a little surprising that Tim Jacobs started in place of Sam Madison. Madison, however, made his presence known later in the ballgame.
Also held out was cornerback Clayton Holmes, although the reason was not clear. Holmes was not injured and has been playing very well on special teams, but his problems with the league's drug testing may have had some influence on his participation last night.
The game started with the Redskins moving the ball well on their first possession, including a 45 yard completion over the middle, but it ended when Ferrotte overthrew intended receiver Henry Ellard and had it picked off by Tim Jacobs at the Miami goal line. That was the end of most impressive drive of the night by the Redskins.
The Dolphins offense spent most of their time in the first half running the football. With Irving Spikes starting, they racked up 51 yards rushing in the first quarter alone. Spikes averaged almost 5 yards per carry in the first half and that was a solid average, because his longest run was 9 yards.
Bernie Parmalee faired even better, averaging almost 7 yards per carry in the first half, including a 4 yard touchdown run.
The Dolphins' first touchdown followed the Dolphins' second interception of the night, on a play that had gained the Redskins 45 yards earlier. But this time, Shawn Wooden correctly read the coverage and dropped back to help Terrell Buckley, putting Wooden in a perfect position to make the interception. 8 plays later, Parmalee scored.
Following that touchdown, Derrick Rodgers intercepted a Hostetler pass on the next Redskins' drive for the Dolphins' third interception of the game. And it was still early in the second quarter.
Then, after each offense ran a series without much success, Charles Jordan fielded a punt on the Dolphins 4 yard line and raced up the middle for a 96 yard punt return and a touchdown to give the Dolphins a 14-0 lead. Jordan actually made 2 mistakes on that play - he fielded the ball at the Dolphins 4, which is normally not done and he dropped the ball on the punt. He then redeemed his mistakes by picking the ball up and racing for the score.
On the next Redskins series, George Teague forced a fumble and Sam Madison recoverd the ball and returned it to the Redskins 22. 4 plays later, Jerris McPhail ran around right end for a 10 yard touchdown to put the Dolphins up 21-0.
And if that wasn't enough, on the very next Redskins' series, Sam Madison forced a fumble by wrestling the ball loose from Joseph, scooped it up and ran 58 yards for a touchdown while most of the players stood around watching him. Apparently a lot of the players thought that the play was over, but Madison, to his credit, kept going and gave the Dolphins a 28-0 lead.
During the first half, the Dolphins forced 5 turnovers (only one of which could really be called a gift) and used them to get 21 points. The offense put on a masterful show of run blocking (for a change), allowing Dolphins' running back to get 76 yards running and 2 touchdowns.
The second half was not what you would call a great exhibition of football as both sides put a lot of players to the test before Sunday's roster cuts. For Miami, Damon Huard played quarterback for the whole half and didn't do himself any favors. He ended up 4 for 8 for 54 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. He missed a couple of easy throws (he wasn't asked to make any difficult ones) and probably worked his way off the team.
On special teams, the Dolphins were outstanding, with one exception. For the most part, their kicking coverage was excellent, the punts were high and deep and the returns were fine. However, Olindo Mare' missed a 33 yard field goal at the end of the game, which didn't make my heart warm.
Overall, it was an excellent night for Dolphins' fans and not such a great one for Redskins' fans. The Dolphins' defense, in particular, made a lot of plays for the team and really won the game. It was a game more in keeping with JJ's philosophy of football than past preseason efforts have been.
On the injury report, Tim Bowens sprained his thumb and was held out of the second half, but his injury does not appear serious. X-Rays revealed no damage to the thumb. Also, Bernie Parmalee did suffer a mild ankle sprain, but again, it's not thought to be serious.
George Teague was shaken up on one play, but there are no reports that he suffered any permanent injuries.
A lot of players distinguished themselves last night, some of them in good ways and some of them in ways that probably moved them off the team.
Jason Taylor, of course, continues to be an amazing player. He had one sack last night, but would have had two if Daryl Gardener hadn't drawn a penalty on the play. He also chased down a screen play from across the field and made the tackle.
Derrick Rodgers had his interception, which was a fine play, but more impressive to me was the play on which he ran halfway across the field and tackled the opposing running back on a screen pass for a loss.
Sam Madison didn't get to start, but did force one fumble and recovered two for a total of 92 yards in returns and a touchdown. I think you have to give him extra credit on his touchdown run for not quitting while everyone else was standing around and wondering what had just happened. He also had some nice pass coverage on several plays, although he was beaten at least once.
John Bock got to start at center and played well the entire first half. John Elmore started at center in the second half and didn't seem to do quite as well, but that's my subjective opinion. He let a bull-rushing defensive lineman get by him on one play late in the game.
Mike Sheldon was pretty good also, although he didn't seem to get a chance at center.
On the downside, Brent Smith allowed the only sack of the night and looked lost to me a lot of the time. He seemed to be getting pushed around by the defensive end a lot.
Dewayne Dotson looked like a load when he ran the ball, but he was effective bulling his way forward for a few tough yards when needed. He also blocked pretty well, although he got beaten by a linebacker once in the second half.
Both McPhail and Charles Jordan dropped passes that they should have caught and while McPhail is still pretty fast, he certainly didn't seem to be running all that hard last night. He also seems to lack instincts for finding the hole unless it's very obvious.
Dunstan Anderson played very well at defensive end, running down plays and pursuing all over the field. On the other hand, Barron Tanner was invisible most of the night.
Guys who had some trouble last night included Mike Crawford, who seemed slow and missed out on a couple of tackles and Ronnie Ward, who allowed the running back to get open on a crossing pattern and gain big yardage.
On special teams, the guy who made the most impact last night was cornerback Jerry Wilson, who had excellent coverage downfield on the kicks and got 2 tackles. His late hit on the Redskins quarterback may have cost him some points, however.
As a result of the game last night, I'd have to say that the following players may have played themselves off of the team last night and will be cut on Sunday: DT Barron Tanner, OT Brent Smith, OG John Elmore, QB Damon Huard, WR Scott Miller, LB Mike Crawford and LB Ronnie Ward. I think that Smith, Tanner, Huard, Crawford and Ward are the most likely candidates to be on the practice squad at this point.
Other guys that I'm not so sure about, but could be in trouble are S Earl Little, OG Mike Sheldon and LB OJ Brigance. These guys were pretty invisible last night, which may or may not be good. I think that Sheldon and Brigance will probably make the team, but you never know what JJ is thinking and I don't have the films to study, like he does.
On the other hand, the following players seemed to have helped their chances for making the team: CB Jerry Wilson, OG/C John Bock and DE Dunstan Anderson. I noticed each of these players in a positive way and I think that they have solidified their positions on the team.
On a side note, I didn't see or hear anything about the Dolphins' new signees, S Bracey Walker and LB Eddie Sutter. Both played some on special teams and I think that Walker even got to play a little on the regular team, but they were mainly invisible.