Chiefs-Dolphins Game Log

Aug 23, 2008, 9:35:13 PM

PRE-GAME, 5:05 PM EST

Welcome to sunny Miami…and I say truthfully as blue skies are gracing us for the first time since we’ve arrived in the “Sunshine State.” Apparently Hurricane Fay overstayed her welcome and, despite the current break in weather, showers are expected this evening as the ending remnants of Fay leave South Florida.

PRE-GAME, 6:10 PM EST
The Dolphins share Dolphin Stadium with the Marlins (don’t get me started about watching baseball in this venue) and it’s still baseball season, meaning the infield dirt covers a large portion of the playing surface. The grounds crew has had the tarp covering the field for most of the weekend and the playing surface is in good condition. Things can change in a matter of minutes, however, if rain comes and turns the dirt into a mud bath, slopping up the field.

PRE-GAME, 6:33 PM EST
Tonight’s inactives are in…
Out for KC: WR Kevin Robinson, RB Jamaal Charles, CB Tyron Brackenridge, S Jon McGraw, LB Demorrio Williams, LB Donnie Edwards, DE Trevor Johnson, T Branden Albert, WR Will Franklin and TE Brad Cottam.

LB Weston Daucs will start in place of Williams.

Out for MIA: RB Ronnie Brown and LB Charlie Anderson.
Prior to the game, Miami released CB Travis Daniels, CB Chris Roberson and WR David Kircus.

PRE-GAME, 6:55 PM EST
Totally unrelated…did you guys see the Cuban taekwondo guy kick that ref in the head  after he got beat in the Olympics today? Unreal.

PRE-GAME, 7:12 PM EST
It’s always weird to see a guy for the first time in a uniform you aren’t used to. Tonight it’s QB Chad Pennington in a Dolphins uniform. Ironic that another long-time QB switching teams for the first time is what pushed Pennington into Miami.

Regardless, they say there is an open QB competition here, but Pennington has the look and the walk of a starter amongst the Dolphins.

PRE-GAME, 7:25 PM EST
Just my opinion, but the Dolphins mascot needs to lose the helmet he’s wearing. The only thing I can compare it to would be if you or I wore around one of those mini-baseball helmets that they serve ice cream in.

PRE-GAME, 7:27 PM EST
Nothing says pre-season football like Eddie Money…they’ve been cranking some serious E.M. hits throughout pre-game. If only he sang the National Anthem tonight.

Also, guess who the feature is about in the Dolphins Gameday magazine…you guessed it, FB Boomer Grigsby.

1st Q, 11:29, KC 0 MIA 0
The Fins go to RB Ricky Williams on the game’s first two plays before WR Ted Ginn converted a third down to mid-field. Some might be surprised to know that Williams is currently listed in front of RB Ronnie Brown on Miami’s depth chart.

1st Q, 4:57, KC 0 MIA 3
Just like KC did the past two games, the Dolphins put together a solid clock-eating opening drive that resulted in a 19-yard Dan Carpenter FG. Even more impressive than the drive, however, was the Chiefs stingy defense inside the five-yard line. Miami ran seven plays inside the five-yard line before finally settling for the FG

Ricky Williams was an absolute beast carrying the ball on the drive…comeback player of the year?

15 plays, 65 yards, 10:03

1st Q, 3:44, KC 0 MIA 3
The Chiefs open with some return blunders as the Dolphins first kickoff bounced around before WR Bobby Sippio picked it up for a four-yard return. But the Chiefs got a “do-over” when the Fins were offsides. On the re-kick, rookie RB Dantrell Savage accidentally stepped out of bounds at the two-yard line as he made his first stride.

If the Chiefs are to have another impressive opening offensive drive, they’ll have to put together one that spans 98 yards.

1st Q, 0:00, KC 0 MIA 3
After notching couple first downs, KC is forced to punt. The Dolphins are getting a lot of push up front, sending QB Brodie Croyle on the run nearly every drop back. The QB pressure has gotten the small crowd (looks like a Marlins game) rowdy.

2nd Q, 13:19, KC 0 MIA 3
LB Derrick Johnson has really looked impressive this pre-season. He’s all over the place, opening the game by jumping over a would-be blocker to make a tackle and continued his solid play by batting down Pennington’s pass on a blitz, leading to a Dolphins punt.

2nd Q, 11:55, KC 0 MIA 3
It looks as if the rain is going to hold off here tonight. These two teams better enjoy this weather now, because they may not be so lucky in their next meeting at Arrowhead on December 21st.

2nd Q, 11:15, KC 0 MIA 10
It hasn’t been a pretty site early for the Chiefs offense or special teams. Another Chiefs punt results in Ted Ginn going to the house (virtually untouched) for a 59-yard TD return. KC needs to get back on track fast. The good news is that they won’t have to wait long for an opportunity to answer the call.

2nd Q, 10:30, KC 0 MIA 10
The Dolphins are continuing their defensive onslaught as DE Matt Roth records and sack-and-strip of Croyle to give Miami the ball back at the KC 22. So far, KC hasn’t found an answer for Miami’s pass rush. The defense is in a tough spot, but it’s critical to keep the Fins out of the end zone after the sudden change.

2nd Q, 9:36, KC 0 MIA 17
After nearly braking the game open on the first play off the turnover (Miami challenged a TD catch and lost), it only took two more tries for Miami to get in the end zone. The Dolphins are clicking on all cylinders right now, probably for the first time since 2006.

3 plays, 22 yards, 0:54

2nd Q, 2:00, KC 0 MIA 17
It looked as if the Chiefs were on to something offensively, but a first down pass to TE Tony Gonzalez was negated by offensive pass interference. Needless to say, TG was not happy with the call. The Dolphins will have another opportunity to add to their lead before the half. This first half can’t get over soon enough for the Chiefs.

2nd Q, 0:00, KC 0 MIA 17
The defense does its job forcing a Miami three-and-out, but nothing comes out of it as ‘Fins stay stingy on defense, picking off Croyle as the half expired. A seemingly flawless first half by the Dolphins in all three phases of the football game.

HALFTIME: Little footballers from all over South Florida are celebrating Play Football Month with some serious flag football action. In KC, we’ll upgrade the action to full tackle youth football at halftime on Thursday vs. St. Louis.

3rd Q, 12:45, KC 0 MIA 17
If RB Kolby Smith’s first touch of the second half is any indication of the Chiefs mood, we may get to see quite the turnaround. Smith absolutely leveled a Dolphins DB at the end of his 22-yard reception. It took three defenders just to push Smith out of bounds, and Smith never fell to the ground.

3rd Q, 8:02, KC 0 MIA 17
It’s just one of those days. It appeared the Chiefs would get back into this thing after the offense put together an impressive drive to open the second half, but it wasn’t that easy. The Dolphins D comes up with a goal line stand to get the football back after stopping LJ on fourth-and-one from the one.

3rd Q, 6:15, KC 0 MIA 17
The Chiefs appeared like a new team in the second-half, even despite Miami’s goal line stand, displaying a nice drive followed by a defensive three-and-out. Then, they looked like the first half team when KR B.J. Sams muffed a punt that went back to the Fins. Luckily, the Fins lined up illegally and the Chiefs caught a huge break. KC takes over in Dolphins territory. A score is needed to get back into this contest.

Damon Huard has relieved Croyle at quarterback.

3rd Q, 4:58, KC 0 MIA 17
Three-and-out for the Chiefs. Each team is beginning to sub out their first-team players.

3rd Q, 3:47, KC 0 MIA 17
QB Chad Henne has come into the game, replacing Pennington at QB. With the drafting of Henne and the signing of Pennington, what does that mean for QB John Beck, whom many believed was the Dolphins QB of the future just a year ago?

3rd Q, 0:34, KC 0 MIA 17
CB Michael Lehan picks off Huard, leaving the Dolphins poised for more points inside the Chiefs Red Zone. Lehan looked like he may have been able to score, but opted to high-step out of bounds instead of putting a move on to get around Huard. The decision came back to haunt Miami as CB Brandon Carr picked off Henne in the end zone, leaving us back where we started before Lehan’s pick of Huard.

4th Q, 10:45, KC 0 MIA 17
As each team continues to struggle offensively this half, let’s talk about an important date coming up. A few players on each team will be playing their last contest for their respective clubs as the NFL’s first cut down date is on Tuesday.

Personally, I think two cuts is a bit silly. Why bother releasing only five players, and then cut another 22 within the same week? The first cut down to 75 players was significant back when teams had 100+ players in camp, but with only 80 on rosters these days is a five-man cut really necessary?

4th Q, 7:40, KC 0 MIA 24
Rookie RB Jalen Parmele busts an 80-yard run off left tackle to set up his own two-yard TD runs just a few plays later. The seas parted for Parmele, who wasn’t touched on his 80-yard jaunt until CB Maurice Leggett ran him down in pursuit form the opposite corner.

4 plays, 88 yards, 2:09

4th Q, 5:45, KC 0 MIA 24
QB Tyler Thigpen has entered the game for the Chiefs to try his hand at changing the club’s fortunes.

4th Q, 3:59, KC 0 MIA 24
It’s more of the same for KC. This is just one of those games that you are thankful it’s still the preseason.

4th Q, 1:36, KC 0 MIA 24
The Chiefs made one last effort to get on the board after DT Derek Lokey recovered a fumble on the Dolphins 20. The Chiefs offense stalled, however, and K Nick Novak missed a 48-yard attempt wide right. Novak had been perfect this preseason prior to that miss. With one miss apiece, kickers Connor Barth and Novak are locked in a virtual tie with each having one miss at 45+ yards.

4th Q, 0:00, KC 0 MIA 24
The two teams trade turnovers before QB John Beck takes a knee. I’m just glad we got out of this one injury free. See you on Thursday for the pre-season finale and rights to the Governor’s Cup trophy.