Dolphins starters score first TD
It took until the second quarter of their third preseason game, but the Dolphins’ starting offense finally did it.
It scored a touchdown.
Ryan Tannehill’s 16-yard pass to Danny Amendola with 9:09 left in the first half against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive that showed plenty of high- lights for the Dolphins offense.
There was the 30-yard scamper from Kenyan Drake down the right sideline that started the momentum push.
There was tight end Mike Gesicki, the Dolphins’ second-round pick, recording his first catch of the preseason, a 10-yard reception on third down that kept the drive alive.
And then there was the touchdown, which long eluded the Dolphins starters and opened the scoring in the game.
GORE’S DEBUT
It won’t get the pomp and circumstance that will likely take place on Sept. 9 when the Dolphins begin the regular season.
But on the Dolphins’ second play from scrimmage against the Ravens, veteran running back Frank Gore officially made his first appearance for Miami after sitting out the first two games of the preseason.
Gore, the 35-year-old Miami native and soon-to-be Hall of Fame running back, said earlier in the week that he had every intention of making his debut on Saturday.
He was lively on the sidelines
Ryan Tannehill connected with Danny Amendola on a 16-yard pass to give the starting offense its first touchdown of the preseason.
in moments before kickoff, high-fiving teammates and jumping up and down.
His first series, however, was less than enthralling. After Tannehill fumbled the snap to open the series, Gore took a handoff on second-and-17 from the shotgun for a 2-yard loss. On third-and-19, Gore caught a pass from Tannehill for 2 yards. Miami proceeded to punt.
Although the small sample size is nothing to look back at, the Dolphins are hoping Gore’s veteran savvy makes an impact as he heads into Year 14 — and his first in front of his hometown crowd.
Gore enters the season ranked fifth all-time in
NFL history with 14,026 career rushing yards, just 76 yards behind Curtis Martin for fourth.
Outside of his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers, Gore has rushed for at least 853 yards in every season.
His 77 rushing touchdowns heading into the season are tied with Tony Dorsett for 22nd in NFL history.
BLOCKED
Dolphins defensive tackle Vincent Taylor had the highlight of the first quarter, blocking a Justin Tucker 51-yard field-goal attempt with 24 seconds remaining in the frame. Cornerback Tyler McTyer recovered the ball and returned it 14 yards to set the Dolphins offense up at its 47-yard line.
The offense could not take advantage of the opportunity, though, going three-and-out.
DOLPHINS INACTIVES
The Dolphins listed the following eight players as “not expected to play” prior to Saturday’s game: Wide receiver DeVante Parker, quarterback Bryce Petty, safety Trae Elston, running Kalen Ballage, linebacker Mike Hull, center Jake Brendel, wide receiver Leonte Carroo and defensive end William Hayes.
The Ravens, meanwhile, rested the majority of their veteran starters, including quarterback Joe Flacco, safety Eric Weddle, outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and inside linebacker C.J. Mosley. Robert Griffin III served as Baltimore’s starting quarterback.
PERSONNEL NOTES
The Dolphins opened
A in nickel defense, with rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick starting as the nickel cornerback and Bobby McCain and Xavien Howard manning the outside cornerback positions. Davin Godchaux and Akeem Spence were the team’s starting defensive tackles.
Jerome Baker, the
A
Dolphins’ third-round pick in this year’s draft, served as Miami’s primary strongside linebacker early, but Chase Allen received a fair amount of snaps as Miami rotated between the two.
THIS AND THAT
Wide receivers Kenny
A
Stills and Albert Wilson once again kneeled during the national anthem, and defensive end Robert Quinn raised his right fist.
Tannehill had two
A fumbles in the first quarter, but Miami recovered both.