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http://www.palmbeachpost.com/dolphins/content/sports/epaper/2008/08/16/z4b_finssider0817.html

Ronnie Brown, Dolphins' backs perform well in win

By BEN VOLIN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Saturday, August 16, 2008

JACKSONVILLE — Ronnie Brown emerged from the showers Saturday night after the Dolphins' 19-14 win over Jacksonville and raised his right thumb.

He wasn't giving anyone the "thumbs up" sign. Brown was demonstrating that he could rotate his thumb, and that the injury that forced him from the game wasn't too serious.

"I think I just fell on it. Just precautionary stuff," Brown said of the soft cast he wore while watching the second half from the sideline.

Brown, whose carries have been limited during the exhibition season as he returns from knee surgery, injured his thumb late in the first quarter and went into the locker room for several minutes.

He emerged just before halftime with a large ice pack wrapped around his right hand, and after halftime he sported the cast. Brown said the cast wasn't necessary.

Asked if he could have returned for the second half had it been a regular-season game, he replied, "Ain't no question."

Said quarterback Chad Henne: "He's a tough guy, and there's no reason to go in there and hurt himself."

Brown, who missed three games in 2006 with a broken bone in his left hand, finished the game with 2 yards on two carries and now has 6 yards on five carries through two exhibition games.

Ricky Williams got the start and played most of the first quarter. Williams once again excelled, finishing with 43 yards on 10 carries and the Dolphins' lone touchdown, a 4-yard run in the first quarter.

Williams ripped off consecutive runs of 7, 7 and 6 yards before going in for the score. Three of those runs were behind rookie left tackle Jake Long.

"We were breaking open some holes, and he was cutting back pretty well," Long said. "Running the ball, that's what we've been working on a lot. That's the trademark we want to have."

Williams has 74 yards in two exhibition games, averaging about 5 yards per carry. The touchdown was his first since a Jan. 1, 2006, victory against New England. Of course, that was a regular-season game.

"I've been there a bunch of times before, and I'm sure I'll be there a few more," Williams said of his visit to the end zone.

Because of suspensions and injuries, he played only one game last year and none in the NFL in '06.

Patrick Cobbs, fighting for the third running back spot, earned snaps with the starters and finished with 20 yards on eight carries. Rookie Lex Hilliard also had 20 yards on eight carries, and Jalen Parmele had 7 yards on four carries.

A week after rushing for just 64 yards against the Bucs, the Dolphins racked up 123 yards on the ground Saturday.

"The offensive line was blocking really good tonight, definitely getting some push up front," Henne said.

Sorry to say, Ronnie did not perform well in this game. 

I was thinking the exact same thing. How can 2 runs for 2 yards be considered good?

Overall, I think they're being TOO cautious with Ronnie. That thumb injury... that was nothing. He would've kept playing in a real game, so why not at least give him a few more carries?

Oh well, there's always the "dress rehearsal" game next Saturday. That's the big one. I expect we'll see the starters for most of the first half. Even the second half should be good (or at least intense), with decisions on the final cuts due 3 days later.

Well to be fair, on his runs the D-line had already shot the gaps before he reached the line of scrimmage. It's hard to work with nothing.

The difference is, Ricky would cut to the outside if that happened.  I saw him do it a couple times early in the game.  Ronnie still looks very sluggish and hesitant.  He is not all the way back mentally from that knee injury.