Miami Dolphins' Ronnie Brown shows some rust in his return from knee surgery

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolnotes10sbaug10,0,4532713.story

Miami Dolphins' Ronnie Brown shows some rust in his return from knee surgery

By Omar Kelly
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 10, 2008

MIAMI GARDENS - Tailback Ronnie Brown desperately wanted to play in the Dolphins' first exhibition game to test his surgically repaired right knee.

Coach Tony Sparano granted his wish.

Brown, who is less than 10 months removed from his ACL tear, started and ran with the ball on the first two plays from scrimmage.

His first carry was a 1-yard loss. His second was a 1-yard gain.

Brown, who contributed 991 all-purpose yards last season, had another run that was good for 4 yards in his second and final series. Ricky Williams then replaced him.

Sparano has been adamant that Brown's return will be gradual, and considering how effective Williams was hitting the open running lanes, it appears Brown has a ways to go in his rehabilitation.

Williams gained 31 yards on five carries, while Brown averaged 1.3 yards on three runs.

LB Anderson injures hamstring

Starting outside linebacker Charlie Anderson, the newcomer who is supposed to replace Jason Taylor, injured his left hamstring trying to deflect a pass in the second half.

Anderson left the game after suffering the injury and did not return.

If the injury is serious, the Dolphins will likely elevate Quentin Moses into the starting spot opposite Joey Porter. Defensive end Matt Roth also is being used as an outside linebacker. ...

Linebacker Kelvin Smith suffered a leg injury covering a punt in the fourth quarter.

Kicker Carpenter impresses

With returning starter Jay Feely sidelined by a groin injury, rookie kicker Dan Carpenter took advantage of his opportunity.

The former Montana standout split the uprights on a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter and he converted a 49-yarder in the third quarter that closed the Dolphins' deficit to 7-6.

Carpenter's kickoffs left the Bucs at the 22, 25 and 24, respectively.

Four starters sit out game

Four of the Dolphins' projected starters — defensive end Vonnie Holliday, cornerback Michael Lehan, Porter and Feely — did not dress for the game.

Holliday has been nursing a hamstring injury he suffered last week, and was replaced by rookie defensive end Phillip Merling. Fellow rookie defensive end Kendall Langford started on the opposite side, replacing Roth, who is being experimented with as an outside linebacker.

Roth replaced Porter, who is the only player whose absence was surprising. While Porter's participation was limited during the start of camp because of a left ankle injury, he's been practicing for more than a week. Lehan, who started 14 games last season, is rehabbing a severely sprained ankle he injured in May.

It's likely he could miss the entire exhibition season.

[dolphins4life]

out of curiousity, how long did it take you to upload all these articles?

I appreciate it, though.  Gave me some good reads.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

He did show rust.  He ran very tentatively, meanwhile Ricky did not.

[DZA]

Dan Carpenter    Watch out Jay Feely