Skins.com:Redskins Shut Out Miami 17-0

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Redskins Shut Out Miami 17-0

August 21, 2004

Patrick Ramsey followed Mark Brunell's solid first-half performance with an impressive opening drive in the third quarter. Ramsey led the offense on a 14-play, 68-yard drive that ended with a 26-yard field goal by Ola Kimrin.

Ramsey was 2-for-2 on the drive, but Joe Gibbs continued to emphasize the running game. The drive featured solid running by John Simon, Rock Cartwright and Sultan McCullough, who combined for 36 yards.

The Redskins defense continued to smother Miami's offense. Jay Fiedler had replaced A.J. Feeley and on the Dolphins' first drive of the second half, he was stripped of the ball on a fourth-and-one play.

Linebacker Kevin Mitchell recovered the fumble, giving Ramsey another opportunity. After leading the Redskins' offense to two first downs, Ramsey was pressured into an incomplete pass, forcing a punt.

Second Quarter

Strong running and sound defense. The Redskins used both to build a two touchdown lead at halftime.

In the second quarter, the Redskins scored their second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run by Rock Cartwright. The score completed a 10-play, 43-yard drive that was highlighted by strong running and receiving by John Simon. The third-year tailback accounted for 33 yards on the drive and has four receptions for 42 yards.

The Redskins' offense has used smash-mouth offense to build the lead. Tailbacks combined for 75 yards on 22 carries.

Quarterback Mark Brunell, starting his second preseason game, turned in an efficient performance, going 7-of-9 for 79 yards in the half. Patrick Ramsey replaced Brunell on the quarter's last drive.

Defensively, the Redskins pressured Dolphins quarterback A.J. Feeley repeatedly, with Marcus Washington recording a sack.

Miami was unable to get their ground game running, as the Redskins' defense stifled running back Travis Minor, limiting him to 15 yards on eight carries.

First Quarter

For Clinton Portis and Sean Taylor, the Redskins-Miami Dolphins preseason matchup was a homecoming of sorts, with both having previously played at the University of Miami. In the first quarter, both Portis and Taylor made an impact.

On the game's opening drive, Taylor stripped the ball loose from Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers and recovered the fumble.

On the ensuing drive, Clinton Portis led the offense on a 8-play, 63-yard drive, with Portis's 1-yard dive giving the Redskins a 7-0 lead. Portis dived into the end zone past blockers Randy Thomas and Lennie Friedman.

For the first-team offense, it was the first sustained drive in preseason action that led to a touchdown.

The offense relied heavily on the skills of Portis on the opening drive. He rushed seven times for 37 yards and broke a 22-yarder. After the drive, Portis was replaced by Rock

Shawn Springs left the field after the Redskins' first defensive series. He has a stomach virus.

Pre-Game

Mark Brunell makes his second start of the preseason as the Redskins continue to fine-tune for the regular season. Also, rookie first-round safety Sean Taylor has been elevated to the starting lineup. (Andre Lott started the first two preseason games.)

Head coach Joe Gibbs said earlier this week that the team still has some work to do to be ready for the regular season opener on Sept. 12.

"We have a lot of things to improve on," Gibbs said. "What we are looking for is for players to step up. I felt last week that we backed up and turned the ball over, which is going in the wrong direction. We want to go forward, get better and tighten things up."

Linebacker LaVar Arrington did not travel to Miami for Saturday night's preseason contest against Miami and will sit out the game. Arrington has a sprained left knee from a practice earlier this week.

With Arrington out of the lineup, Lemar Marshall will start at outside linebacker.

Along with Arrington, these players also did not make the trip to Miami in order to recuperate from injuries: Mike Barrow (thigh), Rashad Bauman (hamstring), Fred Baxter (knee), Chris Clemons (hamstring), Darnerien McCants (ankle sprain), Cliff Russell (hamstring) and Ladell Betts (hamstring).

Antonio Pierce is will starr at middle linebacker in place of Barrow.