Rams Lose Preseason Finale at Miami

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By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. � After promising repeatedly that he was unconcerned with the fact that his top offense had yet to score a touchdown in preseason action, coach Scott Linehan proved that he meant it on Thursday night.

Linehan elected not only to limit his starters� repetitions against Miami at Dolphin Stadium, but to limit their appearance all together. The only starter from either side of the ball to play against the Dolphins was rookie tight end Joe Klopfenstein.

The Rams started the game with a mixture of second and third-stringers with Ryan Fitzpatrick handling the first half duties at quarterback. The decision to hold the starters back was effective in keeping the Rams healthy, but it also helped Miami to a 29-9 win.

With the loss, the Rams finish the preseason at 1-3 while the Dolphins improved to 2-2.

After dressing and working out before the game, quarterback Marc Bulger and Co. did not participate in any of the game. The Dolphins did likewise with just a couple of their defensive starters getting any reps and their top offensive line getting some work.

Receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, who had been fighting injuries the past two weeks, worked out before the game and were in uniform at the start, but they joined the rest of the starters on the bench.

The offensive performance of the Rams certainly didn�t improve with the backups on the field. The Rams finished with 148 yards of total offense, an average of 2.8 yards per play.

Instead of a battle between the top players, Thursday�s game turned into a battle of the kickers. Olindo Mare and Jeff Wilkins combined for 26 points on the evening.

Someone finally scored a touchdown after an almost three-quarter wait as the Dolphins marched 94 yards in nine minutes and 27 seconds for a 5-yard touchdown pass from Cleo Lemon to Marcus Vick. The extra point made it 16-6 Dolphins. Miami poured it on from there.

With Miami controlling the clock for most of the third quarter, Dave Ragone had to wait until 5:33 remained in the quarter to get his first chance.

The long wait for Ragone didn�t help and the Rams went three and out on his first possession. He didn�t have to wait long for a second chance, though. Deandre Eiland came up with a big hit on running back Gerald Riggs Jr., forcing a fumble that was recovered by linebacker Mike Goolsby at Miami�s 45.

Running back Fred Russell came up with a couple of nifty runs to put the Rams in field goal range for Wilkins� third attempt of the night. He hit from 43 yards to make it 16-9 Miami. Mare connected from 25 yards away to make it 19-9 Miami. He converted again late in the fourth quarter from 32 yards out for the final margin.

Meanwhile, Ragone struggled mightly as he battled to win a roster spot. He finished the game zero-of-seven with an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Deke Cooper. He added a fumble deep in Rams� territory when Jack Hunt hit him for a loss.

An unexciting first half came to an end after a trio of Miami field goals answered the Rams� two first-quarter kicks. The Dolphins lead 9-6 at the half.

The Dolphins scored first in the second quarter on a 27-yard field goal from Mare. That kick made it 6-3 Rams.

Miami followed with a stop and another Mare field goal, this time from 23 yards out to tie it at 6. Mare hit again from 35 yards away with 51 seconds to go in the half for the halftime difference.

Fitzpatrick, who is embroiled in a battle for the third quarterback job with Ragone, finished the first half seven-of-14 for 94 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. It was a steady, if not average performance for a player fighting for ajob.

In injury news, right tackle Blaine Saipaia and strong safety Jerome Carter came off the field at various times in the first quarter. Saipaia suffered a strained elbow, but returned to action on the next drive.

Carter went in for an x-ray on his left arm. Those x-rays came back negative and he also returned. During the second quarter, running back Tony Fisher took a blow to the head. Reports from the sideline indicated he was fine, but he did not return. Fisher finished his evening with nine carries for 33 yards and a pair of catches for 31 yards.

The second-team offense, led by Fitzpatrick, moved out to a 6-0 edge at the end of the first quarter.

The Rams� first drive stalled after Fitzpatrick was sacked, but the defense got the ball back promptly. On third-and-3, Dolphins quarterback Joey Harrington hit receiver Derek Hagan for what appeared to be a first down, but a hit from linebacker Dexter Coakley jarred the ball loose. Middle linebacker Jamal Brooks recovered on Miami�s 20.

The Rams gained 7 yards on the first two downs before Fitzpatrick and fullback Paul Smith failed to connect for a sure first down and possible touchdown. St. Louis settled for Wilkins� 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.

The defense got a quick three and out and the Rams took over the next drive at their 27. Fitzpatrick and running back Tony Fisher helped the Rams into Miami territory before stalling at the Miami 20. Wilkins hit from 49 yards after a sack, giving the Rams a 6-0 lead.