Dolphins survive Carolina rally, win 27-24

Newly acquired safety Lance Schulters intercepted a Jake Delhomme pass with two minutes remaining to set up Olindo Mare's game-winning field goal, giving the Dolphins a 27-24 win over the Panthers. Ronnie Brown had his first 100-yard rushing game, gaining 132 yards on 23 carries, including a 58-yarder when the Dolphins were pinned deep near their goal line. Frerotte finished the game with 171 yards on 14-of-33 passing with two TDs and an interception.

The Dolphins are already halfway to their 2004 win total in just three games. They have a bye next week before traveling to Buffalo.

Dolphins come back down to earth against Jets

After starting the season on a high note, the Dolphins, notably the offense, struggled against the Jets, losing 17-7. The defense performed well once again, holding Chad Pennington to 190 yards passing and Curtis Martin to 74 yards on 31 carries. However, the offense sputtered like it did in the preseason. Frerotte completed 20 of 43 passes for 177 yards, one TD, and one interception. Ronnie Brown, playing with a slight shoulder injury, gained only 35 yards on 12 carries.

Dolphins win opener, 34-10

In what was a surprise to everyone, including myself, the Dolphins shocked the Denver Broncos, 34-10, to win their regular season opener. Gus Frerotte completed 24 of 36 passes for 275 yards and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception, a much better performance than he exhibited during the preseason. The defense also played superbly, punctuated by Jason Taylor's fumble return for a TD on the last play of the game.

What a way to kick off the Nick Saban era. The question is, was today's game the real Dolphins or an aberration? Will Frerotte perform more like he did today or revert to his preseason futility? It should make for an interesting season.

Frerotte named starter

Coach Saban named Gus Frerotte the starting quarterback for the Dolphins' season opener against Denver in one week. During the exhibition season, Frerotte completed 35 of 77 passes for 394 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. (If those uninspiring stats earned him a starting QB job, you know the QB position is in trouble.) The more interesting news to me was that Sage Rosenfels was promoted to the backup position, with Feeley slipping to third-string QB.

Among other moves, the team also cut/waived RB Lamar Gordon, DT Larry Chester, G Taylor Whitley, and TE Donald Lee.

Dolphins end exhibition season with loss

Last night, the Dolphins lost their fifth and final exhibition game 20-17 to the Falcons. Once again, Frerotte and Feeley were ineffective, although Feeley's greater incompetence may have handed the starting QB job to Frerotte. Frerotte completed 2 of 3 passes for 10 yards, but Feeley was a woeful 4 of 17 for 56 yards with an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The best performance of the night belonged to third stringer Sage Rosenfels, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 217 yards and 2 TDs.