Feeble production on first down keeps Dolphins' offense floundering.

Publication: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

Bookmark this article Print this article Link to this article Email this article Digg It! Add to del.icio.us RSS

COPYRIGHT 2005 South Florida Sun-Sentinal

Byline: Charles Bricker

TAMPA, Fla. _ First-and-15 in the first quarter. First-and-20 in the second. Second-and-17 in the fourth quarter.

And the only reason the Miami Dolphins didn't face a second-and-17 in the third period was that they were no longer on offense. After Greg Spires sacked Gus Frerotte for a 7-yard loss, Will Allen gathered up his fumble and ran 33 yards to a 27-6 Tampa Bay lead.

This was the Dolphins' worst offensive performance of the season, and the seeds of doom were planted on first downs, when a combination of penalties, ineffective blocking and questionable play-calling and game-planning conspired to limit Frerotte's alternatives on virtually every series.

Not to absolve Frerotte of blame in this third defeat of the year, but how can you quarterback...

Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.