Critical Notes

It may have been Trent Green’s night, but Ronnie Brown was the Dolphin worth watching. (AI Wire photo)

A few boos were mixed in with a healthy amount of applause as Kansas City fans welcomed Trent Green back to Arrowhead Stadium. While the Chiefs’ faithful acknowledged what the quarterback had done for them in the past, the Dolphins were keen to see what he might bring to their future.

Green didn’t disappoint. He was 4-for-7 passing for 41 yards as he led Miami’s first two possessions in a 11-10 victory over the Chiefs on Thursday night. The Dolphins failed to score on a fourth-and-1 on the three-yard line in their second series before Green exited. While Green was sharp as expected, running back Ronnie Brown looked like the first-rounder the Dolphins hoped for when they drafted him two years ago.

Brown totaled 57 yards on 13 carries and his 22-yard burst in the second quarter set up a Jay Feely field goal. Miami didn’t score again until late in the fourth quarter when rookie QB John Beck led the game-winning drive. With 4:30 to play, Patrick Cobb scored on a 7-yard run that capped a seven-play, 73-yard possession. Beck then ran in the two-point conversion.

The Dolphins beat the point spread, which favored Kansas City by three points. The betting total was well under 33.5.

While the Dolphins looked like they are rounding into form, the Chiefs clearly have issues. Larry Johnson is holding out, so the running back by committee is being employed by coach Herm Edwards and not to any positive effect. Michael Bennett and rookie Kolby Smith, who are both vying for the starting job with Johnson out, combined for 11 yards on 14 carries. The Chiefs also have issues at place kicker, where fifth-round draft pick Justin Medlock missed two of his three field-goal attempts.

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