After an 0-2 start in the NFL72 exhibition season, Miami romped in Cincinnati, 35-17, on Saturday, Aug. 19, and almost everyone's happy. Miami lost to Detroit and Green Bay earlier but had little problem with the Bengals in Riverfront Stadium.
On offense, the Dolphins scored on every possession in which Bob Griese played. The score was 14-3 after one quarter and 21-3 at the half (it would’ve been worse but Garo Yepremian, with new holder Earl Morrall, missed a 33-yard field-goal try before the break). The teams traded touchdowns each of the last two quarters. Bernard Jackson, a rookie converted to cornerback, and the rest of Cincinnati’s secondary could not contain Paul Warfield, who twice scored on touchdown passes from Griese.
On defense, the Dolphins featured plenty of new faces in the wake of injuries. Jim Dunaway, Mike Kadish, Bob Matheson and Maulty Moore each claimed quarterback sacks against the Bengals, and not one of them started on the Dolphin defensive line in NFL71.
Perhaps the only Dolphin down after Saturday’s game was reserve Craig Curry, who threw two interceptions and failed to lead Miami to any scores. One wonders if this is the end of Don Shula’s experiment of Curry, the black Coral Gables native and rookie from the University of Minnesota, at quarterback. Curry is also under consideration by Dolphin coaches as a prospect at wide receiver, running back and defensive back.
Otherwise around NFL72:
— Virgil Carter started for Cincinnati at quarterback against the Dolphins, but it appears as though Ken Anderson is at least challenging his hold on the top job.
— Lou Saban is back as coach of the Bills, and they apparently will be throwing less frequently than in NFL71. Even quarterback Dennis Shaw is probably satisfied with the change in emphasis, after three of his five completions in the Bills’ 21-10 win over Minnesota on Friday night went for touchdowns.
— By the way, Bob Lee, not Fran Tarkenton, played the entire game at quarterback for Minnesota.
— Bill Kilmer threw for three touchdowns and Sonny Jurgensen, one, in Washington’s 34-10 win over Philadephia.
— Terry Bradshaw injured his knee, and Terry Hanratty came off the bench to direct three touchdown drives over five minutes of game time. The Steelers beat Atlanta, 31-17, and are 3-0 in exhibitions. Rookie Franco Harris scored on a 76-yard run.
