Warner leads team to win in first game
Miami, FL-- Kurt Warner's "reign of terror" began in style. The Dolphins beat the New York Jets down in Dolphin Stadium, 31-10, to match their win total from last year in Week 1. The Dolphins began Warner's career off right, as their first offensive derive steadily went downfield for a Ronnie Brown touchdown from 1 yard out. Brown finished with 84 yards on 16 carries. The game looked to be close after a couple of solid drives by both defenses, until the Jets kicked a FG with 8 minutes left in the 2nd. That was when it really started to get out of hand. Andre Woodson led Miami down to the 8 yard line, where he tossed a TD to a fellow rookie, TE Mike Peterson from NW Missouri State. The Jets got the ball back and immediately threw a deep interception to Rookie ILB Tavares Gooden, who returned it to the NY 41. It took 5 plays from there, with Woodson hitting another rookie in WR Donnie Avery for his second touchdown of the day with 0:28 left on the clock in the second. The future looks good in Miami. The Phin's took the opening kickoff down the field and got a 38-yard FG by rookie Alexis Serna. When Leon Washington got a TD run with 5 minutes left in the fourth, it didn't really matter anymore as the game was all but over, but the Dolphins and HB Marquis Weeks added another TD on a 1-yard scamper, 31-10, final. Warner led both teams in a prayer after the game (pictured) and then raced off to the locker room, jumping and celebrating the great win with his team. "Man, we look good today!" said Warner in his press conference. "I love the dividends our rookies are paying for us already. Andre led the team on the field and on the sidelines, and Ronnie [Brown] told me he loves having another player who wants to lead the team out there. For a minute there, I thought I was one of the guys again, and was confused when the coach didn't get up there for a post-game speech!" [laughs] "Questions?"
R: Coach, how do you feel about the 2 interceptions Woodson threw today?
CW: Well, that is something we want to eliminate, but he did a heck of a job out there and led us to a great victory. We didn't tell him to come in and be a superstar, but that doesn't stop him from trying. Some plays he looked it, sometimes not. We'll work on the turnovers, but I loved the touchdown to Mike[Peterson], if that throw was just a little off the mark, it was an INT.
R: Coach, how different was it to come out and trade pads for a headset?
CW: Well, obviously it takes some getting used to, but I think the pre-season was enough for me to be acclimated to it.
R: Speaking of the pre-season, did you think that your guy's would do something like this after going 2-2 with that 12-56 beatdown by Philly?
CW: I think that game really put in perspective for us that half effort would not win anything in this league. That was one of the things I stressed to the players before the game. I really believe this is a special group of guys, and yes, I believe if we play to our potential, we can do what we just did to anyone. I'll take one last question.
R: How did you feel about Jake Long's performance?
CW: Loved it. Looking at the stat sheet, I love everyone's play today. We allowed 3 sacks, but 2 were by Stacy [Andrews], and the other was by Ben [Noll]. So I think Coach [Mike] Maser, [Dolphins O-Line Coach] will work with the interior of the line this week. Thanks for your time, but the wife & I are taking the kids to dinner to celebrate. See ya next week!