NFL Preseason Preview - Kansas City (1-1) At Miami (1-1)
POSTED: 3:30 pm EDT August 21,
2008
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor -- (Sports Network) - Chad Pennington makes his first home start as a Miami Dolphin on Saturday night, when the quarterback and his new team play host to the Kansas City Chiefs in the next-to-last preseason outing for both clubs. Pennington, who was acquired by the Dolphins on August 8th after he had been released by the Jets, made his debut in a Miami uniform in last Saturday's 19-14 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pennington started the game and looked sharp, completing 5-of-6 passes for 55 yards before yielding to backup Chad Henne (17-of-26, 133 yards). The two other quarterbacks on the Miami roster, Josh McCown and John Beck, did not play against the Jaguars but could see some time against the Chiefs. Expected to garner first-team reps alongside Pennington on Saturday night is running back Ricky Williams, who was elevated to the top of the depth chart after the recent thumb injury sustained by Ronnie Brown. Williams has drawn praise for his strong preseason to date, racking up 74 yards on 15 carries (4.9 yards per carry) and generally outplaying Brown (5 carries, 6 yards). Brown, the No. 2 pick in the 2005 Draft, is not expected to play on Saturday night. Elsewhere on the injury front for Miami, linebacker Joey Porter (knee/back) is considered questionable after missing practice time earlier in the week. Like the Dolphins, the Chiefs will be trying to establish their depth chart at quarterback as they head into Saturday's game. Brodie Croyle (13-of-23 passing, 120 yards in the preseason) is firmly entrenched as the starter, but has yet to throw a touchdown pass in the warm- up period and could use a strong outing against the Dolphins. Behind him, second-year-pro Tyler Thigpen and veteran (and ex-Dolphin) Damon Huard are slugging it out for primary backup duties. Thigpen has played extensively in the preseason, completing 24-of-43 passes for 287 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Huard, meanwhile, has scarcely played, but has connected on six of his eight passes for 77 yards with a touchdown. Another concern for Herm Edwards' squad is at linebacker, where Donnie Edwards (hamstring), Demorrio Williams (hand), and Napoleon Harris (knee) are also expected to be out. Tackle and first-round Draft pick Branden Albert (foot) will also miss the contest. Miami leads the all-time preseason series with Kansas City, 2-1-1, breaking a deadlock in the series with a an 11-10 road victory prior to last season. The Dolphins and Chiefs will also meet in regular season play in 2008, with their tilt scheduled for Dec. 21st at Arrowhead Stadium.
Copyright 2008 Courtesy of The Sports Network.













