A look back at the Miami Dolphins’ first defeat of the preseason …

It was another strong first half for Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne.

QUICK TAKES

1. So … about that offensive line. The Dolphins struggled to run block and they struggled to pass block on Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium. Asked for his impressions on the line, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano offered a curt, “Wasn’t pleased” during his press conference. That about says it.

2. Another strong half for Chad Henne. Don’t look now but Chad Henne in the past two halves has completed 25 of 36 passes for 370 yards. Yeah, it’s the preseason. But still. That’s impressive. He was 10-of-12 for 175 yards and a touchdown in the first half against the Buccaneers.

3. Lots of mistakes. In addition to the errors up front on the offensive line, the Dolphins weren’t sharp in a lot of other areas, either. They committed 11 penalties. There was the costly Brandon Marshall fumble that led to a Bucs touchdown at the end of the first half. Just wasn’t a sharp effort for the Dolphins.

THE PLAY
The Dolphins best highlight came on their first offensive series of the game. Henne completed a 60-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall. It was pretty, indeed. The pass was perfect – deep down the right sideline – and what Marshall did afterward might have been even better, stiff-arming his way to the end zone.

THREE STARS
1. Henne. He was the best player on the field for the Dolphins. See above stat line.

2. Marshall. Yes, he had the costly fumble. But also 90 yards receiving and a touchdown in the first half.

3. Brandon Fields. Go ahead and snicker if you want at the inclusion of a punter on here. But Fields was one of the Dolphins’ most valuable players. He averaged 59 yards on his seven punts and twice pinned the Buccaneers inside their own 20.

THE MATCHUP
Sparano was interested to see how his offense would perform against a fast, young Tampa Bay defense. The results were mixed. The running game was nonexistent – Daniel Thomas led the Dolphins with 16 yards rushing while Reggie Bush finished with negative-one yards rushing – but Henne and the passing game was a success, especially in the short routes over the middle. If Marshall doesn’t fumble on that drive late in the first half, the Dolphins could have been up 17-3 or, at worst, 13-3 headed into the half.

UP NEXT
The Dolphins will take Sunday off but will return to practice on Monday in Davie. The final preseason game will be on Thursday at Sun Life Stadium against the Dallas Cowboys. It’s unlikely that the starters will see a lot of action in that one.

Signing off from a darkened Raymond James Stadium …