Bears Defeat Dolphins, 6-0, in NFL’s Exhibition Opener

Reserve linebacker Ron Cox, a second-year player from Fresno State, had two sacks and an interception to help the Chicago Bears limit the Miami Dolphins to 115 yards in a 6-0 victory in the NFL’s exhibition opener Friday night.

The Bears controlled the ball for 40 minutes. After three quarters, the Dolphins had run as many plays (19) as Chicago ran on its first possession.

Quarterback Scott Mitchell drove Miami to the Bears’ 15-yard line with less than two minutes remaining, but after a holding penalty on Dolphin guard Bert Weidner, Chicago held on downs.

Chris Gardocki, the Bears’ third-round draft pick who is trying to win the place-kicking job from unsigned veteran Kevin Butler, kicked two 25-yard field goals.

Offensive tackle Stan Thomas, the Bears’ first-round choice, suffered a sprained left knee in the second quarter and left the game. Dolphin rookie linebacker Bryan Cox was injured on the game’s final play and taken off the field on a stretcher.

Miami quarterbacks had a rough night. Dan Marino was sacked twice in his three series, and Scott Secules fumbled a snap to the Bears and had a pass intercepted by Cox on consecutive plays.