Newcomers Help Maintain a Tradition

For the Miami Dolphins, plenty of points meant plenty of heroes--most of them newcomers.

Ricky Williams rushed for 111 yards and two touchdowns, offensive coordinator Norv Turner earned raves for his play-calling and the Dolphins won their opener for the 11th year in a row Sunday, beating the Detroit Lions, 49-21.

Backup tailback Robert Edwards, playing his first game in four seasons, scored the Dolphins’ final two touchdowns. Rookie tight end Randy McMichael turned acrobat on one catch and scored on another, and even 335-pound guard Jamie Nails won cheers by clearing the way downfield for Williams on a 37-yard run.

All were in their first game with the Dolphins, who rang up their biggest point total since a 52-14 win over the New York Jets to open the 1995 season, Don Shula’s last as coach.

Miami extended its home winning streak in August and September to 16 games.

“I’m surprised about a lot of things, starting with the score,” Lion Coach Marty Mornhinweg said. “I expected our entire team to play better.”

The Lions’ Joey Harrington, the third pick in the April draft, made his debut with 10 minutes left. He directed a 77-yard touchdown drive but completed only four-of-11 passes for 41 yards.

Mike McMahon went seven for 17 for 133 yards and remains the starter, Mornhinweg said.

Jay Fiedler threw three touchdown passes for Miami, but fans saved their biggest cheers for Williams.

Williams, acquired from the Saints in March to bolster Miami’s perennially poor ground game, did just that. He carried 20 times, scored on runs of one and two yards and set up another touchdown with his 37-yard run, the second-longest of his career.

Turner, hired in February after spending last season as San Diego’s offensive coordinator, directed an offense that totaled 27 first downs and 389 yards, including 245 in the first half.

“With Norv Turner’s play-calling, it’s a joke out there,” tackle Mark Dixon said. “I knew after the first four plays that the Lions were in trouble. With all of our shifting and motion, they could not adjust.”