Youth Serves Dolphins

Some people wondered what Jimmy Johnson was doing starting five rookies in Miami’s opener against New England. Was it another case of tearing down before rising up again, like when he went 1-15 in 1989, his first year at Dallas?

No. Miami’s rookies came through admirably, led by Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who ran for 115 yards on 26 carries, and Zach Thomas, the too-small, too-slow middle linebacker who had nine tackles and a sack as the replacement for the departed Bryan Cox. Fullback Stanley Pritchett chipped in with six catches for 77 yards and a lot of blocking for Abdul-Jabbar, shades of Daryl “Moose” Johnston, a rookie on Johnson’s ‘89 team.

“Most rookies don’t get much of a chance,” said Thomas, listed at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, but appearing closer to 5-9, 215. “We’ve got all these young legs, and it’s good to see. It means hopefully we’ll be good in the future.”

Johnson loves lower-round picks - Abdul Jabbar was a third-round choice, Pritchett a fourth-rounder and Thomas a fifth.

But a lot of high picks came through for the rookie crop that could be the best since 1983.

For example:

Jacksonville linebacker Kevin Hardy, the second overall pick, had five tackles, including a sack, plus an interception that set up the final touchdown in the Jaguars’ 24-9 upset of Pittsburgh

Indianapolis’ Marvin Harrison caught six passes for 85 yards, one a 35-yard TD reception from Jim Harbaugh, in the Colts’ 20-13 win over the Cardinals.

The Giants’ Amani Toomer, a second-rounder, returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown in New York’s 23-20 overtime loss to Buffalo. It was the longest punt return in the team’s 72-years.