"There was absolutely no excuse for the Miami Dolphins' non-existent running game.

That's the stance coach Tony Sparano took about the team's 22 rushing yards on 17 carries in Saturday's 17-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

That's the position the starting offensive line had about their inability to open up running lanes, which followed an impressive performance against the Carolina Panthers, which preceded a disappointing showing in game one against the Falcons.

That was also the position starting tailback Reggie Bush took after being held to a 1-yard loss on his five carries.

Bush said the Dolphins offense prepared all week for the stunts the Buccaneers defensive line used. They knew Tampa Bay would put an extra man in the box, routinely dropping a safety close to the line of scrimmage, but he explained that it was still puzzling why the Dolphins couldn't gain any ground on the ground."