NFL ROUNDUP Saturday's preseason games

Bucs 17, Dolphins 10
TAMPA, Fla. -- Chris Simms tightened his grip on Tampa Bay's backup quarterback job, and Ryan Nece returned a fourth-quarter interception 55 yards for a touchdown in the Buccaneers' victory. Simms completed 11 of 13 passes for 145 yards to remain well ahead of Brian Griese for the No. 2 spot behind Brad Johnson. The second-year pro was 4-of-4 for 76 yards in a 78-yard drive that Earnest Graham finished with a 2-yard TD run. Nece's interception off Sage Rosenfels snapped a 10-10 tie midway through the fourth quarter. The son of Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott raced up the right sideline untouched with help from Corey Ivy's block on Rosenfels near the goal line. A.J. Feeley scored on a 1-yard dive and Olindo Mare kicked a 28-yard field goal for Miami (1-2). Receiver Marty Booker, acquired from Chicago last week in a trade for defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, made his debut for the Dolphins. He had two receptions, including a 17-yarder from Feeley in the second quarter.
Falcons 37, Bengals 10
ATLANTA -- For the second straight week, Matt Schaub passed for three touchdowns, leading the Falcons past Cincinnati and its young quarterback. Michael Vick, expected to play the first half, was held out after aggravating a hamstring injury during pregame warmups. For the second straight week, Schaub was a winning backup plan. Guiding the Falcons to a 27-7 halftime lead, Schaub completed 14 of 20 passes for 214 yards and three touchdowns. The rookie from Virginia completed his first six passes. Ty Detmer and David Rivers took over at quarterback for Atlanta in the second half. Schaub led the Falcons on a four-play, 83-yard touchdown drive on their opening possession. Schaub passed for 36 yards to tight end Alge Crumpler to open the drive and finished with an 18-yard TD pass to Dez White. The Bengals' first possession ended when safety Bryan Scott sacked Palmer, forcing a fumble recovered by defensive tackle Rod Coleman at the Bengals 28. The play set up a 26-yard field goal by Jay Feely for a 10-0 lead. Palmer directed an 87-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter. The big play was a 52-yard completion to T.J. Houshmandzadeh that set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Rudi Johnson. Following a 27-yard field goal by Feely, the Falcons pushed the lead to 20-7 when Schaub connected with Crumpler on a 14-yard pass. Crumpler knocked cornerback Tory James backward at the goal line. Crumpler's touchdown was set up when Aaron Beasley intercepted Palmer's pass and returned the interception 32 yards to the Bengals 16. Schaub needed only 43 seconds to move the Falcons 68 yards on his final touchdown drive. On third-and-11 from the Atlanta 47, Schaub stepped up to avoid the pass rush and threw 53 yards to Peerless Price, who beat James for a 27-7 halftime lead. Palmer completed 12 of 26 passes for 171 yards with one interception.
Source: Associated Press
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