5 Things We Learned from Wednesday's Preseason Games

The 2012 preseason schedule wrapped up for six NFL teams Wednesday night. 

The Washington Redskins took care of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 30-3, the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots by a field goal, 6-3, and the Dallas Cowboys handled the Miami Dolphins by the final score of 30-13. 

Each franchise can now forget about the preseason and focus their attention solely on Week 1 of the regular season. However, before that happens, let's take a quick look back at the preseason finales. 

Here's what we learned in Wednesday's preseason games. 

Adewale Ojomo Takes a Giant Step

Haven't heard of Adewale Ojomo? 

Don't fret; you're probably not alone. 

The Giants defensive end has made a big impression this preseason, however, and he may have locked up a roster spot with another eye-catching performance against the Patriots Wednesday night. 

Ojomo, an undrafted free agent from Miami, sacked and stripped Brian Hoyer late in the fourth quarter to set up Lawrence Tynes' short field goal that won the game and avoided overtime. 

In thee preseason games, Ojomo now has a team-high four sacks. He remains confident he'll make the final roster.

"The coaches have got to evaluate the film," Ojomo said, via ESPN. "I think the (strip-sack) will work in my favor, but there's a lot of different phases of the game they have to evaluate."

Washington Redskins Have 3 More Than Capable Running Backs

The emergence of rookie running back Alfred Morris this preseason has done little to improve the clarity of the position in Washington.

In three preseason games, Morris rushed for 195 yards with a 5.0 yards-per-carry average.

On Wednesday night, however, Roy Helu and Evan Royster stated their cases. 

Helu rushed for 90 yards and two scores, while Royster went for 44 yards and a one-yard score. Both looked over their injuries that have hampered them at times this preseason. 

As the regular season inches closer, it appears the Redskins will have three capable running backs for Mike Shanahan to sift through in 2012. Fantasy owners, beware. 

Miami Dolphins Starting Offense Still Has Work to Do

The Dolphins got 92 yards and three points out of two drives with Ryan Tannehill leading the first-team offense, but this is still a unit that has work to do before the start of the regular season. 

Tannehill acknowledged that fact after the Dolphins lost 30-13 Wednesday night. From ESPN:

"

We realize that we have a long way to go and have a lot of work to do. But we're excited about the opportunities that we have. Everyone gets a clean slate going into the regular season.

"

Tannehill finished 5-of-7 passing for 35 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. The Dolphins punted on their first possession, but marched 72 yards on nine plays for a field goal on the second. Tannehill was pulled for Matt Moore following the second drive. 

New England Patriots QBs Struggle Behind Shaky Line

Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer rarely had time to throw the football behind a shaky offensive line Wednesday night, and the Patriots backups struggled even when given the time. 

Overall, the two combined to complete 17-of-30 passes for 136 yards and one interception. The duo was sacked five times.

The Patriots scored just a single field goal, which came on a 20-yard boot from Stephen Gostkowski in the second quarter.

On 11 other drives, New England either punted or turned the ball over. The Patriots failed to gain 10 or more yards on a drive on seven occasions.

It was far from a Patriots-like performance from the offense, but that was to be expected with a shaky offensive line and precious few starters seeing any time. 

Replacement Officials Again Steal the Show

On a day the NFL announced that the replacement officials would be handling the first week of the regular season, the backups again stole the show. 

Head referee Don King needed three different announcements and a big chunk of time to get a penalty call right in New York. He bumbled through the announcements before having to huddle with the rest of his crew to get the call right. 

Both Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin were far from impressed on the sidelines. 

In Washington, the referees went to the booth to review a first-down call, only to stop play seconds later to take a second look under the hood. Both sidelines appeared confused.

The replacement officials may be unfairly in the intense spotlight, but displays like Wednesday certainly don't help their cause. The criticism will continue.