Dolphins coach Tony Sparano was open to any suggestion on how to improve a team that posted a single victory last season, so quarterbacks coach David Lee gave him one: the “Wildcat.”
The offense, which is seldomally used in the NFL, begins with the running back — and in Miami’s case, Ronnie Brown — taking a direct snap from center. It’s up to Brown to find a running lane, lateral to a teammate or throw a pass. The offensive formation still is prevalent in high schools and several colleges occasionally use it to try to confuse defenses, which is how Lee used it when he was the offensive coordinator at the University of Arkansas last year.
“We were a 1-15 team a year ago, so I was willingly accepting anything that I thought would help us win games,” Sparano said. “This was a situation where I felt like [it could work], depending on the personnel. Of course, it’s all about personnel. It might’ve taken a little bit of arm-twisting, but I thought that, at the end of this, we had two good backs, and it was a way to get them both on the field.”
The Dolphins (2-3) debuted the attack against the New England Patriots on Sept. 21, when Brown rushed for three touchdowns and threw for another during a 38-13 domination of the defending AFC champions.
“It’s something we worked on during our spring drills, and it just was the right time a couple of weeks ago,” Sparano said. “We’ve done it, and it’s become a little bit of our personality, but just a little bit.”
Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan disagrees. He said the package plays a major role in the Dolphins’ attack, and the Ravens (2-3) must be able to stop it if they are to end a three-game losing streak this afternoon at 1 at Dolphin Stadium.
“You have to prepare for it because it’s a legitimate thing,” Ryan said. “It’s not something they just ran once. They’ve been running it. Ever since they broke it out, they’ve been running it every week, and they keep adding on to it.”
The Ravens and Dolphins are very different teams since Miami’s Greg Camarillo caught a 64-yard touchdown pass from Cleo Lemon in overtime to give his team a 22-16 victory last December. The Dolphins also have 27 new players on their 53-man roster, including quarterback Chad Pennington, formally of the Jets. He has completed 68.6 percent of his passes for 1,101 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Brown, who was sidelined for most of last season with a knee injury, has rushed for 336 yards and seven touchdowns this fall.
The Ravens have a new coach (John Harbaugh), starting quarterback (Joe Flacco) and their offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, coached the Dolphins last season. Still, the Ravens can’t afford another loss if they want to remain in contention behind Pittsburgh (4-1) in the AFC North. Last year, when the Ravens lost three straight games, they fell apart and lost nine straight en route to finishing 5-11.
“The thing snowballed on us before we knew it,” defensive end Terrell Suggs said. “You definitely want to stop the streak, so you’ve got to get a win. We’ve lost three straight. The fact of the matter is we’ve got to get a win.”
RAVENS (2-3) vs. DOLPHINS (2-3)
When: Today, 1 p.m.
Where: Dolphin Stadium, Miami
TV/Radio: WJZ-13/1090 AM, 97.9 FM
KEYS TO A RAVENS’ WIN
- Don’t turn the ball over: The Ravens have been their own worst enemy the past three weeks, as they’ve committed nine turnovers in losses to the Colts, Titans and Steelers. Quarterback Joe Flacco has thrown five interceptions during that span and the Ravens have a minus-four turnover ratio this season. The Ravens are 8-46 since 2000 when they have a negative turnover ratio.
- Stop the “Wildcat”: The Dolphins have sparked their offense this season with this package, which begins with a direct snap to the running back. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams have combined to rush for 571 yards and eight touchdowns. Miami’s three turnovers rank first in the AFC and second in the NFL.
- Open the passing attack: The Ravens rank 29th out of 32 teams in passing offense (150.6 ypg), and Flacco’s seven interceptions against one touchdown is the worst ratio in the league. But the Dolphins are nearly as bad at defending the pass, ranking 29th by allowing an average of 239 yards per game. This could be the week tight end Todd Heap or wide receiver Mark Clayton breaks out with a big game.
PREDICTION:
The Ravens will shut down the Dolphins’ running game and Baltimore’s offense will make just enough plays to avenge last year’s overtime loss.
RAVENS 16, DOLPHINS 10
