Wildcat vanishing from Dolphins’ offense

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Wildcat offense has undergone a vanishing act this season.


The Miami Dolphins have only run the unorthodox formation 20 times this season. During the past two seasons, the Dolphins ran it over 170 times.


“The Wildcat hasn’t had much success,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I haven’t seen people do it with too much success this year, so it’s like anything else in this league.

“It kind of revolves around back and forth. We could see it on Sunday. If we see it, we’re going to have to defend it.”


When the Dolphins first started using the Wildcat years ago, it was extremely difficult to stop as running back Ronnie Brown(notes) ran and threw out of the shotgun formation after taking direct snaps.


Now, the Dolphins are running a more conventional offense with Brown and running back Ricky Williams(notes) and wide receiver Brandon Marshall(notes) catching passes from quarterback Chad Henne(notes).


"I think two seasons ago when we started this thing, it was largely due to the fact that we needed to get our playmakers on the field at the same time," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. “That was Ricky and Ronnie and trying to get them involved together. Right now, we feel like there's other people that can make plays on this team rather than having to go to that package.


"We use it more right now as something that if we've seen it on film and it's really clear to us we'll do it. If not, there's really no need."


Things have definitely changed for the Dolphins in terms of strategy.


Now, the Wildcat is a change of pace and no longer a staple of their attack.


"It's just another one of those formations that is an opportunity for our football team, and we're able to jump into it like jumping into a no-huddle situation," Brown said. "Unfortunately we haven't used it a lot, but at that same time we still have it there every week."


The Ravens are still preparing for the Wildcat just in case they decide to roll it out again.


Practice squad running back Curtis Steele(notes) runs the Wildcat offense for the Ravens’ scout team offense.


"You definitely do, because Ronnie Brown is dangerous with it, and when you've got Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams running it, it's pretty crazy," outside linebacker Terrell Suggs(notes) said. "It's intense, and Ronnie, he can throw the ball, so you definitely have to prepare for it.


"They're still very effective at it, if you ask me. As long as you've got those two in the game, it can pop at any minute, and we just don't want to be the team that it pops on."


All-Pro middle linebacker Ray Lewis(notes) said he’ll remain wary of the Wildcat and expects the Dolphins to utilize the offense against Baltimore.


“They started it, so why wouldn't you see it?” Lewis said. “I think you've seen it in every game that they've played in," he said. "You just have to stay in your gaps. Just play disciplined. Nobody try to do something that they shouldn't be doing because if you do, you never know if a pass is going to come out of it or if Ronnie Brown is throwing the ball out of it and things like that.


“So, you have to be conscious of what's going on. Just hit your gaps and keep the ball funneled inside, and that's pretty much one way to kind of slow it down."