Merged: Graham: Fins offense deserves more respect than to be labeled a gimmick

[Nublar7]

Great blog from ESPN's Tim Graham about how people unfairly label our offense as a gimmick.

So many readers who don't follow the game closely enough are convinced the Dolphins won the AFC East with a gimmick offense. I can't count the number of times I've tried to explain the Dolphins used the Wildcat sparingly, that there's a misconception they used the direct snap to Ronnie Brown as their base offense because it dominated highlights.

Jason in Los Angeles took umbrage with the way I downplay the Wildcat and wrote: "I know you said the Dolphins don't use the Wildcat as much as people say, but I believe they did score most of their points that way. Any comments?"

The Dolphins scored eight touchdowns out of the Wildcat formation. They scored 40 touchdowns total.

They ran the Wildcat 90 times, an average of 6.4 a game once they introduced it in Week 3.

I feel like I've written this sentence a bazillion times, but I'll try it again: Chad Pennington had a career year and was involved in one Wildcat play.

He threw for 3,653 yards (most in his career) and 19 touchdowns (second-most of his career) and had a 97.4 passer rating (second-highest of his career). He completed one pass for 53 yards out of the Wildcat.

The Dolphins' offense deserves more respect than to be labeled a gimmick.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0-8-238/Your-AFC-East-mailbag-delivered.html

 

[JT-forpresident]

at last, a reporter/journalist writes something about the wildcat based on facts, statistics and doesn't just spoof around his opinion and un-founded truths about the wildcat.

it's nice that it's a positive write-up, but i'm moreso glad to see something solid for once out of those ****ty reporters (i.e. prisco) . It just makes it more interesting to read

 

[RaboGrande24]

I think if the Grove signing works out our base offense will be top 10. Were gonna see a dominant running game this year...I hope

 

[aesop]

Tim Graham is always legit.

 

[Spesh]

Thats quite a admission from someone who writes for others in our division, and from espn no less.

As im sure it has chafed other dolphin fans, the label of only winning because we "tricked" teams, it got under my skin. The way i see it is we won games because we executed plays. In my mind it is no different then any other type of formation. I honestly see the wildcat as no different then I-formation or shotgun. It doesnt matter how it looks, just how it is executed by the players.

 

[Clipse]

Nice article. Tim Graham is a good writer unlike most others.

 

[seltzer37]

They do deserve more credit than people are given them. Everyone thinks just because Tom Brady will be back that New England will win the AFC not so true if thats the case we should just focus on 2011 Season.

 

[Phin-Omenon]

I read that and was glad to finally see that out there. I got so tired last year of everyone (non-Dolfans) acting as if we ran nothing but the Wildcat all game.

 

[phinfan33]

I think if the Grove signing works out our base offense will be top 10. Were gonna see a dominant running game this year...I hope

i hope so too...i don't care how we win,as long as we win,but it'd be nice if we could dominate some games out of our base offense and run the ball down peoples throats...

 

[GoonBoss]

People around the NFL....pundits included...Usually like to think they know more than they actually do. Fans that are dedicated to following one team are generally better informed about that team than even most professional sportswriters.

What was written here is right, of course. The Wildcat was used in a very small fraction of the Dolphins offensive snaps last year. We beat people because we were able to execute our game plan just a little bit better than them most times. Those gameplans involved the Wildcat, but, not as anything close to a base offense.

 

[Storm54]

It all boils down to people being butt-hurt that their team lost to the dolphins. Honestly think about how many plays are designed to fool opposing defenses, or to cause confusion. Teams set up in a base formation and motion players to a different spot. While not being as elaborate as the wildcat, it still makes the defense read and react, just as any defense has to do on most plays including the wildcat. Trap plays out of an I formation are designed to fool defenses. Get the line blocking one way and have the rb cut back the other. Most fans watch the game and pay little attention the intricacies of the game. Its all about recognition, reaction and execution. The team that does those 3 things the best wins the game, regardless of what offense you are running.

 

[PerfectFinz72]

Good read. Nice to see someone put that out there. It was pretty annoying reading and hearing that the only thing the Dolphins rely on is the wildcat. The only team it didnt seem to work at all against was the Ravens. And thats because of the dynamic defense they run.

 

[72champagne]

"He (Pennington) threw for 3,653 yards (most in his career) and 19 touchdowns (second-most of his career) and had a 97.4 passer rating (second-highest of his career). He completed one pass for 53 yards out of the Wildcat."

Not too shabby after showing up a month before the season then using mostly inexperienced receivers and a rebuilt o-line from a 1-15 team. Plus having a noodle for your throwing arm.