The WildColt: Should The Colts Try It To Makeup For Their Running Woes?
by KingRichard on Oct 31, 2009 10:31 AM EDT
in Analysis
46 comments
It wasn't that long ago that the Dolphins carved up our beloved defense with this offensive scheme. I personally thought it was cool to watch this thing in action even though they nearly beat the Colts using it. The effectiveness of it is almost mindblowing. Don't believe me? Here are the stats for the Dolphins in their first five games running the Wildcat courtesy Dave Hyde of SI.com:
As for the Dolphins, let's not rely on expert commentary. Let's talk cold, dry statistics. They've run 48 Wildcat plays in five games and average 6.6 yards per play. They average 4.7 yards a play out of their base offense.
That's 40 percent more yards per play out of the Wildcat.
The Wildcat makes traditional Power O running plays look like kids play.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that the last stat is a bit skewed. The Dolphins, outside of the Wildcat offense, are lacking in many areas. Their offensive yards per play statistic would probably be a lot better if Tedd Ginn knew how to catch a football. So obviously if the Dolphins were dynamic in any other way aside from the Wildcat it probably would appear to be as amazingly uber as it is. But I digress.
Regardless of the skewed stats, the Wildcat has proven to be one of the greatest running schemes this league has ever seen. Yes, even better than Denver's famed zone blocking scheme where even running backs like Joseph Addai could become a 1500+ yard rusher. What? You didn't actually think the Broncos were that good at picking running backs did you?
The question that should be asked is, why is the Wildcat so effective? More specifically, why are the Dolphins so damn good at running the Wildcat?
Explanation after the jump.
The reason the Dolphins are so good are utilizing the Wildcat is quite simple really: It is their offense.
No other team in the league has dedicated as much time and resources in making this scheme work. Does it really surprise you when teams like the Eagles, Jaguars, Cardinals, Jets, and the Browns fail miserably at this offense? I know what you are thinking, the Browns fail at life so it's no shock that they can't run the Wildcat either. I get it, but my point stands.
It's not surprising to me because when you run it only once or twice a game, it is considered a gimmick/gadget play, and those types of plays are coin flips. They could produce big gains and possibly even touchdowns, or they could become complete busts.
Practicing this type of scheme is one thing, but perfecting it is another. Fortunately for the Dolphins, they also have a pretty good coach in Steve Bush who used to run this type of offense as a college coach. Aside from that, they have the proper personnel to run it. Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams provide this offense with a great 1-2 punch and their offensive line is much improved over last year.
The question still lingers though; could or even should the Colts run it? The answer is no.
It's really not a matter of whether the Colts could run it, because I think they could. Lose a guy here, add a guy there, and voila, you've got the personnel to run the WildColt. I also believe our coaching staff is smart enough to understand and coach this scheme. But would it be effective enough to warrant implementation? Would the Colts dedicate practice time to learning all of the nuances to this scheme and try to utilize it like the Dolphins do?
While those are good questions to be asking, they still don't address the problem with the Colts running it.
The problem is that it conflicts with how the Colts offense is configured at present time, thus making it useless.
To no one's surprise, the central figure in the Colts' offense is Peyton Manning. The way it's set now, every person on the offense was hand selected to fit this scheme. They all have to cater to Peyton's abilities, not the other way around. The WildColt would nullify the play-action passing game which has been a staple of this offense for years. The Colts' offense is clearly better in both the pass and run with Peyton on the field. When Peyton lines up under center, even on 3rd and a mile, the opposing defense never really knows whether it's going to be a run or a pass. More often than not it's the latter, but that shadow of doubt that clouds their mind is still a competitive advantage in favor of the Colts.
So again, technically the Colts could run this scheme. In the end however, I don't think it'd be nearly as successful as having Peyton on the field running the show. Or in layman's terms, Peyton > WildColt.
Tip to metal_militia for the inspiration to write this.
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I don't think I've ever agreed with KR this throughly.
I feel icky. I’m going to go shower.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Oct 31, 2009 10:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
absolutly agree
no way they should do this at all
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by ANGELSFAITH on Oct 31, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well written, thoughtful analysis.
Look! You really can write an effective article without insulting anyone.
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 31, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
.................
Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.
Man, I need a life...
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Viz Media (The creators of my absolute favorite show of all-time and inspiration to my avatar, Naruto) just announced a partnership with the channel Disney XD to bring the English-dubbed episodes of Naruto Shippuden (The continuation of the Naruto series) to that station with a new episode airing each week, starting, well, NOW. With the series recording I just put on it, this is one of the greatest days I've had in a long time. I'm not kidding. I love the show that much.
by Cassieper on Oct 31, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wildcat not a good idea for the colts
why would you want to take the ball out of the hands of peyton manning. He can do way more damage then any option offense ever could.
by Jeff Brewer on Oct 31, 2009 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WildHorse
Teams(the fish) that run this qbless system don’t have the greatest football player of all time playing qb. Even teams with decent qbs, like the packers, the steelers, or the ravens, don’t try to weaken themselves by running this formation.
You are right to mention that we shouldn’t run it, but I would go even further by saying that this is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard.
"GO HORSE!"
by beester on Oct 31, 2009 11:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well at least something good came out of it
My reasons for running the Wildcolt aren’t for a consistent effort to use it. I figure a one time thing somewhere during the playoffs or in the late half og the season, the Colts might consider trying something. As you pointer out KR, it will be a gimmick given that the Colts will only use it once, but I cant help but feel some kind of gimmick will be used once. Under Dungy, I remember games like in 2005 where they made Hunter Smith throw a pass to Justin Snow or when a lesser gimmick (the flea flicker) was used in the Ravens game in the ‘06 playoffs. I know Caldwell isn’t Dungy, but perhaps, it may be considered once
by metal_militia on Oct 31, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
when i say something good came out of it
im referring to my fanpost
by metal_militia on Oct 31, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
even though the wildcat wouldn't help the colts, it was still a good post.
I was j/k when I said it should be removed.
by shoein on Oct 31, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can you imagine...
what our record would be if we had the Wildcat in the arsenal? Ohh… wait a second…
Nevermind.
by smonroe on Oct 31, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay, I know this was just a humerous comment...
… but seriously, it’s got a kernel of truth to it. Compare the W/L record of the Colts over the time that Miami’s been running the formation with Miami’s record. Or any other team that resorts to it. Sure, that analysis misses a lot (relative talent levels, for one), but still, the point is made. People are taking notice because it’s unique, but honestly, what does its track record tell you?
Let’s see how the formatoin holds up over time. Remember, teams evolved away from unbalanced “single wing” type formations for a reason.
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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
by E.M.H. on Oct 31, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one weakness of the Colt's O
is power running at the end of the game to run out the clock. It might be kind of sweet to send Addai and Brown out there to run the wildcat for a series to kill the clock on a game Peyton had already won using the “normal” offense. (It hurts me to use the term normal to describe the unique and beautiful machine that Peyton directs.) This way Peyton is off the field, protected from frustrated defenders that might want to take a cheap shot and our two RB’s can just go out there and ice it. Remember that Addai was a HS QB before being converted to RB at LSU, so they could still mix in a pass or two to keep the defense guessing.
by jedye on Oct 31, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
that's a small sample to judge from
and they’ve been pretty good in power situations overall this year.
Luck is probability taken personally, clutch is probability attributed to individuals.
by shake n bake on Oct 31, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quoted For Truth
To no one’s surprise, the central figure in the Colts offense is Peyton Manning. The way it’s set now, every person on the offense was hand selected to fit this scheme. They all have to cater to Peyton’s abilities, not the other way around. The WildColt would nullify the play-action passing game which has been a staple of this offense for years. The Colts’ offense is clearly better in both the pass and run with Peyton on the field. When Peyton lines up under center, even on 3rd and a mile, the opposing defense never really knows whether it’s going to be a run or a pass. More often than not it’s the latter, but that shadow of doubt that clouds their mind is still a competitive advantage in favor of the Colts.
In summation, Peyton Manning > WildColt.
QFT. People miss the fact that the reason Miami’s so attuned to running the ‘Cat is because they have an offensive line that can really play unbalanced power run formations, and because the rest of the NFL is so used to balanced lines and typical formations that defensive linemen get taken out of their zone of knowledge by the simple move of lining up the tackles next to each other and screwing up how they perceive their normal gap assignments. And no, with that statement, I’m not saying that the ‘Cat is a “trick play” or some sort of “gimmick”; on the contrary, it demonstrates that the ’Phins were very calculating in determining coming up with a scheme that turns an otherwise mundane detail (gap assignment) and actually turns it into a weapon to bludgeon the opposition with. When you think about it, that’s pretty damn smart. But getting back to the point: Miami has bought into the philosophy by really working to understand that formation’s strengths, and they had a natural predisposition to power runs anyway given their running back (Williams) and their stud offensive lineman (Long). The Wildcat simply maximizes those advantages.
But, as stat junkies have pointed out, you don’t win consistently in the NFL unless you can go through the air consistently. Given the state of the modern game, I’m happier with the way the Colts do things.
In the end, it’s a mistake to deny the Wildcat any respect, but at the same time it’s an equal mistake to think that it’s some sort of panacea for teams that want to improve their run games. You’ve got to have the personnel to run it, and that means having a line and running back that can bruise consistently, even when the defense adjusts and gets players to them. And you have to have a direct snap taker who can be a legit running threat and occasional passer (Michael Vick, they’re calling your number!). When you have none of those, the Wildcat does become a gimmick. And it’s not worth running if that’s how a team is going to treat it.
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"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
by E.M.H. on Oct 31, 2009 11:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
exactly. great points. it is dumb for other teams to try to replicate it.
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The wildcat has merit, but it also shows how running the football doesn’t win you games. Today’s teams live or die based on their QB play. Give me a 8+ YPA through the air over an “amazing” 6YPC any day.
by sandsnake on Oct 31, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Peyton running the WildCat...
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 31, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
What year is that from?
Look at the size of the brace on the left knee—I’ve seen smaller bicycles. Mid-thigh to a few inches below the knee, and as wide as Terry Bradshaw’s mouth. All that because of the pre-season hit from Minnesota about four years ago? Yikes.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
by Bobman on Nov 1, 2009 1:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think that was at the Pro Bowl in 2008 (i.e., for the 2007-08 season)
when his knee was first spotted as being as big as a balloon, and then he mysteriously disappeared for the pre-season…
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Nov 1, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lets not forget the obvious part of this equation. And why wildcat has been great for them this year. The Dolphins are one of the best running blocking teams in the league. That will make any running play look good.
by Mojo1 on Oct 31, 2009 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Addai
Wasn’t he a quarterback at one point?
by Zack V on Oct 31, 2009 12:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Practice
Everyone likes to point out how simple the Colts offense is, yet it’s very hard to stop because it’s run so well. It takes a lot of reps in practice to get that efficient. To add a completely different offensive set would take away from those reps.
But I admit, it would be fun to have a Wildcat. As far as Joe being a QB in high school. I think he’s thrown as many passes as a Colt as he did then.
by smonroe on Oct 31, 2009 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i think you’d have to be desperate to take the best player in football off the field
the ONLY time i’d want them to run it is if it’s 3rd or 4th in short
Call me "Sir" goddamnit!
by danorocks17 on Oct 31, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Worst idea(?) ever
Why would you sit or even worse, re-position Manning as a sitting duck on the field? IF they were to try it, we’d have Caldwell and Moore’s head on a stick, not that they ever would, thanks to the football God’s!
"With the first pick of the 1998 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts select;..............Peyton Manning, Quarter Back, University of Tennessee"
by wolfman57 on Oct 31, 2009 2:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he wouldn't have to be on the field, the can take the quarterback off and not leave him on as a "sitting duck"
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Peyton is on the field, I want five 350lb offensive linemen, 3 blocking tight ends, a running back, and a fullback there to keep his jersey clean and keep him upright.
Splitting him out at WR is begging for a cheap shot.
I’m going to try running the Colts offense with Miami’s playbook in Madden. We’ll see how it goes.
Bob Sanders eats a forest on Friday so he can lay the wood on Sunday.
http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com
by MonkeyBusiness on Oct 31, 2009 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you can take the quarterback off the field for the wildcat so he wouldn't have to be lined up as a wide out
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, quick game of Madden later:
I played Colts vs. Raiders, All-Pro, using realistic sliders. I used the Miami offensive playbook, and ran the Wildcat about 30-40% of the time.
My thought: the WildColt was boom or bust. I ripped off some big gains, but more often than not it was either blown up in the backfield or no gain.
I’d rather us keep our best players on the field. Now, it’s possible that a variation of the Wildcat could work.
For example, you could do a WildColt with Peyton in a Shotgun-3WR-2RB look, with Addai and Clark as your backs. Direct snap to Addai, Peyton rolls out right, Clark rolls left. The WRs clear out the defenders, and Addai either runs, passes to Clark who acts as the safety valve, or passes to Peyton who throws downfield.
Bob Sanders eats a forest on Friday so he can lay the wood on Sunday.
http://monkeybiziu.deviantart.com
by MonkeyBusiness on Oct 31, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I absolutely hate the Wildcat
This is professional football, keep that crap in college and high school football.
Like many people have already stated, the wildcat works so well for Miami because it has two power running backs in Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and Pennington really couldn’t throw the ball beyond 10 yards. The Phins’ best players on offense are they runningbacks; The Colts’, Manning, so why take you best player off the field?
Now if it’s later in the season and Peyton’s taken out of the game because the Colts are winning a blowout and Sorgi’s in, then it wouldn’t bother me if they ran the stupid play, but against the Pats, Ravens, or in the Playoffs, I don’t want to see that crap.
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
by KMR24 on Oct 31, 2009 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pennington could throw the ball past 10 yards, it is dumb to say something like that.
He was a great quarterback regardless of his lack of arm strength. There was a point in time where the forward pass was seen as “crap,” and I’m sure it is pretty great now. It also isn’t a stupid play, it is part of the Dolphins offense not one “stupid play.”
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he was such a "great" quarterback
then why did the Dolphins have to incorporate that “scheme” into their offense? Pennington is a nice, intelligent guy with an inspiring story; I mean dude was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship, but don’t say he’s a great quarterback. Great quarterbacks don’t have to leave the field for several plays when his offense is on the field. He was an average to good quarterback who had a couple bad breaks.
I doubt the foward pass was ever viewed as crap, illegal, yes; crap, no. The Dolphins’ coaches took advantage of the team’s strength (rushing) to cover up it’s weakness (passing); I commend them for that, but you can’t be considered a true contender if 40-50% of your offensive plays comes form the Wildcat formation. Yes, it’ll win you some games; but like we all know, this is a passing league: you have to be able to pass the ball and defend the pass to win.
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
by KMR24 on Oct 31, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah you are right he was an average quarterback who just happend to be the most accurate one, still leading with the highest completions percentage
He was used in wildcat plays. He was and is a great quarterback and was a main reason the Dolphins had such a great turn around last year. The fact you aren’t understanding what he did for the Dolphins is almost as ignorant as saying the wildcat should have stayed in college or high school. If this is such a passing league then why did the Chargers beat you two years in a row during the playoffs based highly on the fact they had a great running game? Peyton couldn’t pass past the Chargers for you then so rushing is a huge part of the league, and always will be.
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
okay, jackass,
it was cute before, when you were posting here for no reason, but now you’ve done gone and said stupid shit.
Stupid Shit you said #1) “If this is such a passing league then why did the Chargers beat you two years in a row during the playoffs based highly on the fact they had a great running game?”
Well, its true that the Chargers beat us two years in a row. Its not true that it was their great running game that did it. Both years, the same person basically pistol whipped our defense – Darren Sproles. We were good against Tomlinson both years. Go back and look at Billy Volek’s stats 2 years ago, btw. That defense was exposed without freeney and with a gimpy Mathis and Brock. It was their “3rd down back” catching dump offs and screens, not their ‘running game’ that beat the Colts.
Stupid shit you said #2) “Peyton couldn’t pass past the Chargers for you then so rushing is a huge part of the league, and always will be.”
I seem to remember 2 years ago against the chargers Peyton started 15 for 15 and was tearing them up before his teammates started letting him down. Marvin Harrison fumble? THat dude who people liked but is now playing in the CFL because he volley-balled a pass at the goalline to the chargers instead of catching it? Peyton’s passing wasnt the problem. It was the defense and running game.
Stupid shit you said #3) " He was and is a great quarterback " (with regards to Pennington)
Fact – Pennington wasn’t on the Phins roster at the start of minicamps, OTAs, and training camp.
Fact – the dolphins didn’t use minicamps, OTAs, and training camp to implement the wildcat, which would have made the most sense.
Fact – they waited till 2 weeks after this ‘great’ QB arrived to decide to play 10% of the game without a QB.
Your argument that he was a good QB and that he helped turn the phins around and that he was in on wildcat plays is avoiding the issue: HE WASNT A GREAT QB, and the use of the wildcat PROVED it.
Look at the Patriots offense in the early 2000s: no great WRs, no great RBs, a good QB: dump offs, screens, stretching the field horizontally and then making yards after catch/contact.
The dolpins of last year were kind of like that: no great WRs, a good QB, but here’s the difference: two really good RBs. They could have easily found ways to get the ball in the hands of their best players without taking the QB out of the equation, but the specifically said, ’we’re better off without the QB’. No team with a GREAT QB has ever said ‘were better off without the QB’, none. Zilch, zero. And, let me tell ya, there have been greater offensive minds than Tony Sporano and company with great QBs, and none of them ever said, ‘lets take our QB out and run the single wing’.
In conclusion, its you who are ignorant. You see the Phins winning the AFC East and you, like a dillusional, romanticizing fan, attribute it to grit, leadership, and the aura and mystique that is Chad Pennington. The rest of the world sees the Phins winning the AFC East and sees: Tom Brady injured, Brett Favre collapsing, the bills, the easiest schedule in the league, and a gimmicy offense that took part of the league by surprise, and then met the Ravens.
You’re, what, 2-4 this year, and before you say, ‘The great and almighty Pennington is hurt!’, both of your wins have come SINCE that injury. Chad Pennington never beats the Jets the way Chad Henne did, because Chad Pennington will never hit Ted Ginn on a go route in stride where Ted Ginn didn’t wait 15 minutes to get off the line. Chad is good. He’s not great. We reserve great for the QBs that aren’t taken off the field. For the defensive ends that change the game. For the running backs that make holes where there are none. For the offensive linemen that get pancakes on every play. For the women with big breasts and loose morals, and for the guys that can go all night. Chad was none of those things. He was merely good.
by SpazMo on Nov 1, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
You lost me after you started talking about how the Colts lost those playoff games because Peyton's teammates let him down
And furthermore last time I checked, my team and your team both made it to the same place last year in the playoffs – no where, and at least my team lost to a team that was actually a contender in the AFC, not some team that finished 8-8. The Dolphins didn’t use the wildcat based on the fact they didn’t think Chad Pennington was good, did you watch the Pats game last year? Or any single Dolphins game? If you did maybe you’d be making some amount of sense. The Dolphins used the wildcat the first time to catch the Pats off guard, not because they didn’t have faith in Chad Pennington. They kept it a secret which would explain why they didn’t use it in OTA’s or Training Camp, what sense would that make? None. The wildcat did not prove Chad Pennington wasn’t a great quarterback, it further made him great because he could check his ego and let someone else have the spotlight and run the plays, we all know one quarterback that wouldn’t do that, like 18 maybe.
Another point you attempt to make is that I would try to claim my team is doing poor is because Pennington is hurt, well I’ll blame it on the real reason – we are playing decent to hard teams. I only wish we had a schedule where we play Seattle or Tennessee or St. Louis, I mean that must make you feel so proud that your team is so great because they are playing teams that can’t even get one win.
One thing is for sure – if the Colts meet the Chargers in the playoffs – loss, probably because “Peyton’s teammates let him down,” I guess Tom Brady must have never had that problem.
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 1, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
1) Sproles is part of the run game.
2) The coaches did implement the Wildcat during OTAs and training camp. The players just thought it was some random plays and didn’t know that it was going to be a part of the offense.
3) The Dolphins don’t run it 40%-50% of the time. The most they have ever run was against the Jets on MNF and they ran 16 Wildcat plays. They usually hover around 13%-15% of the plays.
4) You should check your facts before you sound like an ignorant douche.
Dolphins and Gators baby!
by gatorfin on Nov 3, 2009 9:02 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Oh, and all that being said,
If Peyton Manning was my QB, I would never take him off the field. That man is amazing and the Colts offense is killer.
Dolphins and Gators baby!
by gatorfin on Nov 3, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ooh, wow Pennington has the highest completions percentage
great accomplishment (rolls eyes).
Yes, I know rushing is still important to the NFL, but not as important as it was 40 years ago. Yeah, the Chargers did run the ball well on us, but not “great”. Peyton was able to “pass” on the Chargers in both playoff losses: 402 and 310. I explained the reasons for the losses in another post which you commented on, so no need to explain it here. However, since you insist that running the ball is a HUGE part of the NFL, then look at the numbers for the defending Super Bowl champs, the Steelers.
Pitt rushed for 165 yds against San Diego, but after that just a measly 52 and 58 rushing yards in the AFCCG and Super Bowl, respectively. The Cardinals threw for over 300 yards and ran for only 33, in the Super Bowl, but nearly won it all.
What about the Colts game against your Phins? You guys did everything right: ran the ball down the Colts’ D throat, had the ball for 45+mins, but they didn’t do one thing— score TDs. What’s the use of rushing for over 200 yds and substaining 8+min drives if you don’t punch it in more than twice? Your D gave up 3 TDs in less than 3 1/2 mins. Rushing is an overvalued stat, buddy.
"Do I believe in aliens?" Stephon Marbury asked. "I don't know, because I've never seen one. But I believe in Jesus because I saw him in the shower the other day."
by KMR24 on Nov 1, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
We failed to beat the Colts because for some reason the play calling was pitiful
and the Dolphins weren’t able to execute when it came down for it, just like our Saints game. The Steelers- Cardinals game is irrelevant to rushing because the Steelers won the championship based on Defense which is what most people will say wins Championships. In the Super Bowl it is hard to talk about the running game because the defense is normally the thing that dominates. In the Giants-Patriots Super Bowl, the Giants hard about 2x as many rushing yards then the Patriots did but it can be said that they won because of how their defense game up big.
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Nov 1, 2009 11:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The 2 minute drill at the end of the game was pitiful
and if Ted Ginn catches the ball that hits him in the hands in the end zone, Colts lose.
Dolphins and Gators baby!
by gatorfin on Nov 3, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
An interesting side note...
Ive always felt that Ronnie Brown was the central figure, the one that really made the scheme go, and that ‘wildcat’ was just a name given to an offense… then I heard him do an interview, and he was praising Ricky Williams, and then he said, ’Ricky Williams is THE wildcat". That was sorta cool. I figure they call him the WildCat because on any given sunday he could decide to go get high instead of going to the stadium, and Ronnie Brown will stomp his foot to put Ricky in motion and there will be nothing flanked wide but a puff of smoke…
As for the artile, correct, don’t run it. Also, Ive had this conversation with other people, but I maintain that the wildcat will never win a championship until its a teams offense. Now, I understand that what you’re saying about it being miami’s offense, but I slightly disagree. Its true, they don’t treat it as a gimmick, which is why they are successful with it, but until they stop shuffling a QB on and off the field, its not totally their offense. I understand they want to try it with Pat White eventually, but I’ve seen Ronnie Brown throw. Even just keeping him in there as the full time QB and putting another skilled position player on the field would be fine. But thats the final point, thats the point when it has to be taken seriously, when they stop yoyoing their “QB”.
by SpazMo on Oct 31, 2009 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There is no sense in the Colts even trying it and they won't.
The only reason the Dolphins are so good at it is the time they put into it. If you’ve seen any other team try to imitate it and fail then you wouldn’t even want it to be considered it as an option. It is ineffective for every team but the Dolphins.
Don't question my fandominium.
"the notorious D.I.B."- samdaman
by dolphinsinbuffalo on Oct 31, 2009 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Why are we even discussing this?
Seriously, are we so void of subjects that we have to try to intelligently discuss why we shouldn’t run the wildcat?
by Merr on Oct 31, 2009 11:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hey, we just got finished with two bye weeks
and are facing an NFC opponent none of us knows well except for their shaky secondary. Plus the World Series features teams from Philly and NYC (that’s fine for me, who grew up between those two cities, but not the majority of Colts fans, I’ll wager).
Yes, we’re starving for topics. At least we haven’t started posting photos of halloween costumes. I mean, it’s slow but we’re not yet at the bottom of the barrel. (Though now that I brought it up, was it Kitna who razzed his QB coach a few years ago by going in a naked guy costume for Halloween? If you’ll recall, that coach had a drinking problem and was arrested one night for driving drunk and naked through the drive thru of a fast food restaurant. Now THAT is an inspired costume, Jon Kitna.)
oops, bottom of the barrel, meet Bob. Bob, bottom of barrel.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
by Bobman on Nov 1, 2009 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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