Why can't teams stop the Wildcat formation?

[Michael82]

It's a freaking college play. It's pretty damn obvious what the Dolphins are going to do when they set up in that formation. So why the hell is it working? Against the Patriots, Miami used the play about 6 times. Yesterday, they used it 11 times. I don't understand why it's working so well. At the very least, if you want to get the Dolphins to cut it out....put your big, tough LB or DB lined up against the QB. Rough Pennington up, it's legal. Hit him hard within the cushion and make sure he knows that he's fair game. Then maybe the team will stop doing it continuously.

[Static]

Someone will eventually stop it, but until then...Enjoy.

[OpIv37]

I think the problem is the potential for trick plays- end arounds, reverses, options, lateral to the QB for a dowfield pass, etc.

The D doesn't know what to expect so they're back on their heals from the very beginning.

The more they use it, the more the D will get used to the look and be prepared for it.

[finfan34]

its not a play they can do 30 times a game, but i think it will be a play they can do 5-10 time a game. there are a few reasons why they are succeding

1) the wrinkles, there are so many things they can do with that play to keep it honest

2) personal, say what you want, but miami has two excellent runnings backs, also, jake long moves over to the right side and can play there too

this play worked on two of the stronger defenses, teams will learn to play it better. but its no fluke that its worked

[LtFinFan66]

Most times, Pennington just stands there. Sparano basically told him to get the hell out of harms way

[Bling]

Rough Pennington up when he's being a decoy, and see what happens to your QB. I can't believe people were whinning about Edwards getting ****ed up while passing, but they want to lay out a dummie?

[Bling]

To counteract it, I would blitz the outside and have a LB wait for Brown to decide. If they hand it off to Pennington, the blitz from the outside will get to him before he can decide who he wants to throw to.

[LtFinFan66]

To counteract it, I would blitz the outside and have a LB wait for Brown to decide. If they hand it off to Pennington, the blitz from the outside will get to him before he can decide who he wants to throw to.

Hand it to pennington?

He is nowhere near to get handed the ball

[Bling]

Hand it to pennington?

He is nowhere near to get handed the ball

I'm well aware of that. I'm saying that eventually there's going to be an added element to the player where Chad gets the ball. Why else would he be on the field instead of a big physical WR?

[LtFinFan66]

NO WAY Pennington ever runs the ball in that formation. I can see a pass to him though

[LtFinFan66]

I'm well aware of that. I'm saying that eventually there's going to be an added element to the player where Chad gets the ball. Why else would he be on the field instead of a big physical WR?

Because if Pennington isn't in the huddle, the defense KNOWS what's coming and can swap people to their advantage

[Bling]

NO WAY Pennington ever runs the ball in that formation. I can see a pass to him though

I must have some articulation problems today. I don't want Pennington running either. I want him passing.

[Bling]

Because if Pennington isn't in the huddle, the defense KNOWS what's coming and can swap people to their advantage

Good point.

[Mike13]

2 reasons:

1) This team just executes it exceptionally well

2) There are so many options and wrinkles involved, it causes the D to ovethink things.

[BlackMetalNinja]

Rough Pennington up when he's being a decoy, and see what happens to your QB. I can't believe people were whinning about Edwards getting ****ed up while passing, but they want to lay out a dummie?

Mikey is not the entire Bills fan base, in case you were curious.

[Michael82]

Rough Pennington up when he's being a decoy, and see what happens to your QB. I can't believe people were whinning about Edwards getting ****ed up while passing, but they want to lay out a dummie?

I'm just saying....if you really want it to end, Pennington becomes fairgame if he's lined up at WR continuously. One of the things that will put an end to it, is if the opponent lines up against him with their big LB or safety and hits him hard at the line.

[Patti120]

I think they should have Pennington get the ball on an end around, just to throw a new wrinkle in there.

[dplus47]

I'm just saying....if you really want it to end, Pennington becomes fairgame if he's lined up at WR continuously. One of the things that will put an end to it, is if the opponent lines up against him with their big LB or safety and hits him hard at the line.

one problem with this strategy is this: do you really want to take a big hitter out of the box against ronnie? the direct snap already gives him an advantage, and putting somebody really physical outside to attempt to rough up chad would give him another advantage.

the phins could also have an eligible receiver at the end of the line (a TE like fasano), thus giving pennington the ability to line up behind the line of scrimmage, making it harder to "rough him up" at the snap AND taking your hard hitter out of the box.

[dplus47]

that said, the wildcat formation only averaged about 4 yards per play against the chargers. it is being overplayed by the networks as a reason for miami's success lately. it's a good formation and ronnie brown is a great guy to have receiving those snaps--because of his intelligence and athleticism--but it's not the team's bread and butter.

[Bling]

that said, the wildcat formation only averaged about 4 yards per play against the chargers. it is being overplayed by the networks as a reason for miami's success lately. it's a good formation and ronnie brown is a great guy to have receiving those snaps--because of his intelligence and athleticism--but it's not the team's bread and butter.

Very overrated. Miami's success has to do a lot to their reemergence as a good team. They're no longer a pushover. I could see where we sweep the Bills. We'll at least split.