Patriots coach Bill Belichick held a conference call with reporters today, and there was quite a bit of “Wildcat” talk. Belichick answered a variety of questions on Miami’s package in which running back Ronnie Brown lines up in the shotgun at quarterback.
Here were a few items of note on the “Wildcat”:
1) Getting physical with the quarterback. When the Dolphins run the package, they split quarterback Chad Pennington out wide, so some might say "Why not get physical with Pennington?" Belichick said he has not seen many opponents take that approach and he explained why: “You’re just playing with one less guy if you do that. You can get that player involved in the [running] play and kind of play 11 against 10. If you want to take that player out of there, and go hit Pennington, you can do that but I think most teams have tried to play with that extra player instead of giving one up.”
2) Missed tackles a big part of Dolphins' success. Without referring to a specific statistical breakdown, Belichick estimated that about 50 percent of the yardage the Dolphins have gained out of the package have come as a result of missed tackles. With that in mind, Belichick believes the success of the Wildcat is as much about the skill of the Dolphins’ runners as much as the scheme.
3) Evening off the numbers game. When a direct snap goes to the running back instead of having the quarterback hand the ball off, it adds an extra player into the running game. “It creates another gap,” Belichick explained. “Defensively, you run out of people, so you’re playing the same number as they have – 10 on 10, 9 on 9, or 8 on 8, or whatever it is. Then there is always a dead gap in there somewhere, and if they can create a blocking scheme to exploit it, or a runner can find it, it’s harder to defend. Whereas if the quarterback hands the ball off, you eliminate the quarterback and you can always get one more than they have.”
4) Unbalanced line. In the Dolphins’ Week 3 win over the Patriots, they used an unbalanced line by moving left tackle Jake Long to the right side. Belichick said the Dolphins have used that every game, which is “another log on the fire” and another aspect in which to game-plan.
5) New plays added each week. Belichick said the Dolphins “pretty much change it and do something different” with the Wildcat each week. “They change the formation, add a play or two, use different personnel groups,” he said. “They’ve done a great job changing it up and making it hard to defend, and getting the ball to players who can make plays."
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Lets hope that BB & Pees figure out the wildcat. I have a feeling that they will. Lets hope that they continue to win after posting a loss.
I still think they should knock Pennington to the ground every single time he lines up out of the pocket. Let Sparano risk the injury possibility. Pancake him a few times and he will be more reluctant to use the gadget. Let's face it - if Pennington doesn't play they are a 2-4 win team at best.
we should be 8 - 2. bad luck, bad calls, injuries, and poor coaching/execution and still we're in alright shape to make a playoff run. i'll hopefully be at the game. squash the fish
I hope they lose. Go Bruins
I agree ... all it will take is one solid knock out hit on Pennington and the Wildcat will be gone.
Let's see it happen and maybe it will be the time where the play is designed to go to Pennington to throw it and could cause a turnover
I would go so far as to say they should risk a penalty and just have someone continue to smash Pennington -- even after the whistle. Giving up one touchdown would be worth it, because either Pennington could be knocked out of the game or they would hesitate to use the formation any more.
How about blitzing from the Pennington side to make the first read to Pennington as a receiver, then treat him as any receiver with the ball. No longer a QB who can take a knee and too matcho to run for the sidelines.....maybe.
GO BRUINS!!!!!!
Are the Bruins still on TV I thought they cancelled that show a while ago, or is it back on Bravo?
Wishing a penalty on someone sounds like the crap the Pats had to deal with last year. Would you really want to win just because someone took out one of their best? Beat 'em straight up and prove this team is ready for a nice run.
stop crying we are going to kick some pats butt sunday stay tuned.....go phins
Hahaha! I was saying the same thing to a friend of mine after the first Miami game. Line up a big LB (Vrabel) 10 - 15 yards away from Pennington, get a nice running start and legally plow into Pennington within the 5 yard contact zone. As long as it is not helmet to helmet and within the 5 yard zone it is perfectly legal. Do that a couple of times and the Dolphins will think twice about the Wildcat. Either that or we get to see Pennington run in the opposite direction screaming for his life.
You guys do know that Pennington is bigger then most Cornerbacks in the league? You want a little 5'10" 180 CB trying to push around a 6'3 225lb guy? yah...thats going to be REALLY successful.
Who cares about UCLA?
Kill Pennington. Hurt him. Take the penalty and fine. That is some real class. Nothing short of what I would expect from a bunch of "BB and Pees" fans. Go Phins.
Why are there so many morons on this?
Go low on Penningdone...He's no longer a QB in that formation, therefore he is not protected by the many, many rules QB's benefit from. Then they'll think twice about running that high school offense.
...and please, enough of the Bruins fans. Hockey died the same time snap bracelets and Hypercolor shirts did.
Ummmmm... suggesting that the Patriots make the Dolphins think twice about putting their #1 qb in jeopardy is not exactly breaking new ground in the NFL. I would never wish for Pennington to get hurt -- never hoped Brady would, either. But guess what, injuries are a danger on every play. If the Miami coaching staff insists on using the Wildcat formation, they will have to accept the consequences if Pennington gets hurt.
My advice to them: have Chad run out of bounds at the snap.
The Patriots also benefited from a strong performance by rookie linebacker Jerod Mayo, who might've locked up the Defensive Rookie of the Year award with a 20-tackle performance against the Jets. btw, saw some cool widgets at statbeast.com. Take a look.
The class I expect from Pats fans. Hurt the guy split out so wide he can't impact the play. The same people were whining when poor Tom Brady took a "cheap shot" at the knees.
The wildcat is quite similar to the single wing, an offense that worked quite well for many years. Calling it "high school" shows a limited understanding of the game's history. Plus, it seemed to work smashingly against the Pats, so are you suggesting the Pats can't defend a high school offensive scheme?
Pennington can just step out of bounds any time he needs to protect himself from any kind of oncoming hit. He is not at risk in the Wildcat until he throws blocks or potentially runs down field for a catch.
This is expected from you disgusting NE fans. You have that sour taste of defeat in your mouth and you're wishing harm on Pennington. As classless as the coach is, the players won't intentionally hurt each other. It's an unwritten rule.
Matt Cassell is NOT Brady! And im sure you were thinking just that with 0:04 left in the game against the jets. You were doubting your own guys.
Miami-23
Patriots-14
I was not happy at all when Brady got hurt, but reading comments from some posters hoping to get Pennington hurt just to win a game is pretty sad. Is going to be a difficult game in Miami, the Dolphins are younger and they are playing better.
I want the Pats to win, but I'm afraid that is to much to ask.
So, many of you Pats fans think you should cheat, by hitting Penny late, in order to get an advantage against the Fins...??? What happened to sportsmanship and just beating the team your playing with better play ?? Too bad you all don't have the same high standards your coaches do....
You all sound so desperate! The once mighty Patriots are now weak.
aside from a couple of dopes on here and i will include you here Finz23. most of us are NOT wishing harm or asking for a cheap shot here like Bernard Pollard.
what we are saying is if he lines up outside the pocket then play him that way and he "could" get hurt like anyone else because the pansy QB rules dont apply. So then Finz23 your coach has to decide if it is worth the risk to expose his QB that way. Did I explain it so you can understand it or do you want me to read it to you again?
If he lines up outside he is a football player plain and simple. so before you characterize all of us as disgusting take the baby bottle out of your mouth and put in your pacifier.
Figures patriot fans hope (and pray) that their team will have to result in injuring Miami players to win. I would expect nothing less from a talentless team that cheated its way through this decade. Take Pennington out of the formation (that's right, move him to the sideline folks) and lets put our FB as a wideout to block your tiny corners. Let our FB knock your CB to the ground and lets see who wins the physical battle. Miami will rock New England. After hearing Bill talk about getting physical with Chad. There is no way Chad will be on the field.
I saw one guy say they should injure Pennington. All you pats haters should shut up about "disgusting NE fans" and " the class I expect from Pats fans". Just cram it. There are just as many classless Dolphins/Giants/Jets/whatever fans who cheered when Brady was hurt, saying it was somehow "karma" because the Patriots were good last year. Many suggested that someone deliberately take out Brady's knees during last season. So don't go painting all pats fans with that same brush. I am so sick and tired of seeing "classless Pats fans" blah blah blah. What makes you think Pats fans are any different than any other fans? Plenty of us just want to see a good game and see the Pats winning. With the injuries we've had this year how could you assume we want to see more football injuries?
Lets just face it. The FINS are on the way up, PATS have peaked. Brady as good as he is, will make Bledsoe look like M. Vick. He's a "cigar store indian" in 2009 if he makes it back. OLine is overrated as the world saw in the last Super Bowl. FINS won't need the wildcat asmuch as one might think to beat PATS this week.
FINS 27 - PATS 17. Ricky and Ronnie will pound the rock in Qtr 4. Last stand for
aging LB's...
The Patsies are just worried that they're going to lose TWICE to a team that went 1-15 last year. Awwww....no Tom Brady shows the real talent on this team. I guess you can't go 19 and ONE every year.
Your patsies fans are such losers. Instead of finding a way to defend the wildcat, all you can think of is bashing Miami's QB. That means you know how old and overrated the New England defense actually is. I can't wait til we sweep your sorry butts this weekend.
18-1
hahahahahahaha
I think the best way to stop the wildcat is with one of our speed packages. 1 d-lineman. That way you can cover a wider portion of the field. I think lining up four men up front takes too many chances on miss tackles, end result being big plays. Mayo should be on the field roaming in a spy like manner looking to wrap up whoever gets the snap. Stop the big plays and pats roll 27-9.
All you losers saying to smack Pennington to the ground each play and hurt him are the same ones who cried like little girls that Brady's ACL/MCL was a cheap shot! The reason the whole US (including Hawaii- see Pro Bowl) hates the Patsies is because you all have no class. You tried to embarass the league in blowouts and statistics to make up for the humiliation you have over cheating through 6 years of illegal video. Eclipsing the '72 Dolphins was your goal. How did that work out for ya! I got a "Perfect Patriots Path to Perfection" T-shirt framed in my den. All guests laugh there a$$ off at it. Thanks for being a punch line!!!
High School offense huh? So what does that say about the masterful, always over prepared Belicheat that he has been humiliated by a high school play?
But 33, how would you get your 1d linemen package on the field game w/o burning a t/o? With a decimated db corps, where's all your "speed backs" coming from?
Based on BBs comments that "50% production of wildcat result of missed tackles", I think Pats coaches stress "just do your job" from the base 3-4. Now that Mayo and and front 7 are practicing against it, they will stop the big play from the wildcat.
Consider: Cassel's come a long way since Sept home vs.the fish, ex-fish Ronnie Brown makes his return, last Sunday fish struggle to beat the Al Davis Traveling Circus and this Sunday the Pats season is pretty much on the line.
Despite weak defense, a capable offense and intangibles points to a Pats win despite another very competitive game. Pats 27 - 24.
Why doesn't Miami just take Pennington out of the game, and play with no QB? Then what BB is saying wouldn't apply because there would be a WR there, not a QB. I guess the answer is probably really simple, but I'm not that familiar with the Wildcat offense. If anyone knows, thanks in advance.
Tom, I believe the reason Pennington stays in the game is to avoid tipping one's hand to the defense and Pats sideline. (defensive coaches - and probably Ernie Adams in the booth - are always watching opposing offense personnel packages) Surprise is key to the wildcat/single wing's effectiveness.
What is impressive is how many different play calls (fakes, reverses, passes, etc.) the fish run from that offense. Its certain the Pats have studied all variants the fish have showed this season.
Sunday's chess match will include response to new variations.
Are the fish crazy enough to throw to Pennington in the flat? More likely they pass/lateral so that Pennington throws down field. Remember last year's Steelers game: Brady to Moss, back to Brady for TD to (uh) either Gaffney or Stallworth?
What I can't understand is why all these Pats haters are reading the Boston Globe's Pats web page? Go rant about the Pats on YOUR own city's newspaper sites.
Still here? Fine. Then stop whining. Go back and read Big Sey's comment above. We're not saying "purposely hurt Chad Pennington". I actually like Pennington. I don't think he's the most talented guy out there, but he gets the job done. What we are saying is if the Miami coaches want to use that formation, and expose their QB outside the "protect the QB in the pocket rules", then let's knock their QB around, within the rules of the game. Then these teams might start thinking twice about this formation, or tipping their hand by taking the QB out of the game. Sure, he COULD step out of bounds...if he wants everyone calling him a wus.
Hey guys, Fish fan of 34 years here. No I don't just come here to bash on your blog...there was a link to this page from a Dolphins blog because they were talking about Belichick's prep for the Dolphins.
I gotta tell ya though, it's always a tough game when we play. I must admit I was pretty shell shocked watching the wildcat unfold on you guys in the first game. Of course I was giddy as hell. You know you would be too.
But we all know Belichick's preparedness. We know it won't be a blowout this time. Your coach speaks a lot of coach speak, but the reality is that there are pages and pages of stuff that can be done from the wildcat. Against Seattle, the Dolphins ran the old T formation out of it...twice...with Ricky getting a 51 yard TD on the second one. I'm confident that Belichick can think ahead a little bit, figuring out which players can do what from variations that hasn't been shown and prepare your team. Kansas City ran a variation where the QB, lined up as the right wide out, sold the corner that he wasn't part of the play by taking a few steps into a putrid attempt at running a WR route, then took off on a post after the CB bit on the run. And yes it was the QB that caught the TD pass.
Remember though, after the last game, your coach said it himself, "we had trouble with their new stuff, and we had trouble with their old stuff". That first drive, before anybody had an inkling as to what the wildcat was, Miami moved the ball down the field conventionally, and did so repeatedly. That Camarillo guy's pretty good in place of Welker ain't he? What did you give us for Welker? 2 picks?
Jabs aside, we always respect the Patriots. You guys have been taken down a notch or two. And after so many years of being spoiled with Shula and always being competitive, we finally endured 4-12, 6-10 and 1-15 seasons like other teams. Nick Saban once said he wanted the Dolphins "to be a team that nobody wants to play". Judging from some of your comments, it appears Tony Sparano is fulfilling this statement.
Here's to a good game guys. Dolphins 23-22 (somehow we always end up with weird scores when we play).
Cheers.
I wouldn't want to waste a linebacker as a threat to Pennington to scare the Dolphins out of using the formation. Sparano has said in news conferences that he tells Pennington to go out of bounds if anyone gets near him. You want to keep the linebackers available to go after the ball carrier. Do you really want Mayo to go wide to scare Pennington into going out of bounds only to have Brown/Williams blow by on his way to a touchdown?
Why so many injuries this year? Maybe conditioning! If the Pats loose against Miami they might as well play for draft position for the rest of the season. Look what an early pick got them last year.
All of u PATRIOT fans are spoiled and dont know how to lose. Football is Football, i cant believe that u all are talking about taking a penalty to to stop a so called "1-15" team. then u say the phins are nothing without pennington ummm the undefeated "regular season" team has the same record as the last years worst because brady is down hmmm, kinda funny to me. All yall need to do is concentrate on losing cause yall coming to the wildcat den to complete the sweep and chad has the broom. suck it up and take it like a fan.. losers.... GO PHINS!!!!!!!
Pats fans will always be divided into two groups: those that were fans before Parcells got there and those that were that after Parcells got there. Other than small percentage who actually came of fan age during that period, that is how you tell the real Pats fans from the fake ones.
Of course, every older fan CLAIMS that they were a Pats fan before Parcells got there, but very few of them actually were. 90% of Pats fans are just bandwagon fans. When the Pats started winning, they claimed to be lifelong fans. Wait until Brady retires and the Pats suck again. Then, see how many posts there in pre-game sotries. Pats fans are the biggest bandwagon fans in sports history. Red Sox fans are the real Boston fans.
The real question is why don't the Phins put in Henne and take out Pennington for a play or two? Somebody will draft Tebow just for this reason.
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