Wildcat offense is actually a form of the single wing

by David Waldstein/The Star-Ledger
Friday December 26, 2008, 11:08 AM

Like most NFL fans, Billy Granville heard all the hype about the Dolphins' Wildcat offense back in September. So as an ex-NFL player, he was naturally curious to see exactly what it was all about.
When the former Lawrenceville School star and Bengals linebacker finally saw replays of Miami running back Ronnie Brown taking a direct snap, spinning to his left, faking a handoff to Ricky Williams and then running up the gut for a touchdown, Granville first smiled to himself.

Then he thought of Dr. Ken Keuffel, the legendary Lawrenceville coach who single-handedly kept the single wing alive and thriving in New Jersey for a half century.

If anyone would have immediately recognized those plays and understood their genealogy, it would have been Coach Keuffel, who passed away in 2006 at age 82.

"They were calling it the Wildcat," Granville said from his home in Houston. "They can call it whatever they want. But that's the single wing. They resurrected Dr. K."

The single wing is an offensive football formation based on precision timing, deception and power. In its traditional form it's an almost paradoxical combination of razzle-dazzle and power in which the ball is snapped directly to a tailback, which was Granville's offensive position at Lawrenceville.

He can then hand off to another back, pass, spin, fake, run or do all of the above. No one on the planet knew the offense better than the influential Keuffel (pronounced koy-ful), who played it at Princeton, coached it for 30 years, wrote two books about it, and dissected it with a host of other coaches, including his friends Joe Paterno and Bill Belichick.

The Dolphins don't run the single wing in its purest form, which has an unbalanced offensive line designed to muscle through one side of the defense, a highly skilled center snapper, and no traditional quarterback.

But what Miami runs is clearly a second cousin of the single wing, and as such has its foundation in New Jersey high school and college football.

When Brown and the Dolphins line up in their Wildcat formations against the Jets Sunday in East Rutherford, they will bring back to Jersey a style of football that was sustained, nurtured and perfected here by Keuffel.

"He was the Godfather of the single wing," said Jim Benedict, the Watchung Hills coach who became a Keuffel disciple and friend when he was coaching at Summit High School. "He knew as much about it as anyone because he played it and coached it all those years, and he was so passionate about it."

Once the dominant offense of the 1930s and '40s, the single wing eventually fell out of favor across the country -- replaced mostly by the Wing T with the quarterback over center. It was kept alive in pockets for more than a half-century by a substrata of devotees, primarily high school coaches and football eccentrics spread across the country in a loose network of loyal adherents.

Lawrenceville was one of the places where the single wing survived, like a classic piece of living art in a museum, and Ken Keuffel was its curator.

Born in 1924, Keuffel grew up in Montclair and played in the single wing at Princeton in the late 1940s, where Dick Kazmaier would later become the last single wing Heisman trophy winner in 1951.

Keuffel learned at the knee of another single wing master, the great Princeton coach Charlie Caldwell. Boston psychiatrist Phil Isenberg was a linebacker at Harvard from 1948-50 when they played big-time college football, and was charged with stopping Kazmaier and the single wing, and he said Caldwell was an underrated coach.

"They were the best-coached team we ever played," Isenberg recalled. "They were disciplined and just lined up and played with tremendous power and precision."

After graduating from Princeton, Keuffel had a brief stint as a kicker with the Eagles before going to Pennsylvania to get his doctorate in English literature. He coached Penn's freshman team, then went to Lawrenceville in 1954, to Wabash College from 1961-66 and then back to Lawrenceville, where he coached from 1967-82 and 1990-99 until he retired with a record of 151-89-8. But wherever he was, he coached only one offense.

"Football is all about copycats and the flavor of the month," said Ed Racely, a single wing historian and one of Keuffel's best friends. "Whatever is in vogue, well, everyone usually switches to it. But not Ken. He was true to the single wing forever. He never gave up on it, and he was always willing to help anyone who wanted to learn it."

Benedict was one who learned from the master. In 1992 he drove down from Summit to Lawrenceville to learn a couple of plays for short yardage situations. He spent hours upon fruitful hours with Keuffel and came away mesmerized and excited. As he drove back along route 206 he had a revelation. Why not adopt the single wing as our entire offensive system?

"I called Ken and he actually tried to talk me out of it at first," Benedict said. "He wasn't sure I was committed, and to run the single wing offense, you have to be committed. I assured him I was, and he finally agreed."

Shortly thereafter Benedict drove back down to Lawrenceville and got the full treatment -- books, film, charts, diagrams over a 16-hour crash course. That fall Summit instituted the single wing offense and went 8-3 and lost in the state finals. The next year they went 11-0 and beat Mendham for the championship.

One of his assistants, Bill Tracy, won a state championship this year with Livingston using an admixture of wing T, shotgun and the single wing he learned from Keuffel via Benedict.

Benedict, who went on to coach at Westfield, Rutgers and now Watchung Hills, made a tape of Summit's highlights from that undefeated season and, unknown to him, it began to circulate around the single wing community across the country.

Years later Paul Shanklin, a single wing convert in the 1990s who was a volunteer assistant for Benedict at Watchung Hills, told Benedict that highlight tape had become a well-known artifact in the single wing community, although no one even knew who it was. They were simply called: "The Strangers from the East."

Keuffel and his son Ken Jr., who played the critical center position for his dad's teams in the late 1970s, were in the stands when Summit completed its undefeated season, and the coach couldn't have been more pleased to see his offense run to perfection.

That's why Ken Jr. believes his father would have been so excited to see the Dolphins and Brown run their variation that first time in Foxborough. Brown ran for four touchdowns that day and threw for another.

"My dad was a huge Patriots fan and he had the NFL package, so he watched every one of their games," Keuffel, an art reporter in Winston-Salem, said this week while on vacation in Mexico. "I know he would have been watching, and would have gotten such a kick out of seeing it in the NFL, even if it was against Belichick."

Belichick's first encounter with Keuffel came in 1970 while he was at Andover Academy in Massachusetts. He and his teammate, Ernie Adams, who is still one of Belichick's closest advisors, were both early admirers of Keuffel, who also went to Andover in the early 1940s.

As a kind of teenage football nerd, Adams had not only read Keuffel's 1964 book "Simplified Single Wing Football," he had it in his locker when Keufel brought Lawrenceville to play Andover in 1970. After the game Adams ran back to his locker, grabbed the book and had the legend himself sign it for him on the field.

Years later Belichick, whose father Steve played and coached the single wing, kept in contact with Keuffel, and spoke at his clinics. He also wrote a testimonial to Keuffel's updated 2004 book, "Winning Single Wing Football -- A Simplified Guide for the Football Coach." According to Ken Jr., book sales are up with the revival of the single wing through the Wildcat and Miami's remarkable run this year.

"When you think about the Dolphins season, there's no doubt the Wildcat had a lot to do with their success this year," Granville said. "I think it gave them a lot of confidence and momentum when they beat New England. Even though Coach (Keuffel) was friends with Belichick, I know he would have loved to have seen it."



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The Star-Ledger

Glory not Akron coach's story

By Neil H. Devlin
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/18/2008 12:30:00 AM MST


Fun football isn't about selling yourself as much as it is buying into those around you.

So Terrell Owens would probably have trouble becoming an Akron Ram.

Call them quaint, but call them committed.

"The key is getting kids to be able to do things not to get the publicity," coach Brian Christensen said. "Blocking, tackling, not caring who gets the credit . . . It's doing the things it takes that don't get the glory."

The Denver Broncos 2008 high school coach of the year, Christen- sen gets more glory than he cares for, but what is he to do when running the northeastern Colorado machine that sets the schoolboy pace?

In November, Akron won its third consecutive Class 1A title, Christen- sen's fifth since taking over in 1996. The Rams have won 39 games in a row, including 20 shutouts. They won 38 straight from 2001-03. His career mark is 138-22, 36-8 in the postseason.

"It's an amazing feeling," the 37-year-old said. "You have to have talent, obviously, but growing up in this community, there are hardworking kids who have summer jobs and a strong sense of work ethic."

Born in Brush, Christensen, the son of a farmer-rancher, is well-versed in Akron's ways, having lived there since the second grade. Like many Rams past, present and future, he went through youth, junior high and high school play as a Ram, where the single-wing offense is embraced and 3-4 defense is imposed — the Rams allowed only 40 points in 2008.

"To me, that's the common denominator of championship teams, great defense," he said.

Not many others operate out of the single wing, but when considering the NFL's sudden widespread usage of unconventional wildcat sets, perhaps he should be referred to as intelligent instead of prehistoric.

Despite one of the game's most basic offenses thought to be all but abandoned long ago, the single wing continues to survive the test of time (outside of Denver and in smaller classes) and is handed down among Akron friends — Christensen counts a couple of former players, his brother-in-law, his pastor and his former prep coach (school principal Carl Rice) as assistants.

"It has a lot of tradition, but at the same time I think it's different, and that's an attraction, too," Christen- sen said. "We feel like it becomes an advantage in the playoffs. The (league) teams know you have to play it that week, but to prepare for it (in the playoffs) makes it more difficult."

Christensen knows it inside and out, from the spinner who takes the center snap to the defender who tries to stop it. In 1985, he was a freshman linebacker on the Rams' first title team. Apparently, most parts are interchangeable — by the time he was a senior, he was switched from offensive line to running back. Knowing your place, he said, is vital: "It doesn't have to be about seeking personnel attention."

It's a theme that works at Akron, where there's virtually no specialization and less allure by city-fueled distractions. Obviously, there are fewer video games being played at a school within one student of 8-man football enrollment (125).

"It's a neat thing for kids in a smaller community," Christensen said. "Kids here can be a part of every club, three-sport athletes . . . Some people, they think they don't have the opportunities of bigger cities in smaller towns. I would argue just the opposite."

The Rams lose eight seniors for next season's team that is staring at the chance to surpass rival Limon's state-record 50-game winning streak. However, the usual Christensen-led formula of great preparation, then taking it play by play, will squelch any thoughts of looking ahead.

"It'll be a challenge," he said.




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Examining the Dolphins' Rushing Attack

www.arrowheadpride.com/2008/12/18/696676/examining-the-dolphins-rus


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Brown, Porter Earn NFL All-Pro Honors

MIAMI (CBS4.com) ― Miami Dolphins starting running back Ronnie Brown, and starting outside linebacker Joey Porter both earned Pro Bowl honors on Tuesday. Brown has been the key component in the Dolphins' now famed "Wildcat" offense, while Porter has notched 17 ½ sacks through the first 14 games of the season. But, arguably the most important player on the team, quarterback Chad Pennington, was snubbed.

Brown's 827 rushing yards ranks 7th in the AFC through week 15. He has also added 10 touchdowns to his resume, including running and throwing for touchdowns in a week 3 blowout of the defending AFC champions, the New England Patriots. He, with the help of running back Ricky Williams led the revival of the single wing offense, now called the "Wildcat."

Linebacker Joey Porter was coming off one of his worst seasons in 2007, but so were most other Dolphins' players. Since the beginning of the season, Porter has been wreaking havoc on opposing offensive lines and shown a knack for making the big play. That big play ability was on display during last Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, where Porter recorded a sack near the end of the 4th quarter that helped seal the victory.

But, curiously, the Pro Bowl selections didn't include Pennington. The story of Pennington will become legendary if the Dolphins make the playoffs. He was cast aside by the New York Jets in favor of soon-to-be Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Not to take anything away from Favre, who was named a Pro Bowl reserve almost based upon name alone, but he hasn't done as much to lift his team up from the bottom of the league as Pennington has.

Pennington has been a steady, veteran leader for the young Dolphins and has put up better numbers than Favre in many categories. Pennington has a 95.1 passer rating for the season and has thrown only 6 interceptions all season. The drop in interceptions has helped the Dolphins challenge history for the fewest turnovers in a season in NFL history.

The final word on Favre versus Pennington, assuming both win this week, will come in week 17 when the Jets take on the Dolphins, with a playoff spot likely on the line.

It must be noted, the fan voting only makes up 1/3 of the selection process, but it can still skew the final results. This is why you see players like Chris Samuels of the Redskins being named to the Pro Bowl, or Joe Thomas selected. Both players are stars at their position, but in the selection of Thomas, he vastly underperformed in his second year against quality competition, while Broncos' rookie Ryan Clady has allowed only ½ sack all season long.

What will be interesting is when it comes time to select the NFL's most valuable player. Many experts are pointing towards Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Petersen as being the odds on favorite. It's not hard to argue his case, he's leading the league in rushing and should finish just below 2,000 yards for the season. But, if the Dolphins win out against the Chiefs and the Jets, and clinch a playoff spot just one year after being the laughing stock of the NFL, don't be surprised if Pennington doesn't get quite a few votes for his leadership.

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(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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Awards banquet caps 2008 football season

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Caldwell County’s football banquet Monday night may have put the cap on the 2008 season, but it’s never too early to look ahead to 2009.

“Obviously we’ve got to replace some skill kids on offense, noted Tiger head coach David Barnes. “But the key thing is we’ve got Nate (Dyer) back at center, Tanner Kilgore is back and Warren Cooper will probably start up front, so we’ve just got to find a couple of linemen.

“In the backfield, Brandon Sigler is back and we’re going to have to find somewhere to play Jaquan (Glover). Tron (Gray) will be back as well. But we’ve got to replace receivers like Eric Faughn, Bryce Boone and John Paul (Boitnott).”

Also graduating is quarterback Will Barnes, which means that spot is open for the first time in three years.

“You’re looking at replacing a quarterback that was here for three years and has been doing this since the sixth grade,” said the Tiger head coach.

Caldwell’s quarterbacking corps took a hit when Barnes announced that freshman Chris Butler was moving away and would not be back next season.

However, sophomore Blake Hodges quarterbacked the squad last summer during 7-on-7 games and returns next year.

“Blake’s very smart. He’s a 4.0 kid,” said Barnes. “Another year in the weight room will make a big difference for him.

“And we’re still going to look at Jacob Freiberger, who’s a freshman with some potential.”

Caldwell may also install some plays out of the increasingly popular “Wildcat” formation or single wing next season, with the direct snap likely going to Sigler.

Tanner Ringstaff, a sophomore, “has good speed” and will likely take over one of the starting receiver spots.

Caldwell’s defense will lose several key players to graduation, including the entire linebacking unit.

“I’m really impressed with some of the younger kids,” said Barnes. “The Boyds (Bryce and Baxter) and Aggie Capps are all going to play next year. We’re really excited about that freshman class.”

Caldwell’s freshman team reached the championship game of its league this fall before losing a close decision to Marshall County.

Barnes expects around 26 freshmen to return for their sophomore seasons in 2009.

“I think we’ll be OK next year,” he noted. “I think a lot of these kids, looking up in the stands on Friday night, understand what football means around here.

“We’ve got to get a lot stronger,” he added. “I always say you make or break your season with how hard you work in the offseason.”

• Former Tiger Tony Franklin was the guest speaker at Monday’s banquet.

Franklin has been an offensive coordinator at two Southeastern Conference schools. He opened the 2008 season at Auburn before being dismissed midway through the campaign.

“I thought Tony did a great job. I was really glad he could come and speak to the kids,” said Barnes.

Franklin still lives in Auburn, Ala. He and Barnes are close friends, and Caldwell runs the Tony Franklin Offense.

“I think it means a lot to the kids. A lot of them went to camp at Troy when Tony was there and Tony worked with them,” said Barnes. “Some of the younger kids may not know him as well, but all of those older kids are familiar with him.”

• The Tigers compiled a 7-4 record in 2008, losing at Owensboro Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.

The senior class is the first at Caldwell to have four straight winning seasons.



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Times Leader - Princeton, Kentucky
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Singletary and Sparano Pay Respect to Past

December 10, 2008, 3:33 pm

Singletary and Sparano Pay Respect to Past
By Eric Musselman
Through Eric Musselman’s blog, coaches share stories and tips on how to motivate, how to teach, how to win. He has agreed to plug us into his network periodically.

I read in Gwen Knapp’s column yesterday that 49ers Coach Mike Singletary, after his first win as a head coach, drove to the home of Mike Nolan — the man he’d replaced as coach a few weeks earlier — and gave him a game ball.

“I wanted to make sure that I let him know that I am always indebted to him as a friend and as a mentor.”

In the same column, I learned that after taking the interim job, Singletary “persuaded the 49ers to hire Ron Blum, a retired NFL official, and install him as an adviser in the booth upstairs.”


When Singletary explained the decision to hire Blum, he sounded very much like an ardent and curious student of the game. He said he had started thoroughly reviewing the NFL rules a few years ago, and called referees and visited at least one, trying to get inside their heads.

“It’s so gray that you begin to think, ‘You know what, I need to go about this in a different way. I need to have someone around me who has some awareness that can explain some of these rules. Because I know what the rule is, but then it’s ruled differently. Either I’m going to drive myself nuts trying to figure this out, or you get someone who speaks that language.”


The Courage to Try Something New: After going 1-15 last season, new Dolphins coach Tony Sparano started off 0-2 in Miami.

It was at that point that he made the bold decision to try something different: “the direct-snap-to-a-running back, sleight-of-hand Wildcat formation.”

In the 76 times the 8-5 Dolphins have used the formation this season, they’ve gained more than 450 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

Sparano recalled:

“We were all miserable at that point. I didn’t feel like we had an identity in the run game. I also felt it was getting harder to put Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the game at the same time and get them touches.

“I called [offensive coordinator] David [Lee] … and said, ‘Look. Here’s what I want: Tomorrow when we get back, I want three runs, maybe a pass out of this Wildcat package … We need to find something we can put our arms around as an offense that can create space..”

Of course, the Wildcat Formation isn’t new. According to this article in USA Today, it’s “legendary coach Glenn “Pop” Warner’s 1907 single-wing formation designed for multi-faceted, future Hall of Fame halfback Jim Thorpe. The last single-wing tailback to win a Heisman Trophy was Princeton’s Dick Kazmaier in 1951. Kazmaier watched highlights of the Patriots befuddled by galloping ghosts.”

My reaction was one of amusement that something from 57 years ago would be resurrected and create a spark,” Kazmaier, 78, says. “The single wing is a timeless treasure.

Miami quarterback Chad Pennington Said:

“It goes to show the fundamentals of football never change, that the importance of blocking, tackling and executing never changes. You have to give coach Sparano credit for having the courage to bring something to the pro game that hasn’t been done in a while. It creates good angles for the offense.”

Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

How the Wildcat reignited the 'Fins and altered the '08 season

By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY

DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano's season-saving huddle at 39,000 feet ignited his sputtering team and the season's wildfire, Wildcat craze.

The impetus for Sparano's eureka moment?


WORST TO FIRST? Dolphins could win AFC East after 1-15 in '07
A desire to get running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field at the same time.

Flying above the clouds on his 0-2 team's charter flight after a Sept. 14 loss at Arizona, Sparano got a clear sense of what was needed.

That's when the first-year head coach summoned quarterbacks coach David Lee, the former University of Arkansas offensive coordinator who orchestrated The Wild Hog featuring direct snaps to tailbacks Darren McFadden (now with the Oakland Raiders) and Felix Jones (now a Dallas Cowboy).

Since Sparano sanctioned the direct-snap-to-a-running back, sleight-of-hand Wildcat formation, Miami has jumped from a 1-15, 2007 disaster to 8-5 and in a three-way tie for the AFC East lead with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. If they win their final three games (including the season finale at the Jets), the Dolphins would clinch a division title and tie the biggest one-season turnaround in league history of 10 wins, equaling the 1999 Indianapolis Colts.

"We were all miserable at that point," Sparano says. "I didn't feel like we had an identity in the run game. I also felt it was getting harder to put Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the game at the same time and get them touches.

"I called David to the front of the plane and said, 'Look. Here's what I want: Tomorrow when we get back, I want three runs, maybe a pass out of this Wildcat package …

"We need to find something we can put our arms around as an offense that can create space."

In a league brimming with Kurt Warner-type passing offenses, leave it to a former offensive line coach, Sparano to revive legendary coach Glenn "Pop" Warner's 1907 single-wing formation designed for multi-faceted, future Hall of Fame halfback Jim Thorpe.

Lee dubbed it the Wildcat and Miami's single-wing takeoff caused double- and triple-threat trouble for the New England Patriots in a 38-13, Sept. 21 turnaround. Six Wildcat snaps yielded four touchdowns. Brown ran for 69 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yarder. He also hit tight end Anthony Fasano on a 19-yard touchdown.

"It goes to show the fundamentals of football never change, that the importance of blocking, tackling and executing never changes," Miami quarterback Chad Pennington says.

The last single-wing tailback to win a Heisman Trophy was Princeton's Dick Kazmaier in 1951. Kazmaier watched highlights of the Patriots befuddled by galloping ghosts.

"My reaction was one of amusement that something from 57 years ago would be resurrected and create a spark," Kazmaier, 78, says. "The single wing is a timeless treasure.

"Something that's been extinct for so many years takes some blinking and thinking to say, 'What's going on here?' "

That's exactly what defenders are saying.

"There was confusion about where their guys were supposed to be," Dolphins guard Justin Smiley says of the Patriots in that first game.

That changed in their second meeting when the Patriots shut down the Wildcat, staying more disciplined in their gap responsibilities to hold the Dolphins to 25 yards on eight Wildcat snaps.

'Like an encounter with a giant, raging egg beater'

With its unbalanced line, the Wildcat creates 6-on-4 blocking mismatches at the point of attack, particularly against a two-gap scheme like New England's 3-4.

"Against defenses that play so fast, it's a changeup that slows them down just a step," says former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, now the head coach at Ole Miss. "Here's a fast back coming at you. Is he going to stretch the field around the corner, run inside or run a counter? And defenders have to make sure they cover the receivers so they're not tricked."

A 1999 NFL Films Presents feature on the single wing noted late Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Jim Finks as the last player to take a single-wing snap Dec. 16, 1951.

"(Baltimore Colts defensive tackle) Artie Donovan said playing against the single wing in its heyday was like an encounter with a giant, raging egg beater," NFL Films president Steve Sabol says. "Guys would spin, run, fake and pass. It creates enormous deception."

In 76 Wildcat snaps, the Dolphins deceived for 453 yards and eight touchdowns.

"You have to give coach Sparano credit for having the courage to bring something to the pro game that hasn't been done in a while," Pennington says. "It creates good angles for the offense."

Brown lines up 6-7 yards deep and takes the direct snap from center with the option to run, hand off, pitch or pass. Pennington splits right at receiver, while Williams or Patrick Cobbs line up as a wingback, who come in motion to take a possible handoff.

"With Ronnie and Ricky, that gives us two threats at once with neither one having to block," offensive coordinator Dan Henning says. "That's the key. We don't want them banged up.

"We have an extra blocker because the quarterback takes one guy out of the box."

Sparano, Lee and Henning experimented with the Wildcat this offseason until Brown injured his thumb.

Defensive end Vonnie Holliday recalls practice before the Wildcat's successful debut.

"The defense was laughing, saying, 'That's not going to work,' " Holliday says.

Afterward, Fasano got a call from his former Notre Dame quarterback, the Cleveland Browns' Brady Quinn.

"That Wildcat is a crazy offense," Quinn said.

Crazy flexible.

"There's three, four guys who can hurt you almost every play," Fasano says.

Wildcat copycats

Each week, another team unveils its iteration of gadgetry gone wild.

Coach Herman Edwards' Kansas City Chiefs had running back Jamaal Charles pitch to receiver Mark Bradley, who fired a 37-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Troy Smith threw a 43-yard completion to quarterback Joe Flacco. Nearly half the 32 teams have dabbled, including New England.

"Maybe we can patent the Wildcat," Brown says. "We had success against New England and everybody knows their track record."

So teams started copying the 'Cat.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was ahead of the curve direct snapping to wideouts Antwaan Randle El and Hines Ward, both of whom played some quarterback in college, as 2004-2006 Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator.

Wideout Anquan Boldin runs Arizona's Wildcat package called "The Pahokee" after Boldin's Florida hometown.

"It's all part of what makes this game exciting, coaches and players constantly trying to get an advantage," Whisenhunt says. "Defensive coordinators have to spend time working on it in practice. That's what you want, make them take time away from preparing for your base offense."

The Cleveland Browns, forced to start third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey because of injuries, had wide receiver Joshua Cribbs run their version seven times Sunday in a 28-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Nutt's brother, Danny, a former Arkansas running backs coach, helped tweak the Wild Hog, introduced by Lee's Razorback predecessor, Gus Malzahn, for McFadden, Jones and Denver Broncos tailback/fullback Peyton Hillis.

"Now a lot of recruits are calling, asking, 'Can I run the Wild Rebel?' " Houston Nutt says.

So how do defenses tame the 'Cat?

"I'd check to a run blitz to disrupt any type of run or option play once you realize they don't have a quarterback under center," says former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and a fast, physical defense run blitzed Miami into 4-yard, five-snap Wildcat submission in a 27-13 Oct. 19 win.

Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan had cornerback Frank Walker jam Pennington, "Into the Gatorade," says Ravens coach John Harbaugh. That dissuaded Miami from exposing its quarterback to further Wildcat contact.

But Henning keeps scheming new misdirection tricks, including Williams' 51-yard, Week 10 touchdown run against Seattle.

"We keep looking for different guys to do it," Henning says. "Some of the guys have been high school quarterbacks. (Former Michigan quarterback and Miami rookie) Chad Henne can do it."

Should Sparano get royalties when teams take a walk on the Wildcat side?

"We should get a nickel or something," Sparano says. "Our league is a copycat league. We didn't invent it. We copied it from a college team."

But his team made it their own, and Sparano's maverick move and become the seasons' biggest surprise.








Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-12-08-wildcat-cover_N.htm

Windber coaches watch Clairton win

By CHRISTINA DUNMYER
Daily American Sports Writer

Sunday, November 23, 2008 2:20 AM EST
The Windber coaching staff will now prepare for District 7 Class A champion Clairton, after they watched the Bears defeat Monaca 12-6 Saturday at Heinz Field. The Ramblers and Bears will meet at Greater Johnstown's Trojan Field on Friday in the first round of PIAA state playoff football.

“Their speed is phenomenal,” head coach Phil DeMarco said. “Their defense flies to the ball. They aren't 13-0 for no reason. Monaca is a darn good team as well. Second half turnovers cost them.”

DeMarco said that is something his team needs to capitalize on after watching the Bears committ 13 penalties for 110 yards and fumble six times, losing two.

“We have to play a near perfect game,” the veteran coach said. “We have been in this situtation before. We played Duquesne in 2005 and were only down 7-0 at half time. We lost 18-0, but hung with them for most of the game.”

“We have to stay with what got us here,” DeMarco added when asked about how the coaching staff would approach the game. “Our single wing offense is the key. Many teams don't like to prepare for the type of offense we have. We need to run right at them offensively and corral their offense defensively.”

The Bears' offense is lead by running back Deontae Howard's 120 carries for 1,365 yards, quarterback Andrew Currington's 69 of 123 for 22 touchdowns and 1,702 passing yards, and Kevin Weatherspoon's 45 catches for 1,277 yards.

“Their offense is very good, but it's all set up by the defense,” DeMarco said. “They are very tough to turn corner on. They ate up the counter play from Monaca. “We will test for that, but we don't do that much counter stuff. They have seven shutouts and no one has scored more than one TD against them.”

Clairton has out-scored opponents 546-36 so far this season. It's the second WPIAL title in three years for Clairton (13-0).

While Windber struggled early on in the season, the Ramblers were playing their best football coming into this past week's bye week, DeMarco said.

“We practiced hard all week in the snow, but it's tough to take that time off when you are playing so well,” he added. “We will look at the game tape we took and exchange tapes with Clairton coach Tom Nola today, then get back on the practice field Monday.”

On an interesting note, Currington didn't play Saturday due to injury and DeMarco said he didn't know if he would play against them on Friday.

Szczur a versatile threat for Villanova football
By MIKE KERN
Philadelphia Daily News

kernm@phillynews.com

After scoring a touchdown on a kickoff return, a run from scrimmage and a pass reception in Saturday's 55-28 first-round playoff win over Colgate, Villanova's Matt Szczur was asked what it is that he actually does best on a football field.
He paused for a moment, smiled and said, "Block."

Part of him was joking. At the same time, he was just trying to be honest.

"As a wide receiver, [position] coach [Brian] Flinn harps on that all the time," Szczur (pronounced see-zer, like the Roman emperor) said. "The running game comes from us, and the o-line. We're the ones clearing the way downfield, all the time, no matter what.

"I was being a little humble, too. I didn't know how to answer. It was a hard question."

That's because the 5-11, 195-pound sophomore, who might be an even better baseball player and also was a track standout at Lower Cape May (N.J.) Regional High, does just about anything that's asked of him. And he mostly does it pretty well.

"He's probably the best athlete we've got," said head coach Andy Talley, whose Wildcats (10-2) will attempt to avenge their only Division I-AA loss of the season tomorrow afternoon at top-ranked James Madison (11-1). "He's tough, he can run, the kind of guy you never have to worry about. All the things he does really give you an added dimension."

Against Colgate, Szczur took the opening kick back 91 yards for a touchdown, and the Wildcats would never be threatened. In the second quarter, he took a direct snap from center, something he has been doing on a more than occasional basis, and carried it in from 4 yards out to make it 27-7. Early in the third quarter, he caught a 16-yard pass from Chris Whitney to extend the lead to 41.

For the season, Szczur is the team's third-leading rusher, with 437 yards on 73 touches. He's also the third-leading receiver, with 30 catches for 440 yards. He has scored seven times, which ties him for second with Phil Atkinson, another wideout who will get the ball in the backfield as well.

Difference is, with Atkinson it's mostly via pitches when he's in motion, or on reverses. In Szczur's case, he lines up as the quarterback in the old single-wing, or Wildcat formation, as it's better known these days. And everyone pretty much knows what's going to happen. Still, so far nobody's come up with a way to stop him.

"We talk about that almost every day in practice," he said. "It's just funny. It seems like everybody goes a little harder to form the holes, and I just hit it and get in there.

"It's actually fun. It keeps me going. As a receiver, you run routes and block. And sometimes, the ball comes your way. But it's not like you can choose to throw it to yourself."

In the first meeting with JMU, which the Dukes won, 23-19, on a 35-yard tipped pass on the last play on Oct. 25 at Villanova Stadium, Szczur carried a career-best 14 times for 60 yards and a touchdown.

In miserable weather, the Wildcats were able to keep the ball for much of the second half.

It wasn't quite enough. At least now they're getting another shot.

"The way we look at it, we're playing for a national championship," Szczur said. "We're not looking at it as revenge at all. We don't even bring the first game up. This is the next step. To get a ring you have to win four times. This is our next opportunity. We want to keep playing.

"I don't think we're the underdogs at all. We almost beat them. It was a fluke. I think it's going to be an awesome game. We're both in each other's way."

Two years ago, he was drafted in the 38th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, after hitting .681 as a catcher. He didn't play college baseball last spring because he was recovering from a sports hernia. But he'll likely resume that career, and there are those who think that could indeed be his future.

In the meantime he'll keep doing what he does while wearing a different kind of helmet. Up to this point, that includes just about everything except throwing a pass.

"It's in the playbook," Szczur said. "We've actually [called] it three times. It didn't work. Once, last year against Richmond, the receiver was covered and I wound up running. I believe we did it twice against James Madison. But the receiver got jammed on the line and I kind of panicked and took off. Then, we had a sprintout and the receiver was open, but there was no one in front of me so I pointed at him to block. In those conditions, it seemed safer."

Always good to have options.

"This only happened because Antwon [Young] went down [midway through the 2007 season]," Szczur said. "I knew Chris [Whitney] ran a lot, and we didn't have another quarterback after him. They asked me to take some hits off him. I had no problem doing that. It was more chances to have the ball in my hands and make plays. I think that's how everyone should look at it, for every sport.

"As a catcher, you're the main guy out there. You're at the center of everything. Now, whenever I'm back there, I just try to make something good happen."

Football: Oscar Smith's opponent in final is coming on strong

The Osbourn High School football team, less than two years removed from an undefeated jaunt to a state championship, was foundering early this season.

The Eagles were erratic on offense — and losing.

“We started out playing some inconsistent ball,” said coach Steve Schultze, whose team began 2-3.

Seeking a quick-fix at midseason, Schultze added a quirky single-wing offense, and Osbourn started to go places.

The Eagles rattled off 112 points in their final three regular-season games — all Osbourn victories — and squeaked into the Northwest Region playoffs as the fourth and final seed.

In a shocking postseason run, Osbourn avenged two regular-season losses and last week trounced unbeaten Central Region champ Varina 47-28 to reach the Group AAA Division 6 state championship game.

The Eagles (9-4) play Oscar Smith (14-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday for the state title, hoping to cap an improbable streak with a fourth consecutive victory over an unbeaten team.

Schultze guided Osbourn to its first state crown in 2006 but followed that with a 4-6 campaign last season. Early this season, the Eagles lost 31-3 to Woodbridge.

“Our kids and coaching staff never gave up on each other,” Schultze said. “We just started to figure out our personnel and the schemes we needed to use to be us.”

Schultze arrived to coach his alma mater, located in Manassas, before the 2002 season. He inherited a down-trodden program that had lost 32 consecutive games and was coming off its 10th straight losing season.

After going 9-21 in Schultze’s first three seasons, the Eagles finished 10-2 in 2005 and the following year won the program’s first Northwest Region and state championships.

Early struggles on offense this season, though, spurred Schultze to make some changes. He installed the single-wing — an offense that keeps defenses guessing with misdirection and snaps to the quarterback or running backs — to rely more on versatile senior Jerell McFadden. A 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, McFadden has accounted for more than 1,700 total yards, including 1,275 rushing.

“We became a much more physical team on that side of the ball,” Schultze said of the change to the single-wing. “That physical play really helped us shore things up and play good football and execute.”

But Schultze didn’t scrap the team’s spread offense. The Eagles bounce from one offense to another and use different blockers for each one.

Quarterback Thomas Keith, a junior, has thrown for 1,275 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The constant switching has kept defenses confused and has created some intra-squad competition.

“Our spread guys, they want to stay in the spread, and the big guys want to ram the ball pretty good at you,”

Schultze said. “They’re all fighting for execution and staying in the game.”

Now, the Eagles meet an Oscar Smith team that is ranked nationally in several polls. Schultze has played up his team’s underdog role for months, and he’s not about to stop now.

“We may not look that snazzy on film,” Schultze said. “But if we play good football, we’re capable of beating anybody. For us to beat Oscar Smith, we have to play great football. Everything’s got to go right, and we’re capable of that.”

In Depth: Apopka At Seminole

Showdown In-Depth: Apopka @ Seminole

By Todd Grasley



Playoffs are in the air and it doesn't get much bigger than Friday night as Apopka and Seminole battle it out for the right to play in the state semis.



Apopka comes in averaging 41 points in its last two playoff games. In round one they beat Timber Creek on the road 41-21, racking up 495 rushing yards. Round two, saw pretty much of the same. A heavy dose of the run game and Jeremy Gallon. The senior accounted for all six touchdowns as Apopka and East Ridge battled it all night long, with the Blue Darters edging out the Knights 41-34. Coach Darlington has experience in the playoffs, his 2001 team won the state title.



The key to this game will be speed. Apopka will run the single wing offense, an offense that was featured in this week's Sports Illustrated. If Gallon isn't running it, look for either Caleb Nelson, Travelle Davis, or sophomore Tom Smith to carry the rock. Their ability to hold onto the ball could be a key to this game according to Coach Darlington.



Seminole's defense has been a big reason for the Nole's success. In their last two playoff games, they have not given up more than 14 points. In round one they took it to Deland, 35-12 and then beat Spruce Creek 30-13 last week on their home turf.. They will line up in a 4-3 showcasing their size and speed led by defensive end Dyron Dye and linebacker Jarkevis Fields.



Coach Mike Cullison stresses the importance of team and working as one unit, and credits that to the turnaround from last year's 4-5 season. “Coach has us very prepared, we just got done looking at film, and you know we're just go to come out and play hard, that's the motto come out and play hard, senior Andre Debose said. Debose and Ray Ray Armstrong will take turns under center showcasing the spread offense. The “X”factor could be star defensive end Dyron Dye who will play both sides of the ball Friday night. Coach Cullison told me,“ I want my fastest guys on the field.”



The Blue Darters defense led by seniors Pooh Bear Mars and Caleb Nelson will the have test of containing that speed. Coach Darlington isn't underestimating the Nole's offensive weapons, “Seminole's fast and athletic, and obviously a well coached team. We're just going to have to go out there and play sound defense and try to tackle those guys. They are real good and fast.” Speaking of speed, like Seminole, Apopka will have their fastest guys on the field. Look for Jeremy Gallon to patrol the secondary Friday night.



The winner of Friday's contest will have home field advantage against either Boone or Royal Palm Beach next week in the state semi's.




Showdown of the week – APK Seminole



Apopka and Seminole battle it out in the regional final and our Showdown of the Week brought to you by 800-411-PAIN.



For The Blue Darters they are hoping to go the distance, something they haven't done since 2001.



Last week they upended East Ridge 41-34 in a rematch of the 6A-4 title game.



Jeremy Gallon, who scored six touchdowns in that game, will once again be a factor Friday night.



Look for the Blue Darters to utilize his speed and athleticism on defense as well.









Over at Seminole the coaching staff has their hard hats on because they know its time to work.



Last week, the Noles beat Spruce Creek on the road 30-13, and are led on offense by two of the nation's top recruits, Ray Ray Armstrong and Andre Debose.



Coach Cullison credits the turnaround from last years 4-5 season to everyone playing together as a team.



The winner of Friday's contest will face either Boone or Royal Palm Beach next week in the state semi's.



From Seminole High School, Todd Grasley, High School Playbook.com.

McFadden is a key player

By Joe Conroy

Published: December 3, 2008

GAME COVERAGE
CHAT NOW: Chat about anything-game related and wish the team good luck on our message board forum.
Today: Jerell McFadden stands out on Osbourn’s team.
Friday: Osbourn gets prepared to for the long trip to Blacksburg.
Saturday: Local school reaction, plus a game preview, including information on the starting line-up, stats, etc.
During the Game: Check for latest scores on InsideNoVA.com. Sign-up here to receive game scores after each quarter.
Sunday: A wrap-up on the game and scene in Blacksburg, including a video, a photo slideshow on InsideNoVA.com
ANYTIME: Post your photos to Snap! to share with readers
WATCH: Playbook Insider, a weekly webcast on prep football.

At first glance, Jerell McFadden doesn’t strike anyone as a fantastic physical specimen. He’s a decidedly average 5-foot-10, 176-pound senior at Osbourn.

Put a football helmet on his head and a set of pads on his shoulders and McFadden becomes an every-down play making super athlete.

By nearly all accounts McFadden is one of the biggest (figuratively, anyway) reasons the Eagles are playing in their second state final in the last three years, facing Oscar Smith Saturday in the Division 6 title game. He plays offense, defense and special teams, providing significant contributions in all three.

Were he allowed to, you might find McFadden serving hot dogs at the Osbourn concession stand at halftime. He is so integral to the Eagles success that coach Steve Schultze actually moved McFadden from quarterback to running back early in the season to get more out of his pure athleticism.

“In our minds Jerell is the (regional) player of the year offensively and defensively,” Schultze said. “I’ve been saying he’s the best two-way player in the state of Virginia. He’s the heart and character of the team.”

It might seem to be hyperbole, but McFadden’s numbers back up just about everything the coach says. He is the Eagles’ (9-4) leading rusher with 1,218 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards a carry; he caught 22 passes for 250 yards and a score; threw for three touchdowns as a passer on seven completions; and he averaged more than 21 yards per kick return.

But his most important role might be as safety on defense. In the Northwest Region final against Woodbridge, one of the favorites to return to the state final, McFadden was among the first defenders to reach Vikings star running back De’Antwan Williams at or near the line of scrimmage.

“There’s no better safety in the state,” Schultze said. “The kid’s got speed and he’s such a physical kid. We don’t beat one of the best teams in the state in Woodbridge without him filling the alley and tackling Rocket (Williams) and causing fumbles.

“Usually De’Antwan breaks those tackles and it’s McFadden who’s coming up and making those stops. Williams still had 100 yards rushing, but he didn’t have the big one.”

A week later McFadden had perhaps his finest performance as a high school player, scoring five touchdowns and amassing more than 220 yards of total offense. He, of course, contributed on defense as
well, intercepting a pass that set up one of those scores.

“I feel like I am a big part of winning and getting to the state final,” McFadden said. “I know I have to come out and play my A-game.”

McFadden has been an iron man since little league football he said and when he reached high school there wasn’t a question in his mind whether or not he’d continue to do so.

“I was just going to play both ways. I like both of them: I like hitting, I like scoring touchdowns,” he said. “I knew I was going to play both ways. You get tired here and there, but you’ve just got to keep fighting.”

Starting the season at quarterback like he had the year before, McFadden was moved to running back so Schultze could insert junior Thomas Keith under center four games into the 2008 campaign. The decision turned out to be one of the best Schultze made this year as the Eagles rebounded from a 3-4 start to win their last six games, beating three straight unbeaten teams.

But the experience at quarterback became an asset against Woodbridge in the playoffs when Keith was injured in the second half. Schultze sent McFadden in as the signal caller without hesitation, knowing McFadden was prepared and confident in the situation.

McFadden’s cool came into play in the final moments of the game with a slim 24-20 lead. Osbourn, having just stopped Woodbridge on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line, needed to reach the 11 for a first down so the Eagles could run out the final three minutes and 31 seconds for the win. If the Vikings were able to hold the Eagles to a three-and-out, Woodbridge would have a shot at winning the game likely with good field position.

“In such a close ball game, we were contemplating that if we didn’t get (the first down) maybe take the safety in that situation,” Schultze admitted. “I just was praying for first downs. We went to our heavy, single-wing package for power football and our offensive line did a great job and Jerell got through some creases.”

McFadden was responsible for all 35 yards picked up on that series, including nine on a third-and-six at the 5.

Oscar Smith, the sixth team to enter a game against Osbourn with an undefeated record and yet another favorite to win a state title, may see just an average-looking football player when they see McFadden on the gridiron this weekend. But if the Eagles get more of that McFadden magic, it’ll be Osbourn carrying a state championship trophy home on the bus.

Dan Mullen new Mississippi State football coach

By CHRIS TALBOTT

JACKSON, Miss. — Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen will be the new football coach at Mississippi State, moving from the Southeastern Conference champions to one of the league's perennial cellar dwellers.

Mullen arrived in Starkville on Wednesday afternoon and will be introduced at a news conference Thursday morning. He leaves Gainesville as the top-ranked Gators are preparing to play for their second national title in three years.

"A lot of people get in this profession and when you have head coaching opportunities, they're very rare," Urban Meyer said at news conference in Hollywood, Fla. "Head coaching opportunities in the Southeastern Conference at a young age is a great honor. So (Tim Tebow) had the same exact reaction that I did: Doggone it, but we wish you well."

The 36-year-old has been an assistant coach for 14 years and spent the last eight with Urban Meyer at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida.

Florida won the SEC with a dominant offense and will play No. 2 Oklahoma for the BCS national championship next month. Meyer told reporters he was not sure if Mullen would be staying through the title game.

"It's all too fresh," Meyer said. "The most important thing is whatever gives the University of Florida and our players an opportunity to be successful on that night and I have not had a chance to evaluate that yet."

Mullen replaces coach Sylvester Croom, who resigned last month after going 21-38 in five seasons as the SEC's first black football coach. Since 2001, the Bulldogs have had only one winning season.

Meyer told reporters after the SEC championship game that Mullen was in contact with Mississippi State athletic director Greg Byrne about the job.

The hiring was first reported by the Clarion-Ledger of Jackson and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo.

Byrne interviewed other candidates for the job. Chris Peterson of Boise State and Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley both denied interest in the job and Byrne also appears to have talked with Oklahoma offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson.

Croom left the program Nov. 29 after the Bulldogs suffered a humiliating 45-0 loss to archrival Mississippi. He said in a recent television interview that he was prepared to make changes to his coaching staff in order to please fans, boosters and Byrne, but that Byrne wanted to head in a new direction.

While Croom was credited with improving the overall talent at Mississippi State despite NCAA sanctions he inherited, the former NFL assistant coach and All-American center at Alabama could never get his complicated and conservative run-first version of the West Coast offense into gear.

The Bulldogs never cracked the top 100 under Croom and finished 113th out of 119 Bowl Subdivision teams with 274.9 yards per game of total offense and 115th in scoring with 15.3 points per game this season.

Byrne said he was looking for a coach who could jazz up that woeful offense and got him. Mullen led the Gators to a team record for points in a season this year and has Tebow in the running for a second Heisman Trophy.

"They are going to get coach who likes to work, who will do a great job," Tebow said. "They'll have success because of the way he is."

Mullen also helped develop quarterback Alex Smith into a No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft as quarterbacks coach at Utah.

The Gators led the nation in scoring last year and are third this season with 45.5 points per game. Mullen directs the nation's No. 18 offense (442.4 yards per game) and No. 11 rushing offense (229.7 ypg).

The Gators run a spread option offense, with a mix of the Single-Wing, the kind of attack that would match the skills of incoming quarterback Tyler Russell of Meridian, the Bulldogs' top recruit who has left his nonbinding oral commitment to Mississippi State in place despite Croom's departure.

Mullen is expected to begin recruiting immediately in an attempt to hold together the promising class Croom put together before resigning.

Mississippi State's new coach spent two seasons apiece as wide receivers coach at Wagner and Columbia from 1994-97 after graduating from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., where he played tight end.

He then spent three seasons as a graduate assistant at Syracuse and Notre Dame, where he met Meyer and later followed him to Bowling Green.

"He's a great coach," Meyer said. "I made a comment (when) someone wrote an article about us and I said, 'Boy, his resume is pretty good,'" Meyer said. "When you work with a guy, you don't realize it. He's been with me as a graduate assistant at Notre Dame, we went together to Bowling Green, developed Josh Harris, went from there to Alex Smith at Utah, and then came here and Chris Leak and Tim. So the resume is pretty strong and I wish him all the best."

Herald-Whig Football Coach of the Year: Illini West's Jim Unruh

By MATT SCHUCKMAN

Herald-Whig Sports Writer


CARTHAGE -- The question Jim Unruh appreciated the most wasn't one directed at him.

It was addressed to his dad.

Hanging out in the Memorial Stadium press box as the Illini West football coaching staff met with the media following the Chargers' Class 3A state title game victory nine days ago, Paul Unruh was asked how the game had changed since he coached West Chicago to the initial Class 3A crown in 1974.

His response? Not at all.

"He said, 'It's still hit or be hit,'" Jim Unruh said.

Illini West critics need to remember that.

Two years ago, when the consolidation of Carthage, LaHarpe and Dallas City was finalized and the newly formed Illini West school district learned its football program would be a Class 3A program, Jim Unruh was told his schemes, his offense and his basic fundamentals wouldn't win.

He heard it too many times to count.

"They said, 'You can't run that offense,'" Unruh said. "I heard over and over, 'You're not going to be able to play at an elite level with that type of offense.'"

The single-wing attack -- a staple during Carthage's reign as one of the state's top small-school programs -- may not be ideal for bigger schools, but it works. Unruh knew that. He believed that. He hoped that.

Not even a first-round exit from the playoffs in 2007 could convince him otherwise.

"We still had to come together as team and as a program," Unruh said. "I've always believed in my system. I was told it wouldn't work when we went from Class 1A to Class 2A. Well, it worked. I was told the same thing going to Class 3A. Well, we made it work."

That's because Illini West became one community, not three.

Unruh said after every game last year he was questioned about which town a player was from or which program he had played in. They weren't accepted as Illini West players. They were still linked to their hometowns.

"That was a question I didn't get a single time this year from anyone," Unruh said.

Nor did he get any questions about rivalries or past meetings.

"It was players and coaches coming together for the same goal," Unruh said.

And learning from past mistakes.

The first week of practice back in August, the Chargers were adamant about changing their approach to defense. They had to tackle better, wrap up better and flow better.

"We have to be more aggressive and make the initial play," linebacker Derek VanFleet said. "That's a matter of trust."

You don't create that overnight.

"Last year, it was a little rocky at the beginning, but we got used to each other," senior tackle Luke Burling said. "This year, I see a big improvement in teamwork, getting in the weight room and working out together and being better friends."

Unruh said the relationships were made from a healthy respect for one another.

"Before, when Carthage teams played LaHarpe teams, it was a rivalry game," Unruh said. "But it wasn't built on animosity. It was built on respect. It was very easy to mold our systems together."

Unruh's personality is a big reason why.

Engaging, entertaining and imaginative, Unruh doesn't see himself on a different plane than his assistants. In fact, he doesn't favor calling them assistant coaches.

"It's one of my least favorite terms," Unruh said.

He sees them as equals with their own responsibilities.

For example, Illini West special teams coach Tim Lafferty called on fake punt on the game's opening drive, which the Chargers converted and later capped the 17-play drive with a touchdown.

"I didn't make that call," Unruh said. "Lafferty told me about half a second before we ran that play what was coming."

It shows the maturing relation between Unruh and Lafferty, the former head coach at LaHarpe-Northwestern.

"This year, if you watched games, we are continuously using each other as sounding boards," Unruh said. "I'm asking him for suggestions, he's giving suggestions. We're trying to come up with the best play call at the time."

Most of the time, they did, but it was up to the players to execute.

At that point, it comes down to hitting, tackling and running.

Just the basics.

And like Paul Unruh said, it's still hit or be hit.

"That sums up our philosophy," Jim Unruh said. "We do the basics, and we stress that you do them right."

No one does them better.

Dolphins using Wildcat formation to great success

USA TODAY and The Associated Press
Published: 12.09.2008


DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano's season-saving huddle at 39,000 feet ignited his sputtering team and the season's wildfire, Wildcat craze.
The impetus for Sparano's eureka moment? A desire to get running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field at the same time.

Since Sparano sanctioned the direct-snap-to-a-running back, sleight-of-hand Wildcat formation, Miami has transformed from a 1-15 disaster in 2007 to an 8-5 team in a three-way tie for the AFC East lead with New England and the New York Jets.
The division title could come down to Miami's Dec. 28 regular-season finale at the Jets. If they win their final three games, the Dolphins would tie the biggest one-season turnaround in league history of 10 wins, equaling the 1999 Indianapolis Colts, who leaped to 13-3 after a 3-13 season.

Flying above the clouds on his 0-2 team's charter flight after a Sept. 14 loss at the Arizona Cardinals, Sparano got a clear sense of what was needed. That's when the first-year head coach summoned quarterbacks coach David Lee, the ex-Arkansas offensive coordinator who had orchestrated the Wild Hog, featuring direct snaps to tailbacks Darren McFadden (now an Oakland Raider) and Felix Jones (now a Dallas Cowboy).

"We were all miserable at that point," Sparano says. "I didn't feel like we had an identity in the run game. I also felt it was getting harder to put Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the game at the same time and get them touches.
"I called David to the front of the plane and said, 'Here's what I want: Tomorrow when we get back, I want three runs, maybe a pass out of this Wildcat package. We need to find something we can put our arms around as an offense that can create space."

In a league brimming with Kurt Warner-type passing offenses, leave it to a former offensive line coach, Sparano, to revive coach Glenn "Pop" Warner's 1907 single-wing formation designed for his multitalented future Hall of Fame halfback Jim Thorpe.
Lee dubbed it the Wildcat, and Miami's single-wing takeoff caused double- and triple-threat trouble for the Patriots in a 38-13 turnaround win Sept. 21. Six Wildcat snaps yielded four TDs. Brown ran for 69 yards and three touchdowns in the formation. He also hit tight end Anthony Fasano on a 19-yard TD pass.
"It goes to show the fundamentals of football never change, that the importance of blocking, tackling and executing never changes," Miami quarterback Chad Pennington says.

The last single-wing tailback to win the Heisman Trophy was Princeton's Dick Kazmaier in 1951. Kazmaier watched highlights of the Patriots befuddled by galloping ghosts.

"My reaction was one of amusement that something from 57 years ago would be resurrected and create a spark," Kazmaier, 78, says. "The single wing is a timeless treasure."

'Wildcat' came from Wyatt

By Kerry Eggers

The Portland Tribune, Dec 9, 2008

Old friend Hugh Wyatt showed up in, of all places, Sports Illustrated last week.

In an article visiting the rebirth of the old single-wing offense with the “Wildcat” formation that has become all the rage, the Camas, Wash., resident and former Portlander rates mention for claiming ownership of the “Wildcat” name.

“And his case is compelling,” Tim Layden writes of Wyatt, 70, the one-time Madison High coach now coaching in Ocean Shores, Wash.

Wyatt “has developed a wide following through clinics and the sale of DVDs explaining his double-wing offense,” Layden writes. “In December 1998, Wyatt wrote an article for Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director magazine, describing a direct-snap, double-wing formation ... in his article, Wyatt suggested to coaches looking for a curveball, ‘You might want to take a look at our Wildcat package,’ and he went on to explain it was nicknamed for the mascot at La Center, Wash., High, where he was employed at the time.”

“It irks me to some degree to hear these guys claim the origination of the Wildcat, when clearly it’s a case of plagiarism,” Wyatt said last weekend, adding with a laugh, “I’m going to set this thing straight once and for all.”

The Wildcat, if you don’t know, features a back – usually a running back – taking the direct snap from center and usually taking off on the run.

“I’m not the person who originated the formation,” Wyatt says. “That was Pop Warner. At La Center, our quarterback was a pretty good runner. We’d put him back there with another back, and either one of those guys could run or pass the ball or hand off to anybody else. It was just a way to stir things up a little bit, essentially a way to get us four guys in the double wing who could handle the ball on any play instead of three. And since our nickname was the Wildcats, I said, ‘Let’s call it the Wildcat.’ "

Wyatt first emerged in Portland as assistant general manager of the Portland Thunder of the World Football League in 1975. His coaching carousel took him to Gaston, Banks, Central Catholic and finally to Madison (offensive coordinator in 2003-04, head coach in '05), along with Southwest Washington stints at Hudson’s Bay, Ridgefield, Washougal, La Center and Ridgefield. He also coached seven summers in Finland.

Last year, Wyatt re-emerged at North Beach High in Ocean Shores (near Aberdeen), where he coached the Hyaks to a 7-3 record, with the three losses by a total of 11 points. He’ll be back for at least another season, and he really doesn’t care if he gets credit for the Wildcat formation.

“It’s not fair to say anybody has copied anything I’ve done, because it’s really stuff I’ve seen from the 1920s,” Wyatt says. “It’s going to be over pretty soon, anyway. Defenses have been caught with their pants down, but (defensive coaches) aren’t stupid. They’re going to figure this thing out.”




Pamplin Media Group, 6605 S.E. Lake Road, Portland, OR 97222

How the Wildcat reignited the 'Fins and altered the '08 season

By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY
DAVIE, Fla. — Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano's season-saving huddle at 39,000 feet ignited his sputtering team and the season's wildfire, Wildcat craze.
The impetus for Sparano's eureka moment?


WORST TO FIRST? Dolphins could win AFC East after 1-15 in '07
A desire to get running backs Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field at the same time.

Flying above the clouds on his 0-2 team's charter flight after a Sept. 14 loss at Arizona, Sparano got a clear sense of what was needed.

That's when the first-year head coach summoned quarterbacks coach David Lee, the former University of Arkansas offensive coordinator who orchestrated The Wild Hog featuring direct snaps to tailbacks Darren McFadden (now with the Oakland Raiders) and Felix Jones (now a Dallas Cowboy).

Since Sparano sanctioned the direct-snap-to-a-running back, sleight-of-hand Wildcat formation, Miami has jumped from a 1-15, 2007 disaster to 8-5 and in a three-way tie for the AFC East lead with the New England Patriots and New York Jets. If they win their final three games (including the season finale at the Jets), the Dolphins would clinch a division title and tie the biggest one-season turnaround in league history of 10 wins, equaling the 1999 Indianapolis Colts.

"We were all miserable at that point," Sparano says. "I didn't feel like we had an identity in the run game. I also felt it was getting harder to put Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in the game at the same time and get them touches.

"I called David to the front of the plane and said, 'Look. Here's what I want: Tomorrow when we get back, I want three runs, maybe a pass out of this Wildcat package …

"We need to find something we can put our arms around as an offense that can create space."

In a league brimming with Kurt Warner-type passing offenses, leave it to a former offensive line coach, Sparano to revive legendary coach Glenn "Pop" Warner's 1907 single-wing formation designed for multi-faceted, future Hall of Fame halfback Jim Thorpe.

Lee dubbed it the Wildcat and Miami's single-wing takeoff caused double- and triple-threat trouble for the New England Patriots in a 38-13, Sept. 21 turnaround. Six Wildcat snaps yielded four touchdowns. Brown ran for 69 yards and three touchdowns, including a 62-yarder. He also hit tight end Anthony Fasano on a 19-yard touchdown.

"It goes to show the fundamentals of football never change, that the importance of blocking, tackling and executing never changes," Miami quarterback Chad Pennington says.

The last single-wing tailback to win a Heisman Trophy was Princeton's Dick Kazmaier in 1951. Kazmaier watched highlights of the Patriots befuddled by galloping ghosts.

"My reaction was one of amusement that something from 57 years ago would be resurrected and create a spark," Kazmaier, 78, says. "The single wing is a timeless treasure.

"Something that's been extinct for so many years takes some blinking and thinking to say, 'What's going on here?' "

That's exactly what defenders are saying.

"There was confusion about where their guys were supposed to be," Dolphins guard Justin Smiley says of the Patriots in that first game.

That changed in their second meeting when the Patriots shut down the Wildcat, staying more disciplined in their gap responsibilities to hold the Dolphins to 25 yards on eight Wildcat snaps.

'Like an encounter with a giant, raging egg beater'

With its unbalanced line, the Wildcat creates 6-on-4 blocking mismatches at the point of attack, particularly against a two-gap scheme like New England's 3-4.

"Against defenses that play so fast, it's a changeup that slows them down just a step," says former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, now the head coach at Ole Miss. "Here's a fast back coming at you. Is he going to stretch the field around the corner, run inside or run a counter? And defenders have to make sure they cover the receivers so they're not tricked."

A 1999 NFL Films Presents feature on the single wing noted late Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Jim Finks as the last player to take a single-wing snap Dec. 16, 1951.

"(Baltimore Colts defensive tackle) Artie Donovan said playing against the single wing in its heyday was like an encounter with a giant, raging egg beater," NFL Films president Steve Sabol says. "Guys would spin, run, fake and pass. It creates enormous deception."

In 76 Wildcat snaps, the Dolphins deceived for 453 yards and eight touchdowns.

"You have to give coach Sparano credit for having the courage to bring something to the pro game that hasn't been done in a while," Pennington says. "It creates good angles for the offense."

Brown lines up 6-7 yards deep and takes the direct snap from center with the option to run, hand off, pitch or pass. Pennington splits right at receiver, while Williams or Patrick Cobbs line up as a wingback, who come in motion to take a possible handoff.

"With Ronnie and Ricky, that gives us two threats at once with neither one having to block," offensive coordinator Dan Henning says. "That's the key. We don't want them banged up.

"We have an extra blocker because the quarterback takes one guy out of the box."

Sparano, Lee and Henning experimented with the Wildcat this offseason until Brown injured his thumb.

Defensive end Vonnie Holliday recalls practice before the Wildcat's successful debut.

"The defense was laughing, saying, 'That's not going to work,' " Holliday says.

Afterward, Fasano got a call from his former Notre Dame quarterback, the Cleveland Browns' Brady Quinn.

"That Wildcat is a crazy offense," Quinn said.

Crazy flexible.

"There's three, four guys who can hurt you almost every play," Fasano says.

Wildcat copycats

Each week, another team unveils its iteration of gadgetry gone wild.

Coach Herman Edwards' Kansas City Chiefs had running back Jamaal Charles pitch to receiver Mark Bradley, who fired a 37-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Troy Smith threw a 43-yard completion to quarterback Joe Flacco. Nearly half the 32 teams have dabbled, including New England.

"Maybe we can patent the Wildcat," Brown says. "We had success against New England and everybody knows their track record."

So teams started copying the 'Cat.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt was ahead of the curve direct snapping to wideouts Antwaan Randle El and Hines Ward, both of whom played some quarterback in college, as 2004-2006 Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator.

Wideout Anquan Boldin runs Arizona's Wildcat package called "The Pahokee" after Boldin's Florida hometown.

"It's all part of what makes this game exciting, coaches and players constantly trying to get an advantage," Whisenhunt says. "Defensive coordinators have to spend time working on it in practice. That's what you want, make them take time away from preparing for your base offense."

The Cleveland Browns, forced to start third-string quarterback Ken Dorsey because of injuries, had wide receiver Joshua Cribbs run their version seven times Sunday in a 28-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans.

Nutt's brother, Danny, a former Arkansas running backs coach, helped tweak the Wild Hog, introduced by Lee's Razorback predecessor, Gus Malzahn, for McFadden, Jones and Denver Broncos tailback/fullback Peyton Hillis.

"Now a lot of recruits are calling, asking, 'Can I run the Wild Rebel?' " Houston Nutt says.

So how do defenses tame the 'Cat?

"I'd check to a run blitz to disrupt any type of run or option play once you realize they don't have a quarterback under center," says former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher.

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and a fast, physical defense run blitzed Miami into 4-yard, five-snap Wildcat submission in a 27-13 Oct. 19 win.

Defensive coordinator Rex Ryan had cornerback Frank Walker jam Pennington, "Into the Gatorade," says Ravens coach John Harbaugh. That dissuaded Miami from exposing its quarterback to further Wildcat contact.

But Henning keeps scheming new misdirection tricks, including Williams' 51-yard, Week 10 touchdown run against Seattle.

"We keep looking for different guys to do it," Henning says. "Some of the guys have been high school quarterbacks. (Former Michigan quarterback and Miami rookie) Chad Henne can do it."

Should Sparano get royalties when teams take a walk on the Wildcat side?

"We should get a nickel or something," Sparano says. "Our league is a copycat league. We didn't invent it. We copied it from a college team."

But his team made it their own, and Sparano's maverick move and become the seasons' biggest surprise.
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Click to see the orginal article with a nice animation of the wildcat plays
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Orrick now a team that always wins, not loses

To understand just how far the Orrick High School football team has come, look no further than Elliott Rice.

You see, in this town of around 800 people, things haven’t always been this joyous when the topic turns to football.

At the start of the 2000 season, Orrick was mired in a 25-game losing streak and had won just one game in three seasons. And most of those losses weren’t even close.

Now, though, things have changed — dramatically.

The Bearcats, 14-0, play Thayer, 12-1, at 1 p.m. todayin the Missouri Class 1 state championship at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. The Bearcats are going for their second straight title and own the state’s longest active winning streak at 28 games. And most of those wins weren’t even close.

For Rice, especially, the turnaround is dramatic.

“I was thinking it was going to take a miracle and some move-in kids from the city, kids who didn’t want to play for Blue Springs South or Raymore-Peculiar,” Rice said. “I thought it was going to take unbelievable athletes to get to this point.”

Turns out it just took some hard work, something folks in Orrick know all about. It all started with the arrival of Orrick’s current head coach, Pat Richard.

He showed up for his first meeting with the Orrick players in a suit, a far cry from his usual wind suit pants, T-shirt and yellow visor. But he was there to work, and there was plenty of work to be done.

Richard likes to tell the story of how one of his players described the fan base before he arrived in 2000.

“One of my old running backs used to say there were family members ... and family members here, that was it,” Richard said.

And frankly who could blame the fan base? It wasn’t uncommon for Orrick to be down by 50 points at halftime.

Rice, who spent five years in the Marines after high school, jokes that it was so bad he thinks he may have endured a type of posttraumatic stress disorder from the football beatdowns he took from opponent Santa Fe in high school.

“I would have dreams that they were putting 85 points up on us,” Rice said.

As bad as things were, though, Richard remembered seeing something in that young group that laid the groundwork for what would slowly turn into one of the strongest programs in the state.

The 25 players that came out for that first team had faith, perhaps not in themselves, but at least in Richard and his assistant coach Bryan O’Dell, a farmer and former Orrick football player himself.

“It’s pretty amazing,” Richard said. “We came in with the belief that we could change it and we could build something. The great thing about the first year is that we had 25 guys, and we had 25 guys who truly believed that we were going to accomplish something pretty special.”

Orrick won its first game with Richard as head coach and notched three wins the first season.

Two years later they achieved a coveted win over Santa Fe, Orrick’s first win over the Class 1 powerhouse in 21 years. They made the playoffs the next two seasons and haven’t looked back.

The Bearcats won eight games in 2004, eight in 2005 and 11 in 2006, losing to the eventual state champions. Since then it has been nothing but victories.

Seating is at a premium at Orrick home games, and it isn’t uncommon for Orrick to have more fans than home teams do when the Bearcats go on the road.

“Its incredible, we have come so far,” said Leanne Jones, whose son Clayton plays for Orrick. “It’s such a family atmosphere. It’s so good to go to other schools and we’ll have a bigger crowd than the home team, and that’s neat.”

Richard and the Bearcats see just how much the team supports them when they look over their shoulders at practice. Behind them is a new grandstand that holds more than double the amount of fans as the old bleachers.

Those were partially paid for by the Orrick Quarterback Club, which formed last year and already has 82 members, or 10 percent of the town’s population.

Jones and Richard both said the Orrick community realizes just how special a run this football team is on.

“I think coming from where we were at to where we are now makes it even more special,” Richard said. “What a ride. It’s all due to the community and the hard work of these kids. If we were anywhere else, I don’t know if we would have been able to do it.”

MISSOURI CLASS 1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP •WHO: Orrick, 14-0, vs. Thayer, 12-1

•WHEN/WHERE: 1 p.m. today at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis

•TV/RADIO: FSKC; KCWJ (1030 AM)

submitted by COLE YOUNG

Orrick wins Class 1 football title in double overtime

ST. LOUIS | The folks in Orrick will be talking about this one for a while. Maybe forever.

It was the second straight Class 1 title for the Bearcats, who finished their season 15-0 and extended their winning streak to 29 games. But this one certainly wasn’t as easy as the 1-yard game-winning score by Joe Kaufman.

“It was the most dramatic football game I’ve ever been a part of it in all my time around the game,” Orrick coach Pat Richard said. “I don’t know if you are going to find more heart than what you saw on the field today.”

The two teams battled for more than 47 1/2 minutes to a 14-14 tie.

With 17 seconds left in regulation, Logan Eubank scored on a 16-yard run around the left side. After the two-point conversion failed, Orrick still held a 20-14 lead and seemed destined for its second straight state title.

Thayer, however, wasn’t done.

With 10 seconds left in the game, Jacob Eckman completed a 62-yard touchdown pass to Lance Schneider.

As Eckman was thrown to the turf by Orrick’s Leslee Eubank, he heard the roar of the crowd, but he wasn’t sure it was for his team.

“I thought either my guy caught it or they picked it off, something had to have happened, but I didn’t know what,” Eckman said.

The touchdown tied the game at 20-20 with no time left in regulation. At that point, Thayer opted to try for an extra point, but the kick was low and wide left.

It was then that Orrick felt the momentum that had been sucked from its sideline slowly return.

Kaufman completed his first pass of the day to Matt O’Dell on Orrick’s first possession in overtime. O’Dell ran into Calvin O’Dell, who eventually ended up with the ball in the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown.

“He had never played tight end before in his life,” Richard said of Calvin O’Dell. “He’s a guard, but we moved him over there after (Aaron Blyth) got hurt. I knew Matt was open. Joe made a good enough throw, and Calvin happened to be there, and we ended up making a lucky play.”

Thayer answered on a 1-yard touchdown run by Joshua Huckabee.

Eckman added the game-tying two-point conversion, sending the game to the second overtime.

At that point, the Orrick defense stiffened.

On third and 8, Orrick defensive back Clayton Jones intercepted an Eckman pass, ending Thayer’s possession.

Richard couldn’t speak highly enough of Jones, who earlier was on the side of the defense that gave up the game-tying touchdown at the end of regulation.

“The beauty of the game of football is you can make 100 mistakes in the first half of the game and you can make one play in the second half that matters, that is a ballgame-changing play,” Richard said. “Does anyone remember the 100? No. Clayton Jones had two huge plays that he didn’t make, but Clayton Jones made the play when it mattered.”

The interception gave Orrick the ball on the Thayer 25.

Orrick used seven plays to score the game-winning touchdown, including four runs by Kaufman.

Kaufman finished the game with 90 yards in 24 carries and three touchdowns. Heading into the game he had just 152 yards in 36 carries.

“I think deep down I knew my time would come in the state championship game,” Kaufman said.

Cougars look to establish winning tradition

BY PETER GOBIS SUN CHRONICLE STAFF
Monday, December 1, 2008 2:42 AM EST

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Tri-County QB Lucas (9) Mistler follows the block of Chad Todesco (44) against Holbrook/Avon. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire)
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Cougars look to establish winning tradition
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FRANKLIN - Could this be a harbinger of things to come for the football program at Tri-County Regional High School?

Amidst the cult of tradesmen, more than a handful of athletes have put on shoulder pads and helmets and laced up their shoes to become league champions, to become Super Bowl contenders.

The winning has become contagious - seven straight now for the Cougars, who will meet Pope John High of Everett in the semifinal round of the MIAA Division 4 playoffs Tuesday (7:15 p.m.) at Taunton High School.

"The first ever outright league (Mayflower) championship, the first ever playoff berth, this is stuff we've always dreamed about," said Tri-County High coach Dan MacLean, whose Cougars won the Small School Division title and eight games along the road to the postseason.

In winning seven straight games, the Cougars have allowed just six points (to Nantucket) over the past four games, along with shutouts of Diman Voke, Holbrook and Old Colony. In winning seven straight games, the Cougars have outscored their foes 146-46.

Senior quarterback Lucas Mistler has piled up a single-season Cougar rushing record in excess of 1,200 yards and added nearly another 800 throwing the ball.

But, the Cougars have other weapons too, like senior wide receiver Jarred Gaumond, like senior receiver-runner Mike Foster, like senior running back Shawn Roche.

"We've been able to hold onto the ball and execute," added MacLean of the Tri-County offense. "We've had some nice, sustained drives, like against Holbrook and Old Colony. We're taking care of the ball and moving the chains."

Mistler has had a spectacular season, being able to read defenses, being able to make the right decisions, being able to protect possession of the football.

"Foster is a small kid, but he's been our go-to guy," added MacLean. "He gets through the line and goes. And Roche might be the best blocking back that I've coached - he hits you and you feel it."

The Cougars will need to protect the ball and be proficient with it against a Pope John team (7-4) which likes to grind it out on the ground and take time off the clock.

Pope John, coached by Chris Buckley, takes a six-game win streak into the semifinal round, not having lost since a 30-12 decision to St. Mary's of Lynn in October. The key players are junior running back Justin Nascimento and senior quarterback Nick Loiselle.

"They remind us a lot of Southeastern," said MacLean, reviewing game film and watching Pope John beat Lowell Catholic 30-20 on Thanksgiving Day to clinch the Catholic Conference's Small School Division title and the playoff berth.

"They run a lot of misdirection with the quarterback, some variations of the single-wing," added MacLean. "They like to pound the ball, but they also have some speed. They have two or three big guys up front, but they don't have a lot of numbers (lack of depth). "They like to find the hole and grind it up the middle. So for us, our defense has to be on its toes. We have to continue to be aggressive and be physical, like we've been over the past month."

The Cougars have spent the past three days practicing on the artificial surface at Franklin High School, thanks to Panther AD Brad Sidwell. Other than a non-league game (and loss) to Shawsheen Regional, the Cougars have not played on a clean surface.

If anything, it might aid the Cougars. "The game is a little bit faster on turf, which is good for us," said MacLean. "We can either pound the ball or go outside."

What the Cougars also to have going for them is the excitement of extending their season, the excitement of school spirit (several busloads of students and fans), the excitement that this could be the start of Tri-County as a Small School Division annual title contender in the Mayflower League.

"The kids are very excited about playing, they've been very business-like and focused in practice," added MacLean. "You have to remember this is all unchartered territory for us."

St. Louis Rams need to be wary of Dolphins' Wildcat offense

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
11/30/2008

Miami scored a total of 24 points in season-opening losses to the New York Jets and Arizona. The Dolphins averaged only 60 yards rushing and 3.0 yards per carry in those games.

Coming off a 1-15 season, it looked like the same old Dolphins. Then rookie head coach Tony Sparano decided to go wild(cat).

"We had the idea at the end of the second game, when things didn't go so well in Arizona, that we needed to maybe give our offense something that they could put their arms around," Sparano said. "And also try to create a little bit of space, some misdirections ... and get Ricky (Williams) and Ronnie (Brown) on the field at the same time."

So they sprung the "Wildcat" formation on the unsuspecting New England Patriots in Game 3. The Dolphins' running game — and their season — hasn't been the same since. In the Wildcat, the quarterback splits out like a wide receiver, and the running back takes a direct snap from the center in the shotgun.

The Patriots and their guru of a head coach, Bill Belichick, didn't know what hit them. The Dolphins rushed for 216 yards and four touchdowns to spring a 38-13 upset. Starting with that game, Miami has won six of nine to play itself into playoff contention.

"It's an old single-wing type concept in terms of the running game," Rams defensive coordinator Rick Venturi said. "The runs look a little different because they're not handed off. There's some misdirection looks up in there."

And beware of the forward pass. Brown tied a franchise record with four rushing TDs in that New England game, and he also threw a 19-yard TD pass. He thus became only the second player in NFL history to score four rushing TDs and throw a TD pass in the same game.

The other? Paddy Driscoll of the Chicago Cardinals in an Oct. 7, 1923 game against the Rochester Jeffersons.

Miami quarterbacks coach David Lee, a native of Dexter, Mo., ran the Wildcat with Darren McFadden at the University of Arkansas. The Dolphins worked on it during spring practices, so it was part of their overall offensive package.

It has been a regular part of their offense since the Patriots game in September.

"It's been anywhere from eight to 20 plays (per game)," Venturi said. "You have no idea how many it's going to be. It's like an alternate offense right in the middle of the game, and you have to adapt to it because you don't know when it's coming. It's not like they substitute (personnel) to get in it."

The Dolphins were ranked 26th in total offense after the two pre-Wildcat games. Since instituting the Wildcat, they've risen to No. 8. All told, they've run 67 plays out of the Wildcat, averaging 6.6 yards per play. In 675 plays in their conventional offense, the Dolphins are averaging 5.8 yards per play.

In the Wildcat, Brown has 40 carries for 233 yards and five TDs; Williams has 22 carries for 145 yards and one TD.

In a copycat league like the NFL, lots of teams are using a little Wildcat in their offense. But nobody runs it as often, or as successfully, as the Dolphins.

"These guys are the poster boys, I mean, they've done a terrific job with it," Venturi said. "It's a little bit different in terms of how plays look. They're really the same plays that you would see, but without the handoff, they look different."

And playing defense in the NFL is all about recognition and reaction. The Rams' defense spent a lot of time working against the Wildcat in practice during the week.

"You've got to be really sound in what you're doing defensively," coach Jim Haslett said. "Because if one guy is out of his gap, that's when you see these big long runs they've been having."