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Run Ricky Run: Dolphins move on without Ronnie Brown
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Well I thought I'd have a little change of pace on the column tonight. Usually we discuss politics here, but being a huge sports fan, I thought it'd be nice to throw a little curveball at you.
Let's talk football. Thursday night is going to be a smashmouth game between the Miami Dolphins and the Carolina Panthers. Both teams come in at 4-5 but both teams are playing well as of late. Miami is known for their innovative "wildcat" formation but the wildcat has been taken to the vet. The Fins will be without triggerman/running back Ronnie Brown who has an injured foot. That leaves the bulk of the carries to 32 year old Ricky Williams. Yes, THAT Ricky Williams. Ricky has been having his best season in years so far in 2009 but that was complementing Ronnie Brown. Now, Ricky is option number one again. How will he handle it?
And what can we expect to see from Lex Hilliard? Hilliard impressed coaches enough in the preseason to earn a roster spot as the 4th running back. But now with injuries to Ronnie Brown and Patrick Cobbs, Hilliard is the primary backup to Williams. I expect to see him get 5-7 carries Thursday night and more in the weeks that follow is Brown cannot go.
I also believe Miami will use Pat White more without Brown. White runs the "pistol" formation and has had some success running the option with Williams in the backfield. Perhaps this is the week to see a formation with both QB's (White and Chad Henne) on the field at the same time.
The Panthers have been playing better lately but I think even a battered Dolphins team is better than this Panthers team.
Keys to a Dolphins victory:
- Put pressure on Jake Delhomme (Porter, JT, Wake, Roth)
- Get Ricky running early and often to take pressure off Henne
- Be creative. Don't be afraid to use White and Ted Ginn in new ways.
- Field position. Ginn needs to have good returns.
With that being said, I'm predicting a Dolphins victory 28-17 over the home team.
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