Things you may not know about the Dolphins

October 9, 5:42 PMHouston Texans ExaminerAlan Burge

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I thought I'd do something simple this week and share a few things I ran across during my weekly venture into the opponent's web world.  Here you go:

• The Dolphins offense has gone 0-for-18 this season when facing third-and-6 or longer.
• Miami's injury report has no names on it for the fifth consecutive week.  Someone needs to knock on wood.
• Last season, the Dolphins were 30th in run defense.  After their first four games this season, they are ranked 7th.  Sure would be nice ...
• Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday was voted a captain by his teammates and has taken over the leadership role vacated by Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor.  Holliday had some not so flattering things to say recently about former head coach Cam Cameron.  Rookie second rounder Phillip Merling backs up Holliday.
• The Texans are the first team the Dolphins have faced this season that plays a base 4-3 defense, meaning Dolphins rookie left tackle Jake Long will be seeing a lot of Mario Williams.
• The much discussed Wildcat formation run by the Phins has at least three basic options according to NFL Network's Brian Baldinger.  All have RB Ronnie Brown lining up in the shotgun and taking a direct snap. 
  • The first option has Chad Pennington lined up at wide receiver and Ricky Williams in the slot.  Williams comes in motion before the snap, Brown fakes a hand off to Williams and keeps it himself.
  • The second option has left tackle Jake Long lining up on the right side in an unbalanced line.  A tight end fills in for Long on the left side.  Williams comes in motion as in the first example, but this time Brown hands off to Williams who sweeps right behind Long and others.
  • The third option is a run pass option (Brown is left handed) where Brown takes the snap, rolls left and looks for a tight end or other receiver that's found a soft spot in the secondary.
• Brown has 6 rushing TD's in four games. 
• Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano converted former defensive end Matt Roth to an outside linebacker in the Dolphins 3-4 defense.  Roth is flourishing in his new role.  Eric Winston will have his hands full on Sunday.
• Joey Porter is 3rd in the NFL with 5.5 sacks from his weak side linebacker sport.  Former Texans player Charlie Anderson backs up Porter.
• The Dallas influence is evident on this team as three former Cowboys line up as starters including nose tackle Jason Ferguson, linebacker Akin Ayodele, and tight end Anthony Fasano.
• The Dolphins leading receiver is a guy named Greg Camarillo.  And no he didn't used to be a punter.  That was Rich Camarillo who had a short stint with the one-foot-out-the door Oilers in the mid-90's.  As far as the one named Greg, don't laugh - between him, Ted Ginn Jr. and Fasano, the Dolphins are 13th in the NFL in passing yards per game.