'Wildcat' a factor -- but not biggest -- as Dolphins surprise Chargers

MIAMI -- In three weeks, the Miami Dolphins have gone from an 0-2 wild thing going nowhere to a 2-2 wild card with a chance to go somewhere, and the "Wildcat" formation has helped them get there.

They beat San Diego 17-10 on Sunday and New England 38-13 two weeks ago. Those teams played for the AFC championship last season.

"You have to win," quarterback Chad Pennington said. "You have to win not only to prove to yourself but everybody in the organization that what we're doing is working and we're heading in the right direction. All it means is we are 2-2, hip-hip hooray. That's it."

It is much better than after the 31-10 loss at Arizona on Sept. 14, and the two wins have confirmed what the players believed all along.

"We believed in this locker room that we could win," said defensive tackle Vonnie Holliday, who teamed with linebacker Channing Crowder to stop LaDainian Tomlinson on fourth-and-goal from the Miami 1 on the first play of the fourth quarter. "This has to confirm it."

Holliday isn't convinced the victories will get the Dolphins the respect they want.

"They said we beat New England because Tom Brady and Laurence Maroney weren't there," Holliday said. "They'll say we won today because San Diego had a letdown. We're still fighting for respect, and we know that."

Ronnie Brown takes a snap in the Wildcat formation. (Getty Images)

The Dolphins, 1-15 last year, have already won one more game this season, but they have created a little buzz and injected some hope into a season that was in trouble after two games.

They have used the Wildcat, where running back Ronnie Brown takes a direct snap from the shotgun, to give their offense a new dimension. It breaks the NFL's traditional offensive mold.

That mold has the quarterback under center or in the shotgun and uses the I-formation, split backs or one back with two tight ends or multiple wide receivers. Players line up where defenses aren't accustomed to seeing them.

Pennington moves to wide receiver. Running back Ricky Williams is in the left slot, where he stays or goes in motion. Running back Patrick Cobbs is in the right slot. There is also an unbalanced line.

"It is still football," Brown said. "It does nothing more than change the rhythm. The defense has to prepare for it and react to it. There's not a lot of time to react. It is quick-hitting and develops in a hurry."

Dolphins quarterback coach David Lee ran it at Arkansas with Darren McFadden, now with Oakland, and Felix Jones, now with Dallas. Brown and Williams provide similar personnel, so it really isn't a gimmick.