The Student of the GameGoing Beyond the Stats

Tonight Dolphins fans had a different answer when posed the question, “What can Brown do for you?” Since Miami RB Ronnie Brown, the captain of the infamous Wildcat Offense, would be missing in the feline foray against the Carolina Panthers due to injury, the answer was ‘nothing’. But despite all the coverage I’ve done over this and seasons past of the Dolphins, I somehow managed to make the same mistake the Panthers did . . . underestimate the other Miami RB, Ricky Williams who went 22 carries for 119 yards at 5.4 per carry with 2 TDs while also registering 2 catches for 19 yards with a 3rd TD as the MVP in the Phin’s 24-17 win.

The rest of the Miami offense had it’s moments of merit as QB Chad Henne went 17 of 29 (59%) with 172 yards. His only TD pass on the night was the aforementioned to Williams. WR Devon Bess (6 catches, 63 yards) made his presence felt along with WR Brian Hartline (2 catches 43 yards).

While the Panthers did have their bright spots such as QB Jake DelHomme (19/42 45%, 227 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT), RB DeAngelo Williams (13 carries, 122 yards with 9.4 yards per carry) and WR Steve Smith (7 catches for 87 yards and a TD), the ‘Phins ‘D’ stepped up big in their own way creating the game’s only turnover, sacking DelHomme 4 times (compared to Henne having no sacks against him), and mitigating 2 Carolina drives into the Red Zone to FGs. If the Panthers had TDs those 2 drives, they win 25-24 . . . food for thought indeed.

While it the thought for these 2 teams entering this game was to revive playoff hope, it is Miami who returns to .500 on the season and looks promising to complete the season with a playoff run, even though their roster is currently incomplete. The Dolphins will not be with out their challenges as their schedule features a match-up between the Patriots next week and a battle against the Steelers in Week 17.