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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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NFL's Newest Treat: Trick Plays

Dolphins' 'Wildcat' formation not only way offenses trying to fool defenses this season

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(Newser) – Sunday’s four-touchdown performance from Miami running back Ronnie Brown may signal the year of the trick play in the NFL, USA Today reports. The Dolphins’ “Wildcat” formation, in which the running back takes a direct snap, seems likely to catch on. “This is a copycat league,” says San Diego’s LaDanian Tomlinson. “When teams start having success with something, you're going to see more of it.”

Oakland twice ran direct snaps against Buffalo on Sunday, only to have the Bills return with two of their own. Chicago even had running back Garrett Wolfe take a snap from punt formation. “It was like college with all these trick plays,” one analyst said. How will the league react? “I think we better be ready to defend it,” New England coach Bill Belichick said.

Miami running back Ronnie Brown threw a touchdown pass and ran for three scores Sunday against New England, often taking a direct snap from center in a formation known as
Miami running back Ronnie Brown threw a touchdown pass and ran for three scores Sunday against New England, often taking a direct snap from center in a formation known as "Wildcat."   (AP Photo)
"We've just scratched the surface of what we're trying to do," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano says of using running back Ronnie Brown, and other players, in unusual roles in the offense.   (AP Photo)
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Ronnie Brown scores off a direct snap against the Patriots in week 2.   (ringtone217)

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More on the 'Wildcat' formation's move from college to the NFL
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