Dolphins Finally Give In to the Gimmick

Many analysts and Monday morning quarterbacks have pegged the defense and the fourth quarter collapse for the Dolphins disappointing loss to the Buffalo Bills.

But the game and the season was really lost in the first six minutes of the game. That's when Coach Sparano effectively gave in to the outside media and critics and caved in the Dolphins playoff hopes.

After more than a year of saying the Wildcat offense is not a gimmick for this team, Sparano turned wine into tainted water with one play call.

With the Dolphins systematically driving the ball down the field while running it down the throats of the Bills defenders, Sparano inexcusably allowed a half back pass from Ricky Williams to be called from the three-yard line out of the Wildcat formation.

Sure, Ronnie Brown had thrown for touchdowns in the red zone. But Ricky ain't Ronnie. And when you're facing an inferior opponent, why let them off the hook with a trick play that has a slim chance at succeeding?

In the immortal words of Dennis Green, the Dolphins were who we thought they were, until that call.

After receiving a punt, the Dolphins embarked on their customary nine-play, eat up the clock and tire out your defense drive that led them from midfield to the Bills 3-yard line. Williams had 32 yards rushing including 11 from consecutive plays in the Wildcat formation.

First and goal and Williams is back in the shotgun and every Dol-fan at home eating a left over turkey sandwich knows what's coming and knows the Bills can't stop it. Williams gets the snap and then hesitates at the line.

Oh no, Dolphins fan screams while chucking the last bit of cranberry sauce against the wall.

Result? Interception. No touchdown. And validation for all the doubters and criticisms of the Wildcat. What's more important, that play may define the Dolphins season more than any other, including the season-ending injury to Brown.

The Dolphins will have to win out to even sniff the playoffs and even that might not be enough to get them in. The play call adds to the list of Sparano questionable coaching decisions that have cost the team games. Terrible time out calls. Using fuzzy math to justify going for two points. Allowing Ted Ginn Jr. to see the field beyond special teams.

Miami has arguably the toughest remaining road of all the playoff contenders and the Bills was their one gimme game. Sparano and the coaches turned it into a mulligan with one play call.

So much for gimmicks.