Coach Nick Saban has told the media that different formations have been instilled in the playbook this week for Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. One play he says has Ronnie Brown being primary fullback with Ricky in an I-formation set. Another one has Ronnie Brown being the setback as Ricky is in motion in the WR slot position. Remember , Ronnie was a fullback in college for Carnell “Cadillac” Williams , and both got to the NFL and our having success. I think Nick Saban knows how to exploit his talent and he will utilize the speed of Ricky Williams and the blocking ability of Ronnie Brown this week in Tampa Bay.

In Tampa this week expect WR Micheal Clayton to be back after a knee injury. Joey Galloway has been catching most of the balls and with him seeing double teams this weekend expect Clayton to step up.

The Dolphins agreed to trade tailback Jesse Chatman to New Orleans this morning for an undisclosed future draft choice, a source said.

Chatman was signed by the Dolphins at the end of the preseason after tailback Ricky Williams was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Chatman, who spent his first three NFL seasons in San Diego, was inactive for all four of the Dolphins’ games this season.

The Saints need help at tailback after losing starter Deuce McAllister for the season because of a knee injury suffered in last Sunday’s 52-3 loss to Green Bay.

The Chatman trade clears a roster space for Williams, who is expected to practice with his teammates Wednesday for the first time since late August and play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Source

The Miami Dolphins moved into 1st place over the weekend when New England Patriots got
smacked around by the San Diego Chargers and the Jets and Bills also lost. This will mark the
first time the Dolphins have been in 1st place since 1999.

A Buffalo Bills team comes into town after being man handled by the New Orleans Saints. J.P. Losman the QB of the Bills had a rough outing and should have another rough time with the Miami Dolphins defense which has had a week of rest. Look for the Dolphins to win a close one.

With the Dolphins getting a bye here in week 4 it gives the team time to reflect on what it has accomplished in the first 3 weeks of the NFL. It has spanked a 1st place team in Denver Broncos. Has beaten a heavily favored to make it to the Super Bowl in Carolina Panthers. It did play suspect New York Jets and lost a tough game but alot of mistakes in that game. So, less mistakes on the road and a healthy 2 back combo with Brown and Williams should be a good fit and better balance for the team . The week rest is good for the ailing defense as well. Seau was injured but should return. Zach Thomas is everywhere. Jason Taylor is back to being dominant. The future is bright. Execution and health will mean everything.

As I said last weekend. Gus should be able to score. He did get the ball to Chambers more and attempted the deep throw connecting with him on a marvelous one-handed grab for a touchdown that was reviewed. Could be the one of the top 10 plays of the week. Looks like we made a good choice in signing Mr. Frerotte. Considering we almost signed Kurt Warner and look what he has done? 0-3. Dolphins 2-1 tied for 1st place with a bye week coming up. I like what I see out of the QB position.

I’m expecting Gus to have a 3 touchdown game come this Sunday. A battered Carolina defense should help the Miami offense that needs a boost of scoring. If they are going to have success they need to get Chris chambers involved early. Also make some attempts to get the ball down the field to Marty Booker.

This Defense is banged up.Pro bowler Kris Jenkins is out for the season.Safety Mike Minter (calf), LB Will Witherspoon (knee) and CB Ken Lucas (shoulder) are questionable while LB Dan Morgan (back), DT Jordan Carstens (ankle) and DT Brentson Buckner (knee) are probable. The fact is that the Dolphins only scored 7 points against a fiesty defense who had their backs against the wall. This week will be much easier for the Dolphins offense to move the ball down the field on an injured Carolina secondary. Look for Mr. Frerotte to post some good numbers and let Miami fans know why he is their starter.

Dolphins came out the box with a strong showing holding Hall of Famer Curtis Martin to 72 yards on 32 carries.

Defensive line and linebackers played well in most situations.

Channing Crowder stopped Curtis Martin short of the goal line forcing a fumble on fourth and goal. Unfortunately, the secondary gave up some big plays that I thought were duck passes by Pennington. He had our secondary on timing routes and you could tell they had no idea where to cover. Reggie Howard looked like he was a freshman in college playing. He was late on a few and very soft in 3rd and long situations.

The Dolphins must improve for this defense to move up in the power rankings and allow the offense a chance to win some games.

Saban agrees