Dolphins show new wildcat wrinkle, lead Jets 10-7 after 1st quarter

Dolphins lead Jets 10-7 after 1st quarter

MIAMI — Ronnie Brown showed off another wrinkle of the wildcat formation and capped the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, helping the Miami Dolphins to a 10-7 lead over the New York Jets after the first quarter Monday night.

Brown threw his first pass of the season out of the package for a 21-yard gain to Anthony Fasano, with Miami’s do-it-all running back rolling left and throwing left-handed to hit the tight end cutting across the middle. Brown capped the opening drive with the TD run, and Dan Carpenter made a 35-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining in the quarter to put Miami back in front.

But the Dolphins weren’t the only one to show some trickery.

Jets punter Steve Weatherford ran 26 yards on a fake, shaking Cameron Wake and scampering down the sideline to setup a 3-yard touchdown catch by Braylon Edwards.

It was the first catch in a Jets uniform for Edwards, who was acquired from Cleveland for two draft choices and two players last week, and he even got a hug from quarterback Mark Sanchez afterward on the sideline.

The game was full of deception early.

Ricky Williams had an 18-yard rush after taking the handoff in the wildcat and darting up Miami’s sideline a play after Brown’s pass. All those orange-clad Dolphins jerseys running wild had coach Tony Sparano pumping his fist on every big burst, which have been rare this season for Miami.

Williams caught a 59-yard pass from Chad Henne for the biggest gain of Miami’s season to set up Carpenter’s kick.

Both teams were looking to make a statement in the standings.

The Dolphins (1-3) want to climb back into the AFC East race and prove last season’s division title wasn’t a fluke. The Jets (3-1), believing they have a shot at a division championship and more, made a bold move by getting Edwards.

Miami tried to kick off the party well before the game began.

Strutting out some of their new star-studded minority owners down the “orange” carpet, the Dolphins had Marc Anthony — who has a small stake in the team — sing the national anthem. Another part owner, Gloria Estefan, sang a customized version of Monday Night Football’s opening video with Hank Williams Jr. on ESPN’s telecast that was also shown in the stadium.