Jets show some tricks to take 13-10 lead after 3 quarters on Dolphins
By Antonio Gonzalez, APMonday, October 12, 2009
Jets led Dolphins 13-10 after 3 quarters
MIAMI — The Jets faked two punts in some trickery of their own, and Ronnie Brown had the Miami Dolphins driving with their new wildcat wrinkle as New York led 13-10 after three quarters Monday night.
Punter Steve Weatherford ran 26 yards on the first fake, shaking Cameron Wake and scampering down the sideline to setup a 3-yard touchdown catch by new Jets receiver Braylon Edwards.
Brad Smith took a direct snap for a 12-yard gain and a first down on a second-quarter fake leading to the first of two field goals by Jay Feely, who connected from 40 and 43 yards. Feely’s kicks gave him a streak of 22 straight, tying Pat Leahy’s franchise record.
The Dolphins ran the wildcat five straight times in a third-quarter drive, giving themselves a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line heading to the fourth quarter.
This game was full of deception.
Brown threw his first pass of the season out of the wildcat 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 ended the opening drive a 1-yard TD run, and Dan Carpenter made a 35-yard field goal with 57 seconds remaining in the first quarter to put Miami in front 10-7.
The Jets got a big boost from their newest piece.
Edwards, who was acquired from Cleveland for two draft choices and two players last week, had two catches for 20 yards in the half and even got a hug from quarterback Mark Sanchez on the sideline after the touchdown. Edwards also caught a 17-yard pass in New York’s scoring drive in the second quarter.
But there were more tricks to be had.
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.
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