Aqua and Brown

Last year, the only team the Dolphins could manage to get on top of was the lowly Baltimore Ravens. This year, the Dolphins have already knocked off two of the AFC’s elite teams in back to back games. On paper, the change seems improbable. Many sports pundits have theorized that it’s the wildcat formation that has caught opponents off guard. While it’s true dragging out an old high school play in a league where playmakers simply follow the leader was a brilliant decision, the element of surprise is not the sole reason it has been successful (and it was arguably less effective against the Chargers and Texabs, who surely game-planned for it). The reason it’s a good play call is the ’Fins are doing what all teams around the league should be: Putting the ball in the hands of their best player, Ronnie Brown. Remember: Brown was having an all-pro season before he was sidelined last season with a knee injury. Expect great things from him this year, starting at 1 p.m. today when the Fins take on the also-revamped Ravens at Dolphin Stadium (2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami). Tickets start at $41. Call 888-FINS-TIX, or visit ticketmaster.com.
Sun., Oct. 19, 1 p.m., 2008