The tandem shuffle with Vernon Carey in the end zone after his 5-yard touchdown run? That was actually Carey's idea.

The left-hand-on-helmet, right-hand-flicking-football demonstration after the game-sealing first down? That was a copy of LaDanian Tomlinson's signature touchdown celebration -- a final ''Take that!'' to last year's conference finalists.

Ronnie Brown -- despite being tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns-- has yet to trademark his celebration.

He might want to put some thought into developing one. He will be there quite a few more times.

What we have watched the past two weeks isn't the result of some unorthodox formation. Last season, when he started his impressive stretch of football with a Week 3 breakthrough, Brown was lined up as an ordinary running back.

What we're watching is a continuation of a franchise-caliber running back hitting his prime -- a process only interrupted by a devastating knee injury.

COMEBACK KING

These 2-2 Dolphins are putting together a lengthy list of previously unthinkable achievements. Among them: a quarterback who can remain the most accurate of all-time despite what many consider a suspect receiving corps; a rookie head coach transforming the culture of a franchise while not being afraid to be innovative; a thorough demolishing of the New England Patriots followed by a sound win over the Chargers for an actual winning streak.

None of them really compare, though, to the resurrection of Brown just 11 months after knee-reconstruction surgery. It's an injury that normally takes twice as long to experience a full recovery.

But Brown didn't only come back to the challenge of playing with a reconstructed knee. He came back to another head coach this season, his third in four years in the league.

He came back to another quarterback, the eighth different Miami starter since his rookie season, in another offense.

He came back to Ricky Williams receiving all the adulation for returning to a team that was 1-15 and being the dedicated professional many thought he wasn't. So adored was Williams entering the season that it was Brown who started to be considered the insurance policy and Williams the primary running back option -- a thought only strengthened by Williams getting the start in Week 1.

And through two weeks of this season, Brown was barely getting any burn, carrying the ball 17 times for 48 yards total.

Then came Week 3 against the Patriots, and that goofy-looking formation. Five touchdowns and 238 yards later, and Brown is doing more for his team with a reconstructed knee than Tomlinson is doing for his with a sore toe.

''I'm enjoying it,'' said Brown, privately among the more playful in the Dolphins locker room. ``It kind of changes your perspective of things when you go out and you're injured and not able to play and have to sit out for months at a time. It brings it back to knowing you can't play this game forever. So while you're playing, you have to enjoy it.''

His teammates might end up enjoying Brown's comeback more than he does. At least they will if he continues to play with this kind of force.

Brown did to the Chargers what Buffalo's Thurman Thomas used to do so frustratingly well against the Dolphins -- get 4 or 5 yards even when he appears to be contained. It's the way Brown was sold upon arrival from Auburn, a combination of size and speed that gets more effective as the game wears on.

Only now, he doesn't have to wait until the fourth quarter to bust through weary defenders. In the Wildcat, he's getting opportunities to drive through wary defenders. The Chargers knew Brown was the primary option in that package. But when he builds up a 6-yard head of steam and has time to scan the field and find a hole, no defender can be comfortable facing him head on.

MORE CHANCES

Brown has been so good he's rendering Williams to true back-up status (which can't be all that bad for a 31-year-old back), and he's getting more credit for touchdown-freeing blocks than touchdown runs.

''I think it's about opportunities,'' Brown said. ``The first couple weeks we were in a situation where we weren't able to run the ball. The last couple of weeks we were able to determine the way we wanted to play the game.''

This is how Brown plays, with enthusiasm, power and vision, regardless of formation or past injuries.

He's an elite running back. Now if he can only celebrate with the best of them.

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