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Posted on Friday, 11.06.09

DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK

Sunday's game all about Miami Dolphins matching wits with Patriots

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BY DAVID J. NEAL

dneal@MiamiHerald.com

Nobody likes to say it, but Sunday's game might be decided by who can fool whom, at least when the Dolphins have the ball.

Last year in Foxborough, Mass., the Dolphins unveiled their updated single wing, the Wildcat, while New England had Matt Cassel starting only his second game after Tom Brady's injury. Both coaching staffs clearly were nervous -- the Patriots limited Cassel's repertoire, and Dolphins coach Tony Sparano admitted Thursday he thought the Wildcat might be a one-shot appearance and just hoped running back Ronnie Brown handled the snap properly.

Sunday, New England comes in with an offense that has put up 94 points over the past two games and won't change. They spread three or four receivers and make you play them straight up while holding a few running plays in the holster. But the Dolphins come in with the young quarterback, Chad Henne, making only his fifth NFL start against a defense overseen by Patriots coach and defensive ace Bill Belichick.

``They always keep you on your toes, and they don't give you the same coverage back-to-back,'' Henne said. ``They are always making the quarterback think, which is a lot of film study for me -- understanding what they are going to bring on first and second down and also third down. I just have to be ready for a lot of changeups and adjust on the go.''

Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning doesn't see much difference in Belichick's version of the 3-4 defense other than the Patriots activate only five defensive linemen instead of six. So, when the Pats want a 4-3 look, they just ask a linebacker to line up as a defensive end but still play like a linebacker.

``I think he's good at disguising his problems,'' Henning said. ``Masking his deficiencies. That's what you're supposed to do in this business, whether on offense, defense or special teams. They've been successful because they know how to do that.''

As for the Wildcat, which has been stuffed the past six halves by blitzing cornerbacks, Sparano was asked if throwing the ball out of the Wildcat would be a way to counter that tactic.

``Maybe,'' he said coyly.

INJURY UPDATES

For the second consecutive day, Dolphins middle linebacker Channing Crowder (shoulder) and nose guard Jason Ferguson (elbow) were classified as having ``limited participation'' in practice. During the early portion of Thursday's practice, Charlie Anderson, usually outside linebacker Joey Porter's backup, ran drills with the inside linebackers.

Patriots defensive end Ty Warren (ankle), who didn't practice Wednesday, joined tight end Ben Watson (back) on New England's ``limited'' list Thursday. Not practicing for the second consecutive day were offensive tackle Matt Light (knee); running backs Fred Taylor (ankle) and Sammy Morris (knee); defensive end Jarvis Green (knee); wide receiver Julian Edelman (forearm); and cornerback Jonathan Wilhite (illness).

GINN STRATEGY

Sparano said he didn't expect the Patriots to kick away from Ted Ginn Jr., the NFL's No. 1 kickoff returner (34.9-yard average).

``I would be more surprised if they kicked it really deep to Ted,'' Sparano said. ``I kind of think that probably what's going to happen is maybe they're coaching that ball to land 10-yard line or so, see if they can't squeeze the field . . . that way as opposed to kicking it two yards deep and letting him handle it that way.''

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