by Jimmy Johnson, FOXSports.com

Comment

Bill Parcells told me early in the season that he liked a bunch of his defensive players. He said that he liked a lot of his defensive linemen and this was after he traded away Jason Taylor. It is those young players and also the signing of Chad Pennington that gave the Dolphins something that they haven't had. Pennington is not necessarily a star, but he gives you consistent play at quarterback.

What they were missing was something to hang their hat on offensively, and this 'wildcat' formation has given them a change a pace while utilizing their two best offensive players, Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown. The wildcat keeps defensive players on their heels. I mean, defenses have to prepare for this wildcat power running game, and then all of a sudden, here comes Pennington at quarterback and he throws a dink pass.

It really keeps defenses off balance. A couple weeks ago, I thought other teams would start using this. I did see where New England used a direct snap in San Francisco and Kevin Faulk scored on the play.

I wouldn't want to be a defensive coordinator who had to prepare for this. For how little time it takes to install it and practice it offensively, it takes five times that much time to prepare for it defensively.

Why? Because you have to prepare for all aspects of it. On offense, you just have to work on two or three little plays. But defensively, you can start thinking, "Well, they can also do this and that out of the wildcat formation." Miami can pass and also run a reverse off it. But I am sure that Miami just practices the couple of plays that they want to run in the game.

For the offensive linemen, it's the same blocking scheme like a regular handoff or a power-run play. It's the exact same blocking. They pull the guard and run a little power run off tackle.

Now, I've been saying that I was surprised more teams aren't using the wildcat formation, but I figured out why. Most teams have a diva quarterback or a diva wide receiver or both. Now, can you see a diva quarterback being a decoy? And a diva wide receiver? The Dolphins can get away using the wildcat formation because they are not trying to appease Pennington and a wide receiver. And that's why teams don't run it, for fear that their quarterback and the receiver is going to be mad.

For example, there is no way Dallas would run the wildcat. Tony Romo wouldn't like it, and we all know Terrell Owens would hate it. Just look what happened when the University of Arkansas installed it with Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Their quarterback and their best receiver transferred to USC. And the head coach got fired. Now, that's why more teams don't install it.

The Cowboys could install it because they do have two good runners in Marion Barber and Felix Jones, who is obviously familiar with the formation.

Pennington is not going to complain about it and whoever Miami's receivers are (I don't even know their names), well, they are not going to complain. They are happy to have a job.

Old-fashioned football

It is amazing how this league and how football reverts back to what has been proven to be true — play defense, protect the football and run the football and you win. The Redskins haven't had an offensive turnover the entire year. They are running the football and like we saw against the Eagles, they are playing very good defense. And they did that without four defensive starters.

I emphasized on our Sunday show that I always evaluate coaching by whether or not the team improves as the season progresses. The Redskins were awful and completely out of rhythm that opening weekend against the New York Giants. And then 10 days later, they rallied to win, and they have looked outstanding the last couple of weeks beating Dallas and Philadelphia on the road.

The Redskins have turned things around the past two weeks with NFC East road wins over the Cowboys and Eagles. (Mel Evans / Associated Press)

Washington isn't the only surprise team. Atlanta has impressed me. They are rushing for 180 yards a game. They are protecting their young quarterback with that style of offense and by running it, well, it also helps their defense. They have won three games this year.

Mike Smith seems to have done a very good job early in the season. They made the right pick with Matt Ryan at quarterback and Michael Turner keeps everything consistent. I made a joke a few weeks ago that maybe San Diego traded the wrong guy and everybody on our pregame show laughed at me, and said, 'Go with that.' Well, I don't think the Chargers traded the wrong guy. But I do think Michael Turner is that good.

How did I know Turner had the potential to be this good? Well, there are backups and there are backups who have played a lot. Turner played a lot for the Chargers, and he was also a factor in games. He hasn't just been a guy holding a clipboard. He was a very active backup. Remember, Marion Barber was a backup not that long ago. But we pretty much knew about him, too.

Right now, I don't know how to stack up the NFC East other than to say it's the best division in the NFL. The Giants have played fantastic. The way they finished last season, winning the Super Bowl, and how they have opened 4-0 this season, how can you put any team above them?

The consensus was that the Cowboys had the most talented team, but I still question their toughness and their discipline at this stage. And we won't know for another month the way their schedule plays out. They should be 6-1 going into the Tampa Bay game. I do believe this. When these NFC East teams do get a loss, it's when they beat each other.

Now, the Eagles were a disappointment against the Redskins and in their last game, too. When I saw them play the Cowboys on Monday night, I thought they had a chance to be something special, maybe even the best in football. But they didn't look like the same team against the Redskins. I realize not having Brian Westbrook at full speed and also missing some time has cost them and gotten them out of their offensive rhythm. But they gave up over 200 yards rushing to the Redskins, and you can't win doing that. Plus, they have had these run-defense problems in the past years.

Watch out for Tennessee

The Titans are off to a 5-0 start after taking down the Ravens Sunday. (Gail Burton / Associated Press)

I do believe Tennessee is for real, and I say that because Jeff Fisher is one of the game's most respected coaches. Year in and year out, they are going to play good football. His teams are solid because he believes in defense and running the football. Rookie running back Chris Johnson has given them a spark. He has that home-run threat. I am surprised with how well Kerry Collins has played through this stretch. I am sure only Fisher believed his team had a chance to be 5-0 heading into the bye weekend.

I am not worried about Collins because when I first saw Vince Young his rookie year, I said this guy is going to be a star. He's taken a few steps backwards, but he still has that talent. So, it will be interesting to see what he can do when he comes back to play. In time, he will get back on track because he does have talent, and from everything that I know, he has a passion for the game.