National Football League

Chargers run version of wildcat called 'Wild Dog'

Published Aug. 11, 2010 5:31 a.m. ET

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The San Diego Chargers spent a portion of Tuesday afternoon's practice working in the ''Wild Dog,'' a version of the wildcat formation featuring rookie running back and Fresno State Bulldog alum Ryan Mathews taking a direct snap.

The team did so last year as well, emulating a run-based formation made popular by the Miami Dolphins where a running back lines up behind center.

Then it was called the ''Wild Frog'' in homage to now-departed running back and TCU alum LaDainian Tomlinson, who ran it a year ago.

''The experiences we had with it - especially when you don't use it much - were beneficial,'' coach Norv Turner said. ''We're not going to major in it by any means.''

The formation fits Mathews' skill set. The No. 12 overall selection was a running quarterback in high school and can throw fairly well. The Chargers have options within the formation, given that receiver Legedu Naanee was a former quarterback and running back Darren Sproles can run and throw short passes well.

''That's a good formation for us,'' Turner said. ''The thing I learned from watching Miami run it is that when everything gets spread out the back has room to improvise. With Ryan and Darren, we can do some of those things.''

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