"Just a great turnaround from going from where they were last year, nearly going 0-16 and turning it around and making a run like they have for the playoffs," said Shula, who was watching snow fall in Vail, Colo., while on vacation this week with his family, including 21 children and grandchildren.

"The refreshing part of the whole story is Chad Pennington, what he's done and what he's meant to the team, his leadership; his play has been just great.

"They've improved in all areas. Having that kind of leadership has made them what they are this year."

Shula favorably compared Pennington to Bob Griese, the Hall of Fame quarterback who helped guide the Dolphins to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1972 and '73.

"Griese was a great field general and you see a lot of that same thing in Pennington," Shula said. "He's just in complete control out there. The things that he's doing with his receivers and running backs also remind me a lot of what Peyton Manning does with his receivers in the Indianapolis offense."

Shula's teams were known for being among the least penalized in the league and for committing fewer turnovers, two mantras of rookie coach Tony Sparano.

"The thing that I felt strongly about is never beat yourself," Shula said. "Bill [Parcells] has stayed in the background and Sparano's the guy on the frontline. He's the one out there having to make the decisions and making all the calls on game day. I'm sure he's had lot of help from Bill, but you got to give him credit for the job he's done."

Sparano's offensive coordinator, Dan Henning, worked for Shula from 1979-80.

"You see that offense this year and that confidence, that big-play ability, they got that special play [Wildcat], all the things that keep defenses honest and makes them do a lot more work in preparation for the Dolphins' offense," Shula said.

Shula said last year was especially tough because he noticed Dolphins fans being replaced at home by fans from opposing teams.

"Last year was so difficult because when I first got here people rooted for the team from the areas where they came from, and after we had that success in '72 and '73 they all became Dolphins fans," Shula said. "I think this year it's taken a big step toward getting those fans back and being proud of being Dolphins fans again."

Just like Sparano and his players, Shula isn't in a rush to see this season end.

"They've got to do what they've been doing, take each game separately, prepare for it and make the plays to win that game," he said.

"They certainly have the right to be proud of what they've done, but it will be accentuated if they continue to win. . . . I'm sure they'll work hard to get that done this week."

By Sunday, Shula said he would be out of the snow and in Dolphin Stadium rooting his favorite team back into prominence where he had them for nearly a quarter of a century.