Four Dolphins rookies had major roles Sunday -- Vontae Davis, Sean Smith, Brian Hartline and Chris Clemons. But what's the deal with Pat White (13 snaps all season) and Patrick Turner (who hasn't played)?
Despite playing less, Ted Ginn Jr. managed to provide more. The Dolphins' new challenge: How do you get the most out of Ginn?
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Dolphins are a team with character. The Jets are a bunch of jerks.
That, as much as Sunday's 30-25 final at the Meadowlands, is the difference between the bitter AFC East rivals.
The Dolphins hold deed and title to the AFC East as defending division champions. The Jets act like they own the division, albeit with thoroughly unearned bravado.
Recently demoted wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. answered his critics in a big way Sunday, returning a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns and Miami's defense held the Jets out of the end zone when it mattered most as the Dolphins improved to 3-0 in the AFC East.
Even upon further coaching review of the game film, the Dolphins rookie cornerbacks didn't play the victim role often Sunday in their first start as a duo.
The Dolphins defense got big plays from Randy Starks and Jason Taylor to avoid blowing a big lead for the second week in a row.
The Jets were left bewildered after outgaining Miami 378-104 in total yards and shutting down the Wildcat, yet still losing.
Asked after Sunday's win if he had a sleepless night knowing he would start three rookies in the secondary against the Jets, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano made it clear how nerve-racking the situation became.
Nobody does Halloween costume parties like Channing Crowder.
Dressed as tennis star and Dolphins minority owner Serena Williams, the Dolphins linebacker had jaws dropping when he arrived at O.J. McDuffie's annual holiday event at Signature Grand last Monday.
Chad Henne didn't make a big mistake, and that was good enough on a day the wind was swirling and the Jets defense was ornery.
With Channing Crowder (shoulder) out, Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor manned the middle for the Dolphins.
When the Dolphins face the Jets on Sunday, expect a physical game from the two rivals. However, they may tweak their game plans from the last meeting on Oct. 12.
The Dolphins' disappointing start generated plenty of commentary from team alums at Don Shula's and O.J. McDuffie's charity events last week. Ted Ginn Jr. drew derision from several former Dolphins for drops and his penchant for running out of bounds.
Four words.
Six syllables. That's all it takes to stain and scar your name. All the good work before it, all the good decades of good words and good syllables and good professionalism gets swallowed in a hiccup. How have we arrived in this place where so little dark can envelope so much light?
They say they're better than last year. The Dolphins promise they've made leaps in various areas and point to talent upgrades all over the field and that, they insist, is proof this 2-4 team is better than last year's team that was also 2-4 after six games.
The Dolphins shredded the Jets for 268 rushing yards in their first meeting. That performance surprised the Jets, but one wonders what they can do about it because they have since lost nose tackle Kris Jenkins, their best run-stopper, to a season-ending injury.
Anthony Fasano and Joey Haynos have modest reception statistics so far, but is that a byproduct of the Dolphins' running game or their failure to get open?
Although middle linebacker Channing Crowder missed all the practice reps this week as the Dolphins installed their defensive game plan for the Jets, coach Tony Sparano said he doesn't anticipate any problems with Crowder being mentally ready if his left shoulder is ready to go Sunday.
Miami's Lousaka Polite said he has no problem being a fullback, an unglamorous position but one crucial to the running game's success.
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