FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -David Harris welcomes the challenge of trying to stop the Miami Ground Machine in its tracks.
“It’s definitely a pride thing,” the New York Jets’ playmaking linebacker said.
It certainly won’t be an easy task, though. A week after facing New Orleans’ top-ranked offense, the big-talking Jets defense takes on the Miami Dolphins and their No. 1 rushing attack Monday night.
“We pride ourselves on being able to stop the run on the defensive side of the ball,” Harris said. “We know it’s going to be a smashmouth type of game and they’ll come out and give us their best shot in prime time with the lights on.”
Led by Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and some wildcat trickery, the Dolphins are averaging 183.5 yards rushing a game.
the run game.”
The Jets are ranked fourth in overall defense, but haven’t been dominant against the run. They’re 13th in run defense, allowing just over 100 yards per game – including 153 by the Saints last Sunday.
“Last week, the task was on the DBs with the Saints’ passing game,” defensive end Shaun Ellis said. “This week, it’s on the front seven. I think we’re ready for it.”
Brown is third in the NFL with 369 yards rushing, averaging 92.3 yards a game.
“He’s dynamic, can do so much and hurt you in so many different ways,” DeVito said. “You’ve always got to have your eye on him and when he’s in there, just buckle up because it’s time to run.”
Having outside linebacker Calvin Pace back in the mix should be a big boost. Pace missed the first four games after being suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy.
“Not that we couldn’t have used him the three weeks before, but last week I thought we could really have used him a lot,” Ellis said. “I think he would’ve been able to make some key plays to help us. Now that we have him back, you’re going to see the difference in our defense.”
Pace, who led the Jets last season with seven sacks, is expected to help the pass rush and boost the run support. Despite causing fits for opposing quarterbacks, New York has only four sacks.
“My plan is to go out there and get more pressure on the quarterback,” Pace said. “You can’t do that enough, and stop the run, especially this week coming up with two great running backs. I want to go out and do the same thing I did last year: cause some turnovers, fumbles and just go out and be an impact player.”
Pace will be looking for the quickest path to Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne, who’ll make his second NFL start in place of the injured Chad Pennington.
“We’ve only seen one game with Henne, so we’re not exactly sure what he’s going to do, but they’re the No. 1 rushers in football,” DeVito said. “No matter what quarterback is in there, that’s what’s going to be the key to stopping them.”
And, then there’s also that pesky wildcat formation to worry about.
“It’s very difficult, but the one thing is all the runs count the same,” Ellis said. “Whether it’s wildcat or regular, they still count as the same runs. It’s just a little trickery with who gets the ball in the wildcat.”
Brown has lined up behind center in the wildcat, and so has quarterback Pat White, among others, creating a confusing and effective weapon in the offense.
“It’s a pain in the tail,” coach Rex Ryan said. “It’s just a body punch. It takes preparation time. They may run it, they may not run it, but you’ve got to be prepared for it. They’re going to run their regular offense, but if you’re not prepared for it, they’re going to run that all day long like you’ve seen on tape.”
Ryan takes comfort in the fact that he has had previous success against it. His Baltimore defense held Miami to 71 yards rushing in their regular-season game last season, and 52 yards in the playoffs.
“I’m not flinching,” Ryan said. “We’ll be ready.”
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