New York Jets Run Defense vs. Miami Dolphins Run Offense

Nobody needs a reminder of what happened three weeks ago. The Dolphins ran all over the Jets with the Wildcat. That's what the Dolphins do. They run it and run it often. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown are both on pace to go over 1,000 yards this year. They do this even with a fairly punchless even if efficient passing game.

In the first meeting, the Jets got whipped up front. There was only one guy in the front seven consistently winning his matchups. He wears number 77 and is now on IR.

How do the Jets combat this rushing attack? I think they need to go as big as possible. That means a lot of 4-3 sets with Shaun Ellis and Marques Douglas at end, Sione Pouha and Howard Green at tackle, and Bart Scott, David Harris, and Calvin Pace at linebacker. Pace looked very rusty in the first game, constantly overpursuing the play. He's rounding into form and should be much more effective this time around.

I think the approach the Jets took in the first game was flawed. They showed a lot of different looks. The problem is there is very little adjustment necessary in a power rushing game. You aren't going to fool the other team. You aren't going to get them to change what they're doing. You need to find something that works and stick with it. It's all about execution. The Dolphins execute well, running for 6.6 yards per play out of the Wildcat.

The Saints contained the formation last week. What they did was run blitz from the secondary. That's the way to stop it. Part of why the Wildcat works so well is numbers. There's no quarterback handing the ball off. That means the spot the quarterback occupies in a normal offense can be used on an extra blocker. The defense has to bring extra men into the box to combat this.

This means leaving receivers in man coverage. I'm fine with that. I know Brown completed a pass on the first drive of the first game. That seemed to soften the Jets defensively. I think they should leave the corners against those receivers on an island all day. I think they can handle it. Even if they can't, I'm fine with Brown throwing it. He may hit some passes, but he's a running back. He's not used to throwing it. He can't be totally comfortable. The way to force mistakes in the National Football League is to get guys doing stuff they're not used to. Dare Brown to throw it even if it means giving up a big gain or two.