Scott's newest biggest rival: The Dolphins
Photo credit: Getty/Doug Benc | MIAMI - OCTOBER 12: Running back Thomas Jones #20 of the New York Jets scores a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins at Land Shark Stadium on October 12, 2009 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Jets 31-27. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Galleries
Oct. 25: Jets 38, Oakland 0
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Bart Scott has found a new team to hate.
The Miami Dolphins.
It didn't take the Jets linebacker long to transfer his leftover antipathy for his former AFC North rival, the Steelers. Just seven weeks - and one unexpected 2-yard run up the middle by Miami running back Ronnie Brown that beat the Jets three weeks ago - was all it took.
"This is beef. It ain't got nothing to do with a must-win. To me, this is my new Pittsburgh," said Scott, a former Baltimore Raven. "I've been searching for one, and I found it."
The Dolphins embarrassed the Jets, 31-27, on Monday Night Football, courtesy of a well-implemented Wildcat offense and a 130.9 quarterback rating by Chad Henne.
But that won't happen again, Scott said. "Our pride is on the line," he said. "Everything I stand for is on the line. Everything I represent is on the line."
Sunday's rematch against the Dolphins is about more than words. It's a chance for the Jets (4-3) to save face at home. A chance for them to regain their footing in the AFC East standings. A chance to dance all over the end zone the way Brown did.
"We can't lose to these guys again," safety Kerry Rhodes said.
Before the earlier game, some Jets snickered at the Wildcat, calling it a gimmicky offense. But when it came time to stop it, they couldn't.
The suffocating Rex Ryan-configured defense had made them the team to beat in the AFC by Week 4. But since then, the self-described backbone of this team, the defense, has been scrutinized and exposed.
"When you look at the film, we were flat and uninspired," defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said of the Miami loss. "For lack of a better phrase, we laid an egg defensively."
For the first time in a long time, Ryan was at a loss and Scott was speechless. "That might be the second time I've ever been embarrassed as a defense," Scott said.
The first? When the Giants rushed for 207 yards against Scott and the visiting Ravens in a 30-10 win last November. It was the first time Baltimore gave up 200 or more rushing yards since 1997. Said Scott, "You just walk around and say, 'Damn.' "
Notes & quotes: WRs Jerricho Cotchery (hamstring) and Brad Smith (quad) will play Sunday. It'll be the first time Ryan has had his full receiving corps available since the Braylon Edwards trade earlier this month . . . CB Lito Sheppard (quad) is not expected to play.
