As good a job as the Miami Dolphins' linebackers have done in stopping the run (they're the No. 4 run defense in the NFL), they're leaving a lot to be desired when it comes to stopping the pass, as Shandel Richardson of the Sun Sentinel writes. Much of that struggle comes against tight ends, and the Dolphins have another tough test Sunday when they face Dustin Keller of the New York Jets.
Keller sat out against the Pittsburgh Steelers last week with a hamstring injury but is expected back Sunday. So far against tight ends in 2012, the Dolphins have given up 87 yards to Owen Daniels of the Houston Texans and 86 yards to Brandon Myers of the Oakland Raiders. Head coach Joe Philbin knows improvement is needed:
"We have to do a better job matching those guys. We thought we had relatively good position. Houston, obviously, Daniels got free a couple times on us and last week as well. There's more things from a communication standpoint, coverage-wise, that the DBs and linebackers at times have to do a better job."
The Dolphins host the Jets Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in a game televised by CBS.
For more information on the Miami Dolphins, check out the SB Nation blog The Phinsider and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more news and information on the NFL check out SB Nation's NFL hub.
