Dolphins Bolster Their Defense for Jets Tonight

The Miami Dolphins have been known for their offense the past two seasons. To reach perfection, though, Coach Don Shula is hoping they can recapture the defensive sting of the 1982 “Killer Bees,” to complement the Dan Marino-guided attack.

Toward that end, Shula acquired former All-Pro linebacker Hugh Green from Tampa Bay last Wednesday. Green, who was unhappy with the Buccaneers and requested a trade, will be in a Miami uniform tonight when the Dolphins visit the New York Jets in a battle for first place in the AFC East.

Both teams are 4-1 after season-opening losses.

Miami will be without ace wide receiver Mark Duper (broken leg), but Marino still has Mark Clayton and Nat Moore. Also, Dan Johnson, the best receiver among Miami’s three tight ends, was reactivated last week.

At halftime, the Jets will retire the No. 12 jersey of Joe Namath, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the summer.