Air Marino and Dolphins Grounded

Dan Marino, the NFL’s career passing leader, has had more success against the New York Jets than any other team. That, of course, was before Coach Jimmy Johnson changed Miami’s offense this year, an alteration that helped the Dolphins start the season 3-0.

The Dolphins are unbeaten no longer as the Jets shut down Miami’s running game, constantly pressured Marino and dominated in a 20-9 victory on Sunday.

“We had two weeks to prepare for this game and had a great game plan,” said Jet safety Victor Green, who had one of two interceptions as the Jets (2-2) held the Dolphins (3-1) to 153 yards. “We had him [Marino] frustrated. When he gets down and starts fussing at his linemen, you know he is frustrated. He’s a quarterback who doesn’t like to get hit and we got to him and got some pressure on him all day.”

The Jets, who had lost four in a row and seven of eight to Miami, had only three sacks entering the game. They doubled that against the Dolphins.

Marino, who had 7,699 yards and 67 touchdown passes against the Jets entering the game, had his worst performance in 27 games against New York, going 13 for 31 for 121 yards. The Dolphins’ running attack also sputtered with only 34 yards.

“We just didn’t have enough offense,” Marino said. “We knew what they were going to do, but we just didn’t do our job. They didn’t do anything we shouldn’t have been able to handle. If we want to be a real good team, we have to play better in games like this.”

Said Jet defensive end Anthony Pleasant: “The most important thing was stopping the running game. Then we were able to apply the pressure [on Marino].”

Jet running back Curtis Martin gained 79 yards in the first half, was held to 11 in the third quarter, and finished with 108 yards and a five-yard touchdown run.

Vinny Testaverde, starting at quarterback again in place of Glenn Foley (separated rib cartilage), connected with Keyshawn Johnson for a 10-yard touchdown. Testaverde is 2-0 as a starter, while Foley is 0-2.

“I think he knows I want to play, to be the starter,” Testaverde said of Coach Bill Parcells. “If it doesn’t go that way, I’ll just stay ready and be prepared when the time comes.”