BY NICK ST. DENIS
The Miami Dolphins' pass defense has been susceptible to the big play from time to time. It's also benefited from the occasional big play itself.
Miami has intercepted 14 passes through 11 games this season and will be up against a turnover-prone rookie quarterback in Geno Smith when the Dolphins travel north face the division rival New York Jets Sunday.
Smith, who has thrown seven picks and a whopping zero touchdowns over his last four games, has taken note.
"[I’m] studying a ton of film," Smith said Wednesday, via NewYorkJets.com. "They mix up the coverages, so that allows guys to be in multiple spots and their safeties do a great job at disguising coverages as well.
"So my eyes are going to be key. Seeing both safeties, seeing all the guys on the field, all 11 defenders and throwing in rhythm, throwing it on time, putting it in the right spots for my guys and allowing them to catch and run."
Smith won't have just the safeties to worry about, however. If cornerback Dimitri Patterson finally finds himself back on the field, he'll immediately bolster the Dolphins' takeaway odds. Patterson, who has been battling a groin ailment, leads the team with four interceptions in just five games of action.
On the other side, cornerback Brent Grimes has been stout covering No. 1 receivers and has three picks of his own.
"It’s going to be huge for me to use my eyes, work my feet, be able to move around the pocket and buy some time," Smith said, noting the Dolphins' also-stout defensive front. "[I need to] just execute, work in the game plan within myself and pick up first downs."
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