" Although middle linebacker Channing Crowder missed all the practice reps this week as the Dolphins installed their defensive game plan for the Jets, coach Tony Sparano said he doesn't anticipate any problems with Crowder being mentally ready if his left shoulder is ready to go Sunday.

``You always worry about a guy being prepared mentally if they don't practice,'' Sparano said. ``But from Channing's standpoint, I don't worry about that stuff. He is smart enough mentally to be one of our coaches.''

Crowder's physical readiness, on the other hand, is officially ``doubtful,'' according to Friday's injury report. Statistically, the Dolphins' rush defense is hampered greatly without Crowder, allowing an average of 168 rushing yards over the past five games he has missed. And when he missed the second half against Oakland in 2007, the Raiders, after running for 101 yards on 25 carries in the first half, ran for 198 on 24 carries in the second half. The Jets come in with the NFL's No. 1 rushing offense, with consecutive games of at least 300 rushing yards.

Sparano explained Friday why the overall defense drops off so much without a player who rarely gets a sack or interception, or causes or recovers a fumble.

``Channing makes a lot of tackles,'' he said. ``The guy is all over the place, and when he is not making tackles, he is not a selfish player. In other words, he is giving himself up so somebody else can make a tackle, one way or other. If he is supposed to spill something, he spills it. If he is supposed to send it out, he sends it out. The guy does a bunch of those things, but he is also the quarterback out here.'' "