"When the Dolphins unveiled the Wildcat offense last season, the Patriots were flummoxed. Coach Bill Belichick had to call a timeout and calm his team down.

Yet linebacker Jerod Mayo had seen it before. The former Tennessee star defended the original in college when Arkansas running backs Darren McFadden and Felix Jones brought it to Knoxville.

Mayo didn't hesitate when asked which scheme is the bigger challenge.

"What we're gearing up for Sunday, by far," said Mayo, whose team held the Razorbacks to 158 yards rushing in a 34-13 win on Nov. 10, 2007.

He's not sure how much his previous preparation helps.

"Arkansas ran it a lot," Mayo said. "They were the first ones to really do that. But anytime you put a guy like Ronnie Brown lining up at quarterback, it's difficult. Miami has taken it to a new level now."

Morris on way

Running back Sammy Morris could be back in two weeks, the Herald has learned.

The veteran suffered a torn MCL on his first carry against the Titans Oct. 18 and is close to returning. He'll miss the Dolphins game and likely the visit to the Colts. That means he could be back by the Jets game Nov. 22.

Morris was one of six players to miss practice, including CB Jonathan Wilhite, who is sick. . . .

The Dolphins feature two rookie cornerbacks in Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, yet Wes Welker doesn't view them as an avenue to exploit. Instead, the Pats receiver said the 6-foot-3 Smith and the 5-11, 200-pound Davis are enough to "keep our hands full."

"They're big guys and they're hungry," Welker said. "If you watch them on film, they're gaining a lot of confidence as the year goes on."

Friendly rivals

When Jason Taylor left the division prior to 2008, Tom Brady thought he'd seen the last of him.

"Then he came right back this year," Brady said. "That's not very comforting."

Brady and the playmaking defensive end will meet again Sunday in the continuation of what has become a friendly rivalry."