Arnsparger had built an envious reputation as the architect of the Dolphins defense which helped the team to two Super Bowl championships.

However, the Dolphins defense was a little suspect.

Never mind that the Dolphins defense held Tennessee to 243 total yards.

Although Miami quarterback Bob Griese completed only 4 passes, the Dolphins defense shut out the Colts.

The Dolphins defense held Jets quarterback Richard Todd to only 15 of 37 completions for 103 yards and intercepted five of his passes.

The Dolphins defense, which has generally been much stronger this season, didn't think too much of itself after today's game.

Add the return of linebacker John Offerdahl, who missed the last 10 games of last season with a knee injury, and the Dolphins defense looks formidable.

Under Bates, the Dolphins defense finished no lower than 10th in the NFL in yards allowed from 2000-04.

On Sunday, he faced a compliant Dolphins defense and wrecked it.

The Colts used an extra week to stew over it with their bye and return against a hot Dolphins defense.