The Harrington Family Foundation

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Randy McMichael knows this about playing with Joey Harrington: "It's fun," the Miami Dolphins tight end said. "He's real fun. I always smile. That's one thing I always know about Joey. No matter when it's good or bad, Joey always has a smile on his face.

"I always respect that because I'm right across in the huddle so I get to see him more than anybody. It's just fun to look at that smile."

Smiles have been in short supply for the Dolphins through the first five weeks of the season. Miami is 1-4 as it tries to salvage its season beginning Sunday against its AFC East nemesis, the New York Jets, at 4:05 p.m. at the Meadowlands.

Harrington will be making his second start at quarterback for the Dolphins while Daunte Culpepper continues to rehabilitate his surgically repaired right knee.

Although the Dolphins lost 20-10 at New England last week, there were some encouraging signs under Harrington's direction. Most notably, he was only sacked once. Culpepper had been sacked 21 times in Miami's previous four games.

However, lest one think that proves Harrington is a better fit for the Dolphins than Culpepper, it should be pointed out Miami went to a quick passing game against the Patriots. That switch called upon Harrington to take shorter drops and get rid of the ball quickly — more quickly than what Culpepper had been asked to do.

Quicker passes also meant Miami's offensive line — which has less than distinguished itself this season — didn't have to hold its blocks as long.

"I think when I get rid of the ball quickly, then it gives them the confidence," Harrington said. "I don't think what everybody realizes is, everybody feeds off of each other. It's not one player that makes a difference. It's not one player that wins or loses a football game. Everybody feeds off of each other on offense and on defense. If I can get the ball out a few times, get it out of my hands, it makes the offensive linemen feel good.

"There were times during the game that I got hit and I kind of joked around with one of our O-lineman and he said, 'it's not going to happen again.' I came up to him after the game and said, 'hey, you know what? It didn't. You played a great game. Good job.' So when I can get the ball out of my hands quicker it gives the offensive linemen that much more confidence."

It also discouraged the Patriots from blitzing as much as teams had been coming after Miami in its first four games.

The Patriots blitzed heavily to start the game, but in the second half, that number dropped dramatically. That could be the case again Sunday.

Because there is no timetable for Culpepper's return, there is no telling how long Harrington will be the Dolphins starter.

One Dolphin who probably doesn't mind seeing Harrington under center again is wide receiver Wes Welker, who caught a career high nine passes against New England.

Welker said Harrington and Culpepper are similar in that they both have strong arms and are good competitors.

"He studies the game," Welker said of Harrington. "He knows what's going on. He's got a great arm, really accurate. I feel there's some plays where I was turning around and the ball was there, and he does some really impressive things out there."

Harrington drew criticism in Detroit because of his laid-back manner off the field. One of his nicknames was "Joey Blue Skies" because he would always try to put a positive spin on things after a loss and not display frustration.

Dolphins coach Nick Saban, however, cautioned that it's probably a good idea for players to have a different persona on the field and off.

"Chris Evert's probably as nice a person as God ever created, but as a tennis player, she was pretty competitive," the coach said. "I think when you get between the lines, your competitive disposition changes. It starts with wanting to be good. It's important to you, and you're willing to work and invest your time in doing what you need to do to be good. That doesn't mean that your personality has to have some set of characteristics off the field.

"Most of the time, you're much better off if you have guys that don't carry what happens, especially in football, on the field to off the field because the type of game it is, that's not really the kind of representation you're looking for in the streets. I can't really explain it any more than that."

The Dolphins will likely be playing without starting receiver Marty Booker, who injured his chest against New England and is listed as doubtful. If he can't go, rookie Derek Hagan will likely make his first NFL start.

Although Miami's defense will face a challenge from the what the Jets call their Sugar (no) huddle offense, the Dolphins Defense may not have to look much farther than last week's tape to guess what the Jets will do defensively.

First-year New York coach Eric Mangini was the Patriots defensive coordinator last year and worked extensively under New England coach Bill Belichick.

"The Jets are a spin off of New England's defense," Harrington said. "(Mangini) ... has taken a lot of the stuff that they do in New England to what they do with the Jets. We are going to see very similar stuff. I don't want to give you too much, because they may hear it and change it. We're going to be very prepared."