Need To Keep Momentum Going 

We have had two good wins in a row, two hard-fought victories that required a total team effort. We know that there are some things we need to clean up a little bit, areas where we know we need to improve. Everyone knows that the goal for us is not to be the best team in September. The goal is to play our best football in December, January and February.

Our defense is making progress. I don't think early on that there was any kind of psychological adjustment to our time on the field without Shawne Merriman, because we all had the idea in training camp that he might not be able to play. We were all very proud of Shawne for going out there in that first game and laying it on the line for the team.

But once we got going, it was a matter of us as individuals to take it upon ourselves to make the plays that Shawne had made in the past. This is a team game. We have some very talented individuals here who knew they needed to pick up the slack.

Last Sunday against the Raiders, we fell into a hole and just kept fighting. We kind of had a bend-but-don't-break attitude on the defense. We gave up a big play or two early on, and then we kept the game in front of us. We hung in there and we kept it close, and we know that with all the talent we have on offense, that those guys would get us back in the game and get us a lead.

We were able to close it out, which was a great feeling after having a couple of chances to do that earlier in the season. We want to be in that position. We want to close games.

I feel like I'm personally coming along through the first quarter of the season. Missing time in training camp definitely affected me and now I think things are coming together for me with my pass rush and in the run game. More than anything, my focus is to pressure the passer and to work on my one-on-one battles in the run game.

This week we play the Dolphins. They played great football against the Patriots two weeks ago and have had a week to rest. They have some firepower offensively, some very good players, and I'm sure they are going to have a good game plan in place. We know we are going to get their best shot.

Travelling to the East Coast requires an adjustment. We're on the road, and we have to deal with the elements of playing in Miami, so we have to keep our focus and take care of business on Sunday.