Miami Herald:A familiar pain returns

[TK]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/7330842.htm

KEEP AN EYE ON REDSKINS WR LAVERANUES COLES

A familiar pain returns

After tormenting the Dolphins secondary as a Jet, Coles comes back to South Florida ready to do damage as a Redskin.

BY BOB EMANUEL JR.

bemanuel@herald.com

When Laveranues Coles left the New York Jets in the offseason, few connected to the Dolphins were sad to see him go. Coles had become a thorn in the Dolphins' side, with 15 receptions for 213 yards and three touchdowns in four games against Miami's secondary.

Tonight, the Dolphins renew that rivalry with Coles when they play host to Washington at Pro Player Stadium.

''He'll be ready for us,'' Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas said. ``He's had a lot of success against us.''

Coles has paid immediate dividends with the Redskins this season. He is eighth in the NFL with 55 receptions and fifth with 818 receiving yards. He has caught 15 passes of more than 20 yards, third-most in the league, and has scored three touchdowns.

''He's had a [great] year so far,'' Thomas said. ``He's a receiver [who is] very aggressive. . . . He'll hit you. He's a receiver that's feisty. He'll move and shake and block, all that stuff.''

Coles is one of four Jets to sign with Washington in the offseason. Dubbed the ''JetSkins,'' they were instrumental in the season-opening victory over New York.

Kicker John Hall made three field goals, including the game-winner. Guard Randy Thomas started. Return specialist Chad Morton had 110 all-purpose yards. And Coles caught five passes for 106 yards.

''It just goes to show that sometimes the grass is greener on the other side,'' Coles told The Associated Press after the game.

And Coles enjoys a good running banter during games, too. Thomas said the trash-talking is expected.

''He's one who'll talk a lot of noise during the game,'' Thomas said. ``It's all good football stuff.''

It's all part of the game.

''I don't remember what he was saying, but he was saying a lot,'' Thomas recalled. ``I talked back to him, but it was only on the field. Away from the field, he was fine.''

All the talking will not diminish the impact the game can have on the teams' seasons. The Dolphins (6-4) are two games behind New England in the AFC East and would not be in the playoffs as a wild card if the season ended last week. Washington (4-6) is three games behind Dallas and Philadelphia in the NFC East.

''They are a talented football team, and we kind of find them in the same position we were in the last few weeks,'' Dolphin defensive end Jason Taylor said. ``They are looking for a win. They are going to be desperate. They are wanting to play well. That's a dangerous thing. We need to play very well.''