DAVIE, Fla. (AP) -- Playing cornerback in the NFL requires the ability to single-handedly stop 220-pound running backs and shut down 6-foot-2 receivers.

It also helps to have a short memory and plenty of attitude.

The cornerbackss for the Miami Dolphins (2-0), largely considered one of the best duos in the league, have it all. They'll probably need it Monday night against the Buffalo Bills (2-1), whose receiving tandem of Eric Moulds and Andre Reed put up big numbers against the Dolphins last year.

"The attitude we have is that we're going to challenge you," Miami cornerback Terrell Buckley said. "We understand that you're going to make some plays, but our whole goal is to make more plays than you. We have to believe in our ability and we have to have what I call selective memory."

Sam Madison, who starts opposite Buckley, said he has learned the same in his three years in the league.

"You have to have attitude with the style of defense we're playing," Madison said. "You're going to be flagged and get beat for touchdowns. But you have to be strong and have amnesia."

Whether it's called selective memory or amnesia, the ability to block out the recent past is a basic necessity for playing one of the toughest defensive positions on the field. Any cornerback knows that one step, sometimes even less, can make the difference between a turnover and a touchdown.

A little forgetfulness also helps cornerbacks like Buckley and Madison maintain their usual swagger.

"That's part of that attitude," Dolphins secondary coach Mel Phillips said. "If you make a bad play, you've got to have the attitude that either they were lucky or you've got a way to correct it. You've got to be able to blank it out, forget it, and go to the next play. And if you don't do that, you're going to have a long day."

One thing the Dolphins certainly haven't forgotten about is the damage Bills receivers have done to them in the past.

Reed, a 16-year veteran, has 120 regular-season catches for 1,711 yards against Miami, the most by any receiver against the Dolphins. In the three meetings last season, Reed caught 12 passes for 147 yards, numbers that pale in comparison to Moulds'.

Moulds hauled in 17 passes for 380 yards and scored three touchdowns, one in each game. Moulds, who led the AFC last season with 1,368 yards receiving, torched the Dolphins' secondary for an NFL postseason record 240 yards in the first round of the 1998 playoffs.

"Most people were downplaying him when he first got in the league, but he made a quick turnaround last year," Madison said. "He's a great receiver because he's big and physical and he doesn't like for you to put your hands on him. That's my style -- to put my hands on you -- so it's going to be a great match. We have to be able to cover him."

And Reed, too.

"Everybody talks about Eric, but Andre Reed is still topnotch," Buckley said. "We can't forget about him."

Moulds and Reed might be the least of the Dolphins' worries.

Buckley and Madison also have to deal with officials who seem to be dropping flags about as often as NASCAR.

The duo, which is one of the most aggressive in the league, was flagged a combined five times for pass interference during Miami's 19-16 win over Arizona two weeks ago.

"It's not just us; it's around the league," Buckley said. "But we're not going to change anything. You have to ask yourself, do I want to give up seven (points) and do what they tell us to do, or do I want get that holding call and make them earn it? If you're the head coach, what would you decide?"

That's been an easy call for Miami.

"I think their defense relies on them to shut down receivers and they do a good job at it," Reed said. "Then again, sometimes it can get them in trouble."

It did last year, but the Dolphins still won two of the three meetings, including the most important one, a 24-17 win in the playoffs.

"We blew a lot of coverages and they took advantage of it," Buckley said. "Thumbs up to them. But I honestly don't think that's going to happen this game."

BUFFALO Season schedule and results

MIAMI Season schedule and results

September 12 @Indianapolis L 14-31 September 19 NY Jets W 17-3 September 26 Philadelphia W 26-0 October 4 @Miami 9:00pm ET October 10 Pittsburgh 1:00pm ET October 17 Oakland 1:00pm ET October 24 @Seattle 4:15pm ET October 31 @Baltimore 1:00pm ET November 7 @Washington 1:00pm ET November 14 Miami 1:00pm ET November 21 @NY Jets 1:00pm ET November 28 New England 1:00pm ET December 12 NY Giants 1:00pm ET December 19 @Arizona 8:20pm ET December 26 @New England 1:00pm ET January 2 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET

September 13 @Denver W 38-21 September 19 Arizona W 19-16 October 4 Buffalo 9:00pm ET October 10 @Indianapolis 4:15pm ET October 17 @New England 1:00pm ET October 24 Philadelphia 1:00pm ET October 31 @Oakland 4:05pm ET November 7 Tennessee 8:20pm ET November 14 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET November 21 New England 1:00pm ET November 25 @Dallas 4:15pm ET December 5 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET December 12 @NY Jets 4:05pm ET December 19 San Diego 1:00pm ET December 27 NY Jets 9:00pm ET January 2 @Washington 4:15pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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