FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The war of words between the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins escalated Thursday, with Dolphins center Mike Pouncey calling Jets linebacker Aaron Maybin "a joke" and claiming they will target Maybin in Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium.

"You can tell Aaron Maybin we'll be after him on Sunday," Pouncey said on ESPN New York 98.7 FM's "Stephen A. Smith & Ryan Ruocco" show.

Pouncey was responding to remarks from Maybin and Jets safety LaRon Landry, both of whom made inflammatory comments Wednesday about Dolphins running back Reggie Bush. Maybin told ESPNNewYork.com, "We want to knock him out, but we're out to do it legally."

That drew the ire of Pouncey, who fired back by saying Maybin doesn't have enough credibility to speak out.

"I can respect LaRon Landry, what he said, (because) he's a starter, he's a proven player in this league," Pouncey said. "For Aaron Maybin to open his mouth, I just don't understand it.

"It's going to be a physical game. Hearing that from a guy known as one of the biggest busts in NFL history ... for him to open his mouth and say he's going to hurt our starting running back, no, we're not going to have that."

Speaking to reporters in South Florida, Pouncey said, "He won't even play enough to hurt Reggie. I don't even want to talk about him. He's a joke."

Maybin, a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills, is a situational pass-rusher for the Jets. He has played 23 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps and has recorded only four tackles.