Comments on: Countdown To Training Camp: Getting Defensive http://phinphanatic.com/2009/07/12/countdown-to-training-camp-getting-defensive/ A Miami Dolphins blog Sat, 11 Sep 2010 00:51:36 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jay in Raleigh http://phinphanatic.com/2009/07/12/countdown-to-training-camp-getting-defensive/comment-page-1/#comment-3118 Jay in Raleigh Wed, 15 Jul 2009 19:18:00 +0000 http://phinphanatic.com/?p=4251#comment-3118 Brian, don't discount Jason Allen's contributions on special teams. He may be a bust as a 1st round pick, but I think you'd have a hard time arguing that either Billingsly, Thomas, or Nathan Jones for that matter, are significant upgrades over Allen. Taking into account that JA is possibly the team's top flier on the coverage unit, he may have an inside track for a roster spot. JA actually was playing respectable football before getting injured. Yes, he was abused by Moss, but he otherwise played pretty well. Also, I'd say there'll probably be 6 CBs and 4 Ss on the final roster. Corners: WAllen - lock VDavis - lock SSmith - lock EGreen - He certainly doesn't make enough to make cutting him a problem; he probably sticks, but I believe he has to play well NJones - Obviously a 'Parcells guy', he's a steady player with limited upside; I think he could be passed if the guys behind him on the depth chart show they're more than 'a guy' JAllen - If he can pick up where he left off pre-injury and develop further, I can't see him getting cut, especially given his ST contributions; just because he was a 1st round bust doesn't mean he can't be a useful player JThomas - Likely faces uphill battle to make roster; competing with Billingsly to be first CB brought in as injury replacement WBillingsly - see JThomas Safeties: YBell - lock GWilson - lock TCulver - lock CClemons - big hitter from the deep safety position, apparently looked better than expected in coverage during OTAs; really complements Culver as backup S tandem, needs to contribute on STs CBryan - Similarly to last 2 CBs, competing with Kilmer to be first injury replacement; not likely to make roster otherwise EKilmer - See CBryan TCulver - lock Brian, don’t discount Jason Allen’s contributions on special teams. He may be a bust as a 1st round pick, but I think you’d have a hard time arguing that either Billingsly, Thomas, or Nathan Jones for that matter, are significant upgrades over Allen. Taking into account that JA is possibly the team’s top flier on the coverage unit, he may have an inside track for a roster spot. JA actually was playing respectable football before getting injured. Yes, he was abused by Moss, but he otherwise played pretty well.
Also, I’d say there’ll probably be 6 CBs and 4 Ss on the final roster. Corners:
WAllen – lock
VDavis – lock
SSmith – lock
EGreen – He certainly doesn’t make enough to make cutting him a problem; he probably sticks, but I believe he has to play well
NJones – Obviously a ‘Parcells guy’, he’s a steady player with limited upside; I think he could be passed if the guys behind him on the depth chart show they’re more than ‘a guy’
JAllen – If he can pick up where he left off pre-injury and develop further, I can’t see him getting cut, especially given his ST contributions; just because he was a 1st round bust doesn’t mean he can’t be a useful player
JThomas – Likely faces uphill battle to make roster; competing with Billingsly to be first CB brought in as injury replacement
WBillingsly – see JThomas

Safeties:
YBell – lock
GWilson – lock
TCulver – lock
CClemons – big hitter from the deep safety position, apparently looked better than expected in coverage during OTAs; really complements Culver as backup S tandem, needs to contribute on STs
CBryan – Similarly to last 2 CBs, competing with Kilmer to be first injury replacement; not likely to make roster otherwise
EKilmer – See CBryan
TCulver – lock

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