Dolphins First Depth Chart Surprises
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins have released their official depth chart. The first under new Head Coach Joe Philbin. The top of the QB race is not a surprise. David Garrard who has been the most consistent QB in camp thus far was named the first team QB with Matt Moore sliding into the second spot where he will either have to battle his way back to overtake Garrard or fend off surging rookie Ryan Tannehill.
The applied first string tag to Garrard came as no real surprise but the demotion of one of Miami’s cornerbacks is.
Vontae’ Davis is listed as the number two corner behind free agent acquisition Richard Marshall. It was expected or rather predicted heading into training camp that Marshall would challenge Sean Smith for his job. Smith entered training camp 28 pounds lighter, faster, and more matured. Thus far, Smith has rarely come off the field in first team drills while Davis and Marshall have rotated almost regularly.
The first reports of the depth chart come from the Miami Herald and team has not updated their website to show the changes as of yet. The Herald is also reporting that OG John Jerry is now officially the 3rd string guard which if it holds would likely put him on the NFL unemployment line sometime before the start of the season.
Moving the conversation back to Vontae Davis perhaps new defensive coordinator is sending a signal to the rest of the defensive unit that hard practices and consistency will earn playing time. Davis has a ton of athleticism but last year he struggled after a hamstring injury nagged the first month of his 2011 season.
More information about the Dolphins depth chart continues to circulate from the local media. Below are some more of the depth chart changes and notable names associated with the positions.
WR’s: Davone Bess, Legedu Naane, and Chad Johnson are the three starting WR’s with Jeff Fuller, Marlon Moore, Julius Pruitt, and Roberto Wallace listed as the top back-ups. Injured Brian Hartline is listed number 2 behind Johnson.
Artis Hicks is the number right guard and Eric Steinback is the back-up to Richie Incognito. On the right side, rookie Jonathan Martin is the first team tackle with un-drafted rookie Andrew McDonald in the number 2 spot.
At fullback, it’s un-drafted rookie Jorvorskie Lane and Charles Clay is listed as a TE behind 1st team Anthony Fasano. Rookie Michael Egnew is 4th behind the first two and Jeron Mastrud.
Chris Clemons is holding off Tyrone Culver while Reshad Jones is listed as the starting safety alongside Clemons holding off Jimmy Wilson who is listed as the number 2.
According to the Sun-Sentinel, rookie Olivier Vernon is 2nd team with Jamal Westerman behind him.
Running backs are slotted with Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas, Steve Slaton, Lamar Miller, and Marcus Thigpen who is also listed on the KR team.
The team just released a picture of the depth chart courtesy of Jesse Agler of TheFinsiders VIA Twitter. It’s below.