Kiko Alonso at tight end? Don’t count on it

Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso (50) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Kiko Alonso (50) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White (84) in the first quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defensive players love putting in their two cents and claiming they can play on both sides of the football.  Many can, of course, as they’re all professional athletes.  Will Kiko Alonso be next in line?

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We have yet to see him make the switch onto the offensive side of the ball in his two full seasons in the NFL.  The 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year spent 2014 on the sideline after tearing his ACL preparing for his second season with the Buffalo Bills.  He was then shipped to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Spring of 2015 for running back LeSean McCoy.

After one mediocre season with the Eagles, Alonso is now in Miami and looks to be the man to take over as leader of the middle of the Dolphins defense.

Not at tight end, where he reportedly told ESPN Argentina that he could play.

Miami has a strong tight end duo in Jordan Cameron and Dion Sims heading into the season with the 3rd spot up for grabs between rookie Thomas Duarte, Jake Stoneburner and Marquise Gray, amongst others.  Brian Miller went into a more in-depth look at the tight end battle coming up at training camp this summer.

Alonso specifically says if there are any “special plays” Miami would want to throw him in on, he’d be willing to step up.  Although with his injury history it’d be smart for Miami to keep him off the field in offensive situations.

His hands, though, are hard to pass up.  In his rookie season he intercepted four passes and last year he made an insane one-handed grab on Matt Ryan to halt a touchdown drive in the opening quarter of week one.

Short story short, don’t expect to see Alonso on the offensive side of the ball this season.   If he does make it there, however, what are the chances he gives JJ Watt a run for his money as defensive/offensive MVP in 2016?