Miami Dolphins: Can Kevin Coyle Solve the Dolphins' Safety Problem?

A quick look at the Dolphins defense leaves many people scratching their heads as to what the Dolphins are going to do at the safety position. 

There doesn't seem to be a viable starter on the roster after the Dolphins released leading tackler and team captain Yeremiah Bell earlier this offseason and neglected to find a replacement.

After the defense's inability to stop the passing game cost the team dearly in 2011, why wouldn't Miami address the safety position in the draft or free agency? Not only did they not find any new talent, they cut their only proven player at the position.

But there's reason for fans to think there's a method to the madness and that things will get better than they have been, especially after last season's terrible performance.

First, a little perspective.

Many 'Fins fans remember Gibril Wilson, the hard-hitting safety signed to a huge five-year, $27.5 million deal with the Dolphins in February 2009. Wilson turned into a massive disappointment, with mediocre play combined with an inflated salary leading to him being a whipping boy for the fanbase. Miami released him after one season and zero interceptions.
 
After being cut, Wilson landed in Cincinnati to serve in a backup role for the Bengals. There, he would join fellow castoffs Kelly Jennings, Adam 'Pacman' Jones, Reggie Nelson, Nate Clements, Taylor Mays and Chris Crocker in the Bengals' defensive backfield.
 
Wilson and this Bengals secondary was a part of a defense that ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in passing yards allowed, passing TDs allowed and average yards allowed per attempt last season.

All with a handful of players who were once released or traded away by their teams, now turned into serviceable starters and role players.
 
Such was the ability of then-Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle, and a large reason why he was hired to be the new defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
 
If Coyle can replicate the coaching success he had with the Cincinnati defensive backs, then Miami should feel better about where they are at the safety and cornerback positions.

The Dolphins have unrealized potential in spades, with Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, Tyrone Culver, Reshad Jones, Tyrell Johnson, Jimmy Wilson and Chris Clemons all flashing varying degrees of starting ability. Only Davis has so far cemented himself as a true solution at his position.

If this group of relative unknowns can be turned into an effective secondary, then the Dolphins can solidify the weakest part of their defense without signing expensive free agents or using high draft picks.

All they may need is the right coach who can help them succeed both developmentally and schematically, and by all indications, Kevin Coyle will be that guy.