A Look at Three Critical Positions Battles Facing the Miami Dolphins

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

If there’s one thing you know Tony Sparano wants to see at every position, it’s competition. Sparano is a big believer that the harder a player has to work to earn his job, the better off that player and the entire team will be.

There is competition for just about every spot on the Dolphins’ roster including at quarterback, but assuming Sparano was truthful when he said Chad Pennington was his quarterback for 2009, Chad Henne should be prepared for another year on the sidelines.

Also, the return of Jason Taylor will spark plenty of debate on whether he should be an every down player or just a passing rushing specialist. However, the Dolphins have more pressing concerns about who will fill out their depth chart.

As Bill Parcells and company continue to tweak the roster throughout the offseason and regular season, here are three key training camp battles that will be critical to the teams’ success in 2009.

Cornerbacks

A glance at the depth of the secondary position before the recent NFL draft and just about anybody could tell the Dolphins were in need of more youth and athleticism at the position.

With two of the first three picks spent on cornerbacks, the competition for the starting spot opposite Will Allen will be fierce and could determine the Dolphins’ starting secondary for years to come.

First round pick Vontae Davis and second round selection Sean Smith will no doubt receive plenty of opportunities to prove they’re capable of that starting spot, but they will have to earn it, just the way Sparano likes it.

Before the draft, the Dolphins signed veteran corner Eric Green after an injury-filled season with the Arizona Cardinals. Yet, he is not their only challenge for playing time.

Former 2006 first round pick Jason Allen will have one more chance to remove the bust label many fans have already placed on him. Also,cornerback Nate Jones, who played in nickel packages last year, will vie for the coveted spot.

Facing multiple superstar receivers in their own division, the Dolphins desperately need to find a permanent and solid corner opposite Will Allen.

Guard

Last year, the Dolphins offensive line struggled to open holes mainly because of season-ending injuries to starting guards Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas.

It was Smiley’s second consecutive season that ended on injured reserve and while Donald Thomas has recovered from the broken foot that ended his season, he now has a torn pectoral muscle and will be out until training camp, at the earliest.

So, if the Dolphins’ offensive line is going to make strides this year, finding capable replacements at guard is critical.

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