The Trouble With Being Ernest... Wilford

(Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)

As the Miami Herald first reported during OTC, Ernest Wilford, last year’s disappointment at wide receiver whose struggles allowed opportunities for Greg Camarillo and Davonne Bess, is trying out for the Dolphins third tight end spot on the roster.

There are a couple reasons why this development lacks both potential and promise.

For starting points, the three tight ends currently ahead of Wilford on Miami’s depth chart combine for an average of around 263 lbs. Right now, Wilford is generously listed at 240 after finishing last year under 225.

The health implications to quick and massive weight gain will combine with the rugged blocking duty Miami demands of its tight ends to create a lethal barrage of factors working against Wilford’s durability. Just ask Greg Jones, David Boston, or Mark Bavaro, who all went through similar transformations to little avail.

The likely reason Wilford is hanging around at all following a three catch season as a wide receiver is that he does work extremely hard. But he is no tight end.

Wilford showed poor route running abilities down the stretch of ’08, when he saw increased playing time for Greg Camarillo after his ACL tear, but his atrocious numbers only spawned more team faith in rookie Davonne Bess. That trend will grow this year.

Now, we’re honestly supposed to believe Wilford has a shot at winning a job playing a position that requires more blocking than it does receiving?

I don’t think so. 

As Wilford put it himself, "They (defenses) don’t know if they’re going to play me at receiver or tight end."

In other words, he’s being used to peak the linebackers’ athleticism in practice.

If anything, the new breed of tight end is a guy like current third-stringer, Joey Haynos, a 6’8” 270 lb. beast on the line.

These kinds of attributes are especially viable considering Miami is a run-first offense. Offensive coordinator Dan Henning is not looking to get smaller on the offensive line.

Of course, Anthony Fasano is still the team’s starter at tight end, fresh off a seven touchdown season.

His backup, David Martin, is currently dealing with the after effects of a sports hernia surgery in late May, but is expected to be fine for opening weekend.

As for Ernest Wilford, the hasty progress of undrafted rookie Anthony Armstrong in mini-camp does not bode well for his chances of receiving the team’s sixth and final spot on the wide receiver depth chart. Plus, third-round draft pick Patrick Turner just signed a four-year deal last week. But, of course, we are still “pre-preseason.”

The other current development to watch before training camp begins in just under a month is the contract status of the two cornerbacks Miami selected within their first three draft picks.

Both are currently unsigned, as they’ll naturally wait for other first and second round picks to dictate the market.

The issue is that both Vontae Davis (chosen 25th overall) and Sean Smith (taken with pick no. 61) are expected to compete for at least the dime and nickel-formation third corner spots, or perhaps even unseat one of the Allens.

These rookies do hold a heavier bargaining chip than most rookies if they do want to hold out. The quicker Jeff Ireland gets their John Hancock, the better off the team is.

In fact, reports from mini-camp had Sean Smith and recently added journeyman Eric Green both lining up at times as the starting right corner. Not often does a guy without a contract occupy such a huge vacancy. The Dolphins pass defense ranked a dismal twenty-fifth in the league last year.

Let’s take that segue and conclude with some fantasy football. 

Of course, most people’s drafts are right around the corner and there’s some question as to how integral Dolphins will be to this year’s various leagues, after not mattering much, as a whole, in ‘08.

Well, compared to division rivals Buffalo and New England, the Miami players certainly won’t be as much of a fantasy factor and it’s still a wonder how much the aforementioned secondary will be able to slow down the Tom Brady

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