The Miami Dolphins' 53-Man Roster Part II: The Defense & Specialists

A fan and personal favorite, the Kentucky steelworker/college walk-on is the only player left with the Dolphins from the 2003 NFL Draft. Any wonder why the team has been so bad? Bell emerged as a truly elite safety in 2006, and then, following a stellar camp, he tore his Achilles tendon in the first game of 2007.

Bell is back and ready to prove that he can run and hit with the best of them. A healthy Y-Bell improves this team’s defense by light years.

SS2 - Keith Davis

The ex-Cowboy special-teams ace is a hard-hitting safety that will backup Yeremiah Bell and bust heads on special teams. What he lacks in coverage skills, he makes up with reckless abandon. Elite special-teams players were a priority in free agency for Parcells & Co. We’ll see if it pays dividends.

FS1 - Jason Allen

Allen was demoted this week to second string, which came somewhat as a shock. Allen has played very well in the preseason and played particularly well against the Chiefs last week.

In that game, Head Coach Tony Sparano had him lineup as the starting free safety and then with the second team as a dimeback and cornerback. He played very well in all three positions. Sparano admitted that the competition wasn’t “over,” and that many feel the promotion of Crocker is meant to light a fire under Allen. Expect to see more Allen than Crocker by the end of the year.

FS2 - Chris Crocker

Crocker has recently been touted as a coverage specialist, and until this weeks promotion, he was thought to be a very solid dimeback. Crocker’s intelligence and synergy with the other members of the starting secondary may be what is getting him the nod. If he can’t hang physically, Sparano will have no problems putting Allen back in, which I suspect will be the case.

CB1 - Will Allen

The Dolphins may have their shutdown cornerback. Allen had a career year last season and looks to build on it. Great in coverage, Allen also has a knack for successful corner blitzes.

CB2 - Andre Goodman

Must be eating his Wheaties. Goodman has had a solid camp and preseason, and he looks better than he ever has. Not quite on Allen’s level, Goodman is more than just serviceable.

CB3 - Michael Lehan

Here is another guy who is flourishing in the new “player-friendly” defense. Lehan has fought a nagging ankle injury in camp but has hung on with the team due to how great he looked in the earlier “Official Team Activities.” Lehan came back last week to play against the Chiefs and got a nice interception, which he returned for decent yardage.

CB4 - Nathan Jones

No, not the ex-felon, bank-robbing-wrestler-power-lifter-actor. Nor does CB4 hearken to the brilliant Chris Rock film. Rather, all this refers to the ex-Cowboys cornerback. Jones hasn’t done enough to garner being cut or get significant playtime. With the backdrop of last year’s injury woes in the secondary, the Dolphins will hopefully carry a few guys here. If nothing else, corners make good special-teams players.

CB5- Joey Thomas

Joey Thomas has shown a little more than Nathan Jones—he had a nice interception last week—and if one is to make it, then Thomas will be he.


Specialists

K - Dan Carpenter

The rookie sensation. The NFL’s official website had Brandon Fields listed as the Dolphin to watch. The other AFC East teams had position players and the like. If the NFL was going to pick a specialist from the Dolphins, why not pick the Montana rookie who has been perfect in the preseason, hitting from 50-yards in.

How much money did the Dolphins save by converting high-priced Jay Feely into an undrafted free agent with a leg of gold. Bad weather up in New York? The man kicked in Montana.

P - Brandon Fields

Fields, according to the NFL, is the player on the Dolphins to keep an eye on. Fields is a punter. A good punter, but a punter nonetheless. One of the interesting things the NFL points out is that he also holds for field goals. Really? That’s the most interesting thing I’ve ever heard.

LS - John Denney

John lost a step this year, shaving his mustache. Remember to get a nice, even level on those snaps. Surprised the NFL didn't list him as a fantasy sleeper.


Practice Squad

Again, this is even more a stretch to predict, but that won’t stop me.

NT - Anthony Toribio

Undrafted and local free-agent Anthony Toribio has the size and strength to make it in the NFL, but he lacks in experience. He impressed at OTA’s and has disappeared since. They’ll stash him on the practice squad for a year in case of a injury to one of the other NTs.

LB - Titus Brown

Another undrafted free agent, Brown has drawn praise from Sparano, and if he can show versatility, he might have a shot at making the team. If not, look to them to try and retain Brown on the practice squad. Plus he has a very cool name.

DE - Lionel Dotson

This seventh-round draft pick has done very little. In fact, he is barely noticeable. I’m not even sure he’s still on the team. He’s listed but not doing very much. He has the measurables, and Parcells saw enough to draft him, so if he’s still around, he might get a spot on the practice squad.

Check out part I of this inane prediction series.
53 Man Roster Part I - The Offense

And as always, you can find more Miami Dolphins news @ www.thephinisher.com.

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