Miami Dolphins: 2009 Key Positional Battles

Heading into the Miami Dolphins’ training camps and preseason, there are several positions that are still up for grabs. Let’s take a look at what positional battles are the most interesting and important. You might just see some familiar faces replaced by some new ones.

Matt Roth vs. Cameron Wake/Jason Taylor To Start at Outside Linebacker

Last year was Matt Roth’s first at outside linebacker for the Dolphins after making the switch from defensive end.

Roth had 56 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2008. His statistics were not overwhelming, but Roth was well-known for his jarring hits. Roth looked promising enough that the job should be his to begin 2009.

However, any great strides made by Cameron Wake could change that.

Wake comes to the Dolphins from the CFL where he was selected the Most Outstanding Defensive Player both seasons he spent there. In those two seasons, he recorded 39 sacks which could greatly add to the Fins’ pass-rushing ability. Wake’s transition to the NFL will be something to follow closely as the Fins progress through camps.

The last thing to mention here is Jason Taylor’s return to the Dolphins. It is expected he will be an outside linebacker, but with these two young talents, he might struggle for playing time. Look for him to a third-down rusher rather than a force in the linebacker corps.

Jason Allen vs. Vontae Davis/Sean Smith/Eric Green To Start at Cornerback

Right now it is Jason Allen’s job to lose. However, it is likely he will lose it.

Allen has been unimpressive in three seasons with the Dolphins and this will be his make-or-break year.

Unfortunately for Allen, but fortunately for the Dolphins, he will have stiff competition to win a starting job. Green comes to the Dolphins after four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, where he had 39 tackles and an interception last year.

Davis and Smith joined the Dolphins in the 2009 draft. While Davis was the first round pick, Smith also looks to be formidable cornerback as he stands in at 6'4" and runs 4.5 40-yard dash. Do not be too surprised if Smith emerges as a dark horse candidate for this job, but Davis might be the current favorite.

Whoever wins will be starting opposite Will Allen, who pretty much cemented his starting job with a solid 2008 season.

Phillip Merling vs. Randy Starks To Start at Defensive End

Unlike many of the Dolphins' battles, this one involves two returning players.

Vonnie Holiday left the Dolphins after 2009, vacating his starting job. Starks was solid when he saw the field last year, as he recorded three sacks and even an interception.

While Starks has been around the NFL a while, Merling was a rookie with the Dolphins last year. Merling is the taller of the two, but also the lighter and more agile. This is likely his job to lose as the Dolphins will expect him to increase his production in his sophomore campaign.

Merling only had one sack in 2008, but he did record a key interception for a TD in the Dolphins' season finale (pictured above).

Regardless of who wins this job, the loser should still get plenty of time on the field as both players are solid.

Pat White vs. Chad Henne To Be the Back-Up for Chad Pennington

While this might not be a pressing issue for 2009, it is a pressing issue for the Dolphins future.

Last year, Chad Henne was heralded as the future of the Dolphins at quarterback. Then, Bill Parcells threw everyone for a loop when he drafted Pat White this year.

White and Henne were both solid college quarterbacks, White is the more versatile of the two. White will likely see more playing time than Henne this year, as the Dolphins may look to put him under center in the Wildcat. White can run effectively, and actually be a threat to throw unlike when Ronnie Brown stood under center for the Wildcat.

If White is successful then he may end up being the quarterback of the future for the Dolphins. Both players should still be afforded time to develop as Pennington looks to lead the Fins to another playoff berth.

Ted Ginn vs. Davone Bess/Greg Camarillo/Patrick Turner/Brian Hartline for Passes from Pennington

So who will be Pennington’s favorite target this year?

Last year it switched almost every game. Anthony Fasano and David Martin proved to be more reliable as receiving targets than the Dolphins’ actual receivers.

Bess ended up being the most reliable receiver, while Ginn ended up being the most dangerous. Bess has his job as a third-down receiver secure, but this year he will look to expand his role.

Ginn must finally tap into his potential and prove that he is a threat. Camarillio will return from injury and hope to show the Dolphins made a good decision by giving him a long-term deal last season.

However, the Dolphins obviously did not feel safe going into 2009 with just these three receivers, as they brought in Hartline and Turner to compete for time. Expect to see Turner make an immediate impact and take someone’s passes away.

Obviously any of these battles could drastically change based on injury or outstanding performance during camps and the preseason. Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano are not known for playing favorites; whoever is the best at their position will be the starter. Keep an eye on how Camarillo returns from injury and how the Fins decide to utilize Pat White.