Competition for positions brewing on Miami Dolphins

[DKphin]

Most Dolphins players have been sweating through workouts and either learning or brushing up on the team’s offense and defense for several weeks.

But in some ways, competition for jobs begins in earnest when the Dolphins on Tuesday hold the first of 10 voluntary “organized team activity” practices. Miami also will hold three mandatory minicamp practices in mid-June before taking a six-week break until training camp.
Battles are brewing at nearly every position, some at the top of the depth chart, others merely for roster spots. Among the more interesting ones:
▪ The cornerback spot opposite Brent Grimes: Jamar Taylor enters as something of a front-runner but will be challenged by former Giants starter Zack Bowman and potentially Will Davis, who’s expected back from an ACL injury by the start of training camp.

▪ The starter at left guard: Billy Turner is considered the front-runner for the right-guard spot, but the left-guard job is a tossup between Dallas Thomas and rookie Jamil Douglas.

“Three young guys are competing for two spots,” Tannenbaum said.
That would suggest that free agent pickups J.D. Walton, Jeff Linkenbach and Jacques McClendon are viewed merely as depth, with McClendon in particular far from a cinch to make the roster.

▪ The starting linebacker job alongside Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi: The Dolphins could opt to start Chris McCain, who showed flashes in limited playing time as a rookie, at strong-side linebacker or could go with middle linebacker Kelvin Sheppard, who has started 32 games in four seasons.

▪ Roster spots at running back: Jay Ajayi, the fifth-round draft pick out of Boise State, is the front-runner to back up Lamar Miller and could eventually challenge Miller for a starting job.

“He’s kind of underrated; had 50 receptions as well,” Tannenbaum said of Ajayi. “Hopefully, he has the ability to be a three-down player.”
But don’t discount Damien Williams; Philbin has praised his work this offseason.

▪ Sorting out defensive tackle: Earl Mitchell is the likely starter alongside Ndamukong Suh, but there’s competition for the No.3 job among second-rounder Jordan Phillips, Anthony Johnson, A.J. Francis and Kamal Johnson.

▪ Pecking order at receiver: It’s clear who the Dolphins’ top-four receivers will be: DeVante Parker, Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and Greg Jennings. What must play out is the order; the player who ends up the fourth receiver figures to play less than he’s accustomed to.

Rishard Matthews, the No.5 receiver, is missing voluntary workouts after asking for a trade.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article22224555.html#storylink=cpy

 

[JTC111]

Shorter version: We're short on talent at cornerback, guard, and linebacker.

 

[nick1]

Shorter version: We're short on talent at cornerback, guard, and linebacker.

I disagree about corner. We have alot if talent, just not sure what we have in Taylor or Davis

 

[hoops]

ideal world jamar taylor wins the starting corner gig mccain is ready to man the solb starting job phillips beats out mitchell for the 2nd starting dt opposite suh douglas beats out dallas thomas arthur lynch is the 3rd tight end miami carries 3 rbs only miller ajayi williams

 

[Nublar7]

I hope they do grant Matthews' trade request and are able to get something in return. Even if it is just a 7th round pick next year take it. Heck I would even take a 2017 7th round pick. Give Hazel and the other guys a legitimate shot at the #5 spot.

 

[maralieus]

Shorter version: We're short on talent at cornerback, guard, and linebacker.

I don't think we're short of talent, we're just short of experience. I see a lot of potential with McCain, tripp, Taylor, the other McCain, the other other McCain, and Douglas. I seriously hope that Douglas beats out Thomas for that LG spot easily. If he doesn't than Thomas better have made a huge step or we're in trouble! We really can't afford a huge weakness right up the middle this year.

---------- Post added at 09:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

I hope they do grant Matthews' trade request and are able to get something in return. Even if it is just a 7th round pick next year take it. Heck I would even take a 2017 7th round pick. Give Hazel and the other guys a legitimate shot at the #5 spot.

How about a guard prospect? Or an aging starter? Please?

 

[JTC111]

I disagree about corner. We have alot if talent, just not sure what we have in Taylor or Davis

I don't think we're short of talent, we're just short of experience. I see a lot of potential with McCain, tripp, Taylor, the other McCain, the other other McCain, and Douglas. I seriously hope that Douglas beats out Thomas for that LG spot easily. If he doesn't than Thomas better have made a huge step or we're in trouble! We really can't afford a huge weakness right up the middle this year.

At corner we have a lot of third and fourth tier talent. We don't have anyone that is starter material outside of Grimes.

 

[I am Bane]

At corner we have a lot of third and fourth tier talent. We don't have anyone that is starter material outside of Grimes.

i like what we bring in our secondary... even at CB. it is decently solid.... but i aree with you we dont have anything top tier across from Grimes. we will see how Taylor and McCain can really show themselves this year and what they can offer though. it could change things!!!

 

[JTC111]

i like what we bring in our secondary... even at CB. it is decently solid.... but i aree with you we dont have anything top tier across from Grimes. we will see how Taylor and McCain can really show themselves this year and what they can offer though. it could change things!!!

I think going into next year's off-season, corner will be our biggest need. Grimes will be 32 in July 2016, so who knows how long he'll play at a high level. The drop-off can come at any time and if we wind up needing to find TWO good corners, we're screwed big time.

 

[xXwarXx]

Would be pretty big if McCain could legitimately earn a starting linebacker spot.

I think this staff expects a lot of young guys to play on defense, hence why they simplified the scheme.

 

[I am Bane]

I think going into next year's off-season, corner will be our biggest need. Grimes will be 32 in July 2016, so who knows how long he'll play at a high level. The drop-off can come at any time and if we wind up needing to find TWO good corners, we're screwed big time.

no doubt... i totally agree. I would love to have Grimes playing with us until retirement, hope it happens... but we definitely need someone that is a definite starter across from him. and as you just said... yup yup, we need someone to replace him in time, or even near future if it doesnt work out for the rest of his career with us.