Thursday's game versus Cowboys is Will Allen's final chance to secure a roster spot

[BAMAPHIN 22]

Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess still has clear memories of the Will Allen he saw when Bess arrived as a free-agent rookie in 2008.

"He was by far the best corner on the team, and it was kind of a reality check for me coming out of college," Bess recalled. "Every time I'd go against him he'd just mess me up. He's a big part of why I picked up the game a lot faster."

Allen played well enough that season to earn a three-year, $16.2 million contract extension in May 2009. But five months later, Allen suffered a torn ACL in his left knee that effectively kept him on the sidelines until last Saturday night, when he appeared in 19 plays in a reserve role in Miami's 17-13 loss at Tampa Bay.

"Been a long time," Allen said.

Having missed 1 1/2 seasons at the relatively advanced age of 33, Allen has one more chance to impress before the roster is pared from 75 to 53 this weekend. That comes Thursday night, when the Dolphins conclude their pre-season schedule against Dallas at 7:30 at Sun Life Stadium.

For a guy who has started every game in which he's played since his 2001 rookie season with the New York Giants, final preseason games are typically about relaxing on the sidelines and letting the backups do the work. Not tonight. For Allen, this is a crucial test to nail down a spot in a crowded secondary.

"It's a big game for a lot of reasons," said Allen, who renegotiated the final year of his contract from $5 million to $1.5 million before being asked to return. "First and foremost, 19 snaps in live action – you'd like to get more than that if you're going to progress.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports...-will-allens-1808649.html?cxtype=rss_dolphins

 

[Chubby]

Will Mr. Finheaven Allen.
Chubbs

 

[Nublar7]

I think he will make the team.

 

[Billk78]

I posted on this earlier in the week. In my opinion it's between Allen and Sapp for the Nickel spot. Would they keep the odd man out as a 4th corner? Neither one really plays special teams and they have some younger corners to develop. The ideal situation would be for Allen to prove his health and start at Nickel so we can trade Sapp to a team in need of a corner and get back a decent RT.

 

[mmikel30]

Id rather keep the healthy player with lower salary

 

[RichmondWeb]

Will Allen was allowed to leave NY because as good as he could cover, he could not catch the ball. We need more interceptions this year. It should be a great time to trade Allen back to NY for a 4th while they are desperate for CB help.

RW

 

[endorPHINS72]

I would feel so much better about a healthy Will Allen playing nickel than Benny Sapp.

 

[Jamaicankid21]

Will Allen looked good against Tampa TBH.. I think you IF you do keep Will Allen you have to keep Benny Sapp because you just don't know how healthy Will Allen can be for a full season. I know its football and injuries can happen to anybody but Will Allen is extremely injury prone.