Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis pulled down an interception in 2011 (August 15, 2012)
By Omar Kelly Sun Sentinel 4:17 p.m. EDT, August 15, 2012
Every
NFL player faces adversity at some point in their career.
Last year
Vontae Davis dipped his toe in troublesome water when he was suspended a game for violating a team rule, allegedly showing up to practice hungover.
This year Davis, a 2009 first-round pick who has started 36 games, finds himself on the outside looking in at the starting unit.
Richard Marshall, a free agent the
Dolphins signed to a three-year, $16 million deal, has unseated Davis as the starting boundary cornerback paired with
Sean Smith.
Davis plays with the first team in the nickel package, but it is clear his role on the team has been reduced, especially after episode one of HBO's Hard Knocks reality series details some maturity issues the coaching staff has with the former Illinois standout.
“You’ve got to come in and work,” Davis told the Sun-Sentinel. “It’s like training your mind. Repetition over and over again for your mind and body to get back into football shape.”
When asked if being embarrassed on Hard Knocks served as a wake-up call, Davis dismissed the program's storyline.
“That don’t matter to me. It’s a challenge every day in the NFL. You just got to do what you need to do, take care of your job to the best of your ability," Davis said. "Whether I’m the fourth or fifth (cornerback), it doesn’t matter to me. I’m still pushing myself.