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Title: Dolphins' cornerbacks are summer surprise Post by: DolFan619 on July 22, 2008, 11:21:53 pm http://www.miamiherald.com/1262/story/614129.html
Dolphins' cornerbacks are summer surprise BY BARRY JACKSON Miami Herald With training camp opening Saturday, the Dolphins' top four cornerbacks to end 2007 not only have survived the offseason overhaul -- to the surprise of some -- but also have a good chance to remain the Fins' top four corners this season, unless Nate Jones, Joey Thomas or an August/September addition breaks through. Two factors contributed. No. 1: The Dolphins liked their cornerbacks more than they anticipated. No. 2: A 1-15 team can't be upgraded everywhere in one offseason. ''I'm very excited what we have in the secondary,'' general manager Jeff Ireland said. '' Will Allen and all those guys looked really good'' this offseason. Though the cornerbacks aren't big playmakers, ESPN.com's KC Joyner relayed one surprising stat: Last year, three Dolphins ranked among the NFL's top 20 cornerbacks in completion percentage against. Of the 72 passes thrown against Allen, 35 had a positive result for the offense (either a reception or defensive penalty), placing Allen eighth-best with a 51.4 percent success rate. Travis Daniels -- back at cornerback after a stint at safety -- and Michael Lehan tied for 19th-best at 47.4 percent, Joyner said, though when Daniels was beaten it was glaring. (The 10.9 yards-per-attempt against Daniels ranked among the NFL's worst.) Lehan, off an ankle injury, hopes to be ready this weekend. But Andre' Goodman, who played well in 2006, was 91st of 95 cornerbacks ranked with a 24.2 percent success rate (25 bad results in 33 passing plays he defended). The good news: Goodman -- first-team with Allen in May/June practices -- had a second shoulder operation in January and feels ``a lot better. I couldn't have gone through another year like last year. I wasn't effective whatsoever.'' But Joyner also said Dolphins cornerbacks dropped 10 ''near interceptions'' last year, double the five they picked off. That includes eight drops by Allen, who has just three picks in the past four years. ''This scheme allows you to make more turnovers, and my stats don't show enough of them,'' Allen said, vowing that will change. Said Goodman: ''Interceptions we've been in position to make, either the receivers come down with it or we drop it. That's not something you learn. Either we have it or we don't.'' If this group doesn't produce, figure on cornerback being a top priority next spring. |