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http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2008/08/chris-crocker-h.html

Chris Crocker has a chance to pass Jason Allen

If Jason Allen thought he had the starting free safety spot sewn up because he's been running with the first-teamers throughout camp, he must have been surprised this week when Chris Crocker was moved ahead of him in practice.

Crocker, an unrestricted free agent addition from Atlanta, has been working with the first-teamers this week and could start Saturday's preseason game against Kansas City.

Allen will likely see less playing time as the coaching staff measures whether Crocker is a better fit alongside Yeremiah Bell.

"It's not about performance, it's about finding spots for people," coach Tony Sparano said. "Jason in the first two games went out and played with the first team defense. But we feel we have several safeties back there and that is an area where tough decisions have to be made."

Sparano isn't one to rip anyone but it is clear if the Dolphins were completely comfortable with Allen as the starter, they would not be using Crocker with the starters this week. Stay tuned to this as I think if Crocker responds with a good performance, he could win the starting job for the regular-season opener.

I don't like this at all.  I like Jason Allen, and I think he did good things last year and this preseason, and I worry that this is just a way to push out another non-Parcells guy.

I think people read too much into moves. Re-read Sparano's quote:
"It's not about performance, it's about finding spots for people. Jason in the first two games went out and played with the first team defense. But we feel we have several safeties back there and that is an area where tough decisions have to be made."


Sounds to me like they are evaluating whether or not Crocker is even worth keeping.

Both guys are talented, but you have to have the right compliment of strong safety and free safety.  Maybe Bell and Allen are not a good fit.