Rebuilt team not down on its corners

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolphins02sbaug02,0,6699997.story

Rebuilt team not down on its corners

By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

August 2, 2008

DAVIE - If Dolphins cornerback Will Allen snatches two interceptions during practice, his secondary partner Andre' Goodman wants three.

If the soft-spoken Goodman drains two jumpers in a row on Allen's backyard court during their one-on-one duels every summer, Allen won't stop talking trash until he hits three straight.

They thrive on competition against each other but save their best moves for opposing receivers.

And despite a major upheaval in the roster from last year's 1-15 team and playing for their third different coach since signing with the Dolphins in 2006, these soon-to-be 30-year-olds are still guarding their perches against newcomers like a mother hawk.

"I'll always be a starter in this league," said Allen, a starter since his rookie season with the Giants in 2001. "I don't expect anything different. That's not being cocky; that's just how I feel.

"I just stay on top of my game and stay hungry for yourself."

Spoken like the wise-cracking New Yorker his teammates have grown to admire, Allen was the bright spot on the league's fourth-ranked passing defense.

Allen notched 62 tackles, a team-high 14 passes defensed, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries to earn a berth on Sports Illustrated's All-Pro team. He even had two sacks during corner blitzes.

"They pay me to cover," Allen cracked.

After a stellar 2006, Goodman played mostly in the nickel package last season after losing his starting job to Michael Lehan while recovering from his second shoulder surgery in as many seasons. Goodman has reclaimed his spot since Lehan sustained an ankle injury during the last minicamp in early June.

"Dre is calm, cool and collected, like water off a duck's back," said Lehan, who had a career-high 14 starts and 56 tackles. "Will is the highest-strung guy on the team, so they're the opposite ends of the spectrum.

"But on the field they play well together and the coaches know how capable they are."

Travis Daniels, who started as a rookie under former Dolphins coach Nick Saban in 2005, was one of eight starting safeties last season due to a plethora of injuries and struggled. He is happily back at corner and still learning as much as possible from his basketball buddies.

"Me and Goody watch film by ourselves and he sees Will got two picks, and he says, 'Man, I got to get him tomorrow,'" Daniels said. "I ask him so many questions he tells me to shut up.

"When we all play 21 at Will's house. It's just a war. Will will say, 'You'll see who the best is at the end of the day.'"

Goodman, a mentor to young corners such as Will Billingsley, Nate Jones and Joey Thomas, is looking forward to a healthy season alongside Allen.

"He'll be harping at you and if you don't match him then you're the weak link, and I really don't want to be the weak link," Goodman said.

Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles has helped install a secondary scheme that is proactive instead of reactive, and he seems secure with Goodman and Allen — so far.

"Will has a great feel for the game and is always going to play hard, while Andre' has great feet and work ethic, and he still takes notes every day like he's a rookie," Bowles said.

"But we haven't played a game yet."

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano praised their aggressiveness in press coverage at the line.

"You'll see some guys that want to get up in your face at the line of scrimmage, but quickly when the ball's hiked they're kind of getting away from the action a little bit. These guys are competitive," Sparano said. "And if their guy makes a play they're upset about that."

Goodman is most ticked off about playing on losing teams for his entire six-year career with the Dolphins and Lions.

"I have to keep a narrow vision on the guy in front of me because you almost have to black out the big picture sometimes … but I feel good about what we have in place right now," Goodman said.

Just as long as he gets one more interception than Allen.