Battle for positioning on Dolphins' depth chart heats up

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http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/655433.html

Battle for positioning on Dolphins' depth chart heats up

BY SARAH ROTHSCHILD
Miami Herald

The Dolphins' situation at safety is crystallizing and this much is clear: The pressure is on Jason Allen.

Allen played as a reserve in Miami's 24-0 exhibition win over Kansas City after slipping on the depth chart to second team behind free safety Chris Crocker this week. Then Allen saw Renaldo Hill, who was lower on the depth chart, and Crocker have solid nights.

Allen intercepted Kansas City's Tyler Thigpen with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter, but said his night was defined as much by that play as the interceptions that eluded him.

''When balls come to you, you have to execute and bring it in,'' Allen said. ``Like my teammates said, a couple of them I should have had.''

As Allen talked at his locker about his missed opportunities, safety Courtney Bryan ribbed him a bit. Allen said he misjudged Kansas City quarterback Brody Croyle's throw in the second quarter that was a potential interception, and lamented that he lost another in the light and it ended up hitting his face mask.

Hill finished with three tackles (two solo), and his highlight came on the final play of the second quarter when he intercepted Croyle.

But Hill and Allen know they are chasing Crocker.

''I don't want to be premature,'' Crocker said. 'I don't want to say, `Yeah, I'm the starter,' but in my mind and my heart, I deserve the opportunity. I've done everything they've wanted me to do.''

Then he added: ``I don't know why not, why wouldn't I be?''

Crocker, 28, is entering his sixth season. He started 14 games at free safety for the Atlanta Falcons last season and had 63 tackles, a sack and a career-high three interceptions.

Allen is under the impression he still has a chance to move ahead of Crocker.

''I don't think a decision has been made,'' Allen said. ``From my understanding we're still competing.''

And then there's Hill, who is making a late push that could develop until a legitimate candidacy for second team ahead of Allen.

''I'm happy with how everything is going,'' Hill said.

Hill, an eight-year veteran is in his third season with Miami. He started the first seven games last season and had 32 tackles and an interception before sustaining a season-ending knee injury. Allen took the starting job because of a rash of injuries and spent the first few weeks of training camp with the starters.

Allen said he believes this 3-4 defense suits him and that he is coming along well. He said this is perhaps the most comfortable he has felt in his three season with the team. The 2006 first-round draft pick out of Tennessee has failed to meet expectations the past two seasons.

Coach Tony Sparano has said he is pleased with Allen's development, but improvement is not necessarily going to allow him to win the starting job. Sparano said recently that Hill is growing on him and Crocker seems to have the best cover skills of the safeties.

Crocker characterized the safety competition opposite Yeremiah Bell as stiff and said coaches are likely to be faced with a tough decision.

Allen just hopes he can capitalize on opportunities, especially since he said they don't come often.

''It's all a competition -- Crocker, Renaldo and myself are competing for the starting job,'' Allen said. ``And may the best man win.''