Last Line of Defense, Part 1 - The Safeties

Of all the training camp competitions, the safety position could be the most 'set' position with the fresh contracts being handed out to Yeremiah Bell, Gibril Wilson, and Tyrone Culver and the drafting of Chris Clemons, widely believed to be the top value pick of the Dolphins draft.

But still, Clemons IS a rookie, and guys like Ethan Kilmer and Courtney Bryan might just be 'hungry' enough to push for the final roster spot. There are outlying circumstances as well, depending on special teams, and the development of 'big' cornerbacks like Jason Allen and Sean Smith. It might be possible to only carry three safeties with these bigger body corners allowing for sharper coverage and more speed. So there will still be competition going on in training camp at the Safety position. Here are the bodies:

Yeremiah Bell, # 37.
Bell saved the Dolphins' backsides last year at least twice when he made two final drive stopping pass breakups by the opponent. He also led the team in tackles, and most importantly, he played in all 16 games. The only thing that can stop him now is a relapse in the health category. I'm expecting a pro-bowl-type year from Bell, as he has the confidence boost from last year to actually intercept some of those passes he usually bats down. I also expect there to be more safety blitzes this year and Bell is a likely player in that scheme.

Gibril Wilson, # 28.
I do my best not to watch any Oakland games, but I have caught glimpses of Wilson's play last year. He was a beast against Miami last year, collecting 10 tackles and a sack and had 7 games with double digits in tackles. In a 49-26 loss to New England (we held them to 48-28...we're sooo much better than Oakland), he collected 12 tackles, a sack and an interception, and he did this OFF THE BENCH. The guy has the tools. What we don't know is if he will gel with Bell, and pick up the scheme to the point he's able to not think too much back there and rely on his instincts.

Tyrone Culver, # 29.
Culver was one of our most impressive 'bench' players in 2008 along with Randy Starks. Rarely did I feel unease with him coming in to the game and he did a LOT as Miami frequently played a 3 safety-set with Bell, Hill, and Culver. Culver also rested Bell at strong safety, and played special teams. He is not flashy or a ball-hawk or even a big-hitter. What he is SOLID. Solid all-around.

Chris Clemons, # 30.
Clemons was part of what I called 'an amazing secondary' back in October 2008. In the first month of NCAA football, I had already christened the Clemson bunch as the beastliest of the safety duos, with Clemons and Michael Hamlin just NAILING people and making big plays. Hamlin, however got all the press, as a big, ball-hawking strong safety who also was a media-hound. Meanwhile, the free safety, Clemons, did not rack up huge interception numbers, but he did rack up impressive numbers despite playing next to Hamlin. Clemons also played in 55 straight games and had ZERO injuries in that time. He ran a 4.33 40 yd dash at the combine. He came into the draft ranked as the 3rd best free safety in the draft and was project to go in the 3rd round. I know I, along with a lot of other fans, am very excited to see this guy in training camp and the pre-season.

Courtney Bryan, # 47.
The odds are against Bryan making the roster this year. He is one of the few remaining cogs from the 2007 season, signed as a undrafted rookie, and relegated primarily to special teams. Since our special teams coverage has not been particularly special, and Bryan hasn't been a standout on that crew, I would suspect this is his last chance, really. I can't say I know much about his playing/practice prowess, but he has been burned by several kick returners including that 93 yard punt return against us last year vs the Raiders.

Ethan Kilmer, # 43.
Originally I didn't see any chance that Kilmer was going to make the roster, but thatwas before I found out who he is. I didn't realize at first that Kilmer was actually a wide receiver in College and that he actually played with fellow Dolphin, Cam Wake, at Penn State. He was drafted by the Bengals and he played WR, CB and S during games and practices there. He was injured (thigh) during pre-season in his sophomore year and placed on IR before being released and eventually signed by the Dolphins. So, he did show up and do all kinds of things for the Bengals in his rookie year, then didn't play at all in 2008. Last I heard he was making noise in OTAs, which is more than can be said for ALL of the other safeties in camp. So maybe...who knows?

These are the 2009 Dolphin safeties through training camp. I suspect they will all be kept until the final or at least next to final cuts following the pre-season. With Culver shoring up the 3rd spot, who do you think makes the final cut for the 4th, or do you think the Dolphins will sacrifice one spot in order to keep an extra cornerback?

(Keep in mind, Clemons would never clear waivers)