Cornerback Travis Daniels dealt to Browns

It wasn't the rampantly-rumored John Beck trade, but the Dolphins did make a minor splash on the trade front today. Fourth-year cornerback Travis Daniels was shipped to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for what is believed to be a seventh-round pick.

Background

Daniels, 25, was drafted by former Dolphins head coach Nick Saban in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. Saban had previously coached Daniels while the two were at LSU.

Despite being a second-day pick, Daniels was thrust into the starting lineup early as he opened 14 of 16 games for the Dolphins in 2005. It would prove to be his best season for the Dolphins as he recorded 61 tackles, 13 pass deflections and an interception.

Daniels appeared in 28 games over the following two seasons, starting 11. He recorded just two interceptions and five pass deflections over in that span.

Prior to the trade, Daniels had been competing for a backup cornerback job with Nathan Jones, Joey Thomas, Will Billingsley and Chris Roberson in training camp.

Daniels' departure leaves the Dolphins with only half their 2005 draft class remaining on the roster. Second overall pick Ronnie Brown, second-rounder Matt Roth and third-rounder Channing Crowder are still with the franchise, while Daniels and seventh-rounders Anthony Alabi (Chiefs) and Kevin Vickerson (Titans) have moved on.

Analysis

As thin as the Dolphins' secondary is, this is not a move that really hurts the Dolphins in any way. On the contrary, it is one with which I am particularly pleased. Though the draft pick is likely to be a late-round pick, it is good the Dolphins a least got something for him.

Daniels looked promising as a rookie in 2005, but in my opinion he failed to progress and might have even regressed over the past few years. His biggest positives are his height (6-1) and his versatility (he can play both corner and safety), but he doesn't possess great speed or athleticism for a corner and really isn't starting material. Daniels is a No. 3 or 4 corner at best, and on a good team possibly No. 4 or 5.

As you know if you've been reading the blog this offseason, I'd been pretty skeptical about Daniels' chances to make the team. I considered Will Allen, Andre' Goodman and Michael Lehan locks and I felt a couple of guys - Nathan Jones and Joey Thomas - would challenge Daniels for spots on the team. That seems to have come to fruition now.

With Daniels out of the picture, the Dolphins have four players vying for two final cornerback spots. (Assuming the team keeps five.) My predictions as boring and obvious as they can be. Nathan Jones and Joey Thomas - two players with Cowboys experience - seem like the mostly likely candidates. I consider Chris Roberson and Will Billingsley long shots at this point, though Billingsley's physical tools make him an interesting practice squad candidate.

Dolphins at Jaguars: Thoughts & Observations (Defense/Special Teams)

Here are my continued thoughts and observations from the Dolphins-Jaguars game, once again broken up by position.

Defensive line

• Jason Ferguson's a great player at the interior defensive line spot. His acquisition was huge for the Dolphins because finding a capable starting nose tackle was a keep component in running the 3-4 defense.
• Meanwhile, backup nose tackle Paul Soliai showed some play-making ability as well, forcing a Maurice Jones-Drew fumble at the goal line. I hate to keep repeating myself, but Soliai has the physical tools to be a great nose tackle and if he puts some effort into it (which it sounds like he has this camp) he'll get there.
• Kendall Langford and Phillip Merling look of starting at the end spots immediately Langford in particular is a hell of a player. Both players do a great job of disrupting things at the line of scrimmage. As much as I liked him in free agency, I'm quite frankly not even sure the Randy Starks signing was necessary at this point. He'll figure into the rotation and he's capable of playing all three line positions, but right now he's still just a really expensive backup.
• I'd like it if there were a backup spot on this team for Rodrique Wright, but I'm not sure that's the case.

Linebacker

• Channing Crowder is separating himself as the leader on defense. He leads both vocally and by example. Dolphins fans won't forget Zach Thomas, but Crowder is a better player for this scheme and will excel.
• Akin Ayodele should definitely start over Reggie Torbor. Torbor's a fine backup, but Ayodele's got the defense down from his time in Dallas. He had a great diving pass deflection as well.
• I still don't consider Matt Roth an ideal player in the team's 3-4 scheme, but outside linebacker is where he belongs in it as opposed to end. With Charlie Anderson dinged and unproven, Roth might be the best option to start opposite Joey Porter this season. Quentin Moses will still get his chances though.

Cornerback

• With Lehan missing a lot of time in camp due to an ankle injury, André Goodman has made a strong case for starting opposite Will Allen with some good plays downfield. The secondary isn't great, but if the Dolphins' line plays well they won't have to be.
• Joey Thomas, a guy I've predicted will secure the final cornerback spot, had a very nice interception of former Dolphin Cleo Lemon, while Nathan Jones struggled in coverage. I don't believe Jones is in danger of being cut though.
• Things got pretty ugly late in the game for the secondary. Fortunately, the guys that were playing are bottom-of-the-roster types that won't make the regular season roster.

Safety

• Yeremiah Bell is a monster out there. Anyone that appreciates football would be be interested in seeing what Bell could do in a full season.
• Jason Allen was solid once again, but I won't be sold until I see him through a season.
• Chris Crocker isn't very impressive, but neither is Renaldo Hill. Tie for the roster spot goes to Crocker.
  
• Keith Davis nearly made a bonehead play trying to recover Jones-Drew's fumble in the end zone. Let it go out of bounds and take the possession!

Special teams

• Rookie placekicker Dan Carpenter was a perfect 4-for-4 and is 6-for-6 in the preseason. As long as he keeps this up, you won't hear me complain anymore about cutting Jay Feely.
• Various Dolphins beat writers have nailed it when they said during camp that punter Brandon Fields can really boom them, but takes a long time to get them off. The blocking better be good.

Conclusion

More important than the win itself, the best thing to take from this game is how well the Dolphins' first- and second-teams played. Preseason or not, the Dolphins' starters far outplayed the Jaguars' starters for a half of football. It doesn't mean the Dolphins are contenders or even that they're going to win many regular season games, but it certainly looks like things are heading in the right direction.

Most Intriguing Training Camp Battles, No. 7: Backup CB

The Dolphins' secondary is probably one of its weakest areas, and it's one they hope to prevent having exposed often by the presence of a quality strong front seven. The recurring problem at the position is that everybody there is playing higher than they should. No. 1 corner Will Allen is more of a No. 2. Michael Lehan, the No. 2 corner coming off a strong 2007 campaign, is really more of a No. 3 at best. Free agent acquisition Nathan Jones might be given more responsibility than he ever has in his career as a dime corner.

While Allen and Lehan are probably locks to make the team, the rest of the depth chart is uncertain. Goodman is one of the better players at this position so he's probably safe, but his injury history is a concern. Jones has a good chance to make the team as well given his history with the staff and management.

Meanwhile, Travis Daniels is one guy that I feel could be on the way out. After a solid rookie campaign as a fourth-rounder out of LSU in 2005, Daniels has shown little progression and perhaps even regression. He's not a viable candidate to start and doesn't seem to be getting much better, which could make him expendable.

If you got out on the limb (more like twig) I am and cut Daniels, you probably have one open spot at corner - the fifth and final spot. Left over are Joey Thomas, Will Billingsley and Scorpio Babers. Thomas is the only one with NFL experience as a former third-round pick by the Packers in 2004. He also has the Cowboys connection, as he the played with the team in the preseason last year.

Additionally, Thomas is quite frankly the only one that's currently NFL-ready. Billingsley has blazing speed but is very raw, and Babers just isn't much of a pro prospect. Thomas has the talent, experience and connections to earn the job, while the others are really just auditioning for a practice squad gig.

The position(s):Backup CB spots
Number of spots: 1-2
The contenders:Travis Daniels, Nathan Jones, Joey Thomas, Will Billingsley, Scorpio Babers
Predicted winner(s): Jones and Thomas
Reason: The Dolphins' secondary is very much a work-in-progress and will continue to be until 2009 at the earliest, so I think the Dolphins go with the experience and familiarity provided by Jones and Thomas. Billingsley and Babers just aren't NFL-ready right now, though I wouldn't be surprised to see the speedster Billingsley land on the practice squad for development.

Analysis Video: Cornerback Nathan Jones signed

On March 14, the Dolphins signed cornerback Nathan Jones. Watch the following video for more info and analysis. Enjoy!

Dolphins re-sign CB Michael Lehan

Dolphins management has made their first move to retain a player held over from the previous regime, re-signing unrestricted free agent cornerback Michael Lehan to a three-year deal. Watch the following video for more info on Lehan and analysis on the move. Enjoy!

2008 Offseason Preview: Cornerbacks

As discussed in the video, I felt it was best to break up the video on the Dolphins' defensive backs into two - cornerbacks and safeties. This video discusses the Dolphins' cornerback situation, while the one in the post above talks about their safety situation. Enjoy!

CB Goodman placed on IR; G Ndukwe signed

Cornerback André Goodman was placed on injured reserve today with a knee injury, while guard Ike Ndukwe was signed off the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens to fill the roster spot.

Goodman background

Goodman was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions in the third round (68th overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft out of South Carolina. He played in 14 games his rookie season including six starts, and recorded 46 tackles (38 solo), an interception and 12 passes defensed.

In 2003, Goodman suffered a dislocated shoulder in the Lions' third game of the season, landing him injured reserve. He finished the season with 11 tackles (all solo) and two passed defensed.

Over the next two seasons Goodman appeared in 26 games, of which he started 12. He totaled 75 tackles and four interceptions between 2004 and 2005, including a career-high three interceptions his final season with the team.

Goodman signed with the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent in March 2006. He received a three-year contract worth close to $5 million with up to $2.5 million in incentives. He had base salaries of $1 million each of the three seasons.

A lingering ankle injury for Travis Daniels allowed Goodman to secure a starting cornerback spot in 2006. Goodman went on to start 14 of the 15 games in which he appeared, recording 41 tackles (26 solo) and nine passes defensed. He was placed on injured reserve on December 27 with a shoulder injury.

In January 2007, Goodman underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove debris from his left shoulder. He had surgery again in May and missed the entire preseason on the PUP list, but was activated just prior to the regular season. His shoulder continued to give him problems, causing him to start just four of the 13 games in which he appeared for the Dolphins. He suffered a knee injury during the team's Week 16 game, landing him on injured reserve for the third time in his career. He finished the year with 20 tackles (15 solo) and two interceptions.

Ndukwe background

Ikechuku "Ike" Ndukwe, who is the brother of former Notre Dame and current Cincinnati Bengals safety Chindem Ndukwe, was originally an undrafted free agent out of Northwestern in 2005. He went to camp with the New Orleans Saints his first year, but was released after the preseason. He then spent nearly two months on the practice squad before being released again in October.

In November 2005, Ndukwe was signed to the practice squad of the Washington Redskins. He was promoted to the active roster on December 20, but was inactive for every game through the end of the season.

In 2006, the Redskins re-signed Ndukwe but released him at the end of training camp. He was added to the practice squad, but was picked up by the Baltimore Ravens on October 3.

Ndukwe was inactive for the entire 2006 season, and was re-signed in the offseason. However, he was once again released after the preseason and added to the practice squad. On October 13, he was promoted to the active roster. He was inactive for the team's Week 6 contest and was then waived and re-signed to the practice squad, where he remained until being signed to the Dolphins' active roster on December 16.

Analysis

Goodman is the fifth defensive back go on injured reserve for the Dolphins this season, but the transaction doesn't necessarily mean his injury is serious. Teams often place guys on injured reserve before Week 17 if they are out of playoff contention and know the guy won't be able to play the last game of the season.

Nagging injuries really hurt Goodman's 2007 season, though he's always been solid and was actually the team's best cover corner in 2006 despite having no interceptions. His absence won't help the Dolphins already decimated secondary in Week 17, but fortunately there's only one game to go. Goodman's injury could open the door for extended looks at guys like Tuff Harris and Jereme Perry.

Ndukwe is a big-bodied guard without much speed, but he's always had potential; he just hasn't been able to get on the field yet. He's had a sort of déjà vu career, bouncing from practice squad to active roster and team to team through the last few years. It seems unlikely he'll play in Week 17 given his lack of familiarity with the offense, however he was likely signed to a two- or three-year deal and will probably be in camp in 2008.