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.