One Allen stays in Miami, while another’s future is uncertain

By Brad Wilbricht  |   Wednesday, May 27, 2009  |  Comments( 5 )

Miami Dolphins
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Although the Miami Dolphins selected two cornerbacks on Day 1 of April's NFL draft, they nevertheless recently extended the contract of veteran Will Allen to the tune of two years and $16 million. Allen will help mentor the Dolphins’ incoming rookies as well as the team’s returning secondary members. The move locks up Miami’s top corner for at least three more seasons and could cause a shakeup at the position.

Allen, an eight-year veteran, has been a constant fixture on defense since arriving in Miami. After a successful start to his professional career with the New York Giants, Allen headed to South Florida in 2006. In three seasons with the Dolphins, he’s racked up 169 tackles, four sacks and five interceptions. Additionally, Allen has been rather durable, playing in all but one game during that time span.

Heading into the offseason, the Dolphins’ secondary was a major question mark. Miami ranked 25th in the NFL a year ago in pass defense, allowing 228 yards per game through the air. However, selecting corners Vontae Davis and Sean Smith in the first two rounds of the draft quickly added youthful depth. Former Arizona Cardinal Eric Green was also brought in via free agency.

Although Jason Allen is currently slotted as the other starting corner, his days atop the depth chart may be numbered. Miami is counting on immediate contributions from its incoming rookies and Green spent time as a starter during his tenure in the desert. The extension of the older Allen coupled with the additions on draft weekend could be the writing on the wall for the former Tennessee Volunteers standout.

With a secondary now stacked with talent, the Dolphins have positioned themselves to drastically improve their pass defense in 2009. Bill Parcells and company set out to accomplish this goal after last season’s playoff loss and Miami’s acquisitions should help them overcome their nemesis from a year ago.

It might be done without Jason Allen, though.
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About Brad Wilbricht

Brad Wilbricht covers numerous sporting events including the NFL, NFL Draft and college football. His analysis is simulcast through several media outlets across the country. Additionally, Brad is a regular guest on a variety of talk radio shows and can be frequently heard on the airwaves. To...
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