Dolphins will be looking for players to step up in the secondary

Written by Matthew Cannata | Twitter: @PhinManiacs
With Cortland Finnegan’s status up in the air for Sunday and with the recent rash of injuries to the Miami Dolphins’ secondary, the coaching staff is looking for different players to step up and make their presence known when the defense is on the field. 

Philbin said that both Reshad Jones and Louis Delmas will continue to provide a stable balance in the defensive backfield and said that they have both been playing well. He even said that Jones was playing as well as he’s ever played before.

The rest of the secondary is a mystery though, with the exception of Brent Grimes. That’s why Joe Philbin said that they will be using different combinations come Sunday and is hoping that everyone is able to contribute.

“We may have to use some different combinations, but we like the way Jamar Taylor stepped in and competed. That was a positive. We’re going to need everybody. We’re going to need all 46 guys and however many guys we dress on defense. They’re all going to have to be ready to contribute and have a role in this game.”

One player who may see an increased role is Jalil Brown, who was signed to the team after Will Davis was placed on injured reserve. Brown was on the roster bubble in training camp so he knows the system and he’ll be expected to contribute right away, especially if Finnegan is too hurt to play.

 “I’m not certain what Cortland’s status is going to be at this point here early in the week. I hope that he can, but we’ll proceed. We’ll be ready if he’s not, that’s the way you have to approach it. Jalil is a guy that we feel comfortable with. He was right on the bubble here during training camp as to whether or not he was going to be able to make the 53. He knows the system, he’s played in games, he’s played in games this season, he’s competed. I’ve known him from back when he came out of (University of) Colorado. We coached the Senior Bowl that year and he was on our team when I coached the Senior Bowl. So I’ve got a good relationship with him and I’m confident he can get up to speed really quickly.”

It’s not the best time to be working with a new secondary against Peyton Manning but like we’ve seen with the Arizona Cardinals, the next man has to step up and contribute with everything that he has. If that happens, the Dolphins shouldn’t notice too much of a difference. 

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