Miami Dolphins cornerback Zack Bowman ready to make an impact

During the offseason, it seemed like the Miami Dolphins were signing cornerbacks left and right. However, none of them were the top prizes in free agency. Instead, they are players who are valuable in the slot and perhaps push Jamar Taylor for the second cornerback position opposite Brent Grimes. One player who's looking to do that is Zack Bowman.

“I met with the staff, I met with the organization. They said I would have an opportunity to be a starter and I’m looking forward to the opportunity, I’m looking forward to the challenge. I’m looking forward to competing with my teammates.”

When Bowman was introduced to the South Florida media, general manager Dennis Hickey didn't hide his excitement when talking about just how good of a person he is both on and off the field.

“I’m excited to welcome Zack Bowman to the Miami Dolphins family. He’s a guy we’ve been tracking quite a bit here over the last several months in unrestricted free agency. What he brings to the table is an experienced player that brings length and ball skills, and the ability to b e a good special teams players. He has started in this league. We’re excited to add him. He’s a quality person. We know him quite well going back to college and several people in the organization. We’re excited to have a player of his caliber and a person of his caliber to our team."

In 2009, Bowman burst onto the scene with six interceptions in 12 starts. However, since then, he hasn't had much of an opportunity to become an every down player each week of the season. However, he said he understands the business and realizes that whenever he has the opportunity to start, he'll make the most of it. 

Bowman was on the market for over a month since the beginning of free agency but wasn't too surprised that he hadn't yet signed with a team.

"It’s a process and it takes time. I knew I was going to have an opportunity, so I wasn’t worried about it. Obviously, yesterday I was in Miami and I met with the coaches and the staff. It felt like it was a good fit for me, it felt like it was a great opportunity. I’m glad to be a Dolphin," he said. “I didn’t visit any other teams. We talked to a few teams and stuff, just kind of laid out my options. Then I visited with Miami and liked everything I saw, like the direction that they’re going in. I felt like it’s a great fit for me and for what I can bring to the team. So I signed with the Dolphins and I’m happy to be a Dolphin.”

With the Dolphins, Bowman will compete for the starting job but will also likely have a big role on special teams. For him, that won't be a problem as that is something he loves.

“I love special teams. It’s exciting, I enjoy it. I’ve played gunner, jammer. I’ve played ‘R1, R2, R3’ on kickoff. I’ve been the left tackle on kickoff return. I bring a lot of versatility to special teams because I can play a lot of different positions.”

We'll see just how much he can bring to the table when training camp and the 2015 season begins but he is someone who is determined and ready to make an impact with Miami.

This story was written by Matthew Cannata. Follow him on Twitter: @FinsInsiders