Tony Lippett looking to catch starting DB job with Dolphins

AP wrote:Heading into his second NFL season, Tony Lippett says he no longer dreams about catching touchdown passes.

Interceptions are more like it.

Lippett played mostly receiver at Michigan State, but the Miami Dolphins drafted him as a cornerback in the fifth round a year ago, and now he's in contention for a starting job.

"I'm just trying to compete," Lippett said Tuesday, when the Dolphins began three weeks of OTAs. "You can never go wrong with competing. I can't predict the future. I'm going to compete and let the marbles fall where they fall."

JMP wrote:I'd be absolutely shocked if Lippett earns a starting job - and if he does, I'll be even more concerned about the Dolphin secondary than I already am. It would also mean that Xavien Howard was not the right pick...if he can't be out Lippett from day one, that would be a real bad sign.

JMP wrote:

CarsonChris wrote:I have this feeling that our defensive backfield becomes a strength this year. If Tony Lippett becomes a starter it's a great thing. I think Xavien Howard will be a top 20 corner eventually. The former Oregon Ducks corner was originally slated as a first round pick. We got him for nothing. His doctor just cleared him and I think he pushes for playing time. He reminds me of Brent Grimes. The safety we picked up from the Lions was the top rated safety the last half of the year last year.  We have the most depth we've had in a long time.

I think DB remains a weakness and will be a major reason why our D continues to struggle.  It's by far the weakest area on the team along with LB and probably OL (till proven otherwise.)

CB:
- Howard could be good or could be terrible...he showed signs of both in college and it's too soon to tell if he'll ever be consistent. 
- I don't like Maxwell at all - great size, but plays soft and gets beat deep. 
- Ifo Ekpre-Olomu may challenge McCain for the nickle/slot job, but IMO he's a long shot.  I was impressed with McCain last season and expect him to win that nickle spot.
- Lippett seems like a role player to me, as I said above.
- Lucas should end up on the practice squad IMO.

S:
- Jones is in the prime of his career and should continue to play well, although we'll have to see how he adjusts to a new scheme.
- Isa Abdul-Quddus has limited experience as a starter and hasn't had an INT since 2012.  He's a great special teamer, but I consider him a question mark as a full-time safety.
- Michael Thomas is a bench player that you can use in dime packages.
- Walt Aikens should be a special teams-only player.


Depth at both positions is questionable, if not terrible.  Especially at corner, we have to expect miracles from several players, and if they don't work out we are seriously screwed.