Vontae Davis has the big name and reputation as one of the most physically gifted young cornerbacks in football. He does not have a starting job locked up with the Miami Dolphins.
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In a great example of how things have changed in Miami, Sean Smith reportedly has a starting cornerback job locked up under Joe Philbin. Smith has flashed greatness at times as a pro, but has often struggled during an up and down career.
Philbin and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle gave this defense a clean slate. Smith has taken advantage. Davis, on the other hand, is currently trailing free-agent pickup Richard Marshall in a battle for the team's starting job. Marshall is on his third team, last playing with the Arizona Cardinals.
"Nobody has a spot locked up," Davis told Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post. "Training camp, you got to come in, work hard. It's a new year. Everybody's spot's open on the team."
"There is nothing locked in stone here," Philbin said. "Certainly we want to look at some other guys and create competition everywhere."
Davis is no longer on scholarship. It's not only the Miami offense that is changing.