Richard Marshall: Miami Dolphins Nickel is Worth Millions
The Miami Dolphins have a pair of talented cornerbacks looking to get their game up to their level of potential. Vontae Davis and Sean Smith are sure to be the starters in 2012, but this is a passing era in the NFL and offenses are going to 3,4, even 5 wide receiver sets on a regular basis. AFC East foe New England Patriots are high-powered on offense. The passing trend is pointing upward with other teams too. The Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets have seen their pass attempts rise greatly the past few seasons. We can expect to see that trend continue in 2012.
Enter Richard Marshall. The 7th year veteran was pursued hardcore by the ‘Phins this off-season. A nickel cornerback in this day and age in the NFL is valuable (big-time). This is especially true for Miami as they are rumored to be implementing a new base defense. The upside of the change should be a rejuvenated/improved pass-rush, but Miami will need the defensive-backs to step up towards the line of scrimmage and make tackles vs ball-carriers.
Richard Marshall was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, and he spent five seasons there (2006 through 2010). He was with the Arizona Cardinals in 2011. Marshall is in the Top 10 for defensive-back tackles every year, and his coverage skills have improved lately. Marshall was miserable in coverage, but last season he seemed to “get it” and his cover game actually became very good (so good that Marshall was named the Cardinals MVP on defense last season)
Support vs the run, plus have the ability to cover a WR too. These are needed in Miami, and luckily these are things that Marshall brings to the table. We see why the Dolphins were trying so hard to add him. There are DB’s on the Dolphins that are looking for contract extensions, but Marshall got locked up with a 3 year $16 million contract.
Another aspect of Marshall’s game is his ability to play either the nickel cornerback, or even move to a safety position. He is very good at reading a play quickly, and aggressively pursuing the ball-carrier. Excellent tackler (new head coach Joe Philbin has to love the tacking ability of Marshall. Very sound, and aggressive)
In the past a nickelback would have been instrumental on 3rd down plays. The difference between getting the opposition off the field, or the opposition moving the chains. These days nickelbacks are hardily that specific. Marshall will see action on numerous 1st, and 2nd downs (plus, of course, 3rd down). His contract, and skill-set, should call for a lot of playing time for Marshall as the nickelback, and/or at a safety spot.
A lot will be asked and expected from certain Dolphins DB’s in 2012. Richard Marshall is a guy who could prove himself very valuable in the defensive backfield. If the ‘Phins front 7 struggle to stop the run, then expect even more playing time for Marshall as he is legit at supporting vs the run (5’11″ 195 pound tackle-machine).
Mid-March was a time when the Dolphins were rumored to be in the Peyton Manning sweepstakes. Obviously that is going to get the press, but this was also a time when the ‘Phins re-upped with Paul Soliai, and landed Richard Marshall. Not Manning-level news, but in the long run these guys could prove instrumental for the 2012 Miami Dolphins.
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