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Miami Dolphins select CB Vontae Davis with 1st round pick



Even with nearly every realistic option still available when the Miami Dolphins selected at No. 25 on Saturday, the team still went with the one prospect who filled one of the biggest needs on Miami's roster, picking up Illinois cornerback Vontae Davis.

Davis, one of the most highly coveted cornerbacks in the draft, will be called upon to make an immediate impact, likely competing for the starting job opposite Will Allen as soon as he arrives in South Florida.

''I know they were one of the teams interested in me,'' said Davis, who is 6-foot, 204 pounds. ``I'm a physical corner and I fit that style of their defense of being aggressive.''

A native of Washington, D.C., Davis is the brother of Vernon Davis, a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2006. The new Dolphins cornerback is a physical specimen who suits Miami's aggressive style of play.

The idea of adding Davis was particularly appealing to the Dolphins because of the big receivers in the AFC East, which now includes Terrell Owens in Buffalo and Randy Moss in New England.

When the Dolphins chose Davis, they sided with the corner despite many other talented players still available, including cornerback Darius Butler, linebacker Clay Matthews Jr., linebacker Rey Maualuga and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks.

That might be as much of a testimony to Miami's belief in Davis' ability as anything else. Now, the cornerback will need to prove he also possesses the type of work ethic that the Dolphins demand.

Last spring, Davis was demoted during spring workouts -- and benched for the season opener against Iowa -- as a means to motivate him. The Dolphins coaching staff apparently believes they will be able to keep him on track.

''[Bill Parcells] knows I'm a great person,'' Davis said. ``He knows the type of player and person I really am.''

Whether Davis starts immediately remains to be seen, but his addition was critical for the future of a position that would have been in serious jeopardy after this season when Will Allen becomes an unrestricted free agent along with Nate Jones and Joey Thomas.

LINK >> Miami Dolphins select CB Vontae Davis with 1st round pick - Football - MiamiHerald.com

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