If there was one big shocker about the preseason's first depth
chart released by the Dolphins on Monday, it was where Vontae
Davis was listed. Davis has been the team's primary starting
cornerback since he was drafted in '09, and in this early draft
of the depth chart he was behind offseason acquisition Richard
Marshall.  Chances are it won't stick that way. Many beat
writers are saying the coaches are simply sending a message to
the inconsistent and distractible Davis. But would it be a
terrible thing for him to play nickel?  Nickel cornerback is not
a simple situational position in today's NFL—there are very
often three covering defensive backs on the field. Will Allen,
the Dolphins primary nickel corner last season, was on the
field 64.5 percent of all possible snaps (via Pro Football
Focus). That number may be elevated due to some of Davis
injuries, but Allen had a good-sized workload each week.  He
also got roughed up and was often a liability in coverage. That
is the reason the Dolphins brought in Marsh