Dolphins coach Joe Philbin is "excited" about second-year FS Kelcie McCray.
A 2012 minicamp star, undrafted rookie McCray missed his entire first season with a broken foot. McCray goes 6-foot-2, 202 and ran 4.55 at last year's Combine. He could push Chris Clemons for Miami's free safety job this summer.

Dolphins excited about Kelcie McCray

Dolphins coach Joe Philbin is "excited" about second-year FS Kelcie McCray who missed all last year with a foot injury after impressing in minicamps.

A 2012 minicamp star, undrafted rookie McCray missed his entire first season with a broken foot. McCray goes 6-foot-2, 202 and ran 4.55 at last year's Combine. He could push Chris Clemons for Miami's free safety job this summer.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51285107/ ... ayer_news/

Kelcie McCray, SS, Arkansas State
6'2, 202 lbs, 4.52 40

Notes: Also played basketball and was a quarterback as a Georgia prep. Redshirted in 2007. Saw limited action in 12 games in ’08 and posted 13 tackles, two pass breakups and zero interceptions with one forced fumble. Was the starting strong safety in all 12 games in ’09, logging 58-4-4 with 4 1⁄2 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Posted 79-2-2 with one tackle for loss in 12 starts from his SS position in ’10. A 13-game starter at strong safety in ’11, he totaled 70-4-4 with 1 1⁄2 tackles for loss.

Positives: Nice length. Fluid, fast and athletic. Flexible hips and ankles for his size. Good balance and body control — demonstrates the ability to break down in space. Fits in the run game. Reliable tackler. Pedals under control and transitions smoothly. Can extend and snag interceptions away from his body. Three-year starter. Smart and dependable. Solid citizen.

Negatives: Thinly built — needs to bulk up and get functionally stronger. Bench-pressed just 12 reps of 225 pounds at the Combine and does not generate pop on contact as a tackler. Average instincts and anticipation — breaks late off the hash. Mismatched vs. receivers in man coverage. Game lacks urgency and violence. Not an explosive athlete or impactful playmaker. Vertical leap (301⁄2 inches) was lowest amongst all defensive backs at the Combine.

Summary: Lean, high-cut, sinewy defender with good speed and tackling ability, though his skill set smears the line between strong and free safety. Instincts, play strength and dull suddenness limit his ceiling, but could provide depth and contribute on special teams.

The newly re-signed Chris Clemons? Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the young guys develop, but I'd hate to see us give a nice, new contract to a guy who isn't going to start.

The newly re-signed Chris Clemons? Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the young guys develop, but I'd hate to see us give a nice, new contract to a guy who isn't going to start.

I think the Dolphins need to load up on DBs in the draft. I'd love to see us snag Xavier Rhodes (1st), Johnthan Banks (2nd), and David Amerson (3rd). Rhodes would play CB, Banks and Amerson would compete for the other CB slot. The loser would compete with Clemons for the FS slot. Banks and Amerson both have the size and skills to be a starting CB or FS.

Clemons didn't get a "nice, new" contract. He got a one year deal for $2.75 million.

If he loses the job, he's gone next year with no repurcussions.