Two days before the Dolphins’ most meaningful exhibition game thus far, coach Tony Sparano and cornerback Vontae Davis flexed their proverbial muscles. After Thursday’s practice, Sparano said Miami is “going to make a run” at the AFC East title, adding that anyone who overlooks his team “is probably going to make a big mistake,” while Davis called he and Sean Smith “the best [cornerback] tandem in the league.”
It seems the Fins have confidence — swagger, even — heading into Saturday’s exhibition game against Tampa Bay.
Especially Davis, who will get to face former University of Illinois teammate Arrelious Benn, with the task of backing up his bold statement.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and say we’re the best [cornerback] tandem in the league,” Davis said. “That’s what I’m going to say. You can name all of [the other tandems] across the league, I’ll put it out there: We’re the best tandem.”
Why? “Because I feel that way, and I know it,” Davis said. “It is what it is.”
When asked if he wanted to reconsider, given Davis and the Dolphins will meet prolific passers Tom Brady, Matt Schaub and Philip Rivers in three of their first four games, Davis said he looked forward to the challenge.
“I love it,” he said. “That right there is going to show you how complementary me and Sean is to one another.”
Pro Football Focus ranked Smith as the eighth-best cornerback in 2010, while Davis followed just six spots behind.
When PFF released its Dolphins’ season preview Thursday, it wrote: “Finding a cornerback duo that is better … may be hard to do,” citing Smith’s 57.7 percent completion percentage against and Davis’ tackling ability against the run.
The young cornerbacks’ development has led some to suggest they could follow in the footsteps of former Dolphins Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison, who formed a stout tandem and combined for 58 interceptions and four touchdowns from 1998 to 2004.
“It’s [a] privilege for [anyone] to even bring them names up, them being good players here,” Davis said. “Obviously, we’re going in the right direction if we’re being mentioned [with the best].”
The young corners have to record 52 picks and three scores to equal their predecessors, but Sparano is OK with them trusting their ability — and not being afraid to say it.
“I like to hear it,” Sparano said. “I want them to play with confidence and swagger. They play good receivers, just in our division alone — never mind any place else. They have to approach it that way. I like the approach. Time will tell at the end of this thing whether or not they are [the best]. But I like them. I’d take them.”
CONFIDENT COACH
Outside Miami — even in Miami — few fans or prognosticators are picking the Dolphins to win the AFC East, as the Jets return virtually everyone from last season’s 11-5 team while New England added pieces to its roster that went 14-2. Earlier this week, ESPN Radio’s Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic predicted the Fins would win seven games — combined. Golic said the Dolphins would finish 4-12, while Greenberg picked them to go 3-13.
But Sparano, in strong words, said not to sleep on the Dolphins.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” Sparano said. “I can’t tell you how this thing is going to turn out, one way or the other. But I can tell you that the way this team works, the attitude that I see, the ingredients that we have right now — all show me that this team is poised and ready to go.’’
NOTABLE
• The Dolphins announced that the Touchdown Club will move to the club level at Sun Life Stadium for the 2011 season, meeting for the first time on Sept. 6, and the luncheon will take place every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. throughout the season. The club, in its 11th year honoring former Dolphins great Jim Mandich, has raised more than $300,000 through sponsorships and memberships, which are now available for the 2011 season.
• Sparano said H-back Charles Clay did not practice Thursday because of a hamstring injury.
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