Coach Tony Sparano believes RCB Sean Smith can be a Pro Bowl-caliber corner if he improves his catching ability.

Smith garnered praise for regaining his confidence and bouncing back from an early-season demotion. He ended up finishing an impressive eighth in Pro Football Focus' cornerback ratings. Smith is now locked in as the starter opposite Vontae Davis.

When asked if he was starting this week over CB Jason Allen, Sean Smith replied, "I'm back."

It sounds like he'll be starting, but he and Allen are expected to rotate in and out at right cornerback. Vontae Davis has had a terrific season, but the Dolphins could really use improvement from their right cornerback position, and Smith gives them the best chance at that.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano had a vague answer when asked how the playing time between CBs Sean Smith and Jason Allen will break down going forward, saying, "we'll see what we do."

Smith took over for a struggling Allen in Week 7, though the two wound up playing the same number of plays. Sparano did note that Smith "didn't make any errors." It's clear which of these two should be starting, and it's not Allen.

Dolphins CB Sean Smith has been practicing in the team's dime package over the last two weeks, specifically covering tight ends.

It's nice to see the team attempting to get Smith on the field, as Jason Allen is playing too well for Smith to see time at cornerback. The second year player has the talent to be a star, but needs to show more consistency before the team turns his way again.

Florida Sun-Sentinal columnist Omar Kelly expects Dolphins CB Sean Smith to only see "a series or two" against the Vikings Sunday, though he could see extended time on special teams.

Smith has had quite the fall from grace after starting 16 games last season. He has too much talent to be a full-time special teamer, but he needs to start showing more consistency before he can regain his starting role.

Dolphins CB Sean Smith is expected to play Sunday at Minnesota, though his role is unknown.

Smith lost his starting job to Jason Allen and didn't play a single snap in Sunday's opener. Coach Tony Sparano said that Smith would play this coming Sunday, though not necessarily at cornerback. "I think we'll see Sean get involved in special teams a little bit," Sparano said.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Dolphins will bench RCB Sean Smith for Jason Allen in Week 1.

Though it's another disappointment for Smith following a poor preseason and camp, the move may be strategic. The Fins likely realize that Week 1 opponent Buffalo poses little threat in the passing game, so they can get away with using an inferior option on the corner while also sending Smith a message. Look for Vontae Davis to shadow Lee Evans wherever he goes next Sunday.

Dolphins RCB Sean Smith has reportedly "lost a lot of the aggressiveness" he showed last season.

Smith has reportedly also struggled as a tackler. So promising as a rookie, it appears Smith didn't take his first full NFL offseason seriously. Unfortunately, the Dolphins don't have any better options to book end Vontae Davis.

The Miami Dolphins recorded 4 takeaways in Saturday's preseason opener against the Buccaneers, including an interception by Sean Smith.

It was defensive coordinator Mike Nolan's first contest with the team. The Dolphins finished last year in the middle of the pack in takeaways, so the team is hoping Nolan's presence and the maturation of CBs Sean Smith and Vontae Davis will improve an already solid defensive team.

Dolphin's RCB Sean Smith has been practicing with the second team while Jason Allen has been taking first team reps.

Don't read too much into this. It seems like Tony Sparano is just trying to light a fire under the second-year corner. That being said, Smith will need to up his playmaking ability this season to validate Muhsin Muhammed's claim that Smith and Vontae Davis form the best corner tandem in football.

Appearing on NFL Network's Total Access program recently, former Panthers WR Muhsin Muhammad called Sean Smith and Vontae Davis the best cornerback tandem in all of football.

"They bring a lot of swagger," said Muhammad. "They're gonna get stronger and stronger." Moose compared Smith and Davis to the once-vaunted Dolphins corner duo of Pat Surtain and Sam Madison. Smith and Davis' cover skills certainly were impressive last season, but they need to make more plays to be truly elite. They combined for just five turnovers caused in 2009.