Miami Dolphins CB Cam Smith knows joint practices, preseason games are 'vital' to his career
MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins cornerback Cam Smith feels supported by new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
And in the same way that Mike McDaniel made all the difference for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Cam feels he has a coach invested in his career.
"Kind of just instilling confidence that he knows I'm a baller," Smith said Wednesday after a training camp practice. "So just making sure that every day he knows that I'm going to be doing what I'm supposed to do, bringing energy, doing everything I'm supposed to do."
Smith's first season was a disappointment, with no starts, two tackles and no interceptions.
As a rookie second-rounder, he never seemed to gain any traction with former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
Smith also takes some responsibility for needed improvements.
"I feel like from last year to this year, I feel like my technique, just kind of playing in the defense last year, I had a lot more off (coverage), so I kind of got the re-progressions, like learning to change my eyes, stuff like that," Smith said.
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Smith feels this year Miami will use more press coverage.
"Press technique," Smith said. "Really just kind of getting back in the groove of that. I just played a lot of off last year, so just getting back in the groove of that and just being back comfortable sitting in the press and sitting in there, getting my hands on stuff like that, making sure they go around me, not opening the gate."
Smith is competing with undrafted Ethan Bonner for the fourth cornerback position.
Smith knows joint practices and preseason games are extremely important to his career.
"Right now, they're very vital," Smith said. "Just kind of making sure that all of the nooks and crannies, work yourself out throughout the day. This is where you work out everything, see where your mistakes are, see what you lack."
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Smith has missed some time in camp with soft-tissue injuries but he appears on track to practice and play against Washington this week.
Smith has outstanding athleticism, but coaches indicated last season that he needed to be a more consummate pro.
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"Just kind of having a year under my belt," Smith said. "Just knowing everything that's supposed to be going on and stuff like that, it just kind of makes everything more easy. I'm just not really going through the motions, but I cannot feel like I'm a freshman in high school."
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins' Cam Smith feels supported by new coach: 'Knows I'm a baller.'
