James Walker, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Dolphins Show and Prove: Reshad Jones

This week, we'll examine several key Miami Dolphins players who have a lot to prove in 2014.

Let’s start Monday with starting safety Reshad Jones, who received a big contract extension last year and underachieved.

2013 stats: 107 tackles, one INT

What he has to prove: Jones has to prove 2013 was a one-year fluke. Jones was one of the consistent and underrated safeties in the AFC before last season. But suddenly Jones was up and down in coverage and lacked playmaking last year. One train of thought is Jones finally got paid (four years, $29 million) and lost his edge. I’m not sure that’s fair after one down season. The safety duo of Jones and Chris Clemons did not work last year. Miami let Clemons go in free agency and replaced him with the hard-hitting Louis Delmas. But Jones has to prove he can work better with a new safety.

Walker’s 2014 outlook: I expect Jones to have a better 2014 season. Jones spent a lot of time last year missing offseason workouts and focusing on getting a new contract that it may have impacted his play. Now, Jones will get a full year of training with the team. The pairing with Delmas could be hit or miss. Delmas is more of an in-the-box safety. That means Jones will spend plenty of time being the last line of defense. I expect more interceptions and more big plays from the veteran.

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