7:06 p.m. EST, November 19, 2012

DAVIE – Kevin Coyle was struggling to find the right words.

The Miami Dolphins' defensive coordinator, who worked his way up the NFL ranks grooming young cornerbacks and safeties, building tough secondaries, had just dropped the D-word to describe the mind set of his cornerbacks.

He was trying to explain the balancing act the position, which is under constantly attack from receivers and quarterbacks, face on an every snap basis and Coyle started his defense of the unit by saying "it's a delicate...." before stopped himself mid-sentence.

"Delicate" and defenders are two words that shouldn't go together, but that would accurately describe the Dolphins' secondary this season considering they've fluctuated through hot and cold spells most of 2012.

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Only three teams have allowed more passes of 20-plus yards this season, which hints Miami's giving up too many big plays.

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The Dolphins have allowed opposing quarterback to complete 56.8 percent of their passes, which is respectable.

Opposing quarterbacks have a 80.1 cumulative quarterback rating after 9 games. Only nine teams have a lower quarterback rating, and only six teams have allowed fewer than the 12 touchdown passes Miami has given up. Those stats hint not all hope is lost. But the Dolphins defense continues to be plagued with inconsistencies.

Opposing quarterbacks have been picking on new nickel cornerback Jimmy Wilson, who was moved from cornerback to safety this offseason but has returned because of Marshall's injury. Quarterbacks are completed 66.7 percent of the passes thrown at the receiver Wilson is defending and have a cumulative quarterback rating of 106.1 when targeting whoever he's covering.

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