Secondary was primary

Simms said that coach Bill Parcells had NFC East foes foremost on his mind when he pieced together the Giants’ roster. The Redskins, for example, had “The Hogs’’ on the offensive line - a big, physical group that Parcells felt had to be countered by a big, physical defensive line.

Two decades later, Parcells’s divisional mind-set is still apparent. One look at the Dolphins’ offseason activity provides confirmation.

Parcells, in his second season as executive vice president of football operations in Miami, has orchestrated a significant overhaul of the secondary. The Dolphins signed free agent safety Gibril Wilson to a lucrative contract, added cornerback Eric Green in free agency, and drafted cornerbacks Vontae Davis (first round) and Sean Smith (second round) - four moves aimed at improving a pass defense that ranked 25th in yards surrendered per game last season (227.8).

Think Parcells had the Patriots and their high-flying passing attack in mind?

There is little doubt, not to mention the addition of receiver Terrell Owens in Buffalo, and to a lesser degree Jerricho Cotchery in New York.

In assessing some of the new personnel, Miami coach Tony Sparano pointed out that part of the appeal to drafting Davis (5 feet 11 inches, 203 pounds) and Smith (6-4, 214) was their physical stature. It also helped that they were the best players available in an area the Dolphins had targeted for improvement.

“There are some big receivers out there that these corners get matched up against quite a bit, and it’s always been our philosophy - ever since I’ve been around Bill - to have bigger corners,’’ Sparano said. “It’s just not easy to find them.

“It’s not a secret that first and foremost you’re concerned about your division because you play those people twice. When you’re playing against teams that have passing attacks like the Patriots have, that have a receiving group like the Patriots have - that’s one of the best in the league - and a team that added Terrell to go with Lee Evans in Buffalo, and Jerricho Cotchery and that group in New York, there is no question about it.

“You’re obviously trying to put the best pieces together for your team overall, but you’re also conscious of what other people around you have. We have to be able to match up with them somehow.’’

Sparano knows the true test will come when the pads come on, but for now, he says the Dolphins have given themselves a chance for more favorable matchups. Even with former starters Andre Goodman (cornerback) and Renaldo Hill (safety) now in Denver, the depth appears better than last season.

Nine-year veteran Will Allen is as steady as they come at one cornerback spot, so the question is who will start opposite him, and who will be the third and possibly fourth options against three- and four-receiver sets that the Patriots like to employ.

The Dolphins will monitor how quickly Davis and Smith emerge, while Green - a third-round draft choice out of Virginia Tech in 2005 - is another possibility. Green (5-11, 196) started 33 games for the Cardinals over the last four seasons but wasn’t re-signed in Arizona.

“He’s kind of a last-chance player, if you will,’’ said Sparano. “He was down there in Arizona and it didn’t work out for one reason or the other. Our philosophy is that we like to take chances on guys like that who have a little something to prove.’’

Jason Allen, whom the Nick Saban-led Dolphins selected in the first round of the 2006 draft, also falls into that “last-chance’’ category. He’s in the mix along with Nate Jones.

At safety, Sparano is excited about the addition of the 27-year-old Wilson, who spent last year in Oakland after four seasons with the Giants. When Sparano was helping formulate game plans against the Giants twice a year as a Cowboys assistant, Wilson often caught his eye.

“I know the guy, and I know what type of a physical presence he is,’’ said Sparano. “He is a young guy who still has good football upside to him. We felt like that was an important piece, to bring somebody with that kind of experience [66 regular-season starts] back there.’’

Wilson will team with 31-year-old Yeremiah Bell, who was re-signed this offseason, while Sparano pointed out that another safety, Tyrone Culver, played 550 of 939 snaps for the Dolphins last season, so he’s another chess piece on the board. Rookie Chris Clemons, a prospect the Patriots liked in the fifth round of the draft but weren’t in position to select, is also part of the safety mix along with special teamer Courtney Bryan.

In addition to the reconstructed secondary, the Dolphins hope they’ve boosted their pass rush with the signing of outside linebacker Cameron Wake of the Canadian Football League, and by bringing Jason Taylor back to play a situational role.

Sparano wants more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, pointing out that while outside linebacker Joey Porter had 17.5 sacks last season, the team’s No. 2 sacker was Matt Roth (5).

No NFL coach knows how it will all come together in late June, but at this point, Sparano is encouraged by some of the early signs.

In a division with Tom Brady returning to the Patriots, and with Owens adding a spark in Buffalo, the Dolphins’ changes in the secondary figure to play a major role in whether they can defend their AFC East championship.

Bears get necessities

What has the atmosphere been like around the team since the Jay Cutler trade?

“A lot of excitement right now. We feel like we have a great quarterback in Cutler, and we picked up other guys, like Orlando Pace at left tackle, so there are high expectations this year. Our goal is to be playing Feb. 7 [in the Super Bowl].’’

What have you noticed from being around Cutler?

“Obviously, the physical attributes. He has a strong arm, and likes to throw the ball, which can create amazing opportunities on the football field. He’s also not scared to try to beat the defense, and he knows that burden is on his shoulders, so he’s ready to step up and meet that challenge.’’

How might be the Bears’ offense be different with Cutler under center?

“I think we can utilize more weapons. Cutler has a strong arm, so he’s not going to be afraid to throw the ball anywhere on the field. He makes great decisions. If you blitz him, he can beat you deep. I think that dynamic, of the kind of player he is, is already taking off.’’

You started 16 games at left guard last year, but the Bears have made some changes on the line, signing Orlando Pace (Rams) and Frank Omiyale (Panthers) in free agency. How are you affected?

“They’re trying to make the strongest offensive line they can. They brought Frank in and he’s a tackle, but they have him playing at left guard. We’re battling it out and trying to make each other better, and hopefully helping make the Bears better. They brought in Pace, another great commitment by the team. You bring in a quarterback like Cutler, you have to be able to protect him. I think we have a stronger line.’’

What are some of your impressions of Pace?

“I think he’s a great guy, not to mention he’s a freak. He’s 260 [in] lean [mass]. That’s just phenomenal numbers. He’s one of those players you couldn’t just genetically put him together if you tried. He’s one of those gifted players who comes around once in a lifetime. God blessed him with some good genes.’’

What are your thoughts on running back Matt Forte and his impressive rookie season in 2008?

“It starts with him wanting the ball. Not only does he want the ball, but he’s also willing to block in pass protection. He’s not scared to plug it into the hole, even if there isn’t any daylight and he might have to make it [on his own]. He’ll only get better as he learns more.’’

Ex-Eagle Toal happy to roll dice with Las Vegas in UFL

One name with local ties jumped off the draft board: former Boston College linebacker Brian Toal, who was picked by Las Vegas.

The UFL, with a season that starts in October and extends through the end of November, is touting itself as a place for players to prove themselves to NFL clubs. For Toal, the timing is perfect after he went undrafted in April and didn’t sign with any NFL club as a free agent.

“Right now, I think the questions most teams have are about injury and durability,’’ said Blake Baratz, Toal’s agent, “and while I think it’s unfair that Brian is pegged with that, the only way to get that off his shoulders is to get on film and stay healthy, and the UFL will give him that opportunity. He’s excited about the opportunity.’’

Toal hopes that playing under former Giants head coach Jim Fassel in Las Vegas paves his way to the NFL. Toal was invited to the Jets’ minicamp after the draft for a tryout but wasn’t signed.

Each UFL team - Las Vegas, New York, Orlando, San Francisco - drafted 24 players. The league plans to fill the remaining roster spots in July, and again in August with players who have been released by NFL teams.

Among the noteworthy players who were part of last week’s draft were former Rams safety Adam Archuleta (Las Vegas), former Patriots tight end Jermaine Wiggins (Orlando), former Brown University receiver Chas Gessner (Orlando), and former BC cornerback DeJuan Tribble (Orlando).

Etc.

Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.