Cornerback is a position where late bloomers need not apply.

More than any other position in football, corners tend to identify themselves as viable players by their mid-20s. If they're not standouts by then, they hope to hang on as extra defensive backs or perhaps move to safety.

Which is why Chris Johnson is opening eyes with the Raiders as their starting left cornerback.

Johnson, 29, is getting his first extended time as a starter and is running with the opportunity.

Given that Johnson is identified by Nnamdi Asomugha as the fastest player on the team, that's not surprising.

The Miami Dolphins showed again they can beat a bad team -- barely. Next comes the biggest game yet in the franchise's revival. Rookie Dan Carpenter nailed a 38-yard field goal with 38 seconds left to cap a 61-yard drive, and the Dolphins earned their fourth consecutive victory Sunday by defeating woeful Oakland 17-15.