Vontae Davis' lesson: Always watch your back

Miami Dolphins cornerback Vontae Davis (24) stretches during football minicamp, Saturday, June 13, 2009, in Davie, Fla.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) - Vontae Davis was in mid-sentence Tuesday, when Oakland rookie wide receiver Louis Murphy ran up behind him and tugged his shorts down to his ankles.

The lesson, as if Davis needed any reminder: Always watch your back.

The Miami Dolphins rookie cornerback got snarled in what he says is an identity-theft mess earlier this month - a story that began with reports that he was arrested in Champaign, Ill. three weeks ago. Someone was stopped by police there on June 9, presented Davis' identification and was charged with, among other things, driving without a valid license.

Which makes sense, since Davis canceled that license months earlier, after reporting his wallet stolen.

"You've to be aware of your surroundings and what's going on around you," Davis said. "How you do things with your credit card, you've got to be real conscious of those things. It taught me what can happen."

Davis insisted from the outset that he wasn't the person arrested, and the Dolphins quickly backed his story, saying he was training in South Florida. Police officials subsequently said that signs pointed to identity theft.

It was one of many topics discussed at the NFL rookie symposium, a mandatory immersion for players entering the league. Sessions ranged from dealing with personal finances, the NFL player conduct policy, relationships and security, something Davis is taking more seriously now.

For example, he's not leaving his wallet unattended in his car anymore.

"I know where it is right now," Davis said. "Locked up in my bookbag."

Until this week, Murphy - a former Florida standout - said he wasn't aware of Davis' situation, but acknowledged that it gave him something to think about.

"You've got to be careful," Murphy said. "They've talked to us a lot about identity theft, fraud, stuff like that."

Davis said he hasn't heard anything further from police officials in Illinois about the investigation, adding that Dolphins security personnel have been dealing with authorities.

"It's a situation you can't prepare for," Davis said. "I canceled my credit cards, but at the same time, they had my identity. That's bigger than anything."