Dolphins hopeful NFL’s highest-paid cornerback tandem proves to be the best

The NFL’s most expensive cornerback tandem? That distinction goes to Miami Dolphins’ Xavien Howard and Byron Jones because the hard facts and cold cash allow no argument.

Howard was already the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, averaging $15 million per season on a deal worth $75.25 million, when Jones signed with the Dolphins last March and whizzed past his new teammate with a deal that averages $16.5 million per season and is worth $82.5 million overall.

Today, Jones and Howard are the league’s secondand third-highest paid corners on an annual basis behind only Darius Slay’s $16.83 million average.

But together there’s no touching the duo. Their $157.75 million in combined contracts laps all contenders.

Perspective: The New England Patriots are paying $96 million in total contracts for their starting corners, and the Detroit Lions are paying $89.5 million.

But both those figures are for corners compared to Miami’s duo. New England’s salary figures include money to Stephon Gilmore, Jonathan Jones and Jason McCourty. Detroit’s figure includes money to Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman and rookie Jeff Okudah.

So, no arguing, the Dolphins have the NFL’s highestpaid cornerback tandem. But the best? That’s the more important question.

That’s what will determine how well the Dolphins pass defense, 26th in passing yards allowed last season, improves for 2020.

So here’s the marker by which we will measure Jones and Howard this year: The highest-paid guys must be the best guys. No excuses.

And, to their credit, that’s their goal.

“We’re certainly working toward that, there’s no doubt about that,” Jones said Thursday. “We both excel at playing man coverage. I think [Howard] excels at attacking the ball better than me so that’s something I’m learning from him.

of the guy he’s trying to beat out — Ryan Fitzpatrick.

“I thought I could break ice making you guys laugh wearing the Fitz jersey because Fitz [is] very personable as well,” Tagovailoa said. “Very, very down-toearth person. Very humble.

“He just gets it,” he added. “That saying goes true — if you want to get somewhere fast you go alone and if you want to go somewhere with purpose you bring people with you. I think Fitz has done a tremendous job of trying to shape and mold me.”

Fitzpatrick recently insisted the same; that he’s here to help Tagovailoa develop as a pro and connect with him as a person. Tagovailoa recently was introduced to Fitzpatrick’s huge family — including his seven kids, two of whom Fitz forgot about, Tua joked.

For his ubiquity on TV and social media — including a new documentary set to air on Fox Labor Day Weekend — Tagovailoa is still a bit of a mystery to Miami media. Thursday was his first local media availability since the spring, and there was much to cover.

Most importantly — how’s that surgically repaired hip?

“Everything is going well,” Tagovailoa said, but added, “I won’t know the feeling until I actually … get tackled. It’s almost like the trial-and-error kind of thing. You gotta go out and do it in order to know if it does hurt or it doesn’t. That’s pretty much what I can say.”

That might not happen for months. There are no preseason games this summer.

The Dolphins will likely self-scrimmage at some point in the coming weeks, but it’s impossible to fathom coach Brian Flores will let his defenders hit Tagovailoa or any quarterback in that simulated game.

And the expectation is Fitzpatrick, not Tagovailoa, will start Week 1. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess. If the Dolphins are competitive with Fitzpatrick, Flores won’t be inclined to make a move. Some, including ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky, believe Tagovailoa shouldn’t play until he’s a full year removed from his hip injury.

Beyond health concerns, Tagovailoa won’t play until he shows a competence, if not mastery, of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s offense.

He has been trying to do that this summer with just a fraction of practice time he got at Alabama — which he called “a different learning curve.”

Tagovailoa added: “No matter what offense you’re stepping into, it’s always going to be a process of learning, and that’s where I’m at. I’m still in a process of getting to understand

Chan’s offense.”

Dolphins players this season will honor the late Don Shula by wearing a jersey patch featuring his name and the number

347 — signifying the legendary coach’s record number of wins. Coaches and team personnel will wear a pin with the same logo.

The Dolphins on Thursday cut safety Steven Parker, who appeared in 14 games with four starts and two interceptions in 2019. They also released tight end Bryce Sterk and signed cornerback Deatrick Nichols, who has not appeared in a game since 2018.