Cornerback Howard hoping to build on late-season surge
Multiple interceptions in consecutive games should add confidence for Year 3.
Editor’s note: This continues a series spotlighting members of the team individually. In addition to reliving highlights and lowlights of the past season for each, we’ll provide analysis and criticism, plus take a look at how each player fits — or doesn’t fit — into the team’s plans for 2018.
DAVIE — Can momentum that a young player has going for him late one season carry over into the next season? The Dolphins certainly hope so. Cornerback Xavien Howard didn’t get off to the best of starts last year but displayed a key trait for a cornerback — he forgot about all that — to put up some stunning performances as the weather turned cold.
Howard recorded the first two interceptions of his career against Denver, then followed with two more against Tom Brady and the Patriots, which was even more impressive in two ways:
■ He’s the first Dolphin with multiple interceptions in consecutive games.
■ He played the Patriots game while
ill on the sideline because of the stomach flu.
“I thought he was going to die,” said safety Walt Aikens, who should know because, in his words, “I was in the splash zone.”
Howard, who earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors for the Patriots game, said he realized it was time to start trusting himself and taking chances when opportunities arose.
“Not thinking,” said Howard, who relied on strength and his closing ability with the ball in the air to pick off Brady. “Just going out there and playing.”
“You could tell him that I said it’s about time,” defensive end Cameron Wake said.
Of course, 1½ seasons isn’t a long time for a cornerback to develop (not to mention that Howard missed half his rookie year with knee problems).
While double-digit interceptions are a bit much to ask of anybody in Year 3, continued growth is realistic for Howard. If that happens, a healthy second contract will start to come into focus.
“The more he plays, the longer he plays, the tighter the coverage is going to get … the faster he’ll get as far as being able to break up some of these passes,” coach Adam Gase said. “Guys get so frustrated with young corners or the kid themselves gets down on themselves because balls are completed on them. They get better with time if you stick with them and you don’t allow their confidence to waver.”
Howard’s confidence should be at an all-time high entering the season.
Any concerns the Dolphins may have had over his extended absence in 2016 should have been erased by what he did against New England. Keep in mind, he required two bags of IV fluids and was drinking Pedialyte but still suited up and played extremely well, worthy of the Michael Jordan seal of approval. XAVIEN HOWARD Position: Cornerback Height, weight: 6-1, 196 pounds
College: Baylor
Age: Will be 25 this season Experience: Third season, all with Dolphins
Acquired: Second-round pick in 2016
Contract: In third year of his $6.1 million rookie contract Pro Football Focus rank: 92nd of 121
2017 stats: Started every game; 48 tackles, one sack, four interceptions, 13 passes defensed
Notable moments: Interceptions came in bunches, with two vs. Broncos and two in the home game vs. Patriots