Examining the career parallels of Ramsey/Howard

(nine) than Ramsey among NFL corners.

Yet Pro Football Focus still ranked Ramsey third among cornerbacks last season because he made a bunch of plays on the ball (including four interceptions) and was outstanding as a run defender.

There are striking similarities in some of Ramsey’s and Xavien Howard’s numbers last season and recent career arc.

Last season, Howard allowed 58 receptions on 87 targets, while Ramsey permitted 56 on 86 targets. Howard yielded six touchdown passes, Ramsey seven.

But here were the two big differences between Howard and Ramsey last year:

1). Howard had only one regular-season interception, after hauling in 10 and five the previous two seasons. Ramsey had four, which tied for sixth most among corners.

2). Howard allowed 910 passing yards on receptions against him, most in the league, while Ramsey allowed 712 on just two fewer completions against him. That 712 was 12th most among cornerbacks.

So last season, Ramsey allowed fewer yards per catch (12.7) than Howard did (15.7), when Howard permitted a 114.6 passer rating in his coverage area, 15 points worse than Ramsey’s.

Keep in mind that in 2020, when Ramsey was at his best (76.3 passer rating against, just 396 yards allowed), Howard also was at his best, permitting just a 53.0 passer rating in his coverage area, with 10 interceptions and four touchdowns yielded.

Like Ramsey, Howard’s 2021 wasn’t quite as good as his 2020, but much better than his 2022. Howard permitted an

88.2 passer rating in 2021 (compared with 84.5 for Ramsey), with seven TDs permitted but also five interceptions.

The key is getting both of those players back to their 2020 form, or at the very least, their 2021 form.

It’s not too much to expect — Ramsey is only 28, Howard 29. Both are immensely talented. Both, at one point in this decade, could make a strong case for being the best cornerback in the league.

They’ve been friends for several years, had dinner together when the Dolphins were in Los Angeles last December, and their on-field chemistry should be very good.

“We’ve had some success in our individual careers up until this point,” Ramsey said. “We plan to have more success now together in the same secondary as a duo.”

And new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio won’t leave them on an island as much as predecessor Josh Boyer did; that should help. Fangio likely will use Ramsey in different ways, which could make him more effective.

Here’s how ESPN analyst and former Eagles executive Louis Riddick explained it:

“Think about Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland, two of the most dynamic athletes to play in the back end and movable chess pieces.

“Jalen Ramsey is going to hit the ground running down there, because Vic Fangio, guess who he tutored? He tutored [Chargers coach and former Rams defensive coordinator] Brandon Staley. What did Brandon Staley do with Jalen Ramsey when he had him in L.A.? He moved him into the star position.

“All of a sudden, the star, the nickel, the guy who who plays the fifth defensive back position in sub [packages] became the buzzword throughout the NFL.

And that’s because of the way Brandon Staley deployed Jalen Ramsey. What do you think Vic is going to do with this guy?”

More analyst reaction of Ramsey:

ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky:

“With a Vic Fangio defense, nothing gets given to you. Every throw is contested; I don’t care if it’s 5-yard hitch or a checkdown. This makes me think Jalen will be at the line of scrimmage.

“Everyone raves about his physicality. They are going to allow Jalen to be at the line of scrimmage, bully ball receivers, make sure they have hands on guys, allowing that pass rush to affect the quarterback more. That is really his strength.”

ESPN’s Robert Griffin III,

on Twitter: “The Dolphins now have two No. 1 wide receivers and two No. 1 corners. Your defense has to deal with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle while your offense is trying to throw against Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard. [Lord] HAVE MERCY.”

ESPN’s Marcus Spears:

Ramsey “can dominate games from how he can be used.”

ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum: “If Jalen Ramsey returns to the way he played prior to 2022, it’s a very good trade for Miami. He had a down year last year, by his standards.”

Former Dolphins coach and Fox studio analyst Dave Wannstedt, now with the 33rd Team: “The Dolphins are going through a defensive philosophy change from a high-pressure defense to Fangio’s defense of rush four and play multiple coverages. To do that, you need experienced corners. Jalen Ramsey is experienced. You need talented corners that can play man and zone. Jalen Ramsey can do that, too.”

NFL Net’s Bucky Brooks:

“Sometimes when you have a

AAAAAAplayer like Jalen Ramsey, somewhat super talented, you need to keep him challenged and stimulated. Being able to move him around in Vic Fangio’s defense, you might see the best of Jalen Ramsey, much like we saw a couple of years ago.”

CHATTER

The Dolphins have been looking for a veteran right tackle, with former Seahawks and Jets starter George Fant among those contacted.

Before his (at least temporary) removal from the Heat rotation last Wednesday, Victor Oladipo ranked last among NBA shooting guards in shooting percentage (39.2) and threepoint percentage (31.6), yet had jacked up 52 threes in 11 games since the All-Star break. The question is whether he will exercise his $9.4 million player option for next season; nobody probably would pay him close to that.

Marlins left-hander Braxton Garrett — battling Edward Cabrera for a rotation spot — has struggled this spring, allowing a .342 average, after improving significantly last season. He can be sent to the minors one more time without being subjected to waivers . ... Outfielder Jesus Sanchez, competing with Bryan De La Cruz for the leftfield job, can’t be sent to the minors without being subjected to waivers because he’s out of minor-league options, unlike De La Cruz. So Sanchez will either make the team or be traded.

UM football coach Mario Cristobal continues to indirectly blame the previous regime at least partly for last year’s struggles. Miami “goes through its worst stretch of draft picks, arguably its worst stretch of recruiting and culture,” he said on a 247 Sports podcast recently. “There are going to be some lumps that come with it.”

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