Dolphins secondary counting on rookie Xavien Howard

[DKphin]

DAVIE — The Dolphins, who were abused by opposing quarterbacks last year, had a solution at the top of their draft board.


Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple, according to a source, was the Dolphins initial target with the No. 13 overall draft pick.
But Apple went to the New York Giants at No. 10 and offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil free-fell to Miami.
Now the Dolphins hope that former Baylor cornerback Xavien Howard, who they traded up to select in the second round, is ready for the NFL.
If not, it could be another long season for Miami’s secondary, which gave up 31 passing touchdowns last year. Only four teams allowed more.

Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph gives instructions as cornerback Xavien Howard (25) practices at the team’s NFL football training facility, ... read more

“He has long speed. He has ball skills. He has great lateral quickness,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said. “Obviously being a rookie he knows nothing about playing the position on this level. But talent wise he’s what we thought he was going to be.”


Byron Maxwell, who the Dolphins received in a March trade with Philadelphia, is expected to start at right cornerback.
The Dolphins would like to see Howard win the other starting spot, but he’s no lock. He’s competing with Tony Lippett, a 2015 fifth-round draft choice for the Dolphins.
+ Allen Eyestone
Miami Dolphins defensive back Tony Lippett (36) defends San Diego Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd (80) at Qualcomm Stadium in San ... read more

And while Lippett has a year under his belt, he has his own limitations.
He was a star receiver at Michigan State and only briefly played defense in college. The Dolphins spent last seasson converting him to cornerback.

http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news...-dolphins-secondary-counting-on-rookie/nrbXS/

 

[The Bopkin]

I would like to see Howard and Lippett both play a good bit. These two need experience, coaching and lots of reps.
Unless Maxwell ends up being a revelation, I have to suppose he's holding the spot for a year or two. Get those young two tons of reps, in two years then they're both ready to roll as starters with Jones and the Abdul-Qudddus, and McCain, and our secondary could be rolling into its prime.

 

[russianbear]

i see howard winning the job as the #2 for 2016 and Lippett being a very solid depth piece , and I think they'll both have a lot more potential unearthed in the next 2-3 years....

 

[Travis34]

They're both raw and we're praying Maxwell can handle #1s in a more friendly scheme... I don't think we should be expecting great results. I'm hoping for the best and that whoever we trot out looks decent.

Howard and Lippett both have great ball skills which should help. The safety on that side will always have to have his eyes over there.

Mccain should be improved. Would be nice to get Ifo up to speed but it's seeming unlikely at the moment.

All we can really do is hope that it's not as bad as last year. Grimes was done, everyone else sucked, linebackers couldn't cover squat. I really hope our defense surprises this year

 

[TKAllDay]

I am happy with the potential but man what happens is Maxwell gets hurt?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

They're both raw and we're praying Maxwell can handle #1s in a more friendly scheme... I don't think we should be expecting great results. I'm hoping for the best and that whoever we trot out looks decent. Howard and Lippett both have great ball skills which should help. The safety on that side will always have to have his eyes over there. Mccain should be improved. Would be nice to get Ifo up to speed but it's seeming unlikely at the moment. All we can really do is hope that it's not as bad as last year. Grimes was done, everyone else sucked, linebackers couldn't cover squat. I really hope our defense surprises this year

From memory, Grimes had a 125 QBR when covering alpha receivers and elite players (OBJ) and ~65 against all other receivers. Maxwell should do much better against the alpha receivers and no one can cover the OBJ-type well. In short, I expect Maxwell to do better where Grimes was weak. Can he cover the quick guys? That's what fans don't know yet, but, overall, I call it a wash. McCain got some good reviews at slot corner last year and had decent stats. Howard or Lippert, as green as they are, can't be much worse than Taylor, and should be better than Taylor by mid-season. That's not saying much, but I expect growing pains the 1st 8 games. After that, fans will see what Miami really has and I expect that to be improvement. If Miami can find a solid SAM, the pass D should be improved.

 

[Digital]

I'm a fan of Howard and think he will prove a good pick eventually. But he will have some rough spots as a rookie, so we just need to accept those as learning curve bumps.

I like Lippett, but to me he is very limited. IMHO, he can be a great defensive weapon in the red zone. But between the 20's he is going to be exploited. His movement skills are lacking, which is typical of a very big CB. So he needs to become dom8nant physically ... and he still has a ways to go with that.

I think Howard wins the spot, takes his lumps, and becomes a good CB in year two. But if we go nickel in the red zone, don't be surprised if Lippett flashes his play making ability.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

 

[fansinceGWilson]

I'm a fan of Howard and think he will prove a good pick eventually. But he will have some rough spots as a rookie, so we just need to accept those as learning curve bumps. I like Lippett, but to me he is very limited. IMHO, he can be a great defensive weapon in the red zone. But between the 20's he is going to be exploited. His movement skills are lacking, which is typical of a very big CB. So he needs to become dom8nant physically ... and he still has a ways to go with that. I think Howard wins the spot, takes his lumps, and becomes a good CB in year two. But if we go nickel in the red zone, don't be surprised if Lippett flashes his play making ability. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Agreed. One advantage these guys will have is going against Landry and Parker every day.

 

[Travis34]

No doubt in my mind Maxwell (maybe the others too?) will have problems with smaller quick receivers. Just gotta man handle them from the start

 

[KevInMotion]

I am happy with the potential but man what happens is Maxwell gets hurt?

 

[fansinceGWilson]

No doubt in my mind Maxwell (maybe the others too?) will have problems with smaller quick receivers. Just gotta man handle them from the start

Well, Taylor couldn't cover ANY receiver, so I see no degradation. And not playing 8 yds off LOS should help.

 

[Dajesus]

I am not really sold on any players we have stepping in at CB. I like Howard, but there are going to be rookie moments. I do think we will be better than last year. First off it would be hard not to, as we were 21st against the pass in terms of yards, and 25th in terms of passing TDs allowed. I think Vance will get much more out of these players. I think our pass rush will be much better with a healthy Wake and Mario Williams.

 

[Eesti]

It's sort of funny that they drafted Lippett last year to play in Coyles system and he is probably a better fit and almost a prototype for Joseph's system.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

I am not really sold on any players we have stepping in at CB. I like Howard, but there are going to be rookie moments. I do think we will be better than last year. First off it would be hard not to, as we were 21st against the pass in terms of yards, and 25th in terms of passing TDs allowed. I think Vance will get much more out of these players. I think our pass rush will be much better with a healthy Wake and Mario Williams.

I agree in general. A significant part of Miami's problems last year were Grimes vs. any tall receiver, Taylor against any receiver, scheme (remember the Sheppard vs. Edleman matchups?), and playing 8 yards off LOS. Again, from memory, half the TD allowed the last 8 games were on Taylor and Grimes. I still expect a sloppy 1st 8 games, as others have said, and I expect trouble with the quick, fast receivers (true of most CBs), but, overall, I expect an improved secondary. Whoever is the loser of the Howard/Lippert competition should be assigned to the Gronk type on passing downs.

 

[mmikel30]

I see Howard struggling mightily and eventually being moved to safety.