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Xavien Howard – May 14, 2019 Download PDF version

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

CB Xavien Howard

(How pleased are you that it worked out in terms of the long-term deal getting concluded?) – “I’m happy the deal got done. I’m here today to get better.”

(Was it important to you to be the highest-paid cornerback contract in the NFL, which is how it turned out?) – “My agent took care of business and I’m here today. I’m just here to better. That’s it.”

(What made you want to be here long-term as opposed to testing free agency?) – “It happened, like I said. My agent did his thing and I’m here today.”

(Thinking back to when you were like 13-, 14-years-old. If I had told you that you one day be signing a piece of paper that says $76 million on it, what would you have said to me?) – “Man, it’s just a blessing to be in the situation I am right now. Right now, I’m just focused on getting better, improving each year. I’m happy to be here.”

(After one of the games last season, you said you were the best cornerback in the league. Now you’ve got the money to match it, do you feel kind of validated here in the NFL?) – “(laughter) I’m going to say the same thing. I’m just here to get better. That’s it.”

(As good as you are, Head Coach Brian Flores was saying last week you can get better. Do you like having that coach who will push you, and where specifically can you get better?) – “Yes, most definitely I can get better. There’s a lot of stuff out there that I can work on to help my game and become the top corner in the league.”

(Head Coach Brian Flores specifically said that he considers a leader on the team. How do you plan be the best leader you can be?) – “I want to communicate with the new guys coming in. I’m really a guy that doesn’t talk a lot, but I want to lead by example and I’m also going to communicate more and help my guys out, help my team win.”

(What did it mean to you that the team identified you as one of the guys they wanted to have here for a long time?) – “It means a lot to me. I’m here. There’s a lot of stuff out there that we can do. I’m just happy to be in the situation I am and continue the five years here that I’ve got.”

(Have you had a chance to talk to Managing General Partner/Chairman of the Board Steve Ross at all late in the process?) – “Yeah, I did. I did. He congratulated me and stuff like that. He said he was happy to have me here.”

(And your line to Managing General Partner/Chairman of the Board Steve Ross was what? Thank you?) – “(laughter) I just told him this feels unreal right now. It hasn’t hit me yet. But every day I’m waking up every morning to come here and do my job.”

(We saw a lot of players running to this wall, this TNT wall. What does that mean to you guys?) –“It’s discipline that Coach (Flores) is teaching. He says it takes not talent. Any time we mess up or do anything wrong, we’ve got to run to the wall.”

(Last year we talked about how hurtful losing is to you and how important winning is to you. When you think about the fact that you’re going to be here in all likelihood six more years, what do you hope for the team to accomplish during that period of time?) – “It’s competitive sports. Everybody wants to win. I just want to do the best thing for my team and just help it. Hopefully have a good season.”

(How important is it for you to remain humble now that you have this deal?) – “That’s my attitude. That’s the type of guy I am. You don’t see me out here just bragging about doing anything. I’m just here. I’m the same player.”

(Are you going to buy yourself something nice?) – “No, I’m going to save it.”

(A watch? A car?) – “No, I’m going to save it.”

(I’d brag a little bit if I were you.) – “Why?”

(Please talk about what you’ve learned about the type of defense that Head Coach Brian Flores wants to have and how does it suit your skills?) – “From what he’s been doing and what I’ve been seeing, what he did in the Super Bowl and a lot of stuff that he did, that’s what he wants his team to be and that’s how he’s going to build it – discipline, good conditioning, running to the ball and (you’ll) be a good team.”

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