Xavien Howard – May 30, 2017
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017
CB Xavien Howard
(What’s the biggest thing that you took from last year, your rookie season?) – “My rookie season had been up and down due to a lot of injuries. By me being injured, it made me stay in the film room to watch film more and just learn the game. It helped me mentally that way.”
(What do you think you need to do to take your game to the next level?) – “This is my second year in the system, so I’m used to the defense, and it’s clearing things up for me. Last year, due to injuries and stuff like that, I couldn’t really just get in and learn the system like that, due to the injuries. But me just watching film and stuff like that helped me a lot.”
(What we saw from you last year was only about what percent of what you think you are capable of?) – “I don’t know about that one.”
(Did the knee limit you at all when you came back? You had some good moments in late December. Were you feeling like you were not completely 100 percent?) – “Yes, I couldn’t get 100 percebt each time. My first injury I had, I couldn’t finish OTAs. The second one came from me just jumping up in the air and catching the ball and I came on the ground. So I really couldn’t just get to the level to get to 100 percent and play. Each game, I was just playing to play; but I just really couldn’t be 100 percent and perform how I know I can.”
(What level of confidence do you have that all of that stuff is behind you, that your knee will not be an issue at all this year?) – “I’m very confident about that. This offseason I just worked a lot to strengthen my legs and stuff like that, so I’m very confident about my knee.”
(Have you been assured by doctors that this isn’t something that is going to linger?) – “Yes, it’s cleared.”
(What kind of confidence did you gain from when you did have success? Do you know in your mind that you can be a good starting corner in this league?) – “Yes sir, I know what I’m capable of. I have confidence in myself so I know what I can do when I’m 100 percent.”
(I know CB Tony Lippett said this offseason from a competitive nature, he’d like to start. How important is that for you? Obviously there will be some competition up until September.) – “Oh yes, there’s competition all the way. That’s how we make each other better. Just us out there competing and going against each other and making each other better.”
(As far as playing in the nickel, how much experience have you had in that and is that something you guys are really looking at? Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke had mentioned it earlier this offseason. Is that something you’ve been doing a little bit?) – “No, I haven’t been playing in the nickel. I’m an outside corner, so I’ve never played in the nickel inside.”
(One thing you mentioned last year was that Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph talked to you about being able to use your size. Are you happy with where you are in that part of your game? Are there still more things you have to learn to use your size to play corner effectively?) – “I’m still learning how to be an elite cornerback in this league. I’m watching film of other guys and stuff like that, seeing what they are good at – like Byron Maxwell and Tony Lippett – to see what they are good at and see what I can improve on in my game from theirs.”
(Do you watch any film of any non-Dolphins?) – “Yes, everybody in the league.”
(Like Seattle CB Richard Sherman?) – “Yes, Sherman, (Arizona’s) Patrick Peterson, (Denver’s Aqib) Talib.”
(A couple of times Head Coach Adam Gase has mentioned how the style of play in the Big 12 doesn’t really translate to the NFL. I think he’s talking about how there are fewer runs in the Big 12, maybe they run different types of offensive packages. Can you kind of explain a little bit more about all of that?) – “In the Big 12, it’s a spread league, so there is a lot of passing and stuff like that. They spread out the field and just throw the ball. So me getting into the league and stuff like that, I see a lot of different clustered looks and different formations that they do. I’ve just got to get used to it.”
(Is it more like bunching receivers and what their options are, or is it also knowing what to do against the run plays? You’re a good tackler, but diagnosing and recognizing the run plays?) – “Yes, diagnosing what the offense is trying to do to me, like where can I get beat at and where I have help at and stuff like that.”
(This offseason, you did a lot of ball work, a lot of specialized training. Is that something that’s new or have you always been doing that?) – “I’ve always been doing that, I’ve been doing that in college. I’ve been working with this guy ‘Footwork King,’ in Houston, and I always work with him during the offseason when I have free time.”
(What do you think that has done to help you in regards to what?) – “It just helps me with movements, stuff I have to get used to, stuff I have to get used to just like moving and being able to plant off my leg and stuff like that.”
(What have you told or would you tell CB Cordrea Tankersley about making the transition from college football to rookie NFL?) – “Man, it’s a big difference. He came from Clemson. He’s got some good corners over there too. So I just told him, just learn from it. Just learn everything you do. Just watch the older guys like (Byron) Maxwell talked to him a lot. And me, I just tell him … When he’s down, I just tell him to clear his head and move on to the next play, it’s the NFL. Stuff is going to happen, so just move on and go to the next play.”
(How do you feel about the talent you guys have overall at the corner position?) – “There’s a lot of competition. We can do some nice things on that side of the ball.”
(How many pick sixes have you guys seen in OTAs so far?) – “About three or four.”
