Xavien Howard is in the Mix!

Awesome. We really need this defense to play lights out the next three weeks. This is great news!

What are the expectations for this guy? I mean, he is a rookie. Great that he is getting some playing time but this is not like having a solid vet return from injury.

"Deus ex dolphin wrote:

What are the expectations for this guy? I mean, he is a rookie. Great that he is getting some playing time but this is not like having a solid vet return from injury.

He was pretty much our best cornerback in the weeks that he played. Granted, Maxwell has gotten better since then... but IMO, he'll be at least our second best CB on the field Saturday.

Sounds good to me, thanks!

Great news!

From what I've read, Lippett will still be starting and Maxwell will be on Marshall for the entire game. They don't like Howard in the slot so his playing time will likely remain limited. Still, it's great that he's back and finally healthy...it can make a big difference in this stretch to have an extra body in the rotation that's capable of making plays.

Lippett has gotten more physical over the weeks. His tackling has improved. I think he still gets washed out on pursuit plays. Change of direction isn't the best, and I'm not sure that will ever really change much.

This may sound like a bunch of negatives, but I think he's been a serviceable corner; esp. when you consider how he got there. He should work on getting stronger. I think he can give some QBs hesitancy throwing his direction on length alone if he's close to the WR.

In saying that, the little that Howard has shown has been really good. I think he could be something special at corner.

Learning the defense on paper and playing within that defense are two totally different things. I certainly hope some of these growing pains with Howard do not bleed into next year. He won't be in full playing shape, so you don't want to throw the kid to the wolves, but you do want him to break a sweat.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how he plays.

The X Factor for a playoff run

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"Colmax wrote:

Lippett has gotten more physical over the weeks. His tackling has improved. I think he still gets washed out on pursuit plays. Change of direction isn't the best, and I'm not sure that will ever really change much.

This may sound like a bunch of negatives, but I think he's been a serviceable corner; esp. when you consider how he got there. He should work on getting stronger. I think he can give some QBs hesitancy throwing his direction on length alone if he's close to the WR.

In saying that, the little that Howard has shown has been really good. I think he could be something special at corner.

Learning the defense on paper and playing within that defense are two totally different things. I certainly hope some of these growing pains with Howard do not bleed into next year. He won't be in full playing shape, so you don't want to throw the kid to the wolves, but you do want him to break a sweat.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how he plays.

That's the thing- people forget how raw he is within this defense. He will only get better in time.

X howard is headed towards stardom

we hit the jack pot here

"KeyFin wrote:

That's the thing- people forget how raw he is within this defense. He will only get better in time.

I take everything I said that were negatives on Lippett. He played a really, really good game. I think even moreso than Howard.

Hint of lack of long speed with howard but other than that and if he plays with proper technique he can mask it he is gonna end up a top shelf nfl boundary corner

Boy did he have some nice looking plays in that game. Immediate impact.

"Colmax wrote:

I take everything I said that were negatives on Lippett. He played a really, really good game. I think even moreso than Howard.

They both played awesome tonight...it's really hard to pick a winner but Lippett's 2 picks makes him the man of the hour.

"KeyFin wrote:

They both played awesome tonight...it's really hard to pick a winner but Lippett's 2 picks makes him the man of the hour.

I loved what I saw out of Howard tonight. If he can stay healthy , he looks like a player. Also, Lippett has turned into a playmaker with a pretty good upside the more he plays. Fantastic win.

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Lippetts still high in his pedal..some of thats cause of his length

Hes developing nicely...needs to defend in cuts better in terms of close the gap but that will probably come with more route recognition to leverages played etc and down and distance

Developing nicely

But x is the meal ticket

"Hoops wrote:

Lippetts still high in his pedal..some of thats cause of his length

Hes developing nicely...needs to defend in cuts better in terms of close the gap but that will probably come with more route recognition to leverages played etc and down and distance

Developing nicely

But x is the meal ticket

I'm liking Tony as a 3rd corner, particularly on the boundary. Defending anything inside the numbers is another story.

"bakedmatt wrote:

I'm liking Tony as a 3rd corner, particularly on the boundary. Defending anything inside the numbers is another story.

I agree 3rd corner in 2017 makes sense

3rd boundary that is...cant play slot

Get better drop nickel lb play at weakside backer as in more range more route awareness and lippett looks even better

Baccari rambo is fine as a middle deep safety in cover 1 and i think in cover 2 and 2 deep also

But in man carry coverage hes ugh

Which is why i think you are always best to make him a package safety instead of an every down starter one

Best responsible for an area and not a man

Love this kid.

A rookie coming back from an injury where he missed 9 games and shuts down one of the best receivers in the game. Just think about that for a minute. That's pretty fucking impressive.

Byron Maxwell has had a nice season but with Howard's sky high potential, Lippett's progression, and McCain in the slot, we could have good CB trio in Miami for a LONG time.

"Hoops wrote:

But in man carry coverage hes ugh

I'm with you but I mean I don't think it was fair to have him opposite the Jets fastest player in man.

"bakedmatt wrote:

I'm with you but I mean I don't think it was fair to have him opposite the Jets fastest player in man.

It wasnt...they caught us in a blitz petty id'd and exposed...the slot showed it pre snap

It was about the only time petty made a correct read in terms of protection scheme and his internal clock

He butchered that game and if im his oc i already know this isnt the guy

"Rocky Raccoon wrote:

Love this kid.

A rookie coming back from an injury where he missed 9 games and shuts down one of the best receivers in the game. Just think about that for a minute. That's pretty ****ing impressive.

Byron Maxwell has had a nice season but with Howard's sky high potential, Lippett's progression, and McCain in the slot, we could have good CB trio in Miami for a LONG time.

Crazy that in the offseason we were calling this one of the weakest units on the team.

"MonstBlitz wrote:

Boy did he have some nice looking plays in that game. Immediate impact.

Refreshing isn't it? Nice to see our guys making some plays!