Dolphins corner Xavien Howard signed a five-year deal this offseason that made him the highest-paid player at his position. Howard has overcome a lot, and being respected as one of the best is a great feeling. He only wishes his team was afforded that same respect.
While training camp and the preseason still have to play out, it seems unlikely the perception that the Dolphins are heading for a lot of losing this year will be changing any time soon. During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Howard said that heading into the season with that cloud overhead is just fine with him.
“We’re floating under the radar right now,” Howard said. “I love feeling like an underdog. I just tell people ‘Don’t be surprised what you see from the Miami Dolphins this year.'”
Howard also spoke highly of new coach Brian Flores. He mentioned Flores’ commitment to discipline — an area that the Dolphins have struggled with greatly during Howard’s career thus far in the NFL.
“Man, right now we are floating under the radar. I love doing that and feeling like an underdog. But you know, I just tell people ‘don’t surprised what you see from the Miami Dolphins this year.’ (Flores) is a great guy, man.”
As a matter of fact, the Dolphins were one of the three most penalized teams in the NFL for each of Howard’s first two seasons. Miami’s 140 total penalties (only 108 applied) were tied for the 4th most in the NFL last season.
Howard expects more from his team than most.
The Dolphins not beating themselves may just prove Howard right by the end of 2019.
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