Dolphins’ new ballhawk defender Jevon Holland hopes to absorb as much as he can as a rookie

The buzz word from Miami Dolphins rookie camp Saturday was “absorb.”

So much so, new Dolphins safety Jevon Holland uttered the word a grand total of eight times in less than nine minutes with local reporters Sunday.

Dolphins coach Brian Flores, entering Year 3 of his tenure in Miami, quickly established what he wants his rookies to take away from their first set of NFL practices together — something rookies such as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were not afforded due to COVID-19 last year.

“Everybody is a hard worker. Everybody understands that they’re coming in here trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible and to find a role,” said Holland, a second-round pick out of Oregon.

“That’s really the common goal here: to find a role and produce and help the team.”

Holland may find himself in a unique role during his rookie season in Miami.

Holland, 2020 third-round safety Brandon Jones and others participating in training camp later this summer will compete for the center-field type defender role that has now become available.

Shortly after being drafted, the Dolphins released veteran safety Bobby McCain, their team captain and successful fifth-round draft pick in 2015 who filled the position.

“I’m trying to absorb as much knowledge as possible, really. And wherever coach wants me, just try to help the team win,” Holland said.

While Holland opted out of his last college football season, his versatility to play safety and slot cornerback and his ability to track and intercept the football are reasons why Flores wanted him in his secondary.

Holland’s nine interceptions in 2018 and 2019 were certainly impressive — they were the third-most by any player in college football during that span.

But even Holland knows, he has plenty of work ahead, including his desires to learn what he can from NFL interceptions leader and Dolphins star Xavien Howard.

“I think in college, it’s a completely different beast than the NFL. And there are high-caliber quarterbacks, really great quarterbacks so I have no knowledge of how to get an interception in the NFL. And that’s really what I’m trying to absorb all the knowledge as possible,” Holland said.

“When Xavien gets here, I hope to pick his brain and get as much knowledge as he’ll give to me that I can go out there and perform and help my team win.”

Like many of the Dolphins rookies, adjusting to the South Florida heat is an adjustment, particularly for Holland, who is Canadian, but grew up on the West Coast most his life.

Although Holland believes “Miami is abnormally hot,” he’s also taking on a greater mentality.

“It’s adapt or die so you got to adapt,” Holland said.

Along the offensive line

The Dolphins’ other second-round pick, offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg, is sporting a buzzcut and a little more facial hair than in the leadup to the draft.

Eichenberg says his shorter hair and facial hair puts him in a “reset” mode for football, and certainly different than the clean-shaven look he had when meeting NFL teams during the draft process.

“Last year and the year before, I’d always shave my head and grow my beard out. It’s always something I do for football,” Eichenberg said. “It puts me in the mindset.”

Eichenberg, who played left tackle at Notre Dame and did not relinquish a sack in 33 of his 38 games, could play right tackle with the Dolphins.

But he knows finding the right offensive line sometimes comes down to playing the best five players, even if someone isn’t in their ideal position.

“Any position to help this team win, to help the offensive line excel and succeed, it doesn’t matter if I’m playing guard, center or tackle, I’ll figure it out,” Eichenberg said.

“I’ll get to the point where I’m comfortable, and able to help this team win.”

Another potential offensive lineman hoping to make an impact: Former Middle Tennessee guard Robert Jones.

Jones was given $130,000 guaranteed in his rookie contract, negotiated by South Florida-based agency First Round Management. The amount is rather high for undrafted players following the draft.

Along with the financials, Jones said his experience with the Dolphins coaches such as Flores and offensive line coach Lemuel Jeanpierre at the Senior Bowl swung his decision to begin his NFL career in Miami.

“I felt like that coaching staff wanted the best out of every player, even if they were going to different teams. I thought they had my best interests at heart,” Jones said.

“I just knew Coach Lem, Coach Flores, everyone was going to push me to my best.”