Dolphins' Xavien Howard wins award, but says season play 'not up to my standard'

MIAMI GARDENS — Xavien Howard was named AFC defensive player of the week and when coach Brian Flores learned about it, he announced it in a team meeting.

"Gave him a round of applause," Flores said of the the Dolphins.

"It's cool," Howard said. "But I just want to win, at the end of the day."

Miami has three wins this season and in two of them it could be argued Howard was most responsible for the victory with forced fumbles.

Howard forced a fumble in the season opener at New England. And against the Ravens last Thursday night, Howard punched the ball out of Sammy Watkins' arms, picked it up and ran 49 yards for a touchdown.

"My whole mindset is just make a play," Howard said.

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But part of the reason Howard hasn't seemed all fired up this season during sessions with the media is this — he doesn't feel he's playing very well overall.

"OK," Howard said of his play.

But why just OK?

"Not up to my standard a couple games," Howard said. "Just worried about getting better each week and getting back to the things I used to do."

Last season, Howard was an NFL defensive player of the year candidate. Howard had 10 interceptions and allowed 4 touchdowns in 16 games.

This year, Howard has 2 interceptions and has allowed 6 touchdowns in 9 games. Howard was credited with allowing 2 touchdowns at Tampa Bay and Buffalo.

"Ten picks is old," Howard said Thursday, when 2020 was raised. "It's a new year. I'm tired of 10 picks."

Howard said he isn't seeing as many opportunities to make plays on the ball.

"They're running away from me," he said.

And that is true. It's also true that Miami's plan to blitz the heck out of Houston and Baltimore has increased the chance for an opposing quarterback to make a mistake.

"We're on an island," Howard said of he and fellow Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Jones. "I feel like I get more opportunities with the ball coming out quick. Great things happen when you make that (blitz) call."

But is continuing to send seven, eight or nine players realistically sustainable?

"Hell no," Howard conceded. "It's football. Man, somebody's going to game plan that and we're going to have to get out of that. It's football. People are going to get to know what's going on and how to protect this or that."

Early in the season, Howard dealt with multiple injuries and perhaps also some rust from missed practice time during a contract dispute.

He's not making any excuses. Last season, Howard allowed a passer rating of 48.3 in coverage and was Pro Football Focus' 2nd-ranked cornerback overall.

This season, Howard has allowed a passer rating of 98.2 in coverage and is PFF's 63rd ranked cornerback overall.

"Understanding what teams are doing to me now," Howard said. "Just knowing that the things I did last year are not going to be that easy. Everything I'm going to have to work for. Understanding that and knowing how teams are attacking me now."

It's complicating matters that the Miami is 3-7 and started the season an especially-poor 1-7. Howard admits his goal is always to have as many or more interceptions than he had in the previous season, but also concedes that was a bit unrealistic for 2021.

Howard also says team goals are more important than individual goals, and he's trying to find way to help the team win more. To be fair, he's done just that in two victories this season.

Like many great athletes in many sports, the toughest comparison for Howard to face is probably always going to be the comparison to Howard at his best.

At times this season, Howard hasn't been. On Thursday against the Ravens, he was clutch. His playmaker gene shined through.

Howard suggested he understands outside expectations are high, for him and the team. But what's most important to him is how he judges his own performance.

"At the end of the day you have to look the man in the mirror and say I'm doing what's best for the team," Howard said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard wins award but criticizes his 2021 play