Miami Dolphins security Jevon Holland will go into his second NFL season discovering somewhat further motivation from an expertise weeks after concluding an upstart rookie 12 months.
Holland tagged together with the Dolphins’ lone Pro Bowl choice from the 2021 season, cornerback Xavien Howard, to absorb the surroundings on the Pro Bowl in Las Vegas surrounded by the NFL’s finest.
It’s what Holland might very effectively be sure for sooner or later after a rookie season the place the versatile security had 68 tackles, two interceptions, 2 1/2 sacks, a fumble restoration and 10 cross deflections.
“I felt super motivated,” Holland mentioned earlier this week. “That was one of the best moments for me as a young player, as a competitor, really. To see those guys out there, like this is the goal, this is where I want to get to.”
And Holland had the best tour information in Howard, who was on the Pro Bowl for the third time in his profession.
“Having X there, X is awesome,” mentioned Holland, who varieties one of many league’s most dynamic, younger security tandems with rising third-year participant Brandon Jones. “The whole time I was with him, tracking him, interviewing him or whatnot, he’s a better guy than he is a football player.”
Holland additionally loved assembly three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Joe Haden, and he was honored to be acknowledged by him, an indication that Holland’s title is making the rounds in league circles.
A key for Holland in 2022 shall be his familiarity with the NFL with a season below his belt. He enters his sophomore marketing campaign with a larger consolation degree in Miami.
“Last year, I was in an unknown environment,” mentioned Holland, the early-second-round pick of Oregon, No. 36 general, in 2021. “I was really nervous about everything. I had never been to Florida before.”
Holland had a joke about considered one of his first experiences with Florida and its wildlife.
“I went by the hotel we were staying at, there was a little lake,” Holland mentioned. “I went jogging by the lake and there was a frog. I’m pondering it’s an alligator as a result of I’m from California, so I assumed there was an alligator in all places. I began tripping, working again to my room.
“But now, I’m cool. I’m comfortable. I like being here. I love Florida — the sun, the sky, all of that. I was definitely nervous being here. It’s the NFL. I was shaking in my boots, for lack of better terms. I feel way better now.”
Holland can stand to learn from being a part of a secondary that remained intact, together with the protection as an entire.
He and Jones present a flexible security tandem, able to doing the whole lot from cross protection excessive to blitzing from their place, because the Dolphins so usually do. That ought to proceed below defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, who remained on Miami’s employees via the transition at head coach from Brian Flores to Mike McDaniel and thru the departure of defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander.
Holland and Jones are in a position to blitz as a lot as they’re requested to do with Howard, cornerback Byron Jones and nickel nook Nik Needham usually known as on to play single man protection. Holland additionally covers numerous floor when requested to play heart subject as a single excessive security, serving to the cornerbacks excessive.
Miami’s retention of defensive finish Emmanuel Ogbah offers the staff the first cross rusher up entrance it must make the cross protection all come collectively, together with Holland’s fellow 2021 defensive rookie in edge Jaelan Phillips. The Dolphins are able to attending to the opposing quarterback shortly, inflicting rushed choices the defensive backs can make the most of.
Holland shall be reunited with a well-recognized face this offseason and coaching camp — former Oregon security Verone McKinley. McKinley, a ballhawk on the again finish like Holland, was one of many undrafted free brokers picked up by the Dolphins following the NFL draft final weekend.
“He’s going to rise to the top,” Holland mentioned of McKinley. “I believe in him. He’s a hell of a player and an even better guy. He fits right in with the culture of the team.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com