Slice It Howeva’: Howard Camp ‘Injury’ Is Bad
Injury history resurfaces or was it a contract negotiation tactic for Howard?
Xavien Howard said he showed up for Training Camp because as he was a ‘professional’, but contradicted this statement by saying he was just here not ‘to lose money’. As a guy who loves words, I’d like to point out to Howard the definition of professional… in case he doesn’t know:
(1): characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession (2): exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace
Showing up for the cash isn’t being professional, it’s called self-interest. Now, there’s nothing wrong with doing something to get some extra scratch! I love to get paid as much as the next guy, but pissing down someone’s back and calling it rain is either lying, ignorant, or delusional.
Such is the soap opera of…
…”How the World Turns” with Xavien Howard
Everything felt great as I edited Jimmy Bourbon’s article about Howard showing up to camp…
…, not an hour after the ‘digital ink’ was dry things flipped when Howard demanded a trade post-practice. And now on “How the World Turns” with Xavien Howard, he has had a minor injury and was a spectator at practice for Day 2.
Is Howard really injured, faking it, or exaggerating? Really, it’s anyone’s guess. Whatever the truth is, this is bad news for the Miami Dolphins and Xavien Howard relationship.
When you consider Howard asked for ‘only $4 mill’ moved from his future contract to the 2021 Season and the Dolphins balked, clearly there is an impasse between their star corner and Chris Grier and Brian Flores. The money in NFL terms is a pittance–sad to hear for most of us, so it seems clear that they must be tired of Howard’s prima donna attitude. It would seem with his Day 1 proclamation to be traded that his demands mid-way through last season to get paid or be traded were true.
Is the Phins brass tired enough to be forced into a trade?
Given the model Flores has built the team on, this kind of attitude can’t sit well with the Phins Head Coach. But, what will this defense and the 2021 Miami Dolphins be without Xavien Howard?
The reality is, if Howard is Jakeing it or really hurt, either way, it’s reason to move on from Howard and his huge contract demands.
Injured or jakeing it, Howard is cementing his inconsistent legacy
In my little side Phins gig, I spoke in length a week ago on how if Howard plays hardball the Dolphins will be bent over a barrel and jammed up the tailpipe of a pickle with the Howard situation. The worst-case scenario seems to be playing out.
Should the Phins meet Howard’s demands they’d better start praying quickly that he doesn’t have one full season every three years. Beyond trashing your team concept, running the risk of injury, further money demands, ballooning an already outrageous allocation of money to one position, Miami would be shelving their 2020 1st Round pick at cornerback for at least 2-3 years from starting.
What to do, what to do?
While moving on from Howard would compromise the 2021 Season and drop the talent level a ton, it does feel like it would be a safer bet with the best bookie software free trial services for long-term stability. After all this regime has been all about the long-term plan?
Sad to say, but looks like another star bites the dust. Let’s hope for a Hail Mary miracle on this one. Go Phins!!!
Over the past month or so the team has added some veteran CB’s. Jason McCourty from Pats was a fairly solid CB. He start the Super Bowl vs. Rams and from what I read a while ago, did a good job. Recently the team signed a CB named LeBlanc? Not sure this the correct spelling, but he is 6-7 year veteran that I think played on Ravens and Jags? His stats looked pretty decent. My point is that the team and its management saw this coming. As I said earlier, I don’t believe that right now they intend to give more money. More competition to see if a suitable replacement for Howard can be found. We have seen scenarios like this time and time again in pro sports. Usually the two sides end of parting ways. I hear both sides are far apart! Good. Move the jerk!
Sorry for the delay, Stephen! Been swamped with house stuff that’s dragged on too long. A day or two away from being in full swing and Jimmy should be back in a couple of days. I really don’t know how this will play out… I thought it would go one way, then the other and now I wonder if he’ll be forced to stick. I don’t like that because I don’t trust him. But, yeah, Miami would have to make due and there could be some solid options out there… but, none would be Howard. Of course, Howard is fragile and isn’t the most trust worthy teammate. Still, I agree they should move on from him unless Flores can play father and out power him and bring him back. Maybe that could happen. I didn’t think so, but I wonder now.
Again, sorry for the delay… we are almost back full force here at Phinsnews.
MJ,
We need to move on from Howard, plain and simple. The defense suffered a loss before camp even began. He has no intention of being a team player and giving it his all. Howard will no doubt if he is on the roster this season, live up to his potential. The Saints have offered a 1st round pick, several other have offered 2nd round pick plus a player to be swapped. The team can’t look desperate, but they do need to move him because he will be a “cancer” to this young team. Remember Ingognito! The guy lacks character. Howard has a bug up his butt because we signed Jones and he makes more money now than Howard. Jones is an excellent cover corner,tackler, etc. He is not the “ball-hawk” Howard is. But Jones has played 6 seasons and only missed 3 games! That’s why he can get more money, he is dependable as a player and person. I saw this coming 2-3 months ago when rumblings of Howard being unhappy and wanting a new contract just because he had one great season out of 4! I don’t believe the team will move and give him one thin dime! Honor your contract or we will move your ass to another team that will be just as concerned long-term with Howard as the Dolphins are. In the end, this will not work out well for Howard. if he does not wise up, he will be out of football and working at a car wash within 5 years. Just might thoughts and feelings!
“several other have offered 2nd round pick plus a player to be swapped. ” I didn’t hear that! Thanks for the news. I’m starting to think the poor reps from Noah is forcing Miami to try and keep him unless a overwhelming deal comes… and it doesn’t look like any have. Noah is reported to be falling farther and farther back and he was meant to replace Howard. I don’t know Stephen about what is best for the future and now… I do agree with you the best for the future is to move on from Howard. I do disagree with you on Incognito. I think Reshad Jones is a better match. I still believe Jones had a lot to do with the Minkah revolt… and I think a dissatisfied Howard would do the same. This is a tough spot for the Phins… I do hope somehow Howard gets reeled back in the the force of will of Flores and his poor contractual situation.
Howard’s injury comes at a bad time for him in terms of marketing himself for a trade. It comes at a great time if you just want to dog it through the preseason. Let’s see what the doctors say. I suspect, he is not injured or is suffering from an injury that is undetectable by modern medicine. So, as someone paying a salary, you must say “Go to rehab and let us know when you can play this preseason. Don’t come to practice!”
The coach must now face selecting the best possible player to fill Howard’s oft-injured shoes. The team moves on! If Howard’s agent calls, you tell him – NO TRADE – Howard is going to be put on inured reserve for the season if he cannot play the games in preseason. We have moved on! Call me when your client is able to participate in practices and preseason games.
Howard has a binding contract. He needs to live up to his contract. If Denver or someone wants to trade a downhill running back or a #2 draft pick next year and take an injured player, I might listen but i would be honest with them about his character.
“Howard’s injury comes at a bad time for him in terms of marketing himself for a trade. It comes at a great time if you just want to dog it through the preseason.”
Hard to tell… hard to tell. He missed today. Sucks to have a key player turn into a ? like this. Noah has been stuck in 3rd team and is fielding punts… not a good sign.
If they IR him they pay him to sit and then don’t get to showcase him… not the best scenario. I think Howard is realizing he can only take this malcontent thing so far or teams won’t want to pay him. It will be a wild ride to see how this plays out. As you said:
“Howard has a binding contract. He needs to live up to his contract. ”
His is… just not the spirit of it. This makes Howard an even riskier player… remember when Reshad sat on the bench then ( in my opinion) poisoned Minkah to the team? This feels like it could go the same route if they keep him.
Sorry for the delay, Van… Jimmy took an impromptu vacation and I’m in the middle of some stuff… we’ll be in full gear here in a couple of days.
Look, he had a couple good athletic interceptions last year but most were over/under throws from ok but not great QB’s. He missed alot of time and then had a good year and Miami even with the injury history made him the highest paid CB in the league. Didnt last long but the price goes up every year for free agents. So we paid him after a few soso years and he has 1 good year on the new contract and wants more, sell his butt to the highest bidder!!!! Im expected to do my job well everyday and I dont get a raise everytime we have a good stretch of production. Two firsts for 22 and 23 and roll on baby cause you will never get as lucky with those picks as you did last year.
“Look, he had a couple good athletic interceptions last year but most were over/under throws from ok but not great QB’s. ” This is a valid take to mitigate Howard’s talent. Honestly, he’s been ‘downed’ with an ankle injury now two practices and it looks like he is on his way out. But, who knows… Like you, I just don’t like signing him to anything long-term. Let’s hope Miami can get a good deal. “So we paid him after a few soso years and he has 1 good year on the new contract and wants more, sell his butt to the highest bidder!!!!” Let’s hope there are many bidders, Phil!!
Grier should entertain offers for a trade
If we can get a first and a second in 2022 then I think it’s wise to move him for our future … maybe we could get a first and a starting corner to replace him with …
Howard is injured too much to be the highest paid corner in the NFL
“maybe we could get a first and a starting corner” That would be the best deal…. I like that helps the future and doesn’t totally compromise this season! I’m in for that, Dave!!!
Imagine the Howard demands had never been made, The pains enter the season and along the way Howard gets injured and is unable to finish the season………..next man up would be the call.
Perhaps what the fans are missing is that the coaches are really impressed with the 2020 corner pick Noah and feel he can start in place of Howard with minimal drop off in play
Could be true, Dave. I thought Noah had terrible tape in 2020… but, the kid is so young and we all knew he was so raw. Can he make a huge jump this year? I kinda’ had him pegged as being ready by 2022. Losing Howard would suck short term… but, moving on from him is likely much wiser for the long term. I had this as the biggest story of Camp… it should be a wild one. I do hope your right, Dave… I do think it will limit some of the high expectations for 2021 if he does moves on… but again, long term out weighs the short term in my eyes.
Do you think he’ll stick or get traded?