MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins rookie cornerback Xavien Howard sought advice from veteran Byron Maxwell both before and during his NFL debut Thursday night.
“He said I was doing good,” Howard said. “He was telling me I was keeping stuff in front of me and making tackles. He said, ‘That will keep you in the league for a long time.'”
Howard, a second-rounder, should be in the league for a long time. But the Dolphins need him to be ready now.
And playing left corner in the first half, Howard gained confidence and earned the confidence of his teammates.