For nine days, the Miami Dolphins have been going against each other on the practice fields at the Baptist Health Training Complex. While they’ve been enjoying the competition of practicing against themselves, practicing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week will be a welcomed change.
After Saturday’s training camp session, wide receiver Tyreek Hill was asked if he’s getting antsy to compete against other players, and in his answer, he paid a high compliment to Miami’s top cornerback.
“Yeah, man. I’m really sick of going against ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), man,” Hill said. “He’s been locking me up in practice. I’m really eager to go against somebody else. Somebody that I’ve played twice. I really can’t wait to get to Tampa and I know the guys are very eager to get down there as well to play. Everybody is excited.”
Hill and Howard have had their battles at practice, and obviously, both players have walked out with their own victories. It’s that constant competition between a top cornerback and a top wideout that sharpens even the best players’ skills.
If Hill can get beat Howard, he should have no problem with most cornerbacks for the 31 other teams, and the same could be assumed of Howard against other receivers.
Everything looks different in joint practices, so we’ll see if both players continue to show up and show out each and every day against another team with a new coach in Tampa Bay.