Miami Dolphins’ Brian Flores discusses Bowden addition, Xavien Howard, captains and more
Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores addressed several issues in his Monday press briefing beyond the expected naming of Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback, which colleague Armando Salguero expanded upon here:
▪ Flores said he’s excited to have two versatile rookie playmakers and converted college quarterbacks in Malcolm Perry and Lynn Bowden Jr., but cautioned that Bowden would need time to learn the team’s offense and system after his Saturday acquisition from the Las Vegas Raiders.
Both players will play receiver, from what we’ve been told.
“I’m excited about both Lynn and Malcolm from a talent standpoint,” Flores said. “Tough, competitive guys. We did a lot of work on Lynn pre-draft and when the trade was an option, we did a lot more work.
“We’re excited about having him join our team. There’s a lot he’s going to have to learn. He’s not going to jump out and start playing. He has to learn how we do things. He’s got a lot to learn and [that takes] a little bit of time. We’re excited to have him. We’re excited to have Malcolm also.”
▪ Flores said the benefit to having former Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy on the team goes well beyond his on-field contributions.
“Kyle’s history with me and history with the defense has been helpful in a lot of ways because he and I have been together so long,” Flores said. “It’s good for other guys to hear that I haven’t changed. I coach guys hard. I’m demanding. I’m still that way and I’m going to be that way.”
Flores joked that Van Noy and another former Patriots linebacker, Elandon Roberts, can tell Dolphins players that Flores is “losing it here but give him five minutes. Not that I lose it all the time but I am passionate about coaching, passionate about getting guys better.”
▪ In a vote of players, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ted Karras and Jesse Davis were named captains on offense; Bobby McCain, Van Noy and Roberts were named captains on defense; and Clayton Fejedelem and Kavon Frazier were named special teams captains.
▪ Flores stopped short of saying cornerback Xavien Howard - off December knee surgery - would play in Sunday’s opener at New England, but he’s practicing and rounding into form. He participated in the team’s scrimmage nine days ago, which was a good sign.
“He’s making progress,” Flores said. “Xavien’s health is very important to me. I know everyone is excited [about this week] but you’ve got to look longterm as far as a 16-game season. That’s the approach we’ll take. We’re not going to rush anyone. If he’s ready, he’ll be out there” Sunday.
▪ The Dolphins will release their first depth chart on Monday, and Flores cautioned that “I wouldn’t put too much into that. I don’t put too much into, ‘this guy’s the starting this.’ You’ll see a lot of guys playing in a lot of different groups.”
▪ NFL teams can promote two players from their practice squad to the 53-man roster during each game week, giving teams a 55-player roster. Flores said those decisions obviously would be made on a week-to-week basis, with players varying based on need. Those players cannot be poached by another team.
▪ Flores on the Patriots in the post-Tom Brady era: “They still have a talented roster. Cam Newton is a former MVP, former No. 1 overall pick. [Receiver Julian] Edelman is a great player. They have good backs, good offensive linemen.
“They have the Defensive Player of the Year [in cornerback Stephen Gilmore, as well as defensive backs] JC Jackson, Devin McCourty. I know people are saying it’s a different team but they’re still very talented. They’re well coached, tough, physical.”
This story was originally published September 7, 2020 at 9:07 AM.
