After an exceptional season for rookies, Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland is focused on developing his professionalism along with his playing on the field.
“I think it was just my overall development as a professional,” Holland said. “Things will come into practice when things start to accelerate – dealing with corners of the ball and things like that. But for me, behaving like a professional was probably the most important thing. That was really me, to be honest. (The coaching staff) supported me and pushed me in that direction, no matter what it is. Most of all, I’m the only one focusing on this impetus in a specific area. “
The former Oregon Ducks defender erupted on stage last season, contributing with a total of 69 rebounds, two interceptions, 10 saves, three wins, 16 rebounds and 2.5 sacks in 13 starts.
Many successful NFL players make a significant leap in their game in their second season, but the Netherlands is more concerned about continuous improvement over several seasons.
“Actually, I’m not in my second year yet, so I can’t tell you that,” Holland said. “But I feel it’s important, yes. I feel that you need to improve every year. I don’t know what year I will stop improving every year and I will be the best I can be, but at the moment I am always in a tough battle. “
THE IMPRESSIVE SEASON AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NETHERLANDS
The Netherlands’ overall PFF score of 84.6 ranks fourth among NFL’s safety, while its coverage level of 87.7 ranks third. These estimates are even more impressive given Holland’s role in defending Miami.
Holland spends a lot of time seeming to be the team’s only deep safety in Cover 1, which means he is responsible for stopping big games across the field.
Any player who makes as many clicks as a single high deep safety must be responsible and professional, because they are the last line of defense, so it is surprising that Holland says this is the place to improve.
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Holland doesn’t think he wasn’t a professional last season; he just wants to be more professional next season because he’s a little bigger.
“I just feel like I’m getting old,” Holland said. “I’m 22 now, I’m getting old. I just feel like I’m getting old, so I just have to be a little more mature, even though it already looks that way. “
THE NETHERLANDS GROWS INTO THE LEADER
Holland also mentioned that he has become more comfortable as a leader and is ready to correct the mistakes made by his teammates if he thinks he can help.
A high-level security position also requires a lot of mental processing and the ability to quickly adapt to what the crime is committing.
Holland hopes all the experience he has gained last season, and his work during this off-season OTAs will help him play faster this season.
“I’ve been in the league for a year now, so things are starting to slow down, just like when I started playing more,” Holland said. “Yes, just reacting is definitely much easier. But that was college, from freshman to sophomore. You go in there, it’s comfortable for you, you have your own gimmick, your own atmosphere. Things start to slow down when you get into it. ”
The Netherlands is essential for Miami’s defense, duplicating the success of the second half of the 2021 season, when the Dolphins scored more than 20 points just three times and kept the team to 10 points or less five times.
One of the best matches of the Netherlands for the season came in week 10 against the Baltimore Ravens. He recorded the highest quarterback pressure of the season and allowed just six yards to receive at four targets.
The Dolphins are returning all their starters to defense from last season and the Netherlands knows that this will help them start playing, as they did at the end of last season.
“I feel like a team, as a whole defense, it’s amazing that we’re all in the same field again,” Holland said. “This is really important and it is rare, to be honest, for everyone to return to the group. I am excited. The room is comfortable. Everyone knows each other. Now that we are going through all these activities, practices and difficulties, you are hurting yourself more and more together as a group. ”