Following word of his release, Xavien Howard, a cornerback, was publicly courted by a former Miami Dolphins player.
Following Cameron Sutton’s release due to domestic assault allegations, the Detroit Lions have an unexpected opening at cornerback. According to one report, they may be able to locate an All-Pro replacement in free agency.
After Florida police declared Sutton wanted on abuse charges and solicited the public for assistance in finding him, the Lions severed their relationship with him. The Lions declared Sutton free on March 21; nevertheless, the legal matter is still unresolved.
The Lions had already made a number of moves in free agency to improve their secondary, but now they will have to replace a man who frequently got the task of covering the top receivers for their opponents.
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report proposed the Lions as a leading candidate to sign former Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard as a replacement.
Lions Wanted to Include Experienced Cornerback
Before Sutton’s release, Davenport pointed out that the Lions needed more assistance in the secondary, and with his departure, they may need to seek assistance even more aggressively.
The recent release of Cameron Sutton due to domestic assault accusations in Florida has made the cornerback position—which was previously kind of a poor one for the Detroit Lions—even more urgent, according to Davenport.
After eight seasons in Miami, Howard was selected to the Pro Bowl four times. This season, he totaled 45 tackles, one interception, and twelve passes defensed. After playing in just two playoff games for Miami—the team’s first-round exits in 2016 and 2022, as well as his injury-plagued absence from last year’s game—Howard has stated his desire to play for a postseason contender in the upcoming campaign.
Howard stated, “I’d rather take a pay cut to go to a team that’s going to go further in the playoffs,” during an interview with Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem for the OGs podcast. “I have my money and other belongings.” I get right to the issue, asking, “How much money really need?” Trying to win a Super Bowl is always my goal. Avoid letting financial gain stand in the way of your Super Bowl victory. A Super Bowl is won by some people, and some people are compensated. A few people engage in both. You are unique; you do both. I wish to stand apart. Now, I want to win the Super Bowl. I’m looking forward to the Super Bowl now that I’ve been paid.
Lions Acquire An Additional Cornerback
The Lions acquired cornerback Carlton Davis from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in order to strengthen their secondary even prior to Sutton’s dismissal last week. He recorded 52 total tackles, two interceptions, and nine passes defensed in the previous campaign.
Davis voiced confidence in his ability to be the team’s starting cornerback shortly after joining.
According to Tim Twentyman of Detroitlions.com, Davis stated on March 13 that “you about to get a lockdown corner.” You’re going to have the ability to have one side of the field completely unavailable. I work in that capacity. I’m ready to take on any team’s top receiver. My purpose is to remove the ball.
Sports writer Nathan Dougherty writes about the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills for Heavy.com. In the past, he worked as an assistant editor for the sports trade publications Coaching Management, Athletic Management, and Training & Conditioning in addition to writing for the Rochester Business Journal. Based in Rochester, New York, he has an intense passion for all things football.
