Welcome to Miami | Byron Jones

terrific financial shape going forward. What's up, Dolphins? Travis Wingfield with you here for a special series of the Drive Time Podcast, part of the official podcast network of your Miami Dolphins. We aren't making these shows with specific dates, but we are rolling out a new episode per player signing, and we'll start with the details of the player's career, taking a look at their counting stats, advanced metrics, film study,

character testimonies, and a whole lot more. All of that before we hear from the newest Miami Dolphins and exclusive

interviews with the Drivetime Podcast. So without any further ado, let's get in to the free agency series here on the Drivetime Podcasts, and today we are talking about new Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, and sometime on the podcast in the coming week or so, we're gonna go over the cumulative impact of these moves, of these additions and kind of get you up to date on where Miami are heading into the draft and the second week of free agency.

But I want to let the chips fall where they may before we do that, and so these podcasts are all about focusing on the individual players, and today our focus is on Byron Jones, who is now the highest paid cornerback in the National Football League and he earned it for a variety of reasons. Floress harps on the versatility of defensive players and anybody on the roster for that matter, all the time, and that's exactly what Byron

Jones brings to the table. He's been a lockdown corner back the last two seasons, but he entered the NFL from Yukon as a corner but flipped over to the safety position with the Dallas Cowboys, and he went back to cornerback in two thousand eighteen. And his production is near the top of the leader board in several of

those categories. You go to player profile dot com and Advanced Metrics site, they ranked Jones second and yards per target allowed at five point one last season, and he allowed the ninth fewest receptions per game at two point two and the fourth fewest total yards for a cornerback at three hundred and fifty one. He also ranked fourth in both coverage rating and catch rate allowed proprietary stats

there at player profile dot com. Jones can play anywhere in the second dary, but playing that cornerback position has been where he has been best one d twenty five targets going back to the start of he allowed sixty five receptions. That's just fifty two percent completion rate in a league that really benefits quarterbacks and the passing game for completion percentages well over, so he's well below that mark.

Eight hundred and six yards allowed just six point four yards per attempt since he's rarely targeted in the area he really really shines in Dallas, which will play a lot here in Miami, is in that man coverage and playing man coverage as a cornerback, if you're not going to get as many opportunities to get your hands in the football because you're playing the man, usually your head's not facing the quarterback, you're not camped out in a

zone keying the quarterback and trying to jump routes. He's playing sticky tight man coverage and preventing the quarterback from even thinking about throwing the ball in his direction. Despite that regularly being targeted. He has nineteen pass breakups over

the last two years. The ball production is there, and among players with better than six hundred snaps, Jones was the eleventh highest graded cornerback on Pro Football Focus in twenty nineteen, and his tackling grade ranked first among all corners, and his coverage grade was number twelve among all cornerbacks. Going back to Jones was PFF's fifth highest graded cornerback with six hundred or more snaps. He's six ft one, two hundred pounds, and he blew up the scouting combine

at the NFL. He pays the defensive backs there in the vertical jump. At forty four point five inches, this duke can almost jump four feet off the ground. His broad jump was best at one hundred and forty seven inches. His three cone as well was best six point seven eight seconds, twenty yard shuttle three point nine four seconds,

and sixty yard shuttle ten point nine eight seconds. All of those were best among defensive backs in that rare length and athletic combination really makes a difficult task for receivers to earn clean releases when he lines up in that press cover. But also if he does get beat initially, he has the recovery speed to get back into phase and get back into position. He is a tough task for any receiver in the NFL. He can press and disrupt at the line, or he can bail in a

variety of zone coverages. He leans on that football i Q and instincts to anticipate route concepts of the offense. And going back to his athletics score card at the scouting Combine, we had Kent Platt on a podcast a couple of weeks ago talking about the top performers at the twenty nineteen scouting Combine. None of those guys topped Byron Jones is nine point nine six out of ten score among cornerbacks. In fact, that nine point nine six score is the highest ever for a cornerback at the

Scouting Combine. Elite metrics in the measurements department, What about production also elite there. Let's look at some individual matchups Jones has had over the last two seasons against some of the game's premier elite wide receivers Jones versus Michael

Thomas last season to catches twenty one yards. If you recall, Michael Thomas broke the record for receptions and one offensive player of the year, but he wasn't getting his on Byron Jones, your new Dolphins cornerback Jones twenty nineteen against al Shon Jeffrey goose Egg zero catches, zero yards Jones versus Stefon Digs of the Minnesota Vikings in twenty nineteen one catch, eleven yards Jones on John Brown, who will see twice a year now in Buffalo along with of

fawn Digs in twenty nineteen one catch six yards Jones versus Brandon Cooks and Robert Woods combined to total catches nineteen yards. That day against Los Angeles Rams, Jones versus Odell Beckham in ten guests a goose egg zero catches. He was targeted five times in that game, and the Giants caught one ball up against Byron Jones completion in

that game. Back to against Julio Jones, one reception nineteen yards Jones and eighteen again versus Michael Thomas goose egg zero catches and Jones versus t Y Hilton and twenty nineteen one reception twenty three yards. Those guys put up five, six, seven eight catches a game. They go up around nine

hundred yards every single game. None of them got better than twenty three yards, and none of them got better than two catches on Byron Jones, fantastic cover guy out there in space, and his college tape and workout metrics helped him earn high praise from scouts coming out of the draft. This from Lance Zerline of nfl dot Com quote, extremely smart and instinctive player on the field. Shows above average anticipation of routes, is able to sniff out rub

routes and works to avoid them. Flashes recovery speed downfield, and gets his head around to find the football to make a play on it. He had eight picks at Yukon. He uses instincts and adequate closing burst to disrupt the catch. He's a generally reliable tackler, team captain and leader on and off the field and in the locker room. Scouts say he's willing to play hurt and inspires his teammates and quote. He also had a quote in that bit

Zerline did from an NFC Scout anonymously. Quote high character player with the vision and instincts you want from an NFL quarterback. Really nice young man who you cheer for. End quote. And the durability mentioned you here there from Zerlines report shows up tangibly in the snap count workload of Byron Jones NFL career. He's played four thousand, nine hundred and three snaps over a five year career. That's an average of nine hundred eighty point six snaps per season. Essentially,

he doesn't leave the field. And this quote was found by Joe Shadow of the Palm Beach Post coming him Don Brown, who used to coach the defense and defensive backs at Yukon when Byron Jones was there. He now more recently is the defensive coordinator at Michigan. Quote great human being, highly competitive, great athlete, one of the best young people I have ever been around. End quote. And Jones has been praised for that locker room leadership, toughness

and intelligence on the football field. Above all, Jones relies on his preparation during the week to excel on Sundays. This is a quote from him from ESPN dot com. Taking the ball away is a lot of things. It's a mental thing as well. You've got to know what you're looking for. For me, working with Cowboys linebacker Shawn Lee helped me out a lot. We've already talked about having film sessions together and everything that goes into that.

I'm not endlessly looking at film. I'm looking for specific things to help me and quote and Jones's contributions at Yukon earned him a first round draft pick distinction. But he is a well rounded human being who did more than just play football. He was an economics major at the University of Connecticut and also intern for Congress him and Elizabeth Etsy in Washington, d C. Jones had this to say about the experience. Quote, it was an eye

opening experience. I went to hearings, briefings, took notes on behalf of the congresswoman, I gave tours of the US capital. It was fascinating end quote. So Miami's new cornerback is a renaissance man both on and off the field, and we are joined now by the newest cornerback of the Miami Dolphins, signed a five year contract on Wednesday with the team. New deal, New team Byron Jones. How are you feeling Man, I feel great relaxing at home thinking

about my time and I can't wait too well. Actually get to Miami, actually enjoy the weather, enjoy the people, and get together with my teammates. So that's where I want to start with you, Byron, you were in hot pursuit by a few teams in the free agency period.

So why the Dolphins? To be honest, man, what I really like about this Dolphins team is it's the young and um and for me, this would be a new challenge in terms of not just leading by example, but leading with my voice and speaking up and talking to guys and making sure I'm chasing the culture in that in that young locker room. UM. So that that gives me the opportunity to do that, and that that, to me was a really exciting challenge. Um. I believe in

what coach Flow was doing. I spoke to a bunch of coaches about him and everyone had nothing but good things to say about him. So I know he's building something special and I want to be a part of it. And that's something I wanted to talk to you about. Was Brian Flores as well as Josh Bowyer, who have an extensive resume of defensive back development and just getting production from guys regardless of where they came from. You

come in with a high pedigree. Have you had a chance to meet with Josh Boyer yet and Gerald Alexander and some of those defensive backs coaches. Unfortunately, no, not yet. I'm hoping to get a chance to actually flying out in Miami and meet these guys in person. But um, I mean I again, for nothing but good things about

the defensive side of the ball, no question. So um, that's exciting for me as a corner knowing that these guys have said to high pedig for you know, making good dbs even better, and that's that's something we have to deal with right now with the coronavirus going on. So hopefully get you down here real soon. You're joining a defensive backfield that has some big time names in it. What does it mean for you to play in a defensive backfield that you know could challenge for for supremacy

at the top of the NFL. Yeah. I actually hit up my man X on Instagram just to say I couldn't wait to play along soide another top tier cornerback. I know Eric Row from the trained together in Pensacola right before the combine. UM, so I know a couple of guys in that backfield, So I think it's really cool. The opportunity to play it along with a bunch of dps who understand the game will also top in their game. UM.

That was also a big factor. You know, it's hard to find a team with two top tier corners, so this is special for us, and you talk about being a top tier corner Byron. I went over some of your individual matchups throughout the course of the last two years and some of the guys that you bodied up in terms of their targets, receptions, and yards. It's it's ridiculous, to be perfectly frank. I mean, Michael Thomas in two games against you has two receptions. That guy won the

Offensive Player of the Year award last year. What is it about those big time matchups that gets the best out of you? And the truthfully, UM, it's really a defensive thing. Like one thing I had in Dallas was guys who rushed the pastors. I call these they called the hot boys, I call maniacs because they just have high energy, high motors and they're putting pressure on quarterbacks and UM, you know, for to to be really good

corner in this league, you can't do it alone. You gotta have guys who are rushing the pastor you mean, these quarterbacks and receivably getting better and better each year. And the rules are kind of being shaded towards the offense as opposed to defense. So, um, putting pressure on quarterbacks makes my job a lot easier. So it's it's partly. Yes, I am a skilled defensive back. You know, I'm a guard guys, no matter who it is and where it is.

But um, it really comes together and it really becomes something special when you guys have when you have a defensive line life backer group that's really rushing the quarterback. And you've played a multiple positions throughout the course of your career so far, drafted as a cornerback in Dallas, moved to safety for a little bit. What does that experience teach you and what is the versatility and multiplicity in your game done to benefit your overall skill set

as a defensive back. Yeah, so I came in as a corner and played a couple of games that corner, played a couple of games that dime, and they need me at safety So I stayed there for about two and a half three years and then moved back to the corner on their coach with Christopher Shard, who really helped me develop my skill as a top tier cornerback. Um. You know, playing the multiple positions in the defensive back

foot really gives me an understanding of the defense. Um. You know, oftentimes players, especially young players, they just understanding their position and to really to to take that next step to the next level, you have to really understand

each position and how it works. As defensive back. You gotta understand where your help is, where your safety is, your lineback, your help, how many guys are rushing the pastor that dictates when the bass coming, how it's gonna come out a fast you're gonna come out, So all that stuff, like just playing those multiple positions, it gave me the opportunity to really learn the defense intimately, and um,

it's been really beneficial for me. I can help out a safety, I can play safety, I can play negle, I can play dime. I had a great history covering tight ends, the bigger, bigger receivers, all that good stuff. So, um, just just the just the development, just the development process alone,

it helped me tremendously. And so you mentioned your ability to kind of recognize route concepts and play that quarterback style of defense on the other side, as you key some of the things you see in front of you. I'm sure if you've talked to Flow extensively, you've heard tough, smart discipline. That's what we do down here in Miami. And I also read an article about your film prep and kind of your work habits and how Sean Lee, the Cowboys linebacker, taught you a lot in terms of

the mental side of the game. So I'm curious to ask you, Byron, how how are you able to apply that to the games on Sunday? And also on top of the smart aspect of the game, I read something that said that your your toughness or you you played through an mcl sprain at one point. Where does that toughness come from? Like for us simpletons that don't play the game that we don't have that athletic ability, how are you able to gut through something like that and

be out there for your teammates. Going back to the just the preparation phase, Sanly by far is one of the that's people to learn to prepare for the games. I mean, the guy is there early, he's there late. He's your your prototypical guy who stays late, comes early. Watch this film and he breaks down the game in

a way that's easily to digest for him. And you know, uh, just seeing the way he approached the game in terms of preparation made me change the way I took notes, the way I watched them, the way I took care of my body. So, um, just having around and just seeing that on a daily basis completely changed my game. And um, you know it's it's cool because offices, what they run against us is what they run in the past.

You know, every offense has your scheme and as your style, and you're gonna see some of the same routes in the same runs over and over again. So just being able to key that stuff and watching that stuff on family, making notes of it makes you play a little bit quicker and um, in terms of playing hurt and I never encourage anyone to do that, Um, but that's a

part of ball, you know. Um. You know, at a time, you're gonna have to sacrifice certain things for your brothers to to your left until your right and as long as you make a smart decision where you're not jeopardizing your long term health. Uh, you know, some guys are willing to do what some guys aren't. We got new Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones are on the Drive Time podcast

with Travis Wingfield. We are part of the official Miami Dolphins podcast network, and Byron, you and I were speaking off air a little bit about your combine metrics and that world record broad jump, which still stands today. By the way, I mean you're I don't know if you're familiar with the Relative Athletics scorecard. It's a basically cumulative score of your combined workout metrics. You still hold the highest number for all defensive backs in the history of

the combine. So what does that do and how does that translate into the Pro Bowl talent we see on Sundays. It's gonna be crazy to hear me out. So what frustrates me the most is how good of a two foot jumper I am? But I'm not that great one. And football you're jumping primarily off of one ft um So you know, I go in the basketball and I could do any dunk imaginable off two feet, but one

ft it ain't so great. UM. So that's one thing I've always been gifted with the ability to jump far and and and high off two ft um and for me that in terms of translation to the football field, it just helps my explicit movements, you know, getting out of my stance and all that good stuff. Um changing direction as well. Um, you gotta have strength along with that explosion, and that strength gets me out of some

waxy positions at times. So that's been a blessing shout out to my mom and dad for the good genes. Here you go, you gotta gotta pay it back somehow. So you mentioned basketball and dunking, and I gotta go here because we have some guys here that think that they could play in the NBA too. I'm talking about Davante Parker, Mica Sicky, Christian Wilkins told me he was the best basketball player on the team. Now I've seen

him throw a sweet drop step in there. But I gotta ask you, are you gonna win the dunk contest if they had one for the Dolphins. It's been like two years since I've done, which is unusual for me. But I think I still got it. I think I still got I think I still got the juice in the legs. Give me a week to get back, you know, and get back to the basketball shape, but I think I can get it. What about the jump shot? Is

that still there too? Absolutely no shots. I know my strengths and weaknesses, and that's the first thing about basketball. Football guys are trying to do everything, try to beat Steph Curry, Lebron Jane jibble Shoe, Like, no, I'm not shooting, I'm not jibbling, but I will defend my ass off. I'm gonna put back the layoups. And I'm that guy that no one thinks it's good at basketball once they see me playing, like okay, I want that guy on my team. And I defend and I get buckets, I

get bored. We've got another podcast here on the network called The Fish Tankets with former Dolphins receiver O J. McDuffie, and they always detailed the basketball games that used to happen back at his house back in the day, and there was always a guy on They talked about the best five they get on the floor, and there was always a guy on that roster that just said what you just said about being the toughest to Dathor and you're gonna get your rebounds and you're gonna get all

your block shots and stuff like that. So does that translate the football field as well? Oh yeah, it's just being It's about being scrappy, you know, getting what comes to you. Um and for me just being a defender. I love defending. You know, when I played safety, you kind of out there in twelve yards away, you're not really interacting with too many players until you know something

goes wrong. But for me, playing corner man, having someone in front of me and defending someone in front of me made me fall in love with the game in a different way, like more than any time of my entire life. Um So, defending that's what I naturally love to do. So yeah, So when you get down here in Miami, what Jergy number do you want to wear? That's that's a good question. I'm not sure what numbers are available, but I think I'm looking for a little

change up there. Anyone was dope, but you know it's next time you change it up a little bit. And when you do get down here, besides the georgey number, what are you most looking forward to about something? What are you most looking forward to about South Florida, the weather, weather, and just like the sound weird, but the vesure ptation, like plans and into stuff like that. I like feeling like I'm in a little jungle and I've seen some pictures in certain areas and it's just that really. And

obviously the beach is cool as well too. You know, you don't have much ocean around here in Dallas, so UM looking forward to all those things right here in Miami is a great city. Um. You have CC pictures and movies and gone there a few times myself here and there, but to actually live in Miami, I'm looking forward to that. It gets a little toasty out there at training camp, but the rest of the year definitely

makes it all worth it. I wanted to ask you one more question about off the field stuff here Byron, I read about your background in college and that internship you did in Washington. Can you kind of talk to us about that and what that did for your just general overall knowledge and overall growth as a human. Yeah,

it was really cool. So I did an internship UM at the State Capital Connecticut first for a month, and then I went to d C and work UM in Congressional office for about two months, and um, I quickly learned that this is not what I want to do after football. But too um it just made me realize, like, now, you go into an office, you think you're smart, you think you're smart, but when you're around people in congressional

office is really on another another level to me. It's the staffers, the people you don't know who really run those offices. Yeah, the legislative the congressman or councilman, they're also intelligent, but they are back and have an incredible staff of you know, five to fifty people at times depending on up here and the House of Representatives are in the Senate. It's it's really incredible the staff that

that really makes that whole thing run. And um, it was a cool experience, really cool to be in DC. But man, I'm hanging my politics head up. Hung that head up a long time ago. Well, I think you made the right professional choice Byron. I won't look up any more of your time. Congratulations on the new contract, Congratulations on joining Miami, best of luck this year, Stay healthy and welcome to Miami. Man. Appreciate the Jervis man.

Take care and there he goes your new Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones signs a five year deal to come down here and bolster what looks to be a very very good secondary for your Miami Dolphins. I left the stat off the initial part of the podcast. Want to jump right back into it. This from Bill Barnwell of ESPN

and NFL's Next Gen Stats. Opposing quarterbacks completed just fifty of their passes when Jones was the nearest defender and coverage last year in nineteen, which was the seventh best mark in the league for cornerbacks with at least two hundred and fifty coverage snaps. Opposing quarterbacks mostly left Jones alone, as he was targeted a mere thirteen percent of past attempts last season. The only cornerback with two hundred and fifty or more coverage snaps who was targeted less frequently

was the Chargers Casey Hayward. So Byron Jones coming to Miami bringing that skill set, the versatility, the intelligence, the leadership, the toughness. This guy has it all, big big thigs coming for him in Miami. All right, let's go ahead and button this one up. We have plenty more podcasts coming your way as the free agency period was hot

and heavy for the Miami Dolphins. We're gonna talk to all of the new additions here on the Drive Time podcast, but in the meantime, go ahead and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any of those. Leave us a rating, leave us a review, give me a follow on Twitter. It's at Wingfield, NFL. Follow the Dolphins at Miami Dolphins. You heard me talk about the fish Tank podcast. Check that out as well as the audible with John con Jemmy and Kimbo Camper. Miami Dolphins dot com for

all the content on your Miami Dolphins. Until next time. Fins Up, next time, Fins Up next time,