Welcome to Miami Keion Crossen

slash special teamer. Will break down his game and get him in here to talk some ball and his decision to join the Miami Dolphins and a lot more from the Baptist Health Studios inside the Baptist Health Training Complex. This is the Drive Time Podcasts. So key On Crossing is your latest Dolphins signing here and the beginning of free agency has kind of seen the Dolphins bolster up the offense routines, retained some key defensive pieces, and now

really address the special teams unit. As Crossing and the Dolphins have agreed to terms on a contract that will bring the former Giants, Patriots and Texans cornerback south to Miami.

Now you look at his production over the course of his four year career, all four years, he's finished inside the top sixty four of the league in total special teams tackles in three of those four years, and that was the three years he played the entire season he ranked in the top thirty three in that category, finishing as high as ten. In total, he has thirty nine

career tackles in that third phase of the game. A seventh round draft choice of the Patriots and eventual World champion, there, he's logged one thousand, eighteen career snaps just on special teams alone. What makes a great special teamer? We've talked in the past about this with some of the guys in the Dolphins roster currently, about gunning and you know, covering kicks and return teams and the kind of difficult

nature of some of those positions. One thing that will always help you when it comes to running down the football field making tackles is a bunch of speed. And it should come as no surprise that Crossing is often the first man on the scene and kick coverage. When you pull up his tape, he ran a four three three forty yard dash at his Western Carolina Pro day back in. On that run, he was clocked at a

high speed of twenty four miles an hour. He's speeding in a school zone on foot, and he's almost speeding in a residential at twenty four miles per hour. That was calculated in the final twenty yards of that run. Shows you his explosiveness and his straight line speed there, and unsurprisingly, he tested off the charts in several other categories. He blazed a sterling three cone time of six six seven That is moving. He leaped thirty nine and a half inches on the vert and one and thirty one

inches on the broad jump. Those are some impressive, impressive numbers to showcase that explosiveness in the lower half. And he's not just a special teamer. He has some defensive snaps as well. Five hundred and nineteen to be exact, and better than six of those snaps came in with the Houston Texans. On a hundred and seventy nine coverage snaps that year, he broke up five passes and made

forty six total tackles. Opposing quarterbacks targeted him twenty eight times, with sixteen completions for two and a passer rating of just eighty three. Point two and though he has forty three snaps playing down in the box, Crossing has only been called on as a pass rusher just four times in his career, but Pro Football Focus credits him with

eight run stops. Those, of course, are tackles within two yards of the line of scrimmage on running down plays on a hundred and eighty nine snaps and run defense, so he's frequently getting his face in the fan in the running game and making tackles up close to the line. And that same quick trigger and explosive first step he showed is on special teams is very evident when you watch his tape on defense. He flies all over the

field and gets to the football quickly. This guy comes from Garysburg, North Carolina, the pride of Garysburg, North Carolina, becoming an NFL draft pick after a four year career there at Western Carolina, playing in forty six career games, instantly earning the admiration of the Catamounts coaching staff. The Western Carolina Catamounts, who have now had eight players drafted.

He was the last one to get drafted from w c U and the first one since nineteen But I went back and found some quotes from his coaching staff there at w c U, Mark Spear had this to say about him. Quote some of the leadership aspects, you could just tell from the beginning that he had what we coaches called the IT factor when it comes to those leadership skill sets. And then also I learned he has this nickname that he earned back in college, the Preacher.

There's a YouTube clip out there from Western Carolina where they talk about his impact, his spirit, and just the overall way he's lifted the way he did lift the tide back at West in Carolina. I want to go ahead and play a clip here from one of Crossing's teammates at w c you talking about his spirit, his faith, and what he meant to that football team when he was with him. When we first got here, he was always known as the Minister, the preacher. Everybody calls him

the Preacher. And another thing about Kean is he is very giving. He's willing to give his last for somebody who needs it. And we talked to him as a staff about this is what do you want to be remembered for. Yeah, they're not gonna remember that you had a championship ring on your finger. They're gonna remember how you made him feel. You know. Uh saying I love to tell him is people aren't gonna remember what you said or dead exactly, but they're always gonna remember how

you made him feel. When he's playing, you can tell that he's very passionate about it. Each day at practice, you can say he's passionate about everybody, and he just gives his all to people. You know what I'm saying, He's not out there playing for himself. He playing for us, which makes him play better. And the two things that stout there to me was number one talking about out he would give you the shirt off of his back to someone in need from his teammate there, and just

the selfless mindset. This Dolphins kind of culture has been built with the guys in the roster. He fits right into that. Based upon those comments there from Western Carolina and his teammates and coaching staff there, and then also talking about the energy he brings. I mean, if you type in his name on a Twitter search and go to the video section of that search, there's gonna be videos of him at practice, jumping around, dance and having a good time. You know, I compare it to like

Christian Wilkins. You see him bouncing around in the practice field, just having a great time out there. Those kind of guys and that kind of infectious personality can go along long way. So Key On Crossing Dolphins new defensive back splash special teamer. Let's go ahead and welcome in key On onto the podcast here after this short break on the Drivetime Podcast with Travis Wingfield, brought to you by

Auto Nation. What's Up Dolphins? Travis Wingfield here, the host of the Drivetime podcast on the Miami Dolphins podcast network, And I've joined today by new Dolphins defensive back Key On Crossing. Key on, what's up Man? How you doing man? I'm doing good. Man. Just finished up with an eighteen hour trip, So just to get down here with you guys. Man. Uh so I'm I'm excited to be here, man, and uh, I couldn't be be more grateful. Tell me about the eight hour drive. I gotta know more about it, you

know what. Um, it was grueling, Uh, but it was you know, a definitely a self connected drive. UM. I got to just reflect on no light little things, um and family and just the opportunity just to you know, at the time to be a free agent, and obviously I was coming to Miami anyway. I was kind of you know, optimiscy that something would happen here. So, um, like I said, you know, I enjoyed the state and I'm glad to be here. And uh, the drive was worth it. Right, Did you get some podcasts and maybe

some drivetime? No, I definitely did, definitely did. I'm just messing with you. So I made the drive from Seattle down here last pretty long one as well. Man, Yeah, it's it's it's like you said, grueling. It's a good break for That's why my face lit up when you mentioned that. So you're here now, this building is not too bad, right, What were you thinking? Oh? Man, the Electure eight it's electric man, it's exciting. Um, this building

is crazy. But the one thing I did realize is that, um, this building is family based, family based, um, and everyone's having a good time. Uh So at the end of the day, that's what that's what that's what we're here to do. That's we're here to do. Have a great time. When obviously, and uh be electric man, why not love? Why not? So so you mentioned coming down here with the dolphins. What was it that really attracted you to sign here with the Miami Dolphins. Um, you know, I

just you know, some genuine people. First off, I had some genuine people, uh, you know, like coach Boyer. Uh, he was definitely an influence. He's obviously got it. Drafted me in New England. So, um, that's definitely one. Um. You know, at the end of the day, I think

it was meant to be. It's gonna be. And obviously the palm trees heat, you know, taxes are light way better than New York, Texas though I still you know that that's still uh you know, I love there, but I'm just glad to be here man, And uh, at the end of the day, it's different, and um, you know, I would be grateful to get this experience and no other placed in here. Can you tell us more about coach Boyer because I had in my notes here he was.

He was in the cornerbacks room when you got a drafted to New England, won the Super Bowl that year and everything. What what can you tell us about your relationship with coach Boyer? Um? So, like I said, he drafted me as a rookie. Actually, uh so he flew down to pretty much color with North Carolina. No one's probably ever heard of that, but that's where Western Carolina

is located, which is the college I attended. And Um, he was telling me that he's seen guys throw knives at trees and stuff like that, which is very possible. Which is very possible. And uh no, I mean definitely not. Uh. If anything, I'll be I'll be throwing use of love. Um. But at the end of the day, man, Uh, that just showed the dedication first and foremost from him as a coach. And um, he's seen a talent in me. Um. You know, just as my college coach did that he

thought he could bring out. And like I said, every coach can't bring it out, you know what I mean. Um, but he knows how to coach me like he drafted me. And UM, you know you know, in some sense, I wish I could have been with him all four years, uh, because you know, I'm a better player because of it. And he's passionate. Um. And like I said, I remember times where um, I was talking to him about it.

Who was um preseason game number two versus the Philadelphia Eagles And I didn't even know what the curl flag drop was. And this man took time out of his day. Um, obviously the other players there, but I mean we probably only feel hour or two hours just working on curl flag drops. And he was running routes. I mean, hell, he's how old he is. He's running routes. That was

worried about achilles injury. But that's my guy, man, And um, you know that was him pre uh pre Dad, So uh, you know, I get to see Dad Boyer and pre I know a pre Dad Boyer. So it's always good. Man. He's like I said, he's he's put my best entries and uh that's that's a big influence of why I came down here. Um. So some some other former teammates. You know, boy, you're obviously in the coaching staff, but Eric Rowe a Landon Roberts also on the Patriots team.

You're excited about getting back with those boys. Oh yeah, man. Um, like I say, you know, all of us still have a connection, whether we see each other in the same building or whether we see each other outside of the building. But um, it's good to get up with former teammates, man, and you know, try to build something and you know, ultimately try to get to a super Bowl. That you know, that's the thing. But it's a process to get there. And uh, camaraderie ship within the team is definitely one

aspect of it. And I'm ready to get you know, get back with them man as well as you know, my new teammates. So you know, I can't wait. You talk about camaraderie. You've talked about the electricity here a little bit, you know, kind of doing some background you. I saw some videos of you a practice at w c U, wherever you were in the NFL. You're always dancing around having a good time. How important is to have that energy every day? I mean, you know, I

think it's a you know, it's very important. It's you know, what I would call it is is a focus energy. Um, is a focused energy. And what it is is, you know, it's allowing me for for myself. It's allowing me to pretty much get in my zone for today. Um. Although it is playful, but in a way I'm I'm dancing

having a good time. It got my teammates laughing, you know, even if it's embarrassing for me, because I got my teammates laughing, and coaches might laugh and um, you know, at the end of the day, I know, Okay, we're about to go and have a good days of work, and uh, why not start off with a little fun. Yeah, that makes it a lot more, especially exactly exactly through there.

So I read about some more of your background here at w c U and instead of your project, you ran a four three or three and they clocked to you at twenty four miles an hour top speed. Did you know that? Yeah? That that you know, I always thought it was kind of a coincidence because the twenty four miles per hour four three three doesn't make sense

and definitely four to uh that makes sense. That makes sense. Uh. I mean at the end of the day, like I said, my numbers in the league right now, tell me and tell everybody I'm a fascinated league. Um, so that's all that matters. And uh, I just think it's in arresting man that, Uh you know, only I didn't have a you know, a trainer like XOS or you know XPD is down here training all these guys that run forward to I did have the backyard. It would be in

my stream coach, and we just figured it out. And uh, at the end of the day, man, you know, I'm appreciative of coach bar and, like I said, Coach Mark Spear and the whole WC Athletics just forgive me the opportunity, you know, because that experience is different in itself because I didn't have any college office coming out of high school. So I'm appreciative that I just want to get them a shout out. You kind of mentioned this already, talking about being one of the faster players in the league,

the fastest I think you said, right. So my next question was gonna because we have this every year talking about like winning a race of Dolphins training camp. We don't actually run the race. We just talk about it and it's kind of fun. But you think you do pretty well in that race. I don't. I don't think the guys went this year. So how does that speed help you collect so many tackles on special Ty? Because

I I went back and look at your status. You're one of the leading Special teams tacklers over the last four years since you came into speed play apart in that, UM, well, it's very hard to contain speed. Um. Like I said that, you know, I'm one of the leading tacklers, but at the same time, I have to learn how to contain

the speed within myself because I can be. Um, when I was a rookie, I used to be fast and out of control, and um, as I've groaned, I think it was I think it was round like week eight. I went on like an eight week all into the playoffs, you know, a SC Championship, super Bowls, where I made tackles every week. And that's when I figured it out. I was like, I just gotta maybe not go twenty four, maybe two, you know what I mean. So, UM, that's

how it helps. But you know, I have a lot of you know, coaches tell me, you gotta you do this, and I'm like listening, I'm doing it very fast, so I'm seeing it very fast. So uh but long story short man, the speed helps just just to help, you know, me be at my best and do what I do best, and let's running fast and make tackles. Um. I think I'm gonna solidified tackler, whether that's defensively special team wise, I don't miss you mean tackles. Um, so all due respect,

I mean speed helps. Like I said, speed change the game. Um, that's how it helped me. Maybe that's why they put you at four three three, so you'd learned to play it for three three and be little more control. Yeah, I think that's what I think. That's what it was. Perfect perfect. So you know one thing I also saw in your background there was you got a nickname back at Western Carolina the Preacher. Yes, because I still oh yeah, no question, man Um, they got me the preacher man. Uh.

Some people call me to pastor key man. Uh. But at the end of the day, man Um, like I said, I'm just a guy at the God's heart, bro. And uh, I just like to help people, whether that's preaching a word, whether that's just give me love, you know what I mean, just spreading love. Man. I'm I'm a I'm a guy that loves people. Um. And I think the kind of man you are matters and the type of character you

have matters. And uh, like I said, I was my dad and my mom you know, always taught me respect, you know what I mean, respect and hold yourself accountable and just always be who you are everywhere. And that's all I know how to do. And uh, like I say, that's what I That's who I am. That's who I am, and that's why I could want to continue to be. It's awesome to hear. One of the videos I saw was a YouTube clip and one of the guy your teammates was saying that you would give the shirt off

your back to anybody. So I thought that was really appreciated. Yeah, I wanted to ask you about that. Let's go ahead and finish up here with you know, you get here to South Florida in Miami, you make the long drive. Hope you're not driving anywhere else anytime, so hopefully not. But you know, whether it's football culture down here, it's very rich in that sense, as well as all the food down here. If there's one thing you're looking forward

to with this opportunity, what is it here in South Florida? Um? This is the opportunity to get to know the culture of South Florida. UM. I never really got to stay here, so food wise, I really don't know what you guys eat, you know. Yeah, I'm like, they must seat, they must eat off. I don't know what they eat out here, uh fins, I don't know. But I'm just really, you know, intrigued to see the culture out here, man. And I know it's pretty diverse. Um, but you know, food, I'm

a big food guy. I'm a food junkie. So you know, if there's any restaurants that wants me to come out to try your food out, Hey, I'll take the biggest meal you got and we'll see can I eat it? All right? Calling for you right now, calling for you, right now, anybody, any restaurant let me know. You know, I just finished my by the way, quick note, you know I just finished my master's in theology. Tell me a bit more about more about that, about it. Um.

So it's been a three year process. Um. I started, well, I'm gonna say right after my rookie year and I was thinking, I'm like, what can I do as far as education, um to grow? And I was like, you know what, why not go back to school? Right? And I learned about the the nfl p A, how we got the tuition grant program. We need to bring that bad guys, um, but we got a tuition grant program. And I encourage guys to know do it because, like I said, if you haven't finished school, UM, go back

and finish. Man. It's important. It's important to you, it's important your family. Go do it. But you know, I'm kind of a first generation in a sense when it comes to like the master of my intermediate family. My mom, dad, Um, I've just completed my master's degree. I'm thinking about a doctorate, but um, we will see. That's the loud right, like my masters, I probably feels really good. It feels good. It feels amazing. Three years too. That's pretty pretty, especially

be an NFL player. And I actually encouraged. My sister got encouraged and she finished her She's finishing her um bachelor's right now. Man, So mom's thinking about going. I mean, we all think about going to school. Man. That's what we do, man, That's what we do stuff. Keion Crossing, new Dolphins defensive back, thanks so much, man, appreciate Yes, sir, thank you appreciated. Another really fun one of these free agent interviews there with Dolphins defensive back key On Crossing.

Will come back on the other side of this break and wrap up this edition of the Drivetime podcast brought to you by Auto Nation. So that is the seventh free agent signing, seventh free agent interview in addition to all the players coming back in free agency so far for the Miami Dolphins, key On Crossing on this episode again. All that content on our Free Agent Hub up on Miami Dolphins dot com. Go check that out, Go back

to the podcast, go to the YouTube channel. All that stuff and a bunch more, and we'll have you covered the entire offseason here on your Miami Dolphins and the Drive Time and the Miami Dolphins podcast network. In the meantime, that's gonna be my time, you all. Please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, tuned in, wherever you get your podcast. Go ahead and leave us a rating, leave us a review. You can find me on Twitter at Wingfield NFL, follow the team at Miami

Dolphins across all social channels. Again, the Fish Tank Podcast with Seth and o J. I got a couple of great episodes coming up here pretty soon. Also the YouTube channel for Dolphins Today, our media availabilities and the interviews with these players on the video format. I know you all love so much. Last, but not least, Miami Dolphins dot Com. Until next time finds up Caroline Daddy's Coming Home.