HOUSTON — Keion Crossen makes his dwelling in quick and harmful territory, thriving as a special-teams ace who has mastered defeating blocks to deal with elusive kick returners. A former New England Patriots seventh-round draft choose from Western Carolina who’s been traded twice, Crossen has established himself as among the best special-teams contributors within the NFL.
Heading into his fifth NFL season, the North Carolina native validated his perception in himself and anybody who ever doubted his expertise when the veteran cornerback and special-teams ace signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
CB Keion Crossen prepared for brand new alternative with Miami Dolphins
“They have been positively mistaken, man,” Crossen said with a big smile during a youth football camp held by former New York Giants teammate Josh Kalu. “That’s the secret: show them mistaken. You all the time received to show individuals mistaken. You get to show it to your self precisely what you do and get higher and be constant, play quick and have enjoyable.”
In 4 NFL seasons with the Patriots, Houston Texans, and Giants, Crossen, 26, has recorded 86 profession tackles, one pressured fumble, one fumble restoration, one sack, and 6 move deflections. With the Giants final season, Crossen performed a career-high 76% of the special-teams snaps and had 13 tackles, one sack, one pressured fumble, and one fumble restoration.
Crossen has 35 profession tackles in 938 snaps on particular groups. Crossen performed a career-high 307 snaps on protection in 2020 with the Texans, beginning 4 video games and recording 5 move breakups and 46 tackles.
A former convention champion within the 100 meters at Western Carolina, Crossen ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.33 seconds at his campus professional day exercise. He was touring 24 miles per hour at his prime velocity. He additionally had a 39 1/2 inch vertical leap and a 6.67 three-cone drill.
Crossen joins Dolphins over different suitors
Crossen joined the Dolphins partly due to his relationship with defensive coordinator Josh Boyer, his former Patriots assistant coach, the presence of particular groups coordinator Danny Crossman, and the chance to play for first-year coach Mike McDaniel.
“It’s been good, man,” Crossen stated. “We’re all coming collectively as a workforce. The primary factor is one objective, one workforce. The last word objective is to win an excellent bowl, however that comes with follow and the season forward of us. I’m simply taking it daily. (McDaniel), he’s a high-spirited man. He’s nearly like one of many guys. Clearly, we now have the utmost respect for coach McDaniel. He permits us to play quick, play aggressive, and have enjoyable.
“I began my profession with Josh Boyer. I do know the particular groups coach. He’s handled me nicely. His group is coached actually, very well. I’m actually about household. I’m a household man. I wish to be with a workforce that’s going to work onerous and goes to win and good teaching. That’s why I selected Miami. The taxes down there aren’t too dangerous, both.”
Crossen has a robust message of perseverance and group service to impart on budding soccer gamers.
“It’s all the time good to return again to Houston and benefit from the children,” Crossen stated. “Kalu placed on a great camp. It’s all about giving again and serving to the following era. It’s a blessing. No query, the best way to develop on this world is to assist the following era. As athletes, we’re position fashions. We’re massive brothers.”
