Jalen Ramsey should look in the mirror before criticizing former coordinator
Upon hearing about the Dolphins' decision to release Xavien Howard, Miami’s Jalen Ramsey had some unflattering words for his former defensive coordinator.
In a post ostensibly meant to praise his teammate, the 29-year-old cornerback took a shot at former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, saying, "I won't ever forgive dude for not utilizing our full skillset!"
Apparently, he’s not a numbers guy.
After spending 2022 as a consultant with the Philadelphia Eagles, Fangio was named the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator in 2023. Under his leadership, Miami’s secondary gave up 221.2 passing yards per game, 15th-fewest in the league. In 2022, the team gave up 234.8 yards per game, sixth-most in the NFL.
To be fair, Ramsey wasn’t with the team then but he didn’t get on the field as a Dolphin until Week 8 after suffering a torn meniscus in training camp.
Howard also missed five games with a foot sprain, including the team’s playoff matchup against the Chiefs meaning that the two cornerbacks played together just six times last season.
In other words, while Ramsey is a guy you want covering a team’s No.1 receiver, you might not want him doing your taxes this spring. He may be a seven-time Pro Bowler with three All-Pro nominations, but this is probably why he’s playing on his third NFL team.
In 2018, the Jacksonville Jaguars suspended Ramsey for “violating team rules and conduct unbecoming a Jaguars football player” after he threatened the media with “war” for releasing video of a fight between defensive ends Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue at practice.
That same year, Ramsey ripped quarterbacks like Joe Flacco, Ben Rothlisberger and Josh Allen, calling the Bills quarterback a “stupid draft pick” in an interview with GQ. You think he’d learn his lesson by now.
After one season in Miami, Fangio is now the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Once again he’ll have much to worry about by taking over the NFL’s 31st-ranked secondary, but Ramsey’s comments should be the least of his concern.
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