KRYK: Dolphins rookie Holland most impactful Canadian NFLer at the midway

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This gained’t come as a shock if you happen to occurred to catch any of this week’s Thursday Evening Soccer sport, wherein the Miami Dolphins upset the Baltimore Ravens by stone-cold shutting down their harmful offence.

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However rookie Dolphins security Jevon Holland already has been ballin’ out, because the gamers say, and is Postmedia’s high Canadian NFL participant on the midway mark of the 2021 season.

The native of Coquitlam, B.C., (he spent the primary eight years of his life there earlier than his household relocated to California) has performed extra snaps this season, by far, than any of the 2 dozen or so Canadian gamers at the moment employed within the NFL — 550.

Holland has been probably the most impactful Canadian, too.

The 21-year-old has began seven of Miami’s 9 video games, taking part in about half the time up till Canadian Thanksgiving. Since then, he has been on the sector greater than another Dolphins defender, lacking solely two snaps since Week 5.

Holland’s effectiveness appears to ascend by the sport. The Dolphins hoped he’d be a quick learner once they drafted him early within the second spherical this previous April, thirty sixth total, and he has not disillusioned.

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Already, Holland has one interception, 5 go breakups, one pressured fumble, one recovered fumble, two tackles for loss, 5 quarterback hits, two sacks and 38 tackles.

He significantly shone in Thursday night time’s highlight sport, as a key cog in Miami head coach and chief defensive strategist Brian Flores’ daring sport plan to closely blitz harmful Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Flores typically despatched seven defenders, together with defensive backs a lot of the time.

It labored. Marvelously.

Baltimore punted 9 occasions and was held to a few factors till late within the sport, in Miami’s authoritative 22-10 win. Holland not solely had a sack, 5 QB pressures, two go knockdowns and 5 tackles, however he blitzed 21 occasions.

Twenty-one!

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The NFL’s Subsequent Gen Stats stated no different NFL defensive again has blitzed that many occasions in a single sport since 2016, when Subsequent Gen Stats started monitoring this statistic — that means previously 1,400-plus NFL video games.

Subsequent Gen Stats additionally decided that Holland performed 40% of the time within the field (that’s, near the road of scrimmage, the place the large uglies mash heads), 44% as a deep-dropping security, 11% as inside slot cornerback, and 4% as conventional exterior cornerback.

Actually, he was everywhere in the area.

Such high-end versatility made Holland such a coveted prospect earlier than the draft; he was the primary security chosen, and plenty of groups noticed him as one of many high inside slot corners, too.

That is merely persevering with the pattern Holland started in faculty. He was a top-shelf playmaker on the College of Oregon, and with the Dolphins he, too, appears to thrive all of the extra with the extra his coaches throw at him.

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“Man, it was quite a lot of enjoyable,” Holland instructed reporters afterward on Thursday. “I had a blast on the market. I actually did … That’s probably the most enjoyable I’ve ever had.”

Requested what it was wish to be on a defence that bottled up one of many NFL’s most electrical offensive performers virtually for your complete sport in Jackson, Holland repeated one thing he typically says about soccer:

“It’s the TNTs — the ‘takes no expertise’ (issues). Doing slightly bit additional. Do your job after which attempt to do some extra. That’s principally what it’s, and that’s what (NFL success) comes right down to, the TNTs.”

Listed here are fast updates on how all of the NFL gamers with delivery or upbringing ties to Canada have fared to this point:

ACTIVE 53-MAN ROSTER

(Ranked by most snaps this season to fewest, excluding special-teams snaps)

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  JEVON HOLLAND

Security/cornerback, Miami, rookie

From: Coquitlam, B.C.

Snaps to this point: 550

Begins to this point: 7

Synopsis: Already has one interception, 5 go breakups, one pressured fumble, one recovered fumble, two tackles for loss, 5 quarterback hits, and two sacks.

CHASE CLAYPOOL

Vast receiver, Pittsburgh, second 12 months

From: Abbotsford, B.C.

Snaps to this point: 387

Begins to this point: 6

Synopsis: Accidents have slowed his manufacturing: 29 catches for 433 yards and one TD. He has rushed six occasions for 56 yards.

BENJAMIN ST-JUSTE

Cornerback, Washington, rookie

From: Montreal

Snaps to this point: 318

Begins to this point: 3

Synopsis: Began the final three video games, however even earlier than then performed greater than half the time. Has three go breakups and 26 tackles.

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  TEVAUGHN CAMPBELL

Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers, third 12 months

From: Toronto

Snaps to this point: 304

Begins to this point: 2

Synopsis: Sees the sector loads once more in ’21, both as slot nook or as backup exterior. Has two pressured fumbles and two go breakups.

CHRISTIAN COVINGTON

Defensive lineman, L.A. Chargers, seventh 12 months

Hometown: Vancouver

Snaps to this point: 302

Begins to this point: 2

Synopsis: An integral member of the Chargers’ D-line rotation. Has one sack, a tackle-for-loss and 28 tackles.

CHUBA HUBBARD

Operating again, Carolina Panthers, rookie

From: Edmonton

Snaps to this point: 278

Begins to this point: 5

Synopsis: Performed loads when Christian McCaffrey was on IR. Has 394 rush yards for 2 TDs, plus 19 catches for 152 yards.

NATHAN SHEPHERD

Defensive lineman, New York Jets, fourth 12 months

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From: Ajax, Ont.

Snaps to this point: 197

Begins to this point:

Synopsis: As a backup in eight video games Shepherd has three QB hits and eight tackles. That is the final 12 months of his rookie contract.

ANTONY (TONY) AUCLAIR

Tight finish, Houston Texans, fifth 12 months

From: Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Que.

Snaps to this point: 182

Begins to this point: 7

Synopsis: Started season on the follow squad. Now on energetic roster. In 9 video games has three catches, together with his first profession TD.

BRENT URBAN

Defensive lineman, Dallas Cowboys, seventh 12 months

From: Mississauga, Ont.

Snaps to this point: 161

Begins to this point: 4

Synopsis: Has been on IR the previous two video games (triceps). His position is as a run-plugger. He has one deal with and has knocked down a go.

JOSH PALMER

Vast receiver, L.A. Chargers, rookie

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From: Brampton, Ont.

Snaps to this point: 123

Begins to this point:

Synopsis: Has performed in eight video games. Justin Herbert has focused him 13 occasions, for 9 connections price 104 yards and one TD.

N’KEAL HARRY

Vast receiver, New England Patriots, third 12 months

From: Toronto-born however raised in U.S., Caribbean

Snaps to this point: 115

Begins to this point: 1

Synopsis: Since getting back from shoulder harm suffered in August, has 5 catches for 77 yards and no TDs in 5 video games.

  MICHAEL HOECHT

Defensive lineman, Los Angeles Rams, second 12 months

From: Oakville, Toronto, Ottawa earlier than Ohio upbringing

Snaps to this point: 103

Begins to this point: 3

Synopsis: Performs quite a lot of particular groups, in any other case backs up on one of many NFL’s finest D-lines. Has two tackles.

DAVID ONYEMATA

Defensive deal with, New Orleans Saints, sixth 12 months

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From: Lagos, Nigeria however attended U of Manitoba

Snaps to this point: 64

Begins to this point: 2

Synopsis: Was suspended for first six video games (PED violation), however already has 2 QB hits, 1 fumble restoration and 7 tackles.

AMEN OGBONGBEMIGA

Linebacker, L.A. Chargers, rookie

Hometown: Laos/Houston/Calgary

Snaps to this point: 44

Begins to this point: 1

Synopsis: What a narrative. Cracked energetic roster as an undrafted free agent. Has performed in six video games, registering 10 tackles.

AJ (ALARIC) JACKSON

Offensive deal with, Los Angeles Rams, rookie

Hometown: Windsor, Ont., till highschool in Detroit

Snaps to this point: 9

Begins to this point:

Synopsis: Has performed in a single sport, on Halloween at Houston.

DAKODA SHEPLEY

Centre, Seattle Seahawks, second 12 months

From : Windsor, Ont.

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Snaps to this point:

Begins to this point:

Synopsis: Claimed off waivers in September, the UBC grad has performed in 5 video games, taking snaps (21) solely on particular groups to this point.

LAURENT DUVERNAY-TARDIF

Guard, New York Jets, eighth 12 months

From: Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Que.

Snaps to this point:

Begins to this point:

Synopsis: Dressed solely as soon as in Okay.C. earlier than his commerce final week. Anticipated to problem for enjoying time, and possibly begin.

LIRIM HAJRULLAHU

Placekicker, Dallas Cowboys, second 12 months

From : Raised in St. Catharines, Ont., through Malta

Snaps to this point:

Begins to this point:

Synopsis: Signed on Wednesday to the Cowboys’ follow squad, and all however sure to be elevated to play Sunday vs. Atlanta, what with common kicker Greg Zuerlein on COVID-19/reserve. It could be the previous long-time CFL star’s NFL debut.

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JoKryk@postmedia.com

@JohnKryk