DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell says he doesn’t hold receivers, doesn’t talk trash and doesn’t know why the New York Jets’ Brandon Marshall dislikes him.
Maxwell passed Thursday on his chance to add fuel to any feud with Marshall.
“No, man. I ain’t tripping,” Maxwell said. “I’m going to play my game.”
He’ll do that Sunday against Marshall, and the matchup will be closely watched after Marshall complained about their only previous meeting. Marshall had 10 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown against Maxwell and the Eagles last season, and he alleged Wednesday that Maxwell held on every play.
Not true, Maxwell said.
“What do you mean?” he said. “Of course not. I never hold.”
Maxwell said there had been a lot of talk in the Dolphins’ locker room about Marshall’s diatribe.
“It’s fun,” Maxwell said. “I’m not worried about it or anything. I’m focused on the game and what I’ve got to do to help my team win, so I’m cool.”
Maxwell has struggled at times in his first year with Miami but played better lately, and has no complaint about defensive coordinator Vance Joseph’s public criticism earlier in the season.
“He’s a great leader,” Maxwell said. “He calls you out. His transparency is cool.”
The Dolphins are awaiting reinforcements at cornerback. Veteran Chris Culliver is practicing but hasn’t fully recovered from knee surgery a year ago, and Joseph said he’s still a week or two away from being ready. Xavien Howard was starting as a rookie until he suffered a knee injury that required minor surgery, and he’s expected to be out at least two more weeks.
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