As Cordrea Tankersley Starts for Miami, Byron Maxwell Sits.

In Miami, two former Clemson cornerbacks have swapped places and now the 3-2 Dolphins are on a two-game winning streak. 

Veteran Byron Maxwell has been on the Miami Dolphins inactive list for the past three games after being replaced in the starting lineup by Cordrea Tankersley. Tankersley, a third round and 97th overall selection in April’s draft, was stuck on the inactive list for the first two games.

With Maxwell struggling with minor injuries, Dolphins head coach Adam Gase turned to Tankersley and so far, the rookie has been impressive. In his first game against New Orleans, he had five tackles and one pass deflection in front of the London crowd. After the 20-0 loss to the Saints, he said that he knew Saints quarterback Drew Brees would throw in his direction.

“Of course, definitely, a rookie corner, a Hall of Fame quarterback. You kinda got to know that that was going to come.” He told the Sun Sentinel, “I kinda felt like they were picking on me a little bit, but it is, what it is.”

Tankersley allowed four receptions on six targets, but for only 33 yards. He did give up a touchdown in the game, when Saints receiver Michael Thomas scored on a three-yard pass from Brees. Thomas was aided by an inside move by the tight end that essentially occupied Tankersley, just enough to allow the score.

But in the Dolphins’ two wins against the Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons, he wasn’t targeted often, as evidenced by his combined three tackles. He also registered two pass deflections in both games and the deflection in Sunday’s 20-17 win over the Falcons went right into the waiting arms of safety Reshad Jones. Jones’s interception of the fourth quarter pass sealed the game and gave the Dolphins their current two-game winning streak.

Gase talked about Tankersley’s play during Monday’s press conference.

"When you play that position, it’s all about, really, how good do you really think you are. And if you do get beat, can you recover on the next play? He’s not short of that. I think he uses his size, his length and his speed to his advantage. I think he knows what puts him in a bad situation. For a rookie, that has been pretty impressive to see how confident he is in his skill set. When he is in a bad position, he knows how to not panic and get himself back in position."

It has to be bitter sweet, in a sense, for Tankersley to be named a starter, because as he grows as a cover corner, his mentor sits on the sideline game after game.

From the beginning of training camp, Maxwell took the fellow Clemson football alum under his tutelage and even though his time in Miami could be inevitably dissipated. He continues to help Tankersley and will continue to do so, while they are teammates. Here’s what he told Joe Schad of the PalmBeachPost when asked, why does he help Tankersley?

"I mean, it’s simple. (Tankersley’s) trying to feed his family. This is his livelyhood. This is my livelyhood. But at the end of the day, I owe it to him to help him out. To pass along whatever knowledge I’ve got. So it doesn’t help me if I tell him bad stuff. If I’m not helping him. You’ve got to help people. This is a team. This is bigger than me. You’ve got to find a way to help people."

Gase thinks Maxwell could eventually get back on the field, but he didn’t say it would happen on Sunday. The 29-year-old has had hamstring and foot injuries dating back to the third game of the season, so health is a concern. But realistically, even a healthy Maxwell could still find himself behind not only Tankersley but also two other corners. However, Gase is optimistic about his return and knows that he will work hard to get back on the field.

“The good thing is, he’s a pro, he studies hard. He works hard. He goes out there and gives us everything he had, day-in and day-out.” Gase continued, “That’s really all you can do. When your number is called, just be ready to perform.”

Maxwell is currently earning over $8 million for this season and expected to receive over 9 next season. But next season’s salary and the remaining contract of about 30.5 million is not guaranteed. If he can’t get back on the field this season, then he will likely be cut before next season.

Hopefully, the two former Clemson football players can help each other and the Miami Dolphins have a successful end to the season.