Jonnu Smith – March 13, 2024
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Wednesday, March 13, 2024
TE Jonnu Smith
(You’ve been in offenses that had RB Derrick Henry, a sledgehammer running back. Last year your Atlanta team had four 50-reception receivers. What do those options do for a passing game?) – “Obviously, you’ve got versatility, like you explained just now. Ultimately, you’ve got different guys with the ability to make plays with the ball in their hands and to make plays when the ball comes their way. Obviously what that does is put stress on the defense. So any time you have an opportunity to add guys who are dynamic in the passing game and to be able to create a group, you can do a lot of damage in this league, man. That’s part of the reason why I’m here.”
(I know your receiving game is pretty diverse. Are there one or two situations where you think you’re best, whether it’s goal line, short yardage, red zone?) – “During my career – I’ve been playing this game a long time. You can pull up film of me making plays from anywhere on the field. I think that as a pass catcher in this league, in order for you to be one of the top guys in whatever your respective position is, you’ve got to be able to make plays from anywhere on the field. That’s just something that I pride myself on and making sure that I’m an every-down player. You can use me in any situation.”
(What were some of the factors that made the Dolphins the right choice now?) – “That list is endless. I guess I’ll start with the opportunity to go and win a world championship. I think that adding me to this offense and to this system and to this team ultimately, I can be a solution to helping us now get to where we want to go. There’s obviously still a lot of work that needs to be put in. There’s obviously still a lot in front of us, but I just saw that vision and I thought it was a great opportunity.”
(How much did you know about Head Coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa before this process and how important were they in your decision making?) – “I guess I’ve got to give it to Hard Knocks, man. Hard Knocks told me a lot. Hard Knocks was a big help in helping me make my decision.”
(What in particular?) – “(laughter) In all seriousness, man, I actually watched it this offseason. I was late watching it. But it was the offseason, so I was like, you know what, I’m going to kick back and see what these guys are about. So I cut it on and kind of just caught myself binge-watching. I’m like, man, that would be a special group to be a part of. All of these guys from Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier, everybody in this building and the front office collectively made it happen. Obviously, everything happened on our end as well. This is home for me. At the end of the day, that also was a huge factor in me being here. And I’m just excited to be able to play for a city in which I live, which my family lives and be able to represent the city of Miami once again.”
(I wanted to ask you a little bit more about your new quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Have you met him? What have you seen in his game that is appealing to you?) – “I haven’t had the opportunity to meet him face to face yet. But I’m sure, trust me, we’ve got a lot of time that we’re going to be spending together. But just looking at Tua on paper, he’s got it. In my eyes, I think he’s one of the top quarterbacks in this league. I think he’s one of, if not the most, accurate quarterback in this league. And that’s just from me watching from the outside in. Now that I’m actually here, I’m sure I’ll get to see that firsthand. He’s a great player, a great leader. I’ve had a lot of respect for his game since he played at Alabama. Just seeing him play, he was always a fun guy to watch play and I’m excited to catch some passes from him now.”
(What are your thoughts on being a tight end in an offense that has the kind of wide receiver speed the Dolphins have with WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “Yeah, you smile from ear to ear. That’s going to create a lot space. Those two speed guys, some of the fastest guys in the NFL, if not the fastest. That’s just going to cause so much havoc to the defense. To be able to use those guys to my advantage, those guys are going to be able to open up space. And likewise, me as well, just adding another pass-catching element to this offense and being able to get those guys open more. We’re all going to make each other better, all going to play off each other. And ultimately, I’m sure those guys are team guys. I’m a team guy. I think it’ll just be a great fit. I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
(How does it feel to be back in the city where you played your college ball? What memories do you have from FIU?) – “Oh man, yeah it’s literally right up the road. I remember stepping on campus at 17 years old not knowing nothing, kind of growing into my own, growing into a man during my four years at FIU. Obviously it holds a special place in my heart always because just the friendships that were built, the relationships from my teammates, coaches, staff. Some of those guys are still around. That’s college man. Those four years are arguably the most memorable four years of anyone’s life who get to experience that. For me, to have the opportunity to come back and literally you go a little farther south and that’s where I used to lay my head at night before practice in the morning, before class in the morning. There’s definitely some emotional ties there always. I’ll be super supportive of those guys throughout this season while I’m here, and I’m sure they’ll be super supportive of me. I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot of great things that can come from this. I’m just soaking it all up.”
(I want to ask you about two aspects of your game that you can contribute to this team, both your YAC, yards after catch, and also abilities in the red zone, and how you feel those two things can add to this offense?) – “Yeah, just adding a physical element to that passing attack. Everybody when you look at the game, you kind of see pass catchers as flashy and highlights, but you have to be able to bring a physical presence as well to inflict your will on opponents and be able to, when it’s the fourth quarter and guys are tired and it’s late in the year, Week 13, 14, teams don’t want to tackle. That’s where we feast. I’m excited about my fit in this offense, my role in this offense, and the sky is the limit on what we’re going to be able to do. And obviously off the field as well, going into year eight now, obviously I’ve been around a long time. I’ve seen a lot of football, learned a lot, know a lot. Obviously there’s still a lot to learn. I’m never oblivious to the fact that we always have to continue to learn and get better ourselves no matter how much wisdom we’ve acquired over the years. But to be able to bring the leadership aspect to this team as well, it’s something that I’m holding myself accountable to as well.”
(What advice would you give to younger players in the league, especially those navigating free agency or changing teams?) – “It’s the NFL, anything can happen. It’s a business at the end of the day. To us, we just want to look at it as a game, but unfortunately, you’ve got the front offices of these different organizations that you have to deal with ultimately, so it becomes not so much of a game. You’ve got to kind of set your emotions aside. Man, listen, these decisions can get tough. Some guys may have to change situations or roles or whatever it may be, but ultimately you have to do what’s best for you and do what’s best for your family. Obviously, it’s not an easy process, but this is the NFL, man. Anybody would give so much up to be in our position, and it may not be easy going from team to team, that’s tough on some guys – you always want stability in any situation that you’re in, but soak it all in and wear it as a badge of honor. Not a lot of people get to play this game for a long time. I’m very grateful to be a part of this amazing league and organization, going on eight years now. It seems like yesterday when I came in here my rookie year and was trying to learn from these older guys and trying to just gain some knowledge any way that I can. So just for me to be that guy now that’s giving out wisdom, giving out knowledge to these younger guys, it’s a testament to how fast time can fly.”
(Can you touch on the Nu Family Foundation? How excited are you to contribute in the community with your foundation?) – “The Nu Family Foundation, this is a humungous organization that I get to actually be able to touch the city in which I’m playing in a little bit more, and be a little bit more hands-on because I’m here all year round now. We have a lot of great ideas with my Nu Family Foundation team, with my wife leading the charge. We want to continue to impact the community and impact the youth in the best way possible. I’m looking forward to that opportunity in the city of Miami tremendously.”
Chris Grier – February 28, 2024
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Wednesday, February 28, 2024
General Manager Chris Grier
(Are you excited to see the salary cap bump?) – “Yeah. (Senior Vice President of Football & Business Administration) Brandon Shore and (Director of Football Administration & Strategy) Max Napolitano do a really good job of kind of forecasting what it would be over the last few years. We didn’t have it that high. It was good but at the end of the day, you can’t let that drive your decision still. It helps, but it’s still a player-driven market. So you still work through that as you kind of go through it.”
(Where do things stand between you and QB Tua Tagovailoa’s representation as you look to strike a long-term deal?) – “We’ve been in communication since the offseason began. We’re going to talk to his agent here this week. Our goal is to try and get something done. Ryan Williams has been great. Tua has been great. We’ll see. There is no timeline on it. At the end of the day, you know how these deals get done. They are complicated deals and we’re building a team through free agency as well. We’ll work through it and see if we can get something done.”
(How would you categorize it in terms of just laying the groundwork right now or making progress? Where do you think the talks are?) – “I appreciate the question, but I don’t ever talk about where we are publicly in terms of what we are doing. We’re having discussions and I’ll just leave it at that.”
(Does a salary cap bump mean that quarterback salaries goes up by 10 percent? Is there a direct correlation where maybe what QB Tua Tagovailoa would have asked for before may be different now?) – “I don’t know. You’d have to ask him that or his agent that. I think at the end of the day, when those things happen, obviously people get excited. You just try and work through it. You have rational discussions with people, and his representation are really good people and we’re having great conversations. At the end of the day, what he’s looking for in terms of the money going up, does that drive the salary up? I don’t know. You’d have to ask him.”
(Do you believe that you guys can get a deal done this offseason?) – “I think we’re hopeful. When you go through these things – you guys have all been around and you see other teams go through that – these are deals that very rarely come together quickly. There are a lot of pieces and moving parts. We’ve had positive discussions so far, and we’ll keep working here throughout the offseason.”
(Both you and Head Coach Mike McDaniel used the phrase that DT Christian Wilkins has earned to the right to be a free agent … Does that suggest you guys aren’t inclined to apply the tag on Christian?) – “No. I think all options are on the table for us. I’m going to meet here with Christian’s agent this week. David (Mulugheta) and I have always had good conversations. I’m just being very transparent with it. He has earned it. He’s had a great season. So we’ll see what happens here as we talk over the next couple of weeks.”
(What more did you need to see from DT Christian Wilkins this year to solidify that extension?) – “Like I’ve mentioned before, we’ve had conversations, and we were close on a deal last offseason. It didn’t come together. For us, we know who Christian is, the type of person and player and what he brings to the organization. So for us, at the end of the day, it’s not what he had to do as we were talking and trying to build a team and put together a roster of trying to work together and try to find something that was fair to him and us. At the end of the day, we tried, and the agent acknowledged it was a very fair offer and we felt good. So we’ll see where that takes us this offseason.”
(Do you believe you have the resources to get a long-term deal, or use the tag if you have to, with DT Christian Wilkins?) – “Yeah, we could.”
(What does having a quarterback that’s not on a rookie deal anymore do as far as affecting the rest of the roster building process?) – “All you guys have seen around the league is when you get those guys on a rookie deal, it allows you to do the things that we’ve done the last few years, to go get guys, whether it was Tyreek (Hill), Bradley (Chubb), etc. And also for us moving forward, we have had a lot of good young players come up too like Jaylen Waddle and (Jaelan) Phillips. We have five or six guys too that we’re talking to that are going to be candidates for possible extensions.”
(Does that force you to say, ‘hold on a second, we’re not in every single thing anymore? We’re not able to add WR Tyreek Hills like we used to?’) – “It is a challenge, but I think the one thing Brandon Shore and Max Napolitano have done when we talk is we’re always looking short term and long term, in terms of having flexibility and how contacts are structured and stuff. Again yes, every year you can’t go and make those moves that people get excited for. You’ve seen it around the league that it’s not sustainable. At some point you have to reel it back a little bit and add some youth and influx, and then cherry pick here and there. We’ve been looking at all different ways in terms of building this thing and keeping our roster competitive.”
(Does concussion history play a role in consideration on QB Tua Tagovailoa in terms of contract length and guaranteed?) – “No. I think for us, every player deals with certain things. Even as you’ve seen this year, you look at all the quarterback injuries around the league and there are other quarterbacks and really good players that have had multiple season-ending injuries as well. The one thing Tua did was he attacked the offseason wanting to prove that he could stay healthy. Spending the time learning to fall, with the jiu-jitsu and stuff, it paid off for him.”
(On whether LB Jerome Baker will be a cap casualty and if he anticipates him to be on the roster) – “We’d love to have Baker here. I think the big thing for us was to have the new defensive staff come in, spend time watching the team, watching the defense as a staff together. Once we have those discussions with the defensive staff, Mike (McDaniel) will get together and then we’ll make that decision here in the next couple of weeks.”
(With the injuries at linebacker to LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Bradley Chubb, what are their expectations for the beginning of the season to be back and do their injuries factor into your offseason plans for the draft and free agency?) – “It threw off our playoff plans, that’s for sure. Losing guys like that late in the year is always hard. At the end of the day, we don’t talk (publicly) about the medical history or where guys are in terms of their rehab. I will say they’re both in the building attacking it every day. It’s been good to see those guys support each other and working through it, as well as all our other injured guys. We had a number of guys. Of course, it makes it challenging because now we have to have guys ready to go at the start of training camp. The timing of the injuries were later (in the season) but they’re working hard and hopefully we’ll get them back at some point there.”
(What are your thoughts on the decision to part ways with CB Xavien Howard?) – “Yeah, that was a tough one. Xavien and I had a long conversation because he was the second player I drafted here in 2016. He and I have been through a lot of stuff here and we were just talking about how proud I was from early when he first got here, some stuff he was doing behind the scenes to help himself become a better player, and then all the stuff he had done as a player and a leader helping us on the field. We had a long discussion and he understood it was a business decision. At the end of the day, we just felt it was right for him to have this opportunity for his agent to go see what’s out there for him. But we didn’t close the door on it. We’re going to stay in communication as the process goes and see what happens, and we left the door open for him possibly coming back here too.
(On if the usage and output of the cornerbacks last year was more or less what he expected) – “I don’t tell coaches how they should play guys. We have discussions when we bring players on and we always talk about what skillsets fit different guys. Vic’s (Fangio) a very good coach. Jalen’s (Ramsey) a great player. At the end of the day, how players felt about different things, I wouldn’t really know and I wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about it. I also don’t think it’s fair to either one of them. I think that’s something for you guys to really talk to each one of them about how they feel. But yeah, I thought the opportunity to have those two players together on the field (Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard), no matter what we’re playing, made us a better team. When they were out there together, it showed. The defense was pretty good when they were playing out there together.”
(On the status of the offensive linemen due to become free agents and if they will be back) – “It’s a definite possibility. We had some discussions with Robert’s (Hunt) representation in the middle of the season and completely respected his willingness to go to free agency. And again, I say that term, but he had earned the right and I love Robert. He’s a good kid. He works hard and he wants to be good. I would say Isaiah’s (Wynn) been in everyday rehabbing at the facility. He said he loved it here, so we’ll see if we can get something done there. Then the same with Connor. He’s just going through his rehab right now. He’s a free agent and we’ll see where that goes. We’re giving him the space and time. He just wanted to focus on rehabbing right now. But we’ll stay in touch with all those guys and see where it leads.”
(Has OL Connor Williams had any talks with you guys about whether he wants to play?) – “No. If you know Connor, he’s a very prideful guy. He felt like he let the guys down getting hurt. That was out of his control and that’s what you love about him because he’s very competitive and he loves ball. He just wanted time to rehab and focus and get his mind clear and we’re giving him that space. We just told him there’s no pressure on him. He’ll communicate and him and his agent will communicate with us when it’s appropriate.”
(On if he has given T Terron Armstead a date to make a decision on whether he’ll return) – “Terron and I had a long conversation before he left for the Pro Bowl. He said he wanted to be very fair to us. I completely respect it because I think he’s earned that right. We just said we we’re going to talk before the start of the league year and free agency happened and he was going to let us know with plenty of time where it is, so it doesn’t affect us. We’re preparing either way. You have to. I love Terron and would love to have him back. But listen, he’s done so much in this league and what he battled through last year to play for us, I really respect him and am really appreciative of him saying that he was going to let us know well before free agency started so we can plan.”
(On if it is possible the team will have to sign several free agent offensive linemen) – “Possibly. At the end of the day, I thought Butch (Barry) and Mike (McDaniel) and Frank (Smith) did a great job developing those guys. Some of the younger guys that we have on the roster are guys we are excited for seeing them in another year here going. Those guys made a great leap this year, and they’re excited for some of the guys and what they can be in the future. But yeah, we’ll definitely end up having to add some players there at that position.”
(The NFLPA survey came out today. The Dolphins were number one. What’s your reaction to that?) – “Well, I think it’s a testament to Steve Ross, just for what he’s built in terms of the facility and the people he’s allowed us to hire. When you have a building like that and you get a survey and you’re top-rated like that, I think that shows the quality of the people from Dave Puloka in strength, Kyle Johnston and the training staff, Meghan (Kelly) and the dining staff. It’s very collaborative. Everyone works and talks together and the players feel that. We’re very communicative with the players and telling them, ‘hey, what can we do better? What can we do?’ I was very excited for it because I know last year when we got number two, guys were like ‘how did we not get number one?’ So again, that just shows with Steve – because right away last year, Steve was like, ‘Oh, we’re number two. What can we do better?’ So I give Steve a lot of credit on that for driving us to be the best in the business.”
(What value do you place on judging the 40-yard dash? How have you seen that specific drill results evolve over the past?) – “Yeah, I think it’s important. But at the end of the day, nothing replaces field speed or play speed. Because as you guys all said when we drafted Jarvis Landry here years ago, everyone was like how can you draft a 4.75 receiver? And then he ends up with 1,000 yards and is a good player. So I think nothing replaces that football speed and competitiveness. Everyone uses the GPS times now and all that stuff and we have programs that measure it, but at the end of the day, those things will help guide you. But like when you watch (De’Von) Achane play, you see the speed. And so the combine here, it has its purposes. For me personally, I like it more just for the interaction with the players and getting to know the players.”
(On if the growth of GPS changes the value of the 40-yard dash) – “I mean, I come old school with Coach (Bill) Parcells. It’s like the underwear Olympics. For me, again, it’s getting the medicals on the guys are very important. Then spending time digging in with the players. I mean, we’ve seen so much film on most of these guys. You kind of have a feel for them. But I will say, doing the workouts, you also see who’s competitive. So for me, the guys that do all the drills, I always like that because that shows this guy is here to compete. He’s not worried about if I run fast or slow or if I don’t do this drill right, teams are going to hurt me. This guy is basically saying ‘F it.’ This is football and I’m just going to compete. So for me, I appreciate those players, especially in this day and age, where people are telling guys not to do so. Listen, I don’t judge anyone. Everyone has their own situations for why they do or don’t do things or play in all-star games, etc. But those guys that go to the all-star games and do everything, play in the games, or play for teams who aren’t in the playoffs and play in the bowl games, like Georgia last year – it was a shame what happened to Georgia-Florida State. The Georgia kids, most of them played, and the guys from Florida State didn’t. So for me, when I watch those guys, it’s just a little more, ‘ok, this guy loves ball. He’s not worried about what the ramifications were.’ That can be significant for some people, but at the end of the day, he’s like I love my teammates, these guys helped me get here so I’m going to play. I just put a little more stock in it. But I’m also not going to skip over an all-world talent because he didn’t decide to play in the Mayo Bowl or something.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel has often talked about how great of a learner QB Tua Tagovailoa is. He’s noticed that being around him. I’m curious, looking back when he was here and you were analyzing him compared to now, especially after last season, how confident are you that he still has exponential ability to grow?) – “Yeah, that’s a good question because Mike and I talk about that a lot. We’re strong believers in him. And you guys all feel Mike’s passion about him when he talks about him. Just in the two years of what he’s done, he’s grown in areas to where he led the league in passing and did some great things this year. And we all feel there’s still another level he can take it. I think if you asked Tua that, he’d tell you that too. And so just his growth on and off the field, being voted captain last year and then seeing how he is behind the scenes with guys and holding people accountable, it’s huge. I think the way he’s attacked this and wants to be great and the combination of Mike and working with that and that trust and belief in each other, we do think there’s still another level which he could go.”
(You have a talented roster that seems on the precipice of winning playoff games and have been building towards this moment. Do you think it’s fair for me to suggest, or are you on the same page that with that first-round pick, probably thinking more safer, contribute this year for sure, as opposed to higher ceiling, little more risk project?) – “I think at the end of the day, we pick at 21, you’ll always take the best player. If it’s someone that, even if it’s at a position that – I don’t want to speculate any position, but if it’s a position people think we’re stacked at, you never know. Like last year, everyone said our outside linebacker group was really deep, and then things happen. And then the receivers, (Jaylen) Waddle went down a little bit, Tyreek (Hill) got banged up. So in this league, the way that injuries happen, you need depth everywhere. You can have the safe pick, but if there’s a guy that you truly believe is a supremely talented player and loves football and will work to reach that ceiling, then it’s up to us to spend the time and invest in them, to find out and then you make that decision you feel is best for the roster, not just short term but long term as well.”
(Are you committed to using that first-round pick? Or are you still open to possibly using it in a trade?) – “I think you have to be open to everything. If it’s a possibility of moving up or moving down for something and get in a better position to get a player that we may say is a home run for us, we’re definitely open to moving up. If someone wants to drop to our spot and we move down and pick up extra picks, we’re very open to that too as well.”
(Where do things stand right now with LB Andrew Van Ginkel?) – “We’ve been in touch with his agent. It’s been good. He’s been in the facility rehabbing like crazy and running around on his scooter. He’s in a really good place. He’s been working hard and we’ll continue to talk to his agent here and see if we can get something done.”
(You know that Mike Tannenbaum went on national TV and said you should trade WR Jaylen Waddle, which seems weird, except for the fact that you guys worked together for a long time. So are you going to trade WR Jaylen Waddle? Or would you consider that?) – “(laughter) No, as I said in the middle of the season, I have no thoughts of trading Jaylen Waddle. We want him here for a long time, and we think he’s a big part of our now and our future here. He’s a great person on and off the field, and we still think as good as he is, he still has runway to keep getting better.”
(I don’t think I’ve gotten more fan questions about a player than I have about CB Cam Smith. What happened in his rookie year? Do you still think he can be a starter for this team?) – “I think we’re very excited about Cam (Smith). I think last preseason, you watch his preseason stuff, he played very well in the preseason. He got banged up at the end and then came back. At the end of the day, learning Vic’s system early, if you look at his history of guys with young players, it takes a little bit. He worked hard and by the end of the season, we were really excited about it. Talking to Jalen Ramsey the other day, he was saying how he loves Cam’s game and thinks he’s going to be a good player. So no, we’re very strong in our belief in him. I think last year, there were a couple things. He got banged up a couple times, but contributed on special teams, did some good things. I talked to him probably about three or four weeks ago, and I called him at like 8:30 in the morning, and he was in the middle of a workout session. He’s attacking the offseason, so we’re all very excited to see him with an opportunity to play. But he’s going to have to compete and earn it. Kader (Kohou) is not going to give it up to him, so it will be good. Then obviously, we’ll be bringing in some other people here too, and maybe ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is back, who knows.”
(I wanted to ask if you had any comment on the lawsuit against WR Tyreek Hill and if you have any concerns about his incidents in the past year?) – “Yeah, we were made aware of it. We were in communication with NFL security, so I really can’t comment on anything of that until we get all our information and find out what happened. For us, Tyreek (Hill) has been a good addition for us, but in terms of all the off-field stuff, we’ll have to get all the information before we can really comment on it.”
(You had mentioned a little earlier about the timeline for QB Tua Tagovailoa and that deal. Have you guys talked about what it would mean if there was no deal by the start of camp or the season – for him, his confidence, your belief in him, everything that goes with the security of a long-term deal?) – “I think everyone, if we can do something, would like it done before the season. But you’ve seen over the last few years, some of these other big deals that have been done have gone all the way into training camp, because they are complicated deals to put together with the money and stuff people are talking about. I think Tua (Tagovailoa) is a professional, I think he loves his teammates, he loves Mike (McDaniel), but again, players have the right to do whatever they do at that point in the spring. We anticipate him being here and being around as we work through it, and like I said, we’ll stay in communication with his agent.”
Mike McDaniel – February 27, 2024
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Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(On the importance of getting the ball out quick) – “Yes, before he’s sacked. Really, some of the best players in the National Football League are collected as pass rushers on the defensive front. That’s some of the most strained matchups you have regardless of the team you’re playing against. Being able to play to that and not have the quarterback have the ball that long before he throws it minimizes the chance for those negative plays. However, there’s a lot of variables that can go in to play where guys may not be able to get open in those times. So it’s not a mandate you want the ball out at a certain time. It’s more that you’re trying to play to the strength of your team. When things are open and when both the offensive player and the scheme allow for a player to be open early in the timing of the play, you take advantage of that because it’s more difficult for the defense to have a negative play on your line of scrimmage or behind it.”
(On extension talks with QB Tua Tagovailoa) – “Absolutely. I think one of the cool things in this organization is how communicative and how well I work with Chris Grier as well as how I can separate what my job is and what his job is and how we move forward. I’m very encouraged. Both Tua’s representation and our organization are hard at work. Those timelines are impossible to predict and my main concern this offseason has been communicating what Tua needs from his head coach and his offensive coaching staff, which is what things can we identify to continue the progression of your game the same way that we have since day one? My belief has always been strong from day one in Tua. It’s stronger than it was the first day I met him and that’s because of that relationship, where I’m focused, which is continuing to provide the coaching so he can continue to evolve his game as he has since the second that I started talking to him.”
(On how the offense may evolve heading into the 2024 season) – “Yeah, you know it’s an interesting question that I regard. But I look at every offseason, every year’s offense, as a constant evolution to your players and to what defenses are doing. I’m never going to copy and paste and be like this is what we did in 2023 and let’s work off of that. You’re ultimately trying to create some uncertainty and indecision with offensive scheme. Inherent in that is your constant evolution. I’m not really ever gloating on any successes of past. You’re more, what are we going to do with this set of players? We’re going to have some guys that are going to be in Year 3, some guys in Year 2 and some new guys. But ultimately, what’s the best thing to serve them? And that’s naturally evolving. There’s never been one year from an offensive perspective that I can remember that we stayed exactly the same, particularly since I got started here in 2022. There will be exciting things that we do different. There’s going to be exciting things that we will evolve from, and there’s exciting things that we will build upon on the success of the first two years.”
(On the change at defensive coordinator) – “In regard to the defensive coordinator transition this offseason, I’d be lying if I said I was expecting that during the season at all. I think Vic (Fangio) would feel similarly. What happened was basically I think it’s important when the season ends for you to remove emotion and evaluate and have very, very good conversations with all people that you’re depending on. With Vic and I, we had extensive conversations that were very healthy. Ultimately, when push came to shove, it seemed like we both had the opportunity and it’d be best for both parties involved to literally, mutually part. So it wasn’t anticipated. It was something that I think was a factor of great communication between him and I, where we feel like we’re all best served if we go a different direction, which is something that we had mutual belief. I’m excited for both parties moving forward.”
(On if the team plans to add any running backs) – “There is never that sense of complacency with any phase. I think we did make some substantial improvements in the run game, which was something that a year ago at this press conference, I was probably taking about that we needed to do, and that doesn’t stop. I think running the football is a way to dictate the terms more than anything in football. One team has the ball, the other team doesn’t. It’s the orchestration of offense that’s the least risky in terms of turning the ball over. That’s something we’ll continue to try to evolve. Our minds are always open. We’re always creating competition and always trying to find new ways to find new ways to have different successes and evolve on the front end and not the back end of things.”
(On Assistant Defensive Line Coach Kenny Baker leaving to take a job at Texas) – “They got a great coach, a great leader of men. He’s somebody that the human part of me, the human part of the head coach, was super excited for Kenny. I wasn’t extremely excited about losing him. I think that speaks to the type of leader, developer, communicator and just overall coach that the University of Texas is really getting. They should be elated with that asset. I’m really excited for Kenny. It’s an earned opportunity at a great institution.”
(On the most important part of QB Tua Tagovailoa’s development last year) – “Reps. He had more reps than he’s ever had in his career because he played the full season. That was something that in football, there are a lot of things that can happen. There are also a lot of things you can control. I think one of the best examples of taking control of your career is what Tua was able to do through training and being able to experience all the different things – I mean shoot, experience a playoff game for the first time in his career. That was afforded to him because he was able to lead the team week in and week out. These are things that weren’t necessarily assumed he was capable of doing, but like most things Tua has done in his career, he’s recognized that and proved doubters wrong.”
(On his favorite book, Talent is Overrated, and if he has asked any players to read it) – “Well, unbeknownst to most people, including all of our local beat writers, I’ve been subconsciously implanting themes of Talent is Overrated since I got the job. Unbeknownst to you guys, you guys know half the things that are a fixture of that book. Deliberate practice is a huge theme amongst that. But I haven’t forced the reading. I’ve referenced the book multiple times, but the major lessons from that book, I think are common themes that both the players and you guys hear all the time.”
(On if T Terron Armstead has informed the team of his plans to play next year) – “I have let time allow for what is an important decision for him. I let time from the season evolve so that he can give us a window into what he’s thinking. I think it is important – there is a rollercoaster of emotions when you’re talking about potentially leaving a game that you’re elite at, and the pros and cons of that. He’s been an unbelievable leader and he’s really battled through a ton of different things for us. Right now, he’s determining something that him and his body are the only people that know, and we are very open for that. However, we also have to allow for that time and assess all options so the Miami Dolphins have plans regardless of any sort of scenario, which is what we get paid to do. There is not anybody that has earned more liberty to take his time to figure out the next step in his life and if it’s with this team or not, so we’re allowing that with Terron. I’m excited to hear some of the conclusions he’s drawn in the near future.”
(On why he retained Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman) – “It’s a good question. I think so many of the decisions that I have to make are very layered. Although results are very, very important – and I think Coach Crossman would agree with the statement that the results aren’t where we want them to be – however, so much of my job is determining the compounding variables and the why to things. Ultimately, I think the bottom line is picturing us moving forward and how to get that phase of the football team to find the improvement necessary for us to take steps in our game as a team, and I determined he was the appropriate guy to lead us and to fix the things that haven’t been up to the standard. That’s something that isn’t as easy as, alright, things are – and I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to point-blank say the results aren’t there, you shouldn’t be either. You have to assess the why’s and come up with a gameplan on how we’re going to improve that phase, which is very important to us moving forward, which is why Danny is part of it.”
(On the qualities Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman has that make him confident moving forward) – “So you have a window into the truth depth of someone’s coaching ability when you’re working alongside them every single day. Part of the process of factoring those things is ultimately, how is a coach able to communicate to a player to get him better? And although the results haven’t been there, what I’ve seen is players responding in the appropriate way to things that Danny has to offer. Now, does that mean we’re not taking a hard look at everything with regard to scheme? To players? Absolutely not. Everything is on the table. But what has been established is the communicator, the leader and the guy devoted to getting it right is Danny Crossman. I felt like that held the most merit to coach this unit moving forward. I think if players didn’t respond to him, it would be a different conversation. But I think we’ll collectively work together to right something that we know we can improve upon. That’s very tangible and I’m excited to do that.”
(On college quarterbacks making the transition to the NFL) – “So if you’re good at algebra, does that mean you’re good at calculus? There’s steps in between, right? It’s a different orchestration of talent execution. And college football is a different game that has overlapping variables, but it would be farfetched to say at any position that collegiate success dictates professional success. It’s a different orchestration of an 11-person game. There’s different nuances to it. The time with which you have to throw is different. The space is different. The space that you have to throw in the pocket, the space down the field, just all the things that are pillars of the professional game, there’s a disparity in really what the quarterback is asked to do relative to what they’re doing in college. It’s a taste of it, but it’s on a whole other level. And that’s why it’s an inexact science. Plus, the success of the quarterback in the collegiate platform is based upon compounding variables that you have to sift through. Do they have elite receivers that take 10-yard throws and take them 60? Are the offensive line and run game unbelievable? Do they have the best defense in the country so they get 100 different opps? All those things – is the offense that they’re employing the best fit for the skillset of the quarterback? It’s the amount of variables and the change in job description or really the maturation of what you’re asked to do from the quarterback position on a grander scale for sure.”
(On if he’s expecting DT Christian Wilkins back next year) – “Yeah, I hope so. Don’t you? We’ll see. But I’m excited for Christian’s opportunity that he’s earned. Yeah, we love good players and we’d love to have him back.”
Anthony Weaver – February 15, 2024
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Thursday, February 15, 2024
Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver
Mike McDaniel:
(Opening statement) – “This is an exciting day for me and the Miami Dolphins to be able to formally introduce Anthony Weaver as defensive coordinator. The whole process of it was real cool for me because it started as the person and who could have the biggest impact as a person. Then in the process, we got to get down to some nitty-gritty on some schematic football side of it that really allows us to build on what we’ve been good at and continue forward in 2024, which is what we are all focused on. So without further ado, Anthony Weaver.”
Anthony Weaver:
(I wanted to know what do you think your experience as a former player adds to the dimension as a defensive coach and just as a coach in general?) – “I think that’s been a huge asset for me just in general throughout my coaching career. Not necessarily for the ups of what I did while I played, but more of the hardships and adversity that I faced, because I can help coach guys through that so they can persevere and ultimately, hopefully, be better than I was at those same situations. That is probably the biggest asset for me as far as my playing career. Just having the ability to coach guys through those adverse situations.”
(I know a lot of people are wondering, you’ve spent the last couple of years in Baltimore and have experiences in Washington D.C. and Houston. In terms of the scheme that you’re planning to bring to Miami, when you foresee that, do you think you are going to be bound to one particular scheme? How do you kind of approach that?) – “Yeah, I think the scheme that we used in Baltimore is extremely multiple and flexible, and the foundation of what we’re going to do here will be from that. But the beauty in that is a lot of the things that they’ve already done here that they’ve had success in, we’re very similar there, so there should be a lot of crossover teaching. I think in this league, it’s hard to just pigeon-hole yourself as one particular thing because you’re going to face different situations throughout the entire year, whether it’s weather, injuries. There’s a multitude of factors and your scheme better be flexible enough to adapt to the players and adapt to whatever situation you may be in.”
(I read somewhere, correct me if I’m wrong, that you had a home in Ft. Lauderdale for a long time?) – “Yeah, I have. Since 2009.”
(Why?) – “Obviously it’s a beautiful part of the country to be in. I’m from upstate New York. So to come down to the sun, the beach and all of that stuff is obviously incredible. You want to be down here. It’s awesome. My wife and kids, they love it too. We bought this place in 2009. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, helped me find the place, and we kind of grew into it. It certainly won’t fit us all now because we didn’t have two kids when we first bought the place, so we will be selling it, but we’ve always loved it down here. It’s a tremendous community.”
(Who would you say is your greatest influence on what you believe and your fundamentals as a defensive coach?) – ‘I have a couple. The first one is Romeo Crennel. He is a guy that was very detailed in terms of techniques and fundamentals, and what he expected from the guys. But more importantly, off the field, he was extremely calm in the chaos. There are a lot of ups and downs throughout the NFL season. You have some guys that ride the roller coaster. I don’t believe that. I think when you do that, your players are going to react the same way. I try very much to be the same guy every day. I really don’t have to try. It’s truly just who I am. And then just constantly making sure we’re trying to get one percent better, which requires 100 percent effort every day. I think as long as you’re on that constant chase to get better, eventually you’ll get to where you want to go. So my first is Romeo Crennel. My second one has to be John Harbaugh. In my short three years with him, I saw how he walked and operated and constantly kept the pulse of the team. When he got up and addressed the team, he always had something in particular in mind and was very direct in what he was trying to get done. I have so much respect for how he walks and operates. It was much different than any coach I’d been around prior, and really confirmed what I was doing to myself. I was like, this is how I envision myself operating, and obviously it works, and you can have success doing it.”
(What is at the core of your overall philosophy as a leader, as a coach, as a teacher?) – “I think of coaching as service work. I subscribe to the thought that if you work in service, you should never get nervous. When I got into this coaching profession in 2010, in my mind I was like, I’m going to get in this because this game has been so good to me, and this is my opportunity to pay it forward. Whatever has happened as a result of that has truly been me trying to make sure that I can be a force multiplier with whoever that is around me. Every player, every coach, anybody whether they are in the cafeteria, in communications, in PR. I want to be in service to them and make sure they get my absolute best every single day.”
(When you look at the roster on defense, what unit or player excites you the most?) – “There are probably multiple guys on every level of defense that you can get excited about. Upfront, you’ve got the Zach Sieler, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Christian Wilkins – you got to love watching him. David Long at the linebacker position. Jevon Holland who is an absolute beast and playmaker out there running around. Jalen Ramsey. On every level of defense, there is somebody that you get excited about watching. I know there are guys I fail to mention and I apologize to all of them, but the opportunity to come here as a team that has had the success they’ve had, shoot, how do you pass on that? Mike (McDaniel) and that offense, they are going to put up points. That’s definitely going to happen. It’s our job to make sure we give up less points than the other team. We plan on doing that every time we get out there.”
(What was the biggest lesson you took from your first stint as DC in Houston in 2020?) – “One, try not to take a job when there is a worldwide pandemic. (laughter) Two, problems are gifts. With all the adversity we dealt with throughout that season, although we didn’t get the results on the field we wanted, I felt like that unit as a whole always stayed together and fought their butts off to the bitter end. I take a tremendous amount of pride in that. What did I learn? I learned one, problems are gifts. But two, you better be multiple enough in your scheme, like I talked about earlier, to handle whatever situation arises. Whether that’s injury, COVID, whatever that might be, you better make sure you have answers schematically.”
(You mentioned DT Christian Wilkins. Was one of the conditions I’m only taking the job if Christian Wilkins was playing for us?) – (laughter) “I love coaching good players, and obviously he is one of them. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I know that he’s positioned himself, obviously, for a huge payday, and as an ex-player, I completely understand the business of the league. I love Christian and would love to have him, but man, we’ll see.”
(You’ve now played in a different era, and you’re coaching in this unique era. How would you compare this era of players to what you’ve played in?) – “Well they make a lot more money with the NIL, first and foremost. You may not see me if I made that NIL money back then. (laughter) But I think overall, the players are the same. You hear guys saying, ‘this decade of players, they’re soft,’ and all this stuff with social media. The players are the same. They want to be coached hard and they want to be loved up, and that’s what I believe in. I believe in coach them hard and love them up, man. Usually when you do that, they tend to respond for you.”
(Problems are gifts is an adage of yours. Have you heard of adversity is an opportunity yet around the building?) – “I have not heard that one yet.”
(Those sound very similar.) – “Now most of the coaches have been off, so.”
(My question is because Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about the person starting with you first, I’m curious about your experience on that side of coming in here and meeting McDaniel and the staff and just your experience with getting to know the guys?) – “So I’ve known Mike (McDaniel) since 2006. He was a QC (quality control) in Houston when I played there. Who you guys see on a week-to-week basis is who he has always been. I had a tremendous amount of respect when I played under him directly, but I just saw his work ethic as a veteran player at that particular point. Then when I had the opportunity to coach with him in Cleveland, I was like, ‘Oh, he’s special.’ It took the rest of the world a little bit longer to see that than I did. Some other head coaches along the way, I tried to get them to hire Mike, (and they) wouldn’t listen. (laughter) But hey, to their detriment. From a coaching standpoint, philosophically, we believe in the same things. We believe in – I’m going to go back. Do you guys remember Clarence Brooks? Clarence Brooks, he coached here defensive line back in early 2000s, something like that. He’s since passed, rest in peace, but Clarence used to say, ‘This game has been and always will be about the players,’ and I believe that wholeheartedly. As an ex-player, I know how finite this career is, and because of that, I take my responsibility in a leadership position as a defensive coordinator extremely, extremely important. I don’t want to waste anybody’s very finite time in this league. Because of that, man, we want to be great in all that we do.”
(What is your overall philosophy at this present day on the blitz, how often to use it, when to use it?) – “Blitzing is truly – it’s got to be calculated and not reckless. I’ve been around both guys. I’ve been around guys that just call it and let’s see what happens. Let’s throw flies in the windshield and see what sticks. Then I’ve been around guys that have been more calculated in that, and I believe you have to be calculated and not reckless in blitzing. Because when you do blitz, you’re obviously leaving your under coverage and secondary vulnerable. So whenever we do blitz, it’ll be with intent.”
(What are some of your fondest memories as a player?) – “Probably my fondest memory didn’t come in the National Football League. It actually happened at the University of Notre Dame. I was an 18-year-old freshman. It was my first game, and I was fortunate enough to start. I was truly a product – you talk about great coaching, I had an incredible coach in high school, Blaise Juliano. He played defensive end in the Canadian Football League. So going into Notre Dame, my technique and fundamentals were leaps and bounds above more freshmen walking in at that particular point. So you talk about stressing the importance of technique and fundamentals, it started there. I learned that early. But that first game, we’re playing the University of Michigan. They had just won the national championship. They had a tackle who was a preseason All-American named Jon Jansen. So I’m starting this game, 18 years old. You can imagine, butterflies in my stomach. I’m just glad we weren’t wearing white pants, let’s say that. (laughter) The first half, I am lined up like a yard off the ball because I so scared of my coach yelling at me for being offsides. But the second half, I forced a fumble, and we end up winning the game against the national champions and our entire student section rushes the field. So, I just think every game’s going to be like that. It wasn’t, obviously, but that memory will be forever sketched in my mind.”
(How important is it for you to get those memories for the players that you’re going be in charge of?) – “It’s everything. Ultimately, yeah, you get paid a king’s ransom to play this game. I think everybody involves in this business knows that. But I’ve never seen a U-Haul behind a hearse. So at the end of the day, we’re not dying with our money. But when we’re sitting there, hopefully you have some incredible memories to look back on and cherish and that’s what I’d love to create here with Mike (McDaniel) and the team.”
(Some other assistants have been hired on defense. Can you tell us what you like about each, whether it’s Joe Barry, Ryan Crow, Brian Duker?) – “So Joe Barry, obviously, is a tremendous football coach. Most recently he was the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. Back in 2021 when I left Houston, me and Joe spent a lot of time conversating about the potential of joining up with the Chargers under Brandon Staley. That didn’t come to fruition, but through those conversations, we formed a friendship. Over the years, we’ve always kind of kept in touch, and then through mutual friends, I’ve obviously heard nothing but incredible things about him. So to add him to our staff with his wisdom and intellect and knowledge is a tremendous win for us as a team and then for me individually, as a guy that’s just been in it and most recently calling it. Brian Duker, who we just hired as pass game coordinator, we worked together in Cleveland in 2014 and 2015, and then he has familiarity with the scheme that we want to run, because he was with Wink Martindale in Baltimore for a number of years, as well. I think he’s just a tremendous football mind, young kind of up-and-coming coach, has great ideas. Obviously, you see his team with Detroit, they just lost in the NFC Championship game. He does a tremendous job there. I think it was a huge, huge opportunity to get him. Ryan Crow, you look at Tennessee’s outside ‘backers, Harold Landry – I can’t even remember who else is out there, but all they did was produce and get after the quarterbacks and set dominant edges, which is exactly what we want to do here at the outside ‘backer position. But with that being said, I do think Ryan Slowik did an awesome job doing that a year ago with the outside ‘backers. I view Ryan (Slowik) as a tremendous asset because he’s coached on every level of the defense, so when you have that guy – one, he’s incredibly selfless, so he’s actually going to help us in the secondary as well. I really look forward to working with Ryan and trust his football acumen in general. The last guy I think we’ve added so far is DeShawn Shead, who played corner, played behind Richard Sherman in Seattle, won a championship and has since been in coaching. Shoot, you look at Seattle and what they’ve done there, particularly at the DB position, I mean there’s a lot of good ones. I feel like when you talk to him, you can just feel the impact that he’s had on them. So he’s a younger guy, he’s got all the energy, and he can relate. You talk about ex-players being able to relate to current players and being out there talking from a vantage point of ‘I’ve done this, here’s how you can help yourself.’ He obviously provides that, too. So I’m excited about everybody, man. And most importantly to me, they’re all incredible football minds but more importantly, they’re good people. When you’re in the midst of the season, the season is long and arduous for a reason. You’ve got to be tenacious, because it exposes the frauds. When you get to Week 13, 14, 15, 16, you better have guys you want to be in the foxhole with, and I believe everyone on this staff and everyone we’ve hired to this point, are those guys.”
(You mentioned Ryan Slowik. Is he staying on and do you know in what role yet?) – “Yes, he is certainly staying on. He is a very valued asset for us. He is going to be helping us in the secondary. What his exact title is, I’ll let Mike (McDaniel) talk to you about that. We’re still working through it. But I love Ryan (Slowik) man, and the conversations I’ve had with him so far, he is juiced about it. He’s excited.”
(Are you an upstairs or a downstairs type guy?) – “(laughter) I’m a downstairs guy, man. I need to feel what’s going on in the game, feel how the players are reacting to the situation and hopefully be a positive influence in whatever reaction that is. I don’t think you can have that same effect from up in the booth.”
(What did your experience interviewing for head coaching jobs teach you about the process and then teach you about yourself?) – “I think about the process, I thought, ‘Oh, this is it?’ In my mind, I’ve been around this game now for a long time, and if I can’t talk about football, what in the world can I possibly talk about? That process in itself, I am grateful for the opportunity. It certainly is not my be-all end goal. I want one thing, selfishly, to win a championship. That’s it. Whatever else happens after that will happen as a byproduct of my service to the team and the players.”
(How will analytics inform the decisions you make throughout the course of the game?) – “At this point in time, I think you’re a fool not to listen to some of the analytical data, and there’s so much positive uses of it. Some of it needs to be filtered absolutely, but if you’re not at this point in time, you’re behind. We certainly want to make sure we’re staying ahead of the trends.”
(You were asked earlier about your favorite memory as a player. A natural offshoot of that is what’s your favorite memory as a coach?) – “Oh man, there’s a lot of them there. My favorite memory as a coach? It’s funny because a lot of them happened this past year in Baltimore. We had a special group that I thought was really committed to one another, disciplined, loved each other. I think it was a love that was a genuine, mutual care for one another that was often transcending, where we won games purely off they didn’t want to let each other down. Ultimately, that’s what you’re building towards. Did we fall short of our goal? Yes. But in terms of memories, when Tylan Wallace returned that punt return in overtime against the Rams, I’ll tell you what, I ran around and celebrated so much. The first thing I realized was I need to do more cardio because I was exhausted. (laughter) But just that child-like exuberance – I’m 43-years old. When does that happen? I’m not like Brett Favre and Drew Brees where I have 20 friends and can go put on my Wranglers and go play football. That doesn’t happen in real life. So to have that experience and knowing what that kid had gone through. His first year he was hurt in and out. Second year, hurt and out. Now people start to question is this guy a player? And to have him have that moment in that situation was awesome.”
(What do you envision with a guy like CB Jalen Ramsey?) – “I mean, it’s Jalen Ramsey, come on now. (laughter) You talk about prototype corners, he is that. Size, length, speed, competitiveness. The thing about him is I think he is your ultimate chess piece. So to have him just sit outside and be a field corner or boundary corner or something like that is a detriment to him. We got to find ways to move him around where he can be most impactful. We’re committed to doing that.”
(What’s it like knowing that while you don’t have to worry about WR Tyreek Hill on Sundays, you have to worry about him Wednesday, Thursday and Friday?) – “Yeah, I’m going to tell him to make sure he’s rested for Sunday first and foremost. (laughter) As a competitor, you want to face the best every day. And ultimately, you’re just going to be better as a result. All of our guys in the secondary, they should be excited and up for the challenge and know they are never going to face anyone faster come Sunday.”
(I wanted to ask you about the Ravens mentality and process. I’ve always admired how they’ve played. Just physical, in your face. And I know a lot of that comes from John Harbaugh. But how do you build that brand of defense?) – “Yeah, I think the one thing about that place is, and it probably started a long time ago with Ray Lewis and that squad. Every single person who has stepped in that building since tries to live up to that standard. So that probably has a lot to do with it. From a scouting standpoint and ultimately I think it’s the same thing here, you want to make sure you get guys with high football character. I believe for the most part we have that here. When you watch the film, these guys play hard. I saw Bradley Chubb run down against Denver 30 yards down the field and force a fumble. Big guys don’t do that. So the effort level, the want to, is here. I think taking that next step to being recognized like how the Ravens play is just doing it for the long-term. But I think the foundational pieces you want in terms of internal grit and grind, our guys have that. Our guys have that. We just need to make sure we’re doing in down in and down out for multiple seasons.”
(You mentioned LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Bradley Chubb. Have you been able to interact with them since you got the job? And how are they doing on their rehab?) – “Yeah, I don’t want to talk about medical situations or anything like that. I’m not a doctor. I have spoken to both of them. Obviously I’m extremely excited to be around them. They’re tremendous players and better people. I’ll tell you what, I saw Jaelan Phillips the other day and he had his shirt off, and I almost went and put a sweater on him. (laughter) I mean he is chiseled, right? Oh my goodness. (laughter) But man, just super excited. They have great personalities. They’re people you want to be around. You can tell they’re going to make everybody around them better by just being out there.”
(What’s your approach or philosophy on player development?) – “I think you need to be grounded in your technique and fundamentals. It starts there. So every coach who’s on the staff certainly believes in that. Guys that have been here, you see that with their guys on tape. Once you’re sound there, that allows you to unleash whatever God-given ability you have. Without it, sometimes you can be flailing around a little bit. I call that like the story of the prodigal son. He leaves, things get awry, comes back home and your dad is sitting there with open arms. Your technique and fundamentals are the same way. If you go awry from it, things can get crazy. Come back to your technique and fundamentals, it will be sitting there with open arms, and things will get right.”
Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel – January 15, 2024
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Monday, January 15, 2024
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Chris Grier:
(On DT Christian Wilkins and OL Connor Williams, is it a priority for you to keep both of those two players?) – “Like we’ve always talked here in the past, our goal is to keep as many good players here as we can. They’ve both earned the right to be free agents. Christian and I actually had a really good conversation today. I was very happy for him. He bet on himself after a summer of negotiations where we made a couple offers and one we felt very good about, was fair, and he and his representation said as much, but we couldn’t close that gap at the end. So he bet on himself and it paid off for him. I’m very happy for him. So we’ll stay in communication and see where this ends up, but he earned the right to be a free agent. Again, I’m happy for him. We drafted him here, developed him here, and he’s the type of person we’re looking for. So we’ll see what happens.”
(And with OL Connor Williams, obviously the line play didn’t seem as effective once he went down against Tennessee.) – “I wouldn’t say that consistently. I mean, we ran the ball against Baltimore, Buffalo, and we did some good things. Liam (Eichenberg) came in and battled through his bumps and bruises and did a great job for us. So yeah, Connor was playing some good football for us and the leadership stuff he provided. Unfortunately with football, injuries happen. He’s been great communicating with Mike (McDaniel) through us here through the end of the season. Again, we’ll stay in touch with him and see what happens.”
(You started this rebuild in 2019 trading veterans, accumulating draft picks. Five years in, do you think it’s been a success?) – “It’s a little mixed, and I only mean that because this is now year two with Mike (McDaniel) here. We won nine games a year ago, 11 this year. We’ve taken steps. I think we have a good roster. Whether success, failure, I leave that for you guys to judge, but I think we’re building something good that we feel good about and we’re looking forward to continuing that in the offseason towards next year.”
(Last offseason, you guys didn’t have contract talks with QB Tua Tagovailoa. You said that you’d see how the season played out. Is it your intention and your desire to strike out a long-term deal with Tua this offseason?) – “We’ve had conversations. Like we said, we wouldn’t talk throughout the season in terms of contract stuff, but we’ve stayed in touch with his agent and had good conversations throughout the year. We never talking about money or anything, just good conversations about where he is and the relationship with Mike (McDaniel) and the team here and everything he’s done. So the goal is to have him here long term playing at a high level. That’s always the goal and we’ll continue to communicate with him through the offseason here. Like we’ve always said in the past, you guys know me, we don’t really talk in the media through all that stuff, so we’ll just keep all those talks internal and with his reps.”
(The market for quarterbacks of QB Tua Tagovailoa’s age have been $50+ million. Is that the number where we should expect if an extension gets done in that range? Or is there another level than $50 million AAV?) – “I think that’s just one we’re going to keep talking with him. We’ll work through it all. We’ll just keep our conversations and working with him. I think everything will be productive and we’ll just see what happens.”
(You’re right now about $40 million over the cap. I know you’d like to keep an awful lot of players, but is it realistic to think that all the good players who you’d like to keep, you’re going to be able to keep? Or is that just not going to be possible?) – “I mean, at the end of the day, we have good players here. Everyone will have a market. We’re not really, right now, concerned about where we’ll be in March, salary cap wise. I think (Senior Vice President of Football & Business Administration) Brandon Shore and (Director of Football Administration and Strategy) Max Napolitano, we’ve had a lot of conversations. They’ve given us a lot of flexibility with multiple options of ways we can be creative and so hats off to them just through their work and grind on things. Mike (McDaniel), Brandon and I will have a lot of discussions. We’ll talk with Steve (Ross) as we get through here and we’ll try and keep as many of the players here that we can.”
(How successful would you say the season was even though it ended in the Wild Card round?) – “That’s always a little bit of a trick question, because the goal was always to win first the AFC East, then a playoff game, then the Super Bowl. We fell short of those goals. I would say in year two with what Mike (McDaniel) and his staff has done – especially not making excuses through the injuries we had, I think 12 or 13 offensive line combinations, losing all the pass rushers, outside linebackers, running backs banged up here and there – they did a fantastic job of working through that. Our players deserve a lot of credit. I mean, they battled their ass off through everything and working and just buying into what the coaches are preparing. Last week we probably had the oldest outside linebacker group in the history of football playing out there. There were a lot of successes, a lot of things we’re happy about. But at the end of the day, you know what our goals are so we’ll just keep working to achieve those.”
(You mentioned injuries. How much do you look at the strength and conditioning staff with potential things you could do differently to keep players healthy? We saw QB Tua Tagovailoa last year go basically outside and take jiu-jitsu, and he made it all the way which was great. How do you look at that?) – “Yeah, we feel very strong that our group are some of the best in the NFL. I think if you were to ask a lot of agents and stuff, we get feedback of all that when they deal with our players and they always say your guys are the best. Like everything, we’ll evaluate everything that we do on and off the field, but we feel really strongly that they are the best. And sometimes, it’s football, injuries happen, but those guys do a fantastic job getting our guys prepared. I think you would have some players who have come here from other teams that have talked about injuries they’ve had at previous places and they’ve had no issues here. It’s just one of those years where it was our turn unfortunately to have injuries and it’s part of football.”
Mike McDaniel:
(Mike, how would you assess yourself as a play caller this season? Is that something you would ever consider delegating to an offensive coordinator?) – “I think you’re always assessing things. The important part of right after the season is to make sure that you’re not making your judgements based upon the emotion of the rollercoaster ride that you just went on. I think you have to critically assess by slowly evaluating everything. I think the way I look at it is nothing is off the table ever, just because to just say well that’s the way we’ve done it, that’s not a good enough reason to me. I think we failed to reach our goals this season. Play calling wouldn’t live outside that. We’ll see based upon what we do with this season. If we utilize all the lessons learned, we’ll see what it actually means as we press forward.”
(I have to ask about your coaching staff. It’s silly to ask, but I have to ask it. Do you expect Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio back in 2024?) – “Yeah, I think all things are fair right now. We’re still kind of grieving through the process collectively as a coaching staff. Quite honestly, the main thing that I’m trying to do is make sure that I maintain and communicate with the players as they go through their exit interviews. It’s between 50 to 70 guys that I meet with. Then we’ll get together as a coaching staff and kind of undress the season in a painful but productive way. I think that’s what all healthy staffs do really regardless of success or failure.”
(How much of this offseason, if any, will you spend studying why you were 10-1 against winning teams and 1-6 against playoff teams?) – “A fair amount. I think we talk all season about progressing to be your best and we weren’t. You talk about a narrative is a narrative assuming that you’re getting better, learning from it. When you ultimately fall short, then you have to look it between the eyes and look at where we had successes and where we had failures, and not really harbor any defensive mechanism because it’s the bottom line. We didn’t get the results that we wanted. We feel good about our process, but everything has to be really evaluated. First and foremost are the short comings. You also have to look at what you did do well, but that’s always the last thing on our minds in the offseason. You’d have to go through the transcripts, but when we were having this press conference a year ago, we weren’t necessarily talking about pre-snap penalties, I don’t think. For me, I knew they were an issue. But then you take a step back, you critically assess everything, you see how much of a hinderance it was on our overall productivity and you make it an emphasis. You get what you emphasize, so then it’s supremely important that we look at everything, not assume it’s correlation or causation, look at everything flat lined, and find the ways that you can get better. That’s what I think players sign up for and organizations depend on.”
(Mike, I wanted to ask you about the play calling, specifically the Kansas City game. Obviously the weather was a factor in how you called plays, but why were there so little downfield passes? Was there concern whether QB Tua Tagovailoa could play in those conditions?) – “No. I think the type of defense that they were playing with aggressive re-routes, it was a quarters man predominately. That’s what it’s orchestrated to take away. I didn’t really think of it in that lens. That night, at times, guys made very accurate passes, short and long. I think our one touchdown was on a ball over the top of a quarters safety. I didn’t really look at it like that. I wish we would’ve gotten more opportunities. I think the biggest hindrance really for the varied ways we could execute our gameplan, and we did have some stuff down the field that was appropriate for the defense we were expecting, but it makes it real difficult when you are one of whatever on third down. I think we had the mindset to run the ball and we had some mirrored shots in the pass game that we felt pretty good about that had to be specific for their defense. But you don’t get to those calls when you have to either avoid third down, or you’re punting, which is the situation we found ourselves in that game.”
Chris Grier:
(Chris, I wanted to ask you, after making the playoffs the last two years, the losses have amounted to where you guys now have the longest playoff win draught after the Lions win. What would be your message to the fans, that you are a little bit closer to a win than the last 20 years?) – “First off, congratulations to Detroit and Dan Campbell. I’m happy for Dan. He was here and is a good guy and a good man. Him and Brad (Holmes) are doing a good job there, so I’m happy for them. But for us, we’re just going to keep grinding, chopping wood. We have a good roster. We know that we’ll keep adding and the team will look different. As we all know every year, 30 or 40 percent or more of rosters change. But we’ll find ways to have good players here and be competitive. We are very excited about our core nucleus players here. We will be competitive. The goal is to win the AFC East and win a playoff game, and ultimately a Super Bowl. That’s the goal of all 32 teams and it’s no different for us.”
(Just based on the answers you’ve given today, it doesn’t seem that you think big changes are needed. That what you have built, you just need to continue to build on, and the results will also come. Is that accurate?) – “Yeah, I mean we feel good about it. But like we said, this is 48 hours or less after a game still. We go through our process like we always talk about. Coaches are going to go look through everything from spring through the summer, through the season. Personnel will go talk through everything and look at it through our lens. We’ll get together, we’ll talk about it, and exit interviews here be a part of it. Mike (McDaniel) will meet with the coaching staff and then we’ll all get together and we’ll make appropriate decisions that we feel we need to make.”
(Where do you stand on OL Robert Hunt as he enters free agency, and his importance to this offensive line?) – “I’m happy for Rob (Hunt) that he got to get back at the end of the year for us. We drafted him here. He’s gone through a bunch of different coaching philosophies and styles of an offensive line, and I think Mike (McDaniel) and then Butch Barry this year coming in did a fantastic job. Rob and all those offensive linemen worked tirelessly to improve and get better and buy into the scheme and so for us, like all of them, he’s earned the right to be a free agent. We did have a conversation with him during the season, so we’ll see what happens here as we go through it. But again, these guys have earned the rights to be free agents. We would like them to be here. They want to be here. So we’ll have to see what happens.”
(We spoke to CB Xavien Howard not too long ago and asked about his future with the team. He said it’s up in the air. He didn’t really say that he was open to taking a pay cut. I’m not sure if there’s any guaranteed money left in his contract, but is your hope that he’s still with, and do you anticipate him still being with the team in 2024?) – “Yeah, but like with everyone, we’re going to go through this whole process right now. Xavien (Howard) has been a good player here for a long time. He was part of the first draft class I had. He and I have had many talks and discussions and I really appreciate him and love him as a person and player. So we’ll go through this process here like with every player individually and I think he met with Mike (McDaniel) today and he and I may have a conversation here in the next day or so. So yeah, just right now we’re just going through this with every single player on the roster and it’s no different with Xavien.”
(I asked Head Coach Mike McDaniel, but I’m curious because we don’t get to talk to you much, why do you think you guys struggled against the good teams so much this year?) – “I don’t know. I think just piggybacking off Mike, I just think it’s a combination of things. We’ve played some good football teams and a majority of the games were fairly close late in the game, and for various reasons, we weren’t able to pull it out and win it. So I think that will be something we’ll go through and evaluate and look at through here in the offseason and that’s what the whole spring is for. As Mike said, you look at – it’s not necessarily improving the things you’re great at. It’s working at the things that we had struggled (with) or would like to finish better.”
Mike McDaniel:
(What would you point to as one of the biggest areas of improvement that you want to see from QB Tua Tagovailoa in this offseason and I guess how would you assess his mobility and ability to make plays with his legs this season while also understanding that he has to protect himself and be available for the team?) – “I just want to see him make sure the curve continues to be exponential in his growth. We’ve seen at every stretch of the way him improving. That doesn’t mean it’s void of a result that isn’t desired. But what we’ve seen is him learn from all the things that he goes through. I think that’s the one thing that I can say in my two years of experience with him, is he’s as good of a learner as I’ve ever seen. Take jiu-jitsu, or throwing left-handed, or etc. I think that’s what I want to see, is that continued thirst to find different ways, while maintaining and growing your confidence, to always create new edges in your game. Is Tua going to be a zone-read option quarterback? No. But I think he has developed in some – like buying extra time when necessary. I think that will continue to improve where you can just maybe move off the spot a little bit and not necessarily run for a first down, but you can extend the play. I think those things improve with a lot of things – the continuity of an offensive line group that you learn where guys are generally blocking from the launch point, and so then you know your safe spot is in the pocket. All these things, it’s all about progression. I think he just needs to continue to do what he has been doing in terms of progressing and I’ll be very much happy with that.”
(I know you were asked about Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio specifically coming back, but do you see any other coaching staff changes?) – “Like I said, I was very, very happy with the way that our coaching staff responded to the various things that happened during the course of the year. I thought really down the stretch, they did give it their all. We ended the season with losses, but knowing how they invested in their players and tried to give them the best chance, that’s what I was left with. And then I’ve just been inundated with trying to connect with – as a head coach, you are talking to guys every day, but you don’t get those extended conversations that’s entirely just about them and where their game is at. That’s kind of what I’ve been inundated with. Besides having a staff meeting, I haven’t even really talked or thought about the coaches, to be honest.”
Chris Grier:
(When we talked to you guys at the NFL Draft, Head Coach Mike McDaniel joked “can’t wait to have a first-round pick next year for the first time.” Do you still plan on using that pick? And are you definitely going to have a first-round pick this year? How important is it now you have a full draft to make the most of it?) – “Can’t promise anything, but we’ll see. (laughter) We’ve had a couple draft meetings with the scouts and they’ll be coming back in February and we’ll hit that hard before we go to Indianapolis. But also if there’s an opportunity that we feel can help our roster and it makes sense and most of the guys we’ve traded for have been in an age bracket, too, that makes sense for us to do that if you’re going to move a pick like that. So we’re always open to listening if people want to contact us, as well. I know he wants a first-round pick bad.” (laughter)
RB Raheem Mostert – January 13, 2024 (Postgame)
Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
Postgame – Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert
THOUGHTS ON THE GAME
MOSTERT: “A loss is always disappointing, especially during a time like this where it’s a playoff run, Wild Card Game, it’s aways tough. It’s all about being resilient, coming back the following year. I know a lot of guys who have, if you lose, the dude who I’m talking about, going to Cancun. I am not planning on a damn Cancun trip. I’m more trying to get back right-side and be ready and available for next year.”
Q: Is it frustrating playing in a playoff game that is this cold?
MOSTERT: “At the end of the day, we all bleed the same color. We all have to go through the same conditions. You have to line up and be ready to play ball. That’s as far as I can go with that. You can’t give any excuses as to how cold it was because the other team, they had to deal with the same cold, the same temperatures. All in all, you have to go out here and play ball and be the best, and unfortunately, that wasn’t it for us.”
Q: Do you know why this team struggled to get past 20 points per game over the last game?
MOSTERT: “I don’t necessarily know. It’s just us not making enough plays or play calling or cumulative things. Turnovers can help that. It is nice when you start out hot and all of the sudden it is a bit frigid in that aspect, but you just have to go back to the basics. That is how I see it and try to figure out what the best game plan was, and unfortunately, we didn’t have that today.”
Q: Did some of the injuries catch up to this team?
MOSTERT: “That definitely caught up, especially going on a run late in the season, which is mind boggling and kind of sucks. We lost a lot of key guys on the opposite side of the ball, but that gives a lot of guys an opportunity to step up and make plays.”
FB Alec Ingold – January 13, 2024 (Postgame)
Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
Postgame – Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins FB Alec Ingold
COMMENTS ON THE GAME
INGOLD: “We set records together. We are going down in the history books together, statistically. At the end of the day, we didn’t win. At the end of the season, it’s tough, you have to learn your lessons. I feel for all of the guys. You put so much time in and the league, it turns over real fast. There is going to be a third of this room that’s not going to be here next year, and reality hits fast and it hits hard. I’m soaking in the last moments I have with these guys.”
Q: Is it frustrating that the game had to be played in conditions like this?
INGOLD: “This is the circumstance we put ourselves in, wins and losses and results. It felt like everything was leading up to being able to go into an adverse situation and being able to prove how much football matters to us and how much we care about one another. Obviously, the ball didn’t bounce our way today, but it’s football weather, man, it’s the beauty of this game. It’s imperfect. You just wish you could have done a little bit more. It’s just hurts not to execute the way we didn’t execute out there.”
Q: How frustrating might it be for you knowing how many talented players were unable to play tonight?
INGOLD: “The injury rate in the NFL is 100%. We lost some key guys, but I think it is a collection of the team, right. Champions are able to overcome the circumstances of the season and that was our challenge this year. That was our piece of adversity, and we couldn’t overcome it. It just hurts, as a leader of the team and as somebody that wants to contribute in these biggest games and the biggest moments. You don’t really think about injuries as much as wishing you could have been there for the guys that were suited up and the guys who couldn’t go and be able to put your best stuff out there. It was a tough one today.”
Q: What can you take with you into the offseason?
INGOLD: “You have to lean into this feeling. It has to motivate you. To become the best version of yourself, you can’t be afraid to get better. You can’t be afraid to fail and fall short and use that as the eventual success story. I think that is going to be motivation in the weight room, make sure our bodies are healthy, durable and be ready to withstand a new season and we have to come together closer as a team to overcome whatever adversity comes around the corner next year.”
DT Christian Wilkins – January 13, 2024 (Postgame)
Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024
Postgame – Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins
Q: Can you describe what it’s like trying to tackle in these kinds of conditions?
WILKINS: “It is what it is. Obviously, the weather is different weather than you’ve ever played in before, but I feel like our guys fought hard and we fought until the very end. That’s the most important thing, and that’s what I saw. I just want to say I have a lot of respect for the Chiefs because they’re a good football team. They deserve all of the respect that they’ve earned, not just tonight, but from the past few years. I’ve got a lot of respect for what they’ve been able to do.”
Q: This is the second year of losing in the first round of the playoffs, but do you think this team is still making strides?
WILKINS: “Yeah, I definitely think so. I told the guys in the locker room that this is the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been in the league, since I’ve been a Miami Dolphin. It’s because what the guys do every day, what they bring, how much it means to them. I think we’ve definitely made big strides. There’s still room to improve as a team, as an organization. I think the formula is there, and that is what will happen in the years to come.”
Q: How hard was it to not have guys like Bradley [Chubb] and Jaelen [Phillps] out there for you guys?
WILKINS: “It was tough, but it is what it is. Injuries are part of the game, and we’re not going to make excuses for that. As much as we’d love to have those guys, it’s just part of the game. You don’t make excuses for that. You still fight and play hard no matter what. We still went into every game as confident as ever and didn’t make any excuses and we just kept it running.”
Q: What happened on that roughing the passer call?
WILKINS: “I thought I was just doing my job. I thought I was good, but I guess not. It’s a judgment call, but it is what it is. I don’t really know what happened. I didn’t talk to the refs after to get an explanation, but it is what it is.”
Q: After you guys lost JP [Jaelen Phillips] and Bradley [Chubb], it seemed like things kind of changed. Do you feel that way?
WILKINS: “Again, I’m not going to make any excuses. Every guy prepared all year like they were a starter. We’re all professional, and we all have a job to do, whether you’re the third guy or the first. No excuses being made there, it is what it is. It’d be great to have those guys, but I feel like everyone was still in a good position.”
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