Adam Gase – May 31, 2017
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Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Head Coach Adam Gase
(One thing on your defensive backs. I know General Manager Chris Grier mentioned at the draft that some of your outside corners could move to slot. He mentioned the possibility of CB Xavien Howard doing it. Howard said yesterday that he hasn’t. What other options do you have there that you want to look at beyond CB Bobby McCain for depth reasons or competition in nickel?) – “There are a few guys we’re trying to give reps. You start off the year thinking ‘Here’s the first three we want to work through.’ You want the other guys to get comfortable playing the primary. We don’t want to start hitting the contingency plans quite yet, if something happened to Bobby. We’ll keep moving through that but we have a little bit of a progression with how we want to go about it with our outside guys right now. We’ll get to the point where we’ll try some guys inside and kind of figure out where we stand there but we don’t want to do that too quickly. We want those other guys to work on their outside stuff.”
(As a follow up, did CB Bobby McCain do enough last year in your mind for you to feel good about him being your likely nickel guy this year?) – “Bobby improved a lot through the year. He started to understand what we were asking him to do. We always kind of have that discussion of ‘We’ve got the leverages down, now let’s be tighter. Let’s make some more plays on the ball.’ He’s done that in this camp. He’s had some PBUs (pass breakups) and getting tight on some coverage. He’s got a tough challenge every day going against Jarvis (Landry), which is good for him. When you’re playing one of the top guys in the league at his position, it’s hard not to get better.”
(DE Charles Harris seemed impressive out there but what can you really tell? Can you tell he’s got a good first step or is it kind of unfair?) – “It’s tough with no pads. It’s so much passing going on right now and (the defense) knows it, so they’re getting good get-offs. It’s good to see there’s a few things we kind of look for and ‘T’ (Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams) and (Defensive Coordinator) Matt (Burke) have a good idea of how they want to use all of their guys. We’re moving them around a little bit and doing some different things and trying to find some packages (to see) how far we can take some of those defenses – exotic defenses. We don’t want to put too much on one guy’s plate. We just want him to just continue working on the little details of what the coaching staff is asking him to do and find ways to get better.”
(With S Walt Aikens, we saw him work at cornerback quite a bit today. Is that just cross-training or are you all thinking about a possible position switch for him?) – “I think Walt has kind of done that for us. He did that last year with us too. There were some times where we would move him out there (to cornerback) and just make sure that he was ready to go because he was up for every game, pretty much. He has to be in a position to where if somebody goes down at one of those spots, he has to be ready to go. We’re just trying to find the best fit for him. I think he’s one of our better athletes for sure. He’s a huge playmaker for us on special teams and we just want to make sure whatever spot we end up finalizing with him – corner or safety – it gives him the best opportunity to where if he goes in a game, he can have success.”
(A lot of the rookies were working without logos on their helmets. Is there anything to that?) – “I think we’re just trying to … Maybe that’s our way of saying ‘You’ve got to earn that logo.’ That was kind of something that, talking to (Equipment Manager Joe) Cimino about things that maybe have been done that way in the past, and we were just kicking around some ideas of doing something a little different than we did last year. We felt like that was one of the things that kind of came up that a few of us thought was a good idea and we’ll see how it kind of goes.”
(We saw the defensive backs were giving some of the wide receivers some trash talk at the end of practice. Was that deserved you think?) – “Oh yes. They took it to the offense today. Everything they said, that was pretty much true.”
(Can you let us in on what was said?) – “I wasn’t trying to pay attention too much because then they start talking to me. (laughter)”
(You have indicated that regardless of where guys are drafted – if they are veterans or rookies, free agents – everyone gets a fair opportunity. DT Lawrence Okoye is a guy who was an Olympian and a rugby player. When you see a player like that, do you see certain skills that this guy can have an opportunity?) – “I think the first couple of practices, guys didn’t really know what they were going up against and he made quite a few plays. He’s been making plays through the whole OTA session so far. When we bring a guy in and he’s had some experiences with some other teams, we’re trying to give every guy a fair shake. That’s kind of why we do things the way we do it where when we get a guy and we start the offseason program, we want to try to give them the full allotment to prove whether or not they belong. That’s why you don’t really see a lot of guys get released by us. We try to keep that pretty much the 90 (man roster) – I think we’re at 88 right now – to where those guys have the full time, the preseason games and those type of things, to prove if they should make this team.”
(DT Lawrence Okoye has been on a couple of practice squads but this guy never played football until he came to the United States. Playing rugby, being in the Olympics as a discus thrower, does that mentality show you something as far as being an Olympian too?) – “When you get a guy that’s been involved in high-performance areas not being football, pressure situations aren’t the type of thing that are going to rattle him. He has a great mindset. The work ethic is through the roof. You see him around quite a bit. He’s always trying to do something to get better. You appreciate a guy that knows what he doesn’t know and he’s trying to figure out every little detail of what his job is.”
(LB Kiko Alonso is much maligned by us for coverage. Has that ever really been an issue for him in your eyes?) – “No. I think what we ask him to do is play aggressive and don’t hesitate, which won us a game (at San Diego), because of the way he plays. There is a reason why he is going to be here for a minute because we like how he operates from the time he walks in the building and the way he carries himself off the field. Everything he does is exactly what we ask him to do and we tell him we want him to be as aggressive as he can within the scheme. Does it burn him every once in a while? Yes; but he makes a lot more plays.”
(I don’t know it was owners meetings or sometime in the winter but we asked you about WR Jarvis Landry and if you expect him to be here throughout the voluntary stuff and you said yes. He’s shown he has. Has he been able to compartmentalize the contract stuff? Do you see it as a motivator to him?) – “We haven’t really had too many conversations about contract status. Everything is really done in-house. I just knew he was going to show up and he was going to work as hard as he can possibly work and find ways to get better and try to be one of the leaders of this team and encourage the young guys and find ways to help us get better. The way that we kind of do things here is put your head down and work and things will work out.”
(By we, do you mean you and WR Jarvis Landry? Not the team and Landry’s representatives?) – “I’m talking about conversations between me and him.”
(What do you want to see areas of growth from WR Jarvis Landry?) – “I think the details of the offense. Any time you go through that first year, you’re trying to learn each other. You’re trying to figure out what are the best things that a certain guy can do. Sometimes you get in situations to where you’re not on the same page all the time. I might be thinking one way, he might think one way, Ryan (Tannehill) might think another way. It’s always that learning experience. That’s why the offseason is so important because you learn little things through the details of constantly doing the same scheme over and over again. Right now, we’re able to do that. We can run the same concept without feeling like ‘this team’ is going to know what we’re doing. We can find ways to protect those certain routes that he really likes. We go through that stuff every day and when we come in the next day to watch film, we’re able to talk through some stuff and kind of learn a little bit about each other and how we want to do things, every day that we come in here. I think the longer we’re together, we just keep finding little things that not only I like as a play caller, but what he likes as a route runner and what Ryan likes to throw to him. It’s just going to be an evolving process over the years.”
(With LB Kiko Alonso, what do you think it is that has clicked for him here – fits so well for him – that after bouncing around, now he’s a cornerstone for you guys?) – “That’s a tough one to answer. I know that since the day he really got here, he has done everything right. We like the way he plays. We feel like the attitude he brings and that aggressive style, that’s what we want all our guys to do.”
(With WR Jarvis Landry, last year you talked about speed cuts versus chopping at the top of routes. Is there any progress there with that and everyone being on the same page? Do you things have gotten better there?) – “I think the entire group has done a great job of really looking at last year and finding ways to improve, and they’ve really focused on the details. I think it started in that second phase – it probably started before we ever got our hands on them – where those guys were doing a lot of stuff. It really comes down to the communication aspect of this game, where sometimes if you don’t know the reason why, it’s hard to believe sometimes what you’re being told. The more we explain things and the more we get the feedback from players, that’s where we really start making some movement. The thing that I’ve noticed about our guys this year is there’s a lot of feedback. There are more questions of, ‘When we do this, is this what you want it to look like? Or is this what you want it to look like versus this coverage? How do you want us to do this?’ The more questions you get like that, the better chance you have as far as perfection. That’s what we’re striving for. It’s an imperfect game and you’re trying to be perfect. It’s not easy to do, but these guys are constantly working on it.”
(When DT Jordan Phillips came in yesterday, it seemed like he had been very self-critical. He was really critical about his play. It sounds like he has been changing his direction there. Are you seeing some action that backs that up?) – “I’d say he’s very difficult for us to block right now. He has had those good days and bad days in the past. What I’ve seen so far out of the guy is consistency. That’s the biggest thing for us when … If you’re (Ndamukong) Suh and you know the guy next to you is constantly doing the right thing, and you know you can trust that guy next to you, that’s a huge part of our defense. That front is what we lean on. We count on those guys being right. That’s why we’ve invested the amount of resources we have in that front. His best ball is really what we’re going to need this year. The reason why is we’ve got four of those guys on that front line and now you start adding some depth to that, it makes it very difficult for teams to prepare for us.”
(DT Jordan Phillips said he’s trying to get down to 320 pounds. Is that something you guys set for him? When do you want that to happen by?) – “I don’t want to get into the whole weights and stuff, but you can talk to (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Dave) Puloka about it.”
(What do you see expanding for RB Kenyan Drake this summer?) – “I think we’re going to keep trying to work him into the offense. We have some things that we’d like to do with him, but we want him to be an all-around back. We don’t want him to get stuck in one phase. We got to be ready to go if … Jay (Ajayi), he takes a lot of hits. He’s basically our workhorse. The rest of those guys have to be ready to go at the drop of the hat. They have to be able to do everything. For us to have two guys backing Jay up that do have a strength in the passing game for sure. But they are good runners. It’s more about getting consistency and understanding the importance of every little detail. Sometimes when you’re a backup, you can lose that, and it takes a professional to do the job right consistently. Really, that’s his biggest challenge is being a consistent guy for us.”
(Do you have an update on LB Koa Misi? Do you expect to see him in the spring or by training camp?) – “You keep asking me the same question every time. (laughter) I don’t know. We’re not there yet. When you see him start running around or something, then I’d say we’re close.”
(With CB Xavien Howard, obviously last year the knee injuries sidetracked him a lot. What do you expect from him in Year 2 in terms of understanding the defense and playing at full speed?) – “Right now, I can tell he has a way better grasp of what we’re asking (him) to do. You always wish you could get every single game in your rookie year, just the experience factor. When you play that position, offenses do a good job of changing things up so much (that) the more you see, the easier it makes your job. He has got six games under his belt right now. We need as many reps as possible with him. In the spring so far, he has been a tough guy to get open on. He’s facing two guys that are tough to cover. He has done a good job. You can tell he’s more confident. He’s talking a lot right now, which is good. You want him to have that swagger. Sometimes when you start really battling good players and you feel like you’re winning, your confidence is going to go up.”
Xavien Howard – May 30, 2017
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017
CB Xavien Howard
(What’s the biggest thing that you took from last year, your rookie season?) – “My rookie season had been up and down due to a lot of injuries. By me being injured, it made me stay in the film room to watch film more and just learn the game. It helped me mentally that way.”
(What do you think you need to do to take your game to the next level?) – “This is my second year in the system, so I’m used to the defense, and it’s clearing things up for me. Last year, due to injuries and stuff like that, I couldn’t really just get in and learn the system like that, due to the injuries. But me just watching film and stuff like that helped me a lot.”
(What we saw from you last year was only about what percent of what you think you are capable of?) – “I don’t know about that one.”
(Did the knee limit you at all when you came back? You had some good moments in late December. Were you feeling like you were not completely 100 percent?) – “Yes, I couldn’t get 100 percebt each time. My first injury I had, I couldn’t finish OTAs. The second one came from me just jumping up in the air and catching the ball and I came on the ground. So I really couldn’t just get to the level to get to 100 percent and play. Each game, I was just playing to play; but I just really couldn’t be 100 percent and perform how I know I can.”
(What level of confidence do you have that all of that stuff is behind you, that your knee will not be an issue at all this year?) – “I’m very confident about that. This offseason I just worked a lot to strengthen my legs and stuff like that, so I’m very confident about my knee.”
(Have you been assured by doctors that this isn’t something that is going to linger?) – “Yes, it’s cleared.”
(What kind of confidence did you gain from when you did have success? Do you know in your mind that you can be a good starting corner in this league?) – “Yes sir, I know what I’m capable of. I have confidence in myself so I know what I can do when I’m 100 percent.”
(I know CB Tony Lippett said this offseason from a competitive nature, he’d like to start. How important is that for you? Obviously there will be some competition up until September.) – “Oh yes, there’s competition all the way. That’s how we make each other better. Just us out there competing and going against each other and making each other better.”
(As far as playing in the nickel, how much experience have you had in that and is that something you guys are really looking at? Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke had mentioned it earlier this offseason. Is that something you’ve been doing a little bit?) – “No, I haven’t been playing in the nickel. I’m an outside corner, so I’ve never played in the nickel inside.”
(One thing you mentioned last year was that Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph talked to you about being able to use your size. Are you happy with where you are in that part of your game? Are there still more things you have to learn to use your size to play corner effectively?) – “I’m still learning how to be an elite cornerback in this league. I’m watching film of other guys and stuff like that, seeing what they are good at – like Byron Maxwell and Tony Lippett – to see what they are good at and see what I can improve on in my game from theirs.”
(Do you watch any film of any non-Dolphins?) – “Yes, everybody in the league.”
(Like Seattle CB Richard Sherman?) – “Yes, Sherman, (Arizona’s) Patrick Peterson, (Denver’s Aqib) Talib.”
(A couple of times Head Coach Adam Gase has mentioned how the style of play in the Big 12 doesn’t really translate to the NFL. I think he’s talking about how there are fewer runs in the Big 12, maybe they run different types of offensive packages. Can you kind of explain a little bit more about all of that?) – “In the Big 12, it’s a spread league, so there is a lot of passing and stuff like that. They spread out the field and just throw the ball. So me getting into the league and stuff like that, I see a lot of different clustered looks and different formations that they do. I’ve just got to get used to it.”
(Is it more like bunching receivers and what their options are, or is it also knowing what to do against the run plays? You’re a good tackler, but diagnosing and recognizing the run plays?) – “Yes, diagnosing what the offense is trying to do to me, like where can I get beat at and where I have help at and stuff like that.”
(This offseason, you did a lot of ball work, a lot of specialized training. Is that something that’s new or have you always been doing that?) – “I’ve always been doing that, I’ve been doing that in college. I’ve been working with this guy ‘Footwork King,’ in Houston, and I always work with him during the offseason when I have free time.”
(What do you think that has done to help you in regards to what?) – “It just helps me with movements, stuff I have to get used to, stuff I have to get used to just like moving and being able to plant off my leg and stuff like that.”
(What have you told or would you tell CB Cordrea Tankersley about making the transition from college football to rookie NFL?) – “Man, it’s a big difference. He came from Clemson. He’s got some good corners over there too. So I just told him, just learn from it. Just learn everything you do. Just watch the older guys like (Byron) Maxwell talked to him a lot. And me, I just tell him … When he’s down, I just tell him to clear his head and move on to the next play, it’s the NFL. Stuff is going to happen, so just move on and go to the next play.”
(How do you feel about the talent you guys have overall at the corner position?) – “There’s a lot of competition. We can do some nice things on that side of the ball.”
(How many pick sixes have you guys seen in OTAs so far?) – “About three or four.”
Nate Allen – May 30, 2017
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017
S Nate Allen
(How has the first couple weeks being actually here and participating in practice, all that been?) – “It’s been good. We’re just getting that chemistry together as a defense and just kind of getting the legs back up under us and knocking the rust off. Yes, getting all the parts and pieces together and getting out on the field. Just gelling and getting that chemistry.”
(What’s one thing that surprised you so far?) – “It’s hard to say one thing. We’ve got a lot of guys playing good right now and making some plays. We’re just moving guys around. It’s hard to say really one thing that’s really surprised me. Nothing, nothing too out of the ordinary has happened.”
(Can you talk about S Reshad Jones? What are the things that stand out to you about him and in what ways can he help you become a better player?) – “You all know Reshad is … his play speaks for itself. He’s who he is for a reason and he’s the guy. He makes a lot of plays and he’s just a great playmaker. I can see it early and I’ve watched him through the years. As I’ve been other places, I’ve always watched him on tape. He stands out. He’s a prolific playmaker and he practices hard. He helps out the young guys in the classroom. We just kind of feed off each other. We’re still kind of picking each other’s brains and getting a feel for how each other moves and how each other thinks in certain situations. We’re just … like I said earlier, we’re going to make each other better.”
(Just a general question as somebody who’s been in the league for a while, what makes a good head coach on the field and off the field?) – “Right now you’re probably referring to (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase. Just being able to be a player’s coach and also be kind of a – I don’t want to say disciplinarian but kind of a tough guy when you need to be – and he, I think, does a great job of that. He can hang out with us and talk with us. It’s not like everybody tenses up when he walks in the room and gets all nervous. It’s just he’s got a great dynamic with the guys. He makes it a good environment.”
(How do you describe your game and what parts of your game are you most proud of?) – “I think I do a little bit of everything and that’s just, through the years, I’ve had to play in systems where I was a designated free safety and where I’ve had to play where I was a designated strong safety. So I feel like I, I can play both and wherever they need me to be, whether it’s down the box, in the post, in coverage, whatever they need me to do and … I don’t know. It’s hard to say. I feel like I do a little bit of everything. Just putting my finger on one thing that I’m proud of is …”
(What was your journey like for the last two years dealing with injuries and trying to get back to that level of play you had before but not being able to?) – “It was frustrating for a little while. Obviously with the MCL, I think it was my first year in Oakland, but that’s part of the game. Being able to bounce back mentally is the main thing when you come off something like that. Yes, I stayed positive and knew what I was working for and trying to get to. Everything worked out. I just left it in the Lord’s hands.”
(How do you feel now and are you confident that all of that’s behind you?) – “Yes, I feel good. I’m 100 percent. Last year I felt good and I haven’t had any issues. I feel confident in my health and how I’m feeling. I’m just ready to get it rolling.”
(How long does it take to get that chemistry going with S Reshad Jones do you think?) – “This is what OTAs are for. I think we’re making good progress and it’s not just me and Reshad (Jones), it’s the entire DB group. This is the first time I’ve played with these guys and the first time a lot of us have played together. So everybody’s just kind of feeling each other out because once you get that chemistry in the back end, you can make it a beautiful thing.”
(Going through the process during the offseason of figuring out what team to go to, what did it mean to you to have a chance to return home to Florida?) – “Oh, huge. That was like one of the big factors with it. And I saw also what this organization was doing as far as making it to the playoffs last year and building and bringing good guys in and with the coaching staff and everything. I just wanted to be a part of it. Not to mention, it was shoot, an hour and 45 minutes from my hometown. So you can’t beat that.”
(Is there a similarity between Oakland and what you’ve seen here in Miami as far as trajectory?) – “There are similarities but it’s different. You’ve got different guys, different terminology, different personalities. So there’s obviously similarities in certain things; but yes, it’s a new thing.”
(As far as that hunger and attitude?) – “Oh, yes. This organization is definitely hungry and, like I said, we’ve got a good group of guys and we know what we’re working for and we’ve just taking it day by day, just building to what we’re trying to get to.”
(How would you describe what you’ve kind of learned about the scheme and responsibility for the safeties in this particular defense? I don’t know if there are any unique differences or something you’ve picked up already?) – “I won’t go too into detail. There are similarities with stuff that I’ve been in before. I’ve done a lot of things that we do here before. Like I said, it’s just different terminology.”
(What is the dynamic with S T.J. McDonald like because obviously you guys at some point will compete for a job. He’s out of pocket for the first couple of months. What is that like?) – “It’s good and I’ve been asked this for years. Competing with other guys, that’s part of the game and that’s this business. You compete and you’ve got to be on top of your game every day, and me and T.J. know that. We’ve been around long enough and we know that competition is going to just make everybody better. It’s not just me and T.J. competing, you compete with everybody that’s playing safety. You’ve got to be on top of your game every day. Like I said, it’s just going to make everybody better.”
Reshad Jones – May 30, 2017
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017
S Reshad Jones
(What does this defense need to do to improve? I know that’s a broad question but you know what the rankings were last year. What do you think this defense needs to focus on to improve?) – “I think like every other defense in the National Football League, (you have to) stop the run first. We’ve got to be solid on the run and I think if we can handle that, everything else will be alright.”
(Why has stopping the run been a problem? Not just last year, but for several seasons in a row now?) – “For different reasons. Missed fits or missed tackles. It just varies. (There are) different reasons.”
(How much are you looking forward to getting the season going because of how your season ended last year?) – “I’m pretty excited. I watched the playoff run with our guys last year and I wasn’t out there, so I’m pretty excited to be back and to be able to help our team win some football games.”
(What was it like to watch that last year considering you’ve been here since 2010 and hadn’t made the playoffs and now they finally make it and you’re on the sidelines?) – “It was kind of brutal for me but I was happy for my guys that we made the playoffs finally and made that push. But it hurt for me.”
(At what point were you cleared completely physically to resume all football activities?) – “I think after I did my physical. I got cleared a little bit before that but then I got fully cleared after the physical.”
(When was the physical?) – “Last week?”
(So just recently you were cleared?) – “Yes.”
(How was the recovery? What was that like for you?) – “It was a long process. I was in a sling for a while. It was a long process. I’m back fully healthy right now, so I feel good.”
(Was that the toughest challenge you’ve had in your career you would say?) – “I believe it is.”
(How would you describe Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke’s leadership style and personality?) – “Pretty much like (former Defensive Coordinator) ‘V.J.’ (Vance Joseph). He coached under ‘V.J.’ They’re close friends. (It’s the) same defense. Nothing really changed for me. I think it will be fun playing under Coach Burke. He knows a lot too. He knows the system, so I think it will be fun.”
(DT Jordan Phillips was just up here and he was telling us how he needs to be better and how he needs to get more consistent instead of running hot and cold. What have you noticed about Jordan Phillips in the time that he’s been here?) – “A great talent. He’s got all of the athletic ability in the world. I think he can be as good as Ndamukong Suh. Like you said, he just (needs to) put the work in and he’ll be alright.”
(Has DT Jordan Phillips always been – I don’t know how much you interact with him – he’s always been very candid with us about how he needs to be more consistent. Is he like that when you’re around him or whatever defensive meetings that you’re in with him?) – “I think he demands a lot from himself. I think he knows his potential and he just wants to fully reach his potential, like all of us want him to do. Like I said, he’s a great talent. He has all of the athletic ability in the world. I think he can be a big force for us.”
(Obviously last year it was important for you to get that contract. What’s goal No. 1 for you going forward now?) – “Just do all I can to help this team win. Just be consistent, be the guy I’ve always been for this team and for this organization and just be consistent.”
(I know your place in the league, where you see yourself among the best safeties in football is something that’s important to you. Is that still the case?) – “Of course. I just do that to push myself, for me to be better. I always felt like I’m one of the best safeties in the league and I still feel that way. I just want to continue to do that and go out and prove it.”
(Building off of that, kind of an offbeat question. How does it feel when you’re introduced as Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones and do you still consider yourself a Pro Bowl safety?) – “Oh yes, of course. Numbers don’t lie. My numbers are top of the line of all of them, if we look at the numbers. I don’t really worry about that now. The contract is behind me. Everything is cool. I’ll be here for a while. My main focus is to go out and do everything I can to help this team win some football games.”
(Do you like that title? How often do you hear that – Pro Bowl safety?) – “I hear it a lot. It makes me feel good. All of my hard work and dedication has been noticed.”
(What have you said to WR Jarvis Landry or might you say to Landry about the best way to approach and handle when there is a contract extension discussion?) – “Just continue to do the right things, buy into the system, be the leader that you are for the team and for the offensive side of the ball and just to continue to do things the right way and this organization will reward you.”
(When did you get that belief or conviction?) – “Last year, they just told me continue to do the right things. They’re just not going to do things two years before it was time. Everything was right. They kept their word and they made it happen.”
(How is your work with S Nate Allen turning out so far? The cohesion that you need to operate…) – “It’s going pretty good. He’s a veteran guy in the league so we complement each other well. He’s played a lot of football. I think he fits right in. We both played a lot of football and have a lot of snaps so it’s cool.”
(Do you realize you’ve had eight safeties start next to you throughout your career here?) – “I knew I had a lot but I didn’t know it was eight. (laughter)”
(What does it take to create that kind of chemistry with a new guy?) – “Luckily, like I said, I have a veteran guy in Nate (Allen). We both came out – this is our eighth season so we came out (in the same draft) together. I kind of knew him. He knows ball. It’s just bonding. Like this time, during OTAs, just take the time to kind of learn each other (and) get the communication down pat, because we’re like the quarterback on the defensive side of the ball. Basically, getting these reps out here is critical during this time in spring ball.”
(What other player that you’ve seen out here has sprung forward in your head as impressive to you?) – “Tony Lippett is looking good this spring. He’s making some plays. T.J. (McDonald) is running around pretty well. He’s another safety that I think, when he gets back – or whatever his situation is – he’ll be able to help us also. Right now, I think Tony Lippett is playing pretty good.”
(How important to you is your ability to stop the run and where does that come from? You almost seem to have a linebacker mentality against the run. Can you talk about that?) – “I just have a knack for the ball. I was always taught there’s only one football on the field, so get to the ball. It’s just my instincts (and) my God-given ability to be able to get to the ball like that.”
(How important in your mind is CB Xavien Howard’s growth to your group of defensive backs? And from watching a little bit from when he was healthy last year, just thoughts on how he played and where he could improve?) – “I think ‘Zay’ can be one of the top corners in this league. I think he still has a long way to go, but he’s progressing from last year until now. He’s learning different formations and how to handle different splits and things like that. I think he’ll be a tough guy to handle once he fully gets the whole thing and gets a couple more snaps.”
(After last season, CB Byron Maxwell was talking about how good he thinks this secondary can be. This was just before we found out that S Isa Abdul-Quddus wasn’t going to be back. Now that we know Abdul-Quddus won’t be here and to see the pieces that are in this building, where do you see this secondary ranking?) – “It’s early to put any rankings or anything like that; but I do think we have a good group. We have a lot of good pieces in Nate Allen we added and T.J. (McDonald). ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is playing good and like I said, Tony Lippett is playing probably the best ball he’s been playing. I think we can be special. We’ve got the ball rolling in the right direction, we’ve just got to continue to put the work in and make it happen.”
(How much different is the culture this season coming into the second year under Head Coach Adam Gase as opposed to dealing with a rookie head coach, after what you guys were able to accomplish last year?) – “I think it’s a lot better than previous years because this is the second year with our head coach. The bond is there. A lot of guys hang out outside of this building. I think the camaraderie is better than it’s ever been, since I’ve been here. I think we’re building something special here. Like I said, I think we’ve got the ball rolling in the right direction. We just need to keep it going.”
Jordan Phillips – May 30, 2017
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Tuesday, May 30, 2017
DT Jordan Phillips
(Just your thoughts on the increased role you’re going to have? With DT Earl Mitchell’s departure, the likelihood of you playing a lot more snaps – are you looking forward to it? Do you feel you are ready for it at this point in your career?) – “Yes, I’ve grown up a lot. I’m ready for the new opportunity. I’m ready to help the team the way I need to.”
(As far as growing up a lot, can you explain what you mean by that?) – “It’s my third year. I’ve been under the wing of (Ndamukong) Suh for a while and the rest of the guys in the room. I know what to do. I know how to get it done. I’m ready for the challenge.”
(What has your offseason been like as far as your training, body up and down? Anything like that?) – “It has gone (well). Like I said, I’m just ready for the challenge. I went out to Portland and worked out with (Ndamukong) Suh. I feel like my mind is better than it has been. That was my main thing, just trying to get head strong.”
(What do you mean specifically as far as your mind is better?) – “Just finding tips and tricks on how to get me going and stay consistent with that. Just keep my motor going.”
(Regarding workouts or your play?) – “Both. I mean the same thing. How do I phrase it? It was just the hot and cold motor you guys see every once in a while. (I’m) just (trying to find) tricks to keep it going – getting head strong. I don’t really know how to…”
(You sound like you’ve been pretty brutally honest with yourself as far as evaluating your play. Is that…?) – “Well, I’ve got to step up. I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. It’s a big year for me. The team is looking for me to do what I need to do, so that’s what I’m here to do.”
(Was there a conversation you had with Head Coach Adam Gase that kind of spurred all of this?) – “Not at all. I’m just looking at myself in the mirror and what I need to do, and that’s be better. So that’s what I’m going to do.”
(When did that happen, that kind of soul searching?) – “Probably when I got benched last year for those few games. It just opened my eyes to ‘Hey, you’ve got to go in week-in and week-out and do what you need to do, otherwise, you’re going to be put on the bench and you’re not going to play.’”
(So not being hot and cold, just staying hot all the time … That’s a change in mindset, it sounds like you’re saying?) – “I mean I wouldn’t say it’s a change in mindset. Now I just have ways to know what’s going to happen.”
(How would you describe your workouts with DT Ndamukong Suh?) – “I’m just going to keep those private. They did what they needed to do.”
(Are you noticing a difference already on the practice field?) – “I feel like that, but the coaches can speak on that.”
(Just from a stamina standpoint in terms of playing more snaps, anything you’ve had to do or are going to do over the course of the next two months body-wise?) – “I have some weight to lose. I’ll try to get down to a better (weight). I played at 336 (pounds) last year. I’m trying to get down to about 320 (pounds) and see where that takes me.”
(Where is your weight at now?) – “Right around 335 – somewhere in there.”
(You’ve always been very brutally honest about your performance. Where does that come from?) – “You guys see what I do on Sundays. There is no use in sugarcoating it. Everybody knows (so you) might as well be honest with yourself.”
(Did you come out of the last two years unsatisfied?) – “One-hundred percent. (I’m a) second-round pick that hasn’t done what I’ve needed to do so far. It’s time to step up.”
(How close are you to being the player that you want to be? I know that’s a strange question. Will it happen this season? Or do you think the first part of this season?) – “I’ll let my play show for itself.”
(When you talk about a hot and cold motor, is that effort or concentration or a combination of the two? What specifically are you seeing that is the cause of that?) – “There are a lot of variables that go into it. Just technique-wise, stamina, knowing the schemes, knowing football in general. I feel like I’m ahead of the curve than I was a couple years back.”
(Knowing schemes, how important is it that former Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s replacement came from within with Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke?) – “I guess it wasn’t our scheme. It was just studying more film on the opponents and stuff like that. I know our scheme really well.”
(But you won’t have to learn a new defensive scheme.) – “Yes. That helps a lot. We’re rolling right into it. We have some different stuff; we have some same stuff. We caught onto it well and we’ll see where it goes.”
(How will you know if and when you reach your full potential?) – “When I’m an All-Pro defensive tackle and I make the Pro Bowl.”
(What have you liked about your game since you’ve been in the league? What are some of the things that you’ve done well or that you’ve liked that you’ve done?) – “Last year was a big jump for me. I felt like I ran to the ball really well. I made some big plays and I’ve just got to get more of them, I guess.”
(Your interception, where does that rank on your list of achievements and what went right for you on that play?) – “I mean that’s not that high (on the list) for me. That’s not what a defensive tackle does. I’d rather be more of a run stopper and kill the run than dropping back and intercepting balls. It was fun. I enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong. But that’s not what I’m here to do.”
(This mindset that you speak of, how much of it, if any, might be a result of either working out with DT Ndamukong Suh or just talking with him and maybe getting advice from him?) – “Like I said, I’m just going to keep all of that stuff private.”
(DT Ndamukong Suh put a lot of the blame on his shoulders for last season with the rush defense. Is that fair?) – “Not at all. We’re a unit. We’re a great unit. We had some things that didn’t go the right way – some people out of gaps, some missed tackles. We’re plays away from being a great defense and we’ll do that this year, I hope.”
(What is unique about Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke’s leadership style and personality?) – “I honestly couldn’t tell you. He’s another young guy like (Head Coach Adam) Gase. He relates to all of us well. He’s just fun to be around. He brings a lot of energy.”
(What’s the accountability like for you in that corner of the locker room when you have guys like DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Andre Branch and DE Cameron Wake – some veterans?) – “Obviously we have a lot of money in our room. (laughter) We get paid the way we do for a reason. A lot of things depend on us and we’ve just got to get it done.”
(How much do those guys hold you specifically accountable though, because they have such a high standard of play for that unit?) – “I wouldn’t say they affect that at all, because we all have high standards for ourselves. With the unit, it’s more us putting pressure on ourselves to play the way that they do. It’s not more of them saying anything. I mean you don’t want to disappoint them. You know what they’ve done, the accomplishments they have, so it’s just living up to what they can do and try to be better.”
(You mentioned earlier finding tricks to make it not as hot and cold. Have you found one that works?) – “I guess you guys will see when I play.”
