Charles Harris – July 28, 2017
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Friday, July 28, 2017
Defensive End Charles Harris
(First two days of practice, how do you feel right now?) – “I feel good. I feel ready to go. (It was a) long break. I’m not used to that in college. So I’m ready to go.”
(How do you handle the heat?) – “I’m adjusting pretty well. Everybody is adjusting pretty well … I think the first day was a little hot, but today was hotter than yesterday; but today was a lot easier in terms of the wind and everything. I think everyone is getting acclimated to it.”
(Talk about a guy like DE Cameron Wake. He’s such a great player.) – “It’s great. I’m learning from him on and off the field, in the film room and stuff like that. I just watch him, just be in the background watching him, watch the way he moves and stuff like that, the way he gets ready for practice. It’s great.”
(I also saw you talking to DE Andre Branch. What’s it like being with a lot of veterans at your position? How much do you think that’s going to help you?) – “It helps me a lot. As a rookie, it’s hard to come in and know everything, so it’s always good to have somebody ahead of you to teach you the ropes and teach you everything. After every single play – I think you all probably saw today – Branch pulled me to the side and told me what I did right, what I did wrong. The great thing about it is that (Defensive Line) Coach ‘T’ (Terrell Williams) doesn’t have to tell us. The veterans a lot of times are correcting us, which I think that’s why we’re like a well-oiled machine.”
(What are some specific things you focused on in training camp?) – “So far, working against tight ends. Playing against the run and stuff like that. We don’t have pads on, so just getting my hands right for the pass rush.”
(Is there a level of excitement that pads come on tomorrow?) – “Definitely. Across the board. I think everybody will know it’s coming up. Defense, we’re about to get to rocking. It’s going to be good.”
(The first game is less than two weeks away.) – “I’ve got to take it one day at a time. I’m not really thinking about the game right now, just really thinking about practice. I feel like by the end of camp … Camp is designed for you to get ready, so the end of camp we’ll be ready.”
(It’s still very early, but what so far have you noticed between an NFL training camp and the summer program at Mizzou?) – “I think between here and college, it’s really the time that you have. I feel like we got a lot less time at night, but throughout the day we have more time in the middle of the day and stuff like that. It’s about what you do in between the day. I feel like everybody … Right now, you go into the room – into the building – everybody is in the cold tub, everybody is recovering. That’s the biggest thing is you have to take care of your body during training camp.”
(There’s been a lot of talk about how polished you are as a pass rusher and your ability to use your hands. Where did you begin cultivating that? Who’s helped you most with your hands?) – “Probably coach ‘Dre’ (Andre Carter), our assistant d-line coach. He helps us a lot. Actually, after practice, just a minute ago, I was out there perfecting my hands and stuff like that. From college, ‘Coach Kool’ (Craig Kuligowski). Coming here to the NFL, I feel like Coach ‘T’ and Coach ‘Dre’ take it to a whole other level.”
(How’s life for a rookie first-round draft pick in that group with those veterans? Do you hear the business or what’s the talk? Normally, there’s a history in the NFL of people picking on rookies. First-round draft pick, you have a lot of veterans in there. Have you heard any of that?) – “What happens indoors stays in our doors. (laughter) I’m not going to speak on things that we do. But it’s great. I couldn’t imagine another group of guys I’d rather be under and learning from.”
(What’s something that former DE Jason Taylor has said in conversation or literally showed you that helped you?) – “The biggest thing I took away from working out with him was the things he did post-practice during camp, when your body is tired, when it’s after practice and you’ve already drained yourself; but it’s like working technique, working on fundamentals. Post-practice is what’s going to really help you in the fourth quarter late in the game or even in overtime, when the offensive tackle is tired. You might be winded as well, but you still got your technique, and that’s one thing that can always out beat an opponent.”
(How big is that for a rookie like yourself to work with a Hall of Famer?) – “It’s great. I couldn’t imagine another Hall of Famer I’d rather learn after. But it’s great. It’s great overall.”
(What do you remember about former DE Jason Taylor as a player?) – “Just his relentlessness, especially his stab-club-rip – his go-to move, and the way he bend the corner. He was always relentless against the pass, the run, things like that.”
Raekwon McMillan – July 28, 2017
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Friday, July 28, 2017
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan
(What is the biggest adjustment you’ve had to make coming from college – Ohio State – to now here in the NFL?) – “In Ohio, it wasn’t this hot, for one; but just coming in and being around veteran guys. At Ohio State, I came in and I started as a freshman. So I was in early and I kind of built leadership early; but here, I don’t have to be that leader out there. They’ve already got leaders on the team – guys who have been in the league for five, six, seven, eight, nine or 10 years. So I don’t have to be that vocal leader out there. I just need to do my job and figure my stuff out first.”
(You’re known as a physical player. When [shoulder] pads come on tomorrow, how does practice change from today to tomorrow?) – “It’s my first one. All I can tell you is when the pads come on, it’s a different level of physicality. A lot of the thinking goes out of the window because it becomes more of a physical game; not more mental, touchy, touchy. It’s physical with the pads on.”
(How do you handle yourself out here in the ‘touchy, touchy’ periods of practice?) – “You just practice like a pro – keep everybody up, try not to get anybody hurt, no feet tangled up or anything like that. But when the pads come on, you know we’ll be physical.”
(Is it a little frustrating out there when you can’t tackle?) – “No, it’s part of being a pro.”
(Would starting be something important to you? Obviously with LB Koa Misi out for the year, there’s even a greater opportunity. Is that a goal?) – “Yes, it’s definitely a goal of mine; but it’s a long-term goal. What I have to focus on is getting better tomorrow and focusing on what I did wrong today so I can get better tomorrow.”
(How comfortable are you at Mike linebacker? We saw you out there today.) – “I’m comfortable at Mike but we’ve been switching out and doing a lot of things out here. But I’m very comfortable out there at Mike.”
(You’ve been at Mike and strong side, those two?) – “I’ve been playing all three – whatever my coach wants me to do.”
(Your strengths right now, you point to what? I know coaches have talked about how prepared you are, how you know the playbook. What would you point to as your strengths at this point?) – “Just coming in prepared. I try to be one of the most prepared guys out there. I haven’t gotten everything down pat. I learn as I go, picking things up from the veterans; but other than that, I think being just mentally prepared and physically prepared with my body.”
(When you’re playing the middle linebacker position, is that a situation where the middle linebacker calls the plays? Is that how that would work in two weeks?) – “Yes. I call the plays. I get the huddle call for the guys and get everything lined up. But then from there, everybody makes their own checks and calls too.”
(If they do end up putting you in the middle, how much of a pride – and of course we’re a long way off from knowing that – but how much pride would you take in that knowing there are two established pros who have been successful middle linebackers that would be alongside you in LB Lawrence Timmons and LB Kiko Alonso?) – “There are a lot of expectations for me. Those guys are proven leaders and proven players out there on the field. So going out there and living up to my own expectations and playing to a high standard.”
(You mentioned the heat. How tough it is to sometimes concentrate when it’s this hot?) – “It’s hard to concentrate right now talking to you all. (laughter) Other than that, it’s alright once you get used to it. We’ve been down here for a little while and got a little taste of it in the spring, but there isn’t nothing like this.”
(How has the Ohio State program prepared you for the NFL?) – “It’s the best program in the nation, to me. There’s no place I feel like a recruit should rather go than Ohio State, because you can get mentally prepared for the NFL physically and you’ll win championships at Ohio State.”
(Outside of the heat, what is the biggest challenge about this process?) – “Just learning the game. It’s a different game. The (hash marks), player speed, physicality, it’s just a totally different game that you have to prepare for.”
(Will you get to tackle someone before the Falcons game?) – “You tell me. This is my first (training camp). (laughter)”
(Saturday scrimmage at the stadium, maybe?) – “I don’t know. I’m worried about tomorrow. I don’t know what they have going on, but hopefully.”
(What’s the best way to be a good tackler when you hardly practice it?) – “You always practice it mentally. So when you’re pursuing the ball, we always do the eyes-through-the-thighs, wrap-and-roll type tackle. Just getting low, bending your knees and always being in a good football position.”
Stephen Ross – July 27, 2017
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen Ross
(Were you here at all this morning?) – “No.”
(Were you sorry to miss it, the first day?) – “Yes. I’ve been here before – been there, done that as they say. We had a meeting with the city so I had to take care of that as opposed to … I would have otherwise been here.”
(What are your thoughts about getting started?) – “I think everybody is excited to get started. While we had a good season last year, I think everybody is excited for this year. Ticket sales have kind of reflected that. I think just the whole attitude. You can feel it in the town. I’m ready for football.”
(Expectations?) – “Every year you want to go all the way. That’s where you start. I don’t have any real predictions because if I do, I get killed by you guys anyway (laughter).”
(Do you feel like you have things in place here?) – “Yes. I really think – as I said last year and I think you can see it – I think we have a team that really is working well together. By the team, I mean the front office, both on the business side and the football side. I’m really kind of thrilled the way things are … I think we have the right people and that’s key. I believe in them and they work together well. That’s as important.”
(Were you surprised it took as long as it has to get this core organization working the way you want it to?) – “Yes, I mean sure, I would have liked it to have been that way a lot sooner; but I can only look at it today. You guys are writing about the future and today, not about the past.”
(How different does it feel than a year ago when Adam Gase was a rookie head coach and everything was new?) – “I told you last time that I really believe in Adam. I spend a lot of time … I told you it was my decision last time. I wasn’t enlisting consultants. We didn’t have any consultants in the room when we hired him. It was something that I went with my gut. I did a lot of homework. I’m thrilled. I think maybe you guys were a lot more skeptical. You had to see it yourself. The proof in the pudding is in the eating. I think today and when you talk to people, when you read the papers, everybody is talking about what a great, young coach Miami has.”
(What do you think of the soccer? Is that coming about as you planned, as you dreamed?) – “Yes. I don’t know how much you guys know about it but we started this five years ago. This is our fifth year bringing European soccer to the United States for this two-week period. It’s grown and grown and grown. Yesterday we had 92,000 people at our game in Los Angeles. We had over 70,000 in Washington and we had 45,000 here (at Hard Rock Stadium) last night. It’ll be sold out for El Clasico. We’ve also had last weekend 82,000 in New York, 67,000 in Houston and 67,000 in San Francisco. It really shows you 1) the popularity of soccer. It is growing in this country, there’s no question about it. But it also shows you that people really want to see the great stars, the great performers and the great teams. I think that’s why you see these type of crowds.”
(Any word on Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo playing in El Clasico on Saturday?) – “I’d like to say I’m optimistic. We’ve reached out. We’ve done everything that we can. He has some complex issues, as you all know, back in Spain. He hasn’t said absolutely not. I have a plane waiting. (laughter) But I really don’t know. I can’t … I’m more, probably, pessimistic than I am optimistic; but he hasn’t said finally no. We’ll probably know relatively soon.”
(Now that you’ve made the playoffs, did you find yourself this offseason thinking about the Super Bowl a little bit more and did it seem a little more tangible or touchable?) – “I think you take one step at a time. I’ve been in business for a long time. You’ve got to take one day at a time and one season at a time and growing it. I also don’t want to put anybody in a situation where they have expectations that everybody doesn’t want to see … They have expectations; we all have great expectations. But you’ve got to be realistic. We’re a young, growing team.”
(Earlier this week, the CTE study was released out of Boston University. What are your thoughts on that study?) – “We do everything as a team and as a league to really make sure we’re looking at all the different issues. We’re all concerned about it. There’s a tremendous amount of research that’s going into it and things to make it better. As close as I am, I know if I had a son, I’d have him playing football today. Yes, these are things of concern; but I know so much attention, time and money and everybody’s efforts is looking to really make sure the sport is safer. They’ve done many, many rule changes over the last number of years to do that. I think we’ll just keep doing that until we really find a solution.”
(Do you worry about the long-term health of the game?) – “I think if you look at … I think the way people look at football today, I think it’s as popular as it has probably ever been, and I think it’ll continue to be that way. I think the things that we do are forward thinking. We’re not just sitting back as a league – certainly we not as a team – and saying, ‘Hey, everything is great,’ and not realize that there are issues, and you’ve got to make them better. I think that’s what we’re all – in this business – and I think every owner in the league feels the same way.”
(You have a number of the 1972 guys that are dealing with cognitive issues. Where you surprised to read about the Jim Kiick’s and all that?) – “I was very saddened to know about that. You’ve read that it’s not just Miami Dolphins; it’s across the league (that) there have been players. At the same time, many great players that are still around that have suffered nothing and you see them have full, healthy lives. But you hate to see any one person really suffer.”
(What did it mean to you for RISE to win the ESPN Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award?) – “I really believed in RISE. I think we put together an organization and seeing the impact that we’re having and the fact that somebody else recognizes that, I think is important. I think it’s great for the country. I think it’s great for sports in general. This isn’t a Miami Dolphins issue, it’s not an NFL issue, it’s a country’s issue. I think seeing everybody coming together and dealing with that and trying to make the world a better place, you have to feel good about something like that.”
(Are you seeing your program spread though throughout the league? Are other owners taking on that responsibility of mentoring, doing internships?) – “That’s different than RISE, but yes. I think people recognized what we were doing. I had dinner the other night with (Commissioner) Roger (Goodell) and he said, ‘It’s great what you guys have done.’ I think everybody in the league should be doing things like that for players and recognizing what they put into it and making sure that part of your responsibility is when the game is over, that they can really use that same passion that they have for something else and lead a really successful life, because we all know that a football player’s life is very short in comparison to your life span.”
(You already made a vast investment on the stadium the last couple of years. What kind of facility will fans see when they drive up this year and is there anything else in the works in that area?) – “Yes. With this year … in other words you haven’t been out there yet this year? I mean you’re going to see a lot of landscaping that’s been put in there. We’ve re-done all the clubs, the suites and that’s all brand new. There are a lot of punch-list items so if I went there today, could I tell you it was finished? No. But it looks damn good. It will be ready for our home opener – the exhibition – it will be complete. Next year.”
Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs Jason Jenkins:
“The press box will be done as well.”
Stephen Ross:
“You guys will like that. (laughter)”
(That’s the big one) – “What do you care about anybody else? You guys are taken care of. (laughter) But next year we’ll be putting in bridges and tunnels so that fans will have a better experience of arriving and departing from the stadium, where the fans will walk underneath the ring road, so that the cars can get out of there a lot faster. And also walking in, the safety issues of going over Dan Marino Boulevard, where we’ll have bridges to take the fans over there. I think that will have a big impact. The whole thing is to make the experience at the game that much better. I think our stadium is unique and I think fans really appreciate it.”
(Regarding WR Jarvis Landry, what do you think of the way that he’s handled himself this offseason and where do things stand between him and the organization?) – “I think that he’s a great player. There’s no question about it. I think he’s handled himself well. He didn’t hold out. It’s not a question if we don’t sign him now, we lose him. We can franchise him and go from there. So there is a lot of opportunity for him to stay here. I hope he stays here because he’s a great player.”
(Are you optimistic that you guys will get a deal done with WR Jarvis Landry before the season?) – “I don’t know if before the season, but like I said, it’s not really mandatory that we do it before the season.”
(There’s a lot of perception that QB Colin Kaepernick is being black-balled from the NFL and owners are somewhat involved in this situation. What is your viewpoint on … You stood kind of supporting your players when they made a social stance. Do you feel like Colin Kaepernick is being punished for making a social stance?) – “I would sure hope not. I know that a lot has been written about it, but you know owners or coaches – even more specifically – they’ll do anything it takes to win. And if they think he can help them win, I’m sure … I would hope they would sign him.”
(There was a Wall Street Journal report in May that said you had bid for the Marlins at some point. Just to address that, was that true and is there any price point in which you’d have interest?) – “I have my hands full with the Dolphins, the stadium and I wish them well.”
(Have any of the current people trying to buy the Marlins approached you looking for you to invest?) – “I’ve had phone calls, but I’m not interested.”
(As you know, the NFL has gone from exhibitions to sending regular season games overseas, including high-level games like the Dolphins and the Jets. I’m wondering if you see a time when European Leagues will reciprocate and send regular season matches here. And if so, are you interested in such a thing?) – “Well certainly … I mean the rules there prohibit that at this point. You can’t play games outside of your country and then there’s the Champions League, and they also cannot play outside of Europe, wherever the games are designated. Certainly we’d be interested in having that. To bring big games here that are more meaningful would be great. But I think having the great teams that are coming here playing each other and seeing the great stars there, I think, are what the fans really want to see in other words. But I think you never know what’s going to happen there because there’s a lot of pressure for media dollars and everything else. So how the teams in Europe look at it, it wouldn’t surprise me if at some point they play games outside their country; but right now they’re prohibited from that.”
(Is there anything new to report on potential tennis at Hard Rock Stadium?) – “Stay tuned.”
(It’s in the works then?) – “It’s a thought. (laughter)”
(The NFL has made hosting a Super Bowl … one of the requirements that it wants to impose is that the team plays overseas in London. Is that unfair to teams in cities that want to host Super Bowls – as opposed to cold weather cities that aren’t even getting involved in stuff like that – to give up a home game?) – “I think it’s great for really promoting the brand by going international. A lot of teams are reluctant to do that. We did that when we were building the stadium to give us more time to build it the first year. We’re going this year because that’s part of getting the Super Bowl. I think what should happen is that as long as we’re promoting international football, they should have a schedule where every team would have to give up a home game so that it’s not unfair to the smaller cities are putting pressure on to having to do that just to host the Super Bowl.”
(It seems silly for David Beckham to go through all of these hoops to try to find a stadium when your location and venue, albeit large, seems to be more appealing than anything they could built at that location. Have you ever talked to his group or to the MLS commissioner about hosting an MLS team at your venue?) – “There have been conversations but nothing really serious. I think what the fans want to see is the great teams that we’re bringing here. I think it would be an awful lot of competition to bring a team here knowing that we are bringing all of these great games to Miami. You’re still fighting for the sports dollar. You’re competing for that. I think there are crowds of building a stadium for 20,000 seats when you see how we can fill up a stadium with the stars coming in. I think Miami is a great event city. That’s what it’s known as. It’s not the great sports city we’d like to think we are. Coming in to compete with us, I wouldn’t want to be doing that.”
(Have they approached you at all? The David Beckham group, have they talked to you at all?) – “I think that they realize our stadium is too big.”
(As far as the Miami Marlins situation goes, do you feel like the sell of that team and buying a pro franchise has gone awry, has gone wrong?) – “I think that (the Marlins ownership) is holding out right now for dollars that are unrealistic, that’s what I would guess. And they have their issues certainly; but that’s their problem. I’ve got to worry about mine.”
(Has there been any talks in the NFL about extra security measures between the Dolphins and the NFL and the Saints when you guys go to London?) – “There will be severe security precautions there. Everybody’s aware of that. Certainly with what’s happening in London and everybody’s aware, so I’m sure that’s all will being taken care of. The league is very serious about that, as we are at our stadiums here.”
(Amongst Pro Bowl, the NFL Draft, the Scouting Combine, which has obviously been an Indianapolis staple for years. Do any of those appeal to you to the point where you’ve mentioned it to the commissioner and you’re prepared to aggressively pursue any of those three?) – “I think people are satisfied with the Combine. People get caught in their ways. It’s working in Indianapolis. I haven’t heard any conversation of moving the Combine. We had the Pro Bowl here. I think it’s been in Orlando and it’s scheduled to go to Orlando again. The real question is should we continue with the Pro Bowl? That’s really the bigger question.”
(The NFL Draft, is there any interest in hosting the NFL Draft?) – “I don’t know where you would host it, that’s the issue. It was really cool what they did last year in Philadelphia. It’s a nice time of the year here, the end of April is as nice as it gets; but you still can’t be sure that it’s not going to rain. That’s the issue here. But if there was really kind of a neat place, if anybody has any ideas, we would certainly support it.”
(No questions about the coach, is he going to last, or the team not making the playoffs. This is like the first time you’ve gone into a season where everything seems to be hitting on all cylinders.) – “Let’s not jinx ourselves.”
Adam Gase – July 27, 2017
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
Head Coach Adam Gase
(C Mike Pouncey told us to ask you what the plan is for him in camp. Can you shed any light on that?) – “No. We’re going to take it one day at a time. The guys have a good plan as far as his progression going through training camp and what days he’s doing individual, when he can start doing plays, days he has off. I told him I was like we have the best Jane Fonda workouts for you right now (laughter). He’s dreading the cardio stuff. But he’s done such a good job of trusting these guys and sticking with the plan that they’re setting up for him. It will be nice when we get him on the field.”
(C Mike Pouncey seems in good spirits, though. A lot of smiling today and in practice today. How happy was he just to be out there?) – “I told him the same thing last night. I mean he couldn’t stop smiling and when he’s in the meeting room and he’s like coming out of his seat. You could just tell he was … he missed it. When it’s taken away from you and it has been a few times, I think it really hit him this time to where he wants to make sure he’s out there, he can contribute and he can help us do what we’re trying to do.”
(Can you explain the thinking behind the video boards at practice?) – “We kind of started investigating this in spring. We were working with 8K Solutions and one of the guys that works for Bob White (at 8K Solutions) has known (Video Director) Mike Nobler and myself for a long time and we kind of heard, and (Owner) Mr. (Stephen) Ross kind of knew about it and we’ve been discussing it. We weren’t really sure what was the best way we could implement it. We started doing it in the spring and our guys really liked it and they kept looking back and seeing the replay and when they were out, you can take one of the boards and show that period that was going on. Our guys kept asking us about it and we thought this really might be something good for us going forward. I don’t know everything about it. They started asking me questions. They were like ‘Hey, can we get this period up?’ I’m like ‘I’m calling plays right now. I’m really not worried about it.’ But the guys really liking, that helps us a lot. It’s just another tool for us to almost start watching film before we get in the meeting room.”
(Coming off the playoff season, does training camp feel any different and are expectations changed?) – “The only thing that feels different about training camp, I just really feel like our guys came out there with a purpose, just knowing what to expect and they’re able to come out there knowing that ‘Hey, first day we’re doing red zone and prepare over the summer and be ready to go,’ and they come out here and play fast, taking every rep as serious as possible and making the most everything that we’re doing. That’s something that we’re looking to continue to do throughout training camp. We keep talking about maximizing every day and with how short training camp is and one practice a day, and then you’ve got a walk through, we’ve got to make sure that we make everything count.”
(Can you give us an update on S Reshad Jones’ status, why he began on NFI and TE Anthony Fasano?) – “So Anthony, he’s got a personal thing that he’s attending to right now. I’ve been well aware of that for a few days here. There’s no timetable. I can’t give you an exact day he’ll be back, but when he handles what he needs to handle right now, then football will be here. But he’s doing what he needs to do right. With Reshad, we’re just being precautionary. It’s what happens sometimes when it’s the offseason and you come in sometimes when you’re working out and something doesn’t feel quite right. We’re not going to rush him out there and say ‘Hey, he’s standing out there unhealthy.’ But it’s nothing major.”
(I know it’s only the first practice at camp but how encouraging was it to see WR DeVante Parker pick up pretty much where he left off in spring?) – “Just seeing him come in, you really can tell with him with just his body and how lean he looks and his attitude in the meetings that he was ready to go today, that he’s prepared all summer. These guys have been down here for a while. They took a little bit of a break but it sounds like the majority of them were hanging out all summer working together and I think he was not looking to kind of ease into camp. Last night when I talke to him, he was ready to get after it right away.”
(Obviously with LB Koa Misi being out for the year and the third linebacker job … Obviously a lot of young guys with LB Raekwon McMillan and LB Mike Hull and LB Neville Hewitt. How are you going to approach that in terms of sharing snaps among those three? What’s your thinking in that spot at this point?) – “With us putting Koa (Misi) on IR going into it, that was … He’s coming off of a major neck injury. That was going to be a bonus (if we had him). I mean we’ve been preparing for this for a while. I know nobody else realized that, but we kind of have an idea of what we’re doing. We feel good about everybody’s that’s in that linebacker group. The great thing is they have a lot of experience because they had to play last year. When that second group goes out there, I don’t have a lot of worries.”
(You said early this week that you still had confidence that LB Koa Misi might play again someday. Does that remain true?) – “This caught me a little bit off guard, as far as when we had to put him on IR. It wasn’t really the answer we were expecting and when we got the results, went back out there to kind of have another talk with the doctor, the timetable was not ideal. It was going to be more time – a lot more time – and that was the decision that was made with all of us, in conversation between him, his agent and our front office. I can’t speak on moving forward. My discussions with him yesterday was we’ve got a long time to go before we have to have our next conversation. Right now it’s about getting him healthy and kind of go through that process. This is not something that you can lift or … There’s only certain rehab things that he can do. It’s time. It’s healing. It’s kind of your body dealing with this and it’s a tough … It’s a wait and see for him all the time. It’s a tough thing for a professional athlete to go through because you’re completely out of control.”
(With LB Raekwon McMillan and all of these young guys – LB Mike Hull and LB Neville Hewitt – what do you want to see from them to get that third spot?) – “I think continue with the knowledge of the defense and really kind of get in that reaction state instead of thinking. Sometimes with younger players, they start thinking about ‘Well what if this happens? What if this happens?’ And you have so much mental clutter that you don’t react as fast. That’s why you see sometimes that Mike and Neville, they’ve been doing it for a couple years now and it becomes more reactionary. It takes a minute to get adjusted to … When you are in training camp, all of a sudden it is a little faster than the spring. There is probably a big sense of urgency because of the time. It’s going to be us going through our process day in and day out and we’ll just see how that whole thing shakes out and develops. I like where we’re at right now and I like the way the guys are working.”
(What did you see from DE Charles Harris today?) – “We threw a couple of different things at him just to make sure those edge guys weren’t just coming around the corner, so we tried to run the ball a little bit more. It’s just what we saw in the spring. The get-off off the ball is outstanding. He has a good grasp of what we’re doing defensively. Every time he gets a look that he hasn’t seen before or something that he rarely saw in college – it’s a good thing for him because we need to throw as much as we can with the looks, protections, play actions, run game – as much as we can at him so he can get used to seeing all of these things because when we get in real games, every week is a different animal. You just never know what you’re going to see.”
(What’s the difference between the first day of training camp QB Ryan Tannehill this year versus first day of training camp last year?) – “He’s already corrected me about three times on play calls. (laughter) So that was one. He’s just more comfortable with everything he does. I see a guy that is completely in control of the huddle. Those guys do a great job. The communication was really good today. If something wasn’t quite right on what happened or if the defense played something right, they knew how to talk to each other as far as ‘Here is what we have to do to adjust this.’ They’re making those changes that most coaches have to make. They’re already coming to me being like, ‘Hey, we have to do this, this and this if they’re going to do it like this.’ It’s not only him, it’s that group of skill guys. It’s that comfortability of they have an idea of what’s going on. Last year you walked into this and it was like, ‘Where are we going with this? How does this work? When things don’t quite go right, what’s our answer?’ Now they’re one step ahead. It was fun to go through that today because those guys look like we just had an OTA like three days ago. They look really comfortable and the speed of practice was good.”
(What did you like about CB Alterraun Verner to sign him?) – “Any time you can get a guy who’s been around for a minute is great. We were probably a little surprised that we had the opportunity. Any time we can bring in a guy and bring in competition, it always puts you in a position to where if something happens, at least you have an answer. If you bring in a guy like that, all of a sudden the young guys that are working to fight for a spot, that raises some antennas. You better be on it because you have a guy that’s done it.”
(Do you envision CB Alterraun Verner playing inside or is he going to be working on the boundary?) – “We’ll be mixing him up. We’ll do everything. We’re always going to … The way we do our personnel groups – you see Bobby (McCain) go outside every once in a while because we’re always going … When you get to game day, you only have so many guys active so everybody has to be ready to do everything. Those guys train, they cross-train, just like every other position. We’ll emphasize more inside but he’s going to do enough outside to where he’ll have that experience. It’s just creating competition among that whole group, whether it be inside or outside.”
Mike Pouncey – July 27, 2017
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
C Mike Pouncey
(How is the hip?) – “It feels real good. It felt great running around out there today. We’ve got an awesome plan that I’m all aboard with and I can’t wait to get out there and get going.”
(What is the plan?) – “You’ve got to ask (Head Coach Adam) Gase. (laughter)”
(How big was it not to start camp on PUP?) – “It was great. I was able to come out today and run around with my helmet on, get back used to doing football stuff. It felt great going out there. I was kind of nervous at first because it was my first time being back on the football field. I don’t know if it was nerves or excitement. It was a long, humbling process for me. I had a lot of dark days during the recovery part of it. I’m just glad to be on the bright side of it.”
(Did it make you appreciate the game a little more maybe?) – “Just appreciate … not the game as much, but just not taking it for granted. There was one play that I had that could’ve taken away my whole career. I’m just glad to be out here with the guys again and be able to play the sport that I love.”
(You sent out that Instagram post after the hospital visit. What did you learn that got you so excited?) – “Obviously the doc cleared me to play football again. It was something that all of us had expected, but we always had doubt in our mind because of the extent of the injury. I’m just glad that I got the news that I got and I wanted to get it out to you guys before today got here.”
(What was the most difficult part about this journey for you?) – “The most difficult part I think was just the recovery process. What I had going on in my hip was different than any other surgery I’d had. I could tell you one thing, God is good because without him, I wouldn’t have been able to get through this. My family was there for me each and every day. They kept me positive through all the dark days. It just feels good. Today I just couldn’t stop smiling pulling in because I knew I was going to get back on the football field and get out here and run around with the guys. I just can’t wait until I start back doing everything with them.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase said if it was up to him, he’d be like leaving you right next to him in [bubble wrap]) – “(laughter) Me and him have a little disagreement on that; but he wants to keep me in a bubble and I’m fine with it. I just want to get back out and work on being a good football player again.”
(How bad was the pain last year?) – “The pain? It was bad most of the time, but I kept wanting to get back out there. That was my biggest thing was just keep pushing through it. Some of the days I felt like I couldn’t walk. Now I’m back healthy and it’s made me appreciate everything that I went through.”
(How much time would you want to see in the preseason?) – “As much as they want me to. I want to get back out there and play football again. I’m a football player; I play football. If I can get all of those quality reps that they want to see me during practice, I’m fine with that. If they don’t want me playing in any games, I’m fine with that. If they want me to get out there with the guys, then I’m more than fine. I’m comfortable with it.”
(How good could this offensive line be?) – “I think it could be really good. We’ve got a lot of talent up there. We’ve got a lot of guys that come in and work their tails off each and every day. I feel really good about our offensive line coach and the things he’s taught us over the past year has just been awesome. I think our offensive line could be really good.”
(With the chemistry, how long will it take you particularly to develop, if you haven’t played in a game?) – “I don’t think it’s going to take that much. I’ve had situations where I’ve missed all of training camp, I missed the first four games of the season and came back and played really, really well. I’m not too concerned about it. This is our second year in this offense so we know the plays really well. The communication part we’ve got down pat. It’s just getting back out there and getting comfortable as a football player.”
(What do you think is the most important thing that has to happen between now and Tampa kickoff?) – “No setbacks. Just staying healthy.”
(We saw you out there dancing earlier, did you kind of hesitate on doing the hip moves when you dance?) – “No. Heck, no. (laughter) If that was the case, I wouldn’t be out here at all. I was just excited to be out there today. The music got me going a little bit. Seeing the fans and everybody out here today, I’m just excited. I thinks it’s been 37 weeks since I had my injury and a lot of those weeks were hard to deal with. But I was just excited to be back out there because football has done so much for me and my family. I’m just very grateful.”
(Who specifically helped keep you up, like you said, on those dark days?) – “My girlfriend, my kids, my brother, my mom, my dad. Even when I doubted myself, they believed in me. We pulled through this together. Without them it wouldn’t even be possible.”
(How much football do you feel like you have left in that body? You’re only 28.) – “I’m playing this whole contract out, whatever years are left. (laughter) I don’t even know.”
(Was there a point where you wondered if this day would even come?) – “Yes. When I first got the injury and was seeing different doctors, I thought this day would never come. Then just believing in myself and believing in the hard work. A lot of credit has to go to (Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist) Jon Gress, our physical therapist. He’s been with me through every surgery that I had and this was our toughest task. The plan he had this whole offseason – starting my rehab and then doing the stem cell surgery – a lot of credit goes to him. He got me through this and I feel great being out here right now. All through my other hip surgeries, I never gave him any credit; but he deserves a lot of the credit for this one.”
(You had a nice couple of days. Your birthday was Monday, you got good news the other day and now you’re starting training camp.) – “It’s been awesome. It’s been an up and down roller coaster, but to be where I’m at right now, I never thought I would be here; but it feels great to be back.”
(You had a lost this offseason with former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez. You took to Instagram and talked about that. What was that entire experience like for you?) – “It was tough. Obviously I don’t condone the things that he was accused of; but just to have a friend that I was so close with and I felt like he was my brother and I know he felt the same way, it was tough. It is tough for anybody that has a loss in their family; but that one there kind of hit me and my brother really hard.”
(What did you talk about with former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez in your last conversation?) – “Just about the case that he had just won. He was excited and ready to fight the first one again. Just a lot of different stuff. I was happy for him. It was just tough.”
(Did former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez seem in good spirits then?) – “He was in great spirits in our conversation. We’re still shocked to this day that we are even at this point.”
(How is former Patriots TE Aaron Hernandez’s family doing?) – “Everyone is good. His wife and daughter were down here spending time with us this offseason and they are doing really well.”
Ryan Tannehill – July 27, 2017
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(How’d it go Day 1 out there?) – “Day 1, it feels good to be back out. I think everyone out here has put a lot of work into this offseason. To finally be able to kick off the year feels really good. Guys are out there working. I think you can see that the guys prepared over our break, came back in shape and ready to go. I’m excited about the way we kicked things off. Obviously, we have a lot of things to correct’ but it was a good first day for us.”
(Everybody keeps coming at you about your knee. How was it today? How did you feel out there?) – “It feels good, just like it did in the spring. No changes, even better.”
(Coming off a playoff season, does camp feel any different? Do expectations change?) – “Expectations are up, but that’s what you want. You want to be putting that pressure on yourself. I think we have the right people in this building to do what we need to do and the mindset is right. Now it’s a matter of establishing practice habits, going out, pushing each other each and every day, making those gains, getting better every day and showing up on Sundays. Ultimately, that’s what it comes down to. It doesn’t matter what you say, what you think. It matters putting the work in, preparing through the process and showing up on Sundays.”
(You guys want to take it one day at a time, a win the day approach. Do you feel like the offense, the way they were able to go out there today, do you feel like you won the day?) – “It’s tough to say we won the day. I think we got some good plays, some guys making plays. Early on, DeVante (Parker) made a huge play down (near) the end zone, so that kind of kicked us off with a good start. There were several other plays where things weren’t quite right. That’s to be expected on the first day. You’re not going to be clicking on all cylinders the first day; but I think we got a good start. We’ve got guys competing and establishing, like I said, those practice habits that we want to carry out throughout the year.”
(From your point of view, how is the progression of WR DeVante Parker from Year 1 and 2 to now?) – “I think throughout this year, I’ve probably seen more gain from DeVante than either of the (first) two years combined. That’s exciting for us to see him coming into his own, getting his confidence up, being explosive, being physical and healthy. I think that’s what it comes down to ultimately is that he’s healthy for the first time in a long time. That’s great for us and hopefully we’ll keep him that way and keep progressing.”
(How does it feel to have C Mike Pouncey out there, just the veteran leadership?) – “It’s great to have him back on the field. I know he didn’t participate a whole lot during the team drills, but it’s great to have him out on the field. He’s going to be out here shortly. To have his veteran leadership – his experience – out on the field with us is huge.”
(How is it to walk out onto the field with this continuity that the offense seems to have? Everybody seems to be back.) – “Yes, it’s not our first go around. We spent a year in the offense last year and got to bring back almost all of our key pieces. Like you said, there’s a lot of continuity there with the guys that we have. We’re able to build on what we did last year, build on what we did in the offseason, and we’re not so much learning the overall concepts, we’re trying to work on the details and master plays. When you get to do that, that’s when you become really good.”
(What do you like about TE Julius Thomas?) – “I like a lot about Julius. He’s a smart guy. He has played in the system before. He understands football, he understands what we’re trying to accomplish. He’s long, he’s athletic, he has great hands. He has everything that you’re looking for in a tight end. Now it’s just a matter of him and I getting those reps and building that confidence within each other.”
(When we talk about fine-tuning instead of teaching, can you give us an example of how that worked today maybe in a red zone drill or anything like that?) – “When it’s not your first time running the concept, the first couple times you’re just trying to get the overall concept down and make sure everyone is lining up in the right spot and they’re finishing in the right spot. Once you have guys doing that, then you can work on understanding the plays. What’s the goal of the play? If one guy adjusts his route a little bit, shields off a defender. I think Kenny (Stills) did a great job down in the red zone on a two-point play. (He) shielded off the defender just for a half second (and) allowed me to make the throw to DeVante (Parker) for the conversion. Once you get to that step, that next step, in development as an offense, that’s when you see more plays being made, because guys have an overall understanding of what we’re trying to accomplish.”
(What do you want to improve in your game and at the end of that improvement, what is it that you want to accomplish this year personally?) – “There’s a lot I want to improve in my game. Constantly working on footwork and timing, accuracy, and it all starts with the feet. Being able to get the ball out, playing fast and understanding where the ball is supposed to go. Being the second year in the offense, it’s much easier for me to have that understanding of where the ball is supposed to go and be able to move through my progressions quicker and get the ball out on time.”
(WR Kenny Stills asks: Did you get anything special for your birthday?) – “I got nothing special so far.”
(WR Kenny Stills asks: You guys told him happy birthday right?) – “No, they didn’t! (laughter) That’s your answer. I got no birthday wishes. (laughter) I got to see my little guy at practice, so that was a good birthday gift for me. It’s fun. Last year, he was just born, just a few days old. This time, to be able to bring him out here and have a smile with him, see him running around a little bit, it’s really fun for me.”
(How’s his arm?) – “He’s not throwing yet. (laughter) We’re trying to decide which … His throw is more like a spike, so he’s got the spike down. The throw, not so much. We’re working backwards there.”
(If I can bring you back to the accomplishment thing, what’s a good year for Ryan Tannehill?) – “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter to me on individual stats. I want to win games, put us in the playoffs and win the division, be in the Super Bowl. That’s our goal. That’s what we set out each and every year to do is to win games, make the playoffs first, win the division and be in the Super Bowl. It’s tough to say what exactly is success; but for me, that’s my goal right now is to put this team in position to win and win a lot of games and compete for a championship.”
(I have to ask even though I know you’re sick of talking about it, but how’s the knee doing? Are you still feeling positive with that?) – “The knee is really good. It feels really good. I haven’t had any changes since the spring. I was a full participant in the spring and still going really well. Now we don’t have to address that anymore, right? (laughter) We’re good?”
(How’s your other knee?) – “The other knee is feeling really good, too. (laughter) I appreciate you asking. (laughter) It has been a journey. I think dealing with an injury like that for the first time, it was a tough process for me. But the building, everyone around me, really supported me throughout that whole process. I’m glad to be back out here and feeling really healthy again.”
(In terms of running in your career, we’ve seen you run a lot and then other years not so much. What can we expect this year in terms of you running?) – “I like to use my feet. I think that’s something that we’ve talked about throughout this offseason and I’d like to see myself do a little bit more is use my feet as a weapon. When things aren’t happening downfield, be able to escape, put pressure on the defense and make them honor my feet. That’ll be something that we’ll work on throughout the year.”
(How nice is it not to hear questions about getting the long ball completions? You don’t hear that anymore.) – “I guess it’s nice. I honestly never doubted myself in that regard. It’s nice to be able to go play.”
(Have you talked to anyone else – maybe like Ravens QB Joe Flacco, kind of was in a similar situation – when he took off running, his knee brace would dig into the turf and that kind of became an issue. Have you thought about that a little bit?) – “I’ve worn a brace before, so I understand that issue. It does happen. It happened to me in college when I wore a brace. When you do slide, you put your weight on your left leg and it does catch and can bend. I had one bend on me in college, and I had to hop off the field awkwardly and get the thing off. That is something that can happen, but you can’t think about that. You just have to go play. You’re not thinking about how you’re going to slide or, ‘I might have to slide at the end of this play.’ Just go play and get down and move on to the next play.”
(It’s reactionary?) – “Yes.”
(With you having trust in the offensive line, whoever lines up in front of you, is there something to be said – because you’ve had inconsistency there – is there something to be said about continuity?) – “You’d like for those five guys to play together. Since I’ve been here, we’ve never had a full season of five guys playing together. It’s probably not going to happen, that’s just the nature of the business; but the more consistency we can get from those guys … It’s a unit. It’s not five individual positions. It’s a five-man unit. They have to work together – pass-off game, combo blocks and stuff like that. The more that they can work together and know how each other plays, the better we’re going to be.”
Alterraun Verner – July 27, 2017
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
CB Alterraun Verner
(What was it about the Dolphins that you thought was a good opportunity for you?) – “One, a playoff team. They’ve been to the playoffs. It seems like they have a young nucleus and are building towards something. And just the atmosphere around here when I walked in – the competitiveness, the fire and everything. It just seemed like a good fit, a good time to compete and try to help out.”
(Had they reached out to you and your agent a while ago or was this just a recent thing where the first time you heard from them was in the last week or so?) – “I think they’ve been in communication. The first time I worked out was obviously when I did a couple of days ago. The rest just led to here.”
(Do you still think you’re the guy who was a Pro Bowl player three years ago? Those skills are still in you I assume, no?) – “No question. Things happen. I’m not here to put blame or excuses on anything; but yes, I’m only 28. If anything, I’m entering my prime and I’m better than what I was at that time. That’s the way I look at it. I got better and I definitely didn’t get worse.”
(How would you describe your on-field strengths? What are you best at?) – “I think just making plays on the ball. That’s something I’ve always taken pride in. Even in college, just getting my hands on the ball whether that’s getting an interception or batting a ball down, and just communicating and making tackles and things like that. I’ve always considered myself an all-around corner to do it all. To me, that’s my strength, that I can be used in so many ways and be effective for the team.”
(In Tampa, you were a standup guy in the locker room and always being a leader. What is that like to have a refreshing approach coming into this situation?) – “I guess with it being fresh – no pun intended – it’s just refreshing. It’s refreshing to have a clean slate again and work your way back up. I’ve been telling people, I feel like a rookie again, coming in here and just learning a new system, new playbook and new team. But it’s exciting. It’s exciting to get a helmet back on and just to do some football things. It’s more exciting and I’m ready to go.”
(What have you been told relative to opportunity to compete for a starting spot and all of that?) – “They just preach competition in all facets. They said just go out there and compete and then my play will speak for myself on where they’re going to put me. I think they’re going to use me in many different areas and wherever they put me at, that’s where I’m going to compete and try to work hard and see some snaps and get on the field. It’s definitely competition. I saw it from the first day today. Competition brings out the best in people and I experienced that all through my seven years (in the NFL).”
(Is this a very similar system that you played in when you were in Tennessee or with the Bucs?) – “I would say this is a mix between Tennessee and my UCLA days. The term might be called different but the way that it’s played is very similar to when I was in Tennessee and at UCLA.”
(How do you think your skillset lends itself to the slot position, the nickel position?) – “I think as a nickel, you have to know a lot more. There are a lot more nuances in the nickel because you’re an extension of a linebacker in a way. Most of the guys that are in the slot are going to be quick, so you have to be a big student of the game. You have to know what’s coming, you have to know where your help is and things like that. With me, I feel like I’m a smart player and have very good IQ, and I think I communicate very well. So I think those are some traits that they would probably like if I did play that spot.”
(If you had to estimate how much over your seven-year career you’ve played in the slot compared to the boundary, what percent ballpark would you say?) – “I would say it’s only been two of my seven years.”
(All the rest was outside?) – “Yes.”
(Do you get a sense here if you will be equal parts outside and slot? Or more slot here?) – “I think it’s going to be equal opportunity for either way. I think they’re looking for the best players going out there. They knew me coming in would create that competition for all places. I think that’s what you want. You want competition because you don’t want to just rest on your laurels and just kind of cruise out there. You want to have somebody at your heels chomping at you. There is no indication on which one I’m going to be playing. I’m going out there and I’m just going to go out there wherever they put me and see what happens.”
(What’s the first thing you notice about getting here to South Florida and this organization?) – “I think the fire and the competitiveness from everybody. You see a good camaraderie of people. Just out there, I haven’t been around in the secondary but I listen to the guys talk on the sidelines. I think that’s essential to being such a good team is just communication and trusting people. I can sense that through the guys even though I haven’t been here and been a part of it. It’s just encouragement, encouraging guys and that’s what you want. You want somebody that’s going to build you up but they compete with you at the same time. To me, those are signs of a good team.”
(What do you take from your Tampa experience, the years you spent there and what did you learn from them?) – “What I learned from Tampa is that the chips may be down on you or things may not go the right way or the way that you expect, but you have to find a way to bounce back and make the best of it. Just like Miami I guess last year. They started off 1-4 but they corrected what they made mistakes on and then they went on a run and made the playoffs. I think that’s the way you have to approach things. That’s the biggest thing I took away because there were times where we were losing or were down, or just situations that I might have been in – things of that nature – and you can’t just sulk and be down on yourself. You have to pick yourself up and find a way to make the play next time and find the way to get the next win. Those were the experiences that I think I learned the best.”
(What was it like being a player of your caliber out of work for this long?) – “It was different. It was different; it was weird. I was just telling Nate (Allen) that this is the first time I’ve put on a helmet since January 1st so it’s been a long time since I even had a helmet. It was weird seeing article and seeing guys, highlights and things. It was weird but it gives you an appreciation for the game and (makes you) realize that it’s a privilege to be on this stage and it’s not a right. It’s something that I’ve always known, but you get a better sense of it when you’re not doing it.”
(Do you have to work to chip away that doubt about yourself and your ability?) – “No.”
(Why so?) – “Because I know what type of player I am. Regardless of what people might think on the outside or what people might evaluate, that’s something I’ve been dealing with all my life. That’s why I was a fourth rounder. That’s why things happen the way that it’s been for me. There has been a lot of doubt but I’ve never had a doubt in my mind on how I could play or what I could do or what I’m capable of, because I know what God has blessed me with and I just go out and be my best.”
Ndamukong Suh – July 27, 2017
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Thursday, July 27, 2017
DT Ndamukong Suh
(Does training camp feel any different when you come off a playoff season?) – “No. It’s back to the basics. That’s how I look at it; that’s how I approach it. Obviously, to be able to have the opportunity to build off of some of the good things you did last year, but it’s back to the basics. You have to forget about the previous year and prepare for the upcoming year.”
(Expectations, they have to be a little different this year?) – “Expectations? I’m not talking about them just yet. We have to get into the season first. Maybe after we get a third preseason game, that’s where we get a true test of what we have to some extent. A lot of guys only play half a game at most, but it’s way too early to talk about expectations.”
(Being a leader on the defensive side of the ball when you step out on the field, I’m sure the defense gets a boost from that. Do you notice it as a leader with C Mike Pouncey being out there for the offense?) – “Without question. I’m very happy to see Pouncey back. He has obviously got the ‘it’ factor, and he brings a lot to the table. I love going against him, love learning (from him), as well as (Jermon) Bushrod and guys like that, that are veterans and the young guys, because they push you, they’re going hard and vice versa. It’s definitely a good thing to have everybody out there and everybody pushing each other to get better. But like I said, we’re at the basics, so we have to get back to the fundamentals.”
(Does the first day of camp feel any different as you keep progressing in your career?) – “No, because I try to approach it like I’m a rookie – make sure I get my fundamentals down, footwork. Obviously as we get into the situation that we like to run – red zone, whatever it may be – as we started with today, you work on and add things to your game.”
(Does it feel like the first day when you have all these OTAs and minicamps? Does it still feel like the first day?) – “It definitely feels good. It’s without question the first day. It’s just excitement to be back on the football field. Obviously, soon we’re going to get pads on, which is probably the most exciting time of the year and then go from there.”
(It’s the second year with this new staff. Does that help at all the familiarity with them, the protocol, all that?) – “No question. I think – without question – having the similar staff, even though we have some changes, some new additions, it’s a great feeling to know what you’re running. We’ve put – if I’m not mistaken – our defense in three or four times between the first couple phases of OTAs and obviously minicamp and all those things. Right now, it’s refreshing with those pieces and being able to get off to the races.”
(We’re not going to get a true sense of rookies until pads are on, but is there a skill you see from DT Davon Godchaux that you think is an NFL caliber skill being around him?) – “His ability to understand details is something that I’m very surprised with, especially at a young age. For him being able to pick up on those and implement them into practice … because the biggest thing that we preach is being able to take and translate the stuff that we work on in individual and take that to team periods. As you get older, veterans are a lot easier to do that. Young guys struggle a little bit. They forget that real bullets are flying. They kind of forget about those things, but Godchaux has done a pretty good job being able to translate that.”
(DT Jordan Phillips has talked about wanting to raise his game to a more consistent level? We’re not going to know until September, October. Do you see any difference in him this offseason, as much time as you spend around him helping mentor him?) – “I think he’s focused, and I think he has an opportunity to prove a lot of people wrong. I think at the end of the day, like you said, it’s going to come down to when we start playing real games and live bullets; but obviously he has the ability to get to where he wants to be.”
