Ja’Wuan James – June 7, 2017
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Wednesday, June 7, 2017
T Ja’Wuan James
(Do you feel any more responsibility as far as leadership with T Branden Albert no longer here?) – “Yes, but I feel like that’s our job as older guys in that room, in the o-line room now. We’re just missing a person, but ‘L.T.’ (Laremy Tunsil) is doing a good job stepping up. I’m trying to step up. Everybody, really, I feel like is holding themselves accountable. That’s making it a little easier for everybody to adjust.”
(When you left last year, did you think G/T Jermon Bushrod would be back? Were you surprised?) – “No, I honestly didn’t think he’d be back; but I appreciate him coming back. It’s definitely helping our o-line. It’s going to help our room and he’s doing a good job.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase has mentioned a few times that he feels that the ceiling is higher for you, that you have not maxed out. What do you believe you need to do to reach that potential?) – “Just continue to hone in on my technique. That’s the biggest thing. A lot of times I’ve been playing off of athleticism and going out there and doing it; but now, if I can hone in on the same technique – I’m doing a good job now with (Offensive Line) Coach (Chris) Foerster. We’re on the same page. Just doing the same thing every time, knowing when to adjust for certain plays and things like that. Once the mental part of the game and that aspect and being able to repetition, repetition, doing the same thing, that’s when I feel like I’ll reach where I want to be.”
(You had a very good stretch midseason last year. With that being said, how tough have Offensive Line Coach Chris Forester and Head Coach Adam Gase been on you in terms of saying, ‘You’re good, but we expect a lot more.’?) – “They’re always going to hold us accountable and I like that, because I need somebody on me to get on me and let me know when I’m doing something wrong, so I can correct it. Coach Forester, like I said, has been working with me and Coach Gase. They’re all going to be hard on us because they want the best for us.”
(How do you feel about the organization picking up the fifth-year option on your contract?) – “I definitely appreciate it. I love it down here. Like I say all the time, I love being with this team, these teammates, this new staff, everybody. It’s good to know that I’m secure in the aspect of being here.”
(Are you driven at all to go from a pretty good starting NFL right tackle to very good? Is that something you think about?) – “I’m working to be the best, to be the best right tackle on the field every Sunday. That’s how I’m working right now and thinking. I’ll look up at the end of the season and I’ll see where I’m at, but right now I just got my head down working.”
Jakeem Grant – June 6, 2017
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
WR Jakeem Grant
(We’ve seen you a lot about your offseason at Texas Tech and everything like that. We’ve heard about fielding the punts. What has stood out to you about what you’ve done this offseason?) – “I’ll say just consistently doing it over and over and just getting comfortable with doing it and just feeling it. I texted Matt (Darr) over the offseason and see if he could come down to Lubbock just to see if we could get some working going. That’s exactly what I did, just getting comfortable with catching them and building that confidence, no matter what the weather is. No matter how it is, it doesn’t matter. Down in Lubbock, the wind is crazy out there. So I wanted Matt to come out there because there could be a chance going into this season we get crazy wind like that. It was great for him to come down there and punt to me.”
(So you paid for P Matt Darr’s flight down there?) – “No, I didn’t actually pay for his flight down there. He came down there – I took him out just to show my appreciation for him coming out there. Just basically showed him a good time for him to come down there and for us to get work.”
(Did P Matt Darr stay at your place?) – “No, he didn’t stay at my place. He stayed in the hotel. I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to stay at my place. I had a lot of … My kids were running around, so he’d probably never sleep. (laughter)”
(What was that conversation like when you call the punter of the team? I’m sure he’s not expecting many teammates to call him. When you called him to say let’s go workout.) – “The conversation just hit right off. I didn’t shy away from it. I was like ‘Hey Matt, what are you doing over the weekend?’ He was like, ‘I’m getting with a couple of punters.’ He was just traveling and punting with other punters. I was like ‘Is there any chance we can link up in Lubbock or even in Dallas?’ Because we did link up in Dallas as well. He was just like ‘Yes, I’ll come out there.’ I was like ‘Alright, if you come out here, I’ll show you a good time. We’ll go out and have a drink or so and go out to eat.’ It was a great conversation, just like having a conversation with one of my teammates on the team.”
(Everyone stays away from the punters and the kickers right?) – “Not me, I’m typically … Just like in college, I get along with the punters and kickers because a lot of the punters and kickers in college like to play ping pong and I love to play ping pong. (laughter) Therefore I never shy away from the punters. I like to get to know them just as well as any other teammate.”
(You are on track of catching 1,000 punts this spring? That’s what Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi said?) – “Oh yes, definitely. I even gave Rizzi a hard time because of the weather and we couldn’t shoot the JUGS (machine). I was like ‘Man, going into this year, you’re getting kind of soft on me. You used to harp on me last year about catching as many punts as I can. Now that I want to catch punts, you try to limit me.’ So yes, every day – after practice, before practice, no matter what – I’ll stay out there until I feel that I’m fielding them the way I should be fielding them, looking them all the way in and just feeling very comfortable with doing it.”
(Would you say you catch 95 percent of them, 98 percent of them?) – “Yes, I catch very much every last one of them. Even if I drop one – There’s going to be a time I drop one, that’s what OTAs are for, getting those things corrected – but 90 percent of the time, I’m catching every last one of them and fielding them and just working out situations where I’m … I have to shoot the JUGS with my back turned and just listening for it and then turn around and just seeing how to track the ball. I just get on track of just catching as many balls as I can so going into the season, it will be second nature.”
(How have you done as a receiver? We see them doing different things with you out there. How do you feel that area of your game is progressing?) – “I feel good. I feel good about being a receiver. They’re working me inside and out. Basically, it helps me learn the playbook inside and out, because I know what the inside receiver does. That helps me know exactly what I’m doing on the outside. With them moving me around from inside to outside, it helped me tremendously. I feel more comfortable and I don’t have to think about ‘What do I have on this route?’ I can just play as fast as I can.”
(Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi said yesterday that on your exit interview last year you told him that you were disappointed in how it went and that you didn’t feel like you put your best foot forward. Why was that?) – “I felt like mentally, I let it get to me. Just when I dropped the punts in the game, I let it get to me; and just instead of just playing the next play … I was a rookie. I was trying to do whatever I can to go out there and just impress the coaches. In your career, you’re going to have mess-ups, you’re going to have dropped balls, you’re going to have this and that; and so mentally I just couldn’t get over that hump last year. So this year, I’m mentally ready and I’m focused. Like you’re going to have a dropped ball, you’re going to have this and that, it’s about overcoming that obstacle.”
(Have you used that new mindset already like out here in drills?) – “Oh yes, definitely. Like I said, I’ve dropped punts but I have dropped punts before out here and it’s all about the next one. That’s what the OTAs are for is about getting better and working to be at your best when the season comes.”
(So last year when you would go back to fielding a punt, especially early in the year, what was going through your mind? Was that there a little bit of uncertainty because of the …) – “Yes, definitely. At the first start of the season, I was catching everything, fielding them just fine. All it took was that one drop to make me unsure of ‘Oh, am I going to catch this one or am I going to drop it?’ And that’s what created the chain reaction of dropping it, because I’m thinking so much of ‘Oh, I hope I don’t drop this one.’ But this year I’m going into it like I’m catching everything that comes my way, no matter what it is – a punt or a catch on a pass. So therefore, it’s just the fact of having that confidence of going back there and the confidence and swagger of saying ‘I’m going to catch this and I’m going to make a big play.’”
(There were fewer than 20 offensive snaps for you last year. Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said he’d like to get you more involved in the offense. Has Clyde or Head Coach Adam Gase told you what they’d like to see from you for you to become more of a factor in the offense?) – “Basically just being comfortable with the offense and knowing the playbook inside and out. That’s what I just previously said, just being an inside receiver going to the outside receiver, I know exactly what’s going on in the inside and knowing everybody’s role is a part of this offense, so that you know exactly what you have to do or the basic concepts of the offense. That’s the great thing for them about moving me inside and out is me learning the offense. So I feel like going into this year, I know the offense really good, and I’m looking forward to whatever they have planned for me.”
(If you play a lot on the outside, you’re going to see bigger or more physical corners than you would in the slot. How do you beat that?) – “What God blessed me with is speed and quickness and there are a lot of corners that don’t match up to the smaller, quicker, quick-twitch receivers on the outside. So I’m going to use exactly what my God-given ability is towards them. Basically, not letting them get hands on me and working the release and not shying away from how big they are or how physical they are on the outside. Basically (I’m) using what I’ve been blessed with and what I go out there and work on each and every day with (Wide Receivers) Coach (Shawn) Jefferson. It’s just like going against Tony Lippett or Xavien (Howard) when they’re pressing me. I work it every single day so when I get over to the game, it will just be second nature.”
(You took one to the house last year against Tennessee. Is the feeling any sweeter on this level than it is in college?) – “Oh, definitely. It is much sweeter. You’ve got more fans cheering for and you get a lot of people congratulate you. I would say the feeling is definitely sweeter because I’ve always dreamed to be at this level and to make a big impact that I did against Tennessee, and with the return, so it’s much sweeter. I plan to have more of those coming this year.”
(How do you look at your role on the team now? Are you a return guy and receiver or is it different than last year? Are you a return guy who plays receiver?) – “No. I would refer myself as a receiver then a returner. I’ve always been like that this whole time, even when I was in college. In college I was a receiver and a returner. I caught 90 balls in college and so, therefore, I prefer myself as a receiver than a returner. Like (Offensive Coordinator) Clyde (Christensen) said, he felt like I played less than 20 snaps. He looks forward to putting me more involved in offense and whatever they have for me, I’m willing to take on. I just have to show them that they can rely on me.”
Mike Hull – June 6, 2017
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
LB Mike Hull
(A lot was made in the offseason about needing to improve the linebacker corps. Do you take any of that personally and what was your view of how the linebackers performed last season?) – “Obviously, whenever you need to improve, you take it personally. I definitely think that we can get better from last year and I think we’ve brought in the people to do that – Lawrence (Timmons) and Raekwon (McMillan). Even in training camp right now, in the spring, you can tell that there’s obviously a lot more competition. Those guys are capable of doing a lot of great things.”
(When you look at the linebackers now – you mentioned LB Lawrence Timmons and LB Raekwon McMillan, LB Koa Misi – you’ve got a little starting experience, Neville Hewitt has some starting experience. Are you much improved or can you say without having pads on?) – “I think it’s too early to tell, but obviously in training camp we’ll find out pretty quickly. I do feel a lot better having another year under my belt. I know Neville feels the same. I think with Lawrence’s experience over the last 10 years in the NFL, we’re only going to get better from here as a unit.”
(Given the talent that has been brought in at linebacker, how do you see yourself fitting in and how do you see the potential for more playing time on defense?) – “That’s up to the coaches. It’s up to myself in training camp to perform whenever I get the opportunity. I’m not worried about it too much right now. I want to take every day as a step and try to get better and be consistent.”
(What have you worked on this offseason to improve?) – “Footwork and playing faster. I think if I can do that, it’s going to go a long way. Also, I think having one more year in the system is definitely going to pay dividends.”
(Obviously, Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke is cycling through a lot of players at different linebacker spots. Who has cycled through at middle linebacker? You, LB Lawrence Timmons, LB Kiko Alonso?) – “I think pretty much everyone has played there. I think three or four guys have played there, including myself. Like Coach Burke said, we’re mixing and matching a lot even through first team, second team, third team – it doesn’t matter. They’re just trying to get different looks for different guys at different spots.”
(Has LB Lawrence Timmons become anything of a vocal leader in the room yet or is he quiet?) – “He’s quiet, but he gives really good advice. He’s not (a) ‘rah-rah’ type guy, but if you ask him a question or he has good insight on different looks or how even he played it in his last system, that can really go a long way with helping the young guys and even Kiko, bouncing things back and forth.”
(Have you had a chance to talk to LB Koa Misi? We haven’t at this point. How are spirits, obviously, coming off of major surgery?) – “He’s doing everything he can to get back. I’m not sure what’s going on. The coaches I’m sure can tell you a lot better than I can.”
(When you say that LB Lawrence Timmons gives really good advice, can you give us an example of certain situations where you’ve looked at film and he provides insight?) – “You’re playing a fire zone and you get crossers and digs behind you or something and ask him how they played that in Pittsburgh or how he sees something playing out in his mind, as opposed to maybe chasing a route or being patient on things. He has seen a lot of things. He has been in multiple defenses over 10 years. Little things like that (like), ‘How would you play this play? What do you see whenever you see the offensive tackle do this?’ And he’ll give you his input.”
(When you see crossers, what does LB Lawrence Timmons say? Just knock them out?) – “That has pretty much been his philosophy it seems like. (laughter)”
(When we’ve seen the open practices, we’ve seen you working with the first unit a lot. When you’re in there like that, do you feel like you have as much of a shot winning that job as anybody else?) – “Yes. I’m going to do everything I can to win that starting spot and to maximize my ability. It’s up to the coaches ultimately and what I do in camp. I’m just trying to get better every day, work at my craft and be consistent.”
(What’s different between Mike Hull the rookie free agent from Penn State to Mike Hull the third-year veteran?) – “I think confidence and experience. Last year, playing all 16 games and a playoff game, I got a lot of experience, got to see a lot of things, got to learn a lot from Kiko Alonso. I feel a lot more confident going into this year that I can get it done whatever my role may be.”
(Are you getting recognized more or at all?) – “No, I blend in pretty well with the general population. (laughter) I keep a low profile.”
(Your thoughts on Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke in his first year as defensive coordinator?) – “(I) love Coach Burke. I loved him as a linebackers coach. I think he’s really intelligent. I think he’s going to get our defense right this year. He knows pretty much everything there is to know about this defense. I have a lot of confidence in him, and I think a lot of the players are excited about what he can do.”
(Everybody says that Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke is really intelligent. How can you tell? Let’s say away from football, is there stuff that you talk about?) – “For what it’s worth, I guess he went to Dartmouth, and he thinks he’s smart, because he went to an Ivy League school. (laughter) Just in every day conversations, you can tell he’s always thinking about what his answer is going to be and always analyzing situations. You can tell that through interactions with him every day.”
(If I could follow up on the footwork, why specifically focus on footwork this offseason? What does that do for you?) – “Footwork, it’s going to put you in the right position. Honestly, me being a little bit smaller of a linebacker, every step I can gain is an advantage for me. I really think that’s something that will help bring me to the next level as far as defeating blocks in the run game and even getting myself in position to play the pass as well.”
(You have a new position coach, right?) – “Yes.”
(What’s Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Frank Bush like?) – “Coach Bush – he’s actually really similar to (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Burke as far as coaching style. He’s a player’s coach. He gets along well with the players. He’s just fun to play for. (I) really enjoy having him in the room as our coach. He gets a lot out of us. Very similar philosophy, so I don’t think there’s too big of a change going from Coach Burke to him.”
Matt Moore – June 6, 2017
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
QB Matt Moore
(How’s your offseason?) – “It is good. Same as always.”
(Any more kids on the way?) – “No. (laughter) No more. We’re busy enough.”
(How would you rate last season for yourself personally? Was it a success by the way you played?) – “I think there were a lot of good things, sure. There’s always something to work on. (There’s) always something, I guess on the negative side, that you’re going to look back on and wish you did different; but at the same time, there’s a lot of positive things to feel good about, to build on, to move forward with. So was it a success? I mean we would have loved to continue to play and move forward; but personally, I felt good. I learned a lot. There’s a lot of things to learn from, like I said. So that’s the best way I can answer that question.”
(You probably notice better than anybody, how is QB Ryan Tannehill looking post knee injury? Are you surprised he didn’t need surgery with the shot that he took?) – “He looks fantastic. That’s all I can say. I mean he looks like nothing happened. Again, I’m not a doctor. I have no idea the entire issue, but he looks great. So he’s moving forward like normal.”
(Getting back to last year, I guess how you played was indicative of how the team played the entire season. When things were going well, it went really well but in the Steelers game and obviously New England as well, things happened. What’s it going to take for you to get over that hump?) – “Well, I mean the first thing, kind of the glaring thing is turnovers. It’s hard enough to win in this league when you control the ball and obviously when you give it away, your chances go way down. So I think that’s a big thing to look at. It’s the second year in the system for everybody – coaches, players. That experience is there. The relationships are there. The expectations are there. So time – having last year is going to help us. Obviously, time moving forward will help us. I don’t know if I can pinpoint anything that’s going to get us over the hump. We’ve just got to grind and study the tape from last year. If I had to say something, if we can control the ball in more key situations and not turn it over, that would probably be a good first step.”
(Talking to people around the building, they felt like there was a lot left on the field against the Steelers in the playoffs. Would you say that’s fair?) – “Yes, absolutely. After watching the tape, it’s tough to swallow. You get to the ‘dance,’ as they say, and you have an opportunity, and to have some plays go the way they did in that game, it’s hard. If you’re a man in this league, you’ll look at and learn from it and get better. That’s not saying it’s okay; but yes, there were definitely things out there – I think both run and pass game, some protection. But all things that we’ve, I guess circled the wagons around, and are trying to better those things and get them right moving forward.”
(Now that you’re out there taking your reps, just guys who come to mind who you think have improved or really shown you something on either side of the ball? Who are the first to come to mind?) – “I mean Xavien (Howard) I think looks pretty good. He’s flying around. Really, gosh the defense is really hauling around out there. I’ve got good things to say about everybody. I think offensively, I think our young receivers have really done a nice job. Everyone’s learning and everything’s so much more fluid this year. Like I said, having that year with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase last year, guys come in knowing what to do and everything’s going kind of smooth, which is what you want. Everyone I think is taking the right step forward and it’s been good so far.”
(As far as the young receivers go, can you talk about WR Drew Morgan, who seems to get open a lot, and WR Damore’ea Stringfellow? What have you seen from the Ole Miss kid?) – “Drew, he’s your typical inside guy. I think he’s got a lot to learn; but I think he understands leverage, which I think if you have that in this league you can do a lot, and he does that. He uses his body well. He seemed to pick up the offense pretty well. Stringfellow, (he’s a) big kid. Again, I think he’s got a lot to learn; but those guys are out there grinding every day. They’ve been good.”
(What did you think of some of the other quarterback movement around the league this offseason with QB Jay Cutler leaving, with QB Tony Romo leaving, QB Colin Kaepernick’s out there unsigned?) – “He is? (laughter) To be honest with you, what are my thoughts? I have no thoughts. I’ve kind of focused on myself, a little selfishly, just trying to get myself where I need to be. Obviously you hear those storylines. The Romo deal is crazy. I don’t know what to say about that or the Cutler thing, or the Kaepernick thing really. I don’t get paid…”
(Any one or none? Whatever you want.) – (Yes, I mean it’s … I don’t know. I have no thoughts. I mean I worry about myself and what’s going on here with my job and that’s all I can do.”
(When you look around though and see who some of these teams might have to start at quarterback, does it make you go ‘Hmmm, I’m definitely better than that guy?’) – “I think it’s natural to have thoughts that you’re capable to play in this league; but I’m happy where I’m at. I’m in a great spot. I love my teammates and my coaches and I’m here trying to win ball games.”
(You’ll be 33 years old in a couple of months?) – “In August, yes.”
(How are you physically?) – “Fantastic.”
(Just like QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “Yes. Yes, we’re both fantastic. (laughter) I feel good. I feel good.”
(From watching TE Julius Thomas run around for a couple of weeks, what dimension do you think he’s going to add?) – “His experience with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase in the past obviously helps him. It gives him a little head start; but physically, I mean, (he’s a) big body. When he gets going, he really can move – crossing routes and down the seam and stuff like that. Obviously, it’s no secret he’s going to play a big role in what we do, I would imagine. (He’s a) big target. He’s a proven guy. He’s great in the locker room, so (he’s a) good role model for the young guys. He’s a great addition to this team.”
(You faced LB Lawrence Timmons last year. What do you remember about him from the playoff game?) – “He’s a good player. He got me there a couple times at the end of the game. (He) threw me around a little bit; but (he’s) just a veteran linebacker – all over the place. I remember him communicating well, always talking. Again, (he’s) a guy that just brings experience (and) plays hard. We watch tape every day and you watch him and he is flying around, running to the ball, practicing hard the way you should. Another – talk about key additions – I think that’s a great addition. The guy is just a football player and you love it. He doesn’t say much but plays ball.”
(We haven’t had a chance to talk to you since that whole concussion/not a concussion thing came up. In your mind, what happened that day?) – “I got hit really hard – really hard. I knew in my head I was fine. I needed to take a second, like I said after the game. I cleared all of the tests like it was nothing. I went back in and executed the offense pretty well. So that was it. I mean if something was …”
(Where you surprised the league reprimanded the team?) – “Yes, I mean I think both sides, the PA (players’ association) and the league and everyone was kind of doing their jobs and doing what they have to do. I understand that. I did my best to say it was a non-issue. The team I think handled it the way they were supposed to handle it. The independent doctor was down there and he did what he had to do. I had no complaints and I understood the situation. A hit like that, everyone expects something had to happen. Something had to happen.”
(Did you just bite your tongue? Was that all that happened?) – “I bit my tongue; but yes, I mean that’s just … It looked bad. It was bad but it looked worse than it was.”
(Have you seen it since?) – “Yes, 100 times. Everybody shows it to me.”
(Is your teeth, your jaw and everything okay?) – “Yes, I’m fine. I’m sore; I was sore. But it’s a contact sport. It was a little bit blown out of proportion.”
(The team expects C Mike Pouncey back by September. As a quarterback, how important is it to having your center back?) – Yes, especially a guy like Mike. He runs the show. He runs the o-line for sure. He’s pretty good at what he does. He understands what we’re trying to do offensively. He’s like the quarterback up there and then you add his physical gifts, his quickness and his speed up to the second level and things like that. He’s a unique player and so we’re hoping he’s back because he’s one of the best.”
(On WR DeVante Parker.) – “Again, moving in the right direction. You can see he feels more comfortable, I think; and he’s kind of growing, I think, as everybody wanted him to. So time – obviously everybody loves to have time. Of course in this league, you want everything right now; but I think DeVante’s kind of hitting his stride right now and everybody’s seeing it. You throw the ball to him, he makes it really easy. He makes the quarterback look good a lot of the times. So he’s a guy who’s really hitting his stride I think, and he’s continuing to learn. He’ll be a big part for us this year.”
Clyde Christensen – June 6, 2017
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen
(You’re obviously focusing on your side of the ball but when you watch tape or even watch OTAs live, who on defense have you noticed has been disruptive against your unit? Do any couple of names come to mind?) – “(Lawrence) Timmons has. He has a presence in there that he just whacks anything that moves across his face. He’s been an adjustment and certainly turned some heads – literally turned some heads – on the crossing routes. I think secondary-wise, those safeties are making more plays. ‘22’ (T.J. McDonald) is a great addition. He’s made a couple of huge plays in the end zone. He made a pick in the end zone. So those guys have jumped out at me as being … It’s hard to judge the line because you don’t have pads on; but those skill guys, I just think they’re faster and they’re making more plays. They’ve been impressive.”
(If TE Julius Thomas is healthy, what can he add to the offense?) – “If Julius Thomas is healthy and we catch some breaks, he can be and has been a 10-touchdown guy. That’s a big number. He can be that. The thing I’d tell you about Julius that’s been most impressive to me is what a pro he is. I happened to have dinner with him when he came on his (visit) and that’s a thing that jumped out. I left the restaurant going ‘This guy’s a pro.’ For a guy who has played as little football as he had, just he’s a pro – how he approaches the game, how he sees things, how he critiques himself, how he sees himself. He’s a rare pro. He’s been huge. I think he’s been huge in our locker room; he’s been huge in our meetings. I think way beyond whatever he does on the football field – which I think will be big things if he can stay healthy – I really think his presence has been enormous.”
(It sounds like TE Julius Thomas has a high football IQ.) – “High football IQ but just some guys know when and where to do certain things. Just how he approaches it, how he takes notes, the questions he asks, how he sees himself – taking responsibility. If he screws it up, he screws it up. That’s important for a young team, like we are, to see a guy who’s played great Pro Bowl football and then all of a sudden he’s hard on himself. He critiques himself hard. He doesn’t make excuses. I think that’s going to be as much as … Before he ever catches his first official pass, he’s going to have contributed a ton to this place.”
(Is there a specific area that we can look at with WR DeVante Parker’s game this season where he has improved?) – “There’s actually a lot of them; but if I said one, it’d be consistency. He’s run fast every day where last year it was kind of up and down. One day you’d think you had a Hall of Famer and the next you weren’t sure if he was going to make it to the game. Just his health and staying consistent. I think his routine and how fast he’s played has been really, really different from last year. Last year, the reason was injuries; but it was still a hard target. If you’re a quarterback and you’re trying to build an offense and you’re trying to get your game plan together and you’re building it that he’s full go and then all of a sudden he’s not (there) or he doesn’t practice Wednesday, all of those things. So he’s been there (at practice), he’s been consistent and he’s been really fast. So that’s good news for Dolphins fans and Dolphins coaches. That’s good news.”
(Your early impressions of the G/T Laremy Tunsil and DE Charles Harris matchup?) – “It’s hard to say in shorts but the great thing, and I saw it for a lot of years up there (in Indianapolis) with (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis, but the better guys you go against and the more snaps you get against those guys, you make each other better. That’s happening more and more. We have more and more corners versus wide outs. That’s really important because you get so few days in pads. When we come in training camp, that thing will be a bloody matchup. It’ll make them both better. That’s what you need to get yourself ready for playoff games in December and the regular season. It doesn’t do anyone any good not to get a look that tests you and puts you on your heels a little bit. The best is yet to come in that matchup. I think that will be really good in the fall, especially when we get those pads on.”
(If C Mike Pouncey is not going to get a lot of playing time in the preseason and maybe inconsistent practice time, how do you envision preparing him for the start of the season and then for games, week to week?) – “I think both of those things are probably a given. It’s going to be minimal. The good news is he’s such a pro. The good news is even now in the meetings, even though he’s not practicing, he’s got his bike out there, he hears the calls, he sees the calls, he gets the scripts (and) he’s in the meetings. He’s been really, really good in the meetings. Then I do believe this, you just have to play some or you’re not game ready. So I do think we’ll have to just pick our spots. You have to get him some reps, you have to get his conditioning up (and) you have to get his hitting level up. We’ll just have to pick some short bursts and be smart with it, which (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase will be, and just have him ready for opening day, which is the goal. The good news with him is the mental part won’t be a challenge to him, where it would be to a lot of people. He’ll be on that stuff. We just have to pick our spots and make sure we play his way into shape where all of a sudden he can play 60 minutes when he hasn’t done it for quite a while. I think that’ll be the challenge.”
(QB Matt Moore was humble about it but obviously looking at how he played last year, he proved he could start in this league. How many teams do you think he could start for and how much of a luxury is it to have him?) – “A huge luxury. (He’s) very important (and) why the organization went after him last year and why he makes a good living. There are so few of them. They’re hard. You may not use them. We learned it the hard way at Indy that you don’t need them until you need them. It doesn’t catch up with you until it catches up with you, and then it’s too late. He was what we thought. He played extremely well. He got us into the playoffs. That could have been a disaster. That’s where you’ve seen a lot of teams and all of a sudden their guy goes down and you lose five straight (even though) you were right there with a playoff opportunity and you don’t get it. That was really big for us. I think the team has confidence in him. You know him. I’d say the same thing as I said about Julius (Thomas): What he brings to this building is bigger than even what you see on TV or on Sundays. He’s important. He’s important for Ryan (Tannehill), he’s important for (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase, he’s important for our locker room. He really just has it. I do think we … All of a sudden, without many reps, (he) comes in and slings it around and (he) won some huge games. He wins games in the rain, he wins games throwing touchdowns on Cover Zero. All of the things that all of a sudden if you had a lesser backup, they just don’t do. That stuff comes up and it’s hard to do. I’m really glad we have him. I do think he could start for 5-10 teams. Sure. Given the right circumstances, he could start for an awful lot of teams. We think of him as a starter, that we don’t miss a beat when he goes in there. I do think we have a starter mentality about him. He’s fun to watch. You went into the Pittsburgh (AFC Wild Card playoff) game and you thought you had a chance in that thing. We just have to play better; but he was exceptional last year.”
(Considering how emotional you are, what do you think of the new celebration rules?) – “I can’t keep up with it. I know this, (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase and I have our biggest arguments over those. I’m probably the old conservative guy. ‘We don’t need penalties.’ And (Gase) is ‘Hey, cut it loose and we’ll make up for it somewhere else.’ (laughter) We probably have our biggest arguments on penalties and celebration penalties, taunting and swagger and all of those things. I’m probably old school. ‘I don’t know, maybe we can cut those babies down just a little bit and still have our edge.’ Hopefully we can get both. I don’t know. I don’t want it to be a big deal. I want it to be a fun game. I enjoy the game. I enjoy celebrating with the best of them. You don’t want it to be obnoxious; somewhere in the middle. I hope they’ll get it right and we’ll move on. It shouldn’t be a factor. We shouldn’t be talking about that. That’s how I see it.”
(Speaking of Head Coach Adam Gase, he said he thinks RB Jay Ajayi can get 350 carries this season. How do you balance using him as a bell cow to get the most production, but at the same time keeping him fresh, keeping him healthy for 16 games?) – “Good question. He may be the most improved guy out there this offseason. He has really been impressive. It’s really hard to believe that I’ve only been here a year – we’ve only been here a year – and to think back a year ago what things were and Jay Ajayi being one of them. We’re going, ‘We’re not sure if we’ve got a starting running back. We’re not sure if we have a Pro Bowler or if we have any.’ We weren’t sure. No one knew. He looks like a pro. He just looks like a pro. His body looks like a pro, how he carries himself, how he handles himself, how he works, how he practices – he’s a different guy from a year ago. I do think that. Hearing Gase say 350 carries, we’re going to have to increase his medication right there if he’s going to hand him … That’s a lot of runs. (laughter) We’ll see. All kidding aside, I think he can. I do think that’s what the good teams (do). The good teams don’t care how they win. If we run the ball and we load it on his back, and there will be some games where I really think those three receivers that we got can be a really special threesome. That’s when you get good. That’s when you got something when you’re equally happy winning the game either way. And a lot of it (is) off of how someone plays us. We drew some great looks. We ran into some hard looks, but we drew some great throwing looks last year where we made some big plays. If we can get DeVante (Parker) going … Kenny Stills is having a great offseason. He has continued to climb and take his game to a new level. If those things take place in combination, that’s what you’re looking for. That’s what we’re looking for. I do think he could carry it. He’s a big guy. He’s a physical guy. I was really impressed with him last year taking the beating he took, really, for the first time ever playing a 17-game season. He kept going and stayed strong. I kept looking for him to flinch and shy up from some hits, and he keeps going. I don’t have any doubt he could go 350 carries. I do think that it’s … The big thing is you want him running fresh in December. Where are those 350 … It’s how you distribute them is the important thing, not that total number as much as where they’re distributed and build them up, build them up and then all of a sudden he can be romping when you hit December and hopefully January football, and then you got something, which he did last year. We got to get more snaps. I’ve said that to you guys 100 times. The biggest thing for us isn’t the number of carries, it’s the number of snaps, being better on third down, being better on the turnovers, making sure we get more snaps. That’s where his 350 carries will come in. It won’t come from a higher percentage (of) called runs as much (as) it’ll come from instead of having 900-and-some snaps, having 1,100-and-some snaps. Now you got 200 more snaps to get spread around, which he grabs his share of them running the football and then we got something.”
(I think it was in yesterday’s practice I saw QB Ryan Tannehill scramble and sprint and run with the knee brace towards the left sideline. I was thinking that probably made you smile. How important is it going to be for Ryan to continue his success to have mobility by the time the season comes?) – “Really important. In every offseason study we did this year, the good offense is (when) the quarterback moves around in the pocket, pulls it down and runs. Even (Tom) Brady picks the right time to do it. Not necessarily all athletic quarterbacks, but guys who have a knack for when to run, how to run, when not to run. I think it’s really important for us to call – every once in a while – having a quarterback keep. (It) keeps them off balance a little bit. It’s huge for us. That’s really important. As Matt (Moore) and everyone has said, it has been a no-factor. I don’t even remember talking about his injury. It has been a no-factor. We haven’t cut his reps whatsoever. We haven’t done anything special with him. I think he caught a heck of a break and a blessing, that he didn’t have to have surgery. That has been good. It’s a no-factor, really. It hasn’t been discussed.”
(With QB Ryan Tannehill being the same as always and you encouraging him to run when needed, is he ready to slide? Does he have to practice that with the brace?) – “I do think you have to learn to slide with that thing. I’ve been around some ugly sliders; some good quarterbacks who were ugly sliders. It is a learn thing. All of a sudden that thing catches and contorts you around. I do think there is a knack to it. I do think it’ll be a, ‘Let’s make sure he’s healthy first, and then we’ll worry about practicing that.’ But there will be a point in training camp and I think preseason where you do address it and make sure … You don’t go overboard. I don’t know that we’ll send him up to the Yankees or anything, perfect it that far. (laughter) But it is a funny deal, because that thing kind of sticks out and it protrudes and all of a sudden catches and flips you at bad angles and stuff. It is a factor, and you do have to do it. It’s kind of one of those things where you start on the turf, which is an even surface, and then you do it a little bit on grass and then you just go down the road and you don’t want it to be a factor; but you do have to address it.”
(Going back to WR DeVante Parker and some the matchups here during camp, it looks like he and CB Xavien Howard have a little…?) – “They all have. We’ve had a lot of fun. There has been some good competition. It has really been good, healthy all across the board. Bobby McCain … There has been some good junk-talking. It has really been good-natured, but competitive. Competitive, not combative is how I like to say it, which is really good. Guys get better doing that. It makes you play faster. They make you make tighter throws – all those things. Not sure they haven’t got the best of us. They’ve really done a good job so far (on defense), but its great work for us. It’s really, really good work for us. They’ve been really … They’ve challenged us a bunch. That matchup has been good. Receivers, they’ll tell you they haven’t been covered this camp, but there has been some guys awful close to them. But it’s all good. It’s healthy. It’s healthy for us. If we can’t play against tight coverage … That’s one thing, with the way we run the football, you just get so much man coverage and single high and tight coverage that if we can make people pay when that happens, now all of a sudden (it’s) where you have to mix some double safety stuff in and give us some better run looks and some lighter boxes and some of those things. Then you got a little something going and have some fun.”
(How’s that guard situation going to play out?) – “I think we’re going to end up deep again. I think we’re even better prepared. It’ll be the silver lining of (Mike) Pouncey’s thing is that we’re rotating a lot of guys through there. The rookie (Isaac Asiata) is still in the learning phase, but I think that he can keep getting better (and) can get into the mix. We’ve got a pool of guys there that I think we’re going to end up being pretty darn deep. We’ll have more experience and more depth than last year at this time, again. Then you get the injection, the shot, the shot of getting Pouncey right back in – and all those guys have had some quality reps under their belt – I think it can really end up being a heck of a situation for us when we get to opening day.”
(Going back to the number of snaps that you addressed a few minutes ago, when you look at last season and how the offense performed, you did really well on yards per play, and yet in terms of number of snaps per game and in terms of getting points out of those snaps, not as well. What are you focusing on to balance that out for next year?) – “I think the glaring thing is third down and I think penalties. You can’t stop drives. We tease about it, but it is hard to come back from first-and-25, first-and-20, end up being third-and-14. That’s a low percentage way to play football. I do think it’s probably third down and cutting the penalties down – the penalties in the red zone. Almost everything we did as far as studying the offense this offseason went back to, ‘We did some good things. We just didn’t have enough drives in the red zone,’ or, ‘We didn’t have enough snaps,’ or, ‘We didn’t have enough carries.’ If you multiplied them out to a decent number of snaps, they all multiplied out where you were probably better than what we thought we were. But they didn’t. We didn’t get those snaps, so it wasn’t good enough. I think that is … Those are the two things that jump out at me are the turnovers in critical games, third down throughout the season, penalties. We can’t get stupid penalties and put ourselves in … And have to get lucky to keep drives going. You can’t stop drives with a penalty. (It’s the) same thing (with) field position and all those things. The penalties stopping drives, they’re hard to overcome. You get a holding call, you jump offsides – all those things, those are crushers. It’s hard not to do it (and) get 10 yards in three downs. All of a sudden you make it 20 yards and two downs or 14 yards and one down. Now all of a sudden, it’s uphill. It puts too much stress on everybody, and that’s where something snaps in those big games it did on us.”
Charles Harris – June 6, 2017
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Tuesday, June 6, 2017
DE Charles Harris
(What have you gotten out of these OTAs?) – “Reps. Just reps. Technique – without the pads on and stuff like that. I’m able to move fast without the weight of the pads and everything. So I’m really just getting the techniques down and fundamentals.”
(I know this is no pads and quite often, as Head Coach Adam Gase said, you guys know that passes are coming. But it appears your first step has been successful so far. Have you learned anything about your first step? Has it surprised you or are there things you need to work on in that aspect of your game still?) – “I’m not elated. I’m not surprised or anything with my game right now. If anything, I feel like there’s a lot of stuff I have to work on. Every day, post-practice, I’ve got things that I have to work on. I go in there and watch film with ‘Coach T’ (Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams) and all of the other guys. He always points out things we can get better at. I feel like none of us can get to that level of complacency where we’re like, ‘Okay, we finally got this down. I’ve got something down.’ I feel like even when it comes to my first step, I’ve noticed it’s not as efficient, as consistent, as some of the older guys, some of the vets – Cam Wake and stuff like that – but it’s something I have to work on every single day. It’s something you have to focus on each and every play.”
(We’ve been enjoying watching your battles with G/T Laremy Tunsil in practice. What has it been like going through it?) – “It’s been competitive. Tunsil is a great player. He’s a great tackle. It’s funny because I remember the first time I went against him, he actually gave me a message. He actually told me what to do. It was my first rep. It was the first day of OTAs. I think he had like reach-blocked me or something like that. He said ‘you have to buck me and set the edge,’ basically. I was like ‘Dang.’ In my mind, I was like ‘Dang, I appreciate it.’ Of course, in that moment I wasn’t thinking about it; but that just speaks to the character of him. Just everybody wants to get each other better on both sides of the football.”
(Does any of that surprise you that’s the environment you’ve come into here where it’s generally pretty supportive and the guy even that you’re going against is trying to help you?) – “Yes. I feel like everybody is in college. When you make that transition from collegiate to NFL, you’ve got your college coaches, college GAs, guys that have been in the league talking about how competitive it is and how some guys might tell you the wrong play to try to get you kicked off or something like that. So I think it is very surprising with the mindset that other people are placing me or told me about the next level. But the environment right here is great. Everyone right here is supportive. It’s a bit surprising but it’s also something that I appreciate and that I love about this place.”
(Do you guys have like a goal to be the first guy to get a sticker? The rookies?) – “No, not really. I mean the d-line – me, Praise (Martin-Oguike) and (Cameron) Malveaux – we all just talk about each and every day about how many sacks you’re going to get. Just little competitive things like ‘I’m getting three today; I’m getting four today.’ Stuff like that. But the logo itself, I don’t think anybody is really focused on it. It’s something that’s going to come with due diligence. Really, just each and every day we compete, we’re competing against one another and pushing each other, telling each other ‘You’ve got to do this better on the next play.’ After practice, we’re each coaching each other, helping each other with our hands and things like that. Even in the rookie class, we were helping each other develop as much as we can because we all came from different colleges, different d-line coaches and things like that. It’s great for us to be able to actually communicate with one another and teach each other.”
(Do they want you doing anything with your body as far as gaining any more weight? Doing anything at all?) – “To my understanding right now, strength and conditioning wise, right now we’re in OTAs so we can’t really bulk up too much and can’t really lose weight. Right now it’s more about maintaining. We’re also getting more flexible, stronger and things like that. I think that really comes over the summer. Heading into this break we have coming up, I feel like that’s where the real training will begin. Until then, I haven’t really talked to the coaches about the strength and conditioning aspect.”
(Have you spoken to DE Cam Wake about his diet? Is that something you think you can adhere to?) – “Yes, I spoke to him about it. Cam’s an interesting guy, to say the least. The diet aspect is so important. Nutrition is so important. I talk to (Team Nutritionist) Mary Ellen (Kelly) all the time about my nutrition and things like that. Everyone doesn’t have to be like Cameron Wake to be as great as Cameron Wake; but I feel like some of the things that he does do, in terms of nutrition, I’ll try to reiterate. The other stuff, the hardcore stuff, I don’t know. It’s pretty hard.”
(What are you talking about?) – “Like dairy. I love my cereal. I love my milk; I love my cheese. Stuff like that.”
(DE Cameron Wake doesn’t eat dairy?) – “I don’t think eats cheese like that. He doesn’t really care for cheese. That’s one thing.”
(Besides DE Cameron Wake’s diet, what other things can you pick his brain about each and every day?) – “Really, technique. The things he does on the field. Also, pass rush. Of course he’s a great pass rusher, so some moves that he does. What is he seeing? What does he look at pre-snap? Also post-snap, how does he learn from the play itself and then go onto the next play? What does he take away from it? Some things like that.”
(You mentioned after you were picked, just all of the admiration you had for DE Cameron Wake. How do you balance the admiration you have for him knowing that, theoretically, you’re here to compete against him?) – “Don’t get comfortable, I guess. Don’t glorify somebody too much because anybody can get beat. Anybody can get their position taken. I feel like that’s how you kind of look at it. I don’t know. Of course I have adoration for the man but, at the same time, each and every day I’m trying to get a job too. I’m trying to make sure I get my reps too. I don’t know. I don’t think that’s really something you have to do intrinsically. I don’t think there’s a certain way you do it, it’s just you either glorify somebody too much or you don’t.”
(And from DE Cameron Wake’s perspective, he knows you’re coming here and working to try to take snaps from him, theoretically. Have you been well received by him? Is he kind of taking you under his wing at all?) – “Yes, him and (Andre) Branch. Both of them, for the most part, have been great in regards to showing me the ropes and showing me everything I need to know. There’s no type of animosity or anything like that.”
Cordrea Tankersley – June 5, 2017
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Monday, June 5, 2017
CB Cordrea Tankersley
(What insight can you give us into how difficult it is to come in here and try to pick up everything about the pass coverage?) – “Yes, it’s very difficult; but you know, we have vets who help us try to learn the process, try to learn the system. The coaches also do a great job of keeping us going and also being able to watch a lot of film and study so we’re not that far behind.”
(How often are you out there and you feel like you’re just totally lost?) – “No, I don’t be lost. Like I said, I just follow my vets and study the game so the next practice, I’m always prepared. I don’t go out there being lost. I’m always prepared. It’s just getting used to the speed of the game.”
(Are you leaning on one vet more than another? Has anybody taken you under their wing at all?) – “I’m definitely leaning on all of them really; but I look at Byron Maxwell, obviously. He’s a guy that has been playing football a long time.”
(We saw you have a pick in 7-on-7 drills one of the days we were here last week. How many interceptions have you had – how many pass break ups have you had?) – “That was the only one. I need more. (laughter) I have a couple of PBUs (pass breakups). In the NFL, you’re not going to get many. It’s not college. The quarterbacks are going to put the ball where it needs to be. Any time I get an interception or even touch the ball, it’s precious.”
(What’s been the biggest eye opener so far? You mentioned the speed of the game. Has it been classroom work or how the vets take care of their bodies? Anything you really said ‘Wow, I didn’t think it would be like this in the NFL?’) – “Not really. Like I said, the only thing that was really overwhelming was just the speed, just adjusting to it. Every receiver you go against is really good. There’s no drop offs. You have to always be ready to bring your A-game every snap. So just being able to adjust every snap and give 100 percent every snap.”
(Have you played at all in the slot, or has it all been in the boundary?) – “Yes, I’ve played some in the slot. Mainly man, basically wherever they need me to play. I’m an open book. But mainly if a receiver goes inside, I’ll match up with him.”
(How much since you’ve been here have you played the nickel?) – “I wouldn’t necessarily call it the nickel. I’d just say I was the man, a corner in the inside slot.”
(How much do you think you could do that?) – “I did it a pretty good amount.”
(LB Raekwon McMillan was in here and he was very pleased that he had got an apartment. How have you rewarded yourself since signing your contract?) – “I just recently moved into my apartment as well – down in Sunrise. So, to finally have my own place, I’m finally adjusting to it.”
(Anything else, anything special?) – “I have my car coming in as well this week. That’s it, I’m not really a big spender. I really just spend money on the things that I really need and I have a son, so I really provide for him.”
(What’d you get?) – “What kind of car? A G-Wagon.”
(Black?) – “Matte gray with black rims.”
(CB Byron Maxwell said that he thanked you for the national championship. RB Kenyan Drake didn’t want to talk about it. Do you have anything you want to say about that?) – “Yes, he tried to steal my ring the first day that I got here. (laughter) Those guys, they worked hard and they set the standard for us to win that championship. The guys before us, the guys that are there now, that’s who we did it for. We are all a team, all alumnus.”
(You mentioned this before, pardon for asking this again. But you and CB Byron Maxwell, did you guys know each other at all? Did you ever meet him?) – “Yes, during my time in high school, I had a chance to visit. I met him a couple of times and he played that one year and then he left. But I was able to keep up with him while he was in Seattle and Philadelphia. He also communicated with me during the times that I … My senior year at Clemson. Just being here on the same team is quite overwhelming. Somebody that I looked up to, just being on his side – I couldn’t ask for a better teammate.”
(So you felt coming in that CB Byron Maxwell would kind of be there for you?) – “Yes, definitely. I definitely knew that, coming from Clemson. A Clemson guy, that’s just what we do. We take care of one another, we always look out for each other. That’s just how we were raised at Clemson.”
(Your first encounter with him was on a recruiting visit and he happened to be there? Do you remember the circumstances of the first time you met CB Byron Maxwell? – “It felt like I’ve known him all my life. The guys that Clemson recruit, we are all really the same. We are low maintenance, high character kind of guys. Even with Andre Branch, I’ve latched on to him. I’ve kind of known those guys, so just being here and seeing those guys already here has motivated me to not be overwhelmed. I have older brothers you could say.”
(So it was on the Clemson campus where you first met CB Byron Maxwell?) – “Yes.”
(This might be way off, but is there a point of which you feel like you’re competing with the veterans as opposed to learning along with the rest of the rookies?) – “Yes, we’re all out competing. I’m competing not only with the vets, but with myself as well. I always want to get better, so you’ve got to follow before you lead. I kind of just look at those guys as my leaders and one day they’ll be able to pass the baton to me.”
(Do you feel like you’ve gotten on equal footing with them or are you still trying to catch up to them?) – “I will never be equal. Those guys put in extra work. Those guys have been here way before me. I’m a rookie. I just have to learn. Can I play with them? Of course. I feel like I can play with anybody. But as for that standpoint, I feel like those guys will always have that step ahead of me. I mean (Byron Maxwell) won a Super Bowl. Some of them have won Super Bowls. Some of them have been here for six or seven years. I’m just getting here. I’m always willing to follow those guys lead.”
(What do you think about no decals for the rookies?) – “I think it’s a great idea. Earn your stripes. Try not to get complacent. You’re competing for something. I think it’s a great idea (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase is doing with the no decal. You’ve still got to put a helmet on.”
Raekwon McMillan – June 5, 2017
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Monday, June 5, 2017
LB Raekwon McMillan
(The rain is nice to dance in, huh? When it’s coming down really hard?) – “Yes, I got my little Chris Brown dance going on out there (laughter) and having a little fun. It’s the only sport that you can really … Well, it’s one of the only sports that you can go outside even with the different types of weather and still going to do what you’ve got to do out there.”
(What was it practicing like in the rain?) – “I mean I’ve practiced in the rain before. I’m from South Georgia. It’s nothing new. One day it’s 95 (degrees), the next day it’s pouring down rain. It’s just fun to be outside doing what I love.”
(What’s the transition been like for you from Ohio State to now and can you talk a little bit about learning this defense and how fast are you processing right now?) – “At Ohio State, we did a lot of the things that we do here, but (at Ohio State it was) less complex. Way less complex. In an NFL game, we go into all the different types of route combinations that the offense can give us and it’s an elite level of players. So you’ve got to change it up every now and then. But playing at the best of the best in college, it helped me out a lot. It helped me adjust to the speed of the game here. Just on the mental side, we did a lot of things at Ohio State that helped us transition to the NFL. Coming here, the only thing that’s going to help you get to where you want to be is reps and going out there and doing it, staying healthy, and going out there, doing it and being available and being coachable.”
(I saw you tweeted about decorating your apartment? Do you have a roommate?) – “No, I actually got my own apartment down here. I had a roommate all through college so I figured it was time to finally get my own and hopefully my next step is getting my house.”
(I think Ohio State last year went – was it 5-1 in one-score games? The only loss was the Penn State game? Is winning close games a skill or is that something you can do repeatedly? Is that an ability do you think?) – “I wouldn’t say it’s a skill. It’s something that you train for. You’re only prepared to what your training is. So you train for that during the offseason. The hardest part of our workouts at Ohio State was the end of the workout. It was hard throughout, but we’ve got to turn it up towards the end; and thats kind of our mindset here as well. Always train for the fourth quarter (and) always finish. At the end of the game when it’s a close game, it’s all about finishing. That’s what we’re practicing. That’s what we preach.”
(What does it take to finish?) – “Like I said, during the offseason you just have to train yourself to when you’re tired and …”
(It’s a physical thing? It’s not mental?) – “It’s physical and mental. You can train yourself mentally too, so when you’re tired, not worry about the outside distractions. You really focus in and lock-in to what you’re doing, zero-in like we say around here, and get the job done – mentally and physically.”
(What have you observed and/or heard from LB Lawrence Timmons and LB Kiko Alonso that maybe has been a little helpful or interesting?) – “We come in and we learn every day about the game, physically, in this building. But for them two, it’s about what they do off the field. Kiko (Alonso) and his diet, how he takes care of his body. He comes in … I asked him, I just pick his brain on what he does in the offseason – hot yoga, stretching every day, twice a day or something like that. He goes vegan every now and then. He watches what he eats and it’s the same thing with Lawrence (Timmons). Somebody who has played for 10-plus years, you’ve got to look at how they take care of their body and how they’ve been able to sustain his level of play over a long period of time. Really, from them, it’s been just soaking in everything they do off the field.”
(What do you think is your most NFL-ready skill? Obviously you did a lot well at Ohio State. You tackled really well. Is there a particular skill you have that you think is most ready to contribute as a rookie?) – “My skill – I call it a skill – but coachability. A lot of players come up with a hot head and think they’re this and think they’re that. But being coachable, it’s a skill that not a lot of people have learned to sustain over their career. Once they think they’re a starter, they think they’ve got it. So being coachable goes out the window. Ever since I stepped foot on campus and at Ohio State all the way until my junior year when I left, I always went into the meetings with a notebook and pen and wrote down notes and been coachable, and the same thing when I got here. The transition into my rookie year, one of my goals was to be coachable. When I’m up, when I’m having a good time, when I’m getting picks in practice and when I’m messing up play after play, just be coachable.”
(You worked with a guy who’s known for being tough in the NFL with Greg Schiano. What is the difference between him and Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke?) – “I only had the chance, had the privilege of being coached by Coach Schiano for a year, and he was with the safeties. He’s kind of overseeing the whole thing with the safeties. I didn’t really get to deal with him as much; but I see a lot of similarities in him (with Burke) – high intensity, don’t give up anything, want to challenge everything type guys – and very, very smart individuals when it comes to football, off the field and everything around it.”
(Often times the middle linebacker has to mirror a running back. A lot of the times they, I’ve seen a couple of times you’ve had battles with RB Kenyan Drake coming out of the backfield. How do you feel like that will prepare you? I know you’ve done it in the past as well but matching up with somebody with that type of speed, how’s that?) – “All that comes with preparation. They’re going to do what they’ve got to do to get an advantage on you. So you’ve got to know in your head what he’s trying to do to you and how you can get ahead in this situation. You know Kenyan (Drake) is one of the fastest players on the team, to me, how he looks out there and how he plays on the field. So me knowing that he might be a little faster than me, I’ve got to put myself in position to be able to do my job and excel.”
