Reshad Jones – May 24, 2018
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
S Reshad Jones
(What do you want to accomplish in 2018?) – “Really, no goals. Just be consistent and be the same guy I’ve been the past nine years. (I want to) be one of the leaders on this team now that I’m one of the older guys here and lead by example, not by my mouth.”
(Your thoughts when you heard that the Dolphins drafted S Minkah Fitzpatrick and what are your impressions of him?) – “He’s been making plays, getting his hands on balls early. I think it was a good pickup. I think he will definitely help us. I’m glad we got another DB, another guy in the room.”
(One thing that’s been tossed around is, having three safeties on the field at times. Obviously we saw that with S Maurice Smith on the field before the appendectomy last year. What kind of package could you S T.J McDonald, and S Minkah Fitzpatrick do? What strengths would that bring?) – “I think we all are versatile safeties. I can play strong safety, free safety. I guess it gives us an extra element of coverage. We have two strong defensive ends right now that are going to get after the quarterback. I know with Minkah on the field and all three of us on the field, that gives us that extra lockdown coverage.”
(We haven’t seen LB Raekwon McMillan play in a game yet. What do you think his strengths will be in front of you guys?) – “I think it will be good. Raekwon’s a big body. He’s been very vocal out there, taking on that leadership middle linebacker role. I think he’ll be very good and he’ll be helpful for us this year.”
(Have you seen any signs with CB Xavien Howard that he’s progressing, that he’s maturing and moving into that veteran status at all?) – “’X’ is being ‘X.’ He’s getting after it. We all have a common goal right now, to just come out here and get one percent better, like our coach preaches. I think he’s doing that. I think he had a small injury. He’s working through that and he’s out there trying to make plays for us.”
(Do you see things improving for him? Do you see things that he is approaching differently where he doesn’t seem like a rookie anymore to you?) – “I think he’s getting more knowledge of the game, as far as seeing things a little bit differently. He is recognizing formations and different things like that, so I would say yes.”
(I think you had your 30th birthday not that long ago, right?) – “Yes.”
(What does that mean to you in terms of being a professional athlete and turning 30 and where you feel you are in your career?) – “I still feel 18. I still feel like I have a lot of ball left ahead of me. I still feel good, I don’t feel 30.”
(This might make you feel old too, but this is your ninth season. Is that hard to believe?) – “Yes, it is a little hard to believe.”
(When you come into this league, you want to provide for your family. But, you also want to win too. Any frustration to not really getting to that point? You’ve been to the playoffs once, but being a competitor year in and year out, has that kind of eaten at you a little bit?) – “A little bit, but I just control what I control. I come and work my butt off and do everything that I can to help this team win. Whatever happens, happens.”
(What gives you confidence that this year will be different than years past?) – “It’s early. I can’t really tell right now. I feel like we’ve got the right guys in the locker room. There’s been a lot of changes around here. The culture feels a little bit different. It feels better. I just think we’re headed in the right directions.”
(How would you describe the personality and the leadership style of the new secondary coach, Tony Oden?) – “Tony’s a great dude. He’s a family guy. You can tell that he cares about us not only on the field, but off the field too. He asks about your family members and different things like that. It’s fun being with a guy like that. He’s been around also. He knows football. He knows the game. I think he’ll be very helpful for the young guys this year in our room.”
(In terms of how Defensive Backs Coach Tony Oden and former Defensive Backs Coach Lou Anarumo teach technique, can you sense that there is a big difference in how they teach technique?) – “Not really. For us, everything is pretty much the same for the safeties. The cornerbacks can tell you a little bit different. He works with the corners a little bit more than he works with us. Like I said, he’s a family guy. We have fun in the room. He has a lot of knowledge of the game. He’s been on Super Bowl teams. He knows what it looks like and how to get it done.”
(How would you assess how you and S T.J McDonald play as a tandem once he came back? And where is there room for improvement?) – “T.J and I played together a little bit later. I’m excited to see early on what we can do. I think me and T.J are interchangeable. We’re both versatile safeties. I can play free, he can play fee. I can play strong, he can play strong. I think it will be exciting for us to see early on, to have both of us on the field at the same time at the beginning of the season.”
(What can help your secondary produce more turnovers than last years total of eight?) – “Just tightening up coverage. I think it’s a total defensive effort. Pass rushers getting to the quarterback, us tightening up coverage, communicating a little bit better. Different things like that.”
(Has S Minkah Fitzpatrick been picking your brain and what is some advice you’d give him?) – “He hasn’t really picked my brain too much. I‘ve been helping him on little things; but, what advice I can give him is to be yourself. Continue to do what you’ve done to this point. Continue to be Minkah. I think he’ll be fine.”
(What was your initial reaction when you saw the Dolphins were drafting a safety in the first round?) – “It’s about time. We haven’t drafted a safety in a while. I think it was about time for us to get another defensive back in the room. I didn’t really have a reaction. I think it was helpful. I think it was a good move.”
(How was LB Raekwon McMillan doing last offseason? He was a rookie that was still pretty new. As far as just commanding the defense a running everything.) – “Last year, you said?”
(Last year when LB Raekwon McMillan was practicing with you guys.) – “I really didn’t pay attention to him too much last year. I don’t think we got as many reps together either, last year; so I wasn’t really paying attention to him like that.”
(What are your reaction to the NFL changing the way we do the National Anthem?) – “I really have no comment on it.”
(In sports, when someone is traded, released or whatever, it’s the next man up. What kind of blow was it to the defense with DT Ndamukong Suh not lining up here?) – “I’m going to miss him. I think Ndamukong Suh was a great guy, a great friend and a great talent on the field too. He’s a dominant force. A guy like that just leaving is going to definitely affect us a little bit; but I think we’ve got the right guys in our room and on this team that can step up and fill that void.”
(I know it’s early, but you’re way-too-early impressions of QB Ryan Tannehill as he comes back from the knee injury?) – “Ryan is a competitor. I’ve been seeing him work all offseason. While we’re working, he’s been here working. He’s one of the first guys in the building. He’s been looking good. He’s been making all of the right throws. He’s been making plays out there. I’m excited to have him back as our starting quarterback.”
(I can remember a couple of years back when we talked about how much making the Pro Bowl would mean to you when you hadn’t made it yet. Now that you’ve made it a couple of times, what sort of statement do you think you make to the rest of the league? What do you think others think of when they think of Reshad Jones?) – “It really doesn’t matter. Like I’ve always said, I know I’m one of the best safeties in this leagues. I know what I can do in this league. All I’m here to do is continue to do whatever it takes to win games. The contract situation is behind me and all of those things are behind me. My main focus is to help this team win and be the best teammate and player that I can be.”
(You’ve had an eight-year career here. Have you given any thought to finishing your career here and possibly being a Ring of Honor kind of player?) – “Most definitely. I definitely would like to retire. I’ve been here nine years. My family’s here. I don’t want to go anywhere at this point. Nine years in being with the same team is kind of rare; but I’d love to finish as a Miami Dolphin.”
(What do you think you need to do to get that Ring of Honor kind of status?) – “I really haven’t looked at that. Like I said, I want to come and be consistent and keep doing what I’ve been doing and let everything else – all those honors and recognition and accolades –handle itself.”
(It’s so rare to see a player go his entire career with one team. Would that be kind of something you’d really cherish if you were able to pull that off?) – “Yes, most definitely, I’d love to be here. I love Miami, I love the fans, I love everything about it. I was blessed to be drafted by one of the teams I wanted to come to. I’d definitely like to end my career here, if that’s possible.”
Raekwon McMillan – May 24, 2018
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
LB Raekwon McMillan
(How is the knee feeling?) – “Man, it feels good to be standing up again in front of you all. (laughter) It feels good to be back. My knee feels good. I’m out there doing everything at practice and (have) no limitations, so I’m out there flying around.”
(Do you think about your knee when you are out there or no?) – “No. That’s the worst thing you can do is think about it. I kind of got some advice from Frank Gore and (Ryan) Tannehill, that went through it a little bit last year. (They said) just when you get out there and you’re going, that needs to be the last thing on your mind.”
(What was it like to have all of that buildup to your rookie season and then have it taken away from you before it ever got going?) – “It was hard at first; but then I kind of sucked it up and told myself that I could either let this year be a waste or prepare myself for next year, because I know next year there is going to be a role to start. I can’t have any setbacks.”
(Yours was kind of the flukiest of fluke injuries, right? I mean you run down a punt and you just collide with a teammate.) – “Yes, it was a little quirky injury. Everything happens for a reason, so I wouldn’t call it a fluke; but yes, I got a little nudge and it happened. I took it from there.”
(What has been the hardest part of the last nine months?) – “The hardest part is just getting back, just baby steps. Every day you’re not going to be … Not walking one day and then walking the next. It was taking one step today, taking two steps the next day and then eventually getting to full speed. That’s the hardest part is just the daily grind. You don’t move as fast as you want to, but you’re always moving.”
(Obviously you were focused on getting back last year but was there any football knowledge that you gained? Anything that you can now apply to actual playing?) – “Yes, for sure. I got to watch Chase Allen grow into the player that he is right now. Chase did a great job coming in and filling in. Just talking with him, he was kind of like my boy when we were coming in through camp and learning together. During the season, just watching him out there doing it while I’m still going to all of the meetings and talking, it just helped my mental game. Now that I’m back out there, I’m still with the guys.”
(And you can apply that knowledge to stuff?) – “Yes.”
(Obviously you’re a young man and an inexperienced player, but you’re going to be right in the middle of things. So how, as a young man with not a lot of game experience, do you be a leader? How do you do that?) – “It all comes with confidence and knowing what I’m doing, being able to tell guys what they’re doing around me, and when they ask, have a definite answer, not like ‘Oh, I don’t know. Let me go ask coach.’ When they come to me as the Mike linebacker, I need to know. A leader isn’t just a title that you get because you’re the Mike linebacker. Leader is a title that you get because you put in the work day in and day out during the offseason and leading up until now.”
(Do you feel like this is sort of your “rookie year” or second year? A little bit in between?) – “I’ve got like one and a half, I guess. (laughter) Whatever you want to call it. So yes, this is my rookie and a half (year). (laughter)”
(Was there a point in your rehab that you said to yourself, “I’m going to be all the way back. I’m going to be better than I was before?”) – “Yes. When I finally started doing regular stuff, like going to Top Golf and going to swim and going out to shoot a little basketball, when I knew I could do that, I knew I was going to be okay.”
(How well was it going for you last year? How ready to take over that middle linebacker spot were you, before it was taken away?) – “I mean I was still a rookie last year and I was still being thrown into the fire; but I was very confident in myself and what I could do on the field. I felt like I could have done big things last year, but it just had to wait until the next year.”
(When the Dolphins picked LB Jerome Baker, were you watching it? Did you hear about it?) – “I was actually in the movies when it happened. (laughter) I was tweeting from the movies. Everybody saw me tweeting but I was in the movies and the people beside me were getting mad because I was on the phone the whole time. (laughter) But yes, they drafted my boy ‘Bake.’ I recruited him to Ohio State, so it just kind of feels good again to have him back with me here so I can teach him a little bit of what I know.”
(You mentioned Top Golf and all of that, when was that? When did you start to feel normal again?) – “I have no idea. (It was) like January or February.”
(So it took the whole season for you to kind of get back to that point?) – “Yes. I mean I’d say about December, January and February is when I started feeling like myself again.”
(When the injury first happened, did it cross your mind that it was crazy for it to be on the first play?) – “Yes. When I was on the ground, I was sitting there like, ‘Wow.’ I knew something was up as soon as it happened because I’ve never been hurt before and when I jumped up to try to run again – if you go back and look at it – when I first fell, I jumped right back up and tried to run but it just didn’t feel right. I sat back down and I knew something was up. I was like, ‘Man, this is crazy. This is the first time I’m touching the field, period, and I’m hurt.’ Yes, it was crazy.”
(What are the skills that you saw from LB Jerome Baker, going back to his Ohio State days, that can help this defense?) – “Some games I played in him with – Oklahoma, at Oklahoma, at Wisconsin – he really played some ball in those games. It wasn’t a one-man show out there. He was out there playing ball. When we played the team up north – that’s Michigan (laughter) – I think I had like 19 tackles or something like that and he was right behind me with like 18. He was out there balling. From then on, I knew he had a chance. Personally, I thought he was going to be an early second-round pick; but they had circumstances last year at Ohio State that made him drop down a little bit. He’s definitely a good ball player.”
(How do you see your role on this defense?) – “I’m the Mike. I’m the middle linebacker, the guy in the middle, the quarterback of the defense. I’m trying to become a leader out there. There’s nothing given to me, so I’m going to try to work my way into that leadership spot.”
(When a defense loses a guy like DT Ndamukong Suh, how can it be better?) – “Bringing in young talent. They’ve got to work to become that. He’s definitely one of the top 100 players in the league, as you all saw from NFL Network. He was voted on by the other players. He’s a dominant force in the middle. We just have to bring in talent to come and do what he did.”
(To what extent did you and QB Ryan Tannehill go through this process together?) – “We got our surgery on the same exact day. (laughter) We got back here on the day and we started rehab the same exact day. From Day 1, it was always a competition. Who could walk without their crutches first? Who could run full-speed under water first? It was just little stuff. Who can get a bigger quad muscle? (laughter) It was just really stupid stuff like that to keep competing with each other. Also, Isaiah Ford too was in that competition with us, even though he had a smaller injury. We all kept the light on each other.”
(Was going through it with QB Ryan Tannehill helpful to you?) – “Yes, for sure, because he always kept me up. Some days I wasn’t feeling too good and I just couldn’t do what I wanted to do. He always kept me positive and kept my mind right, because he had went through it last year.”
(Who won the competition? There’s a competition for everything.) – “I won. (laughter) I mean, I don’t know. (Ryan) Tannehill progressed a little bit faster than me because he just knew what the deal was with his knee. He wasn’t scared of the aches and pains that come with it. He moved along and helped me move along, as well.”
(Were you scared of the aches and pains when you had them?) – “Was I scared of them? Yes, but I got surgery for a reason. The surgery was so that I wouldn’t have the aches and pains anymore. It went away eventually.”
Xavien Howard – May 24, 2018
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
CB Xavien Howard
(I saw on social media you were hanging out with a Baylor guy, right? Was it QB Bryce Petty?) – “Yes, Bryce.”
(How well do you know QB Bryce Petty and what do you think about him joining the team?) – “He’s a great guy. I played with him. I had two years with him at Baylor. He’s a great guy. He can come out there and compete.”
(Your excellent close to last season, obviously the Monday Night game and the way you played, what did it do as far as your confidence and being used as fuel this offseason?) – “This offseason, I’m going out there and really just competing. Just going off last year, I ended the season well. I’m just getting better. It’s a new year. I’m getting better each year.”
(What do you think attributes to the slow starts you had last year?) – “I don’t know. We’re just growing. I try to get better each game, try to show improvement and stuff like that. At the end of the season, I guess I came well at the end.”
(What was the difference with the end of the season?) – “Really just going out there and knowing the quarterback, what I put on film earlier during the season, stuff they’re going to try to attack and really just working on that.”
(Was there anything that you changed in October, November as far as how much you studied film, anything technique-wise that might’ve led to you playing so well?) – “I was pressing more towards the end of the season. I was going to get my hands on the guys and stuff like that. Nothing (with) film. I stayed watching film. So really nothing (big), just changing my technique really.”
(Do you feel like you’re past the early, the learning part of your transition in the NFL, that now you’re expected to play like a veteran basically?) – “Oh, yes. We’ve got to turn it up to the next level. (It’s a) new year, new team, new goals. We’ve just got to go out there and just compete.”
(So for you, what stuff comes naturally now? What stuff were you trying to learn originally in those first couple years and now it’s just very natural for you?) – “I’d say just learning formations and stuff like that. Knowing what I put on film, (I’m just learning) what quarterbacks will try to attack at stuff like that. (I’m) just looking where my weaknesses (are) and stuff that I need to improve that a lot of quarterbacks try to go to.”
(When you say you were pressing more, was that your decision to do that or the coaches told you to do that or how did that come about?) – “The coaches. They said they want us to put our hands on receivers and stuff like that. We played a couple of good receivers and stuff like that. So, just knowing what our best … What my strength is doing is just pressing, knowing what I do well.”
(Would you like to do that more, like maybe all the time?) – “Oh, yes. I have no problem pressing. I did that in college. I pressed a lot. To the next level, I’m really just turning it up.”
(How would you describe the personality and leadership style of your new position coach, Tony Oden, and what’s a message that he has been saying to you guys a lot?) – “We just agreed to come in there and we’ve just got to finish. We’ve got to finish strong and study stuff that we had put on film and stuff last year, that again, people have seen. He’s really just telling us (to) finish and try to make plays out there.”
(What’s Defensive Backs Coach Tony Oden’s personality like?) – “He played in the league a couple years, so he really can contribute and let us know what we’re doing wrong and stuff like that. Just knowing he’s been out there and he knows how it is out there on the field.”
(Do you have concrete goals for this year – Pro Bowl, interceptions, anything like that?) – “No. Just continue. We’re just trying to get better each day.”
(How would you know this is a good year for you then? What is it that would say, “Man, I had a good year this year?”) – “I’d just say going out there and really just competing. I don’t know whatever come to the end, whatever we do, whatever we have, stuff like that.”
(What are you impressions thus far of S Minkah Fitzpatrick?) – “He’s a great guy. I saw him make a lot of plays at Alabama. I was watching him when I was in the league. Just seeing him out there making plays, I know he’s a playmaker.”
(Having said that, you have S T.J. McDonald, you have S Reshad Jones and then they take a safety in the first round. What was going through your mind?) – “I really didn’t think about it. It brings competition to the group. Everybody is out there working. Nobody has a job right now. Nobody knows they’re going to start or not, so it just brings competition to the group.”
(How many times, if at all, have you watched the Patriots game and your play in that game? Have you watched it a single time since the season ended?) – “I’m not really focused on that. It’s a new year. I’ve got to achieve some more than that.”
(Are you more likely to watch tape of games where you didn’t play as well as you wanted as opposed to games where you played really well?) – “Yes, sir. It’s stuff we got to learn on. Like I was saying, I had to go back and watch film, see what I was doing wrong that the quarterback was attacking. So just going off that, really just watching film overall (and) watching other players (and) what they do well and stuff like that, and just learning.”
(When you talked with Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke at the end of the season, what did he tell you needs to happen for you to improve?) – “I need to start fast. He just said I need to start fast. I need to start how I ended the season.”
(Does that require a different approach to the offseason than what you’ve had or is that just going to be a natural progression?) – “Yes, a natural progression. Just knowing what I did and knowing I’ve got to feed off that and I’ve got to turn it up.”
(This is Year 3 for you now. How important a season is this?) – “It’s a big season for me and the team. We’re just going out there. We didn’t have a good season last year, I’d say. We’re just trying to get better each day, come out there and play ball.”
(A lot of times players, they make a big leap from Year 1 to 2 and then in Year 3, they really become the player they’re going to be in their career. Do you see this as the year that you can really establish yourself as one of those elite corners?) – “I believe that. Yes, I believe I can be a top corner in the league just going out there and really just playing. So, I’d just say just going out there and doing me.”
(Were you good the last two years in your opinion?) – “No. I struggled a lot. It’s a part of just coming to the NFL. Stuff that I was doing in college I can’t do in the league. You see different receivers and stuff like that. Really, I’m just learning the game and knowing what I can do, knowing what I’m best at doing and just sticking to that instead of trying to do everything else that … I know my weaknesses and stuff like that, so really just knowing what I do well.”
(Were you frustrated often?) – “No. Really, it was just learning everything, trying to get to it. I was really big on trying to know what they’re going to do and stuff like that. In college, I wasn’t really watching film and stuff like that. I was just going on my athletic ability; but in the league, it’s a different level.”
(Technically you’re competing against him right now, but what do you see from QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “That’s a great guy. We need him a lot. He’s a big aspect out there. We know just … Going against Ryan Tannehill, I see a lot of good things in him and stuff like that. As you said, we’re competing against each other. He’s making me better and I’m making him better.”
(From 2016, last year not getting to see him at all, is QB Ryan Tannehill looking more like the guy you competed against back then? What do you see?) – “Yes, he’s getting better. As I said, right now it’s the third day of OTAs and we’re just going to get better and see how it goes.”
(How much time, if any, have you spent – and the other DBs have spent – on addressing the NFL’s new rules regarding tackling leading with the helmet, possible penalties, ejections if you do it the wrong way? How much have you guys talked about that?) – “I haven’t really, really looked into it like that; but I’d say it really affects nothing about how we tackle and stuff like that. Even though certain ways people tackle, leading with the head and stuff … In different situations offensive players have defensive players in. We just need to know how to tackle and do everything well. We’re practicing that a lot right now in OTAs.”
Jordan Phillips – May 24, 2018
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Thursday, May 24, 2018
DT Jordan Phillips
(Your thoughts when you had heard the Dolphins decided to move on from DT Ndamukong Suh?) – “He’s a mentor. I was sad to see him go, but it’s all part of the business. I wish him well. I know he’s going to do great things where he’s at and that’s about it on that.”
(Having a guy that who’s so substantial at what DT Ndamukong Suh did up there, how’s it going to affect the team on the field?) – “It’s hard to replace a man like Suh, but we don’t have an option to do it. It needs to get done, so we’re going to do what it takes to get (it done).”
(I know you dealt with injuries last year, but did you feel like that aside, you approached things a better way, that last year was a little bit of a step forward for you?) – “I mean my production wasn’t what I wanted it to be. The good games I played, I still did really well. So, I’ve got to keep it moving forward.”
(You had talked last offseason about taking a better approach and looking for more consistency. Do you feel like you were able to accomplish that in spite of injuries?) – “Yes. I felt like my play was really good last year.”
(As far as snap count for you, I think there’s the expectation it’s going to go up. Do you know realistically how much you could handle a game? Are we talking in the 40s? Obviously exhausting work.) – “I don’t think snap count has an effect with anything. I played 30 to 40 snaps last year, as well.”
(Is there a suspicion that it’s going to go up?) – “I couldn’t tell you.”
(Because that’s the message that we got.) – “I mean if that’s the message you guys got, then roll with it I guess.”
(I don’t believe you ever actually kneeled, but did show support to those who did. I think you put your arm around WR Kenny Stills in one game. You’ve had 24 hours now since the league has changed the rule. Your thoughts on the rule and do you think it took into account what players need or want?) – “Obviously, my opinion doesn’t matter, so I’m just going to stick to football questions.”
(Is there some motivation for you, DT Davon Godchaux, DT Vincent Taylor and DT Akeem Spence for the defensive tackle production not to take a dip with DT Ndamukong Suh gone?) – “I can’t speak for everybody else. I know what I’m intending to do this year. That’s all I’m focused on.”
(What are you intending to do?) – “Be the best player I can be.”
(Can I ask you about the first-round draft pick? I know it’s only been a few practices, but being around S Minkah Fitzpatrick a little bit, what sense do you get from him in terms of what he’s like and his talent?) – “I can’t really speak on that either. I haven’t been around him much, so I’m going to forego that question as well.”
(Can you talk about your new defensive line coach, Kris Kocurek?) – “Kris is a great guy. He brings a lot of energy. He’s fired up all of the time. He’s a good motivator. He gets into you when you need to get into. He’s definitely going to bring a culture change to our d-line.”
(Was there any conversation that you had after Ndamukong Suh moved on either with General Manager Chris Grier, Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum, Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke where they conveyed to you…) – “I’m going to keep all of that stuff in house.”
(You said there’s definitely going to be a culture change on the defensive line. What do you mean?) – “You guys are just going to have to wait and see.”
Adam Gase – May 23, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Obviously, it’s very important to you guys – to the team – to have QB Ryan Tannehill back. Specifically for Ryan as an individual, what have you observed about him in the last couple of days getting a chance to get back into this for the first time in a long time?) – “I think he’s, more than anything, just excited to be back on the field and being able to work team periods and going through our individual periods and working on certain aspects of his game. He’s had a really good energy level. When you’re away for a year and you get your opportunity to get back out there, I think there’s something that … You’ve missed it and it’s taken away from you and now you have a chance to kind of start over again and get back going with your guys. There’s that excitement. It’s great to have him back out there.”
(Does he seem – what you just said – does he seem kind of renewed?) – “I think he was disappointed last year when he got injured, because we felt like we were headed in the right direction. The year before, obviously, that was … We had a lot of good things going on. Just to get back out there, there’s an excitement for him.”
(At this point, what are you looking for from QB Ryan Tannehill particularly and how has he done with benchmarks?) – “Just trying to get him comfortable again. All the little nuances of the offense, it doesn’t seem like he’s really missed anything. He’s probably further ahead along now than he was last year.”
(Do you look at this for QB Ryan Tannehill more like Year 3 for him or Year 2 for him?) – “Probably Year 3. I know he didn’t play last year, but we got it going in the spring and we were working in training camp and it looked like things were headed in the right direction. A year really watching, seeing what was going on and really viewing from afar, I think it helped him.”
(What do you think the upside would be … It seems like there’s a clear-cut first team offensive line at this point. Would your hope be to stick with that group just for continuity? And I know one thing your new Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains said to us a couple weeks ago was that he feels this interior of the offensive line is better than what you had last year. Do you agree with that?) – “I think we’re trying to develop a little bit of cohesiveness with that group. We’ll keep taking it one day at a time and see how everything goes. I don’t want to jump the gun and say, ‘Here’s what it is locked in stone.’ It’s probably written more in pencil than pen right now. We did make an emphasis (to) make sure we firm up inside and help the center and get those guards and the center working together well and letting those two guys work on the edges, which we feel like they can do a good job of. We’ll just kind of see how everything plays out.”
(Has there been anything normal these last two days where QB Ryan Tannehill did something on the field and you said, “Okay, we’re fine. All is well. I love that?”) – “Yes, most of the stuff that he’s done. I feel good. I feel good with where we’re at. As long as we don’t have any setbacks – I don’t know what that could be – but I feel like we’re in a good place. I’ve seen him move around just as well as he ever has.”
(I didn’t notice RB Frank Gore doing team things. Did I miss it or was he limited?) – “Frank is not going to do a whole bunch in the spring. He hasn’t done anything (in the spring) in four or five years, maybe six.”
(As far as WR Albert Wilson, I believe he had a touchdown out there. What have you seen from Albert in 11-on-11? What have you seen from him so far these two days?) – “When you get a guy that’s coming from a different team, he has plenty of experience playing and he has made a lot of big plays in his career. I just see a veteran guy that is just trying to get the terminology really down. There may be a few different techniques that we’re trying to do with him that he hasn’t done before or doesn’t have a lot of experience with. For the most part, he’s just playing football. When you have the kind of athletic ability he does, the speed he does, the playmaking ability, you just try to find ways to get the ball in his hands and let him do his thing.”
(You said you like this group, but what have you seen so far on the field? Has the vibe out there really validated what you’ve seen?) – “Yes. It’s been good energy. I mean we’re in Day 2 here. We’ll see what it looks like in the ninth practice, but the energy level has been good. The way the guys are chasing the ball on defense and the line working down the field, the receivers trying to turn and put themselves in good positon down the field, I just like the way guys are finishing.”
(What kind of early sense do you get from QB Brock Osweiler?) – “We’re just working on a few things to tweak a few things mechanically. Nothing big. We’re just trying to get him back in rhythm to where we were three or four years ago, however long it’s been. It’s coming back to him really fast. It’s not too far off from the last time he was really in this system. He’s been good. It’s been good to be around him again. He’s got a great energy level. I think he’s enjoying kind of being with that group and working with the receivers he’s been working with.”
(How do you plan to work things out with QB Ryan Tannehill with regards to the knee brace? Will we see him out there some days wearing it to get used to it or not at all?) – “That’ll be a question you’ll have to ask him. I know you guys are going to talk to him today, so you can ask him all the knee brace questions you want.”
(Can you talk a little bit about your new Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek and what attracted you to him?) – “He’s a guy that there’s a lot of experience with (Defensive Coordinator) Matt (Burke) there, them working together. I think the fact that him and (Defensive Backs Coach) Tony (Oden) both came from the same system, the same team, there was a quick gel there on that side of the ball. Kris, he brings juice every day. You will hear him from the moment you step on the field until the end. His guys, I know his guys are going to run to the football, because I’ve heard it enough over the last two days. He gets quite a workout himself out there.”
(We saw two instances where WR Danny Amendola was kind of upset or frustrated with himself when he fumbled the ball and then he nearly had a ball picked off. Is that common from what you’ve seen from him, in terms of the intensity?) – “That’s him. That’s how he has been his whole career. Our defensive guys found that out first-hand last year. (It) got a little heated there between him and Bobby (McCain). He’s a competitor. He’s a perfectionist. He’s going to compete whether it’s Day 2 of OTAs or Phase 2 or in the weight room, during game week. It’s just not going to change.”
(How much do you think that’s because of size or a chip on WR Danny Amendola’s shoulder mentality?) – “I think it’s just his makeup. That’s just how he’s been. He’s a guy that beat the odds that he wasn’t ever going to play in the NFL.”
(The NFL just released this new anthem policy. Have you had any conversations within the locker room or within the staff on how you want that handled?) – “No, I just walked off the field. I’ll probably get debriefed here at some point.”
(What have you seen from S Minkah Fitzpatrick from the little time you’ve had with him?) – “It’s hard to say over two practices. I know he’s trying to immerse himself in this stuff. He’ll do anything he’s asked to do. No matter what group he’s running with, he’s trying to put himself in position to make plays and make sure that he’s doing his job.”
(What are you looking for out of the rookies in this first set of OTAs and how they react to the veterans?) – “It’s really just trying to get them to where they are up to speed with the other guys. It’s going to be tough because there is a lot of things they haven’t seen. They’re going to make a lot of mistakes and our job is to correct them quickly and try to get them on the same page with the veterans as fast as possible.”
(When you think back to QB Ryan Tannehill playing so well for you at the end of 2016 and then how you thought he looked in the 2017 offseason, what are the things that you saw that made you look back and say that he did so much better at the point?) – “His calmness. When you have the offense to the point to where you’re reacting and you’re not thinking, I think he’s really to that point. He can do next-level things to where he can get us out of bad plays, he can make run checks and make sure that we are not running into bad looks. It moves slower for him in his brain and we can tell that by some of the things he does on the field. Occasionally we’ll have a hiccup here or there where we’d rather not have him do something or we’d want him to do something different, and he’s able to absorb the information and apply it fast. That first year when you’re out there and you’re doing a lot of the things that we do, it can slow you up and you can make poor decisions because of it. I don’t think we’re going to really see a lot of that.”
(How synchronized are you and QB Ryan Tannehill now, compared to where you were? What are the big leaps in terms of just him understanding you?) – “I don’t know if there have been any big leaps. This is our third year being around each other. We know each other pretty good. He can feel where I’m at on certain things and I can do the same thing with him. I have a lot of faith that if he tells me something, we’re going to run with it because I trust what he’s seeing and I trust what he’s telling me. That’s what you get. The longer you’re with somebody, the easier it is to play off of each other and then to make sure that when he says something, I’m going to listen and just go with it.”
(When it comes to the prototypes of your corners, you usually have long, rangy guys on the boundaries. Can CB Bobby McCain change your thinking if he plays well?) – “I have confidence. When Bobby goes out there, I feel good about it because he covers his guy, and he can make plays on the ball outside. I’ve seen him do it in practice. We haven’t done it a whole bunch in games unless we absolutely have to; but the spot that he plays, there’s so much nickel personnel that’s being played that he probably played 600-plus snaps last year. That’s just the way the game is. If he had to play outside, then slot inside and do things like that, it’s a lot of plays. It’s a lot on your plate. That nickel spot is a tough position. You’ve got to know a lot of things and know a lot of adjustments.”
(With LB Raekwon McMillan and CB Tony Lippett, are they cleared without any limitations to participate in OTAs?) – “Obviously they’re participating. We’re keeping an eye on both of them. ‘Lip’ (Tony Lippett), we’re just making sure … That’s kind of a different injury for his position. There’s a lot of plant and drive and a lot of stress on the whole Achilles thing. We’re trying to be smart and be sure that he feels good and get him confident and ready to go, to where he feels like he can play at the level that he was playing at the end of the season a couple of years ago. Raekwon, I feel like we’re in a good spot with him right now. I still think we’re all just kind of watching. Those defensive players are probably a little less protected. Ryan (Tannehill) is in a different spot to where nobody was really going to come around him as much. Those (linebackers) are kind of getting tangled up with bodies quite a bit. We’ll just keep an eye on it, but we feel good with where they’re at right now.”
(So limited snaps?) – “I’d say Tony we’re probably a little more limited. Raekwon, I don’t know if he’s letting us allow him to be limited.”
(What do you think G Josh Sitton brings to your offensive line? Is there something already that you have noticed that jumps out at you the little time that you’ve seen him on the field?) – “Yes, from the time he’s really … In the amount of time that he’s been here, you can see that he’s a veteran player that has the type of swagger you’d want from an offensive lineman. He brings confidence with that group. He’s got something about him that’s probably different than a lot of guys I’ve been around. He’s very confident, very knowledgeable. He helps those other guys. It’s really a great thing to see how he works, him and Laremy (Tunsil), and how they talk through things and the amount of time they spend with each other. Then when we get on the field, you see the way he moves. He’s a big man that moves really well. He knows exactly what the defense is trying to do and he knows how to react to it. You’re not getting much pushback when he’s in there.”
(Your tight ends. You drafted two and you brought back a group of veterans. I’m wondering what you see and what you want to see. Are you seeing the veterans bucking up and saying ‘This is our job?’ And what do you want to see out there?) – “I think everybody is competing. That’s really what we want. I think it’s going to sort itself out. We have a long ways to go. It’s good to have as many guys as we have right now. We’re good with … Everybody has a variety of skill sets, everybody does a little bit of something different well. We’re just going to keep getting these guys reps and see who pushes themselves to the forefront; but right now, I like the way those guys are competing. “
(Would you like to see, and I know it’s early, but eventually, before the start of the season QB Ryan Tannehill handle adversity, be under pressure, have some real game-like situations where things go wrong? Or would you rather it be smooth sailing for him until the start of the season?) – “Well, something’s going to happen. We’ll go through some kind of adversity at some point. That’s just the way the nature of this business is. Something usually comes up, whether it’s an injury, whether we’re having an off day and we have to fight our way out of it and figure out a way to move the ball. Whether it’s in the spring, training camp, preseason, regular season – something is going to come up at some point. You just keep preparing and putting yourself in good positon and when those times come, you have to use the knowledge that you have, your ability and the guys around you to really push through that and find a way to be successful.”
Daniel Kilgore – May 23, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
C Daniel Kilgore
(Obviously, you’re still in the first few weeks around new offensive line teammates, but do you have any sense yet of how this group could be, knowing you have first-round picks at both tackles and established guys in you and G Josh Sitton?) – “It’s a special group. Coming in, I knew right away just by the makeup of the room that you got a bunch of really good guys led by two really good coaches that care about their players. Just that first impact, I knew right away that this could be a really good group. Getting to know them on and off the field, we’ve got some players who’ve played a lot of ball and we’ve got some young guys who are able to step up and play. I think the offensive line room is in a good spot right now. There’s obviously a lot to learn early in OTAs, but we’re in a good situation right now.”
(What have your initial impressions been of QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “Ryan has been great. He’s a leader, obviously, in and out of the huddle. His ability to move in the pocket and throw the deep ball, it’s been great. (His) knowledge of the game is what you would want of a starting quarterback, and getting to know him and his wife and their little boy off the field has been great as well. Nothing but first class with Ryan Tannehill.”
(How long did it take for the shock to wear off over what happened, obviously being traded after signing a contract?) – “It was a frustrating 48 hours; but on that Thursday morning as soon as I came in here, I heard I was coming here and I was excited. It was great. My brother-in-law, he’s been a Miami Dolphins fan for a long time, so he was more excited than I was. It was awesome. Being able to be close to home and to get down here not knowing anybody and seeing the staff and meeting everybody involved with the organization, it’s nothing but the best.”
(Did T Laremy Tunsil just want to take an offensive tackle number or did you actually have to give him something?) – “I didn’t even ask for it. I think he wanted to go back to his college number, so I was happy with that. I’ve been 67 in high school and then out west as well, so I was more than willing to take 67 from him.”
(I know it’s sometimes hard to talk about your overall game, but if you had to point to something that you think you do really well, it would be what?) – “Knowledge of defenses, week in and week out, and the athletic ability, being able to work from first level to second level. Communication, obviously, you’ve got to have that with the quarterback and the four other guys. Those would be the top three, I guess.”
(Have you crossed paths or had any conversations with C Mike Pouncey?) – “I have not. I’ve heard nothing but great things about Mike and I respect his game. We came out the same year together in 2011. I’ve watched him. Obviously, he’s had some injures and whatnot, but he’s a great player and I have nothing but respect for him and what he’s done here.”
(How did you get to know the Tannehill family?) – “Actually the day that I was traded here. He just finished a workout and we met upstairs. We talked for about half an hour and then his wife reached out to my wife. Since then, we’ve just developed a friendship. It started there.”
(This might be weird, but do some quarterbacks have snap preferences that you need to actually learn about?) – “In the past, I’ve had schemes where shotgun snaps were important, placing it in different hips; but with Ryan, it was kind of a blank slate, so it was easy. If you can give him a spiral every time in the shotgun, he’s going to get it in the chest or at the waist. He’s not too picky when you get that good of a snap.”
Josh Sitton – May 23, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
G Josh Sitton
(It’s been awhile since your days at UCF. Is this a little bit of an adjustment period getting used to the heat in South Florida after playing in Chicago and Green Bay?) – “Oh, absolutely. That was probably the biggest thing I was thinking about when I was signing down here was getting back used to the heat. I’ve been up north for 10 years now, so I’m used to the cold. Somebody … I think Ja’Wuan (James) was asking if I would rather play in 95 or 5 degrees and I said 5, and he was just shocked. Yes, it’s just what I’ve been used to; but I’ll adjust.”
(What do you have to do differently to prepare for practicing in this kind of weather? Do you remember what you did in college? Is there something you have to do that’s totally different to prepare yourself to go out there for a couple of hours?) – “I mean hydrating is the most important. When you’re in the cooler weather, you can drink a couple of bottles of water before practice and you’re good to go. Down here it’s a constant thing. You have to stay hydrated every day, all day. It’s just a matter of keeping the fluids in you. I’m sure there will be an adjustment period of what I have to do after practice with my body, like ice tubs and things like that. They’re things that I’ve always done but you might have to do it a little bit more. I’m sure there will be a period of getting used to that.”
(We’ve heard a lot from your coaches about the emphasis of the working relationship between you and T Laremy Tunsil. As the veteran in that relationship, how do you approach that with him?) – “I don’t know. I’ve kind of gone about what I do the same over my career, and I think I’ll continue to do that. I try to help out young guys, whether it’s the guy right next to me or the guy at the 3-spot, or whatever it is. I have guys that I’ve played next to when I was young, specifically Mark Tauscher, Scott Wells, Chad Clifton and guys like that, that kind of took me under their wing and taught me a few things. My approach is my door is always open and Laremy has been good about talking to me. I think we’ve already gotten off on the right foot with the communication and that relationship.”
(I know it’s early but do you have a sense yet of just watching T Laremy Tunsil and T Ja’Wuan James a little bit, knowing C Daniel Kilgore, of what this offensive line could be good at?) – “It is early but I know that we’ve got a talented group of guys. (We have) two first round tackles and some pretty good players on the inside. It’s only our second practice, so it’s kind of hard to tell everybody’s strengths and weaknesses but I think that we’ve got a group of guys that can compete. I think we’re going to be pretty good. We’ve got a couple of guys that have played that are backing up right now and you can’t put a price on that experience. So to have guys that can come in with game experience is extremely important.”
(How would you describe what you’ve seen and heard from QB Ryan Tannehill so far?) – “He seems like a great leader. He always takes command of the huddle. He takes command of the meetings, so from that aspect, everything has been positive. Like I said, it’s only been two practices; but I’ve seen him make a few throws, especially on the run. He rolled out yesterday after a play-action and threw a dime piece running to the left. I was like, ‘Damn, that was pretty impressive.’ I’ve seen some good things from him so far.”
(I don’t know if you heard but Head Coach Adam Gase just mentioned, when he was talking about you, that he thought you brought some swagger to the offensive line. What’s your reaction to that? And does an offensive line benefit from swagger, do you think?) – “What’s swagger? (laughter) I don’t know about that one. I don’t know if that’s a compliment or not. (laughter)”
(I think he meant it that way.) – “All I know is that I bring some vet leadership and I know how to win in this league. I’ve done it for a long time. I think this whole group, as an offensive line, can be really good, and that’s exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do.”
(What have your impressions been of Head Coach Adam Gase and the entire coaching staff here so far?) – “Anybody that can wear jeans a flip flops, like myself, I’m a big fan of. (laughter) Coach Gase has been great. Since I got to meet him on my visit here, I’ve really liked him. I was obviously with (Offensive Coordinator) Dowell (Loggains) and ‘Wash’ (Offensive Line Coach Jeremiah Washburn) in Chicago, and I’ve had a good relationship with those guys. So it’s nice to come in and have a couple of familiar faces. The scheme, I really love it so far. Hopefully that continues. Everything has been positive from the coaching staff, yes.”
(You’re getting ready to start your 11th year in this league. This isn’t a business where longevity often exists. Can you just reflect a little bit about how gratified you are to be able to do this for this long?) – “Yes, I’ve been blessed. Most of the time, injuries are what takes guys out of this league. I’ve been extremely lucky from that standpoint. I’ve had great coaching and great players around me that have always helped me out. I’ve just been lucky to stay healthy.”
(Do you think you’ll get pushed to the point with this heat that the beard and the long locks have to go?) – “That’s a good question. I’ve thought about it. I’m going to see how OTAs go and then it might be gone come training camp. (laughter)”
(Have you thought about that during drills? Do you feel that hair on the back of your neck and you’re not sure how well this is going to go?) – “Oh yes, because I used to have short hair back in college and I grew it out when I started up in Green Bay.”
(I take it that’s not a decision you’d make lightly.) – “No, I would not. I would probably cry. (laughter)”
(There are a lot of teams in the league that go into OTAs unsure who might be starting at one, two or even three offensive line spots. It appears there’s a pretty good sense of who your likely top five would be. What kind of advantage is that in terms of you all building continuity as a group over the next three months?) – “Well, I don’t know that any of the spots are for sure right now. I think we’ve got a group of eight or nine guys that can really come in and be able to play this year. That’s what this time of year and training camp is for, is to figure out who is going to be playing. My honest answer is that there’s going to be a competition at a few spots. There’s that many good guys in that room.”
(Have you done any group outings or planned any? Is that type of thing important at all with building communication among the offensive line?) – “Oh, absolutely. I think it’s extremely important. We spend so much time here at work just constantly talking about work. To get out of here and just BS about other things and get to know each other and get to know each other’s families, it just helps build that relationship. When you’re on the field, you can start trusting the guy next to you a little bit more. Yes, we’ve done a few things.”
(Once you were eligible to sign, you didn’t wait long. A lot of teams were interested in you. What ultimately sold you about the Dolphins? Just reflect a little bit about how rewarding it was to be in such demand.) – “A lot of the decision had to do with ‘Coach Wash’ (Offensive Line Coach Jeremiah Washburn) and (Offensive Coordinator) Dowell (Loggains) and being familiar with those guys and being familiar with the system. I loved how they coached in Chicago and when I came here and met (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase, I kind of had a feeling that I was going to end up signing pretty quickly. I knew I liked him right away. Honestly, I look back at the season they had two years ago. I forgot how many games they won in a row, but I think they won nine out of 10 or something like that. You can see the foundation of a good football team here. I want to win. I’m in the last few years of my career, so I think I wanted to be in a place that I could win and I think we can.”
Albert Wilson – May 23, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
WR Albert Wilson
(This is Day 2 of OTAs now. How many different places have you lined up on the field?) – “Pretty much everywhere inside and outside. I’m pretty much getting all of it right now.”
(X, Y and Z? All of the above?) – “Right.”
(What’s your favorite?) – “I really like working on the inside. I feel like I’ve got that down pat; but, I work good on the outside also, so it really doesn’t matter.”
(Have they stressed to you the importance of being able to master pretty much every position on the field?) – “Definitely. I think the whole offense, every wide out and tight end, works inside and outside. I think that’s a big part of our offense.”
(I noticed you had a 50-yard touchdown reception today on the right sideline. Can you tell us what happened on that play and what it showcased of your skills?) – “I had a take-off route, pretty much a go route. I got a little held up at the beginning but the quarterback gave me a shot. I pretty much took advantage of the opportunity. (I) was able to work inside, made a move on the safety and that was pretty much all she wrote.”
(What did that show? Elusiveness or the ability to get off the line of scrimmage? Ball tracking? What do you think?) – “Definitely. To be able to keep working in the route, to track the ball and to make a play once it’s in my hand.”
(You’re obviously established in your own right but do you enjoy coming here to a receivers group where it’s kind of run by WR Kenny Stills and it seems like WR Danny Amendola also, even though he’s new?) – “Oh, definitely. I think Kenny does a great job of letting us know what coach is looking for. He’s been around it and had a lot of success here. He’s a great leader and Danny, he’s coming over and has played a ton of football. To have him on our side and to pick his brain and see how he works, it’s a great thing for us.”
(Is there anything specific that WR Kenny Stills has instructed to you?) – “Pretty much just knowing the offense and like (you were) saying, to know every spot. We’re going to work left and right side, and (you have to) know every spot.”
(We saw WR Danny Amendola come off the field one time and he was kind of mad. He threw his helmet against the fence on the second day of OTAs. What does that say?) –”That’s Danny for you. He’s a perfectionist and he wants to do everything right. If it doesn’t go his way, he’s kind of down on himself. I think that’s what makes him a great player. He’s the hardest person on himself.”
(You obviously know that the wide receiver’s success is tied to the quarterback. What are your first impressions, what are your early impressions of your starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill?) – “I think he’s in the right place, especially after what happened to him this past season. I feel like he’s trusting himself, trusting all of the hard work he put in in the offseason, and I think he’s going to pick up where he left off.”
(What are your initial impressions of QB Ryan Tannehill as a thrower of the ball?) – “I love his ball. He’s definitely good with the timing. He puts it to where you can make a play on the ball. It’s a great thing.”
(I don’t know if you heard, but it’s just been announced by the NFL. They are adopting a new policy regarding the national anthem. If you’re on the field during the national anthem, you have to stand. You do have the right to stay in the locker room, although each club can adopt its own policies regarding all of that. What’s your reaction?) – “I haven’t really heard it until you just brought it up; but I’m pretty sure coach is going to have his say-so on it. Once coach gets with us about it, I’ll pretty much have something to say after that.”
(I was wondering about the hoodie. Is that from the team or is that your own brand?) – “It’s pretty much my logo; but I was able to get these Dolphins colors on there. I just wanted to show it off. (laughter)”
(Would you be willing to participate in a 40-yard dash with WR Jakeem Grant and RB Kenyan Drake?) – “Oh yes, definitely.”
(Will you do that when we’re out there on the field so we can see it?) – “If it sets up that way, definitely.”
(What do you think would happen?) – “I’ll win.”
(Are you the fastest guy on the team then?) – “Definitely.”
(Have you had some pinch-me moments being here playing in South Florida, growing up so close and now being a Dolphin?) – “It’s great. I still take it in every day, just coming into the locker room and seeing guys like Dan Marino walking around. His great legacy around here, it’s still breath-taking.”
(Was there another opportunity you had that you gave serious thought to the first two days of free agency or was this clear-cut without question where you were going to sign?) – “When things came down to it, outside of football, this was the right place for me.”
(Outside of football, you mean what?) – “Just bringing a whole different motivation to why I play the game. I’m able to get back home and play for my home state. It wasn’t a question.”
(Did your family play into it? Mom, dad, did they say something? You have a chance to play for the Dolphins, so you have to go for that?) – “Not really. They’re riding with me no matter what. Just the opportunity, it was a great one. A lot of people don’t get to go home and have a great opportunity like me, so I’m definitely taking full advantage of it.”
(You guys had a lot of other talented offensive players in Kansas City. I’m wondering what you thought about how you were used. Did you wish that you were used more or did you understand because of the talent surrounding you? What did you think?) – “I feel like what makes me a great player is just knowing my role. My role was kind of the back end of just stepping up when I needed to be called on. I don’t feel like I was used wrong; but I definitely feel like I could’ve been used more.”
