Kalen Ballage – May 11, 2018
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Friday, May 11, 2018
RB Kalen Ballage
(Your goal for this season. Have you thought about … Would you like to be a major contributor from scrimmage or special teams? Do you set goals like that?) – “Yes, absolutely. I feel like to be an elite competitor, that’s what you have to do. You shoot for the top spot and go for it and try to reach those goals. I’ve definitely thought about that and being a big part of this starting unit.”
(You knew exactly how many running backs were taken in front of you when we talked to you on draft day. Is that something that’s going to stick with you, you think?) – “At the end of the day, I feel like … Like I said in the interview, there were 130 people picked before me and 11 other running backs. More and more each day I thank God that I ended up in Miami because I think it is going to be the perfect fit for me. It’s just something that motivates me.”
(Why do you think it is the perfect fit?) – “For every reason. Just the coaching staff, the facilities, Miami in itself. I think that this is somewhere that I’ll be able to flourish.”
(When you get here and see that RB Frank Gore is here and going to be in your room, what do you think of that?) – “It’s super exciting. I know a lot about running backs. I know he’s like fourth all-time on the rushing list. That’s just somebody that I look up to. A lot of people don’t see Frank as the flashy running back or anything like that; but he’s consistent every year. He rushes for 1,000 yards and I think that’s definitely somebody that I can learn from.”
(Has RB Frank Gore reached out to you?) – “Yes, I spoke to Frank the past couple of days. We were kind of just talking a little bit back and forth. Obviously he’s 33-34 years old so he has a wife and kids and family and stuff like that, so he has his own stuff to worry about. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
(Were you star struck at all to hear from RB Frank Gore?) – “At first I was. I reached out to him on Instagram after I got drafted. I didn’t think he would see the message or anything; but he messaged me back right away. That was welcoming for sure.”
(Your experience playing multiple positions throughout high school. How does that serve you now and how did that help you get to where you are?) – “It wasn’t just high school. It was middle school, it was little league. I was a quarterback, wide receiver, running back, safety, linebacker. I did everything. I am a running back, but I consider myself a football player. I feel like I’m somebody that can do everything pretty well.”
(Watching that eight-touchdown game. That was very impressive and amazing and those don’t come along very often. I’m wondering why didn’t your time at ASU include more performances closer to that as opposed to much less than that?) – “What a lot of people don’t know is in that game, I only had 13 carries. That’s kind of how it was throughout my college career. I think I had 15 touches that game. That’s kind of how it was throughout my college career. That is what it is and at the end of the day, now I’m here. I’m a Dolphin and I’m really excited to move forward.”
(Did you feel like it was an untapped potential you had? More would’ve been more?) – “Yes, I do. Absolutely. But like I said, I’m a Miami Dolphin now. These coaches are extremely smart and know exactly what they’re doing and they’re going to be able to put me in position to make a lot of plays.”
(You mentioned them putting you in position to make a lot of plays. How does it feel to be in an offense with their willingness to split running backs out and go empty and things of that nature?) – “It’s super exciting for me. Like I said when I walked in here, I’m a competitor. I’m going to have a lot of opportunities to be in those one-on-one matchups with linebackers or safeties or whoever out in the slot or empty formations and stuff like that. That’s stuff that I’ve got to take advantage of, for sure.”
(How do you describe this week, your first days as an NFL player?) – “It’s been awesome. I think just the support staff and everybody that they have in here has just made the transition very easy for me. Coming in, moving all of my stuff from Arizona to here and into a hotel, and there’s meetings and trying to learn the offense. There’s so much that plays into all of this; but I’m taking it all in stride and it’s been a very easy transition for me.”
(When you talk offense with Head Coach Adam Gase, ideas and things like that, what do you come away thinking?) – “Honestly, there’s been so much going on, I haven’t really even had the opportunity to sit down with him one-on-one. I think that’s a conversation we’ll happen in the future.”
(You’ve already packed up all of your stuff and you’ve already moved here?) – “I’m in the hotel right now.”
(Is stuff on the way?) – “Yes. Like I said, I’m a Miami Dolphin and I want to come here, I want to be here, I want to live here, I want to be in the community. This is something that I’m all in – not 75 or 80 percent.”
(But you don’t even know where to live yet.) – “Nope. I’m going to figure it out.”
(So your stuff is in like a U-Haul truck?) – “Yes. I have it all in a storage unit, so whenever I get it down here.”
(You mentioned the running back history. You follow it, what do you know about the history of Dolphins running backs?) – “Ronnie Brown is one of my favorite running backs. You guys probably know him. I just liked that way he played. He was somebody that was exciting for me to watch. I also know two older guys. Larry Csonka, he was a cool guy to watch as well. Just watching some of his stuff on A Football Life and things like that, it’s cool to watch.”
(Ronnie Brown did a lot of something that you’ve done a lot of, like Wildcat quarterback. Is that something that you enjoy doing, that you hope the Dolphins incorporate?) – “I don’t know. (laughter)”
(Have you ever watched the tape of that game he had against New England? The first one ever that they did that thing?) – “No, I don’t think I’ve seen it. I’ll have to pull it up later, for sure.”
(What is it about RB Ronnie Brown?) – “I don’t know. Growing up, I just liked him. As you’re growing up, the teams that catch your eye are the Miami Dolphins and the Oregon Ducks and the nice colors and stuff like that. I just like the way he played. He was somebody that I liked to watch when I was younger.”
(I know you mentioned that the lack of carries was certainly one factor maybe why the production, which was good, wasn’t even better. You watched the draft, the Mel Kipers, and Todd McShays all praised how talented, athletic you are. Both said, and others, you could be more consistent maybe, you could be more physical in terms of playing to your size. Do you agree with that at all?) – “I feel like I’m definitely somebody that needs to grow as a player in general. I feel like everybody needs to grow at some point. Tom Brady probably has a bunch of things that he needs to work on and get better at. Like I said earlier, I think that’a part of being a competitor and taking the next step and being a good football player.”
(How should you be used in an offense. If you were an offensive coordinator, how would you use RB Kalen Ballage?) – “Any way you want. I feel like that’s why I’m valuable. I feel like I can do anything and whatever you come up with, whatever you want to do, I feel like I can fit into that system.”
Quentin Poling – May 11, 2018
Friday, May 11, 2018
Linebacker Quentin Poling
(Looking at the statistics you complied in college, they’re very, very impressive. A lot of tackles for losses, a lot of turnovers. Why do you figure you lasted so long in the draft with those kind of stats? Size?) – “Maybe. For some people, that’s an issue. I’m a little short for maybe some people and their liking – maybe a little light; but it was a good year for linebackers in my opinion in the draft. (There were) a lot of great athletes. I think I attribute that to being a big reason.”
(Hopefully this is the last time I ask you this: is it Po-ling or Paul-ing?) – “Po-ling.”
(Any Power 5 conference offers coming out of high school?) – “Nope.”
(Have you felt overlooked during that process as a high school senior?) – “Not really. I started the whole camp scene in high school a little late. To pick up some of those Power 5 offers, you’ve got to get at it a little bit earlier than I had really known. It’s a hindsight thing.”
(How big of a party was there in Gomer, Ohio when you were drafted? It is population 102, correct?) – “Yes. Not much of a party. I limited it to select family members. Even then, I was kind of out in my dad’s garage and fielding phone calls and things like that, so it was a stressful day.”
(How about in terms of the town itself? I can’t imagine there would be many people in Gomer, Ohio that get drafted in the NFL.) – “Not too many. (laughter) It was good. Very exciting. I’m sure probably a third of that population doesn’t even know that I came from there or who I am. The people who I’m pretty close with, the neighbors, they’re excited.”
(What gives you confidence that going from playing in the conference you did in college to playing at the highest level of football in the world, that you’re going to be able to make that transition?) – “Just knowing that I’m going to prepare to do it. Preparation and knowing what you’re doing will allow you to make up a lot of the game-speed type things. You can’t play fast if you don’t know what you’re doing. Just hitting the books a little harder than everyone else is and trying to learn my position and the whole defense and everything.”
(You probably – I don’t know your schedule – but you probably played in some big road stadiums, is that right?) – “Yes.”
(What’s the biggest you played in?) – “Tennessee.”
(Alright, so 65,000 at Hard Rock Stadium won’t be overwhelming for you then?) – “No.”
(Did you just say a third of the people in your town might not know that you’re from there?) – “Correct.”
(That’s 30 people!) – “About half. (laughter)”
(How is that possible? You’re just joking right?) – “No.”
(You’re not like a celebrity there?) – “No. It’s a classic town set up with a T – two roads, road, road. So this road, probably pretty good, well known. This road … (laughter)”
(They do have television there right?) – “Most houses.”
(So why don’t you have the crossover appeal? What’s going on?) – “I don’t know. All my friends live on this road.”
(Wait a minute, there’s only like one high school there I’m assuming.) – “I go to high school not in that settlement. It’s not big enough to even be called a village.”
(That’s why half the city doesn’t pay attention to who you are?) – “Correct.”
(You’ve gotten too big for them.) – “Yes. (laughter)”
(You had 18 college sacks. How often were you a blitzer and how effective are you?) – “Pretty frequently. We got after people. We had some blitzes that were very effective in the run and pass game. We blitzed a lot and did some limited man stuff, but a lot of it was kind of a hug-and-add to your man pressure-type-thing on the running back when you have man (coverage). So it gets you some coverage sacks and stuff like that.”
(And in pass coverage, you had seven picks obviously in four years there. How often would you be used in coverage? Do you feel good about your abilities with that?) – “Yes, I was used frequently … A lot of our Cover 4 stuff, I would just area drop and there were running backs and things like that, so it was very basic; but we expanded a lot more into Cover 3 and Cover 2 stuff my junior and senior season. I feel comfortable with where I am right now, but not really. I’ve got to make the transition here, so you’ve got to stay a little uncomfortable with everything and I can always get better.”
(Do you have any doubts that you can play on this level?) – “No.”
(Why do you say that?) – “Just because I know I’m going to prepare and give my best effort. If I doubt myself and my best effort, then I probably wouldn’t have even came here.”
(What do you think of playing on special teams, because as you might guess, that’s going to be an avenue where you can make the team doing that?) – “Absolutely. Special teams are a lot of fun. It wasn’t something that I was asked to do in college, because I took so many reps on defense and coaches didn’t want me to potentially get hurt. It’s a third of the game and it’s exciting. It’s man-on-man, who’s the better athlete, who’s going to beat who. In terms of that aspect, just going up against someone and competing, I don’t think there’s any more true form than special teams.”
(Have you been told, “Hey man, special teams is going to be a thing for you?”) – “Yes. Kind of going through the draft process and taking visits everywhere and meeting with coaches it’s kind of, ‘Hey, this is going to be your foot in the gateway. You’ve got to be good on special teams. You’ve got to make those teams, be starting on those teams and develop your game as a linebacker.’”
(What will it take for you to be a celebrity in your entire town?) – “I’m not sure. I’m not sure if I could ever reach that status. (laughter)”
(Who’s the famous person in that town? Is it like the mailman? Who are you chasing?) – “So, this guy Ed Sandy, he passed away recently – he used to play Major League Baseball way back in the day. He struck out Babe Ruth. He’s like the man. I guess I don’t know if I’ll be able to dethrone that. Maybe if I strip-sack (Tom) Brady a couple of times, I might. (laughter)”
(I saw a picture of you with a dolphin. Can you give details on when that picture was taken, how often you’ve done that and where it was?) – “The tweet?”
(The tweet of the picture of you with the dolphins.) – “That was at the Bahamas Bowl. At the Bahamas Bowl, they had an event with the seniors or the captains rather, where our captains and UAB’s captains did a swim with the dolphins event. The guy, the trainer was … He was making us each give the dolphin a kiss on the head and give it a fish. He told two to three guys prior that we could … He was like, ‘You can kiss the dolphin.’ And they’re like, ‘No way. No way.’ I was like, ‘I’ll do it.’ I’m not above that. (laughter)”
(For the sake of perspective, if Dan Marino went into your town, would everybody know who he is?) – “No.”
(So it’s okay that more people know you in that town than Dan Marino?) – “Probably not. (laughter) There’s always going to be … There’s like 15 or 20 that I don’t think you’re quite going to reach.”
(For somebody that’s never seen you play, how would you describe how you play?) – “(I’m a) fast, high-motor guy – a smart guy. I’m always going to put myself in the best possible positon to do my assignment and my technique.”
(You have an ability to make a lot of impact plays, plays in the hole. What do you attribute that to?) – “Kind of playing the positon I was at Ohio, that middle linebacker, being in the middle, you have an opportunity on most plays to make a play. When you’re stuck to one side of the field, teams can go away from you a little more. When you’re in the middle, teams can’t just avoid the middle of the field the entire time.”
(Is it your strength that allows you to get in there or is it speed?) – “A combination. Just overall being a football player.”
Minkah Fitzpatrick – May 11, 2018
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Friday, May 11, 2018
Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick
(I think the team indicated they were a little surprised that you lasted to No. 11 for them to be able to get on draft night. Were you a little surprised as well?) – “No, I wasn’t surprised. I really didn’t know what to expect. I knew I could go as early as No. 4 and I knew I could go as late as No. 32. So whatever happened, happened. I was just excited just to be there and I’m happy that the Dolphins picked me up.”
(What was going through your mind during those first 10 picks?) – “Nothing, really. I was just … Like I said, anybody could have picked me and anybody could have passed up on me. So I was just talking to my family, talking to Coach (Nick) Saban, talking to everybody. (I was) just enjoying the moment.”
(You weren’t going No. 32 though.) – “I didn’t know. (laughter)”
(Can you take us through what your night was like with your family in Dallas?) – “At first we had gotten all dressed up and took some pictures at the hotel with my family and some friends. After that, me and my parents drove over to … Well, they drove us over to the stadium from the hotel. Then we went to the red carpet, did a bunch of interviews on the red carpet and took some pictures on the red carpet with my parents and some of my friends. Then after that, we just walked inside. They put us in the green room, I think it was called, and we were just sitting at the table with my parents, my siblings and a couple of my coaches. That was about it. We just waited it out.”
(Was there one ‘wow’ moment? Obviously getting drafted was your ‘wow’ moment but was there somebody you met or somebody you talked to that night that was incredible for you?) – “I mean the whole night was incredible. It’s something that you really just dream about. I was just excited just to be there. The whole entire time, I was just taking it all in and just enjoying everything.”
(The Dolphins obviously like the versatility that you bring. What do you hope to bring to the team and what do you think you can bring to this defense?) – “I’m just going to be myself and do what I have to do. I talked to (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase, I talked to (Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Matt) Burke and they all said the same thing: ‘Just be yourself. Do what you’ve got to do to become your best self,” and with that, I’m going to help this team out. Whether that be pushing myself, challenging myself in ways that I usually do, that’s going to better the people around me because they’re going to want to do the same thing. So it’s just doing what I have to do to be the best possible version of myself and that’s going to overall benefit the team. That’s it, really.”
(What does it mean that you’re on a team where you’re going to be playing with a veteran Pro Bowl safety like Reshad Jones and then S T.J. McDonald, who has been an established player as a starter?) – “It definitely helps out because I can go to them for anything. I can ask them about off-the-field stuff, I can ask them about on-the-field stuff. I can just soak it all in and learn from both of them and a couple of other guys and a couple of other vets. That’s it, really. Just sitting underneath their wings, grow underneath them and whatever happens, happens.”
(Those who are here that covered Nick Saban when he was the head coach of the Dolphins – I happened to be here – know that he doesn’t dish out compliments to the manner that he spoke about you very often. How do you react to that and how does that make you feel?) – “It’s a major compliment coming from him. Like you said, he doesn’t give them out often. He’s had a lot of great players come underneath him and he hasn’t said too much about them so when you receive a compliment from him, it means a lot. I’m honored to have played for him. I learned a lot from him. I’ve just got to live up to his compliments. I can’t let it get to my head. I’ve just got to keep on pushing forward, receive it, and that’s it.”
(You played very quickly at Alabama, so obviously you were able to digest whatever it is that the coaches threw at you. How different is what the Dolphins do from Alabama, and how is it that you’re able to digest that stuff pretty quickly?) – “It’s not too much different. It’s almost the same exact defense. There are a couple of wrinkles here and there. Of course, the terminology is different, so I have to learn terminology; but football is football. It doesn’t really change too much within one season. I just learn it by doing it – processing things, learning the concepts and not just trying to memorize things because when you know the concepts, you know what everyone else is doing around you. It helps you out. That’s what I try to do.”
(What do you expect of yourself as a rookie in your rookie season? As in starts or participation – on the field.) – “I’m just going out there and working my hardest every day, challenging the people around me and challenging myself. Whatever happens, happens.”
(Would you be disappointed if you’re not a major contributor or a starter?) – “I mean I would like to be. I don’t think anybody doesn’t want to play; but if I’m not that … I hope to be the best out there. I’m going to work to be the best out there so I can contribute to the team.”
(What have the coaches already said to you about how they would like to utilize you in this scheme?) – “Just to start off and keep learning the defensive backfield, whether it be at the nickel spot or the safety spot. They’re just making calls to make sure I’m learning the defense and whatever happens, happens.”
(There’s a story out there that you were showing up to games like six hours before the game to watch film. How often would you do that and why did you feel the need to do that?) – “I thought that was a common practice that people did. I thought that people just watched film before the games. I would either watch it in my hotel room on the iPad or I would go in before meetings and just watch film in the meeting rooms, just breaking down some small stuff, going over formations, going over different plays and stuff like that. I just assumed everybody did (that).”
(Did you always feel the need to go the extra mile and do extra beyond what was required?) – “Yes. You should always do that. If you’re going to be great, you’ve always got to do extra. There’s no extraordinary without extra. This is just what I’ve always done.”
(You seem like a pretty humble guy but do you let yourself think about things like rookie defensive player of the year and stuff like that? Is that a goal for you?) – “My goal is just to work hard every single day and become better every single day. With that comes things like that. I just go day-to-day just challenging myself and pushing myself and the people around me. With that comes the other things. If that happens to be one of them that comes along then that’s it.”
(I can’t remember if you talked about this on draft night or not but how friendly are you with RB Kenyan Drake?) – “Kenyan? I’m good friends with him. I talked to him the first day I got here. We were in the facility and we were just chopping it up, talking to him and Maurice Smith also – the other DB. I was talking to him for a little while, just asking him questions and picking his brain. He was talking to me and just telling me what to do and what not to do.”
(Did RB Kenyan Drake or anyone else give you some good pointers on how to survive here and how to do well here?) – “They just told me to be myself and do what I did at Alabama. They know how it was and they know how I stepped in and did my thing. I didn’t really change for anybody. I just worked hard. They just said, ‘Do what you did there and you’re going to be alright.’”
(I know you’ve played on the boundary. I know you’ve played nickel. I know you’ve played free safety. I’m not sure if you played both safety spots; but where do you think, as a football player, your home is?) – “On the football field.”
(Well played.) – “That’s it. (laughter)”
(Could you be that center field guy that can get red line to red line when necessary?) – “Yes, sir. I believe so.”
(A lot of people talk about your work ethic and you were touching on that earlier. Can you remember a time when you were young where you didn’t have that drive in you? Were you ever lazy? Or have you always been like this?) – “I mean as a kid, I don’t think any kid knows what hard work is. (laughter) I did have to grow up at a young age. My family has been through some things. I was about 13 or 14. I just grew up in a blue-collar home. My father was a mechanic. My mother, she worked at a clothing store in the warehouse. I just grew up … It was instilled in me just to work hard. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing, whether it be stuff on the field or off the field. It’s just been in my blood since I was young. I just carry it over to football.”
(How much of being displaced by Hurricane Irene play a role in you growing up faster and being so mature?) – “I mean that was the main reason I had to grow up fast. I had to start working with my father and a couple of other jobs that not every 14-year-old is doing. They’re usually playing in the backyard or something like that while I was at work until 12 o’clock at night. Like I said, it was just instilled in me. I couldn’t complain. I had to do it because I knew I had to help my parents out and help my family out. Definitely that was the main reason why I had to work, was because of the displacement from the hurricane.”
(What jobs did you have at 14?) – “So my father, he was a diesel mechanic. So I worked with him. Also, we would do some construction and plumbing with a family firm.”
(So can you change the oil of a car?) – “Yes, I could.”
(Can you change brakes on a car?) – “I’ve never changed brakes before. If my dad showed me what to do, I could do it right after him.”
(How much can you diagnose what’s going on in a car?) – “My father does most of the diagnosing. He’d say, ‘Hey man, do this, this and this,’ and I would just do it.”
(You haven’t signed your contract yet so you haven’t been paid, but how much does reaching this level and finally … You’re in the NFL. When you think about to those times back in your youth with the family, how much does that affect you as far as you’re going to raise them up? You’ve accomplished something for them.) – “In that sense, when it comes to my family, it’s definitely an awesome opportunity. I’m definitely going to purchase a home for my family – a home that’s going to be their home that can’t be taken away from them and can’t be whatever. It’s going to be their home. It’s going to just be awesome being able to provide them; but being in the NFL wasn’t the end goal. I wanted to be a great player in the NFL, a legendary player in the NFL. I’ve made it to this part of the journey but there’s a whole lot more left to go.”
(About being a great player, great plays make great plays.) – “Yes, sir.”
(You have a history of doing the extra turnovers, touchdowns…) – “I just do my job. When you do your job, you make plays.”
(I hear that you’re a very spiritual guy and your family is a very religious family. Where does that come from?) – “I’d say again, just from being through a lot as a family. We had to sit together as a family and our foundation is built on our relationship with Christ. Without that, we definitely wouldn’t be where we are today, because we would have leaned on other things to get us through what we’ve been through. Definitely our foundation is built on Christ.”
(Is there a player currently in the NFL that you watch that you maybe model your game after? If so, who would that be and why?) – “It was kind of hard, especially this past season, because I just moved around a whole lot and there weren’t a lot of people doing that, especially in the NFL. I just try to take a little bit from the top guys at their position, whether that be Patrick Peterson, Malcolm Jenkins, Eric Berry, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas – all of those different guys. I just look at them with my coach. That’s how I learned a lot of technique at safety and at nickel. I just watched guys do it and I just implement it into my game.”
(You trained at EXOS with TE Mike Gesicki, a fellow New Jersey guy. Are you guys close or did you ever have conversations about maybe winding up with the same team in the NFL?) – “We talked. We talked a little bit. We were busy a whole lot just working out and training, so there wasn’t too much conversation; but yes, he’s a great dude and a great player. I’m excited to get to work with him.”
Adam Gase – May 10, 2018
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Thursday, May 10, 2018
Head Coach Adam Gase
(I wanted to ask you about your offense. It seems to me that you haven’t been able to run it the previous two years. The first year, RB Jay Ajayi emerges. The second year, QB Ryan Tannehill gets injured. Have you been able to run your offense, and if not, is that a source of frustration going into Year 3?) – “I think at times we have. We’ve had to make adjustments throughout the year where some things … The first year, Jay (Ajayi) took off, so we felt like our best chance to win games that year was to make some adjustments. We went to huddling and really running the football a high percentage of the time and use play-action pass. Then the next year, we had a specific way we wanted to do things. We had to change some things around with the injury situation – with Ryan (Tannehill) – and we were changing in the middle of training camp.”
(Can you give us a little bit of a scouting report on each of the rookie tight ends that were selected and a little bit of what went into the philosophy of doubling down at the position?) – “We like the group that we have here; we just wanted to add to it. The way that (General Manager) Chris (Grier) had the board stacked, it worked out in our favor as far as Mike (Gesicki) being available. We kind of emphasize that position of a pass-catching-type tight end that can win one-on-one matchups versus safeties and linebackers. It was the right time for us. We felt like he was the best guy at that pick for us. We thought it was a good addition. Then we get later in the draft and all of a sudden Durham (Smythe) is there. We were interested in him; we were high on him. We weren’t sure where he was really going to be and if he would fall to that spot; and when he did, we felt like that was a guy that we knew had extreme value as far as his blocking in run and pass protection. We felt like he was a better route-runner than a lot of people were giving him credit for. We felt like his production could be something that we value a lot here, especially with what he showed in the run game.”
(How surprised where you that S Minkah Fitzpatrick was available at No. 11?) – “When all four quarterbacks went … We knew somebody that we liked (would fall) if all four quarterbacks went. We were going to be in good shape.”
(How much of an immediate impact do you see S Minkah Fitzpatrick making on the defense?) – “We’ll see how this goes. They’re not going to be here for a little bit, this afternoon sometime or tonight. That’s just going to be the start of the process. We’re going to see how everything shakes out and we’ll get the best 11 players on the field.”
(You’ve made some kind of funny comments at times about RB Kenyan Drake. What’s different about him right now compared to when you first got him in the organization?) – “I think he’s matured a lot, just whether it be the playbook, just him personally. When you’re in this league, after you get through that first year and the second year, sometimes there’s a little bit of a feeling out process. You’re trying to figure out, ‘Who are you?’ You’re starting to get older. You really realize this is a job and it’s different than college. I see a different guy – the way he prepares, knowing the situation he’s coming into this year. It’s been a good process for him to watch his maturity level both on and off the field. I think we just have a guy that’s really looking to bust out.”
(I feel like I’ve heard a ton of running backs – not just here, but everywhere – talk about wanting to become factors in the passing game. How do you make that happen? What determines whether that actually materializes or not?) – “You want to be able to catch the ball. That’s a good start for it. It depends. Some guys make a living just catching check-downs and being able to get yards after catch. Some guys you’re able to flex out and get one-on-one matchups. I think we’ve got a guy that can do multiple things. You can put him in the slot if you wanted to. You can use him in empty, you can use him from the backfield. He just can create a lot of different matchups. He has a really good feel for a lot of different types of routes, which there’s a lot of value there, because now linebackers, when they cover him, they’re not really sure what he’s going to do. He’s not tied into one thing or two things.”
(How do you feel about coming out of the draft without a quarterback? And how does your confidence in QB David Fales kind of tie into that?) – “There’s a lot of confidence as far as the guys that we have here right now. We did a good job as far as lining up what we thought was the quarterback rankings. The way we had them, we felt like those guys were going to go before No. 11. We knew that was probably going to be the case and we felt good with Ryan (Tannehill) starting and the Brock (Osweiler) and David competing for that No. 2 spot. Now you add Bryce (Petty) and that’s going to be an interesting competition. Really, we’re just going to see how it all works out for us.”
(What was it about QB Brock Osweiler that made you say this is worth a continued investment?) – “I probably took longer than everybody else. When we started the free agency process, guys were talking about the fact that, ‘He’s 27-years-old. He’s played for you before and you were part of the guys that drafted him. You know him well. He wants to be here.’ They were almost selling me. I really had to go through things and just make sure that he was good getting back with me and understanding the situation we were in and kind of what he was going to be competing for. I didn’t know where his money was. Those guys were kind of keeping me up-to-date with all of that. Just hearing him and where he was mentally and what he wanted to accomplish and how he kind of wanted to get his career rolling again, after we had that conversation and we got him in the building, everybody really liked him. I felt good about it. We ended up making that move and ever since then, I’m seeing the same guy that I saw in his younger years.”
(Obviously nobody cares that QB Brock Osweiler is in this situation considering how much money he’s made the past two years; but what do you think when a quarterback is put through that ringer? What does it do to them emotionally and confidence-wise?) – “It can hurt you. If you’re mentally weak, it can go one direction and it can be a bad one. I’ve known him since he was 20-years-old. I’ve seen this kid have to sit behind a Hall of Famer. It’s a good thing and a bad thing sometimes. When he had an opportunity, he did some good things when he got to play in Denver. Things didn’t quite go the way he wanted to in Houston. It was a quick stop in Cleveland. Now being here, I just see a guy that’s excited. He’s enjoyed getting back into this offense and the way that we’re coaching him right now. I think he just enjoys that whole process.”
(Are you comfortable with QB Brock Osweiler as your starter if QB Ryan Tannehill can’t be? Or if somebody terrible happens…) – “Well it depends which one of those guys ends up winning the No. 2 job out. Those guys wouldn’t be on the roster if I wasn’t. I’m comfortable (with them). I’m comfortable with the two guys – between David (Fales) and Brock – I’m comfortable. If I wasn’t, then we’d have somebody else here.”
(Right. So my question was if something terrible happens to QB Ryan Tannehill, would you have to bring in another guy like last year?) – “No. Nope. Nope.”
(Going back to S Minkah Fitzpatrick for a second, and the way he may fit into the secondary, a lot has been talked about possibly S T.J. McDonald being a hybrid player or a linebacker. How do you see that playing out and how do you see him embracing or not embracing that kind of role?) – “I mean T.J. is playing safety. If we have to make adjustments somewhere … He’s not moving to linebacker. He’s going to be a safety and then we’re going to figure out a way to get our best 11 players on the field. How it all plays out, I can’t tell you right now, because what you think right now and what it ends up being in the first week of the season can change quickly. We learned that last year on both sides of the ball. You keep working guys at the positions that you think fit them best and then when things start sorting themselves out and you have to make an adjustment, you make it then.”
(It’s still very, very early in the offseason program but how would you describe how QB Ryan Tannehill has looked and how would you describe his mindset?) – “His mindset is … I mean … I haven’t seen a change. I’ve seen a guy that’s very confident. I know he’s excited to get back out there. I know us as coaches, we’re excited to have him out there. He’s just really smooth with the operation that we’ve been able to do as far as what we’re doing in practice or those throwing sessions. It just feels smooth. He has a great relationship with all of those guys to where the communication is at a high level right now. He looks good to me; but at the same time, he still has to go through all of those steps with the doctors and with our trainers. We’re just going through the process of it all right now. I know nobody wants to hear that, but that’s just what it is.”
(Are you confident the pieces you have on defense will make this a much better group than it was last year?) – “I think so. I think we’re looking at a group that’s looking to play good team defense. The way that our coaches are doing things right now, I really like what I’ve been seeing on air.”
(Has there been a scheme change on defense?) – “No.”
(Nothing? But there’s going to be personnel … You’re moving defensive ends inside?) – “We’re looking to stop the offense.”
(How is your comfort zone right now on how the offensive line has come together?) – “We’ve added some pieces there and we’ve got some guys returning. We kind of made some changes, a couple unexpectedly. Some opportunities came up and I thought Mike (Tannenbaum) and Chris (Grier) did a good job of jumping on those. They’re not easy decisions all of the time. When you have the relationships you have with certain guys, it’s not really that fun to go through. But we had to make the right decisions for our organization and that’s what we did. Right now, I feel like that group is coming together good. It’s good to feel like you have multiple options with when somebody goes down, who your next guy is coming up and feeling like you have some depth there.”
(What did you think about the film on that Arizona State RB Kalen Ballage?) – “He’s a big man that runs fast and can catch the ball well. He really has all of the things that you’re looking for in an all-around back. It’ll be fun to see how he progresses and how things go … how quick he learns everything and how he fits in with the group. You just kind of need that open competition. You just want to try and create as much competition in practice as possible and when we get to the preseason, see who kind of really steps up and pushes themselves to the forefront. Then when we get into the season, we’ll figure out the best way to use everybody.”
(What sort of impact do you see WR Danny Amendola having in this offense and the experience that he brings?) – “I think when you’ve got a guy that’s been in a lot of big games, has won a lot of games, made plays in big games and the professionalism you just see it. The way he walks around, there’s just something about him that guys kind of gravitate too. They kind of want to watch how he does things. The way that he’ll grab guys … The younger guys follow him. It’s interesting to watch just Drew (Morgan) and Isaiah (Ford) just following him around mimicking a lot of the things he does. I think between him and Kenny (Stills) – both of those guys have been around for a minute – and watch those guys lead that group and have an effect on the other guys in the locker room in a positive way, that’s a big thing for us.”
(Ideally, how does this offense look this year and what should it be able to do?) – “I think it’s just going to be what the best thing is to do for that particular game. I can’t tell you what the personnel groupings are going to be or who is going to be on the field. I like the fact that I feel like we’ve got a lot of options. It’s all going to be about how we can play it out to where we can spread the ball around and use guys to their strengths, create efficient plays, create explosive plays, find ways to get into the red zone more and find ways to get into the end zone.”
(Year 3 now for you. How different is it? What have you learned?) – “It’s only Year 3? (laughter) It feels … I mean when you go through one season, there’s so much you learn just from that first to second year. I think a lot of the things we went through last year … You talk about unexpected things coming up and adjusting and trying to make sure guys are staying in line and on the same page and working forward. You have to really try to get creative. Then trying to see staff members, are we all pulling in the same direction? Is everybody trying to accomplish the same goal? When you end that season, you have a different thought process after that second year compared to the first year. I feel like we’re more … It feels right for us right now. I feel like we’re in a good place as far as where our staff is around the building, the coaching staff, the players. It feels like we’ve got the type of people all working in the same direction and everybody is working for the same goal.”
(You also have the roster probably more in the vision that you wanted than the first two years. Would you say that’s fair, that it’s taken three years to get the roster to where you want?) – “I’d say that’s fair. When I look at it, you kind of look at how does that group get along for that year? How do they work together? Do they push each other? Are they all pulling in the same direction? Are guys going to quit on you? Are they going to push forward when things get hard? I feel like the way that we’re assembled right now and the way that our personnel department has put that locker room together, I like our makeup right now.”
(Can you share why you like and you have confidence in QB David Fales?) – “I’ve been around him for multiple years now. I love the fact that we were able to give him that last game of the season. People can look at that as a throwaway game but I know the other team – the team we were playing (Buffalo) – that was not a throwaway game for them. That game was we get into the playoffs or we don’t (for them). When you’re playing a game like that, you’re going to get their best. You’re going to get, especially that defense … It’s a well-coached defense. Those guys were playing well. Dave (Fales) had a chance to go in there and see what he could do in real, live competition in a real game. When we look at it, we’re able to say ‘He’s right, he’s right. This guy is wrong,’ and who is doing the right stuff. The things that (Fales) did in that game … I was impressed with some of the things that he did in that game. It’s a lot of the stuff that you see in practice but you don’t know unless you get him in a game. The way that his anticipation is, the way his pocket presence is, he’s one of those guys that sometimes he makes plays and you’re not really sure how he did that. The game is a little slower for him. It’s fun to call plays when you’ve got a guy like that where you just know that ball is coming out. You just better be in the right spot.”
(You’ve said that you have the roster that you want but you have rid the team apart … You’ve moved on from three players who you yourself have described as your top performers on your team. Now you’ve got better depth arguably. Is better depth the roster that you want?) – “I think we wanted to create the roster of what was the right fit for this locker room and for this team. Sometimes you get put in a position where you have to make a decision – whether it be free agency or you feel like you’re in a situation where a number might be too high for you or where you’ve got an opportunity to have a player that makes less money but you feel like the talent isn’t that big of a swing. That’s where we’re at right now. We like the makeup of our roster. I like our players. I like where our locker room is right now. I like watching these guys work. I’m excited to see these guys compete in OTAs and get this thing going in training camp and then see how we grow as the year goes on.”
(It seems like WR Kenny Stills has been in the league forever but he’s only 26, I believe. Do you view him as your No. 1 receiver and do you think he’s someone where the arrow could still be going up for him?) – “See, I never get into the whole No. 1 receiver thing. I’m all for guys getting open and catching the ball and creating explosive plays and getting first downs. Do I think he’s the leader of that room? Yes. I think he’s one of those guys where guys look up to and they watch what he does and how he goes about his business, and they follow his lead. When he speaks in that room and he tells guys what he thinks, he’s very open. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything and I think guys respect him and they listen to what he says.”
(What about WR Kenny Stills’ performance though? Do you feel like he’s entering his prime or in his prime? Or is he still kind of rising?) – “I think, to me, there’s plenty of room for improvement. I think he’s done a lot of really good things for us these last two years. I think last year we used him in the slot quite a bit. The last two years, I think he’s one of the most productive slot players there’s been in the league. He’s a guy that creates explosive plays and gets his touchdowns. We hit the home run when we throw the ball to him. He’s a game-changer.”
(What’s the overall message that you have or plan to deliver to the rookies as a group?) – “Really it’s … Their job coming in this weekend is to get kind of used to the format of how we’re going to do things, so when they get going on Monday, they can hit the ground running and they’re not trying to figure out where do I go and how I do this. That’s why we do it the way we do it, because it’s a crash course in basically getting them ready for the end of Phase II and then jumping into OTAs. The things that we’ve experienced the last two years, we’ve had success doing this with our young guys. They’ve felt to where they could get better in that Phase II area, they’ve gotten better through OTAs and then when training camp hits … That’s the whole reason we’re doing it this way is to get them as ready as you possibly can. You want to try to avoid them swimming and trying to think too much. I think this has been something that has been really good for us.”
(What do they actually do in rookie orientation?) – “We meet with them a ton on football but then there’s a two-hour seminar on how to handle you guys. We go through everything – nutrition. (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Dave) Puloka gets them. He goes through the entire strength and conditioning program and how he wants things done. We go through every little detail. Individual with the running backs, (Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs) Eric (Studesville) is going to take them through, ‘Here’s how we’re going to do individual.’ With the linebackers it’s, ‘Here’s how we’re going to do individual.’ So when they walk out there with the veterans, they’re not lost. They’ve heard it. They understand why we’re doing it and how we want it done. You’re eliminating any kind of the anxiety of walking out there with guys that have been in the league for 5-10 years. You’re walking out there like, ‘I at least know what to do. I can play fast. I don’t have to think.’”
