Kenyan Drake – May 29, 2018
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018
RB Kenyan Drake
(What’s different this offseason compared to last offseason for you?) – “This year is different. It’s a different team, obviously, a different scenario. I’m kind of more of a person that has people looking up to me in terms of we have a lot more younger guys. As far as tenure on the team as a running back, I’m the longest tenured running back, which is pretty interesting. Last year or two years ago, I was coming in as a fresh face. Now to … It’s funny how time flies. I’m definitely embracing this role and trying to help this team win a lot more games in the coming years.”
(What have you learned about the NFL from a business side the last two years watching how everything has gone down?) – “I’ve learned that you definitely can’t take any week for granted. It’s a one-game season every week. ‘Any given Sunday’ is a cliché we like to use. From a personal standpoint, I feel like you just have to be where your feet are. From waking up one morning and you just realize you traded your starting running back so now you’re going to get a lot more bulk of the carries to the next person in front of you is injured for the rest of the season, so now you definitely have to have a lot more of the bulk. Then my rookie year, it was just a lot of big learning experiences because at the end of the day, I just wasn’t mentally prepared to handle the workload as if I was out there being an everyday starter, which I take personally because I was supposed to put myself in that position to do what I need to do to help this team win games and I came up short my rookie year. As the second year went on, I got a lot more special teams opportunities and I felt like that gave me a lot more confidence to go out there and be a football player. Once I got the ball in my hands, it was just natural again.”
(Since RB Frank Gore was brought into the fold, have you picked his brain?) – “I feel like when you look at the guy, you don’t think he’s 34 or 35 years old. I always remind him when he first came into the league I was in fifth or sixth grade. (laughter) It’s interesting to see how long he has really been the back he is. He works out like he’s (a) first year, second year guy. He comes in with that same attitude. I feel like if I could have just half the success in his career, I feel like that would be a win in my book, because he’s definitely the epitome of longevity in this league. Just having him on this team is going to help not just the running backs, but everybody see if you take the right steps … Obviously, he’s a – I guess you could say – once in a lifetime type of player, especially at this positon with the wear and tear you have on your body. He does it right every day. He just epitomizes that.”
(Over the last five games of the season, you had I believe more rushing yards than any back in the league. I’ve got to double check that, but I think it’s right. How sustainable is that? Do you think you can be one of the league’s leading rushers for 16 games?) – “I feel like with the people that I have around me, with how (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase and everybody calls the games on offense with the receivers, with Ryan (Tannehill) back, with the o-line that we have revitalized, I feel like the sky’s the limit for me and the rest of the guys in my room. We’re going to take it one day at a time. When that comes, that comes. We’re definitely moving in the right direction. There’s a lot of excitement about this team. We’re just ready to take everything full speed. It’s funny. Everybody likes to use that statistic – I had the most rushing yards – but it’s not like Todd (Gurley) didn’t play the last game or anything. I guess I got that by default.”
(We just talked to G/T Jesse Davis about continuity on the offensive line. In terms of your success, how important – if those five can stay healthy and running behind the same line to gel as a group – how important is it to your success?) – “My success is the team’s success. So as long as we’re winning games, I feel like at the end of the day, that’s a win in my book. The yards will come. If the responsibility of all 11 guys on the field, if they take care of their responsibility … I can’t go out there and do anything on my own at the end of the day. I feel like this year we’re going to take the right steps to make sure we do our 1/11th like (Special Teams Coordinator/Associate Head) Coach (Darren) Rizzi likes to say, because nobody can go out there and do it on their own. That’s why I love this game. It’s the ultimate team game. In basketball, you can have a superstar out there to lead a team as we see in the (NBA) Finals this year; but at the end of the day, football is not basketball. You have to have 11 guys collectively as a group go out there (and) do what you got to do.”
(This is your third year now. We know a fair amount about you on the football side, but I don’t know how much people know about you on the personal side. What are your interests? Do you have family, people that are close to you on the team? Just tell us about you as a person.) – “I’m a laid back type of person, kind of reserved in a sense. I feel like nowadays, it’s a blessing and a curse to have a lot of stuff being readily accessible; but I feel like when it comes to my family, my personal life, I don’t like that stuff being really too personal out there. That’s just how I am. I know some people relish in that, especially in this type of lifestyle where I’m a professional athlete. Some people take that and run with it, but that’s not just my M.O. (modus operandi). I’m a fun-loving type of person. I love this game of football. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the world, obviously, than down here playing for the Miami Dolphins. And I love to win. That’s why I went to Alabama, because I love to win. I love to be a competitor. (Head Coach Adam) Gase brought me here because he knows I’m a competitor and he knows that at the end of the day, I have that ability to make big plays in big games. Once I leave this field, I love the game, but I’m a human being at the end of the day.”
(What you said about the 11 teammates being interlinked, does QB Ryan Tannehill make you a better player?) – “Of course, of course. Jay Cutler, he definitely helped me out last year with his experience, because he played a lot of big games throughout his career. With his mannerisms and everything, he definitely helped me not be so animated sometimes. Obviously, it got the best of me at the end of the year last year, from a long season standpoint. And Ryan, with him being there every day last year when he was injured, that definitely helped me see the type of leader he is, the type of person he is, the type of quarterback he is. I feel like he’s definitely the guy that’s going to definitely lead us to a lot more wins this year.”
(Talk about Head Coach Adam Gase a little bit. He talked about your maturity, how much have you changed since your rookie year and what specifically has changed.) – “Honestly, it was just about growing up one day. Everybody has to take that step necessary to be the man that they want to be. Obviously, I’m nowhere near where I want to be, obviously, as a man, as a football player, because I feel like the sky’s the limit for me and for this team in general. I feel like that’s the M.O. (modus operandi) of this team and has been for me personally. Obviously, we’ve been a really young team and that was epitomized with the amount of mental errors we had the last couple years. That was just a whole M.O. for this team. But I feel like now with Ryan (Tannehill) itching to get back out there, the young DBs that we have, the last couple years getting the maturation process going, me going into three years now, the (offensive) line having a couple young guys and obviously bringing in veterans to come in and help mold that group a little bit more with ‘L.T.’ (Laremy Tunsil) on the edge and Ja’Wuan (James) on that other side, I feel like now we are just really going to hit our stride, because we don’t have that excuse that we’re young anymore. We’ve got the veterans that we have now coming back from injuries or that sort (and) the young guys with the experience that we have. I feel like it’s all going to mold together.”
(How have you approached this offseason differently knowing you’re the guy now at running back as opposed to last year when you probably weren’t even sure exactly?) – “How? Me personally or somebody else?”
(You personally.) – “I always try to approach it the same way regardless. I feel like now that I have a lot more experience in the offense in general, it gives me the ability to, obviously, know what I need to know from a simplicity standpoint but then also be able to focus on, ‘Alright now that I know what I have to do, now what is the line doing? Now what is the quarterback thinking on this play? How is the rotation of the safeties going to affect my run, how the line is going to run-fit, how the linebackers fit in this A gap or where is the three technique or the soft shade or whatever? Is he going to make a check from a run play to a pass play?’ I feel like my whole entire maturation process being in this offense, being in this league for two years now going on three, my approach to this year has just been, ‘Now, what else? How else can I expand my horizons?’”
(What is your sense on how fast Head Coach Adam Gase would like his offense to be?) – “I feel like every play he doesn’t want to huddle. He just wants to get up there and call the play from the sideline, get it to Ryan (Tannehill) as quick as possible and kind of get it to where when we get to the line, there’s 20 to 25 seconds on the play clock and then he can kind of see from there what the defense (is showing), how they’re lining up and how we can get to the best play possible. I feel like that’s something that obviously when you’re young and you don’t have a lot of experience with knowing the schematics of everything, you don’t really understand this is what he’s trying to do. Now that I’m in this offense to the point where I’m at now, I can sit back and say, ‘Alright, this is why he’s doing this.’ That’s really the approach that I’ve come to now is the why of everything. Obviously doing everything from knowing what I’ve got to do is the first part. Now, why is this happening?”
(How is the dynamic between you and RB Frank Gore working out? Has he helped you with anything? Have you helped him with anything?) – “Yes. We both have the same, almost, type of personality where it’s laid back and not really a too flashy type of deal. I feel like we definitely feed off of each other. I can see how he’s been the way he is for so many years because of how he just kind of puts his head down and works. I think that’s something I want to definitely mold into my game just because obviously his longevity. He’s definitely one of the … Just knowing him for two months now, he’s definitely one of the more genuine people I’ve ever met.”
(In this day and age, how tough is it to be like that? You see guys on social media and they want to show when they become a big deal.) – “I feel like it’s easy, especially living down here in Miami, to kind of get caught up in a lot of different stuff; but you’ve just got to stay true within yourself. I always have people coming up to me and asking me if they can do videos of me working out and all of that type of stuff and I’m like I don’t really have to go out there and show people that I’m working. What’s going to show that I’m working is when I get on the field and I perform. I don’t have to do all the extra shenanigans and things like that. I just want to go out there and play football and just do it how I’m supposed to do it.”
(What have you seen from the youngster, RB Kalen Ballage?) – “He’s a freak. He runs so smooth that it doesn’t look like he’s really running fast. For him to be as tall (as he is) … It’s funny. Me being more of a long, tall back, I always had trouble running behind my pads; but he always seems to have kind of a natural bend and a natural ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Obviously we don’t have pads on, so blocking is a different story when you get pads on; but he just seems to be definitely a three-tool type of player. I’m just looking to see his development.”
(How did you know that RB Todd Gurley didn’t play? Did you look that up or did you just at some point …) – “Well, it was in … they were like in the playoff hunt so there was no reason to put him out there. I just figured I know him and Kareem Hunt didn’t play. It was nice. I pat myself on the back sometimes but it was by default. (laughter)”
(Are you still going to be playing when you’re 35?) – “Shoot, man. God willing. I don’t know. By 35, I don’t know how my body will feel on this bum ankle and this bad arm.”
(It’s pretty amazing, huh?) – “Yes, it’s amazing. (Frank Gore) told me too that he had what, two ACL surgeries before he even got to the league? So to even battle through that, especially … Obviously he had a pretty good medical staff back then but medicine was different 15 years ago or however long ago he had those surgeries. The fact that he’s been able to battle through that is … It’s really inspiring, almost to a degree, because I don’t feel like he gets the credit he deserves because he should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. You just never know because he doesn’t get that spotlight all of the time.”
(He doesn’t have the spotlight but RB Frank Gore is less than 100 yards away from being the fourth leading rusher.) – “Right. Exactly. I feel like people are like, ‘Really?’ But when you think about it, of course. He’s been playing for so long and he’s been so consistent, how could he not be up in that top area? I feel blessed to have the ability to share the room and share the backfield with somebody that’s obviously, in my opinion, and everybody in this room’s opinion, is going to be a Hall of Famer. Not a lot of people get to say that.”
(If RB Frank Gore tells you something, is it different hearing it from a player than a coach? He could tell you the same thing but because he’s been in the trenches?) – “For sure. Coaches obviously have their role because they’ve earned it, and he’s earned it too from a player standpoint. Obviously seeing somebody that you’ve grown up watching since you were however old, when you get into the same room as him at the same time, you get caught up in yourself. But then when they come to your team, you’re like ‘This is Frank Gore who’s done this and done that.’ You just see him and he’s like a regular guy; but then he goes out there and he puts the work in. He’s diligent with everything that he does. He obviously looks at me and he wants to compete with me too because we’re on the same team; but he’s like ‘You’re young man. You run around fast. I can’t keep up with you.’ He’s 35 but he goes out there and he’s right behind me, if anything. Obviously he’s not as fast as me. (laughter) But at the end of the day, he does what he does and I’m like at 35, I don’t even know if I’ll have that drive and will to keep up with some young 24-year-old. It’s cool to see it for myself.”
(What stood out to you about S Minkah Fitzpatrick during your one year together at Alabama?) – “Just a professional from the jump. It’s rare that you see a freshman come in and just have that mentality like, ‘I want to work. I want to be the best. I want to come here and definitely show that…’ He never looked at the five-star rating that he had or whatever the case was. He just came in, put his head down and was just a professional from the jump. I feel like he’s going to be in this league a very, very long time.”
T.J. McDonald – May 29, 2018
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018
S T.J. McDonald
(What have you done this offseason to make yourself and the team better?) – “I’ve just been working, working hard, getting myself in shape, being able to be more comfortable being in South Florida, being around, being in the facility. Just doing a little bit of everything. Just making sure my diet is good, me personally, that I can play at a high level and I’m in good shape.”
(How difficult was last year for you? Obviously a great training camp and then a two-month layoff.) – “It was tough. It’s hard to try to integrate yourself back into the flow of a game after you’ve sat out for a while; but I’m glad that’s all behind me. I’m going about my business as usual now.”
(How do you see everything fitting in between you and S Reshad Jones and S Minkah Fitzpatrick?) – “I don’t know yet. I don’t know. It’s only the second week of OTAs right now, so it’s still early. I know we’ve got some good players out there. We’ll get the best players on the field and we’ll go from there.”
(Does it feel like a good mix to you or does it feel like some duplication among the three of you as far as your skillsets?) – “I think that we can all do a lot of things. I think that it’s a good mix; but like I said, it’s still early. We haven’t really done too much. We’re all just learning different positions. One thing we are doing is just making sure we all can know both positons, both safety positions. As we continue to progress through OTAs, more packages, more things will go in and we’ll grow as a group from there.”
(Was there any discussion you had after they drafted S Minkah Fitzpatrick with either Defensive Backs Coach Tony Oden or Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke about how that would affect you, your role, playing time, where specifically you would play?) – “Anything that we talk about usually we keep in house; but it was nothing like that, nothing crazy. Like I said, I control what I can control and everything else takes care of itself from there. I’ve played a lot of ball. Reshad (Jones) has played a lot of ball. Minkah is a great player. I think that we can all make it work. However it works out, it’ll all take care of itself.”
(You’ve probably heard speculation anyway that, “T.J. McDonald might be moving to linebacker.” When you heard that, what was your reaction when you heard that?) – “As long as I’ve got a helmet on, it doesn’t matter. I hear all of that … I’ve been at safety this whole time I’ve been in the league, so that’s all speculation. I didn’t hear any of that from the coaches. From what I know, I’m playing safety and I’m going to continue to do that at a high level the best that I can.”
(Could you do it? Does it feel like something that’s just ludicrous to you or do you feel like, “I could transition to linebacker if I had to?”) – “As a competitor, I don’t think anything is ludicrous. Me as a competitor, I’m a physical player. Like I said, I’m a safety. However we’ve got to put it, however we’ve got to mesh together, wherever we’ve got to go, I’m just going to go out there and make plays and control what I can control.”
(They obviously ruled out you playing linebacker, but probably the door is open for you to play dime. Is that something you’ve done in the past?) – “I’ve been in the box. I think that that’s … Whether you’re at dime, whether you’re on the strong side or weak side … Sometimes when you’re playing in the box you rotate strong, you rotate weak. You’ve got to be able to be versatile and do it all. Like I said, I feel like I can do a lot of things – playing deep, playing in the box, whatever the case may be. However it unfolds, I’m going to try to do my best to help this team win.”
(How much has the NFL changed to where you use a big combination of a lot of defensive backs in a defensive set?) – “It has. It has changed a lot. It’s a passing league. Even in the league now where they spread you out however they can, even if they’re running the ball, it’s not the same style that it used to be. To have faster bodies on the field is good thing; but like I said, we’ve got a lot of good players on this defense, a lot of people that are versatile, that can move around at all three levels. That’s a good problem to have, I would say.”
(How about because of the rule change from the time you entered the league until now, the big hitting safety is being legislated …) – “You’ve just got to know what you’re doing. (laughter) I haven’t taken one since I’ve been in the league. Like I said, I’ve been the same style my entire career. I’ve been a physical player. I only know how to play the game one way. I’ve been fortunate enough to not take any flags and just be able to play the game the right way.”
(You played with DE Robert Quinn with the Los Angeles Rams, obviously. Can you tell me your reaction when you heard about the trade and what can he bring to the defense?) – “I was excited. Robert is a game changer. I’ve watched him change games. He’s going to go out there and give it his all every time. He’s a grinder. I was excited about it. It’s crazy seeing me, him and Will (Hayes) all together. We were sitting in the sauna and we’re like, ‘Man, this is kind of different;’ But I’m glad to have those guys and Robert is going to be a great addition.”
(Have you and your teammates gotten a clear explanation yet about exactly what the new rule change is about not being able to lower the head at all?) – “We usually … during camp we usually have the officials come in and they come and talk to us and make it more clear. They’ll put more clips on the board so we can really get a clear vision about what’s going on. There’s always going to be changes every year. (You) try to be as healthy as you can, try to play the game safe and also play at a high level.”
(You’ve played against QB Ryan Tannehill, if I’m not mistaken. What do you see out here now that he’s back as far as mobility, accuracy, arm strength, etc.?) – “He looks good. He looks good. He looks real good right now. His leadership is also great on and off the field. We’re excited to have him back so we can keep growing as a group, growing as a team. Like I said, his leadership is what I think we missed the most and just having him in the locker room and being able to take control of that offense.”
(Do you think this defense will be better?) – “I think so. That’s the goal every year. We want to be the best we can be.”
(What makes you think that will be the case?) – “Just hungry. We’re just hungry. We’ve just got a hungry defense. Right now, we’re trying to … Our camaraderie as a group is better than last year, I feel like. I feel like we’re growing week by week. We’re working a lot harder than we did last year. I’m not saying we didn’t work hard last year, but I think all the guys can feel the upward momentum through practice. The way we’re practicing right now, we’re setting the standard right now and I feel like that can only play off in the future.”
(What’s going to help this defense create more turnovers this season?) – “Running to the ball. Getting to the ball. More hustle. More energy. I think that’s contagious. Once you set that culture up and you set that standard – getting to the ball, playing physical and being a nasty defense – once you set that standard now, I think that energy is contagious and I think that’ll help.”
(With the new secondary coach – Defensive Backs Coach Tony Oden – is he stressing something different?) – “Communication. Communication is a big thing. I think there were some instances last year where we lacked some communication. That’s the biggest emphasis that he brings. That’s what we’re doing right now, making sure that we all communicate, we’re all on the same page, we’re all making sure that we get into a contract with each other on the field through verbal communication, hand signs, whatever it is. He definitely does a good job of stressing that. I think it’ll definitely pay off, especially big plays.”
(When you look at the talent that you guys have in the secondary, do you feel like that should’ve been better last year as a group?) – “Yes, I think we gave up too many big plays last year. That’s the biggest thing that you don’t want to do is let the ball get over your head. I think that going into this season, that’s a big emphasis for us is don’t let the ball get over our head and make plays on the ball when it comes our way.”
(What’s the ceiling for that group now if you guys can get it together this year?) – “I don’t want to put a ceiling on it. I know that right now we’re working. We’re working hard right now. We’re grinding and we want to be the best that we can be. We want to be the best in the league. That’s what we want to be. That’s where we’re putting the time in right now.”
(What are the signs to you that the camaraderie is better?) – “I don’t know necessarily that you can … How to explain it. It’s just a feeling that you get. I just think that we’re all playing for one another. We’re all rooting for one another. It seems like it’s a closer group (and) at the same time, we’re demanding the best out of each other and that started Day 1. We’ve just got to keep that up.”
(The secondary, you guys are being coached by Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Renaldo Hill, who was a former Dolphins player and recently played in the NFL. What’s that like to be coached by somebody who’s recently been in the league?) – “It’s good. You get a player perspective in the room. That’s always good – someone who has done it and somebody who’s been in the same position that you’ve been in and not looking from the outside in. That definitely helps.”
(Why has CB Bobby McCain been effective in the league?) – “He’s a smart player. He’s a smart player. He studies. He studies and he’s a smart player. He’s quick. He’s a competitor and that’s the biggest thing is his grit. Even though with his size, he’s got a great heart. That grit, that energy that he brings, it’s going to help any defense.”
(Is there anything that sets CB Bobby McCain apart as far as hands, feet, tracking the ball, anything, any traits like that?) – “He’s quick. He’s quick. I think he had one of the fastest shuttles coming out in the history of the Combine or something like that. He’s quick and combined with his mental approach to the game, it pays off in the slot.”
(How have the battles been going between you guys in the secondary and QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “I think we’re good. Like I said, it’s still early. We’re three practices … We just finished our fourth practice. The first couple days, I felt like the defense had the upper hand. They did a great job today; but we’re competing together. We’re out competing.”
(Did QB Ryan Tannehill surprise you at all?) – “He’s a good quarterback.”
(Is QB Ryan Tannehill a little different than what you guys were used to going against last year?) – “He went through OTAs last year. It’s about the same thing but … It’s still early. He’s a great quarterback. I’ve played against him from both sides now. Being on this side, I’m definitely glad to have him on this side.”
(You have to go against a couple new receivers this year – WR Danny Amendola and WR Albert Wilson. What stands out for you with those two guys?) – “(Danny) Amendola is a savvy guy. He’s good off the line with his releases. He’s a tough guy, a tough gritty guy. I’m glad to have him on this side. Albert Wilson is another guy that can run. He can run. He’s got great hands. We definitely got some good weapons on the other side of the ball.”
(QB Brock Osweiler, have you played against him and have you noticed anything about him out here aside from size?) – “I played against him in the past. I’ve seen him out there on the field and everything. He’s huge. I played against him in college, too. He was at Arizona State. He’s definitely had a lot of games in this league and he’s played and he’s been a starter in the league before, so he’s a good guy to have on this team.”
(One more quick one on QB Ryan Tannehill. It’s not unusual for offensive players to talk about that he was missed as a leader. I found it noteworthy you talked from your side of the ball that he was missed. Does he talk to defensive players much? Is there much conversation?) – “A little more than I think that people think. He’s a competitor, too. Sometimes if you say something to somebody or you can talk a little trash to the offense, a lot of guys turn around and just walk to the huddle; but he’ll come back at you. That brings that competitive spirit that you need as a team – not just as a defense or offense but as a team. He’s a good guy to have in the locker room, too.”
Jesse Davis – May 29, 2019
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018
G Jesse Davis
(How has life at guard been for you as opposed to playing guard and tackle last year?) – “Yes, it’s definitely a lot easier focusing on one spot. It’s the same as last year. I finished the season out at guard so I’m not shocked to be there; but it’s a lot better to be there rather than switching from left to right or vice versa.”
(When did you find out you were going to be a full-time guard? I think when we talked to you at the golf tournament, you weren’t sure.) – “It was actually Day 1 of OTAs. (Offensive Line) Coach (Jeremiah) Washburn called me up and he was like, ‘Hey, we haven’t told you yet.’ (laughter) I was like, ‘Well, I figured it would kind of come out somewhere.’ He said, ‘You’re going to get the right guard spot starting out.’ He said he thinks I earned it and they like what they see so far.”
(We always hear coaches say they want to get guys prepared for different positions but is it almost better to just say this is where you’re going to play and when a problem arises, you just fix it as it comes?) – “I guess to answer your question, it’s better off to have one spot and play that, that way they know exactly what they’re looking at and not be like, ‘Oh, I guess he had two reps at left tackle during that series,’ and not be like ‘He took all of them at right guard so he wasn’t facing adversity. He’s trying to do his job.’”
(What was your reaction when Offensive Line Coach Jeremiah Washburn says you’ve got the right guard spot?) – “I guess I was kind of surprised when he said, ‘You’re getting the start right guard spot.’ He obviously said I earned it and it made me feel good about my field of play during last season. Obviously I have a lot to grow and a lot to learn; but I was happy about it. I feel like I finally have a foot in the door somewhere, where I can kind of project myself into my career.”
(Are your wedding plans still going well?) – “Yes, they are. June 30th.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase said chemistry is the reason he wanted five guys running together a lot, like as much as possible. What do you think are some of the keys or the biggest key to actually getting chemistry right?) – “Obviously just getting those reps, especially right now with no pads on, it’s a lot different. Your hand placement has to be on point, like you’re passing off a guy to my right tackle or center. Just getting those reps and getting those timing things down – the timing steps either with your center or your tackle – and just going through practice and getting those reps are valuable.”
(You said that you were surprised when they basically announced that you were the starting right guard. Why the surprise?) – “I guess because I’m a younger guy and we’ve got guys coming off injuries coming back. I thought Ted Larsen was primarily a right guard and he’s had 50 (or so) more games than I do. I was kind of surprised in that aspect. Ted’s a great player. I’m glad they think that (it’s a good idea) putting me there and get my reps and we can win it that way and see who is better at that position.”
(Is it crazy to think about, because at this time last year, you were coming off and you were on the practice squad. You weren’t even sure of making the roster and now you’re a starter.) – “Yes, it was definitely a rollercoaster. You go from all of those injuries to getting those valuable reps to becoming a starter and kind of sitting back going, ‘Whoa. Things are happening pretty quick.’ Now I’m in a position to where I’m starting versus, ‘Am I a bubble guy? Am I going to be released here if they sign a different guy?’ It’s definitely a rollercoaster.”
(Was it a matter of getting a chance? What did you learn or do?) – “I think getting a chance and also believing in myself. I always asked ‘Can I play in the NFL?’ I finally got a game under (my belt) and I’m like, ‘This isn’t too bad. I can actually do this.’ Just getting that confidence and thinking what you can do.”
(What do you think about the offensive line in general? There have been two new additions – G Josh Sitton and C Daniel Kilgore. How do you see the line coming together? How good can this line be?) – “I think it’s going to be really good. Getting Sitton and Kilgore, they’re really good players – tough players. (They have) tons of games under their belts. They can teach our room a lot. We’re kind of relatively young in the room. Getting those two older guys in will help a lot. It will be crucial.”
(Have you seen any G Josh Sitton video? Is there anything that you’ve seen him do on film and you’re like “Wow. I would like to do some of that stuff.”) – “Yes, just about everything. (laughter) We watched a lot of Chicago film with (Head Coach Adam) Gase, so seeing (Sitton) and his game reps from previous years, he’s a great athlete. You wouldn’t expect it as a big guy, but he’s a hell of an athlete. He can move. He can do it all. You kind of want to take some of his aspects of games and say, ‘Maybe I can use this on a certain play,’ or if you’re struggling or something, because he has a lot of good things and good qualities.”
(G Josh Sitton said he might shave. He said he might shave his facial hair.) – “That’s probably because it’s too humid down here for him. (laughter)”
(Would you ever consider that or is that off the table?) – “Me? Shaving? No, I wouldn’t’ shave. But (Josh) Sitton? I don’t know. We’ll see.”
(So what’s the wedding planning been like?) – “Just hectic. (laughter) We’re getting so close to it, you’re just kind of like … All you want to do when you get home is do your own thing and watch film; but she wants to wedding plan. (laughter)”
(Did you argue about where you’re going on your honeymoon?) – “No. It was actually … We’ve never been to Hawaii and we thought Maui would be pretty fun.”
(Yikes. Are you aware what’s going on over there?) – “Yes. It’s a different island. We’re good. (laughter)”
(If it was Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke, he would climb the volcano.) – “(laughter) Yes, we’ll see how it gets.”
(The level of interaction the offensive line has with QB Ryan Tannehill, has he taken you all collectively as a group out for an outing yet? Just how much is there in terms of you guys interacting?) – “No, we haven’t actually done anything yet. Hopefully he has something up his sleeve though. (laughter) But no, just locker room stuff and on the field. Him being in the building, he’s a hell of a worker. I don’t think I’ve ever been in and not seen him in the building when I’ve been in here. He’s always doing something – rehabbing, getting extra (treatment), coming up to us with something like ‘Hey, we’re going to try this today or we might try that.’ It’s awesome what he does. He’s a great leader. He gets us all together and gets us all on the same page. I think it’s going to be awesome to work with him.”
(Do you get texts from QB Ryan Tannehill ever during the offseason?) – “No, I haven’t had any.”
(You obviously earned the starting job but what about continuing to earn the starting job?) – “Yes, that’s the thing is you have to hold it down. You can’t be like … You have to reinvent yourself every day. A coach told me that my rookie year and it’s always stuck with me. You can’t just come in here thinking that you’ve got something. You’ve got to come in here with an attitude and mindset that I’ve got to take that job every day. That’s why I’m the first one to see a mistake that I’ve made and I’m always hard on myself; but you have to have a fine line. You can’t beat yourself up because then you’ll forget the next play or something.”
(How much does confidence play a role in that because obviously the skills were there. As you said, it’s just doing.) – “Being in a game too, once you’re locked in, you’re locked in. You can think about the mistakes later; but yes, I just gained that confidence. You’re going against a guy that’s a pretty decent player and you’re like ‘Oh, we’ll see how this goes.’ You’ve kind of got to jump off that ledge and see what happens.”
(Was there a point – a time or a game – where you can point to where…) – “Probably my first start. I think (it was) Baltimore (on a) Thursday Night, under the lights. It was a pretty big stage. All of your friends are watching back home. You don’t want to make a mistake. I think it ended up being a pretty solid game (for me). I think I got bull rushed like 90 percent of the plays, so it wasn’t too bad.”
(How surprised were you by the C Mike Pouncey move and have you talked to Mike?) – “I talked to Mike when he left. I texted him and wished him well. Good for him. I think everybody deserves as much money as they can get in this league. I was surprised by the move and how quick it happened, right when we were coming up to OTA Phase I; but any more, nothing really surprises you too much in this league.”
(So where is the wedding?) – “Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It’s on a lake. It’s like an Indian reservation. It’s really nice up there in North Idaho. You guys should Google it.”
(How did you choose that?) – “It’s actually about an hour and a half from where I went to college. It’s really pretty up there with the trees and a lake – a huge lake. I think (Brock) Osweiler has a cabin on that lake, so you should ask him about that. (laughter)”
