Durham Smythe – May 12, 2018
Download PDF version
Saturday, May 12, 2018
TE Durham Smythe
(What are your thoughts on being selected in the draft where there was a fellow tight end also selected?) – “It was awesome, first and foremost, just getting the call, regardless of the situation. I was fortunate enough to be part of a great organization, so I was excited about that. I’ve played with Mike (Gesicki) before. I knew him through the whole pre-draft process. We were teammates at the Senior Bowl, so we got to know each other a little bit. We played actually in a couple of two-tight end sets together during the game and practice. He’s a guy I’ve played with before, gotten to know and overall, I was just really excited about it.”
(Did you ever have any conversation during that week of what if the two of you wind up on the same team or something to that effect?) – “Not too serious. It’s always cool getting to know guys in that process because then you kind of do have that relationship where if it were to happen, I’d have a friend or a guy that I know on the team. We didn’t have any serious talks about it; but it is pretty cool.”
(For somebody who hasn’t seen you play, can you describe your game?) – “Yes, sure. Throughout my four years at Notre Dame, I tried to be a guy who was what we called a complete tight end. We went through a few offenses in my time at Notre Dame. A couple of them were spread it out and a little bit more pass-happy, so I was in the slot a lot those years. These last two years, specifically this last year, we ran the ball a lot. We had an offensive change. It was more of a pro style this last year, so this last year I was more at the point of attack a lot. We had the best offensive line in college football, so that helped. So I’ve done a lot of roles throughout my time in college. Ultimately, I’ve just tried to combine all of those to where I can be, what we used to call, a complete tight end.”
(Who is a comparison for you, player-wise, in the NFL?) – “Well, being from Notre Dame and having that film readily available to me from past years, two guys that I watched a lot were … One, actually I told (Tight Ends) Coach (Shane) Day at the Combine, a guy that I watched a lot was Anthony Fasano. Specifically his time at Notre Dame. Obviously I would watch some of his stuff in the pros but at Notre Dame, he was a guy who wasn’t just a big receiver. He was a guy who would grind it out, in-line; but then he could split out. He could run on a deep corner or something like that. So (he was) a guy who could do a little bit of everything. Then another one was Kyle Rudolph, because he’s kind of the same way – a big guy who can play in-line but at the same time can run deep overs and things like that. He doesn’t really have to be a guy who can be taken off the field.”
(How has Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly helped you during your time at Notre Dame and how has your time at Notre Dame prepared you to be where you are right now?) – “First and foremost, Notre Dame is a special place. It’s a place that forces you to grow up pretty quickly, and I think that’s something that early on, aside from any individual, is what the university provided for me. I came in and really quickly you have to learn time management, whether it’s academics, athletics, media obligations and things like that. In that regard, I think it can be compared a little bit to the professional level. Obviously there’s no academics at this level; but time-management skills and things of that nature. Coach Kelly did a great job throughout my five years there of surrounding himself with people who could develop players. I had a couple of offensive coordinators throughout my time, a couple of position coaches, and they all developed (me). So I was happy about that. I would do the same thing over again. I would go back there because of how much was provided for me.”
(What does it take to be a good in-line tight end?) – “First and foremost, it’s the willingness to be in there, to grind it out and be able to compete with these defensive ends at this level that are 6-foot-5, 6-foot-6 and freakish athletes off the edge. We have a couple here with the Dolphins. First and foremost, it’s willingness. Then from there, it’s technique. You kind of just build from there – strength and things of that nature. It all starts with a willingness to be able to do it.”
(You didn’t have many catches last year but a lot of them were for – I think it was six out of 15 – were for 20 yards or more. What do you think accounted for that?) – “I think a little of that was attributed to our offense. We based our offensive scheme around running the ball and grinding it out. When you run the ball and there’s eight people in the box, every now and then someone can slip behind the defense and really, really extend plays. That’s something that we focused on as a tight end group was being a group there that could provide explosive plays to our offense. Whether it’s catching a ball and running after the catch, things of that nature, or breaking a tackle, that’s definitely something that we focused on.”
(Do you think despite the limited number of catches you had in college, you still were able to showcase your pass-catching abilities?) – “I think so, to a degree. Like I said, I had different roles throughout my time. I think when I had the opportunity, I tried to make the most of it. Ultimately, through this whole pre-draft process and stuff, that’s something that questions were asked about that I tried to put those questions to rest through the Senior Bowl and the Combine and things like that.”
(Can you talk about your journey to get here a little bit? When you were five years old, were you dreaming about playing in the NFL? Is this culmination for you? Just talk about the steps that led you to where you are today.) – “Well, I grew up in a small town in central Texas. Football was everything growing up. My dad played at Baylor. That was 30 minutes down the road, so my weekends went Fridays everyone goes to high school games, Saturdays we’d all go to the Baylor game and Sundays obviously we’re watching on TV. I kind of grew up around the sport for as long as I can remember. That was always the ultimate goal. I grew up a big Notre Dame fan. First and foremost, it was my goal to go play there, succeed there and then obviously get to this level. It’s something that I grew up around my entire life and something that I’ve always seen myself doing for as long as I possibly can.”
(What’s one thing about you that would surprise us? Like one story would be you saved a family of cats from a burning building. Something like that.) – “(laughter) I don’t know if I have anything that could live up to that. One thing I use a lot when I’m asked a question like that is I’m a great ping-pong player. I like to tell people that football is the second best sport for me behind ping-pong. I guess that’s something that’s kind of fun.”
(Is there a ping-pong table in the player’s lounge here?) – “Actually, I haven’t been in it yet. There is? I’ll get on that when I get in there.”
(I’ll ask you this only because we’re in Miami but your recollection of the Notre Dame-Miami game?) – “I’ll start that with my junior year we played them, and we beat them at home. (laughter) So that was good. Yes, coming down here, what an experience it was, honestly. Obviously it wasn’t a good outcome in any sense of the word; but an incredible atmosphere. We kind of expected a loud atmosphere but nothing close to what it was. That was one of the loudest stadiums I’ve played in in my five years. We had people throwing stuff at the buses driving up. Actually our window was shattered and we had to get a new bus. It was pretty crazy stuff. I enjoyed playing in the stadium. It was an awesome stadium. Like I said, the atmosphere was great. Obviously the outcome was terrible, but I did love playing in that stadium.”
(What was it about Notre Dame that attracted you as a kid considering your dad played at Baylor?) – “Both of my parents really, as I grew up, harped on finding a place that had great academics that could go with a good football program. As a kid, I knew that Notre Dame was a great school. Obviously with our NBC deal, they were playing (on national TV) every Saturday. I watched that growing up. I kind of became a little obsessed with the golden helmet, Golden Dome, thing early on. It kind of just carried from there.”
(Did it take a little while for your parents to accept you’re not going to Baylor and you’re going to Notre Dame?) – “I think my dad was easier about that whole thing. He kind of recognized early on that I had aspirations to go to a Notre Dame or something like that, that was far from home. I think it took my mom a little bit more time, a little bit more convincing. I was actually originally committed to Texas, so that was 30 minutes down the road. I ended up changing that and going to Notre Dame and I think it took a little bit of time for her distance-wise. Ultimately, it turned out pretty well.”
(And you had to sell them on this idea?) – “I wouldn’t necessarily call it selling them, because like I said, they – from a young age – really harped on the whole academic/athletic combination. They knew that was one of the best places in the country to do that. It was more of just going 1,000 miles across the country from my mom; but other than that, it was great.”
(What was your major?) – “So I majored in sociology and minored in business economics.”
(And you graduated this past year?) – “I graduated in May 2017. So this last year I was actually a non-degree-seeking graduate student and I knocked out four or five graduate-level classes that could eventually translate to a master’s degree.”
(Your first name isn’t a nod to Duke University, is it?) – “It is not. It’s a family name – my grandmother’s maiden name.”
Darren Rizzi – May 12, 2018
Download PDF version
Saturday, May 12, 2018
Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi
(What helped develop the confidence you developed in K Jason Sanders despite the bottom line number of 25-for-35 career field goals?) – “We could talk about that for a long time. There are so many different ways to go with that. I think the first thing is when I go in and evaluate, when we look at the kicker position, the number one thing you’re looking at is the kicker, the talent, the ability and all of those things. I could talk for a long time about the statistical part of it. A lot of people don’t want to hear this but really, when you look at a college placekicker, one of the last things I look at is field goal percentage; and there’s a reason for that. The reason for that is because a lot of times in college, the operations are … It’s completely different than the NFL. I can sit here for hours and talk about the guys and give you examples. Stephen Gostkowski for the Patriots was a 76-percent field-goal kicker in college. Matt Bryant for the Falcons was a 72-percent field-goal kicker in college. Mason Crosby (was a) 74-percent kicker in college. Phil Dawson was a 74-percent kicker in college. Robbie Gould was a 63-percent kicker in college. Between those five guys, they have over 70 years of NFL experience. The point is the field goal percentage probably gets looked at a little bit too much; but in this day in age of fantasy football and numbers and everything, I get it. That’s really … Jason Sanders probably kicked the laces 20 times between PATs and field goals in college. That’s obviously not … Now, down here with Snowflake and all of the movies and all of that, kicking the laces is … (laughter) It seems to be a good term for down here. Laces out Marino, so we have to throw that one in, right? (laughter) But no, all kidding aside, his operation wasn’t great. I know he’s not going to stand here in front of you and tell you guys that. He’s going to put the blame on him; but his operation wasn’t great. I was really impressed with the talent, the person, and obviously we felt strong enough to draft him at that point. Even the other kicker that got drafted in the fifth round – (Daniel Carlson) – his numbers in college were … His senior year, he was below 80 percent. You can see I did a little bit of homework on that, by the way.”
(The touchback numbers for K Jason Sanders, how big of a factor was that in the thinking of this should be the guy we target?) – “Again, I didn’t really look at the touchback numbers. I know that he had great numbers. I looked at more of what I felt he could do on kickoff. It’s not just the distance and the length; but obviously the hang time, the location and the things we want to do. I just think he’s a very well-rounded kicker. He’s just a guy that didn’t get a lot of opportunity in college. He’s a guy that only had 35 field-goal attempts because his head coach went for it a lot of times in the red zone. Bob Davie is an aggressive coach. They didn’t kick a lot of field goals. I think he had more long field goals than short field goals, because it seemed like every time they were close, they went for it. He obviously did a really good job on his PATs and his kickoffs. I feel like if he was a guy that was in a Power 5 conference, he would have been much more of a household name, if you will. He might have been a little bit higher up the draft board; but it worked out great for us.”
(The last two young kickers that you’ve been drawn to and brought in here, both have the common theme – K Andrew Franks and K Jason Sanders – of strong legs. To you, is that paramount in looking for a field-goal kicker? Is leg number one on your list, as far as strength and distance field goals?) – “I don’t know if it’s number one but it’s certainly up there. I’m not going to say it’s number one; but obviously you want a guy who … I call it an NFL leg. You want a guy that’s got an NFL-type leg and is able to do a lot of different things and have the ability to give you a lot of different things and have great range. That certainly helps. It’s probably easier to take a guy with great leg strength and get him a little bit more in tune or fixed or technique-wise on field goals than it is to go the other way. It’s much harder. You can’t teach leg strength. You can teach a guy technique. You can teach a guy to get better certainly at accuracy and things like that. You can’t teach (leg) strength. It’s like a baseball comparison. You’re not going to teach a singles hitter to be a home run hitter, more or less, to give you a baseball analogy; but you can certainly teach a home-run hitter to make more contact and things like that. The power and the strength and those things were certainly … I’ve heard the things about the altitude. Certainly, he’s not going to pick his school by the altitude. Certainly it was beneficial at some point but he played plenty of games that weren’t in high altitude and did very well. Again, there are a lot of comparisons that I can continue to give you.”
(How do you judge mental toughness when you look at a young kicker?) – “It’s hard. It’s probably one of the hardest things to do. If I had to give any knock on Jason Sanders coming out, it probably would be that he just didn’t get enough opportunities. I would have liked to see him get more opportunities and to be put in the fire, if you will, a little bit more. It would have been a little bit nicer to see; but again, that wasn’t on him. Mental toughness is a really, really hard thing to judge. I really like his demeanor. I like his background. I’ve obviously spent some time with him. He comes from a military family. He’s got two brothers that are serving right now. His dad served in the Air Force. He’s got two brothers who are serving in the Air Force right now. I kind of really liked … He’s the youngest of four kids. For a guy having five kids, I kind of know what that young guy is like. He’s a little bit of a competitive guy. My little spit-fire 11-year-old, he’s a competitive son of a gun. All kidding aside, I really liked his makeup, his background. It’s tough, at the end of the day, to figure it out; but the thing I like about him is his mentality. He’s one of those guys that’s always right (in the middle). I really like that in a specialist. A lot like Matt Haack, he never gets too excited, too high or too low. I kind of like that. Again, everything remains to be seen. How he performs is going to be the bottom line. We all know that. The other guy, who we haven’t really talked about is Greg Joseph, the free agent we took from Florida Atlantic. He’s another guy with a really big leg. He’s got a really good kickoff leg. He has to work and fine-tune some stuff with the field goal; but he’s another guy that when you guys see him kick, you’ll be very, very impressed with his leg strength.”
(The organization decided not to bring in another punter. What did P Matt Haack do last year to give you confidence that he didn’t need the competition?) – “I just think Matt’s best football is ahead of him. The one thing you’ve got to remember with rookie kickers and punters is when they come in, if they make a team and go all the way through, they end up punting or kicking for 18 months in a row. ‘What do you mean?’ Well, they just finished their college season, then they train for the NFL the entire time and get right into the NFL season, and the NFL season is a long year. So Matt Haack was on an 18-month punting streak, if you will, so he hit a little bit of a wall at the end of the year. But he’s got tremendous upside. I really feel like his best football is ahead of him. (He has a) really high ceiling. He’s a very talented guy. I really like where he’s at. I only think he’s going to get better, so I didn’t feel at this point … I felt like he needed the reps in camp and really didn’t feel like we needed to split time with him and anybody.”
(Regarding kickoffs, I think you were consulted about changes that should be made. What do you think of the changes that are on the table or have been reported on the table and what do you think should happen with kickoffs in the immediate future?) – “So to give you a little background, I was part of a committee that went up to New York and was part of the discussions about … I was on the kickoff committee. I really felt like it was a really productive and positive experience and a productive and positive meeting. Myself and eight other special teams coaches from around the league got invited to go up. What we had done is a couple of weeks leading up to the meeting, we kind of got together and looked at the kickoff play as a whole. We all know the NFL is trying to make this play a safer play. At the same time, we want to keep the play competitive. We want to keep it exciting. We want to keep the fans tuned in. We don’t want to make a ton of wholesale changes. The bottom line was making the play safer. I felt like we got together, came up with a collaborative effort and went in with a proposal. A lot of the things we proposed have now gotten approved or are getting approved by the competition committee, or moving forward to the owners and going to get brought to the owners next week. Some of the changes are going to be on the kickoff, from the kickoff side. Some of the proposal is taking away the 5-yard running start down to a 1-yard start and kind of limiting the kickoff team’s formations, if you will – limiting those to 5×5 and the motions and shifts and things like that are probably going to be a thing of the past. Then the kickoff return team, really bringing more players up to the front part of the group – what we’re calling the setup zone now. (We want to have) eight guys up within 15 yards of the restraining line. What we tried to do was really look at the plays that had unnecessary collisions and things that were happening, the more dangerous types of things. That’s what we’re trying to take out of the game. We really feel, moving forward, that we’re making this a safer play; but at the same time, keeping it very competitive. A lot of injuries were happening on the back end and the NFL did a great job of presenting some statistics and analytics on that. So we’re trying to eliminate the back-end wedge, the wedge that’s in front of the ball carrier. A lot of the injuries were taking place at that point of attack spot. Then also, in the first 15 yards, it’s going to be more or less a free running zone for the kickoff team, where you can’t go and attack and chip. Again, all of this stuff has to get approved still. It’s not done yet; but it is up for a vote at the owners’ meetings and I really feel like, moving forward, it’s going to be a really positive thing for everybody. Number one, the players, from a safety standpoint; and then number two, I think the fans are really going to enjoy the play because I think there are a lot of new nuances to the play that can really add some competitive things that are going to be pretty cool.”
(It seems like in general, just anecdotally, every time I hear people talk about making safety-related changes, among the players and coaches, a lot of times there’s this natural backlash to it. You seem genuinely concerned and interested and passionate about improving the safety.) – “Yes. Number one, I think if you talk to any fans in and around the game and everybody loves … The kickoff has been a part of the game since it started. I think there were some false narratives out there about getting rid of the play and all of that stuff. That’s not really what this was all about. This was about making the play safer and taking some unnecessary collisions and hits out of the game. There were some injuries that were happening on touchbacks, for example. (There were) some unnecessary things that were happening and injuries. Is it ever going to be 100 percent? That’s unrealistic; but I think the steps that were taken were to make this play a lot safer for the players and keep it exciting and competitive for the fans. Yes, I am passionate about it. There were some rules that I think were – the things that we’re moving forward with and trying to implement – that are really going to help the players out. I’ve talked to our players about it. They’ve really been receptive to what we’re talking about. We’ll see what gets passed and what doesn’t, but I really feel like, moving forward, this is going to be a really good thing.
(Do any of the changes open the door for more explosive plays?) – “Yes. It’s going to be really interesting to see how it plays out because the kickoff team only have a 1-yard start, they’re obviously not going to be as far down the field. So what I don’t think you’re going to see, if the rules do get passed – again, this is all an if – I don’t think you’re going to see as many high, short kicks anymore, because I think the advantage of doing that is to get your kickoff team down and pin the team inside the 25 (yard line). Well, now your kickoff team is not going to be as far down the field. So I think you’re going to see a few more deeper kicks from a percentage standpoint, and now your returner pulling the ball out of the end zone maybe a little bit more than we’ve seen the last couple of years because the kickoff team is not as far down the field. The way the play is going to set up, it’s going to look a little bit more like a punt return. Those bigger players aren’t going to be out there – your big d-lineman and o-lineman that you see in the back end and the wedges. The day of the wedge-busters, that’s a thing of the past. We all grew up in football and you always had the wedge-busters in high school and college. That’s really where the injuries were happening, quite frankly. So it’s going to be a little bit more of a speed game. It’s going to look more like a punt return in terms of personnel, the guys that are out there, and it’s going to look more like it because you’ll have the eight guys up and they’re going to be getting on blocks a little bit quicker. It’s going to be more one-on-ones and less double teams and traps and all of that kind of stuff. So some of those unnecessary collisions that were happening … It’ll be more of a wide-open play. I do think it’s interesting. I think there’s enough things you can do from a scheme standpoint to still make it competitive and exciting, but it’s going to be a much more wide-open play.”
(So more DBs, more running backs and fewer lineman?) – “Absolutely. Fewer defensive ends. Defensive lineman and offensive lineman, I don’t think you’re going to see because if you have eight guys up and only three back, the majority of the people that are going to run this are going to have guys that can handle the ball in the back end. Or else that guy is going to end up getting the ball kicked to him a bunch of times. So you’re going to see much more skill players. Offensively (it will be) running backs, receivers and tight ends; and then like you said, DBs and skilled linebackers, faster-type players (on defense). It does make you actually start to think about your personnel a little bit too, and how that’s going to shape up your roster. I’ve talked about that with our front office here and with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase about how this rule change could potentially change some of the … maybe the last couple of decisions with your 53 (man roster).”
(How does it play into a guy like WR Jakeem Grant, with his speed?) – “Listen, I’ve talked to Jakeem about the new rules. I know he’s excited about it. A guy like Jakeem could potentially – again we’ll see where it goes, it’s all potential because right now this all remains to be seen if the rule is going to get passed – but if it does, I think a guy like Jakeem could certainly benefit from the rule. It being a more wide-open play, I know he’s excited about it for sure.”
(Is there any fear that the kickoff would go away altogether at some point or no?) – “I don’t think so. The conversations that I’ve been a part of and the committee that I’m on, it’s about improvement and player safety. We’re making some changes now and I think that you could continue to make … You just look at the play and continue to see where these things are happening and take some things out of the game.”
(In WR Jarvis Landry, obviously you lost a guy that had 89 career punt returns here and 12 last year. Who replaces him as an option along with WR Jakeem Grant as a punt returner?) – “We’ve added a couple of guys onto the roster that have had return experience. Obviously we all know (Danny) Amendola did it with New England. Albert Wilson is a guy that did it in Kansas City. He just got buried behind a couple of really good returners; but he’s got returner experience. Obviously he had De’Anthony Thomas and Tyreek Hill in front of him; but he’s a guy that’s done it before. Then Kalen Ballage was a kick returner at Arizona State. He’s a big body that can run really well. He had some really productive kick returns. We’ve kind of added a couple of pieces there, as well.”
(So you would be open to WR Danny Amendola and WR Albert Wilson maybe getting some opportunities as punt returners?) – “Oh, yes. We’re definitely going to look at all of them here in the preseason. You know how we’ve done it. You just kind of look at everybody and see what the best … At the end of the day, when we get to September, kind of feel what our best competitive advantage is moving forward; but all of those guys will be part of the equation, for sure.”
Jason Sanders – May 11, 2018
Download PDF version
Friday, May 11, 2018
Kicker Jason Sanders
(You’re the kicker that was drafted. K Cody Parkey left. Do you feel that the job is yours to lose or how do you approach this opportunity?) – “It’s an open competition, I believe. It all comes down to who comes out there and makes their kicks, who kicks farthest, and at the end of the day, who’s the most accurate. For me, it’s just a day-by-day process. I can’t look at the next day. I’ve just got to focus on the first day.”
(How much of a badge of honor is it that you were one of only two kickers taken in the draft?) – “It feels pretty good. It’s definitely a confidence booster of what the Miami Dolphins think of me. With that, I feel like I bring a lot of confidence into coming here. You always want to play for a team that really wants you. I feel pretty good coming in here for the first day.”
(A lot of humidity in New Mexico?) – “No. (laughter)”
(What was your impression getting off the plane?) – “Well I’m originally from Orange County, California, so it’s not a cold place either. It’s hot. The only thing different here (is) you get the humidity. With that, it’s just the only difference. Everywhere you go it’s going to be hot.”
(What can you recall about how good you were – how accurate you were – on the day Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi worked you out in Albuquerque?) – “Personally, I didn’t think I did great. I did good. I showed a lot of good things; but I still missed one or two kicks that I think could’ve easily been makes. I did good, not great.”
(Obviously your percentage excellent career-wise 50 and over. You’d probably say it could be better in general, “My field goal percentage accuracy in general.” Has Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi told you anything specifically yet, mechanically, that he thinks he can fix or improve to maybe boost that percentage?) – “Not yet. Like I said, it’s my second day. (laughter) We’re just getting into it right now. I’m sure eventually it’ll all come down; it’ll all come together. But right now, it’s just the second day we’re here.”
(And Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi essentially told you what on draft day after they picked you?) – “He’s excited. They all said they’re excited to have me in, and I was excited, too.”
(Can you give us some insight into the strength of your leg?) – “I feel like I have one of the strongest legs coming out of the draft. I’ve got one of the strongest legs. People say it’s the altitude in New Mexico, ‘You’ve got altitude,’ but we go to Texas A&M at sea level, Tulsa, New Jersey and I was still kicking touchbacks. The altitude wasn’t the issue.”
(Was it rare that kicks were returned against you, kickoffs were returned against you?) – “I think there was a total of 22 maybe my last two years that were returned.”
(Out of how many?) – “100-something.”
(132) – (laughter)
(And what’s the longest kick in that altitude you’ve been able to make whether it’s in practice or…?) – “Practice? 70 (yards). A live scrimmage, 60 (yards). And then in a game, 53 (yards).”
(Kickoffs are not necessarily something that people focus on when they’re looking at kickers. How much pride did you take in the fact that you had such a high touchback percentage?) – “I think the touchback percentage gets you in the door. I think if they see the leg strength, they know he’s going to have it. They always say you can teach somebody to kick it straight, but you can’t teach someone to kick it out of the end zone.”
(How do you explain 25 out of 35 on field goals? I know you didn’t have a ton of attempts, but the percentage kind of jumps out.) – “You can look at a factor of things. I don’t want to blame anybody but myself. There’s a lot of kicks that I wanted back, but there’s a lot of things that go into it. You’ve got the snap, the hold, wind and just different factors that all play into things. But a majority of my kicks were all on me and there’s nothing to say about that.”
(What do you make of the debate over whether kickoffs should be part of football? I’d suspect you’d say you’re in favor of keeping it in the game.) – “Yes, of course. I would love to keep it. (laughter)”
(Do you often think back to the idea that you basically wound up kicking in high school because your brother had kicked for the team and the coach wanted to take a look at you because you played soccer and how crazy that’s led to where you are now?) – “Yes, I think a couple months ago I think I was pretty shocked of how everything fell in together. To see where I am now, I think it’s pretty crazy to think about. My freshman year of high school, I didn’t even want to play football. I got forced into it. I told my parents, I said, ‘The coach wants me to play and I said no.’ And then they were like, ‘You should give it a shot.’ And then I gave it a shot and then we went from there. I think the whole process of how I got to this position is pretty crazy to think about.”
(What ultimately convinced you to go ahead…?) – “I think my brother. My brother was a big kicker for the high school. He found success. I was a big soccer guy growing up, so I didn’t really want to do the change. I saw how successful he could be so I kind of gave it a shot and didn’t really get serious until junior year.”
Jerome Baker – May 11, 2018
Download PDF version
Friday, May 11, 2018
LB Jerome Baker
(We’ve heard obviously some good things about your coverage skills and saw it in a major program. Do you feel that you’re short-changed at all, in terms of maybe some people thinking … well that’s what you’re good at; but is your feeling that I can be a first or second-down run thumper if I need to be? Does that short-change you, known to be good in coverage?) – “That’s just one of my strengths. I have a lot of strengths and a lot of things I can get better at. It’s all good to me. I’m just going to go out there and perform every down.”
(How are you as a run stopper, do you think?) – “I’m good, but there’s always room for improvement, that’s for sure.”
(Do you think people make too much about your size, especially in the draft process?) – “It’s been like that my whole life. I’m cool with it. I just know when the time is on the line, the game is on the line, I can make the play.”
(Even in high school people were talking about your size?) – “Yes. I’m used to it.”
(What were they saying?) – “The same thing they say now, I’m too small; but I can play ball, that’s for sure.”
(It seems like all of your best games in college were against Michigan, Oklahoma, the really big-name opponents. What was it about those games that brought out the best in you?) – “I don’t know about you guys, but I was taught that the best players shine in the biggest games. I just try to do my best and it just so happens that the big games is where I perform my best.”
(If anyone ever doubted your ability as a three down back, what games would you tell them to turn on to prove otherwise?) – “Just watch me every game. I just go out there and do what I do. That’s pretty much it for me. There is a lot of talking and all of that; but when it’s time to play, that’s what I do. Just play.”
(Have you seen LB Raekwon McMillan yet?) – “Yes, I said what’s up to him. He made fun of me a few times.”
(What’s it been like to kind of reunite with LB Raekwon McMillan?) – “It’s cool to see a familiar face. There’s a lot of new faces so it was cool to see him.”
(What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to get out of … Let’s start small, this weekend?) – “Learn as much as I can. Learn the building, learn the playbook, learn faces. That’s all I’m looking forward to this weekend. Just learning.”
(When you saw the playbook for the first time, or the tablet or whatever, you thought what?) – “You better get to work. That’s it. It was cool just to see a different playbook. I’ve been around Ohio State for a while, so to see a different one was fun. And you’ve got that different energy of I’m willing to learn, I’m ready to learn. It’s definitely fun.”
(Wouldn’t you have matched up directly with TE Mike Gesicki quit a bit?) – “Yes.”
(How many of the games during your time there were you specifically matched up with him and what can you tell us? What do you remember from those matchups?) – “I can’t remember the exact times, how many; but he’s a great player. That’s all there is to that. He’s a great player and he’s definitely going to compete.”
(What was difficult about him? What were the challenges and how do you feel they went, overall, you and him battling head to head?) – “He’s big. He can definitely go get the ball and all of that. His routes are good; but I look at the team aspect. He got me one year and I got him the last. This league is what have you done for me lately, and we got the win (last year).”
(It’s obviously a challenge for linebackers to keep up with fleet-footed running backs. What made you effective doing that?) – “Learning tendencies, pretty much just staying in the playbook and film work. Physical skills are going to catch up to it. That’s what makes me effective.”
(After the draft, or after you were selected, GM Chris Grier mentioned just how fast you were and then he mentioned your time at the combine. He said, ‘I don’t know what he ate that day, I don’t know what happened but normally he’s way faster than this.’ What happened at the combine and maybe why the time wasn’t what you might have expected?) – “I don’t know. I don’t know what to tell you. I just know when it’s time to play, I’m fast. There’s a difference between clock speed and game speed. I didn’t get the time I wanted, but on film and on tape, all of that, I run fast.”
(What was the time that you wanted?) – “At the Combine I wanted to break the record. It was a 4.41 or something like that. I didn’t get it, but it’s all good.’
(What did it mean to you to be an Ohio State linebacker? You guys have a storied history and was there pressure and how did you deal with that pressure, if it existed? – “Not pressure. It’s a standard. Our linebackers are known to be great linebackers, so I just wanted to uphold that standard. Now the real task is here. I’m definitely excited.”
(Has Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke told you where you’re going to start at? Will you do only weak side or does he want you to learn multiple spots?) – “No. Just learn the defense. That’s what I’m getting started to do.”
(When you say people have always overlooked you because of your size all the way back to high school, is it something that you hear about on the field? Is it something that opposing players will trash talk you about during games?) – “No. If you ask anybody that plays against me, they don’t mention my size at all. It’s hard looking from the outside in. On the field, I do my job. That’s all I can do.”
(Was there ever a coach or anything, even back to high school, that told you you’re too small to play this position or that or do whatever it is that you wanted to do?) – “It’s been the same. Guys say it but once I actually play against you, you really don’t even notice how small or big I am. It’s all good.”
(A lot of people talk about, for linebackers, how important it is to stack and shed lineman; but there’s different ways to get around that. You don’t always have to meet a guy head on. What have been varying techniques that you have used to maybe beat a guy to a spot?) – “Different places … I was asked to do a lot of different things at Ohio State. So when people say ‘You weren’t big on shedding,’ a lot of times I was asked to do a lot of different things that weren’t usual, just because of my speed. People don’t know that inside … You have to be in the room to know that. That was a little secret. I guess you could say that. I can do it all. That’s pretty much all I can do.”
(So it’s not about whether you can do it, it’s what you were asked to do?) – “Right. I’m one of those guys that whatever you ask me to do, I’m going to do it. I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”
(When you talk to LB Raekwon McMillan, what did he tell you was the toughest part about making that transition from the college game to the NFL?) – “He just said take one day at a time, learn one install at a time and just have fun. He said I got to this point because I can play football, so that’s all you have to do is focus on that.”
(Has there been any part of this experience that was surreal to you, like when you walked in the building or when you sat down with somebody or a particular player you might have seen around the facility? Anything where you were just like “Wow, this is really happening?”) – “As soon as I got off the plane I looked around and I was like, ‘Alright, this is warm. I’m not used to that this time of the year. I’m away from home.’ That’s when it finally hit me is when I got off that plane. (I knew) it was time to get to work.”
(This is warm to you?) – “This is warm. It’s freezing up where I’m from. (laughter)”
(This isn’t warm. This is kind of mild actually.) – “Well, it’s great weather to me. That’s for sure. (laughter)”
(Who were the leaders of the Ohio State defense?) – “We had so many great leaders. Different rooms had different leaders. That’s what made it unique. Me and (Chris) Worley pretty much led the linebackers. The d-line, there were so many of those guys from Sam (Hubbard), Tyquan (Lewis) … I’m not going to name them because then they’re going to see it, so I’m just going to say the d-line was awesome. The safeties, we had ‘E-Smith’ (Erick Smith), Damon Webb. The corners – Denzel (Ward). There were so many guys that we did that four units coming together as one.”
(So did you have any problems stepping up at a time of adversity, when things were not going great, like on the field? Were you one of the guys…) – “Yes. I don’t say I’m a vocal leader and I don’t say I’m a leader that’s quiet and doesn’t say anything. I’m kind of in between. I see how things are going and I step into that role of what I have to do. I can’t say I’m one or the other. I’m more of a mix of in between.”
(What NFL player would you say you model your game after?) – “I was a big fan of (Ryan) Shazier. That was the one player … I saw him my junior year (of high school). I was getting recruited by Ohio State and he played Indiana. It was freezing cold and he had like 20-something tackles. That’s when I became a big fan of Shazier.”
(Were you watching when LB Ryan Shazier got injured?) – “I wasn’t watching that game but I’ve seen the clip. It’s unfortunate but it’s part of the game. He’s definitely going to come back strong.”
(Did you see LB Ryan Shazier at the draft?) – “When he walked out? I saw him at the draft, yes.”
(What did you think about that?) – “It just shows how strong (Ryan Shazier) is. He’s never going to quit. I talked to him a little bit at the spring game. He’s just one of those guys. He’s never going to quit, that’s for sure.”
(What did you say to LB Ryan Shazier?) – “I don’t really remember. (laughter) I was just so excited to see him. It was pretty cool to see one of the guys you look up to. It was all good.”
(What about LB Ryan Shazier’s game do you think you do as well or close to him?) – “His speed. Just his attack mindset. Pretty much everything. When he came out of college, they were saying the same thing that he was too small. He just performed every Sunday. That’s what I try to do.”
Mike Gesicki – May 11, 2018
Download PDF version
Friday, May 11, 2018
Tight End Mike Gesicki
(Pronunciation on the last name?) – “guh-sick-EE.”
(guh-sick-EE?) – “Yes, guh-sick-EE.”
(Your goal as a rookie? You probably read or heard there are expectations you would come in and start. Is that where your mindset is?) – “No. I think ultimately coming in here, my first and foremost only goal that I have today right now is to continue to dive into that playbook and continue to feel more comfortable with my job, my assignment, my role on each and every play. There’s a lot of stuff going on in that playbook and I’m at my best when I can play fast and play confident. I just have to continue to feel comfortable in that. In terms of goals and expectations, I do hold myself to a very high standard and I expect a lot out of myself; but I’m not going to come out and say where I want myself on the depth chart or this and that because there are a lot of talented guys in that room and a lot of guys with some experience in this league. So whether I can learn from them, whether we can learn from each other, grow as a group, grow as a complete room, that’s what I’m excited about.”
(When you’re labeled as an athletic tight end, do you like that? Do you think that pigeon-holes you? It seems like a good title.) – “I think that especially with the way the game of football is going, I think that athletic tight ends are kind of an important piece to the puzzle; but ultimately, you have to be able to do everything. You have to be able to run block. You have to be able to pass block. You have to be able to run the deeper routes, the shorter routes, just everything. When you’re a tight end, you’re involved in every aspect of the game. I can’t just go in there and be a big receiver. I’ve got to be able to go in on running downs and all of that kind of stuff. It is something I would say that label, the athletic tight end, I think it fits me; but I will continue to work to be a complete tight end. It’s something that I’m going to continue to work on.”
(You took some knocks in the pre-draft process for the blocking. Did you hear that criticism? Did it anger you? Did it inspire you?) – “I’ve been criticized my entire career, so it’s nothing new. It’s not something that (is) a new aspect to my game. I’ve dealt with adversity in my career before. I’ve handled criticism, all that kind of stuff; but ultimately, I try to block it out. If you hear it, that’s it with it. I’m not really going to pay too much attention to it just because the only thing that’s really important to me is the Miami Dolphins organization, (Tight Ends) Coach (Shane) Day, (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase, those kind of guys and their criticism on me and their coaching on me, because those are the guys I’m trying to impress.”
(But you constantly hear it?) – “Absolutely.”
(It has to bother you.) – “Bother? I think that’s just natural. If somebody says something about you, you’re not going to be happy about it, but I try to just … It is what it is. That’s what people want to say; but at the end of the day, everybody is going to have their opinion and all of that kind of stuff. I’ll be the first one to tell you that I need to continue to improve in the run game, blocking and all of that kind of stuff. If you guys know anything about me and who I am, I’m extremely competitive. I work my tail off each and every day, so I’m going to get to where I need to be.”
(Coming from up north, you’re not really in the worst of it yet down here, but what do you know about the climate down here and what training camp is going to be like?) – “It’s going to be hot. Down in southern Florida, it’s definitely going to get a little warm, a little humid and all of that kind of stuff; but I’ve dealt with the humidity and all of that kind of stuff. I know it’s not exactly the same, but I’m from New Jersey right by the beach. You kind of deal with a little bit of that, but obviously not to this extent. It’s just part of the game. Once you get acclimated to it, you get used to it.”
(Is that something they harp on with you guys this weekend?) – “Absolutely.”
(Just so you know what you’re getting into?) – “Yes. They’re talking about nutrition and hydration and all of that kind of stuff to prepare you to be ready for that.”
(Without thinking of the blocking aspect at all, what on the football field do you do really well, that you love doing, that you enjoy and what is it that you struggle with?) – “I think my best attribute would by high-pointing the ball, going making contested catches, scoring touchdowns in the red zone, that kind of stuff, and making big plays. That’s definitely one of the reasons why I was picked where I was. Just some other things I need to work on (is) just the minor details of route running, the minor details of your first step coming out of breaks and all of that kind of stuff. I’m nowhere near to where I need to be, but I’m going to get there whether it’s this year or next year with these coaches and the time and the effort they put into everybody on this team. It’s great.”
(Why didn’t you end up playing basketball?) – “Basketball was a sport that I played my entire life and then when I started getting into football in middle school and high school and all that kind of stuff, I started seeing my potential with football and where the game of football could take me. Now I’m standing here a tight end for the Miami Dolphins, so it’s kind of been a dream come true in that aspect of it. I didn’t see my career path taking me to the NBA in basketball.”
(At what age – at what point – did you say, “Okay, I need to put most of my effort and energy into football?”) – “I didn’t put all of my effort and energy into football until I got to college. I was always … I was playing football in the fall; I was playing basketball in the winter time, volleyball in the spring time and then obviously lifting, running and all of that kind of stuff in between. That’s why I say I haven’t really scratched the surface of the player that I can become. I’ve really played tight end now. I played receiver in high school. I’ve played tight end now for three and a half years at Penn State. There is definitely a lot of steps I can take forward and continue to get better. That’s what I’m really excited about.”
(Did you get offers for basketball?) – “Yes, I had a couple offers. More like Patriot League schools – Bucknell, Colgate, Lehigh, schools like that, that I visited for basketball – and then obviously you take the visits for football and you go to Penn State and you see 110,000 people in the stands and you’re like, ‘Alright, I’m playing football.’ (laughter)”
(What can you tell us about matching up directly with LB Jerome Baker over the last couple years?) – “Obviously, Ohio State was a big game for us each and every year. He was kind of the leader of their defense. There were situations where me and him were matched up together and all of that kind of stuff. He’s a great player. He’s really athletic. He uses his speed to his advantage. Obviously, it’s gotten him to where he is today.”
(LB Jerome Baker says everyone always tells him he’s too small. I’m guessing you’re not one of the guys that…) – “Absolutely not. People are going to say whatever they’re going to say. He’s a great example of blocking that out and getting to where he is today without listening to that.”
(Watching NFL games on TV the last few years, is there anyone you watch where you think, “I would like to be like him. I could be like him?”) – “Those guys set a really high standard and I’m not comparing myself to any of those guys just because I have a lot of work to do; but a guy that I have watched a lot is – two guys – Travis Kelce and Jimmy Graham. Two guys that … I think Jimmy Graham with the basketball background, all of that kind of stuff and being a big threat in the red zon,e and Travis Kelce being extremely athletic. They use him in a bunch of different scenarios and situations. Those guys obviously have been extremely talented and extremely successful the past couple years. Those are guys that I’m shooting for.”
(I don’t know anything at all about competitive volleyball, but you were really good, right?) – “Yes, I was alright. (laughter)”
(Do you feel like if you would’ve followed that track that you’d be at the highest level at that sport? Is that something that you could’ve done do you think?) – “Knowing me and knowing my work ethic and all that kind of stuff, I think if I put all my effort into it, why not? My volleyball team in high school, we went to the state finals four years in a row, won it my junior and senior year. I was the New Jersey state player of the year; but I don’t know how much that goes into the whole perspective.”
(Better money in football.) – “A little bit. (laughter)”
(The dunks on Twitter, when was that shot?) – “Like right then when I posted it. I think it was in January or February. I think it was in February.”
Kalen Ballage – May 11, 2018
Download PDF version
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
Download PDF version
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.”
