T.J. McDonald – July 26, 2019
Friday, July 26, 2019
S T.J. McDonald
(How are you feeling just to be back out here?) – “It feels good, man. It feels good to be back out here just playing football, being back out here with the guys. This time of year, you get to itching to get back out there.”
(Offseason, what kind of preparation, or how ready are you for kind of the new regime, new everything starting?) – “I think that everybody – I mean this started a long time ago as soon as they walked through the building. Everybody’s buying in, trying to just get better every day, try to improve and buy into the process. It’s a grind. We embrace it, and we’re going to grind every day.”
(Talking to S Reshad Jones and S Minkah Fitzpatrick and some of the other guys, they say how much more you have to learn now. How much more challenging, how much more study is involved?) – “It’s a lot. You’re going to get what you put into it. You’ll get out what you put into it. You’ve got to know multiple spots. You’ve got to be able to wear multiple hats like Coach (Brian Flores) says and be able to know spots, know positions and understand the defense fully, not just your position. It takes time, but we put the time in.”
(What kind of confidence do you have in Head Coach Brian Flores?) – “We have a lot of confidence. He’s our head coach. He’s our leader. We’re going to go with how he goes in the direction that he takes us. We’re going to buy in, work hard, and that’s what we’re doing right now.”
(Is that excitement about the opportunity to play multiple spots on defense?) – “Yeah, it’s a different challenge. It’s a different challenge than something we’ve had in the past, but I’m in my seventh year and it’s something that I’m embracing. I’m just going to come out and try to help the team.”
(What’s it like to have a defensive coach as the head coach?) – “It’s a lot of fun. He doesn’t try to play favorites or nothing like that. He’s definitely a well-rounded guy. He puts an emphasis on both sides of the ball. For us, we just focus on what we’ve got to do as a team collectively, as a defense, as a unit – secondary – all the way down to the position group just to get better every day.”
(How do you like Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham? He’s not afraid to chirp at you guys a little bit.) – “He chirps a lot. That’s what you want. You want a high standard. The standard is set high every day. Every day he’s going to expect a lot out of you, and that’s the way you want it.”
Minkah Fitzpatrick – July 26, 2019
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Friday, July 26, 2019
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
(It takes a lot of selfless guys to be in different groups and moving around different positions. How long did it take to get a roster full of those guys? Do you feel like you have one here?) – “Yeah, I mean it takes time. We had it at ‘Bama’ (University of Alabama). It’s the same exact thing. We had a lot of guys that moved around, and it took time because one: people have got to learn the system. People have got to get comfortable with it. Then like you said, you’ve got to have guys who are willing to bend and do different things and have different roles. And I think everybody here is more than willing because most of the guys that are doing it have done it already. We did it a lot last year, guys in different roles when people went down. So I think we’ve got it now, and we’re doing a good job.”
(You’re good at a lot of things. Last year, what the numbers show is you were exceptional in the slot. Do you like that? You’re obviously still doing that a lot.) – “Yeah, I like it. Like you said, I did it a lot in college. I did it a lot last year. I’m comfortable there. I have a lot of experience there. I think that’s what gives me a good edge, just going out there and competing. I just love doing that. You’re going against some of the best guys in the slot, some of the fastest, quickest guys in the slot, and you get to do multiple things. You get to play the run, you get to cover, you get to rush, so I love it out there.”
(Do you have any sense how much you’re going to play on the boundary this year at corner?) – “No, sir.”
(Unsure at this point?) – “Yeah. I mean nobody knows where we’ll be playing right now. It’s the second day of training camp.”
(Is being on the field all the time important to you because obviously this team is deep in defensive backs, safeties and corners to an extent?) – “It is. I think anybody that plays this game is going to want to be out there all of the time, especially when you put as much time as I do in, and I think it’s important to be out there. It’s important to have the best players out there, and that’s what camp is for – to decide who the best players are.”
(What’s the most important skill you need to have to play the slot?) – “To play the slot? I don’t think there’s one thing. There’s a lot. You’ve got to be able to cover well. You’ve got to know the scheme of the defense. You can’t just know the slot. You’ve got to know what’s going on inside of you, outside of you, behind you. It’s a lot of different things. You can’t just have one thing in the slot.”
(Is there more thinking involved in the slot than outside?) – “Yeah, (there is) in ways because like I said, at corner, all you really need to know is – in certain coverages – you need to know who is behind you. In certain coverages you need to know who is inside of you; but in the slot, you’ve got to know what the linebacker is doing, the d-end’s run fit, the corner outside and the safety behind you. So it’s a little bit more thinking I would say. So yeah, I’ll agree to that.”
(Are you doing anything at safety so far?) – “Yeah. I’m all over the place. I’ve been doing different looks at safety, whether it be up on the line, a linebacker back in the half, covering the half, covering receivers in the slot, so a lot of different things.”
(You saw WR Jakeem Grant last year when he was healthy and playing well. What made him tough to defend?) – “What do you think?” (laughter)
(I would think quickness. Is it more quickness or more speed?) – “That’s it, man. It’s everything. He’s quick, he’s fast – like quick in and out of breaks. He’s low. That’s one thing that really helps him because he’s already low, and he plays low, so when you try to get hands on him, he’s ducking under you, he’s doing different things. He’s in and out of breaks really fast, and if he wants to run straight line, he’s got the speed to beat you straight line. So I’ll say it’s a combination of his quickness and his long speed.”
(How are WR Jakeem Grant’s hands? Would you say improving? Really good?) – “He has really good hands. We have him back there at punt returner for a reason: he can catch the ball in tough situations. I haven’t seen too many dropped balls out of him since I’ve been here, so he has great hands.”
(In what one area do you want to make improvement?) – “I would say just I like to play fast, but some of the coaches have been telling me playing fast isn’t always the best thing, especially when you’re moving around a lot. It’s more of being able to process everything, relax and be able to play off your instincts. When you’re playing fast, you speed things up, you think too much, and you start tripping over your own feet. When you slow things down, break things down, know the defense, are comfortable, you honestly play faster than if you’re trying to fly all over the place. So I think just knowing the scheme, getting comfortable with the scheme and being able to play calm and react.”
(How confusing can this defense be for opponents and how confusing can it be for you guys moving around so much?) – “It can be really confusing. We throw a lot of different looks. I can’t really say too much, but we throw a lot of different looks at offenses and the quarterbacks – they’re asking us questions after practice, like ‘what was this, what was that, what was this, what was that?’ And we break it down to them and tell them, and they’re like, ‘oh, man, that’s crazy.’ But at the same time, like you said, it’s tough on us because we are moving around a lot, playing different roles, switching up roles every day, so it’s tough mentally, but it’s worth it in the long run.”
(For you, does being so versatile sometimes have its downfalls in some ways where you’re not able to get so many things you’re looking at and you may want to hone in on one thing and get really, really good at it?) – “I think just playing defensive back, you have to know everything that’s going on around you. I think if you want to be a great safety, and just a great safety, you’ve got to know what everybody’s doing around you. If you want to be a great corner, you’ve got to know what everybody’s doing around you, so even if you want to hone in on one position, you have to know what everybody else is doing around you. If you’re trying to be great at being a football player – a playmaker – know what everybody’s doing, and you’ll be able to play fast, play comfortable, and that’s it, really.”
(Early in this conversation, you kind of expressed an interest or a preference to play nickel instead of boundary, but what could you provide at the boundary position if you do play more there?) – “I never said I preferred (nickel). I was just saying this is what I played a lot. I had a lot of experience in there. I’m a cover guy. I was one of the top slot cover guys in the league last year. I had a lot of experience outside in the boundary last year when some people went down, and I think I could provide a lot out there.”
(You had that pick, too. A pick-six, right?) – “I was at slot. I was at nickel.”
(So there’s no preference? Do you have a preference?) – “I like being on the field, making plays, doing my job. That’s it.”
Christian Wilkins – July 26, 2019
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Friday, July 26, 2019
DT Christian Wilkins
(How are your first couple of days?) – “The first couple of days, I’ve got a long way to go before (I am) where I want to be. But it’s definitely good to get out here and compete with these guys, because I really feel like we’ve got a good group of guys who work hard every day, compete (and are) smart players. It’s good to get out there and compete with them, listen to them, talk to them, listen to what they think I can do better, how I can improve my game, listen to what they’re doing to how they attack and things like that just to improve my overall craft. I am just excited about that.”
(This heat is fun, no?) – “Oh, yeah. You have a different definition of fun than me. (laughter) It’s good. It builds a lot of character. I think it’ll definitely put us where we want to be as far as conditioning and going against all different types of elements and everything. It’s hot. It’s hot out here. I don’t really feel it until the end of practice. That’s when I’m just like (sighs). It’s all good.”
(How does having a defense that’s so multiple help you guys up front?) – “We’ve just got a lot of different guys who play a lot of different positions and contribute in a lot of ways. I feel like that poses a challenge for other offenses. I like what we do. The coaches do a great job with putting guys in the right positions to make plays and to help the defense as best as possible. I feel like they’re going to continue to do that all year. I’m just looking forward to everything.”
(How different has it been when you turn around and there’s a safety right behind you?) – “Not super different, because I feel like we did a lot of that stuff too a little bit back in college. It’s just great to know the type of guys I’ve got around me everywhere. (There are) so many guys who can do so many different things and make a lot of plays. It’s fun to know that.”
(You’re carrying the helmets now so you’re the low man on the totem pole?) – “I am. I’m just a funky, ole’ rookie. These guys, they love me and they respect me, but they make sure they make me realize that every day. I’m happy to do it, because those guys are my teammates and I’ve just got to respect the chain of command right now. I’m just a funky rookie, got to carry helmets, got to bring the snacks. In the spring I spent about $100 or something on snacks. I never did that before. I’ve got to get the snacks today, too. Just doing those little rookie duty things, I’m happy to do it for my guys.”
(What kind of snacks are you getting?) – “We wrote a list of things. They made a list. Some of it serious, some of it foolish. I think I’m going to go a little different. I’ll get them some healthy snacks. I don’t want my guys getting fat. I’ve got to look out for my guys too, so I’ve got to get all the healthy snacks.”
(What’s the most foolish thing?) – “Just guys being funny when they wrote down the list. They wrote things that aren’t even, I don’t know. ‘Make sure you get the pack of Essential Waters,’ or something. I don’t know. Just things that they are obviously joking (about). Seedless watermelon. Something funny. They’re just messing around.”
(That must’ve been tough to pull $100 out of your pocket? Did you go couponing?) – “Yeah, you all know I’m cheap. I’m thrifty as it is, so that kind of hurt my soul a little bit to buy $100 something dollars worth of snacks. No coupon, but Costco. I love Costco. That’s always a good route to go. A little cheaper and buying in bulk, so the next time the guys need snacks, you’ve got plenty of them. That’s a good way to go. Shout out to Costco.”
(Are you pleased with how you did in May, June and obviously two days so far?) – “No, I’m not because I hold myself to a high standard and I’m never satisfied. That’s just the approach I take to this game. No matter how good I get, no matter how well I do, I’ll never be satisfied. Also, because I know being out here, I’ve got a long way to go before I’m where I want to be. Going against these guys, until I completely dominate everything, I’m never going to be satisfied. Even then, I probably won’t be satisfied. There’s always room to improve, always areas and ways for you to get better. That’s my mindset and that’s the mindset our team should have as well.”
(What’s your ideal playing weight?) – “As long as I look good. I always look good. (laughter) I feel most comfortable between 310 and 315, where I still feel strong but athletic, slim thick, where I look good. (laughter)”
(You look slim.) – “Thank you. I know. I had a good summer out here. I told you, my beach body is going to be year-round around here. It’s always beach season. I appreciate that, thank you.”
(You’re what weight now?) – “I came in at 311. That was my report weight. I’ll try to stay around there.”
(Is it fun or challenging for you also to get an opportunity to play potentially some end when you’re in a 3-4?) – “Really, it’s just going to be fun to be out there and compete every day. Whatever the coaches need me to do, I’m going to be happy to do it for this team, because that’s what’s most important is this team. If there’s an opportunity for me to play end, linebacker, safety, quarterback, running back, if it’s what’s best for the team…”
(Don’t forget fullback.) – “All that. All of the above. Tight end. Don’t matter. If that’s what the coaches feel is the best opportunity for me and this team to win and be successful, I’m going to be happy to do that always.”
(Are you looking forward to throwing the pads on?) – “Yeah. It’s one thing (being) out here competing without pads on, but once you get the pads on, it’s a little different. You really get to see where you’re at, see what kind of shape you’re in, see if you’re physically ready to play this game, because that’s a whole other component. When you’re learning the techniques and things like that, that’s one thing. But when you come out here and put the pads on, it adds an extra element and that’s real football, now. I’m looking forward to that.”
(Do you think the offensive line has had a false perception of what you guys can do defensively because of no pads?) – “I feel like we’ve both been working on both sides. We’ve been competing, getting after it. It is just different. You kind of get a little bit of it on both sides. You can’t really get a feel because the game is not played in shorts and just jerseys. It’s played in pads. We get the real feel when we put on the pads.”
(A lot of guys in college, they play video games. A lot of NFL guys care about their Madden rating. Yours came out at 75. You’re a rookie, they may not know what you can do. Your thoughts on the whole Madden rating thing?) – “I didn’t think about it too much. I think it’s just cool that I’m in the game. That’s pretty cool. When I was a little, fat, chubby kid I dreamed of being in Madden one day and playing in the NFL. Now being 23-years old, I’m like, ‘Dang, I’m really in the Madden game.’ I think that’s just pretty cool, first and foremost. I’ll have time. Hopefully I’ll have a long career where that rating will come up a little bit. It doesn’t really matter what it is as long as I’m doing my job for my team. I don’t care whatever anyone else thinks.”
(Why do other guys care so much about their Madden rating?) – “I feel like definitely sometimes guys need to be respected a little bit more. Almost like, ’Dang, that’s what you think of me?’ Especially guys who’ve had long, great careers who are doing well and improving every year, but their Madden rating is not – I feel like guys around the league, if you know who you are, you should be comfortable with who you are. Don’t let the Madden ratings tell you otherwise. If guys around the league respect you, I don’t think you should worry so much about the Madden ratings.”
(We’ve seen you a lot with the first team, which isn’t really a surprise. Is that meaningful to you? Does being thrown in with the starters right away does it challenge you even more?) – “Honestly, I’ve just got to earn it. I feel like whether I get first-team reps or not, whether I get third-team reps, I’ve got to earn it each and every day. It doesn’t really matter to me. I just know when I’m out there whenever my number is called, that I got to produce and got to be productive and play to the best of my abilities. That’s the biggest thing I’m focused on, what I’m worried about.”
(Is being a starter this year a goal?) – “I don’t make too specific goals like that. I make more broad goals. My goal is not to be the starter. My goal is to be the best that I can be. If being a starter is a result of being the best I can be, then so be it. That’s how I make my goals and how I view things and how I attack things. I don’t make them too specific like that. Again, I’m trying to work every day to compete and be the best that I can be.”
(We know how smart you are with money. Anything you’re doing so far in your first couple months here to save or maybe you’re doing something differently than some other first-round draft picks?) – “Definitely I put everything up under lock and key, nowhere where I can really see it, making sure that I don’t want to touch it, I don’t want to think about it. I’m trying to live off a specific number (of) money this year. I’m still penny-pushing, doing those things, being as smart as I can with my money. I still don’t have a car yet, nothing crazy like that. I’m trying to be smart.”
(So most of the money from the guaranteed you put in the bank?) – “Yeah, that’s locked up.”
(You don’t have a car? How are you getting around?) – “I’m borrowing a car right now, so that’s how I’m getting around.”
(How?) – “I’m borrowing a car.”
(From a teammate?) – “No, my girlfriend’s car, actually. A nice little Jeep Patriot 2015. I’m pushing that thing. I’m borrowing that right now until I figure out my car situation, but I think it’ll be a little while.”
Jakeem Grant – July 26, 2019
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Friday, July 26, 2019
WR Jakeem Grant
(QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is running around with your little ones, what is that like to see and experience?) – “It’s amazing just to see him running around playing with my kids and that just shows how our relationship is. It’s bigger than football. We like to have fun with each other and get out there and enjoy it. Besides football, just the fact that he has kids and I have kids. His kids are probably a lot older than mine are. It just really meant something to me when he came over to play with my kids. It meant a lot.”
(What are you most proud of in your career because we saw you go from punt returner who didn’t always have success with the hands and now you’ve accomplished that. Slot receiver, we saw you on the outside last year and you accomplished that. You’ve got a lot to be proud of. What makes you most proud?) – “I would just say getting better and being able to be more consistent. I feel that in this game, you definitely need that. I feel like each and every year I have gotten better and better at something or just better in my game all around, and that’s what I’m trying to do. Even if I feel like I’m doing great at punt returns and catching punts, I am still out there working on it like I’m not even good at it and the same goes for receiver. I always try to work to perfect anything. I know nobody’s perfect but I am a perfectionist and I like to go out there and try to perfect my craft and separate myself from the other guys. ”
(Where do you get work ethic that from?) – “I don’t know. Honestly, I just don’t want to be average. I look at all the greats like Deion Sanders and all of those guys and think what did they do to separate themselves? I just don’t want to be a regular guy. When they look back after I’m done, (I don’t want them to say) ‘Oh, Jakeem he had a good career.’ I want to go back when they’re playing my clips and (have them say), ‘Oh, Jakeem had a great career.’ A wise man told me there are only two thing that are sure in life is that you live and you die. Therefore, I am trying to maximize my opportunity so that little space between when you are born and when you die, I just want to leave a legacy.”
(Your teammates, what do they bring to the mix?) – “He brings a lot. Everybody brings in different special talents and that’s what is great about this team: everybody is special in a unique way. Everybody can do mostly everything. Whether it is catching the deep ball or taking the short route the distance, I am trying to teach every guy – all the receivers – how to make people miss and take it the distance. Basically, we pick off each other’s plate and ask help me with this, how do you do this and how do you do that? We just come together and work as a unit.”
(Is there a common ground there with WR Albert Wilson where you both had some pretty bad injuries last season?) – “Definitely. We both were injured together, working together. We both got in the training room and worked hard together we even competed against each other with bounce drills and everything, making sure we both got back and we were healthy. We also wanted to take our time and not rush into things and have that setback. With that being said, that shows that the bond is there and we truly love each other and want to see each other do great.”
(What’s no speed limit?) – “I was trying to push that message, no speed limit. I remember when ‘Rizz’ (former Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi) was here, I used to ask him is there a speed limit on the field and he used to say no. That is where I got the phrase ‘no speed limit’ from. I feel like there is no speed limit on the field, as you can see, and I am going to continue to push that message. There is no speed limit. You’re not clocking me at no speed and so I am going to continue to go out there and be the fastest man on the field each and every game.”
(Is it tough for you to be patient because you started off to a great season last year, you got your injury and now you are rehabbing, I’m sure you want to be out here at 100 percent. Is patience tough in this situation?) – “It’s definitely tough. Just going out there, I tell Coach (Flores) even when I feel like I am ready, and Coach (Flores) is still like ‘Jakeem, you’ve got to be smart. We are thinking about the long term,’ and so I am like Coach (Flores), ‘let’s go, let’s go.’ He keeps telling me, ‘Jakeem, you have to chill.’ I know he is looking out for me and he wants me to be patient and not have any setbacks and I am cool with that. But as a competitor, I want to be out there more and I want to compete.”
(This is your first time being in this situation?) – “Yeah, (the) first time. So at the beginning, it really sucked; but right now, being back there with them is a joy.”
(S Minkah Fitzpatrick was talking up your speed. What’s it like for him to be out there challenging you?) – “It’s great. He is a smart player. He can play any role and he can run. I can’t just use my speed and run past him because he is a smart player. I actually have to give him some moves. I can make him get off balance and run past him, but he’s a hell of a player and he’s going to go out there and make plays. He’s not going to bite off of just one move. You’ve got to give him two or three moves just to get him off balance. He can read very well and he can play anything.”
(Does S Minkah Fitzpatrick have a speed limit?) – “No, actually he doesn’t. To be honest, he really doesn’t.”
(What has made you a complete receiver? Because we know you have the speed, the quickness and again you added the outside to your game. What makes you a complete receiver and why do you think you are a complete receiver?) – “I would say I focus on my route-running and I play outside and inside, so I got a dose of everything. Playing against corners, playing against nickels, going against safeties, everything. I just feel like – I am not perfect, I am not completely there yet but I will continue to work each and every day. I feel like I have proven and shown that I can go out there and be a receiver and make a big impact in the offensive game and I am going to continue to come out here and work on my hands, my routes, just like if I didn’t have a chance at receiving. So I am going to continue to go out each practice and work on that.”
(When will you be at 100 percent?) – “I am just working to get better each and every day.”
(Like in the preseason or do you think it is more Week 1?) – “I am just being smart, taking it day-by-day and just trying to get stronger and better each and every day.”
Allen Hurns – July 26, 2019
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Friday, July 26, 2019
WR Allen Hurns
(How happy are you to be home playing for the hometown team? You went to high school here, college and now you get to play for the Miami Dolphins.) – “It’s always good being back home. It’s a blessing being able to come back. I played here for college, so playing here as a professional, I’ll love to see how that goes.”
(Why is WR Brice Butler your biggest fan here?) – “We were in Dallas, so we spent some time (together). Once you’re in the room with a guy, it’s kind of like he’s your brother. It’s bigger than ball. Once I saw him, we reunited. It was good.”
(What are your expectations signing with the Dolphins?) – “Coming off of an injury, my main thing is to come in here, learn the playbook and put my head down and go to work. My main thing once I got released was finding a good opportunity. I felt like it was a good opportunity here, so my main thing is to put my head down and go to work.”
(How has the last week and a half been for you?) – “It wasn’t bad at all. Once I found out that we wanted to go separate ways, my main thing was to find my next destination. I wasn’t stressed or anything. As far as how I am mentally, I’m good. I don’t let too many things bring me down. I was just excited for the next move.”
(Did you grow up a Dolphins’ fan or did you ever think one day you’d like to play for this team?) – “No, actually not.”
(What team did you follow?) – “The Atlanta Falcons. I liked Michael Vick. (laughter)”
(Does it feel kind of right being in Miami on a practice after you University of Miami Days?) – “Yeah, it feels good. It’s my first day so I didn’t practice (much) but I did a little bit of the individual drills. It felt real good, just being back in this heat. You’ve always got to get acclimated with that. But, I trained down here for a couple of weeks at Bommaritos, so it feels good just being back home.”
(What kind of healthy competitions will it be here with WR Kenny Stills and WR Jakeem Grant?) – “It will be a lot of good competition. There are a lot of guys that do a lot of good things. Me coming in, my main thing is I’ve got to learn the playbook. But as far as being on the field, we’ve got a lot of guys. I feel like competition brings out the best in guys so coming in each and every day, going against those guys and working with those guys, I feel like we’ll bring out the best in each other.”
(How many opportunities do you think you had after you left the Cowboys and how ideal was the situation to basically come home?) – “I feel like it was very ideal to come back. There were still opportunities of me going back there. My main thing was just the best opportunity of being on the field and just being able to make plays. I just wanted a fresh start, to just come in and learn the playbook, come out here and make plays. I’m excited to see how that goes once I’m able to go against the defense. It feels good to be back home, for real.”
(The Hurricanes kick off their training camp today. What are your thoughts on Head Coach Manny Diaz and this year?) – “I love him. I feel like he fits the culture. He’s a guy that’s about business, but he’s also going to let guys have fun. I think that’s the Miami culture. When you think about guys from South Florida from high school or little league, it’s guys that play with swagger and are just comfortable being them. I feel like he fits the culture. Guys in the past were great coaches but some of them were uptight and that doesn’t always fit the Miami culture. I feel like Manny Diaz will fit that.”
(Have you and WR Brice Butler had that conversation about that 17 jersey?) – “No, we didn’t. (laughter)”
(How do you feel physically? Where are you in your rehab?) – “I’m full go. I worked out earlier, ran routes and everything – jumping, cutting, everything. I feel good.”
(Take me back to the injury, not to bring up too bad of a memory for you. What did you think when it first happened? Some guys just never want to see that play on tape.) – “It was one of those things where it was disgusting to see. It will make you cringe. As far as me and my faith, I knew I’d be able to get through it. My main thing was just seeing my foot facing the other way, that kind of freaked me out. I saw it in college with one of my other teammates that was here, Malcolm Lewis. I knew it was going to be a lot of work to get back. I’m blessed to be back. It’s crazy how the body heals. It was a long process. Once you stay dedicated and stay good mentally, you’ll be able to overcome anything.”
(At what point were you cleared?) – “I got cleared in minicamp.”
(Were you kind of surprised that Dallas waited this long to move on? It seems like this is something that could’ve been done earlier in the offseason.) – “Of course. Ideally, it could’ve happened earlier for me; but at the end of the day, I’m just glad it happened. It got to a point where it was a mutual thing on both sides. It was good for me to get a new opportunity and things like that. The timing of it wasn’t ideal; but at the end of the day, I’m just glad to be here.”
(You’re 100 percent at this point?) – “Yes.”
(Do you think you’ll be jumping in on team stuff soon, as soon as you start to get the playbook down?) – “Yes. As far as me, I’m ready to do whatever. I’ll leave it up to the coaches however they want to go about it each day.”
(But physically you’re ready?) – “Yes, I’m ready to go.”
Brian Flores – July 25, 2019
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(It’s your first training camp as an NFL head coach. What’s going through your head right now?) – “A lot of excitement. You go through the end of the season, you go through the offseason for today, so (there is) a lot of excitement. I think the team, we’re ready to go. We’re raring to go. I think we understand that it’s an opportunity – a great opportunity – for us to go individually, but more importantly as a team. Individually from a fundamentals techniques standpoint, and then putting those together with your teammates, everyone working as one.”
(How much will WR Albert Wilson participate in camp right now in the beginning stages?) – “Albert’s working his way back. He’ll participate in some individuals and maybe try to get him into some other drills, but he’s definitely doing a good job and working his way back.”
(You all are looking at WR Allen Hurns having him try out today according to an ESPN report. What is it that you feel you can use or need for this receiving corps?) – “I think we take a look at everyone who’s available, so (General Manager) Chris (Grier), (Vice President of Football Administration) Brandon (Shore), our personnel staff, they do a good job of just evaluating everyone who’s available. Is this person a fit for our team? Regardless of position, age, etc. So I think that’ll be something that’s ongoing. Obviously Allen is available, and we’ll take a look at him like we do really anyone who’s available.”
(What has or will be the message you have for QB Josh Rosen and the approach you want him to take to this training camp?) – “The message to him is the same as everyone on this team: be ready to come in here every day and compete. And that’s compete in the meetings, compete in the walkthroughs, and obviously compete in practice. So that’s the message to Josh, that’s the message to ‘Fitzy’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick), that’s the message to everyone on the team. We want to improve every day. We want to build as a team and improve individually. I should say that in the other way – improve individually and build as a team. That’s the goal. Let’s take it one day at a time and string the days together. That’s the message to really the entire team, really the entire organization.”
(Back to WR Allen Hurns for a second. He obviously had that pretty awful injury during playoffs. Are there any concerns health-wise with him going forward?) – “I think that’s part of the process like it is with any player. We’ll evaluate him on film, evaluate him from a health standpoint, and that’s the case with really anyone we bring in.
(What are some things you look to accomplish this season? What would be an underachievement of that, and what would be an overachievement of that?) – “My focus is on today, so to think down the road – season, seasons, etc. – our focus is on today. Let’s put one foot in front of the other. Let’s improve individually, as a team, as a coaching staff and then try to build on that in our meetings afterwards. I don’t even like to think about that, because I’m focused on the individual period. That’s where my focus is, nothing really past that. And that’s the message I’ve sent to the team. There’s no reason to think about either preseason Game 1 or preseason (Game 2) or Game 1 in the regular season or Game 8. Let’s get better today. Let’s not waste energy on that. Let’s put all of our energy into today.”
(Where will you spend your time during practice?) – “I’ll be on offense, I’ll be on defense, I’ll be on the kicking game. I’ve got my eyes on really, all parts of the team, all parts of the organization, and that’s kind of my thought process. I think that’s fluid for me. If I see something I don’t like, I’m walking over there. If I see something I feel like we need to do a little bit better, I’m walking over there. If I feel we need to improve in the area, if someone needs a good yelling-at, then I’ll go where that needs to be as well. If somebody needs a pat on the back, I’ll do that as well. You won’t see too many of those, but that’s my plan for practice.”
(A lot of attention will obviously be on the quarterbacks. What would you like to see out of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and QB Josh Rosen to start off camp?) – “I’d like to see – first and foremost – get the quarterback/center exchange, get in and out of the huddle. First and foremost it’s get in and out of the huddle, get the quarterback/center exchange and just our fundamentals and our technique from a footwork standpoint, from an accuracy standpoint, from an in-and-out-of-the-huddle standpoint, from a communication standpoint. It’s Day 1. Look, we’re not going to be in midseason form today, and no one in the league is going to be in midseason form. This is about building. It’s really what it boils down to, and I want to see these guys build today, or really work today and then build on that day after day after day and string good practices together.
(Do you foresee the quarterbacks swapping who works with the first unit/starting unit during training camp?) – “I think that’s fluid as well, and we’ll see. We’ll talk about that daily as a staff. Obviously we want quarterbacks working with different receivers, receivers working with different quarterbacks, offensive linemen working with different backs, safeties working with different linebackers, so that’s very fluid. We’ll be moving guys around, moving offensive players, defensive players, kicking teams. We’ve just got to get the right 11 on the field, so it’ll be fluid. There will definitely be some movement from that standpoint.”
(We haven’t had a chance to talk to you since DT Kendrick Norton’s accident. How’s he doing, and what do you think the prognosis for him long-term is?) – “Kendrick, he’s in great spirits. I spent a lot of time with him after the accident. I talk to him on a pretty frequent basis. His spirit, the way he’s handled this situation is really – it’s amazing. That’s a testament to Kendrick, his support staff, his mom Tess – she’s a wonderful lady. Spending time with him and his family, he’s got a great support system that includes that Miami Dolphins, and we’ll support Kendrick any way we can.
(As you guys begin training camp today, are there areas where this team is a little bit further ahead than you thought they would be either on the field or off the field?) – “I think this is a hard-working group. This is a group that’s motivated. This is a group that wants to work, wants to get better and wants to improve, and I’m looking forward to working with everyone on this team. As far as me having higher or worse expectations, I wouldn’t say it’s either. I’d say right now it’s too early to, we’re just focused on today. My expectation is to get better today, to improve today, to coach them hard today and tomorrow and the next day and every day moving forward, and I think we’ve got a group that’s willing to put in the effort, the work and hopefully string good days together.”
(What is your either window or deadline as the case may be for selecting a starting quarterback?) – “Again, that’s something that I would say it’s too early to – I don’t have a concrete deadline. I would say that. I think we’re in an evaluation process, really from now and throughout. I think in this league, with the players that are in this league and how guys develop and the light bulb goes off for certain guys at certain points. Then, there’s always opportunities for changes to be made, and that’s a good thing for everyone on the team. There’s no spots that are slotted. There’s no sacred cows. I’ve said that before. People, our team, our organization need that competition, and the best players are going to play. The guys who practice who we feel like are going to give us the best opportunity to win, those are the guys that are going to be out there.”
(How do you anticipate the loss of Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Jim Caldwell on a day-to-day basis impacting QB Josh Rosen and the rest of the quarterbacks you have?) – “The most important thing to me is Jim’s health. I’ll say that first and foremost. He is obviously taking a leave of absence for health reasons. I talked to our staff about just splitting his roles, his responsibilities. We’ve talked at length about how we’re going to do that. We’ve got a good plan in place, something we’ve talked about, really I would say, over the last two weeks, two to three weeks extensively, and there’s a plan in place; but his experience, his knowledge, it’s not something you replace easily, I’ll tell you that. He’s in a consulting role. I talked to him yesterday. He’s still with this team; we just won’t see as much of him as we’d hoped to.”
(Do you anticipate elevating somebody into his QB coach role?) – “That remains to be seen. Right now, we have a plan in place to split those responsibilities, and that could happen; it may not happen. That’s just something that we’ll evaluate on a day-to-day basis, and if we feel like we need to do that, then great. But I think we’ve got a really good offensive staff. (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach) Jerry Schuplinski stepped into that role. (Offensive Coordinator) Chad (O’Shea) has taken on a little bit more, (Tight Ends Coach) George Godsey’s taken on a little bit more, (Running Backs Coach) Eric (Studesville) has taken on a little bit more, (Wide Receivers Coach) Karl (Dorrell) has taken on a little bit more. Our quality control guys have taken on a little bit more and that’s what we want on this team, whether it’s from a coaching staff standpoint or from a player standpoint. If something happens, we just have to split the duties amongst some other people and do the best we can.”
(What was your message to the team today?) – “Improve. My message was to focus on improvement – fundamentals and your technique. Take those techniques in individuals to the group drills, those techniques from the group drills to the team drills. We’ll come back in, we’ll watch it, we’ll improve and we’ll try to get better tomorrow. But the focus is on right now. I want a tough, smart, disciplined team. They know that. That starts in practice and there’s nothing more important than practice, so hopefully we got here with the effort, the energy. Again, it’s Day 1. I hope we get great execution, 100 percent execution; but there’s never been 100 percent execution in a football game, so there’ll be some mistakes out here. Hopefully we learn from those mistakes, we improve, we get better and we build.”
(How do you anticipate choosing captains on this team and how do you anticipate the leaders stepping up?) – “Obviously leadership’s important to me, but if you want to be a captain on this team, you have to earn that role. You have to earn that in the meeting room, in the walkthroughs, on the practice field and on the game field, so that remains to be seen. I would say that’s pretty much the criteria. Someone who’s productive, someone who shows leadership both on and off the field, someone who brings the effort, intensity, energy that we’re looking for on a day-to-day basis.”
(I know you were on the radio with Joe Rose this morning talking about last night and any restlessness. Can you elaborate a little bit on what was happening there?) – “Well, I was having a great night of sleep. Then my son Maxwell decided to pop in the bed, and he’s a, let’s call him a restless sleeper, and I was up. I probably lost an hour. He came in about 3:30, 4 a.m. and I was up shortly after that. I don’t mind my kids coming into bed. That’s a great time for me whether it’s my son Maxwell or my son Miles or my daughter – my daughter normally doesn’t. She goes to Mom. But no, I don’t mind that. This time of year, when you start getting going into football coaching and long hours, those moments – it doesn’t matter if it’s late at night or early in the morning – I cherish those, so that’s a welcome situation to me.”
(What did your personal workout routine involve today?) – “Yeah, I got a little sweat going. My guy Drew does the ‘Murph’ workout. I didn’t do the full one. Let me tell you that right now. I did a modified version of the ‘Murph.’ Drew and Matt, Matt’s the ‘Murph’ king over here.”
(Is that part of the daily routine?) – “That’s part of my routine and workout right before. I’ll try to cut the sweating down a little bit tomorrow. It’s my first day, alright guys? (laughter)”
(What do you tell a fanbase that is conflicted between winning and looking ahead to the future and wanting a high draft pick?) – “I tell them support the Dolphins. You’re going to have a tough, smart, disciplined team that works hard, is not going to beat themselves, and we’re going to fight to win every week. That’s what I tell them, and they’ll support us to do that.”
Josh Rosen – July 25, 2019
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
QB Josh Rosen
(A lot has been made going into this quarterback battle and yesterday on NFL Network, Jordan Palmer who said he’s worked with you, said it’s a little bit different of a quarterback battle than you’ve been in, in the past where you may not be the smartest guy in the room is what he said. Your thoughts on that comment?) – “I don’t have many thoughts to the comment. Regardless of whatever battle or situation you’re in at any positon, you’re just trying to get better. It doesn’t really change the course of action day to day. I just try to watch as much film as I can, listen in meetings and get better every day.”
(How did you feel today?) – “I thought I had a slow start but finished pretty strong. I think it’s about getting used to everything – teammates, offense, situations and all of that. I think as long as tomorrow is better than today, I think we’ll be good.”
(Did you have a chance to get together with the receivers before camp or is this the first time you’ve thrown in awhile?) – “Yeah, there were a couple guys out on the West Coast with me. I went back to L.A. (Los Angeles) to spend my offseason. There were a couple guys out there that I threw with.”
(I presume WR Kenny Stills was one of them?) – “Yeah.”
(How different is the first day of training camp being around Head Coach Brian Flores as opposed to the offseason?) – “I think he’s the same guy. I think that’s what’s awesome about Coach (Flores) is you’re going to get the same guy every day. He’s reliable. He’s got high expectations. I think it’s our job as players is try to fulfill those every day.”
(I know you see a guy like WR Albert Wilson in the offseason rehabbing and now he’s finally out here. What do you see from him?) – “He’s explosive. We’ve got a lot of awesome playmakers on offense. It’s going to be fun to throw something short to him and watch him make us look good.”
(How does losing Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Jim Caldwell day to day affect your learning and how you grow?) – “It’s tough. He’s an unbelievable coach. He helped me a lot throughout OTAs, sort of eased the learning curve a little bit. I just wish him the best. I hope everything is okay with him.”
(How much easier do you anticipate, not easy, but what type of a different feel do you think it’ll be this season? As you said, there are so many experienced weapons here that have put up numbers that you can work with. Just the process of being with a new team, learning a new system and what you’ve got to work with, how much does…) – “Every situation is different. It’s got it’s own sort of unique twists and turns. I’m excited to play with a really talented group. I think this team is pretty close. We’ll be battling into the dog days of camp but at the end, I think we’ll be excited to have each other’s backs and go out and play games.”
(Back to minicamp, the competition was ongoing all the time. That’s kind of expected, it’s ramped up a little bit. Do you feel that the competition is kind of stepping up?) – “Maybe a little bit, but whether I was in one or not in one, starting, backing up or third string, that wouldn’t change my approach at the end of the day. I know you guys are all writers and it’s at the forefront of all of your brains, but it’s in the back of mine. When I get a play call, I’m just trying to execute that one play regardless of the situation on the team or my position or anything.”
(What is that misconception? When you say us as writers reporting stuff, do you think too much is made out of that this early?) – “I don’t know. For you guys, maybe not. For me, maybe so. Regardless of what you guys say, read or write, I’m going to go about my approach that has gotten me this far.”
(Did you have a chance to see some of the Rosen jerseys out there because there seemed to be a slew of them. What are your thoughts on that?) – “Ever since I got here, there has been an unbelievable amount of support from all of the Dolphins fans. I can only hope and try as hard as I can to bring them as many wins that I can. It’s been great so far. I’ve had an awesome welcome to South Florida. It’s been really fun so far and I appreciate it.”
(How would you describe the approach that Head Coach Brian Flores, Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea and Assistant Quarterbacks Coach Jerry Schuplinski have brought? What’s the approach that these guys want you to take in this training camp?) – “I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, it’s not like a rehearsed thing but it’s just literally getting better day-by-day and trying to improve. It’s not about taking a massive step forward, it’s just about continuing to grow and continuing to make positive progress. I think that any kind of setback is worse than any progress you can gain. I’m just trying to stay consistent. I’m just trying to get better and master this offense and get more and more comfortable behind center.”
(What were you doing during the break? Did you go back west? Did you stay here?) – “Yes. I was back in Los Angeles staying with my mom. I hadn’t seen her for a little bit. I went back to the East Coast for a little bit to see some family. I went to the UFC fights with Chandler (Jones), an old teammate, to see his brother fight. It was a good offseason, got a lot of good work in. I’m glad to be here and attack Day 2 tomorrow, and finish out Day 1 today.”
(How’s your fluency of the offense compare to the last time we talked to you?) – “Substantially better but definitely not there yet. I’ve got a lot of work to do.”
(What are your expectations for this season?) – “I’ve got none. (laughter) Tomorrow, I’m just trying to get better than I was today.”
(You said something earlier today, whether you’re a starter or a backup. Could you see yourself playing in a backup role here?) – “I don’t know. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability. Right now they’re asking me to be better tomorrow than I was today, and that’s my job these next couple of hours throughout these meetings.”
(What if they ask you to be the starter?) – “If that’s what they ask me to do, then I’ll do it to the best of my ability.”
(Are those things that you want? Do you want to be a starter, do you want to be a backup? Is there anything that you want that you feel like you could have?) – “Whatever the coach asks me to do I’m going to do to the best of my ability.”
Reshad Jones – July 25, 2019
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
S Reshad Jones
(Is this heat just old hat for you now? Are you used to this?) – “I don’t think you can get used to this heat, but it feels good to be back out here.”
(What’s the most exciting thing about this defense and what Head Coach Brian Flores does? I know there can be some unpredictability in it, but what most intrigues you about it?) – “Just different roles. Guys are lined up everywhere. It’s going to be hard for offenses to tell what we’re in and different things like that. You wear a lot of hats in this defense. I think it should be pretty interesting and pretty fun.”
(What skills do you think CB Bobby McCain has that will make him most suited to play safety as he makes that adjustment?) – “Safety is a defensive back. He’s versatile. He can play the slot, he can cover and show his range back there. This is his first time back there. He’s a piece in our room that will be able to help us.”
(How much does your off-the-field preparation change now that you have to know so many positions?) – “It’s spots, it’s spots. It’s definitely more challenging learning different roles, playing Sam ‘backer and safety linebacker, cornerback or wherever coach may need you. It’s definitely challenging; but like I said, it should be fun and interesting to fill those roles.”
(How do you feel playing that Sam linebacker position after playing safety?) – ‘I feel good. Whatever it takes to help this team win football games, that’s what I’m here to do. That’s what I’ve been here doing for the last nine years.”
(You mentioned learning cornerback, have you actually played some there?) – “I can play a little cornerback if need be. I’m more of a safety but…”
(Not this offseason yet?) – “Not yet.”
(Do you guys listen to the critics, the underdog stuff? Do you embrace the underdog role this year?) – “Most definitely. We’re all in this thing together. We know what we’re working for in the locker room. All of the outside noise, we tune it out, put our heads down and continue to grind.”
(What was the message from Head Coach Brian Flores before you guys came out here today, to the team?) – “Just continue to work, just put our heads down. It’s going to be a long (camp), mentally and physically. Just to continue to put your head down and grind, basically.”
(You’ve had a lot of different coaches throughout your career here. What stands out differently about Head Coach Brian Flores?) – “He’s a straightforward guy. He’s about business. He tells it how it is. He tells you when you’re doing it right and when you’re doing it wrong. He comes from a winning program, so he knows what it looks like.”
