Ryan Fitzpatrick – July 25, 2019
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(It’s the first day of training camp. How did it go for you?) – “It was hot. It was definitely hot. We’re going to use this to our advantage in terms of coming out here and practicing hard and being competitive. This heat is tough to practice in but it has to be an advantage for us, especially early in the season. I was really happy with the way the guys came back in shape, ready to go. Day 1 was okay. We have a ways to go but it’s nice to see everybody and be back in the swing of things.”
(A lot of people are saying that this team is going to have a fairly low win total this year. Do you think that home-field advantage is an asset for you guys that people aren’t really taking into account?) – “It’s hard to listen to any of that. Going into Year 15, it’s put your head down, do the best you can, work as hard as you can and try to make everyone around me better and just go out and play. I think that’s the focus right now.”
(Are there times when the heat makes you re-consider the beard?) – “No. It’s just part of me so I don’t even remember what it’s like without it. It’s going to be hot no matter what.”
(Have you had a moment where you’re like ‘15th season, that’s a long time?’) – “Yeah, it’s a long time but whenever I’m feeling old, I just look over at (John) Denney. (laughter) He’s 40, so that makes me feel young again.”
(How does Head Coach Brian Flores motivate this team? He has fire in his eyes. What is it like for you guys?) – “I think he has a great demeanor. I think he’s very genuine when he talks. So the message that he’s trying to bring or get across always does get across because you know it’s coming from a good place and you know it’s coming from the right place. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know him a little bit and his coaching style. Obviously we haven’t played in a real game yet but he has the attention, command and respect of the team right now. That’s really important and a hard thing to do so early as a coach.”
(How are you approaching this competition in training camp between you and QB Josh Rosen?) – “I’m just trying to be the best version of me that I can be. That really is it. There are so many things that I’ve just continued to get better at in my game. Knowing who I am as a player and working on my deficiencies, communication is something I try to pride myself on. Just the communication with the guys and making sure we’re on the same page. We had a couple of lapses today that hopefully will get cleaned up and then you move forward. Especially down in the red area, you only have so many chances. So you have to take advantage of all of them and you have to be on the same page with your guys.”
(You had some fans over there wearing a No. 29 jersey for the other Fitzpatrick. How do you turn those into 14s?) – “Well I also saw some 14s with (Jarvis) Landry on the back. (laughter) One of them had tape on it. No, I’m probably going to buy my kids some 29 jerseys too. I’m a big fan of Minkah and the better he plays, the better it is for all of us.”
(Do you embrace the underdog role this year? How do you go about it or do you not pay attention?) – “I don’t even think about it that way. I think about how am I going to put myself in a position to make this team better. That’s really all it is.”
(Did you have a chance to work with some of these guys over the past few weeks or is this the first time you’re seeing them?) – “No. Since we broke here, I’ve just been in Arizona. (I had) a couple of other small family vacations but just getting that last family time in and then coming out and getting to work.”
(What do you think RB Kalen Ballage brings to the offense when he’s back there for you?) – “I think he was very impressive to me in the offseason, just in terms of work ethic. He’s a smart guy. He wants a big role. He’s very versatile in what he can do. I think versatile backs are very good in this system. He’s got a nice chip on his shoulder just in terms of being able to show everybody what he can do and I’ve had a good time with him so far.”
(When you signed here, you said that the Dolphins starting job was one of the big reasons why you wanted to come here. Obviously that’s probably still the case but could you see yourself playing in a backup role?) – “Again, I’m totally focused on how do I put the best version of myself on the field. I like playing football.”
(Are you embracing a mentor role with QB Josh Rosen a little bit too?) – “We spend so much time together – me, Josh and Jake (Rudock) and (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach) Jerry (Schuplinski) in that room as well. There’s a lot of stuff that we’ll discuss in that room and some of it is me and my experience and maybe, as a quarterback, you develop scars, bad plays, things that you want to try to avoid. A lot of what I do is just offer information and if people want to take the information and go with it, they can. There’s been a lot of situations that I’ve been in – good ones and bad ones – that I try to share with them and pass on. Again, one of my things with that is to work as hard as I can and focus on me, and then hopefully that rubs off on everybody.”
(What is the potential and the ability of the receiving corps this year with WR Kenny Stills as the veteran, WR DeVante Parker can go it and then you have the two speedy guys in WR Albert Wilson and WR Jakeem Grant.) – “We have a lot of skill. The thing is, on paper, it’s there. We’ve got to put the work in. We have to have those discussions, the communication. We have to get on the same page. We have to get everybody up to speed. Those aren’t easy things. It’s going to be a process throughout training camp and even throughout the season but I’m really excited about the group of guys that we have.”
(You haven’t won the job yet but the opportunities you’ve had with the first team, what does that mean to you?) – “I hate just giving the same answer but I enjoy being out here and playing football, and try to take advantage of every rep I get. I know in this league it’s hard to come by opportunities and you just do the best you can and take advantage of each one that you get.”
(You face this secondary, obviously, all of the time. Are there two or three things that you think that they do especially will?) – “Personnel-wise, there’s a few guys; but the scheme is a lot different. The scheme is a scheme they haven’t done in the past. We’re going at it here. I would say they’ve been good. The biggest thing is they make us better. They’re very competitive back there. I think we’re very competitive as a wide receiver and tight end group and we’re going to make each other better and have some good battles out here.”
(T Laremy Tunsil was telling us that he’s starting to feel like a real veteran going into his fourth season, which probably doesn’t impress you too much. What have been your early impressions of him and the kind of role he can have both on and off the field for this team?) – “I love him. He’s such a steady guy. That’s important to have. I’ve appreciated getting to know him a little bit. We’ll just continue to get to know each other on and off the field. He’s a guy that gives me confidence. When I look in the huddle and I see him, I have a lot of confidence.”
(Does that deep voice give T Laremy Tunsil extra gravitas?) – “(laughter) Sometimes, yeah.”
(How difficult was the loss of Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Jim Caldwell?) – “He was a guy that I didn’t really know (before I got here). I knew a lot about him but I didn’t really know him heading into this gig. I gained so much respect for him in the short time that we had spent together, just in terms of as a coach, the knowledge and as a man, the steadiness, the calm demeanor. Just the character every day … There aren’t many people that I respect more than that man. So it was tough to hear that he wasn’t going to be in our room every day but he’s got such a commanding presence and I feel like his presence will still be felt in the building.”
(Moving forward, I guess Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea and Assistant Quarterbacks Coach Jerry Schuplinski have split up some duties that Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Jim Caldwell will have. How do you guys kind of move forward without Jim?) – “Well, you’ll have to talk to Coach (Flores) about the role that (Caldwell) will still take and all of that but in terms of the day-to-day, it’s a little bit different not having him as a presence in our room every day. But just like when somebody gets injured during the year, it’s almost heartless to say but it’s the next-man-up mentality and you’ve just got to keep moving forward. I know he would do the same with a quarterback injury or whatever it was. We’ve just got to keep moving forward and we’re obviously keeping him in our thoughts as well.”
(It’s often said that quarterbacks and wide receivers build a rapport with each other. Who would you say has been your favorite target so far since you’ve gotten here?) – “My favorite part has been that I’ve got a lot of guys that I like throwing to. It’s going to be nice and the fact that the ball is going to get spread around a lot, we’re trying to take advantage of matchups and we feel like we have the right guys to do it on our side.”
(What is your favorite nickname that you like to go by?) – “I don’t mind the nice ones. (laughter) When I was in Buffalo, the ‘Amish Rifle’ creeped up a bit. That one was funny. I don’t mind it because there is a lot of bad stuff that people call me too. I’ll take anything I can get.”
Laremy Tunsil – July 25, 2019
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
T Laremy Tunsil
(Day 1 out there with this new regime…) – “Day 1 is in the books. It was good, not perfect. We will get in the film room and look at our mistakes, get them corrected and come out here for Day 2.”
(How excited and encouraged are you to get out here with this squad and see what you guys can do?) – “Very excited. It’s the start of a new season and the start of football (being) back. Everybody is excited to get here and get working and see where it goes from there.”
(When you listen to Head Coach Bryan Flores, I get encouraged by what he has to say, that fire in his eyes. Can you tell me what type of energy he brings to you guys?) – “He’s a serious guy. He’s all about business and that’s the type of coach you need. (He’s) somebody who’s ready to work and ready to see his players work, just a respectable guy. That’s what we like to see.”
(The offensive line, the importance of training camp for a bunch like you guys, just to be able to get some kind of cohesion…) – “Facts. We need cohesion. I like that word actually. There are five of us and we all have to work together just to make a hole or protect the quarterback. Just to be out here with those guys is extremely fun and I know we’re going to get it and keep working.”
(It goes fast, but you’re technically a veteran on this team. You’re one of the most senior guys.) – “I feel like I’m a veteran. It’s Year 4 and I feel like I’m a vet. Don’t tell me that. (laughter) I’m still learning. There are a lot of vets out here like Daniel Kilgore for one, this is Year 9 (for him) and I look up to him a lot.”
(When you think about QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, what are some things that come to mind as strengths?) – “He’s a leader for sure, and everybody looks up to him when he steps in the huddle. One thing he says is ‘give me your eyes’ and everybody looks and listens. He has that leadership and everybody respects that.”
(What have you seen from the young puppy QB Josh Rosen?) – “A beast too. They are both beasts and I’m glad to see them both out here competing and working. I love both of those guys.”
(How do you deal with the challenges of dealing with a new offensive system and new quarterbacks?) – “It’s very challenging but it’s part of the process. That’s just part of being in the NFL. You’ve always got something new. You’ve got to take that role and learn it. No ifs, ands or buts.”
(Nationally, you guys are not getting a lot of love. But this place if full of fans…) – “I love it. I love being the underdog. Let’s keep it going.”
(Why?) – “We don’t need any attention. Let’s get it out of the mud. Let’s keep working on the low and get it.”
(Do you feel like this team has the talent to win in the NFL and get to the playoffs?) – “We’re going to keep working. Work every day and take it day-by-day and we’ll see.”
(What are the extra roles that you find yourself, especially this year, as things figure themselves out. Are there different roles that you’ve taken on?) – “Year 4 is more of a leadership standpoint. That’s one thing I’ve got to learn and take that role day-by-day. I’ve just got to learn it and I’ll get it.”
(What did you do in the offseason, conditioning-wise?) – “I was training. Conditioning-wise? I was running every day. You see this man, you know he runs us. We’ve got to run all the way to that wall and back.”
(How much running are we talking about?) – “Every single day. I probably did the conditioning test every day. I had to.”
(Do you feel faster, the best shape of your life right now?) – “I wouldn’t say the best shape of my life, but I feel like I’m in shape. He made sure of that for sure.”
(We saw in the offseason that CB Xavien Howard got his and at some point, it’s going to be your turn. Is that at all something that’s been talked about with you and your agent?) – “That’s not a concern for me right now. I’m trying to be the best that I can be and help the team any way I can, and just keep it going day-by-day.”
(For CB Xavien Howard, it was important for him to be the highest paid corner ever. Do you have those kind of goals for left tackle?) – “Day-by-day, man. We’ll see. I’m going to let my actions talk.”
(Generally, how would you feel about spending many years with the Dolphins organization?) – “I would love that. I would love to be with one organization for the rest of my career.”
(Why is that?) – “That’s just a goal for everybody. Nobody wants to leave.”
(Stability?) – “Yeah.”
(With all of this running that you’ve done, have you gotten faster?) – “I hope so. (laughter) We’ll see.”
(With you and G Chris Reed, how much, it seems like he’s the stable guy that’s been working there at left guard. How much does that help in terms of chemistry?) – “We started playing together in the offseason and OTAs and minicamp. We started learning each other.”
Albert Wilson – July 25, 2019
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Thursday, July 25, 2019
WR Albert Wilson
(How does it feel to get back out there?) – “Pretty good. I’m just finally getting back out there and getting my legs under me, so I feel pretty good.”
(In June, you said you felt 100 percent. Are you still feeling that way?) – “Yeah, I feel pretty good. I’m just going by our timeline, just doing what we can right now and just working every day to try to get back on the field with my team.”
(As far as team drills, any idea when you’ll be involved in those and how close we are to that?) – “That’s up to Coach (Flores). You’ll have to ask him about that one.”
(Do you expect to play in any preseason games?) – “When (Coach Flores) lets me go, I’m ready to go. We’re on a timeline. We’re just going to stick to it. We’re going to take it day-by-day and get ready for whatever comes.”
(You know your body better than anybody. Do you feel like it’s the same or better than it was before the injury?) – “I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve been working on little things that I haven’t been working on before, so I’m definitely getting stronger. I feel like I’m getting faster so I think it’s going to be a good thing.”
(How close to 100 percent are you?) – “I’m feeling pretty good but we’re taking it day-by-day with whatever they give me. I’ve been doing pretty good with whatever they throw at me. We’re just really waiting on the day that we decide that it’s time to go.”
(How tough is it to watch them in team drills and not be out there?) – “It’s kind of tough but I’ve been doing it for a long time now. I’m just standing on the sidelines, trying to learn this playbook like the back of my hand, cheering guys on and making sure that we’re there for each other so when the time comes, we’ll be pretty tight and we’ll be ready to go.”
(With that in mind, how big was it for you to not start training camp on PUP?) – “Pretty good. It’s just every day, we take it one day at a time. So whenever it’s time, we’re going to be back out there.”
(Last year, Head Coach Adam Gase came up with creative ways to use you and you took full advantage of it. Have you and Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea talked about other ways that you can be used – if not like last year – to maximize your skills?) – “Right now I’m just trying to get back out there and show them what I’ve got. They’re a new coaching staff so I’m just trying to wait until the day that I get on the field and show them how talented I am so they can get upstairs and do what they’ve got to do.”
(You mentioned the new coaching staff. What’s Head Coach Brian Flores like?) – “He’s a great leader. He came in and gave us the blueprint on how to be a winning team and to take care of the little things and do what we need to do before we get out there on Week 1. We definitely bought in. We’re definitely behind it 100 percent. We believe in him and what he’s got going on. I’m excited to see what the season holds.”
(I’d imagine this is what you live for – games, practices, being back out here on the field. So after all of that work and rehab, what does it mean to be back out here?) – “It’s a blessing. It was kind of a rollercoaster. I didn’t have any setbacks but it has been a long time since I’ve been able to do the things that I love to do. So for me to be back out here, it’s truly a blessing.”
(What are those challenges like when you’re doing the rehab and you maybe want to open it up and the coaches are like no? How patient do you have to be or how has that been?) – “Real patient. But you know, these guys are professionals at what they have to do. I trust everyone in the training room. I trust all of the coaches to make sure that when I get back, I’m 100 percent and can benefit for the team.”
(You mentioned the timeline. Are there things that you look for yourself that can kind of make you feel that you know that you’re ready for that next step and that you’re getting closer?) – “Just every exercise they give me, I’ve been knocking it out. There’s really nothing that I’m rushing to do. Like I said, I trust everything – the plan – that they’ve got for me, and I’m just taking it a day at a time.”
(What does the hip most affect from a skill standpoint? Is it speed? Is it movement back and forth? What is most affected where you’ll have to cross that barrier to be 100 percent?) – “Nothing is affecting me. I’m good.”
(How fun was it to run the ball last year? Is that something you would hope would continue?) – “It was awesome. I grew up playing running back so it was kind of a dream of getting to the NFL and running the ball. So it was pretty cool. If that’s what they have planned for me this year, I’ll be happy to do it; but if it’s not, I’m not tripping.”
(How much have you and WR Jakeem Grant helped each other – since you’re both coming back from injury – having a guy side by side…) – “We’ve been pushing each other since the time it was ready for us to get up and start doing rehab. Every day we show up ready to compete against each other. If it’s lifting, if it’s running in the pool, if it’s coming out here and doing conditioning or whatever it is, we’ve been competing nonstop and I think that’s why our rehab has been so successful. To have someone, I feel like I’m so competitive and so willing and ready to work every day so it was truly a blessing that I had somebody to go through it with.”
(How would you describe the potential of this offense?) – “I think it can be one of the best. I think we have a lot of guys that can do really good things with the ball. I think we have quarterbacks that can get the guys who can do things with the ball. I think we are going to be really good.”
