John Jenkins – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
DT John Jenkins
(So it turns out there’s only two guys on the 53-man roster over the age of 30 – you and DB Jason McCourty. Obviously a young team. As a veteran, what are some things that might not be so obvious that you can kind of help guys with here or there?) – “Building a routine to be consistent. Everybody knows that this is a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ type of league, so the thing obviously us being at this age – we’re being the old guys in the locker room – we obviously know what it takes to be consistent and be available so that’s a big thing that we can teach the young guys to develop a routine and how to be a professional. That way when your number is called, the ones who are not playing but have an opportunity – one injury or whatever the case may be – that they’re ready. So that’s one thing I can bring to the table.”
(Do you remember when you started your career your first couple of years, was there a particular veteran who was very helpful to you?) – “I was blessed. I was with the Jonathan Vilmas – rest in peace, Will Smith – Brodrick Bunkley, the Malcolm Jenkins’, the Roman Harpers and those guys, right? And Brodrick took care of me. He made sure all I needed to do was just bring breakfast sandwiches and anything else I was good because all I did was wanted to get better. And by ‘Bunk’ (Brodrick Bunkley) being the starting nose tackle – this was in 2013 with the New Orleans Saints – I just watched him. And by watching him and wanting to get better, he taught me how to be a professional. A couple years later, then I had the opportunity to play with Kevin Williams. So I was blessed to have legit vets who made a name and established themselves to a greater standing and pedestal in this league. I’m trying to be that to these guys coming in and the guys who are here now.”
(Are there any guys you can point to that you can try to take under your wing like that?) – “To be honest with you, this D-line group is very unique. We all have our own personalities, but everybody knows that – Christian Wilkins and (Adam) Butler, Zach (Sieler), Raekwon (Davis) – but the thing is we came together and developed a bond so quick. That’s not the norm sometimes, especially with the things we’re dealing with – this whole pandemic and everybody trying to be safe and not being able to do the dinners outside of football or hang out with each other because of everything that’s going on. We managed to develop a bond and not even with just the D-line group, but just the team itself. The D-line is joking with O-line, linebackers joking with O-line, quarterbacks. And I’ve been on teams where that’s not the case. It’s the league; some guys, they feel like they’re better than others and the things they accomplish, they have the right to feel that way, I guess. I don’t know. But this group is different and I can honestly say that it’s tough to try to take somebody under the wing because we’re all taking each other under each other’s wings if that makes sense.”
(Speaking of your relationships in the D-line room, do you at DT Christian Wilkins have any kind of wager – any kind of bet for this weekend?) – “Aw man, I don’t gamble. I don’t gamble. I learned a long time ago, 14 years old being from Connecticut playing Three-card Monte in the Bronx. Saved up all summer – my work all summer to save up money. I lost it. Ever since then, it’s not even in me. (laughter) I prefer bragging rights or hey, we’ll go out to eat. But other than that, I stay away from that.”
(What’s your prediction for Saturday?) – “We’re going to win. I guess people – I don’t even know. I hear things about, I don’t know, spreads and whatever. I don’t know. I just – I’m a Bulldog. Bulldog for life so that means more to me than anything.”
(Were you given a heads up prior to the last preseason game like, “Hey, you’re safe. Plan to be on the roster?” So cut day I guess was yesterday, right? So were you sweating it out at all or you knew you were good?) – “I never felt that way. I always try to play to my last game and I enjoy the process and that’s the one thing that’s allowed me to play this long because if you don’t enjoy the process, then why do it? So if that was ever the case, it didn’t bother or I didn’t care for it because I enjoy the process. Practice, whatever I’ve got to do. I’m always telling (Austin) Clark, I’m hovering; because him and I – we’re developing a relationship so I’m always there. So I’m enjoying the process. All that stuff doesn’t mean anything to me.”
(As a veteran who’s been on many teams…) – “Wow, ‘many teams.’” (laughter)
(What stands about to you about this roster?) – “The fact that we gelled so quick. My rookie year – being able to make the playoffs and seeing how the playoffs develops, what happens in the playoffs and how quickly the sense of urgency, you know? That year, we had a great team. We gelled. Being on ‘many teams,’ (laughter) when I was in Seattle, it was the same type of vibe and chemistry and this is the same type of vibe and chemistry that I experienced and we’re just going to ride this wave. We enjoy one another so I like that.”
(What was your reaction when the Patriots said that Mac Jones was going to be in and Cam Newton was out?) – “I don’t even pay attention to that. And that’s not me being politically correct; I don’t even have cable. I don’t know. I just – whoever I play, whoever is up that week – I just try to keep it real simple so I can do my job.”
Elandon Roberts – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
LB Elandon Roberts
(What were your thoughts on seeing what happened to LB Benardrick McKinney?) – “It’s a part of the NFL. You hate to see anyone get cut but it’s just another part of the business. I wish him nothing but the best.”
(What does it say to you about the team’s confidence in you coming back off PUP from the offseason? The confidence in your abilities.) – “Me, myself, I’m going to continue to take it one day at a time. That’s my status.”
(What has the grind been like for you, coming back from the knee the last eight months or so?) – “It’s been a long one. I talk about the Dark Grind all the time. That’s my own little thing. There’s no light at the end of the tunnel. You just got to keep digging, keep digging like that and then keep digging. It’s still going to be day-to-day. You start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, you start to get complacent. And if you get complacent in this league, you got that one behind you still grinding, still digging.”
(What’s the tone in the building this week? It feels kind of like a game week but you actually have two weeks. Do you feel like you’re trying different ways to take advantage of extra game prep?) – “Every day we come in and meet as a team. We know the expectations. Like I said, everyone in the NFL has turned the page to Week 1. We will continue to get better each day leading up to Week 1.”
(Speaking of Week 1, what did you think about the Patriots naming QB Mac Jones the starter?) – “Definitely was surprised. When you have to cut to 53, everyone around the league had big surprises and stuff like that. Like I said, it’s just a part of it. Now we know we will be getting ready for Mac.”
(How different is the feel at practice now that the business of cutting the roster and getting the team established to 53 has been taken care of?) – “You are going to have crazy stuff this whole year in this business. Every team makes all type of cuts throughout the year. All you can do is come and work every day, focus on your job and continue to build on each day. If you start thinking about all the distractions that go on in the NFL, you’re not going to be able to do your job. As a team, we just block out distractions and keep coming in every day and know what we need to do to make sure we are getting better and the team gets better.”
(There’s only five guys on the whole defense with more NFL experience than you. What kind of an impact can older guys who have been around have on a team and a locker room beyond what they do on Sunday?) – “I’ll be honest with you, I can tell you experience, to a certain extent, really doesn’t mean anything. You still have to come in every day, do your job and take your job serious. You can have the most experience on the team and still put yourself in bad situations and stuff like that. Like I said, as a team we just try and come in and get better each day. Whether you have been in the league 10 (years), five (years or a) rookie, every day is a day to get better. That’s all we can worry about.”
(There was a report out and Head Coach Brian Flores told us today that QB Tua Tagovailoa is the team’s quarterback. The fact that he told you guys in the team meeting that Tagovailoa is the quarterback, what does that mean to you guys as his teammates on the other side of the ball or just in general?) – “Who told y’all about our team meetings? (Laughter) Y’all aren’t going to rat him out? (laughter) Nah, each player comes in each day and they’ve got a job to do. Tua, he comes in each day and is very professional. Like I said, age doesn’t mean anything. He comes in with his best foot forward every day. He’s our quarterback. Like Tua supports each of his teammates, we support Tua. Like I said, we are going to take it week in and week out.”
Tua Tagovailoa – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(Obviously you know Patriots QB Mac Jones well. What is it going to be like for you guys Week 1?) – “I think it’s going to be competitive. Just knowing Mac Jones since I got there – we got in at the same time at Alabama – he’s a very competitive guy. He’s very smart, athletic, instinctive; and I know he’s going to do all he can to get his guys ready offensively for our team. That’s what I’m trying to do for our guys is getting ready for the Patriots next week.”
(Have you talked with him at all? Any communication?) – “No. I haven’t been able to talk to Mac. But if he’s going to watch sometime or if this is going to be running on ESPN, good luck, Mac. (laughter)”
(Is there a little part of you that’s a little bit happy for him even though he’s your rival?) – “Oh, of course. Like I’ve said, we got to Alabama the same year at the same time. He enrolled early, I enrolled early. There’s a lot of meetings we’ve been through together and a lot of football we’ve seen throughout our college years, and a lot of coaching that we’ve been through together. I’m very happy for him.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores came out today and said to us very strongly, he said ‘Tua is our quarterback.’ What does that mean to you?) – “I think it means a lot with it coming from the head coach. The support that I have from him and from the team, it means a lot. But for me, I’m just focused literally on trying to get our guys ready for next week.”
(I know you’re a focused quarterback and Head Coach Brian Flores’ message has been to block everything out, but how do you compartmentalize everything that flows with Deshaun Watson and everything that’s mentioned?) – “What’s funny is I heard ‘Jenk’ (John Jenkins) just say he doesn’t have cable. I’m one of those guys that doesn’t have cable too. (laughter) I’m not able to turn on my TV and watch what’s going on to see the news and whatnot. Now obviously I know social media is a big deal but really, I only hear about those things either from my agents or if it comes from (someone in the building) or if Coach (Flores) wants to sit down and talk to me about things like that. That’s kind of how I find out a lot of the talk that’s going on.”
(Did you have a sit-down with Head Coach Brian Flores after this or was it just in the team meeting?) – “No, I have many sit-downs with Coach Flores. I mean if you will, we pretty much talk every day whether it’s a private conversation in his office or a private conversation to the side before practice starts. Whatever it may be, we’re always talking.”
(What about Stephen Ross? Have you talked to him?) – “I’ve never. I’ve never gotten to talk to Mr. Ross unless it was after a football game.”
(How is your mental health? Did you leave social media a little bit behind because it was good for your mental health? Why is that reason?) – “I think really, social media is good just so you can stay in contact with people that you’re not in contact with. But I think for me, more often than not, it’s more so for a lot of the marketing things that go on. (laughter)”
(G/T Robert Hunt was telling us yesterday – he told us a lot of stuff – that he learned to drive last year at the age of 24, which was a cool story.) – “Wait, Rob Hunt? He just learned to drive?”
(Yeah, last year.) – “Wow! Ok, that’s good to know. (laughter)”
(G/T Robert Hunt also said he ate all of the sausages that you gave him and that he loves the Traeger grill. The reason I bring this up is Quarterbacks Coach Charlie Frye said to ask you for any specifics about how you take care of your guys, meaning not just the offensive line but is there any way other than giving guys a nice grill that you’ve connected with not only the linemen but all of the players in the locker room or all of the players on offense?) – “Yeah, I think I’ve been able to work with a lot of the guys in the offseason, training, throwing with them. I’ve been able to go out to lunch with a lot of the guys we have offensively and defensively, as well. The Traeger situation was just a Christmas gift for our O-line. The O-line doesn’t get enough love. And you give them some food with that so there’s stuff to grill on their Traeger as well. Hopefully they can appreciate that enough to protect you in the back. (laughter)”
(How much can you take advantage of almost two full game weeks leading up to Week 1?) – “I think every – even the game I didn’t play against Cincy, I think you can take advantage of all of those because we were practicing that week and we were practicing as if that was our game week. I think there’s always something that you can learn from throughout those weeks of practices and then game play, as well. But yeah, I would say it’s a continuation of learning for me and our guys up front and for the entirety of the team.”
(This is the first full training camp for you that’s over. What have you gathered about maybe yourself and the offense throughout this camp?) – “I’ve gathered that we’ve taken a lot of reps offensively and defensively. This is the first time we’ve done two-spot, I think, where we’re on one field and once we’re done, there’s a rotation and now we’re moving onto a separate field and doing different things. Just being able to get reps with the guys. For me, it’s hard to look at something – say for instance we’re in the film room, it’s hard for me to just look at something and say, ‘Oh, I see that. I’ve got it. I’ll be able to go out there on the field and get it.’ How things kind of resonate for me is we see it in the film room, we go out and we rep it and we rep it and we rep it, and that’s kind of how it sticks with me. I think that’s for a lot of guys on our team. That’s how a lot of the guys get comfortable with running a route, making a block, making a pass, catching the ball, whatever it may be. I think that’s been very beneficial.”
(You mentioned how much the support from teammates means to you. As the quarterback of this team, what do you take from that? What does that enable you to do in terms of whether it’s taking charge in the huddle or just being able to know that you’re going to make plays and build that confidence? Where do you build on that once you know that you have the support?) – “I think just the confidence in general and being able to be myself with the guys, and not forcing myself to be someone that I’m not. Coming in the huddle, screaming at guys, that’s not who I am. I’ll pull guys to the side after series and I’ll talk to them and tell them what I thought on this play and then hear what their thoughts are. Then, I’ve always said this, we come to an agreement in between of what we think will work for the team, or what will work best for that specific play.”
(Do you think the team is ready to go? Or do you think there’s something in particular that you need to work on in the next few days?) – “Well, I’m glad that we have this week and next week because this is going to be a tough team that we face. It’s going to be the first game for us to pretty much see every look. They’re very similar to our defense. We’ve been able to see that throughout this entire camp. But I think it’s going to come down to execution. Communication is going to be a big deal up front for us; but eliminating a lot of the bad plays, as well.”
(We talked to Head Coach Brian Flores a little earlier and he talked about how some of the offense this year is pulling some college schemes and maybe some things you did back at Alabama. How much does that help you comfort-wise with whatever was integrated this offseason?) – “I think whatever ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) and the coaches do, they do it for the best interest of the team. I don’t think it’s necessarily just for me but it’s for the talent that we have as well, whether it’s getting guys open deep, getting guys open throughout the middle, throughout the outside, and trying to take advantage of throws and matchups with guys as far as personnel and things like that.”
Brian Flores – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(You had some tough decisions to make with the 53-man roster. What were you trying to get to with some of the veterans that were released?) – “We always try to do what’s best for the team. A lot of tough decisions really across the board, starting last week or a couple of weeks ago, and then culminating yesterday or the last couple of days. They are all tough decisions – veterans, some younger players who we thought played in practice well. We can only keep 53 and 16 on the practice squad. A lot of tough decisions, but we’ll always try to do what’s best for the team.”
(Can you detail what CB Trill Williams and G Robert Jones showed you throughout camp and the preseason to make the 53?) – “I think two young guys who really made a lot of improvement from the spring to the early part of training camp, then getting into games and doing some nice things. We just felt like two young guys that we could continue to develop and work with. We feel like with continued development, we may have something; but still a lot of that is on their plate. We see some potential but they’re going to have to continue doing the things they started to do – from a work ethic standpoint, from a routine standpoint. I think (they are) two competitive guys that want to get better. I think if we just continue to work with them, they’ll have a chance.”
(There was a report that you addressed players and staff and stated that ‘QB Tua Tagovailoa is our quarterback.’ What can you tell us? Is that accurate? What was the message? And why did you choose to deliver a message about Tua?) – “You guys know this, I don’t really get into conversations I have with the team, players. Those conversations are private. Like I’ve said before, I think it’s just common courtesy to keep those conversations between myself and the player or the team. I will say that Tua is our quarterback. I think he’s had a good training camp. I think he’s made a lot of progress. I think he’s made a lot of improvement and we’re pleased with where he is. He’s going through his preparations for New England the way he should be, and that’s where we are as a team.”
(It’s always important for players to feel that you have their back. But is it that much more important for the quarterback to feel that way, do you think?) – “Yeah, I think it’s important for players on the team to feel like they have the support of their teammates, their coaches and everyone in the organization. I think that’s very important. Yeah, I think that’s important.”
(Do you think that team meeting you had yesterday, do you think that was enough? Do you think there is still a process of kind of maybe regaining some trust or anything that needs to happen further?) – “Again, I’m not going to get into what was said in the team meeting. I think we’ve got a team full of guys who work hard, who will support one another, who are tough, who are smart, who love to play and are team-first. We’ll go out to practice today and try to improve and get better and prepare for an upcoming game.”
(Your roster has three running backs and 11 receivers/tight ends. When you go into that meeting to put together the 53, how much is the balance of the roster enter that conversation compared to just taking the top 53 guys?) – “I think there is a lot of conversations around depth at some positions versus keeping the guys we feel are the best players. At the end of the day, we did keep a number of tight ends and receivers. We feel good about it. We feel good about those players. If it’s one player over another, that was a choice we had to make. Again, we always try to make the decisions that we feel are best for the team.”
(With the Patriots claiming RB/WR Malcolm Perry, how much does that affect changes you might have to make with your offensive playbook and calls between now and the opener?) – “Malcolm is a tough kid, a hard-working kid. He’s smart. I wish him all the best. As far as changes, I don’t think there are very many changes. This happens, really quite a bit I would say, where you end up with a player who’s on a team that you are going to play down the road or in this case, it will be the next game. I don’t think we’ll make very many changes. I don’t think we’ll make very many changes.”
(What about the player that was added – DB Elijah Campbell, the defensive back? What do you know about his skillset?) – “Tough, fast, tackles well. He can play in the kicking game. We felt like he’d be a good addition. I’m glad we got him.”
(After the tough day yesterday, how important is it for your guys, your team, to know that you have their back so that they can give everything for the team on the first week of the season?) – “I think our guys – they’re a tough group. They play hard, they prepare well and it’s important to them. I think playing well is important to them, to each guy. I think that supersedes really everything. It’s a good group. I’m lucky to coach them and we’ll keep coaching them hard.”
(I know you said what you said about QB Tua Tagovailoa. Is he going to be your Week 1 starter?) – “Yes. I don’t know if I can be more clear. (laughter) I don’t know how many times – I don’t know how much more clear I can be here. Tua is the starter. Do I need to say it again? I will.”
(I’m curious, obviously this year QB Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t here. QB Tua Tagovailoa has been the guy throughout. How much did you reach back to maybe his Alabama times to maybe try to form this offense and what you want it to look like?) – “I think you always want or try to do things that fit the skillset of your players – receivers, tight ends, quarterback, offensive line, safeties, corners, d-line. And there’s always different themes, different concepts that show up. You grab from the college game, from other professional teams wherever. If you think they fit the skillset of the players you have, then you try to use them. We have used some concepts – some college concepts. We’ve used some, let’s call it ‘professional concepts’ as well. And you kind of put all those together and you try to put together a game plan that fits the quarterback, but also the rest of the players on the team. That’s a collaborative effort from our offensive coaching staff. I think they’re always trying to put our players in the best position to have success and obviously the quarterback is a big part of that.”
(The roster – it only has two guys over the age of 30. One of them is DT John Jenkins. What role does his leadership and experience play into the decision to keep him on the roster?) – “John (Jenkins) was here in ’19. Didn’t have him last year, but we were happy to get him back this past offseason. Leadership is a big thing. It’s probably the first thing that comes to mind when I think of him, but he’s a good player, too. He’s already kind of taken some of the younger players under his wing and teaching them how to be professionals and talk about some of the things he wished he would have done as a young player that he does now. I think from a leadership standpoint he does a nice job.”
(Someone did some research. At this time last year, you guys had the second-youngest roster by age in the NFL and now you’re all the way up to 14th-youngest. Does that feel about right?) – “I think we’ve got a young team. If we’re 14th – there’s probably a small difference between 14th and fourth, but we’ve got a young team. It’s a bunch of hard-working young guys who football is important to them and as coaches, it’s a group we can mold and I think that’s what coaching is all about.”
(You guys made a couple trades on the offensive line these past few weeks. How comfortable are you where that position group as a whole in terms of your front five and your depth right now?) – “I’m comfortable. I think a lot of those guys have played a lot of football together last year and this training camp. So I think they do a good job as a group, as a unit – going through the material, practicing it, going through the material again, practicing it. I think there’s communication – good communication – but they’re always kind of working on it. And they’ve got a good feel for working with one another, I would say, over the past couple years. (There’s a) couple new guys in there, too, and we’ve mixed and matched I think enough where they all feel comfortable playing. I feel good, but we’re still just trying to improve and get better every day.”
(You talked a little bit about it yesterday with Patriots QB Mac Jones. You spent time with him at the Senior Bowl. What do you remember about him at the Senior Bowl?) – “Smart. He has a process of how he goes through things throughout the week and I think it’s a good process. He’s a tough kid. You can kind of feel that tough mentally, tough physically; you see that in his play and I was impressed by him.”
(I wanted to ask you about your depth at linebacker. Obviously we don’t know what the practice squad looks like right now, but seven guys on. A couple of them have battled some injuries during training camp. LB Elandon Roberts is nine months into a knee rehab. Do you feel like that unit is deep enough to carry you through a 17-game season?) – “I do. I think it’s a group – and we talk linebacker and we talk personnel groupings – sometimes there’s three, sometimes there’s two, sometimes there’s one, sometimes there’s none. So I feel good about where we’re at and kind of the conversations we’ve had defensively and what we want to do and how we want to use those guys, that group, along with some of the other groups. We feel comfortable. Like you said, there’s always the potential for injuries and hopefully we’ll add some guys to the practice squad that we’ll feel good that if they needed to step in, they could step in. So we feel good about where we’re at.”
(If I could go back to Patriots QB Mac Jones a little bit, what do you – obviously every quarterback is different, but defending a rookie quarterback – is there something that as a defense that you guys can do for a rookie specifically to make his first start difficult?) – “I think you try to make it difficult for any quarterback. Rookie – kind of goes through that position, but it doesn’t just happen because you talk about it. Everyone is saying that every week and we’ve got to prepare the right way. We’ve got to get lined up, have good communication so that we can have good execution because if we don’t do that, then we’re not going to make it hard for anybody. So rookie, 15-year vet – we’ve got to execute defensively in order to make it hard for the opposition. So that’s kind of my thought on it. There’s been plenty of rookies who have gone out and played well and we’ve got to execute.”
Robert Hunt – August 31, 2021
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Tuesday, August 31, 2021
G/T Robert Hunt
(You’ve had a whole preseason at guard. What has that been like? Do you feel fully comfortable there yet?) – “Fully comfortable, I wouldn’t say that. But getting the hang of it, you could say that. From going out to in, it takes a little work. I think I’m doing good with it. I think I’m on pace to continue to get better. Right now I’m still a little raw and still working on some things, some technical things. But it’s been good. I can’t complain about it.”
(I know you guys had a little bit of movement – G/T Jesse Davis got established there at some point. What’s your relationship with him like? How do you guys work together?) – “Me and Jesse, we’ve been working together since last year. He’s a leader in our group. We all look up to him. He teaches us a lot of things. We follow his routine. He teaches a lot because we’re a young room. We look up to Jesse. Jesse teaches us a lot and working with him has been good.”
(Have you offered to babysit?) – “No, I have not. (laughter) I got to (expletive) babysit myself. (laughter)”
(When they moved you to guard, before you couldn’t really talk about it. What was their explanation as to why this is the ideal spot for you?) – “I don’t know. It’s just something that came upon us and you know me, I took it head on and willing to work with it. I can’t complain about anything. I’m blessed to be playing this game at this level anyways, so any job I can think about having here, I’ll do it. It doesn’t matter what it is – receiver, kicker, punter, long snapper, it doesn’t matter. As long as I’ve got a chance to play and try to be the best I can, that’s all I can ask for.”
(It seems that guards are more of a mauler. You have to be more of a mauler and there’s more technique on the outside. Is that what you’re picking up on, and do you enjoy that part?) – “I enjoy it. I think I’m fairly decent at run blocking. It’s definitely a bang-bang type of game in there. Like you said, outside you have to be savvy. You got to be the same way inside because these guys can move. You’ve got 350 (pound) guys that can swim, spin and all types of stuff. It’s about me right now, just me working on my game and trying to fix my game or anything I can do.”
(I saw you just turned 25 years old. How does the 25-year-old Rob Hunt compare to the 21-year-old Rob Hunt?) – “Definitely different. A lot has changed. I’m blessed enough to play this game. I was playing in college at 21. I didn’t have a car. I just got my license last year at 24. That’s the biggest thing. I got a car and a new license now. That’s the big thing. Now I’ve been driving for a year. I’m 25 and I feel like I’m damn near 30.”
(I can see you in a Publix parking lot trying to learn how to drive. Take me to that scene, who showed you?) – “Nobody showed me. I really wasn’t driving. Last year I got my license with the help of (Director of Team Security) Drew Brooks. Drew helped me get my license and I’ve been driving ever since.”
(How do you get around in Louisiana?) – “My boy Rico. Shout out Rico. Make sure Rico Robinson sees this. Tweet him on Instagram or something. Rico Robinson was my roommate. Him Kevin Dotson, and Ken Marks – all of those guys I just rode with them everywhere we went. We were tight so everywhere they went, I went. I didn’t have a car, so they hooked me up. They helped me out. Those are my guys. I Ubered too with my little stipend check that I got.”
(Was it like a fear of driving?) – “No, nobody ever taught me how to drive. I never learned how to drive.”
(What do you think of South Florida traffic and South Florida drivers?) – “I’m glad I learned here because these – it’s tough down here man. (laughter) It’s tough down here. I’m glad I learned here because if I could drive here, I can drive anywhere. (laughter)”
(Most kids when they turn 15, they wait in line. They are waiting for their birthday. You never…) – “Man, those kids are more fortunate than I was. We didn’t – my pops and mom barely had a car. It is what it is. I had to wait my turn and God blessed me. I’m good now at 25.”
(This team has invested heavily in the offensive line, including bringing you in. When you take a step back and look at where this line is and it’s progress, what do you see? How do you assess it?) – “I think we’re getting better. Everybody knows we’re a young O-line. I think it comes with reps, I think it comes with age and I think just wanting to be good and having that attitude to do what you have to do and be better is the thing. I think we got a lot of young, hungry guys that are willing to get better.”
(Young o-line, and also a young quarterback. How have you seen QB Tua Tagovailoa develop since you’ve come in?) – “He’s been doing great. He’s firing. I like everything about the kid. He’s good in the locker room, he’s good on the field. He’s definitely more vocal. He’s doing his thing and that’s all we can ask for.”
(I know QB Tua Tagovailoa got you guys some Traeger grills, sausages and other meats. Have you eaten them all? I know it’s kind of tough with COVID but have you been able to have a meal together? How does that work out?) – “You know I ate all the meats already. It’s been a year. (laughter) Come on. Come on, man. You know that already. (laughter) I’ve definitely eaten all the meats, but I’ve ordered more from the guy. I’ve been using my Traeger like heck. Over the summer, I had a couple of rookies over, a couple of guys, and tried to do a little something.”
(We’re trying to shade you like you didn’t eat your meat.) – “Yeah, come on man. You know I ate that meat already. (laughter)”
(I’ve wondered about a Traeger grill. Is it good?) – “I love it. I love that grill. My girlfriend just got me a little hibachi to put on the grill. I use the grill a lot, I like the grill a lot. That was one of my best gifts last year. That and my bike. I got a bike too from Ted Karras – an electric bike. That was pretty nice too.”
(You good on the grill?) – “I’m working. I think I’m pretty good though. The next time you have Austin Jackson in here, ask him about my ribs. He’ll tell you.”
Malcolm Brown – August 31, 2021
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Saturday, August 31, 2021
RB Malcolm Brown
(What’s this day like for you? I think early in your career, you may have been a little more worried on a day like this and now you have worked yourself to more of an established role.) – “Yeah, I mean it’s the same old thing. Even, like you said back then it was a little more nerves but at the same time, the work is still the same. I’m still going to work like I’m not going to make the team. I still put in the same work even going on year seven. I’m still working, still got a chip on my shoulder like I am that undrafted guy coming in like I was my rookie year.”
(In the previous preseason game, you carried a dude and I didn’t get to ask you about it. You made it obvious that it wasn’t going to be easy to tackle you. If you remember that situation, what’s the mindset that you try to have in that situation?) – “In that situation, really it’s just; we’re this close, we got to score. That’s my biggest thing. I know getting into the red zone, it’s a little bit tighter. Guys are closer to the line, linebackers are walked up a little but more, safeties are walked up a little bit more. At that point, it’s whatever it takes. That’s the type of mindset I have.”
(How often would you run into LB Elandon Roberts during camp? What’s it like taking a hit from him?) – “A lot of energy. Fast player. Smart player. A lot of the plays he makes, I feel like it’s off of just his knowledge. Just seeing him the couple times I was able to really watch him and really see how he is, I definitely could tell he’s a smart guy, knows when to trigger, knows his key, knows everything he’s doing out there. He’s a vet player that knows a lot about the game. It’s easy to play fast when you know your stuff.”
(You obviously were with a team in the Rams that was able to get to a Super Bowl and have a lot of success in recent years. Now, you’re coming to a bit of a younger team that is trying to get to that level. What can you say about what the team is like, what the players are like in terms of leadership and trying to get to that level? Do you think in terms of having the right guys and leaders, this team has it?) – “Yeah, for sure. I think we got a lot of the right pieces in the right places. Obviously, a lot of the coaches have been coaching for a long time. They’re putting people in the right positions, putting people in the right places to be able to succeed. I’m pretty excited about this team. Young team, as you all know; but at the same time, I can definitely see a whole bunch of development even from the first preseason game to the second. I saw so much improvement. A lot of communicating going on. It’s definitely fun to get around the young guys and be able to interact with them and see how they work and encourage them to do anything that they can to get better.”
(I believe that season on the Rams, obviously you were hurt that season but they kind of surprised people. What stands out from that team in terms of the little things that you saw behind the scenes?) – “A lot of communication. A lot of communication, a lot of small details, communicating on the small details. It can be some of the smallest stuff from where we stand in practice, making sure we are listening, communication from players to players, coaches to coaches, coaches to players, everything like that. I feel like a lot of it, speaking on offense, a lot of it was all about communication, being on the same page whether it was us out during an actual play communicating pre-snap or in a meeting room and making sure every single running back knows what the offensive line may call in certain situations like that. I feel like that was a lot of our success was definitely, in my opinion, communication.”
(Is that part of your game? Knowing what the offensive line will call? Obviously you have to know from a protection standpoint but do you take that viewpoint from a running standpoint?) – “Yeah, you kind of know the scheme at least. You may not know every single call. I think that just comes with time and being in the system for so long. Obviously with me coming here, it’s a new system I’m still learning as well on certain stuff. But definitely at least knowing the scheme of the run and knowing what offensive linemen are blocking which players, how to set certain blocks up and stuff like that. It definitely helps and it just comes with time, comes with experience.”
(I’m sure you’ve been around a bunch of quarterbacks in your life, college and pro. How would you describe QB Tua Tagovailoa’s leadership style?) – “Great leadership. Great leadership, man. He’s a guy that when he steps in the huddle, he’s saying, ‘alright listen up.’ Everybody is quiet, everybody listens in on him. He’s not so much of a ‘rah-rah’ guy, screaming and yelling type of stuff; but when he comes in the huddle and he’s ready to call the plays and ready to make his calls pre-snap and stuff, everybody is going to listen up. I like Tua a lot.”
(Going back to what you talked about earlier being able to punch it in the red zone, that’s something that this team has been up and down on over the years. Has that been a point of emphasis in this training camp? Being able to impose your will on the goal line?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. I think that’s with every team. There are certain situations throughout games that I feel like the whole stadium may know you are about to run the ball and you still have to be successful at it. I think that comes with some heart, with will and any synonyms you can think of that when it comes down to it, even though a team knows you’re about to run the ball, you still run it and you still succeed.”
(You got to try your best to focus but I’m sure you’ve seen there’s been QB Deshaun Watson stuff in the media as far as him here. How do you guys handle that in the locker room? As far as that stuff being out there?) – “I think we really just don’t pay attention to it to be honest with you. It’s something that the coaches and the front office more so handle. Us as players who aren’t involved in any of those types of decisions, to me you really just don’t pay attention to it. It’s nothing that we can control. That’s really that.”
(Can you talk a little bit about your relationship with Head Coach Brian Flores? Is it what you expected? Is there something in particular that surprised you?) – “It’s about what I expected. When I came up here before I signed, I got a really good feel for him. He’s a straight-up guy, tells everything straight up. He’s up front, knows what he wants, he communicates to us what he wants out of us as players as far as on the field and off the field, and everything has been pretty straight forward.”
(But Head Coach Brian Flores always takes the defensive side, right?) – “Always. (laughter) He’s always on the defensive side. We make a good play on offense and he doesn’t like it (laughter).”
Zach Sieler – August 31, 2021
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Tuesday, August 31, 2021
DT Zach Sieler
(Are you having withdrawals about the RV?) – “No man, it’s been great. I loved that thing. We still camp here and there, but we haven’t been (living in it). It’s all right. (laughter)”
(As someone who came to the Dolphins in the middle of the 2019 season kind of rebuilding and trying to get things together to see where the team is now, I guess what goes through your mind and what do you think has played a role in the team kind of turning things around from 5-11 to 10-6 and trying to take that next step?) – “I think a lot of what we preach here is building a culture, creating a group of guys that’s close together, family. They’re going to play hard for each other. No one is here playing for themselves and we’re all here to play as 11 on each side. So I think building that culture has been a huge importance for this team.”
(What’s the demeanor like in the d-line room? It seems like you’ve got DT Christian Wilkins in there who’s obviously a personality and DT Raekwon Davis. Can you take us into the D-line room and what looks like on a day-to-day?) – “Yeah, we’ve got some characters. (laughter) Adam Butler loves the anime stuff. Christian is just Christian. Raekwon is Raekwon. (Emmanuel) Ogbah is there. Yeah, it’s a bunch of characters in there. It’s definitely a learning (environment). We all feed off each other. Adam’s got great tips. Christian’s got tips. ‘Rae’ (Raekwon Davis), Ogbah; everybody’s got tips. (John) Jenkins has got lots of tips, too. I think that’s one of our biggest things we preach on is learning from each other. And we’re never too good to learn from another player, coach, anybody like that. There’s always room to improve.”
(What’s it like for that unit where you guys know you’re kind of package-based and there’s nobody who’s going to dominate the snaps in terms of sharing?) – “I think that kind of goes back to the whole we all play unselfish. We all know who’s going to be best in what situations and our coaches try to put us in those situations based on who’s best. And I think everyone – that’s part of the unselfishness and the culture that we’ve built here.”
(We saw LB Benardrick McKinney got released. What was your reaction to seeing a player like him?) – “Great player. I loved playing with him. I hope the best for him. I know Mr. Grier (General Manager Chris Grier), ‘Coach Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) – all of them are going to do what’s best for the team.”
(You sat in here. You listened to LB Sam Eguavoen. You kind of have a similar story. Small school, you finally got some security – not security, but you got a new deal. Tell me about that drive that you hear him and you’re probably thinking in your head, “Yeah, a lot of the same things.” Is there a type of team you want to have?) – “Yeah. Obviously I was cut twice in Baltimore. (I was a) seventh-round pick. I think to me, my biggest thing was relying on God. I know He’s got a plan and kind of like what Sam (Eguavoen) said, did you give your all every day? And you get cut and you get kicked out – not kicked out – but you’re done and no one picks you up. At least you can go to bed at night knowing hey, I gave my all. That’s always been my mentality. I’m going to give my all every play and if it happens, it happens.”
(Have you seen guys that you’re like, “damn, this guy is talented.” Like you beat out a guy who you’re like, “damn, how’s that guy not here?” You know what I mean?) – “It’s the nature of the business. This is the 0.03 percent of kids from high school make it to the league or something like that – 0.05? So you have an atmosphere that’s the best of the best around the world. And I think that’s what – especially here with Miami – we focus on getting the best competition. No one is safe. It’s the best of the best. You get to perform every day. That’s why I love it here because we’re always fighting, evolving I guess – growing as players. That’s a better way to put that.”
(How important is mental health for an NFL player? You’re talking about days of players getting cut. How important is having good mental health for being an NFL player?) – “Hugely. Hugely. I think mental health is a huge part of the game. If you have a bad day and you bring it outside the field and you bring it in the building and you’re not fully focused and there’s stuff – there’s checks, there’s four checks in one play; and if you’re not fully locked in, you’re not fully at your peak mental health, it’s going to be a hard day for you. So I think it’s a huge importance to have guys that have their stress relievers, have their ways to talk. They need a good family or foundation around them to vent to, to relay, just to open up and tell what they’re going through because it’s a stressful job.”
(You mentioned earlier in your career. You were cut obviously twice. How does this day feel to you now? You have a little bit more security and maybe not sweating as much, but you still probably think back to those days early in your career.) – “Yeah, every day is a blessing to be in the NFL. That’s how I’ve always looked at it. I take it one day at a time – one meeting, one practice, one game. That’s kind of like the motto here. So for me it’s just God’s got a plan and whatever happens, happens. That’s really something I’ve tried to learn and incorporate in my life over the last three or four years.”
(What was it like for you that first time you got cut and maybe you didn’t know if another chance was coming? I don’t know. What was going through your mind at that point? How’d you handle it?) – “Yeah, the first time, we were walking off the field. Got pulled out. ‘Hey, last day of camp. Hey, thank you for all you’ve done. You’re a good player, but we just need to go another route.’ I ended up signing back to Baltimore as a practice squad player, so at least I knew I was still around. Still got to put footage out there, tape out there. It was stressful, but it’s definitely like – practice squad isn’t – there’s great players all around the league on practice squad. It’s not just practice squad. Those guys are great players. That’s where I came from. That’s when I got cut. That’s when I ended up down here the second time. So just always believe and work your hardest, I guess. Hope that answers your question.”
(What would your message be to those guys who might wake up tomorrow and they’re suddenly on practice squad, not the 53?) – “I think I would say definitely just keep doing what you’re doing. Just keep trying to grow every day if you’re giving your all and giving your best effort. Stay in the book, stay in the film because you never know when you’re going to get called up and hey, someone goes down – ‘we need you to take a lot of snaps.’ If you haven’t looked in your playbook, you can’t learn all that in one week or one day. Someone could go down on a Friday. That’s just how it is. So always stay ready is what I would say.”
Xavien Howard – August 31, 2021
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Tuesday, August 31, 2021
CB Xavien Howard
(Last time we saw you, you talked about shaking rust. Do you feel like it’s all shook off??) – “Oh no. I’m still cleaning up some stuff, technique-wise. Just focusing on getting better each day.”
(What’s it like watching established veterans like LB Benardrick McKinney get cut as they are trying to put together a roster?) – “It’s the NFL. It’s the business side of it. You just have to focus on the guys that are in the locker room.”
(What can you say about what LB Elandon Roberts has done since he came back?) – “Oh man, Elandon is going through the right path right now coming off an ACL. I feel like he’s grinded his way up to this point right now. He’s just focused on just getting better.”
(Do you relate to LB Elandon Roberts a little bit? Obviously you’ve gone through stuff in your past with your stuff, going through rehab and trying to come back and have a great year.) – “Yeah man, it’s a whole grind, especially with no setbacks. Just focus on that and make sure you have the confidence and the right mindset going into it. Knee surgeries, that’s a big thing. You can’t play with the knees. I feel like he’s got the confidence just coming out there, making an impact. He does a lot of things with our defense. He does a lot of play calling and stuff like that. With a guy like that, we need him out there.”
(I was thinking back to cut day in 2019 when Head Coach Brian Flores had arrived and that was the rebuild year. How do you think that the 53 men plus the practice squad that are going to be around tomorrow compared to that group?) – “It’s a lot of talent. You’ve seen a lot of guys that can be on our team that can go elsewhere and play. Like I said, it’s a business aspect of it. I feel like these guys just can’t get down. Somebody will pick them up. I feel like they will be on a team.”
(Playing with guys, you probably know better maybe than some coaches who the dudes are. Do you guys get any input? ‘Hey man, I like playing with this guy. This guy gives me a little more chance.’ Do you know what I’m saying?) – “Right now, I’m just focused on myself being out there. Anything can happen any day, any player, no matter who you are. I just focus on just being out there and just the guys that I have there. I try to teach them and also try to learn from other veteran guys on the team also.”
(Earlier today the Patriots cut QB Cam Newton and are going with the rookie QB Mac Jones as their starter for the opener. What’s your reaction to not facing Cam and instead facing the rookie?) – “Just watching film from last year, I also thought Cam was going to be the starter coming into it. I was expecting him. I guess I’ve got to watch film on somebody else, on Mac. I’m just preparing for whoever the starting quarterback and the receivers also. Like I said, it’s the business of it.’
(No. 17 on the Top 100. What did that mean to you when you saw that?) – “Just getting respect from peers around the league. Coaches, players, that’s what it’s all about. Right now, I’m just focused on trying to climb up. Trying to be top five. Really just out here grinding and trying to make my team better, myself.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the culture within the Dolphins? It seems like since Head Coach Brian Flores got here, the team has been working to establish a culture. How would you describe the culture within the organization?) – “The culture, just being here six years, I’ve been through a lot of different coaches and seen a lot of different coaches where we haven’t really had just one culture that I feel can help us, provide us and win games. ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) brought that attitude in here. I feel like he’s the guy for the team. Everybody is just sticking to his plan and hopefully we get the job done.”
(I’m sure you’ve probably seen the rumblings in the media about QB Deshaun Watson and all those different questions. How do you all handle that in the locker room when you see that?) – “I’m on the defense side, I play cornerback and that’s all I’m worried about.”
