Emmanuel Ogbah – September 2, 2021
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Thursday, September 2, 2021
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(This pass rush – obviously it’s mostly the same group. You’ve added DL Adam Butler, you’ve added LB Jaelan Phillips. What’s your level of optimism in terms of being able to get pressure on the quarterback maybe without having to blitz as much?) – “I’m excited. We have key guys that we brought in that can help our defense really run. Definitely helps our pass rush and give those guys opportunities to get interceptions. Just get back there as fast as we can.”
(What’s your impression of LB Jaelan Phillips’ development? He missed some time but since he’s come back?) – “Jaelan (Phillips), he’s a good mixture of size, speed and strength so he’s going to help us out a lot. I’m excited for him. I’m excited to see him out there during his first action. I know I saw him preseason, but regular season is where it really counts. I’m excited just to see him go out there and work.”
(Have you and LB Jaelan Phillips started to build a bond together being the two main pass rushers probably on the edge?) – “We do have a lot of pass rushers now on the team so we’ve all got to bond. We’re all out there. We’re all just doing our thing. Just helping the team win games, just rushing the passer as much as we can. It’s a competition so the first one to get back there is what counts.”
(Is there a bet, I guess who gets the most sacks this year?) – “No, I wouldn’t say there’s a bet, but we thrive on competition. That’s why ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) got us all in here, because we all like to compete.”
(Similar question to what I just asked S Eric Rowe. Knowing that you’ve got guys in that secondary like CB Xavien Howard, like CB Byron Jones who can really pick the ball off; how much does that alleviate the pressure off of you in getting to the quarterback knowing you don’t really even have to bring him down, you just have to make him a little uncomfortable?) – “It definitely gives us time to get back there. We’ve got guys like ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), Byron (Jones) back there, (Eric) Rowe – all of them back there gives us that extra second that we need just to get back there so that’s always good for a defense.”
(What was your reaction to finding out QB Cam Newton was released from the Patriots and they’d be going with Patriots QB Mac Jones?) – “They’re a different style of quarterbacks, but they’re all still the Patriots. They always bring a good game, bring a big game; so you just know we’ve got to be prepared for them. But not knowing exactly what he really does because he’s still a rookie. We’ve got to watch some film on him. I’ve got to go back and watch some college tape on him and see what he struggles with and what he’s good at even though it’s a different scheme with the Patriots. We’ve just got to be prepared for him now instead of Cam (Newton).”
(Does it change a lot of the preparation, a lot of what you guys were working on?) – “I mean yeah, it changes a little bit; but we’ve still got kind of the same game plan.”
(Do you get excited when you play a rookie quarterback?) – “It’s still a game. I take everybody the same – seriously. We’ve just got to do our job – each position. We can’t take anybody lightly. He’s a good player from Alabama. He’s a first-round pick so that’s always a good factor. Just got to do our job pretty much. Don’t do too much.”
(Are the Dolphins a playoff-caliber team?) – “I’d say we can be as good as we want to be and we’re going to take it one game at a time.”
(You had a really good year last year. Do you have any goals to try to be better?) – “Coming into the season, you always have goals – what you try to do or what you want to do. But I write them down, keep it in my head and pretty much my goal is just to do what I can to help this team win games. Pressure on the quarterback, stopping the run, rushing the passer, just giving guys time. I’m willing to do that.”
(Do you have a sack goal?) – “I’ll keep that to myself. (laughter)”
(Did you reach your sack goal last year?) – “I’ll keep that to myself, too. (laughter)”
(The last time Drew Rosenhaus spoke about you on WSVN Channel 7, he said that he was hoping to still work out a contract extension. Is that something that you have hope about or have you kind of shelved that and you’re just planning to play the last year of your contract?) – “Like I said before plenty of times I’ve been asked, I’m just focused on this season. I’m out there going out there to ball, help this team win games and let my agent handle his business. But yeah, I always see myself long-term here. It is what it is. I’m just ready to work and help this team win games. That’s about it.”
(What do you do to compartmentalize that? Because just like all of us, you probably think about money, but you’ve got the football to…) – “Once I’m on that field, the only thing that matters is that football. That’s it. That’s how I think about it on the field.”
Eric Rowe – September 2, 2021
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Thursday, September 2, 2021
S Eric Rowe
(Is it harder at all for you, does it increase your number of hours of preparation not being completely sure who is going to be lining up next to you always during the season? It could be DB Jason McCourty some, it could be S Jevon Holland some. Does that add any extra work to you in terms of achieving chemistry and communication with both guys?) – “No, not really. Really all camp we’ve been in rotation with each other. I know what it’s like being out there with Jason, I know what it’s like being out there with Jevon. Even when Brandon (Jones), when he’s in the mix. We all rotate so we all get a feel for how the other person acts. They make the call, they’re quick on it, stuff like that.”
(What do you think of S Jevon Holland wearing No. 8?) – “Oh yeah, I just noticed that today. I was like, ‘Who’s No. 8 out there?’ (laughter) I just noticed. I remember he did tell me and I was like ‘hey, it looks cool.’
(That’s S Jevon Holland’s college number. Did you get a vibe that he felt real comfortable in it today at practice? Felt like he was back in his college days.) – “I don’t know. I just saw a No. 8 and said, ‘Yeah, that’s pretty cool.’ If I was a rookie, I would definitely go single digit too. (laughter)”
(Obviously this is an unusual bye week. We are all looking forward to it. When the team does play its first game, which will be here real soon, what kind of first impression do you think the club would like to make about what’s coming for the season?) – “Our goal as a team – as a defense, special teams, offense, it doesn’t matter – is to start fast because last year we did not start fast at all. We started like 0-2, didn’t play as well first game in New England last year even though we had the potential. That’s been our main goal this year as a team, organization, to start fast.”
(You are familiar with both players, but TE Jonnu Smith and TE Hunter Henry, have you spent much time watching film of them at all in the last week or so? Or is that more of a next week thing?) – “A little bit this week and definitely next week. This past week, it’s kind of been still focused on us. I watch a little bit, really the past couple days and then next week obviously game plan week and I am all on it. Those two guys, they have a reputation in the NFL. You know their names. I respect all opponents, but those two guys are some of the two best at it.”
(What was your reaction when the Patriots moved on from QB Cam Newton and named QB Mac Jones the guy?) – “Just like everybody else – surprised. We’re sitting here getting ready for trying to think about how are we going to stop this quarterback run and then he’s let go. It’s like alright, well now we have to shift our thoughts of who we are playing. It’s pretty guaranteed it’s probably Mac Jones but whoever else they have next. Just like everyone else, I was surprised.”
(How does that go for you defense-wise? You go from the big 250-pound bruiser to a pocket passer?) – “Two totally different style quarterbacks. You got one who can definitely throw but he’s a runner. You got quarterback runs that are definitely a threat. Now, you have a rookie that we only have preseason tape on him. We know he can throw. He’s a smart guy but he doesn’t have any NFL tape. Just kind of transition, you have to adapt to it.”
(I know you get very formal cut-ups of QB Mac Jones preseason and of Mac Jones college, but do you ever just type in YouTube “Mac Jones Alabama” just to watch? Do you ever go on YouTube and type in player names?) – “No (laughter). No, I don’t really go watch someone’s highlights. I’m trying to see how they play throughout the whole game.”
(You mentioned limited NFL preseason tape that you can watch on QB Mac Jones. Can QB Tua Tagovailoa help in that regard having played with him at Alabama?) – “I don’t know how much he can help. Mac is in a totally different offense. Obviously, he’s probably grown from whenever Tua was there with him. I don’t know how much he can help.”
(You guys really thrived on taking the ball away last year. This year the team obviously added LB Jaelan Phillips to help spark that pass rush. What can an improved pass rush do for you guys do in the secondary?) – “Really an improved pass rush can help for everything. One, having a core to put pressure on the O-line and quarterback to make a decision quicker, but it’s also on us to cover the guys. If we don’t cover them, the quarterback can get it out quick and the pass rush doesn’t mean anything. With the pass rush, the quarterback has to get it out quicker, maybe bad decisions are made and that’s when INTs or strip sacks come in or sacks come in. Pass rush is everything.”
(Rush plus coverage?) – “Yeah, it all works together. You can’t do one without the other. An improved pass rush? Improved coverage.”
Michael Deiter – September 2, 2021
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Thursday, September 2, 2021
C Michael Deiter
(I know you probably don’t take a moment to appreciate the moment because you push yourself hard and you’re just looking at what’s next ahead, but was there any moment this week of just being maybe proud of yourself for winning this competition? Obviously it was a competitive battle at center.) – “Maybe for a second it was cool, but I’m more focused on keeping the job and making sure that I’m playing well. Obviously it means a lot for them to trust me to go out and play center but I need to make sure that they made the right decision, so that’s what I’ve got to focus on.”
(What do you think you showed that proved to coaches that you should be the guy?) – “I just try to work hard every day and make sure that I was on my assignment and make sure that I was communicating well because at center, you want to make sure you’re communicating well, getting everything dialed up up front and then just competing and working hard to help this team win. I guess I did that.”
(What’s the biggest change between the 2021 starting center Michael Deiter versus whatever year it was you were a starting center the last time?) – “I would say just way more experience, obviously. It’s been probably five years since I was last playing center but more experience, more confidence. I’m playing with a good group of guys. I’d say more excitement but definitely more experience, more confidence, the ability to go up there and make calls and trust it and cut it loose.”
(You’ll see C Ted Karras on the field next week. In your transition to center last year, what things specifically did you watch about him to learn about the nuances of playing center, which have helped you?) – “Ted was definitely a detailed guy. He was in there watching film and talking with guys, meeting with quarterbacks, running backs, tight ends and all of that. He was just super detailed. He’s also a little bit intense and that was something that was good to see. Detailed and intensity and I definitely try to mimic that for sure because he brought great detail and great intensity every day. It definitely paid off for him. He was a leader and was helping guys out and controlling things, and that’s definitely something I try to mimic and keep that going.”
(Obviously the quarterback/center relationship is important. In what ways have you and QB Tua Tagovailoa’s relationship developed?) – “It’s definitely grown a lot because last year, the little bit of work we got together, there wasn’t much communication there. Like, ‘hey, what do you need? The snap’s good. Should we work cadence? This look versus that look? All of that stuff.’ Whereas this year, after every series we’re talking. ‘How are the snaps? How are the cadences? Should we mix anything up? Anything different we can get to on this look versus that look?’ We also went golfing a few times. Every aspect of that relationship off the field and on the field. It’s been cool to spend more time with him and grow with him.”
(Where is this line’s evolution? How would you assess your progress so far?) – “I wouldn’t say we’re at any point in any journey but we’re getting better and that’s all we need to focus on. We know we can be way better and we want to be way better and more consistent and all of that; but we just need to keep working every day to get a little bit better every day. Then maybe at the end of the year, I can say we’re finally at the point we wanted to be at. But right now we’re not at any point in our development or anything like that. We just need to get better, more consistent and all of that.”
(How would you describe the role that the offensive line’s performance will play in the offense’s success over the course of the entire season?) – “It will be super important. I mean you can’t have great skill players, a great quarterback and all of that and then have a line that isn’t helping the offense. It will just hold them back and we need to be a group that doesn’t hold them back but helps us excel. That just starts with consistency, playing smart, good technique and all of that. We just need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to make this offense go and not have it be the o-line that’s holding them back.”
(There’s been, I guess, some criticism of the O-line in the past. Do you guys use that as motivation, as tools to try to…?) – “Sure. But really, the guys in the room are critical of themselves. You don’t need to get on Twitter and see you’re getting roasted to be like, ‘man, I need to play better.’ It’s watching the tape and understanding and listening to your coaches say ‘hey, this is what we need to do better. This is what was bad. This is what needs to be better. All of that stuff – that’s the good criticism that you get from your coaches, that you get from watching your tape and just learning from it. You definitely don’t need to get all mad about something going on on the Internet to think, ‘I need to play better because someone was talking crap about me.’”
(You said you played a little golf with QB Tua Tagovailoa. How did you shoot out there?) – “I didn’t play very well and Tua, he just started playing this summer, so we both looked a little brutal out there. But it was a good time. We definitely can get a lot better, for sure.”
(It seems like golf has been a common theme. G Solomon Kindley was talking about how guys maybe having some Top Golf outings and he said he wasn’t very good out there too.) – “Nuh uh. He struggles. (laughter) We all need to get better at a lot of things and for sure our golf swing.”
(Who are among the better golfers then?) – “Reid (Sinnett) is a good golfer. Jesse (Davis) is coming along. Some days I’m not half bad. Some days – every like 10th shot – is pretty. Jason (Sanders) is a great golfer. He’s definitely the best.”
(It’s often the backup QBs and the kickers, huh?) – “Yeah. It makes sense.”
(Did you ever get to skate with the Florida Panthers?) – “No. And I want to, so that would be cool. (laughter) Offseason. I’ll just come sit in the corner and dish out pucks if they need me to.”
(Do you remember at one point that you were told by Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre that you would get first-team snaps? Because we’ve seen you obviously throughout the offseason, throughout training camp. I would imagine when they signed C Matt Skura, you might have wondered if you would be competing with him. What was the point where he first told you that you’re our guy for now, and you’re getting first-team opportunities?) – “There really never was a point where it was like ‘hey, you’re the guy,’ or anything like that. It was you, Matt (Skura) and Cam(eron Tom) are all going to get reps with each group and it will all shake out from there. I interpreted that as you’re getting a chance. But you all are. It was never a ‘you’re going to start here and we’ll see how it goes’ (thing). It was all you’re all going to get work from every group and we’ll just go from there.”
(What’s the biggest difference I guess for you shifting from guard to center?) – “It’s definitely just mental. I mean I’m doing a lot more talking. You have to see defenses at guard but now I have to look at a lot more and I’m getting all of our calls out and things are adjusting on the fly and all of this other stuff. I would say mentally – it’s just a lot more mentally but physically sometimes it’s almost a little easier. But mentally it’s a lot more just getting guys right. At guard, I’d be looking at Dan Kilgore, going ‘what do we got?’ And now I’m the center where the guards are wondering what I’m about to say.”
(At what point did you start to feel pretty good about your chances to be the center?) – “I don’t know. I always felt good about my chances if I was getting opportunities. I would say all camp I’ve felt ok about it. I was just worried about playing good and making sure that I’ve got the same opportunities the next day; and if I did, I didn’t want to waste it.”
(We’ve heard a little about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s cadence maybe getting stronger. Do you have to get your voice stronger to kind of…) – “For sure. I’m definitely not a loud, yelling guy. Especially when we’re at away games, it’s going to be a lot of guys looking down the line and wondering what the call is. I’ve got to get loud and get some bass to me.”
Greg Mancz – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
OL Greg Mancz
(What was your reaction when the trade went down?) – “I was really excited. I was actually driving down to play a different preseason game. I got a call and flew out right away. I’m extremely excited still. I consider myself very fortunate.”
(What did Miami tell you about why they brought you here?) – “Honestly they told me to compete. I’m going to try to add value, do whatever they need me to do, wherever they need me to do it and just play hard.”
(Obviously you overlapped with Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey in Houston. What do you remember about him from that time, about the offensive line, and how excited are you to reunite with him?) – “Coach Godsey actually taught me a lot about football. I came in, I was obviously a rookie back then and my second year and stuff, so I was just beginning to understand pro football because it’s so complex. I’m appreciative of what he taught me and I’m excited to get a chance to work with him again. Obviously nothing stays the same from week to week, not to mention year to year, so there are a lot of things I need to learn, but I’m excited.”
(Has QB Tua Tagovailoa asked you for anything special? I know some quarterbacks like towels on the butt and things like that?) – “I’ll get there. Right now I’m just trying to prove to these guys that I’m worthy to be on the field with them. Whenever you come to a new team, I need to do a good job of proving that I’m worth one of the 53 spots so I’m just going to keep trying to put my best foot forward every day.”
(It does get hot out there so you’ll have to keep your hands dry.) – “Yes, it’s very hot. Yes.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores mentioned that leadership is one thing that he had heard about you. Can you describe what you’ve done, how you can kind of go about that and what do you hope to bring to a new team?) – “As a joke, I was studying leadership for my master’s degree in college. But no, I think my job as a player and eventually hopefully some day to be a leader somewhere is to learn how the culture is and sort of immerse yourself in it. I don’t think I could be a leader here until I learn how everyone works and gain the respect of my teammates. That’s really my only goal right now is to prove every single day that I’m worth a spot and I’m happy to be here.”
(I think you’ve played center and guard in the NFL, right?) – “Yes.”
(Have you ever taken a tackle snap in the NFL?) – “In the NFL, no.”
(But in college?) – “Oh, yeah. Wherever they need me I’ll give it my best.”
(Does it help you at all with the familiarity coming back here with Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey?) – “It’s my second day. I might be able to give you a better answer here in a couple of weeks; but a lot of NFL offenses have some similarities. I just need to figure out all of the lingo, the terminology, how things work. Like I said, I’m just figuring it all out still.”
(With the roster relatively set, what are your initial impressions of just the way the organization operates?) – “I can’t tell you how happy I was and how amazing everyone I’ve met in this building has been. From picking me up at the airport to helping me figure out everything. I’m not from Florida. I’m from Ohio. Everyone has been so positive and amazing. It’s something you’re excited to be a part of. I’m not saying other organizations aren’t like that, but it’s just been really nice for me because like you said, I’ve been here three days and the season is upon us. I’m trying to learn the offense and focus on the season.”
(They didn’t send G/T Rob Hunt to pick you up at the airport did they?) – “No. (laughter)”
(WR Will Fuller, LB Brennan Scarlett – anybody else you’ve played with, anybody in your past?) – “Those are the two that are on the active roster. I’ve played with both of them for five years. I know Will texted me. He might have texted me before I even understood I got traded because we’ve had a lot of time together, and then ‘B-Scar’ (Brennan Scarlett) texted me that night because we were talking about just some nuances. I was sort of asking where’s the hotel, how do I do this, how close is the facility and that sort of stuff. They’ve both been a great help already. I actually knew some of the other guys through training. One guy – (Michael) Deiter, the starting center – grew up in a hometown right by Toledo where I played college ball. He brought that up, so we talked a little bit. There are always connections as you get older, but ‘B-Scar’ and Will have been a huge help for me so far.”
(A lot of young guys on the line that you have to play with. What have you learned from them in the short time you’ve been here?) – “The first thing that I noticed is how much fun they have at practice. They are young, excited and full of energy. I came from a team with a lot of older vets. They are just excited. It’s just a different vibe. I’m excited to figure out how I fit, where I fit and how I can help.”
Solomon Kindley – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
G Solomon Kindley
(We found it interesting that other starters on the offensive line didn’t play the rest of the final preseason game. You played. Can you tell us what you heard about the decision to getting that time out there?) – “Coach wanted me to play so I strapped it on and went out there with my brothers. Whatever coach needs me to do, I’m here for the team.”
(Did you find something of value in that final preseason game?) – “For sure, no doubt. I might have been the only one playing out there but I can’t put bad stuff on field. Just go out there and play like I’m next to (Michael) Deiter or I’m next to Austin Jackson.”
(You moved a lot from the first, second and third team the first couple of weeks of training camp but it seems like the last two weeks, you’ve really been entrenched at that left guard spot. What has kind of clicked for you and being able to really get settled with the first team and keep that spot?) – “I’m working hard every day. I don’t look at where I’m at week to week because everybody has something to prove. So I come to practice every day bashing on myself and being hard on myself like somebody is trying to take my position. That’s every play and every rep I take. Me being with the ones right now doesn’t mean anything.”
(What do you want to still work on since you said you’re such a hard critic?) – “Just my technique with my hands in pass pro and my pad level in the run game.”
(Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre mentioned that he likes to keep track of finishes. I’m wondering who should I install as the favorite for total finishes – you or G/T Robert Hunt?) – “My mama always told me not to talk about yourself and let somebody else tell you. So hey, that’s all I’m going to say. (laughter) You know I’m going to go with myself. I think I’m the finisher on the offensive line. I think I’m going to get a good bit of pancakes and a good bit of finishes on the field.”
(Speaking of pancakes, who eats the most pancakes on the team?) – “Honestly, let me think. I really don’t know. I don’t know who eats the most pancakes on the team. (laughter)”
(G/T Robert Hunt said yesterday that he’s good on the grill. Have you ever gotten a chance to…) – “(laughter I’m the grill master. I’m the grill master. You can ask Raekwon (Davis). When we first got here our rookie year, he came over – I forgot what holiday it was – and I put something on the grill and he was like, ‘Oh, boy. I didn’t know you could do this here.’ (laughter)”
(So your mom’s advice, does it pertain to talking about your skills on the grill?) – “(laughter) See that’s a little different. That’s a little different. You can talk about the grill. But other than that, you can leave everything else out.”
(Why did you make that face when he said G/T Robert Hunt said that?) – “That’s my brother, man. He’s a good griller, too. How about that? He’s a great griller, too. He can grill really good, too. (laughter)”
(What’s the most important thing to do when you’re grilling? What’s the secret?) – “Let your charcoals cook for a long time. Don’t let them stay black. Let them get grey to the point to where you touch them, they go to dust. That’s when the grill is mostly hot. Then clean your grill really, really good. You don’t want to put your meat on a grill after you grilled like two months ago. Clean your rails and everything because your meat could come out black and it isn’t even done on the inside.”
(What about the seasoning?) – “Oh yeah, you know I get down with the seasoning. (laughter) I got a whole little cabinet with the seasoning. I got good seasoning. I season it real good.”
(What’s your go to?) – “I can’t tell you that. (Laughter) I can’t tell you that. You might steal it (laughter).”
(How did you accumulate your spice jar? Is it you going to the store and picking out stuff yourself?) – “You know I’m a big dude, so grilled food is best for me. That’s my go to. I go grilled chicken, grilled fish, grilled everything so that’s why I had to specialize in it.”
(G Robert Jones made the 53. What have you seen out of him and what impressed you?) – “That’s my boy, I got my locker right next him. He’s a very hard worker and like my boy Greg (Mancz) said, they come to practice happy. We come to practice happy as first year and second year players. We want to get better. It’s a great opportunity to be around something this special. He really picked up on it because he came from a JUCO and then went to Middle Tennessee (State) and now he is in a big organization like this. He’s capitalizing on it. He’s a great player.”
(Did you see the viral play of G Robert Jones in the last preseason? How would you describe it, what he did to a man?) – “We saw it while we were on the sideline and our coach had to say, ‘Get back! Get back!’ We almost ran on the field and were happy for our guy. It’s a brotherhood in that room so when those guys get in the game and make plays like that, we are excited for them.”
(How would you describe what he did?) – “That’s a vet block. That’s a 10-year vet block. I’ll say that.”
(What’s the chemistry like for you guys as an o-line going into year two? A lot of you guys were rookies last year.) – “During the offseason, that was one of our things. Our coach wanted us, even though some people weren’t here, we always talk to each other. Talk to each other because offensive line, all five of us have to be good. One person can’t be bad or it’ll be a negative play but if all five are good, it can be a positive play. It’s like that everywhere on the field, but offensive line is so important. To give a call from the right side all the way to the left side. Our chemistry came together when we were in the offseason, talking to each other and everything, that brotherhood outside of here, we are very close. We are always laughing and sending TikToks back and forth. All type of stuff.”
(What’s the team O-line bonding experience look like? What do you do?) – “We will go to TopGolf and we will just kick it for two hours. Definitely going to sweat at TopGolf. I did not know you sweat that much at TopGolf. (laughter) I did not know that.”
(Who’s the best golfer in the group?) – “Not me. (laughter) Not me, not me.”
(Earlier this week the QB Deshaun Watson rumors came out and yesterday and today Head Coach Brian Flores is saying QB Tua Tagovailoa is our quarterback. When you hear that as a member of this team, that he is our quarterback, how does that make you feel as a teammate? How do you think the rest of the team takes that?) – “I love every single quarterback here and I’m sticking with whatever quarterback ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) puts out there. I’m going to do my job no matter who he puts out there. Like he said Tua, so I love Tua and I’m going to block for Tua.”
(G/T Robert Hunt told us yesterday that he just learned how to drive last year.) – “(laughter) He can drive, he can drive now. When we first got here last year, we were driving to go somewhere on the expressway and he texted me, ‘Hey dude, slow down. I’m going 60 miles per hour. I don’t even go that fast.’ I’m like bro, what do you want me to do? He said, ‘Just sent me the location, I’ll just meet you there because you’re going too fast.’ I’m like bro, we are both in the slow lane! I’m not even going fast! I think he’s used to it now. I think he’s pretty good. He doesn’t need no ride or a Lyft or a Uber no more. He can make his own way down.”
(We just met your new teammate, OL Greg Mancz. What’s your first impressions of him?) – “He’s a great dude. I picked his brain a little bit, asked him how many years he’s been in the league, how many teams he’s played for and stuff. I see he’s got vet experience and he’s been in the league for a long time. That’s another person I can feed off of because I want to be in the NFL that long. He’s a very hard worker. He’s pretty smart picking up on the plays easily. I think he’s going to be pretty good and adapt well to the offensive line.”
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.”
