Jevon Holland – August 7, 2021
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Saturday, August 7, 2021
S Jevon Holland
(I know the goal is just getting better every day but is it at all encouraging to you that we’ve seen you with the first group in two of the last three days of practice?) – “We’re all just rotating around and getting reps, really. Going into Chicago next week and at practice tomorrow, we’re just making sure we’re getting our fundamentals and techniques down like ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) wants, and trying to orchestrate the defense according to Coach (Josh) Boyer. We’re just making sure we’re executing and really focusing in on the things that are going on in meetings and walkthroughs.”
(We saw the pick that was impressive a couple of days ago. What have you been pleased with how you’ve done in this camp? What have you done well?) – “I feel like I’m learning the playbook and getting the fundamentals down, really. When you get the fundamentals down and do the little things, then plays come to you. You don’t have to really go find them. That was the result of one of them. But that’s in the past. I’m just looking forward to continuing to execute and capitalize on those things that come to me.”
(What part of your game do you and Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander focus on as far as where you think – I know you’d probably say everything but are there any specific areas where you’d say you’re not at the level you want to be at yet at this particular thing?) – “I’m really just focused on the fundamentals and the techniques, honestly. Every place is different so coming here, you’ve got to learn everybody’s terminology, the technique, the fundamentals, how they want you to come out of the post, things like that. That’s really what I’m trying to focus on with coach.”
(I saw DB Jason McCourty says he calls you Old Canada. Is it Old Canada?) – “Yeah. Old Canada.”
(Do you have a nickname for him or anyone else in the room?) – “No, not really. I just – ‘Forty Glock’ is Nik (Needham) and then I just call Jaytlin (Askew) ‘skew’ and things like that. But yeah, everybody is cool. Everybody has a good time. Everyone in the DB room is cool. They’re good guys, making sure everybody knows what they’re doing. Everybody’s learning. The older guys are teaching younger guys. The younger guys are really absorbing that knowledge. It’s a good mix.”
(Watching you out here and going back to your Oregon tape, it looks like you play really fast. Is that instincts? Is that your play speed? Is that a combination of both? How do you get to that ultimate point of playing so fast?) – “I think it’s just TNT’s – the ‘takes no talent’ type things. It’s just about effort and wanting that ball. ‘Coach Camp’ (Anthony Campanile) talked to us about just feeling like the person with the ball is taking your livelihood and to attack the ball every play like that. Nobody has an answer for that – that 100 percent effort to the ball every time. I think that’s one of the main things of trying to play fast is making sure you know what you’re doing so you can react and just go run to the ball.”
(You mentioned Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander a minute ago. I saw him in the rapid tackle drills over here and he got in there for a rep and took, I think, S Brandon Jones down. What’s that energy like having a guy that played the position and had some success, what’s it like learning from a guy like that?) – “It’s great honestly. Coach is ecstatic and energetic all of the time, so it makes listening and learning from him a lot better, especially because he’s played the position, like you said, in the league and everything like that. It just motivates you to listen to what he’s saying, really. You want to learn more when he speaks. You’re quiet and listening at attention when he speaks.”
(Do you think Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander can still play?) – “Oh, yeah. Definitely.”
(There’s so much importance at your position of calling out signals. Do you have a teammate or someone quizzing you at night about ‘Ok, in this spot, you should call out what?’) – “No, I live alone. (laughter) But I do have my brother and we do go over some of the stuff. Just talking football – talking football in general will speed things up in terms of the learning process. I try to talk as much football away from the facility as possible just so that it’s comfortable in my mind and I’m always thinking about it.”
(There’s a game obviously one week from now. You’ll be playing. Do you feel like your knowledge of the playbook is such that you’ll be able to make all of the calls you need in a game?) – “Well, yeah. I think every day you try to take a step to that perfect call, that perfect communication in a game. A lot of the time guys make mistakes; but as long as you’re better the next day than you were today and better tomorrow than you were today. It’s all about making improvement.”
(Do you and S Eric Rowe talk through things? Obviously he’s a strong safety. Just about developing chemistry? Is that something that can be done in part by talking a lot off the field?) – “Yeah, definitely. When you build chemistry with someone then it’s easy to be able to communicate with them on the field. You know their mannerisms and things like that.”
Lynn Bowden Jr. – August 7, 2021
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Saturday, August 7, 2021
WR Lynn Bowden Jr.
(How do you feel camp has gone for you so far? Are you happy with what you’ve put on tape through the nine practices?) – “Definitely. There’s always room for improvement. We’re out here working in this 100-degree weather every day just looking for things to critique and get better at. On my end, I probably have to step up a little bit and be that playmaker that everybody thinks I am, that I know I am; but other than that, I think I’m doing a good job.”
(There’s an awful lot of depth and talent at the wide receiver position. Where do you see yourself fitting into that group?) – “It’s a deep group and everybody is competing right now. We’re all competitors in there and I feel like I can get up there with the best of them. We’ve just got to let it show out here.”
(The Dolphins added a few guys who have speed and shiftiness such as WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Will Fuller. What do you think you can offer the Dolphins that is unique?) – “Everything. Just like you said, the shiftiness, speed and just my IQ on the field in general from playing multiple positions and doing it at the highest level. I feel like my IQ can get me there.”
(How much of a difference does it feel to actually have a training camp here and be in the offense that you already somewhat know compared to last year?) – “It’s way better. When I got traded, I had a couple days to try to learn the whole playbook; but just being out here from Day 1 to whenever it’s over, it’s just way easier for me and for the coaches to see what I can put on film and do in the offense that we’ve got.”
(Thirteen receivers in the room – of the 13, obviously before WR Isaiah Ford came here. There are only six running backs. I know obviously you’re best suited for receiver than a running back. You could’ve done it, but you’re probably better at receiver. But because of the numbers, did the thought ever occur to you this offseason, “Should I inquire about maybe asking for some snaps at running back as well?” Or is your thinking, “I am receiver. This is what I want to do?”) – “I’d play center if I got to. (laughter) So if that answers your question – I’ll play whatever they need me to play, whatever they ask me to play.”
(Is it something that you brought up though to them? Did you and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey have any discussion saying, “Can I take running backs snaps, too?”) – “Can’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. (laughter)”
(Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville, some other folks – they all kind of brainstormed to put together an offense that would fit the skillsets of QB Tua Tagovailoa and the skill players. What do you like about what they came up with?) – “To me, I think the offense is magnificent. The coaches – they took their time with it and they made it for us and it’s going to show out there when we come out in Game 1.”
(What stands out about you is your instincts in the open field. It’s almost like you have a sixth sense in where guys are coming from. Where does that come from?) – “That’s from God. I’ve had that in me since I was a young guy just running around. I played a lot of backyard football growing up and I still do at home with my son. And I got a lot of dogs. They like to chase me around the yard so I work on that stuff at home. (laughter)”
(It’s like Rocky. It’s like Rocky chasing…) – “Oh yeah, definitely. (laughter)”
(With the RPO offense, obviously you have a background with it from your college days. What is the biggest challenge in terms of making it work?) – “Everybody’s just got to be on the same page, committed and dedicated. I think that’s where our group is right now from the ones to the threes to the fives. I think we’re all committed, dedicated to everything the coaches want us to do and I think that’s what’s going to get it done.”
(How difficult is it as a playmaker to just accept the role that they carved out for you in?) – “It’s the name of the game. It’s the name of the game. You know what you sign up for. Some player’s role might be bigger. Some player’s (role) might be lower. It all goes hand-in-hand.”
(What’s one specific thing that you want to make sure that the coaches see from you before the final cut-down day?) – “That I’m dedicated. I’m reliable and I’m here to have fun and win some championships.”
(Some of your teammates and some people have decided they don’t want to be vaccinated. What is your level of support for their decision?) – “That’s their personal decision. I’m not going to say I’m against. I’m not going to say I’m with it. I’m obviously vaccinated. I did it for my kids. I didn’t want to bring anything home, even though you still can get sick. I’m not against it; I’m not with it. I did it out of my personal choice. I guess I could just tell them to read up on it and make a decision; but we’re playing in the NFL so they got the last say of what’s going to go on and like I said, it’s a personal decision.”
(What are your thoughts on your Madden 22 rating?) – “What is it?”
(68, but your acceleration and catching is like 87.) – “87? Acceleration? I think I got one of the best stop herky jerky NFL. (laughter) I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t get into stuff like that. I still see people tagging me in 95-yard bombs down the field so if 68 is bad when I get on there, whenever I do, I’ll turn it up to 99. (laughter)”
(How do you avoid looking at the numbers during training camp – how many guys are there? How many guys will stick? How do you avoid that?) – “Sometimes you’ve just got to worry about yourself. You can’t worry about the next person is doing. If I’m trying to get better – like I was saying, you can’t worry about what someone else is getting better at because that’s the chance that you give them to get on top of you. You know what I mean? So for me, I’m just worrying – like I watch the film, I see everybody and what they do. You learn from mistakes. If I make a mistake, I go in there and watch it and make sure I don’t make the same mistake over and over. And at the end of the day, it’s about the team. You want to better everybody around you, so I know if I’m going hard, they’re going to go hard and if they’re going hard, I’m going to go hard. It goes hand-in-hand.”
(This may be a weird question, but you seem a lot more comfortable and enjoying the conversation with the media than you did last year. Is it strictly because you’re in-person and not on Zoom?) – “We’re in person. Listen, I’m going to come and shake y’all’s hands when I get done. (laughter) I’ll come shake y’all’s hands. I feel good. I’m not just staring at a screen; I felt like I was incarcerated.”
Adam Shaheen – August 7, 2021
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Saturday, August 7, 2021
TE Adam Shaheen
(How concerning was it to be on the COVID-19 list?) – “What do you mean by concerning? Can you elaborate on that? Like was I concerned for my healthy and safety? Not at all.”
(Were you asymptomatic? Did you feel fine?) – “I never had COVID. I never had COVID.”
(So you were just in the protocol? Just contact tracing?) – “Yes.”
(On your twitter profile, you say ‘I will not comply.’ Is the in reference to the vaccine?) – “No. It’s actually more of a – I’m a big gun guy. It’s more of a second amendment thing from one of my favorite YouTube channels. I know I think it was taken that way. It is what it is.”
(We definitely want to clear it up. Are you vaccinated?) – “No.”
(What went into that decision? And is there anything that would lead you to change your mind?) – “For me, it’s a personal choice and it’s bigger than just COVID. I’m not going to elaborate further on that. There is – the NFL has been trying to push it. It is no secret that they’ve been trying to push it on unvaccinated guys. I’m going to continue to go through the protocols of the unvaccinated that they make me do. I’m not going to get fined. But they are not going to strong-arm me into doing something for more freedom when this is such a changing atmosphere and they are already taking away freedoms of unvaccinated guys. This is just a changing environment and I’m going to take my hands off and follow the rules that they put in place for me. But they’re not gong to strong-arm myself into getting it, so no.”
(Do you feel any level of resentment or disappointment that they make it harder for you as an unvaccinated player?) – “Yes and no. This is a business and from their point of view, they want us to play all the games. Absolutely, I get that. They are trying to do everything they can. That being said, for us to go and push more protocols than we had last year is beyond me. But like I said, I’m going to do what they ask and require of me and that’s going to be that. We’ll take it one day at a time.”
(When we see something on Twitter we want to make sure we know exactly what you mean. On there you said something about somewhere without a mask – something like that. What is your belief about masks?) – “Belief about masks? Listen, I believe we live in the greatest nation on the earth. I think from the start, it’s been about people’s choice. If you want to wear a mask and protect yourself and those around you like they say, I’m all for it. No problem. If I don’t want to, I’m all for – It shouldn’t be – in my opinion, it shouldn’t be looked down upon when you don’t do one side or the other. I think that’s a part of what I alluded to earlier – part of the bigger problem with this entire thing. With that said, the same with the vaccine. I think it’s your choice and that’s really all I think that needs to be said. I’m sure that will – whatever. Anyways, do you guys have any questions about the offense?”
(How do you feel you’ve performed this spring and early summer?) – “I think we’ve put together – having more time with the OTAs and stuff, I think it was good for us. I think you can see us clicking a little bit more early on in training camp and hopefully we’re going to continue to build off of that going forward.”
(How do you feel about returning to Chicago next week? Obviously, it’s where you played.) – “I’m excited. I got traded here obviously right before training camp and I got the extension last year. I’m excited to go back up there and compete against the old stomping grounds and have fun with it.”
(With everybody back at tight end and the team drafting TE Hunter Long, are there going to be enough balls for the tight end room?) – “We have a lot of talent across the board – offensively, defensively. I think that’s why we’re out here in training camp right now is to earn those opportunities come the season.”
(Why do you think you’ve been able to make a home here, where you’ve gotten an extension; but it didn’t fly right in Chicago?) – “I’m never going to say anything bad about the Bears. I wasn’t available for them to – that was my problem because I wasn’t available. Now obviously getting down here, this is an unbelievable organization from top to bottom as far as everything they do. I think I came in, them helping me really take it slow coming off of a couple of injuries and getting going was paramount to my success. Continuing that and being as healthy as I really have been in my five years has been awesome.”
(Aside from your health, what are you doing better now?) – “I think for me, the game has slowed down completely. Like I said, this is year five, and it doesn’t feel as all over the place and lost as I was those first couple of years. I think it’s improvement and that’s a lot of credit to the organization and the coaches and how well they are doing for us as a staff.”
Reid Sinnett – August 6, 2021
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Friday, August 6, 2021
QB Reid Sinnett
(We’ve seen some really good throws, good moments from you in this camp. Are you pleased with where you are and since we’ve never had a chance to talk to you before, can you tell us what you think you do well as a developing young NFL quarterback?) – “I don’t think I’m quite satisfied with how I’ve played yet. There’s always room for improvement and I think the biggest thing is knowledge of the game and trying to take as much as I can from Tua (Tagovailoa), Jacoby (Brissett), (Quarterbacks Coach) Charlie (Frye), (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends) George (Godsey). I’m trying to soak as much information as I can. You get limited reps on the field so I’m trying to take advantage of watching those guys and what we’re talking about in film. Like I said, I’m trying to always find ways to get better day-in and day-out. A lot of it has just been trying to absorb as much football knowledge as I can.”
(How much time have you spent with Dan Marino – obviously an all-time great quarterback, pokes his head in meetings – how much time over the last year have you spent with him? How has he been helpful?) – “He’s been awesome. Just even the first day I got here, I’m sitting in meetings with Tua (Tagovailoa) and he pops his head in and asks if he can sit down, and I was like, ‘That’s Dan Marino.’ (laughter) It’s been really cool to have him in the room and his insights and then I love hearing him talk about how the game’s changed. He’s a great part of being in our room.”
(Has he told you how many yards he’d throw for today?) – “No, no, no. (laughter) He hasn’t said anything like that, but he does love the phrase, ‘pick a guy and let it rip,’ so we’re trying to do that a little bit.”
(What has been the focus with Quarterbacks Coach Charlie Frye about where he wants you to develop your game? I know everything, but any particular thing that’s been the focus?) – “Like I said, nothing too specific. I think I’ve become a better athlete and trying to mix that into my game a little bit; but also taking everything I can and just making good decisions and helping the ball move down the field rather than trying to take shots all the time or feel like I need to push the ball down the field when there’s openings elsewhere due to the limited reps or whatever you want to say/ Nothing too specific, like I said. Trying to soak up as much as I can with him.”
(And how many teams called you after the draft in 2020 and why did you pick Miami?) – “After the draft in 2020 I was in Tampa Bay and I had quite a few calls and being with Tom Brady was going to be a great opportunity, and Josh Rosen and I ended up kind of doing a flip-flop here. Getting to spend time with ‘Fitzy’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) was amazing last year. He was so big for Tua and I both to learn from and that veteran presence in the room was amazing. I got to spend a lot of time with him and so that was huge for my development. Now having another perspective with Jacoby (Brissett) and (Quarterbacks Coach) Charlie (Frye) is awesome. Listening to quarterbacks talk about how much they love the game and the parts of it they love has been honestly my favorite part of being a part of this organization.”
(I think QB Ryan Fitzpatrick volunteered in an interview that he gave some of his reps to you. I didn’t even know that one could do that. I feel like it’s like me giving my friend cookies or something like that. What did you think of that? How did that play out?) – “So early on when ‘Fitzy’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) was starting, he was taking all the one reps and Tua was taking some of the scout looks or the twos, then maybe I’d get three or four at the end. And then once Tua was announced as the starter, ‘Fitzy’ would stand at the back of the scout team reps or whatever when we were doing one spot and would give me advice as I came back or sometimes I’d throw a ball and I’d look at him and he’d go like, ‘one more’ or ‘get through your progression.’ That kind of thing. So like I said, he was so locked in still even though he wasn’t taking reps and he was willing to coach me up when a lot of the times I think that’s a position that the other guys are off talking about their own thing or not worried about it. So coming off the field and ‘Fitzy’ giving me advice was so big and I got coaching constantly, which is exactly what I wanted. And I’m getting a lot of it right now, which is exactly what I could ask for.”
(Have you had any Power 5 offers coming out of high school?) – “I didn’t. I went to the University of San Diego and pretty much had to beg them to let me go there. I got a chance to be a starter for one year and think I made the most of it and I think I’m getting better every day. I’m excited to kind of see how we keep progressing here.”
(With QB Ryan Fitzpatrick no longer around I guess QB Jacoby Brissett is kind of the elder statesman out of this quarterback group. What’s he been like just learning and giving you guys his experiences…?) – “He’s been awesome. Immediately when he came in, we’re talking about football. We had some changes obviously with the staff and the offense, but it’s still football. So we got to talk about some of the things that we’re adding into and now we’re taking some things from old New England and also Indy, so there’s this great collaboration and what he’s been able to do and bring to the room has been special. Like I said, there’s just so much football knowledge out there and he’s a football junkie; so the way he talks about it and pulls up clips of Philip Rivers and when we’re talking about specific things, it’s pretty cool to see his experiences and what he loves about the game.”
(Do you have sort of a picture in your mind of what your career arc will look like?) – “Nope. Right now I’m here and I’m getting reps with the threes and I’m going to take taking advantage of it and if I get an opportunity in some of these preseason games, I’m going to give my best to help us win and help us move the ball. I think good things come from that. Every day I’m trying to come in and help the team win and I think if I can find a role and help the organization win, then there will be a spot for me.”
(What do you get out of like a walkthrough practice in the middle of this training camp? What do you get out of practice like this?) – “There’s so much to talk about. We get a lot of Cover 0 looks, so we talked about how we’re going to protect it and how we’re going to attack certain defenses. It’s really great to do it at a learning tempo where we’re all able to kind of talk it through and get the reps without the contact and obviously the physical nature that the game is. So it’s great for the wide receivers and then we can go in and watch the film and say, ‘Here’s what we can improve on.’ Now when we’re in a live setting, hopefully we don’t have to coach it up a second time. So for the quarterbacks, the learning and the walkthroughs are huge.”
(What’s it like to go from where you were having to beat down the door in San Diego to now being on the NFL level? That’s quite a jump.) – “Yeah, it is. In high school, I thought I could play at a higher level and I took the opportunity at the University of San Diego and it was great to me. I learned so much of the West Coast offense and I had great coaches there. I think that’s what ultimately got me an opportunity here was great coaching and being able to absorb as much knowledge of the game as I could. I think that showed to coaches when I was able to talk to them in the pre-draft process. I’m continuing to try to get better and find ways every day – little things like the nuance in my cadence as well as my drop and how I’m getting to the reads and things like that – to hopefully help me be a better player.”
Jesse Davis – August 6, 2021
Friday, August 6, 2021
G/T Jesse Davis
(No one has adjusted to position switches as well and as nicely as you do, in terms of always being upbeat. The move back to right tackle, were you pleased with it? What was your reaction?) – “I’ve played there before so for me, the comfortability there is pretty good. I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things with everything over there on the right (side). I think I feel pretty comfortable there.”
(Obviously this line, there’s a lot of mixing and matching going on. There’s nothing new, especially early in camp. When do you get concerned about chemistry, cohesion, tandem work and things of that nature?) – “It was only the first week, so obviously it’s a big week for us that last week. Moving forward, it’s getting into the preseason games and that’s where you kind of build your game chemistry, trying to see where everybody is at. Anything can happen and nothing is really solidified until game one.”
(You’ve always been the warrior here from a durability standpoint. You’ve held out a half of practice and you’ve got the compression thing on your leg. Where’s your concern level about durability?) – “It’s nothing serious or anything with me. It’s more just modified days, trying to get weight off my knee a little bit, trying to help me out in recovery. It was news to me when I got here, so I kind of just take it when it comes.”
(News to you? You’ve had the thing on since OTAs.) – “Yeah, I wear a compression sleeve to manage swelling and stuff but there’s nothing structurally wrong with it. I didn’t know I was getting modified days when I got here but that’s just a plan they had in place for me.”
(Is there discomfort for you at all or pain?) – “No.”
(Good, so it’s something that you can play through this year?) – “Yeah.”
(If you’re out on the street, you meet someone and they find out you play for the Dolphins, the next question is; ‘oh yeah, what position do you tell them you play? What do you tell them?) – “I just tell them I’m an offensive lineman for the Miami Dolphins. That’s about it. (laughter)”
(When you’ve been here, I’m assuming the 2016 line was the best line that you’ve seen here. What was it that made that line so different and how do you get back to that?) – “There’s a lot of guys that played a lot of games together. A lot of guys that played a lot of games under their belt. I think just playing time with most of the guys here. Whether it is Liam (Eichenberg), ‘AJ’ (Austin Jackson), Rob (Hunt) or (Michael) Deiter, they’ve seen games before and it’s not like they’re coming in fresh. (They’re) ready to play. They’ve been in the battle before. From that line to this line, it’s just seeing different things over their careers. They’ve done a really good job with handling everything.”
(With G Durval Queiroz Neto, how admirable is the development that you guys have seen from him this season?) – “Yeah, I think ‘Q,’ from the day he’s got here from switching from defensive line to offensive line, he’s improved greatly. He’s done everything the coaches asked him to do and he’s still trying to do everything he can. I think he’s done a really good job with it.”
(Going up against this d-line, has anyone impressed you?) – “It’s a challenge for me to go against this defensive line. We’ve got some good guys. Emmanuel Ogbah is a really good player that I see daily and I think going against him is going to help me out a lot.”
(Is there something new that you’ve seen in DE Emmanuel Ogbah in this training camp?) – “I think he’s gotten stronger. I’ve told him that too. He’s just a beast. He’s a big dude.”
(You’re not swagged out with the Pit Vipers. Everyone else during the walkthrough has them. Are you just a simple guy?) – “I was joking with (Michael) Dieter on the way out here that we should have brought our Pit Vipers. (laughter) Knowing now I sweat so dang much, I’d have water droplets all over them. They’re in my locker, safe.”
(Who rocks them the out here the best?) – “Man, I think Austin (Jackson) is looking pretty sharp.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – August 6, 2021
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Friday, August 6, 2021
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(This offseason, players obviously push for as much guaranteed money as they could possibly get. You don’t have any guaranteed money on this deal. Is that uncomfortable? Is that unsettling going into the season?) – “I let my agent handle that aspect of my game. Right now, I’m a football player and my job is to go out there and help this team win games. That’s what I’m trying to do each and every day. I let my agent handle it, that aspect of the game.”
(What do you hope to do this season?) – “Be the best every time I get on the field. That’s my goal. Every time I get on the field, I want to be the best, to be known as the best.”
(While we’re on the subject of money, a guy you are going to be chasing this year, Bills QB Josh Allen, just got a six-year deal for 250 million.) – “Woooooo. That’s impressive – the QB market. I wish I could play quarterback, but oh well. (laughter) He deserves it. He’s a good football player for them. They got a franchise quarterback and I’ve got to go after him this year. It will be fun.”
(Going to go after Bills QB Josh Allen a little extra harder knowing that he’s got that?) – “Oh yeah, that’s where the money is so you’ve got to get him down.”
(Is there something you’ve looked to emphasize this year again?) – “Just consistency. Each and every rush has got to be the same; it’s got to look the same. Just going after every time, going full speed every time I get on the field. That’s my goal.”
(How’s the rest of the pash rush coming along?) – “I would say it’s going well. We’ve got great help. We’ve got a lot of guys that we brought in that can rush the passer that are going to help out a lot. I’m excited for the season. I can’t wait.”
(You had a very productive season last year. How comfortable are you now for this season after what you did last season?) – “I know the system very well this year so I’m very comfortable with this system. They put me in the right position to make plays and I’m just ready to go out there and make plays.”
Durval Queiroz Neto – August 6, 2021
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Friday, August 6, 2021
G Durval Queiroz Neto
(What has gotten better since you first got here – your English or your football skills?) – “For sure my football skills.”
(How much better would you say they are than when you first got here?) – “Coming from Brazil was already hard because of the level of football. Then they changed my position, and then for sure that transition, learning everything from o-line standpoint, that is the part I’ve most improved. I learned how to be patient. It’s really different than being aggressive playing d-line. I think being patient is the biggest improvement I’ve made.”
(Do you have any family here or are you by yourself?) – “No. I live by myself. My family, they are here right now for (training) camp, but they live in Brazil.”
(What’s that like being apart from them?) – “Life is hard. I’m doing this because it’s my dream to be here. This part of life I need support for that. That’s one thing life has asked from me before I realized this dream. I can’t complain. We talk every day on the phone and Facetime. They try to be present in my life every day somehow.”
(What would it be like for you if you to get into a game, if you’re able to contribute in a regular-season game?) – “This is everything I want since I came here. Every day I practice, practice and practice. For the last two years, I’ve been watching all of my teammates on the weekends go for the game and I have to stay. Every week has made me more hungry for that. I want that. I want to be in a game. Nothing is more important for me than being in a game to help my team.”
(How close do you think that dream is coming to be true?) – “In a lot of parts, I need to get better a lot. I think they are going to give me a chance when I’m ready. I don’t know when it’s going to be, if it’s in the next games. I don’t know. The coaches are going to decide that.”
(When you first got here, did you have an idea like maybe three years, four years? Did you plan like that?) – “The things in life don’t happen like the way we want. I came in on the d-line, I said, ‘it’s close. It’s going to happen in one or two years.’ Then they changed my position and then I said I don’t know. I’m just getting better. I don’t know.”
(Has there been a moment when they switched you to offensive line where you said ‘ok, I can do this?’ Has there been a moment, a play or practice where you really felt you were getting more comfortable?) – “In Brazil when I was playing d-line, I said this is my thing. The only way I’ll be happy is if I play d-line. I like to run and hit people, make tackles, tackles for loss. When they moved me, I said I can play guard for sure. But I don’t know if I’ll be happy. But after months playing and training, I’m happy. I love what I do. When I do pass protection and block people, I love that. I enjoy (it).”
(What was it like when you got the notice that you were going to be called up to the second team?) – “They move people around. There is no ‘you are with the second team right now.’ They are moving people around. They want to give me more reps. They move people around. There is no ‘Q you are with the second team. You will be there.’ I don’t think it works like that. They are going to see when they need to move me up, when they move me down. It’s up to them. But yeah, it’s great.”
(Do you know whose idea it was for you to move from defense to offense?) – “Oh, yeah. (laughter) When I first came here, they had a coach, Dave DeGuglielmo, the o-line coach. He was watching my practice every day and saying, ‘hey ‘Q,’ we have a white jersey ready for you. You need to make that move.’ I’d say ‘coach, I was born to play d-line.’ When they signed him to be the main o-line coach, he asked for me and ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) talked with me and I decided to make the move. From there, they spent a lot of time and patience teaching me everything I know right now as an o-lineman.”
(What were the discussions like with your family when you said ‘hey, I’m going to America to play in the NFL?) – “My family – coming from Judo, I’m a black belt in judo, they always supported me in any sport. When I was graduating with my Agriculture and Engineering (degree), I was ready to come back and help my dad with the farm. Then I said I needed to try and they supported me. They give me everything I need and I have my friend, my agent. We came together and we started, training and then the NFL, they discovered my story. But they always support me. Like you said in the beginning, it’s far. You support your son being far from home, but that is how family is.”
(What about the teammates? How long did it take for them to accept you as one of the guys as opposed to that guy from Brazil?) – “Everybody who made it to the NFL, they already did something in college and high school. They didn’t know nothing about me. When we introduced ourselves and they say where did you play? I say, ‘I’ve never played. I came from Brazil. I never played college.’ In the beginning, it was hard for them to understand; but after (that), they were like ‘Q,’ he didn’t know nothing about football. But he’s here and he’s trying to work.’ Then they started to recognize that and then from there it was easier, the relationships.”
Brian Flores – August 6, 2021
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Friday, August 6, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Had two unrelated questions, but the first is really quick. Without giving a reason how many assistant coaches do you expect not to be here today? And then also what appealed to you about QB Reid Sinnett as your third quarterback to keep around and develop him? What specific skills do you all like in him?) – “The first question – one. Reid (Sinnett) – I think he’s smart. I think he’s done a good job learning the offense. I think he’s taken command of his group when he’s in there. I think he’s made some nice throws and I think he’s working hard and improving on a daily basis.”
(For years, players who are unhappy with their contract and perhaps demanding or requesting a trade would hold out where they stay away from the team. Times have changed. Now players hold in. CB Xavien Howard is unhappy but present. How do you view the hold out versus the hold in?) – “I guess I would say I think Xavien (Howard) has done a nice job. He’s dealing with an ankle. I think he’s been very supportive of his teammates. I think he’s been attentive in meetings. I think you see him on the field coaching guys up – the young guys. I think he’s dealing with an injury like we have several other players dealing with injuries and I think he’s working on a daily basis to get back. Obviously he’s an important part of this team and he’s taking things day to day and when he gets back, we’ll get him in there and get him working with his teammates. I think he’s doing a nice job considering his situation.”
(So will CB Xavien Howard be out there today and do you expect him to travel with the team to Chicago?) – “Yeah, we’ve got our walkthrough today. I expect ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) to be out there. Again he’s dealing with something, let’s call it day to day; but it’s walkthrough today so I expect him to be out there. And yeah, look, we’re taking things one day at a time, so as far as who’s traveling to Chicago and things like that; yeah, we expect to bring him to Chicago but there’s a lot going on here as far as COVID and injuries and things of that nature. I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell you exactly who’s going when and who’s going to be here, but I don’t. We’ll take things one day at a time, but assuming all things are – guys are healthy and guys are available – yeah, he’ll be there.”
(Could you see any scenario where you and GM Chris Grier acquiesce to CB Xavien Howard trade request or do you want him on this team, period, he will be on this team, period?) – “We don’t want to trade ‘X’ (Xavien Howard). You can write that down. He’s a very good player. He’s a big part of the team. We don’t want to trade him.”
(Have you and CB Xavien Howard – I know you decline to discuss details of conversations, but can you share if it’s true – have you and “X” had any productive or positive conversations over the last week either in your office or on the field?) – “Yeah, I talk to ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) pretty much every day. I think every conversation is productive. We’ve gotten into specifics of X’s and O’s, contract, things of that nature. I think they’ve been productive. Like I said last week, I think we’re moving in the right direction and we’ll just continue to keep talking to him and his representation. Again, I think we think these – we want these things to happen quickly. We want them to happen right now. But some things take time and we’ll work through it and hopefully come to the best resolution for all sides.”
(You said you don’t want to trade CB Xavien Howard, but given the caliber of player he is, have other teams called to ask if you’re willing to trade him?) – “We keep all that internal. Calls we make, calls teams make to us; it’s kind of common courtesy just to keep those things in-house, internal, confidential. Not talk about what other people are asking for from our end or what we’re talking to other people about. And that’s kind of how we want to operate. Again, I think it’s just common courtesy.”
(Last one on CB Xavien Howard. I’m curious if you can share anything about what message, if any, you have delivered to the group about the “X” situation? They know what’s going on. They’re not oblivious. So have you addressed it with the group?) – “I think you hear these guys talk; they’re very supportive of ‘X.’ He’s a very good teammate. There’s relationships that have been built over the last – since I’ve been here and longer in some instances. He’s supportive of his teammates. He does a good job in meetings. He’s helped these young guys. He’s supportive of everyone – offense, defense, special teams. He answers the questions of the young rookies and young players. Yeah, I think everyone understands the situation, but things have gone fairly smoothly from our standpoint.”
(I had one more question on CB Xavien Howard. Of course, as you pointed out during June, it’s an unusual thing for a guy to ask for changes to his contract two years after signing a long-term extension. That said, have you and GM Chris Grier while sitting in a room – while not prying – have you and Chris sitting in a room said to yourself, “Let’s just do a little something, a nice gesture for him just to make the player happy since he was really good last year and just to put this behind us. Let’s do a little something contractually for him?”) – “’Not prying?’ (laughter) I’ll say this: last week I stood up here – and I’ve said it again – talks are progressing. I’m not going to get into the details of those conversations, but talks are progressing. You take from that what you want. Again, these things – they take time. But as long as the lines of communication are open, as long as everyone is willing to compromise; then we can get something done.”
(CB Noah Igbinoghene, for a long time you and the coaches have described him as a – and I hope this isn’t a trigger word or a negative connotation – a “developmental prayer” – I hope that word didn’t set you off…) – “No. We’re all developing. None of us are (perfect).”
(What are the things that CB Noah Igbinoghene does need to start to form pretty quickly in his game?) – “I think we’re all developing. I think when you’re a rookie, a first-, second-year player, third-year player, 10th-year player; there’s always something you can improve and get better at. I think that’s the case with Noah (Igbinoghene). I think he’s working hard. I think he’s doing all the right things in the meetings and the walkthroughs and we just need to continue to work on the techniques, the fundamentals, believe in the techniques and the fundamentals, apply those techniques and fundamentals in practice and I think over time he’ll have success and he’ll get better and we’re just trying to make incremental improvements on a daily basis. I think that’s the case for all of us – players, coaches, support staff, everyone in our building. And Noah is no different. He’s got more of obviously a spotlight on him than some other people, but he’s working hard and if he keeps working the way he’s working, he’ll make improvement.”
(How close are WR Will Fuller, LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Andrew Van Ginkel to being able to do individual or team drills again?) – “Day to day. Every day they’re getting better – or I should say every day they’re working to improve and get better. I would say they’re all getting better. I know you guys want me to say it’s day to day or week to week, but I just take things one day at a time so everything is day to day to me. I know you asked that last week. Those guys are working to get better on a daily basis and that’s all we can really ask of them. Get up, get your treatment, get more treatment, get in the hot tub, get in the cold tub, work out, work on your conditioning, do a good job in the meetings and they’ll get out there as soon as they can. They want to be out there.”
(I know you guys are cross-training people on the offensive line at this point; but at what point do you worry about chemistry development. And also I would like an update on G Solomon Kindley, who was working with the third team the last time we watched practice. Where is he in his progression in terms of what you need to see from him?) – “I think there’s a lot of competition in that room. I think you’ve seen guys work with the ones, with the twos, with the threes. Solomon is a guy whose worked with the ones, with the twos, with the threes. But again, like I’ve said numerous times, it doesn’t really matter what group you’re with. From alignment, assignment, responsibility, technique and fundamentals, are you doing the right things? That’s for each player. That’s really what we’re looking for and that’s what is being evaluated, so it doesn’t matter what group you’re in. Are you taking care of business with the reps that you have? As far as the team chemistry or chemistry along the offensive line, I think it’s very important and a very valid question. It’s something that we don’t take for granted at all. At some point we’ll kind of narrow this thing down to let’s call it five, six, seven guys because you’ve got to have at least seven to eight guys at the game. Whatever five of that group, that group has to have the chemistry you need to be an effective offensive line. So there will always be some moving parts. I think we’d all like to say it’s just five guys so let them play and let them work. But again – and I think (you guys) asked this the other day – we’ve got to get some other guys in there too so that chemistry with the sixth lineman and the seventh lineman, there’s not a big drop-off because inevitably that’s going to happen. So if you want to see all five every day for days and weeks in a row, I’m sorry that’s just not going to happen (laughter). I just don’t think that’s the best thing for the group overall. But yeah, we’re going to narrow this down to let’s call it seven or eight guys at some point.”
(Do you have a good feel for six, seven or eight?) – “Early on, yes. There’s some guys that are ahead of others up to this point. But we’ve still got – the practices against Chicago will tell us a lot. The preseason games will tell us a lot. (I heard) we’re keeping score on this but it’s still early. It’s still very early. The Chicago practices will go a long way. The preseason games will go a long way. I don’t think we’re going to make a full-on evaluation or declaration of who is who until we get through that. It’s still early. It’s still early. It’s still early. It’s still early. (laughter)”
(Speaking of developing players, where is G Durval Queiroz Neto in his development?) – “I think he’s doing a nice job. He’s having a nice camp. I think this is Year 3 for him. His first year he was a d-lineman. We moved him to offensive line after training camp, so let’s call it roughly two years training on the offensive line. I think he’s made steady improvements. I would say look, this guy is big, strong, athletic, fast. I think it’s kind of the football acumen, techniques and fundamentals – things of that nature – that I would say he’s made significant improvement over the last two years. He’s gone in and done a nice job. His mental errors are down. His technique is better. We’ll just continue to see if he continues on the trajectory that he’s on and try to build on it on a daily basis. I think he’s off to a good start but once you start getting into days seven, eight nine and 10, practices against Chicago, playing a game, we’ll really get a good feel for what this is.”
(What about the running backs and RB Myles Gaskin, how has he looked to you? We didn’t see RB Malcolm Brown last practice and RB Salvon Ahmed, how is he coming along after he was in the red jersey?) – “Salvon was a little banged up. He was in a little bit but we expect him – again, he’s day to day. We expect him back at some point here in the near future. You mentioned Malcolm? He missed practice? I thought he was out there and it was modified, but ok. Maybe I’m confused on my days – I could be, it’s training camp. But let’s call him day to day also. I think Myles is doing a nice job. He’s working hard and doing a good job in the run game, protections, catching the ball out of the backfield. I think leadership – he’s continuing to evolve as a leader as well on the team.”
(S Jevon Holland pulled off his first interception of training camp the last practice we watched, which was Wednesday. Where is he in his development? I know you guys were working DB Jason McCourty at cornerback. Is he ready for the heavy responsibility of that free safety spot?) – “I would say he’s doing a lot of good things. He’s smart, he’s tough, it’s important to him. We’re asking a lot of him – multiple positions. I think he’s doing a nice job. But it’s not necessarily the interception – and that’s a good play, one that everybody sees – but it’s getting guys lined up, getting himself lined up, being in the right position, being in good position to make a last line of defense tackle, communication with the corners, with the linebackers, down and distance situation. There’s a lot that goes into that position. I think he’s taken on that responsibility and been very – let’s call it forthright and trying to do a good job as far as taking on that leadership or signal-caller spot, which is hard for a rookie. I would say to step in there and tell somebody else what to do – that’s what the position calls for. He’s growing. He’s getting better. There’s still a long way to go. Again, I think the next few practices – for us these next three days and then Chicago and then the preseason game – we’ll just try to make steady improvements.”
