Raekwon Davis – July 30, 2021
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Friday, July 30, 2021
DT Raekwon Davis
(How different are things for you this year than this day last year? Third day of practice.) – “I’d say being a year in, last year it was like I had to learn everything. This year, like all of the other guys, I have a little more stuff down. It’s definitely better this year.”
(Even in the pre-draft process people talked about you having Pro Bowl ability. Do you feel that deep down? Does that drive you to become an elite NFL nose tackle or defensive tackle?) – “No, I really don’t pay no mind to it. I just day-by-day, step-by-step each day just get better and just help the team.”
(What has Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark’s tutelage done for you in your pass rush game so far this camp?) – “He’s just made me believe I really got it. Just be confident in what move I’m using. Little stuff like that; but I got a way, a lot better.”
(Is there anything in particular you’re really wanting to improve on this training camp?) – “A lot. Overall everything – run and pass. Everything.”
(When you evaluated your rookie season, what did you see out of yourself?) – “Still learning. Each day, each game, different opponents, learning the game, learning the process, learning different schemes of the game. That’s about it.”
(Did you feel you made a jump as the season went on because from the outside looking in a lot of people think you did?) – “No. No, sir. I could be better.”
(What’s the difference this year being versus last year when you were a rookie? What have you seen?) – “Just more mature. Way more mature than last year and putting the team first.”
(Do you remember doing anything last year where you look back now and say, “Man, I can’t believe I did that as a rookie?”) – “No, I didn’t do nothing that was like real crazy. (laughter) I didn’t do nothing crazy, but just maturing. Just taking the time, develop the team, the scheme and different things like that. Getting to know the coaches. Taking the time out of my day to learn different things.”
(Are there any teammates on the d-line where you feel like you’ve made huge strides on your team so far…?) – “Yeah, everybody’s just coming together. Everybody’s building a bond outside the field. I feel like that’s where it started the most. Just building that bond outside the field. Once you’ve got that bond outside the field; then that’s when you start learning everybody’s ability and everybody’s just coming together as one.”
(Just to go back to the pass rush thing – I know obviously you had huge numbers at Alabama your second year and that player is obviously still inside you. Have you gone back and looked at tape of that year to see maybe things you did technique-wise that can happen? How much thought has that been something that you’ve given to?) – “No, I don’t go back and watch that. (laughter) No. I go back and watch my last year’s film and I put my thought into that and look at different things I could’ve did better. Just taking it step-by-step; but no, I don’t go that far. I do go on Google to look my old pictures though. (laughter) I be finding some funny pictures though. I do do that. I know it’s weird.”
(Just getting back to the topic of pass rushing, that’s something that would be important to you and obviously would get you on the field maybe some more on third downs, too?) – “Yeah, most definitely. Like I’m telling y’all, just step-by-step, day-by-day, just taking the time to process that whole ability, just to get better.”
(What has DL Adam Butler meant to the room so far?) – “Oh man, he’s funny. He’s a good dude, a good character. He wants to make sure everybody’s on the same page. It goes back to that one like when I was talking about bonds, he’s definitely that guy that makes sure. He’s telling us ‘Let’s do this.’ Like we go into the cafeteria during camp, let’s eat together, let’s talk about the mess ups we did and stuff like that. He’s a great guy so far. It’s been good with him.”
(Is DT Zach Sieler going to get you guys all to the gator farm here soon or how’s that going to…?) – “Say again?”
(Are you guys going to go out to the gator farm with DT Zach Sieler?) – “Oh no, I don’t do that. I don’t think Adam (Butler) is going to do that either, but I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about that though. Zach (Sieler) – that’s his thing – a country boy. He’s a real country boy now.”
(Do the Miami Hurricanes have a chance?) – “Are you talking about Alabama this year?”
(Yeah.) – “Ha, ask yourself that. You think so? I can’t even speak on that. I (am not going to) get into that. (laughter) But anyway.”
(What’s the spread?) – “What? The spread? Man, I can’t talk about the spread. I don’t know. (laughter) He’s trouble, bro. He’s trouble for real.”
(I’m sure that you learned a lot from Marion Hobby and had a good relationship with him. Obviously now I’m sure you have a good relationship with Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark. What’s different in terms of is there an emphasis that Clark has with you that’s a little bit different from what Hobby had with you?) – “They’re both two great coaches. Austin (Clark) is a coach that like, you’ll be in the game and you’ll be scared to get even a step wrong because you will run back to the sideline and he’ll get on your butt about it. So like with Coach Clark, it’s just like he wants everything to be perfect. So you want to play with perfect technique, look at the scheme, you want to see where the running back is at. He’s the guy to teach you all that. Just make sure you know what’s going on.”
(You played against QB Tua Tagovailoa in practice at Alabama and now here again. Is there any personality or stories you could tell of things he’s said at a practice?) – “Tua’s more quiet. He’s got a little character in him. He’ll say a little something, but not too much, man. He’s a funny guy. Not too much. Like outside the field, yeah, I got a lot of stories; but I’m not going to share it on camera. But yeah. (laughter)”
(We’ll turn off the cameras.) – “Nah… (laughter)”
(Any change you’ve seen in QB Tua Tagovailoa? Obviously he’s gotten better in Year 2 just like you have, but what’s any change you’ve seen in him and his game or anything?) – “I just feel like he’s been the same. It’s Tua. He’s the best out. That’s all I know.”
Austin Jackson – July 30, 2021
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Friday, July 30, 2021
T Austin Jackson
(Did you go back and look at tape of most of your snaps last year, some of them?) – “Yeah, I’d say I watched a good amount. Probably all of them last year, just re-evaluating, seeing what I can do better. It’s part of the process of getting better.”
(Your conclusion as far as what you think you could do better after watching the tape? While giving away no trade secrets, what generally have you concluded that you need to do better?) – “I think for offensive line play, your landmark is crucial for many different things. Just working on getting to a certain landmark, making sure my feet are in the ground and studying tape enough to know what to expect with certain blitzes. It’s part of the process.”
(After watching all of the tape, was your conclusion that you had a good rookie year? An average rookie year? What takeaway do you have about how you played?) – “Just talking to my coaches, I did some good things really well; I did some things that I could do better. My goal is to get to the point where I’m doing mostly things that are better. I already am, but to get to the point where it’s 100 percent better. That’s where I’m going with that.”
(How’s it feel to not be a rookie anymore?) – “It’s good. There is a lot of responsibility taken off. Not responsibility, but I can workout in the afternoon if I want to now and stuff like that. Having a year of experience under my belt is huge, especially when it comes to preparation. I have a little bit more of what to expect now. That’s going to help me a lot.”
(Do you feel yourself taking on more of a leadership role?) – “Definitely. I think with this team we have and what coaches want, I think they want to see all of us step up in a leadership role and build off of each other. I’m doing my best to make sure that I’m getting better every practice, the guy lined up in front of me is getting better and the guy next to me.”
(The padded helmets you’re wearing, what is your reaction to that? Do you like them or not?) – “I don’t notice them really. Some guys don’t like them. I don’t really notice them. We don’t have pads on yet. We’re not trying to knock anybody yet.”
(We asked LB Jaelan Phillips about the rivalry going back to the high school All-American game and UCLA and USC. I just wanted to get your take on how that rivalry has progressed now that you’re on the same team?) – “What did he say about that?”
(He just said you’re a hell of a player.) – “Well Jaelan is a great player too. He’s definitely a guy that gets you better. He’s (been) a great athlete since high school. I’m excited for him and his role and this team. To work with a guy like him, he’s great.”
(Was there any left tackle that you on your own thought of studying this offseason or that Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre or Joe Panos suggested – is there anyone you’ve had a relationship with, talked to or studied their tape among NFL left tackles?) – “I watch a lot of left tackles. You’ve got guys who are kind of more of my body frame comparison like Ronnie Stanley, Tyron Smith, Trent Williams, Taylor Lewan. Those are also guys that are vetted in the league. It’s good to watch them, take pieces from them and build a toolbox. No one player does the same thing over and over again. Not one person. So you’ve got to build your tool box.”
Byron Jones – July 30, 2021
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Friday, July 30, 2021
CB Byron Jones
(I saw you and CB Xavien Howard sort of commiserating on the sidelines when you weren’t out there playing. How would you describe your relationship with Howard at this time?) – “It’s healthy, baby. Of course. We’re both trying to get better each and every day. We’re in the meeting rooms talking together. We do individual meetings with the coach, so it’s perfectly fine.”
(How does feel you’re sort of dragged into CB Xavien Howard’s situation, which he referenced in his statement, not being the highest paid cornerback on his own team?) – “I didn’t mind because truthfully man, the guy is one of the best. The guy had 10 interceptions last year. There is no secret to his impact on the defense and his impact on the team. When a guy has a season like that, he’s the freaking best. I understand what he’s trying to do. That’s my boy. We played a lot of hard snaps last year together. We’ve bonded close together, so I understand the business.”
(How would you like this situation to playout for the club and CB Xavien Howard?) – “We’d love to keep ‘X.’ Everybody knows that. It’s really that simple.”
(For you, what’s the next step after the season you had last year?) – “Continue to build, man. Continue to get better. I’m never satisfied with anything. Obviously turnovers have been a big thing for me in my career that I need to kind of improve on. I took a little minor step last year, but obviously the step needs to be bigger this year. That’s the fun part. That’s the fun challenge in this camp. I’m working with ‘Chuck’ (Cornerbacks Coach Charles Burks) in between periods every single day.”
(Where is your confidence in that respect considering you did have a couple of picks last year?) – “It feels good. I’d love to get some technical things right. Being able to make some plays for the team and for the defense, it feels good. It feels good being that guy who is giving our offense another chance at scoring some touchdowns.”
(I enjoyed some of the juice we saw over here in that last period on the sideline. You guys seem to have that camaraderie already built in here. I was wondering if there is any one or two things you can point to that is a catalyst for why that group is so tight?) – “It’s football. What we go through looks nice on the outside, but it’s really hard. You build those bonds very quickly. We’ve all kind of been through it, we all understand what’s it’s going to need to take. It takes that bond, that energy, that juice. When one guy does well, we uplift him; when one guy does bad, we still uplift him. That’s kind of where you build it during camp.”
(I saw yesterday you had a nice deflection and I know you want to force more turnovers. On that one, you did pushups after though you didn’t come up with the interception.) – “Yeah, I dropped that ball. It’s one of those things I’m trying to do better is just getting my head around so I’m able to compete for the ball. That’s one thing I wasn’t always great at, so I’m always working that. If I do get it, it’s good; but I’ve got to catch the ball. We have a rule in our DB room, if you miss a pick it’s10 pushups.”
(What was your reaction when you saw CB Xavien Howard’s post and specifically how you were mentioned?) – “Like I said, I understand what he’s trying to do. Obviously we’d love to have him here, but there are no hard feelings. I’m not scared of facts. The dude is the best. There is no question about that. Last year we gave him all of the hard covers and he showed up. Not only did he show up, but he also excelled at those too. He didn’t get cupcake interceptions. He went and got those – with one hand, high-pointing the ball. He made his money. He earned it definitely.”
(Have you guys talked about the post?) – “Oh yeah, we always talk. We talk every single day.”
Jevon Holland – July 30, 2021
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Friday, July 30, 2021
S Jevon Holland
(What’s it been like your first few training camp practices, getting out here? What can you tell us about what you’re building out here?) – “It’s been great. The heat out here is very hot as a lot of you know, so I’m really just working on my conditioning in practice, making sure that I’m running to the ball. Doing the ‘TNTs,’ things that take no talent, making sure that I am emphasizing that and doing what coach is asking me. It’s been great. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of so I’m loving it out here.”
(Has there been anything that has surprised you that you’ve seen?) – “It is so hot out here. That is the biggest surprise, it is so hot. But I honestly do love it. It is getting me in great shape. That’s pretty much it.”
(Did you talk to anybody or did anybody talk to you before you came down here for training camp about what to expect with this heat with you coming from British Columbia and Oregon?) – “Yeah, actually. They told me it was very hot and they didn’t lie. But honestly, people just told me that it was hot and really humid and it’s going to get to you so make sure you hydrate and stay on top of that, stretch and things like that. I’ve been trying to do my best at that and the staff here is really great, reminding us to hydrate, stretch and take care of our bodies.”
(I know you’re capable of playing multiple positions. In those times where you are in the deep end of the field, how are you enjoying that? How do you feel like your skillset can translate to that responsibility when you’re given that?) – “I feel like my skillset translates great, but I’ve really just been trying to do whatever the coaches ask me. Whether that’s deep, short or anything in between, just trying to give my 100 percent and make sure I am running to the ball. Like I said, doing the ‘TNTs’ man, that’s really what it comes down to in football. It’s a game of inches. Doing the little things and they’ll eventually snowball into big things and it’ll help out the team.”
(It’s one thing to be drafted as high as you were, it’s another thing for a lot of people to be saying “he’s the steal of the draft.” Does that put any more pressure on you?) – “Not really. I feel whatever round you were drafted in, whether you were a free agent, first round pick of the draft, you always have to put in the work. You’ve got to come out there and put your best foot forward. Regardless, you can see in the rookie class that all of us have come out here and tried to put our best foot forward and work hard. It doesn’t necessarily put pressure on me. I have people to lean on, especially in the rookie class, we are pretty tight. Really just trying to come out here and support the team, that’s really it.”
(Are you pleased with how you’ve done the first four days? How would you asses how you’ve performed?) – “I think I’m getting into it. I’ve never been a professional athlete before so being out here in practice just shows me the caliber of athletes that are out here and the competition and how intense it is. I feel like I’m doing alright. I’ve got a lot to improve on and I plan on doing that. Things pop up every day that I need to work on. It’s encouraging that I have stuff that I need to work on and I look forward to taking that next step every day.”
(It seems like whether you are making a play or something doesn’t go your way, I see you reacting a little but like a little fire and passion. Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself every single rep to make sure you are getting things right? Is that what drives you? I’m just curious what that’s about.) – “Absolutely. I feel like as a competitor, I need to be my biggest critic, make sure that I am always on myself and that I’m always taking that next step. Like I said, it really does come down to the ‘TNTs.’ If y’all are watching this right now, the ‘TNTs,’ the takes no talent, those are some things like the communication, the effort to the ball, the technique. That stuff is taught to us and that we take on ourselves to execute every play. I feel like those are the things I stress the most on myself.”
(How would you say you’re handling all of those things coming together and putting it all together and applying it to the practice field? Do you feel you’re acclimating quickly here?) – “Yeah, I feel like I’m acclimating pretty quickly. You’ve got to adapt or die, basically. That’s what coach says to us a lot, adapt or die. I’d rather adapt than die.”
(You’ve got a couple of veterans like DB Jason McCourty and S Eric Rowe that have helped out,. Have one of those guys given you a big-picture tip that has stuck with you?) – “Yeah, absolutely. Those guys have been in the league, they’ve experienced, they’ve lived through it and I’m new here. They’re really giving me the little pieces and just make sure that I’m taking care of my body, make sure that I’m communicating with the coaches and asking them questions. Being new, that’s basically what it is and accepting that fact that I’m new, making sure that I go out there and just absorb all of the knowledge and shoot that back out in my performance.”
(What would constitute a successful rookie season for you personally?) – “Finding a role on the team that I can help the team and being somebody that the coaches can rely on.”
Jaelan Phillips – July 29, 2021
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Thursday, July 29, 2021
LB Jaelan Phillips
(Can I ask you about the adjustment to linebacker? What’s been the biggest one from putting your hand in the ground a lot at UM to now standing up a lot?) – “Honestly, I played linebacker all in high school and then my second year at UCLA, I played outside linebacker as well. It’s definitely been an adjustment getting used to it again; but a lot of the terminologies are the same, a lot of the principles are the same. I’m just taking it in stride and trying to get better every day. It’s definitely cool.”
(Is it surreal looking at your college stadium every day at practice?) – “This is gorgeous. I can’t help but be happy just sitting in a meeting room looking out seeing the Hard Rock (Stadium) in the background. It still blows my mind ‘til this day. Like I literally haven’t moved at all. I’m right here.”
(You came here with well-developed pass rush moves. Has your mission with Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark been perfecting the moves you have, adding new ones?) – “You’re definitely always trying to perfect what you have in the arsenal; but obviously trying to learn new things. I’ve been talking to the older guys a lot, trying to trail Emmanuel Ogbah and really just getting as much advice and just watching as much as I can because I know how good they are. I’m definitely trying to improve all aspects of my game, but I’ve got some stuff coming. Don’t worry. (laughter)”
(Are there any pass rushers you’ve studied on tape, either on UM or in recent months?) – “I’ve been obviously a film fanatic for a long time. Even watching old school guys like Lawrence Taylor. I know my coach Robbie Leonard, he’s a Giants guy, so he likes putting on Lawrence Taylor a lot. There are a bunch of great pass rushers in the league and you can definitely pick different parts of their game.”
(It looks to me that at times you’ve been working on dropping back into coverage. That is something you didn’t do a lot of at UM. How has it been getting re-acclimated to that aspect?) – “It’s awesome. I love moving around. I love running. I feel like I’m pretty good at being fluid and being able to move my hips around. That’s something that I’m working on. It’s not new to me, but it’s something that I haven’t done in a few years. It’s all exciting, being able to get back into it and try out different things.”
(There is a lot of talk about the difference between the speed in college and the NFL. Have you noticed the difference in strength when you’re going against some of your teammates?) – “Yeah. Just look out there, you’ll see how big some of these guys are. But I feel like the discrepancy between the best and the worst is a lot smaller in the league. Everybody is really good and that includes our team. You’ve just got to bring your best every day and I’m trying to get bigger too. So hopefully that won’t be an issue.”
(Do you have goals for yourself – like you said, in the weight room or on the field?) – “My goal honestly is I’m trying to be where my feet are. Every single day, I’m looking to improve on the mistakes I made the day before. Tomorrow I’m going to look at this film from today and try to correct the little parts of my game I can work on. I always can improve.”
(Is being a rookie starter a goal?) – “I’m just trying to contribute to the team. I know that sounds vanilla, but I’m a team-first guy. Obviously playing as much as I can is always a goal. But really, the goal right now is doing the best I can at camp and taking it one day at a time.”
(Outside of not having any classes, being in the same city, what else has changed? Did you get a nice new place with the contract? Is life similar to how it was outside of no classes?) – “I got a house, I got a cat and I got my girlfriend. (laughter) I’m just at the crib. I spend a lot more time up north. I was down in Coral Gables before. I like it a lot up here. It’s a lot more open, a lot easier to get around. Life for me has always been to grind and enjoy the fruits of my labor. I’m just enjoying life right now.”
(Are you in Dade or Broward?) – “I’m in Broward. I live in Hollywood.”
(I saw you going against T Austin Jackson today. How’s he helping you come along with your game?) – “I’ve actually known Austin since my senior year in high school. We both played in the Army All-American game together, and he went to USC. It’s been cool to be on the same team as some guys I knew before. But Austin is a stud. Iron sharpens iron. It’s great to be able to go against a guy of his caliber every day. Even on the other side, Jesse (Davis) and the guys inside, they are all super talented. It’s awesome.”
(Have any of the other rookies reached out to you to, like ‘show us where is cool, where should we go, where should we eat?’) – ‘They call me Mr. 305. I’ll tell you that much. (laughter)”
(What UM guys are you keeping the most contact with through texting?) – “I talk to (Nesta) Jade Silvera a lot. I talk to Bubba Bolden. He’s on all of the watch lists and stuff. I’m excited for my guys to have a breakout year. They see me and see what the league life is. They are always texting me, ‘what’s it like, what’s it like, how’s it different?’ I just tell them that they have to wait until they get here. I’m excited to see them play. I’m going to make a friendly wager with Jaylen (Waddle). We’re going to see about that first game. (laughter)”
(Its funny watching some of the preview shows where guys like Daniel Jeremiah were asked who was going to have more sacks as a rookie, you or Gregory Rousseau? Have you guys talked about that? Will you have a chance to make a friendly bet, you and Greg as friends as to who will have more sacks?) – “I’m more concerned about beating them. So we’ll see about that. That’s more bragging right to me. It’ll be fun. It’ll be fun.”
Zach Sieler – July 29, 2021
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Thursday, July 29, 2021
DT Zach Sieler
(With two fields going at one time and more reps, how are you adapting to the increased workload?) – “I think it’s good for us. Get used to the heat, get out here, get conditioned and be ready for Miami. That’s why we’re down here.”
(Any changes, obviously you don’t have pads on yet so it’s hard to tell offensive line, but any changes in the any of the young linemen that you have gone against going back to June when you had three days of some physical contact?) – “I think they’re progressing really well. They’re getting better with their feet; they’re doing really good learning. ‘Lem’ (Lemuel Jeanpierre) is an amazing coach, coaching them up and getting them right.”
(How much do things change when pads come on?) – It’s a big difference, always. There’s always going to be a lot more hitting, obviously. You can really see your technique.”
(With the padding you are wearing on your helmets; what’s that called No. 1 and what does it do?) – “I don’t remember what it’s called. I know they said it’s about a 10 percent less chance of concussions. It’s to help with the o-line, d-line, obviously we are hitting every single play, all practice, all year. It’s supposed to help us with preventing concussions. The Dolphins have done a really good job at player safety and making sure that they are giving us the best and the safest equipment.”
(Does it weigh anything, is it heavy or anything like that?) – “0.6 ounces or something like that or half a pound. You can’t tell.”
(Have you worn it at any level that you have played?) – “No sir, first time.”
(Was it any easy sell to all the guys?) – “I mean, you look goofy as heck but other than that you look fine. (laughter) If it is going to help prevent concussions, which could take you out for a week or a career, I’m going to be happy with that.”
(Adding DL Adam Butler to your group, how much does that strengthen what you have already with you, DT Christian Wilkins and DT Raekwon Davis?) – “Adam is a very veteran guy, a very smart guy. Watches a lot of tape, knows what he’s doing, knows what he’s talking about so it’s a great addition to work with him and learn and feed off each other.”
Jacoby Brissett – July 29, 2021
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Thursday, July 29, 2021
QB Jacoby Brissett
(How has the transition gone so far for this offense obviously learning a new system for you?) – “It’s been going well. I’m taking every day in stride and trying to get better and build on the day before. Obviously it’s a little process with a new offense and things like that, but I think we’ve been doing a good job of trying to string together good days and good meetings.”
(You’ve had two straight days with just consistently attacking the middle of the field. Is that just veteran wisdom, understanding of the scheme? What do you see in that?) – “I think you’re just a product of seeing whenever the play is called and stuff like that, but it’s been nothing consciously going out there and doing because I’m a veteran or whatever; but it’s just been when the plays are called, that’s what some of the reads take me to.”
(Was there a conversation that you had before signing here with Head Coach Brian Flores in which the question was asked, “Will you be okay being a No. 2? What are your expectations?” Was there any conversation like that where they just pushed you to know if you were eager to be a starter and could accept being a backup?) – “No, the conversation was just to come in here, work hard, compete and be a good teammate. And I think that’d be my situation no matter what.”
(To think of a homecoming for you as a West Palm guy, Dwyer High School. What’s that going to be like for you this year?) – “It’s been good so far, so I expect it to be the same throughout. Obviously being close to home and a lot of my friends that have not been able to watch me play and come out here to a practice or something like that. So it’s been good so far.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores called you a guy’s guy today. He said you assimilate well with everyone in the locker room, even the defensive side of the ball. What does that mean to you being a “guy’s guy?”) – “I think I love my teammates. I think that’s what that means. I think my main objective is to be a good teammate no matter my role and that’s something I don’t take for granted.”
(What’s the difference between Brian Flores as an assistant and Brian Flores as a head coach?) – “He’s the head coach now. (laughter) That’s the difference. Probably his paycheck, too. (laughter)”
(After playing in New England and Indy, how tough is it to readjust this weather?) – “I grew up here, so when it’s hot, it’s hot. There’s no getting used to it; but I had what, 18 years of a head start than some of these guys, so I think I’m all right.”
(Obviously with the new facility, you guys could go inside with this weather, but is there anything that maybe that you guys do after practice to kind of deal with the heat?) – “Drink fluids and recover.”
(What have been your early impressions of QB Tua Tagovailoa?) – “He’s worked hard. He’s a good kid. I’m not the quarterback evaluator, so it’s only been Day 2; but in our room, we’re striving to get better and he is and me and Reid (Sinnett) and Charlie (Frye) and George (Godsey) and Jordan (Salkin); we’re just trying to go out there and constantly build on good days, learn from our bad plays and mistakes and keep trying to put this team and this offense in the right position.”
(What’s it like being the oldest quarterback in the quarterback room?) – “Shocking. (laughter) I forget sometimes when I’m in there and I can see the 23-year-old and the 28. And that’s not even old, so don’t tell me I’m old. (laughter)”
(I was going to ask for your early impressions of WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “He’s fast. He’s a good player. There’s a reason he was drafted where he was drafted. He’s doing a good job. He’s learning. He’s getting better and he’s taking the strides that we need to for this offense.”
Jaylen Waddle – July 29, 2021
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Thursday, July 29, 2021
Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle
(What have the first couple of days of camp been like for you, especially from a heat standpoint?) – “It’s been great. I think we are getting a lot of good chemistry out here. It’s just competing against one another. The heat, they told us it was going to be hot before, so heat is going to be heat.”
(Would your hope be able to be involved in the return game once the regular season starts because of your ability in that area as well as, obviously, offensively?) – “I’m just going to do whatever the coaches want me to do to help the team. He’s going to put the best players out there. We know that. You would have to ask Coach (Brian) ‘Flo’ (Flores)”
(What’s been your observation been so far of the NFL, just competing against Dolphins’ players compared to what you went through in SEC practices?) – “Yeah, everyone is really good. Everybody is here for a reason so it’s good. I get to compete against my teammates and I know they are all good. It just helps me for when we compete against someone else.”
(Do you feel like you have everything back, health-wise, from the injury last October to where you are totally back to normal?) – “Yeah, I’m feeling good. I’ve been practicing, getting all my reps. I’m feeling good.”
(Who would be a veteran receiver or two who you can credit and thank for helping you out a little here and there so far?) – “I think all of my receivers, I’m the youngest in there. All the receivers help me but two that stand out are Mack Hollins and Albert Wilson. Mack has helped me. He’s actually waiting on me to go get on the JUGS. He’s helped me with keeping my body healthy and always quizzes me on what we got, installs and things like that. Albert helped me just on the field giving me points and tips. Them two guys, definitely my OGs.”
(What’s it like trying to get that chemistry back with QB Tua Tagovailoa?) – “It’s great. We are out here practicing. We out here competing. Just trying to get better.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores has talked about how you are going to make whatever role you get will be what you make of it. What’s your approach on trying to take on as much as you can early in camp here?) – “I’m just trying to learn, honestly. Learn the playbook, learn my teammates and just try to get better. Help out and just do what the coaches ask me to do. That’s all they can ask and that’s all I’m going to give them.”
(Did you work out with WR Devonta Smith at all this summer?) – “No, we didn’t work out.”
(When was the last time you talked to WR Devonta Smith and what have those conversations been like?) – “We talk daily. We always check in with each other, just all the receivers that I went to. It’s been good. He said he’s liking it up there so, pretty good.”
(Do you know WR Ja’Marr Chase at all? Did you have a relationship before the draft or was that the first time you interacted with him?) – “Yeah, we’re cool. He’s doing good too. I talked to him like two, three weeks ago. He’s doing good.”
(What’s it like, it’s not often that there’s three wide receivers that go in the top-10? You guys have all kind of been lumped together for as long as you’ve played. What’s that like?) – “It’s great. I guess, it’s just great. It’s something that, we have a deep wide receiver class, I guess. I’m just going to play.”
(What role do you think playing in the SEC will have in making this transition to the pro level a little bit smoother for you?) – “I think the NFL is the NFL. It’s in its own league. The SEC is the SEC. There is a lot of respect that goes with the SEC. I’m in the big leagues now but all competitive, good football.”
(What are your thoughts on the SEC expanding possibly?) – “I think it’s good. I think it’s going to be good for college football and good for the SEC. I’m excited.”
(Have you studied any NFL wide receivers at all to try and pick up things? Which guys if so?) – “Lately or just in general?”
(General, last year or two?) – “Yeah, I watch a lot of guys honestly. I’m a fan of a lot of good players. From the smaller receivers to the bigger receivers, I’m just a fan of them. Just everyone you can think of I’ve probably watched.”
(You’ve heard the WR Tyreek Hill comparisons. Is he someone you studied just knowing that people see similarities there?) – “Yeah, I watch Tyreek a lot. He’s a great player, everyone knows that. So, definitely.”
