Brian Flores – January 7, 2022
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Friday, January 7, 2022
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Defensively, how do you think DT Raekwon Davis has played this year and how far is he form where you think he could be talent-wise?) – “I think he’s done some good things this year. I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement from him like most young players. I think he works hard. I think he does a lot of the things off the field that will allow him to make those improvements and as long as he continues to do that the way he’s been doing and even hopefully increase some of those things from preparation – he does a lot of good things but he can always do a better job if he does that and he’ll have an opportunity to get even better.”
(What are your thoughts on C/G Michael Deiter’s transition to center has gone for him? Is he at least an average or pretty good NFL starting center?) – “Look, Deiter’s had an interesting year. He had a good training camp, went down with the injury, fought his way back. I think he’s done some good things. Again, another young player who is making a transition. Prepares the right way, does a lot of the right things and has given himself an opportunity to improve, which he has. Hopefully he continues to improve and we’ve got an opportunity again this week against a good front, a good defense to make calls, protect and block up front against a good team that runs multiple fronts so this will be a big challenge.”
(I know the weather and elements played a factor against Tennessee but this season you’ve got eight games where you guys have produced less than 300 yards of offense. What do you think has been the issue where there hasn’t been some consistency on that side of the ball?) – “Lack of execution. We’ve just got to do a better job across the board. That starts with me. I’ve got to do a better job of getting these guys in a position to have success. Fortunately, we have another opportunity this week to make some of those improvements. That’s across the board, starting with our fundamentals and our techniques. Pass game, run game, play action or whatever you want to call it, we’ve got to do a better job.”
(The run game is obviously it’s a major component of what you guys do and what you guys wan to be. There’s been a commitment to it but the output is below what the league averages. Do you feel like if that improved, that it would help improve the overall offense?) – “Yeah, I think that goes without saying. I think if we made improvements in a lot of areas, it would help the overall offense no different than any other phase. We’re always trying to improve in a lot of different areas – run game, play action, run defense, all of it. It’s all intertwined. Again, we’ve got an opportunity to play well offensively. Obviously, that takes execution, that takes preparation, which we are still going through that this week. Today is a big day as far as that’s concerned and another opportunity against a very good team. We’re going to have to execute and do a good job if we are going to move the ball and be productive against them.”
(How important is it to finish the season strong? You guys did it in 2019 and then fell short against the Bills. Is it important to leave the season with a positive tone?) – “I think it’s always important to put your best foot forward and compete. That’s what this game is all about. So yes, I think that’s very important.”
(One of the themes we’ve been talking about this week is how you prepare for this final game without playoff contention being a part of that. I wanted to get your assessment for how that team and the coaches have really prepared this week and assess how the week has gone for you guys.) – “Really no different than any other week. We go through our early down preparation, third-down preparation, red-area and two-minute preparation. We talk about our opponent and what their style of play is. This is a tough, physical team. They run the football. They stop the run. They force teams to execute. We’re going to have to do all of those things to have success and have production. So really no different from a preparation standpoint.”
(I remember during the offseason, RB Myles Gaskin talked about how the offense could be transformed by the speed of WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Will Fuller, how lanes would be open for running backs. As you look back, and I know you don’t want to look back a lot today, but was losing Fuller a dramatic blow to what you all had hoped to achieve with the offensively, what your, George Godsey and Eric Studesville’s vision was for this offense?) – “Every team deals with injuries, deals with guys out and other guys have to step up and you’ve got to make adjustments. I wouldn’t say that was – we’ve got to make the adjustments. In some instances we did and in some instances we didn’t. Overall, those are things that we will evaluate next week but right now our focus is on the Patriots without Will Fuller like it’s been in previous weeks. That’s where the focus is – how we move the ball against them without whatever players that are going to be out. We’ll do our best to have a productive game.”
(And one last question on the whole WR Will Fuller issue. I know we’ve probably asked you too much about it but since fans ask about this, just to clarify once and for all, is the only reason he has missed the past couple of months because of his finger injury as opposed to any off-field issue? Is it only the finger?) – “Like you said, we’ve had this discussion over and over again. We’re focused on the Patriots. Will won’t be out there with us this weekend and the focus is trying to be successful in all three phases without him.”
(Earlier this week, we were talking to Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman and he expressed his disappointment in the special teams performance. When you guys look at what has been going on in terms of inconsistency all season, have you been able to put a finger on what is the source of where it’s coming from? Is it the changes in the new rules, is it the lack of consistency of people on the units, is it a lack of having a clear returner? Where are the struggles in that phase coming from?) – “I think you always look inward, so I’ll start with myself and the things I need to do to help us play better in really all three phases. Whether that’s schematically or putting players in the right positions. I start there and then kind of look at the rest of it collectively. Are we doing enough to help guys execute? Which obviously we haven’t done a good enough job of that. It starts with me.”
(Following up a little bit on turning our attention to the wide receivers, there was high hopes going into the season because you had so much talent at that position. How would you assess how they’ve done collectively? Have they met your expectations? Have they fallen short? Where do they fall?) – “I would say there is a time to reflect on the season and I think that’s not right now. Right now is the time to focus on the game we have right in front of us, which is against a very good team. And focus on the entire team – not one position and how that position has played, whether it’s offense, defense or special teams. We’ve got a very good opponent ahead of us. I’m just trying to put my energy on that opponent. See how we can get our receivers, backs, tight ends open against a defense that really contests every pass, does a good job in the run game. Conversely, offensively they run the ball effectively and do a good job of throwing it. And they do a good job in the kicking game as well. That’s where my energy is right now.”
(What’s your reaction to WR Jaylen Waddle winning the team MVP award as a rookie?) – “Congratulations to him. But let’s have a good practice today and get ready to play against a good football team and hopefully play well.”
(Given that the playoffs are no longer a possibility, might you be inclined to want to take a look at some of the younger players for this game who have not had as much of a chance to play or is the goal to flat out win the game?) – “The goal is to win the game, so we’re going to play the guys we feel gives us the best opportunity to do that. It that’s a younger player, that’s who it is. If it’s a vet or someone who has played the majority of the season, then that’s who it’s going to be.”
Jaylen Waddle – January 6, 2022
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
WR Jaylen Waddle
(I’m sure you’ve been told that you were named team MVP. What does that mean to you to be a rookie and to be given this award?) – “It means a lot. Just being on this team and trying to help win games. It means a lot, just coming from – I don’t know who voted on it, but I appreciate it for sure.”
(How would you describe the way you think you can best positively impact your team?) – “I think it’s different ways to be honest. If it’s getting the ball, getting the ball in space, going down field, blocking, doing things like that. Or if it’s taking two defenders with me so somebody else can get open or have an easier route. There are different ways I can help the team. Returning. Things like that. There are a lot of different ways.”
(You’ll have a lot to live up to being the MVP in your first ever year. You have so many years ahead of you. How much better do you think you can be in future years?) – “I think I’ve got room for growth always. I look back on games and look back on film. I’ll probably watch a lot of the games after the season and just see where I can get better at. I see every week something I can get better at. There is a lot of growth in my game.”
(Did your first season in the NFL surpass your expectations? Are you happy with your stats and all of that? And if winning the MVP of the season gives you more motivation to keep going?) – “I really didn’t have expectations going into the season. I was just trying to make a name, do what I was told, not mess up and just try to help the team at whatever position they put me at. So going in there, that was kind of my expectations for the year. To be honest, I didn’t know they gave awards to teams. This is my first time hearing about it, for real. I didn’t know they did that.”
(How did you find out? What was the scene like when you found out about the award? And what was the best reaction you have from any of your coaches or teammates? Or friends and family for that matter.) – “I just heard about it probably like 20 minutes ago. Dan Marino actually told me, so that was pretty cool. My mom was a big Dan Marino fan, so I’ll tell her about that one. (laughter)”
(What did Dan say?) – “He was like, ‘Hey, congratulations.’ Dan is a cool guy so he’s kind of got his little congratulations and things like that. It was pretty cool.”
Jaelan Phillips – January 6, 2022
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
LB Jaelan Phillips
(We saw you won the Nat Moore Community Service Award for the team. Congratulations on that. Just your thoughts on winning that and what you did to win it.) – “When I came down to South Florida, the first thing that I knew was that I wanted to really make an impact in the community both on the field and off the field. Even in college, I tried to do my part doing community service with the team and with the athletic department, handing out food and supplies to the homeless people down in Overtown and different events like that. But when I went to the league, I obviously knew that my ability to do more increased in that the platform that I had would give me the ability to really spread that philanthropic mindset that I have and so I’ve been trying to do as much as a I can for the community. I’ve been blessed to be able to be with a team who is extremely helpful in facilitating a lot of that for me and my agency, they help me out with a lot of things. It’s extremely important for me to give back and make an impact in this community.”
(Congrats on the award and a good rookie season. How would you assess your year if we don’t get a chance to talk to you after Sunday?) – “I think there was a lot of growth. I started off slow where I didn’t really know what expectations I had, but I definitely had to learn how to manage my own expectations and really bought into the process of week-by-week trying to improve on my technique and little things. And ultimately, I had some success. We had team success. But I still have a ton to improve on and obviously we’re not happy with the results of the season. I’m just ready to finish off strong and keep grinding.”
(How much of a goal is it to be a most every-down player? Edge players don’t play every down, but I think you’ve played 53 percent of the defensive snaps. How much of a goal is it to get that number over 60, 65? And what do you need to do to achieve that, do you think?) – “Ultimately, I want to be able to do what I can, what’s best for the team really. But obviously it’s all about trust. So my goal really coming into next season is to solidify myself as a person that can be trusted on early downs. It’s just about improving all aspects of the game and really buying into the process.”
(Congratulations on this award. I know how much it means to people out in the community when they see somebody like you – a professional athlete – showing them that they care. I’m wondering how were you affected? Is there an event or person that you interacted with that sort of resonates with you and actually impacted you this year?) – “Yeah, I think the Lotus House in particular was extremely profound to me. I really do believe that the kids are the future and kids are extremely impressionable and they see a lot on a day-to-day basis. So I feel like if I can come in there and even just give them some motivation, give them some kind words, do everything I can for them, I really do believe that makes a bigger impact than – not to say that helping adults doesn’t make a huge impact because it does – but I think that for me it really hits home for me when I hang out with the kids and when I see the kids in these situations. And so that’s really what kind of tugs at my heartstrings, for sure.”
(I have to look up and read about Lotus House. Forgive me for not being familiar. Can you just kind of quickly educate me on the kind of kids who are there and is there a story you heard or something?) – “Yeah, so Lotus House basically is a shelter and like after-school service for single mothers and their kids who are homeless or who are challenged in that regard. So we come in there and basically I used to try to get there around 3, 4 o’clock. That’s when the kids get off school, and they just have a bunch of arts and crafts and games for them to play and workshop things. They have like a little nail studio that the little girls go in and are able to do that. It’s just an incredible place and the people who put everything on are incredible. So that’s kind of the short synopsis on Lotus House. Forgive me for not having a great explanation, but that’s basically what it is.”
(The vision is for you to be an outside linebacker and not just an exclusive pass rusher. Where do you feel like your development is in that whole phase of your game?) – “I think for me, the most important thing, like I said, is reliability on early downs. And for me really that’s – like you mentioned, I heard you say with Jevon (Holland) – you’re talking about eye patience. Like that’s something for me that I especially have to work on and just consistency, being in good positions, getting low pad level and different things like that. I’m just really looking to be that consistent and reliable every-down player, but also be able to get after the quarterback like I do.”
(Is there an offseason plan? You were a linebacker back in the day and then obviously – it’s skills that you have to re-learn. But is there like an offseason plan of how to do it?) – “I’ve got my schedule planned out basically to a tee in terms of where I’m going, where I’m going to be training, different things like that. There’s some different coaches I’m going to be working with during the offseason to try to just hone my craft. But ultimately I think a lot of the work also comes when you get back in pads, back in the flow of things and so now that I know what I need to work on, I think I can just really be hyper-critical of myself and make sure I’m doing everything I need to do to get right.”
(Congrats on the award. I wanted to ask you, you’re a young rookie player first year in the NFL, but you have a nice head on your shoulders. What helps you to keep that and keep helping the community?) – “I think I went through a lot and experienced a lot in my time at UCLA and transitioning over to Miami. So I think that’s really taught me a lot about how I want to carry myself and what impact I want to have on this world. So for me, just understanding that it’s way bigger than myself and it’s bigger than any on-the-field or off-the-field accomplishment I can do. I need to be able to make – I don’t want to say global impact – but just in regards of doing more than what’s necessary and just going out there and every day trying to better myself and the people around me.”
(Can I ask you a follow-up – of course you talk about the community in Miami but when players come here, usually some get involved, some don’t. Can you talk a little bit about that mentality you have of getting involved with the Miami community?) – “Yeah, I always knew that was important to me. People have their different priorities. I’m sure everybody wants to give back. Like everybody wants to do important things for their community and everything like that, but it’s just about – I’ve spent a lot of my off days doing community service. I’ve done extra time to be able to do these things and that’s just my personal – that’s what I want to accomplish. That’s what I want to do for myself and for others.”
Elandon Roberts – January 6, 2022
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
LB Elandon Roberts
(What does it mean to you that [the Dolphins athletic training staff] voted for you for this award and the respect they showed for how far you’ve come to come back?) – “It means a lot and I just want to really show my appreciation for the training staff here at the Miami Dolphins. They were with me day in and day out. I can’t really describe how I feel for that group of people in there. I won’t name any names because I kind of know that they don’t want any recognition. They just come in here every day and just try to do their jobs the best they can and I just appreciate them. To be honest, receiving this award to me is just basically showing a tribute to them because even though I was fighting day in and day out to get back, they were right there with me along the way. I had my up and down days and they didn’t allow me to get down on myself and stuff like that. They just kept pushing me and pushing me and pushing me. Me getting back on the field was a true testimony to them as well and the care they have for me and the organization.”
(Was there ever a question in your mind about the severity of the injury and your ability to come back?) – “You know it was my first time ever having a serious injury, a serious surgery. I never really spoke about it. I just kind of started grinding. It wasn’t time to really dwell on it. It was time to work, get back and be able to get back ready for the season. It wasn’t that I had doubts because I’m a fighter at the end of the day. I’ve been going through adversity my whole life. It was just, from a standpoint of not knowing, I had never been through an injury so just not knowing from a rehab standpoint what I needed to do. Every day, day-to-day, was a learning experience for me. Like I said, that’s why I was grateful to have such a good group around me getting me back right.”
(What was the toughest moment or the toughest part of the road back?) – “I always tell people my toughest moment, honestly, was the week before. The week before I had surgery, because you’re just in there rehabbing but you know for a fact you are not getting better. I’m just in there rehabbing and rehabbing and every day I’m going home like, ‘I’m not getting better.’ From a standpoint of, I knew why I was rehabbing but I still just, me and how I operate I’m just like, ‘I’m not getting better,’ because obviously it isn’t fixed. Once I was – literally, I think I had surgery January 3rd, I want to say, and by the fourth I was ready to go. Every day it was a go. I really didn’t have any time that I was worried about this, worried about that, worried about stuff I couldn’t control. All I could control was getting myself in the best situation to be back on the field to be that same guy I was when I left it.”
(You initially thought it could be rehabbed instead of surgically repaired?) – “No. What I’m saying is you do rehab before you have surgery. I’m just doing rehab but I didn’t have surgery (yet). I had to ice it and stuff. It’s still rehab even though you’re just icing it. I knew that my knee wasn’t better. It wasn’t better until I had surgery so once I had the surgery, I was ready to go. But no, I knew I needed surgery.”
(The road back for you, how do you feel like you performed this season? I believe it’s one of your higher tackle production years, especially considering you came back nine months from an ACL tear.) – “I feel like you just answered the question. It’s a true testament first to God and it’s a true testament to the people around me that helped me get to this point. That’s why I appreciate them so much because of the simple fact that you have a lot to come from this injury and really not –I feel like even though we have one more (game) to go, I did a good job for my teammates and my coaching staff.”
(You kind of addressed this earlier in the season but for the Dolphins to re-sign you even though they knew you faced an uphill journey back, how much respect did that show? You were an unrestricted free agent repairing an ACL.) – “It showed me a lot. It showed me that the organization had my back. It showed me that if this organization can have my back like that starting with ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) and the coaching staff, then I’m going to make sure that I am going to do everything possible that it takes to get back. It wasn’t an easy road. I do have two kids. I have a wife. And I know sometimes it was tough for them because I did have to dedicate a lot of time to rehab to get back. My wife, her being an athlete, she understood the journey. She was right there with me and I just appreciate her for everything too. Like I said back on the organization, I appreciate them for giving me another opportunity knowing the severity of my injury. I truly feel like they didn’t regret it.”
(I know you guys taken a lot of pride in your run defense most of the season and obviously had to be disappointed with the effort last time out. How appreciative are you of one opportunity to end on a different note and what are you guys doing this week in practice to correct that?) – “Every week you come out and of course, we pride ourselves on being the best run defense in the NFL, period. Like I said after Sunday, you’ve got to tip your hat to Tennessee. But we turned the page. We turned the page, we made the corrections and one thing about it is we’ve got another opportunity to go back out there this Sunday and show everybody that we are ready to go.”
Durham Smythe – January 6, 2022
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
TE Durham Smythe
(We’ve been asking all of the pending UFAs about where things stand. I know you’ve tried to avoid that, understandably, this year. But have the Dolphins given you any idea at all if they plan to offer you a contract this offseason?) – “Just to echo what ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) has said throughout the week, I think that is probably something that will be largely discussed next week. Obviously there are two sides to it. I think there will be more actual discussions in terms of things of that nature in the coming weeks. Then I’ll have more clarity and I think everyone will.”
(Do you have any clarity now to know if they even want to give you a new deal or do you simply not know?) – “I’m not sure at this point. Obviously I enjoy being here and things of that nature. But like I’ve said, there are two sides to it and I think there will be a lot more discussions moving forward.”
(Where do you feel like you’ve made the most growth in your game throughout these past four seasons?) – “I think probably just being consistent. Obviously in the NFL, at this level, you’re going to win and lose reps because everyone is getting paid to do this. I think over the last four years I’ve become a little more consistent in what I expect from myself, what I think I could do on a rep to rep basis and things of that nature. When I first came in, you make a play here or there, but then you’re kind of just swimming. I think over the last four years, that’s something I’ve tried to focus on. Obviously at this level, you’re never complacent. There is always room for more growth. But I think I’ve improved a little bit in the consistency.”
(What do you mean by swimming? I have heard that it’s very hard for rookie tight ends just because of so many facets to the game and you guys contribute in every area. When you’re there, what’s it like?) – “There is a lot of truth to that. I think the one thing people don’t always understand at this position is obviously you’re asked to do a lot of things. People know that. You’re asked to block, you’re asked to run routes. But a lot of times physically you’re at a bit of a disadvantage. Defensive ends are a lot of times bigger than us. The guys covering us are a lot of times faster than us. So you have to kind of develop some comfort level with how to win reps. When I first got here, in college you can win reps by just physically dominating people on the edge or you’re just bigger than a safety and you can go up and make a play. When you get to the NFL, you have to learn how to win reps at this position, really in all facets of the game. I think that takes some time to learn, but then once you do, I think like I said, you can build on that consistency.”
(For TE Mike Gesicki, how much growth have you seen from his game? I didn’t realize that he spent most of his snaps the last two seasons as a receiver, either in the slot or on the boundary, than he has in-line?) – “Mike has really come around a ton in just his understanding of the game. Like I said, how to win reps. But you mentioned that he’s lined up a lot as a receiver. I think our offense has really done a good job over the last couple of years of highlighting his strengths. Obviously he wins a lot of one-on-one matchups on the outside so I think we’ve kind of given him the opportunity to win more of those and he’s done a good job with it. I think it’s been a joint effort of the staff putting him in good positions and then just him understanding the game, and understanding how to win one-on-one matchups.”
(The Dolphins announced a few minutes ago that WR Jaylen Waddle is the Team MVP for this season. I’m wondering at what point in training camp or the regular season did you begin to see signs that this guy is of MVP quality?) – “You can see the MVP worthy talent immediately. Just his attributes, how fast he is, he makes plays, he does this, he does that. I think as the season progressed, he became more confident. He’s a guy who is never comfortable with a five-catch, 100-yard game. He wants more always. I think that has kind of shown throughout the year. He’s still asking ‘how can I improve’ on a week-to-week basis and that’s kind of what he’s done. Obviously the stats show that and him receiving that award shows how important he’s been to this team.”
Jevon Holland – January 6, 2022
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
S Jevon Holland
(If this ends up being the last time we talk to you until May or June, I just wanted to ask how you would assess your rookie season?) – “I think my rookie season was pretty good. I left some things on the table. I’d like to get those back but that’s what a competitor is. Evaluate yourself, look at what you messed up on, look at what you did good and improve from there.”
(Kind of along those lines, was there anything that really kind of surprised you about being in the NFL? Obviously Oregon has a pipeline, but being in the NFL, what were you maybe not ready for or expecting?) – “I’m drawing a blank because I’m like fanatic about the NFL. I love the NFL. I love football, so at the highest level of course I’ve been watching for a long time. And obviously my father played in the NFL, so I’ve been learning about it. But I’d say how smart and understanding of the game that a lot of players are. Especially the offensive side of the ball, like receivers understanding the defense and how if we rotate a certain way, they’re supposed to attack us. I think that’s really cool. Understanding both ways amongst players.”
(What’s the one area of growth that you would like to see from your game moving forward?) – “I would say patience.”
(In terms of what? Eye discipline?) – “No, just patience on the field. Being a lot more calm.”
Duke Johnson – January 6, 2022
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Thursday, January 6, 2022
RB Duke Johnson
(How much are you hoping that the Dolphins will give you a contract this offseason? Have they given you or Drew Rosenhaus any indication that they plan to? I know it’s early.) – “No idea. That’s a question for Drew. My job is to just produce inside the white lines. We’ll see. I don’t really have an idea, don’t have a plan. I’m not really thinking about it much because again for me, it’ll happen when it happens. So just wait.”
(Would you like to be here long-term? It would make a lot of sense obviously.) – “Oh, I would love to be here long-term. It’s home. Why not?”
Mike Gesicki – January 5, 2022
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Wednesday, January 5, 2022
TE Mike Gesicki
(Would your hope be, now that the season is ending, to get a long-term deal with the Miami Dolphins? Obviously, they’ve got options with you, they could stick the franchise tag on you. Would the ideal scenario for you be a long-term deal with the Miami Dolphins?) – “I’m going to be completely honest with you, I haven’t thought about it this season. I kind of just let it all play out because it doesn’t matter how much I think about it or don’t think about it, it’s not really up to me. I just kind of go about my business and kind of let everything fall where it may. I do appreciate this organization. I’m happy where I’m at and I like the guys, like the locker room, like the coaches. I can go on and on about all the things I like. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.”
(One last question on this topic. Were you ever – I don’t want to say feelings hurt because it’s a business – were your feelings hurt that two other members of the 2018 class were extended and you were not?) – “No. Absolutely not. I was happy for those guys. They put in a lot of work, they made of plays, they did what they had to do and they were rewarded for it. I’m happy for them. That’s just how it’s been.”
(In what areas are you most proud of your growth as a professional athlete, professional football player from start to now?) – “I think just kind of staying the course. It’s not – some guys get in the league and they take off and other guys fight through a little bit of adversity and you kind of learn, you grow, you realize what you’re not good at and you get better at those and you realize what you’re good at and you improve at those and you kind of excel in those areas. I think when I first got here in 2018, a lot of people were excited for the day that I wasn’t here anymore, so that was an interesting experience back during my rookie year. But here I am now in 2022 and it’s crazy. It goes quick. It goes fast but you learn a lot and I’ve enjoyed every single aspect of being in this organization. I had a lot of fun, won a lot of games, learned from a lot of games and I’m excited and grateful for another opportunity this upcoming Sunday.”
(What are the areas where you feel like you have made the most growth in you game? Congrats on your career year in receptions and yards. You pointed out TE Durham Smythe’s career year.) – “I mean Durham is still continuing (to add to his career highs).”
(I know, he’s still building on it.) – “I know. Although I did throw a much better ball than he would have ever thrown but we’ll leave that at that. I think the things in my game that I’ve gotten better from my first snap until today is just kind of being able to get off press coverage, being physical in route running, being able to fight through second-level releases and contact and things like that. I think anybody – not anybody but it takes a little bit of creativity and a special player to get open verses zone and find the special spots in zone. But when you can win versus man coverage whether it’s a corner or a safety – I don’t really see linebackers – but a corner or safety, nickel, or something like that, and you can go win in those situations, those are crucial downs, mostly third down stuff. That’s kind of where I excel in my role, in third down. I think in terms of route running and things like that, I think I’ve gotten a lot better and then just understanding the game, different coverages, how to run different routes versus different leverage and stuff like that.”
(I wanted to ask you also, the market. New England really set the market for tight ends. They did you guys a favor this offseason. Guys like Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews made the bar rise. Do you feel like this is a great time to be a tight end?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I feel like there’s, I think I said it a couple of weeks ago, if you go out there and you make plays and you do what’s asked of you, then you get what you deserve. I think that you are entitled to what you deserve in this league and that’s what those guys have gotten and I’m happy for them. They continue to show it each and every week and they keep setting the bar high each and every week. I’m happy for them and their success and their bank accounts. (laughter) Good for them.”
(You had mentioned something earlier about your rookie season. If you want to call it fan perception, wanting you out of here or whatever you said. I found that interesting and I was curious, every year you’re going to have players on a team that come into a new team and maybe they struggle a little bit. I was curious if you ever approach those players in those situations and if you do, what’s that conversation like between you and those guys who maybe had the same type of path where it took a little while longer to get going?) – “Honestly, the only instance I can remember – and I never talk to people when they drop a ball or anything like that because it’s so cliché. People are like, ‘Oh, we got your back.’ I know I wanted to catch the ball. If you were in there, you would want to catch the ball. Nobody – like I get it. I’m ready for the next play too. So I never say anything to anybody when they drop the ball because when I was in college I had a couple drops and it was the most frustrating experience of my life. In the last preseason game this year against Cincinnati, I remember Hunter (Long) ran a flag and Reid Sinnett threw it up and it was a difficult catch, over the shoulder. To me, those are the hardest catches, over the shoulder. He didn’t come down with it. He came to the sideline and for like a split second he looked like it was over. I was sitting there and I didn’t say a word. I went up to him and ignored the fact that it happened and kept talking to him because I’ve been in that scenario before. Finally, I just said to him like, ‘Yo, I know what you’re thinking. It’s preseason three. You’re good. You are good. You are going to learn from this experience and then you are going to go make plays on Sundays.’ I think that was the one instance that stuck out to me. Now Hunter has done great things in practice, has got in and made the most of his opportunities in games and I’m excited for his future here in Miami. That’s just one small occurrence that kind of stuck out with me in terms of being a veteran and being through an experience like that.”
(Going back to your career growth, you talked about when you were fighting through that adversity as a rookie. If I had talked to you back then and gotten some truth serum and asked you where you would be in 2021, would you have envisioned that you would be where you are now as accomplished as you are now or not?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I think – I remember back then people talking about my confidence and things like that. I was never at a lack of confidence and in terms of my game. It was honestly a mixture of me not being – not prepared but being ready to go out and make these plays at this point because like I said, the things I have gotten better at like second-level releases, getting off press, using my hands, fighting through man-to-man coverage and things like that, that I wasn’t doing back then. And then just opportunity. I knew when I was put in the right situation, in the right gameplan and had the right opportunity around me, I was going to be prepared to make the most of my opportunities. I did all my JUGS back then, I did all my work back then and I stuck with it because I knew at some point the opportunity was going to come. But that’s the big thing, you’ve got to be ready when that opportunity comes and I think I was and made the most of it eventually in 2019 and now it all comes full circle.”
