Andrew Van Ginkel – August 4, 2023
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Friday, August 4, 2023
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(What’s the arm workout routine looking like these days?) – “Same thing, as usual. Just worked on my diet a little bit more this offseason and tried to come back in shape, obviously with this heat in South Florida. So just taking care of my body and trying to eat healthier.”
(Is it just eating healthier? What did you cut out?) – “I just tried to eat more veggies and protein, a high protein diet, and not as many carbs. More fruit. But yeah.”
(What’s been the breakdown would you say so far inside snaps compared to outside snaps, about what so far?) – “I’m getting reps at both. Obviously Vic (Fangio) is trying to use me so I can be versatile. And obviously, the more I can do, just being able to excel at it and accepting my role, no matter what it is. If somebody goes down or something happens, I can be able to step up no matter what position it is.”
(Is it about equal or half?) – “Yeah, somewhere around there, I guess.”
(What’s the biggest difference playing inside as opposed to outside?) – “I guess, outside you’re just more one-on-one combat. You got to read everything right in front of you, kind of just you read more of the tip of the pad of the guy you’re on. Inside, you got to have more of a broad view, you got to see tight ends, a motioning back, you get to see all these missile motions. And so you got to have a broad approach to it. That’s the biggest difference.”
(How much experience have you had inside, like going back to high school at all?) – “Yeah, in high school I played a little linebacker and safety. And then my first year at South Dakota, I did. And then ever since then, they switched me to outside linebacker. But I got a couple of reps at it in my past, but obviously not to this level.”
(Going back to when you decided to come back here. You took some trips and some visits. What was the deciding factor? Was it just that this was already home for you? Or you want to in this defense? Or continue with this team?) – “Yeah, a little bit of everything. Obviously, we got a home down here. We love it down here. It’s a beautiful place to live. Obviously being in the South Florida heat is awesome. And then the scheme, it allows players to make plays. And they see that in me. I feel appreciated here and they’ve taken good care of me, so it’s a good spot to be.”
(You went to New England and Las Vegas? Pittsburgh had some interest. Was there ever a time you felt like you were on the verge of signing with any of those three teams? Like on the day of the Vegas or New England visits?) – “We took everything into consideration. We didn’t leave any stone unturned and obviously weighed out all of our options and ultimately chose Miami.”
(Is there a player or two in that linebacker room that has been helpful to you in that transition to learning both spots? And particularly the off-ball position?) – “They’re all great. Obviously, (Jerome) Baker has been inside ‘backer for a long time and excelled at it. And Duke (Riley) obviously knows everything. He’s a very reliable guy and he’s helped me along the way. So, I mean, all those guys do a good job of helping each other out. Each and every one of them want all of us to succeed. So it’s very positive and encouraging.”
(Tell us about Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense. I guess more from the outside spot because you probably have more expertise, but do you have more freedom? What’s the difference between this year and last year?) – “You’re able to make more plays, obviously. You can take a couple more chances within the defense. He allows you to play fast, whatever you see, being able to react off it and use your instincts to make plays. Last year was more gap oriented. Everybody played their gap and then come into their secondary gap. If you see an opening, and you can take it, go make it. It allows, like I said, players to make plays.”
(Does either system fit a more specific skillset better at outside?) – “They both do. Obviously I played in that system for a long time and it was pretty good to me. But I think with this system, too, I think I can excel at it.”
(How much time do you spend in the outside linebacker room versus the inside linebacker room?) – “I go back and forth. Even position drills and everything, it’s kind of back and forth. There’s really no set number here or there. It’s just kind of what we’re working on that day and what the emphasis is.”
(How’s the defense as a whole taking on the challenge of replacing CB Jalen Ramsey? Obviously a tough blow.) – “Yeah, he’s obviously an elite player, so it’s going to be tough to replace a guy like that. But you have guys stepping up, trying to compete and earn a starting role, earn a spot on this team. So the competition is very high and yeah, they’re doing a great job trying to learn the defense, which the defense is doing as a whole right now, and just being able to play fast.”
(Was it fun practicing the rain?) – “Yeah, it was. I enjoyed it.”
(When it rains, it takes away the heat and humidity. Is that good or bad?) – “I like it personally. There’s nothing playing in the rain. You feel like a high school kid again. I enjoy it.”
Robbie Chosen – August 4, 2023
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Friday, August 4, 2023
WR Robbie Chosen
(On his excitement to play in Hard Rock Stadium tomorrow as a Dolphin) – “I have played here before, but (it’s my first time) as a Dolphin, yes. I’m excited.”
(There’s a race to become the No. 3 receiver on this team. Do you judge yourself every day, every week? Do you worry about that role for yourself on this team?) – “No, I don’t worry. Worry is a wasted thought. I’m not concerned about things like that. I’m just here to contribute to us winning the Super Bowl and winning games, that’s it.”
(How has your camp been so far do you think?) – “I think it’s been productive.”
(Talk about your touchdown reception today, it seemed like you had a pretty good separation. What went into that? Did you just outrun the defender? Was it good moves? How did you get that open?) – “I did what they’ve been teaching me. Bro put it on the money.”
(Where are you in terms of understanding the plays at this point? Are you comfortable?) – “Yeah. Yeah.”
(Does it have much overlap in anything you’ve been in before?) – “I mean, football is football. It’s just different languages and different coaching and strategies and details and things like that.”
(It’s now been a few months back home, how has it been? Is it what you’d imagined? What’s the reality?) – “It’s better than what I imagined it would be. I’m thankful. I’m blessed and very appreciative to be home. It means a lot to me.”
(Obviously there’s a lot of receivers in the room and everybody is rotating in every unit, but I’ve noticed that you don’t get that many opportunities in 11-on-11. Have they explained to you why?) – “No, I’m not worried about that. We’re all here to get better.”
Frank Smith – August 4, 2023
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Friday, August 4, 2023
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith
(I wanted to ask you about the race or the battle for the No. 3 receiver. Who is the guy who will get the most targets or receptions after WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle? How is that going?) – “I think the whole group has been doing a great job. I know that starting in spring, all the way through now, they’ve been really focusing on just techniques and fundamentals to really get better at all the little things we have to see from our defense and that’ll build for the season. So ultimately, I think all the guys in the room are competing. We’ve been really pleased with what they’ve done so far and I think we still have a long way to go before we’re going to make decisions with all of that stuff.”
(Is there anybody who you would think is best qualified based on their past? WR Braxton Barrios, RB Raheem Mostert, for the for the No. 3 receiving target or receiver role?) – “When we still have the whole month of August left, sitting here and trying to say anything I think is jumping to conclusions because the next two weeks, we’ve got great competition with Atlanta and going to Houston. I think a lot of guys are really focusing on each day and then with the next couple of weeks, it’s going to really show out who’s been competing and who’s really working for the job.”
(Along those lines, how imperative is it for that No. 3 guy to be able to do some of the blocking that Trent Sherfield had last year?) – “I don’t think it’s necessarily we’re looking for someone specific, a certain skillset. Ultimately every year is different with the personnel you have and you adjust to everyone’s strengths so ultimately, we’re looking for overall the right 53 for the roster. So on offense, we’re trying to find the best players and whatever those guys can do, we’ll maximize their skillset and we’ll adjust it any way we have to, to meet what they can do.”
(RB Raheem Mostert said he put some emphasis on becoming more of an elite pass catcher in the offseason. Where have you seen improvement there at all?) – “I just think his overall process is outstanding. He’s a great vet and you can see he was really on it in the spring. Just all of his fundamentals. I think just when players take that approach and they have a daily process to improve, it shows itself maybe not here, not there, but it’s going to build over time. And with him, what he’s been able to do from spring to now, we’re really excited with the way he’s been progressing.”
(We’ve heard from so many guys about the familiarity of Year 2 in the offense and how it just kind of eases the transition here in training camp in the first week so far. How have you seen this year’s first week of camp and how comfortable guys are with the system compared to where they were a year ago?) – “I think overall the guys, they hear the concept and now it’s more of a not executing an assignment, but understanding what it attacks, how it attacks, how they work together, how the quarterback’s progression fits in what they’re trying to do. I think it’s overall, when you learn something the first time, it’s just trying to make sure you get it. And this year, now you’re really taking this next level to the overall understanding of the offense and the concepts.”
(What differences have you noticed in what the offensive line now with Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry here? I know you previously had to kind of get more active with that group than maybe you would have wanted to as an OC. So what differences have you seen?) – “I think it comes into also the second year of the offense. Conceptually, a lot of the guys now have a greater understanding of what we’re trying to do and Butch (Barry) does a great job with the group. (He is an) excellent teacher and I think that in our understanding of the system and understanding what we’re trying to do plays heavy into a lot of the stuff overall, the whole offense’s improvement as far as the way we’ve gone through camp. We’re excited with what the group and how they’re growing and really the next two weeks, when we start changing the look, changing the opponent, it’ll be a really great time for that group to keep ascending.”
(On RB De’Von Achane’s development throughout camp) – “Coming out of A&M, you saw the explosive plays that he was able to make in the running game and the passing game, and just the NFL level there comes a process of understanding the volume increases, what we ask increases and he’s really working with Eric (Studesville) to understand all the nuances that come with the NFL level playing running back, especially in this offense with being able to run the ball and then catch it. So overall, where he’s been working to so far has been very promising and again the next couple weeks for the guys is going to really be the greatest growth because you go against the defense for several weeks and then now it’s going to change as we play different defenses. So it’s going to be a great opportunity for him to really grow.”
(How did the offense I guess evolve over the course of the 2022 season when you saw what QB Tua Tagovailoa could do, put more in play perhaps than you originally thought and how much freedom does he have [unintelligible]?) – “Again, with him and overall, I think all the offensive players, it’s just you evolve to the skillsets of your players and what do they do well. And this year, it’s taking what we learned from 2022 and now trying to really improve on the things that we can control and that is our effort, fundamentals, overall operation. So not just him but all of us, I think that’s where we’re all growing, especially in this camp and focusing on those things that we can control and making sure that we don’t have any issues with our operation going forward and that’s been really our growth right now this season – working on ourselves.”
(On how Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio challenges the offense) – “Through working with him in Chicago, it’s a lot of the same things of the multiplicity of what they do, the multiplicity of the coverages. It all starts looking the same. It makes us have to really be on our recognition, be on our communication and be on our fundamentals. So I think that we overall have been able to really work on our game, our techniques, what we’re trying to accomplish through what they’re providing, because hey, you assume something and the next thing you know it changes. So I think it’s helped us a lot and again, I’m excited for the next two days to really growing upon it.”
(On what he looks for as a coordinator.) – “I think what we look for every day is guys trying to really execute what they’re trying to do within the play and not every play is going to be a 60-yard touchdown, but on every play, are we executing within what the concept is and the timing of the play? Are guys, really in practice, challenging themselves to put themselves in positions to grow and improve? And I think that’s ultimately what you look at. If you worry about every day and whether you have these plays, you have this, as opposed to, ‘okay, why did this occur and how did we grow?’ I think that’s what we focus on here and the players really understand that and that’s why they understand it’s going to be a process to get to Game 1, not the result of each day of practice.”
(I’m looking forward to watching QB Mike White and QB Skylar Thompson in particular to participate in the stadium on Saturday. What do you think will determine who finishes ahead and who by the time we get to the season?) – “I don’t think there’s just one specific thing or two specific things. I think it’s a collection of time. It’s a collection of opportunities. You’re gathering information over a long period of time, not just kind of saying, ‘hey, these determining factors will then therefore dictate.’ So I think again, the closure of this week with going against ourselves and then the next two weeks where really it’s going to change from week-to-week is going to be a great opportunity for those guys along with the whole offense to what have you learned, what are you doing and now the picture changes? Now how do we execute, how do we respond to that? And especially for a week here and then a week in Houston, a lot of variables that I think over time will really help clarify the situation as it plays out.”
Vic Fangio – August 4, 2023
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Friday, August 4, 2023
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio
(On if he has to go back to the drawing board with CB Jalen Ramsey’s injury) – “Well, it doesn’t make you go back to the drawing board and tweak the system at all. I mean, you might have to use parts of it a little bit more than you had planned to, or you just have to always compensate. If you have a versatile system, you don’t have to go back to the drawing board. We’ve got to find players to step up and play good in his absence and go from there.”
(What are some of the improvements that LB Channing Tindall has made?) – “Channing is working every day to get better and get a better understanding of the defense. Once he gets a better understanding, I think his talent will flourish.”
(You mention guys who will have to compensate for the loss of CB Jalen Ramsey. What have you seen from two young guys, CB Cam Smith and CB Noah Igbinoghene?) – “Yeah, I think both of them are making good progress. They’re not where we need them to be just yet, but I think both of them are working hard and giving us good progress and hopefully by game one, one of them or somebody else will surface and take that position.”
(What’s one thing that you’ve been encouraged by so far? And what’s one thing that you think you need to get better at?) – “We have some good talent in some positions. We need to find guys to be able to execute and play good in all 11 positions. And we’re working to get that done. So we’re not a finished product by any means, but I do like where we’re headed.”
(What have you seen from DT Christian Wilkins in the first seven practices of camp and how good do you think he can be in this defense?) – “Christian was a guy that I really liked the year he came out in the draft. And he’s exceeded my expectations. He works really hard in practice, he grinds, he’s talented. And (with) his talent and work ethic, he’s one of the top players in the league.”
(In the offseason, the team didn’t add a clear nose tackle. I’m just curious how you see that position and are there guys who you think can play there?) – “Yeah, we’re happy with the Zach (Sieler), Christian (Wilkins) and Raekwon (Davis). We need to find two other guys, three other guys, to surface as the fourth, fifth, and sixth defensive linemen, and so far nobody has done that. So that’s an area of that we need to get better at.”
(A couple guys with position versatility, I want your thoughts on DE Emmanuel Ogbah – both hand on the ground and standing up – as well LB Andrew Van Ginkel playing inside and outside.) – “I think Van Ginkel has done a great job for us since we moved him to inside part time. He’s still outside also. He’s picked it up really well. His football instincts and acumen flourish in there. He’s done a really good job for a guy – that’s a hard transition for a guy to move from an on-the-ball position to an off-the-ball position – and he’s done very well with it. It’s going to give us some good versatility throughout this season. Ogbah, we’re moving him back and forth between the outside and inside. In nickel, he could be a guy that could rush from the outside. And in base defense, we’re trying him inside just because we still haven’t found a fourth fifth or sixth d-lineman.”
(From the front seven standpoint, does the personnel you have give you a lot of variety and flexibility to do a lot of different things with them on the field.) – “Yeah. Jaelen (Phillips)’s versatile. Bradley (Chubb)’s versatile. I think Zach (Sieler) and Christian (Wilkins) can play anywhere along the front. And then our inside ‘backers are off the ball and we can align them where we want or need to. So yeah, there is some versatility there.”
(At safety, obviously Jevon Holland, you guys added DeShon Elliot, we’ve seen Brandon Jones, Trill Williams come back from their injuries. How much do you think this defense can make use of three safeties package and move guys around?) – “Not right now. We’re still looking for the guy to surface next to Jevon, so once we find that, we’ll see if we have a third one.”
(What do you think of S Brandon Jones and how his skillset translates to your scheme?) – “Yeah, we’ve just seen very little of Brandon. He’s on a choreographed work schedule coming off of his injury. He’s gotten a few plays here this week. He’s really not done enough to know but I am encouraged by where he’s headed physically.”
(How has this camp been for you big picture? Obviously working with a younger guy at head coach in Mike McDaniel and new position coaches?) – “It’s been great with the coaches on defense. They’ve done a great job. They dove into learning the system and doing a great job of coaching those guys. Obviously adjusting to the camp schedule here. It’s a little different than what I’ve been used to. So that’s always a work in progress for me.”
(What do you like with Trill Williams at safety?) – “I don’t know, because again he’s similar to Brandon and on a very limited work schedule right now. Really haven’t seen much of him.”
(We’ve seen these first few weeks you’ve thrown some challenge flags and penalty flags. Were you kind of playing part time ref?) – “Yeah, a little bit. This team last year was the worst in the league on offense and defense in penalties. So to correct that, you have to emphasize it. You can’t just hope it happens. Since we didn’t have referees out there for the first few days, I became the referee.”
(What are your thoughts on what CB Eli Apple has put on film?) – “I haven’t watched him a lot in his career but I am pleased with what he’s shown since he’s gotten here. And he was a good pickup for us in light of Jalen’s (Ramsey) injury. I’m glad we were able to get him.”
(How has LB David Long Jr. taken to the defense and helped you guys on that side of the ball?) – “He’s had ups and downs. He’s made some really good plays, and then some other plays that we need to get him honed-in on better. And he’s working hard to do that. But you can’t just have flash plays. You’ve got to have good plays all the time.”
(On his coaching sabbatical and if he went out to colleges games or anywhere to take in some new stuff) – “Not really. I mean I watched college football on TV but I didn’t study it.”
(Being a former head coach, do you want to offer Mike McDaniel any things you’ve picked on or do you stick to being the defensive coordinator?) – “Well, I’m there for any time Mike wants to use me as a resource and he does on occasion. I’ve got my hands full trying to run the defense, and I’m not going to try and impose my will on things. But Mike’s not reluctant to ask an opinion, and if he wants to use it, he can. If he doesn’t, he doesn’t.”
(So what have you learned from your experience as a head coach? What did you take from what you gained in Denver that makes you a better coach now?) – “I don’t know that there’s anything along those lines because I was still the defensive coordinator in Denver. I still ran it and called it. So it’s not like I was away from doing that for three years and came back to it. Other than that, not a lot. Other than you don’t want to be the head coach during COVID.”
(On facing Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense in practice and what they look like) – “A lot of pre-snap movement, a lot of formation variation. They have versatile guys on offense, and they do a good job schematically with the run game and the pass game, marrying it together, just like everybody knows. And with those wide receivers, it’s a challenge. So it’s a good offense to work against.”
(What do you think your defensive gives Head Coach Mike McDaniel a big challenge?) – “Oh, I don’t know. You guys talk to him every day. You can ask him that. (laughter)”
(We see LB Bradley Chubb and LB Jaelan Phillips working off to the side before practice every day. How do those two guys make each other better?) – “Just talking with each other, what they’re seeing, what they’re feeling, what their experiences are. Just on a daily basis or big picture basis. Just talking the position and the nuances of it.”
(Any skills for cornerbacks in your system? You know the normal cornerback trait. Anything in your system that is an undervalued trait?) – “No, I think we’re pretty much looking for in corners what most teams are looking for in corners. Obviously cover ability is a top priority. And we got to have corners that can tackle because you can’t play good run defense without corners that tackle because eventually the ball is going to get out there. And so you’ve got to be able to cover and it’s a hard position to play in the NFL. That’s why they the good ones get paid a lot of money.”
(Could there be a higher importance to recognition?) – “Yeah recognition is part of it, especially when you’re playing some zone. But route recognition is important in man too. So yeah, all of that goes into it for sure.”
(On Jevon Holland) – “He’s been very impressive. He’s another guy that I really liked in the draft the year he came out and he hasn’t disappointed one bit. I think he’s a hell of a player and should just get better and better every day, every year, and should be at top safety in this league.”
Raekwon Davis – August 3, 2023
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MIAMI DOLPHINS QUOTES
Thursday, August 3, 2023
DT Raekwon Davis
(How has training camp been? Hot as hell right?) – “Bro, it’s steaming. It’s been good though. It’s been good for the most part.”
(I thought you go off easy the first week. There was a little bit of cloud cover, you went inside the last day.) – “It was alright, but great work though. Still great work.”
(We know what the situation is with the defensive line, but how important is it for you to get on the field on those third-down snaps?) – “I’m just trying to (work) my way in shape, make sure my preparation is great and just be active on my third down. Instincts. That’s it.”
(How has your offseason been? What are some things that you focused on to get ready for training camp?) – “Just the little things. Staying in shape, keeping my body in shape, just having great preparation, going over the new scheme, that’s about it.”
(How much different is this scheme for you as a nose tackle, as opposed to everybody else?) – “A little similar, just little tweaks here, and there. I mean there are a lot of tweaks here and there, but kind of similar. A little more tweaks.”
(Challenging tweaks? You’re still going to take on two right?) – “Right now I’m everywhere. One play I might be at the nose, one play I might be at the one, I might be at the three, who knows. I’m everywhere in this scheme.”
(How different is this defensive line or these fronts compared to what you’ve played the last couple of years?) – “Very different. I feel like my whole room has gotten better, even the young guys have gotten better. We just continue to study our film, study the scheme, have great preparation and just be ourselves.”
(I remember DT Vince Wilfork. He came out here once and you were able to talk to him about the Patriots style of defense. Who would be a defensive linemen from the Broncos, or wherever Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio has been – is there a guy you’ve looked at film on?) – “I don’t want to say his name but there are a couple of guys. I watched some of his old film. The nose that was moving around was No. 96. I can’t think of his name.”
(What did you notice about what he was able to do, and how he could best exploit the scheme?) – “Just playing everywhere basically. He was playing everywhere. He was in the shade, in zero, in one, in three (technique). He was everywhere. I was just watching his technique. In Chicago, (Akiem) Hicks, I was definitely watching him play the three and different positions.”
(With obviously free agency, you’ve played your rookie contract. This is going to be your final year. How important is it for you to get a deal done before the season begins?) – “That’s not my focus right now. Right now, it’s just ball, and us getting to the playoffs, Super Bowl. We’re just taking those steps. My focus is not really my contract right now.”
(How do you think DT Christian Wilkins was doing in the summer?) – “He’s doing great. He’s one of the best DTs I’ve ever seen, been in the room with or just watch play..”
(You’ve got a lot of veteran guys on this defense, a lot of great players. How do you look at leadership, and for yourself as well?) – “Big. That is really big. You’ve got to be vocal. You’ve got to be that leader. You’ve got to just lead the guys. You’ve got to keep everybody going, just keep yourself going. Make sure everybody plays their role right and make sure it’s correct.”
(Do you enjoy that part? Does it come natural to you?) – “Yes, sir.”
(What do you think of QB Tua Tagovailoa’s sleeve?) – “It’s nice. I like it. I can’t believe he got it. I didn’t think he was a guy to get poked by needles but he got it. It looks good.”
(For as long as you’ve known QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Jaylen Waddle, what have you seen from them this camp? Have they taken it up another notch or so?) – “Growth. I have seen a lot of growth from both of them. From ‘Bama, to coming in with Tua and then having Waddle come in, it’s been outstanding. They both have been working their ass off. It’s been great.”
Liam Eichenberg – August 3, 2023
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Thursday, August 3, 2023
OL Liam Eichenberg
(This morning, Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked a little bit about the process of learning how to play offensive line in this system. He talked about reverting back and trusting the way they want you to play. I just wanted to get your perspective on the second year of this system and how it’s going.) – “I just have to keep coming out here and work every single day, doing what they ask me to do. That’s what training camp is for; competing and taking it day-by-day. I’m just going to keep continuing to do what they want.”
(I know there’s been a lot of change with a different system. What would you say is the one thing you maybe have struggled with in your first couple of years that you’re really trying to progress?) – “I would say just getting my footwork down faster. That’s the biggest thing – run and pass. I’ve just continued to work on that in individual and then on my own. Just keep working. This is a perfect time for it, so I’m going to continue with that.”
(Does it feel your footwork is a little different inside compared to tackle, like you played in college? What are some of the differences there?) – “Just have to get that quicker and make sure you aren’t taking too big of a first step, which is something that I need to hone-in on and continue to improve on, getting that first step down and then get that second step going. That’s something I’ve been focusing on and I’m going to continue to work on it.”
(How much of a factor was your injury last year and your learning curve at guard?) – “Anybody who gets injured, it’s kind of a tough situation. It made me realize, I already knew this, but it makes you miss football that much more. It makes you really miss and reminds you of how much more you love it. I love playing ball, I love football but not being out there, not being with the guys, not working with them, it’s just something different that makes you miss it that much more. “
(Is there a frustration factor when you move to a new position and things are a little unfamiliar? Like at tackle, you probably expect things to go like that, and maybe at guard, you have to think more? How did that process go for you?) – “For me, it’s just playing big inside. Having the great coaches I’ve had, just trying to hone-in and understand what they want from me. That’s the biggest thing is just listening to what they want and doing what they say.”
(How hard are you on yourself during this process?) – “I’m very hard on myself. I get frustrated at times and just need to continue to work and continue to do what they want me to do and continue the techniques I’m being taught right now.”
(Do you judge yourself day-by-day? Do you take it week-by-week? How do you judge yourself at training camp?) – “I definitely take it day-by-day but at the same time, I kind of take a step back and see where you’re at. I was at center in the spring and take a look back at last week, there was good stuff I did, bad stuff I did. Just learn from my mistakes. You can’t keep repeating the same mistakes. That’s the biggest thing.”
(How did you feel about center? From my perspective, it probably doesn’t matter. I thought you looked pretty good although there with no pads. How did you feel there?) – “It was fun. It’s something that makes me more versatile. But at the end of the day, I want to play left guard here so I need to keep working on that.”
(Between periods, we saw you chatting with T Terron Armstead. Just wanted to get your perspective on the value he has outside of the actual football field?) – “It’s great having a vet in the room, someone who’s played for so long and also played with so many great guards. Just kind of listening from him, and at the end of the day, he’s a guy who understands every position on the o-line, understands all the techniques. He’s been around ball and a lot of great players for a long time. I always try to pick his brain as much as I can and he’s great for our offensive line room.”
(How much are you in touch with your brother, who plays at Ohio State, this time of the year and this year specifically?) – “We talk every once in a while. I think he starts up camp today. In the offseason, I talk to him more. But now that he’ll start up, I kind of let him do his thing. I mean it’s long days.”
(We were asking some of the guys how they feel about one-on-one, o-line vs. d-line. OL Rob Hunt says it’s a defensive line drill. I just wanted to hear your perspective on what that drill does.) – “I think o-line vs. d-line drill is a great time. You’re going to see a lot of stuff that maybe you won’t see during a game. We know it’s a time for me specifically to work on what I want to work on for that day. If I’m going to rock, set, up, kick or tight angle sets. Those are the biggest things. I just have to go with a plan and work from there. One day at a time.”
Austin Jackson – August 3, 2023
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Thursday, August 3, 2023
OL Austin Jackson
(Although you didn’t get to play too much last season, how do you see a second season in this offense benefiting you?) – “It benefits me a lot. While I was hurt last year, I didn’t go away from the facility and do my training elsewhere. I stayed right here. I went to all the meetings. I made sure that I was locked in mentally and I made sure that physically, I was in the training room or with the weight room staff every single day throughout the season and offseason, making sure I did what I had to do to be healthy and to be coming back to perform well the next year, despite being injured.”
(How do you feel on that ankle result? After OTAs, minicamp, and then a now week-plus into training camp, how do you feel?) – “Great. I don’t feel a thing. Stronger than ever. Yeah, stronger than ever.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel has touched on the difference in how this offensive line plays compared to how other lines are taught to play. How do you kind of feel that system suits your skillset?) – “When I get a task, I like to get the job done. Huge, huge kudos to this coaching staff for sitting with the players and helping us get a better understanding of what’s expected. I think playing in this offense, we utilize speed and that’s just one of my many skill traits that I benefit with. I think that that’s a plus in this offense.”
(How much are you looking forward to the joint practices next week?) – “I’m looking forward to them. It’s great practicing against your own guys, but when you go against each other for nine days, you kind of know everything you’re going to do. So, I’m excited to get out there and get some other guys and get some great reps against other teams so we can come together – offense and defense – and work on doing our job against another team. Looking forward to it.”
(What parts of your game do you feel best about right now?) – “My pass protection. I definitely feel more confident in my pass set and my ability to be stronger at the point of attack is much better. I feel much faster. Just having a better understanding of the offense has allowed me to play faster in the offense as well.”
(Does that give you confidence that your best is yet to come?) – “Yes. Correct.”
(What extra element does T Terron Armstead bring to the unit out there that maybe fans and the media don’t get to see?) – “It’s crazy, because I remember in high school – you know, he’s a lot older than me – I remember watching just the best tackles in the NFL, watching Terron Armstead in high school. Who would have known I would have grown up to play right next to him and learn a lot from him. He’s great guy. Very smart. He’s very intentional. I definitely try to pick his brain a lot when it comes to this football stuff because I feel like we’re both pretty locked into it.”
(What are the differences in the coaching methods for Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry compared to Matt Applebaum or I guess Frank Smith also.) – “Well, I’m not going to compare him to other coaches, because I’ve had three great coaches since I’ve been here. This is my fourth one? I can’t remember. Yeah, I don’t know. But all my coaches have been great so far. They’ve all invested into me and worked hard with me, so I really appreciate that. When it comes to Butch, I like his intensity. He’s very intense. How he goes about things is very deliberate. He does a good job of keeping us intense. He just brings a lot of passion every day, which I think we respect and feed off of it.”
(How much of – I don’t want to say obstacles is the right word – but how difficult is it to deal with a new offensive line coach almost every year?) – “That’s not my business. That’s how I look at it. Show up, play football, and I show up to work with my coach. So, that’s my business, showing up to work and get my job done.”
(When it’s the same system, although it’s a different o-line coach, how much does that help that transition?) – “It definitely helps a lot. Going into my second year, I understand the playbook. Like I said, even last year with me being hurt, I didn’t leave to train and rehab. I stayed right here in all the meetings even though I wasn’t playing, doing all the game plans, making sure I knew what I would have done if I was healthy. I think that all kind of translates and helps you play faster.”
(The tight ends have their tight end camp. Is there like a tackle camp that you guys all get together and bounce off ideas? Or is there a tackle you worked with this offseason outside of this building that you think made you better?) – “Yeah, I worked with a lot of tackles, actually. Not at like a tackle camp, but just at Pete Bommarito’s facility down in Aventura, Florida. There’s a lot of tackles that go down there like Orlando Brown, Morgan Moses. Some younger guys, some older guys. Just a lot of knowledge there. We’re all working and getting to it. But that’s a good idea. Maybe somebody will start a tackle summit. Is that what they call it?”
(Was there one thing from that experience that you felt you got better from?) – “It was just nice in the offseason to really talk ball. Just really talk ball and pass sets on our own, in our day-to-day to life without coaches there. But still just talking about technique and getting to work. It’s very hot out here so it was a lot of good work this summer.”
(What is your expectation for yourself this season?) – “To do my job correctly and extremely well every single play.”
(It’s been a couple of years since you were drafted here. How have you taken that roller coaster of your career and ridden along with it?) – “Well I’m grateful for the opportunity, first and foremost. No matter the situation, losing seven games my second year, moving from tackle, all that stuff, I’ve just been grateful through it all. I’ve had confidence in myself through it all. I’m excited that I’m still here and get the opportunity to play football. I think great things will happen.”
(T Terron Armstead comes off PUP and gets to be a part of practices now for the first couple of days here. What’s the value of having him out there compared to when he’s not out there?) – “The value of having him out there is he’s got a lot of leadership. It’s like an extra coach in the room, really. I think he’s about as old as our No. 2 coach in age. (laughter) It’s a lot of leadership out there. He’s a great guy. We love T-Stead. He always comes with that energy, he’s always looking out for us. It’s great having him out there with us.”
(The No. 2 coach is Assistant Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre right? How’s that relationship grown over the years?) – “It’s been great. It’s been great over the years. We both have approached each day the same way in terms of our approach and how we interact with doing our job. Outside of all the other stuff that quite frankly you guys worry about more then we do – if we worried about that, we probably wouldn’t be here. But we just show up and do our job. As a staff and everyone in this building, we lean on each other to get better.”
(T Terron Armstead is 32. I just don’t know, are we making him older than he is?) – “No. I’m just 23. I’m one of the youngest guys on the team. I get the room to talk crazy. (laughter)”
(You’re really 23 years old?) – “Yes sir. (I turn) 24 on August 11th.”
(That’s wild. Some people are just coming into the league at 23 years old and it feels like you’ve been here forever. Have you talked about how young you are and how far you’ve come?) – “I was just that young and showed up.”
(You couldn’t even drink.) – “I couldn’t even drink. (laughter) I had to wait about two months when I got down here to officially turn 21. It doesn’t matter. The reason we are here is because we have always had that confidence and belief in the process and our hard work and who we are, to compete and play football. It’s something we’ve been playing for so long. I played so much football in college and high school. We’re confident and serious about it, and it shows up in our work ethic and our performance.”
(A week short of 24 years old, do you still feel like your entire career is in front of you? There’s guys who don’t start out until your age.) – “Kind of like I said earlier, the biggest thing is to focus on the day. Attack what I need to do today, and make sure every play I have is great, full speed and physical. That’s what I focus on. That’s the focus to get somewhere else.”
(Big picture wise, some people say the most important thing for the 2023 Miami Dolphins is keeping QB Tua Tagovaila healthy. What do you think about the idea that you’re so instrumental in that process, being the guy who protects his blindside?) – “I love that responsibility. I truly do. It’s what I get up and work for. It’s what I get up and train for. It’s what I study for. It’s what I take care of my body for, so we can be the dominant line that we need to be in order for Tua to keep being himself. He’s a great quarterback. He’s going to get the ball out anyways, but he needs more time from us and that’s a responsibility we take every single day.”
Raheem Mostert – August 3, 2023
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Monday, August 3, 2023
RB Raheem Mostert
(In these drills out here when you’re not tackling to the ground, how much can you really tell about the run game, especially your inside runs?) – “When it comes to being able to get some live reps – well not technically going live – you still want to get a feel for everything, how the flow of practice is going, especially in the run game. You want to get your right fits, right reads and you get a little thump in there too every now and again, just making sure you’re staying protected but at the same time being smart. So I think that’s the biggest thing in regard to trying to get a feel of the offense and in the run game.”
(In the run game, how much do you need to get a feel for your linemen? I know there’s a couple spots where different linemen are in there and sometimes with the ones. Does that matter? Do you have to be in sync with your guard – especially your interior linemen?) – “Yeah, you have to really be in sync with the whole o-line and have to have that understanding and that connection. When it comes to this game that has been around for years, you can’t just – it’s just like the receiver and the quarterback. They have to be on the same page, they have to get the feel and the timing aspect. It’s the same thing, essentially, in regards to the run. So if you’re able to have that connection, especially with the interior – it starts with the center. If he’s able to make the right calls, right reads, then it just goes and spreads out in front of everybody. So that’s what you want, you want to make sure you have a better understanding of that.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned earlier that with QB Tua Tagovailoa’s training regimen, he saw some new versatility with the throws. Have you noticed anything different?) – “I feel like he’s been able to utilize his legs a little bit more, not in a running aspect but settling down, getting his five-step and three-step timing right. I peep all that stuff just because I’ve been in this offense, and I like to watch every little asset as possible. He seems like he’s finding his way in regard to the time management, how to work his feet, his lower body, his rhythm and his hips.”
(When it comes to somebody gaining muscle, do you think too much is made a bit by the people in the media?) – “I mean you can call it what it is. I’ve definitely seen (Tua Tagovailoa) bulk up a little bit ever since last year, but I think that’s more of a question that you have to ask him on his regiment. I feel like he’s in a good stance right now, he’s doing what he needs to do out there on the field and he’s delivering the ball in exceptional places.”
(You mentioned, I believe, last week you put focus on being an elite pass catcher. Can you talk about the area of your game where you felt you did work or what you worked on this offseason to improve that?) – “Yeah, every aspect you really want to work on in the pass game. Me being a former receiver, I understand the importance of your stance and coming out and your routes and how you’re not supposed to ‘blow your load’ – that’s what they call it – in regards to try to figure out what you have to do in the game. It’s just all those little things that help you be an elite pass catcher. So for me, I’ve always understood the importance of all the minute details that go into being a receiver. I just need to go out there and get the opportunity to show what I’m capable of doing. I’ve been doing it for years, it’s just now I’m on a road where I want to be a complete back.”
(What do you think of this whole group’s experience from last year, from a pass-catching standpoint from the running game?) – “We brought the group back from last year and then we’ve got the rookies coming in, both of them – Chris (Brooks) and De’Von (Achane). It brings a lot of versatility into the unit, but we all have an attribute, and we all want to just show that attribute as best as possible. I think this is the offense to do it.”
(Going from San Francisco to now here, you’ve had two of the best fullbacks in the game. What’s the value of a good fullback?) – “I mean obviously you see what’s going on with what I had in San Fran but also with Alec Ingold. He’s at the top of his game right now. If you see the way he gives those hits and is catching out of the backfield and he’s making all of these unbelievable plays, I give him nothing but credit just because I know what it looks like. I have a good fullback in front of me. He’s that guy. He’s the one that’s the down and dirty guy, the one that’s trying to do his best for the team and he’s going to put his body on the line no matter what. He accepts challenges, as you can tell, and to me, he conquers those challenges, whether it be small or big. In the gameplan, he does eveyrhting that he needs to do, so I’m very happy and everyone else around is happy that we’ve got him and also John Lovett. John Lovett as well, he’s a former Heisman in Princeton (laughter). That guy is also an athletic guy just walking around here.”
(FB John Lovett was a Wildcat trigger man, wasn’t he?) – “He was a Wildcat trigger man, and he was able to do everything.”
(It’s a position that’s kind of, I don’t want to say died out because they’re still doing it at a high level, but it’s decreased more. Did you play behind a fullback prior to San Francisco?) – “No, not really. I was in an offense with Chip Kelly and everything that he had, so they didn’t really utilize it all that much in a fullback regard.”
(Would it be weird for you to go back to playing in a single-back set more often?) – “It would be, just because I feel like with the fullbacks right now with the game that we have and the offense that we have, they’re our eyes. That’s something that we use in the room. They’re the ones that see the hole before the hole opens up, and they’re the ones who have to hit those holes in order for us to hit them as well. They always say, ‘Let the fullback’s eyes be your eyes,’ and I truly believe in that.”
(At times last year, you guys had problems getting the play from the coaches to the huddle. T Terron Armstead was saying after the last game that that was going to be a focal point of the offseason. How is that process going? Can you work on it outside of game situations? If the ones don’t play much in preseason, will you be confident in that process going into the regular season?) – “Yeah, the play call definitely is something that has been an emphasis here in regard to timing. If you look at how we operate in the ones at least, we have a play clock down at the end zone and Tua does a great job receiving the play and then giving it out by at least 20 seconds, 15 is the cutoff. So I mean, he still has some wiggle room to get those calls in and also have the coach tell him, ‘Hey, look. This is the play that you need, this is the receiver that you’ve got to look for in this coverage,’ and then once it cuts off, it cuts off. But the timing aspect is definitely something we emphasized this offseason going into OTAs and now in training camp we’re utilizing and trying to understand.”
(In the run game, have you seen development in any blocking from OL Liam Eichenberg and T Austin Jackson?) – “Yeah, absolutely. When those two guys – I know they were down last year for some injury, but they’re getting their footing right. They’re trying to do their best, you can definitely tell what has been transpiring in regards to them. So it’s been nice to see.”
(I heard you mention the rookie. How has RB De’Von Achane looked so far?) – “De’Von, he’s a great learner. He’s absorbing all the information that he possibly can and he’s doing a good job. We’re still trying to utilize him, get that little burst here and there. Today was actually a good day for him. He came out and definitely showed a little bit of that versatility and that burst. So myself and the rest of the group were definitely pleased with that. That’s something that you want to emphasize is speed. I know he’s not necessarily the biggest and I was telling him, ‘Hey, look. You’ve got to use your aggression in order to promote that speed.’ That’s something that I utilize just because I know I’m not the biggest in the huddle or on the field at times. I just try to use my aggression and that will carry over into my speed, and I was trying to emphasize that with him.”
(You were jamming out to the first song or two of WR Jaylen Waddle’s playlist today. Your full review of his playlist?) – “His playlist had me right for a practice. (laughter) I know that I set the standard a little bit with my playlist, but he definitely did his part. Nobody can top me as of right now, I’m just saying. I’m just saying.”
(It’s the versatility.) – “Yeah, I had a lot of diversity in that playlist, a lot of versatility. (laughter)”
