Durham Smythe – August 19, 2024
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Monday, August 19, 2024
TE Durham Smythe
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel obviously is only going to show much with your 12-personnel sets here. We’ve seen TE Jonnu Smith running some. Are there things – without telling us what – are there things up his sleeve and Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith’s sleeve and Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree’s with you and Jonnu together that you’re excited to see how they will do come September and October?) – “I think just looking at Mike (McDaniel), Frank (Smith), ‘Embo’s’ (Jon Embree) history of really emphasizing the talents they have at positions, whatever they might be, tells you that I think there is a lot to come. And we’re excited about what we have in our room in terms of just different talents really with all six of the guys that we have here right now. So I’m sure they have a ton of stuff up their sleeve. They always have in the past, probably some stuff we haven’t even seen yet so it’ll be fun to see how that kind of evolves as the season goes.”
(The tight ends they’ve signed as undrafted rookies over the last two years, we know how physical TE Julian Hill is. You’ve called him maybe the most physical guy. Does TE Hayden Rucci have some of those qualities? What has impressed you about him?) – “Yeah, I think so. He’s a very mature rookie, and I’ve said that about a couple guys the last couple years, but he kind of continues the trend. He has done a great job of absorbing a lot of stuff being thrown at him as a rookie. And it’s funny, from the day I saw him in whenever it was, March or April, to this point, he’s come a really long way. And I think what he’s been putting on tape the last two weeks in these last two preseason games, has been exciting and I think he’s an NFL football player. So that’s exciting to see.”
(Kind of unfortunately for me, I’ll always put my ignorance on display. What is the team security [shirt]? What’s the origin of that?) – “The team security is, you know, I’m a big supporter of that program in this building. Drew Brooks and Larry (Juriga), the guys that kind of run that show; I’ve gotten close to them and I’ve been here long enough that I kind of consider myself to be a part of that facet. A player but also a part of team security, just protecting this organization. So it’s really just a couple good guys that I like being around and we have some fun.”
(What kind of ways have you seen TE Julian Hill improve from Year 1 to Year 2?) – “I think in all facets. He’s a guy that, I think I said a couple weeks ago, it really sticks out how much this means to him and how this is priority one, far and away for him. Then he came in with talents. He’s a strong kid, fast, whatever, physical. But he’s gotten so much better at really everything along this last year, whether it’s catching the football, timing in terms of the run game, things that kind of come with experience. And he got a good amount of that last year, and he’s really improved in all facets, like I said, and I’m really excited to see what his ceiling is because I don’t think we’ve seen it yet.”
(You’ve kind of become an elder statesman in this organization where, I mean, there’s no active streak of longer than you and I guess K Jason Sanders, right?) – “That’s right, yeah, it’s crazy to think that. I feel like I got here just yesterday, but when you think back, it’s a couple coaching staffs, it’s been a while. But it’s cool. This organization’s come a long way since I’ve been here. A lot of good people have come and gone and are still here. So I feel lucky I’ve been able to be a part of an organization like this for so long.”
(There’s no nameplate in your locker that says “longest tenured,” but do you ever feel it? Are you made aware of it ever? Does anyone ever say something where that thought that was just brought up occurs to you much?) – “It’s been brought up a couple times just randomly in the last couple months, but it’s funny because it almost surprises me every time it’s like, wow, it doesn’t feel like I would be the longest (tenured) one here. But like I said, it comes back to just feeling lucky to be a part of an organization like this with so many good people, not only that have come and gone within the coaching staffs, but in the player department, organizations, like I said, the security team, the people in the cafeteria, the people that run the media, the people that have been here as long as I have; I feel really lucky to be a part of an organization for this long with people like that kind of behind the scenes.”
(Sounds like something Head Coach Mike McDaniel would bring up randomly.) – “Yeah, I bring that up to him, yeah. (laughter)”
(Are there keys to being kept on an NFL team for many years if you’re not a Pro Bowl player? You seem to exude a lot of them terms of smart, reliable, hard worker. What in your mind, are keys to that? To being a prolonged, half-a-decade-and-beyond player in a very unstable business?) – “Yeah, I’ve been asked that a couple times, and when I think about it and actually break it down, I think it comes down to a couple things. In its simplest terms, I think it’s being consistent every day. Not being someone who gets too high or too low. On a day-to-day basis you know what you’re going to get basically, and No. 2, it’s being able to adapt because every year – you’re on the same team, you’re in the same organization, but it’s a new team every year – and I’ve had a bunch of different roles in the last seven years. And it’s being able to adapt to what personnel we have on a year-by-year basis. Taking the role they give you and trying to be the best at that you can, and I think if you do those things, you’re consistent, and you adapt to whatever role you’re given on a year-to-year basis, you have a shot to stick around for a little while.”
(Not to beat the elder statesman story into the ground here, but you have been here though for one of your teammate’s – QB Tua Tagovailoa’s –entire career. From this side of the podium, it didn’t seem like he was that vocal of a leader, of a person. He was more of a lead-by-example kind of guy when he first got here. It appears that he has grown more into that role. Am I out of balance for saying that? Or how have you seen him develop as a leader or just as somebody who’s more comfortable speaking his mind over the past four years?) – “Yeah, I think you kind of hit it on the head there with being comfortable. He’s always been a guy who does the right things, like you said. When he was young, more of a lead-by-example guy, but I think he’s just gotten so comfortable in the last couple years, and there’s a lot of factors that go into that. I think in this game if you’re playing really well in terms of your standards, it’s easy to be confident and comfortable. And obviously these last two seasons, he’s played very well, up to his standards. And I think when you’re doing that, like I said, you’re confident, you’re comfortable, you can say what you want to say, you can be yourself around the guys. There’s other factors that go into it, too, but I think when you play well and you’re doing the right things, it’s easy kind of just to be yourself and be more vocal to the surrounding guys.”
(How much have you enjoyed the creative ways that TE Jonnu Smith can get the ball in this offense, one of which was on display in that opening drive?) – “He’s a very unique player. He’s a guy who obviously can play tight end very well, but he’s almost built like a running back and he can run the ball, too. He can do a lot of things, so I think with a talent like that, it’ll be fun. Like I kind of mentioned earlier, with the staff that we have that kind of finds crazy ways to get players like that the ball in space; it’ll be fun to see what he can do and what that comes for him. But he’s a very unique player. I’ve never played with a talent as unique as that, and it’ll be fun to see what he does throughout the year.”
(What have you guys learned about your short-yardage offense in Friday night’s game? I think you had three chances, four including the pass on fourth-and-1?) – “Yeah, I mean obviously I think in terms of success rate, it was two-of-three early in the game at least. That’s something that we’ve focused on in the last year and I think that’ll come with time in terms of seeing what our success rate is and how successful we will be, but it’s something we’ve definitely focused on. And there’s a lot of ways to attack short distances. You can spread people out. You can put 13-personnel, 22-personnel in the game. And I think we’ll do a pretty good job of mixing up those approaches to it, and try to get better at something that we know we need to improve on from the last year, year or two.”
Mike McDaniel – August 19, 2024
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Monday, August 19, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Did WR River Cracraft sustain an upper body injury Saturday night and is he out long-term?) – “It was an upper body injury; it will be some time, for sure. It doesn’t appear to be season-ending, but it will be some time. I think no one likes to see injuries in general. I’m top of that list, but I think if there’s anyone equipped to handle adversity, it’s River Cracraft. I don’t know how many teams he’s been on, but it’s a lot. He’s worked his way to be a very good player in this league and that confidence will sustain. He did some real good things in the game, and so when he’s back, I expect him to be the best version, just like we saw.”
(Can you update us on CB Cam Smith? We saw he put the ice pack on his right hamstring it appeared.) – “You’re no doctor?”
(I can play one.) – “It was actually his elbow. He was just trying to throw you off. (laughter) It was a different spot, something that was unfortunate. I imagine he’ll be week to week, but he did the most with his opportunities in terms of he committed to things, he gave up plays that were learning lessons and then made plays, there was some growth there, handled some adversity which is gigantic for a corner in this league. He’s had some good development, unfortunate but week to week, he’ll be back.”
(Did LB David Long Jr. come out okay with whatever he dealt with? Was he going to be out anyway after that?) – “So that was more of a typical game scenario. He was available to go back in, the window had closed though for what we kind of had planned for opportunities, so we didn’t send him back out there.”
(WR River Cracraft’s injury obviously doesn’t help a position that’s been kind of banged on – WR Jaylen Waddle has been out for a while. Are you confident that you’re going to have five or six wide receivers Week 1 that you guys are going to be able to rely on?) – “I am. There has been a little stress on the depth of the room but there’s also different caveats to that. Are we approaching Jaylen Waddle the same way we would in season? The answer is no. There’s things of that nature that come up a ton. We are getting – we’ve had a couple lineup changes I think would be a conservative way to say it, but we’re also getting a very clear picture of some very strong battles and giving guys opportunities. That’s the cool thing about football, you get to learn stuff every day. How cool is it from my vantage point some of the opportunities that Erik Ezukanma was able to really showcase his talents. Some of the younger receivers got a lot of involvement, whether they were getting targeted or not, we got to see really who we’re working with and we’ll continue to do that. I think there’s a silver lining to that; we’re getting a lot of information and so that’s the positive with that. There’s so many people to evaluate and this is such a tough roster to make. You do appreciate some clarity with some of those battles when you do have injuries in positions really.”
(Would you anticipate any change in WR Odell Beckham Jr.’s status this week?) – “The way he works – one thing I’ve learned about Odell (Beckham Jr.) is he is putting his best foot forward. He’s had some guys on this team that he has been teammates with on previous teams, whether in college or in the pros, and the way he’s committed, they’ve really reassured me on how this is the best version of a rehab and meeting room version of Odell. He’s really going after it, but I promise you, he didn’t sign up for that. So I know there will be progression, there’s been progression every week, but I just know what he signed up for, what we signed up with him is for development within the offense during the course of the season to be at our best and be at our best when our best is required. I’m not rushing the process. I’m not worried about it because I know the intent is right on both sides and the intention is to not have something holding him back once he gets on the field. You learn how we do something a certain way; you have a visual then you go and do it physically and then you can adjust and learn quickly. It really hurts the learning process if you do it and then can’t do it again. So that’s where we’re at with that. I don’t expect to see him this week, but I expect a progression just because I base it upon all of the information that I have gotten so far – it’s been a continued progression, we’re just being very deliberate about it.”
(Could you share a little bit of how you go about advancing the offense in the offseason? Either new plays – I get you’re not going to share the new plays, but do you sleep with a notepad by your bed? Or like the motion you brought in last year, since it’s all out in the open, how did that come about?) – “Quite honestly, the way that our staff approaches it and the way that I believe in is that it starts with the offseason critique of yourself in the most brutal way possible to really not be sensitive – every day we try to do our best. Are we happy with the results? Why are the results this way? What are defenses doing? And then you kind of let your players set your vision and just with intentionality, try to figure out how to solve defensive problems. So it’s not chasing the new, it’s learning a new feature of a defensive responsibility. Going against various defensive structures in this league that are pretty popular every time you practice against a new style, you learn new things as well. And then when you approach practice the right way, you get reactions that are similar to (and) that are close to game like and you can just evolve by trying to solve problems with the tools that you have. It’s a fun process because I never go into the offseason thinking, ‘All right, we’re going to invent some new stuff,’ even though I know that we won’t be the same versions of ourselves as we were the previous. And then after that, you focus on what fundamentals and techniques are we really good at, what aren’t we good at and how do we do the stuff that we’re good at more. With all that, and different defensive – defenses change every year to have different points of emphasis on what they’re trying to stop and then you naturally evolve to that. So it’s an ever-evolving process that I don’t ever see it stopping. It’s only way I ever really know how to attack the offseason and try to get better.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa just said during a recent interview that it’s taken about two years for himself and others on the team to overcome some of the self-doubt that was set in by the former coach here. What’s it been like for you to be along that ride over the last two years and what do you think the status is of that now for those players?) – “I think there’s been so much talked about with – I think there is some, just naturally when different people are leading an organization that happens. I think for me, especially right now, I am so laser focused into what this locker room needs and this particular set of circumstances that it’s hard for me to kind of really appropriately assess that. It feels like it almost – I’m not spending much time patting myself on the back for much, and I think there’s a lot of players that have grown since I’ve been here and that growth is all that I care about. The inherent growth that they’ve already had, I’m just really focused on pushing guys to be their best selves or the best version of themselves and reach new heights, and that’s got me plenty occupied. I don’t really have time to reflect like that. What does that mean? Today is awesome.”
(How would you describe your comfort level with the backups at quarterback situation right now?) – “I think it’s funny to – I have a lot of… I guess let’s peel it back. Let’s go back to I have a good amount of history with both quarterbacks, and both quarterbacks have been able to win NFL football games against good opponents in the regular season. They both have things about their game that that I really like, and so this whole offseason, we started with acknowledging that and how can we appropriately find some distinction between the two, just because we felt like they’ve both proven in years past to be quality backups. So quite honestly, what the approach that I’ve kind of taken is to create super difficult situations for both of them, and as that manifests, whether the play calling choice, the situations that I’m asking maybe them to do certain things specifically to put them in difficult situations, because what are we really trying to evaluate? We’re trying to evaluate who’s best to serve handling a difficult situation. Inherent in being a backup quarterback is that you are in a difficult situation, whether that’s in game or starting a game. So we thought it was most appropriate to do that, and how that’s presented itself in practice is I’ve gotten a ton of information. There’s so many different nuances that I’m trying to focus on on a given day and then carrying that message to the game. It’s much broader than do we go down as an offense and score. It’s quite literally handling difficult situations and saying, ‘Hey, you have to go do this. I’m going to call this play, probably against a non-premier coverage. And let’s see what you do.’ I’m going to – you’re going to play a quarter with a receiver playing running back, how do you respond? And so from my vantage point, I feel bad, because all that information, whether I was a fan or I was sitting in your guys’ seats, I’m not sure if it totally reflects the entire process and all the information. I’m looking for nuances, resolve, the conviction after a bad play happens, how the offense is coming to the line of scrimmage, how you’re leading them, all sorts of different things on top of what I’ve already learned about them. So how that’s manifested in preseason games, I’ve tried to do the opposite of what I generally do which is put players in advantageous situations, because I think that’s – collectively as a staff, we kind of looked at it like we need to try something different to separate these guys because when they’re comfortable, their games are going the same direction we need. We need to figure this out, and we see that as our responsibility. So I’ve put them in a tough a bunch of tough situations, and I will continue to do that this week and through the next preseason game so we can have all the information possible (on) who best is suited to be the guy behind Tua.”
(We didn’t get updates on two people, offensive players, WR Braylon Sanders and RB Chris Brooks.) – “So Braylon Sanders looks to be week to week with a lower body injury, but it’s week to week, and then Chris Brooks is in the concussion protocol. How long does – what does that look like? Timelines are irrelevant when it comes to concussions for me. I’m just worried about him feeling good as a person (and) we’ll take the next steps. So I definitely don’t do timelines for those.”
(Should we expect to see S Jordan Poyer back this week and how have you seen him returning this time?) – “I think the locker room shares my affinity for Jordan Poyer. You talk about a pro’s pro that’s really added a ton of value on and off the field for our team already. He’s a warrior, and I think he’ll exhibit some of that this week because he’ll be back on the field, probably sooner than most would. He’ll get some action in both practices upcoming and then we’ll take it from there.”
(I wanted to follow up on the earlier question about your approach with players. Certainly for a while, long-time college and NFL coaches were harping the negatives, kind of old school. You embrace the power of positivity, why is that and why do you think it’s more effective?) – “I think me personally, it makes sense given the current climate of the trials and tribulations of players in the modern era. I think there are countless number of reporting by people that wouldn’t deserve the title of a reporter necessarily, because of the advent of social media and there’s a lot of negative in in the world and a lot of people telling you when you do stuff wrong. For me, I think to raise someone’s – to really maximize someone, I think it’s beneficial for someone to be showing them a vision of their greatest self. Quite honestly, it’s something that I’ve drawn (from) my life, and I know if my mother didn’t pitch to me that I was worth something, I don’t know where I’d be. For me, that’s the way that I approach it. I don’t think there’s any absolute way to do anything, but for me to reach players, it’s what’s made sense in my journey. I just to stick to myself and what makes sense for me to do my job as I see it for them.”
(Based on what you just said – even though it may not seem this way – there’s maybe a connection to what we were talking about earlier about WR Odell Beckham Jr. because this past week he got into an online debate, if you want to call it that, with fans who were jumping on his case saying basically that he was slacking and wasn’t working hard to get back on the field. Any message you care to share with fans to consider how hard players work to get back on the field when they’re hurt?) – “That was news?”
(It was a social media thing and WR Odell Beckham Jr. fired back at them several times.) – “It’s good that you’re schooling me up on the front end, because you’ve picked up on the fact that I have no idea what’s going on with social media, but one can assume. I think it’s more – people have their own stuff going on, so for me to over-judge and to pitch to people that they should behave a certain way, I kind of look at it like the law of large numbers where if there’s infinite access to share your thoughts, there are probably going to be some negative ones. And so assuming that there are negative ones, how do I best assist players on their journey because that is something that’s not talked about a ton, but it has to be real with so much screen time devoted to social media and just the science behind negative versus positive feedback. Which I’m a believer in science, I’m for science. Do we have any science resisters in here? (laughter) But I think I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t take in the entire scope of the NFL players’ reality, and I know when I got in the National Football League, the current nature was different or the nature of just voices and narratives. So it’s got to be challenging. If there’s anything challenging, I try to bring it up and weigh whatever I’m doing against outside influences and I would have to be completely unaware not to know that there’s a lot of narratives built upon results that a lot of times are compounding in nature towards individuals because a lot of people care about the results of games. And I also know that there’s a reason – there’s multiple reasons why it’s good that I don’t have social media and if I was my 15-year-old self or my 7-year-old self or my 22-year-old self; I cried and said a lot of things growing up about results that I was not wishing to happen. I was really mad at a lot of players that I didn’t know in 1989 when the Broncos were getting scorched by the 49ers. So I think that’s a part of it, too, and I try to make sure that guys do understand that the people with opinions do pay the bills, but they also don’t know the whole story and you shouldn’t over-invest into narratives. But I understand that they’re also people as well, so it’s very – I just think it’s the way that things are and probably will look moving forward and it’s best to be an asset of value for your guys and then I don’t vilify fans’ opinions. They’re entitled to (opinions) and I can absolutely understand that sometimes people say stuff – maybe they mean it, maybe they don’t – but I know growing up when the Broncos lost, my week was ruined. And I was mad. So that’s a reality, too.”
(I wanted to get your take on this Noah Lyles-Tyreek Hill potential race. I don’t know if you’ve heard anything about it. I’m guessing that you’re off of social media, but apparently Tyreek wants to race the 100-meter champion. Your thoughts? Do you think he’ll win? Have you heard anything about this?) – “Yeah, I would love to weigh in. Can we get one of our division opponents to sign Noah Lyles so I could actually care about the race? (laughter) Because if it’s on a football field, I know those circumstances. I think Tyreek is one of one and I don’t put anything past him. I know Noah Lyles is really fast, so I appreciate the competitors being competitive, and let’s get him on a division opponent so the results of that race can actually matter.”
Chop Robinson – August 17, 2024 (Postgame)
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Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins LB Chop Robinson
(What did that feel like to have that tackle for a loss and to not quite get to do that sack celebration, but almost? ) – “It felt good, you know, my first TFL in the NFL, so it was a dream come true. Just build off of that and keep making plays and just keep building confidence. That’s what I’m just going to keep learning from this game and just build on it.”
(And to have LB Jaelan Phillips on the sideline just cheering you guys on, was that just sweet?) – “Just having him even in practice, during the game, it’s just fun energy. Great energy. He keeps it positive even if it’s something you do wrong; he just comes to the sideline, whether it’s good or bad he’s going to come help you with it. So just having him on the sideline, him and Bradley Chubb, it’s a blessing.”
(Wrapping up your first training camp, what is this like? And going into this last week of the finale, what do you want to prove and what do you want to accept for yourself as a standard?) – “I mean for me, just keep going, keep building on. Just keep building confidence, keep learning day by day, that’s for me, just take it one day at a time and just keep learning.
(After watching last week on the sideline, what was it like actually getting onto the field outside of practice?) – “I mean it felt good, just come true. You’re playing in the NFL. Preseason, regular season, no matter what it is. It’s just a dream come true just going out there and doing what you’ve wanted to do since you were five years old and just play ball. At the end of the day, it’s just football, but it’s different when you make it to level you’ve been dreaming about.”
Skylar Thompson – August 17, 2024 (Postgame)
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Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins QB Skylar Thompson
(How do you feel about your performance today?) – “I feel pretty good about it. Every time I’m out there, there’s always going to be some things that we wish we could have back or what not. Overall, I feel like I was very decisive with my reads and putting the ball where I needed to put it, so I felt encouraged by it. I’m excited to go watch the film and learn from it and get better from it for sure.”
(What was your prime goal out there? I mean scoring points, looking good on your reads – what were you trying to do No. 1?) – “My whole focus this whole training camp is just to prove and show that I’m comfortable in the system, and being able to operate fast, being able to get through my progressions, be decisive on my reads, get the ball out of my hands. That’s something that I really focused on this offseason and trying to get better at and improve on, and I feel like I’ve been doing that so it’s continuous. It’s a process. It’s never going to be perfect, even though we strive for that, and it’s just about getting better and learning from the mistakes or the missed opps and just capitalizing when opportunities come. I felt like that’s been my focus, and I’ve been really, really trying to hone in on that.”
(When you talk about getting better every day, what’s the one thing you think you’ve done best this training camp or the one or two things you think you’ve done best this training camp?) – “I think for me it’s being decisive with the ball, getting the ball out of my hands. We talk about it all the time; it’s so important to be able to see what the defense is doing and get into our progressions in a timely fashion and get the ball out and not take sacks and be accurate, and I think that’s something that I’ve shown progress in, is being able to get the ball out of my hands and be accurate. Like I said, there’s always room for improvement and growing, and that’s the part I love about it. There’s always spots to get better at, areas to improve. Nobody ever has it all figured out. That’s the fun part about the game, so I just keep trying to get better and fix my mistakes and just take advantage of the opportunities that I get.”
