Robert Hunt – July 31, 2021
Download PDF version
Saturday, July 31, 2021
G/T Robert Hunt
(What’s the progress on the offensive line that you’ve seen so far?) – “It’s progress, man. We are coming in every day and we’re working. We’re working to improve. It’s just the beginning of camp and I think everybody wants to play, everybody wants to be good. I think we are doing a good job right now of progressing.”
(How comfortable are you at right guard? How has the transition gone after ending last year at right tackle?) – “I’ve been training every position since college, which I have stated before. I haven’t played it in a while, but I’m starting to get used to it. I got a couple reps in spring and I’ve been getting some this week so far at guard. It’s going well. I can’t complain.”
(When Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre told you about the move to right guard, I know everything is fluid, but when he told you that would be the plan for now your reaction was what?) – “We never know. It wasn’t until I got here it was like ‘yeah, we are going to play right guard.’ My reaction was just, ‘I want to play.’ I’ll do whatever the team needs me to do because I want to win, of course, and I want to play. Whatever I can do to help this team and play; it could be long snapper it could be whatever.”
(C/G Michael Dieter, who is getting a chance at the center position. What do you view as his strengths? What does he got going for him?) – “Mike is a good guy. He’s a leader. He’s a damn good football player. Physical. Smart. Right now, the center in our offense is a vocal point, a main center piece for us and I think he’s doing a fantastic job. I think he’s doing well.”
(Tell us the personality of Lemuel Jeanpierre, your first-year offensive line coach. What’s he like?) – “’Lem’ is cool. ‘Lem’s’ one of us. Of course, he’s an o-lineman. He played in the league six or seven years. It’s his first year (as offensive line coach). He’s just like us. He helped the rookies last year a ton to become and try to take a second-year leap. He’s a fun guy.”
(Does he have any lines or any phrases he uses?) – “There’s a lot. ‘Lem’ is a habit guy, I don’t have anything funny but he is a habit guy. He preaches on the little things. Take every day day-by-day but try to improve on your habits.”
(What’s something that you are absolutely more in command of at this moment as opposed to last year?) – “I don’t know how to answer that. I’m controlling myself. I think – I feel like I can be good and I need to control that within myself. I think I can play better in any position I play. I think I can improve on a lot of things and I think I’m in control of just trying to improve and trying to get better.”
(What do you like about guard?) – “There’s not really a big difference, it’s football. I can say there’s some heavier bodies in there. There are some fat guys in there (laughter). I don’t know man, its about the same. It’s football.”
Brian Flores – July 31, 2021
Download PDF version
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(We didn’t see LB Jaelan Phillips the second half of practice yesterday so I wanted to ask you if there was an injury with him. With Jaelan and with WR Will Fuller, is it a more day-to-day thing or do you think week-to-week?) – “Yeah, day-to-day with both guys. It’s day-to-day with both guys. They’re both getting rehab in the training room and working to take care of their bodies, rehab. They’re day-to-day. You won’t see either one of them today on the practice field but (they’re) working to get back and hopefully back as quickly as possible.”
(Can you share your thoughts on practicing in front of fans for the first time today?) – “(I’m) excited. I think we’re all excited to get the fans back at practice. We obviously didn’t have them there last year and with the year-and-a-half that we’ve had kind of away from the sport from a fan standpoint – not us because we had some fans at our games last year but not at practice and not as many fans as we normally see – we’re excited to get them back in the building and have them watch practice. We love our fan support. Yeah, we’re looking forward to having them out there today.”
(We haven’t had an opportunity to get your early observations of the offense. Not just QB Tua Tagovailoa but the offense. What have you seen so far that you’ve liked and what do you hope is the next step as training camp progresses?) – “I think offensively, defensively and in the kicking game as well – but specific to offense, we’ve got three days of install, four days including today. I think the guys are really working hard to learn the information, communicate on a play-to-play basis and really execute their individual assignments. I think we’re getting that from an overall standpoint. I think we’re getting good work from the guys from that standpoint. But we’re also trying to work in new players – players at new positions – and that’s kind of an ongoing process. I’m pleased with where we are right now. Obviously we have a long way to go. It’s Day 4. But I think they’re working to improve and get better on a daily basis. You’ve kind of seen little improvements from Day 1 to Day 2 to Day 3, and that’s really what you’re looking for. Hopefully they continue that today.”
(I want to ask specifically about the big plays. There’s been a lot of them in the first week of practice, which is kind of unusual for me at least. Is that a cause of excitement for what you’re seeing or concern for what’s happening on defense in terms of breakdowns, guys letting people get behind them?) – “Obviously defensively, we don’t want to give up any big plays and offensively, we want to try to create explosive plays. It’s good to see the offense – whether it’s Tua (Tagovailoa) to Albert (Wilson) to (Jaylen) Waddle to Mike ‘G’ (Gesicki), get good protection, make a good throw, make a good catch and execute offensively. Conversely, it’s an opportunity for us to coach and teach defensively, ‘Hey, this is why this happened. We’ve got to stay on top. We can’t miss an assignment here or else we’re going to pay the price.’ I think there’s a lot of back and forth in practice and that’s the way it should be. It’s a competitive camp – offense, defense and special teams. But yeah, we want to create explosive plays offensively and we want to limit explosive plays defensively. Every day we get an opportunity to work on that. I’m glad we’re putting the ball in the air because we need the work both ways. That way, I think, has been competitive.”
(Center is an interesting competition for me to watch. What are the characteristics and traits specifically of the center position that will end up being the biggest factor for who gets the job?) – “Well the center position to me is a signal-caller position. That person is making calls and those calls affect obviously the offensive linemen around them but also the backs, quarterback, etc. It’s a leadership position and obviously from a play standpoint, there’s a lot of communication and you’re involved with a lot of other players on combination blocks and passing off guys in protection and things of that nature. There’s a lot that goes into the position. I think there’s a nice little competition there with (Michael) Deiter and (Matt) Skura and Cam (Tom). I think they’re all really doing a good job. (They’re) working hard, good communication, understand what we’re doing schematically, can get us in the right protection, understand where we need to go as far as Mike (linebacker) points in the run game. But we don’t have pads on so it’s still very early. I think we’ll have more information and a better evaluation this time next week. I’m still getting my days (mixed up). I’m only one day at a time. (laughter) This time next week we’ll have a little bit better evaluation but even then, we’ll still have preseason games to get to and obviously the joint practices against Chicago. But yeah, it’s a good competition. Those guys are doing a nice job. I think the volume will increase. Yesterday we did some third down and we’ll do some more third down today. We’ll get into two-minute, we’ll get into goal line and things of that nature – short yardage. That’s when we really need, in those critical moments, that position, that player, that communication goes a long way to having good execution offensively.”
(I have a two part question regarding the preseason. The calendar does not denote – I don’t think – a scrimmage this summer. I’m wondering if the joint practices kind of replace the scrimmage for you; and secondly, with only three preseason games, what are you looking at as the dress rehearsal?) – “To answer the first part, I would say yes, the joint practices kind of – I don’t want to say replace but I think that’s a good opportunity for us to get in a very competitive environment against another team. I think the intensity of those practices will be as game-like as you can get without getting into full-on tackling and playing in the game. We just felt as a staff that it was best to just work on our stuff, go through our normal practice routine and go to Chicago, have Atlanta come here and kind of use those – I don’t want to call them scrimmages but that’s four significant practices there that I think we’ll get a lot of good work in. As far as the preseason game, can you repeat that one?”
(Usually it’s game number three; but this year game three is your last preseason game. Does that mean game two is dress rehearsal, or how are you going to work that?) – “We’ve had several conversations on this. Game reps are important – very important. We don’t have a final answer on how we’re going to approach the games. We have a pretty good idea of what we want to do, but that obviously could change. But game reps are important. I see guys getting into the game and playing. How much? That’s a discussion. How much or how little, that’s a discussion. I’ll probably have more answers on how we’re going to handle that a week from today.”
(Is CB Xavien Howard expected to practice today?) – “I talked to Xavien this morning. He’s closing in, or getting better. I shouldn’t say closing in, but getting better. I’m actually going to meet with (Head Athletic Trainer) Kyle (Johnston) here right after this press conference. There is a chance we’ll see him; but if so, it will be a modified individual, maybe a team period. We’ll modify him and ramp this back up. That’s kind of the thought process there.”
(I wanted to ask you about the defensive – I guess three technique. I don’t know if you call it a three technique. But those end guys and how many starting caliber players or role players you feel like you have for various schemes. Where is your depth end for your defensive line?) – “Just overall on the defensive line, I think we have good depth. I think what you’re alluding to is we have guys that can play a few different positions. So Christian Wilkins can play three technique and end, (Zach) Sieler can play three technique and end, Adam Butler can play three technique and end, (Emmanuel) Ogbah has played some three technique and obviously he’s an end. Reakwon (Davis) really can move across the defensive line. The same thing with (John) Jenkins. I think we have pretty good depth at that position. I think there is a lot of competition at that position and really the entire d-line and I’d say the entire team. That allows us to be fairly flexible with our scheme – 3-4, 4-3, 2-3, 3 and 0-shade, 2-2. We can really do whatever we want. I think that would be based on, it will be game plan once we get into the season. Right now, it’s just fundamentals, techniques – as a three technique, as an end – but really hand placement, footwork, knocking guys back when we get to that. But I like the depth in the room. They are a hard-working group. The camaraderie in the room is good. I was just in there making a couple of jokes – pushing some buttons, let’s call it that. (laughter) But a good group, they work well together, they are competitive, they are tough. I like the group.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa mentioned that both Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville have been taking turns calling plays with the offense. What can you tell us about the plan throughout the preseason? Do you envision both guys being involved in Tagovailos’ headset throughout the preseason, or what can you tell us about the plan there?) – “Well, practice is scripted, so I could go up there and give them the play. We’ve had a lot of movement throughout practice; so wherever he’s at, if Eric’s there, then Eric will give him the call. If George is there, George will give him the call. We’ve had some instances where some of our other coaches have given the call as well. Again, offensive coaching, defensive coaching, special teams coaching is collaborative. There is a lot that goes into – I shouldn’t say a lot. There is different – the quarterbacks needs to talk to the receivers, the receivers coach ends up talking to the quarterback, the running backs talk to the o-line. The running backs end up talking to the o-line coach. It’s collaborative. I think our coaching staff works well together. We know what we’re going to do in games. We’ve kind of talked through that. We know exactly how we’re going to handle that. But yeah, during practice we’re really just reading off a script. It’s pretty straight forward.”
(Two guys that didn’t play last year because they were hurt that I wanted to ask you how about. How does LB Vince Biegel look to you and what made you guys want to invest more time into DE Jonathan Ledbetter, even though he really hasn’t played in close to two years with injuries?) – “Biegel, he looks good. Still working his way back a little bit; but he looks good, running well, looks strong. We’ve kind of ramped up his reps over the first three days. He’ll get a little bit more today. I’m pleased with him really in all areas. Doing a good job in meetings and walkthrough and practice; but that’s Biegel. He’s our kind of guy. He’s tough, he’s smart – this guy loves playing football. Team first. ‘Led’ (Jonathan Ledbetter) is the same thing. He’s dealt with injuries his first two seasons. He’s just excited to be out there, to be with his teammates. He’s mentioned that multiple times. I think he’s done a good job also. When we had him as a rookie, he showed some good things. We felt good about him then. Obviously he had an injury that year and then last year. I’m excited to see him throughout the camp.”
(TE Mike Gesicki was talking about how you instilled this toughness and that’s not like an Xs and Os thing. It’s not like an install where you can say ‘here is our gameplan’ kind of thing. How do you instill something like that? He said whether it’s the toughness with the heat that you’re dealing with or whatever that maybe, how is that something you can impress on players?) – “I don’t know if that’s me. I think we have a tough group – a mentally tough group, a physically tough group. I think the same thing applies to really everyone in the building – coaches. It’s a tough game. All I try to do is remind them that it is a tough game and they have to be mentally tough and physically tough really on a daily basis, on a play-to-play basis, so they can have success. I don’t know if I do much. Mike is a tough guy. So is Durham (Smythe), so is that entire tight end room, so is the d-line room. I know you talked about that a while ago. So are the quarterbacks. I just try to steer them in the right direction and stay out of the way, and not mess with any of the tough guys.”
Xavien Howard – July 31, 2021
Download PDF version
Saturday, July 31, 2021
CB Xavien Howard
(You haven’t been practicing. What’s the issue and when do you feel like you’ll be healthy enough to practice?) – “Everything is good. I was out there today. I felt good. We’re taking it day-by-day.”
(What has been the reaction from teammates to the statement you posted?) – “Everything has been good. I’m just happy to be here with my teammates and we’re taking it one day at a time.”
(Are you any more optimistic or pessimistic that a deal will get done than you were on Tuesday?) – “That’s up to the Dolphins. I’m just here with my teammates and enjoying every moment with my teammates.”
(What can Miami do to fix this or reverse it?) – “Well, it’s up to them. I’m just here. Like I said, I’m with my teammates. I’m here every day. I’m just here with my teammates.”
(Is it tough to stay motivated to do your job knowing you have that over your head?) – “No. I’ve always been motivated. There’s nothing – every day I’m out here, I’m focused on getting better at something. Being motivated, that’s just in me right now. That’s been in me.”
(Do you expect to play in the preseason?) – “We’ll see when we get there.”
(Is it your hope that things get worked out here?) – “Sure. I hope it gets better. It’s a process. I’m hearing this and hearing that but nothing is getting done right now. Right now, I’m just here – out here every day, supporting the team and out here working.”
(If you don’t get traded and you don’t get a re-worked contract, then what?) – “I’m here. (laughter)”
(Head Coach Brian Flores said you guys talked earlier today. What was the conversation like?) – “No, I haven’t talked to him today. Not at all.”
(Recently?) – “Recently? We talked but it didn’t go nowhere.”
(What’s the advice you’re getting from others about the situation?) – “Man, I’m just here to support my team. That’s all that matters.”
(In your statement you made a reference, without naming him, but you still made a reference to CB Byron Jones. If you had to do it over again, would you do that?) – “Me and Byron got a great relationship. All that the media is saying this and saying that about me and Byron, man we’ve got a great relationship. We hang out together. It’s a business at the end of the day. The NFL is a business. When a player makes it a business, he’s selfish or he’s this and that. He’s going to support me and I’m going to support him no matter what.”
(You made a reference in the statement that there were things in your contract or extension that you signed that you didn’t understand. What things were you referring to?) – “You read the statement, so I’m sure you understand what it meant.”
(Are you going to be ok if the Dolphins simply say you’re too valuable to trade and we’re going to keep you this year…) – “Like I said, I’m here. I’m here.”
Vince Biegel – July 31, 2021
Download PDF version
Saturday, July 31, 2021
LB Vince Biegel
(How does feel to be back?) – “Man, it definitely feels great to be back. Wednesday was my first practice back since my Achilles injury. For me honestly, I’m just thankful and blessed to be able to get back, be out there with my teammates and being able to be back with the Dolphins organization. I guess the word that comes to my mind is just blessed and thankful. It’s been nice to be able to come out here and get back to my craft, knock off that rust, get going with the guys again and be able to contribute to this team.”
(What was going through your mind when your injury was healing?) – “Definitely disappointment, being hurt last year. Not being able to be out there with my teammates, especially with the season that we had. But I think for me, I’ve grown so much off the field as a man, as a person, as a husband, as a father. I am a big believer in everything happens for a reason. I was able to grow in a lot of things off the field, was able to grow in my faith. For me, I look at it as a blessing.”
(How did you spend Sundays without you playing?) – “I spent it on my couch with my Achilles propped up and my baby daughter on my knee. It was actually nice to be able – that was my first time since I was seven years old, where I’ve played football every fall; so that was my first time not playing football during the fall and it was definitely a challenge in a different way. Again, I’m thankful to be back, be able to come out here and compete and contribute to this team.”
(Did it make you appreciate the perspective of things?) – “For sure. That was my first time having a season-ending injury. Having that game taken away from you, you really appreciate the game of football in a different way. Being able to come out here, embracing the grind, being able to come out here and compete with your teammates, those things that you sometimes take for granted when you when you’re out here. When it’s taken away, you recognize it as it a blessing and it gets you better.”
(How much rust do you feel after going through this?) – “I think it’s just taking it day-by-day. My goal coming into camp was to continue to get better every single day. Continue to improve my craft, being able to come back with my technique, improving on the small things and by doing that, I know the bigger things will take care of itself. Thankfully I was in this system back in 2019, so being able to be familiar with the defense. It’s just me physically being able to come back, being explosive and being able to contribute that way.”
(How much do you feel like you?) – “To me, this is a new me. I feel like I am still a competitor. It’s me coming out here and getting better every single day. Where that’s at, whether it is 100 percent, 95 percent, 98 percent, I couldn’t give you an answer. All I know is that I’m coming out and getting one percent better every single day out here.”
Raekwon Davis – July 30, 2021
Download PDF version
Friday, July 30, 2021
DT Raekwon Davis
(How different are things for you this year than this day last year? Third day of practice.) – “I’d say being a year in, last year it was like I had to learn everything. This year, like all of the other guys, I have a little more stuff down. It’s definitely better this year.”
(Even in the pre-draft process people talked about you having Pro Bowl ability. Do you feel that deep down? Does that drive you to become an elite NFL nose tackle or defensive tackle?) – “No, I really don’t pay no mind to it. I just day-by-day, step-by-step each day just get better and just help the team.”
(What has Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark’s tutelage done for you in your pass rush game so far this camp?) – “He’s just made me believe I really got it. Just be confident in what move I’m using. Little stuff like that; but I got a way, a lot better.”
(Is there anything in particular you’re really wanting to improve on this training camp?) – “A lot. Overall everything – run and pass. Everything.”
(When you evaluated your rookie season, what did you see out of yourself?) – “Still learning. Each day, each game, different opponents, learning the game, learning the process, learning different schemes of the game. That’s about it.”
(Did you feel you made a jump as the season went on because from the outside looking in a lot of people think you did?) – “No. No, sir. I could be better.”
(What’s the difference this year being versus last year when you were a rookie? What have you seen?) – “Just more mature. Way more mature than last year and putting the team first.”
(Do you remember doing anything last year where you look back now and say, “Man, I can’t believe I did that as a rookie?”) – “No, I didn’t do nothing that was like real crazy. (laughter) I didn’t do nothing crazy, but just maturing. Just taking the time, develop the team, the scheme and different things like that. Getting to know the coaches. Taking the time out of my day to learn different things.”
(Are there any teammates on the d-line where you feel like you’ve made huge strides on your team so far…?) – “Yeah, everybody’s just coming together. Everybody’s building a bond outside the field. I feel like that’s where it started the most. Just building that bond outside the field. Once you’ve got that bond outside the field; then that’s when you start learning everybody’s ability and everybody’s just coming together as one.”
(Just to go back to the pass rush thing – I know obviously you had huge numbers at Alabama your second year and that player is obviously still inside you. Have you gone back and looked at tape of that year to see maybe things you did technique-wise that can happen? How much thought has that been something that you’ve given to?) – “No, I don’t go back and watch that. (laughter) No. I go back and watch my last year’s film and I put my thought into that and look at different things I could’ve did better. Just taking it step-by-step; but no, I don’t go that far. I do go on Google to look my old pictures though. (laughter) I be finding some funny pictures though. I do do that. I know it’s weird.”
(Just getting back to the topic of pass rushing, that’s something that would be important to you and obviously would get you on the field maybe some more on third downs, too?) – “Yeah, most definitely. Like I’m telling y’all, just step-by-step, day-by-day, just taking the time to process that whole ability, just to get better.”
(What has DL Adam Butler meant to the room so far?) – “Oh man, he’s funny. He’s a good dude, a good character. He wants to make sure everybody’s on the same page. It goes back to that one like when I was talking about bonds, he’s definitely that guy that makes sure. He’s telling us ‘Let’s do this.’ Like we go into the cafeteria during camp, let’s eat together, let’s talk about the mess ups we did and stuff like that. He’s a great guy so far. It’s been good with him.”
(Is DT Zach Sieler going to get you guys all to the gator farm here soon or how’s that going to…?) – “Say again?”
(Are you guys going to go out to the gator farm with DT Zach Sieler?) – “Oh no, I don’t do that. I don’t think Adam (Butler) is going to do that either, but I don’t know. I’ve been thinking about that though. Zach (Sieler) – that’s his thing – a country boy. He’s a real country boy now.”
(Do the Miami Hurricanes have a chance?) – “Are you talking about Alabama this year?”
(Yeah.) – “Ha, ask yourself that. You think so? I can’t even speak on that. I (am not going to) get into that. (laughter) But anyway.”
(What’s the spread?) – “What? The spread? Man, I can’t talk about the spread. I don’t know. (laughter) He’s trouble, bro. He’s trouble for real.”
(I’m sure that you learned a lot from Marion Hobby and had a good relationship with him. Obviously now I’m sure you have a good relationship with Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark. What’s different in terms of is there an emphasis that Clark has with you that’s a little bit different from what Hobby had with you?) – “They’re both two great coaches. Austin (Clark) is a coach that like, you’ll be in the game and you’ll be scared to get even a step wrong because you will run back to the sideline and he’ll get on your butt about it. So like with Coach Clark, it’s just like he wants everything to be perfect. So you want to play with perfect technique, look at the scheme, you want to see where the running back is at. He’s the guy to teach you all that. Just make sure you know what’s going on.”
(You played against QB Tua Tagovailoa in practice at Alabama and now here again. Is there any personality or stories you could tell of things he’s said at a practice?) – “Tua’s more quiet. He’s got a little character in him. He’ll say a little something, but not too much, man. He’s a funny guy. Not too much. Like outside the field, yeah, I got a lot of stories; but I’m not going to share it on camera. But yeah. (laughter)”
(We’ll turn off the cameras.) – “Nah… (laughter)”
(Any change you’ve seen in QB Tua Tagovailoa? Obviously he’s gotten better in Year 2 just like you have, but what’s any change you’ve seen in him and his game or anything?) – “I just feel like he’s been the same. It’s Tua. He’s the best out. That’s all I know.”
Austin Jackson – July 30, 2021
Download PDF version
Friday, July 30, 2021
T Austin Jackson
(Did you go back and look at tape of most of your snaps last year, some of them?) – “Yeah, I’d say I watched a good amount. Probably all of them last year, just re-evaluating, seeing what I can do better. It’s part of the process of getting better.”
(Your conclusion as far as what you think you could do better after watching the tape? While giving away no trade secrets, what generally have you concluded that you need to do better?) – “I think for offensive line play, your landmark is crucial for many different things. Just working on getting to a certain landmark, making sure my feet are in the ground and studying tape enough to know what to expect with certain blitzes. It’s part of the process.”
(After watching all of the tape, was your conclusion that you had a good rookie year? An average rookie year? What takeaway do you have about how you played?) – “Just talking to my coaches, I did some good things really well; I did some things that I could do better. My goal is to get to the point where I’m doing mostly things that are better. I already am, but to get to the point where it’s 100 percent better. That’s where I’m going with that.”
(How’s it feel to not be a rookie anymore?) – “It’s good. There is a lot of responsibility taken off. Not responsibility, but I can workout in the afternoon if I want to now and stuff like that. Having a year of experience under my belt is huge, especially when it comes to preparation. I have a little bit more of what to expect now. That’s going to help me a lot.”
(Do you feel yourself taking on more of a leadership role?) – “Definitely. I think with this team we have and what coaches want, I think they want to see all of us step up in a leadership role and build off of each other. I’m doing my best to make sure that I’m getting better every practice, the guy lined up in front of me is getting better and the guy next to me.”
(The padded helmets you’re wearing, what is your reaction to that? Do you like them or not?) – “I don’t notice them really. Some guys don’t like them. I don’t really notice them. We don’t have pads on yet. We’re not trying to knock anybody yet.”
(We asked LB Jaelan Phillips about the rivalry going back to the high school All-American game and UCLA and USC. I just wanted to get your take on how that rivalry has progressed now that you’re on the same team?) – “What did he say about that?”
(He just said you’re a hell of a player.) – “Well Jaelan is a great player too. He’s definitely a guy that gets you better. He’s (been) a great athlete since high school. I’m excited for him and his role and this team. To work with a guy like him, he’s great.”
(Was there any left tackle that you on your own thought of studying this offseason or that Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre or Joe Panos suggested – is there anyone you’ve had a relationship with, talked to or studied their tape among NFL left tackles?) – “I watch a lot of left tackles. You’ve got guys who are kind of more of my body frame comparison like Ronnie Stanley, Tyron Smith, Trent Williams, Taylor Lewan. Those are also guys that are vetted in the league. It’s good to watch them, take pieces from them and build a toolbox. No one player does the same thing over and over again. Not one person. So you’ve got to build your tool box.”
Byron Jones – July 30, 2021
Download PDF version
Friday, July 30, 2021
CB Byron Jones
(I saw you and CB Xavien Howard sort of commiserating on the sidelines when you weren’t out there playing. How would you describe your relationship with Howard at this time?) – “It’s healthy, baby. Of course. We’re both trying to get better each and every day. We’re in the meeting rooms talking together. We do individual meetings with the coach, so it’s perfectly fine.”
(How does feel you’re sort of dragged into CB Xavien Howard’s situation, which he referenced in his statement, not being the highest paid cornerback on his own team?) – “I didn’t mind because truthfully man, the guy is one of the best. The guy had 10 interceptions last year. There is no secret to his impact on the defense and his impact on the team. When a guy has a season like that, he’s the freaking best. I understand what he’s trying to do. That’s my boy. We played a lot of hard snaps last year together. We’ve bonded close together, so I understand the business.”
(How would you like this situation to playout for the club and CB Xavien Howard?) – “We’d love to keep ‘X.’ Everybody knows that. It’s really that simple.”
(For you, what’s the next step after the season you had last year?) – “Continue to build, man. Continue to get better. I’m never satisfied with anything. Obviously turnovers have been a big thing for me in my career that I need to kind of improve on. I took a little minor step last year, but obviously the step needs to be bigger this year. That’s the fun part. That’s the fun challenge in this camp. I’m working with ‘Chuck’ (Cornerbacks Coach Charles Burks) in between periods every single day.”
(Where is your confidence in that respect considering you did have a couple of picks last year?) – “It feels good. I’d love to get some technical things right. Being able to make some plays for the team and for the defense, it feels good. It feels good being that guy who is giving our offense another chance at scoring some touchdowns.”
(I enjoyed some of the juice we saw over here in that last period on the sideline. You guys seem to have that camaraderie already built in here. I was wondering if there is any one or two things you can point to that is a catalyst for why that group is so tight?) – “It’s football. What we go through looks nice on the outside, but it’s really hard. You build those bonds very quickly. We’ve all kind of been through it, we all understand what’s it’s going to need to take. It takes that bond, that energy, that juice. When one guy does well, we uplift him; when one guy does bad, we still uplift him. That’s kind of where you build it during camp.”
(I saw yesterday you had a nice deflection and I know you want to force more turnovers. On that one, you did pushups after though you didn’t come up with the interception.) – “Yeah, I dropped that ball. It’s one of those things I’m trying to do better is just getting my head around so I’m able to compete for the ball. That’s one thing I wasn’t always great at, so I’m always working that. If I do get it, it’s good; but I’ve got to catch the ball. We have a rule in our DB room, if you miss a pick it’s10 pushups.”
(What was your reaction when you saw CB Xavien Howard’s post and specifically how you were mentioned?) – “Like I said, I understand what he’s trying to do. Obviously we’d love to have him here, but there are no hard feelings. I’m not scared of facts. The dude is the best. There is no question about that. Last year we gave him all of the hard covers and he showed up. Not only did he show up, but he also excelled at those too. He didn’t get cupcake interceptions. He went and got those – with one hand, high-pointing the ball. He made his money. He earned it definitely.”
(Have you guys talked about the post?) – “Oh yeah, we always talk. We talk every single day.”
Jevon Holland – July 30, 2021
Download PDF version
Friday, July 30, 2021
S Jevon Holland
(What’s it been like your first few training camp practices, getting out here? What can you tell us about what you’re building out here?) – “It’s been great. The heat out here is very hot as a lot of you know, so I’m really just working on my conditioning in practice, making sure that I’m running to the ball. Doing the ‘TNTs,’ things that take no talent, making sure that I am emphasizing that and doing what coach is asking me. It’s been great. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of so I’m loving it out here.”
(Has there been anything that has surprised you that you’ve seen?) – “It is so hot out here. That is the biggest surprise, it is so hot. But I honestly do love it. It is getting me in great shape. That’s pretty much it.”
(Did you talk to anybody or did anybody talk to you before you came down here for training camp about what to expect with this heat with you coming from British Columbia and Oregon?) – “Yeah, actually. They told me it was very hot and they didn’t lie. But honestly, people just told me that it was hot and really humid and it’s going to get to you so make sure you hydrate and stay on top of that, stretch and things like that. I’ve been trying to do my best at that and the staff here is really great, reminding us to hydrate, stretch and take care of our bodies.”
(I know you’re capable of playing multiple positions. In those times where you are in the deep end of the field, how are you enjoying that? How do you feel like your skillset can translate to that responsibility when you’re given that?) – “I feel like my skillset translates great, but I’ve really just been trying to do whatever the coaches ask me. Whether that’s deep, short or anything in between, just trying to give my 100 percent and make sure I am running to the ball. Like I said, doing the ‘TNTs’ man, that’s really what it comes down to in football. It’s a game of inches. Doing the little things and they’ll eventually snowball into big things and it’ll help out the team.”
(It’s one thing to be drafted as high as you were, it’s another thing for a lot of people to be saying “he’s the steal of the draft.” Does that put any more pressure on you?) – “Not really. I feel whatever round you were drafted in, whether you were a free agent, first round pick of the draft, you always have to put in the work. You’ve got to come out there and put your best foot forward. Regardless, you can see in the rookie class that all of us have come out here and tried to put our best foot forward and work hard. It doesn’t necessarily put pressure on me. I have people to lean on, especially in the rookie class, we are pretty tight. Really just trying to come out here and support the team, that’s really it.”
(Are you pleased with how you’ve done the first four days? How would you asses how you’ve performed?) – “I think I’m getting into it. I’ve never been a professional athlete before so being out here in practice just shows me the caliber of athletes that are out here and the competition and how intense it is. I feel like I’m doing alright. I’ve got a lot to improve on and I plan on doing that. Things pop up every day that I need to work on. It’s encouraging that I have stuff that I need to work on and I look forward to taking that next step every day.”
(It seems like whether you are making a play or something doesn’t go your way, I see you reacting a little but like a little fire and passion. Do you put a lot of pressure on yourself every single rep to make sure you are getting things right? Is that what drives you? I’m just curious what that’s about.) – “Absolutely. I feel like as a competitor, I need to be my biggest critic, make sure that I am always on myself and that I’m always taking that next step. Like I said, it really does come down to the ‘TNTs.’ If y’all are watching this right now, the ‘TNTs,’ the takes no talent, those are some things like the communication, the effort to the ball, the technique. That stuff is taught to us and that we take on ourselves to execute every play. I feel like those are the things I stress the most on myself.”
(How would you say you’re handling all of those things coming together and putting it all together and applying it to the practice field? Do you feel you’re acclimating quickly here?) – “Yeah, I feel like I’m acclimating pretty quickly. You’ve got to adapt or die, basically. That’s what coach says to us a lot, adapt or die. I’d rather adapt than die.”
(You’ve got a couple of veterans like DB Jason McCourty and S Eric Rowe that have helped out,. Have one of those guys given you a big-picture tip that has stuck with you?) – “Yeah, absolutely. Those guys have been in the league, they’ve experienced, they’ve lived through it and I’m new here. They’re really giving me the little pieces and just make sure that I’m taking care of my body, make sure that I’m communicating with the coaches and asking them questions. Being new, that’s basically what it is and accepting that fact that I’m new, making sure that I go out there and just absorb all of the knowledge and shoot that back out in my performance.”
(What would constitute a successful rookie season for you personally?) – “Finding a role on the team that I can help the team and being somebody that the coaches can rely on.”
