Eric Saubert – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
TE Eric Saubert
(I know you have a prior relationship with Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith. I was just curious, back from his days with the Raiders, what was that relationship like? And how much of that was maybe a sticking point for you in making your decision to come to Miami?) – “Frank is awesome. I loved working with him in Oakland. I think he’s a big proponent, or I guess component of my development as a tight end, as a person. So, getting to reunite with him – we’ve kind of stayed in touch throughout the years. Getting to reunite with him is exciting for me. I love working with him and I’m looking forward to that.”
(You mentioned that he’s taught you a lot. What’s maybe one thing or one part of your game that he really helped develop or shine a light on to help you improve?) – “I think it was all encompassing. There wasn’t one thing. There were just so many things. I mean, run footwork, hands, technique, just being a pro, a lot of it. So, I owe him a lot of my development and like I said, just getting back with him is going to be cool.”
(You were there in Denver with Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio. What stands out to you about his coaching style as your head coach and did that play a factor in your coming here?) – “Yeah, Vic (Fangio) is another guy who I’ve loved working with. You talked about his coaching style. You know, he’s gritty, he’s a little old school but his defense speaks for itself. It’s one of the hardest defenses in the NFL to recognize the coverage. They hide that really well. Just all in all it’s just a tough defense to beat. You asked, was that a reason for me coming here? Not really, but Vic, getting to work with him again, like I said, him and I have a have a good relationship so the opportunity to work with him and compete against him is going to be cool.”
(I wanted to ask you about your mix of blocking and passing because I know that you’re an improved receiver and your numbers have been up. Is there an ideal mix to you like 90 percent blocking or 80 percent blocking and did they tell you anything along those lines?) – “That wasn’t really discussed. I don’t view my game as 80 percent, 90 percent. I think I’m a person that can do it all. Obviously, statistics are something that you can get hung up on. I’m definitely improving in the production aspect of my game and I look to continue improving. It’s just kind of funny, because when I was coming out of college, I was touted as only a receiver and now I’m being kind of touted as only a blocker. (laughter) So I didn’t lose that ability to receive it’s just kind of how you’re mixed in the game and what kind of opportunities you get. The ball’s got to be spread around between different guys on different teams you’re on. I take a lot of pride in my ability to be a receiver and a blocker. If I get labeled as a blocking tight end, that is what it is. But I know my ability and I’m looking to shed some light on that when I when I get here. I’m just excited to work.”
(Who did you hear from with the Dolphins either before you signed or after. Was it Jon Embree, Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier? Who’d you talk to and what did they tell you about what they saw your role being?) – “When I when I came down to Miami, I got to meet Chris Grier. I got to meet Coach McDaniel, Coach Embree. I guess I prefer to keep those kinds of conversations a little more close to home. But overall, just excited to get there and get to work with those guys. Whatever my role is going to be, it’s going to be and I’m a guy that will fall into his role as it kind of reveals itself. So, like I said, just excited.”
(You do a lot of things well, have you been surprised you’ve bounced around a lot and has it been frustrating over the course of your young career?) – “I guess looking back it’s not a surprising. I’ve come a really long way since my rookie year and I feel like right now, these past couple years, my development in Denver, I’ve just kind of really hit my stride … Miami is going to be awesome. Excited for the city. Excited to live there. So, I think the best is yet to come for me. So I’m just looking forward to it.”
(You’ve mentioned Head Coach Mike McDaniel, Coach Jon Embree and traditionally this offense has empowered players like you see yourself in terms of multifaceted. I’m curious how you think this offense in this system can get the best out of you as a player?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. I’ve been in this system before. There’s a lot of familiarity there. Obviously, you see guys like George Kittle on the Niners that can do it all, can do both and how that works, how that mirrors with play action, playing off the run, RPO, there’s a lot of opportunity in this offense for the tight end. Like I said, the roles we discuss, my role, whatever they ask me to do is what I’m going to do. Whether they need me to go break off a guy on third down, I’ll do that. Whether they need me to push the pile on third-and-short, I’m going to do it. That’s what I’m here for.”
(Tell us about LB Malik Reed as a player. What do you think he does well?) – “That guy, first of all, he’s a workhorse. He’s one of the first guys at the facility. Him and I, our lockers were right next to each other, so the past two years were pretty cool getting to know him, getting to compete against him. Great dude. His style of play. Just a motor, never going to stop, always chasing down the ball even if it’s 30 yards downfield. He’s got some sneaky pass rush. I think he led our team in sacks a couple years ago. So, his game is awesome. And like I said getting to compete with him again and (Bradley) Chubb as well. That’s going to be fun.”
(I thought of you when I saw that Miami was playing Drake in that NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Did you ever play pickup basketball with the Drake guys and had you already chosen Miami when that came out. Did you watch the game?) – “Oh, yeah. So, I love basketball first of all. Back in my Drake days I did the whole intramurals thing. I played a few times pick up against the team. You know my allegiances were kind of challenged because it was right after I signed. I’m pretty sure that it was the next day they were playing. I think the free throw differential was just an interesting thing. It was like 28 free throws shot for Miami and maybe eight for Drake. That’s just really interesting. That’s all I’ll say. (laughter)”
(I wanted to ask you about the kind of excitement of playing with one of the most star-studded rosters in the National Football League. Everywhere you look there’s a big name. Do you let yourself think ‘hey this is a team on paper that can and should make a run at the biggest goal’?) – “Yeah, absolutely that’s got to be the goal all the time right. If you’re not committed to winning the Super Bowl, you’ve got the wrong mindset. I think it gives you more confidence that when you’ve got such great players around, it allows you to play better. That’s the thing that when you have a great receiver on the field and you have a great quarterback on the field, everyone just plays better when those other (good) players on the field. We’ve got a got an awesome roster getting set here and I’m excited to see how far we can go. The Super Bowl is the goal. If it’s not, you’re in the wrong headspace.”
(I want to get you to put into words your own career because you’ve been a well-traveled man. How much do you think that that has molded you into the player that you are?) – “Yeah, absolutely. Getting to travel, I guess bouncing around as much as I have, it’s a blessing and a curse because you do meet so many amazing people that I owe a lot to in my career. Like I said working with Frank (Smith) for just that little, short amount of time, had such an impact on me. Stopping with the Bears, stopping with the Jags. It’s huge anytime you can pick up different little things to add your game from different people. Seeing how things are done differently, I’ve now learned probably eight or nine offenses in my career and that’s going to stay with me for the rest of my career too. Learning an offense for me now is not difficult. I can do it like that. So, it’s a curse in the fact that you are moving around so much. The instability is kind of annoying, but I guess it shaped me to who I’ve become now. Like I said, I feel like I’m just taking off and getting ready to make an impact.”
DeShon Elliott – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
S DeShon Elliott
(I know you have a lot of relationships with some guys down here in Miami with the Dolphins but what stood out with this opportunity to join this team?) – “I feel like it was the best thing for me like football wise. The opportunity to play with so many great, great talented guys. You’ve got Jevon (Holland) over there, you’ve ‘J-Ram’ (Jalen Ramsey) over there, you’ve got Xavien (Howard), Brandon Jones. So I think just being in that DB room is going to be great. Overall, as a whole, I think we’ll just be, shoot that’s a hard group to stop. Then you’ve got Bradley (Chubb) on that D-line and Jaelan (Phillips) on D-line, a freaking funny man (Christian Wilkins) on the D-line, you’ve got Raekwon (Davis) on the D-line so I just feel like – and you’ve got David (Long Jr.) at linebacker. So, I feel like … How much greater can it get? So, why not be there? We’ve got the opportunity to win a division, an opportunity to play a lot of games, win a lot of games, go to the Super Bowl possibly. So, I think this was the best decision for me, my family and just my mental health.”
(I know you go obviously you go way back with S Brandon Jones from the Texas days. What was that relationship like back in college and how do you think that joining up with him again can maybe help that learning process in Miami?) – “Back in college, I think I was a sophomore and Brandon was a freshman when we first started playing together. We both got a chance to sit back and watch. We both didn’t start when we first got there, obviously. That was when he was a freshman. So, we really got to sit back and watch and kind of like see how the college game was and during that time period, as a young guy, it’s frustrating so we were able to bounce ideas off each other and when we finally got a chance to play together, that’s like my little brother man. I don’t have any brothers so me and Brandon grew up together basically going through college. I feel like I played a role in him being married to the woman he’s with now. I feel like I kind of played Cupid in that in a certain way. But man, it just feels good to be back being around ‘B’ (Brandon Jones) just because man, when I told him – actually I didn’t tell him. I don’t know how he knew. Him and Jevon (Holland) texted me quick and fast. It was so fast. My phone was freezing up, so I didn’t get a chance to really like answer the way I wanted to so I just put both of them on a call, a group FaceTime and shoot, them boys were going crazy. Man, it’s going to be fun.”
(I’m curious now about how you played matchmaker to the woman he’s married to. What was your role in in the hookup?) – “I think I have Twitter DMs to this day about her asking me about Brandon. I think I do right now. She was like a recruiter already. She was like a recruiter at Texas for the player personnel thing. But when he became a freshman, I think she had hit me up. She was just like, ‘what’s up with that that one guy?’ I was like, ‘shoot I don’t know, let me hear it’. So, the middleman, just a little middleman.”
(So, hold on. Wait a minute. So how did you know her because you knew her from when she was… ?) – “I knew her because my ex-girlfriend in college was her best friend.”
(I wanted to ask you about playing for Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio and how you think that playing in his defense can kind of get the best out of you?) – “I talked to Vic and I talked to a couple guys. I was talking to Jevon (Holland). It was more of like just this is a safety-driven defense. Safeties in this defense can make a lot of plays. I think this is also very similar to the system I just left from and I think I was trying to get my feet back up under me while I was in Detroit. So, I think I could just build on that and knowing that this system is staying the same. I can even be better. I have a lot of talent that I haven’t gotten to show yet because of my injuries that I’ve had over the years, but I think I’m only getting better.”
(What do you think Coach Fangio is getting in you? What are the Dolphins getting in DeShon Elliott?) – “First and foremost, a great man. I like to be able to say I do a great job in the locker room. I love on the guys because once I feel like I’m part of a family, I love hard. I think that I’m a leader in some ways, in my opinion. I’ve been told that guys naturally follow me. Then when it comes to on the field, shoot, I’m going to be that dog. They know every day you’re going to hear me. I’m going to do the best I can to be a physical presence, a ballplayer and make a lot of plays on this defense and I think down the line, boy, stuff’s going to get serious.”
(On the other side of the ball, we’ve got some guys that are similar in that way on the offense. I know you didn’t play in the game last year against the Dolphins but I’m sure you were working and preparing against the Dolphins. What did you see when you saw the Dolphins offense on tape, like getting ready for that game last year?) – “Well, this is going to be, practice is going to be fun. I think when I was watching the game last year, it was just a lot of – a lot of the things they do on tape is fast. Quick and fast. Decisions are already planned out. They know where the ball is going to, know who’s going to get the ball. And if all else fails, Tyreek Hill’s down there somewhere. (laughter)”
(On S Brandon Jones and S Jevon Holland, you mentioned being on a call with them right away. What do you think it’s going to be like working in the same unit with those guys, whether it’s competing or playing alongside them?) – “It’s going to be fun; I mean shoot, we all plan to compete. So, we’re going to just compete and try to see how our chemistry can work together. I’m sure Vic (Fangio) has some plans on how we’re all going to fit together and try to get the best out of all three of us. We all bring different things to the table. But at the same time, we’re all really great football players. So, I think we’ll sort that out and when the time comes, y’all will know.”
(I was just going to ask about that, your role. Did Vic Fangio tell you that you would be a starter, you would be competing for a starting job? Are there packages where perhaps you, S Brandon Jones and S Jevon Holland could be on the field together?) – “Vic Fangio is a very intelligent football coach, a very intelligent DC. So, I’m sure he has his plans on what he wants to do with us. But, I mean, when I came in, I talked to him. I mean, I knew I was going to compete. It’s the NFL, we’ve all got to compete, and nothing is given to you. Nothing is going to be handed to you. So, I came here to compete. I know what I can bring to the table and I know how hard I’m going to work. So, the results will show.”
(What was your reaction when you saw the CB Jalen Ramsey trade and was that a factor in you wanting to come here?) – “Yeah. Come on now, that’s arguably the number one corner in the NFL. I don’t want to hear anybody talking about ‘oh, he had a down year’. Check the numbers, check the tape. That was not a down year. Still an All-Pro. So, regardless, I feel like, shoot, why would I not go there. Playing with great players makes you great. It elevates your game. Like it’s going to help bring some out of me and the rest of our teammates. So, why would you not want to go somewhere where you can have the opportunity to be great. Money will come. No one cares about the money. Yeah, people care about the money but winning and trying to get the best out of yourself, that should be your first thing. It has to be where your head is at. I think being here is where I can do that.”
Mike White – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
QB Mike White
(I wanted to ask you, you spent the last couple of years with the Jets under Mike LaFleur. I know he spent a lot of time in his career with Head Coach Mike McDaniel. I was curious how you think that might kind of help you pick up the offense quicker here with your new team?) – “Yeah, that was one of the plusses of coming to Miami was it’s the same system. Now I’m sure there’s different verbiage and things like that, but down to its core, it’s from the same system, so it’ll be definitely easier than learning a brand-new offense.”
(We saw the picture of you as a youngster it seems like outside of Hard Rock Stadium, or then called Joe Robbie Stadium. What were some of your childhood memories as a Dolphins fan and who were some of your favorite players?) – “Yeah, I definitely grew up a big Dolphins fan. We would watch every Sunday. I remember I was still back in college, a Dolphins fan, and they – I think it was 2016 when they made the playoffs and they played the Steelers in the Wild Card round. I remember coming home and watching that with my dad and my family. My favorite players growing up were – there’s a lot of them. I obviously loved watching Wes Welker so it was pretty cool to meet him when I signed. There’s so many. Big Ronnie Brown fan. Ronnie Brown was my first jersey. I remember when they were running the Wildcat with him. That was pretty cool. I’d probably have to say Ronnie Brown because that was that was my first jersey that I went out and bought.”
(And so when you were a high school quarterback at University School, you were essentially on the same campus as the Dolphins old practice facility. Did you ever stop to think like, “Hey, I could be there one day?”) – “Oh, no doubt. I mean, we would hear whenever they would practice with crowd noise, we could hear it in class. So that’s how close we were, but growing up, especially at that age like middle school and even into the beginning part of high school, I didn’t think I was going to be in the NFL. I was more of a baseball player. My goals were the MLB and then I kind of caught on late with football and was a late bloomer and didn’t play until my senior year and then had some success. And then obviously the story goes on, but it is funny, like looking back on it. Like we would practice baseball right next to the bubble and you would see the Dolphins facility all the time and still it never really crossed my mind that this could be an opportunity so it’s pretty funny looking back at it.”
(I want to ask you a little bit more about the switching from baseball to football. I go back – I know there’s a story about Dan Marino – how he made a similar decision sitting at his dining room table one night, and it was sort of like okay, which way are you going to go? What was the moment for you when you decided, okay, football is my future and it’s not baseball?) – “Yeah, it wasn’t till late into my senior year. I knew the summer going into my senior year when I was going to be the starter for the football team. I kind of was like, ‘all right, there’s some chance’ but the problem is especially nowadays, if you don’t have any like junior film or – guys are getting offers so early. Like I had no film. So college coaches would come in and they could say they liked me after watching a practice, but there was no film to go off of. So they couldn’t pull the trigger on an offer. So I thought baseball would have to be my route because I had more experience and more exposure at that because during the summer when you do all your football camps, that’s when I was going and doing the travel baseball tournaments and all that and being in front of colleges and I was getting some looks for colleges. And then senior year, I started to have some success during the season and more coaches starting to take notice in football and I found out football gave full rides and baseball doesn’t. So that helped. I’m sure my parents were a big fan of that decision, too. But no, they were supportive both ways. But that’s kind of how it went down. I was a late bloomer in football and once I kind of caught a hang of it and had some success, I fell in love with it and I’m really happy with my decision.”
(And now that you’re in the NFL, you’ve had some very notable games. I mean, if you’re charting it, you go from not playing to putting up some big numbers in some games. How do you describe your career thus far to someone who maybe hasn’t followed it as closely as obviously you have? How would you describe your career?) – “Yeah, I think just as any quarterback and backup quarterback in the NFL, you got to be ready when called upon and you’re never going to know when that is. So that’s the whole mantra of being a backup quarterback is staying ready. That’s what I struggled with my rookie year. I was the third inactive guy all year in Dallas and kind of took it for granted and didn’t really stay mentally locked in. So when it was time to compete for the two, I didn’t feel as prepared as I should and then I learned from that mistake and I tried to keep that learning experience with me throughout my entire career. And yeah, you just got to stay ready and luckily, I got the opportunity to play and we had some success and there were some good team wins and good offensive performances and then hoping to build upon that.”
(I wanted to ask you about playing with the rib injury last year and where that ranks on your list of accomplishments because I know to a certain extent, you guys are expected to play while injured, but this is a rib injury for a quarterback and so what where does that rank on your career list of accomplishments?) – “’Accomplishments’ might not be the right word but no, I’m just messing with you. (laughter) No, it was crazy. At the time when it happened in Buffalo like yeah, it hurt but I kind of was just like ‘Alright, maybe I just bruised my rib or something or I’m just sore and it was cold out so that’s not helping.’ And then when I got the news that I broke five ribs or four ribs, whatever the number was, it was kind of like I didn’t believe it. I was like, it doesn’t hurt that bad and then a week, having to lay off for two weeks and a week of just not doing anything it got really tightened up and then trying to throw through it was really painful. Every throw hurt. I mean, I’m proud of it because I didn’t tap out and I proved to the guys that quarterbacks can be tough, too, and hopefully my toughness isn’t in question. But it was a good learning experience and if anything I’m just happy to prove that I’m not just one of those little sissy quarterbacks that people like to make fun of from time to time. (laughter)”
(We know you’re a tough dude. We know you’re a good quarterback. But I also am a fan of your social media game with the tweet you put out of you and OL Dan Feeney and WR Braxton Berrios coming to South Florida. I was curious was that your edit? Is that your handiwork? You got some skills on the social media side of things?) – “So it was my idea. I texted a guy in our agency. I was like, ‘hey, what do you think, do you think we could get this done?’ once I found out that Dan and Braxton were signing and he got it done for me. So I wish I was – maybe I’ll make that my next offseason project so I don’t have to ask people and I can kind of turn out more content. (laughter) But it was my idea. Just I didn’t execute it.”
(I got a real kick out of the “Mike Effing White” t-shirts last year. I don’t know if they’re still available on Amazon.com.) – “Yeah, I don’t know either. (laughter)”
(But listen, what I thought was cool about the t-shirts is that it was clear that your teammates liked and respected you. How did you go about and what you think is the best way to find your space in a locker room and develop the right kinds of bonds with your teammates?) – “Yeah, I think I’ve said it in countless interviews before in New York and it’s just that’s – my favorite part about playing football is the locker room, the team aspect, the camaraderie, whatever you want to call it. We’re very blessed to do what we do and the fact that we get to go in and play football for a living every day and we get to show up to work and if you want to get in the sauna before work starts, you get in the sauna. If you want to get in the hot tub – like we’re really lucky. And I think if you go in with the right mindset of enjoying everybody there and getting to know different people from different walks of life and just enjoying your teammates and enjoying the time you spend together, because we do spend a lot of time together whether it’s practice, training camp, meetings, travel, away games, all that good stuff. You get to know a lot of guys and you enjoy it. So that’s been my approach about it is whatever my role is, to take on that role and then help whoever you can and whether it’s in the quarterback room, whether it’s on the field or if you’re running with the threes, you help your guys. If you’re running with the twos, you help your guys. And whenever it’s your time to run with the ones, you hope that you have built a bond and that you can kind of build on that to develop trust with them. So that’s kind of how I approach it and I think it’s had success for me.”
(Have you ever met QB Tua Tagovailoa or anything like that?) – “I have not. I have not met Tua yet.”
(So back to baseball, give us the rundown, the scouting report on you as a baseball prospect. You were a pitcher, right? So what were you throwing on the mound?) – “My senior year I was up to 93. I was a tall lanky guy. I think I was like 180 pounds soaking wet. So I could throw four pitches pretty much wherever I wanted – fastball, changeup, slider, curve. I like to kind of pitch backwards maybe and keep hitters guessing. Yeah, I mean, that’s pretty much it. Yeah, I mean, it’s kind of the gist of who I was as a pitcher.”
(And I wanted to ask you one more about WR Braxton Berrios and OL Dan Feeney, coming over with them, what it’s going to be like and what those guys are like as teammates?) – “Yeah, I told Chris Grier when I when I got to talk to him when I signed, they’re such good locker room guys, I think. I know I might be biased because I spent four years with Braxton and two years with Dan, but I do think they can – it seems to me from the outside looking in on this team and playing them the past four years, you can tell it’s a close-knit group. They’re building a really good culture and you can tell just the way they kind of interact and even you see posts on social media and all that. Like we’re all kind of connected in that way and you see things from different teams. So I think Braxton and Dan will fit right in with the culture that’s being built and they’ll be good locker room guys and hopefully they can contribute and keep building towards something special.”
(I wanted to ask about your free agency because it seemed like it was over pretty quickly, so how much interest was there from other teams and once you found out the Dolphins were interested, was it an instant yes? How did things go there?) – “Yeah, there were a couple of teams that called my agent when the free agency period started at noon or whatever it was on that Monday. But I knew in the back of my mind that Miami was at the top of my list just because obviously one, going back home, living in South Florida, which is easier for my family because I live in Tampa during the offseason so that’s not a bad drive and especially with two little ones, it makes traveling way easier not having to hop on a plane. But I mean, the same system was huge with me, too, because I really do enjoy the system. I felt like I grasped it pretty well the past two years so I wanted to keep building upon my knowledge in the system and my experience. So it just kind of felt like the perfect storm. The same division, so I know what the Patriots run. I played against them before. I know what the Bills run. Obviously going against the Jets in practice the last two years, so I know what they run. So just kind of familiarity all around was what made my decision pretty easy.”
(And then one other thing would be the opportunity – I guess you had an opportunity to play here in the season finale. Talk about that and I guess the missed opportunity there.) – “Yeah, it sucked. I tried all week to just push through it because I was so excited to finally – I mean I’ve backed up Joe (Flacco) down there before but I’ve never gotten the chance to play, so I thought it would have been really, really cool to be able to have all my family out and play, and play in the stadium I grew up going to. Now it looks way different, so it probably wouldn’t feel like the same stadium, but it was. It definitely sucked missing out on that opportunity but such is life.”
(I wanted to ask you one, why Tampa for the home base, and two, when you when you were playing at University School, did you have any interactions with players? I know they’re always going back and forth from the facility to the medical center. Did you ever run into any players because I know you’re a baseball player, so you’re right there.) – “Not that I remember running into any players. I mean, yeah, not off the top my head. To be honest with you, I could have walked by someone and not even have known. So there might have been a run-in at some point that I just wasn’t aware of but not that I can remember. And then Tampa and the offseason – so I met my wife here in Tampa. She’s born and raised in Tampa so she calls the shots and we picked Tampa as our home base. But no, I really like it in Tampa. I spent two years here at USF and I like it a lot. It’s close enough to my family in South Florida that I can just pop down when I need to but I kind of like it’s a little more slower pace, which is kind of more my speed up here.”
(I’m wondering what your thoughts are on the upcoming season, how you see yourself fitting into this team and what your role will be?) – “I mean, there’s a lot of excitement in this upcoming season. I mean, it’s a very talented roster. There was a lot of success last year that I think we can build upon and I’m really excited to be a part of it. As far as my role, I mean as any backup quarterback, it’s to support the guy and do whatever you can. I think some of the best quarterback rooms I’ve been a part of is just everyone has a voice and everyone has a say and it’s really good dialogue in the room and support systems and it makes going to work fun and you enjoy going to the quarterback room and just shooting the breeze with the guys and enjoying everybody’s personalities and then getting on the field and just helping. Whenever you have that relationship in the quarterback room, obviously healthy competition and all that good stuff, but when you’re supporting the guy and saying ‘hey man, this is what I see.’ Or when it’s your turn and you ask like, ‘hey guys, are you seeing any of this?’ That’s been the best rooms I’ve been around and that’s kind of my plan of action going into it is just being a sounding board for whoever and helping however I can.”
(Kind of in that same vein, last year QB Tua Togavaiola a spoke very glowingly about you know Darrell Bevell’s impact on his career. I was curious if you had a chance to meet Coach Bevell yet and how excited you are to work with him?) – “Yeah, I have. I got a chance to meet Coach Bevell when I signed on Thursday and I can see why Tua would say that. Just off initially meeting him, he seems like a very intelligent guy so you know you’re going to learn a lot about the quarterback position, and he’s also been around a lot of talented players and good offenses, so he has a ton of experience that I’m sure he draws upon and when he’s coaching the guys. Tua had an unbelievable season last year and I’m sure there’s no coincidence that Coach Bevell was involved and the entire offensive staff in general. So I’m really excited and just learning from someone new that has so many different stops and so much experience, so I’m really excited to get to work with him.”
David Long Jr. – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
LB David Long Jr.
(I wanted to ask, you were one of the Dolphins first players that agreed to terms with the team. I was curious what stood out about this team, about this defense and this opportunity here?) – “I mean, it was a stressful process, the free agency process. I was just hearing a lot of different things and Miami was just the best fit I thought for me and my future. And then as far as like the players, I know a lot of them. A lot of us have the same agent. So I know a lot of those guys for a few years now. And then just the history of the DC (Vic Fangio). He’s had one of their top defenses for a while. So it just felt like a great fit. And then when I got down there, it felt like an even better fit.”
(You mentioned Vic Fangio kind of playing a role in that decision. Obviously, he’s bringing over his system and kind of building it from the ground up so to speak. But what similarities, if any, are there from your time in Tennessee and what you might see in Miami here? The defense and maybe what your role will be.) – “As far as role, I really haven’t discussed (that). I’m just ready to get to work and just fit in however I can. As far as the defense, he plays that same style that I like. Fast and aggressive as far as having a linebacker on the field all three downs. And also, it felt like a good fit. I feel like as the time goes, I’ll learn more about his way and the way he sees fits.”
(You talk about playing fast and aggressive. I was watching some of the film breakdowns of your game from guys like Brian Baldinger, and he talks a lot about the way you anticipate and how you play with speed. I’m curious, calling out plays or recognizing keys, what’s the key to putting yourself in position to play that style of football?) – “Well, a lot comes from I’ve been playing football for so long. So it’s really just that natural feel. Then as far as pre-snap reads, I spend a lot of time in the film room. I like to study my players a lot. So any indication that I can find to help me be way faster than an opponent, I look for it, whether it’s the hand in the dirt, light in the dirt, or just the tight end peeking or going back. It’s the little things that can help you be just more steadfast. Those are things I look for. And then just the mentality as well. Just that that dog mentality. That plays a major role as well.”
(I wanted to allude to the that you had a really good defensive line there in Tennessee and you come here with a bunch of guys that have played at a high level too in DT Christian Wilkins, DT Zach Sieler and DT Raekwon Davis. I’m curious how having such a good defensive line helps you do your job?) – “I mean any linebacker would be lying if they said that that front four doesn’t play a major role in the success we have. In Tennessee, a lot of two gaps they would hold up off the double teams, and our job as linebackers is to get downhill fast to get those double teams off of them. So they helped me, I helped them. We all work as a team. The better we work together, the better the defense is.”
(Everything that I saw about you – intelligent player, three-down player, very good against the run, very good against the pass. Mike Vrabel singled you and Kristian Fulton out in his postseason thing. But I’m wondering how that grabbed you? Like did that catch you by surprise? Were you offended? What did you think about that?) – “I’ve always – if you watch film since my rookie year to the end of this year, every play, I lay it out on the line. So that was a surprise to me. I feel like it kind of created a narrative a little bit as far as how I take care of my body. If you ask anybody, I’m a first one in and last guy out type of guy. So I know he knows that as well. It really just put a bigger chip (on my shoulder) because I know what type of player I am. That wasn’t discussed to me, as well. So it was a lot. I took it with a grain of salt. I’m not really much a media person like ‘why did you single me out or whatever.’ I’m going to roll with it and I’m just going to get back to work.”
(And as a follow up, to tell me about being a part of this defense, because you do have so many good players. I know in Tennessee, it was a point of emphasis to improve the defense and you were part of that. Now you come to a defense that’s really loaded. Tell me about the potential and how you feel about joining this defense.) – “I feel great man as far as the pieces that we have and also just me being familiar with the guys around. Sometimes you come into a new defense and you got to get a feel for guys, how close you are off the field as well plays a major role in that chemistry on the field. So I’m just glad that I know a lot on each level. Christian (Wilkins), Raekwon (Davis), Jaelan (Phillips), Jevon (Holland, Xavien (Howard). All those dudes I’m already familiar with so it really shouldn’t be too much of getting to know (them). I know those guys play fast and aggressive and talk smack just like me. (laughter)”
(So there’s another David Long in the league and he was part of the same draft class. I want to know, have you guys gotten to know each other at all and bonded over that kind of shocking coincidence?) – “That’s my dawg. So we both are with Athletes First. Coming out, we both trained in Orange County at Proactiv. So I’ve been knowing him since I got in the league. That’s my guy. I finally got his jersey too. So that’s cool, too.”
(I wanted to ask you, you haven’t really been established as a clear cut starter going back to Tennessee. Do you feel like that that’s something that’s a chip on your shoulder, that you’re trying to prove that you’re one of the preeminent linebackers in this league?) – “Nah. I wouldn’t say I’m trying to prove – I mean, I think if you watch film, it’s not really hard. I mean, I’m not trying to prove anything. I know what type of player I am. My main focus is keeping my body together. That’s really my main focus.”
Braxton Berrios – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
WR Braxton Berrios
(I wanted to ask you about spending the last couple of years in Mike LaFleur’s offense and how that translates to coming down here and playing for Coach McDaniel who spent so much time with Mike in his career.) – “Yeah, obviously, there’s similarities there. I really haven’t dived fully into all of that yet, but obviously coming from in a very similar system, it should be a quick learning curve.”
(As you come back, I wanted to ask you what’s your favorite memory of playing at Hard Rock Stadium? Or even just at UM? Would it be the 2017 Notre Dame game where you set the tone early with that first touchdown and the celebration?) – “Yeah, it would – at Hard Rock – it would have to be the 2017 Notre Dame game. College Game Day, they were No. 3, we were No. 7. And obviously 41-8 kind of speaks for itself. But there’s nothing like that stadium when it gets rocking.”
(And also I wanted to ask you, I know you’re from Raleigh, but you grew up with connections to Miami through your father. This is even before attending UM. So can you explain that whole dynamic again for everyone getting reacquainted with you down here?) – “Yeah, of course. So my dad’s from Miami. My grandfather was originally born in Puerto Rico, so my whole dad’s side of the family is from Miami. And so he met my mom in North Carolina, so I was born there and raised there. But I grew up a Hurricanes fan and I grew up with Dolphins fan as well. And so that was really my only dream to go play for the U and then obviously, to play for the Dolphins.”
(So beyond just returning to South Florida, what else was appealing to you about this team, coming here? And was Miami something you instantly started thinking about as an option when you parted ways with the Jets?) – “You know how this league is and you never, I mean, you don’t know anything. And to start running yourself through hypotheticals is a never-ending hamster wheel. So, no, it wasn’t an immediate ‘oh, we should do this.’ It was kind of a ‘let’s see where the chips fall.’ And obviously, we play. We’re very familiar. We play each other twice a year and obviously I monitor our division more closely than any others just because of that. And obviously Miami has done a lot recently, even dating back to last year as far as just building a culture and building a team of guys who get the job done and do it the right way. So obviously when this became a reality, or an option to be a reality, the more I thought about it, the more attractive it got, and obviously, I’m very excited to be here.”
(Obviously you’ve been among the league leaders in punt returns and kick returns in recent years. Not everybody likes to do it. Not everybody wants to do it. How would you describe your approach to it?) – “I guess I take a lot of pride in it. You’re right. It’s absolutely not for everybody and if you do do it, you have to be fully committed to doing it. And I think that I’ve been one of the best in the league at it and obviously want to get back to that top spot across the board at it. But I think you might have to have maybe a screw loose or two, to do it and to really enjoy it. (laughter) I don’t think there’s anything like it and like I said, I take a lot of pride in it because it truly is a third of the game and it can swing a game just like any other interception, touchdown or what have you. So, yeah, there’s a huge sense of pride in it and I think after talking to the coaching staff as well, the special teams coordinator; there’s going to be a lot of pride in it this year and I’m really excited to help that.”
(And then from a receiving perspective, how do you think your skill set can potentially complement what Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle do?) – “They’re incredible across the board. Obviously, there’s no pigeonhole for either one of those guys. They’re truly one of the best wide receiver duos in the league and I can’t wait to get in that room and just watch and learn from them and hear how they see the game or how they see the route against this coverage and all the variations. So obviously I’m down to do whatever whenever and I’ve always been that way and maybe, you know, if they take the top off, I’ll work across the middle or I’ll work outside. I’ll really do whatever it takes to win.”
(I wanted to pick your brain on the Dolphin secondary from two perspectives – first as a teammate and looking at the potential of those guys changing the game, and then as a receiver and what they could possibly do and how as a receiver, you could I guess be effective against them?) – “First and foremost, it’s exciting coming into a team with incredible DBs and an incredible defensive backfield. Obviously you have so much experience back there with those guys and now being able to go to work with them every single day. You’re going to lose some. You’re going to win some, too, but you’re going to lose some and you’re going to learn a lot. I’m a big fan of competition and iron sharpening iron and I think that’s what I’m looking forward to the most – just being able to get on that field and seeing what works and what doesn’t against some of the top DBs in the world on a daily basis.”
(I’m curious what has been your impression of QB Tua Tagovailoa watching him from afar, watching the Dolphins from afar, over the past few years?) – “Honestly, I’ve been very impressed. Obviously he’s dealt with a lot of adversity and it seems that he steps up to the plate every single time and he seems like an absolute warrior, kind of just like we got in my guy Mike White here recently. So I’m really excited to get with him and start learning how he sees the game from his mouth and not just from film and just get on the same page as him. But I really, I’m excited to play for him.”
(You mentioned being a lifelong Dolphins fan and being a shifty slot receiver and punt returner. We’ve had a few good ones of those are in the past. One of those guys is your new receivers coach. I’m curious Wes Welker, OJ McDuffie, like what do you think of when you think of Dolphins return specialists and slot receivers?) – “Really, yeah, those guys. Obviously I’m absolutely thrilled to be in the same room as Coach Welker now, I guess. I don’t think I’ve earned the right to call him ‘Wes’ yet. But just being able to pick his brain and to see, hearing what he sees, and kind of the same thing as Tua. Just learning how they see their offense being ran. Obviously they’ve been in it now for a year and so they’ll help me get up to speed on it and the details and the intricacies because that’s what this league is. It’s a very detail-oriented league and if you’re not on those details, mistakes happen. So it’s really cool to be there with Coach Welker and one of the best to ever do it, and really just be able to pick his brain every single day.”
(You mentioned Jets QB Mike White there in your answer about Tua. I want to know a little bit more about what he’s like in the huddle, on the sidelines and just as a quarterback of the team.) – “He’s a great guy. He was one of my best friends on New York and obviously that’ll carry over. And he’s the same way. I mean, he’s an absolute competitor, an absolute warrior, a guy you want to go to war with, you want in your dog hole. I think he brings a lot of competitive nature with him wherever he goes and like I complimented Tua about, I think those two are going to rub off on each other in the best way and really just make each other better, but I’m very excited to have him over here.”
(And also coming over to the Dolphins but on defense is CB Jalen Ramsey. He had some things to say about beating up on UM in his college days at his introductory press conference here. What do you remember about him then from the years in common you had in the rivalry?) – “I bet he did. That’s a Florida State Seminole for you. (laughter) I’ll give it to him. When he was there – going into my senior year, we were 0-3 against them. My senior year we righted the ship and honestly have been on a roll ever since I believe, actually. Except for this year. But yeah, obviously he’s a phenomenal player and I know we went up against each other I think just one year actually. They beat us late in Hard Rock (Stadium) actually, but yeah, that’ll be an ongoing battle there between Miami and FSU.”
(When you studied film growing up primarily the slot positions, who were some of the guys that you studied and why?) – “I didn’t necessarily study slots. I studied receivers across the board just because I think you can take pieces from everybody and whether it’s a release, whether it’s the top of the route, high pointing the ball, whatever it is. I studied receivers as a whole, but obviously the ones that stick out are Wes Welker or Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola. And I think Tyler Lockett as well is one of those guys that I really don’t think gets the respect that he deserves because he’s been incredible for such a long time now. But yeah, those guys are the ones really that stick out. And you go back and try to figure out how they dominated the league for such a long time and part of it is athletic ability, part of it is their own twist to it and you realize that there’s no one secret formula. Wes ran routes different than Julian who ran them different than Tyler and everything across the board. So yeah, those are the ones I mainly watched in regards to slots, but I tried to take pieces from everybody.”
(So now you’re going to be teammates with LB Jaelan Phillips. Have you had interactions with him over the years whether about representing the U or just what it’s like with the Dolphins since he’s been here a couple of years now?) – “Yeah, absolutely. That’s one of the best parts about going to Miami. It’s a brotherhood. So obviously after every game, we go up to each other and talk. I saw him in the airport actually about a year ago and talked for a while and then now since this happened, we’ve been communicating more closely. But the same thing. He’s such a competitor that I’m excited to share a field with.”
(Considering WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Tyreek Hill like to actually play in that slot position, how important is it for you to sort of diversify and establish yourself as not just a slot?) – “Oh, no, absolutely and I don’t think of myself in that way at all. Like I alluded to earlier, I’m whenever, whatever. And that’s something that I’ve tried to (work on) a ton in the offseason is work outside obviously as well as inside and the backfield. And again, wherever they need me, wherever there’s a place, wherever there’s an opportunity, I’m fully in on it.”
Jake Bailey – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
P Jake Bailey
(First, I wanted to ask if you could kind of walk us through your thought process through this free agency, this first week of agency, because I think with a lot of non-specialists we hear about scheme fit and wanting to play for a specific coach, but for a specialist and punter like you, what was the thought process and what led you to Miami?) – “Same thing kind of fits, too. Danny Crossman is a guy I’ve always admired from across the sideline. I played against him many times and just a really nice dude. I also know Jason (Sanders) and Blake (Ferguson) really well and they’re really nice guys. I’m excited to kind of just start up with them and see how it goes.”
(Can you fill us in on what was the nature of your back injury and how did it impact your performance last season?) – “Yeah, a lot of it had to do with squatting a ton. I did not grow up squatting, loading my back with back squats. I didn’t do it at all in college and then I really didn’t do it my first three years in the league and kind of tried to start something new, try and be more a part of the program. And it just really backfired the whole season. I was doing it and it didn’t – it really made my accuracy struggle. It just was kind of a sad, sad thing to have happen. I haven’t squatted since really Week 15, 16 and feel pretty good.”
(Obviously when you signed a long-term contract with another team, you thought you were going to be there for a while. When you found out that that team was putting you on a suspended list, how did you feel?) – “You know, there’s a lot to unpack and a lot of it is between them and me partly. I’ve talked to Coach Belichick about this and how we want to talk about all this stuff and obviously you don’t want to end up on a list like that ever. Confusion was a lot of it, and I think we’re just past it now at this point. It was something that happened and it was something that was unfortunate for both sides but now I think both parties are in a better situation.”
(There’s a lot of players within the AFC East who changed teams, Jets to Dolphins, Dolphins to Bills. I find that interesting. Do you? How do you feel about facing your former team which is obviously going to happen at least twice next year?) – “Yeah, it’s just another team on the schedule. I think part of why people go in and out of the AFC East is you know what you’re getting. You know you have a player that can go play up in Foxborough, you have a player that can go play up in Buffalo when the weather’s super bad, and you also have a player that can go play down in Miami at the start of September. So there’s a variety of different elements you can get in the AFC East and it kind of makes sense why you would want to keep a player in there.”
(Before going on IR, your punting numbers in 2022 didn’t quite seem to be what we saw from you in some years prior to what you had previously done. So were you having back issues before IR placement or were there other factors leading to it?) – “I’m not one to really make excuses about my numbers. Like any time you walk out on that field, you’re expected to be the best version of yourself and perform up to the NFL standards. I didn’t feel myself the whole year though. I was squatting a lot and was getting treatment on my back since Week 1 and before.”
(I know this was the first time that you’ve change teams, but I’m wondering do you anticipate any, I guess anxiety, or anything along those lines? And is it better or worse when you come with that All-Pro reputation? Do you think expectations are a little bit higher for you?) – “That was a long time ago. I don’t view myself as that guy. I’m on a new team just trying to meet new people and contribute to the team. My first workout was Friday and I didn’t really know what to expect and kind of came in, met a few people and they were all really nice. And that kind of settled the edge of the whole day. When that’s going on, you can have a conversation with them. I really liked everybody I met and had a good time. It played well and that’s all that mattered.”
(If I could follow up real quick, I think it’s interesting that you say that was a long time ago being an All-Pro. It really wasn’t that long ago. That’s an interesting comment. Why do you view it in that fashion?) – “You know, outwardly, I’m trying to be humble. Inwardly, I am the best punter in the league in my own head and I’m going to go out there and perform to the best of my abilities every single time I touch the football,. But yeah, outwardly, I’m trying to be a little humble. (laughter)”
(I read an article about you and getting your pilot’s license or pursuing it back in college and I was curious, I guess an update on that and also just kind of how you became interested in aviation?) – “Yeah, this offseason has been the offseason of the pilot’s license. Any time you are trying to get that, you have to stay current. So I had all the like, minimum requirements back in college, but I never took the final exam essentially. I got drafted, so I didn’t have time to take the final exam. So this offseason, I’ve been grinding on it. I think I’ve got like 30 to 35 hours, just this offseason in the air and I’m close. So check back with me April 6. We’ll see if I can get it done before then.”
(I’ve got to follow up on that question about the pilot’s license and all. Tell us more about what you hope to do with that. What sort of craft are you hoping to pilot?) – “It’s just small Cessnas for right now. Maybe a Cirrus – four-seater planes. Nothing too crazy, but there’s some good flying down in South Florida and I’ve been looking at what it looks like to go down to Key West or down to the Bahamas. Maybe even get my floatplane license someday down the road, too.”
(On a totally separate topic, I want to ask you the latest stories I’ve seen simply state that your agent filed a grievance over the suspension and I assume the guaranteed money. What’s the state of that grievance? Is it still in the early stages or is it done with?) – “The details of it are kind of between me and the Patriots. The grievance is done, but everything surrounding it is in the past. I’m totally on a new team now and just looking forward to seeing how I can contribute to them.”
Dan Feeney – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
OL Dan Feeney
(How many games have you started at center? I know most have been at left guard.) – “Most of the 2020 season was all starts at center. So 16 there and then I think two at the Jets. So yeah, 18 to 20 or something like that.”
(Did the Dolphins give you any sense if you would be in a competition at left guard? Obviously they have OL Liam Eichenberg, OL Rob Jones there. OL Lester Cotton as well. Or are you coming in strictly as a backup at guard and center as it was portrayed to you?) – “They said there would definitely be opportunities at the line. So that’s what kind of made me jump at the offer. I’m just excited to get there and show my talent, show my worth to the team and then we’ll go from there.”
(I wanted to ask you about kind of the continuity of going from a system that has some similarities to what the Dolphins run here under Head Coach Mike McDaniel. Playing the last couple of years in Mike LaFleur’s system, how does that kind of help you ease the transition to a new offensive scheme?) – “I think it’s huge. Honestly one of the first times Mike and I talked on the phone, it was pretty much X’s and O’s, so just having a very similar language is definitely huge. It’s easy to kind of just get into the system and kind of fit in right away, so I think that’ll be good for me. There will always be different languages about some sort of things but kind of having that same offensive mindset and scheme, I think it’ll be an easier transition for me.”
(I don’t know if you happened to see QB Mike White’s social media video where he did some casting on the Hangover with you and those guys coming down here. I believe he puts you in Zach Galifianakis’ role. I was I was just curious if you thought he was accurate there in his casting on that?) – “I definitely thought it was a little shade at first, but it is hilarious. And I think that is a little bit of me, that personality of just happy to be there, happy to be back with the boys. So it was a hilarious video. Whoever edited that and did that, it was spot on.”
(I actually want to ask you about those two guys. Tell us about your former Jets teammates now coming over with you. What are QB Mike White and WR Braxton Berrios like as teammates?) – “Oh, man, they’re awesome. Great locker room guys. Great people to golf with. They’re some of my golf partners so we have a good time out there on the course as well. Just good guys. Good guys to put in a locker room. They bring a great energy. They’re X’s and O’s guys, too, so talking ball with them is very fluid and easy. They’re just great additions to the team, I believe.”
(Was that something that you guys all communicated with each other about as your free agency sort of lined up that you guys wanted to go to the same place together?) – “I think we were just pretty much a package deal at that point, as soon as Mike White went somewhere. (laughter) No, I’m just messing around. But the stars kind of aligned for it more than anything. And it was awesome to see that I’m definitely going to have some familiar faces in the locker room, so it’ll be easier for me to transition when I got a couple of good guys in that locker room with me as well.”
(Talking about the Jets and all, you’re aware of how they were building and what kind of team they’re starting to put together up there. You know about the Bills as defending division champs and what the Jets are hoping to add in Aaron Rodgers. When you look at this division, what’s it going to be like you think in the AFC East next year?) – “I think it’s going to be a powerhouse division for sure. Like you said, I mean, the Bills have been very strong past couple years. And when I was on the Jets, Miami was coming along and had some great players. So it’s exciting to be a part of that system now and it definitely will be a powerhouse league. I mean, Bill Belichick at the Patriots. I mean, he’s one of the best coaches of all time. So it’s definitely going to be a tough division. And we’re going to have some tough division games coming up this year, but I think we’ll be able to handle it.”
(Let’s talk about the fun stuff. The beer chugging at hockey games. Tell me how that happened and are we going to expect to see that at Panthers games this year?) – “I hope so. I hope the Panthers shoot me an invite. I’d love to go. I love being at hockey games. It’s such a good energy and a good vibe. That energy is just contagious, so I kind of lose myself in a hockey game, clearly, as you guys have seen. That just kind of came about. We were all like, ‘Hey, when we get on the Jumbotron, let’s all chug a beer together.’ I took it a little far I guess, and started slamming it on my head. I was just trying to have a little fun with it. It was a great time being together with the guys.”
(What are your top three all-time beer choices?) – “Anything that’s cold is usually No. 1. I love that. I really don’t hate on any beer. I’m a Coors Light, Miller Lite guy to probably start. I love a Budwesier, a little Diesel. Funky Buddha is pretty good – a little local one to South Florida. I’ve had one or two of those and really liked those, so I think that may sneak it’s way up the leaderboard.”
(You’re obviously a lot of fun. You enjoy life off the field. How does that translate to your approach to football?) – “I think it’s contagious. Just being around guys that love having a good time and making work fun, it just makes the locker room better and makes the vibe around the whole entire team better in my eyes because if guys love hanging out with the guys outside of the facility, we’re going to bring that same natural energy and camaraderie into the locker room. And I think that’ll translate onto the field. Because once you know your teammates, you want to hang out with them outside of the locker room and it just becomes contagious. More and more guys get on board with it and it just becomes a nice atmosphere.”
(Is this still a mullet?) – “Oh, yeah. We still got the mullet. Business in front, party in the back. You got to be able to do both so I figured I’d show people right away.”
(Your sister made some t-shirts right for MS, right? Are those still around?) – “Yeah, so my sister does work for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and I support her doing off the field stuff. She wasn’t the one that made the t-shirts. They were kind of – so the Islanders actually ended up making a t-shirt for me and then all the proceeds that the t-shirts sold, we gave away to charity. I thought it was just something good to do – give all that money away and have fun with it and just trying to bring good energy and vibe there. But I had a couple of Jets fans make a couple of shirts too. Got to start making one and selling that thing out there.”
(How does that play into your – I guess that fits into your personality perfectly right? All of this stuff around you?) – “Yeah, I guess so. It’s just how it goes. Once the COVID year kind of happened, I couldn’t get a haircut for a while. I kind of went to the barber and I’m like, ‘Hey man, cut a mullet in there. Let’s see how it looks.’ It kind of just stuck from there and the train has been rolling pretty much ever since so I didn’t want to get off it.”
(I saw when you had that the hat on it was a Bass Pro Shops hat. Is that something you’re going to enjoy about South Florida? Are you a fisherman? And what else are you going to like about South Florida off the field?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I love fishing. It’s been a while since I’ve put a little line in the water, but I’m definitely excited to go back and do that. It’s just a calming thing I like doing when I’m not playing ball, just kind of let your mind go, catch a little fish, throw it back in there and do it all over again. It’s one of those easy things that’s just fun to do. But off-the-field stuff other than that, I just kind of like hanging out with my buddies, watching TV, Netflix series and playing video games. So usually when it’s not all gas, it’s usually a little quieter than that. But yeah, I like to have a little fun clearly.”
(The mullet was created because of COVID and the pandemic?) – “It definitely was a child of the pandemic year because I was out in California at the time and everything was pretty much shut down, so my hair was getting long. My girlfriend was like, ‘You need to get a haircut somehow.’ And that’s when all the at-home haircuts were coming out and it frightened me a little bit of all the horror videos I was seeing online. So I found a spot that was still open. The guy that ended up cutting the mullet in my head was one of the most ecstatic barbers I’ve ever had to cut a mullet. I’ve never seen anything like it. I was like ‘well, I came to the right spot,’ and he pretty much juiced me up right away when he cut it, so I was like ‘well, I think it’s going to stay for a little while.’”
(So you requested the mullet? That wasn’t like his top choice of hairstyles that he does?) – “I think it was his top hairstyle. They are just few and far between. So I think he was just so ecstatic about it. When I came in, I was like, ‘Hey, man, let’s cut a mullet in and have a little fun.’ And then I was going to eventually do a high and tight but he persuaded me the other way. I thought it looked good so I figured that keep it.”
Malik Reed – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
LB Malik Reed
(After a year away from them, how comfortable will it feel to be around Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio and LB Bradley Chubb again?) – “It’s going to be awesome. To come in the league and being in Coach Fangio’s system, I feel like was huge for me, personally as a player. I learned so much about the game, a lot about the outside linebacker position, to be on the edge, setting the edge or in coverage as well. I’m excited to get back to work with him and my brother Chubb. We had a lot of great times in Denver. That’s a guy that was really close to me, and I’m excited to be able to play with him again.”
(You had your best statistical season under Vic Fangio a couple of years ago. It seems like wherever Vic goes, he brings the best out of the outside linebackers/edge rushers. What is it about Vic or his scheme that allows guys like you to thrive?) – “I feel like he’s been around the game so long. He’s been around so many great players. Like you said, he’s a great defensive coordinator. I think he helps get us in the right positions to be successful and he allows us to go out there and do what we do, and make plays and be playmakers. He knows we’re out there for a reason and to have an impact on the game. He does a great job with his scheme and how he coaches that position. He does a good job of putting us in the right spots at the right time so we can do what we do best.”
(I saw the dream killer chain. When you signed with the team, I was reading about that. Who came up with the nickname and where does that come from?) – “It was actually Von (Miller). I played with Von a few years and he gave it to me my rookie year. It’s something that stuck with some of my teammates. It came from the preseason. I had a good preseason and he was like ‘you’re killing quarterbacks dreams out there. Keep doing that. Keep being you.’ It was something between us and I felt like it carried on after that.”
(We’re looking forward to getting to know Vic Fangio, so fill us in on what we’re going to find out. How would you describe his personality?) – “I feel like he’s really about the business and the business of winning. I feel like having success as a defense and really doing a great job on that side of the ball. I feel like with him, you’re getting a guy that works extremely hard. You see that throughout our three years together. The progress that I feel like we made in year one that I was there in Denver until my last year. I think we were the No. 8 scoring defense then. You just see progression each year and I feel like that is a testament to the type of coach he is and the type of coordinator he is as well. I feel like you’re getting a great guy in him.”
(I saw that in 2020 and 2021, you had a total of 13 sacks. How do you describe your approach to the pass rush on the quarterback?) – “I feel like it’s relentless. I feel like that’s where it starts. In order to get sacks and be great at rushing the passer in the league, I feel like everybody has that. That has to be where it starts. I use what God has given me and use my tools to my advantage. I’m not the tallest guy, so I like to use leverage in my game and be able to get under tackles and get to places that are hard for them to bend to. That’s how you can summarize my game.”
(What kind of sneaker head are you?) – “I always have liked shoes. I feel like growing up, we didn’t have the most money and stuff like that growing up. It wasn’t like I could go out there and get all of them that I wanted. But there were always some that I feel like I enjoyed. Once I got to college and started to make a little money – the money that we would get each month – I tried to save it up so I could buy me some shoes and stuff. I had to stop because I was spending too much money at first. But once I got in the league, I feel like I started to bring that back and establish the enjoyment of buying sneakers and wearing them, figuring out what outfit you wanted to wear them with and stuff like that. I feel like that’s something that’s definitely sparked since I’ve been in the league.”
(How much does a pair of sneakers have to be for an NFL player to say ‘no this is too crazy, I’m not doing that?’) – “Great question. For me, personally, if it’s – there are some crazy sneakers out there that are expensive. If it’s over five grand, that’s too much for me. I can’t go above that.”
(You’ve had so much success playing with LB Bradley Chubb. When you found out you’d be coming to Miami and playing alongside of again, can you take us through the conversation? What was it like? And did you guys share some dreams on how it’s going to be working together again?) – “It’s amazing. My time with Chubb on the field, off the field, something just always clicked and it felt so natural. It’s a testament to the type of guy Chubb is and I feel like we’re similar in how we think sometimes. I feel like that flowed into us as teammates to where we could have a lot of success with each other. I feel like once there was some inkling of being able to come to Miami, I’ve been really excited to have the opportunity to play with him again. The type of player he is, and the type of person he is, he’s seeking to be great and win in a big way. I feel like that’s the type of people you want to surround yourself with, not only on the field with football, but in life. That’s a testament to the type of person he is. He’s seeking to be successful in whatever he does. I was definitely excited once we figured out we’d be playing together again. I called him once it was in the workings of me coming there. He called me back once he heard the news. ‘I didn’t know. I had to call you back, congratulations.’ He was so excited and I was excited too. I’m definitely excited to be back playing together again.”
(I wanted to ask you about the role of the pass rusher because obviously it’s a passing league. But you guys have good edge rushers, you’ve got a good secondary and you’ve got a good defensive coordinator. What do you do to change, control the game, put fear into a defense as an edge rusher, and then from a total defense perspective?) – “I feel like it’s huge. That’s become a premium position in the NFL, once they started to transition to more throwing the ball. It put a lot of spotlight on the edge position and how big of an impact they could have on the game. Not even just rushing the passer but setting the edges. You have to be solid in that because if you’re not setting the edge and they are running the ball all game, teams are going to do that. That’s huge to start there. Then when you do have those opportunities to get after the quarterback, just as much as it is on the edge rushers to get back to the quarterback, it helps when you have guys on the outside that can lock up. The man to man, the safeties flying around, the quarterbacks be a little nervous to throw it back there in the secondary. It helps each other. It goes hand and hand – the rush and coverage. That’s something that Coach Fangio preaches. I feel like in terms of playing great defense in the league, that’s what coaches preach. It goes hand in hand. You got to be great in the front end and great in the back end to be great as a defense. It’s really being relentless. Something I’ve learned over my time, even conversations I’ve had with Von (Miller) – I was fortunate to play with him for those three years. He was like ‘a lot of sacks come off effort sacks.’ Everybody thinks it’s because of these great moves, but it’s really how bad do you want to get back there to him. You got to want it more than the guy in front of you trying to stop you. Being relentless – and that’s from the ends to the d-tackles – having that relentless pass rush and covering up for each other and stuff like that, I feel like that’s what leads to having that big impact as edge rushers.”
(Do you think it’s possible in today’s NFL for a defense to control a game? Or is a defense always going to be reacting to what an offense does?) – “I definitely think a defense can control a game in terms of stops, three-and-outs, getting turnovers, which is huge. Those two things I feel like are huge factors in terms of outcomes of a game, whether an offense is putting up a lot of points or whether they’re not. I know it’s simple, but if they can’t score, they can’t win. That’s the thing I feel like as a defense, you live by. You definitely want the offense to do well and succeed and stuff like that, but controlling what you can control as a defense, and that’s how fast you get teams off the field, whether that’s turning the ball over or getting stops, I feel like that has a big factor on the control of the game and field position and stuff like that – holding them back to where they’re playing from their end zone and the offense getting a short field and stuff like that. That plays a big factor in controlling the game.”
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