Salvon Ahmed – August 17, 2021
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Tuesday, August 17, 2021
RB Salvon Ahmed
(We didn’t get to talk to you after the game. Can you fill us in on that touchdown play and if you remember how that play developed?) – “The offensive line did their thing and was able to just create space for Jacoby (Brissett) to make the pass and finish the play. I think that play just shows a big team effort for sure.”
(Is the wheel route a play that you really like to run?) – “Yeah, there are a lot of different things that we are doing in our offense this season. We are just trying to go out there and make plays and put guys in the best position possible.”
(What do you like about the offense that Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville have brainstormed about?) – “Like I said, putting a lot of guys in positions to make plays. I think that we have a lot of things that are coming together. Camp has been good so far, just keep on stacking those days.”
(What stands out to you coming into year two compared to last year?) – “Just more experience. Just knowing how to prepare better and just following guys still. Still learning, still knowing how to take in that information. Not too much has changed as far as – I guess a lot has changed for me but still got that ‘rookie mindset’ trying to learn as much as possible.”
(What do you think about the running back dynamic on this team? Different guys, different skillsets. RB Malcolm Brown is a more physical guy, you, RB Myles Gaskin. How do you guys complement each other?) – “Yeah, there’s a lot of guys in that room that can go out there and make plays from everybody. Everybody on Saturday was able to go out there and make plays. Credit to the offensive line as well going out there and opening holes for us. They open holes and we have to do our job as well.”
(Obviously not everybody on the team is going to make the final roster. How tough is it when you build relationships with guys and you’re in a room and guys might not be there after the final cut?) – “Yeah that’s hard. You hate to see guys go. I guess coming into it, you have to know that’s the business. It’s part of the business and stuff happens. You got to keep going and don’t let it be the last chance. It’s hard to see guys go. You create relationships, like you said. You get friends and you make sure you keep in contact with those guys if you build those kinds of relationships.”
(Unlike last year, at least you guys are able to put some more film. Guys are able to get some more action than last year when 27 guys got cut without really getting a preseason.) – “Yeah, definitely. I think preseason is huge. Just to be able to go out there and get experience. As a team, you go through camp and you’re working on a bunch of stuff. You want to be able to go out there and do it against somebody else. It was awesome practicing against the Bears for that whole week and going out there and being able to play them and just seeing where we’re at as a team.”
(I know you and RB Myles Gaskin support each other and are good friends, I’m curious if you ever have any private wagers – like who’s going to have more rushing yards this game or who’s going to have more rushing yards or touchdowns this season. Is that something you guys do talk about? The competitiveness?) – “We’re competitive in our own ways but never against each other. I always want to see him do outstanding and I think the same for me. Just for anybody in that room, especially for me and Myles, we want to see each other go out there and ball as far as everyone in the room. With Patrick (Laird), Gerrid (Doaks), Malcolm (Brown), Jordan (Scarlett). It’s friendly competition but nothing like, ‘I want you to do worse than me.’”
(The Dolphins did not spend a first round pick on a running back and did not sign a Pro Bowl running back. For fans who are like, ‘man, I don’t know if this trio is going to be good enough to get it done with Brown, Gaskin and Ahmed,’ what would you tell them?) – “I think this is a talented room. We got a talented team. It’s not just me, Malcolm and Myles. It’s Pat (Laird), it’s Gerrid (Doaks), its Jordan (Scarlett), it’s the whole offensive line, it’s the receiving crew, it’s the quarterbacks, its everybody. It’s not just us three. Whatever they got to say, just know we got a whole team and it’s not just me, Malcolm and Myles.”
(Do you think that less people are pronouncing ‘Ahmed’ wrong this year?) – “I hope so! I hope so! A lot of people say my name wrong but it is Salvon (suh-VON) Ahmed (OCK-med) if anyone needs to know how to say it. But yeah, a lot of people say it wrong. It’s been happening all my life so I just kind of let it slide.”
(Do you notice the difference in the opposing defense when RB Malcolm Brown is in there wearing them down a little bit as opposed to if they haven’t had to tackle a physical runner yet before you go in?) – “I think it just comes with seeing how teams play. I think all of us can go out there and do the same thing. If Malcolm is out there he can do stuff that me and Myles do. If Pat is out there, he can go out and do whatever anyone in that room can do. Game plan, you got to game plan for all of us. Game plan for the whole team.”
(Salvon, people may not know how to say your name but today being cut day, does that feeling ever really go away when it’s cut day in the back of your mind?) – “You always want to make it to the next step. I was a guy that was cut. That feeling, you always go out to practice and do the best that you can. Every day is game day. You go out there and put your best stuff on film.”
(Do you feel more relaxed this cut day?) – “Never relaxed. Never content. You just go out here and show up every day and just try to be the best I can.”
(We get small glimpses of you guys. Can you describe what the personalities are like in that running back room?) – “Yeah, I’m the youngest in the room. I’m kind of the goofy one. I’m kind of the goofy one I guess. I’m still growing up still. Malcolm (Brown) is the OG, he’s the vet. He’s quiet but he’ll talk when he needs to. He’s got wisdom jokes. (laughter) Myles (Gaskin), I think me and Myles are on the same page. I’m young but I think Myles is right there with me. Patrick (Laird) is super intelligent, super witty guy. Gerrid (Doaks) does his thing, he’s young like me. What’s Gerrid – 23 or 24 maybe? I think me, Gerrid and Myles are all right there. Jordan (Scarlett) is an older guy too, he’s been in the league for a minute. You got a bunch of characters in there, it’s a fun room and I love to be a part of it. Hopefully continue to build those relationships.”
