Braxton Berrios – July 28, 2024
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Sunday, July 28, 2024
WR Braxton Berrios
(Can you talk about the energy out there? The QB Tua Tagovailoa thing in the background now and the fans, how different was it?) – “It was awesome. We’ve been going three days obviously, and the intensity has been high nonetheless. Having all the fans out here and the energy they bring was really cool. It really feels like football is back now.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa was Tua throughout this whole thing, but now that’s gone – that weights off his shoulder, how more relaxed you think he can be going forward now through camp?) – “I guess a part of this game is the business. Obviously when you can deal that side away and take care of things, like you said the pressure is off and now you can just go play football. It’s no longer about business, it’s about football. I think the each one of these guys, if you only have that to think about, I think you’re at your best.”
(Was it ever – I don’t know if distraction is the right word but just wondering when we’re going to get our quarterback back?) – “No, I wouldn’t say that. He loves ball. We know at the end of the day that’s our QB1, we’re going to have him. Again, you obviously know that part of this is business and you let the two sides figure that out and whoever is out on the field you have to go out and have business as usual. There was never really a distraction by any sense. But again, I think all parties are happy it’s done with and we can move on.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel has said that he tells players, “My job is to get you paid.” Now you see your quarterback get the biggest contract in team history, what’s that say about Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “It says great things about (Head Coach) Mike (McDaniel). He obviously has put everybody in positions to do that. It says about the same as Tua (Tagovailoa), just how great of a player he is, how much of a team guy he is, how much of a leader and how much he means to this organization. When you have everybody on the same path, on the same train, going the same way, it can be big.”
(What’s something you appreciate at this point in your career about the NFL or playing receiver that you didn’t know coming into the NFL?) – “I’m sure there is a lot. Looking back, what six camps ago? Obviously, growing as a player and really taking advantage of every day. There’s really a lot to say about picking one thing a day or two if you really feel like it to really excel at and really try to get better at that one thing a day and take each day as its own opportunity. I think if you look at it that way in the five or five-and-a-half weeks of camp, you can really build something and build momentum on until the season.”
(What would you do with $52 million?) – “(laughter) Wrong question, I would invest it. It’d be the first thing I would do. It’s awesome – it’s awesome, taking care of his family generationally is incredible.”
(Can you talk a little about the energy of the fans being out here for the first practice and the excitement for you getting ready for the season?) – “Yeah, it’s amazing. Obviously, we practice a lot in season and out of season, but to practice in front of fans, it really brings back a football sense that the season is really on the way. Like I said prior, we come out here with intensity as it is, but having the fans really push that momentum, it’s nice to hear them cheer and react to each and every play. It’s fun.”
(Is QB Tua Tagovailoa a guy that gives presents to his linemen, receivers if they have a good game or good season? What do you expect him to give you?) – “Yeah, absolutely – he has a great team presence. He’s an incredible leader in that locker room, and I expect Tua to be Tua. I expect him to continue doing what he does and be our QB1 and be as good as he is.”
(I meant presents with a ‘t’ – gifts.) – “Presents or presence? Oh no. (laughter) The QBs give the linemen presents every year. I’m going to slowly somehow try to make my way into the linemen group as my presence there and see what happens. But yeah, I think they have a lot to look forward to, right?”
(Was there a receiver draft this year? Are you doing that game again?) – “We’re always doing that game.”
(Who’s on who’s team?) – “I don’t know if I can give that away. I think everything would be looked at differently. I could say it’s 2-to-1 right now. It’s close, and I think the one team got it today, so I think it’s tied 2-2. I can tell you Tyreek (Hill) and Jaylen (Waddle) are captains.”
(Was WR River Cracraft still the first draft pick though?) – “I cannot confirm or deny that. But Tyreek and Jaylen and I think it’s tied 2-2 now. So we’ll do that all through camp, it’s fun.”
(Are you on Team Tyreek or Team Jaylen?) – “See, you’re poking. Jaylen, I’m on Team Jaylen. I’ll give you that.”
(So that means WR River Cracraft was the first pick.) – “By deductive reasoning, you might have something there.”
(So you gave WR Tyreek Hill the day off today, huh?) – “Exactly. I was like, you know what? You’re good, we’ll go out and try to get one. Now we’re back tied.”
(Outside of Dolphins starting up the Canes are starting a new season. Have you been available to be out there and your thoughts of that program?) – “I think the program is in a great place. (Head Coach Mario) Cristobal has done a great job recruiting and obviously through the transfer portal as well. I know after the spring game there were high hopes. I guess for them it starts August 30th against Florida at Florida. I think things are looking up for them and I’m excited to watch them.”
