Ndamukong Suh – September 20, 2017
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Wednesday, September 20, 2017
DT Ndamukong Suh
(Beyond your usual high-quality play, could you point to other specific factors about why the run defense was better Sunday? Was DE William Hayes a factor? DT Davon Godchaux? What specific things could you point to?) – “I would say, without question, William Hayes was a big factor of our run defense. I think he implemented that very early on, really in OTAs and especially in camp when we got the pads on. I’d just say, in addition to all of that, it just really comes down to execution. We understood what they wanted to do against us, and we executed. We practiced. The coaches were giving us great looks throughout the week and I think we understood everything from A to Z, what (the Chargers) wanted to do, and they understood that they were going to struggle with (the run game) if they stayed with it.”
(What do you need to do to make this consistent, to make this an every game day situation?) – “Honestly, just continue to take the same approach. I think we did a very similar job today, as this is usually our run day and we look at a lot of stuff; but also guys take the time on Monday and Tuesday to look at it themselves and obviously come in with questions for the coaches, anticipation of what we may do for blitzes or just overall alignment and assignments of what we need to accomplish.”
(You’re one of the leaders of this team. Obviously, this LB Lawrence Timmons situation has thrown everybody for a loop. How do you address it as a leader?) – I think Lawrence, at the end of the day, is going through some particular issues. (I’m) unsure of what those are; but all we’ve got to do as teammates is be there to support him with anything that he needs. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to continue to move forward and put our head down and understand that when we have the time to be able to help Lawrence, help him; but at the same time, we’ve got to prepare for our Jets game and go from there.”
(How do you balance supporting a teammate versus the obvious decision that you have to be responsible and be there when you need to be there on Sunday?) – “Yes, no question. I think you have to look at it as any other person in their particular field of work. You’ve got to go to work and take care of your business. At the same time, be attentive, be on time and then go from there.”
(When you look at the Jets and you look at your schedule, do you agree this is one of those ‘should win’ games?) – “No, because it’s the NFL. The NFL is one of the toughest things in sports, to play any given Sunday, as they’ve made the slogan. Every team is respectable. Every team you have to give ultimate respect (to). They have great players; great talent. We’ve obviously seen great players. I’ve played against (Jets RB) Matt Forte many times so I know what he can do. I’ve played against (Jets QB) Josh McCown, as well. So I respect them and understand that we have an opportunity to win, but it’s no given win by any means.”
(You seem like you’ve been very intentional about your leadership with this team. How did it feel, then, to have your teammates vote you as a team captain last week?) – “It’s obviously a huge honor. I think anyone would say that (about) having your peers vote you as a captain. I think, no matter what, being able to have a C on your chest is great; but at the same time, the guys who don’t have C’s on their chest for game day, are still expected to continue to be leaders and understand that they have an ultimate role. There have been times in the past, especially when I was a younger guy, where I know I probably wasn’t going to get a C on my chest; but at the end of the day, I understood what my role was, what I needed to do and how I could help other people and be a leader in my own way.
(Sometimes it’s just kind of a formality, but you hadn’t been a captain your first two years with the Dolphins. Did it actually mean something to you this time?) – “Yes, for sure. I was a captain at the end of last year. My first year here, I don’t think we really had captains per se. It was more of each game it was decided and done from there from the head coach’s perspective; but without question, it definitely means something.”
(You seem to be a guy that as you get a little bit more comfortable with your circumstance and situation, you start to open up. Has that been your norm?) – “Yes. For me, for sure, it’s that way. I’m definitely not an easy person to get to know, nor do I necessarily allow people to get to know me like that, just because I’m a natural introvert. But I understand that the light that I am in, that’s shined on me, and I need to be open, especially when it comes to my teammates. I think they understand that and I think they’ve been open to how they receive me and, for me, how to receive them as well. So at the end of the day, it’s about getting to know each other. I think any person, as you walk down the street, or however you may meet somebody, you’re just not going to spill your entire life to them day one. It’s going to evolve over time.”
(Being a natural introvert, how difficult has that been always being a star?) – “(laughter) I don’t know if I’ve always been a star, but I think that I’ve always looked at to be a star and I’ve always wanted to live up to being a star. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter to me if somebody sees me as a star or doesn’t. I want to just prove that on the football field, as well as outside (in) life, whether that’s academics or whatever it may be. My parents always taught me to be that way and strive for the stars.”
(Did you, or any of the other players, speak specifically to LB Chase Allen, who wasn’t supposed to be a starter at the beginning of the year and had do play on Sunday? Did you speak with him before the game and calm his nerves?) – “No, not at all. I don’t think so. I think guys in his group may have or may have not; but Chase understands and I think every single guy on this team understands that no matter what, at any point in time, you can be put in a role where we expect you to do things. I think at different levels, even (Terrence) Fede, for a guy who’s not a starter but a guy that we expect (a lot from), especially on special teams; but even on the defensive line we expect things from him. With the situation, (Allen) had to learn some stuff the night before, as well as game day and have adjustments. So I think at this stage and understanding, all of the things that we’ve gone through, all of the injuries that we have seen in the past and potentially stuff that can, unfortunately, happen in the future, guys are always prepared and ready for their role to be expanded and accept that.”
(LB Lawrence Timmons has been in the league a long time, but he hasn’t been in Miami very long. Does he have credibility with you guys to where when this happens Saturday, you give him the benefit of the doubt or do you not know him well enough yet to extend to that? – “I think we have a good gauge of what he is, and he’s a good person. Obviously this time that I’ve spent around him has been limited; but at the same time, I’ve enjoyed my time around him and really expect the best from him. He’s an adult and a veteran, and he’s obviously been doing it for many, many years. Aat the end of the day, it’s a mishap. Everybody’s had those situations. You can account for me when I got suspended for two games. My teammates would expect for me to do better; but at the same time, I have to deal with that situation and I need to come back when I’m allowed to come back and go from there. That’s kind of what the situation is for him”
(Have you talked to LB Lawrence Timmons? I don’t even know, is he around?) – “I gave him a call but his phone wasn’t working. That’s kind of been the extent of it. Right now, from my understanding – and I don’t know everything – I think he’s in good hands.”
