T.J. McDonald – May 29, 2018
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Tuesday, May 29, 2018
S T.J. McDonald
(What have you done this offseason to make yourself and the team better?) – “I’ve just been working, working hard, getting myself in shape, being able to be more comfortable being in South Florida, being around, being in the facility. Just doing a little bit of everything. Just making sure my diet is good, me personally, that I can play at a high level and I’m in good shape.”
(How difficult was last year for you? Obviously a great training camp and then a two-month layoff.) – “It was tough. It’s hard to try to integrate yourself back into the flow of a game after you’ve sat out for a while; but I’m glad that’s all behind me. I’m going about my business as usual now.”
(How do you see everything fitting in between you and S Reshad Jones and S Minkah Fitzpatrick?) – “I don’t know yet. I don’t know. It’s only the second week of OTAs right now, so it’s still early. I know we’ve got some good players out there. We’ll get the best players on the field and we’ll go from there.”
(Does it feel like a good mix to you or does it feel like some duplication among the three of you as far as your skillsets?) – “I think that we can all do a lot of things. I think that it’s a good mix; but like I said, it’s still early. We haven’t really done too much. We’re all just learning different positions. One thing we are doing is just making sure we all can know both positons, both safety positions. As we continue to progress through OTAs, more packages, more things will go in and we’ll grow as a group from there.”
(Was there any discussion you had after they drafted S Minkah Fitzpatrick with either Defensive Backs Coach Tony Oden or Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke about how that would affect you, your role, playing time, where specifically you would play?) – “Anything that we talk about usually we keep in house; but it was nothing like that, nothing crazy. Like I said, I control what I can control and everything else takes care of itself from there. I’ve played a lot of ball. Reshad (Jones) has played a lot of ball. Minkah is a great player. I think that we can all make it work. However it works out, it’ll all take care of itself.”
(You’ve probably heard speculation anyway that, “T.J. McDonald might be moving to linebacker.” When you heard that, what was your reaction when you heard that?) – “As long as I’ve got a helmet on, it doesn’t matter. I hear all of that … I’ve been at safety this whole time I’ve been in the league, so that’s all speculation. I didn’t hear any of that from the coaches. From what I know, I’m playing safety and I’m going to continue to do that at a high level the best that I can.”
(Could you do it? Does it feel like something that’s just ludicrous to you or do you feel like, “I could transition to linebacker if I had to?”) – “As a competitor, I don’t think anything is ludicrous. Me as a competitor, I’m a physical player. Like I said, I’m a safety. However we’ve got to put it, however we’ve got to mesh together, wherever we’ve got to go, I’m just going to go out there and make plays and control what I can control.”
(They obviously ruled out you playing linebacker, but probably the door is open for you to play dime. Is that something you’ve done in the past?) – “I’ve been in the box. I think that that’s … Whether you’re at dime, whether you’re on the strong side or weak side … Sometimes when you’re playing in the box you rotate strong, you rotate weak. You’ve got to be able to be versatile and do it all. Like I said, I feel like I can do a lot of things – playing deep, playing in the box, whatever the case may be. However it unfolds, I’m going to try to do my best to help this team win.”
(How much has the NFL changed to where you use a big combination of a lot of defensive backs in a defensive set?) – “It has. It has changed a lot. It’s a passing league. Even in the league now where they spread you out however they can, even if they’re running the ball, it’s not the same style that it used to be. To have faster bodies on the field is good thing; but like I said, we’ve got a lot of good players on this defense, a lot of people that are versatile, that can move around at all three levels. That’s a good problem to have, I would say.”
(How about because of the rule change from the time you entered the league until now, the big hitting safety is being legislated …) – “You’ve just got to know what you’re doing. (laughter) I haven’t taken one since I’ve been in the league. Like I said, I’ve been the same style my entire career. I’ve been a physical player. I only know how to play the game one way. I’ve been fortunate enough to not take any flags and just be able to play the game the right way.”
(You played with DE Robert Quinn with the Los Angeles Rams, obviously. Can you tell me your reaction when you heard about the trade and what can he bring to the defense?) – “I was excited. Robert is a game changer. I’ve watched him change games. He’s going to go out there and give it his all every time. He’s a grinder. I was excited about it. It’s crazy seeing me, him and Will (Hayes) all together. We were sitting in the sauna and we’re like, ‘Man, this is kind of different;’ But I’m glad to have those guys and Robert is going to be a great addition.”
(Have you and your teammates gotten a clear explanation yet about exactly what the new rule change is about not being able to lower the head at all?) – “We usually … during camp we usually have the officials come in and they come and talk to us and make it more clear. They’ll put more clips on the board so we can really get a clear vision about what’s going on. There’s always going to be changes every year. (You) try to be as healthy as you can, try to play the game safe and also play at a high level.”
(You’ve played against QB Ryan Tannehill, if I’m not mistaken. What do you see out here now that he’s back as far as mobility, accuracy, arm strength, etc.?) – “He looks good. He looks good. He looks real good right now. His leadership is also great on and off the field. We’re excited to have him back so we can keep growing as a group, growing as a team. Like I said, his leadership is what I think we missed the most and just having him in the locker room and being able to take control of that offense.”
(Do you think this defense will be better?) – “I think so. That’s the goal every year. We want to be the best we can be.”
(What makes you think that will be the case?) – “Just hungry. We’re just hungry. We’ve just got a hungry defense. Right now, we’re trying to … Our camaraderie as a group is better than last year, I feel like. I feel like we’re growing week by week. We’re working a lot harder than we did last year. I’m not saying we didn’t work hard last year, but I think all the guys can feel the upward momentum through practice. The way we’re practicing right now, we’re setting the standard right now and I feel like that can only play off in the future.”
(What’s going to help this defense create more turnovers this season?) – “Running to the ball. Getting to the ball. More hustle. More energy. I think that’s contagious. Once you set that culture up and you set that standard – getting to the ball, playing physical and being a nasty defense – once you set that standard now, I think that energy is contagious and I think that’ll help.”
(With the new secondary coach – Defensive Backs Coach Tony Oden – is he stressing something different?) – “Communication. Communication is a big thing. I think there were some instances last year where we lacked some communication. That’s the biggest emphasis that he brings. That’s what we’re doing right now, making sure that we all communicate, we’re all on the same page, we’re all making sure that we get into a contract with each other on the field through verbal communication, hand signs, whatever it is. He definitely does a good job of stressing that. I think it’ll definitely pay off, especially big plays.”
(When you look at the talent that you guys have in the secondary, do you feel like that should’ve been better last year as a group?) – “Yes, I think we gave up too many big plays last year. That’s the biggest thing that you don’t want to do is let the ball get over your head. I think that going into this season, that’s a big emphasis for us is don’t let the ball get over our head and make plays on the ball when it comes our way.”
(What’s the ceiling for that group now if you guys can get it together this year?) – “I don’t want to put a ceiling on it. I know that right now we’re working. We’re working hard right now. We’re grinding and we want to be the best that we can be. We want to be the best in the league. That’s what we want to be. That’s where we’re putting the time in right now.”
(What are the signs to you that the camaraderie is better?) – “I don’t know necessarily that you can … How to explain it. It’s just a feeling that you get. I just think that we’re all playing for one another. We’re all rooting for one another. It seems like it’s a closer group (and) at the same time, we’re demanding the best out of each other and that started Day 1. We’ve just got to keep that up.”
(The secondary, you guys are being coached by Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Renaldo Hill, who was a former Dolphins player and recently played in the NFL. What’s that like to be coached by somebody who’s recently been in the league?) – “It’s good. You get a player perspective in the room. That’s always good – someone who has done it and somebody who’s been in the same position that you’ve been in and not looking from the outside in. That definitely helps.”
(Why has CB Bobby McCain been effective in the league?) – “He’s a smart player. He’s a smart player. He studies. He studies and he’s a smart player. He’s quick. He’s a competitor and that’s the biggest thing is his grit. Even though with his size, he’s got a great heart. That grit, that energy that he brings, it’s going to help any defense.”
(Is there anything that sets CB Bobby McCain apart as far as hands, feet, tracking the ball, anything, any traits like that?) – “He’s quick. He’s quick. I think he had one of the fastest shuttles coming out in the history of the Combine or something like that. He’s quick and combined with his mental approach to the game, it pays off in the slot.”
(How have the battles been going between you guys in the secondary and QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “I think we’re good. Like I said, it’s still early. We’re three practices … We just finished our fourth practice. The first couple days, I felt like the defense had the upper hand. They did a great job today; but we’re competing together. We’re out competing.”
(Did QB Ryan Tannehill surprise you at all?) – “He’s a good quarterback.”
(Is QB Ryan Tannehill a little different than what you guys were used to going against last year?) – “He went through OTAs last year. It’s about the same thing but … It’s still early. He’s a great quarterback. I’ve played against him from both sides now. Being on this side, I’m definitely glad to have him on this side.”
(You have to go against a couple new receivers this year – WR Danny Amendola and WR Albert Wilson. What stands out for you with those two guys?) – “(Danny) Amendola is a savvy guy. He’s good off the line with his releases. He’s a tough guy, a tough gritty guy. I’m glad to have him on this side. Albert Wilson is another guy that can run. He can run. He’s got great hands. We definitely got some good weapons on the other side of the ball.”
(QB Brock Osweiler, have you played against him and have you noticed anything about him out here aside from size?) – “I played against him in the past. I’ve seen him out there on the field and everything. He’s huge. I played against him in college, too. He was at Arizona State. He’s definitely had a lot of games in this league and he’s played and he’s been a starter in the league before, so he’s a good guy to have on this team.”
(One more quick one on QB Ryan Tannehill. It’s not unusual for offensive players to talk about that he was missed as a leader. I found it noteworthy you talked from your side of the ball that he was missed. Does he talk to defensive players much? Is there much conversation?) – “A little more than I think that people think. He’s a competitor, too. Sometimes if you say something to somebody or you can talk a little trash to the offense, a lot of guys turn around and just walk to the huddle; but he’ll come back at you. That brings that competitive spirit that you need as a team – not just as a defense or offense but as a team. He’s a good guy to have in the locker room, too.”
