Albert Wilson – May 23, 2018
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Wednesday, May 23, 2018
WR Albert Wilson
(This is Day 2 of OTAs now. How many different places have you lined up on the field?) – “Pretty much everywhere inside and outside. I’m pretty much getting all of it right now.”
(X, Y and Z? All of the above?) – “Right.”
(What’s your favorite?) – “I really like working on the inside. I feel like I’ve got that down pat; but, I work good on the outside also, so it really doesn’t matter.”
(Have they stressed to you the importance of being able to master pretty much every position on the field?) – “Definitely. I think the whole offense, every wide out and tight end, works inside and outside. I think that’s a big part of our offense.”
(I noticed you had a 50-yard touchdown reception today on the right sideline. Can you tell us what happened on that play and what it showcased of your skills?) – “I had a take-off route, pretty much a go route. I got a little held up at the beginning but the quarterback gave me a shot. I pretty much took advantage of the opportunity. (I) was able to work inside, made a move on the safety and that was pretty much all she wrote.”
(What did that show? Elusiveness or the ability to get off the line of scrimmage? Ball tracking? What do you think?) – “Definitely. To be able to keep working in the route, to track the ball and to make a play once it’s in my hand.”
(You’re obviously established in your own right but do you enjoy coming here to a receivers group where it’s kind of run by WR Kenny Stills and it seems like WR Danny Amendola also, even though he’s new?) – “Oh, definitely. I think Kenny does a great job of letting us know what coach is looking for. He’s been around it and had a lot of success here. He’s a great leader and Danny, he’s coming over and has played a ton of football. To have him on our side and to pick his brain and see how he works, it’s a great thing for us.”
(Is there anything specific that WR Kenny Stills has instructed to you?) – “Pretty much just knowing the offense and like (you were) saying, to know every spot. We’re going to work left and right side, and (you have to) know every spot.”
(We saw WR Danny Amendola come off the field one time and he was kind of mad. He threw his helmet against the fence on the second day of OTAs. What does that say?) –”That’s Danny for you. He’s a perfectionist and he wants to do everything right. If it doesn’t go his way, he’s kind of down on himself. I think that’s what makes him a great player. He’s the hardest person on himself.”
(You obviously know that the wide receiver’s success is tied to the quarterback. What are your first impressions, what are your early impressions of your starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill?) – “I think he’s in the right place, especially after what happened to him this past season. I feel like he’s trusting himself, trusting all of the hard work he put in in the offseason, and I think he’s going to pick up where he left off.”
(What are your initial impressions of QB Ryan Tannehill as a thrower of the ball?) – “I love his ball. He’s definitely good with the timing. He puts it to where you can make a play on the ball. It’s a great thing.”
(I don’t know if you heard, but it’s just been announced by the NFL. They are adopting a new policy regarding the national anthem. If you’re on the field during the national anthem, you have to stand. You do have the right to stay in the locker room, although each club can adopt its own policies regarding all of that. What’s your reaction?) – “I haven’t really heard it until you just brought it up; but I’m pretty sure coach is going to have his say-so on it. Once coach gets with us about it, I’ll pretty much have something to say after that.”
(I was wondering about the hoodie. Is that from the team or is that your own brand?) – “It’s pretty much my logo; but I was able to get these Dolphins colors on there. I just wanted to show it off. (laughter)”
(Would you be willing to participate in a 40-yard dash with WR Jakeem Grant and RB Kenyan Drake?) – “Oh yes, definitely.”
(Will you do that when we’re out there on the field so we can see it?) – “If it sets up that way, definitely.”
(What do you think would happen?) – “I’ll win.”
(Are you the fastest guy on the team then?) – “Definitely.”
(Have you had some pinch-me moments being here playing in South Florida, growing up so close and now being a Dolphin?) – “It’s great. I still take it in every day, just coming into the locker room and seeing guys like Dan Marino walking around. His great legacy around here, it’s still breath-taking.”
(Was there another opportunity you had that you gave serious thought to the first two days of free agency or was this clear-cut without question where you were going to sign?) – “When things came down to it, outside of football, this was the right place for me.”
(Outside of football, you mean what?) – “Just bringing a whole different motivation to why I play the game. I’m able to get back home and play for my home state. It wasn’t a question.”
(Did your family play into it? Mom, dad, did they say something? You have a chance to play for the Dolphins, so you have to go for that?) – “Not really. They’re riding with me no matter what. Just the opportunity, it was a great one. A lot of people don’t get to go home and have a great opportunity like me, so I’m definitely taking full advantage of it.”
(You guys had a lot of other talented offensive players in Kansas City. I’m wondering what you thought about how you were used. Did you wish that you were used more or did you understand because of the talent surrounding you? What did you think?) – “I feel like what makes me a great player is just knowing my role. My role was kind of the back end of just stepping up when I needed to be called on. I don’t feel like I was used wrong; but I definitely feel like I could’ve been used more.”
