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Calais Campbell – November 14, 2024 Download PDF version

Thursday, November 14, 2024

DT Calais Campbell

(Head Coach Mike McDaniel had a lot of praise for you yesterday. How good does it feel when you hear him call you the Tom Brady of defense linemen?) – “It feels good. I’m glad that Coach (McDaniel) believes in me. I’m glad I’m here and I’m still able to play this game I love. Obviously this is a ‘what have you done for me lately’ business and I’ve got to go out there and perform again this week. Otherwise it’s a different tune, that’s just how it goes. I’ve learned that through my experience, but it is cool to see Coach show a lot of love though.”

(What is your reaction when you hear so many people surprised that you’re playing at this level this far into your season?) – “Well I work really hard, so I’m not surprised. I feel like my preparation and just the dedication I put into this game, I expected to do well. If I can’t go out there and dominate, I don’t think I’m going to play anymore. I want to play at an elite level and so I definitely put the time and effort to do that, so it feels good to be able to do it and other people recognizing it is nice, too, but at the end of the day, it’s got to carry over to winning ball games.”

(During the broadcast on Monday I think from their production meeting either Joe Buck or Troy Aikman said that you mentioned you’re treating this year like your last. Do you think this year could be your last? You’ve played so well. Do you think you want to squeeze another year or two out of yourself?) – “I’ve always been in the mindset of leave everything on the field, burn rubber and just go as hard as I can go, and then when the offseason comes, I figure out next year when that comes. That’s how it’s been quite of a few of the last few years. Next year doesn’t even exist to me right now, so I’m playing this year as if it’s my last and I’m trying to do everything I can to empty the tank and give the game my all. If the offseason comes around and I feel good still, then we’ll figure it out then.”

(Can you think one thing that Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver says or does in his approach that is a little bit unique?) – “I don’t know, I think having a player experience – he played eight years in the league – I think that helps him a little bit just being relatable and communicating to the guys. I think he has a good balance of showing love and then kind of being hard on guys and just trying to find that balance of encouragement and then accountability, but he does a great job. He’s a phenomenal coach, great leader. I think his passion for the game and his desire to win is what separates him, which I think everybody that does anything wants that but he just does it at an elite level.”

(He’ll be a head coach?) – “Oh yeah, without a doubt in my mind. Very soon and I think he’ll be a great head coach.”

(Was there ever a moment on the sideline for you guys where you guys are just chilling without talking to each other, just relaxing? Because I haven’t seen it yet.) – “That’s not really football. (laughter) We’re relaxing in the offseason and maybe on the day off, get a little relax time, but while there’s time on the clock, we’re always working to figure out how we can be better. I’ll get a little oxygen to catch my breath, but no, we’re always trying to figure out how we can win a ball game. This year we gave up 10-point leads multiple times and have to fight and claw back from behind, so you realize just every moment is precious and you have to always be working towards winning the ball game.”

(How much do you set the tone for younger guys with that type of thought because I see everybody engaged?) – “Yeah, it’s important. That’s part of my role is to set the tone and be an example for the young guys, a mentorship role and just making sure I communicate to them like what it takes to be successful and be a pro. We have a lot of young guys that we’re dependent on and they’ve been playing really good ball for us, but you got to stay on them. You can’t relax. This is a long season. You get 17 games guaranteed as a team and the goal is to be able to get to the playoffs with that. We dug ourselves into a big hole so our margin for error is already very low, so we don’t have time to try to go through growing pains anymore. We have to be on point.”

(You had a year with DeShon Elliott in Baltimore. You’re on this year’s Dolphins team now. What did you think when you heard his comments about last year’s team – a lot of players which are now on this team – that last year’s team was soft?) – “Anybody can say anything. Define ‘soft’ – I think the guys I’m going to war with every day, I believe in. I know they’re tough and we’re going to show it. Just we’re in a critical part of our season and I feel like guys are locking in and building that mental toughness you need to go and make a run. At the end of the day, it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t do anything though, but DeShon (Elliott), a guy I like, a guy that was a good teammate when I was teammates with him; his opinion for us doesn’t matter. His opinion, it means nothing to me.”

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