Chris Grier and Brian Flores – April 29, 2021
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Thursday, April 29, 2021
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Brian Flores
Chris Grier:
(Just with WR Jaylen Waddle, I just want to know what particular skillset he had that separated him from other receivers in this draft?) – “I think with Jaylen – we’ve watched him over the years. He’s been a dynamic, explosive player even from his freshman year there. He just flashed and you saw stuff, and I think this season demonstrated that type of player and even last season. He’s contributed there every year. We love his athletic ability, his run-after-catch, obviously the speed; but it’s also his toughness. He’s a very competitive kid. He loves ball. It’s important to him. I think you guys see how he plays. He plays with passion and energy, and so as Brian (Flores) and I and the coaches and scouts were going through it, this guy has been someone that’s caught our eye and it’s not just this year. This is someone that we’ve had our eye on for the last couple years just watching him.”
Brian Flores:
“I would echo those sentiments. Obviously we watched a lot of Tua (Tagovailoa) last year. In doing that, we saw really all the players at Alabama and (Jaylen) Waddle was somebody who definitely stood out as a receiver, as a returner, just a really good player. And then getting to know him was – that kind of, I would say, confirmed a lot of the things we had heard. We just think he’s a very, very good player, a good person and somebody who would fit our locker room.”
Chris Grier:
(I want to follow up with that – actually that point right there – for a kid like that, who was projected to go in the first round anyway, obviously he didn’t have to go and play in the national title game. But it kind of showed that passion and wanting to be out there with his teammates. Is that something that maybe when you’re watching the title game, that pops out on the screen to you anymore so than another player out there?) – “Yeah, it just again shows the character and how important football is to him. Like you said, a lot of players would have opted not to play and risk injury, but he wanted to be with his teammates and he worked hard to rehab and get back and be out there and contribute. So for us, as we got to know him as Brian (Flores) said, it just kind of completed the picture before we even really knew him, just to say this is the type of kid that loves ball and would fit our culture.”
(Along those same lines, DE Jaelan Phillips admitted that maybe somewhere along the lines, his passion for football wasn’t as strong throughout his journey. What convinced you guys that he was in fact a fit for this culture and can bring the passion and energy that you guys would want here with the Dolphins?) – “Brian (Flores), myself, the coaches, the scouts – we spent a lot of time through the pre-draft process getting to know him. And I think the one thing when you watch him play, you would never question his passion and effort and stuff because he plays 100 miles per hour and he’s got a tremendous motor and effort, and you can tell football is very important to him. I think like any person, when you’re that young going into college and doing stuff and maybe hit a little bit of adversity there, I think it’s just maturing and growing. I think watching him over his career, he was one of the top players in the country in high school and just watching his growth over the last few years as we got to know him, we felt very comfortable with it. On film, there’s no doubt that this guy loves football, so we’re very excited to have him.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa said something last season to the effect of the team having only one really, really fast receiver in WR Jakeem Grant. How much did that statement have on you guys going out and getting WR William Fuller V and WR Jaylen Waddle tonight?) – “I don’t think we react to any player statements. At the end of the day, Brian (Flores), myself, working with the coaches and scouts, we evaluate everything and we’ll do what’s best for the Dolphins. I think at the end of the day, we’ll always do what’s best for the organization. I don’t put a lot of stock in those statements. We have conversations with players all the time, but we don’t let that drive our decision-making.”
Brian Flores:
“I’ve got nothing to add to that.”
Chris Grier:
(Last week when you spoke to us and I’m just going to read off your quote. You said in terms of pass rush, “we feel good about it.” After feeling good and satisfied about where you guys were with LB Andrew Van Ginkel and DE Emmanuel Ogbah last year, adding DE Jaelan Phillips to that group, what do you think he brings in terms of fitting into the scheme and what he’ll be able to do for Head Coach Brian Flores and Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer?) – “Like you said, we’re very excited and we’re always looking to keep improving the roster. Brian (Flores), myself, coaches – we all talk about that all the time and the opportunity that Jaelan – we were tremendously excited for. We think he’s a very talented player. He fits what we’re looking for in terms of everything – toughness, effort, competitiveness and the production on the field. So any time we can add to a position, whether it’s a position of strength as people view it or not, we’re going to keep working to upgrade the roster, so for us this was a big get for us.”
Brian Flores:
“You can never have enough pass rushers. You know that. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
(Obviously TE Kyle Pitts and WR Ja’Marr Chase are two skilled receiving talents who might also have added to the team. How did you feel seeing them go two picks in front of your spot knowing that you had traded down from No. 3?) – “No, I’ve told you we’re very comfortable where we were. We had a number of players – like we said – about four players we felt really good about taking at six and we’d be tremendously happy to have, so we had – again, don’t look back – but at the end of the day, we’re tremendously excited and this was a player we’ve been looking at for a couple years. So for what we want to do for our team and our roster, we’re very happy to have Jaylen (Waddle) and no regrets and say that with all honesty to you.”
(So everything you said about WR Jaylen Waddle – I’m sure you saw WR Devonta Smith – he’s on the same team and did a lot of things for Alabama. Why Waddle over Smith?) – “At the end of the day, they’re both really good players and really good kids and very competitive. Just as we went through it, it’s the explosiveness that Waddle gives you as well as the return game, as Brian (Flores) mentioned; and for us, just that dynamic trait and you can only imagine the texts Brian and I got from people talking about what a great pick and explosive and how this guy is – you guys saw all the comparisons – but for us, it was getting to know the kid and we were really, really happy and knowing how competitive and tough (he is). They’re both really good players. Devonta (Smith) is going to be a really good player in this league. For us, it was the explosive playmaking ability and the return ability for us that we really liked.”
(I wanted to ask you about the decision with DE Jaelan Phillips. Obviously having the opportunity to pick the first pass-rusher of the draft or edge player in the draft is a great situation; but what went into your decision in terms of evaluating other positions of need and your board? I’m sure you picked best player available because that’s your way, but did you expect and project the run at running back that you saw in the first round?) – “Yeah, Brian (Flores), I and the coaches and scouts, we do a lot of work pre-draft, a lot of calls, information, mock drafts, going through our own stuff and looking at it. Yeah, we thought that could happen; but for us, Jaelan was the best player on our board at that point. As Brian said, you can never have enough pass rushing. We all felt that way. So for us, we were tremendously excited that Jaelan was there. We didn’t think he would be there and we were happy to get him.”
(Did you have conversations with the Cowboys about them moving up to six? And if so, how serious were they?) – “We had a number of conversations with a couple of teams, but I would say nothing was very serious. I’m not going to go into what teams and who just out of respect for them. But we had a couple of teams that called and were interested; but at the end of the day, (Jaylen) Waddle was the guy we wanted. Brian (Flores) and I talked it over and at the end of the day, we made the pick with the player that we wanted to be here and was the best fit for the Dolphins.”
Brian Flores:
(I’d imagine you had some conversations with QB Tua Tagovailoa regarding WR Jaylen Waddle. What can you share with us as far as anything Tagovailoa might have said about Waddle, and how quickly do you think they might develop chemistry given that they have that much experience together already?) – “Tua was very supportive of really all of his teammates at ‘Bama. So Waddle, ‘Smitty’ (Devonta Smith), (Najee) Harris, (Alex) Leatherwood – he was very complimentary of all of those guys. I think he was excited that we chose Waddle. But to answer your question, he was complimentary of all of the players at ‘Bama.”
(What is your vision for WR Jaylen Waddle? I know he played a lot in the slot at Alabama and did some returning. Where do you seem him kind of starting off, helping your offense?) – “His role is going to be what he makes it. Based off of all the film we’ve seen, we think he’ll fit inside or outside. We think he’ll add a speed element. Obviously he has some value in the return game. I think his versatility is a big part of this. His ability to play inside, play in the slot, play on the perimeter, play in the return game. Again, we’re very, very excited to have him – really both Jaylen/Jaelans, to be honest with you. We’re excited.”
(I don’t know how much, if at all, you studied the two quarterbacks that have been added to the AFC East tonight in Jets QB Zach Wilson and Patriots QB Mac Jones. How do you feel about the caliber of young quarterbacks within your division now?) – “They’re two very good players. They’re two talented guys. Smart. I think the Jets and New England got two very good players. I’m sure they’re excited about adding those pieces, the same way we’re excited about adding the guys that we added tonight. Now it’s about getting them in, getting them acclimated and getting them adjusted to the National Football League and learning the playbook, and kind of fitting into the locker room and fitting into the culture of our team with our guys and their team with them. They’re very talented players and I’m sure they’re excited.”
(We were on the call with WR Jaylen Waddle when he found out that WR Devonta Smith. He just got really excited and got emotional talking about CB Patrick Surtain II and all of his teammates at Alabama getting picked and seeing their dreams come true. Is that the kind of stuff you guys found out about him, just sort of the camaraderie and the supportive nature that he brings to the table? And how much of a factor is that sort of thing outside of the talents he has on the field?) – “I would say the talent is the first thing that we’re looking at, and that stood out. But for sure, his – he talked about being a teammate and how important that was. He talked about the camaraderie that – he and Jaelan Phillips, they both talked about the camaraderie and how important that is. Obviously that’s important to us, but as players, that’s what stood out first.”
Chris Grier:
“Yeah, that’s exactly what it is. He’s a great kid and everything and loves football; but he loves his teammates as well. Like Brian (Flores) said, that really stood out in the interview process. He’s very quick to talk about his teammates and gives them a lot of credit for helping him improve and be a better player, and the coaching staff. He’s a very humble kid, as well, too. But very driven and competitive.”
