Danny Amendola – May 31, 2018
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Thursday, May 31, 2018
WR Danny Amendola
(How would you describe the first few practices?) – “It’s going well. Working hard. Just trying to get better.”
(When we were out there one day, we saw you get really mad. How often does that happen and how is that a part of your process?) – “(I) just try to bring intensity to practice in every drill and practice at a high level. I feel like if you practice at a high level in OTAs, in camp, in the offseason and bring that to the season, it all correlates to how you play on the field on Sundays.”
(When did that start for you? When did you have that kind of day in, day out fire?) – “I’ve always been that kid, really.”
(I imagine you’re a fan of the no-huddle, hurry up offense. Tell us a little bit about what you think that brings to the table and if you see the personnel here that can run that effectively.) – “You’ve got to be in shape to do it. It really wears down the defense. It can trap the defensive players on the field if they get tired or they … (It) limits them to substitutions and stuff like that. It’s a huge weapon for us. We’re excited to get out there and work it.”
(So, expand on something you just said: How do offseason practices – stuff in May – translate to success in the fall?) – “Just the mentality you bring to the field every day. You want to create an atmosphere that’s conducive to winning and practice at a championship level. Whether that’s an individual drill to open up the practice, you want to be perfect. You want to practice with great fundamentals and continue to sharpen up and that’s what it’s about.”
(Have you seen some of the young guys looking at you, asking questions, trying to emulate what you’re doing right now?) – “Of course. I’ve known some of the young guys in this room for a while now. Kenny (Stills) and Jakeem (Grant), both Big 12 guys, guys that I’ve been watching play football for a long time. Whatever I can do to help – whether it be on the field, off the field – I’m always willing to help out my teammates.”
(To follow up on the no-huddle for a second, do you see in QB Ryan Tannehill the traits you need to see in a quarterback to run that effectively?) – “I think he’s a good quarterback. We’ve only been working together for a short time so I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to get on the same page as him, trying to listen to him, what he likes, what he wants and be there for him.”
(When you talk about no-huddle offense, what are some of the keys – two or three keys – whether it’s communication or knowledge to make that thing really hum?) – “It’s all reps, really, in practice. Just knowing the plays in and out, knowing what the defense is going to play defensively, what coverages they’re going to play, what coverages they’re going to disguise and what coverages they’re going to get to, and if they can do that on the run. It’s kind of like a fast break in transition, I guess, in basketball, if you will. And that’s it.”
(What’s your favorite route to run?) – “I like them all.”
(Is there one that you’re best at you think?) – “No. I like them all.”
(CB Bobby McCain said that you were his second most hated player in the league, which I think is a compliment. But he said now you’re not so bad, you’re okay. Did you guys have a beer summit? How did you guys…) – “(laughter) I have a lot of respect for Bobby. He’s a great player. He and I are cut from the same cloth. We’re some dogs out there. We like to compete. It brings the best out of both of us out there in practice. He’s getting me better. I’m competing my tail off against him and I know he’s a great player.”
(Did you hate CB Bobby McCain as well? Where is he on your list?) – “I have a lot of respect for Bobby.”
(Did you guys talk about it at all?) – “We’re teammates, so…”
(There was nothing like…) – “No. It’s nothing personal.”
(CB Bobby McCain didn’t send you a bill for his fine?) – “No.”
(Handshake, nothing?) – “No. We’re good. We’re good. We’re brothers.”
(You, WR Kenny Stills, WR DeVante Parker, WR Albert Wilson, WR Jakeem Grant – those five collectively can be what? Obviously, others as well who are competing – how good can that group be? What skills do you like about that group?) – “We have a lot to prove. We come out every day with a chip on our shoulder and try to get better. That’s the mentality that we bring to practice every day. That’s what we’re going to bring every day and try to improve every day. That’s what we’re going to focus on, not really listen to what our expectations are, but just get out there and practice hard one day at a time.”
(You have a reputation as a QB-friendly wide receiver. What defines a QB-friendly wide receiver?) – “That’s a good question. I don’t know. I try to get open on every play, be there for my teammates whether it’s a blocking play, whether I have a route or a hot read or whatever it is. (I) just try to do my job.”
(I’m wondering how much a quarterback can do for an entire team. I know he doesn’t play defense, he doesn’t play special teams, but you played with one of the best, a guy whose influence went all around. How does that work for one guy to be able to do that? I’m sure it’s not like LeBron James in basketball.) – “Your quarterback is a natural leader. He’s the one vocalizing the play calls on the field. There’s one quarterback. I feel like we have a great quarterback in Ryan (Tannehill) and he’s doing a great job.”
(WR Albert Wilson, RB Kenyan Drake and WR Jakeem Grant all clam to be the fastest dude on offense. Your thoughts?) – “They are fast. They are fast.”
(You actually ran a pretty good 40 in college.) – “That was a long time ago.”
(You’re not that far away from them.) – “I’m faster now than I was in college. I’ll put it that way.”
(So who are you putting your money on if they race?) – “Whoever crosses the line first. (laughter)”
(That’s a very political answer. You wouldn’t even take your Texas Tech brethren WR Jakeem Grant?) – “Jakeem (Grant) is fast dude. Yes, for sure. He can fly. We have a bunch of great athletes on this team. Let’s go. Let’s line it up.”
(It’s not New England. You can answer.) – “I’m not giving you all much. (laughter)”
(Is there some truth to the concept that there’s a difference between 40-yard dash Combine speed and game-day speed?) – “No question. Yes, absolutely. You’ve got to know how to play football. Football is not track. You see guys that necessarily aren’t the fastest guys on paper, but (are) good football players. That’s it”
(How much does adrenaline and competition have to do with that game day speed versus Combine speed?) – “Every guy is different. Preparation goes into your routes and knowing where to go and when to go on your steps and depending on the coverage and how smart you are and where to be at the right time. A lot goes into being a good football player and that can make up for lack of speed or track speed or whatever.”
