Duke Riley – March 22, 2021
Download PDF version
Monday, March 22, 2021
LB Duke Riley
(What was something that intrigued you about joining the Dolphins and what are you most excited about here?) – “I’m just excited about everything. It’s a fresh start for me. I’m excited about the coaching staff, playing with the guys, guys getting to know me and the great weather, the great city, the great organization. I’m just excited to be here just in general. I’m just excited for a new opportunity, just excited for an opportunity to have a job again. It’s a blessing, regardless.”
(What would you say is the biggest thing you will bring to this Dolphins team?) – “Just positive energy. That’s the only thing I can say. I’m going to bring energy and just be consistent. Other than that, I could sit here and say I’m going to do this and I’m going to do that, but the film and the eye in the sky will never lie.”
(How well did you know Head Coach Brian Flores before this week and what do you know about the work he does with linebackers?) – “I know he’s going to put us in the best position to make plays and be instinctual and play fast. I met with him during the recruiting process back in 2017 coming out in the draft, so we’ve sat and talked before. I’m just excited to play for a guy like him. He’s going to bring the best out of everyone and we’re going to be competing like no other, so I’m just excited for that.”
(What kind of player are you? What are the Dolphins and Dolphins fans going to see when you hit the field?) – “Energy. That’s all I can say. Just energy and being the same guy and just a guy who’s going to bring his teammates along, a guy who’s going to lead by example, a guy who’s going to – I’m not going to be perfect. No one in this league is. It’s hard to be perfect in anything you do; but that’s the main thing, just energy and consistent.”
(I wanted to ask you, what did it take do you think for your defensive snaps to go up dramatically from Atlanta to Philly? I know your first year in Philly, not a lot of defensive snaps. Last year, it went up a lot. What do you think you showed that warranted those snaps? Where did you improve that you became more of a defensive factor?) – “It really became from my special teams play. I knew that I would have to make an impact on special teams to be noticed. I wanted to play defense and a lot of people I guess, sometimes they get in moods when they’re not on defense and they think special teams is not part of – I don’t know how people look at it, but I look at it like it’s everything. I look at any time I’m on the field that any opportunity I’ve got is everything. So that’s why I was able to get on defense because I was able to make plays on special teams and be noticed, and I guess they figured if I could do it there and make plays in space on (special) teams, then they would put me on defense. It seemed to worked out. I helped myself a lot by just staying committed and staying dedicated and believing in myself, even though I wasn’t getting that many snaps at first. I never let it get to me. I kind of just stayed down and stayed digging like I always am. I’m still digging right now. (laughter)”
(How many different ways did the Eagles use you on defense? I apologize I haven’t been able to watch your tape yet.) – “In many different ways. Third-down situations, first-down situations; I’m an every-down guy. I pretty much can play in any situation, but there were a lot of situations that the Eagles used me and then I became an every-down guy for them. At first, I was just a third-down and situational guy, and then I started making plays in those situations and they wanted to see more and then I became an every-down guy.”
(I wanted to ask you if you think you can play both inside and outside in a 3-4. Would you be as comfortable in as out in that scheme?) – “I’ll just be comfortable – to be honest with you – wherever the coaches really want to put me at. I think they’re going to put me in the best position for the team and for me to be successful, and that’s what it’s all about. They’re going to put me in a position for the team to be successful, so that’s all I want them to do and that’s what I’m ready for.”
(What do you think this defense and this team could aspire to be next season?) – “I don’t want to make any predictions. We’re in the offseason right now. I just want to get with the guys and meet them, show them what I’m capable of and what I can bring to the table and where we can grow from there. We don’t even know what this team is going to look like, so it’s kind of hard to make any predictions on what’s going to happen, so I just want to be where my feet are right now. I’m thankful that I signed with Dolphins today and I’m excited to be with my new teammates. Then we can work together towards futures and future goals, but we’ve got to start day-by-day. That’s the only way you can do it. You can’t ever look ahead in life. That’s how you miss what’s right in front of you.”
(Duke Riley is a great name for a football player. Is that a family name, Duke?) – “No, I’m the only Duke Riley. My dad’s name is Duke. I got my name from my dad and I have my mom’s maiden name, Riley. So I’m one of one. (laughter)”
