Jake Bailey – March 22, 2023
Download PDF version
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
P Jake Bailey
(First, I wanted to ask if you could kind of walk us through your thought process through this free agency, this first week of agency, because I think with a lot of non-specialists we hear about scheme fit and wanting to play for a specific coach, but for a specialist and punter like you, what was the thought process and what led you to Miami?) – “Same thing kind of fits, too. Danny Crossman is a guy I’ve always admired from across the sideline. I played against him many times and just a really nice dude. I also know Jason (Sanders) and Blake (Ferguson) really well and they’re really nice guys. I’m excited to kind of just start up with them and see how it goes.”
(Can you fill us in on what was the nature of your back injury and how did it impact your performance last season?) – “Yeah, a lot of it had to do with squatting a ton. I did not grow up squatting, loading my back with back squats. I didn’t do it at all in college and then I really didn’t do it my first three years in the league and kind of tried to start something new, try and be more a part of the program. And it just really backfired the whole season. I was doing it and it didn’t – it really made my accuracy struggle. It just was kind of a sad, sad thing to have happen. I haven’t squatted since really Week 15, 16 and feel pretty good.”
(Obviously when you signed a long-term contract with another team, you thought you were going to be there for a while. When you found out that that team was putting you on a suspended list, how did you feel?) – “You know, there’s a lot to unpack and a lot of it is between them and me partly. I’ve talked to Coach Belichick about this and how we want to talk about all this stuff and obviously you don’t want to end up on a list like that ever. Confusion was a lot of it, and I think we’re just past it now at this point. It was something that happened and it was something that was unfortunate for both sides but now I think both parties are in a better situation.”
(There’s a lot of players within the AFC East who changed teams, Jets to Dolphins, Dolphins to Bills. I find that interesting. Do you? How do you feel about facing your former team which is obviously going to happen at least twice next year?) – “Yeah, it’s just another team on the schedule. I think part of why people go in and out of the AFC East is you know what you’re getting. You know you have a player that can go play up in Foxborough, you have a player that can go play up in Buffalo when the weather’s super bad, and you also have a player that can go play down in Miami at the start of September. So there’s a variety of different elements you can get in the AFC East and it kind of makes sense why you would want to keep a player in there.”
(Before going on IR, your punting numbers in 2022 didn’t quite seem to be what we saw from you in some years prior to what you had previously done. So were you having back issues before IR placement or were there other factors leading to it?) – “I’m not one to really make excuses about my numbers. Like any time you walk out on that field, you’re expected to be the best version of yourself and perform up to the NFL standards. I didn’t feel myself the whole year though. I was squatting a lot and was getting treatment on my back since Week 1 and before.”
(I know this was the first time that you’ve change teams, but I’m wondering do you anticipate any, I guess anxiety, or anything along those lines? And is it better or worse when you come with that All-Pro reputation? Do you think expectations are a little bit higher for you?) – “That was a long time ago. I don’t view myself as that guy. I’m on a new team just trying to meet new people and contribute to the team. My first workout was Friday and I didn’t really know what to expect and kind of came in, met a few people and they were all really nice. And that kind of settled the edge of the whole day. When that’s going on, you can have a conversation with them. I really liked everybody I met and had a good time. It played well and that’s all that mattered.”
(If I could follow up real quick, I think it’s interesting that you say that was a long time ago being an All-Pro. It really wasn’t that long ago. That’s an interesting comment. Why do you view it in that fashion?) – “You know, outwardly, I’m trying to be humble. Inwardly, I am the best punter in the league in my own head and I’m going to go out there and perform to the best of my abilities every single time I touch the football,. But yeah, outwardly, I’m trying to be a little humble. (laughter)”
(I read an article about you and getting your pilot’s license or pursuing it back in college and I was curious, I guess an update on that and also just kind of how you became interested in aviation?) – “Yeah, this offseason has been the offseason of the pilot’s license. Any time you are trying to get that, you have to stay current. So I had all the like, minimum requirements back in college, but I never took the final exam essentially. I got drafted, so I didn’t have time to take the final exam. So this offseason, I’ve been grinding on it. I think I’ve got like 30 to 35 hours, just this offseason in the air and I’m close. So check back with me April 6. We’ll see if I can get it done before then.”
(I’ve got to follow up on that question about the pilot’s license and all. Tell us more about what you hope to do with that. What sort of craft are you hoping to pilot?) – “It’s just small Cessnas for right now. Maybe a Cirrus – four-seater planes. Nothing too crazy, but there’s some good flying down in South Florida and I’ve been looking at what it looks like to go down to Key West or down to the Bahamas. Maybe even get my floatplane license someday down the road, too.”
(On a totally separate topic, I want to ask you the latest stories I’ve seen simply state that your agent filed a grievance over the suspension and I assume the guaranteed money. What’s the state of that grievance? Is it still in the early stages or is it done with?) – “The details of it are kind of between me and the Patriots. The grievance is done, but everything surrounding it is in the past. I’m totally on a new team now and just looking forward to seeing how I can contribute to them.”
