Jay Ajayi – May 23, 2017
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Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Running Back Jay Ajayi
(Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said you’ve been working on your pass receiving. Can you just elaborate on that specifically and what you’ve been working on this offseason?) – “One of the focuses for the running back room – specifically myself – is being better without the ball this year. That comes along with the fakes, running routes, knowing the details, catching the ball and so that’s what we’ve been working on – I’ve been working on – this offseason and it’s been really good.”
(How much different is this route tree for running backs compared to what you did in college?) – “It’s different. It’s a little bit more detailed, knowing where to break off the routes, being more precise. So it’s just about knowing what to do and executing.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase talked about possibly trying to get you 350 carries this year, which would be an increase of I think 90 carries. How would you feel about an increased workload?) – “I’m ready for it. I prepare myself every season to take a huge workload and be able to carry the team, and I think I’m ready for that. If that’s what he wants to do then that’s what we’ll do; but every time I step out on that field, it’s to put my all out there on the line. So whatever we do, that’s what we’ll do.”
(With adding TE Julius Thomas and bringing WR Kenny Stills back, how excited are you overall for the offense this year?) – “It’s really exciting. Just going out on the field today for the first OTA, looking out on our offense and not really seeing too many new faces – guys that have been in this program since last year – and we kind of know what to expect from each other. We have the new faces, of course, to bring them up to speed; but it’s really exciting. We’re excited about what we’ve got on our offense and it’s just about going out there each day during these OTAs and this summer, put in all these good practices together and preparing for a great year.”
(You’re a 1,000-yard running back and you’ve been to a Pro Bowl. How different is the offseason for you now?) – “It was a great offseason for me. I think that I was able to do some good things last year to set myself up for a good offseason, and now it’s just about consistency – raising the level, as well. I was able to kind of reach those goals last year and now it’s just about taking another step and really just pushing myself this year.”
(Personally, are you busier? I know you had the Sky Sports thing and all that stuff last year. Have the requests … or have you been recognized more? Is your profile raised? Do you feel anything like that?) – “Definitely some more recognition. I’m pleased about that. That means I’m doing well in the sport. Being able to do a lot more things off the field in the offseason is fun; but at the end of the day, it all comes down to what you do on the field. That’s where you earn that recognition and so it’s just putting in that work during this offseason to have a great year.”
(What’s an example of a time or a place where you were really caught off guard at how many people knew who you were?) – “Airport. I get stopped a few times in the airport. That’s always funny. Going out some times as well you catch some fans saying, ‘Thank you for a great year.’ And that’s always good that you’re affecting the fans and that they’re appreciative of what you’re doing.”
(Did any peer or anybody say something to you that meant something to you about your season, about where you’ve come in a year?) – “I think the most things that I heard that was at the Pro Bowl. Getting to be around a lot of other great players in the league and some past greats as well, they even were telling me that they watched the season, watched how I did. They were pleased with how I played. They were just excited about what I can do for the future. So that was really pleasing to me that people are taking notice and then, just like the (NFL Network’s) Top 100, that’s cool too. You just want to always push yourself to be the best.”
(What do you think of being ranked No. 69 in the NFL Network’s Top 100 players?) – “It’s cool. It’s a good accomplishment and (I’m) striving to be No. 1.”
(Have you made any additions or changes to your offseason plan?) – “Not really any changes. I still do some traveling. I’m probably going to go back to London next month. That’ll be fun. But yes, I’m just continuing to focus on this. This is an exciting time right now. We’re all here, all in the building. Just getting better each day, stay healthy, staying on my grind so I can hit the season running.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase said that he noticed QB Ryan Tannehill is a little more fiery because he was kind of upset about how last year ended for him. Have you sensed a little of that in the offseason workouts?) – “Yes. He’s determined. For him, personally knowing that he’s a competitor and him not being able to be out there to finish the season for us, it feels like he has something to prove this offseason and he’s really working hard out there. It’s been really great to be out there throwing and catching the ball with him. So I think he’s going to have a great year for us.”
(How does he look moving around?) – “He’s looked great. He’s got his brace on and everything; but there’s no difference for me. I haven’t seen any difference.”
(Your reaction to the events in Manchester, England last night?) – “Yes. That’s a real troubling thing to see. It’s almost like reoccurring in today’s world where we’re seeing these events like these. And it’s sad because you have kids and people that just want to go watch a concert and they’ve lost their lives because of it. So prayers out to the families and everyone affected by what happened in Manchester and you just hope they find a way to stop these kind of things from happening.”
(A lot of your success last year was the consistency on the offensive line. Now that T Branden Albert is gone, what’s your thought process going in and seeing a new offensive line?) – “It’s exciting. We’ve got some young guys in there. We’ve got some of the old faces still there, so it’s a little shuffle on the line; but that’s what these practices, these OTAs, these days are for. It’s just everyone getting comfortable out there, us getting accustomed to how each other works out there on the field and just be able to create a rhythm on offense so that when we’re out there running our plays or throwing the ball, we’re keeping ‘Tanny’ (Ryan Tannehill) protected and we’re blocking everyone, having great leverage and having great games out there.”
(I think there were six games with 100 rushing yards or more. What would be an offseason point of emphasis as the running group tries to develop more consistency throughout this season?) – “I mean, just going off of those stats for last year, we had a lot of change on the o-line – injuries, all of those things – so I think the first thing for us really is just we want everyone to be out there. Everyone that’s playing, we want them to be healthy so we can have consistency. And with that consistency, it’s just about execution. Knowing what the plays are and just going out there and executing. If all 11 of us are executing at the same level, we’ll be really good and that’s what it’s about – everyone putting in their work every day, doing their job and we’ll be fine on offense.”
(Has it changed for you, when you look back a year ago at this time and what you were doing? Has it changed what you’re…?) – “A little bit. I think I’m a little bit more comfortable; but at the same time, a lot more determined. I know what I can do in this league; but at the same time, it’s about just pushing that box, pushing to reach even higher. I know that I can do a lot more and that’s kind of what this offseason is about – just working on the little things, the details to kind of take my game to the next level and really have a great year. So that’s what I’ve been doing and I’m excited about it.”
(What have your impressions been of TE Julius Thomas so far and how you think he can help this offense?) – “Great teammate. He’s been a really cool guy to talk to just in the couple weeks being around him and just seeing him on the field. It’s been exciting – a guy who can stretch the field and definitely create mismatches for us. That’ll be really good on offense. He’s a guy that’s done it at a very high level in the past and so we just hope when he comes out here for us, he’ll raise the bar even more.”
