Kalen Ballage – May 11, 2018
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Friday, May 11, 2018
RB Kalen Ballage
(Your goal for this season. Have you thought about … Would you like to be a major contributor from scrimmage or special teams? Do you set goals like that?) – “Yes, absolutely. I feel like to be an elite competitor, that’s what you have to do. You shoot for the top spot and go for it and try to reach those goals. I’ve definitely thought about that and being a big part of this starting unit.”
(You knew exactly how many running backs were taken in front of you when we talked to you on draft day. Is that something that’s going to stick with you, you think?) – “At the end of the day, I feel like … Like I said in the interview, there were 130 people picked before me and 11 other running backs. More and more each day I thank God that I ended up in Miami because I think it is going to be the perfect fit for me. It’s just something that motivates me.”
(Why do you think it is the perfect fit?) – “For every reason. Just the coaching staff, the facilities, Miami in itself. I think that this is somewhere that I’ll be able to flourish.”
(When you get here and see that RB Frank Gore is here and going to be in your room, what do you think of that?) – “It’s super exciting. I know a lot about running backs. I know he’s like fourth all-time on the rushing list. That’s just somebody that I look up to. A lot of people don’t see Frank as the flashy running back or anything like that; but he’s consistent every year. He rushes for 1,000 yards and I think that’s definitely somebody that I can learn from.”
(Has RB Frank Gore reached out to you?) – “Yes, I spoke to Frank the past couple of days. We were kind of just talking a little bit back and forth. Obviously he’s 33-34 years old so he has a wife and kids and family and stuff like that, so he has his own stuff to worry about. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
(Were you star struck at all to hear from RB Frank Gore?) – “At first I was. I reached out to him on Instagram after I got drafted. I didn’t think he would see the message or anything; but he messaged me back right away. That was welcoming for sure.”
(Your experience playing multiple positions throughout high school. How does that serve you now and how did that help you get to where you are?) – “It wasn’t just high school. It was middle school, it was little league. I was a quarterback, wide receiver, running back, safety, linebacker. I did everything. I am a running back, but I consider myself a football player. I feel like I’m somebody that can do everything pretty well.”
(Watching that eight-touchdown game. That was very impressive and amazing and those don’t come along very often. I’m wondering why didn’t your time at ASU include more performances closer to that as opposed to much less than that?) – “What a lot of people don’t know is in that game, I only had 13 carries. That’s kind of how it was throughout my college career. I think I had 15 touches that game. That’s kind of how it was throughout my college career. That is what it is and at the end of the day, now I’m here. I’m a Dolphin and I’m really excited to move forward.”
(Did you feel like it was an untapped potential you had? More would’ve been more?) – “Yes, I do. Absolutely. But like I said, I’m a Miami Dolphin now. These coaches are extremely smart and know exactly what they’re doing and they’re going to be able to put me in position to make a lot of plays.”
(You mentioned them putting you in position to make a lot of plays. How does it feel to be in an offense with their willingness to split running backs out and go empty and things of that nature?) – “It’s super exciting for me. Like I said when I walked in here, I’m a competitor. I’m going to have a lot of opportunities to be in those one-on-one matchups with linebackers or safeties or whoever out in the slot or empty formations and stuff like that. That’s stuff that I’ve got to take advantage of, for sure.”
(How do you describe this week, your first days as an NFL player?) – “It’s been awesome. I think just the support staff and everybody that they have in here has just made the transition very easy for me. Coming in, moving all of my stuff from Arizona to here and into a hotel, and there’s meetings and trying to learn the offense. There’s so much that plays into all of this; but I’m taking it all in stride and it’s been a very easy transition for me.”
(When you talk offense with Head Coach Adam Gase, ideas and things like that, what do you come away thinking?) – “Honestly, there’s been so much going on, I haven’t really even had the opportunity to sit down with him one-on-one. I think that’s a conversation we’ll happen in the future.”
(You’ve already packed up all of your stuff and you’ve already moved here?) – “I’m in the hotel right now.”
(Is stuff on the way?) – “Yes. Like I said, I’m a Miami Dolphin and I want to come here, I want to be here, I want to live here, I want to be in the community. This is something that I’m all in – not 75 or 80 percent.”
(But you don’t even know where to live yet.) – “Nope. I’m going to figure it out.”
(So your stuff is in like a U-Haul truck?) – “Yes. I have it all in a storage unit, so whenever I get it down here.”
(You mentioned the running back history. You follow it, what do you know about the history of Dolphins running backs?) – “Ronnie Brown is one of my favorite running backs. You guys probably know him. I just liked that way he played. He was somebody that was exciting for me to watch. I also know two older guys. Larry Csonka, he was a cool guy to watch as well. Just watching some of his stuff on A Football Life and things like that, it’s cool to watch.”
(Ronnie Brown did a lot of something that you’ve done a lot of, like Wildcat quarterback. Is that something that you enjoy doing, that you hope the Dolphins incorporate?) – “I don’t know. (laughter)”
(Have you ever watched the tape of that game he had against New England? The first one ever that they did that thing?) – “No, I don’t think I’ve seen it. I’ll have to pull it up later, for sure.”
(What is it about RB Ronnie Brown?) – “I don’t know. Growing up, I just liked him. As you’re growing up, the teams that catch your eye are the Miami Dolphins and the Oregon Ducks and the nice colors and stuff like that. I just like the way he played. He was somebody that I liked to watch when I was younger.”
(I know you mentioned that the lack of carries was certainly one factor maybe why the production, which was good, wasn’t even better. You watched the draft, the Mel Kipers, and Todd McShays all praised how talented, athletic you are. Both said, and others, you could be more consistent maybe, you could be more physical in terms of playing to your size. Do you agree with that at all?) – “I feel like I’m definitely somebody that needs to grow as a player in general. I feel like everybody needs to grow at some point. Tom Brady probably has a bunch of things that he needs to work on and get better at. Like I said earlier, I think that’a part of being a competitor and taking the next step and being a good football player.”
(How should you be used in an offense. If you were an offensive coordinator, how would you use RB Kalen Ballage?) – “Any way you want. I feel like that’s why I’m valuable. I feel like I can do anything and whatever you come up with, whatever you want to do, I feel like I can fit into that system.”
