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Kamu Grugier-Hill – September 5, 2020 Download PDF version

Saturday, September 5, 2020

LB Kamu Grugier-Hill

(I had a question for you about kind of working in coverage as a linebacker and when you have so many guys on this team that can lock up in man coverage, how does that kind of impact the way you approach whether it’s dropping in zone or playing in man against a running back or a tight end? How does that help your job on defense?) – “I think it just ultimately takes away any kind of confusion there is. You have your guy and you just go and lock him up. It’s really one-on-one. It’s a passing league now like we’ve said, and you’ve got to be able to play man coverage. That’s just what it comes down to.”

(You and QB Tua Tagovailoa seemed to really hit it off here in Dolphins camp. I wanted to ask how much did you know him before this experience and what has it been like kind of sharing it with him?) – “Yeah, it’s been cool. Me and him actually didn’t know each other at all coming out. I’m obviously a lot older than him. I kept up with him when he was at Alabama and stuff, so just kind of watching him do that and then to see him here and both being from where we’re from, it’s awesome. I think we – like you said – I think we hit it off and it’s just nice to have someone here that also grew up the same way as you.”

(Just kind of piggybacking off that. What does it sort of mean I guess to the Polynesian culture and the Hawaiian culture to have someone like QB Tua Tagovailoa – kind of having that big name frame and possibly being a starting quarterback here one day?) ­– “I think it’s awesome. Hawaii is a very proud state and just a very proud culture, so just anyone that makes it out and goes on to do what they want to do and be successful; it’s cool to see the whole state and all the islands and the people there just have each other’s backs and be so supportive. So I’m excited for Tua (Tagovailoa). Whatever he does in his career is going to be awesome, so I’m excited.”

(What part about this defensive scheme excites you the most?) – “I think the biggest thing for me is just the diversity – being able to play so many different positions. So many different situations, you’re doing so many different things and it just keeps things fun and keeps things exciting and will ultimately keep people surprised. So I love it.”

(Obviously you’ve been really good in your career as a coverage linebacker. How do you sort of view I guess your role going forward in this defense? Do you see them using you in that role going forward?) – “I think we have a good linebacker group. We have so many different guys that can do so many different things and like I said, that’s one of the reasons I even came here in the first place, was just the diversity of the defense and being able to do so many things. I can’t tell you I know the answer to that, but I know for sure week-to-week it’s going to be something exciting.”

(Speaking of the linebackers room, your coach Anthony Campanile had a good answer the other day about Sunday family dinners for him growing up back home in Jersey. Have you guys had any of that kind of Jersey influence – that family atmosphere – like a family dinner type of situation in the linebacker room?) – “With ‘Camp’ (Anthony Campanile), yeah he’s passionate. He’s a great coach. We get good vibes from him about everything. He loves talking about his family and you can definitely tell he’s a very family-oriented guy, so he fits in perfect and we have a good thing in that room for sure.”

(Speaking of food, have you and QB Tua Tagovailoa brought any Hawaiian dishes or got together for any Hawaiian dishes out here yet?) – “(laughter) No, we haven’t been able to actually because of all this COVID stuff. We haven’t really been able to do much, but we talk about it all the time and we talk about eventually when our families get to come out and the dishes that they make and all that kind of stuff, so we’re excited for when that can happen.”

(One more on QB Tua Tagovailoa – I guess what’s it been like for you guys to kind of hang out? What are some things that you guys do if you do hang out and do you kind of feel like a responsibility maybe just because you’re a little bit older to kind of take him under your wing a little bit and kind of show him the ropes of being in the NFL?) – “I wouldn’t say the ‘responsibility,’ but I think just the bond that we have is cool and I get to answer any questions he has and just kind of put him at ease and just at the end of the day, it’s still football. I know it’s business – bigger platform, bigger performance – but it’s still football. It’s still the same thing he’s done as a little kid.”

(You’re talking Hawaiian food. You really got my attention there so tell me what’s the ideal menu when you guys get together? What would it be like?) – “For me I’ve got to have my Kalua pig, my laulau, my poi. I’m a big barbecue chicken – Korean barbecue chicken – guy. The list can go on. When my mom comes out here she kills it, so we’ve got to get that going soon for sure.”

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