Kendall Fuller – March 18, 2024
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Monday, March 18, 2024
CB Kendall Fuller
(You won the Super Bowl here playing with the Kansas City Chiefs. Just touching on that experience, as far as being able to come back to the stadium where you were able to win the championship in, how much do you feel like you’ll be able to contribute to the Dolphins winning a Super Bowl?) – “That’s always the end goal. Any time you put in the work in the offseason individually and with your team in OTAs, training camp and things like that, that’s always the end goal. I’m excited. When I first pulled up and saw the stadium, it just brings back that excitement. I think the last game I played in here was that game, so it just gives you that reminder and those feelings and that excitement. That’s something everybody chases in the offseason, to get to that game and win it and holding up that trophy. So I’m excited to meet everybody here and start that journey for that goal.”
(When looking into your background, I found it interesting that you kind of made your mark as a slot corner in the nickel and then you transitioned to outside corner. You’ve been very successful in both. I was curious just how that came abut and at this point in your career, do you think that that’s something you’d be able to do in Miami? Whether it’s moving back inside or kind of part timing it at both positions?) – “When I came in as a rookie, we had just signed Josh Norman. We had Bashaud Breeland, who was a top corner and playing really well. So my best opportunity to get on the field was to play nickel. My second year, I had a really good year at the nickel specifically. I had a good year my third and fourth year, but specifically my second year. I think any guy that kind of starts having success at the nickel position, a lot of people start putting limitations on them, saying they can’t play outside. For me, I always loved corner. Going into my contract year that year, my second contract, I wanted to move back outside. I felt like I had a lot to show. Things that I could do and offer on the outside. But at the end of the day, I’ve always enjoyed just being a football player, being able to line up in different positions and do a lot of different things. I think it makes the game a little bit more fun just to be able to change it up and do different things, not just doing or having one responsibility year in and year out. So I definitely enjoy playing either one. Even in Kansas City a little bit, I played some safety. I think I definitely had that motivation just to show I could be a top guy outside but also could play all over the field.”
(Dealing with expectations, this team has Super Bowl expectations. How do you deal with, I don’t want to say the heaviness of that, but the reality that going to the playoffs isn’t good enough. They expect to go all the way. Does that weigh on you? Do you think about that?) – “No. That’s why you play the game. Me these last four years, not being able to really compete to play for a Super Bowl, not being in the playoffs, not making a run at it after being in Kansas City for those two years making it to the AFC Championship and winning a Super Bowl, I don’t look at that as added pressure. That’s why you play the game. You want to play meaningful games at the end of the year. That’s why you compete. That’s why you put all the hard work in. I’ve always kind of thought of it as literally all the work that you put in, you want it to mean something. You want it to count. Which ultimately, the only way it’s going to mean something or count is if you’re holding that trophy at the end of the season. Any time that’s your expectation or that’s why you want to play the game, I don’t look at it as added pressure or any type of heaviness.”
(I know opportunity and money are usually the reasons you go somewhere. Here, there is no state income tax. What was Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s role in you coming here? Can you tell me about your first meeting or interaction with him if you had one?) – “I had a brief interaction with him just walking over here. I just dapped him up. I haven’t talked to him too much. I talked to Chris (Grier) and he was kind of just echoing how much Mike just respected my game and things like that, so I’m excited to just get to know all the coaches, get around them, pick their brains and build those relationships and get to work.”
(A couple of years ago, I met your brother Kyle at ACC media days. He warned me that he had a younger brother that was better than him. I just looked it up, he’s got 19 NFL picks. Do you know how many you have?) – “I’m probably, what 15, 16?”
(16, yeah. So how is this going to end up?) – “I mean, it’s definitely going to end up with me having more. (laughter) But Kyle’s been a tremendous role model for me. He’s someone I’ve always relied on ever since I got to college. So even just in terms of my offseason, just following his routine, his plan, studying his tape and things like that. So all my brothers, my parents, are the reason why I’m the player I am today. I always have a high and a tremendous amount of respect for them.”
(Obviously CB Jalen Ramsey is here. What do you think of his game? And how do you think your game can complement his strengths?) – “Yeah, I got a lot of respect for Jalen. Me and Jalen came out of high school the same year. Both highly recruited. Came out of college together. I think anybody that can play at such a high level for so many years, I have a lot of respect for them. I have a lot of respect for him. He’s been one of the best guys in the league ever since he came in. One, for guys to be able to play in the league at this position for that long is already commendable and respectable. But to be able to do it at a high level for so many years, that’s tough to do. So I’m excited to just get around him again and just learn. I talked to coaches here, I try to take little bits and learn things from everybody I’m around. I’m excited to do that.”
(A minute ago you were talking about CB Jalen Ramsey, primarily in terms of on the field. Do you know him that well off the field? What are your impressions of him as a person?) – “Mainly just from afar. But Jalen has always been one of those guys that even from guys that I know that have been around, closer to him, just always been a good guy. A competitive, fun guy. So mainly from afar, but I’m excited to get around him, just gain more of a personal relationship with him and work with him and put in the time together in the facility.”
(Obviously you hit the highest of highs winning the Super Bowl down here. Then you had those years in Washington. How frustrating was that for you team-wise and individually to go through that having known what it’s like to hit the peak?) – “Yeah, I mean like I said, every year you put in so much work. And any time you don’t even have a chance to contend and you’re not in the playoffs with a chance to compete for the Super Bowl, it’s always tough, because you realize the amount of hours you spend in the offseason to put yourself in those positions. And when you don’t, it’s always tough. I always thought of it as you always self-reflect. You always see where you could’ve been better, the things that you need to improve in to improve your team’s chances to get there. It’s the same thing I’m going to do this offseason. Always self-reflect and always critiquing myself, seeing where I can be better and seeing what I can do to see our team win games.”
(I wanted to circle back to something. Are you definitely going to play boundary here? Or is there a chance you play some slot?) – “I am not sure to be honest. The coaches will probably still decide that as they go, just looking to see where everybody’s talent is. I think at the end of the day, they’ll make the best decision for our defense.”
(Do you have a preference?) – “I like to play a little bit of everywhere. Like I said, it adds more fun. Even having a guy like Jalen, I know Jalen has always moved around in his career. I think genuinely there may be times to where you can see a number of different lineups, a number of people outside or inside and things like that. Like I said, I don’t have too much of a preference. I like to do both. It’s fun when you can, in a way, dictate to the offense and give them different looks and different disguises and things like that.”
