Liam Eichenberg – April 30, 2021
Download PDF version
Friday, April 30, 2021
T Liam Eichenberg
(Could you just express, I guess, what you’re feeling right now and also it was kind of a unique way of how the Dolphins moved around in the round to be able to get you, so that probably said something that they really wanted you there with that pick. How are you feeling?) – “I’m doing well. I’m very excited to be here with my family, my grandparents, family and friends. I’m very excited to be part of the Miami Dolphins. It’s a great organization, great coaching staff and I’ve been able to meet a couple of their players and they carry themselves well, so I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to it.”
(I’m curious, did the Dolphins give any kind of hint as to where you’ll play in 2021?) – “I’m not sure right now. I’ll play anywhere they need me. For me, it’s about helping the team win, so I look forward to getting down there. They could put me at center. They could me wherever. It’s kind of wherever they want me. I’m just very fortunate to be part of the team.”
(Do you have experience playing center?) – “No, I don’t. No.”
(You follow a pretty long line of impressive offensive linemen, that pedigree at Notre Dame there. What does it mean to you to be the next one in line there, and how do you think that position at that program prepared you for professional football?) – “It’s an honor and I’m very thankful for the Dolphins organization for picking me. The guys who have come before me, they set the standard. I’ve tried to carry that on. Moving forward, it’s not about where you get drafted, it’s about how long you play for and if you play well. So from here on out – and it was my mindset this whole process – I want to help my team win. I want to be consistent. So from here on out, I’m just going to learn the playbook best I can, get everything down and help my team win.”
(And if I could follow up on that, 38 consecutive starts there at Notre Dame – didn’t miss one. I read that you played through a game last year with a swollen-shut eyeball. What was that like?) – “Yeah, that was a little tough. (laughter) There was a lot of ice on it when I came off the field; but yeah, it was swollen shut. I had to help my team win. I had to be out there.”
(I know you played a lot of left tackle at Notre Dame. I heard one offensive lineman compare switching to the right side to wiping your butt with your other hand. How much comfort would you have if you were needed to switch over to that side and play on the right side?) – “It’s kind of what I talked about before. Wherever the team needs me, I’m willing to do it and I’m going to give it my all. So yes, I have played left tackle in the past; but wherever the team needs me, I’ll figure it out. I have the work ethic, I have the attitude, the technique for it. So I’m looking forward to it wherever they need me.”
(If I had to wipe my butt with my left hand, I’d give it my all as well. I wanted to ask you, I saw on your Notre Dame profile you had 33 straight games without a sack. I guess what happened the game before that, but really, how does one go that long without giving up a sack? What goes into that?) – “I think I had a quarterback that could move, (laughter) but I think it goes back to your technique and fundamentals. I think I’ve had a great opportunity at a Notre Dame to be coached well by both coaches – Coach (Harry) Hiestand and Coach (Jeff) Quinn. I’m looking forward to being coached by ‘Coach Lem’ (Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre). He worked with me a little bit at Pro Day, and I was extremely excited. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”
(You’ve got WR Will Fuller here, you’ve got TE Durham Smythe, T Sam Young was here. He was a little bit before your time. Have you spoken to any of those former Irishman – Fuller or Smythe?) – “No, not yet; but I’m sure I will.”
(Because we didn’t have a Combine and I didn’t get to interview you at the Combine, just in general, how would you describe your strengths?) – “I think I’m very efficient with my footwork in the run game and then in pass pro, I think I have violent hands and I’m also very good at vertical setting. I think I bring a lot to this organization, so I’m very excited for it.”
(You mentioned at the top of the call that you’ve known a couple of Dolphins before. Who were those guys and how does that help kind of having a couple of guys you already know?) – “I was talking about Durham Smythe, and then I met Austin Jackson when I was out in Phoenix training. It was just kind of that idea that this team has a great culture, they are very disciplined and everybody has that same mindset that they want to help the team win. I love it. I think it’s about the team, the team’s first. I’m excited for it.”
(You spoke about your connection with Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre at your Pro Day. What was it like working with him? What did you glean from that first interaction and do you think it’s a result of you being drafted here?) – “I think from everybody that I’ve spoken to, I think it’s a great organization, they carry themselves well; but definitely the offensive line, he’s going to be my coach. I think I made a good impression and he made a great impression on me. He’s a guy who is down to earth, he cares about his players and he loves ball. I’m just fortunate that I’m going to be coached by him.”
(Every offensive lineman has to know his quarterback well. What do you know about QB Tua Tagovailoa?) – “I know he’s a lefty. I know he played at ‘Bama and he’s a great player. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
(In addition to the last question, you played with Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Tua’s cousin, there at Notre Dame. Did he ever share Hawaiian food with you or anything? Because Tua has been known to get packages for his offensive lineman during his rookie season.) – “No, unfortunately I didn’t. I never really saw Myron outside of the facility that much. I think it was just because we tried to keep the offensive line tight. We hung out with the defensive line but we ran in different groups. But Myron is a great guy. He comes from a great family, so if Tua is very similar to Myron, I think he’ll be a great guy.”
