Marion Hobby – September 3, 2019
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Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Defensive Line Coach Marion Hobby
(Going into the season, how do you feel about the pass rush, how do you feel you guys can affect the quarterback?) – “It’s not whether we can. We have to. This is a big-time passing league, so we have to be pass-conscious. The key to the pass is that you have to be able to stop the run, so everything is going to start there. We’ve got to get the offense on their heels. Playing from behind on the sticks, then I think pass rush will come on.”
(You have a big challenge in Week 1.) – “Yeah, we do. (Lamar Jackson) is special. The things he does throwing the ball, the things he does with his feet. You can tell his players play hard for him. His receiver corps, his tight ends, they all play hard for him. You can tell that his leadership in that group is really taking off.”
(Who does this defense play hard for?) – “I think first they play hard for each other. I think we have good leadership in there. I think we have a good bond with these guys. I think they play hard for each other first and it starts there.”
(I feel like it starts with LB Jerome Baker and I feel with time, everybody is going to gravity towards DT Christian Wilkins like they did at Clemson. I think CB Xavien Howard too, he has the back-end guys, and all of those guys enjoy being friends. I feel like once you have relationships like that it just blends together, it’s an us-against-the-world thing.) – “I think ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) has done a good job bringing ex-players in to speak to these guys. They kind of know, ‘Hey, I’m a Miami Dolphin.’ That is the standard that is set from present and past. We have to keep going to get back on track.”
(Who were some of those guys?) – “Dwight Stephenson is probably one that I – because I knew him from being an Alabama grad and all of that. (He was an) inside guy, played the grunt of it. (O.J) McDuffie – the guys got a chance to visit with those guys, in particular. Seeing Dan Marino every day doesn’t hurt at all either.”
(How important is it for you guys to kind of indoctrinate yourself with former Dolphins players as coaches?) – “Just playing in this division when I played, you kind of know this was the spot. It has changed now a little bit because New England has kind of been dominating the division. But when we played…”
(Are you talking about the 70s this was the spot?) – “No, I’m talking about the 90s. When you had that No. 13 (Dan Marino) back there and (Mark) Duper and (Mark) Clayton, and (Keith) Jackson, we knew those guys pretty well. The center up front, Richmond Webb, the list goes on. Just knowing the history of the Miami Dolphins, if you’ve ever been a football fan, it kind of gets you excited as a coach and it gets you excited as a player. If it doesn’t, then I think something is wrong with you.”
(I just wanted to ask you about DT Christian Wilkins. Is he about where you would’ve hoped or is he beyond where you would’ve hoped going into his first season?) – “He’s got a lot of reps in the (preseason) games. I remember his first game he (had) nervous energy, and I think that’s good. When players stop getting the nervous energy, I think that’s time for them to hang up the cleats. I think he’s on track. I think he’s made the conscious effort to play with lower pads, play with hand placement. Knowing that this league here is a little different than college where you’re that much better than everybody sometimes. You’ve got to strain a little bit more. You’ve got to put a little bit more into it. I’m not saying that he didn’t have to run into some matchups in college that he had to deal with. But on a daily basis in practice and in the games, I’ve been pleased with where he is going.”
(Can you say or is it way too early to tell that he’s going to be a really good NFL player? Is it too early or do you already have a sense for that?) – “I’ll be afraid that he’ll see the article, so I won’t say right now. (Laughter) I’ll take the fifth on that one.”
(A couple things from you edge guys from a defensive standpoint. DE Johnathan Ledbetter, what gave him the edge ultimately in making your 53?) – “Probably his versatility. Showing that he can go out there and play d-end, that he can do some things inside – his motor. He’s smart, he’s tough and he’s an aggressive football player. He’s kind of what you’re looking for. I think his coaches – (former Georgia Defensive Line Coach Tracy) Rocker did a great job with him learning the fundamentals of football. He comes form a good high school background, a tougher high school where they play pretty good football. I think when he came here, I think he just kind of took off, just like that little flower needs a little water. I think his versatility, being able to play the end, being able to play inside – he’s willing to do it – his energy level. He has a good chance to be a good football player.”
(Has DE Charles Harris showed you some things to make you think he’s ready to break out this year?) – “Yeah. I like Charles because Charles is a very conscientious player. He wants to know, he has no problem asking if he doesn’t understand. He’s talking more and that’s great. The guys have natural respect for him because of who he is. I think he’s very consistent on who he is. Yeah, I think he’s done some good stuff. I‘ve been pleased with where he’s progressing.”
(With DT Vincent Taylor, I know that was a surprise with some, because he showed promise. Was he ultimately not a great scheme fit or was he out of condition?) – “I really want to focus on the guys I have in the locker room now. (Davon) Godchaux has been playing pretty well. We’re getting to look at some of these other guys. I really want to focus on the guys we have in the meeting room right now.”
(LB Trent Harris, did you look at him coming out of Miami? What did you know about his skill set?) – “He’s more of an outside linebacker to pass rusher, coming from New England.”
(Does he work with Linebackers Coach Rob Leonard?) – “He works with both. That’s one thing about our versatility in this system. We both get our hands on him. That’s good. We’re kind of vying for time. We’re kind of standing outside of his room, ‘Can I have him now?’ He’s standing outside of my room, ‘Can I have him back?’ That’s one thing about him, the versatility of a player is huge in what we do. That goes back to the question you asked about (Jonathan) Ledbetter. That’s one of his biggest things, his versatility.”
(With DE Nate Orchard, do you look at him as I’m surprised this guy has been cut by four NFL teams this year because the skills are there? Is that surprising to you that he’s moved on so much when you look at what he’s done, the four sacks this preseason?) – “I really didn’t – When he first got here, I kind of talked with him about just kind of tell me who you are, tell me a little bit about your past and stuff like that. Nate is such an unselfish player. If you ask him a question, he’s going to tell you the truth. I’ve been pleased with his progress. I think he’s been doing a good job of taking coaching and sometimes you have to keep him focused. The things he’s done well – I thrive on the well rather than the negative.”
(DE Nate Orchard’s play against the run is where? Do you think it’s decent? Obviously we know he can rush the quarterback.) – “Yeah, if anything – of course I looked at him before we got him. I was like ‘this guy has got a good skill set,’ and then I think he’s buying into the run game. That’s kind of been the most surprising – ‘You will stick it in there. You are a little stronger. You’ve got some natural power to you.’ That was the biggest thing, just watching him on tape. You can see from day one that he can run, that he can do some good stuff.”
(How would you access DE Charles Harris’ development through the summer?) – “I think he’s come a long way. I think the credit goes to him. He’s bought into what we’re asking him to do. Charles has played at Missouri one way and he’s played his first two years (here) one way. We’re getting him to say ‘Hey, we’re doing things a little bit different. We’re not taking anything from you, but this is what we need you to do to help us win.’ I think he’s bought into that. Just to see him, his progress has been really good. Like I was telling him, I like Charles. He’s very conscientious, I think football is important to him. You’ve just got to keep feeding him. I think where he’s at, he’s been told what he can’t do. I’m not trying to convince him of what he can do. Those are some things you can’t coach.”
(DE Johnathan Ledbetter is a guy that may have come as a surprise to some, an undrafted college free agent. What was something about him that you guys really liked?) – “I like his versatility. He showed that he can play some at end. He showed that he can go inside and do some things. He can rush in there. He’s smart, he’s tough, aggressive. He’s a good football player. He can find the football. Everything isn’t perfect sometimes, and sometimes he just finds a way to get his hands on the ball. I think he catches everybody’s eye because he’s taken a lot of reps because he was second team this and third team that. He took a lot of reps. He never even frowned on it. Knock on wood, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him just dead tired. I think he came in in great shape. His work habits kind of caught everybody’s eye and his versatility.”
(I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask you for a progress report on DT Christian Wilkins.) – “I think he’s right on track. It’s hard, I told them I don’t want to say anything good because he might read it. (laughter) He’s right on track. I think he’s made a conscience effort to play with lower pads, and play more physical. He understands that at this level, you’re going to strain a little bit more. The guy in front of you is just a little bit better, his equal. So you’re going to have to put a little bit more strain into it and play with great technique. Knowing the man that he is, he loves football. He’s very conscious about it and I’m starting to see he’s starting to exert himself a little bit more, a little more talking, and that leadership role is coming out of him. I think it’s going to take time, but I think he understands now. Playing in a lot of preseason snaps this year really helped him. I think he’s going to get better as he goes.”
(Do you have one guy that has moved to the forefront as maybe a vocal leader? DT Davon Godchaux maybe?) – “Yeah, I think he’s a natural leader. I think Godchaux, he doesn’t say much/ He’ll ask questions and he gives you great eye contact in meetings. You can tell the guys have a lot of respect for him. He’s been physical at the point of attack. I think he’s a guy that also has bought into what we’ve asked him to do. I look to him a lot of time, and sometimes he looks at me like I’m talking and I look at him and he’s like ‘What coach? I was understand.’ I want to see your eyes and tell me you understand. I’ve been pleased with his work habits, I’ve been pleased with his – I just realized, you’re right. He might be my oldest guy. He’s got tenure. I’ve been pleased with him, I’ve been pleased with him.”
