Michael Deiter – May 4, 2022
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Wednesday, May 4, 2022
C/G Michael Deiter
(I know it’s a day-to-day league and nothing is guaranteed but do you take any solace or encouragement by the fact that the Dolphins didn’t prioritize center during the offseason? There was no veteran center signed. Does that make you feel good even while knowing that you need to compete to win the starting job again?) – “I wouldn’t say it makes me feel any way, I guess. I’m excited that I have a chance to come out here and compete to play for the Dolphins another year. That’s really all I can focus on. Obviously it didn’t happen but it’s not something that I’m really worried about. I just need to get ready to compete again this year.”
(We’re excited about this new Mike McDaniel zone-rushing attack. Can you explain to us what the key responsibilities or unique responsibilities for the center are in this style of offense?) – “It’s the same in the respect that the center has to get everyone on the same page, got to get the IDs, get the whole o-line ready to just cut it loose and be right assignment-wise. But then the whole o-line, it’s a system where we can just play with confidence and cut it loose and really not worry – worry about winning and not worry about losing. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a ton of fun because we can play with confidence. It seems really exciting and it’s going to be exciting.”
(If you had to put your career – obviously it’s no different than what most veterans go through – if you had to put your career into your own words, what would you say it’s been like?) – “I don’t know. I would say it’s a blessing because I have a career in the NFL and that I’m happy with. Obviously you come in and you want to be this, that and the greatest thing ever, and you’re always working for that and every day, that’s all you can focus on. It’s been a blessing to still be here and competing to keep the career. A blessing.”
(What would you say the experiences last year – playing at center – taught you about the league?) – “The more you can do, the more valuable you are. If you can play multiple positions, no matter what you do best, there’s a chance for you to play and help a team out, whether it be practice squad, starter, backup, you name it. As long as you’re willing to work and try to help the team win, there’s always a chance.”
(I wanted to ask you about the new offensive line coach, Matt Applebaum, and kind of what you’ve recognized from him so far through the first phase of the offseason program here.) – “So far he’s been really cool. He’s a detailed guy, an intense guy, but we’re having a lot of fun. He’s doing a really good job of keeping everything fun. He’s been a great teacher so far. We’re learning a ton. It’s going to be a lot of fun working with him. So far it’s been a lot of fun. He’s definitely a cool dude. He’s fun to be around but intense and a heck of a teacher.”
(How would you describe the energy at practice? I know it’s a bit of a new coaching staff. QB Tua Tagovailoa talked about all of the vets that you guys have out there for the voluntary stuff. How would you describe the energy not just with your o-line room but the entire team?) – “The energy is high. It’s good. Everyone is excited to get better. We can see that if everyone is doing their job the way they’re supposed to, we can be explosive. We can have a lot of fun doing it. The way to be explosive is with confidence and everyone working together and getting ready to cut it loose. It’s been really exciting and high energy.”
(I was going to ask you about skills that you think are needed in a zone-running scheme. Do you feel it suits your skillset? Is there a guy or two on the team among the young linemen where you feel like – young linemen besides you – where you feel like their skillsets are really good for this particular system?) – “I mean every guy in the room is capable. Some guys are a little more athletic and it doesn’t matter. But everyone is capable of going out there and running outside zone effectively. One, you need to be confident in your assignment so you can just cut it loose with your technique. As long as you follow the techniques that are taught, I can do it and anyone in the room can do it. That’s kind of the beauty of it all.”
(It occurs to me that Mike McDaniel, Matt Applebaum and Frank Smith all have years of experience in successful rushing attacks. What kind of a sense do you get about the type of commitment to run that those three fellas maybe want to have?) – “You can just tell talking with them that running the ball is something that is important to all three of them and it’s cool. As an o-lineman, that’s always pretty refreshing to hear. The way I think they’re so successful is the detail, the way they break it down to make it almost simple and how you can be effective and how you can run the ball effectively. It’s cool to have three guys who are smart and care about the run and want to get it going no matter what. When they can break it down and simplify it for you, it gives you a lot of confidence.”
(How much better of a center do you feel that you are now than at this same time last year?) – “A lot better. I’m just taking a lot more reps (and have) a little more experience. Obviously I’m not where I need to be. I can be a lot better still. There’s a lot more growth to have. But I’m definitely more confident this offseason than I was a year ago. Not that it was my first time doing it but it had been a little while. It’s going good.”
