Sam Madison – June 8, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Cornerbacks/Pass Game Specialist Sam Madison
(On what he’s noticed about CB Jalen Ramsey so far?) – “Just being present, it’s seemed like for him he always takes training camp, he always takes playing football very seriously. Just listening to the way he’s conversing with these guys, he’s into it. I didn’t really have much experience with him and understanding him and knowing him ahead of this. But these last few weeks, the last month or so, it’s been really fun being around him because that’s all he talks. He talks football and being able to have him out there watching different plays and situations and watching him communicate with the younger guys saying this is how this will happen or such and such. It’s just been fun. Phenomenal player in this league and we’re just looking to be able to build off of what he’s done in the past.”
(What about CB Cam Smith in his transition from college to pro? Obviously a high draft pick. How is he coming along and grasping what you need him to do?) – “He’s doing very well. But guess what, he’s a rookie, right? You know, we can sit here and we can look around the league since football’s been in inception, you know, they’re going to have their ups and downs. But he’s learning and he’s a fast learner. Well, he still has a long way to go, but he’s getting better at each and every last one of those things that we’re throwing at him. We’re going to keep challenging him, we’re going to keep putting him in positions and see exactly what we can get out of him. He’s done some great things in college and now he has to take that leap and the next step into the pros. He’s willing and he’s able. He’s trying to focus and learn all the little small details and I think he’ll do pretty well. But you know, he’s a rookie and there’s going to be some growing pains, but we’re trying to work those kinks out when we get to training camp.”
(Pivotal year for CB Noah Igbinoghene, that goes without saying. Where is he in his development and gaining your confidence in putting him out on the field?) – “His mental is there. Just being able to see him on the first day for his meetings and him in there learning the defense and then being able to apply the things on the football field, it’s there. The physical is there. He’s always in shape. He’s always in top-tier conditioning. Now he just has to get in that playbook. We’ve thrown him in there and different situations, he understands it. So now it’s just going out there and doing my job plus and Noah, he’s gaining the confidence of his teammates. No matter what we say in this building, the most important part is getting your teammates’ trust and confidence to be able to go out there and play with him and he’s done that. I think he’s grown a lot. It’s a totally new system for him. He’s learning a lot just like a lot of these guys. It’s going to be up to him to understand the things that Vic (Fangio) is going to be throwing at him and just going out there and being able to apply it. We know this game is fast, it’s quick. So being able to understand, process quickly, and going out there and executing is going to be the most important part for Noah just because he hasn’t had many reps. Everything is fresh, everything is new. Everybody’s getting a fresh new start. It’s a really good defense. I ran something similar. You have the opportunity to make a lot of plays and now you’ve got to become a playmaker.”
(A couple of questions on CB Kader Kohou. Is he a starter right now or a guy who is contending for a starting job?) – “Everybody’s a starter. You talk about in this league, anything can happen at any given time and that’s what I try to portray to these guys. He’s done some really great things for us last year. He played in the nickel, he played at the dime, he played at cornerback position. Vic is trying to find the best people to put on the football field and he’s definitely in the mix just like a lot of these guys are. But now it just becomes who’s the most consistent, who’s the most productive, and who’s going to be one of those guys that we can depend on no matter what position that we put him in? He’s working at it. He’s still a rookie until he gets past those three games, but he’s going into his second year so he understands the grueling part that it’s going to take throughout the course of the year. He came back, his body looks good. He’s taken care of some things off the field and we’re just going to be able to see exactly how it all plays out. But it’s fun to be able to see these guys grow, mature, and understand what this league is all about. They come in wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, and then you get thrown in there with some with some grown men, and then now you have to step up. But he did it and he’s ready to go. He’s open to whatever challenge Vic throws at him and he’s open to competition because he never backs down.”
(CB Sam Madison and CB Patrick Surtain, CB Jalen Ramsey and CB Xavien Howard. How do they compare at this point?) – “What about them?”
(Well, you know what I mean?) – “I mean, it is what it is, you know what I’m saying? You can go around the league, past, present, future. You’ve always had very good tandems at cornerback. But, when it comes down to it, they’ve got to go out there and they have to play, just like we did. We demanded a lot from each other. When we played we respected one another. We still respect one another. I just talked to him two days ago. So they just have to build that camaraderie. They have to build that fire amongst one another. They have to go out there and they have to compete and that’s what we did on a consistent basis. They really have a great opportunity to do some really good things and I’m just happy to be a part of it and watch these guys do it. The energy is there. Just watching these two guys communicate from Day 1. When they got here they’ve been hanging out together and that’s what it really takes and what it boils down to. Pat and I, we were hanging out together off the field and we were always communicating football. So that is what it’s going to take and they seem like they’re on the right path. They can be whatever they want to be, but it’s going to take work. It’s going to take hard work. It’s going to take dedication and they’ve got to go out there and perform the best way they know how. Then go out there and impose their will each and every week. There can’t be any letdowns. There’s a lot of people looking for big things from them and they know that. Just like any of these other players, even if neither one of those guys is on the field, they’re expected to go out there and be just like them. Because we always say the next man up. So, we’ll see what happens.”
Renaldo Hill – June 8, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Renaldo Hill
(On why he chose Miami) – “Big family decision for my wife and I. We’ve been away from our families for so long being on the West Coast, just needed the support. It was good for us to get back closer to some family. We both have familiar roots being here. She was in Miami the last time I was here, and this is our third time together here in Miami. It felt like home. It felt like a great decision to be back. Obviously I knew I was coming back to Coach Fangio. That situation there was an awesome situation, but having a title, not calling it; I felt like I could really put a stamp on helping build the defense up again. Also just with the personnel you saw that we have over here already – the up front guys – I knew I was coming into a talented situation. I think it’s inspiring when you can start something from the ground and build it up. We knew the guys over here were wanting change and looking for change and we provide something different. It’s time for us to pour into those guys and try to build this the right way we want to.”
(What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, and also from your time as defensive coordinator?) – “I think the biggest thing with Vic is he’s strong in his convictions. It’s worked over time. He knows where the trouble shoots are at, he knows how the teams are trying to attack him. I think he’s always looking to move the down around and help our guys and making sure that even though we have a talented group that no one feels that stress just for the whole game. He’s able to do that and I think that’s the way to play. When the guys know that it’s constantly moving, teams got to find it and then when you need your guys to show up on third down, on money downs, you need your premium guys to step up. He’s big with that and that was my approach as a coordinator when I was over there with the Chargers. Just trying to take some of the things he instilled in me over there and those guys are having success. Second year in the playoffs, and I definitely wish them the best, but I’m happy with my situation here. I know it’s a chance to continue to grow. The other thing with Vic is he’s always not looking to stay stagnant. He’s always looking to what’s the next thing, what’s the next thing in the NFL. How it changes from our scheme, and how we can incorporate our scheme to make it better each year. Those are important things that I learned over time is to just make sure that you’re staying ahead of the curve in this league because it’s forever changing, and you just don’t want to be that system that stalls out.”
(With that title of passing game coordinator. How is this passing game in particular with all the guys they have here challenge your role?) – “It’s challenging every day, but I feel like with us going against these guys in practice every day I don’t think there will be things that will surprise us. With the multiple things we do offensively it kind of ties into how we want to be defensively being multiple and being able to adjust to different styles of play and I think we get that on a daily. It’s a talented group on that offensive side, and we just want to continue to build our defensive side, and get caught up to speed there.”
(LB Jerome Baker said that it takes a smart guy to play in this defense, I’m curious how you think the personnel fits that, that you have to be pretty smart to play?) – “I think our personnel fits very well especially the way the game is changing. You don’t have those big backers that are sitting inside. I think you’ve got to have some flex, you’ve got to have edge guys that can possibly move and play different things. You’ve got to have backers that can get in and out of different packages. I think the offenses challenge you that way. I think the more they can figure out what you’re in it’s easy for them to adapt. We want to stay as multiple as we can and be unpredictable as we can.”
Frank Smith – June 8, 2023
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Thursday, June 8, 2023
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith
(You’ve got a new offensive line coach. How is that dynamic working?) – “It’s been great. Butch (Barry) is a great teacher. Obviously his familiarity with Mike (McDaniel) helps because coming from being in the system in San Francisco, he had an understanding of the concepts and what we’re looking to accomplish, so it’s been great as far as our spring and the way we’re trying to teach what we’re trying to do overall and as you see, he’s the energy bus so it’s awesome to have around.”
(The offense seemed to do some really good things out here during minicamp today. Might have been kind of rough, but overall what did you think of passing game? I know no pads, but what did you think?) – “We tried today to put ourselves in some challenging situations to see how we would respond to certain things we knew were going to probably see from the defense. But overall it’s understanding that every play might not go the way that you anticipated it to go, but it’s just how do you respond and overall we felt the growth of everyone and understanding what we’re trying to get in the spring emphasis has been great and guys are really locked in on being in the present and trying to make sure that every day the emphasis of what we’re trying to do that they were keying in on that. So couldn’t have been happier with the way spring has gone.”
(Biggest area of growth for QB Tua Tagovailoa? I know we’ve talked Tua a lot with Head Coach Mike McDaniel. From your perspective what have you seen from him?) – “It’s just Year 1 you’re learning a new language and then Year 2, you’re mastering that language and you’re really putting your flavors on how you see things, your anticipation of routes, how you’re communicating with the guys and what they’re looking to do. So just his growth has been awesome. His understanding and timing and just anticipation and then getting the added chemistry with the guys. Because last year was the first time for all of that. This year now it’s, okay, at this point, we get this – you have increased dialogue of what everyone’s trying to do inside of a play so he’s been great. Command of the offense is great. Couldn’t be happier with where he’s at.”
(Last year second-fewest rushing attempts in the league. Is there a focus to balance that more or a focus on the run game? What do you think of that number and what does it say and what do you want to do with it?) – “Overall your goal is to be balanced in your attack and attack what the defense is giving you so obviously that’s an area that we wanted to improve upon, but there are areas that we did so well at that hey, sometimes you’re not running the ball as much, but other things are going well so this year, just a greater understanding of why we’re doing what we’re doing. Here in this look, we can maximize the run potential through all of us having a better understanding in Year 2 of what our terminology means and what we’re trying to attack. So it’s hard in the spring as much with you’re in no pads, you get things in the ground as far as teaching concepts and principles and as far as the running game, we’ll look to really build upon that in training camp.”
Vic Fangio – June 8, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio
(I wanted to ask you about bringing aboard pass game coordinator/secondary coach Renaldo Hill in his position, and his familiarity with this scheme, and what went into bringing him on?) – “Renaldo was with me in Denver for two years, really liked him as a coach. Was really happy and excited to get him back and to join us here. He’s been a great help to me. He’s really the only guy on the staff that has worked with me before and has good knowledge of our system. He’s been a great help. He’s a great coach with a great future.”
(After getting several weeks of incorporating the scheme with this unit. What’s the process over the next month or so before training camp? Do you throw some stuff out, or do you say “ok, I want to incorporate some new stuff?” How does that work for you?) – “The next month or so I vacation. But we’ll be thinking about it and working about it. We’re at that process. We gave them a lot this offseason on purpose. We wanted to expose them to a lot of stuff to see what fits them, what doesn’t, what looks good, what doesn’t, what needs to keep being worked on. These guys have done a good job picking up what we’re doing. By no means is it perfect right now, but I think they have a good feel, and a good foundation that hopefully we can build upon in training camp.”
(What type of things intrigue you about a guy like S Jevon Holland?) – “There’s a lot, everything. He’s a highly talented player, highly instinctive player, highly smart player, tough player, loves the game, there is nothing I don’t like about him.”
(While most of your background is working with the defensive side, you do have experience working with both areas at head coach. What is it about your defense that makes it difficult for offenses to prepare?) – “I don’t know. The better the players we have, that’s what makes it more difficult to prepare for. We try and have a simple but yet subtle complex scheme, and hopefully it causes them problems.”
Mike McDaniel – June 8, 2023
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Thursday, June 8, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(We have one more day left here in the spring program, but what’s your evaluation of the work so far from OTAs and what you guys got accomplished during this program?) – “That’s a good one because, to be honest, I’m very, very happy, as happy as I could be I think with where we’re at right now. I talked to the team at length. We have a lot of good players that have ambitions to be great. A lot of people have high expectations for this team. So what does that mean? That means, in my opinion, and I think as I’ve observed, our shared team’s opinion, is that means we need to put our best foot forward and go to work each and every day. So I am super, super pumped about where we’re at in Phase 3 with one practice, really left, and that’s awesome. Now, what does that mean? Again, it means check that box. Oh yeah, by the way, nothing. Because the players have to understand that this is the steppingstone. Now in front of us, we have an extended period of time off where they’re going to have to count on each other to stay in shape and be in training camp shape. So you have to show up to training camp in shape and you have to diligently go about training camp. Step by step by step, that’s where our focus has been this offseason. Because of that, I’ve seen guys, we had a very hard-working offseason last year. I think, you know, if we had time travel available and we’d practice against ourselves from last year, extremely confident that this year’s version, 2023, would get the best of them. Now, we had a tremendous time-off period and had a very good training camp last year. So again, it just means checking the box but for a goal-oriented team, I’ve seen people transfer their emotions the right way, which is into the work and into their investment. We have a tight team now because, shared sacrifice.”
(A veteran running back from the Minnesota Vikings who is from Miami is supposedly going to be released today or has been released. You have said that this team is always seeking to upgrade. Does that apply at running back right now?) – “March 6, 1983, the day I was born, right? Now we take a closer look at that date and that in fact was not yesterday. (laughter) Okay, so people that are rumored to be tall, short, people that are rumored to be, you’re not going to get this guy. I’m Year 2. Okay? (laughter) What I am excited about is talking about the most important thing which is the third day of veteran minicamp and we’ve got a lot of guys that are good players that have an opportunity to get better. Answer your question?”
(Yes, not to my satisfaction. But yes.) – “I mean, unless you’re trying to run me out of town, you know.”
(How do you feel about your running backs as a whole?) – “The running back group, it’s developed into a really cool group. Very pumped to sign Raheem (Mostert) and Jeff (Wilson Jr.) back in the offseason. Then the Washington boys have been outstanding as usual, gaining, just getting better all the time. With ‘SA’ (Salvon Ahmed) and Myles (Gaskin). Then we have a couple of rookies that have done a good job being rookies, which means learning from mistakes. So overall, very happy with the way they’ve practiced, very happy with their competitive camaraderie. They’re all trying to be the best, but they’re not doing it in spite of each other. They recognize that each one of them can help each other get better. So it’s been a cool camp for them.”
(I wanted to ask about Passing Game Coordinator/Secondary Renaldo Hill and his position because bringing him aboard sort of changes the structure of the coaching staff on the defensive side. Was that your idea or Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s idea and what have you seen out of him?) – ”All ideas are always mine. (laughter) No, obviously I have such a high opinion of Vic Fangio and have really admired, learned so much before I even worked with them. As soon as he made his decision to take his talents to South Beach, we started talking about the functionality of a defensive staff and the way it can look. One of the things that is paramount in trying to implement a system is having really good coaches, obviously, but you’re talking about so many things, so many little details that have to be answered. Familiarity with a system or working with someone with a system is tremendous advantage for Vic and thereby the entire defense. Then through conversations and how it played out, over the moon to have the opportunity to add a coach of his (Renaldo Hill) caliber. It was more out of the opportunity rather than necessity, I would say, to empower the players with the most and best knowledge possible. I think it’s very important that players understand that coaches, their purpose serves to just make them better. So it’s very important, it’s critical, that a coaching staff works together well and that people are trying to utilize the various talents. That’s all I’ve seen from Vic’s staff really, and specifically every coach in the back end, because there’s multiple positions. There are good players that want the investment that yearn for the investment. As long as they’re working together, which they’ve done an unbelievable job with Joe (Kasper) and Sam (Madison) and Mathieu (Araujo), collectively going after it. It’s been cool to see and I’ve very much enjoyed my time, my professional time, with Renaldo and feel very fortunate to have him.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the tight ends. It Looks like you’ve got a group of in-line guys. It looks like TE’s Tanner Conner and Elijah Higgins are kind of the off-line guys. Can you talk a little bit about that competition and what you’re trying to accomplish?) – “I think it’s incredibly important that offensive players have rigid roles and make sure you tell the defensive coordinators that, that they’ll only do certain things. (laughter) There’s a teaching progression, I’d say. It’s important for players as they develop to, there’s always parts of the game that they need to develop. Specifically tight end, it’s a unique position where you’re both receiver and offensive lineman, right? So you need them to do what they already walked in the door good at, or in their minds their strengths, so that they can continue to develop something that is they’re confident in their game. But with tight ends specifically, you’re always adjusting it person by person and some faster than others. But you’re always trying to really work on the stuff that maybe they’re not as confident in, or maybe they didn’t have as much production in. So in OTAs, you kind of see guys doing a lot of what they’ve done in the past with little nuggets each and every day so you can still keep them confident playing football because that’s the only way you can get real reps. Going out and being like, ah, doesn’t get anyone better, including the defense. So, you’ll see a progression of usage so that defensive coordinators can’t notice the same thing you did.”
(Last night, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra was talking about his players being on the same page competitively and speaking the same kind of language that way. With some of the new guys, especially CB Jalen Ramsey, have you felt any change in that within the team?) – “Yeah, it’s cool. The National Football League is set up so that there’s a natural turnover, just in general. I talked to the team at the end of last season. I talked to the team at the beginning of this season. Like, it’s never the same. So I think to approach with assumptions can leave you vulnerable to missing stuff. So you go with an open mind, new season. What I’ve seen from this team is, if you want to say it’s the new guys coming in, or if you want to say it’s the learned lessons from the team from last year. Collectively, to me, I see a more mature, more intentional, more focused group. And we had a fairly focused group last year. But we’ve really, everything that we’ve done, every Phase 1 meeting, every Phase 2 thing on the field, every Phase 3 practice, I can honestly say that guys got something out of each day. That is hard pressed to do with all the different variables and it takes a cohesion of an organization because players have to trust the intent of the coaches, players have to trust the awesome, unbelievable training staff we have. They have to be the right type of human beings that are trying to be great and willing to do the work to be so. So you better have the right human beings you’re directed at with the personnel department. All of that stuff comes into play. But I see this team being, for some of the things that you may have felt like you were lacking as a team last year that could have positively affected outcomes, those things I’m seeing glimpses of at this stage with this team.”
(I wanted to ask you about the philosophy of the organization from resource allocation standpoint. You guys spend money and use up draft picks on important positions in the league such as cornerback, quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, but the flip side is you can’t spend it on everything. What decisions do you make when it comes to, say guard, or running back and there’s a big name that comes out in the market but might not kind of fit?) – “You know, that’s a cool question because the answer to it, I’m very convicted in. I think that sometimes in the effort to have a philosophy, you can pigeonhole yourself into a formula that I don’t think any formula is the same. So what I’m attempting to say is that it’s case by case but that’s intentional. With Chris (Grier) and I talking we think that you can fall into traps. It’s not, okay ‘always this, always that.’ It’s ‘okay, what is this? Is this worth the cost?’ If you’re going to trade away an asset, how attainable is that asset? Oh, this is the only time we will have the opportunity to have a player of this caliber unless you’re a top-ten pick. Well, that’s a reason. Or, you know what? There’s a litany of it. So for me to say, okay, philosophy is this, is this. You trade away assets or you devote assets, which is what a contract is, because we’re in a salary cap. Those things are dependent on, alright, well, how much of a risk is this investment and, oh, this is worth it? Then we’ll build around that. Having an open-mindedness, I think that’s one of the things that have allowed us to get some really good players through transactions of trade in the past two year. Though, that was not necessarily a philosophy as searching. But when the opportunity presented itself, it made a lot of sense considering it’s all about the collective of the team and what you can offset. I see it as an ever-changing equation.”
(You’ve mentioned some areas you feel like you’ve grown from last year. I know you’re always pushing. Is there an area you see maybe into training camp where you’re like, “hey I’d love for us to grow towards this area or maybe improve towards this particular area”?) – “Yeah, the wins. Like I’ve said before, the only thing keeping me from being critical about everything that I do is insecurity. That’s the way I look at it.”
(That doesn’t make any sense. So what does that mean?) – “Well, if you’re unwilling to consider an action, a component of your job, if you’re unwilling to do that, that’s to protect yourself because well what if it wasn’t the best way to do it? I think you can challenge yourself in every decision or everything that literally you do. You can challenge yourself and say, ‘is that the best thing?’ And if it is, awesome. If it isn’t, who cares? Change it. It’s about continually developing and getting better, I think is kind of the race in my opinion of this job. I look at everything across the board and by and large, the things that our team wasn’t good at, you know I mentioned some stuff before. It’s one thing to try to be an offense that’s explosive. It’s another thing to be that and be diligent in your pre-snap formations and penalties in general. Turnovers are a priority, which I think, as a matter of fact I know, the schematic change that we’ve made really puts our best foot forward to rectify that. Then from press conferences to team speeches to gameplans to play calling, I’m not doing my job unless I’m trying to be better at it. So if I’m going to ask players to try to improve and coaches to try to improve and trainers to try to improve, I look at it as like, my voice is loud but they’re not going to just do it because I said so. It’s my job to set the precedent. So what am I looking to do better? Literally everything, because I don’t think I’d be doing right by the Dolphins, the franchise, the fanbase, you guys, if I was like, ‘no I’m good.’”
(A couple of guys that we never touched on, T Brandon Shell, why the decision against bringing him back and LB Melvin Ingram, is something still a possibility there with him a free agent?) – “One guy, is he on a team? I believe he is, but that’s fine. In general, you did talk about two players and those two particular players I can honestly say, it was not no we don’t want them back. It is a capitalistic market and we have a finite allocation of funds. Players have opportunities, especially good ones. So then sometimes guys say hey, I’m only going to play for a certain amount of money. Some guys say, ‘I will play but I have these options.’ Just because they’re not on the team doesn’t mean that we didn’t want them back. They were very good players for us and I enjoyed both of those guys. But you know, business.”
Tyreek Hill – June 8, 2023
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Thursday, June 8, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(Was this offseason more of a maintenance year?) – “I mean, you can say that, but for me going into Year 2 it’s all about learning the playbook more, understanding where Tua (Tagovailoa) wants me to be at on the field and how just everything operates. Last year for me was like a blur. I had to come, I had to learn the playbook, I had to get to know my teammates. And this year everything has slowed down, so I’m just really trying to understand playbook, formations and routes and route depths and stuff like that. So it’s going pretty well.”
(What was your understanding level last year percentage-wise?) – “Look man, look. Last year I was just out there balling. You feel me? I was just out there just using all athleticism. Like, ‘here, Tua, I’m going to be here and we’re just going to do that.’ So this year should be a crazier year not only for me, but for also for the other wideouts.”
(Do you think 2,000 is realistic for you?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. I think the added game gives me quite the advantage, so yeah.”
(Last year you guys started out on fire and then you had sort of a plateau as the season went on and WR Jaylen Waddle has talked about this. How do you have a more consistent year?) – “Obviously staying healthy. That’s the biggest thing for all of us, and I feel like some injuries derailed us from being exactly where we wanted to at last year, so just staying healthy, being available for one another and just practicing fundamentals and techniques each and every week and staying accountable.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned some things you guys were kind of lacking last year that could’ve affected the outcomes. He said he’s seen glimpses of changes of those things. Is there anything specific that you can think of that you’ve noticed that you guys have improved majorly in?) – “I will tell you this, man. Tua has stepped up a lot in his leadership role. I know last year was my first year playing with him, but seeing him this year, he’s more vocal with the offense and leading and group chats and stuff like that. Organizing outside workouts outside of the Miami Dolphins stadium because I told him when I first got here. I said, ‘Bro, you should be comfortable with telling a group of wideouts to just meet you somewhere.’ We’re going to pull up regardless, so he’s been doing a great job.”
(But overall for the whole team is there anything major you guys have noticed that…?) – “I feel like we’re only going to go as far as our quarterback is going to take us. He’s QB1 so that’s the only thing I watch.”
(Do you guys have a throwing session planned for over the summer?) – “Yes, so I’m really hoping that Tua wants to go back to Hawaii because that way I can sneak a vacation in with the family and also get some work in.”
(You want to invite us to that?) – “You guys are more than welcome to come. You guys can come on over. We’ll all fly with Spirit Airlines together.”
(What will it take to get to that 2,000-yard number?) – “For me, not getting injured, coming in each and every day wanting to get better, wanting to be coached. And I feel like I’ve got the right tools around me. I’ve got obviously the most accurate quarterback in the NFL, I’ve got one of the best head coaches in the NFL and also my position coach is a monster also. So just having those three things and me just keeping the same mindset each and every day that I want to get better and I want to break the record and I do want to break the record. So I feel like this is one of those years that I can achieve it.”
(How much do you think having a guy like WR Robbie Chosen added to this offense will benefit everybody?) – “It’s going to benefit a lot. I feel like having another speed guy, it never can go wrong by adding another speed guy. Him being 6’3 – I didn’t know he was that tall – so him being 6’3, lanky, being able to catch the ball with ease is definitely going to help us out in the red zone because he’s a taller guy that can run some routes that me and ‘J. Dub’ (Jaylen Waddle) may not be able to run. So adding him is definitely going to be valuable.”
Jerome Baker – June 7, 2023
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Wednesday, June 7, 2023
LB Jerome Baker
(Your early impressions of being in this defense after being on the field now? CB Jalen Ramsey, and CB Xavien Howard were saying on the back end is not all zone, it’s not as much zone as people think. What do you think overall and different specifics of the defense, what are your thoughts?) – “You’ve got to be a smart player to play in this defense, but once you get it down and once you have an idea of what you’re doing it’s so fun playing. Just the different things we do, the different things we ask from guys, it’s definitely going to be fun so I’m excited.”
(What are your thoughts on the rookie LB Aubrey Miller and what he’s been able to do?) – “He’s a fun guy. He’s really just trying to learn. Every play he’s trying to figure out how he could get better. That’s all you can really ask for from rookies. They don’t know what they are doing yet, but just try to soak in all the information and he’s definitely trying to do that.”
(Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio… how are you getting along, and what have you noticed about him?) – “He’s a great guy. He really is. He’s one of those coaches that he will sit down and explain every guy’s role what they got to do on every play and that’s all you can ask for as a linebacker. You really just try to understand the defense and he really sits down and explains everybody’s role and how you can get better. Whether you do good or not he’s just coaching you up to get better. It’s definitely fun.”
(I was asking Head Coach Mike McDaniel about basically culture. How important is it to have guys that buy in and the window in the NFL is short because of free agency, and guys moving around. How important is that?) – “It is super important. That’s when you lean on the leaders and the guys that have been here and they know what we’re about. We have great leaders, we have guys that really buy in. We have young guys that are just willing to do anything to get on the field and help our team win and that’s all you can really ask for.”
(How big of a part of that is the head coach?) – “He sets the tone for everything. Even the first day we came in he set the tone of ‘all we’re going to do is try to win the offseason right now and worry about the season when it comes.’ I think we all have been doing that.”
(When it comes to QB Tua Tagovailoa we see a physical difference, he’s put on some weight. What are you seeing as far as his progression, and what’s different about him now?) – “He’s one of those guys that every year he’s trying to get better at every aspect. This year you can tell physically he looks different. Mentally he’s sharp, I don’t think he’s thrown a pick this offseason. Mentally he’s just sharp, and he’s on it. You can tell now that he’s on guys when they are not doing right and that’s just good to see.”
(Yesterday LB Jaelan Phillips talked about how this offense stresses the edge position and how tough it is to react. I’m curious from this second level position how this offense challenges you in that role?) – “The amount of speed we have is kind of crazy. Every day it feels like a track meet. Like I said, right now it is a track meet because there are no pads on. We got to keep pushing through this offseason and when the season comes we’ve got to just lock it in and see what we are about.”
(This is Year 6 for you, do you have any personal goals, or accolades that you want to accomplish this year?) – “Personally – I have my personal goals I keep to myself – but honestly I want to win some games in the playoffs and see what we can do. I think last year I got a taste of it and now I want more. That’s really my main goal, is to get to the playoffs and win some games.”
(Do you think with the South Florida teams winning in the postseason, do you think that will rub off on you guys?) – “Yeah, I hope so. Shout out to the Heat, shout out to the Panthers and everybody. I hope it rubs off on us we got to taste of it last year. When it’s our time to do it, hopefully we win some more games.”
(Does that Buffalo game stick in the back of your mind, or do you kind of wash it away and move on to the next season?) – “Personally of course I’m still thinking about that. I always think about plays that I could’ve done better, especially when it’s a close game like that you definitely think about the plays you could’ve done better. Of course I’m thinking about it. But as a team, it’s last year. We’ve got a new team so nobody really cares about it.”
(What do you think about the Heat and the way they’ve been able to do it as an eight-seed with a bunch of guys that hardly nobody knew?) – “That’s just a credit to their team. Their mentality is no matter what we’re going to go in there and fight, and as you see it’s working out for them and hopefully they get it done.”
(You’ve talked about the Heat, and the Panthers and it seems like Inter Miami is getting ready to make a move and bring Lionel Messi to South Florida. What do you think about that? It’s a big-time move right?) – “Yeah, it’s definitely big time. I guess you can say Miami is trying to win some ball games around here. That’s just the credit to the culture of Miami. We’re just trying to win in every aspect and it’s going to be a good one.”
Tua Tagovailoa – June 7, 2023
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Wednesday, June 7, 2023
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(Inter Miami just got Lionel Messi. What do you think it does for the Miami sports culture?) – “We’re getting Lionel Messi? I just got done watching ‘Ted Lasso.’ Anyone watch ‘Ted Lasso’? That thing’s awesome. I thought you were pulling my leg because someone told you that. But I’ve been raving about how good ‘Ted Lasso’ was in the locker room. But that’s awesome. Got another superstar. Big, big names out here in Miami. It’s good for the culture out here, just like what the Heat got going on and what the Panthers got going on.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about your ownership of the offense and leadership role here in your second year in this system. I’m curious to hear your perspective on how you feel more comfortable in the second year?) – “Yeah, we feel extremely comfortable coming off of a year having to study, having to get a good feel of how Mike (McDaniel) calls plays. Get a feel of the guys running the routes and then the concepts and where guys are going to be and the distribution of those. It makes it a lot easier when you can transition from that into this year and not have to learn a new offense.”
(What are your initial thoughts on WR Robbie Chosen and how has your time been working with him?) – “Chosen is a great teammate. He’s really fast. He knows how to get the ball. He’s been getting the ball a good amount this OTAs. But he’s a really good player, just like everyone in this room.”
(You’re using the new quarterback-specific helmet. I’m wondering what you learned about what makes it safer and how it feels to play with it on?) – “I’m still trying to feel it out. So what better time to feel it out than OTAs. I heard it’s supposedly better than the helmet that I had been wearing last year. If it could be that much more safe, then why not give it a shot?”
(So you’re not sure it’s what you’ll go with? You’re still feeling it out?) – “Yeah, still feeling it out.”
(It looks like you’ve been in the weight room a little bit this offseason. What have you been trying to work on?) – “Well, I’m trying to work on everything. As much as I’m trying to work on throwing the ball, getting the ball to the guys, being able to push the ball a lot more downfield. You know, getting in the playbook. I’m doing the same with my body.”
(You brought up culture. Coach (Mike) McDaniel talked a little bit about bringing the right guys in. How much more important is that than maybe some guy with a little bit more talent that doesn’t have the right attitude?) – “Yeah, I think that’s really important because if you have someone with talent that does their own thing, it’s going to screw up that entire symphony of the offense, the defense or the special teams. If you get someone that’s less talented, but understands what they’re doing, their assignment, he’s going to be where he needs to be when he needs to be there and whatnot. It’s going to move like a symphony and guys in the backend are going to be able to help that one specific guy, kind of cover his tracks, if he’s not as good as you know, per se someone else at that position.”
(So when you put it together, everybody talks about WR Tyreek Hill’s work ethic. When you have guys like that at the top of the food chain, does it make it a lot easier?) – “Yeah, it makes it a lot easier because before Tyreek (Hill) came here, he was a well-known person. He’s a superstar in the NFL. For him to come here, we have a young team so a lot of the younger guys look up to someone like him. Now that he’s on the team, they see the kind of work ethic he has. They see what kind of person he is in the building, around the building and it’s like, oh, he’s a cool dude. He’s just like any other person. He’s not this, ‘I’m this ego person.’ Although everyone in the locker room thinks they’re better than everyone. But at the end of the day, it’s a team and everyone respects each other in there.”
(I wanted to ask you about the 10k donation for Eric’s GoFundMe. I guess what inspired you to do that for a fan that was really a diehard about you?) – “Yeah. Well, you basically said it. He’s a diehard fan about me, but out of my respect to him, I mean, he basically not just covered me but the entire Dolphins. For me to have done that, Tyreek (Hill) was able to do the same. Other guys have been able to do the same as well, to donate. But I just want his wife and his kids to know that we’re praying for them and that we’re thinking of them.”
(I wanted to ask you about the helmet cam. What was your reaction when they first approached you about doing it? Were you onboard? Were you like ‘oh this is kind of strange’? How has it helped you?) – “It’s almost like, you think of the integrity of the huddle. Like, man, do I really want the coaches to hear what I’m saying to the guys? Because sometimes you might not like a play and you go into it and you tell the guys how you feel, but you basically tell the guy, ‘Hey, I’m skipping this progression to come to you so you better be there.’ Well, it has its good, and it has its bad. That was one of the things that we felt wasn’t as good. But a lot of the cool things that you can do with that is it gives audio for a lot of the new guys so that they can listen to the play over and over and over from the guy giving the play. Then they can listen to the cadence. So when they go off from OTAs, it’ll be good for them to just listen to the cadence over and over and over. That’s something that’s been big this offseason for us, is operation.”
(You’re going against a Vic Fangio defense every day in practice. I remember going back to your rookie year that was one of the bigger challenges you had was playing that Denver game over there. What do you remember about that game and what makes his defenses so difficult to go against?) – “Yeah, I remember I was getting hit a lot. I was getting confused where to go. I think what he does a really good job with his guys is holding shell in the back end. They do a really good job holding shell and being able to disguise their coverages in that sense. But there’s so many nuances to what they do and how they run their defense. So many coverages, it’s not just one. There’s a knock off of like, six in just one coverage. So you’ve got to know what they’re doing and if you don’t, they’ll make you pay.”
(Just watching today, there seems to be a motion and a shift, at least one, every single play. Is that a philosophy where you just want to give the defense as much to look at pre-snap as you can?) – “Yeah, I would say it’s something that we tried to harp on last year during our operation. What we don’t want to do is go out, get the defense set, and just run a play. Those guys on the other side are already good. So forcing them to have to communicate, back, back backs, you know, shifting the front. Just having to force them to communicate and not just get set and just go out and play football and not have to think.”
(When you skip a progression in the huddle, when you’re like ‘we’re not doing that, we’re doing this.’ How does Head Coach Mike McDaniel respond to it?) – “I won’t do that to Mike (McDaniel). (laughter) I’ve got too much respect for Mike. It’s more of a, I don’t like this play but what do I know is going to be open more often than not if I’m given these three or four coverages. So that’s how I kind of gauge it.”
(You’re not the first quarterback to do that but now you’re more conscious because it’s on camera?) – “Yes, not the only quarterback but because it’s on camera, you start thinking of everything. Then it gets weird when you start hearing yourself calling plays in the huddle, calling cadence.”
(I think one of the leagues used to have a helmet cam live. Do you guys remember that? Would you want that to come back to the NFL? Like, you could watch…?) – “No, no. Let’s not do that. I just think there’s too many things that are said on the field that should be said on the field and on the field only. Just to keep the integrity of the game with the guys out there.”
(Regarding the offense, where do you feel like you’ve made the biggest growth in terms of comfort?) – “The biggest growth in terms of comfort? I think, for me, it’s continuing to work on the little things. One of the things that we’ve been harping on has been operation. When I think of my position, I think of what have I done as a leader for the guys up front, for the guys out there to have gotten them better? What have we done? So I think we’ve been doing a great job, working operation, doing some cadence deals, motions, trying to work a lot of things just to give some eye candy for the defense and forcing them to communicate in the back end.”
(How has it been as the leader of the quarterback room, coming from working with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Teddy Bridgewater in the past and taking on more of a leadership role? How has that been for you?) – “It’s been good. I think the coolest thing is now that we have James (Blackman) in our room, I’m finally not the youngest in our room which is great. That blows my mind that I’m going in to my fourth year and it took me four years to not be the youngest. It was cool. Everyone has their own ideologies of how they like to do things, how they like to prepare, how they like to think of plays, and how they like to go about those. I think for me I’ve been able to learn from all of those guys. Being able to learn from Mike (White) as well. With Mike White being in our room, taking a little piece of what I think is pretty cool that a person does and trying to implement that into my game.”
(I saw a drill out here today where you literally did bootlegs for twenty straight minutes. Right side, left side. You hit WR Tyreek Hill. Is that just a reminder that this whole thing always comes back to the basics, that you can never drill it enough?) – “Yeah, it always comes down to the basics. I was just over there talking to our OC Frank Smith telling him you know when are we going to start doing these plays, these plays, because the defense are overplaying this. He said that Mike (McDaniel) wanted to stick to the basics. Once everyone understands where they’re going, gets the foundation of it, then we can move on from there. That should tell you all from the drills that we did.”
