Cedric Ogbuehi – May 31, 2023
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
T Cedric Ogbuehi
(How do you feel about practicing when it’s going to be the mid to upper 90s?) – “It’s going to be different for sure, but it’s Miami. It’s going to prepare us for what’s to come so it’s good.”
(Why did you choose to play here?) – “What they’ve built so far, even last year. Building on what they did last year. Obviously I was with the Jets so I saw it firsthand. They got something special going on here, and they have the pieces. I’m just here to add on to that and to go as far as we can.”
(How did playing in Mike LaFleur’s offense prepare you to come over to this similar type of offensive system?) – “I love it. It’s literally the same kind of scheme, obviously different nuances, but it’s prepared me a lot. I’ve been helping out some of the guys, too, because it’s new to some of them so it helped a lot.”
(How does it suit your skillset?) – “It does. It’s all about running off the ball. It’s meant for guys who can move, so it’s really for kind of my skillset
(Were you surprised the Jets released you when they did after you signed the contract?) – “No, not really. It’s a business. They have a lot of tackles there, and they drafted a guy, too. So I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t even there. I was in Dallas the whole time, so I wasn’t even there. But I wasn’t surprised.”
(How do you feel your strengths are at this point in your career? What do you feel you do the best?) – “Being in Year 9 I’ve seen it all, done it all – pass protection, run blocking, screens, out in space. I think kind of just a combination of everything. Once you’ve been playing for so long, you’ve kind of seen it all.”
Tyler Kroft – May 31, 2023
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
TE Tyler Kroft
(What was the interest and reason for picking this spot?) – “We made it pretty known that if we didn’t sign somewhere in the first few days that we were going to see how the draft shook out, and where my agent and I, and family where we thought there would be a good opportunity to play. I know we have a good – Durham (Smythe) has been here for six years, but I know there are some younger guys in the room, too. Familiarity with the system, too, being with the Jets two years ago, and the 49ers last year, it seemed like it would be a nice smooth transition into the offense so all of those played a factor.”
(As a tight end what do you like about this offense and the rules and responsibilities that come with it?) – “I love that. I’ve always took pride in trying to be a three-down guy. Excelling in the run game and the pass game. This is an offense that asks a lot out of the tight ends. It gives you an opportunity to do both which I really like.”
(Did you know TE Durham Smythe before this?) – “No, I didn’t, but we met at Tight End U last year and my wife and I bought a house in Austin a couple of years ago, a house, and he stays down in Austin as well. So we’ve connected and talked a little bit about that, but that was when I first met him, it was just last year.”
(How would you describe your strengths relative to the blocking element and the pass receiving element at this stage of your career?) – “I still think I can do some things well in the passing game, I know at least going into – this is Year 9 for me, so going into that, I’m probably viewed more as a blocker now in this, but I still take pride in being able to do it all, and trying to be a three-down guy. I’ll never put myself into a box that way saying I can just do one or the other. But like I said before, I just take pride in doing it all.”
(So if you were talking to No. 84 Elijah Higgins, for example, the guy who’s converting to tight end, he’s got a double whammy – a new offense, new league and a new position. What have you told him or would you tell him for example about here is something you absolutely have to do in this scheme?) – “I’ve just been working on him because like you said, he’s playing a whole new position, it’s a new league. I was a rookie, shoot, nine years ago, but I’ve just been talking to him about not letting it get too big for him, jut trying to take each day at a time. And at the end of the day you’re going to mess stuff up. Everybody does. Everybody was a stupid rookie at one point, so I told him to just not get too low on himself and don’t get too high when you are making plays, too. Because everybody out here was the best players at their college or best players at their position. There’s a reason they are here and there’s a reason he’s here, too. So just making sure he keeps his head on straight and don’t get too low and don’t get too high, but just try and take each day at a time and stack them.”
(What’s one thing that TE George Kittle told you or you observed that really helped?) – “The rack, like when you catch the ball, something that was so simple that I didn’t even really think about and seeing him when we would just do routes on air, making a move or a double move, just getting in your mind that you’re taking that ball to the end zone every time you get it. Not just doing the drop-step. The drop-step is good, but taking that drop-step to the next level, so that was something that I’ve been trying to do here and show the guys, too, as well.”
Mike McDaniel – May 31, 2023
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Obviously no two players are alike but generally with the skillset that was lost with TE Mike Gesicki in terms of the seam threat at that size, someone who can block in the red zone, can catch. Who on this roster do you think can compete to fill that role in the next coming weeks?) – “You’re hitting on something that, there’s some opportunities within the offense to put your imprint on your career and for this team. I wouldn’t say it’s just tight ends but really all skill receivers. There’s a lot of competition. Really as the head coach of the team, I’m most excited to see who wins it because it is as organic as one could make it. There’s several capable candidates to catch some balls and be an impactful part of this team I would say at all the offensive skill positions and the proof is in the pudding. You go out there to practice and there’s a good amount of talent. For me to say that I know who that’s going to be would be way ahead of – there’s some sort of saying that I’m looking for…”
(The cart before the horse.) – “Boom. You’ve still got it. So I think that there’s a lot of young players, some veterans, that recognize the opportunity and are really going after it.”
(It looked like QB Tua Tagovailoa had one of those little cameras on his helmet. Can you tell us about the benefits for that relative to you guys working together on progressions and what not) – “So that’s a tool that has been around in the league in different avenues in different organizations I can remember since the teens of the 2000s. For us it’s multifaceted. It’s not like anything earth-shattering. It’s a camera, but it does have audio and I think some of the strong attributes of that technology are that you get to hear play calls. You can library those play calls for players to hear when they’re studying. This just in, the National Football League huddles. A lot of college and high schools don’t, which means you’re taking in information auditorily for the first time with many minimized reps as opposed to looking at the sidelines for a signal or a picture. So auditory, it’s a tool. It’s also something that you can see from his side eye what he’s looking at. For all quarterbacks, it’s a tool to help really drive home certain coaching points and just see what they’re seeing to be on the same page as the player.”
(Is there anything in correlation to concussions that could help if any? Seeing his head movement, where it might go or things that might maybe forecast a play that he got himself into last year?) – “I think preparation is the best thing that you can do for all players in regards to executing your jobs while protecting yourself. Outside of that, you’ve got to get a hold of one of those see the future cameras. Then it’d be extremely helpful if you knew where the players were going to be. But I think for all players when they’re in the right time of their learning process, where it’s not too much on the front end where you’re swimming in too many variables of information, when you’re ready, added information, added articulation through our problem-solving only benefits the player and the team for the ultimate results. Information and tools are not the end all be all by any stretch, but I think it does help us to become really the best football team and the best players and the best coaches that we can be, which is really how I see our jobs.”
(The Dolphins are one of like four or five teams around the league that are doing six OTAs as opposed to the maximum allowed of 10. I’m curious as to why that is?) – “A lot of things factor into it. I think that by and large, players, coaches, people in general, do best when ‘why’ is explained to them. In this particular situation, I think that it is crucial that we have, as convicted, present, deliberate, football players when they’re approaching practice and really recognizing how each opportunity is very crucial to the development of the team. I think when you’re able to acknowledge players’ hard work, and they get positively reinforced with actual action, I think it goes a long way. They are afforded the less practices because they’ve earned it because of the way they’ve approached the whole offseason. My standards for preparation are pretty high and they have recognized that and really heeded to the expectation across the board. I think in those types of circumstances, everyone benefits with a little bone here or there.”
(You’ve become a regular fixture courtside at the Miami Heat games but you’re also a Colorado native and the Denver Nuggets will be your hometown team. So I’m wondering, where is your allegiance going to be?) – “How did you know I was courtside? (laughter)”
(Everyone can see it) – “Oh, I wish I would’ve known that. You know, it’s funny, I will not deny that – I’ve been a football coach my entire adult life. I was born and raised in Denver and cheered for the Nuggets forever. I had a fan plan in 1994. They packaged games and we picked the package that (Michael) Jordan was going to play and he retired. It was my mom’s entire bonus. So yeah, I’ve been invested, and they’ve had a really cool journey. It’s a cool franchise, but you know, I’m an only child and I myself am a father to an only child. So this is going to be totally forecasting but I feel comfortable doing it because I’m blind. The Kelces went through it. I imagine it being like a parent with a couple of kids where, of course you love all your kids, but don’t you love one more? (laughter) Realistically, when it comes down to it, the stuff that I’ve been able to really get access to with the Heat coaching staff led by “Spo” (Erik Spoelstra) last summer. Getting to know them, following their journey and getting to know the people you know I’ve become extremely invested. So I don’t lose any sleep by saying you know what, Denver Nuggets, why don’t we wait 48 years? Not 47. So that’s kind of where I stand on that. But really, I think it’s really cool. It is odd that the two teams you probably follow as close as anything, you’re rooting for one and somebody has to lose. But I’m really excited in particular for just The (NBA) Finals in general because I think both teams in The Finals represent what’s really cool about sports, because they have had to scratch, claw, fight tooth and nail to get in the position they’re at in their own respective journeys. So I have no doubt in my mind that both fan bases, both teams, no one’s going to take anything for granted. We’re going to have elite schematic coaching from both sides and you’re going to have to earn whatever comes here. So I think from a sports fan perspective, it’s as cool as it gets and I’m excited to see what the Heat can do.”
(When you go to these games are you going purely for entertainment purposes or is there stuff you can bring back from a football perspective to kind of show the team and relate the two things…?) – “I think there’s information in front of us all the time that can be very beneficial to what we do on a day-to-day basis, just in general, every day if you’re willing to look and listen. You don’t know what is going to come about but the bottom line is, when you go to those games, where would you rather be if you’re in professional sports. You have high stakes. A lot of sweat equity has gone into those moments. I still have a tough time imagining how many up-and-downs and shuttles and how many practices and shootarounds basketball teams go through and how long that season is, and how many practices hockey teams have to have to get on the same page. That stuff is what really is impactful for me in those moments and I think without a doubt, there’s great stuff to take away that can be applied in what we’re trying to do.”
(What do you take away from your time with Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. He’s still only 52 and yet he makes the playoffs very consistently, he makes the NBA Finals on a pretty regular basis. What are your takeaways on what makes him as successful as he is?) – “Well, first and foremost, I feel so humbled to be able to have the relationship. I think what screams to me, just the way he runs the program and what they do is there’s a passion for developing players and coaching and a standard for what they believe should prepare their players, I feel a true love for who they’re coaching and what they’re coaching and I think systematically, when people describe the Heat culture, they’re talking about a bunch of individuals that are trying to be great in the game of basketball, players and coaches alike. I feel so fortunate. I think he has to be one of the best professional coaches across all sports. For me to have access to pick his brain, he throws me a handshake after wins. It’s an unbelievable resource for me in the coaching profession that I feel very, very fortunate to have.”
(It was reported yesterday that the team is going to be having another set of joint practices with the Houston Texans. Specifically having sessions with a coach you know well in DeMeco Ryans, what do you think the team can take from those?) – “Yeah, you know, I wanted to break the news to you guys last time I was up here but gave the opportunity to a friend and somebody I feel fortunate to have coached with and been around for such a long time in DeMeco Ryans and he just turned it down like the humble guy he is. So pumped about that. That’s a young, hungry team that will afford us the opportunity of getting better in training camp. Those types of opportunities are invaluable. It breaks camp up. It gives a little newness to it. It reinvigorates it, but it also – there’s only so much scheme that one side of the ball can have. You get different players that you have to go against and subtle schematic nuances that are different that really help the players get prepared for preseason and then regular season.”
(Things you’ve noticed about CB Cam Smith so far and RB De’Von Achane – obviously speed stands out – but if you wouldn’t mind digging into those two individually?) – “I think both of them have done exactly what’s been asked of them to this juncture. I think along the process there’s so much going on for rookies, you forget that you’re joining a team that has established players and you need to make way on that team through the locker room and the coaching staff, just the building in general. That’s what I’ve seen them focus on and I can tell they’re starting to become one of the guys. You are swimming at this stage and that’s to be expected, but I also see from those two in particular, guys that have a deep-down self-confidence that the minor hiccups in the short term aren’t really affecting them which is something you look for in young players because there’s a lot. It’s almost like you’re a baseball player where you bat like 30 percent or .300 for the real fan. (laughter) You bat .300 – that means seven out of 10 times, failure. That’s kind of like being a rookie. So, so far, so good. I think you have to win over your teammates at least with the Dolphins before you’re able to play with them and I think they’re knee-deep in that journey and I’ve been happy with what they’ve produced.”
(They say that for the human brain, moving and starting a new job are two of I think the five most stressful things you can go through. Obviously when you get here you’ve got to hit the ground running focused on the job, but how have you allowed yourself to acclimate to I guess the new environment outside of work?) – “Man, moving, new job? Wow. It’s been cool to kind of – it’s one of the reasons that it’s so awesome for me to be this fortunate coach of this team, to go to these playoff games. Just my comfort with the entire, all of South Florida. I didn’t know what I didn’t know and there are so many things that this place has to offer and it is night and day. Like now, it feels like home. Last year, you don’t even know where you’re at, so there’s a ton of stuff that allows you to do your job more efficiently and more focused on the task at hand. So it’s been an awesome offseason that’s been filled with work with a little sprinkle of husband/dad time that has been outstanding, and I know my daughter is, she’s really excited to play all day. Which is what I’ll be doing for my break, but there’s a lot of work to be done before that.”
(Just to follow up real quick, you said it’s starting to feel like home. Was there a moment you have in mind where you kind of were able to stop and realize, “wow, yeah, this is home now”?) – “It’s hard not to feel that way with the amount of support. I’ve said it before in the past. I didn’t really know the strength of South Florida fans and really the sleeping giant that I kind of walked into and I started to feel it in training camp, but by the time there was a first home game, it’s hard not to feel at home when so many people are supporting you. I’ve moved my whole life so that’s old hat, but I remember specifically leaving the stadium after the first game and being like, ‘wow, this is a great place to live and do my job, so I’m going to fight tooth and nail while you guys try to kick me out and I’m a fighter.’”
(Did T Terron Armstead have the foot surgery and should he be fine for training camp?) – “He’s been having a good offseason. I try to honor all the players with not really putting their business out on the street unnecessarily. I have no reservations about where he’s at. He has had his fill of watching practice so he’s done everything in his power and I look forward to seeing him in training camp and I haven’t been given any reason to have hesitancy to this point at all.”
(The team runs into some money post June 1 which happens to be tomorrow’s date. I know you can’t tell me what the organizational plans are, but can you speak to the benefit of having that kind of capital that you’ve got at this job?) – “It’s something that when any direction is decided for the team, you’re kind of aware that that’s coming. So that has been planned and we are aware that that’s occurring and we typically do everything we can to have the best team possible within the guidelines of the salary cap. So not sure where, but I’d feel confident to say that we’ll make good use out of that salary cap room when it comes to the start of the regular season.”
Christian Wilkins – May 23, 2023
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
DT Christian Wilkins
(You had a chance to meet Queen Latifah a few weeks ago. Tell us about that.) – “Yes, I did. That was beautiful, shoutout to my girl Queen Latifah, she was everything I thought she would be. She was awesome, she was glowing. That was awesome for me to meet her. I’ve always wanted to meet her. She is one of my favorites. That was humbling for me. It was an honor to meet the Queen, I was not worthy, but she was awesome to, so it was dope. Shout out to you, girl.”
(From the early install, what stands out to you about a Vic Fangio defense?) – “We’ve got some good stuff, we’ve got some good players on the defense. We’ve got to continue to grind every day, and learn it as fast as we can, so that way come minicamp, come training camp; we’re just flying around playing fast, not really thinking. We’re all still learning it, so there are going to be mistakes in that, but guys are working hard to get it right and playing our butts off so we love to see that.”
(I heard that it puts more pressure on the defensive linemen to disengage. Obviously no pads now, but what are those challenges like?) – “We’re built for it, we just got to put the work in.”
(You had mentioned last year getting so comfortable in the scheme to kind of cheat the scheme and be able to make plays outside of it. I’m curious now that you go back to a new system in Year 1, how do jump start that process?) – “It’s the same process. It’s going to take a little more work on my end to completely understand the confines of the defense and how things are working, what it looks like, and were I can do certain things, and where I can’t do certain things. It’s going to take a lot of work on my part and also building that rapport with new guys on the defense, different backers and everything like that. We all got to get a feel for each other.”
(Where do you stand regarding contract talks? Are you optimistic something can get done this summer?) – “I let my agent handle all of that. There is a reason he’s hired. The biggest complication with the contract is the Omar Kelly clause. I’m trying to make sure I don’t have to answer any of his questions, good to see you back. (laughter)”
(Is the gap such that you’re optimistic, I know General Manager Chris Grier had said there were conversations, the priority. Is the gap close enough that you’re optimistic a deal will be closed? I guess your agent probably gives you updates periodically.) – “Like I said, I let my agent handle all of that. He has a job to do. He’s one of the best in the business so I’m putting it in his hands, controlling what I can control. Coming out here every day and leading and playing ball.”
(If you do go into this year as a contact year, is that a motivational tool?) – “I’m always motivated and motivation comes from within, not a dollar amount, but it’s just my drive to be the best and be my best. No dollar changes that, changes my mindset. Whether something gets done or not my approach is always the same.”
(What do you think when you see some of the deals like DT Daron Payne, and DT Dexter Lawrence?) – “I was excited about (Dexter) Lawrence. That’s my fat little brother, so I was excited about him. But it’s good to see. It’s just good to see the growth of the game and clearly how much d-line play, especially interior means to teams and it’s good to see that. It’s just great to see that, it’s good for the game and it’s good for the guys that come after us. I’m a big believer in doing right by the game, doing things right and paying it forward for those guys coming after you regardless of whether it’s a dollar, whether it’s just doing things the right way, someone they can look up to. I’m just big on respecting the game. It’s cool to see.”
(What is Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio like?) – “Vic is cool. He’s definitely more of an old-school coach. He’s like a grandfather out there, but he’s good with the players and he’s good to be around so far.”
(You’ve got like, the buddy and the grandfather. How does that work between him and Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “Definitely different. Each of them are different but both are obviously effective coaches and good at what they do.”
(It’s pretty cool to have a balance. You’ve got this guy who has seen everything and then you’ve got Head Coach Mike McDaniel. You can still learn a lot from a guy like that.) – “Yes, absolutely. That’s one of the things I respect most abut Vic. He’s been doing it for so long and so highly regarded and just got a lot of respect.”
(Is there a different aspect to your game whether it’s pass rush or anything else that you are looking to improve on this offseason?) – “Just everything. I’m never a finished product. I didn’t make every play I was supposed to make last year. Regardless of how productive I was, there was so much more out there for me. So whether it’s getting in shape, developing my pass rush, being strong in the run, it’s all the same process.”
(Would you at least say that last year was your best year? It seemed that way to I think most of us.) – “I guess you could say that, but it won’t be my best. That’s the goal and that’s my mindset every time I work out, every time I study film, every time I eat and do that whole process. My mindset is to always be the best.”
(What are your thoughts on the run by the Heat and the Panthers? I know you’re a Massachusetts guy.) – “Absolutely. It’s bittersweet. I’m a die-hard Boston Celtics fans so it’s hard to see what’s going on right now. I’m still going down with the ship, going down with the guys. I don’t care what no one has to say. Let’s go Celtics. (laughter) But I’ve got a lot of respect for the Heat of course. Miami is my home now and I really enjoy watching the Panthers play. They are a lot of fun to watch and I’ve enjoyed being able to go to a lot of Panthers games, but they did beat the Bruins, too. So it is what it is.”
(Do you feel like this is infectious – the way that the winning is happening down here?) – “Yeah, hopefully all the teams can continue that on and just continue to have success for the fans. The fans that just deserve a winner.”
(I saw you at the Heat game with CB Jalen Ramsey. What is it like to have so many big personalities, WR Tyreek Hill last year, LB Bradley Chubb coming over, Jalen now. So many big personalities.) – “I’m already getting tired of Jalen (Ramsey) for real. (laughter) Nah, it’s cool, it’s definitely just good. It’s just good just to have those guys who have had a lot of success in the league and kind of just talk to them. They pour into us and just guys you can look to and just talk to, who’ve had a lot of success and take things from them – the process, how they approach the game, their mindset. It’s always good.”
(Although you had the green on the shoes, you had the white hot up top or was that by accident?) – “That was kind of by accident. That’s just a Miami vibe outfit, but I had to represent and make it clear that I was rocking with my Celtics and I still am tonight. Celtics in seven. (laughter)”
(One more question about CB Jalen Ramsey. As a defensive lineman, when they go out and sign a guy like that, what goes through your mind right away?) – “Obviously that’s great for the team and just great for the guys up front, and really great for the defense. A guy who has a championship pedigree, has played a lot of ball in this league, a Pro Bowler, an All Pro. Just someone you can learn from someone you’re thinking ‘all right, he does his job at a high level; that’ll only help us up front.’”
Jaylen Waddle – May 23, 2023
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Tuesday, May 23, 2023
WR Jaylen Waddle
(So how was the offseason like for you?) – “It was good. Got to spend some time with the family, so that’s always good. A lot of relaxation, recovery, long season and got back to it.”
(Year 3 for you, how do you feel about your growth from last year to this year, what are some things you’re looking on improving?) – “I feel like just knowledge. Another year under my belt. I get to see how the league works even more. I think preparation, seeing defenses and knowing what a defense is going to do, how they plan on playing us and adjusting the game. I feel like it’s a lot I can grow from in the first two seasons. Still growing, just trying to stack days together.”
(After Year 1, it seemed like you guys had so much success on the field with Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense and what not, but he said he came to the offseason workout program and he was like, there are some specific things that we can do to get better. What are the next steps for this group?)– “I felt like we had gotten into a groove mid-season and then fell off from it later on. So really just finding that groove again, staying consistent throughout the whole year each and every week so just getting that groove and staying consistent with it.”
(What would you say about QB Tua Tagovailoa, his offseason?) – “Tua’s been great. Y’all are going to see it and y’all keep coming out, seeing how he throws the ball and he’s being him.”
(How excited were you to get into these OTAs and camps?) – “Excited. It’s always good to play against our defense. They’re learning new stuff with (Vic) Fangio and it’s a great challenge each and every day.”
(McDaniel this morning said that he says the jump from last year this time to this year is substantial. I’m curious how you feel that’ll impact your game in the second year of the system?) – “Yeah, last year I feel like we were learning. Now we kind of know the details and what he’s looking for, what Tua’s looking for. So getting to the spots, beating man coverage, things like that. So it’s just more knowledge of the offense.”
(How different was this offseason? You said it was a long season, longer than normal. How different was it?) – “Just a lot of recovery. Went in, got to really work on my body, see how my body works, see what my body likes. So that’s what comes with 17, 18-plus games.”
(With even more speed now, what have you noticed about RB De’Von Achane, the Texas A&M running back?) – “Oh man, I’ve been knowing him since he was in high school. So I’ve known he has speed from when he was younger, so just having him on our team, it’s great. He’s showcasing his ability each every day so he’s continuing to do his thing. Texas boy. Come on, now.”
(Is it just us or he seemed to have the ball in his hands a lot this practice?) – “Stay tuned, man. He’s going to one to watch. I’m definitely excited to watch him this next level.”
(You put on a couple pounds, a little more weight? Looking a little swole.) – “You see that? You see that. You see that. (laughter)”
(How much have you put on?) – “I can’t tell you that. You see me run somebody over, then you’ll know. (laughter)”
(How much stronger do you feel now?) – “You trying to arm wrestle? (laughter) I feel bigger, stronger, faster. So it’s good right now.”
(Is that part of the process though?) – “Definitely. I think each year you plan on getting better, bigger, faster, stronger, more knowledge and you’ll continue to – if you want success in this league – that’s how you’re going to continue to get it.”
(Was WR Tyreek Hill’s season about what you thought it would be or was it more?) – “Man, Tyreek is everything plus more. He’s pretty much him.”
(We’ve heard a little bit about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s jiujitsu. What do you know about his training and the way he’s working?) – “Yeah, we were working out this summer. He was like, ‘bro, I’ve got to go to jiujitsu.’ I was like, ‘hey bro, go and rock out, you got it.’ (laughter) He’s got some moves. I told him to teach me a little something-something. He’s been working on his craft, but that just shows how much he’s bought in.”
(Do you have any goals or aspirations this year? Personal accolades you want to achieve?) – “I think just staying consistent throughout the year. I feel like I was up and down last year, so just staying consistent each and every week.”
(What is WR Braxton Berrios going to give your offense?) – “Just another explosive player added to what we already have – him, (Robbie) Chosen, ‘Ced’ (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) – just adding on to make people game plan a lot harder.”
(What’s the story behind the penguin earring right there?) – “Oh yeah, I’ve had this. Y’all are late to the party. (laughter) I’ve been having this for like, two years.”
(You wore it out here a few times?) – “Yeah, yeah. Facts. I wear it in games and all.”
(I know you’re a Houston guy, but are you rooting for any of the local teams down here…?) – “Yeah, man, my Lakers are out. King James is out, so I mess with the Heat.”
Mike McDaniel – May 23, 2023
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Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(On the Panthers and Heat) – “How cool is that for South Florida sports just in general, just riding the 2023 but specifically the Heat and the Panthers doing a lot of things that people said they couldn’t do, which I very much appreciate and we are definitely taking note.”
(I wanted to ask you kind of a three-for-oner. So S Brandon Jones and CB Nik Needham – any sense yet if they’ll be ready for training camp with those two and then the third, young DB Trill Williams – there was some Tweet form a family member suggesting he had moved to safety. Has he moved from cornerback to safety?) – “Wow, dude, inside family lines for reporting scoops? All right. (laughter)”
(That’s why I come to you.) – “I see Brandon and Nik every day. When I say diligent, that’s what their days are. I feel good about where they’re at right now. What does that mean? Down the road I try not to get consumed with like, ‘Alright, you’re going to be ready now.’ So that you’re wearing that anxiety – we just want to stay on schedule and or ahead and all reports have been just that because of the way that our medical staff goes about their business and the way they attack their whole rehab. So excited about them. And this is the offseason. There’s a lot of power for players, specifically when you’re learning a new system, like our defense is currently learning. To be able to have versatility is always powerful when you’re talking about being an NFL player and there’s no better way to understand your responsibility within that set structure of a defense than understand what other contributors and how their issues apply to your issues, and that cross-training stuff will always be a part and it’s certainly for a couple individuals on our defense something that we’re trying to attack with that versatility. So move – if you’re reporting it to our opponents, you can say we’re moving guys left and right. But for you know, in house, a safe place for you guys, that’s just versatility is a good thing.”
(What is the addition of T Isaiah Wynn mean to the right tackle situation and OL Austin Jackson? Is that an open competition?) – “Any time that you can add Wynns to a roster, right? See what I did there? (laughter) Yeah, still got it. I’ve been training all offseason. It’s like everything else. We’re a product of our environment and when guys are going about things the right way and have experienced playing at a high level in the NFL, that raises the urgency, raises the competitiveness, and overall, helps every player involved as long as people are working together, which all of our Georgia Bulldogs are good teammates. So he’s been awesome. He’s getting work at several spots and has the opportunity to win some playing time at several spots, but it’s also, there’s only five players that play each down and overall, I know the collection of the offensive line is best served in this current environment. Who those people are; I don’t do the magnet slotting. I let people in situations whether they’re performing their lifelong dream of a job, decide their own fate. So just throw a bunch of guys in that fit the bill and I think the Dolphins are best served waiting to see who tells us who’s going to be a starter or backup or whatever.”
(As it relates to building off the successes of Year 1 with the offense, I was curious what the offseason was like for you in terms of self-scouting and what you kind of carry away with saying, “All right in Year 2, I want to improve in this area of the offense?”) – “It was kind of a critical offseason for me. I didn’t look at our offense, and say, ‘Wow, we did all this stuff good.’ I saw all the stuff that we could improve upon. Now, the stuff that the players and coaches did last year, you shouldn’t minimize that because there was substantial growth, to the tune of improving – quick math – 25 spots. And in your league-wide ranking, that should never be minimized. But that’s not where we’re trying to go. So the coaching staff was ready for the players to get back and realistically, players love direction. They love – ‘we need to be better’ only goes so far. So, identifying critical things in our game. An easy one was pre-snap penalties. We were the worst at that. So got a lot of ways to improve there. I think it’s important in the offseason that you give the season – there’s a lot of things that go into it. There’s a lot of pressures and you’re just trying to win the next game. Taking a step back, I think affords people a little more open mindedness. And all I’ve seen is an offense, I’ve seen a team that isn’t satisfied with where they’re at. They see 2023 is an opportunity to really move past where we were last year. And that’s the way they’ve approached it. From route running to how we block people, to everything in between; the consistency of our fundamentals and detail has been huge and we’ve had as a result, I mean, the growth that we made in Phase 1 and Phase 2, relative to last year, is astronomical. Guys really had a comfort level of what – here with the Miami Dolphins, we come to work to get better. And we don’t spend any time or any focus on anything but that and we know that this game has a place for a lot of us individually, as long as we continue to get better. It’s pretty cut and dry and it should be that way. You know, the coaches, players, we all have jobs that are hard to get and you shouldn’t – the second that you’re not trying to get better, there’s an entitlement there that I don’t really think helps one succeed. So it’s been a lot of what we can get better at. If you guys are feeling up for it, maybe throw me a pat on the back, because I haven’t given myself many this year.”
(I believe this is the first time QB Tua Tagovailoa has been back on the field for team drills since that concussion. What have you seen from him this offseason as he starts to get back to football?) – “I’ve seen a guy that’s followed through with his words as well as any young man that I’ve come across in my career. Controlling the controllable is something that I would epitomize his offseason with. You want to talk about going above and beyond – training, martial arts. So much so that he knew the training before he knew what it was called. I think he was calling it judo. Jiujitsu is what he was doing, but that in terms of helping him progress in his career has been phenomenal. The work that he’s done this offseason, it was so obviously beneficial that we’ve incorporated it into some of our drill work that we’ll do with the quarterbacks to – I think it was Teddy Bridgewater made this point to me last year. As a quarterback you go, September starts, and then you get tackled. And then you get tackled for six months and then you don’t again until September. So how can we help train quarterbacks to stay healthy because it wasn’t just too early. How do you stay healthy in this game and stay available? And that’s something that that whole offseason training has really helped us try to take a good step in the right direction for how to best prepare players for an NFL season.”
(On that jiu-jitsu, obviously we’ve heard but we haven’t seen it. Have you seen any of it and if at all, what does that look like as far as his training and how it translates?) – “It kind of looks like bullying. Like it’s just a guy being attacked and going to the ground. And then how to transfer energy to disperse it and not have a central impact focus. It’s something that, it makes you think, hey, why haven’t we detailed this before? Because when you think about it, you have so much coaching that goes into where you stand in the huddle, how you deliver the play call, your pre-snap process and how you diagnose things into the play. You’re coaching all this stuff, and then you have a throw and an impending hit and then we just stop talking. That’s where my training was as a coach up until this point. So training, follow through and how to protect yourself while getting hit so that you can continue to play is something that’s applicable for everyone. They haven’t trained me how to do the tutorial. I think that’s when it will really start to take shape because I’ll just be knocking individuals over that are much bigger than me. But season one, let’s leave it to the experts and let somebody else beat him up a little bit, but it’s been very positive in terms of controlling what we can control and how to go along the process of injury prevention as best we can.”
(Whose idea was it for QB Tua Tagovailoa to enter into that training? Was it something you guys jointly came up with?) – “It’s really hard sometimes for me to even to remember the etymology for things like that. I know Coach (Darrell) Bevell was spit-balling some problem-solving things that we could do because he hadn’t been along this territory as well. Dave Puloka and Kyle Johnston were very involved in all this stuff. But really, it’s amazing what can happen when you’re not focused on who gets the credit. I think everyone, and because of that, no one. Does that make sense? It’s everyone’s idea so it’s no one’s idea. That’s deep, right, hashtag deep.”
(Can you be more specific and sort of paint me a picture of what this training looks like?) –“I mean, come up here. (laughter) Just picture this. It’s a lot of strategic falling that is patterned after things that happened to our quarterbacks during the season. So kind of recreating those things because the master of jujitsu had to study some game tape to understand how he was falling, where the impact points were and what we could do to help correct it. By and large, you find out that core strength is very much important when you’re talking about the transfer of energy of the human body going to the ground and different things that you can do to minimize that are strategic, but then strengthening of the core so that when you’re going to the ground, the top of your torso isn’t just a leverage whipping device. I think there’s a bunch of different movements. I’m sure they have names. I couldn’t describe them adequately. The best thing I have is, yeah, they’re getting taken to the ground in the fashion they got taken to the ground in as best replicated in the course of their playing experience.”
(Are you going to hand out white belts to everybody?) – “No, black belts. I mean, we’re not dabbling in this to be novices. You know, we’re trying to own it.”
(Speaking of that versatility defensively that you were talking about, is LB Andrew Van Ginkel at inside linebacker which was reported by the league-owned network?) – “Report away. I know from an offensive standpoint, when you have an edge player that will in packages or maybe a game or maybe no games have the ability to play off-the-ball backer; that in terms of identification for how you pick up protections and those things are very important. Not to mention the fact that you can – position flexibility allows you to have an extra human being at each position on game day. A little two-for-oner. So I think on top of just understanding all of the defense, it’s instrumental because every piece of the puzzle has to cover at some point and then understanding rush patterns and all those things; it’s beneficial to a guy that we thought – that led by Vic (Fangio) and really just our entire defense staff – thought that he was at the point of his career where he could handle and it’s advantageous for us, tough for the opponent. So sounds like a win. Full circle.”
(The NFL is going to allow a third quarterback now in emergency situations. What are your thoughts on that rule change?) – “I think there’s a shared sentiment among fans, coaches, players. When we watch a football game, we’d prefer to see a quarterback playing the position of quarterback. I think that rule lends that to be a capability of teams so makes sense to me and I’m all for it. I fit in that pool with everyone else.”
Isaiah Wynn – May 16, 2023
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023
T Isaiah Wynn
(Obviously you have a lot of familiarity with the Dolphins. The Dolphins have a lot of familiarity with you. The first couple years I know you spent a lot of time at left tackle, but this past season you were at right tackle. I was just kind of curious if you could kind of look back at that switch from left tackle to right tackle, how you think that went for you and would you feel comfortable playing either side in Miami?) – “Yeah, I’m good playing either way, either position. I’m just here to help the team to achieve one goal and that’s win, so that’s the reason why I’m here.”
(I wanted to ask you about being a first-round pick. Not even just the fifth-year option because even that’s become an honor when guys get the fifth-year option picked up, but when you’re a first round pick, is there pressure that comes with making sure that you have this monster of a career, in terms of like being able to ante up on the deals and the contracts and being a proven starter? I know you’ve got 40 starts under your belt.) – “Yeah, I think that comes with just playing ball. All that stuff is going to handle itself as long as you handle your job on the field. So I mean I don’t really got too much to say about that. As far as being first round, I think any position or any round that any player has went, there’s always pressure. This is a job so you’re always working to do your best.”
(And how’s the foot injury?) – “I’m all good now.”
(I was looking at your bio and it said you were born in Florida. Tell me about that. Do you still have any family in Florida?) – “Yeah, all my people are in St. Petersburg. I was born in Tampa, but I was raised in St. Pete. St. Pete’s where I live during the offseason, so Florida is home. I’m definitely happy to be home, no doubt.”
(Now obviously, all players want an opportunity to start. Have you been told you will have an opportunity to compete for a starting position?) – “That’s a conversation you’ll have to ask Coach (McDaniel), but I’m here day-in and day-out just to better the team and contribute in any ways I can.”
(What does Tampa call itself because isn’t USF in Tampa?) – “Yeah, USF is in Tampa, but I don’t really claim Tampa. I’m from St. Pete. I was only born in Tampa, but I was raised in St. Pete so St. Pete is where I’m from.”
(Not really anything about football here. Besides football, what type of things are you passionate about? Just trying to get to know you in that sense.) – “Man, my family, dawg. I love my family so anytime I get an opportunity to take a break, I’m normally with them. I love to laugh. I love to travel. I like reading. So that’s pretty much it. I like outdoors. I’m really cool. I’ll be chilling.”
(What kind of places have you traveled to recently?) – “Recently, I haven’t had a chance to travel. Last year was my most recent and I think that trip, I took the whole family to Turks. So we all went to Turks and Caicos, but more recently, just had a newborn so we’ve been locked in and kind of stationary. Not too much traveling you do with them.”
(I wanted to ask a couple of questions, but I’m kind of curious now because you mentioned you’re a reader, and as someone who loves to read myself, who are some of your favorite authors and some of your favorite books?) – “Oh, favorite authors. I can’t really say. I’m more of a – I just end up picking up books. The last book I read was about a guy – I forget the name of the book – but essentially, he drove off a cliff and he ended up surviving. He fell asleep on the way home from work. He fell asleep, drove off the cliff and his life wasn’t going too well. So he ended up surviving and climbed up the cliff and essentially he started a whole new life. So that was an interesting book. But I’m just big on picking up any type of book. So if you’ve got any recommendations, hit me with them.”
(What attracted you to the Miami Dolphins to come down here and join us here in South Florida?) – “Definitely the coaching staff and the players, man. They’re definitely building something special, so I mean, who wouldn’t want to be a part of it? And then get the opportunity to come home, that was a no-brainer for me. No doubt.”
(And then I have one last one for you here if you don’t mind because you have some unique perspective from the other side of what our pass rush does down here in Miami. You faced these guys twice a year. I’m curious what stands out when you went up against Miami’s defense and their pass rush?) – “Their speed. I mean, these guys move and they’re all strong. So it’s definitely something I look forward to, to be able to go against them in practice and hone-in on my skills and get better.”
(So, continuing on the theme about reading, I wanted to ask you where do you feel you are in your story, your career story? What chapter are we on?) – “Oh man, this is a whole new chapter. That thing just started getting written, so y’all have got to stay tuned. It’s a whole new chapter and I’m very excited about it. So stay tuned. Stay tuned to the ‘Win with Wynn’ book, the ‘Win with Wynn’ story. (laughter)”
(And the follow up question is obviously, you’re 27 years old, you’ve got four years of NFL experience under your belt. At this point in your career, what do you feel you do best?) – “What do I do best? I block. (laughter) I block, man, and I protect my quarterback and whoever has the ball. So that’s kind of the general scope and I look forward to continuing to get better because you’ve never got it all put together. So I’m looking forward to continue to get better.”
(Since rookies are going to be practicing with vets starting in OTAs next week, do you recall your first practice with veterans and if you felt more pressure on yourself being a first-round pick in that situation?) – “Yeah, I do recall my first practice as a rookie. It’s a little intimidating, but it’s also very exciting because just as you said, starting a new chapter and that’s what rookies are doing, they’re writing their own story. And then also to be out there with some of the vets who do this, who’s that deal in this game that we play; it’s an honor. It’s very surreal. It was good. Being a first-round pick, you add a little bit of pressure, but as I said earlier, being on that field regardless of where you went, it’s pressure either way.”
(I see you’re from St. Pete. Just out of curiosity are you a fan of Rod Wave?) – “Rod, yeah, yeah. Rod went to the same high school, dawg. Come on. (laughter) Lakewood (High School).”
(And you being from St. Pete, do you all carry that passion, just as far as just representing the city?) – “Yeah, of course. You’ve got to. It’s not just for St. Pete, but I think any city that you grew up in that kind of built you up and supported you, you shouldn’t have no problem repping them. So definitely St. Petersburg is home and like I said, that’s where I bought my crib and that’s where I’m at offseason, back at home. So yeah, I take pride in it.”
(Are you a fan of the Miami Heat since there’s no basketball team in St. Pete?) – “I don’t really keep up with basketball, man. I wasn’t too good at basketball. That was my brother, so I can’t really say if I keep up with it or not. But yeah, now that I’m down here, go Heat. Let’s ride. (laughter)”
(I had a question I wanted to get your perspective on since you do have a couple years in the league. You know, obviously, it’s kind of a unique situation with the Patriots last year with kind of the changing with the coaching staff and who was calling plays and whatnot. But specific to the offensive line, can you kind of speak on the importance of having that continuity with the offensive line coach and whatnot, and how important that is for offensive linemen and kind of the teaching methods and whatnot?) – “Yeah, I think it’s big. The five guys that you roll with, kind of with every other position, they rotate. They may rotate depending on the down. But those five that are up front, they stay consistent throughout the game. So that continuity that you speak about, it’s big. And then for the coaching aspect, you take whatever that coach is giving you. They give you a task, the job, you’ve just got to complete it. But having the same five and the same room is big, but all that starts in practice as well, too.”
(And then a quick follow-up. I know I asked about playing on both sides before, but was the switch to right tackle something that you anticipated or was it kind of something that more so you were kind of just doing to obviously benefit the team and whatnot?) – “Either way, it was kind of to help the team. I’m always wherever they need me at. So I’ve just got to continue to perform, continue to do my job to the best of my ability.”
(I’m wondering first off, how do you look at your time in New England, since they put a lot of faith in you, drafting you in the first round and all, but now you’re on the other side of the AFC East? So how do you look at your time in New England and what’s it going to be like when you line up against your old team?) – “Oh, it was good. They’re the team that drafted me, so I appreciate everybody in that organization from the staff to the players. I thank them. My time was good there and then it’s going to be fun playing against them because especially seeing them twice a year being on the opposite side; being there previously, you play against the guys that may have already been there and now I’m on the other side now, so it’s always a fun camaraderie. We’ll see how it all plays out for sure.”
(And just touching real quick on the whole right side, left side thing. Since the leader of the line – T Terron Armstead – is on the left side, are you going in with the idea that you’ll spend most of your time at right tackle in the offseason and then see how things develop from there?) – “Man, I’m wherever they put me at. That’s more of a coaching question, but yeah, I’m wherever they need me at. I look forward to working with the team, the o-line and Coach (Butch) Barry and everybody for sure.”
(I wanted to ask you about that the wide zone that Miami runs. Obviously a lot of linemen that I’ve come across, they like to be aggressive in the run game. Is the wide zone something that intrigues you and do you have a background with it from your time at Georgia?) – “Yeah, wide zone is dope, man. Just being able to essentially use your athleticism as well as your strength, it’s all good. So I’m going to enjoy it. I’ve been enjoying it thus far and yeah, I’ve got some background in that at Georgia. But I’m looking forward to continuing to hone-down on those plays and that skill set.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – May 16, 2023
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Tuesday, May 16, 2023
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(Last we heard from you, you were trying to come back if the team made a deeper playoff run. How has the triceps injury recovered? Is it 100 percent now?) – “It’s going good. They’re taking it easy on me during camp but I’ve been fully cleared and I am ready to go.”
(Since the end of last season, the team hired Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. What are your first impressions of him and have you thought of the ways that his scheme can benefit you?) – “Right now, I’m still trying to learn all of the plays, different spots and trying to learn the different schemes that he uses. I’m excited for him. He’s a great defensive mind and coach. I’m just excited to do my part to help this team win.”
(I know you mentioned it to some guys in locker room cleanout but were you trying to come back from the triceps injury like the following week? Obviously it would have been the divisional round. When were you trying to come back from the triceps injury?) – “Yeah, if we had made a deeper run, yeah that was my goal to come back and do my best to come back and help the team. I knew it was a longshot but I was excited and trying to do my best to come back.”
(I wanted to ask off the field, I saw there was an NFL Africa trip where you and some other players from Africa were out in Kenya. Can you talk about that experience, how long you were out there, what you were doing and what the experience was like?) – “We were out there for a week in Nairobi, Kenya. It was an amazing experience. We got a chance to coach up some football talent down there. We had different players from different parts of the continent trying out. We had to teach them how to play football in like two days, then they would go through Combine testing afterwards. It was an amazing experience and how quickly they wanted to learn about the game. They view it as a big opportunity for them and they’re excited just to learn from us players. There were only five of us that were there. It was cool.”
(I know the Dolphins play the Chiefs the day before your birthday. Do you have that date circled on your calendar due to your time in Kansas City?) – “Yeah, I mean I was hoping we were at Kansas City, but it’s exciting to go to Germany. I’ve never been there before. I’m excited about their culture over there. I’m excited to see the sights. I don’t know how long we’re going to be there before the game but I’m excited about Germany and to play my former team, too.”
(What did you learn from the Africa trip?) – “Like I said before, just being grateful for the whole experience. Those kids didn’t have much but they still want to listen and learn and take coaching from us. They don’t have football there. Just being able to inspire them, a kid like me – I was born in Nigeria and I came here when I was nine (years old), so they can kind of see similar parts. I was excited just to be there. They absorbed my knowledge and want to learn.”
(Listening to your episode of The Fish Tank, you talked about having your own football camp in I think it was July. I’m curious to hear more about that.) – “Yeah, I’m excited. I have it every year. I’m excited about it. I talk to the kids, encourage them, talk about my trip to Africa and try to inspire them. Just showing those kids, they don’t have much, but they have more than them. They have football here and those kids don’t have football. So kind of just inspiring them and see how they take it.”
(What can you tell us about the Dolphins new tackle in Isaiah Wynn?) – “Isaiah Wynn, I’ve had my battles with him. He’s a good player and a good pickup for us. I’m excited to have him part of the team. I’m looking forward to it.”
(I wanted to ask you about the talent in Africa. Obviously soccer and the NBA have picked up on that being such a wealth of talent. Do you think if college programs were more aggressive in maybe recruiting people from the African continent that it would thrive?) – “It definitely would. There’s definitely a lot of raw talent. Obviously they didn’t know what they were doing and we had two days to coach them up, which was tough. But they picked it up really quick. I would say this, if you give them just a couple of months just to teach them actual football basics, they would pick it up quick. You’d be surprised how quickly they learn the game of football.”
(Tell us about the lion.) – “I don’t know. There’s just something about a lion that draws me towards that animal. Being able to be a leader. Taking care of the family. I’ve always been drawn towards the lion. I don’t know. I feel like it’s my spirit animal and for some reason, I’m just drawn towards it. What’s funny is I know there’s a zoo here, but I’ve never been to the zoo here and apparently they have lions here that I didn’t know about. So I will be making a trip to the zoo just to check them out. I’ve never seen one at a zoo.”
(Changing gears slightly, the Heat and the Panthers are making some nice playoff runs and upsetting teams left and right, beating the odds. As a member of the Dolphins, where people are paying attention to what you guys are putting together, does that put any more heat on you guys to keep this momentum going?) – “Shoot, they’re in the driver’s seat right now. We’re supporting them just like they would support us. I’m looking forward to this season going far. Just taking it one day at a time right now. We’re in OTAs. I’ve got to focus on that, getting better, coming back from injury. I’ve got to focus on that as well. But yeah, we’re supporting the Heat and also the Florida Panthers as they keep going.”
(There was just one game last year – Week 9, the week before your injury, the win against the Bears – where you and LB Bradley Chubb and LB Jaelan Phillips and DT Christian Wilkins were all out there together. What do you think about the potential to have all of you guys together for more than just one game?) – “It’s big. We’re all obviously a talented bunch. I’m excited. I’m sure Vic (Fangio) is going to draw up some packages that will have us in there. I’m excited about this new defense that we’ve got going. Unfortunately, I know I got hurt last year, so we didn’t get to see all of what we can do on the field together. But it’s a new season and I’m excited about it.”
(So in terms of hand on the ground or standing, obviously all of you guys can do both. If LB Bradley Chubb and LB Jaelan Phillips are often standing and you’re at the defensive end position, do you have a sense on if you will still, probably the majority of the time, be pass-rushing from a standing position?) – “Like I said, I’m still learning this new defense, so I’m going to be pretty much across the whole d-line. So standing, inside, outside, it’s whatever. I’ll be doing whatever.”
(I know last year didn’t go the way you wanted even before the triceps tear. Do you come into this year with an extra level of motivation and something to prove?) – “Definitely. Like I said, they’ve taken care of me. I’ve got to go out there and put some good juice on tape. Obviously I battled some injuries last year but I’m ready to go this year. I’ve got to take care of my body better this year and just focus on the little things.”
(When rookies have their first practice with the vets, do you see more excitement from the rookies or more intimidation? What do you recall most from your first practice with vets?) – “I would say with these rookies, I think they’re just willing to listen, learn and observe. You will see a little intimidation because obviously they’ve never done this before and they’ve never been around a bunch of vets. But I would say they’re willing to listen. They’re asking questions. They’re staying after. We’re going through different drills with them. They just want to learn.”
(With the scheme, you talked about being all along the line. What are the challenges that it creates? You’ve played in a lot of schemes. What are the challenges that it creates for defensive linemen?) – “Just learning different schemes that you’re not entirely used to, it just creates a lot of challenges. For the offense, it also creates challenges because they don’t know where I’ll be at. But having to learn multiple positions, it’s a challenge but I’m well-equipped to do it. Like you said, I’m versatile and it’s a different scheme, so I can adapt quickly on any scheme you present to me.”
