Ryan Hayes – April 29, 2023
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Saturday, April 29, 2023
T Ryan Hayes
(I wanted to know about position versatility and can you play inside? Are you going to play left tackle? Can you play right tackle? What have the Dolphins told you about your role?) – “I don’t know a ton about what they want me to do yet, but I’m definitely – I’ll play anywhere. I can play tackle. Played tackle – both tackles a little bit in college – mostly left, but I’d be open to moving inside, wherever gets me on the field and helps the team win. So I’m open.”
(Do you have any experience – extensive – I know you just said you played on the right side, but any extensive experience moving around – high school or earlier in your career?) – “In high school, I was actually – I came into college as a tight end, so I actually hadn’t played any o-line until I got to Michigan. And then for my first year I played on the right side and then the last four years I was mainly left tackle.”
(For those of us who have not yet studied your film, how would you describe what we’ll probably see?) – “I think I’m a smart player. I know where I’m going at all times. That allows me to know my angles, so I think I play fast. It allows me to play extremely fast and use my athleticism to an advantage. And every play I’m out there, I’m going to finish as hard as I can to the whistle. So you’re going to get a hard-working guy that flies around the field.”
(Is there an NFL lineman that you have enjoyed studying especially I don’t know, maybe a former Michigan guy? Anything like that?) – “Yeah, I kind of like to watch the top guys around the league at other positions. Guys like Trent Williams, guys like that. But I definitely have watched a ton of Terron Armstead. We had an old coach that used to coach, so we watched a lot of his old film so it’s really going to be awesome getting in that room with him and learning what he has for me.”
(Who was the coach and what was his position on the staff?) – “It was Bret Ingalls with the Saints.”
(I was looking at some of your background here. I saw conference player of the year in basketball, conference pitcher of the year in high school. How do you think playing multiple sports and excelling at that really helped you on the football field?) – “I was always competing year-round. I think that’s what I love to do. I just loved sports growing up so that kept me busy, kept me doing all kinds of things. I think it got me prepared for the next level, switching to o-line – I had never done that before, but did so many things already that I think I was prepared for it. So I’m super excited for this next challenge.”
(I also saw that your dad was a guard at Central Michigan and your mother was a hooper, an All-American hooper. Who do you think you got more of your athletic ability from – Mom or Dad?) – “My dad would say the same thing, but definitely a little more from my mom. (laughter)”
(I wanted to ask you, what are you weighing now? Because when I saw your weight, I was kind of intrigued that you’re under 300 pounds. Is that something that’s hard for you to do, to keep on weight as a former tight end?) – “No, actually right before I got to the Combine, I got a little food poisoning like I’ve never had before. So I lost a little bit of weight. It was kind of hard to get back on right before. But at my pro day, I weighed in at 305 and right now I’ve been between 305 and 310. So that’s not an issue. It was just kind of a weird thing. Bad timing.”
(And I wanted to ask you also about what is the Michigan program, because they’ve got a good reputation for producing offensive linemen? How do you feel that helped you in this process and what has the draft process been like?) – “The draft process has been up and down. I mean, obviously I was trying to take everything in because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But from Michigan, I think it prepared me really well for this process. We run a lot of the same schemes I think that we were being taught and asked to talk about through the process. Obviously we get great coaching there, so I don’t think I could have picked a better place to be at to get ready for this next step.”
(So you ran a lot of wide zone schemes?) – “We didn’t run a ton. I wish we ran a little more wide zone, but we had success with inside zone and gab scheme. But I definitely think my game will translate to wide zone. I’m really looking forward to running a lot more of that down in Miami.”
(You’re from Michigan. What are you looking forward most to from the transition from Michigan to South Florida?) – “Definitely just nice weather all the time. That’ll be great for me. I was hoping to get down there somewhere warm and it’s definitely a great place to be.”
(And can you speak a little bit on Coach Jim Harbaugh, and what he has taught you during your career at Michigan?) – “I think Coach Harbaugh has just taught us, he runs his program like he would a professional organization. I think that just I think that’s why so many Michigan players have success at the next level because we’re already kind of primed for what to expect. Not totally, but I think he just does a really good job of having it be business-like and result-oriented.”
(What were your initial reactions when you found out that you were getting drafted by the Dolphins?) – “I was super excited. Big weight off my shoulders. I didn’t know exactly if that’s what they were calling for or not, so I was just super happy when they told me they were taking my name off the board. I couldn’t really explain the feeling.”
(Were teams calling you about signing as an undrafted free agent at that point in draft?) – “I was hearing some rumblings from my agent but didn’t really know what was going on yet. But I knew it was getting towards the end.”
Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel – April 29, 2023
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Saturday, April 29, 2023
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Mike McDaniel:
(Mike, can you tell us what you liked most about TE Elijah Higgins and the versatility that he brings as a big wide receiver?) – “First of all, I’m just excited to add the competitor. You see through his game tape that he’s a guy that strains with the ball in his hands. But specifically for the tight end position, drafting a guy that plays wide receiver and converting him to tight end – I think the first time in my career that I was a part of that was Niles Paul back in 2011 out of Nebraska. For me and my history, there’s a lot of traits that he resembled in his competitiveness, in his size and in his strength. And really, this day in age, converting a receiver to a tight end isn’t as abstract as it used to be only because half the teams are playing spread and two-points anyway. Even if they’re called a tight end, they’re playing receiver stuff anyway. So you get kind of used to projecting people to do things like that and we felt very comfortable and confident that he fit the bill for that, so we’re excited to have him.”
(What is it about the players that you all drafted in the past seven out of eight years have played in the Orange Bowl?) – “Finally, someone caught on. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
“It’s a great coincidence.”
Mike McDaniel:
“We’re at a loss for words because we really thought that was our competitive advantage that you just exposed. (laughter) I think the Orange Bowl is a great bowl and I’m here to support it.”
Chris Grier:
(What did you guys think about T Ryan Hayes?) – “With him, he’s played a lot of football. Smart kid. Competitive. Tough. Came (to Michigan) as a tight end and converted (to offensive line) and worked. He’s been coached in a good program. Coach (Jim) Harbaugh has done a great job. Just watching him over the years develop and compete and play, so for us, we were excited at this point in the draft to add him into our group of guys coming in and competing.”
(The work doesn’t stop here of course. What would you say about the outlook heading into the undrafted free agent market?) – “Like you said, there’s still work to be done, so we’re going to bolt from here as soon as we can to go with the coaches and scouts and start preparing for the end of the draft and do it. But yeah, we’ll be trying to add the best players we can and hopefully we’ll find a couple undrafted gems or hidden gems for us to help the roster.”
(Last week you had mentioned that drafting for need is how you get yourself in trouble. Does that kind of same approach occur on Day 2 or Day 3 or does it change at all later in the draft?) – “I think when you get into the later rounds, you’re still always evaluating the roster and where potential holes could be – not just for this year but for the following year. But for us, it’s always still drafting the best player. We went by our board and the guys we picked today were the best players there for us, where we had them rated for what we were looking for. At the end of the day, you’re always still trying to add the best players because you never know where injuries and stuff will pop up on your roster from year to year.”
Mike McDaniel:
(A general roster question. There was some talk about you guys being interested in a veteran running back. Is that window still open or does RB Devon Achane kind of take that off the table so to speak?) – “Generally, nothing is off the table. But we’re really happy with the offseason we’ve had, the players that we were able to keep on this roster, the new ones that we’ve added, that we added in the draft and that we’re going to in free agency. There will always be stuff that we’ll investigate because that’s our job. So yes.”
Chris Grier:
(Just because this is the last time we’re going to see you guys for a couple weeks and for you, Chris, maybe a couple months, have you made decisions on fifth-year options on CB Noah Igbinoghene and OL Austin Jackson?) – “No, we’ll talk about that here after the draft when we finish up.”
(With only eight total draft picks in the last two years, maybe this is a great time to send a message out to some of the best undrafted free agent guys and why this would be a great place to sign?) – “I think with us, people have seen kind of what’s transpired here over the last year, and it speaks for the players that have wanted to come here and talked about it. From no recruiting or anything on our end, just kind of how we approach business, I think our players and the ones that have been in the building have talked about how they really like how Mike and the staff approach building a culture here and from Steve (Ross) and Tom (Garfinkel) support allowing us to do the things here that we do. South Florida is a great place to be, a great fan base, and we’re trying to build the best team we can to win games. I think people see and players see that we’re trying to win and doing things to win. So it’s an exciting time for us, but we know there’s a lot of work to be done still.”
Mike McDaniel:
“And on top of that, I think it’s one of the reasons it’s so important that you create competitive opportunities for players to play. One thing that is very important to Chris and I is that we’re a place where the best players play, and that’s something that I think is a draw for players as well, is we will give them an opportunity to compete. That’s really what all these guys want. They’re sitting through the draft watching so many people get taken over them, and really, you just say, ‘You know what? I’m good enough to play in the league. I just need an opportunity.’ We’ll provide that.”
(What have you all learned about each other during this process with four picks?) – “You learn – if you just open your eyes and ears, you learn so much about people every day. He’s very patient and tolerable of my personality, I’ve learned that. Four picks, the interesting thing about that is you’re very aware that you have a small opportunity to make your team better, but it’s a very real opportunity. So you don’t ever want to squander a draft pick, but the less you have to focus on, the less amount of draft picks. You have more attention on those parts of the draft and really what can you get out of it. So I think at this point, we probably know everything about each other, except for how sweaty my palms are going to get if we have a first-round draft pick. We don’t know that yet, but I won’t be that nervous.”
Chris Grier:
“I think the human communication part of it between the coaching staff, the scouts, has been really good. I think if you asked everyone in the building, a lot of work goes into drafts. As you know, it’s never a one-man show or a two-man – it’s a lot of people helping a lot of information done. I just think the environment of allowing everyone to have a voice in the process and really allowing people to have a say and really be free to speak on stuff has been really, really fun. It’s been a really good process. I think guys have really enjoyed it, and we felt we’ve had a good outcome.”
(In the end, how much was the loss of the first-round pick due to the tampering violations, how much did it affect this offseason, this draft? How much was felt?) – “For us, it was business as usual. You’re always going to have to deal with adversity in life, and when that happened, we just kind of moved on and go and adjust and just kind of be ready to react. It started from Bill Parcells years ago, ready to react because you never know what’s going to happen. So for us, once decisions were made, we just kind of moved on and said ‘OK,’ and looked at the roster and picks and free agency and kind of attacked it from there.”
Mike McDaniel:
“Honestly, since the pick was gone, I literally have not thought twice about it, just because it’s gone. So let’s worry about the stuff that we can actually control, like the draft picks we had.”
(Because he has a skillset for it, and because you guys selected CB Cam Smith, you guys had any conversations about possibly using CB Jalen Ramsey at safety?) – “No. Only because he’s really good at corner and so I try not to mess really good up. The cool thing about the defensive backfield in general, I think (Defensive Coordinator) Vic (Fangio) has hit this on the head a number of times, but five DBs on the field, it happens almost three-quarters of the time in the National Football League now. In Vic’s defense, in his system, if you understand it, there are a lot of different ways you can get on the field, there is some position versatility that if you go back to his history, there has been various people that have played in different spots. That has been in discussion but not with Jalen Ramsey. I would say I think he’s a good corner. What about you?”
Chris Grier:
“He’s not bad. (laughter)”
(T Taylor Lewan mentioned the Dolphins, is he a possibility?) – “When he was released, we reached out to his agent just to find out what was going on or what it was, and that’s the only conversation we’ve ever had. Whenever he got cut a month or so ago, that’s the only time I’ve ever talked to him. So I don’t if anyone else has, but that’s the only discussion we’ve had about him.
Mike McDaniel:
“It’s really par for the course on how Chris and his staff operate. You want to have all of the information. The second you have someone who is not on a team, are you fancying yourself to be on a team? Are you interested in playing? All of those things you have to dot your I’s and cross your T’s to make the right decisions. You’ve got to have all of the information available.”
Elijah Higgins – April 29, 2023
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Saturday, April 29, 2023
TE Elijah Higgins
(What can you tell us about the Dolphins and how they expect to use you? I know already they’re listing you as a tight end. What’s your understanding on how they’re going to use you?) – “I’m definitely willing to make that transition obviously. I’m excited for it. I’m excited to learn the ins and outs of the offense and special teams and whatnot. But to my knowledge right now, that’s kind of the extent of my knowledge. Just transitioning into that tight end role and doing some different things in the passing game and run game as well.”
(Have you had any experience at tight end going back to your high school days or anything?) – “No, sir. I played in the slot in high school and through college. I did some stuff on the wing and some stuff in the backfield as well. But I was never in a true in-line position in college.”
(What was the extent of the conversations you had in the pre-draft process with the Dolphins? Are there any similarities in the offense that you had at Stanford that you think will kind of help you carry over into the NFL?) – “Yeah, I mean coming from Stanford, I think they utilized me well in the slot running up and down the seam. And then the conversations I had with the Dolphins and the coaching staff were just along the lines of making that transition to playing tight end and the development process that comes along with that. I’m excited about it for sure and ready to get to work.”
(I know you’re 230 pounds but do you expect you may have to put on a couple more pounds just to try to hold up closer to the offensive line in the trenches?) – “Yeah, whatever they ask of me obviously. Then from there, just do what’s asked of me and do it to the best of my ability.”
(I’m reading a couple of your scouting reports that say you’re a pretty good blocker at the wide receiver position. Obviously blocking is a required element of the tight end position. How would you describe your approach to blocking?) – “I would say that I’m aggressive for sure and I’m willing to get in battles, willing to fight other defenders for position on the field and just body position in general, obviously. But I would say I am aggressive, willing to block, willing to get my hands dirty and I’m excited to take on that role.”
(One of the stories I think mentioned that your dad played college football in the state of Florida. Is that right? What’s his name and what position did he play?) – “George Higgins is my dad’s name. He played at USF and walked on. Then actually enlisted in the military shortly after.”
(What do you take from your dad’s military experience? What impact did that have on the way you view and approach life?) – “Just being respectful at all times. Being humble, being grounded, being present in the moment and things like that. Then holding yourself accountable. Being able to depend on others and allowing them to depend on you as well.”
(I know you said the Dolphins told you that you would be a tight end. What did other teams tell you about how they would have used you?) – “It was a lot of the things on the same line as playing tight end. Different variations and such. But pretty consistent throughout, I would say, almost all of the teams, making that transition to the tight end position.”
(If you could draw up an ideal NFL role for yourself, what would it be?) – “I would say just that, to be honest. I’m excited to take that hybrid role on and be a guy that can help out in the run game but also catch some passes and get some yards after catch for the team. I feel like a good hybrid position for me is definitely where I envision myself.”
(I saw you were born in Florida. Do you still have family ties here? Are you excited to return to the state you came from originally?) – “Yeah, I’m actually in Tampa right now. My family moved back here and then my entire extended family is here as well. I’m excited to be back a little closer to home, be near family and be able to see family as well.”
(Can you take us through the emotions of getting that call and what that moment was like for you?) – “Yeah, it was a long process for sure. It was definitely difficult getting into Round 5, getting through Round 6. I was just kind of waiting around and it happened. I would say it’s definitely challenging to describe, but definitely a lot of emotions all at once. I think the ability to be able to process all those different types of emotions with family around was definitely a cool experience.”
(Just looking at some of your stats, you established yourself your junior year. Talk to me a little bit about your versatility. Is there anyone in particular that you like to model your game after?) – “I would say at this point now that I’m in the league – now that it’s past the draft, I would say no. I’m excited to take on my own identity as a football player and obviously, playing within the role of whatever system the Miami Dolphins have in mind for me. But I’m just excited to create my own identity on the football field.”
(Are there any challenges that you are kind of discouraged on as far as what may transpire or may not transpire as far as like the role?) – “I’m excited for challenges, man. I’m excited to grow. I’m excited for the experiences and stuff, and I’m excited to get better. So I’ll take on those challenges, and I’m excited for them.”
(I’m just curious to see if you have any prior connections to anybody on the Dolphins roster or coaches?) – “Not that I know of. I threw with Mike White a little bit these past few weeks when he was training in Tampa, but outside of that, that’s pretty much it.”
(Did you and QB Mike White have conversations about, “How cool would it be if you wounded up joining me with the Dolphins?”) – “No, it was just passing and catching out there. Not too much conversation. Just playing football.”
(What were your impressions of Head Coach Mike McDaniel in the pre-draft process and meeting him? A unique coach to say the least.) – “For sure. My knowledge of him, he’s just a great dude all around. He seems like a player’s coach, for sure. But the one coach I spent the most time with was the tight ends coach, Coach (Jon) Embree.”
(What did you think of Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree then?) – “I love Coach Embree, to be honest. He’s one of the favorite guys I met through this whole process, and that’s in all honesty. So I’m excited to work with him. I’m excited to be challenged, and I’m excited to learn from underneath him.”
Devon Achane – April 28, 2023
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Friday, April 28, 2023
RB Devon Achane
(I know at the Combine, you had said that you had met with the Dolphins and it was reported that you had spent some time with them. Just what were those interactions like in the pre-draft process and did you have a good feel that you were going to be in Miami?) – “It was great. Like you said, I met with them a couple times. I took a visit there. One of my 30 visits was to Miami and like you said, interacted with some of the players, some of the coaches. Coach Mike McDaniel, he’s a great coach, great man all the way around. He wants to use me in his offense and so I was glad that they picked me.”
(So you’re really fast and you’re joining an offense that has a lot of really fast players – WR Tyreek Hill, WR Jaylen Waddle, RB Raheem Mostert. What do you think about being in this high-powered Dolphins offense with so many speedsters?) – “It’s going to be a real scary offense. Like you said, we’re all pretty fast. I feel like it’s going to be very competitive at practice and like you said, Coach McDaniel – when I had that talk with him, he was saying that he planned on building the fastest team in the NFL. So by adding me to that piece, that’s something that’s, like that’s a guarantee. So it’s going to be real fun and competitive at practice. I just can’t wait to get there.”
(I know you had a big game in the Orange Bowl. What does it mean that you’re playing back here in Hard Rock Stadium now? Have you thought about just the coincidence?) – “I wouldn’t say I thought I was wishing this, but like I said, when I played at the Hard Rock Stadium for the first time, I was voted MVP so hopefully I can keep that going. And I’m just happy and blessed that I’m able to come out there in Miami and just be down there. I’m just happy that I’m in his offense – Coach McDaniel’s offense. He’s a great coach and I feel like with my ability, he knows what to do with it.”
(I wanted to ask you, General Manager Chris Grier had mentioned having you on a 30-visit here prior to the draft and I was just curious to get your perspective on how that visit went, what you thought of the building and the people in the building down here?) – “It was great. Like you said, I went around the building, the facility. It was nice. When I came down there, it was a little rainy, so I guess it was a little luck that I came down there on that day. Everybody was saying it really doesn’t rain down here, but it still was a pretty fun visit. Me and Jaylen Waddle, we’re really good friends. We communicate, so I feel like me being there and the visit that I took and the interactions with the coaches were great as well. So I just feel like I was able to be myself and I was very, very comfortable.”
(I’m curious when did you and WR Jaylen Waddle meet?) – “We knew each other since when I was in high school and he was in high school. We both played for AAU basketball … when we were little, so I’ve kind of known him for some time.”
(I see everything that you can do as far as the slot and kickoff return and out of the backfield. How is the best way that you can be used for the Dolphins, do you think?) – “Like you said, I’m a very unique player. I have a very unique skillset. I feel like I can do a lot. I can be at running back. I can line up at receiver and they also might want to use me on special teams, so I feel like me having all those good abilities, I feel like it’s hard for a defense to be able to cover us when we’ve already got threats that are already on the team. I just feel like me getting added to this offense is very scary.”
(What about running between the tackles? I see your size and we look at that and think, “I’m not sure he can do that.” Can you run between the tackles and is that a good way to use you?) – “Yes, sir. I feel like I can run between the tackles, outside. Like when I was at A&M, I feel like most of my runs were in between the tackles. Everybody sees me as the fastest guy, so they think he just wants to run outside, but most of my runs and my touchdowns were in between the tackles so I feel like I can run anywhere. If the ball is in my hands, I feel like I’m capable to do great things with it and me running in between the tackles is not a problem that I have.”
(What was it like when you met Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “It was great, man. He’s a great coach, got a funny sense of humor. He always keeps you on your toes. I’m a very fast guy so he will come up and ask me like a funny question like, ‘are you still fast?’ He’s just a great coach all the way around. So me, having a coach such as him, I feel like I’m just thankful and blessed that he’s my coach and I can’t wait to get out there and just see what he has in store for me.”
(In 12 years, the Dolphins have only used a first, second or third round pick on a running back one time before. It’s a good trivia question. It was an Alabama guy, third rounder. Do you know who it was?) – “No, I don’t.”
(RB Kenyan Drake. The question I’ll ask you is about the value of the running back position. Some people say running backs don’t get drafted as high, now I know two did get drafted high in this year’s draft. And some people say running backs aren’t going to get paid. What do you think about the value of the running back to the football team, the position?) – “I feel like you said, a lot of people think that running backs won’t get paid a lot. Like you said, it’s an example of this past draft – two running backs got drafted really early in the first round. Where I came from at A&M, my coach always said, ‘Running backs, we start with the energy that we need,’ so when we’re going, I feel like the whole team is going. So if you have a great running back and a good running game, I feel like you excite the team.”
(I just had a question related to your college coach, Jimbo Fisher. What’s the lesson that you take away from him? What stands out to you the most about Jimbo Fisher? What are some things that you’re going to bring with you to the NFL, some lessons that he taught you?) – “He’s a great coach. I was happy to be able to be under him for three years. He taught me a lot. We all had that relationship with him that we could talk about football, and we talk about real life, and he always kept it 100 with me. He always kept it real. That was something I liked about him. He never lied to me. I feel like we had a relationship where if I needed something or if there was something I needed an answer to, he was able to give me that. So man, just learning from him, he always said, ‘People are going to … but as long as you’ve got the confidence and the mentality that I have and you’re confident in yourself, you can go out there and do whatever you want.’ He always told me, ‘People are going to have their opinions on you on social media.’ He always told me, ‘Don’t worry about social media, just go out there and play and do what you do.’”
(Just wanted to ask you first, what does it feel like to be the first Aggie off the board in this draft to you and just kind of that initial reaction when you heard your name called and what was going through your mind?) – “I’m very thankful to be the first Aggie off the board. I’m just excited. I’m rooting for my other two brothers that are Aggies as well. I was very excited when I had my name called. I have friends and a big family that’s supporting me right now, and I was thankful to be able to achieve my dreams. For me to have my family and friends behind me, I obviously was very excited in the moment. I’m just thankful that I was able to make my mom proud.”
Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel – April 28, 2023
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Friday, April 28, 2023
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Chris Grier:
(With the first pick at No. 51, you guys go with CB Cam Smith, which was maybe a surprise to a lot of outsiders just given the depth and the talent that you have. Was that an example of best player available? What did you see in him there?) – “Cam is a very talented football player. We’re excited to add him and competition we’ll always add at every position, as we’ve talked about here. So it was the opportunity for us to, at that point in the draft, add a really talented football player that fit. In this league and especially in the AFC, with a lot of talented quarterbacks and teams, we can never have enough corners as we experienced last year with the rash of injuries that we dealt with. So excited to add him, he’s excited to come, so we’re looking forward to working with him.”
(Why do you think he fits well in Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense?) – “He’s a talented athlete. He’s versatile. He’s played a lot outside. He’s played nickel. It’s just the football player and the instincts, so we’re just excited. We thought he was a good fit and where he was in the draft, we just couldn’t pass on the opportunity.”
(How much did your son help you in terms of the character?) – “(laughter) I mean, he does help, but our scouts did a great job. I’ve known Shane Beamer for a long time as well, and then ‘T Rob’ (Travaris Robinson) and Will Muschamp recruited him there, so a lot of good friends that are good sources and talking to about the player. Landon gave his input. We asked. Obviously, he’s in the room with him every day and around him and they have a relationship, but the first time I really met him was at the combine. But it did help. It was just another piece of information for us.”
(Tight end and offensive line could be justified as more positions of need. Was this guy significantly higher on your board than any of the tight ends or offensive linemen available?) – “You know, when we do our board, we go through it, and there were a lot of good players that were picked too ahead of us. We look at every position, we go through it. I think you guys are probably more worried than we are, in terms of the position depth at those spots you talked about. But at the end of the day, we added a good football player. We’re happy. And like we say, it doesn’t end with the draft. There’s still guys we’re talking to in free agency, on the streets. So we’re still working through it, and we’ll keep adding the players we think fit for us.”
Mike McDaniel:
(RB Devon Achane ran a 4.32 40-yard dash. Can you describe the visions you have for that kind of speed in your offense?) – “I mean, speed we generally like around here. But I think it’s more of you feel like there’s a fit in terms of a guy fitting within your existing team. You’re always keeping in mind that you’re adding players to team and really think that that group in particular, the running back room for us is very important. You find a person and player that fits your skill set that you like but also that fits within the room because we have some other good competition in there as well. So we’re real excited to add player to a group. And he is fast. Chris and I share that – we do have affection for that trait.”
(When you look at player acquisition, I’m wondering if you look at it as a continuum? We know last year you added players at the trade deadline. How do you view it? Is it ever too late to add a player to your team?) – “Absolutely. Chris and I are lock and step on that where you’re trying to do the best thing, as your collection of people have decided, that’s available to you at the time. So you always try to position yourself and go into the draft to be able to take the best player, regardless of position. Sometimes you have depth more in other places than not, but we’re not going to take away the opportunity to have good players on our team. It’s more of the players shape what the team looks like. If we have the ability to get a good player, we’ll never turn that down. There was a lot of action. We’ve had a lot of contributors that we added to our team post-draft last year that were very impactful during the regular season, as well as post the first game of the season. So you’re always tinkering. That’s something I’m pretty sure that Chris might be half-vampire, because he’s never sleeping because he’s always evaluating something. (laughter) I think that will always be the case with us.
(Mike, we saw a reaction of you when the RB Devon Achane pick was made. It seemed like you were a bit enthused about it. Was this a player that you…) – “This is just camaraderie between two work associates. Certain people have opinions that he’ll be there, certain people don’t. I was really excited that Chris was right that a player was there. You get excited about all the players. Really, it’s down to the TV producers who decide when they catch you, because apparently, as it’s become aware to me that the first pick, I was texting my wife and had my shoe on the table. We get excited for all our players, and that’s just because of the amount of work that we all put in over an extended period of time to figure out who those players are.”
(A quick follow up, you didn’t think he’d be there at that point?) – “Really, all of the players that I like in general, I’m kind of a pessimist in the draft because you want to be prepared for all specific situations, really. I think Chris has caught on to that. And yeah, I didn’t think he was going to be there. But that happens every draft and really I was very hopeful for both of our selections, but wasn’t totally positive they’d be there. I’m very excited about that opportunity we had.”
Chris Grier:
“If you could have heard what he said, he had the room laughing. But I can’t repeat it. (laughter)”
Mike McDaniel:
“It was a safe place, which you know some things – you’re on a team for a reason. You’ve got to have some secrets. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
(Chris, I think this is the earliest you’ve taken a running back since 2016 with Kenyan Drake. You usually opt for seventh round guys or late round guys. What is it about RB Devon Achane that made you break your own habits here or is it that 4.32 speed?) – “Well, Kenyan was fast as well too. This is probably about two years we’ve watched him. We talked about him last year a little bit with some of the flashes you saw out of him. Then just watching him this year and getting to know him, we brought him in on a 30-visit and spent some time with him and got to know him as a person. We watched film and probably about two or three weeks ago, Mike was convicted in his love for the player. We all were but he was very effusive.”
Mike McDaniel:
“Yes, I was. And I’m very proud of myself for being a good secret keeper. I just talk to myself a lot in my car because I had to tell somebody about it. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
(Chris, how could you describe the level of activity in trade talks to move up or down between last night or tonight?) – “Last night was a complete bore, snore. We got no calls. It was awful. Tonight, we had a lot of activity, a lot of calls, as you saw with all the trades people were making. Before our pick with Cam (Smith), we had some action – a lot of action. And then with this pick too with Devon (Achane), we had a lot of action. A lot of tempting offers, but we liked the players that were there so we chose to pick them.”
(Do you prefer to draft a player at a position where that player doesn’t have to necessarily step in and have the pressure to play right away? Obviously with CB Cam Smith, he might start, he might not. He might play outside, he might play inside. He might fill in based on injury. He might be so good he needs to start. Is that a luxury? Are the Dolphins in a position of luxury in drafting at this time?) – “I’d say with any player you draft, there is always a transition to the NFL as you all have seen. There have been some players where it’s quicker and right away you see the star, and other guys it takes a year or two. For us, how we look at it, it’s the total player and the person and the fit, as we talk about in the locker room, as well as the ability. We don’t really put limits. Last year we had some guys come in and play, and we had some guys that didn’t. For us, it’s just developing the player and working with him. I think Mike and the coaching staff do a great job of working with the players and developing them. First of all, (we want) guys that love football, and guys that will come in and compete and love football. Then whenever that opportunity arises is when they’ll get that chance.”
(Are you hoping to maybe add a pick tomorrow?) – “I’d love to but 198 and 237 make it kind of hard. (laughter) But we’d love to.”
Mike McDaniel:
“Yeah, we’re just hoping people have some flawed charts out there and we can really move up. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
(Is the 2024 draft capital something you want to make sure you stay away from in any trade talks?) – “Yeah, I think so. Mike hasn’t had a first-round pick selection yet.”
Mike McDaniel:
“But I’ll be ready Year 3. (laughter)”
Cam Smith – April 28, 2023
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Friday, April 28, 2023
CB Cam Smith
(What was the communication like with the Dolphins in the pre-draft process? Is this a place you thought could be a good chance you’d come to?) – “The pre-draft process, I really didn’t have a lot of talks. They just came to a lot of practices. I already knew the general manager’s (Chris Grier) son was on the team. He was kind of giving me the ins and outs of the league already throughout the whole process. Just (keeping) a clean nose and stuff like that. Just coming into the Combine, we had a formal meeting, and then coming into the Top 30 visit, that was my last meeting I took. It got kind of schedule … so I felt like it was given something on that accord right there.”
(What are your thoughts on coming to a defensive back room, and a cornerback room, with CB Xavien Howard on one side and CB Jalen Ramsey on the other?) – “It’s kind of a blessing. I feel like I was already in that position at South Carolina having Jaycee (Horn) and ‘Izzy’ (Israel Mukuamu) above me when I first came in. Coming in, I just kind of stayed under their wings, learned the ins and outs of what they were doing because they were already successful at that level. Just coming in and doing the same thing with Jalen and Xavien is going to be even better then.”
(What do you know about Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s defenses? Obviously he’s pretty storied in the NFL. What did you think of him when you met him in this whole process?) – “Very wise dude. A dude that’s going to get on you about every nook and cranny. Even just one of my steps on one of my plays, he keyed it out, and I really didn’t notice it until he said something about it. Just how he pays attention to details, I love a coach that pays attention to details and wants everything smooth, crisp and ironed out.”
(What do you consider your favorite aspects about the cornerback position? Yourself, playing the position.) – “I feel like my hands, my feet, my hips, and being able to get on top of dudes. Playing even to make sure I can hold a route, and make sure I’m on top at all times. Being able to be in those positions, my hands and feet and hips being all together in one. I feel like that’s the best thing that separates me from a lot of dudes.”
(I wanted to ask you can you take us to the moment when you got that phone call from Head Coach Mike McDaniel, General Manager Chris Grier and Managing General Partner Steven Ross? What was that moment like for you?) – “It was kind of crazy because I was just calling Landon (Grier) because we were just talking about how if I fell late into the second round, it could be that. I was just going off of what he was saying about the process, and then what Chris Grier was saying when I was on my visit. If they had the chance to get me, they would come and get me, and they stayed true to that. Just being on the phone with Landon right before that and seeing them call me with that 954 number, it’s crazy.”
(When you think about going up against in practice WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Tyreek Hill, what do you think about?) – “I think about getting better every day. Going against two of the most feared dudes in the league every day in practice, I don’t have no worries when I get on the field. That’s how I’m going to feel.”
(What was this process like for you? Being able to be at the doorstep of a dream, and I don’t know if you felt like you were being drafted in the first round, but what was it like lasting until the 2nd day?) – “I kind of felt down. When it ended and the last pick came in, I kind of felt down on myself. I was just kind of wondering what was I doing wrong and stuff like that. I was kind of thinking about it, but then at the same time, I think about what God has in store for me, and it’s not just what I want and what I think, it has to have something behind it, and it has something behind it.”
(I’d like to ask you a little bit about the role of your family in your life going back to when you were young as well as now. I understand you have a young daughter. Can you just describe the role that your relatives have had in your life?) – “Really just kind of having that close-knit family – mom, dad, brother, sister, uncles, aunts. Like everybody being close-knit. We’re always coming for Sunday dinner and stuff like that. It was always big so just having them there the whole time and then coming and seeing everybody like in a whole – everybody coming together and like even if they didn’t know me, they didn’t know this person, but they started to meet the whole support system. So just having a whole support system that was way bigger than anything for me, just seeing everybody crying and everybody doing – I wasn’t even crying that much, but I had people crying a lot harder than me. So it just shows how much they cared for me throughout this process.”
(And how is it being a dad? Are you enjoying being a dad?) – “Definitely. There’s a couple of hiccups here and there always, but it’s smooth.”
(Just curious – playing in the SEC – how do you feel like that’s prepared you for the competition you’re about to face within your own division? You got Josh Allen twice a year, you got Aaron Rodgers now twice a year. I don’t know if you’ve even had time to really let that sink in yet.) – “Just feel like – I mean, the SEC is the best ball in college football. I feel like that and I can stand by that. I feel like it’s a lot more dawg in that conference. I feel like a lot more people try to make it. People are not really just playing football just to play football. So I feel like coming from those trenches type of thing. That’s giving me an edge over anybody regardless. I know that edge. I know how to practice, I know where it comes from and what it takes to do those types of things. And every SEC team is basically ran like a pro organization, so I’m already in that doorway.”
(And then one more thing. You’re from Blythewood, right?) – “Yes, sir.”
(Do you have any relationship or do you know of CB Justin Bethel at all? I think he went to the same high school, right?) – “Justin Bethel. I think I’ve heard that name before, but I didn’t graduate (from there) – I graduated from Westwood, though. I graduated from Westwood.”
(I know that you’re capable of playing outside corner, slot corner, and some people even think you can play safety if called upon. What have the Dolphins said about whether they plan to crosstrain you in multiple positions?) – “When we were sitting down in the office, me and (Chris) Grier, we were just kind of wrapping it up about what I wanted to play and how I want to do it. We always know I can play two positions, but just kind of get my feet wet in the league first, getting outside, making sure I can hold it down, do everything I need to do and learn those new techniques that they are going to teach me and stuff like that. And then moving inside a little later, going inside, moving, learning those things and stuff like that. So just kind of gradually going into it.”
(CB Xavien Howard was once also a second-round corner. They picked him out of Baylor. And if you read his scouting reports, back in the day, they said that he can get a little physical – I’m reading this one here on one website – says he can get a little grabby. Tell me about how you balance physicality, being in their back pocket, being handsy, but trying not to get called.) – “Sometimes you’ve just kind of got to watch it, you’ve got to know the receiver that you’re going against. A big stronger dude, you can do a lot more. You’re not really going to do all that flinching and stuff like kind of the little dudes will do and stuff like that where you tug them or pushing and stuff like that. So it’s just kind of just knowing who you’re going against and knowing what you got to do.”
(I wanted to know when you first considered yourself an NFL prospect and how much did that dream drive you every day?) – “I didn’t realize it when I was young, like a lot of people and stuff like that. But I realized it really going into my junior year. So finding out – basically I just started spring ball – I was going to have a kid in the summer. And then it kind of just went from there. I kind of was different every day. I don’t know why, I didn’t really hone-in on why I was different or really think about it. I was kind of going in and doing it every day. So practice was easier. I was making a lot of plays and stuff like that. I saw I was just kind of getting in the groove of feeling like a dominant corner and then coming into the season, I continued the same trend. So it was just kind of that whole season. It just kind of solidified.”
(Did you notice other teams noticing your talent and playing you different or trying to throw things away from you and things like that?) – “Not my 2021 season. A lot more in my 2022 season. I had a lot less targets than my 2021 season, so I feel like I got the respect that I deserve.”
(First, my question to you is more so about Blythewood. Coming from South Carolina, what are you looking most forward to coming to Miami?) – “Always kind of having a little warmth to the weather, no cold fronts and stuff like that. Really just kind of the weather, that’s really the only difference, for real, for me. I don’t really go out like that or get in those type of things, I’m not really that social of a dude.”
(Secondly, your game against Tennessee last year, you were able to shut down the Biletnikoff winner. Do you think that game stood out to you the most last season? What was it about that game?) – “It didn’t stand out to me. I knew I was guarding him from the job since he started snapping. So as soon as he – when we knew it was him on the schedule, I told him, this is two or three weeks in advance, I already told him, ‘We’re going.’ Just having that game, I feel like yeah that kind of boosted everything and stuff like that, but I didn’t put it no extra effort for that. I didn’t do anything extra for that.”
(You stated a lot that you’re a perfectionist about technique and that you’re very comfortable with your backpedal. How does that help you prepare against some of the faster wide receivers in the NFL?) – “A lot of the fast dudes get a lot of people that kind of open up and run a lot, so they’ll already be opened up running, tilted up shoulders and stuff like that. So kind of just being comfortable with my pedal, knowing my speed, knowing what I can do, is going to have me just more comfortable in those situations. If somebody is pressing me hard up the field trying to get run a 15-yard comeback or a 20-yard comeback, if somebody is doing that, for me being able to stay in my pedal and keep my same transition instead of just kind of opening the gate and letting them run and being scared, just having that kind of confidence in my backpedal is going to help me.”
(I wanted to ask you about your relationship with Landon Grier and how much do you think that provided a scouting report for General Manager Chris Grier? How many times do you think you interacted with Chris Grier throughout the course of your career at South Carolina?) – “My relationship with Landon is pretty smooth. We’re not like the best of friends, but every day we’re cracking up, like in the locker room or we’re in the meeting room cracking up. So just something to that extent, but it’s just always kind of been – he was just kind of telling us the ways of the league. He was already – he’s been in it since he’s been little, so he damn near knows more than a lot of people know in the league. So just kind of having that in my back pocket was great. He just kind of led everything the whole time, he always talked good about me every time. They told me about how Landon was telling them about me and stuff like that. He always put in a good word for me, and I’m grateful for him. I’m truly grateful for him. I didn’t really have – my first time meeting Chris Grier was at the Combine at the formal meeting that we had, and the second time when I had my Top 30 visit.”
Bradley Chubb – April 25, 2023
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Tuesday, April 25, 2023
LB Bradley Chubb
(We’re all looking forward to getting to know Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio. What can you tell us about his personality and his approach and coaching style?) – “Yeah, that’s one of my favorite coaches that I’ve been in a room with just because he expects so much out of his players, and he’s going to keep it straight up with you. If he calls a play and you didn’t execute, he’s going to ask you, ‘Why didn’t you execute? I put you in a position to execute. Why didn’t you?’ So in this high-paced game we play, that’s what you need. You just need that transparency. You need somebody to be on you a little bit to hold you to that standard that we hold ourselves to. That’s what he’s going to do and I’m excited about it.”
(What was your first reaction when you heard ‘okay, he’s coming?’) – “To be honest, it was kind of like a full circle thing because I feel like getting traded here last year was like part two of my career and I wear No. 2, and it kind of played into that. Like now I get the second chance with Coach Fangio. In my first go around with him, I battled some injuries. His first year in Denver, I tore my ACL and then my third year made a Pro Bowl, fourth year kind of battled some injuries as well. It’s kind of like that, that second coming of that opportunity as well. So it kind of came full circle with everything. I was wearing the No. 2 for it and had that mindset for anyway, so it’s dope how it works out.”
(You’re also going to be reunited with LB Malik Reed. What can you tell us about him and getting to play alongside him again?) – “That’s my guy, man. One of the smartest football players I know. One of the most hardworking and talented – everything he brings to the field man – I’m excited to have that energy in the room. Whenever I have a question, we’ve been in this defense for the same amount of time, so whenever I had a question, he was right there and he was the one answering, the one talking up. So it’s going to be fun to reunite with him. I know the energy he’s going to bring into that room with the young guys we’ve got in there, I mean, ‘JP’ (Jaelan Phillips), he’s coming into himself, but technically, he’s still a young guy when it comes to age and stuff like that. ‘Cam’ (Cameron Goode) and ‘Gink’ (Andrew Van Ginkel), as well. So it’s going to be fun, man, just to merge all those personalities, all those play styles into one outside linebacker room.
(And another one on Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio. What’s something you can tell us about him that only someone who’s played under him can know that most people don’t know about him?) – “I mean, I don’t know. That’s a hard question. I don’t know something that y’all don’t know. But one thing I know, he’s going to demand the most of us. Each and every player on that roster, no matter how many plays you made in the past, how many plays you could make, it’s all about what you’re doing each and every day to get better and he’s going to hold you to that high standard.
(You were pretty transparent when you arrived in Miami about it all being very, very new to you. As you kind of are months removed from coming to Miami and whatnot, what were maybe some of the challenges, some of the things that were just very foreign to you, that now being in the city being in this system, this team, aren’t as much now?) – “I’m going to answer the city question first. I mean, just the traffic, bro. The traffic, everywhere you go, everything takes 25-plus minutes. So learning when to leave and kind of fixing my schedule around. Okay, I understand it might take me 35 minutes today, it might take me 25 minutes today. I just can’t let that throw me off. So I’ve been leaving at a reasonable time every day, making sure I beat the traffic or if I get stuck in traffic, not letting it affect me coming into the building later. But another thing with the team, just knowing everybody, knowing people’s names, knowing people that I’m working with around the facility, being able to say ‘what’s up name.’ Not just saying ‘what’s up, bro’ and then kind of be like, ‘oh, man, what’s that dude’s name?’ I feel like all that just plays a part into everything. Just how you approach every day because you’re going to war with the people and how are you going to go to war with somebody if you don’t even know their name. So just learning everybody, learning the ins and outs of the facility, the team, the coaches, all that has just been coming to me this offseason program.”
(It’s kind of fun that we’re getting you this week with the draft in two days. You’re their first-round draft pick. Are they having a draft party for you Thursday night? How’s that going to go for you?) – “I mean, we can. I mean, if y’all want to throw me one I’ll be down to join. (laughter) We don’t have anything else to do so we might as well throw a little party. Y’all might as well come to the facility we’ll get something going.”
(What’s it like knowing not only they give you the big contract but they saw enough out of you to give up a first-rounder to get you?) – “I mean, it’s a blessing. It’s just a testament to the work I put in and the guy I am. I can’t take it for granted at all. I approach every day like, like I’ve got those eyes on me, like I’ve got people with high expectations because I’ve got high expectations for myself as well. So I’ve just got to approach everyday like, yeah, they brought me here for a reason and I’ve just got to make sure I live up to that reason.”
(I want to ask you about Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense and supposedly it plays a lot of zone behind you guys. How does that benefit the team as a unit and how does it benefit the defensive line?) – “It benefits everybody. As a unit because when you’ve got us just kind of thinking freely and just going out there and attacking and being able to take a tight end and not really worry about ‘oh, I have to be in this gap.’ Just go out there and play, play fast and we’re going to read off of you and everybody around has that same mindset. The d-line can just – I feel like it’s really meant for the outside linebackers to set the tone and establish everything, establish dominance, whether it be with the tight ends, whether it be with the tackles, getting after the quarterback as much as we can. When that group does that, I feel like it makes everybody else’s job easier because say I’ve got a guard pulling to me and a tight end trying to influence me out. If I take the tight end and the guard then ‘Bake’s (Jerome Baker) running free then David’s (Long Jr.) running free and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) can free up and catch a pick that the quarterback is just trying to get the ball out of his hands, but then boom, he’s right there in that position. So I feel like it starts with us, man. It’s going to have to end with us. So we’re taking that mindset, we’ve taken the meetings making sure we’re living like that and trying to approach every day like that.”
(How happy were you with your performance in your half-season with the Dolphins last year?) – “I was up and down with it. Just coming in, grasping a whole new defense, grasping a whole new set of teammates, I felt like I did okay. I for sure held myself to a higher standard. I wanted to come in and be that guy that got 10 sacks in half a season and stuff like that, but everything doesn’t work out like that. I battled a couple of things at the end with my broken hand and high-ankle sprain, so that was discouraging. But I just look back at all that as fuel for this year. Just seeing where I could have been, where this team could have been. We had so many high expectations and with me coming in and finishing out with just a playoff berth, that’s not what the goal is. That’s not what the standard is. So it was cool to be able to experience that. That was my first time in the playoffs, but this team and this organization have so many bigger things ahead of us that I’m using that for sure as fuel.”
(Because of what the Dolphins gave up to get you and the big contract they gave you, do you feel sort of a burden to put up big sack numbers?) – “No, not a burden. I feel like it’s my job to go out there and do everything and go out there and put up those numbers. It might not come with the numbers. It might come with the pressures, it might come from me freeing up Christian (Wilkins) and ‘JP’ (Jaelan Phillips) and ‘Og’ (Emmanuel Ogbah) and all those guys. So I don’t look at it as ‘I’ve got to get this number, I’ve got to do this.’ I’ve just got to approach it like ‘hey man, they brought you here for a reason and go out there and prove to them that they were right.’ That’s my main thing, is just doing my job to the best of my ability and everything else is going to take care of itself.”
(You hear a lot about the competitive atmospheres around teams. There was talk last year about how competitive WR Tyreek Hill was and how that spreads. I’m wondering what the environment is right now around the team? Does it need to start right now or can you just flip the switch in training camp or does that intensity need to be going right now?) – “You’ve got to introduce it for sure. Everybody has to be on the same page, know what we’re working for and know ‘okay, this guy right here is trying to beat me out.’ Or that guy right there, we’re both working for that one roster spot, so it’s not like a said thing; it’s kind of more of a understanding thing and I feel like everybody’s on the same page. Like I said, we know that a playoff berth in the first round, that’s cool, but it’s not what we work these tireless hours for, go through training camp for, and that’s not what our standard is. So the competition doesn’t just kick up in training camp. It starts now. We feel that it starts now, but it’s not like a go out there and try to kill each other. With OTA practices and stuff coming up we’ve still got to be smart, understand that this is the team we need to go into the season and do all the things that we say we want to do. So it’s a little bit about being smart but still having that competitive nature.”
(One word that stuck with me that you used to describe your performance late last year was fizzling. I didn’t expect you to say that word, but you were at that point, maybe a little frustrated with what had been going on. But looking forward, I’m wondering, what do you expect in 2023, compared to what you did in 2022 out of yourself?) – “Just to be more of a leader, more of a tone-setter. Like I said, man, how can I lead when I don’t know everybody around me? I try to learn names. I tried to do this, but it just wasn’t clicking for me. And that’s no excuse, but it’s just like, that’s just the reality of it. So my main thing is just being the person that Denver drafted and Miami decided, ‘okay, yeah, we need that guy on our team.’ So that’s my leadership, that’s my intensity, that’s my playstyle. So just got to get back to that man. I’m already taking steps to do that and so once the season gets going, I feel like it’s going to be full steam ahead.”
(You wouldn’t use the word fizzling now to describe your 2022 would you?) – “No.”
(I wanted to ask you about LB Jaelan Phillips. Obviously you were teammates at the end of last year, but now that you’ve had some time to kind of spend with him in the offseason and see how he works, I was just curious your perspective on the way he approaches his business.) – “He approaches it like a true pro. He understands the task at hand. He wants more out of himself as well. He wants to get those accolades. He wants to go to the Pro Bowl, All-Pros, and you see it just by the way he approaches everything in the meeting room. With this new defense right now he’s asking questions and making sure he knows the ins and outs, knows when to take his shots and stuff like that. In the weight room he’s a freak. Coming into the season, you kind of see ‘yeah, okay, this guy gets it, he’s working hard.’ But you don’t really see it until that offseason work gets put in. We were on the field doing drills and you see the intent that he has that he’s working with, so I’m really excited for his year three.”
(You mentioned that he was a bit of a physical freak. I don’t know if you ever saw his pro day a couple of years ago, but he jumped out of the gym, ran a million miles an hour. What can you say about the physical traits that he brings?) – “Like I said, man, he’s a freak. When the dude takes his shirt off, he’s chiseled, he’s huge. He talks with the deepest voice possible. (laughter) He has all the intangibles and he’s getting – when it comes down to like I said, the playbook and everything else, he’s getting all that and he’s becoming a true pro. I’m excited for him.”
(Coming off your second Pro Bowl in your career, how was the experience and what did you take away the most from that in hopes of getting back to that same stage again?) – “It was a dope experience, but now I’ve got my sights set on something big. I want All-Pros, I want Super Bowl rings, I want everything that comes with that. So it’s cool. It’s a cool individual accolade, but I want this team to be playing in the mix when the Pro Bowl comes around so we can’t even go. Yeah, we get nominated, but we can’t even go because we’ve got a bigger thing to worry about.”
(What do you think about out Aaron Rodgers coming into the division twice, at least two games per year?) – “I’m excited. It’s an opportunity to play against one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. I’m excited to compete against that twice a year. The game plan that goes into each and every week – I mean each time I play him, it brings out the best in everybody. Everybody knows that okay yeah, we got ‘A-Rod’ (Aaron Rodgers) this week so we got to be on our p’s and q’s. Now we’ve just got a division full of great quarterbacks, so I’m excited to be in the mix and be competing towards the end of the year when it really counts. So it’s going to be fun. I know he’s excited to play a lot of the good edge rushers we’ve got in this division as well, so it’s going to be fun.”
(Have you sacked him?) – “No, I haven’t sacked him. I got a couple of hits on him, but I never sacked him yet, so this will be a perfect opportunity to.”
Durham Smythe – April 25, 2023
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Tuesday, April 25, 2023
TE Durham Smythe
(When you were initially drafted eons ago, did you think that you would be here this long? And also, did you ever factor in that you would not only outlast Mike Gesicki, but start more games than Mike Gesicki?) – “I guess first and foremost, it was always the plan to stick around this long and hopefully a good amount longer. That’s everyone’s plan. But referencing Mike (Gesicki), I would tell him right now that it’s no surprise that I’ve started more games and have hung around longer. I tell people all the time that the Dolphins made a mistake in 2018 taking him in the second and me in the fourth, and I tell him that all the time. So that’s nothing that I wouldn’t say right to him and I’m sure he would probably say similar things back to me.”
(Safe to say that you and TE Mike Gesicki are still friends even though he’s on a different team now?) – “Oh, yeah. We still talk every day and he makes his trips down here, and I’m sure I’ll make a couple up there in the coming weeks, so yeah, we’re just as close as ever.”
(On a serious note, your reaction to getting a new contract extension?) – “That’s always exciting, to be shown that they value me here, in a place that I’ve been for so long, and that I’ve come to really enjoy living in. It’s home. I’ve been here for five years, so it was really exciting just to know that I have some value here and that’ll be here for the next couple years.”
(What do you think about the Dolphins possibly pursuing a tight end in this draft? Have you taken a look at the tight end prospects and is there anyone you like?) – “It’s funny. With just bodies in general, we’ll obviously have to add to our room in the next weeks to months. So obviously everyone understands that part of it, and it’s funny, early on in my career, I think since I still knew people in college, I would follow it a little bit, just because I had either a tie to them or something like that. But now six years in, I have no idea. I don’t know if I can tell you any names, besides guys coming out of Notre Dame, that I know through other people. So I have no idea when it comes to things like that, but luckily that’s not my job until we bring somebody in and then I get involved.”
(So you are the only player on offense who has been here for three head coaches – Adam Gase, Brian Flores, and now Mike McDaniel. What do you think is the reason for that, that you’ve been able to survive three regimes?) – “I mean, there’s a lot that goes into it. Timing in terms of contracts and things of that nature. But I’ve said this multiple times throughout my career here, is that the NFL is really an adapt-or-die game. So whether it’s the same head coach, same offensive coordinator, a different one; things are going to change every year. You’re going to have to improve on things every year, and you’re going to have to adapt to something new every year. So I think I knew that really early on in my career and that was just something that I tried to take into account every time we go into a new offseason and a new calendar year in the NFL, so I think that mentality is has helped me along the last five, six years.”
(I wanted to go back to something that Head Coach Mike McDaniel had mentioned last year about in this offense, tight ends having to relearn the way they play the games. I was, or the game. I was curious how coming back into Year 2 of that offense is beneficial to a player at your position.) – “I think it’s hugely beneficial for us that have been in the offense for more than one year now. And he’s right, honestly, it’s a different style, really across the board at a lot of positions, but at the tight end position, there’s a lot of things you do in this offense that you don’t necessarily do and others. So I think just having the experience of a full calendar year in this offense, there’s a comfort level that becomes established and I’m excited to get back on the field here in a couple of weeks to build on that through the summer and into training camp. So there’s definitely a little bit of a learning curve with this offense at the tight end position, and I think the sky’s the limit once we can at every position across the board, get on the same page.”
(Just kind of curious to measure the level of buzz and excitement with your teammates and the coaches coming back this week.) – “I mean, the boys are back. So that’s always exciting. That’s first and foremost. Just get around everyone. That’s the best time of the year, when we’re all back in the building together. And yeah, obviously, when you look at us on paper, there’s a lot of talent on the team. But that only goes so far. So I think everyone’s excited to get on the field to try to live up to expectations, establish some high expectations and really get this thing going. So I think we’re all excited about it.”
(A minute ago, you mentioned that you tried to keep up with some of the Notre Dame guys coming out into the draft. So what’s your scouting report on TE Michael Mayer and the Dolphins need to load up on more guys from the Irish?) – “I mean, you can never have too many Notre Dame guys on a team. I think you’re right there. I’ve only met him once. Actually, yeah, I’ve only met him once, officially, last summer in Nashville and he’s a great guy. I know people in the organization still, so I’ve only heard good things about him as a football player, obviously what most people see, but I’ve heard great things about him off the field as well. So I think at least for me personally, that resonates the most, that he’s but he’s keeping up with the Notre Dame tight end lineage. So that’s exciting. And you know, I’m excited for him. I think he’s going to do some exciting things.”
(I wanted to get back to the boys are back. Because that’s got my interest. What’s the feeling in the building this April 25 versus last April 25. Keeping in mind expectations are higher, Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio is there, CB Jalen Ramsey is there, LB Bradley Chubb is there, it’s Mike McDaniel’s second year? What’s different from this year at this time this year?) – “I mean obviously things change every offseason you bring in new people and such, but I think there’s just a familiarity with not only teammates from the last year and last calendar year, because obviously there’s been a good amount of turnover here in the last couple of years. So there’s some familiarity with guys that have been here for a while and then obviously some excitement from guys that we’ve added, so I think when you combine those two things and then you just have a bunch of good personalities, a bunch of good dudes in the same building, everyone’s excited to get back in here just to hang out. The offseason, it’s great, for a couple of weeks, then you’re like, ‘wow, like, kind of miss just hanging out with the boys all the time.’ So I’m excited to get back to that and I think that says a lot about how this team is constructed in terms of just good dudes, personalities and such.”
(And the higher expectations. I know obviously, you guys know that you went to the playoffs, you know a lot of people are returning, but how does that affect you? Do you feel the higher expectations in any way if that makes sense?) – “I don’t know if you necessarily feel it, or if I feel it personally. But I think it’s obvious that – like I mentioned earlier on paper, there’s a lot of talent here. So for me, I don’t know if that necessarily translates to higher expectations directly, but obviously, it’s hard to ignore the fact that this a very talented team and I think there is some responsibility, I think, is what I would call it. Some responsibility to play well and to develop some excitement with the fans and really just win games at the end of the day.”
(TE Mike Gesicki had 30 other teams he could have gone to and he goes Patriots. What did you think when you heard Patriots?) – “I thought it was a direct shot at me because if he’s not staying here, that he’d he try to get at me in some way. And that’s probably one of the more direct paths to be able to do that. So yeah, obviously, he had 31 other choices, and he chose the one to spite me the most and it was to me directly, I believe, so good for him. We’ll see him twice a year. It’s exciting and those will be some fun games.”
(I was surprised when I looked at this thing that’s in the draft guide and it says how the team was built. I was surprised and I Tweeted it and I don’t know if you saw, but the only guy who’s been on the roster longer than you is CB Xavien Howard. One guy has been around longer. I think of you as very young still. Did you know that stat, did you see it? Is it surprising?) – “I did know that stat, and the only reason I knew that stat is because last season me and Mike (Gesicki) had a running joke that I was the longest-tenured offensive player because I signed my contract, my rookie contract before he did even though he was drafted before me. So there was some conflicting opinions about who was the longest tenured offensive player. So that’s the only reason I know that and now that he is playing for the enemy, it’s obvious that I’m the only one left.”
(Five years ago, you were kind of the last of a dying breed because you actually knew how to in-line block as a college tight end. Now five years later, what do you think of the college landscape at that position?) – “It’s funny, I know that was kind of the narrative that was built around me coming out of college and for good reason because I didn’t have wild stats, and we ran the ball a lot at Notre Dame, But when I got to the NFL, I quickly realized that what I was good at in college, you’re not immediately good at in the NFL. So it’s funny that I think it’s taken me really a full four or five years to become comfortable and obviously there’s still plenty of room for improvement, but it takes a while to at this level be able to replicate what you did in college, especially in blocking in-line. So I think that’s just something that you have to build on from a year-to-year standpoint. And I think, I guess to answer your question, the landscape, I don’t know how it is now. I’m assuming it’s similar, but that it’s definitely something that takes a while and to get comfortable with at least and then obviously there’s always room for improvement, so just build on that.”
