Mike McDaniel – May 17, 2022
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Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Opening statement) – “The Miami Dolphins truly appreciate your guys’ support, but I’m going to have to call in to question your priorities. We have two playoff games (in South Florida) today. (laughter)”
(We’ll be there.) – “Okay, just making sure. I mean, OTAs are very important. I’ve been telling the players the same thing, but playoffs? (laughter) You guys got anything? We good?”
(I guess we could ask you about the two recent additions since the draft. With RB Sony Michel, was the thinking just you can’t have enough quality backs obviously with RB Chase Edmonds and RB Raheem Mostert and RB Myles Gaskin and RB Salvon Ahmed? And with LB Melvin Ingram was there just a feel that another edge player could help for depth reasons?) – “Well, the latter of the two, I have not seen pen to paper yet. So revert. (laughter) We’ll talk about our Dolphins players, but hopefully we’ll be able to talk about him soon. Sony (Michel) – if you have an opportunity in the offseason to add a player of his caliber, of his pedigree, just him as a human being and a multiple Super Bowl winner, we jumped at the opportunity. His interest fit our interest and competition for the Miami Dolphins is only a good thing. I think one thing that’s unique about that particular room is no one shies away from competition. Everybody in there is excited for the offense, for the opportunities and wants the best man to win and aren’t backing away from that.”
(And with RB Raheem Mostert, are all indications of his recovery suggesting that he should be ready for the start of the season? Do you feel good about that?) – “I know his expectations are to play Week 1 and we are not going to rush it. He’s come too far to have a setback, so he’s just diligently working day-in and day-out. But when he’s ready, he’ll be on the field for sure.”
(What is something you want to instill or establish in your team at this early stage in OTAs?) – “I think we’ve begun that process. There’s three phases in an NFL offseason. Phase I is meeting room-exclusive. We’re currently in Phase III where we’re actually able to practice for the second time. In Phase II, you get to do some drill work and coach them on the field, not in team settings. But all three phases are really cool to me for the specific reason that you get to coach and not prepare for an opponent. So we’re learning a different language on one side of the ball and we’re refining a language on the other side of the ball, but realistically you want guys committed to getting better and you want to really establish how you’re going to go about business. We had a bunch of time to prepare for – we had two voluntary minicamps and now this afternoon, you guys will see our second OTA and what was important to me was you don’t skip steps in this business. So if we want to make strides and progress as an organization and as a football team, we have to position ourselves so that when we come back for training camp, that we’re able to practice and operate at a high-caliber level that fits our goals. There’s no easy way to do that. You just don’t wish things to happen. You take matters into your hands in the game of football. And the guys, I am very proud of the way they’ve approached everything from that standpoint.”
(We haven’t asked you yet, I don’t believe, about a player with sort of an interesting skillset. Your views on WR Lynn Bowden Jr. and what he can offer?) – “Lynn, he does have an interesting skillset. I’ve always been drawn to players that have multiple positions, specifically quarterback, experience, because of the way they see the game. Lynn’s been battling some hamstring stuff. He’s been diligent in the meeting room and we don’t really get ahead of myself when we’re looking at our team, and I don’t think his teammates should either. We’ll know if Lynn’s ready to contribute to the team when he’s on the field and we’re trying to get him there, and he’s making sure – I know he’s making sure – that he’s prepared for his opportunity when he is healthy.”
(I wanted to ask you about the offense in terms of what unit or what group is it the most difficult to sort of implement this offense, teach them what you want to do fundamentally and the core scheme?) – “The most drastic disparity from whatever you’d call ‘traditional’ – you enter it when you’re coaching players. You’re very aware of their past coaching. You make yourself aware of that so that you can best articulate ‘hey, this is like this’ or ‘this is not like this.’ The biggest disparity from a traditional standpoint is the offensive line without a doubt, and it is a full-scale commitment to certain principles and ownership of fundamentals that we ask them to do and to major in. So as far as the offseason program is concerned, it’s almost built for our offensive linemen in terms of how to approach things because you need about two weeks of an hour-and-a-half or an hour-and-45-minute meetings, which is what Phase I allows you, to digest ‘hey, we’re asking you to run off the ball, we’re asking you to have these landmarks, we’re asking you not to hesitate.’ And then in Phase II, you can kind of drill it. I think in terms of Johnny-don’t-know-his-name coming on the team and then all of a sudden being thrown into the mix, I think it’s the hardest position because we are so committed to our fundamentals and technique. And offensive linemen are like officials, I would say, where you’re not talking about them and that’s a good thing; and they have scars from when they are talked about, so to get them to just let go and let all that stuff – let the past be the past and move forward is the most deliberate and intentional thing that as a coaching staff we have to do. One of the reasons that kind of shaped my whole vision for hiring a coaching staff is I wanted to make sure that the guys that were touching those players, we would be able to see the results of the scheme and people that really dive in and invest, understand where they’re coming from, some of the stuff they have in their past and let that go and move forward. And I feel very, very comfortable and confident and happy with starting with Matt Applebaum and ‘Lem’ (Lemuel Jeanpierre) has been doing an outstanding job understanding everything that we’re trying to do. Mike Person and then Frank Smith, obviously the offensive coordinator. So that position is probably – I’m not sure if … Do you have any interest in the offensive line position? (laughter) Am I boring you? (laughter) It’s exciting, too, because you get to see guys at that position. I feel like we’re kind of – it’s liberating to a degree because, listen, if I were to tell you that on this team – and this is my seventh team, I’ve been in a lot of different places – but this is as athletic and capable of any group, you might be like, ‘Huh? Are you crazy?’ But they really are and they’re hungry and committed and it’s been really, really rewarding to watch them work, see the benefits and then more than that, what’s going to happen with your first adversity because this just in, offensive linemen have adversity. They live in adversity. And how are they going to respond to a run play where they’re short of their aiming point and Christian (Wilkins) makes you pay in the backfield or (Zach) Sieler or whoever. And that’s the fun part of this part of the year is you get to focus on them and not an opponent.”
(Can you talk a little bit about what you see from the rookies and undrafted free agents so far, besides just their physical traits and what they can do on the field but maybe their character and how they fit within the team?) – “Overall as a group, I feel that all the parties involved in acquiring them – I hold undrafted free agents with high esteem. They aren’t just throw-ins. They are important to me. We’ve had a multitude of success over the years having undrafted free agents really impact your team. What I will say is as a group, it’s a testament to the organization’s scouting department, Chris Grier and the collection of people, because we have the right types of people. This is overwhelming. You have to understand that rookies, people don’t really view it this way but I was just talking to the guys yesterday, is they are coming in trying to make a living at something amongst people that have been doing it professionally for years. You’re doing that in a language that you’re like, ‘What?’ You just got introduced this stuff so you’re triple behind the eight-ball. You get to find out fast if guys are tough-minded enough. I will say, they are made of the right stuff so far having one weekend with them and then this being the second OTA.”
(We saw recently that you have joint practices with the Buccaneers this preseason. What can you get out of that and are there any other joint practices that this team will have?) – “Joint practices are outstanding for everyone involved. There’s only so far you can go when going against each other before things start to hurt more than they help. Having different schemes, coverages, is incredibly impactful. Having different offenses for run fits and all of that stuff is super impactful. We’re going to start out, we’re practicing two days against Tampa and can’t wait to see you guys type really fast but we are going to have joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles as well. Both scenarios I feel very fortunate that things worked out with Coach (Todd) Bowles and Coach (Nick) Sirianni. We’re excited about that and I think our players will be too.”
(When you first arrived here, you talked about this being your dream job and you’ve worked for 20 years towards it. I was just curious, over the course of getting here, teaching, coaching and getting on the grass – how does your experience lived up to the expectation of your dream job?) – “Surpassed it. It’s just really fun to express a lot of the things that you didn’t know if you would ever have the opportunity to do. I am surrounded with so many people that are supporting and help driving the force that it really, truly feels like a team that we’re working together for a common goal. Which that is what football is all about.”
(Two, probably three guys on this team are not only fast but eager to show they are the fastest on this team. Are you going to let them race and most importantly are we going to see it?) – “Hmm. (laughter) Well, with a persuasive argument maybe you can convince – I’m not going to tell them not to race. I love competitors. I’m also not going to force them to race. So if I were you guys and they would do so at one of the five practices that you guys are at, and you guys were able to persuade them to do it at one, the guy pushing for my race the hardest I would put my wagers on amongst your betting selves. I would not bet because there are some very, very fast guys on the team. But I enjoy the fact that they are competitive about that and I would never keep them from doing so. I’m more trying to get them to figure out how to run a route, defend a go-ball or run the ball – did I cover all my bases? I did? – than to have them compete in a race. We do track miles per hour on every practice so they don’t necessarily need to race side by side for me to put that in front of them as a motivating factor.”
(You have to tell us who the fastest now if you know you’re tracking it.) – “I mean, I don’t have to. (laughter) It wouldn’t be fair yet because not all players are able to take part in the race yet. There’s been a good amount of 21 and 22 mile per hour runners out there. I’m not going to be mad if there’s more additionally in the future.”
(If you’re willing to share this in May, anyone beyond RB Raheem Mostert and WR Lynn Bowden Jr. if we don’t see out there today going full or going out there at all that are out for health reasons, injury reasons that you are able to share so we are not guessing when we are out there watching?) – “You don’t technically have to guess. You can just holler at me and I can answer your question. (laughter) As far as that test question, I don’t really know off the top of my head. I know (our communications staff) is probably sitting there like, ‘Yes you do,’ and I’m like ‘No, I don’t.’ The veterans that have earned the right over their career and the science backs it up that it’s not best-served for them to be out there, we’re not going to put them out there. From any given day, that can vary. We try to be very intentional and deliberate in everything we do. There’s no absolute with anything. The best thing for the Dolphins is each and every player is ready for Week 1. However we get there is the way we will handle those things.”
Noah Igbinoghene – May 17, 2022
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Tuesday, May 17, 2022
CB Noah Igbinoghene
(Year three, how are things starting out for you?) – “It’s starting off really good. We’re in OTAs right now. It’s an everyday process, so just keep going every single day and just get better. That’s really my main focus. If I keep working, it’s going to turn out in my favor.”
(How have you felt about the change in coaching with Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain? How has that been for you?) – “I love them, especially I feel like there is definitely a lot of experience in the room. Not saying that there wasn’t last year, but those guys played the position and they played at a high level. Just to be able to learn – they are great teachers as well. I’m blessed to be able to learn from them.”
(Is there anything coming into year three that you feel like you know now that you didn’t previously that could probably help you and get more experience and better production?) – “Not really. Just like I said before, it’s just taking every day. It’s a process. It’s not going to happen so fast. I’ve got to be patient with myself and this team as well. It’s just an everyday process.”
(How big is it to get these elevated reps with CB Xavien Howard not being here? I know it’s not the first time he hasn’t been here. How much getting those reps against WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle do you feel helps you?) – “It’s big time because those are two really good receivers. Just to be able to go against them, there aren’t a lot of guys like that in the league. Just to be able to go against them, a lot of receivers are not as good as them. Their speed and the way they catch the ball and stuff like that, just to be able to go against them is a blessing to have them on my team.”
(When you had that break up, how much confidence does plays like that help you build?) – “It’s a lot of confidence. But like I said, I’ve got to come back and do it again the next play and do it again the next play and do it again. I’m not saying that play doesn’t matter, but I’ve got to be able to move on. That’s what playing corner is. You’ve got to have a strong mental as well as physical.”
(With your first two seasons being kind of rocky, what do you take from it that you can build on?) – “Approaching every day, just to get better every single day. And be present on that day and not worry about the past or future. Like you said, the past two years have been rocky for me. So not to worry about none of that, not to worry about my future. Just take today and worry about today and focus on today and get better today. Take that same plan and routine, take it to tomorrow and do the same thing as well.”
(Do you do anything to help yourself mentally train? I know the physical aspect of football is so big, but you talked about short memory at cornerback. Is there anything you do in the offseason or in season to help get your mind right?) – “I’ve always had a strong mental, especially how I grew up with my parents. They’ve always been really hard on me discipline-wise. That’s not something I really worry about. Like coach said, football will humble you real quick. It’s really learning that. Being in the league is a whole different experience than being in college. You might not get humbled like that (in college). So in the league, you have to be able to wipe off the bad plays and wipe off the good plays because you have to come back again and do it again. It’s really been about consistency. It’s not really about doing it one play. That’s really what my focus is. It’s about being consistent on a day-to-day basis and a play-to-play bases. Just doing that time after time after time. If I do that, something beautiful will happen.”
Liam Eichenberg – May 17, 2022
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Tuesday, May 17, 2022
T Liam Eichenberg
(We were talking to Head Coach Mike McDaniel earlier today and he made a big emphasis with the offensive line about – he said OTAs are built for you guys. That was interesting to begin with. But then he said with the offensive line, it’s important to wipe away what happened in the past. How have you been able to do that?) – “I mean it’s a completely different offense, as you guys can probably tell from watching San Fran’s film. It’s just different. New coaches, new style, new scheme. I’m kind of just focusing on now, focusing on the present and trying to improve every day, trying to learn the offense the best that I can.”
(Are you exclusively on one side? Obviously you’re working some tackle and some guard but are you exclusively on one side?) – “It’s more about understanding the offense right now. Guys are moving around. It just depends on the day. I’m just trying to understand everything from the whole scheme standpoint and just understand the playbook as best I can.”
(Your comfort level at left guard, if that happens to be where you end up?) – “I feel good. This offense does well for offensive linemen. My buddy (Mike) McGlinchey on San Fran loves it. I’m just happy with what’s happening here. We’ve got a lot of guys that showed up for OTAs and are working hard.”
(How do you feel your skillset meshes with the new scheme?) – “I think it’s good. I think it’s a lot about technique and I pride myself on that, so I think it’s good for us. A lot of guys are getting the hang of it and improving. Just one day at a time.”
(A quick follow-up on 49ers OL Mike McGlinchey. What kind of things might he have told you after the Dolphins hired Mike McDaniel?) – “You’ve just got to run off the ball is what he said. That was his biggest emphasis was running off the ball.”
(How much do you guys, as offensive linemen, like that attacking style?) – “It’s great. It’s not about guessing or hesitating. It’s just kind of run off the ball and then whatever happens, happens. You’ve just got to kind of deal with the outcome and make changes on the go.”
(General Manager Chris Grier said this new coaching staff liked a lot of the offensive linemen on your team coming out of the draft. Has Head Coach Mike McDaniel expressed that to you and G/T Austin Jackson and G/T Robert Hunt and the young guys that he liked you guys coming out of the draft or something like that?) – “All I know is he says he believes in us, and that’s all I can ask for. Him giving us an opportunity to compete and play and believing in us is the most important thing. It’s good having a coach that – he’s a good dude and he obviously believes in us, so it’s nice.”
(How dramatically different is the approach as far as technique that Offensive Line Coach Matt Applebaum is teaching compared to Lemuel Jeanpierre, who is obviously still here? Is it a major change beyond obviously a zone blocking scheme is different?) – “No, I don’t think it’s a big change in technique. I think it’s more about the scheme is different. Obviously we didn’t do a lot of wide zone last year. It was mainly inside zone. Lem is still there and still coaching hard. I’m happy he’s still here. He’s going to be a big part of this club going forward.”
(You’re so even-keeled. You dealt with switching positions a lot in your first year-plus in the league. Is that still easy for you not knowing necessarily where you’re going to play and getting practice snaps at a lot of different spots?) – “Yeah, I think it’s just about understanding the offense as a whole. It doesn’t matter where you’re at as long as you understand the Mike point, understand the scheme and what’s happening, you should be able to play any position. So wherever they need me.”
(One thing that Offensive Line Coach Matt Applebaum talked about when we had a chance to talk to him is that he goes back last year and looks at the individual offensive linemen, not the scheme necessarily. When you go back and watch, is there more benefit for you to watch the tape in that way or does it change at all?) – “I think it’s just kind of – I go back now and I watch San Fran because it’s just different. Obviously I know what I need to improve on from last year but as of right now, it’s more about seeing guys – guards, tackles – that have done well in this offense and understand the scheme and understand how to run it. I’m just looking at those guys for experience.”
Jerome Baker – May 17, 2022
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Tuesday, May 17, 2022
LB Jerome Baker
(I was asking Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer last week, ‘How often do you think about whether you come back with pretty much exactly what you did strategically last year, knowing at it’s best it worked over the final 10 games. Or how much do you add new stuff?” And he said he thinks about that every day. Without giving away anything, is your early impression that he wants to add some new things to keep teams off guard? So it’s the same personnel pretty much but it’s not the exact same defense?) – “I think he wants us to lock in on our fundamentals. That’s the simple things like breaks, angles on tackling the football. The little things are what you focus on right now so when you get to the season, everything changes. It’s playbook specific. So right now we’re working on our technique, our hand placement and things you don’t get as much time in the regular season (to work on). For me, the playbook is going to change. It’s going to be game day specific. I think that’s what I see that they’re harping on is let’s focus on little things and game plan specific (stuff) is going to come when it comes.”
(How surprised and happy are you that it’s pretty much the same defense with the addition of a couple of rookies? LB Melvin Ingram hasn’t been announced yet but it’s rare to see the same defense brought back. Are you surprised? Happy?) – “Yeah, I’m definitely happy. Just me personally, I always had different coaches, different linebacker coaches, different coordinators, going back all of the way to college. For me, it’s a good thing. It’s a chance to – you know what you expect. You have a little understanding before you walk into the building. Now it’s just time to build off that.”
(Seeing a Miami Dolphins offense with WR Tyreek Hill on it, your reaction as you witness that, seeing the speed and seeing him here is what?) – “I mean, the guy is fast. He’s a good player. He’s a great guy. I knew him a little bit before he got here, so I kind of knew what to expect. He’s definitely bringing that winning culture, just going hard every play of every practice. It’s definitely working out for us.”
(What are your thoughts on LB Melvin Ingram as a player? What has he shown you over the years?) – “He’s a playmaker. He goes hard every play. He has a high motor. I’m excited. He’s a veteran. He’s going to bring that to the young guys and we’re all going to learn from him.”
(This new-look backfield, what are your impressions from seeing them and going against them?) – “They’re fast. (laughter) Just on offense in general, they’re fast. They’re explosive. It’s definitely going to get us right during training camp and OTAs. It’s going to be exciting for us.”
(How tough is it going to be for teams to defend not only the receivers but also obviously RB Raheem Mostert, when he’s healthy, RB Chase Edmonds, etc.?) – “It just gives defenses more problems. When you give defenses more problems, it’s hard to really lock in on one thing. I’m excited. It’s going to be fun. I’m definitely excited in training camp to go against these guys.”
(I think LB Jaelan Phillips picked the playlist today. How would you grade his?) – “Terrible. (laughter) Nah, I think what happened was they kept skipping some parts, so we didn’t really see his whole playlist. The parts I heard, they were decent. But they were just decent. The first guy to have it, he’s supposed to come out with some fire. I’m going to work on it. (laughter)”
(What have you seen in LB Jaelan Phillips’ growth so far from last year to this year?) – “He’s always been a smart guy. He always went hard. I think now he’s starting to understand where he can make plays, what he can do and what he can’t do. He’s going to make plays for us just like he did last year. He did a great job last year and we’re expecting the same thing this year.”
(So I understand, the previous day’s practice player of the day gets to be the DJ the next day?) – “Correct.”
(What do you think of that as a motivational tool? What will you do once you get to be the DJ?) – “For me, it’s definitely a motivational thing. It just brings fun to practice and into the building. Me, when I get on there, you’re going to hear a lot of Drake. Probably, honestly, the whole playlist is going to be Drake. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to do it.”
(Early impression of LB Channing Tindall?) – “The guy, he’s going to be a great player. He’s just got to, just with any rookie, just try to soak in as much information as you can, and just remember you got to this point by playing football. It’s not that hard when you think about it. It’s still football like it was when we were younger. He’s got a lot of things to improve on but he definitely has potential.”
(Is the speed of LB Channing Tindall evident to you so far? I know it’s early) – “Definitely. He’s definitely got some speed, some explosiveness. He’s definitely going to be a great player in this league.”
(Last year in the second half of the season, you got to rotate inside and outside. Does the prospect of continuing to do that excite you?) – “Yeah. I think that’s my favorite part about this defense. I can pretty much line up anywhere and everywhere and I truly enjoy doing that.”
(You guys have an advantage in that you brought everybody back on the defense. On the other side though, offensive coordinators have seen all of you guys together playing on tape and in-person. Which way is there a bigger advantage, do you think?) – “I’m always leaning there’s a bigger advantage with us just because we know what we’re doing, we know how each other plays and how each other works. When you have that chemistry, things like that in this league are hard to build, and we already have a little foundation of it. Now it’s just time to build on that.”
(Plus you can add LB Channing Tindall and you can add LB Melvin Ingram.) – “Exactly.”
Christian Wilkins – May 4, 2022
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Wednesday, May 4, 2022
DT Christian Wilkins
(I was wondering if you could speak to the three years of developing that you’ve had here and the process of that development. Like from your own personal standpoint, working with coaches and trainer, etc. How have those years of work allowed you to become the player you are and one of the more consistent and productive defensive tackles in the game?) – “The biggest thing was just kind of early on, a lot was overwhelming. You come in with a lot of high expectations – first-round pick, new coach, new everything, everything is new, a lot of pressure – so you’re just trying to get your feet under you. You’re like ‘damn’ and you’re trying to figure out life. You’re trying to figure out everything else, not just ball. You’ve got a lot of different responsibilities and things like that, so there’s a lot of things that come with that. You’re trying to figure out the scheme and things like that, but pretty much for me, I just stuck with the process. I just kept working all the way through and I’m continuing to work, continuing to try and get better each and every day, and I just felt like year after year, I’ve gotten better at a lot of things I wanted to get better at coming into each season. So hopefully I just stick with that process and keep getting better and better each year.”
(So you were drafted in 2019 and the next two years, the Dolphins have a whole bunch of draft picks and tons of young players, younger than you. Do you communicate stuff like that with your younger teammates, kind of about trusting the process and how it worked for you and how it can work for them?) – “Absolutely. I feel like just from my experience, I’m able to be there for those guys, especially like you said, all the draft picks, all the guys who were drafted early who might feel like there was some pressure. There’s this, that and trying to figure things out. I always try to be a guy that they can lean on, come and talk to just about anything – about life, about ball, whatever it has to do, just adjusting to life in the NFL. I always try to be that for them. I can’t tell them everything before it happens, but just kind of be a mentor and a big brother as things do come up for them, help them through whatever it is they may be going through both good and bad.”
(Congrats on the team picking up your fifth year. I wanted to get your take on that move by the club.) – “Appreciate it. I think it’s great. It’s awesome. I’m glad I’m going to be able to be here for another year and I’m just blessed overall. Kind of what we talked about earlier with (the other) question, I’m just progressing each year and the team had to make a decision and they picked up my option. That’s great. I’m excited I’m going to be here for at least another year.”
(Do you think there is a chance that you might be able to do a long-term deal with the club?) – “The biggest thing is I’m just trying to focus on ball. Let whoever else, the powers that be handle all that stuff and talk about all that stuff. I just like to focus on ball, being a good teammate and just getting better every day and stay with the process and the rest will take care of itself.”
(This is a question for Christian Wilkins the NFLPA rep. From a business standpoint, with the new CBA deal, do you find it interesting that once you guys guaranteed that fifth-year option – fully, not guarantee it but then we can opt out of it before the new league year starts – is it interesting that so many teams aren’t picking up the fifth-year option?) – “That’s a good question. I just think it’s case-by-case. The biggest thing to understand is that the league is a business and it’s really a case-by-case situation, so it is definitely interesting. Every team has decisions they have to make and they have that control, they have that power.”
(What’s it like to be one of the only defensive linemen in the first round that gets the fifth year picked up? Is it like a feather in your cap, like “hey, I’m one of the best producers?”) – “No, you don’t think about it like that because again, it’s case-by-case. You don’t know what other teams have going on and like I said, I just try to focus on ball and just letting everything happen as it comes. I don’t try to think about it like that because as soon as you start thinking like that – you’ve got to keep a humble spirit and humble mindset – because as soon as you start thinking like that, a lot of other B.S. can get in the way and you’re not focused on the things you need to focus on.”
(I wanted to ask you about the F1 tour you guys did this week and everything going on at the stadium. I was wondering if you could put into words what it’s like to be on the track and kind of witness everything going on.) – “Yeah, that looks all right over there. It’s pretty cool. I ain’t going to lie to you. I was actually thinking about doing some other stuff this weekend before I got to go on the tour and see everything. I’m like ‘nah, I’m definitely going to be there for that.’ It’s the first time it’s here. This is like – I know there will be other years it’ll be going on, but this is like a once-in-a-lifetime, first-in-a-lifetime experience for me. And for someone like me who grew up the way I grew up where I grew up, you don’t get to see things like this or experience things like this, so I’m going to be there in attendance, having a good time enjoying it and have some fun with it all and just happy to be a part of it, happy it’s going to be here.”
(Since you’ve been drafted, the Dolphins have put tennis on the campus, there’s been Rolling Loud, so many different events. What can you say about everything that kind of happens in the stadium and the campus of the team you play for?) – “It’s awesome that as an organization we do those things and that obviously a lot of things go on here in Miami. We’ve got a great stadium, a great location, just a lot of good things – it makes sense why a lot of things want to be here and a lot of things are going on here and I like to try to go to as many things as possible, again, just because I think it’s always pretty cool. The Miami Open was great. I went to that. Just always cool to experience things, meet new people and it’s just cool to be a part of.”
(I was asking S Jevon Holland about who has a fast car. He said CB Byron Jones has got a nice…) – “Yeah… (laughter)”
(What about the front seven guys? If you had to pick someone’s car to put it on the track, the track right out there, who’s car are you putting out there?) – “From the front seven? Nah, I would definitely say Byron (Jones) is up there. Jaelan (Phillips) has got a nice little something-something. I mean, I don’t know. I ain’t going to put out guys’ business like that, but Jaelan do got a nice little something-something. (laughter) Maybe his car.”
(Do you like cars? Are you more of a sports car guy or truck guy?) – “I’m not a big car person like that. But after going to school in the south and living in the south, you’ve got to have you a truck. You know what I’m saying? (laughter) Ride down with the windows down, arm out, you know what I’m saying? (laughter) You know, just enjoy the ride and feeling big in the big body truck.”
(I wanted to ask you about S Jevon Holland. Just as a fellow, somebody who can kind of relate to being a high pick and kind of being thrust into a prominent role early on, what impressed you about Jevon’s rookie season and how have you kind of seen him approach this Year 2?) – “Jevon has a chance to be pretty good in this league. Just how he comes into work each and every day. That was the biggest thing that I learned. He even took a year off of ball before he got drafted and everything and still came in kind of ready to play and was able to do some really good things for us early on and it’s just impressive to watch. He’s athletic, he’s big, and something that surprised me more than anything is just how cerebral he is back there. Like making the calls, doing some of the things you have to do at the safety position in our defense was really impressive. He’s kind of a kid who just loves playing ball, too, so it’s fun to watch. He brings that nice young spirit, too. He’s a good teammate.”
(I just wanted to ask you what your reaction was when you found out that Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer and Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark were being retained by the new coach and are you sort of eager to see what wrinkles Josh will have just to keep teams off balance this year with largely the same personnel as he had a year ago?) – “Yeah, it’s always nice when you have some – like especially with the whole change, you know what I mean – it’s nice to have some familiarity. It’s nice to have d-coordinator, d-line coach, linebackers coach (return). It’s good to have a lot of the same things coming back – players and everything. There hasn’t been much turnover or anything like that from that standpoint, so I’m just excited that you look around the defense, you look around the locker room and you’ve got a lot of familiar faces and guys who have been in this system. So I’m just looking forward to it and just looking forward to continue to build and achieve connection with each other and do some good things.”
(When you came into the NFL, your reputation as being frugal preceded you. I’m curious whether that stayed the same way or have you allowed yourself to buy yourself some stuff here and there?) – “Hey, nah, (laughter) good question. I mean still – I was going to joke around and say I’m spending money like crazy, but no, I still have the same frugal mindset. That’s in me. You can’t help it sometimes. You do have to spend a little bit more money and it hurts me and it pains me any time I’ve got to spend a little bit of money, but I’m still as frugal as can be. I try to spend as little as possible, but also, here and there, treat myself to little things like that. But I still don’t like spending a lot of money.”
(Quick follow up, if I may. What’s the most flashy you’ve allowed yourself to pick up?) – “More just experiences. Like I’m an experience guy. I love to travel, so in the offseason, if I can enjoy some time, go somewhere, do some things like that, that’s something I love to do. So I love to see the world, I love to get out, love to just experience different things like that. So I like to travel.”
(See now you’ve got me interested. What’s the experience Christian Wilkins had the best time at and what’s the goal from the experience standpoint for this offseason before camp starts?) – “Good question, and you mean from like, just in my life in general?”
(Yeah.) – “Oh man, I don’t know. I’ve been able to do – I’m really blessed and I’m fortunate to be in the position I am in and do a lot of things I do. Like I really can’t pinpoint one specific experience. I don’t know – just from obviously accomplishments in football, winning championships at the college level, being drafted, being part of this brotherhood in the NFL, going to the White House, things like that. Even social circles you’re put in or people you get to meet socially that you’re like, ‘dang, I’m just this little kid from Springfield and I met such-and-such’ or I’m doing this or doing that. It’s all just humbling truly – traveling the world, seeing cool things, things I thought I’d never be able to do…”
(What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen?) – “Shoot, I don’t know. Just even like – let’s just say like even going to London. Stuff that like that. Playing in a foreign place and joking about a guy running onto the field before the game. Like all that stuff was fun. Playing in a different stadium, just taking a second, breathing it all in like, ‘This game is taking me all over the world. I’m here in London playing a game.’ And then I was able to go back this offseason and watch a soccer game in that same stadium and really enjoy that. That’s all just so cool to me and so humbling and it’s awesome to be able to do.”
(So what’s the pre-camp travel plans?) – “I don’t really have anything planned. I might just more so just kick it. Just get my mind right and regroup before I start the heavy training before training camp.”
Jevon Holland – May 4, 2022
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Wednesday, May 4, 2022
S Jevon Holland
(I saw that you were pretty enthusiastic about the Dolphins adding one of your former teammates. Give me the honest straight up scouting report on him.) – “I would but I feel like I’d be a little bit biased because he is one of my best friends. So I’m going to let you guys decide. (laughter) That’s why I’m not going to say anything. He’s going to rise to the top. I believe in him. He’s a hell of a player and an even better guy. He fits right in with the culture of the team.”
(I read the scouting reports and they talked about how he has good ball skills and the ability to track the ball in the air and that he’s competitive. Compliment him on one thing. What’s one thing you think he does well?) – “Like you said, he tracks the ball phenomenally. That was one of the main emphasis as a defense at Oregon and you kind of saw that in how we played in the 2019 year, in the 2020 year and then last year he led college football in interceptions and the Pac-12 also. It’s a testament to him for being that guy and getting those balls down. He’s a hell of a player.”
(I know you had a trip to Vegas to check out the Pro Bowl. You spent some time with CB Xavien Howard. What was that experience like and were there any other players you leaned on for advice and took under their wing?) – “It was great. It was a great experience. I felt super motivated. That was one of the best moments for me as a young player, as a competitor really. To see those guys out there, like this is the goal, this is where I want to get to. Having ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) there, ‘X’ is awesome. The whole time I was with him, tracking him, interviewing him or whatnot, he’s a better guy than he is a football player. Seeing people that have been good in the league for a long time when I was a kid – like I saw Joe Haden and it was cool because I was like ‘what’s up.’ And he was like ‘I know who you are. What’s good, Jevon?’ He knew my name. I’m Jevon Holland, but that’s Joe Haden. Do you know how many pairs of Jordan cleats he’s got? That alone blew my mind. I told my dad the same thing and my brother too. That was dope.”
(This time last year you, I’m sure you were getting here and getting to know your coaches and teammates and all of that stuff. I wanted to ask if you could reflect upon where you were at this time last year compared to now. You had to get to know the playbook, the building, the city, and now you come here, I’d imagine, with a much firmer grasp on all of those things that were so new to you a year ago.) – “Yeah, last year I was in an unknown environment. I was really nervous about everything. I had never been to Florida before. I went by the hotel we were staying at, there was a little lake. I went jogging by the lake and there was a frog. I’m thinking it’s an alligator because I’m from California so I thought there was an alligator everywhere. I started tripping, running back to my room. But now I’m cool. I’m comfortable. I like being here. I love Florida – the sun, the sky, all of that. I was definitely nervous being here. It’s the NFL. I was shaking in my boots, for lack of better terms. I feel way better now.”
(We saw nicknames going around a couple of weeks ago. I know you’re the snowman. S Brandon Jones talked about the clown emoji he used. Have you guys made progress on this nickname that is not going over too well with his teammates?) – “I talked to him about it. He said it’s the joker which I understand because of the clown face. But I’m like bro, you got to put more context into that. First of all, it wasn’t even explained before. No one calls him the joker. For him to just throw it out there, it looked like he was calling himself a clown. He’s not going to call himself that anymore. We’re going to find something else for him. (laughter)”
(There are some coaching staff changes, but Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer stays, and Safeties Coach Steve Gregory stays. How do you feel that might benefit you and the defense?) – “I think it’s very important. It’s carryover from the last year. It’s a familiar face. You’re going to have a similar scheme to how he likes it. The defense understands how he functions and we work well together. You all saw that at the end of last season. I think it’s going to be great for our team, for our defense also.”
(When we talked to you in January, you mentioned that one of the things you wanted to focus on in your second season was patience. I’m wondering, what is your plan, what is your approach to reach that specific goal?) – “It’s about repetition. You’ve got to do something over and over again to make it a habit. That’s been my approach to how I operate this entire offseason. It’s repetition, making sure I’m getting the proper reps in, on and off the field, in the weight room and things like that. I think my whole gameplan for the offseason and approaching OTAs and minicamp is having the right amount of reps and to go about it in a patient manner.”
(I have a similar question about Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer staying. When he spoke to us a couple of months ago, he said that there is going to be a lot of similarities to when Brian Flores was here. But he’s going to look at things more from the back-end down, so the secondary first. Do you have any impressions of what that means to you, because you were asked to do so much as a rookie?) – “I have no idea. I’m just going to do what the coaches tell me because they are cutting the checks, so I’m just going to do it. It is what it is. But seriously, I’m just going to play what they say. That’s literally all. I’m not even going to short change you. I’m just giving it to you straight.”
(What did your first year in the NFL teach you about the business end of the league?) – “That anybody could be anywhere at any time. Everybody is replaceable. That is definitely one of the main things. At the end of the day, it is a business and money talks. At the end of the day, you play and have fun because the NFL is not for long. At any point you could be out of there, so just make sure you take full advantage of your opportunity.”
(Speaking about big business, I’m sure you see everything that’s going on at your stadium campus. What was that tour like that you did checking out the F1 race, and what are your thoughts as a player on this team looking at everything going on, and seeing what Tom Garfinkel and Stephen Ross are doing?) – “I think it’s dope. I know it means a lot and there is a serious deal that’s going on with F1. I don’t know a lot about F1. I know it’s obviously racing and I think Cars did a spin off with Mater in Tokyo or something like that. It’s race cars. They go fast and seeing the track was cool and how they built everything. I thought the track had to be super long. It’s dope, all the exhibits and they’ve got yachts in there and a beach and all types of stuff. I think it’s dope. Shout out to the head guys.”
(We saw the offense make a bunch of moves bringing guys to the fold that have accomplished resumes. I’m curious how guys like WR Tyreek Hill, T Terron Armstead, RB Raheem Mostert, RB Chase Edmonds and all the guys that you brought in can help you guys get better on the defense throughout the course of the offseason in practice?) – “Tyreek Hill is like the fastest player in the NFL so having him on the team and going against him every day, you can’t really practice against a better model for facing a speed team. Chase and Raheem are the same way. They both are dynamic players. And Terron – especially when I come off the edge, playing an offensive tackle who knows tricks of the trade, it’s difficult for me to get to the quarterback. But yeah, just those experiences and challenges they are going to add to practice every day is going to be awesome for us. We’re going to be in tune and already have seen those types of looks when we play the games.”
(Who has the fastest car in the parking lot?) – “Probably Byron. (laughter)”
Michael Deiter – May 4, 2022
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Wednesday, May 4, 2022
C/G Michael Deiter
(I know it’s a day-to-day league and nothing is guaranteed but do you take any solace or encouragement by the fact that the Dolphins didn’t prioritize center during the offseason? There was no veteran center signed. Does that make you feel good even while knowing that you need to compete to win the starting job again?) – “I wouldn’t say it makes me feel any way, I guess. I’m excited that I have a chance to come out here and compete to play for the Dolphins another year. That’s really all I can focus on. Obviously it didn’t happen but it’s not something that I’m really worried about. I just need to get ready to compete again this year.”
(We’re excited about this new Mike McDaniel zone-rushing attack. Can you explain to us what the key responsibilities or unique responsibilities for the center are in this style of offense?) – “It’s the same in the respect that the center has to get everyone on the same page, got to get the IDs, get the whole o-line ready to just cut it loose and be right assignment-wise. But then the whole o-line, it’s a system where we can just play with confidence and cut it loose and really not worry – worry about winning and not worry about losing. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a ton of fun because we can play with confidence. It seems really exciting and it’s going to be exciting.”
(If you had to put your career – obviously it’s no different than what most veterans go through – if you had to put your career into your own words, what would you say it’s been like?) – “I don’t know. I would say it’s a blessing because I have a career in the NFL and that I’m happy with. Obviously you come in and you want to be this, that and the greatest thing ever, and you’re always working for that and every day, that’s all you can focus on. It’s been a blessing to still be here and competing to keep the career. A blessing.”
(What would you say the experiences last year – playing at center – taught you about the league?) – “The more you can do, the more valuable you are. If you can play multiple positions, no matter what you do best, there’s a chance for you to play and help a team out, whether it be practice squad, starter, backup, you name it. As long as you’re willing to work and try to help the team win, there’s always a chance.”
(I wanted to ask you about the new offensive line coach, Matt Applebaum, and kind of what you’ve recognized from him so far through the first phase of the offseason program here.) – “So far he’s been really cool. He’s a detailed guy, an intense guy, but we’re having a lot of fun. He’s doing a really good job of keeping everything fun. He’s been a great teacher so far. We’re learning a ton. It’s going to be a lot of fun working with him. So far it’s been a lot of fun. He’s definitely a cool dude. He’s fun to be around but intense and a heck of a teacher.”
(How would you describe the energy at practice? I know it’s a bit of a new coaching staff. QB Tua Tagovailoa talked about all of the vets that you guys have out there for the voluntary stuff. How would you describe the energy not just with your o-line room but the entire team?) – “The energy is high. It’s good. Everyone is excited to get better. We can see that if everyone is doing their job the way they’re supposed to, we can be explosive. We can have a lot of fun doing it. The way to be explosive is with confidence and everyone working together and getting ready to cut it loose. It’s been really exciting and high energy.”
(I was going to ask you about skills that you think are needed in a zone-running scheme. Do you feel it suits your skillset? Is there a guy or two on the team among the young linemen where you feel like – young linemen besides you – where you feel like their skillsets are really good for this particular system?) – “I mean every guy in the room is capable. Some guys are a little more athletic and it doesn’t matter. But everyone is capable of going out there and running outside zone effectively. One, you need to be confident in your assignment so you can just cut it loose with your technique. As long as you follow the techniques that are taught, I can do it and anyone in the room can do it. That’s kind of the beauty of it all.”
(It occurs to me that Mike McDaniel, Matt Applebaum and Frank Smith all have years of experience in successful rushing attacks. What kind of a sense do you get about the type of commitment to run that those three fellas maybe want to have?) – “You can just tell talking with them that running the ball is something that is important to all three of them and it’s cool. As an o-lineman, that’s always pretty refreshing to hear. The way I think they’re so successful is the detail, the way they break it down to make it almost simple and how you can be effective and how you can run the ball effectively. It’s cool to have three guys who are smart and care about the run and want to get it going no matter what. When they can break it down and simplify it for you, it gives you a lot of confidence.”
(How much better of a center do you feel that you are now than at this same time last year?) – “A lot better. I’m just taking a lot more reps (and have) a little more experience. Obviously I’m not where I need to be. I can be a lot better still. There’s a lot more growth to have. But I’m definitely more confident this offseason than I was a year ago. Not that it was my first time doing it but it had been a little while. It’s going good.”
Skylar Thompson – April 30, 2022
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Saturday, April 30, 2022
QB Skylar Thompson
(I know it’s probably a long wait for you to get this call and I was just curious as the final picks come down, what was that feeling like getting that call from Miami and did you think that this might be a team that would call your name?) – “It was an unbelievable feeling. Truly a dream come true. A moment that I’ve dreamed about and worked for my entire life and for it to happen with a great organization like Miami, I’m so excited. I’m so excited for the opportunity that they’ve given me and honestly I wasn’t expecting – it kind of caught me by surprise that this is where I ended up. I’ve talked to Coach (Darrell) Bevell at the Combine and talked to him at the beginning of the week a little bit this week, but I haven’t talked to him – they definitely weren’t the team that I talked to the most. I’m super excited for this opportunity and I think it’s a great fit, so I’m so excited.”
(My question to you is you had a quarterback coach Justin Hoover. He helped you prepare I think for the last six years. Could you explain what he’s meant to you in your development as a quarterback?) – ”Yeah, Coach Hoover has been a big part of my development. I met him at the Elite 11 out of high school and worked with him throughout college and he’s been a big part of my progression and my development over the years. Him being in Kansas City where I’m from, it’s only two hours away from K-State, so it’s been very easy access to get back and get to work with him. He was a big part of my pre-draft process and he just really developed me a ton. It’s not ever been re-inventing the wheel or doing a whole bunch of new stuff. It’s just really finetuning every little detail of being a quarterback and there’s really trying to make a very complicated position be very simple and he’s a been a big part of my progression as a player, as a person; and he means a lot to me so I appreciate him a lot.”
(So obviously in this draft process, teams reach out to you. Who did you think was feeling you the most?) – “Yeah, I had the most interest I thought from the Houston Texans and the Detroit Lions, the Patriots, 49ers. There were quite a few teams that I had talked to quite a bit and met with at the Combine and stuff. So yeah, Miami – I had no idea, honestly. It’s a great surprise. I’m very excited for this opportunity.”
(What do you think about your opportunity to come in here and compete for a roster spot? What’s the biggest challenge that you see for yourself?) – “Yeah, well first and foremost, I’ve got to get my foot in the door and start learning the playbook and just be a great teammate. That’s what I’m here – I’m here to win and whatever that may look like, whatever my role is on the team, I’m going to own my role and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the Miami Dolphins win. That’s what I’m – I’m so excited. I’m so excited to get into the room, to get down in the building down in Miami and get to work. Ultimately I’m – like I said – I’m coming to win and whatever that may look like, that’s what I’m focused on. I’m focused on winning, being the best teammate and leader I possibly can be and making an impact on my teammates and making those around me better. That’s what I’m mainly focused on.”
(I’m wondering if you could sort of give us a self-scouting report on where your game is right now. What are you hearing from teams on what you do really well and what you need to work on?) – “Yeah, I feel like first and foremost, I’m a gamer. Just being able to make plays off-schedule, on-time, with my legs, with my arm. I feel like that’s a summarization of who I am as a player and I’m a guy that wants the ball in his hands when the team needs a big play, when they rely on me to make a play and whether if it’s on fourth down, going into the end zone, red zone, whatever the case may be, I want the ball in my hands in those situations. And on top of that being a servant leader. I feel like I make those around me better. I’m going to serve my teammates at all times and put my team before myself and ultimately that’s what leads to success because it leads to wins and that’s what drives me and my play every single day that I get the opportunity to play football. And as far as moving forward, as far as areas that I think I could get better at or improve is always – first and foremost is my footwork. I feel like I have good feet, but there’s always room for improvement and just being more consistent with my feet and really tightening up my stride on some throws, really getting my turn – my hips open to my left and throwing outbreaking routes. And then just my posture. Sometimes I stand up tall a little bit on my throws and kind of cause the ball to sail, but those are all things that I’ve been working on this offseason and feel really good about going into rookie minicamp here in a couple weeks.”
(You’re going to turn 25 in June which is a little bit older than your typical rookie. How do you look at that in terms of do you feel like maybe more of a sense of urgency for your career to develop because you’re 25? On the other hand, do you feel it helps you because maybe you’re more mature than prospects who come in at 21 or 22?) – “I definitely don’t feel any pressure as far as me being older that my career has to accelerate quicker or whatever the case may be. I think my age is a benefit to me. I’ve played in a lot of football games. I’ve experienced a lot of different situations in football. You name it, I’ve experienced it. And every type of adversity you can think of that a quarterback could experience, I’ve experienced it. I’ve fought through and I’ve overcome and I’m still standing strong. That’s the biggest asset for me. I think I bring a level of leadership that can’t be replicated at all spots just because I’ve been around so many locker rooms, I’ve had so many different encounters with players from all over the place and developed great relationships. I’ve been a four-year team captain. All of that is just tools in my toolbox. It’s given me experiences to bring a great perspective to a great organization and that’s what I hope to bring to the Miami Dolphins.”
(Do you have any prior connections to anybody on the Dolphins?) – “I do not. I do not.”
(I was curious to know if there are any quarterbacks that you might have admired or studied throughout your childhood or college that you looked up to and modeled your game after?) – “Yeah. I was always Drew Brees. I always loved the way that Drew played, the way that he leads first and foremost. Everybody has seen his pregame ‘hoo-rah’ speeches, and getting his team fired up and playing hard. He just makes plays. When the team needs him to make a play, Drew Brees is there and is very consistent with who he is as a person, as a player. On paper people would say he’s undersized, doesn’t have the strongest arm, whatever. Drew Brees always found a way to win, always found a way to prove the naysayers wrong, and I just always admired him about that. The way that he carried himself, the way that he led, the great teammate he was, and he’s a gamer. You can tell he’s just a football player and found ways to get his team on the winning side of the scoreboard, which I always admired about him and looked up to.”
