Jevon Holland – September 1, 2022
Download PDF version
Thursday, September 1, 2022
S Jevon Holland
(On being named a team captain.) – “It’s an honor. It really is. I was a little choked up in the meeting. It felt really good.”
(CB Xavien Howard mentioned that he was surprised that sometimes you hold him accountable. Is that something you … holding teammates accountable and being so young?) – “I just feel like it’s a part of my process, making sure that my teammates are all held to the same standard. I hold myself to a higher standard and I want them to understand that I hold them to a higher standard as well. I’m not going to necessarily not say something to somebody based on their status or whatnot. I see him as my teammate and I want him to coach me as hard as I coach him. I’m going to take everything that he says, and I hope that he will do the same for me. Of course it’s always love from me, and he knows that.”
(How many times have you been a captain going through high school and college?) – “You can only be named captain one time and then you’re a captain (for good). So I’d say twice. I was named captain in high school. I was named captain in college. It kind of happened the same in college. I was on the leadership counsel my freshman year and then my sophomore year, I was named captain. It’s kind of the same thing here. It just ends up happening that way. I just try to hold myself up to the same standard everywhere I go and it kind of unravels that way.”
(CB Xavien Howard was telling us that even as a rookie, if you saw something, you would say something to him, and essentially criticize him if need be.) – “I mean, yeah. I’m his teammate. I want him to perform at a high level just like he wants me to perform at a high level. If I see something that I know for a fact needs to be improved or whatnot, or that he could do better, then I’ll say something. He’ll do the same for me.”
(Were you surprised that you were named captain?) – “I wouldn’t necessarily say I was surprised, or if I didn’t get named captain that I’d be surprised. It was more just wanting to see who was captain. Once I did get named captain, I was honored. I still am honored.”
Trey Flowers – August 31, 2022
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
LB Trey Flowers
(How tricky is it to spend that time away from a team knowing you don’t really have specifics to study?) – “It was something different for me, obviously, since I’ve been here, but it was a learning process. I took it as a blessing and a lesson, just being able to rest my body, spend time with family. I kind of look at the positives. And then being blessed and being able to sign here, it definitely makes it easier with the group of guys that are in this locker room that work hard and I could just kind of – I know I’m a vet, but I still have to come in and kind of watch and see how they do it and figure it out.”
(Since mid-March, have you worked out anywhere else before the Dolphins one last Wednesday?) – “No, that was my first workout.”
(General Manager Chris Grier after saying a bunch of nice things about you said you don’t have to be a star here. Obviously, you’ve been a starter so much of your career. Are you at peace here coming and being part of a rotation with LB Jaelan Phillips, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, LB Melvin Ingram,?) – “Yes, like I said, I’m all about winning. However that comes, I’m going to put my best foot forward. I’m going to go out there and give it my all, however that comes. Like I said, there’s a great group of guys in this locker room that make a lot of plays, very productive guys. So however that comes, if we’re winning, I’m happy.”
(You signed pretty late. Was there a part of you that was maybe resigned yourself to, “Maybe I’m not playing this season”?) – “No.”
(You knew a call was coming?) – “Yes, you have faith. You just have to believe that God is going to answer your prayers.”
(Are you glad it’s Miami because obviously familiarity with Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer and the system and also it’s a good team?) – “Yeah, it’s definitely a good situation. Like you said, familiarity with the system and the group of guys in this locker room as I’ve seen the last couple of days, just being able to be productive. It’s looking good this year, so I’m excited.”
(How close is this defense to the one that you were with under Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer before?) – “What do you mean? Under Josh Boyer? Or are you saying in the past?”
(In the past, right.) – “Are you talking about the scheme or?”
(Yes, the scheme. Is it like 80 percent, 50 percent, very similar?) – “Yes, I mean defense is defense. Everybody kind of runs the same thing, but some of the standards of just attacking the football, running out the football, that’s just what great defense is about. So all those are similar, obviously, but the wording, I kind of got a little recall from it. So it helps a little bit, yes.”
(I have a weird question out of left field here. Considering you played for them last year, have you been watching Hard Knocks at all and see some of your former teammates there?) – “No, I don’t even have cable, man. (laughter) I just moved to my spot, and I just have internet right now. I might get cable, but no, I haven’t.”
(Did you get a sense they brought you in to work out, that it went well and that it was going to work out this way for you?) – “Yes, I knew I was prepared to do a workout. I was training in the offseason. I was prepared for it, and I just hoped that it did work out. Obviously, it did. I said my prayers and God answered.”
Myles Gaskin – August 31, 2022
Download PDF version
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
RB Myles Gaskin
(Was there ever a time where you thought, “The odds are against me, they keep adding all these running backs?”) – “No. I guess I got the pressure from my parents and other people. But at the end of the day, I love football and I just want to play football and I just want to get better. Obviously, I want to be here, but at the end of the day, what got me here was just working every single day and believing in myself.”
(Did that do anything for you seeing the team add three running backs motivation-wise?) – “Motivation, obviously, but at the same time, I was able to pick up a few things from these guys. I’m learning from Chase (Edmonds), me and him being kind of the same type of back, smaller type, so I’m learning things from those type of guys. Like I said, I believe in work, and I believe in staying consistent. That’s what’s been working for me, so why steer away from it?”
(What was the key for you adjusting to the new offense and scheme?) – “Work, studying like a kid again, like college or whatever. I’m making flashcards. I’m taking notes. I’m doing everything I can to pick it up as fast as I can so I can be able to be out there and instead of working on my keys, I’m actually out there ready to play. So that’s what I was working on.”
(Where was your confidence level that you would be on the 53-man roster when training camp began?) – “Where was my confidence level when training camp began? As high as it’s ever been. I’m a pretty confident dude just in general. Like I said, all I’ve known is work from a little child and I believe in hard work, and I believe in whatever happens once you put in that work is meant for you. You know what I’m saying? So I’m here and it was meant for me.”
Kader Kohou – August 31, 2022
Download PDF version
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
CB Kader Kohou
(Through that college process, do you know any guys that were able to make it to the pros or anything like that?) – “I don’t know anybody in the NFL to be honest with you. I didn’t have anybody to lean on, really just my family and some of the friends that I went to school with.”
(When did you first start thinking that you had a really good shot of making the 53?) – “It’s the NFL. I knew I made the 53 when it came out. I didn’t have any feelings. I was like, it could’ve gone either way. I just knew I could play though. I feel like if I didn’t get a shot here, I was going to get a shot somewhere else, but I’m glad that I’m here though.”
(What are some of the keys, and some of the things you proved you could do this training camp?) – “Just being able to compete. Coming from D2 (Division II) it’s easy to say that whatever you did in D2 will be hard to do in the NFL because it’s the best level, so just showing that I could play with them, and just showing that I’m a competitor.”
(There are a lot of guys banged up at your position cutting into Week 1. If you’re asked to contribute a lot Week 1 are you ready for that?) – “Yes sir, I’m ready for it. Yes sir, definitely. I’ll leave it up to the coaches, but personally I feel like I am ready.”
(Did you have the feeling when you first got to camp that you had to show your teammates, “I may be D2 but I belong here”?) – “Yes, I’m always going to have that chip on my shoulder. I feel like anybody coming from D2, D1; you should have the chip on your shoulder because the guys in the locker room have been doing it, so it would be crazy for you to come in and not feel like you have to prove yourself to them because they’ve been doing it for years. You’re just a young college kid.”
Elijah Campbell – August 31, 2022
Download PDF version
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
DB Elijah Campbell
(On his preseason play) – “I was pretty confident on what I did in the preseason. I also try not to have a negative mindset, so I was pretty optimistic going into it. I went about my day as if it was any other day. I was like I’m getting ready for meetings and if I got the call, I got the call. I’ve been on that side of the chopping block before. I just knew what it was, so I tried to just take that thought process out of my head and just go on with my day.”
(If I could follow up on that, so this preseason, the three games were more important for you to show that you belonged?) – “For sure. Every game, any time you’re out there the film is rolling. Anything you put on film will stick with you for your whole career, so I think every game that you play in is important. But yes, I think it was important just to allow me to get on the defense and show that I can play defensively instead of just special teams.”
(So you shift into another gear now, because in less in two weeks it’s for real?) – “Yes sir. I’m looking forward to strapping up and going against the Pats for sure.”
Mike Gesicki – August 31, 2022
Download PDF version
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
TE Mike Gesicki
(How much do you think you grew in this training camp? Obviously learning a different position.) – “It’s been good. I think there’s been a lot of time invested in different aspects of my game that I haven’t before, and I think it’s going to continue to progress. It’s something that I’m excited about. I think it’ll be able to open up a little bit more of my game and then overall in the offense. I’m excited to continue to grow and develop.”
(Was it a little different waiting for cut-down day for you with everything swirling around and your name being mentioned and everything?) – “No. Honestly, no. I wasn’t – nothing ever really crossed my mind, but I just come in, come to work, do my thing and go about my business.”
(General Manager Chris Grier said yesterday that two teams called inquiring about you to trade, but they never called anyone. Obviously, they value you. Was that something he or Head Coach Mike McDaniel conveyed to you as rumors swirled the last couple of weeks?) – “No.”
(Pleased with how it worked out with you being here?) – “Am I pleased how it worked out? I do enjoy my time here, so yes (laughter).”
(We heard Head Coach Mike McDaniel say yesterday that he was happy about your response after all these little trade rumors came about. Just based on what you know about him and the time you spent around him, what does adversity mean to him? What does that opportunity to face adversity mean to him?) – “For him, it’s one of his rules and one of the things that he takes extremely serious, just because you can apply it in so many different ways in life, in the game and all that kind of stuff. So I wouldn’t really call that part adversity, but there is going to be adversity in games that you’re going to have to be able to go through and ride the peaks and the valleys and come out a better player and a better man because of it. So, absolutely.”
Jevon Holland – August 31, 2022
Download PDF version
Wednesday, August 31, 2022
S Jevon Holland
(You’re playing against the Patriots, you have a bit of a rivalry. Do you think about that at all?) – “No, it’s a football game. You got to go out there and execute like every other week so no, not really. I’m happy to play again, though. It’s going to be fun.”
(Does it shift to another gear now that the preseason is over with? Now the mindset is totally different isn’t it?) – “In a way; we were trying to approached the preseason like the regular season so that everybody kind of ramps up the speed so by the time we hit the season we’re already running when we hit the ground. But this week for sure, definitely, ramping up the speed, running to the ball and things like that, and making sure you’re getting up your game conditioning.”
(We talked to some of your teammates who thought they maybe were on the bubble. When you looked around when they were here and the announcement made that they were here, what was the reactions?) – “At the end of the day it’s a business, and it’s upsetting that you build connections with guys throughout OTAs, throughout training camp, throughout the summer and they don’t end up making the team. But you hope that they have an opportunity somewhere else, or they come back and you’re still with them. But I know that a lot of guys that were on the cusp and on the bubble and they didn’t make the team; they all put their best foot forward especially in the preseason games. They’re going to get their opportunity soon.”
(You mentioned about the preseason and regular season, but now the mindset does change because now the games do count. Things do change how you guys prepare.) – “Yes, of course it’s the regular season.”
Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel – August 30, 2022
Download PDF version
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Chris Grier:
(I wanted to ask you about TE Tanner Conner – the thinking in keeping him on the 53, not – I guess you could have stashed him on IR for the year, but the thinking in not doing that, and also will Tanner and S Eric Rowe go on IR after the 53 is set in a few minutes? So it’s a two or three-part question.) – “Tanner did a good job here. We went and visited with him on a 30-visit in the spring and got him in here and he improved every day. He worked hard. He is a smart kid. He really wants to improve his craft and really wants to play in the NFL and so it’s been fun watching him take to the coaching and he’s done a great job. And so for us, he’ll be back here shortly. So this is not anything where it’s IR with him. It was just we felt that talent-wise, we would have lost him. We had multiple people, other teams, just calling and asking about him. We think he’s got a good future here, potentially, so for us, we’re excited to have them here. Eric Rowe is fine. He’ll be just like anyone – normal bumps and bruises battling through, but he was out there, did a good job today working through stuff. So at the end of the day, both those guys will be on the active roster and not being put down.”
(Was QB Skylar Thompson a no-brainer ultimately? Was he that good in preseason where it didn’t even require much thought?) – “Yeah. (nods) He played very well. Again, another guy that comes in, he just works every day, won over his teammates through his work ethic, and he went out and balled. Another one where we got calls again, people asking what we were going to do and they’re all saying, ‘you know, you guys would be stupid to let him go.’ And there was no thought about us doing that.”
Mike McDaniel:
“We’re not in the business of being stupid. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
(It seemed like there was some optimism that CB Byron Jones would be able to avoid PUP. I’m curious if something changed in putting him on that list.) – “No, it really was just working through the process with him, just letting him take his time, go through the rehab work. Like everything, you have good days and bad days, but he worked hard, did great. It was just, we were being patient and not putting any pressure on him to rush him back. And at the end of the day, we made the decision, talking with him and talking with him today to put him down for the four games because he was still optimistic about hopefully being here in a couple of weeks, but we wanted to be fair and we can’t rush him out there with this. We just want to make sure he’s ready and right when he comes back.”
(On looking for cornerbacks) – “Yeah, like everything we’ll be searching the waiver wire here tonight and into tomorrow. But for us, we feel good about the group we have. So for us right now, that’s not a position right now we feel is critical for us right now.”
(Where do you stand in terms of offensive line? Obviously, you guys kept eight. But you know, how do you feel specifically about tackle depth and possibly adding some options there?) – “Yeah, you need more players than eight. But we feel good about where Greg (Little)’s at and we’re excited about that. We’re excited about the way that our that our tackles are performing. You guys haven’t got the chance to see (Terron) Armstead as often as we have. We feel very good about that and where he’s at and really like where Austin (Jackson)’s at. That’s just the nature. There’s plenty of years that – your roster kind of dictates. It’s less of the other guys weren’t X, Y or Z. It’s more that there were positions of strength that the roster itself kind of steered us towards.”
(This is Year 4 of the cycle – 2019 of the tear down to now. Where would you say this roster is and obviously the planning of this would be like when you guys are making a run. Do you feel like you have a championship-caliber roster right now?) – “We feel good about the roster. We were actually talking about that and the guys that have been here — myself Marvin (Allen), Brandon (Shore) and the scouts – we were actually talking about how difficult the cuts were here for us. A couple guys that we were battling on at the end here, we were just trying to make the right decisions for the team. So we feel there’s some players that got released who will be on NFL rosters, which is always a good thing. That wasn’t the case here for a while, but we felt we’ve been building it up and we feel good about the roster and we’re excited for what it could be in the future.”
(What’s your opinion of what you personally see from QB Tua Tagovailoa since we last visited?) – “It’s being around Mike (McDaniel) and watching them. The other day he was in visiting with Mike for you know, just a couple hours on an off day just coming in, spending time. He was downstairs in the training room for like an hour just hanging out with the trainers just talking and it’s just seeing his personality come in, and it’s just how he is and with the team and stuff. I think his teammates all see it and feel it. Then you guys here talk to the guys and he’s taken steps, and with the offense with Mike and the coaching staff, he’s very excited. He likes the offense. He thinks it fits him and the players we added. So it’s been good watching his growth and watching him enjoy himself playing football.”
(Kind of touching on what was asked about the level of roster. Do you feel like – and Mike you can add to this, too – but do you feel this is one of the better rosters you have put together? How confident are you that the improvements in the last few years have been made to get closer to where you want to get?) – “Yeah, I mean, I do. I mean, obviously, when you add players like Tyreek Hill to the roster, and (Terron) Armstead and Cedrick Wilson and the guys, Raheem Mostert, Alec Ingold. I mean, there are some talented players that are good players that are good teammates, too, and guys that know how to win, know what it takes and just being around. We feel like we got a good deep group. It’s a good mix, we’re still fairly young. Like when (our communications staff) did our presentation with the media, we were joking about that, and asked about how many players have been in an open locker room, you know, and 48 (percent) of them have never been in an open locker room before. And so we’re still very young, but we feel good about it. We feel good about the roster, but again, we’ll always – like we do – keep looking and improving and trying and get it to where we can compete for championships.”
Mike McDaniel:
(On CB Kader Kohou earning a spot on the roster) – “He’s a competitor man. And that’s the one thing that was obvious. It’s also obvious to him or to all of us early when the game’s not too big for you. Because it’s hard. The jump in level of play is real. But he, from the onset, let it be known through his play that this was not too big of a stage for him. So those are always ones that are real pleasant surprises. It’d be a farce to say that you totally expect it in terms of undrafted free agents being able to make that jump so quick, but you know you feel good about them. You’re careful not to jump the gun and crown this, that or the other. You’ve got to just throw them to the fire and see if they don’t burn, I guess? Throw them in the water and don’t drown? One of those things. (laughter) But he’s like the other rookies that we kept. They made it be known to their teammates early and often that they belong. It’s why they deserve the roster spots they received.”
Mike McDaniel:
(What went into the process of keeping RB Salvon Ahmed and RB Myles Gaskin and letting RB Sony Michel walk?) – “That process was brutal. It was a good thing for the Miami Dolphins, but that competition was real. It was just continued opportunities that – there was some game tape involved. (But) involvement was much more than that. It was just the whole progression from the onset. So that room was very, very healthy in terms of how they tried to make each other better. They were competing against each other, but they were also rooting for each other, and Sony (Michel) did not make it easy. But to those guys’ credit, one of the things that I was so impressed with was – I mean, shoot, you can remember like it was yesterday. Whenever we were signing running backs in the offseason, Myles (Gaskin) and ‘SA’ (Salvon Ahmed) in particular, how they handled that was not sulking. It was like clockwork – they were outside on the field with weight vests on working. So we feel very good about the group we were able to assemble. I think it would be shortchanging all those guys to not emphasize that it was the group of them competing but working together that raised those guys’ level of play.”
Chris Grier:
(Signing WR Tyreek Hill was probably one of the biggest decisions you’ve made as a general manager. How have you liked how that decision has panned out over the last month? And what do you like with him on the field standpoint of where he can grow and provide for the team?) – “Obviously, the on the field stuff, we saw it the other night too, what he can do. But it’s behind the scenes which has been even better than we thought. We had heard a lot of good things from people and friends and coaches that we know in Kansas City. But being around here, he’s got an infectious attitude, he’s a competitor, great teammate with the guys. You guys see him out there, and you see him, he’s 100 percent, 100 miles an hour in everything he does and always encouraging people and stuff. So it’s been really fun watching him behind the scenes, take leadership with the team and help guide the guys in terms of pushing everyone to be great. Because it’s easy if you’re him. (laughter) You can sit back and you know and coach through this if he wanted to, but that’s not him. And that’s been fun watching him around. So that’s been the biggest surprise from that.”
Mike McDaniel:
“Yes, you can tell he recognized who – (we) don’t really concern ourselves with anything but since he’s been here, but one thing I will say is, it was obvious that he recognized the opportunity to where he is – I mean, shoot, he’s been a Pro Bowl player every year of his career and (he) came to a very young team. There was an opportunity for him to take his game to another level in terms of leadership and tone-setting and all those things. I’m sure he could feel that his teammates were like, ‘Wow, this is Tyreek Hill.’ When he doesn’t make it an option to go full speed – it is like, if you’re on the field, you’re full speed. It changes the teammates for the better and I think he’s really embracing that. Like Chris (Grier) said, it’s been really cool. That’s been the most fun part with all of it.”
Chris Grier:
(Chris, we haven’t had a chance to talk to you since the NFL punishment. What was your reaction to the first-round pick being lost in the findings of the report?) – “At the end of the day – I appreciate the question. But for us, it really doesn’t affect how we do business around here. We’re just focused on the team right now and moving forward. The league did their investigation, but at the end of the day, this team is not affected by it and everyone is just moving forward and focused on trying to win as many games as we can this season.”
(You had a look at a number of edge and outside linebacker guys, and then you end up signing LB Trey Flowers yesterday. What went into that decision and what do you expect him to bring to this team?) – “I think Trey’s familiarity with our system and scheme helps, even with New England, (Defensive Coordinator) Josh (Boyer), obviously, ‘E-Rob’ (Elandon Roberts) and those guys. So he knows guys here on the roster. We were kind of looking for someone with his skill set, a guy that can play all along the line of scrimmage. With his time in New England, he could do some rush inside as well, too, which will help. So I think his versatility in what he’s done, he’s still 28 years old. We understand that he’s had some bad luck with injuries a couple years but here, he’s not asked to come in here and be a star for us. It’s come here, just be a good player and help us like he is. He’s a great teammate, a good person. Everything we’ve heard about him was from people in New England and Detroit about what kind of character and person he was. So (I’m) excited to add him here. Just us being around him just for a few days, (he’s a) really, really good dude. I’m excited for him and looking forward to see how he fits in this scheme here with our guys.”
(I think one reason why TE Mike Gesicki’s name has been bandied about by media and fans is because obviously, he’s adjusting to a slightly different position on a one-year contract with a franchise tag. So I was going to ask you, A – was there any trade offer you received that was tempting that you guys discussed? And B – is that still a fluid thing? Or have you all decided both of you decided, “We are better with Mike Gesicki. He is on the team for all of 2022?”) – “For us, we did not make any calls on Mike (Gesicki). We had calls from two teams that reached out to us about Mike. We never made any phone calls about him. We were always – Mike was going to be here. I think everyone made a big deal about him being on the field, but Mike’s a competitive kid. He has been challenged to do some things he hadn’t been asked to do before and he stepped up. We were talking about the other day how the last couple of weeks he’s made some great strides in that area. So for us, it was never about moving him or us trying to. Teams called asking because he’s a good player. And so for us, you guys have heard me say it for years, I’ll always listen. (laughter) It doesn’t mean we’ll do anything. I think it’s negligent if we don’t (answer the phone), because you never know what kind of deal someone’s going to offer you on someone.”
Mike McDaniel:
“The coolest thing too is there was noise that he is alluding to, and one of the cooler parts of training camp for me in general, I made a point to the team the other day, was that do you know what Mike (Gesicki) worried about in all that? About getting better at blocking and catching. Each and every day, he’s doing one or two things better to his standard of the way he wants his football to look. And that’s all you can ask for. That’s a guy that teammates and coaches and everyone respect – the ones that can ignore the noise and just try to get better.”
(I heard what you said about QB Skylar Thompson, “It’s a no brainer, and you’re not in the business of being stupid.” Putting him on the 53 (-man roster), you could get somebody who could perhaps contribute on special teams right now. So do you keep QB Skylar Thompson because he can help you now? Or do you think you can develop him and he can help you in the future?) – “No, I think that – I haven’t heard of a good football team that their problem was they had too many good quarterbacks. They touched the ball every play. So it’s not about – you can go (through) a lot of draft classes over a long period of time, and if you’re holding your breath for a player out of the seventh round to play like he did in the preseason, you’re going to pass out. That’s why – it’s just because you don’t just scoff and look the other way when you have a player playing well at that position. Those are things that if you let those slip through your fingers, you’ll end up regretting that forever.”
Chris Grier:
“I just want to say I appreciate all the stuff you guys said about Jason (Jenkins). I’m glad you guys didn’t ask me earlier because I thought if I got going, I probably would have broke down and left here. But I appreciate it. He was such a good dude and I’m glad that he impacted all of your lives. I miss him here. I appreciate you guys just being good to Elizabeth and his family. So thank you.”
