Connor Williams – August 1, 2022
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Monday, August 1, 2022
OL Connor Williams
(Through five practice and all of OTAs, how would you assess where you stand in the move to center? Are you pleased with what you put on tape? Are you pleased with how it’s going?) – “It’s training camp. It’s one day at a time. It’s a day at a time getting better, working on your craft, fine-tuning your craft. We’re in day five and we’re grinding right now. It’s all about the grind.”
(What did you do between minicamp and training camp to kind of acclimate to playing center?) – “Really, just stayed in the building, worked with the strength staff, worked with the people in the building to get close to everybody and just get used to this heat. That’s probably the biggest transition. Just getting comfortable with the spot, with the snaps and everything, and getting snaps in with Tua (Tagovailoa). Just getting comfortable with it.”
(When people think about playing center, obviously your mind goes to getting used to snapping the ball. But what else goes into that people may not think about?) – “I’d say it’s a completely different game. You’re having to help both sides of the line. You’re not just stuck on (one) side anymore. It’s a more full game, but at the same time, you have to conceptualize the defense and everything to be able to make the right calls. Just playing that new head game and everything. Then like you said with the snaps, once you get the snaps down, it’s just a second-hand motion.”
(With snapping, are you happy with how you’ve done? Are you where you want to be with the placement of the snaps?) – “It’s definitely progressed. It becomes second-hand where you’re not thinking about it and you’re throwing it back there and it hits the money.”
(How many snaps are you doing per day out of shotgun?) – “I don’t count them but a good handful. And then definitely some after practice, so just getting that repetition down.”
(The first time the Dolphins told you that they wanted to give you a good look at center was when?) – “They signed me and I was happy to be here, and they said we picked you to play o-line so I came here. Then they called me a couple of weeks later and said ‘we think we’re going to give you a good tryout at center.’ Wherever they need me, I’ve always said from day one that I’d go. I’m happy with where I’m at now.”
(On the snaps that haven’t been exactly where you want them, have they been more too high or too low?) – “It’s just in the heat of the moment having to adjust to the defensive calls and everything and they just get off a little bit. Just having to readjust it. Just fine-tuning.”
(The last couple of practices we finally got some one-on-one pass rush o-line drills. How much do you guys love getting after it in those drills?) – “That fine-tunes the craft. Definitely an environment like that where it’s just completely one-on-one and no sideboards or anything. It comes down to technique. That’s where you become a technician with the person you’re going against and it’s good looks for both sides.”
(Has anybody stood out on defense in those drills?) – “You know, Raekwon (Davis) is pretty big so he’s a good hand to handle. He’s done a great job and we’ve been battling it out.”
(This really starts tomorrow right? You guys put the pads on.) – “The d-line can grab and hold on the jerseys, but once the pads come on, it’s a different game. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.”
(Obviously fine-tuning the snap and then center is also different with pads on, right?) – “It’s a little bit different, but at the same time, it’s the same game. It’s the same sport.”
(As a youngster or in high school, have you played center?) – “I’ve been in QC since I’ve gotten into the league just as backup and whatnot in case of an emergency. So just doing that. But at the end of the day, snapping is not too bad. It’s second-hand nature once you get used to it.”
(Can you talk about what is going to be new to you now is making the calls when you walk up. That is a new responsibility that you’ve inherited by playing center. Can you talk about the responsibility of that now? Now you’re in charge of making the calls.) – “That’s definitely been a transition and I’ve enjoyed it. Playing four years in the league and seeing all of these different defenses, you kind of accumulate the knowledge of it. That’s probably the big thing about it, but I’ve really enjoyed that process of seeing the defense and seeing the plays come together.”
(Do you feel like that will help you transition to making the calls yourself?) – “Most definitely.”
(Has there ever been a day going back to May, June or the first five days of camp where you walked off the field and said ‘I wish I was at left guard?’ Or has that never happened? Has it been fun and enjoyable every day?) – “You come out here and you give it your best every day, no matter where you are. We’re all competitors and we’re all athletes. Whatever our craft is we’re working on, that’s the goal. There is no time to sit there and look back or look at other spots or whatnot. It’s about being present in the moment.”
(This has still been fun for you, this adjustment?) – “Most definitely. I love it.”
(We were talking to DT Raekwon Davis about weight. I’m curious how you’ve gone about that process? We know you lose a lot of weight out here. How do you get to your ideal weight?) – “I’ve stayed about the same weight. It’s mostly about rehydrating, about getting those waters in afterwards, maybe an IV or whatnot. But you have to keep the hydration up and keep the salt in so when you come out here, you (may) lose eight pounds. Just keeping it up.”
(Some guys said they come in heavier or lighter knowing they have to get to a certain weight. Do you have any strategy coming in like you know you’ll lose a certain amount of weight?) – “The salt helps you retain a lot of water. You’ll be up three or four pounds in the morning just from retaining all of that water that you lose by the end of the day.”
(What do you think they saw in you to move you to center? What in your skillset said he’s a center?) – “I think inside it’s more about being able to help both sides. Mobility, flexibility, being able to get to the blocks, and at the same time, get to the second levels and be able to move quickly on the second level. I think it’s been a good transition.”
Mike Gesicki – July 30, 2022
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Saturday, July 30, 2022
TE Mike Gesicki
(After seeing this offense and being a part of it with all the weapons, how excited are you about what could evolve from this offensive group?) – “It’s still super early, so you don’t want to go out there and say a whole bunch of crazy stuff, but there’s definitely some talent. But I mean, that’s all on paper, so we have to go out and continue to have good practices. We’ll see what it looks like on September 11th when it matters.”
(I thought they said QB Tua Tagovailoa can’t throw the deep ball.) – “You guys said that. I didn’t say that.”
(It looked like 55 yards in the air to me.) – “It looked good to me. I never said anything bad about him.”
(What did you think of the energy out here? Today for the fans, it felt kind of different.) – “It’s awesome. The fans are awesome. It’s great. I said to (General Manager) Chris Grier when I was walking out here, I was like, ‘I want them excited in January.’ So it’s cool to have them out here in July. I think everybody’s fans are excited in July, so we have to keep working and keep putting our head down and get to work, because everybody is excited right now, everybody is optimistic. We have to go out and perform, keep them excited and give them something to cheer about, which it’s been a while since we’ve given them that.”
(What are your thoughts on the totality of this offense right now?) – “Like I said, there’s a lot of talent (and) it definitely looks good on paper. We’re coming out here and putting in the work. We have great coaches and great players and all that kind of stuff, but we have to go out and do it. We have to go out and make plays and continue to build off of good days of training camp. It’s only Day 4, there’s no pads. It’s a whole different world when you play real football.”
(The Dolphins haven’t had a player play a season on a franchise tag in nine years. That player actually had a good season and then signed a long-term contract with the Dolphins. I asked Head Coach Mike McDaniel about if he wants to make sure that you feel loved, even though you sort of have that tag. What does it feel like to be the tagged guy?) – “It’s a business. The team is going to do what’s best for the team, and then you have to go out and perform and do what you do. There’s not really much else to say. I’m not a big’ complain about it, make a big deal about it’ (guy). Although it seems like the guys do get paid a lot of money, so maybe I should have. (laughter) But I’m just going to keep coming to work (and) keep doing what I’m doing.”
(Do you feel like at some point in your career, you will in fact be recognized and paid as a Top 10, Top 7 tight end in the National Football League?) – “If I earn it, I think so, yes. But that’s a long ways down the line. There’s a lot of work that needs to (be) put it, a lot of plays that need to be made and games to be won before that happens. But I think you get what you deserve in this league and you have to go out and earn in.”
(Was there a point this summer you thought it might get done?) – “No.”
(Did that upset you at all?) – “No.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel says that you are really looking forward to showing that you can block and add that dimension to this offense. Can you talk a little bit about that conversation with him?) – “It’s not like we sat down and they were like, ‘Hey, Mike, you want to block?’ And I was like, ‘Sure.’ I mean it was like, ‘I know what offense we’re getting into and I know who we hired to be our coach and what scheme we’re going to be running, so I have to go out there and in order to make plays in the pass game in this offense, you have to be able to go make plays in the run game as well. So I’m working on it every single day and continue to improve. Like I said, we’re wearing these right now. (pulls up his jersey to show the shell) It doesn’t mean anything. You have to go out and make the plays when you put the pads on and make the plays on Sundays, ultimately is what really counts.”
(What are they key elements to learn in the blocking aspect of playing tight end in this offense?) – “You have to understand the scheme, who you’re working with, where you’re working to and then footwork, hand placement, all that kind of stuff. There’s a lot of stuff that goes into it, but definitely a much higher emphasis on it for myself this season than honestly any other year that I’ve been here.”
(I know Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree is good, he’ll help you. I was wondering, you went to the Tight End U. Was TE George Kittle there?) – “He was, yes.”
(Did you speak to him about the blocking in this offense?) – “Yes, I was talking with him just about the scheme, about ‘Embo’ (Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree) and how he operates and Coach McDaniel and all that kind of stuff. So you try to just pick everybody’s brain out there. Obviously, him being in this system and having success in it – obviously, he is one of, honestly, the best blocking tight ends in the league, and then you see what he gets off of it in the pass game because of it. So that’s the most important part, and I’m going to keep working at it and keep doing it.”
(Is that a pass-oriented camp? Or do you guys actually talk some blocking?) – “Yes, it’s 50-50. He gets up there and gives a presentation on all their outside zone stuff and how he takes his first step, his footwork, his mentality, all that stuff. It’s productive. It’s good.”
(When you have a practice offensively like you guys had today, seeing all the weapons, WR Tyreek Hill went deep, RB Chase Edmonds running hard and all of that. Do you kind of get a vision of maybe this is what we’ll be? Like this is kind of what we’re looking for?) – “I am not a big expectation and all of that. So Lynn (Bowden Jr.) asked me yesterday, ‘How do you like it? This, that and the other thing.’ And I was like, ‘It’s early.’ You have to keep just going at it every single day. You can sit here and say it’s exciting, it’s this (and) that, but nobody is going to care how exciting training camp was once the season is over. It’s going to matter how the season goes. Obviously this is the baseline and this is the foundation that we’re building off of, so it’s definitely productive and it’s positive. There’s a lot of good things going on out there, but I’m realistic and I want us to continue to get better, continue to improve and make those plays on Sundays in September, October, November, December, January, throughout the whole entire season.”
(Has this staff given you any guidance on jumping over dudes? Is that allowed by this staff, the jump?) – “(laughter) That has not been discussed, but I would say that is not one of my better moves. If it comes to it and I have to do it, you know where to find me.”
(How has QB Teddy Bridgewater looked out here?) – “Teddy (Bridgewater) is awesome. Teddy is doing a great job, honestly, in coming out here and being a leader and being a guy that guys can lean on and ask questions to. He has a lot of experience in this league, so I’m super excited to have him. I love having him around. I love talking with him, working with him. He has a lot of great insight and obviously has a great arm and is making plays out there as well. So I’m happy for him and excited to watch him come the season as well.”
(Do you think at the end of the season we’ll notice an increase in TE Mike Gesicki in-line snaps?) – “Yes, I mean I don’t think I took one snap from a receiver stance today. So it’s definitely different, but I mean it is what it is, and I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to another challenge and another opportunity. This is my fifth year, my fifth different offensive coordinator. It could be like six if you count last year’s interesting situation. So I mean you have a bunch of different guys calling plays. This is my third head coach, so it’s been a whole bunch of stuff. I’m just excited to put my head down, work, learn a new system and keep at it and continue to work.”
Sony Michel – July 30, 2022
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Saturday, July 30, 2022
RB Sony Michel
(Can you talk a little bit about what it was like having fans out here creating a little bit of an atmosphere for you guys?) – “It’s been cool. Having the fans out here creating some cool energy, letting them see what they’ve been waiting for, and seeing our process.”
(How does it feel to be back in South Florida now that training camp has started? I know you went to high school down here, but being here in the pros, how does it feel?) – “It feels good. Being back home getting to focus on what’s important. Being home, you really have no outside distractions if you look at it from the right perspective because everything is already taken care of. You have your right support system already in place and you can kind of just focus on ball.”
(Being away, I know you won a Super Bowl in New England and having the opportunity to grow as an individual. Can you speak on that? Having the opportunity to grow away from home.) – “Being in different places, being in different organizations, well-respected organizations, it definitely helped me as a professional as far as building a schedule, knowing what I need to do to be my best on the field and off the field, being around guys, being around leaders and really being around so many different people helping me become who I am today.”
(How excited are you to start facing off against your defense?) – “I’m excited. It’s always a great opportunity when you get a chance to play some football. New England is a good team. They’ve always been a good team. I’m excited for some good competition.”
(For you in the running back room, how has the camaraderie been so far in training camp?) – “The camaraderie has been good. Guys love to compete, guys are out here working their tails off trying to earn spots. That’s what it’s all about. Nothing is given, everything is earned and you get what you earn out here.”
(You and QB Teddy Bridgewater are both South Florida guys. Did you hear his comments earlier this week about encouraging players to choose their path?) – “Definitely.”
(Do you have a take on that being from down here yourself?) – “I 100 percent back him up and agree with what he said. We’re in a special position. We’re blessed to be in this position, and it’s our job to serve. To serve as leaders and lead by example.”
(You were at Hadley Park a couple weeks back with WR Tutu Atwell. How was that atmosphere with the kids?) – “It was cool just seeing young kids out there grinding, competing, having fun most importantly. Then just being a part of the community. It’s always cool being a part of the community.”
(Do you have any camps upcoming before the season or after the season?) – “I don’t have any camps right now planned, but I’m sure I will in the near future.”
(Does it feel special to be back working in the community that you grew up in?) – “Definitely. It feels great to be home. To be here and play in my backyard, no words can describe it.”
Teddy Bridgewater – July 30, 2022
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Saturday, July 30, 2022
QB Teddy Bridgewater
“It was a great day at training camp, it’s exciting to see the fans out, feel their energy, it’s great to see some of the rookies get the fans going, and the fun factory. It’s great competition out here, guys competing at a high level, it’s great to be a part of.”
(How does it feel to be back home?) – “It feels great. It still feels surreal. I wake up in the morning like ‘man, I got to sleep in my own bed and come to work.’ It’s great. I’m thankful for this opportunity.”
(You do your Christmas in July event yearly. After that you’re usually heading out to go to where you were playing. Did it hit you then, was it a little different knowing after that event you get to come out here on Saturday?) – “Yeah, it definitely did. Like you said, usually when I hit Christmas in July, it’s like the next day I got to get on a plane and travel to whatever city. Knowing that I just get to drive right down the street and come to work feels surreal.”
(The post you made on Instagram a few days ago caught a lot of attention. LeBron James retweeted it out. I’m curious, what was your thinking going into that post? What inspired that?) – “The thing about me is I’m very random. I was really just sitting at home in my driveway and I just started typing. I always post on Facebook. I’m on Facebook because that’s where my family and friends are more active on there. I just posted it because a lot of the kids we come across on my Facebook, they’re in the inner city. They are playing football, playing sports. But even if they are not active in sports they are looking up to different people, and sometimes we misuse our platform. I’m not saying everyone does. But it was something that came to mind, and I started writing hoping that if it could get to one athlete or one teenage athlete, it’s doing it’s job.”
(What, if anything, surprised you about the reaction to what you said?) – “I really didn’t realize it went viral until the next day. I was working out and my QB coach ‘OB’ was like ‘that post you put out went viral, everybody talking about it.’ I’m like, ‘for real?’ When I post on Instagram, I post and get off. I’m not really an Instagram guy.”
(What are some of those experiences that you’ve had growing up in South Florida? How have you seen the kids in South Florida potentially fall through the cracks because they didn’t choose their path?) – “It’s so easy to be influenced nowadays, especially with what you’re seeing on social media and what you’re seeing on television. It’s so easy for the kids to be influenced by the wrong thing. But it’s also so easy for them to be influenced by the right thing. Just growing up down here, I’ve seen the good the bad, the ugly, the pretty. I’m happy that I’m in the position that I’m in. I’m happy that I’m able to drive through the communities, drive through neighborhoods and give my story and remind them that I walked those same sidewalks, attended some of those same schools, been on some of those same streets that they’ve been on, and just give them hope.”
(You were at WR Tutu Atwell’s event a few weeks ago and a couple of your teammates came out. What was that experience like being at Hadley Park?) – “It was great and I’m proud of Tutu for putting together such a great event. Bringing most of the schools from the inner city together at such a young age and so early in his career. He did it at Charles Hadley Park where he spent his optimist days. It’s great to see people on the same field getting along for such a great event.”
(You’re a Bunche Park Cowboy yourself. Can we expect to see some of those games that they have upcoming this year?) – “I’m very active at Bunche Park. I was out there last night after practice. You can definitely look for me on Friday nights at Northwestern games and Saturdays at Bunche Park.”
(A big conversation that’s been going on is about how black quarterbacks have been talked about and perceived in the media. Do you have any thoughts on that?) – “I can’t really speak on it because I don’t know what’s being said. I can’t speak on something that I don’t know what’s being said. I can say as a black quarterback, it’s a unique opportunity. I’m grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity because there might be another Teddy Bridgewater playing down the street at Bunche Park, Gwen Cherry, or somewhere. So I’m happy that I got this opportunity to pave a way.”
(Your social media comments, were you surprised by how big it got? It was a national conversation.) – “Yeah, it surprised me a little bit. I didn’t know what was going on until the next day because once I posted it, I just got off social media.”
(Why was it important for you to post that?) – “Like I said before, there are so many teenagers who are easily influenced by what they see on social media and what they are seeing on television. Just to give them reassurance that it’s ok to do the right thing. Yeah, it’s looked down upon and things like that, but I grew up with a group of guys that went left and made sure I didn’t go left with them. Yeah, I was around them. But at the same time, ‘Hey, Teddy you can’t be around this. Go to football practice.’ That type of stuff. I’m just basically trying to remind them that’s it’s ok to do the right thing.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – July 30, 2022
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Saturday, July 30, 2022
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(I wanted to ask you – yesterday I was watching you DT Zach Sieler and DT Christian Wilkins go through some stuff together one-on-one. I’m just curious what you’re working on when you go through stuff like that?) – “Just technique. Just regular technique – run blocking, pass blocking. Whatever (Defensive Line Coach) Austin (Clark) has for us that day, that’s pretty much what we’re working. Attack, react, footwork.”
(When they gave the mic to WR Tyreek Hill there, what’s going through your mind?) – “I know he was going to go crazy. That’s what he does. I knew he was going to get the crowd pumping and that’s what we needed to get the practice going.”
(What’s it like to run out there and you’re hearing – I think it’s a loud environment.) – “I know you see it yourself. It’s a different type of energy. The crowd is into it and everybody’s excited for the season so we’re just ready to go out there and show them.”
(How many guys on the team can do a backflip by the way?) – “I used to be able to do a backflip. I don’t know if I could do it anymore. (laughter) But I don’t know. I’ve just seen Tyreek so far. Christian (Wilkins) probably could do it, so I’ll say that.”
(I would pay for that one.) – “After stretching. (laughter)”
(Did you know OL Blaise Andries was going to do the stone cold?) – “We knew a rookie was going to go out there. We just didn’t know what rookie was going to do it, but he did a great job – phenomenal job out there.”
(There have been snaps to fill with DL Adam Butler obviously out the first four days. Any of the rookies stand out to you? Any name or two that has made an impression on you, the kids?) – “They’re all doing a good job for us. Right now they’re evaluating who’s going to step up, but they’re all doing a great job. Ben (Stille), too.”
(Where are you seeing the most strides from LB Jaelan Phillips here in Year 2?) – “Oh yeah, he’s doing a phenomenal job for us. He’s getting better every practice. He has that mindset to be great, so I just need improvement every practice from him. That same consistency he started during the spring.”
(Did you have a sense at all during LB Jaelan Philllips’ rookie year that he had this kind of – obviously we saw it on the field last year, but out here in practice it seems like he’s even taking it up a notch?) – “Oh yeah, he knows it. He has a lot to prove, so he’s just got to take it one step at a time and one game at a time.”
(You and TE Mike Gesicki were the two kind of big impending free agents from last year’s team. Coming back he got the tag, you got your deal. Just what advice did you give him in a situation where you’re not sure if you are going to get that long-term deal and then for you finally getting it?) – “I’ll say first, when he got tag, he was like ‘you’re welcome.’ (laughter) That’s what he told me. Mike’s a good dude. I’m rooting for him. I hope he gets what he deserves. Going out there, just something to prove this year.”
(Do you ever carry a chip about not making the Pro Bowl after a big year?) – “I mean, as long as I’m doing my job and my responsibility for this team, that’s all that matters. All that is going to come.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the mentality in football? Like everybody is talking about whether QB Tua Tagovailoa can throw deep or not, whether CB Noah Igbinoghene can cover or not, whether you can be a full-time defensive end. You got your contract last year. The idea of – you mentioned it many times – you’ve got to go out there and prove yourself. That chip, that constant hearing people criticizing you or second-guessing you. Can you talk about that monster you guys fight all the time?) – “I mean you’re always going to have doubters. You’re always going to have somebody say, ‘oh, you can’t do this, you can’t do that.’ You’ve just got to go out there and prove it year-in and year-out. What you did last year doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a new year. It’s a fresh start for literally everybody.”
Mike McDaniel – July 30, 2022
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Saturday, July 30, 2022
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(You have a sellout of membership for the 2022 season. Next year a potential waiting list for fans looking for season tickets. Just want to ask you how feel about the support of Dolphins fans?) – “How I feel about it – I mean it’s everything. It’s important enough that I think it’s important to communicate it to the players. I think it’s something that we’re not entitled to, but it’s a competitive advantage and it’s kind of why you do what you do. It’s really something cool that the players know about. It means a lot to (them), and it’s just another reason for us to go about our daily process with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that we pay them back for their investment in us, and I think that’s something that the players, coaches and organization holds true to heart.”
(I know you’re looking forward to having fans and the support today creating a little bit of an atmosphere. What’s kind of the message ahead of that?) – “I love having fans at practice. It’s kind of true to my heart because that’s literally full circle. That’s where – training camp practice in Greeley, Colorado for the Denver Broncos where this whole thing for me started. So there is a connection and I think you can have with the fans in that you’re – and I tell the players a good amount – how fortunate are you to be doing something that yeah, there’s a lot of front-end commitment, there’s a lot of sacrifice – again, people don’t realize that players only have one day off a week for like, seven months straight – but that it’s also purposeful because not only are you trying to have success for yourself, for your team, but how cool is that there’s millions of people that you can make their day a little more positive, make Monday work day a little bit better just by doing what you do. Everybody wins. So that’s really true to my heart, close to my heart and the guys are fired up and feel pretty fortunate.”
(I was just going to follow up. So there’s some 10-year-old protégé out there that might be coming for your job in about 10 years, 20 years.) – “That’s why I didn’t allow any ambitious children to practice. (laughter) That was the one thing that I cut out.”
(The two veterans who are not on any list who we haven’t seen practice yet – OL Michael Deiter, DL Adam Butler – are they expected back by the start of the regular season?) – “Adam Butler – both the guys are kind of TBD. Adam Butler is dealing with a slight injury that he’s trying to work through and Deiter just had a little foot deal. It was the first or second day of practice, I can’t remember. Both guys were kind of waiting through the weekend to get a little more information on, so I don’t totally know what that’s going to look like moving forward, but we’ll handle it whatever way we need to once we get a little bit more information.”
(What have you seen out of RB Raheem Mostert so far? We saw the big run he broke off yesterday, but how has he been I guess developing through his rehab?) – “He was really fast yesterday, so atta boy. (laughter) I think it’s cool because his teammates recognize it, too. All the players when you come off from a season-long injury, players really understand what that’s like where you’re on a team, then you get injured, you have to rehab. It’s kind of like you’re isolated a little bit, so to see how hard that guy has worked, his teammates – I think he had the fastest time at practice yesterday and I do a little thing where I announce that every team meeting. And he got like an unsolicited round of applause, so I think he’s continuing the process. Like I’ve explained to you guys before, it’s very important to us to take all measures to try to be smart with a guy’s return; but as he gets going and he gets used to everything, I think we all believe that he’ll start showing that speed more and more and more.”
(S Jevon Holland has made some impressive plays early in camp. What are your thoughts on having him back into the defense?) – “I like having him especially on the team that I’m on and not the team that I’m playing against. It’s been cool. I didn’t know too much about him before I’d studied our tape here and his play as a rookie was very impressive. The way he’s been diligent about approaching his craft, he’s serious about continuing to take his game to the next level and that as an impact player is something that the Dolphins team – all of us – are depending on.”
(Knowing that you like having fans out there and knowing that 32 teams do it, what is the challenge of having a couple thousand volunteer scouts out there with phones and Twitter accounts and Instagram and all those things? Like how much do you have to dumb things down the days that practices are open?) – “Yeah, for all opponents watching, nothing that you see today will ever run again. (laughter) It is a challenge. You have to think about it, and you just have to be very mindful of it. Listen, people are going to have an idea of what you are and how you play and a lot of people do similar things in the National Football League with regard to scheme, but if there’s certain things that you have lined up for certain opponents, you have to plan around that. The good thing is you know when you’re not going to be able to control what gets out into the interwebs and so you do adjust to a degree. But then there’s another part that you’re trying to say at some point, we need to be good enough at what we do that we should be able to execute when they know it’s coming. So, yes and no, to answer your question. Is that pretty much what you’re getting at?”
(There has to be some …) – “Definitely is.”
(I think it’s been nine years since the Dolphins had a player enter the season on the franchise tag, I think. Someone can fact-check that for me, but TE Mike Gesicki is going to do that this year, and so I’m wondering if you’ve been around tagged guys and if there’s some sort of conscious effort that you all need to make to make sure he feels loved and not just liked.) – “We try to do at least 10 million reasons that he’s liked. (laughter) No, we have and it’s something that you understand that it’s a business, there’s a CBA, there’s different rules that everyone has the same, that you have to try to operate as best you can as an organization. Now I will say I think it’s important to talk to the player – in my experience – to talk to the player candidly, understanding his situation. I talked to Mike (Gesicki) early and said, ‘Hey, listen. This is something that’s best for the Dolphins.’ I’m fortunate that I don’t do this alone and that Chris Grier gets to handle all the stuff that’s not coaching and be the general manager so that I can kind of stay removed from that, but I can also identify with – every player wants to have a long-term max contract, so here’s what we do. We try day after day to get your game to the best of its ability so that at the end of the year, Mike, you make that franchise tag look like a discount because what that means is that you have been playing at a level that makes the Dolphins better and that also improves your socioeconomic status, I guess, for the long term. So everyone’s kind of – it is what it is. It’s a business, so if you just approach it as, okay, this is what it is this year. Let’s use this and here are your goals and acknowledge it and it ends up being a blip in the radar.”
(What do you think about the ways you can use TE Mike Gesicki in this offense and if you could also address the blocking aspect where you think he is there?) – “No, I think all of it is – listen, everybody is trying to execute our core foundation in the run and pass game and within that we’re also making sure that we’re just not taking leaps of faith; we’re finding every player’s skillset how we can best utilize it and then put them in situations to showcase that. So the guy is – everybody knows that his ball skills and range are outstanding. That helps for separating defenders. We’re working on – he’ll be the first one to say it – he wants to attack blocking with a different severity than he ever has before and he’s fortunate and we’re fortunate that guess what, his position coach Jon Embree, will settle for nothing less. So all those things are something that he’s definitely embracing and I’m excited to see what it looks like when it’s all said and done.”
(I’m sure you’re going to be asked about this a million times between now and December 4, but the 49ers have moved forward with QB Trey Lance. I just want to get your reaction on how much development he made in the 12 months that you had him and your thoughts about him being the starter.) – “Well, we play the 49ers, right? What week? I typically try to – you know, I’m there at one point and then I’m gone. There are a lot of people here who are depending on me to have my mind and presence right where it’s at. So, I really haven’t even though about it. I know one thing – my personal philosophy with players is that you don’t put a ceiling on them. So I know that the guy is working hard. Outside of that, I’m expecting him to be a heck of a matchup to try to defend come Week (13) or whatever. But I don’t really have any other thoughts about that. If you want to talk about Dolphins, I’m solid on that one.”
(You’re the 14th head coach in franchise history, and it’s been about 50 years since the team last won a championship. Do you feel like there’s added pressure knowing that this is your first year and the goals the fans want and the city wants to deliver a championship?) – “I wouldn’t say added pressure. The pressure comes from within. The pressure is trying to do right by people and making sure you get the most out of them. I think it’s not a bad thing for people to be optimistic about how you can perform. I think that – I do not shy away with the players. We look it right in the face because it’s something to welcome. Not because that – pressure is one thing, but what about the dividends, you know? What about the dividends of going after something and trying to reach for it? So we don’t really shy away from it. I try not to shy away from that pressure. That pressure, realistically, is no different than any other year for any other person within an organization, because in the National Football League, it’s a very unbelievably successful business. When push comes to shove, if you’re not putting up, you have to shut up.”
(We had a good conversation with RB Chase Edmonds the other day about transitioning from inside to your wide zone scheme. He talked about some of the things he thinks about. I’m curious what you see as how a running back transitions from different schemes to your wide zone?) – “It’s a cool process because you are away that it is unique. Evaluating Chase (Edmonds) in the offseason, we knew that the stuff he was doing wasn’t the exact same as what we plan on doing. That being said, you’re evaluating how people approach space, how people play off blockers, how people make defenders miss. So again, that’s why I don’t get ahead of myself about ‘Alright, he’s right here. It’s going to be this way.’ He’s been a great example of watching someone progress. He has really in the last couple of days put some tremendous things on tape with that regard in that scheme. It’s a process, but you just talk through it. It’s pretty – when it clicks for guys, it’s very enjoyable. It helps them – once it clicks once and the buy-in is real (and) they just continue approaching things the same way moving forward, it really helps them play faster when it comes to real live game bullets and people are actually trying to tackle them.”
(Obviously, the week is not over but what have you learned about the team through the first week of training camp?) – “I’ve learned that there has been some trust that’s been earned on both sides, I think. I think that I really challenge them to – everybody wants to say that you want do these superfluous things and yada yada, but what about doing? What I’ve seen in three days is guys that are following their words with actions. They care about their teammates. They have approached each and every day with the ultimate professionalism, and then there have been little pieces along those couple days that you’re like, ‘Hey, that’s not what we want for what we’re trying to get done.’ I think it’s happened a couple times each and every day, and every time it’s been corrected. So that also tells you a lot as well. I couldn’t be more excited to chop wood and go on to Step Four of this training camp process with every day just being one step.”
Jerome Baker – July 29, 2022
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Friday, July 29, 2022
LB Jerome Baker
(Do you want Durant?) – “Durant?”
(You know, to the Heat. Do you think they should get Kevin Durant?) – “Oh, I mean, if he’s willing to come to the Heat, I love it. I love going to Heat games, so that would be fun.”
(There have been a lot of interesting tweets, so why do you say that you regret getting the vaccine?) – “For me, it’s just that I don’t like putting just things in my body. I know the purpose of it is to help and fight off the virus, but for me, I don’t like putting things in my body. That’s really the main thing. I’m not saying the vaccine is bad or anything like that, just me personally, I’m one of those guys that if I’m sick, I’d rather just be sick and fight it out. I’m not going to take medicine or anything like that. That was the real reason. It’s not a ‘the vaccine is bad,’ or ‘I’m afraid of what’s going to happen,’ or anything like that. It’s just I wish I just would have taken the approach of I’d rather just deal with it when it comes.”
(So if you get sick, you don’t even take medicine?) – “So when I get sick, I take the approach of – I like to go outside, I like to sweat. I like to just be very hydrated – that’s my approach of when I get sick. It’s not sit in the bed and mope and just be sick. I like to get …”
(You wouldn’t take any Robitussin?) – “No, I’m just that guy. I would rather just try to fight it out (and) let my body do what it does.”
(I want to ask you about the two most prominent additions in the defense, it’s mostly the same. LB Melvin Ingram, what you’ve noticed so far from him and what you’ve noticed from LB Channing Tindall.) – “Melvin (Ingram), the guy is just explosive, man. He’s only – he’s a veteran, he knows what he’s doing. When we just pop on the film, he can just make plays. With Channing (Tindall), he’s young, but you can see all the potential he has. Just with any rookie, you just try to get the playbook down (and) you’re just trying to get the hang of everything, but you can just tell he’s just trying to get it right. That’s all that matters – just try to get it right and go as hard as you can, and he does that. He definitely has a bright future.”
(Where has the time gone? Year five.) – “Man, that’s crazy that you just said that. I went up to Ohio State for Braxton Miller’s camp a few weeks ago. I’m talking and I’m talking, and I’m talking in a sense of like I was just at Ohio State. Somebody brought it to my attention and was like, ‘Bro, it’s like your fifth year. You’ve been gone for a while.’ I was pretty surprised about that.”
(Did people still remember you?) – “Yes, I mean – you know, a little bit. They remember me a little bit. (laughter) No, the little kids, it’s one of those things of if it’s Braxton Miller or me, they’re going to Braxton Miller. (laughter) But it’s all cool. It was just a great camp. I had a great time up there. Year five and I’m still having fun with it.”
(Dolphins season tickets are going to sell out. I don’t know if you heard that or saw that yet. What do you think about that?) – “I mean, that sounds like it’s going to be some good games. There’s going to be exciting games. Our fans always just come with the energy, no matter what we’re doing on the field. I always appreciate that the fans, the community and the organization, they’re all just behind us as a whole. It’s definitely going to be a good one and I’m excited, man. I’m truly excited.”
(Are we going to hear you mic’d up? Because there are going to be some times this season where the defense is going to come off the field and the offense might score in like one or two plays. What’s your reaction going to be when you have to get back on defense if the offense scores?) – “Oh, I have no problem doing that. If our offense does something like that, you’re not going to hear any complaints from any defensive player. We’re supposed to be in shape, so if we’re scoring points and we have to go back out there, I’ll just keep doing it. I don’t care how many times. They keep scoring points, I keep going out there. Got no complaints from me.”
(Obviously, you’re not getting into gameplan stuff right now. Is the vision for you to just continue to still be everywhere?) – “I mean, yes. That’s always how I’ve been, nothing has really changed. We still have the same ‘DC’ (Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer). Even now, you can just see I’m pretty much everywhere. They throw me in places just to see can I do it and see how it works. I still love that. I love just going anywhere and everywhere. I love that offenses have a hard time of seeing what I line up and what I’m doing. I’m having fun with them. I’m still having fun with it.”
(What do you think about getting to practice in front of fans tomorrow?) – “I’m excited. That’s one of those things that the practice is a lot easier when we have a crowd and you can feel the energy. I’m definitely excited to have them come and I’m excited to make some plays – that’s my thing.”
(Thoughts on OL Liam Eichenberg’s playlist?) – “He kept playing the same song a few times. (laughter) But he had some songs on there. I had to tell him. I was like, ‘Bro…’”
(They had an error, so it wasn’t a good reflection.) – “Oh, OK, because it was like the same four songs for a while. But it was pretty cool. He surprised a lot of us. I didn’t know he was going to play those songs, but I give him a – if I had to grade, a little B-minus. It was cool.”
(From going up against this group, obviously May, June and now, on offense, what besides WR Tyreek Hill is something that’s going to give other defenses trouble in games this year? What stands out to you besides Tyreek?) – “I know with Tyreek (Hill), they all get the hype and all of that, but what’s interesting about this team is it’s not just Tyreek, it’s not just (Jaylen) Waddle, it’s not just Mike (Gesicki) – you see where I’m going with this. We have guys that can make plays one-on-one opportunities. So that’s what I’m excited about, to see guys make one-on-one plays. It’s no longer you’re just double-teaming one guy and it’s not that many guys open. We have guys that can make plays in space. We have guys that can beat one-on-ones. We have guys that run the ball hard. That’s what I’m excited about, just the overall good offense.”
(So you’re not scared [expletive] of this offense with WR Tyreek Hill?) – “Me personally? Am I scared? I wouldn’t say I’m scared, man. It’s one of those things, I believe in our defense. So when we go up against them, it’s very competitive. We’re out there having fun though.”
(I want to ask you, your responsibility… There’s a group of you guys on defense that have been a corps and been here the last couple of years. What sense of responsibility do you guys have to make sure that you guys are playing together, playing under Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer, having it all together so that the offense is in good shape and you guys can actually make a real solid push for the playoffs this year?) – “So the thing with – even today, Josh (Boyer) just went over this, we have to set the standard. It doesn’t matter what the offense is doing. It’s not what whoever we’re going against. It’s our standard, and we have to set that. We can have a good practice and we know that it could have been great. That’s just how our standard is – no matter what we’re doing, we know how great we can be. We had times in the past few years where we can see our defense is pretty good – we just hold to that standard. We have a lot of guys coming back, but now it’s just taking that next step of getting to the playoffs, doing all those things you need to do. But ultimately, our defense knows what we have to do. We have a standard; we have to hold everybody accountable.”
(On that, how has LB Channing Tindall the rookie came along since spring coming into summer?) – “For me, I love seeing how guys develop mentally. Physically, the guy is just talented. He can run fast. He can do all the things that you ask him to do. For me, it’s just mentally. The part where you can look in there, you see him in the meeting rooms and it’s not just he’s scrambling. He calms down and really can answer the question. That’s the part where you can see that now it’s starting to come together. Now, it’s just training camp. With spring, it’s easy – you don’t have (any) pads on and everybody is not going as hard. Training camp, when the pads come on and it’s time to really perform, that’s the part I really want to see. Right now, he’s doing a good job. He works hard. He does everything he does, but I’m waiting for the pads to see what he can do.”
(Do you feel like the side effects of the vaccine have made it harder for you to prepare for this season?) – “No, not at all.”
(Were there any side effects that you had…) – “I really never had any side effects, I would say. It’s just, like I said before, I just don’t like putting things in my body. I know somebody tweeted back and was making fun of me or whatever, but that’s just the guy I am. I would rather just be sick and fight it out than put something else in my body.”
(How did your mom feel about that growing up?) – “What? Just being sick?”
(Just you wanting to tough it out.) – “So when I was young, I wasn’t this guy. (laughter) I was the ‘I’m sick, I want to stay home.’ As I got older, it was just no point in sitting there, being in your bed and you feel bad. I’d get up, take a shower, get outside, sweat a little bit. It makes the process go a little easier for me in my opinion.”
(Did you have a favorite stay-home-sick show to watch?) – “I was a SpongeBob guy. I would sit there and watch SpongeBob all day, every day. I still remember just waking up, put some shorts on, sit in front of the TV all day and just do whatever. When they (would) come home, you have to act a little bit more sick, but it’s all good. (laughter)”
Noah Igbinoghene – July 29, 2022
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Friday, July 29, 202
CB Noah Igbinoghene
(Obviously this is the second time CB Xavien Howard and CB Byron Jones have been out and you’ve had the opportunity to step up. What will make this time different than the last time in your opinion?) – “I wouldn’t say – I’m not really worried about last time. I’m really focused on right now and the situation I’m in right now and just coming to work every day. I’m not really worried about ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) and Byron (Jones) honestly. I’m worried about myself and this team and me getting better and my job because I have a role to play on this team, a responsibility just like everybody else on this team, so I just want to come to work every single day and do my job the best way possible.”
(What have you worked on to improve yourself?) – “I’d say this offseason I worked with Goldfeet TA – shoutout to him – and just working on my press and just everything, my speed, getting my body fat down, getting my weight down. Just working on a lot of things, completing myself as a man, stuff like that and just, so I can come here and give my full 100 percent every single day.”
(And going up against WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle who obviously you’re familiar with Jaylen, but what does that teach you?) – “They’re one of the two top receivers in this league, so if you can be successful against them, consistent against them, that shows how you’re able to do against the rest of the league. So I look to be really dominant against them so I can be dominant against the rest of the rest of the receivers in this league. It’s a blessing just to have those two players on my team and I can’t wait to see what they do and what this team does as well.”
(How much of a difference does it make for you playing and being coached by guys who were so good – Sam Madison and Pat Surtain?) – “It brings a whole different type of experience to the room. We already have ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) and Byron – two people that have been playing this position for a very long time and when you add Sam Madison, you add Pat Surtain, that’s four right there that just – they played this game at a really high level at my position so I’m just able just to soak everything in just to learn. I just watch and learn and listen and apply it to my game and whatever they tell me, I do so.”
(Cornerbacks/Pass Game Specialist Sam Madison was the press god around here. Is there anything that he’s taught you about, that technique, that you’ve incorporated into your game?) – “I would say really just staying on the receiver, staying as close as possible to the receivers and not really letting them breathe honestly because I remember I used to play receiver and I didn’t like that – a corner always in my face, a corner always pressing me, a corner always just putting their hands on me. I don’t like that. A lot of receivers don’t like that, especially now, and so he’s taught me that and just doing it every single play, not just one play and being lackadaisical on it, but showing up to the line every time that man is called and doing it count like play after play after play after play and not just one play like I said before. And so yeah, he’s taught me that and he’s going to teach me so many other things and I’m just excited man. I’m waiting to see what we do.”
(How much more confident do you feel than maybe at this time last year?) – “I feel very confident. My body feels different. Everything feels different. The atmosphere feels different. Everything is new and so I can’t wait to see what this team does again.”
(That play in one-on-ones where you got a pass breakup on WR Jaylen Waddle but he still caught the ball, do you count that as a win or does that make you frustrated when he gets the reception at the end?) – “I count it as a win. I count it as a win. (laughter) Of course if we were live, it would have been complete because he still caught it, but it was one-on-ones, so I count it as a win.”
(Did he talk a little trash after that?) – “No, he didn’t say nothing. (laughter) He knows he lost. He knows he lost. He knows he lost. He got me the first play, though. He got me the first play. (laughter)”
(CB Xavien Howard had some really nice things to say about that. What does it mean to you as somebody who’s newer here to have that encouragement from a longtime vet?) – “Man, like I said, he’s played this position at a very high level so just anything he says, I really just listen because he knows what he’s talking about because he’s done it. Like he has proof, he has film and so I should listen to him. That should be the person I’m going to and seeking advice from – him and Byron (Jones) and Pat (Surtain) and Sam (Madison). I should be going to those guys and asking them all the questions I have in this world because a lot of people don’t have – they’re not in my position to be able to learn from those guys. So again it’s a blessing just to be in a room with them.”
(What’s the best advice that CB Xavien Howard has given you?) – “Just to come into work every single day not really worried about yesterday or last year or two years ago, but worried about be present today. Not worried about tomorrow, but come to practice every day and just worry about that day because corner – yeah, everybody’s going to get beat. You’re going to have mistakes. You’re not going to be perfect, but how can you bounce back the next play and the next play after that and just being consistent play after play after play. It’s not just doing it one time. You’ve got to be able to do it over and over again.”
(Did maybe you have that mentality kind of opposite your first two years? Like right now you seem lighter, but did you have that mentality the last couple years where you were a little bit harder on yourself?) – “Yeah, definitely a little harder on myself. Yeah, I would say I was a little bit harder on myself, but now I just, I let things go now because you can’t worry about the past nowadays. You’re not going to be able to stop everything. You’re not going to be able to beat everybody every single time. Everybody gets paid in this league. Everybody is a pro athlete and everybody is playing in the NFL, so I’ve just got to do my job the best way I know how and if I do that count in and count out, I know how dominant I can be. I’m just putting the work in and I can’t wait just to show it off.”
(Speaking of just learning how to let things go, not to bring up old stuff, but that against the Bills your rookie year…) – “Against Stefon (Diggs), yeah. (laughter)”
(Against Stefon. How long did that stick with you?) – “Honestly I still think about it now, and not like anything like ‘I’m thinking about the past’ or anything like that, but he’s a high-top receiver and that’s somebody I want to – if I want to be the player I want to be, I’ve got to be able to beat those guys every single time I go against them. And the Buffalo Bills, they’re really, they’re a high-level team and he’s the top receiver there. So just to be able to go against him, I’ll cherish the opportunity just to go against him again and do the opposite of what happened.”
(So it’s not that it – it could bother you, but it’s not like it still weighs on you?) – “Yeah, because it’s in the past like I said. There’s nothing I can do. I’m a whole different person than I was at that point, so I can’t even judge myself at that time. I’ve got to bring who I am now; I’ve got to bring that forward and show that when we play them this year, so I can’t wait to just to play them honestly. I can’t wait.”
(So your body fat’s down? What did you do to get it down?) – “I’ve just been working. I’ve just been working. Not saying I wasn’t working before, but…”
(Diet?) – “Yeah, diet and stuff like that. There’s a bunch of things that I’ve been able to do.”
(I’m trying to learn the tricks.) – “You’re trying to learn the tricks? (laughter) All right, bet. I actually – a year ago I became vegan. I’ve just seen the improvements in my body. I don’t know if anybody else, but I know what it’s done for me and it’s just completely changed the way I feel, just everything. I just feel more lean. I know I look more lean and so yeah, I’m excited, man. I came in this year, 190, that’s the lowest I’ve ever been ever in my career, so I’m excited. I feel loose. I feel ready and I’m ready to go. Ready to hit it man.”
(What was the toughest thing you gave up to be a vegan?) – “Oh, man. Probably my mom’s cooking. (laughter) Probably just everything. What they have in the cafeteria downstairs – it’s hard. It’s really hard not to eat because I was eating – I wasn’t a vegan for most of my life and now becoming vegan, it’s just another level of discipline, I would say. So it’s just really on my game. Just really sticking on that, really sticking on a diet and that just applies to everything else in this life. Just be consistent and being disciplined. It applies on the field. It applies off the field and yeah, that’s just another asset I have just to be able to be successful in this game.”
