Elandon Roberts – September 12, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 12, 2021
Postgame – New England
LB Elandon Roberts
(For starters what more can you do on that roughing the passer call?) – “(Laughter) They called it. We’ll look at it on film. What did y’all think?”
(I thought you fell down.) “I thought the same thing (laughter). Hey, he threw the flag, I ain’t going to say much because I really don’t know the rules and I don’t want to get fined (laughter).”
(Is there some double meaning with the hat?) – “I just like how it looked.”
(This defense last year had 20 turnovers – it was of course one of the big reasons you guys went 10-6. Is that kind of magic back? Timely plays and bend don’t break and all that?) – “I don’t feel like it’s magic. Magic is kind of up in the air. We just practice it day in and day out. We talk about it day in and day out. Man, we can be just joking in the locker room and guys like, ‘I’m going to punch one out today.’ It’s just embedded in our defense and even our team. It’s just a true testament of taking it from the practice field, the lunch room and the meeting room because guys can walk around with a football and a defensive guy will just punch it out just trying to be funny. We can’t help ourselves because when we see ball, we want to punch it out. I think it’s just translating to the football field and we are just going to keep working hard on it. Hopefully we can keep that same trend like we had last year.”
(They had those three 14-play drives. Honestly now, were you guys getting a little gassed at the end at all being on the field so much?) – “That’s how football is. In practice you try to simulate it but when the game time comes, it is what it is. But this early in the season you can’t say our team is in the best condition that we are because every day after practice we are going to condition and stuff like that. You can’t be in a point that you are the best conditioned team. You got to keep working on it. And deep in those drives our conditioning showed up and we were able to string some things together.”
(You played in your first meaningful football game since your injury. Did you take a moment? I’m sure there was a lot of hard work that went into getting back on the field and to come out with the win I’m sure was special.) – “Oh yeah, it was a lot. When I got injured, it was a lot of stuff that flashed in my mind. I tip my hat off to the Dolphins organization and Coach (Brian) Flores because they trusted me and trusted that I would do everything with my trainers and my doctor wanted me to do to make sure that I was ready to go Week 1. And I sacrificed a lot, but it was all worth it. It was worth it because I was able to be here for my team. The win is great, but being out there with the team feeling that joy, being out there on the field and stuff like that; that was the biggest thing to me. And being able to get the win is great but each week we look to be 1-0. So we are going to enjoy this win but tomorrow we are going to turn the page and flip to Buffalo.”
(How does it feel to start off your captaincy with a big divisional road win?) – “It’s alright. ‘Captain’ is just a label. It’s about going out there all 53, well 48 that’s active, including coaches and being able to string one drive at a time together. I feel like we as a team played a 60-minute game and that’s just the NFL. It’s going to be like that week in and week out. We are just going to go to the film, make the corrections from this game and come back as a team and get ready for Buffalo.”
Xavien Howard – September 12, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 12, 2021
Postgame – New England
CB Xavien Howard
(Can you take us through the play and I think I know which play I mean?) – “I don’t. Which one (laughter)?”
(The fumble recovery.) – “Oh man I knew they were going to try and run the ball in the red zone. And putting everything on the line and just punching the ball out, really.”
(You have got a knack of stepping up when the team needs it the most. It felt like the danger zone for you guys – the way they were moving the ball and in the red zone and all the turnovers. Did you put it on yourself like I’m commit the play?) – “Like I said, every game I feel like I have to make something happen for the team and give the ball to the offense. My mindset was get the ball out, you know. We needed it and it was crucial so I made it happen.”
(What was your impression of QB Mac Jones in his first career start?) – “Like ‘J-Mac’ (Jason McCourty) said; he was poised. He didn’t make many mistakes like that and like I said he put his team in a position to win.”
(What makes you so good at just always being around the ball? It seems like you’re just always there.) – “The coaches – they put us in positions to make plays on the ball. During offseason, training camp – we focused on getting the ball and that’s the only thing that really matters.”
(What’s the mindset and the approach when you’re involved in a game and it doesn’t seem like you’re being targeted much at all?) – “I try to be poised and take it one play at a time because I feel like they try to lull me to sleep and try to make something happen. Just like I said, finding the ball, being around the ball. That’s my main thing.”
(I’ve been around going to Patriots games and left with not such a great feeling. What’s it feel like leaving with a win from New England?) – “It feels great. It feels great. Just take it one day at a time and just keep on going, keep getting better.”
(What’s more fun, an interception or a fumble recovery like that?) – “A win (laughter).”
Brian Flores – September 12, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 12, 2021
Postgame – New England
Head Coach Brian Flores (transcribed by the New England Patriots)
(Opening statement) – “Feels good to win. Credit to the players, our coaching staff, offensively, defensively, in the kicking game. Tough game. We knew it was going to be a tough game coming up here in this environment against a good, well-coached team. We just battled, and we knew we were going to have to battle. I think our guys did that and we were able to come out with a win, so it always feels good. A lot of corrections we have to make obviously, but it’s good to get a win.”
(What is it about Xavien Howard that at the most important part of the game he made a play for you guys?) – “I mean, look, he’s a great player, and we needed a play there and he was able to knock it off of him, recovered it. Obviously a huge play in the game and allowed us to get the ball back. But then we turn around and that’s the complementary football that we talked about. Offense goes in there, gets a first down against a good defense, we’re able to run it out and end the game with the ball.”
(What went into the decision to start Liam Eichenberg at left tackle with Austin Jackson?) – “Just playing – trying to play the best five guys. You know, Liam has done a good job throughout camp, played multiple positions. We just wanted to start the best five guys.”
(How would you assess his performance?) – “I mean, without watching the film it’s hard to say whether he played well or didn’t. Look, there’s a lot of corrections to make from the game I’m sure, but I think Liam fought – actually I know that. I didn’t watch the film but I know he fought his butt off, and I’m sure there are some corrections to make really for him and everyone on our team. It’s good to make those corrections with a win.”
(Can you talk about the defense’s resilience today?) – “We tried to take it one play at a time. That’s the mentality our team has. Good play, bad play, just move on to the next play. A lot of corrections to make defensively. They were able to kind of make some plays, keep drives going, pick up third downs. We would have them in some second and longer situations, a penalty or, man, there is one where we get a sack but there was a penalty on it. Felt like every time we got a chance to get off the field they made a play or we had a mistake. That’s what happens in a division game against good teams. They make plays, too. We knew that. We talked about this being a 60-minute ballgame, and that’s exactly what it was. We talked about playing one play at a time, and we were able to do that and find success at the end.”
(You guys tried a lot of pressure up the middle on Mac Jones and he hung in there.) – “I thought he did a really nice job. I thought he did a really nice job. Got the ball out, was able to kind of move their offense, pick up first downs, drive them down field. Yeah, I thought he did a very nice job.”
(What about Tua, how do you assess his play?) – “Again, like everybody, there are some corrections we got to make. Thought he threw the ball well. Made some big throws and was a good run to get us started, and a fast start to start his first series. Ran it in. I thought he made a lot of good plays, a lot of big throws that we needed. That third down to start the second half was a big throw. We needed it. Good throw, good catch by DeVante [Parker]. So like everybody, players, coaches, I know we’ll make corrections and try to improve and get better like we talk about every day.”
(What did you see on the interception Tua threw? He was obviously under a lot of pressure there.) – “Yeah, I mean, look, like everyone on our team, there are corrections to make. There are corrections for me to make as well. But as a team we’re going to stick together. We’re going to support one another. We’re not going to point fingers or do anything like that. Tua has done a lot of good things for us in the preseason and he did a lot of good things today.”
(How did you prepare for Mac Jones in his first pro game? I know you said he said some nice things, but what was it like going against him?) – “Yeah, I mean, he played well. He moved the ball. Made the throws he needed to make. Made good decisions. I thought he played well. I thought we could have done some better things defensively. We’ll make those corrections. But he played well.”
(Hunter Long was in on the first play and the last play. What do you think of him so far as a rookie?) – “Tough, smart, competitive, works hard. It’s important to him. He’s made a lot of improvement over the course of training camp. Good to get in a game and get a feel for a regular season game. Obviously played in the preseason. Good young player, somebody that we’re excited to help develop. Again, like everybody, we just got to try and continue to make improvements on a daily basis and just try to get better.”
(Was the Jacoby Brissett offensive package you ran today something you had in mind when you signed him or something you developed over the course of the last few months?) – “I mean, look, if we want to get one yard we try to put our best players in there. It showed up in the game. You know, when we needed a yard, we put him in there. Got two short-yardage plays, and we just try to put our players in position to have success and our team to have success. He’s done it before in the past, so we used him today and it helped us.”
(What does today’s game mean about your team that you were able to find a way to win?) – “I mean, that’s every team in the league. There is never been a perfect game played. That’s just never happened. So there is always corrections to make, always things you can improve on, especially early in the year trying to find the things you do well. I mean, there is a little bit of trial and error at this point in the year. I think that’s every team. I think every coach is going to get up there and say there is a lot of corrections we need to make. We’re no different. Our guys work hard and have throughout the preseason. It’s important to them to make the corrections, and we’re going to have to do that this week starting tomorrow when we review the game. You know, look, our guys, we got a good group. They work hard. They’ll trying to make the corrections and then next week we’ll play and there will be more corrections to make.”
(But just how the team found a way to win.) – “Take it one play at a time. That’s what we try to do. Pick each other up and support one another, and it feels good to get a win however you get it.”
Jaylen Waddle – September 12, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 12, 2021
Postgame – New England
WR Jaylen Waddle
(The first offensive play of the game went to you, how did it feel to get that first catch out of the way right off the bat?) – “I think it went great. I think it was just something that I’m glad I can say I just got out of the way. I didn’t want to make it ongoing so it was pretty good.”
(Are you the type of player who like some guys need to get hit first to get into game mode?) – “Most definitely. All my nerves and stuff be gone by the time the first play go. Get hit and it’s like back to reality.”
(Scoring a touchdown in your first NFL game, what’s it like?) – “It was great. It was a great play call. I think my teammates did good just helping me get open. It was a great call.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa talked about all the guys that impacted that touchdown. There were a lot of people. We see you with the ball, but there were a lot of guys that made that happen. Is that kind of what you felt as well?) – “Most definitely, most definitely. It was kind of a play that we kind of drew up. I’m just happy that we were able to score, go ahead. It was a good play.”
(Do you still have the ball?) – “I gave it to my mom actually, after the game.”
(Did you know that first play was coming to you? Either when it’s called or this week when they put it in?) – “Nah, it wasn’t just drawn up like throw the ball there. I think Tua did a good job of just knowing where the coverage was and it was just the right play.”
(Describe the feeling; it’s your first NFL game, you catch your first touchdown and you get a road win, what does it feel like to be you in this moment?) – “It’s great. Every win is going to be great. But first one in a big game, it was a great atmosphere and playing against guys you know on the other side so it was great.”
(What was going through your mind when you were in the locker room prior to a regular season NFL game for the first time? What were you thinking about?) – “Jut going over all the plays, going over the gameplan just trying to do everything right. Get a routine and just go about it.”
(Have you heard WR DeVonta Smith got a touchdown?) – “I actually saw. I saw before so I was keeping tabs on ‘Smitty’ (DeVonta Smith). I love watching ‘Smitty’ play.”
(How about what you said before, what was it like playing in a game with so many other Alabama players – obviously QB Tua Tagovailoa and Patriots QB Mac Jones at quarterback?) – “It was great. I think both of them did really good for their teams. It was great just knowing guys on the other side. It was pretty cool.”
Brian Flores – September 10, 2021
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Friday, September 10, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Has it been determined if T Austin Jackson will travel to New England with you?) – “We’re taking this one day at a time and going through the process, so we haven’t determined whether he is or he isn’t. The same thing with (Adam) Shaheen. Just one day at a time with that group – with those two guys.”
(I was going to ask you about WR Preston Williams. We’ve seen him on the first two injury reports of the year with a foot and limited. Is that you being cautious with him obviously coming off something significant last November as opposed to something new? I don’t know if you’re able to share that.) – “Yeah, obviously he’s coming off of a – I think he just recently came off of PUP. He just started practicing, played in the Cincinnati game a little bit and he’s still a little bit limited; so we listed it that way. Look, Preston (Williams) has done a very nice job of kind of working his way back and definitely moving in the right direction, but just transparency – there’s still some issues there and that’s why we listed him as limited.”
(You’re just a few days from the start of another regular season. Do you still have time to reflect on what this opportunity means to you having a chance to coach an NFL team again one more year?) – “I’m very fortunate. That’s for sure. And blessed and excited about the opportunity to coach this team this year. But I try to keep my focus in the moment in the present and hope our team does the same thing. I’m just really kind of worried about today’s practice and putting the kind of finishing touches on the game plan and getting ready to take a flight tomorrow and head up to New England.”
(Where’s your comfort level regarding T Liam Eichenberg, should he be pressed into the starting lineup because of T Austin Jackson?) – “Liam (Eichenberg) has done a nice job really since he’s been here. He’s tough, he’s smart, he works hard. It’s important to him. He’s in there all the time studying film and trying to just improve and get better. He’s had some good moments during training camp. He’s dealt with some injuries also, so I think he’s done a nice job with just fighting through that. It’s hard for rookies. It’s their first kind of time out and we take that into account, so we’ll see how it goes.”
(How has that competition been – filling the left tackle void with T Greg Little and T Liam Eichenberg and also does injury play a factor into that decision considering Liam is kind of nicked up?) – “I think there’s a lot of things that play a factor into that. Obviously we’re preparing with Austin (Jackson) being on COVID IR. We’ve gotten a few guys ready at that position and I would say it’s not just one position. It’s how that player affects the next player and the next player and the next player. So like I’ve said many times, we’ll play the best five guys. We have a pretty good idea of what that is right now and we’ll practice it that way today; but we’ll also practice some situations where such and such is down, who’s going in, and kind of the moves that would have to be made if that were to occur at a specific position. So that might be somebody going from right to left, left to right, guard to tackle, tackle to guard, center to – I think all our guys are flexible enough to do that.”
(I’ve always liked, appreciated, respected, understood your “best five” in terms of you’re going to play the best five. However in this situation, this is the only time you’ve had a rookie offensive lineman where you’ve actually worked him at multiple spots during training camp, OTAs. Even C/G Michael Deiter played left guard. G Solomon played right guard. G/T Robert Hunt played right tackle. T Austin Jackson played left tackle. And they were allowed to settle in. Why has it been different for Liam?) – “Because he’s got very good versatility and he’s smart and he’s tough and you try to find a way to get players like that on the field. So I think that’s not just – I think that happens at a lot of positions. I think if you’re a receiver and we try to get you in; you could play Z, you could play F, you could play X. We may put a four-wide package in where he’s playing Y and then we put him in the backfield where he’s playing the H. I think like I’ve said many times, I think players – their opportunity on the field is based on their performance and I think Liam has shown in some instances that he may be able to help us, so we’ve tried to move him around. Now I would say the injuries have affected that so obviously that goes into our decision for this week; but to answer your question, he’s bounced around because he’s done a good job and I think you do that really at a lot of positions. So safety – hey, let’s play him at linebacker to get him in, let’s play him in the kicking game, let’s play him at corner in this grouping. I think that’s kind of how we kind of handle things as a coaching staff.”
(How would you assess S Jevon Holland’s level of readiness in light of the time that he missed because of the injury he had?) – “Jevon worked hard to get back. He’s back out at practice. He’s moving well. Any time that you miss time, you miss some opportunities to improve, to grow, to get better; but he was certainly diligent about his film study, diligent about going through our practice film. ‘Hey, I would’ve played at this position or I would’ve been here.’ Just taking mental reps is probably the best way to say it when he was out. I would say all of our guys who have been out have done a good job with that. I think Jevon is another young guy, another rookie, playing in his first game. I think we take that into account when talking about playing time, how much, how many groupings, how much we want to put on young players. We’ll see how it goes.”
(At the end of a long offseason program, training camp, all of that fun stuff and heading into the regular season now, what’s your final message to the guys heading into Game 1?) – “Really, all of the things we talked about through training camp – alignment, assignment, good communication, good fundamentals, good technique, follow your rules, read your keys and play ball. I try not to steer too far from that. I think if they do those things, the results will take care of themselves.”
(You have two veteran NFL starters on your practiced squad obviously with DE Jabaal Sheard and T Bobby Hart. Is it difficult with practice squad guys to evaluate where they are? Just impressions of those two and is there enough work at practice to get a sense of what they could be if active for you at this stage of their careers?) – “There is a lot to unpack in that question. I have experience with Jabaal, so I know him. His intelligence, his toughness, his physical ability. So that one is a little bit different on being able to gauge or having a history on what it looked like versus what it looks like now. I probably have a better feel on that. With Bobby, I don’t have as much history, so we’re learning. We’re evaluating. That’s what we try to do with all of the practice squad players. We’re evaluating them in individuals, team periods, group periods and it’s still early with both guys, so no decisions there. I’m happy to have them both. I think they are both good players and they’ve done a nice job since they’ve been here.”
(Did you get a chance to catch any of the game last night and are you amazed at what QB Tom Brady is able to still do considering he was old when you were with him in New England and he’s even older now?) – “He’s a great player. There are no ifs, ands or buts about that. I only watched the first half. It was an exciting first half both ways. I thought Dak (Prescott) played well too from what I saw. I just saw the final score this morning. It’s exciting to watch football again. I’m sure you all were up watching it. I’m excited to get going this week. It was some good ball last night from what I saw.”
(One of your most consistent players last year was K Jason Sanders. How excited are you to see what he can do this year? How would you evaluate his offseason?) – “I think he’s been great. He’s been consistent and that’s probably the one thing about him that is probably his best quality is his consistency. The way he works, the way he trains, the way he goes about his craft, how important it is to him. The minute details that go into kicking, he’s on top of them. I’m happy that he is our kicker. His consistency – not just as a kicker but the way he trains and goes about his business, I have a lot of respect for it.”
(It’s been a while since you played in a full stadium. I know you always talk about the tough atmosphere, but do you feel like you ever have to bring the younger players back to earth? It’s been so long since they’ve played in front of a sold-out crowd.) – “It’s something we’ve talked about. It’s been a while since we’ve played in front of a full stadium – college, professional. Crowd noise is something we talked about, something we’ve practiced in. that element is something we’re going to have to deal with, especially on the road in a tough environment. We’ve talked about that and that’s just one more part of the road we have to deal with. It’s part of the adversity and it’s not going to be easy. We’ve talked about that. We know and understand that and we’ll have to perform with that stress as part of the entire game. We’ve talked about it with rookies, veterans, players coaches. It’s been a while since any of us have been in a full stadium. I would say it will be similar to getting used to playing with no fans. We’ll just get used to playing with fans.”
(You’ve addressed WR Preston Williams, but with WR DeVante Parker and WR Albert Wilson coming back to practice, what have you seen with them during the sessions and are you comfortable with them playing a role with an offense considering most of them missed all of the preseason?) – “Both guys worked hard to get back. We got them back out there. They practiced well. Yeah, we’re very comfortable playing both guys; but that’s kind of too far out. We’ve got practice today. Let’s see how that goes and put the finishing touches on – for those two specifically, ‘this route, this block, this motion.’ Just put the last bit of the game plan together and assuming all of that is good, I’m comfortable with both guys.”
(Can you talk about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s chemistry with RB Myles Gaskin and how that will help the team this season?) – “Tua’s chemistry with Myles is good. The two of them have spent a lot of time together. Whether it’s ball handling on run plays, in the pass game. Myles moves around a lot so he ends up in some receiver situations, and obviously catching the ball out of the back field. I think they’ve got a good rapport. They are constantly talking about a variety of things. When you have a player like that who runs the ball, catches the ball and protects, there are a lot of conversations. I think Tua has a good relationship with him and really all of the backs. I’m sure that will continue.”
Salvon Ahmed – September 9, 2021
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Thursday, September 9, 2021
RB Salvon Ahmed
(I just remembered that the last time you played the Patriots, you ran for a lot of yards. What went well that day? What would be something that you would hope that could be recreated in the game on Sunday?) – “I think that was just a team effort. We want to go out there and have success every year and every game. We’re going to attack this game like it’s the first one of the year, like we do every single game. Last year, that was a great win to be a part of as a team. This year is a new one.”
(What did that do for your confidence, having a breakout game like that?) – “It was cool, but I think it’s a team effort. That builds confidence in the team – what we were able to do, the offensive line was able to do great things, Tua (Tagovailoa) was able to do great thing, the receivers were able to do great things. It was just a team effort. I think having games like that builds the team up for sure.”
(How important is it to have a run game identity? Every year it’s a goal, but how important is it to establish and start out the year strong?) – “I think the run game is obviously a big part of the offense. It’s something that us running backs take big pride in. Whenever we get the ball, we want to be able to make the most out of it. But like I said, it’s a team effort. We have to be able to do more than just run the ball. We have to be able to pass the ball and be able to protect. I think we’re going to be able to do everything.”
(We’ve seen you maximize the passing game. We saw in training camp the sideline routes when you’re matched up against the linebacker. How much have you worked this offseason to make sure you are your best self as a receiver if you’re getting targets 15, 20, 25 yards downfield?) – “I just try to be a complete back. I just want to be able to do everything. This offseason, I focused on not just one thing, but everything that comes with being a running back – pass protection, running the ball, catching the ball, being complete. I just try to be as much as you can for the team. At the end of the day, you just think about how you can help the team.”
(You had a meaningful moment in your life last October when the Chargers tried to poach you. Have you ever thought about what happened then and are you happy the way it’s turned out?) – “I love being here. I love being a Dolphin. I love this organization. I want to be here as long as I can, for sure.”
(What was your primary focus this offseason?) – “Everything. Just being able to focus on everything. I think that’s when you get problems is when you try to focus on one thing. There are things that you do well during the season that you’ve still got to work on. Even though you did well, it still needs to work. I think you try to focus on everything.”
(After the game in New England last year, I remember a story that you were supposed to give the game ball to your grandmother? Tell us what happened after that, what was the follow up?) – “Yeah, I was able to give her the ball when I was able to go home in the offseason. That was a special moment for her.”
(Is she doing well?) – “Yeah. She is doing well. She is doing well and kicking. She’ll be here this season getting some games in.”
(You got promoted to the 53 after the Chargers wanted to sign you?) – “Yeah. It was something like that. Really my agent handled a lot of it. I just got the call from my agent and talked to the organization and I was able to get promoted. I don’t really know too much about it, but I’m happy to be in this organization and I love being a Dolphin.”
(When you signed here, was it practice squad to start?) – “Yeah, I was on the practice squad when I first got here.”
(What’s the difference between practice squad life and 53-man roster life?) – “Really, how I approach it is every day is important. I don’t really think much changes from being on the practice squad. On practice squad, you’re still here every day. You have a chance to help the team on game day. I think you’ve got to take those reps you get at practice and make the most out of it. I don’t thing too much changes really.”
(The money too, right?) – “(laughter) Yeah, you could say that, too. But as far as football-wise, I think there is no difference from practice squad and being on the team. You’re still on this team and you’re an important part of this team.”
(You have a prominent role even though you were an undrafted rookie, on the practice squad, that got elevated. Do you ever think about where you came from? You were cut before you even got here.) – “Yeah, definitely. I’m just thankful to be here every single day. It’s a blessing. Like you said, I’ve been cut and I felt what that felt like. I’m just thankful to be here every day. Every day is a blessing. It’s not forever. You can’t play this game forever. I’m happy about my journey, how I got here and how I continue to be a part of this team and things like that.”
(What was being cut like?) – “It was hard, for sure. But I think at the end of the day, it’s a part of the game. It’s not your last try, it’s not your last go around. You just have to keep your head up and keep going. It’s something you’ve got to work through. What can I work on? What do I need to do to be better? Coming here and being a part of the practice squad was one of the best things to ever happen to me. I was getting those reps and just getting better every day, going against the defense. You don’t get to just go against the No. 1 defense all the time. I think you could say our defense is pretty good. I think doing things like that is just a part of the journey.”
(How much time do you and RB Myles Gaskin now spend together off-site? Are you at each other’s apartments much? Will you get together to watch the Michigan/Washington game Saturday night?) – “We’re together all the time. We hang out 24/7. That’s my road dog. We hang out all the time.”
(How close are your apartments together?) – “Not too far away from each other.”
(Y’all moved out of the same building?) – “Yeah. We were in Davie. We don’t live too far from each other. We stay close. That’s my dog.”
(I’ve noticed that both of you guys put in extra work – whether it’s in the weight room or on the field after practice or before practice. If you had a 40-yard dash tomorrow, you would win right?) – “Absolutely. I bet on myself all the time.”
(You are faster than RB Myles Gaskin?) – “I tell him all the time I’m faster than him. He says he’s faster than me but that’s an awesome thing we get to debate on and go back and forth with. I’ll take myself nine times out of 10. (laughter)”
(What part of RB Myles Gaskin game or his attribute as a football player do you most admire?) – “I learned a lot from Myles, just from being in college. We were in college together and everything. I learned a lot from him, so I don’t know. Patience is one thing I took from him. When I first got to college, I just wanted to run fast and do everything. I took his patience and tried to put that into my game. We’re both two different guys, but I’ve learned a lot from Myles. I can go on and on; but yeah, I’ve learned a lot from him. That’s my guy, for sure. I appreciate him a lot.”
(Are you all gift givers, do you give each other gifts on your birthday or anything?) – “Yeah, for the most part. He got me some shoes last year. I forgot what I got him. Oh, I think I got him some slippers for his birthday. He got me some shoes; I got him some slippers. (laughter) It’s a give and take.”
(Have you bulked up from last year or anything?) – “I think I’m about the same weight. Do I look bigger? I’ll take it. (laughter)”
Brennan Scarlett – September 9, 2021
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Thursday, September 9, 2021
LB Brennan Scarlett
(Academically, how do you compare Notre Dame to Stanford and Cal?) – “It’s funny you asked that. There is actually an article that came out recently in Forbes that said Cal is actually the No. 1 school in the country and I think Stanford was somewhere around 4th. I didn’t see Notre Dame in that top 5, so I don’t know. (laughter)”
(One thing that Head Coach Brian Flores and Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer are known for is creative blitz packages and doing things to keep the opponent off guard. Without giving away anything obviously, how much of that have you witnessed this week in the first regular season game prep from them?) – “Something that I’ve been really impressed with since I’ve gotten here, and gotten to see how Josh and ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) go about their business in install defenses. They really do a great job of having a large attention to detail. There is very minimal gray area, which as a player, we all appreciate. It’s this if you see that, or that if you see this. When it’s given to you that way, it’s much easier to go out there and play fast with all of the different looks. I’ve been really impressed and excited to go out there on Sunday and get to it.”
(Why do you not like the gray area?) – “Sometimes it’s easier to coach things than it is when you’re out there on the field. If you’re in a position and you see some formation or you get some sort of motion or missile, and it really hasn’t been cleaned up in your mind, then at that time and in that moment, that’s that pause that’s the difference between making a play and not. That’s what gray area in my mind. As players and definitely personally, I don’t like that. They’ve done a good job of cleaning that up and minimize that gray area.”
(Edge players everywhere have a lot of responsibilities in terms of setting the edge against the run, some in coverage. I know LB Jaelan Phillips is going through learning all of that. Does this system, as best as you can tell, maximize edge players in terms of having to know a lot of different things and you don’t know if you’ll be coming rushing on a play, dropping into coverage? Is that fun for you? Does it maximize edge guys?) – “Yeah, I think in this system it gives the edge guys a lot of responsibility as far as being in coverage, setting the edge, rushing and needing to know the whole defense and different spots. That’s something that I appreciate, and it does maximize our edge talent. We’ve got talented guys in the room – Jaelan and ’Gink’ (Andrew Van Ginkel) and Shaq (Shaquem Griffin). We all appreciate the responsibility that’s placed on us, and understand how important our role is.”
(You had a good start in Houston, but what do you feel like is your calling card as a player in this league? Or what do you hope to be your calling card as a player?) – “For me, it’s embracing my role, whatever that is on the team. I take pride in whatever that role is – whether that’s being on the edge, rushing inside, being on special teams, dropping into coverage. Whatever it is, for me it’s taking pride in that role, in that responsibility, and doing it to the best of my ability.”
(What have you or what would you say to LB Jaelan Phillips to kind of help him out as it relates to the transition from the college game to the pro game?) – “We talk about it every day as a team – just taking it one day at a time. As you’re going into a practice, into a play, into a rep or whatever it is, focus on that one rep. If you had a bad one in the past or a bad play the last play, forget about that and let’s move on to the next one and clean it up as we go. That’s the biggest thing coming into this league is being able to clean up your mistakes; but at the same time, stay in the presence of mind, taking every play as they come and being able to focus on every rep.”
Christian Wilkins – September 9, 2021
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Thursday, September 9, 2021
DT Christian Wilkins
(Are you looking forward to going to Massachusetts?) – “Of course. For multiple reasons. Massachusetts is home for me. I’m from Springfield, Massachusetts – 413 (area code) stand up. So for that. Also, the first game of the year. It’s always exciting. The start of something new is always fun. I have a lot of family and friends at the game, too, so it’s always exciting to go up to Foxboro.”
(There are a few changes obviously with DT Adam Butler a part of your group. LB Kyle Van Noy, DE Shaq Lawson no longer here. But it’s largely the same group. Now we know LB Elandon Roberts is obviously next to LB Jerome Baker. Does the continuity do you think help at all to build off last year?) – “Yeah, it definitely can help, just guys being comfortable with the scheme and the system and just comfortable with each other; and then that way when you get guys from outside, they can come right in and you can make them just feel like a part of the team and everything. But it only helps so much because you do have to start over and you do have to rebuild the chemistry and you do have to refocus and take it one step further and one play at a time, one practice at a time to get better as a unit.”
(What was your team growing up?) – “What was that?”
(What was your team growing up?) – “Yeah. Yes. It was… yeah, yeah. Big time. But now… (laughter)”
(You can’t even say the words.) – “No, I’m not going to say it. (laughter) But yeah, growing up – diehard. Big time. But happy to be a Dolphin now.”
(I saw you were doing some work at CB Xavien Howard’s shop the other day. You want to tell us about that a little bit?) – “So I lost a bet. My boys couldn’t get it done – Clemson-Georgia game – but I know they’ll get back right. I have faith in all those guys over there in Clemson, South Carolina, that they’ll get back right and do what they need to do. But yeah, lost a bet, so as part of my punishment – but it wasn’t really punishment for me. I had a good time. I brought a lot of business in for ‘X’ (Xavien Howard). Really, I just think it was a marketing thing for him because I brought a lot of business to his store, so that was a lot of fun for me to work there and it was really kind of humbling, too. I feel like everybody should get a 9-5 or work in that kind of environment because it teaches you a little bit and it’s just different, so that was kind of fun for me.”
(Is the key when you go up against a rookie quarterback like you are Sunday to rattle him early on?) – “Again, you’re not necessarily focused on those kind of things. You’re just worried about playing your game. Whatever the plan is, just execute it as best as possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re playing a rookie quarterback or a 10-year vet. You’ve just definitely got to execute your plan and it all starts with preparation throughout the week.”
(If I can follow up, were you personally surprised when they released QB Cam Newton and they named QB Mac Jones the starter?) – “That’s on them – again, I just focus on us and what we’ve got to do and what we got going on here.”
(Have you watched only QB Mac Jones preseason tape? Have you gone back and seen any Alabama stuff collectively as a group?) – “You try to watch as much as you can. You see some stuff. Just try to take away different parts of everyone’s game and just kind of what everyone does.”
(You’ve faced the Patriots a few times now in your career. What is so tricky I guess or what challenges arise when going against this offensive line?) – “They’re definitely just – the Patriots as a team, they’re definitely just really disciplined. And they do what they do and they do it well. So if you’re not on your game, it can be a challenge for you. That’s why it’s important that we prepare the right way each and every day.”
(You appear to be fit. Are you a few pounds under fit? Are you a few pounds under where you were at the start of last season?) – “I’m at a comfortable weight right now. Just feeling good. Feeling explosive and just feeling like I can go 17 games at least right now and just feeling healthy so that’s most important.”
(LB Elandon Roberts also refused to tell me if he lost even five pounds. I tried. It’s hard during the season for me. They feed us well here.) – “I can see that. (laughter)”
(I try to stay around 178.) – “You look a little bit more than that. No, I’m just teasing. (laughter)”
(I know fans are obviously excited to see some of the young players, the next step they take – you, DT Raekwon Davis, etc. Personally being next to Raekwon, spending so much time with him, are you curious how good this guy can be? Obviously we know the tools.) – “Raekwon (Davis) has got a chance to be really good. Just as long as he keeps coming in every day, working to improve and it’s on guys like myself, too, like an older guy to Raekwon. Someone that he – I think he likes me (laughter) and looks up to a little bit – just to bring him along and vice versa. We need each other to be great, but Raekwon has a chance to be pretty good.”
(Going back to offensive line, we’ve heard T Liam Eichenberg and we’ve heard C/G Michael Deiter talk about the difficulties in switching sides and switching positions, but as a defensive lineman, can you ever tell when an O-lineman is I guess adjusting to playing on an opposite side or can you tell when he’s kind of trying to get his feet right?) – “I mean, maybe sometimes. You might just notice ‘oh, you’re not usually here’ or ‘now you’re over here.’ But you kind of just more focus on your game and your technique and doing your job more than anything.”
(Are you participating in the league’s program that allows slogans on the back of your helmet?) – “Yes, I am and I have ‘it takes all of us’ on the back of mine.”
(And why did you choose that? What does that mean to you?) – “Just feel like that’s a good strong message and it goes deeper than just the social injustices. It just speaks deep to me in a way. It takes all of us to essentially make the world a better place, so everybody should just do their part.”
(You guys were improved in run defense as last year went along. What’s the key to taking the next step?) – “Again, just taking it each and every day, just building as a team, as a defense and just taking it one play at a time, one meeting at a time, one day at a time. Just focusing and honing on our crafts and getting better and just focusing and working hard on our technique and fundamentals and then honing in on those each and every day and just applying them to practice and game situations.”
(I did a little project the other day where I looked at all the Dolphins sacks and takeaways from last year and just kind of watched what your impact was on those plays; and it seems like so often you’re taking on double teams or creating gaps for guys to make plays off of you. My favorite part about it was watching the way you reacted to those guys making plays. I’m wondering, was it always like that for you in football from Day 1 where you’re just so selfless and care about the team making those big plays?) – “Yeah, always. As long as I can remember since I was in youth when I was just nothing but head and shoulders. Just always been a thing to incorporate your teammates. You’re part of something greater than yourselves and that’s what I love most about football. It’s not about me; it’s always about we. It’s the ultimate team sport so I definitely just try to apply that and just make those around me better because I know I need them when I’m not at my best.”
(Not going to lie but I watched you celebrate with LB Sam Eguavoen on his four sacks and you punched him twice and they were some serious ass punches.) – “Yeah it might have been more than twice. It was quick. (laughter) I was feeding him. I was feeding him.”
(Do you ever worry about hurting people doing these celebrations?) – “I get a little – in the moment, I’m just a little excited. I’m just a little overzealous; but yeah, I don’t really think about it. I just get excited in the moment.”
