Kyle Van Noy – March 26, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, March 26, 2020
LB Kyle Van Noy
(What was it about Head Coach Brian Flores and the Dolphins that caused you to want to come here in free agency?) – “That’s an easy question to answer. Just, I respect him as a coach, what he brings to the table, what he’s all about on the field and off. As you guys have grown to know him a little bit better, I feel like you guys are getting a sense of how he is as a person and as a coach, and you probably kind of wish you could play for him if you played football. Just the type of attitude he has, the grit he has, the competitiveness he has. I mean, who doesn’t want to play for a coach like that? He’s ready to go all the time, and he brings that same energy each and every day. That’s what you want as a coach; and as a player, that’s who I want to play for.”
(You won a division title every year you were with the Patriots. The Dolphins haven’t won a division since 2008. Why do you think that’s going to change?) – “I’m not really focused on the past or thinking about the Patriots. I’m really just thinking about the Dolphins, and our goals are how they are each year. First, we want to just play the best team football as possible, and that starts with showing up on time, doing the little things over and over and focused on the first opponent. We can’t worry about championships, can’t worry about who’s doing what. What we can worry about is what the Dolphins are doing, and what we’re worried about as a team is getting everybody on the same page inside and out, top-down, and that starts with the owner and the owner is doing a great job with that. ‘Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) is doing a great job with that, (General Manager Chris) Grier is doing a great job with that and the players are all following suit. So we’re excited for everyone being on the same page, tackling that one task at a time, and that’s going to be our first game and hopefully – if that’s the Patriots, it’s the Patriots, if it’s the Bills, it’s the Bills, or if it’s a different opponent, we’re going to be ready for them.”
(A related question – how much does QB Tom Brady’s relocation change the balance of power in the division? To what extent do you think the Patriots will still be the Patriots?) – “I think they’ll always be the Patriots with the kind of players they have up there. Obviously losing a quarterback is tough, but they still have a really good set of football players up there that love football, that are going to be hungry to prove to a lot of people that they’re still in it, and that’s what they do up there.”
(With your relationship with Head Coach Brian Flores and your intimate knowledge of the defense, what role do you see yourself playing on defense? Are you going to kind of be like a coach on the field, per se? And I wanted to ask you how far do you think this defense is away from stopping the likes of Ravens QB Lamar Jackson and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, some of the high-scoring quarterbacks in this league, who have gone on to play deep in the AFC playoffs?) – “Good question. I think really what we’re focused on right now is just getting everybody together. I’m excited to meet everybody, get into OTAs, if those happen; but if not, then I’m excited to jump into training camp and get to work. For me personally, I hope – I’m going to go off what the plan is for me. I feel (and) envision that I’ll be playing everywhere like I have been. I’ve said it before – I don’t really consider myself having a position. I don’t really like that. I don’t like being called a d-end or a linebacker or anything. I’m just a football player. You roll the ball out onto the field, I’m there. I’m showing up. That’s my job and I’m going to be about it all the time.”
(I just am curious because I know you and Head Coach Brian Flores were so close and you kind of stayed in touch. What was his reaction to you deciding on coming to Miami? What has he told you about what he’s trying to do here and how you can contribute to that?) – “I think what he told me is – obviously I’m going to keep that confidential. (laughter) I can’t give you the secrets, but I think he’s pretty excited. I’m pretty excited, and we’re going to do everything for the team. I’m definitely going to do that. I’ve done that since I’ve been in the NFL. That’s not going to change who I am. I’m just going to try to hopefully take a more leadership role because I’m going to be one of the more older players on this team, and I just hope I can help out the young guys – not just as football players, but as people, too. I just want them to – I hope I can show them the right way, how to be a professional because that’s what it’s all about.”
(How has the coronavirus affected you? Do you have any friends, family that have been affected by it, and how are you going to be able to keep yourself football ready for what seems to be a long slog here?) – “To my knowledge, no one in my family or anybody I’m close with I know of has gotten it. I’ve heard potential people have been around people that have gotten it, but nobody’s had symptoms of it. I still say my prayers to all of those that have been affected. I’ve seen all sorts of crazy things, and I feel bad for those that are being affected. We’re working – my wife and I are working on – as fast as possible to get in contact with people down in Miami to hopefully – our foundation, the Van Noy Valor Foundation – go down and help as much as we can because it’s a sad thing that we’re dealing with and I know we’ll push through. We’re going to come together. Staying in shape-wise, I actually still can get a workout in. There’s a ranch about 45 minutes away from me. No one’s there. Just I have access to it, and it’s pretty cool. So it’s just me and myself getting after it. There’s a hill I can run, and there’s some weights I can lift. There’s no one else around. It’s just me, myself and I. (laughter) But it’s good. I’m staying in shape, so I’m really happy about that. I’ve had offseasons where I’ve gotten too heavy for my own (good) and it’s not fun to lose a bunch of weight, so I’m definitely staying in shape.”
(I’m going to put you on the spot here. Your best Head Coach Brian Flores story that comes to mind?) – “Oh. (laughter) There’s a lot. I’ll share a good one. It was in New England. It was during practice, and he was the d-coordinator at the time, so it was in 2018, and it was one of those days where it was just a grind. Everyone was cranky. It was probably in December, so in December everyone starts to get cranky in New England because it gets cold (laughter) – something you guys don’t know about; but things weren’t happening at practice. He brought me and ‘High’ (Dont’a Hightower) over and kind of just said, ‘look. We’re just – we’re not just trying to be out here. We’ve got things to do.’ And I know it’s simple. That’s something simple to say, but it didn’t hit us until we got to the meeting because when we were watching the plays, he was like, ‘look at right here, we’re just not out here. We’re trying to get things done.’ Then in that game, that week – we fast forward it. It came to a time and a place where the play that he wasn’t happy about in that practice popped up in the game, and me and ‘High’ started laughing at each other because me and him both made a play on it, and we go to the sideline and we started laughing at him like, ‘look, we’re not out here…’ (laughter) We kind of did his little comment back to him, and he started laughing. That’s just a small story, but it’s a big story because he takes something that’s so small and is able to put it into football and relate it, and he’s really good with his players.”
(I don’t think I’ve ever interviewed someone wearing headphones before. What do you think of this technology and this way of doing part of the job?) – “I think it’s the way of the future, to be honest. I have my headphones on because I actually play video games. I’m on my desktop, so this is my gaming station. I didn’t want to switch up, take my headsets out. Then I would have to reconfigure all my stuff I took hours to do, so they’re staying on so you’ve just got to enjoy my headphones. (laughter) They’re pretty sweet. Shout out to Razer. They hooked it up.”
(Were you surprised that QB Tom Brady ultimately left New England?) – “No. Given the fact of 20 years, given the fact that he didn’t get a contract done beforehand. I just felt like there were too many other teams – it would be hard to pass up an opportunity he would get in free agency where you can make some money, and I feel like he got what he deserves. Things didn’t work out, and I hope the best for him. I think he’s going to be good in Tampa. I’m just glad he’s in the NFC, that’s for sure.”
(How can your strengths help the Dolphins this season?) – “I like that question. I feel like my versatility will be able to be a matchup problem for any coach because you never know where I’m going to line up and match up against; and then I feel like I can be a leader to this team. I just want to win at the end of the day. It’s funny, I tell all of my friends this: there’s nothing better than winning a 1 o’clock game and being at home at night watching the Sunday night game. Like, ‘man, I’m feeling good right now, we won,’ and gearing up for another week. That’s my whole mentality each week, is to get – whether it’s that Sunday night win or a 1 o’clock win – just that feeling when you get home that you put all you could in that week to have that feeling of, ‘oh man, we won at 1 o’clock. Let’s get it again another week.’”
Emmanuel Ogbah – March 26, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, March 26, 2020
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(I wanted to ask you about how difficult it must have been for you to be a spectator during the Super Bowl because of your injury. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.) – “Yeah, it was definitely tough watching them play, but I’m glad. I’m happy for my brothers. They went out there, did their thing. I still get a ring, so I’m excited about that; but it was actually a cool experience the whole Super Bowl. It was dope. I’m just glad I was a part of it, too.”
(How did the Dolphins happen for you? How did this come together and did it happen pretty quick?) – “Once free agency started, the Dolphins were on me hard. Other teams wanted me, too, and I just felt at home with the Dolphins because I’m always in South Florida because I train out here during the offseason, so I just felt wanted by the Dolphins and I’m excited to play for (Head) Coach (Brian) Flores. I can’t wait.”
(You played in a couple of different defenses in your career, but what do you feel like is your best fit on the defense? Do you like playing five-technique, do you like to stand up? Where do you feel like you make your biggest impact?) – “Personally, I think my biggest (impact) as an edge rusher, but I’m versatile enough to do a lot of things. That’s why Miami brought me in. I can rush inside. I can rush outside and just do my part to help the team win games. That’s why I’m here.”
(I wanted to ask you about the coronavirus. A two-part question here. No. 1, were you worried about it initially? No. 2, when you heard that some NBA players got it, did it make you feel a little bit more vulnerable?) – “I wasn’t worried about it when it first came out, but listening to the stories and talking to people about it, it just makes sense why people should stay indoors and try to avoid it because it’s definitely scary. Even though I’m a healthy guy – I don’t have a lot of respiratory problems. It’s just hard looking at that. People need to stay inside for their health and their well-being for the rest of their families; but it’s definitely hard seeing NBA players suffer from it, so that means anybody can get it. It definitely just made me extra cautious now.”
(We’re all finding different ways to do things right now. What do you think about using Zoom for interview sessions?) – “(laughter) There’s definitely a first for everything, but it’s cool. It’s a good way to interact with you guys if we can’t be there in person. It’s cool to meet you guys through, I guess Zoom, because this is my first time using Zoom ever.”
(You talked about being excited to play for Head Coach Brian Flores. What about him leads to that excitement? What is it that really attracted you to him and the Dolphins?) – “First of all, he’s definitely a defensive coach. (laughter) He inspires his players and he came from the Patriots, so he knows how to win. I’m just excited to come out here and do my part, help the team win, and I’m excited to get coached up by one of the best.”
(A two-part question. One, you’re in South Florida currently? And two, how are you going about staying in shape when everything is locked down?) – “Yes, I’m currently in South Florida, and I’m doing my best. I try to stay indoors as much as possible. If I have to go out, I’ll go out, grab some groceries if I’ve got to cook or something. But I’m doing my best – doing pushups, sit-ups, the regular stuff at home. The best I can do is try to avoid social gatherings.”
(I know your season got cut short by the pectoral injury. Where are you in your recovery at this point health-wise?) – “I got cleared about four or five weeks ago to do on-field activities now. That’s what I’m just trying to do right now. I can’t really technically do it, but I’m just trying to get on a bike and do some cardio work and just get my legs back on. I’m just trying to stay safe, trying to avoid this corona(virus) stuff going on. Like I said, I’m just getting ready.”
(I wanted to ask about one aspect of your game. You’ve had a lot of success batting down passes over the years. What do you attribute that to? What are you looking for when a play starts that might give you the opportunity to swat a pass down?) – “For me, it’s more so just instincts. You’ve just got to feel when the QB is about to throw the ball and immediately put your arm up. I also have some pretty long arms, so that definitely helps, too; but I feel like (it is) more of a feel thing to me.”
(How do you plan on learning this defense knowing that you may not have a lot of time to practice it or meet with the player and meet with the coaches, and what are some things you’re watching? What are you watching on Netflix, Hulu, playing a lot of video games – how else are you keeping busy?) – “I haven’t really gotten the playbook or whatnot, yet, and I’m just waiting on that; so as soon as I get that, I’m going to get started learning the basics. In my off time, when I have nothing to do, I just get on the game – play some Call of Duty on Xbox, play some Madden. Sometimes I watch Netflix, too, just to bide time.”
(I know you’re from Nigeria. I wanted to ask you about your Nigerian roots, and how often do you hear from people back about what you’re doing in the game and maybe how you’re being a role model for them?) – “It’s definitely tough because they can’t really watch me play. I guess they can watch online, but I know my dad is constantly posting stuff on Facebook about me, just interacting with my family back home. It’s cool. I was supposed to go down there this offseason, but the whole corona(virus pandemic) stopped me from going down there. My dad posts a lot of stuff. I call them, they call me, we talk. They say I’m inspiring a lot of people. I’ve just got to keep going, keep doing the best I can, keep doing what I do just to help bring light to where they’re at.”
(What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?) – “Just doing my part to help the team win. I’m here to rush the passer. I’m here to make this team better. We’ve got a bunch of guys that were brought in this free agency, and we’re just ready to work. We’re just trying to put our head down and just keep working.”
(I was just wondering if you’ve spoken to DE Shaq Lawson and if you know Shaq at all since you guys were in the same draft.) – “Yeah, I spoke to him a little bit after I signed. I said, ‘hope you’re ready to work,’ because we just kind of clicked. He said, ‘yeah, I hope you’re ready to work.’ We’re just ready to get after it, to be honest.”
(Tell me about taekwondo. I read that you’re taking that up. Is that correct?) – “(laughter) No, I don’t think that’s me; but I do hand work with gloves and hand speed and all that; but no, I don’t really do taekwondo.”
Jordan Howard – March 26, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, March 26, 2020
RB Jordan Howard
(Why the Miami Dolphins? Why the decision for the Dolphins?) – “I just thought it was a good opportunity for me. I feel like this is an up-and-coming team. I’ve heard from people about the exciting things they are doing. I know a lot of people were trying to say they were trying to not be competitive last year but they beat a few good teams last year late in the season. I definitely feel like this is a team that’s on the rise.”
(I know you didn’t play in that game, but when Philadelphia played down here against Miami last year, what did you learn about the Dolphins in that game, and was it different from what you thought previously?) – “I learned that a lot of people were saying they weren’t trying most of the games and thought it was going to be an easy win for teams when they play the Dolphins but they showed that they had a lot of fight, because they could’ve given up at some point in that game and let the Eagles back into that game, but they just kept fighting and fighting and they pulled it out. I definitely feel like the heat down here will help us against teams.”
(When you were in negotiations with the Dolphins, did they give any assurances as to what your role would be? Do you see yourself or have they told you that you would be the featured back?) – “No, we didn’t talk about my role or anything like that. I’m just going to come in and be the best teammate that I can and be whatever they need me to be.”
(I’m just curious how you and other athletes are doing with coronavirus and things that are going on. How are you guys staying in shape and prepare for training camp and things like that when you can’t even go out and travel? I know a lot of the players travel to different parts of the country for training.) – “It’s definitely been difficult. A lot of the places people are training have been shut down. A lot of gyms have been shut down. For me, I’ve just been doing a lot of running. I haven’t really been in the weight room, so I’ve just been running outside mostly.”
(How would you describe your running style?) – “I’d describe my running style as rugged, pretty physical. I like to make the defenders feel me. I’d rather hit them than them hit me. I definitely try to make them quit, that way by the fourth quarter, they don’t really want to tackle.”
(How’s your health at this point? I know you suffered a shoulder injury last year, are you back to 100 percent?) – “Yeah, I’m back to 100 percent now. It took a while, but I’m finally back to being 100 percent and can’t wait to get back to playing football.”
(How much experience do you have being on Zoom meetings, particularly being that you are the leader of the meeting, and what do you think of it?) – “I like Zoom. I did it a few times earlier. When I was finishing my degree last year, I had to do a few Zoom meetings. So, I’m kind of familiar with it.”
(You weren’t able obviously to take visits during free agency. How much harder did that make your decision when this was all going down?) – “I don’t really feel like it was a hard decision because I’m just here to play football. I don’t really care how the facilities look or anything like that. That didn’t really have an impact on my decision.”
(When I watch you play, what I see is toughness and determination. I’m kind of wondering if you can take me inside to where you get that from – that mindset, your history. Where does those elements come from?) – “The more I played, I felt like that was the best style for me. That’s what works best for me. I’m not a make-you-miss guy. I can make people miss sometimes, but that not really my game. I stick to what I know. I’ve always just loved watching Marshawn Lynch run. The way he ran, the way he fought for every yard, he made it a struggle for the defenders to bring him down.”
(I was looking at some of your numbers. You were top five in rushing touchdowns and rushing yards since you’ve been in the league. What do you think about the value of opportunity and do you think that this provide an opportunity for you to be the guy that you’ve shown throughout your career?) – “I’m not sure about the opportunity. I’m just trying to come in here and do whatever role. I’m never scared of competition. Competition makes everyone better, so I embrace completion.”
(Where are you riding all of this coronavirus out? Are you at home? Where is home? Are you in isolation? It’s got to be tough. I know it is for us, to be stuck in the house all day.) – “Yeah, I’m in Aventura in isolation. At least I’m in good weather right now.”
(What do you think about free agency as an opportunity for teams to get better? The Dolphins obviously signed a bunch of guys including you. What do you think about that?) – “I definitely feel like free agency along with the draft is a good opportunity for teams to improve, to find players they feel will fit their system, especially with new coaches. They don’t always get to pick as soon as they get there. I feel like this is a chance for (Head) Coach (Brian) Flores to mold the team into his image.”
(I know there has been talk about maybe a shortened offseason, maybe it’s OTAs or minicamp. How do you think that will impact players having a season if you didn’t have those spring and summer workouts?) – “I don’t think it would impact the current players. I think it will impact more the rookies. They have a bigger learning curve for them because they won’t get that physical time. They won’t be able to go through those reps and things like that to build a routine. I feel like that’s who it would impact the most.”
(How have you been able to maintain your conditioning during the coronavirus?) – “I’ve just been doing a lot of cardio and a lot of running. I haven’t been doing too many weights, but I’ve definitely been getting a lot of running in.”
(I’m wondering how bizarre this offseason has been for you. I know you’ve covered the coronavirus thing; but just all things considered, how bizarre has this whole offseason been for you?) – “It’s been pretty chill for the most part until the coronavirus started hitting. Other than that, it’s been pretty chill, pretty simple, pretty much the same. The coronavirus has made things pretty weird.”
Byron Jones – March 26, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, March 26, 2020
CB Byron Jones
(Two quick questions – what was it that brought you at the end of the day here to Miami and how excited are you to work with a guy like CB Xavien Howard?) – “What really brought me to Miami was the idea of joining a young team and being a leader on that team and kind of being a catalyst for cultural change and helping this team win. They’ve got a bunch of ballers on that roster and really with the prospect of drafting a lot of dope players, and we’ve also brought in a bunch of different free agents across the league. I wanted to be a part of the building of something special and more than anything, just being that guy – a guy that people look up to in the locker room to lead them in the right direction, really. I’m looking forward to playing with all my teammates, but especially to play across from another guy who’s a top-tier corner. I think that’s going to be a cool little duo for us.”
(I know Head Coach Brian Flores likes to play a lot of man-to-man defense. How does that fit with what you want to do?) – “Yeah, I love – that’s one of the things that really made me fall in love with the game all over again; one, changing from safety to corner, but then just having someone in front of me every play. I love that. I love competing every single play. Even if the ball’s not thrown to my side, I’m cool with that. Being a long, strong corner – I can move pretty well, I can change directions pretty well – I think that’s going to bode well if we’re playing a lot of man.”
(I understand there were a number of teams involved in free agency. I think the Eagles were one of them. How did Miami win that race?) – “Like I said earlier, it was just the prospect of being a part of a team that’s building and going in the right direction. I like the young roster and I like the coach, so for me it was just a good fit.”
(You mentioned CB Xavien Howard earlier. What does having two Pro Bowl-type corners on one team do to a quarterback? What problems are you guys expecting to cause?) – “The most important part is just really having no weak links, and that’s what we’re trying to create in our defensive secondary and really the entire team, is to build a team where there are no weaknesses, where we can just guard up. We can create matchups that are difficult for receivers and quarterbacks. We’ve seen throughout the league, receivers are getting better and better. Quarterbacks are getting better and better. Teams don’t have just one good receiver. They have multiple. They have good tight ends, good running backs, so we just want to be able to match up to some of the best assets and just disrupt that as much as we can.”
(Obviously you’ve been graded as one of the best cover corners in the whole league for a few years now. It’s always brought up that you only have two interceptions in your career. What are some of the things that you think have contributed to that?) – “Man, I have no clue. It’s a joke, the fact that I haven’t had an interception in two years. It’s bizarre. (laughter) But it doesn’t bother me in any way. It’s just one of those things you work on in the offseason (and) during the season and when it comes, you’ve got to be ready. In 2018, I had a ball hit in the back of the head and that was kind of embarrassing. In 2019, that didn’t happen in 2019, so I am getting better. (laughter) Slowly but surely, I am getting better; but I’ve been working on ball skills all day long, and that’s just something that – surprisingly I do have good ball skills, but it just needs to show up on game days. We’re working on that.”
(You’re obviously from Connecticut, the New York area. Do you have family still there? How are they dealing with coronavirus? It’s obviously one of the biggest hotspots in the world.) – “I’m not from New York. I’m from Connecticut, and they are staying inside like everybody else. (laughter)”
(I wonder how many Zoom interview sessions you’ve done and what your reaction to this is?) – “This is my second one. I had an interview with – not really an interview, just talking to a friend. He wanted to show me the app, I guess, but it’s neat. You see, I guess I’ve got a little background here so you’re not looking in my house. It’s just a bizarre situation that we’re all in, but we’re all in it together, so hopefully we can collectively understand how important the situation is and understand to stay inside and not to spread this virus. Maybe in a couple weeks, but that’s – man, that’s life. Let’s figure it out.”
(I’m curious what you had heard about Head Coach Brian Flores before the process and then maybe what you learned about him during the last couple of weeks or months.) – “I haven’t had a chance to actually meet him in person, but talking with him on the phone after I signed – just, he’s a young coach and I love that. He’s got young energy. I hear he’s intense and he likes to create competitive scenarios, competitive situations. That’s just something that I like and I wanted to be a part of. I’ve heard a lot of good things about him throughout the league. I spoke to a couple of coaches and players throughout the whole process and they had nothing but good things to say about him. That’s exciting for me, just to be on a team that he’s leading.”
(You were the first signing by the Dolphins, I believe, in this free agency period. What did you think as they went on – they signed LB Kyle Van Noy, for instance, and then they DE Shaq Lawson, etc. What were your thoughts as the day progressed?) – “Yeah, we’ve got some ballers. No question about that. You combine the new talent with the talent that was already on the team and you combine it with the new talent we’re going to get in the draft, and we’re going to have some ballers. Now the challenge is putting it together and being consistent and winning games in this league, which is very hard to do; but no, it’s exciting to see a lot of good players come from different teams. We all come from different backgrounds. That’s the beauty of football, so there shouldn’t be any issues working together with these guys. I’ve talked to a couple of them already. We’re ready to get the thing started.”
(What changes for you with the money?) – “Personally?”
(Your role on the team, your expectations, personally, anything.) – “One thing my coach – his name is Kris Richard, and he’s really one of the big reasons why I moved to corner and why I was a Pro Bowl player – is approach things as if it’s a championship. So championship preparation in practice, in life, the way you eat. If this was a practice leading up to Super Bowl, how are you going to prepare for that practice, prepare for that game? So really, my mindset is regardless of if I’m getting paid $1 million or $13 million. It doesn’t change for me. I’m always going to practice and prepare to my best abilities. To me, that’s what’s consistent of being a part of – the good players in this league, we don’t change based on outside circumstances. There’s something internal in a player that says, ‘hey, I have certain standards I’m not going to deviate (from them) no matter what’s going on.’ Me, being an older guy now, I have to step up to a leadership position. Just not leading by example, but leading through being vocal and talking to the team and making sure the young guys are doing the right thing. That’s what I’m excited for.”
(I know that Dallas obviously drafted you and groomed you. Do you think that their situation with QB Dak Prescott and WR Amari Cooper impacted you not getting much interest from them in that perspective?) – “I don’t think so. One thing that the Dallas Cowboys do a really good job at is drafting good young players, and they have a whole bunch of good corners on that team – no question about that – and those guys will be just fine without me. But they believe strongly in the way they draft and they’ve shown over the years they draft some freaking ballers no matter (if it is the) first round, seventh round, guys in between. They draft and develop really good players, so I don’t think the Dak and Amari’s situation had any effect on me. I think it’s their confidence in the people that they have on the roster now and who they’re going to get in the draft hopefully.”
(I’m wondering how many times you’ve broad jumped since the world record.) – “(laughter) It’s funny, so never like an official – we do it during training around this time of the year. We’ll do it in April and May. It’s like a plyometric, I guess, so we’ll do like broad jumps back-to-back-to-back-to-back just to build the muscles up and just more for explosion, just for workout; but I’ve never actually gotten on a line and measured how far I jump. That was a one-time deal, man. That’s it. (laughter)”
(I know you sort of touched on this earlier, but I’m wondering when you started free agency, what were your priorities? What did you want aside from money, from a team that would sway you to sign with that team?) – “Really, it’s just the team – how the team makeup is. To me, it’s where they’re going and what direction are they going into? I had good opportunities to join different teams at different stages of their – I don’t know – their winning cycle? But I love the prospect of joining a team that’s on the come-up. That was exciting for me, and seeing the guys that the Dolphins have been able to collect over the past couple of weeks and the guys that they already have on the roster and obviously the guys that they’re going to get in the draft. To me, that’s exciting, and that was one of the big things. Football is a grind. No matter how much you’re getting paid, it is hard, so you want to be in a good locker room, a good situation with good teammates, good coaches; and you want to win games. That’s the only thing that makes this game easy – not easy, but it makes it do-able for 20-24 weeks depending on how far you go in the season. That’s what’s most important to me. It just, who you’re around, what’s the culture and where do you see the team going.”
(How do you feel about playing for Miami and what is one key attribute that you have that will help this team?) – “I am fired up to play for Miami. This is a young team that’s going in the right direction, and the thing that I can bring to this team is leadership and also good man coverage. That’s one thing I’m excited (about), is to play with this defensive style. We’re going to match up, we’re going to have some fun, put people in different spots so they can be successful and that’s what I’m looking most forward to.”
Elandon Roberts – March 26, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, March 26, 2020
LB Elandon Roberts
(I wanted to ask you about coming to the Dolphins. In the league, players make their choice based on opportunity and salary. You also have a former coach in Brian Flores, so how much was this decision based on Brian Flores and how much of it on playing opportunity and salary?) – “Through the process, it was all good. Just being a former player for him in New England and knowing what he’s about and stuff like that, it just felt comfortable to come and whatnot. Just knowing how good of a leader he is on and off the field, how much he cares about you as a player. Ultimately it went into my decision to become a Miami Dolphin and I’m 100 percent all the way in. I can’t wait to get down there and get started.”
(Describe to me what a – and I quote – ‘run through a [expletive]’s face mentality’ is.) – “It’s just in you. As a linebacker, you’ve got to – sometimes a lot of people are in your way or you’ve got to – At the end of the day for a linebacker, you have to make a tackle. So it’s a ‘do what you’ve got to do’ mentality. If you’ve got to do that, then you’ve got to do it. It’s just a mentality that I go by.”
(You were part of the Patriots’ long reign in the AFC East … is there potential now with the players that departed for an opportunity to unseat them?) – “We just have to come in every day and take it one day at a time. We can’t really look at what’s out there. All we can do is control what’s in our facility. That’s taking it one day at a time, learning our teammates, getting in and seeing what (Head Coach Brian) Flores and the staff wants out of us. That’s all that we can control.”
(I know you played with LB Kyle Van Noy and you’ve seen a lot of the pieces that were signed here on this defense. I wanted to ask you if you can still score on this defense now as it is right now?) – “Of course. I think everybody can score on defense. That’s definitely something fun to do. Creating turnovers is a part of defense. Of course I think every team in the league wants to do that. I think if we are able to get over this situation that we are going through and we all come together as the Miami Dolphins – we’re going to take it one day at a time as a team and as a defense, and try to create those habits.”
(I know you went to an HBCU. There was supposed to be a HBCU combine this weekend at the Dolphins facility but of course it was cancelled. What I want to know from you is it tougher to make it to the NFL when you come from an HBCU? If you think that is the case, why is that the case?) – ”I only went to an HBCU my freshman year. I didn’t graduate from there. I graduated and did my pro day with the University of Houston, so I really can’t answer that question. But I do think that NFL scouts around the league do a great job of finding you wherever you’re at, whether it’s HBCU, D-II, even if it’s NAIA, they do a great job of finding talent all over.”
(Were you surprised that QB Tom Brady left New England and what do you think about the new era they have in New England?) – “I just feel like Tom made the best decision that was best for Tom. I really can’t talk to deep into Tom and his decision. He’s a great guy and a great teammate.”
(What is your mindset given what we’re all going through right now. How are you able to stay in shape, and what’s you level of confidence that you’ll be able to gather with your new teammates for the offseason training?) – “Right now with what’s going on, I’ve just been staying in the house controlling what I can control. Just doing little thing within the inside of my house. Just trying to make sure I’m doing the right things to make sure this thing can get settled down and whatnot. I can’t (wait to) get out there to Miami and get with my teammates and learn each one of those and we can start taking this one day at a time.”
(How has this experience been for you? Obviously going into free agency, you would probably visit some teams before you make a decision. Was it harder going into this without being able to go and visit the teams and piggy-backing off that, how are you are keeping in shape?) – “I can only talk about my decision. For me, it was pretty comfortable because I was already comfortable with ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) out there in Miami. I didn’t think I needed to take too much of a visit. It didn’t hinder my decision because of the situation. Knowing Coach Flores, knowing what he’s about, knowing what kind of leader he is – I knew everybody in that organization. It’s going to be the same type of mentality he’s on because I know what type of leader he is, so it didn’t make it that difficult for me not taking a visit.”
(I know you don’t want to talk much about QB Tom Brady leaving, but you caught the second-to-last touchdown pass from him in New England. Can you even picture what an AFC East would look like without that guy?) – “I think the AFC East right now, for me, is taking it one day at a time with the Miami Dolphins. When we’re over this situation that we’re going through, to get there and meet my teammates, meet the staff, and even meet the people that help around the building – because that’s the people that make it easier on us – when I’m able to do that, then we’re able to just take it one day at a time and do what we need to do to control what we can control.”
(You were a captain in New England. How would you describe your leadership skills and how do your teammates think of you?) – “Me, I honestly think it’s just being yourself. Come in here every day, be the best teammate you can be, be the best person you can be in the building, and stuff like that. That’s it for me. Just always being myself and doing what the team needs me to do, and being the best teammate I can be.”
(What is your main reason for joining the Dolphins?) – “My number one reason, like I keep saying, is Coach Flores. He just made me feel so comfortable with coming down and knowing what type of leader he is and the type of staff that’s here already. That was my number one main reason and whatnot. I’m 100 percent bought in. I can’t wait to get down (there) and I love that I’m a Miami Dolphin.”
Ted Karras – March 26, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, March 26, 2020
C Ted Karras
(Why the Dolphins? How did this come together?) – “I got a couple offers and I really believe in what Coach Flores (Head Coach Brian Flores) is building and doing here, and I kind of wanted to get in and help him build it. So I’m really excited. Hopefully (I will) get down there soon. I hope everyone’s well, by the way, and I’m looking forward to meeting you all. I’m looking forward to getting down (there) and getting to work, meeting the guys and a brand new adventure.”
(What are your thoughts about this group of free agents that you are a part of? It’s a large group. The Dolphins obviously made a big investment. What kind of impact do you think you all collectively can make?) – “It’s been great. I know a lot of guys coming in. Kyle Van Noy, Elandon (Roberts) obviously from the Patriots. I played college football with Clayton Fejedelem, and then we were in rookie camp together with Kamu Grugier-Hill, so a lot of familiar faces. A lot of talent coming in. I know Shaq Lawson from Combine training. So I’m looking forward to getting to work with these guys. It’s going to be an exciting year. I’m pretty pumped up. Obviously I’m just going to focus on what I need to do to help the team win some games and that’s working hard however I can and getting to know these guys and mesh together as a team. It’s kind of like a whole other class coming in. It’s pretty exciting stuff.”
(What do you remember about Head Coach Brian Flores when he was down there with New England and do you have any good ‘Flo’ stories?) – “I don’t know if I have any good ‘Flo’ stories. I know I competed against him a lot my first couple years. I was with the sixth-man reserve scout team guys, so we competed against him a lot. We got after his defense, and he’s intense and prepares to win and knows what he’s doing and I really respect that a lot. He actually played with a couple guys from my high school at BC (Boston College), so that’s kind of how we started talking, but we developed a pretty decent relationship and I really liked what he did last year and really respect Coach Flores. I’m glad to be in his organization.”
(What has Head Coach Brian Flores told you about the culture that he’s building in Miami and do you feel like there are any similarities based on what you experienced in New England and maybe some differences?) – “I don’t know if he’s told me anything explicitly about what the culture he’s trying to build. I think just going off his personality and what I saw on film and what I’ve read and heard, it’s going to be fairly similar to what we were about in New England. I think the biggest things would just be preparing to win, being tough and trying to go out there and win as many games as we can. I think that inherently that’s what he’s about, and that’s one of the main reasons that I decided to come down and be a Miami Dolphin. I’m really looking forward to working with him again and getting some work done.”
(I’m wondering when you look at interior offensive line – in New England you guys didn’t seem to have highly drafted guys. Maybe Patriots G Joe Thuney might have been the highest pick right at the third round. What is the key to building that interior offensive line? Is it skill? Is it coaching? What is it?) – “I think a little bit has to do with skill and also hard work. I do have to give a lot of credit in my own career – I can only speak for myself – (Patriots Offensive Line Coach) Dante Scarnecchia really made me an exceptionally better football player than I was. Four years of working under him really, really benefitted me; but I think guys take it upon themselves to try and get better. We work hard every day. There’s obviously a toughness aspect and a lot of things go into it. I’m hoping that I can help bolster this interior offensive line and have some success down here as well.”
(How have you been impacted by coronavirus? Where are you right now? How much have you been able to leave the house and what do you think of what’s going on in the world?) – “It’s crazy. I hope you guys are all safe and your families are safe. I’m here in just a little town right outside of Foxborough. I’m just working out – my neighbor’s got a rack in his garage right across the street. I’m just running up and down the street. I’m doing band workouts. I’m doing anything I can to get it done. It’s pretty crazy. I hope it calms down soon so I can get down there and get to work. I’m really excited to meet the guys. That’s my favorite part about football is being on a team with 50, 60 guys so I’m really looking forward to meeting some new people and getting to work.”
(You were part of the Patriots’ long reign in this division. How much does the balance of power change with the Patriots quarterback going to Tampa Bay now? How much of an opening does it create for the other teams?) – “I think just about as much opening as any other time every year. It’s a new season. Everyone is coming in, working hard for – we’re coming together for six months and going to try to win as many games as we can out of 16, and we’ve got as good of a shot as anybody else in the division; but it’s going to take hard work and dedication. We’re going to have to come together and really buy in and work our hardest to get better every day. If we can do that, then we have just as much of a shot as the other three teams in this division.”
(I wanted to ask you – I know that there was a narrative about the Dolphins early on last season that they were tanking or whatnot, but you guys got to play them twice. What did you see in that team by the end of the season through improvement or otherwise?) – “The obvious improvement being they came up and we lost the last game; but even in both games, (they have) big tough guys on the d-line. Obviously a stout defense. (It’s a) very similar scheme to what we were doing, but it’s a tough – any time you play – I thought Coach Flores’ teams coming in, even when he was the d-coordinator here, it’s going to be a tough day for guys on the inside. A lot of hitting, a lot of guys covered up. They were a tough team and that was a tough loss for us, so I have a lot of respect for when they came up – New Year’s Eve in New England – and came up and beat us. That earned a lot of respect from me, so I’m looking forward to being a part of a team with those guys.”
(What was your reaction to QB Tom Brady leaving?) – “I’m very happy for him. Tom Brady is a personal favorite of mine. He always was amazing to me and obviously a great athlete, great person. I think he’s one of the best ever, and I learned a lot of football from him; but also about being a man, a father and a human being in this league and I’m very happy for him. He deserves everything he gets, and I wish him luck and success. I’m sure he’ll have some, so I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.”
(How many video conferences have you done, and what’s your reaction to doing it this way?) – “Well, I’m actually pretty well-versed in Zoom before this. I was actually watching a lecture on Zoom. I’m finishing up my degree from Indiana University – my Master’s of Business Administration – so I’m pretty well-versed in zoom. It’s not bad. It’s kind of like everyone’s on a football offseason now and everyone’s home. This is kind of – it wouldn’t be too much, that much different for me, except now we just can’t even leave anyway. I’m just finishing up school and I don’t mind doing it this way; but I am looking forward to meeting you guys and shaking your hands when that is socially acceptable again (laughter) and working with you guys. It’s always exciting to meet new people, and I’m looking forward to meeting you guys and working together.”
(This one comes from a fan, Gabriel Lopez. He wants to know, what’s your opinion of Brian Flores?) – “I think he’s a smart, tough coach. He prepares us to win, brings in guys he thinks share his vision and his toughness and his drive to compete and win. I’m very much looking forward to practicing and playing in his organization.”
Brian Flores – February 25, 2020
Download PDF version
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Regarding Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey, who brought his name up first and what was the reaction in the room when that name was called?) – “I brought his name up first. Having coached against him in years past, he was always somebody who was tough to deal with schematically, good situationally and then I’ve just heard many great things about him as a teacher, him as a – the big thing for me is always teaching. He’s a great teacher. These past couple – the time that he’s been here, I’m seeing more and more of that, so we’re excited to have Chan.”
(Did you have to talk Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey out of retirement or convince him to come back or was he enthusiastic?) – “He’s back. He’s enthusiastic and he’s excited for the opportunity, and we’re excited for him to work with our players.”
(As a coach when you sit down with these quarterbacks in the next week, what is the No. 1 thing you hope to…?) – “It’s hard to say one thing for the quarterback position or really any position. We’re looking for guys who are tough, who are smart, who are competitive, who love to play, put the team first. Obviously we’ve watched all of the film. We’re looking for talented players. There’s a lot of things we’re looking for in each player, but I would say tough, smart.”
(How high is mobility on that list in terms of things that you want a quarterback to have?) – “Mobility, I think at any level you’ve got to have mobility. Pee Wee, college, high school. You’ve got to be able to step up in the pocket or slide in the pocket or if you get a free runner, try to avoid that guy. I think mobility at that position at any level is a good thing. I would say just from a talent standpoint, yeah, that’s something we’re looking at as well.”
(On what he needs to know from QB Tua Tagovailoa’s medical evaluation.) – “There’s a lot to know about a lot of players. Specific to him, it’s all the things we just talked about – his love of the game, his intelligence. But that’s for any player, and medical’s obviously a part of that; but again, we’re very, very early in the process. There’s medical, there’s tests. This is very early. We haven’t even met him yet. I’m looking forward to meeting him and a lot of players. (There are) a lot of talented players here at the Combine.”
(There’s already a lot of talk about the “it” factor in quarterbacks. How do you evaluate that? When do you first evaluate if that quarterback has “it” to lead your team?) – “I think that’s something everyone talks about. Does he have that factor? Do guys rally around him? I think that’s something you see watching the film, but you get to know the player, the people around him, his coaches, his high school coaches or anybody who’s had an effect on (him). You want to get to know him and have those conversations. It’s a feel. You may feel like your guy has it. (Someone) may not. As a group, myself, (General Manager) Chris (Grier), we spend a lot of time talking about a lot of different things. If we feel like a player has that, that’s something that I think every organization is looking for. It’s an important piece, but it’s different. Everyone’s got a different kind of thought process and opinion on that.”
(Is that a requirement for you to feel like a player has that “it” factor?) – “I mean, the good ones have it, so yeah.”
(Drawing on your experience, what’s the most valuable thing your staff will take away from this week in Indianapolis?) – “It’s a great week to evaluate a lot of talented players at a lot of different positions. I think getting to know them – because there’s a lot of juniors here that we don’t really know very well, so to spend some time with them, getting to know them, getting to find out how smart they are, things that are important to them; I think that’s the most important piece. I want to know about the person. We can re-watch all the film. I have an opinion on how talented the player is, but how do they work? How important is it to them? Are they going to make the sacrifices necessary to become the player they want to be? Those are the kinds of things that I’m looking for.”
(You talked about having a vision for the team moving forward here. For the sake of that vision down the road, do you need to come out of this offseason with a young quarterback for the future?) – “There’s a lot that goes with that question. Obviously we’re looking at all positions. The quarterback is part of that as well. I think we want to create competition to get young, talented players at all positions. So yeah, as far as, I’ll tell you that’s – you’re right there, but it’s not just the quarterback position. It’s o-line, it’s d-line, it’s defensive backs. It’s all positions, so they’re all important.”
(On the competitiveness of the AFC East.) – “I think our division’s very competitive. Obviously the Patriots every year. They’re well-coached and they’re tough to deal with. The Jets – they’ve got a very talented roster. They’re well-coached as well. All those games are tough and obviously Buffalo. They made the playoffs last year. They’ve got a talented team as well, so yeah, I think it’s a very tough division.”
(On if the Patriots are vulnerable.) – “(laughter) No, I don’t see them as ever being vulnerable.”
(On Preston Williams.) – “Preston is working hard every day. I’ve seen him in there. He’s working hard. He’s doing everything he can to get back as quickly as possible. I thought he played okay last year. There’s always room for improvement. I think he’s taking steps to make those improvements.”
(On the team’s draft capital and trades and how aggressive they will be.) – “I think it’s entirely too early to kind of talk about how aggressive – there’s a lot of smokescreens out there from trade this, trade that. Look, I think we’re going to – you’re right. We have some capital; but again, it’s not just one position. Not in this game. There’s 22 guys on the field at a time, so we’re trying to build a talented roster. Depth is important in this league as you know, and there are injuries every week, so we want to build as talented a roster as we can. The quarterback position is part of that like (someone) mentioned earlier, but they’re all important to me. We have our kickers, punters and long snappers; I’m taking a look at all those guys as well. We want to create competition. That’s important to me at every position, so that’s kind of the goal.”
(Your reaction to Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Karl Dorrell leaving to go to Colorado? Will you have an assistant head coach next year?) – “I’m very excited for Karl. I think it’s a great opportunity for him. He and I had some very good conversations about – I think he was happy here with the Dolphins, but there was an opportunity that I was very supportive of. He wanted it. Like I say to all our coaches, if there’s something that they want, then I’m going to be supportive of those guys. As far as assistant head coach, we’re still kind of in the process of looking to replace Karl and potentially replace his dual roles with us, so we’ll see how it goes. It’s too early in the process. When I know, I’ll let you guys know.”
(What do you have on the status of Xavien Howard’s health and potentially the discipline he might face?) – “The league has kind of taken over from that standpoint. We’ve got to let them go through that process and we’ll take it from there.”
(As you prepared to play the Patriots last season. What did you see from QB Tom Brady in September, and then of course again when you saw him in the finale?) – “I see a very talented player. One of the best players to ever play.”
(How strange would it be for QB Tom Brady to leave the Patriots? Is that something you’re sort of hoping for?) – “I don’t want to speculate. That’s what it is right now. A lot of speculation, a lot of smokescreens. I’m worried about our team. That’s where my focus is, where my mind is at all times. How do I help our team get better, how do I help our players and coaches get better? I think the Combine is a part of that.”
(In your personal life, do you find people you know asking about QB Tom Brady, because of your connection with the team?) – “My personal life? I don’t really get that much. (laughter)”
(You mentioned the smokescreens and speculation earlier. How do you decide how to move from that? Do you stay, go, move around?) – “I don’t read much. I don’t have a Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. I kind of stay out of that, so I don’t really get much of it. If it’s Pro Football Talk, maybe I’ll read it. I know what’s going on in our building. I don’t really worry about what’s going on in everybody else’s building. Everything for me is about how do I make the Dolphins better, how do I help the Dolphins get better. That’s kind of where I’m at.”
(On Stephen Ross dismissing the idea of QB Tom Brady coming to Miami.) – “I think ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) did a good job, a really good job last year. His leadership was something that really helped us a year ago. I’m really focused on the guys that are on our team right now. As far as Tom Brady and free agents, that’s coming up and I understand the question. But right now, we’re having conversations and we’re kind of looking at everything – Chris (Grier), myself, our personnel staff, we look at everything. Every avenue, Chris has got a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C for everything. That’s a good thing. We kind of bounce ideas off of each other. It’s a really good working relationship. We’ll see what happens as we move forward.”
(On if he’s comfortable with what Stephen Ross said) – “Like I said, I feel that ‘Fitz’ has done a really good job. I agree with Steve as far as why would (Tom Brady) want to come to Miami, I do. I’ll leave it at that. I do agree with Steve.”
(Where does QB Josh Rosen fit in?) – “Josh is expected to come in, learn the offense and develop the way he has developed over the latter part of the season. He’ll get an opportunity to compete and get better every day.”
(You guys have versatility on your roster. As you guys go into free agency, do you know where guys like G/T Jesse Davis, and S Bobby McCain will play next season. Or do you wait and see how free agency and the draft play out?) – “We know where they’ve played in the past and what they can do. Versatility is very important for us. It allows us to – it’s not like quarterback where you play one spot. If you can play multiple positions, that’s a good thing. It’s still very early. I don’t think we’re go into it and say ‘hey, you’re playing this, or you’re playing that.’ I think being versatile and having the ability to move a guy like Bobby from safety to different positions, that’s good.”
(What’s your ideal running back for the running game?) – “Running backs come in all different shapes and sizes. It depends on we’ve got. I think we’re always going to do what’s best for the player. Chan (Gailey), he’s done a really good job of fitting the scheme to the different players he’s had. Yeah he wants somebody who is fast, breaks tackles and can block. He’s got to protect. We’re looking for all of those things.”
(On the organization winning the Paul Tagliabue Award for diversity.) – “I think it’s great. There are a lot of great minority candidate throughout the league. I think we have a few of them on our staff including Karl (Dorrell) – we just lost one. I think that’s a good thing. I’m obviously in full support of that. It’s pretty clear that the Dolphins are in support of minority candidates. I do think that there are a lot of great leaders of men, great coaches, great teachers who, if given an opportunity, will do a great job.”
(What are your thoughts of the changes of the Combine?) – “Adapt or die. You’ve just got to be fluid, you’ve got to be flexible. We meet at night now. I‘ve got to figure out when I’ll get my workout in and go from there.”
(On QB Tua Tagovailoa thinking being left-handed is a strength.) – “I wouldn’t sit here and say I’m a quarterback guru. I think I look at it from a defensive perspective and that is a little bit – not unusual but it’s different. There aren’t a lot of lefties out there. (Tua Tagovailoa) is a good player. He’s done a good job and I think everyone, their talents, strengths and weaknesses are different. He’s good player. (Joe) Burrow is a good player, (Justin) Herbert is a good player. (Jordan) Love is a good player. There are good players here. We will evaluate them all. He should think it’s a strength of his. If he thinks it’s a weakness, that’s probably not a good thing.”
(I want to ask you about your t-shirt.) – “The (Dolphins) Cancer Challenge. Just supporting the function the Dolphins have this weekend. The 5k run or walk, or (you can) bike. I think it’s for a tremendous cause and it raises a lot of money for cancer research. I think the Dolphins have done a great job of supporting the fight against cancer. I’m here to support it in any way I can.”
(Are you going to run, walk or bike?) – ‘I’ll be here.“
Chris Grier – February 25, 2020
Download PDF version
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
General Manager Chris Grier
(Year 2 of the rebuild – obviously last year, you guys started with some pieces and tried to get the foundation – what is the goal this offseason?) – “Just continue building. Last year I think was a good year for – I think (Head Coach) Brian (Flores) and the coaching staff did a great job of establishing the culture. The narrative was out there (that) we were tanking, and that clearly was not what we were doing. It’s important to establish that culture of winning, the importance of winning and doing things the right way; so for us, it’s just to keep building upon that and I think we got a good start at the end of the year of how we played the second half of the season, and we’ve just got to keep building from there.”
(What are some of the most important things that you hope to find out here about the quarterbacks?) – “Really it’s just getting to know all of these kids. It’s every position. Like we tell you, every position is crucial, especially when you’re building where we are at this point, and just getting to know the type of person, the leadership, mental toughness, character on and off the field. It’s every position, but especially that one.”
(How important is it to find a young quarterback that you want to build the organization around?) – “I think it’s important. I think every team would tell you that. I’m not going to sit up here and lie and say it’s not. (laughter) It is important. You see that in every team that has one feels really good about it. We want to get to that point. ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) did a great job for us last year, and he’ll be a good guy here to help show this person – whoever it is – how to be a pro, a professional and learn from him, so we’re excited about that.”
(A lot of the teams that have gone for their franchise quarterback in the last few years have had to trade up to do it. Have you already started those talks with the teams about the possibility of having to go up to find your guy?) – “No, not yet, because we’re so early. No team has really met many of these guys yet, so I think until everyone goes through their process – like we’ve talked about – and getting to know them, that’s when you start making your determinations of what’s best for your franchise.”
(Do you feel good at five? Do you think you need to move up to make that happen?) – “We feel good where we are right now. Like I said before, we feel we’ve done a lot of things that give us flexibility through the draft and free agency. Right now, we feel very good where we are.”
(Is there any position that you can say, ‘yeah, most likely we’re going to take that position in the first round,’ whether it’s pass rusher, offensive tackle, quarterback, anything else?) – “I don’t think we can rule out anything. (laughter) We have a lot of spots we need to fill. We have some young players that did a good job last year that Brian (Flores) and the staff developed and keep going from there; but for us, I don’t think we can rule out any position no matter – We’ve always said, you can think you’re deep in some place and then an injury happens and changes the picture.”
(Would you rule out any move including to No. 1?) – “I don’t think you can rule out anything right now. I think we’re wide open to everything.”
(How do you feel about – obviously you’ve talked about liking the amount of money and the ammunition that you have as far as draft picks – do you feel like you have enough to make any move you want?) – “Yeah, we do. We feel good, and I think history shows with the things we’ve done and the picks we’ve acquired and the money, that we feel good about our standing and the flexibility to move up and down or stand pat.”
(What’s the sales pitch that you make to prospective agent of a free agent that you’re targeting as an organization?) – “I think last year was a great – at the end of the year, going up to New England, beating New England like that with New England playing for something that was really important, and everyone was telling us, ‘lose for a draft pick.’ It didn’t make any sense, and I think we can have a team that’s going to be competitive, tough, smart, and building it the right way with a coach that’s going to lead us to good things in the future.”
(If you guys don’t get a quarterback what does that all mean?) – “What’s that?”
(If you guys don’t get a quarterback, what do the wins last season, what does the draft position you have now – if you guys don’t get this quarterback to finish this rebuild, what does it, where do you guys stand?) – “No, we’ll just keep building and working and doing everything we can to win here. Like I said, we’ll keep working, doing everything and build it the way we think will be the right way to bring a championship here to Miami. We’ll do everything we can to try and add the right people.”
(There are a lot of veteran quarterbacks on the free agent market – some available via trade. Where does the team stand in terms of their thought process of does it have to be a young guy that you want to invest in, or can you go the veteran route?) – “No, I think right now we’re just still going through all that. Like you said, there are a lot of people who – probably more than usual (laughter) – out in the marketplace, I guess you would say. For us, we’re just going through our process still. Like I said, we feel really good about ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) and where we are, but we’re just looking at every option still.”
(How much does draft capital allow you to kind of make a pitch to free agents and possible prospective players you’re going to bring into the building?) – “I think it’s a big piece. I think people want to see that you’re trying to do things to win, and I think what we’ve done and what we’ve acquired, I think for any player – especially a young player – would be excited for the opportunity to know he’s going to come in with a lot of picks, a lot of good, young players and the chance to build and grow with them to create something special hopefully.”
(Over the last few years there’s been a lot of talk about devaluing of the running back position both in free agency and the draft. I’m curious, your thought process on the value of the running back position?) – “(laughter) I think everything goes in cycles in this league. For a while, everyone’s saying running backs weren’t important and then Zeke Elliott and Todd Gurley had big years and running back’s really important. Then the year before, New England did a good job with their backs by committee and won, so I don’t really value or devalue any position. I think each team’s going to make their determination of what’s best for them, and there’s a lot of good players at that position. I would say I don’t really view it as devalue or value, I think you’ve just got to make whatever decision’s best for your team.”
(Yesterday a lot of the quarterbacks or a lot of the players got measured – height, weight and all that – and Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa was 6-foot and 217 pounds. Is he a prototype-size quarterback?) – “No he’s not, but I think you’re getting – the game has changed a little bit. I think you’re getting a lot of players that aren’t the old model like the Drew Bledsoes at 6’5, 230 (pounds). You’re getting a lot of these guys because – Kyler Murray last year is one, Baker Mayfield. I think you’re getting a lot of guys that are good football players now, I think. That’s what teams are just looking for. Are they good football players? Especially at that position if they have all the intangibles.”
(What are your thoughts about QB Tua Tagovailoa as a prospect and what do you hope his medicals maybe show you this week?) – “Tua had a fantastic college career. I haven’t met him yet, so for us, we’re just going through the process of getting to know him; but again, he seems like a great kid and the medical will tell us what it is. We’ll go through our process and get to know him, but (we are) excited to meet him, as well as a bunch of other prospects?”
(Is it fair to say that you’re, like all the top quarterbacks you’re going to meet at the Combine?) – “Yeah, we’ll sit down and talk with them. Yes.”
(Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey question for you – how did his name first come up? Who brought it up, and what was the reaction in the room?) – “Brian (Flores) was just going through his process of doing it and I think with that, you should probably talk to Brian about it. But I worked with Chan previously. Chan was a little bit ahead in the RPO (run/pass option) game early on before it became I guess, ‘in-style’ for the league and stuff. Chan’s a great guy, a good football coach and when we made the hire, I had so many coaches from around the league text and say, ‘hey, fantastic hire,’ just for the guy and a football coach.”
(How much input will Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey have on I guess your future quarterback?) – “Yeah, like I said, we’ll go through it. He’s going to be a big part of it as well as Brian (Flores), myself, the scouts, the coaches. Like I said, it’s going to be an organizational decision on this.”
(What is your viewpoint on the mobility of quarterbacks now in today’s game? Is it necessary or can you have a statuesque quarterback in today’s football?) – “I think the mobility gives you a dimension that defenses have to account for with spreading everything out, so I think it is an advantage (for) the guys that can do it; but also on the other hand, if the guy – like Drew Brees is a great thrower, passer and not known for mobility and I think everyone would take that as well. But it does add a dimension that makes defenses account for them. It seems to be a lot of these guys now add that dimension which is exciting for the future of football.”
(I wanted to ask about edge rushers, guys that affect the passer. What do you feel like are some of the most important attributes in all of your years of research and study that will translate to sacks?) – “I think if you go back and you try and study those guys whether it’s a prototype, whatever the numbers are, whether it’s the measureables; but it’s also going to be the kid, the person as you talk to him. And that’s a big thing because a lot of those guys are driven to be great. Besides the gifted athletic (abilities), it’s really the person, the traits and the characteristics and the desire to dominate. For us, it’s getting to know the person, talk to him, as well as all those things, but any time you can find those, it’s huge for an organization.”
(What are the dynamics like when you decide on whether to trade up for a player versus staying there and believing that he’ll be there when you pick?) – “It’s a conversation. Sometimes it happens before you talk and then sometimes they happen right when you’re on the clock on draft day. Again, it’s weighing – you look at what’s available, how many players at that position are available as you’re looking at your board and stuff and then in terms of when you do it in free agency and stuff, it’s just working with the team and seeing what’s best for your organization. It’s a lot of conversations. It’s nothing that’s ever done quickly and in terms of when it’s veteran parts, you’re looking at the salary cap, money, how it’s going to affect the years and length left on contracts.”
(How often is a team aware that they’re about to get jumped? In other words, it would seem to me that you’re probably not very often blindsided by a jump, right?) – “Not often because most of the calls that come to teams are working all the teams, all the way up through there, so you’ll have an idea. Every once in a while like, ‘Oh wow, they got all the way up there,’ but most times you get those calls from teams just saying, ‘Hey, they’re interested in a move here or there,’ and then kind of work from there as you work down your board and you kind of see who’s available, who’s not and then you decide, is this better for us to move or move down?”
(Do they have to clarify to you who they want before you consider?) – “You always ask, but they never do. (laughter) You’ll be like, ‘oh, is it an offensive player?’ They’re like, ‘oh I can’t tell you.’ (laughter)”
(I wanted to ask you one about the offensive line. Last year – well not the offensive line, the trenches. Last year you said that it was a priority to build the trenches. How do you feel like you guys did and what’s the next step?) – “I would say we did okay, and I think the big piece for us is keep building there. I think line play on both sides is critical for being good in this league, so for us, we’re going to keep addressing that and it’s going to be a point of emphasis here over the next couple months.”
