David Long Jr. – September 2, 2024
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Monday, September 2, 2024
LB David Long Jr.
(Tell us about your reaction when you learned you were getting stripes on your sleeve.) – “It was special, especially knowing it’s player-voted. It means a lot when you’re in here training with these guys, offseason – I’ve been here, going into my second year – and we all know the grind especially with the heat out here. We know it’s tough, and it means a lot to sit with these guys and train with these guys and know they see the effort I put in. But besides that just more responsibility that I already put on myself that I have to carry. I can’t be getting on everybody else if I don’t have myself together. So just being me, that’s all it is.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel said you were playing it cool when they told you that you would be a captain. Was there a moment where you didn’t play it cool and maybe called a family member?) – “Yeah, for sure. The person I called was my mom, because we have our little talks when stuff is going bad and when stuff is going good. So she knows what it means to me, and she was excited. She felt like I could’ve had it any other year in the league, and she just felt like it was around the time everything is just coming together and we talked about it for a while.”
(When was the last time you were a captain at any level?) – “College, that was the last time. Then at Tennessee as far as the Mike (linebacker) and having the green dot, that’s a role itself, but no captain until here while in the league.”
(What do you think of the possibilities for this defense this year?) – “No limit for us, man. We talk about it every day. You see on every level it’s multiple dawgs, multiple elite players, and we’ve just got to hold each other accountable. We know the ceiling – there’s no ceiling for this group – we’ve just got to come in and attack that, be intentional with everything, whether it’s jogging off the field or whether it’s in the meetings fixing the little things and helping the people behind us be right there with us.”
(I know you bring the intensity all the time. Where is this defense and this team overall as far as bringing the intensity all the time?) – “We’re right there. We’re working with each other. I think that’s what it’s all about as far as bringing the person next to you, especially on both sides of the ball, all three phases are working together. And it also comes with the relationships off the field – how close we are so we can hold each other accountable when it comes to those times when we’re in dogfights. We have to get on each other and not take it personal. I think that goes a long way.”
(Why is that so important to everybody in terms of the closeness and hanging out with each other and camaraderie? Why is that so important from a leadership standpoint?) – “Like I said as far as being able to hold each other accountable; when you come over – you see across the league – guys go on the sideline, you see them kind of going at each other. That’s not coming from a belittling place or like, ‘I’m here and you’re there.’ It’s coming (from) like, ‘You’re my brother, I want to see you succeed.’ And that comes with knowing each other, not just the football family. These guys that got kids, a little older – like Calais (Campbell) – they joke about him being older and stuff, but it’s also just so much behind that, so much experience and stuff that can trickle down to the younger players.”
(What’s it been like to work with LB Jordyn Brooks and just everything he brings not just on the field but also the same way like the intensity, leadership?) – “It’s good seeing Jordyn (Brooks) open up. He’s new on the team, quiet guy, but is also good player, elite player. Fast and physical but it’s good to see him get settled in and him opening up and flowing. I think that goes a long way. I keep saying it goes back to when we’re in them dogfights, when it comes clutch time, that gives you kind of a relaxing feeling on the field when you can trust your brother next to you. It gives you a little weight off your shoulders knowing you’re not out there by yourself.”
(Coming from Tennessee, you obviously have a lot of experience playing against Jacksonville. Do you have a game or moment against them that stands out to you?) – “In Jacksonville – it’s always tough in Jacksonville. Glad it’s here – both hot as ever. But no, it’s tough. They’re a disciplined team, good quarterback and players that can make plays if you don’t take care of your responsibilities. But like you said, I am familiar, and then they have some players. We’re familiar with them, getting around the scouting board earlier this week, but just playing our game. We don’t need to do nothing other than what we’ve been doing this whole way, and that’s just playing fast football.”
(Their running back Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr., No. 1, what does he do well?) – “Make people miss. He’s a hard runner. He’s been like that since coming in the league and disciplined. You give him some space, he has some speed that will make you pay for it. That just goes back to us playing fundamentally sound football like we’ve been doing and just continue to build on that.”
(Jacksonville has blazing speed at positions you don’t traditionally see it. RB Travis Etienne Jr. is a burner, TE Evan Engram is a burner. But you guys also play against TE Jonnu Smith and RB De’Von Achane and RB Raheem Mostert every day. How much does seeing that speed every day help with a matchup like this?) – “That’s a good question. It’s a lot especially not even just the speed; it’s so much motions and stuff they do over there. They’re going to keep you disciplined. Even when you’re disciplined, it’s a trick to it, so it’s great that we have those players on the other side of the ball that we’ve been facing every day to be prepared for things like this. But it’s also going to be like coming straight from practice going against Jonnu (Smith) and those fast guys, even ‘TC’ (Tanner Conner) on the other side of the ball. It’s a lot of guys over there that are similar that we’ve been grinding with as well.”
(DT Calais Campbell is one of your other captains. How does a guy who just got here become a captain that quickly? What does it say about him?) – “That’s funny because I’d seen people saying that, but the thing is he’s not being anything other than himself. He just does things so naturally which just comes as far as he’s another coach on the field, another motivator, and you can see it’s not something he tries to do. It’s just like you said, it just comes out. He pulls younger players to the side and coaches them. He just talks about whatever is going on, not even just football. So he just comes in and fits that role, and people just gravitate towards it.”
(How important is that nose tackle spot to what you do in the trenches?) – “It’s a lot especially because it’s a lot of o-lines that we go against, and if it’s muddy for me, it’s a problem down there. We have some killer guys up there up front that get the job done well, him (Calais Campbell), Zach (Sieler), (Da’Shawn) Hand, all those people behind them. If the trenches are not well-fit, it’s going to be a long day especially in the run game. You stop the run, you win a lot of games. So it’s very important and I would say one of the most important jobs on the team. I think we’ve got the right guys in that spot. I know we’ve got the right guys in that spot.”
(LB Emmanuel Ogbah just didn’t look right in No. 51, did he?) – “Actually he was liking it for a little bit honestly, but he had to go back to (No.) 91, That’s his number. Everybody keeps trying to get me out of the (No.) 11; I think I’m going to stay with it.”
(You were No. 51 last year, right? Why’d you make the switch?) – “Yeah, that’s my college number. I’ve been wanting to get it for a while and it was open, so I’m going to test that out real quick.”
(The offensive players talk about three years in Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s system – not that this applies directly to you, you’ve only been here a little bit. This is the third year with a new defensive coordinator. What is the challenge for defense going into learning the new system and getting comfortable with it?) – “The challenge is all playing as one. We have so many defenses where we’re on a string and we have to communicate, and like I was saying, going against this offense that we’ve been going against, it just challenges more to communicate like I said because they have so many moving pieces and Mike (McDaniel) does so many things on that side of the ball. It’s been a great challenge for us just to keep hitting on communication which has been the biggest thing especially in the backend. We have communication down; it’s not like – we have the players, the talent to do it, run with anybody, hit with anybody. But when players are not communicating correctly, it opens big plays up. So I think that’s the biggest challenge, that everybody can speak. If we win the play before it starts, we’ll be all right.”
(What has impressed you about LB Chop Robinson so far?) – “It’s just coming together, coming every day to get better. He’s coming in, he’s open and learning. He takes coaching, but he’s a natural athlete. Just once he gets the right person here – like he has Calais (Campbell) right there on the side on him, he has these older guys – (Bradley) Chubb, ‘JP’ (Jaelan Phillips) – even though he’s still young a little bit, he has experience. He has some great people in front of him that he can learn from. There’s no ceiling for Chop (Robinson).”
Mike McDaniel – September 2, 2024
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Monday, September 2, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Congrats on the contract extension. Just to fill in one detail about it, was this done entirely through your agent or was there a neat moment in the last couple of months where Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Steve Ross said to you, “I’d like to give you an extension, we’re happy with what you’ve done.” Was it a meeting? Was it a phone call? Was it anything like that?) – “I appreciate it, thank you. I see – the congratulations goes to the organization. I think there’s a lot of people that lift you up that to give you the opportunity to become a head coach, but once you become a head coach, for that program to sustain, that takes each and every person involved in it so I see that as an accomplishment for the organization. And there was a neat moment, as you phrased it; I had dinner over at Mr. Ross’ house a couple weeks ago. It was a great dinner; I ate all of my steak.”
(Did you eat your vegetables?) – “I did. I did, they gave me minimal. (laughter) So they anticipated that.”
(So did you have an idea that was the discussion of the dinner? I’m trying to get the details right here.) – “I knew he wanted to have dinner and I knew I was going to be a good dinner date, I guess you would say. Outside of that, you don’t really forecast too much. It was an opportunity to hang out with Mr. Ross, so I jumped on that. So yeah, that’s why I’m employed.”
(Was there any, I guess, kind of sense of relief when you look at your watch? Because if I remember correctly, you bought that as an investment not only in yourself but the work that you’re putting into this team, so signing that extension, do you feel some kind of sense of relief?) – “You know, I really haven’t even thought about it, to be honest. I think part of trying to have a program sustain is you have to really look at each and every day and what goes into it and what you’re asking of other people and who are those people that are supporting you and really rallying the troops each and every day. I think for me, I haven’t really thought twice about it afterward from the regard of, I guess – I’ve had a ton of reasons, millions and millions of reasons to approach every day with everything that I have and really giving myself to everyone as best I can. I guess this is another reason to be motivated to kind of really attack each and every day your fullest, so I probably have just some more reasons to do what I’ve been intending to do since I got on grounds here, and that’s a – I mean, September 2? Man, we’ve got a great September 2 today, and I’ll do September 3 when that comes.”
(What do you view as the common denominator between the eight recently named Miami Dolphins captains?) – “Really good players. I think off the top of my head, 28 Pro Bowls – boom. How about that? That’s fast facts. I think you have guys that have not only the respect and the regard of their teammates, but they’ve earned their stripes, so to speak, from the league. I think the National Football League, your peer – really the opinions of your peers, there’s nothing that I think you can have a stronger attachment towards if you’re a player. It’s as important as the name on the back of your jersey, and I think with our particular unit, I think it was cool to see the amount of conviction the team had for the individuals across the board. I saw a lot of – there was a lot of worthy people on this team, a lot of captain worthy leaders, and I could tell by the way the award was received by each individual that it meant a great deal, because it was a very high honor, particularly on this team.”
(For LB David Long Jr., he’s been through a lot in his life professionally and personally. For him to get the captaincy, what did that mean to him and you to see that?) – “Well, he tried to play it cool in front of all of his teammates. I’m convinced that him and a couple other of his fellow captains probably had an emotional moment behind closed doors. That’s just me guessing because I truly know how much this game means to David Long Jr., and I thought it was a really cool orchestration of a player-voted captainship for him to let him know just how much regard his teammates hold for him. It was a very cool moment to be a part of, something that I think none of his teammates were surprised by but happy that he was bestowed that honor.”
(When you started prep for the Jaguars, what about their defensive front jumped out at you?) – “I think how they come off the ball, how they play with consistent technique and fundamentals and their relentless strain. I think that’s pretty obvious from the minimal game tape that we’ve watched, but that’s something that’s been paramount in Coach Nielsen’s (Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen) kind of repertoire defensives lines and defensive fronts that he’s coached in previous teams. Very talented group that is playing hard together, that’s what I see on tape.”
(Quick follow up if I can, DE Travon Walker, it seemed like he made a big leap from Year 1 to Year 2. What kind of challenge does he present?) – “Typical of every defensive line you face in the National Football League, especially ones that have invested some top assets into some elite athletic defensive front players, I think you really, both on run and pass, not just on pass, but in your run, you’re scared of ‘Walk’ (Travon Walker) making a play at the point of attack or from the back side of a play. I think his game is kind of – I just saw little glimpses of evolution that you know is coming. You can tell that they’re preparing to put him in positions to make plays and be a primary area of focus, so that’s going to have to be something that each one of our offensive players along the line of scrimmage, including tight ends and receivers, we’re going to have to be aware of his game. It’s going to take several people to slow him down, for sure.”
(To build off of that, what have you seen from LB Josh Hines-Allen and what do you think of your pass protection package overall? Have you seen enough from it right now or do you think it’s kind of a work in progress?) – “I think the stuff that we’ve gone into the offseason emphasizing and things we wanted to get better at as far as protection is concerned, it’s a very timely matchup when you’re looking at all their pass rushers and the problems they present, really kind of overlapping with some of the stuff that we’ve been trying to focus on and get better connected with. I think much like you are orchestrating an outside zone run play where you’re trying to tie in blockers to the course of the ball carrier, you get better in pass protection by getting better connected from the blockers and the launch point from the quarterback and having consistency with the depth and what you’re blocking for. I think that’s stuff that this group will really challenge you on, because any time you have speed with adept rushes, particularly on the edge, they can really expand your pocket. And if you’re not tied together with your launch point and where your blockers are, you can have individual pass protectors get edged pretty quickly, and there’s a lot of space that is tough to protect against. I think they’re a great group to start with because they’re super talented that if you’re not on your game, you will be exposed, and I think that’s something that you have to be used to in the National Football League in terms of protecting the passer because you don’t get a week off from elite pass rushers and unified fronts.”
(Can I get an update on two guys? OL Aaron Brewer and DT Benito Jones, where are they in terms of their practice participation levels and close to readiness for the season?) – “Well, you’re going to see them participate in practice this week. Boom.”
(OL Aaron Brewer can handle the snapping with the hand?) – “You have to let the player do it, but that’s the anticipation. Fortunately enough for our group, we’ll see how that progresses. I feel great about our starting offensive line, I also feel great about the contingencies we have in place should we have a different version of that this week. So all things, I’m confident by the work orchestrated by the individual players, and how that will play out over the course of the week, my crystal ball is broke, but we’ll take it one step at a time.”
(Why great? What would you describe great about what you…?) – “Because of the adversity we’ve had since the spring has proven to be a wonderful opportunity to really get looks at players in different spots, and got a lot of work, extra communication from all the individuals, so it’s almost like they got extra reps from the spring into the fall just because the different lineup changes that we had and the different injuries we were managing from spring into training camp. It’s almost as if it was the training staff’s diabolical plan to mix up the groups early, so that we can just not even bat an eye once we got into regular season mode.”
(WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle, how are they recovering from their injury deals?) – “They’ll be practicing today. No setbacks to relay as of yet. They’ll be out on the field today.”
(How has LB Chop Robinson grown from Day 1 of training camp to today? Is he ready for game action?) – “Grown a lot just because we ask a lot from edge defenders in our defense. You ask to be not only of primary importance in the run game but in the pass game as well. I think understanding the box that you kind of have to play within as a pass rusher is huge. Gone are the days of running the hoop 11 yards that you can get some college productivity at. Typically you have to really tighten that angle because quarterbacks don’t drop back as far, as well as just different keys to how to play the game within the game. Different stance keys that kind of diagnose run or pass, situational awareness, all of these things, he doesn’t waste a day out on the field which is good news for us because he is a talented player that we are counting on to contribute. I would expect nothing else from – that’s the great thing about Chop (Robinson) is he attacks each practice the way a veteran would where you’re trying to get something out of it and adding to the tools of your game.”
(Presumably you guys took a close look at WR Brian Thomas Jr. in the pre-draft period. What was your evaluation of him as a player?) – “Super talented player that has a unique combination of being able to be a down the field third level receiver that can track and make plays down the field, while also having a route running skill set to do your underneath and intermediate routes. You see a very talented individual that can take his game as far as he wants to take it. I think it’s adding to the plethora of LSU Tigers out there in the league. He’s a very talented individual that we will be well aware of when he’s out there on the field. It won’t be a surprise, because we did a lot of work on him coming out.”
(What are some factors that you’ll consider each week as far as running back touches? Obviously, those guys are healthy right now – you have a lot of talent in that room. What are some of the things you think about each week?) – “Each week just trying to get individuals opportunities and let those opportunities shape their overall breadth of how many touches they get in the course of a game. I think it’s important to make sure that guys have the opportunity to – it doesn’t take long in a game for you to get a guy a couple carries, then the next guy gets a couple carries, and then you feel, ‘OK, well, this dude, it’s one of his days. We better lean on this guy and give him more.’ So it’s just to get everybody involved is important for me and then letting the game take its course on who’s competitive edge we’re going to lean on the most.”
(You’re in a unique spot at receiver because obviously you have three veterans in WR Tyreek Hill, WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Braxton Berrios. But then you have options this week. You have two young guys at 4 and 5 in WR Grant DuBose and WR Malik Washington, and then you have two really experienced guys on the practice squad in WR Robbie Chosen and WR Dee Eskridge, and obviously WR Erik Ezukanma is coming back from his injury. How unique or difficult is this call on whether to elevate the practice squad guys or go with the young guys? I know Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman is a part of that decision. Is that kind of an unusual spot to be in?) – “I guess in a healthy regard, yes it would be unusual just because there’s a couple different directions that you can go. Again, you try to facilitate the most opportunities possible; taking advantage of the extra day of practice we have this week is huge for us to shape the direction we’re going to go. We just have a lot of different versatility, not only in the receiver room but really at all the skill positions offensively that you, week-in, week-out, have the ability to tailor how it’s going to manifest towards the people that you have. I think the bottom line is that I feel very good about where that room is at because of the existing assets that we had, and the people we were able to add I think fit the mold of what we’re trying to do and trying to be as fast, physical with as elite technique as possible. However we deploy that, I think having versatility and options helps you in a competitive scenario against opponents week-in, week-out.”
(What did you like with QB Tim Boyle?) – “So I had followed him through the course of his NFL journey. There was some good overlap tape that I’ve had in previous years, and then this past preseason I thought he did a great job. I think it helped me personally having personnel connections with two of his previous coaches, that being Bobby Slowik as a play calling offensive coordinator in Houston, as well as Matt LeFleur in Green Bay because you want to add value to the room, and you want to make sure the personalities fit and really the group can grow together. I think not only as a player but as a person, that’s where Boyle fit for me and fit for our group, so we’re fired up to have him.”
Jaelan Phillips – August 29, 2024
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Thursday, August 29, 2024
LB Jaelan Phillips
(How have you felt your two weeks back?) – “I’ve felt great. It’s been amazing. I’ve been eager to get back into just getting used to my hands, getting used to my eyes and really used to the defense. I’ve been doing walkthroughs with my coach the whole entire time, the whole entire offseason, but doing it live is different. It’s just been really nice to be able to actually do it live and to learn the defense.”
(Is there a pitch count for you?) – “You got to ask somebody else, not me.”
(Pitch counts are tricky, because the fourth quarter, you got to win a ballgame. I’ve got a feeling you’re not going to sit.) – “Yeah, I mean it’s tough. I wouldn’t say that that feeling is misguided. That’s definitely how I feel, but hopefully it doesn’t come down to that. Hopefully, we go out there and handle our business. But regardless, I’m here to do whatever they need me to do. Obviously, I’m going to be pushing to play as much as I can, but I’ve got to be smart at the end of the day. It’s a long season, so we’ll see how it goes.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about DT Calais Campbell, some of you guys being infants when he started in this thing. How much has he brought to the room, and what have you noticed the most about him?) – “It’s been really invaluable having him here just from a leadership standpoint, in terms of him being able to come in and identify the things that make up – he’s been to the Super Bowl – so him being able to just give us advice and kind of guide us on what we need and what we need to be focusing on to reach the end goal. Calais (Campbell) has been great, obviously that ‘U’ connection, too. So it’s been cool having him in the building.”
(When he’s physically doing things and some of the guys are tired, is it a kick in the butt? Like man, this old man is doing it?) – “No, because he doesn’t even seem like an old man. You wouldn’t think he’s 37 or whatever he is. He works his (expletive) off, and he moves really well for how old he is.”
(What is one thing you’ve learned from DT Calais Campbell?) – “I think he just more so puts us on game when it comes to what the standard is and what it takes to be one of those Super Bowl teams. On the field, obviously he might give you tips with games here and there, or things like that, but I think really from a leadership and mentality standpoint is just really when he’s come in and gave us a lot of advice.”
(Have you been able to open it up full torque, or whatever you need to to make sure that things is right on game day?) – “I’m rolling. I’m rolling.”
(What was the moment or two over the last two weeks that you were like, “Oh yeah, I’m good?”) _ “It’s really been kind of like a steady – the last about a month and a half, every time I would start to add load and do new things, I would just kind of surprise myself with how my Achilles didn’t get sore at all and it didn’t really react at all. There’s been a couple of times where I’d be watching myself, watching whatever drills I’m doing, I’ll see myself in my stance really pushing off of it, and there’s no rebound, there is no weakness. It’s just explosive, it’s feeling great. I just feel very grateful to play.”
(Do you let yourself have goals, sack totals and things like that for this year?) – “I never really have sack goals when it comes to that. I just want to be disruptive and be productive. I know that I’m a 10-plus sack guy. I know that I can go out there and disrupt the quarterback, stop the run, do anything I need to do to for this team. So the numbers will fall when they fall, but I’m going to go out there and try my best.”
(So you’re feeling pretty confident in your get off just consistently being able to push off?) – “Yeah, I feel great. I feel really good.”
(I wanted to ask a little bit about that initial push. It’s so important to what you do. How much of a concern was that when you first got hurt? When you do push off, you don’t feel anything afterwards even?) – “No, it feels rock solid. When I first got hurt, I didn’t really know what to think. I didn’t know what it was going to be like coming back. I didn’t know if I was – I heard a lot of people kind of mention to me about confidence things and having kind of like a mental block almost coming back and not trusting it, but I haven’t had that issue at all honestly.”
Terron Armstead – August 29, 2024
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Thursday, August 29, 2024
T Terron Armstead
(I guess expectations outside and inside the building are different and you’ve played so much football. What’s different about this group that you felt going into this year?) – “We can’t worry about or control any type of outside narratives. The only thing we can focus on is the present day and getting better in that day. All of the narratives that we do have, we’re going to have to address those when the time comes. But for us and our expectations, we want to be the best – put our best product on the field every day. If we do that every day, we do that on Sunday, I’m pretty sure we’ll like the outcome.”
(This is probably the freshest you’ve been coming out of a camp, right? How do you feel?) – “I feel good. I feel great.”
(Do you feel like you’ve had enough work the last four or five weeks?) – “Still getting ready, still working some technique things. It’s always just a constant progression. That’s really the beauty of professional sports, like you’ve never made it. So even if I took more reps, I still got things to work on, still got to keep polishing, keep working. That’s my approach. That’s my mindset so I’m going to continue to do that, and I’ll be ready for the first game.”
(Did you get any work in with the old man over there? Did you get any work in with the old man?) – “For sure, he’s a legend. OG, triple OG, been doing this for a very long time at a high level and he loves the game like no other.”
(Veteran guys like yourselves, that’s needed on a team. So how much do you guys steady the ship when things aren’t – something we don’t see?) – “We got a great locker room, we do – top to bottom. It’s a very positive environment, so it’s not much steadying the ship that we have to do. There’s not many right and wrongs. Of course, we’re going to face some adversity through the season and that’s when you want the veterans to show face and give vocal experience and knowledge, but we have a really driven, focused team. Everybody seems to be after the same goals.”
(Everybody talks about the speed of this team – the motions and all that, but how much tougher does this team need to get? I know that’s your guys’ business.) – “Yeah, we got to show that on the field. There’s nothing I can give you right now with the cameras and a microphone, nothing. You got to see it on the field.”
(Non-football question. You’re a beard guy, what do you think of Head Coach Mike McDaniel and his new look for the season?) – “I like it, I like it. I like the look. I like the look, for sure. Mike is getting a little more swag to him. I saw a little first day of his tenure to now, the progression, the Miami transformation – he’s living.”
(How happy are you that the preseason is done and now it’s all focus on Jacksonville?) – “It’s time, man. It’s time. I feel like the preseason has been a little lengthy – it’s necessary. It’s important to everybody, myself included. We need that time to get ready, guys get opportunities, but it’s time, man. It’s time to get going, ready to get this season rolling.”
(Do you think you’ve had ample ramp up for where you want to be, what you’ll need for the regular season?) – “I’ll be ready.”
Mike McDaniel – August 29, 2024
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Thursday, August 29, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Jack Driscoll’s release, should we take that to mean that there is optimism that OL Aaron Brewer will be available Week 1? Also, where in the world has LB Anthony Walker Jr. been? We haven’t seen him. Is he safe? Is he fine? Is he injured?) – “Oh, so it’s a correlation versus causation? And you’re just trying to trip me into injury reports that I’m not responsible for yet, right? (laughter) I think there’s a lot of things that are involved when you’re talking about the roster and when moves are made, sometimes they have to do with the position group, sometimes they have to do with the overall complexion of a different position group that’s always adjusting. That was a tough decision to let go of Jack (Driscoll); he’s a good player and will do tremendous things in this league, I think. But overall, Aaron (Brewer) included, I feel very confident in where we’re at from the offensive line position, and that confidence comes from not 2023 or a version that maybe people are exposed to. I’m talking about 2024, these individuals and the group and what I’ve watched every practice, even to the point of how we blocked Atlanta’s defensive line in joint (practice) versus a year ago. The group itself has given me confidence because I don’t base any of my thoughts or opinions of the former production or the former self of someone; I let them define what they are right in front of me that day. The group has given me more confidence at the o-line position, really, in general, than I’ve had since I’ve been here.”
(And then with LB Anthony Walker Jr., has he just been injured? Do you expect him back soon?) – “He’s made his presence known within the team. We just – we like to give you surprise parties and surprise visuals. He’s working his way back. He’s been a part of walkthroughs and making sure we don’t have any setbacks as he gets himself more involved in full-speed stuff. He’s one of my favorite individuals on the whole team. Really, really grown to have an appreciation for him; you talk about a galvanizing person and a teammate, he’s created relationships that you’d be surprised are only six months long. I can’t wait for him to play, because you can tell his love for football by – he’s a very high-spirited guy, but man, conversations with him about football when he’s unable to play football, just with me, I’m doing all the work. I’m doing the questions, he’s not that excited to talk about it. He’s a competitor, he’s excited to get back and he’s done himself well by not having any setbacks in the process of getting back on the field.”
(Has OL Aaron Brewer tried snapping yet? Or is that a next week thing?) – “Well that’s part of – gripping is part of the process of his return. He’s doing well and I’m very comfortable with his projection which, what is that projection? Well it’s not league mandated that I tell you, and it’s no offense to you; it’s more being responsible with competitive advantages.”
(From a play calling perspective, how much do you have ready now that you purposely save understanding it’s very important to win the games in January and beyond?) – “I think it’s more of a constant evolution from where guys are at, what things they’re good at, what you’re working on and what enables you to do the next step. It’s an evolution that it’s not like you ever save bullets, it’s more I look at it from the lens of, all right, if you execute something properly, if it’s impactful enough to be an explosive gain or a big play, then people have to address it and try to take it away. So then you anticipate that, and that shapes how you do things moving forward. There’s always so much learning involved in this job, and particularly calling plays at an NFL level, in one season – at the end of the season, I feel like a different playcaller than how you start it. You learn just a ton of different things on the ramifications of different decisions you make, and I think every year it’s gotten a lot easier to call plays in training camp off the script in move the ball situations and in preseason games, it just becomes more natural to your game day experience for me, which I’ve been fortunate enough to have two years and can’t wait to start the third.”
(What’s your view on how the size of a player’s contract should impact the expectations of him on the field? I guess particularly with QB Tua Tagovailoa, should there be heightened expectations for him in 2024 because he’s gotten his contract?) – “I think expectations are important from one vantage point, for the personal expectations that one has for themselves. I think it’s very important to draw a line between your input and what you are executing in the play and the result. I think those expectations of how you do your job and then a bigger understanding about how much other people have to do with your job, I think that as you – you’re on a journey to earn, whether it’s a position, you’re on the journey to be a starting quarterback, then you’re on a journey to solidify yourself with a commitment from the franchise, and then the second you do that, it just transfers to inherently you want to prove your worth. So I think naturally it’s important to have expectations evolve over time; if you’re trying to be the best version of yourself, you better be getting better, because if not you’re getting worse. But then I think it’s also you have to understand the bigger picture and how truly dependent you are on teammates to execute your jobs so that you don’t get caught up in the fake land of result-based opinions that have a lot to do with a lot of other people. So I think the standard and really what Tua asks from himself on a day-to-day basis, his standard of how locked in he needs to be, it all starts with him and he’s really embraced that where there’s no days off when you’re in a situation where you’re the highest paid employee. If you want to be on a good team, then you better bring everything that you can control, or you should have nothing more than marginal expectations for your team at best if you don’t have that mindset on a daily basis and dictate the terms that you want your teammates to follow. I think that’s fair, that’s very natural. You’d have to be completely unaware not to expect; external expectations will adjust, but I think it’s important that you focus on your internal expectations because that’s the best way to lend the most powerful results that hopefully satisfy all your friends, fans and every other person.”
(I wanted to ask you about DT Calais Campbell. With preseason in the books, we obviously know the experience he brings to this team. Was there something that surprised you as a player and as a person from him?) – “Having played high school football at the same time in the same state, not in the same conference, as Calais (Campbell), there’s a lot of things that surprise me. (laughter) I think bottom line, you are so hard pressed to find someone that’s able to execute their job at the level he executes it. Like even at the least taxing physical positions, he’s – how many quarterbacks are older than him in the National Football League? Probably – wow, there’s only one. (laughter) He is doing his job over a crazy amount of time at a high level from the one-technique all the way to the five-technique, from next to the center all the way to on the outside of the tackle, and to be – it just takes such a tremendous person to be able to do what he’s done and continues to do in his career. The exuberance that he has to attack every day, what that takes in terms of preparation for your body, you can’t fake that career. You have to truly love football, love the team, and he exudes that every day. I’ll tell you what, it’s such a powerful piece to this team because you want to talk about things that are left unsaid – but like I just know his teammates that are 15 years younger than him have a hard time not finishing a drill, finishing a play, straining and having exuberance to come to work every day when they’re watching him do that. The level of guilt or expectations of how you should about your job are just raised when you have someone that has operated as such a high level, and part of his success is all his preparation and really diligence to take care of his body and execute fundamentals and techniques. So I didn’t totally – I knew he was going to be an important part of the team. I knew he that he’s an absolute freak in terms of being able to play that position for that long at such a high level. I didn’t necessarily really think through the natural influence that on a day-to-day basis, him chopping wood and going about his job, how motivating that would be for his peers that he’s – I think he was in college when the iPod came out. That’s pretty amazing that he’s now executing jobs that guys were barely alive when he started executing that job and he’s doing it alongside them. So he’s an inspiring person and player, and we’re very fortunate to have him.”
(You guys had to be a couple years apart. What are your memories of him as a high school prospect in Colorado?) – “That in early 2000s, there was this monstrosity of a human in Denver, Colorado athletics. Colorado football, there’s some good players that come out there but it’s not Florida, Texas, California type stuff, and he was getting recruited to ‘The U’ (University of Miami). Do you know how many players from Colorado were getting recruited to ‘The U’ in the early 2000s? (laughter) It was a guy that I have no problem stating that if he was about to tackle me as a high schooler, I was turning the down down. There wasn’t people built like him anywhere really, but especially in Colorado. So pretty much every person of my age range still follows him, because he was a unicorn for sure coming out of Denver, Colorado football.”
(Annual question about the locker room seating chart. There were some things I noticed in there – S Jordan Poyer between QB Tua Tagovailoa and CB Kader Kohou, LB Chop Robinson near RB Raheem Mostert, LB Mohamed Kamara near LB Bradley Chubb. Is there any seating arrangement that you’re really proud of?) – “One of my first decisions I make in a football year, so that’s really funny that your interest in something where I was deep diving in thought, but it was months, months, months ago, so it’s cool to hear your musings of it. It is calculated in terms of trying to – I always look at it like this; you spend a ton of time with specific people in the course of the year, your position group namely, during the course of the year in the NFL season. You’re talking about all these meetings that you go to, and you have your boys, and then you go to stretch and it’s the same thing. Individuals and it’s the same thing. Then in practice, you’re subbing in and out with your position coach. There’s so much time spent with specific players. And then you also, at the same time, there’s so much time, over the course of the year, spent at your locker. So the locker design for me is as simple as trying to connect players that, for one reason or another, I think it would be interesting if they connected. Most of the time forecasting that they’re not spending three quarters of their day with them, like the players in their position groups. And then I think if there’s somebody that maybe has a low-key personality but is pretty funny and has maybe some subtle dry humor to him, I think it’s added value for the team if I put an overtly loud, humorous guy next to them and be like, ‘Hey, we’re kind of the same even though we’re way different,’ that type of stuff. So I think the connectivity of the team, I try to have an impact on that with locker room selection – I’m pretty predictable. There are the situations where in training camp – I have a pretty strong memory of this type of stuff, in training camp, if somebody gets into a fight with another player, probably in a year you’re going to be sitting next to them, just because that’s my speed.”
(Can you talk about why TE Tanner Conner made the 53? And what WR Erik Ezukanma needs to do to get back to the 53?) – “So Tanner Conner, really cool year, offseason for him. I think a lot of the stuff, his teammates had firsthand experience with his journey. He was a position switch; he was a wide receiver that we moved to tight end and now owns the entire playbook. One of the rare, rare players that – there’s probably three in my whole career – that knows fullback and then can line up at the slot receiver and run two-minute, which is all memorized word association. There’s nobody that has the rules of our offense and how to execute at every level down more than Tanner Conner does, and I’m excited for what he has in store for the Dolphins, both on offense and on special teams. And then Erik Ezukanma, I really like where he’s at because he’s on our team. And for me, there’s a lot of players that – I look at it as a 69, or with the extra international player, 70-man roster and how you’re able to get that and get the best version of that. Sometimes you’re on the active roster, sometimes you’re a practice squad player that has to be flexed up. There’s a lot of different things that go on in that. I like where he’s at. I think the team likes where he’s at, just based upon the reactions to him and still have very high expectations for him and the group.”
(What was it that you saw that made WR Grant DuBose a claims guy?) – “It’s something that I knew of him coming out, and when you’re high on specific players that you’re kind of targeting in different areas of the draft or wherever, and then another team takes him, you pay attention. So I’ve been paying attention to his game, and I think also, it didn’t hurt that I have a strong relationship that’s very communicative with their head coach Matt LaFleur, so I kind of knew what Grant (DuBose) was like day-in, day-out. For what we’re trying to do and the roles that we have on our team, I thought he was a very good fit for his skill sets and what we’re looking for to add to our wide receiver room. The connectivity of what he has done, it was very clear and what he could offer us in terms of adding to the group, it was a really good fit. I’m very, very happy we got that claim.”
(This offseason the majority of your moves on the offensive line was retaining the incumbents. I’m curious to hear how you would describe the value of chemistry and continuity in that group in this system?) – “Particularly in the way we play football, you would be – I’ve just had the fortune in being within the same system for 18 years. And in that process, you learn that if you pre-judge something early in the process in understanding how to truly execute this scheme, if you take a player in Year 1 and forecast that as being how he’ll be in the system, you’re wrong way more than you’re right. So that – and then you just get so much invaluable information from each and every player when you go through the journey of a season. And in that, I know if we didn’t have the right type of combination of people and skill set, we wouldn’t have just stayed steadfast, or the moves would probably be a lot different. I think you react to what people show you who they are, day-in, day-out. In this circumstance, we had some guys that were really buying in that started to make plays in their prospective roles and assignments. So you decide that, ‘Hey, no. I want to invest in these guys more.’ What I can say honestly from hours upon hours upon hours of instruction and then evaluation, the group has really proven the organization right in believing in them based upon how they are performing. What would be interesting is asking any veteran defensive lineman on the different versions of players, the different version of Liam Eichenberg when we got here and to where he is now. A different version of Austin Jackson, it goes across the board. I think it speaks even to Terron Armstead is feeling more confident in his game than he ever has in his career, and you’re talking about one of those guys, one of those super-athletes that is the fastest offensive lineman ever at the Combine, and where he’s at in his game, feeling more confident in playing football than he ever has before in his career. That’s because there’s a group of people diligently working at their craft, excited to make a name for themselves under the current version of who they are in 2024.”
Jonnu Smith – August 28, 2024
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Wednesday, August 28, 2024
TE Jonnu Smith
(When you were at FIU, were you envisioning or hoping something like this would happen?) – “At that time, you’re just focused on getting to the next level. Just focused on getting to the next level and playing at the highest level that you always dreamed of. It doesn’t matter what team, but obviously, I came here on local day when I was at FIU, right after my senior year. Thought about – definitely the idea floated around in my head, ‘What if I’m staying here?’ Eight years later, here I am. So again, it’s a blessing to be back and being able to represent the city of Miami.”
(DT Calais Campbell, he went to “The U,” you went to FIU. You guys have become friends and you guys did talk about this, I guess over lunch or something?) – “Yeah, we did. We did. That’s my guy, obviously. Ran it with Calais (Campbell) last year in Atlanta and we became really tight. He’s one of my guys, man. Great dude, great teammate and we just had the opportunity to grow and build the relationship over this past year. I guess I got in my recruiting bag when I took him out to lunch, because I was already signed and he was going through his process and everything. So got a chance to take him out to lunch – it was on me, you know what I mean? I had to treat my guy, and we kind of were talking to what we got going on here and knowing that we could build something special with him being a part of it.”
(During training camp was there a moment with the two of you were going, “We’re here. Isn’t this pretty crazy?”) – “Yeah, it’s always great. When I look at him, 93, man. That guy – his name speaks volumes, obviously his play, but just the presence he brings to the locker room, I’m just glad to have him again for another year. We talked about it at the end of last year after Atlanta, hoping that we’d be able to see what happens, see if we’ll play again together and just kind of keep the ball rolling, because he was kind of in between coming back or not. So again, it’s just good to have him on our side of the ball.”
(It’s been fun watching you run the ball against him. You did that earlier in your career – only a couple of carries your last two years – is that something you’re excited to add? Does it put more wear and tear on the body, or is it fun for you?) – “Not at all, not at all. I understand my skill set and I’m just trying to utilize it to the best of my ability and put this team in the best situation to win games. That’s what I’ve been doing when my number is called – whatever position it is, I’m going to answer.”
(If there’s a flip forward, they’re pass plays, technically?) – “We got a lot going in man. We’ll see Week 1; we’ll see as the season goes. Like I said, when my number is called, I’m here to answer.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel is good at laying out his vision to people. Before you signed – it was very early, obviously, in the spring. Did Head Coach Mike McDaniel lay out a vision to you in a meeting in how he planned to use you?) – “We were able to get into it – first off, (Head Coach) Mike (McDaniel) was a great guy. I got to talk and learn about the person, most importantly, and what kind of coach potentially I would have. That’s kind of what got me. And obviously, I know the system that they run and Mike’s ability to get guys the ball in their hands that can make plays. That was something that I definitely took to, and I’m excited to be here. Mike McDaniel is as great of a playcaller as they come, as great as a head coach as I’ve been around. That guy is really making a lot of strides over these past couple of years in building a real for a team, so excited to be a part of it.”
Jevón Holland – August 28, 2024
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Wednesday, August 28, 2024
S Jevón Holland
(General Manager Chris Grier told us they’re bringing in QB Tim Boyle as a practice squad quarterback. He’s the guy you had the “Fail Mary Pick-6” against. Are you going to give him a hard time about that when you see him?) – “No, not at all. It’s a part of football, interceptions and (expletive) like that. Shoutout to Tim (Boyle), I’m glad he’s on the team. It’s another opportunity. So hopefully he comes and helps us out.”
(What’s this defense capable of this year? After you’ve seen preseason games and training camp, what’s this defense capable of?) – “A lot. This defense is – the world is our oyster. Honestly, it’s really on us if we want to go out there and take it. I think we’ve got all the pieces. I really do and I’m excited about this year.”
(What have you seen in S Patrick McMorris this camp?) – “My young buck – man, he’s really grown. He has. You see him, he’s like real physical, shooting gaps or what not. I’ve just seen him grow, get more comfortable on his feet, kind of becoming a pros pro. That’s all I ask from him. I just really wanted him to be confident in himself. Being a rookie in a difficult league, you can kind of get ahead of yourself, get anxious. I just told him to relax, go out there and play ball. You’ve been playing it your whole life. I was excited to see him do what he did in the preseason and make the team.”
(With safeties, is it important to spend time off the field much with your partner? Like have you and S Jordan Poyer spent much time off the field? Is that even necessary or not really?) – “I think that as a whole, player to player, teammate to teammate, it’s important to spend time together. Yeah, it definitely strengthens our bond as friends. We spend so much time at the facility as it is that we get to know each other anyway. I just like being out there on the field, thinking how he thinks, but hanging out outside of the facility definitely adds to that for sure.”
Calais Campbell – August 28, 2024
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Wednesday, August 28, 2024
DT Calais Campbell
(When you were at the University of Miami did you ever think that this would be possible?) – “Well, yeah. My rookie year I thought I was going to be drafted out here. They took Phillip Merling instead. My agent called me, because there was no 32nd pick that year, so Phillip Merling was the first pick of the second round. Back then, the first and second round were on the same day. So my agent called me once they got to like (pick No.) 30 and he was like ‘Hey, Miami is really interested.’ And then I was shocked when they took Phillip Merling instead of me, but hey, here I am today. I’m happy to be here. That aqua, I feel like it looks good on me. I said if you look good, you feel good. You feel good, you play good, so I’m just happy about it.”
(TE Jonnu Smith went to FIU, you went to “The U,” but you guys were together in Atlanta, how well did you know each other?) – “Very well, very well. When I came out here to go through the visit, me and him we sat down and we ate. We talked a lot about it, and he had some influence on me coming here, just talking through his experience, how much he liked it – along with some other guys too, but ‘Nu’ is my guy. I’ve got great respect for him. I love the way he plays the game; I think he’s going to help us win a lot of ball games.”
(During training camp did you guys look at each other or talk and say, “Can you believe we’re here?”) – “We talk a lot. I don’t know if it’s so much ‘Can you believe that we’re here,’ but it’s like ‘Let’s take advantage of this.’ You see what we’ve got here; this is special. This is unique. Let’s take advantage of it.”
(A couple guys on the defensive line, what do you see in their games in DT Da’Shawn Hand and DT Brandon Pili?) – “Let’s start with (Da’Shawn) Hand. Da’Shawn Hand is one of those guys that has unbelievable talent. He’s strong as can be. He plays with such good technique, and honestly, I think he could be a really good player in this league. He’s just had the misfortune of injuries and it sucks, but at the end of the day it doesn’t define his career. This is about how you go about your business, and all he has to do is go out there and ball. Last year, he made it through the year healthy. He felt pretty good about it. We talked and trained a little bit together this offseason, and I think he’s right where he’s supposed to be. He’s going to have a good year for us. (Brandon) Pili is another guy that’s a great athlete. Talented as can be, but he’s young. He’s young and he’s got a lot of growing up to do and a lot of maturing to do, and he’s going to get his opportunity. I think sometimes the best way to develop is to get thrown into the fire, and he’s going to be out there Week 1 helping us win ball games. With his talent and with his potential, I told him today, ‘You got to see yourself as a dawg, as a guy that can change games. Don’t just be happy that you’re on the roster; see yourself as a difference maker because that’s what you have inside of you.’”
(You’ve been through countless one of these, this sort of day after cut day where the locker room is more empty. Is it still tough?) – “Oh yeah. This is unique. Usually on cut day, we don’t have a day off. We usually work on cut day, so you get to kind of say goodbye, give guys some advice. But here, we had an off day, so I didn’t get a chance to speak to a lot of the guys that I wanted to, but it’s OK. Some of them I reached out to on the phone and had a couple conversations with, but it’s always tough. Guys dedicate themselves for six weeks going through camp and give all of themselves for a chance to be a part of this. For whatever reason, you can only get 53 guys and it’s hard, especially – take the d-line for instance. We had a lot of guys we feel like were capable of playing in the NFL, two guys signed on active rosters. When you think about it though, it’s like you’re competing against other guys in other positions – tight ends, linebackers, other positions. We have to get the best 53, and I really like our 53. Our 53 is pretty special. But it is definitely hard when you see guys give their all and do everything you asked of them, and they just couldn’t be a part of this team. They’re still a part of our journey, helping us get ready for the season, and where all those guys end up, you always wish them well.”
