Brian Flores – June 5, 2019
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Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(On one of the undrafted kids from Miami, LB Terrill Hanks, what has he shown you at linebacker? And have any of the other undrafted kids flashed you? We’ve see WR Preston Williams obviously but some of the kids maybe we can’t see closely, the lineman, etc. Has anyone else flashed among the undrafted rookies?) – “Terrill Hanks, I think he’s working hard. I think he’s got a good amount of ability. I think he’s smart. I think he’s young. He’s learning. He’s working to get better. I think he’s moving in the right direction. I think he’s eager to learn. He’s very coachable. I enjoy working with him. I think he’s got some talent and hopefully he continues to progress the way he has in almost four weeks. Hopefully we’ve got something, but it’s still very early.”
(And beyond WR Preston Williams, any of the undrafted kids? We can’t judge the T Aaron Monteiros and the G Shaq Calhouns on the line. DE Dewayne Hendrix, DE Jonathan Ledbetter on the other side. Have any of those kids at all particularly flashed to you?) – “On the offensive and defensive line, it’s hard until we put pads on but all four of those guys and really I would say all of the undrafted kids, they’re really doing a good (job). They’re all working hard. They’re all very eager to learn (and) to do extra on the practice field (and) in the meetings. They stay late, they’re in early, they’re lifting. I would say – they were way, way behind. When every rookie comes in, they’re so far behind. But I think this class, really as a whole – draft picks and undrafted guys – have closed the gap to a degree. I think they’re all doing a good job. Again, there’s a long way to go. Hopefully we continue on the progression that they’re on and we keep it going.”
(On QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, everyone compliments his leadership skills. Can you think of an example of something you’ve seen him do or say that really shows his leadership style?) – “I think it’s, the first thing I think of is his command of the huddle. I think how he works with players – older players, younger players – and his rapport with defensive guys, offensive guys and guys in the kicking game, I think that shows his leadership in a big way. I think whoever he is in there with, he’s trying to help and improve and get better. I’ve been very pleased with him.”
(How can QB Josh Rosen make up some of that experience that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick doing some of those things that you just mentioned if he hopes to win this job?) – “I think he has an opportunity to learn from ‘Fitz’ in some ways, but I think he has to be himself. I think Josh is smart. I’ve had a lot of really good conversations with him. He’s personable. He’s built some relationships on the team as well. I think it’s really for everyone. I think you have to be yourself. I think you have to work at those relationships and then, at the same time, you’re working on your fundamentals, your technique and the football aspect of it. But from a leadership standpoint, I think they’re both moving in a good direction.”
(Since we’re on this topic, we’ve obviously seen QB Ryan Fitzpatrick out there getting the first-team reps each of the last four practices we’ve attended. Is that a fair representation of where this competition currently stands?) – “I mean it’s so early that until we really get into the nitty-gritty of training camp and the preseason, it’s just too early to say ‘This guy is a starter,’ or ‘That guy is a starter.’ That’s my opinion on it. I think both guys are working. First team, second team, I think I don’t put too much stock into that. Everybody is working. The install is the install so we’re working everybody on the same plays, the same defense and the same stuff in the kicking game. It’s about execution. It’s about fundamentals, technique and if you do those things and you progress, then we’ll see where guys fall.”
(Do you put the most weight then into the preseason games when you make the decision on who will be the starting quarterback?) – “Everything counts. So today counts, tomorrow counts, training camp counts, preseason counts. Everything counts. The most weight, that’s a hard one to kind of (answer). No, I don’t put it all into the preseason games. I think practice counts for a lot of it. Production at practice, production in games, meetings, walkthroughs, I think all of it counts.”
(Wouldn’t it benefit QB Josh Rosen and you and the staff if he worked with the starting line and starting receivers? I know you don’t necessarily have starters yet but you do have guys like WR Kenny Stills and WR DeVante Parker. Wouldn’t it benefit him to get more of those reps?) – “I think I would say there are guys working in both groups. Receivers, backs and linemen are moving around. That has been the case. I don’t know if you guys have noticed that, but that has been the case. I think he’s working, I think a lot of guys are working. We’re moving guys around a lot. I think, again, with Rosen, I think he’s doing a good job. I think he’s progressing. I think he’s moving in the right direction. I think he’s very talented and we’ll see where this goes.”
(Throughout these OTAs and minicamp and so forth, are there any aspects of the work you’ve seen where you would say the team is either ahead of where you might have expected or behind where you might have expected?) – “That’s a good question. I have high expectations so I’m always going to say we’re behind. I guess that’s my thought process. There’s always two, three, four, eight things I feel like we could have done better. I do see some improvement. I see a lot of progress. Practice looks the way I want it to look like just from an operational standpoint and from a tempo standpoint. But yeah, I want to be at a higher level at everything. So no, we’re not where I want to be.”
(What have you learned about T Laremy Tunsil over these past two months?) – “He’s a very talented player. I think from a leadership standpoint, that’s something that he’s developed and we’re looking for that leadership from him. I think he works hard. I think he’s smart. I think he’s got a chance to be a good player, a very good player in this league. We’ll just keep progressing and try to demand that out of him.”
(Have you seen strides in TE Mike Gesicki’s game?) – “Mike is another guy (that is) very talented. He’s working very, very hard. He’s catching the ball decently but again, I talked to him about this this morning that one drop is one too many. One penalty is one too many. One missed assignment is one too many. That’s kind of the standard, that’s the approach we’re taking. I’m hard on Mike because I see a lot of potential in him and I think he’s working towards that. These guys are dealing with a lot from me right now. They’ve all responded well.”
(When you are to name a starting QB, how much will General Manager Chris Grier be a part of that evaluation and that process or will it ultimately just be up to you?) – “No, Chris is – this is a collaborative effort. I talk to Chris on a daily basis. We talk about the team, the roster, how practice went, individual players. We talk a lot. So those will be collaborative decisions between myself, Chris, the personnel staff and the coaching staff.
(I want to ask you about your first NFL job. Have you learned lessons from that job that you use today?) – “As a scouting assistant in New England?”
(Yes.) – “Yeah, (I learned) a lot of lessons. It’s hard to play in this league. I was the ‘grim reaper’ so I went around and when guys were getting released, I walked around and had to let guys know (to bring) the playbook and the whole (thing). That was my job. It was a tough job. That’s where I learned early that this is a tough league to play in. It’s a privilege to play in this league and not a lot of guys get that opportunity. From my perspective, I try to impart that on the players not to take it for granted, that every day counts and that you want to make the most of those opportunities because it’s a privilege to play in this league.”
(How many years were you the ‘grim reaper?’) – “Two. Two full seasons.”
(Toughest call up was what?) – “I’m going to keep those between myself and those players. It has been awhile.”
(If that was a tough job, what is it like for you when you’re on the other side of the desk, having to be the guy to tell a player you’re sorry that it just isn’t working?) – “It is hard. I think we form relationships with players and it’s one of those things where you never want to do it but it’s part of this league. It’s part of, I don’t want to call it a life lesson, but there’s instances where you do everything right and you work hard and things don’t work out. That’s part of life and it ends up being life lessons for some guys. Whether they make it or don’t make it, I think it’s something that people need to know and understand: things don’t always work out. I think that’s part of my job as a teacher, as an educator, as a leader, that adversity is going to be a part of everyone’s journey. When one door closes, another one is going to open up. Those are the conversations I try to have with guys. It’s hard, but that’s this league.”
(I’ve heard some coaches call it the worst part of their job. Would you agree?) – “I would agree.”
(You all parted ways with three defensive linemen. I know free agency and money factored into it but the one older guy you kept – the only older guy on the defensive line you kept – was DT Akeem Spence. What made him appealing to you guys to retain?) – “He’s athletic. He’s strong. He’s a hard-worker. This guy works as hard as anyone we have on this team. He’s obviously had some success in this league. We want to keep good players around.”
(I want to ask you about WR Kenny Stills. He didn’t practice this week. Is this something that’s just rest time or something that can linger into training camp a month from now?) – “I think Kenny will be just fine. He’ll be just fine.”
(And WR Brice Butler got injured yesterday. Is he going to be returning for the minicamp?) – “I think he’ll be fine. He’ll be fine, too.”
(Will WR Brice Butler return to minicamp?) – “I think he’s going to give it a shot. This is one of those things where we’re going to see what it looks like today. I think at the end of the day, he’ll be fine. I don’t know if that’s today. Hopefully (it is), but he’s a tough kid and he’s kind of battled through some things already. I think he’ll be out there.”
(You obviously like T Laremy Tunsil but you’re kind of measured when you talk about him. Do you see him as a cornerstone guy that’s going to be around for a long time?) – “I think I’m measured when I talk about everyone. (laughter) It’s not specific to Laremy. He’s a really good player. I’m looking forward to working with him. I try not to put labels on players. That’s where I’m at with him. That’s where I’m at with everyone.”
Brian Flores – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Is S Reshad Jones going to be here today?) – “Reshad is here, yes. He’s here.”
(Do you expect S Reshad Jones to practice?) – “Yeah, I expect he’ll practice.”
(Was it good to see S Reshad Jones?) – “Yeah, it was great to see him. We talked briefly. He and I had a good conversation. It looks like he’s in shape, ready to work and I look forward to working with him today.”
(How comfortable are you with where S Reshad Jones is in his offseason program?) – “He looks like he’s in really good shape. We’ll see. He’s going to get out there and practice today and I’m looking forward to seeing him and getting him involved and getting going with the communication and the terminology and getting into some competitive periods. It’ll be good.”
(You’ve been telling us there’s no sacred cow and that everybody has to earn their spot. Have you told S Reshad Jones that and is he okay with that?) – “That wasn’t part of the conversation. The conversation was about coming in, learning the playbook, having good communication (and) working on your fundamentals and technique. Really, (it’s) the conversation that I have with every player that I come across. That’s not really a talking point when I’m one-on-one with a player. But yeah, I’m looking forward to working with him. Like I said, he looks like he’s in really good shape. He was excited. He was eager to get into meetings and to practice. I’m looking forward to working with him.”
(What do you see as S Reshad Jones’ potential role on this team?) – “That could go a few different ways. This is a guy who has a lot of experience. (He’s) someone who can play a few different roles. He can play a lot of roles for us, quite honestly. But that’s up to him, like it is for every other player. For each player – and I tell them all this – what your role on this team will be is up to you. That’s the case for Reshad. That’s the case for really every other player on this team. It’s about how you practice, about how you prepare, about how you perform in practice and in games when we get to that. That’s a longwinded answer but hopefully that answered your question.”
(How important is it for you to see S Reshad Jones work with S T.J. McDonald in terms of the chemistry that they can have or develop or how they are utilized?) – “I think the chemistry between the safeties is very important. I think the chemistry between the safeties, the linebackers, the corners, the d-line, I think all of it is important. Getting into a practice setting where you can work on that communication, with various calls to various formations to various personnel groups offensively, there’s 100 things that can happen on a play. The communication, from that standpoint, is something you have to build over time and we’ve been doing that over the last – really since April 1st – and he, along with everyone else, that’s part of the process. Just building that communication, we’re not going to conquer the world in one day. I’ll tell you that right now. It takes some time. We’re working towards that on a daily basis.”
(How does this affect, in any way, what you’ve been doing with CB Bobby McCain thus far?) – “I think we’re, like we do with all of the DBs, we’re going to work guys at different positions. I would say it doesn’t affect it at all. Bobby is going to work. Minkah (Fitzpatrick) is going to work. T.J. (McDonald) is going to work. Reshad (Jones) is going to work. Maurice (Smith) is going to work. We’re going to work all of the offensive linemen. We’re going to work all of the receivers. Again, we have a lot of plays in practice, so it’s scripted out and we structure it so that everyone gets work. Some get more than others. That’s just kind of how it shakes out. Again, the goal is to create an environment where there’s competition but we’re also learning, we’re growing, we’re communicating, we’re working our fundamentals and techniques, and we’re trying to get 11 guys on the same page to have a good, solid play over and over and over and over again to try to string good plays together.”
(Have you spoken with S Reshad Jones about what happened last year when he did not re-enter a game after he was part of a secondary rotation?) – “My conversations with Reshad, you guys have heard me, I’m focused on today. I’m not focused on last year or yesterday or any of that. My focus and my conversations with Reshad are about the playbook, communication, fundamentals (and) technique. Last year is last year. So no, I haven’t had a conversation with him on that.”
(Was that the first time you had met with S Reshad Jones since taking the job?) – “No.”
(What do you hope to accomplish over the next three days?) – “Well, I mentioned this: I want to finish strong. That’s definitely at the top of my list. I think we’ve made a lot of improvements since we got started on April 1st. I think this group is working hard. I think it’s important that we finish strong. We talk about continuing to build on the fundamentals, continuing to build on our techniques. There are things that we don’t even, it’s really muscle memory. That’s really what we’re trying to create here from a fundamentals and technique standpoint. So that’s a daily thing. We try to talk to them about it, coach them, educate them on those things so that when we get into the exotics and when we get into the meat of the third-down, red-area, 2-minute situations, when we get into that, you need good fundamentals to be good on those situations as well. When we get into that stuff, which we’ll get into some of that today, and there’s noise involved and then you’ve got a really good player in front of you, you just have to be able to fall back on your techniques, your fundamentals and it has to be something that’s seamless. It’s something that you don’t think about. That’s what really, when I talk about finishing strong, that’s where I’m at. It’s in those little details of the things that nobody is going to write about or that nobody is going to talk about on ESPN. It’s those little things, that’s where my focus is. I try to steer their focus in that direction too.”
(How has DT Christian Wilkins looked through nine OTAs and do you have a feeling at that position that you have with DT Davon] Godchaux and DT Vincent Taylor, two young guys who obviously had flashes?) – “Christian is a rookie. He’s got a lot to learn, a long way to go; but he works hard at it every day. He brings a lot of energy, I like what I’ve seen, but at that position you’ve seen nothing until you put pads on. We’re not winning any awards right now. We’ve got a long way to go with him and with the rest of the group as well.”
(What do you want to see out of QB Josh Rosen and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick before you guys break?) – “I want to see improvement on the weeks. Each guy’s been building. From when they got here, I’ve seen steady improvement each day, each week. I want to see that continue from a leadership standpoint first and foremost, getting us lined up. If somebody doesn’t know where to go, that guy needs to get him lined up. That’s the role of the quarterback. I want to see fire. I want to see energy. If it’s in and out of the huddle, I want to see a crisp operation that starts at the quarterback position. We need to continue to do that. It’s been solid. It can always be better and we’re going to continue to harp on those guys. Every good play starts with the quarterback. We stress ball security, ball handling. Again, I’m into the details. I’m into the fundamentals. If you keep asking, you’re going to get roughly the same answer. (laughter)”
(Regarding RB Kenyan Drake and his versatility, what have you been able to determine about that out here and what were the keys to defending him last year?) – “I’m not going to give you the keys to defending him. (laughter) I’m going to tell you that right now. You’re not going to hear that from me. You want me to just hand it over? I’m not going to give you that. (laughter) Well he’s athletic, he’s explosive, he’s fast. He’s a good route runner. He does a lot of good things. How do you defend him? We’ll let the opponent figure that out. (laughter) It’s hard to defend him from where we sit here today. We don’t know where he’s going to be lined (up). I think (Offensive Coordinator) Chad (O’Shea) has done a good job – Chad, (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach) Jerry (Schuplinski), (Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks) Jim (Caldwell), (Running Backs Coach) Eric (Studesville), they all do a really good job of coming up with ways to put our players in the best positions to do what they do well but also put the defense in some tough positions. That’s game planning, that’s coaching. We have a lot of really good coaches on this staff and they really work hard. We talk about competition on the field, (but) there is competition from the coaching perspective as well, and I like that. That’s something that we talk about on a day-to-day basis. We’re not trying to trick anybody, but we are trying to, there’s a little bit of gamesmanship that goes on there from a coaching standpoint that I like. I think we need to create that kind of environment, and I think we’re doing that and I think our coaching staff has done a good job from that standpoint.”
(I wanted to ask you about WR Albert Wilson. I know you haven’t been able to see him very much this offseason, but what is your vision for him from the skillsets that you know that he has?) – “That’s hard to say. Again as somebody who is in the moment, right now the thing for Albert is to do everything that he can do possible to get himself back on the field as soon as he can, which he is doing. This guy is working extremely hard and we know he’s talented. Right now, it’s about getting back on the field, it’s about rehab, it’s about nutrition, it’s about weights. It’s about everything that will help him get back onto the field and then we’ll take it from there. Do I have a lot of thoughts and ideas based on what I’ve seen? Yes. I think we all do. I think you guys do as well. You know what the guy is capable of. But until he’s out there, it’s thoughts.”
(One off the field question, how did you enjoy your first fishing experience?) – “It was fun. I had a great time at Fins Weekend. I think a couple of you guys were there. It’s for a great cause. I’m all about education. I said this the other day, I was humbled to be there. I’m very fortunate to be a part of this organization where they spend so much time in the community. From a fishing standpoint, I’m no fisherman. I’m not a golfer. I chose fishing and I wasn’t very good there. I reeled one in. I had a little help. Let’s be honest, I had a lot of help actually. (laughter) It was fun. I think what the weekend is about is it’s about giving back. And we’re golfing to give back, we’re golfing for education, we’re fishing for education. I think that is something that I was happy to be a part of.”
(Will you fish again?) – “Will I fish again? Quite honestly, it’s not a no; but it’s a no. (laughter) I’d rather watch film. I’d rather watch film, I’d rather draw up a couple of plays offensively, defensively or in the kicking game.”
(I wanted to ask you about DT Vincent Taylor in terms of what you’ve seen from him. I know there are no pads so it’s kind of hard to evaluate trench play, but what are the skillsets he brings that can help this defense?) – “You see some athleticism. You see some strength. He’s got good size. He does a good job of staying on his feet. Again, at that position, you said it. At that position, it’s hard to evaluate without putting pads on from a run-read standpoint, going from a run, play-action transition to a pass rush. These are things that are, until we get the pads on, there is no way to really evaluate it. He’s getting in better condition. I think from an understanding protection standpoint and how to beat a protection, I think he’s starting to understand that. I think a lot of our guys are starting to understand that. They are all working and it’s something that I think he’s doing a good job and I think if he continues on this doing what he’s doing, I think he’ll be okay.”
(Are you looking forward to your Super Bowl ring ceremony?) – “Yes. Yeah, I am. I think I’ve build a lot of really good relationships up there in New England and my wife is definitely happy to go up there. We actually had our 10-year anniversary last week, so I want to give a shout out to her. Make sure we write that down guys. (laughter) I’m excited to go. But don’t worry, we’ll be working here Thursday as well. Trust me on that one. If you guys know anything about me, we’ll work on Thursday, I’ll head up to Boston, celebrate that and then I’ll be back on Friday. But yeah, it will be good to see some old friends. I’m looking forward to it.”
Vincent Taylor – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
DT Vincent Taylor
(We saw so much promise from you last year before being hurt. Had you felt like you had turned a corner where you were on the cusp of being a really, really good NFL defensive tackle?) – “For sure; but injuries, that’s what comes with the game. I’m looking past that and just trying to focus on this year. My feet are feeling good. I’m just trying to get back in the rhythm of everything.”
(What did it say that it was pouring out there and you guys didn’t hesitate. Nobody went to the bubble. Everybody just stayed out there.) – “When the game is coming and it starts raining, we aren’t going to be able to go to the bubble. So that was good for us, working with the quarterbacks. They were dealing with the wet ball, the center exchange and all of that. So it was good for everybody.”
(How are you liking this new defensive system? We haven’t really gotten too much of a glimpse of it but do you feel like it’s something that suits you?) – “It’s a new system. I’m learning every day, just like everybody else. The coaches, they’re going to put us in a position to be successful. We’re still getting a glimpse of it. We’re trying to get everything down pat. It’s new, but I’m learning as we go.”
(There seems to be a lot of depth at the defensive tackle position. Do you guys feel that way as well, that it’s very competitive? – “Yeah, it’s very competitive. That’s one thing ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) does. At every position, he tries to create competition and I think it brings the best out of everybody.”
(How do things change with you for this new defense?) – “It changes a lot, but the coaches are going to put us in a position to be successful. It’s just up to me to come out here every day and just try to learn and give it my all.”
(Was it nice to have S Reshad Jones back?) – “It is. I was talking to G-5 (Reshad Jones), telling him welcome back and everything. It’s good for him to be back out here. He’s an older guy, so he’s familiar with everything so it’s good to have him back at practice.”
(What do you think it’s going to do to have the defense the way you guys have where guys like S Reshad Jones and CB Bobby McCain and S Minkah Fitzpatrick can move around back there? That’s got to help you guys out too.) – “That’s going to help us out a lot because Reshad and guys like Minkah and T.J. (McDonald), they’ve got the body size to come play in the box. So I think it’s good for them and it’s good for us as a defense as a whole.”
(Does it bring an excitement to this defense?) – “It does. ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores), he comes from New England. He comes from a winning program. He knows how to win and I can tell he’s bringing that same style down here and I think that’s going to help us out.”
(What are your plans for after this week?) – “Really, just let my body recover. Take a few weeks off and then get right back into it, start training to be ready for training camp.”
(Do you have any travel plans?) – “I’ll probably take one quick trip just to get away to clear my mind and then get back down here and start training, try to stay in the sun.”
Jesse Davis – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
G/T Jesse Davis
(On where he’s been lining up) – “Just today. We wanted to shuffle the deck a little bit and put me at right tackle and see where we could find the best five as they like to say. (I was) just plugging in some reps there.”
(Is it clear in your mind where you’ll be or do you think there’s a decent chance you could be at tackle, a decent chance at guard?) – “I have no idea. OTAs to training camp, everything happens a little differently, so we’ll see what happens with the reps and game situations, injuries, yada, yada, yada.”
(Through nine OTAs, it had been guard until today?) – “Yes. Today was the first day. We just started shuffling it up a little bit, getting guys different looks and putting me at right tackle and working with a different guy.”
(Your comfort level at right tackle, and does that excite you at all because it’s a position traditionally maybe more pay opportunities than guard?) – “Right now, it’s just getting comfortable back there. I haven’t played tackle in a year and a half. Right now, I don’t want to be a one-dimensional player. I’d rather be a utility guy like I have been before. And if you want to talk about money, the money is always nice. (laughter)”
(Was it easier to play right tackle today in this downpour?) – “Actually no. It’s a lot more weight on my outside foot and a little more wet. But it wasn’t too bad.”
(What are the differences technically for you from that right guard spot to right tackle?) – “Moving to right tackle, you’ve just got a lot more space. You’re on more of an island. But you have more time to react rather than at guard. Everything happens faster and you get beat a little quicker. At tackle, you have a little more time to react, but you’ve just got to cover more ground.”
(Your impressions of G Michael Deiter so far?) – “Good. Strong guy. Good hands. Coached well. He’s a very coachable player, too, which is really nice. And he’s a flexible player.”
(What about G/C Chris Reed?) – “Awesome. He’s added a lot to this o-line from knowing the game situations to knowing the playbook. He fits right in where we’re at.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores said that all the stuff that you’re doing now is basic stuff, but what can you tell about this offense and how different it’s going to be from this point?) – “Right now it’s just a lot more demanding, I’d say, which is really good, especially for us. We want to get stuff fixed right now, that way moving forward everything is going to be clicking a lot faster.”
(How would you describe the progress of the offense through the offseason program?) – “I think it’s been really good. We’ve seen a lot of different looks from an odd defense to even defense to diamond defense. We’re putting in a lot of things, a lot of looks, that stuff shouldn’t faze us when we see it. Moving forward that’s awesome because last year we did our defense and that was it.”
(Any specific plans for after this week when you have a little bit of time off?) – “No, I’ll be here. No plans yet. I might take a trip somewhere, but I don’t know.”
(What’s the specific challenge when you’re facing a defensive line that gives you these odd and even looks and identification purposes?) – “Just knowing where everybody is going to be going. That starts with the quarterback and center, knowing which guy and how we’re going to get to these two players or one player. Then everybody being on the same page. Obviously players differ in what technique you’re going to use against this player, maybe he’s a bull-rush player, maybe he’s an outside-hands-swipe guy. Just knowing that and knowing your buddy next to you, or your buddy to your right or left is doing.”
(Does it look like your defense is throwing about seven linebackers in there at a time because all of those DBs are coming up?) – “Yeah, they’re crowding the ball a little bit. It gets a little confusing. We don’t know who’s down yet, so he’s just a linebacker to us. So we’re just going off of spots. Once we get to a game, it’ll be a lot easier. But that’s the challenge.”
(As you think about the arc of your career, what do you know you’re better at right now than like, say, two years ago?) – “Right now I’d say just my hands, especially getting that right guard position, working my hands more and especially working with these coaches, not kicking too far, staying inside out. That’s a huge thing for me. In the past, they’d say, ‘Cover him up.’ So I did that, and then you’d get beat inside or something. Right now it’s staying inside out, just knowing personnel and knowing the look, the pass rusher, and just knowing the game now.”
Jalen Davis – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
CB Jalen Davis
(There are a lot of undrafted corners who have gone on to success with the New England Patriots. Was this a fact you’re aware of? Have coaches mentioned this?) – “They just go on the fact that if you can play, you can play. If you can play, you’re going to be out there. So that’s all I’m trying to do, just show them that I can play and show them that I can just be out there and running.”
(You have a lot of young guys obviously competing for a job at slot, also on the boundary opposite CB Xavien Howard. Are you excited about this? Do you feel like it’s an open competition with the eight or nine of you?) – “Of course I’m excited. Everybody is excited. (It’s a) new season, new year just to prove yourself to the coaches, to the players. That’s all we’re trying to do, just prove ourselves to everybody so we can just get better. That’s all we’re doing.”
(What was the feedback you’ve been getting from Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Josh Boyer as far as what he likes, what he wants to see?) – “Just keep going off of my instincts and just keep showing my ability to play on the football field.”
(How much of an encouragement was the Jacksonville game to you last year where you got an opportunity and you made plays? Had that given you even more confidence that you can play at this level?) – “Yeah, but once again, I know my ability because I know what I can do out there on the football field. I was confident being out there and showcasing my skills.”
(Do you make a point to take every interception to the house?) – “Of course. (laughter)”
(Even if you have to run back to the next play or what?) – “You still have to go all the way, 99 (yards).”
(How many picks do you have so far, I guess through 10 practices, besides the one today? Any others?) – “That’s the only one, today.”
(Have you been pleased with how you’ve done through 10 practices?) – “Yeah. I’m pleased with how I’ve done, but I still need to improve a whole lot. I need a whole lot of improvement from myself.”
(Which of the young corners have stood out to you? We’ve seen you make plays, CB Cornell Armstrong, CB Jomal Wiltz. Who has stood out to you?) – “Everybody is just out there making plays, so you can’t just name one person because everybody is out there making plays each and every day. If somebody is making mistakes, they learn from the mistakes. That’s what we’re doing.”
(How much slot, how much boundary for you over these practices? Has it been some of both?) – “They just have me all over the place, so I’m just trying to show where I can play at.”
(Are you comfortable with both?) – “Yeah.”
(I’m doing something on players between year one and year two. A lot of guys will tell you year two is better because I wasn’t training for the Combine going into your rookie year. How does it feel for you? How different is it when you can work on football as opposed to training for the Combine?) – “It’s better because when you first get in here, you don’t know the speed of what’s going on and what’s happening. The second year, you’re more developed and you know what the practice speed is like, the speed of the practice and meetings and all of that type of stuff. So you get way more comfortable during the second year.”
(How do we see that out on the field?) – “Just playing faster. That’s all that is.”
(Then comes this defense where you’re all over in different places. How do you deal with that when you have so many different assignments?) – “Get in the playbook.”
(Is it tougher than normal, than what you’re used to?) – “No. A play is a play, so just learn them.”
(What you have here at corner, it seems like a bunch of young, athletic kids who were playmakers in college. What’s your read of the talent you have here at corner with a bunch of guys who are awfully young?) – “I’d say we have a lot of talent over here in the cornerback room. We’re just trying to showcase it out on the field.”
(WR Preston Williams, just covering him – have you had much opportunity to observe the skills he has?) – “Yeah. Preston is good. He’s going to be a good receiver.”
(Is it the size, the speed?) – “Size, speed, release moves off the line. He’s good.”
(WR Trenton Irwin, the Stanford rookie – any thoughts on him? Have you gone up against him at all?) – “Yeah. He’s nice. He has a lot of wiggle in him. I like that.”
Jerome Baker – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
LB Jerome Baker
(Today, Head Coach Brian Flores was talking to us. When your name came up, he was talking about how you are taking more of a leadership role this year. What gives you the confidence to do that?) – “I have one year under my belt. I’m really just trying to do my job and set the example. I’m really just doing my job to the best of my ability and just taking ownership of it.”
(Have you always been a leader throughout your high school and college career?) – “I look at myself as a leader. I want to lead by example. I don’t want to say it with my words, I want to lead by example.”
(You know how much Head Coach Brian Flores values leadership on this team, don’t you?) – “Yes, I do.”
(One thing that’s come up is your role this year. It seems like you may be asked to do more of a pass rush role. How do you embrace that?) – “They ask me to do a lot of different things. I’m really just taking ownership of that, just being versatile. Whatever they tell me to do, just do it to the best of my ability. If it’s pass rush, that’s what I’m going to do.”
(Your pass rush skills, how would you assess them? You had the three sacks last year. You have the speed. How would you assess your skills in that area?) – “It’s just a work in progress. I’m just out there with (Linebackers) Coach Rob (Leonard) and constantly improving and trying to get better in all aspects of my game.”
(Your comfort level playing in a 3-4 – obviously, we saw you a ton in a 4-3 outside. What’s your comfort level in a 3-4 as an outside guy?) – “Football is football. It doesn’t matter what the scheme is. You have to go out there and make plays and just get to the ball carrier. That’s pretty much what I’m doing, just out there having fun.”
(Did you change your body at all this year? Anything you do differently?) – “Yeah. I got in the weight room a lot. That was my main thing, just working out as much as I can and hopefully improve so it pays off in the season.”
(Did you put on any weight?) – “A little bit. I’ve been a little heavier today. I’m just trying to keep it and be consistent.”
(What are you up to now?) – “Today I weighed in at 227.”
(Had the staff wanted you to be a little bigger without it sacrificing speed?) – “They just want me to be healthy and make sure it’s the right weight. (Head Strength and Conditioning) Coach Dave (Puloka) can definitely do a good job with that.”
(How great was it to have S Reshad Jones back?) – “It was definitely great when you have a player like that. He brings that leadership, so it was definitely good to see him.”
(How much stronger do you feel now?) – “I feel like a new player, honestly. I feel stronger, feel faster. I just have to take that into the season and constantly improve.”
(Have you always been a weight room kind of guy or not?) – “Yeah, I go in there. But this offseason, it was like a main focus of mine. I definitely took that, this offseason, to heart.”
(How do you look back on your rookie year?) – “It was a learning experience. It was definitely fun. (I’m) just trying to take that next step this year.”
(What’s a main lesson you learned as a rookie?) – “Just because you’re a rookie, that doesn’t mean you don’t say anything. Last year I would know the call, I would know something and I just wouldn’t say anything because it was an older guy. This year, just speak up what you see. If you’re wrong, at least everybody is on the same accord. I just kind of took that to heart.”
(It sounds like you hit the perfect balance because you’re talking like a veteran but you’re still a very young guy.) – “Yeah. I love being a young guy. I like that hunger, I like that edge, so I’m going to definitely always keep that.”
(In a couple of days, you guys are going to get a break. I’m sure you’re looking forward to that as well. What are you going to do with your time off?) – “Just really soak in the playbook and enjoy my family. Just see my family as much as I can before we go into the season and just really appreciate them.”
(You’re not going to go diving with sharks or climb Mount Everest or anything?) – “No, I’m not going to do that.”
(What excites you about this defense?) – “We’re young and hungry. That’s the main thing. We’re young and hungry. The coaching staff is so versatile, so you have to know a lot of positions. You never know where you’re going to be at. Just young, hungry and being versatile.”
(Take me a little inside that scheme. Is it more tricky, are there more positions to learn or a lot of plays? What’s it like?) – “We just have to learn the concepts. (Head) Coach (Brian Flores) will really move you around pretty much any position if you learn the concepts. You can just tell if you really want to play, that you have to learn multiple positions.”
(I’m doing something on the difference with players between year one and year two because a lot of times, you talk to the players and they say year two I was here training as opposed to training for the combine. I was doing football activities. For you, what’s been the big difference?) – “It’s definitely that. You can just sit in one place and just focus on your training. For me, that was a big difference. I didn’t have to travel. I didn’t have to go see different teams. Just kind of sit wherever you want to be at and work out and just enjoy yourself there. That was definitely a bonus for me.”
(Tell me about the traveling and the working out. How many teams did you visit? How much time were you working out?) – “I probably visited five teams, and it was all in a span of a week. Pretty much, I’d go home, change, go on another flight. It was flight, flight, flight, back to back to back.”
(What teams did you visit?) – “San Francisco, the Chargers, Jacksonville, Broncos. I think that was it.”
(This year, what have you been doing? It’s been working out. You’ve been with the team.) – “I took one trip to Bali. After that, I kind of just stayed here and just worked out and just kind of enjoyed Miami.”
(Let me digress and ask a stupid question, how was Bali?) – “It was amazing. It was definitely beautiful. It was just the culture of it was beautiful. I definitely had fun.”
(When you’re here and you’re doing football activities, when you get out there on that field, do you feel more confident? Do you feel better because you’ve been here? How does it make a difference? Where do we see that manifest itself?) – “You’re just more confident. You’re ready for football shape. Combine shape and football shape are two different things. You definitely feel ready for that and you kind of just take that on and be consistent. It’s another break, so you have to make sure you stay in that shape. You can definitely feel it out on the field.”
Christian Wilkins – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
DT Christian Wilkins
(How goes it for you out there?) – “It’s going pretty well, honestly. I’m loving each and every day, honestly. I’m just living the dream right now. The NFL, so far, is everything I could’ve asked for, could’ve hoped for. I’m literally getting paid to play the game I love so much, so I couldn’t be in a better position knowing I’m not working in an office. I am, but I’m with another 90 other guys, get to show up to work every day in sweatpants, so it’s pretty awesome. I’m living the dream right now.”
(I know it’s only been a few weeks since the draft. How far have you come the first time you stepped on this field to today?) – “I definitely see and feel an improvement. The first day, everything was real fast and you’ve got to adjust. You’re going up against guys who’ve been in the league so long. You’re throwing things at them that they’ve seen before. It’s kind of a challenge, but I love the challenge. I feel like each day I try to come in with the mindset to improve. Not to be the most down-to-play on the field, but have the mindset I’ve got to improve and get better every day.”
(Other than every guy here was almost an All-American, a really good college football player. What is different than the last few years for you out on that field?) – “You just said it: this is the best of the best. There are going to be times where I might slip up and do right and lose or even when I do my best and it’s just a stalemate. It’s part of the growing process and the growing pains. I’m loving it and enjoying it. It’s pretty awesome.”
(In college when you slipped up and you didn’t do your best, you were still the best player.) – “Exactly. And there’s times where you can mess up and still make the play. Now, you can’t make as many mistakes. As you get better and better and as you improve, now you’ve got the best of the best, the air gets thinner and that margin of error gets real small, too, so you can’t make as many mistakes. You’ve got to be on it from knowing your job, executing your job and playing at a high level.”
(Who are the teammates that’ve helped you out the first month?) – “There’s a lot of those guys. I really like Charles (Harris). He’s been a good vet for me so far. The same with Akeem Spence. I love those two guys. Just as far as in my role, they’ve been helping me get adjusted. Akeem is an older, savvy vet who’s always teaching me little techniques and things like that, so I really like him. Seeing how certain guys work like Bobby (McCain), guys I’m earning respect for, I have a lot of respect for (them) and seeing how they work is really commendable. They’ve been there for me since I got here.”
(Do your personal expectations rise as they ask you to do more like, “This is a first team rep, go do that?”) – “The expectations I have for myself are always higher than anyone can have for me. Wherever they want me to play, whatever situation they want me to be in, my job is to go out there and dominate and play at the highest level I can and to contribute and do my job so that the team can be successful at the end of the day. That’s what I always keep in mind when I go out onto the field, when I’m studying at night. I’m like, ‘I’ve got to do this so the team can be the best that they can be.’ That’s always my mindset.”
(How do you feel you did today?) – “It was honestly like a backyard football day kind of with the rain. You’re playing out there and it’s slushy. I feel like I did pretty well. It was fun. I had a good time. I try to improve on something each day.”
(How different was it? Was today almost like the first day because everybody is here? How different was that? Was it like another first day?) – “It’s not like we had too much time off or anything in between. We’ve been still going at it. Yeah, it’s kind of like that, but we’ve been working for this last month. Really, it wasn’t too different. But you’ve just got the mindset, ‘Okay, this is all the mandatory portion and we’re getting after it. We’re going to be grinding. There’s a little bit more time that we can spend here now.’ As far as a practice standpoint and practice schedule, it’s all been the same. That wasn’t too bad or anything.”
(You mentioned DE Charles Harris. Has he helped you with the expectations of a first-round pick, because he was a first-round pick?) – “He holds himself to a high standard and so do I. I try to watch the things he does and pick and pull the good things that he does and listen to him, because he’s a really intelligent guy that works hard not just on the field but off the field. He’s a guy that I look to for a lot of different things. Just little things like where is a good place to live or who’s the best chef around so I can get good, quality meals. Just little things like that, he’s always there for me and always helping me with.”
(In the last five weeks when you haven’t been on the field, what have you been doing to get better?) – “I’m constantly working on my body, doing little recovery things and studying a lot so I can get this playbook down. The more I study and the better my body feels, I feel like the better I’ll be out there on the field. All of my focus at all times is essentially back to football, improving my game and craft so that I can help the team at the end of the day.”
(The tackle and the end role, both of those roles I know you played them at Clemson, but is there anything that’s carried over here in the first couple weeks?) – “No, because I’m not on offense yet and I’m pretty upset about that. (laughter) I need to get some offensive touches. We’ll see. That was later down the line. I’m just messing (around). It’s tougher, yes, because it’s the NFL and the jobs they’re asking me to do, but at the end of the day it’s still football. I’ve still got to get in my stance. It’s all about alignment, leverage, technique, playing with your hands, doing those little things, eyes, hands, feet. It’s still football at the end of the day, but it is a little tougher, because it is the NFL and guys are better. If you take a wrong step, it’s tougher to recover. Little things like that. As long as you’re on it, it’s not too terrible, but it is tougher, because it’s the NFL, like I said.”
(Are you all settled in personally?) – “I’m still figuring everything out as I go a little bit. (I am) trying to learn the area and really get to know my teammates. That’s the biggest thing.”
Reshad Jones – June 4, 2019
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Tuesday, June 4, 2019
S Reshad Jones
(On running in practice.) – “We are going to run in games so I guess it helps out.”
(Are you excited to be a part of a defense where you can do multiple things?) – “Most definitely. I’m excited to be back. I’m excited to be here with my teammates, learning the defense. There are a lot of packages and a lot of stuff I have to catch up to, but I’m excited about it.”
(Why were you not here for the rest of OTAs?) – “I wanted to take time to get physically in-shape and ready to play a 16-game stretch or longer.”
(Was your shoulder a big part of that?) – “Yeah.”
(And the team was okay with that?) – “Yeah, me and Coach (Flores), we spoke about it.”
(We saw a lot of your videos whether they were on social media, Instagram or whatever. Was that to kind of show the work that you were putting in and to prove to the fans out there that …) – “I don’t really have to prove anything to anybody. I’ve been one of the best safeties in this league for a long time. I put the work in year in and year out. That’s my pattern. That’s what I do. Every year, I put the work in. I post videos up the previous year, the year before that and every year so it’s the same thing I do year in and year out.”
(You not being here, do you think it was a little overblown by everybody?) – “Yeah, most definitely. Me and the coach, we had communication. I know you guys have to write stories and stuff like that but me and coach were communicating. Voluntary mean voluntary so I took the time to get physically ready to play a 16-game stretch coming off a surgery in February.”
(What is it about this defense when you get out there, the differences and changes?) – “It’s just a lot of movement and a lot of packages. Guys (are) playing different roles. (It’s) fast paced. It looks exciting so I’m excited to be a part of it.”
(I don’t know if you pay attention to some of the media things that are put out there but your name is apparently coming up in trade rumors and trade speculation. Have you noticed that and just kind of your thoughts on the matter?) – “I’ve seen it and I’ve heard of it but I control what I (can) control. I’m in great shape. I’m still one of the best safeties in this league and whatever happens, happens. I control what I (can) control. I’m here, I love this city, I love the fans. I’d love to be a part of the Dolphins organization.”
(Do you think there’s a certain level of respect that should be given to you given what you’ve accomplished in the league?) – “I mean the numbers speak for themselves. Respect? I earned that. I earned my stripes in this league. I’ve done everything possible. I’ve been a two-time Pro Bowler. Everything you can possibly imagine. It doesn’t faze me. I put the work in year in and year out and I’m here to help this team win football games.”
(We saw you sitting and watching a lot of practice today trying to figure out everything that’s going on. Was that tough?) – “A little bit but I’m catching up pretty fast. I’ve played a lot of snaps in this league, a lot of football, so I catch on pretty quick.”
(How would you describe your relationship with Head Coach Brian Flores?) – “We’ve had minimal relations, minimal talks but I know he’s a straightforward guy. He kept it real with me, once we were communicating about me not being here and different things like that. I know he comes from a winning program so I’m excited to be working with him.”
(How would you describe your emotions this offseason as far as everything you’ve had to deal with?) – “I mean coming off of surgery, I had been through it. I’ve had two of my labrums (repaired). Two, three years ago, I went through the same surgery. I feel pretty good now. It’s the same thing for me, pretty much.”
(What percentage do you think you are health-wise?) – “I’m not 100 percent, but I’m close.”
