Jaylen Wright – May 10, 2024
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Friday, May 10, 2024
RB Jaylen Wright
(As if this team didn’t need any more speed, you bring in more speed. How much has that been in your mind since you got drafted?) – “Being here with all of these guys, star players, players that I grew up watching, it just means a lot. Just to be mentioned in the factor of having speed, that just means a lot to me. I’m just blessed to be here, and I’m excited for what’s coming for me.”
(Who are those guys you think about the most?) – “Now we got Odell Beckham Jr., ‘OBJ.’ We got Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Tua (Tagovailoa). I think I was a freshman in high school when Tua was at Alabama. It’s good to be here, I’m excited. I’m just ready to go.”
(How about your room with RB Raheem Mostert, obviously a veteran guy who can fly, and RB De’Von Achane who last year was in your shoes?) – “Both of those guys, they are really good guys, great players. I’m excited just to be able to share the rock with them. I’m excited to be that trio that will be out there making a lot of plays this summer, this fall and this season. I’m just ready to go, and I’m just ready to prove to everybody that I belong here.”
(RB Raheem Mostert saying that he’s ready to help coach you and guide you in this process. What does that mean to have a vet like him who had put in the hard work for the past couple of seasons?) – “It means a lot. Raheem (Mostert) is somebody I’ve studied watching film back in college. He’s a guy – I’ve been knowing him for years. Just from him saying that, it just means a lot. It puts a warm feeling on me that I’m welcomed. I’m just ready to meet those guys and work with them.”
(You are the fourth Jaylen on this team. How did you feel when you found out you’ve got LB Jaelan Phillips, WR Jaylen Waddle, CB Jalen Ramsey, just being a part of that Jaylen mix?) – “Four Jaylens, that’s a lot of Jaylens. I guess that gives us that connection. I’m ready to meet my other fellow Jaylens, so I’m just ready to go.”
(What was it like to put the jersey No. 25 on, an NFL jersey for the first time today?) – “It felt great. This is a dream come true. No. 25, I feel like I look good in it. I’m going to make it look good, I’m just blessed.”
(The last guy that wore that is kind of a Dolphins legend. Do you know anything about CB Xavien Howard?) – “Oh yeah, of course. He’s a guy, a dude – somebody that was very good in the NFL. Somebody that I know, he’s a big-name guy. I’m just excited to wear the number that he repped for a long time and make a lot of big plays in it.”
(You talked about watching RB Raheem Mostert film. What do you think it is about the Dolphins offense that fits your skillset?) – “Just the way that they like to create space for the running backs, space for everybody. They got the receivers to spread everybody out to make the defenses drop back in coverages and stuff like that. That just makes it better for the running backs. Just the system and everything we do, I feel like it’s perfect for me.”
(When was the first time you knew you were the fastest guy on the team? Has that changed now that you are in Miami?) – “The first time I knew I was the fastest guy was probably when we were doing GPS numbers in the summer. Now we all know we got Tyreek Hill. I’m not going to come in here and say I’m the fastest guy here. I know I’m fast, but we got a lot of elite guys here that are really fast. I’m just excited, just happy to be here.”
(You mentioned watching film a little bit last year. What excites you about the usage of the running backs here compared to other teams?) – “The way they use the running backs. Like I said, they like to use running backs to their skillset. I feel like they will put me in positions where I’m getting open in space, whether if it’s in the backfield or in the slot catching the ball, receiving the ball. I feel like it’s good here running back wise and can make a lot of big plays as a running back here.”
(It’s only rookie camp. Are you kind of disappointed that the vets aren’t here and you don’t get to be around those guys? Is it an anticipation that you can’t wait to see all those guys here?) – “I know it’s rookie camp. It’s mainly for us. I’m going to see the vets when I see them. Excited to see them, excited to be welcomed into a great squad like this.”
(According to the Combine and Pro Day 40-yard dash time. You’re actually only the sixth fastest Dolphin. What did you think when you saw that or when you hear it now?) – “At the end of the day, I know I’m fast, but like I said, there are some extremely fast guys here. I mean really, really fast. That’s props to them for running a really fast 40 (-yard dash). But I know what I ran and running that at my size is not easy. I know I’m fast too.”
(Sometimes it takes running backs a minute to adjust to the NFL. What does it tell you that Head Coach Mike McDaniel trusted RB De’Von Achane as a rookie? What does that tell you?) – “It tells me he has a lot of trust in his guys. It tells me when he’s drafting somebody, he’s doing it for a reason. I feel like I’m somebody that he trusts. I’m ready to prove my point on the field and gain that trust not only from the coaches, but my teammates as well. I’m really excited to make big plays.”
(Have you ever been to Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach?) – “Yeah. I’ve been here before. We’ve played here before.”
(You said that you studied RB Raheem Mostert going back to college. What was it that you picked up from his game that you noticed or saw?) – “Just the way he’s fast and physical. He has great contact balance. He’s somebody that’s elusive, somebody who is just really good. In open space, he gets scary. I was watching some tape of him when he was on the sideline. He hopped on the sideline and still scored. Just stuff like that, just being the player he is. He’s a great player, a great athlete, I’m ready to learn from him.”
(I wanted to ask you about Tennessee. Obviously, you guys shared the backfield there. I’m sure when you were sharing it you weren’t a big fan of it, but now that you see you have low odometer on your clock because you don’t have that many college carries. Do you look at it as something that benefits you?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. You said I didn’t like sharing it at Tennessee, I enjoyed it. I like to see my other guys eat and get the ball. We’re all eating, and I feel like that’s going to be the same way here. I feel like whoever gets on the field is going to make big plays. I like it. Yes, it does keep us fresh. I feel like that’s the new (inaudible). Three backs, three great backs, I feel like that’s really good to have.”
(You and LB Mohamed Kamara were candid on draft day talking about you’re fueled by the fact you fell to the third day. You’re obviously extremely talented and fast. What did you hear in the draft process were concerns by any team in terms of why you fell to Round 4?) – “I didn’t really hear nothing. I don’t know. The draft can go anyway, I don’t know. It happened how it did, but at the end of the day, I feel like I ended at the best spot for me, the best situation. I’m just happy. I’m blessed. I’m going to keep that chip on my shoulder to remind these teams why you shouldn’t have passed. They let a great team get a dawg, so that’s on them.”
(Most football players are obviously very fast and ran track, but this team is something special. You’ve got pretty much a 4×1 track team and now added you. Can you just talk about this team’s speed here? How happy are you to be a part of something this explosive?) – “Yeah, this team’s speed is extremely fast. We got a lot of fast guys – the guys I play on Madden with that are glitchy on Madden. It means a lot, and it means even more to be a part of it. I’m just happy. I’m just blessed.”
(Have you found a condo or an apartment at the beach or anything like that? Or are you not a guy who wants to go to the beach right away?) – “Yeah, I’ve been looking at stuff. I haven’t found anything yet. I’ve been looking at stuff. One of these days I’m going to find me a realtor, somebody to help me get settled.”
(Do you have a plan to be careful with your money? Because I’m not very good with my money.) – “Oh yeah, of course. I have a financial adviser. I’m not somebody who’s going to go out and buy a million things and just spend all of my money. I’m just going to save and invest. I’m just going to be smart with my stuff.”
(The outside zone run scheme has been real successful in the NFL going back to the Terrell Davis Bronco days. I think about what he used to do with the one cut and go. Have you looked at video of this scheme? How do you think it aligns with your strengths?) – “With my strengths, I feel like I’m the type of running back that doesn’t do a lot of dancing, a lot of cutting and stuff. I’m one cut and go – that’s just me. I feel like this offense is going to utilize my speed, and I feel like I’m going to be used the right way. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
(Any history behind the No. 25?) – “No, just the number I ended up with. I’m glad to have it. The last person that wore it, he’s a great player here. I’m just ready to make it look even more great.”
Tahj Washington – May 10, 2024
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Friday, May 10, 2024
WR Tahj Washington
(How was the introduction process to the Dolphins, just getting here and getting everything going?) – “It’s been pretty cool just to meet everybody, finally put faces with voices and just be here with the guys, meeting all the guys. Just the hospitality already has been amazing.”
(Have you had a chance to chop it up with Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker? How have those early meetings been going for you?) – “Pretty good. Just learning the base installs of things and getting prepared for our first day out there today.”
(How do you feel like your skillset matches the Dolphins offense? I know you haven’t had a chance to go in the playbook deep yet, but how do you think just based upon your initial thoughts of that?) – “Here we like to operate fast, like to play fast. It’s part of my game and part of who I am, so I feel like it’s a good mix.”
(Did you talk to anybody as to what this means and how to approach this time of the year?) – “Just different mentors and things like that and just taking advice that coaches are putting out there. Just showing up every day and stacking each day at a time.”
(How do you approach this opportunity?) – “I mean like I do anything – how you do anything, how you do everything. That’s what got me to this point, got me in front of this opportunity, so I’m just trying to take advantage of it as much as possible.”
(So 97 degrees, what do you think?) – “Hey, I’m from Texas, man. (laughter) It’s a good day to play football.”
(What was it like – was today the first day you got to put on that No. 82?) – “Yeah, for sure.”
(What was the moment like?) – “It was pretty cool. I looked at myself in the mirror a few times. It’s go time, for sure.”
(What do you hope to accomplish over the next few days?) – “Just go out there and learn as much as I can, develop, not be afraid to make mistakes and just go out there, play free and play fast.”
(How will you approach approaching superstar guys like WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “I’ll worry about it as it arises, but right now I’m just taking it day by day and just trying to figure out these plays that way I can just put my best foot forward.”
(How do you like to learn? Every player learns in their own way. What have you found is the best way for you to learn?) – “Just keep writing it out. Writing it out, looking at it over and over, talking it through, walking it through. Just ways to memorize it that way you can play confident.”
(Obviously your production was extremely high at USC. What’s the criticism you heard in the draft process about why you fell that you’re determined to prove should not be a negative with your game?) – “I’m a smaller guy, that’s the obvious. I guess I didn’t run as good as people hoped for me to run. I mean it is what it is, and I’m blessed and grateful that this is the spot I’m at, for sure.”
(And why will those two things in your mind not keep you from being an NFL player?) – “They haven’t to this point – people have been telling me that my whole life. Some way every day you still figure out a way to show up and impress.”
(Usually small guys come in fast packages. Talk about being part of this track meet of a team you guys have here?) – “I’m just excited for whatever role I find in that space. I’m excited.”
(Has Miami been what it’s cracked out to be? I’m sure you heard all the stories about South Florida as a whole. I don’t know if you’ve ever been here, but is it everything you’ve expected and more?) – “I mean, I’ve just been pretty much here to be honest. I haven’t really gotten to see much outside of here and things like that. It’s an urgent type of weekend, so just taking it a day at a time. I’ll find out later on about that on what I’ve heard.”
(As a young guy, what do you take from this wide receiver room that they’re putting together here?) – “Oh man, it’s a pretty cool room. I haven’t met the guys yet, but I’m excited to get the opportunity to meet them. So far, the rookie class that we have here looks pretty good, too.”
(Is one of your goals just to learn as much as you can from some of these guys?) – “Oh for sure, most definitely.”
Patrick Paul – May 10, 2024
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Friday, May 10, 2024
T Patrick Paul
(Have you heard from T Terron Armstead, either after the draft or in the two weeks since then?) – “Yeah, he texted me. We have a mutual connection with Duke (Manyweather) who I trained with for the pre-draft. He shot me a text and just welcomed me to Miami.”
(T Terron Armstead is known as a guy who mentors young offensive linemen. He brings them in on Tuesdays for work, I don’t know if you’ve heard about that. Is your feeling that he’s going to become a mentor for you, kind of like a big brother type?) – “I believe so. I’m just definitely excited to get in there with all of the guys, really, and then just work.”
(What are these days like for you heading into your NFL career?) – “Honestly, it’s like I’m living in a dream right now. You’ve got to pinch me – I don’t even know if I’m awake right now. But I’m loving every second of it and I’m soaking it all in.”
(What’s been the biggest adjustment now coming in and kind of learning the ropes, basically?) – “I think just not getting too amped up. Just really taking it day by day I think is a challenge because you get so excited. But just taking it day by day honestly.”
(As a second-round pick, there weren’t a lot of criticisms of you, but was there one that you’re determined to prove that is not true? What’s the thing you heard where you say, “This isn’t the case. I’m going to show people it’s not the case?”) – “Maybe just negatives they have on me. A lot of those come from people just not knowing me as a player or knowing my work ethic. So just coming everyday and proving everybody wrong – anyone who doubts me – by working hard and trusting the coaching.”
(And that specific negative that you heard was what?) – “I don’t really pay attention to it.”
(Personally, what do you think the No. 1 thing is that you’re focused on getting better on?) – “My hand usage, so that’s a big emphasis. I’m going to get with (Offensive Line) Coach Butch (Barry) and we’re going to harp on it every single day.”
(Have you had a chance to interact with him? I know you did with the pre-draft process, but since you’ve been drafted?) – “Yeah, today. (laughter)”
(Oh, today is the first time?) – “Yeah, we’re out here right now. We’re interacting, getting to know each other even more.”
(Any reason or meaning behind the No. 52?) – “No. 76 was not available, so they sent me a list and I was like, ’52 is pretty cool,’ so I went with it.”
(From your impression of Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry, what do you think he’s the right guy to get you right with your technique, your hand placement, all that?) – “He’s a great o-line coach, you can go and check his track record. He really knows what he’s doing and he loves what he does. He has passion with it, and anyone who has passion in what they’re doing is good at it.”
(This is the place you really wanted to come to. Now coming back here and from your visit, what do you remember were some of those things that made you really want to come to Miami?) – “Honestly, look around. This place is beautiful, and if you every talk to Coach McDaniel, he’ll make you want to go through a brick wall. Just having a head coach like that, that’s what everyone wants.”
(What’s the most surprising thing that you’ve witnessed or experienced since you’ve been here?) – “How nice everyone is. You don’t expect it, but everyone is so nice.”
(How much of this do you think is mental and how much do you think is physical? I mean the whole rookie year process – from rookie camp to minicamp to training camp – what do you think percentage is?) – “I’d say about 60 percent mental – you definitely have to be in it. Then I’d give the other 40 percent to the physical. You’ve got to, offensive line especially, just run off the ball, and you have to be able to attack people constantly. So I’d say the mental is a big part, 60, and then 40 to the physical.”
(Where do you think you are in terms of learning the system, it’s probably too early to start learning all the plays and everything, but where do you think you are in terms of knowing stuff that you’ve got to know?) – “I’m taking it day by day. Every step of the way, you don’t want to learn too much in a short amount of time, you won’t retain it. So we’re taking it day by day, we’ve got a long time.”
(The forecast says it’s going to be 96° out here today, are you ready for this kind of heat?) – “I’m from Houston, Texas – come on now. (laughter) We practice in 100 degrees, not 90.”
(So this is cool?) – “Yeah, this is. (laughter) This is cool – we’ve got a breeze out here. In Houston, it’s humid and hot.”
Raheem Mostert – May 7, 2024
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Tuesday, May 7, 2024
RB Raheem Mostert
(First on the contract. I want to get your reaction to that and how that all came about?) – “Yeah, it was one of those things where I had a stellar year last year and then this upcoming year wasn’t necessarily guaranteed, so me and my agent sat down and decided to try to work something out and thankfully we did and we were able to get it done fairly early. Now we’re here. Added an extra year on the contract and it’s going to be a good one.”
(Quick follow-up if I could, 32 years old now. How much when you envision your career, how much do you expect to play? Running backs at 32 don’t have the success that you’ve had.) – “I always look at everything I do as just try to beat the standard. Obviously the standard is running backs at age 30 and above typically start to have that decline. Well, I didn’t have any wear and tear early on in my career, so it’s a little bit easier for me to go ahead and discredit that narrative altogether. Just continue to just do what I do at the highest level and help this team out and try to bring home a championship. That’s the most important thing. Especially for a guy like myself. I’ve been through all the ups and downs, highs and lows within my career. But one thing that I do want to get done is get ahold of that trophy at the end of the year. I think that’s going to definitely solidify not only myself in the position I’m in but a lot of different guys on the team and the position that they are in.”
(I’m sure everyone wants to know your reaction to the Dolphins not only matching what they did last year drafting a running back, but they made some moves to get in the position to draft him and he’s another fast guy. So overall, what’s your reaction?) – “Yeah, my reaction at the time, I was just like, ‘yeah, whatever, it is what it is.’ It’s the same typical thing, the draft drama pretty much all the time regardless of the position (laughter). But no, I’m honestly excited to have Jaylen (Wright) come in. It’s another Jaylen (laughter) coming in on the mix on the team. Just excited to have him here and try to coach him up, try to help him out within this offense and let’s see what we can do. I’m all about in-person experiences and thus far, regardless of any team that I’ve been apart of, who they drafted, I’ve always embraced the opportunity. Not only for myself, but for the people around me and in the room, too. Just super excited to have everybody here. He’s going to be here sometime this weekend with rookie minicamp. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be exciting. And like I said, I just can’t wait to work with him.”
(We’ve always been talking to you guys about speed, not only with the running backs but obviously with the wide receivers. Now you added another fast guy. How much more of a headache does that create for defenses do you think?) – “I mean, the more the merrier. That’s what I would say. Especially in this offense. We can utilize a lot of different attributes and speed is definitely an attribute that we like to maximize to the most of our abilities. So to be able to have another guy come into the mix and bring his attributes and his contributions into the offense and his speed is definitely going to be very beneficial on our part. We can now line up and we could use three backs at one point with a receiver and maybe a tight end as well, so there’s a lot of different things you can do in the offense especially with guys that have a lot of different speeds.”
(I wanted to ask you about Head Coach Mike McDaniel. Obviously with how the season ended was painful for everybody, but you know Mike probably the most. Some people don’t factor in that you guys were mostly on one leg with the top players in terms of how the season ended. How do you think the season’s conclusion impacted Mike in terms of his thought process, his goals, his planning?) – “When I had the exit interview with him, and this is a great question. Not too many people realize the magnitude of what we went through last year, especially towards the end in that playoff game. After talking with Mike and sitting down and having my exit interview, we tried to formulate a plan and what’s going on at the moment for us. I asked him, ‘How do you feel about the season (ending) the way it did?’ He couldn’t have been any happier. Just because there were a lot of different guys that stepped up to the plate that made huge contributions. Especially a guy like Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, right? Those guys alone were key ingredients in the defense. Just talking with him about that whole experience, he was happy. But he also knows that there’s more out there and that’s the attitude that you kind of have to have as a head coach and even as a player. Anybody really. Being a journalist and everything like that, you always have to have more. You always have to find a way to get better and critique yourself. He’s been able to do that this offseason. He’s understanding the problems we had last year whether it be health or just not doing the correct things that we needed to do as an offense. We just are going to go out here and try to figure it out. He’s on the up and up. He’s in good spirits about everything.”
(You were one of the guys that had that Wednesday program which you weren’t a fan of. Obviously as a 30-year-old player, even though Mike came into the season saying this is what’s its going to be, now do you buy into it? Or how do you have to receive it as a 30-year-old player?) – “Yeah, I mean regardless of my age I’ve always been bought into taking care of players first and foremost. I think that’s the most important thing, especially throughout the season because it’s a long 17 games. You’ve got to factor in playoffs if you make it and then factor in if you’re going to the Super Bowl. I witnessed that back in 2019 when I was in San Fran. We had guys that stayed healthy. We didn’t lose pretty much anybody that year. For these Super Bowl teams that come in, you look at the Chiefs, they had nicks and bruises but they still were able to go at a high pace, high speed and get the job done and ultimately they’re considered champs. Regardless of any type of program, whether it be Wednesday if I like it or not, I just have to do what’s best for the team and that means preserving myself, which I know given my age, but like I said I’m still young at heart. I’m still young and I’m still a young back, so I’m out here still trying to prove that.”
(The NFL schedule, you already know who you’re going to play and where, but what’s left to be determine is the when and primetime games and all that. So I’m curious your level of interest in the actual schedule release itself to find out the particulars?) – “Yeah, I’m excited. I like looking at the schedule release and all the creatives behind it and stuff like that and how different teams go about releasing the schedule. But I’m just ready to play football at the end of the day, man. I’m ready to go out here and do some historic stuff and try to bring home a title. That’s all I can do. I don’t know. I look at the schedule and if we’re facing Seattle here, Seattle’s got to get whooped (laughter). It really doesn’t matter at the end of the day in regards to the schedule release, but I do like the creatives behind it.”
(Have you noticed any sort of difference in the mood of the players reporting to the offseason program this year compared to last year?) – “Not so much. Although it seems like a never-ending cycle with the defense. We’re always shuffling defensive coordinators and mixing the changeup and that aspect and bringing in newer guys. It’s a little bit of a change, but honestly everybody has a great spirit. Everybody is doing everything they possibly can to get better. I see the guys on the defensive side of the ball, they’re honing in on the craft. They are working on their craft. They’re doing their best to try to be great.”
David Long Jr. – May 7, 2024
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Tuesday, May 7, 2024
LB David Long Jr.
(I wanted to get your thoughts on some personnel changes the Dolphins made this offseason. You all said goodbye to Jerome Baker, but LB Jordyn Brooks is now in. You have multiple off-ball linebackers you brought in. Just your thoughts on Brooks coming and Baker leaving?) – “Of course I had a lot of fun playing with ‘Bake,’ but the good thing about the league is there is a lot of good guys in the league. I feel like ‘JB’ (Jordyn Brooks) came in, ‘Ant Walk’ (Anthony Walker) came in and fit right in. We already knew ‘Walk’ (Anthony Walker). So ‘Walk’ was friends with a lot of guys on the team, so he fit right in. As far as play style, haven’t gotten the pads on yet, but as far as how we fit into the defense it’s feeling good right now. Everybody is clicking and learning every day.”
(When you have the kind of turnover you guys have had this offseason – brought in a new defensive coordinator – there are going to be some wondering how quick you can all put it together. It took a minute last year. Why do you think this year might be faster to hit the ground running?) – “I’m not sure how you would say that as far as faster. We’re on like, phase three. But right now everybody is clicking, I would say, and it starts off the field as well. How tight is the team, how good can we communicate, and how fast we can take the classroom to the field. Everyday it’s getting better, and I’m sure it will continuously get better throughout the OTAs, phase three and going into minicamp.”
(This is another new scheme for this defense. Obviously this is your second year here. How much similarities do you see, how much different does it feel, is the terminology different, what’s the communication style of the coach? Tell us a little bit about what you’ve learned or picked up so far about Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver’s defense.) – “First of all I feel like players gravitate towards that. I feel like we all see the style that he’s trying to implement in the defense and everybody is taking to it. It’s similar to me – I get a lot of it is turnover from Tennessee a little bit. So in my opinion it’s not the difficult to grasp it. A lot of this stuff throughout the league is the same, just different terminology. Once you get the bases of these defenses down it all kind of just turns over and overlaps. That’s the good thing. The good thing is we’re all here early so we can all learn at the same time and help each other. I think that’s the best thing working for us right now.”
(How much do you make of Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver being a player, and how much of a difference do you think that does make to the players? Obviously you [played] for Mike Vrabel who was a former player. Do you think it makes a difference?) – “It does. It makes a lot of a difference because he can relate the most. Not even (him) but a person that has played the game can relate the most to the player because they understand especially with the body, how the body is feeling or the difficulties of a defense and how to learn it. That goes again when guys are coming into the league because it’s not easy. But like I said, once you do get the base of it down it becomes easy. So like I said, I think that’s the best thing and that also helps. Him being a former player helps so much because like I said, he can relate.”
(This year is a contract year for you. How does this impact your performance, your mentality as you approach this season? Are you nervous a little bit or do you have a little extra motivation?) – “No. I’ve got the same motivation I had when I was picked sixth round. It’s the same. It hasn’t dropped off, it hasn’t gotten better. It’s the same. But I don’t look at it as that. Over the years I’ve grown my faith in God so I don’t really worry too much. I come to work every day. ‘Que sera, sera’ – I got it tatted on my neck. It means, ‘what will be, will be.’ It’s Italian origin, but that’s what I believe in, so that’s how I attack every day.”
(I talked to you and DeShon Elliot last year about bringing the attitude to the defense. Deshon is gone, Christian Wilkins is gone. Where is the attitude, who are the dawgs on this defense? Where is that going to come from now?) – “You can’t tell no dawgs right now with the jerseys on. There are still some guys from last year here. We’ve still got the same dawgs that you’ve seen last year and I’m sure more will come along, but we can’t just give that name out so loosely. Players have got to go earn that.”
(I’m doing something on what might be going through guys’ minds through rookie minicamp. Take me back to your camp especially as a lower-round pick. What were you focusing on? Did you kind of worry a whole lot about footwork and little things? Did you worry about what the coaches thought of you? Take me back to that camp.) – “That was real tough for me because coming in they were trying to put me as a special teams ace. Coming in, I’m like, ‘coach, I’m supposed to be out there.’ So that was just really – I wouldn’t say ego, I wasn’t too much of a big ego, but I just felt I could play right away. Then you learn quickly that you’ve got to earn that no matter how good you are. So that was the most difficult for me and then just to get that down pat like, ‘okay cool, I’m here, I’m going to have to play every special teams punt, punt block, whatever it is.’ So that’s what I did. We had ‘Auk’ (Craig Aukerman), one of my favorite coaches down in Tennessee. He just stayed on me. I had to come ask questions – even if I knew about pass blocking, it doesn’t (matter). You have to go in there. As a player, you have to go in there. Especially as a young player, you want to be someone. You have to go in there and make sure that you show them how bad that you want it. So that was the thing for me. I had to learn early that it’s bigger than that. You’ve got to start there, you got to earn it. I was staying after. I was out there early. I’ve seen a clip, it was of Tom Brady as far as the walking on the field stuff. It was a story about him never –once he hit the field he was always running. Any time he was touching the field he was always running. So that was a big thing for me, just learning the vet ways fast and the routine. Just the small things I would say that kept me there.”
(Obviously we’ll see snaps for LB Anthony Walker Jr. and LB Duke Riley, but I wanted to ask you specifically about LB Jordyn Brooks. Have you watched him at all over the years? What do you think of his game? And what is the David Long-Jordyn Brooks inside linebacker tandem, a highly productive tandem, what is it going to be like for opposing teams to face?) – “Fast and physical, I would say. He hits hard just like me. I think we play well off each other. Of course I’m going to say that. We haven’t been out there yet with pads and 11-on-11. But as far as our playstyle, he’s calm and instinctive, some similarities to me. So I think it’s going to be great. Referring back to what I said earlier, we’re here early and that’s where you build the chemistry. As far as the d-line, (Teair) Tart and the new guys, me and Tart have some history. But the earlier we get in here and the more attention to detail we are, the better we’ll be when it comes around to the fall.”
(I was hoping to get your perspective on coming back following a disappointing end to last season. You start off so strong, but the year doesn’t end the way anybody wanted it to, and you were on some Titans teams that got close but didn’t quite close the deal. I was curious from your perspective, how does the disappointment from one season fuel you for the next?) – “That’s a good question. I remember we got to the AFC Championship game and we were up I think 21-7 against KC and right before half, (Patrick) Mahomes made a play where he spun, stiffed arm and scored a touchdown from 40 yards out that changed the game going into the second half. So it’s a tease how you get so close and then like that, it’s gone. As far as I think it gets worse the closer you get. Every guy wants to get up there and hold that trophy. You go back depending on how serious you are about your craft and your wants. You go back and you look at the little things. The biggest thing I explained to the younger players, especially towards the end of the season, is don’t be that guy that is like, ‘Dang, I wish I could have done more. Dang, I wish I could have done this.’ If you watch me play, I’m emptying the tank every snap. I’m trying to max it out so I don’t have that feeling of, ‘Dang, I should’ve made sure to – Week 13, I should’ve made…’ I don’t want to be that guy who regrets something. I think that’s how I feel. You know you’re capable of doing it, but what small details and how important is it going into that next year to make sure you actually finish.”
(I wanted to ask if you made it back out there on Sunday for the (Formula One) race and what you experienced?) – “No, I got my one day out the way. It was cooking. (laughter) I’m not going to do two days in a row. It’s too much walking. I had fun, though. That was first time there. Different experience. I got to do a hot lap, that was fun. Scary, but fun. It was good. I met Yuki (Tsunoda). Yuki is a cool dude. It’s good to see different sports. I didn’t know those cars are like $12, $13 million. That’s crazy to me. But it was cool, a good experience.”
(In terms of football, my question is you have a good idea of how much speed you have in your backfield, especially with those three guys. From a linebacker perspective, take me through some of the things that kind of give a defense headaches when you see so many fast guys in the backfield.) – “I would say just open field. When you have so much speed on the opposite side of the ball, you better be able to tackle in open field and lessen the yards after catch. I think that’s the biggest thing when it comes to speed. I think we have – just speaking on that – I think we have the guys to be able to handle that. But luckily, they’re on our team so we’ll be practicing against them and not actually playing against them.”
(This is three defenses in three years, the third new defense in three years that you’ve had to learn. I’m curious, what’s more challenging? Is it more challenging to learn a new defense after you’ve been in the same one for a while? Or is it more challenging having to switch year after year after year?) – “I would say the first one. After you’ve been in it for so long, especially as far as calls, because some calls are the same, but just different words. So now you have to know that you are running the same thing, but it’s just a different name. It sounds difficult at first, but like I said, once you get like, just go basic cover three is a general call in every defense in the NFL, but certain teams and certain coaches have a different way to get into it. So I think that’s the most (challenging). You get comfortable. It’s also good. Now it’s kind of easier for me, so it’s kind of good that I’ve been there so now I have a good variety of defense. Because in college I only ran man and cover three. So it’s good to get new experience.”
(With the new defensive coordinator, new scheme, couple new teammates as well, how long does it take? At what point do you feel genuinely comfortable in a new scheme with your new teammates? Is it end of training camp? End of OTAs? Where is that point where the light bulb generally turns on?) – “Speaking realistically, you just want to have a good feeling after mini camp because it’s not going to be there especially without the pads and it’s a little hotter in training camp. It’s going to be a little more difficult to keep the communication after all the plays on them days. So you want to get a good feeling after that, but you probably won’t see it until Week 2 or Week 3 of training camp when everything is just rolling and we don’t have any mishaps. So I think from my experience, that’s usually how it goes.”
Austin Jackson – April 30, 2024
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Tuesday, April 30, 2024
OL Austin Jackson
(What’s the goals for you this offseason? Last year you started to look more like a defensive end than an offensive lineman. Props to you for the work that you put in. But what’s your vision for yourself this offseason?) – “My vision for myself this offseason is to be more consistent in how I want my technique to look. This was my first full year playing in this system last year. So now that I have more of a real baseline, I feel like I can improve a lot from there. So I’ve watched every game and recollect what I was thinking in those games. So I think from there I can make all my technique as consistent as I want it to look.”
(What goes into that? Is that film work mostly?) – “Yeah, it’s a combination of film, recognizing it on film, and then consciously improving the muscle memory on the field. So it’s a combination of both.”
(You guys have had some turnover on the offensive line this year. We haven’t talked to you since Robert Hunt left and Connor’s [Williams] still kind of up in the air, what his future is. Just your thoughts on what’s transpired this offseason and the new names you brought in?) – “We definitely miss those guys. Those were great guys in our room, great people altogether. But we returned a lot of guys from last year, including two of our position coaches. In terms of football, I think that’s really helpful for us moving forward because we kind of have a standard already set. So there are some things we can improve on versus starting back to Day 1 completely. So I think we have a good foundation going forward. And I think when we get to meet everybody, everybody new at least, we’ll transition just fine.”
(And a quick follow-up if I may, the Dolphins obviously took a tackle in round two, Patrick Paul. Curious if you’ve had a chance to talk to him yet? And what advice would you give him with a guy who’s got huge upside but obviously still needs to learn the pro game?) – “I would just say keep a sense of urgency and stay hungry. Most definitely, especially while you’re young. The league moves fast and if you’re not trying to get on top of it, you’re falling behind, meaning every day is a day to get better. I can’t way to meet you. I don’t think I’ve met him (Patrick Paul) yet.”
(You talked about the importance of the continuity with the offensive line coaches. Something that General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel both talked about when they drafted Patrick Paul, was the ability to get his technique up to speed and kind of harness those rare traits that he has. I’m curious if you can tell us about what Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry did last year to really help the entire offensive line kind of play better, in particular for you, just get your technique to where you wanted it to be?) – “Yeah, he was very forward in working with each and every individual in the room, one by one. He would do things like call guys one on one after the meeting, which is something that hasn’t happened since college if that makes sense. That’s just something that coaches don’t really spend a lot of time with at this level in my experience, but he’s one of those guys that can do that because he’s so serious about his work. So that’s why he can ask a lot of us and we can see what exactly he wants. That plays a big role in it. And also just I think his personality. He’s very passionate for the game. I think that makes it easy for players to feed into and understand where he’s coming from. I think he has all the tools to help anybody.”
(I’m doing something on the stresses that players could be under during OTAs and training camp and things that we don’t see. And so I’m wondering when you’re talking about making as a youngster, maybe $300,000 versus $50,000 and having to wear a suit every day or if you’re rehabbing an injury or if you’re a youngster, your reps against the vets or learning a new system. Tell me about some of those stresses that we don’t see that youngsters could be going up against or battling in OTAs and training camp.) – “I would say a big thing for youngsters and OTAs and training camp, is I guess you could fall asleep, meaning there’s not much asked of you up front. You’re just evaluated on everything. So the type of player you are, your best is your best guy. So if you get three reps in training camp, those three reps need to look great. There shouldn’t be a rep where you’re making a mistake someone in the first team made, because technically you already saw that mistake. I would just say like not falling asleep. You have to constantly be on yourself more than what’s asked of you at the time. Just because it’s not asked of you right now doesn’t mean you don’t want to be in that situation later in your career one day. And a lot of times I’ve seen guys come in and just kind of let themselves fall asleep with their work ethic.”
(How conscious are you of that? When does it pop into your mind? Before you go to bed or when you’re having a meal or when you’re stretching or weight room? How often does that pop into your mind? I can’t fall asleep, I have got to be sharp?) – “It’s a daily thing for me. I’m not perfect. I definitely think looking back on my career, there’s some definitely some situations I wish I had a different sense of urgency on. But once you understand it, you realize it’s an everyday thing. That’s what it is. Every day I show up to work. The NFL, some call it the ‘Not For Long’ league or whatever. That’s all true. You’ve got to take every day like it might be your last day. That sounds so morbid, but it’s true.”
(We’ve kept hearing this offseason that Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry has been a major selling point for free agents and draftees wanting to play for the Dolphins. They want to play in Miami for Head Coach Mike McDaniel and for Butch Barry. So I’m curious, your first impression of him that let you know that, oh wow, this is a coach that I really would like to play for or that I really am excited to play for. Was it when he called you in for a one-on-one meeting for the first time? Or was there a moment before that?) – “I would say one of the biggest moments was, I think we were coming into preseason of last year. It was my first preseason game. I didn’t have the performance I wanted to have or I forget – something happened in practice, something along those lines where I wasn’t getting the job done. And yeah, Butch heard me out and he helped me out with what I needed to do to get better and he didn’t do it on his time, meaning I had to go to him outside of his meeting time and it was a one-on-one deal. But he just put a lot of effort into me, I would say. There’s been times where you don’t have anyone who’s willing to meet you there with the extra effort. But he’s always been there and he’s serious about his job. Very serious, and that benefited me.”
(Considering how it was a difficult first few years of your NFL career with just injuries and moving around and alignments and continuity changes on the offensive line staff room, how much did it mean to you to get that kind of attention and get that kind of support after, like you said, a practice or a game that you didn’t feel like you gave your best in?) – “It was good. It was good and it wasn’t just me that got that attention. Let me specify that. It wasn’t like he went out (of his way) just for me. But that’s the type of energy he carries for all his players. He just kind of feeds off the room. Then you have 11 guys who are truly trying to play at their best feeling hopeful, feeling good.”
(We’re all happy for Christian Wilkins that he got his 110 million dollars. I happen to think that DT Zach Sieler can help kind of fill the void of the things that Christian did successfully. What attributes do you think those guys might have that are a bit similar?) – “They both – well we call Zach ‘Sack Sieler.’ He’s great at rushing the passer. They both are great at rushing the passer and I think they both play very similar thinking back on it now. While they were here, they were very close. I think they both admired each other’s game and work ethic. I see Zach carrying that same speed on the line, speed and aggression, disrupting the line, fighting the offensive line for first contact, but also staying dangerous with the lateral game as well. Zach’s also able to move very well laterally. Zach and Christian themselves both did really well in the stunt games because they can play off of each other. So I think that’s something that’s still able to be created with Zach. And they’re just both really fast, shifty guys who are powerful.”
(The Dolphins drafted a Trojan. Do you know [Tahj Washington]? Or have any connections to him?) – “He got there right when I left in 2020, but I know of him pretty well. Still a Trojan every day. So I definitely watched his film, watched his games.”
(I still marvel at the fact that you’re going into Year 5 in the NFL and you’re not 25 yet. That’s kind of crazy to me. So I wonder if you can touch on that? And also where do you feel you are in your career? Both in terms of how far you’ve come along and how much more is left for you?) – “I think I’m at a great point in my career to keep getting better honestly. I’ve been able to do just that in my first five years and I’m looking forward to taking the experience I have and just building on top of that. Want to be the best player I can be. That’s all I hope for every day, every season. So I think I’m at a great spot with my previous knowledge to just keep getting better, keep improving.”
(I wonder if you can take us through the process of what you mentioned earlier about watching tape? You had 989 snaps last season. Did you watch all 989? Are you in a room alone doing it? When you see a play that made you unhappy, maybe a pressure or one of the handful of sacks you allowed last year, do you watch it like four or five times and take notes? Take us through that process if you could, please.”) – “I wouldn’t say all 900. I’d say probably 500, 600 because I don’t watch a lot of runs. It’s mostly pass protection stuff and how I want my body position to look per se. So after every game I see what I got beat on. And that’s really the basis of what I watch going into the next game. Okay, so did I make that same mistake? If yes or no, then I can kind of put a sense of urgency on what I need to fix right away. And then if I have a long list of stuff I need to fix, then that’s a separate issue to figure out.”
(But you’ve watched some just at home this offseason? As you said maybe about 500 snaps just to see where you could improve technique?) – “Yes.”
Zach Sieler – April 30, 2024
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Tuesday, April 30, 2024
DT Zach Sieler
(So what were your emotions this offseason, just seeing Christian Wilkins leave? Obviously you guys are so close; A., from a personal standpoint and then B., how it impacts you as a player in terms of what kind of attention you think you might get now for opposing teams without Christian next to you?) – “Yeah, obviously, it’s one of those bittersweets. It’s awesome, I loved playing with the guy, but I’ll tell you, it’s great seeing him get paid and go somewhere else and make an impact over there. But in reality, this defense and this d-line isn’t built off of just him or him and I or whoever inside. It takes a whole rotational front. It takes everybody up front. So it’s been really cool getting to know these, getting to play with these new guys coming in and learning their techniques and habits and how we can play off each other this year.”
(Speaking of DT Jonathan Harris and DT Neville Gallimore?) – “Yeah, Harris, Tartt, Benito (Jones) is coming back. ‘D. Hand’ (Da’Shawn Hand) from last year, (Brandon) Pili, seeing him grow. It’s been really cool.”
(With Christian, was it something you saw coming the whole way? Were you surprised by it? What?) – “Honestly, I had no idea. I was along for the ride. Would I love if he was here, would I love if he’s gone; it doesn’t matter. It’s just it is what it is. It’s the business and hopefully he has a great impact over there.”
(And you mentioned some of the new defensive tackles. What are your impressions from all those guys? Anything stand out from any of them?) – “It’s been great getting to know them. Some of those guys are really twitchy, active with their feet and really kind of watching that and it’s going to be really cool as we go through OTAs with Coach Weaver, (Austin) Clark and all these guys kind of learning how we grow together and build a really good defense this year.”
(So any of them standing out as applicants to be pepper to your salt?) – “I think there’s a few, yes. (laughter)”
(What’s it like for you being a guy who seventh-round pick, joining an organization after being waived and now being viewed as sort of a cornerstone for defensive line?) – “I really take pride in that. Obviously there’s a lot of guys that that’s happened to, but to be in this position that I’m at now is kind of just – it’s a blessing and it’s really something that I don’t take lightly. Make sure I set a good example and lead accordingly with the guys and just telling them, ‘Hey, look, anyone can get there. Trust me.’ I looked bad coming down here. My feet weren’t right, my hands weren’t right. Me and (Austin) Clark talk about it all the time and it was during COVID. We weren’t in the building so he couldn’t correct me, we couldn’t get things done as fast or as productively as we’d like. So just kind of working through those phases just kind of really helps – looking back on those times helps me just kind of realize, ‘Hey look, it doesn’t matter what it is. If you work hard, you can make it.’”
(And how is the baby, sir?) – “He’s doing great. Him and Mom are doing awesome. Everyone is healthy. It’s been a blessing, getting these schedules down and getting into OTAs again is awesome. Family is coming down to help so it’s been a real blessing.”
(What’s your shift?) – “I take the four to six window. Mom is taking the one to three. I’ve been doing the four to six so I’ll wake up, kind of get him, get the dogs out and then head into work. So it works out good. Been great.”
(Your statistics are very similar to Christian Wilkins’ over the last four years in the areas of tackles, sacks, quarterback hits and tackles for loss. Now that Christian has moved on, do you believe that you can do some of the things that Christian did that you can elevate your game to some next step or next level?) – “I think with or without Christian, no matter what, that’s the goal every year. So that’s my plan. I don’t care who’s next to me; I’m going to find a way to make it work and we’re going to make it right.”
(From a leadership perspective are you now the leader of the defensive front?) – “I’d say there’s a few guys. We’ve got (Bradley) Chubb, Jaelan (Phillips), myself and I think it’s something that we’ve built as a culture here especially in our room as a d-line, is if you know the technique even if you’re not a starter, you’re a leader. Like if you can help teach other guys technique, help view each other’s plays; we’re all in it together. We’re all trying to make a living for our families so it’s kind of something we all work on together.”
(It’s funny we don’t lump LB Bradley Chubb and LB Jaelan Phillips with you guys. We call them edges. Do you guys look at it differently? Do guys actually lump yourselves together?) – “How many of us rush the passer together? How many of us stop the run together? It takes the whole front. So we do lump all of us together on the d-line. Yeah, Jaelan (Phillips) and (Bradley) Chubb might be a little more athletic than us, (laughter) but we’re still d-linemen.”
(Who was more upset about Christian leaving? You or Hannah?) – “She was super heartbroken, too. (laughter) Just a great friend there and it’s going to be – it’s been a good few weeks kind of learning the new guys, working with (Austin) Clark and just growing together. It’s going to be awesome.”
(Related question, I guess and unrelated in a way. Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver – We haven’t really gotten a chance to see his defense. Well certainly we saw it in Baltimore and Houston, but not in Miami. Your understanding is how he uses defensive linemen? How is it different than maybe some guys in the past?) – “We’re still learning. It’s early. It’s been really cool to learn these couple weeks, three weeks now. Learning the system and kind of how we work through things and his vision on how offenses will attack us in his defense. It’s been – the last three years – it’s been kind of different guys and now it’s just kind of growing as another step in the process and it’s been really incredible to see how he grows and just how he approaches the game from an ex-player and coaching for so long and where he did. It’s been really interesting.”
(Do you prefer playing one-gap or two-gap?) – “Depends. I like both. It depends on the style of offense we’re going against and it depends on the players we’re going against. I think one thing that we always pride ourselves on is being multiple here, so if I can set the edge and play really good one-gap or if I can kind of rack the tack and play both A and B gap, it’s both a valuable asset either way.”
(I’m doing something on the mental pressures that players could be under, especially lower-round draftees. Right now OTAs and during training camp, there’s income differences between making it and not making it. You might have an ankle injury – the reps against the best, learning a new system. What’s going through your mind? How do you keep your mind clear and focused on achieving your NFL dream?) – “Obviously it’s a hard path. Not a lot of us make it and it takes a long time – I mean, it took me six, seven years to get to where I’m at. It’s staying determined and it’s staying right as in knowing, ‘Hey, look, I’m here for a reason. It might be hard, I might not be having the best plays, I might be getting confused on there, the speed of the game is going crazy.’ It’s just taking those times, watching those reps, watching the plays, watching the older guys and just learning off of their techniques and habits. Especially coming as a rookie, a lot of guys think they might have been – they were probably the best player in their college. Most of those guys are and you come into a place where you’re now one of the lowest on the totem pole. And it’s humbling. You’ve kind of got to re-establish yourself and learn the game in a whole new light because a lot of these guys have been playing. When I came to Baltimore as a rookie, I was playing next to Terrell Suggs, Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce. Guys that had been playing, six, seven, 16 years and kind of learning how they view the game.”
(And then let me ask you from a different perspective if you’re a vet, if you’ve been in the league seven or eight years, you’re bouncing around, you’ve got a family that you’ve got to put food on the table for; are the pressures any different? Talk from that perspective?) – “There are absolutely different pressures no matter where you are at in life. Obviously if you have kids and a wife and a family, there is a whole other level of stress there. I think one of my blessings as a rookie was that I didn’t have kids at the point. So it was kind of just me. It was just, ‘hey, what can I focus on myself?’ And a lot of those vets have all that extra pressure and it’s finding a way to work through those pressures and make sure that you can perform on Sundays and do the best you can every day.”
(We talked a lot about DT Christian Wilkins leaving and you guys played so many reps on the interior together that you guys had such a good feel for what each other was going to do. I’m curious what your process is for trying to learn how to execute rush games with so many new guys?) – “It’s a matter of kind of what I hit on, is learning the new players. How does he like to rush, what does he like to do? Is here a twitchy guy, a power guy, whatever. And learning how to play off of each other and adapting to that. That’s what it is. That’s the NFL. Players go places. It’s awesome to see him go and get paid where he’s at. All the blessings to him, love him. Just hoping he can strive – I know he’ll kill it out there – but now it’s getting right over here in Miami.”
(I know you’ve gotten about 40 questions about Christian. I’m not going to ask about Christian, but he’s not the only guy that is no longer on the team. There’s been a lot of turnover defensively and a new defensive coordinator. I’m curious what is the process of I guess learning a new system like that? Like at what point, what checkpoints do you expect things to be clicking for your team as a whole?) – “I think as we go through the install, as we go through, okay, I got these guys behind me, I got these guys next to me, I got this guy with me here, learning how they play. Who’s the talkers, who’s the guys that quiets down, who’s just kind of sitting there listening, or who’s trying to actively talk before each play and make the right checks and corrections. And then learning how to play off of that, learning how – and then also I think a big part of it and that’s what we pride ourselves on upfront is trying to somewhat anticipate what the coach is going to call, what Coach (Anthony) Weaver is going to call. Like, ‘Okay, he’s probably going to go this front or this package against these guys. We’ve doing this this week. Let’s look at this so you can anticipate and play with and edge instead of trying to respond.’”
(Is it hard to learn new systems in back-to-back years like you guys are having to, or is it almost easier in a sense that you only had one year in that system, it’s not like it’s been a four-year thing you’re having to have to unlearn?) – “There are pros and cons to everything. Yeah, if you keep playing the same system, you might be able to learn more intricate details. With this new system you’re going to learn how to play in things and shed a new light on how offenses can work. You’ll know, ‘Hey, look, we’ve called something similar to that. Okay, I’ve played that before. I know what that technique is like so you have that (unintelligible). So there are benefits to both ways obviously.”
(My question deals with workload. Both you and DT Christian Wilkins last year were in about the 85 percent range in terms of defensive snaps. How much do you think you might benefit from perhaps a slightly lesser workload? Or do you think it makes no difference whatsoever?) – “I think it just depends on how we’re feeling. Playing some offenses, it might benefit to play less; some offenses it might benefit to stay out there. Being out there and taking those kind of snaps, you get in a nice groove. You get a feel for the offense, feel for the players you’re going against and kind of how the game is flowing and you’re a part of it actively the whole time. And then obviously the flip side is, you take more plays off, you’re more fresh, all that kind of stuff. But I think what I’ve always prided myself on is making sure that if I’m needed, I’m there and ready to play. And I think that’s the whole goal of the NFL, is your availability is your best ability.”
(As a quick follow-up would you anticipate more of a rotational situation on the interior of the defensive line this season?) – “It’s still early. I don’t know how we’re calling things yet or what it’s going to look like. But like I said. I’m ready for anything.”
(With the addition of Anthony Weaver at defensive coordinator and his primary focus is mostly on the defensive line. How beneficial is it to have him come in this year especially after these last two shortcomings in the postseason?) – “It’s been really cool seeing him come in, obviously him being a player and then him coaching now and being such an upfront mind. Is seeing how he views everything. What he likes in the run game, what he likes in the pass game, how he like to attack things, or what his approach is. And then learning from him and kind of just seeing how it can make our game go to the next level.”
Tahj Washington – April 27, 2024
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Saturday, April 27, 2024
WR Tahj Washington
(Tell me about where you thought you would go in this draft and what your reaction is to being a seventh-round pick? Excited? Disappointed? Tell me about this day.) – “I was graded to go anywhere between the fourth and the seventh. I’m very excited to have this opportunity to play in Miami. The seventh round is where I so happened to land, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play at the next level.”
(Tell me about your special teams background and experience. What have you done? How vital do you think that will be for you making this 53-man roster?) – “That’s huge. Special teams has always been a part of my game. Coaches have had to beg me over the years to take maybe one off and things like that. Gunner on punt, corner on punt return, kickoff returner, off returner, a lot of history in special teams. I love to compete. Anytime I get the opportunity to be on the field, I want to be out there.”
(What has this process been like for you? Obviously, I saw you transferred to USC this season and had an amazing season this past year. At what point did you think me getting drafted to the NFL was a reality?) – “Probably going into the bowl game this past season, people asking whether I should play or not. It’s kind of a question for guys getting drafted are asked. I decided to play, and at the end of the day I ended up having a great game in it, so I’m very grateful for that.”
(How do you become such a YAC king? It looks like you were one of the best yards after catch receivers in NCAA football this year.) – “Just growing up playing running back mostly. I’m the youngest of a big family – well not anymore, but growing up, I was always the youngest and had to run away from a lot of folks. It just made me more physical and elusive, I would say.”
(How much do you know about the Dolphins offense and do you have any ties or connections with anybody on the team?) – “Chasen Hines is a guy also from Marshall. He’s the only guy from here that is in the NFL as well. Just watching this past season on Hard Knocks in-season… (inaudible) I know it’s a great organization… (inaudible) I’m excited to learn under those guys and the staff and just help this team any way that I can.”
(Your thoughts on joining a wide receiver corps that includes maybe the two fastest guys in the league with WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “I’m excited. I’m excited. I’ve got to see it in person. I’m used to being in a loaded receiver room. It will be fun to learn from those guys and take notes from those guys and compete at the end of the day.”
(Did you say you had to run away from a lot of people? Did I hear you right?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. (laughter)”
(Explain that. What do you mean by that?) – “Just growing up in Texas, we were big on football, so just playing in the yard. I was the youngest of a lot of cousins, so if you get hit, we’re rough. (laughter) So just trying to be elusive, but I always was never afraid to get out there. It was always fun to me.”
(So your size, did guys always want to hit you harder or did they think they could play you? How did your size play into your football career?) – “Shoot, it made me more rough. When I was smaller, I had to show everybody just because you’re big don’t mean nothing. (laughter) I had to just show them that. Just growing up in that type of environment, it helps a lot, just to be able to showcase that when I had opportunities to play organized ball.”
