Tua Tagovailoa – July 28, 2024
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Sunday, July 28, 2024
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(Opening statement) – “From the bottom of my heart, from the bottom of my family’s heart, I want to thank the Miami Dolphins organization. I also want to – because I am a true believer, I’ve prayed about this, I prayed on it – I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for allowing me this opportunity. I want to thank the Miami Dolphins organization. I want to thank the people that are in this room. I want to thank (Head Coach) Mike McDaniel for believing in me for entrusting this role in me as leader of this team. I want to thank (General Manager) Chris Grier and (Senior Vice President of Football & Business Administration) Brandon Shore for the immense amount of pressure that they’ve had to go through and whatnot to get this deal done. I also want to thank (Owner) Mr. Ross entrusting me this opportunity of leadership, for entrusting this role for me on this team and trusting that I’m the guy that’s going to lead this team to what we want to do and winning playoff games and winning championships. I also want to thank our coaches, the coaches in our room. I want to thank (Quarterbacks/Pass Game Coordinator) Darrell Bevell for helping me throughout this process. It hasn’t been an easy process, but we’ve had many conversations, we’ve done a lot of things that have been good, a lot of things that we needed to work on together and I’m very grateful for that relationship. I also want to thank Frank Smith, our OC, in collaboration with our head coach, Mike. And I want to thank my teammates. Throughout this process, those guys have been very, very supportive of me and my family throughout that and as a player, you couldn’t ask for more, especially from your guys. So we’re looking forward to this year. I’m super excited and ready for the first question.”
(I know this is special on many levels, but with your family here, could you just tell us what this means for you and your family knowing that you guys are now financially secure?) – “It’s life-changing. I know anyone in this room would say the same thing. Words couldn’t describe to me how that feels. It’s unbelievable, but it’s still like, I’m not like going to go and just ‘Hey, yeah, I got this much money. Now let me just go start – let’s go buy a private jet, Mike (McDaniel), and let’s go fly to Vegas and just go use all that money.’ I grew up like each and every one of you in the seats working as hard as I possibly can to be in the position that I wanted to be. I’m sure that’s what you guys are doing. And that’s how I grew up. I grew up in a middle class family. My dad was the only one that worked and my mom took care of the kids. And so my dad did whatever it took to take care of our family and I’m just very, very blessed and very fortunate that I’ve been able to use football as my career path to help my family generationally with the kind of money that I’ve been given.”
(Could you kind of take us through how this got past the finish line? We talked to you I guess last month and we got an update from you there then. What’s changed since then?) – “I think it’s been a hard process. Like I said earlier with Brandon (Shore) and Chris (Grier), I mean, those guys have worked tirelessly with my agent. I’m not going to go into any of the details, but I can tell you, it’s done. I’m not looking back, we’re looking forward, and we’re looking forward to what we can do to help this team win more games win games when it matters.”
(Your first start, the Rams game, I remember after the game you were on the field at midfield in full jersey, and I don’t know exactly what you were doing at that time, but in that moment which I know was special for you, did you see yourself getting here at that time?) – “At that time, I wouldn’t say that I saw myself being at this exact moment. In that exact time, I can remember my thoughts were more so being grateful that I was still able to play the game. I was offered the opportunity to get into the Jets game, yeah it was the Jets game, I believe. And just being able to play football when there were so many unknowns throughout that offseason – as I got drafted, you know, is he going to be able to play the same? Is he going to be able to run? Is he going to be able to move? There were a lot of doubts and as I went in there, I was just grateful that I was able to play an NFL snap and it was it was more so for my confidence as well being in there, and I just soaked up that moment.”
(Have you had a chance to speak with your mom and dad after signing?) – “Yes, so I talked to Mr. Ross, I talked to my wife and after I talked to my wife, then I called my parents. Then I called my brother so I got to talk to all of them. It was cool. It was emotional for them, but it was really cool.”
(Seems fitting that all this would happen on the day when the fans come. They get to watch, you get to address them. What was that energy like for you just to know that there were so many Tua fans there?) – “That’s fun, that’s fun. But this comes with the business, right? This comes with the position. Whether you’re liked, whether you’re not liked; you’re always going to have people tell you you’re the greatest thing and you’re always going to have people that are going to tell you you’re the worst thing. But it’s what you believe between your heart and between your head space, so that’s what I’d say.”
(You’ve led the NFL in passing yards. You’ve led the NFL in passer rating. You started in the Pro Bowl. What’s the next step for you personally and in your career?) – “Well, we haven’t won the games that we’ve wanted to win. Deep into the playoffs, get deep into the playoffs. Win the games that matter, that’s what I would say. All of that is cool, but I could’ve been the worst, had the worst passer rating, I could’ve threw for a thousand yards; but if we were in the those games and we were winning those big-time games and we got to go and win the championship, I’d trade all of that. I’d trade all of that for that.”
(When you reflect back on all those throws with your dad growing up to this moment, what goes through your mind?) – “I’m actually very grateful for the setup that my dad had given me. There’s been a number of times that after school, I’d have to try to do my homework as fast as I can because once my father was home, it wasn’t about school. Like your mind better be ready to go to go and practice. And when you practice, you had to practice a certain way. And if it wasn’t to his standard, then it, it was like, OK, I know, I’m going to have to do extra work. Or if I didn’t have to do extra work, we were going to have a talk, that’s for sure. So I just can remember after football games if I didn’t have a good game, my dad would send me to a throwing camp. And I’d go straight from my football game to throwing camp in my pads. And I wouldn’t be with the kids the same age as me, I’d be with the kids older than me. So I was kind of nervous. I’m nervous to go with the older guys because if I throw and I don’t throw it right, the older guys are going to say something and my mind is like, OK, I want to fit in with these older guys. But then at the same time, I’m like, I don’t know if I want to go through all that stress. Maybe I should just stick with the younger guys. And so one thing I didn’t want my dad to do, was my dad to come down and force me to go and throw with those guys or tell whatever coach who was there, like, ‘No, my son’s going to go throw with these older guys.’ And so I was just more afraid of the standard that that was set for me by my dad, but it’s helped me become who I am today with how I see the game and I’m grateful for that part that my dad has helped me with.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel shared with us that he gave you a big hug when he saw you after your signed. Can you talk a little bit about that and also the reaction from your teammates when you physically saw them first besides text? I’m sure they were sending you congratulations, too.) – “Yeah, so Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel, they’re knocking on the quarterbacks’ door, open the door and I see ‘Bev’ (Darrell Bevell) look. And I’m like, ‘All right, everybody’s too quiet. Let me take a look.’ And those guys are peeking in. They’re peeking in through the door and nobody says anything. They’re just nodding their heads. Everyone’s nodding their head. And so I’m like, ‘I mean, all right, is it time?’ So I walk up and as I’m getting to turn the corner, I’m like, ‘Wait, let me grab my pen,’ as a joke. As a joke, I’m like, ‘Wait, let me grab my pen.’ Chris Grier sticks his hand out. I’m like, ‘Dude, we got it done?’ He’s like, ‘Congratulations.’ So I shake Chris’ hand and give him a hug, give Mike a big hug – Mike squeezes me super hard. And then as I’m getting ready to go back into the room, lo and behold, Brandon Shore is just coming down and walking down the alley, I’m like, ‘All right, this is going to be like a two-minute walk.’ (laughter) So I’m like, ‘All right, hold up, Brandon. Let me go throw something away.’ Come back out and give Brandon a big hug. The whole process I’m sure for everyone, both sides, had to be mentally draining because there’s just so many gymnastics that you have to go through. It’s not just, here’s the money. This is what we can do. We’re going to do that. I mean, we’re talking big, big amounts of money. So I thought that was super cool and the receivers, I went into the receivers room and it was a party. (laughter)”
(Can you tell us a little bit more about Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s role in all of this? He obviously shared faith in you before his plane even landed in Miami. And now you come to this point, he has always said his job is to help the players get paid and now the biggest contract in franchise history. What does that say about Mike and his relationship with you?) – “Well, I think it says a lot. Word gets around quick and I don’t think he knows that I know, but I’ve been told from several birdies that are here in the facility, that are upstairs as well, that he went to bat for me the day that I went out and practiced 11-on-11, seven-on-seven before we went on that little break. That he went to bat for me with our owner, and I won’t go into details of things that I heard were said, but just know like, he is what he says. He says what he told me and he did what I was thinking he would do for me, and not just for me, but for any other player. So I’m very grateful for that.”
(When you were growing up you talked about going from games to throwing camps and everything. Did you – in a middle-class family – did you ever have, for lack of a better word, a real job or was this your job?) – “This was my job. This was my only job. I never had a real job. Yeah, this was my job.”
(What did you learn during negotiations about the process of negotiating an NFL contract extension from this process?) – “It’s long, brother. It’s like I said, it’s not as easy as, ‘Oh, yeah, here – let’s just throw a million dollars over here.’ Like, let’s just give you this number here. There’s just so many semantics and loops that you’ve got to go through to get something like that done, especially trying to maneuver other contracts around if you’re trying to do that. There’s just so many, many things that you got to go through, but I’m happy that we got this thing done. It’s unbelievable.”
(How tough was it for you to balance not practicing early in the week with negotiations still going on?) – “Oh, that’s tough. That’s tough for me. I don’t know how the other quarterbacks like around the league do it, but for me, I’m a rep guy. Like I need to do it in order for me to kind of see what I need to do better or see what feels right, what doesn’t feel right. And then the other thing, the communication in the huddle, right? Those guys are hearing other guys in the huddle. That’s not who they’re going to be hearing. The cadence is just a little different with the way I say the cadence than the way the other guys say the cadence. So that was a little tough for me to kind of stay out and so a lot of the decisions to being out there and whatnot, I made those knowing, like whatever’s going on outside, like, dude, this is the reps that I need and that’s why I was out there.”
(Have you had a chance to talk to Dan Marino about this and what did he say?) – “No, I haven’t seen Dan (Marino) in a while, but Dan will be excited. Every time we see Dan in our quarterback room, he’s really excited.”
(Now that you have the backing of the organization, the backing of the fans, getting this deal done, what’s next for you? What’s the best part about having all this done and kind of looking forward to the next, hopefully get this organization that playoff win and the bigger picture – winning it all?) – “That’s exactly what it is. That’s exactly what we’re looking forward to. Now that all of this is done, this is behind us, we know heavy is the crown, so whoever’s wearing that. Like right now, I’m the highest paid employee in this in this office. I’ve got to get my whatever together, I’ve got to get that right and get our guys moving in the direction that we need to go, to be able to do those things.”
(You gave the “show me the money” to the crowd. Take us through the evolution of showing your personality more to the fans and to us?) – “Yeah, that was somebody told me that I wouldn’t say it. So that’s why I said it. (laughter) It wasn’t like I quoted that from a movie. Somebody told me, ‘You won’t say it.’ I was like, ‘OK.’ So I said it.”
(You’ve talked about how you are grateful to the organization, to your family – can you talk about why do you love Miami as a city? And why did you want to stay?) – “Well, I grew up in a similar state, if you will. Hawaii is also a melting pot of many different cultures, right? You have Asians, you have Polynesians, we have Hispanic, we have it all down there in Hawaii. And out here, it’s very similar, but there’s more Hispanic people – people that speak Spanish, Cubans, Colombians, and it’s also a melting pot in that way. But the weather does justice, the food does justice. And I just don’t think you’d want to be anywhere else. Taxes. (laughter)”
(Obviously, having met you when you were 16, watching through the Elite 11 journey – what would you say to that 16-year-old kid about the journey? And what is necessary to be successful as an NFL quarterback?) – “You know, I think I would tell that 16-year-old Tua to continue to do life the exact way you’re doing life. The lessons that I learned from 16 till now, I wouldn’t change any of that. I wouldn’t deviate from any of the things that I’ve made mistakes with and where I found success. So I would tell him just continue to do what you’re doing. You’re going find it and when you find it, you’ll know you found it.”
(You’ve talked about this a little bit before, but can you just walk us through your journey from the day Head Coach Mike McDaniel was hired to now and how you transformed as a player and a person?) – “Dude. We’d be here forever. That’s like so long because then we’re going to talk about the jet conversation, then we’re going to talk about the conversation when he got here, then we’re going to talk about the videos that he’s shown, I’ve forgot how many, like 900 clips. I mean, that in itself is like a book already that we’re talking about. Then, OK, let me go profess to the world that you’re my guy. You’re this, you’re that, let me go be bold. But yeah, there’s just so many things that we’ve gone through from the journey of two years ago, and it’s not just football related. It’s just life related. A lot of it is much more life related off the field type of things, the mental aspect of the game, just the mental aspect of life, the mental aspect of family life back home, and just a lot of things like that and it’s really helped me throughout the course of growing up from, what was that, my third year? My third year growing into this offense and growing into the player that I am in this league and the man that I am off the field, there’s just so many so many things to talk about. But in a nutshell, that’s sort of what it is and it’s a cool full circle moment, because it’s what he said he’s wanted to do for not just me or said player, but it’s for all the players that he wants us to make money and he’s going to do everything he can to help us do that.”
(I did want to know, there’s an emphasis put on mobility. Losing weight, trying to work on the mobility – what do you think that will do for your game?) – “Well, I think that’ll do a lot. Being more mobile, being able to run the ball a little more, being able to try to simulate that I am trying to run the ball a little more then pull up and able to catch someone off guard in a way. I just think being more mobile, being lighter on your feet, all of that helps with this game and everything in this game helps. That’s sort of the thought there.”
(What’s your first big purchase?) – “My first big purchase, what’s the most expensive thing? (laughter)”
(A house? NFL franchise? A jet?) – “A jet? No, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about purchasing anything big. Everyone is talking to me about collecting watches and what not, I’m just not a watch guy. And then clothes, I’m just not a clothes guy, too much.”
(Hawaiian property? Do you have property?) – “I probably wouldn’t, taxes, too much over there. (laughter) That’s too much, so I probably wouldn’t want residency out there. But to go back and visit my family, I would do that. But to be able to do the things that we need to survive, we don’t need that much money, but to have that much money to be able to take care of my family and then my kids’ kids, and their kids’ kids, having that is very, very cool and it’s very, very special. I think anyone here that would be in this position would say the same exact thing and would be extremely grateful.”
Mike McDaniel – July 28, 2024
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Sunday, July 28, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Addressing the elephant in the room, do you believe this deal was team-friendly and what qualities or achievements influenced this franchise’s decision to make this investment?) – “You’re going to have to further – what deal are we speaking of? (laughter)”
(The quarterback, QB Tua Tagovailoa.) – “Tua’s deal? Whatever, the deal is done and that was kind of the hope. I’m fired up for the organization. I’m really fired up for Tua and the work he’s done to receive something like that. I think it’s a cool validation for sure and I think what’s been cool about the process is I think Coach (Darrell) Bevell has done an outstanding job with Tua to connect to the fact that, hey, whatever is going on, our focus is what we’re going to do today in developing our game to make the ground, make the gains that we expect in the offseason from Tua. So from my perspective, I’m happy, but I also expected it to get done, and now that’s done it’s about moving forward because it’s maybe a handshake and a smile, but it’s not a celebration. It’s a cool point for the organization to move forward, but moving forward we are.”
(Like it or not, people will look at this and say, “He’s making ‘X; therefore he should be playing at this level.” They always equate it to. What makes you think that Tua’s going to be able to handle that kind of heat?) – “It’s a pretty hot place to be a quarterback in the National Football League and so you get a lot of reps at seeing how people respond to things. I think that is absolutely the nature that you should expect and something that I know Tua’s very, very aware of and I think that’s one of the cool things about sports is that Tua can know that, his teammates know that and they already have pressure and expectations for themselves. I think as long as you acknowledge that, which quite frankly Tua has shown me that throughout the entire offseason that he knows what time it is and fortunately him and all his teammates can go out and determine whatever the narrative is built upon by the way they play. So we focus on the way we play, understanding that we will always hear about the results regardless of what they are. So why don’t we try to move the needle on what those results are and focus on that and nothing else, because that’s what our jobs are.”
(Head coach success in the NFL is most often tied to the success of a quarterback. Your future might be tied to QB Tua Tagovailoa’s success. How do you feel about that?) – “I feel outstanding about the fact that – I feel really good about the team. I feel really good about Tua and I will always be determined by the success or failure of the team, as it should be. It’s black and white, your success or failure. It’s cool about sports. There’s a lot of variables in that, but that’s not something I think you run from. You embrace it because you worry about what you can control and then when things you can’t control happen, you adjust from there and keep it moving. But there’s plenty of people that could be a head coach of a team and lose a ton of games. You have to win and be successful, and I knew that the very first day I got the job and so whatever is coming with whatever narrative and extracurricular thing; it doesn’t really bother me.”
(Not to put too fine of a point on it, but QB Tua Tagovailoa’s career got turned around when you got here and his outlook on football I think turned around when you got here. Can you just speak to his personal journey from when you took over a player that was kind of questioning himself three years ago and now this?) – “What’s the best way to say it? It’s why one of the absolute main reasons you get into coaching. You hope that you can help people realize their best selves. So for him to be at this part of his journey with the growth, that’s why you do what you do. And it’s also, I think you’re also in the process really making sure that that whatever player that is getting compensated in whatever way; OK, you are trying to get their game to a point where they can be in that market to do that, and the second, you’re in that market to do anything, what comes from that so you don’t get surprised by it. So it is really, really cool for the organization. It is really cool for Tua, something that has been a lot of man hours, a lot of investment. And I mean, what’s cooler than that? I think a lot of people can get on board was that story, but it’s hard for me to talk about it without the caveat that from the beginning, our objective, was to continue growth and work together and in that process, you get compensated. And then you get compensated, what do you do with the organization, for yourself and for your family. With that, with this tremendous opportunity. So it’s a cool moment that we have a couple high fives and we’re moving on to today’s practice to really get after that. That’s one of the reasons why he has the contract he has, because that’s the type of person he is.”
(With fans at practice, does that give players more energy?) – “I think it does naturally. They have a lot to worry about each and every play and they’re focused on improving all sorts of things within their game and understanding their assignments and how they relate to their teammates. But there’s nothing – the second you walk out that door, it feels different for practice and I think it’s a nice little reminder because it’s always after a long break. Remember the last time they were in a situation where they were doing what they do professionally and what they love, the last time they had fans to do it in front of, was the season previous. So it’s always a fun day that gives you some juice. You may see some guys lathered in stretch because it’s hard to come out of the doors of the facility and not get a brisk jog going with the momentum that’s carried by the fans being here. So really excited for that. The team knows they’re coming and we should get some extra juice on top of the juice that we’ve already had each and every practice which has been pretty good.”
(Pads coming on soon. Will that start giving you a good judgment on o-line, d-line?) – “I think there’s a lot of judgment that you can have without pads if you practice the right way. Having said that, there’s always the caveat. There’s always the asterisk of, OK, well, is that going to translate with the pads and how does a tight end go after the edge player on a run player with the pads on? Who’s winning the point of attack? Football is played with pads. It’s a good evaluator and next natural evolution so we have a lot of information, but the information is incomplete, you’re right, without pads.”
(After the news broke, QB Tua Tagovailoa posted a video thanking you specifically. How does that make you feel and also is there anything that you told him that you’d be willing to share with us after he signed the deal?) – “So you’re telling me he thanked me by name? I’ve never heard of this. For the record, positive stuff, I would love to hear about. (laughter) Yeah, it’s humbling. For me it’s really cool to be a part of somebody’s journey and for them to see that you’re a positive impact on that. But immediately, it’s hard for me to really accept that fully without wanting to just babble to all the people that are instrumental in his process and development. First and foremost, him, but you’re talking about his position coach Darrell Bevell. Those guys are thick as thieves and I’m really proud of how he’s been a part of that, too, so it’s hard for me to accept that. I appreciate it, but it was a lot of people working together and first and foremost that’s Tua doing it. And that’s probably the hardest part. Would you guys agree? I can tell you the same stuff I tell Tua: ‘Will you do it?’ Well?”
(On the deep shot to WR Tyreek Hill the other day in practice, we saw CB Jaeln Ramsey go up to QB Tua Tagovailoa afterwards, almost mimic the play-action fake that he executed there. I’m curious your perspective on the importance of ball handling for the quarterback and how Tua drills that to make it a strength?) – “That was a very high-level observation, you’re very right on that. Really if I’m you guys and I’m observing practice, those types of things would fire me up the most. Because what that means, if you have the players on your team that have the most footing in the league, the star players, when they are communicating about what they just saw and being able to share how certain things affect – how Tua’s footwork affects Jalen, how Jalen and what he’s seeing – for everyone, that’s a win. That’s also a tone setter for the entire team when players of that caliber and those conversations about high-level intricacies about the quarterback’s drop and about vision, zoning players and all these things. These are conversations that are coming up a lot because what I see are players more invested than they’ve ever been and I’m seeing plenty of investment here so all the things play into trying to be elite at your job. Quarterback footwork for the back end, if you’re trying to get turnovers, is pretty important. If you’re trying to get PBUs, it’s pretty important and those are things that are beyond their playbook responsibility that can only – you can only get real gains in your game if you have 22 players really going after it in a game-like fashion so you can get game-like reps.”
(Going back to the question a minute ago, is there anything more you can share with us on your first interaction with QB Tua Tagovailoa after he learned of the deal knowing how close you two were? I imagine it was a pretty cool moment?) – “Yeah, it was, to say the least. I think I’m of unassuming stature, but when I get enough adrenaline and I’m pretty excited, can surprise some people with my leverage and my strength and my hug surprised him. I can tell because he spilled his coffee.”
(So this means that you knew before practice started?) – “Absolutely not. We have players attacking the day to the level of early afternoon coffees are like, a dime a dozen. That moment, I wasn’t playing on that, but it’s definitely something to remember. Just you know how it’s hard not to have a lot of time pass through your mind really fast, but it was something cool to share and he was coordinated enough not to spill the coffee that I spilled onto me, so I was fired up about that as well.”
(Did you pick him up with the hug…?) – “I basically suplexed him. (laughter) And then Chris (Grier) was very mad. No, it was just a leveraged form-fit, nothing to the ground. We didn’t violate the CBA, we’re good.”
(I know we’re talking about QB Tua Tagovailoa, but I do want to address LB Anthony Walker Jr. Obviously LB David Long Jr. being sidelined, he’s playing a more prominent role in the defense. What have you seen from him to make him an orange jersey player in the first week?) – “Well, he first and foremost, very rare that I get feedback so early in the offseason from so many people, about you know, ‘I effing love this guy.’ Won his teammates over just by how he goes about business in the offseason, and then you take that to – in terms of you’re developing the defense and developing camaraderie – when you have a player that is as bought in as he is and a connectivity that he has with (Linebackers/Run Game Coordinator) Joe Barry and (Defensive Coordinator) Anthony Weaver, he’s been able to really execute some fundamentals and techniques at such a high level, taking indy to team, that he’s really helped the rest of the group in a couple of situations where a lot of times as players, you hear it from the coach, you see it one time from a teammate, ‘Oh,’ and then it’s able to be replicated. So he’s pushing the envelope in his game while also bringing others along with him and he has had – I gave him a hard time just today – he’s had his hands on multiple passes, but right now he’s just the first pick for the beach volleyball team because his bump-set-spike is leading the league… but being around the ball as much as he is, he’s going to start getting some interceptions soon and you’ll see a lot of teammates cheering, which I think is very telling.”
(We’ve seen LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Bradley Chubb work out on their own in their recovery. What can you tell us on maybe how they’re doing in their individual recoveries?) – “We have some great news. There’s been no setbacks. I hate to do this, but there’s partial credit due the fact there hasn’t been timelines set on them. So they haven’t over-pressed. But I’m very, very proud of them because first and foremost, I spoke at length; the biggest challenge and concern that I have is that they try to get back too soon. And that’s just natural for their competitiveness and how they love football, but they are a fixture. After they get their work in, after they get their movements done, where they’re pressing on uncharted territory every day, they are a big part of our practice every day and that’s because they are out there. I can always tell where they’re at in their rehab because you know how vibrant their cellies are. Their celebrations are, I mean they are a fixture of the team while being hindered from playing. It is very hard to do. Only special people can move the entire team’s needle based upon how present they are and how invested they are in their teammates. But they are in a cool spot, helping the team as they work their way back on the field.”
(With OL Aaron Brewer what do you like his use at center? And are there any concerns about some of snapping mishaps?) – “Really fired up about ‘Brew’ (Aaron Brewer) and what he’s going to be able to contribute to our offensive line. He’s done a tremendous job assimilating into the group and really taking to some of the things that we ask players to do that maybe, a little unique based upon their history. And he’s a guy that can be a weapon in the run game. And I think he sees himself that way. We see it that way. The way he comes off the ball, how lightning quick he is and the leverage he plays with and I think – yeah, I’ve become like more wise in my coaching years, and snap issues used to just trigger me to all end. Now the process, I still get triggered, but it’s really fast because it is a part of the process that you that you have to understand when you have quarterbacks and centers and guards playing with different people at the beginning of the camp and you’re using multiple snap counts and you’re going against multiple looks, it is something that I’m used to, you wish it didn’t happen, but the main thing is you want to see some improvement and development as the time goes on. If you have the same issues with the same players continuously, that’s when it’s a huge red flag. Otherwise you’re just making sure that the issues that you had are addressed and worked on and hopefully those are corrected. We just want them corrected, really.”
Anthony Walker Jr. – July 26, 2024
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Friday, July 26, 2024
LB Anthony Walker Jr.
(What was the review on the playlist?) – “Oh it was a little bit of everything, trying to make sure everybody felt like they were home. I told them I was going to take them to practice and bring them out of practice, so I hope I did my job.”
(Tell us about the orange jersey performance yesterday and how you feel you’re fitting in and blending in overall?) – “Obviously, I think a lot of guys deserve it. I think we’ve been practicing really hard as a team. Defensively, offensively, special teams wise, a lot of guys getting better every day. Obviously, it’s only, what, Day 3? It feels like 23 – that sun adds a couple. (laughter) I’m thankful. I’m thankful for the opportunity. Last year I thought it would be almost the end for me towards the end of the season with the injury and everything, so to be out here, I’m grateful for the opportunity. I can’t overstate that enough just knowing that the game was almost taken from me. So just thankful for that and ready to keep working.”
(Tell me about the mental approach of coming back from an injury. How much of it is mental and how much of it is physical?) – “The game of football is all mental, for real, for me. Obviously, the physical part that’s just what it is when you play football, but as you get to this age and you get to the backend of your career, it becomes more and more mental. Just the daily grind – the day I stop loving the daily grind is the day you guys won’t see me out here anymore. I love coming out here with my teammates competing and getting better. Like I said, just opportunity – the opportunity to win as a team and opportunity to use the gifts that God has given me.”
(What did you think of QB Tua Tagovailoa out there today in 11-on-11s? He’s always the focal point, he didn’t practice yesterday.) – “He made a throw today, I was like, ‘Dude.’ It’s a play that the Mike linebacker – I’m just happy that I wasn’t in. (laughter) But the Mike linebacker should be there, but he threw the ball before I think Tyreek (Hill) was even out of his break. You see what he brings to the table, you see what he means to this team, how he pumps up the offense. They know when he’s out there, it’s just a different feeling. They love everybody, we love all the quarterbacks, but it’s a different feeling when (No.) 1 is in there, and I think the guys feel that.”
(Kind of piggy backing off of that on how this offense can stretch you vertically and create that space on the second level, how have you taken from that for your three days of practice, just how much space you have to defend against this offense?) – “I think I had to run 40 or 50 yards yesterday to defend a play, but I told (Head Coach) Mike (McDaniel), the middle of the field is closed down while I’m in there. I take pride in that, and that’s what he prides himself on. He broke that down to us in OTAs. This is how the Mike linebacker plays, showed clips of Fred Warner just owning the middle, and I take pride in that. That’s my job, and us as linebackers, we take that challenge. Obviously, when you’ve got the speedsters out there, the ‘DBs’ are already stressed enough, so we don’t want them to have worry about covering the shallows as well. As long as we can take away the middle of the field and let those guys stay on top, we are doing our job.”
(The tipped interception, I think it fell through your hands. What are you kind of feeling after that?) – “Yeah, got to make the play. We’ve got to make those. The ball is so precious in this league. The more turnovers you can get, the more opportunity to set your team up for success. Any time we’re able to get hands on the ball, we got to come down with it. Obviously, I missed an opportunity today.”
(You’ve been with him for a few months now, Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver, how would you describe his coaching style?) – “I think you can tell he played the game. He played the game at a high level, and he understands and respect the grind that we go through as players, but also takes the approach of that he’s the coach and this is his show. I think from Day 1, I felt that from him, that confidence that he has as a coach, but also the understanding that there are going to be mistakes as players and that we’re going to keep learning and keep getting better. It’s a new scheme, but we’re all getting better from it. I think that he takes that approach every day. You love playing for a coach like that.”
(You’re coming from a really good defense in Cleveland where Defensive Coordinator Jim Schwartz is there. How would you describe the difference in styles of scheme? You both probably do a lot of blitzing but in different ways.) – “We always said that the Ravens were very exotic – they had a lot of looks for us when we were playing in Cleveland and playing those guys two times a year. Now being in it, I see why. You want to show a lot, but it’s the same for us. You want the offense to look like it’s 1,000 looks, but defensively, it’s very simple for us. I think that helps us. (Jim) Schwartz was a great coach, he has a great scheme as well. Obviously 3-4 and 4-3 is a little different, but at the end of the day, they are all about the same thing – stop the other team from scoring. It’s defense.”
(The front office made a big push to improve the linebacker position with the collection of players you have here. Does this compare to anything you’ve had before or is this the best collection of linebackers you’ve been around?) – “Oh, don’t get me doing that. (laughter) No, this is a great group. I think I put this 1A-1B with – I had a group in Indianapolis with me, Shaquille Leonard, EJ Speed, Zaire Franklin, Bobby Okereke, guys that are all starts and all captains for their team. I think that was a special room as well, and I think we’ve got a similar type of a group of guys as far as the leadership and all guys being able to play, step in and play big role for this team.”
(I saw you guys going against TE Jonnu Smith in one-on-ones today. What has he brought to this team?) – “I’ve known Jonnu (Smith) for a very long time. I played against him twice a year for four years when I was with Indy. He’s very special talent and explosive with the ball in his hands, and that’s any way you can get it to him. I saw him get a jet sweep today, I was like, ‘Alright, we’re just installing stuff now. We’re getting bored on Day 3.’ (laughter) But again, he’s a very unique talent at that tight end position, pretty much can run like a running back, catch like a receiver and then get down and block like an o-linemen. So a very special talent.”
(He was telling me about how he finishes his runs in the end zone when he catches a ball. Do you like talk to him like, “You were down, I got you down right there?”) – “Always. He’s always down, don’t let him tell you… He’s just running for cardio at that point. (laughter)”
(What’s it like to be back in South Florida?) – “It’s hot. (laughter) My dad was at practice today. He hasn’t seen me practice in the NFL before. He was like, ‘Hey man, how is it?’ And I’m like, ‘It’s hot.’ I haven’t practiced here in 12 years – since my last senior year of high school practice. Getting back used to that, obviously global warming is a real thing I’m assuming because it’s hotter. (laughter) But definitely just happy to be out here, be home. Like I said, my dad’s first time seeing me practice in the NFL is very special. Being able to have family come out every day is very special, so I’m thankful for that.”
Kendall Fuller – July 26, 2024
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Friday, July 26, 2024
CB Kendall Fuller
(What’s it been like working here in a new setting?) – “It’s been fun. I mean football is always football. Just learning new people, being around the building, new coaches, new players. Any guys that I’m around I always like to learn from, always like to compete with. So at the end of the day, football is always football, but anytime you get to get around a new group of guys, a good group of guys, it’s always fun.”
(We like to keep our eye on QB Tua Tagovailoa, how was he spinning it today? What did you think in 11-on-11, 7-on-7, everything?) – “Yeah, I mean he’s impressive. He’s always looking impressive on Sundays, but it’s different once you get to see somebody on a day-to-day basis, just their mental, how they process information, how he processes defenses. You can just tell his intent with every snap that he takes. So it’s been fun to see him, learn from him and watch him compete.”
(Three days against this offense in practice for you, how does this offense and what they do schematically challenge you as a defender?) – “You got to cover them vertically, horizontally. You got to be able to make one-on-one tackles in the open field with a lot of athletic and fast guys. It’s funny because playing Miami last year, I kind of know a little bit about the offense, but being able to go against every day and just see how much they attack you vertically, horizontally in space. So, you got to be prepared at each level.”
(Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver seems to give a lot of defensive backs a lot of freedom – talking about CB Jalen Ramsey as a chess piece and S Jevón Holland wants to play all over the place. How do you feel it’s been? Do you feel that freedom in the backend?) – “Yeah, it’s been fun, man. We all move around. Jalen (Ramsey) is all over the field. Sometimes we’re playing right, sometimes you’re on the left side. Even just within the defense, corners can be asked to do different things that a nickel would do, that a linebacker would do. So that’s what makes the game fun, just being able to have a lot of different responsibilities, a lot of different techniques that you got to do – it makes the game fun. So we’ve been enjoying it man. ‘Weave’ (Anthony Weaver) has been good, energetic, fun, so definitely a guy that a lot of guys enjoy playing for.”
(In the past, have you been moved around all over in your other years?) – “Yeah, I mean, I started out playing nickel, nickel corner. I played a little bit of nickel safety, played a little bit of corner safety. I’ve pretty much lined up everywhere, so I’m comfortable just about lining up anywhere on the field.”
(At this stage you still would play nickel? You still feel comfortable inside?) – “Yeah, I mean genuinely – especially with the systems that I played in, you’ve been asked to do so much, so genuinely I feel comfortable anywhere on the field.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the mentality that it takes in there as compared to out on the perimeter and maybe how some of your past experiences have kind of set you up for all of the versatility in this system?) – “I mean, nickel was just – to me, nickel was a more challenging position, just because it’s so much more green grass. A lot more responsibility, specifically mentally, physically, it’s the NFL anywhere. Any position out on the field is going to ask a lot of you, but just from the mental standpoint of all the grass that you’ve got to cover, just even playbook wise having to remember, ‘Alright, do I run on this motion? Do I not run on this motion? Do I align here? Align there?’ Corner, you pretty much know what you got to do, but nickel to me is a very, very challenging position. I’m glad that now they’re starting to get a lot more respect, All-Pro, Pro Bowls and stuff like that, because it’s a challenging position.”
(Does the way this defense kind of meld together in those two roles as far as being able to do multiple things – does it make communication easier on the backend for y’all?) – “Yeah, I think you just have a lot of guys that – my biggest thing, no matter what position you play, is learning where everybody because once you know where – it’s all about knowing where your help is, knowing where your teammates are going to be, knowing their responsibility. They make a mistake, if you know what they’re doing, you might be able to cover up for him. So it brings everybody together, everybody is just working on being a better football player, understanding the game of football more, not just learning what you can do and that’s it. So I think even from that, you’re able to have – all of us are always having constant communications and things like that, because all of us have played all over the field.”
(What’s it like covering WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle and maybe, soon WR Odell Beckham Jr., in practice?) – “Yeah, it’s been fun man. Just like I said, the speed that they have, the talent that they have. People can focus so much on the talent, but just the competition, you know what I mean? All of us are big little kids out there on the field. So just being able to go out there and play the game that you love and enjoy and just have fun working against one another and learning from one another. It’s been real fun to get out there with them.”
(You have a unique perspective with WR Tyreek Hill because you’ve been his teammate a couple times now, right? Can you talk about how he’s kind of evolved, especially while guarding him? And has he made you a better player over the years of your career, him specifically?) – “Yeah, I mean 100%. I think any guy that you line up across on a daily basis is going to get you better, because every man that’s made it to this level can do something at a high level, you know what I mean? Other guys may do one thing at a high level, another guy may do another thing at a high level, so what he can do, his speed, and probably what separates him from a lot of guys that are fast, how he can stop at a dime, his routes and things like that. So it’s been fun. The biggest thing that I can still see from him, and I appreciate, is just the joy being out down the practice field. He still always has that same work ethic, but you always want guys to make the most of this opportunity, have fun being out here. We’re blessed to be able to come out here and play football for a living. It’s been like four years since I played with him, so to still see that joy is always good to see.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel his leadership has kind of evolved. Have you noticed that? Any difference between the WR Tyreek Hill back then and the Tyreek now?) – “That will be hard for me to tell just because me being on defense and him being on offense. But I mean even just being on the opposite sideline, seeing him going in there and work – a guy at his level still taking all the reps that he can, still trying to work and perfect everything, everybody sees that. So it’s not all about what somebody says, but what they do that speaks loudly.”
(Now that you’ve been around him for a couple of months, how would you describe Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver’s coaching style?) – “Fun. Just fun, energetic. I mean, he definitely is going to demand a lot out of everybody, but he’s there with you every step of the way, pushing, pushing you. You make a mistake, he’s going to come to you, talk about what you could have did better, talk about what you need to do going forward. I think the biggest thing, he’s always willing to listen. And that’s something that you appreciate being a player, having a coach that’s just – he wants to hear what you see. He wants to hear what we think, and I think that says a lot. I used to have a coach that said – he always talked about how you always got to be green. You always got to be willing to learn, willing to grow. So to see him as our defensive coordinator still having that mindset of like wanting to learn, wanting to grow and wanting to hear from us, that trickles down throughout the whole staff, whole team.”
(I guess on the scheme side of things, obviously, you were with Jack Del Rio over last few years. I guess what has been the biggest adjustment for you going into this scheme in what you’re asked to do?) – “I mean not a lot, honestly. I had Jack (Del Rio) for the last four years, but I would say my first four years in the league, I probably had a different defensive coordinator each year. So I think I probably played in every system, almost, under the sun. So it’s not too much. Terminologies are a little bit different, but at the end of the day football is football. You might do a couple of things, more coverages that you may run per snap percentage versus in Washington, but end of the day, it’s all football.”
Mike McDaniel – July 26, 2024
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Friday, July 26, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(QB Tua Tagovailoa – we didn’t observe him do anything yesterday. Was that veteran day of rest or was that part of his hold-in and what do you expect today?) – “Nothing has changed really from that standpoint and how we’re collectively approaching practice. As far as today, I do think you’ll observe him playing football in a multitude of fashions.”
(Do you guys talk every day about the plan for the day or is there a plan for the week? How do you do that?) – “Every day. I think it’s important to assess all variables, take into consideration everyone involved as the head coach so you’d love to get in front of it, but there’s a lot of days that if you’re trying to extrapolate that, a lot of days that you can’t account for different way the wind blows. So every day assessing exactly what we’re doing because we’re trying to do good jobs here.”
(How do you I guess loop the team in on that? Is that something where you say, “Hey, this is a me and Tua thing” or do you try to keep them abreast of…?) – “As professional athletes, people pretty much know and understand and are very considerate of business dealings. I think our team specifically has found opportunity in the situation really because I haven’t even been fielding questions, concern – people have enough on their plate and their focus in situations like that, you could have some people that were exposed to not be focused. Fortunately for us, the deliberate intent and focus from each and every player has been on maximizing the opportunity on the field and getting their job done because collectively we’re trying to achieve things as a team.”
(Yesterday I asked FB Alec Ingold about QB Tua Tagovailoa not being there and he said, “Don’t allow it to be a distraction. There are going to be games where we don’t have our star player. Use this as preparation.” Is that kind of your attitude or have you talked to the team like collectively overall about how they should approach this?) – “No, I think that’s outstanding. It’s exactly how I feel about it and in a lot of ways I’m very hopeful that everyone sees it the same way. We’re a bunch of grown men working together day after day. You start to learn each other so that fires me up. I can’t wait to give him a fist pound because that’s exactly what you do. You use the opportunity for any sort of advantage.”
(With the TE Jonnu Smith and – it was a laundry list of guys yesterday – DT Calais Campbell and – nice extensive list, I’m sure you know the list. Was it more veteran rest day or are these nicks that we need to just monitor and address?) – “The former. What you try to do is you have your group of players that you’re going to establish on the forefront – who do you want to manage before you get to managing and find more people to manage? And in that, you’re trying to disperse veterans so that no one position is put out of sorts or left vulnerable by lack of legs, thereby making their position group and players more vulnerable to injury. So it’s all very strategic. Trust me, it’s not just me involved in those plannings. That takes a whole team that when they bring the best ideas and the good ideas, I cosign those and make them my own.”
(I wanted to ask kind of a related question. We saw yesterday, I think WR Tyreek Hill caught two balls from QB Gavin Hardison. That doesn’t seem likely to happen in the regular season. What’s the benefit in July of having those reps – well, maybe I’m wrong…) – “So you think.”
(So I think, I’ll stand corrected if that happens, but what is the thinking broadly about having your franchise wide receiver catching passes from an undrafted rookie?) – “You feel comfortable doing that when you’re trying to work on your entire game. That’s happened since we’ve got here, it’s kind of something that I’ve always believed in. If a receiver needs to run a route versus man, instead of forcing the defense to cater to your needs, why not have – wait for a rep that goes against man, maybe that’s in the second or third group? That’s kind of erroneous. And so our skill positions really rotate that way so they can get opportunities at point of attack stuff. Generally – I’m kind of hesitant because this might give our defense a competitive advantage against our offense – but generally if Tyreek (Hill) is in with said quarterback, the ball is probably going to him. (laughter) So there’s a lot of things at play. The quarterback-receiver connection, but it is one of many things that are important and there’s a lot of work to be done in between.”
(LB Emmanuel Ogbah said that he came back here because of unfinished business and it sure looked like he’s playing great these last two days. He’s already got the orange jersey. Assess what you see in LB Emmanuel Ogbah this time around.) – “I just got little goosebumps there because it was cool to see the timing of things. You just know when a player is a free agent for any amount of time, there’s uncertainty so you’re thinking through all the different scenarios and he gets here and then it was not just like a – it wasn’t charity to give him that orange jersey. It was one of, if not, the best practice that I’ve seen from him since I’ve been here and there was a level of focus, a level of concrete certainty of his assignment and he came out hungry. And whatever he’s drinking in the morning – might be a little fountain of youth in there – it was exciting. But you know the coolest thing about situations like that, is you learn a lot about people just by observing the reaction of teammates. And when I tell you everyone, when they found out that he was the orange jersey, was juiced. And then all he did with that, is he was the – I think he ran 19 miles an hour yesterday at practice wearing that orange jersey.”
(You were talking about WR Tyreek Hill earlier. I was curious, does he still surprise you athletically and is there anything he’s done that really stands out for you where he really shocked you with something maybe we haven’t seen in practice or anything over the last couple years?) – “Yes. Tyreek is a guy that is supremely competitive and within that, in practice, he gets game reps. And so being able to put him in different situations, for him to try different things, is a really cool process, because he has a skill set unique to his own. And I think he – every month that I’ve been, every year with him, he’s really grown more and more into the leadership role and the responsibility of being one of, if not the best player in the league and what does he want the Miami Dolphins to look like? Instead of having to carefully and deliberately coach players and tell them, he can just show them how he wants his teammates to practice and play by his effort, strain and not just the pass game, the run game as well.”
(A few guys have mentioned that Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver has a nice package of full-out pressures and simulated pressures. Can you kind of tell me what kind of advantage that can create and what you sense might be coming as this Anthony Weaver pressure package develops?) – “That’s a very good question that is layered in ways of like, a pressure in it of itself, everybody has that. It’s about the how you are able to package that with like looks that can keep an offense off balance, as well as have multiplicity where the pressure is going to come from. I think as teachers, our scheme here are, ‘Weave’ (Anthony Weaver) and his staff really do a great job of finding concepts that players can understand and from one player understanding all 11, so that you can put different pieces in different places. So that balance of keeping an opposing offense off-balance, while being sound and multiple, yeah, everyone would like to do it. We’re confident that we’re headed in the appropriate direction in that way because we’re trying to be as challenging that we can each and every Sunday. And I think it’s playing that way, being able to do simulated pressures specifically, you can have blitzes and coverage that overlap. You can have technique that overlaps, which means you can be better at what you do while being more multiple. So I think with that focus, the coaches have communicated the whole vision to the players in a very good manner, because I can see by how they execute their jobs that they understand it and really how they strain shows me they believe in it.”
(WR Tyreek Hill said the other day that he and some of his offensive teammates without the coaches, they want to get more 10-12 player drives this year rather than the two-strike 75-yard bomb I guess in an effort to tire out the opposing defenses and they really want to focus on that this year. What’s your take on that?) – “I think he’s in his own way, what he’s describing right there, is our players on offense here are immersed enough in the system to understand areas where if you improve, can make everything improve. So what he’s saying, he is confident in our ability to score explosively in short drives. Well, we’ve lived experienced the last two years, that defenses don’t want you to do that. So they give you up space initially close to the line of scrimmage to make sure they can keep a roof over the offense and their eligibles. It’s all about taking advantage of overplay. So if you’re overplaying deep, how can you get most efficient yardage? Through execution on shorter things – run game. As a leader and a football student, Tyreek understands that unless you want to see very deep coverage with everyone 30 yards down the field, you better make people pay, otherwise they’re going to keep doing it. So that’s something I think our locker room does a great job of, is as players identifying consistencies of what’s happening to us. And then our coaches, we try to come up with a plan on how to counter people’s counter.”
(Obviously, there’s a lot of anticipation to see WR Odell Beckham Jr. at some point. Obviously, he’s on PUP now. Is this something that he’s had coming into the season or is it something that popped up more recently as far as his injury?) – “It wasn’t recent. It’s something he’s working through and we’re trying to – like we do with all the guys that are coming off something – we don’t want setbacks because really, and I don’t really explain this ever, but setbacks in this time of year are pretty problematic most of the time for guys for the whole season, because this time is for you to be able to be game-ready for football. And then if after that, you happen to get dinged or injured, it’s a lot easier to reassimilate. You go in, you start playing football after with the last football that you’ve played is last season like everybody and then you have a quick exit from participation, especially in Year 1 of a system, that’s problematic. So we signed Odell to be Odell, and we’re – between the Miami Dolphins and him – we’re making sure that we get him back on the field the right way and hit the ground running. So for him all, it’s just that much more important that he’s on it in the classroom and he’s been as attentive of a veteran, basically stalking Wes Welker, as one could hope.”
(I wanted to ask a follow-up if I could. WR Odell Beckham Jr. had the ACLs. When it’s a recurring thing like that, how do you manage it to make sure God forbid something doesn’t happen again to the same knee?) – “It’s science. Don’t ask me any more than that. I think every individual is unique to their own, that people respond differently. Our buddy Frank Gore, I think tore an ACL every year of his adolescence or something and then played 30 years. So you just have to be – and players need to know that you can’t just take things at surface value. For him, you see how the body responds and you don’t go into it assuming anything, but if the body loves it, you just let him roll. If there’s some swelling, you chill out and then you kind of go that way.”
(As far as some of the early returns you’ve seen on RB De’Von Achane in his second year utilizing a full offseason for the first time as a pro?) – “I’m seeing a pro that – not to say that he wasn’t a pro last year – he was a rookie that really impressed his teammates with his ability to digest and execute. And he really impressed guys about how the game – you hear this a bunch – the game is not too big for him. Right. Well, that’s cool for De’Von (Achane), if that’s where he wants his ceiling. Thankfully, for the Miami Dolphins, that’s not. So he’s expanded roles expanded, different ways that he can get the ball, but he’s become a guy that pretty much every person on the offense counts on to know his responsibility and that helps everyone. So he’s become a pro, diet, strength – it’s really cool to see. He had a taste of success and fortunately for us, he’s not satisfied with that.”
(With QB Tua Tagovailoa while he wasn’t throwing, was his level of attention to practice where you want it to be as far as mental reps, communication with you? I think he was listening to play calls.) – “Absolutely. And you know what, everybody involved has been super professional because if he’s not going to be taking a rep, he’s not going to have that rep lost on him. And in Year 3 of the offense, that’s a lot more impactful than if that would be the case in Year 1. You have the muscle memory on a lot of things so every rep can be – whether you’re doing it or not – can be something that you can use to your advantage because that muscle memory, it’s not what he really needs to train. It’s the visual scene, this particular picture. Our defense presents so many unique pictures, and he’s been – basically all those simulated pressures, keep your awareness and locked in focus.”
Jevón Holland – July 25, 2024
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Thursday, July 25, 2024
S Jevón Holland
(What were you experiencing? What were you feeling in that…?) – “Just like a thigh contusion kind of thing. It was like a bruise. It goes away, but it was crazy. One minute, I was like, alright, I’m running up. Next minute, I’m like why are my feet above my head? So it was all right. I’m alright.”
(Are you auditioning for the Olympics?) – “Not trying to. That was in involuntary, but that would be cool.”
(Talking to FB Alec Ingold and LB Emmanuel Ogbah just now, the defensive energy that this team has felt since Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver has gotten here, is that something that has been translating to the field these first few days of practice?) – “Yeah, definitely. It’s a blast out there. I don’t know if you guys got to see, but I’m having a bunch of fun. He’s a fun coach to play under. He really established an exciting culture and allows us a lot of room to just grow within it, so I’m enjoying myself a lot.”
(I guess what about the culture? What makes it so fun?) – “It’s both, like he knows what he wants, but he also allows us to be players, because he was once a player. He understands at some point you kind of just go out there and ball, and so I feel like that’s the main thing for us. We’re just allowed to go out there and make plays.”
(What is his communication style?) – “Just straightforward. It feels like he’s just talking to us like he was if he was a player and that’s kind of how – you know what I mean? I don’t really know how to explain it, but it’s real healthy. I can say that, it’s real healthy.”
(He’s not yelling.) – “No, I mean he’ll yell if he needs to, but it’s never unwarranted.”
(A lot of people talk about CB Jalen Ramsey being the guy who’s been able to do a lot of different things. You have that kind of same skill set. In this defense is Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver going to allow you to do a lot more than what you’ve done the last few years?) – “If he wants to. He is the defensive coordinator so it’s kind of like whatever he wants, but I’ll be down to do it. I played nickel in college and corner in high school and whatnot, but yeah, I’m down. I’m sure he’s open to it. He loves our input and seeing what we see, so for sure.”
(That input, that’s coming from you?) – “Me saying I play other positions? I mean, he knows it. I’ve told him, if you want me to move around – I mean in indy drills, I’ll go to nickel and try stuff.”
(We saw DB Elijah Campbell make some plays today. How have you seen his game grow since you’ve been here with him?) – “He’s just gotten the reps honestly. Like in years past, he’s kind of been focused on gunner and whatnot. He’s kind of been in, not really been in; but this past new regime, he’s gotten the reps and he’s instilled the confidence and now he’s really starting to pick up. So I love playing with him, definitely.”
(What do you think of the addition of S Marcus Maye?) – “It’s dope. Marcus is a super cool dude. He’s been around the league, real knowledgeable so I’m really enjoying myself. Just being able to ask questions from him as another vet in the room. So he’s a dope dude.”
(I see you S Jordan Poyer working out a lot in individual before. Can you maybe describe what the chemistry of those kind of reps can do to try to build?) – “It’s just insight into what I’m thinking, what he’s thinking. Kind of knowing your partner without having to ask him, things like that, you know what I mean? I kind of know what he’s thinking, what he wants to do, and that adds to the on-field like when things are flying around, fast bullets. It adds to that chemistry so those little one-on-ones, the yellow cones and whatnot; that stuff helps a lot just kind of to get to know the person next to you.”
(Are you seeing a fired-up LB Emmanuel Ogbah out there since he left and came back?) – “Yeah man, hell yeah. You see him with the orange jersey like Day 1, he’s back with the orange jersey. That’s my dawg. I’m so happy for him. He gets to just get to the quarterback. Like my rookie year he had like 14 PBUs (pass breakups) so I’m excited for him. I love the success, for sure.”
(What was your reaction when you heard he was coming back? Were you surprised?) – “I was excited. I wasn’t necessarily surprised – I was excited. Like he should be here. He’s a hell of a player, so I’m just glad he’s back.”
(How about the early returns on the additions of LB Jordyn Brooks and LB Anthony Walker Jr.?) – “It’s great. Both of them, great. They’re generals in the middle, and we really need them. They help a lot of the young guys at backer really come along, Channing (Tindall), Zeke (Vandenburgh). So I’m really excited for him.”
(Is your stance still that you’ll wait for QB Tua Tagovailoa? You’ll wait your turn?) – “It’s not like I’m dictating time on my contract because if I was dictating the time, I would’ve got paid my rookie year, no… (laughter) But when it comes, it comes. I can’t control none of that. Whenever they want to, I’ll pick up the phone, but I’m out here every day just trying to get better.”
(You mentioned LB Jordyn Brooks. I wanted to ask you about him. What’s he like with the guys either – I don’t know how much you’ve huddled up with him but just talking to other players?) – “Him as a person, he’s quiet off the field, real reserved. But on the field, he’s making calls, making checks, making sure we’re all on the same page. So it’s really everything you look for in a linebacker, all four of those guys. Like every one of them has a thing that they’re really good at and they help each other grow as a group so I’m loving it. They’re great. Their coach is great. I love the way that they’re approaching this defense, it’s really making it easy for me.”
(Going back to the energy on defense, we can see and we can see how fired up y’all get, but what is it like being on the field when that lightbulb is seemingly turning on at the same time for everybody?) – “It’s great. It’s great. It feels great knowing that you have a hold on the offense and right now we’re going against each other so obviously offense-defense, but the opponent, I should say. But yeah, it’s great. I love it. I really do. Playing with energy like that, it just makes the game fun. That’s why I like playing defense.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – July 25, 2024
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Thursday, July 25, 2024
LB Emmanuel Ogbah
(What does it mean to you to be back one day and already get the orange jersey?) – “I came in with a mindset, I want to be better. I want to improve this team, so that’s the mindset coming into training camp.”
(You had to have taken a certain approach during the offseason even though you weren’t with a team to be so prepared. Can you kind of take us through that and your preparations?) – “I mean, I had all the time in the world to get ready, mentally prepare, physically prepare, just to get ready for this season. I didn’t know where I was going to be, but I’m just happy to be here.”
(How did it develop to come back here?) – “It came down to two teams, and I picked Miami because I feel like unfinished business here, so that’s why I’m excited to be back.”
(We heard FB Alec Ingold talking about the defense that from the other side of the ball, the energy is so infectious. Everybody is flying to the ball, everybody playing with each other. Is that something that you felt, even in the two days since you’ve been back here?) – “Oh, most definitely. Just having the conversation with Coach ‘Weav’ (Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver), the energy is different, the team morale is different. It’s just guys want to play for each other, guys are having fun again going out there.”
(Was it tough waiting by the phone for that call?) – “I mean, shoot – I had all the time in the world, like I said, to get ready, so whatever call I got, I knew I was going to be ready.”
(The state – do you live here still?) – “Yeah, so I live and I was training down here, too. So I wasn’t far.”
(What town? Pembroke Pines, Davie?) – “Davie.”
(We saw last year how there were times that you weren’t as active as maybe you would’ve preferred. If I had told you at the end of last season on clean out day, “You’re going to be right back here,” would you have been stunned? What would your reaction be?) – “I honestly wouldn’t have believed it, but I always knew I was going to be back here eventually. Like I said, I have unfinished business here, so that’s what I’m ready to take care of here.”
(What is that business?) – “Unfinished business – we’ll see.”
(In terms of where you fit and how you fit into Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver’s scheme, how much is it different than what you previously played last year?) – “It’s still early and I’m still learning the system, so they’ve got me everywhere. So I’m just learning, taking it day by day and just getting better.”
(Today you were switching sides. Is that something that you hope to do on a consistent basis?) – “Like I said, I don’t have a specific spot, so I’m everywhere on the d-line or OLB, so I’m just ready to play whatever that need is.”
(What’s been your impression of LB Chop Robinson so far?) – “Speed, fast. He’s a good rookie. He’s learning. He doesn’t say much, but he’s always wanting to learn, asking for advice and stuff, so I’m just here to help him out, too.”
(You feel comfortable both with your hand in the ground and standing up?) – “(laughter) I like my hand in the dirt, but I’m ready to do both. So I’m familiar with both.”
Jalen Ramsey – July 24, 2024
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Wednesday, July 24, 2024
CB Jalen Ramsey
(I know this isn’t your first camp, obviously you’ve been through this ride before. But what’s it like for a player like you as you get to camp and just know what’s ahead with Day 1 and moving forward?) – “Just getting back in the swing of things, back in the routine, back with the team. That’s all it is. Yeah, sorry I don’t have anything else for you.”
(What’s your early impressions of working in this Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver defense?) – “It’s been cool. I’ve only practiced in it, what, three days now. It’s cool. It’s different than the defenses I’ve played in the past years which is a good thing, can be a really good thing. We’ve got to grow into it a little more to really give you a good answer.”
(What makes it Anthony Weaver’s defensive system different so far?) – “Well, the scheme is completely different. The scheme is different, the way he wants to call plays is going to be very different. Just some other things that we talk about, but like I just told him, we’ve got to kind of let it unfold before I can really give you an accurate answer.”
(Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver used the words “ultimate chess piece” in talking about you this offseason. What does that make you think, feel? Does that excite you that your defensive coordinator wants to use you in that way?) – “Yeah, of course. That’s exciting. I’ve heard that a few times in my career though, and that’s only really happened a couple times. So like I said, I’ll let everything unfold, and whatever is best for the defense at the end of the day, I’m sure – I hope is what position I’ll be in.”
(Being in that role, when you are in that role and they actually execute it, what does that allow you to do? What do you enjoy about that?) – “It allows me to showcase all of my skill set, all of my abilities. It allows teams to not always be able to dictate where I am. It allows me to be more involved in the game and the gameplan and not get bored out there on the field. Yeah, I think it opens up a lot of opportunities and plays for other people as well when I get to be versatile and do different things.”
(You don’t get bored, do you?) – “Do I ever get bored? (laughter)”
(You know what it’s like to be in a drawn-out contract situation. We saw your Instagram post with QB Tua Tagovailoa…) – “What Instagram post?”
(Or Twitter, I don’t know what it was. ‘Pay Tua,’ I think you had it on your scorecard. What kind of message do you have to him and how can you counsel him through this?) – “Man that’s his business, I don’t really want to get into another man’s business and his pockets. He’s got to handle that however he sees fit, however him and his agent sees fit. Obviously, I love having Tua (Tagovailoa) as a teammate. I love having him as the leader of this team, the quarterback of this team. So selfishly for me and I feel like the team, we all want it to get done. Whether it’s going to bother him or not, I don’t think so. But it could clear his conscience a little bit more and secure some generational wealth for him and his family. So I hope he gets every penny that he’s wanting, and yeah, it is what it is.”
(Are you feeling fully healthy now? And how long did it take when you came back last year to sort of get to 100% and feel that way?) – “Anytime I step on the field, I feel like then I’m fully healthy, otherwise, I just wouldn’t step on the field. Playing the game of football, you’re never at 100% when the season starts. So that’s like not a realistic thing to even say, but I like a 75% Jalen over 90% of the guys in the league. So I’ll take whatever I can get, but yeah, at this moment I feel pretty good.”
(Yesterday, S Jordan Poyer said that from the outside looking in, from an opposing player’s point of view, there was a feeling that if you got on top of the Dolphins, they would fold. That was the word he used, fold. What’s your reaction to that and does this team need to toughen up even more in 2024?) – “I don’t really have a reaction to it. I only played him one time when I was on the Dolphins and he was on another team, so, it doesn’t really do anything for me or move me in any type of way. Also last year’s team is different than last year’s team in a lot of different ways, including having him on the team now. I don’t even think you can really compare it in that way. I guess on paper, which y’all do, you could, but I don’t really look at it that way. We got to – this is Day 1, so we’ve got to build our identity. We got to go through of a lot of things during this camp, a lot of growing pains, hopefully some adversity, maybe even a couple of fights and good things like that to bring us closer. So we’ll see where it leads us.”
(How good can this team be and what are your expectations this season?) – “We’ll see. I mean through the grind, we’ll see how really good, or great, or whatever the case may be, will be. But obviously our expectations going into every season – I think if you asked anybody across the league, they’re going to expect to go out there, put a good product on the field and let that carry over to a lot of wins.”
(When it comes to toughness, either mental or physical, do coaches set the tone for that or do players set the tone for that?) – “I think it’s like an individual thing really. I mean for me personally, I can’t really speak for everybody, but for me personally, there is nothing that a coach can tell me that will make me want to play harder or not play harder. It’s just kind of who I am, in my DNA, that’s my identity when I step on the field. So I feel like I’m surrounded by a good amount of those guys, and the guys who we may be unsure of, or y’all may be unsure of, will hopefully get them to express that during this camp and build on it.”
(From the outside looking it, it seems like you and CB Kendall Fuller have similar strengths in terms of your anticipation and instincts. How is having two guys with those traits on the perimeter really help the defense?) – “I think we both have a lot of more strengths than just that to be honest with you. And again, I don’t even want to compare myself to anybody because I feel like I’m very unique in my own ways, but he is as well. So I guess – I mean we’re both going into Year 9, you can just say that. You can say we are vets and we’ve had some success, but we’re still learning though and we’re still trying to grow as well. These young guys, we’ve got to also keep up with them and do our thing.”
(You guys both jumped a couple of plays, I thought it was pretty impressive earlier out here today. I wanted to ask if that’s something that comes from seeing so many snaps in your nine years in the NFL?) – “Yeah, there were some young guys who were having good plays, too, out there though, but yeah, I would say so. The more you play, the more comfortable you get with the game, the more comfortable you get with concepts and knowing what you want to accomplish within the defensive schemes. So yeah, it comes with it.”
(From your vantage point of the play where S Jevon Holland got flipped over a little, does it look like he’s alright?) – “Yeah, he’ll be cool. I’m sure he’ll take care of himself. He’s a true professional himself, he’ll take care of himself. It’s football, things happen. He’ll be good.”
(You mentioned Year 9, you’ve done a lot in the league. Do you still have any individual goals or things you want to show?) – “Yeah, for sure. Usually I keep all that stuff for myself though, to be honest with you. That’s no disrespect to you, but I just keep that to myself, let that be my internal motivation. And then out here, it’s just really all about the team, like whatever I can do to help the team. But I like to feel like if I’m in the right positions and I do what I’m supposed to do and all that internal stuff and personal stuff I have going on, it’ll benefit the team if I’m doing it at an elite level like I know I can.”
