Kiko Alonso – August 1, 2018
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Wednesday, August 1, 2018
LB Kiko Alonso
(Your thoughts on this linebacker corps now that LB Raekwon McMillan is back in the mix here?) – “It’s good to have Raekwon back. (He’s) out here just working.”
(The defensive line – now that DT Ndamukong Suh is gone – it’s a different look for you back there. What are your thoughts on what they’ve been able to do to get pressure so far?) – “The d-line has done a great job. Between (Davon) Godchaux, ‘Vinny’ (Vincent Taylor), Jordan (Phillips), Akeem (Spence) and obviously you’ve got all the guys on the outside, they’re doing a great job. We’re playing together well, playing good complementary football, the linebackers and the d-line.”
(What is the key for this defense this year? You guys lost DT Ndamukong Suh, you’ve got a rookie middle linebacker, you seem unsettled at one corner. What’s going to be the key to keeping this defense together?) – “I think the key is to go out there every day and give it everything you’ve got and keep working together and playing hard and going out there on the attack.”
(Is communication something you think you’ve improved on back there?) – “That’s definitely something that needs to be at a higher level to get to where we want to be.”
(Is LB Raekwon McMillan making the signals this year? Does he have the headset again?) – “It’s really between everybody just to communicate.”
(I know statistically you guys struggled covering tight ends last year. How do you improve on that?) – “We have to cover them. (laughter)”
(Is that scheme or person-to-person? Is that a coaching thing, a player thing? How do you do that?) – “It’s on everybody.”
(Do you succeed on keeping yourself cool out here given what you wear?) – “Yes, that’s why you see me out here with the least (amount of) stuff as possible. We got kind of lucky today. Those first three days were pretty brutal; but that’s how it is how here, so we just have to embrace it and hydrate.”
(What do the other guys on the team say about the way you dress? Do you get any flack?) – “No. I think everyone understands that it’s hot. It’s more so that I look at the guys out here and tights and they’re wearing long sleeves and I just can’t. That’s impressive. When I see a guy like that, it just makes me even hotter.”
(I think this is now obviously year three for you here. This is the longest you’ve spent with a team in the NFL. Why do you feel like this is home to you?) – “I don’t know. I’ve been fortunate enough to stay here. I’m just going to give everything I’ve got, and everywhere I’ve been, that’s been what I’ve tried to do.”
Andre Branch – August 1, 2018
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Wednesday, August 1, 2018
DE Andre Branch
(You’re a total team pro, so I wouldn’t think coming off the bench would bother you. But was that a conversation you had with Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke or Defensive Coordinator Kris Kocurek after DE Robert Quinn was acquired?) – “I don’t focus on that. I just focus on getting better each and every day.”
(With the things that you’ve worked through, how does it feel to now be out here and be able to go full speed and do all of the things that you want your body to be able to do?) – “It feels good to be healthy for once again. I played half the season hurt and it just feels good to be back to 100 (percent).”
(What was the dark point for you when you’re having to deal with that and you’re not able to perform like you wanted to? How bad did it get?) – “Watching film and knowing that wasn’t you on the film. I watched film and just bending and being able to push up on my knee, it wasn’t there. But I did everything I could for my team. I don’t regret anything, but at the end of the day, you’ve got to be smart about it.”
(Does it heighten the excitement for you this year knowing you’re back and you get a chance?) – “For sure, for sure. I love this game. The Dolphins want me here. I want to be here. My teammates love me. That’s all I can ask for.”
(How much of an advantage does it give you guys to have five quality defensive ends? That doesn’t even include DE Cameron Malveaux and some of the young guys.) – “It’s great. Those are the types of … the reps, like last year when I had to push through things, I probably would have just been like, I’ll sit this one out. We’ve got five dogs and we’ve got some young boys that are coming along. We’re happy about it, very excited about it and we should be fresher at the end of the season.”
(What can this defense look like?) – “It could be very special. We’ve got to work together. We’ve got a long ways to go, but at the same time, we’re getting better each and every day.”
(How would you describe Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek’s coaching style?) – “Awesome. To be completely honest, I’ve always had those type of coaches. Even going back to Pop Warner. I’ve never had a lackadaisical coach. It’s good. He’s high energy, so you have no choice but to be high energy when you come to practice.”
(When were you first able to really get going physically out on the practice field during this recent offseason? How long did it take until you were able to go full speed again?) – “OTAs. I would say OTAs.”
(OTAs you felt back to your normal self?) – “Yes.”
(Last year, when you were hurting, what’s the point where you say, “I need to take a couple of days off of practice?”) – “It depends on the guy. Some guys play through it. Some guys would have just sat down and just ended their season, but I’ve never been that guy. I never want to let my brothers down and that’s why I pushed through it the way I did.”
(Even like taking a Wednesday off to manage things so you’ll be better on Sunday?) – “I think it’s all about communication with the training staff. You communicate with them, they communicate with the coaches, and the rest will handle itself.”
(DE Cameron Wake said the other day he thinks DE Charles Harris is the most improved player on the team. Are you seeing that?) – “He’s a monster. He’s a monster.”
(So DE Charles Harris is a different guy this year?) – “He’s always had talent. It takes time. He was a rookie coming into a program where he’s expected (to do) a lot. He’s a high draft pick. I’ve been there. There’s a lot of things on your shoulders and you’re young, you have no clue what to do and who to go to; but he’s coming into his own.”
(The heat has been nice, but what’s the trick to staying cool? I see guys with water on their head) – “The heat has been nice for who? (laughter) I just hydrate throughout the whole day and at night, and then in the morning. That’s all you can do. If you don’t hydrate, you’ll see guys backing out. And if you ask them, what did they do? They’ll be like, ‘Well, I didn’t drink enough water, I didn’t eat dinner,’ or something like that. You have to eat, you have to drink. That’s the most important thing.”
Tony Lippett – August 1, 2018
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
CB Tony Lippett
(How are you feeling so far this camp?) – “I’m feeling good. I’m just trying to get better every day and compete.”
(What’s the competition like when you have so many guys back there? It seems like everyone is looking pretty good as a defensive backfield right now.) – “It’s a good competition. We’re all learning from each other. We’re all coming out here and competing every day just trying to get better. That’s it.”
(How close to the level that you were in 2016 do you feel like you are?) – “I’m pretty close. I’m feeling pretty good, feeling back to myself, just trying to every day take it one day at a time and just keep going.”
(I talked to LB Raekwon McMillan. He was telling me that you, QB Ryan Tannehill and him were working out and have even been testing each other on 40 times. You had him a couple of times. Is that the first indication that you’re starting to feel like yourself?) – “Yes. We were grinding for a long time. We were always seeing each other every day, just competing against each other. We were out here conditioning and things like that, so we always just keep the competition, keep competing. That just keeps us going hard and going with each other.”
(How nice is it to keep that competitive edge in the room during the rehab process?) – “It’s always good. You always want to be out here on the field. When you’re not on the field, you can still compete and still get better. That’s what we were just trying to do when we weren’t out here. I feel like we got each other better every day.”
(Do you feel any rust coming back or did you shake it off quick considering…) – “I’m just grinding every day. It is what it is. Just grinding, just getting it in.”
(Does it matter whether it’s first or second team? You’re getting a lot of looks from a lot of guys on the outside too.) – “Yes, I mean right now it really doesn’t matter. I’m just trying to continue to get right every day, just come out here with a positive mindset no matter where I’m at and just play and just keep getting better. It’s going to be tough. It’s going to be trying or whatever it is. Just come out here and get better every day.”
(Sometimes when guys come back from an injury, the injury is in the back of their mind for a little while. Are you still at that point, or is it completely out of your mind when you play?) – “I feel like it’s out of my mind. I don’t think about it. I don’t ever question myself out here because I know the hard work I’ve put in through this whole last year, so I don’t second guess myself out here, not when I’m cutting or running or anything like that – jumping. I don’t second guess myself. I just go.”
Albert Wilson – August 1, 2018
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Wednesday, August 1, 2018
WR Albert Wilson
(What’s it like to see your old high school here?) – “It’s awesome, man. I didn’t have the opportunity when I was in high school to come out here and just see how professional athletes prepare for the game, and with the (first) game being so far away and seeing how concentrated they are. I feel like it’s a great job that they get the high schools out here and just get the opportunity to see it.”
(Does it take you back a little bit to your time at Port St. Lucie High School and thinking of your dreams of being in the NFL one day?) – “Yes, definitely. There are still coaches there that were there when I was there, so to see them out here and see (those coaches) still leading them in the right direction, it’s definitely a good feeling.”
(What do you hope they learn out here or see from you out here?) – “Just how to prepare. Just that their dream is possible; coming from the same high school that I did to come here and play professional football. I hope it gives them a little pep in their step of what they want to accomplish.”
(What’s your best memory of the time you spent at Port St. Lucie High School?) – “I had a lot of good memories, man. Growing up and playing football with your high school friends and childhood friends is great. Just scoring a lot of touchdowns. It was all good going back to Port St. Lucie High School.”
(If you could go back and tell the 14-year-old WR Albert Wilson something, what would you tell him?) – “I feel like at 14, I was pretty straightforward and had my mind made up of playing football. Just don’t doubt yourself. There are a lot of times I doubted myself and (wondered) if this was for me or not. I stayed with it and I found out it was for me. (If I were to) go back then, (I’d) just tell myself don’t doubt myself.”
(You’ve been used in a lot of different spots out here. How much do you enjoy moving from one spot to another?) – “It’s great, just being able to get out there, lined up and grind with my brothers. It’s great.”
(Does it matter where you line up?) – “No, it doesn’t. Whatever they need me to do, I’m down for it. (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase does a great job of getting guys lined up everywhere. He’s a great guy. I fully trust him and have faith in him so I pretty much just listen and get lined up where he needs me to be.”
Cameron Wake – July 30, 2018
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Monday, July 30, 2018
DE Cameron Wake
(I know eating right and healthy is a big part of the way you prepare. This offseason, can you tell us if you had a cheat meal, if any? Pizza?) – “At this point, that stuff that you guys call cheat meals probably would make me sick. I don’t even think of it as a cheat meal. I just have changed my life and this is how I live. I didn’t bring it in here but my food is sitting outside right now and there’s a salad in there, some chicken breasts. What else do I have in there? Some zucchini. It’s just, at this point, it’s a lifestyle. I don’t even look for it anymore.”
(What’s the worst thing you ate? Just like one thing, the worst thing. It might be that you ate lettuce or something, but what is the worst thing? A thing you are ashamed to admit to us.) – “I’m not ashamed. I had some wildebeest. I mean, I don’t know if that’s … I would assume that they’re probably fatty.”
(Did you have a Snickers bar?) – “I’m not a chocolate guy.”
(Turning to football, it seemed as though your pass rush, certainly since the pads have come on, has been maybe what was expected last year. Do you feel like you guys are headed this year to where you wanted to be last?) – “I’d like to hope so. Obviously this game is played with pads and as a defensive guy, when you’re allowed to kind of do everything that you are supposed to do when you play football, it changes the dynamic versus when you have on a t-shirt and shorts. You can’t do a lot of things because it’s kind of frowned upon. But now, you can power guys, you can shake and bull, you can do a lot of different things. So, they’re at a little bit more – they have to do what they’re supposed to do. Like I said, when they’re in t-shirts and shorts, it takes away from some of the things that we can do and it changes the game; but it’s probably a little bit of a learning curve, getting back into it. We’ve been in shorts since April 20-whatever, and the offensive side of the ball, I’m expecting them to pick it up as well. We have some work to do on our side as far as communication and making sure everybody is on the same page, but obviously (Defensive Line Coach Kris) Kocurek is very adamant about getting to the quarterback, and I think we can go out there every day trying to make sure we live up to his standard.”
(Do you have a sense of – speaking of Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek because we’ve heard all along that he likes rotation and waves of defensive linemen – do you get a sense of how much that means for you, how much different this year might be than last year?) – “It’s hard to tell now. I think, again, he’s a guy obviously who takes care of veteran players. He, I would hope, knows more or less what I can do; but at the same time, you have to get ready for games. So, is practice going to be a direct reflection of how it’s going to be on Sunday? Maybe not. When you go out there, you have to go out there and make plays. You expect it to be in the game when situations call for it. But at the same time, you don’t want to unnecessarily beat yourself down if it’s not necessary, especially in days like this. I’m a guy who likes to go out there and get after it. We’ve had many talks and I think we’re on the same page as far as how much is too much and when to tone it down and when to turn it up. But again, it’s always a lot of fun when you have to dial it down versus dial it up.”
(Do you think you need a certain amount of snaps in a game to set up the offensive tackle to find a rhythm and a pulse to the game or do you think that you can do it on any play?) – “You have to be ready when your number is called; but again, I like to be in there to get in the flow. Maybe it’s a play where you do set up a play for later. I don’t think that’s going to be a problem with me and coach. If I want to be in there, I can’t see them saying no. (laughter)”
(When you look at the pass rush, do you ever know coming out of camp if it’s in a good place, or does it take the regular season to know that it’s in a good place?) – “You have a sense. I mean, this is always, especially when you put the pads on, this is football. You play in pads and you can’t hide. I don’t care if it’s running backs, linebackers, DBs. At some point, you’re going to be exposed if you’re that kind of guy. I look in our room and I see guys who, they’re that kind of guy who has the mentality to go in there and throw their nose in the fire. So I don’t think that’s an issue, but at the same time, pass rush is not necessarily an individual effort kind of thing. You need the entire group to work together, and that’s the things that you work on every day, building communication, timing, all of those certain things, because we all have to work together to create one single pass rush. One guy can’t win and say ‘alright, I’m going to take care of it for everybody.’ It doesn’t really work that way. As far as knowing where we are, I know the kind of guys we have, and I know there are no sheep in that room. But at the same time, we have to hunt together as a pack, and that’s what we’re working on today and tomorrow and the day after that.”
(To follow up on your thought, how would you describe how well the defensive line group worked together last season?) – “It’s probably water under the bridge at this point. We didn’t reach the goals we wanted to as a team, so to me, as a d-line, it didn’t matter what we did or didn’t do. There’s probably some teams that had great seasons at d-line and didn’t go where they wanted to, and there’s probably vice versa. I’d rather win together and I don’t focus on that anymore.”
(You’ve spent a little time in the training room. Were you around QB Ryan Tannehill enough to get a sense of his rehab?) – “Are you talking about when I was injured?”
(No, just in this last year.) – “I don’t go in the training room. I stay out of there.”
(Did you have any conversation with QB Ryan Tannehill about it?) – “I’ve spoken with him since he’s been around. I think … If you look at him today and you see the way he’s approached the game, the way he’s been playing and all of the things … I’m out there chasing him every chance I get. Obviously he did what he’s supposed to do. It’s always tough when you’ve got to step away from the game for whatever reason. I know it was probably just as difficult for him as it was for any of us; but I know even speaking to him that he wanted nothing more than to get back on the field and do everything he could to get back on the field. I think now is the time to go and … Like they say, ‘(you) reap what you sow.’ The reaping has begun for him and I’m happy for him.”
(You’ve played with a bunch of different defensive ends lining up on the opposite spot. As you think back, how has … Who has been opposite of you impacted how you are blocked as far as one lineman possibly two? For example, was there much of a difference the year you play opposite of ‘J.T.’ (DE/LB Jason Taylor) then maybe some other years and could that work to your advantage this year if DE Robert Quinn gets back to what he was?) – “I think it’s… In essence, it’s true; but I think the way offenses can kind of scheme up ends is a little different than if it was a three technique or some other variations of pass rushers. I’ve seen all kinds of different looks as far as blocking schemes and chips and guards clearing pockets and things like that; but I think when you have multiple guys – it doesn’t matter if it’s an end or not – if there’s a three technique on the backside whose doing a great job, you have to account for that. However they do it, that’s again, an offensive coordinator’s question. There is probably multiple different ways; but I think to give you a general answer, yes it would be greatly beneficial to everybody involved – me included – to have multiple guys who can cause problems for the offense as far as pass rush goes. There’s only so many guys you can put back there. If they’re double-teaming two guys and the other two guys have to win – whoever that may be – if they’re not, still you’ve got to win.”
(Your first reaction when you heard the DE Robert Quinn pickup? Obviously in his prime, he was a defensive end who had 19 sacks in one year. Your reaction was what?) – (Clapping) “Round of applause. The more help, the more the merrier. I’ve never been one to … I want to win and whatever, however many people we can get that’s going to help that happen, bring them on.”
(Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek is a pretty intense guy on the field. His personality, what’s that like for you guys to deal with in the room? Does he have funny times, or do you enjoy being with him?) – “I personally … I love it. I think it’s a man’s game and there is no room for softness, especially the d-line. This is not quarterbacks, this is not receivers. You’ve got to go in there and put your hands on somebody play in and play out. You’ve got to impose your will play in and play out. If there is any chink in the armor, you’re probably going to get weeded out of that room. He’s a guy that’s old school, hard-nosed. He’s demanding. He doesn’t bite he tongue. He tells you how it is. As a man, you’ve got to be able to take it. I’d rather hear the truth. Sometimes coaches will pat you on the back and go upstairs and tell the upper level guys that ‘He’s terrible.’ Tell me to my face I’m terrible and let me figure out how to fix it. If you can’t take that to your face, then I probably don’t want you in my room anyway.”
(Is Defensive Line Coach Kris Kocurek’s voice going to make it through camp?) – “No. It’s already taken a hit. He’s going to have to get some tea or some honey or whatever you guys drink. (laughter)”
(Do any of the young d-linemen stand out to you so far?) – “I actually think Charles Harris has probably had the best offseason, not just any d-lineman but probably anybody on our team. He came back in tremendous shape. He’s obviously been working on his strength. He’s been working on his football and it’s showing up on tape. I think that’s definitely going to pay off when it becomes time to put these live bullets in and get after these quarterbacks. He’s made great strides and obviously the more the merrier, I’m happy for it.”
Bobby McCain – July 30, 2018
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Monday, July 30, 2018
CB Bobby McCain
(That intensity, you pretty much put the pads on, it’s going to come out a little bit. It seems like you and WR Danny Amendola can’t stay out of each other’s grill.) – “One-hundred percent. Like I said, we’ve been going at it for a couple of years now. It’s good, competitive nature. He’s the same guy over there on the offensive side of the ball as I am on the defensive side of the ball – that energy, go get it, try to work hard, be competitive. I’m glad he’s on our side.”
(The best part about it is the fact that WR Danny Amendola dapped you up. After everything was said and done, he came over to you, gave you daps and said ‘Hey, let’s go again. Let’s do it.’) – “One-hundred percent. That’s what we’re about here. We’re not going to hold any grudges. We’re teammates. We’re brothers. We’re going to war each and every day. It’s competitive out here. Like you said, the pads came on. It’s going to get competitive. Like I said, that’s my brother and we’re going to get to it, try to win a championship.”
(The jokes are going to come though when you get into it for the second time.) – “One-hundred percent. I can’t wait to get into the locker room to see what they have to say. (laughter)”
(I think S Minkah Fitzpatrick also got into it. Do you like seeing a rookie not back down from anyone?) – “Yes. Minkah, he’s a good football player. He’s not going to back down either. He’s competitive. Like I said, he has played in some really big games. He knows what it’s about. He’s not scared of the challenge.”
(It’s no coincidence that when WR Danny Amendola goes to line up you’re the first one that jumps up to get out there with him, right?) – “Not at all. Every time.”
(Are there certain matchups where guys are like, ‘I want him?’) – “Yes. Like today, I like to go outside with Kenny (Stills) and get outside. I get my outside reps (with) DeVante (Parker), Kenny and ‘Dola (Danny Amendola). Of course, if ‘Dola is getting up there, I want to be up there.”
(Are you 2-0 against WR Danny Amendola or is it 1-1?) – “It’s 1-1. I’ll be honest with you, it’s 1-1. He got the best of me the first day of one-on-ones. That’s why I came out today and I had my head on right and like I said, my game was tight.”
(You said you and WR Danny Amendola, you told us in the offseason practices you guys are friends now and that you guys are cool. Has that held up through contact and heat and training camp? Still good?) – “One-hundred percent. The pads came on today. Like I said, we’re going to be competitive. We can be best friends, we can be brothers – blood brothers – but we’re still going to be competitive and we’re still going to come out and try to win. He’s going to try to win; I’m going to try to win every day.”
(Speaking of WR Jakeem Grant, he said you guys talk a lot of smack, especially himself and the other wide receivers. They try to get under your guys’ skin. Expound on that a little bit.) – “He’s having a good camp, a good offseason and a good spring. So we try to get in his head a little bit. We call him ‘Mighty Mite.’ He may get a little feisty at times, but he has got a lot of dog in him. That’s what we love about him. He’s got dog in him and I’ve got respect for him.”
(Can you find WR Jakeem Grant in a big scrum like that?) – “No way. There’s no way. He could probably run through your legs if he tried. (laughter)”
(Have you had little rivalries in training camp before like you’ve had with WR Danny Amendola or is this a new level of competition?) – “Yes, me and Jarvis (Landry) used to go at it every day. It’s good, friendly competition. It escalates from time to time. That’s just how it is. We got pads on. We’re all men. Like I said, we’re going to dap up after it’s done and call it what it is.”
(Does that stuff shut off the moment you walk off of the field or is there still maybe a little back and forth in the locker room?) – “No, it’s done. You may give somebody a little something, but it’s just competitive. It’s friendly. It’s nothing. It’s done. When it’s out here, leave it out here. Boom. It’s the next day.”
(Did I see correctly that you were breaking up a fight today?) – “I was. I was trying to, yes. For the first time I think in my life. No, I’m just kidding. (laughter) At the end of the day, we’ve got to finish the practice. Like I said, it’s going to happen. The coaches know it’s going to happen; we know it’s going to happen. We’re coming out and being competitive every day. That’s what we’re about. That’s what this team is about. That’s what this organization wants to bring is coming out and being competitive every day, because if you’ve got guys that are going to be dogs and go out and fight every day and we’ve got a chance.”
(Any chance you hug it out with WR Danny Amendola at the end of this?) – “One-hundred percent. We dapped it up right when we were done. It’s all over with. At the end of the day, we’ll probably come back out … What’s today, Monday? We’ll probably come back out on Wednesday and fight again. (laughter)”
(What’s the best trash talk that WR Danny Amendola has?) – “I’m not sure. I haven’t really felt it yet. I know in the game, we got a couple. But we’re going to keep that to (us). It’s confidential. (laughter)”
Adam Gase – July 30, 2018
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Monday, July 30, 2018
Head Coach Adam Gase
(You guys are in pads today – the first day. Is that symbolic of anything?) – “Not really because the way we practice is the same way we do when we go (with) the uppers. It’s really getting used to carrying all the equipment around and moving around. We have the possibility that we could go live. When we’re in the bubble, it’s really not ideal for us. We’d rather be on the grass when we do that.”
(Going into the bubble, was that a little bit of a downer?) – “There’s nothing we can do. The more we can stay outside, the better.”
(What is it about that bubble that seems to get the juices flowing?) – “Because it’s not 113 degrees in the heat index. (laughter) Guys are not going to get as tired in there as they would outside. The heat drains them and that’s when you usually don’t see too many tie ups and things like that. Everybody is conserving energy for the next play. When you get in there, guys get riled up and it’s festive.”
(When you guys signed WR Albert Wilson in the offseason, you came to the agreement with WR Danny Amendola the next day. What did you tell Albert about the situation he was coming into in regards to Danny also coming?) – “Well, I mean they play different positions. When you have four guys like that, usually it works out the right way to where everybody is getting on the field, getting touches. We’ve really been working on developing the right plan for Albert, because he does have a larger skillset that most receivers have. He did a lot in Kansas City. If you go back and watch his college stuff, he did everything. We’re going to keep working on finding the exact … what his role is going to be and I think that’ll develop over the duration of August. Once we figure that out – how this rotation is going to go – and when we’re going to get what group in there.”
(With WR Isaiah Ford, where is he in his development as a slot receiver?) – “I think he’s done really well from when we started that first spring. He made a huge jump in training camp and then he gets injured. I think he did a good job of staying on all the little details while he wasn’t playing. This spring, he came back. He had more knowledge than what he had before, so he was able to play faster. He had a better understating of really how to get open in that position, how to use the defense’s leverage against him and made a lot of plays in the spring. Now you see him and he’s making plays. We need to keep working on strengthening certain body parts and keeping him healthy. He’s had a little bit of bad luck. It seems like he gets fallen on the wrong way sometimes when those deeper routes, some of those linebackers kind of landing on him. But he’s tough. He keeps going back out there. He wants to be a part of it and he wants to do it right.”
(You see WR Albert Wilson as an outside receiver not a slot?) – “Yes. He’s not a slot. That’s the funny part. Nobody understands. That’s a little frustrating.”
(I don’t understand.) – “He’s an outside guy. When you play inside, it’s a different animal. You’ve got to have a special knack for it.”
(You’ve been through a lot of training camps. How do you know what’s real – the pass rush or the deep balls or a defensive end – how do you what to believe?) – “Sometimes you can tell on tape of there is a good chance he got this off or he wouldn’t. Really, when you got the receiver and DB going, you can tell. It’s pretty clear what’s going on. The o-line/d-line battle, that’s always the one you question. Really, it’s when you get into games, that’s when you really find out the answer.”
(That said, how would you describe what you saw from your defensive lineman today?) – “I feel like they’re doing the same thing every day that they’ve been out there. They’re attacking. There’s great penetration. They’re coming off the edge with … The get off is remarkable. I think (Defensive Line Coach) Kris (Kocurek) has done a really good job of getting those guys … For how hard they work in individual, you wouldn’t be able to tell what they do in individual and then they transfer to team drills, because those guys just bring it. How they pursue the ball, get back to the line of scrimmage, go to the next play, there’s a lot of energy exerted on one play and they just move on to the next one. He has developed those guys. That’s a tough group. They’re really trending in the right direction.”
(QB Ryan Tannehill was talking today about turning 30 and saying it feels like he’s 25. Do you see him as a late bloomer?) – “I don’t know. I mean he has had good seasons in the past. I don’t even know how many times he has thrown for 4,000 yards. It seems like before I got here there were a lot of positives that were going on. I thought he did a good job in 2016 and put us in position to win games. He figured out what was best for us and how to manage the offense and play complementary football with the defense. Last year, we thought we were heading in the right direction and then we lose him for the season. Now, he seems to keep getting better. I guess I look at 30 now and it doesn’t seem – for quarterbacks – it doesn’t … How many guys to we have that are 39, 40 and they’re MVPs of the league?”
(The last two days you’ve worked with the wide receivers. What’s that like for you and how does it help?) – “I don’t know. Every once in a while I just try to get involved somewhere. For the most part, I try to stay away and let guys do their job; but every once in a while, it’s fun for me to go over there. It’s kind of where I got my start in Denver and I always enjoyed that and can talk a little bit to those guys and try to get them going and gas them up a little bit. I don’t know. It’s fun to do it.”
(It looks like WR Albert Wilson may have popped you trying to break away one time.) – “No, he tried to. It didn’t work.”
(Do you need a backup slot behind WR Danny Amendola who is not named WR Albert Wilson?) – “Why are you so stuck on this? (laughter)”
(Didn’t WR Albert Wilson play slot for KC?) – “He played all over the place. He was everywhere. He played outside. He played inside. He played running back. He did a lot of stuff. It’s not that he can’t play slot. He’s really good outside.”
(But you don’t see WR Albert Wilson as a slot?) – “It’s a different spot for our offense.”
(What do you like about WR Albert Wilson out there?) – “I like his speed (and) the way he releases. He’s strong. When you give him locked routes and say, ‘This is what you’re going with,’ he’s good to go with it. He’s the one guy that’s trying to learn all the ins and outs of the offense.”
(What have you learned about CB Xavien Howard over the last week?) – “I think he’s coming along just really on pace with what he did first year to second year. Going to this year, you see his confidence is way up. He challenges everything. He’s aggressive when he’s pressing. I think him going against those receivers, it pays off, because those guys they can be tough and he’s not afraid to get physical with them. I think him and DeVante (Parker) have some really good battles, because it really gets physical between those two guys. It seems like his ability to track the ball, he keeps finding ways to get better in that area. He’s in on a lot of plays.”
(It’s well documented that you’re an offensive guy. We know you have no problem talking smack to the defense. Do you notice when guys emulate your style on the offense talking smack to the defense will all the altercations that happened today?) – “I don’t know. Does anybody talk…”
DE Cameron Wake:
“No. They know better than to do some stuff like that. (laughter)”
Head Coach Adam Gase:
“I think they pick their battles. I think some guys … Everybody has a different personality. For me, I don’t get a lot of interaction with the defensive guys until we get to practice. I don’t always start it. I’m just reacting sometimes. (laughter)”
(Do you like what you’ve seen, like the intensity of WR Danny Amendola going against CB Bobby McCain? Is that a good thing?) – “That’s fun to watch. They’re making each other better, because they compete every snap. Really, that’s what we’re looking for (with) those outside guys and the inside guys. We’re looking for those guys to compete and they’ll find … One guy might have a really good day one day. Bobby is going to come back the next day if Danny had a good day. We just keep seeing a back and forth there.”
Ryan Tannehill – July 30, 2018
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Monday, July 30, 2018
QB Ryan Tannehill
(What is your son, Steel Tannehill, looking like in terms of position?) – “Right now he’s the fun assistant. I don’t know what position he is. He’s the fun assistant, yes.”
(It was scrappy today. Do you like seeing that from some of your receivers like WR Jakeem Grant and WR Danny Amendola?) – “Yes, I mean there’s good and bad to it. You see the fire that some of our guys have and the passion we play with and you love seeing that aspect. You love seeing the competitiveness, the desire to win. You don’t really want to take away from practice and be a distraction and slow down, take away from the greater good. So there’s a fine line. There’s a fine line between going all out and then being a distraction and taking away from what we’re trying to accomplish. On one hand, I love to see it. I love to see the fire that our guys have. On the other hand, it takes away from us a little bit.”
(As a leader, do you kind of express that opinion a little bit when you get back to the locker room?) – “We’ve already addressed it. We addressed it after practice with our offensive guys. They’re on board. It’s a competitive sport. It’s an emotional sport. When you’re going against the same guys day in and day out, little things start to build up and become bigger than what they really are; but that’s just the nature of the business whenever you’re facing the same guy play in, play out, day in, day out. But I like what I see from our guys as far as the fire.”
(Can you give us a couple of examples of things that have pleasantly surprised you with your offensive weapons the last three months whether it’s the rookies or RB Frank Gore’s speed or one of the new receivers. What couple of things come to mind?) – “It’s tough to say. They’ve been good all around for us. Albert (Wilson) has picked up the offense really quickly, as well as Danny (Amendola). It really kind of surprised me how well they just kind of dropped in and got on board with exactly what we were trying to do. It’s not perfect, but no one is. And just the fact that they kind of jumped right in and haven’t really missed a beat has been huge for us. You see the kind of weapons we have in the first and second units right now. There’s really not too many loopholes in there. As far as other guys, Frank, it really surprised me how hard he hits the hole. When he runs downhill, he puts his foot in the ground and he goes. You see it on the tape, but to see it in person, you see a crease that’s a foot wide, barely able to get a helmet through there and somehow he fits his whole body through there and is off to the next level. That’s probably been the most fun thing for me as far as just seeing him put his foot on the ground and go downhill and find a way to get through a crease where it looks like a human being can’t fit.”
(Any early observations at tight end? How ready TE Mike Gesicki looks? What you’re getting from some of the other guys?) – “Gesicki is coming on for us. He’s young; he’s learning. He’s hungry to learn. He has incredible range, and that’s one thing that’s struck me from him so far is just his range. If you put a ball … (he has a) huge radius. He’s got a huge catch radius. If you put a ball anywhere near him, he has the ability to either jump and get it or reach out and get it. One way or the other, he’s going to get his hands on it. That’s been very impressive so far.”
(Obviously you’re not to be touched but when these things are going on, do you ever talk a little smack out as well because guys say they talk a lot of smack. Do you, as a quarterback in the league, do you talk a little bit?) – “Yes, I like to mix it up a little bit. You can’t say too … I don’t really go into the fisticuffs. I don’t go in there throwing hands or anything, but yes, especially with Bobby (McCain). I like to talk a lot of noise with Bobby just because Bobby never shuts up. I like to give it back to him as much as I can.”
(So you expect what’s going on with CB Bobby McCain and WR Danny Amendola?) – “Yes, those guys have a good competitive fire to them. Right after the little scuffle, they went up and dapped it up. That’s just kind of the competitive fire both of those guys have, as well as the professionalism of, ‘Hey, we’re competing. It’s over and we’re ready for the next play.’”
(As far as the back and forth, was it annoying to have to do those push-ups after the one-on-one drills?) – “Yes. I mean ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) made a great play on that one-on-one we had. We had DeVante (Parker) on a takeoff. I thought he did a good job of getting back to the red line. I thought I threw a good ball on the outside, and ‘X’ elevated and got his long arm on the ball. I have to give my hat off to ‘X’ right there for making a good play.”
(You said you talk a lot to CB Bobby McCain. What’s your go-to line to Bobby?) – “It’s never one line. It’s all mixing it up. Whatever the situation is.”
(S T.J. McDonald said that CB Xavien Howard is a lock-down cornerback. Going against him, what are your thoughts?) – “He’s had a good camp so far. He’s physical. He’s long. He’s tall. He has a good feel for when to get his head back to get a hand on the ball. He’s playing well for us so far.”
(Quick thoughts on TE Durham Smythe? We’ve seen him show some receiving ability. He didn’t get a lot of chances at Notre Dame. And RB Kalen Ballage, your impressions of him?) – “With Durham, he’s had a strong start to camp. (Offensive Coordinator) Dowell (Loggains) has pointed out a couple of times to me just his improvement in blocking – his soundness and his fundamentals and how he is improving in blocking. That’s going to be huge for us as we move forward. He just needs to keep improving on that. Yesterday he had a pass route where he got off the ball and was running and flashed. You don’t think of him as a burner or a speed guy, but he got off the ball and was moving. In the quarterback room, we kind of noticed like, ‘Wow, he’s moving on this rep.’ You kind of think of him maybe as more of a blocker, but he does have the speed and athleticism to help us in the passing game as well. Kalen, he’s been good. He’s coming on. He’s a big, strong, physical guy. He runs really hard. We’re moving him around a lot. It’s hard on him right now because we’re moving him out in the pass game. We have him in the backfield in protection and the run game. There’s a lot on his plate right now, but he’s doing a good job of learning and applying himself.”
(How do you feel physically overall five days into camp?) – “I feel great. I feel great. I was telling somebody the other day, I feel like I’m 25, but 30 just sounds old.”
(So you feel soreness, but good soreness? What’s it like for the quarterback?) – “I’m not even really sore. I came in pushing myself in the offseason, throwing a lot, getting ready to go. I was actually pleasantly surprised. Day 2, I came out here and I was kind of expecting a little arm soreness just with the increased load. It’s one of those where you expect to be sore or a little tight and it’s not, you’re like, ‘Oh, all right, good. It’s been good so far.’ Hopefully, I hope to keep it that way as we move forward and the load increases even more; but I feel great so far.”
(After turning 30, where do you think that places you in your career arc?) – “Honestly, I don’t know. I’m just trying to get better. I feel like I have a lot of good football left in front of me and just want to be the best I can this year and we’ll focus on what’s after that then.”
(Did you work with WR Isaiah Ford during when you were battling to come back? Did you guys work together during the rehab process at all?) – “Yes. It was nice to have Isaiah. Unfortunately, he was coming off an injury as well. He was the one guy I could kind of throw to during the rehab process and be within the rules. We had a lot of time together, a lot of good reps and I think it’s showing so far. He’s a talented guy, he’s able to make plays on the ball and he’s doing a good job so far in camp of showing that.”
