Andrew Van Ginkel – August 31, 2023
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(On adjusting to the new defense) – “Obviously none of us have played in this system. So the more you can take in, there’s a lot of different verbiage and terminology that you have to go through. You have to work out the wrinkles within the defense, and I think (Defensive Coordinator) Vic Fangio has done a good job teaching us and telling us different tools that we can use and how to be prepared for games.”
(Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio is like a wealth of knowledge.) – “Yeah, he is. Everyday you can gain something. We meet as a whole defense, so you’re learning defensive line stuff, you learn corner play. You see the big picture and how the defense works and how we all play off each other.”
(How much are you going to relish the challenge of playing two linebacker jobs this year? Is it extra work? Is it something you’re looking forward to?) – “Yeah, for sure. Obviously the more you can do, the more you can help the team. I’m just accepting my role no matter what it may be. Obviously, it’s a challenge. Outside to inside ‘backer is a lot different then going from inside to outside. There’s a lot more information that you have to take in. You get to see the bigger picture of the defense and how the offense is attacking you. It’s definitely helped me learn the defense and have a better understanding of what we’re trying to do and be in the right place.”
(When they called you in March before you signed, did they bring up inside linebacker at the time or did that not come until after you re-signed?) – “That’s something that came up a little later. Obviously, (Fangio) saw something in me and he was an impact in trying to get me back here. Maybe he saw it in me the whole way which is why he wanted me back.”
Mike McDaniel – August 31, 2023
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Obviously things can change. With RB Jeff Wilson Jr., I know Monday, the thinking was that it wasn’t too serious and he could have played. What happened to him or what subsequently was determined to require the injured reserve placement of Jeff Wilson Jr.? And do you expect him back in October or November?) – “Those timelines are individualized and we kind of let the people go through the requisite rehabilitation. Really, it was kind of a sneaky situation for Jeff Wilson because it was a midsection injury compounded by some finger issues. Then really, we just made the assessment that he couldn’t protect himself and really be himself the way we know him to be. Time is the best healer. Knowing Jeff, his true passion in life is to play this game so he’ll do everything he can. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if he would make a return this season. But we’ll let his body tell us.”
(Knowing RB Jeff Wilson Jr. the way that we do, how did he take that news? Was he crushed? Did he take it in stride?) – “I think he understood exactly the thought process. His injuries are not ideal for someone that in their job description, someone’s trying to tackle them every play. I think he just wants to be back on the field himself as the best version of himself, which he’s capable of doing. It’s one of those things that through our conversation, he totally understood where we’re coming from and he’s just focused on when he is back on the field, how he’s going to be prepared, like the true professional he is.”
(How ready physically and mentally do you think the rookie RB De’Von Achane will be when the Los Angeles game comes?) – “We shall see. I think it’s sooner rather than later. In regard to next week, we have four opportunities to sharpen our axe, as it would be. I would expect him to get some prep work before that game. Timelines are always fluid. But with regard to him, I think him and his teammates are very confident in his competitive play and he’s been playing football for his whole life. The good news is he got a ton of reps in the spring and training camp, so I’m not too worried about that with him.”
(Same thing for RB Salvon Ahmed. I know you said he’s day-to-day, but is he on track to be able to return to practice next week?) – “I would anticipate seeing him today in practice, and if not today, if there’s any whisper of a potential setback, then the beginning of next week. We were being very deliberately cautious with him as he has proven his growth on the field, both in practice and the preseason games.”
(And DB Elijah Campbell avoiding injured reserve, are there encouraging signs that he can return sooner than anticipated? And same thing for CB Justin Bethel?) – “Yeah, that’s kind of the reason that they’re not on injured reserve is you’re expecting them sooner rather than later, in the first quarter of the season. Exactly what game, what time, will be to be determined but we feel like they didn’t necessitate any sort of injured reserve consideration after doing our due diligence.”
(Can you talk a little bit about WR Braxton Berrios and what you saw with him throughout training camp and now what you expect out of him heading into the season?) – “I think the league is very aware of him as a returner and he proved to us every practice in his opportunities why that’s the case. From a coaching perspective, what’s been real fun to watch is his development and ascension within the offense. He’s always been a good football player, but at this time in his career, he really understands the timing and spacing of this offense. Especially for a first-year player, I think it did help that he was in a similar system with a guy that I worked with in New York. I think there’s a rapport that has been developed with the quarterbacks and him that makes me excited for the upcoming future. I know he’s excited, as I can see his smiling face every day in team meetings.”
(Was there a factor that stood out in the decision to keep TE Julian Hill over the young tight ends?) – “Yeah, I think it speaks more to what we think about Julian than less of Elijah. I prioritize earning your position at work, and (General Manager) Chris Grier does, too, so that was an intense competition that you get a lot of moments to evaluate. It wasn’t a crazy distinction. Again, it’s not to speak lowly of Elijah. It’s really about Julian’s ability to really come from a small school and develop each and every day to the point that we thought that he earned the trust of his teammates and the coaches of how he competed and how he fit within the team. But that was a close competition. But, again, it’s an inexact science, the whole draft process in general. You can go one or two ways when you’re making those type of decisions and we are steadfast on allowing the players, while they’re here, to make those decisions for us.”
(You mentioned in the past all the clerical, non-football aspects that come with being a head coach. Now that you have a game plan to draw up and get to go put a whistle on and coach football, how pumped are you for the first regular season game next week?) – “It never gets old. You feel that same momentum build just because it’s such a long process. You’re identifying things that you can work on, you’re identifying the people that can best put players in position for success, then you’re going through free agency and the draft, then you’re practicing religiously day-in day-out for this opportunity. So there’s a lot of buildup. Every year, Week 8 feels pretty similar. Every year, Week 1 feels pretty similar. You get used to the habits that come with the NFL grind that is the NFL season. But there’s still that build up. There’s still that unique feeling that you get Week 1 where it’s like, wow, this is this is why you do it. There’s a lot of hours comprised of preparation from a meeting room standpoint, from all the things that are required of an NFL player, coach and team, and then it’s just a culmination of it. So it’s a pretty exciting process that never gets old.”
(A follow up about the locker room. We got in there yesterday for the first time this season. I’m going to assume you like your process of mixing up groups. What did you see either obvious or subtle as a benefit of doing that last year?) – “Well, I thought that every team is different. So I try to look at everything from a clean slate each and every year. And what I did feel from my own really educated guesses, and then from exit interviews from the players is that the desired effect was to intermingle the team to have the team more connected. One of the big things that goes on in the life of NFL player is you’re constantly funneled with your position group to different things during the day. Whether you’re going to a group meeting, and you generally sit next to each other or close to your coach, or then you go to a position meeting, which is just your position. On NFL Sundays, position groups don’t win games. Teams do. So the more that you can get connected to your teammates, the better. If you really accumulate all the time spent in the locker room at your locker, if you accumulate that at the end of the season, it’s a ton of time. So guys know more about each other and that’s kind of the whole idea behind it. You invest in your teammates, while not on (phone) screens. And fortunately there as coachable as you guys are. (laughter)”
(Do you personally do the seating chart or does somebody else?) – “I do.”
(Do you take anything into account?) – “Oh, a lot of things. And what I did learn this year is that there’s not a decision that I can make – it’s like not in my body – to just copy and paste. So there were different things that inspired certain locker room assignments. It was very different knowing all the guys so much better than I did last year. So there’s different impulses and directives that I don’t even tell those guys why. So I think I’ll stop at that.”
(You talked a little bit about RB Jeff Wilson Jr. and RB Salvon Ahmed and RB De’Von Achane earlier. RB Raheem Mostert is the other guy in that room and he’s been pretty healthy this offseason. What have you seen from him as he prepares for a healthier year than maybe he had last offseason?) – “Outstanding focus. I couldn’t highlight a guy in a better light. He’s someone that’s directly heard a ton of noise for months and months and months. It’s almost like every day that it’s loud, you see extra focus, and that epitomizes the journey of an NFL player. We’re in a very fortunate business to be able to do the things we do on the stage we do and be compensated the way we are. However, it comes at a cost, and that’s a lot of people having opinions that directly or indirectly relate to you, and you can’t control that at all. I think the sooner that you open your eyes to that, the better. So to have a guy like Raheem, who I’ve had such a cool journey with, and to watch him work, is the exact thing that you have to do in this business at some point in time. Look, we’re all earning our day to day and not entitled to anything, and he shows exactly that with how he carries himself. I’m so proud of him as a professional. Just another reason why I have such a strong human connection with that player.”
(I know last Sunday you were waiting to inform QB Mike White and QB Skylar Thompson who would be the No. 2 before you let us know, but there’s also some kind of unclear spots in term of left guard, starting safety and cornerback. Have you made decisions? And if so, are you able to share that with us?) – “That’s why we practice. You can look at one of two ways; you can look at it like, ‘Oh, there’s some unclear circumstances with the position,’ or you can look at is as, ‘Well, there’s a couple guys, at least, at those positions that are deserving of one spot.’ So it’s not typically the way you draw it up, but at the same time, it’s not necessarily a bad thing either. Those things, they can go all the way up into the season. There can be rotations, or it can be solidified today, tomorrow, the next week. You just go with the best intent, and we’re fortunate to have a roster of depth. It’s not because there’s lacking in our particular situation that that’s the case. It’s more that there’s competition that’s very, very close, and you want to do right by the team and the individuals.”
(How do you want these guys to approach these next three days off? Do you tell them, “Get off your feet?” Some of the guys said they’re going to keep on working, because they don’t want to ratchet down to ratchet it back up.) – “I think that it’s a balance of both. First and foremost, I want to protect the team, and that goes along the lines of everything. That’s kind of why I use that phrase, because part of protecting the team is to make sure that you’re in the premier spot to go through the rigors of the NFL season, and that’s tailored to each and every person. There are some guys that are worn out earning the job that need the rest. I think that’s player to player, but I think overall, the only way you can kind of surmise that is how your game and where you’re at affects the rest of the team and each and every person within the organization and the fan base. You hold that responsibility in high regard. It’s case by case. Some guys do need to stay off their feet, because of the rigors. Some guys need to stay in shape, because that’s their edge that they’ve built up on and they don’t want to lose.”
Julian Hill – August 30, 2023
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Wednesday, August 30, 2023
TE Julian Hill
(If I were to go to Campbell University for this first time, what would I notice? What would you recommend I do?) – “A lot of trees, a lot of open farms and cows. I recommend that you go visit Campbell University. That’s really the excitement of Campbell. Buies Creek is a long way from Miami.”
(I know you had a couple knee injuries your senior year of high school. Other than Campbell, what do you remember were some of your recruiting options?) – “I had some ACC schools, come C-USA. I played quarterback in high school. I was a pretty highly recruited quarterback. I had some Sun Belt schools. It ended up not working out obviously, so Campbell gave me an opportunity and I ran with it.”
(The background with the Dolphins, at what point did they start showing interest in you? In February or March, did Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree sort of develop a relationship with you back then?) – “Yeah, leading up to the draft, so many frequent teams are calling you. As the draft got closer and closer, that’s when the Dolphins became interested. My agent told me and I thought it was a great fit. I always had my eye on the Dolphins. Nice weather. (laughter) I like their system. I like Coach McDaniel and how he runs things, and of course just getting a chance to work with Coach Embree from who he’s coached in the past, it was a no-brainer.”
(I know that to play in this offense at the tight end position, you need to be an effective blocker. I just told TE Durham Smythe I haven’t studied your blocking film yet. What will I notice? What’s your approach to blocking?) – “I love it. I take pride in being a half o-lineman. (laughter) I love the trench warfare or whatever you want to call it. Whatever name it has, I love getting physical and I think that that’s where it allows me to buy time to develop my route running. A lot of guys – you’ve just got to be willing and have a willingness to block and I have that. I love to show effort in the run game. I love to get physical, like I said, and I think that’s the beautiful thing about it.”
(From a receiving standpoint, what tight ends do you think you might have a similarity with and that you’ve studied on tape with similar games?) – “I like the Jets’ Tyler Conklin. I just like him. We’ve got a similar style of play, same size. I like watching Tommy Tremble from the Panthers, just his mindset. He was a young guy as well, same size, and how he gets in and out of breaks. Of course, George Kittle – he’s the one who was a superstar in this type of offense. How he gets up field, how he slashes the defense, all of those types of things. Those three guys are the main guys that I take a look at and take notes on.”
(What’s something that Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree has said or shown you that really stands out? Like every time you’re out there, you kind of have it in the back of your mind.) – “It’s a mindset. Everything you do is a mindset. He preaches that. He doesn’t like when we don’t have that mindset going onto the field. Really that’s the only thing. He preaches it in the film room, he preaches it on the field – mindset, mindset, mindset. So mentality.”
(This locker room, this team and this organization has track record of adding undrafted free agents who have a lot of success, such as CB Kader Kohou who used to be there. DT Brandon Pili has made it, which is good for him. Did you feel like a long shot when you first got here?) – “Of course, definitely. (laughter) I knew since I walked into that meeting room, I understand I’m at the bottom of the depth chart, but I knew it was an opportunity. That’s all I needed, just a (foot) in the door. Every single day I’m going to continue to work hard. I’m just honored that they decided they want me to be one of the pieces, and I know every day, it’s an interview every day. So I’m willing to take that on.”
(How did you find out that you had made it? Did anybody say something to you? Did General Manager Chris Grier?) – “Yeah, it was Coach ‘Embo’ (Jon Embree). It was the day after the deadline, he told me congratulations. A lot of other guys, a lot of older teammates that have been around here came up to me and said, ‘Congratulations, can’t wait to work with you throughout the season.’ It was just a big moment. God is good.”
(Is it happiness? What sort of emotion is it to make it as an undrafted rookie?) – “It’s huge. It’s huge. I called my coach from Campbell because nobody has even done it from Campbell before. It’s just an honor, like I said, just to be one of the pieces of the puzzle. I’m really excited to chase this ring with these guys and earn it every day.”
(What did Campbell do to prepare you for this opportunity?) – “Humble me. (laughter) ‘Coach Mint’, Coach Mike Minter, he played in the league for 10 years. Just knowing his mindset, he played for the Panthers, the mentality he had, what it takes to be an NFL guy, he kind of molded that into me while I was at Campbell.”
Brandon Pili – August 30, 2023
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Wednesday, August 30, 2023
DT Brandon Pili
(Who told you you were on the 53? Did Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark tell you, somebody else?) – “I’m trying to remember.”
(Did anyone tell you? Or you just showed up and they told you, you were going to stay?) – “I just showed up, came to the team meeting and Coach Mike (McDaniel) came in front of the whole team and just told us congratulations, this is who we’re rocking with.”
(What did that feel like?) – “It was the best feeling in the world. You can’t duplicate it. Just a lot going through my mind. Just happy and appreciative that they gave me a chance.”
(Is it like a badge of honor when you come in as an undrafted free agent and make the final 53?) – “I kind of don’t see it that way. Obviously the NFL is a business. They’re looking for somebody to replace you every day, so it kind of just helped motivate me even more to keep going and keep pushing and keep getting better.”
(What do you think you showed this camp?) – “I just came to work. I just came and put in the work. Yes sir, no sir. The coach told me to be low maintenance, don’t be a high maintenance guy. So I think that combined with the stuff I did on the field is really what helped me kind of get here.”
(What was it like walking into that room not knowing?) – “It was nerve-wracking. It’s a big day for everybody in the league and you hate to see the guys you shed blood, sweat and tears with have their dreams ended or go somewhere else. But it’s just a blessing. It’s an honor to be here.”
(What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned whether it be from Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark or Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio or any of your coaches?) – “I’d say 80 percent of the game is mental. How you prepare for it mentally, how you get your mind right every day to go out there and practice.”
Chris Brooks – August 30, 2023
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Wednesday, August 30, 2023
RB Chris Brooks
(How does it feel to make the official 53-man roster?) – “It feels great. It’s a blessing to be here. I want to be a great teammate and do whatever I can to help this team.”
(Who told you? Was it Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Eric Studesville, General Manager Chris Grier, that you made the 53? Was there someone who told you?) – “I just walked into meetings and came in and they said congratulations fellas. I just assumed I was on the 53.”
(I know DT Brandon Pili was saying Coach Mike McDaniel was saying “this is our group.” Did it really resonate with you that you made a NFL team?) – “For sure. Then again, you have to take every day one day at a time. The most important day is right now. Just be present and do whatever I can to help out and get better.”
(When you woke up yesterday, you thought what?) – “I thought that I hope I have a good day at practice today and do whatever I can to get better at something today.”
(It would have been very human to think, there are five really good veteran backs in this room. How am I possibly going to make the team? Tell me did that thought ever go through your mind in the dog days of training camp?) – “No. I thought more in a day-to-day mindset. I feel like if you look too far ahead, you get really anxious and get kind of nervous. I just thought, ‘What can I do today to get better?’ and ‘How can I learn from these guys?’”
(Can you take us through the entire journey of not getting drafted, that low, to the high of yesterday’s news?) – “I feel like not getting drafted, I wouldn’t really look at is as a low. I would say it’s an opportunity. It’s an opportunity that not many guys I have. I can either take advantage of the opportunity or I can just let it go to waste. And I chose to take advantage.”
(What was it like when you weren’t getting those opportunities in the team drills and then had that 95-yard touchdown that day and eventually got more involved?) – “I think that the mental reps were just as important as the physical reps. I think that was probably the most important aspect of all this is taking advantage of those mental reps. Almost like I’m in it, getting those reps right then. I think taking advantage of those was a very big deal because anybody can get those same reps on game day.“
(Prior to the Dolphins calling and General Manager Chris Grier giving you an offer, did you have any relationship at all with Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Eric Studesville from March through April? Or was there anyone with the Dolphins that tried to cultivate a relationship with you pre-draft?) – “No.”
(So was it a surprise when the Dolphins called and offered?) – “I would say so.”
(And you picked Miami why?) – “It’s a great spot. I get to learn real football from ‘Coach E’ (Eric Studesville). He’s a great coach. I’m blessed.”
(Did he call you that night when they made the offer, that third day of the draft? Or had you not really talked to any Dolphins coaches by the time you agreed to terms?) – “I hadn’t really talked to anyone.”
(Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Eric Studesville has coached for a long time, coached a lot of good running backs. What was the most important thing you were able to learn from him?) – “The most important thing I’ve been able to learn from ‘Coach E’ (Eric Studesville) is learning conceptual football and breaking it down to a foundational level. I think once he breaks it down to a foundational level, we’re able to learn, read and do things when we play football.”
(What did you feel was most important to show Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Eric Studesville and show Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “Just to show them that I love being a great teammate, I love to work and am here to get better.”
(Had you been to South Florida before signing with the Dolphins? Did you have any Miami connections at all?) – “We played the Hula Bowl down here before. That’s in Orlando. I don’t know if that is near here though. Probably not. That’s the only time I was in Florida though.”
(So you’ve basically made home the Dolphins facility the past few months?) – “Yeah, since May. Since rookie minicamp.”
(You definitely have a lot of skills. What would you point to is your skill that you feel best about coming into the NFL?) – “Coming into the NFL, I thought my skill was physicality. I probably feel the best about that. I’m working on branching off and getting all the other skills.”
(What’s the best reaction you got from a relative or friend over the news from yesterday?) – “They were really happy and congratulating me. I thought that was great to have that love come back to me.”
Chris Grier – August 30, 2023
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Wednesday, August 30, 2023
General Manager Chris Grier
(Opening statement) – “Hope the people are safe up north and prayers to people affected by the hurricane. Just make sure they stay safe, be smart and our thoughts are with them.”
(No GM has made more impactful moves on the trade market in the last year and a half than you. You’ve put together a good roster. I was curious about this – the AFC is so loaded. There are like, 10 or 11 teams that can say, “we think we’re a playoff team.” I’m curious, did you and Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen Ross and Vice Chairman, President and CEO Tom Garfinkel and Head Coach Mike McDaniel discuss the question of do we have enough or do we have to be desperate to acquire yet another Pro Bowler, especially after CB Jalen Ramsey was injured? Because clearly there was a point you would not cross or were not in desperate pursuit with the available guys in recent weeks like Dalvin Cook and Jonathan Taylor. It was never the desperation stage. So why did you all decide not to be desperate? Is it because of cap consequences or because you feel like you have a championship-caliber roster as constituted or a little bit of both?) – “I think we feel good about the roster we have. We like the players on the roster. Yesterday was an exciting day with the 53 and we’re still working through the practice squad additions. But when you build a team, like we’ve always talked, you look long term, short term. So yeah, we’re always aggressive to do it, but we’re also going to be mindful and (Senior Vice President of Football and Business Administration) Brandon (Shore) and (Director of Football Administration and Strategy) Max (Napolitano) do a great job as we talk through things salary cap-related. So for us, we’re able to do a lot of moves, we can do moves or not, but you’re also aware of your roster. Like we’ve been consistent in saying, we feel good about our running back room. I think it showed in the preseason. Those guys have done a nice job. Mike (McDaniel) has always expressed confidence in them as well as myself. So for us, again, my job is when players are available, whoever they are, whether it’s a Pro Bowler, journeyman on the streets that’s bounced around, we’re going to talk to people, make calls and do it. And so for us, we felt good about the roster and very fortunate to have Steve (Ross) and Tom (Garfinkel) allow us to be aggressive at times we want to do it.”
(Do you believe this roster is talented enough, good enough to compete with the best of the best in the AFC? Even with the caliber of Kansas City, Buffalo, Cincinnati?) – “I do. I think we compete with them. It’ll be to be determined this season, but we do. We feel good about the players. Mike (McDaniel) and the coaching staff do a fantastic job. I think this group is a very close group that’s focused. They’ve had a great camp in here and working together. It’s a very close unit and it’s fun to be around them, and they enjoy being around each other. And I think that’s always a big key when you’re building a team.”
(How close did something come to happening with the Colts? Just please tell us everything please.) – “Why don’t you just ask Mike’s (McDaniel) daughter? She’ll tell you. (laughter) No, it’s like everything like I just talked about. Chris (Ballard) is a friend of mine. We’ve had conversations. And again, it was a lot of exploratory talks. I can say there was no exchange of offers from either one of us. It was just general talks. So a lot of the stuff reported, I could tell you guys that 95 percent of it’s wrong. So we’ve had some discussions, but it’s no different than any player that’s ever released or available that we know about and have a discussion with the GM about it. Chris was very professional as he always is, and so in terms of being close or anything, there was nothing really close.”
(Can you talk about your level of frustration with the CB Jalen Ramsey injury because this team and this offseason look a lot different with a healthy Jalen Ramsey out there on the field?) – “Jalen (Ramsey) has made an impact since he’s been here. He’s been fantastic in the room with the young guys, even the veterans, just his energy when he’s around. I mean, you guys have seen him, he comes around still when he doesn’t have to, watching practice, standing on the sidelines. He’s been fantastic. Obviously his talent on the field we miss, but it’s also an opportunity for these young guys to step up and make plays and so we’re excited for the guys in the room and they’re going to hopefully take advantage of their opportunity and hold the fort until Jalen is back here at some point this season.”
(And when do you guys think he’ll be back?) – “I don’t want to put a timetable on it, but we do expect him back this season.”
(You said 95 percent of what was reported is inaccurate, so I got to ask you. Did the words “Jaylen Waddle” come out of Indianapolis Colts General Manager Chris Ballard’s mouth?) – “Again, I’m not going to go into discussions that were talked about with stuff, but man, you’re a dog on this. (laughter) But yeah, Jaylen Waddle would not be available to anybody. It wouldn’t matter who they called about.”
(Where do things stand in regards to contract talks with DT Christian Wilkins? Just given the nature of the cap situation you guys are in, you’re projected to be $30 million over the cap in 2024. Is that feasible at this point?) – “I would say where we are today and where we are in March is always dramatically different. As you watch every team around the league, there’s some teams $100 million over and all of a sudden, they find a way to get under. So I’m not worried about that. Again, like I said, Brandon (Shore) and Max (Napolitano) do a fantastic job and we have a lot of discussions on not just short term, but long term. We have a lot of good players coming available, not just Christian. But we have a lot of guys here in the pipeline here over the next couple of years that are going to be expensive players. But in terms of Christian, we’ve had a lot of great dialogue with him and his agent. Very positive. We made an offer that we thought was fair. And there’s times when you do things like that, it has to work for both sides. So there was never any ill-will from each side. I’ve had a lot of great communication. I enjoy his agent. We have good conversations. For right now, we’re going to hold off until, in my mind, at the end of the season, because I don’t think it’s fair to distract Christian from his goal of what he wants to achieve and for the team.”
(Is this situation the same with QB Tua Tagovailoa? The last time we asked him, he said there hadn’t been any contract talks beyond the fifth-year extension. I’m assuming that’s still the same. What’s the philosophy on the wait and see play right now?) – “I just think for him, it’s just letting Tua play. Again, those things can be a big distraction. You have family, friends, you guys, everyone constantly asking about it. His agents and I have had discussions, just general but not really about that. We just kind of agreed let’s just let him play out the season and then we’ll attack that in the offseason.”
(Whether with DT Christian Wilkins or QB Tua Tagovailoa, there’s been deals in those position groups with other teams. How much do those factor in whether in negotiations or the pressure to appease a player given his peers might be…) – “It’s always tricky when you do negotiations and you’re always honest. And I think people around you can say we’re not cheap on how we handle stuff. So, we do great structure. Brandon (Shore) does a great job in his job. And as we talk through things, our relationships with agents are always very good. So yeah, when you look at things around the league and where contracts are, I think that’s just kind of what the market is, and then you kind of use that as your parameter. But I think all deals are unique and different from who the individuals are. So that’s why there are always nuances to getting the deal done to where both sides feel good about it.”
(The two trades that you did pull off yesterday, how did those evolve? What can you say about CB Noah Igbinoghene, who was your first-round pick, and now getting a change of scenery?) – “First, with Dan Feeney, we signed Dan here to be our backup center. So we were excited to have him and it just happened to be an opportunity when Chicago reached out, and so he has an opportunity to go play. I guess they’ve had some bumps and bruises on the offensive line. So for us, Dan did a great job here. He’s got some personality as you know, with the mullet and mustache. He’s a good dude. I was happy for him. He’s from Chicago, so it worked out for him. And then in terms of Noah, Vic (Fangio) here as we’ve been going, we’ve been kind of looking for another nickel player. And so I did some searching around, talked to Dallas, and then they called and they asked about Noah because they need some help on the outside, I assume. We don’t really go into each other’s needs. But for us, the chance to add Kelvin (Joseph) as a guy that can play inside and out but has played the nickel and did in the preseason here well – and he’s played special teams, which was something we needed. It was tough. Noah has worked hard here since he’s been here. He’s had ups and downs, but he’s a competitive kid. I’m so proud of him. He won us a game last year with a big pick on Sunday night to end the game. And making the transition from receiver to corner is not an easy thing for a kid. He was so young, I think 20 years old when he got here. So I’m happy for him. We were both a little sad leaving, but I’m very happy for the opportunity for him because they really wanted him, so I’m excited for him. And we’re excited to have Kelvin.”
(Why were the three quarterbacks you have on your roster the right three for this team? There were obviously some options you had out there on the waiver wire.) – “Yeah, I think, first of all, that room, it’s a very close room. The three of them get along extremely well. They support each other, they push each other, they communicate well with each other. I think that’s a big part of it. I think Mike (White) has done a good job operating the offense as well as Skylar (Thompson). I think some of the familiarity with obviously Skylar, helps being here. This is his second year in the system. But Mike’s done a nice job coming in here as well and supporting Tua (Tagovailoa). So for us, we thought it was the right group to keep those three.”
(Regarding your offensive line, you pretty much have the same group of starters as last season. T Terron Armstead is a year older with one more surgery on his body. Where are you counting on improvement coming from with this unit?) – “With the offensive line, we’re happy with it. I think you’ve seen the progress from the last two years with the fundamentals and the teaching in this offense in the preseason. In the run game, they’ve done some good thing. Pass pro(taction). So we’re excited for the guys with the group we have here, the 53. Like anything, we’ll always keep looking here and on the roster, but we’re very happy with the guys here. Coaches are very happy. So I think this is a group that we feel we can win with and we’ll continue to just keep building and working.”
(On the offensive line, what did T Kion Smith show to make team?) – “Kion, small college, HBCU, and then worked hard. He came here and needed a lot of work. (He was) very raw in everything he had. He just puts his head down and grinds every day. He’s gone and worked each year and battled to where he was on and off practice squads, back-and-forth. Then this year, I think the second year in a system helped him a lot. But it’s a testament to him and his work ethic, how he’s done, because he just comes in and grinds. ‘T-Stead’ (Terron Armstead) was talking about how he just loved his effort and how he approached every day. He just wants to be better. He loves ball, loves being here. I was very proud of him and happy for him to make the team.”
(CB Jalen Ramsey, OL Robert Jones and DB Elijah Campbell, are they all injured reserve bound?) – “No.”
(I’ve got a guess; OL Robert Jones is not?) – “Elijah Campbell is on the active roster.”
(Can you help me understand the rules on the two guys that were placed on injured reserve yesterday? Are TE Eric Saubert and DB Keion Crossen, according to the rules, could they technically injure-settle and return to the club at a later date? Is that an option?) – “Keion Crossen yesterday suffered a freak injury. He’s out for the year, to let you guys know. Then Saubert, we’ll wait and see here what happens.”
(I wanted to ask you about TE Tanner Conner and WR Robbie Chosen. Are you bringing them back to the practice squad? How tough of a call were those two in particular?) – “We’re still working through it. Tanner (Conner) is back. With Robbie (Chosen), because he’s a veteran and he has options, we’ll see what happens there.”
(I was curious with the NFL changing from three cut-down dates to one, how that changed this for your process? Because it seemed like there were some decisions that really did come down to the last minute.) – “It’s an interesting one, just because like I said, I’ve been doing this in the scouting room since 1995. We’ve always had the three multiple cut-down days before you go from 90 to 75. We said now it’s weird, we have 90, and you talk to every GM around the league, we’re like, ‘We don’t have enough players. Everyone is hurt all the time.’ (laughter) When I started in New England with (Bill) Parcells, it was a different time, different era. Guys were like, ‘Oh, you’re hurt, are you? OK.’ And the guy is out there limping, and you’re like, ‘What’s this guy out here?’ These kids are tough. They work hard. And I do think it’s a credit to the NFL and all the safety stuff we’re doing to make sure these guys have the best healthcare they can in this tough game. It does make it hard, but with 90 players, we need the 90 players to get through the three preseason games. Because if you had to go down to 75, I think it’d be a challenge for a lot of teams to get through it.”
Mike McDaniel – August 29, 2023
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Why the trade with CB Noah Igbinoghene to Dallas? Did he need a new start or was this to get a new body in here? What was the thinking there?) – “That was something that we definitely weren’t chasing; we were approached with. There was some interest there. Really, regardless, it wasn’t planned. It wasn’t a situation where we were really exploring the idea of not having him on the roster. But when given the opportunity and our specific team with our specific needs, we thought it was both a win for us. I’m so happy for and really proud of Noah because everybody wants to be a first-round draft pick. As a 20-year-old, that sounds cool, but there’s a burden with that. What you’ve seen is a guy grow as a player and as a person. I think being able to be 23 years old and go to a place with a fresh start, specifically with a guy that I’ve worked with in Dan Quinn and just knowing his coaching mentality, I think it’s a good fit for them. I think it’s a good fit for us. That’s how deals are done.”
(DB Keion Crossen and TE Eric Saubert going to injured reserve. I just want to get clarification, does that end their season without the possibility to return?) – “Those are things that you kind of figure out as the week progresses because of the multiple implications within the roster. But it was in both of those players’ interests, with regard to their injury, to go ahead and do that. Later in the week, I think it’s Wednesday night or Thursday, we settled the designated for return players with the accompanied movements.”
(We thought you had to wait until…) – “I can’t remember. Again, why are we even here? The Chris Grier show is tomorrow. (laughter) I stay in my lane. And honestly, I told you guys it’s the worst part of the year. Yeah, I short-changed that. There’s a lot of people that we’re all very close to that our journey together may or may not have ended. So, excuse me if my timelines are a little foggy.”
(I wanted to ask you about trading away OL Dan Feeney. What went into that decision and as of now, who is the backup center to OL Connor Williams?) – “That was another situation, we had a couple that kind of came to us. I think me from a human being standpoint, in this situation as well, knowing Chris Morgan, the offensive line coach, I kind of knew that it was an opportunity that would be good for him and good for us with the return compensation. In terms of the backup center, you guys always sit here and tell me, what’s the big deal about OTAs? Do you remember there was a center every play? (laughter) The first guy’s up to be working on that and who have been training since OTAs and got invaluable reps throughout will be Liam Eichenberg and Lester Cotton. We have a good core of players in the interior and adversity is an opportunity, so remember that next OTAs.”
(You know about, obviously, the long winding road in your career. Do you impart any of that on these guys when they’re let go and talk to them about that stuff?) – “When it’s appropriate, I think it does come up, for sure. Just because they get beat over the head with, ‘Adversity is an opportunity,’ and that’s where it comes from for me, is living experience of those things. I think to be an effective coach, you have to embark on each individual player’s journey, and when you do that, it’s very easy to understand. The first time that I ever got let go with the Houston Texans, viscerally, I’ll never forget, I had been on a team my whole life, and then I remember walking out of Reliant Stadium like, ‘Wow, who am I?’ And that identity, although a player’s experience is different than a coach’s, I think there’s a commonality in that, which is why it’s very emotional and very, very difficult for me in these times because I know exactly what that is. You wake up – I mean, you are embarking on an invested journey that your mind is goal-oriented to be on the 53 (-man roster) for the Miami Dolphins, and then boom. Now what? I don’t wish that on anybody. It’s uncharted territory. The unknown is like one of the greatest sources of stress – it’s science. It’s been studied. And it is a feeling that I don’t wish on anyone. However, I do feel like there are certain times that it’s very, very appropriate to share that with guys, because you can see it on people’s faces, ‘I didn’t even see this coming,’ or ‘What do I do now?’ It’s brutal. So it comes up, I think that’s an important part. It’s not about living exactly in someone’s shoes; it’s being able to connect experiences that might render residual feelings that are similar. So again, I mean it, this is brutal. There’s more than 53 deserving people to be on this football team, but there’s only 53 spots. I pressed upon the locker room today, like part of your grieving of your brethren that isn’t here is doing right by them because they sure wish they were.”
(As it stands, I believe you only have three safeties on the 53-man roster, and S Brandon Jones really hasn’t practiced much. Are you comfortable with that? With the post-cut down day kind of roster shelf thing with IR, do you anticipate adding another safety?) – “I think it would be safe to say that you don’t feel completely safe with too little safeties. There’s a lot of ways now that your roster can be set up with regard to, since the COVID year, the 16-player practice squad and the flexibility and things of that nature. So there’s some depth issues that will be solidified by some practice squad members, maybe some active activity. I mean, shoot, tune in for the Chris Grier show tomorrow. Who knows what you’ll find out? (laughter)”
(How stressful is it from the organization standpoint when you make a move today, and you’re hoping that you can get a guy through waivers, or you’re hoping that a guy will be available tomorrow or down the line?) – “You can’t make moves under any sort of assumption. Either way, you have to be very, very calculated and knowing that you’re taking a risk, and that’s inherent in all of it. It’s bittersweet, because you’d love to have additional players, specifically the guys that you’ve been with that know your system and you’re invested with. However, teammates, the organization itself, you can’t spend too much time getting down for someone’s dream to be realized. So it’s conflicting. It is measured and calculated, but it comes with inherent risk. I’m very much the optimist, but I just flip the role in these situations. I kind of turn to a pessimist with regard to just very ready for that to happen. That’s a real thing. Players aren’t really a secret that much.”
(Can you talk about the three undrafted rookies to make the team, DT Brandon Pili, TE Julian Hill and RB Chris Brooks and what they showed you?) – “So that is the journey that is the hardest, most difficult to navigate that really exists. You go zero to 60 from college to professional, and then you get here, and you’re stacked underneath guys that have been doing it professionally in the scheme or on the stage for an extended period of time. It can look insurmountable. Especially, you have your first rookie minicamp and you’re like, ‘Man, I’m pretty good.’ And then you get to a practice with your whole team, and you’re like, ‘Whoa.’ So undrafted free agents that are able to make a 53-man roster, that in and of itself is such a monumental task that so few people can undertake, promised nothing, and really just behind the eight ball. It’s like if I went to a foreign country, could I speak fluently in a month and a half or however long? That’s tough to do. But every year, there’s certain guys that you’re really trying to find that have that mental fortitude to really accomplish something like that. Very huge accomplishment that really all the teammates really appreciate. You want to see an excited locker room? It’s seeing an undrafted rookie free agent on the 53 (man roster), because most of the time, they’re breathing a sigh of relief because if they’re even in consideration, they’ve made waves in practice and in preseason games. To see that that goal, all of their $5,000 or $10,000 signing bonus, and just really doing stuff for the right reasons and learning fast, it’s a cool process for everybody involved. A lot of respect given to those three and many other rookies that hopefully will join us.”
(Last week when we asked about Jonathan Taylor and you were trying to tell us not to read between the lines, but was there ever a point that you thought it might happen? Or is it always just something that was not attainable?) – “Honestly, I spend zero time except when I answer questions about it. When I can half see your face because your phone’s covering the rest of it. (laughter) It’s again structured that way for a reason. When things are serious enough, it comes to my plate. But when you’re very happy with the players that you’re coaching, know that they’re capable of making a ton of plays, and you have a lot of guys that you’re going with on a journey, just trying to get them better every day, I spend zero time thinking or forecasting. I’m just trigger ready if Chris (Grier) comes knocking on my door for whatever reason. But that hasn’t been a part of my life really since you’ve asked me.”
(You told us you asked WR Tyreek Hill about acquiring CB Eli Apple. If Tyreek would’ve said no, would you guys just move on and would that be the case for Jonathan Taylor, or would that be the case for any other high-profile player you might attain?) – “I think you hit the nail on the head. That’s something that is important to me. That Eli Apple example is a great one, where when you’re adding someone to the team, you want to know it’s residual effect on the team because when you’re adding a player to the team, it’s about the team. So when there’s questions that are obvious, or maybe pseudo not obvious, there are position coaches on our team, the personnel staff, the training staff, the strength staff, and our jobs are to invest in these players. And when you invest in people, you can learn a ton about them, especially when you’re not on your phone. And, in that, if there’s something that you can connect dots to, shame on me if I enter into something that might shake the locker room up in an adverse way. That’s kind of our jobs, as Chris and I look at it, to build a team, coach a team, and make sure the team is as good as it possibly can be. So things like that always factor in.”
(Earlier when we were talking about getting released from a team and that feeling of not being a part of a team, someone who went through that was here a few minutes ago, DT Zach Sieler. And now you saw him get rewarded the way he did. Can you describe your feelings about seeing him get rewarded and why he was able to overcome the way he did and be an important part of the team?) – “The absolute climax of the coaching experience. It is everything because to watch someone go to sustain what that is, that body blow to be released from a team, to battle against the human nature that is, am I good enough? The fortitude to keep pressing forward for the right reasons. The belief it takes in oneself. All of that, and to see someone come out the other side, we’re so fortunate to have Zach and we were so fortunate to be able to extend him for three years. And there’s one thing you know with guys like that. Every piece of the pie was earned and that is a testament, a living testament, that we have in house now. It is a great example of perseverance that you can always resource and point out. I brought it up the other day. I think my last team meeting with the 90-man roster, is before you go into a world where this is all or nothing, I asked Raheem Mostert how many times have you been cut? Zach Sieler, how many times you’ve been cut? And that’s everything, because you don’t go through this this world of NFL football unscathed and it’s not a coincidence that I say adversity is an opportunity every two minutes because it’s always there. But if you can control what you can control, you have a chance to be the best version of yourself and live after football with no regrets.”
Jaylen Waddle – August 29, 2023
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023
WR Jaylen Waddle
(We haven’t seen you at practice for about a week or two. Are you all good to go for Week 1?) – “Yeah, I’m feeling good. Me and the medical staff talked, and they’re doing a good job monitoring me and doing stuff like that. But feeling good.”
(The expectation is you’ll be there Week 1?) – “Yeah, it’s always the expectation to go out and play.”
(QB Teddy Bridgewater wore No. 50 in preseason, but now he switched his number to 17. Do you think that’s an ode to you?) – “No, Teddy is OG. (laughter) I liked him rocking that 50, though, it’s pretty funny. Especially the meaning behind it, being in Detroit and stuff like that. But no, I think he just got one of the best available numbers and stuff like that, for real.”
(I know Head Coach Mike McDaniel had mentioned he had to slow you down out in Houston, hometown, you wanted to practice there. Where are you as far as doing stuff on your own, running and whatnot?) – “Pretty solid. I think our training staff and the coaches are doing a good job of monitoring me, really taking a little incident serious and stuff like that. But like I told them, I’m feeling good. They’re doing a good job of communicating with me, letting me know what to do and what not to do and things like that.”
(How do you balance that from a player perspective? You have the coach saying, “Hey, don’t go,” and you’re like, “Man, I can battle through something like this.” How do you mentally turn yourself down when you want to go?) – “I think just trust, trusting that they know what they’re talking about, knowing what’s best for me and my body, knowing I’m one of the guys that likes to go out there and play and compete. So really just trusting them.”
(It was just reported by ESPN that Jonathan Taylor will not be traded today. He’s going to miss the first four weeks of the season on the physically unable to play list. My question is about the backs that are here, maybe up to six of them I saw out there today. What do you think about the running back room?) – “Oh, I love them. They bring a different dynamic to the game. Each and every one of them has a different style of play I think really helps in the running game and ultimately pass game, and ultimately putting points on the board. So I love the backs, man.”
(There’s a report that CB Noah Igbinoghene was traded to Dallas today. I wanted to know from your perspective, is there a heaviness to being a first-round pick? Is there a pressure? Would it be easier if you were a second- or third-round pick from the expectation standpoint?) – “I think being a first-round pick, they really expect you to come in and kind of make something shake ASAP.
It’s definitely some pressure, being a first-round pick just going out there and just learning on the fly kind of, for sure. But it’s fun, though. It’s fun. The pressure, it makes the game a little more fun, and I ain’t going to lie.”
(Fun or stressful?) – “Not really stressful because – not really stressful at all, because at the end of the day, it’s a game that we all love. It just makes it more fun, a lot more at stake.”
(I was curious, I know you’ll play any game but starting the season off against the Chargers, obviously things didn’t go the way you and the team expected on Sunday night last year. How excited are you to kind of start it off that way?) – “Yeah, it’s going to be a good game. They’ve got a great group. We’ve got a great group. Starting off the season, really getting to showcase what we’ve been learning and all of our hard work coming out of training camp and OTAs and all that good stuff. We get to pop it off with a great team, really showcase where our team is at. It’s really going to be a good test for Week 1.”
(Your shirt has me thinking just so many questions I want to ask you. Do you play golf?) – “No, I suck, I ain’t going to lie. Top Golf I’m pretty good at though. Top Golf, I’m pretty good. No, Tua (Tagovailoa) has been trying to get me out there. I don’t know why people go so early in the morning. (laughter) I don’t know why. I don’t know why that’s a thing. I don’t know why that’s a thing, but I’m not getting up at 6 or 7 in the morning to go golfing, I’ll tell y’all that now.”
(What’s the meaning of the shirt?) – “I just mess with it, for real. Just mess with it, for real.”
(Do you know who John Daly is?) – “I know a little bit about him. I know a little bit about him.”
(Pretty sure his philosophy is hit bombs. Is that kind of what you’re trying to go for, just hitting bombs on the football field?) – “I mean, if the shoe fits.”
(You were talking about the pressure a little earlier. Your draft class has incredible receivers. You, Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith, Amon-Ra St. Brown is coming up. How much do you guys talk about that class and maybe the competition to be maybe at the top of it when it’s all said and done?) – “We really don’t talk that much about it. All of us, I feel like are doing great things. We’ve got a great receiver class, and I think everybody is doing great things for their team and organization. It’s always good being in a competitive draft class. It kind of keeps people competitive and seeing what people have going on and what they’re doing. So it definitely keeps it fun, but like I said, those guys are doing great for their teams.”
(This is your third year, taking that next big step in Year 3. What are some things that WR Tyreek Hill has spoke to you and your Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker about as far as just staying consistent and things like that?) – “You learn each and every day with a coach like Wes (Welker) and a guy like ‘Reek’ (Tyreek Hill). If it’s not them telling me something, it’s them doing it themselves, going out there. Playing with a guy like ‘Reek,’ you learn so much just from him going out there and doing it for so many years, being consistent and just being a leader on this team. Wes actually did it, too, so it’s kind of easy when you have a coach that’s done it and really can tell you what to expect out there and what to really do.”
(The expectations of this offense are through the roof externally. You’ve got to be so excited about what you’re going to show this year. Just how thrilled are you that the season is finally starting?) – “Yeah, man, it’s here. We finally get to – kind of in preseason go out there and compete against someone else, but it’s going to be a real, real challenge. We’ve got some good games this year to showcase our ability to put points on the board. It’s going to be good. We have a lot of weapons, a lot of people coming back, a lot of people trying to up their game. It’s going to be fun.”
