Transcripts

Matt Burke – June 7, 2017 Download PDF version

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke

(A couple of things on DE William Hayes. He told us last week he thought he would play inside some. How often do you envision that happening and him playing at tackle? Then the other thing is obviously it was established earlier this year, it might have been Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum or General Manager Chris Grier talking about DE Cameron Wake coming back as a starter and that you’re not going to experiment like you did last year with him coming off the bench. DE Andre Branch is obviously returning as a starter. So knowing that DE William Hayes is at his best in base against the run, what’s the challenge there of where to play him and when to play him?) – “Well, hopefully it’s not a challenge. Hopefully it’s easy for me. He’s been working a lot of places. He’s played a lot of football in his time. Obviously we value what William brings to us as a base end, setting edges for us. One of the reasons we brought him in here was to help us in the run game. For us, he’s actually pretty versatile, moving inside a little bit. Right now, I know what we’re doing with a lot of the positions is moving those guys around. So Will has gotten some work inside and outside, and (we’re) just trying to get the best fit. To me, again, it’s a benefit if we can have players that are playing multiple positions and have the depth that maybe we haven’t had there in the past that we can … If we’ve got four or five ends that we’re rolling through and working in different spots, we can week-to-week – what the matchups dictate – use them there. He’s been getting work at a lot of different spots. All of those guys have been. I think his versatility is just a bonus for us, so we’re going to try to use him in a lot of different spots.”

(At his size, can DE William Hayes be his No. 3 defensive tackle if your two rookie draft picks don’t develop to a point where they’re ready to have that work?) – “Man, that’s a dark cloud already. (laughter) No, I don’t envision him in that sense. He’s an end for us. It’s a matter for us of just in early downs and in passing situations, just how we are using guys and moving spots around, in that sense. I don’t see him bumping in as a full-time inside guy for us.”

(We’ve asked you a bunch about how you’re going to use the linebackers. How is that coming into focus the last three weeks?) – “It’s a work in progress. They’ve done a good job, honestly. We’ve been moving those guys like we said we would and just trying to get different combinations. Again, some of playing linebacker is playing with each other and getting used to Kiko (Alonso) getting used to what Lawrence (Timmons) is going to do next to him and having a rookie (Raekwon McMillan) in the mix. Mike Hull and Neville (Hewitt) have both taken some big steps for us. We’re really trying to work those groups and just try to find the best fit, but also get those guys comfortable playing with each other. Again, for me, having a more versatile ability to have different packages and move those guys around a little bit, they’re good. They’re all working really hard. (Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach) Frank (Bush) has done a good job with them. It’s probably harder on him – that was my room, so I’m probably harder on Frank and try to put a lot on those guys to do that now and find out how we can utilize them. It’s good. It’s coming along.”

(Is this something that until training camp it might be until you have a firm idea on the linebacker position?) – “It’s fluid; but yes, at some point we’re going to have to play these guys. Right now, we’re working the groups and moving guys around, like I said. Probably we’ll keep doing that through this portion of the season or the offseason. As we get closer to the season, you hope that the roles will start crystalizing a little bit and we have a better feel for where we want to utilize those guys.”

(We’ve seen LB Raekwon McMillan at the middle linebacker position a decent amount. How big of a challenge is that mentally for a rookie to get everybody lined up and make the calls?) – “It is. That’s obviously something we put on (the middle linebacker). He’s done a really good job with it. He’s a very bright kid. He’s very serious about it. He’s all about ball and he wants to do it. That’s always a concern with a young kid coming in and putting him in that role, but he’s taken to it. Obviously he did a lot of that in college. He definitely has a presence about him. He doesn’t present like a rookie, so that’s helped him – his presentation. He’s got something to him that helps him in those roles, so he’s done a good job with it.”

(Beyond the obvious with DE Charles Harris – we know he’s a great athlete – but what do you think about him and what are your observations about him as you’ve had him working for you for about a month?) – “Honestly, probably the biggest thing with Charles is his work rate. He’s non-stop. It’s every snap he’s going. He’s playing hard. We’re working him and he’s responding. He never lets up. Like you said, the athleticism and all of those things are obvious; but for him to practice at the tempo that he practices at and with the work load – we’re putting a lot on him and he’s going and going and going – he never stops. I think that’s as much as some of the sort of flashes he’s made in camp as anything is just his effort and his energy out there. So that’s been pleasant to see because … It’s been said in here and it’s been said by a lot of people, until we put pads on, nobody is getting overly excited about anything; but just to know that’s the foundation to what he’s doing is his work ethic is through the roof. So that’s been fun to see.”

(How do you guys decide who to cross-train and who to leave in one spot?) – “Again, it’s a lot of things. How we feel, obviously, like can they handle the mental workload? Just physically, what their traits are that if … Some of those guys it just doesn’t translate. They don’t have the ability to play multiple spots and we’ll profile at one spot. Sometimes we’ll just try it out. Sometimes we’ll just take a day and say ‘Hey, why don’t we throw him in there and see how that looks,’ or see if that’s a fit and if he can do it. Maybe we’re like ‘No, that doesn’t look right.’ Or we’ll feel guys out. Just the whole staff, we watch the film every day and we’re evaluating mentally is he grasping what we’re trying to do and then obviously as a physical fit, can he physically do the things we would want him to do in whatever those spots are.”

(It seems that the one position in the secondary that is kind of up for grabs is the slot corner. Obviously CB Bobby McCain and S Michael Thomas have played there. Are those the two main guys that you’re focusing on or has there been a third option?) – “Again, we’re rolling groups. Bobby started every game for us last year. Bob’s had a good spring. He really has. He’s competing. He has the – whether you call it the fortune or misfortune – of going against one of the best slot receivers (Jarvis Landry) every day. For us, it’s obviously a great evaluation tool to see him compete against Jarvis. He’s been holding his own. I really like … One of the benefits for us last year of playing a lot of those young guys – Bobby, ‘Lipp’ (Tony Lippett), I mentioned Neville (Hewitt) and Mike Hull and those guys – they’ve all taken that next step because they got so much playing time last year. Bobby is in that group. He’s done a good job. We’re rolling a bunch of guys through there as well. Bobby hasn’t done anything to discourage us from what he’s shown.”

(What have you seen out of S Walt Aikens? He’s also gotten some work there as well.) – “Walt’s another guy that we’re moving around a little bit and cross-training. He’s played some safety; we’re playing some corner. He’s a big athlete. He’s obviously a huge asset to us on (special) teams. We like having a versatile player in that role on the roster, so Walt has done a good job. Again, we’re trying to put him maybe in a spot that he’s not as comfortable and see how he responds, and he’s done a good job working for us so far.”

(You’ve been in this job for a few months, I doubt you’re really surprised by much because you’ve been around, but what have been the most interesting challenges you’ve had to deal with in this new role?) – “What do I do during individual period? (laughter) It’s crazy, I just stand there and I don’t know what to do with myself … My hands moving. (laughter) It’s hard. It’s just a different relationship with the players. Interaction with the players, that’s been different. Usually you have … I’m a very hands-on coach. When I was with the linebackers, I’m in there and I’m all with it and stuff. So it’s a little different being slightly removed from that. You kind of train your eyes from a different spot, seeing the whole field as opposed to in practice we’re watching a play and I’m watching the linebackers. Now I have to see everybody. If a mistake happens out here, I have to be on top of that too. It’s been hard just sort of shifting my focus in terms of that stuff.”

(Does it change your role in terms of personnel decisions, too, I’m guessing? Eventually when you pare down the roster.) – “I’d like to have that power. (laughter) I think the organization does a great job here. (General Manager) Chris (Grier) and (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Mike (Tannenbaum) and (Head Coach) Adam (Gase), we’ll have those conversations once we get back to camp and those things are progressing. There’s really ongoing conversations. Like I said, it’s similar where the roster is fluid. They’re really good here. I like … Chris handles it. He’s always talking to me. He’ll pop into my office and ask ‘What are you thinking? How is this looking?’ or ‘What if this happened? What would we do here?’ Just kind of playing out scenarios. Those conversations are ongoing. I don’t know how much weight I have on that but at least my voice gets heard.”

(And that’s new, right?) – “Yes. Usually … It’s just hard. You just have too many people in the room. If you have all of the coaches in the room when everyone is sort of trying to fight for their own guys and push for this. Usually it’s sort of pared down to the coordinators where I’m the voice of the defense and (Offensive Coordinator) Clyde (Christensen) is in there and ‘Rizz’ (Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi) and we’re just kind of all … If you have too many voices in the room, it’s tough. So I’ve been kind of more involved in those conversations.”

(What can you do in the offseason to prepare yourself for calling defensive signals and, by nature, how would you characterize yourself? Are you overly aggressive? Do you tend to side with caution?) – “Everything is different. One thing I actually really appreciate with (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) is he’s giving me those opportunities now. We have a … I hate to say, he kind of got me today a couple times. We had a couple of 2-minute drills where he beat me on today, so I’m a little disappointed; but we have a lot of periods in practice where we’re calling off the cuff. Even when we script, to be honest with you – what he does when he scripts practice is he actually gives me just what his down and distance and personnel are going to be for the period, which is basically the information I go off of in a game, for the most part. So pretty much every day that I script, I try to play each play as a scenario. ‘Okay, it’s first-and-10 on the minus-20, here’s what I’m thinking. Okay, it’s second-and-8 on the 30-yard line, this is what I’m playing.’ So I’m trying to play that game now as it is and then within practice, usually one period a day or a couple of times a week he has periods that are unscripted that we’re literally just calling off the cuff and trying to move the ball down the field, whether it’s a 2-minute drill or just sometimes he just has to move the ball. So getting that experience right now in terms of putting myself … Adam does a really good job of just every period in practice is a different situation, whether we’re working third downs, red zone (or) a specific coverage. So I’m trying to always play the game, even at practice. As for my play style or calling style, I mean every week is different. It’s a tough league. Every challenge is different so week-to-week – I’m avoiding it a little bit – but that’s a pretty fluid thing. I try to put our players in the best position to make plays. I keep saying that every time I step up here, but that’s all I’m going to do.”

(Among the dozen or so obscure players on your unit – I know you don’t think of it in those terms – but guys like DE Praise Martin-Oguike and DT Lawrence Okoye and LB Deon Lacey and S Maurice Smith – who comes to mind as guys who have flashed to you? I know it’s without pads but the first couple of names that come to mind?) – “This might be like recency bias but ‘Mo’ (Maurice) Smith has done a pretty solid job. He’s a headsy player and he’s another guy where we’re moving around a little bit and he’s been able to sort of take to that to some extent. You’re putting me on the spot here. (laughter) I thought (Davon) Godchaux is actually showing a little bit. He’s got some power in his body. He’s another guy that’s a real worker. He doesn’t say three words to me, he just goes out and does everything every day. I see him really watching (Ndamukong) Suh and those guys and trying to just puppy dog him and follow him around and do what he does. In terms of the rookie class, obviously besides the top couple picks, those are two guys that have definitely kind of shown a little bit.”

(Is your vision with S T.J. McDonald during the preseason – because of his suspension – do you play him a lot or less so because he’s a veteran and you just treat him like he’s a veteran?) – “No, we haven’t come to anything close to those determinations. That will partly be from (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) and how (General Manager) Chris (Grier) and those guys want to see the roster. But we’re going to have to get him so work. As much as he’s a veteran, he’s new in our system. We’ll ask him to do some different things. Obviously then we’re going to have to know that he’s not going to get any football for however long that’s going to be. We haven’t come to … We literally haven’t even had that conversation yet, but that’s something we’re going to have to decide, as an organization, what the right price point is for him to get the work we need him to get but also not steal work from guys that will obviously be able to start the season with us.”

(Are you going base jumping this summer?) – “No, I’m going actually to Uganda to hike with mountain gorillas.”

(Mountain gorillas you said?) – “Yes, we’re going to go trek some mountain gorillas for a couple of days. There are only like 700 left in the wild, their natural habitat, so we’re … Literally the day after the minicamp I’m flying out and going to be in Uganda for about two weeks.”

(You just go over there with a backpack and that’s it?) – “Pretty much. You’re only allowed like 15 kilograms on the little bush flight, so it’s about 30 pounds or so that you can bring and that’s it.”

(Do you guys cross-train your safeties or do you keep them pretty much at free and strong?) – “Both. We have a free and a strong but really we ask them to do … They’re similar. What so much has evolved to is with Reshad (Jones), obviously we try to utilize him in some ways and put him in some spots so we end up kind of cross-training because sometimes we want him to do a specific thing or stuff like that. We do have a strong and a free but we’re flipping guys around a little bit there. Some of that revolves around how we want to use ‘20’ (Reshad Jones).”

(How much are the lines blurred between strong and free safety any more in the NFL?) – “Honestly, just in terms of generically speaking for me, body type-wise, and the way we play, we don’t – this isn’t universal, this is sort of me – I think it’s blurred. It’s hard – I know I’ve mentioned it here before. Honestly, we see it at practice with Julius (Thomas). Tight ends, the way they are these days, it’s hard for me to have a true old school in-the-box strong safety that can’t play in space. To me, that’s difficult. To me, the way we do things, we’d have to cover up a little bit and do some things. For us, when we say strong and free; for us, that’s more like ‘Is he aligning passing strength? Is he aligning a way where we’re lining him up more than our strong safety is always down in the box as a hard run player.’ Those types of things. For us, that’s more part of the evaluation process in the offseason of ‘These are the types of safeties we’re looking for. We’re not just looking for sort of a one-dimensional player.’ So they’re blurred in that sense of we’re trying to get multi-dimensional talents back there. The strong and free part is more of how we are lining them up in the course of a game.”

(So it has more to do with alignment than the actual skill set?) – “Yes.”

(How long are you going to Uganda? Who are you going with? How many people?) – “It’s just going to be me and my girlfriend. I don’t know if she’s going to be happy or mad that I’m talking about that. (laughter) We’re leaving next Friday. We’re flying through Amsterdam, so we’re taking a few days there just to break the trip up. It’s about an 11-hour flight from Amsterdam down to Entebbe, Uganda, and then we’re in country for about nine or 10 days – I think in Uganda. You have to get permits and a lot of stuff to do this so we’re basically spending time at this place called Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s up in the mountains on the Western border of Uganda. There is a base camp lodge that we’re staying at that has about seven little cabins out on a ridge on the side of a mountain. You go out during the day and you track the gorillas and get to sort of witness them in their natural habitat.”

(First time, I assume?) – “This is actually not. Well, it’s the first time for gorillas. I’ve been to Uganda before. This will be my third straight year to Africa. I went to Uganda two years ago just out to do some missionary work with Jeremiah Washburn and his family. That same year I went and hiked Mount Kilimanjaro afterwards – I went to Tanzania. Then last summer, we actually went to South Africa and Botswana and Zambia and did some safari stuff and trekking around there. This is my third straight year to Africa and second time to Uganda. (It is my) first time with gorillas, hopefully.”

(What’s the level of risk with this?) – “We’ll find out. (laughter) I don’t know. I think you’re not supposed to approach gorillas and all of this stuff. Apparently you’re supposed to just not make eye contact. That’s like a pretty threatening situation so eyes down and just no sudden movements hopefully. (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) told me, he said if I die over there he’s going to come and kill me twice. (laughter) I don’t know if I’ll have cell phone service there so I’m not sure I can check in but he told me I have to check in as soon as I get a couple of bars on my cell phone. I don’t know. It’ll be fun. It’ll be good.”  

Leonte Carroo – June 7, 2017 Download PDF version

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

WR Leonte Carroo

(What have you been working on this offseason?) – “Just getting accustomed to being a better NFL player. I realize that last year didn’t go as well as I wanted it to, so this year I really honed in on working as hard as I can to not only be a better receiver, but a better student to the game. I lost a ton of weight off the field, eating better, eating healthier. Kenny Stills got me involved in pilates. I was doing that to loosen up my hips and become a more fluid receiver. (I’m) just doing the little things that I didn’t do before to make my Year 2 even better.”

(How much weight have you lost?) – “This offseason the lowest I was down to was 210. Last year when I came in, I was 220.”

(Does that make you faster? Quicker?) – “Yes, definitely. That was the goal – to lose some weight and to become a faster and more quicker receiver.”

(Besides the weight, was maybe last year problematic due to effort or intensity? What was the problem last year?) – “Last year, (I) didn’t have as well of a year as I wanted to. I kind of took getting drafted for granted. I wasn’t doing all the little things I used to do right in college. I was excited more with the whole draft process than really focusing on being an NFL player. Now I realize that this is my job and I’m taking the NFL life more serious and becoming a better student of the game and a better player.”

(This is no reflection for your view of WR Rashawn Scott, I know you have great respect for him; but was it a wake-up call, was it upsetting to you to not be active as a draft pick as opposed to an undrafted player being active late in the season and for the playoff game?) – “It definitely made me upset. It had nothing to do with any of the coaches or the players. I was just upset with myself, because it was totally on me. I was playing bad on special teams. I was performing poorly in practice. I wasn’t doing enough. I wasn’t asking my coaches to watch extra film or anything like that. (I was) not really focused on being a better player last year. You take a guy who has probably been starting since Pop Warner and then he comes to an NFL team and things aren’t going his way and I honed in on that instead of focusing on getting better and better every single day. Now, same approach. I got three guys ahead of me, but my whole mindset and philosophy is different. I’m attacking practice every single day to get better, because I want to prove to these coaches that I’m going to be a better special teams player, and I’m going to be a better receiver. When we went on that winning streak last year, to see how guys were doing, it made me upset that I wasn’t doing anything to contribute as a third-round draft pick. This year, I want to focus on having that respect for my team and for my coaches and go out there and make plays and contribute to the wins that we’re going to have this year.”

(With all that being said, those three guys are still here. How are you going to make your impact this year?) – “Definitely have to start with special teams. That has to be my main focus. When guys go down … God forbid guys go down this year, I’ve got to be ready. It has to be just like clockwork. If any one of those guys go in, I’ve got to … The coaches need to have enough confidence in me that I can take any one of those guys’ place. Today was a perfect example. I went right in with the ones and I performed pretty well. I have to keep that confidence and keep that mentality going.”

(It seems like every time your name was brought up, it’s not just Leonte Carroo, it’s Leonte Carroo, a third-rounder who Dolphins gave up multiple draft choices in a future draft for. When you hear all that, what has gone through your mind? How do you process all that?) – “That last year the coaches and my teammates had a lot of expectations of me. I did a poor job fulfilling those expectations. Last year is totally behind me. I’m a new guy this year; I’m a new person. I’m just excited for these OTAs, these next couple practices and then training camp and controlling what I can control, and that’s getting better on the field every single day and proving to these coaches that I’m not the same Carroo from last year. I’m a different player and I’m ready for the new year.”

(Are there any other guys in the room with you that you look at set an example and say, ‘What he’s going to do, I’m going to do.’?) – “I would say Kenny Stills is a prime example of that. I look up to all the older receivers – Jarvis (Landry), DeVante (Parker) – but Kenny really took me underneath his wing this offseason. I came back about two months earlier to train. I was down here probably the end of February. I was running, doing pilates and training with Kenny every single day and getting better and also watching film with him. He’s a guy that I look to, to follow his lead.”

(WR Kenny Stills is known as a burner, so to speak. Was there any speed training involved in that?) – “That’s a plan that we have set for this upcoming summer. I’m going to be here with Kenny, and we’re going to work on a lot (of) speed training and things like that. I don’t think I would look at myself as a guy that really needs speed. It was just the weight that I was dealing with last year. When I played at Rutgers and I was the fastest and my healthiest, I was about 205, and then I get here and I’m 220. It’s just a total different player. My whole thing is keep maintaining my weight, and I’ll be fine.”

(Last year, I think you were taking practice reps in the positions that WR Kenny Stills, WR DeVante Parker and WR Jarvis Landry all play, right? So this year, has there been more of a focus on one of those positons?) – “I wouldn’t really say that. Last year, I would say probably a lot was thrown at me at one time and now I have a better feel for the offense. I’m able to … Instead of learning … Last year, I was trying to learn each position – X, Y, F. But now, I’m learning the whole offense as a whole, like a concept. Just to get the concepts down pat will help me be able to play either position. Now that I have a better feel for the offense, I’m able to play any one of those three spots.”

(You said you ran with the ones today?) – “Yes.”

(Who was that for?) – “I think Kenny (Stills). Kenny went out during practice. Nothing serious. I don’t know what happened. I was just in with the ones.”

(And do you feel like you took advantage of the opportunity?) – “I played pretty well, especially with the mental side of the ball and stuff like that, just lining up right, putting trust in (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase that he knows that I know what I’m doing. I went out there and I made a couple plays.”

(Head Coach Adam Gase has said back in March that he has a better idea of how to use you, what kind of routes to use you on. In your mind, what are you best at this point? What type of routes do you feel like, ‘I can beat an NFL cornerback at.’?) – “I would say in college I was a receiver that I used my physical ability to get past defenders, deep balls and slants and things like that. This offseason, working with (Wide Receivers) Coach (Shawn) Jefferson and (Assistant Wide Receivers) Coach Ben (Johnson), I’m trying to become a whole wide receiver. I want to be able to run the same routes that Jarvis (Landry) can run and things of that nature. I’m really honing in on becoming a better receiver period so that either way, I can be out there and any route they ask me to run, I’ve got to be able to run. That’s what a receiver is.”

(You said the X position, Y and F. When you say F, you kind of lose people a little bit. Can you explain?) – “The F position is more like a slot position – what Jarvis (Landry) plays. Kind of that inside player. X and Z is kind of outside.”

T.J. McDonald – June 7, 2017 Download PDF version

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

S T.J. McDonald

(What motivated you to sign over the last couple of months as opposed to just waiting to see what team had an injury in September or October and had a need?) – “I think that just the culture here and (Head Coach (Adam) Gase reaching out. Just seeing that the team is on the rise, I felt like I had a great opportunity to play here, given my circumstances or whatnot. I came out here on a visit, I liked the vibe, I liked the culture and I went ahead and did it.”

(Do you want to play a lot in the preseason to kind of get accustomed to the system?) – “I’m a football player. I want to play. I want to play no matter what. Preseason is definitely a stride for me, just to be able to get used to the system at full, live bullets and whatnot; but at the same time, there’s going to be guys that also need to get some time that will be there for Week 1. I understand that. So however the coaches want to use me, I’ll be ready for whatever.”

(How awkward is this? Going through this, then minicamp and training camp but knowing that when the bell rings on the season…) – “I mean, it’s different for sure. It’s something that I don’t take for granted, I don’t take lightly. I know that I love football more than anything. This is something that is an experience that I’ve definitely learned from. I’m taking it all in but I’m treating every day right now like every day is a game for me. I’m just going out there, giving it my all and trying to take it all in and make sure that when my name is called, I’ll be ready to go. I’ll have my rest and all of that.”

(What lifestyle changes have you made?) –Just the people that I’m around and have my family close – I just had a son not too long ago, about three months ago. That’s something that has been a huge change in my lifestyle, having him close to me and whatnot. Just throughout all of this, I just want to make sure that I continue to do the right thing and make my family proud.”

(Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke just got through talking about the traits he likes in a safety. What is it you feel you bring to the table as far as your ability at safety?) – “I feel like I can do a little bit of everything. I feel like I’m a physical safety. If I’m down in the box, I have some range where I can go. I have some ball skills to go catch the ball. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything. Whatever the coaches, whatever the position they want me to play in, or whatever the case may be, I like the scheme that we have going on. I’m getting comfortable in it. Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll be able to do it.”

(Has that been established, what position you might be in, whether it be free or strong?) – “Right now, I’ve been working at strong, which is something that I’ve been used to. It’s a little different in this scheme than what I’ve done in the past; but, it’s nothing I can’t adjust to. It’s going pretty well right now. I’m just learning everything and soaking it all in.”

(Do you have much of a history with S Reshad Jones? And your thoughts on observing him close up?) – “I don’t have much of a history with him personally. I’ve definitely watched him. I know he’s a great player. He’s a guy that flashes on film. He can do a lot of great things out there on the field, so I have a lot of respect for him as a player.”

(How good could this trio of safeties be once you’re back in November or December with you, S Reshad Jones and S Nate Allen?) – “I feel we can be as great as much as we put in. I think that we can be definitely great. We’ll see how all of that works out. It will all work itself out. The best players are going to play and that’s how it’s always been in this league. I think we definitely have a lot of talent back there, for sure.”

(Have you put any thought into your plans in September and October when you can’t be here? What do you plan to do? How you plan to stay in shape?) – “I’m just going to continue to working out. I think that for me, I still will be in the building. I won’t be on the practice field. I still will be able to work out and stay in good shape, stay on top of the film, making sure that I don’t fall off in that aspect. So all the fine details, we’ll see how all of that goes. I got a little bit more time to figure all of that out; but I’m figuring that out now, talking with all the coaches, talking with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase. We’ll definitely have a plan making sure that I’m staying on top of both the game mentally and physically.”

(A lot of the players and coaches are talking about getting hands on the football. Are you satisfied with what you guys have been able to do so far during OTAs and how are you going to try to accomplish that going forward?) – “Yes, just staying around the ball. I think that we’ve done a great job flying around. That’s something we definitely emphasize, just staying around the ball, making sure that we finish and not being complacent with giving up any catches. They’re going to make plays. The offense has some great players, so they are going to make plays; but as long as we are consistent and staying around the ball and trying to make plays and not being content with anything, I think we’ll be alright.”

(You’ve been around DE William Hayes. What stands out to you about him as a person and as a player?) – “His personality is one of a kind for sure. (laughter) His energy is great. He’s a guy that took me under his wing when I first got into the league. We have a good relationship. He’s a funny guy. He’s going to bring energy day-in and day-out. The best thing about him is he’s going to be the same Monday through Sunday. He’s definitely a great locker room guy and a good guy to have in the locker room.”

(From a player standpoint?) – “High energy. He’s going to be stout versus the run. He’s going to have a high motor at all times. You feed off of that as teammates. We are all out there, we’re going to war together. You feed off of that energy. He definitely brings that.”

(What do you think of his theories?) – “I don’t want to get into his theories. His theories are way out there. (laughter) His whole dinosaurs thing. If I go over there in the locker room right now to talk to him about it, he’ll talk for 30 minutes. I don’t want to even hear all of that.”

(When you and your agent talked about how you would approach this year in terms of looking for a team, did you all talk about trying to find something for multiple years or was it the conclusion to try to do something for one year, try to re-establish your value as a quality safety and then go back into the market next spring.) – “Yes, that’s something that … I’ve been a four-year starter in this league. I’m going into my fifth year. This is unfortunate; but for me, I feel like I’m confident in my ability on the football field and that’s something that I have to re-establish. I understand that; but I’m willing to put that confidence in myself and be able to go out there and do what I do for this year and see where it takes me from here.”

Ja’Wuan James – June 7, 2017 Download PDF version

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

T Ja’Wuan James

(Do you feel any more responsibility as far as leadership with T Branden Albert no longer here?) – “Yes, but I feel like that’s our job as older guys in that room, in the o-line room now. We’re just missing a person, but ‘L.T.’ (Laremy Tunsil) is doing a good job stepping up. I’m trying to step up. Everybody, really, I feel like is holding themselves accountable. That’s making it a little easier for everybody to adjust.”

(When you left last year, did you think G/T Jermon Bushrod would be back? Were you surprised?) – “No, I honestly didn’t think he’d be back; but I appreciate him coming back. It’s definitely helping our o-line. It’s going to help our room and he’s doing a good job.”

(Head Coach Adam Gase has mentioned a few times that he feels that the ceiling is higher for you, that you have not maxed out. What do you believe you need to do to reach that potential?) – “Just continue to hone in on my technique. That’s the biggest thing. A lot of times I’ve been playing off of athleticism and going out there and doing it; but now, if I can hone in on the same technique – I’m doing a good job now with (Offensive Line) Coach (Chris) Foerster. We’re on the same page. Just doing the same thing every time, knowing when to adjust for certain plays and things like that. Once the mental part of the game and that aspect and being able to repetition, repetition, doing the same thing, that’s when I feel like I’ll reach where I want to be.”

(You had a very good stretch midseason last year. With that being said, how tough have Offensive Line Coach Chris Forester and Head Coach Adam Gase been on you in terms of saying, ‘You’re good, but we expect a lot more.’?) – “They’re always going to hold us accountable and I like that, because I need somebody on me to get on me and let me know when I’m doing something wrong, so I can correct it. Coach Forester, like I said, has been working with me and Coach Gase. They’re all going to be hard on us because they want the best for us.”

(How do you feel about the organization picking up the fifth-year option on your contract?) – “I definitely appreciate it. I love it down here. Like I say all the time, I love being with this team, these teammates, this new staff, everybody. It’s good to know that I’m secure in the aspect of being here.”

(Are you driven at all to go from a pretty good starting NFL right tackle to very good? Is that something you think about?) – “I’m working to be the best, to be the best right tackle on the field every Sunday. That’s how I’m working right now and thinking. I’ll look up at the end of the season and I’ll see where I’m at, but right now I just got my head down working.”

Jakeem Grant – June 6, 2017 Download PDF version

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

WR Jakeem Grant

(We’ve seen you a lot about your offseason at Texas Tech and everything like that. We’ve heard about fielding the punts. What has stood out to you about what you’ve done this offseason?) – “I’ll say just consistently doing it over and over and just getting comfortable with doing it and just feeling it. I texted Matt (Darr) over the offseason and see if he could come down to Lubbock just to see if we could get some working going. That’s exactly what I did, just getting comfortable with catching them and building that confidence, no matter what the weather is. No matter how it is, it doesn’t matter. Down in Lubbock, the wind is crazy out there. So I wanted Matt to come out there because there could be a chance going into this season we get crazy wind like that. It was great for him to come down there and punt to me.”

(So you paid for P Matt Darr’s flight down there?) – “No, I didn’t actually pay for his flight down there. He came down there – I took him out just to show my appreciation for him coming out there. Just basically showed him a good time for him to come down there and for us to get work.”

(Did P Matt Darr stay at your place?) – “No, he didn’t stay at my place. He stayed in the hotel. I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to stay at my place. I had a lot of … My kids were running around, so he’d probably never sleep. (laughter)”

(What was that conversation like when you call the punter of the team? I’m sure he’s not expecting many teammates to call him. When you called him to say let’s go workout.) – “The conversation just hit right off. I didn’t shy away from it. I was like ‘Hey Matt, what are you doing over the weekend?’ He was like, ‘I’m getting with a couple of punters.’ He was just traveling and punting with other punters. I was like ‘Is there any chance we can link up in Lubbock or even in Dallas?’ Because we did link up in Dallas as well. He was just like ‘Yes, I’ll come out there.’ I was like ‘Alright, if you come out here, I’ll show you a good time. We’ll go out and have a drink or so and go out to eat.’ It was a great conversation, just like having a conversation with one of my teammates on the team.”

(Everyone stays away from the punters and the kickers right?) – “Not me, I’m typically … Just like in college, I get along with the punters and kickers because a lot of the punters and kickers in college like to play ping pong and I love to play ping pong. (laughter) Therefore I never shy away from the punters. I like to get to know them just as well as any other teammate.”

(You are on track of catching 1,000 punts this spring? That’s what Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi said?) – “Oh yes, definitely. I even gave Rizzi a hard time because of the weather and we couldn’t shoot the JUGS (machine). I was like ‘Man, going into this year, you’re getting kind of soft on me. You used to harp on me last year about catching as many punts as I can. Now that I want to catch punts, you try to limit me.’ So yes, every day – after practice, before practice, no matter what – I’ll stay out there until I feel that I’m fielding them the way I should be fielding them, looking them all the way in and just feeling very comfortable with doing it.”

(Would you say you catch 95 percent of them, 98 percent of them?) – “Yes, I catch very much every last one of them. Even if I drop one – There’s going to be a time I drop one, that’s what OTAs are for, getting those things corrected – but 90 percent of the time, I’m catching every last one of them and fielding them and just working out situations where I’m … I have to shoot the JUGS with my back turned and just listening for it and then turn around and just seeing how to track the ball. I just get on track of just catching as many balls as I can so going into the season, it will be second nature.”

(How have you done as a receiver? We see them doing different things with you out there. How do you feel that area of your game is progressing?) – “I feel good. I feel good about being a receiver. They’re working me inside and out. Basically, it helps me learn the playbook inside and out, because I know what the inside receiver does. That helps me know exactly what I’m doing on the outside. With them moving me around from inside to outside, it helped me tremendously. I feel more comfortable and I don’t have to think about ‘What do I have on this route?’ I can just play as fast as I can.”

(Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi said yesterday that on your exit interview last year you told him that you were disappointed in how it went and that you didn’t feel like you put your best foot forward. Why was that?) – “I felt like mentally, I let it get to me. Just when I dropped the punts in the game, I let it get to me; and just instead of just playing the next play … I was a rookie. I was trying to do whatever I can to go out there and just impress the coaches. In your career, you’re going to have mess-ups, you’re going to have dropped balls, you’re going to have this and that; and so mentally I just couldn’t get over that hump last year. So this year, I’m mentally ready and I’m focused. Like you’re going to have a dropped ball, you’re going to have this and that, it’s about overcoming that obstacle.”

(Have you used that new mindset already like out here in drills?) – “Oh yes, definitely. Like I said, I’ve dropped punts but I have dropped punts before out here and it’s all about the next one. That’s what the OTAs are for is about getting better and working to be at your best when the season comes.”

(So last year when you would go back to fielding a punt, especially early in the year, what was going through your mind? Was that there a little bit of uncertainty because of the …) – “Yes, definitely. At the first start of the season, I was catching everything, fielding them just fine. All it took was that one drop to make me unsure of ‘Oh, am I going to catch this one or am I going to drop it?’ And that’s what created the chain reaction of dropping it, because I’m thinking so much of ‘Oh, I hope I don’t drop this one.’ But this year I’m going into it like I’m catching everything that comes my way, no matter what it is – a punt or a catch on a pass. So therefore, it’s just the fact of having that confidence of going back there and the confidence and swagger of saying ‘I’m going to catch this and I’m going to make a big play.’”

(There were fewer than 20 offensive snaps for you last year. Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said he’d like to get you more involved in the offense. Has Clyde or Head Coach Adam Gase told you what they’d like to see from you for you to become more of a factor in the offense?) – “Basically just being comfortable with the offense and knowing the playbook inside and out. That’s what I just previously said, just being an inside receiver going to the outside receiver, I know exactly what’s going on in the inside and knowing everybody’s role is a part of this offense, so that you know exactly what you have to do or the basic concepts of the offense. That’s the great thing for them about moving me inside and out is me learning the offense. So I feel like going into this year, I know the offense really good, and I’m looking forward to whatever they have planned for me.”

(If you play a lot on the outside, you’re going to see bigger or more physical corners than you would in the slot. How do you beat that?) – “What God blessed me with is speed and quickness and there are a lot of corners that don’t match up to the smaller, quicker, quick-twitch receivers on the outside. So I’m going to use exactly what my God-given ability is towards them. Basically, not letting them get hands on me and working the release and not shying away from how big they are or how physical they are on the outside. Basically (I’m) using what I’ve been blessed with and what I go out there and work on each and every day with (Wide Receivers) Coach (Shawn) Jefferson. It’s just like going against Tony Lippett or Xavien (Howard) when they’re pressing me. I work it every single day so when I get over to the game, it will just be second nature.”

(You took one to the house last year against Tennessee. Is the feeling any sweeter on this level than it is in college?) – “Oh, definitely. It is much sweeter. You’ve got more fans cheering for and you get a lot of people congratulate you. I would say the feeling is definitely sweeter because I’ve always dreamed to be at this level and to make a big impact that I did against Tennessee, and with the return, so it’s much sweeter. I plan to have more of those coming this year.”

(How do you look at your role on the team now? Are you a return guy and receiver or is it different than last year? Are you a return guy who plays receiver?) – “No. I would refer myself as a receiver then a returner. I’ve always been like that this whole time, even when I was in college. In college I was a receiver and a returner. I caught 90 balls in college and so, therefore, I prefer myself as a receiver than a returner. Like (Offensive Coordinator) Clyde (Christensen) said, he felt like I played less than 20 snaps. He looks forward to putting me more involved in offense and whatever they have for me, I’m willing to take on. I just have to show them that they can rely on me.”

Mike Hull – June 6, 2017 Download PDF version

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

LB Mike Hull

(A lot was made in the offseason about needing to improve the linebacker corps. Do you take any of that personally and what was your view of how the linebackers performed last season?) – “Obviously, whenever you need to improve, you take it personally. I definitely think that we can get better from last year and I think we’ve brought in the people to do that – Lawrence (Timmons) and Raekwon (McMillan). Even in training camp right now, in the spring, you can tell that there’s obviously a lot more competition. Those guys are capable of doing a lot of great things.”

(When you look at the linebackers now – you mentioned LB Lawrence Timmons and LB Raekwon McMillan, LB Koa Misi – you’ve got a little starting experience, Neville Hewitt has some starting experience. Are you much improved or can you say without having pads on?) – “I think it’s too early to tell, but obviously in training camp we’ll find out pretty quickly. I do feel a lot better having another year under my belt. I know Neville feels the same. I think with Lawrence’s experience over the last 10 years in the NFL, we’re only going to get better from here as a unit.”

(Given the talent that has been brought in at linebacker, how do you see yourself fitting in and how do you see the potential for more playing time on defense?) – “That’s up to the coaches. It’s up to myself in training camp to perform whenever I get the opportunity. I’m not worried about it too much right now. I want to take every day as a step and try to get better and be consistent.”

(What have you worked on this offseason to improve?) – “Footwork and playing faster. I think if I can do that, it’s going to go a long way. Also, I think having one more year in the system is definitely going to pay dividends.”

(Obviously, Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke is cycling through a lot of players at different linebacker spots. Who has cycled through at middle linebacker? You, LB Lawrence Timmons, LB Kiko Alonso?) – “I think pretty much everyone has played there. I think three or four guys have played there, including myself. Like Coach Burke said, we’re mixing and matching a lot even through first team, second team, third team – it doesn’t matter. They’re just trying to get different looks for different guys at different spots.”

(Has LB Lawrence Timmons become anything of a vocal leader in the room yet or is he quiet?) – “He’s quiet, but he gives really good advice. He’s not (a) ‘rah-rah’ type guy, but if you ask him a question or he has good insight on different looks or how even he played it in his last system, that can really go a long way with helping the young guys and even Kiko, bouncing things back and forth.”

(Have you had a chance to talk to LB Koa Misi? We haven’t at this point. How are spirits, obviously, coming off of major surgery?) – “He’s doing everything he can to get back. I’m not sure what’s going on. The coaches I’m sure can tell you a lot better than I can.”

(When you say that LB Lawrence Timmons gives really good advice, can you give us an example of certain situations where you’ve looked at film and he provides insight?) – “You’re playing a fire zone and you get crossers and digs behind you or something and ask him how they played that in Pittsburgh or how he sees something playing out in his mind, as opposed to maybe chasing a route or being patient on things. He has seen a lot of things. He has been in multiple defenses over 10 years. Little things like that (like), ‘How would you play this play? What do you see whenever you see the offensive tackle do this?’ And he’ll give you his input.”

(When you see crossers, what does LB Lawrence Timmons say? Just knock them out?) – “That has pretty much been his philosophy it seems like. (laughter)”

(When we’ve seen the open practices, we’ve seen you working with the first unit a lot. When you’re in there like that, do you feel like you have as much of a shot winning that job as anybody else?) – “Yes. I’m going to do everything I can to win that starting spot and to maximize my ability. It’s up to the coaches ultimately and what I do in camp. I’m just trying to get better every day, work at my craft and be consistent.”

(What’s different between Mike Hull the rookie free agent from Penn State to Mike Hull the third-year veteran?) – “I think confidence and experience. Last year, playing all 16 games and a playoff game, I got a lot of experience, got to see a lot of things, got to learn a lot from Kiko Alonso. I feel a lot more confident going into this year that I can get it done whatever my role may be.”

(Are you getting recognized more or at all?) – “No, I blend in pretty well with the general population. (laughter) I keep a low profile.”

(Your thoughts on Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke in his first year as defensive coordinator?) – “(I) love Coach Burke. I loved him as a linebackers coach. I think he’s really intelligent. I think he’s going to get our defense right this year. He knows pretty much everything there is to know about this defense. I have a lot of confidence in him, and I think a lot of the players are excited about what he can do.”

(Everybody says that Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke is really intelligent. How can you tell? Let’s say away from football, is there stuff that you talk about?) – “For what it’s worth, I guess he went to Dartmouth, and he thinks he’s smart, because he went to an Ivy League school. (laughter) Just in every day conversations, you can tell he’s always thinking about what his answer is going to be and always analyzing situations. You can tell that through interactions with him every day.”

(If I could follow up on the footwork, why specifically focus on footwork this offseason? What does that do for you?) – “Footwork, it’s going to put you in the right position. Honestly, me being a little bit smaller of a linebacker, every step I can gain is an advantage for me. I really think that’s something that will help bring me to the next level as far as defeating blocks in the run game and even getting myself in position to play the pass as well.”

(You have a new position coach, right?) – “Yes.”

(What’s Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Frank Bush like?) – “Coach Bush – he’s actually really similar to (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Burke as far as coaching style. He’s a player’s coach. He gets along well with the players. He’s just fun to play for. (I) really enjoy having him in the room as our coach. He gets a lot out of us. Very similar philosophy, so I don’t think there’s too big of a change going from Coach Burke to him.”

Matt Moore – June 6, 2017 Download PDF version

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

QB Matt Moore

(How’s your offseason?) – “It is good. Same as always.”

(Any more kids on the way?) – “No. (laughter) No more. We’re busy enough.”

(How would you rate last season for yourself personally? Was it a success by the way you played?) – “I think there were a lot of good things, sure. There’s always something to work on. (There’s) always something, I guess on the negative side, that you’re going to look back on and wish you did different; but at the same time, there’s a lot of positive things to feel good about, to build on, to move forward with. So was it a success? I mean we would have loved to continue to play and move forward; but personally, I felt good. I learned a lot. There’s a lot of things to learn from, like I said. So that’s the best way I can answer that question.”

(You probably notice better than anybody, how is QB Ryan Tannehill looking post knee injury? Are you surprised he didn’t need surgery with the shot that he took?) – “He looks fantastic. That’s all I can say. I mean he looks like nothing happened. Again, I’m not a doctor. I have no idea the entire issue, but he looks great. So he’s moving forward like normal.”

(Getting back to last year, I guess how you played was indicative of how the team played the entire season. When things were going well, it went really well but in the Steelers game and obviously New England as well, things happened. What’s it going to take for you to get over that hump?) – “Well, I mean the first thing, kind of the glaring thing is turnovers. It’s hard enough to win in this league when you control the ball and obviously when you give it away, your chances go way down. So I think that’s a big thing to look at. It’s the second year in the system for everybody – coaches, players. That experience is there. The relationships are there. The expectations are there. So time – having last year is going to help us. Obviously, time moving forward will help us. I don’t know if I can pinpoint anything that’s going to get us over the hump. We’ve just got to grind and study the tape from last year. If I had to say something, if we can control the ball in more key situations and not turn it over, that would probably be a good first step.”

(Talking to people around the building, they felt like there was a lot left on the field against the Steelers in the playoffs. Would you say that’s fair?) – “Yes, absolutely. After watching the tape, it’s tough to swallow. You get to the ‘dance,’ as they say, and you have an opportunity, and to have some plays go the way they did in that game, it’s hard. If you’re a man in this league, you’ll look at and learn from it and get better. That’s not saying it’s okay; but yes, there were definitely things out there – I think both run and pass game, some protection. But all things that we’ve, I guess circled the wagons around, and are trying to better those things and get them right moving forward.”

(Now that you’re out there taking your reps, just guys who come to mind who you think have improved or really shown you something on either side of the ball? Who are the first to come to mind?) – “I mean Xavien (Howard) I think looks pretty good. He’s flying around. Really, gosh the defense is really hauling around out there. I’ve got good things to say about everybody. I think offensively, I think our young receivers have really done a nice job. Everyone’s learning and everything’s so much more fluid this year. Like I said, having that year with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase last year, guys come in knowing what to do and everything’s going kind of smooth, which is what you want. Everyone I think is taking the right step forward and it’s been good so far.”

(As far as the young receivers go, can you talk about WR Drew Morgan, who seems to get open a lot, and WR Damore’ea Stringfellow? What have you seen from the Ole Miss kid?) – “Drew, he’s your typical inside guy. I think he’s got a lot to learn; but I think he understands leverage, which I think if you have that in this league you can do a lot, and he does that. He uses his body well. He seemed to pick up the offense pretty well. Stringfellow, (he’s a) big kid. Again, I think he’s got a lot to learn; but those guys are out there grinding every day. They’ve been good.”

(What did you think of some of the other quarterback movement around the league this offseason with QB Jay Cutler leaving, with QB Tony Romo leaving, QB Colin Kaepernick’s out there unsigned?) – “He is? (laughter) To be honest with you, what are my thoughts? I have no thoughts. I’ve kind of focused on myself, a little selfishly, just trying to get myself where I need to be. Obviously you hear those storylines. The Romo deal is crazy. I don’t know what to say about that or the Cutler thing, or the Kaepernick thing really. I don’t get paid…”

(Any one or none? Whatever you want.) – (Yes, I mean it’s … I don’t know. I have no thoughts. I mean I worry about myself and what’s going on here with my job and that’s all I can do.”

(When you look around though and see who some of these teams might have to start at quarterback, does it make you go ‘Hmmm, I’m definitely better than that guy?’) – “I think it’s natural to have thoughts that you’re capable to play in this league; but I’m happy where I’m at. I’m in a great spot. I love my teammates and my coaches and I’m here trying to win ball games.”

(You’ll be 33 years old in a couple of months?) – “In August, yes.”

(How are you physically?) – “Fantastic.”

(Just like QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “Yes. Yes, we’re both fantastic. (laughter) I feel good. I feel good.”

(From watching TE Julius Thomas run around for a couple of weeks, what dimension do you think he’s going to add?) – “His experience with (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase in the past obviously helps him. It gives him a little head start; but physically, I mean, (he’s a) big body. When he gets going, he really can move – crossing routes and down the seam and stuff like that. Obviously, it’s no secret he’s going to play a big role in what we do, I would imagine. (He’s a) big target. He’s a proven guy. He’s great in the locker room, so (he’s a) good role model for the young guys. He’s a great addition to this team.”

(You faced LB Lawrence Timmons last year. What do you remember about him from the playoff game?) – “He’s a good player. He got me there a couple times at the end of the game. (He) threw me around a little bit; but (he’s) just a veteran linebacker – all over the place. I remember him communicating well, always talking. Again, (he’s) a guy that just brings experience (and) plays hard. We watch tape every day and you watch him and he is flying around, running to the ball, practicing hard the way you should. Another – talk about key additions – I think that’s a great addition. The guy is just a football player and you love it. He doesn’t say much but plays ball.”

(We haven’t had a chance to talk to you since that whole concussion/not a concussion thing came up. In your mind, what happened that day?) – “I got hit really hard – really hard. I knew in my head I was fine. I needed to take a second, like I said after the game. I cleared all of the tests like it was nothing. I went back in and executed the offense pretty well. So that was it. I mean if something was …”

(Where you surprised the league reprimanded the team?) – “Yes, I mean I think both sides, the PA (players’ association) and the league and everyone was kind of doing their jobs and doing what they have to do. I understand that. I did my best to say it was a non-issue. The team I think handled it the way they were supposed to handle it. The independent doctor was down there and he did what he had to do. I had no complaints and I understood the situation. A hit like that, everyone expects something had to happen. Something had to happen.”

(Did you just bite your tongue? Was that all that happened?) – “I bit my tongue; but yes, I mean that’s just … It looked bad. It was bad but it looked worse than it was.”

(Have you seen it since?) – “Yes, 100 times. Everybody shows it to me.”

(Is your teeth, your jaw and everything okay?) – “Yes, I’m fine. I’m sore; I was sore. But it’s a contact sport. It was a little bit blown out of proportion.”

(The team expects C Mike Pouncey back by September. As a quarterback, how important is it to having your center back?) – Yes, especially a guy like Mike. He runs the show. He runs the o-line for sure. He’s pretty good at what he does. He understands what we’re trying to do offensively. He’s like the quarterback up there and then you add his physical gifts, his quickness and his speed up to the second level and things like that. He’s a unique player and so we’re hoping he’s back because he’s one of the best.”

(On WR DeVante Parker.) – “Again, moving in the right direction. You can see he feels more comfortable, I think; and he’s kind of growing, I think, as everybody wanted him to. So time – obviously everybody loves to have time. Of course in this league, you want everything right now; but I think DeVante’s kind of hitting his stride right now and everybody’s seeing it. You throw the ball to him, he makes it really easy. He makes the quarterback look good a lot of the times. So he’s a guy who’s really hitting his stride I think, and he’s continuing to learn. He’ll be a big part for us this year.”

Clyde Christensen – June 6, 2017 Download PDF version

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen

(You’re obviously focusing on your side of the ball but when you watch tape or even watch OTAs live, who on defense have you noticed has been disruptive against your unit? Do any couple of names come to mind?) – “(Lawrence) Timmons has. He has a presence in there that he just whacks anything that moves across his face. He’s been an adjustment and certainly turned some heads – literally turned some heads – on the crossing routes. I think secondary-wise, those safeties are making more plays. ‘22’ (T.J. McDonald) is a great addition. He’s made a couple of huge plays in the end zone. He made a pick in the end zone. So those guys have jumped out at me as being … It’s hard to judge the line because you don’t have pads on; but those skill guys, I just think they’re faster and they’re making more plays. They’ve been impressive.”

(If TE Julius Thomas is healthy, what can he add to the offense?) – “If Julius Thomas is healthy and we catch some breaks, he can be and has been a 10-touchdown guy. That’s a big number. He can be that. The thing I’d tell you about Julius that’s been most impressive to me is what a pro he is. I happened to have dinner with him when he came on his (visit) and that’s a thing that jumped out. I left the restaurant going ‘This guy’s a pro.’ For a guy who has played as little football as he had, just he’s a pro – how he approaches the game, how he sees things, how he critiques himself, how he sees himself. He’s a rare pro. He’s been huge. I think he’s been huge in our locker room; he’s been huge in our meetings. I think way beyond whatever he does on the football field – which I think will be big things if he can stay healthy – I really think his presence has been enormous.”

(It sounds like TE Julius Thomas has a high football IQ.) – “High football IQ but just some guys know when and where to do certain things. Just how he approaches it, how he takes notes, the questions he asks, how he sees himself – taking responsibility. If he screws it up, he screws it up. That’s important for a young team, like we are, to see a guy who’s played great Pro Bowl football and then all of a sudden he’s hard on himself. He critiques himself hard. He doesn’t make excuses. I think that’s going to be as much as … Before he ever catches his first official pass, he’s going to have contributed a ton to this place.”

(Is there a specific area that we can look at with WR DeVante Parker’s game this season where he has improved?) – “There’s actually a lot of them; but if I said one, it’d be consistency. He’s run fast every day where last year it was kind of up and down. One day you’d think you had a Hall of Famer and the next you weren’t sure if he was going to make it to the game. Just his health and staying consistent. I think his routine and how fast he’s played has been really, really different from last year. Last year, the reason was injuries; but it was still a hard target. If you’re a quarterback and you’re trying to build an offense and you’re trying to get your game plan together and you’re building it that he’s full go and then all of a sudden he’s not (there) or he doesn’t practice Wednesday, all of those things. So he’s been there (at practice), he’s been consistent and he’s been really fast. So that’s good news for Dolphins fans and Dolphins coaches. That’s good news.”

(Your early impressions of the G/T Laremy Tunsil and DE Charles Harris matchup?) – “It’s hard to say in shorts but the great thing, and I saw it for a lot of years up there (in Indianapolis) with (Dwight) Freeney and (Robert) Mathis, but the better guys you go against and the more snaps you get against those guys, you make each other better. That’s happening more and more. We have more and more corners versus wide outs. That’s really important because you get so few days in pads. When we come in training camp, that thing will be a bloody matchup. It’ll make them both better. That’s what you need to get yourself ready for playoff games in December and the regular season. It doesn’t do anyone any good not to get a look that tests you and puts you on your heels a little bit. The best is yet to come in that matchup. I think that will be really good in the fall, especially when we get those pads on.”

(If C Mike Pouncey is not going to get a lot of playing time in the preseason and maybe inconsistent practice time, how do you envision preparing him for the start of the season and then for games, week to week?) – “I think both of those things are probably a given. It’s going to be minimal. The good news is he’s such a pro. The good news is even now in the meetings, even though he’s not practicing, he’s got his bike out there, he hears the calls, he sees the calls, he gets the scripts (and) he’s in the meetings. He’s been really, really good in the meetings. Then I do believe this, you just have to play some or you’re not game ready. So I do think we’ll have to just pick our spots. You have to get him some reps, you have to get his conditioning up (and) you have to get his hitting level up. We’ll just have to pick some short bursts and be smart with it, which (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase will be, and just have him ready for opening day, which is the goal. The good news with him is the mental part won’t be a challenge to him, where it would be to a lot of people. He’ll be on that stuff. We just have to pick our spots and make sure we play his way into shape where all of a sudden he can play 60 minutes when he hasn’t done it for quite a while. I think that’ll be the challenge.”

(QB Matt Moore was humble about it but obviously looking at how he played last year, he proved he could start in this league. How many teams do you think he could start for and how much of a luxury is it to have him?) – “A huge luxury. (He’s) very important (and) why the organization went after him last year and why he makes a good living. There are so few of them. They’re hard. You may not use them. We learned it the hard way at Indy that you don’t need them until you need them. It doesn’t catch up with you until it catches up with you, and then it’s too late. He was what we thought. He played extremely well. He got us into the playoffs. That could have been a disaster. That’s where you’ve seen a lot of teams and all of a sudden their guy goes down and you lose five straight (even though) you were right there with a playoff opportunity and you don’t get it. That was really big for us. I think the team has confidence in him. You know him. I’d say the same thing as I said about Julius (Thomas): What he brings to this building is bigger than even what you see on TV or on Sundays. He’s important. He’s important for Ryan (Tannehill), he’s important for (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase, he’s important for our locker room. He really just has it. I do think we … All of a sudden, without many reps, (he) comes in and slings it around and (he) won some huge games. He wins games in the rain, he wins games throwing touchdowns on Cover Zero. All of the things that all of a sudden if you had a lesser backup, they just don’t do. That stuff comes up and it’s hard to do. I’m really glad we have him. I do think he could start for 5-10 teams. Sure. Given the right circumstances, he could start for an awful lot of teams. We think of him as a starter, that we don’t miss a beat when he goes in there. I do think we have a starter mentality about him. He’s fun to watch. You went into the Pittsburgh (AFC Wild Card playoff) game and you thought you had a chance in that thing. We just have to play better; but he was exceptional last year.”

(Considering how emotional you are, what do you think of the new celebration rules?) – “I can’t keep up with it. I know this, (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase and I have our biggest arguments over those. I’m probably the old conservative guy. ‘We don’t need penalties.’ And (Gase) is ‘Hey, cut it loose and we’ll make up for it somewhere else.’ (laughter) We probably have our biggest arguments on penalties and celebration penalties, taunting and swagger and all of those things. I’m probably old school. ‘I don’t know, maybe we can cut those babies down just a little bit and still have our edge.’ Hopefully we can get both. I don’t know. I don’t want it to be a big deal. I want it to be a fun game. I enjoy the game. I enjoy celebrating with the best of them. You don’t want it to be obnoxious; somewhere in the middle. I hope they’ll get it right and we’ll move on. It shouldn’t be a factor. We shouldn’t be talking about that. That’s how I see it.”

(Speaking of Head Coach Adam Gase, he said he thinks RB Jay Ajayi can get 350 carries this season. How do you balance using him as a bell cow to get the most production, but at the same time keeping him fresh, keeping him healthy for 16 games?) – “Good question. He may be the most improved guy out there this offseason. He has really been impressive. It’s really hard to believe that I’ve only been here a year – we’ve only been here a year – and to think back a year ago what things were and Jay Ajayi being one of them. We’re going, ‘We’re not sure if we’ve got a starting running back. We’re not sure if we have a Pro Bowler or if we have any.’ We weren’t sure. No one knew. He looks like a pro. He just looks like a pro. His body looks like a pro, how he carries himself, how he handles himself, how he works, how he practices – he’s a different guy from a year ago. I do think that. Hearing Gase say 350 carries, we’re going to have to increase his medication right there if he’s going to hand him … That’s a lot of runs. (laughter) We’ll see. All kidding aside, I think he can. I do think that’s what the good teams (do). The good teams don’t care how they win. If we run the ball and we load it on his back, and there will be some games where I really think those three receivers that we got can be a really special threesome. That’s when you get good. That’s when you got something when you’re equally happy winning the game either way. And a lot of it (is) off of how someone plays us. We drew some great looks. We ran into some hard looks, but we drew some great throwing looks last year where we made some big plays. If we can get DeVante (Parker) going … Kenny Stills is having a great offseason. He has continued to climb and take his game to a new level. If those things take place in combination, that’s what you’re looking for. That’s what we’re looking for. I do think he could carry it. He’s a big guy. He’s a physical guy. I was really impressed with him last year taking the beating he took, really, for the first time ever playing a 17-game season. He kept going and stayed strong. I kept looking for him to flinch and shy up from some hits, and he keeps going. I don’t have any doubt he could go 350 carries. I do think that it’s … The big thing is you want him running fresh in December. Where are those 350 … It’s how you distribute them is the important thing, not that total number as much as where they’re distributed and build them up, build them up and then all of a sudden he can be romping when you hit December and hopefully January football, and then you got something, which he did last year. We got to get more snaps. I’ve said that to you guys 100 times. The biggest thing for us isn’t the number of carries, it’s the number of snaps, being better on third down, being better on the turnovers, making sure we get more snaps. That’s where his 350 carries will come in. It won’t come from a higher percentage (of) called runs as much (as) it’ll come from instead of having 900-and-some snaps, having 1,100-and-some snaps. Now you got 200 more snaps to get spread around, which he grabs his share of them running the football and then we got something.”

(I think it was in yesterday’s practice I saw QB Ryan Tannehill scramble and sprint and run with the knee brace towards the left sideline. I was thinking that probably made you smile. How important is it going to be for Ryan to continue his success to have mobility by the time the season comes?) – “Really important. In every offseason study we did this year, the good offense is (when) the quarterback moves around in the pocket, pulls it down and runs. Even (Tom) Brady picks the right time to do it. Not necessarily all athletic quarterbacks, but guys who have a knack for when to run, how to run, when not to run. I think it’s really important for us to call – every once in a while – having a quarterback keep. (It) keeps them off balance a little bit. It’s huge for us. That’s really important. As Matt (Moore) and everyone has said, it has been a no-factor. I don’t even remember talking about his injury. It has been a no-factor. We haven’t cut his reps whatsoever. We haven’t done anything special with him. I think he caught a heck of a break and a blessing, that he didn’t have to have surgery. That has been good. It’s a no-factor, really. It hasn’t been discussed.”

(With QB Ryan Tannehill being the same as always and you encouraging him to run when needed, is he ready to slide? Does he have to practice that with the brace?) – “I do think you have to learn to slide with that thing. I’ve been around some ugly sliders; some good quarterbacks who were ugly sliders. It is a learn thing. All of a sudden that thing catches and contorts you around. I do think there is a knack to it. I do think it’ll be a, ‘Let’s make sure he’s healthy first, and then we’ll worry about practicing that.’ But there will be a point in training camp and I think preseason where you do address it and make sure … You don’t go overboard. I don’t know that we’ll send him up to the Yankees or anything, perfect it that far. (laughter) But it is a funny deal, because that thing kind of sticks out and it protrudes and all of a sudden catches and flips you at bad angles and stuff. It is a factor, and you do have to do it. It’s kind of one of those things where you start on the turf, which is an even surface, and then you do it a little bit on grass and then you just go down the road and you don’t want it to be a factor; but you do have to address it.”

(Going back to WR DeVante Parker and some the matchups here during camp, it looks like he and CB Xavien Howard have a little…?) – “They all have. We’ve had a lot of fun. There has been some good competition. It has really been good, healthy all across the board. Bobby McCain … There has been some good junk-talking. It has really been good-natured, but competitive. Competitive, not combative is how I like to say it, which is really good. Guys get better doing that. It makes you play faster. They make you make tighter throws – all those things. Not sure they haven’t got the best of us. They’ve really done a good job so far (on defense), but its great work for us. It’s really, really good work for us. They’ve been really … They’ve challenged us a bunch. That matchup has been good. Receivers, they’ll tell you they haven’t been covered this camp, but there has been some guys awful close to them. But it’s all good. It’s healthy. It’s healthy for us. If we can’t play against tight coverage … That’s one thing, with the way we run the football, you just get so much man coverage and single high and tight coverage that if we can make people pay when that happens, now all of a sudden (it’s) where you have to mix some double safety stuff in and give us some better run looks and some lighter boxes and some of those things. Then you got a little something going and have some fun.”

(How’s that guard situation going to play out?) – “I think we’re going to end up deep again. I think we’re even better prepared. It’ll be the silver lining of (Mike) Pouncey’s thing is that we’re rotating a lot of guys through there. The rookie (Isaac Asiata) is still in the learning phase, but I think that he can keep getting better (and) can get into the mix. We’ve got a pool of guys there that I think we’re going to end up being pretty darn deep. We’ll have more experience and more depth than last year at this time, again. Then you get the injection, the shot, the shot of getting Pouncey right back in – and all those guys have had some quality reps under their belt – I think it can really end up being a heck of a situation for us when we get to opening day.”

(Going back to the number of snaps that you addressed a few minutes ago, when you look at last season and how the offense performed, you did really well on yards per play, and yet in terms of number of snaps per game and in terms of getting points out of those snaps, not as well. What are you focusing on to balance that out for next year?) – “I think the glaring thing is third down and I think penalties. You can’t stop drives. We tease about it, but it is hard to come back from first-and-25, first-and-20, end up being third-and-14. That’s a low percentage way to play football. I do think it’s probably third down and cutting the penalties down – the penalties in the red zone. Almost everything we did as far as studying the offense this offseason went back to, ‘We did some good things. We just didn’t have enough drives in the red zone,’ or, ‘We didn’t have enough snaps,’ or, ‘We didn’t have enough carries.’ If you multiplied them out to a decent number of snaps, they all multiplied out where you were probably better than what we thought we were. But they didn’t. We didn’t get those snaps, so it wasn’t good enough. I think that is … Those are the two things that jump out at me are the turnovers in critical games, third down throughout the season, penalties. We can’t get stupid penalties and put ourselves in … And have to get lucky to keep drives going. You can’t stop drives with a penalty. (It’s the) same thing (with) field position and all those things. The penalties stopping drives, they’re hard to overcome. You get a holding call, you jump offsides – all those things, those are crushers. It’s hard not to do it (and) get 10 yards in three downs. All of a sudden you make it 20 yards and two downs or 14 yards and one down. Now all of a sudden, it’s uphill. It puts too much stress on everybody, and that’s where something snaps in those big games it did on us.”

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