Matt Burke – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke
(What we’ve observed is DT Davon Godchaux getting a lot of first team work. Has DT Jordan Phillips’ camp been up to your expectations and is that a battle where you see it as a tossup right now between Davon and Phillips?) – “Can I answer yes to both questions? What we’re trying to do with some of the young guys especially, is kind of get them in against the top competition. It’s not a reflection on Jordan. He’s had a solid camp and done what we’ve asked him to do. It’s really us trying to move some guys around and see him against the top level of competition and get a better evaluation on some of those guys. Godchaux’s had a good camp. He’s flashed a little bit so we’re just trying to kind of find out so we’ll move those guys around and get them working with different groups.”
(Our eyes would tell us that LB Raekwon McMillan is your middle linebacker assuming he doesn’t screw it up … Is that true?) – “Just as long as all of them don’t screw up. (laughter) He’s done a good job. He’s done a good job. Again, the same sort of thing with the linebackers, with Raekwon in particular. What we wanted him to do in terms of taking charge of the huddle leading the group. That position has to make a lot of calls and where he’s been playing so he’s done a good job and the same thing, so we’re trying to get him work with that first group and against better competition and see how he responds. He’s been good so far.”
(What factor made you go with LB Raekwon McMillan at mike instead of LB Kiko Alonso or LB Lawrence Timmons?) – “No factors. I mean again, we went through the spring and we’re still moving them around a little bit, in our nickel package especially, if you look. That’s really where sort of the interchangeability comes in – a diversity. Basically with Kiko and with Lawrence having both played both spots now inside and out in their careers and there’s a comfort level with those guys. There’s always caution with a rookie, trying to just make sure he’s comfortable in doing what he’s doing. So we wanted a little bit to settle him in one spot.”
(What would LB Raekwon McMillan need to do to get more reps or experience in the nickel?) – “Do nothing. I mean he’s getting work. You know for us, obviously especially with (Head Coach) Adam’s (Gase) offense and seeing a lot of three wide (receivers) and sub personnel, it’s just a matter of mixing groups. We had that thought in terms of okay, if we’re playing a guy with ‘the first base,’ well they’re getting all nickel snaps and he’s not getting work. So how do we … so we’re trying to really almost have two different looks at it where in base, there’s one set of groups and then he may be in one base; but when we go two nickel, he’s getting the nickel work with that group or vice versa with Mike (Hull) and those guys. We’re definitely aware of sort of making sure it’s not just ‘Okay, you’re with the one’s, you’re with the two’s.’ It’s okay. Base snaps are different then nickel snaps and who’s getting work and again, really the combination of both, we’re trying to get toss sort of our top five or six guys all working together and seeing what the best mix is. So we’re conscientious of getting him work in both groups.”
(Are you comfortable with your depth at linebacker right now?) – “Yes, I am. I am. I feel good about … I think Neville’s (Hewitt) had a really good camp – really, really good camp. And obviously we feel good about Mike Hull. We’ve been moving him in and out of groups a little bit. So we kind of feel we’re pretty good with about five deep right there. Then there’s a lot of different body types with that next group and what we’re looking for with some of the young guys that are competing. So I feel pretty good, yes.”
(Has CB Alerraun Verner done enough to make you think that he can challenge CB Bobby McCain to be your first-team slot cornerback?) – “He’s had a good camp. I’ll just hit repeat on that one. I wouldn’t say that. I think Bobby’s had a great camp and Bobby’s right where we want him to be. I think the comfort level for me with ‘Vern’ as a veteran guy that’s done it before, and we’re moving him in and out a little bit, and he’s made some plays. You know he hasn’t played in a press system that kind of we employ, so there’s some technique stuff that he’s working with; but (we’re) very happy with sort of what he’s done since he’s been here. It’s hard to think it’s only been a week. So it’s still a work in progress, but he’s had a good camp too. Since the day I walked into this building, (Head Coach) Adam’s (Gase) whole thing has been competition is going to make us better. So we’re just trying to build up as much competition as we can at all spots and we’ve be moving Vern both places and it’s been a really good camp.”
(What have you seen from DT Vincent Taylor as well?) – “Vincent’s actually made a lot of strides since we’ve been back here from I thought from where he left off in the spring to when we’ve been back here. He’s been a lot better. ‘T’s (Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams) has been working a lot with his footwork and that was kind of one of his issues coming out. He’s been really good. Honestly both those rookies are just tough kids. They don’t say anything and they just put their head down and go to work. You see them out here with (Ndamukong) Suh and with those guys. (They’re) just sort of sponges. So Vincent, he’s a tough kid. He’s got some explosiveness and I think the comfort or the … I don’t know what the word is but I’ve been happy with both those rookies just in their approach to how they’re working. Vincent made a huge jump to me from where we left here in the spring to where he is today. So I’m very happy with his progress.”
(How much better is CB Xavien Howard than he was to close last season?) – “A lot. It’s good. I’m going to turn the pressure on ‘X’ up a little bit. He’s had an outstanding camp. I mean outstanding. Again, it’s hard. He was a rookie last year, didn’t play, had the issues, and that plays with you guys with people a lot, psychologically and physically. He’s had a very, very, very, very good camp and we’re putting a lot of expectations on him to continue that trend, so I’m excited to see it.”
(In what areas do you feel like CB Xavien Howard has been better? Anything in particular?) – “Everywhere. He’s physical, he’s putting his hands on guys. We drafted him for a reason and the athletic ability he has. He spent a lot of time in the offseason just (working on) technique, the stuff he didn’t get as a rookie because he was hurt this time last year and then we kind of threw him into the fire. So it was more just like learning the scheme and just trying to get caught up to where he could just go play ball. The technique work that he’s done with (Defensive Backs Coach) Lou (Anarumo) and (Assistant Defensive Backs Coach) Daronte (Jones) from really the offseason start forward. His technique is just … it’s been impeccable. Again, we’ll see. It’s only Week 1; but he’s just having a really good camp.”
(How was your vacation?) – “It was fun. It was good.”
(What was the highlight of your vacation?) – “It was good. We got to hike with gorillas, so we got to Uganda. The highlight were those two days there probably.”
(Why were those two days the highlight?) – “We were in the forest. You spend two days hiking up in the mountains. I don’t know. It’s hard to describe the sort of sensation of seeing these giant beasts kind of approach you. You basically, you could get close and then as they’re moving around, the guides and the park rangers that you’re with sort of instruct you as to whether you should move or hold your ground or stop talking and stuff. So the first time that happens and (the gorillas) actually walk within feet of you, it’s hard to describe. It was majestic.”
(And this was where specifically?) – “It was in Uganda, on the western border of Uganda at this place called the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.”
(That’s not the first time you’ve done that before?) – “First time I’ve been that close to gorillas, absolutely. That’s not the first time I’ve been to Uganda, but the first time I’ve been that close to gorillas.”
(What was the low light (of the vacation)?) – “Twenty-eight hours of flights back here and (Head Coach) Adam’s (Gase) texts asking me where I am. (laughter)”
(When did those texts start, right after you left?) – “I had no Wi-Fi service for a while, so it was good. (laughter)”
(Can you talk to me, just in general, about inheriting a defense that struggled so much last year and challenges in front of you coming in?) – “There’s a new challenge every year. We have different players, and that’s one of the things you can see the 0-0 around here, so it’s a new season for us. What happened last year – good and bad – doesn’t matter to us, so we’re trying to move forward. I’m pleased with the effort level and work that everybody’s putting in. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Came Wake and Ndamukong Suh are having the two best camps of anybody on this field. It sounds silly to say that, but to see those guys – I mean Cam’s almost my age, I’m not sure – and to see him out here what he’s doing, it’s fascinating. I’ve been happy with just the overall effort and what these guys are doing coming out here every day.”
(And as a defensive coordinator that’s kind of important, to have guys step up?) – “Yes, again, especially your veteran leaders. We’ve added a bunch of rookies that we may be counting on to play some football for us. So to see how they’re watching those vets, how they work, and how they’re just taking it in. We talked about the two tackles last year and they’re just watching a guy like (Ndamukong) Suh go to work every day and how he performs. It’s invaluable to me as a coach and as a coordinator.”
(Are you setting any particular goals this year defensively? Any bar you’re setting?) – “Yes, try to win as many games as we can.”
(How has your life changed with this new title of defensive coordinator?) – “My life?”
(Yes, I mean the hours you work or what?) – “Everybody works hard. I’ve got to deal with (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) a little more than normal; but it’s coming to work, no different.”
(What do you need to see from DT Jordan Phillips to ensure that he’s ready to handle a 40-snap workload?) – “I think he’s ready to handle that right now. Again, with Jordan, as always, it’s been consistency and honestly, I’d say he had one kind of rough day at camp so far. It was one day where he jumped offsides a couple times; but other than that, he’s been consistent. That’s all we’ve been preaching to him. I know he stood up in front of you guys in the offseason and said the same thing, ‘Hey, I have to be better play in and play out.’ That was basically our charge to him when we came back, like listen, it can’t be a part time, it can’t be a flash play, it’s got to be a level of consistency that we’re working with, and he’s done that. He honestly has. Like I said, he had one kind of rough practice, which I’ve had a couple of rough practices too. So the longer that goes, the longer the consistency shows, and the more the trust builds and we feel good about that. He’s been doing (well), he honestly has. If you see us moving guys around again, a lot of times that’s just us trying to evaluate some other players. It’s not punishment for (Jordan).”
(What have you seen from S Nate Allen so far?) – “It’s been great, as advertised: smart, veteran, competitive, always in the right place. I laugh because everyone sees T.J (McDonald) making a lot of flash plays, but Nate’s kind of just making real consistent plays. He doesn’t necessarily make all the splash plays. He’s gotten his hands on some balls actually, which has been nice; but he’s a steady and calming influence, which is exactly what we wanted out of him. It’s been great.”
Darren Rizzi – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi
(In your role as associate head coach, how are these injuries, how is the team dealing with these injuries? Is it the same as last season, regular season? Or are they more accustomed to it now?) – “You’re trying to butter me up with my title, huh? (laughter) That’s a good way to start. I like that! You know what? I think everybody realizes in this day and age in the NFL, our team no different, injuries are going to happen. This time of year, it’s the first time you put the pads on. You don’t get to put the pads on in OTAs with the new rules and the offseason rules. So you’re looking at not only the Dolphins, but if you’re looking across the league, every day something pops up. Every team has 90 guys in camp and that’s one of the reasons. I think our guys have handled it very well, like every other year. I really don’t see a difference. I think our guys have always had – it doesn’t matter what the injury is, it doesn’t matter what position or who the guy is, it’s next man up and let’s go.”
(In your role as special teams coordinator, I haven’t seen K Andrew Franks miss one single kick. Are you seeing extra confidence in him? Is there a change technically?) – “We worked on some things in the spring with him. Just some technical things, some things we saw on film from the season. In the spring time during OTAs, he was a little bit hit or miss there; but I thought he’s really had a good start. He had a really good start this week. He’s kind of right back … We have a thing around here called beginner’s mentality. (We) kind of go back to the drawing board and it’s something I got from Michael Jordan’s book way back when. In his book, he talks about beginner’s mentality every year – starting training camp and learning how to hold a basketball. We kind of take that same approach. So with Franks, we kind of went back to square in (and told him) listen, this is where we’ve had success. We haven’t taken a lot of long field goal attempts just yet; but so far in the shorter distances and the PATs and mid-range stuff, he’s been good so far. You may watch him warm up and he tinkers with some things, but so far so good in the team periods. Really, it’s just that beginner’s approach mentality and that’s really what we’ve seen so far. Hopefully that will translate to the games. We’ll see. As you can see, he’s not up every single day. A kicker is a lot like a pitcher if you will. There are going to be days where they’re on, like a guy in a five-man rotation – you’re going to have your day that you’re up and then another work day. So we kind of handle it like that. So the days that he’s up, we’ll try to get the most out of him. He’s been good so far.”
(How has WR Jakeem Grant been in training camp?) – “So far in training camp, we’re trying to put him in a ton of difficult situations. We’ve talked over and over about how much he works at it and his work ethic with the return stuff. The thing I’ve noticed, just from my angle, is really I’ve seen a big difference from him on offense this year. Obviously, I have a little different perspective on the practice because I get a chance to step back and watch the team periods, not as an offensive or defensive coach. I’ve seen him show up a lot more on the offensive side of the ball. Special teams wise, we’ve tried to put him in a lot of difficult situations. We’re kicking him all kinds of knuckleballs purposefully and all kinds of different things and trying to make it as difficult as possible for him. He certainly hasn’t been 100 percent but I’ve seen a major improvement between this camp and last camp.”
(Returning punts, RB Kenyan Drake, how has he done?) – “So Kenyan we’re trying to get him in a position where that’s another role that he could maybe do. He’s obviously a very athletic guy and very good – we know what he can do with the ball in his hands. We saw that last year on kickoff returns and certainly on offense. So he’s just another playmaker and just another option. As I’ve talked about with you guys before, as many options as we can have, the better. So he’s just another guy. He by no means is a finished product. He did a little bit of it at Alabama, not a lot, so we’re trying to … He’s a little bit of a work in progress. There are some other young guys who have worked there too. You guys have seen Jarvis (Landry) back there time and again. He hasn’t really gone full go on it just yet but we’ll give him some work to keep him fresh and some of the younger guys. We’re trying to work as many bodies back there as we can.”
(So WR Jakeem Grant is still No. 1 punt returner and kickoff returner?) – “Our kickoff returns, we can do a bunch of different things. We could have as many as three returners on the field. You saw last year we did it a few times with Jakeem, Kenyan (Drake) and Damien (Williams). We had a bunch of different guys out there. As far as I know, right now, we’re going to get Jakeem work in the preseason games for sure. As a young player, he still needs as many reps as we can – some live reps. There is nothing like those game reps. So right now, he’ll go out there and he’ll take the punt stuff, start off and we’ll go from there.”
(What is the plan for WR Jarvis Landry as far as returns? Do you want him out there? Do you consult with Head Coach Adam Gase on that?) – “It’s something we definitely communicate about all of the time – Adam and I. He’s great about it. He’s great in terms of ‘What do we need to do to win the game?’ That’s something that we’ll explore. Listen, we all know what Jarvis can do back there. He’s a proven guy. He’s a guy that we’re very comfortable putting back there. So whether we approach that situationally again like we did last year or have one guy do all of them, that kind of remains to be seen. We’ll see how these next four games go and we’ll make a decision from there.”
(With your rookie punter – P Matt Haack – how difficult is it to evaluate him in practice when there are not a whole lot of punting situations?) – “I don’t know if you guys have noticed; but basically, what we’ve done with (Matt) Darr and Haack is they’re on like an every other day schedule. So we have punt and yesterday Haack was up, the day before Darr was up. They’ll both get a little bit of work tomorrow in the scrimmage. But so far with (Haack), he’s getting as much work as Darr in terms of reps. He’s a very talented guy. It’s great for our returners to have a lefty in camp, as well, a lefty kicker because the ball comes off different. We play teams like the Patriots for example, who have a left-footed punter. So it’s a different deal for the returners but he’s been very impressive. He’s been very impressive. He’s done a very nice job. He’s had good hang time on the ball. He’s very composed. He’s been a really nice addition to the team right now.”
(Have you gotten any idea of how DT Vincent Taylor will do at field goal block and kick block? And I think DE Praise Martin-Oguike? Was he the other one that had some success in college? Can you talk about those two?) – “Yes, so we work those guys and they’re going to get a ton of work in the preseason here. That’s one thing that we don’t really work a lot of live drills on. We don’t do a lot of live field goal, field goal block. We’ll do individual work and we’ll work the techniques but that’s not something we’re going to do (often). We don’t go live field goal versus live field goal block, so it’s a little bit hard to tell. Certainly both of those guys have a really good foundation with what they did in college. They’re definitely going to get some work. But just in our drills? Both guys are explosive. They both have a really good knack for it. There’s something to be said for a guy that has a knack for blocking a kick or a punt. There is something to be said for that. There are certain techniques that go with it. I like what I’ve seen so far from those guys.”
(How has CB Jordan Lucas done special teams-wise? Because it seems that’s going to be a huge key to him being on the 53.) – “’Luc’ (Jordan Lucas) is a guy that is very versatile. He can do a lot of different things, so he has kind of got that jack of all trades. On punt for example, he’s a guy that reps at ‘PP’ (personal protector). He’s a guy that reps at gunner. On the return team, he can play a bunch of different positions on both return teams. On our kick team, we move him around. That certainly helps his case for this team. I’ve seen a big difference in him. A lot of those first-year guys, it’s all new to them. They’re very green. And a guy like ‘Luc’ I’ve seen a guy with a lot more confidence. He’s moving a lot better. Today we did a couple of live drills with the punt return stuff. I think he was real physical out there. I’m really excited to see him in these games, I really am, because I feel like he’s taking a step from where he was last year. We got him some reps last year in live action, so he did have some game reps. But I think this year, you’ll see a more confident guy. He has been through it once already. I’ve seen that with a few guys.”
(The same for CB Lafayette Pitts. What’s the next step for him?) – “Absolutely. And again, he has really had a strong first week here. Anything we’ve done with live competition, he’s really … Again, a lot of confidence. I’ve seen that from a lot of the guys that were rookies last year. Everybody talks about that Year 1 to Year 2 should be your biggest jump, and I’ve seen that. I’ve seen guys like (Jordan) Lucas, like Pitts, like (Leonte) Carroo – those guys just pop into my mind – like Jakeem Grant, guys that were in that class last year. Even a guy like (Kenyan) Drake has taken a big step forward in terms of having a lot more comfort level with what we’re doing, have a lot more confidence in terms of the way they’re playing. That has been real positive.”
(Is TE Thomas Duarte doing much on special teams?) – “He’s going to in these games, for sure. This is something that he has got to do. He knows that. This is a role … That tight end position, I really like that group of guys – all of them. It’s going to be a lot of it that third, fourth, fifth tight end, whoever ends up making the team, they’re going to have special teams value. We know MarQueis Gray last year played a lot of reps for us on special teams. That’s a position where if you’re going to make this team as a third or fourth tight end, you’ve got to have value there. He’s going to really be a guy that gets a lot of reps in these games, and we’ll see what he can do.”
(Among rookie draftees, has anybody caught your eye special teams-wise? I know you mentioned DT Vincent Taylor.) – “Just kind of going through the guys in my head position by position – (Raekwon) McMillan is obviously a guy that has a lot of value both defensively and on special teams. He has really been a guy that I’ve been really, really impressed with – his work, his demeanor, his physical-ness, everything – really the whole package there. He has been really good. Defensive back-wise, a couple surprises there so far. Again, we’ll when it translates to the game, but (Torry) McTyer has been good, ‘Mo’ (Maurice) Smith, ‘Tank’ (Cordrea Tankersley) all those guys, those rookie DBs. So far, our drills are probably a little far ahead where most rookies are at this time; but again, we’ll see how that translates to the game. Even some offensive guys, there have been some guys that have stood out a little bit. ‘D’ (De’Veon) Smith the running back from Michigan, he has been a guy that has been right up there with those other running backs. Again, all those guys are going to get … I’ll have a much better feeling after a couple weeks of these preseason games when we’re live action. But I’m very pleased so far. I do have to say this, I think one of the reasons is our veteran guys – the guys like Walt (Aikens), Mike Thomas, Damien Williams, guys who’ve been around, Mike Hull and Neville Hewitt – they’ve really laid a nice foundation. Their work ethic has been outstanding. Those guys have no choice but to follow those guys. It has been great. I’ve been really, really pleased with this first week and our work ethic, our approach and all of that. Now let’s see if that translates to the game.”
(You mentioned WR Leonte Carroo. He had some difficulty with special teams last year. What has been the difference for him this year?) – “I think first thing is he’s moving better. He’s moving a lot better. I don’t know if it was conditioning or whatever. I’ll stay in my lane on that one. I don’t really know exactly what it is, but you can see him moving better. He definitely has more confidence. We had a couple of live drills where it looks like he’s really running well. He’s more physical. He obviously has a better understanding of what we’re doing. He’s a guy when we brought him here, I really thought he had a lot of special teams value coming in. He had some peaks and valleys last year. I think everybody knows that. But he has really had a nice start here. Again, he’s another guy. All these guys you’re mentioning are all these guys that are going to get a lot of work in these games. It’s up to them at this point. Once we get to Thursday – Thursday night – they’ve got to go out there and they’ve got to make the plays.”
(Can you guys afford to go live tomorrow? High-speed collisions obviously on special teams. Can you afford to do that, or do you wait until Thursday?) – “Special teams is a little bit different than offense, defense. Special teams, we’ll go live. We don’t necessarily go to the ground. It’ll be live block, everybody kind of staying up. We’re not going to go live punt return and get the returner. It’s obviously to avoid injury there. But everything is going to be live to the ball. That’s what we call it – live to the ball. We’re just tagging off the ball carrier, trying to keep people off the ground. At the end of the day, it’s very, very hard to simulate special teams full go in practice. That’s just the way it is. Whether it’s field goal against field goal block, whether it’s kick, kick return. It’s something that’s very difficult. We try to keep the speed the same, but just in terms of finishing blocks and getting the ball carrier on the ground, we’re going to have to see who can do that in games, for sure. It’s very difficult to simulate.”
Frank Bush – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers Coach Frank Bush
(How much of LB Raekwon McMillan’s ability to absorb information came from the fact that he played at a major program like Ohio State?) – “I think that’s a major factor because they put a little bit different kind of pressure on those kids at those bigger schools; but secondly, it’s just a credit to him. The kid is very, I won’t say professional at this point; but he’s very serious about football. He wants to get things right. He takes a lot of pride in being right and whatnot. He’s kind of built that way so, fortunately, we got him.”
(This is your first year with the Dolphins. How much familiarity did you have with the personnel?) – “I knew a lot of these kids just from being in the league over time, just watching Kiko (Alonso) throughout the years, Koa (Misi) and all those guys. And then watching the way this staff came in here the year before and kind of put the thing together and won a lot of games to go to the playoffs. We’re always a little bit envious of those things so you look to see what they’re doing, that way you know you watch the team.”
(Are you established on a starting trio?) – “Not really. When you look at it, we have about six guys that are really competing. Of course we have a couple of guys we run out with the first group with Lawrence (Timmons) and Kiko (Alonso) and that group, and Raekwon’s (McMillan) been running some reps with those groups, but right now it’s really about learning the defense and then really, really competing, just to show us what you can do. (Defensive Coordinator) Matt Burke has always been adamant about, ‘If you can play, we’ll find a role for you,’ so all those guys are competing just to be a part of what we’re doing.”
(Speaking of a role, what about LB Neville Hewitt?) – “Again, he’s just another guy that’s competing. He kind of ended the season last year doing a good job and really he’s had an outstanding offseason, spring, and even training camp, until recently, so he’s just competing for a role. If he can do some things that we like to do and he continues to do so, then we’ll find a way to get him involved.”
(LB Mike Hull, as you’ve seen it, he has been in and out a little bit with the ones. What kind of a role could he … I mean is there a package or is he strictly a backup, which I don’t mean in a negative way?) – “Exactly, exactly. In this league, as you know, it’s next man up and you’re one snap away, but for Mike he’s just done a good job of learning all three positions, being there on call when we need him; but also making some plays on the football field. So just like the rest of the kids, he’s competing. He wants to be the next man up. He wants to be the next guy to go on the field, so if he is that guy, then of course we’ll find a way to make sure he gets his opportunities as well.”
(So when you say all three positions, is LB Mike Hull mainly in the middle and, if necessary, on the outside?) – “Yes, absolutely, because again, he’s a smart kid that knows how to retain the information and it’s not too big for him. We do put a lot on him in the sense of asking him to know all three (positions). We’ve got to be smart about that, but he does a good job right now of being able to handle that.”
(What do you want to see from your unit against the run?) – “I just want to see them be more aggressive downhill. I want to see us tackle way better. I just want to see us consistently stop the run when we know we have to stop the run. That’s one of the emphasis (this camp). We’ve worked to improve it and we just want to see them get better and better and better at that.”
(Mentality wise, what has LB Lawrence Timmons added to that unit?) – “Lawrence comes from a place where they’ve had a lot of success and so we’re hoping he can help bring a little bit of that standard here, a little bit of the old school, kind of rough and tumble, bang people around kind of standard that they’ve gone through there. We kind of like what he’s doing so far.”
Terrell Williams – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams
(We’ve noticed that DT Davon Godchaux has been out there ahead of DT Jordan Phillips. Has there been a change in the starting lineup?) – “No, not really. Honestly, you’ve also seen Godchaux and Jordan in together, so really we’re just kind of … At this point in training camp, we’re really just trying to mix and match and see what the best combinations are. He’s competing. He’s doing a good job. For a rookie, he’s strong, physical. He’s doing what you want a defensive tackle to do. It’s really – in my mind – it’s an open competition at all the positions.”
(When you say DT Davon Godchaux is doing what you want a defensive tackle to do, does that mean he’s primarily a run stopper or an energy guy? What does that mean?) – “Honestly, in my mind, a defensive tackle on first and second down, your No. 1 job is to be physical with those guards and knock them back. We give them one responsibility – knock the guards back, whether it’s run or pass. If you’re thinking pass rush as a defensive tackle (on) first and second down, then it’s a problem. He kind of gets it. He comes from a good system at LSU, so we’re excited to have him.”
(Has DT Davon Godchaux done enough in your mind where he has essentially pulled even with DT Jordan Phillips where it’s a toss-up in terms of competition with those two?) – “Honestly, they were even coming into training camp and the offseason. We told our guys that you don’t inherit positions here. If you played a lot last year, if you started last year, it doesn’t really matter. Guys have to go out and compete. Jordan understands that, and he’s going out and competing. It’s a day-to-day thing. The good thing about having good depth is that it equals leverage, so if a guy comes out and doesn’t do his job, then you just put the next guy in there. That’s the way it is. We believe in that on defense, and (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) believes in that as a head coach.”
(DT Vincent Taylor, he’s a guy – Oklahoma State – that wasn’t necessarily put in the best position to put up great numbers, but you guys obviously saw past that.) – “I think he had good numbers. I want to say he was close to double-digit sacks and a bunch of tackles. He did good for their system, and he’s doing good for our system right now. The only thing we ask out of those young guys – and really every guy – is to just get better every day. When your two supposed best players are two Pro Bowl players, two of the hardest workers, that makes it easy for me as a coach.”
(What are your early thoughts on what you’ve seen from DT Vincent Taylor so far?) – “He’s physical. That’s what I see. The rest of it, we’ll fix. But I know that the kid is a physical kid and he cares. It’s important to him. He’s like a gym rat. He’ll pull me to the side in the cafeteria or pull (Ndamukong) Suh or pull (Andre) Branch or any of our veteran players. The kid wants to be a great player. We did a good job of drafting and bringing in the right kind of guys here.”
(How would you describe the progress of DE Charles Harris?) – “He’s doing well. The thing about him – and we were just over there talking – and he understands this league is so different than playing in the SEC. Not only do you have big guys, but you’ve got big athletes. He’s coming along. I like where Charles is right now. We’ve got to get him ready to play Tampa, but it’s a day-to-day process.”
(From afar, it appears the d-line has been the most active unit on defense against the run and the pass. Do you agree and how excited do you get about that?) – “Honestly, I don’t know, because I’m only looking at my guys. I don’t know if we’re the most active or not. I do know that we have a lot that we need to work on; but I think we’re doing a better job of setting the edges in the run game and knocking guys back inside. Will Hayes I think has done a good job of changing that too.”
Adam Gase – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Where do things stand with QB Ryan Tannehill right now?) – “So we’re still getting kind of, I wouldn’t say second and third (opinions), we’re probably going deeper than that. (We’re) talking to a lot of people, just making sure we’re getting all the right information and then we’ll make a decision after that.”
(Surgery is an option for QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “Yes.”
(And it’s possible QB Ryan Tannehill can avoid that? So they’re both on the table, correct?) – “Everything is on the table right now. We are going to talk to a lot of people.”
(Is the plan to add another quarterback just as another arm for now, to have a fourth arm?) – “I haven’t really got there yet. Yesterday was a tough day, (with Ryan Tannehill) going through that. Seeing how hard he worked to be back out there and go through the spring, a lot of the things that he did to make sure that everything was good and he felt great, and it caught him off guard a little bit. Just seeing him like that, that was tough.”
(Would you and QB Ryan Tannehill like to make a decision in the next few days?) – “There’s no timetable.”
(Is QB Matt Moore your quarterback if QB Ryan Tannehill is not?) – “Right now, Matt is our quarterback and we’ll see where we go from there, because I’ve got to figure out what’s going on with Ryan and then we’ll make decisions after that.”
Kraig Urbik – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
C/G Kraig Urbik
(Today you had an opportunity to get more reps at guard. How did that go? How has that gone for you?) – “It’s good. The whole camp, we’ve been rotating at everything. Every day I take (reps at) both guard spots and center. We’ve been rotating a lot. (Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator Chris Foerster) is getting us ready for everything. That’s kind of the main thing if you’re going to be a backup is you have to know every spot. You can’t just be on one spot; but Coach (Foerster) is doing a good job of rotating us and I think we’ve been doing a good job so far.”
(Is this a different position than you were in last year because you were as a starter at both positions, correct? Or practicing at both positions?) – “Well, most of the year I was backing up all three spots in the middle, along with (Anthony) Steen. I started a couple of games at left guard last year. I got some other action at right guard, center and stuff like that. It’s one of those things that you just have to get in there and get after it.”
(How do you prepare yourself for the possibility that an injury could happen at any time and you could be a starter at any time? Just that philosophy…) – “I mean at any given point in the season, someone could go down with an injury and you’re the starter for the rest of the year, so you prepare that way. You have to prepare every week, every game like you’re going to be the starter. They could go in the first play of the game, get hurt and you’re in for the rest of the season. So if you’re not prepared for that, you’re not doing your job. You have to go in every week, every year like I’m preparing to start every year. That’s how I go about it.”
(If QB Matt Moore has to play a bunch, how do you guys feel about Matt Moore?) – “Great. Matt has been around for a long time. He’s a good player. He’s played a lot of good plays and stuff like that so we’re very comfortable with him.”
Matt Moore – August 4, 2017
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Friday, August 4, 2017
QB Matt Moore
(Obviously the news regarding QB Ryan Tannehill, we still don’t know a full 100; but your thoughts on the possibility of you taking over the reins for him?) – “Yes, it’s hard. As a buddy and teammate, you never want to see that happen. This is part of my role and I’ve done this before and stepping up and being ready if need be. So that’s as much as I know and kind of the attitude I have moving forward.”
(What was the mood of the team today? Was it business as usual? Was anybody down?) – “I mean guys … It stinks, but I thought today was a good practice. Guys were popping around. (It was) pretty competitive so it was good.”
(From a team confidence standpoint, how important was what you did last year at the end of the regular season preparing you for this spot?) – “It’s always … When you get a chance to have more than 11 guys actually playing games, it does a lot for confidence. Especially at the quarterback position, I’ve gotten to play with a lot of these guys with live bullets. It’s good. We’re just focused now on just getting better – all of us, whoever’s in there, getting better together and moving forward.”
(I know you always have to stay ready but how do you find that balance between staying in the present while also maybe having to prepare for being the starter?) – “I think I tell myself this is training camp and just take each day one day at a time and get better. Win the day and the future will handle itself. I’m just really focused on what we’re doing, what we’re focused on in camp and trying to get better that way.”
(Have you had a chance to talk to QB Ryan Tannehill at all?) – “I did, yes. He’s obviously waiting, like we all are. Nobody knows what’s going on, but he seems to be in good spirits. He was here watching tape yesterday with us and hanging out, so it was good.”
(What would you say to anybody who is wondering whether the Dolphins need to bring in another quarterback?) – “I would say I’m focused on training camp. I’m not really thinking about that. It’s a day-to-day thing for me right now and I’m focused on myself and the guys that are here right now.”
Clyde Christensen – August 3, 2017
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Thursday, August 3, 2017
Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen
(What did you see when QB Ryan Tannehill went down?) – “I saw him buckle and go down. I saw it from a distance. I didn’t see any details. I don’t know anything on it. Obviously, we just finished practice. We’ll get the report when we go in.”
(As far as you know, it was non-contact? QB Ryan Tannehill maybe stepped…) – “There was no contact on the play. That was all I really saw.”
(What’s your initial reaction when that happens?) – “The initial reaction is next man up and you’ve got to just keep going and you got to keep guys going and you can’t let the air go out of practice. That’s football, and it’s going to happen somewhere in this season. It’s going to happen somewhere in a game. So part of it is just getting the right reaction (like), back in the huddle, the game doesn’t stop. You go on to the next play and we go. Then obviously my personal thing is, boy, I sure hope it isn’t serious.”
(Is that kind of what happened? The air came out of practice there for a couple minutes while you guys were checking?) – “I don’t think so. I think more probably the defense got after the offense. I felt maybe just for a little bit. But again, the reaction has to be that. That is this game. That’s this game and we faced it last year for a while. As a coach, you just kick to your coaching mode and go on to the next thing, and we’ve got to keep going.”
(In your coaching mode, you’re out there without QB Ryan Tannehill, without C Mike Pouncey and without RB Jay Ajayi. What changes for you in that situation?) – “Nothing really. Just keep getting the next guy ready. Again, it’s really kind of good practice that way, because it’s real. It’s kind of good practice coaching and good practice getting the right mentality in your team that this stuff happens. This stuff happens and you’ve just got to go, whether it’s a cancelled flight or a late flight or a hotel mess up or whatever happens. Whatever it is, you’ve got to be able to react to it. That part of it, there’s some teaching that we can do from this thing that’s really valuable.”
(Had QB Ryan Tannehill been looking 100 percent to you?) – “Ryan has looked 100 percent to me. Yes, he really has. He has been 100 percent, I believe.”
(Can you talk about the confidence you have in QB Matt Moore since you saw him in action and he played in games last year?) – “Yes, you guys know how I feel about him. I love Matt Moore. I sure don’t want to move on past … Move on until we find out what the heck is going on in there. But sure, there’s a reason we have Matt Moore here, and we hope he never has to play. And if he does, he’ll be ready, and that’s the way it is.”
(Talk about your running back depth, now with RB Jay Ajayi out. What have you seen out of RB Kenyan Drake this year and RB Damien Williams the rest of the guys?) – “I think Damien gives us a really solid backup. I think Kenyan continues to push forward and get better. He has a chance to be a really, really good back in this league. He’s explosive. They’re getting a ton of reps. They’re really good special teams players. I think we got a deep room there, especially when Jay is healthy and rolling. That’s a deep room. Now we’re getting a great look at the rookie (De’Veon Smith) and the two other guys Senorise (Perry) and (Storm Johnson). We’ll get a good look at those guys. We’ve got a really good room there. There’s going to be some tough decisions in that room, and this does give us a chance to rep some other guys. So if there is a silver lining, I’d rather do it where we pull them out and not through something happening to someone. But the silver lining is that it does give us a chance to look at some guys and get an evaluation and get them some reps that they really need.”
(How’s your new left tackle, T Laremy Tunsil, looking?) – “He has been solid. He hasn’t been perfect, but I think he looks at home there. I think he is what we all thought he was, and he has a chance to be really good. He has had some ups and downs. This defensive line, it’s really good practice for him going against this defensive line. We get good work on these guys. We haven’t handled them well, but I think there’ll be some benefit down the road that we’ll get better and better and better, and then all of a sudden hopefully when the game comes, we won’t see any tougher situations than we’re seeing even in practice.”
(Is T Laremy Tunsil’s personality different in Year 2?) – “It really hasn’t been. He has been … He has always been delightful. He has always been kind of an easy-going guy. He always takes it as it comes. I think that’s what’s going to make him a really, really good left tackle. The next play – if something bad happens, he learns and moves on to the next play. I think that’s one of the really good characteristics he has. He has a nice, short memory and even-keeled personality, which are good characteristics to have at left tackle.”
(We’ve seen growth with WR Jakeem Grant as a receiver. Are there still a bit too many drops?) – “He has had a couple drops the last couple days, but overall he’s improving. He is one of the most improved guys we’ve had. We moved him outside, as I told you guys last time in the spring, and I think it has helped him a little bit. I think we can get some big plays out of him. He’s a really, really good receiver. The drops have been kind of throughout the unit. We dropped a lot of balls, especially these last three days. We’ve got to eliminate those, but I think we’ll be okay there. Jakeem has really good hands. He’s a really good receiver. As he keeps learning and getting more steady, where the quarterbacks get confidence, where they know where he’s going to be. He’s a little guy and he’s a jittery guy, and he’s a different speed from your average guy. We’ve been stressing that you have to be a steady target. You’ve got to be smooth. He’s like trying to hit one of those jitterbugs or something. He’s all over the place. So we’ve been trying to eliminate that, and he has done a lot better job with it.”
(How about WR Leonte Carroo?) – “Carroo is improving. Carroo continues to improve. He continues to be steady. He has had a solid camp. He has had his mistakes and a couple things, but he’s a good, big, physical guy. I think he’s going to take a big step forward this year.”
(Do you guys have a good feel for TE Julius Thomas, how to get him the ball? I know Head Coach Adam Gase did in Denver, but out here?) – “I think slowly, but surely. Adam does. Now we just got to get the quarterbacks with a good feel for what he does well. Where does he like the ball? Is it over the top? Is it back shoulder? Is it a jump ball? What does he like? I think it’s more the quarterbacks feeling Julius out than … Adam knows how to use him. He’s had him and they’ve had a lot of experience together. But the quarterbacks have to get the same thing. It doesn’t help that the head coach says, ‘Here’s what he does well.’ You’ve still got to get a feel for, how fast does it happen, when does it happen, where does he like the ball – those kind of things – how does he come off contact, all those things.”
(Do you have any timetable for when the timing should be down with TE Julius Thomas? End of training camp? By the fourth game of the season?) – “I would hope that somewhere midway through the second, third preseason game. By the third preseason game, we ought to be on the same page and rolling pretty good and have a pretty good feel. It never goes quite like you planned; but if you had a plan as a coach, you’d love for those new guys to … Now they’ve worked together, they’ve got an offseason, now they got a good training camp, now you got a good couple preseason games series under their belt, and hopefully you’re off and running.”
