Adam Gase – June 1, 2016
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Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(On DE Cameron Wake’s progress) – “I think it’s close to the most that he has done. Like I said, we’ve been taking it slow, but the hardest thing for us is trying to keep him out, as far as doing too much. He’s pushing it to where he wants to make sure that he’s feeling good every day. He has been doing a good job as far as really pushing himself in individual (drills) and when he does get in the training room (and) the weight room, to see how far or where he’s at, at the moment. Today is another good day for him – another stepping stone for him.”
(On how DE Cameron Wake feels physically the day after he takes the field) – “He has been good. That’s why – for us – we feel like things are on track. But I do think it’s more us holding him back than him.”
(On his impressions of the rookies so far) – “It’s hard. We’re five (practices) in. We can copy and paste last week’s answer for the most part if you want to.” (laughter)
(On WR Kenny Stills) – “Kenny fits into what we do for the most part. He has position flexibility, which we love as an offensive staff. Being able to play inside and outside, the speed he has, the ball skills he has – we want to keep developing him and giving him as many opportunities (as we can). Especially when he gets a chance to go against (Byron) Maxwell, that’s a great measuring stick for him. We’ve gone at him a lot in practices, just trying to make sure that his confidence is growing and that he has a great feel for the offense.”
(On how the team will know when DE Cameron Wake can be full-go) – “I was just short of my M.D. at Michigan State (laughter), but I’m going to lean on the strength and conditioning (coaches) and the trainers and those people in our building to give me any red flags that come up. For the most part, he has been good. No alarms have been sounded quite yet.”
(On how WR Griff Whalen fits into the receiving corps) – “He’s competing. When you get to that spot – basically after the first two guys – if you’re not contributing somehow on special teams and you can’t play multiple positions, it’s going to be tough to make the team. That’s why we like the variety of guys we have that are competing in special teams that can play inside (and) outside. Position flex(ibility) is key.”
(On WR Jakeem Grant’s speed) – “It’s impressive. I know a lot of defensive guys have made comments about how quick and how fast he is. It’s almost like we have to temple him down a little bit, because … You guys probably saw today (that) when we do some routes versus air, he can get a little bit out of control. It’s learning how to run certain routes at the right tempo. It’s almost like the illusion you’re running full speed, but you’re not really, and you’re under control and you can stop on a dime. That’s where we need to get him.”
(On whether he calls WR Jakeem Grant “Mighty Mouse” as teammates do) – “I will not call him that.” (laughter)
(On what he would like to see from QB Ryan Tannehill in the red zone) – “You put the quarterback in bad positions sometimes as a play-caller, and you’re looking for the touchdown. You keep thinking, ‘Touchdown. Touchdown. Touchdown.’ Sometimes, you need to think of, ‘How can I create a third-and-manageable situation with a quarterback where it can become a run-pass option?’ You get a little greedy sometimes in the red zone, because you want the touchdown so bad. Sometimes, you have to understand (that) you have to score through the goal line. If you can keep your quarterback third-and-4 or less, it gives them options. It makes it easier on them. But when you’re third-and-9 from the 18 (yard line) or third-and-12 from the 20 (yard line), it’s hard. You’re limited on what you can call. As a play caller, you have to do a great job (of making) sure you put him in position to have success. That’s one of the things we’re trying to work on. When the throws are there and it’s a tight window – because it’s going to be tighter down there – we have to make the throws, and we have to make the catch.”
(On what G Billy Turner has to do to reach the next level) – “I think he has to keep doing what he’s been doing, and that’s working hard, getting stronger in the weight room, understanding what to do as far as the scheme, which he has been doing. We’re moving guys all over the place right now. I think his position flexibility has been outstanding. I think he’s on a great track right now, as far as he keeps showing up every day, doing the right thing, working to get harder. He doesn’t say much, and I appreciate guys who just put their head down and work.”
(On whether G Billy Turner is getting time at guard and tackle) – “We’re working those guys. Unless you can’t play center, we’re trying everybody. We want to make sure we have options. Like I said before, (there are) seven guys up on game day. We better be able to be flexible.”
(On what he has seen from LB Neville Hewitt) – “It’s a growing experience for him. I know the speed was something we were very impressed with coming in. Now, it’s more about … We have to get him out there. We have to keep him out there. Availability is the No. 1 priority right now with a lot of our players. If you can’t practice, it’s hard to evaluate. As far as his skill set goes, it’s there; and we have to keep bringing him along.”
(On what he would like to see from TE Dion Sims) – “I think it does come down to consistency. I know that’s kind of a repeat line right there, but he has the skill set that you want. There are not a lot of tight ends that you can say (are) an in-line blocker, can play the move position, can catch the ball, can run routes, has good speed and can do a good job in both pass protection and the run game. He has all that ability. It’s about doing it week-in, week-out for the entire season.”
(On DE Dion Jordan applying for reinstatement) – “You can copy and paste again. (laughter) You can use (General Manager) Chris’ (Grier) answer this time instead of mine. I’ll worry about that when it comes around.”
(On how RB Jay Ajayi is progressing as a pass catcher and route runner) – “He has done a good job in both areas. I feel like the routes are something (that is) a little bit new for him, as far as what he did in college. But the improvement we’re seeing every day is what we’re looking for. It’s just giving (him) that opportunity. The last period we did, there’s a lot of reps right there to where every little detail is important for him, because it might be the first time he has actually done it. We want him to keep improving. That’s going to be the key. It’s all about getting the next eight practices in, so when we hit training camp, everybody has a great feel of the offense. And then we can go out there and we can raise that level that we’re at right now.”
(On the depth of the pass rush) – “You’re upset about this? (laughter) We’re excited. The more for us, the better. (It is the) same thing with corner(backs). I’ll hit somebody off on that one, right? The more flexibility we have at corner and more guys we have at pass rusher, that’s what we’re looking for.”
(On whether the pass rushers are the deepest position group going into camp) – “Probably. We’ll just see how it goes.”
(On whether WR DeVante Parker did not practice due to injury) – “No, we’re just being smart.”
(On LB Koa Misi’s incident) – “We had a discussion about it. I think it was more me talking than him. But, it has been handled.”
Earl Mitchell – May 31, 2016
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Defensive Tackle Earl Mitchell
(On if Head Coach Adam Gase knows that he plays fullback) – “I’m pretty sure the word has gotten around. That would be cool. But who knows?”
(On if he knows how Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph wants to use the defensive tackles in terms of rest and rotation) – “It’s difficult to say right now. We’re all getting the feel for everything and seeing how everything is going to turn out. But right now, (we are) just trying to figure out an established rotation. I guess (that’s) what is key. From a practice standpoint, we’re all just trying to get reps in right now. We have a lot of defensive tackles, a lot of defensive linemen in right now (and we’re) just trying to get as many reps (and) just trying to see where everybody’s at.”
(On his thoughts about the new additions to the defensive line) – “We have some older guys here. It makes the competition that much better all around. We have older guys teaching younger guys and we have younger guys pushing the older guys so it’s a really good atmosphere, especially in our room.”
(On what kind of leadership role he has taken this year) – “(I’m) definitely just trying to push the younger guys here. (DT Ndamukong) Suh (and I), we have some younger guys here and we’re doing whatever we can to try to put some knowledge on them and show them how it’s done. And just overall, (we’re) just trying to do it the right way and just lead by example.”
(On DT Jordan Phillips) – “Jordan’s definitely working hard. He wants to step up and do his part. All I can do is just commend him on his work. He’s doing what he can to make this team better and obviously that makes us better. I’m all for it.”
(On if the unit is still upset about last year) – “We’re not focused on that. We’re moving forward. I think all of the guys here (are) really excited about what we can be. Obviously we have the talent there, but you just have to figure it out and just make sure everybody’s on the same page.”
(On if he has communicated with DE Dion Jordan recently) – “I haven’t had too many words with him. I just hope he’s doing well. That’s my message to get to him. Hopefully everything works out with him in a positive aspect. That’s pretty much all I have to say about him.”
(On if it would be alright if DE Dion Jordan returned to the locker room) – “Definitely. There’s no hard feelings. All you can do is just wish positive for another man.”
(On if being a starter makes a difference to him at this point in his career) – “Obviously, it’s a competition. Whenever there’s a competition, you feel like you want to win. You never want to just look at it like that. That’s the worst thing you can do. Whatever I can do to push him, whatever he can do to push me, we’re both welcoming that atmosphere. I really think it’s a positive thing, at the end of the day, just pushing one another. We’re getting better, we’re communicating, we’re talking and when you’re on the field, you’re going to be on the field with each other. It’s not like there’s not a chance that me and him aren’t going to be on the field together at one point. But it makes it better – the competition.”
(On DE Mario Williams) – “Obviously he brings another veteran presence. He’s a great pass rusher, a great player and he has a lot of knowledge of the game. It’s really good for the locker room too. They get to see him being a veteran. He’s coming (in and) working hard every day and all (of) the young guys get to see what it’s like to play at a high level and practice and come in and do the stuff that’s necessary to be productive.”
(On DE Cameron Wake) – “I see a guy that’s doing everything he can to just make this team better. He’s still working (on rehab), but he’s working with the guys. He’s coming in during the workouts. You really wouldn’t be able to tell (that he is coming off a serious injury). I think he’s doing okay.”
(On the depth at defensive tackle) – “We have some guys that you have film on them, you can see their body of work and I think we have a good nucleus of guys, especially inside. I’m excited about the guys we have.”
(On departures in free agency such as RB Lamar Miller, DE Olivier Vernon and CB Brent Grimes and if he wonders how the team will replace those guys) – “This league is all about competition and you have to trust those guys upstairs that they can replace those guys. Obviously those are great players and you’re going to miss their contribution. But at the same time you can trust the guys upstairs that they’re going to be able to replace those guys with quality guys. I’m excited about the additions that we have. You never know what the additions (and) their impact can make on this team.”
(On Head Coach Adam Gase talking trash to the team and if he picks sides and talks more to the defense) – “He definitely picks a side. (laughter) It’s all good though. It’s different to have a head coach … it’s like if he gets the best of you one day, he swears he had that planned out. But I can tell (he picks sides), and it’s good. It just makes the atmosphere better. It’s fun.”
(On if he knew it was Head Coach Adam Gase talking trash the first time he heard it) – “It’s actually a couple of them. You have the wide receivers coach, he’s talking trash. He’s taking trash to us and it’s like ‘Who is that?’ You think (they are) players at first. But it’s making us better. I like it. I’m all for it.”
(On if he talks trash back) – “No, that’s not my style. I just play.”
(On what makes him confident that the defensive line will be better than last year) – “It’s hard to tell right now. But what I can say is that we have (Defensive Line Coach Terrell) Williams, we have (Assistant Defensive Line Coach/Pass Rush Specialist Jim) Washburn, who’s helping us out a tremendous amount in comparison to last year. We’re learning a whole lot more early on. And (Defensive Coordinator) Vance (Joseph), he’s pretty adamant about us having this attack-style defense. I just want to commend Coach Washburn. He’s helping us out and teaching us so much. I think that’s going to be big. It’s going to be key for us, just having that communication and just learning everything early on, what they want us to do.”
(On the biggest difference between a Wide 9 defense and what he has been playing his whole life) – “It gives us the opportunity to attack upfield. It turns everything back (inside), especially in the run game. It takes that read away from the inside guys too. You don’t have to read down the line of scrimmage. You can just attack and not necessarily worry about losing your contain on the outside because when you have guys on the outside, it turns everything back inside. It makes it easier for you to attack and not worry about if anything’s going to get on the outside.”
(On the absences of DT Ndamukong Suh and S Reshad Jones during voluntary workouts) – “We’re focused on the guys that are here. They’re doing their thing and everybody knows what they’re capable of. Everybody trusts them around here. I’m not concerned about them. When they are here, it is great because they have so much knowledge they can bestow on all the young guys. It’s always good when they’re around.”
Byron Maxwell – May 31, 2016
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Cornerback Byron Maxwell
(On if he likes the responsibility that comes with being a veteran among a young cornerback group) – “It’s a responsibility that has to be accepted, regardless of (whether) I like it or not. It’s one of those things where you can get these young guys and you can mold them. And you can create something like we had in Seattle; something similar to that. I’m looking forward to it.”
(On coaches saying he has “starred” in practices thus far) – “I don’t know. I haven’t gotten too many … my hands on the ball. That’s kind of what I judge as a star, but sure.”
(On his battles with WR DeVante Parker) – “Yes. (Parker and I) have had good battles. He’s a great player. Not only him, (but WR) Kenny Stills and you have (WR) Jarvis Landry. Those three guys could be very special as a (wide receiving) corps. But yeah, Parker (and I) have had some good battles. He’s a strong kid and he can go up and get the ball too. (He has) good ball skills.”
(On how he has been able to use his press coverage skills in OTAs and if he is glad that’s part of the defensive scheme) – “Yeah, obviously. I pressed a little bit in Philly but I think that’s one of the strengths in my game and what I do. I’m looking forward to just going and pressing and playing that (way).”
(On if he has been using those skills right now with what the team is doing in OTAs) – “You can use them a little but you don’t have pads on so it’s a lot easier to get skinny. You can’t really punch him and get (as) physical as you would like. It’s a good way to train and work on your technique too, at the same time; because you can’t just rely on pads. You have to rely on moving your feet. That’s how you press. It is good work out there, right now.”
(On if he feels he has something to prove because he was traded) – “I always feel like I have something to prove but definitely, you’re the new guy in the locker room. Everybody is looking at you like ‘What can you do?’ They watch football just like everybody (else). The season I had just wasn’t … well, the beginning of the season. I always feel like I have something to prove. There are things on my list that I need to do; I feel like I need to do as an NFL player. It’s Year 6 so there is way more stuff to prove. I have a lot of years.”
(On his perception about whether others sold him short last season) – “Regardless of how it was sold or whatever, that’s what happened. As a player in the NFL, if your team is not doing well, you’re not doing well. That’s how I look at it and that’s the way it is.”
(On CB Xavien Howard and if he will fit in well with the scheme) – “I really do think he will. He’s athletic. He was born to be a corner(back). It’s a natural gift. You can see it in his hips and the way he moves.”
(On if he gives any tips to CB Xavien Howard and CB Tony Lippett on being a big cornerback) – “If they come to me and ask me a question, (then sure). I lead by example. That’s the best way to do it. If they ask me a question then I can give them feedback. That’s the best way of going about things. Obviously, if they ask me a question then they need the info. But if they don’t, just let them rock.”
(On how he uses his size to his advantage) – “Honestly, I get big at the top of the route – ball skills. I like to think of myself as a rebounder when the ball is coming – boxing out and just going up to get the ball. That’s how I think my game … when I think about it.”
(On trash talking with Head Coach Adam Gase) – “(There’s) a little trash talk in here. We do a lot of trash talking out there (on the practice field). It’s all good. It’s fun. We’re competing. When we’re trash talking, I’m like ‘Man, I can’t let (WR DeVante) Parker beat me because I’m going to hear Gase all in my ear.’ That’s one of the things we talk about – competing and everything. It’s fun out there. (Gase) gets me going.”
(On his bond with Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph and if he is the ideal skill set for him and his skill set) – “He works with DBs too so that’s always a good thing. You (don’t just) have (Defensive Backs) Coach Lou (Amaruno, but) you have Coach VJ (Vance Joseph) looking at you. You have (Assistant Defensive Backs Coach) Daronte (Jones). There’s a lot of eyes looking at your technique and what you need to do better and how to work at it. It’s always better, to me, when the defensive coordinator is also a DBs coach. Like I said, (Joseph is) always in the DBs room and he is always working with us too.”
(On CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu) – “He’s athletic. Early thoughts (are that he is) athletic. But it’s a long (offseason) and a long training camp. That will work itself out.”
(On getting your hands on the receiver in press coverage) – “Like I said, it’s all with your feet. Hands – that’s the extra on the punch that helps. Press (coverage) starts with your feet and your eyes (and) eye discipline. That’s where it starts with press, and you end at the top of the route (with) eye discipline. That’s the quickest way to get out and stay on top is eye discipline.”
(On what Head Coach Adam Gase says to him during practice) – “That’s between me and him. He’s definitely getting me going. That’s the key. When I’m out there, it’s in the back of my head. It really is, like, ‘I can’t let nobody beat me because I’m not going to hear the end of this.’ (laughter) That’s one of the things … That’s great though. That’s what you need. Iron sharpens iron. (WR) DeVante Parker is making me better. Hopefully, I’m making him better.”
(On whether it surprised him that Head Coach Adam Gase talks “trash” to the defense) – “Yes, because usually, you would hope the head coach doesn’t have a side (of the ball). But clearly he has a side, which is cool.” (laugher)
(On what else he hopes to achieve in his NFL career) – “Honestly, right now, I want (people) to say, ‘Whatever spot he went at, he helped the ball team. Wherever he went, he helped them win.’ To me, that’s the most important thing. When you leave the game, being known as a winner is far more important than any other self-accolades. That’s the most important thing right now. That’s what I want.”
(On whether he has surprised the wide receivers with his abilities so far) – “I don’t know. I don’t know what they thought of my game before this. We played (the Dolphins) last year (in Philadelphia), so I’m pretty sure they watched a good bit of tape. I don’t know what they think of me or what they thought of my game before I came here. I couldn’t answer that.”
(On T Branden Albert) – “I don’t know much about ‘B.A.’ (Branden Albert). I met him when I first coming out and I noticed he was a good guy. That’s about it. He was a cool dude off the field. But as far as on the field, I don’t know much about him.”
(On what excites him about this defense) – “Obviously, it starts up front. We have quality guys up front. We have a lot of depth, too. I’m excited about that – that front seven – and playing with the guys in the secondary, too. That’s one of the things (when) I think about the defense, and I think what we can be. Obviously, we have to put the work in – and it starts out there – but on paper and everything, I feel very good about it. I feel great about it.”
(On whether inexperience is a concern at cornerback) – “It’s one of those things … Sometimes you have to go through the firing (squad). That’ll make you, to be honest with you. Everybody was young at a point in time. That’s how I like to think about it.”
Jay Ajayi – May 31, 2016
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Running Back Jay Ajayi
(On how the running back room will replace RB Lamar Miller) – “I can only speak for myself and my objective is to be the starter of the team. That’s what I’ve been doing day in and day out – working to be that starter. I can’t speak on everyone else’s opinion, but I know that I want to be that guy.”
(On how much he has to prove this season) – “I know what I want to accomplish. Everyone else has opinions on what I can do and if I’m worthy enough, and I know how good I am. I know how great I can be. That’s my mentality coming in, day in and day out – to work, so that when I step out on that field, I can produce the way I know that I can and be the great back that I know I can be.”
(On how he is a better player in Year 2 than as a rookie) – “I feel like as a rookie, I went through a lot of things that some rookies haven’t had to go through such as the short-term IR (injured reserve) and not being able to go right away. Then coming back and actually put in positions to be on the field and make plays for the team. I think I definitely got to learn a lot through those adversities. Being able to come out for my first game playing and have success, that really helped me with confidence out there on the field. Now going into Year 2, having gone through a bunch of that stuff, I definitely feel more comfortable out there on the field. I feel like the game has definitely slowed down a lot more for me. It’s now (about) working on the details, working on consistency. That’s really what I’m harping on – being a lot more consistent with my game.”
(On RB Kenyan Drake) – “He’s bigger than I expected. He’s a big guy. He’s fast. I think that he’s going to bring talent to the room as well. I’m excited to continue to see him grow and see what he can do when we start really rolling in training camp.”
(On RB Kenyan Drake’s size and whether he can be used as a receiver) – “I just know for (his) size, he’s bigger than what I expected him to be. For his role, that’s what (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase decides. From what I’ve seen so far, he has been doing a good job.”
(On working with Head Coach Adam Gase) – “It has been really good. We started in April working with him, and it has been really great learning all (of) his offense and all the little details. It has been really fun. He’s a coach that makes you excited to go out there and play for him. He makes practice fun. It has been (a) really good time going out there, grinding with the team and getting better as a unit. We still have a long ways to go as an offense and getting where we need to be, but we’ve been doing well so far. We need to continue improving each practice we step out there.”
(On how he defines a great running back) – “I’d definitely say there are guys in the league that have done it the right way and have shown greatness at the running back position. I look at the way they play – and their style of running – and I try to take different things from those guys and add it to my game. For me, I know that I want to be up there when it gets down to it at the end of the season and be a guy that people say, ‘He did a great job for his team. He ran hard. He scored a lot of touchdowns (and) made a lot of big plays for his team.’ That’s what I want to be. I don’t want to be a hindrance to this team. I want to be a contributor, a guy that makes big plays for this team and scores touchdowns.”
(On which running backs he compares his style to) – “Guys like Marshawn Lynch is a guy that ran hard every time he touched the ball and made huge plays for that team. Time in and time out when he was called upon, he did his job. Guys like that … ‘A.P.’ (Adrian Peterson) right now … He has been doing it for years. When I talk about consistency, he’s a guy that I look at who is very consistent. You can count on him every game. It’s things like that I try to take and put it to my game (while) at the same time being a unique runner – being myself and having an identity of my own – and trying to go out there on the field and make big plays.”
(On the confidence G/T Branden Albert has expressed about his play) – “It gives me a lot of confidence. I’m excited for this opportunity. That has always been my thing – when I get the opportunity, I have to make sure that I take it, because opportunities can be very limited in this league. Hearing (Branden Albert) say that I’m going to hit it makes me want to work harder. When I run, I run for my teammates. I try to make plays, try to break tackles and make people miss for my teammates, trying to gain yards, trying to score. It’s all for them. Whenever I get a good run – and I come to the sideline – my teammates pat my back like, ‘Keep running like that,’ that just makes me want to run even harder. I feel like I’m a very selfless guy, and I want to make big plays and be a great running back.”
(On G/T Branden Albert’s health this offseason) – “Definitely looking at him, he looks lighter. I know from speaking with him, he says he feels a lot better than he has been in the past, last year. I think health is going to be a big key for how well we do on our offensive line. It’s been really great to have a lot of those guys back healthy. I know last year they were going through a lot of adversity (and) playing hurt. Some guys were out a number of weeks. I think as healthy as we can be on our o-line, we’re going to be a pretty good offense. It has been really good to have all those guys back out there (with T) Ja’Wuan (James) being back healthy, ‘Pounce’ (C Mike Pouncey) finally getting back out there. ‘B.A.’ (Branden Albert), he says he’s feeling good. It has been really great to have all those guys back on the o-line and seeing what our o-line should look like for the upcoming season.”
(On whether he believes one running back can carry the load in today’s NFL landscape) – “There are teams that do it one way and teams that do it another way. That would be up to (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase’s scheme (and) how he wants to get it done. I know that I can only focus on myself day in and day out and control what I can control, and that’s going to be my mentality and level of play. I’m constantly working on raising my game every practice, so (that) when my number is called – and (regardless of) how many times my number is called – I’m going to make big plays when that happens.”
(On G/T Branden Albert) – “I think overall, when you have a guy like ‘B.A.’ (Branden Albert), he has been playing in this league … Probably since I was in high school he has been in the league, and he has been playing at a high level. His leadership (and) those qualities are definitely needed out there (with) his strength in the pass game and the run game. He is one of the premier left tackles. He didn’t make it to the Pro Bowl by accident last year. We always want a guy like that out there on the field helping anchor down that left side.”
(On how he maximizes yardage as a running back) – “I definitely believe that … I pride myself on not trying to be brought down by one guy. Sometimes, the play isn’t always blocked up as best as it should be, and I feel like that’s when the really great running backs showcase their abilities whether it’s making guys miss, breaking and tackling and getting those yards back or making a big play out of it. I think that throughout my career – just from college up until a little bit last year – trying to break those tackles and make plays sometimes out of nothing, I definitely pride myself of being able to do that.”
Branden Albert – May 31, 2016
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Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Tackle Branden Albert
(On how he follows up on last season and carries it over to this year) – “Basically, towards the end of the season, I started coming back to the form I (had) before my injury happened. I started playing like the elite player I was playing before my injury. Now I just have to carry (it over to this year). Right now, I’m in the best shape I’ve been in in a long time. It’s the lightest I’ve been since I left Kansas City. As of right now, I’m just trying to keep continuing to get my body together and learning the offense and just continuing to work.”
(On how much lighter he is) – “I’m probably like 313 (pounds) right now.”
(On why he made the change to get lighter) – “Basically, I am getting kind of older. For the sake of my health and my joints and my knees, I just feel better. Right now I’m at a point that I’m strong enough to be lighter (I wanted to be lighter) just for longevity in my career.”
(On what he was thinking when G/T Laremy Tunsil dropped in the draft and if he knew much about him in college) – “I really didn’t pay attention to the draft. But watching the offensive tackles, I would try to pay attention and I just knew he was a great young player. When we got him I was like ‘It’s going to be a benefit for the offensive line.’ Well. the more the merrier, to be honest with you. It wasn’t … I know some people called me like ‘What’s going on?’ I (told them) ‘I’m the left tackle of this team.’ I wasn’t worried about anything. I’m trying to bring him along the best we can. The faster he moves along and the faster that his progress comes, and we get the five best offensive linemen on the field, we’re going to be the best offensive line we can be. That’s going to help this team out.”
(On how good the offensive line can be with the health of him and T Ja’Wuan James and the addition of G/T Laremy Tunsil) – “We can be pretty good but we have to put the work in. We have to listen to (Offensive Line) Coach (Chris) Foerster and other coaches: (Offensive Quality Control) Coach Kup (Chris Kuper) and (Assistant Offensive Line) Coach Wash(burn). And we have to stay healthy. That’s been our main problem. The big three: Ja’Wuan, C Mike (Pouncey and I). We probably played five games together in the last two years. We have to stay healthy somehow. A little bit of luck. A little bit of prayer. A little bit of extra work. Once all of us stay together healthy, I think we will be a pretty good offensive line.”
(On how much of an issue the health of the offensive line has been in the past) – “I think that’s been a key issue – all of us staying healthy at once. I went down. (C) Mike (Pouncey) was hurt at the beginning (of the season) two years ago. Then he came back and two games later, I get hurt. Last year, I finally come back. Mike (Pouncey), Ja’Wuan (James and I are) playing and I hurt my hamstring. Then I come back and Ja’Wuan (James) hurts his toe. Then towards the end of the season, all of us were banged up. But once we all stay healthy, we stay cohesive, and we find the right the five, I believe we could be a heck of an offensive line.”
(On if he likes the depth now up front) – “We have a lot of depth. Last year showed that we didn’t have (any) depth. Guys (were) forced to be put in bad situations and put in tough spots and try to make the best out of it. Some guys, at the time, were not equipped because they weren’t raised to be in a different position. They were rotating through certain positions and then, all of a sudden, you need to play right tackle. Well, the whole year they didn’t practice right tackle. So this year we have a lot of depth in a lot of areas (and) a lot of veteran players, so it’s going to be good for us.”
(On RB Jay Ajayi) – “I think he’s going to hit the holes. That’s his thing. He’s going to hit the holes. We’re going to open up the holes for him and he’s going to hit it. I’m not worried about him tiptoeing through the hole. He’s going to put his head down, find the hole and he’s going to get through there. We need someone else to step up in the running game too and run the ball. It’s our job to open up the holes and it’s his job to hit them. And I believe he will.”
(On if making the Pro Bowl had any special meaning) – “Of course. I battled through a real bad injury, which at the age that I was at going through that injury, a lot of people would have quit. Through all of that last year and people saying this and that about me – In the media and on Instagram and Twitter – (they) always have a remark about I can’t stay healthy and try to say I played half the season. I played 14 of 16 games and nobody gave me my credit coming back a week before the first game coming off an ACL, MCL and PCL injury. So of course it was gratifying. I’m happy about it but I would rather get wins and get my Pro Bowls at the same time.”
(On if he notices the injury anymore) – “Nope. That’s why I lost weight. In fact, right now I don’t feel it. I don’t notice it. (I’m) moving a lot better. I’m running around. I want to take my knee brace off but I’m not allowed to.”
(On who told him he can’t take his knee brace off) – “The training staff. I have to listen to what the training staff says.”
(On if quitting football ever crossed his mind) – “(Yes), at the beginning. In the third month of my rehab, I still wasn’t walking. Maybe at the fifth month of my rehab, I still wasn’t running. I said ‘How am I going to play in the first game and I’m not running yet at six months (after the injury)?’. But I was determined and I had the support of my teammates and my family. It was rough but I made it through.”
Ryan Tannehill – May 26, 2016
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Thursday, May 26, 2016
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(On how he would describe Head Coach Adam Gase as a teacher) – “He’s an excellent teacher. That’s one of the things I noticed about him from Day 1, when we were going through the installs right here in this room. He’s very efficient. He’s clear. He makes it to where it’s easy to understand. Everyone in the room can understand exactly what he’s saying and what he expects. I definitely think that’s one of his strongest attributes is his teaching ability.”
(On if he’s seen Head Coach Adam Gase get mad yet) – “He hasn’t blown a gasket or anything like that. Obviously, if things don’t go well, he’s not feeling good at practice. I think he’s kept his composure, and he hasn’t erupted or anything like that. It’s always a possibility if things aren’t going well, but right now we’re in a learning phase. We’re in a teaching phase. Things weren’t as clean as we’d like them to be today. We had some mess-ups (and) had some plays that didn’t work out the way we wanted them to, but it’s Day 3 of OTAs. We’re learning. We’re getting better (and) progressing each and every day. We want it to happen quickly, and I think that’s what we’re pushing for each and every day. But at the same time, you have to give guys a chance to learn it. If we’re still making that same mistake next week, then we have a problem. But (this is the) first go around this week of some of the things we were doing today. The defense put some stuff in today that we hadn’t seen so far. It was a good challenge. It was a good challenge for both sides of the ball.”
(On why he was doing push-ups at practice and if it was self-induced) – “I missed a target, so it was self-induced. Twenty push-ups.”
(On how different he will be as a quarterback with more freedom at the line of scrimmage) – “I’m still the same quarterback. Obviously, having that freedom to get the offense in a good play … We do a lot of things differently now. Being able to be on the line of scrimmage (and) adjust – whether its protections, routes, a whole new play … There’s a lot of freedom in what we do. I think that’s going to make us always on the attack. We’re not going to have to sit on our heels and feel like the defense is coming after us, and we have to figure out a way to make it work. We can put pressure on the defense by getting in a good play and always keeping the heat on the defense.”
(On the importance of tempo and creating mismatches) – “Tempo is important. That’s one of the reasons we’re on the line. We want to keep the pressure on the defense. Sometimes we’re going to get on the ball and snap the ball quickly and snap the ball with 30 seconds left on the play clock. Sometimes we’re going to get on the ball, use a cadence, use a hard count, see what the defense is in, adjust the play and go from there. Just because you’re on the ball doesn’t mean you’re going as fast as you can all the way down the field. We’re going to mix it up. We’re going to be moving quickly at times and then at other times we’re going to get quickly to the line and make the adjustment. Creating matchups, that’s the NFL. You want to get yourself in good matchups across the board whether it’s (the) run game or (the) pass game. I think we have a talented group of receivers, tight ends and backs that are going to create mismatches. That’s going to be fun for us to be able to move those guys around to create those mismatches.”
(On how frustrating last year was for WR DeVante Parker and how liberating it is for him now that he’s healthy) – “I think it was really frustrating, especially early on, just dealing with the foot injury and having a repeat of it. Just getting that confidence back … I think you saw – the last six to eight games of the year – his confidence start to build. He made more and more plays it seemed like as the weeks went on. He got more comfortable and more confident and was attacking the football. He’s starting at that point now. We can build from where he is at now, and the sky is the limit for him.”
(On his expectations for WR DeVante Parker this year) – “I expect big things out of him. I expect him to be a heck of a football player (and) a guy that other teams fear, because he can make big plays down the field (and) inside. He’s a big-bodied guy. He’s a guy that we’re going to want to use in the red zone and we’re going to want to use him on third downs and to stretch the field, as well.”
(On if he’s jaded or excited about learning another new offense) – “I’m excited. I’m excited about what this offense entails. It entails a lot of fun stuff for a quarterback to be able to direct traffic, keep pressure on the defense – like I said – and get us in a good play. To me, that’s exciting. That’s something you come to work and you’re excited about putting your team in the best possible situation. I think this is an exciting offense to be in – regardless of what position you’re in – because of how we’re going to attack defenses, Coach Gase and what he brings to the table (and) his aggressive style and always wanting to keep the heat on the defense.”
(On why this is different than previous offenses) – “We’re going to have tempo in this offense, as well. With (former Offensive Coordinator) Bill’s (Lazor) offense, we wanted to create tempo, and we were kind of locked in. What he called is what we ran. With this offense, we’re going to mix things up. We’re going to move quickly at times, snap the ball quickly. At other times, we’re going to get up to the line quickly and take our time. At other times we’re going to huddle and be like a standard offense. Just the variability and the versatility that this offense has and the different things that we can do to create the drives that we want to create down the field.”
(On how much the personnel additions made to the offense this offseason helps take the unit to the next level) – “It’s huge. We’ve been sacked a lot here in the past few years, so to see them take a big step and have a guy like (G/T Laremy) Tunsil fall to us in the first round was huge for us. I’m completely impressed by what he’s done so far, his athleticism. You look at him … The first day in the weight room working out, the first day I saw him here in person, I kind of looked over (and) I didn’t realize he was here yet. I looked over, and I was like ‘Wow! That looks like an offensive lineman.’ He’s athletic. He’s big. (He has) long arms. He’s what you want to see in an offensive lineman. I’m really excited to have him. (G/T Jermon) Bushrod is a veteran guy who has been around and played a lot of football. He’s definitely going to help us. And then the skill guys we added, as well. We have talent. A fun guy that you’re going to see is (WR) Jakeem (Grant). He’s small, but we call him ‘Mighty Mouse.’ He’s making plays all over the field. He’s one of the fastest guys I’ve ever seen. He has that low center of gravity. He’s able to be really, really shifty coming in and out of his cuts. He makes a lot of plays so far.”
(On the younger receivers and if there is an extra learning curve or extra kinks the team has to work out in the coming weeks) – “We’re still learning right now. We’re putting in new things each and every day. Things we maybe went through once against air, now we’re going against a defense with it. There’s definitely still a lot of learning going on. Each and every play is a learning experience for everyone that’s on the field. We’re going to continue to work (on) our timing, our relationships on the field, whether it’s being in the right spot, the adjustments we make. All of those things we’re going to continue to get better as OTAs go on and as camp goes on. Hopefully, we’ll be at 100 percent once Week 1 hits.”
(On directing traffic and then the importance of communication and how the team is working to build that communication) – “Communication is huge. That’s where it all starts. It starts with the quarterback making the call and then it goes to the receivers communicating what they have, the offensive line communicating what their calls are and who they’re blocking. And then when you start making checks, the defense is moving around and making adjustments. It all starts with communication. You have to know what to do, but then you have to communicate so you’re all on the same page.”
(On if we will see him doing push-ups during games) – “I don’t think so.” (laughter)
(On how he would evaluate this week) – “Today was definitely the day with the most (improvement), I’ll put it that way. As you get deeper into the installs – and the defense gets deeper into the installs – there’s more on our plates, so there’s going to be a few more mistakes, I think, (with) these Day 3 (and) Day 4 (practices). We have to learn from it. We have to move quickly. We have to watch the tape, see where we messed up and not make that same mistake again. I definitely say we’re getting better every day. I see guys already learning from the mistakes they made in Day 1, and we’re not seeing those same mistakes. There’s a bunch of routes today that I looked at, and we didn’t run them that way in Day 1 and Day 2, but we got them right today. There’s a lot of positive things out there, as well, and things that we can build on.”
(On WR Leonte Carroo and what he can bring to the offense) – “I’m excited. I’m excited to see him work. He kind of got dinged up (his) first day here, so (I) haven’t got to see a lot of what he can do so far. But I like his personality. I think he’s a strong, physical guy that’s going to be a weapon for us. He’s going to be able to have some run-after-catch (yards), be physical with the corners (and) be physical down the field. It’s always good to have a strong body type that can combat (the) quickness of a guy like Jakeem (Grant). You have a ying and a yang there.”
(On making this his offense) – “It’s an important thing, for sure. It’s fun for me to be able to dive in and take ownership of the offense (and) being able to learn it like a coach. That’s ultimately what I want to do: I want to be a guy on the field that anyone on the field can come to and ask a question, and I have the answers. (I am) still in that learning process, but trying to get through that as quickly as I can so that I am that guy that everyone can look to on the field and ask me a question and know exactly what they have. That’s part of being a leader is knowing what everyone needs and be available for them when they need help.”
DeVante Parker – May 26, 2016
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Thursday, May 26, 2016
Wide Receiver DeVante Parker
(On how he feels now that he is healthy) – “It feels great. Now that I’m back healthy again, I’m able to come out and play with my team and able to get better every day.”
(On how much his injury put him behind) – “It put me behind a lot having an issue (I) dealt with in college a little bit, too and it’s coming back here (to Miami) and (I) dealt with it again. It was a struggle, but (I) bounced back from it, and (I am) just ready and looking forward to this season now.”
(On what he took from last season and can build on in his second NFL season) – “I’d say just learning from the veterans like Greg Jennings last year. Learning from him and just being able to compete (are) things he taught me, and (I’m) just working on it this year.”
(On his route detail and where it is at now compared to when he entered the league) – “I feel like my route detail is getting a lot better, but we still have things we need to work on a little bit. (I’m) just coming out to practice every day and just (trying to) get better on everything.”
(On watching his film from last year and what he liked about himself and still needs to work on) – “I always attack the ball all the time, and I need to work on just coming out of my route and finishing it at all times, no matter what.”
(On how competing against CB Byron Maxwell in practice is helping him improve) – “It’s great going against him. He’s very tall (and) long, just like me. He knows how to play the ball well. We make each other better.”
(On why he feels this will be a better year for him than last season) – “I’m not injured. I’m healthy this year now. I just have to come out and stay healthy. I have to come out and make plays.”
(On if he has any goals for himself this year) – “I don’t have goals for myself. I just want to win games.”
(On his communication with QB Ryan Tannehill) – “If I just stick with my technique at all times and have that defender beat, Ryan (Tannehill) knows where to put the ball, and I have to be in that spot to go up and make a play.”
(On what it is like to play in an offense knowing that there are multiple options on every play) – “It’s very exciting to have that. The ball can go anywhere at any point in time, you just have to be ready for it. You never know when it’s your time to get it, but when it is, you have to be ready.”
(On where he is being utilized in the offense) – “(The coaches) are moving us all over, everywhere, in and out; so you have to know every position.”
(On if he feels comfortable playing the slot) – “Oh, yeah. Very comfortable.”
(On how excited he is to play multiple positions) – “It’s very exciting. Teams can’t cover you when you move around. If you’re in one spot, it’s an advantage for them.”
(On WR Jakeem Grant) – “He’s very fast. I heard he ran like a 4.1-something (40-yard dash). That’s tremendous. He’s good, and he’s going to get better.”
(On if WR Jakeem Grant told him that he ran a 4.1 40-yard dash) – “Yeah, he did.” (laughter)
(On what he did in his offseason) – “I was going back and forth – going home and coming here – and catching balls with Ryan (Tannehill) and the rest of the receiver group.”
(On if he went on any trips or did anything exciting) – “Nope. Nothing exciting.”
Jelani Jenkins – May 26, 2016
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Thursday, May 26, 2016
Linebacker Jelani Jenkins
(On how nice it is to start OTAs and practice) – “Oh it’s exciting. I’ve been looking forward to it for a long time and I think everybody’s just gelling. We’re just having a good time running around and getting used to communicating with different people. We haven’t had a chance to communicate with (people) full speed. It’s fun and it’s exciting to see the offense and what they’re doing. It’s just exciting to compete, in general.”
(On LB Kiko Alonso) – “Things are really well. I think (him and I) have done a good job of talking outside of football and just hanging out. Just to hang out and just to get to know each other and how we react to different things, I think is going to really help out on the field. I think we have a really good friendship already and you can tell out there, just in the first three days, that we’re clicking really well. It’s going to be fun.”
(On how long it takes for a linebacker to gain chemistry with another linebacker) – “I guess it depends on the combination but it’s not too difficult. We sit in the same meeting rooms and a lot of times, whoever the Mike is – the middle linebacker – they kind of make most of the calls. We just play off of him. It doesn’t take too long. Like I said, we try to do a lot of things off the field to just grow our friendship outside of football.”
(On what gives him confidence that this year will be another step forward for him) – “I think with experience, you just get the chance to play faster. That’s what we all want to do. I think what gives me confidence, mostly, is this scheme. I think it works well for, not just me, but a lot of guys. I think that we’ll be able to make a lot of plays and play fast. I have confidence in our coaches. I have confidence in the players we have around me, and (in) year four for me, I have confidence in myself. All of that together makes (for) a pretty good year.”
(On if he feels like he’s back to where he was) – “Yeah, I think so. Like I said, mentally I feel like I’m a step further just being my fourth year in the league – having the whole offseason not injured and not coming off the surgery and being able to really just focus on getting strength work (and) preparing better for the season. I feel good about where I’m at right now.”
(On hanging out with LB Kiko Alonso and if relationships matter just at his position group or amongst all teammates) – “I think it’s all teammates but me and LB Kiko (Alonso), we’ve been playing some Call of Duty. We’ve actually gone out to eat a little bit. He lives right near me. He lives by the beach. We just hang out. We have a lot of time off with this phase, so we get a chance to just kick it. It’s not just Kiko (Alonso). (I hang out with) LB Koa (Misi), LB Spencer (Paysinger), the rookies, (LB Zach) Vigil, all of them. So I think we have a really close group and I think that’s going to transfer to the field.”
(On who is better at Call of Duty?) — “I’m the best. I think they know that.” (laughter)
(On his impressions of Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph in the last couple of months) – “VJ (Vance Joseph) is brilliant. That’s the one thing I can say. He’s brilliant and he’s passionate and you can feel it. I think he commands the defense and when he’s in front of the room, everyone’s listening. He has a great track record and he obviously knows what he’s talking about. I think we’re learning a lot and understanding just the why behind why we do things. I think he’s definitely the right guy for the job.”
(On if anyone has stood out to him during this first week of OTAs) – “Yeah, a lot of guys. I think that whole offense is moving pretty (well) these last couple of days. It’s exciting to see what they’re going to do. I think the Pro Bowl d-line that we have; they’re going to cause some destruction. I think just all over the field, guys are just hungry. I like our receiving corps. I think WR DeVante (Parker) is going to make a big step forward this year. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do. I could go down the list of guys. I don’t want to just single one person out.”
(On his thoughts on the defensive line) – “I think they’re doing (well). They’re doing pretty (well). They’re playing fast. There’s not a lot that we can do now with(out) pads on, but they’re obviously ready to go.”
(On what his motivation was behind finishing he degree) – “Football doesn’t last long. I mean I was taught that at a young age so that was my motivation. It was never an option not to go back for me. When I decided to leave early, I was always planning on coming back and finishing as soon as possible. I tried to eat away at it every year, every offseason, and finally got it done. I’m excited about it.”
(On if Head Coach Adam Gase challenged him before practice by talking trash) – “Yeah, (he) and (Linebackers) Coach (Matt) Burke, they always go back and forth talking trash. He’s always laughing when they get us with a good play and the linebackers are out in space or something like that. We just have some healthy competition going back and forth between offense and defense. It makes us all better at the end of the day.”
(On DT Ndamukong Suh’s presence and if it matters to him if Suh is present for OTAs and offseason workouts) – “We definitely feel his presence when he’s here. We have all the confidence in the world that, Game 1, he’s going to be ready to go, whatever he does. There’s no mal-intent. We’re excited when he’s here. When he’s not here, we know he’s doing his thing.”
(On how he would compare his graduation to some of his accomplishments) – “Graduation was big. That was something I’ll never forget – long-lasting. It took a long time to do it and it took a lot of hard work. I’d say that’s up there with just getting drafted. In general, that was a big accomplishment. But getting that degree, which I finally saw, it came in the mail like a day ago, that’s a pretty big accomplishment in my book. I put that almost number one.”
(On where he’s going to put the degree) – “I’m going to hang it up at home back in my permanent house, back where my mom (is), back in Maryland.”
