Robert Hunt – June 6, 2023
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Tuesday, June 6, 2023
OL Rob Hunt
(How has the offseason been for you and why did you choose to participate in all the OTAs?) – “The offseason has been good, trying to get better. I think I’m going into the right direction, some things I need to work on, but offseason is what it’s for. It’s to get better at the game and try to do something you haven’t done before. That’s that and I’m here, I’m playing on the team, I’m here. So that’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m at OTAs.”
(How important is it to you to get a contract extension before you guys start the regular season?) – “I leave that up to the people up front and my agents. Of course, I got some say so in it, but I’m not worried about it right now. That’s the least of my worries right now. I would like a Super Bowl or something like that, a playoff win. So I’m kind of worried about that and perfecting what I can do to be better. I’m worried about that right now.”
(Have you been in talks with OL Connor Williams and would it be nice to have your center back next to you, alongside you?) – “Connor (Williams) is dealing with his situation how he deals with it. I’ve talked to him, went to dinner for his birthday, so he’s good. Connor is good.”
(There has been a lot of excitement in the area with the Heat and the Panthers. I’m wondering if you’ve had people come up to you with a smile and say that it’s you guys’ turn next?) – “Not much, but that would be nice. That would be really nice so hopefully. We got a really good team, a talented team. If we can figure it out, I think we’ll have a shot.”
(How much of that excitement do you feel just walking around, going to the grocery store? Is it tangible?) – “Yes, you can feel it. South Florida fans are big time when things are going well. I’m not saying that, I’m just saying – I’m just saying when things are going well we got a really big fan base and I love to see it. It’s good to see all the fans out there, and hopefully we can keep this train rolling and help out with that for South Florida.”
(Where are you in terms of putting the Pro Bowl on your priority list? If at all, where is that?) – “As an individual that is a goal of mine, to be that. I thought I played well enough last year, but I guess I didn’t so I got to try to up it up this year and play a little better, and hopefully it works out. If it doesn’t then I’ll keep busting my ass and try to get it. I think I’m a hell of a player in this league, and I think it’s in the future hopefully.”
(It seems like you’re on the radar for that for a lot of people.) – “I would like to be. I think I play the game the right way.”
(How do you guys get better against the run? Is that just a chemistry thing, just a commitment thing? The average was there, but the attempts weren’t.) –“We just got to keep going at it. We’ve got so many weapons that you can do so many things with. We got #10 (Tyreek Hill) and #17 Jaylen Waddle #11 (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) and now #3 (Chosen Anderson) and all of those guys. So you’ve got a lot of weapons, and they are going to use them in different ways. Once we got it rolling at times, it rolled, and then sometimes it didn’t, and sometime #10 and #17 was rolling, and sometimes they weren’t. It’s just a mix, we’ve just got to mix it up and go from there.”
Xavien Howard – June 6, 2023
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Tuesday, June 6, 2023
CB Xavien Howard
(Through the first month and a half of offseason practices, what’s the early returns on sharing the defensive backfield with CB Jalen Ramsey?) – “I don’t know much about Jalen’s situation, but he’s getting healthy, he’ll be out there soon. So just ready for it all to come together.”
(In the classroom, meeting rooms, what’s he been like?) – “He’s been very active in the classroom and meeting rooms, helping guys out and stuff like that, helping the younger guys.”
(What have you learned about Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme and what he’s going to have y’all do at this point?) – “It’s something different. I feel like I ran a little bit of it in 2018. It’s a little bit more eyes on the quarterback, it isn’t just man 24/8. It gives us a little time on the outside to get a little rest and stuff like that.”
(Think that’ll help you guys on the back end?) – “Yeah, for sure, it’ll definitely help.”
(What’s he like as a coach personality-wise?) – “Very quiet, but when he talks everybody listens. He’s got a lot of knowledge up there.”
(Is there a young player who you’ve seen make some good progress since last season, someone you’d like to highlight?) – “I like Noah (Igbinoghene). He’s come in with a different mindset, I feel like. He’s making plays and he’s also learning.”
(How is the mindset different from the previous years?) – “I feel like he’s more locked in, locked in.”
(You had the charity softball tournament, right? How’d that go?) – “It’s on June 17. Still recruiting, still trying to get some guys to come. Got a couple guys on the team coming, other guys around the league, especially guys from here also in the league that I’m trying to get to come.”
(When was the last time you swung a bat?) – “Man, Jarvis’ (Landry) softball game in Cleveland.”
(What kind of ball player are you?) – “I just want to catch the ball really. I don’t want to bat, I’m scared to get hit by the ball. (laughter) I want to catch it though.”
(Even in softball?) – “Even in softball. It doesn’t matter. (laughter)”
(With all the excitement around the Miami Heat and the Florida Panthers, I’m wondering when you go to games, do people smile and say “you guys are next”?) – “Oh yeah, we feel the pressure. The fans definitely give us the pressure when we come in there.”
(Do you like that?) – “Oh yeah. It’s cool, being in the NFL is pressure.”
Mike McDaniel – June 6, 2023
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Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(DT Zach Sieler and OL Connor Williams. Are they here and expected to participate?) – “We have pretty much, like most of the offseason, we’ve had pretty much everyone here. There’s been individuals that have their individual situations to take care of. As far as this camp, (Zach) Sieler will be here, Connor (Williams) won’t, which we’ve been in direct communication. I’m not going to get necessarily into the nuts and bolts of his business here. But I have 89 guys I would love to talk about that are here, that are going to be out here today.”
(So Connor is the only one that is not here?) – “Yes, I believe that’s the case. Yes.”
(I guess important distinction – is this an excused absence?) – “No, it’s not excused, but again, we’ve been in communication so not worried about it. Worried about the dudes that are here for sure.”
(When you’re in this situation in the offseason, the time to take care of business, do you understand the player’s perspective when they try to take care of business?) – “I try to understand every player’s perspective. I think that’s part of my job, is to be empathetic, to best come to a solution. So there’s a bunch of things that come up, a bunch of stuff that have come up this offseason that came up last offseason that will come up next offseason. So that’s always something that you’re juggling and working with players to have your team perform at its highest ability.”
(There’s a lot of excitement in the area right now in the Heat and Panthers. As you’ve been out especially at Heat games, have people looked at you and smiled and said, “okay, it’s the Dolphins’ turn”?) – “See? I’ve always liked you. This question fires me up because I’ve been frustrated with myself, because I don’t think I’ve really adequately articulated that experience. It has been unbelievable, the support, the excitement, just the general enthusiasm for the Dolphins when I’m at an event that is an organization’s pinnacle of working for an entire year to get in to these playoff games that are hard to get to. That, by itself has been unbelievable. I’ve tried to share it, too, with the team as much as I can. They know they feel it when they’re out and about as well. So the team within this building is very aware and definitely finds exuberance from all of the juice that that is in South Florida right now. Really that’s the first virus. I caught the second virus.”
(During your during your time with the Heat, especially because you’re close to Erik Spoelstra right on the floor. Are you gleaning anything from that from a coaching point standpoint? I know it’s a different game, but there’s got to be some similarities and things that you see you may be able to incorporate yourself?) – “Absolutely. The best words I could come up for – I texted him right after they won Game 7 – was something that he knew what I was getting at, but adversity is opportunity. I say that to the team all the time. I really, really believe that and I don’t care how sick anybody ever gets of hearing it. I think it’s true to what life and professional sports and team is all about. And you want to talk about a team that has utilized adversity for their own gain. Those lessons especially now, by and large, almost every player on our team is watching their season, the Heat season unfold, and it’s hard not to – you hear all these people so surprised, to feel like there’s a sportscaster, a national sportscaster, definitely not local, but nationally a sportscaster every week or every game that’s saying, ‘oh, yeah, they have no chance.’ That is the pinnacle of success in sports, is a group of individuals working towards a goal and not letting anything stand in their way. For example, the last game they just won; there was a lot – to be able to look at a sports team and say, ‘You know what, I don’t necessarily know how they’re going to do it, but I’m not going to bet against them…’”
(Even down 10 in the fourth quarter?) – ”I mean, I wasn’t. I like to keep my money. (laughter) I think it’s an example for all teams. I think we’re very fortunate to see it firsthand and feel like we’re indirectly a part of it. But I think it also goes for just people in general, I think it’s a life lesson that it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you really, really, really commit.”
(One of the 89 guys that are here is LB Jaelan Phillips and I felt last year during the course of the season, we just saw this arc, this kid just kind of explode. What have you seen this offseason? What does Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio see in him right now? What do you see as this arc of development?) – “I’ve seen him practice at a level that’s far superior than any other level of practice that I’ve seen from him since I’ve been here. So take that for what it’s worth. I think it’s very important not to get ahead of yourselves. It’s hard, very hard for people on the outside because like, you’re excited about the team. So you’re thinking of September; we’re thinking a day at a time. And all I know is the last practices I’ve seen him have had been the best practices that he’s had. I think that’s very encouraging. One of the things that Vic (Fangio) and I shared on his interview, was his appreciation for Jaelan (Phillips), in particular, who he was very high on coming out. So very happy with where he’s at. He’s goal-oriented, great, great human being that has his vision set on what he wants to do, and now he’s just trying to take care of it each and every day and it’s cool to watch a young player not get caught up in September and get more focused on June 6, which is the only day that exists.”
(Just piggybacking off the last question, obviously LB Bradley Chubb got here midseason and you just mentioned LB Jaelan Phillips. Have you seen anything behind the scenes with those two as they try to maybe build their…?) – “What’s cool is – I really appreciate – you’ll notice it today, just in general, they gravitate to each other. And that to me speaks of everything that I want in a team. I don’t want players trying to have success in spite of someone; I want players competing, making each other better and trying to be the best versions of themselves. They want to be a great pair and they want to be a part of a great defense and they’re handling that the right way. Instead of just wishing and hoping, they’re working. Between Coach Fangio who has coached elite edge players since I was before kindergarten maybe, then with Coach (Ryan) Slowik and Coach (Wade) Harman has been helping out. I have seen significant gains and improvements on our edge play that I’m fired up about. And all you can do is really position yourself to be at your very best for when pads come on in July, practice three for that position. And that’s what I’ve seen them do – working on footwork, hand placement, disruption. They’re a handful and that’s a good thing. Not the best thing for a practice that you’re trying to orchestrate some sort of success, but you’d rather practice against it than have a surprise come, which is imperative for, for really our offense and defense. Our defense needs high productivity from edge play, as well as you have to go against productive edge play because the really good teams generally have that, whether it’s a 4-3 or 3-4 and you’re going to have to figure out how to execute offense against that.”
(Regarding Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio, I know obviously he’s the defensive coordinator, but I’m curious in this short amount of time he’s been here, how has he positively impacted the offense and the way you guys see things, just having that experience and mind to bounce things off of?) – “Phenomenal question. We’re just pumping out great questions today, I’m proud of all you guys. An unintended consequence – it’s something that you know as a football coach, but you it’s not steadfast at the forefront of your thought process when you’re making decisions like that. What defense do you want to run? Who do you want in charge of it? Your mind goes straight to ‘I want the best defense we can have, I want the defensive coordinator we can have.’ I think that has been accomplished. A subset, unintended consequence, is that the technique with which they perform their assignments, really takes advantage of poor technique offensively. Meaning that the way they pattern match and the way they really play with vision; as a receiver, it’s the best training you could get. As a tight end, it’s the best training you can get. All these route runners are getting this elite training because they’re getting made pay when their technique is off. If they’re on vertical enough on their stem, traditionally from a coaches’ perspective, I have to say, ‘yeah, this worked; however, in game situation, it probably won’t.’ and that you’re kind of selling to them, then you have to grab a game clip, whatever. It is so much more efficient and better for the offensive coaches when something that we emphasize doesn’t get done, and the defense makes you pay. Well, we’re pushing that envelope on both sides of the ball now, where and my ultimate desire – I want a good team. I don’t want to go out there today and have the defense dominate the offense or vice versa. I want guys trading punches, handling adversity. And what we’re starting to see is there’ll be 11 guys out there; one offensive player will be off and the play will not work at all or one defensive player will be off and it will be a big play. That’s what for me as a head coach, that’s how I go to practice. I want punches traded left and right. That’s the game that we play. And that’s how you get better at it and that’s what I’m starting to see – unintended consequence of Vic (Fangio) and his system is the system is so sound and true and coached. The defensive coaching staff has done a phenomenal job giving answers to the test through technique to the players that both sides of the ball are benefitting for sure.”
(As a player caller, when you play a team that’s predominantly zone and I don’t know if it’ll be predominantly zone. What challenges does that create for you, knowing that the defense primarily has the eyes on the quarterback?) – “Well, the teams that are capable of playing good zone defense make you earn everything and really, they really force teams to execute and execute across the board. Whereas even great man-to-man coverage teams, one guy steps on the side of his foot, right, where in zone defense, you really have to get your depth, the quarterback has to be precise with his footwork so that his timing is right, his eyes, his progression, the distribution has to be correct. That makes it harder to be a good zone defense. On the front end, because there’s a lot of people working together, but if you invest time into it, and it is a slower build, but the ultimate end result is that you struggle to have one player to beat you. So it is more of a process zone defense. but I think the rewards you reap when it’s sound are huge, because it really puts pressure on offenses to execute with the entirety and not one or two people.”
(About WR Erik Ezukanma, where have you kind of seen him progress this offseason?) – “I challenged him – I was on the phone with him before this offseason, just checking in on how he was doing just knowing that it was going to be a big year. You go zero to 60. You know, he did get active at the very end of the season, but for the most part, it almost feels like a redshirt year for him. Which it’s not. You have to learn a ton and he knew that we have a very talented receiving corps. So he had no – all those learning lumps that really every rookie incurs, but specifically wide receivers that are hearing huddles for the first time. He knew he’s was going to have to be on his stuff at not just one but multiple positions. And he’s probably made the biggest gains from last year to this year and ownership of the offense. So what that does; that allows him the opportunity to try to carve out a specific role for himself because otherwise he wouldn’t have a shot. There’s too many – specifically the receiving corps that he’s practicing within is competitive and deep with bona fide NFL players that I’ve been around so the challenge is real, but he’s put himself in a position to really compete for opportunities which is – I’m happy for him as it stands and moving forward I can’t wait to see what he does.”
Cedric Ogbuehi – May 31, 2023
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
T Cedric Ogbuehi
(How do you feel about practicing when it’s going to be the mid to upper 90s?) – “It’s going to be different for sure, but it’s Miami. It’s going to prepare us for what’s to come so it’s good.”
(Why did you choose to play here?) – “What they’ve built so far, even last year. Building on what they did last year. Obviously I was with the Jets so I saw it firsthand. They got something special going on here, and they have the pieces. I’m just here to add on to that and to go as far as we can.”
(How did playing in Mike LaFleur’s offense prepare you to come over to this similar type of offensive system?) – “I love it. It’s literally the same kind of scheme, obviously different nuances, but it’s prepared me a lot. I’ve been helping out some of the guys, too, because it’s new to some of them so it helped a lot.”
(How does it suit your skillset?) – “It does. It’s all about running off the ball. It’s meant for guys who can move, so it’s really for kind of my skillset
(Were you surprised the Jets released you when they did after you signed the contract?) – “No, not really. It’s a business. They have a lot of tackles there, and they drafted a guy, too. So I wasn’t surprised. I wasn’t even there. I was in Dallas the whole time, so I wasn’t even there. But I wasn’t surprised.”
(How do you feel your strengths are at this point in your career? What do you feel you do the best?) – “Being in Year 9 I’ve seen it all, done it all – pass protection, run blocking, screens, out in space. I think kind of just a combination of everything. Once you’ve been playing for so long, you’ve kind of seen it all.”
Tyler Kroft – May 31, 2023
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
TE Tyler Kroft
(What was the interest and reason for picking this spot?) – “We made it pretty known that if we didn’t sign somewhere in the first few days that we were going to see how the draft shook out, and where my agent and I, and family where we thought there would be a good opportunity to play. I know we have a good – Durham (Smythe) has been here for six years, but I know there are some younger guys in the room, too. Familiarity with the system, too, being with the Jets two years ago, and the 49ers last year, it seemed like it would be a nice smooth transition into the offense so all of those played a factor.”
(As a tight end what do you like about this offense and the rules and responsibilities that come with it?) – “I love that. I’ve always took pride in trying to be a three-down guy. Excelling in the run game and the pass game. This is an offense that asks a lot out of the tight ends. It gives you an opportunity to do both which I really like.”
(Did you know TE Durham Smythe before this?) – “No, I didn’t, but we met at Tight End U last year and my wife and I bought a house in Austin a couple of years ago, a house, and he stays down in Austin as well. So we’ve connected and talked a little bit about that, but that was when I first met him, it was just last year.”
(How would you describe your strengths relative to the blocking element and the pass receiving element at this stage of your career?) – “I still think I can do some things well in the passing game, I know at least going into – this is Year 9 for me, so going into that, I’m probably viewed more as a blocker now in this, but I still take pride in being able to do it all, and trying to be a three-down guy. I’ll never put myself into a box that way saying I can just do one or the other. But like I said before, I just take pride in doing it all.”
(So if you were talking to No. 84 Elijah Higgins, for example, the guy who’s converting to tight end, he’s got a double whammy – a new offense, new league and a new position. What have you told him or would you tell him for example about here is something you absolutely have to do in this scheme?) – “I’ve just been working on him because like you said, he’s playing a whole new position, it’s a new league. I was a rookie, shoot, nine years ago, but I’ve just been talking to him about not letting it get too big for him, jut trying to take each day at a time. And at the end of the day you’re going to mess stuff up. Everybody does. Everybody was a stupid rookie at one point, so I told him to just not get too low on himself and don’t get too high when you are making plays, too. Because everybody out here was the best players at their college or best players at their position. There’s a reason they are here and there’s a reason he’s here, too. So just making sure he keeps his head on straight and don’t get too low and don’t get too high, but just try and take each day at a time and stack them.”
(What’s one thing that TE George Kittle told you or you observed that really helped?) – “The rack, like when you catch the ball, something that was so simple that I didn’t even really think about and seeing him when we would just do routes on air, making a move or a double move, just getting in your mind that you’re taking that ball to the end zone every time you get it. Not just doing the drop-step. The drop-step is good, but taking that drop-step to the next level, so that was something that I’ve been trying to do here and show the guys, too, as well.”
Mike McDaniel – May 31, 2023
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Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Obviously no two players are alike but generally with the skillset that was lost with TE Mike Gesicki in terms of the seam threat at that size, someone who can block in the red zone, can catch. Who on this roster do you think can compete to fill that role in the next coming weeks?) – “You’re hitting on something that, there’s some opportunities within the offense to put your imprint on your career and for this team. I wouldn’t say it’s just tight ends but really all skill receivers. There’s a lot of competition. Really as the head coach of the team, I’m most excited to see who wins it because it is as organic as one could make it. There’s several capable candidates to catch some balls and be an impactful part of this team I would say at all the offensive skill positions and the proof is in the pudding. You go out there to practice and there’s a good amount of talent. For me to say that I know who that’s going to be would be way ahead of – there’s some sort of saying that I’m looking for…”
(The cart before the horse.) – “Boom. You’ve still got it. So I think that there’s a lot of young players, some veterans, that recognize the opportunity and are really going after it.”
(It looked like QB Tua Tagovailoa had one of those little cameras on his helmet. Can you tell us about the benefits for that relative to you guys working together on progressions and what not) – “So that’s a tool that has been around in the league in different avenues in different organizations I can remember since the teens of the 2000s. For us it’s multifaceted. It’s not like anything earth-shattering. It’s a camera, but it does have audio and I think some of the strong attributes of that technology are that you get to hear play calls. You can library those play calls for players to hear when they’re studying. This just in, the National Football League huddles. A lot of college and high schools don’t, which means you’re taking in information auditorily for the first time with many minimized reps as opposed to looking at the sidelines for a signal or a picture. So auditory, it’s a tool. It’s also something that you can see from his side eye what he’s looking at. For all quarterbacks, it’s a tool to help really drive home certain coaching points and just see what they’re seeing to be on the same page as the player.”
(Is there anything in correlation to concussions that could help if any? Seeing his head movement, where it might go or things that might maybe forecast a play that he got himself into last year?) – “I think preparation is the best thing that you can do for all players in regards to executing your jobs while protecting yourself. Outside of that, you’ve got to get a hold of one of those see the future cameras. Then it’d be extremely helpful if you knew where the players were going to be. But I think for all players when they’re in the right time of their learning process, where it’s not too much on the front end where you’re swimming in too many variables of information, when you’re ready, added information, added articulation through our problem-solving only benefits the player and the team for the ultimate results. Information and tools are not the end all be all by any stretch, but I think it does help us to become really the best football team and the best players and the best coaches that we can be, which is really how I see our jobs.”
(The Dolphins are one of like four or five teams around the league that are doing six OTAs as opposed to the maximum allowed of 10. I’m curious as to why that is?) – “A lot of things factor into it. I think that by and large, players, coaches, people in general, do best when ‘why’ is explained to them. In this particular situation, I think that it is crucial that we have, as convicted, present, deliberate, football players when they’re approaching practice and really recognizing how each opportunity is very crucial to the development of the team. I think when you’re able to acknowledge players’ hard work, and they get positively reinforced with actual action, I think it goes a long way. They are afforded the less practices because they’ve earned it because of the way they’ve approached the whole offseason. My standards for preparation are pretty high and they have recognized that and really heeded to the expectation across the board. I think in those types of circumstances, everyone benefits with a little bone here or there.”
(You’ve become a regular fixture courtside at the Miami Heat games but you’re also a Colorado native and the Denver Nuggets will be your hometown team. So I’m wondering, where is your allegiance going to be?) – “How did you know I was courtside? (laughter)”
(Everyone can see it) – “Oh, I wish I would’ve known that. You know, it’s funny, I will not deny that – I’ve been a football coach my entire adult life. I was born and raised in Denver and cheered for the Nuggets forever. I had a fan plan in 1994. They packaged games and we picked the package that (Michael) Jordan was going to play and he retired. It was my mom’s entire bonus. So yeah, I’ve been invested, and they’ve had a really cool journey. It’s a cool franchise, but you know, I’m an only child and I myself am a father to an only child. So this is going to be totally forecasting but I feel comfortable doing it because I’m blind. The Kelces went through it. I imagine it being like a parent with a couple of kids where, of course you love all your kids, but don’t you love one more? (laughter) Realistically, when it comes down to it, the stuff that I’ve been able to really get access to with the Heat coaching staff led by “Spo” (Erik Spoelstra) last summer. Getting to know them, following their journey and getting to know the people you know I’ve become extremely invested. So I don’t lose any sleep by saying you know what, Denver Nuggets, why don’t we wait 48 years? Not 47. So that’s kind of where I stand on that. But really, I think it’s really cool. It is odd that the two teams you probably follow as close as anything, you’re rooting for one and somebody has to lose. But I’m really excited in particular for just The (NBA) Finals in general because I think both teams in The Finals represent what’s really cool about sports, because they have had to scratch, claw, fight tooth and nail to get in the position they’re at in their own respective journeys. So I have no doubt in my mind that both fan bases, both teams, no one’s going to take anything for granted. We’re going to have elite schematic coaching from both sides and you’re going to have to earn whatever comes here. So I think from a sports fan perspective, it’s as cool as it gets and I’m excited to see what the Heat can do.”
(When you go to these games are you going purely for entertainment purposes or is there stuff you can bring back from a football perspective to kind of show the team and relate the two things…?) – “I think there’s information in front of us all the time that can be very beneficial to what we do on a day-to-day basis, just in general, every day if you’re willing to look and listen. You don’t know what is going to come about but the bottom line is, when you go to those games, where would you rather be if you’re in professional sports. You have high stakes. A lot of sweat equity has gone into those moments. I still have a tough time imagining how many up-and-downs and shuttles and how many practices and shootarounds basketball teams go through and how long that season is, and how many practices hockey teams have to have to get on the same page. That stuff is what really is impactful for me in those moments and I think without a doubt, there’s great stuff to take away that can be applied in what we’re trying to do.”
(What do you take away from your time with Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. He’s still only 52 and yet he makes the playoffs very consistently, he makes the NBA Finals on a pretty regular basis. What are your takeaways on what makes him as successful as he is?) – “Well, first and foremost, I feel so humbled to be able to have the relationship. I think what screams to me, just the way he runs the program and what they do is there’s a passion for developing players and coaching and a standard for what they believe should prepare their players, I feel a true love for who they’re coaching and what they’re coaching and I think systematically, when people describe the Heat culture, they’re talking about a bunch of individuals that are trying to be great in the game of basketball, players and coaches alike. I feel so fortunate. I think he has to be one of the best professional coaches across all sports. For me to have access to pick his brain, he throws me a handshake after wins. It’s an unbelievable resource for me in the coaching profession that I feel very, very fortunate to have.”
(It was reported yesterday that the team is going to be having another set of joint practices with the Houston Texans. Specifically having sessions with a coach you know well in DeMeco Ryans, what do you think the team can take from those?) – “Yeah, you know, I wanted to break the news to you guys last time I was up here but gave the opportunity to a friend and somebody I feel fortunate to have coached with and been around for such a long time in DeMeco Ryans and he just turned it down like the humble guy he is. So pumped about that. That’s a young, hungry team that will afford us the opportunity of getting better in training camp. Those types of opportunities are invaluable. It breaks camp up. It gives a little newness to it. It reinvigorates it, but it also – there’s only so much scheme that one side of the ball can have. You get different players that you have to go against and subtle schematic nuances that are different that really help the players get prepared for preseason and then regular season.”
(Things you’ve noticed about CB Cam Smith so far and RB De’Von Achane – obviously speed stands out – but if you wouldn’t mind digging into those two individually?) – “I think both of them have done exactly what’s been asked of them to this juncture. I think along the process there’s so much going on for rookies, you forget that you’re joining a team that has established players and you need to make way on that team through the locker room and the coaching staff, just the building in general. That’s what I’ve seen them focus on and I can tell they’re starting to become one of the guys. You are swimming at this stage and that’s to be expected, but I also see from those two in particular, guys that have a deep-down self-confidence that the minor hiccups in the short term aren’t really affecting them which is something you look for in young players because there’s a lot. It’s almost like you’re a baseball player where you bat like 30 percent or .300 for the real fan. (laughter) You bat .300 – that means seven out of 10 times, failure. That’s kind of like being a rookie. So, so far, so good. I think you have to win over your teammates at least with the Dolphins before you’re able to play with them and I think they’re knee-deep in that journey and I’ve been happy with what they’ve produced.”
(They say that for the human brain, moving and starting a new job are two of I think the five most stressful things you can go through. Obviously when you get here you’ve got to hit the ground running focused on the job, but how have you allowed yourself to acclimate to I guess the new environment outside of work?) – “Man, moving, new job? Wow. It’s been cool to kind of – it’s one of the reasons that it’s so awesome for me to be this fortunate coach of this team, to go to these playoff games. Just my comfort with the entire, all of South Florida. I didn’t know what I didn’t know and there are so many things that this place has to offer and it is night and day. Like now, it feels like home. Last year, you don’t even know where you’re at, so there’s a ton of stuff that allows you to do your job more efficiently and more focused on the task at hand. So it’s been an awesome offseason that’s been filled with work with a little sprinkle of husband/dad time that has been outstanding, and I know my daughter is, she’s really excited to play all day. Which is what I’ll be doing for my break, but there’s a lot of work to be done before that.”
(Just to follow up real quick, you said it’s starting to feel like home. Was there a moment you have in mind where you kind of were able to stop and realize, “wow, yeah, this is home now”?) – “It’s hard not to feel that way with the amount of support. I’ve said it before in the past. I didn’t really know the strength of South Florida fans and really the sleeping giant that I kind of walked into and I started to feel it in training camp, but by the time there was a first home game, it’s hard not to feel at home when so many people are supporting you. I’ve moved my whole life so that’s old hat, but I remember specifically leaving the stadium after the first game and being like, ‘wow, this is a great place to live and do my job, so I’m going to fight tooth and nail while you guys try to kick me out and I’m a fighter.’”
(Did T Terron Armstead have the foot surgery and should he be fine for training camp?) – “He’s been having a good offseason. I try to honor all the players with not really putting their business out on the street unnecessarily. I have no reservations about where he’s at. He has had his fill of watching practice so he’s done everything in his power and I look forward to seeing him in training camp and I haven’t been given any reason to have hesitancy to this point at all.”
(The team runs into some money post June 1 which happens to be tomorrow’s date. I know you can’t tell me what the organizational plans are, but can you speak to the benefit of having that kind of capital that you’ve got at this job?) – “It’s something that when any direction is decided for the team, you’re kind of aware that that’s coming. So that has been planned and we are aware that that’s occurring and we typically do everything we can to have the best team possible within the guidelines of the salary cap. So not sure where, but I’d feel confident to say that we’ll make good use out of that salary cap room when it comes to the start of the regular season.”
Christian Wilkins – May 23, 2023
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
DT Christian Wilkins
(You had a chance to meet Queen Latifah a few weeks ago. Tell us about that.) – “Yes, I did. That was beautiful, shoutout to my girl Queen Latifah, she was everything I thought she would be. She was awesome, she was glowing. That was awesome for me to meet her. I’ve always wanted to meet her. She is one of my favorites. That was humbling for me. It was an honor to meet the Queen, I was not worthy, but she was awesome to, so it was dope. Shout out to you, girl.”
(From the early install, what stands out to you about a Vic Fangio defense?) – “We’ve got some good stuff, we’ve got some good players on the defense. We’ve got to continue to grind every day, and learn it as fast as we can, so that way come minicamp, come training camp; we’re just flying around playing fast, not really thinking. We’re all still learning it, so there are going to be mistakes in that, but guys are working hard to get it right and playing our butts off so we love to see that.”
(I heard that it puts more pressure on the defensive linemen to disengage. Obviously no pads now, but what are those challenges like?) – “We’re built for it, we just got to put the work in.”
(You had mentioned last year getting so comfortable in the scheme to kind of cheat the scheme and be able to make plays outside of it. I’m curious now that you go back to a new system in Year 1, how do jump start that process?) – “It’s the same process. It’s going to take a little more work on my end to completely understand the confines of the defense and how things are working, what it looks like, and were I can do certain things, and where I can’t do certain things. It’s going to take a lot of work on my part and also building that rapport with new guys on the defense, different backers and everything like that. We all got to get a feel for each other.”
(Where do you stand regarding contract talks? Are you optimistic something can get done this summer?) – “I let my agent handle all of that. There is a reason he’s hired. The biggest complication with the contract is the Omar Kelly clause. I’m trying to make sure I don’t have to answer any of his questions, good to see you back. (laughter)”
(Is the gap such that you’re optimistic, I know General Manager Chris Grier had said there were conversations, the priority. Is the gap close enough that you’re optimistic a deal will be closed? I guess your agent probably gives you updates periodically.) – “Like I said, I let my agent handle all of that. He has a job to do. He’s one of the best in the business so I’m putting it in his hands, controlling what I can control. Coming out here every day and leading and playing ball.”
(If you do go into this year as a contact year, is that a motivational tool?) – “I’m always motivated and motivation comes from within, not a dollar amount, but it’s just my drive to be the best and be my best. No dollar changes that, changes my mindset. Whether something gets done or not my approach is always the same.”
(What do you think when you see some of the deals like DT Daron Payne, and DT Dexter Lawrence?) – “I was excited about (Dexter) Lawrence. That’s my fat little brother, so I was excited about him. But it’s good to see. It’s just good to see the growth of the game and clearly how much d-line play, especially interior means to teams and it’s good to see that. It’s just great to see that, it’s good for the game and it’s good for the guys that come after us. I’m a big believer in doing right by the game, doing things right and paying it forward for those guys coming after you regardless of whether it’s a dollar, whether it’s just doing things the right way, someone they can look up to. I’m just big on respecting the game. It’s cool to see.”
(What is Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio like?) – “Vic is cool. He’s definitely more of an old-school coach. He’s like a grandfather out there, but he’s good with the players and he’s good to be around so far.”
(You’ve got like, the buddy and the grandfather. How does that work between him and Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “Definitely different. Each of them are different but both are obviously effective coaches and good at what they do.”
(It’s pretty cool to have a balance. You’ve got this guy who has seen everything and then you’ve got Head Coach Mike McDaniel. You can still learn a lot from a guy like that.) – “Yes, absolutely. That’s one of the things I respect most abut Vic. He’s been doing it for so long and so highly regarded and just got a lot of respect.”
(Is there a different aspect to your game whether it’s pass rush or anything else that you are looking to improve on this offseason?) – “Just everything. I’m never a finished product. I didn’t make every play I was supposed to make last year. Regardless of how productive I was, there was so much more out there for me. So whether it’s getting in shape, developing my pass rush, being strong in the run, it’s all the same process.”
(Would you at least say that last year was your best year? It seemed that way to I think most of us.) – “I guess you could say that, but it won’t be my best. That’s the goal and that’s my mindset every time I work out, every time I study film, every time I eat and do that whole process. My mindset is to always be the best.”
(What are your thoughts on the run by the Heat and the Panthers? I know you’re a Massachusetts guy.) – “Absolutely. It’s bittersweet. I’m a die-hard Boston Celtics fans so it’s hard to see what’s going on right now. I’m still going down with the ship, going down with the guys. I don’t care what no one has to say. Let’s go Celtics. (laughter) But I’ve got a lot of respect for the Heat of course. Miami is my home now and I really enjoy watching the Panthers play. They are a lot of fun to watch and I’ve enjoyed being able to go to a lot of Panthers games, but they did beat the Bruins, too. So it is what it is.”
(Do you feel like this is infectious – the way that the winning is happening down here?) – “Yeah, hopefully all the teams can continue that on and just continue to have success for the fans. The fans that just deserve a winner.”
(I saw you at the Heat game with CB Jalen Ramsey. What is it like to have so many big personalities, WR Tyreek Hill last year, LB Bradley Chubb coming over, Jalen now. So many big personalities.) – “I’m already getting tired of Jalen (Ramsey) for real. (laughter) Nah, it’s cool, it’s definitely just good. It’s just good just to have those guys who have had a lot of success in the league and kind of just talk to them. They pour into us and just guys you can look to and just talk to, who’ve had a lot of success and take things from them – the process, how they approach the game, their mindset. It’s always good.”
(Although you had the green on the shoes, you had the white hot up top or was that by accident?) – “That was kind of by accident. That’s just a Miami vibe outfit, but I had to represent and make it clear that I was rocking with my Celtics and I still am tonight. Celtics in seven. (laughter)”
(One more question about CB Jalen Ramsey. As a defensive lineman, when they go out and sign a guy like that, what goes through your mind right away?) – “Obviously that’s great for the team and just great for the guys up front, and really great for the defense. A guy who has a championship pedigree, has played a lot of ball in this league, a Pro Bowler, an All Pro. Just someone you can learn from someone you’re thinking ‘all right, he does his job at a high level; that’ll only help us up front.’”
Jaylen Waddle – May 23, 2023
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Tuesday, May 23, 2023
WR Jaylen Waddle
(So how was the offseason like for you?) – “It was good. Got to spend some time with the family, so that’s always good. A lot of relaxation, recovery, long season and got back to it.”
(Year 3 for you, how do you feel about your growth from last year to this year, what are some things you’re looking on improving?) – “I feel like just knowledge. Another year under my belt. I get to see how the league works even more. I think preparation, seeing defenses and knowing what a defense is going to do, how they plan on playing us and adjusting the game. I feel like it’s a lot I can grow from in the first two seasons. Still growing, just trying to stack days together.”
(After Year 1, it seemed like you guys had so much success on the field with Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s offense and what not, but he said he came to the offseason workout program and he was like, there are some specific things that we can do to get better. What are the next steps for this group?)– “I felt like we had gotten into a groove mid-season and then fell off from it later on. So really just finding that groove again, staying consistent throughout the whole year each and every week so just getting that groove and staying consistent with it.”
(What would you say about QB Tua Tagovailoa, his offseason?) – “Tua’s been great. Y’all are going to see it and y’all keep coming out, seeing how he throws the ball and he’s being him.”
(How excited were you to get into these OTAs and camps?) – “Excited. It’s always good to play against our defense. They’re learning new stuff with (Vic) Fangio and it’s a great challenge each and every day.”
(McDaniel this morning said that he says the jump from last year this time to this year is substantial. I’m curious how you feel that’ll impact your game in the second year of the system?) – “Yeah, last year I feel like we were learning. Now we kind of know the details and what he’s looking for, what Tua’s looking for. So getting to the spots, beating man coverage, things like that. So it’s just more knowledge of the offense.”
(How different was this offseason? You said it was a long season, longer than normal. How different was it?) – “Just a lot of recovery. Went in, got to really work on my body, see how my body works, see what my body likes. So that’s what comes with 17, 18-plus games.”
(With even more speed now, what have you noticed about RB De’Von Achane, the Texas A&M running back?) – “Oh man, I’ve been knowing him since he was in high school. So I’ve known he has speed from when he was younger, so just having him on our team, it’s great. He’s showcasing his ability each every day so he’s continuing to do his thing. Texas boy. Come on, now.”
(Is it just us or he seemed to have the ball in his hands a lot this practice?) – “Stay tuned, man. He’s going to one to watch. I’m definitely excited to watch him this next level.”
(You put on a couple pounds, a little more weight? Looking a little swole.) – “You see that? You see that. You see that. (laughter)”
(How much have you put on?) – “I can’t tell you that. You see me run somebody over, then you’ll know. (laughter)”
(How much stronger do you feel now?) – “You trying to arm wrestle? (laughter) I feel bigger, stronger, faster. So it’s good right now.”
(Is that part of the process though?) – “Definitely. I think each year you plan on getting better, bigger, faster, stronger, more knowledge and you’ll continue to – if you want success in this league – that’s how you’re going to continue to get it.”
(Was WR Tyreek Hill’s season about what you thought it would be or was it more?) – “Man, Tyreek is everything plus more. He’s pretty much him.”
(We’ve heard a little bit about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s jiujitsu. What do you know about his training and the way he’s working?) – “Yeah, we were working out this summer. He was like, ‘bro, I’ve got to go to jiujitsu.’ I was like, ‘hey bro, go and rock out, you got it.’ (laughter) He’s got some moves. I told him to teach me a little something-something. He’s been working on his craft, but that just shows how much he’s bought in.”
(Do you have any goals or aspirations this year? Personal accolades you want to achieve?) – “I think just staying consistent throughout the year. I feel like I was up and down last year, so just staying consistent each and every week.”
(What is WR Braxton Berrios going to give your offense?) – “Just another explosive player added to what we already have – him, (Robbie) Chosen, ‘Ced’ (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) – just adding on to make people game plan a lot harder.”
(What’s the story behind the penguin earring right there?) – “Oh yeah, I’ve had this. Y’all are late to the party. (laughter) I’ve been having this for like, two years.”
(You wore it out here a few times?) – “Yeah, yeah. Facts. I wear it in games and all.”
(I know you’re a Houston guy, but are you rooting for any of the local teams down here…?) – “Yeah, man, my Lakers are out. King James is out, so I mess with the Heat.”
