David Long Jr. – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
LB David Long Jr.
(I wanted to ask, you were one of the Dolphins first players that agreed to terms with the team. I was curious what stood out about this team, about this defense and this opportunity here?) – “I mean, it was a stressful process, the free agency process. I was just hearing a lot of different things and Miami was just the best fit I thought for me and my future. And then as far as like the players, I know a lot of them. A lot of us have the same agent. So I know a lot of those guys for a few years now. And then just the history of the DC (Vic Fangio). He’s had one of their top defenses for a while. So it just felt like a great fit. And then when I got down there, it felt like an even better fit.”
(You mentioned Vic Fangio kind of playing a role in that decision. Obviously, he’s bringing over his system and kind of building it from the ground up so to speak. But what similarities, if any, are there from your time in Tennessee and what you might see in Miami here? The defense and maybe what your role will be.) – “As far as role, I really haven’t discussed (that). I’m just ready to get to work and just fit in however I can. As far as the defense, he plays that same style that I like. Fast and aggressive as far as having a linebacker on the field all three downs. And also, it felt like a good fit. I feel like as the time goes, I’ll learn more about his way and the way he sees fits.”
(You talk about playing fast and aggressive. I was watching some of the film breakdowns of your game from guys like Brian Baldinger, and he talks a lot about the way you anticipate and how you play with speed. I’m curious, calling out plays or recognizing keys, what’s the key to putting yourself in position to play that style of football?) – “Well, a lot comes from I’ve been playing football for so long. So it’s really just that natural feel. Then as far as pre-snap reads, I spend a lot of time in the film room. I like to study my players a lot. So any indication that I can find to help me be way faster than an opponent, I look for it, whether it’s the hand in the dirt, light in the dirt, or just the tight end peeking or going back. It’s the little things that can help you be just more steadfast. Those are things I look for. And then just the mentality as well. Just that that dog mentality. That plays a major role as well.”
(I wanted to allude to the that you had a really good defensive line there in Tennessee and you come here with a bunch of guys that have played at a high level too in DT Christian Wilkins, DT Zach Sieler and DT Raekwon Davis. I’m curious how having such a good defensive line helps you do your job?) – “I mean any linebacker would be lying if they said that that front four doesn’t play a major role in the success we have. In Tennessee, a lot of two gaps they would hold up off the double teams, and our job as linebackers is to get downhill fast to get those double teams off of them. So they helped me, I helped them. We all work as a team. The better we work together, the better the defense is.”
(Everything that I saw about you – intelligent player, three-down player, very good against the run, very good against the pass. Mike Vrabel singled you and Kristian Fulton out in his postseason thing. But I’m wondering how that grabbed you? Like did that catch you by surprise? Were you offended? What did you think about that?) – “I’ve always – if you watch film since my rookie year to the end of this year, every play, I lay it out on the line. So that was a surprise to me. I feel like it kind of created a narrative a little bit as far as how I take care of my body. If you ask anybody, I’m a first one in and last guy out type of guy. So I know he knows that as well. It really just put a bigger chip (on my shoulder) because I know what type of player I am. That wasn’t discussed to me, as well. So it was a lot. I took it with a grain of salt. I’m not really much a media person like ‘why did you single me out or whatever.’ I’m going to roll with it and I’m just going to get back to work.”
(And as a follow up, to tell me about being a part of this defense, because you do have so many good players. I know in Tennessee, it was a point of emphasis to improve the defense and you were part of that. Now you come to a defense that’s really loaded. Tell me about the potential and how you feel about joining this defense.) – “I feel great man as far as the pieces that we have and also just me being familiar with the guys around. Sometimes you come into a new defense and you got to get a feel for guys, how close you are off the field as well plays a major role in that chemistry on the field. So I’m just glad that I know a lot on each level. Christian (Wilkins), Raekwon (Davis), Jaelan (Phillips), Jevon (Holland, Xavien (Howard). All those dudes I’m already familiar with so it really shouldn’t be too much of getting to know (them). I know those guys play fast and aggressive and talk smack just like me. (laughter)”
(So there’s another David Long in the league and he was part of the same draft class. I want to know, have you guys gotten to know each other at all and bonded over that kind of shocking coincidence?) – “That’s my dawg. So we both are with Athletes First. Coming out, we both trained in Orange County at Proactiv. So I’ve been knowing him since I got in the league. That’s my guy. I finally got his jersey too. So that’s cool, too.”
(I wanted to ask you, you haven’t really been established as a clear cut starter going back to Tennessee. Do you feel like that that’s something that’s a chip on your shoulder, that you’re trying to prove that you’re one of the preeminent linebackers in this league?) – “Nah. I wouldn’t say I’m trying to prove – I mean, I think if you watch film, it’s not really hard. I mean, I’m not trying to prove anything. I know what type of player I am. My main focus is keeping my body together. That’s really my main focus.”
Braxton Berrios – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
WR Braxton Berrios
(I wanted to ask you about spending the last couple of years in Mike LaFleur’s offense and how that translates to coming down here and playing for Coach McDaniel who spent so much time with Mike in his career.) – “Yeah, obviously, there’s similarities there. I really haven’t dived fully into all of that yet, but obviously coming from in a very similar system, it should be a quick learning curve.”
(As you come back, I wanted to ask you what’s your favorite memory of playing at Hard Rock Stadium? Or even just at UM? Would it be the 2017 Notre Dame game where you set the tone early with that first touchdown and the celebration?) – “Yeah, it would – at Hard Rock – it would have to be the 2017 Notre Dame game. College Game Day, they were No. 3, we were No. 7. And obviously 41-8 kind of speaks for itself. But there’s nothing like that stadium when it gets rocking.”
(And also I wanted to ask you, I know you’re from Raleigh, but you grew up with connections to Miami through your father. This is even before attending UM. So can you explain that whole dynamic again for everyone getting reacquainted with you down here?) – “Yeah, of course. So my dad’s from Miami. My grandfather was originally born in Puerto Rico, so my whole dad’s side of the family is from Miami. And so he met my mom in North Carolina, so I was born there and raised there. But I grew up a Hurricanes fan and I grew up with Dolphins fan as well. And so that was really my only dream to go play for the U and then obviously, to play for the Dolphins.”
(So beyond just returning to South Florida, what else was appealing to you about this team, coming here? And was Miami something you instantly started thinking about as an option when you parted ways with the Jets?) – “You know how this league is and you never, I mean, you don’t know anything. And to start running yourself through hypotheticals is a never-ending hamster wheel. So, no, it wasn’t an immediate ‘oh, we should do this.’ It was kind of a ‘let’s see where the chips fall.’ And obviously, we play. We’re very familiar. We play each other twice a year and obviously I monitor our division more closely than any others just because of that. And obviously Miami has done a lot recently, even dating back to last year as far as just building a culture and building a team of guys who get the job done and do it the right way. So obviously when this became a reality, or an option to be a reality, the more I thought about it, the more attractive it got, and obviously, I’m very excited to be here.”
(Obviously you’ve been among the league leaders in punt returns and kick returns in recent years. Not everybody likes to do it. Not everybody wants to do it. How would you describe your approach to it?) – “I guess I take a lot of pride in it. You’re right. It’s absolutely not for everybody and if you do do it, you have to be fully committed to doing it. And I think that I’ve been one of the best in the league at it and obviously want to get back to that top spot across the board at it. But I think you might have to have maybe a screw loose or two, to do it and to really enjoy it. (laughter) I don’t think there’s anything like it and like I said, I take a lot of pride in it because it truly is a third of the game and it can swing a game just like any other interception, touchdown or what have you. So, yeah, there’s a huge sense of pride in it and I think after talking to the coaching staff as well, the special teams coordinator; there’s going to be a lot of pride in it this year and I’m really excited to help that.”
(And then from a receiving perspective, how do you think your skill set can potentially complement what Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle do?) – “They’re incredible across the board. Obviously, there’s no pigeonhole for either one of those guys. They’re truly one of the best wide receiver duos in the league and I can’t wait to get in that room and just watch and learn from them and hear how they see the game or how they see the route against this coverage and all the variations. So obviously I’m down to do whatever whenever and I’ve always been that way and maybe, you know, if they take the top off, I’ll work across the middle or I’ll work outside. I’ll really do whatever it takes to win.”
(I wanted to pick your brain on the Dolphin secondary from two perspectives – first as a teammate and looking at the potential of those guys changing the game, and then as a receiver and what they could possibly do and how as a receiver, you could I guess be effective against them?) – “First and foremost, it’s exciting coming into a team with incredible DBs and an incredible defensive backfield. Obviously you have so much experience back there with those guys and now being able to go to work with them every single day. You’re going to lose some. You’re going to win some, too, but you’re going to lose some and you’re going to learn a lot. I’m a big fan of competition and iron sharpening iron and I think that’s what I’m looking forward to the most – just being able to get on that field and seeing what works and what doesn’t against some of the top DBs in the world on a daily basis.”
(I’m curious what has been your impression of QB Tua Tagovailoa watching him from afar, watching the Dolphins from afar, over the past few years?) – “Honestly, I’ve been very impressed. Obviously he’s dealt with a lot of adversity and it seems that he steps up to the plate every single time and he seems like an absolute warrior, kind of just like we got in my guy Mike White here recently. So I’m really excited to get with him and start learning how he sees the game from his mouth and not just from film and just get on the same page as him. But I really, I’m excited to play for him.”
(You mentioned being a lifelong Dolphins fan and being a shifty slot receiver and punt returner. We’ve had a few good ones of those are in the past. One of those guys is your new receivers coach. I’m curious Wes Welker, OJ McDuffie, like what do you think of when you think of Dolphins return specialists and slot receivers?) – “Really, yeah, those guys. Obviously I’m absolutely thrilled to be in the same room as Coach Welker now, I guess. I don’t think I’ve earned the right to call him ‘Wes’ yet. But just being able to pick his brain and to see, hearing what he sees, and kind of the same thing as Tua. Just learning how they see their offense being ran. Obviously they’ve been in it now for a year and so they’ll help me get up to speed on it and the details and the intricacies because that’s what this league is. It’s a very detail-oriented league and if you’re not on those details, mistakes happen. So it’s really cool to be there with Coach Welker and one of the best to ever do it, and really just be able to pick his brain every single day.”
(You mentioned Jets QB Mike White there in your answer about Tua. I want to know a little bit more about what he’s like in the huddle, on the sidelines and just as a quarterback of the team.) – “He’s a great guy. He was one of my best friends on New York and obviously that’ll carry over. And he’s the same way. I mean, he’s an absolute competitor, an absolute warrior, a guy you want to go to war with, you want in your dog hole. I think he brings a lot of competitive nature with him wherever he goes and like I complimented Tua about, I think those two are going to rub off on each other in the best way and really just make each other better, but I’m very excited to have him over here.”
(And also coming over to the Dolphins but on defense is CB Jalen Ramsey. He had some things to say about beating up on UM in his college days at his introductory press conference here. What do you remember about him then from the years in common you had in the rivalry?) – “I bet he did. That’s a Florida State Seminole for you. (laughter) I’ll give it to him. When he was there – going into my senior year, we were 0-3 against them. My senior year we righted the ship and honestly have been on a roll ever since I believe, actually. Except for this year. But yeah, obviously he’s a phenomenal player and I know we went up against each other I think just one year actually. They beat us late in Hard Rock (Stadium) actually, but yeah, that’ll be an ongoing battle there between Miami and FSU.”
(When you studied film growing up primarily the slot positions, who were some of the guys that you studied and why?) – “I didn’t necessarily study slots. I studied receivers across the board just because I think you can take pieces from everybody and whether it’s a release, whether it’s the top of the route, high pointing the ball, whatever it is. I studied receivers as a whole, but obviously the ones that stick out are Wes Welker or Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola. And I think Tyler Lockett as well is one of those guys that I really don’t think gets the respect that he deserves because he’s been incredible for such a long time now. But yeah, those guys are the ones really that stick out. And you go back and try to figure out how they dominated the league for such a long time and part of it is athletic ability, part of it is their own twist to it and you realize that there’s no one secret formula. Wes ran routes different than Julian who ran them different than Tyler and everything across the board. So yeah, those are the ones I mainly watched in regards to slots, but I tried to take pieces from everybody.”
(So now you’re going to be teammates with LB Jaelan Phillips. Have you had interactions with him over the years whether about representing the U or just what it’s like with the Dolphins since he’s been here a couple of years now?) – “Yeah, absolutely. That’s one of the best parts about going to Miami. It’s a brotherhood. So obviously after every game, we go up to each other and talk. I saw him in the airport actually about a year ago and talked for a while and then now since this happened, we’ve been communicating more closely. But the same thing. He’s such a competitor that I’m excited to share a field with.”
(Considering WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Tyreek Hill like to actually play in that slot position, how important is it for you to sort of diversify and establish yourself as not just a slot?) – “Oh, no, absolutely and I don’t think of myself in that way at all. Like I alluded to earlier, I’m whenever, whatever. And that’s something that I’ve tried to (work on) a ton in the offseason is work outside obviously as well as inside and the backfield. And again, wherever they need me, wherever there’s a place, wherever there’s an opportunity, I’m fully in on it.”
Jake Bailey – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
P Jake Bailey
(First, I wanted to ask if you could kind of walk us through your thought process through this free agency, this first week of agency, because I think with a lot of non-specialists we hear about scheme fit and wanting to play for a specific coach, but for a specialist and punter like you, what was the thought process and what led you to Miami?) – “Same thing kind of fits, too. Danny Crossman is a guy I’ve always admired from across the sideline. I played against him many times and just a really nice dude. I also know Jason (Sanders) and Blake (Ferguson) really well and they’re really nice guys. I’m excited to kind of just start up with them and see how it goes.”
(Can you fill us in on what was the nature of your back injury and how did it impact your performance last season?) – “Yeah, a lot of it had to do with squatting a ton. I did not grow up squatting, loading my back with back squats. I didn’t do it at all in college and then I really didn’t do it my first three years in the league and kind of tried to start something new, try and be more a part of the program. And it just really backfired the whole season. I was doing it and it didn’t – it really made my accuracy struggle. It just was kind of a sad, sad thing to have happen. I haven’t squatted since really Week 15, 16 and feel pretty good.”
(Obviously when you signed a long-term contract with another team, you thought you were going to be there for a while. When you found out that that team was putting you on a suspended list, how did you feel?) – “You know, there’s a lot to unpack and a lot of it is between them and me partly. I’ve talked to Coach Belichick about this and how we want to talk about all this stuff and obviously you don’t want to end up on a list like that ever. Confusion was a lot of it, and I think we’re just past it now at this point. It was something that happened and it was something that was unfortunate for both sides but now I think both parties are in a better situation.”
(There’s a lot of players within the AFC East who changed teams, Jets to Dolphins, Dolphins to Bills. I find that interesting. Do you? How do you feel about facing your former team which is obviously going to happen at least twice next year?) – “Yeah, it’s just another team on the schedule. I think part of why people go in and out of the AFC East is you know what you’re getting. You know you have a player that can go play up in Foxborough, you have a player that can go play up in Buffalo when the weather’s super bad, and you also have a player that can go play down in Miami at the start of September. So there’s a variety of different elements you can get in the AFC East and it kind of makes sense why you would want to keep a player in there.”
(Before going on IR, your punting numbers in 2022 didn’t quite seem to be what we saw from you in some years prior to what you had previously done. So were you having back issues before IR placement or were there other factors leading to it?) – “I’m not one to really make excuses about my numbers. Like any time you walk out on that field, you’re expected to be the best version of yourself and perform up to the NFL standards. I didn’t feel myself the whole year though. I was squatting a lot and was getting treatment on my back since Week 1 and before.”
(I know this was the first time that you’ve change teams, but I’m wondering do you anticipate any, I guess anxiety, or anything along those lines? And is it better or worse when you come with that All-Pro reputation? Do you think expectations are a little bit higher for you?) – “That was a long time ago. I don’t view myself as that guy. I’m on a new team just trying to meet new people and contribute to the team. My first workout was Friday and I didn’t really know what to expect and kind of came in, met a few people and they were all really nice. And that kind of settled the edge of the whole day. When that’s going on, you can have a conversation with them. I really liked everybody I met and had a good time. It played well and that’s all that mattered.”
(If I could follow up real quick, I think it’s interesting that you say that was a long time ago being an All-Pro. It really wasn’t that long ago. That’s an interesting comment. Why do you view it in that fashion?) – “You know, outwardly, I’m trying to be humble. Inwardly, I am the best punter in the league in my own head and I’m going to go out there and perform to the best of my abilities every single time I touch the football,. But yeah, outwardly, I’m trying to be a little humble. (laughter)”
(I read an article about you and getting your pilot’s license or pursuing it back in college and I was curious, I guess an update on that and also just kind of how you became interested in aviation?) – “Yeah, this offseason has been the offseason of the pilot’s license. Any time you are trying to get that, you have to stay current. So I had all the like, minimum requirements back in college, but I never took the final exam essentially. I got drafted, so I didn’t have time to take the final exam. So this offseason, I’ve been grinding on it. I think I’ve got like 30 to 35 hours, just this offseason in the air and I’m close. So check back with me April 6. We’ll see if I can get it done before then.”
(I’ve got to follow up on that question about the pilot’s license and all. Tell us more about what you hope to do with that. What sort of craft are you hoping to pilot?) – “It’s just small Cessnas for right now. Maybe a Cirrus – four-seater planes. Nothing too crazy, but there’s some good flying down in South Florida and I’ve been looking at what it looks like to go down to Key West or down to the Bahamas. Maybe even get my floatplane license someday down the road, too.”
(On a totally separate topic, I want to ask you the latest stories I’ve seen simply state that your agent filed a grievance over the suspension and I assume the guaranteed money. What’s the state of that grievance? Is it still in the early stages or is it done with?) – “The details of it are kind of between me and the Patriots. The grievance is done, but everything surrounding it is in the past. I’m totally on a new team now and just looking forward to seeing how I can contribute to them.”
Dan Feeney – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
OL Dan Feeney
(How many games have you started at center? I know most have been at left guard.) – “Most of the 2020 season was all starts at center. So 16 there and then I think two at the Jets. So yeah, 18 to 20 or something like that.”
(Did the Dolphins give you any sense if you would be in a competition at left guard? Obviously they have OL Liam Eichenberg, OL Rob Jones there. OL Lester Cotton as well. Or are you coming in strictly as a backup at guard and center as it was portrayed to you?) – “They said there would definitely be opportunities at the line. So that’s what kind of made me jump at the offer. I’m just excited to get there and show my talent, show my worth to the team and then we’ll go from there.”
(I wanted to ask you about kind of the continuity of going from a system that has some similarities to what the Dolphins run here under Head Coach Mike McDaniel. Playing the last couple of years in Mike LaFleur’s system, how does that kind of help you ease the transition to a new offensive scheme?) – “I think it’s huge. Honestly one of the first times Mike and I talked on the phone, it was pretty much X’s and O’s, so just having a very similar language is definitely huge. It’s easy to kind of just get into the system and kind of fit in right away, so I think that’ll be good for me. There will always be different languages about some sort of things but kind of having that same offensive mindset and scheme, I think it’ll be an easier transition for me.”
(I don’t know if you happened to see QB Mike White’s social media video where he did some casting on the Hangover with you and those guys coming down here. I believe he puts you in Zach Galifianakis’ role. I was I was just curious if you thought he was accurate there in his casting on that?) – “I definitely thought it was a little shade at first, but it is hilarious. And I think that is a little bit of me, that personality of just happy to be there, happy to be back with the boys. So it was a hilarious video. Whoever edited that and did that, it was spot on.”
(I actually want to ask you about those two guys. Tell us about your former Jets teammates now coming over with you. What are QB Mike White and WR Braxton Berrios like as teammates?) – “Oh, man, they’re awesome. Great locker room guys. Great people to golf with. They’re some of my golf partners so we have a good time out there on the course as well. Just good guys. Good guys to put in a locker room. They bring a great energy. They’re X’s and O’s guys, too, so talking ball with them is very fluid and easy. They’re just great additions to the team, I believe.”
(Was that something that you guys all communicated with each other about as your free agency sort of lined up that you guys wanted to go to the same place together?) – “I think we were just pretty much a package deal at that point, as soon as Mike White went somewhere. (laughter) No, I’m just messing around. But the stars kind of aligned for it more than anything. And it was awesome to see that I’m definitely going to have some familiar faces in the locker room, so it’ll be easier for me to transition when I got a couple of good guys in that locker room with me as well.”
(Talking about the Jets and all, you’re aware of how they were building and what kind of team they’re starting to put together up there. You know about the Bills as defending division champs and what the Jets are hoping to add in Aaron Rodgers. When you look at this division, what’s it going to be like you think in the AFC East next year?) – “I think it’s going to be a powerhouse division for sure. Like you said, I mean, the Bills have been very strong past couple years. And when I was on the Jets, Miami was coming along and had some great players. So it’s exciting to be a part of that system now and it definitely will be a powerhouse league. I mean, Bill Belichick at the Patriots. I mean, he’s one of the best coaches of all time. So it’s definitely going to be a tough division. And we’re going to have some tough division games coming up this year, but I think we’ll be able to handle it.”
(Let’s talk about the fun stuff. The beer chugging at hockey games. Tell me how that happened and are we going to expect to see that at Panthers games this year?) – “I hope so. I hope the Panthers shoot me an invite. I’d love to go. I love being at hockey games. It’s such a good energy and a good vibe. That energy is just contagious, so I kind of lose myself in a hockey game, clearly, as you guys have seen. That just kind of came about. We were all like, ‘Hey, when we get on the Jumbotron, let’s all chug a beer together.’ I took it a little far I guess, and started slamming it on my head. I was just trying to have a little fun with it. It was a great time being together with the guys.”
(What are your top three all-time beer choices?) – “Anything that’s cold is usually No. 1. I love that. I really don’t hate on any beer. I’m a Coors Light, Miller Lite guy to probably start. I love a Budwesier, a little Diesel. Funky Buddha is pretty good – a little local one to South Florida. I’ve had one or two of those and really liked those, so I think that may sneak it’s way up the leaderboard.”
(You’re obviously a lot of fun. You enjoy life off the field. How does that translate to your approach to football?) – “I think it’s contagious. Just being around guys that love having a good time and making work fun, it just makes the locker room better and makes the vibe around the whole entire team better in my eyes because if guys love hanging out with the guys outside of the facility, we’re going to bring that same natural energy and camaraderie into the locker room. And I think that’ll translate onto the field. Because once you know your teammates, you want to hang out with them outside of the locker room and it just becomes contagious. More and more guys get on board with it and it just becomes a nice atmosphere.”
(Is this still a mullet?) – “Oh, yeah. We still got the mullet. Business in front, party in the back. You got to be able to do both so I figured I’d show people right away.”
(Your sister made some t-shirts right for MS, right? Are those still around?) – “Yeah, so my sister does work for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and I support her doing off the field stuff. She wasn’t the one that made the t-shirts. They were kind of – so the Islanders actually ended up making a t-shirt for me and then all the proceeds that the t-shirts sold, we gave away to charity. I thought it was just something good to do – give all that money away and have fun with it and just trying to bring good energy and vibe there. But I had a couple of Jets fans make a couple of shirts too. Got to start making one and selling that thing out there.”
(How does that play into your – I guess that fits into your personality perfectly right? All of this stuff around you?) – “Yeah, I guess so. It’s just how it goes. Once the COVID year kind of happened, I couldn’t get a haircut for a while. I kind of went to the barber and I’m like, ‘Hey man, cut a mullet in there. Let’s see how it looks.’ It kind of just stuck from there and the train has been rolling pretty much ever since so I didn’t want to get off it.”
(I saw when you had that the hat on it was a Bass Pro Shops hat. Is that something you’re going to enjoy about South Florida? Are you a fisherman? And what else are you going to like about South Florida off the field?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I love fishing. It’s been a while since I’ve put a little line in the water, but I’m definitely excited to go back and do that. It’s just a calming thing I like doing when I’m not playing ball, just kind of let your mind go, catch a little fish, throw it back in there and do it all over again. It’s one of those easy things that’s just fun to do. But off-the-field stuff other than that, I just kind of like hanging out with my buddies, watching TV, Netflix series and playing video games. So usually when it’s not all gas, it’s usually a little quieter than that. But yeah, I like to have a little fun clearly.”
(The mullet was created because of COVID and the pandemic?) – “It definitely was a child of the pandemic year because I was out in California at the time and everything was pretty much shut down, so my hair was getting long. My girlfriend was like, ‘You need to get a haircut somehow.’ And that’s when all the at-home haircuts were coming out and it frightened me a little bit of all the horror videos I was seeing online. So I found a spot that was still open. The guy that ended up cutting the mullet in my head was one of the most ecstatic barbers I’ve ever had to cut a mullet. I’ve never seen anything like it. I was like ‘well, I came to the right spot,’ and he pretty much juiced me up right away when he cut it, so I was like ‘well, I think it’s going to stay for a little while.’”
(So you requested the mullet? That wasn’t like his top choice of hairstyles that he does?) – “I think it was his top hairstyle. They are just few and far between. So I think he was just so ecstatic about it. When I came in, I was like, ‘Hey, man, let’s cut a mullet in and have a little fun.’ And then I was going to eventually do a high and tight but he persuaded me the other way. I thought it looked good so I figured that keep it.”
Malik Reed – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
LB Malik Reed
(After a year away from them, how comfortable will it feel to be around Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio and LB Bradley Chubb again?) – “It’s going to be awesome. To come in the league and being in Coach Fangio’s system, I feel like was huge for me, personally as a player. I learned so much about the game, a lot about the outside linebacker position, to be on the edge, setting the edge or in coverage as well. I’m excited to get back to work with him and my brother Chubb. We had a lot of great times in Denver. That’s a guy that was really close to me, and I’m excited to be able to play with him again.”
(You had your best statistical season under Vic Fangio a couple of years ago. It seems like wherever Vic goes, he brings the best out of the outside linebackers/edge rushers. What is it about Vic or his scheme that allows guys like you to thrive?) – “I feel like he’s been around the game so long. He’s been around so many great players. Like you said, he’s a great defensive coordinator. I think he helps get us in the right positions to be successful and he allows us to go out there and do what we do, and make plays and be playmakers. He knows we’re out there for a reason and to have an impact on the game. He does a great job with his scheme and how he coaches that position. He does a good job of putting us in the right spots at the right time so we can do what we do best.”
(I saw the dream killer chain. When you signed with the team, I was reading about that. Who came up with the nickname and where does that come from?) – “It was actually Von (Miller). I played with Von a few years and he gave it to me my rookie year. It’s something that stuck with some of my teammates. It came from the preseason. I had a good preseason and he was like ‘you’re killing quarterbacks dreams out there. Keep doing that. Keep being you.’ It was something between us and I felt like it carried on after that.”
(We’re looking forward to getting to know Vic Fangio, so fill us in on what we’re going to find out. How would you describe his personality?) – “I feel like he’s really about the business and the business of winning. I feel like having success as a defense and really doing a great job on that side of the ball. I feel like with him, you’re getting a guy that works extremely hard. You see that throughout our three years together. The progress that I feel like we made in year one that I was there in Denver until my last year. I think we were the No. 8 scoring defense then. You just see progression each year and I feel like that is a testament to the type of coach he is and the type of coordinator he is as well. I feel like you’re getting a great guy in him.”
(I saw that in 2020 and 2021, you had a total of 13 sacks. How do you describe your approach to the pass rush on the quarterback?) – “I feel like it’s relentless. I feel like that’s where it starts. In order to get sacks and be great at rushing the passer in the league, I feel like everybody has that. That has to be where it starts. I use what God has given me and use my tools to my advantage. I’m not the tallest guy, so I like to use leverage in my game and be able to get under tackles and get to places that are hard for them to bend to. That’s how you can summarize my game.”
(What kind of sneaker head are you?) – “I always have liked shoes. I feel like growing up, we didn’t have the most money and stuff like that growing up. It wasn’t like I could go out there and get all of them that I wanted. But there were always some that I feel like I enjoyed. Once I got to college and started to make a little money – the money that we would get each month – I tried to save it up so I could buy me some shoes and stuff. I had to stop because I was spending too much money at first. But once I got in the league, I feel like I started to bring that back and establish the enjoyment of buying sneakers and wearing them, figuring out what outfit you wanted to wear them with and stuff like that. I feel like that’s something that’s definitely sparked since I’ve been in the league.”
(How much does a pair of sneakers have to be for an NFL player to say ‘no this is too crazy, I’m not doing that?’) – “Great question. For me, personally, if it’s – there are some crazy sneakers out there that are expensive. If it’s over five grand, that’s too much for me. I can’t go above that.”
(You’ve had so much success playing with LB Bradley Chubb. When you found out you’d be coming to Miami and playing alongside of again, can you take us through the conversation? What was it like? And did you guys share some dreams on how it’s going to be working together again?) – “It’s amazing. My time with Chubb on the field, off the field, something just always clicked and it felt so natural. It’s a testament to the type of guy Chubb is and I feel like we’re similar in how we think sometimes. I feel like that flowed into us as teammates to where we could have a lot of success with each other. I feel like once there was some inkling of being able to come to Miami, I’ve been really excited to have the opportunity to play with him again. The type of player he is, and the type of person he is, he’s seeking to be great and win in a big way. I feel like that’s the type of people you want to surround yourself with, not only on the field with football, but in life. That’s a testament to the type of person he is. He’s seeking to be successful in whatever he does. I was definitely excited once we figured out we’d be playing together again. I called him once it was in the workings of me coming there. He called me back once he heard the news. ‘I didn’t know. I had to call you back, congratulations.’ He was so excited and I was excited too. I’m definitely excited to be back playing together again.”
(I wanted to ask you about the role of the pass rusher because obviously it’s a passing league. But you guys have good edge rushers, you’ve got a good secondary and you’ve got a good defensive coordinator. What do you do to change, control the game, put fear into a defense as an edge rusher, and then from a total defense perspective?) – “I feel like it’s huge. That’s become a premium position in the NFL, once they started to transition to more throwing the ball. It put a lot of spotlight on the edge position and how big of an impact they could have on the game. Not even just rushing the passer but setting the edges. You have to be solid in that because if you’re not setting the edge and they are running the ball all game, teams are going to do that. That’s huge to start there. Then when you do have those opportunities to get after the quarterback, just as much as it is on the edge rushers to get back to the quarterback, it helps when you have guys on the outside that can lock up. The man to man, the safeties flying around, the quarterbacks be a little nervous to throw it back there in the secondary. It helps each other. It goes hand and hand – the rush and coverage. That’s something that Coach Fangio preaches. I feel like in terms of playing great defense in the league, that’s what coaches preach. It goes hand in hand. You got to be great in the front end and great in the back end to be great as a defense. It’s really being relentless. Something I’ve learned over my time, even conversations I’ve had with Von (Miller) – I was fortunate to play with him for those three years. He was like ‘a lot of sacks come off effort sacks.’ Everybody thinks it’s because of these great moves, but it’s really how bad do you want to get back there to him. You got to want it more than the guy in front of you trying to stop you. Being relentless – and that’s from the ends to the d-tackles – having that relentless pass rush and covering up for each other and stuff like that, I feel like that’s what leads to having that big impact as edge rushers.”
(Do you think it’s possible in today’s NFL for a defense to control a game? Or is a defense always going to be reacting to what an offense does?) – “I definitely think a defense can control a game in terms of stops, three-and-outs, getting turnovers, which is huge. Those two things I feel like are huge factors in terms of outcomes of a game, whether an offense is putting up a lot of points or whether they’re not. I know it’s simple, but if they can’t score, they can’t win. That’s the thing I feel like as a defense, you live by. You definitely want the offense to do well and succeed and stuff like that, but controlling what you can control as a defense, and that’s how fast you get teams off the field, whether that’s turning the ball over or getting stops, I feel like that has a big factor on the control of the game and field position and stuff like that – holding them back to where they’re playing from their end zone and the offense getting a short field and stuff like that. That plays a big factor in controlling the game.”
Jalen Ramsey – March 16, 2023
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Thursday, March 16, 2023
CB Jalen Ramsey
(Tell me whether you think this is the best cornerback combo in the NFL, the best secondary in the NFL, and how that will manifest itself during the season.) – “I believe so. That’s just the type of energy I bring. That’s the confidence that I always have. On paper, this is the best group that I’ve been a part of. And I feel like I’ve been a part of some good groups in Jacksonville and also in L.A. But on paper, I feel like this is the best one. Obviously, with me and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) on the outside, and you got the young guys – Jevon (Holland), we just got DeShon Elliott, Brandon (Jones), Kader (Kohou). So I think we have a good secondary on paper if you look at it. But we got to put the work in. I mean we can speak it as much as we want to, but we’re going to have to go out there and prove it and that’s what we’re planning to do. But it’s not just about us. It’s the whole defense and the whole team. I think we can do some special if we put that work in and be as one.”
(Why did you want to be here?) – “A lot of reasons. He just made me answer one. This defense, this secondary. You look at it on paper, it’s something that you would definitely want to be a part of, I know I’m not the only person who wanted to be a part of it and will want to be a part of it in the future. Being back in Florida, that’s a great thing for me. Closer to my family. My pops, he’s about to retire. He’s going to move down here. He’s going to enjoy life. Obviously I got my daughters and my kids. We love the warm weather. That’s always a plus. The taxes, that’s a plus, right? It’s a good young team on the up and up. I feel like I can bring something to help them. Just be another piece to that puzzle here. There was a lot that went into me thinking about Miami and a lot of praying that went into it. Mom and grandma are praying over me. I’m super excited. I didn’t necessarily think I would be traded but once it kind of started to be reality, me and my team, we sat down and we kind of wrote the pros and cons of different situations going on and we wrote down teams and pros and cons, like which teams may be in need of a corner, which teams may be interested, which teams do I like as well, which teams will I fit whatever they got going on. I remember writing down Miami and Miami stayed at the top of my list from the jump. So then I just started praying about it and all started to visualize for me. So I’m ready. I hope it’s it’s everything that I dreamed of and prayed about and I’m sure it is. I’m excited.”
(Could you talk about maybe the reception you’ve gotten from fans so far? Because it seems like on social media…) – “It’s been all love, I ain’t going to lie. It’s been crazy. It’s been love. A lot of people have been showing crazy love and I was a little shocked at first because you know when I was at Florida State, we did our thing against the Hurricanes three years in a row while I was at Florida State. (laughter) So I’m like, man, I don’t know how they are going to feel about me right now. I used to tear them up. (laughter) But man, they showed love. They showed nothing but love. It’s been great. Me and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) went to the Heat game last night. They showed a lot of love. It’s crazy. I know a lot of guys on the team already. I know a lot of guys like on the Heat team. I know a lot of people who just live here in Miami and Broward, Dade. So it’s been love, honestly. Everybody’s been showing a lot of love. It’s definitely been a warm welcome, so I appreciate that and I hope to return the favor with what I’m doing on the field, of course, and in this organization, but as well as in the community when I get the chance to do all of that good stuff.”
(What did joining a team with like championship aspirations in L.A. teach you about that process, and how to integrate yourself into a locker room and what steps you need to take?) – “Every team is different so I don’t necessarily like to compare like ‘oh, this is what it was like in L.A., so this is what I what it needs to be like here,’ because it’ll be different. And I’m going to embrace that change and that difference that we will have here. When I was going to L.A., I was kind of a younger guy, when I first got traded to L.A. Now I’m here and I’m one of the older ones in the room and on the team. So it’s a little bit of a difference. But I know what I can bring personally as a player and as a DB on the field. I know what I bring into the locker room, just my energy, my swag, my passion, my love. But there’s some championship qualities that I know I can bring as well, just from being on a winning team basically every year I was in L.A., besides this past one. And getting to the Super Bowl, winning the Super Bowl, having success individually, having team success, being around Hall of Fame players (like) Aaron Donald, Von Miller, Cooper Kupp, Matthew Stafford – I mean the list can go on and I don’t want to leave nobody out. But all those guys, learning a lot of valuable things from them, learning how our team dynamic was, learning how everybody had their own passion, everybody had their love, but we were all doing it as one. We were unified. We always had each other’s back. It was really like a family. It was good times. It was bad times. It was fights. It was love. It was all that. So a little bit of that aspect. I feel like I can bring and help feel that out and see where we’re going. And like I said, I’m an older guy now. We got some young guys on the team. I hope to elevate their games in any way that I can, whether that’s my preparation, how I get my body prepared, whether that’s my preparation with the game film, mentally, whatever it may be. I’m just trying to help however I can and bring a championship here. And I know I can. I know I can do my part. I feel like everybody else will do their part as well. But like I said earlier, I’m just a piece of the puzzle man. There’s a lot more that’ll go into it than just me and what I’ll bring.”
(The team shared some video of you and CB Xavien Howard taking a tour of the facility. And you mentioned that you actually visited his Pro Day in 2016. Can you kind of talk about that relationship, where it stemmed from, and just what you two can bring to each other on and off the field?) – “Yeah, me and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) met, what is it, seven or eight years ago now. One of our close mutual friends, Corey Coleman, we are all pretty close. So that’s how we met. We met through Corey Coleman. And yeah, I was always like around Corey and supporting Corey, so I was going to Baylor Pro Day and obviously ‘X’ was the big-name corner at the time at Baylor. I knew a lot about him. I knew a lot about his game. We were like trying to recruit him, trying to get him to come with my agent and stuff. We were doing our due diligence trying to build the team right there. But yeah, I’ve been a fan of his game for a while. We got a lot of respect for each other. I can say he’s somebody who’s been a cool, dope friend to have. Last year when they were in L.A. for a week and played the Chargers, I saw him a couple of times. We had dinner, kicked it. The same vice-versa if I’m down here, I’ll hit him up if I need something. We’re both family men, got kids. That was all organic and natural. That wasn’t nothing that the Dolphins had to make us do or nothing like that. It was cool. We were already talking about it anyway. He already knew I was coming to town. We were going to go to the Heat game anyway and kick it. Then he came by, he worked out and stuff then he came by showing me around and stuff like that. That was cool. And then we went on about our night and had fun or whatever.”
(CB Xavien Howard is a little different than you though. You like to chatter and he is real quiet. How does that dynamic work? Are you going to try to get that to rub off on him a little bit?) – “I’m going to let him be him. He’s been successful already, so I ain’t trying to change him. I ain’t trying to do nothing. I’m trying to bring the best out of him, whatever that may be. And I’m sure he’ll do the same. But I mean, you can call me evil twin, I guess, if that’s what you all want to do. He’s the good one, I’m the bad one. (laughter) But I’m going to keep being me. I’m going to keep talking. If I get a little bit of that out of him and that elevates his game, cool. But if that is distracting to him, then I’m going to let him be him. He’s been successful, so I ain’t trying to do nothing but just bring the best out of him. It is crazy. Me and him really text each other at random times during the day since the trade happened, like ‘we’re really teammates.’ Because it’s crazy. Like I just randomly think about it during the day like this is crazy. Two years ago, both of us were first-team All-Pro together I think for the second time. I don’t know. We’ve been in Pro Bowls together. Like it’s really crazy to think about. You never really thought that we would be on the same team and be able to play at an elite level and help something special here in Miami. But yeah, I ain’t got to do nothing to change him or anything like that. I’m trying to influence him in the most positive good way I can and bring the best out of him because I know that’s what he going to do with me too.”
(You’ve shown a lot of versatility in the secondary in L.A. at the star position. How do you think that will transfer to Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense here?) – “Yeah. It’s a very similar scheme, so that’s a blessing. I might have to learn some new terminology and how he names things and stuff like that, but I’m very familiar with the scheme, love the scheme. There are different ways to play it, and that just depends on the flow of our team and exactly what he wants me to do. But because I have that versatility, I can do whatever that he asks of me. If he wants me and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) to lock up the outside, that’s what we’re going to do. And then they’re going to do their jobs everywhere else. If he wants me to move around a little bit, go into nickel, go into dime, blitz, cover tight ends, running backs, whatever it is, I’ll be able to do all of it. I think everybody knows that. You all know me. You all know how I get down. You know what I do. So being able to bring that to this defense and this secondary is going to be cool for sure.”
(I was just curious about your level of intensity at practice. Can you give us an insight into that? And how much are you looking forward to going against WR Tyreek Hill and this wide receiver group that has so much speed right now?) – “Yeah, I love practice. As soon as I’m on the field, regardless, like that’s who I am. I got the intensity, I got the fire, the passion. I can’t turn that down. It’s like 100 at all times. So that’s practice and everything. So I’m sure those guys will be ready too. Those guys are going to make me better. I really embrace being on the team with a really good elite receiver. Like I was blessed when I was in L.A., obviously with Cooper Kupp. But we didn’t always get to battle it out every time. I know Tyreek, he got that mindset too. He a dawg, he wants to go get it. Jaylen (Waddle) too. I know we’re going to be battling it out. We’re going to be making each other better. That’ll be good for me, X, the rest of the DBs. It’s going to be good for the receivers too because we are going to get after it. It’ll be fun.”
(What kind of conversations have you had with Mike McDaniel? And what are your early impressions of coach?) – “He’s cool. Coach is cool. Coach is different. He’s cool. He be chilling. He’s young. Got some energy about him. Says what’s on his mind when he wants to. We can have just real conversations. It doesn’t feel like a player talking to my coach. It kind of feels like this is my homie a little bit, which is dope. You know he’s the authority, but that’s a dope dynamic to have with your coach. He keeps telling me that he’s going to be the best head coach I’ve ever had. He’s nudging Sean (McVay) on that a little bit. (laughter) Sean was great in L.A. It’s going to be tough because Sean is the man. But I believe him though, and I’m going to hold him to that. But it’s been cool, man. He’s real chill, real fun, real cool. I’m excited and I know a lot of guys speak very highly of him too.”
(How do you think Mike McDaniel compares to Sean McVay?) – “I don’t know yet. It’s only my third day. I just got here. (laughter) But just from my immediate interactions with him and everything, how the flow has been, it’s been cool. But like I said, I’m going to hold him to it. And I know the guys speak highly of him. It will be exciting. It will be fun.”
(You got to talk to me about his outfit. Are you Gucci down to the socks?) – “Come on. I got some Gucci, Gucci, Gucci, Gucci, Travis Scotts, chains on Hublot – shout out to Hublot. Gucci. Yeah, me and Gucci partnered up this past year so we do a lot of things and anytime I got some special going on, they want to make sure that they got me fitted and stuff. So as soon as the trade happened, they hit me and my team up and was like you got to wear Gucci, and I was like, I’m going to wear Gucci anyway so I got you all. Then I went to the Design District yesterday, we got fitted up, got a little fit. That was cool. And now I’m here in the flesh with my Gucci on. (laughter)”
(The trash talk, I know that is part of your game. How does that get you psyched up to play your best and who of your NFL opponents has given it right back to you the best?) – “It’s not like a psych me up thing. It’s just what I do. It’s fun. It’s part of my game. I have fun with this. Like it is my profession, it’s my job, it’s very serious, I got to take it serious. But like I have to have fun with it as well. I love it. And so that’s just a part of who I am and how I express my love for the game out there, how I go in my opponents. Like I ain’t got no friends while I’m on the field, it don’t matter who you are. So that’s just my way of going about my business. I ain’t going to say nobody really gives it back like how I give it, but sometimes a couple guys might have something to say, you know if they feel like they made a good catch or had a little success. But it ain’t happen often. (laughter)”
(You enter a division that had QB Josh Allen in it, potentially QB Aaron Rodgers. Where do you feel like you guys as defense stack up facing those type of quarterbacks?) – “We’ll be straight. We’re going to put the work in. It’s the NFL, so it’s any given Sunday, week by week. I think we’ll be good though. Like I said, on paper I’m cool with us. Man, I’ll come up here and sing praises all day long. But we got to put the work in. We got a lot to do and a lot to accomplish before we get to those games. They played well in the division already without me. I’m trying to come in here and just add to that. But I can’t even really speak specifically about certain games or matchups yet because we’re not even there. We got a lot to do internally first. That’s what it’s about. First, it’s us. And then we’ll worry about everybody else. But right now, we aren’t worried about nothing.”
(What is it about Coach Mike McDaniel that’s intriguing to you?) – “He’s a little weird. He’s a little weird. We’re all weird in our own way. But a little weird. But that’s cool, though. And he does things his way. And he’s himself all the time. Like it’s not fake or nothing like that. So I know that’s one thing all the players have said that have talked about it with me. And they like that about him. And I’m sure I will, too. But I can only speak from my recent interactions. We’ve interacted a little bit. And he seems cool. But once I’m actually here a little bit longer, actually around him a little bit longer, I’ll be able to answer that question a little bit better for you. But I think he’s going to be a great coach.”
(When you say he’s a little weird, what does that mean? The way he talks to the media?) – “Yeah. All of that. It’s different than what you would expect with maybe a head coach. He be fresh. Everything. He got the shoes. He loves shoes. All of that. It’s different. I wouldn’t say weird, but I think I’m weird. Like I say weird is in terms of like different. He’s different.”
(Last year WR Tyreek Hill wanted to come to Miami. He was traded to Miami. This year, you want to come to Miami and get traded to the Dolphins. Since you’ve been in the league, how have you seen player empowerment grow and develop?) – “It’s all about leverage, man. You got to know your leverage and use it. I think that’s what he did. And I know that’s what I did as well. So that’s it. It’s just about leverage and knowing your leverage and using it and having a good team around you. Trying to control your own destiny, your own journey a little bit, because we are in a profession where things can switch so often. You never know what one week, the next week might be one year to the next year. So as much as you can try to control your destiny a little bit, I think you should. So player empowerment is a big thing for me.”
(You guys are going to have heightened expectations here. And you did at the Rams also. I’m wondering, do you use that? Do you ignore it? Do you embrace it? Do you use it as motivation? What do you do with those heightened expectations?) – “I think you embrace all of it. Whether it was heightened expectations or whether they thought we weren’t going to do nothing at all, I think you embrace all of it. And that’s how you just store it and then when you grind it, if you need a little extra boost, think about something sometimes. Whether you’ve proven people right or whether you’ve proven people wrong, it’s just a motivating factor. I’ve dealt with it individually in my individual career. I’ve dealt with it with team success and the teams that I’ve been on. It doesn’t bother me. It’s just another tool that you can use as a motivating factor if you need to or want to.”
(So for those who say maybe you are past your prime, what do you say?) – “All right.”
(Did you hear any of that on social media?) – “Did you see me play this past year?”
(I’m just asking about what others may say about you.) – “You got to put on the film now. You got to really watch it. You don’t become this successful without actually doing good things on that field and having the respect from your peers and media. We’re going to see. We’re going to say what those guys say once we are out on the field. That’s what matters. We’re going to see what they got to say.”
(You accomplished so much in your career including a ring. What more do you hope to show people? What more do you hope to show yourself in your career?) – “Just more. For me individually, obviously I want to be a Hall of Famer. Honestly, I think I am a Hall of Famer but I’m trying to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. I want to be looked at in the same conversation as like Darrelle Revis, Charles Woodson and Deion Sanders. So individually, that’s where I’m headed. That’s my motivation and my mindset. But as a team, I’m at a new team so I want to bring all of that to a new team. I want to bring it to some guys that I’m close with. Some friends. Some guys I feel like are deserving of that success – playoff wins, Super Bowl. I can bring that aspect a little bit. If I can help bring that, that will be very fulfilling. If I can help guys grow and go to the next level of their game individually and become Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, that’s another motivating factor for me. Help guys get paid. All of that. Those are all motivating factors for me. I’m all for my teammates and my players. I’m good with all of that.”
(When you were talking a little bit ago about the player empowerment, I know you were at the NBA game last night. What did you guys at all learn from the NBA and maybe using their power to get to what you want to as a player? We’ve seen it with you, WR Tyreek Hill, QB Deshaun Watson. Getting what you want, what have you learned at all from that?) – “It’s all about leverage. That’s it. It’s what I said earlier. It’s the same thing, really. It’s just about leverage and knowing how to use it, having good representation behind you, having a good team behind you to go fight for you, really fight for you, and try to get what you want and desire at times. I’m blessed that I have the greatest agent in David Mulugheta behind me. He really fights for me. And not just me but all of his guys, to try to get us what we want and desire. So that’s great. And look, it doesn’t always work out like that. This is just in life, football – everything, how my mindset is, you can’t really just be in love with the end result or the destination and all of that. You have to kind of be in love with the whole journey and the process. And being around great people and having a real love and enjoyment and passion for something, that helps you do that. That’s how I think about it.”
(Heat games or Lakers game?) – “How that Heat game was last night was fire. They showed love. It was fun. They had the jerseys ready. They had everything. I don’t know because I’m a fan of players and ‘Bron (LeBron James) is the GOAT so I can’t even lie to y’all and say – watching ‘Bron, that’s crazy. I’m a fan of a lot of the guys on the Heat. I know a lot of them personally. Bam (Adebayo), Tyler (Herro), Kyle (Lowry), Vic (Oladipo). I know all of them so it’s going to be cool being able to see them in person. I don’t know. I can’t answer that yet. It was all fun. It’s just fun. It’s all fun.”
(Being around the City of Miami – you said you’ve been around the City of Miami. This city has been starving for a championship and not just the Heat. For the Dolphins, it’s been awhile. Do you get that vibe when fans are asking you stuff, that it’s about time?) – “Yeah, for sure. I am too. We should be. We should want to go get the Super Bowl. We should want to go stack up the wins, get the playoff wins and the Super Bowl. I’m embracing all of that too. That’s how it should be. I love that. Honestly, I love that we have some hardcore fans that want that and want to be great. I would kind of be worried if it was the opposite way. If they didn’t really care, that would suck. I’m glad that it’s not that way at all.”
(First practice – who takes WR Tyreek Hill and who takes WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “Honestly, I’ll line up and whoever comes up there is going to get it. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is the same way. ‘X’ is going to line up and whoever comes up there, we’re going to go at it. That’s how we’re wired. We aren’t worried about – that’s what people do in Pee Wee football when they’re scared to hit. They try to look in the line and they try to match it up. ‘Oh, I’m going to go with him.’ Nah. I’m first. Come on, whoever wants it. If he’s up first, come on. Whoever wants it. That’s how we’re going to roll around here.”
(How do you and CB Xavien Howard compare to another great Dolphins tandem in Pat Surtain and Sam Madison.) – “We’re trying to be the best. We aren’t trying to really worry about comparing ourselves with anybody else. We’re trying to be ourselves. Like I said, we’ve had some success in our individual careers up until this point. We’re planning to have more success now together in the same secondary as a duo. I’m not really looking to compare at all. One of the guys is our coach anyway, so we’re not going to really say nothing. (laughter) We’ll probably have some debates in the meeting room. We’re just going to get after it and then when it’s all said and done, then we can go over all of that and we can go over all about what people say that my man over there was talking about. We’ll keep the receipts and we’ll go back over all of that when it’s all said and done after the fact. That’s what I’ve been doing in my career. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) has been doing that in his career. Somehow, we are stacking up All-Pros and Pro Bowls and interceptions and PFF rankings and all of that. We’ll talk about all of that after the fact.”
(Is it going to be nice not to have to chase a No. 1 receiver all around the field because you know on the other side you have CB Xavien Howard?) – “It’s going to be nice. A lot of things are going to be nice though, not just that. A lot of things are going to be nice. We’ve got some young hungry pass rushers. Christian (Wilkins) who is going to run everywhere around the field and make a ton of tackles. We’re going to have fun. There’s going to be a lot of stuff happening. I don’t know exactly – I haven’t really talked with Vic (Fangio) about specifics of how exactly things are going to go. But what I know about me and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is that both of us are dawgs. So if we get into a zone, then we may get into a zone and I may have to let ‘X’ ride with the zone. You go with him then. And he goes with his zone. Or I may get into a zone and I may want that. Or we’ll be like the evil twin goes that way, the good twin goes that way, and let’s do our thing. You never know. We’ll figure that out once the time approaches but until then, we’re going to enjoy being here. I’m going to enjoy my new teammates, my new coaches, the city. Find somewhere to live. All that good stuff. Y’all give me the food recommendations and all that good stuff. And then once it’s time to get after it, we’re going to get after it and we’re going to have some fun. We’re going to have some fun too. We’re going to love it.”
Mike Pouncey – March 9, 2023
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Thursday, March 9, 2023
OL Mike Pouncey
Senior Vice President, Special Projects, Alumni Relations & Advisor to CEO Nat Moore:
(Opening statement) – “I want to thank you guys for being here today because today’s a very special day and we’re honored and excited to have Mike Pouncey with us today. Mike has signed a one-day contract and has officially now retired as a Miami Dolphin. As you can see, we already got him in a (aqua) jacket. (laughter) When I think about Mike and his days here, Mike was not only a great player. Mike was also a great community activist, and he exemplified leadership at its greatest. When you think of his career, you think of the offensive line and what he did to lead that group of men as each and every week offensively, we were extremely competitive, he was that leader. The way he prepared, the way he helped the South Florida community; all that is what Mike Pouncey was to South Florida, and it’s so good to have him back. He was drafted in 2011 as the 15th overall pick out of the University of Florida, and played seven seasons with the Dolphins, starting 93 games from 2011 through 2017. During that time, he was a three-time Pro Bowler – 2013, 2014, 2015. He’s the only Dolphin offensive lineman to ever be selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions. And he showed us that at Florida when he played defense and offense. But in 2013 and 2015, he was a center Pro Bowl selection and 2014 at guard. So when you think of Mike Pouncey – his career and what he was able to accomplish here – there’s greatness. The (last Dolphins) offensive lineman to ever be selected to three Pro Bowls continuously was Keith Sims. So think about that. He was also a two-time winner of the team’s Don Shula Leadership Award voted on by his teammates. He finished his career with the Chargers playing two seasons – 2018 and ‘19 – and earning another Pro Bowl. He’s joined today by his family, including his brother Maurkice, who was also a great player in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Senior Vice President of Alumni Relations, on behalf of the organization, it is my honor to welcome Mike Pouncey to the lifelong fraternity of the Dolphins alumni. Mike, you’re now officially a Miami Dolphin again, for life. Welcome back, brother.”
Mike Pouncey:
“I’m excited to be back. I’ve waited for this day for the last two years just because the Dolphins just meant so much to me and my family. For my son to be at this age now, and to be able to see it and be able to appreciate it a little bit more because he was so young whenever I was playing here. I told him, I said, ‘this is something you got to work for, to be able to come back and be able to be wanted to a place that gave so much to you and changed your life.’ I’m glad he’s been able to see it. I brought my family here today. My brother, obviously without him, none of this is even possible. I’m happy to be back. I know this is two years past retirement but to be able to say I’m retired as a Miami Dolphin is one of the greatest achievements of my life.”
(When Nat Moore is going through your list of accomplishments in your career, what’s going through your mind?) – “It blows my mind. I still to this day – me and my brother laugh about it, like to be able to have the money that we have, to have all the accolades that we’ve accomplished, like how did two kids from Lakeland do that? Hard work, I guess.”
(How much does this day mean to you because I recall when you got that contract extension in 2015, you were saying you wanted to retire as a Miami Dolphin and now you are – what does this mean to you?) – “It means the world. Like I always said, I was going to be a Dolphin for life and I meant that. I waited around for two years to be able to come up here and retire a Dolphin and now to finally say I’m retiring as a Miami Dolphin, it’s just awesome. I can’t wait until we get to celebrate today.”
(How much have you been in touch with the organization over the last few years and how much more do you think you will now?) – “A bunch. I was in touch with them a bunch over the years even when I was playing with the Chargers. I still had a bunch of friends that worked here. I still knew all the ownership and a lot of the scouts and stuff. So the relationships have always been there. Since I’ve been retired, I’ve done different events – we did the (Dolphins Challenge Cancer) cycling challenge, me and my brother did one year. We stayed involved. But now that I’m back here and it’s whatever volume they want me around, I’ll be around. I came down for a couple of weeks during the season whenever Coach Flores was here and helped with the offensive line. I’m here. I’m retired. Me and my brother, we just opened a liqueur company now called J.F. Haden’s and other than that, my phone is always open for the Dolphins.”
(So you’re local then?) – “Yeah, we stay in Fort Lauderdale.”
(You made the Pro Bowl as a Dolphin for a number of years and then along the way, they tap you on the shoulder and they say you’re not a center, you’re a guard now. What do you remember about that year that you played guard?) – “It was harder getting out of bed. I am not going to lie to you; guard is one of the toughest positions in the NFL. But I was used to it. It was my natural position. I had played it so much throughout my career especially in college and was very successful at it, so to move over was just easy. And at that time, Samson Satele was back around. He was a good friend of mine and I had no problem moving over, but the Pro Bowls here were a lot tougher than the one in in California when Philip Rivers was slinging that thing around. It felt like sometimes you didn’t have to touch anybody, but that Pro Bowl there – I know that’s part of the resume, but a lot of times it comes off team success.”
(What position would you play now at your new weight?) – “(laughter) Which one ain’t getting in the game? (laughter) That’s the only position … No, I mean the only position I know is how to play is offensive line. So if I were to ever play again, it’d be that position. But I don’t see me ever going back on the football field. I run routes for my son now. He plays quarterback so I enjoy that more than anything.”
(I wanted to actually ask you about the weight loss. What motivated it and how much better do you feel now?) – “I feel awesome. You know what it was, me and my brother, we retired at the same time and a lot of times whenever you get so used to being in a routine, we just challenged ourselves. Let’s drop this weight and see how fast we can do it. I’ve had him by my side throughout my career and even post career, and he makes it easy. But the process for us was just stop eating like linemen. We stopped eating all the carbs. We stopped eating six, seven times a day and we just, yeah. (laughter) And honestly, everyone’s like, they ask us all the time, like ‘how do you guys eat?’ I say ‘like rabbits.’ You say ‘well, what do you mean, what’s the difference?’ I say, ‘back when we were playing, we ate like pigs.’ That’s the only difference I can explain.”
(How much have you lost?) – “We lost 70 pounds so now I weight about 228 pounds. When I was playing, I was 300, 303 pounds, around that weight. But a lot of weight in a year.”
(You said your phone is always going to be open to the Dolphins. Do you think you’ll ever have another future in football, maybe coaching or something else?) – “One thousand percent. I’m just waiting for my son to get to high school. Right now, I’m just enjoying his little league process, but as soon as he goes off to high school, I’ll start my coaching career.”
(Have you thought about the Honor Roll, the Dolphins Honor Roll or be up in the stadium? Have those thoughts gone through your head?) – “I mean, those are thoughts I had whenever I was playing. Right now, it’s just more of, man, if that ever happened, I’d just be appreciative, just like I am today, to be able to come back and sign a one-day contract. But that’s just part of just time passing and for me, whatever comes with it comes with it, but it’s not something I’m going to ask for. If it happens, it happens.”
(You’ve got an interesting legacy here through the years. How do you remember it and how do you want to be remembered as a Miami Dolphin?) – “I just want to be remembered as Nat announced, just as a guy that was here that gave everything he had, was a leader, was respected and loved by his teammates and the community. And outside of that, the rest of it is on tape. You just cut the tape on, it’ll show you what I was as a football player.”
(It seems like the Dolphins are often in that stage of having to rebuild the offensive line. It’s a tricky position to nail down obviously. When you look at the line that they have now, what do you see?) – “I love the offensive line. (Terron) Armstead was a big-time pickup for the offensive line. He’s really helped those young guys come along, but that’s a part of going through the NFL. A lot of times in our era, whenever you were drafted, you were expected to play right away. And nowadays they give guys a little leeway to develop guys because I think coaching sometimes has been dumbed down a little bit in college football to where guys don’t develop as fast as they used to because the process is a little bit different. The mindset is a little different. And outside of that, that’s pretty much how I feel about it.”
(Any thoughts on OL Connor Williams? He came here, he was a guard.) – “I think he did a real good job. I watched him all year long. I think he made the transition over to center, made it really smooth; but when you’re playing guard, it’s a lot easier to make that transition from guard over to center because a lot of times at center, you’re helping out instead of a lot of one-on-one blocks.”
(Tell us about the business.) – “Oh the business is doing awesome, man. I’m glad you asked. Thank God. (laughter) I haven’t talked about football in years other than little league football. I haven’t talked about football. But no, the business is doing awesome. We’ve been very, very thankful, grateful for Buzzy giving us the opportunity to be a part of this company. We own a liqueur company and the best thing – our pitch and sell about our company is that every other liqueur is made in Europe and other countries. We’re the only American-made liqueur company and it’s done really well for us. We have four different flavors – espresso, mango, citrus and lychee. But they do really, really well. We own a distillery down in Allapattah. It’s five blocks outside of Wynwood. And it’s been doing really, really well. But that part of what we’re doing now is just a little bit of a piece of what we’ve done over our careers. Me and my brother own a bunch of real estate throughout Columbus, Ohio. We hate to say it sometimes, but we own a hotel. There’s a bunch of different stuff that we got going on. But we’ve been very, very successful outside of football. And that was one of our things was that we wanted to be more than just an athlete. It was like, man, we’ve done so much as football players and to say that we’re retired at 30 years old just sounds ridiculous, so now it’s just time to prove ourselves as business entrepreneurs.”
(And you guys are so personable, you and Maurkice. Why don’t you have a podcast or anything?) – “(laughter) Everyone always asks that. We just go on a lot of different ones and we speak our mind a lot. But we did ‘The Pivot’ and everyone was like, they asked us ‘why don’t you guys start your own?’ Because we don’t have the time to build the content. He has three daughters and you know how that is. With one daughter, it’s a mess. But you got three and all of them are under 11 years old. I have a teenage daughter now that’s 15 years old. We had kids so young that when we were in our playing careers, we missed out on a lot of their younger days. And so now we’re just playing catch up with it. And honestly, we’re just very thankful that we have all of our real estate stuff and stuff that brings us in a lot of income that we can just be able to give our time to our family.”
(How do you feel like you grew as a person in your time in Miami? We always enjoyed your candor.) – “If I thought how I thought now, I’d still be with the Dolphins. (laughter) That’s part of just growth, man. I swear I look back and like, ‘dang, man, if I was just a little bit more mature when I was playing,’ but that’s part of what makes you a good player is that edge that you bring. So I have no regret over what I did here and I’m very proud of my career that I had here. And obviously now just trying to be looked at it in a different light in the business world and it’s been awesome. We’ve enjoyed the retirement life so far.”
(Is there anything that you maybe miss from the game?) – “I just miss – I still have all my friends, so it isn’t that. It’s more just that routine of doing something collectively with people and I miss being in a locker room. But other than that, I don’t miss going to practice. I don’t miss showing up to game day. There’s too much anxiety, you know what I’m saying? I love football. I’m telling my son now, we’re riding to football games. I’m like ‘why the hell am I nervous?’ (laughter) But that’s just part of just me, just my makeup and I try and teach him the same thing so hopefully one day he’s standing up here whatever team it may be and giving a speech.”
(What do you think about this new facility here?) – “Man, the facility has been awesome. Just to see it here – to see the old facility that we had behind Nova over there in Davie, man they could put six of those inside of here. It’s just a testament that Mr. (Stephen) Ross wants to see this organization win and wants it to be seen as one of the top teams in the NFL. He’s done a really, really good job. And what I will say is Coach (Mike) McDaniel has brought back excitement to the Dolphins. I was tailgating in the parking lot. I was doing it all. I was a real fan. We’re excited for this year because we’re going to be around a lot more. I’m excited for the direction of the football team.”
(I would imagine your paths crossed quite frequently with Jason Jenkins with your community work down here. I was curious about your relationship with him.) – “Jason was awesome. I always promised him one day that … damn. (emotional) Jason was a good man. I wish he was here today with us.”
(Anything planned with the Dolphins in the next few weeks? Appearances or anything like that?) – “Yeah. Tom (Garfinkel) got us connected with some people at Hard Rock so we’ll have our liqueur in Hard Rock soon throughout a couple of different spots in there. But outside of that, hopefully we can do a draft day party down there and use that venue.”
(What were your feelings driving up here today? A lot of memories coming? It’s a new facility but were there a lot of memories coming back?) – “Yeah, it was awesome. I took the same route that I used to take to the stadium. I went through my same routine. In the morning, I got up and had to go to the gym and get it off me a little bit. Everybody in the gym knows me in there so everyone was all excited for me and that was fun. Just to take that route with my family one more time.”
Maurkice Pouncey:
(What was it like to kind of watch Mike Pouncey’s career from a bit of afar?) – “It’s so crazy. People always ask that question. I always looked up to Mike. Mike was a better player in my eyes. I think Mike’s path was a lot harder than mine. I played with ‘Big Ben’ (Ben Roethlisberger). I had Antonio Brown, Le’Veon (Bell) and all these great players. I think for him to have the success that he had and the way he’s viewed down here, it meant a lot more to the family … I always looked up to Mike and I always thought Mike was the better player. I know I got a lot more recognition. That will be a part of any other speech I have down the line but I always looked to Mike as the biggest brother and the greatest figure in my life. Y’all take that for what it is and y’all go look at the film like Mike said. I used to go home and instead of watching my game, I used to go straight to watching Mike’s game to see how he played before I go judge myself. (laughter) Mike was a hell of a player. He had a lot more respect down here from the organization and the players. It still shows to the day how we carry our business when we go around places. He made that legacy possible for us so we didn’t have to move back to Lakeland and just have our Lakeland fans. (laughter)”
(What is it like getting to work beside Mike Pouncey now with the new business and all the stuff you get to do together?) – “It’s just been exciting because like Mike said, we retired at 30 years old and to have the success we had, I think Buzzy, his wife Kim and our liqueur business, it just gave us a brighter outlook in life just not to have real estate and say we own this building or own these apartments. I think it gives us more life to be around things and show our kids something, and aspire to be something in life. I think that’s really huge on me and Mike – and our family did it to us. They instilled on a day-to-day basis not just to have money but to go work, have a schedule, have something to look further in life for. That’s what we’re trying to instill in our kids because they’re blessed. They’re spoiled. They get every damn present they want. So more than anything, you better bring home those straight As kids, for sure.” (laughter)
(I believe I saw you guys in training camp. You guys have a little league football team?) – “Yeah, so Mike does the travel football team. His son’s the star quarterback man. He ain’t playing o-line, so he better be able to throw that football for sure. ‘Big Ben’ (Ben Roethlisberger) told him – he taught him as soon as we retired, he told him to put the quarter in the pocket. So that’s his little tip for him to make it down the line. But yeah, Mike has a travel football team. We’ve been involved in that part. We got the foundation that we’ve been having for 13 years now. We’re actually in discussion, I’m glad you asked about this – we’re actually bringing something to the University of Florida here at the end of the month. We wanted to put together a development branch, a skill development branch for the kids there, to have actual mentorship to bring back to the university to show the kids that we’re giving these kids hundreds of thousands of dollars and they don’t even know how to write a check. So let’s start teaching these kids a little bit something different in life.”
Mike Pouncey:
(How did the little one get to be a quarterback instead of a lineman?) – “He turned out a little bit like his mom. (laughter) She’s a little bit smaller. I feel like that position, especially at his age, it teaches you the game a little bit faster. I know he wants to be a wide receiver, but I’m like if you know the game at that position, it makes you a better football player and it gives you an advantage over everybody else on the football field. So just me going through this whole process from little league all the way to the NFL kind of just prepared me for me to have a son and be like, if I ever have a son, I’m going make sure he goes on this path to be successful, and I know that’s the best way to be.”
(Closing remarks) – “I do want to say this though, to Jason Jenkins’ family, I wish them the best. What Jason did for this community, what he did for the Miami Dolphins is irreplaceable. There’s nobody that’s going to be able to replace that man. And to his family, I want to say sorry and I hope you guys are doing well.”
Chris Grier – March 1, 2023
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Wednesday, March 1, 2023
General Manager Chris Grier
([CB Byron Jones’] pair of Tweets saying that he can’t run or jump from the injuries, said not to take pills or injections from the team. Do you have any response to that? Has he ever expressed any concern or frustration with his rehab in terms of how it was handled and will he be on the team in 2023?) – “Yeah, I said – I was like everyone, I think I was on a flight here (when I heard about it). I was on my way because I had to come in early for some committee meetings. I talked with his agent. We had a good conversation and with Byron (Jones), we’ve always had great communication in terms of he has a very good relationship with our training staff and doctors. So from our end, it’s been very transparent. A lot of really good communication between him, his agent and our trainers and doctors. I think we’re in a good spot. He’s working hard trying to get back and play and he’s been in communication with us through the process. I know you want a reaction, but I really didn’t because we talked to the agent and he was good and I told him, I said we’ll talk to Byron just to check in again with our doctors, once they get through the Combine with all the medicals and stuff here. But no, we’ve had no indication of anything that’s – it’s been a really good working relationship with him.”
(Is the expectation that CB Byron Jones will be on the team in 2023?) – “He’s under contract with us. Right now Vic (Fangio) is back in Florida just looking over the team so obviously he’s going to have some say in this because I think with his scheme and what we’re doing, and we’ll also talk with Byron (Jones), too. So a lot of moving parts right now. I’m not running around the answer, but that’s just kind of where we are right now.”
(Is there confidence CB Byron Jones can play again?) – “I’m not a doctor. I don’t know. I don’t want to speak and not – but we’ve seen him. When I last saw him, he was working out, doing everything he can to try and get back.”
(So do you go on the assumption that if you get CB Byron Jones able to play in 2023, it’s like extra? Or are you counting him as your starter opposite CB Xavien Howard?) – “No, I think you have to look at every option. You always have to look at all the different scenarios and try and plan for best-case and worst-case scenarios. So right now, we’re not making any assumptions on anything and just letting him continue to attack his rehab and see what happens.”
(Have you had discussions with DT Christian Wilkins’ agent about an extension and how much of a priority is that this offseason?) – “Christian, ever since we drafted him, has done nothing but get better each year. He is a tireless worker, as we’ve talked about. You guys have heard me talk about how he works around the building. He’s in every day. He’s still in the offseason. I’ve seen him around more than anyone. He loves the game. He loves our organization. We love him. We’d like to have him here for a long time. But in terms of conversations with agents, we don’t really talk publicly about it, but we would like to have him here a long time.”
(Where do you stand on QB Tua Tagovailoa’s fifth-year option…?) – “Yeah, I think with us, we’re still having all those conversations because there’s a lot of factors that go into that. And I think now that we’re finally finishing up the coaching staff, we’ll focus on some of these answers and coming together with Mike (McDaniel) and I, we’ll sit and talk about it as well as with Mr. (Stephen) Ross and Brandon Shore. So we’ll go through it and we’ll make our decision then. But all expectations, he’s our quarterback and he’s our quarterback here to be successful for a long time.”
(Are the dynamics different for the quarterback position when you have that fifth-year option given how … people are going to take it one way or the other?) – “Yeah, but you try and take that out of it. You just kind of make the decisions that are best for the organization and the team. So there are always factors as a quarterback. That’s the position that everyone talks about. But for us, you just try and remove emotion and try and make good, sound, smart decisions, and hopefully it’s the right one.”
(How big of a priority is finding a starting-caliber offensive lineman? Or do you feel that you have five guys in place?) – “I think the offensive lines we showed last year – we went out and we added Eric Fisher and signed guys and injuries happen, especially at that position. So for us, it’s continuing to add depth at that position and the competition and create spots. The guys made tremendous strides last year. You guys have heard Mike (McDaniel) and Frank Smith talk about how happy he is with the development of some of the young players. Obviously like with Austin (Jackson), he just needs to stay healthy so we can get a full evaluation of him, but with Connor (Williams), Liam (Eichenberg), Rob (Hunt) and obviously Terron (Armstead), we feel we have a good core of guys right there to start with. And Rob Jones and Lester Cotton coming in a playoff game, a young player. So excited about some of the development and potential of some of the players.”
(Are you guys a little more open-minded about OL Robert Hunt as a tackle or do you still personally believe that he has a very high ceiling mostly at guard?) – “Yeah, that’s the great thing about Rob, is that he can play both and excel, but I think where he is at guard, he has a potential to be a special player at guard. And I think he can have the chance to play tackle and he’s done it multiple times. So his versatility and position flexibility as well as Rob Jones, all those guys across the line – Connor can play guard, center. Liam can play tackle if he had to. The position flexibility that those guys all provide is all something, too, that’s exciting for us.”
(This is the first time in a couple years where you guys maybe don’t have an abundance of cap space now entering an offseason. I was curious where you are in the process of freeing up money? It seems like you’re going to have to restructure some guys. What is that dynamic and balance like these three or four weeks?) – “Yeah, this is nothing that’s unexpected for us. We’ve done a good job communicating that and Mr. Ross, we’ve talked to him and knows as well. Brandon Shore and Max Napolitano do a great job of looking at all scenarios for us. But when we make moves and we do trades like we did with (Bradley) Chubb midseason, it’s always with an eye of what things are going to look like and what we have to do. We’ll be fine. It’s always working from that position flexibility that we like and we’ll continue to do that, which provides us opportunities to continue to make moves.”
(On the possibility of RB Raheem Mostert and RB Jeff Wilson Jr. returning) – “Yeah, that was the one we talked about the other day for just a little bit because obviously we traded for Jeff (Wilson) and obviously Raheem (Mostert) and Mike’s (McDaniel) relationship as well, too. So yeah, we’re very open to those guys coming back. We’ve talked about that scenario where they may be back. We may have the same backfield back next year. Obviously they’re free agents and that’ll play a part of it, but we’d be very excited to have them back.”
(When you talk about QB Tua Tagovailoa being the quarterback for a long time, does that include the thought of an extension before the season starts?) – “Yeah, I think all options like I said, we’ll go through it here and we’re going to spend a lot of time here and that’s a good thing, is we’re not rushed to make anything right now. And so we’ll be in touch with Tua’s representatives and Mike (McDaniel) and I and Brandon (Shore) will sit and Steve (Ross) and we’ll make a push for things and we’ll talk and we’ll see where they stand. But like I said, we’re very excited for him. The strides he made this year with Mike (McDaniel) and the offense, you guys have been here and seen it. It was really exciting. And to see the work he’s put in that you guys don’t see at the facility and around, it’s been really incredible. And the dialogue between him and Mike just talking football. I’ve never heard as much football as he talks about Mike (McDaniel) and stuff he sees even from other games. It’s pretty cool to see.”
(And when you’re talking about like a fifth-year option and an extension, durability starts to be a factor because obviously you’re committing for a long time. Do you have any concern about his durability?) – “I can’t lie and say no. But it’s not something that is going to make us afraid to do something long-term with him. The one thing he’s had, he’s been banged up, but he always comes back and bounces back and plays hard and performs, so excited for his future. Excited for watching him doing all the work he’s been doing in the offseason right now to prepare for 2023 and he’s very excited to get back on the field with his teammates.”
(I wanted to ask your thoughts on … last year. Were you self-scouting? What did you learn? What did you do right? What do you need to work on?) – “It’s like everything. We felt we made some good moves, some good players we brought in that impacted us. We were a young team so adding some veteran guys that were leaders but also good players to show these guys how to do things we thought was important. Every move that you make, you’d love for them all to be home runs. We thought we had a really good free agent class last year. Obviously a player like Cedrick Wilson was signed, but then the Tyreek (Hill) trade happened. So that was just different which impacted him. But then end of the year we probably don’t win games without him returning the punts, stepping up to do that and then giving us a chance to win games. So all the guys contributed pretty much, so happy with that. But at the end of the day, I was really proud of the work the scouting staff did in season like with Brandon Shell and those guys that come in and impact us to help us win. So it’s just trying to make good decisions to create depth and competition at positions to keep us in a position to try and win games.”
(When it comes to running backs, could you potentially be more open to taking like an earlier high draft selection than you have in recent drafts?) – “Yeah, I think if there’s a really good player, an opportunity to get a really good player, we can’t pass up anything right now. We need some depth at some spots and at running back, obviously with no one under contract on the roster right now, would be one. And there are some good players in this draft. So we’ll always keep looking and you guys know how Mike (McDaniel) loves his running backs.”
(QB Marcus Mariota and QB Carson Wentz are examples of a couple veterans with pedigree. Interest in potentially one or the other, or someone very much like that?) – “Yeah, we’ve had some preliminary talks, Mike (McDaniel and I, just about the guy to come in and to be the right guy to fit for this offense and what we’re doing. So yeah, every player is on the table. We’ll talk about every one of them. We’ve talked about a couple of them already. But we’ll keep turning it over and try and find the right guy to come in. And the good thing is, I think a lot of people want to come in. They see the excitement of the offense and what Mike’s done. I know the Heisman winner made some noise with his tweet about wanting to play for Miami, which is always pretty cool because they see what Mike has done and his coaching staff has done offensively for us.”
(I was curious as you look to shape this defense in Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s vision and mold, how important of a priority is upgrading inside linebacker and safety this offseason?) – “You’ve heard Vic (Fangio) talk about Jevon Holland, how much he loves Jevon and getting some depth at that position will help with a couple guys there still, and then obviously with Brandon (Jones) coming back off his injury at some point here. The inside linebacker position, yeah, we really have two guys under contract there, so we need to build some depth and create some competition there. And we’ll do that. We’ve had some preliminary talks about stuff, but when we get back, we’ll really hit it with Vic here in these last couple of weeks before the start of free agency.”
(It’s a late-breaking story, obviously with Jalen Carter – is this something that scouting circles thought might be coming? Was it a surprise? And also, when a news like this breaks once before the draft, how much does it kind of rearrange workflow for a player like that?) – “I really just heard it walking over from a previous engagement, so I really can’t comment on it because I don’t really know about, and it’s a situation that if I don’t know anything like that, I don’t really want to comment. But in terms of when a story breaks on a prospect or player, it’s just at the end of the day, you just got to do your work and let it all play out. I mean, obviously, Laremy Tunsil was a situation we had here that we were able to take advantage of a situation that happened. So I don’t really judge anything until you know the facts and what’s going on. It would just be hard to comment.”
(I know you do a lot with the competition committee. Can you maybe detail what that looks like …?) – “It’s interesting to, I guess, kind of get behind the curtain a little bit. I think Troy (Vincent), and Rich McKay, who is the chairman of the committee, do a great job in the room. But it’s really cool to be there and listen to Coach (Mike) Tomlin, and Coach (Mike) Vrabel, the coaches there, Coach (Frank) Reich. And just talk about John Mara, and Stephen Jones, Katie Blackburn, and just talk about everything. You really see how they’re trying to drive the game for improvements. But really it’s a lot of debate, it’s a lot of listening and learning. And then you just have to have an opinion on stuff. You kind of talk to some of the other GMs and or head coaches to see where they feel about things. But at the end of the day, our group, we’re charged with making decisions of whether a proposal should move forward or not. It’s exciting. I’ve enjoyed it. A really good time. Like I said, Troy and Rich have been great and it’s been fun.”
(On the QB sneak and roughing the passer) – “(laughter) Well, I said it, I still think Jaelan’s (Phillips) wasn’t a roughing the passer, but I was in the minority of that one.”
(I want to ask you about your thinking on tight end. First, is what TE Mike Gesicki might be asking outside of your price range or does he not fit this offense? And then going back to price thing, given the salary cap situation, if you do pursue one in the draft, what would your prototype tight end look like? What’s your main quality you’re looking for?) – “I think the great thing about Mike McDaniel is that we’re just talking about what he looks at each position, and he says he can work with any type of tight end. So there’s really not a ‘we have to have this kind.’ So his flexibility in working with having just good players is the one thing that always makes things easier. Mike Gesicki has earned the right to become a free agent, as you heard me say, and he and I had a really good conversation before we left the building. And with him, I said, price range and what it is, I don’t know what his price range would be, but he’s been a good player in the league. He’s been a productive player and I’m sure he’ll have some suitors and like I said, we always say never say never around anything, but he’s earned the right and I’m sure he’s excited to see what his free agency options are.”
(When it comes to the injured players that were out this season – S Brandon Jones, CB Nik Needham, DE Emmanuel Ogbah – are they expected to be ready for OTAs? Or is there any sort of timeline for their return?) – “Yeah, I think with all those injuries, everything’s kind of fluid on that. It’s kind of always hard to say when someone’s going to be back, with their timelines. But I will say all our guys have been in every day working hard to get back. The good thing about living in South Florida, these guys are always around and Troy (Maurer) and Kyle (Johnston), and Nao (Inoue) do a great job, and Jon Boone working with those guys. They enjoy working with them, which is fun, so they’re always in rehabbing. So for us, it’s not rushing them back. It’s just making sure they come back ready to go.”
