Patrick McMorris – May 10, 2024
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Friday, May 10, 2024
S Patrick McMorris
(I’m doing something on kind of how you handle the mental part of your rookie season. I know it’s very early. Rookie minicamp, minicamp, training camp – how much of this do you think is going to be mental? How much of this is going to be physical?) – “I mean, you play football for the majority of your years. The physical part you kind of get used to, it’s the mental part, of course, that’s the hardest thing. That’s something that’s going to separate players, just the mental part and like you said just going through this process of rookie minicamp, all those workouts. I talked to a lot of guys that I’ve been around that have been in the league that have done it, so just kind of talking to them and feeding off them and what they’ve kind of done throughout their whole process rookie wise. So just be myself and taking it all in and learning as much as I can while being consistent is my goal.”
(How much special teams experience do you have – high school and college?) – “I’ve played special teams throughout high school and college.”
(Do you play them all?) – “Yeah, I play all spots. I went to San Diego State and had a great special teams coordinator in Doug Deakin. He had me playing special teams when I got there. I was able to start a majority of my freshman year on special teams, as well as my sophomore year. I’ve played it all.”
(Do you think that gives you a little bit of an edge out here? Knowing that special teams might be a key to making the 53-man roster.) – “Coming in as a sixth-round safety, just a safety in general, that’s a position that they like to put in all special teams. So like I said, being able to play all four I would say gives me a step up, but I still have to learn the playbook and go out there and do everything right.”
(You said you had talked to some guys who have been through this. What was their message to you? What did you learn from them?) – “Talk to the older guys that are here, learn from them. Be patient. You’re not going to get it all down right away. Be yourself. Have energy, don’t try to be just dull. And just have fun with it, really. It’s a great opportunity, it’s a great thing. A lot of guys don’t get this opportunity, so just enjoy it.”
(When did you get here? Yesterday?) – “I got here Wednesday, I believe. Wednesday night.”
(Have you gotten off the facility? Have you seen anything in South Florida?) – “No, no. I got here at 11 p.m. I went to the hotel, slept, came here and been back and forth these past days.”
(What have you thought about the facility? I mean new place, sliding board, have you seen most of it?) – “It’s a beautiful facility. For me, it’s a facility at the end of the day. As long as I can get my work in, watch my film and talk to the coaches, that’s all care about.”
(What do you think are the strengths that you bring to an NFL defense?) – “I feel like I’m smart, disciplined. Coming from San Diego State to Cal, I can learn a playbook fairly quickly. Playing in two different systems as well, just having that variety under my belt. I played special teams as well, so I know the gist of it. Of course, it’s different in the NFL, but just kind of playing those positions and everything.”
(What roles did you play on special teams? Everything?) – “Yeah, I’ve played kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return. Of course on punt, just end really, right or left tackle in college, and then punt (return), I played all positions but returner. Then kickoff return, front line or tackle, and then kickoff, just run down there. It’s all the same.”
(At what point did you realize that the NFL was a possibility for you?) – “That’s crazy, because I just go out there and I just play football. The NFL of course is a dream, that’s what guys aspire to be and play in. But I’m the kind of guy to just be where your feet are, so I’ve enjoyed every moment. At San Diego State, at Cal, just playing with my teammates and being coached by my coaches. I’m just kind of enjoying it. It’s still all surprising me. Of course, like I said, the NFL is the goal and guys aspire to be that. But for me, it was kind of playing at Cal, playing at San Diego State, playing at the Hula Bowl, being able to get a Combine invite and doing the best in that. Just like I said, being where my feet stand – it’s all still a shock to me, for real.”
(What’s it like? You’re first impression of being down here?) – “It’s beautiful. I’m from Southern California, so it’s a little different weather wise. But kind of the area and the scenery, you kind of get used to it. Like I said, Southern California, so it’s all really the same. Just the weather and humidity is the difference, but I’m loving it so far.”
(What do you think it’s going to be like to work out in it?) – “Probably be terrible, but hopefully I’ll get used to it quick.”
(What do you think about working in with safeties like S Jevon Holland and now S Jordan Poyer with the roster too?) – “They’re a great pair of guys right there. (Jordan) Poyer with a lot of years under his belt, I’m definitely hoping to learn from him, as well Jevon Holland. He’s been here for a few years now. Like I said, just being able to learn from them will be a great experience.”
(Have you thought about what that first time will be like when WR Tyreek Hill is running down the field on a deep route, or WR Jaylen Waddle or WR Odell Beckham Jr. and you’re on the same field with them?) – “It’ll be exciting. Of course, these past couple of years they’ve been in the league, just watching them success and play at such a high level, now you’re on the same field as them. It’s definitely a nice experience, but I’m here to play football. They are Dolphin players, they’re my teammates now.”
(With your conversations with Head Coach Mike McDaniel or Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver, what do you feel they really like about you and your game that can fit what the Dolphins are trying to do here?) – “I think they like my personality, the way I approach the game, the discipline that comes with it. Just my aggressive aspect to the game I think is what they like the most.”
