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Rey Maualuga – August 27, 2017 Download PDF version

Sunday, August 27, 2017

LB Rey Maualuga

(Let’s address the first, most controversial thing. How come you don’t have a number yet?) – “00 (laughter). It’s still in the works. I’m just trying to wait out my options. There’s only one number available (right now) – 72. I wouldn’t mind wearing 72 but I’m waiting on someone to lower their price a little bit (laughter).”

(Oh, so it’s a financial decision?) – “Yes. We’ll see if that turns out in my favor or not.”

(How do you feel first practice from a conditioning standpoint?) – “I feel good. Obviously it’s been a couple of months since I’ve put the helmet and shoulder pads on – January 2nd. But for the most part, individual felt good. They’re slowly putting me in there and trying to progress, get my feet under me and seeing how things go from there. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some reps in practice and go further than just individuals.”

(Is the goal to play in that fourth preseason game?) – “Yes. I just don’t want to show up to the first game and just get thrown in there or whatnot. The goal is to get some reps in Minnesota and see how things go from there but at the end of the day, it’s not my decision. I’m going to leave it up to (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) and see what he decides. By then, I think physically (and) mentally, I’ll be ready. It’s been the same scheme that I ran in Cincinnati. There are some different words here and there but for the most part, I don’t think there’s going to be a drop off for me.”

(When is the last time you played inside in that scheme?) – “The last time? January. It’s the same defense. (Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke) carried over some of the defense from Cincinnati and he’s got his own little plays here and there but like I said, for the most part, it’s about the same defense. Some of the words are different but it’s still the same thing.”

(Do you have every confidence that you’ll be ready for Week 1?) – “I have all of the confidence in the world. (Head Strength & Conditioning Coach) Dave Puloka has done a great job at getting me there. Like I said when I first got here, you can never get yourself physically prepared in the Miami heat unless you live in Miami. Cincinnati, it’s hot and humid, but the Miami heat is something different for me. I’m getting there, slowly but surely. Things will work out.”

(When are we going to see a number on you?) – “I’m waiting on someone to hand it over but it’s not going to be cheap. (laughter) I’m still trying to negotiate that in the locker room and we’ll see if he pulls through with the number he wants – the amount he wants.”

(When you do play and you have the advantage of DT Ndamukong Suh, DE Cameron Wake, DE Andre Branch and guys like that in front of you, what type of opportunities do you think that can help create?) – “That will make any linebacker’s dream, or job, a lot easier, to flow over the top and get to your gap faster and get to your progression faster. With those guys up front, I can’t wait to get in there and start moving around with those fellas and let them know that I’m here to work and try to get the job done and do whatever I can to help these guys get better.”

(What did you see from those guys in the last game, being able to see it?) – “The defense as a whole? Everyone is quick. Everyone is disciplined and everyone is fast to the ball. You don’t see one or two or three people running to the ball. You see the whole secondary and the front seven running to the ball. That just shows heart and determination and everyone just wants to win here.”

(You see DT Ndamukong Suh blows up a lot of stuff in the middle.) – “Yes. (laughter) He’ll make a middle linebacker’s job very easy.”

(So No. 58 is the number? Is that what you’re going after?) – “(laughter) I’m not saying it is No. 58 but I would love to get that number. It’s been eight good years with that number, including college. So we’ll see what he wants. (laughter)”

(You’re going to put a little pressure on him.) – “Well, they say that (Jay) Cutler set the table high – the mark. Well, I’m not Cutler. (laughter) If we got paid the same, things would be easier. (laughter) I think everything will work itself out. If not, whatever number I get, I’ll do my best to represent that number the best I can.”

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