River Cracraft – August 7, 2024
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Wednesday, August 7, 2024
WR River Cracraft
(What’s this camp been like for you? I think it’s your third here?) – “Yeah, it’s my third here. The more you get under your belt in this offense, the more comfortable you are each year. Lucky for me I’ve been surrounded by guys like ‘10’ (Tyreek Hill) and ‘17’ (Jaylen Waddle) that are able to carry over year to year, so we’re able to build that relationship and become better teammates, and ultimately work together.”
(What is it like to be the No. 1 pick of the wide receiver draft every single year?) – “It’s an honor, it’s a privilege, but it’s for a reason. I do respect ‘10’ (Tyreek Hill) and his decision, and I appreciate him choosing me. But at the same time I’ve worked for that and I think I’ve earned that. I’m proud of myself for that, and I’m going to keep trying to be that.”
(What do you think the reason is from WR Tyreek Hill’s point of view?) – “As humbly as I can put it, I’m making plays. So I think that’s why he picks me.”
(With QB Mike White and QB Skylar Thompson what’s the process like trying to develop chemistry with either one of those quarterbacks?) – “Very easy. Those guys are likable people. That whole quarterback room is amazing. Those guys are easy to talk to in the locker room. I think that’s where everything starts. Guys are approachable, if they’re not afraid to call you out if you’re wrong or if you’re right, and that way you can correct each other and ultimately build chemistry. That’s what everybody is trying to do, so having good people in that room which we have, makes it easy for anybody to build relationships and that connection.”
(I saw you catch a pancake on RB Jeff Wilson Jr.’s touchdown run down here. I know run blocking is a big emphasis in that room – no block, no rock, right? I’m curious to hear your perspective on the mindset of the receivers when it comes to the run blocking game?) – “We take pride in it. It’s a big part of our offense, and the way that our backs run, it’s one of those deals like you have a Braxton Berrios at returner. When you have a guy that can take it to the house every single play, that makes you want to play harder. When we hear run plays called and we know what we have in the backfield, we want the plays to work. If the play is going to depend on our perimeter blocking because we know the line is going to handle their stuff – but if a play is going to depend on us rather it’s a touchdown or not then we want to make sure we get it handled.”
(A minute ago you said I’m making plays. That’s the sound of a confident player. Can you describe how your confidence has grown since you’ve arrived here?) – “I think it’s the belief that the coaches have in me to succeed. Throughout my career, it has felt that the belief has all come from myself. Over the last few years building the relationships that I have here in Miami, they’ve allowed me to not only maintain that confidence in myself, but have shown the confidence back in me and that makes players better and that makes them play better. That’s why I think I’m having a little bit more success than I’ve had in the past, because when that confidence is reciprocated between player and coach, that’s when your team grows and that’s when players grow.”
(What’s been your approach to the wide receivers group the last couple of practices? You don’t have WR Jaylen Waddle, WR Braxton Berrios, WR Odell Beckham Jr. is on PUP?) – “It’s opportunities, it’s fun. We have guys making plays. Malik (Washington) was balling today – you love to see the young guys balling. But it just presents opportunities. Injuries happen every year – 10 (Tyreek Hill) and 17 (Jaylen Waddle) have missed games my entire years here. It’s just no surprise and it’s very real. You know you have to see who step up when those guys go down. It’s unfortunate because the numbers are low and things like that, but it presents opportunities like I said, and it makes it fun.”
(We’d be shocked if you didn’t make the team. But do you like having the uneasy feeling of never being 100% sure at the start of camp that you’re going to be on the team, or would you like to someday have a comfort level of I’m on the team it’s not going to affect my motivation I’m driven every day?) – “I think it’s important to not think that you’ve arrived and that’s the mentality that I like to have. Just so we’re clear, nobody has said you’re making the team, anything of that. That information is not given to you, so I’m not sitting here saying anything like that. I think it’s important that guys, especially in my position who have in the past been a bubble guy and trying to break that mold, it’s important to keep that chip on your shoulder and act like you need to earn a spot every single way, because that’s the only way you’re ultimately going to get that spot.”
(Did you feel any pressure as the orange jersey player to take control of that aux and make sure practice was bumping with your playlist? Did you feel any pressure for that?) – “Feel any pressure? Oh no, not at all. No, I was very confident in my music. We started out with Biggie and then we went to Toby Keith, I mean what better transition. (laughter) I was real happy with that. All the music that I did not know, those were the receivers’ other song. I asked everybody to help me out with a song.”
(You took requests?) – “I did, absolutely. Well I needed like two hours’ worth of songs. I was like, ‘Man, I’ve only got like six.’”
(The joint practices are done; everything is wrapping up now. Now being in that setting with the first preseason game coming up, you guys are going into Hard Rock, how is the team looking?) – “I think great. I think we progressed really well. As I was saying last time, we were installing plays up until a certain point and we still are installing situational things, but for the most part we got everything in. Now we are ironing out details. You just need reps. Getting game-like experience especially for the young guys particularly in our room – Malik (Washington), it’s very exciting to see what he’s going to do. I’m excited, he’s balling right now and his confidence is going up. That’s what we need in that room.”
(You’re a soothing leader and speaking of WR Malik Washington, was there any advice you gave him as a leader over the last few days because obviously he’s played better these last few practices?) – “Yeah, well he’s gotten opportunities which is awesome. A guy like Malik (Washington), he’s very thoughtful, he’s very methodical when it comes to his work ethic. He’s a good person, and I think that’s important to have people like that in the room because those guys want to get better. With these guys out, I have pulled Malik to the side at times when the time is right, just telling him to take advantage of this opportunity. I was telling him today, we had a play called up and told him if they tossed it to him, I said, ‘Hey, man. You’ve got to get the crowd going. I want you to go slap high fives across the fans,’ we ended up changing the play. (laughter) Just things like that to make him comfortable, to put a smile on his face, to let him know he’s doing a great job and to keep working, I think that’s where I come in.”
(Did you get to meet the new guy WR Mike Harley Jr. today?) – “Yes, I met him.”
(What were your impressions of him?) – “He seemed like a great guy. He said he played with Braxton (Berrios) at ‘The U.’ We haven’t gotten to know each other that well. He wasn’t able to be in the meetings this morning. I think he was going through all of his medical stuff. So we kind of just saw him on the field, he got thrown into the fire a little bit, but he did a great job. He’s got great feet and excited to watch him play.”
(As important as these joint practices are psychologically, how much does it take it to the next level on Friday to be in the stadium and playing in an actual game?) – “It’s a feeling that most people are familiar with, but if you’re a rookie or a guy who hasn’t played in a game yet then there’s a lot of nerves. I think those nerves are good. I’m excited to see everybody play, and I’m excited to get out there myself and just get on the field, get into Hard Rock, feel the momentum, feel the stadium. It’s a lot of people’s happy place, so I’m excited to get back.”
