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Robert Jones – August 5, 2023 Download PDF version

Saturday, August 5, 2023

OL Robert Jones

(It looked like QB Tua Tagovailoa gave you guys an animated talk after today’s scrimmage. What was that like?) – “It was just him being a leader, like he is every day. He just told us that we just have to keep working on the little things, keep being competitive no matter when adversity hits, keep grinding (and) keep going. That was basically all.”

(How have you seen QB Tua Tagovailoa grow as a leader this year compared to previous years?) – “Last year, he was a great leader. This year, you can just see the confidence keep growing, keep growing. He’s just taking control of the whole offense, of the whole team. He’s making sure guys respect him, as we’ve been respecting him, and just follow as we go.”

(It seemed to me that last year you played a lot more left guard and this year you’re playing both. Is that accurate? And if so, how has right guard been for you?) – “Last year, I played both sides. Unfortunately, Liam (Eichenberg) got hurt last year and I had to go out there as a swing guard and play left guard. But this year, I’m playing a little bit of both, playing everywhere. Everyone is playing everywhere, because it’s competitive, it’s training camp. It’s the same thing as it was last year, just have to keep battling.”

(It seemed to me DT Jaylen Twyman had a good day and it seems that yesterday was a good day for him, also. I’m not saying that he’s beating you, but what have you noticed about DT Jaylen Twyman?) – “Jaylen is a good pass rusher. He’s been getting better each day. Ever since he came in last year, he’s helped us get better as an offense on pass downs and run downs. This year, you can just see him growing and just being more confident in his abilities. He’s giving us a good look and getting us ready for the season.”

(Getting an opportunity with Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry now, to compete to start, was that important to you? Do you feel like you’re getting that opportunity, you and several others?) – “I’m not really focused on that going into this camp. I’m just trying to get better each and every day, be the best player I can be. Whenever that opportunity comes, I’m going to be grateful for it. But having Butch, we just go out there and we all compete. He’s giving everyone an opportunity everywhere to play and get better, because you never know where you’ll end up.”

(In facing DT Christian Wilkins not only this summer but in previous years, what sticks out about him?) – “Christian is a hard worker. He talks a lot, but he’s earned that right. He makes everyone better every down. He’s a great leader, great teammate and he just works hard no matter what and never takes a play off.”

(What are some key benefits that you see going into the joint practices next week that you can use for team success?) – “Just focusing on all the little details, just going out there and just being competitive, trusting in our techniques, the things we’ve been focusing on this whole offseason, just going in there and just having fun.”

(What were your thoughts on DT Christian Wilkins’ playlist?) – “No comment. (laughter)” 

(It’s better than it has been!) – “Yeah, it’s better than it has been. I think he had a little help from the defense or offense. (laughter)”

(The rain break today, was that a welcome change? Or did it kind of interrupt the – I guess it cooled things off, but did it interrupt the flow? How do you look at that?) – “I just look at it as just another opportunity to get better. Adversity hit and we just have got to overcome it. We just go out there and play ball, because in a regular season game if that happens, we just have to go out there and act like nothing ever happened and just keep playing.”

(What’s the benefit for an offensive lineman coming back into the same system for the second year?) – “You just feel more comfortable in everything. You feel more comfortable in the scheme, understanding your techniques better and really just knowing what’s really going on. For everyone to be on the same page in the offense other than just one guy on the offensive line, the center, just calling the plays, everyone knows where they’re going. So it’s really no communication, you just go out there and play fast.”

(It wasn’t a full house or anything, but to see all those fans out there, what was that like?) – “Man, it was exciting. It’s been a long time with us having fans (at the stadium). Being back in Hard Rock Stadium is just amazing and it’s a blessing. It was great.”

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