Ted Karras – October 15, 2020
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Thursday, October 15, 2020
C Ted Karras
(How much did you know about DT Zach Sieler coming in and what have you learned about him since and what’s it been like practicing against him?) – “I remember last year (with the Patriots) preparing for the last game of the season (against Miami), they had this guy who kind of came in mid-year and was playing really well, played with really high effort, and he’s continued that this season. He’s been very productive and he’s a great teammate and a great guy, and I’m really excited for him. I’m rooting for him to continue the way he’s been playing.”
(My question for you is about the two coaches in the offensive line room with Offensive Line Coach Steve Marshall and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre. I just wanted to get your perspective as far as how those two guys balance each other and having both Coach Marshall’s experience but also Jeanpierre’s playing experience and how those two guys work together in that room?) – “Collectively, we have coaches in the room with a lot of NFL experience and I think it’s serving us very well, especially having a young o-line. I think it’s a testament to how hard these young guys are working and ‘E. Flow’ (Ereck Flowers) and Jesse (Davis) and I and all the vets, too. I think we have a really good room and I’m really excited, but we’ve got to keep preparing like we have been and going and putting out our best performances when it counts the most.”
(We’ve asked you so much about T Austin Jackson and G Solomon Kindley because they’ve been playing and thanks for being kind of like the veteran spokesman and filling us in. I appreciate it. So G/T Robert Hunt makes his first start. What did you notice about how he approached things and handled himself starting a game?) – “I thought he did an excellent job. Obviously we went out there and scored 40 points. We’re not going to be able to do that without a right tackle doing his job, and I thought it was great. Any time you go into your first NFL start, it could be, I guess, too big for some guys; but not for Rob Hunt. He came out there and played really, really well, and we’re going to need him to continue to play really well moving forward.”
(You referred to the Dolphins-Patriots game at the end of last season earlier. I wanted to ask what does it feel like now for you being on this side of the Dolphins and their franchise reboot? What is it like five games in? Do you feel like a tide is maybe starting to turn with your guys’ season and what do you think about Head Coach Brian Flores and everything he’s kind of implementing onto the team?) – “We’re a day at a time. Winning last week was a good start, but we’ve got to take care of business this week, then we’ve got a bye. I’m having a lot of fun. I love all the guys on this team. It’s been a great start to the year. Obviously we left a few things out in a couple of the early games, but we’re going to continue to work our hardest and prepare and then go out there on Sundays. That’s the only way to turn any tide, is to go out there and perform your best on Sunday, so that’s what I’m focused on every day.”
(Sort of along those same lines as what you just mentioned – you’ve been part of an organization that knows how to build for success, not just for this Sunday but for the long-term. What do you see in the program that’s put together here in Miami that might give you confidence that there’s success built for the long-term here?) – “I think it comes down to the guys we have in the locker room and we have guys that work hard and want to do things right and care about each other and hold each other accountable and genuinely enjoy playing the game of football. It’s a pleasure to come to work every day with guys in this locker room – many, many close friends – and we get competitive and we want to do our best for each other. You’ve seen a little bit of that on the field these past couple weeks, but we’ve got to keep showing that and emphasizing that part of the game.”
(I guess you weren’t here I guess last year, but now you’re getting to see up close maybe how it’s like playing with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. I wanted to ask what is it like in the huddle or on the field when he’s on like he is?) – “It’s extraordinary. He’s an extraordinary man. I am very fortunate to be able to suit up with him and I do love it when he can turn a third-and-8 scramble into a first down. That’s a luxury as an o-lineman. It’s been a lot of fun playing, and I’ve learned so much from him already, and I continue to learn every single day and as we grow and continue to create continuity and comfortability with each other.”
(What have you noticed in terms of personalities, if there’s a common trait, among the three guys that the aforementioned QB Ryan Fitzpatrick affectionately calls the knucklehead rookies – G/T Robert Hunt, G Solomon Kindley and T Austin Jackson?) – “Great men that want to do the right things that are eager to learn and, I guess, ‘ego-less’ and trying to get better. Obviously a very, very talented group – all highly drafted – and guys that came in and just want to listen and work and do the right thing and help the team win in any way they can.”
(I wanted to ask you about a matchup this weekend with Jets DT Quinnen Williams. He was once the No. 3 pick in the draft and right now he’s top 10 in both ESPN’s pass-rush win rate and run-stop win rate. I just wanted to ask you about the challenges he presents for you on the interior offensive line.) – “Starting with him, but the entire Jets front seven poses a significant challenge to us as an o-line, and we’re going out there and working hard and we’re going to have to be at our best on a lot of guys. Talk about guys like Steve McLendon, (John) Franklin-Myers – guys all over the place that are really good – (Nathan) Shepherd, (Folorunso) Fatukasi. Their whole d-line is formidable and we’re going to have to be at our best and playing at our top level on Sunday at 4 p.m.”
(RB Le’Veon Bell is a free agent. Just generally what do you think of his talent and his skill?) – “I think he’s been a great player for a long time in the league. I don’t know anything about the situation that he had up in New York, but I wish him the best. I never like to see anyone lose their job in this league, so I’m wishing him the best. I know he’s a very talented player and I’m sure he can help an NFL franchise win some games.”
