Terron Armstead – July 27, 2022
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Wednesday, July 27, 2022
T Terron Armstead
(We finally got to see you really getting some more extensive action on the first day of training camp. How did it feel and what was the goal for today?) – “It felt great, man, being back out playing football – the game we love, the game we enjoy. It felt real good just getting in the rhythm, getting the play call, getting up to the ball and then just trying to execute as fast as we can.”
(Did you find yourself kind of pacing yourself, it’s kind of like the first day of school, you don’t want to get too excited but you also want to start off with some good intensity. Just how do you balance that?) – “Definitely excitement all the way up. That excitement level is all the way – probably an all-time high, really. Just getting in this offense, being out there with those guys and team reps, getting that action. So definitely like you said, just trying to stay in the plan and keep working, building up instead of just trying to knock it out of the park the first day.”
(On how much work he needs in training camp to be ready) – “It varies. It varies. I’ve been doing it for a little while now, so this will be my 10th training camp. I always just get to a spot where I feel like I’m ready and that can come a couple weeks, three weeks, whatever. So it just depends on the work, the reps, and then I’m getting used to a new system, new guys next to me, so it might take a little longer.”
(With your experience, how do you plan to help and be a leader to all the other younger guys on this offensive line?) – “Yeah, I just let it come naturally. Let it come organically. I don’t try to force anything on anybody, but anything I see technique-wise or from my knowledge or experience, I’m always open to share and these guys ask a lot of questions. They’re seeking the knowledge and looking for ways to find little techniques and things like that.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel said that finding juice on Day 1 is easy, juice on Day 2 is easy. What have you picked up about him that has told you that he’s going to be the type of guy that can sort of keep manufacturing it through Day 9 and Day 17 and Day 38 and that stuff?) – “It’s him. It’s just him. It’s his personality, the way he lives his life. Big personality, big energy guy. He’s never faking it. he’s never trying to create that enthusiasm. It’s just naturally him. So I don’t think he’ll ever have a problem bringing the juice.”
(You talked about coaching up some of those young guys on the o-line. What have you seen from them? Has anything impressed you from those younger offensive linemen?) – “Absolutely. Absolutely. Just the will, the intent. We’re coming out here to improve. No level of complacency, no level of comfort. We’ve got to get used to being uncomfortable and thriving in those situations, help us win games. So all those guys, I’ve been impressed with their level of work, the time they’re putting in before and after in the meeting room. Everything. It’s just a really impressive group.”
(The line has struggled here for several years. You’ve been around these guys now for a couple of months. How can you assure Dolphins fans you’re finally going to be able to fix this offensive line?) – “Just watch the game. Just watch the game. It all starts in practice. It all starts with us putting the work in. We will improve. That’s no doubt about it. I have zero doubts about that. We’ll be better in a lot of areas and it’ll never get to a place of perfection, but that’s the goal. We’re always striving to be perfect. But we’re going to have bad plays. We’re going to have mishaps. That’s part of the game. But trying to have that built-in response of try to control and impose our will day-in and day-out.”
(How do you compartmentalize knowing that the balance of the offense is on the five guys up front? You don’t get to run, you don’t get to pass if you guys don’t get to do your job?) – “Yeah, that’s every day. That’s every snap. We control the game. We control the success of the offense, so that’s never changing. That’s all 32 teams. We embrace that role and responsibility.”
(This morning Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about the process of getting you some periods off, some reps off to preserve you for Week 1. I was curious about your reaction. They approached you with that kind of sports science plan and your input on the idea of your training camp regimented schedule?) – “Yeah, I definitely appreciate coming out the gate those guys having a set plan. In the last few years, I’ve kind of had a little bit of a load management situation while I was in New Orleans. This was more detailed, kind of structured, so I know exactly what to expect. I think it’ll be extremely beneficial for me.”
(Do you think that the idea of more work in a shorter practice is also beneficial for you and the rest of the team out here because Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about changing the schedule a bit this year and going harder but for a shorter period of time?) – “Yeah, it’s a difference between running plays and getting work. As long as we’re working, getting actual work, we don’t have to be out here three hours. You can run plays with poor technique, poor execution, you can do that six hours but it’s for no reason. So as long as we’re being effective and efficient with our time, I love it.”
(Obviously it’s a big year for QB Tua Tagovailoa and what he can do in his development. How do you, yourself as a leader and the offensive line as a whole, how do you guys kind of affect Tua positively and kind of make it easier for him to kind of excel this season?) – “It’s a big year for all of us. We’re all looking to improve, get better, extend our careers. And with that, with Tua being our leader and being our nucleus, we can all help him, he can help us. So there’s no added pressure on Tua. The protection has to be better for him and it will. He has more weapons now than he ever has. We’re looking to improve. It’s just Day 1. We’ve got a long way to go to become what we see the potential to be and it takes everybody. It’s not just one person.”
(When you signed you mentioned possibly getting QB Tua Tagovailoa hooked up with Drew Brees considering their similar styles. Did you ever get that done?) – “I’m going to do that right now when I get off the field. Group text, both of them, right now. You’ve got my word. (laughter)”
