William Fuller V – March 23, 2021
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Tuesday, March 23, 2021
WR William Fuller V
(First, I’ve got to ask you, you got hit with the escalator in the grocery store? They don’t have that in Houston?) – “That was my first time seeing that. (laughter) They might have that in Houston, I got some Houston fans that were contacting me saying, ‘we’ve got that in Houston too.’ But I didn’t see it in Houston. That was my first time seeing it in Florida.”
(I have a football question for you. It’s a nice one-year deal for you. How did free agency with the cap room being a little bit smaller this year affect you weighing a one year versus a multi-year deal? And how happy are you to be on your one-year deal here in Miami?) – “I’m super excited to be here in Miami. I feel like I wanted to take a one-year (deal) just to prove my worth in the league. I’ve had my fair share of injuries and I’ve been working really hard. I just want to prove to the NFL, and to the Dolphins for taking a chance on me, that I’m a player that they would love to have long term.”
(The Dolphins were looking for somebody who could stretch the field. Tell me in what ways you think you can do that for them.) – “I think my tape speaks for itself. I’m a vertical threat. I can also do more things underneath. I think I bring an element to the Dolphins offense that can help other guys out and help this team continue to get better and help them to win. Whatever I can do to help this team win, whatever they ask of me, I’m going to do. So I’m excited to be here.”
(The PED suspension, did you have to assure the Dolphins at all that it was just a one-time thing? What’s your view on that situation going into this year?) – “Yeah. I’ve talked to the coaching staff about that. That’s something personal between me and them that we’ve talked about. I definitely had to shore some things up with them. For me, it was a one-time thing (that was) completely accidental and that’s never going to happen again. I’m excited to put that in my past and just come to Miami and put my head down and work.”
(What do you know about QB Tua Tagovailoa skillset and how do you plan to make sure that you guys develop the best connection?) – “I’m out here in Houston finishing up my offseason program and doing my workout stuff here. I’m almost done, so I’m looking forward to getting off to Miami as soon as possible and contact with him. I’ve already spoken with him on the phone and texted with him. We’re setting things up to go over there in Miami and throw, so I’m excited about that as well in the near future coming up soon.”
(Despite your arrival there is still speculation with the Dolphins holding two first-round picks that they might even go after a wide receiver – WR Ja’Marr Chase, WR Devonta Smith, for example. Would you welcome that just to spread the wealth?) – “Oh yeah, of course. The more talent we’ve got, the easier it will be for all of us. Whatever they are going to do in the draft, I have no idea. That’s above my head. I’m just here to do my job; but I’d love another receiver in the room. Just keep bringing talent and we’ll keep making plays.”
(They’ve taken all of my football Dolphins questions so I wanted to ask you about what Houston QB Deshaun Watson is going through. Have you talked to him? Where do you think his mind is and what’s next for him?) – “Yeah, I fully support Deshaun. I don’t know any of the specifics about what’s going on with him, but I fully support him. I’ve been talking to him. To me, it seems like his head is on completely straight. I’m just looking forward to seeing where everything goes. Hopefully he’s okay.”
(Why Miami? Why this program right now with this quarterback?) – “I signed a one-year deal looking to help this team win. I’m just excited to be here. I’m excited for a fresh start. Miami took a chance on me and I’m just excited to be here and excited to put my head down and work. Tua (Tagovailoa), he’s an electric player. I watched him all through college. I didn’t get much time to watch him in the NFL because I was with Houston, but I’m super excited to play with Tua and can’t wait to work with him.”
(With your experience in Houston, what was that like last year in 2020? It seems like it was a whirlwind and stuff happening from Bill O’Brien coming in and getting fired, and then towards the end of the year after the offseason, QB Deshaun Watson making clear he wanted out. What sort of was it like being on that team with everything going on?) – “It was a little different season for me, but I don’t even want to talk about Houston. I played there five years and I’m happy they drafted me. I had a great time there but I’m just looking forward to the next chapter of my career and starting fresh with Miami. Like I keep saying, I’m just super excited to get to work and finally meet the guys and go to training camp and put in that work.”
(You talked about how you consider yourself more of a complete receiver as opposed to just a one-trick pony, a guy who just gets the deep ball. But fans kind of have this fascination, this romanticism, with the deep ball, the deep catch, the deep touchdown. Why do you think that is? Why do you think people love that 70-yard touchdown pass play?) – “Who doesn’t love those long touchdown plays. That’s a simple question. It’s a quick-scoring, exciting play. Who doesn’t like those fast, quick touchdowns that put points on the board fast? I feel like, like I said, I have the underneath skillset too; but that’s what makes things a lot easier for me is just having the ability to score on any given play. That opens up a lot of things underneath for me, so I use that to my advantage.”
(What are some of the things that you’re doing now to maybe keep yourself healthy and hopefully play 16 games this year?) – “I’m wearing this shirt and this guy is helping me a lot – Benjamin Fairchild. Just specific training for my body and not doing what everyone else is doing as far as linemen and quarterbacks. Just doing something specific for my body because everyone is different. I started working out with him last year and I just took it to a new level this year, adding some things here and there. This is probably the best I’ve felt in my career, so I’m excited to play 16 games this season.”
(I’ll end it light with you. What’s it like for a Philly kid coming down to Miami and playing in this heat? What do you think it’ll be like?) – “Luckily I’ve played in Houston before I came to Miami because it gets pretty hot in Houston. But I’m preparing for it. I’m out here running a lot and I’m conditioning. I think I’ll handle the heat well. That’s been something I’ve never had a problem with is my conditioning. I think I’ll do pretty well over there. I’m excited for that, as well.”
