Miami Dolphins Day 2 of NFL Draft – GM Chris Grier and Head Coach Brian Flores Round 2a – S Jevon Holland Round 2b – T Liam Eichenberg Round 3 – TE Hunter Long

General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Brian Flores

Chris Grier:

(I wanted to get into the selection of T Liam Eichenberg and the trade up to basically secure his services. What went into the thought process to move up and do you envision him as a tackle or a guard in the NFL?) – “I think for us, when we made the trade, we knew there was going to be a run of offensive linemen. As you saw in that second round, there was a big run of offensive linemen; and so for us, it was important to get up. We spent a lot of time getting to know Liam. We liked his toughness, his character. He competes. He’s a durable player who’s played a lot of football. He’s very smart. So for us, he was a guy that we had talked about and targeted and felt all the stuff that Brian (Flores), myself, the coaching staff and scouts were looking for. So it was important to get up and get him. As you saw, it was a big run on offensive linemen in that round and as Brian says, these guys have to earn positions. They’re rookies coming in; but this kid is a tough, competitive kid that is smart, understands football, comes from a good program, has been coached well. I’ll defer to Brian if he wants to talk about positions he’s playing, but this kid will come in and compete.”

Brian Flores:

“As far as positions, I think he’s played left, he’s played some right and I think we’ve just got to get him in here before we get into positions. Get him in, get him acclimated, get him getting to know his teammates and obviously learning the playbook and we’ll work him in with our group. But he’s got versatility to play left, right, guard; so like always, we’re always looking to play the best five so he’s got to earn his role on this team.”

Chris Grier:

(How much disappointment and concern that you did not add a top tier running back the first two days?) – “We’re very excited with the players we added. We spent a lot of time going over the board, the draft – studying it and where players would fall. And the players we got, we’re very excited to have and we have good runners on the roster. We feel good about our guys. We added Malcolm Brown to the group in free agency, so we’ve upgraded our roster. We feel good where we are as a team right now. As we’ve always said, we’ll keep looking and running through every position and looking for upgrades, potentially at every position all the way up through the season, as we’ve always done.”

(I’m curious, there’s often like a debate about the value of running backs, in general, as far as positional value. I’m curious you and Head Coach Brian Flores’ perspective on the positional value at running back versus maybe some other positions and how that equates when you’re going about your draft decisions?) – “I think when you talk about the draft, you’re always – you evaluate the players. I don’t think you’re worried about value and stuff. When you look at your team, the fits – I think when you draft on need, at times you reach for stuff and start trying to appease what some people may think about it. At the end of the day, you set your board with the best players available and you want to make sure that you’re adding good players to your roster. We’d love to draft every position, every player every year if we could. But for us, the players we added were at the right spots for us and we feel good about it.”

(If I can follow up there, I know we talked about the T Liam Eichenberg trade earlier. Was there any hesitancy to trade that 2022 pick? I know a lot of people that believe that maybe next year’s draft is valuable because there’s more certainty, but how did you kind of go through the process and deciding to do that, to move up?) – “With us, we’re always willing to move, move up and down, as you know. We’re willing to be aggressive and for us, there really is no certainty for next year as you know, just because people are playing more games – who knows if the quality of the players or the depth of the draft will be deep or pools of whatever position you’re looking for may not be as deep that year. So for us as we’re looking and working to build our team, when Brian and I were talking and discussing it, we thought Liam was a player that we really liked at that spot, and there was a run on offensive linemen and you can never have enough offensive linemen. We’re always looking for competition in that group and he’ll come in and compete with these guys. Another good kid – smart, tough – he’ll come in and compete.”

(It seemed to us that the Broncos sensed that you might go after RB Javonte Williams. They traded up right before you in the second round. Were they right? Was that a player that you had targeted at that spot and was it a disappointment that he came off the board?) – “No. As we work through it, we’re very cognizant of what’s going on and around and for us, like I said, we have good players at the running back position. We’re looking to upgrade the roster at every position. For us, the players that we liked there were there. Javonte is a good player. There were a lot of good players; but for us, the guys we picked we’re very happy to get.”

(With TE Hunter Long, what did you guys like about him, considering you guys do have some pretty good depth at the tight end position. And I guess for Head Coach Brian Flores, did you have any extra intel considering his school?) – “Yeah, I had no say in the pick because he’s from Boston College. It was all Brian. (laughter)”

Brian Flores:

“Obviously I was excited to add an Eagle. Hunter is tough. He’s smart. We had him at the Senior Bowl, so our entire coaching staff got a chance to spend some time with him. He’s a typical Boston College player. He’s tough, he’s smart, he’s team-first and we’re excited to have him, along with all of the other guys we’ve grabbed over the last couple days. It’s been a fun two days. We like all of these picks and we’re excited.”

Chris Grier:

(You had mentioned that playmakers were something you guys were seeking this offseason in a prior press conference. I’m wondering, S Jevon Holland – nine interceptions and almost averages a pass breakup or pass defensed per game in college – how do you think he satisfies that playmaker trait on defense?) – “He’s a very smart, instinctive football player that’s been a very productive player. He’s also been a punt returner there, which we talk about, too; but at the end of the day, this guy just has a nose for the football. But it was his football intelligence and getting to know the kid that stood out as well. I think for us, going through this with Brian (Flores) – we were really excited. We were nervous that this player may not get there because there were a lot of people that really liked this player. We heard that after we made the pick – we got numerous calls and texts. I think for us, adding a player of that caliber – Brian and I, we’re really excited and our defensive staff was really happy. We’re happy to have him and I think he’s been a good player and has a good chance to be a good player for us.”

Brian Flores:

“Jevon was one of, honestly, my favorite players to watch. Very versatile, played inside, played safety, punt return. I think you mentioned it – a lot of ball production – so we’re excited to get him and work with him, and I think he’ll be a great fit for our team.”

Chris Grier:

(In terms of what you achieved in the first two days of the draft, obviously you wanted to add tough, smart, physical players. Do you feel like you’ve improved your roster? How?) – “I think we feel that we’ve upgraded our roster. We’ve added some speed, some playmaking. We got some guys at o-line, d-line, which are always – that showed last year how important that is to win in this league. Like you said, playmakers on offense and defense. Guys that can make plays on the ball and score touchdowns. For us, we have a good roster. Adding these guys in with the competition and the competitive spirit as we’ve talked about, will be really good and help us keep growing. We’re very happy and pleased, and for us it was a really good two days for us so far.”

Brian Flores:

(If I can ask about S Jevon Holland, I know Head Coach Brian Flores, you were a safeties coach coming up in New England, so you probably have an idea of what you want in your safeties. He mentioned when we talk to him that he models his game after S Tyrann Mathieu. I’m curious do you see that in his skillset? Obviously that’s lofty praise, but do you see that in the skillset in being able to be in the box, play deep safety, play slot and do all of the things that the Honey Badger does?) – “I’m not one for comparisons. Based on what I saw on tape, like I said earlier, I really enjoyed watching Jevon play for a lot of reasons. The way he tackles, the way he defeats blocks, his versatility – he played some nickel, played some deep safety. There are a lot of things to like. I’m not into comparisons, but I feel like he’ll be a good fit for what we do. I think he’s got leadership qualities. I think he’s got the ability to communicate and really quarterback a defense because he’s smart. I’m excited to have him. We’ll see. He’ll get an opportunity to earn a role on this team and I’m hopeful that he can fill multiple roles; and if he can handle it, then we’ll do it and if he can’t, then we’ll work with him until he can. As far as comparisons, I don’t get into those. I like what I saw and I think there is potential there; but like any rookie and all of the rookies we’ve talked about over the last couple of days, I know there is a lot of excitement over the draft but these guys have a long way to go. They’ve got to learn the new playbook, they’ve got to get acclimated to the NFL and professional football. We need to help them with that; we will help them with that. There is hopefully going to be a lot of growth and development from now until obviously the spring, and then getting into training camp and getting them going and getting them started in their NFL careers. This is one part of it and we’ll help them grow and hopefully develop and improve.”

Chris Grier:

(How do you feel about the picks you have left tomorrow? One in the fifth, two in the seventh. Do you see yourself moving into the fourth or sixth rounds, or how do you see tomorrow unfolding?) – “Like everything, we’ll be aggressive to move up and down. We’ll listen and we’ll pick the best players for us. Everything is fluid as always, especially day three.”    

S Jevon Holland

(What is your reaction and did you have any inkling that it might be the Miami Dolphins?) – “I’m overjoyed. No, I didn’t have any idea. I’m just really blessed to be here and excited to be a Miami Dolphin.”

(I think you’re the highest-ever born Canadian drafted player. I’m curious what that means to you?) – “It means a lot. I love to be able to represent the Canadian people and for me to be blessed to be in this position and represent that many people and be the highest taken, I’m just honored to be here. I’m overjoyed.”

(Tell us a little bit about what you plan to offer the Dolphins.) – “I plan on just coming in and being a resource for the coaches. Whatever they want me to do, I plan on doing that and trying to help the team win.”

(I’m wondering how did you sleep last night and how the process to this point was for you?) – “The process was great, honestly. And last night, I was a little tossing and turning. I had a good night’s sleep, woke up this morning, went and worked out, and then sat down and was ready to get my name called. I’m blessed that the Miami Dolphins, and (Head) Coach (Brian) Flores called my name. I’m honored to be here.”

(Do you see yourself as a safety in the NFL, or do you think there is any potential you might play some cornerback, too?) – “Honestly, whatever the coaches want me to play, I’m expecting to fill that job for them. I say it a lot, but I’m here to help the team win in any way, shapre or form.”

(Tell us about your relationship with Napoleon Kaufman. Are you still in touch with him?) – “Yeah, we talk sometimes. Coach ‘Nap’ is a great guy. He’s a pastor. He coached with some of his kids. He’s a great dude.”

(Going back to your childhood, I came across a story where you talked about some of the sacrifices you made when you were younger, the 100 pushups every day. I wanted to ask you about how those training regimens as a kid prepared you for professional football.) – “That’s a great question. I think that having those training regimens as a kid just puts me in a better place of organizing my own time and making sure that I’m holding myself accountable when no one else is trying to check me. I feel like that is a part of being a professional is holding yourself accountable and making sure you’re getting your job done.”

(Is there a player in the league that you model your game after that you see yourself in?) – “I grew up watching Tyrann Mathieu, so I try to model my game as much after Tyrann Mathieu as possible. He’s a phenomenal player and an even better man; so I’m trying to replicate his play.”

(How popular is football in British Columbia? What other options did you have for sports growing up? How did you gravitate towards football, and I guess now that choice turned out to be the right one?) – “Football is super popular in Canada – across all of Canada. I played box lacrosse and I played soccer and I played baseball and field lacrosse in America; but my dad and my brother both played football. My dad is an ex-NFL pro, so it’s really just me trying to follow in their footsteps and then that love just kind of adapted into that passion for myself, and then I ended up falling even more in love with the game at that point. I think like you said, it turned out to be a pretty good choice. (laughter)”

(I came on a little late, so you might have been asked a little bit, but how much did you have to answer about the opt-out question in the pre-draft process with the Dolphins and teams and kind of how did you approach that?) – “A good amount. Everybody wanted to know and so I was honest about it, and that’s the only thing I could be. And we just went from there.”

(I saw a quote from Mario Cristobal where he said that you were a better receiver than defensive back, but they were going to keep you at DB over there at Oregon. I’m curious if you can kind of expand on that and also does that kind of contribute to the fact that you had nine picks in just two seasons?) – “Yeah, so I played receiver in high school a lot and that’s where I developed a lot of my ball skills. I feel like I have a good sense of how the ball trajectory is going to be in the sky and things like that and I definitely think that added to my ball skills and ball-hawking ability.”

(I know you did some punt returning at Oregon. The Dolphins drafted WR Jaylen Waddle in the first round. Who’s going to get those punt return reps? How are you guys going to divvy that out?) – “(laughter) Man, look, whatever the coaches want to do, they can do. Jaylen (Waddle) – that’s my homeboy. He’s a hell of a player. I’m excited to be a Dolphin with him, so I’m just looking to be on the field with him and all my other teammates and whatnot. So whatever the coaches want, I’m down to do.”

T Liam Eichenberg

(Could you just express, I guess, what you’re feeling right now and also it was kind of a unique way of how the Dolphins moved around in the round to be able to get you, so that probably said something that they really wanted you there with that pick. How are you feeling?) – “I’m doing well. I’m very excited to be here with my family, my grandparents, family and friends. I’m very excited to be part of the Miami Dolphins. It’s a great organization, great coaching staff and I’ve been able to meet a couple of their players and they carry themselves well, so I’m very excited. I’m looking forward to it.”

(I’m curious, did the Dolphins give any kind of hint as to where you’ll play in 2021?) – “I’m not sure right now. I’ll play anywhere they need me. For me, it’s about helping the team win, so I look forward to getting down there. They could put me at center. They could me wherever. It’s kind of wherever they want me. I’m just very fortunate to be part of the team.”

(Do you have experience playing center?) – “No, I don’t. No.”

(You follow a pretty long line of impressive offensive linemen, that pedigree at Notre Dame there. What does it mean to you to be the next one in line there, and how do you think that position at that program prepared you for professional football?) – “It’s an honor and I’m very thankful for the Dolphins organization for picking me. The guys who have come before me, they set the standard. I’ve tried to carry that on. Moving forward, it’s not about where you get drafted, it’s about how long you play for and if you play well. So from here on out – and it was my mindset this whole process – I want to help my team win. I want to be consistent. So from here on out, I’m just going to learn the playbook best I can, get everything down and help my team win.”

(And if I could follow up on that, 38 consecutive starts there at Notre Dame – didn’t miss one. I read that you played through a game last year with a swollen-shut eyeball. What was that like?) – “Yeah, that was a little tough. (laughter) There was a lot of ice on it when I came off the field; but yeah, it was swollen shut. I had to help my team win. I had to be out there.”

(I know you played a lot of left tackle at Notre Dame. I heard one offensive lineman compare switching to the right side to wiping your butt with your other hand. How much comfort would you have if you were needed to switch over to that side and play on the right side?) – “It’s kind of what I talked about before. Wherever the team needs me, I’m willing to do it and I’m going to give it my all. So yes, I have played left tackle in the past; but wherever the team needs me, I’ll figure it out. I have the work ethic, I have the attitude, the technique for it. So I’m looking forward to it wherever they need me.”

(If I had to wipe my butt with my left hand, I’d give it my all as well. I wanted to ask you, I saw on your Notre Dame profile you had 33 straight games without a sack. I guess what happened the game before that, but really, how does one go that long without giving up a sack? What goes into that?) – “I think I had a quarterback that could move, (laughter) but I think it goes back to your technique and fundamentals. I think I’ve had a great opportunity at a Notre Dame to be coached well by both coaches – Coach (Harry) Hiestand and Coach (Jeff) Quinn. I’m looking forward to being coached by ‘Coach Lem’ (Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre). He worked with me a little bit at Pro Day, and I was extremely excited. I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”

(You’ve got WR Will Fuller here, you’ve got TE Durham Smythe, T Sam Young was here. He was a little bit before your time. Have you spoken to any of those former Irishman – Fuller or Smythe?) – “No, not yet; but I’m sure I will.”

(Because we didn’t have a Combine and I didn’t get to interview you at the Combine, just in general, how would you describe your strengths?) – “I think I’m very efficient with my footwork in the run game and then in pass pro, I think I have violent hands and I’m also very good at vertical setting. I think I bring a lot to this organization, so I’m very excited for it.”

(You mentioned at the top of the call that you’ve known a couple of Dolphins before. Who were those guys and how does that help kind of having a couple of guys you already know?) – “I was talking about Durham Smythe, and then I met Austin Jackson when I was out in Phoenix training. It was just kind of that idea that this team has a great culture, they are very disciplined and everybody has that same mindset that they want to help the team win. I love it. I think it’s about the team, the team’s first. I’m excited for it.”

(You spoke about your connection with Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre at your Pro Day. What was it like working with him? What did you glean from that first interaction and do you think it’s a result of you being drafted here?) – “I think from everybody that I’ve spoken to, I think it’s a great organization, they carry themselves well; but definitely the offensive line, he’s going to be my coach. I think I made a good impression and he made a great impression on me. He’s a guy who is down to earth, he cares about his players and he loves ball. I’m just fortunate that I’m going to be coached by him.”

(Every offensive lineman has to know his quarterback well. What do you know about QB Tua Tagovailoa?) – “I know he’s a lefty. I know he played at ‘Bama and he’s a great player. I’m looking forward to meeting him.”

(In addition to the last question, you played with Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Tua’s cousin, there at Notre Dame. Did he ever share Hawaiian food with you or anything? Because Tua has been known to get packages for his offensive lineman during his rookie season.) – “No, unfortunately I didn’t. I never really saw Myron outside of the facility that much. I think it was just because we tried to keep the offensive line tight. We hung out with the defensive line but we ran in different groups. But Myron is a great guy. He comes from a great family, so if Tua is very similar to Myron, I think he’ll be a great guy.”

TE Hunter Long

(Obviously you made a good impression on the Miami Dolphins during the Senior Bowl. What do you think it was that really caught their eye?) – “I don’t know if it was one particular thing. I think I went down there, I was able to show what I could do and build connections with all of the coaches. I was able to talk with them throughout the week. It was an awesome week for me and obviously I built a great connection with them. I don’t know if there was one thing that really stood out. I guess they could probably tell you that. But it was awesome to get to know them down there and it was a fun week.”

(Head Coach Brian Flores, we just finished talking to him and he was talking you up and sharing thoughts on you guys and his school. Can you talk a little bit about the Boston College program, and following up on the last question on any interactions you may have had with him that were memorable from the Senior Bowl? Obviously it left a good impression on them.) – “Obviously the BC program is known as being a hard-nosed, tough program. It breeds guys like Coach Flores. He’s an awesome guy. Obviously I got to know him at the Senior Bowl a lot. I don’t know if there is one moment I can share but obviously throughout the week, I was able to talk to him and build a relationship with him. It was awesome down there for me.”

(How much did you and Head Coach Brian Flores talk about BC? Did you talk about all of the food spots around the place and whatnot?) – “All of it, all of it. (laughter) He’s a proud BC alum just like I am.”

(I wanted to ask you about the two offenses you played in there at BC. You went form Steve Addazio’s offense to Frank Cignetti and obviously you guys rolled up so many rushing yards with AJ Dillon in the past and now you go to more of a pro-style offense. I’m wondering what that did to prepare you for the versatility and I guess the professionalism or job of becoming a professional football player and being a versatile player?) – “I always say that I feel like I got the best of both worlds at BC with both offensives. Obviously it was a more run-heavy offense and this past year, we really opened up the pass game. I think it allowed me to become a well-rounded tight end and work at all aspects of the position. I’m grateful for the journey I had at BC and grateful for the original coaching staff I had there, and obviously this previous coaching staff. They taught me so much and I feel like I was really able to build the tools that I think I’ll need going to the next level.”

(Can you speak a little bit as to not getting offers out of high school and how that’s kind of motivated you this whole time? And what made you believe that you could get to this point and reach the NFL?) – “Like you said, I had no offers coming out of my senior year of high school and I had to do a fifth year of high school to get a couple of offers. I think it just allowed me to play with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I touch the field, it’s a chance to prove the people wrong that didn’t believe in me early on in my career. It also made me have to take full advantage of the few opportunities I had. It put some pressure on me to step up and be the player that I believed I could be, but it also allows me to go on the field and play with that chip.”

(Are you the first NFL player form Exeter, New Hampshire?) – “(laughter) I believe there was someone drafted in 1907 from Exeter. In the modern era, I think I’m the first player.”

(What is organized football like in that part of the country?) – “(laughter) We do play 11-on-11 football. It’s obviously not the highest-rated high school football in the country, but I obviously had a great experience with it, and I love my coaches from high school and the guys I played with. I’m just grateful for the journey I took. I wouldn’t want to change it for anything.”

(What did you do so well last year that had you finishing with those results, basically leading all tight ends in the country statistically? The second part is what do you know about QB Tua Tagovailoa, and what do you know about the position group that you’re joining in TE Mike Gesicki, TE Durham Smythe and TE Adam Shaheen?) – “My biggest thing each year was to improve on what my weaknesses were. I think I was able to do that every year there. I had great teammates around me this year and a great quarterback and a great staff that allowed me to utilize my talents to the best of my ability. I think it was just the progression of my career. It was the next step I needed to take and I was able to take it this past year. The second part of your question, obviously I watched them a lot. Obviously I watched Coach Flores and those guys a lot. I know a lot about them. I’m just excited to get down there and meet everybody and get to know my new teammates.”

(I heard recently that you solved a Rubik’s cube in 47 seconds. How’d you get so good at that, and what other skills do you have off the field that might surprise people?) – “I started solving the Rubik’s cube my freshman year in college. I just bored one day and ordered one. It kind of became a thing I did in my free time sitting at my desk or in bed, and I got all right at it. It’s a little nerve wracking solving on live TV. I didn’t want to mess up, but it went well. The other hobby I think people will be surprised at is I build computers. I built my first computer when I was 13 and have built a couple since. It’s a hobby of mine and I graduated with a computer science degree from BC, so it’s kind of a big part of my life.”