Friday, September 6, 2019
(The thinking in the T J’Marcus Webb signing and also just LB Andrew Van Ginkel to be able to play – he’s eligible obviously to come back in October.) – “J’Marcus Webb is somebody we visited with him earlier in the week, and we felt like he’s a guy who’s got some experience in the league and would help our team, and we decided to go ahead and make that move.”
(How important was it that T J’Marcus Webb is versatile enough to play both tackle spots?) – “I think that’s always important. Versatility is – as we’ve talked about many times – is very important, really across the board on the team offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. His ability to play both spots, that definitely helped him and gives him more value.”
(Do you feel like this team has a left tackle that can carry them for 16 games into the season?) – “I feel like we’ve got a lot of good players – guys who work hard and guys who work well together, so I’m excited about the group we have. We’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”
(Should LB Andrew Van Ginkel be able to play this year, physically do you think, will we see him on the field this season?) – “He had a good spring and a good start to training camp. Unfortunately, he had the injury. Right now for him, it’s just to try to improve and get better every day. Whatever happens – however many weeks from now – it’ll happen.”
(Is this an injury that progressed with LB Andrew Van Ginkel, or did it get worse this week during practice?) – “Injuries that occur for a player, we try to keep it private. It was enough that it was necessary to make the move we made. That’s where we’re at with Van Ginkel.”
(Will T J’Marcus Webb be ready for Sunday?) – “We’re going to try to get him as ready as we can. One day of practice – we’ll try to get him ready.”
(Have the captains been selected?) – “Yes, they’ve been selected. (Daniel) Kilgore on offense, Jerome Baker and Bobby McCain on defense and Walt Aikens on special teams.”
(What stood out to you for LB Jerome Baker, being a second-year player, being able to earn that captain spot?) – “It was voted on by his peers. He’s had a really good camp. He’s shown leadership. He’s improved. I’ve seen that, but obviously his peers have seen that, too; and that’s a testament to how he’s grown over the course of these two years – really, one year – and the time over the spring and the summer.”
(Are you ready? Is your team ready?) – “Yeah, we’ll be ready to play Sunday.”
(Do you think you have a good team on your hands?) – “Yes. I think I have a good team. I think I have a good team, but every week is hard in this league. There’s a lot of talent, really across the board. If you prepare the right way, if you take the steps necessary to put yourself in position to play well, that’s what you do and we go out there Sunday, we’ll see what happens.”
(In the past, this heat has been an advantage for the Dolphins at home. Do you guys plan anything game plan-wise for that to be used as an advantage?) – “Whatever the elements are, we’ve got to play in them. Heat, rain – aside from lightning – we’re going to go. These guys are motivated. They’re ready to go. We know we’ve got a great opponent in front of us. The Ravens are a good team. We know that. They’re tough. They’re physical. We’ve got to match their toughness and match their physicality and match their execution. That’s the goal Sunday.”
