CB Siran Neal
(How would you describe your approach to special teams?) – “I’m very passionate about it. And me, logistically, a lot of guys on special teams don’t really get praise for what they do. One thing I know is special teams is really huge when it comes to the NFL games. Special teams play can either win a game or lose a game. That’s one thing I know about it. And that’s on every phase. Like pinning the ball where it needs to be for the offense or defense to get set up to be successful.”
(What do you know about Special Teams Coach Danny Crossman?) – “Danny is my boy. I had Danny my rookie year when I came in with Buffalo. Danny is really a passionate coach too as well. He really loves the game. He really loves being that coach and really loves his players. That’s one thing that me and Danny over the years, we kept in contact and kept a close relationship through this whole process. Every time we played him, like I told him yesterday, I always wanted to make him smile and see what he’s going to say at the end of the game. That’s one thing that I took under my sleeve. I knew every time I played him, he was going to give me his best and I was going to give him my best.”
(You’re from Alabama. What was life growing up in Alabama and when did you realize you wanted to play in the NFL?) – “Most people don’t see it, but I went to high school in Alabama but I’m mostly from Fort Gaines, Georgia, so I really have to claim both sides because half of my life I was in Georgia through seventh grade and the other half I was in Alabama. It’s pretty much the same because it’s right across the water, right across the bridge. Growing up in Alabama, it’s really country. But it’s tough. It’s tough love. One thing people don’t know about the country is it’s really a lot of competition. It’s tough growing up in the country. It taught me about life and it taught me how to attack life and not let life attack me. It made me who I am today.”
(As far as the experience, what went into your decision to sign with the Dolphins?) – “The decision to sign with the Dolphins – basically with the NFL, it can be a little tricky. It’s all built off relationships. Coming from Buffalo, I love Buffalo, shoutout to Buffalo for everything they gave me throughout the past six years. It furthered our relationship. Just getting the opportunity to come down and talk to Danny (Crossman) about everything, he was more excited to have me than I’ve ever seen before. When I came through the door, his face lit up. That’s one thing he did as soon as I walked into the door. I just knew he saw me that he was happy to see me. He did everything in his will power to have me. That’s one thing I loved about it. Once I saw that, I knew if he would go to war for me, when it’s time for the kickoff or it is time for the season to start or even during OTAs when we have to report back, I’m going to do whatever I have to do to fight for him.”
(Wanted to get your thoughts on going from the team that’s dominated the AFC East for the past several seasons to the team that’s trying to end that run.) – “I’m very excited. I’ve definitely been on the other side for the past six years, and winning that title up there. On the other side now, it’s time to work to try to get that division down in South Florida. And that’s one thing that I’m up for. I’m up for the challenge. With Buffalo, they’re a really good team. They have a really good staff, great players, great coaching. When that time comes in the season, I’m pretty sure me and the guys will be prepared. It’ll be a tough game and all, but it will be a really good game and I’m looking forward to it.”
(Your thoughts on being reunited with S Jordan Poyer?) – “My dog ‘Po.’ ‘Po dog!’ Man, I’m really excited. He’s fired up too. He called me probably like three minutes before I had to get on the Zoom call and I couldn’t pick it up. But we’ve been on the phone the last two, three days or whatever with the whole thing. When it happened, when we got released, we both texted each other, checked on each other. That’s my brother, man. We’ve been really close since I got there in Buffalo and he took me under his wing as a rookie. I came in and didn’t really know much of the game. But Poyer, I remember he pulled me to the side in the room – I got a little frustrated two to three weeks in, in OTAs when I first was a rookie – and he was like, ‘Dude, calm down man. Look around, you’re one of the most athletic guys on this team. Things that I can’t do, you can. You’re big, you’re fast, you’re strong, you’re coachable. Just take it and start loving the game. Just love it for the moment and watch what happens. You just don’t know how long you’re going to be in the league.’ And that moment there, look at me now. Seven years later, we’re still on the same team from Buffalo to here. One thing about me and ‘Po,’ and I’m not even going to make this about me, I’m going to say this about ‘Po’ man, he’s really competitive. He’s competitive as hell. He’s just like me. He hates to lose. I hate to lose. We work for everything we got. Nothing comes easy. Staying in Buffalo, you have to have really tough skin. People hated to play in Buffalo. We loved to play in Buffalo. It was cold, and that was one thing we endured. Every time we stepped on that field, we stepped out there to win. That’s one thing that we’re going to bring to South Beach. Every time we step on that field, no matter the conditions – I’m pretty sure the conditions are going to be pretty good, nice weather – we’re going to step out there to win. We’re going to be out there together throughout this whole process, from OTAs to the time we kick off, we’re going to be behind each other and hopefully we get the guys behind us to keep this ball going. They have a great program down there. And adding me and Poyer is going to make it pretty good, pretty interesting.”
(Have you been in touch with CB Tre’Davious White at all? How’s he doing? The Dolphins need a cornerback too.) – “Tre, right now during this whole process – I think he didn’t go about (free agency) like me and ‘Po. Tre has been doing a lot of rehab lately with his Achilles tear. Tre got thick skin. When he comes back wherever he goes, I’m telling you watch out. Tre is really – you guys know, you guys have playing us for years man. Tre’s really a dawg too. That’s one thing that we all got. We’re dawgs. Throughout this whole process, I haven’t contacted him yet. He’s still dealing with the Achilles and training and all that. I’m sure every day he is waking up, he’s attacking his training. I haven’t talked to him yet but I’m pretty sure he’s excited to get going to wherever he’s going to be.”
(With regard to physicality, it seemed to me Buffalo is a very physical team. It seemed like that physicality was always a factor against the Dolphins. How much of a factor was physicality in Buffalo’s game? And how do you apply physicality toward a victory in the NFL?) – “I would say the physicality went a long way. It was all about punching somebody in the mouth before they punch us in the mouth. And if they did punch us in the mouth first, it was about how we got up and attacked it. That’s one thing that me and Poyer instilled into ourselves. No matter the situation, it’s going to be a long game. From the beginning to the end, you have to continue to attack it. Being physical is one thing that I bring to the game. I don’t mind the physicality. I just know on my side, I had a lot of guys on the other teams and even for Danny (Crossman), I had a lot of double teams. I had a lot of guys attacking me. I had a lot of guys walling me off. I never knew what I was going to get, but I just knew as long as I kept my ability to keep my speed and be physical throughout the whole process that we were going to come out successful. Sometimes when people get hit in the mouth, they don’t know how to get up. They get confused. But one thing about us up in Buffalo is there was no confusion. It was ok, cool, you want to fight? We’re going to give you a fight. From finish to the end, that’s one thing that we put upon people. We’re going to see how you act when we punch you in your mouth. Once we did that, a lot of guys and a lot of teams backed off after a while. That’s one thing that South Florida has now with me and Poyer. We’re really physical. When the time comes, we’re really going to show it. We’re excited just to be here.”
(You’re going to learn in about seven or eight months that weather is a big thing for the media and for the Dolphins fans. So you’re from the south, how long did it take you to get used to the weather up in Buffalo? And once again, how is weather going to factor in an NFL game?) – “Weather is a huge factor. Getting adjusted to Buffalo, it took a little second. But you have to have love for the game and not care about the weather conditions. Understand that there are going to be conditions and weather wherever you go – there are going to be ups and downs. But it’s all about your mindset and how you battled to get through those times like that. Just going from Buffalo to South Florida, yesterday when I was down there to sign, it was warm. I had a hoodie on when I came down there. (laughter) People were like, take that hoodie off, you’re in South Florida now. Welcome to South Florida. But the thing is for me, I’m from Georgia. Sometimes even when it’s a little warm outside, I have a hoodie on. I love hoodies. But the weather conditions, it’s not a factor to me. It’s a non-factor. I don’t really care what the weather is like. I just understand throughout the game that it’s going to be ups and downs. If the weather plays a factor, you have to get through it. With me, I’m a gunner. I’m on kickoff. The wind and the weather is always affecting me. Always. Where’s the ball going to go? How far is the ball going to go? How short will it fall? I was always alert when it comes to weather. I was always alert of the weather before I got to the game. I was always aware of all that. With all that being said, I was prepared for it. Being in South Florida, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be hot, which is cool with me. It can’t be worse than Buffalo, because Buffalo was really, really cold. The wind was a factor. You’d have 20 mile per hour winds sometimes and just knowing the whole situation before you approach the game will help you out big time.”
(You mentioned the mentality that you guys took in Buffalo about playing in the cold. In Miami, it’s mostly nice weather like you said, but also early in the season it’s really hot. Like brutally hot. Can you bring that same mentality to that atmosphere early in the year and what do you remember about playing the Dolphins in really hot and humid weather coming from up north?) – “I remember two years ago when we played them down there, it was really, really hot the whole time. I feel like it was certain situations in that game where we lost. I feel like, yeah, it was hot, but we battled through pretty well. But we also battled through a lot of injuries that game too as well, if you guys can remember. Honestly, it’s really a non-factor to be honest. I’m going to be down there from April through the whole time. But the thing is, I stay in Georgia. It gets really hot here too. It doesn’t get as hot as there but it gets really hot. The thing is staying hydrated, staying up on your electrolytes and staying up on things that you need to eat throughout the whole week and approaching the game to stay on top of the effects of the sun. It’s really not going to be a factor. The approach to it is like, it’s the sun. Just enjoy the weather. It could be a lot worse. You could be in Buffalo where it’s cold and stuff. (laughter) I’m pretty sure I’m going to enjoy playing in the sun.”
(I read that you have a 40.5-inch vertical. What’s it like up there?) – “It’s enjoyable. (laughter) It’s very enjoyable. That’s one thing that I have done over the years is being very explosive. Explosive off the ball, explosive when I’m coming off the ball like at gunner, explosive when I’m on kickoffs. That’s one thing that I bring to the game is you will see and you guys can see very soon that I’m very explosive. With that being said, on special teams, that’s really, really affective. You can get a really good jump on guys being like that and that’s one thing I use, my explosiveness, to attack other people. I feel like if you can take one or two steps and you pass guys, you’ve won the battle already.”
(You are coming to a team that’s looking to break a playoff win drought. I’m curious what your experience in Buffalo in the postseason has taught you about what it takes to succeed in the playoffs?) – “Being in Buffalo, the thing is like you can’t wait until it gets here. You can’t wait until it gets here. The time is now. It starts now. It starts in the offseason. It starts when the team gets back in OTAs. It starts with the competitive nature throughout the OTAs. It starts where the team’s bonding. It starts there. It starts right there. I feel like with me and ‘Po’ (Jordan Poyer) joining the crowd, they already had a really good team. You got Tyreek Hill, you got (Jaylen) Waddle, you got Tua (Tagovailoa). We had Xavien Howard but he’s gone now. You got Jalen Ramsey. You got a lot of guys down there that are going to help win. Just adding me and ‘Po,’ adding me on the special teams side and adding ‘Po’ on the defensive side is really going to bring a tremendous spark to the team. One thing that me and ‘Po’ know how to do is we know how to bring it to somebody. One thing about us is we’re going to do it early. We’re going to do it really early. We’re not going to wait until the preseason. We’re not going to wait until the season kicks off. The time is now and the time is to go in with the team and get close with the team, team bond, get the guys on the same page. It’s definitely a team process throughout this whole thing to get this thing started. Now being in South Florida, we have the team to do that. We just know that, like I talked to the head coach (Mike McDaniel) yesterday, the coolest man on the planet. One of the coolest. Man, he’s so funny. He’s a great dude and to have a great dude in the head office can go a long way. It’s just like the spark and having fun throughout the whole process before you get there. And once you approach to the game and once you get to the game, you know that you can come out successful because it’s what you prepared for. Once you prepare for a lot of things and you work at a lot of things, a lot of things come to life. That’s one thing about me. I don’t want nothing given to me. I don’t want anything given to me. I like to take it. I just know it’s going to be a huge challenge to go from up there to down there. They’re a really good team. It’s going to be a challenge. It’s going to be a good game when it comes. But it starts now. It starts now. It’s time to work. It’s time to go to work. I’m excited to go to work. I’m excited for the opportunity. I thank the Dolphins and Fins nation for welcoming me in. The time is now. Once it starts off and when it kicks off in a couple weeks, from that to the time the season ends, we’re going to really work for it. No matter the ups and downs, there’s always going to be ups and downs, we’re going to pick up each other. We’re going to pick up all our brothers. Nobody is better than nobody and we understand that we’re all in this thing together. Once we do all that and we team bond and we come together, I’m pretty sure we’re going to get a lot done.”
LB Jordyn Brooks
(I have to start off by asking you, 184 tackles in one season. How does a guy compile that many tackles in one season and how many times do you wake up on a Monday morning feeling like you were in a car wreck?) – “Yeah, that’s every Monday morning after the game. I don’t know. I think it just comes from having instincts, being able to see the ball, willing to make certain tackles and just hustling. I think that’s one of the parts of my game that has been with me since I started playing, just always being around the ball and hustling, playing hard.”
(Can you walk us through your free agency? It was obviously brief, but how many teams were involved? Why the Dolphins? Was this a team that was always on your radar? How did it come about?) – “There were a few other teams. I think it was just the best situation as far as being on a winning team, a team that I thought was trending upwards and a team that I felt like could use my services, playing middle linebacker. So I think all those things played a role in it. Obviously, the coaching staff that they have here and what they’re trying to get done. All those things were attractive to me so I think that’s pretty much why I chose here.”
(I don’t know how much you talk to Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald earlier on, but did he tell you anything about Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver?) – “Yeah, I actually talked with Anthony Weaver. Knowing that he came from Baltimore and they had a lot of success last year in the things that they were doing, it was obviously another reason why I came. Knowing his track record and him having the opportunity to be defensive coordinator here, I think it was just why not, honestly.”
(I got a couple of things to ask you and they pertain to your rapid return from the ACL injury. No. 1, what was the key to your rapid return? Was it good biological, was it just good genetics or was it more of a mental mindset? How did you return so quickly? Eight months, I believe it was.) – “It was just praying, honestly. It wasn’t nothing I did. I did the normal rehab protocol all week, but I think it was just God honestly healing in me in the manner that he did. I didn’t think I’d come back that fast, but God’s timing is the perfect timing, so I tell everybody the same thing. I just prayed about it and put my head down and God, he blessed it. I think that’s the only answer I can give you as far as how I made the comeback.”
(And you may or may not know that LB Bradley Chubb is recovering from an ACL injury. I’m not asking you to comment on his recovery. Do you think it’s possible that players can come back as quickly as you did and be as effective as you did or do you consider yourself an exception?) – “No, I don’t consider myself an exception. I just think it’s whatever God’s plan is for that person in particular. Honestly, I just think it is whatever God has planned out for that person. I don’t think it’s just me that can come back in the manner of time that I came back. It’s anybody.”
(I see you had like six games last year where you had double digits in tackles. Can you just touch on the physicality aspect mentally that you plan to bring to this team?) – “I just think that’s my game. It’s the way that I play. Physical. I play fast. I think what I do can be impactful for this team and also still grow. I’ve really only been in the league for three years. I’ve been in the league four years, but really just been a starter for three years, so I just feel like I’m going upwards, and so I’m excited for this opportunity here and the ability and the attributes that I bring to the game.”
(Going back to your rookie season, you played alongside Bobby Wagner. Just can you just touch on the relationship that you had with him and some things that you learned from him early on?) – “He was like a big brother to me and I think I got in the perfect situation to be able to learn under him and learn some routine things and how to prepare throughout the week to get myself ready to play an NFL game. And then all the off the field type of things. It was great learning under him and playing beside him.”
(What have you already learned about the responsibilities that the specific role that you’ll be playing in this scheme, like how do they align? What are some of the things you’ve learned about that?) – “To be honest, we haven’t went over that as much. I think there’s still some things they’re trying to figure out scheme-wise and personnel-wise, so I don’t have much information to give you on that right now.”
(And everybody likes a big hit. Sometimes they say they’re taking big hits out of the game, but I know you’ve had some big hits. What is that like for you where you’re able to execute a big hit?) – “I think it brings excitement to the game. You don’t always get that opportunity in a game because a lot of guys are not going to just let you flat out hit them like that, so you’ve got to catch guys when you can. But whenever those opportunities come, I think it’s exciting. It brings excitement to the game and I think it brings the juice up on the sidelines and the players that are on the field with you, and so it definitely brings a lot of excitement to the game and I think it’s why fans love football, honestly.”
(I saw a video showing you fired up on the Seahawks sideline one game last year, really giving it to your teammates. Can you just explain the kind of intensity you bring to the game for those unfamiliar with you?) – “I’m a passionate football player. I love the game. That’s all I’ve done my whole life, so when I go out and play, I’m trying to win. I think the clip that you’re talking about, I wasn’t yelling at anybody, I was just trying to pick our spirits up on the sideline. I think we were down by a couple touchdowns in that game, and I just felt it was necessary to gather everybody up and try to pick guys up. There are highs and lows in the game, so I think what y’all saw was just my passion and love for the game and how bad I want to win.”
(Also you were in the NFC West for a while with CB Jalen Ramsey. What are your thoughts on his game, getting to watch him in those matchups and now the opportunity to be in the same defense as him?) – “I think everybody knows about him. (He is) a great football player, also a man of faith from what I can see. I think he’s a tremendous football player that I’ve watched, played against and now get to play with, so I’m excited for this opportunity.”
(I wanted to get your thoughts on being reunited with a former Texas Tech teammate WR Erik Ezukanma and your recollections of playing with him at Tech? And also I don’t know if you ever had any interactions during your time there with Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker at times, I guess, maybe when he went back on campus?) – “Yeah, it’ll be fun reuniting with him. It’s always good to have ex-teammates that you get to reunite with and also a fellow Texas Tech Red Raider with Wes Welker. So that’s pretty cool to be able to be in the same organization with these guys, knowing that we came from the same school.”
(How much are you enjoying the idea of going into a conference now where the guy to beat is yet another former college teammate? Of course, I’m talking about Patrick Mahomes.) – “Oh yeah, I’m excited for that opportunity as well. I played with him my first year there. It really was a big reason why I even went to Texas Tech. It’ll be fun to get to play against him and compete against him.”
(Tell me about how you became a Christian and what it means to you? How does it help you in football and in life?) – “I don’t know when I became (a Christian). I think it was just kind of how I was brought up, brought up in church. There’s a bible verse that says, ‘You bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he’s older, he won’t depart from it.’ I think I’m a living testimony of that, just being brought up in the church, so I think it’s always just been a part of me. I think it just goes hand in hand with everything I’m trying to do. I’m trying to be successful in my career, and that starts with God first, so I think everything flows through that.”
(You are a first-round pick. Obviously that’s a goal of any college player. You fought your way back from a serious ACL injury and still had a productive career and productive seasons as a starter. What is next for you in your career in terms of things that you want to accomplish?) – “I want to win a Super Bowl, and I want to help this team do that. Everything personally, I have my individual goals, but those things come secondary, and they will come as the team success comes. So I think my biggest goal is to win a Super Bowl.”
(What do you feel is the attribute that you bring most to a defense?) – “Explosiveness. I think I said in another interview that I personally think I’m one of the fastest guys in the NFL, not linebackers, but players period. I think my explosiveness is just a God-given ability that I feel is probably my best attribute.”
(There are a lot of fast people on this team. They might want to race you with that statement, though.) – “I’m ready, man.”
TE Jonnu Smith
(You’ve been in offenses that had RB Derrick Henry, a sledgehammer running back. Last year your Atlanta team had four 50-reception receivers. What do those options do for a passing game?) – “Obviously, you’ve got versatility, like you explained just now. Ultimately, you’ve got different guys with the ability to make plays with the ball in their hands and to make plays when the ball comes their way. Obviously what that does is put stress on the defense. So any time you have an opportunity to add guys who are dynamic in the passing game and to be able to create a group, you can do a lot of damage in this league, man. That’s part of the reason why I’m here.”
(I know your receiving game is pretty diverse. Are there one or two situations where you think you’re best, whether it’s goal line, short yardage, red zone?) – “During my career – I’ve been playing this game a long time. You can pull up film of me making plays from anywhere on the field. I think that as a pass catcher in this league, in order for you to be one of the top guys in whatever your respective position is, you’ve got to be able to make plays from anywhere on the field. That’s just something that I pride myself on and making sure that I’m an every-down player. You can use me in any situation.”
(What were some of the factors that made the Dolphins the right choice now?) – “That list is endless. I guess I’ll start with the opportunity to go and win a world championship. I think that adding me to this offense and to this system and to this team ultimately, I can be a solution to helping us now get to where we want to go. There’s obviously still a lot of work that needs to be put in. There’s obviously still a lot in front of us, but I just saw that vision and I thought it was a great opportunity.”
(How much did you know about Head Coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa before this process and how important were they in your decision making?) – “I guess I’ve got to give it to Hard Knocks, man. Hard Knocks told me a lot. Hard Knocks was a big help in helping me make my decision.”
(What in particular?) – “(laughter) In all seriousness, man, I actually watched it this offseason. I was late watching it. But it was the offseason, so I was like, you know what, I’m going to kick back and see what these guys are about. So I cut it on and kind of just caught myself binge-watching. I’m like, man, that would be a special group to be a part of. All of these guys from Mike McDaniel, Chris Grier, everybody in this building and the front office collectively made it happen. Obviously, everything happened on our end as well. This is home for me. At the end of the day, that also was a huge factor in me being here. And I’m just excited to be able to play for a city in which I live, which my family lives and be able to represent the city of Miami once again.”
(I wanted to ask you a little bit more about your new quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. Have you met him? What have you seen in his game that is appealing to you?) – “I haven’t had the opportunity to meet him face to face yet. But I’m sure, trust me, we’ve got a lot of time that we’re going to be spending together. But just looking at Tua on paper, he’s got it. In my eyes, I think he’s one of the top quarterbacks in this league. I think he’s one of, if not the most, accurate quarterback in this league. And that’s just from me watching from the outside in. Now that I’m actually here, I’m sure I’ll get to see that firsthand. He’s a great player, a great leader. I’ve had a lot of respect for his game since he played at Alabama. Just seeing him play, he was always a fun guy to watch play and I’m excited to catch some passes from him now.”
(What are your thoughts on being a tight end in an offense that has the kind of wide receiver speed the Dolphins have with WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “Yeah, you smile from ear to ear. That’s going to create a lot space. Those two speed guys, some of the fastest guys in the NFL, if not the fastest. That’s just going to cause so much havoc to the defense. To be able to use those guys to my advantage, those guys are going to be able to open up space. And likewise, me as well, just adding another pass-catching element to this offense and being able to get those guys open more. We’re all going to make each other better, all going to play off each other. And ultimately, I’m sure those guys are team guys. I’m a team guy. I think it’ll just be a great fit. I’m excited and looking forward to it.”
(How does it feel to be back in the city where you played your college ball? What memories do you have from FIU?) – “Oh man, yeah it’s literally right up the road. I remember stepping on campus at 17 years old not knowing nothing, kind of growing into my own, growing into a man during my four years at FIU. Obviously it holds a special place in my heart always because just the friendships that were built, the relationships from my teammates, coaches, staff. Some of those guys are still around. That’s college man. Those four years are arguably the most memorable four years of anyone’s life who get to experience that. For me, to have the opportunity to come back and literally you go a little farther south and that’s where I used to lay my head at night before practice in the morning, before class in the morning. There’s definitely some emotional ties there always. I’ll be super supportive of those guys throughout this season while I’m here, and I’m sure they’ll be super supportive of me. I’m looking forward to it. There’s a lot of great things that can come from this. I’m just soaking it all up.”
(I want to ask you about two aspects of your game that you can contribute to this team, both your YAC, yards after catch, and also abilities in the red zone, and how you feel those two things can add to this offense?) – “Yeah, just adding a physical element to that passing attack. Everybody when you look at the game, you kind of see pass catchers as flashy and highlights, but you have to be able to bring a physical presence as well to inflict your will on opponents and be able to, when it’s the fourth quarter and guys are tired and it’s late in the year, Week 13, 14, teams don’t want to tackle. That’s where we feast. I’m excited about my fit in this offense, my role in this offense, and the sky is the limit on what we’re going to be able to do. And obviously off the field as well, going into year eight now, obviously I’ve been around a long time. I’ve seen a lot of football, learned a lot, know a lot. Obviously there’s still a lot to learn. I’m never oblivious to the fact that we always have to continue to learn and get better ourselves no matter how much wisdom we’ve acquired over the years. But to be able to bring the leadership aspect to this team as well, it’s something that I’m holding myself accountable to as well.”
(What advice would you give to younger players in the league, especially those navigating free agency or changing teams?) – “It’s the NFL, anything can happen. It’s a business at the end of the day. To us, we just want to look at it as a game, but unfortunately, you’ve got the front offices of these different organizations that you have to deal with ultimately, so it becomes not so much of a game. You’ve got to kind of set your emotions aside. Man, listen, these decisions can get tough. Some guys may have to change situations or roles or whatever it may be, but ultimately you have to do what’s best for you and do what’s best for your family. Obviously, it’s not an easy process, but this is the NFL, man. Anybody would give so much up to be in our position, and it may not be easy going from team to team, that’s tough on some guys – you always want stability in any situation that you’re in, but soak it all in and wear it as a badge of honor. Not a lot of people get to play this game for a long time. I’m very grateful to be a part of this amazing league and organization, going on eight years now. It seems like yesterday when I came in here my rookie year and was trying to learn from these older guys and trying to just gain some knowledge any way that I can. So just for me to be that guy now that’s giving out wisdom, giving out knowledge to these younger guys, it’s a testament to how fast time can fly.”
(Can you touch on the Nu Family Foundation? How excited are you to contribute in the community with your foundation?) – “The Nu Family Foundation, this is a humungous organization that I get to actually be able to touch the city in which I’m playing in a little bit more, and be a little bit more hands-on because I’m here all year round now. We have a lot of great ideas with my Nu Family Foundation team, with my wife leading the charge. We want to continue to impact the community and impact the youth in the best way possible. I’m looking forward to that opportunity in the city of Miami tremendously.”
