Tuesday, April 30, 2024
OL Austin Jackson
(What’s the goals for you this offseason? Last year you started to look more like a defensive end than an offensive lineman. Props to you for the work that you put in. But what’s your vision for yourself this offseason?) – “My vision for myself this offseason is to be more consistent in how I want my technique to look. This was my first full year playing in this system last year. So now that I have more of a real baseline, I feel like I can improve a lot from there. So I’ve watched every game and recollect what I was thinking in those games. So I think from there I can make all my technique as consistent as I want it to look.”
(What goes into that? Is that film work mostly?) – “Yeah, it’s a combination of film, recognizing it on film, and then consciously improving the muscle memory on the field. So it’s a combination of both.”
(You guys have had some turnover on the offensive line this year. We haven’t talked to you since Robert Hunt left and Connor’s [Williams] still kind of up in the air, what his future is. Just your thoughts on what’s transpired this offseason and the new names you brought in?) – “We definitely miss those guys. Those were great guys in our room, great people altogether. But we returned a lot of guys from last year, including two of our position coaches. In terms of football, I think that’s really helpful for us moving forward because we kind of have a standard already set. So there are some things we can improve on versus starting back to Day 1 completely. So I think we have a good foundation going forward. And I think when we get to meet everybody, everybody new at least, we’ll transition just fine.”
(And a quick follow-up if I may, the Dolphins obviously took a tackle in round two, Patrick Paul. Curious if you’ve had a chance to talk to him yet? And what advice would you give him with a guy who’s got huge upside but obviously still needs to learn the pro game?) – “I would just say keep a sense of urgency and stay hungry. Most definitely, especially while you’re young. The league moves fast and if you’re not trying to get on top of it, you’re falling behind, meaning every day is a day to get better. I can’t way to meet you. I don’t think I’ve met him (Patrick Paul) yet.”
(You talked about the importance of the continuity with the offensive line coaches. Something that General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel both talked about when they drafted Patrick Paul, was the ability to get his technique up to speed and kind of harness those rare traits that he has. I’m curious if you can tell us about what Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry did last year to really help the entire offensive line kind of play better, in particular for you, just get your technique to where you wanted it to be?) – “Yeah, he was very forward in working with each and every individual in the room, one by one. He would do things like call guys one on one after the meeting, which is something that hasn’t happened since college if that makes sense. That’s just something that coaches don’t really spend a lot of time with at this level in my experience, but he’s one of those guys that can do that because he’s so serious about his work. So that’s why he can ask a lot of us and we can see what exactly he wants. That plays a big role in it. And also just I think his personality. He’s very passionate for the game. I think that makes it easy for players to feed into and understand where he’s coming from. I think he has all the tools to help anybody.”
(I’m doing something on the stresses that players could be under during OTAs and training camp and things that we don’t see. And so I’m wondering when you’re talking about making as a youngster, maybe $300,000 versus $50,000 and having to wear a suit every day or if you’re rehabbing an injury or if you’re a youngster, your reps against the vets or learning a new system. Tell me about some of those stresses that we don’t see that youngsters could be going up against or battling in OTAs and training camp.) – “I would say a big thing for youngsters and OTAs and training camp, is I guess you could fall asleep, meaning there’s not much asked of you up front. You’re just evaluated on everything. So the type of player you are, your best is your best guy. So if you get three reps in training camp, those three reps need to look great. There shouldn’t be a rep where you’re making a mistake someone in the first team made, because technically you already saw that mistake. I would just say like not falling asleep. You have to constantly be on yourself more than what’s asked of you at the time. Just because it’s not asked of you right now doesn’t mean you don’t want to be in that situation later in your career one day. And a lot of times I’ve seen guys come in and just kind of let themselves fall asleep with their work ethic.”
(How conscious are you of that? When does it pop into your mind? Before you go to bed or when you’re having a meal or when you’re stretching or weight room? How often does that pop into your mind? I can’t fall asleep, I have got to be sharp?) – “It’s a daily thing for me. I’m not perfect. I definitely think looking back on my career, there’s some definitely some situations I wish I had a different sense of urgency on. But once you understand it, you realize it’s an everyday thing. That’s what it is. Every day I show up to work. The NFL, some call it the ‘Not For Long’ league or whatever. That’s all true. You’ve got to take every day like it might be your last day. That sounds so morbid, but it’s true.”
(We’ve kept hearing this offseason that Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry has been a major selling point for free agents and draftees wanting to play for the Dolphins. They want to play in Miami for Head Coach Mike McDaniel and for Butch Barry. So I’m curious, your first impression of him that let you know that, oh wow, this is a coach that I really would like to play for or that I really am excited to play for. Was it when he called you in for a one-on-one meeting for the first time? Or was there a moment before that?) – “I would say one of the biggest moments was, I think we were coming into preseason of last year. It was my first preseason game. I didn’t have the performance I wanted to have or I forget – something happened in practice, something along those lines where I wasn’t getting the job done. And yeah, Butch heard me out and he helped me out with what I needed to do to get better and he didn’t do it on his time, meaning I had to go to him outside of his meeting time and it was a one-on-one deal. But he just put a lot of effort into me, I would say. There’s been times where you don’t have anyone who’s willing to meet you there with the extra effort. But he’s always been there and he’s serious about his job. Very serious, and that benefited me.”
(Considering how it was a difficult first few years of your NFL career with just injuries and moving around and alignments and continuity changes on the offensive line staff room, how much did it mean to you to get that kind of attention and get that kind of support after, like you said, a practice or a game that you didn’t feel like you gave your best in?) – “It was good. It was good and it wasn’t just me that got that attention. Let me specify that. It wasn’t like he went out (of his way) just for me. But that’s the type of energy he carries for all his players. He just kind of feeds off the room. Then you have 11 guys who are truly trying to play at their best feeling hopeful, feeling good.”
(We’re all happy for Christian Wilkins that he got his 110 million dollars. I happen to think that DT Zach Sieler can help kind of fill the void of the things that Christian did successfully. What attributes do you think those guys might have that are a bit similar?) – “They both – well we call Zach ‘Sack Sieler.’ He’s great at rushing the passer. They both are great at rushing the passer and I think they both play very similar thinking back on it now. While they were here, they were very close. I think they both admired each other’s game and work ethic. I see Zach carrying that same speed on the line, speed and aggression, disrupting the line, fighting the offensive line for first contact, but also staying dangerous with the lateral game as well. Zach’s also able to move very well laterally. Zach and Christian themselves both did really well in the stunt games because they can play off of each other. So I think that’s something that’s still able to be created with Zach. And they’re just both really fast, shifty guys who are powerful.”
(The Dolphins drafted a Trojan. Do you know [Tahj Washington]? Or have any connections to him?) – “He got there right when I left in 2020, but I know of him pretty well. Still a Trojan every day. So I definitely watched his film, watched his games.”
(I still marvel at the fact that you’re going into Year 5 in the NFL and you’re not 25 yet. That’s kind of crazy to me. So I wonder if you can touch on that? And also where do you feel you are in your career? Both in terms of how far you’ve come along and how much more is left for you?) – “I think I’m at a great point in my career to keep getting better honestly. I’ve been able to do just that in my first five years and I’m looking forward to taking the experience I have and just building on top of that. Want to be the best player I can be. That’s all I hope for every day, every season. So I think I’m at a great spot with my previous knowledge to just keep getting better, keep improving.”
(I wonder if you can take us through the process of what you mentioned earlier about watching tape? You had 989 snaps last season. Did you watch all 989? Are you in a room alone doing it? When you see a play that made you unhappy, maybe a pressure or one of the handful of sacks you allowed last year, do you watch it like four or five times and take notes? Take us through that process if you could, please.”) – “I wouldn’t say all 900. I’d say probably 500, 600 because I don’t watch a lot of runs. It’s mostly pass protection stuff and how I want my body position to look per se. So after every game I see what I got beat on. And that’s really the basis of what I watch going into the next game. Okay, so did I make that same mistake? If yes or no, then I can kind of put a sense of urgency on what I need to fix right away. And then if I have a long list of stuff I need to fix, then that’s a separate issue to figure out.”
(But you’ve watched some just at home this offseason? As you said maybe about 500 snaps just to see where you could improve technique?) – “Yes.”
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
DT Zach Sieler
(So what were your emotions this offseason, just seeing Christian Wilkins leave? Obviously you guys are so close; A., from a personal standpoint and then B., how it impacts you as a player in terms of what kind of attention you think you might get now for opposing teams without Christian next to you?) – “Yeah, obviously, it’s one of those bittersweets. It’s awesome, I loved playing with the guy, but I’ll tell you, it’s great seeing him get paid and go somewhere else and make an impact over there. But in reality, this defense and this d-line isn’t built off of just him or him and I or whoever inside. It takes a whole rotational front. It takes everybody up front. So it’s been really cool getting to know these, getting to play with these new guys coming in and learning their techniques and habits and how we can play off each other this year.”
(Speaking of DT Jonathan Harris and DT Neville Gallimore?) – “Yeah, Harris, Tartt, Benito (Jones) is coming back. ‘D. Hand’ (Da’Shawn Hand) from last year, (Brandon) Pili, seeing him grow. It’s been really cool.”
(With Christian, was it something you saw coming the whole way? Were you surprised by it? What?) – “Honestly, I had no idea. I was along for the ride. Would I love if he was here, would I love if he’s gone; it doesn’t matter. It’s just it is what it is. It’s the business and hopefully he has a great impact over there.”
(And you mentioned some of the new defensive tackles. What are your impressions from all those guys? Anything stand out from any of them?) – “It’s been great getting to know them. Some of those guys are really twitchy, active with their feet and really kind of watching that and it’s going to be really cool as we go through OTAs with Coach Weaver, (Austin) Clark and all these guys kind of learning how we grow together and build a really good defense this year.”
(So any of them standing out as applicants to be pepper to your salt?) – “I think there’s a few, yes. (laughter)”
(What’s it like for you being a guy who seventh-round pick, joining an organization after being waived and now being viewed as sort of a cornerstone for defensive line?) – “I really take pride in that. Obviously there’s a lot of guys that that’s happened to, but to be in this position that I’m at now is kind of just – it’s a blessing and it’s really something that I don’t take lightly. Make sure I set a good example and lead accordingly with the guys and just telling them, ‘Hey, look, anyone can get there. Trust me.’ I looked bad coming down here. My feet weren’t right, my hands weren’t right. Me and (Austin) Clark talk about it all the time and it was during COVID. We weren’t in the building so he couldn’t correct me, we couldn’t get things done as fast or as productively as we’d like. So just kind of working through those phases just kind of really helps – looking back on those times helps me just kind of realize, ‘Hey look, it doesn’t matter what it is. If you work hard, you can make it.’”
(And how is the baby, sir?) – “He’s doing great. Him and Mom are doing awesome. Everyone is healthy. It’s been a blessing, getting these schedules down and getting into OTAs again is awesome. Family is coming down to help so it’s been a real blessing.”
(What’s your shift?) – “I take the four to six window. Mom is taking the one to three. I’ve been doing the four to six so I’ll wake up, kind of get him, get the dogs out and then head into work. So it works out good. Been great.”
(Your statistics are very similar to Christian Wilkins’ over the last four years in the areas of tackles, sacks, quarterback hits and tackles for loss. Now that Christian has moved on, do you believe that you can do some of the things that Christian did that you can elevate your game to some next step or next level?) – “I think with or without Christian, no matter what, that’s the goal every year. So that’s my plan. I don’t care who’s next to me; I’m going to find a way to make it work and we’re going to make it right.”
(From a leadership perspective are you now the leader of the defensive front?) – “I’d say there’s a few guys. We’ve got (Bradley) Chubb, Jaelan (Phillips), myself and I think it’s something that we’ve built as a culture here especially in our room as a d-line, is if you know the technique even if you’re not a starter, you’re a leader. Like if you can help teach other guys technique, help view each other’s plays; we’re all in it together. We’re all trying to make a living for our families so it’s kind of something we all work on together.”
(It’s funny we don’t lump LB Bradley Chubb and LB Jaelan Phillips with you guys. We call them edges. Do you guys look at it differently? Do guys actually lump yourselves together?) – “How many of us rush the passer together? How many of us stop the run together? It takes the whole front. So we do lump all of us together on the d-line. Yeah, Jaelan (Phillips) and (Bradley) Chubb might be a little more athletic than us, (laughter) but we’re still d-linemen.”
(Who was more upset about Christian leaving? You or Hannah?) – “She was super heartbroken, too. (laughter) Just a great friend there and it’s going to be – it’s been a good few weeks kind of learning the new guys, working with (Austin) Clark and just growing together. It’s going to be awesome.”
(Related question, I guess and unrelated in a way. Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver – We haven’t really gotten a chance to see his defense. Well certainly we saw it in Baltimore and Houston, but not in Miami. Your understanding is how he uses defensive linemen? How is it different than maybe some guys in the past?) – “We’re still learning. It’s early. It’s been really cool to learn these couple weeks, three weeks now. Learning the system and kind of how we work through things and his vision on how offenses will attack us in his defense. It’s been – the last three years – it’s been kind of different guys and now it’s just kind of growing as another step in the process and it’s been really incredible to see how he grows and just how he approaches the game from an ex-player and coaching for so long and where he did. It’s been really interesting.”
(Do you prefer playing one-gap or two-gap?) – “Depends. I like both. It depends on the style of offense we’re going against and it depends on the players we’re going against. I think one thing that we always pride ourselves on is being multiple here, so if I can set the edge and play really good one-gap or if I can kind of rack the tack and play both A and B gap, it’s both a valuable asset either way.”
(I’m doing something on the mental pressures that players could be under, especially lower-round draftees. Right now OTAs and during training camp, there’s income differences between making it and not making it. You might have an ankle injury – the reps against the best, learning a new system. What’s going through your mind? How do you keep your mind clear and focused on achieving your NFL dream?) – “Obviously it’s a hard path. Not a lot of us make it and it takes a long time – I mean, it took me six, seven years to get to where I’m at. It’s staying determined and it’s staying right as in knowing, ‘Hey, look, I’m here for a reason. It might be hard, I might not be having the best plays, I might be getting confused on there, the speed of the game is going crazy.’ It’s just taking those times, watching those reps, watching the plays, watching the older guys and just learning off of their techniques and habits. Especially coming as a rookie, a lot of guys think they might have been – they were probably the best player in their college. Most of those guys are and you come into a place where you’re now one of the lowest on the totem pole. And it’s humbling. You’ve kind of got to re-establish yourself and learn the game in a whole new light because a lot of these guys have been playing. When I came to Baltimore as a rookie, I was playing next to Terrell Suggs, Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce. Guys that had been playing, six, seven, 16 years and kind of learning how they view the game.”
(And then let me ask you from a different perspective if you’re a vet, if you’ve been in the league seven or eight years, you’re bouncing around, you’ve got a family that you’ve got to put food on the table for; are the pressures any different? Talk from that perspective?) – “There are absolutely different pressures no matter where you are at in life. Obviously if you have kids and a wife and a family, there is a whole other level of stress there. I think one of my blessings as a rookie was that I didn’t have kids at the point. So it was kind of just me. It was just, ‘hey, what can I focus on myself?’ And a lot of those vets have all that extra pressure and it’s finding a way to work through those pressures and make sure that you can perform on Sundays and do the best you can every day.”
(We talked a lot about DT Christian Wilkins leaving and you guys played so many reps on the interior together that you guys had such a good feel for what each other was going to do. I’m curious what your process is for trying to learn how to execute rush games with so many new guys?) – “It’s a matter of kind of what I hit on, is learning the new players. How does he like to rush, what does he like to do? Is here a twitchy guy, a power guy, whatever. And learning how to play off of each other and adapting to that. That’s what it is. That’s the NFL. Players go places. It’s awesome to see him go and get paid where he’s at. All the blessings to him, love him. Just hoping he can strive – I know he’ll kill it out there – but now it’s getting right over here in Miami.”
(I know you’ve gotten about 40 questions about Christian. I’m not going to ask about Christian, but he’s not the only guy that is no longer on the team. There’s been a lot of turnover defensively and a new defensive coordinator. I’m curious what is the process of I guess learning a new system like that? Like at what point, what checkpoints do you expect things to be clicking for your team as a whole?) – “I think as we go through the install, as we go through, okay, I got these guys behind me, I got these guys next to me, I got this guy with me here, learning how they play. Who’s the talkers, who’s the guys that quiets down, who’s just kind of sitting there listening, or who’s trying to actively talk before each play and make the right checks and corrections. And then learning how to play off of that, learning how – and then also I think a big part of it and that’s what we pride ourselves on upfront is trying to somewhat anticipate what the coach is going to call, what Coach (Anthony) Weaver is going to call. Like, ‘Okay, he’s probably going to go this front or this package against these guys. We’ve doing this this week. Let’s look at this so you can anticipate and play with and edge instead of trying to respond.’”
(Is it hard to learn new systems in back-to-back years like you guys are having to, or is it almost easier in a sense that you only had one year in that system, it’s not like it’s been a four-year thing you’re having to have to unlearn?) – “There are pros and cons to everything. Yeah, if you keep playing the same system, you might be able to learn more intricate details. With this new system you’re going to learn how to play in things and shed a new light on how offenses can work. You’ll know, ‘Hey, look, we’ve called something similar to that. Okay, I’ve played that before. I know what that technique is like so you have that (unintelligible). So there are benefits to both ways obviously.”
(My question deals with workload. Both you and DT Christian Wilkins last year were in about the 85 percent range in terms of defensive snaps. How much do you think you might benefit from perhaps a slightly lesser workload? Or do you think it makes no difference whatsoever?) – “I think it just depends on how we’re feeling. Playing some offenses, it might benefit to play less; some offenses it might benefit to stay out there. Being out there and taking those kind of snaps, you get in a nice groove. You get a feel for the offense, feel for the players you’re going against and kind of how the game is flowing and you’re a part of it actively the whole time. And then obviously the flip side is, you take more plays off, you’re more fresh, all that kind of stuff. But I think what I’ve always prided myself on is making sure that if I’m needed, I’m there and ready to play. And I think that’s the whole goal of the NFL, is your availability is your best ability.”
(As a quick follow-up would you anticipate more of a rotational situation on the interior of the defensive line this season?) – “It’s still early. I don’t know how we’re calling things yet or what it’s going to look like. But like I said. I’m ready for anything.”
(With the addition of Anthony Weaver at defensive coordinator and his primary focus is mostly on the defensive line. How beneficial is it to have him come in this year especially after these last two shortcomings in the postseason?) – “It’s been really cool seeing him come in, obviously him being a player and then him coaching now and being such an upfront mind. Is seeing how he views everything. What he likes in the run game, what he likes in the pass game, how he like to attack things, or what his approach is. And then learning from him and kind of just seeing how it can make our game go to the next level.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
WR Tahj Washington
(Tell me about where you thought you would go in this draft and what your reaction is to being a seventh-round pick? Excited? Disappointed? Tell me about this day.) – “I was graded to go anywhere between the fourth and the seventh. I’m very excited to have this opportunity to play in Miami. The seventh round is where I so happened to land, and I’m just grateful for the opportunity to play at the next level.”
(Tell me about your special teams background and experience. What have you done? How vital do you think that will be for you making this 53-man roster?) – “That’s huge. Special teams has always been a part of my game. Coaches have had to beg me over the years to take maybe one off and things like that. Gunner on punt, corner on punt return, kickoff returner, off returner, a lot of history in special teams. I love to compete. Anytime I get the opportunity to be on the field, I want to be out there.”
(What has this process been like for you? Obviously, I saw you transferred to USC this season and had an amazing season this past year. At what point did you think me getting drafted to the NFL was a reality?) – “Probably going into the bowl game this past season, people asking whether I should play or not. It’s kind of a question for guys getting drafted are asked. I decided to play, and at the end of the day I ended up having a great game in it, so I’m very grateful for that.”
(How do you become such a YAC king? It looks like you were one of the best yards after catch receivers in NCAA football this year.) – “Just growing up playing running back mostly. I’m the youngest of a big family – well not anymore, but growing up, I was always the youngest and had to run away from a lot of folks. It just made me more physical and elusive, I would say.”
(How much do you know about the Dolphins offense and do you have any ties or connections with anybody on the team?) – “Chasen Hines is a guy also from Marshall. He’s the only guy from here that is in the NFL as well. Just watching this past season on Hard Knocks in-season… (inaudible) I know it’s a great organization… (inaudible) I’m excited to learn under those guys and the staff and just help this team any way that I can.”
(Your thoughts on joining a wide receiver corps that includes maybe the two fastest guys in the league with WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “I’m excited. I’m excited. I’ve got to see it in person. I’m used to being in a loaded receiver room. It will be fun to learn from those guys and take notes from those guys and compete at the end of the day.”
(Did you say you had to run away from a lot of people? Did I hear you right?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. (laughter)”
(Explain that. What do you mean by that?) – “Just growing up in Texas, we were big on football, so just playing in the yard. I was the youngest of a lot of cousins, so if you get hit, we’re rough. (laughter) So just trying to be elusive, but I always was never afraid to get out there. It was always fun to me.”
(So your size, did guys always want to hit you harder or did they think they could play you? How did your size play into your football career?) – “Shoot, it made me more rough. When I was smaller, I had to show everybody just because you’re big don’t mean nothing. (laughter) I had to just show them that. Just growing up in that type of environment, it helps a lot, just to be able to showcase that when I had opportunities to play organized ball.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
WR Malik Washington
(I saw you led all receivers last year with broken tackles after the catch. In the past head coach Mike McDaniel has talked about the importance of YAC in this offense. I’m curious how you feel that your strengths in that area fits with Miami?) – “I think the way that they run their offense, the motions, the different ways they use people to get open and allow them to be themselves, allow them to work, I think that is very beneficial to me. Just getting a chance to find some underneath routes, find some ways to get open and let that YAC – a big piece of my game – and let that shine through.”
(Reading some of the stuff scouts have said about your game, they compliment your toughness. I’m curious how that was cultivated in your past. How did you get to that reputation of being a tough player?) – “Some of that stuff you can’t cultivate, you have to be born with it. You have to be born with a certain mindset, a certain toughness, and I feel like ever since I started playing football, that’s just how I played. That’s how I play the game, that’s how I see the game. It’s going to be hardnosed. You’re going to have to stick your nose in there and get dirty sometimes.”
(Playing in the slot, you were just talking about toughness. Tell me how that toughness comes into play? You’re going in a lot of traffic and having to fight a lot of people off?) – “Like you said traffic, there’s going to be linebackers, corners and safeties in play when you’re running your routes and catching the ball, just being ready for that. I think it’s a since of urgency you have to have. You have to have some awareness to know where guys are coming from, but that toughness is going to shine through once you catch that ball, once you’re going over the middle. That’s something that’s got to be huge in my game.”
(A lot of guys drafted on Day 3 need to have some special teams abilities. What’s your special teams background, have you checked into the new special teams rules? Have you checked into it a little bit to see how you might fit in there?) – “Yes, of course. I’ve seen the new rule change and I think I can be beneficial there. But I also think wherever the coaches put me, wherever they place me I’m ready to go, I’m ready to attack. Whatever role they give me, just do my best at it, make the most of it.”
(Have you played special teams? High school or college?) – “Yes, in high school I was the punt returner for four years, and in college I did some kick return.”
(Looking at your numbers you had a good last two years at Northwestern and then exploded that one year at Virginia. What clicked for you there when you transferred over to Tony Elliott’s system? What was that moment that everything just seemed to come together for you?) – “I think what you’ll see in kind of those trends is just every year, we’re getting better and better. Finding ways to get open, finding different ways to play the game, finding different thing about myself, gaining some confidence. I also think transitioning over to a Tony Elliott and Des Kitchings offense, they allowed me to be that player. They allowed me to be the central piece to that offense, and I think when we did that, got me the ball in space, got me the ball in the ways I felt like was best at, we saw an increase in numbers. We saw an increase in volume, and we saw a better product than we had years before.”
(You were a central focal point in Virginia. You’re joining an offense that’s already got WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle, as you’re well aware. Based on your conversations with Head Coach Mike McDaniel and General Manager Chris Grier. Where does your skillset fit into an offense that has so many guys that can do so many special things with the ball in their hands?) – “I’m sure I’ll get with the coaches and we’ll talk more about specific roles and stuff like that, but I’m joining the best receiver room in the NFL. I’m joining Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – guys that have proven themselves, guys that have just done a great job at being receivers, done a great job at being a great ballcarriers and great people as well. If you’ve ever seen them, I think what I have to do is come in, learn from those guys, take it all in and earn my way, earn my keep.”
(On WR Tyreek Hill, can you speak more on what you know about him as a player, how much you watched him growing up? Do you model your game at all after him?) – “It’s kind of hard to model your game after that guy when he’s running up and down the field and stuff – not many people can do what he can do. But just the toughness, the size, of course, the speed, the way he plays the game, you can tell he plays with an attitude. He plays with an edge. That’s something that you have to take in. Especially as a rookie, you’ve got to come in right away and take heed to that, learn from that and figure out ways to work alongside him. Figure out ways to learn and follow in his footsteps.”
(I wanted to ask about your pre-draft process and the meetings you had with the Dolphins or maybe didn’t have with the Dolphins. Just your pre-draft interactions with Head Coach Mike McDaniel, General Manager Chris Grier, and the rest of the Dolphins staff?) – “We talked a little bit. I don’t want to get into specifics of what we talked about, but just know it was good.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
S Patrick McMorris
(I wanted to ask you about the whole pre-draft process, getting the phone call, just how this whole last several months played out to now being with the Dolphins?) – “It was great. Just from Combine workout, Hula Bowl, All-Star games, and just kind of playing this waiting game after that Combine, just talking to a few coaches here and there. Being able to get that call was definitely an amazing experience. I’m still kind of shocked and definitely happy. It was definitely a great experience those four months.”
(What would you say the Dolphins are getting in Patrick McMorris? What skillset do you offer?) – “I’m a discipline player. I’m aggressive. I’m able to play inside the box as well as outside, play in Cover 2 high safety look. I’m a smart and intelligent player who loves the game.”
(I wanted to ask about the day today, getting that call. I don’t know if there was stress or if there was anxiety waiting for the moment? Tell me about the excitement. Tell me about the stress. Tell me about the joy. Tell me about today.) – “It was a weird thing. I’ve been getting spam calls, and I thought this was just another one because I picked up and nothing went through for a couple seconds so I hung up. Then they called back again and then someone picked up. It was definitely kind of a little weird experience right there. The whole phone call, it’s just so surreal. You watch it on TV, you watch these guys get picked year-in and year-out seeing those videos of them getting the call. Now you’re being in that moment, it’s definitely a crazy experience. It was a dream of mine to get drafted and be able to play in the NFL. So just kind of continuously living out that dream, it was definitely an exciting moment. I’m still a little shaky right now. But I’m definitely happy.”
(When did you start watching the draft today? It came on at noon our time. Did you start as soon as it came on? And what was your feeling as each pick went on? Were you expecting you name to be called? How was that?) – “Right, so 9 a.m. my time, 12 p.m. your time, noon. I watched the full four through six (rounds) as of now. I woke up and watched it, just kind of seeing how many safeties were going to get drafted. I think it was like 14 or 15 ahead of me. So I knew teams still needed some safeties and just kind of hoping that a team would take a chance on me, and I’m glad the Dolphins did.”
(Tell me about the decision to transfer. Why did you do it? What all went into that?) – “So the main thing for me transferring from San Diego State to Cal was my older brother. He was, at the time, coaching at Utah and ended up getting a GA job with Cal where he played football as well and graduated from there. So he ended up getting a GA job during the spring, and I was able to kind of look at my options and see what the best fit for me was – if it was staying at San Diego State or leaving and going somewhere else. Like I said, that just kind of all aligned and it was just perfect timing for me to go into the portal, graduate from San Diego State as well and be a grad transfer and go to Cal and play under my brother. Cal has a great system and brought out a decent amount of safeties, I believe it’s like five or six in the past four years. So I knew I was going to go to a good program that had good coaches with Justin Wilcox and how he runs his defense, I knew I was going to go to a place I’m going to play and be wanted. So that kind of whole process, like I said, was kind of perfect timing with my brother and being able to go out there and just play.”
(You probably could’ve stayed at Cal because of COVID-19, right? Maybe you could’ve got another season. If that’s the case, why did you decide to come out now?) – “No, I had played my four seasons at San Diego State, my freshman year to my senior year. So without that COVID year, I would’ve had to come out last year. But thankfully with the COVID year, I was able to go back to college and be able to transfer to Cal.”
(What is your special teams experience, either in college or high school? And how much of a factor do you think that will be making this 53-man roster?) – “Yeah, I mean I played special teams all throughout high school and college. High school, I was mainly a returner, but going into college and being a bigger safety, I played on all four special teams my first two years at San Diego State. Then I was able to keep continuing playing special teams throughout my time at San Diego State and at Cal. So I’ve played special teams for five years now.”
(Have you ever been to South Florida and how excited are you to live down here?) – “I have not been to South Florida. I’ve been to Orlando for a little vacation, but besides that, that’s it.”
(Did you have any inkling that Miami was possibly going to draft you? Had you had much conversation with them or talk with them?) – “After the Combine, I had not talked to the Dolphins. A text here from the scout, but besides that, I hadn’t talked to the Dolphins throughout. But I had some good conversations when I was at the Combine with them.”
(So was today a surprise to you?) – “For the most part, yeah. But like I said, I knew some teams needed some safeties and we were expecting them to draft some safeties. So I was expecting to get picked up within the sixth or seventh round.”
(So it’s just a matter of you figuring out the spam call was actually the Dolphins huh?) – “(laughter) Yes sir.”
(Can you talk about how much you think your one season at Cal may have helped you get to where you are today?) – “Yeah, I mean I think it helped me tremendously. Being able to show that I can learn a whole new playbook within a short amount of time, be able to play in the Pac-12 where you have all these great quarterbacks who played this year, and kind of transitioning from a more interior safety where I was at San Diego State to more of a traditional safety and be able to roll down or play free. Cal helped me with that just because of our scheme and what we ran, so I think it definitely was a big help for me. And again, with just Cal’s record of bring out safeties, it was definitely a help.”
(Have the Dolphins told you anything about what they expect or what opportunity you’ll have with them?) – “We had some conversations. As of right now, I don’t know as much. But like I said, I’ve had some good conversations and am hoping to have some more.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Chris Grier:
(What do you feel like you guys achieved in Day 3 of the draft?) – “I feel like we’ve added good football players – guys that we’ve targeted at positions and felt good about to contribute, guys that we feel have upside and again, the most important thing that we always talk about is competitive guys that love ball, that won’t blink coming in here and will jump into the fray and be good teammates. It will be fun watching these guys battle it out during training camp.”
(How much do you feel this draft helps the team win in 2024?) – “We always feel that way but it remains to be seen. Nobody is given anything here. We have some good players on the roster here and these guys are going to have to work to beat them out and earn spots, but yes, we selected them because we feel they have a chance to contribute. But again, they have to earn it. Nothing is given. I think Mike (McDaniel) and his staff have shown that over their two years here that you earn your playing time here.”
(Trading up for a running back in RB Jaylen Wright, you worked hard to get those compensatory picks next year. Why are you confident in using one now here?) – “Well, you can’t use the compensatory picks until this time next year, so the ones we anticipate were all protected. But it gave us some flexibility to move around, as we talked about us being active and trying to move up in the draft previously. For us, we had Jaylen (Wright) in on a 30-visit here and enjoyed spending time with him here. We spent a lot of time getting to know him and obviously his explosiveness on the field and what he does as a running back. His toughness again, he’s another guy that when Mike (McDaniel) started really watching him, he was excited for, as well as our scouts identifying him. It was the ability to add a good football player. Everything is about competition. It’s a good group of guys and they understand that. So for us to add a good football player that we really liked and valued there on the board, it was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Mike McDaniel:
(How fierce of a competition do you plan to have at running back?) – “I think all players benefit. There’s supreme urgency to do right with the ball if you deserve to have it. Yeah, the competition is fierce. I’m fired up because we have a group of competitors that will satisfy the thirst for them. It will be fierce. Depth comes into question each and every year, so you’re always looking for a full roster. I was excited that Chris (Grier) was excited to trade and add a player to the class and the competition, really across the board for our team.”
(A question about the team’s composition. You added more speed. Do you think you have the necessary physicality and toughness? Did you add it in the draft? Did you add it in the offseason? How much of a factor do you think that is?) – “It’s interesting to me that a component, the fast guys that we have on our football team – yes, we like the fast guys, but it starts as football players. There’s a lot of football players we like and when we have opportunities at different areas of the draft, our starting point isn’t speed, but covering space in a limited amount of time, how fast you play on the football field. When the opportunity presents itself and Chris (Grier) asks if you want to trade for Tyreek Hill, you do that. You draft players because they’re football players, and if they’re fast, that’s cool.”
(How do you envision WR Malik Washington fitting into the offense?) – “I think he is competing. The part of Malik that we like the most is there are some professional football players in that room that he’s going to have to compete against to get opportunities. We identified him as a person and an athlete that would be up for the challenge and that’s a tall task. So you know that when you’re looking at these guys and that’s one of the reasons we felt he was a fit to be here.”
(On his reaction to that pick on TV) – “(laughter) It’s always confusing because everything on TV is on a delay and every single time, 100 percent of the time when we make the pick, that’s when the pick happens. So it is always the footage of what I’m doing after we make a pick maybe four minutes later. It was probably something hilarious that Chris Grier said that was my reaction. But yeah, we did a lot of homework. It was a cool orchestration of us as coaches and me with my working relationship with Chris for three years, you could feel it manifest itself where we had conviction and knew and had talked through all of the scenarios. We had conviction at each and every spot. I’m really excited for the entire draft class just because there was a lot of work put into it and we had a lot of conviction in each and every pick.”
Chris Grier:
(Can you explain what goes into the process now of looking into the undrafted guys, obviously once the seventh round is done and the draft is over?) – “It’s a lot of work that the coaches and the scouts do together. At that point, Mike and I, really a lot of it is the front board as people call it, of the draft board. But the back end of the draft, you guys have always heard, it is the scouts’ Super Bowl. So working with that and the coaches, that’s where the coaches and scouts take pride in the work on the back end of trying to figure out the players who aren’t fortunate enough to get drafted, figuring out how they fit onto your roster and needs. Again, some of that is always determined by positions you’ve selected. There will be some people that won’t send certain players to different teams because they’ve drafted a couple of players at that spot. So it just makes it challenging when you go through it but everybody deals with it. It’s a lot of relationships and communication and fits when you do it. But it’s the collaboration with the scouts and the coaches – and those guys deserve a lot of credit for the back end players and the free agents.”
(Can you talk about your success in that area recently? CB Kader Kohou, CB Nik Needham, you know the list. What goes into that and why have you guys been so successful with the undrafted guys?) – “It’s the collaboration, and that’s always been very important. Over the years, we’ve done well there. I think that’s the scouts and coaches. They put a lot of time into it. This isn’t something everyone is just getting together right now on at the end of the draft. This has been going on for weeks of the scouts communicating and talking with Mike (McDaniel) and I and going through it. A lot of credit again goes to the scouts and coaches for grinding those back end guys and free agents for how they fit for our team and how the coaches want to work with them and develop them.”
(What is it about LB Mohamed Kamara that intrigued you guys to kind of double down at that position?) – “We were kind of surprised he was there. It’s just how physical and how fast. The guy has a tremendous motor. When you watch him play, he just plays hard. He’s relentless, his motor and just loves football. Someone showed Mike (McDaniel) and I some quote that he was talking with you guys and you feel that passion in him. This guy loves football and is very prideful and feels he’s better than some people that were selected in front of him and he made it known. He’s very excited to be here and that we took a chance on him.”
(The first two picks in particular, LB Chop Robinson and T Patrick Paul, they’re both extraordinary athletes who aren’t really fully formed according to the scouts. When you’re sitting there thinking, “OK, it’s been a long time since we won a playoff game. Everybody wants to be in win now mode.” How do you process “I think this guy can be a Pro Bowler in two or three years,” versus, “Maybe this guy is a little more ready to help us in 2024 right now.” Take me into that mindset and process.) – “We don’t really worry about what other scouts and other people say. It’s about dealing for the Miami Dolphins and how we feel where the player is at this stage and what he needs to do to develop as a player and what he can contribute and do. We’re always talking about how we think the player fits in and what he can contribute this year possibly. There’s no guarantees or absolutes, but we feel strongly in the players and believe in them. We’re still trying to win this year. This is not about worrying about two, three years down the line. We’re all about having the best team possible this season.”
Mike McDaniel:
“And just because the player has an upside – we had a very deliberate approach to the entire draft on getting guys on the team that would compete and make us better right now. Some guys are determined by other people that they have a higher ceiling or whatever. We just get the guys in the building and let them prove that themselves.”
Chris Grier:
(Chris, you’ve been tied with WR Odell Beckham Jr. obviously in the past. We’ve talked a lot about that. I was curious, Dalton Risner the guard and Tyler Boyd the wide receiver, has there been contact with their agents? Is this going to be a time now where you go and target key veterans at starting positions?) – “We always look at opportunities and work through it. We’re always looking to add to the roster and have the most competitive roster we can to make the team better, as we’ve always talked, competition is what breeds excellence. For us, we’ll keep looking like we’ve said post-draft like we’ve done here in the past. We’ll keep looking and talking to people and see what happens.”
(Have you had conversations with Tyler Boyd or his agent?) – “I think early on in the process at one point, yes. We’ve talked to him.”
(Have you had any updates on Connor Williams’ situation and where he stands? I know he was going to take care of his rehab first before handling free agency.) – “He’s working on his rehab, taking care of himself and getting himself healthy. So that’s the only update we have. We’ve heard he’s doing well. I know a couple of our guys saw him recently. He’s doing well, but he’s focused on his rehab right now.”
Mike McDaniel:
“When I talk to him, it’s more about being healthy and deciding that when he feels good, but it’s more just about spending time with his family and getting his body right. So he’s in great spirits.”
Chris Grier:
(We’ve heard from multiple guys that you’ve drafted that this is the place they wanted to be. I think T Patrick Paul mentioned that, RB Jaylen Wright mentioned that. It seems like an obvious benefit, but I’m curious to hear from your perspective how beneficial that is the guys that want to be here are now here?) – “Our whole point has been trying to create some place that is a winning culture, winning environment that players want to come to play and win and be developed. It all starts at the top from Steve Ross and what he’s done here with the facilities and everything he’s provided us. The multiple agents and players, even in the free agency process for the pros, have mentioned being the No. 1 in the NFLPA rankings, about being No. 1 in everything. And that’s been brought up multiple times just from people that are paying attention to what we’re doing. I think Mike (McDaniel) deserves a lot of credit for the environment that’s been created by the coaching staff and what they’ve done and how they’ve handled players and the development they’ve done. Yeah, it’s cool. Like you guys heard Jonnu (Smith) when he signed here, he said it was Hard Knocks he watched and he thought it was cool seeing how close the players were and everything we did. It’s important, and I think when you hear players that want to come play here and do it, I think it says a lot for Mike and the coaching staff, as well as Mr. Ross.”
Mike McDaniel:
“It was kind of revitalizing, too, in terms of just today, the last couple of days, each and every player we talked to the emotional exuberance and you could feel the passion in every single one of these guys’ voices. It was pretty cool, so I think that speaks to what you guys are going to be presented with when you’re in front of those guys in the near future.”
Chris Grier:
(I wanted to get your feedback on Patrick McMorris, the safety that was just recently drafted. What does he bring to the team? And do you see yourself as safety light before that selection?) – “We feel good about the players there. Obviously, I think we could add more depth there, and I think adding him was a player that the coaching staff and scouts have kind of identified, focusing on. So they were blowing up Mike (McDaniel) and I here before that pick like, ‘Get this guy. Get this guy.’ And they appreciate how he’s a smart player, he’s competitive and plays hard. I think we feel good about where he is in his development coming in here and competing for a spot.”
(On Day 3 of the draft, is Special Teams Coordinator consulted more than Days 1 and 2? And is special teams a consideration for the picks?) – “He’s consulted all the way through on it still, because special teams – you’re always looking at that even when you’re drafting players, whether they’re returners or what they can contribute on special teams. Because in this day and age, you have to be a pretty special player if you’re just doing your job and you’re not, if you’re a backup player and you can’t play on (special) teams, it’s a hard thing to do in terms of the roster and the way the injuries are in the game. Danny (Crossman) is consulted with us all the way through, and he works tremendously hard for us, giving Mike (McDaniel) and I more lists than we can look at.”
Mike McDaniel:
“We are well aware of where he stands on each and every player.”
Chris Grier:
(Did the new kickoff return rules affect you guys in this draft? Was it a consideration, I should say?) – “Yeah, it was a consideration. You have to account for it, because it’s still a little bit of an unknown of how it’s going to happen. It’s either you may have guys getting tackled inside the 10-yard line every time, or the ball may be out to the 40-yard line or more every time. So yes, that’s definitely something we’ve talked about a lot.”
Mike McDaniel:
“We could have Chop Robinson on the kickoff team, you never know.”
(I know you’re allergic to timelines for injured players, but LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Bradley Chubb, any chance we see them on the field this spring for the on-field stuff?) – “I’m excited about where they’re at today, and I’m very, very encouraged for the prospect of their tomorrow. (laughter) I’m telling you; I don’t do timelines. It doesn’t work, it doesn’t make sense. It’s like a hex –it used to be you put pressure on a date and you wish it not to exist, so I’m not doing that.”
Chris Grier:
(Are there any “Jaylens” left on the board?) – “(laughter) That’s what we talked about when we took him, we’re just going to keep collecting Jaylens.”
Mike McDaniel:
(You have one more pick. Do you guys want to break any news for us?) – “That’s an interesting draft strategy. (laughter) No, just tell everyone that way if anybody else likes them, they can get ahead of you. We can’t wait to see…”
Chris Grier:
“We have no idea who’s been picked since we’ve been in here. Right now, we may have guys we liked and they’re gone, so we have no idea.”
(Does QB Tua Tagovailoa lobby for his brother – QB Taulia Tagovailoa?) – “He’s on our board.”
Mike McDaniel:
“Tua lobbies for the person and the player, but Tua is not a hoarder of his family members. He wants him to go in the best situation. He’s a good kid.”
Chris Grier:
(How many players were on your board?) – “We ended up with a total – we backloaded a little bit, it was like 140-something.”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
LB Mohamed Kamara
(What was it like growing up in Newark, and how did that help form you into the person you are?) – “Newark is the biggest city in Jersey, and it’s very dangerous in Newark, but learning how to adapt to my environment, that’s what helped propel me to go to Colorado State. Being around a lot of different cultures and learning how to adapt there, so it definitely showed me how to maneuver in my environments.”
(What has been the key for you finding success to getting to the quarterback?) – “Always going back to the basics, that’s the biggest thing for me. Looking at film, rewatching film, studying film. Always trying to get back to the basics, always working on my technique, that’s always been the key. If I had eight one year, then I went to 13, that’s just me getting back to the drawing board and working on the basics.”
(I wanted to ask you about a quote I’m reading here from Head Coach Jay Norvell at Colorado State who said, “Every day in practice, Mo set the example by setting the tone and was a no-nonsense player.” I’m curious to hear in your words your approach to the game, and what he means by that?) – “Unless you are an athlete, you understand that practice is the most important part of the approach, if you get what I’m trying to say. Make practice super, super hard so the games are easy. Be relentless in practice so when you get to the game, you’re just letting yourself free. Fail, succeed, mess up in practice so when you get to the game, it’s easy and you’re just doing what you have to do. That’s just how I look at it, so I’m always going to be relentless in practice. That’s just how I am.”
(Have you watched the Sopranos?) – “No, I didn’t watch the Sopranos, but it is from Jersey. It is from down the way. I didn’t watch the Sopranos. No, I’ve never watched it, but it is from Jersey. I’m more of The Godfather, I think that’s the show. It’s based on the same thing, but I haven’t watched the Sopranos.”
(What do you think of coming into a situation now with LB Jaelan Phillips, LB Bradley Chubb, LB Shaq Barrett, a lot of good veteran edge defenders, and also first-round pick LB Chop Robinson among this edge defender corps?) – “Man, I’ve got to put my foot in the ground and keep moving forward. As much as I respect them, hopefully they will respect me and we all work together. Hopefully we all get to push each other, and hopefully I’m in that room for a long time. Me and Chop (Robinson) were already working out in Arizona, so we already have a relationship there. Both of us worked in Arizona and did what we had to do, and we already butt heads because that’s the relationship we have. We’re good friends, great friends at that. That’s how I’m going to – I respect his game, and he respects mine.”
(First of all, you prefer to be called “Mo”?) – “I prefer to be called ‘Mo.’ It’s easy. I don’t like when people mess up my name. That’s something I take personally. Don’t mess up my name. Just call me ‘Mo.’ Keep it at that, keep it at that. Some people say MOO-ha-med. It’s just MO-ha-med. Or I don’t even know how they say the last (name), what they say. It’s some weird way, but it’s just Mohamed Ka-MAIR-uh. I don’t like when you mess up my name, just keep it simple.”
(And then pronounce the last name?) – “Ka-MAIR-uh.”
(Tell me about the moment of getting drafted. What did it mean? You seemed pretty composed. Were there tears? People at the house? Tell me about the moment with the phone call and everything like that.) – “To be honest, I’m very excited, but I also am very, very angry going the round that I did. That’s just my personality. I knew I could’ve went higher and I wanted to go higher, but the lovely team of Miami picked me up and I’m going to give them that burning desire. I have a chip on my shoulder, so it just got even greater. So everybody else, all 31 other teams, look out because the way I’m about to play against these guys, you should’ve picked me before. That’s just the type of person I am so respect to those guys and I’m grateful for Miami for picking me up, but I know what I’m going to bring to the field and every other team has to see me.”
(Quick follow-up, what round should you have gone? What would’ve been appropriate for you?) – “Somewhere higher. God put it in certain ways or whatever case may be. I should’ve went higher, but it’s not the end of the world. Like I said, I’m grateful for Miami allowing me to even get picked, but for me and my personally I’m going to just take that and just roast the whole NFL. That’s just how I look at things.”
(I was wondering, what is your comfort level playing at multiple positions? Whether that’s rushing with your hand in the dirt, standing up, rolling inside, outside? How comfortable are you with your versatility at this stage?) – “Very comfortable. You’ve seen the film that I’ve done it before. Definitely I have to get better, because that’s what we’re all trying to do is get better. Definitely I’m going to get better, but I’m very comfortable. That’s just the passion I play with. So I’m very comfortable doing that.”
(A lot has been made about your size and that you’re an undersized edge guy. How much do you use that to fuel you in terms of the productivity that you have on the football field?) – “Every thing that people knock me for, I use it as fuel – every single thing. Like I was saying earlier, I’m going to make some things up just to push me to keep going. That’s just the type of person I am. I’m never satisfied. I will never be satisfied. So if you want to call me short, watch out. If you didn’t believe in me, watch out. That’s just the type of person I am, that’s what keeps me going every day. I’m never going to be satisfied.”
(I read that you’re a fan of doing some talking when you’re on the field, talking trash.) – “I don’t mind that. I mean me personally, especially in practice, I don’t mind it, but it’s also a respect thing. I’m never going to really disrespect anybody. There’s a difference between talking trash and disrespecting people. I don’t disrespect anybody. That’s not my cup of tea. I’m not in the game to belittle a man. That’s not what I want to do. If we’re going to talk trash, we’re going to talk trash, and it’s only going to be about football. Like I said earlier, the fire I bring to practice, that’s what it is. By the time we get back to the locker room, it’s just like, ‘Alright, it’s OK.’ Then we get back to practice and we do it again. That’s just the fire I play with. Any reason to run through somebody’s face, that’s just how I look at it.”
(On a totally different topic, South Florida, what do you know about it? Have you been here? Do you have many connections?) – “No, I’ve never been there, but I have a lot of teammates that are from Florida, so they’re definitely going to take care of me. I’m not too keen on what Miami is. I know Miami is its own place, that’s what I’ve been hearing. But I know a lot of people from Florida that will take care of me, a lot of my brothers that will take of me that I’ve played with, that will never steer me wrong or anything of that nature.”
(I’m reading a story here that described you as the ‘The Smack Talker In Chief.’ I wanted to know how you felt about that label?) – “That’s a little bit extreme, Smack Talker In Chief? I’ll say this: I talk trash in practice but in the game, I’m so quiet because I’m so focused. I don’t say much in the game. I don’t say much in the game. I like to build the atmosphere where we’re competing in practice. That’s why I keep mentioning practice, it’s like you have to compete to get better. When it is gametime, the bullets are flying. You don’t have time to be – me personally, I don’t have time to be saying certain things. I’m trying to catch my breath because I’m running full 100 miles per hour every time playing the edge position. In the games, I don’t really talk a lot, but in practice, we’re chatting it up. Like I said, it’s a respect thing, so I have to go into training camp and go into the facility earning the respect of everybody. I’m not going to go the first day blabbering my mouth – that’s not football. I have to first earn the respect of my teammates, my coaches, the organization and the people of Miami, too. Then if it’s requested, I’ll do it. If it is not, then I wouldn’t have to do that. So ‘The Chief’ is extreme, ‘The Chief’ is going way left. I don’t think I’m the Chief. I’m just not afraid to talk when it needs to be said, to say things that need to be said. That’s not something that I tip my hat too. The Chief? No, that’s a little too much. (laughter)”
(Is there an NFL player you’d say you model your game after or whose style you think yours resembles?) – “I did Haason Reddick a lot. He’s definitely a guy that’s my weight, my speed, my height. He’s somebody that continues to make plays, and he’s doing it at a high volume, going from team to team. That’s somebody that I look closely at. Also Von Miller – a guy that if you do half of the things he does, you’re probably going to be better than the rest of the league.”
(You named guys like Von Miller and Haason Reddick who are of similar size in stature. In a previous interview you’ve had, you also mentioned another Colorado State alumni in LB Shaq Barrett, who is now a Miami Dolphin. He has the same stature, same speed, same length and you guys bring the same thing to the table as well. What are some things you are looking for or what are some types of experiences and toolsets that you’re looking from LB Shaq Barrett to elevate your game in the NFL?) – “Shaq Barrett has a great motor, too. He’s a guy that does a great job at turning the corner. He gets a lot of pressures. One thing that I’m going to take away from him and I’m going to study his brain is how he was able to sustain this long career in the NFL, because that’s what I want to do. Like I said earlier, he won (Mountain West) Defensive Player of the Year years before, and now I’m coming in winning Defensive Player of the Year for the same team. I’m not going in to be any of those guys – Haason Reddick, Von Miller or Shaq Barrett – but I am here and I am coming in to learn from these guys. I personally want to pick his brain of how do you compose a long career like that? How are you able to sustain productivity throughout those years too?”
Saturday, April 27, 2024
RB Jaylen Wright
(I’m guessing Head Coach Mike McDaniel had something to do with this pick. Did you by chance get to meet Mike McDaniel or talk to him at all at any point in the draft process?) – “Yes, I did. I had a 30 Visit with Miami. I met the whole staff, it was cool. That was the team I really wanted to go to, which is crazy. It was the best visit I had. I’m just glad to have the opportunity to come out in South Beach and help make a difference in the team, help add that explosive element.”
(I understand you once had a roommate named Jaylen. The Dolphins have CB Jalen Ramsey, LB Jaelan Phillips, WR Jaylen Waddle and RB Jaylen Wright. Is there anything that we can call you? Do you have a nickname or anything?) – “I mean, people call me ‘J-Wright.’ It’s kind of simple. ‘J-Wright,’ or ‘Jaylen.’ I don’t really have a big nickname, but ‘J-Wright’ is what all my teammates call me.”
(If the NFL were ever to put together a 4×400 relay team, I think you’re on the winning team right now. So with already an offense with so much speed, how does that impact your game? What can you bring to that offense that already has so many home run hitters?) – “I mean it’s – just adding another explosive athlete to the offense, that just makes the offense way better than it already is. It’s going to really scary. I’ve got a lot of fire built up in me through this whole process. I’m just ready to get out there and just prove my point. Make the people feel, that passed on me, make them feel me. I’m just ready to bring that aggression to the field and make a lot of plays, a lot of big plays.”
(You caught 22 passes last year. How comfortable are you catching passes out of the backfield? How comfortable are you as a route runner right now?) – “I’m comfortable, for sure. We didn’t do a lot of route running and catching balls at Tennessee, but I’m definitely comfortable. I’m an athlete. I know I’ll make big plays, whether it’s the passing game or running game. So I’m just ready to get rolling.”
(Have you ever met RB De’Von Achane? Do you know much about De’Von Achane? The idea of you two in the same backfield on the same play, what does that unlock for Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “No, I’ve never met him but I know of him. I watched his tape in college when he was at Texas A&M. He’s a great running back who’s fast. He’s really elusive. He’s a good guy to learn from. That’s somebody that’s been here, he has a year over me in the league. That’s somebody to learn from and take a lot of advice from. I’m just ready to meet him and meet all the running backs as well.”
(You were clocked at 4.38 in Indy. What’s the fastest unofficial time you’ve ever ran?) – “Fastest unofficial, I think I ran a 4.37 or 4.36 when I was doing Combine prep. I know I could’ve ran faster in Indy, but I’m just glad to be in the 4.3s regardless”
(Have you ever had the GPS tracker? What’s the fastest you’ve got up to on that?) – “Like miles per hour wise, right? I’ve ran like 23.7 miles per hour.”
(This goes back two years ago; you had a NIL deal going and part of your logo or entire logo was dealt with “Cheetah Mentality.” Can you tell us a little about that?) – “That’s just something that me and my dad came up with a long, long time ago. I mean, I’ve always been fast. He just started calling me, ‘Cheetah.’ I already know there’s already a Cheetah on the Dolphins, so I’m going to let him have that Cheetah – that’s his thing. But yeah, it’s something my dad always said to me because I’m fast. ‘Cheetah Mentality’ is always going to be a thing, but like I said, I already know there’s a Cheetah on the Dolphins and I’m letting him have that. (laughter)”
(I was going to ask you about WR Tyreek Hill for sure. If he’s going to have the Cheetah label, have you come up with a backup? What are we going to refer to you as?) – “I don’t know yet, but I’m going to have something for sure. I like ‘Lightning,’ ‘Flash,’ or something like that. I’m ready just to get going, playing football. Just make a lot of plays, I’m excited.”
(Few teams have the diversity or complexity in the run game as the Dolphins. I’m curious how you feel your time in Knoxville prepared you to step into an offense like that and perform?) – “My time in Knoxville, especially my sophomore year and junior year, we had receivers to space out the field. That’s just something that the Dolphins do really good, just space out the field and get defenses to get out of Cover 1 and Cover 3. Get defenses to play Cover 2 and Cover 4, that’s just going to break bigger opportunities for the running backs, bigger explosive plays. That a lot – I had a lot of things like that happened in Tennessee, and I feel like that’s going to be good in Miami.”
(I’m looking at some stats here that you were No. 1 in percentage of runs that went 10-plus yards and you were No. 3 in college football in yards after contact. Do you prefer to run around guys or run through them?) – “It could be either or. I don’t feel like I have any limitations to my game, I feel like I can do anything. If it’s going around somebody, I’m going to get around them. If it’s going through them, I’m going to get through them, too.”
(In your interview after the Combine with the Tennessee Network, you stated that you’re known for your speed, agility, your pass catching and vision, but you didn’t mention pass protection. A lot of scouts and analyst have said that your pass protection is best in this draft class. Do you take pride in blocking for your quarterback, and what do you look forward to doing? Who do you look forward to hitting in the NFL?) – “Yes, of course I take pride in protecting the quarterback. You’ve got to protect the quarterback. That guy is making multiple millions of dollars – he’s just somebody that’s got to be protected. I take pride in pass protection. I feel like pass protection is a mentality thing. If you’re willing to step up and stone blockers, keep people from getting to your quarterback, I just feel like that if you have that mentality to stop them, it’s going to happen. Pass protection is a mentality and it’s a mindset. I had that this past year, and I’m going to keep having it. People I’m willing to see – there’s a lot of great linebackers in this league, there’s a lot of great DBs. I want to be able to pancake somebody that comes through the line. I just want to have a big excitement play while blocking, so I can make that statement that I’m willing to protect my quarterback.”
(On your 30 Visit with the Miami Dolphins, specifically with Head Coach Mike McDaniel, what were some of the things he raved about you?) – “He just likes my skillset. He just felt like my skillset would fit in the offense. He just felt like I’m an explosive player and I can make big plays in the offense, and I agree. So I’m just ready to get going for real.”
