DT Christian Wilkins
(What is your conditioning test? What do you do?) – “We run. (laughter)”
(This defensive line is young and talented obviously with you, DT Raekwon Davis, DT Zach Sieler, DL Adam Butler and what he’s going to have. DE Emmanuel Ogbah is obviously an edge guy and can play some end. How good can this group be? What excites you about this group and Adam’s addition to it as well?) – “Yeah, like you said we’ve got a lot of good guys. We have a lot of guys who are versatile and play a lot of positions along the defensive front. We have a lot of guys who are hungry and work hard every day from working with them and OTAs and last season and everything. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can do but we’ve got to get off on the right foot and restart every time. Every year is a new year so we’ve got to work on the little things, come in every day ready to work with the mindset of getting better and if we do that, we’ll see where we end up.”
(Any thoughts on DL Adam Butler joining the group? Obviously he put pressure on the quarterback in New England.) – “Yeah, I like Adam a lot. He’s great for our locker room, is great for our d-line. I really like his game. I’ve got a lot of respect for him too. He’s a pro. I really like Adam.”
(What do you think of the new facility?) – “It’s pretty cool. Not bad at all. We’ll definitely have some fun in here. We’ve got some nice new digs and everything. I like it here a lot.”
(How did you spend your offseason?) – “Just training. Working hard. Working on my game. I was able to train with a good group of guys from around the league. We had about eight of us. We all went away and just locked in, were able to train, get away from everybody and take care of business.”
(Where did you guys go?) – “We went to an undisclosed location off the grid. (laughter) We did a good job of getting after it and putting some work in.”
(Are you still a player rep?) – “Yes.”
(What role have you had in communicating with players as to the importance of the vaccine?) – “Well, really I just try to get information pushed out. Just giving it my perspective and how I view it is different from hearing from a counterpart or a coach or whatever. I just try to help guys, try to give them information. As far as vaccines and everything, to each his own. It’s up to every guy about what they want to do and whether they want to do it or not. Nobody’s wrong, nobody’s right. It’s all up to you.”
(How do you balance that I guess with the new rule that there could be forfeited games if there’s an outbreak? Obviously you want to win and do things for the team but…) – “Yeah, like I said, to each his own. You’ve just got to respect people’s opinions. There’s reasons to do things, to not do things. You’ve just got to be able to respect what guys are about.”
(What are your early impressions of LB Jaelan Phillips?) – “I like Jaelan. He’s a good kid. Just getting to know him a little bit during OTAs, I really like him. He’s a hard-worker. He’s a really cool, chill guy. He loves to listen. I’m trying to take him under my wing a little bit and just be there for him any way I can. Just be a good big brother to him. I really like him a lot. I feel like he has a chance to be pretty good. He’s just got to put the work in.”
(You’re one of the guys who made a big second-year jump. What goes into that? Just comfort? Familiarity? Understanding the scheme? What contributes to the progress that you guys make?) – “It’s a lot of things. Just knowing how to – you just learn so much in that first year. It’s all just kind of going fast so definitely in Year 2, you kind of know what to expect – just the comfort on the field, knowing the playbook, just everything. You’re able to make those small adjustments to your game and you’re usually able to make a good jump. I’m excited for a lot of the second-year guys to see that jump that they make.”
(When the league announced that teams might be subject to forfeits and all of that, what was your reaction? What kind of reaction did you get from your teammates?) – “Well I’m not going to really get into that. I’m not going to get too much into that. It’s all over the place with different feelings about it but I’m not going to get too much into that.”
(How has your approach changed from Day 1 when you were a rookie walking in? How has your approach changed?) – “It’s changed in some ways just as far as things like comfort, you know what to expect and things like that. But I’ve still got the same mindset every day, just have fun with the game, be a good teammate and be my best. That’s always my mindset and always what I try to take into each and every day, each and every practice and each and every game.”
(From a team standpoint, coming off 10 wins last year, what are your expectations as far as what this team can accomplish? Do you look at yourself as a team that should be in a race for a playoff berth up until Week 17?) – “We don’t have any – we’re not given anything just because we had a good season last year. It’s a whole new year. We’ve got to start over, like I was talking about a little bit earlier. Guys have to put the work in. Just because we were a borderline playoff team last year and we got 10 wins, that doesn’t mean anything. Last year’s touchdowns aren’t going to do anything for us. Last year’s tackles for loss, sacks, whatever – last year’s interceptions. None of that is going to do anything for us this year, so we’ve got to start over. We’ll see how training camp goes and that starts today. We’ve got to put the work in.”
(Do you have any individual goals or priorities that you want coming into this year?) – “Yeah, I always write down a set of goals before every training camp, just for myself personally. They’re pretty general. I’m not going to exactly say what they are but I set goals for myself every year. I try to be a goal-oriented person.”
(Was leadership on the list?) – “It might be. Like I said, I’m not going to get too much into it. But yeah, I definitely feel like that’s always important.”
(Not having been around a locker room over a year for us, maybe you can give us a little insight – who is like a defensive leader that maybe isn’t so obvious? Like a little bit underrated.) – “Well, I feel like we’ve got a bunch of guys who just add to that and do a good job, whether it’s leading by example or the vocal guys, because you need a little bit of all of that on the team. We’ve got a lot of good pros on this team. Just guys who handle their business. You can see leadership and find that in a lot of the guys on our defense.”
(For a position that’s so heavily reliant on contact obviously, when there’s no pads on, what exactly are you trying to get accomplished when you don’t have the benefit of having the pads and full contact?) – “Really, that’s where you really have to hone in on your technique and be a lot sharper. You’ve still got to make sure – it’s still ball, whether you’ve got pads on or not; but just that physical aspect obviously when you do have pads on. Now it’s time to really polish up your technique and make sure your hands are – your technique has to be a lot better when there’s no pads because you’re just not striking or have anything to grab on or things like that. Yeah, that’s really just what it is. The biggest thing is working into football shape and being able to run around, run after the ball and do those little things that matter.”
(You’re not telling us your goals for this year and I get that. So let’s go back a year. What were your goals for last season? How many of them did you meet? How did you grade yourself?) – “My goals are pretty similar. (laughter) Maybe there’s one small adjustment or two. So yeah, I’m not going to share my last year’s goals. (laughter).”
(Last year at this time there was so much uncertainty about the season and you guys were coming back to training camp with kind of this weird feeling about you don’t know what’s to come. This year it feels like there’s a little bit more security and you guys get to be in-person. Is there kind of a new level of excitement or giddiness to just all be together and have a sense of normalcy?) – “Yeah, it’s definitely different. Last year had it’s hard parts and some benefits too. With it being COVID and us being so isolated from everyone else, we were able to get real close I felt like, and bond with guys and things like that. So hopefully some of that will carry over to this year and guys will be more excited to be around each other, being here every day and having a little bit more normalcy.”
(How much weight do you lose during training camp and how do you account for that?) – “Definitely the biggest thing is that each day, I lose a lot of weight – whether it’s water weight just at practice. You’re out there in that sun, working hard. So I lose a lot of weight. The biggest thing is just hydrating and nutrition, making sure I stay on top of it by fueling before practice and refueling afterwards. That’s all important to be able to sustain your weight. That can be a problem for guys. Some guys overheat, over-do things and get a little weight. Everyone has their own routine that they kind of find and those are usually the more successful guys in training camp – guys who find a good routine and take care of their bodies and know to not lose too much weight and not to gain too much weight.”
(What’s the average of what you lose a day?) – “Double-digits. Probably like 10 pounds a practice I’ve lost before. But if I just rehydrate and refuel, I will get that back on.”
RB Myles Gaskin
(With their actions, the Dolphins have shown their faith in you and you were 10th I believe in yards per game from scrimmage last year. Do you feel like there’s another level that you can get to in productivity and how much higher is it than where you were last year?) – “Absolutely. I just feel like I can work that much harder. I missed six games last year. I definitely worked on trying to be more healthy, be more available. I know that’s hard to do in the NFL but over this offseason, I’m just trying to prevent a lot of things and take care of my body the best I can.”
(you’ve mentioned that a lot of times – availability. Is your goal to play all 17?) – “Seventeen plus. You always want to go to the playoffs and do what you do; but yeah, definitely. You always want to be available. I love this game. I want to be available. Every Sunday I want to play football. Every practice I want to be out there. I just love the game.”
(During the draft process, maybe the outside thought the team would take a running back but was there communication with them like “hey this is our plan and you’re our guy. Be ready.” Did anything like that happen?) – “No, not really. I was talking to ‘Coach E’ (Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville just talking because coach is a good dude and we have a really good friendship at this point. But nothing like that. I’ve never asked. He never said anything. I think I just have faith in myself so if we did, it is what it is. We didn’t, so it’s cool.”
(Were you expecting them to take a running back high?) – “No, that’s above my pay grade. I just take care of myself.”
(What are you performance goals for this year?) – “I write down my personal goals. I think you all asked Christian (Wilkins) this earlier but they’re my personal goals, so I’ll just keep them to myself.”
(Talking with RB Salvon Ahmed and your coach at Washington, Keith Bhonapha, he talked about he talked about you being a leader in that room and really taking on the responsibility of getting the rest of them up to speed. Now that you’re in Year 3 with the Dolphins, do you kind of feel more of that responsibility?) – “Definitely. Just being here and being with ‘Coach E’ (Eric Studesville) the last three years and being with ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) and knowing what they expect, being able to kind of show the younger guys that and the guys that haven’t been with him the past years – I guess me and Pat (Laird) are the only guys that have been here the past three years. Just trying to be able to relay the message is the biggest thing and being able to relay that message as a player is probably easier to go player-to-player than coach-to-player.”
(You mentioned Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville a couple of times. Can you describe what your relationship is with him and kind of how you all grew together?) – “Just like any other relationship, when you first come in as a rookie you’re wide-eyed. Obviously he was pushing me but he was definitely trying to teach me how to be a professional. I’ve taken heed to that. He’s been a great teacher, a great role model; and just in that sense, he’s coached a lot of great running backs and kind of given me stories on how they practice and how they prepare. I’m not trying to take their practice habits, but trying to implement them into how I go about my thing. I just take bits and pieces. He’s always been very wise for me to kind of learn from.”
(Is there a past running back or story that he’s told you that’s stuck with you the most?) – “Nah. He’s got a lot of stories. He’s been in the league for a long time so he’s got a lot of stories. (laughter) I know he was with Marshawn (Lynch) and that was always really cool for me because growing up in Seattle and he was playing for the Seahawks, he was kind of just a cool dude to know that he used to coach him. Hearing his stories here and there about him are fun to hear about.”
(I know you mentioned the Dolphins speed at receiver when you spoke with a Seattle station in the past month. Are you curious to see how much that opens the box for you and RB Malcolm Brown and RB Salvon Ahmed? It could potentially, right?) – “Yeah, definitely. I’m just excited for football. I’m excited for this camp. Obviously like I’ve said in the past, those guys are just fun to watch, just to watch them take off. I was a track guy when I was younger and I used to think I was fast but seeing those guys really take off, it’s fun to watch. Like I’ve said in the past, I’m excited for that. Yeah, it definitely could open the box but I’m just excited for football now.”
(You were one of the young guys who took a major second-year leap in your second season. What do you think contributed to that? What are some of the factors that allowed you to step up your game?) – “Just kind of keeping my head down and just trying to get that one percent better each and every day. Just kind of as a young dude, going to UW and even in high school, just trying to get that one percent better each and every day. It doesn’t happen overnight. It kind of comes to fruition and it came to fruition a little bit last year. Obviously like I said, I missed a couple of games – I missed six games. I’m still working on that one percent every single day. Just get better at something every single day.”
(You talked about your durability and being able to play 17-plus games. What goes into that? What have you added to your workout regime or rehab regiment that’s going to help you?) – “I’m definitely eating better this offseason. I’m eating a lot better and just working on my body, stretching, doing Pilates. I did a little bit of Pilates going into my second year. Then this year, I did a lot more Pilates. I’m just working on things and trying to be more flexible and more durable. Just working on everything and being more conscious of it too.”
(You’ve mentioned RB Marshawn Lynch. Were you kind of a student of the game growing up? Did you look at a bunch of other backs and if so, who did you kind of look up to?) – “Definitely. I was a student of the game. I watched them all. My favorite was ‘L.T.’ (LaDainian Tomlinson) growing up, definitely. But there are a ton that I’ve watched, even guys that are in the league now, just exciting to watch and I’m excited to learn from. Like I said, I love the game of football. You watch receivers, you watch DBs, I watch everybody. Just watching technique, how guys attack each and every day, attack games and stuff like that.”
(Was there one guy in particular that you kind of model yourself after?) – “When I was younger, I’d say ‘L.T.’ (LaDainian Tomlinson). Now that I’m older, I would just try to take a little bit of everybody. But definitely when I was younger, ‘L.T.’ was my dude. Reggie Bush obviously, everybody loves Reggie Bush when he was at USC. But those two guys come to mind at first.”
(Obviously this is a new scheme for you the third straight year – what stands out to you and what’s different about it?) – “We haven’t really gotten too much into it, obviously. We haven’t gotten on the field yet. But football is football. There are different play calls but inside zone is inside zone, gap scheme is gap scheme. It’s all the same. It’s just kind of how the plays are called, how things are ran and just like I said, it ain’t too much different. Football is football.”
(You’re the one player who will benefit from the improvement you get from the second year of the offensive line. What have you seen from them so far that makes you have more optimism that they’ll be more successful this year?) – “You said it, just that second year. Being a guy that had a jump from year one to year two, I’m just excited for all of those guys – Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley, everybody in that room. It’s just a step that is going to come, obviously, because when you come in as a rookie, I think people don’t really understand that you’re moving from your family, you’re moving to this brand new place, a brand new facility and stuff like that. Just kind of adjusting to this dream that you had and now it’s not so much a dream, it’s a reality. I think that next year, that second year, is when you hone in and take that real leap. It’s going to come for those guys and like you said, I’m just excited for them.”
(In OTAs, coach mentioned that it’s more and more of a passing camp. You can’t really run up there and hit. As a running back without any contact, what can you do to make your game better in those practices?) – “Just work as much as I can on spacing with routes and all of that type of stuff. Being able to play in different positions or just be where I need to be. Definitely the mental aspect of it – when there isn’t too much banging around, you just have to hone into your mental and make sure you get all of the mental reps and make sure you’re able to communicate with the coaches, make sure you’re able to communicate with the other guys, and what they see and what you need to see and stuff like that. You’re just kind of learning defenses too obviously. We have that time right now with the first five days or whatever it is with no pads; but just kind of learn everything you can to just soak it all in because when you put the pads on, you’re really banging.”
(This time last year there was an uncertainty about the season and maybe a lot of question marks. Now you’re back with these guys, maybe a little more normalcy. Can you describe the energy coming into the building today?) – “I’m excited man. It’s a great feeling we got this year. For everybody, not just football but for everybody in all aspects of life. So getting back to normalcy like you said is just huge. I was in Seattle for most of COVID, so when I went back home last time, it’s just nice to see people getting back to normal and stuff like that. Definitely getting back to regular life.”
(RB Malcolm Brown, what’s it like having him around, and what can he add to the running backs room?) – “Definitely experience. He’s been in the league going on year seven or six, I’m not quite sure. But just having an older guy I can talk to – last year we had a few older guys, but I’m excited to have his knowledge, his wisdom. I’m excited to just bounce ideas off of him and seeing that he’s been around for a long time, I know he’s got a lot to say, a lot to preach to us.”
LB Jerome Baker
(The contract, how did it all come together?) – “It was cool. Drew (Rosenhaus) did all of the work, honestly. It was cool. It was a fun process just to see how the business side works. It was cool.”
(I know last year’s 10 wins don’t guarantee anything, don’t mean anything. But that said, expectations have changed from where you were a year or two ago. This was a team on the cusp of the playoffs. Do you feel that you are now a playoff-caliber team, one who should be competing for that? Or at least one of the better teams in your conference?) – “I think right now it’s hard to say that right now just because it’s the first day. But our expectations for ourselves are high and it’s higher than what anybody else has for us. I think our approach now is to do what we want to do. We don’t care what anybody else thinks. We’re capable of a lot and we know that. Now it’s just about proving it. I guess that’s my answer.”
(CB Xavien Howard has been M.I.A a little bit. What is your reaction and what kind of reception did the guys give him?) – “I think we were all excited. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is a key guy on our defense – not just a key guy on our defense, but he’s a great guy to be around. We’re definitely happy to see him back. I think we’re all just happy to be around each other. Not just ‘X’ but everybody. We’re just happy to be here. It’s a new facility. There is a lot of energy in the building. We’re all happy to see ‘X’ back. We’re all happy just to be back.”
(What are your individual expectations and goals leading into this year?) – “I don’t really have anything as far as individual goals, how many sacks or how many tackles. I kind of take it as I just want to get better than I was year. I want to be a better player, a better person, a better everything. That’s kind of what I go into every year. I’m definitely excited. This is my fourth year so I’m excited.”
(You’ve seen the development of RB Myles Gaskin. What makes him able to embrace the opportunity he has now and your expectations for him?) – “Myles for him – it is very high. And it builds just off his work ethic. I was telling people last year it blew my mind he was working out, going hard on the day off. To me, it shows who he is. He works hard when nobody is watching; he works hard when everybody is watching. I’m happy for him. I’m excited to see him really come into his own. He’s going to be good. He’s going to perform well. He’s going to help our team. I’m definitely excited for him.”
(You’re going to be alongside LB Elandon Roberts again. You will be alongside LB Benardrick McKinney some. In terms of knowing the nuances of his game and developing a chemistry, was it all based on conversation and OTA work, or did you actually look at McKinney’s Houston tape?) – “I think now is when I’ll really start to figure out who he is and how he plays. It’s kind of hard to do in OTAs. It’s kind of hard to do in the offseason. It’s hard to do just film work only because we’re all different. Who he played with is different and who I played with was different. Right now is where we get our chemistry and really see how we work together. As far as a person, he’s a great person. We spent some time in the offseason. I’m definitely excited. I’m really just excited for this whole year. It’s going to be good.”
(Recently the team signed LB Shaquem Griffin and I’m wondering if you’re familiar with the adversity that he’s had to overcome throughout his life and what you think of him being able to have success both at the college level, and the NFL, overcoming the physical circumstances?) – “Yeah, I’m definitely familiar with him. We were in the same class. I was there when he did the Combine. Just seeing how he overcame just the little things for me was just very inspiring. Even today when I saw him, I didn’t think he was going to remember me; but we definitely embraced each other. I’m happy he’s a part of this team. I watched some of his off the field workouts, and just being a fan of a guy, I was always a fan of his. I’m definitely excited he’s on our team, and the energy he brings, he’s definitely going to fit in with us and help our team.”
(After getting seven sacks last year, what’s the ceiling for you as a pass rusher?) – “I got seven last year? Just get better than that, I guess. That’s the only thing. But I’m kind of one of those guys that, whatever they tell me, I’ll do it to the best of my ability. I guess last year was how many, seven? I just have to get better than that. Any way I can help the team, I’m down to do it, and that’s why I’m here.”
(You caught a lot of people off guard last year with how good you were defensively taking away the ball. Have you all talked about duplicating that, trying to prove that it’s not a one-year thing?) – “I mean, it’s kind of hard to be talking about it because it’s the first day. But yeah we definitely want to get better than we were last year. One thing about (Defensive Coordinator) Josh (Boyer) is he talks about the little things. It’s not about the splash plays, it’s not about interceptions or sacks. It’s about those little plays that really matter in between the games. I know that for a fact we want to focus on the little things and those big plays are going to come. We definitely want to get better.”
(Just thoughts on two young guys that are very talented – LB Jaelan Phillips and S Jevon Holland. From observing them in May and June, what thoughts do you have on each?) – “They are ready to work. I’ll say that about our whole rookie class. They are ready to work. They came in and they really – they definitely are ready to work. About Jaelan, the guy is in shape. He’s definitely in shape and he’s definitely ready to go. I’m excited. Those young guys, they come in hungry with a lot of energy. It doesn’t just help their class and the younger guys, but it helps the older guys. It pushes us, so I’m definitely excited to get it going.”
(Your mom is very famous, perhaps just as famous as you. I’m curious what was her reaction when you told her that you got the bag?) – “It’s funny because she honestly – she loves it. Sometimes I have to tell her to relax a little bit, but she loves it. My new contract, it didn’t just impact me but it impacted my whole family, it impacted my city. She was definitely happy. It was funny because the day I signed, she told me to take out the trash or do something at my house. She finds ways to humble me, so I’m definitely happy.”
(I’m going to ask a little more about the contract. It seems like it was a busy offseason for linebackers. Is the market kind of catching up to how valuable you guys are and maybe you’re a little under-appreciated?) – “I think now – just with Fred (Warner)’s contract, we are definitely seeing how valuable we are. That’s just the nature of the game. The game changes every few years, and right now it’s the linebacker’s time. I’m definitely happy for all the linebackers. Fred, he deserves it. We have a few guys that will have some big ones. I’m happy for all the guys, just the linebacker community we all have that little stick together mentality. So I’m definitely happy.”
(What I am hearing is that you kind of set the market for them? Is that what you’re saying?) – “If that’s what you want to say, I guess. (laughter) No, it depends on the team, depends on the guy. A guy like Fred, he deserves it. We have some guys that are coming up and I’m just happy to see those guys get paid. I’m just happy to see anybody get paid. This sport is dangerous, it’s hard, and to see these young guys get paid, there’s nothing like it.”
(Other than taking out the trash, what did you do to celebrate your contract?) – “I went out to eat.”
(Where did you go?) – “The ‘salt bae’ restaurant, that’s my favorite. What is it Nusr-Et or however you say it? That was pretty much it. I went out to eat. I definitely went out to eat. Other than that, I didn’t really do anything spectacular, I just went out to eat. (laughter) My parents came in town. This offseason was fun. My sister had a baby so I had that experience of just being there. She was down here, so taking care of her making sure she was all right. Other than that, it was just a normal day. Not a normal day, but just a normal day I guess.”
(Is there added excitement coming together as a team inside this beautiful new facility?) – “Oh yeah, definitely. There is a little bit more energy than usual. That’s just with anything. When you get something new, guys are just excited to be around. You’re trying to find your way, you’re trying to do the little things that you take for granted. It’s all new to you now, so the energy is definitely in the building. It helps with camp, because you need those little spurts of energy. It helps you get through camp. I’m definitely excited.”
(Is there anybody on the roster matching your energy?) – “Now that is going to be hard. (laughter) Nah. (Mack) Hollins, he brings it. I don’t know. It’s hard to match my energy. I come with it every day. Today is the easy day. It was easy. We didn’t really do anything too crazy. When you’re a week in, a week and a half in, that’s when you see who really can bring the energy. Right now, it’s easy. I don’t really count right now.”
(What the league did last year to make it through COVID, and that was before vaccines, do you fear that the NFL will struggle doing it again this year?) – “No. Even last year, I wasn’t – just the protocols we have, just the things we are going through, yeah you might not like it and you might have your own opinion on it; but at the end of the day it was to help us. I think as a whole, we all understood that it’s trying to help us. Now that the vaccine, the new facility and the protocols, now we know what works and what doesn’t work, we’re going to be fine. I don’t think any of us have any fears or anything to worry about. We’re going to be fine. Just stay healthy and be clean and we’ll be alright.
(You mentioned how the new contract also affected your city, your community. Explain that.) – “It’s just a lot more opportunities to give back for me. Just even down here, doing my community work down here, having my camp up there, I did the Boys and Girls Club Christmas in July. I just did that. For me, it was one of those things that I received more, now it’s time to give more. That’s just how I was raised and now that it’s come to fruition, it’s definitely going to be good.”
(I’m going to ask about the facility one more time. What does it mean from a player’s perspective? What does all of this shiny toy mean for you?) – “That our organization cares about us. That’s exactly what it means. They care about us. They want us to do well. It’s pretty much giving us all of the tools to do well. We appreciate that. Shout out to Mr. (Stephen) Ross. We appreciate it, we love it, and it’s kind of cool to say we’ve got the newest facility in the NFL, we’ve got the best one and we can prove it. That’s all it means, is they really do care about us, and they want us to do well, and they gave us the tools to do well. It’s our job to actually do well. I’m excited.”
G/T Jesse Davis
(How was your offseason?) – “It was good. I’ve been here.”
(How things have changed from a couple of years ago. Obviously coming off of 10 wins, there are now expectations for this team. Do you feel that? Do you feel like this team should be in the playoff mix in Week 18?) – “Yeah, I mean every team wants to get to the playoffs but right now, we’re just worried about getting better, trying to win the next one and seeing what we have to work with here.”
(This roster, as you look at it – is this a high-quality roster…?) – “Yeah, I think the guys that we have in place here, everyone is really talented. It all depends on how well we work together and how well we can put our game plan in place.”
(What do you think of the new facility?) – “It’s great. It’s a little step above the Davie facility. It’s really nice. (laughter)”
(Last summer you took about reading some books on leadership and trying to take that part of your game to the next step. Is there anything this offseason that you’re doing and how do you think that kind of helped your leadership?) – “Being put in a leadership role, for me it was just how well I could do it. Lead by example is how I try to be. I’m not a big ‘hoo-rah’ guy or anything. I didn’t really read anything on leadership this year. It was just more so trying to develop myself too and how to become a better person.”
(How excited are you about seeing the next step for the rookies last year? T Austin Jackson in Year 2, G/T Rob Hunt as he potentially changes positions. How excited are you about those two?) – “Yeah, those guys are really talented. They’re just well-rounded players and I’m excited to work with them. Seeing Rob work at a new position as well and seeing ‘A.J.’ (Austin Jackson) come into Year 2, it’s going to be fun.”
(How do you prepare for your own competition? You’re in Year 3, 4 or 5 and you’re in a year where you’re kind of fighting for a starting job, fighting for your spot there. How do you fit into that?) – “Obviously you know kind of where you’re at on the depth chart and stuff but I’m just trying to get better each day. You try not to make mistakes but don’t worry about making them either. It’s just how well you can improve day-to-day. Anyone can have a good day but it’s how you have two good days in a row that’s usually what I focus on.”
(What kind of things has Head Coach Brian Flores done to – encourage isn’t the right word – educate on the vaccine?) – “It’s just all about choice. Whoever gets the choice to get it or not get it, we’ll support it. That’s about all he’s said on that.”
(What positions are we honing in on this time? Are we working on the outside or are we working on the inside?) – “Yeah, we don’t know. We’ll see. It’s a mixed bag. I can play anywhere. It just depends on where they want me to play. I just want to be on the field.”
(Did you come in size-wise with an idea of where you wanted to be?) – “Yeah, I started at right tackle last year. My size as in my weight was like 315 (pounds). That’s usually kind of where I want to be and that’s where I came in this year was at 315. I felt like I could move very well at guard and tackle. It all depends on how well you can anchor. My strength has been improving, so it’s been good.”
(DT Christian Wilkins just said that he’s lost as much as double-digits in weight in a given day because it’s so warm out there. What about for you? What’s it like trying to stay hydrated and how much weight have you dropped?) – “Yeah, usually it gets hot. In the middle of camp it’s like eight to 10 pounds, sometimes 12 (pounds a day). It’s a struggle to try to fight off the cramps during the end of practice, but I don’t know. Each year I try to combat it and think I can do better; but it always creeps up on me and I’m cramping somewhere. (laughter)”
(Is there anything you can do to prepare for that?) – “Get IVs, get Pedialyte, water, whatever. Fuel, carbs, everything like that. You try.”
(How often do you get IVs?) – “It depends. It depends on my weight when I weigh-in in the morning. If I feel like I need one, I’ll get one. But I try not to. I try to do it the right way with all of the water and the Pedialyte.”
(I wanted to ask you your observations about T Liam Eichenberg from the offseason program. Has he tried to pick your brain at all?) – “Yeah, he’s done a little bit of that. I’ve worked with him a few weeks down here. He’s a squared-away guy. He’s well-rounded. He was coached well in college. I think he’ll do just fine.”
(I asked DT Christian Wilkins about what you can get accomplished when there’s no pads at a position that requires so much contact. For you, when you’re not in pads, what are you looking to get done out there?) – “You want to get your technique, your footwork, your hand placement. You try to work on your pad level now but it’s more so just trying to do the small things and not worry about trying to make collisions or move bodies. You want to probably have more pass emphasis and handwork and stuff like that.”
(You’ve been through this entire rebuild. Two years ago at this point it was certainly a much different circumstance. How rewarding is it now to kind of see it through and now you guys are in a good position?) – “Yeah, it’s been fun going through the first year to the second and now third with a new coaching staff. They’ve done a really good job of bringing in the right guys and the right coaches. Everybody has just been (coaching) really well. It’s been fun.”
(Speaking of coaches, you have a new one in Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre this offseason. Can you maybe describe to us what his style is?) – “Yeah, ‘Lem’ (Lemuel Jeanpierre) is fiery in the sense of work ethic and respect. He doesn’t want to yell at you or nothing like that. His individual drills are fast and competitive, and he wants to make it hard on you during that period so when you get to team, it’s a little more relaxed in that setting. He’s a good coach.”
(What’s it like to have actually played with Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre?) – “Yeah, I previously played with him in Seattle. I played with him and sat next to him in the room. We’re good friends. Obviously he’s my boss so I treat him with that respect as well.”
(Do you feel like your versatility – obviously it’s an asset which keeps you around but do you feel like it could be a hindrance to earning a starting spot?) – “I try not to think that way. I try to look at it as a way of I can play anywhere they want me to. I try to make it competitive for everybody in every position, so I want to kind of light a fire under everybody. I want a starting spot, that’s for sure. But I’ll play any position the organization wants me in.”
(What do you see in QB Tua Tagovailoa and the way he’s approached going into Year 2?) – “Yeah, you’ve seen a little bit of him at vet camp. I think he’s done a great job. I think he’ll be a good player.”
(The last couple of years we’re always asking about all of these young guys and you’re kind of mentoring them and taking them under your wing. But now there’s some more veterans in the room. Is there something that you’ve gleaned or learned from guys like OL D.J. Fluker, T Jermaine Eluemunor and some of the new additions in the room?) – “We’ve only had like a couple of days to work together, but I think they offer a lot to the table. There’s different aspects of their game that you can kind of take away. I haven’t really learned too much yet but it’ll be fun.”
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Opening Statement) – “I just want to open with sending condolences to Greg Knapp’s family. I didn’t know Greg that well, but as a member of the coaching family in the National Football League, I just wanted to send condolences to his family, the New York Jets, (Head) Coach (Robert) Saleh and their staff. My sympathies and prayers go out to his family. It was a tragic accident and I just wanted to say that publicly before we got started here. As far as training camp, the players reported today. We’re excited to get started. With that, I’ll open it up to questions.”
(I know you’re probably pleased to see CB Xavien Howard is here. If you’re able to share this, have you and General Manager Chris Grier and Senior Vice President of Football and Business Administration Brandon Shore and President and CEO Tom Garfinkel have decided whether to make an adjustment to his contract? Is that something that’s unresolved? Is there any concern with any potential trade request from him?) – “We’re excited to work with ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) and all of the players that are here. Those conversations with ‘X,’ his representation, Chris (Grier), myself; those will, like always, will be internal, confidential and it will always be that way. We’ll keep it that way with all players. But we’re excited to have him. I’m excited to work with him. He’s a great player and I look forward to building over the course of training camp.”
(What are some of the benefits for CB Xavien Howard, for you and for the team, to have him here as opposed to the opposite of that?) – “His ability to practice, build chemistry, build camaraderie. Every year it’s a new team, so playing with different players – there are a few different players in the secondary, a few different players really throughout the team. Getting acclimated to a new building, new facility – there are a lot of things that are good to have him here; and that’s the case with all of our players. We’re excited to have them all here, work with them all and try to improve and get better every day.”
(The COVID vaccination has been a big storyline in the NFL. Is this team over 85 percent in this locker room?) – “I never like to get into people or anyone’s medical situation. I think that I’ve been pretty steadfast about that. I’ll talk about my own. I’m vaccinated. But as far as anyone else’s medical situation, I try to stay clear of that.”
(The follow up that I have, are you confident that you won’t put your team in a competitive disadvantage by the level of vaccination that you have?) – “We’ll work through whatever the protocols are. Obviously we did this the entire year last year. Whether it’s masks – obviously the restrictions have been lifted to a degree as we’re sitting here. But no, to answer your question. I think we’ll be able to work through whatever we need to work through while following the protocols, obviously.”
(Can you share to us what your message to unvaccinated players would be?) – “My message to all of the players is the same. Let’s follow the protocols and do everything we can to allow ourselves the opportunity to meet, walkthrough, practice and string good days together.”
(If I can piggyback off the vaccination question, obviously the NFL and the NFLPA have made changes where a forfeit is a possibility if there is a breakout. How does that change what you guys do game plan wise knowing that’s different this year?) – “The only thing we can do is educate the players. Talk to them about pros, cons. Obviously that would be part of that conversation. But at the end of the day, they’ve got to make their decision; and we have to approach each day, whether you’re vaccinated or unvaccinated, in a way that helps us go through out meetings, our walkthroughs, our practice and get as much out of training camp as we can.”
(You have one unsigned rookie heading into today – T Liam Eichenberg. Is he here and is everyone else on the 90-man roster here?) – “Yes, Liam has signed and everyone is here.”
(Given the risk involved with forfeitures that the commissioner has threatened really, is it putting the team first? Is that part of the argument as far as getting vaccines?) – “I think – everyone has got their own personal reasoning behind or beliefs behind vaccinations or getting vaccinated or not getting vaccinated. I respect everyone’s choice in that matter. I’m not going to pressure anyone. I’m just going to give them the information. I’m not going to judge anyone’s commitment to the team. I’m just going to give them the information, allow them to make their choice and if we are going to work around something, we’ll work around it. We’re always going to try to do what’s in the best interest of the team given whatever the situation may be. For example, if someone is vaccinated and someone is unvaccinated, we have to just work around it and do the best we can.”
(Does today kind of have back-to-school vibes with everyone back in a new shiny building and everyone on the team being back together? Is everyone excited?) – “Yeah. I think it’s always good. It is like the first day back to school. There are guys you haven’t seen in weeks, months. Guys are excited to see one another and check out the new facility again. I think kind of get acclimated, I think that’s a part of these first couple days for us. Here’s the weight room, here’s the training room. The coaches’ offices are here, our meeting rooms are here. It’s the first time I’ve been back here, so the press conference room is here. Yeah, it’s got that kind of vibe to it.”
(We’ve talked a lot about players making certain jumps from year-to-year or week-to-week or in-game kind of thing. Generally speaking, how long does it take for you and your staff to recognize that a player has made that next stride from where he was a year ago?) – “I think we try to improve every day. I think that’s really what we’re looking for. It’s not really a – you don’t see it year-to-year, you really see it more day-to-day and if you string enough of their days together, I would say that over time, you see that improvement. It’s more gradual than anything. So, I think that if we see improvement from a player, its something that we have probably already tracked. Games are different. You can see improvement and then you get to a game and you don’t get the production. At the end of the day, these preseason games are going to be important. Regular season games are important. But yeah, you can see guys’ ability to retain information and apply it to the techniques, the fundamentals. You can kind of see that on the practice field and normally that turns into production on the field.”
(What crossed your mind when you decided to move practice to late morning, if not early afternoon, as opposed to 8 a.m. starts?) – “Meeting time, I would say. I think we’ve normally started at 9:45. I don’t recall last year’s schedule. But normally we meet in the morning, maybe get a quick walkthrough and then hop out on the field quickly. But I mean, we have practiced a few different ways. We just felt like the 10:30 spot this year would be best. Is that what you are alluding to?
(Yeah, maybe I’m wrong but I thought you had started practice earlier in previous years.) – “I think it’s roughly around the same time or maybe a little bit later.”
(On WR Preston Williams, is he medically cleared to practice and is there anyone else who might not be ready to practice on the first day?) – “Preston is going to start on PUP. He’s done a good job with his rehab; he is working his way back. He’ll start on PUP. There’s a couple other guys – we are not. We will see how this goes on the conditioning test but Preston will start on PUP.
(I wanted to ask you about your depth chart. Obviously OTAs play a part in terms of what you see, who participates and what they do. How do you start training camp from a depth chart standpoint?) – “In my mind, there’s not really a depth chart. You have to put the first group out there, a second group out there and a third group out there. Everyone is competing, everyone gets an opportunity and really what you are trying to do is give everyone a chance to showcase their ability. I think it’s one thing to do it in an OTA setting with shorts on and another thing to do it with pads on. I think training camp is about letting everyone have that opportunity. Base formations, base coverages, schemes and let them go out there and see who can play. I think that’s a lot of what training camp is about. I’m not really, ‘this is the first group, this is the second group.’ I think everyone is competing. I think you always go into it as this is who we project to be the first group but I try to keep an open mind and say anything can happen. I’ve seen guys go from an OTA, a light bulb goes off and they come and have a great training camp. Then we have a lot of discussion about who really is the starter. I try to keep an open mind. We’ll do that. But we expect everyone to compete, be ready to go and I think it will be a very competitive training camp.”
(What are your expectations of QB Tua Tagovailoa going into his second training camp?) – “I mean we talked a lot about Tua in the spring. I think he’s made a lot of progress, I would say, throughout the spring. This is really his first training camp – well, I shouldn’t say his first training camp but first OTA. This will be his first training camp, preseason where he’ll be able to meet, practice, perform in games, healthy, all of it. We’re excited about Tua. We’re really excited about all the quarterbacks – Jacoby (Brissett), Reid (Sinnett). They’ll all get the opportunity to compete as well as the rest of the guys on the entire team.
(When do you start putting pads on?) – “Practice six. I don’t have the exact date. That’s a bout right for me because I’m really focused on this conditioning test we are about to get to and practice tomorrow. Today is the 27th. I’d have to look at a calendar. I don’t know the exact date. Tuesday.”
