LB Bradley Chubb
(How close is the defense to being regular season ready right now?) – “I feel like you don’t know that until we get there. But from what I’ve seen, we’ve taken the mistakes we have made in the past and corrected them. We’re growing as a unit, as a d-line, I know for sure, because we’re communicating a lot more, figuring out different intricacies of the defense where we could take our shots. I know the DBs are doing the same thing as well, so it’s coming along real well. I don’t know, like you said, if we’re game ready, but I feel like we are and when it comes to that time, we just have to go out there and prove it.”
(Kind of piggybacking off of that question, you’ve been in this defense before. Where do you feel like everyone’s comfort with the scheme is at this stage?) – “I feel like everybody is pretty comfortable. Like I said, now it’s just about mastering the scheme. Everybody knows what to do. Now it’s about, ‘OK, when this happens and this happens, how can I react to that?’ Just trying to take it to that next level, and I feel like everybody is on – out of 10, I’d say everybody is on level seven, six or seven, right now. We still have some time to get it to ten, but I know when we get to 10, it’s going to look real good.”
(This is the second time you’ve been part of a Vic Fangio install for the first time in the system. How would you grade his ability to make it happen quickly? Because we often see new systems take some time to gel. How does he make it expedited?) – “That’s a good question, because I don’t know what he does to make it do that, but I feel like everywhere I’ve been, he gets it in pretty quick. I think it’s a complicated defense in terms of scheme and how the offense sees it, but for us, it’s kind of easy to learn. Especially the outside linebackers, we don’t have too much verbiage and stuff like that that we have to go through. So it’s easier for us, but I know those guys on the backend, they work together, they study together, they do all those things to make sure they get it. That’s a good question. I’m not sure what makes it click like that so easily, but whatever it is, he’s got it, for sure.”
(Is this week a bit of a change of pace going from training camp style practices to more like looking at it like a game week?) – “Yes, for sure. It’s a great change of pace, getting a chance to kind of hone-in your craft (and) better yourself. I mean the last two weeks we were doing that as well, but it was against other competition and all that. You kind of sacrifice the – I wouldn’t say the fundamentals just to win, but the competitive edge comes over. Now it’s a good changeup just to really better yourself, better everybody around you and take it into Saturday full steam ahead.”
(Speaking of other competition, what was T Laremy Tunsil like to go up against?) – “It was dope. It was dope to go against one of the better tackles in the league, get a full week of work with him. He got his, I got mine, and at the end of the day, we made each other better. That’s all you can ask for out of those joint practices. That’s one of those guys that last year I went against him twice. The first game to the second game, I felt like I was a better player. It was kind of cool to see that translate over again in the joint practices, too. So it was a good experience, man. I’m glad we did it.”
(RB De’Von Achane got slammed to the ground twice last week. He’s 188 pounds. As a defensive player, do you think, not that you’re going to hurt anybody, but do you think, “Alright, I’m going to get a good shot in on this guy?” Or is every guy like RB Derrick Henry?) – “Everybody is the same, but it’s actually crazy you said that because I thought it was illegal to pick somebody up and slam them. We didn’t really get a flag on that, so hopefully they take a look at that. When it comes to hitting people, everybody is the same. You’ve got to understand how to tackle people. They have different ways to avoid, making defenders miss and stuff like that. So you have to know how to approach it, but when it comes down to the force, everybody is the same.”
(I know a lot of times, vets will use camp to kind of work on something they want to improve in their game. Is this the week where you transition from that mindset to let’s get ready for the season?) – “Yeah, for sure, man. I’ve been doing it the past two days when it comes, in terms of just rushes and stuff, trying different stuff out because throughout camp I was working on what worked for me. ‘OK, I like this. This is my go-to. I’m going to do this.’ Now it’s kind of more of a, ‘I know what my go-tos are, what could be my change up?’ If it’s third down and the team needs a play but I’m tired? ‘OK, let me see if I can do this, how this works and stuff like that.’ It’s just kind of – the next couple practices, like I said, are a good change of pace because you can work on yourself, work on being a better version of you instead of just competing 24/7.”
(I don’t know if you’re aware, but QB Tua Tagovailoa takes a lot of criticism externally. A lot of it is unfair. Do you protect the guy? What do you do when you hear someone taking shots at your quarterback?) – “I mean, it’s a little bit of both, because you know at the end of the day, he wants to hold that on his head, as the leader of this team, he wants it all to be on him. But at the end of the day, man, you try not to listen to the noise. You try not to listen to the distractions and just love him up as a person. It’s more than just, ‘Oh, he’s the quarterback.’ He’s my teammate. He’s somebody I go to work with every day. He is a person I’ve grown to love and know as a person. When it comes to the criticism and stuff, it’s crazy because when I first got here, I was like, ‘Bro, why is everybody always talking about you?’ He just laughed it off, ‘Uce, man, I don’t know.’ It doesn’t phase him, so as long as we’re being the people each and every day, I feel like it’s going to be good for him.”
(I know S Brandon Jones is a close friend of yours. What sense have you gotten from him in terms of patience, frustration, as he works his way back from somethings?) – “Brandon is a maniac when it comes to working out. He’s like 24/7 always on, always on, always on. I kind of went through the same process in 2020 – going into 2020 from my ACL. Just kind of giving him the knowledge I had from that point of view and telling him all the experiences I had. You’re not going to be 100 percent when you get back on the field. Stuff is going to act up. Your knee has been surgically repaired. They cut open to where your bone has been sawed into. You’re not going to be who you think you can be those first couple of games, first couple of practices. I would just tell him to stay patient. Yeah, you want to work hard and do all of this, but you can’t push it balls to the walls every day because your body doesn’t know how to react to that just yet. Just having those conversations, and he’s getting it. You see him maturing as a player, as a person, each and every day so it’s been dope to see. Every time he’s out there, I give him those words of encouragement because like I said, I’ve been there. I know what it feels like to be feeling like you’re away from the team and then when you’re back, you’re not yourself. Whatever is going through his head, I’ve been there and try to give him those words of encouragement.”
(Along those lines, we saw DT Zach Sieler get treatment for a knee ailment or whatever it was and he went back in there. As a player, where do you draw the line between I know the regular season is coming, or I need to get some work? How do you decide when you should come out?) – “I feel like we’re professionals and we’ve been doing it for a while and you just know your body. If you feel like you could work through something, then ok try to go out there. But at the end of the day, like you said, the regular season is coming up, so everybody has been pretty smart when it comes to things that they are feeling. It’s just about knowing yourself, knowing your body and understanding that the big time is coming up now. For him to be back out there, you know it’s not that serious. It’s something that he’s going to take care of throughout the rest of this day and tomorrow. He’s been a pro since he’s been here, it’s just finding that balance.”
(You were talking about your relationship with S Brandon Jones a little bit ago. I know you got here midseason last year. How is your bond with the other guys in your group?) – “In my group, especially it’s been amazing. It was amazing even last year coming in and having those guys take me under their wings in a sense from the team perspective. I just saw the love and all of that, that they poured into me. So I’m just pouring that same thing into them, and pouring that same thing into the rookies as they come in, and the new guys. I feel that’s how you build that team bond, how you build that camaraderie. It’s just talking to guys, being cool with guys, and understanding that this is more than just football. Caring about guys off the field. It’s been getting there. It’s been fun to see where I was day one and week one last year versus now, so it’s cool.”
(I know there has been a lot of talk and you probably don’t listen to it. But you and LB Jaelen Phillips could be a really good duo together. I’m curious how you guys work. I know you have different personalities, but maybe it’s off to the side, or how you talk through things, can you give me a view of how you guys feed off of each other?) – “Just those little things like talking in between plays. One day I might not be feeling it, but he might be feeling it. ‘Hey, do your thing man. I’m going to do what you need me to do, but do your thing. Go out there.’ And vice versa. He may not be feeling it and I’m feeling great. I’m running around and giving him the energy trying to pick him up. We just try to feed off of each other, because at the end of the day, those two positions are going to make or break the defense. Not to put pressure on it or make us think we got to do the unthinkable, but we’ve got to go out there and set the tone for the defense, and make sure we’re holding up our end of the bargain.”
(You said when you first came here, you asked QB Tua Tagovailoa why is everybody basically on you all the time? He did say today, that if he needs to get scrappy, he’ll get scrappy. Have you seen that?) – “Yeah. I’ve seen it for sure. At first, the outside looking in, you don’t see it. But you see the dude walking around and see how he responds to things. You see how he navigates through it. He’s not going to give anything attention unless it needs attention. That kind of just trickles down to the whole team. Nobody is worried about the small distractions. Ok, yeah it’s going to come, but if you’re talking a little too much then we’re going to have to stand on our name too, at the end of the day.”
(What’s the skill with LB Garrett Nelson that stands out to you?) – “His ability to learn, and to not make the same mistake twice. As a rookie, you’re going to mess up. You’re going to forget the call, you’re going to do the wrong thing every now and then. But he never did the same thing twice in terms of bad stuff. He’s been getting better each and every week of practice. You see it one day. ‘You could’ve ripped a little bit better,’ and then that next day he’s out before practice working on that rip, working on that rip. Then the team period comes and the rip just set him free for a sack. It’s been dope to see his progression, how he takes stuff and how he takes those losses and turns them to lessons.”Kader Kohou – August 23, 2023
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
CB Kader Kohou
(I know this time last year and if you were one of those guys that were maybe on the right side of the bubble or wrong side of the bubble. What goes through your mind thinking about where you are a year from then, being established on the team roster?) – “Growth. Happy to be where I’m at but I have to keep working.”
(Where do you feel like you improved the most so far this camp and preseason? Where have you seen the most growth?) – “Just being more consistent. Last year, I felt like I made splash plays, but then kind of have down plays. So just staying more consistent and not letting a bad play affect the next play.”
(Have they given you, the starters, any indication on how much you’ll play on Saturday? And do you think that this defense is regular season ready?) – “Nah, that would be a better question for the coaches. But as a defense, I feel like we do a lot of good things, but we still have a lot to work on. So we’re still just working.”
(How challenging is it to go from the slot to the outside in the same game or in the same practice?) – “It’s not that challenging. I feel like when I’m playing slot or outside, you’re playing man or just zone, so there’s not that big of a difference. It’s not that challenging.”
(Are you still renting or did you buy a house or condo?) – “(laughter) I got the same apartment I had last year.”
(What about a new car? Did you get a new car for this year?) – “Yeah.”
(Is it fancy?) – “(laughter) It’s not fancy.”
(How much have you talked to CB Jalen Ramsey since he got hurt and how’s he been?) – “Jalen, his mentality is different. When you talk to him, it doesn’t seem like he’s hurt. He’s just ready to come back and play. He’s always texting the group chat trying to give us pointers and stuff like that. He’s been great even though he’s not on the field with us.”
(Do you embrace the challenge for the time that he is going to be out, taking a little bigger role?) – “I was going to do that anyway. It’s the same mindset I had going into camp …”
(Last game, RB De’Von Achane got slammed down once and another time a 300-pound defensive lineman fell on him. Have you seen that happen out here during practice? Has anybody slammed joint practices or anything? I’m wondering if there’s anything that he can do as a running back to kind of prevent that?) – “I’ve never played running back, so I don’t know what to do. But we don’t really tackle at practice so I can’t really tell. I didn’t even see the play so I can’t really give too much info on that.”
(You didn’t see that? I know you don’t watch the offense.) – “No, but he’s a great player though.”
(You mentioned consistency as a goal for you this year. What are some things you’re doing to try get more consistent?) – “Really just building into a routine. Last year, I felt like it’s a problem for most rookies. You come in and it’s hard to find the things you do on a day-to-day basis. You get ready for practice or games or watching film and stuff like that. So building a better routine keeps you on track to make everything and settle you down and just play football.”
(Some of your teammates have been really complimentary of you and your play the last year or so. What does that mean to you? Knowing that game recognizes game and how does that make you feel?) – “Especially coming from my teammates, I go to war with those guys every Sunday. If they feel like I’m good enough to play with them and compete with them, it’s a great feeling.”
(What’s one thing CB Xavien Howard does that you make sure that if you didn’t do before, you’re like, ‘I have to do that because he’s doing it?’) – “He just plays the ball like crazy. Ball production. That’s the biggest thing he makes. Playing corner, you have to have a short-term memory. He has that down to a pat. He’s really good at not letting anything get too high or too low.”
(We heard from Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio yesterday. He said something interesting that in the meeting room is when you study, on the field is the exam and he likes to leave you guys alone and let you play. Have you noticed that hands-off approach from him when you’re on the field?) – “Most definitely. I feel like on the field, I don’t even hear him. The only time I hear him talk is when we go to the team defensive meeting room. He’s always the one leading the meetings and he coaches every position on every single play. So whatever he said, yes it’s true.”
(He coaches every position on every single play?) – “Every single play. When we’re watching film, he goes and talks about the d-line, switches the view, then talks about linebackers and then the DBs.”
(That’s unusual from your perspective?) – “I’ve only had two defensive coordinators in the NFL, but even my college coach didn’t do that. We always had separate meeting rooms.”
(We also keep hearing that Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio is funnier than he looks.) – “Yeah, he’s funny. I thought he was going to be one of those guys that was football 24/7, like military and stuff. But no, he cracks jokes here and there. He’s funny without even trying to be.”
(He was talking trash about your guys’ music choice though. Is there anything he pushes in the meeting room?) – “Vic doesn’t know what we listen to, but what did he just turn yesterday – 65 (years old)? I don’t think we have the same kind of music. (laughter)”
(I think he called it noise.) – “Yeah, my grandpa calls it noise too. (laughter)”Tua Tagovailoa – August 23, 2023
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel hasn’t said whether the starters will play in the preseason finale. If you don’t get action in the final preseason game, do you feel good about the state of the offense entering Week 1?) – “I don’t think you ever feel good until you get live action games in a real season, real defensive looks, not just normal coverage. You’re getting pressures, you’re getting different looks on third down. I guess we’ll never know until we actually go out there and have to really play. So, we’ll see.”
(We saw you get hit in the game against Houston. Was there some jiu-jitsu? Your head stayed up. Was that it?) – “Yeah, I would say we’ve been practicing it once a week, just in case. Try to build that muscle memory for the falling aspect of it. I think it worked out pretty good. It felt good to get back in there, to get hit, to get tackled a little. It was pretty good.”
(Does it feel natural to you at this point where you’re not thinking, ‘I’ve got to do this as I’m falling?’) – “Not yet. Just continuing to practice it.”
(Does the jiu-jitsu continue as you get closer to the season or did you stop?) – “No, I think I’ll continue it. It’s almost gotten to a point where it has been in the flow of things with how I’ve been doing things throughout the week.”
(How unusual was today with no WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle to throw to? Was that the first practice without both of them and how unusual was it?) – “I think it was the first practice. It’s a little unusual not having your guys out there. But it also gives other guys opportunities to showcase themselves with the first group and then also build chemistry with those guys as well.”
(Understanding the process of throwing a football with your left hand, knowing you do everything right-handed. When that first came about, how challenging was that and how long do you think it took for you to master that craft?) – “I can’t remember how long it took for me to get used to throwing with my left hand. I just got to a point where it felt natural throwing with my left and shooting with my left. But I can’t remember how long it took.”
(Ryan Clark on ESPN had some criticism about you, saying that you didn’t hit the gym in the offseason. You didn’t follow nutritionists’ advice. If he were here, what would you say to him?) – “I mean, he probably knows more about me than I know about myself. I don’t know. Ryan’s been out of the league for some time. I don’t know. It’s a little weird when other people are talking about other people when they’re not that person. It was just a little weird. Like my background is I come from a Samoan family. Respect is everything. But if it does get to a point where – hey, a little easy on that buddy because I think we’re pretty tough-minded people and if we need to scrappy, we can get scrappy too. Just saying.”
(How hard did you work in the offseason?) – “I think we all worked hard throughout the offseason. And I’m not someone to talk about myself the entire time, but it takes a lot. Do you think I wanted to build all this muscle? To some extent, I wanted to be a little lighter. There’s a mixture of things that people don’t understand, that people don’t know about, that are talked about that go behind the scenes. So, I’d appreciate if you kept my name out your mouth. That’s what I’d say.”
(It’s Week 1 for a lot of high school students for football. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom you want to share to them as they prepare for their season?) – “Just prepare. Lean back on your training. I think a thing to remember is Jason Jenkins. He’s someone that had a great impact here at the Dolphins. I’d say I had a pretty good relationship with him throughout my years here with him. I just think this is a time to continue to remember his legacy here as a Miami Dolphin.”
(You guys had a 14-play drive in the game on Saturday that you engineered. Last year you had one of the most explosive offenses. How important is it to you as an offense to strike that balance between being able to score quickly and possess the football?) – “I think it’s very encouraging to see for our offense. Adversity hit quick within the first two plays and we were able to knock that off and just continue to sustain the drive. We converted our third downs and we were able to finish those so I thought it was really good.”
(I know this is a day-by-day league, but the opener is not too far away. I don’t know what the plan is for Saturday, but when does your focus even start to go to the regular season opener?) – “I think our focus starts here with Jacksonville. We’re treating this as if it were a game week, so just preparing the way we would on a normal day-to-day week. Normal down-and-distances, third downs, red area and we’ll see what they give us. So I’m preparing as if I’m going to play.”
(Is that a nice change of pace from practice to be able to get to do that? To go from training camp, training camp to that?) – “Yeah, it feels good to practice against other teams, get other looks. The preparation is a little different when you’re joint practicing, but when you’re able to practice on your own, get looks from the scout team, I think that definitely helps in preparation to play on the weekend.”
(You were asked about obviously the Ryan Clark comments. Do you think some people kind of clout chase for lack of a better word? They make their names off yours a little bit?) – “Make their name off of mine?”
(Yeah, like they look to boost engagement because they know QB Tua Tagovailoa is a guy people want to talk about.) – “I don’t look at myself as someone who chases clout. I stay out of the media as much as I can. I try to live my life as private as I can so if they think it’s chasing clout, buddy, I’m the wrong person. There’s nothing about me that tells you that I’m chasing clout, so I mean, go find Jake Paul or go find Logan. Go find those guys if you want to chase clout. Like those are the guys you want to chase.”
(Has that trend in your career of listening to the outside noise, has that changed at all or evolved at all in the last couple years?) – “No. No. The person who bears all the bad news to me (is the PR staff). (laughter) That’s how I figure things out. So other than that, no one in my family tells me anything. My wife doesn’t watch news outside of regular BBC news, all of those things, what’s going on around the world. Also prayers back home still to the people out there in Maui. There’s still a lot of people missing. There’s still a lot of things that haven’t been – shoutout to the news, but prayers and thoughts out there to the families and a couple of my friends that live out there.”
(How has that process been with the relief efforts, you balancing that with day-to-day? How has that been going?) – “It’s been going good. The thing with that is – I mean, they’ve been down with power for some time, so they don’t even know what’s going on. Like who is all missing, where this thing is, what’s happening. There’s a lot of things going on back there and so we just continue to pray. I do know there’s a lot of people that are out there willing to help and willing to help fund the relief needs for those out there in Maui.”
(When you’re not playing in the preseason games and you’re talking to Head Coach Mike McDaniel, how much do you sort of cherish those moments to see his vision in a game context while you still can? You seem to be having a lot of fun as well when something goes right.) – “Yeah, when everything goes right, it’s a reflection of our offense. It’s a reflection of our team, so when our guys go out there, no matter who it is, you want to see them succeed. You want to see them do well because you know that they’ve been studying, they’ve been understanding what is needed to have been done in this particular defense with our offense and you know they’ve been working really hard. So just going out there and seeing them succeed, it means a lot. It means a lot because guys are working for a job and guys need to beat out people. It’s a competition. That’s what it is here in this league.”
