Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(I think at the end, we saw QB Tua Tagovailoa have a talk with the offense. So what were your thoughts on the offensive execution today?) – “I mean, I thought it was absolutely perfect. No, see, here’s the thing in the journey of like, especially when you’re trying to be a good team, offense has its days, defense has its days. What you want is a team that takes advantage of any inch that the other side gives you. We’ve had those ebbs and flows on both sides of the ball. Today, it seemed, without watching the tape, it was clearly advantage defense. But that’s not really how we look at like, ‘okay, they won.’ No, it’s what and why and how we can progress. I felt that was one of the cool things. I was pretty locked in with Tua during the day, and I could feel that he could feel that guys were a little too geeked up. Sometimes you can get over-competitive and then you jump offsides. Then then you start pressing and stop thinking about your technique and you end up focusing on trying to make a play. Then the inverse happens. So, I know he could feel it. There were some guys that weren’t their normal selves. That happens at practice every day. I think the journey is just beginning for the team and that’s the way both sides of the ball have to look at it. There will be plays too that the defense will learn from, but overall, it’s a very productive day when people really put themselves out there and are able to learn from it. Sometimes those are hard lessons.”
(You guys got pulled off the field for lightning there for a little bit. I know you’re big on opportunities, and adversity is an opportunity. How’d you kind of take that moment to get the guys off the field and bring them back on. Just what was that like?) – “Reps. Apparently, you guys would know more than I would, but that happens from time to time here. Last year was an exception to the rule, I believe. We even have a coach on staff that it’s happened to in a Super Bowl, where you have to go inside and then restart. So the biggest fear that I had, I didn’t want the defense, was starting to feel some momentum, and I didn’t want them to all of a sudden have a lull. That’s what I was looking for. And then I wanted the offense to kind of get their stuff together and try to sustain some stuff. It happened a little bit and then self-inflicted wounds. So these are all things, the lightning is no exception – you’re just happy to get stuff out of the way because you don’t want these lessons to be learned when the score is final and the box score is real.”
(What would you say DT Christian Wilkins means to this team. We saw him with the orange jersey. Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio had high praise for him. In your eyes, what does he mean to his team?) – “Christian is, since I’ve been here, he’s been one way. I truly believe in that way, he embodies what I expect for our team, each individual to be, on a day-to-day basis for you to have success. So how do you categorize that? That’s an important part of the team. I promise you this. If Christian Wilkins came out to practice and was like, ehh (shrugs shoulders), we’d have problems. So as teammates, you end up depending on each other for certain things that you know you can count on. Energy, strain, relentlessness, these are all things that if you’re trying to be a good team, you want to embody.”
(How do you take Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio’s comments and how you read his personality? Yesterday, he was saying that we got to one safety, but we’re looking for two and three and we need more defensive line depth. I mean, when I look at the safeties on the defensive line, I see something a little different. But with Fangio, is he overly harsh or brutally honest?) – “No these are all things – when we were fortunate enough to hire Vic, I didn’t enter into the marriage, like, ‘oh, there’s another guy exactly like me.’ These are things that I think help the football team and when Vic is saying that, he’s not saying anything negative. He’s being bottom line, that you have to earn jobs, which I agree with. He’s been in the NFL for a long time. And guys respect each and everything he’s done. I mean, his track record is proven and guys understand that it’s a bottom line business. He’ll say what is fact to him, that no one’s won it yet. And that’s okay. That means that there’s competition. A lot of teams need depth and he’s stating the fact. How do I feel about it? I feel like he’s Vic Fangio, exactly who I’d hoped he’d be. I was hoping he wouldn’t come here trying to impersonate me because that’d be terrible. We want Vic Fangio, not older, wiser, Mike McDaniel.”
(Coach, are there any past experiences or lessons that you’ve learned from previous joint practice sessions that you intend to use for this upcoming week?) – “Absolutely. It’s something that is very, very beneficial. It’s very finite. You have generally two opportunities. Last year against Philly we only had one, but you generally have two opportunities, and guys are sick of going against each other. What you don’t want to do is show up without an edge. Both sides of the ball will have their wins. Invariably, the Dolphins defense versus Atlanta’s offense and the Dolphins offense versus Atlanta’s defense. One side’s going to feel the first day that they won the day. And generally the second day, things even out because you watch the tape, and you’re like, ‘oh, no, not again.’ It’s one of those things. So I think all those lessons, I’ll try to pass it along. But the main part is that we’re there to work together, to orchestrate a high-octane football practice. And it’s a great chance for a lot of guys to compete against people that have different skill sets, sizes, and statures. As well, as some young guys, you get to play in front of another organization. So, we have 90, we have 53-plus 16. There’s math there and you don’t know who it’s going to be, you don’t know what, but those opportunities are premier really for a guy’s career. I know in my career, I’ll share with them that there’s been several times that we’ve ended up signing players that we’ve gone against in joint practices. Those types of things are invaluable.”
(The format, is there anything out of the ordinary you planned for those two days?) – “No, there’s typically you’re working with another coaching staff, so you have be mindful of their progression, how they approach things and how manyreps they do, and you just have a working relationship. (Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Arthur) Smith is a great guy who kind of tai lors his practices similar to ours. So besides the back handspring competition, no there’s nothing different.”
(CB Cam Smith slipped on the concrete beyond the end zone yesterday. We saw a little bit of him out there today. Safe to say he’s ok?) – “I was aware of the slip on the concrete. That didn’t have a factor – he’s just going through what rookie a lot of rookies go through. Really, when you think about it, it’s very unique to their experience, especially if you’re a first, second, or third-round draft pick. You spend an entire offseason training to run sprints and test times. None of that is playing football. And then you go someplace where everyone else has been training accordingly, you’re trying to learn all this stuff, you have a different lifestyle change, and all the things that come with that. So it’s very typical for guys to be working through stuff as they’re really modifying the body and mind to what the NFL life is.”
(With RB De’Von Achane, is it the same thing?) – “Yeah, he’s a day-to-day situation that we don’t have any concerns for a lot of time, which is good because as a rookie running back, you have to run the ball, you have to run routes and you have to know protections. And that’s a lot. So fortunately, he shouldn’t be out for too long.”
(You mentioned earlier about you hiring Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio, and how understood how he has a different personality than you. What’s been the value, as you put your first staff together and retooled it, of maybe not adding like-minded guys, or people that see the game differently than you?) – “It’s been huge. You kind of find out in trial by fire certain things that can be advantageous. You can project as much as you want, but you don’t know how things are going to exactly play out until you’re in it. I think having the opportunity to get some well-seasoned, experienced (coaches) and guys that really have a true passion for coaching – that’s the one thing I did identify, that I knew that we had a large amount of young talent that had never been there before. So those types of things were monumental for me, and just knowing my own strengths and weaknesses, how to balance myself out so that each Dolphins’ player can get what I think they truly deserve.”
(The young defensive tackles seemed to make some plays today. Did you see some reserve options emerging?) – “Yeah, I think it’s funny how some guys progress. That’s why I have such a hard time, and you guys get so frustrated with (me), like where is this guy at? It’s because I’ve seen too many things play out with different timing. So, you have an opportunity, and maybe a certain thing clicks. All of a sudden you find a niche in your game – ok, I’m a three technique for instance, and wow. When I shoot the gap and get skinny, guys really struggle, and it could just be one play. And what happens after that play? Is that a part of you game, or is that a flash in the pan? All of these things are super interesting, and you can’t figure them truly out until you have a competitive situation that you try to create. Practice is the first step, a scrimmage is the next step, you got to go against other players, and then you’re in a preseason game. These are human beings that are affected by minor things, and they are putting their best foot forward. You really have to wait and judge the full complexity of the situation to look at all of the opportunities. Otherwise, you’re pretty vulnerable to being flat out wrong. I try my best not to do that, the best I can.”
(WR Erik Ezukanma has missed some time and he’s a guy who needs some reps, when talking to Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker. Do you have to caution him against coming back too soon? How do you handle that situation?) – “We’re extremely fortunate to have a training staff like (Head Athletic Trainer) Kyle Johnson and all the support staff, (Head Strength and Conditioning Coach) Dave Puloka and these guys. I think the No. 1 formula when dealing with professional athletes is you have to have a relationship with them and you have to know who you’re dealing with and you have to know where their head is at. Erik is hungry. We all know that, so I’m very confident that our training staff will protect him against himself. He knows that he needs to be out there and he’s been chomping at the bit for a long time, but great things typically don’t happen fast. So he really, really wants to be a contributor on this football team in a great way. That’s ok. It can be frustrating. It’s just important that he maximizes his opportunities once he is able to get back on the field.”
(With CB Noah Igbinoghene, do you see him finally coming along? And if I could get a two-for-one, how about CB Eli Apple?) – “Oh, vet move! (laughter) Again, that’s why – don’t underestimate the journey that is going from system to system in a defense. Specifically, you guys all know that we played a ton of man coverage and now we play a ton of really everything. So that process and being able to identify eligibles – this defense does require a good understanding of what everyone is doing to be great. He’s continued to progress and make more plays. He had one of my favorite cloud reps that he’s had all camp and really since he’s been here. He got his hands on a turnover. These are things that you like to see and you like to watch what players do with it. How does that confidence materialize moving forward? Is he thirsty enough to say, ‘I want more,’ or do you get comfortable? That’s why I like the preseason, I like the players’ journey and I like to watch them develop, trying to really fulfill their dreams.”
DT Christian Wilkins
(Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio told us yesterday that he believes you’re one of the best players in the league. Bottle of wine for a comment like that? What do you think?) – “I didn’t know he said that, but that’s definitely a lot of high praise because Coach (Vic) Fangio is not just throwing out compliments like that so that just speaks to the high standard he holds for me and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure I meet that high standard each and every day I take this field, take the meeting room, drive on the way to work. It doesn’t matter. Off the field. I’m going to try to hold that high standard I hold for myself and the high standard he holds for me because I know he doesn’t just throw out comments like that. I didn’t know that (he said that), but I got a lot of respect for Vic just being around him for the few months we’ve been working together and got a lot of respect and a lot of praise for him.”
(Do you think the playlist has something to do with the defense’s performance?) – “I can’t take all credit for that, but yeah. (laughter) I think it had a little something-something to do with it. But no, guys just came out today, just locked in. We just want to keep growing and improving as a defense every time we take the field and I feel like we’ve been able to do that this camp so far, but now we’ll have a chance to do that against another team here in a couple days.”
(How much do you put it on yourself to set the tone for defense every day?) – “I put a lot of pressure on myself when it comes to this game and I kind of like it that way because I just feel like who is it going to be if it’s not me? And my teammates are counting on that, and that’s what this organization is counting on. So I try to just bring the energy every day, set the tone, kind of just be that spark, be that light for the guys in this building.”
(I remember last year you said that getting into a routine had a really big impact. Where is that rooted in or was that something you always had or something switched with that?) – “Yeah, I’ve kind of always been like that, but it’s constant work. It’s a constant grind just to kind of improve that routine and improve your process and looking for little things that always give you that edge and that advantage, but it helps me to stay locked in and focused. I know what time I’m waking up, I know what time I’m eating breakfast, I know what time I’m getting to the facility, I know what time I’m doing everything at the facility. It’s like clockwork. Just trying to stay within that and not stray too far, it allows me to just be locked in and stay focused and have a good routine and hopefully it leads to more success.”
(I just want to piggyback off of what was just asked, how do you balance wanting to be that leader of the defense with your own routine? I know you take care of your body a lot of time in that respect.) – “I don’t know, just being around some good leaders in my time here, just being around good leaders throughout my life. Just kind of finding that, just kind of taking a little bit from everybody, but also a big way for me to lead is by example, first and foremost, so guys kind of see what I do and follow along and it just allows me to – it puts me in a good position to continue to lead and be a vocal leader and just have guys’ backs and do all that for them.”
(It looks like DT Jaylen Twyman had a pretty good day today. How have you seen him come along in camp so far?) – “’Baby T’ man. It’s been good to see the things he’s been doing. He’s like your annoying little baby brother. Just asks every single question about football non-stop. Like every single – he’s just non-stop full of questions and I love that because he challenges me. Now he’s got me thinking like – he’ll hit me with something sometimes and I’m like, ‘dang,’ now I’ve got to find an answer for him. But I just love the strides he’s made and you like to see that in a young guy who struggled a little bit early in his career here and still trying to find his way and navigate because I was once in a similar situation where I was struggling early trying to find my way, trying to navigate and that’s all he’s trying to do and all the young guys in our room – (Josiah) Bronson – just trying to motivate them and keep them on the right path.”
(You set career highs for tackles for loss each year. I’m wondering how, after having some time now with this scheme, you think it may be conducive to continuing a trend of tackles for loss as well as potentially setting a career-high for sacks?) – “The biggest thing is I just try to come in every day with a daily focus of getting better. Stats will come, all that will come; but the biggest thing is – I don’t know – I don’t make goals or specific stats or anything I want. I just kind of have general goals that if I lock in on those general goals every day, it’ll lead to everything I want personally, for this team and for this organization, I feel. So not something too specific, but more just general goals that I know if I’m reaching those and being the best in those areas, then everything hopefully that I want will come.”
(Is contract totally out of your mind and if so, how do you accomplish that because it seems very significant?) – “The biggest thing with that, all that stuff, I just try to focus as much on ball as possible and leave all that other stuff up to the organization and my representation and just control what I can control with my guys and with this team. I definitely feel like I’ve done enough and done a lot to earn a new deal and a new contract; but again, I’m just focusing on ball and improving every day and just giving my all to this organization and hopefully they’ll give their all back to me.”
(Is that something you’d like to have a deadline or timeline on, start of the season or something, where hey, I’d love to at least have an answer – yes or no – by a certain time?) – “Again, I’m just trying to focus on the everyday, first and foremost and be the best teammate I can be for my guys, be there for them and just stay in my lane there. Again, like I said, if I continue to be humble and do right by this game, I’m really big on respecting the game and doing right by the game and if you do that, the football gods will always bless you. So that’s kind of my approach and that’s how I approach each and every day.”
(Have you had encouraging signs, talks in those negotiations?) – “Again, like I said, I’ll keep all that between the organization and my representation. I just try to be the best that I can be every day, however I see fit.”
(Speaking broadly though, it’s got to feel great that defensive tackles are now being paid like quarterbacks – $20-25 million a year. What is your reaction when you see those kinds of deals?) – “No, absolutely. I just love it for the evolution of the game and how far we’ve come as a position. Again, like I said, I’m big on respecting the game so it’s my job to carry that torch for those Warren Sapps, those Vince Wilforks – all those guys that I grew up watching and learning from. I have a responsibility so I love what we’ve been able to do as a position for the game and hopefully we’ll continue to do that.”
(The defense seemed to have a nice day today. What are your thoughts on how the defense performed today?) – “Yeah, I think we just came out strong and we stuck together and we were just able to compete. That starts at the top with the leadership on this team, on this defense and just were able to have a little fun out there and even when other guys were going in, other guys were rotating, we just tried to make sure that we supported those young guys that were out there – the subs, the rotation – and just be there for them and support them however we saw fit. It was good. We were just able to have a lot of energy on the sideline and just able to compete and have a good day.”
(The energy that you have in the backfield. Do you know who you’re yelling at? Do you remember what you’re yelling? Is everybody getting it?) – “Nah, I mean it’s just – I don’t know. I’m a sick twisted individual. (laughter) I don’t know. Again, that’s just passion. That’s just love because there’s nothing like making a big play because they’re so hard to come by and I don’t know. I just love this game a lot and when you think about just all the work you put in, that’s a great reward.”
(Is there any different feeling to coming back to the stadium from the fans and everything?) _ “That was great. It definitely just changes your mindset. It was nice that we were able to do this during camp because you’re in the monotony of camp. You’re just coming in every day driving to the facility, so this was a nice changeup. It just was a little bit of different energy and I told the guys before practice – the d-line – I was like, don’t take this for granted. Any time you come into this stadium, it’s a time to compete and put on. Don’t disrespect this game. Don’t disrespect this organization. Put on every time you come to the stadium. So that was a lot of fun. It added a little more juice. It was nice to have the fans around. I had my playlist popping. I mean, it was cool. Someone messed it up. I want to talk to the person who messed up my playlist. They played it all out of order. They had one job to do, but it’s all good. (laughter) It worked out. It’s all good. It worked out. It was straight. I saw some head bobs from people who were hating before. So it was cool. I think I won the people over.”
(What did they mess up?) – “No, they just played it out of order. I had a specific order of how I wanted my songs played, just the timing. But it ended up – I guess I know how to choose them because the songs worked out well anyway, so that was cool. But yeah, just different energy today and I loved it and it was just a good break in camp.”
(We heard you got hell. Don’t act like you didn’t get hell.) – “No, stop playing. I am very diverse. I know it all, so I’m good when it comes to my music.”
OL Robert Jones
(It looked like QB Tua Tagovailoa gave you guys an animated talk after today’s scrimmage. What was that like?) – “It was just him being a leader, like he is every day. He just told us that we just have to keep working on the little things, keep being competitive no matter when adversity hits, keep grinding (and) keep going. That was basically all.”
(How have you seen QB Tua Tagovailoa grow as a leader this year compared to previous years?) – “Last year, he was a great leader. This year, you can just see the confidence keep growing, keep growing. He’s just taking control of the whole offense, of the whole team. He’s making sure guys respect him, as we’ve been respecting him, and just follow as we go.”
(It seemed to me that last year you played a lot more left guard and this year you’re playing both. Is that accurate? And if so, how has right guard been for you?) – “Last year, I played both sides. Unfortunately, Liam (Eichenberg) got hurt last year and I had to go out there as a swing guard and play left guard. But this year, I’m playing a little bit of both, playing everywhere. Everyone is playing everywhere, because it’s competitive, it’s training camp. It’s the same thing as it was last year, just have to keep battling.”
(It seemed to me DT Jaylen Twyman had a good day and it seems that yesterday was a good day for him, also. I’m not saying that he’s beating you, but what have you noticed about DT Jaylen Twyman?) – “Jaylen is a good pass rusher. He’s been getting better each day. Ever since he came in last year, he’s helped us get better as an offense on pass downs and run downs. This year, you can just see him growing and just being more confident in his abilities. He’s giving us a good look and getting us ready for the season.”
(Getting an opportunity with Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry now, to compete to start, was that important to you? Do you feel like you’re getting that opportunity, you and several others?) – “I’m not really focused on that going into this camp. I’m just trying to get better each and every day, be the best player I can be. Whenever that opportunity comes, I’m going to be grateful for it. But having Butch, we just go out there and we all compete. He’s giving everyone an opportunity everywhere to play and get better, because you never know where you’ll end up.”
(In facing DT Christian Wilkins not only this summer but in previous years, what sticks out about him?) – “Christian is a hard worker. He talks a lot, but he’s earned that right. He makes everyone better every down. He’s a great leader, great teammate and he just works hard no matter what and never takes a play off.”
(What are some key benefits that you see going into the joint practices next week that you can use for team success?) – “Just focusing on all the little details, just going out there and just being competitive, trusting in our techniques, the things we’ve been focusing on this whole offseason, just going in there and just having fun.”
(What were your thoughts on DT Christian Wilkins’ playlist?) – “No comment. (laughter)”
(It’s better than it has been!) – “Yeah, it’s better than it has been. I think he had a little help from the defense or offense. (laughter)”
(The rain break today, was that a welcome change? Or did it kind of interrupt the – I guess it cooled things off, but did it interrupt the flow? How do you look at that?) – “I just look at it as just another opportunity to get better. Adversity hit and we just have got to overcome it. We just go out there and play ball, because in a regular season game if that happens, we just have to go out there and act like nothing ever happened and just keep playing.”
(What’s the benefit for an offensive lineman coming back into the same system for the second year?) – “You just feel more comfortable in everything. You feel more comfortable in the scheme, understanding your techniques better and really just knowing what’s really going on. For everyone to be on the same page in the offense other than just one guy on the offensive line, the center, just calling the plays, everyone knows where they’re going. So it’s really no communication, you just go out there and play fast.”
(It wasn’t a full house or anything, but to see all those fans out there, what was that like?) – “Man, it was exciting. It’s been a long time with us having fans (at the stadium). Being back in Hard Rock Stadium is just amazing and it’s a blessing. It was great.”
T Isaiah Wynn
(We know you can play tackle. You did it well for four years. We know you haven’t played guard since college until now. What’s the adjustment been like? Are you surprised they have you playing some guard?) – “No. As always, I’m wherever they need me to be. It’s a lot like tackle. Stuff just happens quicker but as I said, I am wherever the need me to be. It’s been good.”
(Have you felt any rust from not playing guard for a number of years?) – “Nah, but I can always get better, for sure.”
(What’s the toughest part of the transition?) – “From guard to tackle? Probably everything happens quicker. Tackle you have more space. Guard everything happens quicker. It’s been all good.”
(You’ve been matched up against DT Christian Wilkins for the past two weeks. What stands out about him?) – “Man, he’s a dominant player. He’s quick off the ball. He’s intuitive. He has good hands. He’s a dynamic rusher and run (stopper) too.”
(Starting is something you’ve done a lot in your career. Is that important to you? Did you come here aiming to win a starting job?) – “I came here to help. Whatever way I can help to achieve that goal that everybody is out here to reach.”
(Next week are joint practices. Is there anything specific you guys can improve as a unit?) – “I just think our overall technique. I can’t speak for the team, but at least myself, I’m not where I feel I need to be. Just keep working on the little things and trusting the technique. It’ll be good.”
(How much do you think the PUP stint, or the injury that you were battling, set you back?) – “Oh, it’s all good. I forgot that even happened. (laughter) We right here.”
CB Noah Igbinoghene
(Can you take us through the interception you made today?) – “It was good, man. I was just running down the sideline, saw the ball in the air and went up and got it. I need to work on my return skills though. I think I went the opposite way. (laughter) I will work on that next time I get one.”
(Last time we spoke, you talked about a difference in your mentality, your approach. Do you feel that paying off for you right now?) – “Yeah, I think it is. I’m just coming in every single day and working on my craft and getting better. I’m just focused on that and getting better each and every single day. I think I’ll be happy by the end of training camp with where I’m at with my development.”
(What did you see on the route that led to your pick?) – “I was just playing my responsibility and when you do that, and when you focus on your technique, balls start coming your way, and that’s what happened. The ball was in the air, I went up and got it. I work on everything in indy (individual) with (Cornerbacks/Pass Game Specialist) Sam Madison and our DB coaches. It just worked out for me today.”
(You really tried to go back all 60 yards?) – “Yeah, I did. I went the opposite way though. On my sideline, when I got the pick, I think there was some room. But I was just happy so I was just running to whatever space was open.”
(Who gave you the most crap for that going the wrong way?) – “A linebacker came up to me. He said he they were all blocking for me but again, I went the opposite way. It’s unfortunate. When we get in the game, I’ll get a pick-six next time.”
(How have you handled constructive criticism from teammates and coaches during the offseason?) – “I’ve been handling it very well. You just have to take coaching to get better. That’s the only way to get better. You have to take constructive criticism. I’ve been really accepting with it and not taking nothing personal, and just really making sure this is just a business and accepting my teammates and my coaches. Anything they tell me, all my criticism and stuff like that. Again, I have to take that with a grain of salt and just get better each and every single day.”
(From the outside, it appears the defense had a good day today. What’s your assessment of how the defense did today?) – “We did really well. We’ve got to keep working every single day. No day is perfect. That includes today. We’ll come out here, the next practices we have are against Atlanta. We’re looking forward to that as well and getting better as we face them next week.”
