DE Shaq Lawson
(What’s the excitement level playing the Chiefs, QB Patrick Mahomes and this sort of offense this week?) – “We’re just going to treat this just like we treat every other game, week-in and week-out. Each game we play, we prepare for week-in and week-out like it’s the most important game of the season. This is no bigger than the other games we’ve had these last 12 to 13 weeks.”
(We got the email from the Dolphins and kind of your explanation of the $10,000 donation. Can you speak a little bit about your upbringing and being an inner-city kid, and what was the direction and why you did this?) – “I did this because I was the same kid getting help. I needed it. I needed it Christmas and school and things like that. I told myself if I had the opportunity to make it and give back, I wanted to do the same thing because those guys and people put me in a position to be successful, and not have to worry about those little things I had to worry about.”
(I know you like sacking all quarterbacks, but is there one quarterback you most want to sack in the league?) – “Oh man, not really. Week-in and week-out I’m trying to get a sack. I’m trying to get a sack every week, every time I touch the field. I don’t really have to – I feel like I did that. My favorite player I sacked was Tom Brady my rookie year. I feel like I already did that part; but now it’s just getting a sack week-in and week-out on any quarterback.”
(To get that sack, you obviously have to go through a left tackle when you’re lined up on the right side of the formation. What are some challenges that T Eric Fisher presents for you in this matchup this weekend?) – “Eric Fisher is a vet. He’s a great player. He gives you a lot of different looks. He’s a vet player. That’s something I see week-in and week-out. That left tackle is supposed to be protecting your quarterback, so I’m seeing the best player on that side week-in and week-out. It’s nothing new.”
(I know every game is treated the same, but there is that saying that ‘they remember what you do in December.’ Do you guys feel like this is the time to kick it up another notch since it’s close to playoff time?) – “No. I mean December football, you don’t have room for error. Everything counts. That’s why when you say December is the most important, it really is. It’s when you find out how good your team is and that’s the next step of potentially making the playoffs and winning the championship. The December month of football is the most important, so everything you do, each day, each preparation, they all count. They all count.”
(How much do you enjoy playing December home games this year, as opposed to your previous December home games were kind of a little bit colder?) – “That’s crazy. I was thinking about that the other day. I was like this time last year, I was struggling outside in December. Now it’s just love, because it still feels like it’s summer down here in December. But, it’s great though.”
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(Can you walk us through what you’ve been feeling this week? Are you excited to see some of your former teammates? Obviously you won a ring with this team, so what is this Sunday’s game going to mean for you?) – “It’s a big game for us. We treat it like every other game. They’re a good team. They’re coming in. We’ve got a good game plan and we’re just ready to take them on. That’s all I’m going to say.”
(Obviously you practiced against these guys a lot with QB Patrick Mahomes and that offense. Is there any fun on your side that you get to hit some of these guys for real actually now?) – “It’s going to be a great game. Like I said, we have a great game plan and we’ve just got to be ready for them.”
(What did you take or learn from last year and your experience with the Chiefs? Obviously the ring is one thing, but what did you take from that experience?) – “They’re a good football team that has great players. We’re just going to have to do a good job trying to stop them. They have a lot of speed. That’s all I take from them. We have to be prepared with speed too.”
(I can’t imagine to be what it’s like to be on a team that goes to a Super Bowl, wins a Super Bowl and yet you’re injured. What were your emotions like during that whole run-up to the championship?) – “It was very tough for me watching those guys. I was happy for them. I know what we went through during training camp and all of that, during practice, during the season. They know how to work so I was happy for them; but at the same time, I was salty because I didn’t get to play. But it’s all good. I’m going to try to do it for Miami.”
(The Chiefs are an 11-win team, the defending Super Bowl champions and the No. 1 offense in the NFL coming to town. I’m curious, has this week been any different from a preparation standpoint or maybe the energy in the building? Or has it been the same?) – “We treat them like any other team. They’re obviously a really good team. We have a great game plan and we’re ready for them.”
(For you personally, you already have a career high in sacks but that 10 number is often fun for pass rushers to go to. Is that a number that you’re hopeful to get this year or that you’re keying in on?) – “My goal is to just create plays and cause havoc to the offense. If that’s getting sacks, getting pressures, getting hits, I’m ready to do it all.”
(A lot of people, myself included, would say that the Dolphins are getting a bargain based on your production. When you hear that, how do you feel?) – “Like I said, they’re the team that gave me this opportunity. I’m just going out there balling for them. I’m thankful for the opportunity they gave me when a lot of teams didn’t.”
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Can you provide an update on LB Kyle Van Noy and LB Elandon Roberts’ status for Sunday’s game?) – “Yeah, they’ll be – I’ll just give you everybody. They’ll be questionable. It was good to get both guys out there (at practice) today and get some reps. It was good. It was good to get both of them out there. They’ll be questionable. E. Flowers (Ereck Flowers) is out and (Salvon) Ahmed didn’t practice. He’ll be out, as well.”
(I wanted to ask you about WR Jakeem Grant turning up on the injury report with a back injury. Was that related to those two punt returns where penalties were called, and is he going to be able to return punts this weekend?) – “Jakeem, like everyone on this team that’s playing, has bumps and bruises from really just playing. He’s got a big part in our offense and in out kicking game. Everyone’s got bumps and bruises. The back was a little bit of an issue but he’s worked through it. He practiced full today and we expect him to do everything. We’ll need him, especially against this group.”
(G Solomon Kindley moving to left guard was what you went to last week. What was the approach or thinking behind that? Is it because he played it at Georgia? Or is that where G/T Jesse Davis feels more comfortable? Just wanted to get the thought process.) – “We just want to get the best five guys out there – the best 11 guys out there, like we always try to do, and put the team in the best position to have some success. Moving him over to left, like you mentioned he has some familiarity over there. He’s played both positions really throughout. We felt like that was the best thing for the team.”
(Of the 10 guys who could only participate in part of practice yesterday, like RB DeAndre Washington, will all of them play I presume, because you didn’t mention those? Also, I was going to ask about any more elevations beyond S Nate Holley. Is that something you, General Manager Chris Grier and Vice President of Football Administration Brandon Shore still need to talk about? Are you pretty sure at this point that you’re fine with what you have, even if it’s just four corners? I know obviously CB Jamal Perry is on the COVID-19 list.) – “The first question on the injury report, everyone else was full minus the four guys I mentioned, with Kyle (Van Noy) and Elandon (Roberts) being limited and questionable and the other guys being out. What was after that? Nate Holley I believe?”
(Yeah, just anybody else being brought up? Are you okay with only four corners if CB Jamal Perry stays on the COVID-19 list?) – “We’ll talk to the staff this afternoon and watch the film. Those obviously are conversations we’ve had. The kicking game is a big part of that as well. We can only get 48 to the game with the eight (offensive) linemen, so there are a lot of variables there. Myself, Chris, our offensive and defensive (coaches) and (Special Teams Coordinator) Danny (Crossman) is obviously a big part of that as well. We’ll have those conversations here right when I’m done and try to finalize those decisions.”
