TE Mike Gesicki
(After seeing this offense and being a part of it with all the weapons, how excited are you about what could evolve from this offensive group?) – “It’s still super early, so you don’t want to go out there and say a whole bunch of crazy stuff, but there’s definitely some talent. But I mean, that’s all on paper, so we have to go out and continue to have good practices. We’ll see what it looks like on September 11th when it matters.”
(I thought they said QB Tua Tagovailoa can’t throw the deep ball.) – “You guys said that. I didn’t say that.”
(It looked like 55 yards in the air to me.) – “It looked good to me. I never said anything bad about him.”
(What did you think of the energy out here? Today for the fans, it felt kind of different.) – “It’s awesome. The fans are awesome. It’s great. I said to (General Manager) Chris Grier when I was walking out here, I was like, ‘I want them excited in January.’ So it’s cool to have them out here in July. I think everybody’s fans are excited in July, so we have to keep working and keep putting our head down and get to work, because everybody is excited right now, everybody is optimistic. We have to go out and perform, keep them excited and give them something to cheer about, which it’s been a while since we’ve given them that.”
(What are your thoughts on the totality of this offense right now?) – “Like I said, there’s a lot of talent (and) it definitely looks good on paper. We’re coming out here and putting in the work. We have great coaches and great players and all that kind of stuff, but we have to go out and do it. We have to go out and make plays and continue to build off of good days of training camp. It’s only Day 4, there’s no pads. It’s a whole different world when you play real football.”
(The Dolphins haven’t had a player play a season on a franchise tag in nine years. That player actually had a good season and then signed a long-term contract with the Dolphins. I asked Head Coach Mike McDaniel about if he wants to make sure that you feel loved, even though you sort of have that tag. What does it feel like to be the tagged guy?) – “It’s a business. The team is going to do what’s best for the team, and then you have to go out and perform and do what you do. There’s not really much else to say. I’m not a big’ complain about it, make a big deal about it’ (guy). Although it seems like the guys do get paid a lot of money, so maybe I should have. (laughter) But I’m just going to keep coming to work (and) keep doing what I’m doing.”
(Do you feel like at some point in your career, you will in fact be recognized and paid as a Top 10, Top 7 tight end in the National Football League?) – “If I earn it, I think so, yes. But that’s a long ways down the line. There’s a lot of work that needs to (be) put it, a lot of plays that need to be made and games to be won before that happens. But I think you get what you deserve in this league and you have to go out and earn in.”
(Was there a point this summer you thought it might get done?) – “No.”
(Did that upset you at all?) – “No.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel says that you are really looking forward to showing that you can block and add that dimension to this offense. Can you talk a little bit about that conversation with him?) – “It’s not like we sat down and they were like, ‘Hey, Mike, you want to block?’ And I was like, ‘Sure.’ I mean it was like, ‘I know what offense we’re getting into and I know who we hired to be our coach and what scheme we’re going to be running, so I have to go out there and in order to make plays in the pass game in this offense, you have to be able to go make plays in the run game as well. So I’m working on it every single day and continue to improve. Like I said, we’re wearing these right now. (pulls up his jersey to show the shell) It doesn’t mean anything. You have to go out and make the plays when you put the pads on and make the plays on Sundays, ultimately is what really counts.”
(What are they key elements to learn in the blocking aspect of playing tight end in this offense?) – “You have to understand the scheme, who you’re working with, where you’re working to and then footwork, hand placement, all that kind of stuff. There’s a lot of stuff that goes into it, but definitely a much higher emphasis on it for myself this season than honestly any other year that I’ve been here.”
(I know Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree is good, he’ll help you. I was wondering, you went to the Tight End U. Was TE George Kittle there?) – “He was, yes.”
(Did you speak to him about the blocking in this offense?) – “Yes, I was talking with him just about the scheme, about ‘Embo’ (Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Jon Embree) and how he operates and Coach McDaniel and all that kind of stuff. So you try to just pick everybody’s brain out there. Obviously, him being in this system and having success in it – obviously, he is one of, honestly, the best blocking tight ends in the league, and then you see what he gets off of it in the pass game because of it. So that’s the most important part, and I’m going to keep working at it and keep doing it.”
(Is that a pass-oriented camp? Or do you guys actually talk some blocking?) – “Yes, it’s 50-50. He gets up there and gives a presentation on all their outside zone stuff and how he takes his first step, his footwork, his mentality, all that stuff. It’s productive. It’s good.”
(When you have a practice offensively like you guys had today, seeing all the weapons, WR Tyreek Hill went deep, RB Chase Edmonds running hard and all of that. Do you kind of get a vision of maybe this is what we’ll be? Like this is kind of what we’re looking for?) – “I am not a big expectation and all of that. So Lynn (Bowden Jr.) asked me yesterday, ‘How do you like it? This, that and the other thing.’ And I was like, ‘It’s early.’ You have to keep just going at it every single day. You can sit here and say it’s exciting, it’s this (and) that, but nobody is going to care how exciting training camp was once the season is over. It’s going to matter how the season goes. Obviously this is the baseline and this is the foundation that we’re building off of, so it’s definitely productive and it’s positive. There’s a lot of good things going on out there, but I’m realistic and I want us to continue to get better, continue to improve and make those plays on Sundays in September, October, November, December, January, throughout the whole entire season.”
(Has this staff given you any guidance on jumping over dudes? Is that allowed by this staff, the jump?) – “(laughter) That has not been discussed, but I would say that is not one of my better moves. If it comes to it and I have to do it, you know where to find me.”
(How has QB Teddy Bridgewater looked out here?) – “Teddy (Bridgewater) is awesome. Teddy is doing a great job, honestly, in coming out here and being a leader and being a guy that guys can lean on and ask questions to. He has a lot of experience in this league, so I’m super excited to have him. I love having him around. I love talking with him, working with him. He has a lot of great insight and obviously has a great arm and is making plays out there as well. So I’m happy for him and excited to watch him come the season as well.”
(Do you think at the end of the season we’ll notice an increase in TE Mike Gesicki in-line snaps?) – “Yes, I mean I don’t think I took one snap from a receiver stance today. So it’s definitely different, but I mean it is what it is, and I’m excited about it. I’m looking forward to another challenge and another opportunity. This is my fifth year, my fifth different offensive coordinator. It could be like six if you count last year’s interesting situation. So I mean you have a bunch of different guys calling plays. This is my third head coach, so it’s been a whole bunch of stuff. I’m just excited to put my head down, work, learn a new system and keep at it and continue to work.”
RB Sony Michel
(Can you talk a little bit about what it was like having fans out here creating a little bit of an atmosphere for you guys?) – “It’s been cool. Having the fans out here creating some cool energy, letting them see what they’ve been waiting for, and seeing our process.”
(How does it feel to be back in South Florida now that training camp has started? I know you went to high school down here, but being here in the pros, how does it feel?) – “It feels good. Being back home getting to focus on what’s important. Being home, you really have no outside distractions if you look at it from the right perspective because everything is already taken care of. You have your right support system already in place and you can kind of just focus on ball.”
(Being away, I know you won a Super Bowl in New England and having the opportunity to grow as an individual. Can you speak on that? Having the opportunity to grow away from home.) – “Being in different places, being in different organizations, well-respected organizations, it definitely helped me as a professional as far as building a schedule, knowing what I need to do to be my best on the field and off the field, being around guys, being around leaders and really being around so many different people helping me become who I am today.”
(How excited are you to start facing off against your defense?) – “I’m excited. It’s always a great opportunity when you get a chance to play some football. New England is a good team. They’ve always been a good team. I’m excited for some good competition.”
(For you in the running back room, how has the camaraderie been so far in training camp?) – “The camaraderie has been good. Guys love to compete, guys are out here working their tails off trying to earn spots. That’s what it’s all about. Nothing is given, everything is earned and you get what you earn out here.”
(You and QB Teddy Bridgewater are both South Florida guys. Did you hear his comments earlier this week about encouraging players to choose their path?) – “Definitely.”
(Do you have a take on that being from down here yourself?) – “I 100 percent back him up and agree with what he said. We’re in a special position. We’re blessed to be in this position, and it’s our job to serve. To serve as leaders and lead by example.”
(You were at Hadley Park a couple weeks back with WR Tutu Atwell. How was that atmosphere with the kids?) – “It was cool just seeing young kids out there grinding, competing, having fun most importantly. Then just being a part of the community. It’s always cool being a part of the community.”
(Do you have any camps upcoming before the season or after the season?) – “I don’t have any camps right now planned, but I’m sure I will in the near future.”
(Does it feel special to be back working in the community that you grew up in?) – “Definitely. It feels great to be home. To be here and play in my backyard, no words can describe it.”
QB Teddy Bridgewater
“It was a great day at training camp, it’s exciting to see the fans out, feel their energy, it’s great to see some of the rookies get the fans going, and the fun factory. It’s great competition out here, guys competing at a high level, it’s great to be a part of.”
(How does it feel to be back home?) – “It feels great. It still feels surreal. I wake up in the morning like ‘man, I got to sleep in my own bed and come to work.’ It’s great. I’m thankful for this opportunity.”
(You do your Christmas in July event yearly. After that you’re usually heading out to go to where you were playing. Did it hit you then, was it a little different knowing after that event you get to come out here on Saturday?) – “Yeah, it definitely did. Like you said, usually when I hit Christmas in July, it’s like the next day I got to get on a plane and travel to whatever city. Knowing that I just get to drive right down the street and come to work feels surreal.”
(The post you made on Instagram a few days ago caught a lot of attention. LeBron James retweeted it out. I’m curious, what was your thinking going into that post? What inspired that?) – “The thing about me is I’m very random. I was really just sitting at home in my driveway and I just started typing. I always post on Facebook. I’m on Facebook because that’s where my family and friends are more active on there. I just posted it because a lot of the kids we come across on my Facebook, they’re in the inner city. They are playing football, playing sports. But even if they are not active in sports they are looking up to different people, and sometimes we misuse our platform. I’m not saying everyone does. But it was something that came to mind, and I started writing hoping that if it could get to one athlete or one teenage athlete, it’s doing it’s job.”
(What, if anything, surprised you about the reaction to what you said?) – “I really didn’t realize it went viral until the next day. I was working out and my QB coach ‘OB’ was like ‘that post you put out went viral, everybody talking about it.’ I’m like, ‘for real?’ When I post on Instagram, I post and get off. I’m not really an Instagram guy.”
(What are some of those experiences that you’ve had growing up in South Florida? How have you seen the kids in South Florida potentially fall through the cracks because they didn’t choose their path?) – “It’s so easy to be influenced nowadays, especially with what you’re seeing on social media and what you’re seeing on television. It’s so easy for the kids to be influenced by the wrong thing. But it’s also so easy for them to be influenced by the right thing. Just growing up down here, I’ve seen the good the bad, the ugly, the pretty. I’m happy that I’m in the position that I’m in. I’m happy that I’m able to drive through the communities, drive through neighborhoods and give my story and remind them that I walked those same sidewalks, attended some of those same schools, been on some of those same streets that they’ve been on, and just give them hope.”
(You were at WR Tutu Atwell’s event a few weeks ago and a couple of your teammates came out. What was that experience like being at Hadley Park?) – “It was great and I’m proud of Tutu for putting together such a great event. Bringing most of the schools from the inner city together at such a young age and so early in his career. He did it at Charles Hadley Park where he spent his optimist days. It’s great to see people on the same field getting along for such a great event.”
(You’re a Bunche Park Cowboy yourself. Can we expect to see some of those games that they have upcoming this year?) – “I’m very active at Bunche Park. I was out there last night after practice. You can definitely look for me on Friday nights at Northwestern games and Saturdays at Bunche Park.”
(A big conversation that’s been going on is about how black quarterbacks have been talked about and perceived in the media. Do you have any thoughts on that?) – “I can’t really speak on it because I don’t know what’s being said. I can’t speak on something that I don’t know what’s being said. I can say as a black quarterback, it’s a unique opportunity. I’m grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity because there might be another Teddy Bridgewater playing down the street at Bunche Park, Gwen Cherry, or somewhere. So I’m happy that I got this opportunity to pave a way.”
(Your social media comments, were you surprised by how big it got? It was a national conversation.) – “Yeah, it surprised me a little bit. I didn’t know what was going on until the next day because once I posted it, I just got off social media.”
(Why was it important for you to post that?) – “Like I said before, there are so many teenagers who are easily influenced by what they see on social media and what they are seeing on television. Just to give them reassurance that it’s ok to do the right thing. Yeah, it’s looked down upon and things like that, but I grew up with a group of guys that went left and made sure I didn’t go left with them. Yeah, I was around them. But at the same time, ‘Hey, Teddy you can’t be around this. Go to football practice.’ That type of stuff. I’m just basically trying to remind them that’s it’s ok to do the right thing.”
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(I wanted to ask you – yesterday I was watching you DT Zach Sieler and DT Christian Wilkins go through some stuff together one-on-one. I’m just curious what you’re working on when you go through stuff like that?) – “Just technique. Just regular technique – run blocking, pass blocking. Whatever (Defensive Line Coach) Austin (Clark) has for us that day, that’s pretty much what we’re working. Attack, react, footwork.”
(When they gave the mic to WR Tyreek Hill there, what’s going through your mind?) – “I know he was going to go crazy. That’s what he does. I knew he was going to get the crowd pumping and that’s what we needed to get the practice going.”
(What’s it like to run out there and you’re hearing – I think it’s a loud environment.) – “I know you see it yourself. It’s a different type of energy. The crowd is into it and everybody’s excited for the season so we’re just ready to go out there and show them.”
(How many guys on the team can do a backflip by the way?) – “I used to be able to do a backflip. I don’t know if I could do it anymore. (laughter) But I don’t know. I’ve just seen Tyreek so far. Christian (Wilkins) probably could do it, so I’ll say that.”
(I would pay for that one.) – “After stretching. (laughter)”
(Did you know OL Blaise Andries was going to do the stone cold?) – “We knew a rookie was going to go out there. We just didn’t know what rookie was going to do it, but he did a great job – phenomenal job out there.”
(There have been snaps to fill with DL Adam Butler obviously out the first four days. Any of the rookies stand out to you? Any name or two that has made an impression on you, the kids?) – “They’re all doing a good job for us. Right now they’re evaluating who’s going to step up, but they’re all doing a great job. Ben (Stille), too.”
(Where are you seeing the most strides from LB Jaelan Phillips here in Year 2?) – “Oh yeah, he’s doing a phenomenal job for us. He’s getting better every practice. He has that mindset to be great, so I just need improvement every practice from him. That same consistency he started during the spring.”
(Did you have a sense at all during LB Jaelan Philllips’ rookie year that he had this kind of – obviously we saw it on the field last year, but out here in practice it seems like he’s even taking it up a notch?) – “Oh yeah, he knows it. He has a lot to prove, so he’s just got to take it one step at a time and one game at a time.”
(You and TE Mike Gesicki were the two kind of big impending free agents from last year’s team. Coming back he got the tag, you got your deal. Just what advice did you give him in a situation where you’re not sure if you are going to get that long-term deal and then for you finally getting it?) – “I’ll say first, when he got tag, he was like ‘you’re welcome.’ (laughter) That’s what he told me. Mike’s a good dude. I’m rooting for him. I hope he gets what he deserves. Going out there, just something to prove this year.”
(Do you ever carry a chip about not making the Pro Bowl after a big year?) – “I mean, as long as I’m doing my job and my responsibility for this team, that’s all that matters. All that is going to come.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the mentality in football? Like everybody is talking about whether QB Tua Tagovailoa can throw deep or not, whether CB Noah Igbinoghene can cover or not, whether you can be a full-time defensive end. You got your contract last year. The idea of – you mentioned it many times – you’ve got to go out there and prove yourself. That chip, that constant hearing people criticizing you or second-guessing you. Can you talk about that monster you guys fight all the time?) – “I mean you’re always going to have doubters. You’re always going to have somebody say, ‘oh, you can’t do this, you can’t do that.’ You’ve just got to go out there and prove it year-in and year-out. What you did last year doesn’t matter anymore. It’s a new year. It’s a fresh start for literally everybody.”
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(You have a sellout of membership for the 2022 season. Next year a potential waiting list for fans looking for season tickets. Just want to ask you how feel about the support of Dolphins fans?) – “How I feel about it – I mean it’s everything. It’s important enough that I think it’s important to communicate it to the players. I think it’s something that we’re not entitled to, but it’s a competitive advantage and it’s kind of why you do what you do. It’s really something cool that the players know about. It means a lot to (them), and it’s just another reason for us to go about our daily process with a fine-tooth comb to make sure that we pay them back for their investment in us, and I think that’s something that the players, coaches and organization holds true to heart.”
(I know you’re looking forward to having fans and the support today creating a little bit of an atmosphere. What’s kind of the message ahead of that?) – “I love having fans at practice. It’s kind of true to my heart because that’s literally full circle. That’s where – training camp practice in Greeley, Colorado for the Denver Broncos where this whole thing for me started. So there is a connection and I think you can have with the fans in that you’re – and I tell the players a good amount – how fortunate are you to be doing something that yeah, there’s a lot of front-end commitment, there’s a lot of sacrifice – again, people don’t realize that players only have one day off a week for like, seven months straight – but that it’s also purposeful because not only are you trying to have success for yourself, for your team, but how cool is that there’s millions of people that you can make their day a little more positive, make Monday work day a little bit better just by doing what you do. Everybody wins. So that’s really true to my heart, close to my heart and the guys are fired up and feel pretty fortunate.”
(I was just going to follow up. So there’s some 10-year-old protégé out there that might be coming for your job in about 10 years, 20 years.) – “That’s why I didn’t allow any ambitious children to practice. (laughter) That was the one thing that I cut out.”
(The two veterans who are not on any list who we haven’t seen practice yet – OL Michael Deiter, DL Adam Butler – are they expected back by the start of the regular season?) – “Adam Butler – both the guys are kind of TBD. Adam Butler is dealing with a slight injury that he’s trying to work through and Deiter just had a little foot deal. It was the first or second day of practice, I can’t remember. Both guys were kind of waiting through the weekend to get a little more information on, so I don’t totally know what that’s going to look like moving forward, but we’ll handle it whatever way we need to once we get a little bit more information.”
(What have you seen out of RB Raheem Mostert so far? We saw the big run he broke off yesterday, but how has he been I guess developing through his rehab?) – “He was really fast yesterday, so atta boy. (laughter) I think it’s cool because his teammates recognize it, too. All the players when you come off from a season-long injury, players really understand what that’s like where you’re on a team, then you get injured, you have to rehab. It’s kind of like you’re isolated a little bit, so to see how hard that guy has worked, his teammates – I think he had the fastest time at practice yesterday and I do a little thing where I announce that every team meeting. And he got like an unsolicited round of applause, so I think he’s continuing the process. Like I’ve explained to you guys before, it’s very important to us to take all measures to try to be smart with a guy’s return; but as he gets going and he gets used to everything, I think we all believe that he’ll start showing that speed more and more and more.”
(S Jevon Holland has made some impressive plays early in camp. What are your thoughts on having him back into the defense?) – “I like having him especially on the team that I’m on and not the team that I’m playing against. It’s been cool. I didn’t know too much about him before I’d studied our tape here and his play as a rookie was very impressive. The way he’s been diligent about approaching his craft, he’s serious about continuing to take his game to the next level and that as an impact player is something that the Dolphins team – all of us – are depending on.”
(Knowing that you like having fans out there and knowing that 32 teams do it, what is the challenge of having a couple thousand volunteer scouts out there with phones and Twitter accounts and Instagram and all those things? Like how much do you have to dumb things down the days that practices are open?) – “Yeah, for all opponents watching, nothing that you see today will ever run again. (laughter) It is a challenge. You have to think about it, and you just have to be very mindful of it. Listen, people are going to have an idea of what you are and how you play and a lot of people do similar things in the National Football League with regard to scheme, but if there’s certain things that you have lined up for certain opponents, you have to plan around that. The good thing is you know when you’re not going to be able to control what gets out into the interwebs and so you do adjust to a degree. But then there’s another part that you’re trying to say at some point, we need to be good enough at what we do that we should be able to execute when they know it’s coming. So, yes and no, to answer your question. Is that pretty much what you’re getting at?”
(There has to be some …) – “Definitely is.”
(I think it’s been nine years since the Dolphins had a player enter the season on the franchise tag, I think. Someone can fact-check that for me, but TE Mike Gesicki is going to do that this year, and so I’m wondering if you’ve been around tagged guys and if there’s some sort of conscious effort that you all need to make to make sure he feels loved and not just liked.) – “We try to do at least 10 million reasons that he’s liked. (laughter) No, we have and it’s something that you understand that it’s a business, there’s a CBA, there’s different rules that everyone has the same, that you have to try to operate as best you can as an organization. Now I will say I think it’s important to talk to the player – in my experience – to talk to the player candidly, understanding his situation. I talked to Mike (Gesicki) early and said, ‘Hey, listen. This is something that’s best for the Dolphins.’ I’m fortunate that I don’t do this alone and that Chris Grier gets to handle all the stuff that’s not coaching and be the general manager so that I can kind of stay removed from that, but I can also identify with – every player wants to have a long-term max contract, so here’s what we do. We try day after day to get your game to the best of its ability so that at the end of the year, Mike, you make that franchise tag look like a discount because what that means is that you have been playing at a level that makes the Dolphins better and that also improves your socioeconomic status, I guess, for the long term. So everyone’s kind of – it is what it is. It’s a business, so if you just approach it as, okay, this is what it is this year. Let’s use this and here are your goals and acknowledge it and it ends up being a blip in the radar.”
(What do you think about the ways you can use TE Mike Gesicki in this offense and if you could also address the blocking aspect where you think he is there?) – “No, I think all of it is – listen, everybody is trying to execute our core foundation in the run and pass game and within that we’re also making sure that we’re just not taking leaps of faith; we’re finding every player’s skillset how we can best utilize it and then put them in situations to showcase that. So the guy is – everybody knows that his ball skills and range are outstanding. That helps for separating defenders. We’re working on – he’ll be the first one to say it – he wants to attack blocking with a different severity than he ever has before and he’s fortunate and we’re fortunate that guess what, his position coach Jon Embree, will settle for nothing less. So all those things are something that he’s definitely embracing and I’m excited to see what it looks like when it’s all said and done.”
(I’m sure you’re going to be asked about this a million times between now and December 4, but the 49ers have moved forward with QB Trey Lance. I just want to get your reaction on how much development he made in the 12 months that you had him and your thoughts about him being the starter.) – “Well, we play the 49ers, right? What week? I typically try to – you know, I’m there at one point and then I’m gone. There are a lot of people here who are depending on me to have my mind and presence right where it’s at. So, I really haven’t even though about it. I know one thing – my personal philosophy with players is that you don’t put a ceiling on them. So I know that the guy is working hard. Outside of that, I’m expecting him to be a heck of a matchup to try to defend come Week (13) or whatever. But I don’t really have any other thoughts about that. If you want to talk about Dolphins, I’m solid on that one.”
(You’re the 14th head coach in franchise history, and it’s been about 50 years since the team last won a championship. Do you feel like there’s added pressure knowing that this is your first year and the goals the fans want and the city wants to deliver a championship?) – “I wouldn’t say added pressure. The pressure comes from within. The pressure is trying to do right by people and making sure you get the most out of them. I think it’s not a bad thing for people to be optimistic about how you can perform. I think that – I do not shy away with the players. We look it right in the face because it’s something to welcome. Not because that – pressure is one thing, but what about the dividends, you know? What about the dividends of going after something and trying to reach for it? So we don’t really shy away from it. I try not to shy away from that pressure. That pressure, realistically, is no different than any other year for any other person within an organization, because in the National Football League, it’s a very unbelievably successful business. When push comes to shove, if you’re not putting up, you have to shut up.”
(We had a good conversation with RB Chase Edmonds the other day about transitioning from inside to your wide zone scheme. He talked about some of the things he thinks about. I’m curious what you see as how a running back transitions from different schemes to your wide zone?) – “It’s a cool process because you are away that it is unique. Evaluating Chase (Edmonds) in the offseason, we knew that the stuff he was doing wasn’t the exact same as what we plan on doing. That being said, you’re evaluating how people approach space, how people play off blockers, how people make defenders miss. So again, that’s why I don’t get ahead of myself about ‘Alright, he’s right here. It’s going to be this way.’ He’s been a great example of watching someone progress. He has really in the last couple of days put some tremendous things on tape with that regard in that scheme. It’s a process, but you just talk through it. It’s pretty – when it clicks for guys, it’s very enjoyable. It helps them – once it clicks once and the buy-in is real (and) they just continue approaching things the same way moving forward, it really helps them play faster when it comes to real live game bullets and people are actually trying to tackle them.”
(Obviously, the week is not over but what have you learned about the team through the first week of training camp?) – “I’ve learned that there has been some trust that’s been earned on both sides, I think. I think that I really challenge them to – everybody wants to say that you want do these superfluous things and yada yada, but what about doing? What I’ve seen in three days is guys that are following their words with actions. They care about their teammates. They have approached each and every day with the ultimate professionalism, and then there have been little pieces along those couple days that you’re like, ‘Hey, that’s not what we want for what we’re trying to get done.’ I think it’s happened a couple times each and every day, and every time it’s been corrected. So that also tells you a lot as well. I couldn’t be more excited to chop wood and go on to Step Four of this training camp process with every day just being one step.”
