Friday, May 14, 2021
CB Jaytlin Askew
(We know about your special teams prowess at Georgia Tech. Is that something that when you talk to either Head Coach Brian Flores, General Manager Chris Grier or Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman, they mentioned to you was important here that they were looking for people who could excel on special teams? And which one of those people had you talked to, if any, before you signed?) – “Special teams is a big importance here in Miami. The biggest thing is that everybody competes and everybody continues to work hard, that way we can have the best people out there when it’s time to have special teams on the field.”
(How was your first NFL team meeting and what was the message from Head Coach Brian Flores?) – “It was a great meeting. Just learning, getting in my playbook, meeting all of the guys, getting used to the environment – it’s an great environment here – and just enjoying the process of being down here.”
(As a special teams player, the Dolphins last year had two special teams plays that really didn’t go their way, and probably could’ve changed their season if they did go their way. How hard is it to stay in-tune with the details of special teams and knowing that it means a lot more, even though it does seem kind of routine in the kind of plays that you do, just running down the field and thumping and all of that. How do you keep focus with that, knowing that they could be big plays in the end?) – “I just take it one day at a time, just continue to stack days, continue to learn, be in my playbook, learn from the great coaches here, and take everything one day at a time and enjoy the process while I’m competing every day.”
(We saw a great draft call between Head Coach Brian Flores and Jevon Holland, your teammate, where he talked about being a safeties coach by trade and how he’s going to be on him. Now you’ve got Coach Flores, and Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer who both got their real bread and butter in the defensive backfield in the secondary. I’m wondering have you heard any of that from ‘Coach Flo’ or Coach Boyer in terms of them riding you a little bit harder?) – “They coach me the best they can. My job is to come out, be prepared and continue to give 100 percent effort every day at practice.”
(What’s your favorite thing about playing gunner? It’s such a unique position. You’re basically running down trying to cause disruption. What’s your favorite part about the hustle at that gunner position?) – “My favorite part about it is being able to compete against the best people, continuing to hone my craft and get better every day, become an important part of the team and be able to help everybody out on the team as well.”
(It doesn’t take anybody obvious to kind of know that you’re the third Jalen that we’ve kind of encountered so far here. What’s it like kind of – have you been on a team with so many people as the same name as you before? What’s it kind of like when they say Jalen and everybody kind of looks up with the three of you?) – “My name actually has a T in it. It’s Jaytlin. But I’m cool with people calling me Jalen. I’m sure after a while they will differentiate it, call me by my last name or something. I’m used to a lot of Jalens on the team. It’s a pretty common name.”
Friday, May 14, 2021
TE Hunter Long
(I guess you won’t know this for sure until you are practicing with NFL veterans, but how NFL-ready do you feel? How prepared do you think you are for professional football that you got from Boston College coaches? Obviously you’re very intelligent. Do you feel NFL-ready?) – “BC helped me progress a lot and helped me to get to where I’m at now, but I’m just here ready to work and improve and do my best to get better.”
(I want to delve into how many offenses you learned at Boston College and how that helped you prepare for what you’re facing now.) – “The first offense I was in was a super run-heavy offense where we ran the ball 70 times a game, and then this past year obviously was a much more pro-style and we threw the ball 70-plus times a game. I honestly like to say I got the best of both worlds at BC and got to learn from both systems and help my game in both aspects of the position.”
(Couple of questions for you. First, I wanted to ask did you get rid of all the hoodies out of your closet and then second, kind of on that same theme there, talking about learning the playbook and stuff, you’ve been in the classroom setting here for a couple of days now and watching film I’m sure and all that stuff – how different is that from what the expectation was in terms of the classroom time in college to the NFL?) – “To answer your first question, I did not learn honestly. (laughter) Traveling down here it was like 45 degrees when I left Boston and I didn’t learn. I started sweating instantly. And then to answer your second question, I’m just trying to put in as much time as I can into the playbook and take in as much information as I can and kind of catch up to the older guys as best as possible. So just as much time as possible I can put into the playbook, I’m going to do.”
(Sorry to tell you we consider this in South Florida a cool day.) – “I know, that’s what they were saying. (laughter)”
(I wanted to ask you a little bit – there’s been some attention given to your prowess with a Rubik’s cube and we know how you build computers and all, but I’m wondering if any of that translates to what you’re trying to do now. Does it help you in terms of learning concepts of a playbook and as you’re learning concepts in this playbook are you the type of guy who has to know the “why” of every single thing so that you put it all together in your head and you want to know what all the other guys on the team are doing on a given play?) – “I don’t know if it carries over much, but maybe it does. I don’t know the answer to that, but in terms of – yeah, of course. To play your best, you’ve got to be able to know kind of the big picture of the offense and each play and kind of what the guys around you are doing. So yeah, I’m going to try to learn as much information as possible for the plays, so I can go out and obviously perform as best as possible.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores talks about winning the practice, doing the best that you can that day. What was the best thing that you did today to win the practice?) – “Just tried to go out and give my best effort. It’s what I’m going to give this program and hopefully show that every day. I just want to improve at something every day and that’s going to be my goal coming in here. I have a lot to learn and a lot to do on the field and a lot of work to put in and I’m just ready to get started. Today was a cool first step.”
(And what was the most impressive thing you saw from anyone else?) – “I’m not going to answer that. Honestly, the coolest thing for me was just putting on the helmet for the first time. I have so much work to do and I know that, and that’s what I’m going to do leading up to the season; but it was a cool small first step of my NFL career today, putting on the uniform and helmet for the first time, even though it was just a practice.”
(I wanted to ask about two guys that just early first interactions – what’s it like meeting and interacting with Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey? He’s got a lot of familiarity with tight ends and obviously that’s your specific position, if you could answer that for me.) – “Meeting all the coaches has been phenomenal. Obviously they know so much and I’m just trying to be a sponge, so to say, and just take in as much information as possible from all of them. They all have great tidbits to help my game and that’s obviously what I’m here to do – get better as much as possible. They’ve all been fantastic.”
(And obviously a lot of us have looked up your film ever since the draft, but where would you say your blocking is at? It seems like you’re a pretty willing blocker. How do you self-assess that portion of your game?) – “I’m here to improve all parts of my game and honestly, I’m going to do whatever they ask me to do. I don’t know if I can answer that directly, but I’m willing to do whatever they ask me to do; and whatever they want me to work on, I’ll continue to work on.”
(Do you plan to study tape of 2020 Dolphins games to see how they use tight ends, how Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey did last year? And have you been in touch at all with TE Mike Gesicki, TE Durham Smythe or TE Adam Shaheen?) – “Yeah, I’m definitely going to watch a little tape and see what – obviously I’ve seen the Dolphins a little bit, being up in Patriot country – but yeah, obviously I’ll go back and take in as much film as possible. Then I haven’t yet, but I’m excited to meet the guys in the room and just do whatever I can to help.”
(The theory in the NFL is that tight end is one of those positions to take a while to learn for young players because they have to learn so many different facets of the game – pass protection, the run blocking, the running of the routes. Why do you think that transition in the NFL is different than college?) – “At the end of the day, it’s just more to take in and it’s a lot of information at one time; but I’m just going to take it day-by-day and one install and one play at a time. Like I said earlier, I’m just going to try to take in as much information as possible to catch up as fast as I can.”
(So there are a lot of guys in the tight end room in Miami world; and so the one thing I wanted to ask is have you had a chance to talk to some of your new tight end teammates, kind of got an idea of any insight that they can offer on what’s expected of the tight ends this year?) – “I haven’t yet, but I’ve obviously talked to the coaches a bunch. I’m excited to join the room, I’m excited to get to know everybody and honestly just excited to do whatever they ask me to do and fill in wherever they need me. I’m definitely excited to meet everybody and get to know everybody and just do what I can to help the tight end room here.”
Friday, May 14, 2021
FB Carl Tucker
(What was the discussion like last year when you went to Alabama, with either Head Coach Nick Saban or the coordinator, about what role you served? I know obviously you were versatile with tight end and fullback. Did they say you’d be more valuable doing multiple things for them?) – “They told me exactly what I was going to do. I had planned on being their extra blocker, their extra fullback. I took that chance because I knew that would better my opportunity and that would bring growth to my versatility.”
(Can I ask you real quick, just because you’ve been around WR Jaylen Waddle for a year, what’s the most incredible thing you saw from him last year before he got hurt in practice or in a game, that made you think ‘my goodness this guy is special?’) – “The obvious answer is his speed. I remember one of the first practices we had at ‘Bama, I had to be his lead blocker and he just zoomed past me. I was trying so hard to stay in front of him and he just coasted right by me.”
(You mentioned that going to Alabama and being in that versatile position to increase your opportunity to get to this level and now here you are. I’m wondering, watching some of your tape, there are some really fun take-downs where you really insert your will on guys. Is that something that you’ve always had or did it kind of come along later where you tried to increase your opportunity? Can you just talk about your mindset when it comes to playing that position?) – “It absolutely grew on me. Starting off at Chapel Hill, I came in as a receiver. I played receiver in high school, but I came in playing tight end. At that point, I had never played tight end in my life. I was coached by one of the hardest coaches probably at the time – Seth Littrell. He was a fullback at Oklahoma. He was a hard-nosed heavy hitting guy. He would definitely get on your ass if you weren’t doing what you were supposed to do. If you weren’t physical enough, he’d definitely call you out in front of everybody. I remember the day that changed, he just got on me the whole meeting. So I just told myself, I’d never be soft ever again. (laughter)”
(What you do is typically done in pads, at full speed and that’s when you can kind of show what you are able to accomplish with the physicality. Talk about having to kind of hold back in a practice, especially a minicamp practice, where you can’t really go all out, you can’t be as physical as you normally are and you don’t really want to jack up any teammates?) – “I think that’s the best part because people a lot of times just see that I block very well and they see or believe that’s all that I can do. But I personally believe that one of my strong suits as well is that I have good speed for my size, I have great hands, I feel like I run solid routes. So it’s definitely a perfect opportunity for me to of course be smart and take care of teammates and everything, but also at the same time, get better at the other things that don’t include heavy physicality, like with route-running and stuff like that.”
(As you were talking about making that transition and learning the tight end position, I couldn’t help but think about TE Jibri Blount, a teammate of yours now, who is coming over and trying to learn tight end after being a basketball player. What do you suppose that must be like for him, coming from basketball to tight end?) – “I can only imagine it’s a crazy transition, playing basketball and then making the switch in the league. I know he has a great head on his shoulders, he has a great mentality and I know he’s ready to attack it.”
(Last year, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey referred to the tight ends room as the muscle club. I’m just wondering how you fit into a group called the muscle club?) – “(laughter) I think I fit in pretty well. I wouldn’t say I’m heavy set, but I’m a pretty buff guy. That’s pretty funny. (laughter) I like that a lot. I think I fit pretty well into that.”
(It’s not necessarily a benefit, but does it help I guess having WR Jaylen Waddle, a former teammate? You don’t have to go through this rookie camp necessarily by yourself, but you have a familiar guy that you can double check or just have a conversation with, that you are with Jaylen because you obviously spent this past year with him?) – “Absolutely. It’s maybe not like a huge kind of thing because I only got to know him for a year; but it definitely helps knowing that somebody that I went through the trenches with is here with me. It definitely contributes to me getting a little bit more comfortable than I would be if I was – I wouldn’t say by myself, but getting to know everybody. Just having at least one person you already know.”
Friday, May 14, 2021
RB Gerrid Doaks
(I just wanted to start off here and ask you about the difference in terms of classroom setting from the college game to the pros. How’s that kind of acclimation period been for you so far in the early going?) – “When it comes down to just learning, playing football, it’s pretty similar; but I’m just trying to come in and learn everything and get to know my teammates as best as possible.”
(When it comes to looking at the backfield in terms of what team you’re coming into, does it help that you know the two guys had the opportunity to play last year were a former seventh-round pick and then also a guy who was picked up off the waiver wire – an undrafted rookie?) – “I don’t think any of that matters, really. I’m just trying to come in, get to know my teammates, get to learn the playbook and become the best team that we can.”
(What was the most impressive thing you saw on the field today and what was the most impressive thing you did on the field today – you personally?) – “I wouldn’t say anything specific. I’m just trying to come in and like I said, learn the playbook, get comfortable with being here and learning all my teammates and how they play, just trying to get to know everybody and become a better teammate.”
(How about what you saw from somebody else?) – “I feel like that’s just something you’ve got to stay tuned to see. (laughter)”
(I think in these past three minutes, I think you’ve said three or four times that you’re trying to learn your teammates. Maybe what’s one thing you have learned? It doesn’t have to be on the field, but maybe who’s the funniest guy so far in the class, who you’re vibing with in the classroom or on the field? Just maybe a tidbit that you learned about someone in the class.) – “Everybody’s pretty cool. We’re still getting to try to know each other, but we feel real comfortable with each other so far.”
(As the beard resident on the Dolphins beat, I’d like to congratulate you on a very nice beard that you have there. You can fit in really well here, especially with me. I wanted to ask you what was – with earlier picks, you kind of have the idea of how the teams reach out to the player, where first conversations started. I guess where did the Dolphins first make contact with you and how was your relationship like whoever did make contact with you whether it’s Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville or not?) – “With all due respect, I’m here now. Everything that happened in the past is in the past. I’m just trying to be here and get to know my team and learn the playbook and make the team become better as a team.”
(Obviously you’re not yet running a ton of practice plays early in this minicamp, but just being around WR Jaylen Waddle, I’m sure obviously you saw Alabama on TV. Any initial impressions of him in terms of how fast or explosive he is that was evident to you on the field?) – “Knowing Jaylen, he’s a great player; but I think we’re all just here trying to do the same thing. We’ve all got the same mindset – just come in and work hard and learn the playbook and get to know the teammates. Like I said, just make this team better as a team.”
(What kind of running back are you? What are some strengths that you believe you bring to the table as a player and as a person to the organization?) – “I’m just trying to be a back that can do anything the team needs, really. I’m not going to limit myself, so I’m just trying to help the team.”
(Just to follow up on that, so I understand you not wanting to limit yourself, so let’s do this. What part of your game would you say would need the most improvement based on where you are now in your game?) – “I honestly can’t really answer that for you right now. I feel comfortable with where I’m at, but there’s always room for improvement in everything, in every aspect of the game. So as time goes, I’m just going to try to make myself the best Gerrid Doaks I can be.”
Friday, May 14, 2021
T Larnel Coleman
(I just want to get your take on the first day of practice and how the first weekend of getting in the classroom, getting around the coaches and your teammates, and putting a helmet on and playing some football, how is it going for you so far?) – “It’s been going amazing. Just getting out there and being with the team, being with my teammates and whatnot, it is an unbelievable experience and everything. I’m really happy to be here, really happy to keep learning and keep improving. It’s just been really good.”
(How good a group could this rookie offensive line be? With T Liam Eichenberg obviously, he didn’t give up a sack the last two years. You were highly regarded. Some people thought you might have been a fourth or fifth rounder. Robert Jones is a guy who could’ve easily been drafted. How good could the three of you be as a class of linemen?) – “Honestly, we’re all improving day by day. We’re taking each minute, each moment, just one step at a time. Right now we’re just focused on the current moment and getting better each day.”
(Do they have you at both tackle spots early on? Has coach indicated to you where you will be?) – “Everybody has been switching each position, just trying to get the best feel for us and whatnot. Everybody has been everywhere.”
(One of the other writers likened offensive line play – right tackle to left tackle – kind of as wiping your back side. It’s very different when you switch sides. It’s like using different hands. Do you have that same feeling? What is it like switching from the tackle positions? What kind of goes through your mind and what goes into learning both positions?) – “Honestly for me, it’s never been too difficult to me. It’s just opposite. I guess at least for me, it’s been very easy to be like ‘ok, I did this on this side, let’s just flip it for this side.’ I don’t really see too much of a difference. Obviously you have one foot up instead of the other one, but I don’t think it’s that big of a difference.”
(You say that it’s not really that difficult for you, but do you have a side that you would prefer to be on if you had your choice?) – “Honestly, I’m going to do whatever the team needs. I’m a team player at the end of the day. Wherever I fit in, that’s what I’m going to do.”
(You talk about your teammates and I know that’s a big mentality here, team-first players. Is there a specific theme you’ve noticed with your fellow draft class here, in terms of what guys are like and your first impression on your new teammates here?) – “Yeah, the vibe that I get off everybody is that everybody is here to work. We’re all here to improve and be the best as we possibly can for each other, the team and the organization. They come off as ready to work.”
(Has anybody challenged you to a game of basketball or vice versa yet?) – “(laughter) Nothing just yet. Maybe soon.”
(What was the message from Head Coach Brian Flores at the start today about what he wanted you guys to accomplish this weekend?) – “He told us that this is a real learning weekend. Make sure you are in your playbook, especially getting used to the weather down here and everything. Just making sure that we come out of this weekend healthy and that we come out better in terms of knowing the playbook and everything. That’s really what it was.”
Friday, May 14, 2021
WR Jaylen Waddle
(This morning, the news came out about your contract. What did it mean for you to get it done before you hit the field? You were the first pick of, I think, the top 15 or 20 picks to get it done; so what does that mean for you?) – “Of course, it’s a blessing. But it was really just time to get back to work. I was really trying to make it to practice (on time).”
(I wanted to ask you about last season in college and kind of the four games you played, where it seemed like you really showed more of your evolution as a route-runner. I’m curious about how that process went for you in terms of making every route look the same and really expanding your route tree. What did that season for you last year at Alabama under Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian do for your long-term prognosis here in the NFL?) – “I think it just showcased a lot of ability that was in question. I really showed my route-running ability and he just gave me an opportunity to showcase talent.”
(I just wanted to get your impressions of the Dolphins coaching staff and what it’s like working now with an NFL coaching staff.) – “It’s great. Honestly, everyone here is like real personable. You can go up and talk to them and they’re willing to coach you. All of the things that you look for in a good organization, a good club, is pretty much here.”
(Your first practice in a rookie minicamp, what was the most impressive thing you saw? What was the most impressive thing you did?) – “The most impressive thing that I saw was the sun wasn’t out and it was cloudy. (laughter) That was like the most impressive thing … that was really it.”
(Obviously you have a history with QB Tua Tagovailoa. When you got drafted by the Dolphins, how excited were you to know that you were going to get to hook up with your former college teammate now in the NFL?) – “I’m just excited to just really be a part of the team and be a part of the organization. I’m just learning new things and going out there to compete, honestly. The call was great. I’m just trying to compete and just learn and fit in.”
(Have you communicated with QB Tua Tagovailoa much since you’ve now been drafted by the Dolphins? How has that been like?) – “Definitely. If I’ve got questions, I call him and he gives me advice and helps me out. I definitely talk to him.”
(This may seem like a very simple question but at what point in your life, do you feel like you realized that you were fast and faster than everybody else?) – “I don’t know, honestly. (laughter) I don’t know.”
(Pop Warner? Little league?) – “I’ve always had pretty good speed just growing up. I don’t really remember like, ‘this is the day.’”
(The one moment or few games I did see you play, I think the moment for me when I realized you were that dude was the Auburn game where you just kind of crossed your arms after every touchdown that you scored in that game. What is that feeling like when you get the ball, you get into the end zone, the crowd is going wild, you’re putting points on the scoreboard and you cross your hands like that? What’s the feeling of emotion and going through your mind? What’s going through your body when you get to do all of these things on the field?) – “Obviously that was great but that’s kind of in the past and none of that is going to help me out now. I’ve got to just keep working and try to get better each and every day. But really, that’s in the past and it’s not going to do anything for me now.”
(But just your excitement as a football player. Like when you get to score a touchdown and make a play, how does that make you feel as a person?) – “It feels good, of course. Just helping out the team. Making a big play for the team, it’s obviously going to feel good.”
(What’s the experience this week been like for you? Do you have a roommate? Aside from QB Tua Tagovailoa and DT Raekwon Davis, is there anybody on the team that you know or that you’ve touched base with? What has been Head Coach Brian Flores’ message to the team, or at least the rookies, this week?) – “Yeah, just being around all of the new guys has been a great part of this weekend. Getting to know everybody, getting familiar with everybody, being in the facility, of course. We’re all just learning. It’s our first couple of days and we’re honestly just learning and trying to learn and really be in the right place and be in the right spots.”
(I had an idea to write a story about the name Jaylen. I know that you and LB Jaelan Phillips spell it differently but there’s a lot of athletes who are about your age who have the name Jaylen. And a lot of them were named after Jalen Rose. I’m wondering where Jaylen came from – was it Jalen Rose or something else? And do you have any kind of plan to have you or Phillips go by a nickname so there’s no confusion when coach says Jaylen?) – “Yeah, as far as the name, my mom did name me after Jalen Rose. I don’t know how you knew that. That’s kind of weird. (laughter)”
(It’s a popular thing, actually. A lot of kids who are about 20 years old were named after Jalen Rose.) – “Yeah, for sure. I was named after Jalen Rose. I know Jaelan Phillips goes by ‘J.P.’ I go by what I go by. That’s kind of what I call him.”
(The ‘Magic’ nickname, does anybody use that? Or did that get dropped now that you’re in the pros?) – “No, that’s dropped. (laughter)”
(Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban is very complimentary of your skillset as a teammate. And then also, we saw you get emotional talking about your Alabama teammates on draft night. I was just wondering what have you noticed about your teammates here in Miami, this rookie class, in the early going? Is there kind of one theme that connects to all of you guys? Is there a certain class clown that sticks out? What have you noticed about your new teammates here in this rookie class?) – “Everyone is like – you know why everyone is here. Everyone is like really talented, really focused and all got to go. I think that’s important just in the class and that’s something that I can say stands out when you get here and get to meet and be around the guys.”
(Now that you’ve got the contract all wrapped up, what are you either going to buy yourself or someone else? What are you going to splurge on?) – “I don’t have anything in mind right now. I’m really just trying to learn everything right here. Money and all of that is not really on my mind.”
(What makes QB Tua Tagovailoa a good leader?) – “He’s just a natural leader, honestly. He’s just a natural-born leader. He’s confident. He knows what to do. He’s very smart. Everything you look for in a leader, I feel like Tua showcases and presents.”
(We know your speed is obviously going to translate to this level but have you wondered to yourself, are you kind of curious, to what extent it will in terms of are you going to consistently run past defensive backs at the NFL level? Have you thought about that? What does your instinct tell you?) – “Honestly, I’m just trying to learn the plays and be where I need to be. I’m not really thinking that far into that. I’m just trying to do what the team wants me to do and really just learn everything, be in the right position, not make the same mistake twice and things like that.”
(If I was as fast as you, I would cross my arms after every time I scored a touchdown. I would talk [expletive] and be that dude if I were you. What keeps you humble? What are some things that keep you very, very levelheaded like you’ve shown with us here today?) – “Just knowing where I came from. My mom, my parents, my teammates and everyone that helped me get to this point really just keep me humble. With everything that I’ve had to do to get to this point, there’s no time to be complacent or things like that.”
