Wednesday, May 4, 2022
DT Christian Wilkins
(I was wondering if you could speak to the three years of developing that you’ve had here and the process of that development. Like from your own personal standpoint, working with coaches and trainer, etc. How have those years of work allowed you to become the player you are and one of the more consistent and productive defensive tackles in the game?) – “The biggest thing was just kind of early on, a lot was overwhelming. You come in with a lot of high expectations – first-round pick, new coach, new everything, everything is new, a lot of pressure – so you’re just trying to get your feet under you. You’re like ‘damn’ and you’re trying to figure out life. You’re trying to figure out everything else, not just ball. You’ve got a lot of different responsibilities and things like that, so there’s a lot of things that come with that. You’re trying to figure out the scheme and things like that, but pretty much for me, I just stuck with the process. I just kept working all the way through and I’m continuing to work, continuing to try and get better each and every day, and I just felt like year after year, I’ve gotten better at a lot of things I wanted to get better at coming into each season. So hopefully I just stick with that process and keep getting better and better each year.”
(So you were drafted in 2019 and the next two years, the Dolphins have a whole bunch of draft picks and tons of young players, younger than you. Do you communicate stuff like that with your younger teammates, kind of about trusting the process and how it worked for you and how it can work for them?) – “Absolutely. I feel like just from my experience, I’m able to be there for those guys, especially like you said, all the draft picks, all the guys who were drafted early who might feel like there was some pressure. There’s this, that and trying to figure things out. I always try to be a guy that they can lean on, come and talk to just about anything – about life, about ball, whatever it has to do, just adjusting to life in the NFL. I always try to be that for them. I can’t tell them everything before it happens, but just kind of be a mentor and a big brother as things do come up for them, help them through whatever it is they may be going through both good and bad.”
(Congrats on the team picking up your fifth year. I wanted to get your take on that move by the club.) – “Appreciate it. I think it’s great. It’s awesome. I’m glad I’m going to be able to be here for another year and I’m just blessed overall. Kind of what we talked about earlier with (the other) question, I’m just progressing each year and the team had to make a decision and they picked up my option. That’s great. I’m excited I’m going to be here for at least another year.”
(Do you think there is a chance that you might be able to do a long-term deal with the club?) – “The biggest thing is I’m just trying to focus on ball. Let whoever else, the powers that be handle all that stuff and talk about all that stuff. I just like to focus on ball, being a good teammate and just getting better every day and stay with the process and the rest will take care of itself.”
(This is a question for Christian Wilkins the NFLPA rep. From a business standpoint, with the new CBA deal, do you find it interesting that once you guys guaranteed that fifth-year option – fully, not guarantee it but then we can opt out of it before the new league year starts – is it interesting that so many teams aren’t picking up the fifth-year option?) – “That’s a good question. I just think it’s case-by-case. The biggest thing to understand is that the league is a business and it’s really a case-by-case situation, so it is definitely interesting. Every team has decisions they have to make and they have that control, they have that power.”
(What’s it like to be one of the only defensive linemen in the first round that gets the fifth year picked up? Is it like a feather in your cap, like “hey, I’m one of the best producers?”) – “No, you don’t think about it like that because again, it’s case-by-case. You don’t know what other teams have going on and like I said, I just try to focus on ball and just letting everything happen as it comes. I don’t try to think about it like that because as soon as you start thinking like that – you’ve got to keep a humble spirit and humble mindset – because as soon as you start thinking like that, a lot of other B.S. can get in the way and you’re not focused on the things you need to focus on.”
(I wanted to ask you about the F1 tour you guys did this week and everything going on at the stadium. I was wondering if you could put into words what it’s like to be on the track and kind of witness everything going on.) – “Yeah, that looks all right over there. It’s pretty cool. I ain’t going to lie to you. I was actually thinking about doing some other stuff this weekend before I got to go on the tour and see everything. I’m like ‘nah, I’m definitely going to be there for that.’ It’s the first time it’s here. This is like – I know there will be other years it’ll be going on, but this is like a once-in-a-lifetime, first-in-a-lifetime experience for me. And for someone like me who grew up the way I grew up where I grew up, you don’t get to see things like this or experience things like this, so I’m going to be there in attendance, having a good time enjoying it and have some fun with it all and just happy to be a part of it, happy it’s going to be here.”
(Since you’ve been drafted, the Dolphins have put tennis on the campus, there’s been Rolling Loud, so many different events. What can you say about everything that kind of happens in the stadium and the campus of the team you play for?) – “It’s awesome that as an organization we do those things and that obviously a lot of things go on here in Miami. We’ve got a great stadium, a great location, just a lot of good things – it makes sense why a lot of things want to be here and a lot of things are going on here and I like to try to go to as many things as possible, again, just because I think it’s always pretty cool. The Miami Open was great. I went to that. Just always cool to experience things, meet new people and it’s just cool to be a part of.”
(I was asking S Jevon Holland about who has a fast car. He said CB Byron Jones has got a nice…) – “Yeah… (laughter)”
(What about the front seven guys? If you had to pick someone’s car to put it on the track, the track right out there, who’s car are you putting out there?) – “From the front seven? Nah, I would definitely say Byron (Jones) is up there. Jaelan (Phillips) has got a nice little something-something. I mean, I don’t know. I ain’t going to put out guys’ business like that, but Jaelan do got a nice little something-something. (laughter) Maybe his car.”
(Do you like cars? Are you more of a sports car guy or truck guy?) – “I’m not a big car person like that. But after going to school in the south and living in the south, you’ve got to have you a truck. You know what I’m saying? (laughter) Ride down with the windows down, arm out, you know what I’m saying? (laughter) You know, just enjoy the ride and feeling big in the big body truck.”
(I wanted to ask you about S Jevon Holland. Just as a fellow, somebody who can kind of relate to being a high pick and kind of being thrust into a prominent role early on, what impressed you about Jevon’s rookie season and how have you kind of seen him approach this Year 2?) – “Jevon has a chance to be pretty good in this league. Just how he comes into work each and every day. That was the biggest thing that I learned. He even took a year off of ball before he got drafted and everything and still came in kind of ready to play and was able to do some really good things for us early on and it’s just impressive to watch. He’s athletic, he’s big, and something that surprised me more than anything is just how cerebral he is back there. Like making the calls, doing some of the things you have to do at the safety position in our defense was really impressive. He’s kind of a kid who just loves playing ball, too, so it’s fun to watch. He brings that nice young spirit, too. He’s a good teammate.”
(I just wanted to ask you what your reaction was when you found out that Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer and Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark were being retained by the new coach and are you sort of eager to see what wrinkles Josh will have just to keep teams off balance this year with largely the same personnel as he had a year ago?) – “Yeah, it’s always nice when you have some – like especially with the whole change, you know what I mean – it’s nice to have some familiarity. It’s nice to have d-coordinator, d-line coach, linebackers coach (return). It’s good to have a lot of the same things coming back – players and everything. There hasn’t been much turnover or anything like that from that standpoint, so I’m just excited that you look around the defense, you look around the locker room and you’ve got a lot of familiar faces and guys who have been in this system. So I’m just looking forward to it and just looking forward to continue to build and achieve connection with each other and do some good things.”
(When you came into the NFL, your reputation as being frugal preceded you. I’m curious whether that stayed the same way or have you allowed yourself to buy yourself some stuff here and there?) – “Hey, nah, (laughter) good question. I mean still – I was going to joke around and say I’m spending money like crazy, but no, I still have the same frugal mindset. That’s in me. You can’t help it sometimes. You do have to spend a little bit more money and it hurts me and it pains me any time I’ve got to spend a little bit of money, but I’m still as frugal as can be. I try to spend as little as possible, but also, here and there, treat myself to little things like that. But I still don’t like spending a lot of money.”
(Quick follow up, if I may. What’s the most flashy you’ve allowed yourself to pick up?) – “More just experiences. Like I’m an experience guy. I love to travel, so in the offseason, if I can enjoy some time, go somewhere, do some things like that, that’s something I love to do. So I love to see the world, I love to get out, love to just experience different things like that. So I like to travel.”
(See now you’ve got me interested. What’s the experience Christian Wilkins had the best time at and what’s the goal from the experience standpoint for this offseason before camp starts?) – “Good question, and you mean from like, just in my life in general?”
(Yeah.) – “Oh man, I don’t know. I’ve been able to do – I’m really blessed and I’m fortunate to be in the position I am in and do a lot of things I do. Like I really can’t pinpoint one specific experience. I don’t know – just from obviously accomplishments in football, winning championships at the college level, being drafted, being part of this brotherhood in the NFL, going to the White House, things like that. Even social circles you’re put in or people you get to meet socially that you’re like, ‘dang, I’m just this little kid from Springfield and I met such-and-such’ or I’m doing this or doing that. It’s all just humbling truly – traveling the world, seeing cool things, things I thought I’d never be able to do…”
(What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen?) – “Shoot, I don’t know. Just even like – let’s just say like even going to London. Stuff that like that. Playing in a foreign place and joking about a guy running onto the field before the game. Like all that stuff was fun. Playing in a different stadium, just taking a second, breathing it all in like, ‘This game is taking me all over the world. I’m here in London playing a game.’ And then I was able to go back this offseason and watch a soccer game in that same stadium and really enjoy that. That’s all just so cool to me and so humbling and it’s awesome to be able to do.”
(So what’s the pre-camp travel plans?) – “I don’t really have anything planned. I might just more so just kick it. Just get my mind right and regroup before I start the heavy training before training camp.”
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
S Jevon Holland
(I saw that you were pretty enthusiastic about the Dolphins adding one of your former teammates. Give me the honest straight up scouting report on him.) – “I would but I feel like I’d be a little bit biased because he is one of my best friends. So I’m going to let you guys decide. (laughter) That’s why I’m not going to say anything. He’s going to rise to the top. I believe in him. He’s a hell of a player and an even better guy. He fits right in with the culture of the team.”
(I read the scouting reports and they talked about how he has good ball skills and the ability to track the ball in the air and that he’s competitive. Compliment him on one thing. What’s one thing you think he does well?) – “Like you said, he tracks the ball phenomenally. That was one of the main emphasis as a defense at Oregon and you kind of saw that in how we played in the 2019 year, in the 2020 year and then last year he led college football in interceptions and the Pac-12 also. It’s a testament to him for being that guy and getting those balls down. He’s a hell of a player.”
(I know you had a trip to Vegas to check out the Pro Bowl. You spent some time with CB Xavien Howard. What was that experience like and were there any other players you leaned on for advice and took under their wing?) – “It was great. It was a great experience. I felt super motivated. That was one of the best moments for me as a young player, as a competitor really. To see those guys out there, like this is the goal, this is where I want to get to. Having ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) there, ‘X’ is awesome. The whole time I was with him, tracking him, interviewing him or whatnot, he’s a better guy than he is a football player. Seeing people that have been good in the league for a long time when I was a kid – like I saw Joe Haden and it was cool because I was like ‘what’s up.’ And he was like ‘I know who you are. What’s good, Jevon?’ He knew my name. I’m Jevon Holland, but that’s Joe Haden. Do you know how many pairs of Jordan cleats he’s got? That alone blew my mind. I told my dad the same thing and my brother too. That was dope.”
(This time last year you, I’m sure you were getting here and getting to know your coaches and teammates and all of that stuff. I wanted to ask if you could reflect upon where you were at this time last year compared to now. You had to get to know the playbook, the building, the city, and now you come here, I’d imagine, with a much firmer grasp on all of those things that were so new to you a year ago.) – “Yeah, last year I was in an unknown environment. I was really nervous about everything. I had never been to Florida before. I went by the hotel we were staying at, there was a little lake. I went jogging by the lake and there was a frog. I’m thinking it’s an alligator because I’m from California so I thought there was an alligator everywhere. I started tripping, running back to my room. But now I’m cool. I’m comfortable. I like being here. I love Florida – the sun, the sky, all of that. I was definitely nervous being here. It’s the NFL. I was shaking in my boots, for lack of better terms. I feel way better now.”
(We saw nicknames going around a couple of weeks ago. I know you’re the snowman. S Brandon Jones talked about the clown emoji he used. Have you guys made progress on this nickname that is not going over too well with his teammates?) – “I talked to him about it. He said it’s the joker which I understand because of the clown face. But I’m like bro, you got to put more context into that. First of all, it wasn’t even explained before. No one calls him the joker. For him to just throw it out there, it looked like he was calling himself a clown. He’s not going to call himself that anymore. We’re going to find something else for him. (laughter)”
(There are some coaching staff changes, but Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer stays, and Safeties Coach Steve Gregory stays. How do you feel that might benefit you and the defense?) – “I think it’s very important. It’s carryover from the last year. It’s a familiar face. You’re going to have a similar scheme to how he likes it. The defense understands how he functions and we work well together. You all saw that at the end of last season. I think it’s going to be great for our team, for our defense also.”
(When we talked to you in January, you mentioned that one of the things you wanted to focus on in your second season was patience. I’m wondering, what is your plan, what is your approach to reach that specific goal?) – “It’s about repetition. You’ve got to do something over and over again to make it a habit. That’s been my approach to how I operate this entire offseason. It’s repetition, making sure I’m getting the proper reps in, on and off the field, in the weight room and things like that. I think my whole gameplan for the offseason and approaching OTAs and minicamp is having the right amount of reps and to go about it in a patient manner.”
(I have a similar question about Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer staying. When he spoke to us a couple of months ago, he said that there is going to be a lot of similarities to when Brian Flores was here. But he’s going to look at things more from the back-end down, so the secondary first. Do you have any impressions of what that means to you, because you were asked to do so much as a rookie?) – “I have no idea. I’m just going to do what the coaches tell me because they are cutting the checks, so I’m just going to do it. It is what it is. But seriously, I’m just going to play what they say. That’s literally all. I’m not even going to short change you. I’m just giving it to you straight.”
(What did your first year in the NFL teach you about the business end of the league?) – “That anybody could be anywhere at any time. Everybody is replaceable. That is definitely one of the main things. At the end of the day, it is a business and money talks. At the end of the day, you play and have fun because the NFL is not for long. At any point you could be out of there, so just make sure you take full advantage of your opportunity.”
(Speaking about big business, I’m sure you see everything that’s going on at your stadium campus. What was that tour like that you did checking out the F1 race, and what are your thoughts as a player on this team looking at everything going on, and seeing what Tom Garfinkel and Stephen Ross are doing?) – “I think it’s dope. I know it means a lot and there is a serious deal that’s going on with F1. I don’t know a lot about F1. I know it’s obviously racing and I think Cars did a spin off with Mater in Tokyo or something like that. It’s race cars. They go fast and seeing the track was cool and how they built everything. I thought the track had to be super long. It’s dope, all the exhibits and they’ve got yachts in there and a beach and all types of stuff. I think it’s dope. Shout out to the head guys.”
(We saw the offense make a bunch of moves bringing guys to the fold that have accomplished resumes. I’m curious how guys like WR Tyreek Hill, T Terron Armstead, RB Raheem Mostert, RB Chase Edmonds and all the guys that you brought in can help you guys get better on the defense throughout the course of the offseason in practice?) – “Tyreek Hill is like the fastest player in the NFL so having him on the team and going against him every day, you can’t really practice against a better model for facing a speed team. Chase and Raheem are the same way. They both are dynamic players. And Terron – especially when I come off the edge, playing an offensive tackle who knows tricks of the trade, it’s difficult for me to get to the quarterback. But yeah, just those experiences and challenges they are going to add to practice every day is going to be awesome for us. We’re going to be in tune and already have seen those types of looks when we play the games.”
(Who has the fastest car in the parking lot?) – “Probably Byron. (laughter)”
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
C/G Michael Deiter
(I know it’s a day-to-day league and nothing is guaranteed but do you take any solace or encouragement by the fact that the Dolphins didn’t prioritize center during the offseason? There was no veteran center signed. Does that make you feel good even while knowing that you need to compete to win the starting job again?) – “I wouldn’t say it makes me feel any way, I guess. I’m excited that I have a chance to come out here and compete to play for the Dolphins another year. That’s really all I can focus on. Obviously it didn’t happen but it’s not something that I’m really worried about. I just need to get ready to compete again this year.”
(We’re excited about this new Mike McDaniel zone-rushing attack. Can you explain to us what the key responsibilities or unique responsibilities for the center are in this style of offense?) – “It’s the same in the respect that the center has to get everyone on the same page, got to get the IDs, get the whole o-line ready to just cut it loose and be right assignment-wise. But then the whole o-line, it’s a system where we can just play with confidence and cut it loose and really not worry – worry about winning and not worry about losing. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a ton of fun because we can play with confidence. It seems really exciting and it’s going to be exciting.”
(If you had to put your career – obviously it’s no different than what most veterans go through – if you had to put your career into your own words, what would you say it’s been like?) – “I don’t know. I would say it’s a blessing because I have a career in the NFL and that I’m happy with. Obviously you come in and you want to be this, that and the greatest thing ever, and you’re always working for that and every day, that’s all you can focus on. It’s been a blessing to still be here and competing to keep the career. A blessing.”
(What would you say the experiences last year – playing at center – taught you about the league?) – “The more you can do, the more valuable you are. If you can play multiple positions, no matter what you do best, there’s a chance for you to play and help a team out, whether it be practice squad, starter, backup, you name it. As long as you’re willing to work and try to help the team win, there’s always a chance.”
(I wanted to ask you about the new offensive line coach, Matt Applebaum, and kind of what you’ve recognized from him so far through the first phase of the offseason program here.) – “So far he’s been really cool. He’s a detailed guy, an intense guy, but we’re having a lot of fun. He’s doing a really good job of keeping everything fun. He’s been a great teacher so far. We’re learning a ton. It’s going to be a lot of fun working with him. So far it’s been a lot of fun. He’s definitely a cool dude. He’s fun to be around but intense and a heck of a teacher.”
(How would you describe the energy at practice? I know it’s a bit of a new coaching staff. QB Tua Tagovailoa talked about all of the vets that you guys have out there for the voluntary stuff. How would you describe the energy not just with your o-line room but the entire team?) – “The energy is high. It’s good. Everyone is excited to get better. We can see that if everyone is doing their job the way they’re supposed to, we can be explosive. We can have a lot of fun doing it. The way to be explosive is with confidence and everyone working together and getting ready to cut it loose. It’s been really exciting and high energy.”
(I was going to ask you about skills that you think are needed in a zone-running scheme. Do you feel it suits your skillset? Is there a guy or two on the team among the young linemen where you feel like – young linemen besides you – where you feel like their skillsets are really good for this particular system?) – “I mean every guy in the room is capable. Some guys are a little more athletic and it doesn’t matter. But everyone is capable of going out there and running outside zone effectively. One, you need to be confident in your assignment so you can just cut it loose with your technique. As long as you follow the techniques that are taught, I can do it and anyone in the room can do it. That’s kind of the beauty of it all.”
(It occurs to me that Mike McDaniel, Matt Applebaum and Frank Smith all have years of experience in successful rushing attacks. What kind of a sense do you get about the type of commitment to run that those three fellas maybe want to have?) – “You can just tell talking with them that running the ball is something that is important to all three of them and it’s cool. As an o-lineman, that’s always pretty refreshing to hear. The way I think they’re so successful is the detail, the way they break it down to make it almost simple and how you can be effective and how you can run the ball effectively. It’s cool to have three guys who are smart and care about the run and want to get it going no matter what. When they can break it down and simplify it for you, it gives you a lot of confidence.”
(How much better of a center do you feel that you are now than at this same time last year?) – “A lot better. I’m just taking a lot more reps (and have) a little more experience. Obviously I’m not where I need to be. I can be a lot better still. There’s a lot more growth to have. But I’m definitely more confident this offseason than I was a year ago. Not that it was my first time doing it but it had been a little while. It’s going good.”
