Chris Grier and Brian Flores – April 29, 2021 Download PDF version
Thursday, April 29, 2021
General Manager Chris Grier and Head Coach Brian Flores
Chris Grier:
(Just with WR Jaylen Waddle, I just want to know what particular skillset he had that separated him from other receivers in this draft?) – “I think with Jaylen – we’ve watched him over the years. He’s been a dynamic, explosive player even from his freshman year there. He just flashed and you saw stuff, and I think this season demonstrated that type of player and even last season. He’s contributed there every year. We love his athletic ability, his run-after-catch, obviously the speed; but it’s also his toughness. He’s a very competitive kid. He loves ball. It’s important to him. I think you guys see how he plays. He plays with passion and energy, and so as Brian (Flores) and I and the coaches and scouts were going through it, this guy has been someone that’s caught our eye and it’s not just this year. This is someone that we’ve had our eye on for the last couple years just watching him.”
Brian Flores:
“I would echo those sentiments. Obviously we watched a lot of Tua (Tagovailoa) last year. In doing that, we saw really all the players at Alabama and (Jaylen) Waddle was somebody who definitely stood out as a receiver, as a returner, just a really good player. And then getting to know him was – that kind of, I would say, confirmed a lot of the things we had heard. We just think he’s a very, very good player, a good person and somebody who would fit our locker room.”
Chris Grier:
(I want to follow up with that – actually that point right there – for a kid like that, who was projected to go in the first round anyway, obviously he didn’t have to go and play in the national title game. But it kind of showed that passion and wanting to be out there with his teammates. Is that something that maybe when you’re watching the title game, that pops out on the screen to you anymore so than another player out there?) – “Yeah, it just again shows the character and how important football is to him. Like you said, a lot of players would have opted not to play and risk injury, but he wanted to be with his teammates and he worked hard to rehab and get back and be out there and contribute. So for us, as we got to know him as Brian (Flores) said, it just kind of completed the picture before we even really knew him, just to say this is the type of kid that loves ball and would fit our culture.”
(Along those same lines, DE Jaelan Phillips admitted that maybe somewhere along the lines, his passion for football wasn’t as strong throughout his journey. What convinced you guys that he was in fact a fit for this culture and can bring the passion and energy that you guys would want here with the Dolphins?) – “Brian (Flores), myself, the coaches, the scouts – we spent a lot of time through the pre-draft process getting to know him. And I think the one thing when you watch him play, you would never question his passion and effort and stuff because he plays 100 miles per hour and he’s got a tremendous motor and effort, and you can tell football is very important to him. I think like any person, when you’re that young going into college and doing stuff and maybe hit a little bit of adversity there, I think it’s just maturing and growing. I think watching him over his career, he was one of the top players in the country in high school and just watching his growth over the last few years as we got to know him, we felt very comfortable with it. On film, there’s no doubt that this guy loves football, so we’re very excited to have him.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa said something last season to the effect of the team having only one really, really fast receiver in WR Jakeem Grant. How much did that statement have on you guys going out and getting WR William Fuller V and WR Jaylen Waddle tonight?) – “I don’t think we react to any player statements. At the end of the day, Brian (Flores), myself, working with the coaches and scouts, we evaluate everything and we’ll do what’s best for the Dolphins. I think at the end of the day, we’ll always do what’s best for the organization. I don’t put a lot of stock in those statements. We have conversations with players all the time, but we don’t let that drive our decision-making.”
Brian Flores:
“I’ve got nothing to add to that.”
Chris Grier:
(Last week when you spoke to us and I’m just going to read off your quote. You said in terms of pass rush, “we feel good about it.” After feeling good and satisfied about where you guys were with LB Andrew Van Ginkel and DE Emmanuel Ogbah last year, adding DE Jaelan Phillips to that group, what do you think he brings in terms of fitting into the scheme and what he’ll be able to do for Head Coach Brian Flores and Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer?) – “Like you said, we’re very excited and we’re always looking to keep improving the roster. Brian (Flores), myself, coaches – we all talk about that all the time and the opportunity that Jaelan – we were tremendously excited for. We think he’s a very talented player. He fits what we’re looking for in terms of everything – toughness, effort, competitiveness and the production on the field. So any time we can add to a position, whether it’s a position of strength as people view it or not, we’re going to keep working to upgrade the roster, so for us this was a big get for us.”
Brian Flores:
“You can never have enough pass rushers. You know that. (laughter)”
Chris Grier:
(Obviously TE Kyle Pitts and WR Ja’Marr Chase are two skilled receiving talents who might also have added to the team. How did you feel seeing them go two picks in front of your spot knowing that you had traded down from No. 3?) – “No, I’ve told you we’re very comfortable where we were. We had a number of players – like we said – about four players we felt really good about taking at six and we’d be tremendously happy to have, so we had – again, don’t look back – but at the end of the day, we’re tremendously excited and this was a player we’ve been looking at for a couple years. So for what we want to do for our team and our roster, we’re very happy to have Jaylen (Waddle) and no regrets and say that with all honesty to you.”
(So everything you said about WR Jaylen Waddle – I’m sure you saw WR Devonta Smith – he’s on the same team and did a lot of things for Alabama. Why Waddle over Smith?) – “At the end of the day, they’re both really good players and really good kids and very competitive. Just as we went through it, it’s the explosiveness that Waddle gives you as well as the return game, as Brian (Flores) mentioned; and for us, just that dynamic trait and you can only imagine the texts Brian and I got from people talking about what a great pick and explosive and how this guy is – you guys saw all the comparisons – but for us, it was getting to know the kid and we were really, really happy and knowing how competitive and tough (he is). They’re both really good players. Devonta (Smith) is going to be a really good player in this league. For us, it was the explosive playmaking ability and the return ability for us that we really liked.”
(I wanted to ask you about the decision with DE Jaelan Phillips. Obviously having the opportunity to pick the first pass-rusher of the draft or edge player in the draft is a great situation; but what went into your decision in terms of evaluating other positions of need and your board? I’m sure you picked best player available because that’s your way, but did you expect and project the run at running back that you saw in the first round?) – “Yeah, Brian (Flores), I and the coaches and scouts, we do a lot of work pre-draft, a lot of calls, information, mock drafts, going through our own stuff and looking at it. Yeah, we thought that could happen; but for us, Jaelan was the best player on our board at that point. As Brian said, you can never have enough pass rushing. We all felt that way. So for us, we were tremendously excited that Jaelan was there. We didn’t think he would be there and we were happy to get him.”
(Did you have conversations with the Cowboys about them moving up to six? And if so, how serious were they?) – “We had a number of conversations with a couple of teams, but I would say nothing was very serious. I’m not going to go into what teams and who just out of respect for them. But we had a couple of teams that called and were interested; but at the end of the day, (Jaylen) Waddle was the guy we wanted. Brian (Flores) and I talked it over and at the end of the day, we made the pick with the player that we wanted to be here and was the best fit for the Dolphins.”
Brian Flores:
(I’d imagine you had some conversations with QB Tua Tagovailoa regarding WR Jaylen Waddle. What can you share with us as far as anything Tagovailoa might have said about Waddle, and how quickly do you think they might develop chemistry given that they have that much experience together already?) – “Tua was very supportive of really all of his teammates at ‘Bama. So Waddle, ‘Smitty’ (Devonta Smith), (Najee) Harris, (Alex) Leatherwood – he was very complimentary of all of those guys. I think he was excited that we chose Waddle. But to answer your question, he was complimentary of all of the players at ‘Bama.”
(What is your vision for WR Jaylen Waddle? I know he played a lot in the slot at Alabama and did some returning. Where do you seem him kind of starting off, helping your offense?) – “His role is going to be what he makes it. Based off of all the film we’ve seen, we think he’ll fit inside or outside. We think he’ll add a speed element. Obviously he has some value in the return game. I think his versatility is a big part of this. His ability to play inside, play in the slot, play on the perimeter, play in the return game. Again, we’re very, very excited to have him – really both Jaylen/Jaelans, to be honest with you. We’re excited.”
(I don’t know how much, if at all, you studied the two quarterbacks that have been added to the AFC East tonight in Jets QB Zach Wilson and Patriots QB Mac Jones. How do you feel about the caliber of young quarterbacks within your division now?) – “They’re two very good players. They’re two talented guys. Smart. I think the Jets and New England got two very good players. I’m sure they’re excited about adding those pieces, the same way we’re excited about adding the guys that we added tonight. Now it’s about getting them in, getting them acclimated and getting them adjusted to the National Football League and learning the playbook, and kind of fitting into the locker room and fitting into the culture of our team with our guys and their team with them. They’re very talented players and I’m sure they’re excited.”
(We were on the call with WR Jaylen Waddle when he found out that WR Devonta Smith. He just got really excited and got emotional talking about CB Patrick Surtain II and all of his teammates at Alabama getting picked and seeing their dreams come true. Is that the kind of stuff you guys found out about him, just sort of the camaraderie and the supportive nature that he brings to the table? And how much of a factor is that sort of thing outside of the talents he has on the field?) – “I would say the talent is the first thing that we’re looking at, and that stood out. But for sure, his – he talked about being a teammate and how important that was. He talked about the camaraderie that – he and Jaelan Phillips, they both talked about the camaraderie and how important that is. Obviously that’s important to us, but as players, that’s what stood out first.”
Chris Grier:
“Yeah, that’s exactly what it is. He’s a great kid and everything and loves football; but he loves his teammates as well. Like Brian (Flores) said, that really stood out in the interview process. He’s very quick to talk about his teammates and gives them a lot of credit for helping him improve and be a better player, and the coaching staff. He’s a very humble kid, as well, too. But very driven and competitive.”
WR Jaylen Waddle
(Obviously you get an opportunity here to reunite with QB Tua Tagovailoa. Has he talked to you yet and how exciting is that opportunity to present itself to reunite with Tua?) – “I haven’t talked to Tua yet, but I can tell you I’m excited just to get back with him, get everything down, get our timing down and things like that. Luckily for me, we spent time together at Alabama, so we’ve just got to keep going.”
(What was the draft process like for you and what were some of your early conversations like with Head Coach Brian Flores and General Manager Chris Grier?) – “The process was great, and our conversations were – I wouldn’t say confidential, but just private and stay between just us.”
(We hear so much from Head Coach Brian Flores about players with high character. Just wondering, did you trying to play in the national championship game, showing you wanted to be out there with your teammates – do you think that went a long way with coaches and more specifically, maybe even the Dolphins? Is that something that came up as a positive in your pre-draft meetings?) – “Honestly, I just played because I love to play the game, so I wasn’t really thinking on how I came off to anyone or anything like that. They never really spoke about it or anything like that or anything. I’m just trying to be me. I play because I want to play, not to come off any type of way … or anything like that.”
(I wanted to ask you more about your partnership with QB Tua Tagovailoa. Normally when rookies come into the NFL, there’s a little bit of time that you have to get used to your quarterback. How do you feel your chemistry is going to go right off the bat since you’ve played with him before?) – “It’s there, for sure. It definitely needs to improve. It’s something that we’re going to try to improve on, so it’s good to be familiar with him; but I’m coming to work and I know he is, too. So just getting it down and just going and having at it, day by day, just trying to build it and build it more.”
(We’ve heard all the talk about your speed and WR Tyreek Hill comparisons pre-draft. How would you describe your game and what you think your impact can be on this league?) – “Yeah, I get a lot of comparisons to Tyreek (Hill), just because of my small size and being able to be a runner; but I want to be my own player and try to play the game that I play and try to do my own style and not try to emulate someone else’s style. So I think I’m going to try to be the player that I always have and try to make plays for the team, and just try to put the team in position to win.”
(How can you make QB Tua Tagovailoa better?) – “Make him better? I don’t know if that’s a thing or anything. I feel like it goes both ways. He’s going to make me better. I’m going to make him better and we’re just going to push each other and try to get better each and every day.”
(Just curious how you see yourself kind of fitting into this particular offense, what you might know about it and how you can impact this particular team?) – “I’m just going to do my best to do what the team asks of me and try to be the best player and do the things that the team asks of me at the highest level and the level that I know I can play at. I’m going to try to do whatever my coaches want of me.”
(I’d like to ask you a little bit more about your speed. Where do you think you rank right now in the NFL among the fastest players?) – “Who’s telling? I don’t know. That’s not something that runs by my mind or anything like that.”
(Just overall what does this moment and being drafted in the NFL, what does it all mean to you?) – “It’s special. Just getting that call, it’s something special. Honestly, I’ve never had that mixed-emotions feel ever in my life, so it was a lot of hard work that got put into making this moment happen, so just seeing it all come into action is something special.”
(Can you talk about what playing at Episcopal High School has meant to you to get you where you are today and the fact that two of your teammates are going to join you in the NFL Draft here at some point?) – “Yeah, EHS (Episcopal High School) is special. It’s always a special place in my heart. I’ve always loved the game, but I really truly fell in love with the game being there, being around the guys, and like you said, we’ve got two more players – actually three with Jhamon Ausbon from (Texas) A&M that’s going to be drafted and going to be in the NFL. It’s just great. I played alongside great players and we all went our separate ways, but we can meet up all on the big stage.”
(You kind of went a little viral after you got picked leaving all your family behind in the draft room. What was that moment like for you? Can you kind of talk us through that moment?) – “It was special, just walking out there, having that moment. It’s just special just to share it with your loved ones, for sure. It’s something that you can’t even describe.”
(I know you were coming off that ankle injury in college. Where are you health-wise?) – “I’m good. I’m ready to go.”
(WR Devonta Smith just got drafted at No. 10. What did it mean for both of you guys to get selected…?) – “Where did he end up going?”
(Philly.) – “He went to Philly? Y’all said y’all were going to remind me. (laughter)”
(But what does it mean for both you and WR Devonta Smith to go in the top 10 and obviously you passed by him on the way to the stage?) – “It’s just a moment you get to share with your brother. ‘Smitty’ is like my brother, man, so it’s just tremendous. It’s a lot of emotion. I almost saw him like, tear up, and ‘Smitty’ is not like, a real emotional guy. So it’s just a special moment. You just share it with your brother – Pat (Surtain Jr.), ‘Smitty,’ Mac (Jones), (Christian) Barmore. It’s something special. It just makes the moment even more special and even more emotional.”
(I wanted to bring up a point that QB Tua Tagovailoa has now played with four quarterbacks taken in the first round and possibly a running back that’s going to be taken in the first round. Were you guys the best offense, in your opinion – weaponry – in college football history?) – “Yeah, I’m not really big on trying to compare and stack up teams on teams – teams from other decades and other things like that. I can tell you that we were really good. (There was) a lot of talent in that room and on the team, especially on that side of the ball. But I don’t really want to get into the best or anything like that. But I can tell you that we were really good.”
(Tell us about your experiences in South Florida. How much time did you spend here and what are your impressions of the area?) – “I got to spend time there for bowl games, and like I said, my good friend Pat (Surtain Jr.) is from the South Florida area, so I’ll go out there and hang with him from time to time; but I’ve never really spent a good amount of time there. I’m excited to get around the culture, get around the people there and get around my teammates, try to build bonds and just get ready and try to do well for the organization.”
DE Jaelan Phillips
(Just want to know what you’re feeling right now. How cool is it to be drafted by a city that’s already welcomed you once with open arms?) – “Words can’t even describe how I feel right now. It’s literally like an out-of-body experience, but I’m just so grateful for Miami as a city. They embraced me when I came into the ‘U,’ and they’ve supported me for the last two years of my journey, so there’s no place I’d rather be. Back to the 305. (laughter) It’s just crazy. I’m so excited.”
(What’s this process been like for you? A couple years ago, your football career was over and it looked bleak for you and now you’re a first-round pick.) – “All I can say about that is perseverance. There was good days, there was bad days; but at the end of the day, I kept my faith, I stayed humble and I worked hard and I had great people around me to support me and carry me through this process. It’s been surreal. These last three years of my life, so much has changed and I’m just so blessed to be in this position that I am right now and so thankful for everybody who’s helped me along the way.”
(Just curious what your relationship was like with Head Coach Brian Flores, your interactions, your impressions of him as you kind of got to know him a little bit during this process?) – “He seems like an extremely genuine guy. I’m so excited to be able to come in and do everything I can to help out this team. I had great interactions with the Dolphins and like I said, I’m just so excited to be back in Miami, back in the 305. It’s funny because I just moved all my stuff out of Coral Gables back home to L.A., (laughter) and now I’m going back to Miami, so another road trip coming up for me. (laughter)”
(Obviously a lot of people viewed you as maybe the top edge rusher in this class, but the question was the concussions. I guess can you take us through maybe what you’ve dealt with since UCLA with those and where you are and if you had to make teams comfortable with your medical?) – “I had two concussions while I was at UCLA. I play football; it’s a physical sport, so ask anybody in the NFL and I guarantee they’ve had some concussions in their time, so it’s nothing to be worried about. Obviously the team was comfortable with my medical history and just addressing it– I looked at it like I had nothing to hide. I just was forthcoming with everything and I just really let them get to know me as a person so that they could be extremely comfortable with the situation.”
(You talked about having to move all your stuff back. What’s the familiarity like? You get to stay in the same building, share the same home field. Did you ever make it out to any Dolphins games, but more importantly, what’s the sense of comfort that you have in this area?) – “I never made it out to a Dolphins game, but I’ve said it before in a Tweet: ‘Los Angeles made me, but Miami saved me.’ And so I really, I owe a lot to this city and I’m so excited to be able to come back and be able to play here for as long as I can. It’s amazing. It’s an amazing feeling.”
(What are you going to do for the Dolphins? What are you going to offer them?) – “My tenacity and my hard work. That’s something I can really hang my hat on. I’m going to come in Day 1 and just do the most that I can for the team. Just come in, be a humble servant, really just come in just ready to soak up everything, be a sponge and just put my head down and work. I want to earn the respect of my teammates and my coaches, first and foremost, so I’m just excited for this opportunity. It’s crazy. (laughter) I keep saying that, but I can’t even believe it. This is insane.”
(I got two questions for you. I guess the first one is what pass rusher or defensive player did you look up to growing up early in your career and the other one is you’re very into music – do you have any plans of making a song or a beat that you made it to the league?) – “Growing up, I used to watch Shawne Merriman. I watched some tape of Lawrence Taylor. Those are some older guys and then just more recently guys like the Bosa brothers, the Watt brothers, Chandler Jones are guys I really kind of model my game after. But music, man, I don’t plan on making any songs or anything like that. (laughter) I’m all in. I’m coming in to play football and I’m excited to get into the facilities and work my – work my butt off – I don’t want to say any expletives. (laughter) I’m going to work hard.”
(Obviously you come into a scheme in Miami that they’re really versatile. They play stand-up with the edge guys and hand-down. Where do you feel most comfortable and kind of where would you grade your versatility as far as an edge rusher?) – “I feel comfortable really doing anything. I played in a 3-4 outside linebacker system, I’ve played in a 4-3 hand-in-the-dirt system. So I really feel like I can do it all and really whatever is required of me and whatever Coach wants me to do, I’ll be able to do. So I’m just excited to learn the system and come in and really just take my game to that next level.”
(Just curious as a football fan, your impressions of WR Jaylen Waddle – your other newest teammate here – and your excitement about his game.) – “He’s a dog. I’ve been watching him for a little while now, and he’s just electric. That’s one way I can describe him. He’s a playmaker through and through, so I’m super excited to get to know him. I know he’s going to contribute to this team greatly. Absolutely, he’s a stud.”
(I wanted to ask you about what’s it like to be the first edge rusher – the first pass rusher selected in this draft?) – “It’s a blessing. There’s a bunch of other great guys, namely Greg (Rousseau), obviously. Me and Greg are really tight, and so I’m super excited to see where he ends up, but I just feel blessed to be the first one taken and most importantly, blessed to be able to get taken by the Dolphins. This is an amazing opportunity. I feel so blessed.”
(I’d love to go back to your Pro Day. Obviously that had a big impact for you. You had a really good day out there. How did you feel after that performance and did you start to sense that Miami might be the team based on any feedback they gave you from your Pro Day performance?) – “It was definitely a relief. I could take a deep breath after that performance. I spent three months day-in and day-out preparing for that, so it was really fun to be able to do as well as I did in that and then honestly, I had no idea. You know how this draft works; you really have no idea where you’re going to end up. So when I got that call and it said ‘Miami Dolphins,’ it was like a dream come true. It’s unbelievable. Back to the 305. It’s like full circle. This is all God’s plan. It’s incredible.”
(You said you had to move all your stuff out of your Coral Gables apartment and now you’re going to be moving it all back. Just wondering how familiar you became with maybe real estate in Miami, where you plan on living now if you have any plans like that or what you want to do with your first paycheck?) – “I definitely want to be close to the facility. The Hard Rock facility is going to be open pretty soon, so anywhere I can be close up in North Miami, Weston, Davie, even Fort Lauderdale maybe. I know my way around there a little bit. I spent some time up north. I was down in Coral Gables for the most part, but I definitely spent some time up north, so wherever the team recommends I should stay and really just kind of being close to the facility, being able to get that vibe and really kind of acclimate.”
