Several members of the Miami Dolphins spoke with members of the media this morning. The Dolphins sent us, and others, a transcript of today’s post-training camp interviews. Practice is scheduled to begin tomorrow at 8:00 am.
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Ryan Tannehill
On having new weapons on offense and he is most looking forward to playing with:
"“It’s tough to pick one because we have so many. We really have a stacked group all the way around, from our back-field, to our tight ends, the receiver group, everywhere you look, we have weapons. It’s going to be fun for me to be able to spread the ball around.”"
On how he feels the offense is progressing through the off-season
"“We’re definitely trending in the right direction. Obviously, day one is always a little rusty, just getting into the flow again. But I feel like it was a good start for us. We didn’t complete every ball and there were mistakes out there but if you look at where we started last year at this time, we’re light years ahead.”"
On whether he thinks this is a playoff team
"“No, no doubt. I’m superbly confident in this team and what we can do. Now, we have a lot of work to do until we get there, but I’m really excited about what we have and what we can do.”"
Ndamukong Suh
On how it feels to start camp:
"“It feels good. It was a long day but a good day, just out here trying to work as hard as I can. I have a lot of rust to knock off, and it is exciting to be out here in the heat getting acclimated.”"
On his acceptance by his teammates:
"“I have been lucky coming into this group, I have a great d-line – Cam (Wake), OV (Olivier Vernon), (Derrick) Shelby and all the guys brought me in and just showed me the ropes. It has been a good situation, especially since OTAs and mini-camp started so it was just like picking up from that time from when we started camp to then.”"
On communication with Cam Wake:
"“If we just started communicating today, it would be too late. We had to start that back in OTAs and mini-camp, like I said, and even before that. Once I knew I was coming down here reaching out to him, understanding this is his defense line and I am coming to be a part of it. I just want to understand particularly my role – how I can help, how I can help him make more plays, get more sacks. I am a selfless player so I want to see him be successful and I want to be successful myself as a competitor and go from there. Communication is key.”"
On Mike Tannenbaum challenging him to be a leader:
"“Mike Tannenbaum definitely challenged me and it is a challenge that I always accept no matter what. As I have grown up and understood in the league, being hopefully one of the elite guys, to be good and to be great as I want to be you have to go out there and help the guys around you, especially younger guys bringing them along once you understand your role of what you have to accomplish. Jordan Phillips, (Anthony Johnson), guys like that you want to be able to help. Obviously they have great talent or they wouldn’t be here, but understanding how to be pros and I had to have that same thing when I was here. Kyle Vaden Bosch, Corey Williams, guys like that helped me get to where I am at right now.”"
On his ability to make others around him better:
"“I think at the end of the day it can be a combination of everything. You don’t to just be out there by yourself and this is the ultimate team game so your teammates have to produce as well as yourself has to produce. The best way to do that is to work together as a unit, especially on the defensive line and offensive line – guys be able to protect each other, help each other, make plays and feed each other for plays. That is just the way it goes."
Stephen Ross
On the upheld suspension of Tom Brady: He is reportedly not a fan of Bob Kraft
"“I have a lot of confidence in Roger (Goodell) and the league office. I’ve dealt with him, as you know with a little controversy not too long ago and they’re very objective. I don’t have all of the facts, I don’t think any of us really have all of the facts, but I think the league takes everything into consideration and I have a lot of faith in what the league rules. When it happens to you, everybody is always upset, it’s a natural reaction. I have a lot of confidence that the league has done the right thing. They have the facts and I think Roger (Goodell) tries to treat everybody fairly.”"
On his message to the team on day one:
"“It was really more or less, I was picking up on their enthusiasm. You could feel it, you could sense it and, as I’ve told you before, my role as an owner is to put them in a position to win and do everything we possibly can. We’ve done a lot of things here, people have followed this team for a while, most of you, and you’ve seen a lot of change. We’re looking to win and be best in class, and I think our players sense that and it really kind of generates itself around this whole environment here.”"
On if he is getting antsy for a winning team:
"“You’re goddamn right.”"
Joe Philbin
On what RB LaMichael James role will be and moving him around
"“Possibly, we’re a multiple formations team as you know and primarily a one back team. He’s a guy that’s got good skill-set, he can catch the football, he’s quick, he understands concepts well in the passing game and I think (offensive coordinator) Bill (Lazor) and his staff have done a good job of moving players around to different spots. Again, one of his attributes is his flexibility and ability to play different spots.”"
On what owner Stephen Ross told the players during his meeting with them today:
"“Whenever we get him down here, I always like for him to communicate with the team and develop a positive relationship with the guys. A lot of guys know him and he’s been here a number of times, but since he came down today, he obviously wanted to spend some time with the ball club. He told the team that, first and foremost, he bought the Miami Dolphins to build a championship organization, number one, and that he’s here to help and assist in any way possible. That he has a lot of confidence and optimism in the guys. It was a great message and it was great to have him.”"
On WR DaVante Parker’s status and if it was discouraging to put him the PUP list:
"“No, not at all. Again, this is a process, DaVante Parker is going to be an excellent football player here for a long time and so we’ll take it one day at a time. It’s a process and when he’s healthy we’ll get him on the field and he’ll practice. Once we’re confident he’s comfortable in his assignments and execution and he can help us win football games, he’ll go out and play.”"
On if WR DeVante Parker will be ready for the season opener on September 13
"“Again, I’m taking it one day at a time. This is July 30th? It’s a long time away and we’ll see. I’m calm, I like what he’s doing, he’s working hard and he’s got a good attitude.”"
On if there is anything different this year on the first day as opposed to previous years
"“Steve (Ross) and I were talking, he sensed a little different buzz and a little different feel. It’s a team that I feel good about from a chemistry standpoint so far. We’ve got 90 guys now, we’re going down to 53 as you know. I think our connection so far with the ball club, with the staff, with everybody, I feel very good about.”"
On DT Ndamukong Suh’s leadership
"“One thing he did is he encouraged Jordan Phillips to come out and train with him. That’s an example of leadership – of taking a young player, showing him obviously from a physical standpoint and a professionalism standpoint, a preparation standpoint, some of the things that he’s done to get himself ready. Now, to take a young player under his wing so to speak and do those things, so that’s one great example that he’s done already in the short time he’s been here.”"
On if he wants the players to think big in terms of winning this year and their expectations for the team:
"“I talked to them yesterday about why I was here, why I took the job in Miami. I told Steve (Stephen Ross, Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner) when I interviewed that I wanted a build a team that consistently competed for and won championships. That’s why we do what we do and that’s why they make the sacrifices they make. Everybody in this organization does the same. There is the AFC East Championship, there is the AFC Championship, and there is the Super Bowl Championship. Nothing has been decided. Those to me are really destinations, the Super Bowl is a destination, it’s not necessarily a goal. That’s why we invest and pour our hearts and souls into this stuff, to compete for championships.”"
On the importance of tradition and alumni:
"“It’s been a big thing since the first day I was here. The entrance to the player locker room, the players park over here, they walk into the building we have number one thru 99, a historical perspective on their jersey number. They can look at every, whoever since 1966 wore that. The right side of the wall we’ve got every Hall of Famer, they walk past it every day. On the left side of the wall, we’ve got a chronological history of the franchise. That’s been something since day one that’s been absolutely critical. Every one of our alumni is always welcome here, they are a big part of why this a great franchise to be a part of. It’s absolutely essential.”"