Anthony Fasano: “It’s a different culture”

The Miami Dolphins have been bad for so long that it’s hard to imagine the playoffs making this team that much different in one year. It hasn’t. But someone has.

Any player that has crossed paths with Adam Gase typically talks about how well he communicates and connects with them. That is something we have not heard from players in a very long time. In fact, you could go all the way back to Jimmy Johnson and maybe to a lesser degree Dave Wannstedt.

We know it wasn’t Saban, or Cameron, or Sparano, and it was definitely not Joe Philbin. Anthony Fasano played for Tony Sparano and he played one year for Joe Philbin. When asked today about his return to Miami he pointed out a ‘different culture’. The press, well pressed him for clarification.

He sidestepped it with a canned response about youth and getting the job done.

Fasano has carved out an 11 year career and if he is on the roster opening day (he will barring injury…knock on wood) he will start his 12th. He is better known as a blocking tight-end and discusses that in his post-game press conference but still comes across as a guy who simply likes to play the game.

In his five years with the Dolphins Fasano appeared and started in 76 games caught 177 of 289 targets and posted 2,104 yards with 23 touchdowns. While far from a seam threat tight-end Fasano has the locker room maturity to be a leader on and off the field and is able to use his frame to set up behind linebackers. He and Julius Thomas could make for a hard to cover two tight-end set.

Here is all of Fasano’s press conference courtesy of MiamiDolphins.com.

Sunday, July 30, 2017

 TE Anthony Fasano

 (You were running like a 25-year-old out there today. Running free.) – “I don’t know about that. It’s just the first couple days of camp. We’re trying to get our football legs back and get back on the same page. I think the offense has some bright spots but a lot of work to do.”

(We tend to pigeonhole people. You’re a great a blocker. Do you think you still have a lot to show in the receiving end too?) – “Sure. I’m trying to prepare myself for whatever role coaches put me in, whether that be run heavy, pass heavy or a mixture of both, I’m going to try to fit myself in the best I can within those roles.”

(Are you going to run any ‘9’ routes this year you think?) – “(laughter) You never know, you never know. Keep the defense honest.”

(Is it a familiar feel out here or different years, different setting, different feeling?) – “You mean the humidity? (laughter) Yes, a little bit. It’s been a while but also, once you get back into it, it almost feels like you never left. There are a lot of new faces, kind of a different culture, but one I’m happy to be a part of.”

(Talk about kind of a different culture.) – “Well, for one, there are a lot of younger guys from my perspective. It comes from (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase and the all ball, no distractions, get your job done (philosophy). But he’s not going to really grind you into the ground as much either. I think we get good, efficient work and everyone takes advantage of the time they have.”

(You’ve been in the league for a little bit. Is that kind of the biggest thing that separates Head Coach Adam Gase from other coaches that you’ve had?) – “I think he’s a great offensive mind, calling plays and creating a playbook and a game plan. But also, the psychology of a team and ways to motivate players in certain roles and motivate the team. I haven’t been there on a true game day yet, but I can see all the makings of a great mixture of that.”

(Is the humidity about the same?) – “I think it’s gotten worse, actually. (laughter)”

(What do you think of TE Julius Thomas as a downfield threat?) – “I think he’s great. He’s a student of the game. I’m really impressed by his football IQ and his willingness to do everything. He loves to stick his nose in there and block but also get out there on the edge and create mismatches. I think our whole tight end room is a really solid room with a lot of competitiveness in it. I think he’s going to be an asset for our offense.”

(You caught more passes than TE Julius Thomas today.) – “I wasn’t counting. (laughter)”

(I was.) – “I guess so. (laughter)”

(I know it is early but when you watch yourself on film, can you see where you want to be and where you want to get to?) – “Sure. I know it’s early in training camp and I’m just trying to knock the rust off and get the football legs back; but there is a lot of competitiveness. A lot of defensive players, especially the d-line, are going to make us better. I look forward to that competitiveness throughout camp. I welcome it on both sides of the ball.”

(Is it a comforting feeling when you’re in a two tight end set and I see you talking with TE Julius Thomas and having another veteran presence there just communication wise, is that a comforting feeling for you?) – “It is, yes, especially when we’re just trying to feel how each other communicates and what we see and think on certain plays. This is the time to do that through the spring and this time. So come Sundays in the fall, we know what each other is already thinking. It’s the same thing with Ryan (Tannehill).”

(What did Golden State Warriors F Draymond Green tell you guys?) – “I think he did a great job speaking to us. He focused on growing out of each group and that’s needed, and also the margin of victory is so slim on this level, and to really concentrate on details. I think it was a really appropriate message for our team.”