Will Davon Godchaux win starting defensive tackle job for Miami Dolphins?
Throughout training camp and the first pre-season game, Davon Godchaux shows that he may have the ability to start for the Miami Dolphins in his rookie season.
Davon Godchaux, selected in the fifth-round as the number 178th overall pick is determined to prove to the Miami Dolphins and the NFL that draft number doesn’t speak for his talent and productivity. He is now only focused on taking advantage of the opportunities that his defensive line coach has given im.
The one person who should be nervous is defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. Selected as the 52nd overall pick in the second-round of the 2015 NFL Draft, Phillips has been expected to play better than what he has put on the field in recent years. He has a tendency to slow down and lose his motor as the game goes on and he has a problem being consistent.
The Miami Dolphins had talks and visits from several defensive tackle free agents in the off-season. Dontari Poe and Jonathan Hankins are just a couple of the names that the Dolphins were looking at for upgrades on the defensive line. They did this in hopes to get better at the position, but they also wanted it as a warning and wake-up call to Phillips.
As of right now Davon Godchaux is on Miami’s depth chart slotted behind Ndamukong Suh, according to MiamiDolphins.com. However, as practices progress he has got more playing time with the starters. The coaching staff acknowledges Godchaux’s aggressiveness, intensity and most importantly, consistency. He had a solid first pre-season game. Now let’s continue to watch his progress to see if he will actually earn the starting spot over Phillips.
Davon Godchaux spoke with the media after his first NFL game. Below is the full transcript of Godchaux’s interview courtesy of MiamiDolphins.com.
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Postgame – Atlanta
Miami Dolphins Defensive Tackle Davon Godchaux (transcribed by Lexie Balboni)
(How do you think you did today) – “I think on a couple plays I played dominant whether it was a double team two or three technique. I just need to keep doing what I do. Stop the run, stop the ball, and get off the ball. That’s the main thing, it all starts with getting off the football.”
(Why do you think you’re getting this opportunity to start) – “Ask the good Lord. I’m just blessed. I’ve been through a lot in my past and just really think that woke me up and it’s a lesson. Going fifth round, which I knew I should have went higher, but that’s over that’s the past so I’m taking advantage of the opportunity my D Line coach has given me.”
(What do you need to do to keep this job) – “Stay consistent is the main thing. You look at a rookie coming in, even as an older guy, the biggest thing you want to see is ‘is he consistent’. Is he being consistent each and every time. Make a tackle for loss that play, can he do it the next play. Just staying consistent in technique. One step at a time, each and every day, just come out and get after it each and every day.”
(Do you feel like you did that tonight? Setting the bar what you did at training camp did it carry over to tonight’s game?) – “Yeah. Like I said came out and was a little rusty, getting my feet wet in the NFL. But so far attacking the ball I had a couple dominant plays. I know one play I ran over the guard just getting after it. I’ve been playing football my whole life, just try not to think so much and just get off the ball and go.”