The best bits from Miami Dolphins rookies during their media availability at the end of the rookie mini camp.
The Miami Dolphins have officially gone through rookie mini camp, and many of the new players spoke to the media following the end of the camp.
With players like offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and cornerback Chris Johnson, here is the best bits from what they had to say now that they are a part of this Dolphins team.
Kadyn Proctor
Proctor was asked how he feels about being the first player taken in this grand rebuild, and being hit with a foundational player designation.
"I mean, it's definitely such a blessing, you know, being the first team's pick. You know, they have, you know, that trust and um in me to go out there and lead, and that's all I'm trying to do, you know, just trying to be open to my teammates, you know, kicking with them because all in all, like the communication is key to our success. So, you know, coming in here, getting into it with the guys, that's most important to me," Proctor said.
The lineman was also about playing guard, which was alluded to by general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.
"I can play anywhere, you know, and it's the first day of practice. You don't I don't know where I'm going to play in September on in. So, um really just kind of coming in here taking it day by day, and doing whatever I'm asked to. And last time you played left guard was when uh practice freshman year probably of college is probably the last time," Proctor said.
Chris Johnson
Johnson was asked about handling expectations and the pressure of now being on an NFL team.
"Yeah, really just being the same player I always been. Um, I feel like, you know, that that's the way that the great guys ascend. You know, they've been a great player since they were younger. And I feel like, uh, continuing my habits from my younger days till now is just going to help me achieve, you know, all my expectations and more," Johnson said.
Johnson was also about needing to be the "guy right away," which he responded with by saying he needs to focus on process over result.
"Yeah, definitely just being uh focusing on the process rather than the result. Um, that's something that we talked about, uh, you know, back at San Diego State and some that we mentioned here as well. You know, just understanding the process is the important part. So, I can't skip ahead to, you know, week one. I gotta, you know, I'm brand new here. I'm a rookie," Johnson said.
Jacob Rodriguez
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was asked about Dolphins legend Zach Thomas being a mentor to him.
"I mean, it means a lot, especially like seeing him around the facility like all the, you know, walls everywhere. You know, it's kind of it's surreal knowing that, you know, he came from where I was and, you know, he was doing the same thing and, you know, that's kind of what I want to be as a Hall of Famer. And so, uh, it makes it really easy, you know, to see the blueprint of what he did and, you know, he reached out right after, you know, I got drafted and, uh, you know, he's he's the best," Rodriguez said.
Caleb Douglas
Wide receiver Caleb Douglas was asked about his drops in college, which he attributed to a lack of details on his process.
"Exactly that. Honestly, yeah, just lack of lack of detail. Uh really just now since I'm I'm a pro now, really just honing in on more of my details, honestly," Douglas said.
Will Kacmarek
Tight end Will Kacmarek was asked about what he sees in the culture that Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley are trying to build.
"I mean, I think we're trying to be, you know, a physical team. Um, we're trying to get after people in the run game, the pass game. I think we're trying to be explosive. Um I mean we're just we're still learning a lot of the scheme right now, but I mean what what we've heard in the first couple meetings is we're trying to, you know, play fast and physical," Kazmarek said.
Trey Moore
Linebacker Trey Moore was asked about if he feels pressure considering the roster is wide open for roster spots.
"I think for me in my point of view it's really just excitement just being able to be here with all these guys and learn together and grow together. I mean that's the goal. That's what you know coming in as a rookie. It's about learning and I'm kind of enjoying the process as we go. You know it's a blessing to be here. You know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world. So I'm very blessed. So, just being able to appreciate everything that comes with it and the good, the bad, the ugly, all of his good for me," Moore said.
Michael Taafe
Safety Michael Taffe was asked about the process of bonding with such a big rookie class, as the Dolphins brought in 13 rookies, and a ton of UDFAs.
"Yeah, I think just put your head down and grind. I think that's that's what gets people's respect is your work ethic and uh what you do on the field, not what you say. And so obviously I try to break bread with them. I try to put my phone up and have a you know a manly conversation, look them in the eyes and talk to them," Taafe said.
Seydou Traore
Tight end Seydou Traore was asked about what coaches have told him thus far as he enters his journey as an NFL player.
"Yeah, I mean just attack everything you do. Um we're going to compete. Uh we're going to be a tough team. We're going to finish everything," Traore said.