Extended Dolphins Quotes From Training Camp Practice #7
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins completed their seventh practice of training camp on Thursday and spent much of the time preparing for Friday's intra-squad scrimmage.
Progress on both sides of the ball has been evident but there are still areas of concern that need to be addressed.
That being said, it's widely agreed on that the Dolphins are looking better this year than at this time in recent seasons.
Following every practice some of the players and coaches stop and speak with the media before heading inside the training facility. Here are some of the best Dolphins quotes from Thursday's practice. To read a recap of the days practice, click here.
Head Coach Joe Philbin- On what he wants to see during Friday's scrimmage- "We want to see a lot of different combinations of people. We want to get a lot of people involved, we want to get a good evaluation on really hopefully everybody on the roster that's going to go. That's number one. We want to get some situational work accomplished, continue to work on the red zone, continue to work on two-minute. Obviously, defensively, offense didn't do much yesterday. They did quite a bit, first-team offense was successful. We want to do another two-minute thing. So a lot of situations and also just exposure, the younger guys will probably get a little bit more so we get a good evaluation so they get their feet wet before we go to Chicago."
On what he thinks of WR Michael Preston so far- "I think it's a real tribute to him, he's an extremely hard worker, he dives in feet first and both feet are in, he's committed to being as good as he possibly can. The guy is a football player. He's got a good mentality."
On the battle for being the second running back behind Lamar Miller- "I think Damien Williams has had a really good camp. I think he's done well. LaMichael James has done well as well. Jay [Ajayi] is picking things up and improving. I think it's a good group. [Mike] Gillislee, I thought down here in the red zone the last couple of practices has been… I think it's going to be a good competition. I think the preseason games will help iron it out a little bit, but I really like the group."
Running Back Lamar Miller- On what it's like entering camp as the number one running back- "I still have that same mindset as I had as a rookie. I just come here every day and just try to get better, compete with the younger guys. I'm the veteran in the group now. I just try to push everybody, so when that guy gets that opportunity he'll take advantage of it."
On how the other running backs are doing so far in camp- "I feel like all of the guys have been doing a good job. Damien Williams, he's been doing a great job since he got here. LaMichael James, he's a fast, quick guy. He's been doing a great job as well. Jay [Ajayi], I feel like he's doing a great job, coming in as a rookie just knowing the playbook, knowing the concepts and everything. Mike Gillislee, he's running hard. He's taking advantage of his opportunities as well. I feel like all of them guys are doing a great job."
On Offensive Coordinator Bill Lazor saying he's a quiet guy- "I'm the type of person that tries to lead by example. I really don't talk too much. I talk to the running backs, but, as a team, I'm not the type of person who gets up and speaks. I just try to lead by example."
On if he would ask Lazor for more carries- "Yeah, I'm going to start doing that. I'm a team guy, so whatever the coaches call, I just try to do my assignment. But if I feel like we can run the ball this year, I'm just going to try and open up a little bit more."
On if Lazor is open about taking suggestions from his players- "Yeah, he's always open. If we feel like something is open, he'll be mindful of it… just try to help the team out any way possible. If we feel like we can throw the ball to win the game, he's going to throw the ball. If we feel like we can run the ball, we're going to run the ball as well. It goes both ways."
On if he can handle more than the 14 carries per game he averaged last season- "Yeah, of course. I feel like I can carry the ball as much as the coaches want me to. Whatever the coach calls, I'm willing to do anything to help this team win."
Cornerback Tony Lippett- On the transition from college to the NFL- "Just learning. Learning the mindset of a corner, learning the technique of a corner. Basically I'm just trying to come out here every day and get better, not make the same mistakes I made the day before and just learn from the veterans."
On if he's used to playing this much cornerback- "Not at all, I'm not used to playing this much corner but I'm starting to feel it out, starting to make a couple plays out here and starting to feel confident. Just competing, that's my thing, every day just come out here and compete no matter what and make sure my effort is always up."
Offensive Lineman Jamil Douglas- On what he's anticipating for Friday's scrimmage- "I think it's gonna be a good time. Definitely a time to show yourself and prove what you've been working on this whole time throughout camp and like I said it's going to be a good experience."
On how steep of a learning curve there's been for him- "It's been good for the most part, just gotta keep improving every day and as long as I pick one thing a day to get better at and do that then I'm good with my progress."
On how comfortable he feels so far during camp- "Pretty comfortable, just trying to limit my mistakes. Don't make too many mistakes because the coaches gotta be able to trust me and put me in the game."
Offensive Lineman Mike Pouncey- On what he's looking for out of Friday's scrimmage- "I'm looking for our offense to go out and execute the way we've been practicing all camp. It's where we're gonna see if guys are ready to play in real game-like situations. We're gonna see a bunch of guys competing tomorrow."
On how he's seen Lamar Miller grow as a player- "Lamar's always been the same guy. He comes in every day with a smile on his face and works as hard as he can. He doesn't really say much but he comes out and leads by example. He's a guy does the same thing every year, comes out and plays his butt off."
On if Miller can build off of his 1,000-yard season from last year- "I hope so man, this is the year. He did really good on yards per carry last year and we just wanna get him over a thousand again this year. He's a guy that comes in and works every day so he deserves that."
On what he's seen from the other running backs- "Those guys have been good all camp. Jay [Ajayi] is a guy that runs with a lot of power, he came in with the right mindset. LaMichael James is a guy that's been revived. He's come in making a lot of great runs. This offense he's had in college and he's doing a really good job with it now."
On the biggest difference with Ryan Tannehill so far this season- "He's been a vocal leader. He's always been a guy that comes out and leads by example. This year he's been the guy on offense that's leading our offense so we look forward to that. He commands our huddle and he's doing great so far."
"When a guy doesn't do the right thing he's the first guy to run up to him and correct him. He wants perfection on each and every play, you can tell by the way he comes out and prepares each day."
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