Dolphins Initial 53-Man Roster Breakdown, Chris Grier and Mike McDaniel Press Conference Coverage

Something we've done at various checkpoints this offseason is to recap the roster at those milestone stages, and we'll do it one last time. We're gonna go over the entire fifty three man roster, tell you some notes and stats

on each guy from their camp and preseason performances. That will also hear from head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Career at their Tuesday press conference, and will continue to remember the greatness that was Jason Jenkins from the Baptist Health Studios inside the Baptist Health Training Company. This is the Drivetime. The fifty three man roster was made official this afternoon. The initial fifty three man roster because of course, with all kinds of activity around the league,

changes could happen. We'll get practice squad announcements on a later episode as well, but this is gonna cover most of the basis today as we start by just telling you who the cast of characters are on your Miami

Dolphins for today. On August and real quick, my brother had his third child today as a little boy, his son, So congratulations my brother, as well as his other son on the same birthday, so he has two kids with the same birthday, So happy birthday, Max, and happy birthday to his new son coming into the world as well. The Dolphins roster here quarterback to a tongue of Vloa, Teddy Bridgewater, Skyler Thompson. I don't think any real surprises.

They're based upon the exhibition. Sy is him at running back slash fullback, Chase Edmonds, Savan akhmed alec Ingold, Raheem Moster, and Miles Gaskin. The U dub Backs ride once more wide receiver Tyreek Hill, Cedric Wilson Jr. Trent Sherfield, Jalen Waddle, Eric Azukama. I think there are no surprises in that group as well. That was pretty much the top five guys throughout the course of camp. In terms of playing time and production. Tight end Tanner Connor, Durham Smith, Seethan Carter,

Hunter Long, and Mike Gasicki. I think Tanner Connor is the one that kind of catches your eye. The a U d F A out of Idaho State, a wide receiver Convert who's been injured for a couple of weeks, but he himself won hell of a camp. Along the offensive line, Connor Williams, Michael Dieter, Robert Jones, Robert Hunt, to Ron Armstead, Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg and Greg Little. So you're three guys that were not part of that

first team line in the entire summer. Between Deeter, Jones and Little, you have Deeter who can play all three interior spots and has played tackle before, although it's not his primary. Greg Little plays some tackle as well, and then Robert Jones can play across the entire line besides that center position. So good versatility on your backups. Defensive line, John Jenkins, Emmanuel Ogba, Zack Seeler, Christian Wilkins, and ray

Kwon Davis. Zero surprises there. Linebacker Melvin Ingram, Jalen Phillips, Andrew Van Gingle Duke Riley, Sam Egg, Von Channing, Tindall, a Land and Roberts, Jerome Baker and Trey Flowers the late edition there and as far as the Jurge number goes, we don't have a number for him yet, so that's

why he goes to the bottom the list. Defensive Backs Javon Holland, Noah Igbanagheny, Eric Rowe, Elijah Campbell, Xavian Howard, key On Crossing, Brandon Jones, kator Cohu, Nick Needham and Clayton Federalum and your specialist Thomas Morristead, Jason Sanders and Blake Ferguson. I think the big news of the day pup for Byron Jones, which means he will miss the first four games of the season, and on injured reserve

linebacker Brennan Scarlett. So that is your roster update. Let's go ahead and break it down now and go back

to the quarterback position. With three qbs. I want to talk about the camp production, preseason production, some fun stats about every player on this Dolphins roster, and we start at the quarterback position with two A tongue of Byloa and the improvements I think we saw from a year ago in his game and those intermediate throws all camp long, eighteens like you guys saw it on my timeline tweeting about those chunk games all throughout practice the ball placement

to create rack. Nobody averaged more yards this preseason than the Dolphins per play. And it's the mastery of the offense. And I thought accelerated every single day from getting through his check his progressions, getting the ball out quickly to the checkdown. Don't waste your time, get to them early. Let them make plays in space. We see that with all the players on this roster that can make big plays.

My fun stat for Ta and really they all were good because he played so well as preseason six of eight on throws that were ten plus air yards for a hundred and twenty four yards and a touchdown. That's a one fifty six point repasser rating, just two points lower than the maximum. Teddy Bridgewater, as advertised, the kind of guy you feel good about coming into the game off the bench in a pinch through with accuracy, made

some plays when the pocket broke down. That play where he wheeled out from pressure versus Las Vegas and put perfect touch on the past and Mike GASICKI. That sure was nice and I love this stat. He averaged two point eight three seconds time to throw with an a dot of ten yards on average going down the football field. Skyler Thompson, the armed talent, pops off that throw to Zoo Kama in the game, falling away fifty yards down the field. He can flat out sling it. You saw

it out here at training camp. The ability to go off script and extent plays. We saw him sometimes, you know, move off of his spot, but keep his eyes down field and make plays after the fact. He had a fantastic preseason that resulted in a one thirty eight point four passer rating. Uh he was one thirty eight point seven when not blitzed, one twelve point five win blitzed, one forty nine point two when kept clean, and ninety point nine under pressure. Those are all really really good numbers.

As a whole, the room through six touchdowns, didn't turn the ball over this preseason and only took five sacks in the entire preseason. That's really really good to me. This is the deepest the Dolphins quarterback room has been since oh man, the nineties. I don't know, it's been a long time running backs and fullbacks Chase Edmonds, the footwork, the choppy cuts without deceleration on his track for whatever

type of run. It is the decision making and the acceleration through the gaps, the brilliant football mind, knowing when to get out, knowing how to scan protect, knowing how to break off his routes at a certain time, and then the pro the prowess he has in that passing game. He caught two balls and ran for seventeen yards after those catches for a total of twenty one. He looks like the real deal. Savan Akhmed next in order of jersey number here among running backs. His speed to the perimeter,

we'll talk about that here in a minute. With Rheem Moster and his hands. In the passing game. He catches so many balls in those l routes, those flat routes, and then he takes off. He can make big plays when there's a well blocked play. For you average three point oh nine yards after contact. This preseason, alec Ingle number thirty is your fullback. We saw it every time he was out there at camp lane clearing blocks enough athleticism to function as an option in the passing game.

He didn't get any preseason action, but whether inside the A gap or out wide, alec Ingle just cleared lanes in practice, whether it's Tyreek Hill running the football out wide or any of the backs we just talked about. He was a focal part of that offense where he most. It's not that I wasn't a believer before I was, but that big run against the Eagles really kind of

made me realize how dynamic he is. And if you're not sound on the edges, he will hit explosive runs in the run game, and that is such a great weapon to have. And you know, we'll talk about the room as a hole here in a second, but I realized now, I think the mastery of his skill set with the way this offense functions, because we talked about vertical and horizontal stretch and how both of those work together, and you saw two of hitting those play action boots.

You saw Skyler do it as well. Just really proficient in that area of the game and how the running game plays off the play action game. The idea of this offense to create those windows and spaces with motion, with the condensed packages, with the stretch run with the play action off of that is that guys have to cheat at a certain point to make sure they're defending one area, and then if they do cheat into that one area, you make them pay for it with the

misdirection off the other side. So when you see where he mos start win the edge on the twenty six yard rush up the sideline, all of a sudden, the rest of the game you're thinking, if I have to get around that block because if I get hemmed inside, he's too fast for me to make up that extra step. So I have to get out there because they'll just do that all game. The Niners did that for years. Just run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, and you can't stop it. We're gonna keep doing it.

So the minute they start taking those false steps and overplaying out the back gate comes Tyreek kill Jalen Waddle to a tongue of by Low and his you know, exceptional throwing on the run. I think that most are might be one of the guys that really is kind of under the radar in terms of how important he can be in this offense. And I think we saw

that in that one single run. But you know, rushing the football, and this is why I like, I'm so big into explosive plays that running back position e p A is a stat that measures effectiveness expected points added. Running the ball does not have the same impact as passing the ball does, because you go from averaging. You know, four yards per carry is a good average. Eight yards per passes a good average. Like it's doubly important to throw the ball well right because of that, because of

the the overall tangible impact. But Raheem is the kind of back that can flip that script. He had those two runs. One doesn't change the game at all with a three yard run, but a twenty six yard run does change the game. It can change a drive, it can change field position, it can put points on the board. That's why he's been a five yards average per carry guys whole career. He's a big play machine and I love that, and I think I think I finally understand

the perfect fit that he is in this offense. Miles Gascon ran his butt off this offseason, reminding me of the Hard Knocks episode where Deuce Staley was imploring DeAndre Swift to be a guy that's hungry for every single inch you get out there. That's Miles Gascon to a t. He averaged four yards after contact this preseason, four miss tackles on fourteen runs. The room as a whole average three yards after an initial contact, and that speed just does not quit in this position group. It stresses the

defense on those outside runs. Here's a cool staff from Warren Sharp about e p A per rush and the yards before contact per rush, which is a measure of run blocking. Right Miami average one point five two yards before contact per rush. That was fourth in the NFL this preseason, basically telling you the Dolphins run blocked the fourth best. In the preseason. They were eight in e p A per rush. Backs and line getting it done in the exhibition season at wide receiver Tyreek Hill. You

know about the physical skills. The two things that I learned about Tyreek this summer is the way he works the conditioning, Uh, just out there every day going balls to the wall. And then the polish of his route running. I talked about it on the Film Recap podcast where he presses and presses until he can't press anymore to force a guy into, you know, being slower to react. Just go watch that crossing role. See what I'm talking about. So polished and the angles he takes and the way

he you know, finishes his routes. Two passing game snaps, two catches sixty four yards. It's so stupid, it's like video game numbers. I don't use PF grays in here, but he got a nine point one offensive grade for that.

Like he's only two points away from perfection. Cedric Wilson nuanced and salvy, savvy nature of his game save always angles his routes back to the quarterback, a guy that you can trust to keep it out of the defender's hands, and tight coverage and on fifty fifty balls, he caught all four of his preseason targets two point three seven yards per route, ran eleven point one yards per target. Those numbers are going to be consistent here at receiver

and tight end throughout this entire group. Trent Sherfield the Brotherhood routes that he runs where you run to occupy areas and space for your teammates to clear out. Tough as hell sets up his routes well, those things rhyme, and just like Cedric, he is very trustworthy, comes back to the football and fights for everything. He caught all three of his targets this preseason for sixty four yards two point five six yards per route, ran twenty point

two yards per target. These numbers are crazy. I'm telling you, Jalen Waddle. I'll use coaches comments here because Jalen it's supersteds everything I can say about him. His jump from O T A S to camp in terms of learning the offense was the best according to Mike McDaniel, and that pair with his physical skill sets, the twick twitch, the release package. You know Marlon Humphrey last year saying

this is a top ten receiver in this league. There was so much meat on the bone in the vertical passing game for him last year couldn't get to I expect that to change this year. This offense was highly productive this preseason and they did it without their second most dangerous man and Jalen Waddle didn't play in the preseason. But man, this guy is gonna be a force. Eric Zookama the balance and physicality and strong hands, the way he plucks it and stays on his feet after all

that contact. He caught ten of fifteen targets this preseason with an average depth of target at ten point or twelve point five over ten yards per target on fifteen targets. That's a great preseason. These other averages we're talking about here, are you know, three or four targets. He did it on fifteen targets. That is great production from the rookie at tight end Tanner Conner. His speed stood out man, the way he caught and ran away from guys at

that tight end position. The week of practice he had and the game in Tampa Bay was like, oh wow, he can play. He caught all three of us targets for twenty five yards eight point two yards per target. Durham Smith a multifaceted player who can help out in the running game and in the past protection game. He caught his loan preseason target for ten yards, zero pressures

allowed on eight pass blocking snaps for him. Sethan carter I thought he played well on that quasi tight end h back fullback role in the Philly game special teams guy as well, kind of touchdown, passed and had a really good block to spring where he mostart on that twenty six yards scamper Hunter long route running was really nice in the games. Saw it and practiced two over the last couple of weeks. The way he anchored and passed pro and helped kind of dent the edge in

the running game. He just had a really good preseason, I thought, caught three or four targets for thirty two yards. That's eight yards per target. And then Mike get sicky the high ball mastery back of the end zone, plucking balls off the top of guys helmets, the catch radius when he builds up that speed a guy that's faster than he is quick. He caught five of eight targets for fifty eight yards at two point one five yards per route ran. And just the combination of these two

rooms total receiver and tight end. The speed stands out, the playmaking, the run after the catch, the ability to kind of you know, understand spacing and run routes within this offense, I think are all big upgrades from a season ago. Let's take a break right there and come back and break down the offensive line and defense. That's next here on the Drivetime Podcast, your host Travis Wingfield,

brought to you by Auto Nation. Back here on the Drive Time Podcast, a Tuesday fifty three man roster announcement edition of the Drivetime Podcast. Let's pick this back up and go back to the offensive line. Connor Williams number fifty eight, first on your list here. His strength at the point of attack, the chippiness with which he plays to kind of get guys piste off. I like that about his game and the relationship between his hands and feet and how that helps him with hand placement which

then helps him turn guys out of gaps. Such a smart player, I think he's gonna be a big part of getting these calls right up front for the offensive line. Zero pressures allowed in seventeen pass blocking snaps, and I talked about his run game work in the Monday Rewatch podcast. He did some real nice work turning guys out of their gaps all preseason long. Michael Dieter versatile, valuable piece in that room that allows you to be super flexible if you call him into the game, like you can

bump him the center. Williams can go to guard, you can move Eikenberg to tackle. Like if you lose a guy, Deeter can be the guy that kind of is that solve your you know, flexile wapp that thing on that tube and say let's go out on the river in our boat that's been repaired by tape. Michael Dieter can be your flexile tape that way. Two pressures allowed, both for hurries. No quarterback hits on fifty six pass blocking

snaps in the preseason. That's a good number. Robert Jones has a massive base, strong hands, and a sturdy anchor. I liked the way he improved his redirect and mirror ability. He has position flexibility and no quarterback hits on sixty five preseason snaps and pass blocking Robert Hunt what a camp preseason this dude had. Seeing his athletic platic ability really came out that second level ability his work in space. I think he's gonna have a heck of a season.

He's also strong as hell on a phone booth. He allowed two pressures on pass blocking snaps, but really good rushing average off of his backside to either gap, both over five yards per carry per Pro Football Focus to Ron Armstead is teaching tape man. He's patient, has great pass sets, he knows how to get to his landmarks and when to get to them, great feet, great hands that work together. A continent pro and a true leader.

One of the best left tackles in the NFL. He did not play the preseason Austin Jackson, where he got a lot better for me is the balance, the lean and the weight transfer. That all looks really really good. He can run guys around that arc, but now has shown the ability to redirect and transfer back inside because he's not getting out over his skis, He's not trying to lunch for those blocks. He's staying within himself and been so consistent the way he trust his athletic ability

and sheer strength that he offers. I always thought he was a plus run blocker, and we saw him seal that edge on that big most run the other night. Had a good camp in preseason. One pressure allowed on pass blocking snaps. Liam Eichenberg. His work as a pulling guard leading up with sure fund to watch in that last game, just like Austin. I think his balance looks improved. I think he's finding a real home with that left guard spot. Zero pressure is allowed in twenty five pass

blocking snaps this preseason. Greg Little, he had an excellent showing on Saturday, didn't he. I love what Coach said about him maximizing his opportunity with mental reps when he was down. There's a great clip by posted of coach way back and when we hired him back and was it February about um a quarterback camp that he was at and guys in the line, we're slacking off and not paying attention. He's like, hey, what are you doing

like you're not taking an opportunity. I'm giving you to get better right now every rep your teammate takes, steal that rep mentally, so him to apply that to his his guys. Here has been a consistent message. And good on Greg Little. That's a good uh be a really nice hit if we can make a swing tackle out of Greg Little. With the late round draft choice last year, he ended the preseason as PF's top graded offensive lineman from Miami. But more importantly, zero pressure is allowed on

twenty three pass blocking snaps. Defensively, John Jenkins hang on back to the offensive line, the athletic abilities to take away, the way those guys move off the ball, fire off the ball. I think the scheme fits the player, the style player you have so much better than in previous years. John Jenkins on the defensive line. He's a mayor type of personality, could be the mayor of the entire building. Great impact in the locker room. But also he looks as good to me as he ever has his bowl

rush walking guys back into the quarterback. Such a thankless but important role in this multifaceted defense that does so huch to you know, loop off of that guy and run games up front. Plus his run game work. He didn't really give an inch in those games, three run stops and two pressures on sixty two snaps in a position where it's hard to tally stats at that nose tackles. But Emmanuel Ogba kind of a unicorn man. He plays that true, even front hand in the dirt defensive end

position that really nobody else in the team does. But he can also condense inside and still win with his power. His length and heavy hands are a problem off the edge Trey Flowers can, by the way, not to mention how many passes he rejects as a result of that led the NFL in that category last year among defensive lineman. He also has a tremendous arsenal of pass rush moves. He barely played this exhibition season eighteen snaps, but we've

seen him do it the last two years. Saw more of those reps, like on Saturday when he walked the guard right into the quarterback. He's a great player. Zach Seeler is a short yardage maven. I think that those plays speak to his skill set in terms of the combination of power and quickness. When he wins, it seems to happen instantly in the way that it doesn't matter if a receiver uncovers quickly beca because he's on your

quarterback in under two seconds. That push poll strength and balance is ridiculous for Zack Seeler, and the quickness is good too. Man two pressures and three run stops on twenty nine snaps, but you felt his impact way more than that. Christian Wilkins. There isn't anything he can't do. If you ask me, he's gonna win one on one against the run and against the past. He'll anchor against doubles. He'll surf the wave down the line and make a stop twenty yards away from where he began to play.

He'll retrace a screen fifty yards and flag that thing down if he has to. One thing he really knows this summer is his balance through contact. He's such a tough block because he can squeeze through those little gaps and holes between blockers and and stay on his balance and accelerate through it because he's so strong and quick and light on his feet. Five pressures on twenty three pass brush reps this preseason. Yeah, he's gonna have a hell of a year. One run stop on nine rundowns.

He let the NFL last year and run stop Win right at defensive defensive tackle. So this guy is good. Ray Kwon Davis his power at the point of attack, and that length I mentioned it with Jenkins, that length allows him to hold the four and clogged things up for all the activity of our blitzer and rush packages. Two pressures and three run stops this preseason on sixty two run snaps literally identical to John Jenkins. This group, big bodies up front, multiple front experience, eat up double teams,

rush games. Arguably my favorite group on the roster. And when you think about where do all the snaps come from from this front seven, Like think about the fact that it's not just a you know, here's our four three, here's our three four. It's like we're gonna run bare front, We're gonna run an even front. We're gonna go with a half dollar package and we only want defensive lineman.

Like there are so many matchups substitution packages, and just week by week things that's gonna call upon all these guys. And that's why this depth is so important. Don't ask yourself where do the snaps counts come from? Ask yourself, in what way can this guy exceed excel? Because you're gonna see over the course of a seventeen game season, every situation, every type of team, you're gonna face that

type of team. So having this multiplicity, in this versatility and this depth is crucially important to the whey this defense plays. Don't ask about where the snap counts come front. Just be thankful you have so many guys that can do it. At linebackers, Melvin Ingram a little bit of everything, coverage, run d rush from multiple spots. His physicality and how

he defeats blocks and deconstructs running games. The way he just goes freaking hits guys and knocks him off their their target, off their track impacts the running games so well. He had one QB hit on just ten pass rush snaps this preseason. We're going fast. Jalen Phillips I marvel at the player that he is. I just watched him all August, physically imposing athletic ability through the roof to really do anything that you want to ask him to do.

Smart enough to understand the progression of a pass rush plan throughout the course of a game. Length, strength, quicks, speed to power, bend the ark. I can't wait to watch him on Sunday. He's gonna be a great player. Four pressures on twenty six pass rush reps this preseason. Andrew Van Ginkle speed instincts, they always stand out, but yearly he increases his strength to wipe out blocks with physicality.

The way he defends that backside part of any run game and chases that stuff down, it makes the backs have to go fast because he will close if you leave him unblocked and get there. Five pressures on seven team pass rupsh rush pass rush reps this preseason. Duke Riley speed and quickness too key and diagnose to get wide or fit up inside special teams, value coverage. Blitz

does a little bit of everything for you. There. Three run stops on twenty four run defense downs and Sammguavin not the same players Duke Riley, but they have similar skill sets. Excellent Blitzer dynamic as hell on special teams. He had three pressures on thirty one pass rush reps, including a sack and that touchdown against the Bucks. Channing Tendall unreal quicks. Can carry the three in the formation, your closest receiver into the formation up the seam, whether

it's a receiver or a tight end. With his step for step speed, he arrives for some of the biggest collisions you'll see. And he made a place seemingly every day in practice where he keyed it and beat every single person to the mesh point to the quarterback and running back. Just really good quicks and speed. Six run stops on thirty five run down defensive snaps, one pressure on three pass rush reps. Good camp for Channing Tendall.

A Landed Roberts is a B gap to be gap and forcer short yardage expert leader in every sense of the word. He had two run stops on eleven run down reps this preseason. Jerome Baker speed and versatility man helps unlock so much in this Dolphins defense base sub it doesn't matter. He can do it all and he's kind of the guy that stays in the field when you run through all those different substitution packages. Fifty five is a straw that stirs to drink and he never

misses games. Twenty two coverage snaps, just eighteen yards allowed this preseason. Trey Flowers will save that for tomorrow. But this group significant speed added to the room with the last couple of years, sub package options and guys that can contribute on teams. Behind that straw that is Jerome Baker and his multifaceted role. That versatility extends out to guys as this group can play so many positions, defensive backs ten of them. Javon Hall of number eight, his range, instincts, hitting,

rushing the quarterback. Just a great rookie year that carried over into a better camp where he takes away so much from the opposing offense and he can do things outside his responsibility within the structure of a defensive call. That is big, big, You're gonna see that make a big impact this year. Not much from a stat standpoint, but when he's on the field. The longest completion this

preseason was sixteen yards against the Raiders. Noah Iguanogeny competitive, twitchy, good length and speed, really showed his stuff on special teams this summer slash last season. That pass break up against the Eagles is a good sign of things to come. Hopefully he gets more and more feel and more and more comfortable. Is he's still just twenty one years old. Fifty seven coverage snaps, sixty one yards allowed. You want

to be around one. It's a good number, Eric Rowe, the foce defender fit the runs, set the edge, rush, the quarterback, cover tight ends. Stop me if you heard this before, does a little bit of everything. Five run stops on fourteen run defense downs as a crazy stat. Elijah Campbell didn't realize how versatile he was until this summer. Had a great special teams tape last year, but he showcased his physicality, his ability to play and the mess down in the box, cover outside, take the ball away

and score it. He might be a good option for some future big nickel packages. Or you know that six defensive back off the bench forty nine yards on forty seven coverage snaps, but zero touched, oounds, two picks, a touchdown of his own a passerway in this August of forty one allowed. That's great. Xavian Howard do we have to do this? Mixes, coverages, techniques, super effective impress one of if not the game's most premier ball hawk did not play in the preseason. Key On crossing, long speed,

feisty player, sniffing out screens and supporting the run. Excellent special teams guy. He's a great character guy as well. Twenty two yards allowed on thirty eight coverage snaps. Had that pass break up and shut down two deep balls in the preseason. Brandon Jones. The way he key's pre snaps sets him up to make plays after the fact. His ability to play fast but also arrive in control and not fly by a potential tackle really stands out

to me. He had five run stops on seventeen rushdowns this uh this preseason Kator Cohu change of direction and sticky coverage. I think you can play the slot. I think you can play outside. He competes at all stages of the route, has really good long speed, and he's physical as hell man. Sixteen yards allowed on fifty eight coverage snaps this August. Nick Needham mark cover corner with

inside outside versatility. The way he plays in trail and went from a guy that you know early on had some flags as far as dp I s go in his career, but he's erased that element of his game with that patient's student of the game. Very impressive player gets better every year. Forty two yards allowed on thirty three coverage snaps, and remember he was getting a lot of that number one type of outside duty with X

and Byron not playing this preseason. Clayton Federlum special teams ACE who played across all units, always around the football. He had five run stops on eight rundown defensive snaps this preseason. Specialist Thomas Morstead, directional punting, big leg leader with a great example for the rest of the guys in the roster. That fifty four yard punt to the

sideline was all I had to see. Let's go into the season with Thomas Morristead, Jason Sanders, huge leg, great process, so accurate from everywhere, but especially deep three from fifty plus. This preseason he missed just one field goal and hit a bunch of p A T s too. He is money in the bank. Blake Ferguson, I haven't seen a bad snap, and I often see forty four down there

and punts. I'm gonna admit once again, I don't know what long snapping is all about as far as the skills of it, but I haven't noticed him, so that's a good thing, right And Byron Jones on the p up and brand Scarlett on the injured reserve. And there you have it. As soon as we have a practice squad, any changes, you'll know where to keep it locked. For your latest here on the Drivetime Podcast, I still want to get to Mike McDaniel and Chris Greer on their

Tuesday press conferences. That's next on the Drivetime Podcast, your host Travis Wingfield. Brought to you by Auto Nation. We heard from general manager Chris Career and head coach Mike McDaniel on this Tuesday, August thirty talking about the decisions on the roster. Plenty of stuff to get into here. Let's go ahead and start with a question about tight end Tanner Connor U d f A out of Idaho state, Little Polcatello, Idaho. Nice upgrading city for Tanner Connor from

Polkatello to Miami. I'll tell you what I know, Polcatello, good change here for him. Let's go ahead and hear from general manager Chris Greer on Tanner Connor making this fifty three man roster. Tanner did a good job here. Um, you know, we've visited with him on a thirty visit in the spring and UM caught him in here and he improved every day. He worked hard as a smart kid. Um. You know, he's really wants to improve his craft and

really wants to you know, play in the NFL. And so it's been fun watching him take to the coaching and and he's done a great job. And and so for us it's, UM, he'll be back here shortly. So this is not anything where it's I are with him. And it was just we felt that um, talent wise, we would have lost him. We had multiple people other teams just calling asking about him, and we think he's got a good future here potentially. UM. So for us, UM,

we're excited to have him here. Um, Eric Rose, it's fine. He'll be just like anyone normal bumps and bruises, battling through Um. But uh, he was out there, did a good job today, you know, working through stuff. So UM the end of the the day, both those guys will be on the active roster and not being put down. Also some good news there about Eric Rowe, who it sounds like he will be day to day and ready to go for week number one against the Patriots. Next they

were asked about Skyler Thompson. Wasn't a no brainer. They both kind of laughed and said, yeah, and here's the rest of the answer. Yeah, yeah, I mean it's yeah. So he played very well. Again, another guy that comes in. He just works every day. He went over his teammates through his work ethic, and you know, he went out and bald and another one. We got calls again, people asking what we're gonna do, and and they're all saying, you know, you guys would be stupid to let him go.

And there was no thought about us doings And here is your discourse on Byron Jones. No, it really was just working through the process with him, just letting him, you know, take his time, go through the rehab. Worked and like everything, you have good days and bad days, and but um, he worked hard, did great. Um. It was just we're just being patient, not put any pressure

on him to rush him back. And at the end of the day, we made the decision talking with him and talking with him today to you know, um put him down, you know for the four games, because he he was still optimistic about hopefully being here in a couple of weeks. But he didn't want to be fair. He can't rush him out there, and with this, we just want to make sure he's ready and right when

he comes back. Some questions in between. They're about potential cornerback, offensive line depth, and the growth of this roster from back in twenty nineteen when in Earnest the rebuild began. You can check that out on the YouTube channel. We're gonna go ahead and jump to Chris career onto a tongue of Byloa and his growth this offseason. His it's

it's being around Mike and watching them. You know, the other day he was in visiting with Mike for you know, just a couple of hours on off day, just coming in spending time. He was downstairs in the training room for like an hour just hanging out with the trainers, just talking, and it's you know, just seeing his personality coming and it's it's you know, just how he is and with the team and stuff, and you know, I

think his teammates all see it and feel it. And then you guys here talk to the guys and um, he's he's taking steps. And then with the offense, with Mike and the coaching staff, you know, he's very excited. He likes the offense. He thinks it fits them and the players we added. So it's been good watching his growth and then watching him um enjoy himself playing football. Up next, Mike McDaniel answers this question about what kator co who showed you to earn his spot on the

fifty three man roster. He's a competitor man, and and that's that's the one thing, um that was obvious. It's also obvious to him or to all of us early. Um, there's when the game is not too big for you. You know that you're um because it's hard, you know, to jump and level of play is real. UM, but he um from the onset. Uh, let it be known through his play that that this is not too big

a stage for him. So those are always the ones that um, you know, our real pleasant surprises, UM, you would be it would be a forest to say that that you totally expect it. Um. You know, uh in terms of you know, undrafted free agents being able to make that jump so quick. UM, but you know you feel good about them. But you're you're you're careful not to um jump the gun and crown this that or

the other. You gotta just um, throw him to the fire and and see see if they they um don't burn, I guess throw him in the water and don't drown one of those things. UM. And but he's like like the other um or the other rookies that we kept. UM. They they made it be known to their teammates early and often that they belong. UM. That's why they deserve

the roster's about they received. On Sunday, Mike McDaniel said they knew going into the entire really off using program that receiver and running back was going to have NFL players cut from this roster. Sony Michelle one of them. Here's coach McDaniel on the process in that running back room and the decisions made there. That process was brutal. It was a good thing for the Miami Dolphins. But um that that competition was real, uh and it was just continued opts. Um that there was some game UM

game tape involved involvement was much more than that. It was just the whole progression from from the onset. So uh, that room was uh, very very healthy in terms of how they tried to make each other better. But they were competing against each other. But they're also rooting for each other. UM and uh, you know, Sony did not

make it easy. UM, But to those guys credit. Uh. You know one of the things that I that I was UM so impressed with was I mean, shoot, you can remember like it was yesterday, whenever we're signing running backs in the off season, Miles and Essay in particular, we're how they handled that was not sulking. It was like clockwork. They were outside of UM on the field with weight, best sound, working you know. So, UM, we feel very good about the group we're able to assemble.

And UM, I I I think it would be short changing all of those guys too not emphasize that it was the group of them competing but working together, UM that raised those guys level of play. Let's keep it rolling here for Chris Career asked about the Tyreek Hills signing and kind of where you feel now compared to where you were back in March when you brought him in. Here's Chris on the field stuff saw the other night to what he can do. But it's behind the scenes,

which has been even better than we thought. You know, we had heard a lot of good things from UM people and friends and coaches that we know in Kansas City, UM, but being around here, he's got an infectious attitude as competitor, UM, great teammate with the guys. You know, UM, you guys see him out there and you see him, he's he's you know, hundred miles an hour and everything he does

and always encouraging people and stuff. And so it's been really fun watching him behind the scenes take leadership with the team and help guide the guys in terms of, you know, pushing everyone to be great, because it's easy if you're him and you can sit back and you know and coach through this if he wanted to, but that's not him, and that's been fun watching him around. So that's been the biggest surprise for me. You can tell he recognized you know who. I don't really concern

ourselves with um anything, but since he's been here. But one thing I will say is it was obvious that he recognized the opportunity to where that he is a having. Shoot, he's been a Pro Bowl player every year of his career UM, and came to a very young team and there was an opportunity for him to to take his game to another level with in terms of leadership and tone setting and all those things. UM, And I'm sure he could feel that his teammates were like, Wow, this

is Tyreek Hill. Um. And when when he doesn't make it an option to go full speed, it is like if you're on the field your full speed, it changes, um the teammates for the better. And I think he's really embracing that. Um. It's been actually said, it's been really cool. That's that's been the most fun part. So there you go. Some more questions put to Coach and

Chris about Trey Flowers. I want to cover that on the Thursday edition of the Drive Time podcast when we do a deep dive Entree Flowers game talked about Micah Sticky and said that they never made any halls outward two incoming calls for Mike SIKI is what Chris Greer said, and then more to talk about Skyler Thompson longer podcast today.

But I don't think you guys mind with all the information and detail we got here on the show, I have finalized a schedule for the podcast heading into game number one now just twelve days away, We've almost made to the football season. I'm gonna head to Naples this weekend with the family for a getaway, which we kind

of need right now more than ever. But we've been back on Tuesday with a crossover with myself and the fish Tank crew getting you ready for what's to come on the Miami Dolphins Podcast Network postgame Show and Spaces Show. Then I'll do my NFL season preview on Wednesday, taking a look at some of my favorite storylines, picked the playoffs teams, all that fun stuff. Then Thursday's the Patriots preview. Time to watch some tape baby, than Friday is our

return of Football Friday Show. Still working on getting the guests for that show, but we'll pick up some college games, some NFL games as well, get the final word on the upcoming game against the Patriots, uh, and all that fun stuff this week. The mail Bag is next on Thursday, so don't miss that. Then on Friday, I'm gonna do a bit of a Hodgepodge show, maybe some Mailbag leftovers. I want to get to scan the social going again. I want to talk about some summer TV I watched.

I want to talk about a little bit of college football this season and cover some media buzz like Daniel Rolovsky's comments. Just a miscellaneous grab bag of Dolphins and football info. So we have a lot coming your way. But before I get out of here today, I'm gonna start doing this. I think a lot going forward here. I mean every show so far. Uh you know, like I mentioned the other day, my name is on the show,

but it really was Jason Jenkins's creation. So if you're a fan of Drive Time and or the Fish Tank, you can thank Jason for that. So let me tell you my favorite Jason Jenkins story, because there are so damn many of them. But I'll start here. I met Jason back in and I never got a handshake right with him. You might say that's kind of weird, but here's why. The reason is a microcos him of why he's being more in the way he is the type

of guy that he was. I was a part of that fan site program where they woul invite various writers and podcasters or whatever from various fan sites to come cover a game and get that locker room access. Because of Jason, I was able to come down and enjoy

my press box experience. I did my first ever interview with Minca Fitzpatrick after that win in buff Over, Buffalo the week before the Miami Miracle, and before that, during the game, Jason came around and introduced himself to all the people there in my same boat, newbies to the setting. Starry eyed at the opportunity, and here he approaches this

larger than life figure. Jason was a tall man who commanded the attention of everybody when he entered a room, but for all the reasons you wouldn't expect, because in my mind, here's this powerful executive that I need to impress. Four years later, I realized it was the warmth and kindness that he exuded that created that aura around him. So he comes over to meet us all, and I extended my hand with the intent to nail this handshape with a firm grip and good eye contact. Here's my

first impression. But that's not what he was going for. He pulled back and dat me up. And that's how it would go for years. For four years, I always thought, here's my boss, this larger than live figure. I better be on my p's and queues. But for Jason, it was never like that. It was a chance to make a new friend, to brighten someone's day by listening and

asking authentic questions about that person. So for years, whether we had a content meeting, bumping into each other at practice, or him taking us to dinner to celebrate a job well done after a big event, I would say we got the hand handshake right maybe three times maybe, but I will never forget the banter that came about that. It was just part of what made him a mentor.

And he was only twelve years older than me, but something of a father figure, someone who could guide you to be the best version of yourself with this rare blend of leadership and friendships. So how do you replace a person like that? You don't, You just don't. That's my time today. You all please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcast. Leave us a writing, leave us a review. You can follow me on Twitter

at Wingfield NFL. Follow the team at Miami Dolphins, Fish Tank Podcast, Asked Spaces show every Wednesday eight o'clock with Me, Seth and Juice. Check out the YouTube channel for media availabilities and Dolphins Today, and last but not least, Miami Dolphins dot com. Until next time, fits up Caroline Daddy