Drive Time - Ted Karras Feature

tasty little appetizer three days ahead of Dolphins Patriots. We're gonna hear from Coach Flores, some Dolphins players and roll our exclusive interview are weekly Wednesday feature with new Dolphins center Ted Carris. All of that and more on this Wednesday, September, the ninth edition of the Drivetime Podcast Dolphins. We're gonna get you injury sports later at the end of this podcast, perhaps on Thursday show. We'll see when they come out.

When this podcast publishes, and if we don't cover on the podcast, you can always check out Miami Dolphins dot com the daily top news story to get caught up on all the latest around this Miami Dolphins football team

and with that. Today, let's go ahead and jump right in to coach Flores is Wednesday morning media availability, now just four days away from the opener in New England, and we start here on a topic that coach mentioned earlier in the week, maybe it was last week, about the variety of players that are gonna see playing time on Sunday compared to a normal season opener where you have four preseason games, an entire offseason program, and how

this year it's different. How this year you'll have a handful of players that might see the full sixty seventy snaps, but for the most part, guys are gonna work their way into the lineup slowly. Yeah, I mean, I think we kind of talked about this maybe last week. Um, you know, given no preseason, no one's played a football game in a long time, it's hard to think somebody

can jump out there and play sixties seventy eighties snaps. So, um, you know, there will be a handful of player guys who we would expect to go go the whole way, But for the most part, we are thinking along the lines of somebody's probably gonna need a blow here. Uh so, Um, and I think every team's you know, has that same uh thought process. You know, I know, we got a game tomorrow night, so we'll see how that one shakes shakes out. Load management. I don't know if i'd call

it that. You know, the guys dealing with Nixon bruises, try to take care of our players as much as we can. Kyle Johnson does a great job. The training staff does a great job from that standpoint. So, um, all those guys are working, They're trying to get back as soon as they can, and hopefully we have them out there for you know, as many players as we

need them on Sunday. That's coming up on Sunday. Last night, the Miami Heat advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, taking down the Milwaukee Bucks in Game five of the conference semifinals. Here's Coach Flora's on the Miami Heat. But you know, it was a good game last night. Happy for for them and getting to the Eastern Conference Finals. It's a great accomplishment. Uh yeah, I was. I got I got

my Heat church for ready to go. And I want to play this next clip for you because of one little tidbit out of there that coach says about complacency and what that can do for people and not just a pandemic or an NFL season, whatever the case might be, talking about complacency and how it can change your approach and change your behavior. Here's coach on heading into the season with such good news lately around COVID testing results and all the negative results have come back in recent

testing rounds. I think it's well, I think you know, our staff, you know, headed up by you know, Kyle Johnston and our medical team. I think from a protocol standpoint and a transparency standpoint and trying to get everyone on the same page. And they've done a great job. You know, the numbers, you know where they've been, they've been positive. But you know a lot of times, you know, good numbers are good. Uh, good reports may lead to

some complacency, and that's that's not what we want. We need to be vigilant about wearing masks and wearing the tracers and keeping distance and being responsible outside of the building. So um, I'm not I don't want to put any type of message out there like we're doing a great job and uh, you know everything's you know great, because you know, things can turn quickly, as we know with this with the virus um. So we need to continue to be vigilant. We need to be responsible. It makes

more decisions as a team. Uh, you know, guys who are on the team, guys who are around the team. H. I mean, I think that's if we If we're not vigilant that way, then then it's only a matter of time before it catches up to us. So it's been good thus far. I'm gonna get that's gonna continue to be my message too, to do the right things on the field, obviously in the building, and then outside of the building. These guys have a lot more time or

more time than they did in training camp. So I would say the first phase was, you know, we've got good numbers. Um, we let's not take our foot off the gas. And here comes my guy, Joe Schad once again of the Palm Beach post, dropping the question where does he think tackling is going to be at for the season opener, referring to the Navy B y U game the other night. Here's coach on his level of comfortability and where his defense is in week number one.

With the fundamentals, the tackling and all that stuff going into a season without the benefit of a preseason and an off season. I think in every first game. You know, there's a lot of things that tackling, penalties, um, you know, just overall understanding of rules. You know, without a preseason, some of those things are aren't as up to up to the standard that you would want them to be. Um,

really across the league. So you learned through experience. To me, that's the best way most people learn really in whatever field it is. So without those preseason games, um, you know, the tackling, the throwing, the blocking, the defeating blocks. I mean, talk about tackling, but there's a lot of other fundamentals that guys have not been able to do under you know, game game circumstances. So but we've practiced it. We practiced it,

practiced it to the best of our ability. Uh, you know, giveing the you know, given the circumstances that we're in and um, you know, we're like, we're not gonna sit here and say make excuse, hey, We're not gonna we missed a bunch of tackles because of this. So we couldn't completely passed because of this. That's not what we're saying. But to to your specific question, it would be better

if we had live games to actually tackle. Next question here for coach talking about the defense there, and obviously one of the hallmarks of this defense is the versatility, is guys having different roles and different packages on this team. He was asked about how that translates to the offensive side of the football, and maybe to some surprise, coach said it might be even more on the offensive side than it is on the defensive side. I think it's

I think it definitely translates. It translates. I mean, you know, if it's third and one, who do you which back do you want in there? Which lineman do you want in there? Which tight end do you want in there? Um, it's third and led, and do you want to be you know, do you want no receivers in the game. I think it's very specific to the situation, maybe even

more so than defensively. Um, I think if you just think about the different situations within a game, two minute, you know, you want to run two minute with you know, three tight ends on the field. You want to running with three receivers on the field. You want to run you know, shure yardage with you know, hundre an eighty pound back or two and forty pound back. I think it's very specific to the situation. Uh. No different than defense, No different than special teams. That's just kind of my

uh my thought process. Uh And honestly, you know, I know you mentioned maybe some other people, but I think everybody feels the same way. Um. I think we're all trying to you know, as coaches, just you know, the guys I've been around and talked to and like I've talked to you know, really most of the coaches throughout the league, just trying to pick their you know, having

conversations and talking football. It's offensive, defense, special teams. And that's the one thing that continues to continually comes up. You know, let's put our players in the best physicians too, for them to have success and for us us to have success. And I think situationally, um, you know, this comes up on a week to week basis, and I think offensively probably more than defensively omar Um in my opinion.

Up next, coach was asked about defending Cam Newton, a guy that has five thousand career rushing yards, almost four hundred first downs on the ground, and sixty touchdowns if you include the playoffs on each of those stats. I was going to ask coach about the difficulty of defending Cam Newton in the question about how that might alter

your approach on defense. And one of the added elements a running quarterback gives defenses is that, of course, if you're in man coverage, things become much more difficult to defend that running quarterback because if the defense has their back turn to the quarterback and he breaks the pocket, then all of a sudden, you've got guys with their backs to the quarterback while he takes off and runs. So that means pass rush and staying in your gaps

up front just becomes so much more important. Here is coach on defending Cam Newton and the running quarterback. Read your keys. They were good fundamentals and technique. I'll following rules. I think that those are the main points that we're talking about. You know, defensively every week communication, Um, you know, the guy like Kim obviously, you know, extremely talented. He's uh, you know, can extend plays and make every throw. So, um, obviously you want to contain them and keep him in

the pocket. That's easier said than done. You know, you want to continue to be aggressive. He's a good player. So you know, if you're too aggressive and uh he slips through or finds a step up space, you know he can he can hurt yourself. Um. Look, it's gonna be a great challenge for us. But they're a good team offensively, defensively, and then the kicking game, uh with guys like Matt Slater from a special team standpoint, and Gilmore mccordy, Adam Butler. I mean, they got good players

defensively and offensively, starwar Cam. I mean, it is a solid team and the world coach. So this will be a huge challenge and you know we're gonna have to play well. We're gonna go up there and and and play de penitive game. And we'll finish up here with coach talking about the message he wants to give to the young players, the rookies, first, second, third year players, guys that are coming into this thing somewhat fresh. What's the message to those guys in their first game here

this season on Sunday, One play at a time. I mean, I think that's that's always the mindset. You know, good play, bad play, penalty, touchdown, give up a touch down, and just want to the next play. Um every place and experience, and I learned that early in my coaching career. So good or bad, you know, you learn from it. Uh. The only thing you don't want to do is take the good plays and you know, think about those the entire game. You don't want to take the bad places

and think about those the entire game either. So let's move on to the next play. Um, but learn from it. We have to have our best communication, our best execution, you know, late in the game. That would be my message.

So one more day down here on the week of Game one, heading into Sunday against the New England Patriots, and I just gotta say, man, it's a different feeling in the building when there's a game aim coming up from my own perspective, my own workflow, sitting here, going into all the matchups, digging up all the numbers, looking at the tape, finding out maybe what I can compel or what I can tell you guys in a compelling fashion.

On the Thursday preview podcast that's coming out tomorrow, of course, Dolphins and Patriots preview here on the Drivetime podcast will also have the three Keys to the game from John K Jemmy and he'll have his three takeaways on Sunday night post game as well, in addition to my post game works, so plenty of content here on the Miami Dolphins podcast network, on the website, and otherwise covering this game. I'm just I'm so excited, man, it's football coming up

around the corner. National Football League game, your Miami Dolphins on the field now just four days away. And with that, let's go ahead and talk to a player making his Miami Dolphins debut on Sunday in a place where he spent the first four years of his career. It's our Wednesday feature, a weekly feature here on the Drivetime podcast as well as on Miami Dolphins dot com as we get to know some of these players away from the

football field a little bit more. And there is nobody better to kick off this series than Dolphins center Ted Carriss. If you don't know him by now, go check out the article on the Athletic where it talks about his many interest the level of respect he has in the locker room throughout the course of his career on the Athletic Ted Carress. I believe it's called the Genius Clown is the name of the article on the Athletic. So with that, let's go ahead and welcome in Dolphins center

Ted Carriss. And joining me now is Dolphins center Ted Carriss, just a few days away from his debut here in Miami. Ted, how you doing, man. You're feeling healthy, You're feeling ready to go? Travis feeling great, man. We have a good practice today and a couple more and then we're we're heading up to Massachusetts's gonna be it's gonna be a big week, last minute preparations heading up to the game. But before we get to the game, I want to

talk to you about some non football stuff. And I've been told that you know a little bit of everything about everything. How would you respond to that claim? Maybe just maybe just a nugget or two about it? A lot of things that I wouldn't say, no everything, but you know, I am. I do like to have some unique conversations. The first one I saw that I had to bring up because I fall asleep to it every night is The Office? Now, who is your favorite character

on the Office? Because I have one that people think is just disgusting. Really, I'm I'm a big Dwight fan. I think Dwight hilarious. Obviously, Steve Carrell, Michael Scott carries the show. But I that some of Dwhite's and takes over the years are just so hilarious to me. The way he like kind of bows down to Michael at any step, It just it kills me. The acting he does to do that, it's it's so good. They are those all that cast is very talented. And what if

I told you my favorite character was Ryan? Ryan? You know, well he wrote a lot of the show. That makes sense that obviously, Like he says human that's funny, Like that is You're probably the only person I've ever met that says that. Yeah, he's so cringe worthy bad that I find it hilarious. I just can't get enough. It is very funny. So are you a little bit of an actor yourself? Like would you ever get in front

of the camera? I would, Yeah, I was. Actually I had a walk on role in the production of the Office, A musical last year, so that was pretty fun. What's in the opening scene? Really? Yeah, I'm pictured you doing like your gym face when he looks at the camera, Like, what is that kind of something you do? It was like it was a song and my role was really I I joined in the song a little bit, but um, I just had to pin something up on a piece of paper. It was like the opening scene to the

musical was very very well done. Um it was, it was. It was awesome. They incorporated just about every part, every big milestone of the show and they sung it all too. It was great. That's awesome. I've I've participated in some office trivia before, so it's uh, it definitely has like its own little subculture that show does. It does yeah no, and they're taking it off Netflix, so it's from driving people to the NBC streaming app this year. You just broke my heart, man, Like I said, I have to

have that to fall asleep at night. I know, I me too. It's it's it's turned in almost to a complex for for me, my wife and I. It's too good, too good. Well, I do want to try to change gears here because you know we're not gonna get into football. But I saw an article on the Athletic where I think it was Dante high Tower called you a pit bull and a meathouse. But you've got cats, right, I

do have two cats. Okay, I'm a cat guy myself, and you know that's something that sometimes when when a guy tells somebody that he's a cat person, it's kind of agreed with some What like, what does that like for you the locker room when you tell the guys like I've got a couple of cats back home. Well, I think there's a couple of reasons. I do love my cats and think of them as companions, and they've been great. And I know I've had cats growing up.

I also I had dogs, but for the stage in my life, one of the main reasons we got some cats was we wanted some pets. But with our schedule and the traveler in the off season and pretty locked in for six months out of the year in season, I don't I don't feel like I can give a dog that is good a quality of life as they deserve right now. Um, but what we know, when I'm you know, hopefully down the road, uh long down the

road and I retire, I'll take it a dog. But until then, I am a cat guy, and I'm I'm proud of it. We need some of those photos, like have you seen them? I think it's a meme online where the guys like holding the cat and then there's a side picture up in the corner with the cat like in the Christmas stalking hat or something like that. We need some of that with you, man. We need a cat photo shoot for you. We need a cat

poll show. I'll throw one on the ground. My wife has been telling me to put them on there more so I guess I'll have to give to get that going. Yes, please do. I'll share it like it's crazy, because that just both I love it. I've I've always had cast my whole life too, so right there with you, and I'm a huge proponent of the they can nurture their

own independence. It's it's a beautiful thing, my man. So one thing I wanted to ask you about was the off season this year because it is such a unique year in America, just in every single walk of life. And you went out and got your master's degree this summer. Right. Yeah, so I've been working on it for four years. I actually one more class to go. Um. But they did they would have let us walk. Um. Actually, uh, we did it with the left hard for the for the Patriots,

Joe Tuney. We did it together. Um and um, I will finish up. I'll probably I'll probably get my machine skin in March, so that'd be my second master's. I guess I should have rephrased that you didn't get it in one summer. Obviously, it's a lot of hard work

that goes into that, but congratulations man, thank you. Though it's a great program tuition reimbursement UM through the NFL and NFL p A. Obviously, it's one of the things, sadly that got cut this year because of COVID, but you know, and when they bring it back, I'm gonna finish anyway. But I'm gonna continue to go until until the until someone doesn't pay for my school anymore. So it's it's a it's a great program. I encourage a lot of younger guys to be going on it now.

That's really cool. Have you put any thought into I know post playing career, like you mentioned, is a long way away, but have you put any thought into what that might look like for you? Yeah? I have thought about it. I'm not not too deeply, just because you know, it really is all fantasy. I'm all football, and I'm gonna be lotefully football for for a lot more seasons. But um, you know, it's gonna be a decision my wife when I make. I'm gonna, you know, see what

opportunities I don't. I try not to burn any bridges ever, and and keep an open mind, and and and we'll see what happens. You know, post football play. Right now, it's it's all about, you know, trying to win some games. Absolutely, And you mentioned being all about football. That goes back to our first conversation you and I had ted back in March. I want to say it was when you signed down here and you were working out in your garage.

What was that like in the entire offseason, kind of having your own gym set up and and kind of being you know, left to your own devices in the in the garage gym. Well, it was great. You know. I tried to get down here as soon as possible after we signed in in March, and you know, with with how crazy March was, the heat of it, um, you know, we couldn't get down Um. But we we got down in May because I wanted to get down

here in the heat. And you know, it was really great to be able to to be around some of the guys. So you know, when we walked into camp here, you know, we had relationships that were already built and we could continue growing together. I was talking to some of the guys here in the video department about how it was kind of like nice today because it was rainy, a little bit colder. Man, I'm new to the area to ted this heat hits you like something else. How

was that acclamation for you? You know, there's definitely been sometimes where you're it does get very high, you know, but that's part of football and in in you know, I think one of the greatest parts of our football is that you played outside mostly, you know, and I think, you know, that's always been a favorite factor of mine. You get to go outside and and and go you know,

run around and fly around with your friends. Um. But yeah, it is a little bit of different heat down here, but we feel like we're in a great condition and and ready to, uh you know, play a play a tough sixty minutes here Sunday. Now, you might not have a response to this or an answer for this, but I'm curious. Did you ever have a really strange interruption during your in home garage workouts and f so what

was it? Uh? Well, I've had to you know, case some delivery, um, and I think I you know, I have a couple of neighbors that were probably we had I had just heard on the music a few times. I didn't want to, you know, come in blazing as far as yeah, as far as to suck to the neighborhood. But everyone is. They've welcomed my wife and I with open arms, and it's been such a pleasure, and I, you know, I just want to do, you know, my very best for this community and for the Dolphins organization.

I'm picturing like the cooligan man coming up and dropping off a thing of water and you're just like throwing it over your shoulder and walking in like a tough guy. Yeah. Day, everyone's in there because we got way through the driveway too. Was great. Man, It was a great summer. And then it's just been paying off right on. Man. I mean I I wanted to drop this quote on you because I was so proud of finding it. But they say necessity is the mother of invention. Did you develop anything

new during your summer garage routine? Well, I definitely, Uh like when when when COVID first really hit and I didn't have any weights in my garage yet? I I uh developed a pretty I can get pretty swollen with some band to work outside. I was pretty skeptical my whole life about that, but I uh, you know, if you get the rep count right, you can really you can really make some games just just working with you know, you know those athletic rubber bands that you can stretch

out and stuff. Yeah, they're legit. I got some of those two because I'm down here without the availability of a gem. I use them and the swimming pool. Those two things are like new for me. Yeah. The resistance bands are great. It's been amazing. Man. Okay, one last thing here for you. Mentioned Joe Tuney earlier. I read that you guys were Jeopardy buddies. Uh, are you continuing watching Jeopardy every night? Like, what's what's that schedule like for you? No, I have not been watching a lot

of Jeopardy. Later. I think Joe would be disappointed. But yeah. We so we lived together for you know, our first two seasons. Then I got married and moved out, but I still was at the house a lot, and we would watch Jeopardy is very competitive, and then you know, it got to the point though where we were competing all day. Anyway, we get home and then we would compete we started just playing on the same team so

that we could just make a total. I think our our our personal record was about I think we're for three or four off of getting every question right. So yeah, it was pretty cool. He probably carried us that day. But now it was as fun memories and I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of those guys. But I'm ready to go and compete, and you know we're gonna have to, you know, go up there and put our best sixty minutes on the field. Absolutely, that's why I

shoot four in the team tournament. Man, So good good on you guys for hitting that in the in the main event there on Jeopardy, I like, I got one more question for you here, Ted. You mentioned being here for the first time and you were voted a team captain. Just talk about how much that means to you, being a team captain after being here for only six months so far. Well, it's a distinct honor that, you know, my peers and teams think of me like that, and

and I take that very seriously. It's you know, a leadership role doesn't have to be elected, and you know, you know, we have some great captains and the fact that they thought of me about that is very special, and I wanted to deliver with doing the best I can to help us win as many ballgames as we can and also helped you know, in the lives of uh, you know, our teammates. You know, this is one of the most special parts about football is a race, the

relationships you build. And I care very deeply about this team and these guys and and then do whatever I can to help us be successful. To really appreciate your time today, man, stay healthy, good luck on Sunday. Cannot wait to watch you play man. Thank you, Travis. And there he goes Dolphins center Ted Carress. That guy is just the best. He's so much fun to talk to, so many different unique interest And with that, let's go

ahead and go back to Ted Carriss. Here he spoke to the media about some more things football related on Wednesday. I don't want to short you guys night because he's a great interview. Let's hear from Ted Carress addressing the media on Wednesday, and of course he starts by talking

about returning to Foxborough as an opponent for the first time. Well, you know, there's a lot of uh, you know, kind of similar guys and you know a lot of connections on these two programs, UM, and I think every week one matchup is going to be pretty unique this year in the NFL. UM, I'm excited to see what tomorrow is like. I'm sure you guys all are too with

some football on TV, UM. But you know, yeah, I know a lot of these guys, we know each other and it's gonna be a a tough, physical, sixty minute game. And one of the roles Ted has here in Miami is mentoring the young offensive lineman. Here he is talking about Solomon Kiley, Robert Hunt, and Austin Jackson up on the offensive line. He has, uh, you know, all the capabilities to be to be a great player. And we have a lot of great rookies, Rob Hunt, Austin Jackson,

with good veteran Jesse Davis. Um, you know, a lot of e flow. So, UM, you know, we're feeling good, we're working hard, had a good practice today and um, you know, now we gotta take it to the field. Here comes Sunday afternoon, and here is Ted on a follow up question expanding on what he sees in Solomon Kinley, the fourth round rookie out of Georgia what he sees in his game. He tries to do everything right. He's very exposedive obviously is a huge man. Um. I don't

think I got as many one. I don't think I looked like that as a rookie. I certainly, you know, if if I look back at the film, UM to come in and be very competitive and and someone that you know, as we're you know, working over these this past camp and now that we're getting into games, you know, building our trust and in each other, and UM, you know, I just think he has you know, he's he's done very well, and I'm very excited for him, and I'm

gonna do everything I can to help him. And he's gonna be a big part of helping us win ball games this year. Hey, Ted, how's it going? Man? Uh? Four years up in New England. You obviously saw how the sausage gets made up there. But I'm curious, now that you're in Miami, what it's like for you to prepare for a Bill Belichick defense for the first time. Well, we know we're gonna be tough and smart and know what they're doing, and they're gonna have something, um, you know,

you need for us. That's gonna make us think they're gonna challenge, challenge us every step of the way. And you know, it's it's very exciting to go back. I know many of these players very personally. Um, and to go back and compete now and as a rival, as a rival faction is is very exciting and um, it's just you know, it's gonna be fun, but we're gonna have to bring our very very best when it counts

the most. Here Sunday afternoon, and on the topic of Sunday Afternoon, here's Ted Carriss on the challenge of going into Foxborough playing the Patriots and going up against that defense. It's absolutely gonna be a huge challenge. They're going to be well prepared and and rare and to go, um and these you know, there's still a lot there's a

ton of grade players on that whole front. That whole defense is is dangerous and we're gonna have you know, we've been preparing hard and we're still got a bunch more preparation here to go, and it's gonna be the biggest challenge yet of our careers as a team together. So it's gonna be We're gonna have to go up and player very best for sixty minutes to leave Gillette

Stadium with a victory. As we heard in my interview with Ted, he definitely loves the studying part of the game and studying in life in general and knowing more things than just about football. Here's Ted about the communication and the language of the offense. That has been one of the more interesting things about coming to a new new scheme, a new system, and a new team here in Miami. Well, the language certainly is different, and I think that's a fascinating part of the game. I uh,

I'd love to learn. I dove into this offense pretty pretty deeply. Obviously. We had you know, zoom meetings for about six weeks in the spring. That was that was a cool, kind of low pressure way to learn a new offense and just have the playbook there. But the biggest part is the language is a lot of you know, you know, football is all right to be kind of we have football is football. But I'm not going to give any nuggets as far as differences between our O

and there's. But the language would be the best, the best example and one I find most fascinating. We'll go to the other side of the football. Now and here from Dolphins cornerback Byron Jones, who first was asked to evaluate what he's seen from exaving Howard, who he was involved in team meetings and doing the virtual stuff previously, but now that Howard has been back on the field for a couple of weeks, what he's seen an exhaving Howard skill set on the practice field. Yeah, it's it's

cool to see him out there. It's an opportunity for amazing to see just how good he is. Um, he's really aggressed out the lot of scrimmage. He knows that attacked the ball very well. So I'm learning a lot from him just watching him be out there. And he's good. He's good mentor to Noah. Um, we're all doing everything we can and get him up to speed. But he looks good out there, really good. Next, here's Byron Jones on facing the quarterback he's gonna see Sunday in Cam Newton. Cam.

He's extremely talented. Um, he's a guy who's gonna make plays. Our job on defense is to read our keys, you know, do what we're talking fundamentals. That's what it's really gonna come down to, especially early in the season, it's you know, tackling, knowing the plays, understanding what the offense wants to do to the defense depending on the offense is set. Um, you know, it's it's just a game of you know,

focusing and attention to the details. Really, hey, Byron, you know, preparing for some teams that kind of they are they you get what you see with them. And the Patriots are so able to adapt themselves every single week it seems for so long. Now, how much more of a challenge is that for you to prepare for a team that you might not know what you're gonna see on Sunday. I think the biggest challenge right now is just the fact that it's the first game of the season. We

don't really know you know ever, I've see a different quarterback. Um, So it's just adjusting to that really and um, like I said earlier, when it comes down to is us is that's how we uh come to the game and how we tackle, how we really execute on a down and down basis, And that's when it really comes down to. We heard an earlier question Byron addressed the mentorship of rookie cornerback Noah egbon Agny, who again is the youngest player in the National Football League at twenty years old,

will be on opening day. Here's Byron Jones talking about what makes Noah Egbonogeny a good player. In his opinion, it's the work he puts in, the dedication he shows, and their acceptance he has to coaching. Well, I'll tell you with Noah first, he's a really good player. And one thing that's really special about Noahs it's a majority the way he really approaches the game. Um. You know, he's in the meetings early with coach, he's in the

meetings late, he's taking notes. He's very responsive to criticism. Uh, he responds, he responds well to good plays in bad plays. UM. It's really cool to see a young guy like that come into the league and be so prepared. Um. Now, obviously he has to go to the paces when he gets into the game. UM. But you know, I have confidence and we have confidence in his ability to make

players out there and with exhavien Um. You know, truthfully, just seeing him on day one and two of practice this year, UM, seeing how he attacks the ball um with specially to me, I'm like wow, And seeing his feet on the line of scrimmage and how he stayed square. Um, there's all this stuff I'm picking up in different players, and the seed in person is really different. And that's what's the cool part about it is we're all on the same team and we're all picking and learning from

each other, which alten makes us all better. And let's go ahead and finish up with Dolphins cornerback by Ron Jones with an evaluation on the Dolphins receiving corps. Oh yeah, so you know, obviously Rushton and Abont are really big receivers. Um. Those guys have really good catch rates. Um. And they do a good job about going up and getting the ball. And I think that's the most important thing. That's a

really good receiver. Um. You know, it may not be perfect, you may be guarded, but if you grow up and attack that ball like they have Shaun Dwelt in camp, I think they'll be just fine. Um. And as a he's a really crafty guy on the inside. Um, he's

really savvy with his routes. He's very patient as well. UM. So it's it's you know, they're all good receivers, no question about that, but they'll have different things that make them special and We're gonna finish up here with Dolphins linebacker Kyle van Noy, and we start with my question. My question for you is about going up against a team you've seen plenty of times in the past and practice and more, you know, narrow focused here on the

offensive line. They've got so much continuity up in front on that offensive line. How does your familiarity with those guys, maybe some of their tendencies and weaknesses kind of help you attack them on Sunday? Yeah, I mean going against them. They're familiar with me going you know, I'm familiar with them. I'm excited for this task. You know, they've been talking trash before years I've been there, so I'm excited to see if we both can back it up. Okay, so

just put you backing off. That is there one player you most want to hit on Sunday? Now he's not there no more, and that would be Grounk by the way, not Tom. That's my guy. And as Kyle often does, he has a very unique perspective here on playing without fans in the stand and how he's looking forward to the experience that's been different and it's going to be different than what we're used to here in the National Football League. No, I think it's gonna be a cool experience.

I don't think people are looking at it in uh you know the way that I've been looking at it. I've been looking at it. The fans get a close inside of what guys on the field are communicating, trash talking, kind of like you've seen with the n b A. You're gonna hear the ball dribble and you don't necessarily get to hear that all the time. And I feel like that's what it's gonna be like on a football field.

I think the smacking is gonna be louder, the trash talking is gonna be right there prime television, and I think it's gonna be a good atmosphere because at the end of the day, you're gonna find out it's the team versus the team. There's no real home field advantage. Obviously you have to make the road trip out there, but you are basically going against that team and they're going against you, and you just gotta outperform. So I think that's pretty cool. And of course, Kyle is on

his third team here with the Miami Dolphins. Began his career as a second round draft pick in Detroit, wound up in New England for a few years. Here he is talking about going into New England and what made that play special during his time there, and now what he sees here in Miami in his first season so far. You know, from top down, his ran a really really positive way. Um just like here, it's run really really well,

and I'm excited to be a Miami Dolphin. I feel like they are investing in a lot into our success as what you know, giving we have a new facility coming around, and then they invest in a lot with off the field things that we as players want, and you know, they really really want us to be successful, and I hope we can be successful for this city. And on the topic of this city in the South Florida community, here is what I think might be my favorite quote so far of the time I've been here

with the Dolphins. And I know I say that quite a few times because a lot of these guys are so well spoken and say so many profound things. But here's Kyle van Noy on why it's so important to him to bring a winner to Miami. Oh man, I wish I could answer. We'd be here all day I have to write out a paragraph for you are paper, but I'll just try to keep it simple and sweet. I mean, I've been given a lot, and I hope to give others a lot. And Um, I'm blessed to

be a part of this. I know what winning looks like. In structurally, Flow is I respect him a lot. He's doing a really really good job. Um. We're not taking any shortcuts. I mean, I wasn't here last year, but the guys you can tell, work their ass off and

this year we continued that. And for me to be a part of that and to be elected a captain of from my peers, I mean, I'm honored and just hope we can, um take this first game, it's a big game, um, and go up there and with the mindset of winning, and that's what they want to do. That's what we want to do. It's gonna be a really really high competitive game right off the bat, and I'm excited for it. It's it's what you will play as. I mean, it's what you wish for as a kid playing.

I mean better you're playing against a rival team at their home opening game. Um, through all the craziness that's going on, trying to be a light for people off the field and on the field. I mean it's it's a good way to start. And with that start, we're gonna see Cam Newton. Here's Kyle Van Noy on a scouting report on the Patriots quarterback. Yeah, that's a good question. I mean Cam brings a Cam effects. That man is a gamer, uh m v P. So he knows how

to win, he knows how to play to his strengths. Uh, he's a really good he's an under obvious our shooting and say underrated. He's a really good passer. You can throw on the run really really well. But the Cam effect is definitely the running. Being able to have that I guess as your third option, you know, hand the ball off brow and then be able to run and create something out of nothing. Uh. It's tough to guard and we have our hands full and we're doing everything

we can to prepare for it. But we're we're excited for the challenge. We know how good he is and we respect him as a player. And here is Kyle cutting off reporter asking about playing against Cam in the time he got a sack on him. Did I chased him down? People think I'm slow, and here he is talking more about facing Cam Newton and the key to stopping him in that Patriots offense. You know, I think it's just all Levin on the same page. I think

that's what it takes. Every guy doing their job is, you know, as cliche is, as sounds, that's really what it takes. Whether you know your blitz and you gotta keep them in the pocket or whether you know you're playing zone. Everybody has eyes back to the quarterback. You've got to do those little things against a running quarterback like that and be able to hit them. Just like any quarterback. You just gotta continue to put that pressure

on them and sustain it all for four quarters. It's not easy, and it's not easy to do in this league. But when you do it, that's usually when you come out with a good outcome. So there you haven't Kyle van noy, Byron Jones, and Ted Carros three really good interviews on this Wednesday edition of the Drivetime Podcast. Again, we're gonna have that deep dive that feature on Ted Carros up on Miami Dolphins dot com. In addition to the Daily Top News, The Daily Blitz, and Thursday The Preview,

of the Patriots game. We have tons of stuff coming down the pipeline for you here both on Drivetime and on Miami Dolphins dot com as well as on social media. And with that, let's go ahead and get out of here for this Wednesday show. In the meantime, you all please be sure to subscribe to the podcast on Apple, podcast or Spotify. Leave us a rating, leave us a review if you want to give back to the podcast. If you enjoy the podcast, that's the best way you

can do it. Give me a follow on Twitter. It's at Wingfield, NFL. Follow the Dolphins at Miami Dolphins. Check out the fish Tank podcast. New episode dropped with Trace Armstrong this week, as well as the Audible podcast and of course Miami Dolphins dot com. Until next time, fins Up.