Welcome to Miami | Elandon Roberts

terrific financial shape going forward. What's up, Dolphins? Travis Wingfield with you here for a special series of the Drive Time Podcast, part of the official podcast network of your Miami Dolphins. We aren't making these shows with specific dates, but we are rolling out a new episode per player signing, and we'll start with the details of the player's career, taking a look at their counting stats, advanced metrics, film study,

character testimonies, and a whole lot more. All of that before we hear from the newest Miami Dolphins and exclusive interviews with the Drivetime Podcast. So, without any further ado, let's get in to the free agency series here on the Drivetime Podcast, and we are going to cover Miami's cumulative approach to the free agency period the off season, all the impacts that will have on the cap ramifications, future cash commitments, and the draft coming up next month

as well. But for today's podcast, we're talking about new linebacker Landon Roberts. Miami agreed to a contract with the former Patriot and he is a six ft two hundred and thirty eight pound former sixth round draft pick that has contributed in all three phases of the game during his four year career so far in the professional ranks.

Going to Pro Football Focus, Roberts has one thousand, seven hundred and two snaps on defense, eight fifty four of those in run defense, one fifty two as a pass rusher, and six nine and coverage. He's played three hundred and twenty four special team snaps and rounded out his game in twenty nineteen with seventy snaps as a fullback and evident from his workload and his work as a fullback, his true prowess comes in the run game. That's where

he shines the brightest. He has ninety two career run stops on those eight hundred and fifty four running plays. That's good for a ten point eight percent run stop percentage. He missed just two tackles all year last season. He's compiled two hundred and six total tackles in his career, fifteen of those for a loss. He has four sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and six passes defense. He's played in sixty games and started thirty three, all

of those at middle linebacker. His former head coach Bill Belichick talked about how he came upon Landon Roberts during his time at Houston when he watched a Navy in Houston game. A difficult offense to defend because they run the traditional option attack on offense. This from Belichick quote, When I watched that game, I kept noticing the linebacker for Houston. I don't know how many tackles he had, but they weren't all on the option play because he blitzed.

He just showed up on plays and I thought he ran well. End quote and a versatility is Robert's day job. Then he moonlights in leadership. This from NFL dot COM's Lanczer Line on his scouting report out of college out of Houston quote, a coach's dream, tremendous leader on and off the field, worked all off season to loosen his hips and improve his flexibility. Loves to hit and has a nose for the football instinctive with an uncanny ability to consistently sniff out the best path to the ball.

Lives on a downhill track, and makes high percentage of tackles near the line of scrimmage. Chest up, wrap up, tackler. Has heart for days square and his scrapes and mirrors running backs effectively. His college coach called Roberts one of the best leaders he's ever been around, and raves about his work, ethic and passion for the game end quote. There and that heart and that knows for the ball, show up on defense, special teams, and on offense as

a fullback. And again. Roberts was asked about the challenges last year of his multiple roles, and he claims the same mentality serves him well regardless of which position he's playing, saying, quote, I run through a blank's face offense, defense, special teams doesn't matter end quote. And he fits in perfectly with Miami's theme for versatile players, because well, the more you can do right. Few players in football can claim greater

versatility than Roberts. In twenty nine team and Bill Belichick, his coach last year, spoke about how valuable. His eagerness was to help the team last year. Quote, He's a guy that's shown tremendous versatility this year and has helped our football team in all three areas. Certainly, the team has been able to benefit from his versatility, his toughness, his work ethic, and his desire to contribute to help our team perform better. So I think we all recognize that,

we all appreciate it. So we're fortunate that he's been able to do that for us. And let's go ahead and get to my interview with new Dolphins linebacker he Landed Roberts and joining me now on the podcast is the newest linebacker of the Miami Dolphins. A land In Roberts, A Landing, how's it going man? I you're doing man, just just staying out the way, man in the house, man like that, celebrating with my family. Glad to be

a part of the Miami Dolphins. I guess this time is a little bit of the best, a blessing in disguise for us to get more time with our loved ones. I'm doing the same thing out here, but I wanted to get your feeling here. New deal, new team. How is this all kind of hitting you right now. Man. You know, I'm just blessed for the new opportunity. Man. And uh it's you know, me and my family, Uh, we love a decision, you know, we can't wait to get out there and get started and whatnot like that,

and uh, we're just excited about being Miami. Dulf absolutely, And you had your choice obviously on the free agent market. What was it about the Dolphins that really attracted you to coming here and signed that contract to play your ball in Miami? Man? You know, yeah, I can't put it enough on you know, coach Flora as he was my coach all my years and uh, New England and and even you know, that's the first thing women coach I had made at you know, for my pro day

coming out of college. So the relationship was there. And then you know, just just watching you know, the organization. Of course we play them two times, and we played them two times a year, so watching that that that grow you know this past season, you know, and whatnot. It was just the best decision to go that way. And I'm I'm a uh glad to be a part of the organization and I can't wait to just get

there and get started working. I'm curious to kind of follow up on that about your pro day because Flora's has such an extensive history in the NFL in terms of the jobs. He's worked a scouting assistant, he's working personnel, he's coached both sides of the football. He's done everything. So when he met you at the pro day? Was that what was that meeting like? At first? Um, honestly, man, he just uh, you know we met shook ends. But you know the pro day there's a lot that goes

on and stuff like that. But you know, you could tell he was a very detailed person right then and there, you know, and then get drafted by New England and you know he's a lineback and coach, so you know, just the expectation and knowing how he how he is, how he operates. You know, he's a great leader, you know, running off the field. He cares about you as a person and your family. So uh, that's that's just great things to know about your head coach. And um, you

know he's a great guy. So you know, well it was is just great to be back with him. We've done a few of these now a landing and that's pretty much what everyone says about Brian Flora. So it's really great for us to hear that. And you're not the only former Patriot joining the squad this year. What can you tell us about your position mate? And Kyle van Noy and a guy you went up against every day in practice, one of the tougher dudes I've talked to.

And Ted Carriss Man, you know Kyle Man, that's that's my that's my guy. We did all I fort you this together in New England. Man, I'm ecstatic that I'm may able to still play with my brother, you know, uh and stuff like that, because a great person. You know our wives and know each other. You know, both of our childs. We just had to child. I mean, you know, his his son and my daughter was born a couple of weeks apart. So me and Kyle got a great relationship, so it's great to be playing with him.

And then me and Ted were drafted together in that class with New England, so I was even more excited to hear that Ted was there. You know Ted that that that's my boy. Man, He's going to come with it every day. He's uh, you know, real physical person and great Persontiva be around, so you know, I'm excited about them guys, and um, yeah, man, just excited about the whole deal. Ted talked about how coming downhill and seeing you in the in the A gap or B

gap or whatever. He said that wasn't very much fun because you're a physical dude. He likes to match that. So I'm sure there was some pretty good helmet clashings in those practices. Yeah, man, it was. It was pretty good. But uh, yeah, they're gonna co with uh a hundred percent of the time. Man. You know, and he's a physical guy itself. Man, I'm man, I'm really blessed that I I'm still being able to be his teammate, you know, and don't have to compete to get him in a

real game because he's a very physical guy. Man. Uh, he's gonna come with him each day. Yeah, you'll get to see him every day in practice. And you mentioned just how a child was your first. Yes, yes, I had a little girl. Congratulations. I have a girl coming in May, so maybe they'll grow up together. Oh yeah, man, it'll be great. Man, the girls and son does man change believe I'm looking forward to me and a girl, dad. Man,

it's like change my entire perspective. And she's not even here yet, so I can I definitely can see that. Congrats once again. Um let's go ahead and talk about some opponents scouting you might have done on the Dolphins offense last year. What's it like to prepare for a guy like Ryan Fitzpatrick. Um, Man, he's a you know, preparing for him, you can see like how much influencing and that he has an offense and man, uh you got a little swag a by itself, Like you know,

he'll be in some situations and he get out this situation. Yeah, what in the world, you know, And I guess that's the point when they're talking about the magic come out, you know, and uh, but he's uh, he's a great you know what saying opponent to see on film. I'm glad to be able to call on my teammate now,

you know, just just like the rest of my teammates. Man, when we're being able to get there and meet everybody that's on the roster, man and stuff like that, because it's just it's just great, you know, to be able to bond, you know, day in and day out with your teammates because at the end of the day, playing this game is a big blessing, and UH, don't take it for granted at all. Absolutely. We had a game last year in the preseason where Fitz dropped the shoulder

and ran over a defensive back. But let's try to keep him from doing that in practice and keep that red shirt and keep that guy up, right. You agree with that, Yeah, yeah, yeah, you gotta keep your quarterbacks out of out the way. You know, you love to see it, but at the same time, I don't want to see that exactly as far as the rest of

the offense goes. Who are some of the guys in the Dolphins offense, be a receiver's offensive line, someone that kind of gave you a challenge in your preparation and playing against the Dolphins last season, well, you know, uh, preparing each week, you know, for each team is a

it's a different challenge. And preparing for the Dolphins, man, I really don't go in the game looking at just a pecific player, you know, I look at the whole aspect of the offense, you know, details on what makes them go, how they go, you know, and stuff like that. And with uh, with the Dolphins offense last year of course, they had a whole different offensive coordinating than what they have this year. So last year, which is you know that team, you know this year be this year and

stuff like that. But each week, man, every team is different. You got prepared different and stuff like that. So it's all good. And every time I go and look for your name on Google or try to find quotes about you from past football coaches, the same thing comes up every time. In landon your leadership and your heart and desire for the game. And Tom Herman, your coach at Houston. We spoke a little bit off air about your time at Houston, and he talked about it, and Belichick talked

about it. Where are those integral traits for the possession come from? The leadership, the heart, the will to just go out there and play your hardest every single snap. I just try each day to be, you know what I'm saying, the best guy I can be, you know, the best teammate I can be, and stuff like that. I think you can't teach the leadership. I think it's just something that's just you know, and stuff like that. And uh, that's why I just try to be every

every day the best person that I can be. You know, best husman, I can be the best far as I can be, you know, and of course the best teammate I can be in the best Miami Dolphin I can be, you know. So uh I think you know that that's what that comes from and stuff like that, and uh man, you know I respect them coaches that you know, especially coach Tom Herman, my college coach, and you know what I'm saying, Bill Belichick for saying the great things about me,

you know, and whatnot. But every day, you know, I'm gonna always be the best person that I can be, you know, all times. And whether or out you're looking at advanced metrics on whatever website you want to look at, or watching your tape, it's pretty evident you love to come down and smack guys in the mouth. And that broad type of mentality on the football field is so infectious. I think that it really breeds, you know, good play

around you. Where did you kind of develop the mindset that I'm gonna hit this dude harder than he hits me, and I'm going to be the one delivering the punishment. Man, I think it is you know that linebacker position. Man, growing up, I always love playing linebacker watching it, you know, so I just I think, I just you know, yeah, you just see me. Yeah, I love it. Here a

little contact and stuff like that. But at the same time, you know, uh, a little being you know, it was, you know, a smart, smart football player on the field, physical guy and stuff like that. It just me, I guess, but I love doing it. You know, I'm gonna come down here a percent of the time and stuff like that, and um, you know, be most physical player on the field, but at the same time be smarter. Also. I can't wait to watch it and practicing on game days of Land.

It's gonna be a lot of fun to watch. And whether you are, you know, doing the B gap to B gap work or even going back to college and dealing with the spread offense like we talked about off fair against that Navy spread option offense. What allows you to play so fast against so many different looks and the process the oppositions running game as quickly as you do.

I think it's just preparation, Just preparation throughout the week, uh, knowing what the team is doing, knowing what they want to do, normal type of offense that you're knowing it certain situations you know what they like to do and stuff like that. And that's one thing my first three years and New England helped me, you know, being under coach Florida as he he helped me developed that part

of my game even more to non situation you know. Uh, you know, he knowing knowing yourself, you know, he know the tools that I'm able to bring. But you know, like I said, you gotta be a small football tare too, so you gotta know you know in this, look at that, Look what can't you get? And he definitely helped me, you know, take my game to hold different lover in that aspect. And you do have a couple of championship

rings there with Brian Flores back into England. What is bringing that championship pedigree into a new locker room mean? And what did you kind of take away from being

on championship teams? Oh, you know, bringing your championships, you know, having that on your on your resumes is great, you know, but at the end of the day, you know, now it's it's about Miami Dolphins, you know, taking it one day at a time, you know, not looking ahead, you know, when we're able to get there after this, you know, virus and stuff, going away, meeting all your teammates, you know, taking that first step, you know, getting too from O

T A S. Focusing on training camp, and then that's when you turn the page and start building you know, on the season and stuff like that. But it starts with just taking it one day at a time, you know, and stuff like that. So I think that's like the biggest theme, you know by the championship team, controlling what's in front of you day by day. That sounds perfect at falls right in line with Brian Flores's message. Absolutely, let's go ahead and change gears here and talk about

some off the field stuff. A landon. You mentioned you're from Texas. I think a lot of people from Texas will tell you that's where the heartland of America's football products are produced. But South Florida might have something to say about that. What would you say to a South Florida native that says that we have the best high school football in the country. Um, I don't know, man, uh that that's a big debate, you know, with Texas and Florida. But hey, at least they're getting a dog

from Texas to South Florida. So that's all I can say, that's the right that's the right answer of the right mentality. And here's a running theme we've had in the podcast. Here are some of your new teammates you're other free agent teammates. We talked a lot about basketball. Seems like a lot of football guys think they're elite Hooper's too. Do you fall in that category? Also? I can't who. I don't really like playing because I you know, I

stayed at Trumble all the time. I grew up with some buddies who played football and basketball, and it was always the same thing. Like you said, after the first quarter they had three thousand, they're on the bench for the rest of the first half. So that yeah, yeah, so that's a good way to play though. That just means you're doing the right sports. So if you weren't playing football, is there a different sport besides basketball you might play? I don't know, man, I've never even looked

at the different sports besides football. I never thought therefore, uh, yeah, I don't. I don't know. It'll just be football for me because all the other stuff just don't like. Well, I think you made the right choice. Now, that's where the mindset is so looking forward to that. When you when you get to South Florida, besides the football stuff, what are you most looking forward to about being about

living in Miami? I should say, Oh, man, honestly, uh, honestly, man, I just want to get there and get to work. You know. I know there's a lot of things that do out there, but at the end of the day, got to do a job, you know, and this you know, first, get out there and meet all my teammates, say and and and build relationships with them. Guys, the tinue to

be a good team and great Miami Dolphins. It's great to have you on that same page read to have you on the roster here, Landon, That's all I got for you. Congratulations on the new contract, best of luck this year, stay healthy, and welcome to Miami. As I appreciate you guys have me can't wait to meet you. Likewise, man, looking forward to it, and we'll see you down here. And there he goes a Landing Roberts, your new linebacker here with the Miami Dolphins, and he just wants to

talk about football and get to work. And how can you not love that? In a new signing, a new addition, A new locker room presents a new leader on this football team, and I think he's gonna be a real good one going forward, both on the field and off

the field. And so that's a landing Roberts. We're gonna have podcasts on all these new additions to the Miami Dolphins via free agency, and then sometime next week we'll recap the entirety of free agency and give you a snapshot of the roster and what to expect going forward on this team into the draft. Fun, fun times, exciting times in South Florida, getting a lot of talent, a lot of leadership, a lot of great characters in the building.

Brian Flores and Chris Career executing that vision they laid out last year and making it happen this year as we look forward to a great season of Miami Dolphins football. If you want to catch all these episodes with all the new Dolphins free agents, make sure you subscribe to the podcast on Apple, podcast, Spotify, Google Play, wherever you get your podcast from. Go ahead, leave us a rating, leave us a review, Give me a follow On Twitter.

It's at Wingfield, NFL. Follow the Dolphins at Miami Dolphins. Check out the Fish Tank and the Audible Podcast, both part of the official Miami Dolphins podcast network and of course Miami Dolphins dot com were the written portion of each of these podcasts, or each of these deep dives on these players is available to you. As for this show, that's gonna be my time. Until next time, fins Up.