Welcome to Miami | Kamu Grugier-Hill

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 the cumulative approach of Miami's free agency period and the impact of all these roster editions and scheme fits and checking

these crucial crucial boxes. This week in the free agent period, we'll talk about the ramifications on Miami's financial future and outcome, the way they cleverly structure these contracts to keep themselves financially free heading forward, as well as the draft impact.

All of that on a future edition of the Drivetime podcast, but for today, we're talking about the individual impacts and the individual players that were signed to Miami early on in the free agency period, and today we're talking about Hawaiian native out of Honolulu, Commu gru j Hill, the linebacker edition that agreed to a contract earlier in the week and sign with the Miami Dolphins. He was most recently with the Philadelphia Eagles, but there was a six

round draft pickback in of the New England Patriots. It's a one year contract for gruge Hill, continuing the theme of acquiring athletic marvels. Gruge hills testing metrics were absolutely through the roof. At his Eastern Illinois Pro day. At six ft two fift he clocked a four four five forty yard dash. He jumped thirty eight inches on the vertical jump, and those metrics earned praise from NFL dot COM's land Zerline. Explosive, quick twitch athlete has super chase

speed and burst to ball carrier. Possesses above average stop start quickness, combines quick feet and loose hips for plus agility range to ball carriers will be well above average instant reaction time once he diagnosed as a play finds the ball after the snap and stays locked in wrap up tackler who likes to body up as a finisher, aggressive enough to stay at linebacker as a pro, has the burst to become a dangerous blitzer end quote and gruge Hill has added some eight to that two hundred

and fifteen pound college frame. He's now around two hundred and thirty pounds, developing into a solid rotational defender on top of his special team's exploits. In Philadelphia, gruge Hill logged six hundred and fifty one defensive snaps the last two years, combined a considerable jump from the first two years of his career, when he played eighty six snaps

on defense and was primarily a special teams player. The Finn's new linebacker has career tackles eleven for loss, an interception, a sack, two passes defense to force fumbles and one recovery. He has six pressures on forty one career pass rush reps and has never allowed a touchdown on three hundred and fifty seven coverage snaps, and his passer rating against checks in at an impressive eighty three point six. Special

teams are where gruge Hill made his biggest impact. He was voted a twenty nine team captain on that side of the ball for his contributions. He has one thousand, ninety two career special team snaps. That's an average of two seventy three per year. Since entering the league, He's made twenty six career special teams tackles and no sis. Dumb craves versatility like Brian Flores defense, a trait that

grug Hill offers in spades. His former defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, Jim Schwartz, had some glowing praise of his linebacker prior to this last season, quote, He's taken a big step to being a full time linebacker. And when I say full time, I don't mean being on the field all the time, but I mean that he can play inside, can play outside, can take on a guard, can step up and fill a run play, all those kinds of things. His understanding of the defense is really good too, and

that's one of the things about having continuity. Even though it's his fourth year, it's only his third training camp. Just the accumulation of reps helps him. End quote. Let's go ahead and get now to my interview with new Dolphins linebacker Commu Gruge Hill and joining me now is new Dolphins linebacker Commu Groo J. Hill. Did I get that right, Commu? Yeah? Actually yes, I'm gonna take some credit for that. When I actually got married in Kauai. My wife and I have been back there a couple

of times, so we really love it there. So big fans of your native land. Awesome? Awesome. Yeah. How are you feeling about the new contract, new team, a new city for you? How's all this kind of hitting you right now? I mean, I'm I'm excited, man, like everything. I'm ready for a change. Um. I'm to the point of my career where obviously even something somewhere nice and warm like Miami sound pretty perfect to me. So, um, I'm excited about the situation, I'm excited about I'm signing,

and I'm ready to get to work. Man. As someone that is going to Miami now and it's from Hawaii, are the climate is kind of the same in terms of the weather. How would you compare those two? You know what's crazy is I've only been to Miami like one time before this, so, um, I haven't got the full experience yet. But um, from what I'm guessing, it can't be much different. I think, you know, Miami or Florida in general probably just gets a little more humid.

But um, I don't know. Obvious excited. There's finally the beach. Yeah, you'll you'll find how he would it gets him for training camp for sure, So we'll see you down there from that. But in terms of choosing the Dolphins, what what was it about Miami and kind of the culture and maybe even Brian Flora is that made you decide to come down and sign with Miami. Yeah, well, uh, first and foremost, you know, uh, coach Coach Flow was a big part of why I even ended up getting drafted.

He really kind of jumped on the table for me, and you know, he put his faith in me. So you know, reuniting with him is like first and foremost, just like I'm excited for that and Um, you know, I know he knows what I can do. I know what he he does, you know what I mean. And I think we're excited to work with each other and just a kind of all factors. I know what he's doing with the culture down there. Um, you know the guys coming in, everyone's hungry, everyone's ready, and I think

it's gonna be exciting year. For sure. When you first got drafted by the Patriots there with Brian Flores and you were in that linebacker room with him, did you kind of have the sense this is a guy that is going to be a head coach on the line

Oh for sure. You can just tell by his demeanor and not only like from the from the players, but like even though other coaches had had uh big respect, he kind of ran a lot most of the individual drills or whatever it is, the walk throughs, and and you know he just had that that little um swaggered him a little bit. So, Um, you definitely can see that. We way back then too. We've heard players talk about it. We've heard Stephen Ross the Dolphins on our talk about

the leadership that Brian Flores provides. But he also runs a very complex and multiple defense a defense that really relies on versatility, and your former defensive coordinator in Philadelphia, Jim Schwartz, had some affusive praise for you and your ability to do multiple things. Is that versatility kind of the thing that sets you apart from the rest in

your opinion? I think so, And I think you know, um, in my in my uh eyes, you know, my career really hasn't even started because my situation in Philly was a little different. But coming coming here to the Miami, um, and I know, I know flow like that's kind of what I said before. I know he knows what I can do. And um, I mean I think that's just what sets me apart from from other players, is I can you know, I can be put in different situations.

I you know, I feel like I can play to run like a linebacker, but run like a safety and cover. So that's that's that's my strengths. So whether it's blitzing the quarterback, dropping into coverage, playing the run, you can do it all on the defensive side. But you also were voted a special team's captain last year in Philadelphia? Was it? What is it about you and your character that makes for a good leader and a team captain. Um,

I think the biggest thing for me. Um. One of my first two years in the league, I just you know, my role was was simply cut out as as a special teamer and and I really bought into that. And I'm I'm a person to wear whatever role you put me in, and I'm gonna try to be the best I can be UM in that role in that position. So, UM, I really ran with that, and I think you know that that's what really helped me. That's what the guys

looked up to. I think, um, you know, last three years in Philly and helped me to be where I am today. So I don't want to make this a sore subject here commed, but I gotta ask you, since you are such a special teams ace. You were on the other side of the field last year of the Mountaineer shoot the Dolphins touchdown with a punter throwing to a kicker for a touchdown. Can you give me the

opponent's perspective on that play? Like, what were you guys thinking as that formation was kind of was kind of developing the play got snapped. It's crazy. I actually wasn't on the field day that that that play we had our big goal block team out, but um, I mean we're on the bench. We and when we totally caused by surprise, I couldn't I couldn't believe that they ran down looking back now that he's supposed to do it was crazy. And when the NFL honors Play of the

Year last year, so definitely got some recognition there. But as far as playing the defensive side of the ball, when you prepared for this Dolphins offense, what were some of the challenges they presented, whether it was Ryan Fitzpatrick or some of the guys in the running game, what were some of the challenges the Dolphins offense gave to

you last year as an opposing defender. Well, you know, I think the you know, the biggest thing is they just have weapons, like real serious weapons with Parker as receiver and and um, you know, fit see and there's all kinds of these these these weapons out there that he has different formations they're busting out into and and

just running so many different things. Um, you know, and obviously with them struggling last year a little bit, but um, they're almost more dangerous that way because you didn't know what was coming and um and That's why I'm excited for this year. You know. I know, Flow just kind of getting everything going, getting his guys in there, and and you know it's gonna be a thing this year,

I think. And when you talk about teammates that you're joining this year with Miami, you also have some past history with guys like Ted Carress, for instance, or Kyle van noy A Land and Roberts. What can you tell us about those guys in the new Dolphins for regents they brought along along with you. Yeah, I mean, I'm so we're all in agree, Chad, and we're all kind of messing around right now. Just crazy guy. We're just

all reunited again. And you know, I even got one of my former egos friends down there, Mac Hollins, and so me and him are still to be back together again. And I mean it's just you can just see the chemistry already building. And we all haven't stepped on the field together in a long time, but I mean you can just tell the excitement and the the build up

that we have right now. I'm excited for it. If I ask you, Commo to give me your scouting report about what you're going to provide for the Miami Dolphins. What can Dolphins fans expect to get from you both on and off the field this year. The biggest thing is I'm gonna be um, you know, whatever role they have me, and I'm gonna be the best at it.

And I think my biggest strength, like like you said, me and no flow and whoever else is We've we've talked about this before, and what I want to do is I want to be the best coverage linebacker in the field. Um. The game's turned to you know, really really passing league and there's not much linebackers I can cover and and and do what what teams need them to do. And I I'm gonna take pride in that. And you know, oh, I know, I just want to

be one of the best monarchies on the field. And We've talked a lot about football on this podcast obviously a Dolphins podcast here the Drivetime Podcast with Travis Wingfield. I've got Cammu gru j Hill, Dolphins new linebacker here on the official Dolphins podcast network. But one of the themes of these podcast commu has been basketball and how well guys can play on the hardwood. How good is your game? Yeah, I played defense. I play above the rim. But I don't know if I'm not much of a shooter.

That's that's been a pretty common response. I love it, but that, hey, that means you get out there, you try hard, you hike those shorts up around the upper quad, and you just get down there and play some defense man. Well ready, we'll love to see that. I do. Got to ask you this too, because, like I said, spend a couple of times in Hawaii. My wife and I had sushi there and we can't have sushi back Stateside anymore because it ruined it for us because it was

too good. Is that the best food the islands can offer? What's the best food out there? I mean yeah, I mean, Si, you're not. I can get freshure fishing than the food in Hawaii. Uh and in the fishing Hawaii, that's for sure. I mean local food for me is just what I've been raised on. So the second I get off the playing and I was like, my mom, bring me, bring me a lunch play or something. So um. I mean, it's it's all good. It's funny though, because I'm kind

of the same way. I'm a little hesitant to try some sushi out here. A little bit of a sushi Miami might change me a little bit. Yeah, it's pretty good. I've had it a few times in Miami. It's pretty good. What about like activities doing stuff as you know a child in Hawaii, I'm sure you had all kinds of different things to explore out there. Yeah, I mean, I mean the biggest thing we just I was I was kidding.

My mom never ever bought me a PlayStation or a video game or anything kind of Everything was just outside. Was going to the beach or just playing playing with your friends around the block or whatever whatever it was. But um, that's really it really beats a lot of beach. We we spent some time and like I said, in Kawaii and we went to a shipwreck beach and leaf who are la? WHOI I think is how you pronounce it. Are you familiar with the area at all? I've been

when I was really young. I went, Well, I went there and I have a couple of friends that live in Quiet. It's super and I think, yeah, it was gorgeous. Man. We did some some cliff jumping and some boogie boarding out there, and it had a great time on the beach. But I want to look up any more your time here. Com We really appreciate you doing this today. Congratulations on the contract, best of luck this year, stay healthy, and welcome to Miami. Man. Awesome man. Thank you for having

me again. And I'm excited for everything. So decided to get down there. Let's go. Yeah, we're certainly looking forward to having you down here, So thank you for your time. And there he goes Comu Gruge a Hill, new Dolphins linebacker, Special teams ace. You heard him talk about coverage, playing the round, does a little bit of everything. Super versatile player, super likable guy, quite obviously good leader, team captain. Fits

the theme here in Miami. Smart, tough, discipline, guys that care about the game, that care about their teammates and winning games on the football field. All right, that's the

last one I recorded here. I'm not sure where it's gonna be put out there, but we have ten of these things now out there for you guys on the Dolphins podcast network here the Drivetime Podcast, and we are going to have a bunch of draft previews for you coming up in the next month, taking a look at the cumulative roster, putting this whole thing together, talking about

what each guy can do for this roster. Exciting times ahead, and if you want to catch all ten of these interviews with the dolphins new free agent signings, go ahead and subscribe to the podcast on Apple, podcast, Google, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast from. Go ahead and leave us a rating, leave us a review, and give me a follow. On Twitter, it's at Wingfield, NFL. Follow the

Dolphins at Miami Dolphins. Check out the fish Tank podcast with o J McDuffie and Seth Levitt, and of course, the Audible podcast with kim Bo Camper and John con Jemmy Miami Dolphins dot Com for everything Miami Dolphins. Until next time, fins up