During the second in a series of special “Inside The Huddle” conference calls, Dolphins players fielded a variety questions for over thirty minutes from Dolphins Season Ticket Members and other select fans about the upcoming 2013 season. Check out some of the comments from Brian Hartline, Austin Spitler and Jason Trusnik when asked about Ryan Tannehill, the offseason changes and more.
(On the team’s logo and uniform evolution)
Brian Hartline: ”I love it. I hate to admit to a lot of the fans out there, but I was not a huge Dolphins fan growing up so with all due respect I didn’t have a huge tie to (the old logo). I think (the new logo) is much more Miami, the colors more specifically are awesome, I love the way they kind of went to a lighter color scheme. They really took the input of guys like Dan Marino, Don Shula, (Bob) Griese, and Jason Taylor so if (the logo and uniforms) are good enough for them, they’re good enough for me. I love the way the uniforms are too, love the colors and the logo, and I look forward to putting it on this season.”
(On Ryan Tannehill)
Brian Hartline: (Tannehill) is just a competitive guy. People were really not noticing how much he improved throughout (2012). So really he just continued that progression throughout the entire offseason working with some different guys- some guys that have played, some coaching. He came into camp and OTAs ready to go. We had a chance to get some work in before OTAs started, and it continued through OTAs. He’s really just taken a huge step; I mean everyone said, all the quote unquote experts say that there’s a big jump for a lot of guys from year one to year two and with Ryan I fully expect it. I think at this point he’s focusing on taking it one day at a time, understanding that he’s has to go through all of (training) camp and get into the season and play through the whole season, so there’s a lot of football to go to get evaluated on. But I couldn’t ask for more, he’s making every throw, his deep ball looks awesome, intermediate ball is great, he has great touch, you don’t feel like it’s a rocket coming into your hands. His improvement has been amazing…. (actually) I wouldn’t say his improvement has been amazing because I’ve seen it week in and week out how much hard work he’s put in, it didn’t come out of nowhere but it’s not surprising.
(On the team investing heavily in free agents during the offseason)
Austin Spitler: “This offseason, in particular, was very exciting for us. It’s always good to go out there and get the best players available and create as much competition as possible. The competition will bring the best out in one another, and hopefully form a team that’s capable of going out there and getting to the playoffs and winning the Super Bowl.”
(To Hartline on his goals for 2013)/
Brian Hartline: “My goals haven’t changed a whole lot. As a personal goal, which I assume you’re referring to, I always want to be a 1,000-yard receiver. Obviously I want to score more touchdowns for the team. But, overall, (I’ve) identified continued success and taking the next step. I want to be a leader on the team, I want us to win more games, I want us to be a playoff team and I want us to compete for the division year in and year out. If that can happen, all the stats and numbers can go by the wayside because everyone is defined, especially the starters, in this league (by) how many games you win year in and year out (and) how many championships you win. If you can start chasing those down and getting closer to those things and winning some along way, (then) life changes on you very quickly.”
(On the differences from 2012)
Austin Spitler: “The team is different as a whole. I feel much closer to the guys, it feels more like a team than what it has in the past. I’ve never been anywhere else (as a pro), but I feel like we have one of the hardest-working teams that you could possibly have. We go out there, nobody complains, we’re really cohesive as a unit now, on defense specifically. We’re just pulling things together; it feels good to be a team now.”
Jason Trusnik: “I think also it’s the second year with this coaching staff. The second year Coach Philbin’s been here, Coach Sherman on the offense and Coach Coyle on the defense. So now you have guys that have been in the system and they’re getting used to defense, they’re getting used to the offense, things like that. And (we) know how Coach Philbin works. So I think with all of that, everyone can play a little bit faster, play a little more physical and get things done more efficient now that they know the system their in, they know how practice is going to work. I think when you have a group of guys that are working in unison, things are a lot better.”
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