Miami Dolphins 2009

MIAMI (CBS4) ― QB Chad Pennington
(On how it feels to be back on the field) – "It's always fun to get out on the field with your teammates. We have been working extremely hard in our off-season program. Guys have worked extremely hard in the weight room and out here on the field conditioning. The next step is to work on some football and really hone or skills with our system and really get things better with the little things within our system."

(On if he expects eyes to be on the defense with the new signings and take pressure off the offense) – "We are excited about what happened in the offseason with all the new faces that we have in free agency and with the draft. We are excited to bring all of these guys in and that is why every year is different. What we did in 2008 has no bearing in 2009. We have a big challenge ahead of us; to learn each other and to build team chemistry and to work together."

(On how he feels that Jason Taylor will not be chasing after him this season) – "It's a little bit of a relief for me. I have had him on my backside for eight-nine years now. I had to deal with him twice a year and it wasn't a lot of fun. We are excited to bring him in, I know he is excited to be here in South Florida again and it just feels right."

(On his initial thoughts on the rookies) – "You can see their eyes are extremely big. They have a sheepish look on their face. A lot of information is being thrown at them, but they are working extremely hard. They really are and they are coming out here and being productive and every day something new is being thrown at them. Coach Sparano has been on us veterans to bring the young guys along and do what we need to do share our experiences with him."

(On if he had any reactions to the Ronnie Brown trade rumors) – "Not really. There is a business side of the NFL. I think we all know that. I have learned that through my years. If you are a young player, you learn that the hard way sometimes. What you have to understand is that you can't take business decisions and business speculation personal. You have to understand that organizations are going to look at every avenue and as a player you have to look at every avenue and present yourself the right way and make sure you are ready to go."

(On more thoughts on Jason Taylor) – "On the first day, he was walking into the locker room and I was walking out of the locker room. It was a different feeling for me, because he is normally the enemy. So with him being a teammate now; I was really excited to hear the news. I was excited for him and his family. When you bring in vets like that, as an older player you understand that the time is now. The future is now and it makes you want to play even harder and do even better to win a championship because of guys like that that have been around for a long time."

(On if there were any smart aleck exchanges when he met Taylor) – "No, not at all. It was a time to catch up. I have been able to see his family around when he was playing in Washington. Our kids were at T-ball games at the same time, but to be able to have a conversation is nice."

(On if he had a relationship with Taylor before) – "Just when he was on top of me on my back, rubbing my face in the dirt (laughing). That's about it. Jason has always been a guy that plays really hard on the field and is extremely productive. From my experience he was never a trash talker. At least to me. That was more Vonnie (Holiday) and some of those inside interior guys."

(On completion at his position) – "That's every year. That doesn't change. Coach (Sparano) wants us to come out here and compete and make progress. For each individual player, progress is a little bit different. For a younger player, the amount of progress you make from year one to year two is much more substantial than a guy who has been nine years in the league and going into 10. It is much more evident. As individual players, I am in a great situation because I have two guys in Chad (Henne) and Pat (White) who support me and I support them and we are looking to make each other better. There is no controversy. Competition between us is competition within ourselves as personal individuals and as professionals to make each other better and make ourselves better."

(On how it was to start practice) – "It's good. What I am always looking to do is to add different things to my game. To try and get better at the deeper throws and be more consistent throwing the ball down the field. Chad (Henne) and I have worked extremely hard these last two and a half months to increase our accuracy and get our footwork where it needs to be to be more accurate. It's nice to see when that comes to fruition during practice when you are going against the defense."

(On how his personal offseason training helped him) – "This is the second year in a row that I have been able to sit down and develop an 11 month plan and right now I am hitting phase two of the plan. It's nice to be able to not have to go through and offseason with surgery. To be able to go into a season and then an offseason healthy where you can concentrate on getting better as an athlete and your time and energy is not spent trying to get well. You are already out on the field, now you are trying to hone in on your skills. That's really important. It is four years after my second surgery and I keep taking steps to where I want to be as a quarterback."

(On last season) – "It was the most enjoyable year I ever had. Number one because of my teammates and because of the people we have in this organization that truly understand what playing the game of football is all about and how this thing should go. We are definitely not satisfied with what happened because we didn't reach our final goal, but we took a step and like Coach Sparano says, we are not where we are, we are not where we want to be, but thank God we are not where we used to be and that's how we will feel about it."

LB Joey Porter
(On the differences with him and Jason Taylor this year compared to 2007) – "I just think we're in a different defense and a different situation from the first year I came. The first year I came we never really got the chance to get to the type of defense that we thought we both were going to be used. I didn't feel like I was used to help our team get after the quarterback and do what I do best, whereas last year we actually ran a 3-4 defense and I was able to go out there and have a productive season. Now with having Jason back I'm sure the coaches will find ways to put us out there to where we can make plays together."

(On his confidence in the coaches) – "That's their decision. I know they know what he can do best and they know what I can do best and they're going to find ways to make it work, so that's something that's up to the coaches to find that out. I'm just happy to have the guy back because a guy like that causes so many problems. He's a good pass rusher and he's proven that over his career, so...

(On how Taylor looked today) – "He looked the same as he did when he left. It's not like he gained any weight or anything like that. He looked normal. We played golf a couple days ago and had two days of practice so everything seemed the same."

(On how he felt out there and what he looks for in these OTAs) – "Just getting back to the fundamentals and doing the things that got me to where I was at last year. The whole time up until now was just working out, working out and running so the first time you get to go out there and actually play some football and going over the defense is nice. Right now for me I'm sharpening up my tools and at the same time trying to just help the young guys learn the defense. With so many guys out there you're going to be limited in your reps, so me being a veteran on this defense I have to try to teach the young guys and tell them where they need to be and how to play the position."

(On having someone with Taylor's experience back) – "I think it's going to help. Whenever you have a guy like Jason that's helping a young guy you can't do anything but pay attention to him. He's been around this block before and this is a guy who has over 100 sacks so if he's giving you a tip or something on how to beat a guy you have to listen. It will be to your benefit to pay attention to what he has to say so they don't have to look to me for all the answers. They have a guy who has way more sense than me in the same room so the advice that he gives them, I think they would be smart to take that advice and listen to him."

(On if he's open to tweaking his own role) – "Nothing has changed so that's up to the coaches, but like I said, when it comes to that that's something I'll never have control over anyway so we'll play it out how it goes. I feel comfortable where they feel comfortable with how I play and I think they'll do what they feel is needed to help the team and put me and him in whatever position they think will help us do it and I know it will work out perfectly."

(On if they won his trust last year) – "I think the way the season went last year, I think I've earned my spot, but at the same time I'm never naïve to the situation of competition." and as productive as I was I think I've earned my spot, but at the same time I'm never naïve to the situation of competition. Each year you come out there's competition so you've got to compete every year you come out here and I look forward to a challenge every time I step out on a football field."

(On what the problem was two years ago) – "It just was a different defense. That's two years ago. I really don't like to keep bringing up that so much. This is a different defense. If you watch football obviously I wasn't in a position to go out there and do what I do best. To where a year ago I was more productive having been in the comfortable position I'd been in playing in my whole career."

(On if Taylor is working on strong side) –"Right now we're just doing practice, OTAs, there's nothing in concrete. Matt (Roth) and me are still out there. I know no plans on what's going to happen in the future. I just know that we got a guy that can help is back on the team and the situation the coaches want to put him in, that will be a decision the coaches make.

(On how hard he pushed for Taylor's return) – I did my little interview. But at the same time, I'll never really have a big influence on any decisions this organization makes. Nobody is going to be in the War Room when they're doing their drafting. No one is going to be there when they're doing their contract signing. How I feel, what we say really doesn't go too far. My opinion is just my opinion."

(On what he sees from the linebackers) –"Cameron Wake brings a lot of sacks during his career. Matt (Roth) is just getting going and he's starting to feel comfortable. Jason's career his career, my career is my career. I think we'll have a lot of opportunities to go out there and do things the right way. It's a long season and right now we're talking about Day 2 of OTAs. When we get to July and start game planning in September, then we'll have a feel of where we're heading for the season."

(On his thoughts on Taylor's salary) – "That was just a guy that really wants to come back because he knows his worth. It was shocking, but at the same time when a guy really wants to be there, where his heart is at, back in Miami. He wanted to come back home where he started his career. For him taking that salary proves that. I'm pretty sure he left money on the table out there with other teams. But if you're not going to be happy, why go through that again?

(On his health after being injured the past two off-seasons) – "I feel good. I've been out here since March doing all the things I need to do to get myself ready for a football season. To this point, I feel pretty good. I think I've been ahead of schedule on that. Knock on wood everything goes the same way. This is just the start of it. We have a long way to go."

LB Jason Taylor
(On if he feels like he's been away for a year) -- "I was away for a year. It felt about five years to be honest. It was an interesting learning experience."

(On why it felt like five years) -- "It was a long year. Injuries. Being away, it snows in D.C. A lot of things you know. Being away from people I'm comfortable with and people I love being around and love period. It was a transition."

(On how the team has changed since last year) -- "Well when you play pro football, one year is a long time. You only have a certain number of years to play the game and the average in this sport is a couple of years. So one year could be a lot and no matter is you're a 12 year vet or a one year guy. So it was a long year being away trying to learn a new system and trying to learn it in a matter of weeks before you kick the thing off. You know like you said there's a lot of faces around here have changed, but the logos still the same. It's still the Miami Dolphins. It is still bigger than everybody in the building and it is still where I love to be and the team I've always loved and the team that's given me the first chance to play in this league. So I obviously owe them a lot."

(On what he got out of the first two practices) -- "Number one, learning the new system. Football is football and I've played for a long time. Once I've learned the system and get comfortable doing it, it would be a little bit easier for me. Right now it is new terminology. Kind of a new position. A lot of similarities with what we did when (Nick) Saban was here; a lot of moving around and standing up and a bit more coverage things now. Basically, I am just trying to try to get comfortable."

(On what it was like walking in the building and if he was anxious) -- "No, it wasn't like the first day of school when you got to a new school because there were some familiar faces in there. Guys that I talk to on a regular basis and saw a lot. There would work out in the morning and I'd see them on the golf course or go out fishing with the guys. So I did see them a lot. There were a lot of faces that I didn't know and I had to walk around and say hello. Some of the young guys knew of me but hadn't met me yet. It was cool to meet those guys and some guys make me feel cool sometimes."

(On why he gave up nearly seven million dollars to sign with Miami) -- "It's where I wanted to be. This is home. My heart was always here. I know people talk about because you're 11-5 he wants to come back now and all that. It doesn't mean anything. There are no guarantees in this league. If you want to take the chances you can, there's no guarantees you're going to win it. At the end of the day you need to be where you're going to be happy. Where feel you fit is the best opportunity to be successful. I never thought I had that opportunity in D.C. and for all the things they did well for me and Mr. Snyder was great to work with. They tried their hardest and I tried very hard for them. But it wasn't a good fit. And it wasn't fair to them and it wasn't fair to me. It wasn't fair to their fans to try to force the issue when everybody knows; everybody should know I'm not a left end. I'm not a five technique left end and that just something I do well and this is home."

(On if he had to swallow his ego to return to Miami) -- "If I had an ego I'd be making a heck of a lot more money in D.C. right now. We all have an ego. Every athlete on the face of the earth has an ego. Especially the good ones. That's what makes you good. Because you have an ego, but there also comes a point in time where you can step away from that ego and make the right decision for yourself. Whether it be business wise, personally, whatever it is. If it were all about ego I wouldn't be here. I'd be making more money somewhere else. It wasn't about that."

(On when he knew he wanted to come back) -- "I don't want to slight the Redskins in any way. There were a few guys that I was close to on the team up there that knew where I was throughout the whole process. From the minute I got in the plane here to go to DC last year. So I'll leave it at that."

(On if he had to clear the air with the Dolphins to return) -- "There was no air to clear, really. Coach (Tony) Sparano and I have talked since the day he got hired. The day he got hired a year, whatever it was, a year and half ago now I was in his office talking to him. And we've talked a lot since then. There was no air to clear. The drama became more and more through people speculating and making stuff up. Talking and hidden sources and all this stuff and they're just growing and turning into a mushroom cloud. There was none of that. You know I saw Coach (Bill) Parcells last year on the bye week. I was here and we were at the golf course together. It was like two football guys sitting and talking. There were no hard feelings. There was no animosity. And I said last year whatever's best for the Dolphins. You think it's best for the Dolphins to trade a 33-year old to get two draft picks and save a lot of money. You're darn right it is."

(On his relationship with Bill Parcells) -- "I have no problem with him at all. I talked to him the last couple of days and after OTAs we may hit the golf balls or something. There's no problem with me and Bill Parcells. Everyone wants to make this an issue. You turn on the TV, that's why I try to stay away from the TV and the radio and for some reason I'm a sucker for punishment and I turn it on (laughing). It's amazing some of things that are said and the perception out there that I and Bill were going to go to blows one day (laughing). It couldn't be further from the truth."

(On how hard the New England Patriots came after him) -- "I know Mr. Kraft made a comment and we talked. There was talking. I'll leave it at that. I am obviously flattered by the interest that the Patriots and all the other teams that had interest in me and they're belief that I could still play because a lot of people that said a lot of things. I appreciated that overture and the respect that those guys paid. I obviously wish them the best except for twice a year."

(On how he has been able to forge a good relationship with Tony Sparano) -- "I think if you sit down and we are open and honest. Man to man we'll sit and he'll tell me how he feels and what he thinks and what he wants and what his philosophy is and I can speak very candidly to him and tell him how I think, how I feel, how and my approach on certain things. That open, honest, face to face communication is the way it could be done in any walk of life and any business. Any sport, marriage; whatever it may be. So I think that was the genesis of our good relationship and we continued to talk over the year. And I told Tony last year when I was in LA that I wanted to play for him. I told him when I got traded that I wanted to play for him. I told him throughout the season. I know there was sort of an issue where you can't really talk and all that stuff but I would congratulate the guys here and they knew how I felt about Tony and the team. That didn't change when I got released."

(On how he can co-exist with Joey Porter) -- "You know what. And I know Joey would agree with this. Joey Porter's not a left end either and neither of us would be an end in this defense. So when Joey first came in here with the idea of us playing on opposite sides and be able to put pressure on the quarterback. Joey was asked to do a lot of things that he wasn't told about at the very beginning. He was down in a three point stance on tight ends and all that. That's not what he does and that's not what the package was supposed to be. So for whatever reason our defense changed in '07 and we started doing things a little differently and moving around a lot less and not taking advantage of match-ups and that's no slight against anybody that was here coaching wise here. But that's the facts. And obviously Joey won't be lining up at end and I won't be lining up at end. This is a true 3-4. When we get down getting after the quarterback it will be a little different. It's not being inside of tight ends banging tight ends as a defensive end."

(On if coaching will be the major difference in where he and Porter line up on the field) – "Schematically we won't be called to do that. Someone has to play on the left. Someone has to play on the right. That may change from time to time. It may not. But at the end of the day you are on the edge and you are in space and do what you do best. You are not sitting in a phone booth trying to fight two guys."

(On when he got the phone call saying he was signed and what he told his wife) – "I told her obviously before I signed. We talked about it. She knew what I wanted to do. She knew all year where my heart was and what I wanted to do and how I wanted to be closer to home and be with the family and all that stuff. So it was no surprise to her."

(On how he can describe the happiness of being back) – "I'm happy to be back and work. I wanted this to be done before the off season program started. I wanted to be here from day one to get myself ready go. And sometimes things don't always work when you're sidelined but at the end of the day all is well that ends well. I'm here and I get to work."

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