Transcript: DE Olivier Vernon

Defensive End Olivier Vernon

June 13, 2017

Q: How important was it to be in here for the mandatory minicamp?

A: It's a great opportunity to come back with the team and get better, work with them and keep things moving forward.

Q: How much does this weather help simulate the weather in Miami?

A: I was wearing these [clothing] down in Miami, so I was able to bring these back up here. It wasn't as hot last week when I came up, but it's good that it’s spring over here. I’m just glad to be back with my teammates.

Q: What did your offseason look like?

A: Just working out, training, just trying to get better. I know these guys were grinding out here, so I was trying to grind the same way.

Q: Were you working on anything in particular?

A: Doing the same thing I've been doing every year, just trying to get better.

Q: You have new teammates on the d-line. How did it feel to get to know them a little bit?

A: At the end of the day, we have to get in pads. That's when things really get rolling and you could really get a sense of the guys that you have around you and you start gelling together.

Q: Do you like what you see out them so far?

A: Yes. I see a lot of young talent out there right now getting after it. It's refreshing.

Q: What was your reaction knowing that JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] resigned with the team?

A: I was just as happy as him. We had a great run, and we both played good on the field and I'm happy that he's still here. I kept telling him before the season, that he wasn't going to go anywhere, so it came to fruition.

Q: What is the advantage to working on your own as opposed to working here?

A: It was something I was always doing even when I was with the Dolphins. I just wanted to stick to it. If it isn’t broke, then I’m not fixing it. I just wanted to do.

Q: How much better will you be this year, assuming that your hand holds up?

A: The main thing is staying healthy. Just trying to stay healthy, being out there on the field with my teammates. We'll just go from there.

Q: Did we get a look at that towards the end of the season?

A: I started feeling better towards the end of the season but that's football at the end of the day. You're going to get banged up, so you just got to keep going and fight through.

Q: How important is it for continuity and chemistry on the defense?

A: It’s great. When you're trying to build something, you want to keep everybody together for the most part. We got a lot of guys right now that saw what we could do last year. Right now, it's all new and fresh. Everything that we did last year, is on the back burner now. It's a whole new grind. Everybody has to prove themselves once again.

Q: Is there anything you missed?

A: There's probably going to be tweaks here and there. You can’t come into the season with the same stuff, so it's just something that I've been working on while I was down in Miami. [I was] Keeping up to date with the coaches, but right now it's just getting on the field and building from there.

Q: Is this regime that you do something that you've done throughout your career?

A: Yes it is.

Q: As a young player, was it harder to make that decision?

A: Honestly, it's different. I never thought I was going to be on a different team, so I had the luxury of being in Miami, where I was from, and being around people that I've known and just be close to home. So, now it's a little different, but it's me and my personal preference. Whatever somebody else does, is on them.

Q: How much did you talk to Coach [Patrick] Graham? Did he tell you the new things that they're trying to do?

A: We basically spoke every day, keeping me up to date with what was going on.

Q: Every day?

A: Pretty much.

Q: Was it by phone or through text messages?

A: Text messages.

Q: Did you tell [Head Coach] Ben [McAdoo] that you weren't going to be there for the voluntary stuff?

A: We spoke. We spoke before everything initially started. So, that's what it was.

Q: What do you think this team could be when you look at all the additions both defensively and offensively?

A: On paper, it looks good. But as far as what I see, as far as the leadership, guys being more vocal. Which we had vocal guys last year, but just adding to it. We got a lot of potential, but once again, you still got to prove yourself when you get on the field. I feel like this team is ready to prove themselves.