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MIAMI
GARDENS — Miami Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley met with reporters Tuesday (Sept. 1), a day after the team claimed seven players off the waiver wire.
Highlights:
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- Hafley said he has seen the three DBs who claimed off waivers on tape and is excited to see them on the practice field today. They are Marcellas Dial of New England, Reese Taylor of Denver and Julius Wood of Dallas. "I'll have a much better picture of all these guys once we get out on the field."
- On how captains are chosen: "It's important for everyone involved to have a vote in that, certainly starting with the players," he said. "We'll do that Thursday."
- On Kenneth Grant, who's on injured reserve: Hafley said he's "hopeful" he'll be able to play after a month.
- On all the new faces: "We've got a bunch of guys we've got to get up to speed and I think that's exciting."
- Hafley said the Dolphins brought in Kyle McCord to back up Malik Willis, with Brady Cook to be QB3. So don't expect a competition between McCord and Cook.
- Hafley will be the coach calling in plays to Jacob Rodriguez, the linebacker who will wear the green dot. "He's very mature and he's a guy who became, very quickly, a pro," Hafley said. Rodriguez is doing many things that it takes veterans time to figure out. "Those are things off the field. Once you get on the field, he's got a great presence to him." But Hafley reminds everyone Rodriguez is a rookie and some rookie moments are still to be expected.
- Hafley said he thinks "everybody has misconstrued" the big picture because the team is so young. He said it's still with winning in mind.
- On LB Tyrel Dodson, who was released: "I have a lot of respect for T-Dod and I wish him the best as he goes." Hafley declined to say why Dodson wasn't retained as a backup.
Hal Habib covers the Miami Dolphins for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at HHabib@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Jeff Hafley on vet mentality of rookie Jacob Rodriguez
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