On the defensive tackles and the interior of the defensive line:
“We’re pushing them hard for toughness. I think the addition of Damione Lewis, in combination with Jason Taylor, they’re getting after those guys really good. We want physicality. We want guys using their hands and striking. Block destruction, that’s always been a big part of our operation. We see improvement there. We do. And now, we’ve got to learn how to chase the ball down on a consistent basis. We’ve got to learn ball disruption on a down-by-down basis. Schematically, we are … it’s designed to allow the big guys to play heavy, to play fast, and to play up the field, to play vertical, really cut loose our ability. So, we have seen a lot of progress in that department, and we are going to test them. We’ve got a big week coming up with what we’re going to install, and how we’re going to come at them and we’re going to come at them really, really hard this week.”
Offensive lineman Markel Bell:
On the experience he gained last season:
“I’d most definitely say that the reps I did get last year, [they were] very impactful and I tried to take advantage of any rep I that I did get. I’m so grateful that I did get those reps because now it’s setting me up for me taking on this new job that I have as the starting left tackle.”
On what he learned from former Hurricanes offensive lineman Jalen Rivers:
“One thing I learned from Jalen Rivers is just being patient and trusting your technique because we practice for two hours a day and all those hours build up. … You don’t want to practice all throughout the week and then when you get to the game, forget everything. So, just trust your technique and trust who you are.”
Defensive lineman David Blay, Jr.
On what has stood out to him during his first weeks at Miami:
“My coaches. I’d say they’re very detail oriented. Coach [Damione Lewis], I love the way he coaches. I love his style of coaching, and it really motivates me to come to practice every day and do things earlier or later. I’m trying to really get into the groove of doing that so I can do nothing but [speak] positively on that.”
On his fellow defensive linemen and the offensive line he faces daily in practice:
“Oh, those are some guys, for sure. I’m not going to lie. They’re some guys. It’s good competition. Everybody’s working and [trying to] outwork each other, but we’re all getting better every day.”
On the…
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