Phinatics.com - Interviews

Randy McMichael

Randy McMichel is the starting TE for the Miami Dolphins. Randy played college football for the University of Georgia and
was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2002 (A 4th round steal). This interview was conducted on July 8th, 2006.

Phinatics.com gives Randy McMichael a special "THANK YOU" for his participation.

phinatics.com: Please tell us a little bit about your Foundation.
Randy McMichael: It's the Randy McMichael Foundation. Basically, we are just doing it for the betterment of children. Trying to get them out of the house Getting them out here in the park. Getting them playing baseball, football, basketball ... just trying to get them off the couch ... leave the videos game alone and do something positive with their life.

phinatics.com: I understand your Foundation will be hosting a bowling tournament this year.
Randy McMichael: The bowling tournament September 18th is going down! All my guys will come out. Everybody swears they can bowl, so we are going out there and find out. Right now we are trying to think of a theme also. Cawanna is thinking like an 80's theme, maybe, but we are really still working on a theme for it. It's going to be wild.

phinatics.com: Why do you wear the no. 81?
Randy McMichael: Because they gave it to me.

phinatics.com: Do you think the turning point for the team last season was the Browns game or the Bills game?
Randy McMichael: The Browns game because that's when we got serious. That was the worst game I played in my life --- a lot of our players' worst game. When we got on that airplane ---- I've never been on an airplane that was that quiet. It was unbelievable how quiet it was --- nobody said anything, nobody was joking, everybody was mad. And, that next Wednesday at practice during the inside drill, we were knocking each other out! You know what I'm saying? And then that Buffalo game, that 4th quarter, that is when we became a team. That's when everything that Nick Saban taught us came to fruition - - - that 4th quarter.

phinatics.com: There was a lot of hooplah in the media about Coach Saban's comments after that Browns game. Do you think it was blown out of proportion? What's your personal take on those comments?
Randy McMichael: It got blown out of proportion. He told us in a meeting before he told the media what he said. That's what he believes in. It's not about the scoreboard, it's about the results, and you getting better. But, of course the media, they hate him anyway, so they had to blow it all up. When he came to us afterward, we were like, we know what you said --- we know what you meant because you told us right before you went to them. So, it was all good.

phinatics.com: Are you the most competitive guy on the team?
Randy McMichael: Yes, without a doubt. I think me and probably JT. Me and him go back and forth at each other. He's like one of those guys - - - JT has to win everything. That's why I love going against him. He is the best Defensive End in football. He's one of the best players to work against because he's the best.

phinatics.com: How would you compare Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey's offense to Scott Linehan's? Is it really going to be the same?
Randy McMichael: We are going to keep it the same, but Coach Mularkey is bringing some of his wrinkles into it. Good wrinkles, buddy. Yeah, good wrinkles --- good wrinkles, good stuff.

phinatics.com: Why do you think you became such a better blocker last season?
Randy McMichael: Because of Coach Houck and Coach Dooley. Definitely. I'm not on Special Teams, so during the Special Teams drills I'd just be over there throwing the ball with Chris. Now, Coach Houck makes me come down there with him to the heat - - - that's what we call the O-line corner, the heat. He'll make me come down there and work on my blocking, work on my technique. And, Coach Dooley, before practice, after practice, he's always working with me on my technique. And then being in that weight room, getting stronger in my upper body and lower body, that was the turning point for me right there.

phinatics.com: You like having a Dooley coaching you, don't you?
Randy McMichael: Hey man, great things happen when you have Dooleys.

phinatics.com: What about Culpepper? How is he looking for you?
Randy McMichael: You know what? It's going to be special. It's going to be a special year to have a Quarterback like him with the people that we have. People like me, Chris, Marty, Ronnie, the O-line, Wes Welker, I could go on, Derek Hagan, Kelly Campbell, all of us. With the ability that we have, to have a Quarterback that can avoid sacks, and all we gotta do is keep running and throw our hands up. The man can throw it 70 yards running to his left. So, all we have to do is stay alive; we don't have to worry about Daunte, so it's exciting, really exciting.

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