Phinatics.com

Trent Gamble
10/22/01

Trent Gamble is a special teams standout and safety for the Miami Dolphins. Trent played college football for Wyoming and was picked up as a free agent to play for the NFL Miami Dolphins in 2000. Trent started his Dolphins career off right by recovering a fumble in his very first NFL game and he has been a solid performer ever since. Unfortunately, he will will be on injured reserve for the rest of the 2001 season, but he plans to be back to 100% for the 2002 mini-camps.

Phinatics.com gives Trent Gamble a special "THANK YOU" for his participation.

Thanks also goes out to phinatics Danny Nelson and Chris Nelson for their question contributions.

phinatics.com: Trent, you have a great story. You were a 5-9, 195 pound relatively unknown player out of college who became the only undrafted rookie free agent to make the opening day roster in 2000. Who was responsible for making sure you got a look from the Dolphins back then?
Trent Gamble: My agent...as a free agent that’s the biggest thing. If you’re drafted, you automatically go to the team to get your contract signed compared to what everyone else does. As a free agent that’s the biggest thing; I had 5 or 6 teams to choose from, and having an agent and discussing with him the best situation for making a team.

phinatics.com: So you had a chance to look at 5 or 6 teams and you just picked the Dolphins?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, it just seemed like the best situation...the best in terms of looking at special teams. They had a good special teams coach and they like keeping young guys, and it seemed like a good year.

phinatics.com: So you knew you were going to be mostly special teams?
Trent Gamble: I knew it coming in--I’d have to make special teams.

phinatics.com: When it was approaching final cuts in a very competitive roster battle of 2000, what were you thinking about your chances to play for the Miami Dolphins?
Trent Gamble: Well, that last game going to New Orleans I knew I was going to have to play all the special teams I could play. All the defense too. You know I really had nothing to lose--I just went out and that's one of the funnest games I've had actually playing football. I played probably 80 snaps, but I had a good time. I was out there having fun, so it just didn't matter.

phinatics.com: So, you felt good after that game?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, I felt good after that game.

phinatics.com: You played safety your first 3 years in college and started 3 times. Your senior year they moved you to the cornerback position and you started all 11 games finishing as a first team All-Mountain Conference selection. How shocking was it when the Dolphin coaches decided they wanted you to be a safety, and did you look at it as a good or bad thing?
Trent Gamble: I had been a safety 4 years in college and moved to cornerback to do what was best for the team, and it actually ended up working out for versatility. I'm glad they moved me to safety because I was actually more comfortable playing safety, and I also did my role in special teams and nick and dime being the biggest thing.

phinatics.com: You grew up in Colorado and went to college in Wyoming. What was the adjustment like for you when you started practicing in blazing hot South Florida?
Trent Gamble: I really did have a tough time adjusting. Putting the pads on the first time, the heat pretty much drained me. I thought I was going to die on the first two days of training camp.

phinatics.com: Did you ever have to get on IV's?
Trent Gamble: No, never IV's, I was pretty close--I thought I was going to pass out from heat stroke. It was awful, but I am used to it now.

phinatics.com: So you just get used to it?
Trent Gamble: Well, not completely.

phinatics.com: Do you think it gives the Dolphins an edge for homes games at the first part of the season?
Trent Gamble: Oh definitely. Teams come down and they just wilt first and second quarter.

phinatics.com: Any particular reason you wear the #42?
Trent Gamble: No, actually when I got in a lot of the numbers were taken and that just seemed like on of the best ones.

phinatics.com: What number did you wear in college?
Trent Gamble: 20.

phinatics.com: Who had that number when you came in?
Trent Gamble: Safety from Alabama last year (Kevin Sigler).

phinatics.com: The surgery that you're having tomorrow is on the opposite shoulder of the one that was hurt before, correct?
Trent Gamble: Yes.

phinatics.com: How is the originally injured shoulder, is it completely healed?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, I actually had surgery in January on my right shoulder and then about a month and a half ago I had it cleaned out again because I had some loose bodies floating around...some porcelain or some anchors were broken and that's cleaned out and, yeah, it's healthy now.

phinatics.com: So with this injury you are going to be out about 4 months and you'll be back by mini-camps?
Trent Gamble: Hopefully mini-camps and go through that and then be ready to go for training camp.

phinatics.com: Who determines if you are ready to come back or not?
Trent Gamble: The doctor, Dr. Andrews.

phinatics.com: What about anybody on the Dolphins staff?
Trent Gamble: They will confer with each other. I'm going to have to come back and do a check up visit in a few months and see how it's feeling, and they will recommend when I can start practicing and when I can start having contact.

phinatics.com: Do you do rehab with John Gamble?
Trent Gamble: John Gamble and Kevin O'Neil and that whole staff there.

phinatics.com: How difficult will it be not getting to play? Will you watch the games and do you watch other teams play on TV?
Trent Gamble: I hate watching my team play, you know, I miss it. I want to be out there and help the team and be a part of the team--that's the toughest thing--just having to sit watch. I am a football fan, so I'll watch other games as well.

phinatics.com: Did you always want to play in the NFL, and what drove you to defy the odds and make it?
Trent Gamble: Yes, I've always wanted to play in the NFL since I can remember.   I feel fortunate to have the opportunities through high school and then go Division 1 in Wyoming and then get a shot to go to the Dolphins...I just feel blessed.

phinatics.com: Any particular players you liked especially or anyone you tried to emulate when you played ball?
Trent Gamble: Growing up in Colorado, I always liked John Elway. As a safety I liked Steve Atwater and Dennis Smith; I always liked watching those guys.

phinatics.com: Who do you think is the best safety in the NFL?
Trent Gamble: That's a good question. The only two safeties I've really seen play and got to watch are Brian and Brock. Going from last year, both of them could have gone to the Pro Bowl and Brock did.

phinatics.com: Brock Marion has been in the league a long time. Has he taken any time to try and help you by sharing some of the things he has learned over the years? If yes, can you tell us something he has helped you with?
Trent Gamble: Yes, last year and even this year. I just asked him how he studies the scouting reports of different teams...the way he would do things makes it easier to get a lot of information...of how he'd break it down and mostly just watching knowing what defense we're playing and this and that, and I can sit and watch when he runs support angles or which ways he does things.

phinatics.com: You did well academically in school; did your parents want you to play football or do something in finance?
Trent Gamble: They didn't care, whatever made me happy.

phinatics.com: They are real excited about you playing in the NFL?
Trent Gamble: Oh yeah, very excited.

phinatics.com: Did your dad ever coach you or help push you that way?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, he coached me 5th and 6th grade and he played ball at CU for a year and then went in the Army and played there.

phinatics.com: What position did he play?
Trent Gamble: Defensive End.

phinatics.com: You were a running back and punter in that league, right?
Trent Gamble: Yes, when I was younger. I was a running back in high school and a safety.

phinatics.com: And a punter?
Trent Gamble: I was a punter all the way through high school. And I was a returner...I returned all the punts and kickoffs. Those were the days.

phinatics.com: What gives you the best feeling during a game?
Trent Gamble: A good hit, I'd have to say...getting a good stick. I had a good hit against Tampa Bay this pre-season that felt pretty good.

phinatics.com: Do you remember who it was?
Trent Gamble: It was Jacquez Green.

phinatics.com: Tell us about what it was like for you to recover a fumbled punt in your very first NFL game?
Trent Gamble: It was exciting. I was actually dead tired, and I just fell on it and somebody fell on top of me. It just kind of fell right to me. It was exciting to make a good play.

phinatics.com: When you have been injury free you have been arguably the teams most productive performer on special teams.   We know you are fast, but you still have to be able to get around defenders when pursuing a kick/punt returner. How are you able to consistently be the first man down the field?
Trent Gamble: I'm so competitive, I hate to lose at anything. Whether it's a punt or anything. If I'm blocking somebody-- one on one, one on two--I don't want to lose. I kind of see it like that every play, each play of special teams you have one play and that's it.

phinatics.com: Do teams sometimes put two players on you now?
Trent Gamble: Like if we're in the double vice in a punt, you sometimes have two guys out there.

phinatics.com: Do you have any kind of special technique or anything different you're doing to get around them or do you just go for it?
Trent Gamble: Just go 100 miles an hour and don't stop.

phinatics.com: You’ve mainly been recognized for your outstanding ST play. How do you rate yourself on the times you have been able to play safety?
Trent Gamble: The only time I've played safety has been in the pre-season, and I have had to prove myself as a backup. You can't just be a special teams player...you have to prove yourself as a backup in the nick and dime. You know, I feel fortunate to be able to learn from guys like Brock and Brian...to be behind them and see the kinds of things they do. I haven't really got on the field in the regular season when it really counts.

phinatics.com: You've played as a defensive back in the regular season though, right?
Trent Gamble: That's in the nick spot.

phinatics.com: What about that?
Trent Gamble: It's a tough position to learn. It takes some time to learn the technique and play, but this year I felt more comfortable than last year. It's one of those things you just keep doing and doing and getting better at.

phinatics.com: Mike Westhoff was your first special teams coach with the Dolphins. After a successful season and over a decade of service to the Dolphins, Coach Wannstedt fired Westhoff. The media stories claimed that Westhoff was possibly trying to undermine Coach DW. Do you agree with that assessment, why or why not?
Trent Gamble: I really have no idea. That is the first time I have actually heard something like that. That's interesting...I don't know.   I know Coach Westhoff was a great coach, and I'm glad I had a chance to work with him. Keith Armstrong is also a good coach, and I feel fortunate to work with both of them.

phinatics.com: So you never saw any situations between Coach Westhoff and Coach Wannstedt?
Trent Gamble: No, if there were problems, they didn't show it to the team.

phinatics.com: What are some of the changes you’ve seen since Keith Armstrong took over as ST coach?
Trent Gamble: They're similar in the way they coach. They are both very good, a little difference but still the same mentality --- attacking and the attitude that we have a great special teams unit that should go far every week.

phinatics.com: Any Coach Wannstedt stories you can share with us Dolfans?
Trent Gamble: In terms of stories, I can't think of any right now but in terms of trademarks, he's a hands-on coach. He talks to the players...he gets involved in things. He likes to know what's going on... he communicates everything. If there is a problem he is going to talk about it and clear the air at the next meeting, which I think is important.

phinatics.com: What kind of reaction did he have after the Monday night Jets game last year, what did he say and do to help contribute to the fact that you just kept winning after that game and didn't let it ruin you like it would a lot of teams?
Trent Gamble: He really stressed the point of why we lost. We had some turnovers and penalties and that really contributed to us losing that game, and it was also a test for us. If we are going to be a good team, we are going to get tested. For us to come back from a loss like that, and then be down 17-0 at Green Bay and come back and win, really proved that we had a good team and we could do some things. That was his biggest thing, you know this is a trial right now and how are we going to react to this adversity and get over it, and we ended up doing pretty well.

phinatics.com: What do you think caused the unusual play in the last two Jets games and the most recent Rams game. You have three games where a really good defense has some problems towards the end...what do you think causes that?
Trent Gamble: I think the Rams game they made some unreal plays--you saw those plays Kurt Warner made--he was so hot he could have closed his eyes and it wouldn't have mattered. And if it wasn't for that touchdown before halftime, it would have been 14-10. They just had a good day and we didn't. The Jets games...it's hard to say what happens because those two halves were completely lopsided, and they got the momentum. We had some turnovers...we had a turnover in our red zone and when that happens the momentum starts swinging and things can start going wrong.

phinatics.com: It seems like a lot of times when there is a big momentum shift, the team seems to lose confidence . . .
Trent Gamble: Focus.

phinatics.com: Yeah, focus. What can a coach or a team do to change that because there is going to be another time when the Dolphins are in a close game and an interception for a touchdown happens, or a fumble on the 1 yard line...those things are going to happen. What can coaches and players do not to psyche themselves out in situations like that where they struggle or lose focus in the second half, or the fourth quarter, or even the last few minutes?
Trent Gamble: Well, as defensive backs, they say we basically have to have amnesia...you know have a short memory...and it doesn't matter what the crowd's doing or what they're doing--you forget what happened last play and move on. That's the biggest thing if you're thinking, "I messed that play up," and then their crowd's into it and, you know, they get all excited and hyped up, you got to put that aside...it's tough.

phinatics.com: There's been a lot of media hype concerning some reactions after the last Dolphins-Jets game. Zach Thomas upset in the locker room, Sam Madison acting irritated at the media, and Tim Bowens quoted with a lot of bleeps. You can tell it's bothering them --- the questions about the Jets game. When the Dolphins play the Jets next time, do they just forget the previous game or is that really going to be in their mind? Can they completely have amnesia about that game or are they going to be out for revenge, or is it just a regular game?
Trent Gamble: I've only been here a year, but we haven't beaten the Jets in 3 years. And it's tough being down in Florida where there are so many Jets fans--and that's the biggest thing--that's all that's talked about that week. It's obviously on your mind because we see them twice a year, and we haven't beaten them in a while. It's definitely on our mind, but we don't really change what we are going to do--we have to do what we were going to do.

phinatics.com: The Jets, for example, come to town...does the crowd noise or the fans make any kind of impact in big games like that?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, when the home crowd is going crazy, it's awesome. You know, you see the defensive guys dancing around getting the crowd into it and that definitely rattles the offense.

phinatics.com: You only experienced it last year, but do you have any insight on why the Dolphins have had trouble with those last playoff games the past few years? Is it lack of home field advantage?
Trent Gamble:   I don't think it's that...I think it's a part of being completely worn out. Look at that Indy game and the New England game before that --- we had to make comebacks. We gave everything we had in those two games, and when we got to Oakland, we didn't have anything left.

phinatics.com: Zach Thomas went off on the team following the last Jets game, there was a lot of stuff about that in the newspapers. Do you think teams need that sometimes or would you rather it not happen?
Trent Gamble: A lot of guys speak they way they feel in different ways. No one took it personally. Everyone knows that they didn't get it done and it's frustrating when it's the Jets and they've beaten us 7 times in a row. Everybody is as frustrated as Zach is--he just said it out loud, but everybody feels the same way.

phinatics.com: He needed to get it off his chest and everybody seemed OK with that.
Trent Gamble: Well, Zach is a leader of our team and we respect what he says, and he's right.

phinatics.com: Does something like that...Zach stating the obvious...is that a motivator? A team leader like that who usually doesn't say much coming out of nowhere and saying, "Hey we gotta step it up the next game."
Trent Gamble: Yeah, I mean, it's a sense of urgency. It's only the 5th game, but we realize that what we need to do to accomplish our goal to get over a hump...whatever it may take to get past the second round of the playoffs.

phinatics.com: There have been some fan and media grumblings about Sam Madison horsing around with Laveranues Coles after the last Jets game. What's your demeanor after a loss, can you let it go easily or do you take losses real hard?
Trent Gamble: You always take losses hard.   It's important to get a win, especially against big time teams like AFC East and division teams. I didn't really see Sam and Coles, but you know after the game you also see your buddies --- guys you've either played with or you know real well. You know it's disappointing, but it's also good to see your friends. It's hard for me to answer what Sam and Coles were doing.

phinatics.com: What kind of season do you expect the Dolphins to have the rest of this year? Prediction?
Trent Gamble: It's hard to say. We have some tough games and some long road trips, but I think if we stay healthy, I think we'll do pretty good. We've done everything we can in the off-season and now to get past that second round, that's our goal and anything less would not be what we want.

phinatics.com: The Colts have lost twice to the Patriots and y'all beat the Patriots pretty easily. Do you think that's going to be your typical hard game or have the Colts lost it a little bit?
Trent Gamble: The Colts still have one of the best offenses in the league, and it's going to be a tough game like always. We always have a great game with Indianapolis, and I don't think it is going to change.

phinatics.com: Who do you think is your toughest AFC East opponent?
Trent Gamble: Last year New England was the toughest on special teams.

phinatics.com: Any particular individual that has been harder to cover than others or harder to tackle, maybe a bigger challenge than others?
Trent Gamble: Well, in the AFC East, Indianapolis had the best offense last season. You know, covering Marvin Harrison and guys like that are always a great challenge. In Minnesota you have to cover Randy Moss and those guys.

phinatics.com:  What do you do when you have a guy to cover like Randy Moss who is 6'4" and you are 5'9" and you get in a one on one situation?
Trent Gamble: That actually happened in pre-season this year.

phinatics.com: What do you do to stop a guy with that kind of height advantage? What things are going through your head as far as how you can stop that guy?
Trent Gamble: When you play, you don't see it as Randy Moss...you see it as another player you need to stop. You just do everything you do in other plays. You look at his hands and his eyes and fight for the ball--your instincts take over. Learned behavior becomes instinct when you practice and practice, so it doesn't really change for anybody. If you see it as Randy Moss, he'll catch the ball on you every time.

phinatics.com: Some NFL receivers are given a lot of opportunity by the referees to push off on defenders. What's your opinion on this?
Trent Gamble: It's tough to play defensive back, especially corner, with these rules. The receiver pushes off all the time and they never call it, but if a DB touches a guy after 5 yards they'll call anything. It would be easier if the officials recognized chicken fighting--basically, a receiver pushes, a DB's allowed to push, and they both fight and that's fine, instead of when they both do it, they always call the DB for touching. That's been the hardest thing for a man team like us, you know, a receiver may do something, and we may do it just to kind of stand our ground, and they'll call us on it.

phinatics.com: How hard is to know when to turn your head in coverage--is it instinctive? How are you coached to cover someone after you get behind them?
Trent Gamble: It actually depends on the coverage, but if you're behind, the first thing to do is to catch up. If he's ahead of you and you're behind and you turn around --- you'll never get there.

phinatics.com: Is there a rule against face guarding?
Trent Gamble: In college you can face guard. In the pros you cannot, so you have to turn and look for the ball.

phinatics.com: What are you allowed to do in coverage without looking back for the ball... anything?
Trent Gamble: Nothing. After 5 yards you have to make it look like you are going after the ball.

phinatics.com: Some fans are grumbling about the Dolphins not getting enough pressure on the QB this year and think the defense should blitz more. They think the defensive scheme could use some spicing up. What's your response to that?
Trent Gamble: Every team is different. We have been able to play our base defenses and actually beat people pretty good. If we need to blitz, we do it. We might mix it up a little more, but we have been able to call up our base defenses and do pretty good. A lot of teams blitz because they don't have confidence in some of their players. We have great players at every position, so it's easy to switch some calls up and not blitz and play our defense.

phinatics.com: Can you give us any insight as to what happens in the locker room at halftime, specifically with adjustments to the game plan?
Trent Gamble: Well, basically I don't see what the offense does, but on defense we go over things that have hurt us in the first half --- either runs or passes, and make some adjustments on different coverages, but otherwise that's about it.

phinatics.com: How much time do you actually have to do that? Do you look at fax pictures, etc?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, our coach has like overheads where he can write down things, but halftime is so short...it's like 10 minutes where you get in and you get out.

phinatics.com: How do you rate the Dolphins defense against the rest of the NFL?
Trent Gamble: I think we have a great defense. I think we are an attack defense. We have a great scheme, and we have great players, and we've proven to be one of the best defenses in the league the last few years.

phinatics.com: Trace Armstrong was a leader for the Dolphins defense for many years. Now that Trace is gone, who do you think has stepped up to assume that role?
Trent Gamble: Sam has always been a leader...Zach has always been a leader and that really hasn't changed with those two guys.

phinatics.com: The 2001 Dolphins Media Guide lists “Seinfield” as your favorite TV show. Which episode of the show do you rank as your #1?
Trent Gamble: (Laughs) The Soup Nazi one is a funny. Master of Your Domain one is funny. It's a good show, always something.

phinatics.com: Do you, or did you ever, collect football cards or other sports memorabilia? If yes, what kinds?
Trent Gamble: Football cards growing up. I remember having a Jerry Rice rookie card and a bunch of Steve Young rookie cards from when he was at Tampa Bay. They put, like, tons of those in the packs, and now they are worth something.

phinatics.com: So, did you keep them?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, I still have all that stuff at home.

phinatics.com: Do you keep any of your own stuff from games? Did you keep the game ball you were awarded after the Buffalo game?
Trent Gamble: Yeah, I have a few game balls, and I've kept those. I gave one to my parents and at the end of the season, I'll get my jerseys and helmet and give it to my parents or somebody.

phinatics.com:   What kind of things do you like to do during the off-season?
Trent Gamble: I like to go diving--I started scuba diving this off-season. I love to go fishing. You know, travel around, visit my family.

phinatics.com: Have you been to Key West?
Trent Gamble: No, I haven't got down to Key West for diving yet...basically just off the coast, Ft. Lauderdale and Pompano Beach.

phinatics.com:   Salt water fishing mainly?
Trent Gamble: Deep sea fishing and also the Everglades--you know, it's brackish water.

phinatics.com: Is there anybody you hang out with on the team and what do you like to do for entertainment?
Trent Gamble:   In terms of hanging out with guys on the team, I'll go diving with Todd Wade and Hunter Goodwin. I've gotten to know Scott McGarrahan pretty well, and I hang out with him. Other than that, guys kind of do their own things--they have families or wives. After work everyone goes home to be with their families and stuff.

phinatics.com: How many hours a week do you typically spend on football?
Trent Gamble:   Wednesday and Thursdays are 12 hour days. Fridays are 6 or 7. If you include film and lifting, I'd say 45 to 50 hours after everything.

phinatics.com: What area would you like to improve on the most next season?
Trent Gamble: To continue to improve in the nick and dime and safety, and hopefully see if I can play safety in the league.

phinatics.com: What is your favorite football or sports movie?
Trent Gamble: That's a good question. Waterboy.

phinatics.com: What do you want to do after football?
Trent Gamble: I almost have a Masters degree in finance, so I may want to pursue something like that. That would interest me.

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