Miami Dolphins WR Allen Hurns interview – The Pick Is In Podcast (hosted by Matt Giannettino and Bill Carroll).
Q (Matt):
How’s everything been with COVID 19 and living in this pandemic as a pro athlete, as a Miami Dolphin?
A:
“It’s been different, I feel like everyone one else could say that. At the end of the day, you have to make things work as far as my workout and things like that. Its been a different routine, that was kinda tough for me at first, I had to adjust, I’m a routine guy. I like doing the same thing every day, I have my days planned on. When everything got shut down, I had run around my house. I couldn’t go out to the workout facility I go to. We all made it work, we started doing the zoom meetings. That kinda made it easier, especially for us with the new offensive coordinator. We kinda needed that time to adjust to the new offensive system.”
Q (Matt):
How’s that going with the new offensive coordinator over there in Miami joining Bryan Flores’ staff. How’s that going, hows the transition into the offense for you guys?
“It’s going good, one thing I can say is that it’s a lot easier going over plays on the computer. The real test will be once we hit the field whenever that is. I could feel like I know something now, but once the bullets are flying, breaking out of the huddle, it’s a different story. I feel like it’s going well, a lot of new guys, a lot of draft picks, and free agency.”
Q (Bill):
If you could go back, and look at yourself ten years ago and say to that skinny kid who couldn’t bench 225 once. What would tell him about what he has to do to be where you’re now?
A:
“One thing I would say is that it’s going to take a lot of sacrifices and hard work. The number one thing to me is making sacrifices. There’s gonna be times where you don’t wanna do certain things or things that aren’t convenient. I learned to come in the league, proper sleep, hydration, and eating the right meals. Growing up, I would just eat Macodnals and whatever I wanted to eat. Looking at it now, I wish I was ahead of the cure. Looking at young kids now, I would tell kids to make sure to take care of their bodies as they’re growing up. It’ll help them in the longer run.”
Q(Matt):
The 88 blessing foundations is something you started with your mother. We had an article written on our website about you and that foundation. Tell the audience about the foundation and what you guys are doing for the community.
A:
“Originally, it was for reaching out to single moms, my mom is a single mom. Once we made it to this level, we were big on giving back. My mom’s thing is to be a blessing to others, we take that very seriously. It’s just not about me accomplishing my dreams, she always gave the bigger reason as to why I’m here. There are times where I get that tunnel vision to do what I have to do. That’s why I got people in my circle like my mom and others that bring that same vision to give back to the community. A couple of months ago my mom came up with this idea to give back to seniors who were getting ready for college. They were not able to expense any of the senior activities, prom, and walking across the stage. We brought in 17 students, gave them gift packages and we wanted to be hand-on with their transition into college.”
Q (Bill):
What is it like realizing you may not be the guy as people say. How do you prepare to still contribute to the gameplan even if you’re not getting the ball?
A:
“The main thing I focus on is controlling what I can and prepare. My whole career I’ve been under the radar and underrated. I didn’t let that bother me, there are times where I could’ve let that get to me to stop me from focusing on what I’m doing. Out of high school, I was a three-star, I wasn’t the top-rated. Then going to Miami, they had a lot of receivers and people questioned me for choosing them. I ended up starting there, at the end of the day I just put my head down and work. You just have to have that tunnel vision, can’t worry about how people think about you. You have to control what you can.”
Q (Matt):
Tell us about your experience at the combine, was there any weird questions asked and how was the process for you.
A:
“That process was crazy, there weren’t any crazy questions. At the end of the day, I noticed the same questions over and over. The crazy part for me was that I had injuries through high school and college. That was the craziest thing for me because I had to do so many MRI’s and each team doctor wanted to see you, it was a process. When it was time to compete it was so wild, I use to watch it on tv. It was a great experience at Indy.
Q (Matt):
Who in your opinion is the best cornerback in the league right now, and who is the best guy you have ever faced?
A:
“I’ll stay right now I’ll have to go with my guy Ramsey. I played with him in Jacksonville, he makes a lot of headlines for the things he said. You respect him a lot more cause on the filed he backs up all the talk he does. It’s so tough going up against him because he moves so well for his size. Overall, I’d have to say, Revis, Revis is not just a typical corner. He can give you a lot of different looks and watches so much film.”
Q (Bill):
When there is a guy that is around your size, do you attack them differently?
A:
“Yeah, there’s some guy where you can speed release and hold the line where you can beat them. You gotta move certain guys off the line and try to out makes them.
Q (Matt):
If you were to scout a wide receiver, what would you like to look for and what type of style are you looking for?
A:
“Speed is always a big thing, the biggest thing is the change of director while route running. I feel like that’s very unique, getting separation. Another thing is being a natural catcher, a natural catcher who uses his hands and not his body multiple times. If your not open, you’re not going to get the ball.
Q (Bill):
You have to tell me, who has the best hands, and who is the best route runner?
A:
“Route running I have to go with Julio Jones, and for catching the ball, I’d have to say, Hopkins. There are times where a defender can be in position, but Hopkins’s body control and catching is like no other. Julio, that’s a bad man. He’s big, fast, can change direction, he can do it all.”
Q (Matt):
Have you talked to Tua at all, how’s that been?
A:
I talked to him, we’ve had conversations. I’m excited about Tua man. Everyone who watches him play can tell he’s a humble guy, and he’s hungry. He has such a passionate mindset, you need people like that to do well in the NFL. Just seeing how humble he is and how dar he works shows how much of a baller he is. He lives for the big moments, im excited to work with him.”
Q (Bill):
Who has been your favorite guy to catch the ball from, and why?
A:
“I’d have to say Fitzpatrick man. He’s so fun to play with, you watch him play, he’s not your typical quarterback. He plays the game like he’s five years old having a lot of fun like a little kid. He’s very smart and always try to see things from our perspectives. Fitz throws a great ball, it was fun playing with him. If Tua is not ready, I know Fitz will be able to hold it down.”
Q (Bill):
Tell me what it takes mentally to be a good wide receiver
A:
“It takes so much, thats the biggest trasition going from college to the NFL. You cna see it, if a guy is not confident in what he has and is going through alot, you can tell through film. Theres a lot of playmakers in the who dont make the trastion