Tyreek Hill addresses NFL fines. And straight talk from Chubb; Madison on Cam Smith
Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill said Thursday he’s ready to comply with NFL rules after a series of fines stemming from uniform policy violations cost him tens of thousands of dollars.
Hill said he has been fined more than $100,000; NFL Network says the total is less than that.
Either way, Hill said he will adhere to league policy.
“I feel like my job as an employee of the NFL is to comply,” he said. “That’s what I am going to do. I’m going to give in. Usually, I bite the bullet and fight back but once they start digging into your pockets a little, there’s not much you can do.
“They said me having no socks gives me an advantage. I was like, ‘You all are going to drug test me for not wearing socks?’ I’m just going to comply.”
Hill said he has a good reason for not wearing socks or wearing short socks during games.
“I get IVs before games and sometimes the timing doesn’t allow me to put on socks at times and I don’t want to miss plays or sometimes I have socks and it doesn’t cover a certain length,” he said.
“The NFL has certain rules that have been here way before I’ve been playing this game and they’ll be here long after. It’s my job to comply.
“You get a first penalty, second penalty, third penalty and [fines] continue to multiply. I’ve been able to use some of my leverage to get some of those reduced. From here on out, I’ve got to comply.”
On new teammate Chase Claypool, Hill said: “He’s a big dude. He looks like a vending machine when he’s running. Very fast, very fluid in his route. He’s going to be a huge addition to this team, whether it’s blocking, receiving, whatever this team needs him to do. Very happy to have him here.
“Chase gets a bad rap for probably not being a team guy. From what I’ve seen, he’s been a heck of a teammate so far. He’s even offered to wash my car.”
Dolphins guard/center Liam Eichenberg, who played with Claypool at Notre Dame, said he’s a “great dude. When I heard he was coming here, I thought he’s going to be fine. He’s gifted, driven. He’s going to excel here.”
CHUBB’S THOUGHTS
Since his acquisition from Denver last November, Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb has made clear when he expects more of himself. This, apparently, is one of those times.
Chubb — who has 21 tackles (including four for loss) and one sack in five games — described his play this season as “decent” and said he expects more of himself.
“I feel like decent is not where I want to be though,” he said. “I want to be an elite player, a great player, and that comes with doing my job at an elite level. I feel like I’ve been doing a pretty good job at it, but I’m not here to be pretty good. I’m here to be the words I use. I feel like I’ve been pretty good, but I’m working on making it great.”
And how does he do that? “Putting a complete game together with the rushes and playing the run and not taking shots off my own free will. Doing it within the defense. I feel like that’s what’s going to take me from good to great.”
MOSTERT’S THOUGHTS
Raheem Mostert appreciates that Mike McDaniel has committed more to the running game, as he said he would.
The Dolphins have the 12th-most rushing attempts in the league, after finishing with the second fewest last season.
Mostert said he spoke with McDaniel after he finished with 891 yards rushing (on 181 carries) last season.
“Last year, I was close to 1,000 yards,” Mostert said. “I was at 891. I wish I had more opportunities to run the ball and get close to that mark. That’s one of the emphases he wanted to talk about.
“[He said], ‘Hey, I’m going to run the ball more.’ You can see we are doing that more. Our offense is prolific. It’s history in the making. We’ve got to keep it going.”
The Dolphins lead the league in rushing yards per game (185.8) and yards per carry (6.9).
Mostert’s 5.4 career average is tied with Bo Jackson for highest over the past 40 years.
“To even be mentioned with a legend like Bo Jackson, it’s humbling, pushes me more to drive myself,” he said.
Mostert has 314 yards rushing on 58 carries this season (5.4 average).
THIS AND THAT
▪ Center Connor Williams (groin) missed practice for the second day in a row, leaving his status in question for Sunday’s home game against Carolina (1 p.m., CBS). Liam Eichenberg likely would start if Williams cannot play.
Also, guard Robert Hunt popped on the injury report with a knee injury that limited him in practice. (He was fine Wednesday). Lester Cotton could start at right guard if Hunt cannot play.
Several others were limited during Thursday’s practice: linebacker Jaelan Phillips (oblique), fullback Alec Ingold (foot), cornerback Nik Needham (Achilles), guard Robert Jones (knee) and running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (rib/finger).
Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said Jeff Wilson is ready to play in a game after missing the first five games.
▪ Dolphins cornerbacks coach Sam Madison said rookie cornerback Cam Smith, who hasn’t played a defensive snap, needs to be consistent.
“Coming from college to pros, it’s the little small details,” Madison said. “If it’s in the building early, out of the building late. He has some talent. He’s got to bottle it up and put it all together.
“He’s been doing some very good things on special teams. We are in a very good spot not having to throw a rookie out there. But I always tell him, ‘you’re a play away from being out there.’ We will continue to work with him. He’s always upbeat and energetic.”
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said Smith is “knocking on the door. Got to keep knocking and improving in practice.”
This story was originally published October 12, 2023 at 4:00 PM.
