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Jakeem Grant’s new life began in Chicago, though he reflected on his time in Miami on Thursday.
Grant met the Chicago media for the first time since being traded by the Dolphins for a sixth-round pick in 2023 and called the trade a “new beginning, new opportunity.”
The exchange was not so surprising for those who cover and follow the Dolphins, although Grant said it was a surprise to him.
“I mean, after the year I had last year, I had no doubts that I would have a bigger role increase and I was one of their key guys,” Grant said. “But that’s a game of the game, man. So I mean, I’m not crazy. I’m nothing, just ready to go.”
Grant was keen to say goodbye to Miami via social media ahead of his first game with the Bears, which will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where he was just two weeks ago in his penultimate game with the Bears. Dolphins.
RESPONSE TO SUBSIDIES
Grant had been with the Dolphins since 2016, so he naturally developed relationships with some of his teammates.
He was obviously close to DeVante Parker, even serving as the inspiration for the character Pee Wee in Parker’s online animated series, “Uncle Vante.”
And then there was Albert Wilson, whom Grant traded a high-five on his way to the end zone after a jet sweep against the Raiders in 2018.
“Ah, man. It’s tough, but it’s part of the business, ”Wilson said Thursday. “Guys come and go. Fortunately, he gets another opportunity elsewhere. When I spoke to him, I just told him to keep doing what he does. Every opportunity that presents itself, he must make the most of it. Just glad he can still play the game.
DEFENSE READY TO START DELIVERY
The Dolphins defense has reached the standards it created in 2020 and things won’t be easier against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
Linebacker Jerome Baker addressed all aspects of defense on Thursday, including his own performance. After being one of only two NFL players – along with Tampa Bay linebacker Devin White – to have at least 100 tackles and seven sacks last season, Baker is still on the hunt for a first sack in 2021.
“I’ve never been the type to focus on my stats, really,” Baker said. “I’m more of a guy who says our defense needs to improve. It’s been the message all around, that we need to improve, we need to play better. That’s my thing, I need to play better, I need to do better. . When I say that it’s because I want this team to be the best it can be. That’s my mentality. I think we’re not all happy with the current situation and Sunday is a great opportunity to go there- down and to show that we can play with the big teams in this league. I’m excited for Sunday, I’m ready to go. We’re going to have a big challenge. It should definitely be fun.
THE RETURN OF RAEKWON
The defense, of course, should get a boost this week with the return of Raekwon Davis, although there is nothing official about his role just yet.
The only thing that has become official is that Davis has been “nominated to return,” meaning he’s back in training and the clock has started giving the Dolphins three weeks to decide whether to return. ‘activate, keep it on IR and release it.
The Dolphins are obviously not going to release Davis and the most likely scenario is that he will be activated on the 53-man roster on Saturday afternoon – if not sooner.
“I mean, he’s a big, massive, strong guy,” Baker said. “I think the one thing we don’t give him a lot of credit for is that he gives us a lot of energy. It’s not the energy of ‘let’s go hard’, it’s the energy of you just wanna be there and play with him. He goes there and he goes hard for us. He’s just a big strong guy in the middle of our defense. It always helps when we have guy like that.I’m really happy to find him.
JACKSON OPEN TO ANY POSITION
The idea of moving 2020 first-round pick Austin Jackson from his left tackle position would certainly make sense given his struggles with passing protection, so the subject of his versatility was brought up when he came up. is addressed to the media on Thursday.
And, as you would expect from any offensive lineman, Jackson said he absolutely can play in multiple positions.
“Oh yeah. I really think I could play anywhere,” he said. “I think I could play guard, center, tackle. I love to play football. Offensive line play is something I’ve known for a long time. If you ask a recipient if he can move, I’m sure it all can. I think offensive linemen are the same way. You have short tackles, you have high tackles, you have short guards, you have tall guards. move It is a matter of the mind.
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