Miami Dolphins' Kyle McCord says 'I'm feeling good' before first start
· Yahoo Sports
MIAMI GARDENS ― Miami Dolphins quarterback Kyle McCord demonstrated a poised confidence in his first news conference since become at least the short-term starting quarterback.
McCord's first NFL start will come in Week 10 at Indianapolis. And he's in line to make at least four consecutive starts, with Malik Willis (core body injury) on injured reserve.
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"I think, one, you just have to remind yourself it's something you've done a million times before playing football, and it's the same game, same 11 guys out there," McCord said at his locker. "And I think the other thing, too, just preparation throughout the week. I feel like you gain confidence and excitement through that, knowing that you're putting the work in, you're putting the reps in, and you're putting yourself in an opportunity to have success. I'm feeling good."
McCord was 22-4 as a starter at Ohio State and Syracuse.
"Being at a school like Ohio State and playing some big games at Syracuse, too, I think it should give you confidence that you've played on a big stage before you've played against some of the top guys in the league right now," McCord said. "So, yeah, I mean, I think that the confidence level coming from those games is definitely there. It's not my first time playing in a big game. So yeah, I feel like that's where I'm drawing a lot of confidence from."
Kyle McCord set to start for injured Malik Willis
McCord, 24, was acquired from Green Bay just before the season for a sixth-round pick.
There are scheme commonalities between Green Bay and Miami.
And McCord says despite limited in-season reps, he's made the most of practice.
"Even when Malik was going with the ones, still standing right behind and getting those mental reps too," McCord said. "Although you're not physically taking a drop and throwing it, to the guys still getting those reps, mentally that way when an opportunity like this does come about, it really doesn't feel too different. And you know how the guys kind of get in and out of their breaks, and you know how the flow of the offense is. And I feel like that's something, you know, it's tough to do when you know you're not playing and staying locked in. But I feel like in moments like this is when you reap the benefits of that."
McCord slipped to the sixth round because scouts said he had a solid but not remarkable arm and solid but not remarkable athleticism. But former teammates and coaches say he's a gamer.
"I think I pride myself on just being the ultimate competitor out there in the field," McCord said. "And then on top of that, I feel like being able to process information at a quick rate and getting the ball out and being accurate and being on time, I feel like those are all things throughout college and into my preseason games in the NFL that I've had success with. So I'm just trying to keep that rolling."
Once news leaked that McCord was going to get his opportunity, the predictable followed.
"Obviously, you got the whole circle of people that are super, super juiced up for me and helped me get to this point," McCord said. "So just kind of answering the texts as they come and and at the same time put my phone on do not disturb and watch the film and trying to get away from it."
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Threads and Instagram and X at @schadjoe
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins' Kyle McCord says 'I'm feeling good' before first start