Latest news with #Embree
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins TE coach Jon Embree is blunt on Julian Hill (and everyone else)
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins were 8-9 last season and out of the playoffs. Naturally, they aim to be significantly improved this season, something that came across loud and clear as assistant coaches recently met with beat reporters, with many stressing how players are both working diligently and bonding. If you wanted to hear blunt honesty, though, you went to the table where tight ends coach Jon Embree was holding court. Advertisement One of the first questions posed Embree's way concerned Julian Hill. He came to the Dolphins out of Campbell University in North Carolina, which has produced only one other NFL player. Hill was undrafted, a project both then and now, still only 24 and entering his third NFL season. He also was the most-penalized player on the Dolphins last season, a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by fans. Or his coach. 'He led the league for tight ends in penalties,' Embree said. 'He had nine.' MORE FROM HABIB: Dolphins can learn awful lot by watching Florida Panthers' championship habits Before anyone thinks picking apart Hill's second season amounts to low-hanging fruit, here's what Embree said about Jonnu Smith, who in his first season with the Dolphins had 884 yards receiving and made the Pro Bowl as an alternate. A career year. Advertisement 'Great year,' Embree told Smith in their postseason exit meeting. 'But not good enough.' Embree went on. 'He left 182 yards on the field and another two touchdowns,' Embree said. 'He could be better in the run game. We've got to clean up some things at the top of his routes. 'My players get it. I tell them all the time my job is to never be satisfied so I'm always going to find something.' The Dolphins have 27 coaches on staff, including Mike McDaniel. That's 27 ways of getting things done. But on a team fighting for respect, it's a good to know there are drill sergeants among the group. Embree, 59, doesn't come from a military background, but it's not hard to trace where he's coming from. His dad, John (with an 'h'), played for the Denver Broncos. Jon, too, briefly buckled up NFL chinstraps. He was a sixth-round pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 1987 but appeared in only 13 games before an elbow injury ended his career. His playing career, that is. October 4, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight ends/assistant head coach Jon Embree during the fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports Then he put that degree he earned at Colorado — in communications — to work. Advertisement You'll find his fingerprints on the careers of Tony Gonzalez in Kansas City and George Kittle in San Francisco, two tight ends either in or bound-to-be-in the Hall of Fame. Kittle was a fifth-rounder in 2017 when he began working with Embree, and by Year 2 he was beginning a run of four 1,000-yard seasons and six Pro Bowls. MORE ASSISTANT COACHES: Is Tyreek Hill's new Dolphins position coach a players' coach or disciplinarian? Smith was actually drafted 46 slots earlier, by Tennessee, and although he has taken a longer road to develop, he's now under a coach who isn't afraid to push any and all buttons. 'My challenge to him is 'You did 800, let's see if you can get to 1,000,' ' Embree said. 'It's always pushing, raising the bar. Jonnu is the kind of guy who is naturally pushing himself. It's been quite a journey for him to get to where he is now. He hasn't been complacent. It's crazy sometimes to think him and Kittle were in the same draft class.' Advertisement The Dolphins also added undrafted rookie Jalin Conyers and veteran free agent Pharaoh Brown, tight ends with a physical presence. 'They have done a good job in these phases of things,' Embree said. 'They think they have the offense learned and will find out in a week that, 'Holy crap, I don't.' ' That's Embree, all right. The guy who, when asked late last season if there was much to the assertion that the Dolphins were 'soft,' replied, 'If the shoe fits. … ' But he's also not riding players all the time. To do that would guarantee losing them sooner rather than later. So of those nine penalties by Hill? Embree puts them in two categories: ones he can live with and ones he can't. Advertisement 'A couple of those penalties was him trying to make things right formation-ally,' Embree said. 'Guys weren't lined up right and he was trying to move back to make it right. That, I can live with. But the holding and all that, that was just him being overly aggressive. We have worked on some things, but it's nothing I'm overly concerned about. HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 15: Jonnu Smith #9 of the Miami Dolphins catches a touchdown pass against Derek Stingley Jr. #24 of the Houston Texans during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by) 'If it is, we'll put someone else in there.' Embree describes McDaniel as even-keeled. McDaniel also has been described as a players' coach. Regardless of which description you prefer, you'd never confuse McDaniel and Embree. 'You can hear when I'm mad,' Embree said. 'Everyone knows what I'm not happy. So I think I need to be more like him.' Advertisement Or, maybe, he should just keep being Jon Embree. Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey has one foot out the door. How does DC Anthony Weaver feel? Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Randy Crowder dead at 72 This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins TE coach Jon Embree takes 'never be satisfied' route
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins focus on team chemistry; try out pilates and paintball
MIAMI GARDENS — Paintball and Pilates. Several Miami Dolphins players have said this year feels different. And more team bonding activities are on the 2025 agenda. "I feel like we're closer as a team," Dolphins assistant head coach Jon Embree said during offseason workouts. "I felt like last year we were more of a roster than a team. This year the feeling I'm getting out of us is more of team, the comradery, guys doing stuff together." Advertisement The offensive line did pilates together. The defensive line did paintball together. The tight end have gone to dinner. "We're doing more team events," Embree said. "(Coach) Mike (McDaniel) has set more time for us as coaches to do stuff with our players." Said running back De'Von Achane: "We're trying to build our chemistry." Said edge rusher Chop Robinson: "You get to see the team chemistry. Everybody just wants the same goal. Everybody wants to be great, everybody wants to win. The only way to do that is doing it all together." Miami Dolphins try out paintball and pilates Are you picking up what the Dolphins are putting down for 2025? Advertisement The Dolphins are planning to trade star cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who is very talented, but a bit of a lone wolf. It's clear Miami, in general, has felt a chemistry shakeup can be beneficial. "I think that we can further develop and that can contribute to a culture of a team-first mentality," McDaniel said at league meetings. A higher percentage of players are attending voluntary offseason workouts. Miami Dolphins' offseason attendance is up "The attendance is similar to our first year when we had everyone showing up," Embree said. Embree was asked about McDaniel's approach to some things that came up in 2024, such as player lateness. Advertisement McDaniel's plan has always been to empower the players to hold themselves and each other accountable. Embree made it clear McDaniel has not undergone some dramatic metamorphosis in approach. Sure, there will be tweaks, but McDaniel believes in his core philosophies and principles. "One thing I have to say about Mike, and some people might think this is a fault, he's even-keeled," Embree said. "You can hear when I'm mad. Everyone knows when I'm not happy. So I think I need to be more like him. He's done a good job of really continuing to empower the true leaders on the team, lifting them up and doing stuff." Mar 31, 2025; Palm Beach, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel attends the Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images And to be clear, Embree implied he is seeing more focus. Advertisement "I would have to say that the players have done more," Embree said. "They are hearing all this stuff about discipline and they are taking it personal and feeling like its a reflection on them." The Dolphins, in recent years, have added a collection of star power. General manager Chris Grier drafted players like Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, and De'Von Achane and traded for players like Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey and Bradley Chubb. But any coach or player will tell you that it takes more than talent to win. The Dolphins clearly have 2025 themes of focus, accountability and also strengthening overall team chemistry. Advertisement In some ways, it all goes hand-in-hand. "More time within the calendar for us to do the things we need to do to become closer as a team," Embree said. Jonah Savaiinaea: Miami Dolphins OL coach on Jonah Savaiinaea: Big-body, explosive, anchor Chop Robinson: Can Miami Dolphins' Chop Robinson make the leap to elite pass rusher? Zach Wilson: Miami Dolphins coach: Zach Wilson has 'gifted arm' and humility Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@ and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins want to grow closer, so Mike McDaniel adds team bonding
Associated Press
27-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Lennox Appoints Tracy Embree to Board of Directors
DALLAS, May 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennox (NYSE: LII) announced today the appointment of Tracy Embree to its board of directors, effective May 22, 2025. Ms. Embree is the former President of Otis Americas, the world's leading elevator and escalator manufacturing, installation, and service company. 'We are thrilled to welcome Tracy to the Lennox Board of Directors,' said Todd Teske, Lennox Board Chair. 'Tracy's extensive experience in industrial strategy, emerging technologies, and sustainable solutions, combined with her operational expertise, makes her a valuable addition to our board.' 'Tracy's leadership in complex manufacturing environments and proven track record of driving strategic growth align with our strategy at Lennox. The addition of Tracy reflects our ongoing focus on Board refreshment and succession planning,' said Karen Quintos, Chair of Lennox's Board Governance Committee. Ms. Embree is the former President of Otis Americas, a division of Otis Worldwide Corporation, and was responsible for New Equipment and Service businesses throughout North and South America. Prior to joining Otis, she spent 23 years with Cummins Inc. in various global leadership roles, including President of the Distribution Business. Tracy served on the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation Board of Directors for 10 years until May 2025 and is a founding member of Extraordinary Women on Boards (EWOB). Ms. Embree holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from Harvard Business School. About Lennox Lennox (NYSE: LII ) is a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our cooling, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. Additional information on Lennox is available at Media Contact [email protected] Investor Relations Contact [email protected] View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lennox International Inc.
Miami Herald
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Kelly: Dolphins hoping to get even more from Jonnu Smith
Jon Embree has coached greats of the game, legendary tight ends such as Tony Gonzalez and George Kittle, talents who are either in, or going to gain entry in the Hall of Fame. He has coached two of the best ever at the position. We're talking first-ballot Hall of Famers. So the Miami Dolphins tight end coach knows what it's supposed to look like, which is why he will shrug his shoulders at Jonnu Smith's record-setting season for the franchise last year. Smith's team-leading 88 receptions, which he turned into 884 yards and eight touchdowns, which are all career and franchise best marks, allowed Smith to become Embree's fifth Pro Bowler. However, Embree, who also served as the Dolphins' assistant head coach, needs the world to know Smith can be, should be and will be better in 2025 if he locks in. 'For Jonnu, the next step for him is to be more consistent, and someone we can rely on in the run game, and then being better with the ball when he has it,' Embree said Wednesday, at the conclusion of the team's on-field work during Phase 2 of the offseason program. 'If we can get every yard we had available to us, that's what I'm looking for.' Smith and Embree discussed just that in the team's end-of-the year meeting, before Smith replaced Travis Kelce as the AFC's Pro Bowl alternate. Embree showed Smith cut-ups of instances where Smith dropped passes, ran the wrong route, ran out of bounds when extra yards were there for the taking and delivered lackluster blocking performances. 'He left 182 yards on the field, and another two touchdowns,' Embree said of Smith, who is notorious for being the last player off the practice field because of the extra work he does daily. 'He could be better in the run game. We've got to clean up some things at the top of his routes. My players get it. I tell them all the time, my job is to never be satisfied.' Put all those missed opportunities together and Smith, who led Miami in receptions despite getting off to a slow start in the first month of the season, mainly because he didn't have a good grasp of Miami's offense, would have become a 1,000-yard producer. Embree wouldn't push if he wasn't certain that Smith, a former Florida International standout who is beginning his ninth season in the NFL, didn't have the potential to become the best tight end in franchise history. The Dolphins haven't had a route runner like him since Randy McMichael, whose single-season receptions and yards produced record, which was set in 2004, Smith shattered. If Smith were a better run and pass blocker the Dolphins wouldn't be so reliant on Julian Hill to serve as Miami's in-line tight end, and that would create more snaps for the 29-year-old, who is earning just shy of $4.1 million in the final year of the two-year, $8.4 million contract he signed as a free agent after the Atlanta Falcons released him at the end of the 2023 season. 'Jonnu is the kind of guy who is naturally pushing himself. It's been quite a journey for him to get to where he is now. He hasn't been complacent,' Embree said about Smith's nomadic NFL career, which includes stints with the Tennessee Titans, the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2017 Draft, the New England Patriots, the franchise that signed him to a massive four-year, $50 million contract in 2021 and the Falcons the team that traded for him when the Patriots wanted to unload his hefty contract. The Dolphins targeted Smith in the 2024 offseason, making him the team's first free agent signee because the team's decision-makers felt his athleticism and run-after-catch skills would open up the offense, and it did, to some extent. But in Year 2 the focus is on helping Smith get to the next level, maximizing his skill set, further diversifying the Dolphins offense. And Embree is certain Smith will put in the work to get there because 'complacency isn't something that's in his DNA.'
