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“I made a name for myself in the return game and now I’m going in to fight and make a name for myself as a receiver,” he said. “I think that’s what’s going to happen this year. As a matter of fact I know that’s what’s going to happen this year.
“I felt like no matter what I’m the best player on the field. Even when my boy DeVante is out there I always tell him I feel like I’m the best on the field. I know for a fact that guys can’t do what I can do.”
That is not the only thing he tells Parker, Grant adding he often bemoans his team-mate for leaving finger prints on his tablet. It is why he never leaves the house without his handkerchief.
From the skating rink to the field, he epitomises the need for speed. It is a trait he is hoping can help propel him up the receiver depth chart alongside Parker.
Friends and team-mates tell Grant he would be well suited to a Lamborghini because he is so fast, rather than the Ford F-150 with a five-inch lift that he currently drives.
“Some people say I have short man syndrome or something like that and they’re like ‘man you gotta jump to get in there’, I love my truck,” said the five-foot-seven Grant.
When the debate surrounding the fastest player in the NFL gravitates towards the Kansas City Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill, the Texas Tech product sits quietly with the belief that title belongs to him.
His claim dates back to 2016 when a New Orleans Saints scout claimed he ran a 4.10 40-yard dash at a Pro Day prior to being drafted by the Dolphins in the sixth round. Texas Tech, meanwhile, had him down at 4.34.
“I’m going to continue to push that message that I am [the fastest],” he added. “Everybody says it’s Tyreek and I’m just waiting to show them that I am the fastest guy in the league and I’m going to continue to say that.
“One day me and Tyreek are going to race as he did with Mecole Hardman, one day we’re going to get that race for the fans and if everybody wants to come out we can do it for charity or whatever.
“We’re supposed to have raced for a while now so the time has come. I’m not going to say who’s the fastest, I want the fans to come out there and see it.”
Before Hill, a race with Dolphins running back Matt Breida is on the agenda following his arrival from the San Francisco 49ers earlier in the off-season. Grant, though, admits that will have to be put on hold for now as the pair look to avoid any niggles ahead of the new season.
Injuries have been a frustrating impediment to Grant’s progress in Miami, striking him down at key moments amid an effort to enhance his role with the team. Were it not for injuries, the rest of the NFL may already be acknowledging him as the league’s fastest.
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He played all 16 games in 2016 and 2017, but in Week 10 of the 2018 campaign sustained a season-ending Achilles injury against the Green Bay Packers that would later require surgery.
It came at a time when Adam Gase had been starting to implement Grant more as a receiver, the now-New York Jets head coach having been an important figure to the 27-year-old both on and off the field.
Grant had opened the season with a 102-yard kick-off return touchdown in a win over the Tennessee Titans, before later producing a 70-yard punt return touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Gase had also put him in for a career-high 282 snaps on offense.
“I’m like ‘man I’ll never get back to normal’ because I’d never been hurt before, never had a surgery or anything so I’m thinking in my head I’ll never get back to what I was doing,” he said.
Despite the injury, the Dolphins underlined their faith in Grant in August 2019 by handing him a four-year extension and a chance to impress new head coach Brian Flores.
Impress he did, “killing training camp” before pulling his hamstring ahead of the opening pre-season game.
He was back for the regular season and in Week 11 returned a kick-off for a 101-yard touchdown against the Buffalo Bills as well as making three catches for 32 yards, only to pick up a high ankle sprain against the Cleveland Browns next time out. Again, his season had ended prematurely.
“I would say it’s more mental because mentally it takes you to a dark place. I was thinking in my head ‘man I’m never going to get better, I’m never going to overcome this’.
“It was scary, it was a dark place where I doubted myself and it was a place I had to overcome and get myself out of there. I would say it’s more of a mental aspect than a physical because once you conquer your mental aspect, the physical takes its place.”
Grant has never allowed the outside noise to define him, whether it be regarding his size entering the league or his durability in light of the injury setbacks.
Even heading into year five, his excitement to be playing in the NFL is reminiscent to that of a rookie.
“It’s been absolutely amazing, time flies by and I definitely don’t take for granted,” said Grant. “I absolutely love it.”
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For Grant, the 2020 season represents the beginning of a new era in Miami as coach Flores builds on the promise he showed last year while Tua Tagovailoa looms as one of the most gifted players to come out of college.
From a personal perspective, he is aiming to bury his injury woes and put together his most productive campaign yet.
“I think this is going to be the year that I actually show guys that I am a receiver first and then a returner and that I’ve been a receiver all along,” he said.
“This is it, this is the time. I’ve put all my hard work into it and I’m big off of the saying ‘you reap what you sow’ and so I’m definitely ready.
“I think this is going to be the new Miami year. This is the new version of Miami. We’ve got a lot of guys that are going to do great things and elevate this team.
“We’re going to be a force to be reckoned.”
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