Mike Pouncey shows his emotions during re-signing press conference

General Manager Dennis Hickey
(Opening statement) - "Thanks everyone for coming out. This is a great day for the Miami Dolphins. To have the opportunity to lock up Mike Pouncey - a player that was drafted here, that was developed here. That's a proven Pro Bowl performer at multiple positions. He's proved himself on the field and is a quality person. We're just excited that we have an opportunity to keep him here as our long-term center. The Miami Dolphins have a history of a lot of great centers with Jim Langer, with Dwight Stephenson. Mike has been an excellent player in the league and we're looking forward to our future with Mike as we bring him here. With that I want to introduce Mike Pouncey.

"Before I give it over to Mike, there are a lot of thanks that go into getting this type of deal done for the Miami Dolphins organization - the commitment of (Owner) Stephen Ross to build a talented team and be able to lock up players like Mike, and his commitment in allocating resources. From Mike's agent Joel Segal to (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Mike Tannenbaum, (Executive Vice President of Football Administration) Dawn Aponte, (Director of Football Administration) Ryan Herman, a lot of people that worked really hard in addition to our coaching staff. So there are a lot of thanks that need to go around to make this thing happen, but we're very excited that it did happen and very excited for Mike."

Mike Pouncey
(On if this is a big load off his mind and if it had been bothering him since last season) - "No, not at all. I always had faith that I would be a Miami Dolphin for life. (Pauses and gets emotional) It's truly a blessing to be here."

(On how everything came together with his contract) - "I just got a call from my agent one day and he said it's time. That was about it."

(On why he is emotional and what was going through his head at the time) - (Still very emotional) "There's just so much stuff. I look back at my career and I could have done so many things better. There's stuff I put my family through. I'm just happy that it's all over with now and that we can look forward to the future. I'm excited to be on this football team. I've been with these guys my whole career and it feels like a family to me. I'd love to say it's a burden off my shoulders, but I always knew I'd be here and it wouldn't be any other place."

(On what it says about the organization and the commitment it has made to him) - "It says so much about them. They could have easily gave up on me a long time ago. They stuck with me, it's something I will never forget. It's something I will bring to this facility every day. I'm going to work and push myself and push my teammates. There won't be a doubt that they made the right decision to keep me here."

(On if the thought ever occurred to him that the franchise might give up on him or that things might go a different direction) - "There were days where I was just disappointed in myself more than anything. But I've always believed. I'm just happy to be here."

(On if there is a particular instance he is thinking of that is making him emotional) - "No, not at all. When I look back at it, and see the commitment that they put into me. It wasn't just one situation, just stuff I wish I would have done a lot better. I can only be a leader to these guys on this football team and show the young guys the right way because there's a right and a wrong way to do stuff, and if you do it the right way, stuff comes a lot easier. I never doubted my talent on the football field would get me a big contract. But it takes more than that. It takes for you to do it on and off the football field. This day means a lot to me and my family."

(On if there will be a different Mike Pouncey moving forward) - "You're just going to see a better leader. I'm going to be the same football player. Just a better leader on and off the football field."

(On what things he could have done better) - "Little stupid things. I've never really been in any trouble, but there's ways to go about things and there's ways not to. There's a lot of stuff I wish I could have taken back. There's not one incident. When I look back at it, it could have been a lot easier for me to get this contract and not even have any doubt in my mind that I would have ever got it. Now that it's over with, I can only look forward. I'm happy. I think our football team has a really bright future. I think it's headed in the right direction and I'm just happy to be a piece of the puzzle."

(On the recent moves of the team and if he is in a wait-and-see approach or if he is more optimistic than ever before to make the playoffs) - "When you look at our football team, you look at our roster, you can tell we have a really good football team. But I've been on a lot of really good football teams and it takes more than just having a good roster. It takes chemistry. It takes for you to play for the guy right next to you, it takes for you to build this chemistry over time, over the offseason. I just can't wait to get back in that locker room on Monday with the guys and see what we can do. I really think this year is going to be a special year for the Miami Dolphins."

(On QB Ryan Tannehill being sacked a lot the past two seasons and what's going to be different on the offensive line to allow him to perform at the level he can) - "We're going to work our tails off this year to keep him up on his feet because, when we do that, we all know what he can do. He's a really good football player, he's really talented. He's grown over his career, over the year in the NFL, and I think he's ready to be that guy. We've got to help him out. It's going to be all on us, but our offensive line group's going to be really good. We've got a really good group of guys in that room. Last year was just the beginning of it, to what our offensive line can do. (I) can't wait to see how it's going to look this year."

(On if this contract serves as a message to not go back to doing some of the things in the past) - "When they give these kind of contracts, it's expected. It's expected for you to be the guy they ask you to be. It's expected for you to not have little slip ups here and there. I just can't wait for it. I'm looking forward to it. I'm ready to take that step in my life."

(On how much he's looking forward to being back at center after playing guard last season) - "I can't wait. I've always felt like center was my natural position. I feel like I'm one of the best centers in the league when I'm playing at the top of my game. I just can't wait. Playing guard last year really made me appreciate what center does. I never really appreciated the guys that much at guard, but, man, when you go out there and you've got to play that position, it's tough. It made me look at the game a lot different, but I just can't wait to go back. I feel like center's just always been my natural position as a leader. I like to go out there. I like to be the guy that sets everything up and I just can't wait."

(On what it's going to be like going up against DT Ndamukong Suh in practice) - "I can't wait. I think he's the best defensive player in the NFL. I had a chance to block him this year when we played them. At guard, you're a lot one-on-one, you're by yourself really, and he's the best. I think he's worth every dollar. One thing about him is that he make's guys around him better. That's what our defense needs."

(On how he's going to celebrate today) - "No, I'm just going to go home with my family, enjoy the day. I look at my mom, ‘Thank you.'"

(On if he can introduce everyone who is attending today's press conference) - "That's my girlfriend, Kristian. My dad (Rob) just left with our son (Kayden). That's my daughter, Janiyah. That's my mother, Lisa."

(On if he now gets bragging rights with his brother Maurkice about his contract) - "Every time I try and do that, he always shoots me down with something. He's just happy for me. He was more happy than I was."