Brian Flores – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
Head Coach Brian Flores
Q: How would you rank the defensive performance tonight?
BRIAN FLORES: I mean, definitely a tough opponent. Thought we did a lot of good things. Kept the score down. Kept them out of the end zone for the most part. They made a lot of plays. We made a lot of plays. They made some plays. It was a 60-minute battle. Really came down to the end. I thought it was good to get a win.
Q: What was the message at halftime?
BRIAN FLORES: The message to the team was we’ve got to play 60 minutes. It’s a very good team over there. Good players, good coaches. You got to play 60 minutes every week, but especially against a team like that, as physical and as skilled as they are. That was the message.
Q: What went into the decision to make the change to QB Tua Tagovailoa at that point?
BRIAN FLORES: The injury to Jacoby (Brissett).
Q: It looked as though you had an option there and then you went with QB Tua Tagovailoa. I just wanted to know about the process.
BRIAN FLORES: Jacoby (Brissett) went down and I think everybody saw that. He went down, went into the tent. We decided to put Tua (Tagovailoa) in, obviously. Then I think (Jacoby) probably was okay to go back in, but we just decided to stay with Tua. He made a couple of passes, hit a couple of passes, and just felt like might as well just leave him in there.
Q: How do you think QB Tua Tagovailoa did?
BRIAN FLORES: I mean, there were definitely some good plays. Obviously the throw to Albert (Wilson) there at the end. Hit Jaylen (Waddle) on a couple, on a big play. I thought he did a lot of good things. Some throws he probably wishes he had back, but overall helped us win the game.
Q: What did you see out of QB Tua Tagovailoa the last few days and then earlier today to start QB Jacoby Brissett?
BRIAN FLORES: The finger was an issue. Like we said, it was getting better. He was close. A lot closer than last week. We knew if there was an issue with Jacoby, we would be able to play him. That’s the route we went and we put him in and he played well.
Q: How would you say the play by CB Xavien Howard to get you guys on the scoreboard?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a great play. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), he has done a great job for us and he showed up again, made a big play and a big moment. We needed it. Got it out. Scoop and score. It was a big play in the game.
Q: Coach, would you talk about S Jevon Holland playing all over the field? Very versatile. What would you say about the rookie?
BRIAN FLORES: He is doing a lot of good things. As a rookie player, I think every time he goes out there and gains more experience it’s good. He’s come a long way since the first half of the season or through ten games, more than half. I would say that about a lot of our young players. They’re all developing, getting better and they work hard. Jevon (Holland) works hard. It’s important to him. We’re putting a lot on his plate and he is showing that he is able to handle it.
Q: Brian, how did the offensive plan change once QB Tua Tagovailoa entered the game for Jacoby Brissett?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a few more RPOs in there. We tried to create some or throw some shorter throws but we kind of needed some plays. We needed to push it down the field. We had some kind of tough field positions. We knew we would have to push it down field and he was able to do it for us.
Q: You said QB Tua Tagovailoa’s finger would limit downfield passing – had you seen anything like that 35-yard down the sideline throw to WR Jaylen Waddle that he showed last play of the third quarter?
BRIAN FLORES: Like we said, he was getting better, but driving the ball down the field was something that was a little bit of an issue and I think he did a good job. Pushed through it. There was definitely some discomfort and he pushed through it and played well.
Q: What do you think two consecutive victories and a little extra time for rest before the next game – what do you think that the combination of that could do for the team?
BRIAN FLORES: I think any time you win and these guys work hard, like we’ve been saying all week – all year. They work really hard and they’re seeing the fruits of the labor. It’s always good. To get a little bit of time, rest their bodies, rest their minds, I think it’s good, but I think they’ll be ready to go when we get back on Monday.
Q: Brian, you guys went with three inside linebackers to basically play QB Lamar Jackson. What was the thought process in that and a lot of the zero coverages that you did?
BRIAN FLORES: I think Josh (Boyer) did a great job calling the game. Called it aggressively. I think our entire staff – offense, defense, special teams – did a great job preparing these guys on a short week against a very good opponent. Yeah, we felt like we had to bring pressure. He (Lamar Jackson) is a very skilled player and he got out of there a couple of times too. They made some plays down the – take the play down the sideline at the end of the game. It was a good play, but we made a few more than they did and came out with the win.
Q: Brian, going back to QB Tua Tagovailoa. Do you feel like you learned anything about his ability to push through pain and play through injuries?
BRIAN FLORES: No, I’ve said multiple times this is a tough kid. He has dealt with really injuries the entire year. Oftentimes, I know for me, I try to protect him from himself in a lot of instances. Yeah, he will push through pain. There’s no doubt about that.
Q: Brian, what was your perspective on the G/T Robert Hunt’s would-be touchdown?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a penalty. (Laughter) My perspective is it was a penalty. It was going to be a penalty. It was a penalty. I’m sure it was fun to watch for many, (laughter) but it was a penalty.
Q: What did you think of G/T Robert Hunt’s effort to break the plane?
BRIAN FLORES: Great effort. Incredible effort. (laughter) It’s a penalty, though. Maybe we’ll put a play in for him.
