Transcripts

Jaelan Phillips – January 12, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, January 12, 2022

LB Jaelan Phillips

(The last time you were there, there were snowballs coming from the fans. The atmosphere this time may be a bit different if S Damar Hamlin is there as well. Do you have to deal with handling the Bills on the field and the atmosphere in the stands?) – “I mean, honestly, I really don’t pay too much attention to the stands and what’s going on. Obviously the whole environment, the whole ambiance and stuff, you can feel the energy. But I don’t think that’ll play too much of a difference, honestly. We’re locked in between the lines. It’s just man on man.”

(Do you even hear it when you’re on the field?) – “Yeah. Sometimes. Especially when we’re at Hard Rock (Stadium). But yeah, I mean, you can hear it. I don’t really think about it too much.”

(Do you get a sense that it will be different if S Damar Hamlin is there? Some are saying just the whole atmosphere with him being there fires up the team and the fans.) – “Yeah, I would assume so. I definitely would be super excited to see him on the field.”

(How excited are you to have your first NFL playoff experience?) – “I’m super excited. I think that’s exactly what we needed. What better opportunity than playing the Bills again in the first round. This is what we all live for. This is what we play the game for. So we’re all excited.”

(I don’t know if you remember this, but in the last press conference after you guys played, QB Josh Allen said I think we will end up seeing this team again later this season. When that game happened, did you want another crack at them?) – “Oh, for sure. For sure. For as long as I’m a Dolphin, we’re going to be excited to play the Bills because it’s always going to be a dogfight. It is always going to be a really fun competitive game.”

(Does it really come down to stopping QB Josh Allen not only with his arm, but with his legs as well?) – “100 percent. You got to contain him. Obviously he’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the league. Their offense kind of revolves around him and obviously they got other pieces that can hit you with the home run as well, but being able to contain Josh is going to be a huge part of our gameplan, for sure.”

(Is the way the edge guys rush QB Josh Allen at all different from other quarterbacks, in terms of having him take off? Is there any difference with him?) – “Yeah, you just got to be aware of that and just have good rush lane integrity. That’s all it really comes down to. And that’s really kind of reoccurring no matter who the quarterback is, but especially with somebody who can run like him and create plays off of scrambles and things like that. You definitely got to do the best you can to keep him in the pocket.”

Jeff Wilson Jr. – January 12, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, January 12, 2023

RB Jeff Wilson Jr.

(On if the team has to run more if there’s a rookie quarterback making his first playoff start) – “No, I don’t necessarily feel that way, because the way Skylar (Thompson) is developing and learning the plays and getting more comfortable playing the quarterback position in our offense, I feel like we don’t have to alter all of those things. We just have to play good complementary football, and that’s not offense and defense – that’s on offense. The run got to help the pass, the pass got to help the run and that’s how we win the game.”

(Do you anticipate the atmosphere being different than the previous time you were up there? Not only because of the rowdy fans, but if Damar Hamlin comes, it’s just going ratchet up a little bit.) – “Yeah, it is, but that’s all for them. That has nothing to do with us. Like I said, all we have to do is come out and play football. Like I was telling somebody earlier, if you put Muhammed Ali and Mike Tyson in the ring, they’re going to be rocking each other the whole fight until somebody eventually falls. That’s what it is. No matter who is there. Like I said, about their situation, my heart and prayers still go their way even though (Hamlin) is out and released (from the hospital), I still pray for him. I still ask God to keep him covered and his family. But at the end of the day, it’s football and that’s what we’re coming and doing and that’s what we’re coming to play.”

(If RB Raheem Mostert can’t go this week, how ready are you to take on possibly a bigger role at the running back position?) – “I’m always ready. You have to prepare for everything in this league. Regardless of if he’s there or not, we’re going to prepare as if he was and if he wasn’t. We’re just going to stay ready and be ready to play a good game of football.”

Wes Welker – January 12, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker

(We’ve seen fewer touches for WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle in the games QB Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t played for obvious and understandable reasons. Do you tell Head Coach Mike McDaniel and Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith, and you obviously have the credibility with them to do it, let’s find other ways to get them the ball? We saw obviously a jet sweep for Waddle last week. Is that something that you can tell them this week? Or do you assume they know it?) – “I think we all work together and try to obviously get our best players the ball any way we can. But also not sitting there doing it against double coverage over and over, or trying to put ourselves in not ideal situations because when they’re getting doubled or anything like that, it just becomes very frustrating for those guys. When we get our opportunities to get single coverage, or whatever it is, (we have to) try to get our best players to the ball. But yeah, we’re always trying to get our best players the ball if the opportunity presents itself.”

(It’s good to get to ask you about WR Erik Ezukanma after a game in which he actually played. What was the thought process in keeping him active in the regular season finale?) – “’Ced’ (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) had a deal in his hip or whatever, so Erik got the nod to come up and he did really well. He did some really nice things, especially in the run game, and all those things. I was happy with Erik and he’s progressing very, very well. We’ll see where that kind of continues and he’s got a long offseason ahead of him and all of those different things. We’ll see if we need him here in the playoffs or not and kind of go from there. But I’m very happy with Erik, very happy with the way that he performed in the game and we’ll just keep on working with him and he’ll continue to develop and continue to get better.”

(As a player, you had a few concussions. What did you learn about taking care of yourself and best navigating that with the assistance of the doctors as a player?) – “I think the main thing was rest, obviously, and all those different things, and listening to the doctors. There’s different techniques and different things that people do. It’s hard to say what works, what doesn’t and all these different things. To me, it’s more about keeping your mind active, staying into things that you love and have a passion for and all those different things to keep your mind working and moving and doing whatever you need to do to not go into a funk, and just keep yourself kind of busy. Rest obviously, especially initially afterwards. But when you have a passion for something and it’s taken away, where do you go from there? I think that’s something that every athlete or football player that’s had those type of deals kind of deals with.”

(Did you wear a special helmet at some point? Is that something someone convinced you was a good idea?) – “Yeah, I think the helmets and everything are getting better and better as we go on. I think I was the first one – like everybody was calling me Spaceballs there for a while with my big old helmet that I had and stuff. Helmets are helmets and concussions are still going to happen. You just you try to prevent them the best you can and at the same time, it’s part of the game.”

(Did you ever have two in the same season?) – “I did. Yeah.”

(Have you talked about that experience with QB Tua Tagovailoa at all? Is that perhaps a source of hope for him, if you’ve shared that with him?) – “No, we haven’t really talked about it. I think every individual is different. I think every athlete just about is, especially if you play football, you’ve experienced some sort of concussion from playing. To each his own. I think everybody responds differently to them. It’s all a doctor’s recommendation, from that standpoint, of whether you’re good to play or not and being able to provide for your family or not.”

(You’ve been in that stadium many times and you know,= how it charges up to Bills. When you add in the fact that it’s a playoff game and the one variable we don’t know right now is whether S Damar Hamlin will be there or not. What sort of impact do you think that’s going to have? Not just on you guys, but how it might charge up the Bills?) – “Obviously they have all the motivation in the world to go out and win this game. I think when you’re talking about playoff football, I don’t think there’s more of a heightened type of urgency than playoff football. Whatever the motivation is, and all those different things, these are things that all these guys and every player in the playoffs have been dreaming about since they were little kids. Getting to the playoffs is hard and winning in the playoffs becomes even harder because of this sense of urgency and the way that guys practice going into that week and understanding that it’s everything that week of whether we’re going to keep our season alive or not. And that’s kind of exhilarating and fun. So you just kind of have to bring that energy and know what’s at stake. These opportunities don’t come around very often, so try to make the most of it.”

(As the guy with maybe the most playoff experience on the staff or the roster, have you kind of conveyed your message about what to expect in these types of games?) – “Yeah, I think it’s going to be fun. I think the last Buffalo game that we had up there with the energy and the way the weather was and the snow, that’s about as close to playoff football as you’re going to get.  I thought our team and our receivers, or whoever, I think we played very, very well and had a chance to win that game. You see an environment like that and you know what we’re capable of, and hopefully we can go up there and finish that type of performance that we had and finish it this time.”

(You had 13 career playoff games. Do you remember what happened in your first?) – “In my first playoff game? I want to say it was in 2007 against Jacksonville. I think I had a couple touchdowns or something?”

(Were you nervous going into that game at all?) – “No, I was excited. That’s something I’ve been dreaming of since I was a little kid and then I played down here for three years and didn’t make the playoffs. So getting that opportunity and especially the team we had that year was stupid (good). When you have a bunch of guys that are that good on your team, it makes you pretty confident.”

Danny Crossman – January 12, 2023

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman

(I know it’s a sensitive topic with regards to WR Tyreek Hill and returns, but if you are able to just give us any insight at all as to why he was used on the last one in the game on Sunday, but not the previous ones?) – “All that stuff, those decisions, those discussions when we have them, and when they’re had, as a staff and with players, those stay in house.”

(In any way, do you think that WR Tyreek Hill’s presence may have impacted a punt or anything like that?) – “I don’t think so.”

(What do you think of special teams last week? Because from an outsider’s point of view, it seems to be a very strong performance by you guys. What’s your assessment?) – “You guys are sick of me. I’m never happy with anything, but the guys played hard. We didn’t give up any plays against a good group and a very good returner. We’ve been on a run now of playing a bunch of good groups and good returners and we’re going to see another one this weekend. So we’re going to have our hands full. It’s an outstanding team we’re playing on Sunday in all three phases and for me obviously, especially in the kicking game.”

(How gratifying was it for you to see K Jason Sanders hit, specifically a 50-yarder to win it after we’ve seen the misses from 50?) – “You’re happy for Jason, you’re happy for the team, you’re happy for the fans. It’s a big kick in a big spot and I’m super excited for him.”

(After watching Buffalo return two kickoffs for touchdowns just last week, what are your thoughts on stopping that?) – “We talked about it when we played them a month ago. For them to go out and get (Nyheim Hines) at the trade deadline and keep building on an outstanding club and any perceived, what they may have thought were weaknesses, to be able to go out and keep adding. He was a very good returner and a great player in Indianapolis and it’s just carried over in Buffalo. He’s very dangerous with the ball in his hands and we’ll have to do a good job and in every area.”

(You’ve seen that atmosphere in Buffalo from the home sideline. You’ve coached on the visitor sideline. But never a playoff game What’s your expectation for the atmosphere in a playoff game?) – “I can say this and I mean this with all the respect in the world. Those people – it’s not going to change. It is a fabulous atmosphere there from Week 1 to the end of the year. It doesn’t change. It’s a very collegiate atmosphere. They’re going to get there early, they’re going to stay there late, they’re going to have a good time and they love their Bills. So it’s going to be a raucous crowd. But it was a ruckus on Saturday night when we were there a month ago.”

(Does LS Blake Ferguson get extra amped to long snap against his brother?) – “You’d have to ask him that. (laughter)

(Did WR Erik Ezukanma participate on any of the special teams?) – “No.”

Frank Smith – January 12, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith

(I’ve got a question about QB Teddy Bridgewater. What is the role that the little finger plays in throwing the football? I understand that if you’re a right-handed quarterback, that’s the top hand taking the snap if I’m not mistaken, but throwing the football, what is the role that the little finger plays there?) – “I think in reality just being able to grip the ball, being able to control it. I think that ultimately just having that comfort level and being able to one, take a snap and two, to be able to control the football as far as you’re either delivering it through a pass or even be able to hand it off. Teddy (Bridgewater) has done a great job rehabilitating and working through all the injuries and stuff like that, just like all our guys have this year with any injury adversities. So I think that ultimately his ability to handle the football is obviously the most paramount thing that we’re looking at when it comes to whoever is taking the snap. Got to hand it to him though; he’s working his butt off to try and make sure that he’s ready to go in all capacities that we need him.”

(I’m going to ask you an offensive line question that would not compromise you competitively because it doesn’t involve any names. I’ve given this a lot of thought. [laughter] So how many – again, no names – how many permutations have you, Offensive Line Coach Matt Applebaum and Head Coach Mike McDaniel settled on in terms of all the possible lineups for Sunday on the offensive line? And how much does that affect game-planning these last couple days for you and Mike as far as which of the permutations ultimately gets used?) – “Really it come down to kind of like we said it all year, we always have to plan for contingencies in all forms for all positions. I think preparation really starts in training camp. It really starts in the preseason. So for us, the variables that play out in-season, we’re never trying to really work something at the last second. We’re always trying to make sure that we have as much crossover and sometimes where’s the crossover coming? It’s sometimes more in individual drills and stuff like that where we can get the work at it. But ultimately, you’re trying to build consistency. How do you build consistency? Being able to play similar spots, similar sides. That’s how you build consistency for guys. So I think overall when we look at the line this year, we’ve had a lot of really cool challenges with some of the situations that have come up, and I think the guys have handled it tremendously. Their work, their intensity towards the opportunity to maximize their play. We couldn’t be happier from that effort that we’re really putting in. The result is obviously something that you’re always working through to obviously continue your process, but I think the good thing is a lot of these variables and lineup changes we’ve already considered. So we are just really implementing things that we’ve had conversations about or even drilled in some of our individual things.”

(And then as far as how it affects game planning – for example, do you and Head Coach Mike McDaniel have a conversation Tuesday saying if T Terron Armstead is available, we’re going to use this particular play more than if he’s not available? Does that type of thing happen?) – “Kind of. Ultimately you try and put in plays and schemes that maximize your players’ skillsets. Whether that’s a lineman or wide receiver, quarterback, running back, all positions. I think the players make it come to life every play we do so when you can have opportunities for guys and what they do well, yes, we want to put it in. And obviously there’s an element schematically of what we need to attack to challenge the defense. So yeah, you weigh it in and then ultimately, that’s why we have the volume of plays we have. One, to be able to attack the different nuances that the defense presents, and two, to make sure we’re getting to plays that are obviously what our players do well because you can game plan blocks, you can game plan combinations as you can routes. So I think those variables come into play, but we’re always trying to consider multiple contingency opportunities to make sure that we have guys in the right spots.”

(If QB Skylar Thompson indeed starts again, would you like to see him manage the game similar to how he did against the Jets – minimizing risk? Or in this scenario where you probably need some more points, just let it rip, you got nothing to lose, go ahead, go after it?) – “I think when you look at it from philosophically for an offense, our job is to score points and however we score points is trying to obviously win the game. So for us last week, we felt there was an opportunity with the Jets to attack them in a way that maybe we hadn’t attacked certain opponents the same way. I think ultimately like this week, we have a plan for how we want to attack the Bills and ultimately, regardless how that plays out, that’s the plan that we communicate. The guys understand it, I don’t think necessarily that we’re looking at some type of way to really do it. We’re just looking at what’s the best way for us to make sure we score points and win the game and if we maximize those opportunities, we feel confident that we can accomplish that.”

(From your perspective with the various quarterback carousel that you’ve had all season, what’s been kind of the impact of Quarterbacks Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Darrell Bevell in getting QB Skylar Thompson ready this this week, QB Teddy Bridgewater in some weeks and obviously QB Tua Tagovailoa and his development? What’s kind of been your perspective?) – “I think if you look at any of the injury adversities that we’ve had all year at all positions, I think you’ve seen a great job of coaches working with their players, trying to make sure that everyone’s connected with how the game plan is going, everyone’s connected on the important parts of what we’re trying to attack inside of the defense. So the quarterback room, ‘Bev’ (Darrell Bevell) and Chandler (Henley) have done a fantastic job with the quarterbacks making sure that we’re working through all the variables that could potentially happen, all the guys – because again, you just never know when your number is going to get called. So I think that also plays into all rooms with the injury issues that we’ve had to deal with, like all teams do. And just making sure that every player that’s going to have a jersey for the game is ready to go and make sure they understand the game plan. I think it’s been a great opportunity for us as coaches to actualize these contingencies that we’ve been talking about since September and it only makes us stronger for the future.”

(The Buffalo defense almost never leaves their nickel package and I think a lot of that’s built around CB Taron Johnson. What are some challenges unique to a player like that, that can insert in the running game but also pull back and give them more coverage weapons as it were?) – “Yeah, I think that you see a defense that has obviously been together, they understand the philosophy, they understand what they’re trying to do. Sean (McDermott) and Leslie (Frazier) have done a fantastic job and then fortunately from my experience, I know Mike (Shula) going back all the way to Carolina with Sean (McDermott) when he was the coordinator. They run a very, very good scheme, aggressive, they know who they are, they have a very good understanding whether they’re in nickel or their base defense. I think that all their players communicate well. I think they have a great understanding of where they’re trying to be inside of their defense. So I think that the flexibility that they do within their defensive system is probably a strength of theirs and that’s through their players. I think it’s ultimately, you can see it’s a well-coached team that plays hard and ultimately, we got to make sure we’re on our stuff to make sure we bring our best on Sunday.”

(Because of three reasons – A, you’re playing a very good team, B, they’re familiar with you, obviously, you’re familiar with them and C, because you all are beat up offensively without QB Tua Tagovailoa – do you and Head Coach Mike McDaniel in game planning think “we need to do even more unusual unexpected things that we haven’t shown this year, be it trick plays, be it something we haven’t used a lot, to increase our chances to win in this very difficult spot that we’re in?”) – “I wouldn’t say that’s kind of how we look at it. I think our starting point has always been, who is the defense? How do they operate? How do they play defense? Where are the stress points of their defense? How can we challenge them and make them have to defend every yard of the field? So I think we start from that capacity, and then you look at who are the potentials of being up and how do we maximize what they do well and then what do we do well? So you don’t really ever get to that variable until maybe later in the week when you have more clarity towards what’s going on because we still have really three more days of prep before we get to Sunday. There’s a lot of variables that could even play out before then. I think ultimately we’re starting from where we always do and trying to make sure we have options with their scheme to attack different parts of the defense, to attack the matchups that we feel advantageous and then making sure we communicate that with the guys and making sure that we’re operating what we need to do to win the game.”

(If RB Raheem Mostert can’t go Sunday, has anything changed with the running game? He’s basically been the guy you’ve counted on all year.) – “No, I think that we feel very confident with the way the group has responded overall. I think that with what we do, trying to build consistency within our system with running our core concepts and allowing everyone to really get an understanding of what the play’s intent is, what are the stress points of the play or what are the critical factors of the play. So ultimately, the running backs room overall has a good understanding of what we’re trying to do. I don’t think that we necessarily are having to tailor; I think more of it’s just it’s a great opportunity for the next guys in the room to show what they can do in the situation when their number is called.”

(Psychologically, how is the staff approaching the reality that the team is a significant underdog going into this particular ballgame? Is it ignored? Is it discussed? I don’t know.) – “Honestly, you don’t even really know all that stuff until outside people tell you. Your only goal as a coach and a player is to focus on the mission at hand and you go forward with your preparation. So how the outside world views things, it’s kind of irrelevant from that standpoint because as far as your preparation goes, you’re focused on the details of your assignment. You’re focused on the intent of the play. The last thing I think that really focuses in everyone’s mind is what some people are saying that should happen or could happen. I think that everyone’s just focused on being the best they can at each individual moment, which is today. If we maximize today, make sure we stay in the moment and do what we need to do at that time, that’s part of your preparation getting ready for Sunday. And if you do that all year in everything you do, that’s why games aren’t bigger than what they are. They’re just another opportunity to go play the game in front of an audience as opposed to in practice, and then in practice, if you take that intensity with that mental stamina, you’re always banking reps to get yourself ready for that environment, so I don’t think necessarily, anyone’s really focusing on that until really someone tells you and you’re just like, ‘Oh, really? Okay.’ I think it just comes forward that our job is to be present.”

(Last time in Buffalo, you had success on the ground. It was RB Raheem Mostert going that time. RB Jeff Wilson was out. Now you’ll have RB Jeff Wilson and maybe Raheem won’t be able to go. But what other constants do you feel you have in that rushing attack that lead you to believe you could have similar success this time?) – “I think it starts with the preparation on Wednesday and just making sure everyone’s connected in what we’re trying to do in the attack and schematically, fundamentally. I think that all guys with all the variables we’ve had this year, our goal is just to create consistency and a general overall understanding of communication so we can operate. So again, I don’t think that our goal is really worrying about all the variables that could be; you got to worry about your individual variables that you can control. So there’s so much uncontrollable things, especially in the playoffs. The regular season is over. Now it’s a one-game elimination tournament. So the only thing you can do in that is really just stay in the present and focus on what we need to do today and then stack those plays, stack those moments until it’s time for Sunday to extract them when you need them.”

(What’s the first thing that goes through your mind when you kind of project and look at what the atmosphere there and crowd noise is going to be for a playoff game in Buffalo?) – “I assume it’ll probably be very similar to last game. Just hopefully no snowballs. (laughter) I think a couple of us got pelted by those. But yeah, the fortunate thing at the end of the season with us and getting flexed to primetime, having a lot of those opportunities, all they are is they’re preparing you for these moments. So it’ll be an electric atmosphere and we’re looking forward to the opportunity.”

(And you got obviously a great carry from RB Salvon Ahmed late in the game Sunday. He played well in Buffalo. What do you like about his skill set as a runner?) – “Yeah, I think he’s a great fit to our system. I like his vision, his toughness, his ability to redirect, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. As we talked about in earlier months, we’re trying to find guys who are complete players, but then guys who do things well and just trying to maximize that and we’ve been really pleased with what he’s done so far. We feel real confident that if his number is called, that he can execute with what we need him to do.”

Josh Boyer – January 12, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer

(Against a team that you’ve seen so many times and come up with so many different gameplans for, I’m curious when you do go back to game-planning and you have all of those tapes of your guys against them, do you ever have to fight this internal conflict of ‘Do I want to go this way? Do I want to go that way?’ How conflicting is putting together a gameplan against a team that you’ve done it against so many times?) – “I think you look at a lot of things. You look at some of the things that you’ve done well. You look at personnel. Some of that has changed over the years, when you go back and look at all of them. And then ways that they’ve kind of combated some of the things that we’ve done and scheme that they’ve had that’s hurt us, to make sure we’re prepared for that. I think it’s a constant. Then you look at things that they’ve done to other teams as well that may be similar to some of the things that we do. I think there’s a lot of familiarity but at the same time, they’re very familiar with us too so you kind of have to combat, ‘Ok, if we do this, they’ll do that. If they do this, we’ll do that.’ So there’s a lot of back and forth when it comes to preparing for a team that you have faced multiple times.”

(Defending QB Josh Allen and specifically his scrambling abilities, what have you found has and hasn’t been successful?) – “Well, I think you have to give him different looks. If you sit in the same thing – they do a very good job. They’ve got good offensive linemen, they’ve got good skill players, they’ve got good tight ends, they’ve got good backs and their quarterback is able to see things very well and run the offense very efficiently. It will be a big challenge for us this week that we’re looking forward to.”

(On that point with QB Josh Allen, I know we’ve asked you a lot about sacks and getting pressure on the quarterback and whatnot. Is this the type of matchup and the type of quarterback where given his ability to kind of evade pressure and still make plays in the face of pressure, do you kind of really emphasize that you have to bring them down? It’s not one of those things where just the pressure is going to get to him?) – “I think when you have the opportunities to tackle him – and I think the more people you can get around him, the better off you’re going to be. You try to cage him up and not give him open space. I think he’s proven time and time again if you give him open space, he can make plays. We know he’s going to make some plays. He has in every game that he’s played in. We’re just going to have to try to limit those the best we can and then when we have opportunities to make plays, we need to do that.”

(Regarding QB Josh Allen, can you briefly give us the pros and cons of putting a spy on him? And what situations maybe is it more effective? Like third-and-5 as opposed to first-and-10?) – “Any time that you devote a spy or somebody that’s going to be on the quarterback, then obviously you’re pulling them from somewhere else. So either you’re pulling them from the rush or you’re pulling them from the coverage. Like we mentioned, they have a good offensive line. They have a good (group of) skill (players). You just have to weigh your odds on what you’re trying to do and what you’re trying to get accomplished within the calls. I think anytime you do the same thing repetitively with them, they usually have an answer somewhere along the way.”

(Was LB Bradley Chubb on a pitch count last week, so to speak? And will he again this week?) – “I think Chubb is working very hard to get back to full strength. It was very impressive that he got out there last week dealing with what he’s dealing with. Hopefully that will continue. I know he’s working very hard to get back out there as much as he possibly can. I think you always take into consideration – not just with Chubb but other players we have that at this point in the season, there’s probably not anybody who is 100 percent. Guys that are dealing with things, you try to say ‘Ok, this is the best situation to put them in. We can probably get him for this amount of reps.’ And then how you spread that out with everybody else that is available to you. I think you always go into it week-to-week planning that way, especially with the guys that are dealing with things.”

(On LB Jaelan Phillips, what area has he shown the most growth over the last 12 months or so?) – “I would say just his overall awareness defensively and his ability to play multiple spots I think has been pretty impressive. He’s always been a high motor, high effort guy. I think the techniques that he’s using in the run game has improved. I think our ability to move him around has improved. He’s a selfless player. There’s a lot of things that don’t necessarily show up in the stat sheet but he definitely causes some disruption for the offense for sure.”

(The decision last week to get DB Elijah Campbell his first start, what led to that?) – “Again, I think there are a number of things. One, there are certain things that we feel like Elijah gives us and there are other players that are involved in that equation, that we knew we kind of wanted to limit the amount of reps that they were getting. I think any time that you see us putting a player on the field, we’re going to be pretty confident that that guy is going to get the job done. It’s not one of those where – especially when you start the game, if you’re going, ‘Ah, man. We’ve got to put this guy in.’ That’s not the case. Obviously we feel very comfortable and very good. I think Elijah has made a lot of progress. We’ve talked about Elijah earlier in the year. He was not a guy that we were able to pinpoint what he can do because he had to be very multiple for us based on players that we had available to us. I think we’ve kind of narrowed his role down a little bit and I think he’s made the most of the opportunities that he’s had. We’re very excited that he was able to get out there last week and help us out, and also was able to limit some reps of some other guys that we were trying to limit reps.”

(DB Elijah Campbell’s best skill as a defender is what, you would say?) – “He’s fast and physical. I think he has a wide variety of skillsets and within the scheme, trying to pinpoint, ‘Ok, we think we can get this out of him.’ He’s worked very hard. He’s a very diligent worker. He’s had to learn multiple positions over the course of the season, that I would say has evolved, especially when you’re game-planning week-to-week. It’s different week-to-week. He’s a very explosive player. He’s able to start very quickly. He can go from zero to 60 in a hurry. He’s a physical player. He’s not afraid of contact. I’m very pleased with where he’s at and where he’s going, and we’re working very hard to build on that and to help him along in his progression as a defensive football player.”

(There’s 17 games in your career that you’ve coached up in Buffalo but the first time in the playoffs. What do you expect the atmosphere to be like compared to a regular-season game up there?) – “When you play at Buffalo, it’s always a great football environment. This is going to be stereotypical, but it’s a very blue-collar, hardworking town. The fans are very passionate. Obviously I’ve spent my entire career in the AFC East and if you are wearing a different colored jersey, you’re not welcome there. But they love football. It will be a great environment. We’ll probably have a few less snowballs thrown at us this week if it doesn’t snow. (laughter) But I think it’s awesome. I think it’s a great football environment. I think it’s a good football town. They’ve got a great football team. They’re well-coached. They play hard. I don’t think you can ask for anything more going up there and playing.”

(Upon reviewing the Jets tape, what did you come away most pleased with in keeping them out of the end zone?) – “You always go back and look at things that you could have done better. You always start with that first. Obviously when we had opportunities to get off the field on third down like we talked about a week ago, those four-point plays that we talked about, we were able to get them off the field. So obviously that was good. Anytime that you can limit a team or eliminate a team from scoring a touchdown, you’re going to put yourself in a pretty good opportunity.”

(The first game, obviously you guys had two late stops to clinch that game. In Week 15, they were 4-of-5 in the red zone. What sticks out to you from both games and kind of the execution in the red area?) – “I think it comes down to just that – execution. We probably needed to do a little bit better job of mirroring the rush with the coverage. Sometimes we had good rush and not good coverage. Other times we had good coverage and not a good rush. Sometimes you have to marry that all together. Really, that’s what this Sunday will come down to will be execution. It’s a new season. We’re very excited about it. The 18 weeks we had before us, none of that really matters. What’s going to matter this week is the execution that we have on Sunday. We’re really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great environment. We couldn’t ask for anything better. We’re looking forward to it.”

(Last week, you guys ran the ball a lot and had 35 minutes time of possession. What does that do for the defense?) – “That’s probably a better question for … I don’t really pay attention to what we’re doing offensively, scheme and time of possession. The reality of it is when you go out there on the field, your job is to get off the field and get the ball back to the offense. If that happens where it’s a long drive, that happens. If that happens where it’s a short drive, that happens. But the reality of it is your goal and your mentality is always the same. It’s what can we correct that happened on the field? What can we get better? Are there things that we need to change? But the end goal is ultimately to get the ball back to the offense as soon as we possibly can to help with the field position, because obviously the longer the drives on, usually you lose field position as you go. I don’t think what they’re doing one way or the other kind of affects the end goal for us defensively.”

(Watching the games back over this year and even a couple of years prior to that, it seems like there are a lot of opportunities for you guys to take the football away but it doesn’t always seem to happen for your defense against this offense. I think they had six fumbles in two games against you this year but you only recovered two of them. How do you emphasize taking the ball away and capitalizing on those opportunities?) – “I think you probably hit it right there in your question. One, we have to attack the football. And then when it’s out, the more people that we can get to the ball increase our odds greatly of recovering the ball. We put an emphasis on that every week so that won’t really change. We’ll try to attack the ball as much as possible and then try to get everybody to the ball the best we can to recover those.”

Terron Armstead – January 11, 2023 Download PDF version

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

T Terron Armstead

(Before we start the questions, there’s a reason that they asked you to come in here. At the end of each season, the media covering the Dolphins give out something we call the Good Guy Award. It goes to the player who has best exhibited professionalism and courtesy toward the media, which is the most important part of your job. [laughter] This year, I have to say, as you know, it’s a good locker room and there’s a lot of competition for that coveted prize, more coveted than MVP. But anyway, you not only explain in detail the intricacies of playing offensive line and what this line has gone through, but you’ve fielded very patiently about 500 questions on injuries this year and dealt with it all. So we took a vote, and yes, indeed, congratulations. [hands him the Good Guy Award] So we thank you and congratulate you.) – “I appreciate it.”

(It really helps us share what we need to with the fans, and that’s obviously the most important thing.) – “I appreciate it. I appreciate you guys, for sure – 100 percent. So I’m done? (laughter)

(Does that go in your display case? That’s the question.) – “Yes, it is. This thing is nice. I appreciate it.”

(I’m writing something on the offensive line, so what I would like to know is can you tell me about the personalities in that room? They tell me you’re like the coach on the field. OL Robert Jones and OL Robert Hunt are probably the funniest guys. OL Liam Eichenberg might be the most serious. OL Connor Williams can get off a funny line every now and then. But identify the characters in that room – who’s the most intense? Who’s the funniest?) – “It’s a mixed bag, for sure. Rob Hunt is probably the funniest guy on the team. A huge personality. Rob Jones, he might be runner up in that category. Connor (Williams) is pretty serious. Connor is pretty serious. Liam (Eichenberg) is unique in a lot of ways. He’s like older than his age. But we’ve got a lot of mixed personalities but all really good guys, great guys in that room.”

(When you consider everything that you guys have been through, the injuries and the switching and all of that kind of stuff, what does it tell you about the toughness, the dedication, the professionalism of maybe overcoming obstacles that are in that room?) – “That we’ve got the right guys. We’ve got the right guys. This league is tough, man. It’s a 100 percent injury rate, so more than likely there will be changes to the lineup in the course of a season. The importance is having that depth, staying ready, dual training, which is extremely difficult to do. We have guys that have done an exceptional job at many different spots. Even Rob Hunt having a Pro Bowl season at right guard switching out to right tackle last week. Those things should not be taken for granted. That’s really difficult to do.”

(Do you expect to be able to play Sunday?) – “I’m working. I’m working around the clock, man, to try to do everything I can. I’ve been dealing with quite a bit this season as you guys know. It’s been a battle. It’s been challenging, but I’m not wavering at all. I want nothing more than to be out there with my guys in Buffalo on Sunday. It is not anything I wouldn’t check off to do that, so if I’m able to be functional – for me, it’s not a pain thing. I can deal with any type of pain. It’s the function of the muscle and things around it. If it’ll hold up and I can go, I’m going.”

(What specific – I know you’re on the injury report with a lot of things. What’s specifically?) – “Right, I have a grocery list on the injury report, right? (laughter) It’s crazy.”

(This is why you’re a good guy.) – “A lot of it came from the foot injury Week 1. The body being such a machine and too smart at times, you get into compensation with muscles starting to shut down and start to affect other things. So like I’ve been dealing with my right leg really. So just trying to get everything to a point of strength and function, and then if I can push and I can drive, I’m going.”

(How do you view this season from a personal standpoint? On the one hand, you’ve got all the injuries. On the other hand, you helped the Dolphins make the playoffs in your first year after they signed you as a free agent. How do you balance those two kind of?) – “It’s been great, man. It’s been great. It’s been a blessing. The wins, the losses – you love the wins, you learn from losses, any experience, and I can’t complain about anything. I play this game for a living. I try to play at a high level. I put together a Pro Bowl, All-Pro campaign even dealing with injuries. I could have gotten surgery Week 1 and been done. Against advisement, we locked in and suited up. It’s been great, man, just being around these guys, this new environment, new team, new city. I wouldn’t – I can’t see it as anything less than great. It’s a blessing.”

(Would you have been done for the season had you opted for surgery Week 1?) – “Yeah.”

(You’ve been through it this time of year with teams of the past that you’ve been on. Outside of a few of the other new veterans, not a lot of playoff experience on this team. How can you kind of impart your wisdom to younger guys at this time of year?) – “I mean, those details just become even more prevalent right now. Those details are everything in a playoff game. You’ve played 17 or 18 games, running your system, the style of play you want to play. Now it’s all the small intangibles that can advance you or send you home. Things that we were winning in spite of, we start losing because of. So we’ve got to start – I think we’ve done a really good job these last couple of weeks locking in on a lot of those things from penalties, alignment issues, misassignments in identification, communication, all those things that we still found a way to win, and we started to lose because of those things, we’ve got to lock in on them and get them corrected. The beauty of this is we’re all at the same slate. We all are 0-0 in this tournament. Anything can be happen.”

(What was your assessment of how QB Skylar Thompson played on Sunday?) – “I think Skylar (Thompson) played extremely well. He played smart, didn’t turn the ball over. That’s kind of biggest thing, especially going into the playoffs. Turnovers will send you home, for sure. I think he was getting into more and more of a groove as the game went on. The run game helped out a lot too, and I think it will be better for him moving forward.”

(As a veteran receiving this particular award, what might you tell some of the younger guys, if it ever came up in the locker room or the cafeteria, about what potential benefits there actually might be having an open communicative relationship with us folks?) – “I think – for me, it boils down to respect. I respect every single person I walk by and come in contact with. I respect their job. I respect them as a person, whatever walk of life they’ve been through. They might have kids. Their parents might – you never know when you could cross paths with somebody at one point and meet again 10 years later in a different area or juncture in your life. So to me, it just comes down to respect, and it’s simple. Treat people with how you want to be treated, and that’s with the utmost respect.”

(This is Pro Bowl No. 4 for you. Does this possibly mean a little bit more because it comes in your first year with a new team that went out and gave you a big contract in the offseason and you’ve obviously rewarded their faith in you?) – “I think it’s really cool getting the accolade, getting recognition from your peers, the fans, the coaches. Being a Pro Bowl starter in both conferences is nice. I definitely am proud of it and feel rewarded from it. But ultimately, the goal is always team driven, never personal.”

(Do you have any sense yet from talking to doctors if the toe, the knee, the hip or the pectoral will need surgery this offseason?) – “You could’ve just summed that all up. (laughter) No, I’m in the moment really. I’m in the moment. I’m not doing any season-ending evaluations or physicals, anything like that. We’re getting ready to play Sunday.”

(Based upon one-fourth of the team receiving votes for the Good Guy Award, what does it say about this team that there are so many guys that were a part of this voting?) – “Yeah, we’re getting the right people in the building. We’re getting the right people in the building. People that respect the game, respect how it’s played and all the nuances of it on and off the field. It’s important. It’s extremely important to have that in the locker room – guys that can articulate, communicate, show that respect through the ups and downs because we went through a five-game win streak, five-game losing streak. So to have so many guys up for an award like this speaks volumes to the team.”

(How much has missing the last two weeks helped you as far as progress and where you stand this week? Is there a measure that you can provide?) – “Not really. Not really. I’m focusing on winning today, really. Just trying to get better and see if I can go out and do my job and execute.”

(You’ve dealt with injuries in the past. Has this been maybe the most frustrating season having to deal with that?) – “I’ve dealt with a lot and have played and compensated, changed things in my game midseason. This one has been challenging because of the new system. So we’re all rookies. The whole offense, we’re rookies in a sense. So having an injury Week 1 that takes away some strengths for me – being able to use my speed, explosiveness, having to make some changes from the jump – it was challenging.”

(What kind of mindset goes into a guy who has to come back from injury after injury and you keep plugging away? What goes on inside your head?) – “Nobody cares, really. Like the film won’t be labeled ‘In this game, No. 72 had a toe, knee, pec, back, head, shoulders, knees and toes.’ (laughter) It won’t say that. So when we finish playing this game, that’s what we’ve got left – the film. The film won’t be labeled a certain way. I play out of respect for myself, my teammates. If I can do my job helping my teammates, I’m going.”

(So assuming you’re coming into next year fully healthy – don’t want to get too far ahead – but because you had to make so many changes to your game in even Week 1, you were a Pro Bowler this year. Could we be seeing a totally different Terron next year?) – “I’m locked in on today – Wednesday – trying to win this day and be out there Sunday.”

(What all have you been able to accomplish and get done off the field since coming to Miami, particularly with your community center?) – “My center just opened – we’re fielding some students right now. Not many, like eight students after school a couple days a week. That’s pretty much all the activity going on there. I’ve had a couple conversations with some organizations out here to partner with in the future. I’m still trying to find my lay of the land and figure out exactly the area that we want to focus in and be heavily involved in.”

(I’m curious if there’s anyone in your life that you kind of lean on during times of going through what you’re going through physically, but it’s obviously an emotional challenge, too? Is there anyone in particular that you have had a special relationship during this time with?) – “Maybe healthy or unhealthy, I internalize a lot. I keep a lot to myself and deal with whatever I’m dealing with. I have a physical therapist that stays with me and we work a few days a week, so we’re always trying to keep everything pliable. But my kids – if I had to lean on anyone, my kids. My twins, they take care of their dad.”

(Your physical therapist lives in your house?) – “Yeah, he comes in from Dallas.”

(During the season?) – “Yeah. Yeah. We’re not THAT close. (laughter) He isn’t just living with me year-round.”

(One other question since we have you. With everything going on with Damar Hamlin and in Buffalo and the way that community’s kind of rallied around Damar, what are you guys kind of expecting that environment to be like on Sunday especially now with him back in Buffalo discharged?) – “I think it’ll be special. I think it’ll be special. It was a great environment when we went up about a month ago. I’d say it was one of my most fun, most exciting games I’ve ever been a part of in my career. I’m so happy for Damar and his recovery. Watching that live, it was a wave of emotions really, playing the game for so long. I’m 31. I started when I was 5, so I’ve been playing for 26 years straight. So to see something like that, it definitely was breathtaking and sent prayers up for him. I’m still praying for him and happy to see his recovery. Those fans up there are intense and for real, so I expect nothing less.”

Jerome Baker – January 11, 2023

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

LB Jerome Baker

(On playing in the playoffs) – “… This is what you dream of. This is the opportunity you always wanted and we’ve got an opportunity Sunday. Now we’ve just got to execute and get it done.”

(Last time you were there, snowballs were coming onto the field. The Bills mafia is infamous. Now with the Damar Hamlin situation, he may be there. Just the atmosphere – you’re not only dealing with what Head Coach Mike McDaniel said was arguably the best team in football, but then that atmosphere, too, that’s cranking now because of Hamlin?) – “Yeah, I mean, you can’t make something like this up. It’s going to be a special one Sunday. It’s going to electric. It’s going to be everything you wished for, just to be in a playoff game and everything matters. It’s going to be a fun one and we’ve just got to go up there and it’s going to be tough and we’ve got to get it done.”

(Just kind of watching from afar the way that that community and that team has kind of rallied around Damar Hamlin. What’s your observation?) – “Man, it’s just so much love up there and that’s what it’s all about. We’re different teams and all that but at the end of the day we’re all people and we all play this game that we love and it’s just a special feeling and a special thing to watch. It’s going to be exciting Sunday and hopefully we can come out with a win.”

(A lot of familiarity by now with Bills QB Josh Allen. What are the things you’ve learned from those experiences?) – “I feel like I play him all the time and I really do. Every year it’s two games a year and this is going to be the third one this year and they’ve won one, we’ve won one and this is where it all matters. We know them, they know us and it’s no secret what they’re going to do. It’s no secret what we’re going to do. We’ve just got to go out there and execute and get it done.”

(What about QB Josh Allen’s legs specifically? Just the dual threat he presents?) – “Yeah, that second half last game he really got it done on the ground and we’ve got to limit that. We’ve got to do different things to slow him down. We have a good plan and now it’s just time to execute.”

(Head Coach Mike McDaniel told us that QB Tua Tagovailoa can’t go this weekend. Obviously you’re down your starting quarterback. As a member of a defense that has a lot of pride, is it on you guys to win this game?) – “Absolutely. It’s always been on us. It is definitely unfortunate he can’t play, but you win games by playing great defense. If they don’t score any points, you win the game. So it’s going to be up to us and our defense is up for the challenge.”

(You guys have basically been playing to get into the playoffs the last few weeks. How has that mentality maybe helped carry over into Round 1?) – “It was kind of like a learning experience of every game is a big one and now it’s the real deal. Everything matters. Every play matters. The sleep you get matters. What you put in your body matters. This is what it’s all about and it’s going to be a good one.”

(How important is it for this locker room, especially the defense, to kind of rally around QB Skylar Thompson, QB Teddy Bridgewater, whoever it is …?) – “It’s a big deal. Like I said, they’ve got to lean on us and we’ve got to make plays and get off the field and really just slow down this Buffalo offense. It’s going to be a great challenge, but I’m definitely up for the challenge and our defense is up for the challenge. So it’s going to be a good one.”

(After 81 games – regular season games – played for the Dolphins, what does it mean to you personally to now play in your first playoff game?) – “It’s about time. It’s about time. (laughter) But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter if you don’t go up there and get the win, so I’m going to do everything I can to get the win, get the guys going and we’re going to come out ready to go and we’re going to get it done.”

(Did it feel different coming into work today because you’re preparing for a playoff game?) – “Not really. I still wake up, still sleepy. I think it won’t really hit me until we get on the road and get up there. I’m excited. I’m truly excited. It’s going to be a fun one.”

(Heading into December, Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked about that level going up, playing December games when they’re really important. Now it goes even further. What do you expect the energy level to be like for the playoffs and some of the things that you might have to get used to having it been a while since you’ve been able to be…?) – “It’s just going to be high. Everything matters. The energy level is going to be high. The emotional toll it’s going to take is going to be high. Everything is going to be high. It’s the game that you just pray that you’ll be a part of and now we’ve got the opportunity. It’s going to be a good one and we’ve just got to execute and get it done Sunday.”

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