Transcripts

Xavien Howard – January 11, 2023 Download PDF version

Wednesday, January 11, 2022

CB Xavien Howard

(How much are you looking forward to playing in another playoff game?) – “I’m looking forward. I’m ready for this week. It’s a big game. Playoffs in Buffalo.”

(What would you say about the job the defense has done in the last two weeks? It seems like you guys are holding offenses under wraps.) – “I feel like we’ve been doing okay. Buffalo is a high-powered offense. They’ve got a lot of weapons everywhere. It’s going to be a good matchup this week for us.”

(You guys have had some battles with QB Josh Allen throughout his career. What’s it going to slow that guy down?) – “He can do everything, man. This is the third time we’re facing him this year. There’s a lot of stuff on the table he can do, so we just got to stop him, try to contain him and just get some takeaways from him and stuff like that.”

(What did you learn from those experiences?) – “Every time we played them, the game has been close. I feel like we’ve been doing an okay job against them.  I’m sure they’re going to come with a different game plan and different stuff they’re going to do. We just got to try to stop and contain him.”

(You were around the last time this team made a playoff appearance. What do you remember from that?) – “We got whooped. That’s what I do remember. (laughter) It was a cold game. It was also a cold game in Pittsburgh. But it was crazy. This is our second time in six years? We’re just looking forward to trying to get the game plan together and see what we got planned.”

(It’s also been a long time coming. So it’s good to finally get back?) – “It feels great. Opportunities, you can’t take them for granted. Like I said last Sunday, it’s the second time I’m going to the playoffs in six or seven years. You can’t take the chance for granted.”

(You said turnovers. Do you become more aggressive to try to create turnovers? Or are you trying to strip a football more so than a normal situation or jump a route? What’s your approach to that?) – “Just make plays defense-wise. Being aggressive, sometimes that can hurt you so there’s not really much you can say. I’d just say just let the plays come to you.”

(What’s your thoughts on the way that that team and that community has really rallied around what’s going on with Damar Hamlin, and what can you guys expect from that atmosphere?) – “They did a great job. The NFL did a great job. Everybody did a great job. Everything played out well. The guys back in Buffalo, that’s what it’s all about, just showing the support, especially when the guy is down and stuff happens like that on the field. I know it’s going to be packed this Sunday. I know it’s going to be crazy so we got to prepare for that.”

(Head Coach Mike McDaniel told us that QB Tua Tagovailoa won’t play on Sunday. As a member of the defense, do you take more upon yourself now that you’re without your starting quarterback, that you have to win this game for this team?) – “He hasn’t played in two weeks. We’re the next-man-up mentality. We got to keep it going. We just got to play.”

(The last time you were there, the snowballs were flying and they’ve got the Bills Mafia. Now it’s going to be ratcheted up if Damar Hamlin does appear. What do you think the whole atmosphere is going to be like?) – “If he comes to the game, that’s going to be a different game. They’ve been pushing through for him and everything. It’s a great environment to play in. We’re looking forward to it. There isn’t really much the fans can do to try or do anything to us or stop us from playing because at the end of the day, a game still has to be played.”

Skylar Thompson – January 11, 2023 Download PDF version

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

QB Skylar Thompson

(On running the first team offense this week in Buffalo and just your thoughts about going into your first playoff game?) – “The good thing for me, I feel like I got a pretty good feel for what a playoff game kind of would look like just last week. It was a win or go home type of situation for us, so getting to experience kind of what that felt like last week I think was helpful.  This week is just going to be like any other week for me this entire season. It’s preparing like I’m going to be the starter and getting reps where I can build some confidence throughout the week and build continuity with this offense to where when we go out there, we can play fast and play with confidence on Sunday.”

(Do you think it will hit you Saturday when you arrive or Sunday when you walk into the stadium? When do you think that moment will hit you?) – “I’m going to try to eliminate that as much as possible. I don’t really know when that will – I can’t say when exactly that will happen. I don’t know, I’m sure it will at some point, but just trying to eliminate the emotion of all that as much as I can and just treat it like any other game.”

(If someone would have told you a year ago that you were going to be starting in a playoff game in your rookie season, what would you have thought?) – “Obviously, it’s a goal of mine to be a starter and be in these types of situations. You just never know what that’s going to look like exactly, and the way that things have played out this year to where I’ve had opportunity to play a little bit and have an opportunity like this this weekend, it’s crazy. But I’m very, very excited for it. This is what I’ve worked for for a very long time. So it’s time to soak it in, have fun with it and do the best that I can help this team win.”

(Head Coach Mike McDaniel praised your poise. You did not turn the ball over. I think you took one sack. But only nine points. More will be needed presumably against the Bills, correct?) – “Oh yes, 100 percent. It was just the flow of the game, the way that it was playing out. We didn’t score a touchdown. That’s obviously the goal every time we touch the football. But all we needed was a field goal to win it. That became a reality for me on that last drive (to) just put us in a position to where we kick a field goal and trust Jason (Sanders) that he’s going to hit it and that’s what I did. Obviously, we want to score every time we get the ball, especially against a team like this. It’s a very good football team, very good offense, very good defense all around. Any chance you get to score touchdowns, you’ve got to capitalize and do that.”

(I was curious, how instrumental has Quarterbacks Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Darrell Bevell? What sticks out to you about him not only as a coach but as a person?) – “He’s been a tremendous, tremendous help for me. He’s a great coach. He’s a great person above everything, which is awesome. His demeanor, the way that he approaches the coaching of the quarterback position, I think has helped our entire room of just staying calm, cool and collected through everything that we’ve experienced this year. He does a great job throughout the week of just prepping us and getting us ready for the game and proposing different situations, looks that just kind of help run things through our mind to where when we get to the game, we can play fast. He’s been awesome. I appreciate Coach ‘Bev’ (Darrell Bevell) a lot.”

(How much have QB Tua Tagovailoa and QB Teddy Bridgewater helped up with instances where you’ve been elevated to start?) – “They have both been a great help to me and supporting me, which has meant a lot to me, coming from guys that have had a lot of experience and have played the position in the league and just spreading wisdom to me as much as they can. (They’re) not trying to overwhelm me or give me too much information, but just tidbits here and there to help me just slow the game down and play fast. Both those guys have helped me a lot.”

(You were on the sideline a few weeks ago in Buffalo with the snowballs flying and everything else, the cold weather. We don’t know if Damar Hamlin is going to be there. It’s possible, I suppose. What sort of atmosphere are you expecting when you walk into that stadium?) – “It was electric the last time we were there, and I expect nothing less now. My thoughts and prayers are out with (Damar) Hamlin. Everything that’s happened with that organization and the way that he’s bounced back is amazing. It shows the power of prayer of how much it can impact the world. His story is going to be phenomenal of how many people he’s going to impact through what he experienced. It’s going to be rocking. I know that. It was last time. And they have a great fan base. That’s a great atmosphere. You can tell they feed off of that and that will be a great challenge for us.”

(You touched on starting last week. Your confidence level, how has it changed? You’ve got to be confident to play that position, but how has it changed just getting that one start under your belt?) – “Honestly, every snap, I feel more and more confident. It’s not always going to be perfect. We strive for perfection in this position and that’s what you want, but in reality, name a quarterback who has ever played a perfect game. For me, it’s just dialing in on one play at a time and taking the game as it comes, controlling what I can control, and ultimately just giving it my best, because my best is always enough. That’s something my former quarterback coach at K-State, Collin Klein, used to always tell me, and that’s something that I just remind myself all the time is my best is always enough. I think just moving forward, that’s going to be my same mentality and just having fun with it.”

(You talked to us about how influential your family has been in your journey and your dad and the role he’s played in your now-NFL career. How excited are they? What’s the reaction like? Are they going to be in Buffalo?) – “Yes, my dad will be driving from Kansas City to Buffalo for the game. It was really cool. They were supposed to come down here for Christmas, but their flights got canceled. Before we even knew anything about last week, they rescheduled their flights to come down to the Jets game, and it just happened to work out that I was starting. So everything happened for a reason, but I’ve had tremendous support from my family, my friends, everybody back home supporting me. The amount of text messages I’ve gotten of just support and the encouraging words has been overwhelming, but it’s awesome. It just tells me I’m surrounded by great people and have great people in my life, and that’s something that I value a lot.”

(Every gameplan is different. Obviously, you ran the football and protected the ball last week. Are you looking forward to opening it up a little bit maybe?) – “Yeah, like I was kind of touching on earlier, it’s just about feeling the flow of the game. I think that’s super important at the quarterback position, being able to feel what that’s like and knowing the situation of when there’s times to take care of the football and maybe where there’s times where you can hang on and give it a shot. That’s something that I’m just learning through and growing through as I go. But yeah, obviously, we want to open up the field and take our shots when we get them and be explosive on offense. So yes, that’s something that we definitely want to do, but just take what the defense gives you.”

(We saw QB Tua Tagovailoa was greeting teammates as they came off the field in the tunnel last game. What did he tell you after your quarterbacked that win?) – “He told me he was really proud of me. For what Tua (Tagovailoa) has experienced this year, I know – I can only imagine how hard it is for him. I just commend his leadership and the way that he’s treated me throughout this whole process. It’d be hard to do, and he’s been very supportive of me and everybody in this locker room, considering all the stuff that he’s going through. So I think it shows the type of person and leader he is. It’s meant a lot to me, for sure.”

(I’m sorry if you’ve been asked this already, but from standing on the sidelines a few weeks ago and just from the sideline perspective watching the Buffalo Bills defense, what are some of the things that are going through your head as you go into this game to be successful?) – “They’re a very good defense and you can tell that they have a lot of veteran guys that have played a lot of football. They play fast. They’re very disciplined. And they play hard. For me, it comes down to just executing and doing our job each and every play and not getting ahead of ourselves, not trying to press. Just take what the defense gives me and gives us and just take it as the game comes. It’s going to be a great challenge for us. I got the experience of seeing it in person, what the atmosphere is going to look like, getting snowballs chucked at us, all that. It was awesome. (laughter)

(No snow this time I heard.) – “Yeah. (laughter) Above all else, it’s a great atmosphere and it’s fun. That’s what makes the game fun. I’m just looking forward to going out there and competing, and I know our guys are too.”

(Head Coach Mike McDaniel talked going into December what it would be like for you guys to experience December football. Now it goes to a different level – playoff football. What type of energy are you expecting and maybe some of the things you might have to get used to pretty quick? You just got used to one full game, and now you’re in the next level of a full game?) – “That’s just something that I know there’s more at stake, but like I was saying, last week there was a lot at stake too. So I got a similar feeling of win-or-go-home type situation. I know there’s a lot at stake and they’re going to be ready to go. They have a lot to play for considering all the stuff they’ve experienced the past couple of weeks. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be a lot of fun, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Mike McDaniel – January 11, 2023 Download PDF version

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Head Coach Mike McDaniel

(Before we start I just wanted to mention real quick that later today we’re going to be presenting our “Good Guy Award” which goes to the player who exhibits professionalism with the media and so in preparation for that I asked everybody to give me three names instead of just one because I knew that it wasn’t obvious who was going to win it this year. And two interesting things happened. No. 1 believe it or not, we had to have a runoff election because the voting was so close…) – “Too many good guys.”

(Too many good guys. And No. 2, one-fourth of your roster received votes, which I think says something about the locker room you’ve put together. So I’m sure – I think I speak for everybody here when I say that we’re appreciative of the players for their cooperation, your coaching staff, yourself, the communications staff and let me not forget to mention the cafeteria staff.) – “This is unbelievable. (laughter) I very much appreciate it on behalf of all people involved and that’s really cool to hear. You guys deserve the respect that you’re receiving. Just trying to do your job.”

(Now that we’ve said that, who’s the quarterback on Sunday?) – “It’s not me. (laughter) As of today, Tua (Tagovailoa) has not been cleared by doctors to resume football activities on the field with his teammates so because of that and because of the time that he’s missed, I can rule him out for Sunday.”

(Is QB Teddy Bridgewater in line to play this week?) – “Teddy (Bridgewater) is still working his way back. His biggest thing is he knew that he had to be in a position where he had to be fully functional on Sunday. That took some strain and really just some guts and work ethic. That’s not an easy thing to do and as it stands right now he’s working to prepare himself to be capable on Sunday, but as a result of that, he can’t afford any setbacks or really anything that’s conflicting against the healing process in the week. As a result, we’ll be approaching the game today – the Wednesday game – with Skylar Thompson as our starting quarterback.”

(When you talked to QB Tua Tagovailoa and officially ruled him out, what was his reaction? What was that conversation like?) – “I would say it’s conflicting. He, himself, is learning that he needs to listen to the advice of doctors and medical professionals. He understands the severity of doing that, so there’s a little bit of things that he can’t control. He was an incredible part of the entire season. I think eight of our wins were as a result of him playing quarterback, amongst the team, and that did not come because it was just gifted. That was a lot of work and preparation, so it’s very frustrating, much as a lot of things in life and football are. But it is very frustrating for him to not be able to go through everything with his teammates and really it was a huge goal of his to help get this team to the playoffs and he wants to play in the playoffs. There’s nothing more fun than playoff football and he really finds normal football fun. So very conflicting I would say, but (Tua) understands that it’s his best interest that the doctors and medical professionals are seeking and respects and regards that. So that was about it.”

(Is QB Tua Tagovailoa going to be able to go with you guys to Buffalo?) – “These are things that I try to take things one day at a time – not to be annoying, but because of just really the procedure that the doctors have kind of shown me. I think there’s a possibility of that, maybe. I don’t know. We’ll see how he is on Friday and Saturday and then whether or not it helps, hurts or is indifferent for him to travel.”

(Have there been any setbacks?) – “Not really setbacks. It’s more of just I would say compounding variables. Again, I try not to micromanage everything because I don’t find a non-expert to be helpful in micromanaging. I would think that would lend one to mismanagement, so I wouldn’t say setbacks as much as just compounding variables and what needs to happen for the doctors to feel good about it.”

(Is there any, I guess, relief in knowing QB Tua Tagovailoa’s situation that now you can make plans or is it still kind of muddled because you don’t know between QB Skylar Thompson and QB Teddy Bridgewater at the quarterback position?) – “I would be a fool to pretend to have a road map for anything. Just in general in football, but this season in particular, if I was feeling comfort in the idea of an exact vision on who was going to play for instance, I would be ridden with anxiety. We’ve had injuries. Most teams have injuries. We’ve dealt with some at positions with multiplicity. So I don’t really look at it like that. I look at it like, ‘All right, this is the hand right now. How do you play that hand?’ If there are things that go back and forth, you have to just plan for that as well. So I wouldn’t say there was any comfort in really any of the news that we’re talking about with exception to the fact that I know we have a dedicated, hungry football team that’s excited to play in a game that they earned to play in. There’s something to be said about the group in the locker room that understands that it’s not about ‘would’ve, could’ve, should’ve, this happened, that happened.’ I told them today that I think they’re one of five teams in the history of the National Football League that have lost five in a row and made the playoffs, and that is not something that you want on a trophy. You prefer not to lose five in a row. But I think it also more precisely speaks to the level of determination, the lack of splintering. There’s something to be proud of there, too, because that is hard to do clearly. And it’s always something to build upon when you’re able to do something in the face of whatever that other people can’t, so I think they’re just excited to a football game against arguably the best football team in the National Football League and they get the opportunity to do that on Sunday and I think that’s something they’re really excited for and excited to go play.”

(I had a question on Quarterbacks/Passing Game Coordinator Coach Darrell Bevell and kind of his role this season. First of two parts, I was curious where that leadership kind of stemmed from and led you to bring him to the staff and how instrumental has he been working with three quarterbacks with all the various changes this season?) – “’Bev’ (Darrell Bevell) has been huge for me. Somebody that I met – I think it was one of those deals where you know how you meet someone and you remember it and they don’t, which means it was more memorable for you – all the way back in 2006. At Indy at the Combine, you know at the old Marriott with whatever that burger place is? I was down there talking to him, knew of him then and then had followed his career. Had been in the same division as him on occasion and had played against him. When I got here, kind of the lay of the land – I’m not sure how long it took me, but I knew that one of the biggest priorities for the organization was to get some leadership in the quarterback room, have a coach who has experience developing younger quarterbacks and has done it on multiple occasions and also has a disposition that is to be trusted. And you can’t find a more trustworthy, honest, loyal human being. He’s been huge for that room. It’s one of the reasons why there’s been really strong quarterback play that’s come from that room over the course of the season. So a great asset. I mean honestly, just outstanding hire. (laughter) He gets my jokes about as well as you guys do, so it’s all good.”

(During the past month, has any concern been raised about QB Tua Tagovailoa continuing his career, and do all parties – the team, Tua and doctors expect him to resume playing NFL football at some point?) – “You’re doing your job to ask the question but come on. I’m just thinking about his day and him getting to full health as a human being. And then when it’s time to turn the page, I’ll turn the page, but I’m pretty – integrity in principle to a fault and stubborn as all get out. If I hear that’s the way that I should approach it, I will approach it that way and I do not deviate. Really, the next step is for him to be fully through this protocol and then we can see where the land lays, so to speak. But outside of that, I’m just worried about him.”

(Starting an NFL game for a rookie quarterback – it brings out nerves just in the regular season alone. How is QB Skylar Thompson handling the possibility, a strong possibility, that he will be starting playoff game for you guys?) – “I’m not sure if anyone really understands the gravity of what he was able to accomplish, where he, himself, had started one game previous and then was injured, was out and then didn’t have the routine. I mean, he’s banking on reps that he’s doing individually after practice in the indoor, every single day. Some scout team reps, and then a bunch of stuff from the preseason. So to jump in with a fully operated machine and do it – I’m very aware of the score. But you’re talking about no turnovers, I think one sack, and I believe the offense had – I think we had more yards than this offense had against Buffalo earlier in the season when the team did win. And I believe the Jets statistically, I mean they’re neck and neck but they’re both two great defenses, and I think the Jets might even be ranked third or something. It was no easy test that the those who are weak would be exposed immediately. I think he’ll look at it as – probably the way Skylar thinks, he hopes that’s the worst game that he ever plays knowing that everyone has bad games, but you’re trying to build you stuff you learned from, some stuff that he did pretty well, some stuff that I know that he can do a lot better. But the mental fortitude, the composure, that’s something that should be praised because it’s pretty impressive and not easy to do.”

(What do you need to see from QB Teddy Bridgewater for him to play Sunday?) – “That’s something that it’s not just seeing, but it’s him communicating. And he’s got to be able to rip it in time to be able to get some work with his teammates. But that’s not even really his objective. With this timeline, he’s really focusing on being able to come through if needed, because he knows on the front end, he’s not going to be able to get that many reps, if any. So it’s him building, and the bottom line is if we’re in the situation on Sunday and we need him to play and he says he can play, my relationship with him and what he’s earned, the trust that I have for him, if he says he can roll, he can roll.”

(How has T Terron Armstead been progressing?) – “Progressing.  As far as what does that mean for this season? I was talking to him today. It’s very frustrating when you’re not physically capable to play the game you love each and every week and go through that stuff. It’s also been very rewarding because out of all the groups on the team, offensive line is probably the greenest so to speak. So every time he hasn’t been on the field, his impact – he’s earned that C on his jersey (as captain), each and every week, regardless if he’s playing or not. Like most weeks, this week is no different. I expect him to be out there if he’s capable. And if he’s not, he’ll make the best decision for the team. That’s just kind of how he’s built.”

(How has QB Mike Glennon picked up this offense since he’s been here?) – “You can tell he’s been a very convicted, committed player that has experience in multiple systems. You can see it’s like talking to someone who is speaking a second language, where you can see them think in their first language. He’ll process it in terms that he knows it. But consummate pro, has fit right in. Only has value added. And really, he elevates the overall relative height of the whole group, which is cool when you’re a short coach.”

(Knowing the Bills are going to score points regardless of how much confidence you have in your defense, what is a roadmap for you to match points with them, knowing you don’t want to put QB Skylar Thompson in a position that’s too much for him, but that you sort of have to match points with the Bills?) – “I think if you start thinking – to even consider being able to beat a team as high-quality as the Buffalo Bills, I think one mistake is not trusting your teammates in all ways, shapes and forms. So if you start chasing points, you’re probably going to add to that differential. I think you have to worry about what the defense is going to play, what matchups you can work with, where are you vulnerable and then how to try to max out whatever the defense is doing, because typically defenses tend to play to their offense as well. I don’t see Buffalo any different. I think it’s kind of a dangerous game if you try to start chasing points on the road with a juiced up crowd and a defense that thrives on turnovers. So it’s a balance. But the bottom line is, if you’re trying to compete with a with a team like that, that’s earned their home-field advantage in the playoffs, you have to try to compete with them as a team and not phases. Otherwise, you’ll end up wishing the existence you’re trying to avoid.”

Mike McDaniel – January 9, 2023 Download PDF version

Monday, January 9, 2023

Head Coach Mike McDaniel

(As far as QB Tua Tagovailoa goes, has he reached the point yet where he can do non-contact practice stuff, such as throwing? Has he been cleared for that level yet?) – “So he has not been cleared for that level yet. I’m hoping to – with all three active roster quarterbacks, they all have injury-related concerns. I’m hoping to have some clarity on Wednesday. But as of right now, it’s literally the same, if not more vague, than when I just saw most of you guys last.”

(Then one more thing on QB Tua Tagovailoa, even though obviously you don’t have clarity on whether he’s advanced in protocol. But is he even at the level where he can do aerobic exercises?) – “I don’t know exactly what goes on. I do know there’s – I’ve seen him post-whatever that time is called and he’s sweating, so two and two together. I try to stay in my level of expertise, because again, the primary concern is that we lean on medical professionals for this, these medical opinions, and I don’t want to influence by over asking or trying to micromanage what the process is. When he’s ready to – when he’s medically cleared to practice, he’ll practice. Until then I’m not doing anything.”

(You’ve been taking it one day at a time with him. How did today go?) – “Today was a high-five level. (laughter) He was (in) good spirits through the weekend, and there were no setbacks or concerns with regard to today. But he’s feeling good, and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

(Talking about clarity on Wednesday, you mentioned all quarterbacks. So do they all fall under the category of clarity on Wednesday and what are the injuries? Obviously, we know QB Teddy Bridgewater’s…) – “It’s just because we’re just getting – (we) had some bumps and bruises with Skylar (Thompson) as well. We saw him – I’m sure you caught him trying to pull out of a tackle. He was a little banged up from the game. And then seeing – I thought Teddy (Bridgewater) was good enough to get us out of the game, which was the whole goal, which was to his credit. He really worked, really, day and night endlessly, to be in a position where he could play for us if something happened to Skylar. So you kind of have to see the residuals of that and see where he’s at before making sound judgment on Wednesday. So I really don’t know. I’ll be preparing for everybody that we have. I don’t have any clarity. We’re hoping to have better clarity on Wednesday.”

(Last Monday, you told us you were going to do gameplans, you and Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith, for either QB Teddy Bridgewater or QB Skylar Thompson. Do you guys tomorrow prepare gameplans for those two and QB Tua Tagovailoa, all three?) – “I didn’t even know you listened to me.”

(I listen to you at least 98 percent of the time.) – “98 (percent)? At least 57 (percent). (laughter) Yeah, I think that’s the – you’re playing a divisional opponent who you’re pretty familiar with who you just played a couple weeks ago. That gives you a little liberty to have some variance in your plan for each particular quarterback, and then when you get concrete clarity, you have one direction for your entire team to kind of go by and that’s what you stick with.”

(I’m sure you saw that Damar Hamlin was discharged from the hospital heading back to Buffalo. We’re going to talk all week about the atmosphere going into Buffalo and a playoff situation, but that team obviously is playing for something so much bigger than football. Is that going to be kind of on your minds this week as you prepare going into that environment and what this aspect adds to it?) – “Well, the two prongs – so the environment in general is as exciting of a place to play that exists by itself. Just because speaking to a couple guys that this was a primetime game just a couple of weeks ago, and some guys that I have experience with in the playoffs in the NFC and how that environment in Buffalo supersedes what you see in the in the NFC. It was just a really cool place. You can tell the football fans love the game for the right reasons, are 100 percent loyal and let you know how much they dislike you, which I kind of like. I appreciate it coming from a fan’s perspective. Now on top of that, I think that is something where it’s uncharted, but I feel very, very confident that our whole team will be cheering for Damar (Hamlin) like he was a Miami Dolphin. That’s a shared experience that you really, anytime – there’s very few moments, really, realistically that you can say, ‘Yeah, I remember where I was when,’ and when you go through that and then you don’t know the outcome, you feel like you just get so invested in the miraculous recovery and all the people that it takes for that to even occur. I think we’re all going to feel very blessed to be a part of that celebration and as much as anyone could possibly feel like we’re cheering for a Miami Dolphin, for sure.”

(What can you tell us about RB Raheem Mostert?) – “He will not be engaging in any competitive games of thumb war because he broke his thumb. So what is that? That right now, it’s a serious injury. It’s hard to know if he’ll be able to play this week. I never put anything past Raheem Mostert, I’ve learned that over time. But it was a significant break of his thumb and he’ll be addressing that this week.”

(Will he need surgery? And as a secondary thing, I can’t help but ask you, how do you have so many guys in your backfield with hand injuries at the same time?) – “Well, you’re either coaching it or you’re allowing it to happen. (laughter) No, I think there’s some extenuating circumstances in the game of football. Sometimes when it rains, it pours. I believe – you can’t really hold me to it, but I believe he’ll be getting surgery. But again, I know that – I believe his surgery was going to be today. But although they are both hand or thumb injuries, they are very different – Alec (Ingold) and Raheem (Mostert) – so they’re not exactly comparable. If you want me to elaborate on that, I’m just going to be a bumbling buffoon, because there’s a lot of scientific stuff that just went right over my head when I was debriefed.”

(What’s the outlook of your two tackles – T Terron Armstead who missed the last two games, and T Brandon Shell who went out the last game?) – “It’s just YOLO. That’s what we’re doing these days. We got injuries. The one thing I will say is it’s been really cool to see a team, you never want to see that for individuals you don’t want to see. It’s a real thing when guys get hurt. It’s not like ‘oops, I’m missing.’ Like Armstead, every time he doesn’t go, he went through a war to try to go. And so I don’t make light on the situation at all. But it has been pretty awesome to see at this juncture in the season, how the team’s mindset of next-man-up is about as real as I’ve ever been around. They are unflappable with regard to who is available, just fully knowing that we have a lot of guys that can make plays. And when certain people go down, other people have to step up. That type of philosophy has really risen to a true level belief, because we haven’t really had any options. We’ve gone through several stretches of the season and our lineup has changed in an aggressive way week by week. I don’t know those statuses. Both of those guys have exceeded expectations, actually this year, with regard to their timelines, so they will be more of that late week fun. I promise you guys, I would love to just give you concrete information. I would love it. But I don’t know.”

(If you’d love to, then both receivers – Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – both had ankle injuries. Tyreek was able to go back into the game, but Jaylen, if the game were to go longer, would he have returned?) – “I think. I don’t know. He’ll be treating it every day. He’s one of the toughest guys. I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t able to get himself in a position to be able to play Sunday. I’d be very surprised. But he will be going into treatment and working through that as the week progresses, for sure.”

(Most of your roster just hasn’t played in a playoff game. What’s the biggest difference between a regular season game and a postseason game?) – “I think the team gained a bunch of valuable experience with this end of the season stretch. A lot of the team hadn’t been exposed to significant primetime games so they had not only a lot of exposure, but they had failed expectations, which is tough. And then the biggest thing is win or go home, that you feel in the playoffs. And that’s definitely what they felt yesterday. They knew that was the case. So those were the biggest mountains that I was worried about. Outside of that, it’s going to be important for those guys that haven’t played in a playoff game, to remind them of the most obvious thing in the world, that is probably the thing that comes up the strong, especially with young teams and playoffs, is that it’s a football game. So you prepare for it, to give your best effort, but you don’t have to do things outside of yourself for the outcome that you want to exist. So you have to make sure that guys don’t press, I would have been a lot more nervous had we not had a play-in game just last Sunday for at least a taste, because it is different.”

(What’s the key to getting the players to stick to knowing that it’s just a football game, as opposed to trying to do too much?) – “It’s a day-by-day process that starts with focusing on working on the gameplan as it relates to your position on Wednesday and nothing else. It’s like handling things day-by-day with a whole team. You don’t even worry about the game until Sunday. Every other day of prep is its own entity and that’s what you’re focused on because when you’re not focused on that, everything’s an opportunity cost. So if you start to think about what X, Y or Z is going to be like on Sunday, you are not present in the moment thinking about how to really maximize your ownership of your assignment, which you’ll have to display on Sunday anyway. So it’s just that day-by-day process, moment-by-moment, being present and deliberate in your preparation so that you can play fast on a regular football Sunday that happens to be win or go home.”

(You mentioned the mindset of your team. Earlier, six weeks ago, this team was flying high. Things obviously change. Now it seems like outside this building, no one gives this team a chance in Buffalo. How do you think that impacts the players? And what do you say to them about the expectations where things have gone and how to kind of approach this game?) – “Yeah, I think you learn that it’s cool when it’s favorable. It’s not as cool when it’s not favorable. I think you learn that none of it matters. You have control over the narrative and it is generally retroactive. The narrative can be controlled by your actions on the field and you just worry about your actions on the field. I would again be more worried about, either way, had we not gone through the huge highs and lows. I think there is a positive in that, in that you really get to feel what it’s like to possibly – I’m not saying anyone did, but like your guard is down when people are singing your praises. And it gets old when people are telling you how bad you are. Both things are very natural consequences of black and white results. It will always be that way. You’ll be praised when you win, and people will be critical when you lose. Why? Because people care. And you know what’s even more maddening when you’re winning or losing games? It is when you really care about something and can’t control it. So, henceforth, there’s always going to be a reaction either way. And I think that the more people live through that, the better they can circumvent that and not make it any part of the equation, when there’s a job to do, and they only have each other to rely on to do that job.”

(Did you notice your team got back in the win column with the removal of the ping pong table from the locker room?) – “No. I really don’t know what goes on in the locker room anymore. The locker room is (for) the players. I had my ear to the street, so to speak, a little more when I was trying to navigate from their locker room procedures from the past. They used to not have anything in there so I wanted it to be their space and I had to get my hands dirty a little bit. Now I’m out of the loop and have no idea. I think somebody mentioned something to me maybe the end of last week or maybe yesterday. I can’t even remember. It was like, ‘hey, the ping pong table is gone.’ I was like, oh, really? Where’s the ping pong table? That’s what I want to know. Who stole the ping pong table? Was it a thievery?”

Elandon Roberts – January 8, 2023 (Postgame) Download PDF version

Sunday, January 8, 2023
Postgame – N.Y. Jets

LB Elandon Roberts

(Throughout the course of the season, you win three, lose three, win five, lose five — what kind of rollercoaster was that like and how did you guys stay together to pull out the must win-game situation of the year?) – “I just think it is the need. It’s a lot of ups-and-downs throughout the season. It’s about how you respond. It’s about not letting it just go downhill. You see the ebbs and flows and it’s just about ‘okay I’m on the rise, how do I duplicate, I know that response, okay I am dipping again what do I need to do to respond from that?’ There is no secret to winning five games. It’s about how you respond. And like I was saying, if they told us that we would be able to control our own destiny the last game of the season, who wouldn’t have been ready for that opportunity? And we took advantage of it today on offense, defense and special teams.”

(So many times we ask you what Coach (Mike McDaniel) said after a game, but what did Coach McDaniel say before the game to motivate you coming out?) – “I think ‘guys, let’s just lock in’ we heard the message that we’re here and like I said we were guaranteed 60 minutes and it was on us. What we did was take full advantage and played the full 60-minute game – offense, defense and special teams.”

(As bad as those last five locker rooms felt, what did it feel like when the ball went through the uprights?) – “It felt good. I knew Jason (Sanders) would hit it. Jason doesn’t flinch. If there’s one thing about Jason is he doesn’t flinch. I knew. And then we would get back on the field and play defense the way we know. We had been talking about the situations and because we had no doubt he was going to hit it. Like I said, it was going to be that type of game – offense, defense and special teams. That’s what it came down to.”

Jaylen Waddle – January 8, 2023 (Postgame) Download PDF version

Sunday, January 8, 2023
Postgame – N.Y. Jets

WR Jaylen Waddle

(Through all the adversity this year how does this feel for you? I’m sure there was a big celebration when you saw the Bills score when you came in.) – “It feels great. A lot of hard work that goes into the season. The ultimate goal is to get into the tournament, so now we’re in there. We’re ready to go out there and compete.”

(What can you say about QB Skylar Thompson today and how he handled what he needed to do?) – “Man, Skylar (Thompson) was balling. He came in, really kept his composure and had control of the huddle. He just really showcased his attributes that we all know and love him for. He is here for a reason. (For) him go out there and compete, I’m happy for him.”

(I know you guys do this for each other, but for Head Coach Mike McDaniel to experience this his first year, can you just put it into perspective how much he means to you guys and how much this means?) – “Yeah, man – (Head Coach) Mike (McDaniel) had real big goals and aspirations when he first came in. It’s just a milestone and I’m happy he gets to hit it in his first crack at it. He’s a great coach. He’s just going to continue to get better and make us better.”

Jeff Wilson Jr. – January 8, 2023 (Postgame) Download PDF version

Sunday, January 8, 2023
Postgame – NY Jets

RB Jeff Wilson Jr.

(Can you tell us how QB Skylar Thompson did today?) – “Tremendous. I like to feel people. Get people’s energy and every time he came in the huddle I never felt a tremble, I never felt a terror, I never felt a fear. He was just ‘I’m going, I’m going, you all just stay with me’ and that’s what we did. We just told him to do your job and we got everything else. Just focus on playing ball. He did a tremendous job.”

(11-6 was ugly, but a dub is a dub.) – “A dub is a dub, our win. I don’t care who it is or what time it is; to get a win in this league is hard. It isn’t like you’re playing a sorry team or somebody with no talent, everybody has talent from the top of their roster to their bottom. To come out and get a win on any Sunday is a blessing and I’m very thankful.”

(You’ve known Mike McDaniel for a little while now, what do you think this meant for him? Not just to get in the playoffs but to have a winning season in his first year as a coach?) – “I’m so happy for Mike because I know the work that he puts in. When somebody is working extremely hard, you just want to see them reap the benefits, reap the fruits, and that’s for anybody in anything they’re doing in life. To see him get rewarded for all of his hard work, all of the stress, all of the backlash, all of the talk, all of the sleepless nights, all of the time away from his family; to see it finally pay off that’s an absolute blessing.”

Xavien Howard – January 8, 2023 (Postgame)

Sunday, January 8, 2023
Postgame – N.Y. Jets

CB Xavien Howard

(You were the only player last time you all made the playoffs. How sweet it is to finally get back?)  – “It feels good to be back in there. Last one was in 2016 versus the Steelers. Now we have the Bills, so we have to keep our head down and go to work. It’s a great feeling just being in that group of guys, especially those young guys that are getting that feeling just being in the playoffs.”

(What was that feeling like on the sideline when the field goal went in?) – “We still had to get out there so the game wasn’t over. We had to make sure it was 0:00 on the clock. It was a great feeling after the game seeing a lot of people happy and like I said, we just have to keep growing, keep getting better.”

(How does that must-win mentality equip you for the playoffs?) – “I feel like each week we try to have the mentality to win one game at a time. It came down to the end. They fought hard. It was a good game and we ended up taking it off.”

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