Tua Tagovailoa – November 21, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, November 21, 2021
Postgame – N.Y. Jets
Tua Tagovailoa (transcribed by N.Y. Jets)
On the touchdown pass to WR Mack Hollins…
Yeah, it was a progression on that play. In the first progression of that play was Mike (Gesicki) and when I came off of Mike, there was about three people including the safety who were on him. Then when I turned out, Mack was wide open so I threw it down to him and he made the play, obviously scored for us, came back to the sideline and realized how open he was.
On if there’s any plays more relieving than going through your progressions and seeing a guy that wide open…
That’s just part of the game, that’s what I could say. It was definitely a big sigh for us offensively because we really wanted to find our rhythm in the game. Obviously, the interception, turnover, stopped us, but I would say that’s what I’m most proud of of our offense. We continued to put our head down, continued to fight. We had some mishaps, but it didn’t matter we just kept going.
On the drive where RB Myles Gaskin scored, how big is it to have a drive that eats up the clock and extinguishes games…
I think those types of drives are very key. Especially ending those drives in points, I think that’s very key. Obviously, that’s kind of what we wanted to do this entire game, it didn’t happen, but like I said, I’m very proud of all three phases, just continuing to play and trying to play complimentary football.
On what were the keys that led to the high completion percentage today…
Just my keys. Whoever I was reading in the RPO game, whatever my progressions told me to work, that’s what I did.
On the interception…
It was just a bad ball. It would have had to have been a good throw to Jaylen (Waddle) as well. There’s some pressure, that’s just part of the game, so we took that and like I said, very proud of how we came back from that to win the game.
On what happened in the moments leading into the touchdown pass to Gaskin…
Yeah, I was really looking to hit Durham (Smythe) on a quick out that he had. Durham was open but I felt like I was late to that read, so next in my progression would have been Myles so tried to stand in there and Myles came in and threw it to him.
On if there have been more discussions on trying to test defenses in different ways…
I just think we’re trying to do everything possible for us offensively to find ways to get the ball moving down field. With these trick plays if they’re there, they’re there, if they’re not then live to play another down.
On the tempo of the first drive and what he liked about it…
I think the thing that I like about going fast-paced offense, tempo offense, it forces defenses to communicate with the linebackers to the back end, to the d-line, what front they want to be in, all of that. Then when you do get things going, those guys up front get a little tired and that’s what I’d say I like about it.
On being one of three quarterbacks from the last three draft cycles in possession of winning records and learning how hard it is to win in the NFL…
Well, I learned it last year. It’s not easy at all to win and then obviously the mishaps and the ups and downs that we’ve had this year, but that’s what you love about this game. You never know what’s going to happen and that’s why you prepare. I’d say that’s the challenging part and that’s also the fun part of playing my position, but also playing football.
On what he’s learned this season…
I would say I learned a lot more being able to play and then also being on the sideline, understanding a little more of the protections, understanding where guys need to be within their route distribution and then also for myself, stepping up in the pocket, maneuvering my way throughout the pocket and then finding the open guys.
On how the offensive line played…
I think the o-line did good. I put us in a bad situation towards the ending of the game taking that sack but then obviously it was a penalty which is good. It got wiped away so other than that I thought it was good.
On how watching from the sidelines when he was out has helped him and if that process is something he picked up from his first year at Alabama…
You know, I’d say no only because the amount of information that you need to know weekly is always different, it’s not the same things you’re really taking in to the game. It’s always dependent on what the defense runs and what kind of coordinator it is, so it’s different. At Alabama you just knew where the guys lined up and you just go out there and play. Whereas in the NFL, you have to know what everyone is doing, the protection, where you’re hot, we could go on forever about that.
On his pajamas…
Oh yeah, the pajamas? Yeah, I love Christmas and I have three dogs, so I got dogs with Christmas hats on, that’s all it is.
On having Christmas pants on before Thanksgiving…
Trust me, I’m thankful for a lot of things. I really am, but Christmas is just – I’m a big Christmas guy.
On if he’s a skip Thanksgiving and begin celebrating Christmas person…
No, I mean, what I’m saying is I’ll wear Christmas things, but I’ll still celebrate Thanksgiving. We’ll probably have a couple teammates coming over this Thursday.
On being thankful for Christmas…
Thankful for Christmas, thankful for the Miami Dolphins, thankful for my teammates, thankful for my family, lots to be thankful for.
