Jordan Phillips – August 9, 2016
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Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Defensive Tackle Jordan Phillips
(On taking advantage of showing his skillset with DT Earl Mitchell out of practice) – “Stuff happens and you have to take advantage of it when it happens. That’s all I’m trying to do.”
(On how training camp is going for him) – “I’m doing the same thing I was doing: trying to work hard and whatever happens, happens.”
(On the competition between himself and DT Earl Mitchell) – “It’s great. Earl (Mitchell) brings the best out of me, because I know he’s going to come out and work hard every day. He’s a hell of a player, and he works his (butt) off every day.”
(On how he has improved as a player from last year’s training camp) – “I know what to expect. I know how to work a little bit harder.”
(On the biggest eye opener for him last year) – “Just how much I actually didn’t know about football technically and studying film and stuff like that.”
(On letting technique catch up to his natural ability as a player) – “I’ve been getting better. Everything is coming into play.”
(On facing another team in the first preseason game) – “I’m ready for it. Everybody knows what you can do out here, so I’m ready to show somebody else.”
(On whether Defensive Line Coach Terrell Williams and Senior Defensive Assistant/Pass Rush Specialist Jim Washburn reinforce playing with a high motor every play) – “Every day it’s, ‘Run to the ball.’ They’re going to remind you every day, because that’s what we’re trying to be known for – being aggressive.”
(On where he trained this offseason) – “I just did my own thing.”
(On whether he trained in Miami or at home) – “I was back home (in) Kansas.”
DeVante Parker – August 9, 2016
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Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Wide Receiver DeVante Parker
(On if it seemed like a long wait to return to the field after missing three or four practices) – “I’m not sure how many it was but yes, it was a long wait. (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) and everybody wanted to make sure that I was 100 percent when I came back. You don’t want to come right in and rush into anything so you have to be patient with it.”
(On how his injury responded today) – “It felt good today. (I had) limited reps but those reps were good.”
(On if it has been a frustrating offseason to not practice as much as he would like) – “It is frustrating. You want to be out here with your teammates and be practicing and getting better with them but things like (injuries) happen so you just have to get back and get healthy.”
(On if he expects to play in the preseason opener on Friday night) – “I think that’s the plan but we have to see how I feel the rest of the week.”
(On how he thinks the offense looks with or without him) – “I think our offense looks good with or without me. We have all types of weapons – ‘Juice’ (Jarvis Landry), Kenny (Stills) and everybody else and (Jordan) Cameron and them. We still have a good offense with or without me. I’m just another reliable source and know that whenever I come back, to help the team out.
(On if he feels like he is up to speed with the offense) – “Yes, I feel I am. There are just some things I have to look back and look over.”
(On his chemistry with QB Ryan Tannehill) – “I feel like we have good chemistry. Even though I missed a couple of days of practice, I still feel like the chemistry is still there.”
(On if there is anything he can do to prevent future injuries) – “Yes, I just have to hydrate – that’s the biggest thing. It’s nothing serious; it’s just all about hydrating.”
Ryan Tannehill – August 9, 2016
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Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(On whether the offense practiced well today) – “We came out and practiced well today. I think the guys came out with purpose, with intensity, with enthusiasm and executed. That’s what it comes down to – coming out, pushing the tempo, pushing each other and executing. I think we did that today.”
(On Saturday’s scrimmage) – “We didn’t play well. We didn’t play well anywhere on the offensive side of the ball from top to bottom – from ones, twos or threes. We didn’t play well. We didn’t come out. We didn’t execute. We got dominated upfront. We wanted to respond and come out and correct the things that we didn’t do well that day, and I think today we showed that we can bounce back and come out and play the way we want to play.”
(On what he said to the team after Saturday’s scrimmage) – “We talked. I’m not going to get into what I said, but everyone already knew that it wasn’t acceptable how we came out and practiced. We have limited days. (The) season is coming up upon us, and we have to be ready to go when the first game hits. (We) can’t have a wasted day, and to me, that was kind of a wasted day. I think everyone realizes that and doesn’t want to let it happen again.”
(On whether Saturday’s scrimmage was an indicator of the offense’s progress so far) – “No, it’s not an indicator by any stretch. I think it’s one practice. That’s what it was: practice. You can’t overanalyze one practice. You have to look at the whole body of work and the steps that we’re taking day in and day out and building off of it each and every day.”
(On whether the offense is where it needs to be) – “You don’t really know where you need to be until you get there. But I do know that we’re coming out here with a purpose every day. We’re working to get better, and that’s all you want to see at this point.”
(On his comfort level with the offense and if he’s more comfortable than he was Saturday) – “I think it’s the offense as a whole. We came out, and we played well, and we executed (today). The offensive line did a great job protecting and enabling me to make throws downfield. (Our) receivers were getting open and making plays. That’s the whole thing. (that Head) Coach (Adam) Gase talked about yesterday is (the) defense, they can have nine busts and two guys make a play and everyone thinks it’s a great play on defense. Offense, you have one guy bust, and it looks terrible. It’s a matter of getting all 11 guys on the same page and clicking and (being) consistent.”
(On what he wants to accomplish in the first preseason game) – “I want to go out and execute. I think that it’s our first chance to go against another team. Obviously, that’s exciting. You kind of get tired of hitting each other in camp, especially the guys up front. I think we’re excited about the potential we have (and) the steps that we’ve made. To go out and have an opportunity to go against a fresh team – a fresh defense – and really test ourselves is going to be a lot of fun.”
(On WR DeVante Parker returning to practice and if that helped the offense come to life today) – “It’s nice to have DeVante back. (In) that two-minute drive, I threw the comeback to him, got him back in the huddle, and I said, ‘Man, it’s nice to have you back.’ It’s one of those things. He’s a good player. He stretches the field for us. You put him on one side, Kenny (Stills) on the other side, Jarvis (Landry) in the middle and we have three really dynamic playmakers. When you take (DeVante Parker) out of the equation, obviously it’s a little bit tougher. It’s nice to have him on the field. That’s where we want him.”
(On where he is at with learning the offense) – “Some of the new stuff we’re just putting in (now). We’re still installing, so some of the stuff we’re putting in is still new. (We are) still going through some of the thinking. That’s going to happen at this stage of training camp with the new offense (for) myself and everyone else. That, obviously, slows us down and keeps us from playing as fast as we want to play. The more reps we get, the more practices we go through, that’s going to continue to decrease the amount of thinking that goes on and the more playing we can do, and that’s when you’re going to see us really play to our full potential.”
(On whether his reaction to Saturday’s scrimmage is part of being a leader) – “It’s part of my role to push the guys around me to be the best they can be. I think that’s part of being a leader: pushing the guys around you to be the best they can be. That, obviously, wasn’t the best that we could be. You have to try to do everything you can to consistently push guys around you to elevate their game.”
(On his leadership role with the new coaching staff) – “I think Adam (has) completely enabled me. I think I have the credibility now to pretty much demand excellence out of these guys. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
(On how many series the first team offense will play against the Giants) – “I have no idea. (I am) looking forward to taking advantage of every rep we get and really just playing fast.”
Adam Gase – August 9, 2016
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Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(On how QB Ryan Tannehill has handled taking on a bigger leadership role) – “He’s been good. I thought today was one of those days were I felt like he came out with a purpose and was very aggressive as far as he was chirping a little bit out there, especially amongst our guys. I think he was more focused on our group, just really preaching what we’ve been talking about like sticking with our process, positive plays (and) getting completions. I thought he did a good job of when we did get some pressure, he got rid of the ball (and) wasn’t trying to hang on anything. Today was a good day for him as far as, I felt I saw some growth there as far as his personality coming out and taking control of the offense.”
(On how significant was it for WR DeVante Parker to be back out at practice) – “It was good in the fact that I know he’s been driving (Wide Receivers Coach) Shawn Jefferson crazy as far as ‘Why won’t they let me back out?’ But that’s two (injuries) since spring so we were going to go through our process. We’re not going to have, you practice for two days and then we don’t see you for two weeks. So the trainers and the strength staff and the sports science guys did a great job as far as just making sure we were all on the same page. We all felt good about him coming out today, getting reps (and) going through individual. The toughest part for him is surviving individuals (and) what Shawn (Jefferson) does. You get through that then practice is a breeze.”
(On if he plans on WR DeVante Parker playing on Friday) – “I’m still thinking about that. I’m not sure what we’re going to do to be honest with you. We’ll keep looking at that. We really haven’t told our guys anything. I just told them just be ready to go (and we’ll) ee how it goes. It could be 30 plays (or it) could be six. I just really don’t know.”
(On how WR DeVante Parker looked today) – “I look more at just kind of where his mind is. I’m not worried about him as a football player. It’s just about learning the offense, learning the adjustments and seeing him just knowing where to go constantly and running the right route. That’s the biggest thing for me with him.”
(On how much of an impact could WR DeVante Parker have in the red zone and how big of a role he will play in the offense) – “It’s hard to say right now. I haven’t seen him practice enough. We haven’t really gotten into specifics as far as who’s going to do what. We’re trying to give everybody an opportunity across the board to do as much as they can (and) show us as much as they can. Then once we get into the regular season, then we’ll start getting specific as far as, ‘Hey, Jarvis (Landry), this is going to be your specialty or Kenny (Stills), this is going to be your deal or DeVante (Parker), Jordan (Cameron), Dion (Sims) like all those guys.’ It’s going to take a little time for us to figure that out.”
(On WR DeVante Parker’s skill set and what he might do a little better) – “I mean he’s a big man that can move. So when you throw a ball down the field, he can either go get it or if you underthrow a ball, he can make it right. You have room for error as a quarterback and those kind of guys, there’s not a ton of them.”
(On if he was pleased with what the tight ends have done for two weeks or if he’s looking for a lot more) – “I think we can grow that spot as far as what we’re doing. I think right now we’re probably doing enough to make sure those guys are still involved in the offense but at the same time not overloading them with information. It is a different system for both of those guys, especially the two guys that play the most. We’ve kind of pulled back as far as how much we’re doing with those guys. We really loaded them up in the spring and then now we’ve kind of cut it back a little bit and then we’ll grow it as we go.”
(On DT Jordan Phillips getting more opportunities and what he sees from him as far as consistency and intensity) – “I wasn’t really looking at those guys today as far as what was going on. I know the other night, for a guy that size, just seeing him finish and running down the field and being disruptive and penetration, he did a great job in the scrimmage. And then yesterday, he did a good job again. I mean he’s showing … two days in a row I’d be interested to see what it looks like today on film. So that’s the biggest thing for some of these guys – especially the young guys – it’s understanding that you want to constantly just keep putting good tape out there, every day. It can’t be like great, great, I didn’t really show up today. That’s when you get nervous as a coach because that means on Sunday, who are you getting?”
(On what he wants to see from QB Ryan Tannehill in Friday’s preseason game) – “I guess I’m not really so much focused on him. I’m more focused on the entire group. I just love to see our guys go out there with confidence and our execution has got to be the number one priority for us. And the more guys we can get to do their job and not go off on their own and go outside the box, that’s going to be a good step for us because obviously the other night was our first real test and we failed it miserably. So this will be another one and we’ll be going against some good players, if they play, a lot of their guys and a scheme that you got to be ready (for). In the first preseason game you’re going to see what we’ve been seeing here for (Defensive Coordinator) Vance’s (Joseph) 12th install or whatever. They’re going to have to be ready to go. This is not going to be one of those deals where they just line up and play one coverage. They’re going to see some different stuff. Our guys have got to use their rules of the offense and they’re going to have to make some adjustments.”
(On his general philosophy about playing veterans starters in the preseason) – “Every guy is different. We’ll take a look at basically who’s healthy (and) what’s the best for us for this game? That’s where you can run into some problems where all of a sudden we get some back end guys that get hurt and banged up and you don’t have a choice. We’re going to have to take a look at who do we have going into this game and then make decisions off that.”
(On if we’ll see a lot of G/T Laremy Tunsil on Friday) – “I haven’t really thought about it but I’m assuming that we’re probably going to give him a pretty good amount of action.”
(On the reasons behind S Michael Thomas taking as many reps at nickel as he has) – “I think what we’re looking for on defense is we’re giving guys opportunity and we’re moving guys around. Once again, I know I talk about the o-line making sure you have multiple guys being able to play multiple positions. On defense, it’s the same thing. We don’t want the first time … Let’s say Bobby (McCain) is the guy in Week 1 and then something happened to him and all of a sudden Michael (Thomas) gets thrown in there. It’s not new for him. He’s working with those guys in training camp. I know it seems strange but you always want to work on those contingency plans and move guys in and out so you get used to different guys being in there. The communication factor like we talked about yesterday – the DBs have to communicate. (When) a different guy is in there, we have to get used to that.”
(On WR Jarvis Landry catching so many passes in practice and if he wants to see the ball spread around more) – “I told him, I said ‘One day, I tried to script every play to where he wasn’t in the progression and somehow the ball gets to him.” The guy is like a magnet. It really is. I’ve never seen anything like it. He does his job right and the coverage seems to take Ryan (Tannehill) there a lot of times. I’d be more concerned if I was like, ‘Why are you forcing this throw?’ But that’s not what’s happening. (Landry)’s in the right place at the right time and they play certain coverages and the ball ends up going to him where (Tannehill) loses a progression or he ends up getting taken there by the coverage. There is (some chemistry). The guy (Landry) just has some kind of thing going on where that ball just wants to go to him.”
(On a situation where a team decides we aren’t going to let WR Jarvis Landry beat us) – “Then the ball goes somewhere else. We still are working on certain things. You see Kenny (Stills) catching plenty of balls and today Griff (Whalen) had some good plays and then DeVante (Parker) will always have his opportunities. The more we can get the tight ends involved and the (running) backs involved, the ball will start getting spread out. Practice is … we have some periods where it is labeled and certain periods it seems like one guy is getting the ball because of whatever the defense is doing. I think it will get to the point when we get into games, it will equal out; but like I said, somehow that (football) just seems to find him.”
(On the trend of fullbacks disappearing) – “This has been a discussion, at least for me, because working for (Chicago Bears Head) Coach (John) Fox); he had a history with having a fullback. Where we kind of ran into the problem was that we liked staying on the ball, we didn’t like changing personnel and we always liked the fact of having a guy that could play the fullback role slash still be a guy that we could flex out plus play in-line. We’re really being a little pickier as far as we want a guy that can do it all, and then play special teams as well. We didn’t want to get stuck in a spot where we had some experience with a fullback when we were first at Denver and he was getting like eight plays a game. We just felt like let’s get the guy out there that is going to play 30 plays a game on just offense, plus special teams. We just kind of looked at it like that. We just wanted to make sure that it wasn’t a specialty position. We wanted a guy that can do the entire thing.
(On his thoughts about having tablets on the sideline during games) – “I’m going to pass on that one. I’m not a big fan of it. I like using the pictures. I just feel like when you’re looking at video, it’s not for me. I like the fact that it’s kind of a chess match. When you have the still shots, you don’t always know what is going on. It’s kind of that being able to go to the sideline and talk to your players, that’s part of the game as far as who is giving you the right information, who is working hard enough that week to prepare yourself to where if somebody does something on the field, you either see it or somebody in the box sees it. To me, that’s part of the challenge of being a coach. I love the fact that when you get players that are really smart and they understand it, and what they see on the field and they can bring that information back to you, that gives you an advantage. When you start using the video tablets, it takes that out of it.”
(On his thoughts about using QB Ryan Tannehill in the read-option game to move him out of the pocket) – “We’ll see how it goes with that. I haven’t had great success in the past because I haven’t had a ton of mobile guys. We have some things that we could use. We’re just going to take a little bit at a time. It’s hard to run against our defense. If we want to run it and just make it … it’ll look terrible. We’re trying to get some more positive plays, especially in this part of camp. We’ll probably focus more on that in walkthroughs and things like that. There will be a time and a place for it but once again, when you’re putting your quarterback out there, especially in the zone-read game, you just better make sure you’re right because you don’t want him taking unnecessary shots.”
(On if moving the pocket is part of his playbook) – “It can be. It’s in there but against our defense … Every time we run a naked, I love watching Mario Williams run past (Tannehill’s) face and tell me he just killed him. That’s a great feeling. That’ll discourage you real quick against the defense.”
(On if moving the quarterback cuts off half the field) – “It does. That’s the one thing, if it’s not open, it’s a frustrating thing. You really got to feel comfortable with what you called and just know, ‘Hey, it’s either going to be here, here or that thing is going out of bounds.’ Or hopefully you get a lane where you can take off and run. But once again, now you have these guys coming from here and (your quarterback) doesn’t see it and it’s going to be a deadly shot.”
Tony Lippett – August 8, 2016
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Monday, August 8, 2016
Cornerback Tony Lippett
(On how training camp has gone for him so far) – “It’s been good. (I) come out here every day trying to get better (and) compete against some of the best guys. Basically, every day (I) try not to take a step back (and) always move forward and make plays.”
(On whether he is still learning the cornerback position after playing wide receiver in college) – “Every day, you always learn. Everybody is out here learning. At the end of the day, I’ll never know too much about the position, and every day, I’m still learning. I’m learning from some great guys around here. Every day (I) just try to take their knowledge that they give me and get better.”
(On what he wants to accomplish in the first preseason game) – “(I want to) go out there and compete, make plays, and show them that when it’s time, I’m ready.”
(On competing with CB Chimdi Chekwa for a starting role) – “I can’t control any of that. I can control how I approach the game and approach practice every day. That’s what I try to focus on. (I) try to come out here and get better, compete and at the end of that day, show them that I’m making strides to become a better cornerback and a better person every day.”
(On what he does well as a cornerback) – “I’d probably say I’m better at the line of scrimmage. I’m better (at) understanding what the offense is trying to do.”
(On whether his length helps him at the line of scrimmage) – “Yes. (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Vance (Joseph) tries to instill in me every day (to) use my size, use my length. At the end of the day, everybody doesn’t have that size and that length, so I have to use it to the best of my ability and make it something that I use all the time.”
(On whether he dissects his play on film) – “Yes, I’m that guy. I watch a lot of film. I watch a lot of film of myself. I like watching all the time, so I go back and say, ‘OK, you got to have better technique on this play,’ or, ‘That was a good play right there,’ and analyze everything. I try to do that as much as I can, because I feel like at the end of the day, that’s going to make me a better player.”
(On how much film he watches a day) – “I watch a lot of film. I don’t know how much. I watch hours of it.”
Branden Albert – August 8, 2016
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Monday, August 8, 2016
Tackle Branden Albert
(On how he feels the offensive line is doing) – “It’s still Week 1 right? It’s been one week of training camp. The defense is going good. I don’t think we are doing that bad. We are still trying to grasp everything. Things aren’t going to be perfect. Everybody wants to get on the offensive line, but we will get it done.”
(On his thought about putting a foot to someone’s backside to get them going) – “That’s not my thing. My thing is to lead by example. Right now, I’m trying to get myself together and once I get myself together, I can talk. Right now, we are all trying to get it done and we will.”
(On who he thinks is the vocal leader on the o-line) – “Probably Mike (Pouncey). Mike is a vocal leader. He is more outspoken and if I need to say something, I’ll say something. When it’s genuine, it’s on my heart to say something.”
(On if C Mike Pouncey said anything to the o-line) – “Not yet. Like I said, it’s only Week 1. We’re going into our first preseason game. That’s going to be the true test that our defense is good. They are doing (well) against us (and) we got to figure out a way to keep competing and keep trying to figure it out.”
(On what he thinks the biggest challenge is practicing against the Wide 9 defense) – “Our defense is good. We have good defensive linemen. They are doing a good job, they’re rotating and every guy that is in there is competing. The technique they are using is good.”
(On what he has learned about DE Jason Jones) – “Jason (Jones) is an experienced veteran that has a lot of tools in his tool bag. He is a very smart guy and the guy is going to compete every play and is going to push it.”
(On how it feels to play against another team this Friday) – “If we don’t do (well) on Friday, then you will have something to talk about.”
(On the key to get the running backs on the outside to the perimeter) – “There’s a lot of things that goes into it. Sometimes it’s if I don’t reach my guys, sometimes if the running back doesn’t read it, sometimes it’s if somebody leaks into the back field. There’s a lot of things that happen during each play. Each play is different. We got to eliminate all the little things. We are going to get it done. We got time, that’s the good thing about it.”
(On if the offensive line needs more time to gel) – “I think so – just learning the new techniques. We got to find our identity. That’s our problem right now – what we’re going to be on offense and what we are going to be on the offensive line.”
(On his thoughts on when the starting five offensive linemen should be set) “That’s not my call. That’s up to the coaches. My call is to play left tackle and help this team. I don’t make those decisions.”
(On what he saw on the film of Saturday night’s scrimmage) – “We didn’t watch Saturday night. Saturday night was a scrimmage and the defense came out and played well. I don’t know why everybody is getting their panties in a bunch. We will see when the time is right. I’m not one to hold myself until (the season) starts, but things start really going when you go against somebody else. Like I said, our defense is good/ They know what we are going to be doing and they are doing a good job.”
(On what he is looking to accomplish on the offensive line Friday night) – “Just build some more continuity, gel together and make sure we play physical when it’s time. It’s not as bad as everybody thinks, it’s one play here and) one play there. Everybody just has to be on the same page.”
(On if he feels the team is in game form with a preseason game coming Friday night) – “I think guys are. I think guys are itching to play. I’m itching to play Week 1. That’s what I’m worried about.”
(On how he feels right now) – “I feel like I’m off a little bit. This is a schedule I’m getting used to. I’m used to hurting right now. I’m kind of feeling fresh, (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) is looking out for me. I’m learning how to say I’ve got to do extra right now to keep my mind and body right, because I’m not beat up right now. I need to figure out ways to do extra to keep my mind and keep my body going, it’s getting there.”
(On has he been able to help G/T Laremy Tunsil during camp) – “Of course, the best I can. I haven’t played guard since college but I can at least try to tell him some things that I know. As a left tackle, I think that comes natural to him. Right now, he is really starting to get his plays down, which is good. He is in his play book. That’s the one thing I told him was, get in your play book and listen. I asked him when we came off the last day off, ‘What did you do on your day off?’ He said ‘I got in my playbook.’ That the most important thing with him, is to get into his playbook. Once he gets into his playbook and knows everything down cold, he is going to be a good player for us.”
(On what he has told G/T Laremy Tunsil about the guard position being faster than tackle) – “Because of his athleticism, he’s going to make (the adjustment) easier. Once he learns the game, it slows down. He’s so athletic. Once he realizes it’s going to hit faster than playing tackle, once he gets that speed down, I think he will be fine.”
Adam Gase – August 8, 2016
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Monday, August 8, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(On how meaningful the first depth chart is that came out today) – “Probably not much. It’s a starting point. We have to put it out. That’s the best answer I can give you. Seattle is the only one that really matters.”
(On what his message was to the team this morning) – “Well, we come right in and those guys do a thing in the weight room and then we go out to practice. I went around to some of the offensive players and we talked about a few things from the other night. Really, at the end of the day, for us on offense it came down to guys just doing their job and having 11 of them on the same page, which we didn’t have. We had a lot of guys … it was like somebody screwed something up every play. And it was always a different guy. So you can’t just point to one thing. Looking back at it, there were some play calls there that didn’t put our guys in the best position. It’s a good thing that something like that happens because, for me, as a play-caller, it lets me go back and be like ‘Okay, I need to re-evaluate what I’m going to do because I’m not putting our guys in the best position possible.’ And then defensively, just talking to those guys, I just kept telling them just keep bringing that energy because even when we did mess up on defense, those guys, because of effort and because of the entire group really running to the ball, they made plays. And that’s what you have to do on defense.”
(On at what point does he say this isn’t working) – “It’s probably closer to the season than right now. We have a lot of practice time. Really the preseason games are a great indication for us, especially for the guys that aren’t really well established, that you have some questions on. The preseason games give you that best indication because you’re going against somebody else. It’s a different environment. It’s not practice and if something bad happens out here, it’s easier. Some guys will just shrug it off, ‘Aw, it’s just practice.’ If it happens in a game, there’s consequences as far as what goes on with your teammates and the coaching staff and things like that.”
(On how he would evaluate G/T Jermon Bushrod’s transition to guard) – “I’m sure it hasn’t been easy for him. Just being around him for the last year and some change, I’ve never heard him complain about anything. So I wouldn’t know. But I know being a left tackle for as long as he was, and then moving to the right side in that guard position, that’s got to be tough; because that’s a big change for him. But I can tell he’s working at it. He’s really focusing in those individual periods because that’s how he’s going to get kind of that rhythm and get used to doing to what he needs to do within team periods. The great thing about him is I try to give him like a day, being an older guy and be like ‘Hey, tomorrow maybe you don’t practice,’ and he’s like ‘Yeah, that’s not happening.’ So I appreciate the fact that he’s out here. He’s working every day and he’s trying to make sure that he’s going to put his best foot forward going into the preseason.”
(On what he’s seen from S Isa Abdul-Quddus in the first two weeks of practice) – “The thing that I love that he does, I feel like it’s a very high percentage that he’s in the right spot. It takes so much pressure off of No. 20 (Reshad Jones) back there because he doesn’t have to do everything. He’s got a guy that can kind of help him out. I mean the intelligence part back there is big because there’s so much communication going on between the corners, between the linebackers and you’ve got to be able to talk. The more guys we have kind of in that back end that can communicate and make sure that if a team does bunch us up or stacks us, the call is quick and we can get going and they can go play their coverage. I think he’s done a good job of that. He’s been around the ball. I know we haven’t had a ton of turnovers and some of it has been good decision making by the quarterback. Then a couple of times where those guys were in position, the wide-outs might have broken it up or something like that. I think he’s in the right spot so much that he’s going to make those plays when we get in those, whether it be a preseason game or a regular season game.”
(On who makes the calls in the defensive backfield) – “It depends what it is. All those guys have to work together. It can’t just be one guy. It would be so hard to do because all of a sudden a group – a bunch – gets really wide and he’s on the other side, then Reshad (Jones) has to take control of that; and the same thing with the linebackers. You’ve got to communicate with the linebackers so much that it just can’t be one guy back there doing it all.”
(On when he is a play-caller and how often interchangeable safeties on defense are really interchangeable) – “It makes it tough because you can’t predict where everybody’s going to be. Maybe if No. 20 was always the down guy, at least I could say ‘Hey, I’m always going to run away from him.’ Or I know at least if he’s on that side, maybe in the passing game, I’d stay away from him. But when those guys can either go down, in the middle, it makes it tough as a play-caller. Now you don’t have that advantage to stay away from somebody.”
(On his vision for DE Jason Jones) – “That’s going to be like a ‘time will tell’ as far as what his role is actually going to be. It will be interesting to see when we get ‘Cam’ (Cameron Wake) rolling there on all cylinders when we get closer to the season. Obviously we’re still kind of holding him back a little bit. I love the fact that we’ve got some depth up there because, right now, it’s a tough front for us to go against. But how long he is (Jones) and how physical he is and how he sets the edge and being able to go inside; I think it’s a rare guy to get (as late as) we got him (in the offseason). He wasn’t able to go in the spring but what he’s done in training camp so far has been very impressive. I love what he brings to that group – being a veteran, being around, being in the system. He’s able to help those guys out as far as teaching them the right techniques.”
(On T Branden Albert saying the offensive line needs to form an identity) – “I think it’s one of those things that’s easier said than done. We’ve got to keep rolling through practice and as we get going in these preseason games, figuring out what is going to be our identity. What are we going to call when it’s third-and-1? When we’re really rolling running the ball, what’s that play going to be? Right now, we’re working on some things. I think we still have some time here to figure out what’s exactly going to be our best stuff. I don’t think anything has poked its head to say, ‘This is what we’re best at.’ But right now, we have an idea what we think it’s going to be, but we’ll see as we move through the rest of the preseason.”
(On whether the team can establish the run game’s identity in the preseason) – “For us, we’re at a starting point and as we go through the preseason, I think you’ll be able to tell what we’re trying to lean on. We think we’re going to be good at a certain thing, and it’s going to be if it doesn’t work out for us, ‘OK, where do we go from there?’ Maybe something else pops for us where we say, ‘Maybe we become a gap-scheme team, and we weren’t as good as we thought in the spring and now we are in training camp and the preseason.’ Time will tell. I know that’s kind of a weak answer, but we got to get through some of these preseason games and figure out what that is.”
(On how the offense practiced today) – “I loved the energy level that they brought today. They worked hard. We’re trying to do a better job of executing. I thought that the entire team came out and was refocused. After a day off, they came out here and worked. Sometimes you don’t always get that. I’ve been impressed with this group as far as either the day before a day off or the day after a day off, besides the little speed bump we had there with the offense the other night in the scrimmage. Defense – every day they’ve come out here (with) full energy, attitude (and) speed. Every day they’ve done it. We had one little hiccup there with the offense; but, for the most part, they’ve been doing the same thing.”
(On how the preseason helps him from a play-calling standpoint) – “I always enjoy it, because it gets you back in the flow of things. With the ones – for this group – they’ve never really experienced how a game is going to go with me calling plays. I’m trying to figure out these guys as well. It’s a two-way street. It’s not, ‘Here’s what I want to do.’ It doesn’t work that way. We saw the other night (that) I’m reverting back to things that I’m used to doing, and that’s not the right thing to do. I got to do what we do best as far as an offense, not what I like. It’s irrelevant what I like. I got to do what our guys do well. This preseason, it’s good for the ones, but it’s really fun to call (plays) when Matt (Moore) will get in there, (and) the twos and the threes get in there. When those guys get in there, it’s fun, because you’re trying to help those guys (and) put them in the best position possible so they can put good tape out there. I’m excited to watch our guys go out there and compete.”
(On the tackles’ ability to go out wide and reach the defensive ends) – “It’s so hard to do. It really is, especially the way our guys play. They’re so aggressive and you start working out there and it’s like getting hit with a brick in the chest. Those guys, they do a good job. It’s one of those things (where) it’s a … For me, I’m sitting there (and), it’s frustrating, but at the same time I’m like, ‘Alright, I love the way our defense is practicing. I love the way they play.’ I enjoy practicing against this defense, because it’s hard. I’ll be interested to see how good these guys can get as we move forward throughout the season.”
(On this year’s group of receivers compared to last season’s receivers) – “It’s hard, because I didn’t evaluate like that. I really came in here with a clean slate. (I) kind of went off of some of the things I knew about these guys coming out of college. Kenny Stills is a good example. I know I’ve said it before, (but) we tried to trade for him in Chicago, so I had watched enough film of him in New Orleans. Last year, I didn’t really pay much attention to it. I wanted to see these guys practice live. Sometimes when you watch tape, you can’t get the best feel for things. I like seeing things live, and we’ve moved off of that.”
(On RB Daniel Thomas) – “When he was in Chicago, he was a guy that was a hard downhill runner for me in the preseason. He was doing well and then (he) took a shot on the knee, and that was it for him and he ran out of time. That’s kind of what happened to him there. But he had been practicing well. He had shown a lot in practice both in the passing game, pass protection and in the run game. He was on the street at the time (when) we were looking for guys to come in here and compete. I knew if there was one thing I was going to get out of him (it) was he’s going to come to work every day, give it everything he has and look to get better.”
(On whether RB Daniel Thomas would have made Chicago’s roster last season if he had not sustained a knee injury) – “I think he had a shot. He really was playing well, and we were fairly deep there. If that would’ve happened … I don’t know what would’ve happened exactly. Some other guys ended up stepping up there after he went down and made the roster. Where we started at before training camp (and) where we ended up were completely two different things than what we thought. That’s why injuries do play a big role in this and things change from the start to the end.”
(On where RB Daniel Thomas fell on Chicago’s depth chart) – “It was him and two other guys. They were competing for that third spot. He was right in the mix. He was a different body type from the other guys we had. He was the biggest guy we had, and (Chicago Bears Head) Coach (John) Fox always loved having big backs that could get downhill and lower the pads and try to move the pile.”
(On whether he is looking for consistency from WR Jakeem Grant) – “With him, once again, we got to slow him down somehow, which is hard to do. The guy is fast. This’ll be a great test for him – whether it be the return game or at receiver – of consistently doing the right thing and being in the right spot. One thing I noticed today was when things break down, he seems to pop free. That guy in space is dangerous, and it’ll be fun to watch him play.”
(On the return position being about more than a player’s speed) – “It’s something you have to learn. Some guys do it naturally. I’ve been around some guys (where) it takes a couple years to understand that your body language is the most important thing. The guy that taught me a lot of things – Mike Martz – they did it better than anybody. He always felt like they were running as fast as they could, and they’d laugh at you when you would say that, because they were like, ‘I really wasn’t running that fast, but you felt like I was,’ because of their stride length.’ It’s one of those things (where) if you can figure out that little trick, it’s a helpful tool.”
