Bryon Maxwell – December 12, 2016
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Monday, December 12, 2016
Cornerback Byron Maxwell
(How did you feel you guys yesterday on the sideline when you guys saw QB Ryan Tannehill go down? With this being a day after now, how is it affecting the team?) – “I’m not sure, really, to be honest with you. (We’re) still feeling it out. Obviously, losing the starting quarterback is key – very important. We’re just trying to figure it out right now. We’re trying to get the right emotions and go forward from here.”
(As you mentioned, an injury sucks to anybody but losing your starting quarterback…) – “Yes, you need your quarterback. In this league, you need a quarterback to win. So that’s a big … He has the ball in his hands on every play. So, we’ll go from there. The reaction is crazy. I’m just like (you guys), I’m waiting to see what happens.”
(Maybe you didn’t much about QB Matt Moore but what did you learn about him yesterday?) – “Matt, he’s going to go hard. He’s going to go down fighting. I do know that. He’s not afraid of the moment and I just know that from being around him. He’s not afraid of the moment. He’s confident. He’s ready for it, at least. He’s experienced.”
(You guys go against him in practice?) – “Yes.”
(Is that fun going against QB Matt Moore?) – “Yes, definitely.”
Andrew Franks – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins K Andrew Franks (transcribed by Jason D. Silver)
(This is your first game-winning field goal in the NFL, correct?) – “That is correct.”
(Obviously, it wasn’t very long, but still a little bit nervous with all that’s on the line?) – “For us, this was a big game coming in. Arizona is a great team. One second left on the clock. No matter what length the field goal is, you really want to make it. The kind of field conditions we had – and the crappy weather – it was sort of a hit or miss all day, I think, with the field goals and PATs and everything. But getting that one in the books I think was huge for us.”
(Did you have to block out the field conditions, or did you do anything specific in terms of testing it out before you kicked?) – “For me, (after) halftime, I really tested it out to make sure the field was not too soggy. I think for the most part, it’s (about) checking it out on the sideline. We’ve kicked in this plenty of times during practice and throughout the season, so for me, it’s nothing that special. Where I am on the sideline, I’m just checking out the field, making sure that … Because we’ve got our one little patch where our kicking net is, (we are) using that basically as the field. If that has been pretty beat up – pretty soggy – then I know the field is going to be like that, too. It’s really something that we’ve dealt with before during practice and during other games, so for me, it’s just something you’ve just got to deal with.”
(How tough were the conditions for kickers?) – “It wasn’t as bad, I don’t think. The rain definitely made the operation I think a lot more hectic. The footing was slippery, to say, is an understatement. I think (with) the operation (when) you’re getting a water logged ball, you never know what you’re going to get when you get it from the refs. I think that was the biggest thing was the operation. Great credit goes to Matt (Darr) and John (Denney) for having an awesome operation all day.”
(How would you describe the craziness of the day on special teams with the blocked extra point for a touchdown and then on top of that, their kicker misses an extra point, kicks a 56-yard field goal?) – “I think it sums up the situation that it was. The weather was, I think, a huge determinant of how things went. I think the weather was part of the reason why (Chandler) Catanzaro missed that PAT and had that one hit the post, and the whole block for that matter. I think it really shows that we’re going to keep on fighting and every little point matters. I think that two points that Walt (Aikens) ended up getting, that was a huge swing that put us up eight, I believe. At that point in the game, that was a huge determinant.”
Cameron Wake – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins DE Cameron Wake (transcribed by Ted Leshinski)
(With the way that the game ended, how much of a challenge did you guys feel from a defensive standpoint to hold and force that punt?) – “Well, that was a big series for us, obviously. We wanted to get off the field and get the offense the ball back. We knew what the situation was. We knew how much time was left and what the opportunity was. It was a big series. We had to get on the field and get off the field. We spoke about it while the offense was on the field, before we went on there, that ‘Hey, we have to go back out there and get the ball back to them quick so we can get this game wrapped up.’”
(You guys struggled defensively last week in Baltimore. What were you able to come back and do this week that allowed you to play the type of defense you played out there today?) – “Well, the whole goal this week was to focus on yourself. It wasn’t necessarily about what they were going to do. It was about making sure you had your job lined up, keyed in, and you nailed the plays that you knew that you had to nail. All week that was the focus. We had some plays last week – that was a long time ago – where things that we don’t typically do, guys playing out of character. So (we wanted to) get back to playing assignment football, do your job, trust your brother or teammate to do his and I think when that happens, we have a good outcome. Again, today was another one of those days when it took everybody. Everybody had to do their job. As I said, it turned out good for us.”
(Did you go into this game feeling it was a big game after going into December and having a tough one last week, coming back and feeling like you needed to come away with a win here?) – “For me, big games are every week. The next game is the biggest game. For us, obviously, being 1-0 after this week … We came off of an uncharacteristic performance last week and we wanted to get back to playing our style of defense and playing our style of team ball on both sides. It was a situation, like I said, where it came down to the offense doing their job, the defense doing their job playing complementary football and doing it when it counted. And obviously, special teams sealing the deal. Again, across the board – offense, defense and special teams – everybody had to be on par and do exactly what they needed to do to get this W.”
(As a defensive player, when you see your quarterback go down – we don’t know exactly what the injury is but it doesn’t look good so far – how does that affect you? How do you feel about that?) – “It’s unfortunate to say injuries are part of the game. It’s sad to think that there are very few other people that play sports that have to say that. But when he did go down – and I don’t know what the diagnosis is, I’m sure they’re on their way to get that figured out now – whether it’s him, quarterback, or any other player, you want to make sure that the next guys up step up, the rest of the team as a whole. (Ryan Tannehill) is a big part of this team, obviously. (He’s) a big part of the wins that we’ve had, the success we’ve had. Not just the next guy up, but every man on the team has to step up and try their best to fill that void. Matt Moore obviously came in and he did his job. Again, (Moore is) a guy who I have tremendous confidence in from obviously playing with him for such a long time. (He) came in and did his job and allowed us to put us in a position to win the game.”
(If QB Ryan Tannehill can’t go next week will you guys defensively feel the need to elevate your level of play to help backup QB Matt Moore?) – “I hope we don’t have to elevate. If you’re elevating next week, then what was the issue with this week or last week or the week before that? So I think we have to go out there and continue to play assignment football. Play aggressive style the way we’ve been playing, things that have gotten us success in the past. But to take it another notch up, that notch should have already been done way back when training camp ended.”
(You’re on the few players who has played with Matt Moore when he was a starting quarterback. Describe his game. What do you remember from 2011?) – “Great football player. And not just playing with him as a starting quarterback. I’ve had the opportunity to chase him around even last week with practice reps and other drills that we do. I know he’s a great leader. He has a tremendous mind for the game. (He) throws the ball well. He manages the game. He does all the things you would expect a quarterback (to do). Obviously he’s a starter, so he has all the tools that he needs to be a productive player. No surprise that he went in there and did what he did, like I said, put us in position to win the game.”
(The weather conditions made for offensively a sloppy game. How do you guys like it on defense?) – “Ah, 85 (degrees) and sunny would have been nice. But, hey, that’s football. It is what it is. You can’t really predict that part of the game. It could be 85 and sunny. Next week it might be 20 and snowing. That’s just the nature of the business. But you have to go out there and put those conditions out of your mind and focus on your job. So whatever it is on offense, I’ve never been on that side, but I know we still play attack-style defense, whether it’s raining or snowing, or the sun is shining, 100 degrees. That’s just background noise for us. We’ve just got to do our job.”
(When the conditions are poor, you have awareness that the ball could be slipping out. There were fumbles left and right. Does that change how you play a little bit, with just awareness that the ball could be popping out?) – “Again, that’s something that we do, hopefully we do, whether it’s raining or not; but obviously today the ball popped out a few more times than probably normal. You definitely have to make sure that if it’s out, you want to get it, so the good guys will win. I like to think that guys are playing situational football. If it’s going to be out on the ground, let’s get it.”
(You guys were able to pretty much contain them for three quarters. What happened there in the fourth quarter where they were able to put some more points on the board?) – “I’m definitely looking forward to looking at the tape. I know we had a couple of penalties that kept the drives alive. I think that (those are) some of the little things that we have to clean up going forward. Every week we’re focusing on getting better. But the reality is, at the end of the day, you want to do whatever it takes to win. That was a drive that I’m sure some guys wish they could have changed some things; but when it mattered, guys went out there and did their job, three and out, and gave the offense the ball. They went down and they scored and we win.”
(Not to harp on it too much, but it seemed like that turnaround for them happened right after QB Ryan Tannehill’s injury. Did the team as a whole, did they need to refocus? Was it a shock that Tannehill was out?) – “Not to harp on it too much, I don’t know. That wasn’t the issue. Again, whether it was a shoelace, a knee, hamstring, guys go down all the time. We rotate guys and I think for the most part, like I spoke about earlier, Matt Moore is a guy who everybody on the team has played against, played with, whether it’s practice or otherwise. So, I don’t think that’s something that guys were focusing on too much.”
Jermon Bushrod – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins G/T Jermon Bushrod (transcribed by Frank Brill)
(What are your thoughts on the hit on QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “I mean that’s what happens when you go low. That’s just what happens and we’ve got to continue to … I don’t know man. We fight to protect quarterbacks. That’s just a tough situation.”
(Should it have been a penalty? Should there have been a flag thrown?) – “I don’t know, I don’t know. I’m not going to comment on that. I just wish it didn’t happen.”
(If QB Ryan Tannehill is out for the final three games, do you rally around QB Matt Moore?) – “(We’ve) got to. Whatever we’ve got to do to win. I mean that’s the situation, if it has to go there, then that’s the situation that we have to deal with. Matt’s been in this league for nine or 10 years, I believe. He’s played in a lot of games. He’s started a lot of games so if things go that way, go in that direction, then we have to rally behind our guy. That’s all we can do.”
(What does it say for QB Matt Moore to be able to come in and perform and get you guys in scoring position?) – “He put the ball where it needed to be. He made the correct checks and that’s all you can ask your quarterback to do is put us in a position to be successful.”
Walt Aikens – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins Safety Walt Aikens (transcribed by Ken Mendonca)
(Was that your first return for a 2 pointer? How did that feel?) – “Yes, that is. It feels good man, I was tired. It’s a long run for two points. I mean, the scoreboard, it was definitely worth it.”
(What was the mood on the sideline after Ryan (Tannehill) got hurt?) – “We know it’s the next man up mentality. And that’s every position on this football team, we knew Matt Moore would come in and do what he needed to do. That’s just the way it goes in the NFL, anybody goes down, you got to have the next man ready to step up.”
(Playing on special teams, how good does it feel when it shows up on the scoreboard like that?) – “Oh it feels great, especially if you pride yourself on the special teams like we do, and you know how serious coach Rizz (special teams coach Darren Rizzi) takes it, and we went out there and executed today. It wasn’t perfect, but we did enough to pull out a win.”
Matt Moore – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Matt Moore (transcribed by Sara Perez)
(First of all, as close as you are to QB Ryan Tannehill – you hate to see any of your teammates go down, but somebody that you’re in a meeting room with every day and spend so much time with – how hard is it to see that happen to a guy like that?) – “My heart breaks. I know how much that guy puts his heart and soul into this and hard work. I just hope it’s nothing crazy. I wish him the best, but it’s hard to see. I just wish him the best, and hopefully it’s not terrible.”
(What was going through your mind as you were getting ready to warm up and go on the field for your first series? Weather had been miserable all day and was going to be that way throughout the rest of the game, and that’s what you were going to face) – “I was thinking, ‘I haven’t done this in a long time.’ The weather, obviously, was not great, but I just went in confident (and) wanting to move the ball. It was a close game at the time, and I wanted to finish strong and get the win. Execution and tempo and command and confidence – that’s what was going through my head.
(Can you take us through that last drive?) – “It’s funny, I only remember the passes. I know we were trying to run it there still, and we got a good call on the cross to Kenny (Stills). We caught them in man coverage, and Kenny did a nice job separating and hit that one. Later on, we had a heck of a call and caught them in a little crusher there and was able to throw it up to Kenny. Again, I didn’t see the finish, but (it was a) good catch and put us in the spot to win the game. Credit (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase, really putting us in good situations for the potential to have success.”
(Was any panic going through your mind when – I think it was RB Damien Williams running the ball – at the end and the clock was running down and you had to get a timeout?) – “It wasn’t a clean center-QB exchange. Then I got stepped on and then that whole thing goes on. Not the way you wanted that series to end. I knew we were at about 11 seconds, I think, when the ball was snapped. I know he was trying to go down. Thankfully he did, and we got the timeout. All eyes on the field goal then, and those guys executed, so it was good.”
(I saw you and QB Ryan Tannehill sharing an embrace in the locker room. Can you paraphrase…) – “I told him I loved him. I said, ‘This team – regardless of what your situation is – this team still needs you,’ and he agreed and said, ‘I’m there.’ He said, ‘Let’s go win one game at a time.’”
(Did QB Ryan Tannehill give you any indication either way?) – “No. I just knew he was shaken up. Again, I don’t know exactly what’s going on. Just looking at him, I knew he was upset, so I just tried to bring him up that why and still let him know that he’s a huge part of this team, and he will be moving forward.”
(Five years ago when you had the starting job – far different circumstances – the fact that if QB Ryan Tannehill is done for the year, at 8-5, real playoff chances, what is this opportunity like for you and this franchise?) – “It’s huge for both parties. It’s unbelievable. My focus right now is (to) get ready to go. If I have to go, then be ready to go, and that’s it. You talk about where we’re at as a team, you can’t ask for much more. The ball is in our court. We just have to execute and play one week at a time.”
(How much rust do you feel like you have to work off?) – “Time will tell. Time will tell, but I felt pretty good out there today. Obviously, the conditions weren’t great. I feel pretty good. Coach does a good job – (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase and Bo (Hardegree), our quarterback coach – they put me through the runner during the week, every week. I feel good, but clearly, there will be some. I haven’t done it in a while, but I don’t know … I’m going in confident and feeling good.”
(You’ve been doing this long enough to be confident in yourself, obviously. Was there anything in that fourth quarter from the team, coaching staff that made you feel reinforced that, “Okay they believe in me. They believe we can do this?”) – “A bunch of guys said some nice things, but they would say that to anybody in that situation. I’ve been here a while and these guys know my position on this team and my role, and I don’t think there was any doubt or hesitation. I believe that. I’m comfortable in there, and I think those guys are comfortable with me in there.”
(For the people who haven’t seen you in five years, can you tell them what your style is as quarterback?) – “That’s an interesting question. I’m obviously not shy. I’m not one to not throw it down the field. This will be the first time … Well, today really was the first time playing under Coach (Head Coach Adam) Gase. The preseason is what it is, but (this was) a real game, the style … My whole thing is to execute this offense. What is my style? I’m a pocket passer who likes to throw it down the field. That’s how I would put it, but that doesn’t matter. I think if you’re in there, you have to execute the plays called. At the end of the day, the ultimate deal is to get the win, so whatever style that is, that’s what I’ll be.”
(You were on the injury report this week with a shoulder. Was that something that happened during practice? How did that happen, and how long have you been dealing with it?) – “Shoulder – there’s always soreness. But something little happened this week at practice, and (I) just kind of worked through it and didn’t have any issues today.”
(Do you feel 100 percent? Football 100 percent?) – “Yes.”
(Does your practice week change from the standpoint of getting in an hour earlier or staying an hour later?) – “Probably not. Ryan (Tannehill) and I are there, and we’re doing our thing. I don’t think my schedule will change. Depending on what the deal is … Naturally, you say as a backup you’re ready to go, and you’re focused, but I would assume if he can’t go that the focus will be turned up a little more. It changes naturally for all the reasons you would think it would change, but as far as time goes, that won’t change at all.”
Andre Branch – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins Defensive End Andre Branch (transcribed by David Norwood II)
(Talk about the win. First of all, how important was that last stop for the defense on their final offensive drive?) – “It was major. We knew we had to go out there, and make a stop, and give our offense a chance, and that’s we did. We came up with the plays, and resulted in a win.”
(I know the loss of [Ryan] Tannehill really kind of dominated the talk of the locker room today, how are you feeling about the situation?) –“It’s tough, very, very tough. He’s the leader of our team but we’ve been preaching this for the entire season. It’s the next man up mentality. Ryan assured us that he’ll definitely be in this still be leading us, just not on the field. So for us we got to pick it up on defense more, and whatever we got to do to win the next game is what we got to do.”
(For you specifically, you were all over the field today, getting to the quarterback, getting to the running back, what did you see out there personally?) –“We watched film. We knew what we had to do, and we knew it would be a big game for the defense if we did our job. And if we do our job then the plays come. ‘VJ’ (defensive coordinator Vance Joseph) has a good game plan, and we just stuck to that, and the plays were there.”
Jarvis Landry – December 11, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 11, 2016
Postgame – Arizona
Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Jarvis Landry (transcribed by David Norwood II)
(I know it’s a blend of emotions going through your head right now after QB Ryan Tannehill got hurt.) – “It’s always a troubling thing when you see somebody go down and they don’t get back up. For us, we have no details with his condition or what’s going on; but we’re going to handle things as if he’s our starting quarterback.”
(We saw you had a moment with him on the bench. What did you tell QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “I just told him that we’re going to get this win for him, no matter what. I don’t care if we have to play eight quarters, nine quarters, we’re going to get this one for him and I promised him that and we made it happen.”
(What was it like when he came back out to the sideline?) – “He was still involved in the game, which I give him a lot of credit. I don’t know what he’s going through, but for him to come out and still be involved in the game, helping guys out, telling guys what he sees, in (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase’s ear, as well. It says a lot about Ryan Tannehill.”
