Ja’Wuan James – September 18, 2017
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Monday, September 18, 2017
T Ja’Wuan James
(How much pride does the offensive line have that the Chargers hadn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in 17 straight games and you guys come in and RB Jay Ajayi comes in and blows through that mark with 122?) – “That’s just credit to Jay (Ajayi) and credit to the work we put in, and also our receivers. A lot of those big runs … I think we might have the best blocking receivers in the NFL. They’re committed to digging out safeties no matter where they’re at and also blocking 10 to 15 yards down field.”
(How does it feel to be back home?) – “Amazing. It feels good to be back in your own bed finally, get to see your family. A lot of stuff was going on and we were not really in control. It’s good to see everybody’s family safe and get back home to them.”
(You said a lot of down trees and stuff; but to get back here and now start a normal week. Here today, I’m sure you’re off tomorrow, and then get back to work. How satisfying is that going to be?) – “At this point, it’s whatever. Whatever is thrown at us, we’re ready for it. Another hurricane could come; it doesn’t matter. (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase really just changed the whole mindset of the team.”
(What was the huddle like when you did the victory formation after the missed field goal?) – “It was great. Jay (Cutler) said a little bit to us (like) he’s proud of us, how we fought the whole game and stuff like that. We’ve just got to build off of this.”
(Speaking of QB Jay Cutler, how did you think he played yesterday?) – “I love it. He’s a leader. That was our first … I really only played the Philly game with him; but as for a game with him, his leadership is crazy out there. His confidence and the confidence he instills in everybody else around him is pretty cool to see.”
(How about confidence in your kicker? It’s only six kicks, but K Cody Parkey has never missed a field goal beyond 50 yards.) – “I didn’t know that. He hasn’t missed since he has been here at practice, so we knew every time he kicked it, it’s probably going in. He’s a hometown hero right now. We’re happy for him and he definitely helped our team.”
(What’s QB Jay Cutler like in the huddle? He seems like a laid back guy to us, but does he get fired up in there? What’s he like?) – “Yes, a little bit. We didn’t huddle much; but when we did, he definitely – like I said – he displayed that leadership and that confidence that he can put into everyone on offense.”
(Did you like going no-huddle most of the game?) – “It was good for California weather. (laughter) It wasn’t as humid (like) down here. But it does a good job of also keeping the defense off balance. They’ve got to keep some personnel in the game sometimes or they can’t sub out linemen. It helps. I feel like we’ve just got to continue to build off it.”
Cameron Wake – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins DE Cameron Wake (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On the devastation in South Florida:
“It has definitely been a crazy past few days. I was speaking to the team about how every so often something happens that puts everything in perspective. You want to make sure your family, friends, and loved one are safe. For people in South Florida affected by Hurricane Irma, football takes a backseat for a while. We were scrambling there for a minute. For the most part, most of the guys got out and their families. Trying to do everything you can to get everything back to normal. I know that people back in South Florida are trying to do the same thing. We’re trying to get back to the daily task and the normal routine. For us, football is a part of the normal routine and we would like to make winning a part of our routine. Today was a step in the right direction. Obviously, I hope everyone back home has the facility to watch the game and have just a moment of free time and pleasure to watch us bring the win back to South Florida.”
On how to focus on the game:
“The reality is, to be very blunt, nobody cares. I would assume that the Chargers didn’t care too much about what we had to deal with last week. They were prepared to beat us and they gave it their best shot. I am pretty sure that week 15 whoever we are playing does not care that we don’t have a bye-week and everybody else in the league does. They are not going to care. They are going to give us the best shot to beat us. We’re going to have to take our 30 seconds to cry and then shut up and man up. Do whatever you have to do your job. Your jobs don’t care, I don’t care, guys watching the game don’t care. The team trying to beat you does not care. The whining and the complaining ended a long time ago. No matter when no matter where, when the ball goes down, you have to play.”
On the team’s toughness:
“I think adversity shows character and here we are. The last few weeks we had a little adversity and opportunities that we could have thrown in the towel or cried about this. I don’t think that is the way we are built. It is another one of those things that in spite of we are still trying to find a way to win. Today was one of those situations. Who cares about what happened last week? Is your house damaged? I don’t know. Some guys haven’t been home in over a week and don’t know what is going on but they just have to go out there and play. That is what brings the guys together and all focus on the same task to get the win. It was a scratch and crawl type of game.”
Ndamukong Suh – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On the win:
“We’ll take the win. It’s a terrible win, but we’ll take it. We need to finish strong, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think we gave them an opportunity with a minute and ten seconds left, so we need to do better at adjusting more quickly and understanding what they’re trying to do against us.”
On limiting the Chargers’ running game:
“We definitely understand that from that perspective that a big part of their running game was the draw. They were successful on some opportunities there and then moved to the screening game a little bit, but they got their confidence up when they knew that they could get those shadow passes and run it down the field.”
On inability to stop Philip Rivers’ pocket passes:
“I wouldn’t say it’s frustrating. I think it’s part of life. I’ve been in that situation in plenty of times, understanding what they want to do with their centers, back, and tight ends tripping us. I think they realize that we can be aggressive and cause havoc and I think they wanted to stop that. And obviously the quarterback did a great job of calling things and moving the ball around, as well as getting the ball out.”
On team’s character:
“Unfortunately, we’ve been through this before, so we know how to react to them, how to understand it, take it in stride, learn how to move past certain things even if it is right before the game, no matter where it may be. Kudos to our teammates being able to be strong and resilient and continue to be that way. Unfortunately, we didn’t play the best game but came out with the win, so we could go home and figure things out and get ready for the next game.”
On how important it is to get a win and get off to a quick start:
“It’s always important to get off to quick start. No matter what we want to be successful and find a way to start fast.”
Cody Parkey – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins K Cody Parkey (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On kick difficulty with wind:
“The wind wasn’t too bad. It’s a smaller stadium and I think in the bigger stadiums it can sometimes swirl, so it wasn’t too bad. There was a little wind, but it wasn’t an issue. The weather in L.A. is pretty good, so I wasn’t complaining at all.”
On making game winning kicks:
“I’ve hit game winners, I’ve missed game winners, but I want to go ahead and say that [Chargers K Younghoe] Koo is a phenomenal kicker. He should just keep swinging. That’s all he has to do is keep swinging, keep trotting along and his time will come, but it is definitely good to be on this side.”
On what this win means for the team:
“It’s huge. We’re 1-0. That’s what we talked about doing. We have 16 straight [games]. Hopefully we just keep it going. There’s going to be some ups and downs, but we have to just keep riding the train and just keep going.”
Reshad Jones – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins S Reshad Jones (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On how he felt today:
“I felt great. I feel even better now with the win. I feel good.”
On Chargers QB Philip Rivers passing against the defense:
“I think he knew we had a strong front seven. He was just trying to get his ball out of his hands as quick as possible. We have to look at the film to see what we need to improve on. I think from the backhand standpoint we have to do a better job of getting our hands on the guys and not letting them get down the field.”
On the potential of getting sixteen wins:
“It’s a tough week to win and it’s going to be like that every Sunday. I think the guys in the locker room know that. We just have to keep fighting. Like I said, it’s going to be tough every Sunday. It’s a tough week to win.”
On the team calling timeout at the end:
“I got surprised a little bit. I got confused because I know they had one more timeout, so I was wondering where did the timeout come from.”
On what getting back to football means to South Florida:
“I think it means a lot to all of the hurricane victims that were affected by the hurricane. I think it means a lot to the city of Miami for us to go out, show resilience and win this game.”
Mike Hull – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins LB Mike Hull (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On the team’s performance:
“It was good to get out here and get a win, especially in that fashion. For me, it’s just trying to step in and do my job in a different situation, especially after the hurricane and everything that’s going on.”
On the hurricane:
“Week One bye-week. It was just crazy with the hurricane and being displaced in LA all week. We are not going to make an excuses. We are going to come out here and do our job and get it done every week.”
On the Los Angeles Chargers missing the field goal:
“Pure joy and relief. It’s been a long couple of weeks. It was great to get out here and get a win in the fashion that we did. It just goes to show that you can never be too sure about anything. You have to play until the last whistle.”
Jay Cutler – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins QB Jay Cutler (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On the Dolphins’ first win:
“It was eventful. The first half we kind of sputtered around a bit, shot ourselves in the foot. We have to find ways to get those guys going a little bit early. We made enough plays to win. It is hard to win in this league, so we will take it any way we can get it.”
On RB Jay Ajayi:
“I will tell you what: I think I have the best seat in the house. He is fun to watch. I mean breaking tackles and spinning. I think he has enough speed to get to the edge. He is a heck of a back and I am glad he is on our team.”
On WR Jarvis Landry and WR DeVante Parker:
“I think Jarvis got a lot of balls in the first half. We wanted to mix it up and get some balls to other guys. We wanted to spread the field a little bit because we were working Jarvis there in the middle. DeVante, since I have been here, every time I throw it up, it’s either a catch or a completion. That is what we like. [Dolphins WR] Kenny [Stills] made a big play. He got matched up with a linebacker, ran the ball well and it was a heck of a kick there at the end.”
On the offensive performance:
“We just have to clean a few things up, but we are right there at the edge of blowing the doors off. We have a lot of talent. I think that is one of the things we have to work through is being able to distribute the ball to everybody and keep everyone happy. That is a good thing.”
On his performance:
“I think I have done that a few times in the last month, or however long I spent. I am enjoying the fact that I am playing football. These guys, the locker room is contagious. It is a good group of guys. Young, enthusiastic, and they make me feel young. They are passionate and at the end of the game when the kick is missed, it is always fun to win the NFL, but this locker room is a little bit different. It is special.”
On the team’s toughness:
“There is definitely an edge to this team. It is a very young team. I mean we sprinkled in some veterans, but I mean it is a young team. You know even if we make mistakes or if something happens, this team does not get down. We bounce right back. They know that they are good football players. I think they lean on that. It is fun to play with these guys.”
On field vision:
“I thought it was good. There was one down the red zone that I wish I had back. I moved left, moved to the right, but I thought I moved well and made some plays on the edge. We did good going into scramble mode. We did exactly what we wanted to do. We made some big plays and continued some drives, so it was good.”
On the touchdown to WR Kenny Stills:
“I was waiting for him. He was matched on a linebacker, so it was just a matter of time for him to use his speed and get across. The whole line just collapsed and there was an opening that came up. I just wanted to buy some time and give Kenny [Stills] a little bit more time to get across. It was a good play called by [Dolphins Head Coach] Adam [Gase] and we executed well.”
Andre Branch – September 17, 2017 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 17, 2017
Postgame – Los Angeles Chargers
Dolphins DE Andre Branch (transcribed by the Los Angeles Chargers)
On the team’s performance:
“I know it was very important for us to bounce back. We had an early bye-week, which is untraditional. At the same time, we knew we had to come in here and get a win. That’s what we worked for and that’s what we got.”
On the close margin of victory:
“We have been here before. This is not our first time being down in the fourth. We are a team that is going to fight until the very end and it showed right there.”
On improving each week:
“I have to watch the film. We have a lot of new pieces. At the end of the day, we always just want to get better each and every day. We need to watch the film and correct what we have to correct and just go from there.”
On winning the game:
“Our offense put us in a position to win the game. [Dolphins K Cody] Parkey made an amazing field goal. It was up to us to stop them and we got it done.”
