Ryan Tannehill – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: You were sacked nine times today. How did you come out of this game physically?
A: I feel fine. I did not take anything that was lingering or would hurt me in the future.
Q: You have talked about the team is playing for something after the season and how there was no room for error. What kind of errors did you see today?
A: There were a lot of errors today, especially on the offense. I cannot speak for the defense, but I think that all around, starting with me, we were not good enough anywhere. We need to come back next week and get those things fixed because we have played well several times this year. Today we just did not come out and play as well as we can.
Q: The Vikings went up 21-0 in the first quarter. Were you guys still celebrating last week’s victory?
A: I don’t think so. It was never discussed throughout the week. We talked about it Monday, came in on Wednesday and from then it was getting ready for Minnesota. From my perspective, the guys did a good job of moving on to prepare for Minnesota and not letting it bleed into the next week. We did not come out and execute well from the first snap and the Vikings marched right down the field. In that type of game the offense has to be able to answer, we saw it last week when the Patriots were able to score early and we had to answer. Today the offense did not step up to the plate and answer, and so we have to do much better.
Q: What were the Vikings doing early on and throughout the game that made it difficult to move the ball?
A: They did a really good job. We had a lot of third and long situations, which we knew coming into this game that if the defense keeps you at third and long, they can throw many different looks at you that will be tough to protect. That was something we talked about and that we did not want to be in, but unfortunately we were. We were able to convert on a couple, maybe, but we have to be more efficient on first and second down and move the ball early on.
Q: The wide receivers were not involved in this game very much. Why is that?
A: I think it is because we just did not move the ball. We got down quickly and some of the passes that we were trying to complete down the field were longer and further down the field. The Vikings did a good job at applying the pressure and we were not able to get the ball off. It takes a little time for a long play to develop down the field and we were not able to make those happen. We have to give credit to those guys who did a good job on the pass rush.
Q: There are two games left. What motivates you for these last two games?
A: We’ve got to keep plugging away. Things are out of our control at this point, but we have just got to keep playing. Win the games that are left on our schedule, and whatever else happens is out of our hands. We have a big game against Jacksonville at home this week, so we will go from there.
Q: What do you attribute the team’s one-win road record to?
A: I do not know if there’s one thing specifically. We have not played well overall. We have had a couple of opportunities but those did not turn out. We did not play well from the very start today, and it was an uphill climb for us. I think that we just need to play better all the way around.
Q: What do you think the chances for this team to make the playoffs?
A: It is out of our hands right now. We do not have any control in this situation. We are going to need a lot of help. Ultimately, I like the fight of this team and there is not any quit in these guys or this team. We have obviously faced a lot of adversity throughout the season and responded well at times, but sometimes have not been able to answer. I just think that we have to dig deep, be ready to practice on Wednesday, and just play to our best. I think what it comes down to is executing and playing good football, regardless of what is going on. We need to control what we can control and execute the calls.
Q: Are you disappointed with the team’s performance today?
A: I think it starts with me. We can all play better, but it is disappointing. We come out and have a big opportunity on the road. We came in confident that we were going to play well and then things quickly unraveled. It is frustrating and I cannot put my finger exactly on what happened and could have prevented it or slowed it. It is a disappointment. I love playing this game and competing with these guys, and I love winning. To have this game go the way it did hurts, and it is frustrating.
Robert Quinn – December 16, 2018
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins DE Robert Quinn (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: What do you think is the biggest reason for their offensive success?
A: I don’t know. They found the guys that were open and didn’t look back. But then again, they were running the ball well. When they needed to pass, they found open guys. We just had a long day.
Q: Do you have any sense as to why you guys struggle on the road?
A: If I had that answer, I would already have the magic recipe by now. But no, I don’t know why. I wish I could give you a better answer.
Q: When your team fell behind 21-0, what was going through your mind?
A: Make a play. Someone has to make a play. We kind of went flat and they just kept the pressure going. They just did a great job on their side.
Q: How would you describe the season with only two left?
A: A rollercoaster ride, from game one to now. We’ve been battling our tails off. It’s been a rollercoaster ride for us, we have two more, so we’ll see what we can do.
Q: How do you think you guys will come out in the last two?
A: Whatever happens, we have to win our next game. It doesn’t matter where we’re at. We have to win our next game.
Reshad Jones – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins S Reshad Jones (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: On the defense’s performance today…
A: We didn’t make plays today. I give credit to the Vikings. They’re a good football team and they made more plays than we did today.
Q: It seems like the Miami Dolphins are a different team at home than they are on the road. What is the reason for this?
A: I’m not sure what the problem is.
Q: What is the mood like in the locker room?
A: It’s a tough loss. We are not happy about it.
Minkah Fitzpatrick – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: On touchdown return…
A: I was actually on the blitz. When I walked into that 3 by 1, Diggs and those two, they were vertical. I had a couple guys call it out. I was able to just go since I was on the blitz, and I didn’t have to be patient. So, I just went. Kirk was looking at them the entire time, and I just looked at him.
Q: On defense during 2nd and 3rd quarter…
A: We did our job well around the board. We stopped the run, stopped the pass. Covered more on the back end, even when he was running around. Our 1st quarter, nobody was doing their job. We weren’t covering the back end, we weren’t stopping the run. When that happens, we work off each other. When we can’t stop one, it is hard to stop the other. But the 2nd and 3rd quarter, we did a good job of stopping each phase of the game.
Q: What surprises you most about what happened on defense overall?
A: It surprised me how fast they got points on the board. It hasn’t happened all season, 21 points in the first quarter is way too much. We’re not happy about it, but we’ll use it as a tool on the next games. There’s not much we can do about it now.
Kenyan Drake – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins RB Kenyan Drake (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: Describing today’s game…
A: Personally I played my worst game of the season. I let the team down, missed a couple key blocks on third down. So you got to look yourself in the mirror and be motivated to get better.
Q: What were they doing up front?
A: Whooping our ass, that’s what they did. So we got to look in the mirror and ask ourselves how we want to finish the season.
Q: CBS’s report on apparent ankle injury sustained in the game…
A: Yeah, I got twisted up earlier in the game. It’s not an excuse for anything; it’s football.
Q: How do you feel about you and Kalen [Ballage] finishing things out for the rest of the season?
A: I am so proud of that kid because all he does is work hard in practice and gives his best effort and shows up. He’s finishing with the ball every time in practice and it shows in the game. He has a bright future in this league.
Q: Were you okay on how you were used today?
A: That’s not my job.
Q: What are the challenges that popped up today?
A: We just didn’t do our job. That’s plain and simple; that’s all I can say.
Kalen Ballage – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins RB Kalen Ballage (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: What was it like for you to get heavily involved in this game?
A: It was good to be out there. I have been waiting for an opportunity for a long time. I have been playing behind some really talented running backs, but it was nice to be out there.
Q: Tell us about your long touchdown run?
A: I saw some space and took it. It was nice to put some points on the board and get us back in the game.
Q: With Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore being hurt, what do you want to accomplish during the last two games of the season?
A: I want to continue doing what I have been doing. I stay prepared and practice hard. When these opportunities present themselves, I am ready to play.
Q: On the Vikings getting 9 sacks… Is there frustration?
A: The game is over now. We are already on to next week and we need to fix our mistakes. It is part of the game. Those guys get paid too. They make plays, we make plays, but at the end of the day we have to correct it and get ready for next week.
Ja’Wuan James – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins T Ja’Wuan James (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: On the delayed blitzes…
A: Yeah, we were waiting to see what kind of protection we were in. Then if somebody stayed in, they could add in late. Like I said they had a good blitz package for us.
Q: On the team’s playoff hopes…
A: Honestly, they tell us each week to take it, 1-0. This week we couldn’t and next we have to do that. Then at the end of the season we can look up to see what type of position we’re in.
Q: On the feeling in the locker-room…
A: It’s not good, especially from our standpoint as offensive linemen. We had a lot of sacks today. It messed up our rhythm and our offense. We have to watch the film, correct it, and move on to next week.
Cameron Wake – December 16, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Postgame – Minnesota
Miami Dolphins DE Cameron Wake (Transcribed by Minnesota Vikings)
Q: What did they do that the Vikings were able to score 21 points in 1st quarter?
A: They did whatever they wanted it seemed like. I’ve said this many times, it’s not good football if you are going to be inconsistent. I said this to Reshad [Jones] I’m sure we can do it all, really. We just have to run, we can rush the passer, we can cover receivers, take the ball away, and so on and so on and so on down the line. And then there are games that you can go back and look at where we don’t. It’s not ‘can’t’; it’s ‘don’t.’ The reason? No idea. Way above my understanding, above my paygrade. If I knew the answer, it probably wouldn’t be happening, but there’s inconsistency. It’s not complementary. It doesn’t work.
Q: Were you surprised by how the game played out?
A: I don’t know the exact quote, but they say that disappointment is a disparity between expectations and outcome. So, I was very disappointed today.
Q: Did wins the last couple of weeks raise expectations?
A: Two weeks ago doesn’t matter today. Today is today, and they’re going to go out there and they’re going to bring their A game and give you their best shot, and you have to go out there today. I say it all the time. I don’t care if you won by 50, lost by 50, you can’t let last week affect how you are today. You have to go out there and give them your best 90 mile-an-hour fast ball, no matter what happened two weeks, five weeks, six weeks ago. I personally wasn’t thinking about last week; I hope we weren’t, because I guarantee Vikings weren’t either.
Q: Does it feel like playoffs are slipping away?
A: I’ll be real honest with you, I don’t know the formulas and the calculations and all the things that need to happen. I know when you have an opponent in front of you, you have to take care of your business. All the ‘what if’s’ and ‘if this had happened’…win. Let everything else fall into place however it is. You win your match-up. You take care of what you can control. And all that is left is outside of my perspective. I live by, ‘hope is not a strategy; you have to act.’ We had an opportunity today, and we didn’t.
Q: Did the Vikings do something different that they had 200 rushing yards?
A: Fundamentally, I could say they probably didn’t run any new plays that we haven’t seen before. We could probably look and see the personnel we’ve seen in the past, that we’ve stopped in the past. We could go down the line. We’ve faced probably top five running teams and we’ve met the challenge. But it’s NFL. There are no bad teams. Every team has good players, every team has good coaching, every team has an opportunity, and every Sunday you have to match and exceed expectations. That they’re 30th [for rushing] doesn’t mean much to me, because they’re going to come out and give their best shot, and we have to step up to the challenge and today we did not.
