Brian Flores – August 16, 2019 (Halftime)
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Friday, August 16, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores (Halftime)
(You gave QB Josh Rosen the start and he played the first half, what did you see that you liked?) – “I thought he played well, made some good decisions out there. I would like to not see him take as many sacks; but I thought he threw the ball well, had some drops – that didn’t help him. But I thought overall, he played well.”
(You talked about QB Josh Rosen a little bit body language-wise. It looked like he was…) – “He was into the game. He was ready to go. I thought he did a good job in the huddle, getting the play calls in. I thought he played well from that standpoint.”
(Defensively, you started the game – started to get some pressure on Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Jameis Winston – got some hits, got another sack later on and then you got a turnover by LB Sam Eguavoen. So good things you’re seeing on defense?) – “Yeah, I thought we started a little bit slow. They got a couple first downs on that first drive; but we picked it up, got them off the field, forced a punt, and then we kind of got into a groove after that. But we’ve got to keep it going. This is about finishing games, not the way we started. None of it matters anymore.”
(Second half – quarterback-wise, how are we going to go?) – “’Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) is going to start the second half, and we’ll see after that.”
(How important is it to you to win preseason games?) – “Anytime we can win, that’s what we’re looking for. I’m trying to win every game, always.
Kalen Ballage – August 14, 2019
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Wednesday, August 14, 2019
RB Kalen Ballage
(With RB Kenyan Drake out today, it seemed like you got a lot more reps. Do you feel like you took advantage of that opportunity?) – “I’m just out here to have fun and play football and do my job. I don’t really worry about too much else or anything. I’m happy for the opportunity.”
(You’re lining up with everybody pretty much, the way Head Coach Brian Flores has got you guys going. WR Preston Williams, QB Josh Rosen, yourself – kind of that young group – what do you like about that lineup?) – “I think young guys have to be able to come out here and make plays. This (isn’t) college (anymore) more. It’s not high school. In my opinion, age doesn’t really matter. I think you just come out here and if you can ball, you can ball. I think that’s a big part of it.”
(What did you learn about this offense the last two days going up against the Buccaneers leading up to the preseason game?) – “It’s something that I’ve always known. I think that it gets the best athletes and the best talents in space, gets them the ball and kind of puts the rest on us to make plays. I think that that’s something that’s real important.”
Kenny Stills – August 14, 2019
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Wednesday, August 14, 2019
WR Kenny Stills
(We understand that you had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Ross.) – “Yep.”
(Can I ask – from the story that published yesterday, it was an agree-to-disagree situation. Can you kind of elaborate on how you feel about that?) – “Right. It is what it is. I have my opinion, and he has his. I think that’s all it really was.”
(Do you think maybe this will – the whole situation – move forward and the noise surrounding all of this, mostly at the national level, maybe could go away? You may not want it to go away.) – “As far as – what do you mean?”
(Just that everybody’s talking about it and Stephen Ross and…) – “I think it’s important for people to understand that we can disagree on things and still move forward. A lot of the things that I’ve talked about are just on a basic level of being a human being, being respectful and really just caring about others and trying to draw the line in the sand when it comes to hate and divisiveness and inciting violence. So that’s where I’ve drawn the line, and other people – we’re trying to encourage other people to do the same.”
(A lot of people view what you’re doing in the right. When you’re out here, do you have the opportunity to – did some of the Buccaneers players even say something to you about this?) – “I mean I think guys see what’s been said. I think people just appreciate other guys speaking truth to power, and so that’s all I’ve been trying to do. Like I’ve said before, it’s not about creating any type of divisiveness. It’s just informing people on what’s going on. Sometimes I’ve got to be a messenger.”
(Do you feel Stephen Ross was receptive in any way to some of the things you expressed to him about why you felt the way you felt?) – “I can’t say. Like I said, our conversation was short. We agreed to disagree, and we both said that there weren’t any hard feelings, and our focus was on trying to win games this year.”
(Did Stephen Ross express to you that he preferred you didn’t tweet out anything?) – “No. I actually was the one that brought it up saying that – just likes (Head Coach Brian) Flores said – looking back at it in hindsight, that probably is the most professional thing to do. Would I have done it? Going back, probably not. But I agree with Flores, I agree with other people that it is probably the right thing to do.”
(Even if you did have a conversation and you tweeted about it, what do you think the result of that would’ve been?) – “Same thing. I’m still pointing out the contradiction, and I think that’s it at the end of the day.”
Preston Williams – August 14, 2019
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Wednesday, August 14, 2019
WR Preston Williams
(When I asked WR DeVante Parker about you earlier in camp, he said that some of the things you do reminds him of his skillset. With him being out injured today, did you view that as an opportunity to take some of his reps and do some of the things he does?) – “I learn from DeVante. I’ve watched him a long time. Even growing up, I remember when DeVante first got drafted and I was in high school about to graduate. I’ve always been a big fan of DeVante’s. I’m excited to be in the room with him, and learn from him. He’s teaching me new releases and how to run routes. He’s just being a good vet.”
(I noticed you on punt return. Was that your first punt return opportunity?) – “Yeah. That was my punt return opportunity. Trenton (Irwin) has been back there, Kenny (Stills), Jakeem (Grant) and RB Kenyan (Drake). I’m learning from those guys. That was my first time. It was pretty cool.”
(Did you do it in college?) – “Yeah, I did it in college. I did it in college and high school.”
(Some guys don’t like it. What do you think about it?) – “I like punt return more than kick return.”
(What do you think about the kind of growing fascination with the fan base and all of that? Is the hype train kind of picking up speed?) – “Kind of, sort of. I love the fans. They come and support us every day. I’m just going to continue to make plays.”
(Do you feel like it’s warranted, the attention you’re getting?) – “I think so, I think so.”
(Why is that?) – “If you make plays, people notice.”
(There was a play yesterday that the Miami Dolphins put on social media where it looked like you kind of tricked a guy, then you ran into a wide open space. Do you know what play I’m talking about? Tell me how you were able to do that on that play.) – “Coach told us to get our eyes up and watch for the quick jam. He tried to quick jam. I saw him change his stance for the quick jam, end up beating him on the inside and then tried to give him a double (move) at the top. I ran that route.”
(This connection you have with QB Josh Rosen, I know you’ve spoken about it before; but we’ve seen it these past two days. He’s pulled you aside to talk about plays. What is it about him and you and just the connection that you two have?) – “We’re both young, so we’re learning together. I can say that. Me and Josh still have a lot of growing to do. We’re going to keep working every day.”
(When did your focus switch from making the team to figuring out how you can get on the field?) – “I just come ready to work every day. Of course the main focus is making the team. At the same time, I want to be a better receiver regardless. All of the guys I got around me, I utilize everybody that I’ve got around me.”
Brian Flores – August 14, 2019
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(S Minkah Fitzpatrick had an interception today. How has he worked for you so far in training camp?) – “He’s done a really good job. He’s a hard-working kid, does a good job with his communication, practices well every day. Obviously, it’s never perfect for anybody, but he’s a guy who we’ve used in multiple roles. He’s taken to that and really learned them all at a pretty good level. Obviously, there’s always room for improvement from a technique, from a fundamental standpoint – just an understanding of the game. He’s still a young player. It’s a new system, but he’s really a joy to work with from an abilities standpoint, as a kid – he’s a really good kid, too. I’m looking forward to working with him some more.”
(With S Reshad Jones and S T.J. McDonald not practicing because of injuries, does that show you S Minkah Fitzpatrick’s value even more?) – “I think it’s a great opportunity for him and really any young guy. When people go down, it’s a great opportunity. It really is, and Minkah’s taking advantage of that. Again, we’re moving him around. He’s playing some strong safety, he’s playing some linebacker, he’s playing some corner. He’s all over the place. That’s a good thing. That’s a really good thing.”
(Is there any thought to put S Minkah Fitzpatrick on the boundary considering what you guys have got going on from an injury standpoint?) – “No, I mean – it depends on if it’s a matchup-based game and his guy’s to the field, then we’ve got to put him to the field. If we’re playing a zone game and we’re playing him middle of the field, then we’ll play him in the middle of the field. If his guy’s into the boundary, we’ll do that. He can do a lot of things. Part of what we do is try to put him in positions – because he can do so many things – not to overload the kid. I think that’s a big part of our responsibility as a coaching staff is not to overload him. I don’t feel like he’s overloaded. He’s played multiple positions. He’s really done a good job at all of them. Every time he gets out there, it’s a new experience. Whether he’s getting stack receivers or Y-Y wing or empty – I mean there’s a myriad of things that could happen and every one is a good experience for him, and he’s done a good job.”
(RB Kalen Ballage had two long touchdown runs – I don’t know if you saw them or if you were somewhere else, but…) – “Oh, I saw them. (laughter)”
(I’m wondering how much of that was RB Kalen Ballage and how much of that was offensive line and downfield blocking.) – “They all work together. It’s 11 guys. If you put 11 guys in and they execute their responsibility, you’ll get a good play. Kalen did a good job of making a guy miss, and that’s how you get long runs, receivers blocking corners and secondary players, and that’s how you get long runs. It takes everybody.”
(We saw RB Kenyan Drake in a boot. How concerned are you guys that he’s going to be ready for the opener?) – “We take things day-to-day here. The opener’s down the road. He’s got a little injury, and I think we – he’s just going to take it day-to-day. He’s got a great attitude about it. I think he’ll be okay.”
(At the receiver position, you have WR Preston Williams and WR Isaiah Ford really stepping up. WR Jakeem Grant and WR Albert Wilson are making their ways back. How are you going to make this decision to cut down those guys at the position group on the roster?) – “Well, we’ve got a long way until we’ve got to make those decisions. We’re going to keep the best players. I know five receivers, six receivers, eight receivers – I’m not sure what it’ll be. We’re going to keep the best 53 players and the best 10 practice squad players. That’s how we’re going to do this.”
(What’s it going to be if you have to turn down a good player, a player that’s been playing really well?) – “Well, hopefully we don’t have to turn down that player. Hopefully we don’t have to do that, but those are very good problems to have – turning down good players. I’d like to have those types of problems.”
(We saw WR Albert Wilson make a catch on 7-on-7. How’s he coming along in his recovery?) – “I thought he did a really good job on that. Good route – a quarter curl route – he turned it up field. I’ve got to watch the film. I thought the ball was a little bit loose, but we’ll watch it. I think he tucked it pretty well. He’s doing a good job, and again, you’re seeing a little bit more from him every day. Again, it’s a new offense for him, so getting those reps and having the ability to play fast and play with his teammates and get with the quarterbacks and understand – I thought it was a good throw by ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) as well. I don’t even think Albert was out of his break. It was good anticipation there, ‘Fitz’ gave him a good ball, and he turned up and went.”
(What did you think about QB Josh Rosen today?) – “I thought Josh was – I thought he played well. There were some missed throws there. I think he held it a little, and that’s something we’ve talked about constantly – good footwork, good fundamentals, good technique, keep your eyes downfield, get the ball out of your hands, get it to the playmakers, which I thought he did. I thought the backs had a good day today. As a total unit, I thought they gave great effort. I thought today was better than yesterday, and that’s what we need to do. We need to just try to build and string good days together. I thought today was a really good day. I just told them that.”
(Can you talk about DT Christian Wilkins and how he’s progressing through this camp?) – “He’s doing a good job. This is a kid who’s high energy, who’s got a lot of ability. He plays extremely hard. He’s got to play with better pad level, for sure. I hope he reads this. Somebody make sure that he reads that. He has got to play with better pad level, but is a talented young man. Again, for him, every play, every series is a good experience for him. The early down stuff is good. The pass rush, his technique has got to little bit better. Again, his pad level will help him. Christian, if you’re listening, that’ll help you. (laughter) But he does a good job. We’re excited to continue to work with him and he’ll develop and grow and hopefully turn into a good player.”
(What’s your thought process with QB Josh Rosen working with the first team exclusively today?) – “We wanted to get him some looks with obviously our first team but (Bucs Defensive Coordinator) Todd (Bowles) does a really good job in Tampa and I wanted to see him against that group and some of the exotic looks that his first team was giving us. That’s really it. ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) saw it yesterday. We wanted Josh to see it see it today and that’s really what that was. I thought he did a – I have to go back and look at it. Were the Mike points right? Did he really go with the correct spot with the ball based on what was there? I’m going back and forth – I’m on offense, I’m on defense. Trying to see everything was a little bit tough, but from what I saw, I thought he had a good day. He’s heading in the right direction.”
(Who’s your leader in your quarterback competition as of now?) – “Look, it’s a competition and it’s a competition at every positon. I think my job is to help these guys become the best players they can possibly be. And the competition is part of that. Who’s leading? Who’s not leading? That’s irrelevant to me. I want these guys to get better and improve every day. That’ where I’m at with it.”
(Yesterday you talked about body language. How’s QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s body language?) – “I think it’s always good. This is a guy who’s upbeat. He works hard. Football is very important to him. I think it’s good. He’s a leader on this team. He’s a guy who guys look to. He does a lot of really good things. I love having him.”
(We all saw QB Ryan Fitzpatrick throw the touchdown pass over here and then celebrate with his guys. But it’s more than that, right? It’s adversity time to with the body language, no?) – “I don’t know if I’m confused by the question or…”
(It was a great moment and everybody saw him.) – “Yeah, it was a great moment. He was fired up. The whole team was fired up. The entire sideline was fired up.”
(But it’s also important when things aren’t going well that good body language.) – “It is. At the same time, when things aren’t going well, it’s hard to throw your hands up and smile and cheer. It’s hard to do those things. But that’s part of leadership. That’s part of playing quarterback. It’s part of being in this league in general. I think dealing with adversity is – I think he’s done a good job of dealing with it. And I think he’s done that over the course of his career. I don’t want to make too much of Josh (Rosen) going with the first group and ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) today. This is definitely a competition. The best guy, the guy who we feel is going to help us win games is going to be out there.”
(Your offensive line has kind of been up and down. How did they do today?) – “Today I thought was a good day. The communication was good. I thought they blocked well in the run game from what I saw. The protection was better than it was yesterday. We made some improvement there. My hope is that what you see early in training camp is different than what you see later in training camp and that’s different than what you see in four weeks and it’s different over the last four weeks. I’m looking for improvement the entire way.”
(Any thoughts on when T Laremy Tunsil will be full go?) – “Laremy, he started today. Laremy is fine. I think he’ll be okay. We just have to be – He’s obviously one of our best players. We have to use caution when it’s time to. I think that’s doing things the smart way. We’re not going to baby anybody. He knows that, but it was the right move today.”
Laremy Tunsil – August 13, 2019
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Tuesday, August 13, 2019
T Laremy Tunsil
(What does it do for you guys competitive-wise when you know it’s not your own guys?) – “It’s a better feeling. We’ve been going against our guys all of training camp. Just to have joint practices with another team, it tests our technique and our fundamentals, like I said earlier. It just helps. It’s just fun.
(How about seeing your guy DT Ndamukong Suh out there?) – “My boy, Suh. It was good seeing Suh. I still see him doing Suh things and it’s still good.”
(Was he doing Suh things out there?) – “He was doing Suh things. Everybody knows what Suh does.”
(What did you think of your play off the ball today – the speed, going up against their defensive line?) – “As an offense?”
(Yeah.) – “As an o-line whole?”
(As an O-line.) – “Like I said, I’m going to watch the film this afternoon and we’re going to judge it from that and just keep improving. That’s our biggest thing – just improving our technique, our fundamentals and just move forward.”
(How much do you feel like these joint practices can help development?) – “I feel like it helps a lot. Going back to what I said earlier, it helps the fundamentals and the techniques. That’s what preseason is about – just fundamentals, techniques and just keeping improving.”
(What does the line have to do to build that chemistry – the starting unit?) – “Just keep working. That’s the main thing. It’s all new guys up there. People are playing different positions – Jesse (Davis) at right tackle, then we’ve got two rookies in there (Shaq Calhoun and Michael Deiter). Just keep improving and we’re going to come together as one. We’re going to watch this film later in the afternoon and get it down, improve our technique, improve our fundamentals and keep working.”
(How’s G Michael Deiter been doing?) – “He’s been good, in my opinion. I think both of the rookies have been doing good. They’re on the right side of ‘D.K.’ (Daniel Kilgore), and he’s been in the league for nine years, so he’s a vet. I think they’re just improving. It’s going to take some time, but they’re both improving.”
(Do you remember your rookie year?) – “I do remember my rookie year, and that was a long time ago, I feel like.”
(What was that like though?) – “I had Branden Albert, I had Mike Pouncey, I had some Pro Bowl guys, I had some veteran guys next to me, so everything was easy. Plus, I had Jermon Bushrod and Ja’Wuan James. They’ve been in the league a while, so I feel like I had it easy.”
(Now you’ve got to hold their hand?) – “Now I’ve got to hold their hand. (laughter) That’s how it is (in the league). That’s how it works.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick – August 13, 2019
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Tuesday, August 13, 2019
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(Did it feel like a high school reunion today?) – “A little bit. Being on eight teams, this has happened more than once to me, where I’ve gotten to go back. (Laughter) But this one, having played here for two years and just the irony of being here and being able to practice this year with them, I got to see a lot of the guys. There are still some people I can’t wait to say hi to, and maybe even a couple of you, maybe. (laughter) It’s a great place. It’s a great place to raise a family. This is a great building. This is a great organization. A lot of smiles coming back for sure.”
(It looked like you and QB Jameis Winston after practice had a moment today?) – ”Yeah, I mean we are friends. It was good to just catch up with him for a little bit. I got to introduce him to little Jake, my seventh little baby. Now (there’s) a lot of conversation about kids and how things are going with him. Yeah, there are a lot of guys on this team I have a special relationships with and he is certainly one of them.”
(Did you have a moment at practice against any defenders where you felt like you got an upper hand or they did and something was said?) – “I felt like Beau Allen gave me a little butt slap on one of them. (laughter) We have a red jersey on, you’re not supposed to touch the quarterback but I felt like he got a little handsy with me. (Laughter) But yeah, friendly banter back and forth pretty much. It was good to see everybody.”
(QB Josh Rosen was just in here and talked about how generous you’ve been about mentoring him and taking him under your wing. And Head Coach Brian Flores was talking about the importance of leadership on this team. Given the wisdom you have and the wealth of your experience, how has that experience allow you to be a leader on this team?) – “I enjoy that role. I think just the position of quarterback in general, that is a leadership position on the team. Guys are looking at you for something as little as the play call, something as little as demeanor in and out of the huddle. Bad plays, they are looking at you to see how you’re going to react, good plays looking at you to see how you’re going to react. All of that stuff goes to it. I just really enjoy playing football. I like being out here and that’s why I still do it. Last year at the beginning of the year, it was great. It was so much fun being out there, being in rooms like this in this building. This year it’s more of the same. It’s different faces and different guys, but again, building relationships and everyone working towards a common goal. That’s one of the things I love about football and we’re trying to build in Miami.
(It seems like QB Josh Rosen mentioned that you’ve been extremely selfless with him. It seems like human nature in a competition would be self-interest-rooted. Is it natural for you to help someone?) – “Yeah. I don’t – Again, I’m focused on making sure that whether it’s the way that I’m working before, in or after practice or when we’re watching film, I’m focused on being the best quarterback that I can be. I’m certainly very open to questions. I always throw in my two cents whether they want to hear it or not. I just think in playing this game for as long as I have, there are so many good things that have happened and there are also scars that have developed from mistakes that you’ve made that you don’t want other people to make. I just try to share all of those experiences with them. They’ve been real good too in terms of being receptive and asking questions. I’m an open book. I’m here to compete, play football, have fun and go from there.”
(How different is practice when you’re going against another team?) – “I think it’s great. I really do. I like the joint practices because you start going against your defense in that particular scheme and you get locked into certain looks. Then all of a sudden you’re going into a preseason game and you’re not preparing real well because you’re still locked in training camp and guys heads start spinning a little bit. To be able to get out here, get a few practices in especially against a Todd Bowles defense that gives you a lot of different looks, we’re going to have plenty of things to sit and talk about tonight and for the next few days. He really challenges you as an offense. This is a great opportunity for us, and even just one-on-ones with different defensive backs, or putting our backs blocking linebackers or running routes with our tight ends with safeties. It’s the same thing. It’s just different people and I think it bring more energy to training camp, because you kind of hit that lull where you’ve been practicing for a while against the same guys doing the same things and this adds some energy to it.”
(Having said that, what did you gain from your group, especially up front, going against another team?) – “We’ll go back and there is a lot of stuff we’ll be able to talk about in terms of the true scheme and what we’re doing, things that are good and bad and how we can make it better. So that’s going to be good for us. But also, just facing guys that play a little bit different. Their techniques are a little bit different, their run fits are a little bit different. All of that stuff happens every week throughout the season. It’s nice for it to happen in a practice setting where maybe the stakes aren’t as high and you can learn from some of the mistakes.”
(You know some of this personnel already. What jumps out at you now that you see them in a Todd Bowles defense?) – “I’ll just say that I have a ton of respect for Todd and having played for him in New York (with the Jets) for two years. I think the mentality that he has, how aggressive he is, how confident he is in what he’s calling, that really shows on the field with his players. That’s such an important thing, especially defensively, to have that mentality and that attitude. That was something when he was a head coach that trickled down to all of us, just how confident he was in what he did and how he relied on his players and wasn’t afraid to be aggressive. That stuff sends a good message throughout the locker room. That’s one that I think everybody that plays for him hears loud and clear.”
(Head Coach Bruce Arians said that he didn’t want QB Jameis Winston looking over his shoulder this year. In a weird way, did you play so well that maybe that was a factor? I know you have a great opportunity in Miami and you made that decision but did the Bucs even contact you and what was that dynamic like after Jameis came back because you had been so successful? Do you think maybe he was trying to match you?) – “I think last year was a difficult situation for a lot of different reasons; but I also look at the way he played down the stretch and he played some really good football. I know that he grew as a football player last year and the way that he was playing. I think I had an opportunity to come to Miami and to compete for the job. For me at least, football is a lot more fun when I’m out there playing. Having the opportunity to go to Miami and compete, that’s why I decided to do what I did. I’m excited to see Jameis in this offense, just to see him a year older, a year further in his progression as a quarterback, because the sky is the limit for him obviously.”
(It seems like QB Josh Rosen is making progress and is kind of closing the gap on the starting job, if I can use that term. Do you feel that way and if so, where has Josh improved and why has he closed the gap?) – “I’m the same guy every day, whether it’s in the meeting rooms, the practice field or the game field. I’m going to try to bring steadiness, I’m going to try to bring excitement and all of that stuff. In a competition, instead of focusing on everything that you can’t control, you focus on what you can (control) and what I can control is me. That’s how I look at these things. I know what I’m capable of when I perform at a high level. Being able to reach that and consistently do that is something that I’ll continue to strive for. I think as a whole, when you bring in a new coaching staff and a new system, everybody is learning and trying to get on the same page and get up to speed. This is about the time after all of the offseason stuff and now into training camp where stuff starts to gel a little bit better and people start to come together and you start to see a little more continuity so I think we’re seeing that a little bit with everybody.”
(I don’t know if you can put a percentage on it but how much of the quarterback job do you feel is the intangibles – communication, leadership, body language – versus more physical qualities?) – ”Well, if being a quarterback was all based on height, weight, speed and arm talent, then I wouldn’t be in the NFL. I have to answer that question by saying the intangibles are very important, because that’s why I’m standing up here in front of you. There are so many things that go into being a successful quarterback and playing the position the right way. That’s what I strive to do every day.”
Josh Rosen – August 13, 2019
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Tuesday, August 13, 2019
QB Josh Rosen
(What did you take away from practicing against another team today?) – “I thought it was a lot of fun. I got to compete at a one-on-one period that was a little extended, so I got to throw against some different DBs. I got some different looks in team periods and I’ve got a lot to study tonight, but it was fun. I thought overall, it was a positive.”
(We noticed you out there with the ones for part of an 11-on-11. Is that a big deal to you? I know we make it into a big deal. Is that a big deal for you?) – “Yeah, sure. At any rep – As far as in training camp, a lot of what we do as a quarterback – it involves a bunch of things – but a lot of it’s just sort of assignment-based. Whether it’s ones, twos or threes, it’s ‘did we execute the right assignment given the set of circumstances?’ So yeah, it’s good; but I’m just trying to not think of it as too big or little of a deal because if I’m repping with the twos or threes, you don’t want it to be any kind of letdown. So I’m just trying to stay sort of consistent, (keep a) steady attitude through it all, and execute each play individually.”
(Would you like to get some work with the ones in the preseason before this competition’s decided?) – “That’s not really up to me. I’m just trying to – like I said – whether it’s ones, twos, threes, sixes or sevens, just try to execute each play as I’ve been instructed.”
(Is there value with the chemistry in respect to whether it’s with the o-line or receivers with you working team reps rather than just one-on-ones with them?) – “Yeah. The more reps you get with anyone, the better the chemistry. I would agree with that.”
(We noticed you had a deep completion to WR DeVante Parker today. What, if anything, do you recall about that particular play?) – “DeVante’s a special player. Anytime you get (him) one-on-one, you’ve kind of got to take it. He had a really good release, slipped off the line, I tried to hold the safety a little bit and threw a ball up and let him chase it down.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores told us just now that there were a couple times that maybe your body language maybe wasn’t what he wanted it to be. I assume that’s something he’s told you if he’s going to tell us that. What do you take from that and how do you improve that?) – “I think – especially when you get into competitive environments, you’re just – I tend to be very critical of myself. I’m very competitive, so I have always worked that throughout my entire athletic career since I’ve been a young kid – not letting my highs get too high or my lows get too low. I had some good highs with the throw to DeVante and a couple of lows. I think as a quarterback, in addition to the execution part of it, I think a lot of it is about leading and about trying to keep a steady ship and keep that forward momentum, regardless of what’s going on around you because a lot of people are looking to you to kind of be that rock. So I think that’s what Coach Flores was referring to. He wants me to kind of be steadier and just execute and be a positive force.
(Byron Leftwich is with the Bucs now. Define how your interaction was like with him last year and how he helped you.) – “Byron’s awesome. I love – I mean, a bunch of the staff – Coach B.A. (Head Coach Bruce Arians) brought a ton of his old staff that was with me (in Arizona) over with him here. It was really good to see a lot of old faces, reconnect and reminisce a little bit. Byron was – he’s awesome. I love him. He helped me a ton on and off the field. Your rookie year is full of a lot – football, not football and everything in between – and he helped kind of keep me steady and on-track. Football itself, he helped me. I’ve learned a ton. I was in-game seeing things I’ve never seen before and making adjustments, and he was breaking it down for me and helping me be a better player.
(How basic are these practices when you’re going against another team?) – “How basic?”
(Yeah.) – “In what sense? What do you mean?”
(Like you can’t really show a lot. You’re going against another team. You don’t really want to show a lot, so…) – “Yeah, but you’re definitely – every team’s got its core identity, and you’re going to run that. I think, I would – I couldn’t really put a number on it, but like a good 50 percent and more of your plays, at least in a game, are going to be pretty similar to what you ran the week before because you’ve got a good chunk of game plan plays that – we’re not really game plan for practice – a little bit, you do, obviously – but I don’t know. It’s not boring, I would say. I would say it’s very competitive, and it’s – we’re going to run what we want to run, and we’re going to try and execute the best. A lot of it in these kinds of settings come down to just one-on-one matchups, and that’s why I think the joint practices are so cool, because you get tired of hitting the same dude every day throughout training camp and the spring. It’s nice to change it up and see someone with a couple of different techniques and a little bit of a different body type and change it up.”
(You mentioned core identity in your last answer. Do you feel like you guys have started to develop that and what you want to be?) – “Yeah, absolutely, and preseason bullets aren’t live, but they’re definitely more live than practice. I think as you start to hit more and more sort of live-ish kinds of plays, that identity starts to reveal itself and you figure out what you’re good at. I think we had a really good step this last week against Atlanta. I think we’re taking good steps right now. We’ve got three of these (preseason games) left, and I think hopefully by the end of those, we’ll really know who we are and what we want to run with through the season.”
(QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was here last year obviously. You guys are competing, but he has this sort of reservoir of information of teams he’s played for, so how do you kind of weigh that sort of relationship you have right now while you’re competing?) – “I think – I mean, he’s been unbelievably helpful. He’s probably one of the best mentors I’ve had in the sport, and he’s been an unbelievable teammate and very selfless in helping me so much. It’s pretty impressive how he can just sort of walk up to the line and see it and just know what front, what coverage – everything they’re trying to do – and I’m just trying to get to that level. I think I have a sort of special skillset so that when I can put those two together, it can be special; but it’s going to be a long road, a lot of film, a lot of studying, and I’m just indebted to ‘Fitz’ for how selfless he’s being. He is being selfless and whatnot, but he’s still competing his ass off. He’s balling and when/if/and, whenever this or whatever shakes out this year, he’s going to absolutely fight his balls off. Sorry. (laughter)”
