Jerome Baker – August 25, 2021
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021
LB Jerome Baker
(I wanted to ask you what it meant to you to partner up with North Miami PD for the Haiti earthquake relief.) – “It meant everything. Tomorrow is the last day to get donations in. They need supplies as far as paper towels, women products, toothpaste, toothbrushes. All the little things we take for granted; they need it. Tomorrow is the last day. And it meant so much for me to partner up and just be a part of that.”
(The defense had a really strong day today. It seemed like you guys were really communicating pre-snap. What’s the communication like pre-snap and for you as an inside linebacker, what are you looking at and trying to get to your players?) – “It’s a lot that goes into it. First it’s the call. Then it’s you see what the offense is giving you. Then you make your checks. You kind of just – you want to communicate as much as possible because you never know if you’re reminding somebody else what they got or you’re reminding somebody to look out for this. You’ve got to have anticipation. That’s how you make plays and just that communication – that’s the key to a great defense so we definitely put an emphasis on that.”
(What was it like getting some first-team reps again with LB Elandon Roberts? Having him back there.) – “It was amazing. ‘E’ (Elandon Roberts) always brings the energy so he definitely brought that and I’m just happy for him to be back and be back healthy. It’s definitely great to have him back.”
(What’s the same and what’s different when he’s in there next to you as opposed to LB Benardrick McKinney?) – “’B. Mac,’ this is his first year really in the system so it’s just communication of what to look for and things like that. ‘E. Rob’ – he’s been in the system for a long time so I guess you could say he’s more of a veteran in the system. That’s really pretty much the difference. They both are great players. They’re great to be next to, so that’s really the only difference they have with each other.”
(Where do you see the defense now? You’ve been a month working with these guys. It seems like there’s more depth between DL Adam Butler and LB Jaelan Phillips and guys like CB Nik Needham making plays. Do you like where the defense is overall?) – “Our defense is definitely in a great spot, but one thing about the NFL – you can’t just get complacent and just say you got it all. I love this team as far as we really come out every day and we truly try to get better and we try to get each other better. If that’s defense going against offense, if that’s special teams, if that’s scout guys; we all truly want to get better and we definitely push each other now.”
(LB Sam Eguavoen played 38 snaps and had four sacks the other night. What’d you think?) – “What’s funny is nobody is surprised at what Sam (Eguavoen) can do. He’s one of those players that he puts his head down and he works every day. He comes in and works, works, works and that was just a glimpse of what he really can do. We’re always happy for him. We’re always excited. So yeah, we just want him to continue doing that throughout the year.”
(He said he wanted to stop making plays because everybody was punching him after he made a play.) – “Yeah, we’re always excited for him. He does it in practice so much and just to see him do it on a game day situation; we’re always just happy for him. So I hope he just keeps getting them. We’re going to punch him all he wants. (laughter) So I’m definitely happy for him.”
Tua Tagovailoa – August 25, 2021
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(Dan Marino did an interview yesterday and was asked about you of course, and he said Tua has a better understanding of where he wants to go with the football and how to deal with protections. Can you talk about what has been the key to developing in those areas?) – “I think just being with our guys. Being able to sit down and talk with the linemen. Having meetings with the linemen. Being able to talk with the running backs. Overall, just communication with our guys. And it’s not just with me. It’s with our quarterback room. And us hearing what they have to say about what they see and then us kind of helping them with what we see in the back end.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores hasn’t really announced what the plans are for playing time but if you don’t play, do you feel comfortable with the body of the work that you and the offense have put out in training camp and the preseason?) – “Honestly, I would say we’re still putting in work. That’s why we’re all out here competing against each other. Regardless of what happens, we’re just focused right now on taking it a practice at a time, a day at a time. We’re really just focused on the things we need to get right right now.”
(Do you plan to play?) – “I would say every week I’m planning to play, but that’s a question for ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores).”
(Last week we talked about you feeling pressure in the pocket and adjusting as needed. One of the best guys ever to do that was Marino because of how he would side-step pass rushers. Do you and he ever work together and talk about that?) – “I’ve never got the chance to work with Dan, but Dan will have some input with what he feels we could do better. He sits down in our meetings and he helps us as quarterbacks, so I think that’s really cool.”
(Is there anything specific you’re working on today? I know everybody says they’re trying to get better…) – “Yeah, I think overall just the communication, the operation with us offensively. It still needs some cleanup. But really that’s what it’s been today.”
(Does the wind change your approach at all as far as like location on throws or just anything about your game?) – “Well, I think the wind plays a factor. When you’re throwing into the wind, you’ve got to be able to cut it. If not, the wind is going to take it. But I think it’s good work to be able to throw with and against the wind.”
(So you get WR Will Fuller back out here, what is that like, just having the whole group out for at least a little bit of practice?) – “It’s good to have all of our guys back out here, to be able to work some timing and to be able to get some work in with them. I think just them being able to get back into the huddle, hear calls, get out, know where they’re lining up at and then executing with them, I think that’s very important.”
(On if moving the pocket is a point of emphasis) – “I think we’re trying to work all aspects of our game in the quarterback room. To get the defense moving – we don’t want to just be a drop-back quarterback. We want to be able to move the pocket and have them see different things, different looks. That’s really what it is.”
(What separates Nick Saban from the rest of college football coaches? Why do you guys always seem so ready for big-time games at Alabama?) – “I mean growing up, you hear Nick Saban and you’re like, ‘that’s Nick Saban!’ (laughter) I don’t know. You see him in movies. He’s just big time. I don’t know. It’s just something about his demeanor and the way he coaches his players and what he expects out of his coaches. I think that’s what makes him successful.”
(What does Atlanta, the city, playing there mean to you guys? Since 2008, Alabama is 13-2 in games played in Atlanta. Is there an emphasis on Atlanta for you guys, the fact that SEC Championship games are held there?) – “Really, I’ve never put any thought into that. I just tried to do everything that I could for the program when I was there and I had my time there. I do understand how important Alabama football is in general being that I played there. Whatever happens, it happens over there.”
(Any predictions for September 4th?) – “(laughter) It’s tough. I don’t know what Alabama looks like. I don’t know what the Hurricanes look like. You just always hope that when you see two teams go against each other, that it’s a good game.”
(What is leadership to you? Or is there somebody who has been an especially good leader that can define leadership? Or someone who has been a good example?) – “I think a lot of our coaches, a lot of the older players in the locker room, they show glimpses of their leadership. You listen. You can take some of the things that you hear from them and implement it to your style of leadership. I would say that’s a learning process that I’m still going through as well.”
(It seems like Mac Jones is doing pretty good at Patriots camp. I’m curious if you ever look for the highlights and if it’s game action? I don’t know if you ever text with him or anything.) – “I haven’t texted Mac. I haven’t been able to talk to him since he’s been drafted. But I’ve seen them play. He’s doing pretty good. I hope when he does get his opportunity, he makes the best of it. But you can’t wish him too much luck because we’re rivals in the same division. (laughter) I wish him the best of luck, for sure.”
Jason McCourty – August 24, 2021
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Tuesday, August 24, 2021
S Jason McCourty
(Opening Statement) – “Before we start, it’s just National Food Allergy Awareness Day and right now I think you guys are probably aware that the Miami Dolphins, we have partnered with FARE, an organization that has done a ton of work for food allergies. For me, a father of a young daughter who has severe food allergies, I mean if you name it, she’s allergic to it. It’s something that’s very important to my wife and myself. FARE will be serving food down at the stadium and it’s something that is real important to me and it’s an awesome job that they are doing. I wanted to start it off and make everybody aware of that.”
(Has she ever had any type of reaction herself?) – “Yeah. The year we spent in Cleveland, she had butternut squash but salmon was on the plate, and at that point she wasn’t even a year old. We weren’t aware of all of her allergies. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen the movie Hitch, but Will Smith has an allergic reaction and his face blows up, and that’s what her lip looked like. I had to give her the EpiPen and bring the EMTs by. Very scary, but a learning experience at that. She’s now four and she has two siblings and all three of them are well aware of all of the things she’s allergic to. It’s kind of impressive to see how much you kids can pick up on and how much they can look after one another in the process of the youngest one growing up with allergies.”
(How much fun is it for you as someone who is a total team guy helping develop a young player like S Jevon Holland, even though the natural progression that he might be taking some playing time that you would get. You’re good about it as a team guy, but is it hard? Does it come natural for you?) – “No, it’s not hard. I would say no because I can remember the specific guys my rookie year that poured into me. Cortland Finnegan who was here, Chris Hope, Vinny Fuller, so many guys took the time to pour into me. They were all defensive backs as well and we were all competing. For me, it’s a blessing. I’m blessed to just be able here my 13th year, whether my role is prominent and I’m playing every play of the game, or if my role is 15 plays here or five plays there. Whatever it is, I’m fortunate to be out here. I think as a older player you realize that not matter if you want to help a guy or not, that’s the natural progression. A young player that can play ball, and knows what he is doing, he’s going to find his way on the field. I think what makes it easy is the type of player and the type of person Jevon is. He’s very serious about his job, he is very serious about football. He puts in a ton of work, not just physically out here, but mentally making sure he knows what to do, knowing his checks. It’s been fun kind of joking and getting to know him and helping him along on the football field.”
(Has it started with you and your brother yet, because the opener is not that far away?) – “(laughter) It’s always going between me and my brother. Our wives can attest to that in our later years, and our mom for sure in our early years. We’re always competing but we’re always rooting for one another. I know it will be a blast not only to play against him but to get to see him. We’ve been together for the last three years, so now being apart, it will be fun and probably a lot of trash talk between us two.”
(Then a picture after the game?) – “For sure, for sure. Lasting memories, so definitely we’ll do all of that good stuff after the game.”
(What a vivid memory of a game that you either played with him or against him?) – “I’ll exclude the Super Bowl but I would just say our Pop Warner days. Our games used to be on Sunday mornings and we’d wake up super early in the morning, and we’d go outside with our ball. Me and him would review and go over all of our plays, and put ourselves in positions – I could remember dreaming of being able to make it to this level. The first time we ever played against each other was the opener in 2012. Kind of going against each other, we were both captains and just being able to be on the field in those moments, realizing from those Pop Warner days that those dreams and those plays going over, that we were actually doing it at the highest level.”
(You talked a little bit earlier about the leadership aspect and being a mentor. This is such a young team and when you look at the roster, the McCourty line with the age…) – “Don’t remind me. (laughter) My birthday was the Friday we were in Chicago, and as guys came up to me, (Jaylen) Waddle came up to me ‘happy birthday J-Mac, how old are you turning?’ I was like ‘I turn 34.’ ‘Damn, 34!?’ and it’s the realization of how much older you are than the other guys. Jevon I think is 21. It’s funny, but it’s a lot of fun, and I take pride in that. Just like you said, to look down the roster and see a guy 34 and still being able to be out there and run around with these guys, I take a lot of pride in that. I take pride in my experiences in being able to share that with those guys. Not only the things I’ve done, but the stories I’ve heard over the years in the locker room.”
(Do you see yourself coaching eventually?) – “I don’t know, these guys don’t leave the building until probably midnight. I don’t know if my wife wants to put up with me playing for X amount of years, and then coaching. She taught me never say never, so we’ll see.”
Brian Flores – August 24, 2021
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Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(The three roster cut down days all come on Tuesdays that you are practicing, I know last Tuesday you all practiced with a full roster and then made the cuts. Are you doing that today or are your five cuts going to come before? What’s the thinking on that? Are you just trying to take a final look at guys before cutting them?) – “We’ll do them after. We are still kind of going though those conversations. Yeah, we’ll do it after”
(With guys like WR William Fuller V and WR Devante Parker, I know they were doing some work before the game and obviously they work with the rehab assignment group. Where do you get to a point where you begin to worry about them, not necessarily Fuller, but for their season-opening status?) – “Those guys are working hard to get back. I wouldn’t say there’s any worry, it’s more they’re working to get back. They’ll be out there today. From that standpoint I know they are doing everything they can and that’s really all we can ask of them. That’s kind of the approach I take. Injuries happen, guys get dinged. All that we can ask is that they do everything they can to get back as quickly as they can. All the guys who are dealing with nicks and bruises are doing what they can to get back.”
(Would they be out there if it wasn’t a walkthrough today?) – “Look, they are doing everything they can to get back. I think we are getting closer. Would they be back if it wasn’t a walkthrough? I think they are getting closer. We will have to find out tomorrow since we will be here tomorrow.”
(WR Jaylen Waddle went back in last game but is it something that you will still have to monitor this week going forward?) – “Jaylen is a tough kid. It’s his first training camp, dealing with some nicks and bruises. He’s in the training room doing preventative work, getting treatment. He’ll be out there.”
(What have you seen from TE Hunter Long? And if you could also include in that he seems to be showing some toughness playing through this leg deal.) – “He was down for some time there. Worked hard to get back. Got back last week and did a couple good things in practice against Atlanta and then played in the game. He’s a tough kid, he’s a hardworking kid. He’s young, he needs reps and he’s getting them. We’re going to try to get him in this practice week, which is an important week for us, in the game and just try to take it one day at a time and get better.”
(I know you said you were going to have a meeting to decide how many of your starters might play. I guess I’ll start with QB Tua Tagovailoa, do you know if Tua is going to play?) – “We are still going through that. Still having discussions about how much we will play those guys. Still undecided.”
(When it comes to the new IR rules the league has – I know it carries over a little from last season – how much thought does that play into when you are putting together the 53 and trying to figure out whether or not guys can begin the year on IR and come off?) – “They’re different. It’s different in training camp. The IR rule, I think you are alluding to…”
(When it’s regular season in terms of guys who initially make the 53, then once that day has passed you can put them on IR with the opportunity to remove them after three games.) – “I guess for right now, if we put a player on IR, he’s done. If a player who makes the 53, after that day then assuming an injury, which you never want to assume that, but if an injury happens you can put him down for a minimum of three games. I don’t know how much that applies right now because we would have to release a player and he’s out on the street and he can get picked up by anybody. I guess the conversation is whether or not that’s worth – I guess I’m having a hard time understanding the question.”
(I will rephrase it later.) – “So basically, when we get to the 53, those guys are healthy.”
(But you have guys like WR Lynn Bowden who is not healthy.) – “Right.”
(Initially he can go on the 53 and the next day go on IR and create an extra roster spot for a wide receiver or…) – “A wide receiver that we just let go?”
(No, I’m saying carry him. Yeah, good point. You create an extra roster spot for somebody else if he’s not going to be healthy to begin the season.) – “Yeah. All of those conversations, Chris (Grier) and his staff, we have those conversations. Look, if you like a player then you keep him because you don’t want to expose him to the rest of the league and think you’re going to finagle a rule. That’s not what the rule is made for. I think what you’re alluding to, I’m not really sure how we can get that done given how – the mechanism you have to go through to put a player on IR. To make the 53, which means you have to cut 30 or 20 or whatever the number it is to get to 53, then after that you can put a player on IR but you just exposed a player you are going to bring back. There’s a lot of, ‘do you want to expose said player or just put that player you are going to put on IR on IR.’ There’s a lot of moving parts there.”
(In terms of the shape that LB Elandon Roberts and WR Preston Williams are in, obviously rhythm and getting back into football activities. From what you see and what the medical staff tells you, does it look realistic that they could help you in Week 1 potentially or might this be a several-week ramping up process to team football activity for those two?) – “You always want to ramp up and give them as much time as possible. I thought getting them out there last week was good for their confidence. I think they both felt good getting out there on the field with their teammates. They did some good things. They weren’t out there all that long. We will try to ramp them up, get them into some more team drills this week and hopefully build on what we got started with last week.”
(I’m sure there’s a lot of thought that still remains on this subject but even at this relatively early stage, what are your thoughts on how difficult it’s going to be to set the roster at wide receiver?) – “There’s a lot of competition in that room. That competition is still playing out and again, this is a big week. We’ve got guys who have practiced, we have guys who haven’t practiced and we’re always going to do what we feel is best for the team. There’s a lot of competition there and there’s going to be some tough decisions that are going to have to be made, and we will always make them with the thought that we are doing what we think is best for the team.”
(I know rosters are fluid, especially the back end of an NFL roster, but in terms of the importance of this week and the last preseason game; is it fair to say that there are literally three or four or more spots that have just not been claimed and are still being fought for?) – “Yeah, that’s fair to say.”
(What would be the message to those guys who are acutely aware that they are literally on that cliff?) – “Work hard. Keep improving. Take advantage of your opportunities. I mentioned that to our team many times. In life, it’s about taking advantage of your opportunities. Whether it’s football or business or really anything that you’re working towards, if you get an opportunity, you want to take advantage of it. For those guys who are two, three spots that are available, they’ll have some opportunities to practice, they’ll have opportunities in the game. If they play well, then they give themselves the best opportunity to maker the team and if they don’t, then they don’t give themselves the best chance.”
(With the NFL preseason going three games, you have that extra week. In your eyes how beneficial is that extra week and will the preparation for Week 1 start when you get top the 53-man roster?) – “You’re talking about that three-day weekend that they got?”
(Yeah.) – “Yeah, that’s different. It’s something that we haven’t really delt with before. We’ve had some conversations about how we’re going to handle that week with the strength staff, with the medical staff. How we are going to prepare, whether we do it before or whether we do it after. We’ve had those conversations. That’ll be a good weekend for our players. They won’t be here. They won’t have our direction so they are going to have to do a lot of things on their own from a hydration standpoint, from a workout standpoint. You don’t want to lay on a couch for three days and think you are going to get up and practice and practice well. That’ll be the message to our guys. Scheduling-wise, we will try to do what we feel gives us the best chance to have success. We’ve had some of those conversations. I would say they are in their early stages. We always come back to, ‘hey, let’s focus on today.’”
(Going back to the two or three spots that are still available, is that something that you like to see in camp? What does that tell you about competition in camp?) – “That tells us that there has been a lot of competition on the team. That’s a good thing. Competition brings out the best in all of us and it’s no different for the players. Hopefully that’s something that motivates them to do a little but more in meetings, do a little bit more in practice, do a little bit more in walkthrough, study a little bit more and that’ll give them a chance to take advantage of the opportunity.”
(I know you value high-character guys. We’ve noticed over the years how many guys come in and out and all of your coaches yesterday mentioned how unselfish the players have to be, so where does that factor when you have such few spots? Character guys vs. guys who could jump out of the gym. How much harder is it becoming to evaluate that?) – “It’s a sport where you have to get 11 guys on the same page. Selflessness is a trait that’s important in this game. There’s just no way around it. I learned this at a young age from a high school coach. You played baseball; one guy can hit four homeruns. You play basketball; a guy can score 70 points. Football is not that way. You have to throw it, if you want to throw it to somebody then somebody has to throw it, somebody has to catch it, somebody has to block. If you want to tackle somebody, somebody has to set an edge. You need your teammates so there’s an innate selflessness that you have to have to play this game. Yeah, it’s an important trait along with everything else; speed and quickness and intelligence. I think it’s a characteristic that’s important in football and we have a lot of good guys from that standpoint. They do a nice job; they understand that and they lean on each other. That part of it has been good.”
(T Liam Eichenberg has been back and forth; right tackle, left guard. G Solomon Kindley up and down units. Could you assess each one through their movements on the line or through different units?) – “Both guys are working hard, both guys are making improvement. Both guys are competing to play. They are competing for an opportunity to play, to play a lot. Both guys have had good moments and not so good moments and again, this week is a big week for everyone on this team. We’re still competing, we’re still trying to get better, we’re still evaluating and that’s where we’re at.”
Will Fuller – August 24, 2021
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Tuesday, August 24, 2021
WR Will Fuller
(Are you fully back from what was keeping you sidelined? Do you feel totally fine?) – “I feel pretty good. I’m ready to get back in practice and start doing some things with Tua (Tagovailoa), so I’m excited to be back.”
(I know QB Tua Tagovailoa said he worked a couple of days with you off-site in the summer. Where do you feel your chemistry is with him at this point?) – “Of course I want to be out here to gain that chemistry but we still have some time here before we break camp to work on those things. Like I said, I’m excited to be back and get some chemistry with Tua.”
(How much rust do you feel like you have to work off considering you had so much time out?) – “Yeah, I haven’t played a game in a long time – since I guess Thanksgiving. That’s just something I have to work out through practice and shake that rust off. I feel pretty good, though. I’m out here running routes today and I feel pretty good.”
(You’ve been in explosive offenses before obviously with WR DeAndre Hopkins, QB Deshaun Watson, etc. When you look at you being able to put out five guys – you, WR DeVante Parker, WR Albert Wilson, WR Jaylen Waddle, TE Mike Gesicki – how much havoc could that cause for opposing defenses do you think?) – “Definitely a lot. This is probably one of the deepest and talented receiving corps that I’ve been a part of, just as far as all of the guys. We all can get it done and of course the tight ends as well and the running backs. It’s been fun to watch these guys. I’m excited to get out there with them and put my best out there.”
(What intrigues you about the offense that Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey, Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville and Quarterbacks Coach Charlie Frye all came together and created? What intrigues you most about it?) – “Yeah, I like that we get the ball around to all of the guys. Just watching the games, Myles (Gaskin) had a day, Mike (Gesicki) had his day, some of the younger guys were catching touchdowns. We spread the ball out a lot. There’s one ball so it’s going to be fun playing with all of these guys around here.”
(Just watching QB Tua Tagovailoa, just your thoughts on watching him evolve over this last month – what impressions have you had?) – “Yeah, definitely in a game just his poise – making all of the right reads, doing everything the coaches ask of him. It’s been fun to watch Tua. He’s a very accurate quarterback. I love that about him. Like I said, I haven’t been out there with him but I’m excited to get out there and get this chemistry going.”
(When you have an accurate quarterback like that, what does it lead a receiver to do in terms of opportunities?) – “I think you just know where that ball is going to be. It builds that trust with the quarterback that you know he’s going to put the ball where it needs to be. That’s it.”
(You’ve been around this league a little bit. How tough would it be for a coach to make a decision, specifically in your room right now?) – “Just looking at the guys, I don’t know what we’re going to do. We’ve got so many receivers, so much talent. If not here, somewhere else. I think we’ve got 13 receivers that can play in the league. I think it’s going to be a tough decision so I don’t know.”
(I know you haven’t been in a game with QB Tua Tagovailoa yet but how nice was it to finally be in the huddle and see WR DeVante Parker and yourself and WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “That’s one of the most important things for me is just hearing the play call from Tua in the huddle. I’ve been sitting in meetings and I’ve been hearing it in meetings but it’s different when you’re out there and you actually have to go to your spot. Like I was asked earlier, just knocking that rust off with hearing a play from him and just playing fast, it’s going to be a fun year.”
(How good did you feel out there running around and catching the ball? How close to how full are you?) – “I feel real good. They took their time with me so I felt ready to go a little bit before this. Just getting out here on the field, I’m excited to be back out here.”
Danny Crossman – August 23, 2021
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Monday, August 23, 2021
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman
(This week especially, when guys can kind of prove their worth in the special teams room and how that can kind of help them earn their roles elsewhere on the field – how much does that kind of emphasize throughout the course the whole offseason but really this week in general?) – “I think the emphasis on this week is it’s the last opportunity. So the guys that have been here and kind of been through week one and been through week two, the advantage of those two weeks were obviously practice against the same opponent you played during the week so you got a lot more looks. So this week, without having those looks during the week, it really will strictly come down to the game.”
(This week when we were talking to WR Mack Hollins, he was asked “What do you tell other guys that are trying to earn their role about Coach Crossman?” And he said you have to be prepared because there’s nothing that makes you more mad than guys coming out on the field and being unprepared. What does that mean in your eyes to be prepared?) – “I think it goes in with the whole philosophy that ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) established – the things that really take no talent. If you don’t know what your alignment is, what your assignment is, what technique you’re going to use based on who your opponent is; and then knowing who your opponent is – what kind of player is he? Is he a big player? Is he an athletic player? If you don’t know that stuff before the play ever starts, you’re not going to be successful. So that’s the stuff we try and emphasize; but that’s the whole organization, not just myself.”
(And then just having the opportunity to see the punt returners throughout the course of the preseason – what are your impressions? I guess really we know what WR Jakeem Grant is, but really WR Jaylen Waddle and his ability to contribute in that aspect, too?) – “We saw some of the traits that we saw on film when we were evaluating him coming out of Alabama and I think some of those same traits he’s shown both on the practice field and in his limited opportunities in Chicago; but we feel we have a fairly good number of guys that have the ability to go back there if we need them, which is critical. You never have enough guys who you like to return the football.”
(Is there a part of this time – this last week of preseason – it kind of feels like football is just happening that you most look forward to? Is there something about this week or something that excites you that is different than other weeks?) – “No. Any time you get to compete, I’m excited. It’s another week to compete. We’ve got another opponent coming. Obviously we’re going there, but another jersey across the way so I’m excited.”
Josh Boyer – August 23, 2021
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Monday, August 23, 2021
Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer
(About LB Sam Eguavoen’s game on Saturday, what were your impressions of him? Obviously he missed the joint practices on the COVID list and then comes back and has four sacks. What were your impressions of the game he had?) – “I think any time you talk about Sam, you’ve got to talk about a guy who is a very diligent worker. He takes his craft very seriously, so any time he has success, for the amount of effort and time and energy he puts in, you’re obviously happy for him. I think he did a lot of good things out there for us, there are some things we can work on and correct. As far as being physically and mentally tough and working hard, Sam exemplifies all of those things. It’s always good to see him out there having success.”
(LB Sam Eguavoen has a little bit of versatility too. He can play outside a little bit, he can rush the passer. I know one of his sacks he came in on a stunt it looked like. What’s the key to that, working with the linebackers to get the rush?) – “Sam has worked very hard to be able to do multiple things for us. He’s a strong, explosive guy. We try to utilize his abilities the best we can. A lot of times you see one guy getting the sack, but it’s usually someone else that set it up. You usually have good coverage in the back end. For us, we always talk about it’s 11 guys doing one thing and when 11 guys do one thing correctly, somebody is going to have success. The great thing about Sam is he’s an unselfish guy, and he might do something good where somebody else makes a play. It was just nice to see him have some plays.”
(With DE Emmanuel Ogbah, obviously he led you guys in sacks last year. What can you say in terms of what he brings to your defense? Obviously he’s a pass rusher, but what can he do for your defense as a whole?) – “Emmanuel is a guy that’s been pretty multiple and versatile for us as well. He’s played all across the line for us. Obviously he’s done some good things in the rush. I’m excited and glad we have him. Again, he’s another hard worker, unselfish guy. Very coachable. Little details that we hit him with, we see that on film week in and week out. He’s always striving to improve his craft and he’s a very unselfish individual. He will do things for the betterment of the group. Again, I’m glad we have him.”
(With LB Sam Eguavoen, his journey and what he’s had to do to get to this point, the way he’s constantly had to prove himself, does he come in here everyday with a little bit more – not saying anyone else doesn’t, but does he bring a little bit extra with everything he’s had to prove?) – “I think he has a great work ethic. I think he’s a humble individual. He’s a hard worker. He puts in a tremendous effort at practice, off the field, in the film room. I can’t say enough good things about him.”
(What was it like to see that come together for four sacks in a game for LB Sam Eguavoen?) – “Again, a lot of times – when you talk about sacks, there are a lot of guys doing the right thing for those things to work. Sam is a big part of that. We talk about team-rush mentality. We talk about how we have to have good coverage for those sacks to occur. We don’t celebrate the individual; we celebrate the group.”
(LB Sam Eguavoen a guy you’ve moved around, inside outside, just his versatility?) – “He’s been able to do multiple things for us. He’s grown in some of those roles. That’s what we’re asking all of our guys to do is strive for constant improvement and keep trending in a upward trajectory. I think Sam is doing all of those things.”
(I wanted to ask you about LB Jaelan Phillips. He made his debut playing in this preseason game. He played well into the second hall. What did you see from him and how do you think he’s going to be able to impact this team?) – “I think like all guys that come into the league, there is a learning process that has to occur. I think that Jaelan, when he’s had opportunities to get work on the field, he’s made the most of those. I think he’s doing some good things out there and then there are some things that we have a ways to go. The more he does it, the better he’ll be at it. We’re excited to have Jaelan. He’s a hard worker and he’s doing some good things for us. We’ll just hope that continues on an upward trajectory.”
(For any outside edge rusher guy, what’s the hardest part transferring what you do in college to the NFL? Is it setting the edge, finding counters to good offensive tackles? What do you see?) – “I think it starts with everybody needs to be a complete football player. You’ve got to be able to handle the run, you’ve got to be able to handle the pass element. If we ask you to drop, you’ve got to be able to handle those. There are a lot of things that go into it for him to be able to handle, and then obviously everything in the NFL is new to him. The transition from college to the NFL is not an easy smooth transition. It’s a different game, it’s a different speed. The rules are different. I think there are a lot of things that go into it, but obviously it’s football, and those guys have done it their whole life and they adapt and they adjust well to it. I think as time goes and they get more experienced, the better we’ll be at things.”
(With S Jevon Holland, I know last year you guys played a lot of single-high looks. At free safety, Jevon is a guy that you would expect to be back patrolling the deep third. How important is it to have that kind of versatility with your safeties where both guys can drop back or play around the box?) – “We try to set up our defense where guys can do multiple things, so we don’t just sit in the same looks over and over again and make it easy on the offense. I think the more guys can do multiple things, it gives you an opportunity to disguise coverages and it gives you an opportunity to play different coverages. Jevon is a guy we’re excited to have. He’s another hard worker. I know I say that about all of these guys, but they really are. They put in a good day’s work and our goals haven’t changed. Our goal is to be better tomorrow than we were today. That’s kind of how we approach it.”
(You led the league in takeaways last year. Obviously that’s not something you can go into a game accounting for. But how do you drive that, instill that, into your players on the practice field, in film study or whatever it may be?) – “We spend a good amount of time on drill work when it comes to turnovers and recovery. We spend a good amount of time studying opportunities and situations when those come up, to make sure that our players are aware and alert and looking for them, and how to handle those situations. Then we also talk about how we have to take advantage when we get tipped balls, we get overthrows, there is a miscommunication between a quarterback and a receiver. We’ve got to take advantage of those plays. We spend a good amount of time on it. We believe in it. At the end of the day, there is no stat in football that doesn’t really equate to having the football. Any time we can get our hands on the football or get the football, it’s a good thing for us.”
(LB Sam Eguavoen, a lot of us knowing far less than you guys, we looked at Sam and were like “ok, here’s a guy trying to make the team.” Do you all look at him as someone that has carved out a role as an effective pass rusher as someone who ideally you’d like to get on the field in regular season games, even knowing you’re deep at linebacker?) – “I think for us – each player, and it’s not unique to Sam, but what you’re trying to do is you’re trying to make them the best version of themselves on and off the field. I think with that intent in mind, there are a lot of things that go into the classroom, the film study. Obviously (Anthony) Campanile has done a great job with Sam. We ask a lot from Sam. He does a lot of multiple things for us. As a group, we don’t really celebrate individual sacks because we always preach team-rush mentality. It takes the coverage to help the rush. It takes the rush to help the coverage. We’re excited when guys have individual success. We’re happy for them, especially a guy that is a diligent worker like Sam. At the end of the day, our focus is getting 11 guys to do one thing. Once those 11 guys do the one thing we’re asking them to do, in turn it usually turns out somebody is going to have success. That’s kind of how we look at it.”
(LB Jaelan Phillips, even though he’s missed some time, has he shown you enough in terms of knowledge of being able to play, hand on the ground, standing up, physical skills that you think he’s going to be a big help to you early in the season despite the missed time?) – “I think the thing for Jaelan is he’s going to keep working. Yesterday or whatever day we played, it was the first experience he had in the NFL on the field. We were excited for that for him. There are some good things out there and there are some things he’ll get better. He can’t buy experience. One of the ways to get better is to play. When you can expose him to multiple things and he can see multiple looks and get the experience of it, some of the things we’ve seen in practice and some of the things he’s done, obviously we expect it to trend in an upward pattern about where he’s getting better.”
(Jason Taylor expressed surprise on your first series that LB Jaelan Phillips came out of the game on third-and-8. Obviously you’re not going to show all of the line ups you plan to use this year to New England, Las Vegas and Buffalo. But is it safe to assume that we will see LB Jaelan Phillips, LB Andrew Van Ginkel and DE Emmanuel Ogbah together at times this year in pass rushing downs?) – “I wouldn’t assume anything. You know what they say about assumptions. (laughter) I won’t talk about scheme; I won’t talk about strategy. I just think it puts you at a competitive disadvantage. There are different ways to approach different things. I don’t think you’re seeing a lot of – some teams are running a lot of stuff in the preseason. Other teams not so much. I think for us from a strategic standpoint or a scheme standpoint, those are things where we’ll kind of do what we do and people can assume or look at however they want to take it.”
Eric Studesville – August 23, 2021
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Monday, August 23, 2021
Co-Offensive coordinator/Running Backs Coach Eric Studesville
(When you come into a position where you are taking over co-offensive coordinator roles and obviously your focus is going to be on getting the most out of QB Tua Tagovailoa, did you go back and look at all of Tua’s film to get a starting point for what you can build on? What was that like) – “Film from last year?”
(Yes.) – “Well, we always go back and look at what we did last year. It’s part of the self-scouting. We try to evaluate what we did well, what we feel like we could do better, what we can improve on and the way to do all that, as well as add new things as the staff comes together and use a collaborative effort to bring ideas from different places. So we always bring, we always go back and look at what things will give us a chance to be successful.”
(Over this months-long process, is there anything in particular that you really want to hone in with QB Tua Tagovailoa? Whether it is pre-snap, footwork or whatever it may be?) – “It’s like all the players, it’s everything. We are always trying to improve on everything to get better from where they are and accentuate what he does well, the things that he does well. He throws the ball really well. He’s a smart guy. He can handle it and everything that goes into that position, which is an all-encompassing position. He’s doing a great job. He’s working at it. He comes in every day and he’s working hard at it every day.”
(He’s talked so much about Year 1 to Year 2. Is it really just a matter of getting more familiar with everything whether that’s the playbook, the process, seeing more, getting more reps. Is that really all it comes down to in terms of that Year 1 to Year 2 jump?) – “Is that all it comes down to? I think that’s probably a generalization. There’s a lot that goes into it but I think the more experience guys have, the more they understand what needs to get done and when.”
(I wanted to ask you about the running backs. RB Myles Gaskin had a great preseason game this past weekend and after you guys started RB Malcolm Brown the first time, do you feel that this second game was more of what we will see in the regular season or is it still a matchup-based every game will determine it?) – “I think we want to give each guy exposure in doing different things. They’ve gotten different reps in the different games but we want to see what we have in doing different things and experimenting with different combinations and situations and just give guys a chance to get in and play. They need game reps. That’s really what we are trying to get out of it at this point.”
(How are decisions like that made – who’s going to work more, get more starts and things like that?) – “We talk about it as a staff before we go into a game. Flo’s (Head Coach Brian Flores) got an idea of what he wants to see and he tell us, ‘hey, were thinking about this many plays,’ or whatever it is and that’s how we go with it. It doesn’t always go that way but it’s outlined like that.”
(What are the benefits of when one starts before the other? When RB Malcolm Brown goes in first, does he wear teams down so the other guys can do what they do?) – “I don’t know that there’s a benefit to it. They’re different backs and they do different things. We just want to see them operate within the offense. That’s really what we are trying to evaluate at this point in time.”
(What did you see out of QB Tua Tagovailoa? Obviously he had a great game this past weekend and what have you seen as he has progressed through training camp and these first preseason games?) – “I think he’s showing that the work and time and effort that he’s putting in to improving and getting better, it’s starting to show now. We just want to keep that going and keep pushing and trying to get better. We feel like did some good things the other night but we still have a lot of areas to work in. That’s not just him, that’s everybody. We just keep working and grinding and going forward.”
(When it comes to the elements of the run-pass-option, how involved are you in that? There’s a lot of voices on the offensive coaching staff and I’m trying to get an idea of what you key in on versus maybe Co-Offensive Coordinator George Godsey or Quarterbacks Coach Charlie Frye.) – “We are all looking at everything. We are all involved in it and everyone’s hands are involved in it. If it’s a pass play, the backs are involved in a pass play. If it’s a run play, the quarterbacks are involved in a run play. All of us are involved in it. We have to all be on the same page as far as how we design it and how we want it executed.”
(It has been fun seeing RB Salvon Ahmed and RB Myles Gaskin as receivers. We saw a lot from Myles in that area last year. Does this give you a weapon that not every team has? Obviously some teams have backs that can be really effective in the passing game but with Salvon’s speed that we have seen on a sideline run, does this give the offense a dynamic that not every team has?) – “I hope so (laughter). We are going to try to use their skillsets, whatever they do best and do things. He can obviously run and he can catch.”
(Is RB Myles Gaskin your starter? Is that an open competition among the three of them?) – “We haven’t made any of those decisions yet. We are giving them all reps, we want to see them all play, they need game-time reps right now and that’s really what we have been rotating them doing. We’ll figure it out. Whatever gives us the best chance when we need to make those decisions.”
(What has RB Gerrid Doaks shown you so far?) – “I think he continues to develop and work hard. He’s done a nice job. I think there was a lot at the beginning but he’s very conscientious, he’s very smart, he’s very competitive and he wants to be good. He just keeps working every day and I think he will continue to improve.”
(As far as how RB Gerrid Doaks runs the ball, what’s the strength there? Is it power, instinct? What is it?) – “I think it’s some of each. I’d like to see a little more power and I’d like to see him react a little different some times but I think that’s going to happen the more he plays.”
(Your offensive line, you have been moving guys around. When would you, as a co-offensive coordinator, want to see that settled? I would assume that settles a lot with the quarterback knowing who’s where and the running backs knowing who does what.) – “We’ll settle on that. It’s a process. We move people around and we are looking at combinations. We will know when the time is right to do it. I don’t think there is a specific timeframe set for that.”
(What do you think of the offensive line’s performance this last game?) – “I think they continue to work and develop, all those guys. Even though they’ve been in different spots doing things and we’ve had some guys in and out, but they continue to work and it’s a cohesive group. I think they work good with each other and they work good with the backs and the quarterbacks. We want the whole offense, much like they are, to continue to develop and grow and work together as a unit so we can be effective.”
(Did it feel like you had that flow is going? It seemed like the offense was kind of natural, everybody is doing their thing.) – “I think at times. There’s some things we did really well and there are some things that we need to improve on still going forward. It’s not a finished product. Our guys are working hard and they are committed to what we are doing. We will just keep working and going forward.”
(Obviously, QB Tua Tagovailoa is going to develop. It’s his second year. Do you see more of his relationship with his offensive line taking more time with that and taking more pride in that type of stuff? In the end, it is going to help him the most.) – “I saw him do that last year too. It’s a continuation. Relationships grow and develop. They’ll evolve as time goes and the more time you spend with each other.”
(There’s a lot made about the top three running backs. Did you see any separation on Saturday night?) – “I though the whole group played well. I though they played hard. I thought we did good things at times and I think there are still things that we can improve. I hope that’s every game, that we still have room for improvement everywhere.”
(You guys give so many multiple looks with the running backs that you do have. How much of an advantage is that? As a guy who is involved in that some people might not be thinking of a certain thing and you guys can throw wrinkles on almost every play with those guys.) – “I hope that’s what opponents think and that’s what they’re worried about. That’s a good problem to have then. (laughter) I like the group. There are different skillsets within the room but the common skillsets are their competitiveness, their work ethic and the fact that they all want to be really good and they work at it.”
(It’s funny because they’re all running backs and want the ball. These guys are all like best friends. For a coach to know that you don’t have selfish guys, that’s got to be great for a coach.) – I think it speaks volume for who they are as young people. The fact that they’re each confident in their own individual skillsets but yet they want what’s best for the team and what gives everybody a chance to be successful. They cheer each other on. They help each other. They work with each other. They correct each other. It is a good environment to be in.”
(Just to see the offensive line clicking and creating lanes for RB Myles Gaskin and RB Salvon Ahmed, your observations and did it feel good to see things come to fruition in the game?) – “Well hopefully it’s not a finished product and it’s a work in progress. That’s what we are hoping. We did some good things the other night but there are still a lot of areas that we can work to improve on things. Not just up front, but in our room in doing things too. It was good to have a productive performance like that from the group as an offense – the line, the tight ends, the wide outs, the backs, the quarterbacks and everybody. We like that performance but we need to keep building on that.”
(When RB Myles Gaskin scored his first touchdown, I noticed that there was no one more excited on the field than QB Tua Tagovailoa. I thought that was an interesting relationship to see, to see the whole drive kind of come together for both of them. What can you say about their relationship as teammates and how it has evolved?) – “I don’t know, you’d have to ask them. I just know what I see. I think they like each other. I think our team likes each other. They cheer for each other, which I think is a positive for the entire team.”
(Everything smooth, everybody making a big deal about the play-calling and how everything works? Was it smooth this game again?) – “I think so, yeah (laughter).
(It looked pretty good) – “Then I would say yes.”
(I asked Head Coach Brian Flores about this the other day but I wanted to get your thoughts on how you balance what you put on tape for your regular-season opponents in the preseason compared to getting stuff to work on. How do you balance that? Is that a tough balancing act or is that something you just do?) – “I don’t know that it’s tough. We go in and we want to see certain things so we put things in that we want to see. We are evaluating, really, what everybody can do. The things that we need to evaluate can be evaluated on lots of different plays. One play doesn’t evaluate just this skillset. We can see a lot of different things.”
