Tua Tagovailoa – August 18, 2021
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(I wanted to ask you about tight ends. You seem to find them a lot. Is the offense geared to more opportunities for them or is it maybe a chemistry thing you have?) – “I think they do a good job of getting open out there on the field. A lot of the plays are tailored towards us going through our progressions in the quarterback room. Whoever is open, that’s really who we are trying to get the ball to. Obviously, it’s easier said than done.”
(You had joint practices with the Bears last week, now the Falcons. Are you getting different looks out there this week?) – “Yeah, I think their DC does a great job and their defense overall, they do a great job disguising looks. They have a lot of good players on their team. They do a great job communicating what they want to do and what they want to accomplish. I think today, for us offensively, we’ve got to be a lot better operationally. Getting on the ball quicker, seeing what the defense is giving us and playing. If you look at their two-minute drive, I think that they did a really good job from an operational standpoint. That’s something that we can also look at and continue to learn and grow not just on our side of the ball, but both sides of the ball.”
(Regardless of how many series you play on Saturday, what do you want to see from yourself and the offense in the second preseason game?) – “I think what we all expect to see is a cleaner operation. Everyone knowing what to do, minimizing the mental errors going out there; but really just going out there and executing at the highest level that we possibly can.”
(How would you compare how much you get out of joint practices opposed to how much you get out of a preseason game?) – “I think joint practices are really good because you get to see a good glimpse of the packages that these coaches have installed with the players on the defense and with their team. I would say when it comes more time to the preseason games, they obviously don’t want to show everything. Us too, it’s the same and I think it’s like that around the league too.”
(You mentioned their two-minute drill. On yours, you got pressured a couple times and after you came back to the sidelines. What was the nature of the conversation?) – “It’s just communicating. Just, ‘hey, how are you feeling in the back there.’ For me, just kind of talking to those guys about what I’m feeling and what I’m seeing as far as pressure and just communicating that to them. They don’t see everything. All they see is the guy they’re blocking.”
(You’ve gotten a chance out here to work with a lot of different receivers, which I’m sure that you would think is a good thing to develop chemistry with them; but at what point is it a concern that some of your top receivers that may be starting a lot of these games, that you are not getting to work with them because if injury? At what point is that concerning?) – “I don’t think it is a concern. For me, I think the most important thing for them is their health and making sure that they’re right because if they’re not healthy then that’s going to be a concern. We won’t have any of those guys to come out and play with. It gives a lot of opportunity to the other guys. For me to get work with them and for them to also experience the different looks, the coverages. Whereas a lot of the veterans who are injured, they’ve seen a lot of that. We’re all still in the same room, we’re all still in the same meetings communicating and talking through that. I don’t think it’s a concern at all.”
(I know we’ve been asking you about the hierarchy of the play caller. In regards to this dynamic when you were at Alabama, you had Josh Gattis and Mike Locksley kind of co-offensive coordinate. Do you see any similarities to back then and now?) – “Really, when I was at Alabama it was only Locksley that was talking to the quarterbacks and kind of giving us the play calls. I think that’s something that they would discuss; but it was always one person coming and talking to our group in the quarterback room. I think it’s very similar to here with Charlie (Frye). Charlie is the one that gives us the plays. He’s the last person that we hear in our headset. Whatever discussion goes on between Charlie, Eric (Studesville) and George (Godsey), that’s what they communicate. But the last person we hear is just Charlie.”
(When did you begin your relationship with Charlie? Was it 7-on-7 as I’ve read?) – “It was when I was in high school at the Elite 11.”
(What was your interaction with him then and impression of him then?) – “I thought Charlie was a good guy. He’s a good coach. Very fun to be around. When I was able to talk to ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) about a lot of that, when he was talking, ‘hey, what do you think about this?’ I was all for it.”
(You had mentioned that they disguise coverages real well. You’ve seen the Bears defense, now the Falcons and the Bengals next week. How do you think that has helped your progress, having an offseason where you’ve had different defenses, different schemes to look at compared to last year it was just the Dolphins you were facing every day?) – “I think it’s really good for not just young quarterbacks, but young rookie players to also get this opportunity. To see different looks, how guys can go from four down, to a three-down drop and what to expect within the coverages. There are just a lot of things. For us, that’s what we’ve seen and we’re going to go into the film room later on today and try to get those things corrected come tomorrow.”
(I noticed in the last preseason game that there were moments where you were able to avoid pressure by sensing or feeling where it was coming, and you were able to keep your eyes down field. What are some of the specific drills that have helped you improve in that area, and what do you think is the key to keep in mind on gameday in terms of pocket mobility?) – “I think Charlie (Frye) does a great job with the drills we do beforehand – before practice starts for us, just to get our feet in line with our arm. But we’re never looking down. You always want to look at your target. I think it just comes with practice – the practices we’ve had with our defense, and also the practices that we’ve had against the Bears and now the Falcons.”
(Inaudible) – “I don’t remember, but it’s good to see you.”
(Having the opportunity to kind of comingle with other veteran quarterbacks from around the league – last week in Chicago and now a guy like QB Matt Ryan. What can you gain from conversations here and there?) – “You can gain a lot. From a personality standpoint, I think Matt is a great guy. He came up, first class and introduced himself to all of us in the quarterback room. Also just watching how he’s played and how he’s handled himself throughout the years, growing up when I was young, it’s fascinating to see that he’s still in the league and I’m just starting my journey here. It’s awesome.”
(I couldn’t help but notice that you made a few connections with WR JaylenWaddle today. Where has that growth grown in the last few weeks that you guys have been together in camp?) – “I think it’s tailored to what the defense is giving us more importantly. With these guys, when they are bringing pressure, what we’re trying to do is we’re trying to get the ball out quick. We’re not trying to get hit. We’re trying to work on the operation of our feet and timing it with our arm, and really what we’re seeing out there. I never realized how many times he was targeted today. But that’s the mindset that we have, just try to get the ball out quick, and let our guys and our playmakers make plays for us.”
Jaelan Phillips – August 18, 2021
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
LB Jaelan Phillips
(How good is it to be back out there, being able to practice after sitting a week?) – “I’ve just been sitting, literally just crawling out of my skin to get back. I’m blessed that I could come out here and get the reps that I did. I’m definitely feeling better and excited to keep going.”
(What were you able to take away from the Bears game, just being on the sidelines? What were you able to learn?) – “It just gives you a new perspective of the game. You see things differently. You have different conversations with the coaches and everything like that. I thought that we played really hard. We definitely have some things to work on, but it’s definitely a good starting point. It’s only up from here. It was cool to see it from that perspective.”
(I saw you with your hand in the dirt a few times. Did that feel like a natural thing to do even though you’re listed as a linebacker?) – “For sure. It’s definitely something that I’m used to and comfortable with and excited about. You’re going to see me do a couple of different things.”
(How exciting is it to make full use of your multiple skills?) – “I love it. I love being able to utilize my body and do everything that I can. The fact that I’m standing up some, putting my hand in the dirt – I’m a team guy so I just want to do everything that I can to help the team out. It’s cool. It’s really cool.”
(Last week G Solomon Kindley told us that the one-on-one drills favor the defensive linemen. Do you agree with that? Also, what should we be looking for in those drills? What are you trying to get done?) – “I guess to answer your first question, it depends on who you’re going against. Sometimes the defense is going to come out on top and sometimes the offense is. I don’t think it favors the D-line by any means. If anything, it favors the O-line because they know when the ball is about to be snapped. To look for in those, honestly it’s to master different parts of your arsenal honestly. Like if I’m coming into a one-on-one, I have a plan and I’m working a certain move or working different counters based on what he does. It’s really cool to be able to take the one-on-one drills and apply that to a game when we’re playing 11-on-11.”
(After seeing how other teams operate when you go through joint practices like the Bears, and now you have an opportunity with the Falcons – what have you seen, what have you learned just seeing how other organizations function?) – “It’s an incredible experience. It’s been really cool because I know a couple of the guys on both the Falcons and the Bears. Being able to see them, and then the coaches, I had this two or three month interview process where I got to know some of the guys, so then I finally got to meet them in person. It’s really cool to be able to have this experience and have them come down here and see how they run their program, and they can kind of see how we run ours. It’s fun to be able to see some old friends. It’s just friendly competition.”
(How much of a goal is it to be a starter as a rookie?) – “For me, I’m just here to plug and play. I’m here to do whatever it is they need me to do. Depending on the reps the coaches want to give me, that’s up to them. I can’t really control that. Just know that I’m out here working my hardest to improve on every aspect of my game and I’ll be ready when that time comes.”
(How well do you know a guy in your draft class TE Kyle Pitts? Do you know him much at all?) – “I don’t know Kyle really well. We know of each other, like we know who each other are. But I’ve never spoke to Kyle. I know a couple of the guys on the team though – Jacob Tuioti-Mariner, I used to play with him at UCLA. Adetokumbo Ogundeji, I know him from the pre-draft process. He went to Notre Dame. A couple of guys – Darren Hall he’s from Southern California, he’s from where I’m from. Yeah, I’ve got a few friendly faces.”
(Any personal goals for 2021?) – “To honestly improve all aspects of my game. It’s my first year, first try at the NFL. I’m just excited to see where I can take this and how far I can go and just come out here. Honestly, I’m just blessed to be in this position. No particular goals, but I’m working every day.”
(What part of your pass rush do you feel most comfortable with and what are you trying to add in your first year?) – “I think I’m a versatile guy. I can kill you with speed; I can kill you with power. They always say, you don’t want to be a jack of all trades as a pass rusher. You want to be able to master one or two moves. There have been things that I’m working on and I’m just trying to perfect my craft.”
(Are you all the way back from what was bothering you physically that kept you sidelined? Are you limited still at all and how frustrating was that 10-day period where you couldn’t do team work?) – “Yeah, I am just listening to the trainers and coaches. They’ve been kind of guiding my recovery process. Last week I was able to get into one of the practices with the Bears and then obviously today I was able to get in. I can tell you that I feel good and I’m just getting better every single day. Obviously the timeout was frustrating; but like I was saying earlier, it was kind of a new perspective. It was real cool to be able to see it from the outside looking in. It always makes you be able to appreciate the game more when it gets taken away for a couple of weeks. I just know when I came back today that I was definitely excited. I woke up this morning in a good mood.”
Malcolm Brown – August 18, 2021
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
RB Malcolm Brown
(We know that obviously you’re going to get playing time, RB Myles Gaskin will, RB Salvon Ahmed will but not having the opportunity to start very much in your NFL career, I guess two starts even though you’ve played a lot – would starting be meaningful? You got the opportunity on Saturday. Would that be meaningful to be a regular-season NFL starter?) – “Yeah, it would be dope; but at the same time, I’ve been in this league for so long I know how it goes. We all have our roles and we all contribute to this team in different ways. Starting, not starting, playing time – at this point in my career, I’m not overly worried about it.”
(What are your impressions of RB Myles Gaskin?) – “I like him. We’ve got a great group of guys in that running back room. A lot of guys, we just like to work. That was my first impression of Myles (Gaskin). He just puts his head down and works. There is nobody in that room that is a prima donna or anything like that. It’s a great group of guys in there.”
(What was it like seeing another team out there?) – “It was good, man. It’s always cool to practice against somebody else. You go against your own team for so long. To go against somebody else is always fun – to get something new, something fresh and some more competition out there.”
(Do you like this version of training camp better? Where it is a little more condensed but you get to see different faces to break up the monotony a little bit?) – “I don’t know if I have decided if I like which one better or not. Like I said, it’s always cool to see something new, something fresh. Like you said, some new faces and go against somebody else, a different scheme and just getting more experience with some different stuff is the biggest benefit to that.”
(I know you must take pride in your goal line work. What did the Bears do in that preseason game? There were a couple games out there in the joint practices that you got the better of them then.) – “They have a great group of guys there. I think that they are known for their defense and especially that d-line. They got it done. We just really need to execute better on our end. Nothing too technical, nothing crazy. We just need to execute better and do a better job of what we were doing.”
(When you start, do you also think that also gives the other running backs an advantage when you wear them out and then those other running backs can come in against a defense that’s tired?) – “It works both ways. Just getting something new out there. Some other guys and change of pace. I’m a change of pace. Whatever you want to put it like, I just know the group of guys that we have in our room, we contribute in so many different ways and it’s always fun. But yeah, I think it gives us a little bit of an advantage just switching different types of backs in and out.”
(You guys play the Falcons this year. Is there anything that you can take away from this week that would help you in October?) – “Really we just got to go back and look at this film and see what we can improve on. After that, I think we will get a better feel of it.”
Salvon Ahmed – August 17, 2021
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Tuesday, August 17, 2021
RB Salvon Ahmed
(We didn’t get to talk to you after the game. Can you fill us in on that touchdown play and if you remember how that play developed?) – “The offensive line did their thing and was able to just create space for Jacoby (Brissett) to make the pass and finish the play. I think that play just shows a big team effort for sure.”
(Is the wheel route a play that you really like to run?) – “Yeah, there are a lot of different things that we are doing in our offense this season. We are just trying to go out there and make plays and put guys in the best position possible.”
(What do you like about the offense that Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey and Co-Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs Eric Studesville have brainstormed about?) – “Like I said, putting a lot of guys in positions to make plays. I think that we have a lot of things that are coming together. Camp has been good so far, just keep on stacking those days.”
(What stands out to you coming into year two compared to last year?) – “Just more experience. Just knowing how to prepare better and just following guys still. Still learning, still knowing how to take in that information. Not too much has changed as far as – I guess a lot has changed for me but still got that ‘rookie mindset’ trying to learn as much as possible.”
(What do you think about the running back dynamic on this team? Different guys, different skillsets. RB Malcolm Brown is a more physical guy, you, RB Myles Gaskin. How do you guys complement each other?) – “Yeah, there’s a lot of guys in that room that can go out there and make plays from everybody. Everybody on Saturday was able to go out there and make plays. Credit to the offensive line as well going out there and opening holes for us. They open holes and we have to do our job as well.”
(Obviously not everybody on the team is going to make the final roster. How tough is it when you build relationships with guys and you’re in a room and guys might not be there after the final cut?) – “Yeah that’s hard. You hate to see guys go. I guess coming into it, you have to know that’s the business. It’s part of the business and stuff happens. You got to keep going and don’t let it be the last chance. It’s hard to see guys go. You create relationships, like you said. You get friends and you make sure you keep in contact with those guys if you build those kinds of relationships.”
(Unlike last year, at least you guys are able to put some more film. Guys are able to get some more action than last year when 27 guys got cut without really getting a preseason.) – “Yeah, definitely. I think preseason is huge. Just to be able to go out there and get experience. As a team, you go through camp and you’re working on a bunch of stuff. You want to be able to go out there and do it against somebody else. It was awesome practicing against the Bears for that whole week and going out there and being able to play them and just seeing where we’re at as a team.”
(I know you and RB Myles Gaskin support each other and are good friends, I’m curious if you ever have any private wagers – like who’s going to have more rushing yards this game or who’s going to have more rushing yards or touchdowns this season. Is that something you guys do talk about? The competitiveness?) – “We’re competitive in our own ways but never against each other. I always want to see him do outstanding and I think the same for me. Just for anybody in that room, especially for me and Myles, we want to see each other go out there and ball as far as everyone in the room. With Patrick (Laird), Gerrid (Doaks), Malcolm (Brown), Jordan (Scarlett). It’s friendly competition but nothing like, ‘I want you to do worse than me.’”
(The Dolphins did not spend a first round pick on a running back and did not sign a Pro Bowl running back. For fans who are like, ‘man, I don’t know if this trio is going to be good enough to get it done with Brown, Gaskin and Ahmed,’ what would you tell them?) – “I think this is a talented room. We got a talented team. It’s not just me, Malcolm and Myles. It’s Pat (Laird), it’s Gerrid (Doaks), its Jordan (Scarlett), it’s the whole offensive line, it’s the receiving crew, it’s the quarterbacks, its everybody. It’s not just us three. Whatever they got to say, just know we got a whole team and it’s not just me, Malcolm and Myles.”
(Do you think that less people are pronouncing ‘Ahmed’ wrong this year?) – “I hope so! I hope so! A lot of people say my name wrong but it is Salvon (suh-VON) Ahmed (OCK-med) if anyone needs to know how to say it. But yeah, a lot of people say it wrong. It’s been happening all my life so I just kind of let it slide.”
(Do you notice the difference in the opposing defense when RB Malcolm Brown is in there wearing them down a little bit as opposed to if they haven’t had to tackle a physical runner yet before you go in?) – “I think it just comes with seeing how teams play. I think all of us can go out there and do the same thing. If Malcolm is out there he can do stuff that me and Myles do. If Pat is out there, he can go out and do whatever anyone in that room can do. Game plan, you got to game plan for all of us. Game plan for the whole team.”
(Salvon, people may not know how to say your name but today being cut day, does that feeling ever really go away when it’s cut day in the back of your mind?) – “You always want to make it to the next step. I was a guy that was cut. That feeling, you always go out to practice and do the best that you can. Every day is game day. You go out there and put your best stuff on film.”
(Do you feel more relaxed this cut day?) – “Never relaxed. Never content. You just go out here and show up every day and just try to be the best I can.”
(We get small glimpses of you guys. Can you describe what the personalities are like in that running back room?) – “Yeah, I’m the youngest in the room. I’m kind of the goofy one. I’m kind of the goofy one I guess. I’m still growing up still. Malcolm (Brown) is the OG, he’s the vet. He’s quiet but he’ll talk when he needs to. He’s got wisdom jokes. (laughter) Myles (Gaskin), I think me and Myles are on the same page. I’m young but I think Myles is right there with me. Patrick (Laird) is super intelligent, super witty guy. Gerrid (Doaks) does his thing, he’s young like me. What’s Gerrid – 23 or 24 maybe? I think me, Gerrid and Myles are all right there. Jordan (Scarlett) is an older guy too, he’s been in the league for a minute. You got a bunch of characters in there, it’s a fun room and I love to be a part of it. Hopefully continue to build those relationships.”
Robert Hunt – August 17, 2021
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Tuesday, August 17, 2021
G/T Robert Hunt
(Today is one of those days you realize the NFL is a business. Guys have to go – not all 90 guys can make this team. Can you talk about that, especially when you get to know guys and you see guys getting cut?) – “Just like you said, it’s a business. It sucks because we build camaraderie and we’re like a team. We get to hangout with guys and get close with guys. Then the business part hits and we all know what we’re in for.”
(What’s the transition like for you at guard? We haven’t seen you take snaps at any other position. Do you feel like they want you to hone in on that just so you can help get the run game to the next level?) – “That’s where I’ve been practicing at. I don’t know what my plan is for them upstairs, but I know I can take it one day at a time and try to improve on what I’m doing at the guard position right now, what I’m playing. The transition has been kind of smooth. I’m just getting used to it. I think – I don’t want to say it takes me a second to get going, but once I get it, I kind of start rolling. I’m getting into my groove a little bit. I’m starting to get it a little bit. That’s good.”
(What is it that you bring to the table as a guard that maybe the offensive line has not had so far?) – “I think we all possess some of the same things. I think we’re all physical, I think we all compete and I think we all try to play the game to the best of our ability. I think that’s what I bring. I think a lot of our guys bring the same energy.”
(I wanted to ask you about RB Salvon Ahmed. What do you think is unique about his skillset?) – “I like Salvon. He’s fast. I like the way he plays. He’s really good. It’s hard to point out the unique styles of backs because I’m not a back, I’m an O-lineman. But I like the way he runs. I like the way he carries himself as a player off the field. I like everything about him.”
(Is there a particular skillset you think is ideally suited for going up against interior lineman at guard as opposed to say edge rushers at tackle, even though you can do both? What do you have body wise or skill wise at guard that you think could be helpful against interior defensive linemen?) – “I think I can move. I think just from being outside, I think I can play faster. But it’s a different ballgame from being out here with the fast guys to going in against the strong guys – it’s different. So you’ve got to work on your game every day, which I’m trying to do, work on my game every day. They are either bending to sit on the bull or – mostly in here, guys are going to try to bull rush. When you’re out here, they can play with speed or whatever. If you get your hands on them, you’ll be good. In here, if you got a bull rush, you got to sit on it. I think I possess some of that with my strength and my quickness. I think I’ll be ok.”
(You had a couple of opportunities the other day in Chicago to run it in from the 1-yard line and it didn’t work out. In general, where are you in terms of a run-blocking offensive line?) – “I think we’re alright. I think we did a lot of good things and I think we did some things that we need to improve on. Some of those are just miscommunication, the little things. The miscommunication, the little errors, just the small things. I think we’re doing a lot of really good things, but the things we need to fix are the communication and techniques and things. I think we’re doing a lot of good and I think there are some things we need to improve on. It could go both ways.”
(Have you taken a peek yet at Atlanta coming in, whose going to be the guys? I know in Chicago you may have looked to see who would be the guy. Who are you looking forward to having these joint practices?) – “It’s good. I’m speaking for myself personally, I’m just trying to improve my game and work on what I can work on. I think we’ve got a good guy coming in this week. Everyone looks at the top 100 and stuff like that so we’ve got a guy that’s on that. It will be fun to compete against the best and see where you stack up.”
(Where are you squat wise, in terms of squat max?) – “Squat max? I don’t know. I haven’t really really squatted and maxed since like college. I can’t give you a real number if I’m being honest.”
(You mentioned the top 100 I’m sure you’re talking about DL Grady Jarrett. What about his game? Do you know much about it?) – “We’ve never played these guys. This my second year of course. I’m just now starting to peak at him, look at him. He’s explosive, he’s fast. He can do a lot of things in the middle. He’s shifty. He’s got some power to him. It will be interesting to see how we hold up against him. It will be fun.”
(The challenge, do you get excited about that sort of stuff?) – “I do, because I want to compete against the best.”
Andrew Van Ginkel – August 17, 2021
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Tuesday, August 17, 2021
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(Does it help that this defense basically stayed the same and you’re building off of what you put together last year?) – “I think it’s huge – your comfortability with the defense and the scheme, and the coaches and how they are going to put you in different positions. As each year has gone on, you get a feel for the playbook and the terminology and all of that. It’s nice to have the same thing tand being able to build off of it year after year.”
(In terms of things that you want to expand in your game, what were some of the things you wanted to add to your toolshed?) – “I think it’s just to be more comfortable with the defense and being able to play fast on every snap and not have to think as much. Also just going out there and continuing to get better rushing the passer and being physical and being able to stop the run so we can get a third-down stop.”
(Do you take it as something personal – do you want to be a linebacker that doesn’t have to be taken off of the field?) – “Yeah, for sure. I want to be on the field every down. That’s my goal is to come out here work every day so I can earn that and go out there and play my best on Sunday.”
(How nerve wracking is it today for many guys on the first day of cuts…) – “I just say to those guys to just come in and work your hardest day in and day out. You can’t control the uncontrollable. If you come in and work hard and you do what the coaches ask of you, you’re going to put yourself in good position to make this team.”
(What’s your relationship like with DE Emmanuel Ogbah and LB Jaelan Phillips and some of the other guys in the group?) – “We’ve got a special relationship and it all starts with building chemistry out on the field. Being able to trust one another to get their job done and then when you start making plays, that’s when the fun really begins.”
(Do you guys have any internal competition to try to compete for sacks, or whatever it is? What is that like?) – “I think everybody is always competing. That’s why we’re here. ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) brought in guys that love to compete and that love to work hard. We’re always competing and it’s something that you pride yourself on.”
(Is this a training camp beard or are you trying to grow it out?) – “It’s just training camp. It’s only been a few days. I’m just kind of letting it go.”
(So you can grow a beard?) – “It’s very patchy. This is probably the longest it’s going to get. (laughter)”
(When you in the first preseason game, when do you realize you haven’t given up a first down until like 30 seconds left in the first half? What’s that like?) – “There was a point in time where I realized the offense had the ball for a long time, and any time you can control the time of possession like that, you’re going to be in good shape. It’s definitely noticeable when you’re not getting as tired and you’re sitting more on the bench and watching the offense go to work. That’s always a plus.”
(Sometimes this year, or maybe a lot this year, we’re going to see you and LB Jaelan Phillips both rushing the passer at the same time. When he was around in May and June, and since he’s come back from the injury, what skills do you see in him that you think will make a good NFL pass rusher?) – “He’s very quick and fast. His first step is explosive. He’s also strong at the top, so he’s got many different moves he can work with. I love how he comes in and works every day. His will to get better and all of that is there on a day-to-day basis. You love to see that.”
Brian Flores – August 17, 2021
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Tuesday, August 17, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Obviously, from the top of the draft you came away with a very good player with WR Jaylen Waddle, came up with an extra first-round pick than you had when you started the process. I’m just curious with the Falcons coming in tomorrow, how tempted were you and General Manager Chris Grier, were you tempted at any time to sit at three and select TE Kyle Pitts? Did the fact that you have a good tight end room contribute to you ultimately not going in that direction?) – “We’re excited about the draft choices from this past year. Obviously, a lot of work went into that. Chris and his staff, along with our coaching staff, a lot of evaluations, a lot of meetings, a lot of interviews with players. The state of the current roster goes into some decisions but at the end of the day, we try to pick the best player available and we are happy with the guys we selected. I’m sure that Atlanta is happy with the guys they selected as well.”
(We had just never asked you about TE Kyle Pitts and whether he was a consideration at all for you and Chris Grier in going through the process?) – “We are focused on the guys that are on our roster. Coaching them up, helping them get better. That’s where we’re at.”
(There was a report that WR Allen Hurns is going to need or has had wrist surgery and it is going to take about three months to recover from that. What can you tell us about his situation?) – “Yeah it’s unfortunate. Allen was having a good camp. A vet player who brings leadership. We are going to end up placing him on IR at some point. Unfortunate. I won’t call it a freak play but that’s pretty much what it was. It’s pointing in that direction with all the information we have so far. He’s disappointed, we’re disappointed. That’s part of the game and we’ve got to move on and continue to practice and get better with the guys that we have.”
(Are any of your receivers who have been out recently, DeVante Parker, Preston Williams, Will Fuller, Albert Wilson – do any of those have a decent chance to practice against the Falcons?) – “All those guys will be out today. We will see about tomorrow. They’re day-to-day and they’re all working to get back. Those have become pretty competitive practices; I shouldn’t say pretty competitive, they are very competitive practices. With guys who have been out, you want to ease them back. If they are back, I wouldn’t expect too much out of them. But getting closer, I would say. Just taking it one day at a time.”
(With LB Jaelen Phillips, you guys had him practice in the first joint practice and then scaled it back. He didn’t play in the exhibition game. Is there a regression or is this a management situation? Where is his status for practicing this week?) – “Jaelen will be out there today. Again, when we are trying to work guys back, we just want to take our time and not have any setbacks. Jaelen will be out there today. We plan on working him in against Atlanta whether it is both days, the first day. We will talk through that. Again, he’s doing everything he can possibly do to get out there. As a young guy, he needs reps but at the same time, we want to be smart with our plan to bring him back. We are working him back in.”
(How do you start really making cuts? What is this day like for you and is it going to be tough to find the five guys that you need to cut it down?) – “This day is always a tough day. At the end of the day, you just have to be honest and transparent with guys and tell them truth. You understand there is going to be some disappointment but we have to do what’s best for the team and we have to make the cuts.”
(With the running back rotation, is there an advantage to having a physical runner to start off like RB Malcolm Brown? Does that facilitate things later for RB Myles Gaskin, RB Salvon Ahmed?) – “We like all the backs. They all bring something a little different. Malcolm is a little bit bigger, has more what you may consider a power back. Myles, kind of a change of pace, good quickness, can get out of the backfield in the passing game. Salvon has got good speed and can get out of the backfield. A lot of different qualities. I thought they all played well in the preseason game but just trying to come back today, have a good practice, have a good week of practice against Atlanta and just continue to improve on a daily basis.”
(There were a few moments in the last game where QB Tua Tagovailoa was able to use his feet and sense pressure in the pocket to avoid pressure. How have you seen him develop in that area and how good do you think he does in that?) – “I think that’s part of quarterbacking; stepping up in the pocket, sliding in the pocket to give yourself better throwing lanes. I think he does a nice job of that. I think he’s got a good feel for that. He’s aware of that. We have good rushers in this league so you are going to have to step up and slide and find or create some throwing lanes which he is able to do. We just need to keep repping it, keep getting repetitions on it. Some of that is understanding the protection and where there will be some step-up lanes. Seeing the front. Seeing how the front is distributed. If there are three guys over there then my step-up lane is probably over here. I think that comes with repetition. Down and distance. There’s a lot that goes into that and I think he’s definitely improving in that area.”
(RB Myles Gaskin mentioned earlier this offseason that he wanted to work on his conditioning and durability so he can play more. Do his issues with that in the past factor in whether in the preseason or regular season?) – “I think Myles is in good condition. He can go. I think we are going to try and use the backs situationally that best fits their skillset and what’s best for the team. Myles can play on first down, second down and third down; but depending on the call, depending on the situation, we may put another player in there. That’s the case really for all positions. We try to put the best 11 guys that fit what we are going to do on that particular play. I think the entire team knows that. Myles is a team guy so he’s going to do what’s best for the team. If we need him to play 60-70 snaps, he has the ability to do that as well. There’s a lot that goes into that and at the end of the day, it’s doing what’s best for the team and us as coaches trying to put the players in the best positions really, situationally.”
(I’m aware that you are trying to disclose as little as possible in regards to who’s calling plays but I wanted to ask about Quarterbacks Coach Charlie Frye being the voice in Tua’s headset. What is the thought process in having the quarterbacks coach or a former quarterback as the last voice that Tua hears in his ear before calling the play?) – “I think, as far as the beginning of that – well let me just answer the question. I think when you’re a position coach and you spend time with a player every day, you kind of have your own language, your own conversations about different plays. ‘Hey, remember we talked about this like this or remember we saw this in practice.’ That’s a different relationship or way of speaking than it is with a coordinator. I know that because I’ve been a position coach and a coordinator. The idea behind Charlie giving the play call is that one or two things that they’ve talked about in their room specific to the quarterbacks, that just makes sense to me and I think that’s pretty reasonable. That’s why we do it that way. I know (you guys) asked about the play calling. Look, obviously you guys haven’t been up in the coaches booth but this is what happens; somebody is watching the front side of the play, somebody is watching the backside of the play, somebody is watching the coverage, the rotation, somebody is watching the fronts, so there is a lot of dialogue. At the end of the day what happens is somebody gives Charlie the call and Charlie says, ‘hey Tua, wristband 33.’ It’s not six people talking to Tua. You may think, but that’s not what happens. Maybe that’s too much information. (laughter) That’s what it is, it’s ‘wristband 37.’ That’s the information that the quarterback gets. On the headset, the coaches are saying, ‘hey backside end is doing this we might want to call wristband 38.’ That’s kind of how that goes. (I was told) to explain that. (laughter)”
(Question for you: QB Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t hear the coaches’ communication. He hears what’s coming from Charlie, that’s it?) – “Wristband 12.”
(And whatever to look for?) – “Whatever that call is, ‘hey, remember we talked about seeing this that or the other thing. Go.’ There’s not 12 people talking to the guy, that’s just not how it goes. One guy with a button. I assume everyone knows that but maybe I shouldn’t.”
(What’s the reason for keeping the actual playcaller’s identity a secret? What do you gain by that?) – “We just try to keep things internal. I guess my question would be, what do you gain by that?”
(We know who is responsible for the play.) – “I know who is responsible and that’s kind of where we go.”
(Do you think your opponent gains anything?) – “They may. They may.”
(In the headset era for quarterbacks, have you worked under any other system other than the one you just described about wristband 33? Have you been a part of any other systems and what did you gain from using this system as opposed to any other?) – “I’ve been in some other systems, yes. I think at times the headset communication goes out and you can miss part of the call if there is a longer call. It is better to say ‘33’ and then they can read it and give it. So you don’t miss, that doesn’t become an issue, which is probably the No. 1 reason we have gone to this system. That makes sense. Headsets, they go out. I think that was a league-wide issue this past week.”
(Is LB Vince Biegel’s absence at all related to the Achilles last year? I know he was in a boot. Is he going to come back any time soon or is this a serious setback?) – “He’s taking it day-to-day. We’re hopeful that he can get back as soon as possible. But yeah, he’s day-to-day and he’s treating and rehabbing and trying to improve on a daily basis.”
(I asked you a few weeks ago about G Durval Queiroz Neto and you said that you wanted to give him an opportunity to compete in training camp. What have you seen from him? Do you think he’s getting closer to that point where he gets an opportunity?) – “Yeah, he’s doing well. Definitely making a lot of improvement. He got banged up a little bit last week but he’s pushing through it. Like everybody, bumps and bruises and he’s just trying to work through a few things. He’s having a good camp and we’re excited about hopefully getting him in to the game this weekend.”
Brian Flores – August 15, 2021
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Sunday, August 15, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Do you know if you’re going to play starters next Saturday and into the third quarter sort of like a third preseason game in past years? I also wanted to ask you about four guys who practiced Thursday but didn’t play yesterday just to see if health was an issue at all? Your two starting corners obviously CB Xavien Howard and CB Byron Jones, DE Emmanuel Ogbah and WR Allen Hurns. Those four guys – two starting corners, Ogbah, and Hurns – were they held out yesterday for health reasons or for some other reasons?) – “’X’ (Xavien Howard), Byron and Ogbah, we just wanted to rest those guys. Hurns is dealing with something, so he’s kind of rehabbing and taking things one day at a time. That was those four guys you mentioned.”
(For the second preseason game this year with only three preseason games, could this be your regular season dress rehearsal? What’s your thinking at this point with that game?) – “We’ve got Atlanta coming in and we have the players today reviewing the game film. We’ll talk about next week’s preseason game in a few days. We’re a little ways away from that. We’ve got two good days of practice with Atlanta. That’s kind of where the focus is. Based on how that goes, we’ll kind of make a determination on what we’ll do from a game standpoint.”
(After reviewing the film, how did you feel T Austin Jackson did – what do you think he needs to do to live up to his best?) – “I thought he did some good things. I thought he competed well. We were playing against a good front, some good players over there. I thought he competed well. I thought he did some good things in the running game, did some good things in pass protection. I thought he did a lot of good things. Obviously there were some instances where his techniques and fundamentals weren’t as good and we’re making those corrections right now. But I was pleased with how he played.”
(I saw QB Tua Tagovailoa – I didn’t notice this while I was watching the game, but on the replay, I noticed that he stuck his shoulder in there to try to make a tackle. What does that say about him and are you ok with that?) – “Yeah, I think that’s what he’s got to do. When you make a mistake, which he did, you just move on to the next play. In that instance, offensive players become defensive players. I thought Myles (Gaskin) made a very nice tackle on that, which kind of set us up in decent field position defensively, which turned into a stop and then good field position for us on the next offensive series. We talk to our guys about, if there is a turnover, you’ve just got to move on. We’re not going to just sit there and be upset about it. We’ve got to move on and try to get the defensive player on the ground and play the next play. Tua and really the entire offense did that. Everybody was running after the ball carrier.”
(The second drive that ended inside the five, when you have opportunities like that in the short area, especially after a chunk play, what can cashing in on those opportunities do for your players and for your team?) – “Obviously any time you’re in the high red, low red, that red area, cashing in with a touchdown is what you want, what you’re looking for. In order to do that, you’ve got to have good execution, which we didn’t have down there. I thought it was good for us to learn from that. We just met about it and understand how important those opportunities are and how important our execution is when we get into the scoring range. Again, another learning opportunity for our team. It was good to get down there, it was a good throw and catch by Tua (Tagovailoa) and Mike (Gesicki) on a third down. That’s a positive, but I think we’ve got to cash in.”
(Just from a confidence, morale standpoint and just wanting to see your offense improve as a whole, when those opportunities do come up for you guys to cash in, what do you think will do for your players mentally?) – “I thought they were in a good place mentally yesterday. You go down, make a big play, you don’t get in – obviously there is a little bit of ‘man, we’ve got to punch that in;’ but our guys do a good job of moving on to the next play. We’re not sitting on the sideline sulking. Our defense went out there and got a stop, got the guys the ball back and we just keep playing one play at a time. That’s kind of the mentality. If you are really going about it any other way, you’re putting yourself – we want to stay even. I thought that’s what we did yesterday and hopefully we’ll continue to do that.”
(I wanted to ask you a bit more about that sequence we just referred to. How did the offensive line perform in that sequence? I know on that second run, I think it was a safety who shot the gap. I’m not sure if the line was responsible for picking him up or what’s supposed to happen; but in general, how did the line perform in that goal line situation?) – “We had a missed assignment. It wasn’t on the offensive line, which is where we had someone unblocked and if you have someone unblocked down in that area, you need to get a hat on a hat, which we didn’t have. We talked about that already this morning. You’ve got to have good execution down there. All 11 defenders are down there. There’s going to be an extra guy. There’s going to be an unblocked guy. There’s 10 offensive players and then the quarterback, so there’s going to be an unblocked player. We’ve got to combo and try to get that player down or leave somebody unblocked away from it. We didn’t execute.”
(I wanted to ask you about TE Cethan Carter. He left the field with a knee injury. Are we looking at anything long-term or is this another one of those day-to-day, one day at a time deals?) – “I think we’ll take this day-to-day with Cethan. I haven’t talked to (Head Athletic Trainer) Kyle (Johnston) about where we’re at on that one but the early reports are day-to-day.”
(When I asked QB Tua Tagovailoa after the game about who was communicating to him, he mentioned Quarterbacks Coach Charlie Frye. Can you tell us how many folks are involved in calling the actual plays for the offense and is that something that is going to waver throughout the preseason or is the system that is being implemented in the preseason going to be the system that is utilized in the regular season?) – “We’ve talked about this. We’ve got a system in place. We know how we’re handling that situation. I thought it went well yesterday. We’ll just continue to handle it the way we’ve talked about handling it internally. I thought it went well yesterday and we’ll continue to go the way we’ve planned to do it really since George (Godsey) and Eric (Studesville) became the co-OCs.”
(Just to be clear, you do not want to reveal if one, two or three people are calling the plays on game day?) – “No, I don’t want to reveal. It could be six people. (laughter)”
(I wanted to ask you about C/G Michael Dieter and T Liam Eichenberg. With Deiter, we’ve seen him open with the first group all 12 practices and yesterday’s game. How has he done in practice and yesterday? And then with Eichenberg, I know obviously in May and June and the first three days of camp, we saw him at right tackle. The eight practices after that, we saw him at left guard. When he returns from being nicked up, have you and Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre determined where he will be – left guard again or back to right tackle?) – “Liam is day-to-day and working his way to get back out there. We saw him at left guard. We’ve seen him at right tackle. I think Solomon (Kindley) did a nice job yesterday so that’s good competition there at left guard with Liam. But like we’ve said, we’re going to play the best five and they’ve all got some versatility. Liam obviously has some versatility having played tackle and guard. We’ll play the best five guys. I think the most important thing for us is to get him back and get him back out there. Wherever he plays, he plays; and he’ll have an opportunity to compete.”
(And C/G Michael Deiter at center, just how he’s done through camp and yesterday.) – “I think he’s done a nice job. Good communication, good fundamentals, good techniques. He had some tough matchups this week against Chicago in practice and in the game, and I thought he handled himself well.”
(What did you take from a week of joint practices and the preseason opener as you go into joint practices with Atlanta?) – “I think we had good competition in practice. It’s good to see a different group, different schemes, different concepts. I think the Bears were very welcoming to us and I’m very appreciative of that. They’ve got good players. I think that was good for us to see that in a practice setting and then compete against them in the game. I think it will only help us.”
