Brian Flores – November 15, 2021
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Monday, November 15, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Have you seen QB Tua Tagovailoa to get a sense on his finger, if there has been any improvement? And then the three IR guys, I was going to ask you WR Will Fuller, C/G Michael Deiter and RB Malcolm Brown, are any of those ready to resume practicing?) – “My expectation with Tua is that he’ll start this weekend. Obviously he’s going to have some discomfort with the finger. He banged it the other day. We were trying to avoid that, but it happened. He’s had some time to rest it and practice today, and that’s my expectation for this weekend. Malcolm Brown won’t be this week. Deiter is getting closer, unlikely for this week though. And the same for Will Fuller – getting closer, unlikely though for this week.”
(One last guy to ask you about. Did DB Jason McCourty opt to have season-ending surgery?) – “Jason, he’s on IR. But it will be season-ending, yes.”
(How is QB Jacoby Brissett’s knee doing?) – “He’ll likely be limited today but doing better. It was kind of a scary situation, but thankfully it’s not anything serious. Let’s call him day-to-day. I expect him to practice on a limited basis today.”
(One of the concerns for the past couple of weeks with QB Tua Tagovailoa was whether he could make all of the throws. Where is he as far – I know you haven’t seen him for a couple of days, but as far as what you know, is he limited at all, do you think?) – “Yeah, he’s definitely limited. There is definitely some discomfort. He was limited in the game also. Again, he hit the finger again. We just have to monitor that as the week goes and try to get some of the swelling out of there. We’ll do the best we can from that standpoint. But yeah, limited.”
(It’s kind of silly to ask if big plays are good because that obviously goes without saying. But the fact that you guys hit on a couple of them Thursday night, I know one was kind of broken, but you guys made a lot out of it. Does an offense need that to reaffirm the belief that really big play is possible?) – “Any time you can create explosive plays, that helps you offensively. It changes field position, changes momentum in the game. So yeah, they always help. Any time you can get them – whether it’s run game, pass game, screen game, defensively, the kicking game – those chunk plays, they help you. Not necessarily just for that drive, but from a momentum standpoint, they’re big plays. We were able to create a few the other night and we’re always trying to find ways to create explosive plays. They definitely help. We want to limit them defensively and try to get as many as we can offensively.”
(When you don’t have explosive plays – and granted there was a lot going on the first eight games and all that too. There was a lot of reasons to be frustrated. But when the offense can’t hit the long ball, is that a source of frustration or do you guys not look at it in those terms?) – “Then it’s about execution. Not every drive has a big play in it. Sometimes it’s picking up three or four third downs. If you’re playing against a good defense, it’s five here, six here, two here, first down, convert a third down, convert a fourth down. That’s hard to do though. It’s hard to put a 12- 15 play drive together for any team. When you get an explosive and you cut the 15-play drive down to seven or eight plays, that helps the situation. But when you’re not getting them, you just need better execution on a consistent basis. That’s for every team.”
(Is left tackle undecided at this time, or are you gong to roll with T Liam Eichenberg for this week?) – “Liam will be out there.”
(How did the mini-bye treat you and the players this weekend?) – “I think when you get some time off and get a little bit or rest, recharge the batteries, I think the guys were ready to go this morning for meetings. Hopefully you see a rested, high-energy practice. That’s what we’re looking for.”
(With the number of times you blitzed defensive backs on Thursday, is that sort of the defense you envisioned when you accumulated so many safeties that are versatile like S Jevon Holland an S Brandon Jones?) – “I think it gives you the opportunity to do that. I think every gameplan is a little bit different. It won’t always be blitz heavy like it was last week. Sometimes it’s a coverage game, sometimes it’s a blitz game, sometimes it’s a mix of both. I think it’s specific to what kind of team we’re playing. To have the flexibility to play different styles is something that we want to be able to do that. I think what the young safeties are doing – we’re putting a lot on their plate and they are getting better every day.”
(Are there any other o-line shuffling or combinations?) – “We’ll see how it goes through the week. We’ve had a couple of conversations about a couple of different positions, but Liam (Eichenberg) will be in there at left tackle.”
(We’ve all asked Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre about the possibility of flipping G/T Jesse Davis and G/T Robert Hunt. He said it’s something you talk about every week. At this point, what’s the thinking about having left them at the positions they’ve played all year? Do you feel Jesse at right tackle gives you the best opportunity to win than Jesse at right guard, and vice versa with Hunt?) – “We’re always going to try to put the best five guys out there and the best combination of those guys as well. I think when a guy is playing at one spot and understands what he’s doing there, to move him out – does it hurt him, help him, or does it hurt or help the other guys? Is that the best combination? I think we’ve gone through it pretty extensively. I feel like the group we’ve had out there has been the best group. With that said, there is always an evaluation postgame and there is always opportunity or possibility that things may change.”
(WR Jaylen Waddle has been an effective, high-volume pass catcher and I’m wondering your thoughts about spreading the ball around, which coaches always talk about wanting to do versus having a guy who is among the league-leaders in catches and seemingly would be highly trusted by his quarterback. Ehat are your thoughts on those two concepts?) – “I think you can do both. I think you want to spread the ball around. I think everyone’s got, let’s call it ‘go-to guys,’ and I think between the quarterback and the play design, the go-to guys are going to get targets. They’re also going to get a lot of defense too. If that player is doubled, you can force it to him but that’s probably not where you want to go with the ball and once that happens, that’s when you need the rest of the guys to contribute because if one guy is doubled, then somebody is singled. If that person wins, that may be our best opportunity to get some positive plays. I think you can do both but from a play design – look quarterbacks they want to get the ball to those particular players who they think can make big plays for them or are trusted. From that respect, or from that perspective I would say, I think a player like that – you mentioned Waddle – is going to get a good amount of targets. I’m always of the belief that you spread it around and make the defense, speaking offensively, make the defense deal with the entire group and not just focus on one guy. I think that’s what you’re trying to do offensively. Trying to force a guy into double, triple coverage, it’s hard.”
(I’m guessing you probably spent much of your afternoon watching the Jets play the Bills. What are your impressions of them?) – “I watched that. I’ve been watching a lot of the Jets obviously. Young team. I think they play with great effort. They’ve beaten a couple good teams. I think we are going to have to do a good job in our preparation, getting ready for this group in all three phases. I think we are going to have to prepare well and play well to have success.”
(Can you talk a little bit about WR Albert Wilson and if Thursday’s game is going to help him moving forward in the season? He’s not been making plays consistently.) – “I thought Albert played well. He made some big plays for us in the run game and in the pass game. We talk about other guys contributing, I think that was something that definitely helped us in the game and hopefully that will continue.”
(How important is it for the team to not get ahead? You get two wins, you try to gain some ground back but just to concentrate on the one week and not to start thinking about what could happen in terms of getting back to the race?) – “I think it’s always let’s focus on today, let’s focus on our opponent this week, focus on getting better today, which we’ve talked about that in our meetings. Let’s make some corrections or things we could have done better from the other day, try to get that corrected, fixed today, and have a good week of preparation on the Jets. Really, that’s it. That’s the approach that I’m taking and that’s the message that the players are getting. Again look, I think the Jets have a good, young team. I think they play hard. I think they’ve beat some very good teams and we’re going to have to play well.”
(I wanted to ask you one question about S Jevon Holland. We’ve spoken a lot about how Jevon has versatility, he has ball skills, the ability to blitz, he’s a good athlete. I’m wondering about his makeup as a young professional athlete. What are you noticing in that area in regards to maturity and preparation for a young guy?) – “I think he’s mature beyond his years. I think he’s smart. I think he’s obviously talented. These are all the things that we liked about him coming out. I think he’s very much so a professional. I think from an intangibles standpoint, he’s got a lot of things we’re looking for. You combine that with his athletic ability, his ability to do multiple things. If he keeps up with the way he prepares, the way he practices, the way he is intentional about getting better, he’s going to be ok in this league.”
(We throw the word rivalry around a lot. Do rivalries really exist in the NFL? People talk about Cowboys-Eagles, Packers-Bears whatever. Dolphins-Jets has always been called the Dolphins-Jets rivalry. Whoever you’re playing that week is your biggest rival at that time I’m sure because you want to beat them all, but do rivalries really exist?) – “I think for me, like you said every week that’s our biggest rival. For fans, yeah that exists. For us and our team, I think there’s not more energy put into this game than every other game. There’s not more build up, excitement or preparation for what some may consider a rivalry game. Every game is important in this league so it’s really the same approach for me. That’s kind of my thoughts on that.”
Brian Flores – November 12, 2021
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Friday, November 12, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(What went into your thinking in terms of sticking with the same offensive line group, including T Liam Eichenberg at left tackle, and did they do enough well last night to make you want to continue with those five at least a week from Sunday?) – “It was a short week so we felt like it was best to stay with the same group. They had some good moments and obviously like every game, there are always some plays that they all wish they had back. Overall, I think it’s a group that’s developing and getting better. We’ll always evaluate and try to do what’s best for the team. We went with that group more because of the short week.”
(How did T Liam Eichenberg play at left tackle? I don’t know how much film you’ve been able to watch overnight yet.) – “We’re still working through that. I know there were a couple of big fumble recoveries he grabbed that were big plays for us. From what I’ve seen so far, (there was) some good, some bad. Liam is a tough kid, a hard-working kid just like the rest of those players on the offensive line. We’re still working through the film, but I thought he did some good things.”
(Last night felt possibly like the kind of win that might be a springboard for this team. I wanted to get your thoughts on the possibility that it could be just that.) – “I thought the guys, they played hard for 60 minutes. Baltimore is a good team – good players, good coaches. We talked about that last night. It’s always good to get a win. I try to just take things one day at a time. I’m going to continue to watch the film here this morning and try to build on this and build on some of the things we’re doing well, and try to improve in some of the things we’re not doing well. Just try to prepare for our next opponent and help this team as best I can.”
(Is there one thing at the top of your head that you know at this early stage of going through the film that definitely jumped out at you as something that was a real positive that hadn’t happened up to this point in the season?) – “We didn’t turn the ball over offensively. That is always a big stat. I think when you start there, that’s something we hadn’t done this year and we were able to do that last night. That went a long way.’
(Do you anticipate that QB Jacoby Brissett might need imaging or anything like that to make sure nothing bad happened, or are you guys pretty confident that he’s ok?) – “We’ll always evaluate guys in the morning, especially after they go down or there is an injury in the game. I think he’s going to be ok based off of last night – how he responded last night. But we’ll definitely evaluate his situation as well as some of the other guys.”
(I know it’s never about one player, or one play, and this play didn’t even count obviously. But we don’t see a 327-pound man go airborne often and do what G/T Robert Hunt tried to do last night. How emblematic is that play – as you guys get ready for the seven games or whatever you have left to – that’s just what it requires to win. Effort like that, I’m sure it’s what you’re preaching, I’m sure everyone knows it takes efforts like that to win a football game. How emblematic can that be for the rest of your group to watch a guy try to do something that deep down he knew wasn’t going to count?) – “I think that speaks to the type of player Rob is. I think we have a lot of players like that. Effort is not an issue. I think our guys give great effort and desire to work together and play for one another. I think that showed in that play and obviously it was a penalty. We’ve got to execute better than that. But I think with our guys effort and desire to have success and play for each other, that’s not an issue with this team.”
(I know obviously you all are one of the league leaders in blitz percentage anyway, even before the last couple of weeks. And I know each week you all put in the gameplan that you think is best for that week. With both of those things being said, did you and Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer at all discuss, prior to the last couple of weeks, about becoming even more aggressive and blitzing even more just as a general strategy? Was that something that you felt or discussed with Josh?) – “I think Josh and the defensive staff did a nice job coming up with the gameplan. They do it every week. Each week may call for something a little bit different. This week the feeling was that we tried to apply some pressure as much as we could. Josh, (Anthony) Campanile, (Gerald Alexander), Charles (Burks), Austin (Clark), Rob (Leonard) and all those guys work together to come up with the gameplan they feel is best for us to try to have success. Really it boils down to the players executing, which our guys were able to do last night against a very good football team.”
(I know you said there was good news this week with WR Will Fuller this week. Would he be able to practice next week and possibly even play against the Jets?) – “It’s possible. We’ll still take it day to day. He’s definitely improving and trending in the right direction. We are hopeful for this week. Can’t say definitively just yet. We’ve still got a few days until we get back out there. We’ll know more next week.”
(You said you think QB Jacoby Brissett is going to be ok. I know you got time before your next game but do you envision QB Tua Tagovailoa continuing forward as starter with both kind of nursing injuries?) – “Jacoby was banged up yesterday. Same with Tua. I thought Tua did a good job of fighting through the discomfort. He’s obviously – we all saw him bang his finger too in the game, which that’s kind of what we were trying to avoid. I think the situation with Tua, obviously I’ve said many times that he’s our quarterback. I said this last night – we try to protect players from themselves. (We were) trying to avoid that situation with him banging his finger last night. We’ve got to take it day-to-day with both players and see how that goes. But this isn’t like a – I think people are trying to turn this into a controversial situation where we don’t want a certain player to play. I try to look out for the best interest of the players individually, the team. All those things play a role in the decisions we make and that was the case last night.”
(I’m not asking you to share your personal schedule for the next three days but how much are you, the staff and the players looking forward to what I assume will be at least a few hours off for you guys and kind of catch your breath a little bit?) – “The players, they’re not in and won’t be back in until Monday. The coaches have a couple days off as well. I’ll be spending a lot of time with the family so that will be my schedule.”
(When you’re in the season, you guys have London and you came back and played right afterward. Is this the right time for a break? It’s been, when you go back to camp, it’s been like 15 nonstop weeks for you guys.) – “Yeah. I mean we don’t make the schedule so we take the time off when we get it. I think it’s a good time to recharge – recharge the battery, get some rest and then come in Monday ready to go.”
(WR Albert Wilson had been very quiet for pretty much all of the season and last night did some good things when his number was called. What led to his success and based on what he was able to accomplish, would you think you might want to make a more concerted effort to get him involved on offense?) – “We talked as a staff about beating a team like that. You’ve got to get a lot of guys involved. We challenged Albert in practice that he was going to have some opportunities and he came through. I think that was the case for him and Isaiah Ford and (Adam) Shaheen. When you need a team effort every week and we got contributions from a lot of players on the team – offense, defense and special teams – that’s what you need in this league. We need as many contributions from as many guys as we can. Albert is part of that and is always part of those conversations. We’ve got to do a better job of trying to get him the ball and get the ball in his hands. And he’s got to come through.”
Albert Wilson – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
WR Albert Wilson
Q: You had a really strong start in training camp, and then got hurt, you came backand you’re not really as involved with the offense as you’d like to be. How did tonight feel to really make an impact?
ALBERT WILSON: It felt great. It felt great to get back out there and pretty much be involved and bring what I can bring to the offense tonight so it was good. It’s a blessing to be back out there for sure.
Q: What happened on the long reception? It looks like you were more than wide open.
ALBERT WILSON: It was a look that we were getting all night and I just put the speed on to see if he was going to see me. He didn’t happened to see me and it worked out pretty good.
Q: That was basically mine, but I was going to ask you in continuation with that; I was basically looking for you to high-five someone. How does it feel to get back on the field and really produce out there?
ALBERT WILSON: It’s been great. It’s been a long journey since the season started for me. I’m just happy to be able to provide for the team and get out there and do what they need me to do.
Q: How would you describe sort of the vibe that was going on when QB Tua Tagovailoa entered?
ALBERT WILSON: It doesn’t make a difference. We’re going to call the same plays as it was if Jacoby (Brissett) was in there. We know both of them are starters in this league so we’re comfortable and confident with either one.
Q: How do you think QB Tua Tagovailoa did?
ALBERT WILSON: Great. We got the W. That’s all that mattered.
Q: With the training camp you were having, is this what you envisioned in before you had the injury and then sidetracked things a little bit?
ALBERT WILSON: As far as being involved in the offense? Of course. I’m here to make plays and do what I can for the team so, of course. I plan on being a part of the offense every week but it goes how it goes.
Q: When you say you put the speed on, was that during the jet sweep?
ALBERT WILSON: Yeah, I was tired as soon as I got the ball. That was a long jet sweep, for sure (Laughter).
Q: I know you said it was a look you guys have been getting. Were you surprised to be that wide open, though?
ALBERT WILSON: For sure. We ran the play a ton of times the whole game. It’s just different looks, changing your speed before the play, continue with it up the sideline kind of made it look like a different play. It was cool.
Q: What has happened in the last two months? You started playing early in the season, and then kind of disappeared, and there are a ton of injuries at receiver – do you feel like you were practicing at the level you were supposed to?
ALBERT WILSON: Yeah, I think I’ve been practicing great for the past – since I’ve been out there. It’s just got to get things going. Sometimes things don’t fall in place like they should and tonight was one of those days it fell in place.
Q: Do you think that the two consecutive victories combined with a little extra rest for all the players, what do you think that can do for the team?
ALBERT WILSON: I think it’s going to give us some great energy to go off and get some rest and just have us anxious to come back in and get back to work. That’s a good thing.
Robert Hunt – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
G/T Robert Hunt
Q: You know you are trending right now.
ROBERT HUNT: I heard it. My friends called and told me.
Q: Going back to college, high school, peewee, Pop Warner, what’s the touchdown numbers? Do we have any on the career?
ROBERT HUNT: I have a couple in high school. I have a couple.
Q: Can we describe them real quick?
ROBERT HUNT: I got a couple of touchdowns in high school. I got a blocked punt one time in high school. There’s a couple of things I did in high school.
Q: Any lunges to the pylon?
ROBERT HUNT: No.
Q: Any somersaults?
ROBERT HUNT: That wasn’t a somersault. He got me pretty good. He almost broke my neck. (laughter)
Q: So why did you catch the ball?
ROBERT HUNT: I wasn’t trying to. I just kind of saw it and it was third down. I was, like, all right, let’s try to – it was a big game. I wanted to win. I just saw the ball, and I don’t know. I just blanked out, man. I just caught the ball and tried to run with it. (laughter) Calais (Campbell) did a really good job of defending the play, though.
Q: Are you trying to petition for some offensive plays?
ROBERT HUNT: No, no, no, not at all.
Q: Did you block the punt you scored on in high school?
ROBERT HUNT: No. Someone blocked it, and I picked it up and ran to it.
Q: Was it a scoop and run?
ROBERT HUNT: That’s it. Scoop and run, outrun everybody.
Q: Did you forget in the moment that you actually weren’t allowed to catch the ball?
ROBERT HUNT: No, you know – yeah, I did. I did. I really did. (laughter) Yeah. It’s embarrassing. It’s all over the internet, too.
Q: Technically it was a one-handed catch, too.
ROBERT HUNT: I don’t know what went through my head. (laughter)
Q: What did Myles Gaskin say?
ROBERT HUNT: Nothing. I don’t know. To me I didn’t think – I don’t know. I don’t know, man. (laughter) He didn’t say anything.
Q: Because you took the ball. He was the intended receiver.
ROBERT HUNT: Yeah. It was for (Myles) Gaskin. I think I screwed up the whole play.
Q: Tom Pelissero called it the greatest penalty in NFL history. Do you have something to tell him in response?
ROBERT HUNT: It was a penalty, so I’ll hear about it tomorrow probably. (laughter)
Q: It’s a nationally televised game, so the whole world was watching, and Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, I want you to know, they complimented your athleticism.
ROBERT HUNT: Thank you. Thank you to those guys.
Q: What were you thinking as you were leaning back, and you actually broke the plane. What were…?
ROBERT HUNT: Honestly, I was just – like I said, I wanted to win. I didn’t know if the play counted or not. I got the ball in my hand, and I wanted to try to score it. I just try to do whatever so I can so we could have the feeling that we got now, which is a great feeling.
Q: Have you seen the play?
ROBERT HUNT: I’ve seen it. I’ve seen it.
Q: Hypothetically if it was a legitimate touchdown, would you have a touchdown dance or celebration? Is there something in there?
ROBERT HUNT: No. I would just – I would have been excited. It would have happened. You know? Like I said, I was just trying to win. Whatever we can do, whatever I can do to try to – it wasn’t my play, but…
Q: What are the guys saying?
ROBERT HUNT: I don’t know. It’s crazy. ‘That’s a great play, man. That was tight. I’ve never seen it.’ It’s that, but then like I said, it’s a penalty, so I will definitely hear about it in meetings.
Q: Is Flo not having nearly as much fun as we are with other players?
ROBERT HUNT: I don’t know. I haven’t even talked to Flo about it. I’m sure he will say it’s a penalty, so….
Q: Patrick Claybon said there you’re showing the whole world that you’re nice with it. Do you feel like you showed the world that you got a little athleticism to you?
ROBERT HUNT: It ain’t even like – I’m a lineman, man. You know, I just try to — I really — I’m just a lineman, man. I’m athletic, but I get paid and my position is to be an o-lineman, right guard, knock people around. Try to anyway. That’s what I try to do to the best of my ability.
Q: What was the feeling that you went out there, and Jacoby Brissett is not coming out and Tua Tagovailoa is coming out? What’s the huddle?
ROBERT HUNT: Nothing changed. We just want to win. Whoever is in, you know, sometimes we never know who is back there. Whoever it is, they come in with a presence, and they want to win. We want to win. That’s what we are doing, man. This team has been fighting all week, and we had a short week, and it’s to commend everybody on the team. It was a great team win.
Q: For the record Troy Aikman said that’s the greatest thing I’ve ever seen.
ROBERT HUNT: Thank you, Troy Aikman.
Q: What is it like to have two consecutive victories?
ROBERT HUNT: It’s nice, man. You know, we had that little bit last year, and it felt great, and then as a rookie, you know – I’m realizing how hard it is to actually win in this league. This year definitely hit all of us in the mouth a little bit, and to get two in a row, man and then beat a good team, it’s been a long time coming. I think we’ve been in a lot of games that I say I think we should have came out with, but it didn’t fall our way, but thank God the last two have, and we’re going to try to keep it rolling, this thing going in a positive direction.
Q: How good does it feel to close it out the way you did with that long touchdown?
ROBERT HUNT: It was awesome, man. You know, Lamar (Jackson), you see the stats and everything he has been doing the last couple of weeks coming back and winning games. We all see that. We were confident in ourselves to close the game out. We wanted to put it on us up front. We wanted to put it in Tua’s hands and the receivers’ hands, and that’s exactly what happened, and they made a really big play. It was great. How are you typing like that without looking at it? That’s impressive. That’s impressive.
Q: What does this win against a very formidable opponent tell you guys about who you are as a team?
ROBERT HUNT: Since training camp and spring ball, we know we got a good team. We know we got really good skill players. We got a good team. We just got to put it together. We’re still young, but it’s a matter of time before we just start to turn the page. I think today was a good win for us. We played well. A lot of things we could have did better, but thank God we came out with the win tonight. Big win for the team.
Andrew Van Ginkel – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
Q: You have two straight weeks right you’re getting in with a sack and you are hitting the quarterback. You’re the second-leading QB hit man on the team. How do you think that defensive scheme is getting you and you are getting to the quarterback and getting more sacks and overall as a defense you guys are getting more pressures it seems?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: I think it’s just buying in on what the coaches are preaching each and every day. It’s coming into work and just figuring out little things within my game and how I can get better and ultimately get to the quarterback. That’s my job description so that’s what I’m trying to do.
Q: How does it clear things up for you or does it clear things up for you at all when the defense calls so many defensive back, safety and cornerback blitzes? Do you think it keeps offenses on their toes, or do you think it helps you in any way?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Ultimately, it comes down to us just being able to execute what the coaches call, everybody doing their job and don’t do anything beyond that. If everybody takes care of their business and coaches are going to put us in the right place to succeed and yeah.
Q: I guess when you line so many people up at the line of scrimmage, do you notice that an offense maybe either panics or causes some chaos for the protection team?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah, it’s going to put pressure on them and that’s what we’re trying to do Make them communicate, make them execute and then us just taking care of that.
Q: How close if at all do you feel this defense performance is to what you guys were able to do last season?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah, I think we’re right there and once again, the coaches just do a phenomenal job of taking it week by week and figuring out how we can get better. There’s a lot that goes into it schematically and then everybody doing their job. I think if we just continue to hone in on that and get better each and every week, I think you are going to see improvements from this defense and from this team.
Q: Was it frustrating knowing that you were capable of this kind of performance, but it wasn’t happening earlier in the year?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah, I would say so. I would say just not winning early on really puts a lot — gets everybody frustrated and that’s what we all want to do. We’re competitive and we’re going to work our tails off to win and obviously, the first part of the season didn’t go the way we wanted but there’s still a lot of games left to play and hopefully we can keep improving and getting better.
Q: What did you think of CB Xavien Howard’s touchdown?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: I thought it was phenomenal. Yeah, that dude is always making big plays. Any time you see him around the ball or with the ball you know something great happened because he is just a phenomenal player.
Q: We have a nine-series stretch where you forced QB Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense into eight punts and that CB Xavien Howard touchdown. What can that do? What do you think that does do with the collective confidence of the defense?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Man, it’s awesome. Any time you are getting three and outs and off the field it’s a huge momentum swing. Any time we can feed the offense, give them the ball they’re bound to make something happen. You saw that tonight. Any time you can just get off the field and try to limit the defensive plays, I think that goes a long way as a defense and builds your confidence from week to week.
Q: What did LB Jerome Baker do lining up on the edge?
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Yeah. Honestly, I’ll have to go back and look at it. I didn’t — I was kind of doing my own responsibility. I thought he played great and he is always around the ball as well so doesn’t shock me whenever he makes a big play.
Q: Do you feel like the pups are coming? When I say pups, the LB Jaelen Phillipses and the S Jevon Hollands of the world.
ANDREW VAN GINKEL: Oh, yeah, for sure. You see that week in and week out. Their confidence is beginning to grow and you can just see how they handle their business off the field and on a day-to-day basis that you guys don’t get to see. They’re coming in and putting in the extra work and I love what I’m seeing from both of them. They’re only going to keep getting better.
Brian Flores – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
Head Coach Brian Flores
Q: How would you rank the defensive performance tonight?
BRIAN FLORES: I mean, definitely a tough opponent. Thought we did a lot of good things. Kept the score down. Kept them out of the end zone for the most part. They made a lot of plays. We made a lot of plays. They made some plays. It was a 60-minute battle. Really came down to the end. I thought it was good to get a win.
Q: What was the message at halftime?
BRIAN FLORES: The message to the team was we’ve got to play 60 minutes. It’s a very good team over there. Good players, good coaches. You got to play 60 minutes every week, but especially against a team like that, as physical and as skilled as they are. That was the message.
Q: What went into the decision to make the change to QB Tua Tagovailoa at that point?
BRIAN FLORES: The injury to Jacoby (Brissett).
Q: It looked as though you had an option there and then you went with QB Tua Tagovailoa. I just wanted to know about the process.
BRIAN FLORES: Jacoby (Brissett) went down and I think everybody saw that. He went down, went into the tent. We decided to put Tua (Tagovailoa) in, obviously. Then I think (Jacoby) probably was okay to go back in, but we just decided to stay with Tua. He made a couple of passes, hit a couple of passes, and just felt like might as well just leave him in there.
Q: How do you think QB Tua Tagovailoa did?
BRIAN FLORES: I mean, there were definitely some good plays. Obviously the throw to Albert (Wilson) there at the end. Hit Jaylen (Waddle) on a couple, on a big play. I thought he did a lot of good things. Some throws he probably wishes he had back, but overall helped us win the game.
Q: What did you see out of QB Tua Tagovailoa the last few days and then earlier today to start QB Jacoby Brissett?
BRIAN FLORES: The finger was an issue. Like we said, it was getting better. He was close. A lot closer than last week. We knew if there was an issue with Jacoby, we would be able to play him. That’s the route we went and we put him in and he played well.
Q: How would you say the play by CB Xavien Howard to get you guys on the scoreboard?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a great play. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), he has done a great job for us and he showed up again, made a big play and a big moment. We needed it. Got it out. Scoop and score. It was a big play in the game.
Q: Coach, would you talk about S Jevon Holland playing all over the field? Very versatile. What would you say about the rookie?
BRIAN FLORES: He is doing a lot of good things. As a rookie player, I think every time he goes out there and gains more experience it’s good. He’s come a long way since the first half of the season or through ten games, more than half. I would say that about a lot of our young players. They’re all developing, getting better and they work hard. Jevon (Holland) works hard. It’s important to him. We’re putting a lot on his plate and he is showing that he is able to handle it.
Q: Brian, how did the offensive plan change once QB Tua Tagovailoa entered the game for Jacoby Brissett?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a few more RPOs in there. We tried to create some or throw some shorter throws but we kind of needed some plays. We needed to push it down the field. We had some kind of tough field positions. We knew we would have to push it down field and he was able to do it for us.
Q: You said QB Tua Tagovailoa’s finger would limit downfield passing – had you seen anything like that 35-yard down the sideline throw to WR Jaylen Waddle that he showed last play of the third quarter?
BRIAN FLORES: Like we said, he was getting better, but driving the ball down the field was something that was a little bit of an issue and I think he did a good job. Pushed through it. There was definitely some discomfort and he pushed through it and played well.
Q: What do you think two consecutive victories and a little extra time for rest before the next game – what do you think that the combination of that could do for the team?
BRIAN FLORES: I think any time you win and these guys work hard, like we’ve been saying all week – all year. They work really hard and they’re seeing the fruits of the labor. It’s always good. To get a little bit of time, rest their bodies, rest their minds, I think it’s good, but I think they’ll be ready to go when we get back on Monday.
Q: Brian, you guys went with three inside linebackers to basically play QB Lamar Jackson. What was the thought process in that and a lot of the zero coverages that you did?
BRIAN FLORES: I think Josh (Boyer) did a great job calling the game. Called it aggressively. I think our entire staff – offense, defense, special teams – did a great job preparing these guys on a short week against a very good opponent. Yeah, we felt like we had to bring pressure. He (Lamar Jackson) is a very skilled player and he got out of there a couple of times too. They made some plays down the – take the play down the sideline at the end of the game. It was a good play, but we made a few more than they did and came out with the win.
Q: Brian, going back to QB Tua Tagovailoa. Do you feel like you learned anything about his ability to push through pain and play through injuries?
BRIAN FLORES: No, I’ve said multiple times this is a tough kid. He has dealt with really injuries the entire year. Oftentimes, I know for me, I try to protect him from himself in a lot of instances. Yeah, he will push through pain. There’s no doubt about that.
Q: Brian, what was your perspective on the G/T Robert Hunt’s would-be touchdown?
BRIAN FLORES: It was a penalty. (Laughter) My perspective is it was a penalty. It was going to be a penalty. It was a penalty. I’m sure it was fun to watch for many, (laughter) but it was a penalty.
Q: What did you think of G/T Robert Hunt’s effort to break the plane?
BRIAN FLORES: Great effort. Incredible effort. (laughter) It’s a penalty, though. Maybe we’ll put a play in for him.
Xavien Howard – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
CB Xavien Howard
Q: Jevon said that it’s turnt in there right now.
XAVIEN HOWARD: We’re lit. (laughter)
Q: A couple of weeks ago after the Bills game you said that you guys were getting back to a lot of things that you were doing last year that made you successful on defense. Do you feel like that trend has continued after tonight?
XAVIEN HOWARD: Right, right. That played a big role. The defense has done a hell of a job on defense, so you know, we just got to keep the team doing that.
Q: Can you take us through your touchdown?
XAVIEN HOWARD: It was a great call and I was inside leverage. I knew he was going to try to run a slant, and he ran the slant, and I ended up breaking on the ball. The ball came out and I scored a touchdown.
Q: How do you feel about where the team is right now – two consecutive wins, a little time to rest in comparison to how you and the team were feeling just a couple of weeks ago?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I did a breakdown and told the guys remember this feeling. You know, winning is fun, so we just got to keep that going and just try to control the things we can control. Go back in the lab. Look over the stuff that we did wrong or messed up on and just try to get better each week.
Q: You said you broke the guys down in the locker room. As you move on – I know Eric Rowe said last week that the win against the Texans kind of validates all the work that you guys were putting in throughout the week. Does a win like this against what many people believe is maybe the best team in the AFC… does that also kind of give you the validation that you guys can compete with anybody and you can really turn this season around?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I’ve been feeling like that even when we were losing. I was feeling like we could compete with some teams. During this week Coach Flo had mentioned, “Don’t be surprised.” You know, a lot of people were shook that we ended up pulling this W off, and I feel like, like I said, we just got to remember this feeling and just keep playing.
Q: The defense was very reminiscent from last year and then you have Jevon Holland, rookie, and Jaelan Phillips, rookie. How good can this defense be?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I feel like the sky is the limit. We have a lot of ball left. Just got to see what we can do.
Q: What’s your opinion on Jevon Holland and what he might be able to do?
XAVIEN HOWARD: He can do everything back there. When the ball in the air, it’s either his ball or my ball. That’s how we play on the back end, me and him. He does a lot of great things back there.
Q: A lot of defensive back blitzes tonight. What does that do for you or how has your job changed, your role or any given role changed when safeties and corners are blitzing?
XAVIEN HOWARD: You’re on an island. They pay us to be on the island. You know, you got to deal with it. Any result come on with that, it’s on us.
Q: I think you told us once that you were like a little RG3 out there. Do you channel that when all of a sudden the defense turns off, and you have the ball in your hand?
XAVIEN HOWARD: For sure. I try to get to the end zone. I think it’s probably my second touchdown. You know, we needed a big play and I just trust the people that was in front of me and just follow the blocks, and try to get to the end zone.
The Ravens have had a lot of success against the Dolphins in the last three meetings. I know that this is a different team and a different season, but if you can just think back in general to some of the things that happened in those games that did not happen tonight, what was different?
XAVIEN HOWARD: I think I played in two games before this one when we played the Ravens. I think it was at home. They blew us out. It was a Thursday night, right? Probably 40-0. Then they came back 59-10. We did our thing tonight, and that’s what it’s all about. The last meeting we had with they know them, they were successful in the two games before this game, so, you know, we did our job.
I see the Pro Bowl hat. Do you feel like you are having a Pro Bowl season?
XAVIEN HOWARD: No, it’s just a 1964 Pro Bowl hat. You know, just vintage. That’s really it.
Tua Tagovailoa – November 11, 2021 (Postgame)
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Thursday, November 11, 2021
Postgame – Baltimore
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Q: We see Jacoby went down with an unfortunate injury. What’s going through your mind? Now obviously in a backup role you have to be prepared to play but maybe not really expecting. What’s going through your mind at that moment?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I got to go in. That’s all that was going through my mind. I got to go in, so we were talking through some plays, and that happened on the third down, so fourth down we had to punt, so we were on the sideline talking through some plays and whatnot that I liked. That’s kind of what we did.
Q: How comfortable were you? We saw you hit Jaylen for the 35-yarder and Albert Wilson up the sideline for the 64-yard catch and run. How comfortable did you feel driving the ball downfield?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think the guys did a good job getting open. You just got to get it to them. I tried my best to do that tonight. Here’s the result.
Q: Tua, can you tell what it’s like in that room right now? What does this win mean for the team?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It means a lot. We beat a really, really good team. This is a tough team to beat, but the guys are happy. They’re sore, but at the end of a win, nothing really hurts, so feels good.
Q: Can you take us through moment where you rushed in the touchdown near the end of the game? What were your emotions at that time?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, you know, we wanted to score on that drive, and that’s what we got accomplished. I just think in the heat of the moment when you score, I mean, it’s a sigh of relief. It’s a sigh of the week that you had, you know, with the guys. Obviously, I wasn’t in, but you know, just the hard work that they put in and being able to finish the drive like that, it feels really good.
Q: What’s your view of Rob Hunt’s non-touchdown?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I mean, I think Rob (Hunt) is just trying to be an athlete. (laughter) Trying to make a play for us, but unfortunately a lineman can’t catch the ball, so that’s illegal in the NFL and in football. Can’t do that.
Q: Flores said that a lot of times he is trying to protect you from yourself. Did you feel like you could have played not just this week, but the previous week and how difficult was that to actually watch instead of be involved in the action?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah. I mean, that’s really how it’s been when I had my rib injury too. I wanted to play, but obviously, Flo got with Kyle (Johnson), and they had their discussions, came up to me, and they made the decision to try to protect me from myself, obviously, but it’s the same thing with my finger. You just got to be ready at any time I would say. I would say I was ready, but you know, that was Flo’s decision. That was his call. You just got to be supportive of the next guy up, so just try to support Jacoby when he was in because every time I’m in, he does the same for me.
Q: How is your finger doing?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It doesn’t feel good, I can tell you that. Got it banged up a little bit in the game, but it’s good. You know, we got about ten days to heal up, rest up, so we’ll take all the time we can.
Q: You were off a little bit on some of those throws when you first got in. Was it more the finger or was it just getting into the rhythm and flow of the game halfway through?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I don’t want to use any excuses, but yeah, just got to get back into the rhythm and the flow of the game. Yeah, that’s all it was.
Q: That downfield throw to Waddle, were there limitations with the finger injury?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Waddle or Albert Wilson?
Q: The deep one – 35-yard one to — I’m sorry. That was Ford.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Was that Ford? I wasn’t in on that. That was Jacoby.
Q: No the long one to Waddle. The 35-yard one.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Oh, the one to Waddle? That was a good grab by Waddle. (laughter)
Q: Was that like anything you had done in practice these last two days with the limitations?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I didn’t have any reps with the first group. Just mental reps just watching it, and then when we go inside and watch it on film that’s kind of where I get my reps.
Q: But as far as throwing that ball, were you able to in practice or was there extra on that throw?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I mean, I was warmed up by that time, so to me it was just another throw. Just going through my reads.
Q: So you said you had no first-team reps just on the short week?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, yeah. I mean, it’s tough because you’ve got to get timing with everyone, and not everyone gets reps, so yeah.
Q: How does your finger change how you grip the football or how you’ve been able to grip the football?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Man, it’s tough when it’s fractured, you know, trying to grip a ball. I don’t know if you have had a fracture before with anything, but it hurts to do things with it, so just tough. Just got to fight through it.
