Mike Gesicki – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
TE Mike Gesicki (transcribed by NFL Communications)
Q: You had a big day catching —
MIKE GESICKI: I think it was just, you know, some opportunities come your way and when they do, you’ve got to make the most of them. So that was pretty much it.
Q: I thought I saw you initially on the last play of the game.
MIKE GESICKI: If they were going to throw the Hail Mary, which they didn’t obviously end up doing, so then they took me out.
Q: So you were out there?
MIKE GESICKI: Correct.
Q: The play where you guys went for it on fourth down, third and six, you got third and five.
MIKE GESICKI: Yeah, I mean, it’s man coverage. You know, so you’ve got to — you try to get open as quick as possible. You know the quarterback is back there just holding on to the ball just waiting for you to get open. I had not seen it. I tried to reach for it. Don’t know.
Q: What are your thoughts on how Tua played?
MIKE GESICKI: I thought Tua played extremely well. I thought I hung in there in the pocket and made some good throws. Did a good job leading guys. You know, it wasn’t really any rust for being out for the last three games or so.
I was proud of him to go out and play through it. And make plays for us. Obviously we have to make a couple more. Stop feeling like this at the end of games.
Q: The crowd behind you, hyped up a little bit, what did you think of that?
MIKE GESICKI: The crowd was great. It was a lot of fun. Obviously, it was a home game for Jacksonville, but being over here in London, they just want to see some big plays. To get them behind us, that was fun. Wish we could have made a couple more.
Q: (Indiscernible). Is that a technique you’ll adopt going forward?
MIKE GESICKI: When I think I’m right, I’ll make sure I let them know, and I was and they agreed. The game happens quick, so the officials, they try to make the best call that they can in that moment, and obviously like I said, you know what, it happens fast, so they make a call. Then they have the ability to overturn it, adjust it, all that kind of stuff. Give a ton of respect to the officials. They got a tough job out there. A lot of things happen fast and they made a ton of good calls, and that one they got right.
Q: From a big picture perspective, you weren’t expecting the team to be 1-5.
MIKE GESICKI: Yeah, we work hard, we practice hard, we had a good training camp and we have good practices during the week. Obviously, it is frustrating, but this is the business we’re in. This is the National Football League. Everybody is professionals in this league and everybody is getting paid to go out and win football games, and we’ve got to just make a couple more plays. We are extremely close.
Christian Wilkins – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
DT Christian Wilkins (transcribed by NFL Communications)
Q: Christian, the play with the game-winning field goal, when you try to play for — when you are trying to guard the sideline, what were you trying to do on that play?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: You know, there’s a lot of different scenarios in that situation as far as the coaching point. So I’ll leave that between Coach and everybody on the team. But you know, there’s a lot of different scenarios, the way things could have played out and a lot of different things they could have done.
Q: Were you expecting to try to get inside?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: Again there’s a lot of different possibilities, so there’s a bunch of different things you can expect them to do or can account for.
Q: The one positive play, the sack fumble, what are your recollections about how that play developed?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: Just high recognition and realize it was pass fast and go try to make a play for my team. It’s cool to make individual plays, but at the end of the day I want to win. That’s most important. You know, it’s just important that we stick together as a team, which we will do. Get back to work and continue to fight hard and hopefully a few of these will start going our way.
Q: You took a couple time-outs in the first half. Evidently, they were playing hurry-up, speed up. Was it surprising or was it hard to get people on the field?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: Yeah, they were doing some things, and you always want to have your right personnel out there and be in the best situation and be in the right calls to help your team win. They did some stuff. But you know we were able to adjust to a lot of it.
Q: How did it feel to be reunited on the field, the strip sack?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: It’s definitely good, I kind of said that to him on the field. It’s crazy, we’re here, we are in the NFL, we are in London playing against each other and who ever would have thought. And I’m pretty sure he still thinks I’m annoying. Pretty sure he would say that after this game. We are definitely just blessed to play this game at a high level, and to be here, as well.
Q: Did you say anything to him after the strip sack?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: I mean, I might have said something, I’m sure I did. But just not — don’t really remember right now.
Q: I know you’re focused on rushing the passer, so it’s not always — possible to see what’s happening behind you, but in general what was your sense of —
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: I thought they did pretty well but like you said, I don’t know exactly what’s going on but I feel like they did a pretty good job. We were able to get some good rushes in there, so they must have been doing pretty solid back there and I see them running around, make a few plays but I can’t exactly game it. But you know, seemed like they were doing solid early and in good position a lot of times.
Q: (Indiscernible).
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: Biggest thing is like I said earlier, we’ve just got to stick together. That starts with the leaders on this team. That starts with me. I’ve just got to continue to be myself every day. Come in with a smile, with energy, because I love this game, love my teammates. Love being a part of this organization. So you know, I’m sure a lot of guys feel that way, so we’ll just continue to get back to work, watch the tape, get better, flush this 24-hour rule for the NFL and tomorrow get ready for the next opponent.
Q: How did you find the atmosphere here?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: Like I was kind of saying earlier, it was an awesome experience to be here, playing in this arena. I thought it was great. It was great. It’s a cool atmosphere to be a part of and a great experience and I’m glad I got to be here.
Q: Speaking of your next opponent, how do you plan to bounce back as a defensive unit?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: Well, yeah, like I said, just got 24-hour rule. We’ll learn from this game, watch the tape, get better moving forward. You know, we’re just going to come to work and just prepare as hard as we can and just make whatever adjustments we need to make and dive into the game plan full steam ahead and hopefully next week we’ll get a better result.
Q: How was the food in London?
CHRISTIAN WILKINS: It was pretty good. I must admit, it was pretty solid.
Jaylen Waddle – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
WR Jaylen Waddle (transcribed by NFL Communications)
Q: How would you describe how your teammate, Tua, played today?
JAYLEN WADDLE: I think he played well. Honestly, you know, first game back, and I think he played really well.
Q: What was going through your mind on that 91-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter during that drive for you and the offensive team?
JAYLEN WADDLE: We knew we needed it. It was big, so I think the key thing was just believing in each other. I think we showcased our ability real well. So just doing that consistently is going to be the challenge for us.
Q: How surprised to be 1-5 at this point in the season?
JAYLEN WADDLE: Honestly, you never like, just, guess, what you’re going to be. You just go about it every day, every week, try to get better for the most part. So it’s not like, you know, you look at it like you’re 1-4 or you’re this and that. You just try to get better every week.
Q: The team decided to punt on fourth down and short in two situations and then near the end of the game, the team decided to go for it. Curious, what were you thinking when you realized that there was going to be an offensive play there?
JAYLEN WADDLE: You’ve got to just get out there, honestly. That go higher up to the coaches and they trust in the offense to go for it in that situation.
Q: You had a couple battles — how would you describe it?
JAYLEN WADDLE: Tough. He’s a really good player. Obviously ,his brother is on the team. He’s a really good player but we knew that going into the game, he’s tough. Just going into the game, it’s great to experience that and go against great players and try to earn the respect from someone you used to watch and things like that. It was good.
Q: What’s going on in the second and third quarter?
JAYLEN WADDLE: Can you say that again? You said that kind of fast, I’m sorry.
Q: You finished well in the first quarter and fourth quarter, why the slowdown with the second and third quarter?
JAYLEN WADDLE: I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a slowdown period or things like that. I think it just goes back to executing and getting our basic plays and just run them, run them well.
Q: It’s not the Dolphins locker room but it is a locker room in a strange place. How would you describe the feelings in there at this time?
JAYLEN WADDLE: Everyone is disappointed. I think just coming all the way over here, it was a great atmosphere and just everyone wants to win every week. So it’s disappointing.
Q: The execution —
JAYLEN WADDLE: It don’t really mean nothing if we don’t win. That’s what tops it off.
Q: Multiple injuries, how do you think the rest of the team pulled together and do you think —
JAYLEN WADDLE: Definitely. I think we have trust in all our receivers. I think we have a good core, and I think everyone filled in really well, and I think they just going to continue to build.
Emmanuel Ogbah – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
DE Emmanuel Ogbah (transcribed by NFL Communications)
Q: How do you think the team — what’s the best way to bounce back?
EMMANUEL OGBAH: We had a chance to close out the game, us as a whole. Me myself I have to do better job finishing and making plays and give my team a chance to win games.
Q: What did you expect Jacksonville to do on that last play?
EMMANUEL OGBAH: I mean, I don’t know, five seconds left, called the best defense we could. We just got to do a better job at executing the play.
Q: Did you expect them to be —
EMMANUEL OGBAH: Yeah, Trevor Lawrence was definitely faster than I thought he was. He’s definitely a good athlete. But like I said, I’ve got to do a better job finishing those plays and those are the key plays I’ve got to finish.
Q: How do you get back to that play —
EMMANUEL OGBAH: As a defense, we have to emphasize on turning the ball over. That was a key coming into the game, winning the turnover battle. I think we came up short on that. Like I said we have to do a better job getting turnovers for the offense and getting them in better field position to finish out the game for us.
Q: With COVID, we are no longer allowed in the locker room. Can you relate what the vibe is like in there at this time?
EMMANUEL OGBAH: We are a young team. We have to get better. 1-5 is tough to see. Hate losing. We have to do a better job closing out games and finishing games, and we’re going to keep fighting. That’s the type of spirit we got. We’re going to keep fighting till the very end.
Q: How easy is it to put a loss like this behind you?
EMMANUEL OGBAH: It’s definitely tough to put a loss like this because we were almost there. But like I said we have to move on to next week. We have a tough challenge coming up for us and we just have to do a better job closing out and finishing games.
Q: Are there positives you can take where the defense really stepped up to contain Jacksonville?
EMMANUEL OGBAH: We definitely made some good plays out there that I’m proud of, but if you don’t win the game, you know, it doesn’t really mean much. But we definitely made some positive plays that I’m happy about.
Q: Just talk about — how did Jaylen — inaudible.
EMMANUEL OGBAH: They are doing a good job for us. They are key guys that we need on this defense. They are making good plays, big plays for us. I’m excited for their growth and they just got to keep battling, and we going to turn this around for them.
Q: Another young player in Noah, how did you think he did?
EMMANUEL OGBAH: I think Noah is doing a good job for us. He got a Pro Bowler down — he stepped in and made some key plays for us. I’m proud of his growth as well. I’m happy to see him out there playing, you know, like we all got to do a better job as a defense playing better each game.
Jerome Baker – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
LB Jerome Baker (transcribed by NFL Communications)
Q: Anything work especially for you today?
JEROME BAKER: You saying did anything work?
Q: That fourth-and-one stop, were you expecting them to run?
JEROME BAKER: Yeah, they have a great back. So definitely was keyed in for they was going to run the ball. Yeah, I had an idea that they were running.
Q: Spreading out, guarding the sideline, as a whole, you guys were trying to guard the sideline; is that right? Did you expect them to go inside?
JEROME BAKER: They could have did either one. We line up outside, they would have thrown a slant and get a quick timeout. If we would have lined up inside, they would have threw it right to the sideline, get out quick. It was just a football play and just didn’t go in our favor.
Q: Did you think that the Jaguars had enough time on the clock to complete a play in the middle of the field, call time out and set up for a field goal?
JEROME BAKER: Me personally, I had a good idea they had enough time. I think we could have played it better, but at the end of the day, it didn’t go in our favor. If we would have just did a few things different throughout the game, could have came up with a win but disappointed we lost. At the end of the day, it is what it is.
Q: Gesicki on the field for a Hail Mary.
JEROME BAKER: Yeah, the first thing, of course we think of Hail Mary, but after we saw what they were doing, we had a good idea they wasn’t doing that. But Gesicki, he’s definitely out there.
Q: I’m assuming you didn’t think the team would be in this position 1-5. Why and how do you think the team is in this position?
JEROME BAKER: I will say one thing about this team: Every day we come in there, we go hard. We lock in and go as hard as we can and we work as hard as we can. We all trust Flo and we all try to do the right thing. It’s football. It’s the NFL. It’s kind of unfortunate that we are 1-5 but it is what it is and we can’t look back in the past and try to change anything. All we can really do now is just focus on next week, whoever we play and just lock in and get it done.
This is the National Football League. And did I expect us to be 1-5? No. Anybody in this league, you don’t expect to lose games. It is what it is. National Football League, at the end of the day, still early, but you just got to turn it around and we got to turn it around quick.
Q: You got three hits on Trevor today. Did you see anything different or anything you didn’t expect or what was your perception from the defense side?
JEROME BAKER: I’ve been a fan of him since he was in college and you could just tell early on, he’s smart and he got the arm, and I think a lot of people don’t understand that he’s actually athletic. You know, he’s a young quarterback, but you could tell he’s definitely getting better every week and all praise to him. He’s definitely going to be one of the great quarterbacks in this league, and today, he got one on me. So you know, next few years, I’m definitely going to see him again.
Q: As a team, how do you think Tua played today and how good to see him back out on the field?
JEROME BAKER: I was excited to see him back out there, I mean, just to see the work he put in when he was out, he was still locked in. He was still trying to get healthy. He was still trying to get guys better. I was definitely happy to see him out there. I definitely think he made some great throws and great plays. That’s what we all expect of him. I’m definitely happy for him. At the end of the day, you’ve got to close this chapter and focus on next week, and I’m definitely excited for that.
Q: What’s your sense for how Noah and Justin filled in for the two Pro Bowlers?
JEROME BAKER: They did what they supposed to do, and that’s when the guy in front of them is down and they have to step in and do just as good. I’m definitely happy for Noah, he’s been through some challenges, and just to see him push through, push through and he definitely made some plays for us. I’m definitely to see them two out there and make some plays for us.
Q: What was the atmosphere like in London?
JEROME BAKER: Yeah, the atmosphere was lit. It was one of those places, just to see the love for football in another country, it’s nothing like that. It was definitely a cool experience and hopefully I get the chance to come back out here and play again. But honestly, the people here were beautiful. They were nice. They were everything you expected of London and I’m definitely happy I was here and got the opportunity to play here.
Q: What do you take from that, by the atmosphere, that obviously the NFL is big here?
JEROME BAKER: Yeah, honestly, I didn’t expect football to be this big out here. But it surely was a great site to see, the different jerseys, the different teams, the different people rooting for different teams. Just to see the football as a sport out here, it was just cool to see. For me just to get the opportunity to play in another country, I think that’s something a lot of guys can’t say. So I’m definitely happy that we are here. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the win.
Q: It was clear on the scoreboard replay, but what was your opinion of whether or not the Jaguar guy touched the ball?
JEROME BAKER: My opinion, I’m sure it’s different angles, but I’m one of those guys that if he touched it, great, we got a touchdown. If he didn’t, just come out there and play some defense. I’m one of those guys. I don’t really care if he touched it or not. I just know that it’s our time to go out there on defense. I have to go out there and perform. I haven’t seen it. I haven’t seen the TV or anything, but it is what it is.
Q: Team is on a five-game losing streak. What’s your message to the fans?
JEROME BAKER: The fans? The Miami Dolphins, we come in every day, we work hard, we’re young, we’re hungry and that’s never going to change. When we come in the next day, we truly put our pads on and we look to work and get better. Is it disappointing that we’re 1-5? Yes.
But it’s still early. This team is hungry and I’m definitely excited for the rest of the year, and we definitely need our fans to support us and back us and we’re definitely going to come for the rest of the games and do the best we definitely can. Don’t count us out yet. We are going to be good. We are going to learn from it but at the end of the day, it’s still early. We just got to come out and lock in and we’ve got to pick up some wins.
Tua Tagovailoa – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Download PDF version
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
QB Tua Tagovailoa (transcribed by NFL Communications)
Q: Your thoughts on how you played?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: You know, to me, it doesn’t matter how I performed today. We lost. It’s tough to kind of critique how I performed or how any of our guys performed. You know, right now, just it’s tough in the locker room right now. Take a look at that when we get back to Florida.
Q: (Indiscernible).
TUA TAGOVAILOA: On the interception, that was a bad decision. Should never have went like that.
Q: What can you say about how —
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think overall, the offensive guys did good. The receivers got open. Made some plays. We’ve just got to finish drives every time we go out with points. It was tough today.
Q: You had the option to scramble for a first down. What was your thought on the risk completion?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I don’t know. I probably should have just ran that. Everyone in the stadium knew I should have ran that.
Q: The one at the end, shotgun, take us through that play. Was that what was called?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I mean, we’re trying to get the first down and we’re giving the best guys we think an opportunity to get that. So we just got to be better on that.
Q: The passes — is there a situation where you may have — maybe stepped out of there and give the defense a different look?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, we had checks. But like I said we tried to put our best guys in the best position to get us first downs, and that’s the situation we had. We just didn’t execute it.
Q: The 91-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, how are you feeling about that drive?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I mean, the end result, we lost. So it was a touchdown but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter because we lost.
Q: Certainly in the first half you looked in full control and then you had the ball twice at the ten-yard line and came out with field goals. Looking back, you said you have to finish drives. I assume that’s what you’re talking about?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I mean, on those, I didn’t execute so the highest level that I know this offense can execute plays. Those plays are pretty much built for the running back. Yeah, I’ve got to do a better job on that part.
Q: You’ve recovered from an injury obviously and you have the added pressure of a long trip across the Atlantic. How have you found that process and how are you feeling?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I’m not 100 percent but I was 100 percent ready to be out there. That’s all I can tell you. I would have never put myself in the position to go out and play if I knew I would be in a position where I would hurt myself.
Q: Your view of special teams from the sideline?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I got to take a look at the instant replay. I wasn’t even sure. It’s one of those things where I just went with it, saying we probably scored — I don’t know.
Q: How do you go forward from here?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think you’ve got to go into work tomorrow or whenever we have film, and you just have to get things corrected, get things fixed and continue to put your head down and work. I think that’s the only way you go about those kind of things. I think we’re very close as a team to getting where we want to be. Yeah, it’s just little things that we can look at in the film room and try to learn from and work towards.
Q: This is your first NFL match against Trevor since the 2019 National Championship. Did that play a role in the back of your mind?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: None of that played a role. None of that played a role. I mean, it’s tough enough to be in the NFL, to think of their defense and what their defense is scheming up, and what we are trying to do offensively. None of that was ever a thought for me.
Q: Your first game in London, not the result you wanted, but any thoughts on the experience?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It’s a really nice place. We stayed on a golf course, and I mean, you know, the golf course is pretty big. There’s really not much water and trees. Slice it, hook it, pretty much be on the football. That’s my take on that.
Brian Flores – October 17, 2021 (Postgame)
Download PDF version
Sunday, 17 October 2021
Postgame – Jacksonville (London)
Head Coach Brian Flores (transcribed by NFL Communications)
What was the difference?
BRIAN FLORES: Fourth down play?
Fourth-and-one at 46 with 6:48, you passed off and similar situation, fourth-and-one, 46.
BRIAN FLORES: Game is tied —
Inaudible.
BRIAN FLORES: Didn’t coach well enough. That’s on me. Have to do a better job in that situation, understand the situation, getting the information.
What should have been — a lot of space in there, spread out, what should have happened there?
BRIAN FLORES: We just need some type of coverage. It was actually a design kind of sideline call kind of guarding the boundary but should have been tighter.
Do you think they could get a play off? Usually six seconds?
BRIAN FLORES: Roughly, it’s close there. Five seconds.
So the team is 1-5. How did the team get here?
BRIAN FLORES: You know, that’s up to me. I’m not doing a good enough job. Not playing consistently enough. Not coaching well enough. Not playing well enough. And not playing consistent enough. Some positive plays. Consistent ball — first half, a little bit in the second half but we’re just not putting it together. That starts with me.
What’s the mood in the locker room and how do you bounce back from losing and how do you prepare for Atlanta?
BRIAN FLORES: Disappointed. These guys work hard and prepare hard to compete. They do a lot of the right things. It’s disappointing to not get the results and do a lot of the right things. The players, they work extremely hard.
How would you describe Tua’s performance, especially playing through some pain?
BRIAN FLORES: I thought he played well. Very good throws, stepped up in the pocket. I thought he played well.
Two plays of the game — how do you feel about (indiscernible)?
BRIAN FLORES: I think it was a close play, so I felt like we had to challenge it to see if they would overturn it — (indiscernible) call on the field. You know, that happens in the game, you just have to move on. At the end of the day we didn’t make any plays. It’s never just one play through the ballgame. I’ve got to do a better job.
I know it’s right after the game — but the shotgun formation — (indiscernible)?
BRIAN FLORES: Yeah, we had this conversation, we picked up the — in the first down, similar play, so we felt good about it. Just give them credit. They made a good play there.
Did you see the replay?
BRIAN FLORES: Our guys up top, felt like it was worth the challenge.
You ran out of time-outs in the first half. Was that just getting deep on the field?
BRIAN FLORES: Yeah, they did a little bit of hurry-up, third down is — put down, just want to get the right people in those situations. Feel like we need to use — (indiscernible).
How close to kickoff did you learn that Byron Jones and Preston Williams would both be unavailable?
BRIAN FLORES: we were hopeful for Preston (indiscernible). Byron wasn’t ready to go as far as two hours before kickoff.
Obviously you haven’t seen the video but the reaction on the cornerbacks?
BRIAN FLORES: I thought they did some good things. Real nice catches — (indiscernible) nice position in the third down play here late in the game. Just got to finish those. Overall I thought he adjusted — but obviously not enough.
How did you think the offensive line played today?
BRIAN FLORES: Looked like we had time to throw it. Got to do a better job in the run game. Thought we had good protection for the most part, solid protection.
Not sure what you usually do, if anything, on the plane ride home. Obviously this is a very long plane ride home for all of us. What are your thoughts on what you might do during the plane?
BRIAN FLORES: Going to watch the tape. I’m going to watch the film.
You talked about consistency, but there were some positive things.
BRIAN FLORES: But at the end of the day, it wasn’t enough. We’ll try to build on the positives and try to get better and we’ve got to stick together. For us as a team we have to continue to stick together and prepare and give great effort?
What role did not having Howard, Jones, Parker and Williams play in this game?
BRIAN FLORES: Everybody is dealing with injuries. Not going to talk about who we did or did not have. At the end of the day, the guys we had out there are the guys we were focused on today and we didn’t do a good enough job and that starts with me.
At 1-5, where do things go now? What do you do?
BRIAN FLORES: We just keep preparing. We keep doing things that we’ve been doing. I think we just keep doing what we’ve been doing. I think they are preparing the right way, practicing the right way, we just got to be more consistent.
(Indiscernible).
BRIAN FLORES: I think we did kind of move it pretty efficiently there in the second quarter and after that first drive we just didn’t push it — penalty that took us out of scoring range — or the run down to the — (indiscernible) end up kicking a field goal there and I forget what happened on the next drive. That’s the difference at the end.
(Indiscernible)?
BRIAN FLORES: Again I think we did some good things but not enough. So Tua did a lot of good things. I thought he made some tough throws — (indiscernible).
As a coaching staff, we’ve got to find a way to help play with more consistency, play with better complimentary football, and again, I can’t say it enough, that starts with me.
Mike Gesicki, was that an option — was that just a mistake?
BRIAN FLORES: Yeah, we’ve got to do a better job. We have to get to the yard-marker on third down. Got to coach it better. We have to do a better job. Those are big plays. That one yard is a big yard. Got to execute on fourth down, too. Not just on Mike. Mike did a lot of really about things in the game. Made some big plays for us. It’s all of us.
Tua Tagovailoa – October 15, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(On how it feels to be back this week) – “I feel good. I’m just happy to be out there with the team again.”
(On how he is enjoying London) – “I enjoy it. Coming from Miami, it’s pretty humid and hot. It’s a good change of scenery for us as a team. It’s cool.”
(Obviously you weren’t able to practice but what was the keeping up to date with the team? Were you at practices? I know you were getting the play calls on the sideline) – “I was in practice, well not necessarily at practices, but in the meetings with the quarterbacks just trying to help the quarterbacks out although I wasn’t playing with the gameplan and whatnot. Being on the sideline, that’s not something I take lightly as well because when I’m in, I want the next guy or whoever it is on the sideline helping me out, too.”
(Are you managing pain at this point or is it all 100 percent?) – “I don’t think it’s 100 percent pretty, I’m just 100 percent ready to get back out on the field.”
(The team has obviously had a difficult start to the season. Do you feel as though you’re in a good spot to come in and turn the season around? Do you feel any pressure given the 1-4 start?) – “I don’t think it necessarily takes one person to change the outcome of a game. The way I kind of look at it, is we all 11 have to go out there and do out jobs individually but collectively, if that makes sense, in order for the play to be successful. We have to string all of those good plays and keep stringing them together I think in order for us to be successful.”
(On seeing the game in a different way on the sideline and whether he agrees with that) – “I definitely agree with that. One of the differences that I see is that I’m not in there calling the play. I know what the play is and I’m just looking at the defense. You know what’s going to happen, what’s not going to happen watching film. It’s a totally different ball game when you’re on the sideline than when you’re in the game. In the game, you got to manage where everyone goes, you got to put people in the right spots and then aside from that you have to go out there and execute. It’s a little tougher.”
(You faced Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence in Elite 11, college and now on the international stage. Do you ever get a chance to think about that?) – “I’ve never had the time to think about any of these things. His success has been really good for him. I’ve been very blessed to have some success in my life as well. I know they’re hungry for a win as a team and for us as a team, we are hungry for a team as well.”
(Towards the end of last season we saw TE Mike Gesicki and WR DeVante Parker get a lot of targets and a lot of receptions they haven’t necessarily had so far this season. How important is it for you to get those two guys especially on the ball and making big plays?) – “I think it’s important to get all our playmakers a chance in these games, early in the game so that we can build off of that momentum with them. I think the thing that we haven’t done a good job with is doing that and that’s I think, coming to this game, that’s what we want to do. We want to start off strong and finish strong.”
(On keeping in touch with former Alabama teammates Patriots QB Mac Jones and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts) – It’s little tough in the NFL, but Mac (Jones) is in our division so it’s a little tough with that, too. But I would say just in general keeping in touch with other guys that we’ve gotten to play with at Alabama, we do keep in contact.”
(When they announced you were coming to London what were your first thoughts?) – “This is my first time out of the country, so just it’s awesome. It’s different. Back in Hawaii and back in Miami you’re driving on the right side of the road. Over here you’re driving on the left side of the road and the drivers are on the right side, (laughter) so it’s different. Everything is just different.”
(Earlier we asked Head Coach Brian Flores about this experience of being over here for these games because it’s more of a celebration. It’s a different type of atmosphere. Is there anything you’ve done to prepare for this game [differently]?) – “I guess I would say I prepare the same way I’d prepare if we were back in the United States. It’s another game. We do understand that the atmosphere is a little different, but I heard it’s a really nice stadium so I’m excited to play in it.”
(Are you expected to wear a flak jacket and have you experimented with different ones this week?) – “Yeah, I’ve had protection. I’ve had a rib cage protector when the incident happened, but we’ve made some adjustments to what I’m going to wear and whatnot.”
(On advice he would give to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence) – “I mean honestly, I’d tell him to continue to work hard, keep your head down. It’s not easy to win in this league, in the NFL. So when you do have a win you cherish it, you remember what that felt like; and for me after my first win, I kind of went back on the things that kind of helped me I guess prepare myself to try to get a win. So as far as preparation, I tell him to continue to do the same thing and if that’s not working, then change it up and find something that works for you.”
(What does this offense need that you hope to bring to it?) – “I don’t think it’s necessarily just me. Like I said it takes all of us out there on the football field. I’ve got to do my job and everyone else has to do their job on the field.”
(I’ve been on all the London games for the Miami Dolphins except for one – the only one they’ve one… This year I’m going to see them win because I’ve always seen them lose.) – “Well that’s the plan. (laughter) We’re trying to win. We’re trying to win.”
(For the neutrals who obviously support different teams and are there for the celebration of the game why should they support your team?) – “I think that’s a good question. I think it’s really up to them. We play this game because it helps take care of our families back home, but it’s been a childhood dream for a lot of us to be in the spot and position that we’re in. It’ll be good to hear the fans whether they’re for us or against us. We’re going to go out there and continue to play the same game we’ve always been playing since we were little.”
(Considering the records of the two teams does this feel like one you really need to have to set you up for a push towards the playoffs at the end of the season?) – “Like I said it’s hard to get a win in the NFL so we try to prepare as if we’re going to win every time and at the end of the day and at the end of the week that’s the goal for us.”
