Mike McDaniel – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
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Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel
On QB Tua Tagovailoa changing the route on WR Tyreek Hill’s first touchdown reception and on the throw by Tagovailoa on the second Hill touchdown reception:
“That was something that we discussed during the week and it was really in the hands of the quarterback if he thought that Tyreek would have a shot on the slot fade to adjust his route. It was part of the play that I was well aware that we were going to do. It was something that we kind of planned to have that option but it’s up to [QB] Tua [Tagovailoa] to recognize the appropriate time. I think we can all say that that was the appropriate time. And then deliver a ball. You talk about command of really the game, what’s going on, when to be aggressive, when not to. It didn’t surprise me, but I think that this was something that really the whole team knew Tua was gonna come out and have a day like this with the way that he operates and the way he’d been frustrated about turning the ball over. To be that aggressive while having that burden of frustration is exactly what you hope for with your starting quaterback. We have to learn from things and have lessons, not scars. The connection between Tua and Tyreek in terms of two players playing together is about as good as I’ve ever been around. Hence, some of the plays they’re able to make each and every week. The second touchdown was he threw it to the right spot and it wasn’t the exact coverage that we planned on doing that, but the depth perception that Tua has down the field is pretty rare, so he can really feel when a post-safety is not at the depth they need to be. For him to be able to do that under a hair of duress is why he’s doing some special stuff on the football field. I think the leaders of this team going out there at the beginning of the game and kind of taking the reigns of what kind of game it would be had a substantial effect on the entire team and then in conjunction with the stops the defense was getting really put us in an advantageous situation.”
On the difficulty of Hill’s catch:
“It’s insane. Specifically for really fast guys. It’s something that Tyreek has always been very adept at but to, just think of it this way, in the heat of battle you see the ball and then you just turn away from it and try to find it again. That is very difficult. He makes it look super easy. But that ability, there’s few and far between that are able to make that play down the field wide open or not. Tua knows that and he knows that if he puts it far enough sometimes that Tyreek has done that several times in practice before. The fact that it was in stride makes it even more impressive of a catch because a lot of times when guys go blind to the ball, they’re able to make a play if it’s by stopping them and hitting them in the stomach. To go Willie Mays on it is pretty impressive. ”
On the connection between Tagovailoa and Hill being one of the best he has ever seen in his time as a coach:
“I think they’re both tremendous players and my thing is I think they’re tremendous players that can make plays on their own for sure. But together the important thing for this team is that you’re seeing the best selves of both players while playing together. For me, I know they’re elite players but working together they’re finding that Tua’s able to be super aggressive in certain windows because he trusts what Tyreek’s going to do. Tyreek’s able to be super aggressive because he trusts Tua’s field vision and knows that if he is putting the ball up in the air a little bit over the middle to just track it and catch it because Tua’s not going to lead him in harm’s way. The aggressiveness they play with is very unique and their ability to make plays together that other people can’t is the result of both of their numbers. They’re independently awesome but together they’re even better.”
On how the franchise’s history with struggling in the beginning of December makes this win more important:
“This team is obviously within this franchise but the history has nothing to do with this team. I think it says a lot about where this team has grown from last year. If you take a look at our 12th game last year versus this year. I think we talk about it a lot, but talk is just talk. What I’ve seen is coaches and players fully commit to the idea of getting better and it says a lot about the team because everything that you see last week, this week is an accumulation of deliberate intent and guys are getting better at their craft. Really in all three phases there’s a lot of growth and I think that is imperative if you’re trying to win games down the stretch and when you have the choice of winning or the season being over in that area of the season, that comes regardless of what team you are. It gives you the chance to really utilize the entire season of growth and do something special that everyone wants to do. The one thing that I really feel from the team and what makes me so happy to come to work and so confident on Sundays is this team doesn’t care who we’re playing. It doesn’t have an effect on how they prep and I know through experience that those residuals are paramount, huge and dictates how your season goes.”
On the injuries to LB Jerome Baker and T Terron Armstead:
“Don’t really know. I do know Terron was still available, so that kind of gives you the severity of it to what that looks like for this next week. I’ll need more time for that. Jerome’s the same thing. It’s really early. The vibe that I have is that it’s not season-ending but we need to really evaluate that the next couple days.”
On OL Rob Hunt aggravating the same hamstring:
“Yep. He did. Not to the same degree that the injury he originally had was but it was a re-aggravation. The severity of that time will tell.”
On Washington’s defense in person versus on tape:
“That’s something that when you have on the front end of the season some large statistical outputs you get used to team to team. You end up seeing something different than you prepared for and we’re well versed in that. We kind of expected that with the changes that went on. I’d seen their defenses before but knowing which one’s they were going to employ they were a little more consistent than usual. I think they did a good job. It took us making some serious plays for that statistical output but they also got us behind the chains a good amount. They were convicted and playing pretty hard so it was a challenge none the less. We’re fortunate that our guys made some plays in critical times. Really the group got comfortable with what we were seeing and probably one of the most proud moments of the entire game was that last series when you see that accumulation of understanding what they were being defended by to put that through a team drive together. It was pretty cool because it was hard to do that, which is a credit to their defense.”
On the pick-six:
“Phenomenal. It was awesome. It was knowing the situation that’s critical in allowing players to play aggressive is on the shoulders of the coaches and I thought when you have players that are prepared and locked in and know what the opponent is trying to do, to be able to aggressively get in that screen lane is something that on top of that for it not to be a PBU or a batted ball but a catch is a huge momentum swing it’s a huge play in the game but my favorite part of that play is it’s not just showing up on Sunday. Stuff that we saw in practice and they talk situational football or serious start, earned first down all the different things you can kind of get a beat on stuff and shoot your guns when you have conviction of preparation.”
On the team honoring LB Jaelan Phillips with their playing today:
“Absolutely. I think they did enough to make Jaelan [Phillips] smile which is important to them. This is a very tight group that doesn’t just live in their own experience, that really shares the journey with each other and each individual teammate and knowing the disappointment I don’t think they wanted anything to do with letting Jaelan down. This team and the organization is extremely important to Jaelan. He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do here so they took ownership of that and made sure to match what he brings which is a lot.”
On planning his offense with speed and adding Hill:
“No. We already had [WR Jaylen] Waddle and speed is something that throughout my career has been very beneficial to what we’ve been able to do and when you get the opportunity to trade for one of the best players in the National Football League from an organizational standpoint I was really proud of the fact that we didn’t blink at all and did what we had to do to do and then you kind of just lean into that. I’ve always kind of looked at football and the offense as very fluid kind of schematic thing where you’re adjusting to what your players are. The offense wasn’t really planned that way. I didn’t really have any hard plans of what it was going to be. I had some philosophical beliefs in certain things but it’s easy when you’ve been fortunate enough to be around a lot of different players and different scenarios. When you have speed like that you try to use it to the best of your ability and make defenses defend the entire field which is a space creator and very helpful for us.”
Jaylen Waddle – December 3, 2023
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle
On how it feels to beat a team that they were expected to beat:
“I think every win is special. Every win is hard in this league. So, coming in, especially in away games, it’s always going to be tough against a good team. It’s going to be tough. We have expectations for ourselves that we are going to go out there and play to our standard. We expect a good result.”
On how he thinks WR Tyreek Hill liked sitting the entire fourth quarter:
“Nah man. Reek [Tyreek Hill] is a competitive guy. So anytime that he’s sitting, it’s probably because they told him to sit out. But go crazy man. You can do what you want.”
On how important Hill’s first touchdown was:
“It’s extremely important. Away games, on the first drive it’s always important to go out and try to play with the lead. So, him getting us started was big, especially on the big play, which was like 70 or 80 yards. It makes the defense have to reconsider their game plan with hitting the ball early over the top.”
On how important it is that the team starts December with a win after a losing streak last December:
“It’s extremely important. It just shows the caliber of guys that we have on the team. Our coaches, our leaders, our captains. It speaks for everybody that is leading the team and commanding the team in the right way. We know how important December wins are and ultimately one play in the game can play into how important December wins are.”
Jalen Ramsey – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey
On what a good start on offense does for the defense:
“It’s great! We are always excited when they play up to their standard and explosive the way we know they are. That always helps and we try to match their energy. We were on the field first today, so we tried to set the tone first and then they matched our tone.”
On how LB Andrew Van Ginkel’s pick-six lifted the defense:
“We were turned up all game but that was a big play and a big moment. He obviously studied film, knew the play, jumped it and took it to the house. That was a big play in the game for us—good defensive touchdown.”
On how much fun he’s having playing football for the Miami Dolphins?
“Playing football is extremely fun, playing football on this team is extremely fun, and playing football with this secondary is extremely fun. I’m extremely blessed to be in this position and to be around these guys.”
On how he took Commanders WR Terry McLaurin out of the game:
“We didn’t have a game plan to take anybody out of the game. We just played whatever [Defensive Coordinator] Coach Vic [Fangio] called.”
On how they limited Commanders QB Sam Howell:
“Same thing, we just played the calls, played a handful of man and we were able to have sticky coverage. Howell was able to get a few off-schedule throws, scramble around, get it to his running backs, but we felt good and confident on the outside. We were hoping he was going to throw it around a little bit more, throw to his receivers like he had been the last couple of games, but I guess he wasn’t feeling it.”
Raheem Mostert – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert
On how he felt about the rollercoaster touchdown dance:
“Awesome. It was perfect execution. We did it one time in practice and executed it very well.”
On what is working so well for him this season:
“First off, I have to always give kudos to the offensive line. We’ve had some mixes and matches here and there. The guys have bought in and you can only thank them. They do a hell of a job. Me, I’m just trying to use my vision as best as possible and try to make that big play.”
On how important it is that the team starts December with a win after a losing streak last December:
“It’s very important. Then, you also need to think that with December ball, that’s when teams have their best ball. For us, we just need to keep this stride going and take it one week at a time. That’s all we can do. We can’t focus on the end of the year. We can only focus on what’s going on now and moving forward to this week.”
Xavien Howard – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins CB Xavien Howard
On what this win means to the team:
“It means a lot. We take it one day at a time. We’re 9-3, we have our next game Monday, so we have to keep going and keep striving.”
On how special the defense is:
“We’re special, we can be special, guys on the back end were starting to pick it up and make plays, but the whole defense is special. One of our main guys [LB Jerome Baker] went down, [LB] Duke [Riley] went in there and balled, [DE Emmanuel] Ogbah did too.”
On the importance of having players who can step up after an injury:
“Next man up mentality, that’s how we have to go about it. This is a tough game and people go down but the next man up.”
De’Von Achane – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins RB De’Von Achane
On how it feels to get extended playing time and play how he did today:
“Yeah. It’s always good when you’re on the field. Just being on the field and making plays and being productive. So, I’m just glad that I can come back and be 100% and help this team win.”
On how much it ate at him being out for a couple of games:
“Yeah, that’s mostly the hardest part. You know, rehab and sitting out. You know the game of football like I do. You always want to be on the field. You know that injuries are a part of this game, so I am just glad that I can come back healthy.”
On when in the game he started to feel like himself again:
“Once you get in. You know, a couple tackles the first time you get the ball. After that, you go back to being yourself. You go back to being you.”
On what stood out to him the most in his performance:
“I’d probably say the last drive, because of the amount of carries I got. The fact that I wasn’t tired, I was like ‘Okay, I’m back. Like I’m not hurt. I’m 100%’.”
Andrew Van Ginkel – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins LB Andrew Van Ginkel
On his pick-six:
“It starts during the week in preparation and [Defensive Coordinator] Vic [Fangio] puts in good play calls. He does a good job of explaining throughout the week what to expect in certain situations. It’s something that was kind of on my radar. When I saw the tackle [Andrew Wylie] kind of do his, he kind of does the same thing on wide receiver screens, so, I kind of expected it. When it happened, I couldn’t believe it and the rest was history.”
On the defense’s ability to be successful despite dealing with injuries:
“First off, I just want to give a shoutout to [LB Jaelan Phillips] JP. He had a successful surgery and things are looking up for him. He reached out to me before the game, he said ‘Go do you and ball out.’ I think it starts with Vic’s defense, he’s a very successful coach, he has been for a very long time. He puts you in good play calls to be successful. He kind of does a good job throughout the year in how to build and puts you in good positions to succeed.”
On what LB Jerome Baker means to the team:
“I pray that it’s nothing serious. Obviously, he’s a leader on this team, he’s a great player, and he consistently proves himself year in and year out. Like I said, I pray that it’s nothing serious. It’s tough that obviously last week with JP and this week with the uncertainty of Bake, its tough. Those are guys on our team that are great players.”
On today’s weather:
“To me, it was perfect football weather out there like this. I mean, this is as good as it gets. About 60 [degrees], you feel like you can run all day. Obviously, going to [The University of] Wisconsin, I’m used to the cold weather. Some guys that grew up in the South, sometimes they’ll be like this is cold, I’m like you don’t know what cold is.”
Tyreek Hill – December 3, 2023 (Postgame)
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023
Postgame – Washington Commanders
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
On his thoughts on scoring a touchdown on the third play of the game:
Yeah man, it’s all film study, mostly. Some teams typically do the same things throughout that season on third down and it was just one of those looks that it was a favorable matchup. [QB] Tua [Tagovailoa] noticed immediately that there was a backer on [RB De’Von] Achane because if you watch the whole play, they have a backer on Achane, who ran a really good route on the other side. So, he really could have picked, you know, either side for a touchdown. So, he signaled me cause that wasn’t originally my route and we was just on the same page.”
On if QB Tua Tagovailoa audibled him into a different route:
“Yeah, yeah, so he has that freedom to be able to do things like that.”
On how Tagovailoa has taken ownership of the offense throughout the season:
“Yeah, and that’s just us, you know. Preparation on Thursdays, you feel me. So, our coaches they do a good job of reminding us of certain looks and that was one of those situations that ‘Hey, we get this certain look, you know, be ready for this signal’ or you know so we don’t have another situation that we had against KC [Chiefs]. So, yeah, he did a great job of it, signal and I was able to lock eyes with him and say ‘Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.’”
On if it surprises him to see no safety help over the top at this point in his career:
“Not for real, man, because those guys are great at what they do and they also get paid, man, but at some point, it’s like man. I don’t know, man, I just appreciate it, you know. Thanks for, you know, not respecting me I guess, so yeah.”
On if it surprises him that a rookie was guarding him on the first touchdown:
“Nah, like I say man. Most teams, they do what they typically do throughout the whole season and we knew that they favor the safety playing over their backers. Like I said, there was [RB De’Von] Achane on the outside and the safety was favoring that side, so it was just one of those looks, you know.”
On if he thought today’s game could be a big day for him:
“Not really, man. I came into the stadium worried about how I feel man cause I didn’t practice throughout this whole week, so it was like one of those that I was worried about just how I was going to be able to perform because every team is good in the NFL. I’m not saying that it’s easy, like our job is hard. It may look easy. Those guys, they do a great job on the other side of the ball.”
On if he locked eyes with Tagovailoa on the second TD:
“The second touchdown, it was like surprising, man. It was like a Cover 3. I believe it was Cover 3 and the way that I ran my route, I thought I ran a perfect route and I was looking this way and I had to adjust back this way and it was just one of those things that, you know, Tua, he does a great job of throwing the ball exactly where it needs to be and, I thought he was wrong, went back and watched the film. He threw it exactly where I was supposed to be because I was bending it in and I wasn’t supposed to bend it in, so it was just one of those things just put it up, man, he down there somewhere.”
On if he watched the film for his second TD with Tagovailoa:
“No, so we watched it right after it happened because we got iPads on the sideline. And I was like ‘Bro like you can’t throw me like that bruh like’ and he was like ‘Bro, I threw it exactly where like we teach it’. I was like ‘No way’. He pointed out on film and I was like ‘Yeah, you’re right. My bad, so’”.
On where he is in terms of mindset towards the end of the season and with 9-3 record:
“So, I’m about, man, taking it one week at a time, man you know. We know that each and every week is an opportunity for us and that’s how we gonna take it, you know, one step at a time. Continue to do what we’ve been doing all season, you know. Practicing hard, playing for one another and being deliberate. That’s something that we say across this whole organization a lot, so it’s what we gonna do. 9-3 is a beautiful thing and the way that this league, if you somehow get complacent, if you somehow start feeling yourself, it’ll catch up with you fast. So, we got a great group of leaders on this team on both sides of the ball that have been in situations like this throughout their career, so I think we’ll be alright.”
On relation between rollercoaster TD celebration and the football season:
“It was sweet, right? I think it explains, man, how football is. There are ups and there’s down, man. Credit goes to [WR] Jaylen [Waddle] on the touchdown celebration. It was sweet though with the whole hand in the air and the seatbelt. That was nice.”
On where the idea for the celebration came from:
“No idea, man. We always come up with ideas on Friday and that was one of the ideas from [WR Jaylen] Waddle, [WR River] Cracraft And [RG] Rob Hunt, so those guys added a lot of things and I was like ‘Okay, whoever scores we’re doing it’, so it didn’t matter who scored, we were gonna do it regardless.”
On if he thinks this is his best season:
“Yes, I think I believe I am having my best season, even if I didn’t have the numbers, you know what I’m saying. I feel like I’m doing a great job of being in the right spot for the quarterback and making sure I’m doing a great job blocking and just understanding this whole offense. I think this past offseason, I really had a chance to just look back and just understand my mistakes from last year and I took it head on because I’m the type of player, I put a lot of accountability on myself. I feel like as one of the leaders on this team, I just had to step up and be better. Obviously, the stats looked good last year, but there was a lot of room for improvement for myself and I was like ‘You know what? I’m not gonna settle for that’, you know. I feel like I can be a whole lot better, so that’s just me believing in myself.”
