Tua Tagovailoa – December 22, 2024 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 22, 2024
Postgame – San Francisco 49ers
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Your thoughts on the win?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: That was awesome. That was super cool. I think that was something that we needed to see as a team together. You could see in all three phases that we were able to play the complementary football that we said we wanted to play. The defense giving the offense opportunities to go put points on the board. Then when there were times where we didn’t do what we wanted to do offensively, the defense held. Jason (Sanders) was 5-for-5. He was able to help with putting points on the board for us as well.
When you guys get those scoring opportunities, how important is scoring those touchdowns? You had two passes to WR Tyreek Hill – one was deflected, but then the other was dropped. How big could those be in these big games?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: In all these games, now that we’re coming to the end of the year, they’re all big. We’re looking for all our big time playmakers to make the plays that we know that they can make, me included. Every time we have that opportunity to go and score, that’s what we want to do. You know it’s tough. Those guys prepare the same way that we do. They get paid as well. They’re going to do their best to stop that from happening, but as long as we’re locked in on our details and saying and doing the things that we’re saying we’re going to do, I think for the most part we should be fine.
WR Tyreek Hill made multiple references to not getting enough valuable reps in weeks of practice. What do you think there from your perspective as far as connectivity throughout the week into game day?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: If he told you that, then that’s what we need more of. We need reps. Me and him need more reps. That’s what we’ve got to do. That’s the secret sauce to me being able to connect with all these guys. You guys see Jonnu (Smith) here, that’s the secret sauce. If we miss a throw, if we’re off on a throw in the team practice or in a routes on-air rep, we’ll get together in whatever time we have, whether it’s after or during, while the defense is on, and we’ll get those reps made up. Telling him what I see and then him also telling me how he feels with running it. That has a lot to do with reps for sure.
You’re responsible for putting a lot of your teammates in the record books. With TE Jonnu Smith specifically, how special was it to get him that record today?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I wouldn’t say that’s something that I do. Jonnu is a man of faith, and I would say that’s something only God can do. For Jonnu to have come here and believed that I could be the quarterback for him to be able to help him achieve his goals and things that he’s wanted to do playing in the NFL – I can say he’s open. He’s open. If you give him the ball, you see what he does with the ball. Yeah, I’ve heard the reference safety blanket, so it’s my safety blanket, if you will. (laughter) I think the cooler thing though, and even while Jonnu is in here – and he knows this too – the coolest thing about all of that is all the accolades and whatnot is cool for him, but how he is as a teammate, how he goes out there and approaches his business, like trust me, he’s a dawg, he wants the ball, but that’s not his mentality. Like his mentality is it’ll come. I’m like, Jonnu, we’ve got to get you the ball. ‘It will come. Just let it play out. If we’ve got to run the ball, we’ll keep running the ball.’ I think that should tell you a lot about the mindset he has coming into these games and whatnot, and when he does get these opportunities, he cherishes them.
Did you know you guys are still alive for the playoffs?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: We’re just focused on one game at a time right now. We got the Niners out of the way, and we’ll focus on the Browns and Christmas.
The run game was more effective overall today than it’s been in a lot of games. Can you speak specifically to how that helps you?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think that helps our offense. It doesn’t just help me, it helps our offense when we can play at will and run the ball the way we want to, the way we say we want to, and exactly how we said we want to attack their defense; I think the opportunities for us offensively are endless. With the (play) action game, then you can go on the ball, quick, no huddle, it throws them off, forces them to communicate a lot. So a lot of those things have definitely helped in this game when it came to the run game.
Being in the NFL, there’s the criticism that comes with it. Head Coach Mike McDaniel has had more criticism this year than he’s had in years past. How do you react to that, and what do you think of the job he’s done this year?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think he’s done a great job. I think criticism comes with the job, whether you’re a head coach, whether you’re a player, and it comes at different types of levels of it, right? Some are more severe than others, but that’s what it comes with. We understand, when we signed up to play football, that that’s what it was. It is what it is at the end of the day. It is what it is. We just love football. We love to do this. We don’t take this for granted, that’s for sure, and I think that’s been the message to a lot of the guys in the locker room is like you can remember a time when you were a kid, when you were in high school, when you were in college, you wanted to be an NFL football player, and now you got that opportunity. Regardless of the circumstances that you’re in, you get to play for an NFL football team, and that’s something special.
You have 100 career passing touchdowns, first one here at Hard Rock Stadium, your 100th one here at Hard Rock Stadium, can you just give us the emotions?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I just found that out today. That’s cool. That’s awesome that we got to do that in a win. But as far as the accolades and whatnot, that’s probably least on my mind. I’m just trying to find ways that we can end the season the way we want to and control what we can control. We go from there.
Tyreek Hill – December 22, 2024 (Postgame)
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Sunday, December 22, 2024
Postgame – San Francisco 49ers
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
Q. How big was this win just to keep you guys relevant for what remains?
TYREEK HILL: It was huge, man. The guys came together, played for one another. We just executed when we needed it, man. Moving forward, this was a big motivator for a lot of guys on this team. It gave everybody on this team the juice that we need moving forward.
Q. On the opening drive when you and Tua weren’t able to connect, it looked like you pointed to your visor or your eyes something. Can you take us through what happened there?
TYREEK HILL: As a leader, in those moments, I feel like at the end of the day, I need those valuable reps with Tua. Those vet rest days are starting to show. I completely blame myself for not getting my head around and not seeing the ball because, if I see a ball, we’re talking cross-court, 70-yard touchdown. But those Wednesday reps are definitely showing. As a leader, I’ve just got to be able to bite the bullet sometime and practice and get those valuable reps with QB1 because, if we’re able to stay on the field on third down, who knows what could happen. Like De’Von Achane can break 60 yards. Jonnu can catch a screen and go to the house. Just got to be able to get those valuable reps with the quarterback.
Q.Q.You had the touchdown, but two other throws in the end zone. Do you feel you should have come up with those? I know one of them was tipped a little bit.
TYREEK HILL: Yeah, on the deep ball, it was tipped by the defensive back, and on the other one, it’s just, again, missing those valuable reps with the quarterback. One thing I learned from Coach Reid whenever I was in Kansas City, I was blessed to be able to play under such a great head coach, is you can’t just show up on Sunday. You’ve got to be able to prepare yourself Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, even Saturday. Then when it’s Sunday, it’s easy. Once again, us missing those valuable reps because when it’s live speed, everything’s moving so fast. We need those valuable reps whenever it’s Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Q. This hasn’t been the year you’ve obviously wanted personally. Do you think this is just a speed bump, or are you worried this might carry over to next year?
TYREEK HILL: I’m not too worried about it. I do what I have to do regarding like whatever I got to do to get better. A lot of guys understand what I’m dealing with this year, and I’m going to continue to be a leader, continue to be the best guy I can be for this team no matter what, you know what I’m saying? Obviously there are a lot of things that I wish I can get back and do better, but at the end of the day, I’m going to continue to fight. I’m going to continue to be out there for my team. That’s all I can be, man. Just be myself, and I’m grateful I’m in this situation because I’m learning a lot about myself. I’m learning how to be patient. I’m learning how to be more mature about situations whenever they don’t go my way. I’m actually learning a lot from it. It’s the NFL. It’s not easy. I know in the past I’ve made it look easy, but this year it’s kind of tough, but it is what it is, man. I’m human. I’ll bounce back.
Malik Washington – December 20, 2024
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Friday, December 20, 2024
WR Malik Washington
(Where has the most improvement come in your game as a receiver from August to now?) – “I think just being able to process really what’s going on, the full field. Getting a chance to understand what defenses are throwing at us, what our offensive plan is and where I fit in in the offensive plan.”
(How has your chemistry with QB Tua Tagovailoa grown as the season has progressed?) – “I think back to the first time I ever threw with the guy, just trying to see the left-handed spin. I was trying to figure that out and now it’s just let’s make the completion, let’s make a play. I think the growth over the time I’ve been here has been huge.”
(With the success that the 49ers have had, do you see this as a measuring stick game so to speak?) – “I hate to go into a game measuring up teams and stuff like that. We’ve got to bring our best self; we’ve got to bring Miami Dolphin football on Sunday and we’ve got to go out there and win.”
(Was there anything you were curious about, about a particular skill that helped you succeed in college whether it would translate as well in the NFL? What skill might that have been and has it translated?) – “In college, I think breaking tackles was kind of my thing, and getting to the NFL everybody is bigger, faster, stronger. You kind of want to know, ‘Man, am I going to be able to break those same tackles when I get to the NFL?’ I think I still have a lot of growth to go, and I still have a lot of time, but I think just seeing some of that happen on Sundays as we continue on my year, I think we’ll see some more of it.”
(For yourself and all of the young players, how important are these last three games whether you guys are still competing for a playoff spot or not just to carry some momentum to the end of your rookie season into Year Two?) – “I think first and foremost we want to give our best effort. We want to put everything forward to be able to go to the postseason, that’s our main goal. But beyond that, it’s the growth and development we’re looking forward to. I think these last three games will give us a good chance to see where we are at going into the offseason. being able to know what we need to work on, what we need to get better at so we come into Year Two running.”
(What’s the area that Wide Receivers Coach/Pass Game Specialist Wes Welker has helped you maybe the most in terms of polishing and developing?) – “He’s really smart. He knows football inside and out. I think he’s been able to teach me, ‘Man if you see this, expect this.’ So being able to process the game a little bit, make it a little bit slower when I’m out there.”
(What did you know about Wide Receivers Coach/Pass Game Specialist Wes Welker as a player? Did you watch him much in his playing days?) – “I think everybody watched Wes Welker. He was an awesome player everywhere he was at. Seeing him, taking his game and trying take bits and pieces of it and add it to my game as well.”
(What are some of the things you’ve learned from WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle? You’re a rookie under guys like that in Year One.) – “Just taking it all in – not thinking that you understand something or that you know too much. Just taking the coaching and understanding it’s your rookie year; you’re going to grow and you’re going to get so much better over the years, so take every piece of information and use it.”
Terron Armstead – December 20, 2024
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Friday, December 20, 2024
T Terron Armstead
(I know you always do everything you can to try to play. Was how you felt today – did it leave you optimistic about Sunday?) – “Yeah.”
(How tough has the process been the last – I know it’s been weeks and weeks, two months you’ve been dealing with this, you’ve been a sport about it – how difficult has it been?) – “It’s been a challenge for sure. It’s been a challenge just trying to navigate everything, but at the same time trying to prepare and keep my technique and all that good stuff right, but excited for Sunday.”
(What’s the film showing you regarding the 49ers front?) – “That defense has been really, really good for a number of years. They’ve got some guys over there, some individuals that are highly recognized and for good reason. Definitely got to pay attention to those guys, be prepared for those guys; but as a unit, it’s a very well-orchestrated defense. They know exactly where they need to be. A lot of guys have been in that scheme for some years now so they’re comfortable. It’ll be a challenge for us.”
(What were you experiencing the last time you did go out there, that game against the Jets? We kind of saw the look on your face as you were sitting there on the bench. What was going through your head in that moment?) – “It was to a point where it was a loss of function so not a pain thing. It was shutting down my knee so I couldn’t be in there and put anybody else in harm’s way.”
(The success that the Niners have had, I’m just curious on your perspective of not just you but the guys in the locker room – do players kind of see this as like a measuring stick game just with all the success that they’ve had, the Niners?) – “We really prepare for the other team, but we focus on us. Like our execution, our preparation, the way we go about our business. That’s really it. Like there’s no team that we feel like it’s a measuring stick. It’s all about what the Miami Dolphins can go out and execute.”
(What makes 49ers DE Nick Bosa the player he is?) – “He can win all three ways – outside, inside, down the middle. So a lot of times when you’re breaking down pass rushers, you want to take something away. If it’s a guy that has a really good speed rush, all right, now let me challenge him outside and make him bull rush me. But with him, it’s like all three phases, he’s elite at getting to the quarterback so you’ve got to go after him really. Be aggressive, be physical, take the fight to him.”
(Now he’s on the injury report, but I assume you have to operate as if you think he’s going to play, right?) – “You would be crazy not to prepare for Nick (Bosa). Like I said, they’ve got some guys over there that have been highly successful in this league and they’ve got a lot of notoriety that they’ve earned and Nick is one of those guys.”
Mike McDaniel – December 20, 2024
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Friday, December 20, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(WR Jaylen Waddle and WR Dee Eskridge, are they both out?) – “Since we’ve had practice, I can consider (Dee) Eskridge and (Jaylen) Waddle to be doubtful because they didn’t participate.”
(What about the two tackles? T Terron Armstead, we saw him out there stretching. Did he go through drills?) – “They will be listed, both Terron (Armstead) and Kendall (Lamm) as questionable. It was a positive experience out there on the field, so now you’re just taking it up to game time and making sure that all your ducks are in a row for both of them – feeling up to what it takes to play and then facilitating all the residuals if they don’t because we have a lot of moving parts that we’re excited to be able to adjust based upon our experience at several positions.”
(Can you give us an update on WR Grant DuBose?) – “My update is that I’ve talked to him in person and he’s in good spirits. Beyond that, I’m just totally focused on him being able to attack the day-to-day process and be healthy for himself and his family and everybody involved. I think really that’s where it stands; I don’t foresee seeing him playing football this season but I see him as part of the program so I’m just invested in him on the daily.”
(With LB Bradley Chubb and LB Cam Goode, is next week more likely for Chubb? Is there a real chance of Cam Goode on Sunday?) – “I’ll meet with Chris (Grier) and talk to both those two individuals. It was good stuff out there. I would say that during the process we had felt that Cam (Goode) was a little ahead, but I would be remiss if I would rule anybody anything for this game. But optimistic we’ll see one or both here when they’re ready and that’s what we’re making sure that we’re communicative and they’re empowered and feel ready to play football.”
(Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith told us QB Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury is not concerning, is that right? Is he all good?) – “Yes, Frank was not wrong. It’s something that in December football, there’s a lot of those things where players across the board are getting dinged and you have to be able to executive with those things. He’s certainly not made an issue for this week’s prep.”
(There’s an argument to be made that a couple years when the Dolphins had a head coach opening, Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen Ross looked across the league and looked at the 49ers and said, “I like that.” Talked with you, obviously you all came to an agreement. My question is do you see this game as like a measuring stick to see where you guys are at considering the similarities between the teams? Obviously, the offense but then both teams kind of had their seasons derailed by injuries a little bit.) – “I mean as much as I see – you can argue that that’s the case for every single game you play. I do think that you love opportunities to compete against the guys – that team we’ve watched play either in the Championship game or the Super Bowl the last two years and a lot of those players that will be on the field in this game were a part of those teams. So as competitors, you’re excited to go against a litany of All-Pros at different positions, but I think the biggest thing is we’re trying to get our football to the standard we feel good about playing. I think from a team perspective, having three phases execute and play off of each other has been our formula for when we’ve been successful and we haven’t been successful enough to our standard and to everybody else’s. So this gives us an opportunity to go and have to do so with a team that is not going to give us anything, that will bring a physical style of football to Hard Rock, and I think that it fits perfectly with some of the things that during the course of the season, whatever has occurred, do you make it purposeful or not? I think this is an opportunity to take some of our frustrations out in terms of execution and playing team football and knowing that we’re going to get their best shot and seeing how we matchup in that way. But every week is a test; this league is too good and a lot of people make it a bigger deal with, ‘All right, this good team, bad team,’ you better show up and play your best football every week or whoever you’re playing will humble you. So we know that to be the case with the San Francisco 49ers, so I think we’ll have a fully convicted team and that’s what I’m expecting to see.”
(Two years ago, I mean you guys essentially got the first look at QB Brock Purdy when he came in in place of Jimmy Garoppolo. I’m kind of curious, what was the internal reaction here after something that had never really been done in NFL history of Mr. Irrelevant coming in and finding success happened against you guys?) – “There was some tape on him from the preseason, but you also know that it’s a tough hill to climb as a rookie, just in those moments at the beginning of your first opportunity, really, in a regular season game. You could tell that the game wasn’t too big for him just by his reaction that game, regardless of – you always know that it’s not a final product when you first see somebody play, but you can really feel whether or not the game is swallowing them up or not. I think he proved in that game that some of the stuff that, really, he’s showcased in big time football since then, you can see glimmers of that then. So it was kind of ironic that we saw the first sight of him, but I think the whole team knew when he was playing that this is a guy that’s a starter in this league and not a backup. I think his play speaks for himself and just trying to minimize those plays on Sunday.”
(My follow up was going to be if the past couple years have been any sort of vindication for you guys, considering his success, but it kind of sounds like right away, you guys knew that –) – “Yeah, no. You always know the expectation, maybe the scouting report on somebody that doesn’t have a bunch of tape, but football players know on the field when they’re in front of somebody that can operate and really perform at a high level on that stage. I think it was pretty obvious that he was super composed and there were some plays that he was able to make that we felt like we would possibly have been better suited to go against the high-level starter that had just gotten injured. He, right out the gate, was able to execute and didn’t do too much but extended plays in critical times that kept them on the field, and I think kept us to about 45, 46 plays offensively because of the way they were able to execute and control the ball and convert on some third downs and that was the biggest thing. So I think we kind of knew on the field that this is a standout rookie, just based upon your experience and what you expect to shake or rattle a rookie, it wasn’t rattling him. So I think we probably had the first eyes on something that the rest of the league had to find out the hard way.”
(So with three healthy receivers on the 53, you’re going to need at least one, if not two, among WR Erik Ezukanma, WR Isaiah McKenzie, WR Tarik Black. Do you feel confidence all three can help you? Especially McKenzie having been here only 72 hours.) – “The good news is we’ve felt pretty fortunate between Erik (Ezukanma) and Tarik (Black) that we were getting really – basically, we had the support of NFL receiver play on the practice squad should the opportunity or the injury bug hit us and they need to play. I think those two offer some experience with the playbook, specifically. And then with Isaiah (McKenzie) having been here just a minute, that is a challenge, but he does offer a supreme level of experience at the position within the league and those are usually quicker studies. There’s some overlap between some of the ways his previous offenses have been taught, so he’s been a quick study and he’s been super professional. It was part of the reason we targeted him, was we felt like he would be able to contribute in a short amount of time if necessary. We feel comfortable with the way we’re going into that game and the only reason we feel comfortable is because of those individuals and their readiness to contribute.”
Tyreek Hill – December 19, 2024
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Thursday, December 19, 2024
WR Tyreek Hill
(The tweet, “Time for me to go coach…”) – “Y’all know what’s crazy? I just be looking at stuff and then I tweet. Like no grammar – I be needing some grammar corrections and everything else. But what I meant was, like when I say ‘it’s time for me to go coach’ meaning that when you see guys like Teddy Bridgewater, when you see guys like Michael Vick getting these head coaching jobs; it’s like bro, I want to be a coach also when I’m done playing. So that’s all I meant by it. I ain’t meant by like ‘I want to get traded’ or ‘I want to leave Miami.’ Like I’m in a great situation here, I love the guys here. I love this organization. They obviously changed me and my family’s life forever, so I’m in a great spot. I’m happy. I wish we were playing better ball, but at the end of the day, I feel like when I tweet something, it’s not always about football. It’s about seeing these other guys succeed in other areas like Deion Sanders and stuff like that. I was just shooting my shot really at Michael Vick, like hey, it’s time for me to go coach with Vick maybe, you know what I’m saying?”
(You going to take a pay cut to go to Norfolk State?) – “I wouldn’t mind. Like shoot, I feel like I set myself up. Like me and my family have set ourselves up well enough, taking care of our money, done a great job with it that whatever happens, happens.”
(So you’re surprised at how it blew up?) – “I’m really surprised. Like I had my grandmother call me. I’m like, ‘you’re not even on Twitter.’ Like how are you getting this information? She’s like ‘all these people are sending it to me.’ And I’m like, ‘bro, you have nothing to worry about.’ I’m happy, everybody’s happy. We just had our baby girl.”
(Speaking on behalf of a contingent of fans, we know that you’re a troll. You have fun with it. You’re an expert troll. Some fans are upset because they just lost – you just lost 20-12 to Houston. They’re hurting and you’re still trolling and so people are saying, “shouldn’t there be a limit to the trolling?”) – “I get it, I get it. I get it. I want to win. We want to win just as bad as everybody else. We’re out here busting our tail each and every day like just to get over the hump. At the end of the day, I’m going to be me. I’m going to have fun, I’m going to laugh, I’m going to have a good time. That’s just my personality because I feel like I can’t dwell or be mad because at the end of the day I’ve got to go home to my wife and my daughter, so I’ve got to be able to switch hats. So when I’m at home, I’m in a good mood. I’m around my family. But obviously we all wish things were different. We should’ve won games; we should’ve did this.”
(Do you feel any sympathy for the fans who think “I’m hurt right now”?) – “Obviously, obviously you do, man. Like you think about all that. Like right now is the time when you think about all that, like when the season isn’t going your way. It’s easy for guys to be able to sit out and just say they don’t want to play or do this or that, but you’ve got to think about all the people who literally invest their time, invest their money into us, paying our bills at the end of the day. So it kind of sucks for the fans, I’m really hoping we can continue to fight on as a team, continue to build what we’ve built in the previous years. I think we can build off the two great seasons that we had. Like we made it to the playoffs – that’s great. It’s hard to make it to the playoffs in the NFL. People won’t tell you that, but it is. So at the end of the day, it sucks. As a fan, it sucks because I’ve been there. I was a kid once. I was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings. We never made it to the playoffs; you know what I’m saying? Never won a playoff game so it sucked.”
(Did you consider shutting it down now that the playoffs are all but eliminated?) – “No, I never shut it down. I never shut it down. You only get so many opportunities to play this game and I feel like I’ve got to be able to take advantage of every opportunity that I get because football is not for long and you never know how situations unfold at the end of the year, so I want to be able to play with all of these guys on this team one last time so we can try to put together a special run here toward the end of the year.”
(Can you think of any plays without naming specifically where the wrist injury has hurt your ability to do things you like to do this year? Has that happened much in games?) – “Not for real. I’m the type of dude, I don’t make excuses because I’m on the field at the end of the day. I’ve got to make plays. Obviously, you know it’s going to hurt, but still got to make plays. I can’t sit up here and say, ‘oh, X, Y, Z. X, Y, Z. My wrist this play…’ That would be – I don’t want to say the word – but that would be soft to me, to sit up here and make excuses with you guys. I feel like at the end of the day I’m a leader, I’m a man, and if I’m out there on the field, I’m 100%. I’m ready. I’m locked in, I’m ready to play.”
(What would you say to people who are watching the season unfold and point to saying your play is declining?) – “If it’s declining, then it is what it is. A lot of people have their opinions. I’m here to do my job. If that’s to not touch the ball, or touch the ball, I’m here for my teammates. I’m here just to be the best version of myself. I’m comfortable with that, my teammates know who I am. I’m going to continue to bust my tail every day at practice because that’s just my mindset. I’ve always been an underdog. Fifth-round draft pick, people said I wasn’t this, people said I wasn’t that. Then when I became, then it was like, ‘Oh, he can be,’ but now it’s ‘I’m declining.’ People are always going to have something to say whether you’re doing good or bad. I’m just grateful to be in the limelight right now.”
(Where do you stand with the wrist in terms of after the season? Is it likely you’ll have surgery?) – “I don’t know yet. I don’t know. It’s a lot to unpack right now. I just know right now in my head I’m not doing it. But if I continue to have conversations and continue to educate myself on it, then obviously I may end up doing it. But right now I’m going to say no because that’s something I don’t want to do.”
(With this offense, when you were heavily targeted, you were sixth and No. 1 offensively. Not heavily targeted, now y’all are 20th. I know a lot of factors go into it like the run game, but what do you say to people to explain what’s happened to this offense?) – “To me, I think it’s a lot of things. When you truly understand football and you watch the Miami Dolphins this year from previous years, it’s all about execution, it’s all about pre-snap operations, it’s all about not shooting yourself in the foot. I feel like a lot of drives that we’ve had, big plays that we’ve had, they’ve been called back or even when we’re starting a drive, we get a false start, or we get a holding flag, stuff like that. It’s small things that equate to bigger things down the stretch which puts us in a third-and-14 which is not manageable. That’s hard. We got some of the best playmakers on this team. We got the most accurate quarterback in the NFL, but that’s hard. To try to get a third-and-14 or third-and-long, that’s hard. We’re not putting ourselves in manageable situations, putting us in like second-and-3 so that way we can be able to capitalize and get to third-and-1 and stuff like that. It’s a lot of things we are not doing. We’re not doing a lot of the smaller things, and I feel like we just got to get better at that. We got to be able to chase the ball. You never know, guys may fumble. If you don’t got the ball, everybody get to the ball. Everybody block for the guy who’s – if you’re not carrying the ball, go block somebody. Go put a body on somebody. We just got to do those small things, get back to doing those things. And I feel like this year, we’ve kind of like fell off doing that as a team, including myself, myself, myself. Once we get back to doing that, we’ll be alright.”
(On accountability, Head Coach Mike McDaniel praised you and QB Tua Tagovailoa for taking responsibility for Sunday. What does that process look like? Is it just, “My bad,” or how does that look? Second one, Soul Runner, I know you guys are having a pop-up shop in Aventura on Saturday. Can you talk to me about why that is important to you?) – “First thing is first, about the accountability part; I feel like at the end of the day, it comes down to just manning up. A lot of people aren’t man enough to say, ‘Hey, I was in the wrong spot,’ or ‘I thought you were here and there.’ Me being me, I’m all about trying to get better. I’m all about trying to make this team better. I know the only way that that can happen is if both of us are able to express that, ‘I was in the wrong spot, Tua.’ Sunday, I was in the wrong spot. He thought I was going to be in a spot, I wasn’t in the spot. Moving forward we watch film, we break it down, we talk about the coverage – exactly what he’s seeing and then I tell him what I’m seeing. Then we kind of argue back and forth, and then we meet in a middle point which is he probably was right. That’s how we really talk about it. On the pop-up, me and my wife are doing a Soul Runner store again. This time it’s going to be featuring Korean ice cream, so you guys come try it out. I’ll give you guys some free samples I guess since I like y’all. So we’re doing my clothing brand featuring Korean ice cream. This Saturday, it’s going to be open around 1:30 (p.m.), so make sure you guys pull up. Merch, clothing, and we’re also doing a toy giveaway with some kids to pop everything off. It’s kind of a soft launch.”
(Where is it at?) – “Aventura Mall – the store is right beside Bloomingdales. We’re also having an NCAA tournament inside.”
Frank Smith – December 19, 2024
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Thursday, December 19, 2024
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith
(I know he was limited yesterday, but does QB Tua Tagovailoa’s hip look like it’s going to at all impact him or your game planning this week?) – “December football, everyone’s working through stuff going to the game. If you’re feeling completely healthy in December, you probably haven’t played a whole lot. We’re just working through with the process to the game and I’m confident we’ll be ready to go when Sunday comes.”
(So not a big concern with QB Tua Tagovailoa specifically?) – “I mean, no, there’s no concern for us. We’re just working through all the little things that come out of each game with everyone.”
(The final interception of the game where WR Tyreek Hill is fighting for the ball – is that one that he should come down with? Is that one that he usually comes down with?) – “It’s hard to say, that specific moment. That play kind of goes into a lot of the culmination of the game of our execution was not where we felt where we needed to be for a multitude of reasons, so overall, a lot of learning that we did from that game of how we could’ve been putting ourselves in a better position especially the way our defense played to give us a shot. It’ll be a good week for us this week to learn from the stuff we did because it’ll be a similar system of defense.”
(How ready do you feel that WR Malik Washington is to have an elevated role and obviously WR River Cracraft seems to be the next man up if you’re forced to play without WR Jaylen Waddle?) – “Very confident. The way he goes about his business, the way he learns and grows each week from things that happen, the way he responds. Especially after the Green Bay game, the way he responded after that, I think it’s a credit to him and how mature he is. That was the first thing that stuck out to us. You would’ve thought he was in the NFL for six years when he first showed up, just how focused he was. So we’re very confident in all the guys that we’re going to field and we’ll make sure that we use everyone appropriately.”
(With WR Tyreek Hill obviously WR Jaylen Waddle’s presence, they have always have a safety over them but now teams get to pay extra attention to Tyreek. Do you think that at some point this year, he’s getting frustrated or has been frustrated just by the limited role that he’s had or the extra attention that he’s gotten?) – “No, he’s such a competitor and he’s such a good teammate. I think ultimately the goal is to win the games, not the production you get. And if some years you can have mass production, do you get what you want? Other years you’re fighting for the stuff and I think just the way he’s handled himself this year is really why he’s here. He’s just a great teammate and great pro and his ultimate goal is to win.”
(What was your assessment of T Jackson Carman at right tackle and was there any thought given to OL Liam Eichenberg who has played that position before, kicking him out there or OL Isaiah Wynn?) – “I think we weighed all variables to the situation. Jackson (Carman) competed and played hard. There’s obviously some plays that he would want back, but the goal is we’re just trying to make sure we have the versatility so that all the variables that come up, we can put ourselves in the best position with the group to win.”
(How did T Patrick Paul do?) – “You can see with him the growth. It’s coming. Things that he’s learning from, putting himself in better position, the physicality. So really excited for him this week especially from a lot of the things we saw positive from the Houston game.”
(And where is OL Isaiah Wynn right now in terms of his return, rehab, physical contribution, able to contribute?) – “I think he’s trending the right way, preparing the right way, and who’s going to play on Sunday obviously will be part of the process for this week as we weigh all the things.”
(In saying you’re really excited about T Patrick Paul this week, do you mean practice or the game Sunday?) – “Maybe both? Excited for practice today and the game? Excited just in general. He’s an enjoyable person to be around. Just excited to see him all phases of his life. (laughter)”
(I wanted to ask about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s accountability. Head Coach Mike McDaniel praised both him and WR Tyreek Hill’s just ability to take accountability for the interceptions on Sunday. What does that process look like for Tua? Is it simple as just “my bad” or what does that look like?) – “It’s just when things don’t go the way you hope, it’s how do you learn from it and do you own the mistake and stuff like that. I think that’s where we’re very lucky where two of our captains both are very accountable to each other and that’s how we get better from things and making sure that we can grow to the next week and not have the same repeated mistakes. So I think it’s not just them but all the guys are very accountable to each other.”
(What like about WR Isaiah McKenzie, a guy who’s now around?) – “I think that for him, he brings obviously his experience and speed. I think for us ultimately it’s making sure that we have guys who can obviously run and separate and those are the vital positions to the receiver position. We thought that was the best option for us at this time, to get him.”
(When you watch offensive line play and know it’s not good on replay, are you a guy who like, pounds the table? Do you get very angry? I’m just curious behind the scenes what is it like when you watch bad film?) – “I’m up here, I’m kind of trying to keep it – but when you’re watching stuff, the intensity of the moment, making sure that we’re performing. But what’s ultimately where if you get result-driven and you’re going like, ‘Hey, why….’ – it’s more why did that happen? Where were we off? Where are we getting connected? Is it one thing or is it a deeper thing? Why did we lose on that block – was our track wrong at back? Were we too tight, were we too wide? Like there’s normally a multitude of factors and it’s like, you have that initial reaction to things of a result that you don’t like; now it’s immediately, OK what’s possible of what really happened? OK, where’s the deeper issue of how you get the correction tool? So I think the easy thing to do is you sit there and go like, ‘Oh, we didn’t block’ or ‘We missed that’ or did that; you realize oh, OK, were we too tight at back, were we too wide? Were we late off the ball? Those are the things that now lead to what you’re looking for and that’s the increase in production. I think that’s ultimately where I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older of it’s controlling emotion and focusing on the process to improve.”
(I feel like teams like the 49ers can be like measuring sticks just because of the success that they’ve had recently. Obviously they haven’t been as good this year, kind of banged up similar to what happened here. Am I right in that regard? I’m sure the preparation doesn’t necessarily change, right, but just knowing that this is a great team who’s had a lot of success, is the approach the same or is it like, “OK, I want to see where we are at the end of this game”? I’m kind of butchering this question.) – “I think I know what you’re getting at, but ultimately this time of year is that you want to make sure every opponent we face, we’re at our best. And you want to face the best to bring out your best. A lot of usage of the word ‘best’ there, but ultimately for us right now, it’s learning from Houston, getting our improvement in this week so we can execute versus the 49ers on Sunday. So whenever you face an opponent that’s had a lot of success, it’s a great challenge and I think that’s what you look forward to as a competitor.”
(Do you see similarities or is that even something that you think about with the trajectory of their season versus you guys? I know there were high expectations on both ends. What are your thoughts on where both teams are I guess at this point in the season?) – “I don’t know if I necessarily have an opinion towards them just because the sole focus – reality is as a coach, questions like that, that may seem simple, we get so tunnel visioned in our process and what we’re trying to get and how we’re trying to improve and manage all our variables; it’s hard to say you have enough time to ‘OK, how are they doing and what’s going on with that?’ As opposed to I’m just trying to make sure that my kids show up on time and don’t freaking drive everyone crazy around them whenever I have time off. (laughter) My focus goes from work, family. The rest of the NFL is you kind of pick it up on Monday a little bit when you’re walking around, but I really haven’t. I think a lot of that is each team, you just worry about your own as much as you can.”
(We don’t have Associate Head Coach/Running Backs Eric Studesville on the list of available coaches this week so I want to ask you this – when Head Coach Mike McDaniel obviously has been asked a lot this week about the run game and the struggles over the last month, he did say last Sunday was more a case of blocking, but I wanted to ask you with RB De’Von Achane, is he finding holes and creases as quickly, as alertly this year as he did last year?) – “Yes, I think there’s a lot of times that when you look at – like look at the Jets game – we had a 40-yarder called back. The issue is a lot of the runs, we had another one that got down in the red zone that got called back that would’ve been a double-digit game. I think there’s a lot of things where when we’ve had success in the last recent weeks, we do something to bring it back and that’s what we have to improve. And the schemes we’re using, the people we’re using and it being connected as unit is the most important thing. But when it comes to the run game, it’s just not one thing; it’s a multitude of things and that’s what will be our goal this week, to make sure we fix it.”
(But is he making people miss the way he did last year?) – “Yes, he is, but it’s the opportunities to get in those same spots, the space that we had last year where several times runs where it’s a lot of space, where this year it’s making sure that we have those moments. Because he’s had runs called back and so have the other guys and that’s where right now is where our sole focus goes to, is how do we make sure that we’re getting connected as blocking so our running backs can get in the same areas that we were able to get in the past. That’s the ultimate goal, I think when you really look at it.”
Anthony Weaver – December 19, 2024
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Thursday, December 19, 2024
Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver
(With yesterday, LB Cam Goode, a full participant, LB Bradley Chubb still limited – is that purely a medical issue of where they are or is more a conditioning issue? Why is one ahead of the other?) – “Yeah, that is a question better served for the head coach and our medical staff. When they’re out there, like I said, they’re both competing and the few full speed reps they have, they look great and I’m sure it’s just a confidence, timing issue for them to be ready to go.”
(Does LB Bradley Chubb look to you like someone who’s able to help this week? I know it’s ultimately a group decision but from your eyes.) – “Yeah, I think he looks like a guy who’s trying to work himself back to where he’s used to being. He flashes, but again, having been there, you don’t want to touch that field as a competitor unless you know you’re your best self; otherwise you’re going to put yourself at risk. So I know when he does play, he’ll be ready to go, and again, from what I’ve seen so far, he’s out there making plays and looks good, like he’s getting to that point.”
(What’s your takeaway from your unit’s performance at Houston?) – “I was extremely proud of the group and their effort. Like I said, for us, we knew the playoffs started a month ago and the two prior weeks against Green Bay and the Jets, we didn’t think like we played up to par. So we knew we had to go out there and play our best game to date and I thought we did that, so extremely proud of the group.”
(Your name has come up for head coaching jobs, last offseason and I think probably again this offseason. Is that something important to you that you want to aspire to one day achieve?) – “Is it important to me? Eh, I’m so focused right now on the Miami Dolphins and these players. From the beginning, since I’ve started coaching, I had never sought that out. If the opportunity presented itself, I think I’d be good in the role, but is it something that I seek and go after? No. I’m truly working in service for these guys and focused on the now and just trying to pour into these guys and give them every ounce of wisdom that I have.”
(Is there something you feel you’ve added to your resume to what makes you a viable candidate this year in Miami?) – “I mean shoot, I think I’ve been ready for the job for a few years now. I’ve served under a bunch of incredible mentors. I think the last three years I spent with Coach (John) Harbaugh was a masterclass in just how to operate, move throughout the building and push your players in the right direction without being demeaning or demonstrative, but yet, still being demanding. And then you get another experience here with Mike (McDaniel), who’s very different but still very effective and good at his role. So, so many guys that I think – I’m obviously going to be my truest self if given that opportunity, but I certainly feel like I’m ready, yeah.”
(I wanted to ask about the first touchdown where C.J. Stroud I think found Nico Collins in the back of the endzone. Can you kind of go through what happened or what was supposed to happen there?) – “So we were in Red 2, so we were playing a zone coverage which essentially like when the routes declare, they become more matchy. Jordan Poyer didn’t see the release of one really once he released inside, if he becomes an in-breaker, he should buy that and then he should plaster essentially what happened. It doesn’t all fall on that. It’s a three-man rush, because we drop our nose, there’s a little bit of a void there in the middle which you don’t want him to throw the check down and just walk into the end zone. But we’ve still got to be calculated in how we rush and trying to keep the guy in the pocket or at least make him escape out of the back. I think from a rush standpoint, we got a little high, opened a window for him to step up there when you’re trying to really cage that guy down there. So certainly wasn’t our best effort, and we’ve tried to – when I took this job, our red zone defense and improving upon that was a primary focus, so to fall short in that particular instance was disappointing.”
(I remember your comment when S Jordan Poyer missed a game earlier, saying, “don’t sleep on Elijah Campbell.” We’ve seen a small package, certainly these last three games have had 20 snaps with him starting against Houston. What about the skill set has intrigued you to use him with your other two safeties at times?) – “I think it’s a combination of both Elijah’s (Campbell) skill set and the range and physicality he shows back there at safety, and then Jevón’s (Holland) ability to play some nickel as well. I think we’ve showed on multiple occasions obviously, that we’re willing to play Jalen (Ramsey) there and it puts a bigger body and presence there on the slot, and I think you can do the same thing with Jevón. Kader (Kohou), I thought he played an outstanding game and showed a willingness, particularly on some of those perimeter screens, to stick his face in the fan and stop those which have been hurting us for a couple weeks. Again, just trying to mix those guys back and forth and put bigger bodies there so when teams do want to sling that ball out there, we have a bigger presence.”
(What do you think about facing TE George Kittle, considering some of the struggles this defense has had guarding tight ends?) – “Excited, excited for the challenge. He’s arguably – I don’t think it’s arguably at this point – but he’s one of the best tight ends in the league. So whenever we face those guys, I think from a secondary standpoint, safety, linebacker position, these guys; they get excited for those opportunities and those challenges. So this is another good one. He’s outstanding, strong at the catch point, physical blocker, he can run all day, so just excited to see the matchup and I think we got a good plan to contain him.”
(I know you don’t want to ignore the rest of this season, but LB Chop Robinson’s development and the potential next year of Chop, LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Bradley Chubb, talk about that. How exciting is that?) – “You see the smile on my face as soon as you mentioned those three. But I think we all have seen, from all three players, what they’re capable of so the idea of having all three of them available and on the field on the same time, I mean you completely opened up Pandora’s box for me and you just start thinking of ways you can use them in multiple positions and really scare and intimidate offenses. So it would certainly be an awesome, I want to say problem, it’s certainly not a problem, but it’d just be a lot of fun to see what we can do with all those three guys.”
(More with LB Chop Robinson. When you guys run those overload looks where he’s the only guy on one side of the line, it seems like he’s so adept at forcing that tackle to widen and create gaps for other guys. I’m curious, did you guys see that in his game coming out of college? Has he grown into that ability to be a guy that can be the one rusher on that side of the line?) – “No, we certainly saw that ability in college. Like I said, from a skill set and physical attribute standpoint, we saw that off the tape. We knew there was some refinement and teaching that needed to occur, and development in terms of just his pass rush acumen. I think Coach (Ryan) Crow and Sean Ryan have done a tremendous job with him to this point and his confidence is high right now. It’s important for us to keep him there and put him in as many advantageous opportunities to get one-on-ones.”
(With LB Jordyn Brooks, I don’t think many of us expected him to be up here challenging Zach Thomas for the tackles lead. Did you expect that type of production from him coming out of Seattle?) – “Yeah, we were fortunate where we kind of had some inside information with DeShawn Shead who’s on staff and works with the defensive backs. So he had spent time with Jordyn (Brooks) recently in Seattle and told us the type of player he was. So once he got in the building, it certainly wasn’t a surprise that he’s had the success he’s had. He’s a guy that approaches every day the same, gives the same effort regardless of whether he’s dinged, how he feels, it doesn’t matter. He’s the same guy each and every day and that’s why he’s had the success he has. So I’m not surprised by it. The consistency, the physicality, the temperament – usually those things equate.”
(With inside linebackers, I know the game of college football is kind of evolving. How do you think that that’s impacting that position because if you look at the draft, it’s like inside linebackers are probably one of those positions where they’re very sparsely found.) – “It’s just changed so much throughout the years because really, positionally, from an attribute standpoint, that guy has gotten a little bit smaller, right? You have to be faster. It’s become so much more of a space game. The days of like Levon Kirkland and those big Mikes being back there and plugging on a lead play; you don’t need those bodies anymore. So you’re always trying to figure out ways, like is there a safety that can move inside and play backer and things of that nature, some big body type guys, but the position has become so much more athletic than it used to be. You used to have to have a cross of both that and then shear physicality. Not that you lack that now, but you’ve got to be able to run nowadays.”
(You could probably do this just about any given week given all the coaches that have come off the Kyle Shanahan tree, or Shanahan tree, I guess. This week, do you spend more time maybe picking Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s brain about what the Niners offense might do compared to other weeks?) – “I don’t know. I mean shoot, it’s like every team you face nowadays is this scheme. Me and Mike (McDaniel) spend an awful lot of time, talking all the time about ball, about life, about a number of things. So I think we’re all very familiar with this system. We faced it all offseason and now it’s just a matter of going out there and executing, trying to take away what they do best.”
(Where is LB Chop Robinson against the run at this point as we get to Week 16?) – “I think he’s been doing a great job. I think he’s doing a good job on the edges. When he’s out there, we certainly don’t see him as a liability in the run game, so I’m pleased with where he’s at. There’s sometimes where there’s some new things schematically that he hasn’t seen, where you get these kind of missile blocks and moving blocks. Offenses, they try to create chaos for these defensive ends because they make the most money and they want to slow them down in pass rush, too. So there’s some of those things we try to protect him from, I guess to say, but I’m certainly pleased and we don’t hesitate at all or think that we’re at a disadvantage when he’s out there in run situations.”
(As you look at this defense, then looking ahead, does it need overall help? Does it need situational help, like run stuffers? Different attitude? What do you think?) – “I certainly don’t think it’s an attitude thing. Like I said, I’m incredibly proud of the guys that are here and the way we’ve played to date. I’m sure there isn’t a coach in the National Football League that doesn’t think they could use some help. And there’s certainly aspects that we can, but the guys that are here, I am so proud of and have a tremendous amount of confidence in us being able to go out there and do what we need to do to win.”
(I wanted to ask you a general football question. I guess going back to your playing days, how important is it for a player to have that one coach that makes a difference in their life and trajectory and who was that for you?) – “I think it’s enormous. I used to always say this when I was younger, in my younger days – pre-wife, love you, baby (laughter) – I used to always say, when you went out to the night club, you needed some of these ugly guys, so you look better. (laughter) I think in coaching, it’s the same way. You hope that you are blessed as a player to be around a great coach; one who cares, one who’s knowledgeable, one who’s in it for the right reasons. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. I was blessed that for the majority of my football life, I was around that, and it started early in high school with Blase Iuliano was my high school coach, who was a tremendous influence. And then when I got to this level, it was Rex Ryan. Rex Ryan, he’s a guy – I’m an army brat, so this was not unusual for me, but the football space is always very militant, very regimented – and then I got around Rex and Rex did all that but kept the game the game and kept it fun. So probably just from a coaching standpoint and the two guys that probably had the biggest influence on me, both as a player and now as a coach are Blase Iuliano and Rex Ryan.”
(I wanted to ask about the mentality when you’re at this point in the season and even though there’s a slim margin of chance that you guys can make the playoffs, what do you tell players in terms of, “Hey, these three games matter because of ‘this?’”) – “Shoot, every time you step on the field matters. The second you disrespect the game, or you try to short cut it, it disrespects you. So for us, again I know the margin is slim at this point and things look bleak, but we have things to prove, right? This is our last home game, and our fans deserve our best effort. We’ve got to go out there and defend the rock. Next week, we’ve got to win in the cold and put that narrative to sleep. And then that last game against the Jets, they hung up 400 (offensive yards) on us the last time we played. So we have something to play in every single game, and I know our guys are going to answer the challenge.”
