Ryan Fitzpatrick – August 29, 2019 (Postgame)
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Thursday, August 29, 2019
Postgame – New Orleans
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (Transcribed by New Orleans Saints)
(You are the Miami Dolphins starting quarterback, and you feel how about that?) – “I’m excited. I’m excited to get out there and lead this team and do the best I can out there. It’s a situation I’ve been in for multiple franchises. I’ll lean on my experience a little bit and try to get the guys out there, everybody on the same page and great communication and playing with a lot of excitement.”
(How do you feel you took control to be named the starting quarterback?) – “I think there are a lot of things that go into being a professional quarterback. In digesting this offense – together – it’s a new offense for everybody. We’re trying to get everybody on the same page through the offseason, all the OTAs. Through training camp, I was just trying to be the best version of me I could be every day and trying to be a guy that could lead us and make sure to be the best communicator out there and all those things. I’m really excited for the opportunity.”
(Was there ever a time there was a doubt in your mind or a question in your mind?) – “About?”
(About winning the starting job?) – “I know I have more confidence in myself than anybody else in this world, so sometimes that’s a detriment but a lot of times, that works in my favor. I am always confident in who I am and what I am as a player. This is where I wanted to be, and what I worked to get.”
(Do you feel like it gets easier now or harder now?) – “Playing quarterback is very hard in the NFL. I’m still doing this, I’m still playing because I want to be out there on the field, and I want to be in those tough times in the huddle when we’re facing adversity and trying to figure things out together and work through things. That’s the joy that I have in this game. It is never easy out there. Even sometimes when it looks easier when you have a good game, it is never easy. It’s a difficult game. I’ve spent the last 14 years trying to figure it out, and still every week is a new challenge that’s presented. It’s the beauty of the game. The appeal, too, is just the challenge of it and that it’s so difficult to master every week.”
(This is obviously one goal that’s been achieved. I’m sure you have goals beyond that. What do you want to accomplish this year?) – “All my stuff is so short-sided in what I want to do. It’s a week-to-week league in terms of the success and the failures. My focus is on Week 1 and the Baltimore Ravens and getting us ready to play and putting us in the best position to win a football game.”
(You started very hot last year. Is there a secret to doing that?) – “No, if I could figure that one out, I’d probably be… I think the biggest thing last year was just we made some big plays, and we had great preparation in the offseason. Just getting on the same page with guys – I feel like there’s been a lot of that that’s been done here. Obviously [this is a] new year, new team, new opponent, but I’m excited to see what is to come.”
(Have you started – or if you have, when did you start preparing for the Baltimore Ravens as the starting quarterback?) – “We’ve looked at them very superficially. We don’t have a game plan in place yet, but that will come in a few days. As we move forward we’ll get all that figured out and we’lll get it practiced and ironed out. We’ve definitely looked at some tape already.”
(When did you find out? What was that conversation like with Head Coach Brian Flores?) – “I found out before you guys did and (it was) just a quick conversation with Coach ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores). He’s been great throughout the whole process – not just with starter and non-starter, but just in terms of being upfront and just letting guys know how he sees things and what he feels. That’s very appreciated as a player when you have a coach like that. We had a good conversation.”
(You said quick conversation – this wasn’t just like, 15 seconds or something. “You’re the starter.” “OK, bye.” It wasn’t anything like that, right?) – “No, no (laughter).”
Brian Flores – August 29, 2019 (Postgame)
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Thursday, August 29, 2019
Postgame – New Orleans
Head Coach Brian Flores (Transcribed by New Orleans Saints)
(Opening Statement) – “Before we start, I wanted to get this out in the open, I told you guys when we made a decision on our starting quarterback that we would let you know. So, we are going to name Ryan Fitzpatrick our starter for game One. (I) Told both quarterbacks, (I) feel like that’s the best situation for the team, puts us in the best position to win. That’s how we are going forward.”
(On the decision to start QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 1) – “Well, like I’ve said all year long, after a thorough evaluation of OTA’s, training camp, games, practice, we felt like this was the best move for this team going into this season. Ryan has done a really good job from a leadership standpoint, from an execution standpoint, and we feel like that’s the best thing for this team.”
(When was the decision reached?) – “We made the decision – again, I would say the conversations that we have as a staff and the decisions we make – those are internal. I would say it was made over the course of the last week or so. Again, we are always going to do what we feel is in the best interest of the organization, and that’s where we’re at right now.”
(What does QB Josh Rosen need to do to get to the point where you’re comfortable playing him?) – “I’ve said multiple times, I think he’s improved greatly over the course of training camp. This is a young kid who works extremely hard. It is important to him. He’s talented, but playing quarterback in this league – it takes some time. He’s in a new offense, and I think he’ll get there. I do. I really do. That’s a conversation we had. I think he’ll get there at some point. When? I don’t know, and a lot of that’s up to him. He knows that. No knock on him, but he has worked extremely hard, but I think he will get there. This is a talented player. We’re excited about him.”
(How did both quarterbacks react when you told them QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was starting?) – “They both handled it well. These are two of the most professional guys I have been around. They both handled it really well. Obviously, ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) was excited. Josh was a little disappointed, but at the same time, he looked at me and said… well, I will keep that conversation between he and I (laughter).”
(Do you think there is a necessity to look at QB Josh Rosen as a starting quarterback at some point for a particular amount of times – six games, eight games, something like that?) – “No, that’s not something that’s – ‘Fitz’ is our starter. You don’t go into one of these, saying, oh, he’s going to start for this amount of games, and then we’re going to… that’s not how you do this. We feel comfortable with him as the starting quarterback. He brings the leadership, the experience and just an overall knowledge and ability to manage and run this offense, and that’s what we are looking for. I think he will do a good job.”
(With this move, do you think this can help QB Josh Rosen with his confidence?) – “His development is what we are… well the development of every player on this team is our priority, his specifically. When we talk specifically about Josh, his development is something that we as an organization – it’s a top priority. I think sitting at times helps your development. Hopefully that will be the case here.”
(For QB Josh Rosen to get the starting job, he’s got to show you through practice and studying habits…) – “Exactly. Exactly. Right now ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) is the starter. ‘Fitz’ is the starter, and obviously, we feel really good about Josh Rosen. We really good about all our quarterbacks. Jake went out there and played really well tonight. I can’t say enough good things about him and the way he has practiced and performed and when we gets in there and gets his opportunities, he takes advantage of them. I like our quarterback room. Hopefully we continue to grow and build as a unit and hopefully that transcends over to the entire team.”
(Is this a week-to-week decision?) – “Ryan Fitzpatrick is the starting quarterback and that’s how I see it.”
(Going in another direction, T Laremy Tunsil his name has been out there – the trade rumors. Have you talked to Laremy, and is there a possibility could be traded in the next few days?) – “Yeah, I talk to Laremy every day. There is no trade in place for him. Look, the conversations I have with players – like I’ve said many times – are between myself and the player. Those are private. We’re going to keep them private. Same thing goes for any conversations we have or don’t have as an organization. They’re private. We’re going to keep them private.”
(When do you expect to start making cuts? Will some come tomorrow, or will all of them Saturday?) – “Between tomorrow and Saturday. Obviously, this is a tough time of the year. That group – they went out there and battled tonight. I thought they played really well. I thought we’re really coming together as a team. You see the guys that weren’t out there encouraging the players who were out there. I thought we made plays in all three phases. I thought they really tried to play together tonight. That was good to see. This group has worked extremely hard over the course of training camp. It’s been hot. We’ve practiced in pads. I’m not an easy guy to deal with all the time, so they dealt with that. I’m really appreciative of the hard work that they’ve put in. I’m proud of this group.
Josh Rosen – August 29, 2019 (Postgame)
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Thursday, August 29, 2019
Postgame – New Orleans
QB Josh Rosen (Transcribed by New Orleans Saints)
(Obviously QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has been named the starter – how do you feel about that?) – “Not great, but at least for me, the battle and competition never stops. I’ll push him every single day for him to get better, and if he doesn’t get better, I’ll hopefully surpass him at some point. We’re teammates. We’re both Dolphins, and I’m rooting for him as hard as anyone because I think – as I said before – a rising tide raises all ships. I think our quarterback room has a lot of good talent and I think it’s making me better as well.”
(When were you told about this decision?) – “Before the game.”
(How confident do you feel that you didn’t get the starting job, considering you kind of have impressed Head Coach Brian Flores in practice and film sessions and that kind of thing?) – “I think Coach (Flores) challenged me pretty early in training camp as I wasn’t playing very well because I was just sort of drinking water from a fire hose. I think I responded pretty well and made some good progress through the preseason games. I think a lot of that had to do with focusing on my day-to-day and not trying to worry if Coach was looking or make sure I impress him here or this. I think I’ve just got to play football like I know how to play football. In our discussion when (Coach Flores) told me ‘Fitz’ (QB Ryan Fitzpatrick) was going to get the job, he told me that I’ve made a lot of really good, steady upward progress. I think it’s only time that this team is mine, but until then I’m going to be as supportive a backup as I can, and like I said, push him every single day.”
(A year and a half, whenever it was when the Arizona Cardinals took you at No. 10 in the 2018 NFL Draft, I don’t think you’d ever imagine that at this point in your career, you’d be here. How do you get your head around where career progression went?) – “I think I’m in a pretty good spot. It’s not the spot I’d prefer to be in at the moment, but it doesn’t change my progression as a quarterback. Last year everything kind of flipped pretty quickly. They told me at the beginning of the year I was supposed to sit out and try and learn behind (Former Arizona Cardinals QB) Sam (Bradford) and play that Year 2 and get ready to get, and that didn’t happen. I think any sort of projection of where my career should be is kind of irrelevant, or really difficult to pin down, I guess you could say at this point. That’s why I’m really focusing on what I can do day-to-day. In terms of my progression as a quarterback, I think I’m substantially better a quarterback now than I was three weeks ago and a way better quarterback than I was a year ago. On this progression, I think the future is pretty bright. I’m excited. I wouldn’t say it’s a setback, but the temporary – it’s not even a hurdle to cross over; it’s part of the journey.”
(Did you at any point think that as the younger guy that you might get the edge in a close race because you figure more into the Dolphins’ future than QB Ryan Fitzpatrick? Did you ever think, “yeah, if it’s close, the younger guy probably gets it”?) – “No, because there are arguments for both sides. There are arguments for both sides. You could say that you want to develop the young guy and make sure that when he pulls the trigger, it’s the real trigger and that he’s ready to do it, or you could say that you want him to trial by fire. Trial by fire didn’t work great for me last year (laughter), but I think there are arguments on both sides.”
(You obviously don’t feel great about the decision. You shouldn’t, but do you agree with it?) – “That’s a good question. I would like to answer your question but it’s just really not up to me. I think there are arguments on both sides. If the decision was made after Preseason (Game) 1 or 2, I think it would be pretty clear-cut decision, but I think I’ve made some pretty good progress in this offense and really started to get the hang of it, so as time goes on I’ll only continue to improve. Coach’s decision is out of my control. I think I did a pretty good job of making it at least a little bit difficult for him at the end. Maybe if there were a couple more preseason (games), it’d be – I’m just kidding.”
Albert Wilson – August 29, 2019 (Fourth Quarter)
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Fourth Quarter – New Orleans
WR Albert Wilson
(In October, you go down with a hip injury, you go through all the rehab, you finally get a chance to get back on the field. How did it feel for you?) – “It felt really good – just getting out there and competing against someone else besides our own teammates and just getting hit, just doing what I love again. I felt pretty good getting out there for the couple of plays I had.”
(It’s tough going through rehab. It’s tough being away from the team. How difficult was it for you?) – “I had Jakeem (Grant) with me most of the time along this journey, so it was pretty – it wasn’t as bad as it seemed. We came in every day to compete against each other – to try to make each other better, to try to make this process as successful as possible, and I think we did a pretty good job, so I’m excited for this year.”
(Looked like you took a couple hits out there after being away for a while. Doesn’t bother you, does it?) – “No, not at all.”
Xavien Howard – August 29, 2019 (Third Quarter)
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Thursday, August 29, 2019
Third Quarter – New Orleans
CB Xavien Howard (Third Quarter)
(No battle for CB Xavien Howard because you’ve got your spot locked up. What have you done this offseason to try to improve your game?) – “Overall, I just worked on my technique. Mostly with some of the guys – Bobby McCain, Eric Rowe – this whole offseason, we’ve been grinding together and just working on my technique and just being disciplined with what I’m doing.”
(When you look at that room – the defensive backs – do you like what you see in there – the players that you have, the athletes that you’re going to be going to battle with?) – “Oh, yeah. Those guys, we spend a lot of time together. We try to build that chemistry, even with the safeties and everything. We’re all working together and they’re the guys I want to go to war with.”
(It seems like when you’re out on the field, they seem to be throwing to the other side of the field. Do you ever get bored over there?) – “Oh no, I try to stay up all the time. They try to lull you to sleep then come at you, so I try to stay awake for everything that’s going on. When the ball comes my way, I’ve still got to make them pay.”
Brian Flores – August 29, 2019 (Halftime)
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Thursday, August 29, 2019
Halftime – New Orleans
Head Coach Brian Flores (Halftime)
(QB Jake Rudock got the start and had some good drives for you, put 13 points on the board. Do you like what you saw?) – “Absolutely. I think as a total team, we came out ready to play. We ran the football, stopped the run, covered kicks. We got a got a great punt out of (Matt) Haack. I think as an overall team, that was a good, strong half; but the big thing is we’ve got to finish off the second half. We’ve got to play well in the second half.
(One of the guys we got to see – WR Albert Wilson – hasn’t played all preseason. You get a chance to see him and it’s nice to see him on the field.) – “It’s great to see him out there. We got him a few touches. He played fast and made some plays. That’s what we expect to see out of Albert. It was good to see him out there.”
Davon Godchaux – August 27, 2019
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019
DT Davon Godchaux
(For a guy like yourself that knows you’re penciled in as a starter and whatnot, how difficult is it for the guys that are not sure going into this fourth preseason game and kind of know but don’t know if they’ve made the team and they’ve still got to go hard in paint?) – “I tell my guys in the d-line room all the time, ‘put some good stuff on tape because 31 other teams are watching you.’ If the Miami Dolphins don’t keep you, then you’ll get picked up by somebody else. So always, the biggest thing – my thing – is effort to the ball. Put something on tape, stand out on tape and I mean if you don’t stay here, you’ll get picked up somewhere else.”
(Obviously you know a guy that always had a smile on his face – probably not a smile today – was DT Akeem Spence. Just to see him let go, I mean, that’s got to be tough for you guys.) – “It’s very tough. We came in and we got the news, (Spence) texted us in the group message; but at the end of the day, it’s a business. That’s my friend. We built a bond here last year. He came in with (former Defensive Line Coach) Kris Kocurek and we built the bond – me, him, Vince (Taylor) and each and everybody. We built the bond. At the end of the day, it’s a business. At the end of the day, you know somebody’s going to get released. Every day somebody’s going to get released, and there’s going to be a time for me to get released whether I’m getting too old or whether they don’t need me no more. It’s just the business of it. I always tell people, ‘you can’t put your feelings into business.’ At the end the end of the day, it was very emotional for me because I built a bond with him last year coming in; but at the end of the day, it’s a business.”
(How closely as a teammate do you pay attention to those last kind of roster battle spots that go on this week with so many people fighting just for that one last spot?) – “It’s very important because I feel like, if they release a d-tackle, you’ve got to find who they’re bringing in with us and see if they bond with us, see if they gel with us because like ‘B-Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) says, the biggest thing to do is trust someone. Like the other day, a hot day out there where we’re grinding, you’ve got to build trust with that. I’ve got to be able to trust with Christian (Wilkins), knowing that when Coach calls a certain call, he’s going to be there. Christian’s got to be able to trust in me when Coach calls a certain call, that I’m going to be there for him, playing alongside him. At the end of the day, it’s all about building that trust, so each guy they bring in, you want to be able to trust him.”
Nate Orchard – August 27, 2019
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019
DE Nate Orchard
(How do you like the scheme that they’re running here? Being able to put your hand in the dirty or coming from the linebacker spot?) – “Yeah, I love the system. (Defensive Coordinator) Patrick Graham knows what he’s doing. He’s able to put guys in positions to be successful and he’s doing that with me and a bunch of guys. He sees my skillset and what I can bring to the table, allowing me to stand up and have my hand in the dirt, as well.”
(Where are you more comfortable? Hand in the dirt or does it matter?) – “Honestly, it doesn’t matter. I’ve been doing both. I’ve been in systems where I’m in a 3-4, 4-3, so I’ve done a little bit of everything.”
(Pass coverage? CB Eric Rowe said you had a little bit of a knack for that in college too.) – “Yeah, I did that with (Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach) Kalani Sitake when I was at Utah. So yeah, I’ve had experience. I’ve been in the league for five years now, so you get your hands in a little bit of everything.”
(Do you feel like this defensive system fits you the best since you’ve been in the league?) – “So far, yeah. I feel really comfortable with what we’re doing. They’ve moved me from a 5-, 9- or a 6-(technique), stand up, have my hand in the dirt. I’m comfortable being able to move around and play to my strengths.”
(When you move around that much, does that make the game more enjoyable? How does that – We’ve talked with you guys about how much more is on your plate, but in the game you seem to do a lot more than what you normally do.) – “Right. Like I said, being in the league for five years and bouncing around from the left to the right side, stand up, hand in the dirt, the game starts to slow down for you a little bit. With the work you put into the film room and the amount of time we have on that practice field, things start to slow down and you start to see things coming.”
(How difficult is this week for you when you start to see guys when you see guys disappear in the locker room. Guys that you’ve built bonds with and stuff like that.) – “It gets to that time of year. As you guys know, last year being on Hard Knocks, the whole storyline there. Things start to wind down and guys start to leave. It’s the hardest part of this game. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to know that it goes back to being a business and you’ve got to be able to put that aside and not let it break you down. Keep progressing and keep putting your best foot forward.”
(What’s the approach for guys that are on the cusp of making the team, or not making the team going into that fourth preseason game?) – “You’ve got to be able to block out the noise. Knowing what’s at stake, it’s tough. But at the same time, don’t let it take away from your game. Be who you are and approach each game, each snap, as if it was your last and just enjoy it as much as possible.”
(You are tied for the NFL lead for sacks this preseason. What does that mean for you?) – “It’s preseason. At the same time, it’s great to be able to get out there and stack them back up. It’s been a while. I get to get back into my groove. I’m in a great scheme where I get the opportunity to go out and do what I love.”
