George Godsey – November 17, 2020
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Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Tight Ends Coach George Godsey
(We’ve been interested to hear from you over the last couple weeks. Obviously you’ve had your role changed a bit because of the COVID situation. How is it for you to sort of have the quarterback role thrown onto you and sort of deal with that on game day?) – “I think everybody in this building kind of has the same mindset. It’s whatever we can do to help this team win. That’s really what our culture is: it’s about winning. So when this responsibility fell on my shoulders, that’s what I’m doing. I don’t look at it one way or the other, other than there’s a job to be done for the day, for the current week and just going and attacking it.”
(I’m curious how your conversations with QB Tua Tagovailoa went over the last couple of games. Obviously you see him every day at practice, you see him in meetings; but how was your relationship with him before the last couple of weeks, how has it changed and also how did QB Ryan Fitzpatrick help out in the last couple of weeks?) – “I think you guys know how I am where I like a lot of open communication between the quarterback and the tight ends, so there’s definitely dialogue that has gone on through the course of the season and of course from (Offensive Coordinator) Chan’s (Gailey) eyes. He’s the coordinator, so he’s portraying a message to the quarterback, the quarterback’s portraying it to the rest of the field when they see certain things. So I think it’s all about everybody being on the same page, seeing it through the same set of eyes. So whether it’s getting the message from Chan or from the quarterback or giving it to the quarterback; I think that’s just all part of the game that we’re working with.”
(I wanted to ask you about one specific play from the last game that involved the quarterback and the tight end. I haven’t asked anybody about it yet. Maybe you know. The play where QB Tua Tagovailoa threw the ball to TE Adam Shaheen in the middle of the field and it kind of went through the linebacker’s hands, was that a “oh, we got away with one, I didn’t really see the linebacker” or was that a “oh, I could fit that in there all day?”) – “It was definitely a tight throw, so we try to – I think from any quarterback’s perspective – we try to minimize those throws as much as possible. But it was a big gain. It was a big play in the game. It led to points, so it was good concentration, too, by Adam (Shaheen). I think through the course of the game, there’s always plays that you’d like to have back, you’d like to do a little bit differently. Fortunately we can learn from the ones that ended up being a successful play and not ones that are damaging.”
(How were your past experiences with QB Matt Stafford, QB Brian Hoyer, QB Brock Osweiler, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and a bunch of other guys, how has that helped you help with QB Tua Tagovailoa these past two games? How have you been able to gauge where he’s at, help him during games, help him after games? How has that gone for you personally?) – “To me, with every new player, new coaching staff that you’re around, you’re always growing. I think as a player or as a coach, there is maybe one play, maybe 10 plays or maybe a whole week that you grow in this league. It’s a humbling league. Everybody is going to have their ups and downs. Like I’ve said before, you try to minimize the downs. There has been a lot of good players that I’ve learned from that have succeeded, and then as a group, maybe it didn’t turn out the right way. But you learn to fight another day and you learn to grow from that particular situation. That’s how we look at it. We’re always looking forward and you’ve got to earn your right every week. Every week is a new week, a new opponent, a new challenge, a lot of new variables, and that’s what we’re on with Denver. They present a lot of challenges defensively, so we’re getting after them and trying to get to know them as quickly as possible.”
(I have a tight ends question for you. It concerns TE Mike Gesicki. Against the 49ers, he had 91 yards receiving. Since then, he’s had 90 yards in the past four games. What’s happening, especially given that WR Preston Williams is not available. Why is Gesicki not getting more yards and what can you do to help him and to make that connection?) – “Each game is a little bit different. We had a stretch there where we got out to some really big leads early and it wasn’t necessarily turned into a throwing game. I think we’re always looking to improve and try to get open as much as possible, and give the quarterback a nice clear window to throw the football to. Then we’ve got to make the play when it’s thrown in our direction. I think we’re doing a good job of distributing the ball. I think that’s been a positive. If one of those balls goes to another tight end or a back or another receiver and we’re getting everybody involved to try to keep the defense covering all 53 yards horizontally and vertically as far as we can throw it, then that’s a good thing. That’s the balance we’re at in the season. We’ve still got plenty of time left in the season. Through the course of the year, you’re going to have to change your identity at some point. If that’s where we’re at right now, then maybe next week it will be something different. Again, each week presents its own challenges and we attack it that way.”
(I know you jumped into the QB room because that’s what Head Coach Brian Flores probably asked you to do. I guess if I can ask an individual question, I know so many of the OC and head coach jobs are often tied to the quarterback room. I’m curious how was that for you to get reps in there to show that you can do more than just your position group?) – “Personally, I have my own goals; but right now during the season, to me that kind of takes a back burner. It’s all about winning. I think when the game’s over and you’ve got a smile on your face, that’s really the most important thing, especially during the season. That’s really where my focus is right now, I haven’t put much thought into that. I know there are a lot of different views whether it’s inside or outside the building; but to me, those are irrelevant right now. It’s all about trying to get a W.”
