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Tua Tagovailoa – September 12, 2021 (Postgame) Download PDF version

Sunday, September 12, 2021
Postgame – New England

QB Tua Tagovailoa

(Can you just assess your performance today, how it went?) – “I think offensively we started out the way we wanted to. We started out fast – getting on the ball, trying to force communication on the defensive side. I think we played complementary football, but to an extent we didn’t take advantage of a lot of the opportunities the defense gave us with a lot of the turnovers, but I thought overall there is a lot things we need to clean up offensively. I think the defense gave us a lot of opportunities and we just got to make use of those.”

(I’m curious how many of the plays on the opening drive were scripted?) – “I wouldn’t say our opening plays are scripted, but it’s more so we kind of know and understand how the game is going to be as far as our personnel being in there and what to expect as far as their defensive personnel being out there, and you can kind of gauge what plays are about to come into the headset.”

(Was that the same to start the second half? Those were your two TD drives.) – “Yeah, you know, it’s all about making adjustments, and that’s what we tried to do the second half. Obviously we got to execute a lot better, and for me, taking care of the ball. That’s big.”

(Were you trying to throw the ball away on that pick?) – “Yeah, I was trying to throw the ball away, but unfortunately that’s not what happened.”

(What was it like going against Patriots QB Mac Jones? Obviously not facing him. You’re facing the defense but just knowing he was on the other side.) –  “I was happy for him. It being his first real game with a crowd like this, I mean, I thought he made some really good throws. And their execution on third down I think was really good, and Mac looks like he fits perfectly into their offense and their system so I was happy for him.”

(On how much the defense boosted the offense by forcing field goals on long drives) – “I mean, I think that’s winning football on the defensive side. Like I said, I think we’ve got to do a better job at making use of the opportunities that we get offensively. You know, and I would say kind of giving the defense some rest as well by either running the ball, getting RPOs, getting first downs, and kind of having long drives so they can get their rest. And then to that point, playing complementary football.”

(How did WR Jaylen Waddle affect today’s game?) – “I don’t think it was just Jaylen. I think it was a lot of the guys out there on the field – DeVante Parker – and a lot of the things that you guys probably don’t look at. You know, in Jaylen’s first touchdown you have Durham (Smythe) and Mike (Gesicki) on one side and they’re picking pretty much for Jaylen and that play wasn’t possible without those guys. I think the line did pretty good, too, today, up front. Obviously there are some things that we’ve got to clean up and that’s what tomorrow is for us.”

(What’s the luxury of having CB Xavien Howard on your side when things aren’t going great offensively he steps up and helps you out?) – “Yeah, and I don’t think it’s just ‘X,’ but having ‘X’ is definitely really fun because you know something or anything can happen. But it’s really everyone on the defense, you know, that helps with the turnovers. And that was just ‘X.’ That was just ‘X,’ so yeah.”

(TE Hunter Long is from up in this area. He comes back home, played high school and college ball here and gets a win with you guys. What’s your impression of him so far and was it a special moment to come home and get a win?) – “I think Hunter has done a great job. Although he hasn’t been getting catches, he does what he’s asked. That’s what you expect and that’s what you want, especially for a rookie, someone that’s just willing to go out there and do whatever he needs to do for the team.”

(You’ve got a guy right here who played for the Patriots, Head Coach Brian Flores, so many connections. What’s extra special about kind of doing it for these guys?) – “I think these guys will be the first to tell that you it’s not about them. You know, it’s just about the collective work and effort that we’ve all put in as a team going against each other. Our defense kind of emulates the Patriots’ defense, so we have the luxury of going against these guys, and them making it hard for us to move the ball, to run the ball, whatever it may be. But it is special for them because they’ve obviously come from this organization so it’s a good win.”

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