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Frank Smith – June 8, 2023 Download PDF version

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith

(You’ve got a new offensive line coach. How is that dynamic working?) – “It’s been great. Butch (Barry) is a great teacher. Obviously his familiarity with Mike (McDaniel) helps because coming from being in the system in San Francisco, he had an understanding of the concepts and what we’re looking to accomplish, so it’s been great as far as our spring and the way we’re trying to teach what we’re trying to do overall and as you see, he’s the energy bus so it’s awesome to have around.”

(The offense seemed to do some really good things out here during minicamp today. Might have been kind of rough, but overall what did you think of passing game? I know no pads, but what did you think?) – “We tried today to put ourselves in some challenging situations to see how we would respond to certain things we knew were going to probably see from the defense. But overall it’s understanding that every play might not go the way that you anticipated it to go, but it’s just how do you respond and overall we felt the growth of everyone and understanding what we’re trying to get in the spring emphasis has been great and guys are really locked in on being in the present and trying to make sure that every day the emphasis of what we’re trying to do that they were keying in on that. So couldn’t have been happier with the way spring has gone.”

(Biggest area of growth for QB Tua Tagovailoa? I know we’ve talked Tua a lot with Head Coach Mike McDaniel. From your perspective what have you seen from him?) – “It’s just Year 1 you’re learning a new language and then Year 2, you’re mastering that language and you’re really putting your flavors on how you see things, your anticipation of routes, how you’re communicating with the guys and what they’re looking to do. So just his growth has been awesome. His understanding and timing and just anticipation and then getting the added chemistry with the guys. Because last year was the first time for all of that. This year now it’s, okay, at this point, we get this – you have increased dialogue of what everyone’s trying to do inside of a play so he’s been great. Command of the offense is great. Couldn’t be happier with where he’s at.”

(Last year second-fewest rushing attempts in the league. Is there a focus to balance that more or a focus on the run game? What do you think of that number and what does it say and what do you want to do with it?) – “Overall your goal is to be balanced in your attack and attack what the defense is giving you so obviously that’s an area that we wanted to improve upon, but there are areas that we did so well at that hey, sometimes you’re not running the ball as much, but other things are going well so this year, just a greater understanding of why we’re doing what we’re doing. Here in this look, we can maximize the run potential through all of us having a better understanding in Year 2 of what our terminology means and what we’re trying to attack. So it’s hard in the spring as much with you’re in no pads, you get things in the ground as far as teaching concepts and principles and as far as the running game, we’ll look to really build upon that in training camp.”

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