Durham Smythe – January 8, 2024
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Monday, January 8, 2024
TE Durham Smythe
(Last night’s second half offensive issues, you would point to what as the culprit as to why a drive couldn’t be sustained?) – “Really just small things here and there. A penalty at the wrong time, an incompletion here or there, and then they kind of went on a run of really good complementary football. That’s kind of what happens in games late in the season in December and January. They are won when teams can put together a good run, a good stretch of complementary football late in the game. That’s what they did with the special teams touchdown, a couple of stops on defense and then another touchdown. That’s kind of the story of the second half there.”
(The numbers have been different as far as when you play quality opponents, the offense’s success, compared to when you play lesser opponents. As you look at that, is it schematically the things you are doing? Is it just the fact you’re playing better teams? What has been the primary issue you think that you haven’t had the offense you want to get to in those games?) – “That’s a good question because when we watch the film the following day after playing these teams, the schemes are the schemes. There is still success being had within the scheme. Like I mentioned a second ago, there is a small thing here, a small thing there, that stalls the drives, which obviously prevents us from getting points. It’s really about cleaning everything up, the small things. It’s not like when we are playing these teams, we’re not scoring as much and they’re just completely overpowering us. I think the scheme is still working. The execution is there for the most part. But then one small thing here, one small thing there adds up, and then that prevents us from scoring like we’re used to.”
(There were no touchdowns for tight ends all regular season. Blocking is such a prerequisite for tight ends in this offense. Does that eat at you at all, no touchdown from your position?) – “No, it doesn’t. I think in general, we have a pretty selfless tight end room in terms of individual statistics. We kind of understand our role within the offense. We produce when our number is called. We do a lot of other things within the offense. But then the red zone is kind of a crapshoot a lot of the time. If you’re running the ball well, the running backs are going to score a lot. If Tyreek (Hill) is being Tyreek, he’s going to score a lot. Things like that. Those are things you can’t really control and I don’t think it really affects anyone in our room.”
(A lot is going to be made about the weather in Kansas City this weekend. There is supposed to be a low of 0. Do you do anything different to make sure you’re ready? And as an offense, which of the elements do you kind of prefer the least to play in?) – “It doesn’t change anything. Maybe an extra layer of clothing. In terms of approach, unless it’s pouring down rain or crazy snow, the temperature is going to be what it is. I don’t think you can really change anything from that standpoint. Those games a lot of the time are a lot of fun. Those are memorable games. Now that it is a playoff game as well. I think the guys are excited about it. If you’re not excited about playing in 0 degree weather in Kansas City, in Arrowhead for a playoff game, then you shouldn’t be doing this. I think the guys are excited about it.”
(There are going to people that think a Miami team, flash, high-scoring offense going to a cold weather game, these guys don’t have a chance. What would you say to people that are skeptical for you?) – “I get the narrative there, but I think you’re kind of overlooking the guys in the locker room. Just because the narrative has been all year that we are the fast, flashy team, I don’t think it means that we are soft or scared of the elements, just because the weather is better down here. The guys in that locker room, obviously we come from all over too. It’s not like we all lived here in Miami our entire lives. We’ve dealt with elements before, and like I just mentioned, it’s a playoff game, and if you can’t get up for that, regardless of the weather, than this isn’t for you.”
(You have career best in receptions and receiving yards this year. What have you thought about your year as a receiver?) – “My approach this year has been the same as it has been the last six years. It’s just try to make the play when your number is called. Obviously the role changes every year depending on the pieces that we have within the total offense. When you have guys like we have on the edges, obviously they’re going to get a lot of volume of the target share, which is absolutely necessary and warranted. But then you have to produce when your number is called. When they do things and lean towards those guys a little bit and there may be some openings in the zones, when your number is called, you make the play. That’s really just how I’ll continue to approach it.”
(Was there a concerted effort to get you the ball more as the season progressed? Or was it just how the games dictated?) – “I think it was more of how the games just flowed, and opportunities depending on what the defense was giving us. In the middle of the season, I was dealing with a good amount of injuries and I was trying to survive to the best of my ability out there in terms of running routes and stuff. It’s been nice to get a little bit healthy towards the end of the year. Like I said, it’s been dictated on what the defense is giving us in terms of receiving opportunities.”
(How does this offense transform if RB Raheem Mostert and WR Jaylen Waddle are able to play?) – “I think those guys obviously bring an extra element to this offense. You can see through the production they’ve had this year. They are two experienced guys who have played a lot of football, so that’s nice as well. If we can get those guys back, obviously two of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. If you add those to the guys I thought played really well yesterday in their place, I think that will be a strong effort for us.”
