Brian Flores – October 28, 2020
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(I wanted to get your thoughts on the thinking behind extending TE Adam Shaheen.) – “I think he’s come in obviously via trade and he’s really worked hard. I think he’s been productive over the first six weeks of the season. We just felt like he was somebody we wanted to keep around for a few more years. There were some discussions ongoing and those guys were able to strike a deal.”
(What are some things you’re looking to see from QB Tua Tagovailoa and the offense in practice today?) – “The same thing we’re always looking for. Good communication, cohesiveness along the offensive line and our run blocking and run assignments. The same thing in our play-action and drop-backs. Then good overall execution. I think we need a good look from our scout team. The Rams are a very good defense. They’re fast, they tackle well, they don’t give up very many big plays, so this is going to be a tough test. So we need a good look from our scout team but offensively, good communication, good fundamentals, good technique, and then good overall execution to start the week off and try to build on that throughout the week. Obviously that starts in meetings, which we’ll do that this morning, take that to the walkthrough and then hopefully execute in practice.”
(How do you feel about the matchup between DT Aaron Donald and the offensive line, in particular the interior guys?) – “Look, Aaron Donald is a great player. He really is. I think we all know that he’s one of the best defensive players in the league. He’s consistently been that for a number of years now. But they’ve got a lot of other good players. Obviously he’s probably their best player, but they’ve got a lot of good players there – (Leonard) Floyd, (Michael) Brockers, John Johnson, obviously Jalen Ramsey. Our offensive line, it’s not just five-on-one. Let’s be clear on that. They know that. We’ve talked to them about that already. Obviously we have to play close attention to Aaron Donald and he’s a very, very great player; but they’ve got a very good team over there. I have a lot of respect for Donald. They’ve got some good players over there and we’ll have to handle all of them because they can all make plays.”
(It seems like Sunday might be the first time that QB Tua Tagovailoa gets physically tackled. Is there any curiosity or thoughts about that, and maybe how he’ll react to that?) – “No. I think from a health standpoint, we feel good about where he is. He’s going to get hit in the game. We know that. So no – it’s actually not something I’ve even thought of until you just brought it up. Our focus is on having a good meeting, having a good practice and we’ll try to go out and execute in practice today and just string along good days this week.”
(I wanted to ask you about how comfortable you were with how your team conducted itself during the bye. Was the level of compliance what you thought it might be?) – “I mean we talked to them about just being responsible, keeping your distance, wearing a mask. I imagine, I hope that they were all responsible and did the right things. So far so good as far as from a testing standpoint; but again, like I’ve said since training camp, you can do everything right and it can still affect the team, your family, etc. I’m hoping we did everything right. You just never know. There’s a lot of people in the building and we don’t have eyes on everyone; but I think we’re all trying to be responsible and do the right things. So far so good; but I think for me, the thought is even if we do everything right, it can still show up. All we can do is put our best foot forward and I think there’s some peace in knowing that you at least did that. If something happens then it happens, and that’s out of our hands.”
(I know you talk a lot about the 1/11th and being a team and not just the quarterback position. Is there something that you tell QB Tua Tagovailoa to help him understand that he doesn’t have to win the game or do it all for you guys in his first start?) – “I just think that each player understands that already. I think when you’re on a team, you’re in a locker room and you’re on the practice field, it’s pretty obvious that if no one blocks for you, that’s not going to work out. It’s not going to work out for a quarterback, a running back or a receiver, or if somebody lines up incorrectly defensively, they are going to hit a big play. To me, those things are obvious, especially when you’re in it on a play-to-play basis. We talk about it extensively. Everyone has to take care of their assignment and handle their responsibility for it all to work. It takes 11. It’s something we talk about. Maybe I’m the lone guy on this, but I think it’s pretty obvious on the field that if your o-line doesn’t block, you’re going to get sacked. If your o-line doesn’t block, you’re not going to have a good play. If the receiver just stands there when he’s supposed to run a route, when you throw it to him, it’s going to be incomplete. I think we kind of all understand that everyone has to do their part. If we do that, then we give ourselves a chance to be successful. But, it’s a team game. I hope everybody gets that. I say it enough.”
(One more on QB Tua Tagovailoa, was there some convincing that he had to do or any reassuring that he had to do to let you guys know, ‘hey, I’m 100 percent. I’m ready to go, I’m ready to play and be at my full strength?’) – “No.”
(Are you expecting QB Tua Tagovailoa – sometimes rookies might not say a lot or lead, even in meetings or whatever. Have you seen his demeanor change at all now that he’s the one, and were you expecting or are you expecting him to step up differently?) – “Tua – look, I think it’s a leadership positon. Once you step into that role and you step into the huddle and everyone is listening to your voice, listening to you call the play. From that standpoint, when he’s been in there as the second-team quarterback, he’s assumed that role. But I think when you’re in there as the No. 1 guy, you assume a little bit bigger role. That’s just natural to the position. I think everyone kind of knows that. I think he’s just being himself, which is what we try to tell all of the players. Be yourself. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. Just try to be authentic. I think that’s another thing that’s important to the position, really any position. Just be yourself, be authentic, be who you are and then we’ve all got to bring different personalities and try to come together on a play, after play, after play basis, and try to execute our fundamentals, our technique and try to have a good play. One good play and then try to string good plays together. Specific to Tua and trying to do more, I think being with the first team, that naturally – you use it a little bit more; but I think he’s being who he’s been since we got him.”
