Mike McDaniel – August 26, 2023 (Postgame)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023
Postgame – Jacksonville
Head Coach Mike McDaniel (transcribed by Jacksonville Jaguars)
COACH MCDANIEL: The collection of the two NFLPA representatives, Doug [Pederson] and myself made the right call in that the two teams agreed that football shouldn’t be played anymore tonight. And without a shadow of a doubt, I know that was the right call. So, I’m proud of the collective group for doing the right thing. Our guys are hurting but relieved.
What’s the process from here? I assume he’ll [WR Daewood Davis] stay here overnight. Is that correct?
COACH MCDANIEL: I believe that’s protocol. There was a lot of individual players that I was attending to. So, I haven’t crossed that T with Kyle [Johnston] yet, our head trainer. But that will come in the looming moments.
How would you describe the atmosphere around the team, how shaken his teammates must have been?
COACH MCDANIEL: The emotional roller coaster was real just because there was a lot of guys in the game, including himself, that people — really his teammates were pumped for, to be in the game and get opportunities to make plays. And there’s not really a playbook for things of that nature. You could see in the collective faces of both teams their mind wasn’t on playing football at all. So (I) thought it was inappropriate to play football.
You decided to play the starters today. What did you see with the offense with Tua [QB Tua Tuagovailoa]?
COACH MCDANIEL: You know, I saw some good and some bad. Overall, I thought as a unit there were some good things. There were some individual shortcomings that you hate to see for that group because they don’t get the whole game to make it right. But I think I was happy with the intent, but overall, you try to score on every drive. So, that wasn’t the case. We have some good tape to learn from.
On the fumbled snap in the first drive and if that has been an issue during training camp?
COACH MCDANIEL: It’s something that you have corrected because it doesn’t matter what anyone does on the play if that’s the case. Since the last preseason game, every first play of practice has been in the shotgun to try to give him reps at that because he’s obviously — you know, there’s like 600, 700 shotgun snaps in the season — so he obviously executes it well. But it’s just something that he’s working through. And I think that the silver lining, it’s better that that happens in the preseason, but it’s a non-negotiable correction.
Can we some other injury updates on players? We saw Elijah Campbell [DB Elijah Campbell] carted off and Salvon [RB Salvon Ahmed] take a shot to the head and didn’t come back in. Do you have any updates on them?
COACH MCDANIEL: With regard to Salvon, he cleared the neurological test after the game, but he’ll be getting more tests tomorrow. And I’ll actually get some feedback on Elijah tomorrow as well.
What did you see on that final play?
COACH MCDANIEL: You know I didn’t really see it at all. Since it was a catch/PBU point of attack, I took my eyes immediately down to the call sheet probably before he went to the ground because I was planning on going it on 4th-and-2. And then I actually heard someone say he wasn’t moving. So that’s when I immediately ran out there. So, I didn’t see any of the impact on the ground at all.
We obviously saw you and Doug [Jaguars Head Coach Doug Pederson] and Christian [DT Christian Wilkins] out there conversing over what to do. Was the league also consulted?
COACH MCDANIEL: Yeah, they’re talking to us through the headset of the referee. And we brought the PA (player’s association) reps out there and mutually agreed, both teams mutually agreed to end the game at that point, which we made the league aware of.
What can you tell us about Daewood [WR Daewood Davis] as a person?
COACH MCDANIEL: He’s a great — he’s a great spirit, first and foremost. He had a rookie show — not a rookie show, in one of the offensive meetings early on in camp, he did, you know, a rookie event. And you could see the rest of the — he kind of sang a little song and then told a story — and you could see the rest of the offense from that point on really — he’s magnetic. He’s got a cool personality to him. And guys really saw that from then on. The receivers already knew it. But from then on, he was a guy that his teammates really root for. That tells you everything about a human being because you can’t, in a locker room of individuals that spend so much time together, there’s no hiding the good things and the bad things. Really who you are is really put out there, and he’s a popular guy amongst our team because of how he works. And I’ve had such a pleasure in his development process and was excited for a couple of opportunities he was going to get. But more than anything we’re just hoping for a full recovery and have had some good news and hope to have some even better news moving forward.
Might not know too much about the similar situation in Cincinnati last year. After this moment, what did you say to the team? Can you share what you said?
COACH MCDANIEL: I just wanted to make sure that the guys knew that there’s no right way to feel. And we all sign up for the sport. (We) love the sport and it’s conflicting when you see one of your brothers go down in that fashion. And I just wanted to make sure that they knew that there is no way to feel, but to make sure to tell your loved ones you love them and not take your teammates and your relationships with them for granted at all because that’s what you lean on. You just don’t want people to internalize things and express it to each other. I basically told them to lean on teammates and gave them an update. But there’s nothing right to say or feel.
Is it your understanding he’ll stay here tonight or is it too early?
COACH MCDANIEL: That’s my assumption, but I have not verified that yet. Things were moving pretty fast and furious.
Tua Tagovailoa – August 26, 2023 (Postgame)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023
Postgame – Jacksonville
QB Tua Tagovailoa (transcribed by Jacksonville Jaguars)
Can you go over what happened out there?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think there were a lot of things that happened out there on the field tonight that weren’t expected. For Daewood [WR Daewood Davis], I don’t think he woke up this morning understanding that there are repercussions playing this sport that this was going to happen. I don’t think anyone wakes up thinking things like that’s going to happen. There were a lot of things that happened out there on the field for not just Daewood, but there were other guys as well. Our prayers, our thoughts are with a lot of those guys that sacrifice a lot, day in and day out. And it was just tough to see.
I assume it would have been very hard if not possible to continue playing for your teammates?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I think it would have been extremely hard for the guys to have gone out and continued to play. The kind of person Daewood [WR Daewood Davis] is, a lot of guys respect him. He’s very well respected in the locker room. He’s a great player. He’s a great teammate. He’s a great person. Just would have been hard to have gone back out after seeing something like that.
Did you see the entire play and what did you think, if so?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I’d seen the entire play. I just didn’t see if there was a second person that hit him. I’d just seen it was a pass breakup and I didn’t think anything of it. And when Daewood [WR Daewood Davis] was on the floor and he didn’t move, that was very concerning. So prayers go out to him, his family, his friends, everyone watching, thinking of him.
What about the mood in the locker room? Can you lend any insight on how that was?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, it’s tough for everyone. It’s tough for everyone in there to witness something like that and come in and talk about how the game went. It’s just too tough. Like I said, the kind of person that Daewood [WR Daewood Davis] is, he’s very well respected in the locker room. The guys like him. Guys sort of tailor to who he is as a person. It’s hard to explain when you’re not in the locker room day in and day out. But it’s just not something you like seeing.
Could you explain a little bit as far as like the bond you all will embrace from this moment just to move forward and grow from this?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I think the bond continues to grow for all those guys in the locker room. When something like this happens, sometimes it does bring guys closer because it’s more than just football. It’s about life, it’s about the person, it’s about the guys in the locker room who they are outside the locker room. We’re all human, too. We go out there for the entertainment of those people watching and sometimes things happen unfortunately like that.
A minute ago when Mike McDaniel [Head Coach Mike McDaniel] was out here, he talked about Daewood [WR Daewood Davis] sort of putting on, telling a story, and singing a song for the team. Were you there for that and how did that make the team kind of rally around him?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I was there for all of it. I was there also when they had the rookie show. It was probably the best rookie show I’ve ever seen. I’ve only been here for four years, but it’s the best rookie show I’ve ever seen. Definitely way better than my rookie show that we had. But
it was good. They all did good. It was funny. But there’s many things that you can talk about that are good about Daewood [WR Daewood Davis], but that’s not to outshine the guys that have put in the work out there out on the field, given the opportunities and the chances they’ve had to put their work on film.
Tyreek Hill – August 26, 2023 (Postgame)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023
Postgame – Jacksonville
WR Tyreek Hill (transcribed by Jacksonville)
I’m sure it’s been a hard night to get through. How would you describe your emotions right now?
Well, obviously this is a weird situation for the whole team. It’s very unfortunate. Nobody ever wants to feel the way we feel, especially Daewood [WR Daewood Davis], he was in the same receiver room as me. It sucks just seeing a young player go through something like that, or anybody in general, in this league, just going through something like that, trying to make a living, trying to make this team, trying to live out their childhood dream, it sucks. I always put myself in that position.
Sharing the room with him, knowing him better than we do, what do you know about him? What can you tell us?
I can say this about Daewood [WR Daewood Davis]; each and every day he has the same attitude, same mindset, and that’s to get better and that’s to help this team win games. He’s a full ball of energy, all fast guys are. I feel like I can speak for the whole room when I say all of us enjoy being around Daewood. He’s in a situation that we don’t wish upon anybody in this league. It’s not fun for the sport.
I think you might have been one of the first players to go out onto the field. Could you describe what’s going through your head at that time?
I really don’t know, but my first thing was I just wanted to make sure he was moving, because where we were all standing at, we didn’t have a good view and we only could see his feet. None of his body was moving. It was like, ‘Okay, what’s going on?’ I got to get out there. Even if they stop me, I have to at least get a closer look. I turned around and the whole team was coming. There was no way from them stopping us to check up on our brother to make sure he’s all right because I feel the trainers, they’re going to give you certain information. They’re going to give you its and bits of what’s going on. I just had to see it for my own eyes. He’s in good spirits right now and I saw that. Shaking his head and stuff like that, breathing. So once we saw that, everybody was, like, relax.
So you were able to actually see him move while he was out on the field?
Yeah, he moved his head. The trainer was talking to him as they were driving off. He was like shaking his head and stuff like that.
Daewood [WR Daewood Davis], was he on your side of the roster?
Yes, Daewood was on my team. So, yeah, he was one of my selections.
What will tomorrow be like? I guess it probably depends on how Daewood [WR Daewood Davis] is going, but can you project or take a guess?
I really can’t predict, but I’m sure everybody’s going to continue to rally around Daewood, support him. Even with whatever happens with this team, guys are still going to reach out and stuff to him, make sure his family is alright. That just shows you what kind of team this is. I know I am, because as a leader of our room, I feel that’s my responsibility. I feel like I got go check on my brother.
Tyreek Hill – August 26, 2023 (Third Quarter)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill on CBS Miami Broadcast
(Before the season started you mentioned 2,000 yards. High expectations for yourself obviously. Where did you come up with that number?) – “I don’t know. I just feel like 2,000 is the magic number for every receiver and growing up, I’ve always wanted to play football and I’ve idolized guys, had guys as role models like Randy Moss, Chris Carter, Jerry Rice of course, Torry Holt. Those guys. And told be able to break the receiving record in a season would be awesome. Especially coming from a small-town kid because I came from nothing so it would be an honor.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa talked to them yesterday and he mentioned that he thinks you guys have a lot of deep threats on this team. My instant reaction to that was, I bet that’s going to help WR Tyreek Hill get a few more balls. How explosive is this wide receiver room this season?) – “Man, I can’t even explain it sometimes. When we go in and watch film, it’s crazy just to see the dynamic playmakers that we’ve got on this offense. Not only in the receiving room, but it’s in the running backs room, it’s in the tight end room and it’s even in the o-linemen room, too. Those guys are explosive, too, so I’m excited about this year. It’s going to be a fun year for the Dolphins. Fins fans, you better lace up and get the popcorn ready. It’s going to be fun.”
(That first catch you made today, QB Tua Tagovailoa did a little spin move before getting you the ball.) – “That was sweet, right?”
(In Year 2, does it just feel like you guys are ready to unleash a different side of this offense?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. Year 2 is the year it’s all going to come together. We had a chance to go back and really get an understanding of this offense. I’ve been saying all offseason, like Year 1 was just a blur. We were just out there basically running, but Year 2, everyone fully has an understanding of the offense.”
Mike McDaniel – August 26, 2023 (Halftime)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel on CBS Miami
(One of the last times we get to see the ones versus ones in the preseason here. What’d you like about the progress they’ve made so far?) – “Really, you just need reps. We still have two weeks until the regular season so it’s important that guys get out there and communicate. There’s plenty of opportunities to get better. They’ll thrive in that. They’ve been working hard for that opportunity. I was happy with the way they committed to the assignments.”
(I certainly hope RB Salvon Ahmed is okay. He took a big shot, but it seems like every time he touches the ball here in the preseason he does something big. What have you liked about his camp so far?) – “I was on another team with him as an undrafted rookie. You see him now. It doesn’t surprise me. He has an abundance of talent, but what he’s really done is honed in on his skills and focused on what he isn’t good at and he’s become good at it. It’s been awesome to watch.”
Zach Sieler – August 26, 2023 (First Quarter)
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Saturday, August 26, 2023
DT Zach Sieler on CBS Miami Broadcast
(First of all, you’ve got to like the way the defense responded on the last drive. Long drive, get that pop at the endzone. What were you guys saying on the bench after?) – “It’s awesome. It’s great to be able to get that ball out there at the end and get the ball. You don’t want to let them drive like that on us. You don’t want to let them drive that that on us. We’ve got to correct some things, make them correct it on the bench. But it was a great play by those guys and good to get the ball back.”
(All offseason we’ve heard about the front seven, you’re right there in the middle of all of that, how good they can be. Is this team as good as advertised in that area?) – “I’ll tell you what, we love playing with each other. All camp we’ve been growing the bond between each other. (Bradley) Chubb and Jaelan (Phillips) on the outside, me, ‘Rae’ (Raekwon Davis), Christian (Wilkins) on the inside. (Jerome) Baker and David Long now, an addition this offseason. It’s been great playing with these guys and learning how to play off each other.”
(DT Raekwon Davis said the other day at practice, he thinks he’s about to have his best year yet. How is he looking from your spot?) – “I couldn’t agree more. He’s been awesome. My wife went to college with him and she said he looks like a different man.”
(So the wife approves?) – “I wouldn’t say that. She likes ‘Rae’ (Raekwon Davis), but she said he looks pretty good out there.”
(I know you guys open the season against the Los Angeles Chargers, probably want a little payback after last year. Are you guys looking forward to having a couple weeks to prepare for them?) – “It’s going to be nice. It’s a great team, great quarterback, great o-line. Can’t wait to go against them, take it out there and show them what we’ve got this year.”
Raekwon Davis – August 24, 2023
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Thursday, August 24, 2023
DT Raekwon Davis
(What’s this training camp been for you? This is Year 4. I know everything is not new to you anymore but how do you feel your progression is? Coach McDaniel talked about putting up the film from your OTAs last year to this year. What did that feel like?) – “You know, with compliments. I love him, but you know, I was taught rat poison from Nick Saban. But it’s been a great camp this year for me so far. Just got to keep it going, maintain my diet, maintenance, keep progressing, little things like that.”
(It seems like you spend more time in the backfield against the passing game this camp. How have you added to your pass rush this offseason?) – “Just sticking with the moves I know, just two or three moves and just get them down pat, practice on them and just work them when I’m out there in team.”
(Do you feel your offseason training kind of translating into that?) – “Yeah, I did a lot of pass-rushing training this offseason, just to get better because I know I’m going to need it for this year. Going into this new defensive scheme, I’m definitely going to have to be able to pass rush and keep a high motor.”
(How has it been working with DT Da’Shawn Hand?) – “Man, he’s so funny. We talk about old stories all the time, because we have so many memories at ‘Bama. Funny guy, bro. He’s being doing great. I love him here.”
(What do you think of the camp DT Brandon Pili is having?) – “Oh, great camp. He’s been one of the young guys that’s producing real well and going in the right direction.”
(What was your reaction when he told you you’d be wearing that orange jersey?) – “You know, (shrugs his shoulders and laughs) that’s cool. I just go and continue to do what I do each and every day, in and out. It’s just an orange jersey.”
(How long have you been working on that playlist? It seemed like you had a good mix of old school and new school.) – “Most of those songs are what I listened to on a day-to-day (basis), so I already had it queued up. I just sent it off to them like, ‘Hey, play this, play this, play this.’ I actually didn’t send the order on how to play it. they just played it. It was a great order.”
(If they would have put you out here for the one-on-one competitions, who would you most liked to have cooked on the offensive line, receiver versus corner?) – “If they put me out there? What am I playing, DB?”
(Whatever you want.) – “I don’t know. I’m not that type of fast. Listen … I’m not just that great yet. (laughter) No, I’m not going out there and pull a hammie. I’m not doing that.”
(You’ve been one of the players who’s known QB Tua Tagovailoa the longest, been with him the longest. What’s it like when you hear people criticize the work that he’s put in to get ready this offseason?) – “Honestly, they don’t know anything Tua does. He just works every day, in and out of here. He just does his job and he continues to practice his technique. They just talk. That’s what they do. They don’t know what he does. He’s having a great camp too, so they can say what they want to say.”
(Where do you feel you’re at right now in your career? How comfortable are you?) – “Right now, I feel this is probably going to be the best year for me. I’m feeling the best. That’s probably how I’m feeling.”
(That’s what Head Coach Mike McDaniel said, you look the best right now. How much confidence does he give you guys?) – “He gives us a lot of confidence, but at the same time, we have to just keep working and going out there on the field to prove it.”
(CB Kader Kohou said yesterday that Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio in the meeting room in defensive meetings works with every single position. He’s not just talking to everybody as a whole. Is that something you’ve noticed as well?) – “Yeah, when we’re doing individual drills, he’s at every drill. He’s just going around, looking at everybody’s technique. He’s also coaching us, too, at the same time as our (position) coach is doing. That’s awesome, man. That’s pretty great.”
(Is that something that’s commonplace? I don’t want you to put down anybody in the past.) – “Coach Saban did it, I’ll say that. How about that? He did it.”
(Are you happy that after today’s camp, you start regular practice? Training camp comes to an end, you’re probably happy about that?) – “I’m just one day at a time. I’m just taking it day-by-day, whatever the next day is, that’s what the next day is. Right now, we’re really still in camp, so that’s what is.”
(You don’t feel a difference?) – “No.”
(How do you fit into the defensive tackle mix? Is it just rotational?) – “Honestly, I couldn’t really tell you scheme. As far as scheme goes, it’s game by game. I can’t control that. My coaches can’t control that so it’s just by games. Whatever grouping that is, that’s the grouping that is.”
(What were your thoughts when you saw Teddy Bridgewater wearing No. 50?) – “Nah, that’s hard. I like that. (laughter) I was like, okay that’s different. Yeah that’s real different. It was nice though. He’s switching it up. I meant to ask him why he went to 50, though. But it’s cool to me. If he loves it, I love it.”
(Do you have any goals or any individual accolades that you want to achieve this year?) – “Yeah. I’m not going to say it right now but I’ve definitely got a lot of goals for myself. I hope to – I’m going to achieve them.”
(With the diet, what were some things that you changed?) – “I mean, just the regular. Just eating better, having my body in shape. That’s it.”
Andrew Van Ginkel – August 24, 2023
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Thursday, August 24, 2023
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(How ready do you think the defense is for the regular season?) – “I think we’re ready. Obviously, we have one more preseason game to still iron things out. It’s been learning curve obviously learning a new defense with (Vic) Fangio coming in and implementing his style of play. We got one more game and hopefully we can figure out our identity and roll after that.”
(What’s one thing this defense accomplished this training camp, got better at?) – “I would just say communicating. There’s a lot of different parts to the defense and you have to be on top of it. Playing off each other and recognizing the calls and how you can adjust from there.”
(What were the stakes there at the end of practice in those 1-on-1’s?) – “Just a little friendly competition. He called it an ‘all eyes on me,’ so everybody is watching and wanted to see guys compete and show what they can do.”
(I saw you play some off-ball linebacker this camp. How do you think your skills at the edge position benefit you and did you take anything away from that position when playing both of the spots?) – “The more you can do, you get a bigger picture of everything. Being on the edge, I know how the defensive end is going to fit or how the outside linebacker is. Just being able to play off that, it just gives you a better anticipation for the game. It allows you to play faster.”
(What do you say to some of the guys either in this practice or this last preseason game that are trying to make the team?) – “Just go out there and leave everything on the field. Everybody says that, but if you want to make an impression, you have to go out there and make an impact play, one that the coaches will remember, your teammates, everybody. If you’re not on the team here, you’re putting your best foot forward for every other team across America. That’s what I would say to them.”
(Where do you think you’ve grown the most in your cross-training at inside linebacker?) – “Being able to recognize the plays. Obviously, it’s a different game being an inside linebacker. Just being able to see the bigger picture and see everything in front of me and relax my eyes.”
