Tyreek Hill – October 3, 2022
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Monday, October 3, 2022
WR Tyreek Hill
(Have you had a chance to talk to QB Tua Tagovailoa in the last couple of days? Just your read on how he’s doing.) – “Yeah, Tua has been in. Tua’s fine. I’ve had a chance to talk to him on our off days. There’s really nothing to talk about further. Tua is fine. He’s in good hands.”
(Did you get a chance to talk to that Bengals coach that talked to you on Thursday night?) – “Nah, I have no comments on that. I really don’t want to jump into anything crazy. The only thing I know is I’m going to take care of business next time, whenever I face him or whoever. The Cheetah doesn’t want no smoke. All I ask for is when players are playing and talking trash, that’s all fun and games. It makes the game fun. A lot of people think that I’ve got smoke with Eli Apple but it’s all love, man. I’m not a rapper. I don’t have beef with anyone. But I feel like when a coach comes at me in a certain way and I feel like it’s something deeper then obviously I want smoke. I’m just focused on the next game right now.”
(Can you talk about the comfort level you have with a guy like QB Teddy Bridgewater coming in, who is a veteran in this league and kind of learning the offense like you are?) – “The offense is in great hands with Teddy. Obviously it’s going to be a different change of pace because every quarterback has a different playing style. But for me, I’m just going to go out there and do what I’ve been doing and on every team I’ve been on, which is playing hard, giving 110 (percent) effort and doing what I’ve got to do to help this team win games.”
(What have you though about the offense through four games? Obviously you have been a huge part of it. What have you liked and what would you like to see improve?) – “I think so far – this is a new offense and this is a new scheme for everybody. So far, I think there are improvements every game for everyone. Moving forward, I just want us to keep the mindset of just wanting to get better. I feel like if we begin to get comfortable with who we are as an offense, then that’s when bad things begin to happen and teams begin to figure us out. If we are a unit that continues to want to get better and continues to want to work on the fundamentals and techniques at practice, that’s going to help us moving forward.”
(You lead the league in receiving yards and are on pace for career highs. Is this the best you’ve ever been playing?) – “Nah. Truth be told, I’m just blessed to be in this scheme. Coach (Mike) McDaniel really believes in me and believes in who I am as a person, as a player. I’m just thankful for the opportunity. I could have been leading the league all seven of my years but I guess that’s not the case. So here I am here today leading the league. I’m thankful for the opportunity.”
(What did you think of QB Patrick Mahomes and your former team looked last night? Did you watch the game?) – “I did watch the game. I was actually watching it with my dad. Me and my dad had a bet. My dad was actually going for the Bucs and I told him, ‘That boy, Pat. He’s just special.’ It’s just something about that team. Patrick is just on another level. He’s playing a different game than everybody. When you watch him play and you watch just the energy that he brings out of that whole entire time, it’s just crazy. I’m just glad to see my boys out there balling.”
(You talked about wanting to be a leader on this team. In the past week or so, have you found yourself trying to rally guys or give encouraging words here and there with everything going on with QB Tua Tagovailoa?) – “For real, I’ve just been chasing my kids around this whole entire time. I’m just trying to manage that. (laughter) As far as the team, just being back in the building, it’s my whole message just to the receiver room that we just have to be better. In order for us to be a dominant team, in order for us to take off how we want to take off, receivers have to be able to block down the field. I feel like we’ve got to be better. Obviously there are some areas that we can improve on. But to open up more lanes and more gaps, and to help out the offensive line, our receivers have to block down the field. That will help us break longer runs.”
(I know you said the QB doesn’t necessarily matter to your production. I think you said you put up numbers with QB Alex Smith, you put up numbers with…) – “I’d put up numbers with you. (laughter)”
(But you spent a lot of time building your relationship this offseason with QB Tua Tagovailoa. What has your relationship been with QB Teddy Bridgewater?) – “If you go back and watch the clips, me and Teddy have some little highlights in there on Dolphins Twitter. I feel like he’s just a veteran guy – having that connection and being able to have some conversations about ball. Teddy understands my play style and I understand where he wants me to be at on the field. That’s how we connected deep down the field against the Bengals. Just me and him on the same page. Him telling me, ‘Hey ‘Reek, if we get a certain coverage, I need you on this side of the hash. I need you here.’ And stuff like that. So just us being able to recognize things together and being on the same page. I try to have a good relationship with all of my quarterbacks.”
(The Jets were the other team that was vying to trade for you. How close was that to happening this past offseason?) – “It was very close to happening but it was just those state taxes, man. (laughter) I realized I had to make a grown-up decision and here I am in a great city in Miami. It’s great weather. Great people. Beautiful people. Here I am.”
(With how well QB Tua Tagovailoa has played and how great his offseason was and the belief in him and just how great he was playing, is there an element of let’s do this for him? Let’s rally around him while he’s down?) – “For real, I don’t think there’s ever a moment when Tua is down. I just saw him in the locker room a moment ago and he’s smiling from ear to ear. As far as winning football games, we’re going to do everything we can in our power to win games. We want Tua on the field but we also understand the magnitude of this situation. His health moving forward is very important to all of us because life is so precious. You never want to take something like this for granted. We’re going to do everything we can to continue to win games. It would be the same mentality if I went down or if anybody went down. It’s the NFL for you. It’s the next man up. It’s sad.”
(Have you had a chance to look at the Jets defensively yet and what do you see?) – “I’ve had a chance to look at those guys. They have a terrific secondary. Two great corners. They’ve got two great safeties – Lamarcus Joyner and (Jordan) Whitehead. The front seven, those guys really fly around the ball. The mindset of the defensive coordinator, you never know what you’re going to get. It’s going to be a great game. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to the challenge and I can’t wait.”
Mike Gesicki – October 3, 2022
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Monday, October 3, 2022
TE Mike Gesicki
(How have the last few days been for you? Have you been able to get away from the QB Tua Tagovailoa stuff and relax? Or have you been around it on social media?) – “No, for me, I was away from it. Obviously, I was making sure that he was alright and all that kind of stuff, but I’ve been away from it. It’s been good.”
(What have your conversations with him been like? I know that each player has concern over him and has checked in on him, but what does that been like for you with QB Tua Tagovailoa the last few days?) – “Just like if anybody else went down like that, obviously it was a scary situation, seeing that on Thursday. But just talking with him, making sure he’s good and happy he’s alright.”
(What was your reaction when it initially happened because that’s your quarterback?) – “Yes, like I said, (it was a) scary situation. It’s not something you want to see.”
(Can you talk a little bit about with QB Teddy Bridgewater stepping in? He’s a veteran in this league. Just what you’ve seen with him and connecting with him?) – “Yes, I like Teddy (Bridgewater) a lot, man. He’s an experienced guy and has been at a couple of different stops throughout this league. To just kind of be thrown in there is something that I think his career has kind of prepared him for. He’s got a lot of experience, and I trust him back there a lot. I think he’s got everything it takes to continue to keep this thing rolling for us.”
(The events of last week have kind of sparked a look into the concussion protocols. Things are already maybe going to be changed. What are your thoughts on how the league handles concussions? And are you comfortable with what happened last week?) – “I don’t really know all the details of how they handle it specifically, so I can’t really talk about that, but I do feel comfortable with the league and what they do and how they handle things. Obviously, safety and player safety should be No. 1, and I think that, for the most part, they handle that.”
(What’s the difference in catching QB Tua Tagovailoa’s ball versus QB Teddy Bridgewater’s ball?) – “I’ve played with Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler, Josh Rosen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jacoby (Brissett), Tua (Tagovailoa), add Teddy (Bridgewater) to the list. Skylar (Thompson) in the preseason, David Fales in the preseason my rookie year. I mean, I’ve caught Reid Sinnett. I’ve caught footballs from anybody and everybody. So just got to go out and make a play on the ball when it comes to you.”
(Just put it in the radius, that’s all you need to do?) – “That’s all it is, man.”
(I was not expecting a QB Brock Osweiler reference there.) – “I hope I didn’t miss any, but I think that covers it.”
(What did you think about the video of Ryan Fitzpatrick singing to QB Tua Tagovailoa before the game? Did you see that?) – “Yes, hilarious. I don’t know what Amazon is paying ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick), but they should double it. (laughter) That guy is one of a kind. I’m happy for him. He’s obviously doing great things and is going to continue to make a lot of people laugh.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the season that you’re having, what you want to see better from yourself and the offense?) – “I just have to keep doing what I’m doing, make the most of my opportunities when they present themselves and control the controllables. It’s really all I can do. I’ve been doing this for five years now. I’ve had big games; I’ve had games where (there’s) not a lot of impact on the stat sheet – it is what it is. I’ve just got to continue to do what I do and be ready when my number is called.”
(Did you see QB Zach Wilson’s griddy?) – “Yes, I did, and I’m happy for him. I’m happy that he kind of let loose out there.”
(He was better than you.) – “(laughter) Listen, it depends on who’s grading it. It also depends on what you’re looking for. I really let loose out there, and I think that I opened the door for a lot of other people to kind of feel comfortable out there. So I’m happy that I could do that.”
(Have the practices been happening, going back to the griddy in front of the mirror?) – “As I’ve thought about it, naturally, will it probably happen if I score again? Yeah, probably. But like – I don’t know, man. A lot of people are doing it. I mean, I obviously piggybacked off a lot of other people. So I’d still like to be unique. When I did it, I thought it was absolutely hilarious, so that’s why I did it. So I don’t know if it’ll still have the same effect the second time around.”
(Did you get any reviews from your wife on your dance?) – “Oh, yes – she was not proud. She told me not to embarrass her like that ever again, so she’s had me practicing several times a day since then. (laughter)”
(Any birthday plans?) – “Birthday plans. So I took Durham (Smythe) out to dinner when we were in Tampa for his birthday. So (my wife) Halle asked me yesterday, she said, ‘Hey, what do you want to do for your birthday?’ And not to her liking, my response was, ‘I want Durham to take me out to dinner so I can run the tab up on him because I paid for his dinner, so I want to make sure that I’m taking money out of his bank account now.’ Halle, obviously, wanted to do some romantic date, but I was like, ‘Halle, there’s always next year.’ (laughter) So I’m hoping that she caves, and I can go out to dinner with Durham. Halle can come too, but like… (laughter)”
(Do you have a place in mind to eat?) – “No, not off the top my head. Maybe – I have no idea. Somewhere expensive. Maybe, what is it – Nobu or whatever the sushi spot is? Yeah, I’ll just order a bunch of spicy tuna rolls that are probably way overpriced that you could probably get it like Phat Boy Sushi in Fort Lauderdale.”
(You’re getting to go back to Jersey this weekend, that’s always an exciting time.) – “Oh, I was just back up in Jersey yesterday. So yes, heading back up there again. It’s always cool to get back up there and play in front of home, family, all that kind of stuff. Looking forward to another opportunity.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – October 3, 2022
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Monday, October 3, 2022
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(Just a follow up with QB Tua Tagovailoa. Where’s the mindset of this team?) – “Tua is our starting quarterback. We hate to see a player go down but we’re rooting for him and we’re praying for him. Hopefully he gets better quick. We got Teddy (Bridgewater) to step in and take his place.”
(Can you speak to your confidence in QB Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback?) – “Yeah, we are confident in Teddy. He was brought in for a reason in case something like this were to happen. We support him and we’re ready to have his back too just like we have Tua’s.”
(How confident are you in the way the NFL handles protocols, concussions, potential injuries to the head and things like that? As a player, how do you think the NFL deals with it? What can improve, if anything?) – “Me personally, I’ve never experienced it, but I will say that we have hired a good medical staff to handle those. That’s above me. I don’t really know how to handle it based on my experience.”
(Were you able to get away from the QB Tua Tagovailoa situation over the weekend? I mean, even watching games yesterday it came up.) – “Oh yeah, during this weekend I just took the time off just to relax and rest of my body. I didn’t really watch a lot of football games this weekend. Just getting my mind right for this week.”
(Have you guys, as teammates, had discussions about concussions and protocols come up in the past few weeks?) – “No. We kind of just met today since the game, so we haven’t really talked amongst teammates about it.”
(What’s Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s message throughout this? Obviously it’s kind of been a tough week for you all?) – “Adversity is opportunity. Just go out there and handle our business and control what we can. Just let the rest fall in place.”
(How was the mood among the players in the building today?) – “I mean obviously seeing a player get hurt is never a good sign. But we had a good practice today, I will say. Everybody was upbeat, uptempo. Yeah, we’re rooting for our brother, but everybody still has that in back of their mind. It was sad but it’s the next man up. We got to game to place this Sunday.”
(You’re at the quarter mark of the season. What’s your assessment of how it’s gone for you guys so far?) – “I mean, I would like to be 4-0, but it didn’t go as planned. We’re still fighting. We’re still in this thing. It’s still early in the season to measure where we are. We’ve got to keep fighting and just keep making plays out there.”
(Are you pleased overall? I mean 3-1, are you pleased overall?) – “Like I said, I’m a hard critic of myself. I’d rather be 4-0. But I’m ok with 3-1. Just more football games to be played.”
(What are your thoughts on the pass rush as a group through four games. Is it where you want it? Your thoughts on that.) – “No. We definitely have to improve as pass rush unit. We have to get better at affecting the quarterbacks. I know Joe Burrow got rid of ball pretty quick during our game. We just have to do a better job of getting back there as fast as I can and give those guys in the back end a chance to compete and make picks.”
(What do you see from the New York offense? I know QB Zach Wilson’s back now but what do you think maybe from the offensive line, and how you’re going to attack them?) – “I haven’t really watched a lot of their film yet. Like I said, I took the weekend off and just kind of relaxed my mind and my body. Zach is back and they obviously beat a good Steelers team, so we’re going to go in there watch film, see what they’re good at and see what we can capitalize on.”
(I know you guys saw QB Tua Tagovailoa on the plane Thursday night. Did he have a chance to talk to you guys today. Mike McDaniel said he’s in the building.) – “We spoke to Tua on the plane. We were rooting for him. We asked him how he was doing. He seemed fine. He seemed great. Just happy to be with his brothers.”
(No conversations today? QB Tua Tagovailoa didn’t talk to the group?) – “Oh, no. He didn’t he didn’t talk to the group.”
(You said earlier that you have not experienced concussion protocol. Even going back to like your high school and college days you never had any of that at all?) – “No, I’ve had a concussion. I meant in the NFL. I don’t know how that’s all handled in the NFL because I haven’t had one. But that’s why we hire good medical personnel just to handle that. Like I said, that’s above me. I don’t really know how that works.”
(How many do you estimate you had?) – “Concussions? I only had one I’d say in college. I would say that’s about it.”
(Did you see DT Christian Wilkins pick Oklahoma State over Baylor in the game? What were your thoughts on his reasoning behind that?) – “Somebody sent that to me and I was like good choice. (laughter) He better had picked my team. And he was the only one that picked our team so he did a good job of picking us. It’s a d-line brotherhood so we got each other’s back, even though ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is still part of the team too. But the d-line comes first.”
(Some say that a win or against divisional opponent on the road is worth two. How do you guys feel about that?) – “Like I said, we are going to play a good Jets team. We’ve got to go out there and handle a good team. They’re a good team even though their record isn’t really. We’ve just got to go out there and handle business like we did the past two opponents.”
(What does QB Zach Wilson being back with the Jets do to that offense compared to maybe when QB Joe Flacco was under center?) – “That’s their QB1 so he brings the energy to the group. As long as we do a good job affecting him, it’s going to be a good play for the defense.”
Mike McDaniel – October 3, 2022
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Monday, October 3, 2022
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(So, even though obvious that QB Tua Tagovailoa is going through protocol, can we say with certainty that he’s out Sunday? And also have you and General Manager Chris Grier decided whether to put him on IR and put him out for four weeks? Or are you going to go week to week with this?) – “Yeah, this is something that it’s too early to give a definite timeline. I can comfortably say that he’ll be out for this game against the Jets, but anything beyond that, we’re just focused on making sure he’s at optimal health and then crossing that bridge. So it’s a little early for definitive timelines beyond that.”
(Right now, for example, is QB Tua Tagovailoa not supposed to look at anything too bright, motion, all of those kinds of things?) – “Those are all symptomatic instructions, like if you’re having something, avoid something else. Right now, he’s in the building. He’s had a couple of good days. But he’s just trying to go through with the proper procedure and protocols so that he’s feeling 100 percent. I know he’s going to be diligent with it. And if there’s obviously any things that are giving him issues in terms of light and those things, then we will shut that down.”
(The firing of the neurological doctor and the closing of the loophole in the concussion protocol with gross motor instability, are guys still comfortable with the initial … in the Bills game?) – “I see those as separate entities. Personally, I can’t speak on what the league and specifically the (players) union decided to do with that particular specialist. I think in terms of the new adjusted rule – if moving forward, if it’s safer for one extra player, then I’m all for it. As far as the Bills game, specifically our process and really everything involved with how we approach the medical situation, I’m still very confident in how we did that. But for the rest of it and how procedures need to be employed, I think that’s not something – when you’re talking about matters of the brain, I’m not going to ever pretend to be a foremost expert on it. But I think that as long as the protocols are derived with the proper spirit, if it helps players and keeps them safe, the Miami Dolphins will be all for it.”
(Moving forward, who will determine when QB Tua Tagovailoa gets the green light? Will it be the neurological people? Or will it be your own doctors?) – “Well, all of that – it’s not one person. It’s a collection of contributing factors, that, again, however, the league mandates their influence and the union’s representative, we’ll obviously abide by but we’ll always have our medical opinions from our in house guys. It’s not just one doctor. It’s a collection of people advising. And that is something that we’ll always hold ourselves accountable to.”
(I know that you’ve repeatedly said that an independent neurologist cleared him. What role in that entire process did you take day in and day out with QB Tua Tagovailoa being evaluated every day and being evaluated at halftime? How involved in the process were you?) – “In terms of what?”
(In terms of him being cleared and being tested and evaluated.) – “I mean, I’m very much involved in terms of they’re answering and giving me information. I don’t think unless I need to adjust my summer schedule, I don’t think I should be involved in determining concussion symptoms outside of the obvious. I think the biggest thing that I serve, and one thing that we operate with within this organization, is they know first and foremost that the players’ health and safety is above all else. The coaches know that in how we address things and the players know that as well. So mandating and making sure and being that extra voice of reason that says, ‘Hey, we’re not trying to ever push through something with unintended consequences being pushed to the player,’ I’ll always stay involved in that way, from an enforcer standpoint, from how we do business. But in terms of me interjecting an opinion that we have people schooled in years and years of expertise, I think that would be a little irresponsible if I tried to kick the door in and say my peace as a layman who is not an expert.”
(There was a report today – I think it was Pro Football Talk – that the players’ union may also have questions about the procedure to clear QB Tua Tagovailoa even with just a back injury. What was your level of confidence at the time, the instability he showed, which obviously you guys say is from his back, wasn’t something that was going to hurt him more by playing?) – “Like I’ve said before, I’m very, very confident, and the only reason I’m confident is because of everything that I’ve been around since I’ve been here with regard to our medical staff and how they go and do their business. As far as the inquiry that is going on from the league and from the PA (players association), we’re very happy to comply with all of those things and would much rather be as transparent as possible. So we’re happy that all of this is taking place because we do not have anything to hide from that standpoint at all.”
(I wanted to make sure we confirm with you, because this is the last thing that was pending when you last spoke on Friday. QB Tua Tagovaiola’s MRI, did it come back clean as well?) – “It did. It did. So that can be confirmed.”
(And I know there was a report that QB Tua Tagovailoa is getting three additional medical opinions. I think that is from ESPN. Do you know that to be true?) – “I haven’t chased down that to verify that. No, I haven’t. But like we do with all players, we’re not the type of organization that bats an eye at second or third opinions. When it comes to adding information for a player to understand where they’re at from a health perspective, that’s actually encouraged.”
(I get the part of the independent neurologist referring to the team doctor, and then the team doctor ultimately tells you a guy can go or can’t go. But, in the case of concussions, in your opinion, shouldn’t it be the neurologist who has final say, rather than a team doctor, who in this case, is an orthopedic surgeon?) – “I don’t think that’s necessarily an easy answer that’s just completely flatline, just because there’s different working relationships that I can’t really attest to. I know that in this particular case, there were aligns of agreement, really. I really don’t have an opinion on whether or not that’s the best or worst case for every team. I know that from a procedural standpoint, with the rules being as such, that I have no cause for concern of how its streamlined through our process. But if some addendum comes forth that adjusts that, I’m totally fine with adjusting our procedure. If it is helps player health, that’s not anything but rejoiced from the Miami Dolphins.”
(What have you told the team about getting involved in the situation, like on social media or anything like that, and commenting on it? And has it been a distraction – I know it’s only Monday, but has it been a distraction in preparation for the Jets?) – “Like everything else, I’ve been very transparent with the team with all of it. I think they can come in many different shapes and forms. Sometimes they can be good, sometimes they can be bad. But the nature of the NFL season are distractions from what your team’s objective is. Narrative that has to do with anything else but playing the next opponent who’s trying to beat you is a relative distraction for them. This is something for none of our players to bear, so I make sure that they understand that. I also make sure they know where we were coming from and how things kind of can happen out of your control. So the biggest thing for the team is to understand that regardless of what’s going on, from last Thursday, or the Bills game, or any of that stuff, the New York Jets do not care one lick about any of it, and they’re getting ready, starting today, to play us and try to win a football game. So to understand that and understand that we need to worry about what we can control and for each individual player and coach really to go along that process in that direction.
(Is CB Byron Jones ready to practice? And is he coming off PUP this week?) – “Yes, so (we’re) going to find those things out probably mid-week. A little too early for me to tell with various things going on.”
(Can you talk a little bit about the comfort level you might have with QB Teddy Bridgewater being the No. 2 guy going to play against the Jets and how he fits into your offense and what you want to see from him this week?) – “I think myself, I can speak for the team, offense and defense and special teams, we’re very, very confident in Teddy Bridgewater. It’s one of the reasons you decide to go that direction in an offseason and prioritize your backup quarterback is for these moments. We went out and signed him, and it’s been one of the better things that could have happened to us for the team’s dynamic, for his contribution in how Tua (Tagovailoa) is playing and his ability to play, as well as his part in the development of Skylar (Thompson). So he’s had a big role. Everyone’s super confident in him. He’s done it before. It’s a different deal coming off the bench than starting. Teddy knows that and he’ll be fully prepared and ready to go. I don’t think that the team will bat an eye when we lace them up on Sunday.”
(Do you need to add another quarterback?) – “Just because of the unknown timeline … Do you guys know a quarterback by the name of Reid (Sinnett)? He’s back! Yes, we signed him to the practice squad this afternoon. So that was something that we prioritized over the weekend.”
(How comfortable are your players and the rest of the team with the current concussion protocols that are in place after seeing what QB Tua Tagovailoa has been through?) – “It’d be tough for me to speak on behalf of every individual. I think that – my best guess from all the feedback that I’ve gotten was that our particular team wasn’t concerned about those protocols within that game and are not concerned with it moving forward. But for me to speak on every single individual, that’s probably pretty impossible. But from all the feedback that I’ve gotten, I think they’re fairly comfortable with everything.”
(Without divulging secrets, how much, if at all, does the offense change with QB Teddy Bridgewater in there as opposed to QB Tua Tagovailoa?) – “You can tell (Jets Head Coach) Robert Saleh that the entire offense is way different but the exact same. (laughter) No, I think that there are certain times where you will have a large disparity between the type of offense you run from your starter to your backup. I don’t see this being one of them. I think Teddy (Bridgewater) does a lot of very good things at the quarterback position that are similar to Tua’s strengths, and he’s done a great job within the offense. So we’ll obviously cater to certain things specifically that Teddy prefers or is comfortable with, but for the most part, the aesthetic presentation should look very similar to what it looks like now.”
(How is RB Raheem Mostert looking finally healthy again changed your running offense? It seems like the past couple weeks, he’s taken a pretty firm grip on, I don’t want to say lead back but…) – “I think we’re getting – specifically our two backs, have done some really good things that have highlighted some of their skillsets. I think one of the things that their strengths are is they are very versatile in both phases. However, I have seen some real cool things for Raheem (Mostert) in the last couple of weeks that has really given our offense a little confidence in the run game, much needed. And Chase (Edmonds) has done a great job too. So we’ll continue to utilize those players all season in different modes and different ways. But to answer your question, yes, I think he has. I think our team has felt it too. He’s done some good stuff carrying the ball the last two weeks specifically.”
(You and Jets Head Coach Robert Saleh go back a ways, right?) – “2006.”
(Tell us about him. Any good stories?) – “Well, he was a squatter when he first got the job in Houston, which was hilarious. So I came with Gary Kubiak and Troy Calhoun, really, from the Broncos. In Houston, what was then Reliant Stadium, we had an office that there was one guy in there when I got there, and it was Robert Saleh, and he hadn’t been terminated. He was, I think, working with Dom Capers before. He hadn’t been terminated, I think he had like two more weeks of pay or something. So he did an excellent job of just forcing his hand and getting face time with the head coach. He sat in there all week. I think I got there on a Tuesday, and he just sat across from me in this awkward room like, ‘Hey, dude, do you got a job?’ ‘No, not really. I’m trying to see Gary Kubiak,’ and he just waited there until I think like Friday, barged in and told him, ‘Hey, I’d really want to work for you.’ There were a lot of those stopgaps at the beginning of Robert Saleh’s career. Always a sponge. Always unbelievably smart. He would always blow my mind because we’d have a problem with our printer, we’re trying to print Visio or Excel or something, and he wouldn’t call IT. He would just open up this manual and figure out how to figure this stuff out. So he’s always (been) super smart, but had some hiccups in his career, which I really, really respect because he just really stayed true to himself (and) kept pressing. Finally, (he) was a little more fortunate when he was with Seattle as an assistant there. But he’s never been given anything, just like he wasn’t given the job with Gary Kubiak in 2006. I think when he went to San Francisco in 2017, it was under the impression he would be the linebackers coach, and then he asked to interview for the defensive coordinator spot. Long story short, he hasn’t been given anything, and every time he has been given an (opportunity), he’s taken advantage of it. I’m very, very close with him as a human being. I really respect him as a man. But from a professional standpoint, he’s lived the whole mantra of, ‘You don’t define me, I define me.’ He’s pushed through and really (is) one of the better defensive coaches and head coaches I’ve ever been around.”
Mike McDaniel – September 30, 2022
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Friday, September 30, 2022
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(How is QB Tua Tagovailoa feeling based on your discussions with him last night and today? And do you have the MRI results yet?) – “So he was – I think his teammates or me, I’m not sure who was most excited to see him on the plane. He was honest about the fact that he had a headache. But his personality was definitely normal Tua. Talking to him this morning, I think he was still feeling some of those headaches. He’s probably just finishing his MRI right now. We’ll find the results on that. That was just an extra kind of precaution on top of the CT scans and X-rays that were taken last night.”
(Obviously there’s TE Cethan Carter. Concussions affect everybody differently. Is there a chance you guys may put QB Tua Tagovailoa on short-term IR just as a precaution?) – “I mean honestly, to be completely forthright, I’m not even thinking about timetables or anything regarding him as a player right now. It’s all about Tua the person. What gets lost in all this is there’s human relationships. These aren’t just create-a-players. These are people that we mutually invest in and somebody I’ve grown very, very close to. So when it comes to head injuries and concussions, with things that severe, the only thing I’m worried about is the person first. We’re just worried about him getting healthy and getting all the testing done that he needs to get done, and us working with him so that we can feel good about where that injury is at. Then we’ll cross the bridge in terms of timetables and however long. I really haven’t even thought about that at this point.”
(Last night, when you were asked if you would do anything differently, you said, ‘No chance,’ pretty much. Now that you’ve had time to reflect, is there anything either you would have done differently or you wish any of the medical personnel would have done differently dating back to the original hit on Sunday against the Bills?) – “I appreciate all the concern, really just because I care about the guy and I appreciate all of the concern for the individual. What I was kind of referring to in terms of not changing anything that I’d do was because the whole process for what happened on the Bills game was he was evaluated for a head injury immediately. That’s what we brought him into the tent for or brought him inside for. He was evaluated and then cleared by several layers of medical professionals, who – I don’t pretend to be one – but those people, the collection of them, cleared him of any head injury whatsoever. He had a back and ankle issue. So in terms of deciding whether or not to play a guy on a Thursday night game, I was concerned about his lower back and his ankle, and putting him in harm’s way. I have 100 percent conviction in our process regarding our players. This is a player-friendly organization that I make it very clear from the onset that my job as a coach is here for the players. I take that very serious and no one else in the building strays from that. So when I am talking about deciding whether or not to play, the only thing that would keep me from playing him would be something going against medical advice that would be just completely abstract on top of all that. I had no worries whatsoever. I’m in steady communication with this guy day-in and day-out. We’re talking about high-level football conversations about progressions and defenses and recalling stuff from two weeks previous and then him having to reiterate a 15-word play call. All things, absolutely no signs. There was no medical indication, from all resources, that there was anything regarding the head. If there would have been, of course. If there would have been anything lingering with his head, I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I prematurely put someone out there and put them in harm’s way. This is a relationship that I have with this human being. I take that serious. I wouldn’t have put him out there if there was any inclination given to me whatsoever that he was endangering himself from that previous game.”
(Have you talked – last night on the plane, you had conversations with QB Tua Tagovailoa I presume? You said he brought his personality with him. Can you elaborate for us? Did he talk about the incident itself?) – “We just wanted to get him a little more space. He came up and sat next to me on the flight. We talked a little about the game. I kind of was asking him questions about how he was feeling and that happened for about 15 or 20 minutes, and then he pulled out his phone and started playing my cult favorite classic movie MacGruber that he watched and was laughing with me. I think he was just happy to be with him teammates. All of his teammates were so elated. I mean this was a scary, scary situation for all of us. I’m sure you could tell by his teammates’ body language and everyone that was on the field. It was something that did not just go away once the game restarted. All of his teammates were absolutely elated to see him on the plane. He was elated. It brought him some joy, which was good to see. It’s one of the reasons you get into team sports.”
(On the last 12 hours for him as the head coach) – “It’s one of those things that you recognize as part of my job. For me, I don’t do anything without being extremely accountable and hard on myself. I can say with conviction certain things because I go back and I make sure that the due diligence, that I’ve done everything correctly with all the information given. Football is a unique sport. It’s one of the reasons that we love it is there is so much unpredictability, so many variables. It’s also one that is violent and can have injuries. You really comb all things that come across your plate to make sure that you are doing right by everyone involved, specifically and most importantly and non-negotiably, the human beings, the players. It’s to the point that I’m thinking about the play call. I’m thinking about all of this stuff. It’s hard but I recognize it’s an important part of the job that you don’t get to dictate circumstances. You’re supposed to help lead individuals to be a team. You never want to – I don’t think I’ll ever be comfortable, I’ll ever get used to, it will never feel normal for me personally and the type of person I am – I know you guys are just starting to learn. But I will never be comfortable with a player getting carted off the field. Ever. It’s something you never want to be a part of and when I put myself there, this is what happens. It’s not fun. I’m just really, really, really glad that I can hear normal Tua in his voice. I know his teammates who talked to him feel the same way.”
(Is there a change in the extent of his back injury? Has that been looked at?) – “That’s also part of the deal with him. Yeah, it is. That and his ankle are still lingering, so those are pieces of concern for player. But again, right now it’s more about person. We’re 100 percent devoted to worrying about this concussion and having him pass through it in a healthy manner and then obviously the medical staff will be attending to those other injuries that are in the back of my mind right now.”
(You spoke about QB Tua Tagovailoa hitting his head, but he did not have any lingering effects throughout the week, reiterating play calls and things like that, but still he hit his head during that game against the Bills. Was there enough consideration maybe taken by whether it was the organization, doctors, both team or independent, that QB Tua Tagovailoa could possibly hit his head again? Do you think there was enough of a measurement there?) – “Again, I totally understand the concern and appreciate the concern. When I tell you that beyond an eyeball test, which I know for a fact you guys would not be very comfortable if I was just relying on that, and not – I mean, it’s the reason why we have tests. He did not have a head injury. So, guys hit their heads all the time, and that’s why I was adamant (that) he was evaluated for having a head injury and he did not have one. And when I tell you he was in complete mental concert, talking to us through it, and then he played the whole game and then he did a press conference and then he did media all week. As far as – if I were to sit someone for a medical issue going against medical people abstractly, then when do I play him again? I don’t – this was not, the timing of all of it, how things played out, I get the optics. I get exactly what it looks like. I understand all this and I understand people’s concern. But the one thing that I’m that I can exude with 100 percent conviction is that every person in this building had 100 percent the correct process and diligence. That’s why there’s not a player or person that you’d be able to talk to in the building that would think otherwise, because it is clear, contrite and not something that is negotiable, in any way, shape or form.”
(Did you relay that to QB Tua Tagovailoa as well, since he’s a competitor? Have you told him until everything is clear, don’t even think about it?) – “Yes, I talked to him today and I reiterated the same thing, because he was bringing up to me, ‘Man, I just hope I don’t miss X, Y or Z game.’ I was like, ‘Tua, let’s stop this right now. Don’t even think about a game. Let’s just think about doing everything the right way to listen, to get opinions that you need. Let’s worry about you and your head and being a healthy human being through it and then we’ll worry about playing football later. But I don’t want to have that conversation right now.’ I didn’t really give him that option, because it was – again, that was very easy for me to do because the shape that he was in doesn’t stray from you far, again, from the human element. I think you do have to do that to protect people against themselves, in some way, shape or form.”
(I know you talked about the timing of it, but another question. Is there a possibility with respect to long term that QB Tua Tagovailoa won’t play the rest of the year? Is that anything that you all have even thought to?) – “Again, I can’t be – the most honest and forthright I could be is I literally have no timetable or even thought to it. That’s where I would feel irresponsible is even thinking about it. I just want him, I just want to see – I want him to get all the evaluations possible. I want him to do all the things recommended from all of the medical counterparts. And I want him to get on the road to recovery from that as a human being and then we’ll cross that bridge. But in terms of a timeline of crossing that bridge, I have zero idea.”
(Based on what you’ve experienced these past five days, is there anything that you would suggest to the league in terms of any changes to improve the protocols for concussions?) – “Honestly, from my medical understanding, with two unrelated events, from all the information that I’ve been given – two unrelated medical events – I don’t see a problem with the protocol if there’s not scientific backing to illustrate that he was suffering from a head injury. So from my vantage point, it’s pretty, pretty thorough when you’re talking about not only having designated people from your own organization who specialize in the field, but then you have independent neurologists, advising as well, I cannot express it enough – this was not a case of, ‘Hey, he has these effects, but…’ He had absolutely no head injury symptoms whatsoever once he was evaluated. I wouldn’t be able to from this specific situation draw anything from the protocols for good or bad, except that they are very thorough and thorough on the level of anything that has been in the National Football League since I’ve been in.”
(So the protocol, is QB Tua Tagovailoa not involved in any practices leading up to the Jets game?) – “Right. You’re in the protocol until you’re out of the protocol.”
(Is QB Tua Tagovailoa here at all? Or does he stay home? How does that work?) – “It all depends on where they’re at in their significant symptoms – whether you’re sensitive to light and there’s a bunch of different stuff. I know he’ll be back here in the building this afternoon for a second. But as far as moving forward, we’re just going to do what’s best for him. And if we have any indication that traveling in a car or coming around here isn’t the best thing for him, then we won’t do it.”
(I presume the answer is yes but QB Teddy Bridgewater would start if QB Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t play?) – “Yeah, Teddy would start and guys have a lot of confidence in him and guys have confidence in our whole quarterback room, really. It’s one of the strengths of our football team and I think guys rely on that. Tua, Teddy and Skylar (Thompson) have performed in a great working group and our guys believe in all three of them.”
(How has QB Skylar Thompson come along the last month, just observing, scout team work, etc.?) – “Skylar has been what you guys know Skylar to be. He’s just working constantly and when he’s on the field, he’ll make some plays. He’s in a great spot, too. I feel very fortunate to have those two guys.”
(What’s CB Xavien Howard’s status coming off that injury and do you know if you are going to activate CB Byron Jones next week?) – “These are things that we’ll probably revisit at the beginning of the week to see how the weekend unfolds. ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) is a competitor and a fierce one at that. I know he’s going to do everything to make sure that he’s completely capable. I know Byron is working his tail off, so we’ll probably re-evaluate that at the beginning of the week, which we’ll always do. I don’t really have anything for that today.”
(I’d guess you probably didn’t imagine yourself in this kind of situation – maybe a football issue but not a health issue like it is here – starting your career. How has this kind of been for you to handle?) – “Anybody can – I think it’s stuff like this that people rely on head coaches for, so I don’t really know what shape or fashion it’s going to come in. But I don’t expect to just win games and have you guys high-five me all the time. I think this is something that you never know what the job is going to entail. It’s a very demanding job and all-encompassing, but it’s also extremely rewarding for that reason. It does surprise me. But I would also say that I’m expecting to be surprised on a daily basis. It’s part of the deal and it’s unfortunate anytime that you have anything health-related on a football team. I don’t really see – I don’t know. It’s not really about me regarding the health and safety of our players. It’s more about the players and that’s the unfortunate part.”
Duke Riley – September 29, 2022 (Postgame)
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Thursday, September 29, 2022
Postgame – Cincinnati
LB Duke Riley (transcribed by Cincinnati Bengals)
(How would you address where the team is after four games?) – “It’s how we’re working, the things we’ve been through as a team, overcoming a lot of tough situations. We’ve got a long weekend to get our bodies back together, get back to the drawing board and come back out next week and play hard and do what we do. There’s a lot of things that we want to watch and get better. It’s the NFL and it’s never going to be perfect. We’re just going to move on and move forward.”
(It’s the first loss of the season after a 3-0 start. Thoughts on that?) – “It wasn’t a win like we wanted, to go into the weekend 4-0 like we wanted, but there’s a lot of ball left. We just want to continue to improve and play for each other.”
Tyreek Hill – September 29, 2022 (Postgame)
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Thursday, September 29, 2022
Postgame – Cincinnati
WR Tyreek Hill (transcribed by Cincinnati Bengals)
(As a leader on this team, how are you going to keep it together?) – “It’s really going to be easy. I know a lot of people are going to look at this team and say this is a young team, but my main message to the offense and my main message to this whole team is — and we’ve got a few veterans on this team who have had experiences like this — is let’s continue to keep doing what we’ve been doing. A lot of people were waiting on the Miami Dolphins to lose a game, so we need to continue doing what we’ve been doing and having fun with the game we love.”
Jaylen Waddle – September 29, 2022 (Postgame)
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Thursday, September 29, 2022
Postgame – Cincinnati
WR Jaylen Waddle (transcribed by Cincinnati Bengals)
(Did you get a chance to say something to Tua Tagovailoa while he was down on the field?) – “I wasn’t able to. A lot of doctors were checking up on him so I wasn’t able to.”
(How were you guys able to switch the emotions and still try to finish the game after seeing what happened?) – “Obviously it’s on your mind, going out there playing. You want to go out there and compete for him going down the way he did.”
(How tough was it to see something like that happen?) – “It’s tough. Injuries are sadly part of the game. To see your captain go down, it’s definitely tough. But we went out there and tried to compete for him.”
