Christian Wilkins – October 17, 2022
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Monday, October 17, 2022
DT Christian Wilkins
(You guys are sitting here at 3-3. Do you believe in a sense of momentum? Like coming off three losses, would it feel different if you guys were coming off of three wins, if it was reversed?) – “I feel like the biggest thing is we definitely – obviously it’s different – but I feel like the best thing is we’ve got the right mindset and the right energy around the building. Guys aren’t growing weary. Guys aren’t putting their heads down, none of that. We’re just trying to figure it out. The best way to move forward is to come in the building every day with the right energy with the right mindset. It just gives us the best opportunity to win on Sundays.”
(Has that mindset come naturally for guys in the locker room or have the veteran guys had to sort of step up in front of the team?) – “The good thing for us is we got the right kind of guys in the locker room. So however that’s being handled within the locker room, that’s how it’s been handled and guys are doing all they can to make sure we can put the best result out there on Sunday.”
(Have you had a chance to talk to CB Nik Needham after the injury?) – “Yeah, I did. I actually called Nik (Needham) after the game and it’s obviously a tough situation because that’s a guy who comes in – you know, he was part of my draft class, and that’s my dawg – and he works his butt off every day to be the best he can be. Football means a lot to him. Personally, he’s my favorite guy on the defense. No disrespect to anybody. (laughter) But he’s one of my favorite players to watch and be around. So obviously, that’s a tough situation, but I got his back through it all and if he needs anything from me, he already knows I’m there for him.”
(What did you think of DT Raekwon Davis getting his first full sack?) – “I was happy for him. Raekwon (Davis) has working really hard and just to see his growth in Year 3 and becoming – well, not his physical growth, you can’t get much bigger (laughter) – but just his growth as a player and as a pro is definitely good to see and I’m glad he’s able to enjoy some success out there and get his first full sack.”
(Yesterday looked like the Dolphins defense we’ve all been accustomed to seeing in November and December last year. Was there anything said last week by any of the captains like LB Elandon Roberts or Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer or something that you think made a difference?) – “Yeah, again, I’m not going to get into specifically who said what or did this, but like I alluded to earlier, just the right mindset by guys and just trying to figure things out and guys coming in every day preparing and doing all the little things right, and trying to really focus and do everything we can to be the best we can be.”
(What’s it going to be like with Steelers Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers Coach Brian Flores on the other side this Sunday?) – “Yeah, I mean, well, it’s just business as usual. We’re preparing to play the Steelers and obviously there’s history there with ‘Flo’ (Brian Flores) and everything, but we’re just preparing business as usual getting ready for the Steelers.”
(How difficult is it when you guys seem so locked in for the first three quarters of yesterday’s game – it was really just two or three plays that kind of broke it open for them, but for the most part, you guys were very much the defense…) – “No, that’s just how football goes and that’s just how it is in the NFL. You’ve got to really bring it and be on it every play. Because you never know when that play is going to come and if that one play, you’re not on it, things happen. It’s just good to see that but we can be and what we can accomplish and what we can do as a defense, but we’re always striving for perfection and to be the best we can be, even if we fall short.”
(Yesterday, CB Xavien Howard kind of talked about challenging everybody on the team to step up and make plays regardless of injury, quarterback situation. Kind of what has just the captains’ message kind of been after yesterday?) – “He’s right on with that, but really just be yourself, play within the schemes and make the plays when your number’s called and when it’s your opportunity. No one needs to be a hero. Just do what we’re asked, do your job and do it well.”
(You were one of the first guys to greet TE Mike Gesicki after his touchdown and Griddy. What were your thoughts on his Griddy?) – “It’s somewhat improved from the last time he did it. I feel like he’s been working on it some more, but still has a long way to go. (laughter)”
(With the team honoring the 1972 team this weekend, what do you know or what have you learned about that team?) – “That’s obviously a special team and they stand alone on their own. To go undefeated, win at all, I definitely got a lot of respect for those guys and our predecessors and the things they were able to accomplish because that’s not an easy task. I’ve got a lot of respect for that team. They deserve all the honor, praise and recognition that they’ll be getting this Sunday and hopefully we can represent them well and hold it down for those guys because I got a lot of respect for the history of the game and especially within the organization. I think that’s awesome they’ll be recognized and we’ll do some things for them.”
Brandon Jones – October 17, 2022
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Monday, October 17, 2022
S Brandon Jones
(I guess one concern now obviously is at corner where you lost CB Nik Needham and unfortunately DB Keion Crossen, I know, is dealing with a knee (injury). Have any ideas come up with regard to you, S Jevon Holland and S Eric Rowe? Obviously, S Eric Rowe has played some corner, S Jevon Holland played in the slot at Oregon a lot.) – “I hate that it happened in the way it did happen. Injuries are obviously a part of it, and Nik (Needham) and Keion (Crossen) have done a tremendous job thus far already. So it’s always tough to see, especially with guys that work their butts off every single day. I’m not sure. I don’t know what’s gone into it with the whole corner situation. Jevon (Holland) obviously made a joke about being able to lock people up and be on an island. So we’ll kind of see gameplan-wise and whatever we decide to do. But we still have some guys that are able to do a lot of different things and we just kind of take it from there.”
(What’s the advantage of the three-safety lineup? I know you had obviously S Eric Rowe out with you and S Jevon Holland on I think seven or eight plays. What’s the advantage of that lineup?) – “I think just being able to be multiple and do a lot of different things kind of plays a huge dividend, and also just being – if we have these packages where we have three safeties, people are playing in other positions and it kind of just helps with your familiarness of playing, being able to know and understand that he’s a strong safety in this, being able to give tips and just help guys out and make sure everybody’s on the same page.”
(Were you able to talk to CB Nik Needham yesterday or today? How did it go?) – “Yeah, I texted him. We all texted him in our group message. He’s in good spirits. Obviously, it’s tough. Like I said, he was so, so locked in going into the game. I knew that obviously, without the injury, he was going to have a huge game. So seeing that hurts, obviously, with it being another DB and just a guy that we’ve all loved. It was tough to see that. And I know that it’s – obviously, it sucks to be in that position, but for me, everything happens for a reason, even though it’s hard to kind of see right now. But he’s definitely in good spirits and I hope the best for him and a speedy recovery.”
(Have you seen the other B. Jones around the building – CB Byron Jones? Has he given you any sense of optimism that he’ll be back this season?) – “Yes, Byron (Jones) has been around. He’s like a teacher these days. He’s in there when we’re watching film, when we meet as a defense and as DBs, putting his input in and asking questions and just being very involved here and dealing with what he can. Obviously, his injury is – it is what it is with that. But yeah, he’s definitely making strides to potentially come back whenever he’s ready and however the injury stuff has gone.”
(This defense has been one to force a lot of turnovers, not so much since then the Patriots game, especially interceptions. What do you guys need to do to get back on that track?) – “Man, me and Jevon (Holland) were literally talking about this yesterday. I don’t know, because even with a game like yesterday, how well we played – I think we’ve been doing a good job of attacking the ball. I just think that the opportunities, there’s only so many. Whether there’s one, three opportunities, whatever it is, we just have to make those. We can’t think like, ‘Oh, we got a good pass breakup, but when the next one comes, we’ll get an interception.’ We have to – any time the ball is in the air and we have that opportunity, we have to you know go for the ball and make it. Nothing – as a defense, we could for sure stress more of just getting the ball out. Obviously, tackles are good and something that we’ve worked on all week on being able to make good physical tackles, but if you’re in the position, if you’re the other guy that’s chasing from behind, just get the ball and give the ball to our offense.”
(Yesterday, CB Xavien Howard talked about after the game how he challenges everybody to make plays moving forward. What has his message kind of been to you guys in the DB room since yesterday’s game?) – “Be aggressive. Trust your technique. And every – our coaches put us in the best positions possible. Even when we go from certain stuff that we do, how we treat bunches in man coverage, simple stuff like that and the way that it shows up in the game, literally the exact same way we practice it, we just have to – ‘X’s’ (Xavien Howard) biggest point was just being able to execute and make plays. Like I said, it’s hard and the plays come, and when they do come, we just have to be able to execute and make them.”
(How encouraged were you by the play of CB Noah Igbinoghene and CB Justin Bethel, who haven’t been called upon too many times this season but held up pretty well for the most part yesterday with all the injuries?) – “Yes, they played well. I wasn’t surprised. I see the way they prepare. With circumstances, it’s easy to check out, especially if you’re not getting the reps (and) getting opportunities that you want, but I didn’t see any drop off. They got in the game, they executed, they played well. Noah (Igbinoghene) had some good pass breakups. Justin (Bethel) came in and had some really good plays. Yes, they did a really good job of handling their business.”
(You had mentioned a few minutes ago about how CB Nik Needham was locked in and how you were so confident he was going to have a big game. Was there any particular reason for that? Or is that a feeling you’ve had many times before?) – “I don’t know. It was just something about going into this game, I don’t know if it was just an energy thing or just how well prepared we were. It felt like we were. It was weird. I don’t know. Just the energy, just the way that we were all flying around, not just Nik (Needham) in general, but I think the defense, we all were like, ‘Yeah, today is going to be a big day for us.’ And I think we kind of went into the week last week starting from practice on Wednesday with that same mindset. Nik was making plays on the ball, having picks, pass breakups during the week. So seeing that, usually if it happens in practice, it’s going to happen in the game. So my mindset was, ‘He’s doing all of this in practice, I can’t wait to see what he does in the game.’”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned that he doesn’t want the team to sort of point to injuries as the reason for the string of losses. What do you guys see as the reason outside of injuries?) – “I think just complementary football is the biggest thing. Injuries are a part of it. They’re going to happen. They happen to every team all over the league. But being able to hit on all cylinders, offense, defense and special teams, even when somebody’s not playing well, or being able to pick each other up. I think if you can have those three phases all on the same page, regardless of who’s out there, you can win the game.”
(On offense, you guys have obviously had to adjust to different quarterbacks in a lot of different games. But this week, you guys are playing the Steelers who have also been kind of shuffling in and out of quarterbacks. What’s it like preparing for that from a defensive perspective?) – “It’s the National Football League, so it doesn’t matter who’s playing where, they’re going to execute and do what they do. We haven’t really gotten into Pittsburgh yet, in terms of the personnel, their favorite plays and stuff like that. But whoever they line up there, obviously they have enough faith and trust in to do so. And like I said, they’re in the NFL, so they can execute just like any other quarterback can.”
(You’re going to be going against a familiar face on the other sideline, what’s that going to be like seeing Steelers Senior Defensive Assistant/Linebackers Coach Brian Flores out there?) – “It’s exciting, just to be able to see him in person. I haven’t talked to him in a while, obviously, but I’m excited. I know that with the route that he’s taken and being able to – I know he’s been helping out their defense a lot from what I’ve seen. I like to watch film on a lot of other teams and stuff like that. But yeah, he’s been helping them out a lot, and it’ll be really cool to see him.”
Raekwon Davis – October 17, 2022
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Monday, October 17, 2022
DT Raekwon Davis
(You did your normal good work against the run yesterday but how pleasing was it to get a sack for you?) – “It was all right. A little something. Something new. Just trying to get some in.”
(Is pass rushing something – I know you and Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark have spent time on it. Are you happy with where you are with that? Or do you look at that as anything I get is a bonus because nose tackles in this league primarily have to stop the run?) – “I mean if you get them, you get them. I’m just doing my job. Whatever it takes to help the team out in that situation. It was a good play though. They’re not going to take that from me. (laughter) I’ll take it.”
(Just overall your thoughts on the run defense aside from the touchdown?) – “Some of the things we were doing – I can only speak for myself, some of the things I did were ok. Some things I have to continue to work on and get better with.”
(What is your assessment of where you are at this point in the season?) – “I’m pleased. I can do better.”
(You guys are 3-3 but coming off three losses. Would it feel different if it was coming off of three wins and it was reversed?) – “That’s not really our focus. We’re just trying to get everybody better and just continue doing a good job and try to push everybody to be their best version of themselves.”
Jaelan Phillips – October 16, 2022 (Postgame)
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Postgame – Minnesota Vikings
LB Jaelan Phillips
(Obviously you guys talk about the next man up mentality all the time but how tough is it when you see CB Nik Needham go down and DB Keion Crossen go down? CB Noah Igbinoghene and CB Justin Bethel made some good plays but how tough is it to keep having to deal with this injury bug week in and week out?) – “Yeah, I mean it always sucks to see one of your brothers go down. We just feel for them. But like you said, (it’s the) next man up mentality, and I was proud of the way the guys stepped up today.”
(The pass rush got going today. How good was it to see you guys on that side of the ball and get to QB Kirk Cousins a few times and pressure him and take him down?) – “It was great. But we definitely got more. We’re going to keep working, keep practicing and hopefully the result will be different next time.”
(What’s the feeling in here now as far as the 3 losses? Frustration? Do you understand injuries play a part? How do you take these?) – “Definitely frustrated, but it doesn’t shake our confidence. Our eyes are onto the next week already, so we just got to get back in here tomorrow and get back to the drawing board and make the adjustments that we need to.”
Greg Little – October 16, 2022 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 16, 2022
Postgame – Minnesota
T Greg Little
(How hard is it when it’s another game where the quarterback at the end of the game is not the same one you start with? How difficult is it when the guys behind you are changing every game?) – “It’s really about everyone being ready to play. Everyone has to be prepared. You never know what happens out there, who might go down. So we don’t really think about that kind of stuff. We prepare and everyone prepares the same as a starter. That’s our job.”
(The quarterbacks – do they move differently, have a different cadence? Does that make it harder?) – “Life is a challenge. You have one play to get used to it and then you’re rolling. You can’t really think about who is back behind (you). We all have a job to do..”
Brandon Jones – October 16, 2022 (Postgame)
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Postgame – Minnesota
S Brandon Jones
(How tough is it to start a game so well and coming up short…?) – “It’s tough, it just shows you that in the NFL, the margin for error’s very slim. They’re a good team, obviously, and stuff doesn’t always go your way.”
(We know that injuries are a part of the game, it just seems like the injury bug is tearing you guys up. How mind boggling is that right now for this team?) – We’re big on next man up mentality. I think we have guys that when injuries happen, they come in and they do the best they can and everybody rides for the guys that have to come in through the injuries. But it’s part of the game.”
(If you had to put your finger on it, what are the things that you definitely want to work on immediately to get back on this winning streak?) – “Everything, especially on defense. We just have to play our brand of football, all three phases, and once we do that, I think our team will reconnect for sure.”
Mike Gesicki – October 16, 2022 (Postgame)
Sunday, October 16, 2022
Postgame – Minnesota
TE Mike Gesicki
(Despite the loss, you had a really good game. Just talk about getting a part of the offense. I’m sure that had to feel good for you and you lived up to the promise. You made sure you Griddy’d, probably the longest one ever.) – “I tried to enjoy that one. You have to maximize the opportunities when you get them, when they present themselves. I tried to do that today. But that’s been unfortunately the storyline, people talking about me fitting in the offense—do I fit? Do I not fit? It’s not about me. It’s not about me when I have one catch for one yard and we win and it is not about me when I go whatever the heck I went today. It’s not about that’s about that. It’s about whatever we can do to help this team win football games. If my number is called to make a play, I’ll do it.”
(With all the adversity you guys have faced, you still gave yourselves a chance in those closing minutes. How encouraging is that and is that something you guys can build off of and maybe take a positive of the loss?) – “Yeah. For me, I have been through this before, that’s what I look at. I am not going to dwell on a loss and (think), ‘Aw, man. We’ve lost three in a row.’ I look at the positives of things we did and guys that stepped in and made big plays. So, I think we got better today. I’m excited for the future of the Miami Dolphins and starting up tomorrow morning when we get in there and get into meetings because there’s a lot of positives of things we can correct and get better from.”
(Coming in on a Monday morning after a loss when you know you get your starting quarterback back in the next game, just kind of another pep in your step?) – “Yeah, absolutely. The other two guys who have played, played their tails off and made a ton of plays for us. But if he is back and Tua is ready to roll, then obviously we would love to have him back and we would love to go out there and make plays for him.”
Xavien Howard- October 16, 2022 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 16, 2022
Postgame – Minnesota
CB Xavien Howard
(Is it frustrating? You were once 3-0, and now here you are, back to .500.) – “It’s football, man. It’s hard to win each Sunday. We just have to keep going, like I said, and keep getting better.”
(What was it like covering WR Justin Jefferson today? What’s it like going up against him?) – “I accept the challenge. We came to win, so I feel like I didn’t get the job done.”
(How quickly will you guys turn the page with QB Tua Tagovailoa coming back, Sunday Night Football? It’s a big week coming up.) “We have to watch film, see what we did wrong. We’ve got Tua (Tagovailoa) back. Like I said, it doesn’t matter who’s at quarterback – we still have to score touchdowns, make plays, special teams – everything. I challenge everybody, we’ve got to make plays.”
