Tyreek Hill – December 11, 2023 (Postgame)
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Monday, December 11, 2023
Postgame – Tennessee
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
Q. Can you explain what you were feeling, what you were going through as you were out of the lineup and then worked your way to get back in?
TYREEK HILL: It was a lot of pain, man. It sucked. When it actually happened, I’ve obviously been dealing with some ankle injuries this whole season, and when it happened, like my first reaction was like, man, my ankle is gone. My adrenaline kicked in, I ran off the field, then I sat for a while and it got stiff and I was going through a lot of pain. Then I just made up in my mind, I came in at halftime, I texted my wife, I was like, ‘this (expletive) hurt.’ I need an ankle massage tonight, and she’s like, ‘you’d better get your ass back in that game, dawg.’ I was like, ‘all right.’ So I just made up my mind that it’s going to hurt. It’s going to suck. Tonight and tomorrow morning. I just went back in the game on my own, without anybody saying ‘Reek, go.’ It was like, no, (expletive) this, I’ve got to get out there and bring some energy and be that spark.
Q. What do you think a team like this can learn from a loss at this point in the season? The margin of error starts to slim up a lot more.
TYREEK HILL: As a team, we can never take any opponent lightly. The Tennessee Titans are a real good team. We’ve seen that tonight. They had a real good defense plan. They got some real good players over there. Coach Vrabel, he’s been doing it for a while now, so he kind of understands how to stop or slow or even contain us. Shout out to them guys. Props to them guys.
Q. You guys have been on such an emotional high for a long time. As one of the team leaders, how do you guys kind of get past what just happened, to blow that kind of lead that late and just move on to the next week?
TYREEK HILL: Well, it starts tomorrow, man, because we’ve got a short week. Once we get back, tomorrow we’ll come in, watch the film, knock it out, correct the errors and stuff like that. That’s when we move on and realize that we can’t make mistakes or turn the ball over or – we’ve even got to get more than three points in the red zone, because every point matters, especially in situations like this, going against a real good team like that. I feel like we’re going to be able to move on pretty quick with the great leaders that we got on this team. I feel like we’ll be fine.
Q. What was the message from Head Coach Mike McDaniel? Obviously it’s been a while since you guys lost. You guys normally take care of business against teams you’ve been expected to. What was the message from Mike after kind of a loss like this?
TYREEK HILL: Oh, kind of what I just said, man. We’ll come in tomorrow. We’ll fix the mistakes. Obviously I feel like to me, this was probably one of my better games blocking, so I can’t speak for nobody else. Just come in tomorrow, fix it, take accountability. If you did mess up, and I feel like every guy on this team will do that because everybody wants to win. Everybody wants to find ways to get better.
Q. While you were out of the game and watching a lot from the sideline, what were you seeing was going on with the offense?
TYREEK HILL: You know, man, our offense is so special. It’s such an electric offense. We were doing good. We were moving the ball up and down the field. Raheem was breaking some runs. ‘Ced’ (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) made a few big plays. I feel like we were doing typical stuff, like what we would normally do.
Q. If you could put a percentage point on how you felt when you reentered the game, were you able to cut and change directions like you normally could?
TYREEK HILL: No, I could not. It was just one of them things where like you just got to make your mind up, like ‘hey, I’m going to do it, man.’ One of them (expletive) them mindsets. You feel me? And it’s going to be like that until the end of the season. I feel like at this point of the season, everybody is typically hurt, and right now I don’t need – nobody is going to give you pity for just being injured, quite frankly. That’s just the reality of this league. My mindset is like I’m going to go in, I’m going to dominate no matter how I feel. If I get locked up, it happens. If I drop a pass, it happens. But just know I’m out there. I’m going. That’s my mindset.
Q. Knowing that this is a marathon and not a sprint, do you then think to yourself, maybe I should sit out a week just to try to get back, or is it just, I’m always going to go?
TYREEK HILL: You know what, man, that’s never a question in my head. That’s never something that I would be thinking about. But if the trainers come to me, if they see something in the scans whenever I get these scans, they say, ‘hey, Reek, you can sit out,’ I do it. But me being me, I don’t want to sit out. I want to be able to help this team any way I can, and that’s just who I am. I just don’t want to miss any games.
Mike McDaniel – December 11, 2023 (Postgame)
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Monday, December 11, 2023
Postgame – Tennessee
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Q. From your perspective, what culminated in not being able to put away a 14-point lead with four minutes left in the game?
MIKE McDANIEL: Well, what didn’t. I think it was a legitimate team loss. I think everybody had their hand in it. I don’t think it was intentional. I don’t think people went through the motions during the week. It was a really, really good week of practice, I thought. But you had a lot of yards given up in a short amount of time. You had a shorter field position, and you had an offense that went three-and-out. That’s literally the only way that that could happen. So yeah, we all get to share the blame in my opinion, or at least I know the locker room felt 100 percent responsible. I think that’s what you want. I think there’s a lot of people that are going to be – it’s going to be tough to go to sleep tonight, including myself. That’s not something that you can do and expect to win football games, and you can’t – it’s a hard, hard lesson, but no lead is safe. I think that’s one of the tougher parts about it.
Q. In what ways do you think facing adversity in this game, a loss in December, can be a catalyst for positive change?
MIKE McDANIEL: You know, I know right now it doesn’t feel anything but frustration and regret about what more you can do. I do know the two — I have experience with it personally. The two most successful seasons that I’ve been a part of, around this week we lost a game, and at the end of the season, near December, we’ve spent a lot of time together, and you don’t have – you can do one or two things with a loss like this for me personally, and just my belief in the individuals that I work with on a day-to-day basis, I would expect whatever things haven’t been done in the direction of trying to win football games, collectively I think the guys will rise to the occasion. I think you have to because it’s a humbling game, and you think that you’re a good football team, but then each and every week you have to prove that on the field and you can’t take anything for granted. Right now it feels terrible, but that’s everything that we’ll be trying to do moving forward because these types of losses can be very galvanizing, but it takes literally every person in the locker room and coaching staff, and you have to – as long as guys aren’t pointing fingers, which I feel like there’s a lot of people looking internally, you have that chance, and that’s what we’ll be spending our time doing.
Q. Connor Williams is such a key player. Is his knee injury feared significant?
MIKE McDANIEL: I think we’ll find out more tomorrow. Honestly, so much happened in that game from that point, I haven’t seen talked to the training staff about it as of yet. But I know it would take a lot to keep him out. It’s probably not the most positive.
Q. The offense was kind of (indiscernible) what went wrong for the unit, especially in the red zone the first couple drives?
MIKE McDANIEL: Well, that’s a place that we’ve made a point to do a pretty good job down there, and we did not tonight. You could point that as the No. 1 reason. There’s several people and several phases that will say they’re the No. 1 reason, but you can point to that as the No. 1 reason we didn’t win the game. For me, you call plays for them to work, and they didn’t. So you’re trying to play to the team when you’re making decisions to go for it or not. A couple of those, I felt like we just lost a lot of points there. In two particular instances I think inside the five, that’s eight points total there. We had a blocked field goal. We’ve done out-of-character things to almost find a way to lose the game. The guys still fought, but you have to play a certain type of football to expect to win, and it’s hard to get all the way down there and not to come up with touchdowns. It’s not something that we’ve had success this season, and we haven’t done that. It’ll start with me, but I think that the locker room will — I always just look at it like we have really good players, and we should be successful down there. So when we don’t, I start with that, and then we’ll go comb the tape and make sure that the certain things that kept us from getting in the end zone don’t in the future.
Q. Can you speak to the type of adjustment that it is when Tyreek Hill is out of the lineup for you guys?
MIKE McDANIEL: Yeah, there’s a good amount of offense that goes through him. However, we have – ‘Ced’ (Cedrick Wilson Jr.) made a couple plays. It wasn’t the reason for the lack of first half or really first three-quarter points. I think there were just critical times that we would be off a hair on first or second down and you’re put in a third down situation, and our protection wasn’t exactly what maybe we’d be used to on a play or two. Then there was a misfire on a play or two and those things add up, but I didn’t see it as we were – obviously a player of Tyreek’s caliber, it hurts when he’s not in. However, I think there was plenty of offense to be had and we’ve got a lot of guys that I trust to do that. I think that just bottom line, you have things like that happen in a game, you’re going to lose and those are lessons that are learned usually one way and that’s the hard one.
Q. I know you said that things like this are fickle and that if the play goes the other way, nobody is questioning it. Everybody is praising it. What went into the decision not to run the ball those first few trips to the red zone or stick to the pass those first few trips to the goal line?
MIKE McDANIEL: You know, I think it had – kind of approached it like I usually do and we passed the ball because we thought it was going to work and it didn’t. That will always – that’s not a big deal to me, that it’s like part of inherently in the job, if you’re going to get high fives for success, so that was definitely the wrong call because it didn’t work. You have to try to forecast as much as you can and do right by the time as best you can, and I think anytime we’re that close to the end zone and we don’t come up with a touchdown, I think that it will 100 percent of the time be second-guessed, as it should be, because who am I? Am I above second-guessing? It didn’t work, so that’s the – you’d better be tough in this business if you want to be in it and I would expect nothing less. Stuff didn’t work.
Q. What were the late defensive play calls? How did the Titans work their way down the field so quickly twice?
MIKE McDANIEL: I’m going to have to comb the film. Live, I think there were a couple communication issues on the back end is what I saw, in terms of specifically the crossing routes. There was one big one to ‘D-Hop’ (DeAndre Hopkins) that was pretty hurtful in the overall grand scheme of things. But also you could easily say that that situation, the defense with a couple guys that got hurt within the game should have never been in that situation. I know the defense – specifically multiple players and coaches came up to me and let me know their feeling on how the end of the game went, and it’s not acceptable to them, and that’s how you want the team to look at it. You don’t want people to be like, 14-point lead, however long – you let people hang around and you let them off the hook when you’re inside the five and you have six points as opposed to 14. It changes the math for sure. We’ll work to clean that up. I know that there’s some very, very frustrated individuals on the defensive side of the ball, and we’ll look at the tape. I would hesitate to place all blame – this was as much of a team loss as you could have in my opinion before watching the tape.
Tua Tagovailoa – December 11, 2023 (Postgame)
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Monday, December 11, 2023
Postgame – Tennessee
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Q. You guys take a two-touchdown lead; did you have any feeling, any inkling that you would actually end up losing that game?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It’s the NFL. Anything can happen. We’ve got to do a better job finishing the game with the time that we had while we had the ball, not allowing their opposing team’s offense to get that opportunity to potentially go down and score. It’s a team sport. You can’t blame one side. But I would say from an offensive standpoint there’s things that we could have done a lot better to not have gone through what we’ve gone through tonight.
Q. I know Tyreek was in and out of the game with the ankle, but what do you think was kind of the trouble in the passing game? I know the run game, you guys had over 160 yards, but in the passing game what gave you guys struggles?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think what they wanted game plan-wise was to put a shell over our team, forcing us to run the ball, forcing us to beat them that way. But when you have someone like Tyreek go down, it does make it tough, but when you also have a couple of your key o-linemen go down, as well, it does hurt the guys up front and sort of the way we operate.
Q. I wanted to ask about that. What was kind of the hardest part of obviously Connor Williams goes down, you’re already without Terron and Rob Hunt. What was the hardest part of getting things aligned?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, I think one of the toughest parts of that is a lot of those guys haven’t gotten reps at some of the positions. It’s not to say that we practice for situations like this to happen. It just so happened that Connor went down and we already had a couple of our guys out. But needless to say, I know the guys up front will get better. I know the guys around me will get better. I will continue to get better. That’s the only way we can grow. We’ve just got to watch the tape. Tough loss tonight, but it’s going to linger like this if we don’t do anything about that.
Q. The final fourth-and-2, can you break that play down from your perspective?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, the play happened. Trying to look for an eligible. Then as I tried to maneuver through the pocket, I was trying to get a clear lane to find someone, but that’s how that went.
Q. How much of a collaborative process is the play calling in the red zone once you get close to the goal line? Has Mike ever asked, what do you see here? Do you chip in? Or is it pretty much him making the decisions?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: We talk about those decisions as far as plays that we like down there with what their defense runs. The night before we sort of go over, talk about each play and reasons as to why we could call this versus this or that versus this. The plays that he’s called, that’s sort of what we went over and what we trusted as far as what we saw on tape from the Titans.
Q. We’ve seen some Dolphin teams in the past have a loss like this in December and things kind of snowball. As one of the leaders here, how do you keep that from happening when you have a result like that at the end of the game?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, I don’t think this is the same Dolphins team that everyone thinks about. We’ve got a lot of really good players. We’ve got really good coaches. It’s one loss home this year. It’s not like the world ends because we lost this game. We’re human. We’ll continue to get better from this. This is the NFL; no one is perfect. That’s that.
Q. You now have over 1,000 career completions. At this stage in your career, thinking back to last year, what are some things that you appreciate the most?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I’m appreciative for the entire journey that I’ve had since I got here, the draft process, the games that I’ve been able to go in, the people that I’ve been able to learn from. But as far as right now, I’m not even worried about any of that. I’m not even thinking of that. I’m a little disappointed that we put out that type of performance offensively, and it should have never been that way today.
Q. What was your perspective on the lost fumble play down near the opponent’s goal line?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: That was my fault. I’ve got to catch the snap. I don’t get as many reps with Liam in practice. I get some reps as far as quarterback-center exchange, but because Connor is our starting center, that’s the only person I’m working with as far as getting those reps. I’ve just got to continue to work those with Liam, but that’s not his fault, that’s my fault and I’ll get better from it.
Q. Did you have a firm grasp on the ball after you picked it up?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I did, but the problem there is I didn’t drop. I picked it up and turned to throw it already, and the defender was already in my face, and he made a good play on hitting the ball. That’s no one else’s fault but mine.
Terron Armstead – December 9, 2023
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Saturday, December 9, 2023
T Terron Armstead
(On his health) – “Dealing with the challenges, the adversity, the pains of the season. There’s always something. Everybody’s doing something.”
(Inaudible) – “It’s kind of one of them things. Everybody is dealing with some things. I may have more or less than others. But just trying to work and be available, that’s it.”
(What did you think of T Austin Jackson’s contract extension? What are your thoughts on that?) – “I’m trying to see when he’s going to pay me back the money he owes me. (laughter) But nah, listen, I couldn’t be more happy for him. I’ve watched him work day after day, off day, any free time, just trying to get better. The hunger and desire to improve and not be comfortable, content or complacent at all. Striving for greatness. This is not it. He didn’t make it, which is the beauty of Austin and his story. He has goals and aspirations. He’s ambitioned to be one of the greats. I love the fact that he was rewarded for his efforts and the way that he was playing. But this isn’t it. That’s not the end goal. He has a lot more to do.”
(What does he owe you money from?) – “Oh, I’m joking. (laughter) Austin doesn’t owe me anything.”
(OL Austin Jackson was talking the meeting he had with you and Head Coach Mike McDaniel when you first got here and how you have been so adamant about him being a starter. What do you remember from that and why was it important to sit down and talk to him about that?) – “Just getting here, I know the guys and the challenges and struggles they had offensively, more specifically, on the offensive line. My job coming in, as a player, my job not only as left tackle but as a captain and leader of the team is to pour into them guys. So anything I know that’s helped me, technique, fundamentals, off-day training, film study, just preparation of being more of a professional, that’s my job. I take it seriously. I’m always accessible to these guys, available to these guys. Austin was one of the guys that still uses me as a resource. That’s really all I came in, when we had that meeting, and told him. I’m here for you. Whatever you need me to do, any magnitude. But like I said, his desire to be great, he didn’t play. He didn’t play about his progression. He is serious about it. Every day he’s getting better and better.”
(What is it about Mike McDaniel’s coaching style that bodes well for players and building up confidence in guys?) – “That’s really it, man. Letting guys be confident, play to their strengths. I think Mike does a great job of understanding his personnel and then understanding the person outside of football. When you get that dynamic – and we’ve got a family-oriented place, a very family-oriented environment we have – we play for each other. That’s what makes us a really good team. Regardless of the talent and the scheme and all that, we go out there and play for each other every week so we have a chance to win the game.”
(Monday night, is it just another game for you? Is it something special? How do you take this game?) – “All of them are special. Every one of them, it’s a blessing to go out there and to be involved. It’s amazing to do what we do on this platform. Monday night, Sunday night, Thursday, that doesn’t matter to me. I try to treat every game the same. No pressures, no hits, no hurries on every play, every game. It doesn’t really matter what the platform is – playoffs, regular season – I treat every game the same. That’s the goal.”
(Overall, your feelings as far as how likely you are to play on Monday?) – “I wouldn’t say. I really can’t say. I got out there and moved around and had some plays today. But the goal is always to be available. So we’re working, working and trying to put in overtime to be out there with the guys.”
Mike McDaniel – December 9, 2023
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Saturday, December 9, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(DT Christian Wilkins popped up on the injury report with a groin injury. Is that something that you anticipate will sideline him on Monday night? And has S Jevon Holland progressed to the point where you guys feel comfortable with him playing?) – “Christian, I’m not worried about playing Monday night. Unless new information comes across, I’m pretty confident that he will. Jevon is a wait and see. Not because of any other reason but we are truly letting him progress and I do not want to – I want to see how he feels today on the practice field, then I want to see how he feels tomorrow from it, then talking to him, making a decision that is in line with how important he is to our team. We’ll take that up through tomorrow, but he’ll be on the practice field today doing some stuff.”
(Since today is the most important day of our lives, but this is also Art Week in Miami. Monday is your show day with the team. Can you just touch on the art of deliberate practice?) – “I didn’t see that coming but I would love to talk about deliberate practice. I think the whole point and the residual effect of deliberately practicing is that getting yourself to a mental space that’s as close to a game – I’m not sure if you guys know anything about reps, but they’re helpful. I think deliberately practicing things with intent that’s as close as possible to a game can make game-time performance less about stressful make a play, we have to win, and more about, let’s go perform and do what we are very prepared to do. I think there is deliberately practicing for individuals – 10 times out of 10, just list off the greatest whatever’s. The greatest whatever’s, they’re all deliberately practicing things. The first three that come to mind for me are always (Michael) Jordan, Kobe (Bryant) and Tiger (Woods). Steph Curry. Putting yourself in this mental space of performance, over time that helps individuals. Now you compound that with, what if a bunch of individuals are doing that next to each other? Well, not only do you get better at playing with each other, but there’s an inherent unspoken rise in your confidence to go play together. You’re invested more, you’re more convicted and it’s kind of like a snowball. So that is something that the only way we’ll win more games, most specifically this one, is that we stay true to that. It’s the reason why any of our successes have happened the way they have, is because of our adherence to that deliberate practice and being present. When you practice deliberately and get addicted to that, this team isn’t crowning themselves. This team is not taking any entitlement in an NFL game. This is their moment that they’ve been working for that they’ve earned. There’s definitely some positive residuals to that. So yeah, I like talking about deliberate practice.”
(T Terron Armstead, how did his Friday participation go? What do you anticipate for him this week?) – “No setbacks for Armstead. He’ll still be questionable. We’ll take today and then all the way up till the game. I’ll rule Rob Hunt out.”
(Is LB Jerome Baker also out?) – “Yeah, he will be. There’s multiple things at play. Because of the roster, he’ll be going to short term IR, or IR in general. You can’t really forecast what, when and why. That doesn’t rule other people out. We just, for the roster, it was very on the line of his timeline. So we’ll be putting him on IR today.”
(Will LB Jerome Baker be that last number eight, designation to return?) – “See, it’s hard. That’d be like me saying, that’d be me accessing the crystal ball. I think that that very well could be the outcome, but you’re hesitant with the way the season goes, the roster needs and him and his recovery. You just want to temper that a little bit. To assume that is not irresponsible, but I wouldn’t put money on it because it’s not known, if that makes sense.”
(I wanted to follow up on that. Earlier in the week, you said that he wasn’t going on IR and then you said there are multiple things that play, but was this an instance of further examination?) – “This is more about team needs – really the collective accumulation of the roster and multiple positions, because it was right on the fringe of yes or no with it, and our starting point at that point in time was we didn’t need to do it. Things change every day, which is why I don’t stamp anything that’s unknown. So, we’ll be going in that direction now and feel good about that.”
(What is known that this team has a lot of Pro Bowl-leading vote getters. How excited are you guys just this month to be recognized league wide with having this amount of caliber of talent?) – “The thing that excites me about it is what it tells me is people enjoy watching some of our elite players, but more than that, our whole team. When people enjoy the way you play, you turn the page and I can attest to it in my journey, there are certain guys that became your favorite players. At one point in time, I was voting as a fan for players. I think what’s cool about this team is that there is no harbored resentment, only build up and excitement for anyone that is – any one of our playmakers that we really depend on. I think a lot of guys take Tyreek Hill’s votes and it’s personal to them as well. So what I see is the result of a lot of work, a lot of talent by the individual players, a full commitment to their game as well as all their teammates. It’s votes for individuals, but I know you don’t have multiple players receiving that type of attention unless your team is playing well. Just in general, I think our team puts it all out there every time we play, and from a football perspective, it is fun to watch. So I’m very happy for all of them, the team and the individuals.”
(I’m still thinking about OL Austin Jackson earning his contract extension and the strides that we’ve seen for QB Tua Tagovailoa under you, what is it that you emphasize in your culture to establish confidence for players and also the player development that we’ve seen?) – “Everyone is receiving what Chris Grier, Tom Garfinkel, Brandon Shore and Mr. (Stephen) Ross, they decided to hire. Out of the gate, I have a strong connection with what the job is. To me, the job as a coach is to coach and to maximize players’ ability. You do that by having a lot of people who are like-minded, as coaches, going after it the same way. Then you have to have the right roster where guys are actually interested in doing whatever it takes to be their best selves. You have that pool of people – coaches adhering to being a coach first and foremost, and that’s the only driving factor. Then you have players that want to be coachable. Then you have all these individuals trust each other and make themselves vulnerable and really take out all the confusing other things that happen in life and you can have a situation where there’s a lot of people daily really going after their opportunities that they’re given that very day. I understand it. I think my role in particular, your job is when things don’t go well, your job is to take that all on your shoulders. That’s the responsibility. But all the successes, it’s the furthest thing from just me. I can’t do anything on my own at all. Even if I said something awesome that was unbelievably the best thing that anyone’s ever heard, someone has to listen to it and buy into it. The collection of people is what really allows people to grow. It’s really cool to be a part of. There’s a lot of people invested not only in themselves, but in each other and their stories. When you’re doing that, you’re kind of really capturing the essence of why you even want to be on a football team in general, which is really, really cool.”
(Understanding the overriding notion that you’re going to play the game when the NFL tells you you’re going to play the game, what are your general feelings about playing on a Monday night?) – “It never bothers me. I understand that your week can adjust based upon if it’s a Monday or a Thursday or a Friday. I know one thing, if we want our league healthy, we have to make money. So being on primetime Monday night, yeah it makes you have a short week, but you know what good teams do? They have a lot of adjusted schedules. So you have to look at it through the lens of we want as many of those opportunities as possible, so that means people want to watch us, that the league is healthy because there’s a national televised audience. If that’s what the good teams do, then you want to be in that category. I don’t look at it at all as labor-some. It’s more of a compliment and opportunity that you should take seriously. I know it is an honor every time that you’re playing with most of the time no other games. Is there another Monday night game in there?”
(Yes.) – “Is it simultaneous?”
(Yes.) – “So it’s an honor to have only one other game played. (laughter) You got 50 percent, so that’s a lot more percentages than usual. It’s something that all the guys get geeked up for and it’s fun.”
(I wanted to talk about the NFL’s initiative with My Cause My Cleats. Have you been able to see some of the cleats that the players will be wearing on Monday night? Also, your thoughts on a team that is very involved in the community with some great causes and their foundations?) – “I haven’t. It’s kind of like a last unveiling. I don’t know their causes because I will see them on Monday night. There’s certain guys that I kind of know what direction they’ll go. My thing is that anytime people are wearing or involving themselves in something that’s bigger than themselves and they could get away with not doing, I think that shows that from a human being standpoint, those individuals don’t feel entitled and feel very lucky at all the things that come their way in this lifestyle. And also understand the platform that you really have to reach people and utilizing that. So it’s very meaningful to me, just from a standpoint of having awareness to where your place is at in the world, not taking for granted that people actually want to watch you do something that you love to do, and then on top of that, utilizing it to the best of your ability to bring awareness to certain things. There’s a lot of things going on in the world and a lot of things slip through the cracks, so it’s a cool deal that I think a lot of people get a lot of stuff out of it in a lot of areas that could use the attention. So it’s pretty cool.”
(To keep the main thing the main thing this week, you guys face a former Heisman Trophy winner and I know execution is a priority to you. What are some things that you, as a former run coordinator, stands out with RB Derrick Henry and the challenge that you all have coming up this week?) – “I’m really excited and glad you asked about the Tennessee Titans, because I think this is a great challenge for our football team. It jumps off the tape that this team that we’re going to face tries to beat you physically on both sides of the ball. It’s a priority of theirs. And I think that’s an element that is steadfast in December and January. So I think that’s a rep that is perfectly timed that will be a tremendous challenge. I think that you’d be a fool to take a team that plays with just the ultimate, I want to say, commitment to the fundamental principles of football – running the ball, stopping the run, all those things. If you take those types of teams lightly in this part of the year, you will learn a lesson fast and it will not be comfortable. So I’m very comfortable with the way that our team has approached it thus far. We have one day of practice left that I’m hoping matches the first two, because they understand that there is a team coming to Hard Rock Stadium that is fully intent on winning the game and giving us our first home loss. So if you understand that, it’s your job to prepare and be your best self regardless of what team you play. But just know, it’s going to be a physical one.”
Tyreek Hill – December 8, 2023
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Friday, December 8, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(So many teams in the league have faltered. So many of the top teams are losing to teams, like Dallas lost Arizona. How have you guys stayed focused on the day to day, the play to play, all season?) – “Man, look, as crazy as this may sound, the amount of competition that flows through this building each and every day is wild. It just naturally flows. And then when we go to the practice field, you’ve got some of the top guys at their positions competing at high levels, going at it ones-on-ones each and every day. So that’s kind of how we keep that mindset inside the building and it’s a beautiful thing. I can give you some examples where you’ve got Connor Williams going against Christian (Wilkins). Or whether you’ve got T-Stead (Terron Armstead) going against B-Chubb (Bradley Chubb). Or (Jaylen) Waddle or myself going against Xavien (Howard) or Jalen (Ramsey). The competition flows through the building. We’ve even got guys taking scout team reps. You’ve got ones taking scout team reps for each other. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”
(How many games will it take you to overtake Seahawks WR DK Metcalf?) – “What do you mean?”
(Did he run faster than you?) – “I thought football was about making plays though, not about being the fastest. That’s what I thought at least. I mean, at least that’s what I signed up for.”
(But Seahawks WR DK Metcalf has said that you’ve been ducking him for years and now he’s got the fastest time this season. He took you down.) – “Once again, I thought football is about making plays. And also, I’ve got receipts too though. It’s easier to say that somebody’s been ducking you, but he don’t have the receipts to back it up. I wish I could sign language that for him, but I don’t know how to. (laughter)”
(If you can get a sponsor for an offseason race would you try to pull that off?) – “Of course. Cheetah ain’t ducking no smoke from nobody. But the reality of it is, my focus right now is obviously, what we’re doing right here. If I try to get tied up in trying to be the fastest, I feel like I’d be losing what’s ahead. Most of the time when I catch a touchdown, it’s like, I’m already in front of people. You feel me? He’s like, getting almost caught. So there’s a difference.”
(WR Braxton Berrios was on one of the talk shows talking about the MVP race and the stuff that you’ve been able to do on the field. What does it mean to you that your teammates, you’re putting on a show even for them?) – “That’s great for teammates to say something like that. My peers, it’s awesome man. It makes coming to work even more fun, so I love it. I absolutely love it. Thanks for building my ego Braxton.”
(Do you think a receiver winning the MVP honor is realistic, even if you do break records?) – “No, I don’t think so because there have been numerous times before I even started playing football that guys have been making plays, been having great seasons. It’s a quarterback award. We all know that. And if Tua (Tagovailoa) won it, I’d be happy. I’d be happier if Tua won it. I feel like I’ve gotten everything I want. I get a chance to play the game that I love. God has blessed me with that. But obviously, winning the award would be icing on the cake. But God has blessed me with just everything I’ve got, with just being here in Miami. My family is enjoying life. I’m enjoying life. I’m just enjoying what every day has to offer. I couldn’t ask for more.”
(Adrian Peterson got it with 2k.) – “He did. He did get it.”
(So a running back deserves it but a receiver doesn’t?) – “AP also took that ball a lot too though. He also had a lot of carries too though. The way the league is now, I just don’t see it.”
(Is there anything that’s surprised you from this Titans defense? Obviously records sometimes don’t reflect what they can do. Have you seen anything on tape that maybe you went, oh?) – “Those guys have got a real good secondary. Those guys fly to the ball real well, they punch the ball out. So our main focus is protecting the ball and like we’ve been doing all season, make sure we’re at the right spots for Tua (Tagovailoa) and just put up points, just execute each and every opportunity that we get a chance to step on the field.”
(What made you want to give a scooter to all of your teammates?) – “Well, growing up, I’m from the South. I grew up riding ATVs, riding dirt bikes and stuff like that. I just thought it would be cool to give back to the guys because most of the time, being in the positions that we’re in, most guys don’t receive gifts. A lot of people expect us to give them gifts and it’s like, okay, how can I find a way to give something cool to the guys? I wasn’t thinking about anybody being getting hurt at the time. I was like, you know what, let me just get them some scooters that go 43 miles per hour. (laughter)”
(You’re on pace to pass the 2,000 yard mark. What would it mean to get it?) – “It would mean a lot, man, it would be great. It would be great. I really haven’t thought about it. My wife and my mom, they remind me every day. They’re like, you’ve got to live in the moment, you’re doing it. And it’s like, bro, I can’t stop right now. I’m trying to visualize this next game. You know how they are. They don’t be understanding that. They’re like, you’ve got to live in the moment. Let’s go out. Let’s celebrate. And it’s like, nah, bruh. I’ve got to watch this film gang. I told myself, if I’m able to do it, I’m going to buy my dream car.”
(What’s that dream car?) – “It’s an Aston Martin V12. Very expensive car.”
(I think you’ve got it.) – “I’ve been managing my money pretty well.”
(Does it matter, 16 or 17 games? I know some people will bring up that Calvin Johnson did it in 16. Does that matter to you at all?) – “It really doesn’t matter. I feel like people should understand, like what we go through as professional athletes, it’s a lot. I wouldn’t care if I broke it in 18, if there were 18 games. I’d just be like, you know what? I feel like I did something special.”
(You were playing Washington this past week. They played a surprising amount of man, single coverage on you. Are you surprised when teams still play single coverage man on you?) – “No, I’m not. I feel like each and every week is like a different opportunity for you to prove that you can beat man coverage. Not every team plays man coverage the same way. Some teams may play outside leverage. Some teams may play inside leverage. Some teams may play at seven yards and sit. So it’s different. It’s my job and the rest of the receivers’ job to go out and prove that we can beat man coverage. It’s quite shocking, but at some point, it’s like, I mean, I’m grateful for it. I’m like, okay, I enjoy this. I’m having fun with it.”
Jalen Ramsey – December 8, 2023
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Friday, December 8, 2023
CB Jalen Ramsey
(Playing a receiver like Titans WR DeAndre Hopkins, what are the biggest challenges?) – “There’s a lot of changes. We could go on and on. Everybody knows I’ve played him more than any other receiver I’ve played in my career. It’s another one of those matchups. Another one of those days. I just don’t have to follow him this week I don’t think.”
(Is it one of those where you really know him, he really knows you from all that experience?) – “We’ll see on Monday. We’ll see.”
(Is it better to face a guy with speed or with size in your opinion? You have both.) – “It’s never mattered for me my whole career.”
(Never mattered?) – “Do you think it has?”
(No, not really.) – “Alright, yeah (laughter).”
(Being from the Nashville area, what’s it like playing the Titans?) – “Crib! I mean, it’s my hometown team. (I’m a) Nashville boy – 615 represent. I represent Nashville, Tennessee no matter where I’m at, no matter what I’m doing. But I don’t represent the Titans though. I represent the Miami Dolphins now. That’s all that matters.”
(Did you grow up a Titans fan?) – “I watched them a lot. Obviously, it was right there in my backyard basically. But nah, I wouldn’t say I grew up a Titans fan.”
(What’s your opinion over FSU getting left out of the CFP?) – “I ain’t got no control over it. I think they did a good job this year going undefeated. They did all they could do. You have to be at peace with that. That’s all you can control. They had their reasons for leaving them out. It is what it is. You just have to move on. You can’t really harp over it. Can’t change it now.”
(How would you describe the vibe among the defensive backs? How would you describe what the room is like? Every room is unique. What’s unique about this group of d-backs?) – “As far as personality? How we play?”
(Yeah, like off the field.) – “It depends on who you ask. I don’t know, you’ll probably get different opinions. We’re cool. We be chilling, have some fun.”
(I know a few weeks ago you said you were still trying to knock off the rust. Where would you say you are at this stage?) – “What, week three? All you have to do is do the math. Just do the math. (laughter) This is my fifth game plus one week right before then practicing. So that’s three preseason games, a couple weeks of training camp, so yeah I’m more like game one or game two.”
(What’s the difference between being in midseason form as opposed to training camp mode?) – “I guess you all are going to find out in a few games or in the playoffs.”
(Tell us about the Christmas gifts. You got everyone foot massagers?) – “Yeah, got a little something something. Nothing crazy.”
(And why foot massagers and why did you buy gifts for everybody?) – “It’s something I’ve always done, no matter where I’m at. It’s just a blessing to bless others around holiday time. And take care of our feet.”
(Who do you think is the most underrated player on the Dolphins defense?) – “Dolphins defense? I don’t know. I couldn’t point to one person. But while I’m here though, go Pro Bowl vote for everybody in the secondary. Jevon Holland, Xavien Howard, Kader (Kohou), DeShon (Elliott), Nik (Needham), Brandon (Jones), the rest of the guys.”
Danny Crossman – December 8, 2023
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Friday, December 8, 2023
Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman
(It was definitely not a penalty on the Steelers center, right?) – “Correct.”
(They talked after the game about abrupt movement. What is the teaching point for the center in that situation?) – “It’s like just about every other rule you want to look at. A lot of it is the interpretation of that crew and that particular referee, umpire, side judge, line judge. Whatever call it is, you could have the exact same call and you can four guys in this pocket, in this bucket, in that group and they’re all going to see it differently. That’s the interesting – when you meet with those guys, their interpretations are all slightly different. None of them are right, none of them are wrong. It’s human interpretation of what is sudden. What’s sudden to me may not be sudden to you. What’s abrupt, may be sudden to me. It’s a hard thing, but that’s the risk. And everybody does that, especially on fourth-and-short. It’s worth the opportunity to see if you can steal one.”
(With LB Duke Riley taking on a larger role defensively, will you have to sacrifice some of his special teams snaps or can he handle the workload?) – “We’ll work through that and we’re working through that as the week goes on. Like most guys, when the reps in one go up, you’ve got to find and be smart in how much guys can handle. Some guys can handle a lot. Some guys you’ve got to be smart in where you taper them down and what voids, then who you have to fill those voids. So it’s an ongoing process as we go through the week.”
(How much of what factors into that decision is based on what LB Duke Riley is telling you in terms of his workload in a particular game?) – “We try to have an idea going into the game. Then obviously, you’re ready to adjust as the game progresses based on groups and packages and how the game goes. Is it a heavy run week, heavy pass? You think one thing and then you get something different in the game. Down and distance. There’s so many things that go into it. We’ll have packages with him. We’ll have packages without him. The game will sort of dictate where that goes.”
(As the weather changes and the air gets colder, does it affect the kicking game and do you make adjustments in strategy in returns and coverage and all that kind of stuff?) – “Obviously the compact in the ball, as it gets cold, it is much more difficult. It doesn’t travel as far. The air then doesn’t travel as far. There’s a lot of those things that go into it. The biggest thing when you get into this time of year is weather. When I say weather, wind, most importantly, and then precipitation, whether it be rain, snow, sleet, whatever you may have. But wind is always the number one nemesis that you’re always most concerned about.”
(Fan voting for the Pro Bowl is open and LS Blake Ferguson is currently the lead vote-getter in the AFC. What have you seen from him compared to other long snappers and how do you differentiate them?) – “Blake’s very good for how we use him and what we ask him to do. I’ve been very happy with Blake since he’s been here. I talked about it earlier this year when he earned the extension. Number one, he’s always available, which is so paramount. You can always count on him being there and he does a good job with his snaps, with his location, with his protection. Then he’s really good in the locker room.”
(After multiple years of team speed overall like this, I imagine there’s a trickle-down effect to every part of the roster, practicing against this type of speed and the condition of it. For special teams, when you think about your drills and the way that you’re having guys attack different contours and areas of the field, has that speed affected the way that you think about areas you can get to in that phase?) – “Absolutely. The two great equalizers and the separation difference-makers in this league are size and speed. To me, the way that the rules have developed into this league, it’s become speed is number one more over size. When you have multiple guys and a full team of guys that can run, it really opens up a lot of doors for things you can do. It helps cover up, more importantly, for mistakes.”
(Has it changed the way you look at spacing in those coverages?) – “In some ways. More importantly, it’s always based on the opposition first. We’d like to do certain things but we’ve got to make sure those matchups tie in to what we’re seeing from the opposition.”
(With the injury to Titans P Ryan Stonehouse, how does that affect the game-planning?) – I think they might go with P Ty Zentner?) – “You hate to see injury to anybody. But obviously as a specialist, those are crushing because you don’t have a guy to go to. You’re into the emergency scenarios like they had to go through last week with (Nick) Folk handling the punting and then obviously (Ryan) Tannehill handling the holding. Now they’ll get somebody in there to be able to do those jobs. You hate those injuries. That’ll be a loss. A really, really talented guy. He really was able to flip the field and really do a great job controlling field position for them. We’ll prepare for a couple different things. We’ll keep track and stuff but it won’t necessarily affect a lot of change in what we’re doing.”
(So the backup holder here would be?) – “We have multiple guys.”
(P Jake Bailey is the holder?) – “Correct.”
(So a quarterback would presumably be the backup?) – “We have lots of guys that are able to do it.”
(How much practice does the backup get?) – “Every week. Every week they get some.”
(It would be fun if it were a random 300-pounder.) – “It is not that. (laughter) I will tell you that. (laughter)”
(Was there a point over the last couple of years or this last offseason maybe, where you recognized that the guys that you’re working with – and I know it rotates and fluctuates a lot – but the guys you’re working with, you saw, yeah, you’re working against elite speed in some of those scout looks and things like that?) – “I think its more of, in my position, I watch every single thing. I watch every offensive drill, every defensive drill, every competitive 1-on-1, 7-on-7. I watch it all. So yeah, it gives you a heck of an appreciation for, we have guys on practice squad that you’re just like, ‘wow.’ We have a lot of guys that can run. It’s nice.”
