Jaylen Waddle – January 3, 2022
Download PDF version
Monday, January 3, 2022
WR Jaylen Waddle
(I know you want it to come in a win, but what would the rookie receiving record mean to you and also if it comes in a win against the Patriots?) – “I’m not really that focused on the record or anything. I’m just focused on doing my job and trying to help win.”
(I know you’ll have the offseason to think about this but what initially comes to mind if I asked you an area where you could still improve after all the great things you did as a rookie? What’s one area where you think you can get better?) – “I think there’s a lot of areas, to be honest. I think just knowledge of the game is always something that I can get better at and really just studying my opponents in deeper detail, being one step ahead and knowing what I’m going to see out there, I think that’s big. Obviously, you always want to work on catching the ball. That’s always thing No. 1 for a receiver to work on. Details on routes, top of the routes and trying to create more separation. I’ve got a lot to work on.”
(How unusual is it to be in a position where you’re not going to the postseason? There was so much winning at Alabama, is this a shock to your system, your season ending in seven days?) – “It’s disappointing, I would say that. We obviously wanted to make it far and try to make a run for it. But the season’s not over yet so we’ve still got another game to go and build into next year.”
(With the way you were played defensively yesterday, was it different from how other teams defended you?) – “Kind of, not really. I think they really did the things that they’re known for. They ran zone and had a lot of zone things to me. No, not overly different.”
(How difficult is it to find ways to make an impact when you are so heavily focused on from an opposing defense?) – “You’ve still got a job to do, obviously. If that means taking two for your teammate to get open or drawing attention to yourself to create positive plays, then that’s what you got to do at that point.”
Eric Rowe – January 3, 2022
Download PDF version
Monday, January 3, 2022
S Eric Rowe
(You guys were eliminated yesterday after other results went final. Does that make the final week of the regular season tougher to get motivated for? Or as a competitor, do you still get up for the final chance to play this season?) – “I feel like if you’re a competitor, whether it’s for playoffs or not, whether you’re in the game, you’ve still got to put out good tape. Me personally, I’m just a competitor so it doesn’t matter what type of game it is, what type of status it has, I’m going to get out there and play, because me, I want to make my opponent look embarrassed. That’s just me, personally. I feel like everybody on the team is a competitor so no one is going to take it like, ‘Oh why am I here? It just don’t mean nothing.’ I know we’re all going to play hard.”
(I was just wondering what emotions you were left with after missing the playoffs for two years in a row and having an opportunity to make it with a win against Buffalo last year, and obviously if you had won yesterday and next Sunday. Is there frustration, anger, disappointment? What emotion have you felt the last 12 hours or so?) – “It’s disappointing. It hurts because of the work that we put in. Even in training camp, just the amount of work that we put in on and off the field. I know we went through a rough patch at first and then we clicked together but we just kind of clicked it really a game or two too late to where we had to win eight or nine straight just to make the playoffs. It hurts but that’s just how this league goes.”
(I know there’s still one game to play but I wanted to ask you your thoughts about where this franchise can go, where this team can go. I guess I’m driving at points of optimism. What do you view as the points of optimism? – “It’s tough to say because obviously teams change every year. A couple points is growth, growth as a team and as a whole. Just the way that we clicked together, even secondary-wise, the way that we communicate together. We’ve gotten a lot better being on the same page and hopefully it extends to next year. But really just growth as a team in general.”
(You mentioned it earlier that this team, despite winning seven in a row, it was just one loss that led to an elimination. Obviously, that’s because of those seven earlier losses. Do you find yourself looking back at all at those games against the Jaguars, Falcons, Raiders and Colts and wondering what could have been?) – “I haven’t looked back on it now because obviously we were still focused on trying to win each game and we have one more game to win. All of our focus is going to be on the Patriots this week instead of trying to recap the season because the season’s not over yet technically. We have one more guaranteed game left and that’s where the energy is going to be at.”
Jerome Baker – January 3, 2022
Download PDF version
Monday, January 3, 2022
LB Jerome Baker
(I don’t know how much of the film from yesterday you’ve had a chance to review, but given how well the defense has played these past seven weeks, what strikes you as the thing that went wrong the most for the defense yesterday?) – “We just didn’t execute. I think that was the main thing. We just didn’t execute at the end of the day. I didn’t watch it yet but I can tell you that was the main problem.”
(How disappointing is it to know that you might finish with a winning record, but you’re not going to be in the playoffs?) – “It’s very disappointing, but it is what it is.”
(This team, despite winning seven in a row, there was one loss yesterday that led to elimination. Obviously that was because of those previous seven losses. Do you find yourself looking back at all as you reflect those games against the Jaguars, Falcons, Raiders or Colts and wondering what could’ve been if you just got one of those?) – “No. I can’t change the past. There is no point in looking back and trying to see what could’ve happened or what could’ve been. I deal with reality and reality is we’re not going to the playoffs. We’ve just got to finish this season off strong and get it done Sunday.”
(What do you think is going to have to be different in order for the team to make the playoffs in the future?) – “That’s a tough on to answer right now. I think right now we’ve just got to focus on Sunday. Get a win Sunday and worry about how can we get better in the offseason. Right now, we’re just worried about Sunday. We’ve still got an opportunity and just to play in this league is a blessing. We’ve got to go out there Sunday and get it done.”
DeVante Parker – January 3, 2022
Download PDF version
Monday, January 3, 2022
WR DeVante Parker
(On yesterday’s game, what was the explanation you got for the fourth-down no-call on what looked like pass interference?) – “There was no explanation. I just didn’t agree with his call and that was that.”
(What were you trying to tell the official?) – “That it should have been a flag.”
(You guys were eliminated after other results. Does that make the final week of the regular season tougher? Or as a competitor, do you still get up for this final chance to play this season?) – “We’ve still got another game left so we’re just going to go out and play for one another.”
(It seemed like there were a couple of plays where you ran one route and QB Tua Tagovailoa threw another. I was just wondering if there was any miscommunication between you guys yesterday.) – “Yeah, there was but we talked on the sideline afterwards so we got that squared away.”
(How would you describe this season?) – “I’d say a tough one.”
(I know you have one more to play but what has surprised you?) – “Nothing, really.”
Robert Hunt – January 3, 2022
Download PDF version
Monday, January 3, 2022
G/T Robert Hunt
(I’m wondering what’s the overriding feeling in the locker room this morning as it sinks in that you are not going to make it to the playoffs this season?) – “It’s not a great feeling. We all wanted to win. We all wanted to go to the playoffs. Losing a tough one, it’s never fun. I would say nobody’s happy.”
(Does that make the final week of the regular season tougher to get motivated for or as a competitor, do you still get up for this final chance to play this season against a division rival?) – “Of course, we want to play. We want to go out, take it one day at a time and of course the goal is to try to end the season on a good note. That’s exactly what we’re trying to do.”
(Is finishing with a winning record – you guys are 8-8 now and a win would put you at 9-8 – is that something that motivates you guys or the team?) – “For myself, yeah I would like to do that. I’m sure everybody else would like to do that too. That’s the goal pretty much. I’m sure everybody wants to win. I know we all want to win. We all want to go out on a good note, like I said.”
(Since this probably will be the last time we get a chance to talk to you until this summer, I just wanted to ask you if you are happy and content at right guard, if that is where your position is long term. Is there any part of you that would still like to play tackle?) – “Wherever the coaches need me, wherever I’m at, whenever they need me, I’ll be available to go. I got some stuff to work on still, but I think I can be great at guard and tackle in my opinion.”
(How would you assess how you played at the guard position your first full pro year there?) – “There are things that I need to get better at, for sure. Starting to get the hang of it here a little late. That is starting to work well for me. There’s some stuff that I can improve on.”
(How would you assess where the offensive line as a whole is right now?) – “I think we’re getting better. We have our ups and downs and that’s that, but I think we’re definitely getting better. I think we have a room full of guys who care, that want to get better and that are willing to get better. That always speaks volumes and I think we got a great room of guys that are willing to do that.”
Brandon Jones – January 2, 2022 (Postgame)
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Postgame – Tennessee
S Brandon Jones (transcribed by Tennessee Titans)
(on getting to play after being on the reserve/COVID list and not being able to practice all week)
Yeah, obviously it’s a little challenging for me because I’m really big on the physical reps, getting in practice and being able to have an overall routine. It kind of messed me up a little bit, but I just had to do more mentally when it came to watching film, asking my coach any questions if I had any and understanding the playbook. Just kind of took it day-to-day and didn’t know the actual plan for today, but I got some playing time and it was good to be out there.
(on if he was symptomatic)
I was feeling a little under the weather kind of early on in the week, but when Wednesday rolled around, I was feeling good, had no symptoms and stuff, just still testing positive. At that point, all I could do was just kind of wait and see if I could either test out early, or with the new protocol just wait to get released after five days.
(on the unorthodox trip to Nashville)
Yeah, I traveled separately.
(on if it is possible for the season to still be a success without going to the postseason)
Yeah, I think for me, personally, making the playoffs is kind of in the rearview mirror. I’m really big on just focusing and taking it one game at a time. So obviously, just losing itself, regardless of the outcome, what it cost us, what it didn’t cost us, I’m just really upset how we kind of played as a team. Just knowing how good we can be and when we’re out there playing on the same accord, from offense, defense, to special teams, it’s always frustrating when stuff doesn’t go your way. Tennessee did a really good job overall gameplanning on all three phases. We just didn’t execute.
(on what he thinks went wrong with the run defense)
Obviously, their coaches just put them in really good positions when it came to how to get everybody blocked up. The running backs did a really good job with hitting it, getting it vertical, even if it was stretch game and it was a designed run, outside zone run. They did a really good job with just seeing the hole and kind of making that first cut and getting up field. From a gameplan standpoint, I think they just did a really good job of executing and kind of making us struggle a little bit on the defensive side.
Mike Gesicki – January 2, 2022 (Postgame)
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Postgame – Tennessee
TE Mike Gesicki (transcribed by Tennessee Titans)
(on the feelings inside the locker room)
This is the situation that we’re in. We obviously have proved that there’s a lot of resiliency in this locker room. So, just have to get back to work. We’ve got another opportunity to play a very good team a week from today, so back to work.
(on the disappointment of today’s performance knowing they needed a win)
Obviously, if you’re a competitor you’re disappointed. That’s the situation we’re in.
(on if the offensive performance was the most frustrating outcome)
Yeah, we obviously could have played better on the offensive side of the football. We’re going to get back to work for it. Like I said, there’s a lot of resiliency in that locker room, a lot of guys that are looking forward to another opportunity this upcoming week.
(on the playing conditions)
I think, honestly, it was a factor for both teams, but it is what it is. It’s exactly like you said, they had to play in it too. So, you can’t point your finger at that being a deciding factor.
(on if they had an alternative gameplan for the rain)
Duke Johnson – January 2, 2022 (Postgame)
Sunday, January 2, 2022
Postgame – Tennessee
RB Duke Johnson (transcribed by Tennessee Titans)
(on the field and elements affecting the game)
I mean, nothing major really. It was a field. It wasn’t the best field, but it wasn’t the worst. Both teams played on the same field, so it was cool.
(on the frustrations of the offensive miscues)
I won’t say frustrating. Disappointed in a sense, because we know what we’re capable of doing on offense. But at the end of the day, it’s about going out there and performing and doing it on Sundays. We practice all week. We do what we’re supposed to do, but we didn’t execute today.
(on the disconnect on offense)
Not finishing drives. We just didn’t finish our drives. We had some drives where we strung along good plays. We got down there, we just didn’t finish. Again, like I said, we had a great week of practice and did what we’re supposed to do. We just didn’t turn it over to today.
