Robert Hunt – October 14, 2021
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Thursday, October 14, 2021
G/T Robert Hunt
(So these sleep buds, they don’t have to connect to anything? They just play sleeping music?) – “That’s all they play, man. They play (white noise) all night. They play rain … they play waves. It’s something to get you to sleep, I guess, on this long flight that we’re going to take. Just a way to get extra sleep. I’ve never tried that. Or like little white noise or whatever. I’ve never tried that but I tried it the other day and I kind of like it a lot. So I had to get another pair from Jaylen (Waddle).”
(Are you looking forward to the trip this week?) – “Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
(You hesitated there.) – “(laughter) Nah, I’m looking forward to it.”
(Is it tough to make this trip? I believe it’s your first trip overseas as a Dolphins player. When you guys have to rebound from these losses knowing there is so much to focus on, but there are going to be some distractions going overseas.) – “I don’t know. I think right now, the messaging within the team is we kind of know that it’s a business trip. We need a win. They need a win. May the best man win. I think we all know that it’s a business trip and I think we all want to compete. Like the coaches said, we all know we need a win, so we’re all competing to try to get a win.”
(Did the Dolphins get you your passport?) – “Is this illegal information that you’re sharing? (laughter) Shout out (Director of Team Security) Drew Brooks again. He’s like my father away from home pretty much. Yeah, he helped me hook it up. I got it set up. Shout out to Drew again.”
(What else has Drew Brooks gotten you?) – “I told you, man – my license. Drew got me my license. He got me my passport. And sometimes when I’m in my room, he’ll stop by and bring me some candy or something. So shout out Drew. (laughter) That’s my guy. Drew is definitely my guy. (laughter)”
(Is this your first time leaving the country?) – “No. I actually went somewhere in the spring. Jamaica. It was like two hours away from me. Nowhere but somewhere.”
(I feel offended. I’m Jamaican.) – “You’re Jamaican?”
(Yeah!) – “Nah it ain’t nothing bad. It’s just like two hours away. I had never been way over there (to Europe). I’ve been somewhere (out of the country) but I’ve never been way over there (overseas).”
(These sleep buds, did all of the players get them?) – “Yeah, we all had them in our locker. I think Bose hooked us up with them, like I said, for the flight. Pretty good deal, man. If you have a problem sleeping, you should try them out.”
(Now that the right side of the line has changed and I know it’s gone back to what it once was, with QB Tua Tagovailoa coming back, do you feel like there’s more pressure to make sure that blind side is protected?) – “No. I don’t think so. We’re just going to try to continue to do our job. Me and Jesse (Davis), we’ve been playing together for a while since like last year, since I stepped in, since I’ve been in. We’ve been playing together for a while. I think we communicate well. I think we play well besides each other. I don’t feel like there’s any pressure. I feel like we have a job to do. We know that. So we have to go over and try to compete and do our job the best we can.”
(How do you think it worked with T Liam Eichenberg and left tackle and T Austin Jackson playing guard?) – “It looked good. I thought it looked good. I thought just in general, the whole team came out and played with energy the last game. It didn’t go the way we wanted to but I thought we started fast. I thought we came out with some energy. I thought we looked all right. It’s been the same way this week in practice, just trying to bring energy and play with a little excitement. I think everybody has been doing a really good job with that.”
(Going back a question ago to the blind side and all, it doesn’t change anything or it’s not in the back of your mind that the last time QB Tua Tagovailoa was out there, he got hurt and we’ve got to really protect this guy?) – “Our job is to protect him. It’s part of football. Things happen. But I don’t think we have pressure on us. It’s our job to protect whoever is the quarterback – Jacoby (Brissett), Tua, me, you. It doesn’t matter who is back there, we’ve got to do our job to protect. We’re going to do the best that we can do with that and just keep trying to play football. Like I said, we have a job to do and we’re going to try to do that … We might be in some trouble with you back there. (laughter)”
(It would be better with me back there than with me protecting QB Tua Tagovailoa. That would really be ugly.) – “You’ll get in there and see how it is. It’s tough in there, man. It’s tough in the middle. (laughter)”
(Obviously you get a chance to see QB Tua Tagovailoa’s passes after they’ve been gone. How has he looked in practice?) – “I thought he’s looked good. It’s exciting to have him back out there. He’s a leader on our team so it’s good to see him back out there and firing away and being who he is.”
Jevon Holland – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
S Jevon Holland
(You got the start. I think that was probably your most extensive playing time so far. Just how did you feel about it? I know we spoke to you a bit last week about you getting more comfortable but how did you feel out there?) – “I felt good. Got some things to improve on, made some good plays but always looking to improve each week.”
(How different does this week feel, just knowing in the back of your mind it’s hard to ignore the fact that you’re heading to another country on Thursday night? You could psych yourself out a little bit, but how excited are you about that and how hard is it to compartmentalize the two tasks at hand here?) – “That’s a good question. I’m excited to go to London. Never been in my life. I’m from another country so being in new places excites me, but I’m excited to just go out there and play really. It’s a completely different environment. New type of fans, so it’s a whole new experience. But just like coming to the NFL, I’m looking to step into the ‘London light’ apparently. (laughter) But no, I’m excited to go over there and play.”
(There’s lots of Dolphins – like half the stadium will be Dolphins fans. Will that be interesting for you to look up and see that you’re playing for a team that people have such a passion for in London, England?) – “Yeah, I had no idea that there were that many Dolphins fans in London. That should be exciting. Definitely.”
(For some reason, the Dolphins are the most popular NFL team. They actually broadcast all the Dolphins games in England.) – “Wow. I did not know that.”
(How is the communication? I know it was a big theme in the preseason how you were ramping up your communication with the rest of the defensive backs. How has that improved?) – “In terms of myself being comfortable back there? I think it’s improved. As you get into some games and you get familiar with the environment, nerves kind of calm down, focusing on the small things really. So for myself personally, how I feel communicating, I feel pretty comfortable out there communicating. Definitely. Just working on communicating while I’m tired.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(This is more of a business trip than anything. But that said, how exciting is it to be going and playing a game in London. S Jevon Holland was pretty surprised to learn how many Dolphins fans there are there. The stadium should be packed. How does that make you feel that all the way over there people will be cheering for you?) – “Its exciting. I went there in 2017 when I was with the Browns. I can’t wait to get back out there. It’s definitely exciting playing in a different country. I can’t wait to see the fans. I know we’ve got a lot of Dolphins fans out there so I can’t wait to go out there and play in front of them.”
(What did you experience when you went out there the first time that you’re looking forward to experiencing again, or that you’re telling your fellow players to look out for or beware of?) – “When we went, it was definitely neutral. It was a cool experience and I know they had fans wearing Falcons and different other teams’ jerseys. That was pretty funny. It was a cool experience. They’re just excited to see American football in person. Just go out there and put on a show for them.”
(DT Raekwon Davis used the phrase ‘get on the same page.’ Tell me about that. In what ways has the team not been on the same page defensively, and what adjustments do you think will help?) – “Just playing together as one. Just trusting that your brother is going to be there to make the play and not shedding out of your gap too soon to try to make all the plays.”
(How would you describe the overall confidence level on the defense knowing that things haven’t gone the way they did last season for example?) – “Like Raekwon (Davis) said, ‘it’s hard to win in this league.’ We’ve got to take it one day at a time. We have a good Jags team coming. Even though their record says 0-5, they’ve got a good team that we’ve got to take advantage of and we’ve got to do our best to stop them. They’ve got a good running game and they’ve got a good quarterback in Trevor Lawrence.”
(What are you impressions on QB Trevor Lawrence from watching him?) – “He’s a pretty good quarterback. You can tell he’s getting better each game. We take everybody serious. It’s the next game. We’ve just got to do a good job of containing him and keeping good pressure on him.”
Elandon Roberts – October 13, 2021
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
LB Elandon Roberts
(What’s the talk been like by the defensive players on this team after coming off last week’s performance?) – “Jacksonville. That’s all we’re focused on. Jacksonville.”
(What do you see when you look at Jacksonville?) – “A lot. They’re a talented team. They’ve got a talented young quarterback, a good backfield. They have some good receivers, the offensive line is looking real good and stuff like that. They’re starting to put it all together. It’s definitely going to be a 60-minute game for us this weekend. Just locked-in type of mindset.”
(Is there any more of a sense of urgency as you guys head over to London?) – “We always have a big sense of urgency on the team. Locked in, like Raekwon (Davis) and (Emmanuel) Ogbah said. These games in the league, they don’t come easy. Everybody has players on the team. The sense of urgency has been there. We’ll start tying this thing together.”
(As one of the team captains, what has been the messaging that you and the other captains like to try to help spread throughout the team at this time?) – “We’ve just got to take it one game, one play and one practice at a time. It’s no secret. There’s no magical thing that you need to do as a captain or as a teammate. It’s nothing. You just got to come in every day with the work mentality to get it right and that’s by taking it one practice at a time, taking it one play at time and taking it one game at a time. That’s it.”
(Last week and this week, I’ve heard defensive players talk about the need to get on the same page. Is that something that’s easier said than done given that you have a fair number of veterans on the defense? Did you think it would have been something that you’ve accomplished by now?) – “I think turning your focus to Jacksonville for the defense, that’s all that matters to us. If you start worrying about to many things, that’s how you’re not on the same page. Right now, we’re focused on Jacksonville and what we need to do in London.”
(RB James Robinson seems to be a guy who enjoys running between the tackles, physical play. In my opinion, you enjoy hitting people between the tackles and sometimes in the backfield. How much are you looking forward to being able to go against him?) – “James Robinson, when we played him last year, he’s a good back. He’s got real good like, once you hit him, center of gravity. He catches his balance all the time. Last year, when we were playing them, he bounced off a couple tackles, he did this and he did that. To see what he’s doing this year, it doesn’t surprise me at all. I don’t think it surprises anyone in the building. He’s a good, young back. Definitely made some progress and jump from his rookie year to this year. He’s seeing a lot. Like Raekwon (Davis) said, you can’t really peek out of your gap too early because he’s finding the creases now. I commend him for the year he’s having. He’s definitely going to be respected going into this game.”
Greg Mancz – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
OL Greg Mancz
(What is your experience traveling abroad?) – “I have actually never been to Europe. The one time previous, we were supposed to go and I was injured so I didn’t get the chance to go. This will be my first time. I’ve been asking for a lot of tips. I’ve traveled to south of the equator a couple of times on casual trips but my only out of the country game was Mexico City back in 2016, so this is my first time really going across the pond.”
(Watch when you plug in stuff. Be careful.) – “(Laughter) That is noted, thank you.”
(T Austin Jackson was telling us he had not played the guard position since an all-star game in high school. Did he ask you some questions before or during the game?) – “I think as an offensive line, if you don’t ask each other questions, you’re sort of nuts. Every play is a constant flow of communication. As we continue to get more comfortable with each other, maybe the communication becomes more almost like we are completing each other’s sentences. But I feel like there is a dialogue, if you will, every play between all the positions. That’s pivotal to improving your play, being able to know what everyone else is doing.”
(Would you be giving away secrets – I noticed that right before snaps G Rob Hunt will tap you on the leg. I don’t know if I’m asking for state secrets but what does some of that stuff mean?) – “I think that’s a part of the communication. There are a couple different things that all can mean, but that is part of the communication, especially when it’s loud. It’s harder to hear verbal signals so you have to give physical signals – pointing, tapping and all that stuff. You definitely noticed a signal. You did not give away any secrets though. We’ll figure it out.”
(I’m trying to remember when you jumped in the lineup, QB Tua Tagovailoa was not in the lineup. So this is the first time potentially starting with a new quarterback, a left-handed quarterback. I’m curious, is the left-handed thing different? Does it change anything about your responsibilities?) – “I took snaps with Tua when I first got here and that was a question that I asked. He said no. My only thought was under center, because you always try to snap it to them, and he said, ‘No, you’re fine no matter how you snap it normally.” The answer to that question is no, there is nothing different. You just have to get it back there accurately.”
(You guys have had five different starting offensive lines in the five games so far. If this week there is some continuity, how much does that help just having that continuity?) – “I think every time you play, whether that’s practice, whether you’re in a meeting or in a game, you practice and you play with the guy next to you and you get more comfortable with them, right? When I first came to the media, I talked about diving in, getting to know the guys and seeing what they’re all about. That sort of stuff is important because like you said, when you play next to someone, and say I would have shown up that first day and played the first game, that would have been hard. I talked about the communication with him, about how you need to have the communication. You start to finish each other’s sentences as you play more and more together. I do think that is a developing thing every day. I think continually playing together helps but it’s more about building the relationships, working together and being able to finish each other’s thoughts and sentences.”
Raekwon Davis – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
DT Raekwon Davis
(Have you ever been to London or out of the country at all?) – “Yeah, I’ve been out of the country before. I’ve never been to London, though. It’s going to be a great experience for me. I hope my allergies don’t mess with me. (laughter”
(Where else have you been?) – “I’ve been to Cancun and Tulum. That’s about it for me. (laughter) That’s typical. I haven’t been to that many places.”
(How do you feel physically having been out of the loop for a few weeks and now having a little more time separation from the injury?) – “During that time period, I was just trying to get my body right. I’m trying to keep myself in good condition, hydrate and just take care of my body. I know they were out there on the practice field getting reps after reps, so I know I couldn’t really keep up with it. I just tried to keep my body in shape the whole time I was out.”
(What have you picked up from the Jaguars, QB Trevor Lawrence and their run game?) – “They’re a great team. They work together. They’re a great unit. They just try to really run the ball. They run the ball a lot. Trevor Lawrence gets the ball out fast. We’ve got to collapse the pocket and try to get to him.”
(What have you noticed about RB James Robinson?) – “He’s a quick, shifty back. You’ve got to be patient on him. You can’t peek out of your gap real quick. You’ve got to be real patient with that guy. He’s kind of short so it’s kind of hard to see him. You’ve just got to be real patient with him and let him declare the gap.”
(After reviewing the film from the most recent game, what’s something that you think is important for you and your d-line colleagues to really keep in mind and try to be better at on Sunday?) – “Coming up with that gameplan and everybody just being all on the same page. Communication. And working together as a unit.”
(What’s the general feeling on the defense right now? I don’t have to tell you that last year you guys put up some really impressive numbers and this year it seems like things have really turned around. What’s the feeling?) – “I can tell you like ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) tells us every day: It’s hard to win in this league. It’s not going to come easy. But like I said for us, we’re just going to keep working. Just all working together, everybody on the same page, communicating together and just having fun.”
(Knowing how important it is to get a win this week, have you found it challenging to compartmentalize the task at hand and also the fact that you have to get on a plane on Thursday night – obviously it’s exciting as well going across to England. How has that been as far as keeping things separated and still enjoying yourself going across there?) – “I mean we’re on like a five-hour difference than London. ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) said get into bed at a certain time so lights off around like 9 or 8 p.m. Just trying to get that timing over there for our bodies. We don’t want it to just hit us when the game comes and we be tired and sluggish and moving slow. We’re just trying to keep up with the time over there, making sure we go to bed early, making sure we hydrate and taking care of our bodies. It’s hard this week because the time over there is different.”
(What time have you been going to bed out here to sort of…) – “I try to go at 9 p.m. Yeah, I try to go at 9 p.m.”
(How early are you getting up?) – “Probably like 6 or 6:45 a.m. Something like that.”
(That would be like 11:45 a.m. over there.) – “Yeah. Hey, I’m doing the best I can. (laughter) I didn’t say it was going to be right but I’m doing the best I can. (laughter)”
Preston Williams – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
WR Preston Williams
(Obviously the first practice with QB Tua Tagovailoa being back. How do you think he looked and with him missing three weeks, do you think that you and him maybe need to work a little extra to get that chemistry back? How do you think it looked?) – “Tua’s a professional. When Tua gets back, he’s always working on his craft. Even when he’s injured, just how he stays in-tune with the team, watching film, being at practice, calling the plays up. At times he wasn’t even playing and he’d come over to me and be like, ‘hey, what do you have right here? Just trying to make sure I know my stuff.’ Tua is professional. I felt good about him being back out there.”
(That sense of involvement from QB Tua Tagovailoa, like you said, when he’s not even playing. To come up to you and stay in communication, is that something that you’ve seen him kind of adapt over the past years? Is that something you’ve seen him mature into?) – “No, Tua has always been a leader in my eyes. I used to watch him at Alabama too. He’s seemed like the right guy for the job always, in my opinion. Tua is always making sure everybody is straight. When Tua goes down, we all stay and rally behind him. We’re glad that he’s back.”
(QB Tua Tagovailoa is a guy that dating back to your last game last season, before he got hurt in that game, you had several catches and it seemed like you guys had good rapport working together. How much do you think back to something like that and building off that?) – “The plays get called and we just execute them. It’s the same thing that we do in practice. That’s how all of that went about. Tua will always throw to the open guy. I wouldn’t say he has any favorites. He’s going to make the right read and make the right pass.”
(I was asking Co-Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends George Godsey about the things that you need to do to make sure that you become the best version of yourself. In my opinion, the ceiling is quite high. He mentioned mastery of the offense and mastery of the playbook and the mastery of route-running. Tell me about how you’ve approached working on those sorts of things and refining your game?) – “This year I was asked to play a couple of different positions than I usually had been playing, so just learning the whole playbook. It’s different. It’s the quarterback’s job but when you learn the whole playbook, you can play faster. So I’ve just been playing three different positions and just working on my routes, just taking the coaching they’re giving me and just trying to apply it. I work on my craft every day at practice.”
(So is it X, Y and Z?) – “Nah, I don’t play the Y. I play X, F and Z.”
(Which spot is WR DeVante Parker usually?) – “X, Y and Z. We all play – this offense, we all play all positions so you’ve just got to be ready to hop in wherever.”
(If WR DeVante Parker is unable to play – we don’t know yet. What do you enjoy about the types of routes that he is often called upon to run?) – “I like DeVante’s route tree. DeVante can run any route they ask him to run. If they want to throw him a swing, they could throw him a swing and DeVante would get those YACs (yards after catch). DeVante was a first-round pick back in the day. DeVante is a vet. I looked up at DeVante when I got here. DeVante has been stringing me along and I just appreciate him.”
(WR DeVante Parker, even if he’s covered, will still make contested catches.) – “Yeah, he’s got ball skills.”
(Do you feel the same way with yourself?) – “Yeah, you’ve got to have confidence to play receiver.”
(How much better do you feel about your game today as opposed to one, two or three weeks ago when you were still trying to come back?) – “Just being away for the whole camp and not being able to work on my craft, that was just different. The fact that I’m back now and practicing and getting game reps and getting to work on my craft every day, I feel way better going into these next couple of weeks.”
(Do you have any connections to London or England? Have you ever traveled to Europe or anything like that?) – “No, I don’t have anything in London. I’m excited though. I’m excited to go play the Jacksonville Jaguars out there too.”
(I was working with a guy who does a podcast in London and you were one of the big topics of conversation on that show in London this week. Does it blow your mind that you have fans over there and the stadium is going to be filled with some jerseys of yours watching you play all the way across the pond?) – “I remember we were supposed to go out there last year and we didn’t go. They kind of were reaching out to me on Twitter. I didn’t even know I had fans in London until that week. That’s pretty cool having international fans like that. I support it, 100 percent.”
Brian Flores – October 13, 2021
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Did you lose a bet with DT Christian Wilkins?) – “Yeah, we had a wager. I pay my debts. (laughter)”
(How important to you is the continuity on the offensive line? For various reasons you’ve had to run out five different groups so far. I’m sure it helps finally having a set group and not having to mix and match all the time to find the best five?) – “You always want continuity. You always want to play the same group and build that communication, build those relationships on the field. You always want that for a myriad of reasons. That could change. That could be because of play or performance. That could be because of injury, which we’ve dealt with. Really all of that. I’m hopeful this week that we can continue to play the same group and build some continuity that you’re talking about. But yeah, I think it’s important. But every situation on every team, that can change basically on any play. You’ve got to be ready to make adjustments as well.”
(When T Austin Jackson was the 18th pick of the draft obviously most folks thought he’s the long-term left tackle. I’m just curious about the process that you and the staff go through for making evaluations about who should play where and who should play at all. What role, if any, does a guy’s draft status and expectation relative to that, play into the decision-making process?) – “I think once a guy gets here, I really don’t care where he was drafted. Drafted, free agent, trade, waiver wire. I think we’ve picked up – we use really all of those avenues to acquire players. When they get here, it’s about the way guys compete and players taking advantage of their opportunity and being productive in whatever role they’re given. So that’s really the conversation. It’s never, ‘hey, he was this pick or that pick.’ I try to do what’s best for the team, best for the organization. That’s always kind of where we start and it’ll always be that way.”
(With QB Tua Tagovailoa being designated for return, do you expect him at practice today?) – “He’ll be at practice, yes. And yeah, we’re excited to get him back. I know he’s excited to get out there. We’ll take it one day at a time still, but we’re moving enough in the right direction that he’ll be out there. He’ll have an opportunity to practice and hopefully play in the game.”
(How’s he feeling? I know you said he’s still dealing with a good bit of pain and it’s kind of about pain management or tolerance on his part?) – “Yeah, if you ask him, he’s 100 percent, he’s fine. So he’s not going to tell anybody any different. He’s made a lot of progress but we know he’s dealing with something. He’s going to tough it out. That’s just the type of kid he is. But we’ve just got to see how it goes through practice, get back into the swing of things and we’re hopeful that he’ll do well in practice today and be available this weekend.”
(I know backups always say that they prepare as the starter. If you do have uncertainty at that position about who will start for you Sunday, does that change anything as far as how today and tomorrow go, if there still some questions about who’s going to be the starter?) – “Are you speaking specific to injury?”
(Not specific – I’m saying if you did and wait and see like you said, you’re going to see how QB Tua Tagovailoa fares today. Most weeks you know, you have an idea by now who your starter will be and I know backups always prepare as if they’re going to be the guy. But if you have uncertainty at any position, whether it’s that position or any other, does that change – particularly with quarterback – does that change the way you do have, does it change the way you look for, does it change the way you practice, does it change anything as far as reps and all those things over the next couple of days?) – “As far as game-planning, no. I would say it doesn’t change conceptually what we want to do, how we want to attack, how we want to defend, how we want to play in the kicking game conceptually. I think we want to do is what we want to do, so we do that with either quarterback. Their skillsets obviously would change some things, but – I’m not sure if I’m answering your question correctly, but no, I would say we don’t really change anything from a gameplan standpoint or I would say not too much based on players. But specific to the quarterback, Tua is obviously dealing with something. Jacoby (Brissett) is dealing with something. We’ll see how this goes in practice. My expectation is that both guys will be available and we’ve got to see how it goes really with both guys. That’s my expectation, but I think we’ve got to see how it goes.”
(What was your reaction to the Jon Gruden situation and how the Raiders handled it?) – “I think it’s unfortunate. I think football is a game that, from my standpoint, what I love about the game is that it brings people together and it really brings people from all walks of life together. So you hate to see anything that brings any type of division – I guess that’s the world I’ll use. At the same time, I believe in forgiveness. I do. I never want to judge someone on the worst thing they’ve ever said or done. I don’t think anybody here would. I know I wouldn’t. So from that standpoint, I guess that’s how I feel about it. I would never judge someone based on the worst thing they’ve ever done or the worst thing they’ve ever said. But I do think the whole thing is unfortunate. Obviously there are consequences for your actions and the things you say and I think we all should learn something from it.”
(Is WR DeVante Parker or TE Adam Shaheen ready to practice?) – “(Adam) Shaheen will be out there. DeVante (Parker) will not. DeVante will not be out at practice today.”
(Back when you drafted S Jevon Holland, you had mentioned his communication and leadership skillset as something that attracted you to the player. I know in Sunday’s game, he played more snaps than any defensive back. I was just curious five games into the season, how do you think he’s coming along in that regard?) – “I think he’s doing a lot of good things. I think he’s still learning the NFL game. I think his communication as a young player is good. Hopefully it’ll improve. It’s something we harp on really on a daily basis with him. He’s a sponge. He’s a smart kid. He understands – he has a good understanding of the information we’re giving him and he’s done a nice job.”
(I’m not sure if you have done a London game before. Have you? And what are some of the challenges that come along with preparing for this game?) – “I’ve coached in two games over there. I think the biggest challenge is the time change. That is something that we are already talking to the players about. It’s five hours ahead. What time is it now? It’s 11 a.m. so it’s 4 o’clock there. That initial time change and getting your body clock on London time so we can be physically at an optimal level when we’re ready to play on Sunday, which will be 9:30 a.m. our time here and 2:30 p.m. their time. That’s probably the biggest challenge. But it’s a great atmosphere. That I know for sure. The fans there love the game of football, so it’s a great atmosphere and we’re excited to get out there.”
(With QB Tua Tagovailoa’s condition, are there extra factors put in specifically this week because it is a London game? That maybe when you’re considering whether or not he’s ready or not, that maybe wouldn’t come in on a normal week?) – “No. The flight, that could be something to consider. It’s a longer flight but with his situation, it’s not. This is really just let’s see how this goes at practice, can he make the throws, can he roll to his left, roll to his right, step up in the pocket. The one thing we won’t know is taking a hit. We won’t know that until the game but we’ll try to do as much as we can to get a feel for what that will look like or what that will feel like without having a setback obviously. I’ll say this, he’s a tough kid. He’s a tough kid.”
(For a lot of these guys, it’s their first time going out of the country or seeing London and whatnot. For someone that has done some of these international trips, what’s your message to them when it comes to enjoying the trip but also remembering that it’s a business trip as well?) – “I think this is a great experience for a lot of guys on our team who haven’t been outside of the country. Some guys were getting a passport for the first time. I think we mentioned what the game does for a lot of people. I know for me personally, the game has opened up a lot of doors for me, and I think this opens up a door for some of our players who haven’t played or haven’t been outside of this country. I don’t know how many of you guys know this but my first coaching job – or coach, it wasn’t even a job – was with a club team in Italy. Guys were smoking cigarettes at halftime. (laughter) it’s a little different from what I’m dealing with now but it was a great experience for me and something I will cherish my entire life. Coaching for the Napoli Briganti in Naples, Italy. So that was fun. That was a personal experience of mine and I think our guys are going to have a similar experience going out to London and doing something that is very different than what they’ve done before.”
(Was there wine at least at halftime?) – “Plenty of wine. There was plenty of wine. (laughter)”
(How did that come about?) – “I had about three or four buddies from college, who once they were done playing – I went and started working and they basically were paid to join a club team in Napoli. Not a lot. It was housing and a little bit of a stipend. But it was a great experience for them to go over, visit Europe – live in Europe, not even visit. Live in Europe, play some football and they were kind of player/coaches. We had some time off in the summer in the NFL. I think we had four or five weeks, so I went over. Not to coach at first but just to spend some time with friends. One of the coaches had to leave, they asked me to coach and that was my first coaching job. I was the defensive coordinator for the Napoli Briganti. I coached one game. We lost 6-0. Then we traveled to Italy. (laughter)’
(What did you run? What defense did you run?) – (laughter) “It was a 4-3. Do you want to get into that? (laughter) I ran some strong safety pressure. Tutto bene is about all I’ve got for you. It was a great experience. I still talk to some of the guys that are on that team now. I made some great friendships and it’s a good story to tell.”
(You said it opened a door for you. I’m just curious how that one – granted you held them to six points but how did that one game open doors for you?) – “I was in scouting at the time. I knew I wanted to coach right after that, along with a few other things. I was having a lot of thoughts about the future at that time, and it’s one of those things that presented itself. Everything happens for a reason. It really does. I think that’s one of them for me and I think I’m here where I am today, coaching, because of that time period where – I never thought I was going to be coaching. I thought I was going to be hanging out drinking wine and it turned into (that).”
(What is the thing that you remember most about Napoli – about your time there, about the city? It’s a great city in Europe.) – “It’s a beautiful city. It was really – I’m big on relationships and the time I had with some of my closest friends, guys who were the best man at my wedding and just friends that are real close to me. More than – the place is beautiful obviously. Naples is beautiful. Amalfi Coast, all of that, it’s a beautiful place. But I’m more about people and more about relationships, so that’s kind of what I remember the most. One of the criteria for me to coach the game or coach for these guys, was I told them that they had to fly my then-girlfriend, now wife, out. They agreed and then we lost, so the season was over. Then we traveled. We traveled Italy. (laughter)”
(Did you play at the soccer stadium or where did you play?) – “No, no, no, no. (laughter) We played at some little field.”
(You dug into the food while you were there, didn’t you?) – “Yeah, I had plenty of food and wine. Plenty. (laughter)”
(Do you guys have an activity for Saturday? Maybe go to a game like you have done in the past? The Dolphins are really loved in London. Do you have some plans? Maybe meet with Christian Pulisic or some of the U.S. National Team players that are there?) – “No. Once we get there, I think our focus is going to be on the game and the Jaguars and their team. And they’ve got a good team. It’s a young team. It’s a talented team. I think they’ve been in some close games. They’ve got some good young players and they’ve missed some opportunities and they’ve had some opportunities to win some games. So I think our focus will be on them and the challenge of this week.”
(What have you seen from Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence?) – “I thought this guy is talented, big arm, accurate, can get out of the pocket, make plays and he’s getting better every week. That’s what I’m seeing.”
