Byron Jones – September 27, 2021
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Monday, September 27, 2021
CB Byron Jones
(I wanted to ask about your matchup with TE Darren Waller yesterday. I know you’re giving some height to him and he’s a different position, a bigger guy. Just curious the challenges that go into that and how you feel you performed in that role?) – “He’s a big, fast, receiving tight end. He’s a guy that has a really good catching radius. He has really good speed. The plan was to use me to kind of throw him off his game. Oftentimes he has a safety or maybe a linebacker on him, so we figured we would put a cornerback on him and see how he responded. We had some fun out there, some good battles, some back and forths. Just fun overall.”
(When was the last time you found yourself matching up with a tight end and did you find it more challenging than covering up a wide receiver or less challenging?) – “They are both – it’s been a while. That’s kind of how I got my hay was guarding tight ends my rookie year, my second and third year in the league. I enjoy guarding the bigger guys. You get to be a little more physical. You get away with a little more pushing and tugging. The challenge with those guys is that even when you’re on them, they still have a big catching radius. Just being able to adjust to the ball when it’s in the air and swat it down is the biggest thing when you’re guarding somebody that big. The small shifty guys are always tough. Different body types always have different challenges. Just with bigger tight ends its definitely their catching radius and overall size.”
(I just wanted to get into the mindset of a cornerback. I’ve always had this theory that in these hurry-up, need to score quickly situations when you need to get down the field more, pass interference should be viewed as a play, just like you guys effectively got to the 1-yard line on a pass interference call. Do you think about that in those situations as a cornerback?) – “Honestly you just use your techniques. Whatever you’re coached at those moments, whatever you’re coached and practiced is going to show up in those moments. You don’t play any softer or any harder than you need to. We understand that we have big situations, third down and we’re trying to get off the field, obviously a fourth-and-long, when the game is on the line and you’re trying to guard him tight. Just keep your hands clean – that’s first, second down or regardless of the situation. Definitely third and fourth downs in our defense, specifically we’re trying to get off of the field. At the end of the day, the quarterback needs to throw a good ball, the receiver needs to make a good catch, so as a DB you can’t panic. They still have to execute well on their end. Even if they are open before the ball gets to them, so don’t panic and just play good technique overall.”
(Last time I spoke to you on the podcast, we spoke about your love for cars. I was curious if you’re a Formula 1 fan and if you’re at all excited about the upcoming race here in Miami Gardens next year?) – “Yeah, I started getting into F1 about two or three years ago, so I’m still new. But I love it. I haven’t had a chance to watch much this year. I’ve never been to a race in person. I’m looking forward to actually being there, seeing the cars and being a part of the show. I’m a huge fan and obviously every day we’re seeing the construction outside. It’s kind of cool to see it come together. Definitely looking forward to joining the show.”
(The first three games you guys haven’t executed offensively and defensively how you felt like you should based on the talent that’s on this team. What is the disconnect that’s happening right now that has led you guys getting off to a 1-2 start?) – “I don’t think it’s necessarily a disconnect. It’s just guys need to execute when the moment is presented to us. Yes, we’re a young team, but at a certain point there really is no excuse. I’m going to tell you what, the coaches do a really good job at preparing us throughout the week. It’s really up to us as players to spend extra time studying or really putting the pressure on each other to perform when the lights are on, on a Sunday afternoon. This is a tough learning process. In the league, if you’re off just by a little bit, the scoreboard could be ugly or it could be a tough game like this. We’re looking forward to the challenge of the Colts next week, and try to get back on the winning side.”
Brian Flores – September 27, 2021
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Monday, September 27, 2021
Head Coach Brian Flores
(A couple weeks ago you mentioned T Austin Jackson is a left tackle. Was his play yesterday good enough to where that continues to be the case? Obviously, there were a couple late penalties and a pass protection breakdown. He had some good moments too. Is he still your left tackle moving forward or do you look potentially at competition there moving forward?) – “There’s always competition every week. I thought Austin did some good things yesterday and there are some things he can do better. I think that’s the case for really everyone on our team, myself included. The goal is to make the corrections and improve throughout the course of the week. I know he’s a hard-working kid and it’s important to him. He’ll try to do that and we’ll help him try to do that.”
(With the offensive line as structured yesterday, do you feel like you want to give this particular group with these guys in these positions some time together moving forward and grow with these five, health permitting?) – “I think they did some good things, that group yesterday. Some things that we can do better. We’ll make those corrections. I thought the communication was good. I thought there were spurts of good execution and I think it’s a group we can move forward with.”
(In terms of the running game, how encouraging was it to see the unit get – I know QB Jacoby Brissett had a lot do with it – over 100 yards rushing and do you feel like that is something that can be sustainable?) – “I think you always want to get the run game going. I think we were able to do that – not consistently enough but we got it going a little bit and we will try to build on that. The o-line was a part of that, obviously Jacoby was a part of that and the backs ran hard. We will try to build on that.”
(I noticed QB Tua Tagovailoa on the sidelines yesterday, just curious as that’s a long flight and a big pain to travel. Is he feeling any better or are there any signs of progress with how he’s doing?) – “We are taking it one day at a time. He’s getting better each day. He’s working hard to improve and get out there. He wanted to be with his teammates and support his teammates, that’s why he made the trip. That speaks to the kind of kid he is and we were happy to have him there. He’s doing better. He’s getting better every day.”
(The defense has a lot to do with it but when you are putting together an offensive game plan for the week, can a team even say ‘We want to get more deep balls, we need to get more deep passes?’ Can you even say that as part of a game plan knowing that flow of game is going to dictate so much of what goes on?) – “Yeah, I think every week you’re trying to create explosive plays offensively. Once you get in the game, you have to take what they give you. Oftentimes, most teams are trying to limit the big plays and you have to have good execution to create explosive plays. Every team wants them. We try to get them and we had a couple opportunities for them. We got the ball downfield. Didn’t make as many as we needed to win the game and we’ll always work to try to create more.”
(How much consideration, if any, was given to the idea of going for the first down on fourth-and-2 in overtime and if so, what led to the decision to with the field goal instead?) – “We were going to kick it. That was the thought there. Pick it up or kick it. We believed Jason (Sanders) was going to make it, which he did. We thought we were doing some good things there defensively at the end to give ourselves an opportunity to get it back. Unfortunately we weren’t able to do that, we weren’t able to execute the way we needed to. We were going to kick it the whole way if we didn’t get it. Kind of give ourselves an opportunity to extend the game and give our defense a chance to get the ball back.”
(I noticed yesterday CB Byron Jones traveling quite a bit with TE Darren Waller. I was curious if you could tell us what it is about Byron’s skillset that went into the decision to have him cover Waller so often and how you felt he performed that task?) – “Waller is a great player. Obviously he’s been extremely productive throughout the last couple years. We knew we had to have a good plan. I think part of that was having Byron cover him a little bit. Eric Rowe covered him. We tried to jam him. He still got his targets and made a couple plays for them. At the end of the day, we didn’t do enough. That starts with me and we need to do a better job of getting them prepared to go out there and execute.”
(We heard from QB Jacoby Brissett yesterday. He said that it was part of Gus Bradley’s defensive scheme to keep offenses in front of them and that it’s a battle of attrition to see who breaks from their scheme first. Is there ever a point where taking what the defense gives you becomes inefficient?) – “I don’t think so. I think there’s a discipline. I don’t think it becomes inefficient. I think oftentimes what happens is when you take what they give you, if you continue to get first downs doing that, move the ball and they will change what they are doing and that’s when you get your opportunities offensively. That’s kind of a back and forth game that offenses and defenses play with one another. I think we had some other opportunities where we could have pushed the ball a little bit. I think they did a good job, credit to Gus and Coach (Jon) Gruden for their game plan. At the end of the day, when it’s overtime, we weren’t able to execute and pull out the ball game. But no, I think the best thing to do and the smartest thing to do is just take what they give you. But you have to execute. I think there’s plays to be made on any defense but you have to execute.”
(You talk about execution then you also take ownership for the fact that the team is not executing. How much do you put on what’s going on or the struggles that are there on the coaching staff not reaching or utilizing the team in the right fashion?) – “I think that’s how I feel about the situation right now. We’ve got to do a better job of putting these guys in position to have success and close out games and be competitive in games. Like I said, that starts with me. We have to prepare them better and then we have to play more consistently. We got off to a fast start yesterday, kind of leveled off in the second and third quarter. Las Vegas made some plays, came back and that’s the game. There’s ebbs and flows in every game. They played well, then we played well. We played well, then they played well. That’s kind of how it goes. We need to play more consistently and that’s going to be something that we talk about a lot this week.”
(What did you think about what you saw from WR Will Fuller in his first action with the Dolphins?) – “Will looked good. I wish we would have gotten a few more opportunities. He made a few catches, made a few blocks in the run game. I thought he did some good things. It’s good to get him out there. It’s been a while since he’s played. He was happy to get out there, feel the speed of an NFL game, get hit and things like that. It was good to have him out there.”
(In terms of the run defense, it has to be disheartening for them to be able to run 19 yards to be able to put themselves in scoring position. Where do you feel like this team is stopping the run at this point?) – “I think we’ve done a good job in spurts. We were actually just talking about this. I think when everyone is taking care of their responsibility and doing what they are supposed to do, it’s good. We’ve run into some issues, especially in a game like that where everyone is trying to make a play and everyone is trying to help the team win. It’s genuine, it’s sincere. But we had a couple guys get out of their gaps trying to make a play several times, I would say, in the second half and it was to our demise. That’s something we need to learn from and we just need to – even though everyone is trying to help the team and make a play, it’s always best to handle your responsibility, be in your gap, be where you are supposed to be and as a team and as a unit, we will handle the run game.”
Jacoby Brissett – September 26, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 26, 2021
Postgame – Las Vegas
QB Jacoby Brissett
(How would you describe that game?) – “Tough. It was a tough one. We had our chances, obviously. Hats off to them, they capitalized on some of our mistakes. But yeah, it was tough. I think we played hard. The good thing is we stood together and that’s all you want, especially coming into a hostile environment. We had a chance at the end.”
(Do you leave thinking we got something to work with now because of the way it ended?) – “Oh for sure. I think in all phases of the game we took a step forward, I think we got better. I think a lot of guys came up and made a lot of plays. We prepared well and I think some of it showed. We obviously left a couple plays out there, I know I did personally. I think we are churning in the right direction. I think that we have a lot to build off of. There are no moral victories in this league, but I think we have a lot of stuff to build off of.”
(What made you more willing to push the ball downfield late in the game? It seemed like you were more aggressive late in the fourth quarter and in overtime.) – “Going against Gus (Bradley), he tries to keep the ball in front of him. It’s like a sin for the defense to get the ball pushed behind them. Early on, we had to understand and take what they gave us. Over time, they would get tired of it and we would have our chances down the field. As you see, we did have chances down the field towards the end. We just didn’t make the plays and I think we will down the line. It was good to see how we would react in those situations.”
(Situations like that where defenses are forcing you to take these underneath routes in the long scheme that’s like a battle of wills? Like who gets tired of the game first?) – “Yeah, and that’s what Gus (Bradley) is all about. He wants the quarterback and the offensive coordinator to be disciplined and do that for four quarters. Like I said, I think we did a good job of it because at the end we still had our opportunities. Like I said, we left a couple plays out there but like I said, I think we have some good to work off of.”
(There were three plays that were really critical at the end; your touchdown run, the two-point conversion and the fourth-and-20. I don’t know what you do in the fourth-and-20 situation but you made it work. Can you tell us what was going through your mind on some of those plays?) – “The touchdown, I was trying to throw ball away but I didn’t want to risk fumbling. We practice that situation all the time of having that play call in our back pockets. It was a good job with the offense and the players on the field being able to get to it on a run with a different group in. Us keeping our composure. They’re on the headset telling me I looked up and we had 15 seconds I want to say. It wasn’t like a crazy rush; we just had no timeouts and then I think we did a good job of getting to the spots. Then obviously I ran. The two-point, I think Will (Fuller) did a good job. We put that play in specifically for him because of what he can do. He did a good job, made a play on it and that’s all we can ask at the end of fourth-and-20. It’s just do what you got to do, right?”
(I hate to bring up a bad play but the safety Head Coach Brian Flores said was not a good play. What can you share with us to educate just a little bit about that particular play?) – “That it just wasn’t a good play. It was a dumb decision on my part. I take full responsibility for it and it’s a great learning experience in that situation. That was a tough one when you look back on plays that, ‘Hey, what could have alleviated this feeling that we have right now.’ That was definitely one that I want back.”
Brian Flores – September 26, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 26, 2021
Postgame – Las Vegas
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Can you share any of what your message to the team was after a game like this?) – “I thought they fought hard. I thought they gave great effort. I know they’re disappointed, but they fought and we’ve got to get back to work. Prepare the way they’ve been preparing and just make a couple more plays and we’ll feel a lot better after some games.”
(On how QB Jacoby Brissett was able to find a rhythm at the end of the second half) – “There was definitely a lull there in the middle of the game – second to third quarter – couldn’t get much going offensively and then looked like he got a lot more comfortable as the game went on, stepping up in the pocket. Made some big throws there at the end, some big plays at the end. Bring us back, send the game into overtime, but ultimately it just wasn’t enough. We’ve got to play better across the board – offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. But these guys, it’s a resilient group. They’ll get back to work and do everything they can to make the corrections so they can play a little bit better.”
(Along those lines those unnecessary roughing penalties in the second and third quarter – did that kind of take the wind out of you guys’ sails a little bit?) – “Any time you get penalties like that – extend drives, move the ball – I think some of those were defensively in some situations where we would have had them in I would say second down which leads to first downs and field position. It’s a good offense the Raiders, so you don’t want to give them extra yards. Those hurt us for sure and again, one or two plays, that’s what it really boiled down to today and we’ve got to be better in that area.”
(The safety in the first half – was WR Jaylen Waddle the first read on the play?) – “I got to go back and look at it. We didn’t execute it well. Obviously need to do a better job, but I need to go back and look at that. It was a bad play for us – kind of we had some momentum going. It kind of shifted the game a little bit and again, one or two plays in the game and we may have a different outcome and we’ve got to play better.”
(What was your view of that fourth-and-20 that QB Jacoby Brissett converted to TE Mike Gesicki? I think it went for 27 yards.) – “I thought it was a great play. I think there was some rush in there. The ends got up the field. Jacoby (Brissett) was able to step up and slide to his left right up the defense. (Mike Gesicki) made a great catch. Great throw, great catch to Mike on the sideline.”
(How did you feel about some of the physicality and aggressiveness that it seemed to me it was a point of emphasis for the club in this game?) – “I think we want to play physical. We want to be aggressive. We want to play fast. I think that’s something we talk about. I think we got that today. We just didn’t get the execution we needed or enough of the execution we needed to win the game, but credit to the Raiders. Just talking to Jon (Gruden) afterwards. They’ve got a good team. They’re doing a lot of good things, and it’s a hard place to play with the noise and the environment here, which was a great environment. But that’s what it is in the National Football League, and we’ve got to do a better job of executing.”
(We haven’t seen you since QB Tua Tagovailoa went on IR. What factors contributed to the decision?) “We just felt like it would take that long. And at the end of the day that’s kind of how we felt. Look, nothing is more important than the health of the player and we just felt like that was the best decision for him and for our team.”
(Do you feel like you found something to work with on offense in the last stretch there?) – “Every game is different. We’ll make the corrections from today. There were some things that we did well. We’ll try to continue to do them. Things that didn’t go so well, we’ll try to correct them. But I think we got some things going at the end, but it wasn’t enough. We’ve got to be better.”
(Do you think a comeback like this, the way you were competitive at the end, might build teammates’ faith in Jacoby and what he can do for this team over the next couple weeks?) – “Yeah, I think they believe in each other. These guys, they believe in each other. I mean, I think we know how we work. We’re always going to fight and give great effort. We just got to have better execution. But yeah, there are no moral victories. You know, those guys are disappointed in there. We want to win. That’s our goal every week. We didn’t get it done today. We didn’t execute well enough. We’ll go back, make some corrections and get back out there next week.”
(At first glance, what seemed better about the offensive line’s performance?) – “I mean, the protection was better. I thought we ran the ball effectively early in the game and at times throughout the game. So, that’s something hopefully we can build on. You always want to run it, but there were also some instances where we gave up some pass rush. They’ve got a good pass rush over there. The guys fought to protect Jacoby (Brissett). We were able to step up and make some plays, but again, not enough.”
(It seemed like QB Jacoby Brissett was more willing to push the ball down field late in the game. Was that part of the plan, was that decision making, or was it just something the Raiders were giving you at the end?) – “Yeah, we needed chunk yardage and he pushed it. I thought we had some opportunities in other parts of the game. We didn’t execute. Then later in the game, there were some instances where we did. But it wasn’t enough, and we got to do a better job.”
(Would you have wanted to be more aggressive with the offensive approach earlier in those first three quarters?) – “I mean, look, hindsight is 20/20. I think we got off to a good start. We just didn’t maintain that. But let’s give credit to the Raiders. They did some nice things. They made some adjustments in all three phases. They’ve got good players, good coaches. At the end of the day, they pulled out the win.”
(Were you asked about the safety?) – “I was. We just didn’t execute. At the end of the day, we just didn’t execute. You know, I think there are going to be, as we watch the film, several plays we’ll wish we had back. And look, a game like this, it is one or two plays either way. They make one or two plays, and it doesn’t go to overtime. We make one or two plays… That’s the National Football League. We’ve got to do a better job. It’s a young team. We’ve got to continue to learn from every experience out on the field. But ultimately at the end of the day, this starts with me. Our execution starts with me. So I’ve got to do a better job at getting us to play better, execute better and make those two, three, four, five plays. That’ll be the difference in the game.”
Myles Gaskin – September 26, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Postgame – Las Vegas
RB Myles Gaskin
(What was the whole atmosphere like? I know it sucks that you lose a game but was it fun out there? Was the atmosphere like crazy?) – “Yeah, it was fun. Those are the type of games that you want to play. We came up short but games that go into OT, when we are back and forth the whole game; that is what football is about in the National Football League. Nobody is bad like that. That’s the game we want.”
(Do you feel like you found something there at the end of the game with the way the offense moved to carry into next week or is it the two-minute offense and who knows how it will do?) – “I think we had our ups and downs. I got to watch the film. But yeah, I think we did well in the two-minute situations. Jacoby (Brissett) threw the ball well, made great decisions when we needed them. On that big fourth down, he came up big on the connection to Mike (Gesicki). We got to just check it out.”
Zach Sieler – September 26, 2021 (Postgame)
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Postgame – Las Vegas
DT Zach Sieler
(Can you describe the mood in the locker room?) – “We just got to look back at what we did, fix what we do and keep going.”
(The fourth down stop, can you recall what happened on that play there?) – “We had to get it. Made sure we loaded it up and just went for it.”
(It felt to me, from way up in the press box, like both lines came into this game with a mindset of intensity and aggressiveness and physical play. Can you tell me if I am on to something there?) – “We always want to come in physical. We want to play the hardest ball and give our all every snap. That’s just kind of how we do business as a d-line and defense.”
(Do you feel like you were more successful at it? From last week to this week it seemed like the results were way different.) – “I think we are growing. We just keep building week by week, keep learning and do our thing.”
(What did you think of LB Elandon Roberts’ play?) – “He’s a great linebacker. He grabbed it – you’re talking abut the interception? That was a great read by him and he took it all the way.”
(Especially after last week’s game, how can you describe the energy level on the defensive side of the ball to start this one out?) – “Yeah, we want to come out and like you said, play physical, give our all on every down and even Elandon’s play was just showing he was giving his all and running as fast as he can all the way down there.”
Will Fuller – September 26, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 26, 2021
Postgame – Las Vegas
WR Will Fuller
(Do you think you were interfered with in the endzone there at the end?) – “It was bang-bang, but I feel like he got there a little early. I just got to go back and watch it though.”
(How did it feel to be out there? Obviously you don’t want to start your tenure with the Dolphins on a loss but how did it feel to be on the field with your teammates) – “It felt great to be back out there. Of course, you know, I wish we won and we could have done more to get that victory, but it felt great to be back out there with the guys. Not being able to be out there that much during training camp and then not playing since Thanksgiving, it felt great to be back out there. I wish we would have gotten the win though.”
(How are you feeling most importantly? We know you were away form the team last week, how are you doing now?) – “I’m doing great. I don’t want to speak too much on that but I’m doing a lot better. I’m just happy to be back playing.”
(What did you think of the approach not taking too many shots downfield the first three quarters until you had to late in the game? Would you like to see more of that?) – “I’m just going to play whatever the coaches call. We just got to execute better, practice better and we’ll come out with the win. I feel like the game plan was great. We just have to execute a little better.”
(Are you used to playing this type of role? QB Jacoby Brissett just told us that sometimes in games like this the defensive coordinator is waiting for an offense or hoping an offense would stick to an intermediate, short passing game plan. Are you used to being the guy that just sneaks behind a lazy defense or sneaks behind and just has to wait your turn to make that impact?) – “Those big plays, they don’t really come that often. You only get a few opportunities a game. I got my opportunities today, we just didn’t connect, we were close. We just have to hit in practice and make sure we connect when we get the opportunities.”
(What is that like from your perspective? Having to buy your time until that big play becomes available.) – “I just use my speed to my advantage so I can get the underneath catches too. Like I said, we just have to execute on the deep ones and it’ll make the underneath ones a lot easier.”
(What was the key to the two-point conversion?) – “It was just mano y mano, they trusted me to win and I just ran a good route and then I won.”
Christian Wilkins – September 26, 2021 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 26, 2021
Postgame – Las Vegas
DT Christian Wilkins
(How would you describe the emotions of the game?) – “It’s obviously tough. You prepare so hard each week, each and every day to get wins in this league and it’s tough. The Raiders are a good team, first of all. This is tough because we fought hard. You got a lot of guys in this locker room who are fighters and give you everything they got. We just didn’t make enough plays ultimately. It’ll be a quick turnaround, 24-hour rule and get ready for next week.”
(Early on I believe you got a sack, how good did that feel to get in the backfield?) – “It’s always nice to make plays, you work hard. Again, we didn’t make enough plays to win so it would have felt a lot better in a winning effort, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. You can’t control that. You can just play hard each and every play. Like I said, we didn’t make enough plays to win.”
(Speaking of that sack, how did it come to be? It looked like DL Adam Butler got triple-teamed and it freed you up a bit.) – “I don’t know exactly. I have to watch the tape to really see it. Adam (Butler) does a good job of taking one, two or three guys at a different time to make it easier for other guys. We play off each other. I’d do the same for him. I don’t really know how it went down.”
(There are no moral victories but was there a sense of encouragement with the way the team rallied at the end?) – “Yeah really no moral victories but like I said, we got a lot of guys on this team who are willing to fight. When we’re down late in the third and fourth quarter, we’re just trying to get things going, make stops. Guys didn’t give up. Guys didn’t hang their heads. Guys didn’t point fingers. We stuck together and fought to at least get it in overtime. But again, it just wasn’t enough. Every experience is big. Every battle-tested experience is big for us.”
(As a defense when you see your offense with their backs against the wall, make play after play and you’re watching tat, you have to feel like the momentum is turning when you’re there at the end right?) – “Yeah, it’s definitely exciting and you try to get behind the offense. When we’re going and we need to make a stop on defense they pick us up as well. We try to just encourage each other, whether we are up, whether we are down, whether we need a big stop, whether they need to score. Just always be there for each other.”
