Ryan Fitzpatrick – December 26, 2020 (Postgame)
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Saturday, December 26, 2020
Postgame – Las Vegas
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(When Head Coach Brian Flores approached you – first, what did you do when you ran into the tunnel? What was your reaction to his message, and could you explain the will of the entire team for you guys to come back and win this game?) – “The tunnel thing was weird because this was the first time in my 16-year career I’ve had to go to the bathroom so bad that I had to go during the game. So, I ran in there to take a pee and then I came back out. And when I came back out, ‘Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) said ‘Get ready, you’re going in.’ So, I took the obligatory, seven warm-up throws and went out there and tried to make something happen.”
(You’ve thrown over 5,000 passes. Were any as big as what just happened tonight?) – “Nah, I don’t think so. I think the odds were pretty low there of us to be able to complete something with the proper yardage and not have to throw a Hail Mary but actually kick a field goal. I didn’t know that it was complete. As you guys saw, my facemask was getting pulled and my head was getting ripped off. I turned around to say ‘Hey, facemask,’ just to make sure they saw it. I think Jesse Davis, or maybe Myles (Gaskin) had to tell me that it was complete, but I didn’t know that we completed it.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores compared you to a 9th-inning reliever. How do you feel about that role and is it understood that if the offense is struggling late in games, that you might get called into these situations?) – “Yeah. Again, every which way in my career, I’ve done it. I still play the game because I love playing the game. I love being part of the team. I love being out there on the field. So, I get excited every time – whether it’s a start or whether it’s at some point at the end of the game – he calls my number and puts me in.”
(Can you take us through that play, like what’s going on in your mind, from the snap, to the face pull, to when you figured out WR Mack Hollins actually caught it?) – “They were going to be in two-high safeties, playing pretty soft. We had Mike (Gesicki) going right down the pipe and a 20-yard in-cut coming behind him. I just wanted to see what that safety on the left was going to do. I tried to make him believe that I was throwing it to Mike. It was a desperation throw, but I was going to put it on the sideline to Mack and just hope for good things. In that case, really you’re throwing up a prayer a little bit and along with the facemask, it ended up being awesome for us.”
(This is your first opportunity to actually make it into the playoffs. What’s that like and what’s it like to know that you’ve contributed to that, if you get in?) – “I want to go. I want to feel what it’s like. I think we have a special team. I think this team all year long has fought. And for me, it’s not just this year, it’s the last two years and trying to build this foundation and build this vision of what Coach Flores thinks that we are. I’m proud of the fact that I’ve really been able to contribute to that and have a strong contribution. That, today, was a great play at the end; but just on the sideline, the excitement, being able to hug your teammates and your coaches, I mean that’s why we play the game. I am well aware that I’ve never been to the playoffs, I promise you; and we would love nothing more than to get there.”
Mack Hollins – December 26, 2020 (Postgame)
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Saturday, December 26, 2020
Postgame – Las Vegas
WR Mack Hollins
(What were you thinking when you dropped that pass on the goal line, and how well do you think you overcame that with your two big plays at the end? I’m talking about your catch, as well as your block on RB Myles Gaskin’s TD.) – “I think as a player you always have to forget about the last play, good or bad. We’ve got players on this team and coaches on this team that put faith in us. Remembering old stuff is never going to do you any good whether you made a great play or a drop like I had. Over my career I’ve learned how to just put those type of things in the past and move on to the next thing.”
(I’m sure you’re going to get a bunch of question about the catch, but I wanted to ask you on RB Myles Gaskin’s touchdown, you and TE Mike Gesicki had two really big blocks that let him go down the field. How important that was in the moment, and could you just explain your whole thought process in such a quick play happening?) – “Coach (Flores) will talk about it all the time in practice, is ‘hey, that might be the touchdown block.’ You might be the guy on the backside where you never think the ball is going to cut back to you, and you might be the guy who ends up springing something for a touchdown, and it just so happened that me and Mike (Gesicki) both got the opportunity to do that. Where if either one of us miss those blocks, it’s a nice play – 15 yards or whatever it may be, but it’s not going to the endzone. Those little things are what really help, especially this time of year.”
(Where does this game rank in level of excitement of games you’ve played in as it comes down to the final seconds, and how does it feel to have the play that people are going to remember forever?) – “This is pretty good. I had one in college really similar to this against Florida State where we ended up catching two balls and then kicking a field goal to win. And then when I was in Philly, we won the Super Bowl and we were on the other side of it where Tom (Brady) was throwing a last-second, last-ditch effort throw and it’s incomplete and you’re on the field. This is something… To think back a year ago to where we were at this point winning three or four games, whatever we were at; and now really having a chance to make the playoffs, it’s kind of cool to look back and see the bigger picture. This is pretty high up there with the excitement and fun, and just being with the guys that are on this team that really make it special.”
(Obviously just the excitement of it, what were those 20 seconds like when you guys were down? What was that feeling like coming onto the field before QB Ryan Fitzpatrick made that throw?) – “For me, I live for that. I wouldn’t say I’d choose it, but I really – I don’t know if there are any camera angles, but I’m smiling ear-to-ear when we start that huddle right before that play because that’s why I play the game. I don’t play the game to get easy wins and get stuff that doesn’t get my blood going. For lack of better term, I live for that (expletive). Plain and simple.”
(I don’t think anyone has actually asked you about the mechanics of the catch. Were you surprised that, I don’t know, was it a coverage bust? They were playing a soft Cover 2 I guess. What happened?) – “I’m not sure from their end what happened. I’m sure ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) did something – usually when safeties or corners go somewhere they are not supposed to be, they’re following quarterback eyes. I didn’t get to see back there, all I saw was the picture so far – ‘Fitz,’ his face facing the opposite endzone while he’s throwing the ball. So that’s the only picture that I’ve seen, so I’m not sure how he even got the ball off. If I had to guess, I’d say one of the safeties was following quarterback eyes and ended up losing me on the backside.”
Myles Gaskin – December 26, 2020 (Postgame)
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Saturday, December 26, 2020
Postgame – Las Vegas
RB Myles Gaskin
(On that long touchdown, the run down the sideline, it looked like you could’ve been stopped there, but you cut back the other way and WR Mack Hollins and TE Mike Gesicki had two big blocks. Just what was going on in your mind there, because it looked like you could’ve got stopped there, but you cut back, they get two big blocks and then it’s a race to the end zone?) – “This time I got spun around after the catch, and I saw my dogs out there, Mack (Hollins) and Mike (Gesicki). I saw Mike’s block, I didn’t really see Mack’s block. He told me about it though. It was great. We’re just always grinding, always trying to make plays. You don’t always have to have the ball in your hands to make plays. It doesn’t happen without them two.”
(I’m sure for part of the game it was a little frustrating for the offense that you weren’t able to get going. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick comes in, what was going on in the huddle when “Fitz” came in that got you guys going the way that you did?) – “I just think a different energy. Everybody knows ‘Fitz.’ He’s just a different type of guy. I think it was a changeup, but it was coach’s call, so I think everybody just kept on grinding and finally things started to hit. You never know in a game, that’s why you have to take it one play at a time. You never know. Once you start hitting, you start hitting, hitting, hitting and hitting. But you got to grind through that. Sometimes it’s slow.”
(How would you describe the emotional rollercoaster those last five minutes with all of those ups and downs?) – “That’s what football is all about. That’s what you love about football, especially in the NFL. Ain’t anybody weak, ain’t anybody an easy win, especially in football in December. You play that all the way out. I love this atmosphere. I love this game. Hats off to the Raiders, they played a great game. Probably the most fun game I ever played in my life. I think that’s what sports and competing, all that stuff is really about. It’s coming down to the wire, who is going to make the play.”
(The success you guys had on the ground early in the second half seemed to really get the ball rolling for you. What was the difference from early on when it was kind of tough sledding for you?) – “I think just sticking to it like I said, in any aspect of football or life; whatever it might be, you got to stick to it. Whenever you get your opportunity, just start popping like I said, and just keep hitting it, keep on hitting and it came through. The o-line was doing their job like always. We were talking, communicating and got what we needed to get done.”
Tua Tagovailoa – December 26, 2020 (Postgame)
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Saturday, December 26, 2020
Postgame – Las Vegas
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(What was it like when you were on the sidelines watching QB Ryan Fitzpatrick do this thing with the “Fitzmagic” and rally the team from behind for that victory?) – “It’s always good to win. (laughter) It always feels good to win, first off. I know outsiders are probably going to say, ‘well, it wasn’t you in there that brought the win.’ Of course, it was ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) and I think it was a great effort by not just him, but the entire offense. Just him understanding how to get in a groove and where to go quickly with the ball and whatnot; I think that’s what makes ‘Fitz’ who he is and in a way, it really wasn’t as shocking tonight to see what had happened. They call him ‘Fitzmagic’ for a reason.”
(Could you elaborate a little bit on after the Denver game, you had spoken about some observations that you made on the sideline like guys being open, not necessarily when they’re open. Did you notice anything tonight when you were able to observe from the sideline that you might be able to take moving forward?) – “Sometimes you’ve got to just take the shots. You’ve got to give guys an opportunity and you got to just get the ball down the field because time is running out and we don’t have all day to just think here, think there and try to move the ball that way.”
(That was kind of my question. Do you think you need to push the ball down the field more seeing the success that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick had doing it?) – “I would say so, but I would also say with what’s given, I’m going to continue to take what the defense gives me. If I feel like that’s not open, I’m not going to throw it. And so it’s I got to get better at that. That’s it.”
(I’m just curious. Does getting pulled do anything for you, I guess your psyche? Does that impact you at all? What do you take out of this, I guess experience?) – “I think – this is the second time it’s happened, but I would say it’s just something you’ve got to learn from. While ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) is in there, I’m going to support him. I’m going to support the entire offense in there and as a team, really all you’re looking forward to is a win, and that’s what we got tonight so that’s what we’re happy with.”
(After the game Head Coach Brian Flores announced that you will start next week against Buffalo. What is your reaction to that decision and how do you feel about starting such a big game?) – “I think all these games in the NFL are big games. You’re not going against a team that doesn’t have guys. Everyone has guys on their team, and I would say it’s just another opportunity to move forward and learn and get back to the drawing board and see what we can do to help us be successful next week.”
Adam Shaheen – December 24, 2020
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Thursday, December 24, 2020
TE Adam Shaheen
(Going back earlier in the week, I don’t know if you saw that you guys were a part of the ‘Angry Runs’ segment on Good Morning Football. I was curious if you guys have something similar as far as run-blocking goes. Maybe not the scepter they have, but something you guys rally around when it comes to digging out guys in the running game.) – “We don’t really have anything like that, like a scepter or something we do with ourselves. (We don’t) have really a physical item, but we take good pride in being some dogs in the trenches.”
(You deserve all of the credit for the very good year that you’ve had. I wonder what you think Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey and Tight Ends Coach George Godsey have done for you personally to maximize your skills this year?) – “I think just giving me the opportunity to come in here and play, as well as the strength staff and training staff for keeping me healthy. Really being able to stay on the field has been my biggest strength. I’ve played all 14 games here so far and I’m looking for finish it out here strong. Being able to maximize and stay out there, and do whatever they ask of me. That’s grown a little bit, week by week, and it’s gotten to the point where me, Mike (Gesicki), and Durham (Smythe) are all playing a pretty significant role. It’s been, I think, a strength of ours.”
(You guys got 250 rushing yards – a whopping 250 rushing yards – last week. What do you guys need to do as a line and as tight ends to re-create that?) – “I think last week was awesome as far as what you said about running for 250. I think just staying on them like we did all game, and then eventually wearing them down, and then we finally broke open some big ones. You could feel that momentum and them just being completely drained and us just taking over.”
Raekwon Davis – December 24, 2020
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Thursday, December 24, 2020
DT Raekwon Davis
(Has there been anything that an opposing player or coach on the field after a game has said to you to make you feel good about how you’ve played, because you’ve obviously made a favorable impression during your rookie season?) – “No, we don’t talk about nothing like that. I just do my job. They just let me know when I’m wrong or right. That’s about it.”
(I wanted to ask you about a Christmas event you did in your hometown in Meridian. Can you tell us about that a little bit?) – “I have my marketing team. They provided meals and gifts and stuff for the kids and for the moms and dads and stuff like that back at the Boys and Girls Club.”
(There’s often talk about rookie walls, but obviously you played in a college program that had long seasons because of the playoffs. Has that do you think helped you at all? Have you felt at all tired? Because you played in a big-time program that played a lot of games, do you think that benefits with stamina?) – “I would say it helped. Around this time, we were still playing in games. My body feels the same, so I guess you could say it helped a little bit.”
Brian Flores – December 24, 2020
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Thursday, December 24, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(RB Myles Gaskin was activated yesterday. What are you seeing at this very early stage out of him? Is it possible we’ll see him in action Saturday night?) – “It was good to have him back out there. I thought he looked good, had some juice, energy. We’ll see how practice goes today and make a decision on whether or not he’s ready to go.”
(I know you guys are trying to figure out who you might be facing in terms of quarterback, but if it is Raiders QB Marcus Mariota, is the key – looking back at film – is the key to try to keep him in the pocket or are there some things you can do when he’s on the move that can be more disruptive?) – “Marcus is very talented, obviously can extend plays, make plays with his feet as well as with his arm. I think with any quarterback, you want to try to keep him in the pocket, especially one who’s as athletic, fast and skilled as Marcus. But (Derek) Carr, he’s also been able to step up and make plays with his feet as well. I’m not really sure which one we’re going to get. I think the game plan for both guys is to try to keep him in the pocket in the pass game and we’ve just got to do a good job with reading our keys on the some of the zone-read things that they do with both quarterbacks, but I would say I think we all know that Marcus is more apt to probably keep the ball and can make plays with his legs.”
(I’m curious your reaction, I guess your thoughts on how the NFL and your team handled 2020 from a COVID standpoint. There has not been any missed weeks. Your team has, I don’t think, really even missed practice. I don’t want to jinx it here obviously, but how do you think it has been handled internally?) – “I think the league and – I think it starts with the league, the players. I think we’ve done a good job getting the games in thus far. I think everyone’s had to make some sacrifices. I think the protocols that were put into place, which are changing all the time; they try to put us in the best position to obviously not get COVID, but then try to contain it when guys do get it. I think overall, it’s been good, as long as guys follow the protocols, make the sacrifices and make smart decisions. We’re still in it, though. We’re not done by any stretch of the imagination, so we’ve all got to continue to be smart and make good decisions and not feel like, ‘oh, it’s been good so far, so we’re okay.’ I don’t even like to talk about how good it’s been. We need to just continue to do the things we’ve been doing so that we talk about whatever it is at the end. So hopefully you didn’t jinx it.”
(I wanted to ask you about the offensive line. Obviously after a 250-yard performance, you kind of – I’m assuming – want to stick with what works, but now that G Solomon Kindley appears to be sidelined, how has G Ereck Flowers looked and can you address C/G Michael Deiter’s development in terms of how he played versus what you saw last year?) – “I think Deiter’s really developed. I think he’s done a great job this year. He’s dealt with some adversity. Obviously played a lot last year and hasn’t played as much this year, goes in last week, plays well for us, has practiced well, has played different positions. This kid, he’s got all the characteristics we’re looking for. He’s tough, he’s competitive, he’s smart. I’m excited for him and his future here and I thought he did a nice job last week. As far as the o-line situation, we’ve got some injuries and we’ve had guys out really the entire year. The next guy just steps up, steps in and just tries to basically step in and play well, and just execute the fundamentals and techniques that we talk about on a daily basis – not try to do too much, just handle his responsibility and do his role in a specific play. Whether that’s Ereck or that’s Deiter, whether we make another move, we’ll just see where it lands. But it’s good to have Ereck out there. It’s good to have ‘Deits’ (Michael Deiter) out there. It’s a tough opponent. They’ve got a good d-line, (line)backers, so we’ve got to play well if we want to run the ball, if we want to protect, if we want to – whatever we want to do offensively, we’re going to have to play with good fundamentals, technique and execute.”
(We all know that family is important to you, and it’s life in the NFL at Christmas time. Making sure that there is time for your family this week – for you, and your coaches and your players – do you struggle with that? Do you ever get to the point where you are comfortable with the balance that you’ve set for the team?) – “Yeah, I’m comfortable with the amount of time we’re giving to the team. I think family is important. It’s important to me. I think you need a balance. If you don’t, you’re not going to be at your optimum level. I’ve said this before, if I don’t see my family, you’re going to get a lesser version of me. I just assume that for everybody on our team. We’ll make time for our families during Christmas, Thanksgiving, the holidays and things of that nature. I think that’s kind of my thought process on that.”
(I really wanted to ask you about the status of TE Mike Gesicki, WR DeVante Parker and WR Jakeem Grant and if any of them have a chance to go on Saturday. But I really want to ask you how does a coach do some Christmas shopping for your family and loved ones during this time?) – “Christmas shopping – Amazon. That’s how we get it done, like everybody else. It’s a pandemic. (laughter) … We handle that with Amazon. But look, DeVante, Mike, Jakeem are doing everything they can to get out there. They are really working hard. It’s important for everyone to be out there. It’s obviously an important game. All of those guys are working hard and hopefully they are wearing masks when they are in the mall.”
(We haven’t asked in a few weeks as we get towards the end of the season. Are you still holding out hope for WR Preston Williams or DT Devon Godchaux to come back at some point? Or are those guys focused more on 2021 at this point?) – “I’m always holding out hope. Those guys are training, they are rehabbing, they are getting treatment. We’ll see how this shakes out here. Obviously not this week, but we’ll see how this shakes out. I’m always holding out hope and so are they.”
(All of the pro teams here in South Florida, there are a lot of high-ranking men and women of color throughout the organization. That’s obviously rare. What are the Dolphins and other teams here doing differently and how can it be replicated across the various leagues?) – “I’d say that starts with ownership (Stephen Ross) – interviewing qualified minority candidates and creating an environment where the people who are qualified and capable, and giving those people an opportunity. I think it’s about putting good people together. I look at our situation with myself and (General Manager) Chris Grier. It’s been great, honestly. For me personally, I’m at times not the easiest guy to deal with, and Chris deals with me at times. When I’m locked into football mode, he’s making sure that things from the roster standpoint are where they need to be. I think we have a great relationship that way; but to your question, I think it starts with ownership and just trying to find good minority candidates to interview. Then if they feel like it’s the right fit within the organization, giving them an opportunity and then I think they’ve got to take advantage of that opportunity, regardless if you’re a minority or not.”
Matt Breida – December 23, 2020
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Wednesday, December 23, 2020
RB Matt Breida
(When you’re in the huddle and a play is called for you, knowing that you stand a real good chance of beating your man to the corner and turning the corner once you hit the edge, what’s going through your mind? What’s that like?) – “Just thinking about executing the play at the time. I’m not really worrying about one guy on a particular play. I just worry about executing the play and using my ability. If I can’t get to the edge, then good. If not, then I’ll run up the middle.”
