Brian Flores – November 1, 2020 (Postgame)
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Sunday, November 1, 2020
Postgame – L.A. Rams
Head Coach Brian Flores
(I know there was a lot of talk going into this week about QB Tua Tagovailoa, but it seems like the defense and the special teams were able to carry him and the offense towards this win. What did you think of their performance in light of the offense’s struggles?) – “It’s like what we talk about on a daily basis. It takes a team effort. There’s 11 guys on the field, there’s 53 guys on the roster, 16 guys on the practice squad. All these guys work hard. Everybody’s role is important. But total team effort, offense, defense, special teams. I thought it was a really good drive by the offense at the end, picking up a first down when we really need it, and we needed that in the fourth quarter. As far as the rest of the game, plays in the fourth quarter are critical, and they showed up for us and got us a big first down late. A lot of things for us to improve on, like there are every week, but good team effort. I think our guys showed a lot of mental toughness this week, a lot of quarterback change and a lot of … I thought they showed a lot of mental toughness, and I thought there was a lot of other things going on basically aside from football I would say, and those guys kind of put that stuff to the back burner and really focused and prepared and played well.”
(It felt like that interception from DT Christian Wilkins early on kind of changed the way the game was going, especially when QB Tua Tagovailoa came back out on the field, it felt like everybody was a little bit looser. Can you talk about that momentum shift and that moment?) – “We got off to a slow start, so when I talk about the mental toughness of the team, I think that was part of it. Got off to a slow start, had a turnover, they scored, we were down, I think they got the ball back and we just kept playing hard and it was a big interception by Christian (Wilkins). He’s always talking about how great a hands he has, now I’ve got to listen to that moving forward. He’s going to ask for the ball in goal-line situations and things of that nature. And it’s worthless until I guess if he’s going to make good plays like that. But it was that play, multiple other plays. Jakeem (Grant) I thought played a great, great game and we’ve been talking about one block away in the kicking game really all year, and we broke one today, and it was a big play, along with a lot of other plays.”
(What was your plan for QB Tua Tagovailoa going in, and did the way the game went make you change that plan? Obviously up three scores you can be a little bit more conservative.) – “Every game is a little bit different. You’ve got a run game plan, a drop-back plan, a screen game plan, a play-action game plan based how the game is going, based on how they’re playing things defensively, we really have to adjust that game plan. What was the plan? It was … We could go through a lot of different scenarios. There’s a lot of plays on (Offensive Coordinator) Chan’s (Gailey) call sheet. But the plan was to play good, efficient football, move the ball efficiently in the run game and the pass game. Look, there are some things we need to correct and we’ve got to play better in all phases, but it’s good to make those corrections after a victory, and the other guys picked them up.”
“Regarding QB Tua Tagovailoa, just in general how do you feel he played today?) – “We won. We won the game. And again, it’s a team football game. I can’t stress that enough. It’s not a one-man show. I think he made enough plays for us to win the ballgame. I think collectively, look, if we don’t play well in one phase we need to play well in other phases, and we have a lot of confidence in him. He had a good week of practice and did some good things, but obviously, look, it’s his first NFL game against a real good defense, one everyone was … We talked about all week, Aaron Donald and their defensive group and their front, they played well. They’re hard to move the ball on. We’ve got to take that into account as well. Look, the rest of the players on the team picked him up and we got the W and we’ll make the corrections over the course of the week.”
(From DE Emmanuel Ogbah to LB Kyle Van Noy to DE Shaq Lawson, you guys were just seeming to pounce all over the quarterback and that offensive line there. How did you feel about the synergy by your defense and how they were able to kind of lead the way today?) – “I thought they played well. I thought they got a lot of pressure on the quarterback. We could have tackled a little bit better. But we turned them over, scored defensively. Again, in every game there’s corrections that can be made, but those guys, I thought they … There was good communication. They executed the game plan. It was good preparation throughout the week, and we executed. If we do that … And we played a lot of defense today. We did. Guys were a little bit gassed at the end. I can always talk about conditioning now. That’s a good thing, and we’ll get better from that standpoint. But I thought they played well, and it was great energy on the field, really on all three sides of the ball.”
(Being a defensive guy, how much fun was it for you to coach in a game like this where your defense stepped up the way they did?) – “I love defense, but I love offense, I love special teams, too. I think you all know I got my start in the kicking game coaching. I love all areas of the game. I thought the defense played well. I thought the special teams played well, and then offensively we made plays when we needed to make them. But more than anything, I love winning, and I love the guys seeing the fruits of the preparation, of the practice. I’m happy for them. I’m happy for our coaching staff. I think (Defensive Coordinator) Josh (Boyer) called a great game. He really did. (Offensive Coordinator) Chan (Gailey) called a good game. (Special Teams Coordinator) Danny (Crossman) called a great … He did a great job from a preparation standpoint. I think we’re all getting better on a week-to-week basis. We need to continue that. That was my message to the team. We just need to keep preparing the way we’ve been preparing and continue getting better.”
After QB Tua Tagovailoa’s first drop-back and he loses the ball, do you say anything to him when he comes to the sideline or do you just run him back out there again?) – “I said to the defense we’ve got to pick him up. I said to the kicking game we’ve got to pick him up. That’s team football. Again, I don’t know how many different ways I can say this. It’s a team game. We’re going to pick each other up. Tua (Tagovailoa) is going to pick us up at some point. We just need to stay with that. Look, we encourage him but we encourage everyone. We try to pick each other up.”
(I wanted to ask you about QB Jared Goff in terms of how many different looks and packages that you threw at him because he seemed kind of confused and rattled. Was that the game plan, to give him so many different looks?) – “I think every week (Defensive Coordinator) Josh (Boyer) and our defensive staff, they did a really good job this week coming up with different things that we think will give them some problems. Again, in a week’s time, there’s only so much we can give the players, but what we gave them, they executed, and we were able to put some pressure on the quarterback, and just looking at the stats here, they did run the ball pretty effectively and we did give up some passing yards but I thought we were able to put pressure on the quarterback. I thought overall we played well and we kept the points down and got off the field on third down quite a bit. But yeah, different looks, trying to put pressure, trying to apply pressure. Sometimes it’s not necessarily the sack total but I think you can watch a game and see that a quarterback feels us. I think that’s essentially what you’re looking for. I’m not sure how many sacks we had today, but I know that we applied some pressure and forced them to do some other things offensively maybe they didn’t want to do, not just keep a back in, keep a tight end in, things of that nature.”
(Just as a follow to the question about after the fumble, what does it say to you and to the team that QB Tua Tagovailoa is able to have a start like that, obviously not an ideal start but able to bounce back, not let it get in his head and do the things he needs to do to help the team win?) – “I think as a team we all bounced back, and the idea there is to pick each other up, to support one another. I think you saw that. I think you saw that from our defense. I know Bobby (McCain) went right up to him and said, ‘Hey, don’t worry about it. We’re going to pick it up for you.’ The o-line was that way, our coaching staff was that way. I think they went out and did that, defensively, special teams, in the kicking game, offensively. We were able to bounce back. I think that shows some mental toughness, especially against a good team. That’s a good football team there. That’s a well-coached team. They were 5-2, they’re just coming off a big win on a Monday night. This is a good football team. So look, they’re going to make plays. I think we all … To think that that’s not going to happen, that we’re not going to have bad plays it’s silly in a lot of ways to think that we’re just going to play a perfect game every week. But when we do make mistakes we’ve got to pick each other up. We can’t go in the tank. We didn’t do that. We need to when that happens, I think it’s a good … Just moving forward, hey, we can come back, we can turn things around. Hopefully we’ll continue to do that.”
Eric Rowe – October 30, 2020
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Friday, October 30, 2020
S Eric Rowe
(This happens to be a similar Rams team to the team that you guys beat in the Super Bowl. How different are they from when you played them last and what’s the same?) – “What’s different is – not even really the players, not the coaches. Actually what’s different is at least offensive-wise – not much. It’s the same scheme, same players, obviously the same head coach. So actually I would say all those things are the same. Still great players over there. Still making plays. Still a good team. (They) have a really good scheme every week against whoever they play. Nothing really changed.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores told us that CB Jamal Perry – formerly Jomal Wiltz – sometimes I mess that up still – is out. So I don’t know if that means maybe some more time for S Brandon Jones or some more time for CB Noah Igbinoghene, but just in terms of Perry specifically, can you help explain to me what his role sort of generally is and what he does best – Perry?) – “His role is generally the slot defense, as we saw in the Seattle game when Bobby (McCain) went down – like the backup free safety. Really, he’s pretty versatile. He can go outside if you need him to also, and then on special teams. So his role is pretty deep on the team, so having him injured is kind of a little bit of a shock to the secondary, but that’s the season goes – how the NFL works.”
(I think we’ve all been curious. What is it about your skillset you think that makes you so good at locking down opposing tight ends? Tight ends can be such a tricky position to lock down based on size, speed and really the aspect they bring to the game. What is it about your game that you’re able to lock those guys down on a week-to-week basis?) – “I think a lot of it has to do with how the defense is set up – how (Defensive Coordinator) Josh (Boyer) and ‘Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores), how the system is structured. To me, I think I fit it, so I think that’s why I’m having a lot of success. Obviously it’s not just me. I’ve got d-line on the pass rush, sometimes me and Bobby (McCain) kind of – if it’s something over, I know I’ve got Bobby sitting there. It gives me time to catch up if he has the step on me. But kind of the other thing is coming just with the confidence. It’s all about your mentality on the field, so I just go in the game just telling myself I’m about to lock this guy up, about to make him not a threat on offense. Just leave him in the protection. So that’s just my mindset every game. Then that with how the defense – how the system is – I think all that kind of contributes to it.”
(Earlier this week, CB Byron Jones talked about how he thinks the communication is as good as it’s been for you guys in the secondary back there so far this season. With so many new pieces and the rookies and the young guys that you guys have had to kind of bring along, what did the bye week and that time off do to help you guys improve in those areas and get guys even more acclimated with maybe the mental side of the game?) – “Just more – the only thing you really can do is just get more reps. Just get more reps, have more film study together, talking about ‘we’re going to do this if they come out in this play.’ Just communication for it. ‘We call this play against this formation.’ All that. So even with the bye week, we had a practice. We kind of went through corrections – what we could do better, kind of just self-scouting and kind of just all that, pack that together because now we’ve got to go 10 weeks straight. There’s no re-dos, so we’ve got to bring them along and then all that communication; obviously we’re going to need it.”
(I wanted to ask you about the Rams in terms of all the motions and shifts and things that they do to try to create breakdowns in the secondary. How do you deal with that before the snap?) – “We’ve talked about that. We’ve got to keep our eyes on their huddle. So whatever play call that we have in – to the corners, even me – keep your eye on your man because they can come out with a receiver at the running back position and that can screw everything up. So just keep your eyes on your man. Don’t just line up in your spot that you may 90 percent (of the time) be in. Keep your eyes on your man so when they break the huddle, you’re on it, too, and then we’ve already got the communication ready to go so none of that breakdown stuff will happen.”
Raekwon Davis – October 30, 2020
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Friday, October 30, 2020
DT Raekwon Davis
(You’ve had two starts in the NFL. What did you think you took from the playing time and the opportunities?) – “It was a great opportunity, I tried to just keep going and moving forward, and continue to hope I get those opportunities.”
(The last game seems like forever ago; but if I remember correctly on the first defensive snap you had a pressure. I’m wondering if you remember that play, and if you felt like it was important to get off to a strong start in that particular game?) – “I don’t recall, but I was just trying to do whatever I needed to do to help the team in that situation.”
(I was watching the Rams game on Monday night and the broadcasters kept talking about the key to that outside running game is to get knockback on the interior. As an interior defensive lineman, how do you establish that? What’s the key for you to get knock back on an interior defensive line?) – “Knock back is important. It helps our linebackers get the edge right. It just helps everybody, When you’ve got that knock back and you’ve got control of the offensive line, it’s good for our linebackers. They can see things, they make the hole bigger, they can see what hole to run in. The linebacker has to read off of you, so that knock back is very important.”
(You suffered the shoulder injury against the Jets. How is that coming, and do you feel like you’re capable of playing up to your talent level?) – “My shoulder is great. I’ve been practicing this whole week and I feel like I’ll be going this Sunday.”
(As a rookie, who are some veterans that you’ve been leaning on for advice, or little tidbits to help you improve your game as you’ve been going on this season?) – “I’d start with (Emmanuel) Ogbah. He’s helped me with a lot of things. He tells me that as a nose tackle, that knock back is important for him. If I get that knock back, the quarterback will try to go outside and he’ll get opportunities to get sacks. That’s why the knock back is so important; and like I said ‘E-Rob’ (Elandon Roberts), after practice we watch extra film on our opponents just to get ready.”
(I’m guessing that you and QB Tua Tagovailoa are pretty good friends. What has been your sense from him this week? How is he approaching and handling being the guy now?) – “I’m not over there just to see what’s going on, because I’m on defense when they are up. I just focus on what I’ve got to do, and what I’ve got to do to help the defensive side of the ball. Just knowing what type of guy he is, I know he’s going to start off great, and he’s going to do good.”
Bobby McCain – October 30, 2020
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Friday, October 30, 2020
S Bobby McCain
(What’s unique about the Rams’ offensive approach?) – “(Rams Head Coach Sean) McVay does a good job with (Jared) Goff and getting calls in, going up-tempo, getting you on the ball, trying to confuse you. They do the things that they do well. They do them very well. When you have a defense that’s looking for guys trying to line up, trying to get lined and you’ve got confusion and you can beat people in leverage, it’s really smart. It’s a really smart game plan and they do a really good job of that.”
(As one of the leaders on defense, what have you seen about the way that QB Tua Tagovailoa leads that you think is part of the reason why guys are gravitating towards him?) – “He’s a good kid. He does right. He comes to work each and every day. He leads in his own way. He’s going to be a really good leader for us and he has been, and he’ll keep improving. He’ll keep getting better. You can just see each and every day that he comes to work and that’s all you can ask for.”
(Two years ago, CB Xavien Howard tied for the league lead in interceptions. This year he’s got four in four games. Does it surprise you that quarterbacks are still throwing the ball where he can get it?) – “A little bit; but they have plays called they’ve got to execute, too. They’ve got good players on the other side of the football offensively, and if they want to try and throw it up, it’s way less than a 50-50 shot that you’re going to come down with it offensively, so we appreciate them keep throwing the ball up and hopefully he’ll keep making plays for us.”
(After you get your hand on the football for interceptions, I’ve noticed you do the guitar celebration. I was just curious if you were playing any specific song when you bust out the guitar?) – “No, not necessarily. (laughter) Not necessarily. Whatever comes to my mind, it’s just try to get the guys together, try to get them together and celebrate together as a unit and that’s just something we like to do.”
Brian Flores – October 30, 2020
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Friday, October 30, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(WR DeVante Parker has been dealing with a groin injury. How has he come out this week and do you think the injury since the Jets game will have some possibly lingering effects for Sunday?) – “Look, you never really know until we get to the game. We’re running game speed. In practice he was full today, so we expect him to play.”
(We spoke to RB Myles Gaskin and really every player this week about QB Tua Tagovailoa. Does having him in there add an extra layer for Gaskin? We’ve talked about RPO and all of that, but would you expect him to continue to come out and show out as he’s done all season?) – “Look, we need execution; we need good play from everybody – Myles (Gaskin), (Matt) Breida, the tight ends, the receivers, the offense line, the defensive line, linebackers, secondary, coaching. This is going to take a total team effort, to include the quarterback. This is a good team. They’ve got good players offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. Johnny Hekker is probably the best punter – definitely I would say – in the league. He might be one of the all-time punters. This is a tough challenge. We’ll need everybody.”
(The day before you became the Dolphins head coach, you were part of a Super Bowl win over a Los Angeles Rams team, whose offense anyway, looks a lot like the one you’ll play on Sunday. My question is I’m wondering if you’ve thought about that game at all in the last couple of weeks, and if there’s anything from that game you can take to Sunday?) – “I mean look, this is a good team. It’s a good offense, it’s a good defense, it’s a good special teams. They’re well coached. They score a lot of points. They run the football. Anytime there’s some history, you take a look at it; but things are so different. They’ve got different players. We’ve got different players. There’s a lot – I wish I could just cut and paste that game plan, but that’s just not how it goes. They don’t have the same players. Different team, different time. (Jared) Goff has a season-and-a-half under his belt just from an experience standpoint. So does Sean (McVay), so does the offensive line. There’s so many layers to that. It’s a good team, so we’re going to have to play well really in all three phases. I think guys are practicing hard. They’re trying to prepare. There’s a lot to prepare for. I understand the question and the familiarity as far as having played against this group before; but again, every game is just a little bit different. Every season is a little bit different. None have ever been the same. No game has ever been the same. Really, I don’t take much from it.”
(I just wanted to check back in on LB Kyle Van Noy, S Bobby McCain and TE Adam Shaheen, and if you expect them to be available to play or questionable.) – “You guys will see the injury report. Van Noy was full. We expect him to go. Same thing with Bobby. Shaheen was limited, so he’ll be questionable.”
(Forgot to ask about the guy who was working on the side in CB Jamal Perry. I’ll try to couple Jamal Perry with CB Noah Igbinoghene. I know they don’t play the same position, but how is Perry looking and how has Igbinoghene practiced? Is he still focused almost exclusively on outside corner?) – “Yeah, Noah has practiced well. He really has. I think he’s prepared well. He’s practiced well. Jamal Perry is going to be out for the game. You guys will see that on the injury report, if it’s not out already. But yeah, Noah has practiced well and he’s prepared himself to play, as he does every week, as he should every week, as everyone should every week. As we all know in this league, guys get injured, things happen. So everyone, we try to stress on a weekly basis that everyone’s got to be ready to go. That’s Noah, that’s all of our backup or second-team type players. We try to stress that there are no backups and that everybody could be in there for an extended period of time. They all have to prepare.”
Robert Hunt – October 29, 2020
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Thursday, October 29, 2020
G/T Robert Hunt
(I was just watching an interview with Tim Tebow on Twitter. It was with USA Today where he was talking about being a left-handed quarterback. They asked him what changes, and he said that ‘everyone on the offensive line needs to be aware of what his blindside is.’ What sense of responsibility do you and G Solomon Kindley feel in protecting not just any quarterback, but QB Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside?) – “I don’t think we feel pressure. I think that everybody wants to be on the same page including the left side and the center. I think that everybody wants to be on the right page, and keep Tua up, and if Tua goes down, ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) or anybody that’s in to keep them up and keep those guys healthy. And keep them off the ground as much as possible.”
(Because he’s a left-handed quarterback, how does things change for you in terms of the fact that you are protecting QB Tua Tagovailoa’s blindside?) – “I don’t think anything changes. I just continue to try to be myself and continue to try to prepare, and keep preparing the way we have been preparing and get better each week, and each day, to do my job the best I can do it.”
(You just had your first bye week as a professional football player. How did you spend that time off, and if any of the veterans or the guys that have been around the block a few times have said ‘hey, here’s a good way you can get better on the bye week?’) – “I was here a lot. I was up at the complex – a lot of guys were up here getting workouts in, here and there. Getting treatment on your body, staying proactive on your body and stuff like that. Things I think I need to work on personally, for myself, I worked on. I just enjoyed some down time at home.”
(Obviously you guys have DT Aaron Donald as part of your assignment this week. I know he lines up mostly inside, but he does line up everywhere. Whenever you get that chance with him, whether it’s one-on-one or double teams, what do you think that’s going to be like, and what is sort of the key to naturalize a guy like him?) – “I don’t know what it will be like. I’m confident in all of us to do our job and do what we have to do to move him off the ball or – it’s the game of football. You win some, you lose some; but I think once we get our chance and get our hands on him, we’ll be fine. They have a lot of good guy. He’s the main piece, but they have a lot of good guys.”
(I was also going to ask about DT Aaron Donald and I do get it, overall they’re a good defense. I think the thing about Donald that is kind of unique is that he has both strength and quickness. What do you view as what he does best?) – “He does a lot of good things. He’s mostly inside. I’ve definitely watched him and everybody knows who he is. He does a lot of good things. He’s fast, he’s twitchy, he’s powerful, like you said. They work some finesse moves, but it’s not just him. All of those guys work the same. If you watch the tape, all of those guys have the same moves. You can definitely tell it’s been drilled and practiced and stuff like that. They all are pretty much the same type of guys – fast, strong guys, that can rush the passer.”
(I wanted to get your opinion in terms of they have the athleticism and physicality. Most people, including myself, believe this is the toughest defensive line that you guys have faced. Where do you see them stacking up in terms of what you guys have faced so far?) – “Me personally, I’m a rookie, so I think that everybody that we’ve played so far has been really good. This is the National Football League, so everybody is good. These guys – I haven’t seen them yet, I haven’t played against them yet; but on film, they are fast, they are strong and they do a lot of good things on defense.”
(Has QB Tua Tagovailoa popped his head into offensive line meetings this week and how would you describe him? Has he been loose?) – “He’s Tua. He’s always himself. He definitely has a good head on his shoulders. We do stuff weekly – offense, the o-line and QBs and stuff like that. We do stuff weekly, so we’ll get that done today.”
Myles Gaskin – October 29, 2020
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Thursday, October 29, 2020
RB Myles Gaskin
(How familiar are you with RPO? Did you guys run it at Washington and what are the pros and cons for a running back about that style?) – “I am familiar with it. We ran it at Washington, yes. I don’t see any pros or cons about it. It’s just offense. There are pros and cons in every offense. I just try to do what I can when I get the ball and then just run out my fake when I don’t.”
(What are your impressions of how it’s gone for QB Tua Tagovailoa – how he’s looked, etc.?) – “He’s looked great. He’s always looked great since Day 1. I think he’s getting more comfortable obviously with the role, now that it’s his right now. I think he’s stepping up. He’s communicating a lot so he’s doing everything you want to see out of an NFL quarterback. I think ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) has taught him a lot in the pass game. I think he’s still teaching him, so you kind of see the trickle-down effect. I’m real excited for him.”
(Do you and QB Tua Tagovailoa have to practice that running back-quarterback exchange more just cause of lack of time together this week?) – “I don’t think so. I think we worked on it. I think that’s what camp is for. We’ve done RVA (run vs. air) all the time, so it’s just like anything else at this point. Maybe during camp it was a little weird, but I don’t even remember it like that. I think it’s been no troubles at all.”
(I wanted to ask you just about general running back vision. I’ve seen a lot of folks out there that really compliment you for your vision. I’m curious if that’s something you can work on or is it just something more instinctive you have to react to when it comes to getting the ball and seeing the way blocks develop on game day?) – “I would say a lot of it is God-given. Thank God. And definitely throughout the week you see tendencies. ‘Coach E’ (Running Backs Coach Eric Studesville) has always been great about teaching us about fronts, about what this front may lead to, what a cut-back may be or where a cut may be or where a hole may be. So obviously pre-snap, you’ve got to diagnose what you want and what you want to do with it; but as soon as the ball is snapped, you’re playing football and things close fast. Games are ran on the front line, so you’ve got a good idea, but I would say a lot of it is just God-given and just kind of playing football all my life.”
(We talked a lot to the o-linemen about DT Aaron Donald and them facing them up front. As a back, do you have to be aware of where he is? I don’t know if you can run away from him. Is that something that’s in your thought process as you’re coming through the hole?) – “Obviously he’s, you know, a great player when he’s on the field. He’s going to have his plays. He’s going to do what he does and you’ve just got to keep playing. It’s onto the next play whatever may happen. So yeah, you know where he is; but that doesn’t stop nothing. You’re going to play the play. You’re going to do what the call says.”
(I’ve got one more question for you about the bye week. At a position that is so physically demanding, and I guess all of football is physically demanding, but as a running back that’s got the most touches and the most reps on the team what does a bye week do for you to kind of physically and mentally and get recharged?) – “Definitely physically, you get to rest your body. You get to get kind of some of the kinks out or whatever – get a massage or two, whatever anybody’s routine is – but I think it made me a little bit more hungry watching everybody else play personally. Just missing out – not missing out – obviously everybody gets a bye, but just watching other people do good is inspiring, motivating, however you want to call it. I’m just excited to be back in the building, back with the guys. It’s weird with COVID. You don’t really want to be around anybody, so the bye week was kind of – I’m kind of excited to be back here more than years in the past.”
Jesse Davis – October 29, 2020
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Thursday, October 29, 2020
G/T Jesse Davis
(Fun times facing Rams DT Aaron Donald. I’m trying to remember if you were part of – no, I don’t think you were a part of the 2016 team that played him, so this will be your first time. What’s it like preparing for a two-time Defensive Player of the Year?) – “We prepare the same way every week. Obviously we have our challenges, but we just go into a game trying to figure out what’s going to work best for us, what’s going to be productive for us. He’s a great player, no doubt about it, and we just try to do our job.”
(Obviously QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is a veteran. With the calls that you guys have upfront, does it change with responsibilities at all because QB Tua Tagovailoa is a rookie a little bit? Do you guys on the o-line have to take on more? How does that work?) – “It’s been the same. Tua has done a great job. We have good leadership in the room; we have good leadership in the quarterback room. I don’t think anything is going to be changed. I think everything is just going to be the same. It’s the same thing every week – we’ll try to go out there and win the game.”
(How would you describe how QB Tua Tagovailoa has comported himself this week? Prepared? Relaxed? What type of words come to mind?) – “Tua, he’s cool, he’s comfortable in the pocket. When he’s in the huddle, he’s confident. I walked in here on the bye week and he’s in the quarterback room watching tape, studying. That was very pleasing to see. He’s doing his job for sure. I think he’s going to be a good player. I can’t wait to see him play on Sunday.”
(Sorry to bombard you with the QB Tua Tagovailoa questions; but how do you think his maturity, not just this week, but since he got here dating back to all of his experiences at Alabama. How do you think that’s helped him prepare for this moment?) – “He had a good scenario coming into this season with ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) being his mentor, showing him defenses, showing what to expect out there. Watching him progress from OTAs to training camp to now has been cool to see. He’s gotten a lot better. He’s throwing the ball really well. He looks good.”
(I wanted to ask you about the bye week. We just had G/T Robert Hunt on and he said that all of you guys were here for most of the bye week; but I’m just curious, you know the old adage says that you’re never 100 percent healthy in a football season. I’m curious how much better do you feel coming off of that long rest period and what it does for you in terms of just feeling better for game day coming up on Sunday?) – “Yeah, I think we had four days off or whatever it was. It helps the body actually relax and heal some old wounds, but just recharging the batteries is probably the best way I could put it. Getting away from the facility or football a little bit, and now we’re coming back and we’re more energized. Wednesday was probably one of the best practices we’ve had – the energy level with the scout team giving great looks to the quarterbacks putting the ball on the money. I think that bye week was a good spot for it.”
(G/T Robert Hunt basically just said that you guys get with the quarterbacks today. Is that just a film session or is that sort of a social thing?) – “I think Ted (Karras) has been doing it more than most of us; but just going over some blitzes, just normal stuff that you’d actually do throughout the week. We’re just going to get a little bit extra in with Tua.”
(I know you said that you haven’t faced Rams DT Aaron Donald before, but you’ve faced some star defenders, some big name guys. How do you balance having to send some extra attention at a guy like him versus worrying about the other guys who you’ll probably have to have a lot of one on one battles with?) – “I think we’ll all have to do our jobs and set at the same level, and kind of keep what we’ve been doing and don’t freak out when he’s over you, I guess is what I’m trying to say. Just play as a unit and not try to do too much or try to do too little. I think we’ve done a really good job of passing stuff of and talking, and that’s what will have to be heightened this game. It will be fun a fun matchup.”
