Zach Sieler – October 15, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, October 15, 2020
DT Zach Sieler
(How has year one and a half with the Dolphins been? How has your progress as a player been? I think we talked to you a few weeks back. You keep making these splash plays. How has your season been coming along and what has impressed you most about what you’ve done?) – “For me, it was just learning the new ways and a new team. That was the end of last year. Then going into this year, just kind of progressing and learning how to use the scheme to my advantage each week.”
(I wanted to get into a little bit about your backstory. I know you talked about it when you wre in Baltimore some but it’s a pretty remarkable story. You were 175 pounds at Ferris State? Did you have any scholarship offers at all?) – “No. I walked on at Ferris State I was 220 (pounds) my freshman year and 217 (pounds) going into my second year. By the time I left, I think I was 295 (pounds).”
(This is your first time getting a chance to see the New York Jets with the Dolphins. I’m just curious has there been any extra hype around the game since It’s such a big rival for the Miami Dolphins?) – “It’s a division game, so we’ve got to play just like any other week; but we’re ready to go. We’re preparing just like we do every week. We’re excited.”
(Was there someone in your past that kept you motivated, focused and believing that this one day would be a possibility? I’m not a mathematician but the odds were like a billion to one.) – “Yeah, I was the first one drafted form my college actually. I think the fall of my freshman year of college, true freshman year. I wasn’t playing or whatever. Two more walk-ons came on for spring ball. We became really close. We said let’s get after it in the weight room. We didn’t have a strength coach. We didn’t have a nutritionist. We just got in the weight room and watched YouTube videos and learned how to lift, and get bigger and go from there. I think between my one year, I put on like 30-40 pounds. I was up to 240-250 by spring of my second year. There was a handful of guys. We called the misfits, just a bunch random dudes. We would just go down there and our gym had no windows, no A/C or anything. We called it the dungeon. We’d just go there and we took pride in it.”
(I’ve seen you play inside and out, especially with DT Davon Godchaux out. Tell me about the approach you take to the assignment when you’re inside versus out?) – “Obviously things happen faster when you get down low, the closer you get to the center. But for me, it’s just wherever I’m at preparing wise – end, 3-tech, nose guard, zero shade, outside – it’s just making sure I look at the player across from me as in the offensive lineman I’m going against, and learning their keys. So not just focusing on one guy, but focusing on all five of them, so I’m ready for whatever happens and whatever the game plan may call for.”
(We just talked to C Ted Karras a minute ago and he talked about the players on the team genuinely being excited for other guys when they make a play. I noticed that watching the broadcast copy, guys just losing their minds every time you make a big play. I’m curious where that comes from and how that starts for a team, where they get so excited for one another and really care about each other like that?) – “I guess it kind of comes from the top down. The coaches preach family and they preach be excited for anybody, because if somebody makes a great play, that may give you an opportunity later on in the game for you to make a big play. For us, it’s just an excitement. We’re going through this together, we’re a team, we’re a family. Just keep grinding and keep celebrating those big plays.”
(Since your arrival down here in South Florida, have you learned at all if there was a connection or a reason or a person who decided to bring you here?) – “No. I couldn’t tell you that. I just know my agent called me at 4:20 or 4-whatever that one day and said ‘hey, you’re going to Miami.’ So I showed up down here and do what I do.”
(Have you put down roots here? It seems like you’re living the transient life. I think you were a seventh-round pick, a waiver wire guy, I believe. Do you have an apartment? How does it work? You’re certainly a part of the team’s plans now, but you couldn’t have known that going into the season?) – “Y’all are going to laugh; but I actually stay in an RV during the season. I’ve done this for two years now. I have a fifth wheel I stay in during the season. (laughter) I actually had roots, and I do have roots in Sebring, which is about two hours from here. I know I’ve been asked about the ranch. That’s kind of my home base, I guess you could say. I have family in Michigan and I love going back to see them; but in season, I stay in an RV. For me, that works, I love it. It’s simple, it’s easy, I can get up and go postseason and just do whatever I need to do, wherever I’m training, I can park it and train there.”
(We need more clarity. Where does the RV park? Have you hosted your teammates in the RV, and have you gone on a road trip in it?) – “I’ve had players over to hang out, for sure. Yes, campgrounds or RV parks are nice spots. I’ll find a little spot and setup there for a few months. Florida is great because everyone comes down here in the winter to live, so there are plenty of spots, especially right now.”
(What’s it like in the RV community? Does anyone know you’re a professional athlete?) – “I love it. No. I usually try to keep that a little lower. Some people learn or whatever, and usually everyone is great. When you think about it, guys that are in our campground, usually they are vacationing. So everyone is happy, everyone always waves, it’s not the typical people living their daily lives. Usually they’re on vacation. It is kind of weird getting a new neighbor three or four times a week. (laughter)”
(Do you think at some point you might actually get a front door and a roof?) – “Yeah, I might. The girl is trying to get on me to do that. (laughter) She’s sick of taking care of the dogs back home by herself.”
Ted Karras – October 15, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, October 15, 2020
C Ted Karras
(How much did you know about DT Zach Sieler coming in and what have you learned about him since and what’s it been like practicing against him?) – “I remember last year (with the Patriots) preparing for the last game of the season (against Miami), they had this guy who kind of came in mid-year and was playing really well, played with really high effort, and he’s continued that this season. He’s been very productive and he’s a great teammate and a great guy, and I’m really excited for him. I’m rooting for him to continue the way he’s been playing.”
(My question for you is about the two coaches in the offensive line room with Offensive Line Coach Steve Marshall and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre. I just wanted to get your perspective as far as how those two guys balance each other and having both Coach Marshall’s experience but also Jeanpierre’s playing experience and how those two guys work together in that room?) – “Collectively, we have coaches in the room with a lot of NFL experience and I think it’s serving us very well, especially having a young o-line. I think it’s a testament to how hard these young guys are working and ‘E. Flow’ (Ereck Flowers) and Jesse (Davis) and I and all the vets, too. I think we have a really good room and I’m really excited, but we’ve got to keep preparing like we have been and going and putting out our best performances when it counts the most.”
(We’ve asked you so much about T Austin Jackson and G Solomon Kindley because they’ve been playing and thanks for being kind of like the veteran spokesman and filling us in. I appreciate it. So G/T Robert Hunt makes his first start. What did you notice about how he approached things and handled himself starting a game?) – “I thought he did an excellent job. Obviously we went out there and scored 40 points. We’re not going to be able to do that without a right tackle doing his job, and I thought it was great. Any time you go into your first NFL start, it could be, I guess, too big for some guys; but not for Rob Hunt. He came out there and played really, really well, and we’re going to need him to continue to play really well moving forward.”
(You referred to the Dolphins-Patriots game at the end of last season earlier. I wanted to ask what does it feel like now for you being on this side of the Dolphins and their franchise reboot? What is it like five games in? Do you feel like a tide is maybe starting to turn with your guys’ season and what do you think about Head Coach Brian Flores and everything he’s kind of implementing onto the team?) – “We’re a day at a time. Winning last week was a good start, but we’ve got to take care of business this week, then we’ve got a bye. I’m having a lot of fun. I love all the guys on this team. It’s been a great start to the year. Obviously we left a few things out in a couple of the early games, but we’re going to continue to work our hardest and prepare and then go out there on Sundays. That’s the only way to turn any tide, is to go out there and perform your best on Sunday, so that’s what I’m focused on every day.”
(Sort of along those same lines as what you just mentioned – you’ve been part of an organization that knows how to build for success, not just for this Sunday but for the long-term. What do you see in the program that’s put together here in Miami that might give you confidence that there’s success built for the long-term here?) – “I think it comes down to the guys we have in the locker room and we have guys that work hard and want to do things right and care about each other and hold each other accountable and genuinely enjoy playing the game of football. It’s a pleasure to come to work every day with guys in this locker room – many, many close friends – and we get competitive and we want to do our best for each other. You’ve seen a little bit of that on the field these past couple weeks, but we’ve got to keep showing that and emphasizing that part of the game.”
(I guess you weren’t here I guess last year, but now you’re getting to see up close maybe how it’s like playing with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. I wanted to ask what is it like in the huddle or on the field when he’s on like he is?) – “It’s extraordinary. He’s an extraordinary man. I am very fortunate to be able to suit up with him and I do love it when he can turn a third-and-8 scramble into a first down. That’s a luxury as an o-lineman. It’s been a lot of fun playing, and I’ve learned so much from him already, and I continue to learn every single day and as we grow and continue to create continuity and comfortability with each other.”
(What have you noticed in terms of personalities, if there’s a common trait, among the three guys that the aforementioned QB Ryan Fitzpatrick affectionately calls the knucklehead rookies – G/T Robert Hunt, G Solomon Kindley and T Austin Jackson?) – “Great men that want to do the right things that are eager to learn and, I guess, ‘ego-less’ and trying to get better. Obviously a very, very talented group – all highly drafted – and guys that came in and just want to listen and work and do the right thing and help the team win in any way they can.”
(I wanted to ask you about a matchup this weekend with Jets DT Quinnen Williams. He was once the No. 3 pick in the draft and right now he’s top 10 in both ESPN’s pass-rush win rate and run-stop win rate. I just wanted to ask you about the challenges he presents for you on the interior offensive line.) – “Starting with him, but the entire Jets front seven poses a significant challenge to us as an o-line, and we’re going out there and working hard and we’re going to have to be at our best on a lot of guys. Talk about guys like Steve McLendon, (John) Franklin-Myers – guys all over the place that are really good – (Nathan) Shepherd, (Folorunso) Fatukasi. Their whole d-line is formidable and we’re going to have to be at our best and playing at our top level on Sunday at 4 p.m.”
(RB Le’Veon Bell is a free agent. Just generally what do you think of his talent and his skill?) – “I think he’s been a great player for a long time in the league. I don’t know anything about the situation that he had up in New York, but I wish him the best. I never like to see anyone lose their job in this league, so I’m wishing him the best. I know he’s a very talented player and I’m sure he can help an NFL franchise win some games.”
DeVante Parker – October 15, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, October 15, 2020
WR DeVante Parker
(As you think back to your time with N.Y. Jets Head Coach Adam Gase – obviously you’ll see him on the opposing sidelines – do you have good feelings about it? Just your thoughts on working with him during the time you guys were together.) – “My time with him was pretty good. (There was) that little situation that happened but that’s in the past. I’m just focused on our team right now and what we’ve got going on.”
(I wanted to ask you, how do you guys feel the early starts to the games, especially in Jacksonville and San Francisco, have helped you guys come out with those wins? How have those early starts helped you guys?) – “It helped out a lot. Just coming out fast, that puts fear into defenses and puts their tail back behind them. We’ve just got to keep that up and keep it going, and we’ll be fine.”
(The Dolphins are one of a number of teams that are calling about RB Le’Veon Bell, who is a free agent. If he would end up in Miami, what would he add to the team? What do you know about him as a player?) – “I know he’s a good player but like I said before, I’m just focused on our team and what we’ve got going on. I’m not too concerned about any of the other stuff.”
(I know the game was a few days ago but I wanted to ask you about the one play where it was third-and-goal from the 22. If I remember correctly, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw you a touchdown pass. It’s not very often where a coach or a play caller or a quarterback kind of goes for the touchdown on third-and-22. What do you remember about that situation and if Fitzpatrick said anything like he was going to throw it to you?) – “I just remember getting lined up and ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) tells me as I’m going past him to just run a go. I said, ‘Alright, I’ve got you.’ Then I ran it and it turned out pretty good.”
(How would you assess this team and the way it has been built for long-term success compared to when you first arrived here?) – “I would just say the coaches are putting us in the right situations to make plays, and we’re making them. That’s just the biggest thing we’re doing right now, and we’ve just got to keep that up.”
(Earlier this summer, you had mentioned that one of the things you are working on in your game to try to take it to the next level was rounding out the route tree, like comebacks and stuff like that. I’m just curious if you have an update for us in how you feel you’ve progressed in that area?) – “I’d say that the last game we just played – I think I had one against the Seahawks. I think I had a pretty good comeback. I would say it’s looking pretty good as of right now.”
(You mentioned the coaches are putting you guys in good positions here to have some success. After the 49ers win, do you kind of sense that the tide is probably starting to turn for you guys in all three phases, for the betterment of the season?) – “If we keep coming out and playing how we’re playing, there’s going to be some good stuff to see from this team.”
(With the locker room being different this year, I’m not allowed to observe things like whether or not you have hung out at all with the three rookie offensive linemen. Obviously you’ve gotten to know them on the field. They all seem to be pretty good. Just collectively, what have been your observations about the three rookie offensive linemen and how they handle themselves?) – “I’d say they’re all doing a great job in there. They’re holding their own out there and it’s a big part of our passing game that we’re having right now. I know they’ll keep that up.”
Brian Flores – October 15, 2020
Download PDF version
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(I wanted to ask you a question about the rushing attack and how you would evaluate it going into Game 6. RB Matt Breida, RB Myles Gaskin, and RB Jordan Howard, they are collectively averaging 2.8 yards per carry. Obviously that can’t satisfy you, I assume.) – “Just like everything else, we’ve got to improve the running game, play action, red zone, two-minute. We’re working on it on a daily basis. Those guys are working hard along with the offensive line, the full backs and tight ends, getting the blocking where we need it and running it better. These guys are working hard. I think we’ve ran it effectively in some instances; but we can be better overall. That’s the case in really a lot of areas, offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. These guys are working to get better and improve. Thankfully we have another opportunity to try to go out there and improve on Sunday.”
(When we were in Santa Clara, I don’t recall hearing anything in the press box about LB Kyle Van Noy. Can you explain what happened and was it something that flared up after? And if he does have an absence, how does that affect your defense moving forward?) – “Kyle’s got a little bit of a groin. I’d say it’s something that happened after. These guys, they fight through something’s during the game, which he obviously did. He’s doing everything he can to get back out there on the field from a practice, from a rehab standpoint, from a treatment standpoint. He’s a tough guy. Obviously (he’s) a focal part, a big part of the defense and this team – I shouldn’t say just the defense – from a leadership standpoint. He’s doing everything he can to get back. Hopefully we’ll see him today. Obviously when somebody is nicked up, you go through the contingency plans, but we do that every week. We’ve got a plan if we have to limit his snaps; but that’s the case for every position. I think that happens across the league. You’ve got to have a backup plan for everything, especially in this climate. Kyle’s a tough guy. We’ll see – hopefully he’s out there today.”
(I guess somebody asked you about RB Le’Veon Bell yesterday and defending him with the Jets. Obviously now he’s a free agent. I wanted to ask if you guys are going to try to go after him to add to your team?) – “That’s really more of a question for (General Manager) Chris Grier. My focus right now is on the Jets and the players they have on their team. I’ve said this before, he’s a very good player. As a personnel staff, as an organization, we look at anyone who is available that could help our team. Obviously all conversations stay internal and quite honestly, my focus has been on preparation for this week. It’s really more of a question for Chris and the personnel staff. But yeah, he’s a good player. Our focus is on this week, on the Jets and the preparation for the players on the Jets this week.”
(Regarding kickers, you were with an organization that was very blessed to have K Adam Vinatieri and K Stephen Gostkowski, who were very dependable. Now you come here and have K Jason Sanders. I wonder if it might easy for people to overlook the importance of kickers until you don’t have one. How much better do you sleep at night knowing you have a guy who you could depend on?) – “I started in the kicking game. That’s where I got my break in coaching. I know and understand how important those guys in those positions are, whether it’s kicker, punter, long snapper, returners, ball security and things of that nature. To have a guy who is dependable, a guy you know is going to do everything possible to make sure he puts himself in the best position to make a great kick – make the kick that we need, make the punt that we need, give us the snap that we need. You really want that at all positions, but no one thinks about those specialists until we’re down to the wire and we need the kick. Jason has done a great job. I think it’s important to him that he continues to improve and get better and continue with his consistency. That’s been good thus far and we need to just keep going in this direction. Yes, I’m very pleased at where he is, and the job he’s done really on field goals but also kickoffs. He’s done a good job from that standpoint. Just every day, just his attitude and work ethic on a day-to-day basis, he’s really done a good job really since I’ve been here.”
(The Falcons had four positives today, it sounded like. Do you think we’re getting to the point now that the league would be best served to just put in a second bye and give themselves more flexibility going forward? Are you expecting to play 18 weeks this year because of what’s going on?) – “Literally I just heard about that right before I got on here about the Falcons. It’s unfortunate. I think teams are trying to do everything they can to limit the spread of this virus. Unfortunately, it’s hit a couple of teams. We’re just going to do – we’re going to control what we can control and kind of follow the lead of the league. If they add a bye, I’m not going to have an opinion on it. At the end of the day, I’m really just going to focus my energy on our team. If they make a schedule change like we’ve already dealt with, we’ll just do what needs to be done so we can try to play games and play a season. Whatever that means, if it’s an 18th week, if it’s another bye, if it’s more changes to the schedule, than that’s what we do. I think at the end of the day, every one of us that are a part of this league, we just need to continue to try to be responsible, make good decisions, wear the mask, social distance, wear the tracers so we can at least put ourselves in position to play games and play this year.”
(On DT Raekwon Davis, how much is he capable of do you believe you’ve seen so far?) – “Raekwon (Davis) is very – he’s got a lot of talent. He’s big. He’s strong. He’s athletic. But he’s young. He’s a young player still learning how to play in this league against a lot of good players, and he’s still trying to find his way and find his niche – his role – within the scheme. I think as a staff, we’re trying to put him in good positions or in the best positions, to do what he does well. He’s big, he’s athletic and he’s tough and he cares. So I think with the injury to (Davon) Godchaux, he should get a few more opportunities along with some other guys, and hopefully he takes advantage of those opportunities. But yeah, there’s talent here. We’ve just got to get him to play with more consistency, which is the case for all young players.”
(I wanted to ask when the other teams in the league are going through their COVID situations, are you guys just kind of reaching out seeing what’s going wrong? What are some things that maybe you guys could do to continue to be on the right track of this as you guys have been so far?) – “We’re always trying to find different ways to get better. I think (Head Athletic Trainer) Kyle (Johnston) and our medical staff – Kyle Johnston is our head trainer – our medical staff, they’re constantly trying to (ask) ‘what can we do better?’ From a meeting standpoint, from a walkthrough standpoint, from a practice standpoint. So yes, we’re trying to find ways to mitigate the risk really on a daily basis, so I think those guys have done a good job of that and they’re getting compliance from the players, coaches; everybody’s involved here. It’s important to all of us that we keep – first and foremost, it’s not about the games – it’s about keeping everyone here safe and healthy. I think that’s where we always start. That’s where my meetings always start. This isn’t about playing 18 football – whatever things in the season. That’s important, but what’s more important is the health and safety of everyone in this building and then that also applies to all their families also, as we know how this virus spreads. So keeping everyone safe keeps your family safe, and then a byproduct of that is we get to play. So yeah, we’re always trying to look for different ways to help or to get better, but we also know that we’re not exempt. We can do everything right. We could pop a positive test and we’ve just got to try to isolate whoever that is or whenever that shows up. We want to be able to trace it, we want to be able to say that we were all wearing masks and hopefully we continue to go about our daily routine, our daily business.”
(If I could take a little bit of a detour – I don’t know how big of a boxing fan you are, but there’s a match going on Saturday and one of the fighters is Teofimo Lopez. He’s from Brooklyn. He’s Honduran. So I was curious if you had any knowledge of him or if he was in your rooting interest?) – “Yeah, a Brooklyn guy from Honduras – yeah, I know exactly who he is. Good fighter. I’m not really big into boxing – aside from Mike Tyson being right from the neighborhood I grew up in. I always a big fan of his; but yeah, I know a little bit – but yeah, a Brooklyn guy from Honduras – yeah, I’m rooting for him no matter what’s going on.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick – October 14, 2020
Download PDF version
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(We’re asking a couple guys this week about what it’s like playing with you and a couple guys mentioned that you’re their favorite teammate that they’ve ever had. I guess, what do you think about the impact you’ve seem to make on so many particularly young players that they feel like you’re their favorite?) – “It’s probably a better question for them than me, but I know that my experience helps – just the road that I’ve traveled to get here and all the different teams and different teammates and different situations I’ve been in. I think all of that probably helps, but I don’t know. Probably a better question for all of them.”
(I was wondering if you knew that right now you rank fifth in the QBR statistic. I don’t know if you know what that is – a lot of people don’t – or if you give any credence to it, but do you think that’s a fair representation of how you’ve played in 2020?) – “I think you don’t really pay too much attention to any of that stuff, but I think that one’s probably a better metric of overall quarterback play than just the regular QB rating. That one, to me, matters more than the blanket quarterback rating one.”
(I saw a breakdown the other day. It was from Brian Baldinger. It was your 32-yard touchdown pass to WR Preston Williams and he talked a lot about you throwing to a spot under the face of pressure and kind of the trust you have in your eyes. Last year in training camp, you talked about how you felt you were playing some of the best ball of your career and I was just curious if those two things are intertwined and how you get to that point in your career where you really trust what you see fully?) – “A lot of it is experience and film study and just kind of years of accumulating this catalog in the back of mind of things that I really like and I’m comfortable with versus certain looks; and then the other end of that is getting the guys that you’re playing with to understand how I’m seeing it and where I want them to be and that was a huge play in the game, and that was a huge play for me just in terms of my confidence in Preston (Williams). For us to be on the same page and for me to be able to throw that ball knowing exactly where he was going to be and for him to make the right read and the right decision there, that kind of thing goes a long way in building confidence with guys. That one was a fun play because the set up and the way everything went, but also just because it was a pretty meaningful play in the second half.”
(I wanted to follow up on this whole QBR versus passer rating debate. I am a passer rating guy personally. Tell me why, in your mind, because considering you are the expert, you feel QBR is better?) – “I’m definitely not an expert, but I think if you throw an interception down three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, it probably shouldn’t weigh as much as throwing an interception up a score or in the first quarter with the game on the line. All the stats that you can kind of accumulate when you’re behind – some meaningless stats – I think being able to avoid negative plays, sacks and those type of things are important for a quarterback. I think it’s a – even just the running and the scrambles and things like that – there are just a lot of things that it takes into account that aren’t necessarily, that either don’t show up on a stat sheet or they weight stats based on how important it is in the game. I think that is a lot of the reason for me as to why that one carries much greater weight for me.”
(I have one and a half questions for you. The half question is related to something TE Mike Gesicki said the other day where he hopes he can play 15 years with you. So I want to find out how you’re going to be playing quarterback at age 52. But the real question is what one thing do you think you’re doing better this year than maybe you have ever before, or just that you feel so good about in your play?) – “I just think as the years have gone on for me, I’ve become more accurate. I’ve become a better decision-maker, but more accurate in the way that I’m throwing the football, and I think that’s shown up a little bit this year. I don’t know. Also for me, it’s not necessarily about the physical anymore. I mean I think I could still make all the throws, but it’s never really been about that for me; so feeling comfortable in this system, feeling comfortable with the guys I’m playing with and right now, just spreading the ball around. There’s been other years and seasons where we haven’t either had as much talent or we’ve had one superstar where he’s getting force-fed a lot of the time. I think with the group right now, we’ve got a lot of really talented guys that have different skillsets. And we’ve said that in the past, but I think with the ball being spread out more, that’s also helped with my efficiency and accuracy a little bit.”
(Just coming off your best performance so far this season, how big is the emphasis to just not get complacent, get off to another fast start, especially with a division opponent coming to town, even if they are winless?) – “I think we can always – I mean we’re 2-3 – so we can always point to that and just point to the fact that we still don’t have a winning record. There’s a fine line for us between carrying some of that momentum over and being excited about the way that we played and trying to build on it; and like you said, the word ‘complacent’ or patting yourself on the back and being happy with last week and not focusing on what we need to focus on this week. So we’ve made this week a lot about us and getting better on the practice field and continuing to take those next steps to just get better as an offensive unit, defensive unit and obviously as a team. So I think we had a good start today in practice. There was good focus, and guys are out there really running and trying to get better.”
(There are obviously a lot of ways to measure efficiency of offensive lines; but not giving up sacks is the big deal. Has it occurred to you that T Austin Jackson before his injury, G Solomon Kindley, G/T Robert Hunt – none of those rookies has allowed a sack? Has it pleasantly surprised you? Does it make you feel like they’ve got really good futures?) – “Yeah, I think the future is bright for all three of those guys and just like the previous question – they can be happy with how they started; but every single week, you’ve got to bring it and as soon as they show some cracks or weaknesses, they’re going to be exploited. So we have to continue to get better every week. Those guys are not any different than everybody else; but as far as being three knucklehead rookies, they’ve played pretty well. We just have to continue to make sure we’re on that upward trend and they improve every week.”
(I like how you termed the rookies, but building off of the question, I just wanted to ask specifically about G/T Rob Hunt. He didn’t get the benefit of those three or four games prior to this past Sunday’s game and he stepped right in there with no game experience. When you think about his situation specifically, I know week in and week out, they have to come ready to perform, but what did it mean to see him come in and really not lose a beat from what you had the first few games?) – “It’s nice – even just being in the huddle and not having the nervousness and those guys looking like they don’t belong in the huddle. All three of those guys have the right look in their eye. For me, I truly don’t pay attention to that stuff because I can’t. I’ve got too many other things I have to think about, so for me not to notice him in the game, I always take that as a good thing. But sometimes that’s stuff I can’t even really concern myself with because of all the other things I have to think about during a game.”
(I guess there was a visual we saw in the last game where after you threw that touchdown to I believe WR Preston Williams, QB Tua Tagovailoa is jumping up into your arms I guess in celebration. We talked about the dynamic in that QB room before, but I guess what does that show that you guys seem to genuinely support each other through everything?) – “I think it says a lot about him and just the fact that he’s enjoying the success of the team when we have it. And like I said last week, he’s a guy that is always upbeat and happy and that positive energy is really important in the good times when he’s jumping up after a touchdown, and the not-so-good times when we’re coming off a bad week or a tough loss. To be able to stay the same guy and bring that youthful exuberance, that’s good. And I guess you guys got to catch a glimpse of it there, but he definitely, he’s like that all the time in terms of his energy and how excited he is to be doing what he’s doing.”
(The Jets have not had a winning season since 2015 so the question I have for you is this: did they make a mistake in letting you go?) – “Well, we had a losing season in 2016 when I was there, so that one ended the way it did for a reason. But 2015 was a fun year.”
Jason Sanders – October 14, 2020
Download PDF version
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
K Jason Sanders
(Congratulations on being named player of the week. What does that mean to you, and how important is it for you to be able to contribute the way that you have so far this year?) – “I’m off to a good start so for me, it’s a matter of how do I treat each kick the same? If that 20-yard field goal that’s happens in the first quarter, it’s the same importance as the fourth quarter kick. That’s the mentality I kind of have to take with each kick. When I go out on the field, I’m treating that 20-yarder the same as that 50-yarder.”
(I wanted to ask you about what you do, what your job is and what I mean by that is – from my point of view on the outside looking in, it seems like so often kickers are totally overlooked until they screw up. What do you see? How do you describe your job and how it’s looked upon?) – “That’s the down part of the job is when you miss the kick, everybody wants to point fingers; but when you’re making kicks, it’s ‘he’s doing his job.’ You want to be able to do your job. Whether it’s five kicks or two kicks, you want to walk off that field 100 percent.”
(You’re first in field goal percentage. You’ve got to be near the top in points. I don’t have that stat in front of me. But they announced today that there will be no Pro Bowl in 2021. Is that just to keep you out?) – “Like I said, every kick to me is going to be the same kick. I don’t want to be able to look at stats and say I should made this one or I should’ve made that one. I just want to be able to go out there and walk out of each stadium 100 percent, whether it’s PATs or field goals.”
(I’m curious, in baseball when there is a no hitter they don’t talk about it. When you’re perfect as a field goal kicker, are you able to talk about that or how does that go?) – “That’s kind of what I’m getting at. I want to stay on the same level. I don’t want to get too deep into the highs. I don’t want to get off track. I want to come out in every Wednesday practice and have the same Wednesday practice I did last week, the same Friday practice I did the week before. So when I go out on Sunday, it’s going to be the same thing it was last week.”
(I wanted to ask you about celebrity. And what I mean by that is former Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi used to say that LB Mike Hull could be in the line at a Dunkin’ Donuts and nobody would know who he was. Of course, I hope Hull is doing well wherever he is; but have you been recognized at a Dunkin’ Donuts line?) –“At a Dunkin’ Donuts line? (laughter) No, I have not.”
(What about in general? Do you get the sense that people know they are in the presence of a football player?) – “I’ve been stopped maybe twice. Twice at a mall. That was about it. I like where I’m at right now.”
(Going back to your stats for a second, I know you take one kick at a time and all. Are you saying that the idea of having a perfect season kicking the ball has not crossed your mind?) – “That’s the goal, right? You want to walk out being 100 percent. For me, when the season is over, it’s a good time to reflect on what you did during the season. We’re only in Week 5 right now. It’s a long season. That’s kind of why I want to stay on the same line right now just going forward.”
Jesse Davis – October 14, 2020
Download PDF version
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
G/T Jesse Davis
(How much did you enjoy playing left tackle again and how do you feel you did?) – “It wasn’t my best outing. I still have work to do over there and using every day to try to get better.”
(On the opposite end of that, what do you think of G/T Rob Hunt to step in there and not having the benefit like T Austin Jackson or G Solomon Kindley did of playing in games before, to take your spot on the other side?) – “I think Rob did a good job. I think he prepared very well for a rookie coming in, not having any starts, not having any playing time at that position. I think he did a good job along with Solomon on the right side. I’m proud of those guys.”
(We talked to you before about QB Ryan Fitzpatrick; but he had a really good game this past game. We’d like to get a view of what it’s like to play with him.) – “He just brings energy. I think everybody always comments on it, on how electric he can be and how he uplifts the whole squad, and even coaches. It’s refreshing to play with him. He’s out there getting us on correct assignments and watching him have fun throwing the ball and scoring touchdowns, it’s just great.”
(We spoke to Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey yesterday and he gave a lot praise to Offensive Line Coach Steve Marshall. I was curious how the balance in that room works between he and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Lemuel Jeanpierre, and how it is to have a perspective from a guy that’s been around for so long and a former player, and how they balance each other in that offensive line room?) – “It’s a great combination to have a guy who played in the league for a while to a guy that’s coached in the league for a long time, especially with a young group. There is a lot of coaching happening and everybody has to adjust to it week by week. ‘Marsh’ (Steve Marshall) has done a good job. ‘Lem’ (Lemuel Jeanpierre) has done a good job with everybody as well with their techniques to the competition that we’re playing that week. Overall, it’s been really good.”
(I wanted to ask you about the run game. Do you feel like you’ve established a run game identity yet in terms of who you are and how you’d like to run the ball?) – “Yeah. I mean it varies week to week. We have our core runs that we get in and I think Myles Gaskin has done a good job contributing to that, along with the other running backs as well. Matt Breida had a really good game. I think for us each week, it’s how do we establish the run game early and often to open up our pass game? And not sit there and drop back 45 plays, and trying to figure that out. I think we’ve done a good job. I think we have a long way to go with it; but so far, I think it’s better than it’s been.”
(It’s still early in the season, but we’re starting to get a faint idea of what the standings look like and what the playoffs might look like down the road. How important was last week to kind of keeping you guys in this and do you feel like this is a team that’s about to go on a run?) – “Yeah. It was an important, especially with that opponent and who it was, that was a good measure of where we were, I guess. I know they are beat up as well; but actually every phase of the game, I think everybody played really well. I think instead of having one or three quarters of pretty good ball, we had a full four quarter game that was actually pretty good ball. We haven’t really played – I wouldn’t say the best opponents this year – but we kind of know who we are and moving forward, we have a long season left. I think it’s a good benchmark there to set a tone for us.”
(How do you balance in using the confidence in the way you guys played on Sunday and then coming in today and saying ‘hey guys, we’ve still got a lot of areas to get better. It’s a division opponent,’ and just not getting complacent?’) – “You approach each week the same way. You don’t get too high on what you did and you don’t get too low on what you didn’t do right. It’s just make the corrections, move on, put it behind you. We have the Jets. They are still a good ball club. They’ve got really good defensive guys. For us, let’s feed off of this win, but stringing it together, that’s how good teams become great. They keep stringing them together.”
(You were obviously here for the past 21 games under Head Coach Brian Flores. After Sunday’s win, does it give you a different outlook into where the direction of this team is going?) – “Yeah, I think this organization has done a really good job of bringing in the guys that they need, what they want, who is going to fill roles. It’s fun to see our defense get the ball. It just feels like a practice out there where there is a sudden change and you go back out. With that happening and with us moving the ball and contributing as well, all of that from the time that I’ve been here with ‘Flo,’ it’s kind of fun to see that come together. His ideas, his philosophies are actually working, and it’s really exciting to see.”
(I heard the P-word earlier – playoffs. We didn’t hear that much at all last year. It’s making me wonder if that is something that you guys start talking about at this point? Discussing that maybe being a goal or possibility for you guys?) – “No. We don’t. No one has said playoffs anywhere. We’re always focusing on the next week. If that’s in the cards, it will work itself out. For us, it’s to see if we can get one more win, each week, the next win. That’s for us. That’s what we’ve been doing.”
Andrew Van Ginkel – October 14, 2020
Download PDF version
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
LB Andrew Van Ginkel
(With LB Kyle Van Noy not at practice today and no indication of when he’s going to play again, did your role change at practice today?) – “I’m just going to leave that up to coach to figure out what the plan is going forward. I’ll leave it at that.”
(I’m looking at a video of a play in the second quarter where you drilled QB Jimmy Garoppolo from behind. I’m wondering if you can take me back to that moment. When you’re about to do that and you know what’s about to happen, what does it feel like?) – “Obviously it’s a great moment. You just try to get there as fast as you can because the quarterback’s got a quick release, so you want to be able to get there and get the sack. Anything on top of that is just bonus; so whenever you can get the ball out and get an opportunity for a turnover, it’s a great play in the game and you thrive for those. It’s a great feeling and it’s something that you always push for.”
(You come across as a quiet, timid kind of guy, and that hit definitely showed a little different aspect of you. Did you have any saved up energy or anything you kind of wanted to lash out with that hit that you delivered there?) – “No. I was just trying to get the ball out. I knew it was in the front of him, so I couldn’t really punch at it or reach for it. I knew getting a big hit on him would give me the best opportunity to get the ball out.”
(I wanted to ask you, you’ve done a better job of setting the edge as the season has progressed. What has gone into improving in that area?) – “I think just building my strength in the weight room and trusting my technique. I think (Outside Linebackers Coach) Austin Clark has done a great job with teaching me his technique and how to do a better job of setting the edge. Whether it be hand placement or my feet, not giving up ground but more attacking, I think that’s really helped improve me this year.”
(I think you were hurt at the beginning of last year. Is that right? You missed the first part of the season?) – “Yes, correct.”
(So you weren’t on the field during that hard start that you guys had. I think 0-7 was the beginning but since you’ve been back, the defense has played better and the team has played better. What has it been like, the turnaround, this team has had in the last 12 months from wondering when that first win will come to talking about being in the hunt?) – “I just think it’s our preparation and our willingness to practice and get better. I think that’s a huge part of it. We all know that we’re not good enough and that there’s a lot to improve on. So being a young team, we just need to trust what the coaches are teaching us, be able to practice it and then go execute it on game day. I think that would be the biggest thing.”
(For some reason, when I watch you play I have this like 1980s heavy metal soundtrack in the back of my head. I don’t know if you’re too young to know like Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer. Do you like that kind of heavy metal music or not at all?) – “I listen to it but it’s not my favorite. If it’s on, I’ll listen to it and go with it; but it’s probably something that I wouldn’t prefer.”
(I was going to ask you what you did specifically in March, April, May and June to become a better player, because you’ve clearly become one. Was it simply working out to add strength? Had you looked at tape of other edge players in the league?) – “I would say the biggest thing is just adding strength, during quarantine, being able to spend time in the weight room. Back home, I was working out with (Washington G) Brandon Scherff a little bit. He’s from my hometown – or not from my hometown but he lives in my hometown now. So just being able to pick his brain a little bit and understand kind of what he does on a regular basis has really helped me, I would say.”
(I wanted to ask you about a couple of games this year where you really produced and the defense got a bunch of pass rush. I’m just curious, what is it about this scheme that benefits your skillset as a pass rusher?) – “I would say they put us in a position to succeed. The coaches know our strengths and weaknesses as well, so they’re not going to put me down the middle of a guy or make me do something I’m uncomfortable with, which I think has really helped me. Whether it be movements or edge rushing, I think they just align guys where they can succeed, which has benefitted me.”
(So now we have to get into what music do you like? Are you easy listening? What music goes with this hairstyle?) – “(laughter) Oh, man. Honestly, I kind of listen to everything from country to rap to a little bit of rock and roll. I’d say country is at the roots. Classic country is kind of my thing.”
(I couldn’t help that you have some resemblance to Sunshine from Remember the Titans. Have you gotten that reference before? Is that something that guys talk to you and mention to you about on the field?) – “Yeah, I’ve definitely heard that before. Everywhere I go I seem to pick up a new nickname here and there. I’ve got probably about 20 nicknames, but I’ve definitely heard ‘Sunshine’ quite a bit. I’ve been a lot of places in my career; so yeah, there’s tons of guys that have thrown that at me.”
(I think the play before you nailed QB Jimmy Garoppolo, if I have it right you shed TE George Kittle and tackled RB Raheem Mostert. I’ve noticed – I think I have the sequence right – that your ability to shed blockers seems to have improved. What is the key to that, to disengage whatever you guys call it?) – “Once again, I’ve just got to give credit to (Outside Linebackers Coach) Austin Clark. I think the key that he has taught me is getting inside hands on their chest plate. That way you can get a grip on them and it’s easier to disengage. I would say that’s the biggest thing is to get inside hands and being able to grab them has made a huge difference.”
(I just wanted to follow up on something you mentioned a minute ago. Since you brought up the nicknames, what is the best nickname you’ve gotten? And I’ve got to pin you down and ask what’s the worst nickname you’ve gotten?) – “I get anything and everything that rhymes with ‘Gink.’ I would say ‘Gink’ is my favorite. It’s just short for my last name. Man, I don’t know. People call me ‘stink’ just because it rhymes with ‘Gink,’ and something like that. I don’t know. I’d probably say that, honestly.”
