Preston Williams – October 11, 2020 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 11, 2020
Postgame – San Francisco
WR Preston Williams
(I just wanted to ask about the difference in your game when QB Ryan Fitzpatrick brought it up – you guys are aggressive when it comes to throwing the ball downfield?)– “It starts at practice really. In practice we took a lot of shots. We were just preaching that we were going to do that. You don’t know who the shot might go to, it might go to DeVante (Parker). It might go to Jakeem (Grant). It might go to anybody. And if your number is called you just try to make the play. The approach doesn’t really change. Whatever we practice during the week we just try to execute it.”
(A career high for you in receiving yards. Is it fair to say you’re feeling pretty good physically from where you were earlier in the year?) – “Yeah, definitely. I’m getting closer to that year mark with my knee. I’m starting to get more comfortable out there. It’s been almost probably like a couple years since I actually ran a route the first game of the season. Just getting my football feet back under me.”
(You talk about that year mark. I know you don’t like to make excuses. But, does this feel like something that can push you closer to where you want to be given the first month probably didn’t go as well as you wanted it to go.) – “Like I said, just trying to get back into that football shape and get my feet back under me. That’s just most of the thing. I know a lot earlier in the year I was falling off some routes. Now I’m starting to feel better every week.”
(How early in the game could you tell that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was on today?) – “Pregame. (laughter) He was piped up really. The whole day – flight, really even. ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) is always ready. He comes ready to play every week. I know ‘Fitz’ is going to come ready to play. Like I said he’s always that energy out there on the offense, so we feed off that.”
(I was going to ask you about QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Last week he left feeling pretty down about his performance. What did you see from him today? What did your quarterback show you today? – “We just executed better this game than we did last game. Turning those field goals into touchdowns; that was probably the most big thing. We were getting down there. We were scoring points. We just weren’t getting seven. This week we preached that we needed to finish those drives and get seven points.”
(At 2-3 now you guys certainly have your whole season ahead of you. Your point differential has much improved. Do you feel how much better this team is this than you guys were this time last year and how it’s trending the right way?) – “No. I feel like we’ve always had the talent and the players. We just had to execute. That’s all it was. We just weren’t executing last year or this year. Now we’re just trying to figure it out.”
Robert Hunt – October 11, 2020 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 11, 2020
Postgame – San Francisco
G/T Robert Hunt
(I just want to ask you how you’re feeling after making that NFL [starting] debut and just really did you feel any pressure lining up those first few drives and the result of scoring specifically those first two drives; what did it do for your confidence level?) – “No, I didn’t really feel any pressure honestly. I thought that I’ve been preparing and we all have been preparing. I think I was ready for the opportunity and I think I was just pretty much excited and I had fun.”
(I’m wondering when did you find out you were starting.) – “Pretty much like – not too long ago – like yesterday pretty much, but we’ve been preparing all week so just doing rotations and stuff like that. So (it was a) last-minute type of deal.”
(Can you kind of describe to me what it’s like in the huddle when QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is on and the offense is flowing? What’s the vibe like?) – “It’s fun. What I got to experience today was great – everybody having a good time. We’re working, but we’re still competing at the same time. Me and ‘Big Sol’ which you call him the ‘Big Fish’ (Solomon Kindley); I think that we had fun today and everybody was – the morale was up. We were winning. Everything was going well, so it was a good huddle today.”
(Describe for me your emotions before the game as you were ready to make your first NFL start.) – “There were a lot of emotions. I thank God for this opportunity. I’m extremely blessed and I talk to Him all day, every day. When I found out yesterday pretty much – I’ve been talking to Him and I think I played well. So that’s pretty much it. (laughter)”
Jerome Baker – October 11, 2020 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 11, 2020
Postgame – San Francisco
LB Jerome Baker
(How much fun is it when the defense is getting after the quarterback that way?) – “It is definitely fun. It’s fun when everybody is a part of it. The d-Line was eating. The linebackers got in on it. It definitely helped the secondary. We just had fun today and the outcome was what it was.”
(What was working so well with the blitzing? It seemed like you had the 49ers offensive line all confused by who was coming and who wasn’t.) – “Just different looks. That’s really all it was, just different looks. Guys lining up in different spots. We just do a great job of understanding the defense so we can put different guys in different spots. Sometimes the coaches don’t even tell us; we just do it. We’re definitely coming together as a defense.”
(Every team thinks they are better than what their record was, but you guys were in three really close games against three really good teams. To go and get over the top against the defending NFC champs in the way you did today has to be just huge for your confidence.) – “Definitely. It’s definitely a big win. We have definitely been preparing this whole season. Even our losses; we’ve definitely been preparing the right way. We knew eventually it was going to turn around, so it was definitely a step in the right direction.”
(That sack. You took no prisoners there. Tell me what happened.) – “It was just a look we have. It was just a look we have. It was open and I just kept going and I ended up at the quarterback, so it was definitely fun.”
Brian Flores – October 9, 2020
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Friday, October 9, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Do you have anyone going on IR, and do you intend to have T Julién Davenport play left tackle in place of T Austin Jackson on Sunday?) – “We’re placing Austin on IR – Austin Jackson on IR. So he’ll be out. The other move was we’re bumping up Salvon Ahmed (to the active roster). What was your other question?”
(If you’re going with T Julién Davenport at left tackle on Sunday.) – “He’s definitely in the mix, I would say that. We practiced a few different combinations throughout the course of the week. I’ve got to watch today’s practice film before I make that determination, but Julién played well last week and he’s certainly in the mix.”
(Is T Austin Jackson a situation where he’s done for the season or do you foresee him coming back?) – “This is a tough kid. He’s a hard-working kid. I don’t like to put timetables on injures. Obviously you guys know with the IR rules changing this year, we can bring a player back as early as three weeks. Again, I don’t want to put a timetable on this one, so we’ll see.”
(But you foresee T Austin Jackson coming back?) – “Again, injures are – they’re tough to sit here and say, ‘it’s going to be this, it’s going to be that, it’s going to be six weeks, it’s going to be 12 weeks.’ Let’s just kind of take it one day at a time. That’s always my approach instead of trying to predict the future here, obviously in this climate. He’s a hard-working kid and hopefully – I think he’ll do everything he can to get back as quickly as he can.”
(Does having him out at least three weeks change maybe how you go about replacing him compared to maybe if it was just one week?) – “Yeah. I would say you’re looking for a long-term replacement, but we’ve got to get those conversations turned into, ‘hey, well what if so-and-so goes down?’ What are we doing then? I think we tried to work a few different combinations with that in mind this week. So we’re confident in Julién. We’re confident in Jesse Davis. We’re confident in Robert Hunt. We’re confident in (Michael) Deiter and really everyone in that o-line room. (Adam) Pankey as well. So again, we’ve worked a few, a number of different combinations this week and we’ll put out the best five or the group that we think is our best five offensive linemen.”
(Is there anyone else that you expect to be out or doubtful for Sunday?) – “Yes. Shaq Lawson, he’s going to be out. Durham Smythe is going to be out. No one else doubtful there. Jakeem (Grant) will be listed as questionable. He’s out with an illness today, not COVID-related.”
(Just if 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo is able to go on Sunday – I know you’ve talked about your history with him – what are some of his character traits that have led him to his success and how difficult is he to defend?) – “I expect Jimmy (Garoppolo) to play. He’s tough. He’s a competitive guy. If he’s close, I think he’s going to be out there. It sounds like he’s close. I expect him to play, but we’re preparing for all three quarterbacks. Jimmy – look, he’s tough. He’s competitive. He’s got a quick release. He’s got some mobility, athletic ability to step up, slide in the pocket, pick up yardage with his feet if he needs to. He’s accurate throwing the football and he’s got good leadership. I think those are the qualities you’re looking for in really any position, but especially the quarterback position. And it’s not just Jimmy. They’ve got a lot of talented players offensively from Deebo Samuel to obviously George Kittle to (Raheem) Mostert – he’s closing in on coming back also. The same thing defensively. They’ve got really good players over there as well, so it’ll be a tough test. We’ve got a long flight this afternoon and we’ll try to get acclimated to the time change and hopefully go out there and play a good competitive team football game and try to come out of there with a win.”
Nik Needham – October 9, 2020
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Friday, October 9, 2020
CB Nik Needham
(There have been two games where you played on defense and two games where you haven’t played on defense. What do you think is contributing to that? Is that game plan or do you think it’s your practice performance? What’s going on there?) – “To me, I think it’s game plan specific. I just come in every week and try to do what the coaches ask me to do, and if they don’t need me out there, that’s fine. I’m going to sit and support my teammates and just play my role.”
(What does the secondary have to do right now? You’re giving up opposing quarterback ratings of like 108. What does the unit have to do to tighten up?) – “We all have to be on the same page and execute. That’s what it comes down to. There has been some lack of communication out there. We’ve been working hard at that week in and week out. I think if we come out, communicate well and execute, we’ll be fine.”
(You were primarily on the boundary last year and adjusting to the slot this year. Have you split time in practice between both this week, or has it still been primarily in the slot?) – “I’ve been getting a little corner reps as well; but I’m just moving wherever they need me. I’m always ready. I’ve just been trying to stick to that.”
(San Francisco has a bunch of strong yards after catch guys. WR Brandon Aiyuk had that crazy play against Philly. How do you go about defending receivers like that?) – “Just swarming to the ball, that’s the key thing. Even if one guy missed, if we have 11 hats to the ball, that really won’t matter at all. Just finishing our tackling and coming with violent effort, that’s really what matters and how you contain a YAC-type of receiver.”
(I wanted to ask you about the return of CB Bryon Jones. There is an expectation that he’s going to play this week. What do you think he can do to help the secondary?) – “Like you said, he’s a veteran. He has great experience. He knows exactly what receivers are trying to do. He’s a very smart guy. He’s deep in the play book and I think he’s ready, physically ready, and he communicates well as well.”
Zach Sieler – October 9, 2020
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Friday, October 9, 2020
DT Zach Sieler
(Head Coach Brian Flores just talked about DE Shaq Lawson not playing in this game. Do you look at this as an elevated opportunity to sort of prove what you can do as an NFL starter?) – “With Shaq and his situation, I think it just – me as an individual and as a team, we’ve got to step up and help fill that role. He’s obviously a great player for us. No matter what, we’ve got to show what we can do, we can do.”
(I wanted to ask you about the 49ers’ running game. They’re really well known with Head Coach Kyle Shanahan for that wide stretch zone. I just wanted to get your take on some of the ways to best kind of defend that powerful running game that they have?) – “Yeah, obviously they motion a lot and guys are moving around. Ultimately, I think the key to us stopping the run game would be everyone on the defense reading their keys, striking their man and doing their job, and not trying to do too much.”
(Just kind of piggybacking on that, you talked about all of the motion they run. They do a lot with their receivers as well. When you guys have contain assignments or edge assignments, how does that change maybe your keys and what you’re taught to do this week against a team like that?) – “I think really it’s just all there to mess with your keys, obviously; but at the end of the day, you’ve got to know your responsibility and don’t let that mess with your eyes or mess with your vision, and just stay on your man.”
Matt Breida – October 8, 2020
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Thursday, October 8, 2020
RB Matt Breida
(I’m going to start off with the obvious question. How would you describe your level of excitement at facing your former team this weekend?) – “It’s cool going back playing against my former team. I’m not going to treat the week any different, though. It’s still like any other week.”
(At the beginning of the week, did you text any of your teammates or has your phone been silent on that end?) – “No, I talk to those guys almost every week, on a weekly basis, because we’re still close. But no, not about the game. Nothing like that. Like I said, I don’t think any of us are going to treat it any different. It’s still a normal week.”
(When San Francisco was kind of loading up on all those backs with RB Raheem Mostert and RB Jerick McKinnon and a bunch of other guys, what were your thoughts initially and then I guess what were your thoughts after you were traded to kind of have an opportunity here in Miami?) – “It was fun to play with all those guys. You need depth at running back. It’s one of those positions where injuries do happen. I was excited to play with all those guys. We had a good year last year, and then as far as the trade goes; when I got traded here, I was excited to be part of this organization. Not to say nothing bad about the Niners – they’re a great organization, too, but I always like new challenges and that’s how I looked at it.”
(From a production standpoint, you had the big screen pass this past week and another I think 12-yard gain or so later in the game against the Seahawks. Were you happy to get the ball more and kind of show not just us, but everyone, what you’re capable of in terms of explosiveness and spin moves and all that?) – “I think everyone knows what I can do. I’m happy just to whatever – like I said before time and time again – whatever my role is, I’m going to do. I’m going to be happy no matter what. I’m very fortunate and very lucky to play in the NFL, so I’m not a ball guy. I’m not someone who’s selfish. I just want to win at the end of the day, so whatever we’ve got to do to win, that’s my goal.”
(A handful of us are flying out to Northern California tomorrow – some of the guys on this Zoom call here – what did you like about Northern California? What’s something that you say, you know what, I enjoyed that?) – “I love the weather. The weather’s perfect every day. It’s probably one of the best things. Everything else, I don’t know. Taxes are high. Cost of living is high, so I don’t know. But yeah, the weather was nice. The people were really cool there and like I said, the 49ers are a great organization.”
(Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer and Head Coach Brian Flores and a bunch of guys on the defense, are they kind of asking you for some insight on these formations and gadget plays and pre-snap things that they’re going to have to be looking at on Sunday?) – “I feel like the coaches here, they do a great job of breaking down the film and going over what we need to learn and stuff. If they ask me for insight, then I’ll give it to them; but I think the coaching staff and all of our guys that don’t get recognized, our video crew, they do a great job breaking it down for us. I think they’ve got that well-handled.”
(What are some of your best memories of the Super Bowl run last year?) – “Just how close we were as a team. All of us are brothers. Like I said, I still talk to pretty much all those guys if not a weekly basis, definitely on like a monthly basis. We try to stay in touch where once you do something like that and go to a Super Bowl, you’re bonded forever from that. It was just a great experience last year being able to do that this early in my career.”
(Before we’ve had you on, you mentioned some of the similarities you’ve seen between this team and the early Niners teams that you were a part of. I just wanted to get an update from you on where you think that is in Week 5 for the Dolphins.) – “As far as team chemistry or…?”
(Just the similarities between the two teams that you’ve seen.) – “Definitely I would say very similar in the fact of guys who love to compete. The same thing goes back as far as I was talking about how close the team is. We don’t have a lot of egos on this team. It reminds me of going in – like I said – going into my rookie year and my second year, we had a lot of young guys that are playing right now and it’s a process. I understand everyone wants us to be winning right now and we’re right there. We’ve been in every single game that we’ve played in. We could easily be 4-0 right now instead of 1-3, but the fact is we’re 1-3, so we’ve just got to learn how to finish as a team and I think we’re on the right track and we’re very close to putting it together pretty soon.”
(How much have you been able to follow what your former, not only 49ers teammate, but college teammate, 49ers RB Jerick McKinnon, has been able to do and how remarkable it is?) – “Oh, me and him talk every day. I’ve been telling people this, though, since he hasn’t been playing and got hurt. I said, ‘he’s going to succeed no matter what.’ The dude works his tail off. I looked up to him when I came into college and we played together, and he’s proven a lot of people wrong still to this day that think that he’s going to come back and he’s going to be the same back. I’m pretty sure he’s still doing the same stuff he was doing before he was hurt, so I’m very happy for him and what he’s doing right now.”
(Obviously the 49ers gave you an opportunity as an undrafted free agent. How do you sort of process the emotions of the gratefulness that you have for that, and then also the fact that they traded you?) – “I’m very grateful. I don’t think the trade was like they didn’t want me anymore. The NFL is a business at the end of the day, and you can’t get your emotions too caught up in the business side of the NFL because at the end of the day, it’s a job. We’re getting paid to do this; and just like me, just like them, you’ve always got to make the best decisions no matter what the circumstances are. I feel like that’s what they did. I’m in a great position now. I don’t look back. I’m always thankful for them because that was my first team. They did give me an opportunity, but I’m also grateful that the Dolphins are giving me another opportunity to allow me to keep playing this game.”
(I know you’re going to try to approach this as just another game, but have you envisioned what it may be like to kind of warm up pregame, kind of be in the stadium again? What do you kind of envision Sunday’s game being like for you?) – “It’s just going to be fun, finally getting to play against those guys that I played with the last three years, finally in a real live game. Probably a lot of smack talking with them on the field, but at the end of the day, it’s a game. We’re all brothers, so I’m looking forward to it and like I said, I’m not treating the week any different as if we played Seattle last week. It’s going to be the same preparation, same thing. I’m not going to go out there and do anything extraordinary that I don’t do. I’m just going to do what I’ve got to do.”
Robert Hunt – October 8, 2020
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Thursday, October 8, 2020
G/T Robert Hunt
(I’ve noticed that in the first few games, you’ve gotten a few snaps where they put you in as an extra offensive tackle or tight end, and touchdowns are scored because it’s near the goal line. Can you just kind of describe the approach that you want to take when you get those snaps, especially knowing that right now you’re not starting?) – “Hello, everyone – first off. In my head, once I get that chance to go in and play, I’m going to try to take it serious. I prepare for it all week. We go over it, we prepare for it and mentally I prepare for it as well. Once I get in on the goal line, I try to give it my best. That’s my mentality on it.”
(I wanted to ask your comfort in playing left tackle versus right tackle, and also I know G Solomon Kindley has a great nickname – the “Big Fish” – I was wondering if you had a good nickname we didn’t know about yet.) – “(laughter) Nah, I don’t really have a nickname yet. My nickname that everybody calls me back home, yeah, but other than that, I haven’t gotten one of those “Big Fish” or “Big Cat” or anything like that yet. As far as left tackle, right tackle, guard or anywhere; I train, we all train multiple positions, and we all try to prepare for it just in case anything happens. I’m definitely working my way wherever I can and wherever the coach needs me to play.”
(I wanted to ask – you were just asked about G Solomon Kindley and T Austin Jackson – but what’s it been like as a rookie class when you come into the NFL? Usually that group has a special bond because they got here together. What’s it been like cheering them on and seeing them these first few weeks and knowing that you might get an opportunity here coming up?) – “It’s been exciting. I’m very happy for those guys. I’m very happy for all the guys because I think the o-line is playing well. We have been playing well, so I’m excited for all those guys. We do have a really close relationship. So we text, we talk, all that kind of stuff. We’re here together all day and things like that; but to see them play and go out and execute, and they’ve been playing really well, is really exciting.
(I see you’ve been lining up as the tackle eligible – the sixth o-lineman – so obviously there are things you can do from that package. What are your hands like if they call a play?) – “If they did call that play, I think I’d do well with it. I think I’ve got really, really good hands. I used to call myself a little Randy Moss back in the day; but I don’t want to put that out there and then if I end up getting that chance and I drop it. Then everybody will be like, ‘aw, man.’ (laughter) I won’t say too much about that.”
(I wanted to stay on that topic of that heavy package with the six offensive linemen there. Is that something you’ve done before in the past in college and if not, what can you learn from that package and kind of playing that extra man on the offensive line that maybe you previously didn’t know before the season?) – “No, this is first time actually playing the heavy tight end position. It’s pretty much the same as like a tackle or a guard. It’s the same deal. Same schemes. Everything pretty much ties in together, so it wasn’t a hard position to learn. It’s just like playing o-line, pretty much.”
(Have you been playing guard this week or tackle this week in practice?) – “I’ve been playing mostly tackle; but like I said, we cross-train everywhere so I’ve been playing wherever they need me play, wherever the coach needs me to play, and get in and fit in.”
(Obviously it’s unknown if T Austin Jackson is going to be available or not, but if you do play this week what will the party be like in Wiergate, Texas?) – “It’d probably be a big one. If so, if that were to happen, it’d probably be a big one.”
(Two-part question for you. One, going back to the whole rookie class part – seeing T Austin Jackson and G Solomon Kindley in there, I’m sure you’re very happy as you mentioned for their success, but does that put any added pressure on yourself to get in there in anyway? And secondly regarding your hands, do you have a touchdown dance?) – “I have to (get a) touchdown first. No, not yet. I think I’m a good dancer so whenever it happens, I’ll bring it out. We’ll all see it together, so it’ll be a debut-type thing. (laughter) And pressure-wise, I would say no. I don’t think there’s any more pressure on me. Once I get my chance – like I keep saying – once I get my chance or my opportunity, whenever the coaches need me and think I’m ready; whenever that time comes, I think I’ll be ready and I don’t want to play with pressure, so I think I’ll be fine.”
(A lot of Dolphins fans might not still know your story. Can you just talk about the significance of where you’ve come from and the fact that you’ve been in an NFL game now? You’re not only on an NFL roster but you’re an NFL draft pick and potentially could start some games down the stretch here.) – “It’s a blessing. A lot of people may not have seen my story or may have. It’s a blessing. To come from where I’m from, I don’t take it lightly. This is something that kids dream of coming from where I come from, and for me to be in this position, for them to see me and give them hope, it just means a lot to me.”
(What’s something that Offensive Line Coach Steve Marshall is constantly stressing?) – “Just the basics. Pad level, hands inside. Stuff like that. The o-line ritual, I would say, so we’re all pretty much doing the same thing. Hands inside, pad level, play fast, play physical. He tries to preach play style, so he wants us all to play fast, physical and strain after the play a little bit.”
(You talked a little bit about where you came from, but I do recall when you first got here you Tweeted out about the wildlife here in South Florida. I’m curious if you’ve gotten any more acclimated to seeing the lizards and iguanas out there and have you see any alligators or anything like that?) – “Alligators, I’m used to because I was in Louisiana for five years and plus there are some in Burkeville, too and around that area. It kind of calmed down with the big iguana things. It was kind of cool. I haven’t seen any. I’m used to the little lizards now. I hate – that’s like my biggest fear – the little lizards. I’m really afraid of those; but I’m kind of used to them now seeing them. I don’t really run from them. I just look at them; but I did see for the first time in maybe like a month or two – maybe a month and a half – I saw a huge iguana. Like the biggest one I’ve seen yet. I was in the car, so I wasn’t afraid, but it was huge.”
