Ted Karras – October 28, 2020
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
C Ted Karras
(I’ll start off a little weird. Under center with a left-handed quarterback, does he grab the ball any differently from you under center?) – “(laughter) I don’t know the nuances with that. Obviously we’ve taken a lot of snaps over the last four months. It’s been smooth and it’s our goal to continue to keep it that way. It’s been great.”
(How excited is the team to see finally what QB Tua Tagovailoa can do on the field?) – “The team is excited. It’s an exciting week. We’ve got a great opponent coming into the town. Big challenge for us as an o-line and had a great start to the week practicing today, and got to build off it and keep working tomorrow.”
(I wanted to ask you about Rams DT Aaron Donald. When you study, what do you notice about how often he lines up over center or the guard or in between the center and the guard and more importantly than that, what’s a good plan to have a chance against this guy?) – “He lines up just about everywhere on the front. Obviously, the premier player of the NFL on defense and the plan is we’ve got to have sound fundamentals and technique and give our best effort and obviously preparing in the week is a big part of that. And when it comes down to it when we’re out there Sunday afternoon, we’re going to have to perform our best when it counts the most.”
(Have you noticed anything different about QB Tua Tagovailoa this week just kind of since he’s been named the starter and is there anything about his demeanor or his leadership that’s changed?) – “No, he’s been a strong leader since he got in the building here in July. Obviously he prepares really hard. He’s a great person and a great teammate, and it’s going to be a very exciting weekend for us and for Miami Dolphins Nation.”
(What has been the talk among the other guys on the line regarding the quarterback change and maybe the need to give the rookie that much time? I’m sure you want to give every quarterback time, but what’s been the talk among you guys and just how do you expect QB Tua Tagovailoa to respond to the pressure of his first NFL start?) – “It’s on us as an o-line, as it is every week, to make the quarterback feel comfortable, and the first start in the NFL is a big milestone and something that we take seriously. Obviously like I said, we’ve got to perform our best when it counts the most and keep the pocket clean and allow him to be successful. We’ve got to handle our job first.”
(When you face a guy like Rams DT Aaron Donald, is there something you have to tell the guys around you? Maybe some of the rookies about not letting the allure of him getting too big and how do you go about just defending a guy like that?) – “In this league, there’s going to be a lot of good players; but he’s obviously at the top of his craft. I’d say one thing we can’t – a big mistake would be to lose account of where he is on the field, so every play we’ve got to know where he is. They’ve got a lot of great players there on defense and it’s going to come down to execution and fundamentals and then who wants it more in the end, so it’s going to be a big challenge this week and it’s going to be a lot of fun. Looking forward to it.”
(After it was revealed that QB Tua Tagovailoa was going to become the starter, there were a lot of folks with opinions – some of them on national television. Dan Orlovsky from ESPN – you probably heard – that he said his big concern was that his opinion is that the Dolphins offensive line play has been poor. What are your thoughts on that line of thinking and that opinion?) – “Well, what hurt me more was Mina Kimes agreeing with him. I’m a big fan of Mina and that kind of dug deep there; but it is what it is. Everyone has their opinion and that’s what they’re paid to do, is give their opinion. The great thing is we get to go play the game, so all opinions won’t matter at that point. It’s just what’s on the tape.”
(I’m going to try not to hurt your feelings with this question. I wanted to ask you technique-wise, how does having a left-handed quarterback affect the line’s technique? Are you guys having to kind of flip-flop things or is it business as usual?) – “It’s business as usual. I’m sure there’s some nuance stuff. That’s with (Offensive Coordinator) Chan (Gailey) and ‘Coach Marshall’ (Offensive Line Coach Steve Marshall) and all the offensive stuff; but we’ve got some good continuity starting and we’ve started to get a little bit of a rhythm as far as an o-line standpoint and it’s business as usual. We’re ramping it up and we’ve got a 10-game stretch to see what we’re all about here in 2020.”
Tua Tagovailoa – October 28, 2020
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(How did you spend the bye week? I know it was time to prepare for the Rams. How exactly did you use that time?) – “Yeah, I was up here a lot. I spent a lot of my time up here at the facility just watching some film but also working out. I would say I got with some of the guys as well, just so we could work on some timing with certain things, certain routes. Really, the only off day I had was Sunday.”
(It’s only human nature to have at least a little … about the hip. So I’m wondering, what do you anticipate that first hit is going to feel like, especially because it’s been a long time coming?) – “Yeah, it’s been a long time coming but that’s just the nature of the game. I don’t know what the hit is going to feel like. Every hit is different that you take in football. I’m really not too sure. I don’t think you can ever prepare for hits. It’s just something you have to go out knowing it’s going to happen – whether it’s the first play of the game, the first quarter or maybe third, second or fourth. You just never know.”
(I noticed that you were on social and posted a video where you had a sweatshirt that said Humble Over Hype. It stood out to me because obviously you’ve had a lot of hype coming into the league. How have you sort of managed everybody talking about you and sort of keeping yourself even-keeled?) – “I think what helps for me is my family. My family is not too big on the hype and whatnot. It’s more so just being a good son for them. A lot of the times, when I do come home and I talk to my parents on the phone, they don’t really necessary want to know about how football went. They just want to know how everything is with me as a person, just how my day was and things like that. I think what also helps me too is the coaches here and my teammates. You get joked on and whatnot and just the competition that you have with the guys at the facility. I don’t think anyone here at this organization can kind of get too caught up in any of the hype. Everyone is just so focused on what they’ve got to do to help the team be successful.”
(Your relationship with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick you characterized as a father-son relationship. How has it been this week as far as ‘Fitz’ supporting you and do you feel he’ll support you on the sidelines on Sunday?) – “It’s the same thing as when ‘Fitz’ was playing. Nothing really feels any different. Now that I’m in, the only thing that’s different is that I’m getting the reps now. With ‘Fitz,’ after a series – when we have our first team series, second team series, third team series – I come off to the sideline and ‘Fitz’ always has something that he wants to say to me, whether it has to do with protection, with what he would look at as far as progression reads and how he would read certain things out. That can make it easier for me, hopefully, come time on Sunday.”
(What’s your thoughts on facing a guy like DT Aaron Donald, a DB like CB Jalen Ramsey and players on that defense on Sunday?) – “I think it’s really exciting for our offense and our team. It will show what kind of team we kind of have after a bye week and whatnot; but we know what we’re going up against. We’re going up against one of the top NFL defenses in the league and it’s not just Jalen Ramsey, it’s not just Aaron Donald. You guys have Leonard Floyd, you’ve got (Michael) Brockers, (Kenny) Young and then Troy Hill and guys on the back end. They’re very sound defensively. We’re really trying our best to prepare as well as we can against these guys. Their DC (defensive coordinator) and their OC (offensive coordinator) and their head coach, they all know what they’re doing, so we know this isn’t going to be any easier from here on out.”
(Back in Indianapolis, I had a chance to talk to your former teammate S Xavier McKinney about some of the interactions you guys had post-practice in what you saw and what he saw. Come to find out we heard from S Bobby McCain, he said the same thing about you and him this past training camp. I’m curious what those conversations were like and what you’re able to glean from Bobby as far as his defensive perspective on your game?) – “I think the best thing for me to do is get into the mind of those DBs, of those safeties. Like what are they thinking in a 3×1 set? Just things like that. What are some little things that can help me better my game and improve my game, whether it’s my eyes or whether it’s staring down a guy and then throwing it somewhere else. It’s just trying to get a little edge on what to look out for when it’s time for a game situation.”
(At the quarterback position, obviously leadership is arguably the most important element. What is your – now that you’re the starter – what is your leadership plan?) – “I think my leadership plan is just to be the same Tua I’ve always been. I don’t got to go out yelling at guys. That’s just not the way I lead. I’m just going to be me – how I am on the sideline, how I am off the field, that’s pretty much how I’m going to be on the field. There might be certain instances where we might get into it a little bit with the receivers or the linemen, but everyone is just so competitive here that that’s just the nature of how the game goes sometimes.”
(Knowing Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey and just all the experience he has both in college and the NFL, how much do you think your relationship will help in your development just knowing all the reps that he has in the league?) – “You look at the resume of (Offensive Coordinator) Chan (Gailey) – he’s been in the NFL, he’s been in college, he’s been a head coach, he’s been an OC (offensive coordinator). You know this is someone who knows what he’s talking about, and he knows what he’s talking about when he talks about the defense and he knows what he’s talking about offensively. So for me, it’s just a great opportunity to be able to learn under someone like Chan, and I think the really good thing about Chan is he puts all of us as an offense, that he feels like, into the best situation possible. So whether it’s play calls or just trying to maneuver guys into areas to put the offense in a good position, I think he does a great job at it.”
(I’d like to ask you about being a left-handed quarterback. It’s unbelievably rare in this league now. I’m wondering if you have some thoughts on why it’s so rare and in doing research, I found that there have been some notable left-handed quarterbacks who coaches were so reluctant to coach them, that they may have asked them to change positions or what have you. And I know you’re a right-hander. I don’t know if anyone ever asked you, ‘hey, why don’t you start throwing right-handed?’ But can you just describe your progression as you came up as a lefty?) – “Yeah, I do everything right (handed). I eat with my right, swing the bat with my right, golf with my right, do all that. But anything that has to do with shooting, throwing; it’s left. And I think lefties are so rare in football because all of them are in baseball. (laughter) So I think that’s why it’s so rare. It’s also probably a lot difficult as probably an OC (offensive coordinator) and probably a little difficult for the receivers as well because the ball spins a different way; but luckily I’m surrounded by professionals that can adjust pretty quick to the ball.”
Isaiah Ford – October 28, 2020
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
WR Isaiah Ford
(When QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was starting, he did a really wonderful job explaining in detail what it was that was unique about him. I remember some story about he pointed out something in the stands and he was so relaxed and so comfortable with who he is. Can you take that idea of uniqueness and what you’ve learned about QB Tua Tagovailoa – whether it’s personality, leadership style – that seems to be unique to who he is?) – “I think he’s done a great job at observing the things that ‘Fitz’ does, whether it’s things like that, taking command of the huddle or coming to us outside of the huddle when we’re on the side, talking through things of what we’re seeing and kind of getting on the same page. I think he brings his own charisma or level of comfort that he has in the huddle when he is coming in and taking command and control of everything.”
(We just spoke to QB Tua Tagovailoa and along the way, he had mentioned that how being a left-handed quarterback, the ball comes out and spins in the opposite direction. He said ‘luckily I’m surrounded by professionals who can adjust quickly.’ As one of those professionals, what is it like adjusting to the rotation of the ball, and if the balls comes out differently in any other way?) – “I think it’s just about seeing it all the way in your hands. I think that’s something that most receivers will go back to maybe if they have a drop or anything like that – getting back to the basics, watching the ball all the way into your hands, securing it with your eyes and into the tuck. I think it will be just a little more focusing on that and then once you’re out there in the flow of the game and everything, that all takes care of itself.”
(I know you’ve been here long enough that you’ve seen a handful of starting quarterbacks here and going through them. I wanted to see how has QB Tua Tagovailoa’s preparation towards game week or with you guys is maybe different than other guys you’ve played with, or maybe how it’s the same?) – “He’s done a great job coming in. I would say watching what Ryan (Fitzpatrick) did when it came to being prepared and preparing early in the week and things like that. I think having the ability to watch him, he’s kind of picked up the same things. Whether it’s early in the week he’s watching early downs or third downs or red area or whatever it is, it’s kind of staying ahead of his preparation and getting to practice and knowing everything and being comfortable with the plan that we have put in.”
(I know RB Patrick Laird caught the first pass and put his gloves up on Instagram, trying to give it away and stuff. Anything with the players about QB Tua Tagovailoa’s first touchdown, who is going to get that ball, give me some details here.) – “(laughter) We’ve got nothing. Hopefully I can get one and I’ll keep the ball from him. No, I’d give him the ball if it was me; but no, we have no plans.”
Brian Flores – October 28, 2020
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Head Coach Brian Flores
(I wanted to get your thoughts on the thinking behind extending TE Adam Shaheen.) – “I think he’s come in obviously via trade and he’s really worked hard. I think he’s been productive over the first six weeks of the season. We just felt like he was somebody we wanted to keep around for a few more years. There were some discussions ongoing and those guys were able to strike a deal.”
(What are some things you’re looking to see from QB Tua Tagovailoa and the offense in practice today?) – “The same thing we’re always looking for. Good communication, cohesiveness along the offensive line and our run blocking and run assignments. The same thing in our play-action and drop-backs. Then good overall execution. I think we need a good look from our scout team. The Rams are a very good defense. They’re fast, they tackle well, they don’t give up very many big plays, so this is going to be a tough test. So we need a good look from our scout team but offensively, good communication, good fundamentals, good technique, and then good overall execution to start the week off and try to build on that throughout the week. Obviously that starts in meetings, which we’ll do that this morning, take that to the walkthrough and then hopefully execute in practice.”
(How do you feel about the matchup between DT Aaron Donald and the offensive line, in particular the interior guys?) – “Look, Aaron Donald is a great player. He really is. I think we all know that he’s one of the best defensive players in the league. He’s consistently been that for a number of years now. But they’ve got a lot of other good players. Obviously he’s probably their best player, but they’ve got a lot of good players there – (Leonard) Floyd, (Michael) Brockers, John Johnson, obviously Jalen Ramsey. Our offensive line, it’s not just five-on-one. Let’s be clear on that. They know that. We’ve talked to them about that already. Obviously we have to play close attention to Aaron Donald and he’s a very, very great player; but they’ve got a very good team over there. I have a lot of respect for Donald. They’ve got some good players over there and we’ll have to handle all of them because they can all make plays.”
(It seems like Sunday might be the first time that QB Tua Tagovailoa gets physically tackled. Is there any curiosity or thoughts about that, and maybe how he’ll react to that?) – “No. I think from a health standpoint, we feel good about where he is. He’s going to get hit in the game. We know that. So no – it’s actually not something I’ve even thought of until you just brought it up. Our focus is on having a good meeting, having a good practice and we’ll try to go out and execute in practice today and just string along good days this week.”
(I wanted to ask you about how comfortable you were with how your team conducted itself during the bye. Was the level of compliance what you thought it might be?) – “I mean we talked to them about just being responsible, keeping your distance, wearing a mask. I imagine, I hope that they were all responsible and did the right things. So far so good as far as from a testing standpoint; but again, like I’ve said since training camp, you can do everything right and it can still affect the team, your family, etc. I’m hoping we did everything right. You just never know. There’s a lot of people in the building and we don’t have eyes on everyone; but I think we’re all trying to be responsible and do the right things. So far so good; but I think for me, the thought is even if we do everything right, it can still show up. All we can do is put our best foot forward and I think there’s some peace in knowing that you at least did that. If something happens then it happens, and that’s out of our hands.”
(I know you talk a lot about the 1/11th and being a team and not just the quarterback position. Is there something that you tell QB Tua Tagovailoa to help him understand that he doesn’t have to win the game or do it all for you guys in his first start?) – “I just think that each player understands that already. I think when you’re on a team, you’re in a locker room and you’re on the practice field, it’s pretty obvious that if no one blocks for you, that’s not going to work out. It’s not going to work out for a quarterback, a running back or a receiver, or if somebody lines up incorrectly defensively, they are going to hit a big play. To me, those things are obvious, especially when you’re in it on a play-to-play basis. We talk about it extensively. Everyone has to take care of their assignment and handle their responsibility for it all to work. It takes 11. It’s something we talk about. Maybe I’m the lone guy on this, but I think it’s pretty obvious on the field that if your o-line doesn’t block, you’re going to get sacked. If your o-line doesn’t block, you’re not going to have a good play. If the receiver just stands there when he’s supposed to run a route, when you throw it to him, it’s going to be incomplete. I think we kind of all understand that everyone has to do their part. If we do that, then we give ourselves a chance to be successful. But, it’s a team game. I hope everybody gets that. I say it enough.”
(One more on QB Tua Tagovailoa, was there some convincing that he had to do or any reassuring that he had to do to let you guys know, ‘hey, I’m 100 percent. I’m ready to go, I’m ready to play and be at my full strength?’) – “No.”
(Are you expecting QB Tua Tagovailoa – sometimes rookies might not say a lot or lead, even in meetings or whatever. Have you seen his demeanor change at all now that he’s the one, and were you expecting or are you expecting him to step up differently?) – “Tua – look, I think it’s a leadership positon. Once you step into that role and you step into the huddle and everyone is listening to your voice, listening to you call the play. From that standpoint, when he’s been in there as the second-team quarterback, he’s assumed that role. But I think when you’re in there as the No. 1 guy, you assume a little bit bigger role. That’s just natural to the position. I think everyone kind of knows that. I think he’s just being himself, which is what we try to tell all of the players. Be yourself. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. Just try to be authentic. I think that’s another thing that’s important to the position, really any position. Just be yourself, be authentic, be who you are and then we’ve all got to bring different personalities and try to come together on a play, after play, after play basis, and try to execute our fundamentals, our technique and try to have a good play. One good play and then try to string good plays together. Specific to Tua and trying to do more, I think being with the first team, that naturally – you use it a little bit more; but I think he’s being who he’s been since we got him.”
Gerald Alexander – October 27, 2020
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Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Defensive Backs Coach Gerald Alexander
(LB Jerome Baker has mentioned how QB Tua Tagavailoa is inquisitive and has gone into defensive meetings to ask questions. Has he talked to you at all about the types of defensive coverages he might see at this level? Have you guys had any conversations?) – “I might be low on Tua’s totem pole in regards to defensive information. I have not had the pleasure of having a conversation with him about defense.”
(I want to ask you about a guy that’s probably high on the totem pole for you on S Bobby McCain. We’ve heard from both Head Coach Brian Flores and Defensive Coordinator Josh Boyer the past couple of days about the relationships and the way he nurtures those and how it helps him communicate both in the locker room and on the football field. I want to get your perspective on what Bobby means in terms of bringing guys together and galvanizing that group and that core in your DBs room?) – “I think Bobby has accepted the responsibility of what we want out of the free safety position in being a primary communicator. What allows him to do so is his understanding of the defense and his understanding of not just his 1/11th but everybody, and getting guys where they need to be, in positions to make plays. He’s done a great job of that. Those are things that aren’t reflected on the stat sheet, but it is a very important piece for us to be able to operate defensively. That’s a huge emphasis that he takes pride in, and he does a really good job for us.”
(You got a guy in CB Xavien Howard who has had four interceptions in four consecutive games. What does his impact on the field for this team do?) – “I think anybody on our defense or anybody that has a knack for getting turnovers – that’s our job as a defense is to get the ball back for our offense or possibly even score ourselves. What he does – and not just from getting a turnover, but there are various games where the guy hasn’t had a ball caught on him. Just the fact that he’s back there and doing a great job and when they do try to test him, he’s coming down with the ball, it makes us very opportunistic and obviously feeds our defense in order for other guys to possibly get turnovers as well.”
(I have a CB Nik Needham question. What does Nik need to focus on to make sure he’s at his best? What maybe happens when he’s not at his best? He’s obviously been pretty good recently?) – “I think for that position, the nickel position, again it’s different than playing the perimeter corner, like Nik has experience dating back to last season. For him to continue to develop, there are going to be multiple things we’re going to be asking him to do. We’re going to ask him to play man coverage, we’re going to ask him to play zones, we’re going to ask him to pressure, and a lot of it really has to do with playing with great discipline because there’s a lot of space when you go inside and understanding where your leverage is, especially in man coverage. You’re a little bit closer to your help that’s in the middle of the field that’s present than you are when you’re on the perimeter. Now when you have offenses like the Rams, who present a lot of pre-snap movement, that’s going to test your eye discipline and making sure that your alignment and your eyes are in the correct place for you to be able to execute your assignment.”
(If we can go back to CB Xavien Howard for just a second. Given the role that he’s on with interceptions and given his ball skills, do you sometimes wonder why quarterbacks are still testing him the way they are?) – “I think quarterbacks just naturally go through their progression. They don’t necessarily look at maybe people. If they want to throw him the ball and he comes down with the ball, great for the Miami Dolphins. I think at some point, they are going to look at certain matchups. Especially if we’re in some type of man coverage, they may or may not want to go away from him, or if some just want to see if that’s the matchup that they like. They may like the receiver on ‘X,’ and we’ll see who wins the matchup. If he continues to come down with the ball, I think people are going to second-guess their decision.”
(One last QB Tua Tagovailoa question. As you’ve watched practice the last three months, what has your impression been of him as a player? What has stood out to you as a defensive back perspective?) – “I think there is a reason he was drafted in the first round. He has great skill. I’m pretty sure from the offensive perspective, he’s been developing since he got here. I’m looking forward to what he’s going to do for us; but that doesn’t necessarily chance what our focus is as a secondary. Our job is to get the ball back for our offense.”
(I wanted to ask you about all the screen plays that the Rams use. What’s the key to playing a team that plays east to west and throws the ball laterally as much as they do?) – “I would say setting great edges and maximum effort to the football. You can never assume that one guy is going to have a guy on the ground. They do have a lot of really good players and skill guys who can catch and run, whether it be from the receiver positon to the tight end position. They do a really good job in regards to that; but guys who are setting the edge have to set the edge, especially on the perimeter, and not let the ball get down on the sideline. Then all of the other individuals have to run relentlessly to the football. Even if you are the backside corner or the furthest guy away, you have to run with the intension that everybody in front of you may miss the tackle. You saw a great picture of that in the Seattle game not too long ago.”
(Since CB Byron Jones came back from injury, the numbers have kind of – you guys have become a more effective unit. What does it mean to have both him and CB Xavien Howard patrolling the sidelines and what does that force offenses to do?) – “Byron is obviously an experienced player. I’m not sure about the numbers, but I know when Byron’s in there, obviously the level of communication increases because of his experience. It really helps us all out as a secondary. Having him, and having ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) and having experienced guys at the perimeter positon allows us to eventually just play good defense. Guys are covering guys, and they have the skills to be able to do so, and we’re talking about different things that may present themselves offensively that we’ve prepared for, and we’re communicating things pre-snap, getting everybody on the same page. It’s not just Bobby McCain. It’s also the corners as well. It allows us, for that snap, to play good football.”
(The Rams receiver, Cooper Kupp, is a fun guy to watch. What do you notice and what are some thing your defensive backs have to be specifically aware about when it comes to Kupp?) – “I’ve known about Cooper Kupp for a very long time. Being a grad assistant at Washington, he lit us up in the stadium as a sophomore. I coached against him at Montana State when he was at Eastern Washington. He’s a very skilled player. He’s strong. He does a really good job, especially in the run game, of effort of cutting off defensive ends. He’s a reliable target for (Jared) Goff on third downs and moving the chains, and they like to scheme up some things with him on play-action on shots. He’s a guy we have to be aware of and where he is, especially on ‘got to have it’ situations because he seems to be the guy that they trust the most to be able to come down with a catch.”
Austin Clark – October 27, 2020
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Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Outside Linebackers Coach Austin Clark
(Just a quick thing for you. As you’ve watched practice over the last three months, when you’ve seen QB Tua Tagovailoa, you’ve thought what in terms of how he looks? Is he impressive, etc.?) – “Yeah, I think he’s a heck of a player and I’m fired up to see him Sunday.”
(I’ve asked a lot of guys throughout the course of the season about their pass-rushing game and they’ve referenced your name a lot as far as someone who has helped them come along. So I’m curious, when you’re teaching different guys, how much does your approach change with different players? Are there basic principles you start with and kind of evolve based off their skillset? Is it uniform to each guy? How do you approach the teaching aspect of pass rushing with different players?) – “I definitely would say you obviously have some core principles like anything else in terms of your get-off, your stance, your alignment; all those basic things that get you going; but then, yeah, I think it’s kind of like you have your tool box. Everybody’s got different tools and you never know one, which one you need to use in certain situations, and then there’s going to be some guys that just don’t have those tools or they’re better at something else. I think if you take Emmanuel Ogbah versus, say, a (Andrew) Van Ginkel; they’ve got two different kinds of tools and then you throw a (Kyle) Van Noy in there who’s a savvy guy that’s played so much ball that he’s gone against a bunch of different guys different times. So I think you’ve got your core principles, but then it is specific and I think the guys have done a great job so far this year.”
(You just mentioned DE Emmanuel Ogbah. I wanted to ask about him and just really what he’s brought specifically these past three or four games. It seems like he’s really kind of taken off in the edge role. We all remember specifically this past game where he had that I think it was like 28-yard sack, but just what his presence brings there on the edge.) – “I think it brings some versatility and he’s really bought into the concept of setting the edge and playing the run and then getting after the passer and rushing the quarterback. I think that’s the thing that’s most impressive about him and then I think he’s finally getting into a groove for himself throughout the game. The guy studies a lot of tape. He loves football and he’s done a heck of a job so far.”
(I just wanted to ask you, how do you think DE Shaq Lawson has played?) – “I think Shaq (Lawson) – with missing the one game, I think that was tough on him. I thought (against) Seattle, he really brought us some great stuff. He’s getting better each week and excited about him this week.”
Anthony Campanile – October 27, 2020
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Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Linebackers Coach Anthony Campanile
(When you’ve watched practice the last few months and you’ve seen QB Tua Tagovailoa just from your linebacker perspective, what have you seen? What sort of observations have stood out to you and has he approached you at all with any questions to try to understand things from a linebacker perspective – things he’ll face defensively?) – “I think just great leadership qualities. (He’s a) very good athlete (and) a guy that guys enjoy playing with. I’m seeing a lot of great qualities to be honest with you, just standing back and observing and he’s always a very inquisitive guy and really a great kid. (He) has a great way about him. I think everybody in the building feels that way.”
(I’ve got a little date coming up and I need some help. I need to know what to make for dinner for this date I got coming up. I need a nice bottle of wine and I need a nice little quick recipe, if you can give me something for this date I got coming up.) – “This is tough. You start off with a nice little Caprese salad. That’ll be nice. That’ll break the ice a little bit. Do that. A little mozzarella, tomato, basil. You’ll be good with that. Get a little balsamic glaze, too. I think that’ll be a good starter. That’s a nice little starting dish. You can go a lot of ways with that. That’s a tough question, but I – I’m more of a Chianti guy – but as far as the dish, I mean, you can’t go wrong. Look, anything with red sauce, you can’t go wrong. I’ve said that before. I think that’s the key to having a great night.”
(Hard to follow up that question. My wife actually recently put me onto the balsamic glaze. That’s some good stuff, so I can corroborate that. I wanted to ask you about LB Jerome Baker. He sent a tweet out last night that said “It’ll be all right in the end. If things are not all right, it’s not the end.” I’m just curious if you’ve gotten more of Jerome Baker’s philosophical side – kind of the way he motivates through his words or just about Jerome Baker and his personality that way.) – “No, the only thing I would say about ‘Bake’ (Jerome Baker) is he’s a great person. Really a great guy to be around. (He) has a great energy. The players on our team love him. I think he’s a really good teammate and he’ll do anything that you ask of him – not just as a player but as a man, as a person. He’s one of the people I enjoy being around every day, to be honest with you. I’m pretty fortunate that way. My room is filled with guys like that and that’s really a great thing when you can come to work and you feel like you’re going to be around people who are going to make you better, create a great energy and have a great spirit about them. So just on every level, to be honest with you, he really, like I said, has a great way and is a really, really good teammate and a great guy to coach.”
(You needed LB Sam Eguavoen obviously for 49 snaps last week. You’ve been sort of a fresh set of eyes on him this year. Your evaluation of him of what he does well would be what?) – “I think Sam (Eguavoen) – I want to say I said this earlier in the season when we were all speaking, I think he’s really got a very multiple skillset. He can play off the ball, in the box, physical in the run game, has some pass-rush ability. He does a very good job in terms of coverage because he can run and he has some good change of direction, but he’s another guy that brings great energy. I think when you watch him from afar just as a fan, that’s one of the things that he radiates. He’s really a guy that plays with great emotion, great energy. He has a lot of pride in who he is, where he’s from. He’s just got a lot of great qualities and really another great dude, a great guy to be around every day. He will do anything that we ask of him. I love coaching that guy.”
Marion Hobby – October 27, 2020
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Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Defensive Line Coach Marion Hobby
(From your defensive line, perspective what have you seen from QB Tua Tagovailoa in practice over the last couple of months? Any observations you’ve made and has he asked you any questions about things defensive linemen might do that he might see in the game? Have you had any sort of conversation like that with him?) – “No, I haven’t had any conversations with Tua. Coming out of camp, he was on the other side of the ball, so I was really trying to make sure them guys stayed away from him more than anything. (laughter)”
(Yesterday DE Shaq Lawson talked to us about how maybe DE Emmanuel Ogbah’s production can help open things up for him. I’m curious just to ask your opinion how that works as far as one pass rusher having success and how that might kind of implement another player having more success down the line?) – “We always say if you’re any good as a defensive end or a defensive lineman, if you’re getting double-teamed, that’s a credit; but you can’t double-team everybody. So I think it’s a situation that most of the time, you’re talking in the world of bookends. Those guys really have to play well together. Pressure from one side equals pressure from the other. Just over the history of football, the number of bookends that played together definitely complement each other as well.”
(I wanted to ask about DT Raekwon Davis. I know he’s battling the shoulder injury now, but how did he play when he had that opportunity to sort of step up and fill that elevated role?) – “I thought he came in the game and he had some good energy. He was excited. He started the first game of the year, if I’m correct – the Patriots. This was his second opportunity being the starter. Just over time, he’s getting more comfortable and becoming more consistent; but I thought he did a good job.”
(I wanted to ask your perspective on Rams OL Andrew Whitworth and just how a vet like him has had such a long career and how the preparation goes into preparing for him and the rest of the offensive line on Sunday?) – “I’ll tell you what, he’s been a great player his whole career, even through his college days playing against him – he was at LSU, I was at Ole Miss; so I’ve watched his career all through college and into the pros. He’s a pro. He’s a savvy vet. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. You can tell he game plans for each opponent. He has a plan. I’ll tell you what, he is one of the best players in this league and has been for a long time.”
(You brought up DT Benito Jones of course from the practice squad last week. He had eight defensive snaps. How did he play in those and what’s his skillset? What does he do well?) – “I’ll tell you one thing he’s brought, you can tell he comes from a good program coming out of Ole Miss. I think Coach (Freddie) Roach and Coach (Mike) McIntyre and those guys on defense over there did a great job with him. He understands the position inside. He’s done multiple things coming out of that package – different alignments and stuff. You’ve got to like Benito (Jones). His work habits are really good. He’s not tall – you don’t like to say ‘not very tall’ – but I’ll tell you what, he’s got good twitch, he’s got good power and he understands the position.”
