Mike McDaniel – October 15, 2023 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
Postgame – Carolina
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Q. Was the 14-0 hole something where you had to tell the team something or did you just let the players…?
MIKE McDANIEL: No, that was – I told the team after the game, it was a special week of practice for us. Just trying to focus on getting better as a team and not looking behind or looking ahead; looking square into the day. I thought this game was a special game for us because fell short of expectations early, and so you learn a lot about your team in moments like that, and what I saw was a team that nobody was giving rah-rah to each other at all, but no one was questioning, hey, guys, we’ve got to pick it up, insinuating there was a lack of effort. They just went and did their jobs, the same way I would expect them to do it if they were 14-0. What happened was the tide turned a little bit, and we took advantage of some opportunities, but you never know until you’re in that situation what’s going to happen with your team. That shows the composure and really that’s what you see from winning teams, is that confidence and other – it was a good maturation day for us for sure, so I was fired up about that. I couldn’t have written a better script.
Q. What’s the cool thing for you personally when you look at moments like that and compare them to last year and say, okay, this is how much we’re improving in X, Y, Z?
MIKE McDANIEL: It’s everything. It’s one of the reasons why I focus on it with the team after the game. It’s one of the reasons I digress on that point with – just because it’s everything you’re looking for, and you know that you can’t force that. You can’t tell them to do it and then get it done. That’s something that’s an accumulation of hours upon hours of very direct, deliberate work. It’s second to the win, but it is the next most important thing that we got from this game for sure was that – half of NFL football is controlling your emotions. Do you get panicked or do you go in the tank when things don’t go your way, or vice versa, do you let off the gas when you have a two-score lead early. Those things are ever present in my mind as the team develops because I know to get to where you want to go, you have to be able to play football for four quarters and have circumstance be irrelevant. It was a big day for our football team and I think the guys knew it. They didn’t bat an eye. They didn’t go at each other. They didn’t question calls. They didn’t do all the things that when it’s the first time that you’ve put forth maximum effort and you have enough talent on your team, the first time that happens, it’s not that easy. You kind of create adversity yourself when there doesn’t need to be. So I thought guys really played appropriate football, didn’t panic, and you could see – the only time you could see the frustration of the game manifest itself because when it was a celebration of something good. You could tell the guys had some pent-up energy. Outside of that, we played good team football.
Q. What did you think of Tyreek’s backflip with phone in hand?
MIKE McDANIEL: Missed it all. Just got notified that there was a penalty and something that I was deducing retroactively. Yeah, once I heard there was a prop, I just went and told him that, and he said, ‘but it wasn’t my phone.’ I’m like – but it was in the heat of the moment, and he definitely didn’t want to hurt the team with a celebration consecutively, so he felt ultimate guilt. I kind of understood what he was talking about when the prop penalty was really circulating in the media. It was a couple guys that had a pen in their shoe or something and they had a phone – I think it was a flip phone if I remember correctly. I understood where he was coming from, but it didn’t void that being a prop.
Q. These first six games you all are 5-1. One that is not an Oreo or caramel sundae, what do you think of these games will do for the rest of the schedule knowing that you’re facing an Eagles team
MIKE McDANIEL: You know, was it happenstance? Are you in my brain? You just said my two favorite ice cream sundaes. Caramel and Oreo. (laughter) I was totally distracted. I believe your question was – it is a journey, the NFL season. Your team has to adjust through injury. Your team has to adjust through your strengths and weaknesses, and any time that you can find valuable lessons, you can have different things happen to your team, it’s a residual win. It better prepares you for what’s in store for you. I think this team – I really get a sense, the thing I could be most proud of, that would be it eliminates – win, lose or draw, I’m connected strongly to this team because they have found their work ethic through the week. They’re looking for ways to improve it, but they’ve found how important it is to fully invest yourself into the weekly plan and the weekly opponent, and that’s going to prove dividends as we move forward for sure. The one thing you learn in this league is you can’t all of a sudden turn up. You’d better keep it up or you’ll have a rude awakening. The games will get tougher. We’ll have good teams every week really is the way I look at it. Building to be your best self each and every week and raising the standard of what that is.
Q. I wanted to ask you about CB Xavien Howard. I know you just came off the field, but he had a groin injury last year that derailed his season a little bit. Was this a situation where if the game was closer he could have come back in? How is he doing?
MIKE McDANIEL: I think he was working through that. I don’t have that much information. I think if the game was closer, who knows. It is something that we’re going to have to evaluate, so the relative severity of it is kind of up in the air. You guys know me. I like to acquire information before I insinuate. We’ll take a look at it tomorrow and see where we’re at from there.
Q. The league-owned network reported that CB Jalen Ramsey could return to practice this week. Without making any promises, is that possible?
MIKE McDANIEL: Why are you stipulating the league-owned network? (laughter) Does that legitimize it? You know, I think he’s doing great, guys, and I guess you’ll have to tune in weekly on Wednesdays to see whenever things take a next step. Weekly. So when is that? It’s on a Wednesday. But what Wednesday it’ll be, again, I’m not just being annoying with timelines, I’m trying to be real with – I think it’s getting ahead of yourself especially in situations like this to all of a sudden jump ahead a couple months, a couple weeks, whatever the timeline is, but when he’s ready to go, he’ll be a loud voice in my ear.
Q. Jerome Baker and Chris Brooks, how are they doing?
MIKE McDANIEL: Chris didn’t want to – he wanted to get off the field sooner. I don’t know what that means, but it seemed like it – I don’t know, my minor is in medical advice. Seemed like it was his ankle. But we’ll evaluate that further. Then ‘Bake’ (Jerome Baker) had to come out of the game. But we’ll get more information on him the next day. Literally I’ve just come from talking to the players to talking to you guys, so sorry I’m not providing…
Q. You guys will be playing on – you’ve earned the right to play on a bigger platform, next Sunday’s game against Philadelphia. That’s one the franchise hasn’t been on for a while. What are your thoughts on as the season goes on, your games are going to get bigger if you keep winning?
MIKE McDANIEL: Yeah, that’s the ultimate objective, isn’t it. You do things the right way, and you give reason for people to pay attention to you. You score a couple nationally televised games and hope you earn more. I think the bigger thing is that we’re a football team that’s learning to win different ways, finding some balance, and I think a lot of guys are getting better within the respective systems. We’ll be moving forward the way that we would hope, which is with games that matter on big platforms because that’s why you do it in the first place. Those are going to be obstacles and/or positives of any type of success, and we’ve had a successful first six games. We’re hoping to make that a season by way of next week’s opponent, which I don’t even know yet. I think you just gave me a hint.
Q. I want to get your thoughts on the efforts of Raheem Mostert. So far he has 11 touchdowns this season.
MIKE McDANIEL: Yeah, it’s really cool to watch. The guy is hungry for every opportunity, and I think you see his will in the way he runs the ball. Down around the goal line, a lot of times the perfect play doesn’t exist, and it’s a battle of wills, and he’s not a guy that a lot of people want to tackle. I’m happy for him, as always. He was a big player for us today and will continue to be such moving forward.
Tua Tagovailoa – October 15, 2023 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
Postgame – Carolina
Miami Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
Q. Did you call an audible again for the WR Tyreek Hill touchdown this week?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, me and Tyreek talked in the huddle about that entire deal before his touchdown, and Mike (McDaniel) was actually on schedule with what we wanted to do. He said, ‘Here’s the play, but if you want to do this, if you want to do that, I don’t care. It’s not basically giving you full control, but I trust that you’re going to make it right.’ So that’s what we did.
But I kind of want to also just bring to the attention, I didn’t really realize how bad things were in Israel, and just wanted to bring to attention, for those who don’t necessarily understand things that are going on, that it really is bad, and if you don’t understand, if you go on Google, you look, you search, and you read about what’s going on in this world, this world needs prayer. I don’t know what we’ve come to, but just my thoughts, my prayers are out with those people in Israel. I know the Ukraine and Russia war is still going on, as well, and just wanted to bring notice that although we have the freedom to do this here, play football and be able to have the freedom to do these things that to come back into reality and think, that’s where we all are here in this world. Just want to bring that to the attention. Hopefully we all come together and can pray for the kids, the children, the wives, the women and the men that are putting themselves out there every day for those unfortunate events that are happening right now.
Q. I know you had an embrace with Panthers QB Bryce Young after the game. What did that mean, another one of your Alabama brethren?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, the conversation that I felt like if I was on the other side of the ball, I would want someone to tell me. I think he’s doing a tremendous job. There’s going to be times where you’re going to make mistakes because you’re a rookie, and there’s things that when he plays the next game that he wished he knew this game, and he’ll continue to grow from that. I just told him to keep the press, the naysayers, other people, that’s just external factors. They’re going to say what they’re going to say, but you continue to believe in yourself, you continue to do the right things, you’re going to go far.
Q. You guys are so good at home. I think you’re like 15-2. What makes it so good playing in this building?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: I think for one, the atmosphere that we have here. The fans come out and it’s really loud for the opposing team to hear. It’s probably been one of the loudest that I’ve ever heard today, while the opposing team was on third down. But I think it’s that, and then just the work that our guys in the facility have been putting in. This is one of the best weeks of practice that I’ve seen overall from all our guys. It says a lot with how we’ve come down from a 14-0 deficit and sort of overturned that entire deal into what it was.
Q. Slow starts aren’t really the norm for you guys. What do you think happened there at the start of the game?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, I think there were some mishaps, but you’ve also got to give credit to their defense. Their defense did a good job with what they thought we were going to do, and some of them, they guessed right, and some of them, we just needed to be better with our technique. That’s all the way across the board.
Q. No sacks today; what can you say about Eichenberg, Lamm and the whole o-line?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, that’s who you’ve got to give the credit to. You’ve got to give the credit to those guys up front. I think Liam did a great job of making the call, and whether it was the right call or not, just letting our guys go and play and we’ll play off of that or we’ll figure it out on the fly. He did a great job under center with his snaps, in the gun with his snaps. Really wasn’t any snap too high or too low. I think he’s starting to feel comfortable with the position that he’s at now. But it goes to say that our running game flourished because of those guys up there. I’m very proud of the way they performed, and we’re going to hope to continue this going into next week.
Q. You mentioned facing one Alabama quarterback today. What do you think of the one you’ll be facing next week, Jalen Hurts, a guy you’re a little more familiar with?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, it’s going to be good. I’ve got a lot of respect for Jalen (Hurts). I think this is a game that a lot of people are going to want to see, given the talent that’s on that side of the ball, the talent that’s on this side of the ball. It’s one of those where, okay, we’ve got a lot of good matchups across the board. How are these guys going to play us, how are we going to come out against these guys. So we’re really excited for this next opponent.
Q. This team is now 5-1 for the first time in 20-plus years. What does this mean to you to be one of the leaders on this team towards your goal/
TUA TAGOVAILOA: 5-1, it is what it is right now. It feels good any time you can get a win, but the job is not done yet. Where we want to go, we’ve got to continue to stack wins together.
Q. Tyreek did a backflip holding a cell phone…
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Unbelievable. Crazy. That’s the exact reaction I would have. You couldn’t even finish your question.. (laughter)
Q. I was just wondering what you thought.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It was unbelievable. I didn’t even know he backflipped. I didn’t because I was looking to the sideline, and I was kind of gesturing to Mike (McDaniel), given the freedom that he gave me and Tyreek on that play. Then when I looked back, Tyreek was like almost – he was like sprinting towards me. I didn’t get to see it until I looked on the Jumbotron.
Q. What makes him such an inviting target for you? Why is this connection going so well?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: You just know where he’s going to be. Speed kills. You know that these other teams see that. Those guys have put that on film. It’s not just with Tyreek, it’s with Jaylen. We also have our running backs. There are a lot of other guys that are sneaky fast, as well, but they don’t get that opportunity much because of those guys. Yeah, that’s what I would say to that.
Q. Tyreek set the new NFL record for most yards through six games.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: What was it?
Q. It was 812, I believe it’s 814 now. Obviously you helped in that. What is it about – I know you mentioned what it is about him, but building your connection with him over the last two years, how has it led for you guys to be on the same page like you are?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, it helps. It helps having someone like him that anytime you get press, there’s a possible signal you can give him or there’s a possible eye contact deal that you can give him. Working through those things in practice and having those conversations where it’s, dude, that’s not even what we called, but as long as you guys know what you’re doing, like I trust that you guys are going to make it work. That’s what this past two years has done for quarterback to receiver, that sort of relationship. Then we meet and we talk about things that we want, not just with Tyreek, with Jaylen, with Braxton, with those that are included in the game plan.
Q. Your thoughts on RB Raheem Mostert’s performance today, being able to do what he did on the field, three touchdowns, just incredible as a teammate?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: It’s incredible, and that should tell you a lot because of the guys that we have in the running back room that I thought they did really good, too. Chris Brooks did really good, Salvon Ahmed did really well. But it’s hard when it’s being overpowered by the performance that Raheem (Mostert) had. But I mean, Raheem has been a great teammate. He’s a really, really good player. Very happy for him. I know the guys in the locker room are happy for him. He’s a great leader, and he’s got a lot of respect. He’s the old head. He’s the old head. To have the amount of respect he has from all these young guys, it means a lot to him. For him, his mindset is I’m never too old to play this child’s game.
Q. You alluded to this earlier, but what was the freedom that Head Coach Mike McDaniel gave you and WR Tyreek Hill on that touchdown play.
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Yeah, he basically said, ‘you can call this play or you can do this, but like whatever you want to do, like I trust that you guys are going to make it right.’ So that’s what we did. Turned out to be a backflip for Tyreek.
Q. Did you read something and make the call then?
TUA TAGOVAILOA: Well, it’s on my wristband, and I get to call it and we have deals that we communicate in the huddle about. That’s what happened.
Tyreek Hill – October 15, 2023 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
Postgame – Carolina
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill
Q. Tell us about the celebration. You had that planned the whole way?
TYREEK HILL: No, it’s just one of those things that kind of happened. I saw the camera and I just took it from him and he didn’t want me to take it from him. So I just called my shot. I’m just hoping that I didn’t lock the phone and the video actually went through so I look forward to…
Q. It’s out there. It’s already out there. It stopped at half a flip.
TYREEK HILL: Oh, man, that’s very hurtful. I know the NFL is going to fine me for about, but it’s worth it, though, just being able to create memories I can look back on when I’m done playing is always something I think of each and every time I play this game. Every time I step on the field, I’m going to try to make it memorable.
Q. Every time you’re going to make it memorable and lose some dollars, man. When does it become not worth it for you?
TYREEK HILL: I just feel like to me, I’m having so much fun. My life isn’t about money. I never really played this game for money. I play this game for passion. Even before I had the money, I feel like our great God, he used to wake me up each and every day and give me drive to go out and do what I love to do. That’s football. I could care less about money. I know the money is going to come obviously if I continue to play the way I’ve been playing. Coach (McDaniel) is setting me up and stuff like that. It’ll come. You feel me? Not saying I don’t love money, but yeah, man, I’m just having fun, enjoying it.
Q. Through six games you have the NFL record for the most yards…
TYREEK HILL: Seriously? I don’t get caught up into any of that, but to be at the top of that list is something I’m always grateful for. I feel like to me, I feel like that’s what it’s all about, me being able to set the standard, not only for our receiving room, but it’s bigger than that to me. I’ve got kids, and I want them to just look at their father as like, hey, my father used to attack it every day. He used to work hard every day. That’s just the standard I’m trying to set for not only this team but for my legacy and my family and my kids.
Q. You guys really don’t lose at home. I think you’re like 15-2 now. What is it about playing in this building, why you guys are so successful at home?
TYREEK HILL: Just the 12th man factor, man. Our fans do a great job of bringing great energy to this stadium each and every game, win or lose, so that always helps. Yeah, our fans have been great. Just having the ability to stay at home and then just coming straight to the game always helps, too, though, not traveling on a plane, obviously, and doing all the extra stuff obviously helps. But I’ve definitely got to say, the 12th man is definitely a factor. It’s becoming a factor the more and more we win.
Q. I’m trying to get to the root of the IV issue. How fast did you get an IV after you went into the tunnel?
TYREEK HILL: I’m the Cheetah, baby. Everything happens fast with me. What’s crazy is I’m really sad about that play, and I know the team is going to give me a lot of crap for it, and they’re going to say I got ran down again. But as soon as I took a step, my calf was like, no, sir, time to go get an IV. It was crazy.
Q. You didn’t get an IV at halftime?
TYREEK HILL: Man, I got an IV at the beginning of the game, halftime, then I had to come in and get one for that, too, though. I had to at least have six bags today, which is crazy.
Q. Statistically you’re having the best season of your career. Do you feel like you’re playing the best football you’ve ever played?
TYREEK HILL: Yeah, yeah. Obviously the credit doesn’t only go to myself. Like we have such a tremendous team, and it’s so well-rounded that it gets me open with the offensive creativity that Mike draws up each and every week, him and Frank, they do a great job, and also having the playmakers around also plays into that. Obviously the offensive line is playing great ball up front, so that’s also a key, and then Tua (Tagovailoa). Like Tua, I just feel like the way he’s been playing over the past few weeks — well, ever since I’ve been here, he’s been lights out. All of that plays into me playing well. I know a lot of people will say, ‘Reek, it’s all because of you.’ It’s not, man. It’s really because I’m on a really good team.
Q. What do you think about getting the Eagles next on Sunday Night Football?
TYREEK HILL: I’m looking forward to it. Looking forward to playing against a really good team, Super Bowl runner-up, and it’s going to be fun. I think we definitely need a challenge like that. It’s going to be a real good challenge up front and on the back end because they’ve got two All-Pro corners. Obviously their d-line is real good. Looking forward to it. I love to compete, baby, so I only want to go against the best.
Q. Just to confirm, the guy in the back of the end zone, that’s not K-Fitz who you worked with previously?
TYREEK HILL: K-Fitz? Yeah, that’s my boy K-Fitz. Yeah, that was him.
Q. What was the team’s response on the sideline after going down 14-0 in the first quarter?
TYREEK HILL: You know what’s crazy, man? I’m not going to say that, but you know what, there was no pressure at all. I feel like last year obviously – I’m going to talk about last year. Going into games like this one whenever we was down 14-0, there was doubt, but it seemed like today was different. Everybody was calm. Everybody was relaxed because we understand how the game goes and how well we are prepared. You feel me? Our head coach, he has done a great job on preparing this team. Shoutout to him for just getting this team to that level, and it’s awesome to see. It’s awesome to play.
Q. What do you have to say about the naysayers that think this early run has been a cupcake schedule. We’re coming to the second half of the season right before the meat and potatoes. What do you have to say to those naysayers?
TYREEK HILL: Hey, we just let the outside people talk, man. It’s our job to obviously stay in our lane and play ball, and we wouldn’t be who we are today without the naysayers. We must be doing something right if they’re out there talking. And I’ve been saying this all season, get your popcorn ready, man. Get it ready.
Zach Thomas (Third Quarter) – October 15, 2023
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Sunday, October 15, 2023
Third Quarter – Carolina Panthers
Hall of Fame Dolphins LB Zach Thomas on CBS Broadcast
(I am joined by a special guest in Zach Thomas. Zach, congratulations on your induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. You were just honored here at halftime, how cool was that for you?) – “Well, what was even cooler was running out with my kids for one last time. That was special. I miss those days. This organization’s been so good to me, but to be able to end it on that was amazing.”
(Give us a shot of that ring, it’s pretty awesome. Take us back to August when you were actually inducted into the Hall of Fame. Is there a special memory that stands out from that?) – “I think the gauntlet. When you’re walking down the gauntlet and you’ve got all these Hall of Famers there, guys you used to look up to, Larry Csonka and Dan Marino, it’s just amazing to give them a hug and be part of that team. It’s surreal.”
(Zach, you’re one of the best defensive players of all time. What would it have been like going up against this incredible Dolphins offense?) – “Wow, they do so much movement and motion and everything, it’s just a confusion to slow you down. It would be tough.”
Zach Thomas (Halftime) – October 15, 2023
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Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023
Halftime – Carolina Panthers
Hall of Fame Dolphins LB Zach Thomas (Halftime Ceremony)
President of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Jim Porter:
“The mission of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is to honor the greatest of the game, preserve its history, promote its values and celebrate excellence together. Today, we get to celebrate that excellence by presenting and honoring Pro Football Hall of Famer Zach Thomas with his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence presented and created by our great partners at Kay Jewelers. The Ring of Excellence along with the bronze bust and the gold jacket are the three iconic symbols that represent inclusion into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Over 300 million people have played this great sport of football, 30 million on college campuses and just 30,000 in the NFL. Zach Thomas is one of only 371 Pro Football Hall of Famers. This game is built upon the shoulders of men like Zach, and Zach thank you for all you’ve done for our great game.”
Miami Dolphins General Partner and Owner Stephen Ross:
“Thank you. It is my thrill to be able to introduce Zach Thomas. We all know Zach Thomas and what he stood for. We know where he came from. A fifth-round draft choice to become one of the greatest, if not the greatest, defensive Dolphin of all time. He is everything you could ever want in a ballplayer. To this day, his legacy remains among every single day. I know when we’re in the draft room when they’re evaluating players, everybody asks, ‘Could this be the next Zach Thomas?’ We are proud of all of his achievements, for what he has meant to this team, as well as this community, and what he has meant for the National Football League. It is my pleasure to introduce Zach Thomas, as we are so proud to enter him in the Hall of Fame as a Miami Dolphin.”
Hall of Fame Dolphins LB Zach Thomas:
“Thank you, Miami! I want to thank Jim Porter, I’m grateful you’re leading our Hall of Fame team. I want to thank Stephen Ross and Tom Garfinkel for making this Hall of Fame experience so memorable and extra special for me and my family. My deepest gratitude is to God, my family and friends, the entire Dolphins organization, my teammates, coaches and staff. Most importantly – I want to say this very clearly – I thank each and every one of you fans for helping me get to Canton. Your energy fueled me every Sunday, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you Miami. This is my home. I am a Miami Dolphin for life. God bless you all. Go Dolphins, and now let’s win this second half!”
Mike McDaniel – October 13, 2023
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Friday, October 13, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(We were all wondering about OL Robert Hunt. Did he injure his knee, unfortunately, during practice yesterday? And do you expect him to play Sunday?) – “We list all ailments and the good news is he’ll be practicing today and he’s going to be good to go. So don’t have any issues with that.”
(And with OL Connor Williams, this week, did he reaggravate the groin during Sunday’s game or subsequently, which has resulted in him not practicing this week? Or have you just opted to rest him this week so that he can play Sunday?) – “Well when we made the decision for him to play last week, we know there’d be residual effects from that just because that’s why we’re so overly cautious about soft tissue stuff. We expected it to be hurting him and it has. So we’ve been adjusting on the fly. He won’t practice today but he’ll be doing stuff with the trainers, kind of like our normal process with guys that we need to find out more information, but we don’t want to put them through the rigors of the entire practice. He’ll be doing that, we’ll assess that and then make a call on his game day status.”
(Have you made a decision on RB Jeff Wilson Jr. on whether to activate him for Sunday?) – “We have one available roster spot right now, otherwise we’d have to do moves. There’s kind of a lot of things going on with regard to the entire roster. So we’re going to let Friday play out, this very important practice that’s the most important of our lives, and we’ll make the call then. But he’s certainly prepared himself adequately so if we went that direction, he would be ready to go.”
(Are CB Nik Needham and OL Robert Jones not going to be activated in time for this game?) – “So those are the other two, in particular, that we’re kind of digesting today. And it’s really more about just the whole roster, and what the game day active (list) will look like. There are special teams things that are involved in that. Just the overall complexion of everybody. We’ll be making that call here after practice.”
(How have OL Robert Jones and CB Nik Needham looked in their second week of practice?) – “I would like to use this opportunity to pump up our training staff and our strength department because for all intents and purposes, as you know, there’s not enough hours in the week for coaches. You are expressing all those hours as best you can and generally, you have to have enough focus on the guys that are going to be out on the field. So you have guys that are hurt that are on the team and big parts of it, that are around, but you don’t quite know what that’s going to look like. Both Rob and Nik have looked outstanding as their window was opened, so that’s a credit to a lot of work and them, specifically. They look good. We’re fortunate to have some availability.”
(And LB Jaelan Phillips?) – “Yeah, we’ll make sure he gets through stretch and practice. I’ve got to tell you, he’s the most dangerous player to himself. We have a lot of them. But he’s not used to being injured so he wanted to play last week. So triple that down this week. That’s one of the reasons why there’s some stuff up in the air is we’ll let today progress and see where he’s at and then make a call that will have to be the best thing for him and the team, regardless of what his words say.”
(Whenever coaches use the phrase, ‘we need to find out more information,’ it always kind of raises red flags. Not intentionally, on your part – could there be something serious – but with regard to OL Connor Williams, in terms of needing to find out more information, is there a concern that he could have torn his groin and be out multiple weeks or do you still think it’s short-term?) – “Well, thank you for the qualification of your follow up, follow-follow up. That’s not of issue. It’s not did he do something more significant or do a different type of injury or make it more severe. This is maintenance of something that we kind of knew the residuals and just we don’t want to – we are at that fine line where we’re trying to make sure that we do best and not have it linger all season, knowing that it will be an issue. How much discomfort and ability is taken away? It’s kind of complicated. It’s not an easy answer. But as far as the injury being something different that the game presented, no, it’s not.”
(Is center a position, I mean, I know that there’s a lot that goes with that position. In fact, talking to OL Liam Eichenberg, he kind of outlined some things that I did not know about responsibilities.) – “The mark of a humble man. Just out front, I didn’t know it and he taught it to me. I love it. (laughter)”
(Is that a position where you can not practice and then play in the game?) – “That’s a good question because that one in particular is very unique. Because from a physical standpoint, there’s not as extreme nuances from game to game on how defenders play. So you’re inherently more qualified to do that from a physical standpoint. Then it goes down to mental and the reps at diagnosing the defense and what type of problems that particular scheme has. Because Connor (Williams) has been so durable, I mean, that’s probably the longest-tenured player relationship that Tua (Tagovailoa) has in regard to playing with somebody directly at their responsibility. So he’s a little more qualified in this particular situation, relative to – the system has grown with them together. That being said, it’s definitely not ideal. I don’t think I would have been comfortable in that scenario last year with Connor. I think I would be comfortable with that this year with Connor and that speaks to him and his development and the coaches helping him simplify a very complicated position.”
(Hopefully this isn’t too much in the weeds, but as you talked about OL Connor Williams, it made me wonder the difference between OL Connor Williams and OL Liam Eichenberg maybe snapping the ball speed wise, flow wise, and does that affect at all the timing of your offense?) – “So that’s one of the reasons why I was – I meant what I said, there was some really cool stuff when Liam (Eichenberg) last got to play a whole game at that position. It was the first time he’s ever done it and there was some really cool stuff. Usually, that’s a huge issue. We do a lot of timing, we do a lot of – if you guys hadn’t noticed, we motion a lot. That has different cadences and different timing. We do a lot of movement stuff where if you’re in shotgun and you have outside zone, you’re snapping it directly behind you and moving that way. So usually it’s a huge issue. The fact he was able to execute and really, really master the ability to match the tempo and speed and when you’re snapping the ball. Typically with centers, you have a ton of procedural penalties that are like the guard moves at a different time than the tackle moves. Those types of procedural penalties. The fact that – that’s to his credit and why it was impressive to me, because, you think you have an idea, but you never know when someone’s thrust into uncharted territory, what it’s going to look like. And when the bullets are flying, that’s what I mean – the game is not too big for him. So we’re fortunate that he’s able to really allow a lot of players to do their jobs when he’s in there.”
(This might surprise you, but in the media room, we spend a lot of time for perseverating or ruminating about running out of available short-term designated to return IR slots with the team this year.) – “How do you guys sleep? That sounds stressful. (laughter)”
(All this time spent worrying about it.) – “That sounds stressful.”
(So you have seven guys, at this point, who could be brought back from short-term IR? Have you and General Manager Chris Grier talked about any concern about getting through the season with enough slots to bring guys back who are not out for the year? Because potentially WR River Cracraft and WR Erik Ezukanma, at this point, would be six and seven. You have five others who assuredly will return.) – “Thank you for joining the party. (laughter) Yeah, of course. It’s a huge part of the decision-making process that we’re very aware of. That factors into how many players you put on IR, and you do the best thing that you can for the team knowing all the information. So that’s on the front end of those discussions is, ‘OK, well, who’s going to potentially be available from a physical standpoint? What implications does that have on the rest of the roster if we didn’t put them on IR, or if we do?’ Then the obvious rules and regulations of the IR system in present day. So you don’t have concerns with best judgment decisions that are of the appropriate intent and really thought through. It’s definitely on our radar, so you guys can go back to sleep.”
(When you guys finalize whether or not to have WR Chase Claypool active, what will be two things most seriously discussed?) – “Really there’s a third day of evaluation, which is today, that because I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’ve been very pleasantly optimistic. He’s done an impressive job. The system that he’s going in is very specific. A lot of different words mean different things, and he’s definitely hungry and ready to contribute. Just there’s a lot of things in play there in terms of the specific defense and what we actually need in this particular game. But it’s really just evaluating that and what he offers to the team in his current state relative to the other guys and what roles would those be. So a lot of that intentionally has to be cloudy for competitive purposes.”
(On RB Jeff Wilson Jr., given what you’ve seen from him in practice this week and if he is up, what’s realistic as far as a workload that he could manage given the time off?) – “I think I wouldn’t put – yeah it’s tricky, because with the way that we like to rotate backs, to an exact number, I don’t think unless we play 120-play game, that we would be doing anything above 25. But that’s kind of our first game back. It’s kind of something, that’s a number we kind of talked about with regard to the medical staff. But, again, that’s kind of the exact numbers kind of dictated by the play of the guys out there. When you have a lot of skill and every single back we have has attributes that the other doesn’t. Every single back we have, I’d honestly be comfortable starting. So in situations like that, I’d feel remiss if I’m deciding this game, this person, is going to be the best. You kind of make sure that they have opportunities early, and then assess how they do. It’s not just like, hey, that was a long run. It’s like how are they playing? And that kind of dictates the terms. So if there’s a back that we feel is really in their zone, we’re not going to compromise that to hit a rep count. And so it can look a lot of different ways. More often than not, coming out of the game, the rep count, I wouldn’t even try to guess what they would be before the game. You have feelings, but I prefer facts, and facts are on the field.”
Tyreek Hill – October 12, 2023
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Thursday, October 12, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(Are you done with all of the speed narrative, speed talk?) – “I was just talking.”
(What in the world happened with the league? Why do they not object to not wearing socks? Where did all of these fines come from?) – “I have no idea at this point. I don’t want to further talk on it. I feel like my job as an employee of the NFL is to comply, so that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to comply, I’m going to give in. Usually I bite the bullet and try to fight back, but once they start digging in your pocket a little bit, there’s really not much you can do. Plus in some kind of way, it gives me an advantage. That’s what they said with me not having on socks, they said it gives me an advantage. I was like, ‘So y’all are going to drug test me for not wearing socks?’ At this point, I’m not going to say nothing, I’m just going to comply.”
(What might have been your thinking about not wearing socks at times? Is it just a more comfortable feel for you?) – “It’s not even that. I get IVs before games and sometimes the timing just doesn’t allow me to put on socks in time, and I don’t want to miss plays. Sometimes I have on socks, and it doesn’t cover a certain length. The NFL has certain rules that have been here way before I’ve been playing this game, and they are going to be here well after, so it’s my job to comply.”
(You didn’t hear back from the NFL about the touchdown celebration right?) – “No, not yet.”
(What are you thinking, like a half a mile per hour faster?) – “Exactly. I was like, if anything I’m slower with them. When I used to wear socks back in the day, I would’ve scored that. I don’t know, they’ve got their whole philosophy behind it. I’m just going to do what I can to keep my hard-earned money in my pocket.”
(The fines are piling up? Were you told they would get really high if the violations continued?) – “It’s just one of those issues that if it’s a recurring thing. Obviously, you’ve got a first penalty, a second penalty, and third penalty and things continue to multiply. Luckily, I’ve been putting to use some of my leverage to get some of those reduced. Like I said, from here on out, I’ve just got to comply.”
(WR Jaylen Waddle said that he is not only faster than you, but proved he’s a better quarterback than you yesterday. What do you say to that?) – “What position do we play again?”
(We saw you out there playing. He said he had you, he got you.) – “I swear all of my questions be about speed all the time. I just want to talk about who we’re playing against. We play the Carolina Panthers. That’s where my focus is right now.”
(Going up against a team like the Panthers, so desperate to get their first win of the season, how do you mentally prepare for something like that?) – “They are a really good team. A very young team that plays hard. We’ve noticed on film – yes, I watch film – that they fly around the ball very well on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve got a great talented young group of corners. It’s going to be a great matchup for us. A lot of people are maybe looking at this like, they’re 0-5, but they’ve got a really good football team.”
(Aside from film, what did you pick up on them from playing Madden?) – “I would say this, No. 49, he flies around the ball and that’s going to be fun. I love guys that play the game like that. That shows how much they really care about football, so it’s going to be a fun game.”
(What are your first impressions of WR Chase Claypool on the team? He’s a tall guy.) – “He’s a big dude. What’s crazy is he looks like a vending machine out there when he’s running. Very fast, very fluid in his routes. He’s definitely going to be a huge addition to this team, whether it’s blocking, whether it’s receiving the ball, whether it’s whatever this team needs him to do. I’m very happy to have him here. I feel like with the group that we’ve got everybody is competitive, everybody wants to get better each and every day. That’s going to help him get better. It’s all about challenging each other. At the same time, I’m telling these young guys, ‘Y’all are making my job easy.’ I’m excited to have him.”
(Is this offense one where a new guy can come in right away and just fit right in?) – “Yes, for sure. We definitely got the team for that. Obviously, everybody is battling for reps, but at the same time the mentality is all about winning, the mentality is all about team. I think that’s what Coach (McDaniel) was aiming for. I feel like Chase Claypool gets a bad rap for probably not being a team guy, but from what I’ve seen, he’s been a heck of a teammate so far. He’s even offered to wash my car, how about that? (laughter)”
(Have you guys hung out outside of practice at all?) – “Not yet, not yet. I haven’t had a chance to hang out with him, but Fridays are usually the day that we hang out with each other. So I’m looking forward to that.”
Frank Smith – October 12, 2023
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Thursday, October 12, 2023
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith
(What dimension do you think WR Chase Claypool gives you that maybe you didn’t have with the roster as it was?) – “I just think that anytime we have a chance to acquire players that can help us in any way, we’re always going to be in the business in doing that. I think that’s what we’re doing right now, the assessment of just seeing where we can use his skillset, where he fits and just assimilate into the offense. I wouldn’t say right now we’re pigeonholing one thing to say, ‘He does this.’ It’s more of right now, getting him up to speed operating with us, so we can be able to fit him where we need to as we go forward with the season.”
(What do you like about WR Chase Claypool’s skillset that you’ve seen on tape?) – “He’s a big, fast wide receiver, good catch radius, blocking skills look up to par – everything you’re looking at from a complete skillset. And then now it will be just teaching him how we operate, because like everything, plays are plays. Players make plays come to life, but through their ability to execute the techniques and fundamentals, that’s what makes it come to life, and that’s where – whenever you acquire someone in the season, they’re missing that offseason of the build through the process that we had. It’s easy to bring someone in right away, but then also it’s OK, they may have taught a route this way, but we teach it this way. They look the same, but yet the variance is a little different. That’s the biggest thing that he’s getting up to speed with is our terminology and what our expectations are. But as far as the skillset, everything looks really good so far.”
(How quickly have you ever seen, other than RB Jeff Wilson Jr. who could read your offense, how quickly have you ever seen a guy come into a program and get it down pat and as Head Coach Mike McDaniel says speak Spanish?) – “In my past, we signed (Darren) Waller off the practice squad and he was playing next week. It’s very doable. It’s all about the relationship between the position coach, the player and understanding it’s just a process to do it. I don’t think there is any limitations as to the timeline, it’s just what volume are you going to require him to be able to carry, what length of the offense do you want to carry. Those are the variables that play in, but especially talking to him, I don’t think there is any limitations physically or mentally. We’ll be excited for the growth for the next foreseeable future.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel is really big on being a really good teacher and teaching guys the why and whatnot. In your history of life, are there any notable teachers that stick out to you whether it’s grade school, whether it’s when you were coming up the coaching ranks that taught you that this is the way to pass along information to other people so that they can do their job well?) – “The first one I’d ever had was Gary Westerman, and he was my track coach in high school. And coincidentally he was Alec’s (Ingold) high school coach at Bay Port High School in Green Bay. Explaining the why to what you’re doing and how it’s going to make you better, that’s the only way my college coach Terry Hoeppner spoke. If I’m going to ask you to do anything, this is why. So naturally when we got together and explaining things, that’s the only way things make sense to me. I have to ask question of, ‘Why am I doing this?’ And then once you tell me, got it. Now everything else falls in line. I think as far as all of us, the minute the ‘why’ as opposed to ‘just do what I say,’ well when do most communications break down in all relationships? It’s when you say, ‘Just do what I say because I say it.’ Then when it goes wrong, you don’t know why the intent is. You’re just being told to do something. That’s the really fundamental part of this program, is we teach why we do things. Therefore you can own it, and you can evolve through the process together because we all understand what we’re trying to do.”
(You guys had probably one of the most interesting opening plays I’ve seen. 31 personnel, I think WR Jaylen Waddle came into the backfield and RB De’Von Achane runs for 25 yards. Can you give me the idea of the timing and the why that play in particular?) – “Putting your players in position to give a different look to the defense, also making them have to adjust to us and seeing also what that personnel group provides and running core concepts for us that we can execute together. It really wasn’t one specific reason, it was more of, again, as we had that personnel group other plays, we had two more plays off of it. It’s like what are they going to do and how they are going to react, then through that, what can we do to attack the defense. It was really more of, ‘What do you think they’re going to do if we had this off to him in the opener?’ OK, well I guess get an explosive run. So it’s more of like, for us, using our collection of talent, putting them in the right spots and then seeing how the defense is going to react appropriately. Most of the times, we kind of have an idea of what’s going to happen, and if it doesn’t, why and what’s a complementary play with it.”
(Just following up there, it was intriguing to see all the movements you had, but the timing seemed perfect. I guess for the timing element of that, can you maybe give me an idea of what that looks like for you guys to make that final version look so succinct?) – “Teaching the defense so we understand reactions and what we anticipate. Show it to them on paper, show the clip of the reaction you think you’re going to get, walk through it one time, run it in practice, and then go into a game and then follow your rules and adjust if it’s not what we thought it was going to be. I mean it’s kind of, again, process-driven so you have that concept that we’ve run out of different variants. Now you put in that grouping, and if they understand the defense and they understand the play’s intent, they can handle the variation. Was it a variation that we didn’t inspect? So how do we move and how do we operate? I mean, it starts with back in spring when we teach how do we move and snap points, who’s moving when and why. If you were to put that play in by itself in the season, I think it would be a lot harder as opposed to that’s part of our process of our whole system of why we move to move. It’s because we’re moving for a reaction to the defense in what we anticipate.”
(I’ve got a very football 101 question that got T Terron Armstead excited a couple of weeks ago. Can you explain the significance of the second step for an offensive lineman?) – “Yeah, it’s essentially I’m creating power and I’m transferring power now at the angle that I’ve set with my first. So if I’m not able to get my second step down, I don’t transfer backside power into the block. In all movements, if I’m going to transfer, it’s got to be the second. So that’s the key. That’s the key and the fundamentals of blocking that really aren’t just offensive linemen, it’s all players. When you know the secret to a good second step, you can probably hold the clinic at the Glazier Clinic next year. (laughter)”
(How long does it take a player to understand that concept? Is that like high school or college?) – “It’s simple to talk about the complexities, the variance. You normally are always getting different reactions from the defender. So you’re always learning and you’re banking reps as you go. It’s as simple as, but then OK, what did you do, what was his reaction, and you work through it all. So I think ultimately, it’s an ever-evolving learning process. You talk to all, especially offensive lineman, they’re always talking about ‘Yeah, second step.’ Because really, you’re transferring power into the defender.”
(You guys feature one of the more aggressive offenses in the league. You’re the most productive offense in the league, but you also have a few turnovers this year. Do you think there’s a correlation between aggression and turnovers? And if so, how do you properly calibrate that?) – “I don’t know if it’s really they follow with each other, I think it’s more of just, why do things occur? It’s easy to say, ‘My knee hurts.’ OK, why? OK, well, throw some ice on it and then maybe you’ll feel better. OK, well, my knee hurts still. OK, well, maybe you need to look at it some more, and then they see, OK, well, you need surgery to fix it. So ultimately, when you’re looking at things, you’ve got to look at why and not just kind of gloss over things, because it’s easy to look at something and go, ‘Hey, it’s this.’ Well, what was the root of it? I mean, was it ultimately, when you have a turnover, was it poor fundamentals? Was it a gameplan specific play to the week that maybe our understanding wasn’t as good? Was it playing outside of the progression? There’s many variables that go into it, and that’s ultimately what we’re looking at is making sure how do we ensure we’re minimizing turnovers and it all starts with fundamentals and intent. That’s always what we go back to. It always seems so simple, because I know around here, you guys hear us talk a lot about our process and our fundamentals and technique. But I mean ultimately, that is offensive football. It’s our execution of these simple things collectively to make something come to life. Because if 10 are doing the right thing and one is not, one player I should say, then that’s where you can get off. So ultimately, that’s where like as the quarterback is playing, he’s counting on everyone, guys blocking, guys running routes, timing, distribution. I don’t think it’s ever something as, ‘Hey, we’re aggressive, so this happens.’ It’s more of, ‘OK, why did that happen here?’ Then you get to the bottom of it together.”
(Losing RB De’Von Achane is obviously a big loss, but does it kind of soften the blow knowing that you can go back to what you were doing in Weeks 1 and 2 when you had RB Raheem Mostert and RB Salvon Ahmed at the top of the running backs depth chart? Also with the added incentive you might get RB Jeff Wilson Jr. back?) – “Yeah, I think the nature of the offseason, how we had the room, the way the guys worked and just how really good we felt about it all collectively. Because I mean, when you look to Salvon (Ahmed), in the Houston game, he had two explosive plays that I can just recall off the top of my head. So that group has done an outstanding job of all rising to the occasion together. I think ultimately, as the season goes, if we have one down, the next guy’s up. Eric (Studesville) has done a great job with them, and I think they all understand the intent. We couldn’t be happier just overall with the way the runners go in and just how they’re able to really work with each other, play off each other and accomplish the same thing together.”
(Did RB Jeff Wilson Jr. look to you yesterday like a running back who’s ready to play in a game after four-week layoff?) – “Yes.”
(I’ve heard you and Head Coach Mike McDaniel both talk about knowing defense and defensive players’ roles and knowing what they should do and adjusting to that. I typically think about that as like a quarterback responsibility, but I think you’re speaking to all 11. I’m curious maybe the teaching process of that for maybe your left guard or your tight end or your receiver of knowing the linebacker is supposed to do this, and that’s affects how we run this play?) – “It starts really – if you don’t know your job, you can’t really look past and learn. You have to get to a point at which, I know what I’m doing. Now I know what I’m doing, my intent, now I can see what my defender’s trying to do. It’s always hard and the hardest time is when you’re coming together in Year 1, and you’re trying to learn your system and you’re trying to learn what I’m trying to do, the intent and purpose of this play and the technique you’re asking me to do, the evolution. That’s where it’s constant teaching, because when you can start to understand the defense and what they’re trying to accomplish, where they’re vulnerable, that’s where now the player can play with reaction. Because he’s not thinking about it, he’s reacting to what he’s seeing because his anticipation level is heightened because I know what I’m trying to do. Now my vision is focused on these maybe two or three variables that I’m expecting. That I think, ultimately, is what you’re allowed to do, especially in this second year of the system is now guys have a greater understanding of what we’re doing and they’re really diving into the intent of the defense and how they fit in the concept to attack, whether it’s run or pass.”
(Do you think it’s a correlation that you and San Francisco have the best offenses in the NFL right now? Or just coincidence?) – “I guess we can answer that question at the end of the season. I mean, right now, I don’t know. It’s really cool, but the way they teach is the way we teach, so I can see a correlation. I don’t know if it’s – at the end of the year I guess you could say, ‘Well, maybe.’ But right now, the way they teach their process is similar to the way we teach our process. Yet both of us are built a little different. It’s actually just interesting to really see how it is because it’s a fun process when they’re coming together and you really realize like from spring to now, so many things that you started off going ‘Eh’, and now they’re coming to life in October that are things that I know Mike (McDaniel) talked about early on when they were in San Francisco and things they had to grow through. I guess we’ll see at the end of season, but it’s pretty cool so far.”
(To build on top of that, because I think fans might misconstrue that ‘I guess we’ll find out at the end of the season?) – “Oh, no. It’s just like, I don’t know – it’s October. (laughter) The swings and everything is always – if you lose track of now, and you don’t stay in now and you start looking at all those other things, because in 2011 in New Orleans, we set all these statistical things. We beat Indy 62-7 and then went to St. Louis and lost and it’s like, ‘Why?’ Because if you lose track of now. That’s when the problems come in the league, wherein that team went 8-0 the rest of the year. So it’s like, that direct focus to being present and executing is the No. 1 thing. The greatest thing is we have a bunch of staff that’s all experienced it and players that are hungry to get better today.”
