Kalen Ballage – August 27, 2019
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019
RB Kalen Ballage
(On how difficult the business aspect of the game is with some guys already being cut.) – “It’s rough, especially when you’re getting ready to go out and practice and some guys are clearing out their lockers. People have family that they support and people that look up to them and want to see them make it. We want to see them make it. Unfortunately, that’s the way the business is and not everybody can do that. It is tough.”
(What about that slippery slope of knowing that you know you’ve made the team but you still have to make sure you don’t go out there and get hurt every day playing the game of football?) – “I think that’s a part of football. That’s something that you can’t necessarily always thinking about. You run the risk of getting hurt when you play this game. It’s very tough. It’s physical. You can’t control those variables. When you go out there, you’re just focused on playing and whatever happens, happens.”
(Just talk about the opportunity that you’ve been able to get here as far as RB Kenyan Drake getting hurt. Obviously you solidified yourself on this team and how grateful you are for the opportunity.) – “I’m very blessed (with) the position that I’ve been put in and the gifts that I’ve been given to just kind of go out there and show what I can do. Hopefully moving forward it’ll be more of the same and that’s really all I’m worried about right now.”
(I noticed in the last game, you had a run where the fullback kind of took out like three guys. What did you think of that play there?) – “It wasn’t by design. Some plays in football, you can run the same play 20 times and it’ll never play out the same way the same time. You just have to take what you’re given and play football.”
(Specifically about FB Chandler Cox, what do you think are his strengths?) – “Chandler is real physical. He’s come here and he’s showcased his ability to be a great fullback. We’re excited about him and what he can do.”
(That adds kind of a smash-mouth feeling. Do you like that as a running back and what do you like about that style of play?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I think that when Chandler goes out there and he’s physical with the linebackers or safeties or whoever he’s playing against, I think that loosens up the defense in general for everybody. It kind of gets them on their heels. I think it’s important to have Chandler. He’s a vital part of this offense.”
(What have you learned about this offense from when you first cracked open that playbook to where you are right now?) – “It’s more of the same from what I’ve known kind of all along. It’s just putting the ball in your best players’ hands and giving them the ability to make something shake with it. I think that’s been the important thing about this offense and it’ll continue to be that way.”
(Has Head Coach Brian Flores or Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea or Running Backs Coach Eric Studesville said anything about – you’re a physical guy, so it fits into what I think they want – physical, tough, power, aggressive. Can you tell me about some of the things that they are constantly talking about that fit into those themes?) – “I think it’s just a mindset that we have. I think that being imposing to the other team is obviously something that every team wants to do to another team. I think it’s important for us to be physical in every aspect – running the football, in the passing game, pass protection. From the defense’s standpoint, I think it goes a long way for us if we’re physical.”
Brian Flores – August 27, 2019
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Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(What does DT Akeem Spence, TE Clive Walford and T Jordan Mills – what was it about those players that ultimately didn’t make the cut?) – “I would say all of those guys, they worked hard the entire time they’ve been here. Again, every team is going to have to make some decisions here over the next – let’s call it five days – and we’re not exempt from that. In the case of those three players, I think we did what we felt was best for the team, and we’re going to continue to do that moving forward.”
(From a personal standpoint, I imagine Saturday will be an excruciating day given how much you care about your players, especially when you are dealing with players who have given everything that they have and there just isn’t a spot for them on the roster. Can you talk about that experience and are you dreading it? It has to be excruciating.) – “Dreading it isn’t the word I would use. I would say – and I think I talked to you guys about this in the spring – in football, you learn a lot about life. You learn a lot about – it teaches you a lot of life lessons, I should say. One is that you can do everything right – you can work hard, you can put the team first, you can do everything right, you can work as hard as you possibly can, you can come to meetings early, you can stay late, you can do all of these things – and sometimes things don’t work out. That’s life. That’s not just football. When I have those conversations – when we have those conversations – yes, they’re hard conversations. That’s another thing about life is sometimes you have to have hard conversations. To me, as long as you’re dealing in truth and you’re being honest, then you can have those conversations. Excruciating, these aren’t words I would use. I would say these are hard conversations. I think that as long as we’re honest about our process – I tell each guy, ‘Look, when one door closes, another one is going to open up.’ A lot of times when you fail, you’re better for it. I think that’s something that when I’ve failed, I’ve been better for it. That’s the approach I take in those conversations.”
(Offensively, you’ve been missing a lot of personnel. Defensively, I think we’ve seen a glimpse of what you guys can do and what you want to do. Do you know what you can do offensively and are there one or two things that you could say right now this offense does well as far as run blocking, mid-range pass game or anything along those lines?) – “I think there’s a lot of things we could do better. I think there’s a lot of things we could do better offensively, defensively and in the kicking game. There’s some things I could coach better. We’re all in this together. We have not arrived. We have not made it. It’s still very early. We’ve got a preseason game on Thursday night and we’re going to try to improve and get better from that standpoint. We can improve really in all areas. That starts with me. I’m not going to take myself off the hook on that either.”
(Is there something that you think this offense does pretty well right now, or things and elements?) – “There’s a lot of things I think we do well. A lot. A lot goes into offensive football. For instance, I think when we’ve got the ball in our hands, we’ve got guys who can make people miss from (Kalen) Ballage to (Kenyan) Drake to Jakeem (Grant) to (DeVante) Parker. We do that well. Mark Walton. But again, that’s one thing. We can get into blocking and protection and route-running and audibling and seven-man protection and six-man protection and five-man protection, two-back sets, two-back run game, one-back run game, bunches, stacks. We can get into a lot of things that are little areas and that’s what they are – little pieces and little spots within an offense. Some things we do well, some things we don’t do well; but at the end of the day, you’ve got to put all of it together for the whole thing to work well. Again, in the different pockets from the o-line, receivers, tight ends, back, quarterback – all of it has to work together. We’ve got to improve in all areas. And really, we’ve got to improve as a unit.”
(Which quarterbacks are scheduled to play Thursday?) – “We’ll see a lot of Jake Rudock. ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) is dealing with an illness right now so we may not see him today. He’s going to try to fight through this thing but just so you guys know, you may not see him out there. Josh (Rosen), there’s a good chance you’ll see Josh on Thursday.”
(Will QB Josh Rosen start because of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s illness?) – “That’s yet to be determined. We’re still kind of figuring that out.”
(Have you decided on a starting quarterback yet?) – “For the season?”
(Yeah, for the season.) – “No. We haven’t decided on that yet.”
(A couple of talented guys who we haven’t seen – DT Robert Nkemdiche since he’s been signed – have we not seen him merely because of the knee or are there conditioning issues? Also, will we see CB Cordrea Tankersley play at all for this team this year, do you think?) – “Both of those guys are on PUP (Phyiscally Unable to Perform), so they have to come off of it for us to put them on the field. But they’re both working. They’re both making a lot of progress, so I’m looking forward to seeing both of those guys when they get out there.”
(When trading away – or hypothetically when trading away veterans, is a sixth- or seventh-round pick – a later-round pick – adequate compensation for a player that has proven that he can contribute, or are you trying to hang to those players because the value of that pick may not be as valuable?) – “There’s a lot that goes into answering that question. Do you want the CliffsNotes? (laughter) There’s a lot that goes into. My mind’s starting to think about the sixth- and seventh-round picks who have been fairly good players. There’s one that comes to mind, actually. (laughter) I’m just trying to – that’s kind of where I’m at. I guess it’s what everyone’s definition of value is. Again, we’re all a little bit different, so your definition may be different than mine, and everyone in this room’s definition could be a little bit different. But again, it’s case-by-case. It really is. There are some things – and again, conversations that we have internally about the makeup of the team, salary cap as we talked about yesterday, development of younger guys that you may or may not know about – all of that kind of plays in, as well as the compensation, if that happens to be the case in a particular transaction. So there’s a lot that goes into it. I guess that is the CliffsNotes version, but there’s just a lot more – that’s a much longer conversation. We can have it if you’d like. (laughter)”
(I have some questions that are not specific to this game or this week if you’ll indulge me. One is, how would you describe the approach you want players to take into their meetings?) – “I want them to have their pen and notepads ready to go. I want them to be attentive in meetings. I want them to ask questions. I want them to – the questions are the big thing for me. I think in order to really excel, you have to gain understanding. In order to gain understanding, you have to ask questions. I think that’s the one thing for young players a lot times – and it’s the same for young kids. Last week was the first week of school. I’m pretty sure I have one son who’s afraid to ask questions and one son who’s not. That’s just in my home. I remember being a kid and asking questions or not asking questions, and I think in order to gain some understanding of whatever the topic is, you need to ask questions. So I want them to be attentive…”
(One of your players said that sometimes you and the members of your staff will kind of put them on the spot with a question, maybe about the opponent that’s very specific. What goes into that?) – “Well, I think if you knew you were going to get asked questions, you might prepare a little bit harder to make sure you have the answers. I think that’s part of what goes into that. I don’t want to call it – it’s not fear-based, but I think if there’s a chance you could get put on the spot to answer that question, you’re going to prepare a little bit harder. Hopefully we get to a point where that’s not the case and guys are just – they have the answers because they want the answers or because having those answers will help them in a game.”
(In terms of doing things the right way, a couple guys mentioned that early on, you made it clear, “do not park in those handicap spots.” Can you tell me what went into that? I know sometimes when I’m running late…) – “You park in the handicap spots?”
(I will not do it.) – “Don’t do that.”
(I have not done it here.) – “Well, I’ve got an aunt that’s handicapped and if she can’t park because you’re parked in there, I’m going to be very upset – very upset – and your car is out of there. I think that’s fair. I do. So I’ll leave it right there.”
(With the quarterback competition, a couple players kind of are – he doesn’t park in handicap spots, just so you know…) – “Yeah – when people bring it up, I think it’s silly. I really do. We have to do the right thing, and it’s just – we have to do the right thing. If we allow people to not do the right thing, then we’re doing a disservice to the world. Period. I don’t even like to joke about it because it’s not a joking matter.”
(How does QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s illness – not being able to make it to practice today, not being able to play on Thursday, maybe – how does that affect your evaluation of the quarterback competition?) – “It’s an illness. There’s nothing we can do about it. His evaluation will be what it’s been over the last (few months) – the spring and training camp. I think he’s done a lot. We know what it is. This training camp, along with his history in this league – I think we’ve got a good evaluation of ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick), and that won’t affect it much.”
(Some of the players say that they see both sides of starting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick or starting QB Josh Rosen – are you kind of tussling with it the same way where you see both sides and are making a decision…?) – “I think that’s the case for all positions. ‘Player A’ has these strengths and weaknesses. ‘Player B’ has these strengths and weaknesses, and as an organization, we have to do what we think is best for the team. You go with one; here’s the good, here’s the bad. You go with the other; here’s the good, here’s the bad. Well, what’s best for the entire unit? And that’s at every position, not just quarterback.”
Minkah Fitzpatrick – August 26, 2019
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Monday, August 26, 2019
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
(On S T.J. McDonald.) – “Yeah, T.J. (McDonald) was a guy I liked a whole lot. He’s a guy that taught me a lot. Immediately from the jump, he kind of took me under his wing and just – he’s a guy with a lot of experience running a lot of different types of defense. He just is a good dude and a guy I like being around on and off the field. Like you said, this is business. I would love to have him on the field with us, but it is what it is. He’s a great player, and I wish him the best.”
(Obviously, you know everything’s got to be earned, nothing’s given. But with the departure of S T.J. McDonald, does that solidify you now as that position player do you think?) – “We’re still learning. We’re still learning what we’re going to do. It does kind of put more of one type of role on myself and other players, so we know who’s got to pick up with what he was doing and just keep it moving.”
(How ready is this defense for the start of the regular season?) – “I think we’re really ready. Obviously, we’ve got to get more prepared with Baltimore, just understanding their offense; but I think fundamentally-wise, technique-wise, conditioning-wise, we’re at a great point right now. I’m excited for this defense because it is going to be a good defense, and I think we’re pretty ready.”
(Is it fair to suggest that this defense hasn’t shown nearly all of the looks, all of the different twists?) – “I don’t think anybody has. I don’t think any team in the league has shown everything because like you said, it’s still preseason. You’ve got guys who are still learning the system. You don’t want to throw too much at them and obviously you don’t want to show your cards.”
(Did you get a chance to talk to S T.J. McDonald?) – “I did, yeah. Just briefly.”
(How’s S T.J. McDonald doing?) – “I mean, it’s tough. It’s tough. He liked it down here. We loved him down here, just as a team. So like I said, we’re just wishing him the best. We’re praying for him and his family. He’s a great player, so he’s definitely going to get picked up by somebody, and we just wish him the best.”
(What kind of goals do you have for yourself this season?) – “Just get better. I could set all these stat goals and everything else like that, but I’d just say to get better day-by-day. Just learning the game, getting smarter, playing faster, getting in better shape, getting stronger, stuff like that. Then all of that will carry over to the stat board.”
(Do you feel like a better player now than you were at this time last year?) – “Oh yeah. (laughter) Like a way, way better player. I just – I learned the game a whole lot from last year all the way to now. This staff has thrown a lot – last year’s staff threw a lot on me, and this year’s staff’s has thrown a whole lot more on me, so I’m forced to learn, I’m forced to adapt and everything else like that. With that, I grew and I’m continuing to grow every single day.”
(I guess you were well-prepared for getting a lot of stuff thrown at you from playing for Nick Saban at Alabama for their defense.) – “Yeah, his system – it’s almost identical to some of the defenses that I ran here in the league so far. So it definitely, definitely prepared me for sure.”
Reshad Jones – August 26, 2019
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Monday, August 26, 2019
S Reshad Jones
(When things like S T.J. McDonald getting cut happens, how is the locker room? You build rapport and you see younger guys come into the locker room and the team wants to get younger and the veteran has to bite the bullet?) – “We’ve got a new staff in, new coaches, a new system. Like I said, it’s just part of the game. I hate to see it happen to a good dude like that. He isn’t going to be with us but like I said, coaches make the decisions, upstairs makes the decisions. They make the decisions based on what they think is best for this team.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores talked today about how he feels you and S Bobby McCain’s skillsets complement each other. What are your thoughts on that?) – “I would think so. I’m a versatile safety and Bobby’s versatile. I think it’s cool when you have safeties that complement each other. I think that’s what you want.”
(How much does it help that you and S Bobby McCain have been together for four years now?) – “It definitely helps on the back end. As far as communication, knowing where each other is going to be. Playing with him for a while, I think it helps.”
(In all the years you’ve been in the league with the Dolphins, can you think of a few times where there was an eye open veteran cut close to the regular season? Do you remember being like ‘wow, that shows that anyone can get cut?’) – “I think my first year or two in the league, when a lot of those veteran guys come in, you come in as a young guy and you see a lot of faces in here. Then you come back the next day, and the guy that was your locker mate or close to you is gone. I think that’s when you’re like ‘)h, it’s real.’ A guy – Channing Crowder. I thought he was a great linebacker and was going to be here for a while. I came in one day and they said he’s no longer on the team. I’ve come through and a lot of great players have been released or cut, or whatever the circumstances is. Like I said, I think it’s just part of the business.”
(What do you need to do for yourself between now and September 8th to be ready for the Baltimore game? To be totally ready, like where you want to be?) – “I think I’m ready. I just need to continue to dive into the playbook and learn as much as I can, mentally. Physically, I think I’m ready to go. I’m close. I think by the first game, I’ll be where I need to be.”
(Are you ready for that date to come already?) – “Oh, yeah. Most definitely.”
(A lot of people make a lot of stuff about the voluntary workouts. Do you think you would be further along in learning the defense if you were here?) – “I probably would be. Like I said, I was coming off a tough injury. I needed to get myself physically ready to go, which I did. I’m here and I’m excited to play whatever is going to help this team win games. That’s what I’m ready to do.”
(The combination of you and S Bobby McCain seems to be a good complement. How do you all complement each other’s skills as safeties if that’s the starting combo, which would seem likely?) – “I’m not sure. Whatever the coaches – whatever decisions or directions they decide to go in. Bobby has played a lot of football for us. I definitely have gotten a lot of snaps. We’re both versatile, Bobby can cover guys. Now they got him back deep. I can play free safety, I can play strong safety. I guess that’s what you look for at a tandem at safety.”
Albert Wilson – August 26, 2019
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Monday, August 26, 2019
WR Albert Wilson
(Are you at the point now where you’re able to do everything at practice?) – “Yeah, yeah. I feel good.”
(Are you sure you’ll be ready for the opener? You were optimistic when we talked to you a few weeks ago.) – “Yeah. If that’s the plan, then I’m ready to go with it.”
(Starting with training camp, how has that been for you? We’ve been seeing you out there. You seem to be doing more and more each day and making progress.) – “Yeah, that’s been part of the plan. Just being out there and easing into it, taking it day by day, seeing what I like to do and what my hip likes to do. We’re at the point where I’m able to give a little more and I’ll take it as far as they’ll let me.”
(Are you going to be ready for a full game this week?) – “This week? If that’s what they want me to do, then by all means I’m ready to do it.”
(Do you feel like you can play in a game right now based on how you feel?) – “I feel like I could’ve played the day after I hurt my hip. (laughter) But it’s not really how I feel. It’s pretty much what we’ve come to as a team and as an organization, what’s best for the team, and what’s best for the organization.”
(Is it frustrating putting in all that work to be out there and knowing that you can’t do everything you want to do?) – “Definitely. From like the day after (the injury), just watching these guys go out there day in and day out and just fight without me being able to help in any type of way, it was frustrating from the jump. Now that I’m back into things, I see the end line to where I’ll be out there full go. So, it’s been getting better.”
(How do you know if you’re still the same guy from last year? We saw the speed, we saw the quickness. Have you tested that out here in full pads or are you thinking September 8th it will all be back?) – “I feel good. If not 100 percent or not as good as last year, I feel better. I was able to work those little things. I got more in-depth into slowing things down into my routes and just knowing how to be a better player outside of my talents. I think I’ve learned a lot and I’m ready to go.”
(As far as the progression of you rehab, it seems like it was very positive. You didn’t open training camp on the PUP list. Have you had any setbacks? You seemed the day afterwards to come back stronger.) – “No. Never. That’s why I trust the team, and trust the trainers so much by just listening and knowing that I can go out there and give a little more, but they are telling me to just do what we’ve planned and just take it day-by-day. Now we’re here to where I’m ready to get out there.”
(Any negatives to not playing in any preseason games? Do you feel like there could be any rust in the regular season or is that not something that will concern you?) – “No, not with what year I’m in. I feel like I’ve got a grasp of the game. I know what I’m able to do by just going out there and working my technique and just doing my job and studying the playbook. I feel like I’m good to go.”
(Have you completely opened it up to top speed and things like that yet or are you still taking it slow?) – “I’ve been opening up for a while now. I feel good just running full speed and just trying to pull away from people. I’m ready to go.”
(Your role on this team – we’ve seen especially defensively, we’ve seen guys in roles that they weren’t in last season. How is your role going to different if at all from last season?) – “I feel like it won’t be too different, just doing what they want me to do. That’s just lining up in different places, or whatever they ask me to do. I feel like I can do everything so if they allow me to, that’s what I’m going to do.”
(How different is it with whatever quarterback it is? How ready do you guys feel to start this thing off on offense?) – “We’ve been working with both quarterbacks and they’ve been doing a great job. I’m comfortable with either one. I feel like I can speak for the team when I say they are comfortable with either one. They’re doing a great job of competing with each other and going out there in the preseason and just competing. Whichever one coach chooses, I know it’s going to be the best decision. We’re just ready to roll.”
(There’s been so much talk about all the things the defense is doing, moving guys around. On offense, has it been pretty much as you expected?) – “I think just coming in and ever since I’ve been with the Dolphins, everyone has been moving around. I don’t think it is anything new to this receiving corps with everybody playing inside, playing outside or just motioning and doing what we do. I think they just put us in a comfortable position of just getting us out there and playing ball as fast as we can.”
(Do you joke Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea by saying ‘Hey, I did some wild cat last year and it worked out okay?’) – “Every chance I get. I’m just trying to do everything. If it’s lining up at tight end, or left guard if he’ll allow me to. I want to go do it. Yeah, I joke with him all the time. But, like I said, these guys are geniuses and they’re going to put everybody in the right positions to be successful.”
(Having a fullback out there when you’re doing the Wildcat will make things easier.) – “Yeah, definitely. He’s definitely going to be a great addition to the team. I think we’re going to use him very well this year.”
Josh Rosen – August 26, 2019
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Monday, August 26, 2019
QB Josh Rosen
(I know last week when QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was asked about how important starting is to him, he said it’s the goal. And I know when you were asked, you said you were just focusing on the task at hand, you couldn’t care less. But I don’t think in the spirit of what you meant, you probably mean, ‘I couldn’t care at all whether I start or not,’ so I just wanted to ask you just to clarify that. Is that something that’s important to you beyond your goal of getting better every day?) – “Yes, absolutely. I think there are always the goals on a degree, however high they may be, whether it be like top-down Hall of Fame, Super Bowl, this, that, whatever and you obviously go down and (you’re asked) ‘how lofty are your goals or whatever?’ Over the course of your lifetime and career, it’s not going to change your day-to-day. In terms of the focus, I was just saying that the focus is not on the goals, and everything I want to accomplish throughout my life and career. It’s on the day-to-day, so that’s more of what I was referring to.”
(And are you eagerly waiting a decision? I’m sure everyone’s anticipating it. What’s your level of antsy-ness, eagerness to know if you’ll be starting?) – “Maybe a little. Not really. It’s not going to change my day-to-day.”
(And there’s no clarity in your mind? You haven’t been told by Head Coach Brian Flores?) – “No.”
(Are you pleased with how you’ve improved over the course of preseason? Obviously, we saw some very encouraging things last week, the week before. Are you pleased?) – “Yeah, absolutely. I think you can always do better, but you’ve always got to – I guess it always could be worse. I’m pleased, but definitely have goals to keep pushing more.”
(I know ultimately the offensive line has to block, but are there things that a quarterback can do to help his offensive line as far as quick release or three-step drops or things along those lines?) – “Absolutely. I think everyone can help each other with regards to the plays that are called, how they’re run, how they’re Mike’d. There are multiple ways of blocking the same front. I think defenses have tactics to try and build one-on-ones in the front seven. Sometimes you can – there are just different strategies and tactics of how you can do things, and based off of the play and when a quarterback has full command, they can tie the routes into the protection a little more fluidly, so if something’s coming out quicker, they can sort of shore up protection and maybe lose a blocker or two, or if we’ve got to push something downfield and we need all of our guys out, we can trust the offensive line with their one-on-ones. So having sort of that control and dominance over the offense allows a quarterback to very fluid with regards to marrying not just the protection and pass rush, but the type of protection you want (on a) play-by-play basis. It’s hard to describe without actually, like, drawing it up, but…”
(Head Coach Brian Flores has done – rightfully nitpicked on some things in your game that he’d like to see you improve on. We’ve seen you work with the first team in Tampa, we’ve seen you work with the second team against the Jaguars, and your engagement level has been really on point the last couple weeks. Do you think Flores is trying to keep you engaged? Where is your engagement level, and how do you think you’ve performed with…?) – “What do you mean by ‘engagement?’”
(I feel like he’s kind of putting obstacles in your way to see how you perform and how you respond? How do you think you’re responding to them, and where is your engagement level?) – “He’s my head coach, and he was a really good defensive coordinator in New England, and he knows a lot about football. I don’t know like on an ‘engagement’ day-by-day basis, but any advice he has is from the perspective of a defensive coordinator that’s won Super Bowls and played against some of the – played against the best quarterbacks in football and actually the best quarterback in football (Tom Brady) on a day-to-day basis, so anything that he sees, I’m all ears, and I’d love to try and help my game the best that I can.”
(You’ve said in the past that you wish you could see things as clear as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Are you getting that control level where you think you’re ready to start this season as a No. 1 quarterback for the Dolphins?) – “It was quite a jump from the beginning of the question to the end… (laughter)”
(You have to be able to see those things, right? If you want to feel comfortable starting…) – “Yeah, I think I’m getting more and more comfortable every day. It’s not up to me to decide when it’s time to pull the trigger and really get after it on the field; but I’m feeling, yes, better and better each day.”
(Do you feel you’re a better game player than a practice player?) – “I don’t know. It’s not really up for me to say that. I’d like to think that I play better in games than I do in practice, but that’s not really up to me.”
(I want to get your thoughts on Indianapolis Colts QB Andrew Luck’s retirement.) – “I don’t know. That was a tough one. Personally, I loved Andrew Luck. Growing up, that was my guy. Going to Stanford, and I looked up to him as an architectural engineer – a really smart guy, did everything right, and I was a Peyton (Manning) fan coming out as well, so to see sort of Andrew follow in his shoes was pretty cool. I don’t want to comment on the specific situation just because it’s sort of still going on. Maybe once it all officially settles down, I’d like to give some more thoughtful comments; but he’s probably one of my favorite players, and I was really bummed that he felt so tortured inside as to where that he needed to leave the game in order for those demons to go away. I hope he’s okay. I hope he’s with some good people, some good family. It’s tough for the game of football and him.”
(Since Assistant Head Coach/Quarterbacks Jim Caldwell took his leave for health reasons, have you gotten input from him via text or from phone calls you guys have had together?) – “(Assistant Quarterbacks Coach) Jerry (Schuplinski) stays in touch with him a good amount, and we’ll get updates every now and then, but not too much.”
(What would be one thing that you would say, one area where you’d feel the most improvement from the start of training camp to today?) – “My understanding of the front seven. I sort of came in with not really a great understanding of the structure of the defensive line and linebackers and the difference between base and nickel and dime defenses, not just in the sense that there’s another player on the field; it’s more in the sense of the package that you’re going to get and how the front ties into coverage. So I think that’s probably – just from a learning perspective – the biggest thing that I’ve learned since coming here.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick – August 26, 2019
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Monday, August 26, 2019
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(You’ve been through a lot and seen a lot, so I guess nothing really phases you, but is there any level of antsy-ness or eagerness awaiting a decision on starting quarterback?) – “No, not really. I think this time of year, everybody’s is amped up and ready to get the ball rolling, ready to get the season started. I think more so than anything, just being this time of year and ready to go, I think everybody is excited about that.”
(Do you have any sense when a decision will be made and you’ll be informed?) – “No.”
(How much work are you doing on Baltimore?) – “We’ve got a little bit here and there. I think a lot of the focus right now is on us and cleaning some stuff up, whether it be timing on routes with the quarterback and the receivers or the quarterbacks and the tight ends, communication with the guys up front, the running backs. A lot of that stuff that will apply to Baltimore, but really apply the whole season to all our opponents, just getting ourselves better right now.”
(How do you feel you’ve played in the totality from training camp through the first three preseason games? How would you assess your own play?) – “I think every time you come into a new situation, new building, new staff, new people and you’re starting from the bottom up and installing a system and this is one of the more difficult ones, and the volume that you’re doing and trying to get everybody on the same page. I’ve had a lot of fun going through it this offseason and trying to get everybody on the same page and getting to know guys and work with them. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s always something where I know I can continue to get better. I’ve had a good time this offseason and improving my game, but as a whole, getting everybody on the same page.”
(Not that sports talk radio should ever be used as a gauge, but Channing Crowder, who’s a local talk show host, former linebacker, was making a sound point…) – “2005 draft class, yeah. (laughter)”
(Bingo. He said he’s a big fan of yours. He said if he saw – he was making a point of this for a while on his radio show last week – if he saw you he said he would tell you to be the Ryan Fitzpatrick we’ve come to see in terms of being daring, throwing the ball downfield, making plays. He thought you’d been very cautious in preseason. Do you agree with that and if you have been cautious is it merely trying to avoid turnovers in preseason?) – “I mean, it’s preseason. I think every year, that’s the only thing we have to talk about right now, right? So, I would just say it’s preseason. I think historically, if you watch me and the way that I play in real games and the things that I do, I think my history speaks for itself in a lot of that regard.”
(You’ve played behind a lot of left tackles – 20, 25, 30 maybe.) – “Probably upwards of 30 or more, yeah. (laughter)”
(How good do you think T Laremy Tunsil can be?) – “’L.T.’ obviously is a very talented guy. I think everybody in that huddle feels safe around him, feels better when he’s out there. He’s done a really nice job this offseason of trying to get integrated into this system and feeling good. He’s a leader for us. He’s a guy that we all take a lot of pride in and gain a lot of confidence in him being out there.”
(T Laremy Tunsil has talked more than once in camp about becoming more vocal as a leader. Is that something you can help him with?) – “Every guy is different and does it in different ways.”
(You’re not really vocal.) – “I think the biggest thing is you have to be yourself. If that is him and who he is, then that’s fine. But it’s got to come from the right place. Sometimes guys, if they’re not real vocal or don’t really lead all the time with their voice, sometimes it is once or twice during a game or during the year when they will say something and you really listen up. I’m excited to be out there with him and to see how he does, because I enjoy having him in there.”
(From your experience, how important is it for this team to know who the quarterback is in terms of being able to lead the group and moving forward?) – “It’s obviously something you want to know. You want to be able to – continuity I guess is a good thing in this league and having the right guys – the same guys, but really having the right guys in the huddle – I think that’s really important. Continuity certainly helps out.”
(With Andrew Luck, could you imagine retiring at 29?) – “Everybody I think is different and it’s hard – I can’t compare my career to his, because being the first pick overall and all that stuff; but I know I’ve been through a lot of up and downs and different things. I watched all 26 minutes and 43 seconds or whatever it was of his press conference and it hurt, man. It hurt my heart to watch, because I love watching him play football. He absolutely – You could just tell – I don’t know him real well, but you could just tell that he loves the game of football and he’s the ultimate competitor. His long list of injuries, I’m sure there’s a million more that weren’t out there. But he played the position the right way. He was tough, he never complained. That one, it really affected me and hurt my heart to see him up there like that and knowing how much he loved the game. Without having much of a relationship with him, he exuded all those great qualities that you want to see in a quarterback. That one was tough to watch.”
Kenny Stills – August 26, 2019
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Monday, August 26, 2019
WR Kenny Stills
(Where is your mindset now with one week left, I guess, until a game week really starts for real?) – “I’m just focusing on being ready for Week 1.”
(Do you have any doubt in your mind that you’ll be part of the roster in Week 1?) – “I mean, the business side of this game is all of us – any of us – could potentially be somewhere else.”
(Have you talked to Head Coach Brian Flores about it at all or no?) – “I haven’t.”
(Do you have a gut feeling?) – “No. I just come to work and focus on improving myself and hanging out with the guys and trying to get prepared for Week 1. I think a lot of guys are in a similar position in this locker room. We’ve got to get down to however many dudes from 90. It’s something that we all go through at this time of the year.”
(Are you at all concerned that your advocacy may have worked against you or no?) – “No.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores said that he was playing the music last week to challenge you. Your response to that?) – “I talked about it last week but people have been heckling me, challenging me and trying to get under my skin since the beginning of this – not even just with the protest. Growing up or whatever, people have always tried to challenge me and I think I’ve always stepped up to the challenge. It was just music.”
(Who did they challenge this week because I got a headache just listening to that music today?) – “(laughter) I have no clue who the challenge was at this week. But it’s a challenge for us as a team always. (Coach Flores) is talking to us about being tough, being physical, about playing smart. It’s not like he’s just going after me. It’s something for us as a team that we’re really working on and trying to improve.”
(Did you like the head-banger music at the beginning of practice?) – “I like all music. Today I played a little bit of house music in the locker room to get the guys going. I like it all.”
(How do you feel like you are fitness-wise and preparing for the season wise?) – “Good. We’re all in great shape. You can kind of tell from the third preseason game. We all played a pretty good amount of snaps and the body felt good. We’re just trying to get prepared for the Ravens and making sure we handle business this week with the Saints.”
