Minkah Fitzpatrick – November 12, 2018
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Monday, November 12, 2018
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
(Two weeks in a row now of moving around at different positions. How has it gone, how would you assess how you’ve done at it?) – “I think I’ve done pretty well. I’ve done my assignment, done my job just about every play. We do a really good job of preparing during the week. We all move around, whether it’s me, Bobby (McCain) or somebody else. We just move around a lot, so we’re kind of prepared. I think we’ve done a good job overall as a secondary doing that.”
(The biggest difference for you moving to the boundary from the slot, what’s been the biggest difference?) – “It’s just a different position. Both places you’re covering guys, but one is a little bit more space than the other one. Just different feels. You’ve got to kind of ease your way into it and not overthink it, and just go out there and play ball.”
(What’s easiest for you of the three positions you’ve played?) – “The easiest one? I couldn’t say which one was easiest because they all have different things that are hard. The safety position is harder mentally than the other two. I think nickel is overall the hardest, both mentally and physically. Outside corner is a whole different monster on its own. Just being out there, I would just say all three of them are pretty hard.”
(Any surprise that you’ve played a lot of snaps outside, at least yesterday?) – “Was there any surprise? Not really.”
(Not just yesterday specifically, but from the beginning of the season when really this wasn’t discussed as a possibility to now you doing it.) – “It was (discussed). Really, just behind closed doors, they always told me to be prepared to move out there. I’ve always made sure I knew what they were doing out there. They knew I could do it. They trusted me to do it. There was no surprise really.”
(How much do you enjoy being able to move from position to position. How much pride do you take on being able to maintain a high level at every spot?) – “I take a lot of pride in it because it’s not something that a lot of people can do and it’s not easy to do. Sometimes I do wish I had one position just to be safe and sound at. But I think it just adds to my stock, my value to the team. It’s not just me that’s moving around, it’s other guys, other pieces that are moving around. Just as a secondary, being able to do that is pretty special.”
(Which of those spots do you think suites you best?) – “I’m not sure yet. I’m just out there doing what I got to do. I’m still a rookie, still trying to find my way and do what I’ve got to do to make plays.”
(How do you feel going into a bye week? Are you fresh? Do you need it?) – “I feel pretty good, honestly. We do a good job of taking care of our bodies here. I have a couple of nicks and bruises, but a couple of days rest and recovery and I’ll be alright.”
(You’re a rookie in the NFL and you have your first bye week. What’s on tap for you?) – “I’m going to hang out with my family for the first couple of days, then I’m going to head back to Tuscaloosa and hang out with some of my people back there and check out the team. That’s it really.”
(You’re going to watch freshmen play this week?) – “That’s all right. That’s all right. (laughter)”
(You always take pride in that. At Alabama, you guys are kicking everybody’s butt. How much pride is that for you?) – “It’s really good seeing my boys ball out. A lot of the young guys that I (took) under my wing when I was there, just seeing them make plays and having fun out there and playing with that passion and energy that we all try to play with is really awesome. I get really excited every time I watch. It’s Bama. You always take pride in that.”
(I know most of your film study obviously is on receivers. But, over the years, just even going back to Alabama, are there any boundary corners you admired watching that you might have maybe observed anything they’ve done and now incorporate that now that you’re playing some out there?) – “One guy I’ve always loved was Patrick Peterson. I love watching him play. He is one of the best, if not the best cover corner in the league. I just look at how he’s an athlete and he uses technique. A lot of guys are athletes out there and they just use that. He uses his athleticism and his technique and that’s what makes him who he is. What is it, six or seven years in the league (for him)? He’s been dominating year in and year out as one of the top cover guys. I just love watching him play.”
(Do you angle to return punts and stuff? CB Patrick Peterson does all of that.) – “No, we’ve got guys here. I could do it, but we’ve got guys here that can do it.”
Adam Gase – November 12, 2018
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Monday, November 12, 2018
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Any indication yet whether WR Jakeem Grant or WR DeVante Parker will be back again this year?) – “They’re getting MRIs right now. That hasn’t even been brought up to me as far as those guys missing the rest of the season. I’ll know more as the week gets going here and then we can kind of come up with a plan to see who is available for the next game and further down the road.”
(CB Bobby McCain is in the concussion protocol?) – “Yes.”
(Can you update us on QB Ryan Tannehill and the plan with him?) – “Yeah, so he threw yesterday. That was kind of the start of their throwing progression after so many days off. It seemed like it went well. I mean it’s not like he’s out there throwing 60-yard throws. They have a progression of how they want to do it. They said it was a good first step and he felt good, so that’s a positive.”
(How are your two tackles doing?) – “I’m not really sure quite yet. I have to get with those guys and see where we’re at. Rest is always going to be good for those guys so this week came about the right time.”
(With QB Ryan Tannehill, do you think he’ll throw every day? Every other day? What’s the plan?) – “Yeah, there’s a good schedule they have planned out for the amount of time they can work this week. We’ll just progress through and see where we’re at next Wednesday.”
(It seems as if the one consistently positive area each week has been special teams. Can you talk a little about that and the way they played Sunday and in general?) – “Yeah, that was a big point of emphasis for this game was we had to get something going there. We needed some kind of … whether it be a turnover (or a) return, we needed some kind of steal-the-possession type moment. We had more than one. We just didn’t take advantage of it. It was close to being played out the way we wanted to. We just didn’t execute in the red zone. We need to find a way to score touchdowns in the red zone and then we need to find a way to get one or two stops with the defense and hold them to a field goal. Then at least we’re in a position at the end of the game to where it’s either us or them with the ball at the end of the game trying to win it.”
(Generally on special teams this year, what have you seen?) – “It’s probably the one area that we’ve stayed healthy, where our core guys are healthy and playing.”
(How much does the bye help, particularly with the timing?) – “Well, we haven’t had one in two years so it’s great. (laughter)”
(But with the timing?) – “I don’t even know if we’d have enough for 46 (active players) this week. It’s probably the right time. It’s a long, grinding season. We wanted a late bye. I’d rather have it now than Week 4, so I’ve got no complaints about that. I just wish we would have stayed a little healthier leading up to this; but this gives us a chance to … The guys that were kind of banged up to where they probably wouldn’t have played this week, now we’ve got a shot to get more guys ready to go for the next one.”
(With the injuries, obviously you lose guys. But also you just go through so much uncertainty, like with the tackles this past week. Can you just talk about that and the degree that which you’re handcuffed because you can’t even plan?) – “Well, we have a general idea of how we can get to certain things. The way that the system is set up, it’s just a quick change in the protection of we want to slide this way or we want to do this kind of … these three have these four or these three have these two, however we have it set up. So we can make adjustments up to the game within the game if something happened. Our guys have done a good job of handling those types of adjustments. It’s a lot easier when you don’t have to do that, when you can actually go into the game and what you think is going to be Wednesday ends up happening on Sunday. We just haven’t really had a bunch of those. It just seems like something always comes up.”
(I know this is football but the level of injuries that you guys have had this season is on a very high level. Have you looked at maybe you need to be doing something different from a training staff standpoint?) – “We’ve looked at everything. It would be one thing if we were having all of these soft tissue injuries but we’re having season-ending type injuries. And it’s always on game days. I think a lot of it is it’s almost across the league where every week you see big-name players going down. I don’t know if we’ve really been hit any harder than anybody else. It feels like it to us because we’re here every day. For me, it’s our team, so it’s affecting us directly. I don’t know if it’s any different anywhere else. It feels like it is, but it’s probably not. I wish I had an answer for you because some of these are just unexplainable. Like a guy gets tackled and jacks his shoulder up. How do you prevent that?”
(Of the four fill-in offensive linemen, obviously C Travis Swanson has been doing it for a while. Have you gotten a sense yet from who among that group played particularly well among C Jake Brendel, T Zach Sterup and T Sam Young?) – “Those guys did a good job up front. They executed a lot of things in the run game very well. I thought for the most part, the pass protection when it was tight and more of a run/pass balance, those guys did a good job of getting those guys covered up. I thought there were a few times where it looked like … I was worried that Zach maybe got beat by Clay (Matthews) and he did a great job of pushing him around the quarterback. I thought those guys did a pretty good job of kind of getting thrown in there and having to work together, where that five hasn’t really done a whole bunch together.”
(What did the tape tell you about the hit on CB Bobby McCain?) – “I mean I just know that it wasn’t good for him. There’s nothing we can do about it. We’d rather that not happen. We’d rather not lose a guy.”
(What’s your thought process on how you’re approaching this week with the players?) – “They’re done. They’re gone for the week.”
(Is that because of the injuries?) – “I mean it’s just we’ve played 10 games.”
(Six games to go and you’re in the mix. What needs to change?) – “I think it’s really, for us, it’s get healthy as much as we can. If we can find a way to clean up our red area stuff on offense and eliminate the explosive plays on defense, I know that sounds like a broken record but that’s what this season is about. Can we get those types of things fixed to give ourselves a chance that week to win? It becomes a one-game season. There are certain teams that have kind of separated themselves from the rest of the pack; but right now, the only thing that’s really been eliminated for us is an undefeated season. Everything else is on the table. Other teams are having a lot of the same issues we are and it’s really who can pull it together these last six games and find a way to get in.”
(With the run game philosophy, did you get the right mix with RB Kenyan Drake in there?) – “I don’t know. It’s never going to be perfect. We’re trying to get those two guys in there and get them as many touches as we can. Frank is doing a good job of keeping us ahead of the sticks. I think Kenyan does a good job of bringing us that element that he could take it the distance any time. We’re trying to find ways to get him the ball where he can get space. Some of the outside zone stuff, he gets to the edge but if we miss one guy on the second level, he’s dealing with some traffic issues there. We’re trying to find ways to just get him the ball to where it’s like him and one or two other guys in space to where if he can split them or if he makes a guy miss, then maybe we have a chance for a big play.”
(With QB Ryan Tannehill, I know you’ve paid attention to the medical stuff but is your understanding that he can throw softly this week and practice next week and be ready to go for a game on Sunday?) – “Right now it’s such a one … Because of what we went through the last whatever weeks where there was some soreness one time, they’re trying to get it to where every day we’re not getting him saying ‘I’m having pain.’ It’s the progression of when we hit Wednesday, hopefully we can get it to where now they’re saying ‘let him practice and this is where you need to keep the throws at.’ Or they just say ‘let him go, he’ll be all right.’ I’m just waiting for those directives from those guys. If we can get through this week and he feels great every day, then we’ve got a shot.”
(With QB Ryan Tannehill’s throws, you’re talking about a pitch count for the week of practice?) – “I think it’s a pitch count, distance … I mean there’s a lot of factors involved. It’s just like what they’re doing right now. It’s like ‘Hey, don’t throw any balls over 15 yards. Don’t throw any over 20, 25 (yards).’ It’s going to be a progression. He didn’t throw a ball there for a while. We’ve got to be careful because it’s going to have to be built up from that.”
(Do you have any idea how much distance QB Ryan Tannehill had on his throwing session the last couple of days?) – *shakes head* “I’m sure you’ll find out. (laughter)”
(Another one of your favorite topics I’m sure, but you weren’t asked about S Reshad Jones yesterday. Was that a difficult decision for you? What were the factors that you considered in going the route you did?) – “That was just what I told him that I wanted to do. He didn’t have anything to say and we moved on. I told him after this is done, we’re done with it. We’re moving on.”
Kenny Stills – November 11, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Postgame – Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins WR Kenny Stills (Transcribed by Green Bay Packers)
(on why the offense struggled today)
“We didn’t finish in the red zone. We didn’t capitalize on the blocked punt. We have to find a way to score touchdowns that will keep us in the game.”
(on how they can get better in the red zone)
“It is just focusing on the details, eliminating penalties and then executing. We have good plays called and we have guys that can find the end zone so we just have to figure out a way to get it in there.”
(on heading into the bye week at 5-5)
“We are still in the hunt. We need to get healthy, come back, have guys step up and figure out a way to win a game.”
Robert Quinn – November 11, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Postgame – Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins DE Robert Quinn (Transcribed by Green Bay Packers)
(on Miami’s defensive line)
“We didn’t stop the run early and as a defense that hurt us and gave them momentum. Then we had to start making plays. We affected them, but we didn’t do it enough because they still put up enough points to the win the game.”
(on Green Bay’s offense)
“It was really two busted plays, explosive plays for them that really kind of hurt us. 12 is going to be 12; dink and dunk, get the ball down the field. They just made plays consistently when they needed to. Of course we can play better, but we didn’t. They did so that’s why you get results like we did today.”
(on if he has been on a team this impacted by injuries)
“No, but this is the National Football League. They say that no one ever makes it out of this game healthy 100 percent. We haven’t really been out of any game, besides two all year, so at the end of the day we just have to make the plays that come our way. We have to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Frank Gore – November 11, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Postgame – Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins RB Frank Gore (Transcribed by Green Bay Packers)
(on his offensive line)
“I think they stood up and did a great job. They played hard. I just wish we had gotten the win.”
(on not getting into the end zone as a team)
“I have to watch the tape. I wish we would have gotten into the end zone. That would have best for us, especially playing against a guy like Aaron Rodgers.”
(on where this team stands)
“We are in a good position. We just need to stay as one, believe in each other, believe in our coaching staff and try to get the next one.”
(on his long first quarter run)
“That is just playing football. The line did a great job.”
Brandon Bolden – November 11, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Postgame – Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins RB Brandon Bolden (Transcribed by Green Bay Packers)
(on his blocked punt)
“It was just a good call. Everyone had their assignment and I just made it happen.”
(on the cold weather)
“There was a couple of guys that had never been in the cold weather before, but I felt like they went out and attacked it like they should have. I don’t think the weather played much part today.”
Brock Osweiler – November 11, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Postgame – Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins QB Brock Osweiler (Transcribed by Green Bay Packers)
(on drives ending in field goals instead of touchdowns)
“Yeah, it’s very frustrating. Anytime you play a good team like the Packers, you know you have to score touchdowns. Field goals aren’t going to be enough. Really at the end of the day, those problems start and stop with me. I need to be better and I need to find a way to get this offense in the end zone scoring touchdowns. This is two weeks back-to-back now that we’ve struggled finishing drives in the end zone. Point blank, period. I’m the only guy on the team that touches the ball every play on offense and I need to find ways to be better and score touchdowns.”
(on what he needs to do better)
“Find ways to score touchdowns. Like I said, this football team deserves touchdowns the way the defense has played the last two weeks. Special teams making a big play for us. This whole organization just deserves better and like I said, I’m going to go to work tomorrow, in fact, on this flight I’m going to watch this game. We are going to watch the game again tomorrow and I’m going to find ways to get the ball in the end zone because I need to do better.”
(on going nine quarters without a touchdown)
“I think it just goes back to watching the game film on all those games. We need to look at, ‘Okay, when we cross the 50-yard line, what are we doing? What are we doing well and what are we not doing so well?’ But, more importantly, what can I do better? Like I said, whether it’s a run play or a pass play, the ball is my hands to make decisions for this football team. And obviously, I need to make better decisions.”
(on the mentality of the football team)
“This football team believes in itself, we really do. I think this football team does a great job of blocking out the outside noise and focusing on the task at hand. You saw tonight, overall, I really think our team played a great game. It’s just up to me to make plays to score more points. You look at our drives and we had plenty of opportunities. It’s just unfortunate because a lot of guys gave everything they had tonight and left it all out there on the field.”
(on the fumble on the opening drive)
“It’s just an unfortunate deal. Regardless of what happens, I just need to find a way to get my hands on the football, especially if the ball is on the ground, I need to find a way to get on top of it, especially down there. The offensive line and running backs and receivers did a tremendous job on the opening drive, whether it be run plays, pass plays, finding ways to have success. You know, if you want to beat a good football team like the Packers on the road, you can’t go down in the red zone and have turnovers. That’s just unacceptable.”
Adam Gase – November 11, 2018 (Postgame)
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Postgame – Green Bay Packers
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Adam Gase (Transcribed by Green Bay Packers)
(on injuries affecting the outcome of the game)
“I think we were able to adjust our plan, try to put ourselves in the right spot. Once we fell behind, having a turnover, that put us in a situation where they knew we were going to throw a little more. It just started collapsing with those guys pressuring us. We didn’t handle it very well.”
(on struggles with offense)
“We just have to execute in the red zone. When we get our chances, we need to hit what’s open, we need to protect at the right time, run the right routes. When we have what we’re looking for on defense, we have to make that play.”
(on playing well in the first three quarters)
“We felt like the run game was going okay. We were getting some good chunks and then it just really kind of dried up for us where we started getting second-and-long, third-and-long. We weren’t really getting the yards we were getting before. We were getting out of manageable situations. We were trying to find some ways to get some quick throws and get the ball out. They did a good job of covering us when they were in man. We shook free a few times and there were a couple of times when we got wired a little bit and it caused a negative play.”
(on inconsistencies week-to-week)
“That’s why we just keep working on making sure we can have four quarters of consistent football. You can see when they realize that we’re being a little too loose in certain spots and they tie it down and it stops for a little bit and then somebody does something where another one pops free. We just have to find a way to be consist for four quarters. I know those guys are working hard to try and get that done. Hopefully we can just keep that groove together in the last six weeks.”
(on what went wrong on offense)
“We turned it over. We didn’t take advantage of the opportunity. It just seemed like we had so many little things we were counting on – somebody making a play, a blocked punt, we get a turnover on downs, things like that. We didn’t take advantage of that on offense. And that hurts us and it’s hard. If we don’t execute the right things on offense and then now the defense is put into a bad position, it’s just this snowball effect for us and we needed to play a certain way. It was close and at the end of the day, we just didn’t get it done.”
(on if they believed they could win this game)
“I felt good about what our plan was as a team, what we needed to do. I think we missed the opportunities that we had. We either got a stop on defense, we had some kind of turnover, whether it be special teams blocking the punt. That field position we didn’t take advantage of. We had a good drive to open the game up and then we had a fumble. Those types of things you can’t do against this guy [Aaron Rodgers]. You do that and it’s just a matter of time before he makes it right. We had opportunities to at least get us to the fourth quarter where we’re either winning or it’s close and see what we can do, but we didn’t do that.”
