Vic Fangio – September 28, 2023
Download PDF version
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio
(There’s a lot of talk with your scheme about how the framework of it deters deep passing. But I was curious how you see it also helping in matchups against mobile quarterbacks like you’re going to face with Bills QB Josh Allen this weekend?) – “Yeah, he’s a handful to play against. I don’t think there’s any one way to play him. That’s kind of the definition of a great quarterback. There is no one way to play him or everybody would do it. And he’s tough to handle and you always got to defend two plays – the play they call in the huddle and the play he can create on the run. And they utilize the RPO game too which he’s good at. So he’s a tough assignment.”
(You made changes in the nickel and dime with CB Eli Apple. How did CB Justin Bethel and CB Parry Nickerson do last week?) – “They did okay. I think it’s the first time that Justin’s had to play full time, and Parry got some snaps from when we went to six DBs. And then late in the game, when it was out of hand, he got to play some corner. And I think they both did a good job.”
(Are those changes, without giving away strategy, are those changes fairly permanent? Or is that up for grabs this week?) – “Nothing’s permanent in the NFL. (laughter) Not for long, right?” (laughter)
(Regarding S Jevon Holland, it seems like he does so much that maybe we don’t get to see from a casual observer standpoint. I’m just curious to hear the impact he has no difference from your perspective.) – “He has a tremendous impact. We utilize his abilities a lot. And as you alluded to, some of it’s not very visible to the average person. He’s just a tremendous player. He has a chance to be a special, special player in the NFL.”
(CB Cam Smith was inactive. Where does he stand right now?) – “Cam has been getting better in practice. We’ve been giving him more reps. When you come down to your last couple DBs, special teams plays a part in that. Versatility plays a part in that. We only had three real safeties dressed last week, so we have to have an emergency fourth. So everything plays into that. But I think Cam’s progressing.”
(As a matter of general philosophy, where do you stand on the idea of having a cornerback shadow a wide receiver?) – “It’s doable and I’ve done it a lot in my career. And then a lot of times, I haven’t. I don’t think with our team right now it’s something that we would do. But it could be down the line.”
(Did S Brandon Jones’ play make you all re-think about how you want to allocate safety snaps with him in and S DeShon Elliott?) – “Yeah, it was good to finally get him some action. He’s had very limited practice. He had very, very limited reps in training camp. Didn’t play in any preseason games. We’ve been getting him more reps in practice and hopefully we’re seeing the progress that allows him to play.”
(As it relates to building your game plan for the Bills offense, I was wondering if you looked back at any of the film from the three matchups last season? Or are you just focusing on what the Bills have shown this year so far?) – “Yeah, we didn’t really look too much back at the three games last year. Didn’t feel they had a lot of relevance to us.”
(What do you think Bills WR Stefon Diggs does best?) – “Get open and catch the ball. He’s one of the top receivers in the league. The quarterback has good (chemistry) with him. He’s heavily targeted. He’s a top-level receiver in this league and that’s one of the reasons their offense is scoring at a high pace. He’s a good player.”
(You’re deep at inside linebacker, but if you find yourself in a spot where you have to use LB Channing Tindall, what’s the skill that you think could help you that he has?) – “Well, he has good athletic ability. He’s been contributing in the special teams area and improving on defense.”
(I know it’s kind of offbeat, but in watching the offense put up 70 points last Sunday, have you seen anything close to that in your years?) – “No. I think that’s an anomaly. You just don’t see that very often in the NFL. And games can turn. We went for it on fourth down there in our own territory. Didn’t get it. It’s 21 to 10. They should come away with at least the field goal to make it 21 to 13 or score a touchdown and we ended up making them punt. With the final score what it was, it’s hard to say that was a big series, but it really was. Maybe that game doesn’t get out of hand like it did. And then it just steamrolled. Plus, there were two short fields. We gave the offense the ball on the two, I think, and the eight, and it just rolled.”
(CB Kader Kohou had been primarily nickel in the first couple of games and then played wide corner a lot in this last game. Obviously, he can do both, but how do you think he looks as a wide corner?) – “Good. I thought he played well this past week. I think he plays well.”
(I could be wrong, but I think the last time you coached against a Josh Allen team was back in 2020. Anything stand out from that game? I know Josh Allen had a pretty good day that day.) – “Yeah, he’s had a lot of good days in his career, and we were victims of one then. He’s a really good player. He’s one of the few quarterbacks in the league that can put a team on his back and carry it with his arm and his legs. He’s a tough guy to stop.”
(Is there anything you’re telling your guys or need to tell you guys about tackling a quarterback that big?) – “Yeah, he’s not your ‘Average Joe’ quarterback. With his movement and his size and his strength and his courageousness, he’s tough. He’s really good.”
(You mentioned that you didn’t look at the games last year. The Bills have kind of changed their offense to more 12 personnel with two really electric tight ends. How does that challenge your defense when you have two tight ends that can stretch the field like they can?) – “Yeah, it gives them a lot of versatility. They can, as you say, it’s a 12-offense, but they can run an 11-offense with those people on the field and they do that. So it gives them versatility – you never know quite what mode they’re in. Anytime you have versatile players, offensively or defensively, it’s a plus, and they have that.”
(Two questions here and they’re related. How has the defense played this year in a three-game sample? And if you haven’t taken that sample yet, at what point do you do it? Like at the four-game mark or the eight-game mark? When do you look overall and see how your defense has played?) – “It’s a game-by-game operation. We obviously didn’t play well in the first game. We did some good things, though, to help us win the game. The last two games have been better. We’re progressing. I don’t think you’re – you never get a final report card. You’re just constantly – every week is a test and a final exam. We’ve got to pass it.”
(I just wanted your general thoughts on LB Jerome Baker in your defense?) – “’Bake’ (Jerome Baker) takes the signals for us. He kind of quarterbacks the defense, and he’s been playing pretty damn good. I’d like to see more out of him. I think there’s more there than we’ve been getting, and hopefully we’ll get that.”
(I wanted to get your perspective on having a cornerback shadow an elite receiver. Based on what I know, it’s not something that you’ve done on a consistent basis. I wanted to get your thoughts on why that’s not necessary?) – “We’ve done it in the past, and when I say ‘we’ meaning me at different places. It has to be warranted. You have to have the guy that can do it, and you have to have a guy that’s comfortable doing it. There are some corners that really only like to play one side and they’re only comfortable on one side, and they don’t like constantly having to flip. So that’s one reason why you wouldn’t, but I’ve been involved where we’ve done it a lot. Some years, we don’t do it at all. Some years, we do it a good bit.”
(So it comes down to the cornerback and his comfort?) – “It comes down to both corners, because both corners have to flip. Some guys just don’t like flipping. They want to stay on their side, they want to stay in their home. There are other guys where it doesn’t matter, they don’t care.”
(I know it’s tough to make extreme statements, but have you ever seen an offense that puts as much pressure on a defense as your offense?) – “Well, they certainly have had it going here in two of the first three games for sure. Obviously, they’ve got a lot of speed, and we have a good mix of run (and) pass. They’re a tough assignment.”
(What’s it, the Rams that was “The Greatest Show on Turf?” Did that offense put as much pressure on a defense as this offense?) – “They were really good. I was the victim of one of those, and they were really good. I don’t think we should go there yet after three games. We’ll see how we do on the road against a good defense this week.”
Danny Crossman – September 28, 2023
Download PDF version
Thursday, September 28, 2023
Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman
(The kick return touchdown that occurred, what happened on that?) – “Multiple things. It was late in the game and we’re trying to get some different people in and had some different people in some different spots. Besides that, we had two guys not where they’re supposed to be on a fit and a little poor backside pursuit. When you do that, bad things are going to happen.”
(Was that a deal where you guys wanted to have a kick return cover and put it inside the 10? Or was that a deal where it just didn’t go through the end zone?) – “Well, it wasn’t the ideal kick. I’ll put it that way. We had a couple of them that weren’t exactly what we’re trying to do. But again, positively we kicked off a lot. Negatively, you’re not going to get what you want on every single kickoff when you kick off that many times.”
(So there might be times where instead of kicking it through the end zone, you, for some strategic reason, will try to place it within the 10 or five?) – “Yeah, without question.”
(When you use P Jake Bailey, is that just to kind of give K Jason Sanders a break, because obviously he had at least 10 kickoffs, right?) – “That, again, is a combination of a couple things of being able to use our resources as best we can. (We have) two guys that we think are good kickoff guys that can do a lot of things.”
(On that touchdown return by Denver WR Marvin Mims Jr., LB Cam Goode missed a tackle. But beyond that, how has he played on special teams for your in the three games?) – “Playing well. He did a good job. You say, ‘missed tackle,’ but he wasn’t the breakdown of that play. We’re happy with where Cam is but like all these young guys, they still have a long way to go.”
(Is he a guy that you’ll need week to week on the roster?) – “Well, we’ll see. The roster and the management of the roster and game day stuff, it’s constantly changing. It’s an ebb and flow, but he’s a guy that we feel good about, if he’s got a uniform, of contributing for us.”
(On a different note, on that play in a close game, is that a fair catch by Denver and you get it at the 25, do you think?) – “I have no idea.”
(But overall, has that kind of been the trend, do you know? Or is there enough evidence to develop a trend?) – “There’s not enough. Every team is different. Every coach is different. Every player. Who you’re playing. There’s so many things that go into it. I think it’ll be a couple more, probably another month or so before you really have a good feel on what’s going on around the league.”
(Does making all 10 extra points do something good for K Jason Sanders? I know you say he’s always confident, but what do you think about him making all 10 extra points?) – “I think we’ve all done a lot of things in our lives and to be 10 out of 10 on anything is pretty good. Especially with the new rules, when you’re looking at 10 out of 10 33-yard field goals, that’s a good day. So again, one of the things that we like about Jason he’s very stay the course, things don’t rattle him. But like anything else, success is a great breeder for positive things going forward, I believe.”
(We’ve heard Head Coach Mike McDaniel mention coming off the bench in games and the challenges of going from cold to up and moving around right away. Obviously, a good problem to have, but is that kind of similar for punt team, where you never use the punt team until like once or twice a game and you kind of have to come off the bench cold in that regard?) – “A lot of it has to do with the different players and different spots of where they are. Obviously, anytime we get possession of the football, Jake’s up and starting to hit some footballs. So that’s a constant. You have some players that are contributing on offense and defense that are constantly working. You have other guys maybe not playing as much on offense and defense. You can get into those lulls where yeah, maybe they are sitting on the sideline for an extended period of time. But more than anything, it’s mental. You’ve got to keep yourself in the game mentally because that’s where the breakdowns happen.”
(On the kickoffs, because there are so few, what do you tell the guys about, in your own words – because I would say, ‘hey, guys, don’t assume there’s not going to be a return on this.’ Is it human nature to maybe kind of, ‘hey, we just had nine in a row go through the end zone?’ You know what I mean?) – “You cover every one like it’s going to be returned and that’s the only way you can do it. You can’t control what they do. They may want to bring it back from nine yards deep. You can’t control that, so you better assume everything is going to be played and then you deal with it. It’s why it’s so important to practice because if (there are) opportunities both in return and the kickoff game. You better be really good in practice because you don’t know when those opportunities are going to come. So practice becomes, to me, even more relevant.”
Tyreek Hill – September 27, 2023
Download PDF version
(Can you see the impact the motion, in particular the motion at the snap, has on the defense?) – “Oh yeah, I can. Most definitely. It definitely allows us to catch the defense off guard in many ways. I wish I could sit here and explain it to y’all, but it’s a lot. But yeah, it definitely gives us an advantage, especially for me being a smaller guy. Corners aren’t able to jam me at the line of scrimmage so I’m able to use my speed and run routes so we all love that.”
(Obviously you were doing some of it last year, but it seems like the evolution this year especially how the short motion and maybe the in and out – can you maybe give me an insight of what that evolution has meant to the offense?) – “It’s just coaches giving me the freedom to just play with the offense a little bit and I’m just having fun with it. And each and every day at practice, I’m just enjoying it, finding small nuances where I can get better and I’m loving it each and every day.”
(How much more are you seeing the game maybe as a coach now that you see all this motion and all that type of stuff?) – “Now the game has slowed down for me so much that it’s crazy. I’m able to notice coverages, I’m able to know what the defender is going to do before he even does it and that helps me out a lot and I sometimes find myself yelling out the coverage for Tua (Tagovailoa) whenever I’m on the field. So if he doesn’t see something, I’m going to see it so it helps me out, it helps out the other guys on the field and it’s definitely a huge advantage for us.”
(I know you guys have your tracking devices and it tells you the speed and all that after a practice and game. Do you ever go on the Next Gen Stats to see how the other players around the league…?) – “No, I don’t get into that because when you know you’re the fastest, there ain’t no reason to get into that, right? (laughter)”
(How impressed were you with RB De’Von Achane? Four touchdowns, just to come out like that and have his NFL coming out party in that fashion?) – “That’s crazy, for him to be able to come out first game of the year for him and to win (AFC Offensive Player) of the Week is crazy, so shoutout to him. I know he’s going to continue to improve and get better each and every week so the sky’s the limit for him.”
(Do you think speed wears down defenders throughout the course of the game?) – “Oh, for sure. For sure. Teams can’t play man to man on us all game because – just like when I was asked earlier about the motion, it wears down defenders. For a guy like me, I feel like I can run all day. Unlike a guy who is six-foot-and-up, not used to running a lot. I can run all day basically.”
(A good buddy of yours in Kansas City has caused some stir in the air with his dating relationship. I’m curious if you have any thoughts on TE Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift?) – “No comment on that. But shoutout to my boy Kelce though man. Keep balling. I love you. I miss you and that’s all I got to say, man.”
(You’ve been on championship teams. Teams that have had to take steps one step at a time to get where you want to go, and show that your championship caliber. Where do you see this Sunday’s game in regard to where this team wants to go?) – “To us, we take it week by week. We’re looking at this game like any other week. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is. We’re going to practice the same way we’ve been practicing the past weeks, and we’re going to go out there and play our hearts out and try to come back to Miami with a W.”
(Do you have a preference with how to pronounce RB De’Von Achane’s name?) – “Nah, I don’t get into the pronunciation of anybody’s name because I found myself saying (Travis) Kelce’s name wrong for the past seven years. It’s not Kel-see, it’s Kels. I don’t get into that anymore.”
(One other thing on the motion other than the fact that you raised about not being jammed at the line of scrimmage, how much do you think running starts help receivers in motion when you’re running as the ball is snapped?) – “It’s kind of hard. It’s kind of a pro and a con. Like I said, it allows taller DBs not to get hands on us, but at the same time it’s like, man ‘how do I run this route at full speed, already moving at full speed and break down and get out of it?’ There are advantages, and disadvantages, but it’s all about wanting to do it and help this team get better. I’m good at it. I’ve been doing this my whole life – motioning like that, playing around with motions like that. I feel like I’ve learned from some of the best when I was back at KC when I was watching (Travis) Kelce motion. I’ve had time to watch and learn and know how to do certain things in this league. Now I’m teaching the young guys how to do it.”
(Did you get flak from your teammates about your post-career aspirations?) – “Oh, yeah. A lot of my teammates are hating on me right now. But I was joking. I was definitely joking. It’s something I don’t want to do. I was just joking. I was playing a game with a good friend of mine, Mike Evans. I don’t want to do anything like that.”
Tua Tagovailoa – September 27, 2023
Download PDF version
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(There’s a lot of talk about this offense. Obviously, you put up 70 points and all the feats you guys achieved. There’s a lot of comparisons to historical offenses. I was curious in your experience playing football, what are the one or two things that makes this this iteration of this offense so unique? Is it the speed? Is it the personnel? Is it scheme? What do you see that really distinguishes this group?) – “I think what distinguishes the group that we have is all of what you said – the speed, the timing in which we play, the pre-snap motions, the scheme that (Head Coach) Mike (McDaniel) sets up for us, how we play, we go out, we play fast. And then the communication things that we wanted to work on this offseason. It’s an accumulation of a lot of things. But I think all of those things have to play a role in this offense. If not, the offense doesn’t go.”
(How much is the balance now that you guys can be effective and efficient running the ball, how much does that benefit the offense and benefit you?) – “It benefits all of us. It doesn’t just benefit one specific person. It benefits us in the run game when we can pass and it does so vice versa when we can run the ball to pass it. Defenses are getting the same looks (with) different things happening. Sometimes towards the edges, the view for the ‘backers, the second level guys. Guys are looking at me, guys are having to focus on these fast guys that we have. It benefits all of us.”
(The last time the team made a trip to Buffalo, you didn’t get to play in that game, that playoff game. How much did that bite at you then and how much do you still think about it now?) – “Yeah, it’s tough. It’s tough not being able to go out there and help our guys and help the team win. But last year is last year. We’re focused on this year, finding ways that we can win against this team. It’s a good team.”
(I know you said you’re focused on this game, but did you watch the playoff game? What was that kind of like?) – “Yeah, I couldn’t help but watch it and be a fan. I knew the game plan that we went into the game with. I had the pages of things that they’ve worked on. And so I was able to be a fan, but also kind of get a gist of the plays that they were going to run as well. But it’s always tough for any competitor to have to sit and watch their team go out there and play.”
(You mentioned pre-snap motions a minute ago. And obviously leading into the training camp and the regular season, pre-snap penalties were a big topic of discussion and you guys have done really well in that regard. So how have you been able to mix in all of the pre-snap motion and still stay away from pre snap penalties?) – “Like I said, that’s something that we’ve been working on this entire offseason, starting in OTAs. We’ve had our goals of what we wanted to achieve this offseason as an offense and how we wanted to operate, and that was one of the biggest ones. So it’s no surprise to me. It’s no surprise to our guys on the offensive side of the ball. And we’re continuing to work. It’s not something that’s perfect. That’s why you have practice and you got to continue to rep it.”
(You get the ball out very fast. We know this. I’m sure some of its schematic, but for you, has being able to process a play and get the ball out always been easy? Is that kind of a learned skill?) – “I would say in this league, nothing’s easy. I would say some of that has been instincts that have been elevated as I got to the league, but it’s not something that I would say has been easy. It’s just something that you got to continue to rep and do especially with the guys that we have. If you’re out of sync and you’re not on time with those guys, you miss your opportunity right there.”
(You guys started off 3-0 last year hot as well. What, if anything, feels different this go around?) – “Well, to think back to 3-0 last year and think of 3-0 this year, I couldn’t tell you the feeling that I felt like last year. I don’t think anyone around the league cares who’s 3-0 or who’s 4-0, who’s 0-3. I mean, there’s a lot of football left to be played and that’s how we’re looking at this as a team. We have a tremendous amount of respect for the Bills and their coaching staff, things that they can do in all three phases of the game. But we’re excited for that challenge. We’re excited to go back up there and play those guys.”
(How important was it for you last year to get over the hump? I mean, the Bills had won a bunch of games in a row against the Dolphins. To get over that hump and show in all three games that you guys are right there with them.) – “Yeah, well, you got to be consistent. And that’s the thing, we try to be consistent in the things that we do. I would say getting over the hump for any of us in the locker room, it’s not even close to the standard. You get over the hump, and that’s it. You can’t beat them anymore. That’s not what we are here (for) or that’s not what we all came here to do. We try to be consistent with that. And like I said, in regards to their team, they got a really good team. And we’re really excited to play against them.”
(Whether it’s personally or as a team, do you remember the last time you had this much fun playing football?) – “It was probably in college, probably in college. It’s hard in this league to do good things because guys on the other side are really good as well. They study and they’re really good. But it’s been a lot of fun, that’s for sure this year.”
(What is it about this group of guys that makes it that way?) – “I think the work ethic for everyone. The work ethic from OTAs, the offseason, training camp, guys put a lot of work into it. And I would say everyone’s reaping the benefit of it right now.”
(From afar, it seems like you have a pretty good relationship with QB Josh Allen. Can you kind of elaborate on that at all?) – “Yeah, I’ve talked to Josh a couple of times. I mean, he’s a great guy. Josh is huge. Josh is big. But yeah, he has a strong arm. He solidified himself in the league pretty early on in his career. I got a lot of respect for the way he plays the game and how he operates with those guys on that side of the ball. But yeah, I got a lot of respect for Josh.”
(This is S Micah Hyde and S Jordan Poyer’s seventh year playing together in the back end of that defense. How do you think that experience together helps them disguise coverage and makes things tough on you guys?) – “Yeah, it helps them all. The communication that they have in the back end. There’s some things on the fly that they don’t need to communicate that they’ve been playing that position and they’ve been playing this defense for so long that they understand the defense inside and out. And I think what helps them a lot is Taron Johnson. Me personally, I think he helps that defense go as well with them being able to stay in nickel defense to any personnel. I mean he’s a player. And he helps that defense go too. But they show you what they’re going to run. They line up in their deal and they’re basically telling you like, ‘Let’s play football here.’ And you know what they’re going to do. Sometimes you don’t know what they’re going to do. But for the most part, they just play sound defense.”
(We talked a little bit earlier about the motion. That inside out short motion that WR Tyreek Hill does where he’s going at the snap, where he’s already moving, can you maybe take me through the timing element and how do you practice that? Because it seems like you have to be perfect when he’s going forward so that they don’t call a flag on that.) – “Yeah, there’s a lot of motions that we have. There’s a lot of things that go into our motion timing. There’s some motion snap points that we say snap here for certain plays, and then some we say snap here for other plays. There’s just a lot. I couldn’t say that we have a set snap point for basically all of them. Some of them are different and could be called the same, just dependent on the play.”
(It seems like there are different ways you can approach a game like Sunday. You could say it’s one out of 17. Or you could say, ‘Hey, that’s a team that’s won the division three years in a row. A team we have to get through to get to where we want to go.’ What’s your approach to this?) – “Oh, we got to beat these guys. That’s how I see it. I don’t think there’s any other way to look at it. We got to beat these guys. They’re the next team up and that’s how I think all our guys see it. We’re not worried about anyone else right now this week, except for the Bills.”
(How hostile is it playing in Orchard Park when you’re there and how much does that add to the motivation to shut them up?) – “Yeah, it’s very hostile. It’s very hostile. Those guys, you hear a lot of things. When I was able to play there and it was snowing, I mean, guys were throwing some packed snowballs. (laughter) Those things hurt. To me, being able to go on the road in an environment like that, it’s always fun. It’s always fun. When you’re a little kid and you’re able to play against a really good team and you see their fans and how they are, it’s always fun to go over there and be able to come out with a win.”
(We’ve seen the highlight plenty of times this week of your no-look pass to RB De’Von Achane. How much and how far do you practice throwing with your off, right hand?) – “I don’t really practice throwing with my right hand. I never thought of it as throwing with my right hand for a touchdown pass for those two shovels. But it’s what it was, so that was cool. Two left and two right. Has it ever been done in the NFL? (laughter)”
(Can you throw a baseball left-handed too?) – “Yeah, I throw a baseball with my left hand. Shoot a basketball.”
(So everything athletically is left-handed?) – “Except for batting. I kick with my right. I don’t know if I’m a real lefty or a fake lefty, real righty. I don’t know. I write with my right. I mean, I don’t know. You guys tell me.” (laughter)
De’Von Achane – September 27, 2023
Download PDF version
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
RB De’Von Achane
(How is life as a 200-yard rusher? How has it changed? How is it different?) – “I mean it’s the same. It was a great feeling at the time but we’re past that. That was last week. We can’t dwell on the past. It’s the regular season. We still have a long season to go. Hopefully it will just carry on though.”
(In your mind, what was the most impressive thing that you personally did in that game?) – “I wouldn’t say I did something that was impressive. Sundays are supposed to be easy. When you put in the work Monday through Saturday, those days are the hardest days for me. So on Sundays, it feels like the game is slower and you can just go out there and play. You’re not thinking too much, just playing fast and having fun.”
(How did you find out that you got the AFC Offensive Player of the Week?) – “Today, actually. We were in the team meeting and I think at the end of the meeting, Coach (Mike) McDaniel was making a joke like, at the end of the meeting, he put my picture on the board with the AFC (Offensive Player of the Week) thing. So that’s how I found out.”
(Did everyone clap for you?) – “Yeah. Well, we don’t clap but we do this knock on wood thing.”
(Have you seen this photo on the internet? There are six folks wearing orange and blue on the ground there. What did you think when you saw the photo?) – “You don’t see that very often. You don’t see holes open that big. Obviously I can’t do it myself. I just thank the receivers, the linemen and everybody who was part of that play … like I said, it was a great team win and hopefully we carry it on this week and this Sunday.”
(I asked Head Coach Mike McDaniel about the six fastest timed speeds in the NFL for ball carriers all being Dolphins. WR Tyreek Hill, RB De’Von Achane and RB Raheem Mostert. WR Jaylen Waddle isn’t even on that list yet. Have you all given him a hard time about that?) – “Of course, but I feel like we all give each other a hard time. I feel like we’re always saying who is faster than who or this, this and that. But the time tells. I know Jaylen is just waiting to go out there and show what he can do. We put up 70 points and he didn’t play. So when he gets on the field – it just shows you that we have a lot of depth. With him not playing, other people can step up and make plays as well. We always give each other a hard time. Like even today at practice, we always say I’m faster than you or this, this and that. It’s just a lot of fun.”
(Did you sleep through the night on Sunday or did you wake up a couple of times?) – “I wouldn’t say I slept. I pretty much stayed up. But when I did go to sleep, I was asleep.”
(Here is the big question that people are saying. How do you divide up the carries among all the running backs? And then especially when RB Salvon Ahmed and RB Jeff Wilson Jr. are healthy, what do you do? So if you are Head Coach Mike McDaniel, what do you do?) – “I don’t know man. We have a very talented running back group. I feel like we’re all capable of making plays and doing the exact same thing. I feel like it doesn’t matter which one of us you put in. I feel like we all can go out there and do the same thing. We all compete at practice and we all know if one of us are going in, we know that person is ready and he can go out there and he is capable of winning the game for us.”
(So if you are Head Coach Mike McDaniel, how many touches does RB De’Von Achane get this week?) – “I don’t know. I’m not in his head. I don’t know what he’s thinking. But we’re going to see when we get out there. I trust him to call the right plays even if I might not get the ball. I’m a team player. I don’t go out there and be like ok, I want the ball right here or I want this many carries. I’m a team player. I just go out there and do what I can for the team.”
(Do you play fantasy football?) – “No.”
(I’m guessing your one of the most added players. Has anybody hit you up about fantasy on Twitter and all that?) – I’ve been seeing a lot of people saying how many points I got. But I don’t play so I don’t really understand that stuff.”
(I think it was 50 points.) – “Yeah, something like that. I think it was like 51 or something.”
(That’s a lot.) – “Yeah, I’ve been seeing it a lot but I don’t play fantasy football so I wouldn’t know.
(Your mom was not in attendance for this ballgame, right?) – “No, she was there.”
(Oh, she was there?) – “Yeah.”
(So what did she say when she saw you out in the parking lot or at the hotel?) – “She saw me on the field. They came on the field after the game, the family section. My son was there also. My brother and sister were there. It was just a fun moment; she obviously was proud of me. Everybody probably thought after a big game, you go out and celebrate. We just went home, ate and watched TV as a family.”
(You said son?) – “Yeah, my son.”
(How old?) – “He’s one.”
(He doesn’t know what’s going on?) – “No.”
(Does he have a number 28 jersey?) – “Yeah.”
(It fits?) – “It’s a little big but he still wears it. (laughter)”
(Can I clarify the name? Here’s the thing, we asked you in rookie camp, how do we say your name? So how did it change?) – “It never really changed. It’s just, people always say ‘A-chain, A-train.’ I mean, I’ve heard it all types of ways. I really never had a problem with people calling me A-train, A-chane. But it’s A-chan, how you say it for real.”
Mike McDaniel – September 27, 2023
Download PDF version
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Will either LB Jaelan Phillips or OL Connor Williams practice today or perhaps this week?) – “It is day to day. They won’t practice today. We’ll press forward and as we gain information back, we’ll apply that information moving forward. But they will not practice today.”
(Where does WR Jaylen Waddle stand?) – “He will practice today. He’ll have a full practice, which upon the results of that, will officially or unofficially clear him from the protocol.”
(Does revenge have a place in Sunday’s game? Or is revenge just something that you don’t buy into in the NFL?) – “I think division opponents, you have what’s been probably under-talked about is an opponent of this caliber coming off a nine-sack, five-turnover day. If you need to be motivated for a game like this, check your pulse, or maybe consider a career adjustment. When you’re playing a quality opponent in your division, there’s always going to be – it’s the Bills. It’s the Bills game. This is the way it feels to us. They have earned the right to be the division champion for several years and they continue to play at a high level. I think it’s a very, very difficult challenge that I think our players are pumped for because you sign up to play the best and I think they fit that.”
(I’m wondering how you felt OL Liam Eichenberg looked in his snaps at center on Sunday?) – “I felt that he rose to the challenge in a very necessary way. I’d definitely put an asterisk. Much like a backup quarterback coming in, it’s a unique situation where you go 0-60 real quick and then you have the ball every play. So there’s stuff that he can improve on for sure, but I was happy with how the game wasn’t too big for him. He executed his assignments, made sure there were a lot of appropriately declared run and pass plays when he was in and that starts and ends with the center. So it was good to see him get some action and do some things that we’ve seen in practice that I hadn’t seen in a game.”
(Going back to the question about Buffalo, do you take anything from those two late games there last season that you can bring over to this year? Or is it just like a new season, where you kind of wash that out? How do you use those games last year for learning experiences this year?) – “I think that you use them for knowing what the experience will be like on the surface level, What you do know is that they’re going to play very hard and together, and they’re not going to give anything away, so you have to earn it. It is a different team so you have to take that with a grain of salt. But I think that being the last game that we played in 2022, which I think technically was 2023, and it was a hard-fought loss down the stretch of the season. Those things, they do live with you in terms of what that felt like. So to me, it really represents the idea of the P’s and the Q’s that we have to be on to have a result that’s different than the one last year. I know one thing. To even conceive that, it’s going to have to be earned. That’s the cool thing about what they do is they make you earn every inch. It will take a group effort for 60 minutes. There’s no doubting that.”
(Bills LB Terrel Bernard won AFC Defensive Player of the Week this week after a big performance. With his emergence alongside LB Matt Milano, how tough does that make this Bills defense in the middle of the field?) – “In a three-game span, I’ve seen as opportunistic of a collective group. You want to talk about making people pay for their mistakes. If they get their hands on any sort of ball, they are turning the ball over. It’s a very, very important thing to be good at. There’s a lot of things that go into play. They’re very well-orchestrated with their assignments and knowing each other’s assignments. They play great team ball, and they really strain each and every play. Part of that straining doesn’t show up in the box score. But a couple of those turnovers were as a result of a quarterback pressure and a guy having to let it go before he wanted to, before he saw things. That’s what they rely on, depend on. They are very good at it and that’s a great way to win a lot of football games, which they’ve done doing that.”
(To follow up then, from a quarterback and an offensive perspective, how do you counter that? Without listing the exact game plan, how do you counter that?) – “Well, I made an important point to the quarterbacks today, specifically Tua (Tagovailoa), to attempt to not throw it to them as best you can. It is a group effort, it’s not just on Tua. It’s literally the entire offense because it’s a collective group. A receiver has to run the appropriate route against the right coverage at the appropriate timing and depth. The quarterback has to be on that and be in sync with them and throw an accurate ball. That can only occur if the protection allows him to execute his technique and fundamentals. So it is quite literally one of my favorite types of football games because with that offense they have and how good they are, and the defense and how good they are, it takes a team win. It takes the entire team to execute. You can’t overcome that teamwork they have with individuals. Those are my favorite type of games, the ones that take an absolute team commitment. So it’ll be fun. Two teams that really want to have no business leaving that stadium with loss. Good players, good coaching staffs, it’ll be a fun one.”
(How did CB Justin Bethel and CB Parry Nickerson do last weekend? Are they the likely starters this weekend in the nickel and dime?) – “Those decisions. kind of like the conversations that we’ve had with the offensive line to a degree, there’s depth there. That affords you opportunities to kind of have matchups and little nuances that drive those decisions. I can tell you one thing, they didn’t do anything to warrant them not having those jobs. Those decisions we make as the week progresses based upon the game plan and how practice reps go. But I was very, very happy with how they rose to the challenge and I thought they proved us right by putting them out there.”
(So WR Tyreek Hill, RB De’Von Achane and RB Raheem Mostert are the three fastest timed players, and they’re all on the same team. That seems unfair. What do you think?) – “We are not having them work against their will. (General Manager) Chris Grier is a madman. (laughter) No, I think that everybody has kind of – I think one thing that we’re afforded and our working relationship, speaking of Chris and I, is that we can functionally move in a direction with vision and purpose. So I think we’ve always shared a commonality for talent, specifically offensive skill positions. I mean, shoot, I definitely wasn’t here when Jaylen Waddle was drafted. But I’m very happy that he was. W have a lot of guys that can run, but there’s a lot of guys in the league in general that can run. It’s different being a fast guy that’s a football player, and I think that’s what people are starting to see is that they can not only flourish as football players independently, but they are starting to find a little groove and how to play with each other. So all of that is cool and fun. And I’m sure that a lot of clippings that are up in Orchard Park right now, but I promise you our opponents could care less that we were able to put together some impressive performances thus far. But no one cares. It’s on to the next.”
(I know some of this predates you, but based on your conversations with General Manager Chris Grier, do you think that this was like a concerted effort? Let’s put together the fastest team the league has ever seen? Or do you think it was piece-meal, where, okay, this guy’s available, he’s fast, let’s get him, and that just happened one after another?) – “I think we approached it with opportunities, or trying to take advantage of the opportunities or the hand dealt. For the most part, I definitely didn’t come here and say, ‘I demand Tyreek Hill.’ But I sure was like, ‘Chris, we have (to),’ and it’s kind of like that. I think those players are getting the notoriety they deserve, because they are fast, but they’ve decided to commit themselves to being football technicians. And that’s what is making a big difference. You guys remember my favorite book? ‘Talent Is Overrated.” The talent is awesome. But what you’re seeing, our guys that are playing team football as football players, and because their teammates are as invested as they are, their skill sets are able to be featured. I promise you Tyreek Hill doesn’t have the production if Tua (Tagovailoa) can’t see or throw it to him because of protection. I promise you the backs are running their butts off, taking advantage of space that maybe looks a lot different if you’re getting contact three yards in the backfield. So I think that they’re doing some cool football player things. That’s what I like, is that it is not just talent. There’s a lot of talented guys in the league. They’re able to separate themselves when their sole focus and commitment is committed to their craft, which is what we’re seeing.”
(I think the last bit of housekeeping is how is RB Salvon Ahmed doing?) – “He’s progressing. We’ll give him some stuff to do today and make sure that we don’t overload him and then kind of assess how that goes from there. But he was playing at a high level before he got hurt, so it’ll be good to see him get going. I know he’s hungry.”
(We saw a picture of QB Tua Tagovailoa very, very happy seeing QB Mike White’s touchdown pass to WR Robbie Chosen. I saw him jumping into other player’s interviews after the game, and other incidents where he’s been very jovial, happy and in a great mood. How have you seen him, from a mental standpoint, kind of absorb everything that’s going on positively for him at this point?) – “Well, obviously he enjoys the positivity from outside looking in, but what I think is, really the source of what you’re seeing is a guy that is 100 percent prepared and committed for him to do – he has a God given skill set that’s very unique and special, and he’s able to showcase that and harbors no regrets or I should have, would have, could have by his daily process. I mean, he is fully invested. Every walkthrough, it’s not like he’s in a great mood joking around. He is so focused. So that kind of vision is for a lot of the guys is to understand how we work. You prepare all week so that Sunday can be fun because that is you. That is a part of your identity that you’ve earned and you should go enjoy it and you’re able to enjoy it when you’re not cramming for a test. On top of that, he’s starting to see the power that he holds at that position when you are in charge of giving the play and executing each and every play with ball handling and assignments. But what it can do for teammates, because that’s the best thing about football, is you’re not an independent contractor where much of life is that. You have a group of people that ‘Wow, how I work and then what my talents are, those combined, have residual effects on a lot of people’s journeys.’ So I think he’s very much leaning into and enjoying that more than – I mean, the results are really cool for him. I know he’s happy with that, but I think he’s more happy with who he is as a man, as a father, and as a husband and a professional athlete.”
(One other injury, WR River Cracraft, will he require IR?) – “We are we are taking a little time to kind of assess that. That’s definitely not a certainty but it’s definitely not out of the question either. We’re just assessing and seeing how his body responds day in day out. But I can promise you this, he will do whatever it takes to be back as fast as possible. I can promise you that.”
Christian Wilkins – September 25, 2023
Download PDF version
Monday, September 25, 2023
DT Christian Wilkins
(How surreal was yesterday a day later scoring 70 points in a game? Did you get texts from anyone you hadn’t heard from in years saying, how is this possible?) – “Yeah, you get a little bit of that. It was definitely a good one obviously and we were able to enjoy it and just have a good one as a team which was important. But it’s officially about 24 hours since the last game so turn the page quickly and on to Buffalo.”
(Funny you should bring that up. I was going to ask you about the Bills. You and Bills QB Josh Allen seem to have some battles throughout the year. What is it about him?) – “That’s my guy. I love Josh (Allen). We’re cool, we’re tight. But no, he’s a heck of a competitor. I love playing against him. He definitely brings the best out of you as a defense, as an individual. His resume speaks for itself. But definitely a heck of a player and we’re going to have to be on it this week as a defense and as a team because they’re a really good team and they play tough and we know them, they know us. There’s no secrets. Just have to go out there and ball, compete, and may the best man win.”
(You obviously play different positions, but you’re both kind of fiery, aren’t you?) – “I guess you can say that. I think just both of us are just really good competitors and want to do everything you can to get a win and that’s, like I said, two really good competitors that just bring out the best in you.”
(You personally have a little bit of a knack to get under people’s skin. You like to talk a little bit on games. Does that ramp up Bills week?) – “I think that’s all speculation that I do that. I mean, you have no proof. I haven’t said that that’s what I do. So I think that’s all speculation. That’s all hearsay and whatnot. But like I said, division opponents. It’s always competitive, so just hopefully, we’ll be ready to play a good game.”
(I guess the last few games or at least the playoff game didn’t go the way you wanted. Is there extra there for this team, given they are at the spot you guys want to get to as far as on top of the division?) – “Like I keep saying, every game is important. This is an important game obviously because it is on the road, a division opponent. So we’re just going to have to focus on Buffalo and doing everything we can throughout the week to make sure we put ourselves in the best position possible to leave there with a W.”
(If I can go back to this past game, the S Jevon Holland forced fumble and LB Andrew Van Ginkel return; you’re the first one I see that peels back and goes and gets a block, but then the swarm of white jerseys kind of shows up on the screen and goes and hits blocks. I just wanted to hear the way you guys or I guess the coaching staff or players, the way you guys preach “go block for a guy like that” on a return?) – “That’s something you kind of talk about or mention. Like if there’s an interception or if there’s a turnover or things like that, always go and try and find the first opposite-colored jersey you see and typically try to block the quarterback or skill and that’s who made the play. So we would’ve liked to get ‘Gink’ (Andrew Van Ginkel) in there. It would’ve been cool, but that’s just kind of what you’re coached to do and how we did it on that play.”
(There were a lot of celebrations last week. You’re typically involved in a lot of those. Which one would you say stood out the most to you?) – “I ain’t going to lie, I thought ‘Cheetah’ (Tyreek Hill) going into the crowd was pretty cool. That was fun and it was just funny to – you see him try to get over the thing. It was hilarious. But I really liked the conga line, everybody doing the one-two step. That was fun. That was cool.”
(I think OL Austin Jackson was telling us they put that in Friday before the warmup. I’m curious like, do you have a process of maybe putting together some defensive celebrations? Like what does that…?) – “I’m usually typically spur of the moment. I’m pretty creative, too, so I’ll come up with maybe a little something here or there, but yeah, usually typically just emotion, spur of the moment, just have fun with it. Just let the moments happen and just let it out.”
(DE Emmanuel Ogbah was telling us that it’s demoralizing as a defender – not if it’s your own team, it’s great – but if you’re on the other team and you see guys dancing in the end zone after a touchdown, how do you react when you see those kinds of celebrations? Like if it happened to you?) – “I mean, I don’t know. I think it’s fun that we’re on this side of it and we’re just having fun with it and guys are just embracing each other and coming up with cool things like that and it definitely makes it more fun.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel had said earlier today – I asked him about the pregame speech that I guess he allowed FB Alec Ingold to give before the game and he mentioned that when you break the team down at the end of a meeting or before the game, he’ll have a player go speak to the rest of the guys. I’m curious in your captain’s position what that means to you and what you think it means to the players that it’s player-driven?) – “It’s definitely just that. It’s player-driven. We’re the ones going out there on the field having to compete and it’s just kind of like a last time, last second, just us, nobody else. And we have that time, guys can say what they want to say, kind of set the mindset, what’s on their mind, what’s on their heart. So I think that’s cool. It’s definitely important for me and I appreciate it and I embrace it and definitely try to lock in when other guys are speaking because it means a lot to me just to kind of hear what my teammates got on their hearts or on their minds and just to kind of give you like a little extra before you go out there. It’s good to obviously hear from Coach (McDaniel) or whoever, but then when it’s the players, that’s more meaningful.”
(It’s about to be double figures in games for you against Bills QB Josh Allen. I know it’s the Bills, but what have you relished about the matchup with Allen? What’s been the most challenging element of it?) – “Like I keep saying, just the competitive aspect of it. Every game, or at least definitely the last few, it feels like they’ve come down to the – it’s been a four quarter, 60-minute game. And that’s what you want. You want the best to be brought out of you. You want the best to be brought out of your team. It doesn’t really, on the road against the division opponent, you can’t really beat that. It’s going to be a fun one. And their crowd’s always into it, their fans get into and everything like that. They’re a good team, so they’re going to bring it. We have to bring it just a little bit more, and it’s just going to be us on the road, road dawgs, going in there. So it’ll be fun.”
(You eclipsed 300 tackles in your career. When you tackle, you certainly do some celebration as far as like the Power Rangers and Matthew Judon you did two weeks ago. What tackle stands out to you if you had to pick a specific tackle?) – “A specific tackle? I really don’t know. I didn’t know I had 300-plus, and I’m just blessed to been able to have that many to this point. Hopefully a lot more will come in the future. I guess I would say my favorite tackle is the next one.”
(The offensive line is rolling right now. I know you probably don’t spend time watching the offensive line tape, but just curious your thoughts on how they’ve been playing?) – “No, absolutely. I’m locked in on game day, I have a lot of fun watching offense out there, seeing what those guys do. And whenever I get the chance to see what they do, it’s a lot of fun. Because we’ll joke here and there. I’ll mess with Rob Hunt or somebody and say you’re lucky you don’t have to see me in the game or whatever, just kind of having fun. But no, they’ve been doing a great job just protecting well and being able to move guys in the run game. It’s been cool to see because, you see all those guys kind of just put work in and kind of build from the offseason and gel. And it’s just good to see that. I’m happy. They’ve been able to do some good stuff and hopefully they continue building and continue to put together some good performances.”
(You mentioned being locked in on a game day. Obviously, you see them put up 70 points. If you were mic’d up, what would be some of the things that we would have heard you say?) – “No, I would have probably sounded – well, we put up 70 points as a team. But I would definitely probably just be quoting DJ Khaled a lot. ‘Another one, another one, another one,’ I guess.”
(You guys played the Bills three times last year. I think it was decided by a total of three points. This matchup couldn’t be closer. What did you learn about yourself from going toe-to-toe with them last year?) – “They’ve been the top dog in the division. We’ve been right there. We’ve been close. They’re the top dog for a reason. They’ve been able to win those close games and beating us twice last year and everything like that. So, just like I continue to say, it definitely brings out the best in everybody. Them. Us. And it’ll just be a good, fun, competitive match.”
(You mentioned earlier that 24-hour rule. Is that amplified even more coming off such a convincing victory?) – “It’s the same, always, because whether you win by 50, or whether you win by one point, a win is a win. So you got to kind of take it the same way, same approach, be professional, 24-hour rule. Whether you win by one, you win by 100, it’s the same approach. It’s what’s next.”
(Second straight game you guys have had multiple turnovers. I think all three of the turnovers led to points. Is there something you guys do in maybe meeting rooms about those turnovers? Especially the ones that lead to direct points?) – “Yeah, I think it’s definitely you get what you emphasize. We talk a lot about it and put emphasis on protecting the ball and attacking the ball. Obviously, the offense wants to protect the ball and the defense wants to get after it and create those opportunities. Then when we get it, protect it as well if guys are running with it or whatever. So we definitely emphasize that as a team, as a defense. It’s kind of on guys’ minds and we try to practice that way too. Whether or not you get them, that’s the mindset you want to have.”
(What’s going on with Clemson?) – “Clemson is a great, fine institution. The best university in all of the country. FSU (Florida State) is a good team. A tough loss obviously. I’m sure I’ll be wearing – I put some wagers up. I’ll be wearing some ‘Noles’ gear real soon unfortunately. It is what it is. Clemson is still the number one university. Like I said, Go Tigers.”
Emmanuel Ogbah – September 25, 2023
Download PDF version
Monday, September 25, 2023
DE Emmanuel Ogbah
(Which was your favorite highlight, the pick or the sack?) – “For sure, it’s my first career pick. I’d say the pick was my favorite highlight.”
(You’ve been such a team guy even though you’re playing less, you always have such a positive outlook. Is that hard being so positive when you’re maybe not playing as much as you used to?) – “It’s definitely tough, but with the limited role that I have, I try to make the best of my opportunities. That’s what I’m doing.”
(Is the hope that the play you did Sunday maybe opens up some more of those opportunities and playing time?) – “Shoot, hopefully. Just going out there and showing what I can do, and just get me on the field more.”
(What’s the origin of your celebration? It seems like when you make a big play it’s always been consistent.) – “I started it I think when I got to Kansas City or the year before that. It’s like I’m betting on myself and I’m just rolling the dice. I played dice games a lot growing up, so betting on myself is kind of where it came from. The jump kind of happened when I got to Miami.”
(Are you keeping that football from your first career pick?) – “Oh, yeah I’m keeping it. Actually Drew’s still got my football. He didn’t put it in my locker today. I’m going to have to have a little word with him. (laughter) I need my ball.”
(How quickly did you have to react? The ball hit S DeShon Elliot’s hand and maybe DT Christian Wilkins’ helmet. What was that moment like when you saw it?) – “DeShon made a great play, he put his hands up and hit the ball, and I think it bounced off of one of their helmets and all of a sudden I looked to my left and the ball was spinning. I was like, ‘oh snap, I’m right there.’ So I just kind of stretched my arm out and grabbed it. It was kind of an easy catch. It was nice.”
(What are you looking forward to this week in this matchup with Buffalo, knowing how the season ended last year, and just having another opportunity?) – “I didn’t get a chance to play against them, in that playoff game or the last game. I’m looking forward to going up there and playing them. Just going out there and starting fast, hit the right keys, just playing hard, just playing complementary football.”
(How important is it for you as a franchise to get past the Bills? They’ve been kind of road blocking you.) – “They are a good team, so just do what we got to do. We’ve got a good offense that’s going to go out there and score some points. We got to do a good job of holding them off from scoring points.”
(How has it changed this year compared to last year in terms of how much time you spent in Austin Clark’s room compared with Ty McKenzie last year and Ryan Slowik this year? Has that changed?) – “I didn’t spend time in Ty’s room, just more Austin’s room last year. This year I’m more in the outside ‘backers room.”
(Is it nice to play there in September and not in December or January?) – “Oh yeah, I’m thankful it’s still September. It’s going to be a good game for us.”
(I think you guys last year, or the year before, got some snowballs thrown at you?) – “I wasn’t there, but I watched on TV. They were getting snowballs thrown at them and also they complained. They talked about it too. It was pretty wild they allowed that to happen.”
(What’s the rivalry like with the Bills? I know every team is a little bit different, but what’s special about playing Buffalo?) – “I really don’t know. I guess I’ve lost to them more times than I’ve won. It’s just I want to beat them bad because they beat us multiple times. That’s just the goal, to beat them pretty much.”
(If I can do a quick look back to this past game. what is it like as a defender when you see the offense crank up?) – “I would say as for us, the d-line/outside ‘backers, we’re excited because that means they are going to pass the ball and we get to just rush the passer. That makes our job easier. But to see the offense go out there, lights out, and score a bunch of points for us, that just makes us happy. We’re happy for them, they are celebrating doing their little dance. We saw them practice that dance too on Friday which is funny, and they ended up doing it. That was pretty cool to see.”
(OL Austin Jackson said that they only did it for like five seconds, and they got it down. Is that accurate?) – “Oh yeah, they did it right before the walkthrough on Friday, and then they did the little dance and then they did it in the game.”
(As a defender when the opposing team is dancing after a touchdown…) – “It’s demoralizing. You don’t want to see that. You don’t want to see that. They just scored on you, and they are dancing. You could see the defenders, you can see the look on their faces like, ‘come on y’all.’ But, yeah it’s demoralizing as a defender.”
(How fulfilling was it to win in that fashion?) – “It felt good. We opened the season with a bang in our home. We should dominate every time we play at home. That’s my mindset every time we play at home.”
(Did you guys go back and watch the first S Jevon Holland’s forced fumble? The effort everyone had to get in front of the play and block for him, I’m curious of the message in the defense room to give that effort to go block?) – “First of all, Jevon is a hell of a player. A hell of a game he had. Nice strip on the ball. We’re trying to score on defense. That’s our whole mentality. As soon as somebody picks the ball up, the lead blocker goes block the receiver, goes block the quarterback, whoever that can go make the play. Just go block them.”
(Did LB Bradley Chubb say anything about this being personal as far as last week’s matchup with Denver?) – “He didn’t have to say anything. We knew. Just like (Defensive Coordinator) Vic (Fangio) didn’t have to say nothing. We knew the game meant a lot to them coming from that organization. We just wanted to go out there and play for them really.”
(Can you take that same mentality to next week as far as making it a little more personal?) – “We could do that too. Like I said, we have a sour taste in our mouth the last time we played them. We lost. Even though I wasn’t playing, we lost that playoff game. Just going out there and dominating, that’s what we want to do.”
