Tyreek Hill – August 17, 2023
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Thursday, August 17, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(I was just asking LB Jaelan Phillips how he felt his ramp up is towards the regular season. Where are you at right now? If the season started tomorrow, would you be ready to go? Or do you still need to work on some things?) – “I don’t know, I should ask you that. How have I been looking? (laughter) I feel I’ve been doing a great job, but for me to be able to succeed, obviously it depends on other guys, whether it’s the offensive line, whether it’s Tua (Tagovailoa) getting me the rock. So everything right now is a process. So right now, we’re just building up to that. I feel like the last two practices that we’ve had have been good. Obviously, you’re going to have ups and downs in football, but it’s part of the game. You go to the film room, you learn from it, and you get better from it. And you don’t let the same thing happen over again the next day. So that’s one thing I learned throughout my career.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned this morning the two interceptions that QB Tua Tagovailoa threw yesterday was him trying to maximize his abilities. How much do you urge Tua to be aggressive in these practices?) – “Hey, look, I’m telling Tua, ‘I’m glad you made that throw’ because to me, this is what practice is for. You use these moments right here to create scenarios, try to throw a guy a ball in certain situations. I believe his first pick was Tua was trying to look off the left side linebacker, and he messed around and looked the other linebacker into the window trying to get me to ball. So it’s just learning things. That way whenever the season comes, he knows he can’t do that. Like he knows exactly where he has to put his eyes. In the two minute one, the score was seven to nine, we don’t have to be aggressive down here. We’ve already got two big chunk plays. First one to Durham (Smythe), second one to myself. And we are inside the 20-yard line. And Tua already knows that. But for him to stay aggressive and stay in that aggressive mindset, I love it.”
(Did you feel like you scored on the one before that?) – “Oh, it’s going to be a bang bang (play). Jimmie Ward is a great player. It’s going to be a bang bang (play). But I like myself over anybody.”
(We focus on the physical aspect of the game, but you’re a very smart player. In terms of honing in on the mental side, has that something that’s always been a key for you? Or was there a point in your career where you really started to focus on film study or anything like that?) – “Believe this or not, I don’t watch no film. I just know the game of football inside out. I’ve been playing this game since I was a kid, since I was like, five, six, and I grew up in a football household. Plus, my dad was a coach. So I know every defense. I know every defensive line, what they doing. I know everything. The safety is going to tell the story. I know all of it. And when I when I first came into the league, obviously, I was athletic. Obviously I had the ability to make plays. But the next step is being able to recognize coverages, being able to understand the DB’s leverage and what certain releases you need to use. So I’ve been all about that and I’m getting the young guys on that too, though. Whether it’s (Jaylen) Waddle, whether it’s other guys in our room.”
(How tough is it to keep you off the field? We talk about load management. I noticed even on one-on-ones, you kind of sat that one out. But when it was a team competition, you’re right back in there.) – “I wasn’t even supposed to practice today, but I just had to find a way to get the guys going. One-on-ones were kind of slow for us. We began to pick it up. But no, I just love competition so much. I feel like I just can’t get away from it. The trainer, he told me we’re going to ramp you down a little bit. You can just chill today. You can relax. I only get one chance to play this game that I love because I know it’s going to go by fast. I can remember yesterday when I first got drafted and came into the league. And here I am in year eight, doing what I love. So there’s not many jobs where you get to work outside and have fun and run fast and run by people and score and you get a crowd reaction. So, I’m just enjoying every moment of it, and then I got my kids out here with me so that’s even better for me. So, I’m enjoying it.”
(Which son is faster out of RB Raheem Mostert’s and yours as well?) – “Well, both our sons lined up and my son had the edge on his son by like three yards. He even threw up the peace sign on him, which was which is very bad.”
(Is there a technique that you could teach Raheem’s son? I know the start is a little slower, but is there something that you can give for fans out there that want to be faster?) – “For the fans that want to be faster? Number one don’t eat like cheetah because cheetah eats like crap. I’m going to eat some (Raising) Canes right after this. Number two, make sure you hydrate. Cheetah doesn’t hydrate, that’s why I cramp a lot. Make sure you hydrate. So don’t do the things that I do. And number three, just got to believe in yourself. Confidence is everything.”
(We saw OL Terron Armstead got hurt today. How important is he to this offense?) – “We all know. I just said it. I need those other guys for me to be able to make plays. I feel that the offensive line and defensive line are the most important people on the field. Obviously, receivers, we get the success, we get the glory, the Instagram followers and all that. But Terron is a huge part of this team. I feel like he’s more important than I am because the left side, we need someone to really hold that side down. Just to see him go down, which I think is not serious – I’m sure he’ll shake back, he’ll be straight. As soon as it happened I went up to him and said ‘You straight?’ and he said ‘I’m straight man, I’m just old.’ (laughter)”
(You mentioned earlier that you don’t watch film. So especially if you’re going against a corner who hasn’t been established in the league, how do you get a read on him? Do you use the first few plays of the game to get used to what he’s doing?) – “So Madden has a good tell of how good players are. So, I just played Madden the night before and I go look at all the ratings. So let’s say for instance, they had Steve Nelson and Derek Stingley over there. Two phenomenal players by the way. I just go get on Madden, I go to the EA rosters then I scroll down and see what their awareness is, their speed he is and their strength, and that’s how I get a good tell on them.”
Mike McDaniel – August 17, 2023
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Do you expect QB Skylar Thompson and QB Mike White to both play in the next Dolphins game?) – “Do I expect them to play? Loosely, I would expect players to play in the game. Who those players are and when and why – again, it’s exhausting for you guys. It’s exhausting for me, being principled. But today is the second day of joint practice. I think I’ll be able to make some decisions this afternoon regarding who, what, where and why. But case in point, what if two guys exceed expectations in the recovery process and they’re live action today? That changes things. What if we have the worst system of hydration known to man and 14 guys cramp? You have to be loose and versatile. I’ll expect to know more after this practice. With those two specifically, I will say that I expect to see them a little bit more today in today’s practice as the competition continues.”
(Do you expect QB Tua Tagovailoa to see action in either of the remaining preseason games?) – “Is this on? What? I’m just messing around.”
(Would you be comfortable going into the season without QB Tua Tagovailoa having taken a snap in a preseason game?) – “I would probably hesitate to say that. All joking aside, I would expect to see him in the preseason. However, you know me. I’m a wild card. I do think game reps are valuable depending on where you’re at in your journey for preseason setting up the regular season. So I would expect him to play. How much and when, will be determined after today for this next preseason game and will probably be around the same time before Jacksonville as well.”
(Does it enter your calculus at all if T Terron Armstead plays? Do you feel more comfortable with QB Tua Tagovailoa playing?) – “Calculus, huh? I’ve moved on. You told me I did algebra last year.”
(Did I?) – “No. (laughter) I think if I didn’t feel like there were capable NFL players behind Terron (Armstead) then that may factor. Everything factors into it. However I do think our given situation, I don’t even know who the third, fourth tackle are right now and that’s a good thing because the score’s not settled. However I do know that play will be up to the standard that I’ve been used to over my NFL career of what you have to have as an NFL caliber player at that position.”
(How would you assess Day 1 of joint practices?) – “It was cool because it was our second joint practice this season. It was Day 1 of the second opportunity we’ve had to go against another team in our second year, so guys kind of knew expectations. With the Houston Texans, it was their first, so I can relate to that in previous years, last year with Tampa. They brought the energy. I thought our guys were prepared for it. I thought there was some things that we got out of practice that were a result of fully investing in it. So it was an awesome day for that, because you can actually get to nitty gritty coaching on certain things to get better at. But the guys are starting to click. Timing offensively, the way we play together as a group on defense particularly in the back end with the way that we cover routes and then the way that our pass rush is going. There were a lot of really good things that set us up for a pretty good day, Day 2. The biggest thing is, I’m looking at every individual and if they made any sort of play, what do they do with that play? Today, are they comfortable? Are they giving up stuff that they took away the day before? Are they going through reads in a different manner than they did the day before because of a success or failure? Or is their foot off the gas? Or do they really become – the step you need to take is you need to take your successes and become addicted to them and that’s where we’re at.”
(I know yesterday you were asked about Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik? Candidly about Ryan, I know you guys go way back to the Denver days. What does he bring to this coaching staff and this team?) – “So little known fact, Ryan (Slowik) is Bobby Slowik’s brother.”
(I knew that.) – “So you’ve done your research. He’s been a part of my coaching journey having my first year with Ryan being 2005 with the Denver Broncos. And I think he’s done an outstanding job being on the details of the defense and really pushing some good players to be great and some players that were kind of finding their way in the National Football League, really hold their own as solid NFL players as well. So across the board, I measure it pretty simply. I think as a position coach, you should directly look at are your players getting better? And that’s a direct reflection of what we do on a day-to-day in this business. I see his guys getting better. I dap him up in the hallways and I’ve been nice to him.”
(You mentioned red-penning Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik on the run game early in his career. What did you learn about how the run game relates to the offense, how it works, things that you were pointing out him?) – “It’s invaluable. However menial the task, and I’m sure, as I was, there’s times like, why am I doing this? This is terrible. You start to have a callus on your mouse-clicker hand. The trials and tribulations are real. (laughter) But it’s everything really, when you look at it from the standpoint of, there’s 11 players on the field and everybody’s course of action affects and relates to other people. So, knowing not only from his standpoint, knowing how the defense gets stressed having coached defense, but understanding the true perils of offensive line play. When they feel empowered and when they feel vulnerable and what type of scheme indicates that; those are things that there’s only one way to figure those out and that’s the hard way, which is generally a good way. So I think it’s huge for when you’re trying to solve problems as a collective unit to be very much tied and paired to the individual journeys of every position on the field.”
(You talked about how Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans noticed you were the first one in the building. What were his habits? What was he like in San Francisco that relate to him now?) – “There’s such power in your consistency of your approach on a day-to-day basis. Okay, we are all human beings, and we work an entire workweek, coaches seven days, players six-plus. And then you have a bottom line and result. And sometimes that result, whether it’s good or bad, doesn’t reflect all that other time and where people are at. There are so many different confounding variables. So that consistency is unbelievable for players and coaches alike. You talk about a culture dictator is when guys don’t blink in the sign of adversity. That’s something that he naturally has a presence about him. He’s secure in himself and doesn’t get rattled, but the big thing that was obvious early and often is that he was going to bring the same amount of intention and deliberate nature each and every day regardless of what was going on.”
(Is S Brandon Jones dealing with a setback since we last saw him increasing his practice workload?) – “The good news is there’s been no setback in terms of his surgically repaired knee. That’s all clear. What happens often when guys are coming back is the stress that you put on your body, there can be a lingering bump or bruise. Not serious, but something we’re trying to make sure doesn’t get worse, unrelated to his knee, not his knee, but just one of those things that we’ve kept our eye on Brandon, because, again, we protect people from themselves and he’s about as hard of a worker that exists on the team. And I think all of his teammates acknowledge that, too.”
(What do you think of Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud? Just seeing him a little bit here and just knowing him from his college days as well?) – “I think he is a very natural thrower that has a unique gift of ball placement. He’s probably not bragging about ball placement right now because as an NFL quarterback, as a rookie, you’re in a foreign language. So even when you’re doing awesome, you’re stressed out. Your job is to deliver messages to players. And so he looks the part to me with the way he throws the ball. And you can tell that he has an aura of confidence. That’s exciting to see from a player.”
(After watching the first day of joint practices, is there anything that stood out to you about the Texans that when you compare it to last year, caught you off guard?) – “I watched a preseason game. So I wasn’t surprised by anything on the on the practice field. It’s been really, really cool. I told DeMeco (Ryan) this, just to see a group of guys competing and putting some good stuff on tape. I thought they play hard. They carry his character with them and that’s a hard thing to do that only happens with relentless day-to-day approach. I think it’s a cool beginning to his tenure. And guys are definitely taking to him and responding because there’s high octane effort on a down-in, down-out basis.”
(If LB Jaelan Phillips was on the other side, and you studied the tape and were preparing to face him, what about his skillset would be most challenging?) – “Blocking him. So that’s a cool player to kind of highlight just because Jaelan (Phillips) is a talented guy that has worked and worked and worked, and he’s starting to see the fruits of his work really bear fruition. He’s always been an impactful player and he has a special between whistle-to-whistle motor, that with his athleticism, he’s been able to make some plays on NFL game days and really be a big part of this team. I think he has taken a step this year in being what he wants to be thus far. It is not a complete journey, but at this point, I think he feels a lot more in control of his own game and able to make plays in a multitude of ways with still having that motor and that relentless approach to give offenses fits in the fourth quarter.”
(One of the things that stood out to me when we spoke to QB Tua Tagovailoa yesterday was on the two interceptions, it seemed like it was an example of him trying to look off the defense and then kind of go backside to hit the receiver. One of the Texans linebackers said he noticed that from last year’s game. Is that something that kind of concerns you? Do you have to kind of strike a balance in kind of growing Tua’s process in Year 1 and Year 2 of this system?) – “No, I think you have to take every play independent of itself. I think I’m very careful to go into the ins and outs of each play that happens because sometimes interceptions are good in practice. Sometimes they’re only good if you don’t do that again, but each individual one is – part of the reason those are occurring is because he’s pressing himself to be the very best version of himself. He probably made 10 plays yesterday that were absolutely fantastic doing the same thing. So it’s not as easy as, and I think it’s important to emphasize that you have to take each one individually. I would be upset if he was unprepared, if he didn’t really think about it, or if it’s something that he just went rogue and went outside of a progression. If he’s trying new things within the timing of the play, there’s going to be some residuals when you’re trying to be the best version of yourself. He’s trying to take his game to another level so I was pumped for the learning process.”
(Is there a player in the secondary that has emerged since CB Jalen Ramsey got hurt that’s impressed you?) – “You know, a lot of guys have. You’ve seen how there’s been a significant amount of new roster additions getting a ton of playing time. I do think the versatility of Kader (Kohou) has really shown out. There’s been some different, I don’t know, personnel sets where guys have been able to be a little more versatile, like Elijah (Campbell). Overall, it’s cool because every single day, as you guys have heard me talk at length, I enjoy the process of getting better. We have the right guys here and there’s a lot of new guys to the system. Every single day, someone will come up with me, make another play. Just like Eli Apple did his first day that he was here. So that development is ongoing, but overall the secondary is doing a good job getting better every day.”
Jeff Wilson Jr. – August 16, 2023
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023
RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
(How do you think the first joint practice went and what do you think the offense accomplished today?) – “It was good. We came out, we wanted to move the ball and get things started and execute the things we wanted to execute. I feel like we were able to do that. Obviously we felt like there was somethings we could be better on and improve on. But we’re going to get in, watch the film, execute on that, come out tomorrow and not make the same mistakes we did today.”
(I’m sure you saw that RB Dalvin Cook signed with the Jets. There was a lot of smoke and speculation that he might be coming here. Earlier today Head Coach Mike McDaniel said that he was really happy with this group and the development. What does it mean to you for him to really support this group and seem to trust you guys?) – “A lot. Especially when we came together and we were on a mission and we had a task to do something as a group. And to get that same group back, it’s a blessing. Obviously everybody knows the type of player Dalvin is, you know what I mean, that’s the type of player he is. We’ve got a group and we believe in them and we feel like we can hold it down and our coaches feel the same. We’re just ready to get this thing started now.”
(You guys as a group, now that he’s signed with the Jets are you glad that that chatter is done with?) – “It’s football. We don’t necessarily listen to the outside. We just try to continue and do whatever it is we need to do in house, and whatever happens you can’t control that. This is a big business world we’re in. If you spend your time at night worrying about that, it’ll probably take away your playing on the field. Our thing is to focus in and do what we’ve got to do on the field and let the office and the people upstairs take care of that. That’s pretty much what it’s been.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel has mentioned how excited he was about the development in the running back room. How would you say the group has progressed from Day 1 to now?) – “Oh man, on our offense it’s a lot of details – not even for us, for our younger guys in the room. The people we just drafted, De’Von (Achane), Chris (Brooks), all of those guys. All of us coming in and all of those little things you see that they were messing up in or trying to get down in OTAs and now the season is here, you see that they are clamped down on it. Now they are making new improvements or they are trying to improve on new things. That’s the whole thing on what this process means. You’re not making the same mistakes and we’re improving every day. I felt like if we keep doing that, we’re going to be a tough room to stop.”
(I see the running backs catching a lot of passes. Would you agree with that and do you see an expanded role in the passing game potentially?) – “Oh yeah, for sure. For sure. Whatever your role is, the bigger it is, the better your play can be. We’re not shying from it, we’re not hiding from it, everybody in our room can catch, everybody in our room can run routes. It’s just a matter of time of when we’re in there, executing it and making Coach (McDaniel) feel comfortable about it.”
(How would you assess that room when you have guys that can do different things, just top to bottom? What do you see when you look at that room?) – “It’s very dynamic. You’ve got guys that can play first, second and third down. So when you have that it makes it a tough room, it makes competition tough, and it breeds tough competition. When you have all that, keep going, and when you got guys who can roll like that it makes the playbook easier to call plays for you, and it makes it bigger for you. We’re just trying to keep doing everything we can – catch, pass, run and never limit our game so we’re always be prepared for anything thrown our way.”
(How did you find out Dalvin Cook was going to the Jets?) – “Obviously there was chatter around the room. Social media is a big platform, so you see it everywhere. Just like you could see when it was being talked about coming here. You never know when it’s true or not, you just see that, but I’m happy he is where he’s at and I’m happy we got who we got and I’m ready to get this thing rolling.”
(RB Raheem Mostert talked about his second year coming off the knee injury and how he feels faster and he trusts his knee more. Do you see that on tape with him and just how fast he’s playing?) – “Oh yeah. No doubt, no doubt. He’s at a high level right now and I love that for him, and he’s bringing our whole room up, too. To see him keep going and to see him keep moving, everybody tries to call him old … but to see him moving the way he’s moving, I’m extremely happy for him because I know what he can do, just like we know what everybody in our room can do. To see those guys keep on executing, it’s a beautiful thing.”
(We’ve seen the running backs get a lot of targets on the screen passes. Do you think that could be maybe a new element to this offense in this upcoming season?) – “There aren’t any boundaries with us. That’s the kind of guys we’ve got in our room. Like I said, you can line us up out wide, in the slot, in the backfield, tight end, put us – it’s nothing we pretty much can’t do. That’s how we try to keep our minds and that’s how we try to keep our play because with this offense you can do that.”
(Any offensive linemen have stood out to you? Anyone you’ve been running behind you’ve said “I like running behind him?”) – “I’ll say collectively as a unit, like I’ve said since OTAs to now, the improvement that those guys got. Especially going against our guys every day and then seeing them go against new color, new blood. It’s tremendous to see how those guys are moving as a unit. Because, once you go against the same people everyday and do those things you could kind be like ‘ahh.’ But you see it all come together, especially when you play somebody else and you see the confidence those guys have just like today when we had a little hiccup and they come and run behind you and they’ve got your back. That’s what it’s all about. I’m extremely proud of those guys and the coaches the way they’re moving that room and I can’t wait to see them hit their final form.”
Keke Coutee – August 16, 2023
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023
WR Keke Coutee
(Was it kind of weird facing your former team just a couple days after the release. Any emotions with it?) – “No not really. I played against them in the past. It’s always good to be back in the state of Texas, to be out here and go against some great competition. But most importantly, I’m just happy to be a Miami Dolphin, so I would say it was good to see all those guys I used to play with.”
(You’re joining a really talented wide receiver group. What have been your impressions of this group your first week or so in Miami?) – “Like you said, it’s a very talented room. Everybody brings a different skillset from Tyreek (Hill) to Cedrick (Wilson Jr.) to Braxton (Berrios). All those guys bring something to the table. All of them are excellent football players and they bring something special to the room.”
(What do you hope to bring to this team?) – “Most importantly, just understanding the system and being out there and doing what I can do to help this team win any way possible.”
(How excited are you to get the chance to work with Wide Receivers Coach Wes Welker? You guys have the same college background and now he’s your receivers coach.) – “Of course, it’s great. Once I knew Wes was over here, and he’s the receivers coach, it was obviously a great connection being from Texas Tech University as well. His knowledge of the game and how to run routes and get open is very beneficial for me.”
(I imagine the learning curve maybe isn’t too much because some of the stuff you were doing in Houston in terms of the offense?) – “I would say everywhere is different. Every system is different. I’m taking it day-by-day and understanding, but it’s definitely coming along.”
(How would you describe your strengths as a player?) – “Speed. Agility. Able to get out of cuts downfield. Big playmaker. Like I said, I’m not trying to do the big plays right now, I’m just trying to help this team as much as I can right now.”
(What’s it like to be back?) – “It’s always good. Like I said, it’s always to be back in the great state of Texas. This is where I started my career for the first three years, so it’s always a good feeling to come back.”
(Is it a bit different from when you were first here?) – “Definitely a lot different. A lot of different players, a lot of different coaching staff and a different regime. Those guys over there are going to be in good hands.”
(What was that first meeting with Head Coach Mike McDaniel like?) – “That was my first time ever just seeing him in person. I hadn’t seen him to this point. He’s a real energetic guy. Very outspoken, very high energy guy. A great coach.”
Xavien Howard – August 16, 2023
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023
CB Xavien Howard
(So what are the eating spots?) – “Turkey Leg Hut. Blue Check Barbecue, you’ve got to check it out.”
(I went to Turkey Leg Hut yesterday.) – “You did? I did yesterday. Still full.”
(Got the mac and cheese.) – “Mac and cheese. Cajun?”
(Yes.) – “Fire. Fire. Got to get some barbecue though while you’re out here.”
(All the work you did in training camp goes away when you come home after eating all that stuff?) – “Nah, nah. We’ve got to get it baby. We’re on a roll this year.”
(How would you evaluate how the defense performed today?) – “I feel like the defense did good. We made some plays. ‘Gink’ (Andrew Van Ginkel) especially made a lot of plays today. That dude will ball no matter where he’s at on the field. So ‘Gink’ made some plays. We got some stops and stuff like that. Overall it was a good joint practice.”
(How do you feel the communication at the back end is coming along) – “It’s coming along well. We’ve got to work on it. It’s a new system, new scheme and we’re focused on just getting better. We’ve all got to be on the same page.”
(Have you seen the cornerback room sort of come together in the wake of CB Jalen Ramsey going down? Guys competing and trying to fill that spot.) – “Yeah, we’ve definitely come together, man. Like you said, next man up mentality. Noah’s (Igbinoghene) been balling, getting some interceptions. I love that for that guy. Cam’s (Smith) coming up and Kader’s (Kohou) doing his thing. There’s guys in that secondary who are making it happen.”
(You mentioned CB Cam Smith. What did it mean to see him go back on the field?) – “It feels good, man. Cam’s a good guy. All he’s worried about is getting better.”
(I mean like in the game, he got hurt and stayed in. In the preseason game. He got hurt the play before, stayed in there and made another play.) – “That’s football man. You’re tough. I feel like that ain’t nothing. Everybody does that. He’s just getting his reps and is focused on the season coming up.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel told us before practice that DT Christian Wilkins hasn’t really been doing a lot of team stuff because of his contract situation. Obviously, you went through a similar situation a couple years back.) – “I knew you were going to ask me this. (laughter)”
(I’m just curious, as somebody that’s been in that position, do you have any advice to him, any message or anything?) – “Get your money. (laughter) Get your money. I can’t say anything else man.”
(From a player’s perspective, how important is that to handle the business stuff when it’s time to do the business things?) – “At the end of the day, you’ve got to make sure you’re ready to play football also though – no matter what you’re going through – because there’s like, some guys just focus on getting paid and stuff like that. Then they forget that you’ve still got to play football if you get paid or if you don’t. You’ve still got to perform. So it’s like, you’ve just got to take care of it and just be a pro. And I’m sure he’s going to do that because he’s a pro.”
(Does it feel kind of weird the way the system is set up where you’ve got to come here so you don’t get fined. But once you come here, you’re not doing team drills. Does that sound kind of weird in a way?) – “No. It’s not weird. You know it’s work. That’s all I can say.”
(You’ve been around for a while now. We see young guys at training camp trying to make it a learning process. Did you take the same approach this year in camp as you did like your first couple of years? Or is it different for you at this point?) – “It’s very different. Like I said, it’s a new technique that I’m playing this year. So I’ve got to get used to that. I’ve got to get used to playing off. My years at the Dolphins I’ve been playing a lot of press man – so now I’m playing off. I’ve got to get used to that. It’s totally different because I’ve got to have that confidence like I’m playing man when we’re playing off also. It’s different. I’m just focused on just learning and helping the guys around me.”
(You excited about what you guys have done so far in that new system as far as holding the offense down?) – “It’s cool man. I feel like it’s a growing pain right now. Some of the stuff that the players probably don’t understand until the real games start. We’re just trusting the process.”
Terron Armstead – August 16, 2023
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023
T Terron Armstead
(Little nice to get some reps in the joint practices today?) – “For sure. Always good to be out there with the guys running around playing football.”
(Where would you say you’re at right now?) – “Process. I’m still getting ready. I don’t feel like I’m fully ready yet for the regular season, but we don’t have a game yet. Still working through that process. Trying to get more reps to get more game-ready and get my body feeling optimal. Just get it as good as possible to go out and play some ball.”
(What do you think of the operation of the offense as a whole and where it stands right now?) – “I liked today. I liked today. We’ve been having some challenges, some struggles. More so just the timing and just the vibe of the offense, trying to run that operation and make it run like a machine. We haven’t been able to do that the way that we have grown accustomed to when we’re rolling. Today felt normal. It felt more normal. Still had some hiccups, of course, but from an operation standpoint, it felt like a real offense.”
(Is that a pretty natural progression in your career where it kind of comes along as camp goes along?) – “It’s kind of hard to say. I was in a regime that had a lot of consistency with the quarterback and head coach. There weren’t many changes to that offense. So we would kind of jump in and pick up where we left off in a sense. This being a new scheme, still pretty new to everybody, so it’s a lot of details that you just have to practice and get the reps and experience in order to adjust and learn how to operate. New guys on the edges. New guys up front. All that is all about the chemistry and cohesiveness.”
(You acknowledged that sometimes the timing hasn’t been what you guys are accustomed to. Is there any level of experimentation that you think is playing a role in that? Is it the defense? Because again, we’re used to seeing a lot more big plays and consistency. What would you say is maybe the biggest problem, if you want to call it that, with the offense?) – “Yeah, so for us – and this is my perspective – I think the result isn’t necessarily the goal as much as the operation and the flow and the rhythm. How consistently can we be in and out of the huddle, everybody lined up where they’re supposed to be, get the motion, get the play started and did everybody get where they’re supposed to be at the end of the play. So the result, not so much. But as long as we keep doing that, everybody working the details, being exactly where you need to be, doing your job, we will have results and a lot of them.”
(Is there a daily dialogue as to how much you’re going to do? Is that a weekly plan or the plan that was set forth once you got off PUP?) – “Yeah we had an initial plan. But as we go and things kind of pop up or need more work in this area, less work in this area. So just playing it like that. I’ve been around for a long time now, so I know what’s needed to get prepared. I feel like it’s time to ramp up some more.”
(We hear often about the style of offensive line play here, come off the ball, fire off the ball stuff. How does that pair with the quick game when you kind of get the run game going outside of those screens?) – “Yeah, that’s the foundation. We’re flying off the ball, putting that stress on the edges, putting that stress on the linebackers. Then we make it look the same and it’s play action with Tyreek (Hill) or Jaylen (Waddle) or (Robbie) Chosen, River (Cracraft), somebody else coming across the field and you’re more reactive opposed to being in position. Flying off the ball, that’s the foundation of everything we’re trying to do. Nothing else works if we don’t do that.”
(What have you seen from T Isaiah Wynn and OL Lester Cotton?) – “Ballers. Ballers. Those guys can play ball. Lester is extremely strong, road grader, athletic, smart. Isaiah, he’s athletic, strong hands, he’s a finisher, he’s tough. I’m pleased with both of those guys.”
(How do you watch those one-on-ones. I always say, you’re at a disadvantage, but how do you watch them when you’re not participating but you’re watching your guys? How do you decipher them?) – “Your technique. It’s a great opportunity to control what you can control. That’s your stance, your start and getting to your spot. Then you battle. So you always want to see that. I hate to lose any rep. So one-on-one, it doesn’t matter. Walk-through, it doesn’t matter. You want to create that type of mentality when you go into those one-on-ones. Even though it’s a defensive drill, you still want to go out and compete.”
(I heard Head Coach Mike McDaniel say something I’d never heard of coach say. I asked him how does he decide what the left tackle is? And he says, ‘what my locker room says.’ Have you ever heard that before in terms of a coach leaning on what his veteran players say in terms of who, I guess, wants to play next to him?) – “I don’t make decisions, front office decisions or anything like that. None of the players do. But we run the team. It’s a player-driven team. It has to be. We’re the guys out there in the midst of everything. We’re getting a great feel in a sense. The best teams I’ve been a part of were player-led teams. So you’ve got to have a great group of leaders that understand and have a great awareness of the team as a totality and what is best for the team. That can be anything. That can be in any aspect. But those player-led teams are the best teams I’ve been a part of.”
(Is it a leadership council thing or it’s just casual conversations with Head Coach Mike McDaniel?) – “If you have the right leaders, you don’t necessarily need a council or conference table. You know what I mean? It gets handled. Messages get across. Guys handle their room. Guys handle their side of the ball. Me and Christian (Wilkins) might talk about something. Me and Tyreek (Hill) might talk about something we need to focus on, we need more effort and more energy in. If you’ve got the right leaders you don’t really have to sit and have a roundtable.”
(You mentioned DT Christian Wilkins. Head Coach Mike McDaniel said before practice that he hasn’t been participating because of contract issues. As a leader on the team, as a fellow leader, do you say anything to him? Does that change anything with the team or do you just have to kind of go about your business?) – “Christian’s a dawg. We need him. We need him to win. There’s no question. So he knows what he needs to be ready, to be prepared. He practices and plays harder than anybody I’ve ever seen. You never worry about a guy like him. We need him. The organization knows we need him. I’m pretty sure they’ll figure out something whether it’s stock options or whatever to get the job done.” (laughter)
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel mentioned the value of coming out of these joint practices where you guys spend so much time together. How do you kind of take ownership of that and get the most out of having this much time with your teammates off the field?) – “It’s important to get a chance to know some guys. You have some unusual conversations that you just don’t really have time to have in a normal setting. Then you come out and compete against another team. Protect each other, that energy, that us against them, that vibe that you just won’t necessarily get in training camp because we’re all on the same team. So I enjoy it. I enjoy it for sure. I think the joint practices are great.”
Tua Tagovailoa – August 16, 2023
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(I want to ask you real quick, I saw you talking to Texans Wide Receiver John Metchie III on the sidelines earlier. How good is it to see him out here back, healthy on the field finally getting to play football again?) – “It was really good to see him. It was really good to see a lot of the other Alabama guys as well. Christian Harris, Henry To’oTo’o, Will Anderson. It was good. It’s a good alumni kind of deal. We got a good amount of Alabama guys on our team as well. Like fairly the same offense to I think defense to as well. Our offense three. We got Lester Cotton and Jaylen Waddle. But other than that, it was really cool to see them, talk it up with them. Ask them how they’re doing. Everyone’s doing good. So that was cool.”
(You were talking to Roger Clemens? Did you get to meet him?) – “Yeah, how cool is that, huh? That was really cool. I was about to say something I probably never should have said that he told me, but yeah, it was really cool.”
(It’s okay, you can. We won’t tell anybody.) – “Oh, yeah, no, I’m sure. Everything’s disclosed here. (laughter)”
(Last week when you were asked about Maui it was just beginning to happen. You were unaware. Now that you’ve had time, how closely are you following that situation?) – “Definitely following it a lot closer. I didn’t understand the magnitude of how big the fires and whatnot were going to get. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families. I have a couple of friends that live on Maui that spent a lot of time on Oahu because they work on Oahu and they go back and forth to their families. But just a lot of prayers and thoughts going out to those families out there.”
(Tough to transition off that, but a couple weeks ago, you’d mentioned the communication on the defense stands out to you. Just curious how those guys challenge you every day in practice with how they cover on the back end and pass things off and their overall performance?) – “Yeah, it makes it tough going into playing other teams because you’ve been practicing against them OTAs, you’ve been practicing a good amount against them in camp, and it’s things that they do that sort of mitigate you to second-guess yourself on certain throws and the timing of things. Every team is different and it’s like a clean slate. You got to you got to figure out what this team does. They don’t do necessarily what our team does. Maybe sometimes situationally they could, but it’s just the mind game of that. That’s all it was.”
(OT Terron Armstead spoke to us not too long ago. And he said one of the things that sticks out to when you watch the offense is really you guys trying to get an operation and timing, which is interesting to me because last year the timing was so good. When you look at this offense, do you think some of it is new pieces, the defense, maybe experimentation in Year 2? What would you kind of attribute that to?) – “I think we’re trying to put a lot more stress on our guys in the back end with our motions and understanding what to do play wise. There’s a lot of things that we got going on this year that Mike’s (McDaniel) wanting to try for our guys and trying to see who does what the best and try to go from there. So that’s really all it is. Operation is always going to be a key for us to just get in the huddle, get the play call, get out so that we can see everything. Get our guys going in and play.”
(Can you explain what happened on the two interceptions?) – “On the first interception, I think it’s what I’ve done best, is looking guys off and no-looking throws into holes like that. I talked to Christian Harris – buddy, Alabama – and told me that, ‘dude, you did that so much to us last year that like I was like, okay, just trust my drop in this area.’ And he’s like, I’m not falling for it. And that’s basically what happened. So it’s a good play for him. And that, too, the mind game of that, it’s like, ‘wow, I never thought that you’d figure that out, that piece of the game out.’ So kudos to him. And then on that last one. Man, I wish I could have that one back. That one, I was trying to maneuver someone and it didn’t work out with one of the receivers and that’s that was the only place to ditch the ball. I probably should have just sailed it to the ground but it’s a good play. It’s a good play by him.”
(Is that what happened on the big play to TE Durham Smythe before that? It looked like you came off a couple reads frontside and got backside to him?) – “Yeah, that’s exactly what happened on that side. They showed inside leverage on Tyreek (Hill). Then they jumped outside leverage, got Tyreek a little stuck, just had to progress.”
(Where do things stand with you in preseason games? Obviously didn’t see you in the first one.) – “Whatever Mike (McDaniel) has in plan, whatever he has in store, I’m ready whether I play this week, whether I play next week, whatever he decides or if I don’t play.”
(If you felt liked you needed the work, would you go and say, “hey I want to get a few series in”?) –“I mean, I wanted to work last week, too. So it’s really up to Mike (McDaniel). No matter which way you spin it for him. I got you. But no, make sense. I understand what you’re saying to me, but no. All right.”
(Last year, it seemed at times it was tough getting your play calling in? Because you have long play calls. I asked Head Coach Mike McDaniel about it last week. He said, “They’re still the same play calls, I haven’t shortened them.” He’s just counting on you being better versed with them to be able to get it out and into your huddle? Would you like to see it trimmed down a little bit?) – “I would say it’s a blessing and a curse because you do want all these indicators because it sort of tells us what the defense is in and what not. But then to that point, the clock is going down, and it’s long. I would say the thing is, like for us in the quarterback room, there are some times where you just have to memorize the play, where when it’s coming in, you’re like, ‘Okay, you’re seeing it while he’s like not even finishing it.’”
(Well, that’s what I’m trying to ask. From this year to last year, have you gotten to the point where you hear it and you know and you don’t have to…?) – “Well, I would say yes. Yes and no, it’s a little tough. I can give you guys a play and then if you guys want to repeat it after me as if you guys are in the huddle, you guys can. Alright, should I go once or twice saying it? All right, we got north right clamp south fox H top pass 38 top Gumby XP sweat. Let’s go. Anyone? Sounds like a pre-snap penalty to me. (laughter)”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel had mentioned the value of joint practices and getting together as a team. What kind of role do you think you play in just getting the guys together and getting the off-field conversations and getting that bond together?) – “Yeah, I think it’s really, really good. We had an off day yesterday coming here. Went to dinner with the guys on Monday. And then we also got to go watch a movie yesterday so it was cool. It was like a movie fest yesterday. Just movie hopping. Watched ‘Oppenheimer,’ that was pretty good. Freaking long. That’s a long movie, oh my gosh. ‘Sound of Freedom’ is good. Yeah, ‘Sound of Freedom’ is definitely really good. You guys should watch that. Especially you guys with kids. Mike White paid for dinner. I know, exactly. What? (laughter) Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Mike White paid for dinner, the vet.”
Mike McDaniel – August 16, 2023
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Wednesday, August 16, 2023
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(What do you expect DT Christian Wilkins to do today in terms of participation and how much has he missed by not being part of team drills the past couple days?) – “Christian is such a good player, such an important person in the locker room, who has made it clear that he feels that his play is deserving of a contract. We would agree, as the Miami Dolphins organization, henceforth we are in negotiations. As a result, he’s hasn’t been participating in team (drills). When he next participates, that will be up to him.”
(Are you comfortable with what that plan is?) – “Every player is like a snowflake, I would say – unique to itself. So I’m comfortable with the situation as it stands. Christian and I are in constant communication, and this is part of the business that a lot of teams are dealing with.”
(How much do you look at the opportunity to get out here and get the guys together for a week away from their lives in South Florida and come together?) – “That’s an overlooked part of joint practices that I hold with high regard and high esteem because it’s about a team coming together. And this offers an opportunity for guys. The unique situation that we have in Miami Gardens is a lot of guys live all over the place. People have lives and you want teams to come together and you want guys to spend time together. Well, here we are locked up in a hotel together, so there’s nowhere to hide. Even if they don’t want to see me, they have to run into me. But we specifically try to orchestrate the whole joint practice session and the travel times around that – coming out here before the player day off so that guys can really invest into each other. And I think they really have between position dinners and various things. Rookies are preparing a skit for the veterans to be entertained with on Thursday night. So there’s a lot of good things going on, and happy to be here in Houston.”
(Are CB Cam Smith, WR Jaylen Waddle, or CB Kader Kohou ready for competitive reps here or probably not?) – “Specifically with Cam and Kader, they are both dealing with stuff that you don’t really know what day it is, or it’s day to day as you progress as tolerated, really. So I didn’t expect Cam to be in stretch and the position drills the other day. But sure enough, he was on a mission to prove something to his teammates. I’m not really looking for them to. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they appear scattered along. And we’re holding Jaylen against himself. He’s a Houston native and it’s hard to believe the information we’re receiving when he’s telling us he’s good. That’s one of the things you love about Jaylen, and it’s our job to protect him for himself.”
(You’ve talked about guys protecting from themselves. CB Cam Smith got hurt the play before and stayed in and didn’t come out. What does that tell you?) – “There’s so much that you just learn about each other as teammates, all of us. There’s no way any of his teammates on the Miami Dolphins would know that about him. But when you do something like that, it definitely sends a statement to your teammates that is well received. There’s being hurt or being injured. And sometimes when guys are fighting through something, they think they’re hurt, then they find out they’re injured. But that tough-minded nature and that will to compete is not lost on any of us, coaches and players alike.”
(What do you think it’s going to be like to see Houston Texans HC DeMeco Ryans again and going against his defense?) – “Well, it will be very much like a lot of the years I know DeMeco, where I’m standing over here and he’s over there. What’s funny about it though is I think the first practice that I’ve ever had a coach that I was paid, was DeMeco’s first practice as a player in the National Football League in 2006. So it is really cool to see him where he’s at. It doesn’t surprise me in the least. I mean, shoot that day where our journeys were beginning, so to speak, he was with the first group as a starting Mike linebacker as a second-round draft pick. He’s one of the best coaches I have been around and one of my favorite people. I’m really excited to see his team take on his personality, which I know is the mindset of a winner, the mindset of a competitor. And he’s all about maximizing player’s talent, which is something that that I firmly believe in, and we hold in step.”
(One of the things DeMeco Ryans said he remembered about you during your time in San Francisco was you’d be the first guy in the building. What are some things that you remember about DeMeco when he first started his career?) – “So it worked. Little did anyone know that I was doing that to impress DeMeco the entire time. And for the longest, I didn’t know he noticed. (laughter) But some of the things about DeMeco that are inspiring, just as a human being, he has that classic balance of he’s such a well-intentioned, nice, really a guy that you gravitate towards, on a personal level. But then has a fire that I think players can really, really relate to and respond to. He’s had leadership in his blood from the day we saw him as a 22-year-old, and then to watch him progress in the coaching field right alongside him. It didn’t surprise me, but it was so impressive that I’d be at a loss to say I expected it. I think he’s exceeded expectations in everything he’s done. And I think the Houston Texans are very lucky to have him.”
(How important was this place for your professional development?) – “It’s a huge part of the journey. The days of watching – there’s invaluable lessons of every step that you take in the National Football League, but to be a part of Gary Kubiak’s staff and watch how it was to come to a place and make a culture – really a reflection of what you want the team to be and who you are. To get my first taste of working in a position group, the receiver room, to have Andre Johnson as a 25-year-old – I had to quickly learn something to offer him as far as value of coaching. I had to know what I was talking about really quick because you choose your words wisely and if you don’t have anything to offer Andre Johnson, stop wasting his time. So that got my start real fast and it will always have a place in my heart. It’s the first place that I lived right after college. And that journey has highs and lows, but it’s always rooted in the place where you started, which is where this place is, and this field with a new scoreboard.”
(You’ve mentioned the Andre Johnson story a couple of times to us. Have you been able to reconnect with him since coming back?) – “Yeah, we’ve exchanges texts, which is a slow process with me. I think I’m number one in the league in terrible phone habits. But we have talked and I was hoping to see him down here. I think there’s a chance that that might happen. But if he doesn’t end up showing up, we have Roger Clemens, so we’re good.”
(RB Dalvin Cook signed with the New York Jets. What are your thoughts on that and what role did the running backs that you have on the roster play in him not ending up here?) – “I’m very happy with our running back group. There’s been a ton of development since camp started for already talented guys that I very much believe in. So overall, I’m really pumped with the running back group. As far as other team’s transactions, really, I haven’t even paid that much attention other than to what is today? Today is practice. The 16th of August. And I’m very happy with the crew that we’re going to compete with and pumped to compete against this unit too.”
(I wanted to ask you about OL Liam Eichenberg. We saw him on the bikes not practicing in the last practice in Miami. Is that a medical thing, a rest thing?) – “That would be a medical thing. He’s dealing with a nagging injury. Every time that he’s had a ding, he proves to his teammates and everyone that’s looking how much he loves ball, because he’s tirelessly trying to grit through stuff that a lot of players would find maybe too painful to perform. He’s gritting his teeth and doing his best. And we’ll be conscious of that and make sure we don’t rush the process.”
(So is OL Liam Eichenberg going to participate in these joint practices?) – “The plan is for him to participate to a degree, but managed within practice and probably minimized in team drills, if at all.”
(What was your relationship like with Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik? He had some pretty good things to say about you the other day.) – “It’s long. I wasn’t sure if you guys realized but you came to the first Slowik Bowl. The Slowik family has been near and dear to my heart. Ryan is our outside linebackers coach and he was part of the Denver staff my first year as an intern. Then I got the chance to work with Bobby Slowik in Washington, where he started, like we all do, on the ground floor and worked his way up to work with outside linebackers. Then I got a chance to work with him again in San Francisco and then was part of the crew with myself and Coach Shanahan and (Mike) LaFleur, training him when he came to offense. I got to red-pen his run drawings, which he probably loves me for. By loving, he does not like that at all. They were always late at night and in red and aggressive with exclamation points. (laughter) But he’s a true coach, a true student of the game. I think it’s incredibly advantageous that he spent time working on the (defensive) side of the ball. That really helps shape your mind in how to be an offensive coordinator. I’m excited to see what SPF he’s wearing out in this Houston sun.”
(It’s got to be high.) – “Yeah. We’ve got to be 75-plus. (laughter)”
(You can’t say “f”, marry, kill anymore. But hang out with, ghost, and go on vacation – Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans, Gary Kubiak and Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik.) – “I’m ghosting (Bobby) Slowik because he’d get over it the quickest. What were the two other options?”
(Vacation with and just a one-night hangout. Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and Gary Kubiak) – “Two elite guys to hang out with. Pick your poison on either one, because I think there’s merit to both. I’d probably just have them both to dinner and then vacation with them both and not answer your question concretely.”
(I wanted to ask you your thought process for, I know joint practices, it’s elevated how important they are in the new preseason. But there’s always a week where you guys want to game plan and want to go over film work. Do you do that?) – “You’re bringing it today. That’s a great question because you can get lost. I’ve been very clear with the team that this is such an opportunity for technique work, with some very variants on both sides, specifically for the offense, in terms of the defensive structure that you’re going against. It’s about our technique and developing it. I think it’s hugely important that we utilize the opportunity to work on our craft. It’s quite the opposite of the X’s and O’s. What’s cool about this joint practice is both sides of the ball, the best part of their functionality is their inherent technique obsession. I know that through working with Bobby Slowik and I know that working right alongside DeMeco Ryans and I know that to be the case on both sides of the ball for our team. So it is about players developing their technique and really at a critical juncture for the roster decisions that come. How do guys take failures or successes and move forward? This is going to be a great opportunity to see that with a fully digested playbook at their disposal.”
(So next week is kind of the dry run?) – “I kind of see with a three-game preseason and a two-week break, it’s kind of a mix-and-match that both weeks are incredible for the development of our team. I see both of them as kind of dry runs to a degree of how players respond to the techniques we’re asking them to do when minute things change. So as far as a label, next week or this week being the turn-up week, I see them both. With the shortened preseason, I think it’s that much more important to get ready for the regular season as opposed to having the regular season get you ready.”
(You have a relationship with Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans from your time in San Francisco. But you also were lucky enough to be here with him when he was a player. Do you have any fun stories about him when he was going through his rookie year that you can tell us?) – “Playing Peyton Manning as a rookie is hard. But I think his rookie year, the last game that Peyton Manning and the Colts lost was here. I remember that being an incredible moment. I remember him, it was funny, as a rookie, as a young rookie, he’s such an impressive dude. But you’re a rookie. Not to mention, you’re the quarterback of the defense. So his internal combustion when he would mess something up, followed by a quick reset to the next play was – I’m not sure if it’s funny. It was always unique and stood out to me just in who he was because he would literally implode. Then on to the next and go compete. No news is good news and he’s one of those guys that was a veteran the second he walked into the locker room and has really held himself to a high standard. He’s held himself to a head coach-type scrutiny and role really his whole career. I can’t say enough good things about him. Fired up for him to exhibit his head-coaching skills against the Miami Dolphins.”
(What kind of resource has Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik been since they took their jobs, head coach and offensive coordinator? What kind of resource have you been for those guys?) – “Well, I plan on being outstanding after this preseason game, but I’ve intentionally been terrible leading up to it. (laughter) You know, telling them the wrong amount of practices or wrong amount of reps that I’d suggest to do now. (laughter) They’re very deserving of both roles they have. We all aid by our peers, watching them go through their process, especially when you get roles that the people that you’ve worked alongside get before you. I can relate to that with guys getting head-coaching jobs or offensive coordinator jobs. I think we’re all tools for each other. In a way, we helped each other get here, being a part of a coaching staff on a team. We are part of the journey. So we all learn from each other and shoot, I still learn from DeMeco (Ryans) and Bobby (Slowik) from afar. I think we have a cool relationship that way and truly root for each other’s success.”
