Kenny Stills – October 23, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
Postgame – vs. Buffalo
Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Kenny Stills (transcribed by David Norwood II)
(These two wins back to back, what does it do for this team? What is the difference in what you feel around here?) – “We’re just happy to win two games in a row. Obviously, it gives you a little bit of confidence, but we have been working so hard. So it’s a good feeling to know that the work and practice is showing up on the field, and that’s the biggest thing for us.”
(When you got a guy going for 200 two games in a row, you guys going to start opening it up a little bit?) – “We’ll see. We just want to continue to do what we have been doing, and that’s winning and running the ball well and playing together.”
(How rewarding was it to answer back with a touchdown right after you had one thrown your way earlier in the game?) –“It’s always nice to make a big play and help the team. To that first one, I’ve got to come back and make that catch. It happens, but it’s nice to put that behind me and get in the end zone.”
Jarvis Landry – October 23, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
Postgame – vs. Buffalo
Miami Dolphins Wide Receiver Jarvis Landry (transcribed by David Norwood II)
(Two weeks ago this season is kind of like a season likely going nowhere, now back to back wins in dominating fashion on offense, what is there to say about the Miami Dolphins right now?) – “Just our persistence to stay with it, trust the process, trust Coach head coach (Adam) Gase and I think these last two weeks for us just came down to guys not doing their job and somebody else’s job. Just doing their job and trusting that everybody else will do theirs. That’s what allowed this momentum to be created.”
(What can you say about the job RB Jay Ajayi has done the past two weeks?) – “He’s amazing, amazing. You see him in the hole against linebackers, safeties and he breaks those tackles and that’s how he gets his big runs and down the field he’s just running hard. Guys don’t want to tackle him. It’s a credit to him and his hard work and his running style.”
(What about that 50 yard run, that was a big turning point there; backed up third and eight I believe took it down field?) – “Wish we could have gotten some points off that drive but we ended up punting. At the same time, it was crucial for us to flip the field position and we had the opportunity to flip the field position on the punt, on that same drive. I think the defense actually got a stop on that drive, three and out which allowed us to get the ball back and go down and make the game winning score.”
Mike Pouncey – October 23,2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
Postgame – vs. Buffalo
Miami Dolphins C Mike Pouncey (transcribed by Jason D. Silver)
(When you are able to run it like that, especially early, what does that help with you guys as an offensive line?) – “I think it gives us confidence. I think it gives the coach confidence to keep calling the calls. It just shows when we’re an offensive line that’s all playing together and all guys are healthy, we can do special things. Jay Ajayi right now is just … That kid overcame so much. It just makes me smile every time I think about it, because a lot of guys would have tanked and went the other way. Getting benched right after thinking you’re starting the season off and then to come back and to play the way he’s playing, I hope it opens up a lot of guys’ eyes.”
(When did you begin to see this from him?) – “I think it started in practice. Once (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) demoted him and made him a backup, you could tell. He didn’t complain about anything, just kept working as hard as he could, and it has paid off for him. Jay is a true testament to never giving up. The way he has been running the football the past two weeks is just unbelievable.”
(How important of a message was it to you guys that after you fell down 17-6, on the next possession you guys were still sticking with the running game?) – “It was awesome. When coach (Adam Gase) is feeling it, coach does a great job of calling those runs. And whenever we’re doing good, he just keeps calling them, and it’s paying off for our offense right now big time. I know a lot of the offensive linemen are sore as hell. I’m going to go get in the cold tank right now, hang out for a little bit. I’m just proud of this football team. A lot of people counted us out, gave up on us. I’ve seen all you guys’ predictions; you all didn’t believe in us either. This will prove everybody wrong and go out there and keep moving forward. This football team can be special if we keep doing the things we’re doing.”
Jay Ajayi – October 23, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
Postgame – vs. Buffalo
Miami Dolphins Running Back Jay Ajayi (transcribed by David Norwood II)
(What has been the difference in the last two games for you?) – “I think it’s just have been kind of Coach head coach (Adam Gase) trusting us, trusting the offensive line and me, (and) other runners to kind of get the running game going. We know we want to be more balanced on offense and throughout the week in the practice, we really put an emphasis on finishing blocks, finishing downfield and just doing a good job of being physical. I think that it has shown on game day.”
(For you personally said after the Browns game you wanted to redeem yourself and these two last games you have proven that you can be an every down back.) – “Yeah, I’ve always had the faith and the confidence in my ability for these performances to happen. It’s kind of surreal for me all glory to God. First thing’s first just for being in this position and it’s kind of crazy, it’s kind of surreal. Just got to keep working, keep grinding.”
(You know the stat fourth running back in history, back to back with 200 hundred yards.) – “Yeah so they told me that and the backs that I’m in company with and that’s huge. Those are Hall of Fame guys, guys that I look up to at running back so it’s big.”
Ndamukong Suh – October 23, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
Postgame – vs. Buffalo
Miami Dolphins DT Ndamukong Suh (transcribed by Jason D. Silver)
(It seemed like you spent a lot of time in the backfield. Were you able to penetrate a lot throughout this game?) – “We had a good game plan so it gave me opportunities to get in the backfield and not necessary playing through my guys to get there. It allowed me to get back there, allowed me to get to the quarterback or the running back, whatever the situation was.”
(With QB [Tyrod] Taylor and his ability to extend plays and get out of the pocket – was that something you wanted to do? You wanted to pressure him inside and not give him…) – “We wanted to get him off the spot- I think to answer your question and obviously force him to run a certain way. Don’t allow him to pick and choose. If he’s going to sit back there then obviously make a play but if, whether or not, coming from either side, we’re going to force him to go to one side or the other so we can bottle him up more or less.”
(How do you feel this defense is coming along? The first series of the second half – they had a fourth and a short yard. You guys were able to stuff them. You had turnovers where you got put in bad situations, you were able to hold up pretty well and it seems against the run you’re starting to really come into your own. What’s the difference between now and the first few weeks?) – “My personal opinion I think we’re getting comfortable. We’re executing and obviously tackling and getting the ball carriers down. When they’re passing the ball we’re hitting the quarterback a majority of the time. Obviously we have to clean some things up. There’s a big play we let out so we’re not perfect but I think we’re on our way to getting done what we want to get done and expecting at a high level.”
(Team wise back-to-back games that were almost identical – these two games that you had. Is that a pattern – is that a style that you guys can continue to play at that level?) – “I think we’re getting experience in understanding how we need to finish out games. We can obviously be a lot cleaner, especially on the defensive side of the ball but more or less this is the NFL. Every single week is going to be a tough week. There are going to be a lot of things thrown at us and we’re going to have to find ways to win. Whether that’s blowing a team out, winning a close game, or finding a way to get in the last second. But at the end of the day we just have to make sure we just continue to execute and play at a high level.”
(With the bye week coming up, is that a good time for you or would you rather be lining up next Sunday?) – “It’s not really my choice when we have our bye week so were going to take it as is. It comes in a good situation. I think going into that bye week on a winning note is good. Enjoy that taste for a week and a half and then come back and get prepared for the next team.”
(It seems like you guys are establishing an identity now, primarily behind the running game. What do you feel took so long for this team?) – “I honestly don’t know. You have to go back and take this bye week to look at all of the mistakes we made earlier on. Like I said to Kim Bokamper earlier, I think we’re finding our way and executing and that’s what it’s coming down to. Once you execute at a high level, you’re going to be able to make plays and find a way to get the ball carrier down as well as the passer.”
(How much is the run game helping the defense?) – “Our offensive run game? It’s huge, Jay Ajayi is doing a great job back-to-back games of 200+ yards. You can’t ask for much more. That’s going to run the clock out obviously and give us rest. They’re moving the ball and putting the ball in the end zone which is most important. We just got to go out there and find ways to stop, giving the offense more opportunities to run the ball and pass the ball as they’ve been doing well on both sides the last two games and go from there.”
Ryan Tannehill – October 23, 2016 (Postgame)
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Sunday, October 23, 2016
Postgame – vs. Buffalo
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Ryan Tannehill (transcribed by Sara Perez)
(What did you think the chances of RB Jay Ajayi going back-to-back 200-yard rushing games?) – “I wouldn’t have said that it was going to happen, but just because of how rare it is, not because of not believing in Jay or the offensive line. We knew coming in that we wanted to establish the run and we did that, did it early just like last week. Like I said last week, Jay runs hard every week and they’re getting him to that second level and when you do that he’s going to punish those guys in the second level and make them miss and have those big runs. If the offensive line can do that every week then you’re going to continue to see big success from Jay.”
(From where you stand back there when you see that offensive line, how good have they been over the last two weeks?) – “They’ve been really good, both in the run and the pass game, just establishing the tone for the game early on. You can kind of feel as the game goes on, just wearing on the defense, having these long drives and rushing the football consistently, getting first downs, it really wears on the defense and you can kind of feel that on the field. I think once you start feeling that you know that good things are going to happen.”
(Talked to Head Coach Adam about patience in this game, patience with this running game, staying with it, not getting away from it, how did that feel to you that he was willing to just continue to feed that running game?) _ “It was good. We had good things going, so to keep going to it as the game goes on, like I said, that defense and that defensive front is going to get worn down. You should see more success in the second half if you’ve been running the ball well. We stuck with it, it was tough a couple times, you want to get drives going, but stuck with it, kept wearing on the defense and created some big plays that really won the game for us.”
(The touchdown to WR Kenny Stills, were they crowding the line of scrimmage? You felt it was just an opportunity to go over the top since they were playing the run hard.) – “Yes, they had seven guys in the box, base defense against our nickel package. They’re doing everything they can to stop the run, they’re going to make us throw it to win it, basically. It was a critical situation. They’re going to try to stop the run, it was third-and-six or –seven, so try to force you to pass it and make a play downfield. The offensive line did a good job, Jay (Ajayi) actually stepped up and blocked the linebacker in the hole for me and Kenny did a great job adjusting to the ball downfield and making a play.”
(On offense, have you found an identity?) – “I definitely think that we’re finding it right now, just establishing the run early in games and getting first downs, gaining first downs, getting the play action going and wearing on the front that way. Once you can do that, they can’t speed rush you on the edge quite as fast and you’re able to get things downfield. I’m excited about where we’re at right now.”
(From an offensive standpoint, I know everybody is beat up and they welcome the bye week, but is it, ‘Now we’re rolling,’ and now you have a week off, is the timing not great where that’s concerned as far as an offensive rhythm you have going?) – “No, I think it’s just fine. I think we’re excited to heal up. I think we’re heading to the bye week feeling good, kind of getting on a roll. It will be good this week to get healthy across the board, offense and defense, and come out and build on what we’ve done so far.”
(26 first downs for your offense, your drives were five first downs, six first downs, working down the field no big plays in particular, you like that style of play?) – “If it wins, I’m all for it. When you’re able to get first downs and move the chains, that’s what you want, you’re going to get yourself in scoring position. I think we have to do a better job offensively of getting touchdowns when we’re down there. We march down the field, we hurt ourselves a couple times getting penalties in the red zone and putting ourselves behind the chains. You do that, it’s tough down there. We’ll have to clean that up, keep ourselves just moving forward, chipping away and get the ball in the end zone.”
(I feel like we talked about this a little bit last week with the offensive line being healthy and you see the difference it makes. Coach Gase was saying it’s a big difference when you take a 3-step drop, you’re not getting smoked – his exact words – is it that simple, is it that night and day when you’re getting that type of protection?) – “It definitely makes my job a lot easier when you’re standing upright and able to go through progression. I think establishing the run game is huge, getting first downs on the ground, getting Jay going, wears down the front and we’re able to drop back and go through progressions. When you’re able to do that, escape the pocket a little bit, have some time to move around and get plays downfield. You do that, you see our playmakers make plays. Jarvis (Landry) had a big third down there towards the end of the game, I forget what the distance was, but they played coverage on it, the offensive line did a great job of giving me time able to escape and Jarvis got open down the field. When you have time to go through progressions, be able to move around a little bit, you’re going to see explosive plays and good things happen.”
(Describe the confidence level on the offense now, especially compared to earlier in the year when you weren’t scoring so much. What’s that confidence like and what’s the chatter like when you’re out there on the field and things are rolling like that?) – “Yes, we’re excited. I think we’re just staying the course. When things weren’t going well we knew we were building a good thing, we just had to keep staying the course and keep pushing to get better, pushing every day in practice and nothing has changed. I think having our five offensive linemen back is huge and that kind of sets the tone up front for us, but it’s the same thing every day in practice, we still have to be hungry, still have to come to work every single day and chip away and get better. We won a couple games, we haven’t got everything figured out yet, we still have a lot of things to clean up, but I’m excited about the progress we’re making and the success that we’ve had so far.”
(Coming out of camp I thought this was going to be a passing offense or more of a passing offense, you’ve had success running the ball, is this sustainable or is this kind of what you’ve had to do?) – “We’ll see. I don’t really know. I think at this point you want to stick with what’s working and we came out last week against a good defense and established the run early, so we knew we could do it. Same thing this week, good defense and we were able to come out establish the run early. When you’re able to do that you kind of want to stick with it and wear on that front and if you can wear on that front and make it a long four quarter game then you’re going to be able to have success in the fourth quarter when it matters.”
(You’ve been so durable throughout your career even when you have taken a lot of sacks and hits, this week going into this game did it pay any dividends being clean last week? Do you think it will also pay dividends going into the week after the bye?) – “Yes, it’s huge. I think when you can finish a game healthy and not banged up it just speeds everything up. You’re able to do a little bit more in practice, push yourself a little bit more in practice because you’re not nursing anything you’re able to just go out and do the things you need to do to get better. I’m excited about that, I’m excited about the way they’ve played both in the run game and pass game the past two weeks.”
Adam Gase – October 21, 2016
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Friday, October 21, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Where is your offense, in your mind, after six games? Is it ahead of where you thought it would be? Is it on schedule?) – “I think from what I thought in training camp and where we are right now, I thought we were ahead of where I had been in the past. And then I think we took a little bit (of a) step back when we had some guys, some influx and DeVante (Parker) missing as much time as he did and then shuffling around the o-line. I think we kind of slid back a little bit. That was earlier, those first two or three weeks. I think now we’re starting to really come together and guys are really understanding the why of why we do everything. Each game plan is different. We’re going to change throughout the year. I think guys have really taken to it. They understand that it’s not an easy offense as far as if you don’t put in the time outside the building, it makes it tough on yourself. I think the guys have figured it out. Last week was a good example of what we could be as far as the balance using both the run game, pass game, screens – things like that – moving the quarterback. That’s really what we want to try to be. Obviously, every week is going to be a little different, but I think we’re catching up to where I thought we were going to be.”
(Any one or two things that came along faster than you expected? Any aspect?) – “Nothing I can really think of. I will say the running game really seems to have taken off for us here, especially the last three weeks, as far as assignments and guys doing the right thing.”
(With Bills RB LeSean McCoy supposedly being a game-time decision, does that change in any way shape or you’re your preparation?) – “I think whoever they have back there, we’re going to have to do a great job of stopping the run. Obviously, that’s what they want to do, and they’re really good at it. That’s like an understatement. But I know they can throw it too. I’ve seen what they’ve done in past as far as when (Bills QB Tyrod Taylor gets hot, and he starts hitting some deep shots off those play actions, it makes it tough. I know if (McCoy) doesn’t play, the fact (is) that he is one of the best backs in the league, anytime you got a guy like that, you get him out there, (and) it’s going to be a difference maker.”
(Do you put any credence into revenge games?) – “I haven’t personally, but every guy is different. Some guys, that doesn’t bother them. They’re good. It’s just another NFL game for them. Some guys, it might mean a little more to. I know everybody keeps asking me that about Mario (Williams), but he hasn’t said anything to me that makes me feel like he has some revenge factor going into this game.”
(I saw you talking to S Reshad Jones before practice today. I don’t know if it was the first time since he got put on IR, but what were his spirits like?) – “I hadn’t seen him in a couple of days. Obviously, it’s tough for him going through this. He was playing really well, and he was one of our top leaders. Losing him, I feel terrible for him, because he wants to be out there. He wants to help. He wants to try to figure out a way to get us flipped here on our record and have our best guys out there. It’s just unfortunate – for both him and us – that he’s not going to be out there. My biggest thing with him is we both keep talking about once he gets this done, we want him around. We need him around the guys. We want him to be involved, because he has a lot of information to offer guys that don’t have a lot of experience.”
(Obviously everybody, the next man has to step up, but how do you change – or how are you forced to change – in terms of the way you play considering Reshad was so good in the box?) – “We’re just going to have to do a great job as far as, it has to be team tackling. It has to be gang tackling. He saved us a lot of times. When we were leaking early in some of our run fits, and he was the last man there and making those plays to prevent the explosive runs or the touchdowns. We’re going to have to do a great job as far as we do have three guys that we know right now have played for us, know what they’re doing, have the skill set that we need. It’s just now we need them to step up in that role and understand you’re going to be a vital piece there on the field, make the plays that we need you to make.”
(Where is S Walt Aikens in his development?) – “He has really come a long way since at least we started. I know he wasn’t healthy early, especially in training camp. I know he was pushing through some things. He has done a great job. He knows what to do. He’s reacting quicker, as far as his breaks go, especially when he’s in the middle of the field. But I think him having that special teams background and as vital as he is to us on special teams, he is a good tackler. Hopefully that translates to defense, which everything that we’ve seen tells us yes. So we feel like we have a good group back there as far as trying to do … you’re never going to match what Reshad (Jones) brought, but just try to get as close as possible.”
(What’s your opinion on the play that the Steelers sent to the league with DT Ndamukong Suh?) – “Yes, I guess I didn’t notice it when I watched it after the game and then going back and just watching it again, I mean I see a guy who’s just trying to play hard. He’s trying to figure out a way to get to the quarterback. I don’t know if I can comment on it past that. I just know how I’ve watched him play. He just goes as hard as he can and he does everything he can to try to sack the quarterback.”
(Have you guys been in touch with the league?) – “I haven’t.”
(This may come out left field a little bit but DT Kyle Williams is one of their best defensive players. What, if anything, do you remember from your one year together at LSU?) – “I remember a guy that was very intense right from the get go. Just seeing him – I feel like I’ve played him quite a bit since he has been in the league – he just hasn’t changed. He’s just full go, 60 minutes. He’s just a guy that shows you what you should be as a pro. He just gives everything he has. He sells out every week for his team and he’s disruptive. He’s a tough guy to block. When you (have to) deal with him, you know it’s going to be the full gamut. There’s not going to be one play off.”
(How big of a role did you have in his recruitment way back then? Do you recall?) – “I don’t even remember. I don’t think I had any.”
(Weren’t a big recruiter?) – “No. I was a G.A. recruiting intern or something like that. I don’t even know what my title was.”
(When you think of a Rex Ryan coached team, what are some of the characteristics of the team?) – “I think of speed, attitude, swagger. I think those are the things that I think of most. Creative is something that comes to mind right away. Any time I’ve been on the other sideline against him, I’ve always come out of the game going, ‘I never thought that was coming.’ I know in 2014, he threw some stuff at us that we hadn’t seen and he had a really good game plan for us. I know he had a lot of injuries that year. He made it tough. That was probably the toughest 24 points that I’ve ever been a part of as far as being with that Denver crew. Every yard we got we really had to earn.”
(RB Jay Ajayi seems in a pretty good mindset as far as humble and not getting too big headed after his 200-yard game. Just curious from a coaching staff’s perspective, what’s your expectations of him in these final 10 games?) – “I think we’re just worried about this week. It’s hard to look that far ahead. I just know every day that we’ve had meetings, walkthrough, practice, I’m seeing the same effort. I’m seeing the same intensity in meetings. When I stand up there and I’m going through installs, he’s taking notes. He’s doing … it’s the same. Everything looks the same to me as it did the last three weeks. So I don’t know. I think he has got that mindset of, ‘What I did last week is irrelevant once we hit Sunday.’ So he’s going to build off that as far as confidence goes, understanding the scheme we’re doing, playing in a game versus a good team having success. But I think when we hit Sunday, it starts over for him again. As long as our whole group, we keep that mindset of, ‘We got something to prove this Sunday,’ because no one’s going to care what we did the last week.”
Adam Gase – October 20, 2016
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Thursday, October 20, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Adam, Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said one of the reasons you guys had success offensively this last week is because you huddled more, there was better communication between QB Ryan Tannehill and the rest of the team. Would you say that’s a fair assessment?) – “I think huddling for us has helped us a little bit. We took a little bit more of a step back and doing less on the line of scrimmage, it just makes … when you’re used to doing it, guys are more comfortable. They know what they have going in the line of scrimmage sometimes whereas when you’re in a no-huddle situation, a lot of communication is going on. When you’re the quarterback, you’re burning a lot of mental credits there before you even take a look at what the defense is doing. It’s a lot on the quarterback when you do things at the line of scrimmage. When you huddle, kind of everybody already knows what’s going on. Then you (Tannehill) has got to go from there. He’s got certain tools that he can use to really kind of save the play call and he did a good job this week of getting us in the right play.”
(Adam, it’s hard to see in the numbers but how would you gauge DT Ndamukong Suh’s play this season and also how would you explain his specific role in the defense) – “I think he’s done a good job as far as he’s consistent every week. He seems to always be a guy that causes disruption. He knows his defense in and out, so he knows how to play it. He knows where he can take his shots. He knows when he’s kind of got to play team defense. That is something where, when you’re a younger player sometimes you feel like, ‘I’m going to make a play here,’ and you don’t do it at the right time. He knows when it’s the right time. When you have the experience he has with the talent he has, obviously that’s a very effective combination to have.”
(How hard is it to not get frustrated with the amount of double teams, to just kind of keep playing through?) – “It’d probably be a better question for him. It can’t be fun by any means to constantly be going against two guys and just getting pounded on throughout the game – getting double teamed. But he does such a good job of fighting through a lot of those things. He understands leverage so well that he uses his body position correctly. He eats up a lot of blockers. Statistically, sometimes you might come out of the game and not know how well he’s played. He does a good job of just kind of sticking with his process. He understands why teams have to do that. If they go one-on-one against them, there’s a good chance that he’s going to win, whether it’s in the run game or the pass game.”
(You didn’t know DT Ndamukong Suh before you got here, did you?) – “No, I didn’t.”
(What have you experienced with DT Ndamukong Suh’s personality since you’ve been here?) – “We’ve always had good dialogue. He asks really good questions. He thinks outside the box. I haven’t been around a whole bunch of defensive interior linemen that have really … some of the discussions that we’ve had have been productive, as far as what we’re doing as a team, especially with what his experiences are as far as taking care of his body (and) aking sure that he’s available every week at the highest level he can possibly be available at. A lot of guys you see they miss games, they miss practices. He’s one of those guys that consistently is ready to go on Sunday. I’m sure he doesn’t feel great all the time on Wednesdays and Thursdays, but you would never know it.”
(Does DT Ndamukong Suh speak up a lot in the locker room?) – “You’d probably have to ask a lot of the other guys. He doesn’t talk a whole bunch. If he has something to say, he’ll say it; but he hasn’t been somebody that’s really going to say anything out of turn for him. If he feels like he need to say something, he’ll speak up.”
(Even though you lost TE Dion Sims in that game, you utilized the tight ends pretty consistently against Pittsburgh. Was that a matchup thing or is that just what you felt comfortable with, even though TE Dominique Jones had only been here two weeks?) – “Yes, we kind of stuck with what our plan was for that game, and that was mixing personal groupings and trying to do the best we could as far as making them play base (defense) and sub (packages). That’s what we wanted to do for that game and I guess I’m comfortable with ‘D.J’ (Dominique Jones) because I’ve had him before. I know what his skill set is. He did a really good job filling in because he did something really well that I haven’t seen him have a lot of opportunity to do and that was run blocking. Those two guys did a great job of stepping up and having that next-man-up mentality. We didn’t lose anything at those positions because those guys really, they sold out. They did everything they could just to make sure that they did their job.”
(Now, how do they build off of that?) – “I think they just keep doing what they’re doing right now. They’re going to practice, they’ve started the week over, they’re trying to make sure that they know their jobs inside and out. It’s a tougher assignment for both of them really, because it’s more of a role. I know with ‘Q,’ (MarQueis Gray) it’s tough on him because now you go from primarily a special teams guy and our third tight end to start. And now all of a sudden, you’re vaulted into the starting position, plus we can’t completely take him off of all the special teams because he’s one of our impact players. He’s a guy that we rely on so much, as far as doing the right thing, such as in punt. He’s a big part of that.”
(Even last week, red zone offense I think was 2-for-6 in red zone efficiency. What needs to get better there?) – “I think we’ve just got to finish a couple of plays. We had a penalty when we scored a touchdown; we had a dropped pass when we have a touchdown. We don’t have the third-and-1 conversion, which probably wasn’t the best call. We’ve got a couple of things to clean up there, but a lot of times we’re looking at, ‘Well, we were in the red zone six times.’ So as long as you’re getting points – which we didn’t on the one drive – if you’re getting points, it tallies up there at the end. If you keep getting in the red zone, you might not score touchdowns, but it’s kind of that, ‘you get three, you get three, and then you score and then all of a sudden you get another score and you look up,’ now you’ve got 20 points. So if we can score two more touchdowns somehow, whether we finish the play, we make the right read, we get the conversion on third down. Now, that’s when you really become impactful as far as getting a score up there to where now the defense can do their thing.”
(What’s a good touchdown percentage for you [in the red zone]? I know you want 100 percent but is it 50, 40?) – “Yes, you want to try to be really two out of three. You want to try to be in that 60 to 70 percent. That would put you in the top five.”
(Adam, I think you said that you looked at the AFC East games before you met with the team, back in April. What is the one thing that really stood out against Buffalo that this team struggled with?) – “I mean, it’s hard for me to pinpoint one thing. You know that first game … nothing went right for them. It’s hard to rely too much on those games, because there are so many different guys on both sides of the ball. Last year was last year and we’re moving forward. We got through that first part of our schedule so far, just six games in. Now we’re going to play a tough team that’s hot right now. Is there a little bit of a past there where they’ve kind of come in here and bullied us a little bit? Yes. But, we need to figure out a way to go in there and play the same level we played last week, where we were aggressive, we attacked and we didn’t hold anything back. Guys were emotional and they played hard for 60 minutes.”
(The math of division games are pretty clear, if you win those, you make up a lot of ground; but emotionally, if you start to dominate your division, what can that do for this team?) – “Any time you win a game, it’s a confidence booster. That’s the whole key to this sport, ‘How many wins in a row can you get?’ We’ve won one game (in a row right now). Really, at the end of the day, I’ve said it before, no one cares next Sunday if you won last week. What are you going to do this Sunday? That’s why we’ve got to put last week behind us and make sure we do everything we can to prepare for this game Sunday and then bring the same intensity.”
