Adam Gase – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(On how he feels about RB Arian Foster and DE Cameron Wake physically and mentally approaching the season opener) – “Feel good physically. Just watching those two guys work the way they do. How quickly obviously ‘Cam’ (Cameron Wake) came back. I wasn’t with Arian (Foster) until the summer but just seeing how those guys try to take care of their body, the way they practice, the way they really try to push themselves. I feel really good as far as going into Game 1 and kind of the plan that we had moving forward. So we can make sure that we have those guys for the duration. Having two guys like that that have been through a lot, have seen a lot of things, it’s always comforting as a coach to have guys like that on both sides of the ball because when things get tough, and they will because that’s the nature of this business, you know those guys are always going to be the ones leading the charge.”
(On what makes QB Russell Wilson different) – “I think his ability to push the ball down the field. I mean it just hasn’t changed since he came out of college. That was the one thing when he came out it was really a staggering completion percentage for throwing the ball down the field compared to everybody else. And his ability to keep plays alive. You can really have a massive breakdown and he’ll make something happen. He’s been that way since he’s gotten in the league from probably the first day, when he started playing in the preseason, and it just seems like he’s just been growing ever since.”
(On how much did he look at QB Russell Wilson and QB Ryan Tannehill coming out of college) – “It was probably more Russell (Wilson) then Ryan (Tannehill) because we were not thinking quarterback in that area that we were feeling (Tannehill) he was going. I know Russell (Wilson) is right in the conversation with a lot of the guys that we were looking at. I remember we had him in. I think we were really impressed with his football intelligence. It kind of jumped off with us right away. We were in a unique situation because Peyton (Manning) was coming off of all his things, as far as the neck and trying to figure out a new team and a new system. So we were trying to figure out what was the right fit for us. I think if (Wilson) would have been there that would have been interesting to see, as far as what would have happened there. Peyton (Manning) went on to play four more years after that. Russell (Wilson) got drafted by a great organization then had the opportunity to compete right out the gate, which obviously he was ready for.”
(On if CB Bryon Maxwell defending him three years in practice can help) – “Probably a little bit but sometimes that can hurt you too because you start overanalyzing everything. Then you start getting all, ‘Well, look out for this and then if he does this and you start…’ It goes overboard. Sometimes players being able to study guys on their own, coming to their own conclusion, that’s sometimes a better way to go about it because you just don’t want to put things in your head and then all of sudden it’s not what you thought.”
(On the decision to fly out to Seattle on Thursday) — “We just thought since it was the first game of the year, it would give us some more time out there to just get … That’s a long trip. The closest experience I think I had to it was when we flew out there for the Super Bowl this year and it just felt like you were on the plane for like a day. So we felt like getting out there, kind of getting our guys accustomed to the sleep patterns going on and finishing up the week out there. We just thought it was best and gave us the best chance to win, as far as getting our guys ready to go. We just want to feel as good as we can going into that game. We’ll see what the results are.”
(On if it goes well if he would consider doing that for the Los Angeles trip) – “I mean we’re going to kind of see. We’ve got an initial plan right now but we’re going to kind of see how everything goes on this trip. Obviously everything is day to day. We’ll see how it goes and then if we need to make some changes, then we’ll make them.”
(On if he thinks back to Super Bowl XLVIII and scheming up against the defense and what went wrong) – “Never… (Laughter). Yes! You lose the Super Bowl, 43-8, you try to figure out what went wrong. We got a chance to play them the third game of the season the next year and saw them in the first preseason game. Yes, you think about what went wrong.”
(On whether the Super Bowl XLVIII experience helped at all) – “Absolutely. When we went into that game, I think a lot of us felt like we were rolling at that time. Really, it was as close to a shutout as you can get. We got one (touchdown) late. (I) went back … You have to do a lot of soul searching at that point and reevaluate what you were doing and what went wrong and how you could’ve changed things.”
(On what he would have done differently in Super Bowl XLVIII) – “The one thing that we did that went against what we had done all season where, we went in with a game plan, we got down, and I think we started to press a little bit, and then it cost us because I called a couple plays in that game that forced Peyton (Manning) to have to push the ball down the field and our protection was … They got through, and he got hit a couple times. The ball popped up I know on the one (turnover). You get a pick-six (on you) the other way. It changes the whole momentum. We needed something good to happen, and it was like an avalanche for us.”
(On talking to CB Byron Maxwell about Super Bowl XLVIII) – “He talks about it a little bit, but he’ll remind me occasionally.”
(On whether CB Byron Maxwell is kind when mentioning Super Bowl XLVIII) – “No.” (laughter)
(On if he has a policy on players needing to practice by a certain time before being eligible to play in a game) – “For us to feel good, absolutely you’d love to be able to say, ‘We’d like to see you at practice one day.’ I think this is a little bit of an unusual week. We’re going to be able to push this thing all the way to the end. I think every situation is a little different. I think sometimes experience plays into that, to where you might be able to say, ‘We’re not going to have anything all week,’ and then he’s going to show up on Sunday and be able to do his job. I think every situation, it’ll present itself and you have to make the best decision for the team at the time.”
(On who the backup offensive tackles are) – “It just depends. I feel like you’re wishing something is going to happen to somebody. (laughter) We’ve repped them all. Basically, I think ‘B.A.’ (Branden Albert) is the only one we haven’t done anything – and Tunsil – as far as right tackle. But I feel like we got four guys that can play left tackle. We got a plan as far as if something happened at the backup right tackle, and we feel good about how we can swing some things on the inside.”
(On whether RB Kenyan Drake is an option on offense yet) – “He could be. I think once we get close to the game we’ll decide what way we’re going to go, who’s going to be on special teams, how many backs we want up. When you’re this early in the week, you have an idea, but you don’t want to … It’s in pencil. Once we get closer to the game, then we’ll have a better idea as far as, ‘These are the guys we’re going to go with.’”
(On his comfort level with the starting offensive line) – “I feel pretty good about it. I feel like they’re getting a good feel as far as the tempo of what we’re doing, how Ryan (Tannehill) is doing some things at the line of scrimmage and making changes and the way that we handle protections in run game and things like that. The nice thing … Really, (Larmey) Tunsil is the guy that’s trying to get caught up the quickest. Obviously, the rest of those guys have been practicing a lot more than him. (Jermon) Busrod being in the offense before, it’s just a different position for him not really necessarily terminology, not necessarily understanding why we do stuff. He knows that, it’s just at a different spot. As far as them knowing what to do, I feel really good about it. It’s (about) playing off of each other and understanding when the center does something, the guard is going to be able to play off of them. Same thing with the tackles with the guards. There is something to say about chemistry amongst those guys up front. I’ve seen it change midseason, and it worked as well. The longer guys can play together, obviously, the better they’re going to do when they work together.”
(On his comfort level with C/G Anthony Steen making protection calls) – “He has been great. He’s a sharp guy. He picked things up quick. For a guy that … When you get thrown in there and all of a sudden you’re the guy, that’s a lot on your plate. I haven’t seen him really change his demeanor from the day he arrived here, at least with us. He has been really good as far as dictating what we’re doing up front.”
(On whether DT Earl Mitchell can jump right back into playing after missing some time) – “I think he can jump right back into it. Obviously, we’re going to be somewhat smart with how many snaps he gets. I wouldn’t want him to run out there and play 65 snaps or anything like that. We’re going to be smart as far as how many snaps he actually gets in the game. Hopefully when he comes out of this, we keep moving on as far as increasing those numbers as the season goes on.”
(On whether he addresses an underdog) – “I guess it’s hard to really focus on that. We have so many other things going on. I’m sure me bringing that up … These guys aren’t going to … That’s not something they focus on. You never really hear players talk about, ‘We’re big-time underdogs,’ or ‘We’re big-time favorites.’ That’s so far back. We have so many other things to worry about than that.”
Byron Maxwell – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Cornerback Byron Maxwell
(On the biggest challenge as the veteran that is helping the young secondary play at a high level) – “I don’t think I really do it by myself. Really, (I) just lead by example and if they need some type of guidance or help, as far as off the field, I think that’s where I can help the most. That’s where you become a pro. I think, my example and what I do off the field helps more than anything – getting ready for the game, film study and things that (aren’t) necessarily on the field that helps.”
(On how anxious he is to start the regular season) – “I’m ready to play; I’m ready to go. Obviously, this (week) is big for me just because of the relationships I have on the other side of the field. I want to win even more so than any other game. It’s going to be fun, though.”
(On the key to beating or containing QB Russell Wilson and the offense) – “Practice is totally different than a game. ‘Russ’, I don’t want to say he’s a gamer, but the things he can do don’t necessarily show up in practice because he can escape and that’s a big part of his game. He’s a special player as far as that. Really, practice can’t really tell you what he can do. It’s going to be the first experience for me too, having to go against him. I was on the other side cheering for him. It’s going to be fun, though. I know he’s a competitor.”
(On if he can prepare the team for the 12th man effect in Seattle) – “Really, I don’t address stuff like that. I treat it as a normal away game. It’s the first game of the season, (so) you’re going to have some jitters but (I’m) just going out there to play and have fun. Football is football. If you make it bigger than what it should be, that’s when you start to get in trouble. You need to run, hit and play ball. That’s it.”
(On crowd noise not being a factor communication-wise) – “Well, when we’re on the field, it’s going to be quiet because (Seattle’s) offense is out (there). (For our) offense, I wouldn’t tell them to worry about. It’s an away game. It’s an NFL away game. It’s going to be hard and you have to play.”
(On what he can tell his teammates about Seattle QB Russell Wilson) – “Not really. Like I said, this is my second year being gone so they’ve changed a little bit. They do what they do but I just tell (our guys) that he’s a playmaker (and) he’s a good football player.”
(On the advantage to traveling to Seattle a few days early) – “I don’t know.”
(On if it matters that the team is traveling to Seattle a few days early) – “It doesn’t matter to me.”
(On if he still communicates with former Seahawks teammates and what that communication has been like) – “Right now, I haven’t really been texting anybody. You definitely communicate (with guys) because we did some special things and we accomplished a goal that not many players do so definitely, they’re my brothers. (But) I kind of want to shut that down until after the game.”
(On how important it is to read your keys going up against a mobile quarterback) – “You have to be disciplined with your eyes. Your eyes can’t be in the backfield because he can escape and you have to know the play is going to be extended. You just have to make sure you’re on that and be disciplined. The ball is coming your way. He has a big arm. He has a great arm and can make all of the throws.”
(On what it takes to be a great defense like he was part of in Seattle and if this group can do that) – “Definitely. I think obviously it takes great players (and) good coaches. To me, it takes depth too. The first guy has to be good but the second guy has to be just as good. We’ve got that here. It just takes experience, at the same time, and actually going out there and doing it and putting the work in. We’ve got to do that now. We’ve got to do a couple of things that are on that list but we’re definitely capable of being that team.”
(On his best memory from the Super Bowl run with Seattle other than the confetti falling) – “I mean the confetti fall is the best moment. That’s what you work for; that’s the feeling you want. That’s the feeling I want again. That’s it. Once you accomplish it, you’re like ‘This is what it is. This is what it feels like.’”
(On if he has talked trash to Head Coach Adam Gase about that game) – “No, but he brings it up every now and then.”
(On what Head Coach Adam Gase says when he brings up Super Bowl XLVIII) – “He’s suckered. He got blown out. (Laughter) The No. 1 offense got smashed.”
(On Super Bowl XLVIII and Head Coach Adam Gase) – “To be honest with you, the Super Bowl that we lost (in Seattle) sticks in my mind. So I understand.”
(On why he left Seattle) – “Oh, cash flow. All day.”
(On if the Seahawks were even in it with him when he became a free agent) – “They were close but I can’t make that back in my lifetime so I had to go.”
(On there not being any hard feelings when he left) – “No, definitely (not).”
(On if he remembers his days in Seattle fondly) – “Yes, I had a great time.”
(On who he remains close to up in Seattle) – “Really, the secondary guys (and Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Kris) Richard because you spent four years working with those guys in close quarters – six, seven, eight months. You get real close (to them).”
(On if it was fun to play in the Legion of Boom) – “Yes, definitely. It was a culture. It was definitely fun. I’m excited to go back.”
(On what he learned most from his time in Seattle) – “Just preparation. Preparing for the game and treating every game the same. The mindset (and) mentality is really what I learned.”
Arian Foster – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Running Back Arian Foster
(On if there is any added significance to the game because he’s coming back from an injury last year) – “Not really. I mean football is football. Any time you get the luxury of coming out here and doing what you love for a living, it’s always awesome. So I guess in that sense, it’s special. But I’m just another chess piece out there.”
(On any story behind the number change to 29) – “Yes. 34 just didn’t look good on me, in my opinion. So 29 was open and so I took it.”
(On being superstitious about numbers) – “No. Numbers are just numbers.”
(On if there was a moment in the preseason where he said he felt like his old self) – “Yes. It was probably around March or April, where I didn’t feel like I was, quote unquote, ‘supposed to feel’ at age 30 as a running back. You hear all of the geniuses that say that’s what’s supposed to happen at 30. But I feel like if you take care of your body and you train like I train, you should be able to do good things.”
(On if he’s curious to see what he’s got on Sunday or if he knows what’s in there) – “No. I’ve been playing so I pretty much know where I’m at physically. It’s just all about executing at this point.”
(On if there is a better test than going up against a Seattle defense for him) – “I know they’ve been dominant in this league for years now and they kind of set the mark of what a defensive team is supposed to do. So it’s going to be a tough one but it’s a great team to open up with because you know where you’re at after you play them.”
(On if he ever sets statistical goals for himself) – “Yes.”
(On what his statistical goals are this year) – “I don’t want to share them with you all though, because then you all take them and write articles about it. (Laughter)”
(On if he usually meets his goals) – “No, I haven’t. I haven’t met my goal yet. But I set them high.”
(On if he didn’t meet his goal even in his best season) – “No.”
(On the satisfaction of being at the top of the depth chart and if that’s important to him) – “It was never like a goal. I didn’t really think too much of it. You really can’t in this league because I’ve seen guys be at the top of the depth chart at the end of training camp and then they bring somebody else in and it’s just part of the business. So you just have to focus on being the best player you can be. I know it’s kind of cliché, but it’s true.”
(On if it was gratifying to be listed at the top of the depth chart after where he came from physically 11 months ago) – “I wasn’t dead (laughter). I had an injury. I’ve bounced back before.”
(On how he feels about his timing with C/G Anthony Steen) – “I feel your job as a running back is to be patient and that helps the line get on to the second level. So that’s what I try to do and emphasize. I feel like the line is gelling very well and I think we have the potential to do really good things this year. Everybody just has to stay patient and not get flustered when things don’t go your way because sometimes in this league you’ll have a game where you’ll have 50, 60, 70 yards and then you get on a roll. So you just have to stay patient.”
Darren Rizzi – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi
(On if WR Jakeem Grant will handle both punt and kickoff returns on Sunday) – “It’s still fluid. We’re going to see how that goes. He’s been taking a lot of reps all preseason. He’s been doing both and doing a good job at it. Obviously we have some other options there with Kenyan Drake now emerging in the last game and obviously Jarvis (Landry) is always there. We’re kind of going to go in with a committee and kind of see how it plays out. But Jakeem’s (Grant) definitely right there in the mix. He’ll be back there at some point, for sure.”
(On if it will depend on the situation throughout the course of the game if WR Jakeem Grant will handle punt and kickoff returns) – “Yes, I don’t want to say too much with that. I think it will depend on a lot of different factors. We’ll see kind of what the elements are and how it plays out but again, he’s really done a nice job all preseason. He’s definitely in the mix. He’ll be back there, like I said, at some point; whether we have two guys, one guy, we still have a lot of different options we can do. We can put two kick returners back. We could put two punt returners back. You guys kind of know who those guys are. But all that’s going to be, like it could be situationally, it could be game plan. So all of that’s open right now still.”
(On what his message would be to a young guy like WR Jakeem Grant on making his professional debut) – “The biggest thing is kind of tuning all of the noise out. He’s done such a good job. For a guy that’s never fielded a punt in college and really hasn’t done it since high school, he really did a nice job in the preseason. He’s probably fielded 10,000 punts between the time he got drafted and now. Just whether it’s fielding a punt, snapping a ball or kicking a ball, the message always to those guys is ‘Lock into what you’re doing.’ It’s kind of like a golfer. A specialist and a punt returner is kind of in that same category – it’s kind of like a golfer. You lock into a guy. You hear a guy like Tiger Woods talk all the time about just being on the practice green. It’s the same exact putt. Just block out all the noise. That’s kind of been the same message to these guys. I look at a returner no different than the snapper, holder, kicker or punter in that regard. ‘You’ve done it a million, you’ve done it 10,000 times. It’s just another example of doing it. Don’t let the emotion, all that stuff, don’t get caught up in that stuff.’”
(On what he would tell WR Jakeem Grant on playing in a tough environment) – “He’s played in some big games, obviously. His conference is pretty big. He played in front of a lot of people. We tell Jakeem (Grant), as well as all the other guys, it’s just like I said, ‘You’ve got to put yourself in the moment. You practiced this a million times. Don’t let this situation, the environment, dictate what you’re capable of doing. Again, just stay mentally locked in. Stay in the moment and just go and do what you know you’re capable of doing.’”
(On if in practice he’s been looking at RB Kenyan Drake both on punts and kickoffs or just punts) – “He’s done both. He’s done both actually and he’s another guy that didn’t get a whole lot of punt returns in his career in college but since he’s been back, it’s another phase he’s been working on. I said to him the other day in the pregame warmups against Tennessee, it was actually the best kind of period I saw him have catching punts, just real smooth. Kenyan’s (Drake) a guy that’s got a lot of confidence and he doesn’t really get shaken by much. So that’s a good thing for a returner, especially a young guy.”
(On two guys that he has great confidence in their ability to cover kicks and punts) – “That’s a great question. I’ll tell you what, we have four guys back that really did a good job last year. You look at Michael Thomas, you look at Walt Aikens, you look at Damien Williams (and) Spencer Paysinger. Those four returning players are guys that are all core guys for us last year and have kind of continued that trend. At one point or another last year, all four of those guys were at the top of the pile in terms of core players. Mike (Thomas) got thrust into playing a lot because of injuries last year. Then Walt (Aikens) took over for a while. There was a stretch of games – maybe six or seven games – where Damien Williams was playing as well as anybody on special teams in our division. I don’t just mean the Dolphins, I mean our division. Then Spencer Paysinger is kind of just a steady guy. He’s led our team now … he led our team in tackles last year on kickoff. Mike (Thomas) led it in punt. All four of those guys have really been impressive and I’ll tell you what, they’ve really all provided veteran leadership during this training camp and this preseason for some of the younger guys like (Kenyan) Drake, (Leonte) Carroo and (Jakeem) Grant – some of these younger guys that may play on Sunday. That’s been a very fortunate thing for me is to have those veteran-type guys. (I’m) very, very happy with where they are and all four of them not only have great ability to cover kicks; but just like I said, kind of that maturity. That veteran leadership has been really, really good.”
(On who made the team that was a bubble guy that he pushed for because of their special teams abilities) – “I don’t think it’s a secret, Mike Hull was probably a bubble guy coming into camp. And he played as well as anybody on special teams, on this team, in the four preseason games. Not only special teams, but defensively as well. That’s just not my opinion. The numbers kind of say that as well. (He was one of the) more productive players. You talk to (Linebackers Coach) Matt Burke and talk to our defensive coaches, they’ll tell you the same thing. There wasn’t a more productive guy. There’s guys that may have played more plays and all that, but this guy just really got people on the ground on defense and on special teams and that was impressive. Not surprising, but it was very, very impressive. I told the story awhile back about going up to Penn State last year with my daughters – she now attends Penn State – and talking to their coaches. They couldn’t say enough great things about him and his leadership. So they’re not surprised either up there in good old ‘Happy Valley.’ But here’s a guy that was a captain there and has really just shown tremendous … Here’s a guy that’s been told his whole life you’re too small, you’re too slow and all this. ‘You can’t play Division I football,’ or ‘You’re not going to be big enough to play in the NFL,’ and all he does is go out there and make plays. So he’s a guy that maybe was a question mark coming into the preseason, and he just kind of every week, earned his way onto the football team in both defense and special teams, for what it’s worth.”
Vance Joseph – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph
(On if DE Jason Jones will be a starter) – “Yes. In our first and second down package, which is obviously more run and mixed play-action pass, Jason Jones will be the starting end along with Mario Williams. Cam (Wake) will be used some on first and second down but mostly in pass rush situations.”
(On what he has seen from DE Mario Williams after he had been criticized last year) – “I’ve seen Mario from Day 1 being fully engaged in what we’re doing. Sometimes players just need a new change; they need a change of environment. I think it’s been good for Mario to be here. I was with Mario in Houston so I know the person. He wants to rush the passer, like most defensive ends want to. He’s rushing the passer here so, so far, so good.”
(On his confidence in CB Xavien Howard) – “I’m confident. He was drafted in the second round for a reason, because he’s a talented guy. The spring workouts and OTAs kind of proved that he is a real talent. I was impressed then. Obviously missing time during training camp, that’s not going to help his growth as far as being a starter Week 1; but, I feel like his physical tool set and being a corner, I feel comfortable. Playing corner, there’s probably three or four assignments that they have to perfect and he’s done that well.”
(On LB Jelani Jenkins’ replacement if he is unable to go Sunday) – “It would be a mix of guys. On base downs, it would probably be Spencer Paysinger as the starter, if Jelani can’t go. And then in our sub nickel package, it would probably be Koa (Misi).”
(On what this first game means to him, his first as a defensive coordinator) – “What does it mean? It’s a big game for all of us, obviously. It’s the first game, but who we’re playing. Being a new staff and trying to change the culture and going towards a winning environment, this is a critical game for us because Seattle has been winning for a long time. That thing has been built right for a long time, since (Seattle Seahawks Head Coach) Pete (Carroll) has been there. They do things right. They play with energy. They play tough; they play smart. They draft and pay their own players. That’s a standard that we’re trying to get to so I think this is a perfect opening game to see where we are; but also, we’re aspiring to be those guys, eventually – to be an every year playoff team and to build our team in that light.”
(On why the pass rush specialist role for DE Cameron Wake) – “Again, I think if we chose to, he could be a starter on every down. But I think, just keeping him healthy and allowing him to be a dominant pass rusher – taking some downs off of him – makes us better and allows him to be fresher for 16 weeks.”
(On his expectations when they added CB Byron Maxwell to the secondary and if he’s lived up to them) – “He’s added a No. 1 corner for us. We didn’t have one before he got here after we let (Brent) Grimes go. He’s added a No. 1 corner for us (and) so far, so good. When he came in, he was about 205, maybe 210 (pounds). Now he’s down to 194 (pounds and) that’s helped his game. He’s running better. He looks quick out there. Having a guy who has played corner at a high level, that helps you, especially when you’re playing with a rookie opposite him.”
(On if he has explored having CB Byron Maxwell shadowing an opponent’s best receiver) – “I have not. He has not been a guy who has matched (up) left and right. He’s been a right corner for most of his career so to make him comfortable and to have him play his best, playing (on the) right (side) is the best option.”
(On how DT Jordan Phillips did during training camp and preseason) – “I thought Jordan Phillips started off really slow but came on really strong. I thought he had a hell of a preseason, as far as the games. Obviously you can see his size and his explosiveness in the run and pass game alike. I’m very pleased by Jordan right now and where he is.”
(On his comfort level with the depth at the defensive tackle spot) – “We have four guys that we feel comfortable with. Most teams only have four. Between (Ndamukong) Suh, Jordan (Phillips), Earl (Mitchell) and (Julius) Warmsley, I feel very comfortable. That’s what most teams have – two starters and two guys that can back up. In my mind, we have three starters with Jordan being able to start for Earl if Earl is not ready to go.”
(On what Julius Warmsley did to earn a spot on the 53-man roster) – “For players sometimes, the system helps them play better. Warmsley is a quick, high-energy guy. We’re an attack front. He can rush the passer in close spaces. It helped him not being a read-and-react guy. He’s not a big, big guy so his quickness definitely showed in the pass game and run game alike.”
(On one thing the group is better at right now) – “I think the front is a lot better at playing the run. When you’re an attack front and you’ve got a bunch of pass rushers, they want to rush the passer. They don’t want to talk about the run game. From OTAs to the first part of (training) camp until now, I feel very comfortable with the run defense now. I wasn’t during the spring and I wasn’t early on in camp, but I feel better about it now because now they’re focusing on both. They’re reading their keys and when it’s pass, they rush, and when it’s run, they set the edge. That’s been a lot better, in my opinion.”
(On the importance for the secondary to read their keys when playing against a mobile quarterback) – “It starts with having a hell of a rush plan. That’s important. You can’t rush him reckless so our rush plan is going to be very, very important – how we rush Russell (Wilson). The second part of it is, in the secondary, when he scrambles, which he will scramble, if you’re a corner covering (Tyler Lockett) or (Doug Baldwin), stay with your guy. Cover the guy until … I don’t know what that means (necessarily) but cover the guy until the play is over. That’s going to be critical. So between the rush plan and guys chasing him down and the back end guys staying in coverage, that’s the key. We could have a perfect rush plan and (Wilson) is going to break contain. He’s going to do it probably more than once. So the back end guys have to stay in coverage – that’s the key.”
(On having a different rotation of guys up front and what that does for him later in games) – “You keep guys fresh, especially big guys. Big guys – you want them to play hard and always going 100 percent. But when they get tired, it’s tough to lean on 300-pound guys all game and play 65 snaps so having a rotation helps those guys, at the end of the game, be fresh enough to finish the game off. So Cameron (Wake), not playing a lot of first and second down reps, when the game is on the line, he can finish it for us.”
Clyde Christensen – September 6, 2016
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Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen
(On the decision to start RB Arian Foster) – “We felt like we wanted a veteran presence in that room – and certainly in this kind of game on the road like that – was why we found a veteran presence. We had a bunch of young guys – we ha a bunch of up and comers – but we did want a veteran guy in this kind of game. It fits him and fits why we went and got a veteran guy. We felt like, obviously, he gave us the best chance right from the get go. I think especially (with a) road game of this magnitude and that kind of place, that’s what he’s here for.”
(On what he will tell G/T Laremy Tunsil going into Week 1) – “’(Have a) short memory, great effort and be on your stuff.’ There’s going to be some growing pains. He’s going to have some mistakes, and that’s a pretty darn good defense he’s starting out against in a new position for him. He has worked hard. He earned the position. He earned it the hard way, which we thought was really important. I think probably the biggest fear you have is … Understand there’s going to be some negative plays in this thing. You’re not going to go knock them around the ballpark for 75 plays and pancake people and not miss any twists and all that stuff. I think the biggest thing is just (to) keep playing. (If you) have a bad play – you get beat – turn the page, next play.”
(On how G/T Laremy Tunsil earned a starting position) – “We didn’t make any decisions. A lot of times you take that first pick – especially a high first pick – and you declare him the starter. I think (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase was adamant right from the get go that, ‘We’re going to play the best five. If he’s in that best five, great. If not, he can back up at left tackle.’ We could do a lot of different things. There were a lot of different scenarios. There were a lot of guys we looked at. We really gave them equal time, probably as long as you possibly could without (limiting) some folks and then being unfair to them. He kept improving. He’s not great yet, but he sure is a talented guy. He sure works hard. He keeps improving, and that’s all we’re looking for – keep playing hard and keep improving. There’s going to be a few negative plays. There’s a reason (the Seahawks are) so darn good at home. They’re a good football team.”
(On G/T Jermon Bushrod earning the starting right guard position) – “Same thing. Almost the same answer as (Laremy) Tunsil. Same thing: he earned it. He did it the hard way. We made him switch sides, which is really hard. We made him switch positions. He has really been a left tackle, so (we) made him (switch and said), ‘Here’s the roles we need you to work at, and here’s the opportunity.’ The opportunity was in a position (that) wasn’t his natural position – it wasn’t his natural side – and it took him a while. It took him and Tunsil a while, but we felt like at the end of the day, they gave us the best chance. They earned the starting jobs, and it wasn’t easy. It wasn’t easy. The easy thing would be to put them at their natural position and let them compete. That’s the easy answer (to say), ‘Let them do what they know how to do,’ but it wasn’t the best thing for the football team. It wasn’t the best thing for the unit. We felt like we had to do that, and if it backfired, it backfired. We know they’re both in a good veteran position – good veteran players at that position – but at their own position. But the best thing was to get some versatility. I think – I’ve said all along – I think that versatility will pay some dividends before this year is out. You hope you get lucky and have the same five all year. (It) doesn’t happen at very many clubs. That won’t happen many places this year, and I hope it’s us. But if it isn’t, we’ll have some reps and deposits made on some of those other positions.”
(On whether WR Justin Hunter knows enough of the offense yet to fill the third wide receiver role) – “The answer is, no, he probably doesn’t know enough to fill the role yet, and it’ll have to be by committee. (We can) use those tight ends a little bit in there. The thing is to get Hunter as far as we can get him (and) see how much of the package he can get and then by the end of the week, make sure he knows something. You may have to give him a limited call sheet, and he’ll have to learn it that way and obviously hope you don’t lose somebody where he’s thrust into action before you’d like to have him in there. (We want to) make sure he knows something. That’s the key: make sure he knows something. If that’s 10 plays from the right wide out and the quarterback walks over and tells him what to do, we got to make sure he knows something that if there is a catastrophe and he’s in there that he can function.”
(On how important the first play of the game is) – “When you’re calling the game … (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase came in today and he said, ‘Put some thought into this first play of the game.’ Probably the truth of the matter is it’s one of 75 (plays). The feel of the thing is, ‘Gosh, we want to get off to a good start,’ and you go back and forth. I’ve lost more sleep over the first play of the game. (We can say), ‘Let’s get a shot. There’d be nothing like juicing everybody up with a 50-yard shot, but we can’t have a sack on that first play of the game. How about a plus route? Let’s not take a chance of a minus-yard run.’ It is one of those you wrestle back and forth with. The truth of the matter is that I can’t remember many first plays of the game in the whole 21 years (of my coaching experience). They really are insignificant. I think we hit one first play for a touchdown against Pittsburgh. They busted something, and it went or something, but that was 10 years ago. You do toss and turn (and ask,) ‘Do I take a chance? Do I not take a chance? Do I get aggressive? Do I not get aggressive?’ I think some of that’ll be (about) the center and who’s at center and who are those people (starting on offense). With this team up there (in Seattle), you do want to hang around, and you’re going to have to take some chances to win the game, because it’s hard to beat them there. But you do want to make sure that you’re in this thing in the fourth (quarter). You want to make sure that you don’t get that crowd all geeked up early and you got your hands full. If we can hang around, and then we all know what happens. You hang around in the fourth quarter and the home team starts to feel some pressure and puckering up a little bit. We got to play some good football and not lay an egg, and let’s see what happens there in the second half of that thing. That’s a long answer to a short question, but the first play feels a lot more significant than it probably really is. But it was funny, because Coach Gase (said), ‘Put some thought into that first play of the game.’ We just have to pick one out (play) of the 150. That’s why we put them in the game plan. We feel like they’re good plays, and if we block them it’ll be a good play, and if we don’t block them, they won’t. That’s the truth of the matter.”
(On what the offense needs to do in order to move the ball against Seattle’s defense) – “I think it’s, ‘Get into a flow and not self-destruct early, not do crazy stuff and jump offside and end up in second-and-20 and get a holding penalty. Don’t make a bad read and throw one up to No. 25 (Richard Sherman) when you know he’s such an exceptional player. Don’t play bad ball. Avoid the bad ball, especially early and then hang around and see what happens.’ I think that’s the No. 1 thing. No. 2 would be that crowd. You got to be able to function with that crowd. We’ll have some young players in there. It’ll be a new offense. We just got to go do what we do (and) play our game. Don’t worry about the opponent, the scoreboard. Don’t worry about the scoreboard or the opponent, just worry about the Miami Dolphins and playing good football. Then let’s look up and see where we are at 6:30 with a half an hour to go in that thing. Let’s look up and see where we are. Don’t worry about that scoreboard. Don’t worry about that crowd. They don’t have anything to do with us. Let’s make sure we play good football. That’ll be my message.”
(On offenses communicating in loud environments) – “You have to keep stressing that it’s hard, but … Especially young guys, you start concentrating on your own thing … That thing has to get passed around. It can’t all fall on Ryan (Tannehill), because Ryan can’t tell all 11 guys what to do. He can tell the tight end, the slot (receiver) and the center. The center has to do a great job of getting it communicated to the guard, and the guard is probably going to have to tell the tackle, and the tackle is going to have to tell the tight end. Tight end is going to have to tell the wide out. It’s everyone. If we leave it all on Ryan, that is really, really a hard job. Everyone has to do their part of the communication. Some guys are natural at it, and some guys are kind of quiet guys and they tend to just worry about themselves and doing their job. In an atmosphere like this, everyone has to communicate. We have to keep the plan simple enough that we don’t have miscommunication. Miscommunication would be fatal up there. We have to know what we’re doing to have a chance to win the football game.”
(On keeping QB Brandon Doughty as a third quarterback) – “It’s really a hard question, this third quarterback thing. I think the league is split about 50-50 (on keeping a third quarterback). The Jets have four on their 53 (-man roster). I saw (Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Bruce) Arians has a couple practice squaders. Probably the biggest thing … I’m all conflicted, because I went 16 years and never got to a backup. That guy (Peyton Manning) never missed a snap. And then all of a sudden last year, you’re on about your sixth one. You just don’t know. Our guy (Ryan Tannehill) has been extremely durable, but it’s a hard one. And then all of a sudden you get someone snatched from your practice squad and then you have to train someone. So, you need a third one trained. That’s one thing we all know: you need a third one trained, whether he’s on your 53 or whether he’s on your practice squad. It’s going to tend – I think – to be kind of both. There may be some weeks where you got to get a corner up (to the active roster), and the quarterback becomes a practice squad guy. I don’t think that that’s a permanent (thing). You don’t know that that’s a permanent position, so to speak. But you do know that you got to have a third guy trained, because if you do get to him, you can’t train someone in a week. I tried that last year; it’s not much fun. We looked at it hard. Both those two No. 3 (quarterbacks, Brandon Doughty and Zac Dysert,) had played some good football, had done some things that weren’t so good and they were similar. I think it fell on (Head Coach) Adam (Gase to ask), ‘Which way do you want to go on this thing?’ and we ended up going with Brandon and feel like he’s a good, young guy. He’s got a long way to go, but (we) had to make a decision. There wasn’t any big factor on that.”
Ryan Tannehill – September 5, 2016
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Monday, September 5, 2016
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(On whether he believes in home field advantage and if Seattle has one) – “It’s a tough place to play. I obviously haven’t played there yet, but it has a reputation, and it’s for a reason. Some guys in the locker room played there, and they’ll tell you it’s one of the loudest places – if not the loudest in the league – you’ll play. We understand that going in there, it’s going to be a tough place to play, but we have to find a way to overcome that and find a way to win.”
(On what a quarterback has to do in loud environments) – “It makes communication tough. That’s where you see teams have issues; they’re not on the same page because the communication is tough. We have to be really on top of our game as far as communicating with each other, signaling to each other, talking, make sure we all get the call, and we’re all on the same page.”
(On how this season is different for him compared to years past) – “The biggest change has been, obviously, the coaching staff, the new offense and new pieces around me. (I am) excited for this year and the opportunity that’s in front of us.”
(On what excites him about the team) – “We have a ton of potential. I think we have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. We’re getting started on a new season, so right now, it’s all potential, and we have to find a way to come together as a team and win games.”
(On whether he likes the challenge of starting the season with two road games against 2015 playoff teams) – “Yes, it’s a good test for us. Obviously, (Seattle and New England are) two tough places to play, two good teams. It’ll be a test for us. We got to find a way to play well and come out with wins”
(On QB Russell Wilson) – “He has had a heck of a career so far. (He has) been to the Super Bowl twice and really played well. (I have) a ton of respect for him and his game.”
(On what he hopes to improve on this season) – “Really, you’re constantly trying to improve all areas – completion percentage, third down efficiency, red zone. If you play well on those downs, then you’re probably going to be in a good spot to score a lot of points. Those are the biggest downs you play.”
(On what about the offense will make it successful) – “We have a ton of things about this offense. We have great players that can win in one-on-one matchups and get open in zone. We have good running backs. We have good tight ends. We have good receivers. When you have that balance of talent across the board, you can really find places to get them the ball and let them work, get the ball in their hands and let them make plays.”
(On whether WR DeVante Parker missing time impacts their chemistry) – “It’s tough. You’d like to have the guy on the field. He’s a heck of a talent. He’s a really good athlete, and we’re better with him on the field. We want to get him healthy and get him on the field and keep him there.”
(On what areas he has improved on since last season) – “I don’t know. It’s not my job to figure that out. (I) keep my head down, keep working, keep finding ways to improve day in and day out.”
(On whether he is aware of players like CB Richard Sherman and CB Darrelle Revis and how it impacts a game) – “You’re aware. You study the tape. You know, whether it’s a cornerback, a safety, a linebacker, a defensive end. You’re aware of good players on their team just like they’re aware of our good players. You have to be crisp with your throws, you have to be crisp with your route running and pick your places where you want to attack. When you face really good players, you have to be conscious of that. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re never going that way, but when you do go that way, you have to be crisp, like I said, and accurate.”
(On teams trimming their rosters to 53 players) – “It’s a tough part of the business. You spend a lot of time in the locker room, on the practice field, off the field with these guys (and) you do build those relationships. It is tough when you see guys you spend a lot of time with go. It’s part of the business, and there’s really no way around it. It’s just one of those things you have to deal with.”
(On whether the team left early for San Francisco on a Thursday during his rookie season) – “I don’t believe so. We went Friday, so earlier than normal.”
(On the team leaving for Seattle on Thursday and whether it will make a difference) – “I have no idea. I’ve never done it before, so I can’t say. Obviously, the coaching staff and this organization feels like it’s the best opportunity for us to go out on a Thursday, so we’ll ride with it and hopefully it does pays off.”
(On leaving for games in London on Thursday the past two seasons) – “We went Thursday (for) both games. This will be kind of a similar situation.”
(On his emotions regarding the start of the season) – “I’m excited. I feel like it’s a huge opportunity in front of us this season – not just the opener, but the season as it goes on. I’m excited for this team – for this organization – to get a new start so to speak. These guys, I train with every day – practice with – I see a lot of talent, a lot of hard work that has gone (on) over the course of the last year. To see these guys go out and play, I want to see them succeed and play well.”
(On the chemistry of the offensive line) – “I feel like it has grown a lot since we first started. There has been some shuffling of guys – popping new guys in and out of there – but the unit has really grown no matter who’s in there. I feel like they’ve spent enough time together at this point that we’re going to be in a good spot. They’ve really come together (and) kept me clean. I don’t remember exactly how many pass attempts I had in the first half of (the third preseason game against) Atlanta, but it was a lot, and I didn’t really hit the ground much. That gives us a lot of confidence going into this game. Obviously, they (Seattle) have a really good front seven and are going to put some heat on the quarterback, so we have to be good, but I have a lot of confidence in our guys up front.”
(On what the team needs to do well to have success against Seattle) – “Be efficient, whether it’s the run game (or) pass game. (We have to) just constantly be moving the ball forward. If you get behind the chains there, they’re at an advantage. They have a good pass rush. They’re going to get to the quarterback and play their zone coverage behind it and keep you in front of the sticks. You really just have to be efficient, whether it’s run or pass (and) keep moving the ball forward.”
(On LB Bobby Wagner) – “He’s a heck of a player. Like you said, he can do everything. He’s a three-down player. He’s in the backfield on run plays and he can cover tight ends running down the field in the pass game. (I have) a ton of respect for him. He’s a good football player, and I’m going to have to play well to account for him.”
(On his first game with Head Coach Adam Gase) – “It’s huge. It’s, obviously, our first live action, so (I am) excited, excited to see it. We’ve grown together over the course of the last few months. He’s a fun coach to be around. He’s fun in the meetings, fun on the field, so (I am) really looking forward to it.”
Ndamukong Suh – September 5, 2016
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Monday, September 5, 2016
Defensive Tackle Ndamukong Suh
(On how different the intensity is between preseason games and regular season games) – “We call it live bullets. At the end of the day, we were shooting blanks in preseason – just working on our craft and focusing on individual things. All these games particularly count now. The intensity just goes up – say if we’re at 100 for preseason, we’re going up to 150.”
(On how much value he puts on having an home-field advantage and if he puts value in that, how much does he feel Seattle has) – “I don’t necessarily … I enjoy playing in away games. I love going into other people’s homes and having the opportunity to go against their offense and have it nice and quiet and just destroy them and keep them quiet. That’s how I look at going to away games. I actually enjoy it. I don’t really see it as an advantage on my side of the ball.”
(On if he feels Seattle is a tough place to play) – “I’ve never been there. This will be my first time. I’ve heard great things about it. Obviously I’ve got old teammates that play there, so I’ve heard about it plenty of times.”
(On the intensity and excitement of starting the regular season) – “I’m definitely excited about it. Preseason was good, in my opinion. (We) got some good work in and now we have an opportunity for everything we’ve been working on in the preseason and OTAs and all that, (to) put that together and put that on showcase Week 1.”
(On the feeling of having players no longer on the roster that he built a friendship with) – “It’s definitely tough – to go from 90 guys to 53 guys, it’s a tough situation. We all understand that it’s a part of life. It doesn’t mean that you have to stop being friends because you’re not on the team. Like I said, I have teammates on other teams, (like) the team we’re actually getting ready to go play; but we won’t be friends once we step between those white lines.”
(On what some of the keys to stopping QB Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense?) – “Just respecting their game plan that they have against us. Seeing what they’re doing their first 15 plays and then after that, individually, they’ve got a lot of talent. You mentioned Russell Wilson, he has great feet. He can run the ball and be a threat in that respect – so just be aware of it. I would never be scared of it or anything of that nature, but just be aware of it and cognizant and just go out there and play your game.”
(On what it feels like to quiet the visiting crowd) – “To me, it is expectations. It’s something that I thrive off of and enjoy and I want to continually do on a consistent basis.”
(On if he’s very aware of when he makes a play and the stadium goes silent) – “I think everybody’s aware of it. I think it’s something, as a defense, we want to continue to do and obviously our sideline should be the loudest people that we hear.”
(On how important it is to have the gap integrity and staying disciplined when playing against QB Russell Wilson) – “I think at the end of the day, you just go out there and execute your game. Like I said, just be aware that he has an athletic ability to get outside the pocket and hurt you, as any other quarterback does. You’ve seen people that aren’t really known to run, that run (and) can hurt you. So at the end of the day, (we) just (have to) be aware of it and never be scared of it.”
(On having a lot of family members coming in for the game) – “Unfortunately, I do (laughter). I’m glad that our team is smart and we’re going up there on Thursday. So I will see them Thursday and Friday. Outside of that, I don’t have anything for them (laughter).”
