Arian Foster – August 25, 2016 (Postgame)
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August 25, 2016
Miami Dolphins Running Back Arian Foster (transcribed by Michael Bradley)
(Can you talk about the improvement you’ve seen from this offensive line so far? Two straight games with your quarterback pretty much protected) – “It’s just a testament to the work we have been putting in, it is doing the work every single day. (We keep) getting better, taking each opportunity to give back.”
(What’s the challenge of trying to get yourself ready when there are so many moving parts up front? What do you have to do to negate that or work through that?) – “Just stay patient. You can’t get frustrated. It’s a long game. Every week is extremely dramatic. Everything is wrong or everything is right, so you just have to stay focused.”
(Any special meaning for you to get in there and score after what you have been through?) – “No, it’s just football. People are going through real problems, and football is entertainment. It takes the worries off of the real problems that people have, and hopefully we can get people to not worry for three hours on a Sunday. It’s just football.”
Adam Gase – August 25, 2016 (Halftime)
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase (Halftime)
(On the offense in the first half) – “They did a good job. We have to clean a few things up. A tipped ball for a pick is always a tough one to swallow but I thought I liked the tempo of the guys.”
(On the starting defense) – “(They did a) good job. We got some hands on some balls. We just have to keep having those series where we can shorten it up. I feel like they did a great job as far as putting pressure on them – the four-man rush was good – (and) coverage was tight. I feel like we made some strides.”
-DOLPHINS-
Jarvis Landry – August 23, 2016
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Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Wide Receiver Jarvis Landry
(On the importance of the third preseason game to gauge where the offense is right now) – “It’s good, but it’s not something to judge us by. But at the same time, it’s something that – for us – we could actually get an opportunity to go against other opponents, see other defenses and learn different things about ourselves. I think that’s what the whole preseason is about.”
(On preparing for the third preseason game) – “It’s a shorter week, obviously, but we get a chance to game plan a little bit and study their coverages and the things that they like to do and put in some things to beat those coverages. For us, it’s going to be exciting to finally play what’s going to feel like a whole game.”
(On whether the offense is still thinking too much) – “No, not really. (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) is a great teacher. He has come in and he has found ways to help guys learn the system the best way that they can. He has laid out every detail that we need to know. Obviously, things change according to defenses, but for the most part, the groundwork has been laid.”
(On whether there is a difference in his preseason and regular season motor) – “No, not for me. I’m a competitor. Every time I take the field, I take the field to win, whether I’m playing for a couple series, a quarter or until halftime. I take the field to win. When I’m out there, that’s what I want to do.”
(On what the offense would like to accomplish in the third preseason game) – “(We want to) continue to have that positive first play. I think, for us, even in the last two games, we went backwards in the first play, the first drive. (We want to) try to find a way to get that first, first down and from there, big plays will come.”
(On the biggest difference in WR Kenny Stills this season compared to last year) – “He’s one of the hardest working guys in this building, and that’s showing up. He’s here every day constantly after hours writing, taking the finest, little detailed notes. Every advantage that he can get, he’s passing them along to us, and it’s helping us as a group with his leadership and the way that he’s approaching the game, and it’s showing up on the field.”
(On how the first team offense played against Dallas) – “Again, I think we did OK. I think you look at that game (and) there were a couple guys on their team throwing up while we were driving. It’ll be interesting to see for four quarters (if) those d-lines can hold up against our tempo and the way that we want to move the ball down the field. I think those two drives after the first one, they were pretty good.”
(On whether there is more emphasis on the third preseason game) – “Of course. Usually the third preseason game for your ‘starters’, this is the game that you get the most burn. For us, it’s an opportunity to go out (and) make it feel like a game as much as possible. Again, we have a week to game plan, so this is our first time actually doing it under (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) as far as game planning, so it’ll be interesting to see.”
(On why the offense is confident they will be a better red zone team this season) – “We work on it. As you’ve seen, we worked on it today. It’s something we have to constantly work on, because again, the red zone is not truly about spacing. It’s about spacing, but (also) timing. You know it’s going to be small windows. You know it’s going to be contact catches. It’s something that we work on and Adam does a great job of drawing some things up that free us up a little bit.”
(On what the offense did well against Dallas) – “I think, for us, Kenny (Stills) caught the ball well in the red zone, obviously, with the two scores. For us, it’s all about the play call. From there, it’s us going out there and executing.”
(On whether attention to detail in the red zone is a reflection of the offense or that area of the field in general) – “I think it’s a little bit of both. That’s one thing (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) stressed when he came in: the awareness and knowing that we didn’t do too well in the red zone last year. It’s definitely an emphasis for us, and it’s something that we have to improve on if we want to contend for a playoff spot or even a Super Bowl. For us (it is about) putting the ball in the paint – whether it’s the detail, whether it’s making tough catches – because things are going to go wrong sometimes out there and a guy is going to have to make a play, and we got the right guys to do it.”
(On what he would like to sharpen up on before the regular season) – “Continue to get in condition; get in shape. Continue to push my teammates; continue to lead. For me, be a horse (and) just go at any point.”
(On whether there is more variety in his offensive role this season) – “The whole offense allows guys to be in different places. I may be on the outside more than DeVante (Parker) – DeVante may be in the slot more than me – based on mismatches and creating opportunities for us to be successful.”
(On what he likes about moving the wide receivers around) – “That’s what it’s about at the end of the day: finding the matchup, finding the mismatch and exploiting it until they take it away and then we find the next one and go after that one. That’s what this offense is built to do.”
(On the takeaways from the third preseason game) – “I’d say my rookie year, I didn’t play until the fourth quarter. It definitely was a different look after going into the third preseason game. Being three years in and now going into my third preseason game, it’s fun. It’s football, and it’s another opportunity to go test your skills against somebody else.”
(On what excites him about the offense) – “It’s the way that guys are not limited to certain positions, or certain body types are limited to certain spots on the field. We have (plays) where tight ends are the farthest receiver out, where guys like DeVante (Parker) are the furthest receiver in. For us, there are a variety of places that we can line up. To find those mismatches is probably the beauty of this whole offense.”
Cameron Wake – August 23, 2016
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Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Defensive End Cameron Wake
(On if it is likely that he’ll play and if he feels like he needs to play on Thursday night) – “We’ll see what happens Thursday. It’ll be a game-time decision and we’ll take it from there.”
(On if he feels like he needs the work on Thursday) – “I always need work. If you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse. Then you need to retire.”
(On if he is getting antsy to play) – “I’ve been playing since (training camp opened on) July 27th. This is not really a new thing for me. I’ve been down this road a few times. I think (that) more (is) made of it than it really is, actually. It’s kind of funny.”
(On the physical versus the mental challenge for him returning from injury) – “Football is a mental and physical game. I’ve spoken about this before; the physical thing is not really new. Building muscle, running, playing football is not a new part. Just getting to the point where you’re comfortable out there and not thinking about it, that’s the only thing you’ve got to really worry about.”
(On if he trusts his Achilles now) – “I’ll trust it when I need to trust it.”
(On if he needs to trust the Achilles now) – “I’m not necessarily worried about it, to be honest.”
(On if he is bothered that age is usually brought up every time his name is mentioned) – “No, not at all. I’ve been old for five years now. (laughter) I just laugh at that comment. Eventually I guess they’ll be right.”
(On what he wants to see out of the first-team defensive line on Thursday night) – “I want to see guys play to their potential – me included, if I play. Going out there and just being the aggressive, fast, dominant front that we should be. I think anything less than that, to me, is not acceptable.”
(On playing with DT Ndamukong Suh and DE Mario Williams and if there is a sense of urgency for them to play together in a game) – “Well, if we were all a bunch of rookies, I think that would be one thing. But we all have a couple of grays – I guess I’ve got the most. But we’ve all been down this road. We’ve all played football – a lot of snaps. We’ve all had a lot of success. We’ve been playing together for quite a few snaps here in the past month or however long it’s been. I think we’ve come together quite nicely and I think when the real games start happening, that’s when those questions will get answered.”
(On if he wants to play and the coaches are telling him to take it easy or if it’s the other way around) – “We’re all working together. It’s not me and them. It’s us. We’re all on the same side working together to do what’s best for everybody involved.”
(On the biggest challenge of playing in a Wide 9 defense) – “I think it’s great. I don’t know what challenges there would be. There are plenty of techniques … It’s not any different than playing a six or a four or a three or a shade (technique) – it’s doing your job. Your job changes as far as what each guy does depending on where they’re lined up; but at the end of the day, you have to do your job as it fits into the defense. It’s not any more challenging than if I were in a six (technique) or the big guys down there in shades and three (techniques). It’s just using your job whenever the defense is called.”
(On if it is any more challenging to set the edge when the defensive ends are so wide) – “It is football. It’s not challenging. I would assume the laws of physics would probably help when you’re a nine (technique) to set the edge – you’re out there already. It plays to the strengths of some guys (and) some guys it (doesn’t). You’ve got to adapt to the situation and again, do your job.”
(On if the Wide 9 works when you don’t have the lead) – “What does work when you don’t have the lead? You have to win – period. I think that’s splitting hairs at that point.”
(On if you need a lead to force teams to pass) – “I wouldn’t say that. I think you can be successful from that position regardless of the game situation. Run, pass, draw, screen, whatever – it’s all about the mentality of the guy who is lined up there. We’ve seen it have great success when you do it right and obviously if you don’t do it right – I don’t care where you’re lined up – you’re not going to have success. I don’t think that’s necessarily predicated on where you line up. It’s whether you are doing your job correctly or not.”
(On the importance of getting penetration to help the run defense) – “I think that kind of speaks for itself and is kind of obvious. I don’t care what position you’re playing, as a run stopper, you have to get penetration. You have to set edges. You have to get into the backfield from the big guys. You have to come downhill as a linebacker. Stalemates don’t work. Sideways doesn’t work. You have to go and you have to impose your will on whoever it is – nine (technique), six (technique), four (technique), shade, linebacker – it doesn’t matter. In order to stop the run, you have to have a mentality of aggressiveness and aggressiveness is obviously moving forward, which to your point is penetration.”
Adam Gase – August 23, 2016
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Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(On if DT Earl Mitchell is at risk of missing the season opener and how DT Jordan Phillips has played in his place) – “As far as Earl (Mitchell) goes, I think we’re on pace to where we feel good about that first game of the year. I think there would be a chance that we could say that fourth preseason game but I think a guy with his experience and knowledge of this defense, I think we feel pretty good as far as what he can do on the field. That’s not really a question. It’s just about getting him as close to 100 percent as we possibly can before the first game. And then Jordan (Phillips) has done a good job. The one thing that I noticed about him from the Dallas game was he was really moving well once the plays kind of start happening and it was going sideline to sideline, he was trying to get to the ball. Even in practice, I’ve noticed that he’s been one of those guys finishing quite a bit down the field, trying to do what the coaches ask him as far as tagging off there at the end. For a big man like that to run 20, 30 yards down the field to tag off the runner and then come back and do another rep, that’s what you want to see out of that front. I know they preach it. You guys hear them yelling all the time on the field as far as chase the ball. I think he’s trying to do exactly what the coaches want.”
(On where DT Jordan Phillips is from a conditioning standpoint and if he can play 40 snaps a game) – “I don’t know if I could put a number on it but I feel like he’s been good with everything we’ve asked him to do. I haven’t seen him really tap out or pull himself out of the game. He’s come out when he’s been asked to. They’ll give him a number of, ‘You got five in a row,’ and then he would come off the field in the preseason games. As we get going, we’ll see what it ends up being as far as how many actually snaps in a row he takes.”
(On how he feels with his defensive tackle depth excluding DT Ndamukong Suh) – “I think when you get in a situation in the NFL, you’re always looking for depth. Ideally you’d love to be able to say on your roster, ‘Hey, I have two starters and then I got two guys that could start for another team. Or they are really, really solid backups.’ That’s what we’re going through right now is how good can we get those interior players that are backing up obviously (Ndamukong) Suh, and whoever else ends up being in that other spot when we get to the first game. I do think this – we do have some guys that are trying to fill that role. We’re still in that evaluation stage. Hopefully once we hit that Seattle game we’ll have a really good feel of who we really have.”
(On how far behind CB Xavien Howard is) – “Well, on that position, I wouldn’t say he’s far behind mentally because he’s dialed in to what we’re doing. Now it’s just going back and refreshing his mind, ‘Here are some of the looks I’m going to see; some of the adjustments that I actually have to say when I’m out there.’ Those are kind of the learning curve for a young player like that at that position. But for the most part, he’s playing one-on-one coverage a lot of the times. At the end of the day, that’s his strength and I’m sure the more we’ve talked about it with (Defensive Coordinator) Vance (Joseph), we’re going to try to lean on his strength of just matching him up with somebody and letting him go.”
(On what was the thing that caught his eye the most about CB Xavien Howard) – “I think the fact that he gets his hands on a lot of balls and then when he does get both hands up to make a play on the ball, he usually catches it. I think even (Tony) Lippett’s kind of the same way, if you get in the range and they get their hands on the ball, they end up intercepting it. When you’ve got corners that can actually have production on the ball and turn it over, that’s what you’re looking for.”
(On if he prescribes to having starters out in the third quarter of the third preseason game so you can make halftime adjustments) – “That’s ideal; but you just kind of see how it goes. It was like last game – we didn’t want to put a timetable on it. You just tell everybody to just be ready to come out and play in the second half and then if we make some kind of adjustment, then we change our mind, then we do it. You want to have flexibility. Like that first game, that was my mistake as far as saying, ‘Hey, we’re going to go eight to 10 plays.’ We probably should have stayed in another drive with the ones. That’s why the second game we just said we’re going to play and then when we feel good about it, we’ll take everybody out. I think this game we just go in, plan on playing after the second half and then if anything changes, then we’ll change it.”
(On how he goes about improving the tackling) – “That’s the whole NFL. You turn on tapes of a lot of other defenses too, this is what it is. It’s a race to see who becomes the best tackling teams in football as you go throughout the season, because the only live work you really get nowadays are in games. Unless we want to start doing live out here and taking a chance of somebody getting hurt in practice, I mean it’s really not something that’s going to happen. We have to make sure we’re great on technique. We have to get tight to them. We got to run our feet. Those are some things that we have to do a better job of. I know the coaches are really trying to do a good job of correcting things on tape. We have some drills that we felt like were helping us. We’re not taking our drill work to the games and we just need to do that. That’s going to be a big emphasis for us this game.”
(On if it’s the same thing with the run blocking) – “Yes. The only way you get good at it is you do it in those preseason games. That’s why trying to run the ball when we get out there – we got a little pass happy there towards the end (at Dallas), but that will happen every once in a while in a preseason game – but we need to rep in live games. This week, obviously, you try keeping it as balanced as you can so we can get it on tape, see where our deficiencies are and then correct them.”
(On how much WR DeVante Parker can elevate the passing game if he can stay healthy) – “I think he’s a guy that causes problems for teams because … The one thing I learned about him last week – because you can watch tape but you just don’t really know how a guy attacks – we run a slip screen and he caught that thing and stuck it right up in there. You didn’t see any kind of finesse about that and I think that was the one part I didn’t know about him – seeing that and knowing that he’s good in short, intermediate and down the field. You’ve got a three-level guy and if we can figure out a way to keep him rolling and practicing and keeping him healthy throughout the year, that’s only going to help our offense. The biggest thing for us is (that) we need him to practice because we need the timing with the quarterback. We need that feel with the other players on the field. We have to find a way to keep those soft tissue injuries out of the mix.”
(On if he’s discussed hydration issues with WR DeVante Parker) – “That’s something that’s preached so much in our building from top to bottom. I think he’s done a better job. I know he kind of was giving me a hard time about it. He’d always have a water bottle or Gatorade or something, just constantly hydrating after that last one. But I think it’s really hit him as far as this is real down here. It is legitimately … if you do not hydrate down here, you’re going to have issues. Everybody that’s either been out on that practice field or you guys watching them and you’re out here enough to know, if you don’t take care of yourself there’s going to be a problem.”
(On if he would like to get RB Isaiah Pead more first team work) – “I would love to. Our plan last week was to try to slide him in there to see how we’d go with him and see if we could get him a couple of touches. It almost felt like more of a 2-minute mode there in that last one where he was in, so he didn’t really get a chance to run the ball. We’ll just keep trying to slide him in there just to give him that opportunity to run behind that first-team line. Ideally, you’d like to give all those guys that opportunity just to see how it would look because that whole group’s done a great job, as far as no matter who’s been in the game upfront, what quarterback has been in – they’ve all taken advantage. It’s going to be one of those deals where it’s going to be a tough decision for us as far as how many (running backs) do we keep and if we are going to stay heavy there, just because those guys have been so productive for us and they do everything right. I just think that consistency they’ve shown has been really impressive.”
(On what goes into his mind when he has to make 15 cuts next week) – “There’s a lot that goes into it because you’re thinking about the fourth preseason game, kind of what our decisions are going to be there (as far as) who’s playing. Then you have to kind of start thinking of who do you want to make sure that you have on the roster so when you do your final cuts, they’re available for you as far as possibly getting them back on the practice squad. Because other teams, they’re doing the same thing that we do. As soon as that waiver wire comes out, that personnel department, they don’t go home. They sit there, they grind, they go through their information, they start watching tape on guys and they start looking where we feel like we might be light in a certain position. There’s a lot of work that goes into it and you have to be somewhat strategic as far as who you possibly let go this first round. You’re hoping you make the right decision on guys and, at the same time, you’re hoping those guys get a chance to get somewhere else. It’s a tough deal because when you start developing these relationships with these guys, cutting these guys is not easy.”
(On if he feels like he has a third tight end) – “I think we got a battle going on right now. Obviously I’d love for one of those guys to really separate themselves so we felt great about it. But right now, I think it’s just we’re clumped in together there right now and we need somebody to kind of step up.”
(On if he’s made a decision on whether DE Cameron Wake will make his debut) – “So I asked him this today just to make sure that we have no clarification. So what we are going to do is he’s going to make sure he goes through warmups, he’s going to get ready to go and we’re just going to see how he feels before the game. It’s going to come down to really just him and myself, before the game saying, ‘Hey, we’re rolling or we’re not..’ I’m going to kind of put it on him just because he knows how he feels and once he feels right then we’ll get him out there.”
Adam Gase – August 22, 2016
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Monday, August 22, 2016
Head Coach Adam Gase
(On why WR Jakeem Grant played one offensive snap last Friday night) – “We’re just trying to find ways to get him on the field. It’s hard when you have those three guys (Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills and DeVante Parker), it’s hard to pull them off the field. I know, just in the past, any time I’ve had a returner that was kind of a specialist – which he’s different than most of the guys I’ve been around in the past – you want to try to find ways to get him on the field, but you don’t want to overdo it, especially with the three we got right now.”
(On why he thinks C/G Anthony Steen is a good fit at center as opposed to guard) – “Everything started in the spring with all of these guys, as far as we’re always trying to cross train guys. In the quarterback-center exchange, you’ll notice a lot of different guys taking snaps. When somebody in that position goes down, you better be ready with the next man, then what happens when that guy goes down? You better have some plans beyond just two guys. I’ve seen some situations where, I’ve personally lost two and then three (centers) in a season. If you don’t have guys ready to go, it’s a problem.”
(On if CB Xavien Howard was able to do more during practice today) – “Yes, he did a little team and he did a little one-on-one – not a lot. We are just bringing him along. We’re just communicating with him and see how he feels. He’s saying that he feels good, but it’s such a different animal when you go through an actual practice and contact and running against wide receivers compared to just running by yourself getting in condition.”
(On what C/G Anthony Steen’s biggest learning curve will be at center) – “He’s got a lot of guys with him because there’s a lot of inexperienced guys; but that’s the NFL. If you’re on the roster, you better be ready to go.”
(On what he wanted to see out of RB Arian Foster at Dallas and how would he evaluate his performance) – “We didn’t have much to evaluate. The couple of carries that he had, there wasn’t much there. He tried to create a couple things on his own. Hopefully we can get him going a little bit this week. Obviously I don’t want to overdo it with him but I’m pretty sure, his resume speaks for itself.”
(On if he feels there is any correlation between the preseason and the regular season) – “I don’t think so. You got to get certain guys ready and you have to evaluate certain guys; that’s what you’re trying to do. The hardest thing is, when you’re playing a full game, a lot of things change in the second half. It’s funny … I’ve gone back, even last week before we played that game, to see how my experience has been in the preseason. Some of them haven’t been real pretty, so you go back and think about how you felt after those games and you just can’t overdo it. You need to evaluate and you’re trying to prepare guys for when they have to play four quarters. It’s a big jump from when you go from, ‘We almost got two quarters in.’ This week we’re hoping we go into the third quarter a little bit and then all of a sudden, some guys might not play in the fourth game. And now all of a sudden you’re getting thrown into playing four quarters against a really good team. It’s just about trying to get guys prepared as much as possible to play a 65- to 75-play game.”
(On how much RB Isaiah Pead has stood out since signing him in the spring) – “Well, he’s been pretty consistent. I don’t think he’s changed much as far as what he’s done from the first day he’s gotten here compared to what we saw the other night. It seems like every time he touches the ball, something good happens for us. We’ll just keep trying to get him in there. We’re trying to evaluate that position. It seems like all of those guys are playing really well and that’s a good thing. The fact that we are complaining about running back depth, I’ll take that all day.”
(On what he remembers from RB Isaiah Pead’s workout when the team brought him in for the first time) – “I think we had a pretty good feel as far as what we wanted to do going into that workout. We knew his background. We had some good research as far as what our guys felt about him coming out. He did enough. It wasn’t as bad as what he’s making it out to be. It probably feels terrible at the time because everything is so fast. It’s like you and two other guys, so you get tired real quick. I’m sure the anxiety level of you want to get signed plays a part a little bit; but he did well enough for us to say, ‘Okay, let’s give this guy a shot,’ and then he’s made the most of it.”
(On DT Julius Warmsley and what he has done well) – “Just the high energy he brings. You always see him finishing; you always see him penetrating. It seems like he’s always causing some kind of problems. In the time that he’s played and in preseason games, he’s always around the quarterback; he’s always around the ball carriers. That’s what you want to see. You want to see a guy that’s just relentless. You can tell there is something in him that’s saying, ‘I’m going to do everything I can to make this team.’ That’s what we want to see, especially from that group. We just want to see that relentless effort.”
(On what kind of scenario he would need to keep five defensive tackles on the 53-man roster) – “I don’t know. That’s going to play out. We still have this game and one more. You just never know what’s going to happen. You never know how anything is going to sort out. Everything is up in the air right now.”
(On if some guys can play both defensive tackle and defensive end) – “Yes, absolutely. We do a lot of cross training in that area, as well.”
(On DE Chris McCain) – “I think yesterday he got … I think in the game he got hit pretty good. And then yesterday he got knocked pretty good again, so we were just being a little cautious there, especially the fact that we went pads today, (we’re) just letting everything calm down with him.”
(On what the secondary means when they say they’re playing with eyes) – “Offensively, people try to … When you have a team that might play vision defense and they’re looking at a lot of things, you try to put things in front of them to try to get them to bite up so you can go over the top a lot of times. One of the things that I think ‘VJ’ (Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph) does a good job of is his guys seem to be always disciplined. At least that’s my experience from playing against him in the past. What I’ve seen here is it’s not like you see us being able to go over the top of the safeties all the time. To have eye discipline, knowing where your eyes are supposed to be as far as not biting up hard on play-action fakes and making sure that if you’re in some kind of zone that you’re in the right window. They’ve done a good job of that in practice, I know that for sure.”
(On the tight end group being invisible in practices and preseason games and where he’s at in the evaluation phase with them) – “We’re still kind of working through that. The two guys that have been playing the most with the ones, there are two different skill sets there. Trying to get those three receivers going as well, and the backs, sometimes it feels like that. That’s why you can’t really … it’s not completely ‘judge-able’ yet. When you play four quarters and then you start figuring out what the defense is doing … Every defense, it could be a little different – if you get a man team and you have a great matchup with a tight end on a safety or a linebacker, all of a sudden they become a bigger part of the game. If a team is playing true zone, that’s when you start seeing balls go up the seam. Sometimes the defense predicates how much those guys can get involved. Sometimes we need to do a better job as far as getting open, catching the ball and things like that. They’re two different roles. Dion (Sims) has been primarily so far used as more of a blocker in the run game than the pass game. But the other night, he showed me he has a little more speed than I realized. Going up the seam one time, he just blew past one of his safeties. Jordan (Cameron), we just have to keep bringing along and figure out the right way to use him.”
(On if QB Ryan Tannehill threw some passes in the end zone last week that weren’t caught and should have been caught) – “Yes, any time it hits a receiver’s hands, it should be (caught). A couple of those were scrambles and I thought (Ryan) did a good job of avoiding getting sacked and then making a play. It happens sometimes. You want guys to catch every ball but when DBs are tight to you and you’ve got a guy draped all over you and you try to pull one down, it’s not going to be 100 percent.”
(On QB Ryan Tannehill’s ball placement and accuracy in last week’s game at Dallas) – “He was pretty good. There’s a few things that we could pick at a little bit, at least that’s what (we all) do. You’re looking for perfection in a game that’s really imperfect. You keep striving for it and try to get it as good as you can.”
(On how G/T Jermon Bushrod did at Dallas) – “He did pretty good. As a group, I thought those guys did well. I know we made a change there on that last drive and those guys did well. We had good protection for the most part. We had the one hit that Ryan (Tannehill) took – the defensive end jumped offside and (Ryan) stood in there and threw that thing. It was a pretty vicious hit and he popped right up. I think I learned something there about that guy.”
(On if anyone has jumped out to him between G/T Jermon Bushrod, G Billy Turner and G Dallas Thomas) – “I think we’re still competing right now. It looks like it’s going to be Seattle when we’re going to be able to say this is where we’re at, at this game, and then if it changes within the season, it does.”
(On his stance on how structured the quarterback needs to be in the pocket versus improvising) – “It’s tough the way that defenses are playing nowadays to have the passing game be such a timing game like it used to be. Learning under a guy like (former Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator) Mike Martz where it was seven, hitch, throw, you were seeing a lot of teams playing zone defense. You’re getting a lot more man now. There’s a lot of times where your receiver needs to get open and you’re trying to anticipate as much as you can. You’re putting the ball in front. It’s just the game, like always, it’s always evolving one way or the other. Right now I think we’re seeing a lot more press, man, four-man rushes and the ends are getting there because it’s a tough matchup for the tackles.”
(On the team’s travel plans to Orlando) – “No, we’ll stay with our normal routine. We’ll go the night before.”
(On if the team is flying or driving to Orlando) – “I’m going to blame (Senior Director of Team Operations) Scott Bullis on this, we’re flying. We’ll be in the air for about seven minutes. (laughter) I’m not taking the hit on that one.”
(On how QB Matt Moore is doing and the quarterback plan for Thursday night’s game) – “I’m not going to say he’s doing okay; obviously that was a pretty vicious hit. I saw him this morning. He’s still sore – neck. It’s going to be a minute. As far as our plan going forward, we’ll talk to our quarterbacks and figure out who is going to go second and third; but I anticipate both of those guys playing a healthy amount.”
(On if he anticipates QB Matt Moore’s injury forcing him to keep three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster) – “As an offensive guy, I’ll keep five if I want to, if I could. We’ll evaluate this when we get closer and see where his health is as well.”
Jay Ajayi – August 22, 2016
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Monday, August 22, 2016
Running Back Jay Ajayi
(On the importance C Mike Pouncey is to the team) – “No doubt. Pouncey is one of our best players, I would say, and he has been a Pro Bowler. He’s one of our leaders on the offense. Him not being in there is going to be tough.”
(On whether he has spoken with C Mike Pouncey) – “I haven’t actually seen him today, but I saw he posted something that said he’ll be back and he’s in high spirits, so I’m not too worried about him.”
(On the second and third preseason game) – “It was fun, this second preseason game. I felt like we got to stay out on the field a little bit more, so it was easier to get a rhythm of the game, get a feel for the game. This third game I think – for our unit, the ones and everyone that’s starting in the game – I think it’s going to be important for us to find a rhythm, get a good feel for the game and go into this game as a regular game week. That’s how we’ve been setting up our schedule, so it should be a fun one on Thursday.”
(On the running backs adjusting to tackling in the preseason games) – “That should be what we look forward to in this game. It’s (about) being out there longer, getting to go through the holes and trying to break those tackles and actually getting a feel for that (and) preparing ourselves for the regular season coming up. That’s what this third game is really about is preparing ourselves to take it as a regular season game and get ourselves ready for what’s coming in the future.”
(On the significance of the third preseason game) – “I think this one is going to be a little more important, because I think going into it we know we’re going to be out on the field for a lot longer. I think our mentality is going to be to go into this one with a regular season mentality of a regular season game and seeing what we can accomplish out there with the given time period that we’re out there on the field.”
Anthony Steen – August 22, 2016
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Monday, August 22, 2016
Center/Guard Anthony Steen
(On how things have changed for him in the past week) – “Nothing has really changed. We’re missing Mike (Pouncey) right now but as (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) said, its next guy up so I’m the next guy up. I’m just trying to do my job.”
(On if he was comfortable at center with the first unit) – “Yes. It’s the same plays, just the next level – ones from twos. You’re going against different guys but it’s the same exact plays.”
(On how much work he had with the first team prior to C Mike Pouncey’s injury) – “Probably just a couple reps. Mike would sometimes get two or three plays off and I’d go in then; but other than that, just a couple (reps).”
(On how long he has been snapping) – “Since I got here (to Miami). I’ve always played guard but when I came here, they told me that I looked more like a natural center. So then they started working me at center slowly, progressed me into it. Now I’m pretty much a full-time center, but I’ll still get a couple of plays at guard.”
(On how difficult the process of switching to center has been for him) – “It’s been difficult at times. Mainly, at guard, you’re the guy sitting there looking at the center, waiting for the calls. Now you‘re the guy who has to get up there and make the calls yourself so there’s a little more pressure.”
(On the challenge of making calls at the line) – “Really, the (challenge is the) fact of knowing that if you mess up your call you mess up everything for everybody else. It’s just that pressure on you as a center and you have to get used to it.”
(On if he feels that he has been thrown into the deep end) – “No. Right now you’re just going against a different bunch of guys moving up to the ones. It’s a part of football, that’s all it is.”
(On the best piece of advice a coach has given him since C Mike Pouncey’s injury has elevated him to the first unit) – “Just to be calm. Yesterday, they told me that you have all the time in the world to make calls and not to be nervous about it.”
(On how his attitude has changed now that he’s with the first unit) – “It’s just more studying – a more mental aspect to it – staying here longer, watching more film, trying to get prepared for the game.”
(On what C Mike Pouncey has told him about playing with the ones) – “He’s told me it’s just part of the game. It’s nothing to be nervous about. That’s all he’s really told me.”
(On his initial reaction when the Dolphins told him last year that they saw him more as a center than a guard) – “I kind of thought they were joking at first. They asked me if I could play center and I was like, ‘I don’t know.’ When they started giving me reps, I thought it was just more (of them trying) to see what else I could do. I didn’t actually think I would be playing center but it’s a good thing.”
(On if he is accustomed to the up-tempo style of offense) – “Yes. We did a little bit of that in college (at Alabama). It’s just a matter of trying to do it a little bit faster in the pros.”
(On what it was like to rush into last week’s game to play with the first team when C Mike Pouncey was injured) – “I didn’t think anything about it. I saw Mike go down at first, so I immediately grabbed my helmet and I was already almost out onto the field and I turned around and looked at coach and said, ‘Do you want me to go?’ And he said, ‘Yes, go.”’
(On how long it took him to get comfortable at center) – “Pretty much all of OTAs. They slowly, the first week or two, they had me playing both guards. After the second week they tried to throw me in at center for one period, then two periods and so on. But now, I feel fine.”
(On what type of player the Dolphins are getting with him at the center position) – “A hardworking player. I play with a lot of heart. I just don’t quit on a play. For me, winning a play and winning the game is more important than anything.”
(On how his experience at Alabama helped prepare him for this increased role) – “As you know, we played in a lot of big games so the nervous aspect of just playing in a big game is not there anymore. It’s just another game. For a lineman, you just have to know that you have to be prepared for each and every play to win because that’s your job.”
(On the possibility of starting in the season opener at Seattle and what he has to prepare for with that unique road environment) – “I think more of the mental aspect than anything. Trying to play four quarters and still be there mentally will be the toughest part. I think staying around after practice and getting here earlier will be better.”
(On who played center most of his time at Alabama) – “Ryan Kelly was. He was my center for I think two years or two-and-a-half years and then Barrett Jones was for, I think a year.”
(On if he’s asked either Ryan Kelly or Barrett Jones for tips) – “No, I haven’t. I actually watched Ryan play the other night (with the Indianapolis Colts) and I thought he played pretty well.”
(On if the N.Y. Giants preseason game was the first time he played center in an actual game) – “I think I’ve played center just a couple of reps in Arizona. But as far as starting at center, yes.”
(On what he took away from playing for Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban) – “He’s always said that this is a business for him. It’s the next guy up. You either do your job or else someone else will do it. That’s what I’ve always taken from him.”
(On if he was surprised that he was second on the depth chart at center) – “No, that’s just how the coaches have been putting me in – with the twos. They felt comfortable with how I had been performing and they told me that I was going to be moved up. I didn’t know when I got here that Mike (Pouncey) was going to be out for a week or whatever it is. When they told me, I just knew, ‘Alright, I need to start studying some more and start looking at the ones and the next game and get prepared.’”
(On the personality and leadership differences between Head Coach Adam Gase and Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban) – “I think Gase is more of a player’s coach. He’ll get to know you. He likes to mess around (and) joke around. Coach Saban is more of a hardnosed, straight business type of guy. If you mess up, you’re going to hear about it.”
(On if he was ever in Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban’s doghouse) – “I don’t think doghouse. He might have yelled at me a couple of times but I’ve never done anything to be in his doghouse.”
(On if he’s had any contact with Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban recently) – “I haven’t. I’ve had some contact with Coach (Joe) Pendry – my first two years at Alabama, he was my offensive line coach there. I’ve talked to him a couple of times.”
(On what kind of emotions he is experiencing with this opportunity for him) – “I know, for me, I’ve got to be on top of things, so I’m trying to stay focused as much as I can.”
