Calais Campbell – October 31, 2024
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
DT Calais Campbell
(With LB Chop Robinson, how important is it for young players to learn that you got to diversify your moves and you’ve got to add more to your arsenal just because people like T Terron Armstead are real professionals in terms of what they do and how they study?) – “You just tell young guys you want to have a fastball and a counter, and then you start building after you go through that. The biggest thing though is go with what works, don’t try to be too creative. I try to tell guys don’t have too many moves too early. As you get older, you start building your moves as you go along. You have to have a counter; you can’t just have one move. You have a fastball and a counter, maybe a changeup. A changeup really is power for a young guy like that, because people don’t expect him to have power. You get all the speed stuff going, your swipe or whatever it is that you do, then you have your counter off of that and then you come through and put power on them, usually. Once you beat them enough with speed, they kind of sit down and you can power them. Chop (Robinson) has a pretty good power rush, too. He had a good one last game against Dion Dawkins that was close to a sack, and he has to definitely bring that again this week. But he’s getting close, man. He’s a guy that has a lot of shots on goal, and eventually those will start turning into sacks and game-changing plays, but the first one is the hardest one because you want it so bad.”
(What are some of the key things to keep in mind when defending QB Josh Allen?) – “From a defensive line standpoint is you don’t want him scrambling to beat you. He can throw the ball very well, but he’s incredible with his legs. He’s bold with his legs. The biggest thing is you’ve got to keep him from scrambling to beat you. You have to have a plan, rush together, make sure we’re on the same page, but we’ve still got to rush him, because if you let him sit back there for five or six seconds, he’s going to tear our secondary apart. We have to have a unison rush; we’re all rush four as one.”
(Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver said today that he’ll give you a chance to get the ball out the way QB Josh Allen holds it. What do you see on that, and how important do you think it will be to create some more turnovers moving forward?) – “He’s turned the ball over a lot in his career, but he also made a lot of big-time plays. It’s kind of like you just take a little bit of bad with all the good that comes in with it. It’s something that we have to keep in cognizant. We have to make sure we’re focusing, when we’re tackling him, tackle the ball. He’s such a big guy, a tough tackle it’s almost easier to tackle the ball. But at the same time, guys going for the ball will miss a lot of tackles, too. It’s a balance. I think the biggest thing is rushing together and trying to have a lot of bodies at the ball, meet at the ball.”
De’Von Achane – October 31, 2024
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
RB De’Von Achane
(What do you think is the biggest key for the team to win at Buffalo on Sunday?) – “It’s really all about us. We’re coming in, it’s a hostile environment. Just don’t think about the crowd, just go out there and play. We came in last week, like you said the offense got going a little bit. I just feel like if we keep that same momentum and just add on to it, I feel like we’ll go out there and we’ll play a great game.”
(My friend David told me that the last time the Dolphins ran for 150+ yards in four straight games was 1977. That’s a long time ago, I was three years old, personally. But do you think that you guys are shooting for 100+ yards again?) – “I wouldn’t say we’re shooting for something. I just feel like we just go out there and we just play our brand of football. We run the ball well, the o-line blocks well and like you said, these past few weeks in the run game I feel like we’ve been doing a decent job.”
(Last year, you were in the same situation RB Jaylen Wright is in now – rookie, coming along. How do you see him taking that on?) – “He’s been doing great, man. Like you said, he gets in the game, and he makes big plays. Same as like – I wouldn’t say him coming in is like, ‘OK, he’s a rookie. He doesn’t know what he’s doing,’ but he’s in there. If he’s in, then he obviously knows what he’s doing and we trust him.”
(I noticed in studying the film that WR Jaylen Waddle hasn’t had a penguin celebration this year and obviously it’s because y’all haven’t had enough touchdowns, but are you looking forward to the return of the penguin celebration? Do you believe that it will happen in the near future?) – “Most definitely, that’s my guy. I want to see him get into the end zone every game, but that’s always something that we look forward to. We root for anybody doing a celebration, but like you said, that’s one of my guys, so of course, I always want to see him in the box.”
Frank Smith – October 31, 2024
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith
(I’m wondering have you felt – pressure is not the right word – but with the offense obviously not playing up to standards of the last two years, albeit well last week, have you felt any pressure as offensive coordinator to present new things to Head Coach Mike McDaniel that might work? Do you feel that internally as an OC?) – “No, actually I feel the opposite where you want to make sure you’re going back to core principles, core things you’re attacking. I learned early on in my career when you’re facing some adversity, it’s like you want to make sure you bring the group back to find consistency in something to improve upon to get better. So I think always when we’re going through stuff, is all right, what’s our core, how do we improve at it, how do we give guys ability to get consistency. So I think always my task is to centralize things and say, ‘Here’s where I see it,’ and help paint the picture as we try and attack the defense each week.”
(I’ve been told by a few players that one of the things that defenses are doing with WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle is jamming them, putting hands on them at the line of scrimmage. What is your counter to that because I’ve been told it throws off the timing of the passing game? They just have to beat that? What is your counter to that?) – “I think yeah, there’s times where you have to be efficient in your release but also it comes down to us trying to help with formations, creating stacks, bunches, access points for them to get into the defense. So there’s certain things like when I was a young coach, I learned that line formations can control defenses so you get certain reactions, so we try to use that to create access for them. But at the end of the day, it’s about ability to get off the line of scrimmage and get into the defense, but we will use different formations that allow us to be able to try and do that.”
(What do you think about RB Jaylen Wright has done with his opportunities and maybe his case for more opportunities?) – “He’s done a fantastic job. It goes into the process to get to your performance and we knew – like all along what we’ve talked about for him is just getting used to the complexity of an NFL offense versus the offense he came from (in) college. But man, he’s worked his tail off and it’s awesome for us and a good problem to have. So just making sure that the backs – we’re making sure that we have groupings where each one of them can get involved earlier is something that we’re being conscientious about.”
(Has WR River Cracraft with his work in preseason, his work the last couple years established himself in your eyes and Pass Game Specialist/Wide Receivers Wes Welker’s and Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s eyes as someone who, when he’s active, needs to get a package of snaps on offense? And what will he give you when he’s back?) – “I think when you have a guy who is very reliable, dependable, you know his play, you know where he’s going to be – being in the system obviously prior to his arrival here helps – just a guy that’s going to go about his business the right way and always just knowing ‘how can I help with all things.’ I mean that’s just where with him, he’s been very reliable and dependable for us. He’s made plays when we’ve needed it in the past, and we’ll be excited to add him to the mix whenever we’re able to bring him back.”
(Three interceptions from QB Tua Tagovailoa the last time out. When you guys turned on the tape what did you see from that?) – “Saw for us just execution things that we know we can improve on. Game 2, it was one of those where we’re hoping to – each year is a little different where you find a way in Game 1 to get success and then Game 2 build upon it, and that one just there were some timing things that didn’t work out in our favor. But now when you come back and you reflect upon it, we know, OK, this is why this happened and how we can be connected. So whether it’s – whoever (is) in the game, is just knowing what’s the intent of the play and that way we can stay connected with the quarterback to make things happen.”
(How important is it for this offense to tap back into some of those explosive plays that we saw so regularly last year, the 20-plus air yards, the 60-, 70-yard touchdown catch-and-runs? How important is that for the success of this offense?) – “I don’t know necessarily if it’s vital. I think also we’ve learned in the last couple weeks especially last week how to have longer drives and score. So you’d say the year before, it was if the drive is over eight, you guys are used to short, explosive drives to score. So later in the year when your goal is to make the tournament, the balance of all teams, you have to learn to make sure you have the ability to be patient and have long drives, ball control drives especially when each opponent is a little different as how you want to attack them. So ultimately our goal is to score points, and however we score points is kind of the way we’re doing it. So last year we got the explosives; this year there are some more longer drives. I think ultimately our goal is to find the balance, be able to score to quick and also you have ball control drives where you’ll be able to effectively score to help the defense win.”
(Regarding RB Jaylen Wright getting back to that, is there just a few plays that you could give him and put him in the game even though maybe you’re tipping it off, is it that simple, or no?) – “I think it’s kind of a mixture of the two like all things. It’s never as simple and as hard as you think, so I think for us it’s just making sure that when we have a group of guys that are very talented in the backfield, is making sure that certain packages, ‘OK hey, let’s distribute it with him. Let’s distribute it with him. All right if we’re in 21 (personnel), being a little bit more specific. Maybe we want to have this back versus that back,’ so I think that there’s a blend of how do you get guys involved early? Well, let’s make sure that we’re good on the preparation end so that way we can have a grouping where they get involved earlier.”
(Totally random question. In the Big 12, they’re doing an investigation. This is the first year that they’re allowed to have the communication between the coach and the quarterback in the helmet and they’re doing an investigation because one of the teams is convinced that due to the lack of encryption, some of the other teams have been listening in on their plays. Have you ever felt that the other team just must know your plays during the game?) – “I mean the only place where I’ve heard they had intercommunication was in New England in 2013. We’re playing them on Sunday night or whatever it was and all of a sudden we’re on the headsets, you can hear a radio station. You’re like, ‘How is that getting in here?’ Seriously. It was like we’re in New Orleans, you’re hearing… you’re like, ‘what is that?’ So like that was the only time, only place in my 15 years I ever was like, ‘what’s going on here?’ (laughter) Just kidding, but as far as years tested with things, it’s like ultimately – I mean, I always laugh with college football because I think they all want billboards so they can steal it from each other and now this new piece that it changes the piece of the puzzle where we’ve never had a problem. I don’t think it’s really ever a thing we ever concerned ourselves with.”
(How would you assess the quality of play of your interior offensive line this year – OL Robert Jones, OL Aaron Brewer, OL Liam Eichenberg?) – “I think it’s like what we’re seeing the last couple weeks is kind of where we thought we would be. There’s factors with all the change of situations early on that for us, we had variables that we had to solve and now getting back to some of our stuff that we felt better that would help consistency, I think that’s why you’re seeing the guys the last couple weeks really being able to play the ball that they feel comfortable with inside. Because ultimately, the inside three have got to be able to all play together. It’s vital that they have the communication, have the understanding and I think that’s something that we’ve really gotten honed in on the last couple weeks.”
(A mishandled snap in shotgun, another one under center. Are there any coaching points that maybe need to be emphasized or does it come down to the chemistry between QB Tua Tagovailoa and OL Aaron Brewer?) – “Just minor nuances of coaching, but ultimately it’s like both of them said, it’s just hey, making sure that I distribute a catchable ball and I’m there at the right time. So it was a variable for that and then under center was just making sure that we’re getting the connection. They’ve been awesome yesterday and today and they’re very aware of making sure that doesn’t happen again.”
(Obviously when you have smaller wide receivers the opportunities in the red zone are going and goal-to-go situation changes how you run routes. What can you do to counter that in terms of making sure you’re not throwing corner routes to WR Tyreek Hill on a consistent basis?) – “I think ultimately it’s just the distribution and what formations you’re doing to create space and where’s the ball get pushed to? Sometimes it pushes it into that spot. But ultimately in the red zone, the most efficient teams in the red zone are good running teams because the space is minimized so that’s where you’ve got to maximize run opps and then you get run opps, then you can get them to compress and then when you can get them to compress, you can hit different lanes. So it all works hand-in-hand, but ultimately I think it’s just for us to make sure that we’re getting formations and movements so that way we can attack the different areas of the defense so when it’s in that pocket, it’s about the release and the timing. And then when it’s in other areas it’s about timing and distribution.”
(How did the offense look to you last week with QB Tua Tagovailoa back in there?) – “I think everyone here would feel – it’s like (it) felt kind of more where we wanted to be. Like ultimately we think we’ve got to end our drives with touchdowns and get that area to improve, but overall felt the movement of the game and the growth is where want it to be.”
(How concerning is the TE Julian Hill shoulder situation?) – “Like all guys, when you have guys that are part of the puzzle when you’re working through things it’s challenging, but he’ll be diligent in his rehab. So ultimately we always try to make sure we have answers for contingencies so that way we don’t limit ourselves as far as the attack for Sunday.”
Anthony Weaver – October 31, 2024
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver
(Any team obviously that doesn’t have its two starting edge rushers of quality like LB Bradley Chubb and LB Jaelan Phillips are going to probably struggle to get pass rush. How much of a dilemma has it been for you in terms of needing to rush defensive backs the last couple of games more than you want to because you don’t have a sack from an edge player these last two games? And in fact, have only three all season from edge players.) – “I don’t know if it’s a dilemma; it’s situationally where we’re at. I have faith still in our guys that are on the roster. We have some younger players with Chop Robinson, Mo Kamara who we’re trying to get on the field, ‘Q Bell’ (Quinton Bell) and then some veterans, who again in Emmanuel Ogbah who is giving us everything he has. He’s kind of dealing with, tore something in his bicep, so kind of fighting through that a little bit. And Tyus Bowser who’s up there, shoot, working his butt off trying to make sure he’s good to go out there. So I never attack any game plan the same, it’s really based on opponent. So a couple weeks ago when we were sending people at Anthony Richardson, that was with intent. That was because he was a young quarterback, we were giving him some looks that he hadn’t seen and we knew how to get there. Last week, some of the plans changed, particularly in the latter part of the week when we lost Zach Sieler. So that forced some gameplan changes that were unforeseen at the start of the week, so I have a tremendous amount of faith in those guys. I don’t think our lack of edge sack production, like I said, is a reflection on them. I’m just calling the game based on the opponent and how our personnel matches up.”
(If I say QB Josh Allen, you say…?) – “(laughter) Oh man, where to start. You say this about so many of these guys in today’s game where they can beat you both from in the pocket and with their feet. And he’s a guy that he doesn’t have a lot of weaknesses in his game, so just a tremendous amount of respect for him. They’ve had the success they’ve had there in recent years for a reason and he’s a big part of that.”
(Late in the game against the Cardinals, we saw CB Cam Smith trying to cover WR Marvin Harrison Jr. an awful lot. Why not CB Jalen Ramsey?) – “It’s not as easy to move in and out of personnel groups, particularly in that situation. So at that particular time, in order to get our best 11 on the field, we thought Cam (Smith) was one of those guys – to have him learn multiple spots in the limited amount of time that he’s been out there, I think would be a disservice to him. So in order to put the best 11 on the field, we thought at that particular moment that was it. We could say, ‘Hey, Cam slide inside when we’re playing man,’ but then some of the zone jobs, that makes it very difficult for him and for them. Just from traveling and finding people and things of that nature, you’re opening up an entire new can of worms. So from a matchup standpoint, yeah, do you want to see your best on their best? Sure, but we had a tremendous amount of confidence in Cam at that particular point that he could get the job done.”
(WR Khalil Shakir here has 36 receptions, 38 targets. What does that tell you about how they use him and where they hit him and things like that? What does that stat tell you?) – “That means when he throws the ball to him, you better have somebody on him. (laughter) But that kid, he’s a tremendous player. He has elite change of direction and quickness. It’s funny because the thing about losing when they lost Stefon Diggs, the one thing you notice about Josh (Allen) is he’ll throw it to everybody and he has confidence in everybody and getting them the ball. The other thing, they’re very specific in the routes they run and how they target each guy, so that kid right there just in the slot, he’s a difficult matchup because you don’t have the sideline as your extra defender so you’ve got to make sure you usually have multiple people accounted for him.”
(The addition of WR Amari Cooper seemingly opened up WR Keon Coleman. What have you seen from him over the last few weeks?) – “Man, his growth from when we played them in Week 2 has been, I mean it’s been tremendous. You can see his confidence is growing, both in his ability and the quarterback’s confidence in him has grown too. Those 50/50 balls have now turned more into 60/40 balls, which for a rookie that’s awesome. You talk about a security blanket for a quarterback; any time you can just throw a ball up and you think he has a chance, that’s huge. So I think we have the corners and the ‘DBs’ that can match up with him, both from a size and athletic standpoint. So we’re just going to have to show up and get it done.”
(I know you had expected last week when we spoke about LB Mohamed Kamara potentially playing, what led to LB Quinton Bell being active over Mo and do you still feel like Mo has to play more?) – “I think we all want to see ‘Mo’ (Mohamed Kamara) on the field. Ultimately, who’s responsible for that is Mo. There’s a bunch of other decisions that factor into that – special teams, injuries at certain positions, both offensively and defensively – and because of that, a lot of times he’s left as kind of the odd man out. So I’ve challenged him, like where he can add value, add value so we no longer to have that discussion about him.”
(The Cardinals last three drives were long scoring drives of 75, 70, 73 yards. Is the lack of depth contributing to any fatigue? Is there anything that’s showing up as a common denominator for late game, long drives by the opponent?) – “That’s a good question. I don’t want to say it’s fatigue or lack of depth or anything from that standpoint because I think in each of those drives, we’ve had opportunities to get off the field. Right now, we’re not cashing in on those opportunities, so that’s been a point of focus this week. Ultimately, if there is fatigue at any point in the game, what you have to rely on at that particular point is your technique and fundamentals and that’s where our lapses have occurred. It’s been as simple as taking a proper angle on a tackle or missed communication because you have had some different bodies kind of rotating in the back end, and that’s been where we’ve suffered. So in those moments, particularly late in game when it’s critically important, we have to be on our Ps and Qs in terms of technique, fundamentals and communication.”
(You mentioned the play that QB Josh Allen can make with his legs – obviously, some difficulties last week corralling QB Kyler Murray – different type of mobile quarterback, obviously a lot bigger. What are some of the key teaching points you have to focus on?) – “Different, but still the same in terms of how you have to attack him. You have to make sure you attack the high shoulder. Now he doesn’t really care where he escapes to, whereas Kyler (Murray), we had an idea and we allowed him to get out of the back of the pocket which we didn’t want to happen. The one thing about Josh (Allen) is he gives you a chance to get the ball because he is so strong. He reminds me a little bit of Steve McNair, Ben Roethlisberger back there where when you get there, you have to make sure not only try to tackle him, but you almost have equally as good of a chance as tackling the ball because he just kind of hangs it out there like a loaf of bread. So I think the biggest thing is to throttle down, first thing, let’s make sure we’re securing and try to get the sack and then try to attack the ball in doing so.”
(The rookie receivers have kind of given guys trouble – WR Marvin Harrison Jr., WR Brian Thomas Jr. – what does that say kind of about the rookie receiving class this year?) – “They’re an incredibly talented class. I think everybody knew that coming into this season, there was high expectations and hopes for them. It’s a credit to them that they’ve just continued to develop throughout this NFL season.”
(What does T Dion Dawkins do for their offense?) – “I mean shoot, he’s kind of their dude up front, right? He can do everything. It’s funny because from a technique standpoint, he can be a little bit unorthodox, but he always gets the job done. So I have a tremendous amount of respect for their offensive line. I hate to say this, I don’t know who their offensive line coach is but hats off to him. I think he does a tremendous job.”
(Does a spy you think work on QB Josh Allen? It’s a two-part question: A couple years ago when Josh Boyer was here, Channing Tindall during his rookie season was tried as a spy on (Justin) Fields – and obviously Channing hasn’t played a snap. Has he shown you guys anything and where potentially he could have a role like that? And does a spy work on Josh Allen, do you think?) – “Spies to me, they’re kind of hit or miss. There’s a lot of times where that guy, he’s sitting there and then the quarterback scrambles off and he still doesn’t get him. So it’s like, ‘Oh, well now we just wasted a guy. Now we’re playing with ten.’ So ultimately, I try to funnel quarterbacks where we want to go more through games than through actual spies, just because I hate wasting the extra defender. but there are times when it’s absolutely necessary. In terms of Channing (Tindall), I love Channing Tindall. I love his approach to work, his attitude. Even though he hasn’t seen the field, he is the same guy every day and just comes out here trying to get better. I know his number hasn’t been called yet, but if and when that time comes, I have a tremendous amount of confidence in him to go out there and get the job done.”
(If DT Zach Sieler is able to go, he’s permitted to wear a face shield, is that correct?) – “I believe so.”
(I didn’t think there was a rule. I know there was a rule about tinting, but I think you’re allowed to wear – you don’t see a lot of it right?) – “Yeah, not anymore. Particularly from big guys, you don’t see a lot of it, no.”
(Can you tell of what part of the eye orbit it is with him? It goes all around the eye, right?) – “Oh man. I am not a doctor, nor did I stay at a Holliday Inn Express last night. (laughter) I cannot get that done.”
(Head Coach Mike McDaniel left the door open to DT Zach Sieler playing. Are you hopeful he will?) – “I am a much better coach when he is on the field, so I am certainly hopeful. Ultimately, there’s been a lot of prayers sent out there from the Weaver family, so we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”
(How is LB David Long Jr. doing physically? I know he’s had a hamstring and a knee, right?) – “Yeah, he’s been battling just some kind of knicks and bumps all season. So I know he’s in good spirits, but he’s certainly, from a health standpoint, he’s been battling. He’s been the ultimate warrior, for sure.”
(In the last Bills game, you guys held them three-for-nine on third downs and had only one very long scoring drive as there were a couple of short field plays. What did you like from that game that you would actually like to see repeatable?) – “Outside of the long run where they broke the 49-yarder, I thought for the most part our run defense was pretty solid, and you’d like to continue to have the success that we’ve had on third down. Now the one thing I don’t think he did as much because he (Josh Allen) was kind of nursing a hand was run the ball and that obviously helps their third down stats, so we’ve got to be cognizant of that in terms of how we’re calling the game. If we can have that same success, both eliminate the explosive run and have the success we’ve had in the other part of the run game and have the same success on third down, I think that would bode well for us.”
(What did you learn about defending RB James Cook from that game?) – “Man, try not to give him open space so he can run for 49 yards. (laughter) I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and just the way that he runs. I think they actually have a tandem of really good backs back there, and when you pair that with the physicality that their offensive line tries to play with, that’s why they have the success they have. So I like that kid and hope he doesn’t have a lot of success on Sunday.”
Danny Crossman – October 31, 2024
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Thursday, October 31, 2024
Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman
(You got good results with WR Dee Eskridge on kicks and WR Malik Washington on punts. Obviously, you always allow yourself flexibility with that, but generally is that the way that you want to move forward at this point?) – “Again, it’s going to be a continual fluid situation. I was really happy with how both those guys performed. It was good to see carry over from preseason with Malik (Washington) and then a good start for D’Wayne (Dee Eskridge). But as always, the roster and play time and all that stuff is always going to be a fluid situation.”
(I know you never have a perfect game, was that your best game of the season last week?) – “There’s a lot of different ways – it depends how you want to look at it. I look at myself as a teacher, and if one guy gets an F and everybody else gets an A, I still think that’s a poor job. As you look, we didn’t have any negative plays, so I guess in the way (of) your visual or however you look at it, that could be one – no negative plays, that’s a good thing. There’s a lot of different ways to look at it. I was happy with how we played, but not content at all. There’s things that we need to do a lot better in just about every single phase just because it’s not always as good or bad as it seems. If there’s one mistake, it’s crucial; everybody else could be doing a great job but it’s a negative. So happy but not content.”
(WR River Cracraft has not returned a punt in a regular season game since 2020. Do you want him during this 21-day window or however long he is practicing before activated to field punts just to have as an option? Or do you guys want him just focusing on offense?) – “No, he does that continually. He’s back there catching punts for the last couple of years. That’s always something that’s part of his daily, so it’s something he’ll continue to do.”
(So you don’t grade on a curve like–?) – “No, as you guys well know, there are no curves in the National Football League. Whose student gets the poor grade is even just as important.”
(As far as the wide receivers go, and I know you don’t have the final say, how much will special teams matter in WR River Cracraft coming up and when he comes up?) – “It depends on a lot, there’s so many moving parts. When you talk about one specific player, you’re really talking about a group position and then you’re talking about a side of the ball, so there’s a lot of things that go into those decisions. It’s not always just a, ‘There’s one player, well why isn’t his happening?’ There’s a lot of things tied into how that group is set up for the week, how the offense or defense is set up for the week, so there’s a lot of moving parts before those decisions are really ever made.”
Odell Beckham Jr. – October 30, 2024
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Wednesday, October 30, 2024
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
(In the open portion of practice, you looked healthy and explosive. Do you feel healthy and explosive right now?) – “Yeah, I am. It’s crazy because I now don’t take it – not to say I ever did – but I definitely don’t take it for granted. I’ve been through probably more than – you couldn’t name a star receiver who’s been through what I’ve been through as far as injuries and situation, like you just can’t. As far as how I feel in my body, like today was supposed to be a light day and I was out there pushing it, you know what I mean? I was out there trying to find something to get better at. I feel good. I don’t ever want to take that for granted again, even when it’s difficult. People always talk about receivers and they’re like, ‘Oh, they’re divas’ and all that (expletive) that they say, and it’s like a receiver is the most selfless person on the field. First of all, you’ve got to wait for it to be a pass play, you’ve got to wait for the o-line to block and protect, you’ve got to wait for the quarterback to throw you the ball. There’s nothing that’s really in your control. You could be open 10 times in a game and never get the ball and get thrown to you once and that might have been your only opportunity. Honestly as much as people talk about receivers, they really are some of the most selfless people on the field and that’s why it’s so crucial – we only get one hour a week. Those five chances are all I’m going to have, or however many chances you get, until the next week. I don’t really remember what the question was, but I do feel good. It’s just about finding how I can best serve my teammates and this team.”
(In a strange coincidence it’s been exactly 11 offensive snaps for you in each of the three games. Has Head Coach Mike McDaniel told you if he wants to leave you in more as you get more into action?) – “Yeah, I’m obviously sure he does, that’s why he brought me here. Again, I think a lot of it has to do with this team trying to establish, which happens in a lot of other places unless you’ve had a team that’s been together. You’re looking at Kansas City, they’ve won (three) Super Bowls, the team has been doing that for a long time. You’ve gotten new guys in here. There are so many guys who you can get the ball to. There’s three running backs, there’s three receivers, tight end – there’s only one football. So just trying to establish who we are as a team, but the time is now and like I said, I’ve played long enough to see how seasons go to watch – it’s really all about when you catch fire. I remember a Green Bay team years ago that was talking about they’ve got to win out, and I think they got all the way down to the last game and lost it. It’s just about making a run, making a run at the right time, you all coming together, because just the same way this season can go to (expletive), you could be sitting here looking at going to the playoffs and a team that’s on fire. This happened when I was in L.A., I got there, lost the entire month of November, won five straight, lost the last game, let San Francisco win and won four straight. It’s just about when you catch fire, I know we’re all waiting. I know how it is for fans as far as being impatient, but within this building, we come to work every single day. We put our best foot forward and unfortunately, we’ve came up short on the results.”
(I don’t know if you’ve ever been on the short end of a rivalry, but the Dolphins, they’ve lost like 12 out of 13 to Buffalo, and I wonder from your experience can it at times almost become as mental as physical? Or is it really just they have good players, it’s bad matchups, they’re the dominant team right now?) – “I was in L.A. and I joked with my teammates because the first game I got there, lost to San Francisco – Monday night game – they were like, ‘Man, we’re 0-6 against them’ or that was 0-5 at the time. And then we lost the very last game of the season and I didn’t know if I was going to be coming back or whatnot, but I joked with my teammates, I was like, ‘Either we’re going to be 1-6 against them this year, or y’all are going to be 0-7.’ You know what I mean? I’ve been on the short end of the rivalry. I was in New York when we didn’t beat Dallas. I know what it’s like to be the little brother or whatever, but it’s just about putting your foot down, having that mentality that there is no more. This is a Bills team that’s been to the playoffs since Josh Allen has been there. AFC Championship over and over and over. They’re obviously a very good team, so it’s just about finding ways to overcome that hurdle and that obstacle. Like I say, one of the best feelings was losing six games in a row to San Francisco over the three years and playing them in the NFC Championship and beating them and going to the Super Bowl and winning it. So I definitely know what it’s like to be on the short end of a rivalry, but I think everybody around here is tired of it and everybody has got to come to work with that mentality that this is the most important game of our season.”
Tua Tagovailoa – October 30, 2024
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
QB Tua Tagovailoa
(What do you take from Sunday’s improvement in the offense in your first game back and take it into the Buffalo week to build on?) – “I think we can continue to build on the possessions that we had, and on the number of possessions that we had, what we could’ve done to stay on the field to give us chances to score points or put points on the board whether that’s a field goal or getting into the end zone. I think that’s something we can build off of.”
(What’s it like to come back, you’re trying to get your feet wet and you return to a situation where the team is already in a deep hole and trying to bring itself up so early in the season?) – “You just got to work through all of that. Sometimes that’s just the cards that you’re dealt with as a team. It’s not an issue for me, it’s an issue for us as a team. That how we win games. I can’t go play defense; Jalen Ramsey can’t come play offense, that’s just how it works. This is the cards that we’re dealt with, we’ve got to stick together as a team. We’ve got to just continue top grow stronger, stay in the film room, communicate with our guys. I don’t think anything is over until it’s actually over, so I believe we still have a shot and we can still do it. It starts this week against Buffalo, against a really good team and see you guys Sunday with it.”
(What message did you learn from that 2021 season where you guys won eight of the final nine games after starting 1-7?) – “Worrying about your job and what you have to do. I know that sounds cliché, but that’s exactly what we did. It’s like all right, I’m so worried about the defense giving up touchdowns, the defense saying to the offense, ‘We’re tired of you guys not putting enough touchdowns on the board,’ and things like that. Well if we just focus on what we have to do and worry about ourselves, worry about our jobs and what we’ve got to do – the game is hard as it is. So that’s all we’ve got to do and just go out there and play, trust the guy that you’re playing with. And if the ball falls into our hands and that’s how the game is going to go, that’s how the game goes.”
(You’re 1-7 against the Bills. Do you take anything from those games and apply to this one and hopefully try and snap those three-game losing streak already against them in reflecting back on that?) – “That’s a great question. All and all, you’ve got to find a way to beat them regardless of what that looks like. That’s what throughout those eight times that I’ve played them and the seven that we’ve lost, that’s just been the recipe for it. We just couldn’t find a way to do that. Here’s another opportunity for us to do that.”
(What comes to mind when you think of playing in that stadium specifically in Buffalo?) – “It’s nice. It’s loud, a hostile environment. I think that’s what you want as a team. You go in there knowing it’s going to be hostile. You just love when you’re able to do good as a team, as a unit and be able to quiet those guys down. You love to do that as a team.”
(They obviously play a lot of two-high, two-deep safety, but a lot of teams do now. What about their style is different?) – “I think when you look at the film against us, they do that more against us than they do against any other team that we have seen on film. They have multiple things that they do out of that two-high with how they run it against us as well. We’re looking to have some answers for what they’ve been showing us the past couple of years.”
(Part of that answer is you got WR River Cracraft back. How did he look out there today?) – “My man. That’s my man.”
(How excited are you to have that guy?) – “The ‘great white hope,’ River. (laughter) That’s my man, I’m excited. Not just me, but a lot of those guys on the offense as well.”
(As one of the leaders in the locker room, you know in the National Football League things can change drastically for any team. What’s the energy that you are trying to give to your teammates like, “Hey it’s not over, there’s still plenty of football left,” but kind of keep that message of positivity?) – “I would say positivity is definitely a thing that’s being portrayed from my leadership still, but it’s also not being blind to what we know is stopping us from getting to where we want to go and that’s in all three phases of our game – special teams, offense and defense. We’ve had a lot of conversations about that before I even came back, five weeks ago, four weeks ago, three weeks ago, and we’ve been continuing to have these conversations. The thing that can become very discouraging is the message starts to sound redundant, and it’s like, man, it’s the same thing we’re hearing, but it’s also what are we going to do about it. Screw the message – what are we going to do about it as a locker room, as a group of guys, and how do we want to change what that looks like coming this Sunday.”
(How does the messaging change versus Game 1 versus Buffalo than coming into Game 2 against Buffalo?) – “I would say it doesn’t change. I would say if you look back at the way we played Buffalo earlier in the year, three turnovers – you can’t do that. You just can’t do that, and I’m just speaking from an offensive perspective. Can’t worry about what the defense does, they’re going to do what they do. We’ve got to eliminate turnovers, eliminate takeaways in that sense. We’ve got to stay ahead of the sticks, take what they give us. If it’s a 16-play drive and we get points on the board, we’re OK with that and we’re willing to do that. This team is – you know you’ve got to go battle it out for 60 minutes, that’s what these kinds of games are.”
(The missed handled snaps, what can be done there? Is it as simple as catching the ball, which you mentioned about the one from shotgun, but we also didn’t get to ask you about the one under center that occurred, too.) – “It’s as simple as catching the ball in the gun. I would say I’m a pretty good shortstop guy; I have pretty good vision; I have pretty good hands. I’d like to see a lot of other people go in the back there and try to catch that ball, too. You’ve seen it – it wasn’t ‘Brew’s’ (Aaron Brewer) best and ‘Brew’ knows he can get it better, but it wasn’t my best as well. But I’m just saying to give perspective, it’s not as easy as what it looked like sitting down on your couch eating chips.”
(And the under center one?) – “The under center one? That was just my fault, that was just my fault.”
(You mentioned earlier about some of the occurring themes of things that need to be corrected. What are one or two of the biggest things?) – “I’m not going to tell anybody that. I think that stays within what we’re trying to work on, what we’re trying to do, and when it shows up on Sunday, I’ll let you know.”
(A lot of the games that you played against Buffalo, you’ve suffered some pretty big injuries. Has that entered the thought process of your mind that every time you play them, something happens?) – “No. No, I’m a football player. (You) go out there – if you have any of those thoughts, I think that’s when it’s time to call it, man. So go out there, just enjoy it. Enjoy being out there, enjoy that opportunity. I love it. I just love football and being out there with our guys, but nothing is better than getting a win and we’re looking for our first win in however long over there at Highmark Stadium this Sunday.”
(Given that you played Sunday after a pretty long layoff, when you watch the film, was there anything that you did that surprised you? A pleasant surprise? And was there anything contrary to what you might have expected of yourself?) – “Not really. There were some things that I was really not happy about with myself with some of the play passes and things that we did in the pocket that we (will) try to get fixed and work on a lot this week.”
(The team worked a lot on getting a third receiving option this year, whether it’s WR Odell Beckham Jr. or TE Jonnu Smith or training RB De’Von Achane to be more of a receiver. How has that chemistry been built despite the month you spent away? Where do you feel that level is with the third pass catcher?) – “Well, I think it’s been tough just because there’s been guys on IR – Odell (Beckham Jr.), ‘Riv’ (River Cracraft), and then you also have Malik (Washington), but then the packages with Malik – Malik is playing special teams, Malik is doing a lot. So I think being able to work a little bit with Odell while we’ve both been on IR, a little bit with ‘Riv’ and now the band is sort of coming back together and meshing, being able to throw more routes, throw more timing throws with them knowing where they need to be in the spots of the field of the play. I think we’re getting to where we need to be, and like I said, hopefully this Sunday, we get to use the weapons that we’ve acquired this offseason.”
(Going back to part of what you were saying about being clean in the operation and playing mistake free football, what is the process of going into a hostile environment knowing that you have to be clean, but also not thinking too much on the fact of, “OK, I can’t mess up. I can’t mess up?”) – “I would say that it’s just the preparation that you need to take into the week. You need to think of looks that you won’t get and that you could potentially get if it’s in the pass game. If it’s in the run game, sort of same thing, ‘OK, but if this happens on the fly,’ like oh, all right if this happens, I need to go communicate this to the guys like ‘Hey, I’m going to make this call on the fly. Even if he starts his cadence and this is how we’re going to block it and that’s how we’re going to do that.’ So I think it starts with the preparation of how you’re looking at the playbook and then how you’re also going about it, thinking of what the defense does and the multiple things they can do out of that.”
(I’m curious what you learned from your time spending with the coaches and sitting down learning about what their role is and how they put they put the gameplans together and how that will make you a better quarterback?) – “I would say first off, being with the coaches, I respect a lot more of what – I have a different respect and understanding of what they do. Guys sleep here, that’s crazy to me. Like go home to your wife, even if it’s for 30 minutes, like that’s crazy but guys do that. They’re dedicated in that sense. I love that, but I don’t necessarily agree, but that’s for another day. I would say a lot of guys are up there at two and are there until like 10, and then some of them just still don’t sleep – ‘OK, now we got to do third downs after this Wednesday.’ Just being with those guys and seeing what they’ve been talking about in 2:30 meetings, in 3 o’clock meetings, I’m like, ‘Jeez,’ it feels like it should be lunch at 7 (a.m.) when it’s in the morning with the way their scheduling is. You just get a better grasp of what the communication is, what the talks are like and then how they also see the field, and then got to have some communication deals with the defense as well. But you have a different type of respect, I would say, being with the coaches.”
(So you’re not going to be a coach someday?) – “Probably not. (laughter) Probably not.”
Mike McDaniel – October 30, 2024
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Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(So to hit on the three guys, was going to ask you if WR River Cracraft and OL Isaiah Wynn will be designated to return this week and if DT Zach Sieler is going to be able to practice with any sort of eye covering, face mask, anything like that? So Cracraft, Wynn, Sieler?) – “River’s (Cracraft) window will open today. Isaiah (Wynn) is doing well, has had very positive weeks. Things have been trending well, but I don’t know the timetable yet. (Zach) Sieler is – he’s one of several I won’t know at all until the closer to the game, and that’s just based upon you’d have to project. He’s doing well, and we know him as a player and a person; he desperately wants to play in this game so he will do everything he can to, and if he can’t, it’s because he’s unable to.”
(No surgery?) – “No surgery.”
(As you progress towards this game, is it productive for you to remind the players of recent history and performance and record against Buffalo? Or is it more productive to just focus on this game as a one game entity?) – “Yeah, I think it’s always interesting how – football is very similar to life, and so circumstances kind of direct your tonality, what you focus on. Right now, I think our main focus is absolutely, positively how we play football and how we do things to win games, not things to lose games. It’s a division road game against an opponent that everyone in our division is chasing, everybody knows that. But more than anything, the opponent doesn’t matter is what the perspective that you learn when you’re not doing the things to beat NFL teams – let alone the Buffalo Bills, they thrive on other people’s mistakes. They’re literally challenging you to do right longer and take advantage of groups of players that are unable to execute down-in, down-out, and they do a masterful job of putting it on the other team to earn the win. I think that’s right along the mode of what we’re just trying to do in general, so I don’t mind having the toughest test, or one of the toughest tests, or however difficult the scenario is, or how many years, or how long, or how many times we’ve lost to them. For the sake of our jobs and responsibilities to each other, the fans that root for us, wonderful media that works with us day-in, day-out, we have to – I think it’s important to let the team know that the environment that you’re going to get into, so you have the entire work week to prepare for it, I think it’s important to know that when we’re on that field, there’s going to be a confident stadium of people and what are you doing to do with it? I think a major focus on our football understanding that this, everything that we’re really focusing on, that’s what feeds this team. So I think focusing on us is more than enough, for sure.”
(How often does the big picture enter your mind, with you guys sitting at 2-5, knowing that there’s very little margin for error to get to where you guys want to get to?) – “I think one thing that is something that I value is paying attention to experience and history. There’s so many times in seasons, flip the record, 5-2 or 2-5, I’ve been a part of all sorts of different seasons. So what I try to communicate to the players as best I can is the idea of projecting records based upon yours is a false trial. So many things can happen, and the point is that you fully tool yourself to try go and be the best team that Sunday in that stadium, because anything beyond that is an opportunity cost that you leave yourself less and less room for error. So I don’t do much forecasting in that way, just because I’ve been on an Atlanta team that was 5-2 that ended up 8-8. I’ve been on a 3-6 team in Washington in 2012 that won the division. I’ve been on a 3-5 team in 2021 that went to the NFC Championship game. So it’s about how do you handle the noise, and there’s always noise and it’s either positive or negative. You’re either really good or you suck, and I think that is something that you don’t run from because it’s never void of your experience in the National Football League. It’s a billion-dollar industry that a lot of people care about that there’s careers that are directly in it and there’s careers covering it. So what do you expect? Bottom line is you have to do your job and continue to find ways to do it better, and the teams that figure out how to collectively get better in the noise, every single year, it’s the same pattern. They’re the teams that win at the end of the season, so whatever it is, I get the natural expression of, ‘OK, what does this mean?’ And ‘OK, this team we can win,’ all of that is you are whatever your record is and you allow your record to either work for or against you. So you ride the momentum when you win and continue to double down on the details that got you the win, or you find solutions in the loss and you don’t point fingers, you point the thumb. For me, it’s quite natural for the environment to be as it is within the team and outside in terms of disappointment. But what do you do with that, that’s my job as a leader, and people don’t hire people for the high fives and the parades and stuff. This is the meat and potatoes of what my job is, so trying to communicate that on a daily basis and find ways to get guys collectively to play their best football and finding individuals that have the most growth available to their game and continue to progress. Because that’s what’s important to me for the reasons of my entire football career and understanding the patterns that occur every single year with teams that start hot or teams that start slow. It’s all a journey to build, to win. It’s win or this is your last game, or win and you have 17 games and finality, you’re always fighting that and that’s what we’re in the thick of right now.”
(I know you lean on and trust Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver and the defensive staff. I’m curious, how much input have you had, do you want to have in putting on the cap of the Bills offense trying to have some input on some possible way to help slow down QB Josh Allen?) – “There is a certain amount of humility that is very important to do your job well in this position. In terms of there’s so much just on the front end of who you entrust, who you choose to be your teammate and your teammate’s teammate, and et cetera, et cetera. And then not being result based and really combing the details and asking the questions of whys and whats, but I’m also not going to pretend to know the tendency of the Buffalo Bills offense in in second-and-2 to -4. If I do know that, I’m not calling the game so why do I know that? I think there is certain things that you can always definitely help with, and if you pair yourself with the right people, that value added can be realized. I think that’s what our defensive staff does a great job of, of hearing thoughts and opinions but I’m very careful not to strictly be result based, because results go in ebbs and flows but how and why you do things as your program builds and you try to put players in a position to succeed, that’s what matters most. Then being the head coach, you have the most favorable ability to get return on emphasis. For me, I look at it like if I have the loudest voice at the end of the day where people have to respond to what I say, I better say the right stuff, so I better focus on the right stuff and try to add value that way because I bear the burden of responsibility to all for all results.”
(Bill Belichick in his new role as one of us, sort of, he was asked about the Bills defense once. He put up a roulette wheel and spun it and it had eight different defenses they could play. He said “This is how it seems they pick what they’re going to play. It’s just at random and it really presents problems for the offense.” I’m just curious, what have you seen in your years here that the Bills defense has done? Because they’ve had some success.) – “For me, it’s all in the eye of the beholder, but it seems to me that they have very strong reasoning for their motivations of play calls and the defenses that they run. I do think they know when to take a chance and when it’s best served to play the percentages and make offenses earn it. When I first played against the Bills, it definitely seemed more random, but you go against them twice a year and a system based on fundamentals and technique that they absolutely are as coordinated as a unit as there is in the NFL. To me, their principles of how they defend gaps while holding pass responsibilities, they have a bunch of different calls that establish very similar things and when they think you’re comfortable, they get a little more aggressive or there’s areas of the field that – the amount of coverages that they play is determined by the opponent. They’ve done a really good job; I’m not sure the percentages relative to other teams, but we see a lot of stuff that other teams don’t see, and to me that means that’s because it’s calculated. When you are winning more than you lose over a long period of time, I think that those calculations are pretty fair and good. I have a lot of respect for the Buffalo Bills football team and Sean McDermott and the job that Bobby Babich has done, because they’ve earned my respect through – you can tell they work. They force a football team to go earn wins, not be gifted them, and that’s something I think isn’t necessarily a bad thing for our football team. I see a lot of deliberate intentional illusion of complexity, I think.”
(Where do you stand in your assessment of the third wide receiver role? A lot of attention was placed on that going into the season, and yet WR Odell Beckham Jr. has had to deal with what he’s had to deal with and now WR River Cracraft is coming back. How do those two guys fit into the picture and where do you go from here trying to get production out of that role?) – “I think you challenge, you identify ways that things can be – where a contribution can come from and you’re very clear with how the third wide receiver can add value, and you let players be players. We always have reason for everything that we do, who is on the field and who’s not – right, wrong or indifferent. I think Odell (Beckham Jr.) coming back from the offseason and the procedure and then having one game with Tua, it was a step in the right direction that doesn’t show up in a box score. Sometimes the opposing defensive coordinator can just randomly call a certain coverage that he’s No. 1 and runs a good route and there’s a floating defender in his vicinity that forces Tua to progress. I thought he attacked his responsibilities the best that he had since he’s been here and I thought it was a step in the right direction. With competition, that’s the supreme form of getting the most out of each individual player. I’m excited about the whole room, really, in terms of their growth. In the midst of box scores and stat lines and losses and records, fact tells me that that room has developed over the last three weeks, and that’s just based upon watching the film. So that for everyone involved is a good thing. It was probably the best game that the whole group of receivers had in a long time, maybe ever in terms of making plays without the ball. I think that the development of the offensive line allows for you to have more run opportunities that are productive, but you don’t average six a carry without receivers blocking. We have really, really good players on this team and two of the best in the NFL in that room, and they’re learning how to make plays without the ball because you know you get above and beyond attention. I say this all the time, but I equate it to basketball. If you have a double team, the way to stop getting doubled is not splitting the double; the way to stop getting doubled is getting an assist. With the way that the presentation of defenses are, if you’re trying to play football, have the time of possession, not turn the ball over and score points, you have to take advantage of what the defense is giving you. This past game that had – I think Budda Baker is one of the better safeties in the league. He starts from 15-yards deeps and goes downhill and sprints, a lot of receivers turn it down and our guys didn’t. So that development, the room is creating its own standard of play and in that, I see the ball coming to our two star guys more because of their effort in other phases in the game, and then I see more contribution that I think a lot of guys would have – the box score would have looked a little different if the particular game (the) offense had more than eight possessions, but both offenses were staying on the field a good amount and you only have those opportunities that you’re given. I would be very hesitant to look at the receiver room right now and say that that is the forecast for the rest of the year. They’re trying to get us right and doing a great job doing it.”
(S Jevón Holland, what’s the update on him? Is he going to be able to practice this week? Where is the level of concern regarding the knee injury?) – “Overall for the season, not really concerned. It’s not major, but for this game, he’s deep working to try to make himself available. He won’t practice today, but that will be a process throughout the whole week and one that he’s been living here trying to get right to be available for this game.”
