David Long Jr. – January 8, 2024
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Monday, January 8, 2024
LB David Long Jr.
(What do you remember changing in the second half against Kansas City? Specifically what Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio might have done or what the players did to change the course of that? Kansas City was scoreless the second half that day.) – “Words wise I don’t (remember), but I do remember just the mentality of us going out there. We knew we could play with those guys. We knew we didn’t travel that far to come out with an ‘L.’ It was just more the mentality and the energy. KC traveled well, of course, so it was just us being our own biggest fan in that game and turned it around in the second half.”
(Speaking of a mentality, a game like last night that you have to put aside quickly with a short week, how hard is that to do? Knowing if you won last night, you could’ve won the decision, could’ve been at home. Now you have to travel to KC. What was that process like not even the last 24 hours?) – “I wouldn’t say it’s not hard, especially if you’re emotionally invested in it. But at this point, anything prior to this week doesn’t matter. It’s 0-0. We’re in the tournament. That’s all we needed was the opportunity. I feel like we have the right guys in the room to take advantage of it no matter the weather. Now we’re traveling. We don’t play at home. It’s not coming to Miami. All these things you have to deal with, but I think we have the guys capable of making it happen.”
(What’s it been like on the front dealing with so much turnover? LB Jerome Baker is out, LB Jaelan Phillips out, LB Bradley Chubb is out. Baker comes back in, just a lot of moving parts.) – “I hate it man. But it’s good to see these guys that haven’t been playing all year to get a chance. Cameron (Goode), I’m sick that he had to get hurt yesterday. It was an opportunity for him to come in and step up. ‘Og’ (Emmanuel Ogbah) getting more chances. And then Mel (Melvin Ingram) making the best of his opportunity. He had a sack yesterday. Just to see these guys or this defense as a whole not dwell on losing these great players of course. But just being ready to do what’s best for the team and what we need them to do.”
(You’ve been in cold weather your whole life, right? Ohio, West Virginia, Tennessee. What’s different about cold weather? Do you notice anything about a ‘warm weather’ team when they’re in that environment?) – “Just go back to mentality. A lot of people don’t want to get hit or hit in that cold weather. It hurt a little more. That’s what you see. And that’s when you see what types of players you have on your team. How much do you love it? How much do you want to get to that certain point as a team. Like I said, I’ve been playing with these guys all year. Of course, I’m new to the organization, but I’ve been playing with these guys all year. I don’t see a drop-off when it comes to any type of weather. It’s just going to be the same thing going in as it’s been all year.”
(With your mentality, your intensity, do you get fired up for cold weather?) – “Yeah, man. Like you said, I’ve been playing that all my (life). That’s football weather. It’s cold weather. That’s when I like to see who’s going to break. Who’s going to turn down those hits? Who’s going to push through it? That’s when you see what the love for the game is at that point.”
(Does it hurt a little less the aggressor and not the one getting it?) – “That’s a fact. That’s why I play defense.” (laughter)
Mike McDaniel – January 8, 2024
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Monday, January 8, 2024
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(With the MRI result for LB Andrew Van Ginkel, do you have a sense if he’s going to miss the Kansas City game?) – “Yeah, I think he’s going to miss it. He’ll be out.”
(And then at the edge position, I know Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio will talk about some things but is playing LB Jerome Baker outside to supplement what you have DE Emmanuel Ogbah and LB Melvin Ingram, is that a consideration?) – “It would have been a consideration but Jerome will be out as well. He injured his wrist and had to have surgery. So both of those guys will be out.”
(LB Jerome Baker has had surgery already?) – “Yeah.”
(So no matter how deep you guys go, he’s done?) – “It appears to be as such.”
(And LB Andrew Van Ginkel, will that require surgery as well?) – “The timetable is kind of up in the air with regard to how they are going to treat it. But yeah, he won’t be back for this postseason.”
(With LB Cameron Goode, did you get unfortunate clarity about his injury?) – “Yeah. It happened on the punt return for a touchdown. He tore his patella.”
(Is there anyone else beyond those three that you lost last night that maybe we’re not aware of yet?) – “I don’t think so. The biggest issue is for those individuals. The team hurts for the individual players just because you invest in your teammate’s story, know where they’re at and the opportunity that they have. I think we’ve learned through the hard way that we have capable players across the board and the team doesn’t use that as an excuse whatsoever. But very heavy hearts for the individuals, for sure.”
(Just doing the math, it seems like there’s a pretty good likelihood that somebody who wasn’t in the building yesterday is going to play on Saturday. Is that a fair assessment?) – “That’s pretty good math. I think that’s where we’re at from a depth perspective. We’re working on that as we speak.”
(What’s that like to deal with? You’re preparing for a playoff game on a short week.) – “I don’t really attach any feeling towards it. At this time of the year, that’s why you stay prepared. That’s why Chris (Grier) and his department work the way they do. So we have conversations about people that we were bringing up today that we were sorting through last week just to stay adept at that. It’s a thing if you make it a thing. I think the main focus is transitioning from a game where guys really laid it on the line and fell short. We fell short of our goal going into the season to win the AFC East. But at the same time, does that matter? No. We’re one of the 14 teams that still have games. So you try to harness all of your emotion, focus and really thought towards coming together for that goal.”
(A couple of players have already mentioned that we’re in the tournament, we’ve got a shot, we’re where we need to be. Is that sort of your message to them, that despite the loss yesterday, we still have an opportunity?) – “Well, yeah. And here’s the thing about NFL playoffs is as much weight as all the things that happen during the season carry, there’s narratives galore that grow out of results. And in the playoffs, it doesn’t matter. It’s a reset. There’s no winners and losers bracket. You’re playing football and the winner gets to continue to play and the loser does not. I think you have to be bold to set goals that you go into knowing it’s not what has been done. You have to be willing to be vulnerable enough to fully commit yourself to something that you aspire to achieve. That’s a goal. That’s not the only goal. It’s so much like life. The bottom line is how do you take whatever hand that you have, and however it is dealt, you try to make the most of it. The team will be fired up to go embrace the challenge. There are many layers to why it’s a challenge. For us in-house, we all believe in each other and we want to go get a losing taste out of our mouth. That’s the only objective. That’s not to say it is easy. But nothing worthwhile is. So you have to transition. We don’t have any time to waste. And we have to put our best foot forward, being one of the 14 teams that gets to continue to play, and we’ll take pride in that and do everything we can so that we can be proud of what we put on the field.”
(You talked about this team wanting to be at a point where they are peaking and they are playing their best ball when it matters most, which is now. Obviously you don’t want to go into the playoffs with a two-game losing streak, but is there any past experience you can kind of lean on to guide a team entering the postseason on a losing streak and with all of these injuries?) – “The idea is that you really immerse yourself into the season and grow, so you have a chance to be your best when it is elimination time. There’s not an exact science. You prefer to go in on a winning streak obviously, but really any team that I’ve been on that has been successful through the playoffs has had what appeared to be a completely detrimental loss down the stretch of the season. But when that happens, I think you get to learn a lot about your team and people either come together or fracture apart, and I don’t see this team fracturing apart at all. I think there is a lot of confidence that they can garner from playing a lot of good football during the season. I don’t think the team is going to expect nor be really giving any concern about the fact whether or not people have so many reasons why we can’t. We’ll focus on why we can. I really believe in the individuals to be strong-minded enough to handle the hurt that has been delivered the last couple of weeks, and press forward to try to do something special together. Really, there’s more things that could distract you from what we need to do together as a team to win a football game on the road in a hostile environment, but I think there are so many more reasons for you to strain and try to achieve it because it will be that much more worthwhile as a team. That’s what we’re focused on.”
(It will be a difference of about 60 to 70 degrees from playing at home to having to play at Arrowhead. Are you busting out the “I wish it were colder” shirts this week or anything else?) – “Really, those shirts are more about it carries on an ultimate premise or adversity is an opportunity. I think in the process of teaching the team how I really view things, I think that might have been more appropriate. I think they know what time it is now. You’re talking about playoff football more often than not. If we’re playing in any playoff game that isn’t at home, it probably will be cold. It will be the same temperature for both teams. For us and for the individuals in the locker room, I know they will not use that as an excuse. The bottom line is we’ll play a game in the same environment as the other team. It doesn’t matter if you played the last couple of games in warm weather. You have to adjust if you want to have a chance to win, so I have no doubt the guys will leave that on the doorstep of the cause of concerns. There are plenty of reasons to be motivated and this team is highly.”
(Regarding WR Tyreek Hill, we know he is having an MVP caliber season. He’s also had some big drops in some of the biggest games. I know he is very prideful and one of the best receivers in the league. Do you talk to him about the drops or just rely on his professionalism to get it right?) – “I think when you are a player of his caliber that our team depends on so much, that can be a little misleading in terms of he gets a ton of targets and when we go to him in high-stake situations, it’s not like he is just gliding in open field. They’re pretty contested. And he’s proven time and time again why we continue to go to him. There are zero people, including myself, that are concerned about a pattern of whatever. He has a high expectation to literally make every play. And in that process, there’s no such thing as a 100 percent shooter.”
(You obviously expressed some optimism for RB Raheem Mostert and WR Jaylen Waddle last night. Do you share that optimism for CB Xavien Howard or is that more dubious?) – “I would say that’s a little more dubious. I’m more optimistic for sure about Raheem and Jaylen. I would never rule anything out with ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) because it means so much to him and he’s doing everything he can. But I would say it would be fair to say we’re not planning for him to be in this game, but if things change, things change.”
(How do you categorize the season that LB Andrew Van Ginkel has had?) – “Very impressive and inspiring for teammates on the other side of the ball, same side of the ball, various positions. This guy seized every opportunity. And that’s the hallmark of what players have to do in this league is you eventually get an opportunity in some way, shape or form. What do you do with it? He found a way to be a versatile contributor before he was a starter. Then every time we called upon him to start, he came through in a big-time way. It’s the beauty of professional sports. When you see those types of things occur, it’s inspiring to coaches and players alike. He really made the most of his opportunities for sure.”
(Where did things evolve with LB Jason Pierre-Paul when he was waived? Could talks be reignited?) – “Yeah, we’ll investigate a ton of different scenarios, which is what you do when you kind of have a run on injuries at a certain position. There’s a lot of guys we’re discussing and we’ll iron that out here in the next quick future.”
(Even if you didn’t have these injuries on defense, there would be a lot of people saying, “Oh, warm weather, fast-paced team going to Arrowhead. They don’t got a chance.” Do you like to have backs against your wall mentality? Is that something you’ve used with your players?) – “I think this particular team, the noise I anticipate will be loud enough and pointed enough that I won’t necessarily have to bring it up. I will say this team, in my opinion, set their expectations and standards for what they wanted to do way before people said they could do it. There’s a lot of people littered on the team that have been outrightly told that they can’t. I don’t see that as surprising as that would be said, nor do I worry about it. I think it’s something that our – the individual players across the board in the locker room – our locker room is littered with people that have found success in the face of people saying they can’t. People say we can’t until we do.”
(Did S Jevon Holland have any setbacks checking back in with him today? Will he be further limited in practice or is he good to go for this week?) – “We’ll try some different (things). The main thing is to try to get him where he can be at his peak performance for the entirety of a game. Our plan is to kind of adjust the way we’ve done the work week and see how that will relate to the game. The idea is he’s able to fully be himself for the entirety of the game, so we’ll probably try a little different formula to try to get a better solution.”
(I just wanted to do a quick follow up on that. Obviously, you guys are dealing with a ton of injuries. There’s some cases where you guys have had people like RB Raheem Mostert and WR Jaylen Waddle who they practice out there, they are limited, and might look like they’re fine but end up not playing. Some people say you might be holding guys out. When you make that decision or come to that decision to not play a guy or make him inactive because of an injury, is it because there’s a risk of reinjury you don’t want to deal with? Is it because they’re structurally not able to go out there? I just wanted to know if you could go into that decision of why guys aren’t maybe active on game day if they practice all week?) – “I understand why that question would come up because we are very particular with how we treat each individual on a case-by-case basis. For example, both Waddle and Raheem had the aspiration to go. In their minds, they were ready to go. However, from our medical staffs’ perspective, it was more likely than not that their vulnerabilities would lead them to either not finish the game or not be available for the next week. When the risk is substantial enough where it’s more likely than not I would say, then it makes the decision easy. But that’s why you have to treat every individual as an individual, completely discuss each and every little nuance to whatever their injury is, apply appropriate – either pushing or pulling back of exertion. You just have to be very communicative and do what’s in the best interest of the organization. We thought the risked outweighed the reward for those two. Those are the types of decisions that aren’t always easy, but you make them collectively with the players involved in the conversations because it’s their career ultimately and we’re just trying to do right by them.”
Durham Smythe – January 8, 2024
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Monday, January 8, 2024
TE Durham Smythe
(Last night’s second half offensive issues, you would point to what as the culprit as to why a drive couldn’t be sustained?) – “Really just small things here and there. A penalty at the wrong time, an incompletion here or there, and then they kind of went on a run of really good complementary football. That’s kind of what happens in games late in the season in December and January. They are won when teams can put together a good run, a good stretch of complementary football late in the game. That’s what they did with the special teams touchdown, a couple of stops on defense and then another touchdown. That’s kind of the story of the second half there.”
(The numbers have been different as far as when you play quality opponents, the offense’s success, compared to when you play lesser opponents. As you look at that, is it schematically the things you are doing? Is it just the fact you’re playing better teams? What has been the primary issue you think that you haven’t had the offense you want to get to in those games?) – “That’s a good question because when we watch the film the following day after playing these teams, the schemes are the schemes. There is still success being had within the scheme. Like I mentioned a second ago, there is a small thing here, a small thing there, that stalls the drives, which obviously prevents us from getting points. It’s really about cleaning everything up, the small things. It’s not like when we are playing these teams, we’re not scoring as much and they’re just completely overpowering us. I think the scheme is still working. The execution is there for the most part. But then one small thing here, one small thing there adds up, and then that prevents us from scoring like we’re used to.”
(There were no touchdowns for tight ends all regular season. Blocking is such a prerequisite for tight ends in this offense. Does that eat at you at all, no touchdown from your position?) – “No, it doesn’t. I think in general, we have a pretty selfless tight end room in terms of individual statistics. We kind of understand our role within the offense. We produce when our number is called. We do a lot of other things within the offense. But then the red zone is kind of a crapshoot a lot of the time. If you’re running the ball well, the running backs are going to score a lot. If Tyreek (Hill) is being Tyreek, he’s going to score a lot. Things like that. Those are things you can’t really control and I don’t think it really affects anyone in our room.”
(A lot is going to be made about the weather in Kansas City this weekend. There is supposed to be a low of 0. Do you do anything different to make sure you’re ready? And as an offense, which of the elements do you kind of prefer the least to play in?) – “It doesn’t change anything. Maybe an extra layer of clothing. In terms of approach, unless it’s pouring down rain or crazy snow, the temperature is going to be what it is. I don’t think you can really change anything from that standpoint. Those games a lot of the time are a lot of fun. Those are memorable games. Now that it is a playoff game as well. I think the guys are excited about it. If you’re not excited about playing in 0 degree weather in Kansas City, in Arrowhead for a playoff game, then you shouldn’t be doing this. I think the guys are excited about it.”
(There are going to people that think a Miami team, flash, high-scoring offense going to a cold weather game, these guys don’t have a chance. What would you say to people that are skeptical for you?) – “I get the narrative there, but I think you’re kind of overlooking the guys in the locker room. Just because the narrative has been all year that we are the fast, flashy team, I don’t think it means that we are soft or scared of the elements, just because the weather is better down here. The guys in that locker room, obviously we come from all over too. It’s not like we all lived here in Miami our entire lives. We’ve dealt with elements before, and like I just mentioned, it’s a playoff game, and if you can’t get up for that, regardless of the weather, than this isn’t for you.”
(You have career best in receptions and receiving yards this year. What have you thought about your year as a receiver?) – “My approach this year has been the same as it has been the last six years. It’s just try to make the play when your number is called. Obviously the role changes every year depending on the pieces that we have within the total offense. When you have guys like we have on the edges, obviously they’re going to get a lot of volume of the target share, which is absolutely necessary and warranted. But then you have to produce when your number is called. When they do things and lean towards those guys a little bit and there may be some openings in the zones, when your number is called, you make the play. That’s really just how I’ll continue to approach it.”
(Was there a concerted effort to get you the ball more as the season progressed? Or was it just how the games dictated?) – “I think it was more of how the games just flowed, and opportunities depending on what the defense was giving us. In the middle of the season, I was dealing with a good amount of injuries and I was trying to survive to the best of my ability out there in terms of running routes and stuff. It’s been nice to get a little bit healthy towards the end of the year. Like I said, it’s been dictated on what the defense is giving us in terms of receiving opportunities.”
(How does this offense transform if RB Raheem Mostert and WR Jaylen Waddle are able to play?) – “I think those guys obviously bring an extra element to this offense. You can see through the production they’ve had this year. They are two experienced guys who have played a lot of football, so that’s nice as well. If we can get those guys back, obviously two of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL. If you add those to the guys I thought played really well yesterday in their place, I think that will be a strong effort for us.”
Christian Wilkins – January 8, 2024
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Monday, January 8, 2024
DT Christian Wilkins
(What’s step one in trying to put last night aside knowing you have a playoff game Saturday? Short week, all the things that go through it emotionally aside from the physical part.) – “Yeah. I feel like for me and most of the guys, we’ve already put it aside. It’s a short week already, so you have to be quicker than the 24-hour rule. It’s like the 12-hour rule. We have to get prepared for this new season that we’ve got. The regular season is behind us and I’m excited for what’s ahead now. We’ve done what we needed to do to earn playoff football, bonus football. So now we’re just looking at what’s ahead. That’s the mindset we’re taking. That’s the mindset I’m taking. That’s how we’re looking at it, and that’s how we’re approaching it.”
(You had some defensive end reps throughout the course of you career. You had a couple last night. Do you think more is to come with the injury situation you guys have had?) – “I don’t know. But if I’m ever asked to do anything, I’m a team guy. So whatever is asked of me, I will happily do.”
(When you’re out there, what’s your approach? What’s different from your perspective when you take on a tackle instead of a guard?) – “Well, luckily for us, we work on a lot of different techniques and doing different things. You get a lot of reps throughout the course of a season. So you do have a lot of bank reps. In a lot of ways, three technique is like playing five technique. It’s just a little more space, a little different.”
(I don’t know if you’ve looked at the weather forecast in Kansas City this weekend, but they said it might be a low of zero degrees. As a guy who’s big on routine, has that changed anything for you in terms of making sure you’re ready for the weather and staying warm?) – “No. Pretty much my approach is the same no matter what. That’s why I structure my routine that way so I’m good to go regardless. But that’ll be fun. I don’t think I’ve ever played in anything that cold or that type of weather. It’ll be exciting. That’s football weather and it’s playoff time, so let’s go.”
(No sleeves though?) – “No sleeves.”
(You’re from the Northeast, so you’ve seen some cold temperatures. But not that cold?) – “I don’t think quite that cold. But I’ve been a part of some cold games and cold weather. That’ll be a little different, but it’ll be exciting.”
(A minute ago, you used the word ‘we’ve done what we needed to do to earn a playoff berth’. Obviously you could’ve earned a lot more than what you did, including a home game. How much is there a sense of what could have been? Or meat left on the bone? Or whatever phrase you want to use?) – “I mean, that’s one way to look at it. But regardless, wherever you end up or how it ends, you’re in the tournament. Everyone has a chance. Regardless of where you’re playing on the road, a lot of teams you end up having to face, you’d end up facing regardless if you’re trying to do something big. You’re going to play good teams down the road. You’re going to have to play all the teams. I’m not really looking at it like that. It is what it is. We got what we earned and now we’re looking ahead.”
(You have your hand wrapped. Did you come out of the game ok?) – “Yep.”
(What happened?) – “I’m fine.”
(You guys I think were able to hold the Chiefs scoreless in the second half the last time you faced them. What do you remember about what you guys were able to do in that second half that you can potentially take to this game?) – “Yeah, I just remember we were able to make adjustments after seeing how they were attacking us early. Make some adjustments, which is pretty standard throughout the course of a game. But they are a very good football team. They have a very good offense, so we’ll have to bring it. We’ll have to play some good defense to put ourselves in a good position to try and win this thing. But they’re a very good team and looking forward to the challenge.”
(What was the back and forth like with Bills QB Josh Allen? You got him for that strip sack. I know he had his moments. How does that prepare a team for what’s ahead in the playoffs?) – “Yeah, just that. They are a good team. We’ll see more good teams down the road starting with this weekend. Obviously, different things schematically, different players and stuff like that. But just really preparing for big time football against big time opponents.”
(Were you looking for the ball the whole time or was it a look what I found?) – “Nah, come on I’m smooth with it. (laughter) It just happened the way it did. It was all part of how it was scripted. (laughter)”
(You guys have been in this roll of facing these elite quarterbacks in QB Dak Prescott, QB Lamar Jackson, QB Josh Allen and now QB Patrick Mahomes. What is the preparation like for each differently and when you’re going to face a guy like Patrick Mahomes in a setting like this?) – “Yeah, each guy does a little something different, so there might be little things here or there. There might be little things schematically or game plan wise. I don’t really know exactly what those will be. I mean, you just prepare as best as you can and accomplish the gameplan as best as you can and play as hard as you can and look up at the end.”
(Two habits that I wanted to ask you about yourself. The national anthem, you run out at ‘Land of the free, home of the brave’ right? You run out – where does that come from and why do you do it?) – “Why are you watching me so much? (laughter) That’s the bigger question. Don’t watch me. (laughter) But again, I’m a routine guy. That’s just what I do. I actually love the national anthem. It’s a time to lock in. That’s my favorite part of getting ready for the game because that’s when all the emotions and energy is at it’s peak. It’s a good time and I’m just ready to go there. But yeah, that’s just always what I’ve done. It’s my thing. Now what’s your second question?”
(I told you about this one day in the locker room, so where does that come from?) – “Oh, yeah, so again stop watching me. (laughter) Let me do my thing. Let me just do my weird little corks and things that I got. I’m a routine guy. It just is what it is. I got my little things. I got my little reasons. I’m not going to share them per se, but once I do something or get in a little groove or routine, it just is what it is.”
(I always notice people’s little routines.) – “Watch somebody else next time.” (laughter)
(Nine sacks. You finished the regular season with a strip sack in a big game at the end of the year. Have you done everything you think was asked of you in a contract situation?) – “I mean, again, I haven’t thought about that at all. I just try to play as hard as I can for my guys, for my teammates and for those organization. I love this organization so much and people around, my teammates and all that. I just think about being who I’ve been since day one coming in here and that doesn’t change. I always approach the game the same way. It doesn’t really matter. I’m focused on what’s coming up this week and doing it again in this brand-new season that we have being in the postseason.”
(With that in mind, you guys are human. Obviously you’re not going to make excuses, but you look around, guys are dropping like flies. A lot of key players on this team have gone down. Do you at any moment in this stretch and say, ‘Man, what is going on? We just can’t catch a break.’) – “No, not really because every team has their things they’re dealing with. Luckily for us, we have a lot of guys for us that have been around for a long time with the team and been preparing the right way. We do have a lot of luxuries as tough as some of the injuries have been. We have guys who can step up and play good ball. Like I said, they’ve been in the meeting rooms and preparing and learning the same stuff. You don’t really think about that. You can bring attention to it if you want, but I’m not going to make an excuse for anything. Whoever is up, whoever’s number is being called, they have to perform to the best of their abilities.”
Jeff Wilson Jr. – Sunday, January 7, 2024 (Postgame)
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Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024
Postgame – Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins RB Jeff Wilson Jr.
(Obviously not the result you guys wanted, how are you feeling now going into [Kansas City] now?) – “Obviously, like what you said, not what we wanted but everything that we want is still in plan, is still intact so just have to get back to the drawing board. Get back to work. ”
(How difficult of a turn around for a Saturday night game and sort of getting everyone back?) – “We know what’s at stake so it isn’t going to be hard. We know what we have to do, what we are up against, what we are going through so it’s just a matter of locking in and being confident in ourselves and regrouping and knowing who we are.”
(What was the message from Mike [McDaniel’s] to the team now, keeping the focus for [Kansas City]?) – “It is the same thing, stay together. You know at times like this it’s easy to put your head down, point fingers or feel like things are that ‘this our problem’, ‘that’s our problem’ but sticking together and knowing that we have each other’s back and keep moving forward.”
Melvin Ingram – January 7, 2024 (Postgame)
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Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024
Postgame – Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins LB Melvin Ingram
(I know it’s not the result you wanted, but defensively you guys held them to two offensive touchdowns.) – “(Indiscernible) We needed to make more plays. They made the plays when it came down to it.”
(The difficulties that you think you will face in Kansas City next Saturday.) – “Hell of a football team. We’ve got to play our brand of football though. We can’t get too low on ourselves now. It’s a new season. Everybody’s got the same record. We’ve got to go out there and play football.”
(Defensively you guys have always been next man up mentality. LB Andrew Van Ginkel goes out with the foot injury in the third quarter, LB Cameron Goode with the knee in the fourth quarter, don’t know the status of them yet, but is that going to continue to be the mindset as you guys get ready?) – “Yes sir. We’ve got no choice. Next man up. Everybody, we practice, we all do the same (expletive). We’re going to be alright.”
Alec Ingold – January 7, 2024 (Postgame)
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Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024
Postgame – Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins FB Alec Ingold
(Did they do anything to surprise you?) – “No, they played fundamental sound defense. They know what they’re doing, so when they have a couple guys go down and they can rotate safeties, nickel, all to do the same job. That’s a credit to them and how they’re coached and how they play. They played fast and just getting behind the sticks a couple times really hurt us in the second half.”
(The season doesn’t end here tonight though. How do you guys keep focus ahead to next week? ) – “You’ve got to stay true to yourself and who’s in this locker room. Supreme accountability, how to improve and the ability to really embrace being road warriors into these playoffs. I don’t think anyone can hang their head on the performance. The result wasn’t what we wanted, but we know we have great opportunities in front of us to come together as a team, to respond the way we need to respond individually and collectively. It’s all about the people in the room. It’s a people business at the end of the day. I believe we have the right people in the building to respond to adversity. I think that’s what we’re trained to do, so if it’s on the road, it’s on the road.”
(What was Head Coach Mike McDaniel’s message to you guys coming out of the locker room?) – “When you go all in, every single week – we’ve had a number of tough losses this year – it hurts. It’s a challenge, and to be different, to walk the walk, to talk the talk; that’s everything as a team. So I think he talked about supreme accountability, making sure we’re all looking in the mirror and trying to improve. You’ve got to use it. You’ve got to use it. Feeling sorry for yourself isn’t going to help anything against the Chiefs, so you have to dust yourself off and have the courage to go back out and go all in again.”
Mike McDaniel – January 7, 2024 (Postgame)
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Sunday, January 7, 2024
Postgame – Buffalo
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel
Q. Sometimes you have to do things the hard way. Saturday you all will have to face Kansas City. How quickly do you shift gears from division championship game to prepare for the tournament?
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, it’s a new season. We have to – as hard as it is, that’s part of the reason why you have so much joy in the game, is when you come out the right side there is nothing like it. Then the polar opposite, when you let opportunities go by the wayside, it just completely absorbs you. We don’t have time to sulk. This is what happens in football against a very good team. Our team really, really wanted it bad, but wanting, you’ve still got to do the things in football to come out victorious; we didn’t. So I’m very confident that our players and coaches will turn their attention full bore to Kansas City, because that’s all we can do. This is a feeling that I can’t console or fix it with the team. It hurts; it should. We lost a game that we think we’re capable of winning. Hats off to the Buffalo Bills for coming in here and winning the game. But yeah, we’ll focus immediately on Kansas City because that’s the only way you can really get through something like this.
Q. The offense only totaled 57 yards, I think three first downs in the second half. What went wrong for that unit in the second half?
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, they did much better than we did, across the board. It was very disappointing, starting with – I always look at myself. Then we had some things that possibly could have been there, that self-inflicted wounds or we didn’t play the same type of throwing-catching-blocking as we normally do. Yeah, very disappointing, and we got out-executed substantially.
Q. What happened on the last play, the interception that was intended for Claypool? Why was Tyreek not in the game at that point?
MIKE MCDANIEL: Well, the play before, he got hit. I mean he got hit pretty good. I was just pumped that he got up. So then we had a concept kind of for the coverage. Taylor Rapp was a little further outside of Chase Claypool than I think Tua recognized, and between Tua and Chase they didn’t connect. That’s a hard play to make that I could have put them in better position to do it. You win as a team. You have all these successes as an offense, as a group, and then when you fail, then you fail as a group. So they out-executed us for sure.
Q. How much carryover is there from the first Kansas City game or how much do you anticipate there will be from the first Kansas City game?
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, I think the Kansas City Chiefs play their style of defense. I think there will be a fair amount, but things change during the season. Different players come in. There are injuries. There is evolution to what you’re doing. So it’s not like it’s ever the exact same thing when you play someone in the middle of the season and play them in the postseason. It’s the same starting point, but both teams are going to be competing to get a playoff win. There are usually some bells and whistles attached to the scheme and game plan so you got to be ready for a lot.
Q. I know it’s always next-man-up, but two more edge defenders go down in this game. That’s a lot of attrition for one position group.
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, it is. I think the guys did a very good job during the game handling all that. Guys stepped up. I thought limiting that team to 14 points from a defensive perspective and the stuff that was done in the red zone and the turnovers, I think that speaks to how it’s a whole unit. There’s definitely nobody in the locker room or on the other side of the ball that’s blinking. That’s kind of been what we’ve hung our hat on the whole season. There are different sorts of injuries, but I don’t think people use that as an excuse towards their confidence. There are just different things you can feature. So it’ll be a challenge, but that is what the National Football League is. It’s a challenge.
Q. Are there early indications on Van Ginkel and Cameron Goode?
MIKE MCDANIEL: I have to find more out tomorrow with Van Ginkel. Cam Goode, it doesn’t appear promising.
Q. How close were Mostert and Waddle to playing, and would you anticipate you’ll have both on Saturday night?
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, I’m optimistic for both those guys. They were pretty close, but both situations actually that would be very, very vulnerable to that being their last game if they would’ve played as vulnerable as they could have played for how long and what setbacks could incur. That’s kind of where we had to put our foot down. So optimistic for them next week, but they were gung-ho trying to this week. It just didn’t work out.
Q. Back-to-back weeks now Tua has thrown multiple interceptions. What do you need to see from him over the next week and then in Kansas City?
MIKE MCDANIEL: We need to not turn the ball over and still be able to be aggressive while doing that. I think that’s the name of the game of every quarterback, and that’s what Tua does. If there is a player that I’m very confident in how they handle things that maybe don’t go their exact way, you want to talk about a tough minded individual, that’s what Tua is. He’ll be harder on himself than he needs to be, but that’s what you want from your quarterback. He takes full accountability. I know he’s pretty frustrated, but I look forward to him being able to get back out there and righting some wrongs. It’s definitely not all on him at all. It’s not even close to that. Very fortunate for his play. He puts us in position to win, but there are times where he knows he can do better, and that’s what he’ll have to do moving forward.
Q. A month ago this team was the AFC No. 1 seed; you’ve had four of the last five games at home. From your perspective, why is this team now in a position where they have to go on the road instead of hosting?
MIKE MCDANIEL: I think that that is a very fair question. I think it’s very frustrating to all parties involved that care about the Dolphins, whether you’re a Dolphins player, support staff, coaches, fans. That’s something we can – I’ll have more of a concrete answer when the season ends, but the season hasn’t ended. Right now we’re 100 percent moving forward to the next game, which we did earn. Hindsight is 20/20 and there are a lot of different things we will evaluate because that is extremely disappointing. But I think that’s part of the National Football League, is if you give up an inch, you’ll be punished for it. We didn’t take care of the games we really needed to and that’s what happens. It’s a very competitive conference. You know, you needed 12 wins, not 11 and that’s what it is. But we have an opportunity to play football together. This team grew much closer in this last week. I was very proud of how they responded in terms of how they attacked this game and how they prepared and how they practiced. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. We have to go on the road to get right so that’s what we’re 100 percent of our focus and effort will be doing.
Q. What did you see on the punt return? It seemed like a real turning point in the game.
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, it was unfortunate. It looked like we had an opportunity to pin them back and I’ll to have look at the tape again, but we had an opportunity to pin them back and it turned at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Yeah, that was a huge momentum swing that hurt us, that the defense had done such a good job keeping them from scoring points. Points were at premium at that point in the game, so it was a gut punch for sure. I feel like we had – I don’t know the exact player that had a shot at the very beginning of the play but that was probably our best shot and then looked like they won the matchup game after that. So big point in the game that we’re going to look closely at.
Q. When you talk about narratives, you guys now are 1-5 against teams with winning records. Your players have social media. We are going to be asking them about it. How do you keep them out of that mindset, out of that funk, out of thinking about that?
MIKE MCDANIEL: I don’t think it’s a funk. I think it’s reality. I’ve said time and time again, I get out in front of narratives because you know they’re going to exist because it’s reactionary. If you lose to two good teams down the stretch you leave yourself vulnerable to say you can’t beat good teams, which will be the case until you do. My opinion on winning football games against records that aren’t above .500, it’s irrelevant. That narrative will occur until you do things to change it. I don’t get very mad at it or anything. I just let them know that’s coming, and so when they hear it they’re like, of course, because that’s what it will be until you do something about it.
Q. You had 218 yards in the first half; 13 first downs. A lot seemed to be going right offensively. Then three three-and-outs in the second half. Did they do anything differently?
MIKE MCDANIEL: No, it didn’t necessarily surprise me. They played some more single safety to stop the run, which we were kind of anticipating. Then it was just herky-jerky when you have some – we had two different penalties and then we just had misfires. There was an incompletion that was a throw issue. There was a drop. It seemed like take a turn each drive. We weren’t able to really get the momentum of the drive going, which is what happens when myself as a play caller decides to pass, anticipating that we have an advantageous look. I think at this point in the season you have to trust a lot of things and it didn’t work out. It goes really to the whole group because we were running the ball well. They changed their box count which wasn’t like they changed defenses. They just called more eight-man front and you have to be able to adjust with the defense and make plays in all phases, and we were unable to do that tonight.
Q. Thoughts on Josh Allen’s game? Took over toward the end but some turnovers early.
MIKE MCDANIEL: Yeah, he’s a great player and he did some big things down the stretch of the game in terms of third-down conversions specifically. I thought the defense did a great job containing him for – I think he made his money on keeping the offense out on the field and earning long drives with some third down plays that were – there are not many people that do some of the things he does. He played like he usually plays.
Q. 27 snaps tonight for Jevon. Did he suffer any setbacks in the game that made you dial back his snap, or was that – did that all tie into him being downgraded?
MIKE MCDANIEL: No. Like he’s been battling for a while. We’re trying to keep him involved without having him have more setbacks. I think he was battling through it tonight for sure. I think a lot of guys are at this stretch of the season. What he’s been working back from was not the easiest, and he’s been diligent about it. So hopefully tomorrow upon review when he sees our trainers, there hasn’t been any setbacks. If there were any tonight I’m not aware of them.
