Christian Wilkins – November 2, 2023
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
DT Christian Wilkins
(You seem like a guy that could immerse yourself into different cultures. How have you done so so far?) – “Absolutely, it’s been so far, so good. I love being here, it’s been a lot of fun, just time spent with my teammates, enjoying their company, getting closer with those guys, but also it’s special to be in another country. Growing up in Springfield, Massachusetts, one thing I always wanted to do was be able to travel. I didn’t think football would take me out of the country to play a game, so this is a special time for me, just kind of thinking how far I’ve come and just being here, having an opportunity to play a game.”
(What do you think is the potential of the defense once you do have CB Xavien Howard finally opposite CB Jalen Ramsey?) – “It’ll definitely be great when all the pieces to the puzzle are together. We all have a role, we’re all a piece of the puzzle. So when we’re at full strength, I think we have a chance to be pretty good. Looking forward to seeing what we continue to do this year.”
(I know you’ve had some creative sack celebrations. Do you have something special for the German crowd?) – “We’ll see what I come up with. I’m always, like you said, creative. So we’ll see if I come up with something good.”
(On a football note, you just tied a career-high in sacks against the Patriots, and obviously you’re on pace to smash your current career-high. What do you think has kind of clicked for you? Is it something maybe you did in the offseason? Has it been the scheme? I don’t know, sometimes with sacks, it’s kind of fickle, you know?) – “Just I’m always looking to work on improvement. There’s a lot of things to credit to, could be the scheme, good teammates, just finding opportunities and things. So there’s a lot of things that you can credit that to, so I don’t – just taking advantage of my opportunities, really.”
(When you think about the magnitude of this game, are you all treating it as just another game? Or are you looking at it in terms of the records as far as potential first seed and things like that?) – “I really wasn’t – personally, I wasn’t really paying attention to all that or knowing that or anything really. Really I’ve just been kind of focused on us getting better as a team, and I think that’s kind of the focus of the team. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, as long as we’re getting better each and every week. Every game in this league is important, because you lose too many of those non-important games, then you’ll see how important those games were. It’s tough to win in this league. It’s hard to win in this league, so we just try to focus on ourselves and improvement.”
(Following up, have you tried any German authentic food yet?) – “I have. I tried one of their döner sandwich – that was actually really good. I tore that thing up. The guy was being a little – portions are smaller here, so no offense, and I was a little upset with the dude, because he tried to throw a little bit of meat on there. I was like, ‘I’m American,’ but he did hook me up and threw in a little extra meat in there for me. So I was very happy with that. I did the garlic sauce or whatever that was, and it was really good. That was probably one of my favorite things I’ve eaten here so far on the street, so I’m a big fan of the street food and all that good stuff.”
(Where did you go for that?) – “I was just in the downtown area just walking around, they had a bunch of different places for it. I forget the name. I’ve got a picture of it, but I forget the name. It was good.”
(FB Alec Ingold and WR Tyreek Hill earlier both said that they’re still trying to get their sleep back to normal. They both commented that they’re tired. Just wanted to know how your body is adjusting so far?) – “Definitely an adjustment. I’m glad that we kind of got here early, just to be able to get acclimated to the time and everything. The first two days were kind of like, ‘Oof.’ The first full day here, it was a little rough, but I think now guys are starting to adjust more and with a few more days until game time, I think we’ll be in a good spot.”
(Some of you guys explored the city already, you had said that. How much time is there in your schedule to actually explore the city, explore the country?) – “Not a lot, but we kind of had our off-day here when we first got here, so that was like the day where most guys kind of got around, explored a little bit. For the most part, we all had a good time just immersing ourselves in a different culture and things like that. It’s always fun. A lot of guys haven’t been to Europe or out of the country too. I’ve been fortunate to be well-traveled, so I’m kind of helping those guys navigate or just kind of figure things out a little bit. So yeah, we had pretty much a full day, and whenever we have enough time, I’m sure guys will look to explore more.”
Raheem Mostert – November 2, 2023
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
RB Raheem Mostert
(First, wanted to ask how the experience in Germany has been for you? Have you played in any international games? Have you been to Europe?) – “First off, I love it. It’s been welcoming. And yes I have played in London my rookie year when I was in my first stint as a Dolphin. It’s a lot of fun. Truthfully, my family is from here. My mom was born here about an hour and a half away in Bad Hersfeld I believe that’s right. So yeah, it feels good to be here.”
(Missed practice on Wednesday, we’re back on Thursday with the ankle again. Is it similar to last week where just get to ramping up?) – “Yeah, it’s same as last week. We’re going to treat it the same. Feeling a lot better. It was just a little hiccup, but now we’re doing good. Ready to go.”
(You said your mother was born here in Bad Hersfeld. Did you have the chance to go explore Germany some days before or have you been here before with your family?) – “This is my first time. I want to go. I think it’s about an hour and a half away. I had tried to plan that out on my off day which was Tuesday. But I just hung around and when out with some teammates and explored downtown Frankfurt. It was a lot of fun.”
(As somebody with German heritage, how important is it to you being part of the growth of the NFL internationally?) – “Yeah, it’s fairly important. I would love to tap into my roots a little bit more, just being who I am as a person, as an individual. I love learning about my ancestry and history behind the reason why I am who I am and also what my family was like back in the day. It’s fairly important. I love the fact that the NFL is definitely taking that initiative to go abroad and have these opportunities for players to get outside the norm, being outside the U.S. I think that’s very important to see different cultures and pick up a few things. I know when we first arrived here, Jaylen Waddle was talking about all these different things. Talking about currency and he went to exchange right before we departed and he was fully invested in learning the culture and history behind Germany and stuff like that, which I thought was fairly neat.”
(A quick follow up to that. How far do you think the NFL can go internationally from here?) – “The sky’s the limit. I know it initially started out being in London and back in the day, I believe there were some games played in Japan. There’s a lot of different ways. The NFL is doing a great job making sure guys have opportunities to play abroad and to have fun and see the different cultures, like I mentioned.”
(What did you learn from that London trip a couple years ago and have you took anything from that and applied it to this trip?) – “Yeah. What I learned in London is that their portion sizes of food are a little bit smaller than the U.S., which is pretty good honestly. (laughter) But yeah honestly, just seeing around downtown London, seeing all the different historic pieces as well as here. I think that’s something that I’d like to take out of. I’m always trying to learn about things and trying to get every detail and try to figure out what I got going on around. Just picking up these little pieces and nuggets because I’d like to share those pieces of information with my kids. And fortunately, my kids will be able to come to Germany. They’re flying out tonight and will be here tomorrow morning. My family is going to be here and like I said, I just want to take every advantage that I possibly can to broaden myself and my family as well.”
(How has it been preparing for this game? Just trying to stay at your physical peak and can you touch on that just as far as playing in Germany and I guess the new environment and new location?) – “I think the biggest thing for players is time as well as rest. With an eight-hour flight coming in, that’s kind of tricky. Your schedule is a little bit thrown off. Every player has a routine. We’re all routine-based individuals. If a guy feels like he is off his routine, he has to make up for it sometime from when we land to game day. I think that’s been one of the biggest challenges this far because we’re sitting in media rooms and we’re a little lackadaisical, a little dozed off, but you have to fight that urge of resting and trying to close your eyes for a split second because that split second can turn into hours. You just try to get acclimated to the time. I think that’s the biggest challenge. Being here thus far, I know a lot of guys are in that wave of going up, and that’s what you want to see.”
(Do you think the music with the speakers, has that helped a lot trying to make you feel a little closer to home?) – “Oh, yeah. You can never have too much music on the practice field, on the pitch, as they would say, which is something that we try to do normally. Try to make it feel like we’re at home in Miami in practice and stuff like that.”
Tyreek Hill – November 2, 2023
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
WR Tyreek Hill
(We just learned you have been named AFC Offensive Player of the Month. What is your reaction to that?) – “I actually learned that this morning too. It’s always an honor to receive something like that, to be voted anything in this league. It’s special. For me to be able to be putting up performances like I have, I just have to give a credit to my teammates. They’ve been unbelievable also. Tua (Tagovailoa), the offensive line, (Jaylen) Waddle, really just the whole entire offense. That really helps me out a lot. I know I’ve said it a million times. Yes, I make a lot of plays, but without my teammates, none of this would be possible. To God be the glory. Always.”
(Obviously you have to be going through a lot of emotions going against your former team this week, the Chiefs. A lot of players have said you’re actually going through it the same as any normal week. What are you feeling leading up to this game?) – “I’m feeling tired. (laughter) I’m still trying to adjust to this sleeping schedule. But yeah, just another opportunity for me to play the game that I love. Obviously, it will be against the Kansas City Chiefs, but I’m going to treat this week like it’s any other week.”
(I figured you’re going to get a lot of Chiefs questions, so I’ll be the next to ask. How do you reflect and look back on the time there? I know you’ve said it last year that you didn’t want to leave the Chiefs, but the business aspect came in. But when you look on your six or so years there, what comes to mind and how do you reflect on that time?) – “When I look back at that time in Kansas City, I just look back at that time and say, man, just a young guy trying to find himself in the league. I was able to learn from so many guys. I was able to mature so fast because I was able to step into a receiver role and it was a lot. I kind of took that on and I didn’t look back. The coaching staff trusted me there. I absolutely loved every minute of it. I wouldn’t take none of it back. So yeah, it was fun times definitely just thinking back whenever I was in KC.”
(I know your first year you made the Pro Bowl as a return specialist. But I think early on the narrative was you’re just a gadget guy, a return specialist, a speed guy. Is there a moment or time it clicked for you? Like I could not only be one of the fastest players in the league but also one of the best receivers in the league?) – “I mean you could say that. I feel like back then – I come from a small city, come from a small town. My grandparents always told me never listen to the outside noise. So I’m that kind of person. So when people were telling me I was this and that, I already knew what I was. I knew what I was. I knew I could be a top-tier receiver in this league. I already knew that. All it just took was mindset. Once I got my mindset fixed and everything, I became what I am today. I never listened to the outside noise.”
(I’ve been asking your teammates and coaches on the other side of the ball about how defend Chief QB Patrick Mahomes, but from your perspective, when he starts scrambling and running and twisting like that, how did that play change for you as a receiver?) – “Just find open space, always. What I’ve been telling the guys to do is just find (Travis) Kelce. (laughter) If you allow Kelce to get open, he’s like the energy of that team. Although Pat is all-world, but if he finds Kelce and Kelce just catches a two-yard pass, he somehow finds energy in that and gets that team going. They do a great job of it. And they do a great job of coaching it also whenever I was there. They got a whole PowerPoint on it and everything. It’s crazy, it’s ridiculous. ‘When Pat goes this way, you guys need to be doing this, that, that, that.’ Obviously, you can’t run lines, so just find Kelce, that’s it.”
(So there’s a science behind it? It’s not just school yard run around and find space?) – “I mean, like I said, they do a whole PowerPoint on it and it’s just one of those things that you can’t run lines. When you’re out there with live bullets, it’s just going to happen naturally.”
(How do Cheetah’s like Germany?) – “I haven’t really been nowhere. Just been hanging out and taking care of my body. Trying to hydrate a lot. Just relaxing, watching some German TV. And yeah, that’s it.”
(Do you like the international stage?) – “As far as the schedule of leaving Monday, I don’t like it. But any chance I get to play the game of football anywhere, I enjoy it. I love it. I’ll never take it for granted. I look at it like this. We get a chance to become global stars. This is a chance to grow our own personal brands too. The schedule may suck, but at the end of the day, we have to look at the pros of it.”
(I’m sure when you got traded a year and a half ago, there’s a lot of emotions that probably go through you. Now that you’re further removed from it, are you at peace with how it ended? How do you look back at the trade itself and moving destinations?) – “I’m kind of glad it happened now. I don’t even think about it now. Obviously, the situation that I’m in is great. I’ve got great teammates. My family is from Miami. Also, I accomplished one of my goals of being one of the highest paid (players) in the league. Everything is great, life is great. Never can take anything for granted. You can’t look back, always have to look forward. That’s my mindset.”
(I know you’re trying to treat it like another game, but do you anticipate you have to be ready emotionally for something a little different when the game comes? Just because of all the relationships.) – “Nah. I don’t think so. I want to beat them. We want to beat them just as bad as they want to beat us. No emotions.”
(This game was supposed to be played in Kansas City. Would you have rather this happened at Arrowhead, meeting the Chiefs again?) – “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t really matter where we play at. Obviously it would’ve been great to play in KC, but it really doesn’t matter where we play at. They are going to get this work wherever though. Y’all can use that. Bulletin board material. (laughter)”
(When the trade went down, what was the first thing that went through your mind? Did it sink in then or did it take some time to sink in that you were leaving KC?) – “It took some time once I noticed that Andy (Reid) and Pat (Mahomes) weren’t going to call me back about a deal. (laughter) But besides that, yeah it took some time. Yeah, it definitely took some time.”
(WR Jaylen Waddle said yesterday that he is a Swiftie. Are you? And what do you think of that relationship for your boy Travis Kelce?) – “Nah, I’m not getting into that bro. That’s a dangerous crew. I’m not getting into that. No comment. It’s a dangerous crew. (laughter)”
(Your stats this season are incredible. Do you think you have a chance to win the MVP award?) – “No. Because we have a player on our team who is better than me and means more to the team. So, no. And his name is Alec Ingold. (laughter)”
(Congrats on one million on YouTube, but first I wanted to ask how do you stay focused on your gameplan and avoid distractions, especially when facing former teammates and dealing with the pressure of this 2,000-yard pace?) – “Well, how do we avoid distractions? Well, I feel like as a ball player, that’s a choice. Everything is your choice. Having the proper mindset each and every week and I’ve been having that this whole entire year trying to avoid everything I can. Whether that’s partying, doing things when I’m not supposed to be doing, not trying to help my career. So I’ve been avoiding a lot of things. Whenever it’s time to party, I recover now. Drinking, I’m drinking water now. Doing things like that. And with the teammates, I’ve been talking to my teammates. My boy ‘Meco’ (Mecole Hardman) called me the other day. I’m really excited to see him. Excited to see Pat (Mahomes), (Travis) Kelce, things like that. There’s going to be trash talk but it’s going to be fun though. It’s going to be like I want to see you do good but we’re going to bust your ass at the same time. It’s going to be one of those things, like backyard football with your brothers. (laughter)”
(I’m going to give you the opportunity to be the international spokesperson and salesperson for the Dolphins 305. Why should independent fans who don’t have a team yet in Germany or anywhere internationally support the Dolphins?) – “Why should international fans support the Miami Dolphins? I don’t know. (laughter) See if you would’ve told me this, I would’ve had an answer at practice. I don’t know. Because we are in Miami. (laughter) I don’t know, I’ve got to walk off on that one. (laughter)”
Durham Smythe – November 2, 2023
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
TE Durham Smythe
(I just wanted to check up on how you’re doing. Obviously, you missed practice on Wednesday, back today. How’s the ankle feeling and do you plan on being out there on Sunday?) – “It’s progressing. I’ve kind of prided myself on being a guy in my career who misses minimal games and things like that. I don’t handle missing practices and games very well. So, I’ll give it my all. It’s starting to progress, starting to feel better.”
(Do you know how to say ankle in German?) – “I sure don’t. I sure don’t.”
(Are you of German descent, by chance?) – “I don’t think a lot. I have done a 23andMe, and I’m pretty sure it showed up minimal in that regard. But there’s always the percentage where it says just European, so maybe there’s some in there.”
(WR Tyreek Hill, it’s a special week for him. What have you heard or seen from him this week?) – “Tyreek (Hill), he’s all business. He approaches every week the same. Obviously, there’s a connection there, everyone knows that. But the way he just approaches every game, there’s not going to be much of a change there and that’s kind of what we’ve seen from him. Obviously, he wants to win this game, but he wants to win every game. So he’s just going to be the professional that he is.”
(As far as the importance of blocking in your role as a tight end in this offense, how have you adapted to that, just being versatile?) – “I think it’s a really important role for a tight end in this offense in particular. I think a lot of the time, we’re at the point of attack, so that’s kind of pivotal to the run game in general. We all appreciate that role. We all enjoy it. Whether it’s the tight ends, fullbacks, it makes this offense fun, because we kind of do it in a variety of ways. It’s definitely a fun offense for a tight end and fullback to be in.”
(With this week, just knowing the high stakes and the importance of this game, what is your experience been here in Frankfurt, just for the experience and knowing that you all are playing for a potential first seed?) – “This is an awesome experience being over here, being able to play overseas in Germany. I think that’s awesome. But yeah, when you break it down and come to why we’re here, it’s a big game, it’s to win a big game. I think everyone is kind of approaching it in that way. There’s definitely a way where you can appreciate what we’re doing over here and enjoying the experience, but then also realizing that this is one of the biggest games of the year, a big game for us. It’s the next game for us, so it’s obviously the biggest. I think everyone’s kind of approaching in that regard.”
(Where do you think the role of the tight end is in this offense, not just from a blocking standpoint, but maybe getting more targets going your way?) – “One cool thing about this offense and how it’s structured is things change on a weekly basis depending on personnel on the other side of the ball, personnel on our side of the ball. So I think we’re always ready for games where we have more targets, and then when there’s games where we’re staying on third downs or being at the point of attack in the run game, we’re ready for that as well. Even though it might not be as consistent in terms of what our role is every week, that’s kind of what keeps it fun for us and we’re prepared for all those situations.”
(We asked you back when WR Chase Claypool first came to the Dolphins, because you’re familiar with him from Notre Dame. How have you seen him progress in this offense?) – “He’s really coming along. I said it from the beginning, he’s a smart guy, always has been. Obviously, he’s, from a physical standpoint, he’s huge and really fast so that helps. But he’s coming along well. I think he’s learning everything pretty quickly. As you can see, last week, he’s doing some really good things for us in the run game and with the reception that he had. So he’s a quick learner. It’s coming along and I think he’s doing really well so far.”
Alec Ingold – November 2, 2023
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
FB Alec Ingold
(What have your experiences been like in Germany? I saw in the team video you got some sightseeing in, sat at a nice restaurant that had some blankets to throw over your lap? What was that like?) – “We went to downtown Frankfurt, a handful of guys. I felt right at home, ordered some beer and some brats and had a great time. It was really cool to get around town, sightsee with the guys on that Tuesday. Coach (McDaniel) obviously got us down here early, just to experience Germany, right? And just getting in new uncomfortable situations with your teammates; I think that kind of brings everyone a little closer together. You get to learn together and I think that this is going to week that I think all of us are going to remember for a long time so doing our best to make it special.”
(WR Tyreek Hill says you’re the team MVP.) – “I don’t know, the MVP of what… (laughter)”
(Tyreek Hill: “At speeches”) – “At speeches? At morale? All right. That’s all I got, though. I don’t know about the catches or results or anything. (laughter)”
(So we know that Tyreek is fast and we know that he practices really hard.) – “Yes.”
(What about that element of his vibe, his self-confidence – can you fill me in some on how you have seen that affect the group?) – “I would say personally, I think Tyreek impacts me as a human being and as a football player because when I mess up on the field, I take that extremely personal. I am really upset. I can’t wait to watch it in film. I want a coach to yell at me and tell me to get better and I can’t wait to go out and do it again. And Tyreek is one of those guys where he is always so present that you kind of understand whatever happens, the result of the play; he’s going to let that roll off because he’s going to step up the next time and he’s going to be at the best version of himself that next time. So the way that you say his confidence, his vibes, his charisma; I think it’s just that ability to be mentally tough. I think that’s a skill in itself, too, and that’s something that I take from Tyreek now and I’m trying to learn and implement in my game because the speed and everything like that, he’s got that. I can’t add that to the game.”
(How do you handle the pressures and expectations that come with being a part of the top offenses in football?) – “When you talk about pressure or expectations, I think that’s all external. And internally, I feel like we’ve been working so hard before the spotlight was on us to create this positive momentum, to train ourselves to be ready and prepared for all of those high-pressure moments. But at the end of the day, pressure is that privilege and if you put yourself in that preparation phase for so long, for months from OTAs to camp till now; when you are getting the results, you’re so trained and you’re so disciplined that whatever the circumstance is – across the country, across the world – the circumstances really don’t impact you as much as you’d think. I think the momentum and the intentionality of everything we’re doing really has paid off and now it’s like, all right, how can we trust this process? How can we trust each other regardless of outcome? How can we continue to grow within our formula and continue to be the best versions of yourselves? So those internal expectations are so much different than external expectations and pressure really disperses amongst a lot of guys when you’re all kind of collective like that.”
(One question about the jet lag. I think you have a five-hour time difference to Miami. Do you think it’s better for you that the Kansas City Chiefs arrive tomorrow so you have better time of preparation here? How did you feel with it?) – “I’m still tired, man. So we’ve got the meetings over here. You got practice. I know personally I need my sleep so I’m taking as much time and effort into being the best sleeper I can be right now. So I’m sure those guys have their plan whatever that is and really don’t want to take too much energy or brainpower worrying about what other people are doing. I think it’s really diving into this time zone and being where my feet are at and giving myself the best version to my teammates so we’ve got the best chance we have of finding success this weekend.”
(I know that you guys often talk about how you’re process-oriented over results-oriented. Every game, it means the same, but is there any acknowledgement of the magnitude of this game against the Chiefs and what it means for your future ambitions? The fact that you guys are tied for the best record in the AFC, tiebreakers often play a big role. Is there an acknowledgement and understanding of what the ramifications can be of this game?) – “I think there’s some sort of understanding. We’re human beings, right? You can’t be robots that just only focus on the task at hand, but at the same time, the reason why. The goals and the mission are so big for this team and that’s so long-term. This is another really good measuring stick to prove to each other how bought in we are to the process and so I think whenever you talk about results or that it’s such a big game, I think it’s just an amazing opportunity to go against the best in the league. And I think that’s what we’re all here for. We’re all chasing to be in those games and to play meaningful snaps and make an impact. So to see guys succeed this Sunday, to have the plays that you go out and you practice, you go across the world and you travel together, I think it just brings everybody closer to really understand those circumstances and buy in for one another so that you’re sacrificing a little piece of yourself for the greater good of the team so that down the road we can continue to improve and be in these meaningful games week after week after week, December, January, February.”
Vic Fangio – November 2, 2023
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio
(First your thoughts on finally potentially having CB Jalen Ramsey and CB Xavien Howard opposite each other?) – “If we can get that done that would be good. That’s what we’ve been shooting for. We knew it was going to take a while with Jalen’s injury, but through Jalen’s fast recovery and beating the odds, it’s happening earlier.”
(You’ve had your share of matchups against the Chiefs, being in the division with them with the Broncos. How do you stop a tight end like Travis Kelce and could CB Jalen Ramsey potentially factor into that matchup?) – “He lines up all over the place so occasionally that could happen with him and Jalen. He’s tough, he’s a great tight end. He runs really good routes. Him and the quarterback have great karma together, especially as plays extend. He’s tough to stop totally there. He’s caught over 100 balls, how many years in a row? So really nobody’s figured that out.”
(I know you practice against the No. 1 offense on a day in and day out basis, but what does it mean facing the number four offense this week, especially in this historic game here in Germany?) – “Yeah, and we had the No. 2 in Philly a couple of weeks ago. Two vastly different offenses comparing ours to Kansas City so there’s not a lot of carryover in there. They’re obviously a very tough assignment. They’ve been great on offense the last five, six years, whenever (Patrick) Mahomes took over. It’s a tough assignment, but we’ve got some good players and hopefully we’ll be able to slow them down some.”
(How have you been able to keep the unit focused? I know this is an international game so I guess it’s a lot different from a normal game in the States, but how have you been able to keep the unit focused?) – “It really hasn’t been a problem. There’s not a whole lot to do over here otherwise so the guys are here focused to play a game and really nothing else.”
(I wanted to ask about defending Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. He’s one of those guys that kind of similar to like Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, you said doesn’t have a weakness. So what is the key to limiting Patrick Mahomes?) – “Just trying to keep him from having an unbelievable game. He’s always played well. And try and hopefully limit the improvised plays, where he starts scrambling around, making great throws on the run, guys getting open. Him pulling the ball down and running it himself for critical first downs. He’s really tough. You’ve got to defend the play they call in the huddle, which is hard enough, and then you have to defend the play that he creates after the first one breaks down a little bit.”
(What were your impressions of CB Jalen Ramsey’s debut? I mean, he said that he played more than what was the expectation, but could you even imagine the impact that he made in game one?) – “I thought he played good, obviously. He’s not back to where he wants to be or where he will be. But for that, for him to play in the game and luckily the game worked out in that there was a bunch of short series, three plays, four plays, five plays, which allowed him to play most of the game. He never totally got taxed with a long drive or having to cover a bunch of deep routes so that’s why we were able to leave him in there as long as we did.”
(I want to go back to defending Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Especially when those plays start to break down, how much control does a defense have in that situation? It almost feels like the longer he runs, the more likely it is he finds somebody.) – “True. We’ve got to try and keep him from running and hopefully we have a good pass rush and keep him hemmed in and not let him get out. That’s where he hurts you. Their line does a good job of pass protecting. He does a good job of finding seams in the rush to step up through or step up around, or to retreat and get around. He has the total package when it comes to scrambling and it’s tough.”
(Obviously Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes didn’t have the best game of his career last week against the Broncos. Watching that film back, did they do anything in particular to help contain him or is it just the rare occasion where he doesn’t play well?) – “It was a little bit of everything. They turned the ball over four times, a fifth time by fumbling a punt. So you’re never going to win many games turning it over five times. They had a couple dropped passes, he missed a throw. Denver ran the ball 40 times, before you know it, you’re in to the fourth quarter, you haven’t had it much.”
(To follow up on CB Jalen Ramsey, could you envision yourself moving him around or just having him stay on his side and whoever lines up in front of him is who he’s covering?) – “Yeah, I think at some point, possibly this game, but at some point we’ll start moving him around. I think it’s important that he gets his legs underneath him and feels comfortable out there.”
(And sticking in the secondary, what’s the impact of having S Jevon Holland back?) – “Big. Jevon is the quarterback of the secondary, besides being a great player himself, so it’s big to have him back.”
(What do you think about playing in Germany and think about playing in Frankfurt?) – “It’s just another game for us. We flew in here, got on a bus, went to the hotel and I’ve been at the hotel or here practicing. So it’s just a normal week for us.”
(You mentioned that it’s hard to sack Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. The Dolphins are among the league leaders in hurries, pressures, hits, sacks. So what are some things that you would like LB Jaelan Phillips and LB Bradley Chubb and the other pressure guys to keep in mind, specifically on Sunday?) – “It’s important when you play a quarterback like this that you rush as a unit and not as individuals. Whether you’re rushing four or rushing five or rushing three, you all have to fit together and not create big seams.”
(Last week you mentioned that LB David Long Jr. has been playing a lot better on the defense, inside linebacker. What are some of the specific things he’s doing?) – “I think he’s just doing a better job of being where he’s supposed to be more consistently, and that’s allowing him, as you’ve noticed, to make more plays. He’s done a good job of improving incrementally week by week and hopefully that will continue.”
Frank Smith – November 2, 2023
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith
(I know a couple weeks ago we spoke about your German ancestry and whatnot. What’s your experience been like being in Frankfurt this week?) – “It’s been great. Unfortunately we haven’t had much time outside of the hotel, but my great grandma was born here. She moved to America from Stuttgart so my first trip internationally with my dad was to Germany to Düsseldorf. So it’s awesome. Can’t wait until Friday afternoon and actually get out of the hotel area, but the whole week here has been awesome. Really looking forward to the game.”
(Not a lot of schnitzel or anything like that for you yet?) – “Not until Friday. Friday is business as usual.”
(I wanted to ask about the Chiefs defense. It seems like under Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, they’ve always been a pretty good defense. Maybe they’ve turned it up this year. What has stuck out to you about that unit?) – “It seems they’re playing very well together. Ultimately, the last couple years there they’ve had a lot of success. The players they got, they seem to have a very good understanding of the system, communicating together, working together well. It will be a tough challenge for us this Sunday and we’re really looking forward to it.”
(Obviously this is WR Tyreek Hill’s first game against the Chiefs since he was traded. He’s done a lot over the course of his career, but just the stuff that he’s done since he’s been in Miami has been even more impressive. What has stood out to you most about Tyreek and his time here?) – “Just his work ethic and how competitive he is. Every day his commitment towards maximizing his time and just being the best player, the best he can be. Seeing him all those years in the division and just hoping he wasn’t going to have a day, it’s just awesome to be on the same side of the ball for the last two years.”
(I know you are the offensive coordinator for the No. 1 offense in the league, but how do you approach player development and getting the best out of your offensive players?) – “I think the process begins at the beginning of the offseason. Just as far as how we implement things, how we train the team, how we go about just our day-to-day. So when you lay the foundation back in April when it starts, it allows for this time of year, guys really understand the expectations, understand what is necessary. It really always begins with like everything, whenever you’re teaching a class, teaching anything, you’re trying to build something. It’s all about a foundation. If you have a weak foundation to a structure, it will crumble. Same thing if you have a weak foundation to your education, you’re not really mastering the subject matter. So I think the one thing we pride ourselves on here is our process and how we began and how we teach and its growth all the way through as we’re going along.”
(Between this year and last year, at what point do you think the game slowed down for QB Tua Tagovailoa so he can excel at this high rate that he’s been doing so far?) – “The way he sees the game is really one of his gifts. So ultimately, he’s grown within the system and within what we’re trying to do here with everyone. You just see him really taking things and his understanding, his communication, and everything and it just keeps growing and growing and growing. Ultimately, the challenge is each week is trying to improve on what you did last week. Between whether it’s Tua or the whole composite of the whole offense, it’s just the approach everyone has. It’s great when you’re quarterback has the mindset of everyday to attack and make the best of it.”
(What do you expect from the atmosphere on Sunday here in Frankfurt?) – “I don’t know. Doing two London games, the atmosphere was fantastic. So here with it being the first game in Frankfurt, I imagine it will be very much similar to a playoff game in America. Looking forward to the energy and seeing what it’s going to be like. Playing these games have really been an awesome experience for all of us being able to be apart of it. So we’re really looking forward to it and enjoying it.”
(Given your family history, how important is it for you to be a part of history here this weekend? First game in Frankfurt. Also the importance to you the league is expanding in the way that is has?) – “I think it’s fantastic. I think when the schedule got announced, I think my dad bought tickets – or I shouldn’t say he bought tickets, he requested me to get him tickets to the game probably immediately. I just think it’s great. I’ve been traveling to Germany since I was 11 or 12, and my dad has done business over here for the last 20 years or probably more than that, but I think it’s great. It’s a fantastic country. Everyone loves sports. American football has obviously been a sport that everyone’s enjoyed. To be apart of the first game, for me, I couldn’t be happier for us to play here.”
(On the o-line, a lot of moving parts. How are you managing all that this week? Whether to activate T Terron Armstead? You have OL Robert Hunt in question, his status and OL Connor Williams too?) – “A lot of variables, but I think it ultimately goes back to when we talk about in the offseason how we train the group and try to have versatility and have guys who will flex between positions. As we bring guys back or work between variables, those are all contingency things that we work on through the whole offseason. We’ll see how the week plays out and we’ll play the guys that can best help us win.”
(I wanted to ask about the running backs real quick. Does RB Raheem Mostert look comparable at this point to where he was last weekend? Do you envision yourself continuing to get RB Jeff Wilson Jr. a few more touches?) – “Yeah, just like all the guys this week with the travel, it’s just a little different week for us. Ultimately, as we get ready for the game, our processes will get going. The guys who are ready to play and ready to contribute are the ones who you’ll see on the field.”
(Are you getting used to the time change?) – “Forcibly, yes.”
(WR Chase Claypool’s snap count continues to rise since he’s been active on game day. How much have you noticed him grasping not just the playbooks, but the blocking. I don’t want to be subtle. We heard WR Jaylen Waddle say yesterday in order to play for this team you’re going to have to bock. It was a popular criticism against Chase coming into this trade. How have you noticed him embarrassing the nuances of playing offense for the Dolphins?) – “Chase is just like many guys that I’ve been fortunate enough to coach throughout the years. We’ve really enjoyed his want to know why. Why are we doing this? How can he help be the teammate he wants to be here. How can he contribute to the offense? And like Jaylen said, we block. That’s the one thing at the wide receiver position, your willingness to block and help your teammates get the ball on the perimeter, and I think ultimately with Chase since he’s gotten here, he’s finding his growth within the offense and understanding it. That piece of understanding how our system works and where he can fit is one thing he’s really taken a strong control of. Just how he approaches himself everyday at practice, questions he asks are very specific and you can tell he’s dialed in on everything. So far, it’s been awesome and we’re looking forward to continue the growth the rest of the year.”
(The thing you said at the beginning, the wanting to know why. When a player wants to know the why and not just the what, what does that tell you when a player wants to understand the why and just the assignment itself?) – “When you’re reading a book and you just read it, it’s like anything. When you do a task and you just do it to accomplish it, maybe you can execute it or not, but the more comprehensive knowledge you have on the subject, it makes you know all the variables that could occur. So you’re really investing into that one moment and all the things that can occur. So you’re knowing the why. Why am I doing this? And then when you can paint the picture so they get, okay you’re this piece of an 11-person puzzle that’s going against another 11 people, that allows you to be able to say okay, if this, this, and this – you’re going through your checklist of things that can occur. It just shows a guy who has a real understanding of the complexity of every offensive play and he wants to know so he can help and contribute to help us win.”
(I know before you got to Miami, you coached several seasons with other AFC West teams. Even though you didn’t coach against him, what are your impressions, what do you think of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes?) – “He’s one of the best at his position. You’re flashing me back to a lot of bad moments. But also, at the same time, when you’re a competitor, you always want to face the best. That’s one thing that he’s been able to do. He plays at a high level and they’ve done a great job with their program and we’re really looking forward to the opportunity to do it here in Frankfurt against them.”
(I wanted to ask about the left guard position. I think last game, OL Lester Cotton started and then you started rotating OL Rob Jones before Rob Hunt went down. I was curious, what was the thought process behind that? If Rob Hunt is able to play, is that still something that is on the table for this weekend?) – “As we evaluate each game and all the options that are going to help us win, there’s maybe different variables, different things that would occur that we’re working through for various reasons. When we put guys out, when we don’t, the consistency of positions, we kind of have thought about that during the week and what’s best for each guy. When it comes to all positions, whether it’s the o-line, wide receiver, running back, we’re always trying to make sure that we’re putting ourselves in the best position to get the result we want. We weigh all things during the week to make sure we have the right options on Sunday.”
Danny Crossman – November 2, 2023
Thursday, November 2, 2023
Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman
(You spent some time in your career in London. How does Frankfurt compare with what you’ve seen?) – “Well, it’s funny. The very first game in World League history was the London Monarchs at the Frankfurt Galaxy. It’s been many, many moons, but yeah, I have played a game here in Frankfurt.
(Small sample, but CB Nik Needham did get a couple of plays in. What were your thoughts on his performance in the punt coverage and punt return units?) – “Yeah, punt return specifically. Happy with Nik. He’s been a very good player for us for a long time and happy to have him back and looking forward to his participation growing I’m sure both defensively and in the kicking game.”
(When we visited in London, you spoke to me about how the people in Europe, many of them seem to appreciate the kicking game. Can you tell us, when I say that, what comes to my mind?) – “I think that foot meeting ball, as we get ready to practice here at the Frankfurt soccer stadium, something they’re familiar with. I think that’s the common ground that they share. But as you’ve seen this game grow over the last 30 years here in Europe, obviously they’re very knowledgeable, very passionate about what the National Football League and what football is and I’m sure they’re excited for this weekend.”
(WR Braxton Berrios seems to have been making much more of an impact as a returner over the past few weeks. What are your thoughts on his performance and are you comfortable with how he’s grown in your unit?) – “Yeah, very happy with Braxton. We were excited when we were able to add him to our roster last spring. He’s been a very good player, very good returner in his career. So we were happy to add that. It was something that we felt that we were lacking, and I think the more opportunities he gets, I think the more you’ll see the highly productive player that we believe he is and was before and will be again. Very happy with where he is and anxious to watch him continue to grow.”
(I know you guys do a lot of research about the stadiums you’re about to play in. Which way does the wind go, and all those sorts of things. How much research can you obtain or have you obtained for this stadium?) – “We’ve done as much as we can from afar. There’s limited things that we can look at to correlate to how it’s going to pertain to us. We’ll go look at the stadium Saturday morning and get a better feel from it, but we can’t control it. It’s going to be what it’s going to be, and we’ll have to adapt as the game progresses when we realize what it does if there are any certain patterns that we have to work around or play to.”
(What do you remember about that first game in Frankfurt? The atmosphere?) – “It was very different from what I was accustomed to. It wasn’t college football, the pageantry of college football. It wasn’t the National Football League. It was a party. There were fireworks and all kinds of stuff going into pregame. Then once the game started, I remember the first two points in World League history, we gave up a safety. We ran a trap from the 2-yard line. So first points in World League history were a safety. Hopefully we don’t have one of those tomorrow. My whole time in Europe playing, especially in the European stadiums, it was fabulous. The fans are just so passionate. The passion you see in Rugby and football and everything else, they brought it to American football and it was very fun.”
(Can I ask you more about the World League and your first impressions during your first game and then moving on from that a couple of decades later and how your impressions of how the NFL has grown internationally here in Germany and London?) – “I think it’s fabulous. It’s well-earned by these other countries that the NFL is reaching out to and traveling to and hopefully there’s more to come. From what we understand, there will be more to come. I think it’s just going to be a continually vomming process of spreading this game throughout the world. Fans when they see it in person, and that’s what you see, there’s going to be some guys and girls at the game this weekend that are going to find a player that they think is the greatest thing and follow them for who knows, the next five, 10 years and hopefully the Dolphins become somebody’s favorite team after this weekend.”
