Ryan Tannehill – August 29, 2016
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Monday, August 29, 2016
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(On the different routes receivers are running this season) – “It’s definitely part of our game plan. We have a lot of quick game; we want to get the ball out of the QB’s hands. And then we want to be able to take advantage of shots downfield when we get that opportunity. It’s something we’re working (on) right now, especially as we start the season – getting close to it. We haven’t worked a whole lot on those double moves and down the field big shots so we’re getting a little work in here before we start the season.”
(On the red zone offense looking different to the naked eye this year) – “Yes, (they are) different concepts – some things that I’ve never run before. (We’re) learning the plays throughout this process and we’re still putting new stuff in. (Head) Coach (Adam Gase) comes up with new thoughts all the time and we’ll put it in, in practice, and we’ll see what it looks like. Maybe one time (we run a play) and (we’ll) never run it again and maybe (it’s) a great play (that) we stick with and keep repping. We’re always experimenting, always trying to find an edge and another play to give us an advantage.”
(On if he feels more comfortable running the no-huddle than he does when huddling) – “I feel comfortable. I feel in charge of our offense now (and) in command of what we’re doing out there. I feel like I have a good handle on what we’re trying to accomplish and what we’re doing. It’s fun. It’s fun to get out there and get up to the line, get our guys in the right spots and keep the pressure on the defense.”
(On if he felt the defense was tired when they played Atlanta last week) – “Yes, you can definitely see just the number of plays starting to wear on guys. I think we had 46 plays or something like that in the first half. You add that to another second half and you’re going to be getting over 70, close to 80 plays in a game – possibly 90. Our conditioning level is extremely high. We want to push ourselves in practice and just keep the pressure on the defense, that way when we get into the second half of games, teams do start wearing down and we can get some big plays because of it.”
(On how much of this week has been about preparing for Seattle) – “Not a whole lot so far. We’re ones versus ones and just playing football. We’re looking at some new thoughts so (there) were a lot of new concepts today. (It was the) first time seeing it and going through it so it wasn’t as clean as we’d like it to be but that’s part of the process – just getting those reps and deciding what fits us.”
(On what went through his mind when he saw WR Kenny Stills go down with an injury in today’s practice) – “It was tough. I hope he’s alright; I haven’t gotten to speak with him yet. He’s a heck of a player for us and hopefully he’s back soon.”
(On San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick’s decision not to stand for the national anthem and what he would do if that happened on his team) – “There’s nothing you can do. That’s a guy’s right to take a stance how he sees fit. That’s his right as an American. Obviously some people agree with it and some people disagree with it – that’s just the way it is. He felt like that was his best way of taking a stand on things that are going on in America at this time. I’m not saying it is right or wrong but he felt like taking a stand and that’s what he did.”
(On his thoughts of the renovated Hard Rock Stadium) – “I haven’t seen it. You guys are going to see it before I see it so I’m excited to see it. We were going to see it today; we were going to practice down there, but (with) the rain, we had to move it back here. I’m excited to see it. I’m excited to play in it. From what I’ve seen and the guys that I’ve talked to that have been there said it’s really cool and should be a great venue.”
(On why he hasn’t been to the renovated Hard Rock Stadium yet since he’s the quarterback) – “I mean I could if I wanted to. (Laughter) Nothing has taken me down there.”
(On QB Zac Dysert) – “He’s progressed a lot. He’s really playing well right now. I saw a lot of great things out of him this past game. There was a big third down there that sticks out in my mind. It was third-and-9 I think, or third-and-10. He went through his progressions, stood in the pocket, stepped up and made a great throw. Another play, he moved a little bit to his right and found a guy. He’s really done a good job. He knows this offense; he’s been it, I guess, three years now. So he’s seen it, he knows what’s going on and he’s comfortable. He’s finally hitting a rhythm as far as his play goes so it’s fun to see.”
(On if QB Zac Dysert’s experience in this offense has been a resource to him) – “On a few things. I think him just having prior knowledge of some concepts, like ‘What did you call it?’ or signals or ‘How did you see it?’ so it’s been nice to have him around.”
(On how many times QB Brandon Doughty had to correct somebody about the pronunciation of his name) – “I asked him because I don’t know what I called him at first, but I don’t think it was right. (laughter) So I asked him, I was like, ‘How do you say your name?’ And he said ‘DOW-tee.’”
(On if he has been in QB Brandon Doughty’s ear at all) – “He’s a young guy. I just tell him to keep practicing, keep learning the offense and hang in there. He’s going to go through some bumps and bruises as he learns the offense and gets accustomed to not only the offense but the NFL and the speed of the game. He’s learning. He’s getting better and I think I’ve seen some flashes from the kid. It’s really exciting to see. He’s got some talent. Once he settles down and gets comfortable, he’ll be making plays for us.”
(On if it is weird to be referring to teammates as a ‘young guy’) – “It’s different. That’s life, I guess – life in the NFL. It’s fun. It’s fun to be a guy that’s been around and can help the younger guys.”
(On if it’s tough to sit around for two weeks before the regular season starts) – “It’s kind of nice because you get a little chance to let your body recoup before you start the season. I think as camp goes on, just the wear and tear of practicing every day and the preseason games, it’s kind of nice to have just a small reset. Obviously we’re still practicing and still getting better but (it’s nice to have) a small physical reset before you get kicked off on a long season.”
(On how much of the offense he has grasped now) – “I feel like the stuff that we have in, I have a great feel for and a great concept of what we’re trying to accomplish. I think the stuff we added today, I’m not 100 percent on commanding exactly every detail against every coverage; but the stuff that we’ve had in and practiced, I feel in complete control of.”
(On the biggest challenge of learning three offenses in five years) – “Just the changes, as far as how certain plays are read or adjustments you make. You might run a similar play and look at it three different ways in three different offenses. So it’s just re-framing your mind and how to look at that play, how to expect the ball to come out; because it’s a similar play but you might start on the other side of the field or start with the low guy instead of the high guy so you train yourself one way to see it and then flipping your brain to see it another way is probably the toughest thing.”
(On pulling the offense together and saying a few words and if that’s something he has been doing a lot of) – “I just said, ‘Hey guys, just hang in there.’ It’s one of those days where we had a lot of new stuff going in and we’re going against a defense and we’re not really in scout looks; we’re just playing football. Obviously it wasn’t as clean as we’d like it be; but like I said, we’re learning. We’re getting those first reps and we’ll see what sticks and we’ll get better from this tape.”
(On if he’s having more fun in this offense) – “Yes. It’s a fun offense to play in, especially being a quarterback, being able to get up on the line, make the changes at the line of scrimmage, keep the pressure on the defense, communicate at the line of scrimmage – it’s fun. It’s fun to feel like you’re always pushing the defense and keeping them on their heels.”
