Ryan Tannehill – September 27, 2016
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Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(On the importance of this game) – ”It’s a big game for us, obviously. Where we’re at in the season, we’re in the fourth game being 1-2, on the road, Thursday Night Football, a big stage – it’s going to be a fun game. It’s going to be a fun atmosphere. Thursday night games are always fun to play in, no matter where they’re at. We’re looking forward to the game.”
(On how the tight end role changes without TE Jordan Cameron) – “I don’t think it changes a whole lot. I think we’re comfortable with Dion (Sims) and what he brings to the table, as well as MarQueis (Gray) coming in as a second tight end. Obviously Jordan has some specific talents that we’re going to miss while he is out, but Dion has done a really nice job when he’s been in the game. He made some really big plays for us over the last two weeks. (He had) a big third down (conversion) last week (at New England) – a nice catch. And then the first play of overtime I think it was, or the second play of overtime (vs. Cleveland), when he made the nice catch and run. He’s had some big plays for us and we look forward to more of those.”
(On if he has full confidence in TE Dion Sims and how that has developed over the years) – “I’ve had confidence in Dion for a long time. He’s a heck of a football player. I like to think of him as our little secret because I don’t feel like people really know how good of a player Dion is and what he brings to the table. It’s going to be exciting for him, as well as the offense, to have him out there and see what he can do.”
(On S Reshad Jones saying the team matches up well with the Bengals and if he agrees with that given the recent success against them) – “I think I have a lot of respect for the defense. I don’t know much about their offense. I know they have some playmakers. On defense, they’re a good defense. They’re going to have a lot of different looks. (They are) very similar to our defense as far as the base defense and the pressures – the kind of exotic pressures – they bring. We’ve got a lot of reps against a defense like this and hopefully that will pay off on Thursday.”
(On if he has good memories of previous games against the Bengals) – “Yes, I remember winning up there a few years ago and then the Thursday night game here (in 2013) is probably the most memorable. Just being Halloween night, I remember the orange flashers, the lights off in pregame and then the walk-off sack (by DE Cameron Wake) to end it was pretty unique and something I’ll never forget.”
(On TE MarQueis Gray’s versatility and what he brings to the offense) – “He’s an athletic guy. We’ve brought him into the game in three tight end sets before but having him in two tight end sets, we’ll use him much like we do Dion. I think they’re kind of similar as far as they can block really well but can also get out and affect the pass game.”
(On if Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph’s familiarity with the Bengals personnel helps on a short week) – “Not really a whole lot. Obviously, he knows those guys, but you kind of have to trust what you see on tape. Expect what you see on tape and make the adjustments accordingly with how things go throughout the game.”
(On the pass protection over the past two weeks) – “It has been good. Obviously we have some things to clean up, especially this last game and the mistakes that we had. But I think it’s heading in the right direction. I think the guys are coming together. We’re going to have to battle through some injuries this week and guys stepping up and filling in for us. But I think we’re headed in the right direction. We just have to keep building on the good things that we’ve done and correct the things we haven’t done well.”
(On what he saw when he went back and watched the Browns game) – “It’s always better than you think it was or not as bad as you think it was, however you want to look at it. There were good things. I think our run game really did some good things. Dion (Sims) blocked really well, getting the edge for us and we had some good outside runs. We did have some explosive plays. You see DeVante (Parker) with a nice catch down the field, Jarvis (Landry) with a nice catch and run for a touchdown. Some big plays were made. There were good things in there; we just have to be more consistent in the details of what we’re doing.”
(On if it is fair to say the team needs to play better on Thursday than it did vs. Cleveland to get a win) – “Definitely. We didn’t play very well. We had a ton of MAs (missed assignments) across the board on offense. You can’t do that and expect to win, and expect to win consistently. Like I said, last week I’m not sure we deserved that win, but I’ll take it every day of the week. Moving forward, we have to be better, we have to be cleaner and not (have) nearly as many MAs.”
(On if this is the most chemistry he has had with his wide receivers during his career) – “Yes, we’re talented at the receiver position. No matter who is the primary target, I feel comfortable and excited about the opportunities that they get. They’re so versatile and the things that they bring to the table – Kenny (Stills) and his speed, DeVante (Parker) and his size and ball skills and then Jarvis (Landry) just being a football player. We have a really good combo of those three guys and are able to kind of highlight their strengths and matchups in order to help us out.”
(On if his chemistry is coming along with WR Kenny Stills, WR DeVante Parker and WR Jarvis Landry) – “Yes, it’s great. I feel 100 percent comfortable with where we’re at with chemistry right now.”
(On why his numbers are so much better in the second half than the first half of the first three games) – “We haven’t played well in the first half. I think that’s plain to see. It doesn’t take any long division to figure that out. We just have to come out and execute. I think it all just comes down to execution of the total offense – just being on the same page, doing the right things and being in the right spot.”
(On if the short passing game is an extension of the running game) – “Yes, I think so. You look at the bubble screens and the quick throws, they are an extension of the run game. We look to get 4 yards a pop on those. Anything over that is a bonus. You just want to be efficient. I think we had over 100 yards rushing last game and that’s a good place to be in. If you’re getting over 100 yards a game then you’re going to be in a good spot. We just have to keep building off what we did last week.”
(On WR DeVante Parker and WR Kenny Stills having a lower percentage catch rate than WR Jarvis Landry) – “A lot of things go into that – whether it’s the play call, the protection, the throw, the route. It all plays a factor. We just have to, as an offense, work together as a group, all be on the same page and execute to get the ball in the right spot.”
