Ryan Tannehill – September 5, 2016
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Monday, September 5, 2016
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill
(On whether he believes in home field advantage and if Seattle has one) – “It’s a tough place to play. I obviously haven’t played there yet, but it has a reputation, and it’s for a reason. Some guys in the locker room played there, and they’ll tell you it’s one of the loudest places – if not the loudest in the league – you’ll play. We understand that going in there, it’s going to be a tough place to play, but we have to find a way to overcome that and find a way to win.”
(On what a quarterback has to do in loud environments) – “It makes communication tough. That’s where you see teams have issues; they’re not on the same page because the communication is tough. We have to be really on top of our game as far as communicating with each other, signaling to each other, talking, make sure we all get the call, and we’re all on the same page.”
(On how this season is different for him compared to years past) – “The biggest change has been, obviously, the coaching staff, the new offense and new pieces around me. (I am) excited for this year and the opportunity that’s in front of us.”
(On what excites him about the team) – “We have a ton of potential. I think we have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. We’re getting started on a new season, so right now, it’s all potential, and we have to find a way to come together as a team and win games.”
(On whether he likes the challenge of starting the season with two road games against 2015 playoff teams) – “Yes, it’s a good test for us. Obviously, (Seattle and New England are) two tough places to play, two good teams. It’ll be a test for us. We got to find a way to play well and come out with wins”
(On QB Russell Wilson) – “He has had a heck of a career so far. (He has) been to the Super Bowl twice and really played well. (I have) a ton of respect for him and his game.”
(On what he hopes to improve on this season) – “Really, you’re constantly trying to improve all areas – completion percentage, third down efficiency, red zone. If you play well on those downs, then you’re probably going to be in a good spot to score a lot of points. Those are the biggest downs you play.”
(On what about the offense will make it successful) – “We have a ton of things about this offense. We have great players that can win in one-on-one matchups and get open in zone. We have good running backs. We have good tight ends. We have good receivers. When you have that balance of talent across the board, you can really find places to get them the ball and let them work, get the ball in their hands and let them make plays.”
(On whether WR DeVante Parker missing time impacts their chemistry) – “It’s tough. You’d like to have the guy on the field. He’s a heck of a talent. He’s a really good athlete, and we’re better with him on the field. We want to get him healthy and get him on the field and keep him there.”
(On what areas he has improved on since last season) – “I don’t know. It’s not my job to figure that out. (I) keep my head down, keep working, keep finding ways to improve day in and day out.”
(On whether he is aware of players like CB Richard Sherman and CB Darrelle Revis and how it impacts a game) – “You’re aware. You study the tape. You know, whether it’s a cornerback, a safety, a linebacker, a defensive end. You’re aware of good players on their team just like they’re aware of our good players. You have to be crisp with your throws, you have to be crisp with your route running and pick your places where you want to attack. When you face really good players, you have to be conscious of that. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re never going that way, but when you do go that way, you have to be crisp, like I said, and accurate.”
(On teams trimming their rosters to 53 players) – “It’s a tough part of the business. You spend a lot of time in the locker room, on the practice field, off the field with these guys (and) you do build those relationships. It is tough when you see guys you spend a lot of time with go. It’s part of the business, and there’s really no way around it. It’s just one of those things you have to deal with.”
(On whether the team left early for San Francisco on a Thursday during his rookie season) – “I don’t believe so. We went Friday, so earlier than normal.”
(On the team leaving for Seattle on Thursday and whether it will make a difference) – “I have no idea. I’ve never done it before, so I can’t say. Obviously, the coaching staff and this organization feels like it’s the best opportunity for us to go out on a Thursday, so we’ll ride with it and hopefully it does pays off.”
(On leaving for games in London on Thursday the past two seasons) – “We went Thursday (for) both games. This will be kind of a similar situation.”
(On his emotions regarding the start of the season) – “I’m excited. I feel like it’s a huge opportunity in front of us this season – not just the opener, but the season as it goes on. I’m excited for this team – for this organization – to get a new start so to speak. These guys, I train with every day – practice with – I see a lot of talent, a lot of hard work that has gone (on) over the course of the last year. To see these guys go out and play, I want to see them succeed and play well.”
(On the chemistry of the offensive line) – “I feel like it has grown a lot since we first started. There has been some shuffling of guys – popping new guys in and out of there – but the unit has really grown no matter who’s in there. I feel like they’ve spent enough time together at this point that we’re going to be in a good spot. They’ve really come together (and) kept me clean. I don’t remember exactly how many pass attempts I had in the first half of (the third preseason game against) Atlanta, but it was a lot, and I didn’t really hit the ground much. That gives us a lot of confidence going into this game. Obviously, they (Seattle) have a really good front seven and are going to put some heat on the quarterback, so we have to be good, but I have a lot of confidence in our guys up front.”
(On what the team needs to do well to have success against Seattle) – “Be efficient, whether it’s the run game (or) pass game. (We have to) just constantly be moving the ball forward. If you get behind the chains there, they’re at an advantage. They have a good pass rush. They’re going to get to the quarterback and play their zone coverage behind it and keep you in front of the sticks. You really just have to be efficient, whether it’s run or pass (and) keep moving the ball forward.”
(On LB Bobby Wagner) – “He’s a heck of a player. Like you said, he can do everything. He’s a three-down player. He’s in the backfield on run plays and he can cover tight ends running down the field in the pass game. (I have) a ton of respect for him. He’s a good football player, and I’m going to have to play well to account for him.”
(On his first game with Head Coach Adam Gase) – “It’s huge. It’s, obviously, our first live action, so (I am) excited, excited to see it. We’ve grown together over the course of the last few months. He’s a fun coach to be around. He’s fun in the meetings, fun on the field, so (I am) really looking forward to it.”
