Ted Karras – December 16, 2020
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
C Ted Karras
(You guys obviously played these guys Week 1. Did you learn anything I guess that you can bring over to this game or have you guys both evolved to the point where it’s hard?) – “I think it’s hard translating from Week 1. Obviously there’s still some of the cast of characters, but everyone’s been season-hardened now. We’re three months into the season. Everyone’s evolved, like you said, and put little nuances in. I already went back and watched that game, but I’m really more focused on what they’ve done the past six weeks and they’re probably doing the same for us.”
(I’m curious, when you signed with the Dolphins I’m sure – you can tell if I’m wrong – but the playing time was probably important and the opportunity; but where was playing in moments like this? Games with a ton on the line late in the season, was that a priority for you when you signed and if so, how do you think it played out?) – “I knew the Dolphins were on the rise. I knew we were going to have a pretty good team based on the guys that we signed before and we came in and worked hard and put ourselves in a position to play meaningful December games. This is a divisional opponent with a lot of parallels to us and it’s going to be a big-time battle Sunday afternoon in Hard Rock (Stadium) with a lot of stakes on the line.”
(I’m wondering about your take on this as a football fan with a distinctive perspective. What do you make of the Patriots being in this situation here in December, a game under .500 on the verge of elimination? How strange is it?) – “I only know a few things. I know that they’re working really hard. I know that they’re going to be prepared and they’re going to be tough, smart and physical and it’s our job here this week to prepare ourselves to outdo them in all of that. We have a lot of guys that know kind of how they’re working up there and we’ve tried to get it going down here. I think we had good start today on Wednesday, but it’s going to be a long week of preparation and then ultimately we’re going to have to play our best when it counts the most Sunday afternoon in Hard Rock Stadium.”
(I was wondering if I could get your observations on QB Tua Tagovailoa’s poise in the fourth quarter of this past game, specifically on that 12-play drive when he was playing with a lot of receivers who weren’t getting a big amount of snaps earlier in the season and you guys were still able to score there late in the game – that 12-play drive?) – “We made it a game at the end. I think that it was a tough, hard-fought game. Obviously we didn’t do enough to win, especially in the third quarter; but Tua really showed some great leadership, a lot of grit. I think the whole offense did. I think our whole team did, coming back and making it a game at the end. Obviously there’s a bunch of plays that I wish I could have back personally. I’m sure a lot of the guys feel the same way. But we’re working hard and now we’re onto New England here and getting ready to roll in the biggest game of the year.”
(I wanted to ask, what are some of the big differences do you think is going against your defense in practice versus the Patriots defense and how do you think QB Tua Tagovailoa would do against the Pats defense knowing that it’s kind of similar?) – “It’s pretty similar. Obviously there’s going to be some nuances. A lot of the structure may be the same, but they have a lot of really good players. So do we. I think that we’re both matched up pretty well against each other and we’re kind of in the same family of defenses at least, and we’ve had some preparation; but it’s all going to come down to in-game adjustments and how we prepare throughout the week and then when we get on the sideline after a drive – whether we score or not – making adjustments to see what they’ve declared they’re going to do in the game. So that’s where our focus is. I think it’s going to be a great game and we’re ready to roll.”
(I know you just got off the practice field, but there was a report over the last couple of hours that Frank Ragnow of the Lions played through a fractured throat last week. He fractured his throat in the first quarter and finished the game. Your reaction when you hear something like that?) – “I didn’t know you could fracture your throat. That seems pretty serious. I know Frank Ragnow is a really tough player. I’ve liked his film since he came in from Arkansas, I believe. He’s a good player. I don’t really know how to react to that. I didn’t know you could fracture your throat? Are you saying like broke his neck? Or he fractured his throat? Obviously he showed some toughness there, so I hope he’s okay and I hope there’s not any long-term effects for him. Good player.”
(Obviously since Bill Belichick arrived in New England, his track record against rookie quarterbacks has been sterling, to say the least. I’m curious why you might think that is and what’s your role this week and trying to help QB Tua Tagovailoa get prepared and get the offense kind of going against a defense that historically does so well against rookie quarterbacks?) – “My main job mostly every week is identifying the fronts and helping him identity the Mike (linebacker) point. Obviously as an o-line, we’re going to have to do our part in protection and the run game to make him feel comfortable. I think that Coach Belichick is obviously one of the greatest coaches to be around the league and he schemes it up really well and he knows his opponents and tries to exploit their weaknesses. We’re going in with a good plan. We feel confident with our game plan, but it’s on us as players to go execute.”
(One other question that’s not related to the upcoming game. As a veteran, the owners are meeting right now and trying to decide whether to go to 17 games. As a veteran on this team, you know how you feel right now. How would you feel about a 17-game season?) – “I always side with our NFLPA. I believe we voted yes on that, if I’m correct, based on the new CBA. My personal thoughts is – obviously I always side with the union – I don’t mind playing another game as long as we get compensated for it. That’s our job, but that’s out of my hands. I’m going to line up 16 games, 17 games, whatever you want to throw us out there, let’s play some football and we get to obviously have pretty nice salaries and play a very fun game – America’s game – so I’m very grateful for that opportunity. But again, whatever the union wants to go with. We have a great president in JC Tretter. I back him.”
