SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR HEATH FARWELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2024
(On if special teams’ success on kickoff returns in the preseason indicates their
understanding of the new kickoff rule) “I hope that’s the case. We worked really, really hard
all offseason with studying, getting feedback from players, out there on the field just
actually doing trial-and-error type stuff. Then obviously, getting it into the preseason and
seeing what it looks like on a real game and real live, full-speed action. You get more tests
out of it and more knowledge to it. I’d say we did a pretty good job, what we could learn
from it. But I think the regular season is going to be completely different. Every team is
going to have a lot of wrinkles that they’ve held back, as well as us. I think it’s a great sign,
but it doesn’t mean any factors necessarily of where we’re headed come this week, really.”
(On whether the new kickoff presented any surprises to him) “I think it’s just it was so new
that nothing looks familiar to me, I guess would be the best way to say it. I think the
schemes are different. Some of the concepts are different. But it still goes back, we’re still
using the same techniques that we’ve always used. What we believe in as a philosophy on
kick return and kickoff, we’re still using those same terms and techniques. We’re still trying
to do a lot of the same stuff. Now, we have to tweak some different stuff with it, but for the
most part, it’s kind of what I thought. Like I said, we’re going to have a lot more tests coming
up in the next four weeks or so of things that I think I know. But there’s going to be some
unknowns, and how do we handle those things, and how do we adjust to those things,
because there’s a lot of unknowns. I’m looking across the league at teams’ kick returns and
even kickoff schemes. There are things I haven’t even shown them. So, we’re learning as we
go across the league, just like everybody else is doing. Everyone’s doing the exact same
thing. So, yeah, I think we’re going to learn so much every week.”
(On if he anticipates teams kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone on kickoffs)
“Yeah, and I think that’s a good possibility that happens. I think it depends on scheme,
philosophy as an organization. It also depends on returners. I like our returners. There’s a
good chance teams would be willing to do that. I hope that’s not the case. I’d love to cover
some kicks, I’d love to get the returns going as well. That’s the exciting part. That’s what we
want to see. That’s what the fans want to see. That’s what we want to coach. That’s what we
love to do. That’s why we’re here, so we’re hoping that’s not the case. I think because that
drive start is out there at the 28-yard line, teams potentially could do that.”
(On K Cam Little’s command of the kickoff with the new rules) “Great command for it. He
has great control; the ability to go, directionally, in both directions; as well as sprinkling
some of these other alternative kicks; as well as bomb them out the back of the endzone
on command pretty well. Talented leg strength, the ability to do all those different kicks,
and a very talented kicker that is a worker, that is willing to work at it and get better every
day. Those are the things he does all the time and very confident where he’s at.”
(On his excitement for Little’s first regular-season field goal) “Very excited. I think to see
that first one go through for him will be a good feeling for him. But the thing about Cam,
nothing wavers. It hasn’t since the moment we drafted him. The funny thing, you look back
at that preseason, the first kick we sent him out there is a 62-yarder. We didn’t even think
twice about it. We just said, ‘Yeah, go for it.’ He wanted it. Let’s see what it looks like. He
unfortunately missed it, but he hadn’t wavered since then. He hasn’t seen—we haven’t
seen any different from him. Confidence with him in himself is tremendous and we have
just as much or more in him. So again, nothing but—I’m excited to see him. I’m excited to
see him out there.”
(On if he’s started prepping for Miami) “Yes, I have.”
(On how Miami’s speed will be a factor in the return game) “Yeah, and we don’t know
exactly who they’re going to put back there. That’s part of the unknown of who they’re going
to put back there Week 1. They have so much speed at all positions. They’ll have good
returners back there—they always do and always will. So, we could see any of those guys,
to be honest with you. But they’re all good. [Dolphins WR] Braxton Berrios is on that roster,
and he’s been a Pro Bowler and All-Pro. They’ve got him, and they’ve got some of those
good receivers as well that potentially could be back there.”
(On evaluating Little’s comfort range in a game situation) “He has great leg strength, so I
mean, I think that those longer kicks of 62, 63 yards are possible. That’s a credit to him. I
think it’s also when you get down to those right-before-half situations where it’s essentially
a longer kick and you’re willing to do that, you could see some of those longer kicks. When
it’s a normal first-quarter field goal, you potentially are not going to send him out there for a
62-yarder. That’s just league wide. You’d obviously play a little more conservative and
probably punt that or go for it on fourth down.”
(On who will be playing coverage on returns in place of injured S Andrew Wingard and S
Daniel Thomas) “Yeah, I mean, losing Dewey was tough. We’re hoping to get him back
soon. I know he’s out for a bit, but he’s in all the meetings and super helpful as far as
leadership that he’s always brought. Daniel Thomas has been out as well. Daniel is a great
player for us. We are hoping he’s able to play this week. Hopefully, he’ll be able to practice
starting on Monday is hopefully the goal. We’ll see what that looks like next week. But filling
in, we have a bunch of good players. [WR] Tim Jones has been playing gunner. [CB] Jarrian
Jones has been really, really good. [S] Antonio Johnson is willing to play special teams.
Those guys, as much as they play on defense, we have a bunch of guys that have filled in,
even starters. I’ve got starters who wanted to play special teams for us. [S] Andre Cisco is
filling some of those roles. There’s a bunch of guys that are willing to help us, and especially
those starters.”
(On WR Tim Jones’s role on special teams) “We love Tim Jones. Tim Jones has been
fantastic. He’s super consistent, just is in the right place at all times. He’s tough, physical.
He’s a guy that you can match up really well. Because he’s so versatile, he can play gunner
outside, play in the vice, but also match a linebacker, because he’s 215 pounds on the
inside on punt return and kick return.”
(On if he had to lobby to keep Jones) “I think it was an organizational decision. They like him
on offense, he’s done a good job over there and he’s been fantastic for me. I think when
you’re putting the roster together, I think some of the decisions that special teams is a part
of it.”
(On Jones adjusting to a special teams role as a wide receiver) “I think that’s just him. He’s
a team-first guy. He’s willing to block on offense. He’s willing to catch the ball if they need
him to. But he’s probably fine blocking on offense and doing all that dirty work stuff for me
on special teams. That’s just the character he is. Again, lucky to have him. He’s a really
good player that’s a big part of what we’ve been doing the last three years. He’s a big part of
it.”
(On whom will be the primary punt returner) “I mean, [WR] Devin Duvernay’s a former All-
Pro. Parker [WR Parker Washington] has done a fantastic job for us, but Devin Duvernay is a
stud and he’s a great returner from going back to his Baltimore days, and that’s who we’ll
have back there.”
