RB Raheem Mostert
(Does the team do you think feels snake-bitten at all, in terms of obviously bad luck with concussions which goes well beyond results and four losses in a row?) – “Yeah, the four losses is something that you can definitely control, but it’s just hasn’t gone our way. And with the team, in regards to how the bad luck has happened, it’s just the way of the game. We’ve just got to move on and try to find the next win, which is this week against the Patriots. So I know there’s a lot of playoff implications on what we have to do and everything like that, but we’ve just got to dial in on what we have to do in order to get a win this week.”
(Sunday was obviously a difficult game for you. Coming back with another chance on Sunday against the Patriots, does that make the fire burn even more for you?) – “Yeah, it does for me specifically because I know what I’m capable of. Last week wasn’t my best game, but it wasn’t a lot of guys’ best game last week. So I know I’m going to improve. I’m going to step up this week and do what I got to do. And I know the team is going to do that as well. So we’re not worried about it. We’ve just got to, like I said, dial it up the best way we can.”
(What are you seeing regard to the Patriots on film?) – “Their defense is good. I think they’re ranked, like, fifth in pass defense and overall they’re ranked in the top 10. So it’s going to be a challenge, but a challenge comes with great opportunity and that’s what we have right now is a great opportunity for the offense to get after it.”
(How important will it be to establish the run early in this game in order to kind of help QB Teddy Bridgewater in the offense, just get settled?) – “It’s very important. I feel like being a running back it’s always important at the beginning of the game. That’s just my mentality of being in this offense for a long time. But yeah, if we can establish the line of scrimmage and establish what we got going on and the plays, then we’ll be we’ll be fine. I pretty much say that every week, but more so this week.”
WR Jaylen Waddle
(How tough was it to hear the news about QB Tua Tagovailoa going through the concussion protocol again?) – “It’s tough, man. But he’s a competitor. He’s going to be around throughout the week helping us out and getting us ready for the game. But it’s definitely tough.”
(And your confidence with QB Teddy Bridgewater, obviously an experienced guy coming in?) – “Yeah, definitely. ‘Teddy B’ (Teddy Bridgewater) has been great for us the whole season. So he’ll come in and try to help us win.”
(WR Tyreek Hill mentioned that QB Teddy Bridgewater likes to make a lot of jokes in the huddle. Is that kind of how he calms everyone down in these situations?) – “Yeah, and ‘Teddy B’ (Teddy Bridgewater) is going to be himself out the huddle, in the huddle, just around. (He’s) a great leader. He’s an older veteran guy, so he’s kind of like the old head around.”
(As a professional football player, how much are concussions on your mind? How much do you worry about concussions and the fact that it’s always a possibility?) – “Yeah, man, it’s a violent game. It kind of comes with the game though. It’s something that we’ve got to deal with long term, but that’s – sadly, it’s part of our game. It’s physical. We’re going to war each and every week. Concussions are definitely something serious, but it’s a part of the game.”
(Have you gotten to talk to QB Tua Tagovailoa? How is he doing?) – “Yeah, ‘Uce’ (Tua Tagovailoa) is doing good. He’s in good spirits around, being himself, helping us. He’s going to help us throughout the week, get our minds right and just trying to move on and try to go out there and compete.”
QB Teddy Bridgewater
(Opening Statement) – “What’s going on guys? Happy holidays. I’m excited to get an opportunity to play some football, some meaningful football. I’m looking forward to this weekend, getting out there and competing.”
(Have you had much conversation with QB Tua Tagovailoa and how would you describe it?) – “No, I haven’t.”
(How tough is it to see QB Tua Tagovailoa go through this again?) – “It’s very tough.”
(How much are you looking forward to get a week of reps? Obviously the Jets game didn’t go the way you wanted. How are you looking forward to it?) – “I’m excited, man. Football still means something to the guys in this locker room and the guys that are going out there Sunday. For the guys that are giving it their all, it means a lot. I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
(We know you missed about five games with a knee injury. How are you feeling there? And how did it impact you over the past month or so?) – “I’m cool. One day at a time still. Looking forward to this opportunity we have to get into the tournament.”
(How weird was that first Jets game for you and given what happened, how strange is it…) – “It’s very weird but it happens. Things happen throughout the course of a football game. You’ve just got to keep your head down and keep rolling.”
(On a human level, I’m sure your heart breaks for what QB Tua Tagovailoa is going through.) – “Yeah, definitely.”
(I know you only got one play in your last start. You’re in here starting for your hometown. How eager are you to play the whole game this time?) – “Just looking forward to it. That’s all I would say.”
(You went in against the Vikings. Were there some things you picked up from that experience – chemistry, timing with the receivers, etc.?) – “Yeah. Every time you go out there, it’s an opportunity just to learn different things about your teammates and yourself. That’s pretty much it. We practice throughout the week. We throw routes on air. You get a good feel for the guys. You just want to apply it to the games.”
(There was a play going around social media where we think QB Tua Tagovailoa suffered his concussion. Did you notice anything different about him on the sideline in the second half?) – “Throughout the course of the game, emotions are high and flaring. Your competitive juices set in and you want to continue to fight through whatever you’re going through. So I didn’t notice anything.”
(Sunday obviously is a big game for this team. You’ve been in the league a long time. You’ve been in big games before. How does that experience help you?) – “It’s going to help a lot. It’s just going to help a lot.”
(Is it kind of wild how the NFL works out sometimes?) – “Yeah, it’s very wild. You just have to respect the game. If you respect the game, the game rewards you. That’s all. I had a good talk this morning with my good friend Steve and Ray – Stevie Wonder and Ray Charles. They can see what’s going on.”
(I know you had your own concussion previously. Is there anything that you would or have said to QB Tua Tagovailoa now that he’s dealing with it again?) – “You just have to take care of yourself. That’s pretty much it.”
(Is there anything you say to the team? I know there’s probably an emotional period with the team hurting … is there anything you tell them?) – “Yeah, we’ve just got to go in and compete for one another. It’s an opportunity to go out there for guys like Tyreek (Hill), Melvin (Ingram), Xavien (Howard), Mike (Gesicki), (Zach) Sieler, Jevon Holland. Guys who this game means something to. I get an opportunity to go out there with them Sunday. I’m looking forward to it.”
WR Tyreek Hill
(Teddy Bridgewater’s last game was against Minnesota, even though you guys didn’t win, in the fourth quarter alone, he passed for more than 200 yards. I was wondering, how would you describe the rhythm that you guys got into?) – “Every quarterback is different. Every quarterback is going to bring his own swagger into the huddle. And I feel like when Teddy steps into the huddle, there’s like a different mindset for us all. We understand Tua (Tagovailoa) has his things that he does very well. And then Teddy, he has the same thing. He has the same certain package of things that he can do very well as well. When he stepped in for us, in the fourth quarter against the Vikings and came in and balled out, we needed that as a team. Teddy’s a guy who has been in his league for a long time and he understands and he knows what it takes to get the job done to win games.”
(You mentioned what QB Teddy Bridgewater has that he does well. What are some of the things you see that Teddy does the best?) – “Oh, he’s very funny. I feel like when Teddy steps in the huddle, my first reaction every time I see him is like, ‘Bro, he’s about to say a joke and I’m going to laugh.’ (laughter) But for Teddy, he obviously can throw the deep ball very well. He’s very accurate. Timing is very good. Good footwork. Good mechanics. Typical quarterback stuff. Like I said, he’s been doing it for a long time and he was able to play with us during the season, and he’s been here since training camp. So the chemistry is there with all the guys. So if it’s Teddy or if it’s Skylar (Thompson) – I don’t know who it is, but I’m just looking forward to playing with the guys.”
(What was your reaction when you heard that QB Tua Tagovailoa had a concussion and would be out for a bit?) – “Well, I kind of heard the news late. And I’m going to say this – as a person, I don’t want anybody to ever experience anything like that because it sucks. I’ve never had a concussion in my life. So I mean, I don’t know how Tua is feeling. I can’t sit here and say how he’s feeling. But as a player, I was able to play for I feel like one of the greatest head coaches of all time, and his mindset is always next man up. That’s Andy Reid. It doesn’t matter who went down – myself or whoever went down. It’s always next man up. That’s why we got GMs to bring in some of the best talent in the league. They got a job and we got a job.”
(From the outside, this kind of feels like a team that’s teetering a little bit with four losses in a row. Internally, what’s the vibe? And how are you as a leader making sure this thing doesn’t fall apart?) – “The vibe is good. Everything’s good, man. I just feel like we just got to continue doing what we’re doing and just finish games. Leaders got to lead, leaders got to make plays. So all the guys you see with that big C on their chest, we just got to make a few more big plays for this team.”
(You mentioned leaders. Obviously losing QB Tua Tagovailoa, he’s one of those guys. Does anybody have to say anything this week to get guys back up after maybe what was down for a day hearing that news?) – “Not really. We’re all grown. We already know what we got to do, which is make plays and just win football games. The NFL (is) tough. It doesn’t matter who you play. It doesn’t matter what the record shows on a team. It doesn’t matter. Because at the end of the day, you’re going against professional athletes who get paid just like you get paid.”
(With everything you said about QB Teddy Bridgewater, can you express the confidence level you have in him as you go into this stretch that will determine whether you get into the playoffs or not?) – “You remember my comment from earlier when I said I can put up numbers with anybody? That still stands. That comment still stands. (laughter) But yeah, like I aid, all of the guys got chemistry with Teddy. He just brings that veteran presence that we all kind of need. I even need it sometimes. Just to have another guy in the huddle giving me confidence, giving us confidence. Just having Teddy is going to be fine. Or just having Skylar (Thompson). I don’t know.”
Head Coach Mike McDaniel
(Is QB Tua Tagovailoa in the building today and has he been ruled out for Sunday?) – “In regards to Tua (Tagovailoa), I’ve been advised by medical professionals that it’s critical that Tua worries only about the day that he’s currently in and nothing else. He is in the building, but beyond that, as medical professionals will tell you, any added pressure, any added sort of – anything beyond that day does not behoove the process at all so I’ll take that very serious and worry about his health first and foremost and take the advice of the medical professionals.”
(How’s QB Tua Tagovailoa feeling?) – “He’s better than yesterday. Beyond that, I feel like it’s kind of weird to extrapolate beyond ‘good,’ which is what he tells me.”
(So QB Tua Tagovailoa did suffer a concussion?) – “He did.”
(Do we know what stage of the protocol QB Tua Tagovailoa is in right now?) – “No, I’m not even really worried about any of that. Again, in moments like this, you lean on medical professionals and I stopped even thinking about anything but each day and when it was clear and obvious that is the best thing for him. So the stage, all that stuff, it’s just a day at a time.”
(At this point, is QB Teddy Bridgewater the starter for Sunday?) – “The whole idea of taking it day to day is kind of rough on coaches who have to plan for a bunch of people, so the approach that I’m unequivocally taking, today I was on the phone, I met with him yesterday – I met with Teddy (Bridgewater) yesterday; I was exchanging ideas and talking through some stuff all the way till like 10:15 last night. Then it was his bedtime. And so moving forward today and the whole team’s approach is Teddy Bridgewater is the starter. This is why we thought it so vital to go after him in free agency. This is why he’s done such a diligent job during the course of the season with his own injuries and such to be prepared for this opportunity. And I know the team is very excited. I feel very fortunate to have him and for him to get his opportunity that he’s totally prepared for.”
(Has QB Tua Tagovailoa already visited with or scheduled to visit with one or multiple – I know last time he visited multiple concussion specialists?) – “They’re treating it with prioritizing his health more than anything. Beyond that, I’m not sure if it’s really my business to go into his day to day. Just honestly, it’s science. You don’t want to – this is a private time for him to focus on his health and that’s all I really want to get into.”
(Whenever the time comes that QB Tua Tagovailoa clears concussion protocol and doctors say that they’re comfortable, can you foresee a scenario where you might add an extra layer of caution, either hold him out an extra week or shut him down for the season?) – “Again, I think for me to speak totally outside the lines of stuff that’s for medical professionals and Tua (Tagovailoa) himself, I think that’s a layer of pressure either way. I don’t pretend to know what that feels like to adhere to somebody else’s expectations in some way, shape or form. I’m just worried about his health on a day-to-day basis and will take that step, whatever step that is next, whatever that next step is. But beyond that, I would feel irresponsible to go even think about if or what or whatever. That’s taking a lot of non-expertise in my own hands.”
(Before back in October, QB Tua Tagovailoa went through all those battery of tests and they said that there’s no long-term risk. Will you need to hear those words? “There is no long term risk” for him to see the field again?) – “Yeah, this is a human being that I’m – very, very much like all players, I’ll do what the medical experts advise me to do and I’m quite certain they’re not going to advise me in the wrong direction when it has to do with his health in regards to that. But that’s again, something that I’m not even going to go in direct conflict with what the doctors have told me to do, which is just to worry about one day at a time and not project any sort of absolute to have him get information secondhand of whatever thing that this is just a day-at-a-time process that his health is the first, foremost and only priority.”
(Were you able to pinpoint when exactly QB Tua Tagovailoa sustained that concussion on Sunday?) – “The day after the game – it was on Monday – there was some, upon reviewing the film, we had some questions. Kind of feel like we had an idea that there was, ‘Hey, did something happen to this portion of the game?’ We questioned him. Once we got really – we continued to question him – and once we get some information back, we’re like, you need to go see the see the doctor. So to say with absolute certainty that it was this, that or otherwise; it was just there were some things that caused us to really prod and as a result, we felt like he needed to see medical professionals.”
(Were the things that caused you to prod stuff on the tape or was he behaving in a way on Monday, showing any symptoms to you in your meetings with him or with anyone else that caused you to say “you should see a doctor?”) – “This specifically had to do with consistencies of things that I study daily on tape, which provoked some direct questioning with a high degree of concern.”
(You and QB Tua Tagovailoa are very close off the field. For you as a person, as a friend, as a coach to him, what’s it like just seeing him have to go through this?) – “Terrible.”
(I want to ask about QB Teddy Bridgewater. How has he done when given the opportunity to play this year? What are some things that he can be better at?) – “I think the season, as the journey has gone for the team, has given us some definitely moments of adversity and turmoil. One of the – our whole team was very excited for Teddy (Bridgewater) the Jets week, and then first play of the game, we all know what happened. So I think with regard to in professional football, at the quarterback position, there’s two ways you can go with it as a starter for a game when you have the entire week to prepare. One way, the pressure gets to you and sometimes, it makes you worse. That’s not Teddy. Teddy thrives on those moments and really was – I know the team has seen exactly what he was prepared to do that particular game when given the entire week to prep. And I think that it is a big deal for guys that enjoy the moment, enjoy the camaraderie, enjoy the leadership, enjoy everything about being a starting quarterback. I’m happy for him to get the opportunity to fully prepare for a game that the team needs him for. So we’re very fortunate to have him and excited for his opportunity.”
(A question about the shock value and trauma to the team regarding QB Tua Tagovailoa. You just said it was terrible for you personally. The team, how do they stay focused on a game when one of their best players, one of their most popular players, most loved players, is dealing with something more serious than an on-field football injury?) – “It’s hard to – you’re talking about the opinions of an entire locker, that’s a lot of people. I think overall, there’s so much investment within this season. They chose to have the ambition, the drive, and it was because of them, all their collective work, that we were able to be in a fortunate situation of having seven wins at the bye (week). There’s way too much investment for – and then going through the month of December where the only silver lining is there was no shortchange of investment by the whole team. If you’re going to lose four straight, you want it to be in those type of terms that you’re going all in and then trying to learn from each and every game without blinking – much, much easier said than done. It’s one of the reasons that it’s so difficult is the emotional investment. I think these guys, because of that, have a team that’s playing against them. Everything that we’ve set out to do is right in front of us. And I can tell you one thing, the New England Patriots don’t care about our feelings. They’re very aware about that. I see a very focused and determined group that recognizes the opportunity within the adversity.”
(I just want to get clarity and I apologize if this is redundant for you, but you said you saw inconsistencies on Monday. Was that when you watched the tape or when you watched the tape with QB Tua Tagovailoa and his reaction to watching the tape?) – “No, it was when we were watching it the morning of, before he came in.”
(Anything on any other note you can update us with regard to LB Bradley Chubb and FB Alec Ingold and their availability this week?) – “I was depending on you (to ask that). I thought you were slipping. (laughter) There’s some question marks as big as there’s been all season, because some guys had some legitimate dings. There’s some casts involved in those two particular individuals as well as some other stuff that there are a lot of guys that are really going to be – we’ll be finding out later in the week. They all know how important it is. All the people really involved are some of the guys that we count on the most, and they feel that responsibility. They will do everything they can, but at the same time, there’s only so much you can control. I do know for a fact that the people in question, I won’t have to question anything about the process to get to gameday. But we will be left with some question marks that we’ve had – I guess it’s fortunate we’ve had a lot of injuries this year. So I don’t see guys really – it’d be different if we were going against a division opponent in January and it was like, ‘Oh wow, how do we win with injuries?’ We’ve been down this road and have had these reps. If any one of those individuals can’t go, we’re fortunate to have some professionals that our team believes in that can go attack the mission at hand and see if we can leave the month of December in December.”
