S Eric Rowe
(The league-owned website is reporting QB Ryan Fitzpatrick has COVID. Are you aware of this? Were you alarmed to hear this news? And how hurtful do you think it will be not to have him on Sunday?) – “Yeah, I got the news today. It hurts. He’s a leader of our team. He brings energy, even in the Zoom meetings; so just to hear it that he’s probably – it’s down for all of us but I’m sure it’s worse for him because one, he loves the game; and two, nobody wants to catch COVID, right? But kind of with that, you just got to push forward.”
(You’ve played in a lot of big games in your career and you’ve mentioned before how much it means to you to be a part of this Dolphins team. What does it mean for you to be in this position to play in a game of this magnitude with this team and how can your experience in big games kind of provide some direction for the younger guys who haven’t seen a big Week 17 game like this in the NFL?) – “This means a lot, just kind of coming from where we came last year. We were definitely like, bottom five in the NFL last year. It was a struggle. To now this year to have a chance to get to the playoffs and obviously you’ve got to take it day-by-day, so this is the last game of the season; but kind of with the young guy, I just kind of tell them like – actually, I don’t really have to say much. They kind of know. They’ve kind of matured through the season that it’s just a regular game – same regular game plan, technique, all that’s the same. The only difference is it’s just the last game of the season. So I didn’t really have to tell them much.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores mentioned that Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Curt Kuntz leads the third-down defense meetings and I was curious, how long can those meetings go and in what way are they beneficial?) – “How long can they go? I’m not sure. I’ve never actually really timed it. (laughter) I never really timed it. It’s just as long as how much he wants to talk about it, but obviously you see we put an emphasis on third down every week for that game plan. We break it down by yards, and obviously it’s helped us a lot this year coming off the field. You can stop points right there.”
(How was the news broken to the team today about QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and how would you describe the reaction when it was immediately revealed?) – “’Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) told us in the team meeting this morning about his situation and then we’re on Zoom, so you can’t really tell everybody’s reaction at the time; but my reaction was just praying for his health because COVID, that’s a real-deal thing whether you don’t have symptoms or you do. So I’m just kind of praying that he doesn’t have the symptoms and that he didn’t spread it to his family or kids.”
(You talked a little bit earlier about just sort of the turnaround where you guys were last year to this year. When you look at that, the full frame of you guys were the No. 32 scoring defense to No. 1 so far this year; are you able to put all of that into grips and how you guys have really completely overdid this defense?) – “Also, it’s a bunch of new guys that we have on the team than last year. I think over like defensive-wise, I feel like – over 50 percent of the roster has flipped, right? So a lot of guys don’t know and I tried to tell them, but they don’t know what we’ve been through last year and how we go from getting scored on nearly every drive to now we’re getting off the field on almost every third down. So just to see that flip, it is crazy, though.”
(CB Byron Jones actually mentioned that this morning on Good Morning Football, about the overturn of the roster and how guys have kind of bought in that way; but he also mentioned something I wanted to ask you about and he said that CB Xavien Howard is the best player he’s ever been around. What do you think about that statement?) – “He’s not lying. To have a pick in nine games straight – it got to the point where if he didn’t have a pick, we’re kind of like – like the Patriots game – we’re kind of like, ‘whoa, that’s not normal, right?’ And really to have a guy like that, that you can put him on any receiver and he can produce turnovers like that, that’s definitely a comfort thing within the defense.”
(I wanted to ask you, you guys have obviously come so far this season; if you didn’t make the playoffs, would it be a big disappointment or would you guys be able to see the success you guys made and the strides you guys made as a positive?) – “It’d be both. It’d be a big disappointment. We put a lot of work in this year, a lot of work winning games that aren’t easy and really to have double-digit wins and to not make the playoffs, that hurts. But at the same time, kind of like at least we’re – the guys like me, Bobby (McCain) and ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) who were here last year, to see that stride especially defensive-wise, to see that kind of leap we took from last year to this year, it’s positive. Positive for the years coming on.”
WR Isaiah Ford
(Obviously you are very, very close to QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. What are your thoughts and wishes to Ryan at this time?) – “He’s our guy. But if this year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. We all love Ryan; but we’ve got a job to do, and I think everybody is focused on getting that done.”
(I know you guys don’t need any more motivation than you already have to make the playoffs; but with the news of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and him having never been there in a 16-year career, is it just on a personal level, does it add any more motivation for you guys to want to get there for him, knowing that he won’t even be on the sidelines in Buffalo?) – “Yeah. Like you said, we all know what’s at stake. We know how important this game is and we’re preparing and trying to go towards that and win one football game and go from there.”
(It seems to me that regardless of who the quarterback is, you always find a way to make plays when they go off-script in the scramble drill. You find a way to break off the route. What’s the key to that? What’s the key to finding open space when the quarterback has to get out of the pocket and a play breaks down?) – “I think a lot of it is just seeing the same thing. Trying to spend as much time as I can with these guys, seeing things how they see them so we’re always on the same page whether it’s on-script or off-script. I think that comes with just spending time with each other, watching film, talking through things that you’re seeing on film so you’re always seeing the same thing and speaking the same language.”
(You haven’t been here for a month and yet last week, you were directing traffic and telling guys where to go; and this is a new offense for you just like it is a new offense for everybody else. Where does that come from? Where does this grasp of offensive concepts and playbooks, where does that come from?) – “To be honest, I just study. I just study it a lot. I try to rehearse it as much as I can. I was taught at an early age to try to learn things conceptually. I was never stuck being held in one spot, whether it’s being in the slot or being outside. When you learn things conceptually, it’s easier for you to be on the field and be able to play. And, also in times like that, there are a million things going on on the field. Sometimes somebody might forget where they are supposed to be or what the play may be, so to be able to get them lined up and have them ready to go, you can still have a good play instead of having to burn a timeout.”
(Whatever happened to those shorts QB Ryan Fitzpatrick wore to practice? Did you get them back? Did you have them washed? Are you going to wear your helmet to the side as a tribute to Fitzpatrick one time on Sunday?) – “(laughter) I actually have some. I didn’t get mine back. I don’t know what ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) did with them, but the equipment guys got me another pair. These might be a little shorter than those actually. So yeah. (laughter)”
TE Durham Smythe
(I wanted to ask, did you know that you are a part of the most successful tight end unit in franchise history statistically? And what do you think about that?) – “I was unaware of that statistic until just now; but that’s cool to hear, for sure. Obviously I have a biased opinion, but I think we have one of the better tight end rooms in the NFL in terms of depth and across the board. It also helps when you have a guy like Mike (Gesicki) shouldering a lot of that production. That’s cool to hear.”
(On the note of statistics, you guys have rushed for 380 yards over the last two games combined. What can you personally do in the run game, and as a whole, do this week to continue that success in the ground game?) – “I think it’s just staying consistent with what we’re doing. It’s Week 17. We do what we do. Obviously there’s been an emphasis on improving the run game as the season’s gone on, and we’ve seen some results the past few weeks. Like I’ve mentioned before in previous sessions, it’s extremely important to be able to run the ball this time of year to win games against good teams. That’s something that we’ve emphasized and I think being consistent across the board is how we’ll be successful moving forward.”
(Back to the running game, the two guys that have really been a big part of the rushing yards are RB Myles Gaskin and RB Salvon Ahmed. I was curious, those guys coming from the same college and now being here in the pros together, what have you recognized about their relationship that maybe stands out to you a little bit?) – “That’s a really cool story, first and foremost, knowing that they were roommates or whatever it was back in UW. That’s a cool story to begin with. I think it’s just another level of the camaraderie of this team. I think all of these position groups are so close. They obviously have a history. It’s cool to see them support each other. When Myles was out for a few weeks, he was supporting Salvon when he was successful, and Salvon is doing the same thing when Myles has a big game. I think that’s just something that this team has that I don’t think is extremely commonplace across the league, the support within a position group.”
(It wasn’t too long ago that we got the news about QB Ryan Fitzpatrick’s positive test result, that he won’t be available Sunday. I’d like to get your reaction to that, as well as your thoughts on how QB Tua Tagovailoa is going to do.) – “Yeah, with all of that happening today, you guys probably know more about it than I do, which is normally how these things go and when news breaks. I think everyone at that position is prepared across the board. Guys who haven’t seen action this year are prepared. They’ve been prepared all year in practice and such. I think we’ll be good moving forward and I think it’ll be a testament just to how these guys have worked all year and kind of stayed ready.”
(I wanted to ask you, you’ve been part of some Head Coach Adam Gase teams. You’ve been part of last year’s 5-11 team. What’s so different about what you guys have going now and that locker room? What’s the tangible difference?) – “I think the one thing that stands out about this team is just – like I’ve mentioned a few times – just how close it is, which is tough to do in a year like this because of obviously the unique circumstances. I haven’t been a part of a team thus far in the NFL that is this tight across the board. There’s support across the board. I think there’s a trust that you know other people are going to get their job done, so it kind of allows you to focus on your own. We’ve been growing all year. I think that will continue to happen. I think that’s the one, like you said, tangible thing that sticks out to me so far.”
(We saw QB Jake Rudock out at practice as one of the quarterbacks today. Obviously you know the offense as well as anyone; but from being around Jake some over the last couple of years, does he strike you as someone who is really cerebral as well and has a strong grasp of the offense?) – “Definitely. He’s one of those guys that picks up things really, really fast. He always has been that way, through my experiences with him over the last two years. Like I said earlier, he’s a guy that’s kind of stayed ready throughout this whole thing. Obviously he’s been on the roster, off the roster; but he’s stayed ready and obviously we have a lot of confidence in him to be able to come in and pick things up on a very short-term notice.”
(You guys have obviously made a lot of progress this season. How important is it for you guys to kind of finish the job and make the playoffs this week?) – “I mean it’s extremely important for us. We talk about finishing strong all year, dating back to virtual OTAs and training camp and things like that. When you have an opportunity in Week 17 to do just that, kind of the definition of the phrase ‘finish strong,’ I think it’s something that all of the guys are excited about. Obviously a situation where you can win a game and make the playoffs – there’s not a ton of playoff experience on this team and I think a lot of people are hungry to experience that. I think it’s just something that will get all of the guys excited. It’s something we’ve talked about for so long and there’s an obvious kind of reward there to be had.”
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Just wanted to ask about a couple of offensive linemen. I know you can’t judge players as rookies on a scale. You just judge how they play. How do you think T Austin Jackson has played overall? And what C Ted Karras has given you this year at center, just your thoughts on him as well, please.) – “I think Ted has given us leadership. I think he’s given us good play. I think he’s played some good football and I think he’s improved over the course of the year. Same for Austin (Jackson). I think he’s improved over the course of the year, was out for a little bit, fought his way back, so that showed some mental, physical toughness getting through that and then again, I think he’s improved and developed over the course of the season.”
(We’re seeing the forecast now saying one to three inches of snow on Sunday. How much of an impact might that have on your game plan and the way the game is called?) – “I mean the elements are what they are. I don’t see it having much of an impact. I’ve played and coached in snow before, so one to three (inches) should be okay there as far as play calling and things of that nature. I don’t see it being that big of an issue, to be honest with you.”
(It’s the last day of what’s probably been a difficult year for a lot of folks. What would you take most out of 2020 the year as a coach and as a man?) – “2020 has been an interesting year. A lot has gone on with the pandemic and things like the George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and things like that. It’s been difficult for a lot of people – a lot of people in the country and around the world. On the bright side – which I like to look at that – that time when we were on lockdown, I got to spend a lot of time with my wife and my kids, so that was good. Really good. I think we learned about making sacrifices and not seeing your family and things like that with Thanksgiving and Christmas for us as a team. I know that may not be the case for everyone; but yeah, from 2020 I take for me, there were a lot of things that were difficult, but that time in March and April and May where literally everyone was locked down and I would normally be – a lot of coaches would normally be – on the road doing draft, this or that, but I was with my wife and kids. I thought the draft was a lot of fun. My kids can’t wait for the draft next year. We could sit here and talk about how bad everything was. I thought there was some good – a lot of good – also from a family standpoint and I think the growth in this team, obviously I’m happy with that. But we’re still trying to improve and develop like we always are.”
(Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe you told us growing up you were a Giants fan. Obviously being from New York, that would make sense. I was curious, when you were young, did you understand the significance of Dan Marino and Jim Kelly and that rivalry, Bills-Dolphins in the early 90s? And since you’ve been a coach, what have you learned about how important this game is to a lot of the alumni and the fans?) – “Yeah, I know the rivalry. I know it well. I think every game is important to the fans on both sides. Obviously this is a division game; but the Dolphins fans, the Bills fans, these are diehard fans who root for their teams through thick and thin, so every game is important and this one’s no different. There’s a lot of great players over the years on both sides and I’m just humbled and honored to be a part of it.”
(You spoke on the draft just a second ago and the first-round pick from Houston has the potential to be either No. 3 or No. 4. I know the draft is a couple of months away, but just the thoughts on having such a high draft pick or potentially having such a high draft pick?) – “I talked about my kids enjoying the draft. (laughter) I let (General Manager) Chris (Grier) and the personnel staff handle that stuff. I know you want to take what I said about my six- and seven-year-old and turn it into a draft question, but I’m focused on the Bills. We were reflecting on my family and the 2020 year, not the draft. Chris (Grier) and (Vice President of Football Administration) Brandon (Shore), whenever you get Chris on one of these Zooms, you can talk to him about that stuff. I’m focused on the Bills.”
(Road teams have won almost exactly half the games in the league this year. Now that we’re deep into the season and the intensity is ratcheting up, what are your thought about the affects that the pandemic and few or no fans has had on home field advantage?) – “It’s still tough to win on the road, especially against a good team like this. Every year is a little bit different. This year the elements on the road, there are still elements that make it difficult. The No. 1 element being the team across from us. Everyone has good players, good coaches. Again, 2020 is a little bit different in that you don’t feel the affects of the crowd noise as you have in other years. There are still the strengths of the other team that are still issues. The coaches and the adjustments they make, I guess I would say I don’t feel like it’s easier, if that answers your question. It’s still hard. It’s still hard to win in this league. It’s still hard to execute, especially when they’ve got good players over there. It certainly doesn’t feel easier, if that answers your question. I’m not sure what the numbers are – you just said 50 percent, but it certainly doesn’t feel easy to win on the road.”
(We’ve asked Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey over the last couple of weeks about his future and obviously this is not the time to address that, I understand. I just wanted to get your thinking behind – when you hired a 68-year-old offensive coordinator, there will be questions about his longevity obviously here. What was your plan at the time and has that changed?) – “When you say this is not the time to ask this and then ask it – I’m just trying to go through that. I think Chan is focused on the Bills, just like we’re all focused on the Bills, and that’s where I want his focus and energy. I’ll leave it at that.”
(Yesterday you said that you’re quite familiar with Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll in terms of his play-calling. I’m assuming that’s from your history with him in New England. What has made effective in his stint in Buffalo as a play-caller?) – “I wouldn’t say I’m familiar with him as a play caller. I’m familiar with him as an offensive mind. I think part of that – part of him being a good play-caller is that I don’t know what he’s going to call. I think he’s done a phenomenal job there with (Josh) Allen and that offense. I think he’s got a lot up his sleeve. He and I have had many conversations – offensively, defensively, you do this I’m doing that, you do that I’m doing this – and you see it all kind of come to fruition in the way they play. (I have) a lot of respect for him. I certainly don’t know what he’s going to call and that’s what makes him good. He mixes the run, the pass, the shots, the screens – he’s got every element to the offense. They’ve got good players, and they execute. He’s a damn good coach. So is (Head Coach) Sean (McDermott), so is (Defensive Coordinator) Leslie (Frazier), so is (Special Teams Coordinator) Heath Farwell. They’ve got great coaches there. They’ve done a really good job of coaching those guys up. They’ve got a talented roster as well. You throw all of that together and you have what you have, which is a very good team. Daboll is a good friend of mine – a great friend of mine I would say. He’s someone that I’ve got a lot of respect for. But we’re looking to compete on Sunday, and I know he’ll have some bullets in his gun. I know that.”
