Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel on Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans: "That conversation of DeMeco and I talking football started in 2006 because he was a rookie – first pick of the second round – draft pick who became the Rookie of the Year and was the starting Mike linebacker and made all the calls. It was my first year as a full-time NFL coach, so we were the exact same age, I think, and just watching him as a player. Then we get back together in San Francisco and how fast he took to coaching was not a surprise because again, you can't underestimate the quarterback of the defense as a rookie from the jump. I think philosophically, the tape makes more sense when you're watching the opposing team just because we kind of know the starting point and the philosophical beliefs. At the same time, so much of – like for me – what DeMeco coaches, it doesn't matter that I know. It's the nuts and bolts of coaching that actually matters to players when you're talking directly impacting how well they play the game. So much of it is consistency of fundamentals and details and mindset that it's helpful to a degree, but I know how well-prepared he'll be. I know to call the game, I know how well-prepared his team will be. They kind of take on his playing mindset just collectively. I remember feeling that when we had our joint practices against them and then you can just see it on tape, the relentless physicality and the connectivity and strain. It's all real so I know to be prepared based upon my experience with him, and we'll have our guys tuned up because it's a challenge but one that we welcome."
Dolphins Quarterback Tua Tagavailoa on the Texans Defense: "They play really well. Sound football. They get some depth in the back end, so they try to mitigate a lot of explosives, but you've got to have your Ps and Qs when you're dealing with a rush that they have. Very similar structure to the team that we just played, but they don't necessarily play the same way, if that makes sense."
Dolphins Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle on the Texans Defense: "A great team. Definitely get the ball, ball hungry team. Their d-line is really tied into their backend. It's going to be a hard game. I think they have like a top five ranked defense, get pressure on the quarterback. DBs are playing great, (Derek) Stingley Jr. is having a career year. They're a good group."
Dolphins Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith on the Texans Pass Rush: "It's their understanding of how they want to play, how they're connected throughout their whole defense, good players and a good scheme and they play very hard. I think ultimately for us, it's being connected together, all phases of the offense because when you have a team that rushes the passer really well or even teams in general I think, our sole focus is to always make sure that we understand launch points, timing, distribution and getting connected, and I think that when you play a team like this those are going to be very important factors."
Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver on the Texans Offense: "They've got a squad, right? They have a bunch of guys and the good thing, particularly a year ago – I played them twice when I was in Baltimore, so I have some familiarity with what they're trying to do schematically and how they're using them. But they have all the talent in the world.
Dolphins Defensive Tackle Zach Sieler on the Texans Offense: "Great young quarterback, has good feet, has a heck of an arm. We've got to contain him and get back there and stop the run. They got a great back, Joe Mixon, o-line, they've got Laremy Tunsil who was here. Just got to get at them up front."
Weaver on Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud: "The quarterback has all the talent in the world. He has a cannon for an arm, can make every throw, has a tremendous amount of talent, a sneaky good athlete. It's not what you think of when you think of C.J. Stroud, but he can create problems with his feet, too. So as a defense, we know we've got to play our best game to date."
Tagavailoa on Stroud: "He's been playing pretty well. I know there's been some hiccups, but for the most part, I think he's been able to bounce back. You see the mental fortitude that he takes and brings into his game. I got a lot of respect for his game. I've also been able to talk to him a little bit, at the Pro Bowl last year. Very good guy, very humble, very competitive as well. That's what you like to see in a competitor."
Weaver on Texans Wide Receiver Nico Collins: "Nico is big, strong, fast, great hands."
Weaver on Texans Running Back Joe Mixon: "Joe Mixon – unfortunately had to play against him the last three years, two in the AFC North – and a back that I don't think really gets enough credit throughout the league. Can run with physicality, is great out of the backfield. He tries to punish DBs on the second level which I respect from a back."
