Head Coach DeMeco Ryans
On the changes he has seen in the Dolphins offense since Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has been back from injury
"Watching the Dolphins, the first thing that jumps out is just how efficient and accurate Tua is with the football. He gets the ball out very quickly, but it's accurate and he's getting it to the hands of some dynamic playmakers. Talk about [Dolphins RB De'Von] Achane, [Dolphins WR Tyreek] Hill, [Dolphins WR Jaylen] Waddle, [Dolphins TE] Jonnu Smith. He has so many playmakers around him that when they touch the football, all these guys are explosive and they have that ability to take it to the house. So, it presents a difficult matchup, difficult challenge just with so many playmakers who can touch the football. And Tua's done a great job since he's been back just making really smart decisions with the football. I think Mike has done a great job of putting them in favorable positions, play design, execution by everybody. It's coached really well and those guys have done a really great job."
On the balance a defensive coordinator has to figure out in trying to take away Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa's efficiency in air yards while also wanting him to be efficient and hoping for a mistake
"For us, when trying to defend such an efficient offense, it'll be about us just making sure we're on top of our game and just executing properly. And that's been an emphasis for us this week, here, is just us being on the details of our job, being where we're supposed to be and we've got to be a great job of tackling in space and that's what the game will come down to, how well are we tackling in space versus their playmakers and we have to get multiple hats to the ball to tackle these guys because they're so elusive and they're so explosive."
On how important it is for young safeties to be on top of keeping everything in front of them
"Eye discipline is key this week. Even though the ball is out, they have a lot of eye candy, as we call it, a lot of eye candy where they present things where a play is going one way and it goes to the other side, so you just have to maintain your discipline, make sure your eyes are in the proper place with the defensive call with what we're asking guys to do. If your eyes are right, you have a chance to be right. But if you're seeing too much, then that's where you run into problems. So, just ask our guys to see a little, see a lot."
On what having LB Christian Harris back at practice has meant for the team
"Having Christian back, just having his presence back has really been helpful for everyone. Everybody is excited to see him just back out on the field, his energy. Everybody understands his playmaking abilities sideline-to-sideline. Christian, he's an explosive player, dynamic player for us. So, it's encouraging to see him back. He's had a long road, hasn't played football in a long time, so it'll be a process of getting him back rolling. But it's encouraging to see a guy who's been out for such a long time dealing with a significant injury that's taken a long time to heal. And first and foremost, just proud of the work that he's put in to make it back even at this point in the season. So, we'll see where he ends up towards the end of the week, but he's doing really good."
On the biggest challenges he can foresee the team having with having to play three games in 10 days
"The biggest challenge for us right now is the Dolphins and that's the only thing we can control is the upcoming game versus the Dolphins. Everything else with the schedule, it kind of takes care of itself. But if you're focused about three games – we can't play three games at one time. So, our focus is on the Dolphins and that's going to take all of our focus because they're such a really good football team."
On what makes Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith a challenge to guard in man coverage and how he has been a factor for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa this season
"Yeah, Jonnu sticks out to me just if it's the screen game or it's in man coverages, when he catches the ball as a tight end, he's explosive and he's physical. So, that's what sticks out to me. Whoever's covering him, however it may be, if we're in man coverage, you just have to make sure you're sticky and you play physical in man coverage versus him. But he's a physical player, talented guy who's bounced around the league. But he's been productive everywhere he's been."
On what he has seen from how CB Kamari Lassiter and S Calen Bullock lean on each other and how they have grown together throughout the season
"Kamari and Calen have done a really great job, I think, of creating that bond of two rookies coming in. They've played a ton of snaps for us. I get that the season starts to add up and it gets long on them. It's probably the most football they've played. But they've done a great job of – I see that bond, that closeness that they're developing as friends on and off the field and I think that helps when you've got two guys in similar spots that can lean on each other. They're doing a really good job and they're playing meaningful reps and they're making plays for us. They're not just rookies just out there. They're impact players who have done a lot to help our defense this year."
On if the team discusses the scenarios they have to clinch the division title within these next few weeks
"For me, honestly, I don't even know the clinching scenario. My focus is, man, how can we play our best? How can we prepare the best so we can prepare this week and focus on the Dolphins and the clinching scenario – because if you focus on that, that really doesn't change anything. You can't change anything. The only way we can change what's happening with the playoff scenario is by us controlling what we can control and that's us playing our best versus the Dolphins."
On if he thinks DE Danielle Hunter is having a season worthy of being considered for the Defensive Player of the Year award
"Danielle has done an outstanding job all year. Just so grateful to have him here on our team. Him playing for his hometown team, It means a lot to him, means a lot for us to get him. And he's been everything we can ask for and more. Just the production that he's had, how much pressure he's able to apply on a quarterback. Him and his just impact on [DE] Will [Anderson Jr.] and the entire D-line and what he's able to teach as well, so it's just – and the year that he's having. He's been having an outstanding year and of course he should be up for a defensive player of the year because he deserves it. The guy doesn't say much, but his play speaks very loud and the opposing offenses understand they have to account for him because he's such a force when he's out there. So, special player, special guy and very happy to coach him."
On one thing that makes WR Nico Collins special
"Just one thing? That's so hard. The one thing that makes Nico special, I would say, just character-wise, he's humble. He's about the team. He's not a 'give me the ball' guy. He's humble and his approach daily, he's a hard worker – I have to give you more than one, but humble is the one that sticks out the most to me. Everybody understands – hard worker, has speed, athleticism, all those traits. But the one thing that sets Nico apart, for me, just being around the game for a while now, just seeing how humble he is. He really reminds me of another humble guy who was around here for a while and that's Andre Johnson."
On if it is rare for the league to see a wide receiver like WR Nico Collins who is humble and has a high skill level
"For me, it's rare to have a guy of Nico's size and his ability and just his mindset. There are a lot of great receivers that have played the game and a lot of great personalities that make the game fun and Nico does it in his own way and it's exciting to watch him play, exciting to watch him work on a day-to-day basis."
On what goes into figuring out who will replace C/G Juice Scruggs if he is unable to play this week
"For us, we'll see where Juice – as he ends up throughout the week, but we'll see how that combination works out for us. There's a lot of things that go into play. The main thing for me, it's accountability. Guy who is able to go in there, guy you can count on to do your job, be where you're supposed to be, communicate the right way."
On the things he wants to make sure the players know they have to do to finish out the rest of the season
"The one thing that we have to do is finish. We have to finish games the right way. We've been close in a lot of games. Games have turned out good for us and not so good. Right now, down the stretch, the most important part, it's all about how you finish. It doesn't matter how it looks. It doesn't matter what the score is, how much or how less the score – it's all about how do you finish the game and finishing the right way with a win. That's the only thing that matters now is getting to December, January – it's meaningful, playoff, really, football and every game matters. The importance is heightened every single week. So, you have to be – of course be on the details but it'll be about the team who finishes the right way, those will be the teams that win."
On what it means to see his players considered for the Pro Bowl
"I'm so proud of our guys. We have – not only great guys – and that's how I always wanted to build it with the right people, guys who have the right spirit, the right attitude. But also, to win, you need great players. And we have a lot of really great players that are really top players at their positions in the league and that's why we're in the position we're in because of the players and what they do on the field. With them executing, them playing the game the right way, playing great football and they deserve – every honor they get, they deserve it. We have a lot of great guys and I hope they all get some type of accolade, some type of recognition, because a lot of guys are deserving and when you've got a team full of guys who are deserving, that means we're in a really good spot."
Quarterback C.J. Stroud
On coming back from the bye week
"We were able to get some time off to recover our mind body and spirit. Now we are ready, back rolling. December ball is really important, we have to put ourselves in a really good position, now we just have to go win some football games."
On how excited he is to be in a position to possibly clinch the AFC South so early in the season
"You want to put yourself in the position to win the division as early as possible but ultimately, we have to go and focus on the Dolphins and Miami and take care of this really good football team coming in here and getting their groove back and rolling right now. We have our hands full them and we have to make sure we are on our A game when it comes to beating the Dolphins."
On what kind of relationship he has with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
"Last year, I got to meet him when we had joint practice with them. I got to talk to him, and I have a lot of respect for him and who he is as a person, who he is as a man of God. Then just the advice he gave me was really good and I really appreciated it. It helped me throughout last year and this year, so I am a real big fan of [Dolphins QB] Tua [Tagovailoa] and I think he does a lot of great things on the field and I am glad to see him back playing and know that his career is going to continue to be great and I am very happy for him."
On the advice he received from Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa
"Really just take completions. Don't hold the ball too long."
On the challenge of three games in eleven day and what he is doing to prepare
"Not really, it is hard to jump ahead. Especially, when you have three good teams to play. You have to take care of one at a time, now we are just focused on Miami. Trying to ace that and look past that right when the game is over. I am actually excited about it but anything worth it in life isn't easy. It is not going to be easy, but I think that difficulty of it will help us in the long run."
On what it has been like having LB Christian Harris back at practice this week
"I think it is huge. I am really just happy for him that I have seen the hard work he put in. Every time I am in the training room he is in the training room working hard and you never want to see a reoccurring injury like that so for him to be able to come back after so long and still have a positive attitude is just amazing to me and I actually look up to him in a lot of ways. Just his mentality of how he approaches the game and how he practices on anything that he does he does it to his full ability. I am excited to see him go out there and ball."
On if he had a moment to reflect during this bye week
"Not really, I kind of just detached from ball and from anything that had to do with it. I watched a little bit of college but didn't watch any NFL games. I think it was necessary for me. Maybe other guys do other things, but for me I needed to just get back to regular life. There is life away from ball, of course it is one of the most important things in my life, I love football, but I needed time just to be away and I go that. It was very necessary but right when the day came I was back watching Miami."
On what he got to do with friends and family during bye week
"Just chill, we didn't really do too much. It was just chilling around the house."
On how WR Nico Collins prepares going up against CB like Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey
"He is real motivated without you noticing kind of thing. Every day he just working to be the best. I think that is because he has been under looked for so long and how he has been approaching the game is, 'I am going to work hard every day and I don't care who I am playing against or what they say, I am just going to do me'. Now people are noticing. I think he is going to enjoy this game, and I look forward to seeing [Dolphins CB] Jalen Ramsey and Jalen is maybe looking forward to following him. We don't know yet but definitely Nico is up for the challenge and ready to roll and I am excited just to be a part of that. He approaches everybody the same and he has been the underdog for a long time. I think he keep that mentality which I think is a good thing. Doesn't ride the highs or the lows."
On what how he would like to finish games the rest of this season
"Winning. There is really no crazy proof to the pudding, just win. I know it sounds simple but finding a way to win. A lot of games come down to one score and some teams find a way and some teams don't. I think we have put ourselves in position a lot of games to win games and haven't gotten it done and other times we do get it done. We don't want to be 50/50 in December and January, you want to be on the upper scale. Just practices and those little, small details are what get those wins, not the last two plays or three plays of a game. Those don't really define the game. You can win and lose a game that way but also handling business in the first half and the beginning of the second half can win you the game as well. I think that is where we have to do better."
On thoughts on Dolphins DT Calais Campbell
"They do a great job rushing as one. They do a lot of stunts and a lot of twisting and turning which they get a lot of, I wouldn't say necessarily sacks, they get those too but they more so get pressures and affect the quarterback. I have to be on my A game to make those my new movements and things like that and our o-line has to do a good job of passing those guys off. [Dolphins DT] Calais [Campbell] knows what to look for and he leads those other guys. I think '92' [Dolphins DT Zach Sieler] has done a great job as well, they have had some injuries up there, but they have been able to have some really great play up there as well. I think the coaching and the way that they play hard."
On how affective T Laremy Tunsil has been to protecting his blind side
"He has been huge. He has not only been doing a great job blind side protecting but just a great brother to lean on that has seen a lot, been through a lot and somebody who I lean on. When he can lock down a whole side and just be like, 'LT' [Laremy Tunsil] go do your thing, it is amazing how special he is in the run game and I think he has bought into that even more this year, which has been on film. I am definitely just happy and super blessed to have him as a teammate and as a brother."
On what it means to him to see so many teammates be in Pro Bowl consideration
"It is huge. Especially last year, we didn't have many people because we didn't have any prime-time games and you have guys who have been balling out on prime time and that gives you those opportunities so I hope we get a lot of guys in there and I know 'Sting' [CB Derek Stingley Jr.] should be All-Pro, if you ask me. That is ballot number one and 'LT' two. I think we have a ton of guys that have put themselves in a position to do that, so definitely huge."
