Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik
On what he has seen from Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey and how he will matchup with WR Nico Collins
"Yeah, we'll see what happens as far as the matchup goes. We kind of prepare every week for the what if teams decide to match, what if they don't and what if they do both and how we go into the game. I know all of our guys, all of our skills are really ready for whatever wines up happening – we'll adjust. Jalen is a really good player and he's been a really good player for a long time. I've gone against him it feels like 10 times now and every time I've gone against him, he's impacted the game a great deal in some way, shape, or form and I anticipate that to be no different this week. We've got a lot of respect for Jalen and what he does. Really got a lot of respect for their defense. 93 [Calais Campbell] and 92 [Zach Sieler] are big time defensive lineman and they do a really nice job. They've got a good front seven, they've got a good back end and they've got safeties that are involved in the run and the pass game. They do a heck of a job and they've been playing some really good ball lately. We've got a great challenge in front of us and I know Nico, Tank [Dell], Dalton [Schultz], Joe [Mixon], our O-line and C.J. [Stroud] are just excited to roll and see what we can do."
On what his biggest takeaways were following self-evaluation of the offense
"The biggest thing – and we kind of knew this as an offense as we went, but when you really get to sit down and home in on it. I mean there was a lot of tape to watch like that was a long stretch we had before we could really kind of gather ourselves and go back through that process. I think the biggest thing that jumped out is the difference in when we execute and we play to the standard that we know we're capable of and when we aren't quite playing to the standard that we know that we're capable of. There was a – particularly in the middle of the season, there was a difference and no one holds themselves to a higher standard then ourselves here on offense. We've done a great job the last two week's of really honing in on that standard and putting that out there more consistently and more often. It started with practice. It showed up in practice for probably four weeks and then eventually it makes it's way to the games and I think the last two week's we've done a good job of that in the games. We've got to continue to do that and that's really what December football is about. It's a really big deal to make sure we're consistent in our execution and in our commitment to what we're doing."
On if the last game was about getting back to the basics and doing what the team is good at opposed to trying to do too much at times
"Yeah, I think that applies to a lot of different things. You know we kind of made the decision as the Texans team a couple week's ago that we were going to embrace what we do and that we were going to embrace that we do it really well when we do it to our standard. Jacksonville was a good reference point, but it didn't just start in Jacksonville. We had kind of started that multiple week's before that and like I said, it had been showing in practice and it was a matter of time. Really Jacksonville was when I think everyone was comfortable letting it rip in that way and every way across the board. Were we perfect? No, not by any means but without a doubt we were more consistent in what we were doing and what we were trying to accomplish and I think you could see that in just the conviction and confidence we were playing with really the last couple of weeks. Without a doubt, that's something we want to build on and continue."
On what him looking back showed him about his offensive line
"Yeah, I mean like everything, we've sort of talked about it through the course of the season. As individuals we really wanted to emphasize growth and that's every individual up front. I think you could see from the middle of the year to where we've got to through the last few weeks, they've done that. They've grown. I think LT [Laremy Tunsil] is playing some of the best ball that he has played since I've been around, which has been really cool to see. We've got bright spots all the way across up front and there has been times, in particular in the middle of the season, where we know we didn't play up to our standard and most of it is just mental stuff and stuff that's controllable and stuff that we can fix. They've all embraced doing that and the last two weeks like our protection the last two weeks. It got a little leaky in the fourth quarter, but other than it's been very sound. I think against Jacksonville the only play off the top of my head is the first play of the game and other than that, it felt like C.J. could be really comfortable back there in the pocket. We've given Joe some lanes to hit in the run game. I really think all of them have continued to grow and really embrace what I've already referenced as far as let's emphasize what we do well and do it more often and do it more consistent."
On if there is things he has to do as a coach to work ahead due to the three games in 10 days
"Yeah, most of that is truthfully handled in the offseason and leading up to the season. When DeMeco is ironing out the schedule and we know what dates the games are on, he really hones in on 'Okay, this week we're going to handle it like this and this week we're going to handle like this.' Because you've got to make sure you get all your game plans and practice and everything that you need done in time for the game and how you're going to approach those practices, so that by the time we get here, it really is we're just looking at Miami. Then as Miami ends, you look at the next one. Your preparation is already laid out on what you're going to do and it is a short window for three games, btu that's why we dedicated the time we did before the season on how we're going to handle that."
On what he needs from the left guard position if C/G Juice Scruggs can't play
"Yeah, it's really no different no matter who is there. We just have to get to a point where we execute consistently. That's where it was awesome with Juice and probably where he has grown the most is going from center to guard and having to handle that. That's a big move and that's a lot of different things going on and just honing in on his responsibility, what he needed to do and how he needed to do it and to do well it enough showed on tape. Whoever it is all the way across the front five, that's our big emphasis. Let's go out and execute and play the kind of football that we know we can play."
On what "December Football" actually means
"The reality of the NFL. The way that we would see it is a lot of the season you're growing until the end. You want to play your best football at the end of the year rolling into December and beyond. That's really what you continue to emphasize. Once you get to this part of the season, it's usually what makes or breaks a season. It's where you find ways to win and you scrap it out and you get to keep playing, or you don't quite finish some of the games and unfortunately it inevitably comes to an end. That's really all we mean when we say December football. It's just a heightened awareness of what we've got to do and how on it we have to be because at the end of the day, all that really matters is that we try to walk away with a W."
On how he sees this as a potential opportunity for G Kenyon Green
"Yeah, the first thing for him is that he's gotta get healthy. I know he's working really hard to do that and it's been a tough stretch with what he has had to deal with injury wise really all the way back to college. I know it's been something he has been working on and something that he has been fighting and that's really the first step for him like let's make sure we're getting healthy and make sure we're feeling 100% to go play and let it rip. Same as I already mentioned for the rest of the o-line, like continue to build consistency and execution which he has had bright spots of and he has shown that through the course of the year. Like everyone on our team and on our offense, there has been highs and there has been lows as we go through that. It's just the constant build."
On the positives that media need to focus on regarding the offense such as Pro Bowl consideration and stats
"We kind of hone in on ourselves really all the way across the board. Like I couldn't tell you anything else that's going on outside of here, but I can tell you that I think we have some really good players that are on the Houston Texans. At times, we've some highs and we've had some lows but when we play well, we think we play really good offensive football and I think we've shown that through the course of the year and just hammering out that consistency is what we've been working on and what we've been trying to get better at aiming towards December and now towards the end of the season, so we can play our best ball as often as possible because when we play good ball, we feel like we can play with anybody."
Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke
On what it means for safeties to need to have eye discipline and keep plays in front of them when going against dominant wide receivers
"I think the biggest thing with that starts pre-snap. I mean, obviously, probably one of the best teams in the league with all the motions and how to utilize it and it's going to be multiple shifts, combinations, shift one way, motion back and really, I think probably [Dolphins Head Coach] Mike [McDaniel] does a really good job of just – it's pointed, it's intentional in terms of how they're trying to get you to react or what they're trying to get you to see. So, for us to keep clean eyes and if you're supposed to be on a man, if you're in man-to-man and your eyes are staying here and not let a motion distract you or a shift or moving you over. It's really at all levels, not just for the safeties, obviously. So, I think it's really going to be pre-snap importance of not letting all the shifts, nudges, jets, kind of get you off of where your eyes are supposed to be and what your responsibility is."
On how much the adjustments they made earlier this season when LB Azeez Al-Shaair was out due to injury will come into play the next three games he is out
"Yeah, for sure, obviously, that room has been a little bit of a rotation since we've been in camp, we talked about it, I feel, too. So, all those guys between [LB Neville Hewitt] Nev and [LB] Henry [To'oTo'o] and [LB] Jake [Hansen] and hopefully [LB] Christian [Harris] kind of working back to it to where he can play some for us. I mean, all those guys have had that work, so hopefully we feel good about that kind of combination of guys filling in there."
On how he has seen S Calen Bullock and CB Kamari Lassiter lean on each other
"A lot, they're inseparable. It's crazy, man. It's pretty funny to watch them there. They are literally joined at the hip and I think that's been cool for those guys. Obviously, in similar – I don't want to say roles, but world of a rookie coming in and obviously playing and fitting into that room together and I think the friendship and the relationship that they've formed, they've become really close really quickly and I think that helps. Obviously, going through a different experience in the NFL and the ups and downs and the transitions and I think they spend a lot of time together off the field and that always helps them kind of translate on the field when they're communicating with each other. So, I think that that's a pretty tight bond those guys have for sure."
On the message in the locker room leading into these next few games
"I mean, it is one game at a time. That's the message. I can't even do it. I have a hard time trying to filter out. I mean, we're going to attack each game as it comes and each game is a unique situation. Each offense is different, so we – you start worrying about what Baltimore is doing two weeks from now, that's not going to help us this week. So, the messaging is as it always is. We've got to focus on a good offense that's coming into town this weekend in Miami and get that one first before we worry about anything else. So, I think the other people in the building in terms of some of the strength staff and in the training room in terms of how they're helping those guys prepare their bodies for this little stretch run here. But our focus is on Miami and how we can beat those guys. That's going to take all of it, for sure."
On the strengths of S Eric Murray's game and how they will set him up for success if he needs to play more
"He's played a lot of football for us this year. I think probably his versatility is probably his strength. I think he's really good at a lot of things. He's played some coverage for us and matching up, he's matched up receivers, he's matched up backs, he's matched up tight ends. He's kind of played back for us a little bit. He's played down the box, he's played some robber sort of situations for us. So, he's a veteran guy. He's played a lot of football. I just think his versatility and his sort of veteran-ness, his calmness in all of the stuff that's going on. Because we can move him around and you can plug him in some different spots, it kind of helps take the burden off some of the other guys when we're moving pieces around. So, I think his versatility is really what his calling card has been for us this year. Anything we've asked him to do, he's stepped up and done and played different roles for us. So, I think he's going to continue to do that for us."
On if limiting the explosives is something they are focused on this week preparing for Miami
"Yeah, it always is. Obviously, heightened when you play a team that has explosive playmakers and I think we've seen, even not just the receivers, the tight ends have been a big weapon for them and obviously the back's an explosive player. I think some of that, for us, is going to come down to tackling as well. Just with the ball out so quick and they do a good job of just – the offense is designed to get the ball in the playmaker's hands in space. So, we have to sort of restrict that space whether it's after catches and tackling, or just being sticky in coverage. But it's not – I mean, they do push the ball down the field some, but I think some of the explosives are coming a lot with some of those underneath catches and obviously you get the ball in [WR Tyreek] Hill's hands, or [Dolphins RB De'Von] Achane's hands, or all of those guys, they can do some damage. So, I think, for us, it's going to be restricting space and trying to take away because that's what they're trying to do. They're trying to get the ball in space out of [Dolphins QB] Tua [Tagovailoa]'s hands into the playmaker's hands and let the speed show up. So, whether it's tracking and tackling or just closing and being tighter in coverage when we need to be, those are the things that we have to do to limit some of those explosives."
On if he experienced having to change things around in the game against the Jaguars with S Jalen Pitre being out due to injury
"We were fortunate that kind of [S] Jimmie [Ward] slid in a little bit and played some for us. And we moved some other guys around, [CB] Myles [Bryant] played a little bit for us in some spots and even [CB] Kamari [Lassiter] to some extent. So, I think, again, it's just – feel like I've said this for two years now, our job is to take who's available to us and put those guys in the best position to help us win and for them to be successful. So, obviously, with Jalen going through what he's going through right now, we're going to have to move some bodies around and that's kind of what we go through the week and say, 'Hey, this is week, it's going to be different week to week.' Obviously, the matchups are different. They've got some different playmakers than maybe Jacksonville did or whoever. So, I think that's our challenge week-to-week is how are we going to deploy our players best. But obviously losing a great player like Jalen is a blow. But we feel confident in the guys that we can step up and make some plays."
On if he has reiterated to his defense about being mindful of how they tackle quarterbacks
"Yeah, we always coach through the rules in what we're doing. And look, we all know there's heightened awareness in terms of protecting quarterbacks in this league. We feel the same way about our quarterback, obviously. I don't think we coach that any differently. Sometimes those are bang-bang plays. But we do know that the onus is on the defense to have some awareness in some of those situations. So, I don't think that we've changed how we coach or anything like that and just continue to keep coaching and what the expectations are from the league. And in those situations when quarterbacks are going down, it's a heavier burden on the defense to try to protect them. We can argue whether that's right or wrong or how that plays out, but I wouldn't say we've changed our coaching. We just keep highlighting it and coaching's a living, breathing thing. It evolves every year, every week to week. Things come up. Different situations come up and I think we just continue to try to grow and expand our players' knowledge and hope that translates on the field."
On what he has seen from Dolphins TE Jonnu Smith and how the Dolphins use him
"Another, again, I think, like I said earlier, they play in space. They just get you opened up a lot. They play in space. Even a lot of teams against us – no team wants our D-line to wreck the game a lot of teams will protect up to do that. These guys – it's not like they don't care about that, but it's like the ball is out so quick, that's how they try to neutralize our rush. But now you're dedicating resources to 10, to 17 and all of a sudden, now, I think Jonnu's really done a good job of just being another factor in some of those spaces if you're committing too many resources to the outside part of the field, or whatever. He's a good enough athlete, he always has been, that they interchange those positions. So, he'll line up at number one and put [Dolphins WR] Tyreek [Hill] in the slot and now how are you handling those sort of things? So, again, I think this offense does a really good job of spacing you out and trying to find the matchups in the best way they can. He's another good athlete that can create matchup problems for you. So, we're going to be at the task, but it's a challenge for us to matchup with all of those guys and keep them from, again, like I said, getting into open space. And if those guys are running free, any of them, the receivers, the back, the tight end, if those guys are running free and loose and we're not where we need to be or close or not closing space, it can be a long day for us. So, he's definitely another factor in that."
Special Teams Coordinator Frank Ross
I am excited to be home and face a really fast- the perimeter and the returners, they are different in Miami. So you can look at [Dolphins CB] Siran Neal and Campbell on the other side, '22' [Dolphins DB Elijah Campbell] and our ability to generate our own return game against the Dolphins. It is going to begin with neutralizing those two. Siran Neal, if you guys had followed Buffalo he is doing the same thing. He is leading the special teams unit for them in tackles. But not everybody gets opportunities that shot tackles in the punt game. [Dolphins P] Jake Bailey hanging it for him, and they have both gotten those opportunities. It is dangerous and you have to stop that right away. So having great physicality and hand use at the line of scrimmage versus those two guys. One of the better kickers in the league, [Dolphins K Jason] Sanders is having an outstanding year and just the way they are playing with consistency has showed up. So at this point of the year, your teams have really showed their style of play, who is at the point of attack for them. [Dolphins LB] Duke Riley, '41' [LB] Channing Tindall. Then it has been unique to see [Dolphins WR] River Cracraft come from San Francisco and how he is one of their starting personal protecters, if he is in there. So hats off to them, but you see consistency rise at the most important level of the game. Did everybody watch their Jets game, they showed up in the fourth quarter at the end of the game when it mattered the most. Multiple explosive returns, [Dolphins WR] Malik Washington, he is a legitimate problem becoming one of the better returners in the league after taking over after [Dolphins WR] Braxton Berrios got hurt in Indianapolis. So, the ability to get guys up to speed then start making plays at the end of December football, that is what good special teams units do. So, hats off to Miami and we really got to make sure that we are prepared. At this point of the season, we all live for December football. This is exciting to be in it so hopefully we are where we want to be and hopefully we can take a big step this weekend. I'll take your questions.
On how beneficial it is to have a player like RB Dameon Pierce on the return team
"A strong runner, you guys have seen it. Different style runners across the league, some teams are using smaller returners and [Colts WR Josh] Downs in Indianapolis, then you see [Colts WR Ashton] Dulin that is a different style runner. [Jaguars WR Devin] Duvernay , then you might see [Jaguars WR] Parker Washington. This week in Miami, it might be [Dolphins RB] Achane [De'Von], it might be [Dolphins RB Raheem] Mostert. I know [Dolphins WR Dee] Eskridge was hurt last week, but for us to have [WR Steven] Sims, [WR Tank] Dell, [WR Robert] Woods, [RB] Dare [Ogunbowale], [RB] Dameon [Pierce], everybody kind of has a little different run style. Dameon is a hard one on one, if you don't put a body on him as a tackler, he can break a tackle. It has been really beneficial, those returns that he has broken, if you watch them, they aren't clean. It is his extra effort, there is one return that has been clean and everything else has been his break the tackle to go from good to great. Excited where he is at."
On what he sees from WR Robert Woods in his role on special teams
"He is leading, he is leading. He is leading by example, 'Coach, what do you need me to do?' That is not to me, that is to [Head Coach] DeMeco [Ryans] on his way down to me. What do the Texans need to win this down on Sunday? It doesn't matter, look at the game winning run to ice the game versus Jacksonville. Did you guys see who was at the point of attack, sticking his face in there? Robert Woods. We know how the Buffalo game ended, it doesn't get set up without his return where he is just giving us a chance at a long field goal at the very end of the game. Consistency, willing to do whatever is asked, taking reps on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. For a guy who is an older player, he is not worried about being sore, or not ready to go today, he is doing is extra warmup or whatever it is to get ready to run on special teams, the Texans are benefiting from that. Really proud and thankful for him."
On how he has seen the team step up and rally stepping into alternate roles and positions due to injuries of players
"Seventeen games, goes to eighteen, it is a long physical football season. So guys are going to go down, you have to be built with flexibility as a roster, you have to have great understanding that it is a 70 man roster but when it is our time to step up, under written story line in New England, [CB] D'Angelo Ross playing corner, [LB] Neville [Hewitt] playing versus Green Bay and having a good game. That is going to happen. So, what does that do? [FB] Troy Hairston has played for us [TE] Irv Smith Jr. has played for us in the kicking game, [DE] Dylan Horton has played on our punt team [TE Teagan] Quitoriano. He became one of our best blockers on punt and kick return, which no body probably watches, and I would doubt Teagan would become one of our best blockers on punt return hold up but he was snatching people and using his size and command in their release. So that versatility has served us well, it has given us a chance as a roster to go and compete and it is also and entry level job for a lot of young guys and special teams, but it boosts their confidence when they are going out and cutting it loose. Then the team is having a successful return. You watch guys that are "core" players, [LB] Del'Shawn [Phillips], [LB] Jake [Hansen], Neville, but you realize [CB] Myles Bryant is out there springing us free on that Tank return last game versus Jacksonville. That stuff is super important for us to be able to have 70-man, next guy is in, and we are picking up and moving forward. I can't thank those guys enough for being ready to do that at the drop of a hat and we need to be that way Sunday versus the Dolphins."
On his reaction to Bill Belichick becoming the head coach at the University of North Carolina
"He is the greatest coach ever in the history of football, but I am just worried about the Dolphins right now."
On what his bye week looked like
"I am a new man, I am containing myself with intentionality right now because I got all the energy in the world. I feel like a new man. We did a staycation, one night did our Christmas shopping and I slept to a point where I was actually sore from laying down for too long. That is a good thing, so we are ready to roll this week. "
