HEAD COACH JEROD MAYO
PRESS CONFERENCE
October 4, 2024
JM: Good afternoon, my apologies for being a little tardy. So, Caedan [Wallace] and David [Andrews], they'll go on injured reserve. Obviously, David is a huge loss as well as Caedan, but we'll put those guys on injured reserve. We have a big game coming up here against the Dolphins. On another note, new captain, Hunter Henry. Hunter Henry will now be a captain for this team. He's done a tremendous job since he's been here, both on the field and off the field. Obviously, his production is up. The quarterbacks have a lot of trust in him and the players offensively, defensively, and on special teams look up to a guy like that who's played a lot of ball in this league. Hunter Henry will be a captain.
Q: You've got three open spots now with those two guys. Is that just going to be [Kendrick] Bourne, [Sione] Takitaki, and [Marte] Mapu?
JM: Yeah, that's still kind of up in the air. We'll go out and practice today and see how everyone's feeling. Some of our guys are dealing with some things that we just don't know at this current time.
Q: Is there a chance Caedan returns this season or is it over for him?
JM: No, there's a chance.
Q: How is the rest of the line looking health-wise? I know Layden [Robinson] and [Nick] Leverett have also been on the injury report. How have they practiced these first couple of days?
JM: Yeah, we'll see. They've been limited. At the same time, we'll see what it looks like going out there today.
Q: Historically, Jonathan Jones has performed relatively well against Tyreek Hill, at least in the past. You also have a guy in Christian Gonzalez who's taken the lead. How do you find a balance? Is it a historical precedent for a guy like Jonathan on Tyreek, versus a Christian on Tyreek situation?
JM: Yeah, I'm all for being transparent, but I'm not going to talk about it [laughs]. That's one I'm not going to really talk about. What I will say is we have confidence in those guys going out there and getting the job done. We'll see how the game goes.
Q: Jerod, on Wednesday, you made it clear that you're not worried about the state of the locker room. A team employee on a team review show yesterday said he felt the team was 'teetering on a mutiny.' Understanding what that means, have players demonstrated to you they want a change in leadership and or openly defied your orders or those of your coaches?
JM: My focus is definitely on the Dolphins 100%, and the guys in the locker room. I haven't heard that. That's journalism for you. I'm not sure.
Q: It's from the team, so I wanted to check with another team employee here.
JM: Like I said, I haven't heard that. I try not to pay attention to that stuff. You've got to ask him.
Q: Does it feel like there's frustration in the locker room?
JM: It's always frustrating when you're not winning. The guys put a lot of work in, and everyone wants to try to find a solution right now while we're going through this transition. People are definitely frustrated, and that's a normal human response. I feel pretty good about the way that we're going. I used an analogy this morning. It's almost like flying through the clouds, but you have to use the instruments until you get to clear skies. When I took this job, I knew the lumps would come. It's part of the transition.
Q: Did you check with Jon Jones about that analogy?
JM: [Laughs] I'm still like, I don't know if I want him to be my pilot at this time. He's done a good job.
Q: Jerod, K.J. Osborn has been on the Did Not Participate list. Can you provide any update on what's going on with him?
JM: He's dealing with an injury. He may have a chance to make it to the game, but we'll just have to see.
Q: I also want to ask about Kendrick Bourne. What do you think about the dance moves and having him back?
JM: One thing about Kendrick, great energy. You can honestly feel the different vibe just in the huddles. It's good to have him back, great energy, and a good player for us. You always want good players on the field.
Q: The offensive line seems like such a key in terms of developing some continuity over the last two days of practice. Have you felt like you've been able to get five in there and work with them that you can go into this game Sunday, and feel good about what you have?
JM: That's a difficult question. Look, we'll see what practice looks like today because, once again, you have guys, Nick and some of these guys dealing with things, so we'll just have to see.
Q: Hey Jerod. Going back to Hunter, he had an opportunity this past offseason maybe to go elsewhere if he wanted to. He committed early in the process. What did he show you to want to be part of the effort?
JM: Yeah, I think it starts with his leadership and the way that he sees the game and how the game should be played, and how guys should prepare for games. He was excited to come back, and I was excited to have him.
Q: With Tyler Huntley being the quarterback for Miami now, are you guys anticipating at all seeing things that he did in Baltimore now that they've had more time to work with him? Do you think they might do some things that the Dolphins don't typically do?
JM: Yeah, 100%. It's a different quarterback back there, and as you game plan, you want to put plays in that the quarterback is comfortable with. I'm sure they went back and looked at all those things, and I'm sure we'll see them here on Sunday.
Q: Did you see much of that against Tennessee, or are you expecting even more new stuff?
JM: Look, I think every week you have to expect the unexpected. That's part of the game that we play. We talked about the scripts, and how offenses try to throw you off. I would anticipate seeing some of that stuff.
Q: With all these moving parts on the offensive line, how is Scott Peters doing this year?
JM: Yeah, he's done well. He's still working with those guys every day and developing them. I know the guys love him, as well as [Robert] Kugler and Mike [McCarthy] in there as well. Those guys are getting better every day. Once again, it's tough when you have musical chairs, for example, on the offensive line. Hopefully we settle it down a little bit.
Q: Do you anticipate Vederian Lowe being back this weekend?
JM: I would say he's close. He's close. Maybe we should start moving these to after practice so I can give you guys a little more information. He's close, and I don't want to keep saying it, but we'll have to see what he looks like today.
Q: Coach, we think a lot about motion externally, because Kyle Shanahan and Mike McDaniel and what they've done. From your perspective, do you think there's too much emphasis on the importance of motion, and what are some reasons that maybe offenses may not use it as much as some other teams?
JM: Yeah, I mean, look, if you feel like your players are so much better than the other guys, then you don't have to motion as much. Now, once you start to motion pre-snap, and once you start to move from one side to the other post-snap, it just causes confusion. It's window dressing, and defenses have to deal with it. It's tough.
Q: How has that changed as a defensive coach, and a guy who played defense? The rate of motion at the snap is up from 4% about eight years ago. Now it's closer to 30%. What do you see that as a reflection of? Is it just that Shanahan tree expanding, or is there an advantage now being gained by that increase in motion?
JM: Well, it's just about causing confusion. I'm not sure if it's because of the tree or whatever it is, but it just causes problems.
Q: Can it ever cause confusion on the offensive side?
JM: Absolutely.
Q: We asked AVP [Alex Van Pelt] about this yesterday. You're at the bottom of the league in terms of motion at the snap. Is the changing personnel you've had at all a factor?
JM: The more you get into those pre-snap movements, it's just more for the guys to have to understand. Sometimes, no matter what game you see, you see one guy move, and then it's 'let's go back to the start and start this thing over again.' It just adds to the play.
Q: We saw Michael Jordan back to practice this week. Do you feel like he earned a starting role in his first 3 games this season?
JM: He did well for us, and this is a guy who does everything the right way. Now I'm not saying that it's perfect, but he's done a good job for us.
Q: Going back to motion, I think the Dolphins had five penalties related to the motion. Is that something that you will remind officials of?
JM: 100%, all the time. Once again, you're motioning to out-leverage the defense, and they start to do the shaving and things like that. I'm sure the refs have already talked about it.
Q: Have you noticed, as you've looked at tape, the refs clamping down on the cheap motion?
JM: I think every staff is different. We always say, 'we'll do business as business is being done.' Some staffs, they call more holding calls, or more pass interference calls, and the players know that because I talk about it at the squad meeting the night before the game. Who is the referee? What does this group like to call? We talk about that stuff.
Q: Layden Robinson's put a lot of good things on tape, but also understandably he's struggled at times. I know in the summer you mentioned you don't want to see error repeaters. From your perspective, is he growing every week and improving all the things that he's struggling with?
JM: Yeah, 100%. I would also say it's a lot to come in here and play. It's a lot for rookies in general, especially as you're going through a time of transition and offensive line in particular, our offensive line right now. To have to play different spots, it's tough. But he'll be a good player for sure.
Q: Jerod, as a head coach, how do you gauge what the mood is in the locker room? Do you have your office door open? Are you talking to guys one-on-one?
JM: Yeah, I have an open door policy. I definitely lean on the captains of the team. I lean on those guys to let me know what the vibe of the team is. I'm always around, too. I always talk to guys, and they walk into my office and we have those conversations. Once again, it's a process and we're still growing. Our leaders are growing. The middle class is growing. The rookies are growing. I like the way that it's going, even though the record may not reflect it at this current time.
Q: What have you seen from Kendrick Bourne the last two days in practice?
JM: That he's healthy. Thanks.
