[h=2]RYAN TANNEHILL, QUARTERBACK[/h]
Q: You guys came back to get within striking distance. What was going right for you guys at the time?
RT: Playing well. It all starts up front. The guys were giving me time to get through my reads. The receivers were getting open and we were making a few plays. That's what we needed. We were in a tough situation and at that point you can go one of two ways. You can pack it up for the day or battle and those guys battled, and that's what you want to see. You obviously don't want to be in that position, but I saw a lot of toughness, a lot of resilience from our guys [they] were hanging in there and just chipping away one play at a time and we got ourselves back in it for a shot at the end.
Q: How do you account for starting a game like that? Offensively, you really couldn't get anything going. Offensively, what was going on? What was the problem? What did you see were the issues there?
RT: There were several issues. A couple times we started to get going. We had a turn over and third and inches that we didn't get on the sneak. I'd have to go back and think about what happened on all of those drives, but we just couldn't get anything going. [We] couldn't move the football. We're putting our defense back on the field after long drives and that's tough. You stay on the field for a 10-play drive and then [we] got three-and-out that's tough on the defense and as an offense we have to do a better job of getting a better start - a fast start - putting points on the board early and giving our defense a break.
Q: What was different in the second half when you put up points and things started to open up in the passing game? DeVante Parker came up with some big plays, Jarvis Landry made big plays and you were able to get things moving. What was the difference between that and that start?
RT: We just got the first down. That's the biggest key [when] we can get the first first down we can get rolling and we didn't really do that in the first half. We kept getting close and didn't get it or [got] going and had a turnover or got going and had an interception before half. So, it's a matter of taking care of the football and getting that first, first down. Once we get going, we are pretty good at staying on the move and keeping the chains moving.
Q: How do you get going from the opening kickoff instead of falling behind and finding the time to get going? It happened last week and here we are this week. How do you come out of the gate and move the ball?
RT: Just make the plays that are there. We had some opportunities. We were close - had a couple mistakes early on and [we're] punting. So, we just have to make those plays early in the game and I have confidence in those guys that we will get it done.
Q: Did the hurry up offense help you get your rhythm and work in your favor in the second half?
RT: We get a lot of practice at a no-huddle offense. It's kind of what we are. We have the ability to go huddle or no huddle and we kind of got the pressure on them. We kind of got them on their heels a little bit and we were moving the football, tiring out the pass rush and that's when we saw us moving the ball.
Q: The effect of Arian foster going out, how did that effect things? Did it make you throw more? What did it do?
RT: I don't think it affected things really at all. I think that's the beauty of our system or our [running backs]. They're different and they have different skill sets, but we feel comfortable and confident with whoever is in there going on and executing the offense.
Q: You certainly feel comfortable throwing DeVante Parker the football. You have a big advantage when he's on the field playing football for you…
RT: Yeah, DeVante's a great football player. You see some of the plays he made - the one handed catch on the takeoff, so we're just scratching the surface with him. He's going to be a big time player for us - we just have to keep him healthy and on the field.
Q: This being a relatively new system how much does that play into you guys getting into somewhat of a rhythm on offense?
RT: I don't think it plays a factor. We're comfortable in this system. We're excited about where we're at and we're confident in what we can do. We just have to come out and execute early and like I said, get the first first down and move the chains and we'll be in good shape.
Q: Last week Adam Gase was saying he should have listened to you a little bit more. Did you guys consult more this week? Did you have a little bit more input on what you're going to do out there on the field?
RT: We were talking the whole game. We had good stuff up. Whether it was getting pressure or missing a play - we had good plays up. It wasn't like we needed to get something else. We had good things up we just missed on a couple plays and we punted. You have one shot on a third down and if you don't get it you're punting. Those are the plays we have to make. [We] have to execute those third downs and keep the chains moving.
Q: What happened on the errant snap?
RT: Just miscommunication and the ball got snapped.
Q: It's way too early to talk must win. At next week's home opener, you obviously don't want to go 0-3. Is there an added emphasis? How would you describe that?
RT: We want to get off to a good start. Establish our home field advantage and get a win. Get a win in the win column. We've had to fly across the country and play a tough team on the road and now at New England. We've had a tough go. We've had our opportunities and we're right there. There's no panic. Obviously, we're disappointed [and] upset about how we let this one get away, but we're right there. There's no panic. We've just got to keep working, keep our heads on, keep grinding and we'll be in good shape next week.
Q: Defensively, did the Patriots give you any reads that were different than you may have expected?
RT: They played a good clean game. I wouldn't say they did anything that was outlandish or crazy. They kind of played how we expected them to play. They just did a good job early in the game putting pressure on us and getting pressure on the quarterback.
[h=2]Jay Ajayi, Running Back[/h](On his performance and being ready to play)
"Besides the fumble, I think I did pretty well. I was just prepared to play no matter what. I was just ready to hear what happened on the sidelines and when they call my number, be ready."
(On the fumble)
"Just have to hold on to the ball, just a mistake."
(On getting more playing time)
"It is the next man up mentality, whoever is on the field is going to play. You just have to play to best of your ability."
(On the Miami Dolphins offense playing better in the second half)
I think we just got in a rhythm and the first initial first down and were just able to keep our offense on the field and make plays. We started slow in the first half and the second half we got it going. We were able to showcase the kind of offense we can be. I still think the sky is the limit for we can do."
[h=2]Kiko Alonso, Linebacker[/h](On the hit to
Jimmy Garoppolo)
"He came out of the pocket and I got out there and he just landed on his shoulder."
(On the mindset of playing against a rookie quarterback)
"We figured they were going to run the ball, just like they did. That last drive we have to get off the field."
(On whether the performance on defense was good enough)
"No. How many points did we give up? Thirty one is too many points. That last drive we have to get off the field. Luckily they missed the field goal but we used up all of our time outs. We just have to get them off the field."
