Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has done his homework on the Tennessee Titans ahead of their Week 14 matchup on Monday night.
And, more specifically, he’s done his homework on Titans rookie signal-caller, Will Levis, who he heaped praise on during the week in what was nothing short of a thoughtful yet funny review of the Kentucky product.
“[Levis] can throw the ball far and they like to do a lot of it. I think they have currently – the Titans offense – little-known fact, I think they lead the league in plus-20 yard throws, 22 percent of their passes, I believe – you can check me on that, because I’m pretty sure it’s right (laughter) – are of that depth, so they challenge you,” McDaniel said. “It’s cool to watch a guy come into a team with other players that are very much capable and what I’ve learned from afar is that it’s not about him. He was just chopping wood, but you can learn a lot by just watching and listening. And you watch how guys play with him on the field and you can tell he’s earned the respect of veteran players. And you either have that or you don’t. As a quarterback, there’s nowhere to hide. So it’s cool to watch him progress and I think he is capable of making, I think pretty much every throw.”
Now, a look at what else the Dolphins are saying about the Titans going into this contest.
HC Mike McDaniel
On the Titans, Mike Vrabel:
“They have some guys that can really catch the ball that you’ve probably heard of and teams – we can attest as we’ve had plenty of times that we’re going through some adversity, but you can tell by the way that the Tennessee Titans play in terms of how hard they play and their passion, that it’s just a matter of time that team is at the top of the division with Coach Vrabel. So to be to be a part of that team and to own the respect of his teammates, I think says everything.”
CB Jalen Ramsey
On playing against DeAndre Hopkins:
“There’s a lot of changes. We could go on and on. Everybody knows I’ve played him more than any other receiver I’ve played in my career. It’s another one of those matchups. Another one of those days. I just don’t have to follow him this week I don’t think.”
On being from Nashville:
“Crib! I mean, it’s my hometown team. (I’m a) Nashville boy – 615 represent. I represent Nashville, Tennessee no matter where I’m at, no matter what I’m doing. But I don’t represent the Titans though. I represent the Miami Dolphins now. That’s all that matters.”
On if he grew up a Titans fan:
“I watched them a lot. Obviously, it was right there in my backyard basically. But nah, I wouldn’t say I grew up a Titans fan.”
QB Tua Tagovailoa
On the Titans’ defense:
“Not necessarily. I think one of the things we’re going to have to see is who is going to fill in for 98 (Jeffery Simmons). I think personally that is a big loss for their d-line and the things they do in the back end and with their ‘backers. But outside of that, they are who they are. They play what they play. We’re going to have to be ready with some answers with the pressures they have.”
LB David Long
On if he has extra motivation in facing the Titans:
“Yeah, a little bit, a little bit. But [Titans head coach Mike Vrabel] knows the type of player I am. He knows what he’s going to get and I plan to deliver that.”
DC Vic Fangio
On Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins:
“Well, Hopkins is a unique wide receiver. He’s been a really good wide receiver for a long time in the league. Great hands, great body control. Has a big catch radius. Savvy with his routes. The quarterback knows that, and he’s trying to throw it to him. The quarterback’s got a really good arm. He has a really quick release. I’ve been impressed with what they’ve been able to do.”
On trying to slow down Derrick Henry:
“You have to do a good job up front, first and foremost. You can’t get pushed back. You can’t be blocked out of your assignment and let him get rolling because once he gets rolling, he’s a load. That’s why he’s probably headed to the Hall of Fame as a running back.”
ST coordinator Danny Crossman
On the Ryan Stonehouse injury:
“You hate to see injury to anybody. But obviously as a specialist, those are crushing because you don’t have a guy to go to. You’re into the emergency scenarios like they had to go through last week with (Nick) Folk handling the punting and then obviously (Ryan) Tannehill handling the holding. Now they’ll get somebody in there to be able to do those jobs. You hate those injuries. That’ll be a loss. A really, really talented guy. He really was able to flip the field and really do a great job controlling field position for them. We’ll prepare for a couple different things. We’ll keep track and stuff but it won’t necessarily affect a lot of change in what we’re doing.”
