Dolphins 15, Patriots 10
JM: Obviously a very disappointing game. I think there's no question we're tough, but we just have to be better from an execution standpoint. We've got to be able to execute in situations. We've got to be able to execute on a play-by-play basis, and we didn't do that. I would also say as the game wore on, our fundamentals began to slip, and that can be a combination of things. We'll watch the film with a critical guy, and we've just got to put a better team out there.
Q. Jerod, with the 12 penalties, like you just said, with the execution, what are you telling your team after a day like today?
JM: That we can do it. We preach all the time about pre-snap and post-snap penalties. It just wasn't a good day.
Q. Jerod, how would you describe the separation at this point between Jacoby and Drake at quarterback? Is there a big gap between the two of them?
JM: I don't want to get into the separation talk. I will say, look, Jacoby is out there trying to do what we've asked him to do from the start. He's taking some big hits, and his toughness continues to show up. Execution from the entire offense has to be better going forward.
Q. Jerod, obviously the defense had held them down for a better part of the game. Do you think fatigue factored in on the 15-play 80-yard drive to put them ahead?
JM: Yeah, I know for a fact fatigue played a part in this game. You think about Marte, this being his first game and playing pretty much every snap. I appreciate him doing that, but at the same time we've got to be able to get off the field, we've got to be able to move the ball offensively. We have to win the time of possession game or at least be close, which once again, they controlled that.
Q. Jerod, on the pass to Jaylinn in the back of the end zone, the closing minutes, what were your thoughts on how that play unfolded, and did you get an explanation from the referees on the rule on how it was overturned?
JM: Look, you guys can ask the referees about that. It was close. It was close. But it was the correct call in my opinion, but I'll have to go back and watch the film. I saw the replay live. Just a tough call.
Q. Jerod, to what to you attribute the lack of production in the passing game?
JM: I think it's a combination of things. It's not just one person. It's everyone just going out there and executing. It's not even knowing what to do, it's, all right, a piece moves, we've got to be able to identify that and go out there and execute.
Q. What did you think of the way the offensive line played today compared to the last couple weeks?
JM: Yeah, I will have to look at the film. I would say there were times where the pocket looked pretty clean and then there were times where you had a free runner right up the A-gap, and we've got to do a better job taking care of that. It's about consistency. That's what it's about. It's about consistency.
Q. Late in the game on 3rd down they called a pass interference on Christian Ellis, led to a touchdown drive. Did they explain to you the foul on that play? Was there any sort of explanation?
JM: That's a question for those guys. They threw the flag, and we always talk about we'll do business as business is being done. We've just got to do a better job as a whole with penalties in general, whether it's holding or a pass interference or anything. Look, I don't think the referees are just out to get anyone in particular. I just think we've got to play smarter.
Q. As the head coach, how bothersome is it that things like discipline, penalties, production is getting worse, not better?
JM: Yeah, the pre-snap stuff definitely bothers me. Look, we have guys, they're out there, they're trying their butts off, but at the same time, going back, not to sound like a broken record, it's about execution, especially in critical situations.
Q. Anything that you can share about Rhamondre Stevenson? We saw him efforting to get off the field late in the game but I don't believe he went back in the medical tent.
JM: He wept back in the game after that ^ check, so we'll see how he feels tomorrow.
Q. Through five games how would you assess the job you're doing as a head coach and your staff as a whole?
JM: Well, I would say for me, it's all about getting better. It's all about learning. It's experience. Look, there are definitely things that I have to do better as a head coach. I would say the staff, they're still -- they're getting on the same page, and once again, like I said earlier, it's about getting better every week, and that goes to communication between the staff and then obviously I have to do a better job as a whole.
Q. You guys got down to the 12-yard line at the end of the fourth quarter and called four straight passes. Was there any thought of running the ball in that situation since you guys were more productive on the ground?
JM: There were a bunch of conversations about that. We ended up throwing the ball. That's what we decided to do, and ultimately it's my decision. I would say we averaged over seven yards a carry, I'm not sure, so that definitely was part of the discussion. We just didn't finish it up.
Q. You talked about the offense needs to get going points-wise. 10, 13 and 3 the last three games. What kind of things can you do as the head coach in your mind to get more points produced with this offense?
JM: We tell the guys all the time, once you cross the white lines, it's your offense, it's your defense, it's your special teams. You've got to take accountability.
We've got to look at ourselves in the mirror, starting with myself and the rest of the coaching staff. We've just got to continue to progress.
Q. Jerod, you talked I believe this week or last week about you expected to take some lumps. My question is did you expect the lumps to be to this degree and the nature of which you're losing?
JM: I expected to take my lumps just like a lot of other first-year head coaches. Look, I'm fine with that. Once again, it's about the guys in that locker room, and we have to be better. We, including me.
Q. Jerod, I was just curious, we saw Keion White take two penalties on the same drive, both for 15 yards. Just what did you see from that drive and what was your message to Keion when he got off the field?
JM: It comes back to discipline. Once again, it's all about discipline, it's about execution. I mean, I think those were the right calls.
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