Coach Bill Belichick 10/30: Final Thoughts on Loss to the Dolphins

Nathan Matt (0:00)

Bill, good morning.

I want to check in about Juju Smith Schuster. Noted, he mentioned last night that he was a major factor in the game as part of the receiver rotation early on, but that changed obviously towards the end of the game as injuries came about. What you perceive his role currently is on the team, and do you expect him to be a major part of the receiver snaps moving forward if guys like Parker and Boron aren't available?

Bill Belichick (0:36)

Yeah, well, look, Juju's missed a couple of games there, and it was good to get him back yesterday, and did a good job for us when he got his opportunities there later in the game. So it looks like he will be physically ready to go, so it will be good to have him back.

SPEAKER_3 (1:07)

That your players are protected, and do you feel like they are being protected in these, I guess, this last game?

Bill Belichick (1:17)

Yeah, I think it's real important.

SPEAKER_3 (1:25)

And what is the process that you go through if you feel like that is not happening?

Bill Belichick (1:33)

So, let's hope it happens.

Nathan Matt (1:35)

Thanks.

Chris Ryan (1:45)

Morning, Bill.

Just kind of your general message to the team at this point regarding sticking with the process as opposed to thinking about record and things of that nature, and obviously all the injuries that took place. Kind of your general message to the group in terms of continuing to be on the path you want them to be on.

Bill Belichick (2:06)

Yeah, well, I'll talk to them today, talk briefly in the locker room after the game, but we'll talk to them today and just go from there.

Chris Ryan (2:17)

In regards to Kyle Dugger's performance yesterday, just generally your thoughts on how he played, how active he was, but also some of his developments you've seen as a leader and an individual that seems like a playmaker on that side of the ball.

Bill Belichick (2:34)

Yeah, Kyle had a lot of production yesterday. You know, when Joann went out, you know, he took over the signal call in, so he does a good job in that area. I mean, you know, Kyle's a smart kid that helps us in a lot of different ways and versatile player in the running game, passing game, kicking game.

So, yeah, he's, you know, he had a productive day yesterday.

SPEAKER_5 (3:07)

Hey, Bill, what are you thinking heading into the trade deadline tomorrow, balancing what you currently have with getting a head start maybe on next year?

Bill Belichick (3:18)

Yeah, we just got back from Miami late last night, and so working through the game, you know, deal with that here over whatever period of time there is.

SPEAKER_3 (3:39)

On the guards, Bill, was that part of the plan going in to rotate the two rookies?

Bill Belichick (3:46)

Yeah, play all three, guys.

SPEAKER_3 (3:49)

And on wives, on defense, how much was his, when he was on the injury report, how much was that sort of a factor in what you could do with him as part of the game plan, what he was dealing with physically?

Bill Belichick (4:04)

Yeah, you know, DeJer's a tough kid. He's out there and some things to work around, but I thought he competed well.

SPEAKER_3 (4:17)

And then the last one I had was on time of possession.

They possessed it almost 36 minutes. And obviously, the fourth downs were part of that. But when you watched the game over, what did you see as the, I mean, I'm sure it's a combination of factors, but what did you see as maybe the things that contributed most to that disparity?

Bill Belichick (4:35)

Yeah, just like you said, my combination of factors. Both sides contributed to that.

SPEAKER_3 (4:50)

And still, all right, Chris, Brian.

SPEAKER_5 (4:54)

Back to the deadline, when those meetings with the personnel department take place, what will your thoughts be? What will your pitch be to them?

Bill Belichick (5:06)

It'll depend on what we're talking about.

SPEAKER_3 (5:16)

Last two questions, Chris Ryan and Nathan Matt.

Chris Ryan (5:21)

On player safety, what is kind of the marriage in your view between how the officials officiate the game and how the players, you know, play the game in instances where it's targeting the helmet and things of that nature? I mean, what are you looking for in terms of how you teach players about how they're supposed to play and what role does the officiating play in, you know, making sure that things are taken care.

Bill Belichick (5:50)