Here were some of the postgame comments that stood out after the 20-12 victory against the New York Jets, along with some perspective:
— Head Coach Adam Gase was pleased with the defense's ability to create turnovers to set up the offense in great field position. After coming up with three interceptions in the opener, the Dolphins had three takeaways again, interceptions by T.J. McDonald and Xavien Howard and a fumble recovery by Raekwon McMillan.
— Adam Gase understands there were a lot of things to clean up on offense after the performance against the Jets, but he had to be thrilled with their ability to run out the final 5:56 after New York had cut the lead to eight points. That drive featured four first downs, which allowed Ryan Tannehill to take a knee three times after the two-minute warning.
"On to the next one."
— There's no question Adam Gase is delighted about the Dolphins' first 2-0 start since 2013, but he's never been one to get lost in the moment. His focus right after the victory against the Jets already switched to the game against the Raiders next Sunday.
— Adam Gase gave a game ball to running back Frank Gore, who passed Curtis Martin into fourth place on the NFL's all-time rushing list before coming up with a clutch 19-yard reception to convert a third-and-19 on the game-clinching drive. Gase just smiled when he was asked which of the two achievements earned Gore the game ball.
"When I first got here, I liked Ted. He plays the game the right way."
— Running back Frank Gore was impressed with the performance of guard Ted Larsen in his first start in place of four-time Pro Bowl selection Josh Sitton, who is now on IR.
"I never thought about it. I always take it one day at a time."
— Frank Gore has come a long way since suffering two severe knee injuries during his time at the University of Miami, and he never really spent much time focusing on all-time rushing lists as he moved his way up during his career.
— Frank Gore said he had no idea he had passed Curtis Martin on the all-time rushing list when he did it with an 8-yard run in the third quarter. As has been the case since he signed with the Dolphins, his focus remains on team goals.
"I like how tight we are. We're all together as one."
— Frank Gore is now in his 14th NFL season and he likes the camaraderie of this 2018 Dolphins group.
"We played complimentary football, which is something we talk about a lot."
— Quarterback Ryan Tannehill liked the way the offense and defense came up in the first half when the Dolphins took a 20-0 lead into the locker room.
— Ryan Tannehill had good reason to show some emotion after his 8-yard gain on the zone read right before the two-minute warning because it clinched the victory for the Dolphins. It was a clutch drive for an offense that struggled for most of the second half.
"There's a long road in front of us and a big opportunity."
— Ryan Tannehill finds himself quarterbacking a 2-0 team for the first time since 2013, but he understands all the Dolphins have done is put themselves in a good early position.
— Ryan Tannehill is happy the Dolphins have found a way to win their first two games, but he also understands there is improvement to be made if the team hopes to continue having success during the 2018 season.
