Adam Gase – August 30, 2018 (Postgame)
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Thursday, August 30, 2018
Postgame – Atlanta Falcons
Head Coach Adam Gase (transcribed by Atlanta Falcons)
On his thoughts on QB Brock Osweiler tonight:
“I thought he did a good job. He controlled the tempo of the game. I thought he was good with his accuracy. Some of those guys … We had a bunch of different guys going in and out and I thought he did a good job of just handling a lot of the changes.”
On if QB Brock Osweiler convinced him he belongs on the team:
“We’ll look at all of this stuff when we get back. The guys will watch the film on the plane tonight and then we’ll have a discussion over the next couple of days.”
On what he liked from the defense today:
“I thought they did a good job. There some really short drives, a lot of three and outs. We got turnovers. The guys were doing a good job of stripping at the ball and just trying to make sure we were making it tough on their ball carriers. It was good to see guys were flying around. (There was) a lot of pressure, it felt like from just that front four.”
On the team’s efficiency and execution:
“I thought it was pretty good. I’m sure when we go back and look at it, there will be some mistakes that we can easily clean up. For the most part, it seemed like things went pretty smooth.”
On what they wanted to get out of LB Jerome Baker playing today:
“We wanted him to get a few more reps and make sure that he is ready to go for the beginning of the season. I think sometimes with the rookies, we just have to kind of make a decision of who we want to play and who we don’t. We felt like … He didn’t start off where he was at the beginning of camp, so he was a little behind on some of the reps. We thought it would be good to just get a couple of series.”
On what LB Jerome Baker has done to win him over:
“His consistency has gotten better. As we’ve gone along, I think guys are able to rely on him, knowing that he’s going to be in the right spots. I think his speed really can trump a lot of things. It can trump a lot of mistakes. If somebody has some kind of error up front, he can make up for it by chasing the ball-carrier down.”
On David Fales’ performance:
“He got stroked pretty good early. That wasn’t really how we wanted to start it off. I thought he had some good balls. He did a good job on third down of converting when they had everybody covered. He scrambled for one (first down). When we go back and watch it, we’ll kind of see where we had some mistakes there. I feel like there were a bunch of good plays and probably some plays that he would want back; but for the most part, I thought he did a good job of doing what we asked him to do.”
On if he feels any differently about the backup quarterback situation after tonight:
“I’ll say the same thing: it’s going to be one of those two guys.”
On how many decisions were cemented tonight:
“We are going to have that discussion in the next couple of days.”
On RB Kalen Ballage’s performance:
“I was excited. A couple of us were talking on the sideline before the game because we were trying to gauge where he was at, and he looked very focused. I think you could tell from that first play of the game that he could’ve easily stepped out of bounds. He leaned back in and he had good contact there and got going a little bit. That was good to see. I think he came out here with a purpose to get better and I think he did that.”
On how he feels about this part of the job this weekend:
“This is the worst part because we’ve been together since April. We’re not a team that really changes out a lot of guys as we go. We try to give everybody the duration of training camp and the four preseason games to prove to us one way or another. Now it’s probably the least fun a part of the job.”
On T Zach Sterup and T Eric Smith and their games tonight:
“No. You already answered your question. (laughter)”
On his confidence level going into the season:
“I think it’s the same it’s been since we put this team together. I like this group. I like the way they work. I like the way they handle everything that we do from the start of the day to the end of the day. I think we’re putting a team together that basically, in the NFL, you’re going to run into adversity. I think this group will handle it. They’re solution-based. They’re going to find a way to get things done the right way.”
On whether there is enough depth at cornerback:
“Yes. We’ll look at this the next couple days to see where it is and see how these guys played this game. I know we’re young, but I like the way that we’re competing, so when we look at the numbers, we’ll be able to say. When you get down to it, you’re talking about are you keeping four or are you keeping five? And really, that’s where it gets thin anyways. You don’t have a lot of options because three of those guys are probably playing anyways, so you’ve got two backups.”
On WR Isaiah Ford:
“I thought he had some good production tonight. He had some good catches. He did a good job of making guys miss, so we’ll kind of see how that shakes out. We haven’t spent too much time worrying about that. We’ll get together when we’ve got a couple days to do it here.”
On whether WR Isaiah Ford would be a tough guy to let go:
“Yes I think there’s a lot of guys in that category. That’s why this part of the job isn’t very fun.”
On CB Tony Lippett’s performance:
“It’s hard for me to say right now. I have to watch it (on tape).”
Adam Gase – August 30, 2018 (Halftime)
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Thursday, August 30, 2018
Halftime – Atlanta Falcons
Head Coach Adam Gase (Halftime)
(Offensively, the first couple of drives looked really good. You got the running game going with RB Kalen Ballage and RB Buddy Howell and QB Brock Osweiler was pretty sharp back there.) – “Yes, it was good. They had a good tempo going. They took advantage of some of the calls versus the coverages they ran. They got some explosive plays. It was good to see.”
(Defensively, you got some pressure and a three-and-out to start. A pressure led to an interception. You saw some other pressure early on.) – “Yes, the front is doing a good job. They’re applying pressure on four-man rushes. (Defensive Coordinator) Matt (Burke) isn’t really calling any blitzes. That’s really been the strong point for us is that four-man rush.”
(How will you go with the quarterbacks in the second half?) – “Brock (Osweiler) will start the second half and then David (Fales) will come back in.”
(You have Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains calling the plays? You chose him to do that in this game?) – “Yes. The fourth preseason game, we did it last year – we had a bunch of guys taking different sections.”
Adam Gase – August 28, 2018
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Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Head Coach Adam Gase
(What do you like from CB Jalen Davis at kickoff returner?) – “We’re always looking for guys that can – whether it be kickoff return, punt return – it’s one of those jobs you have to have a different mindset. When you have 10 guys running at you, you count on guys to get on blocks and you’re going to have to make a lot of guys miss in the open field, usually unblocked. It takes probably a little more than just courage to be able to stick it up in there. When you find guys that have that mindset and are willing to do it and can hit the hole hard, that’s a starting point, and when they actually have vision, that’s even better. I think he’s done a good job when we put him in there of creating a little bit. At the same time, we still have a ways to go because the more he does it, the better he’ll get at it.”
(Are you considering with WR Jakeem Grant for that job?) – “We’re going to kind of see how everything plays out.”
(What’s the biggest thing that S Reshad Jones brings to the defense?) – “His experience. He’s seen a lot of football. He’s been in multiple defensive schemes. I think the longer he’s played, you make it sound like it’s easier for him, but it becomes easier because you can react more and you’re not thinking as much. I think he’s seen a lot of ball over time and it allows him to be more aggressive, it allows him to take chances because he has an idea of what’s going on sometimes just before some guys understand it. He’ll see a route concept developing, he’s able to maybe take a better angle and get his hands on the ball.”
(We noticed DE William Hayes was working out in pads after practice today. Where does he stand?) – “He’s still working through that. I think he feels like he’s ready to go, but I think we’re good where we’re at right now, we just have to make sure that he’s healthy for Week 1.”
(Do you anticipate having him on track for Week 1?) – “I’m hoping so, unless we have any kind of setbacks.”
(What’s your feeling on linebacker depth? Obviously LB Chase Allen has certainly played well. Do you feel that you have enough there or do you need more clarity on Thursday?) – “We’ll kind of see how this plays out. We haven’t really gotten too deep as far as what we’re doing after this game. We’re focused on this one right here. Once this game is over then we’ll move on to the next step.”
(Are there any position groups or players you’re particularly keen on for this last game?) – “Really, both sides of the ball. They didn’t have a great outing last week and we have to make sure that we play better. It’s really both sides of the ball. It’s hard to say this group or one side of the ball. I think both sides need to show a lot of improvement. We need some guys to make more plays when they’re given the opportunity. We have guys that we’ve seen actually do it, and we just didn’t have a very good game last week. In the second half, we need these guys to play better.”
(How has DL Kendall Langford played in his first two weeks here?) – “I’ve been impressed with his ability to come in … He hadn’t practiced and to be able to go in and play against Carolina and then last week getting a full week’s work and then playing in the game. The longer we’ve gone, it’s just going to be a steady climb. Him coming in late, it’s a lot to pick up really fast.”
(I’m doing something on tall football players, 6-foot-7 and over. It occurs to me that half the game is cut off to you. It’s like being a left-handed baseball player where you can’t catch, you can’t play second base, you can’t play shortstop. Is that true?) – “(laughter) That’s a tough one to answer. I don’t know. I have no clue. I’ve been around Brock (Osweiler), who’s close. Zach (Sterup), he seems taller than 6-foot-7. I feel like a little kid next to him. I just know at that size, when you’re playing offensive line, I’m sure it can get interesting sometimes when you get those speed rushers. Those guys are getting so low. You guys watch Robert Quinn every day; the guy is so low to the ground, it just puts a guy like that at a disadvantage.”
(Are there advantages or disadvantages?) – “I think the length, when they get their hands on you. That was the first thing that most of the d-linemen told me when Zach (Sterup) got here was, when he gets your hands on you, it’s just so hard to get your hands anywhere near the frame of his body. Maybe that’s an advantage.”
(How much has T Zach Sterup progressed since he started that 2017 season finale?) – “I think he’s definitely improved as far as his knowledge of the system. It’s not sitting there trying to think through, ‘Okay, what do I have to do? What are my rules?’ Because there’s a lot of things the defense can do where it kind of changes what your technique is. His comfort level there has improved. I think he’s been very consistent. That’s like every other position. You’re just looking for those guys that just day in and day out are the same guy. I think he’s been one of those guys.”
(C/G Ted Larsen went down today.) – “I’m still waiting for them to come back and tell me whatever the evaluation was. I’ll know later today.”
(You’re going to play a lot of young guys, a couple of linebackers, tight end, S Minkah Fitzpatrick obviously. What do they bring and what do you – I don’t know if concern is the right word – but until they get into a game, what can’t they learn?) – “I think this group of young guys, it’s a different class to me. These guys come in with a different kind of maturity almost. Their football IQ is higher than probably a lot of the groups that I’ve been around in the past. (General Manager) Chris (Grier) did a great job putting this draft class together to where these guys, they’re getting thrown in there and they’re executing, they’re doing things well and they’re being impactful. They’re bringing great energy to the group too. You see Minkah makes a couple of plays and gets the defense juiced up. I know guys are anxious for Mike (Gesicki) to get involved in the passing game when we get going during the season because they’ve seen him do a lot of things in practice that gets those guys excited. They know that opens up other things for other players. These guys don’t feel like rookies to me.”
(Going back to S Reshad Jones, what one skill does he have above all others that makes him Reshad?) – “His tackling is probably unique as far as how consistent he is and how evolved he is. He really has a knack for the ball. I will say when I have seen him … thinking back to before we even got here, some of the interceptions that he’s made in the past have been very impressive. And some of the ones I’ve seen in practice, his ball skills are way above normal for that position. He can do things. He can do some good stuff with the ball in his hands. You’re in a Catch-22 with him because you want him near the line of scrimmage; but at the same time, you’d love for him to get kind of caught in a zone where he has a chance to pick a ball off.”
(You have some minor injuries to some wide receiver. Will that affect at all the roster make-up for Week 1?) – “I don’t know. I’ll find out next week.”
(What has impressed you guys about CB Torry McTyer, where clearly he’s more than just a special teams player at this point?) – “He’s covering guys. He’s not afraid to challenge guys. He mixes it up. He’s not the biggest guy, but he doesn’t care. He does everything he can to make the plays when they come in front of him. He doesn’t back down from any receivers. He finds a way to stay as tight as he can. In practice, he makes a lot of plays and when we get in the games, he’s close. That’s just experience. He’ll turn the corner and practice will start translating to the games.”
(Is your sense with CB Tony Lippett that he needs more time to be the same guy as he was before, or is something more significant wrong?) – “I think the more he plays, the more comfortable he’s getting. We’ve got this game coming up, which will be good. We’ll try to give him as many snaps as possible. I know in practice we’re trying to do the same thing and just keep him … encouraging him to challenge receivers, use his length, do all the things that he’s done in the past. Really, this game will be a great test for him to really go out there and challenge and play as many snaps as we can get him in there. Hopefully it’s a high number so when we get out of this game we have a really good sense where he’s at.”
(Was CB Tony Lippett playing a lot of off coverage last game?) – “Yes, he got caught in a couple of situations where we were off. Sometimes it’s situational. Sometimes it could be we’re playing zone instead of a middle to a close where he’s matched up. There’s a lot of different reasons that can happen. When we call certain coverages where we’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re pressing on this,’ he goes up and does it. I know that it felt like they were in the red zone where a lot of times you’re not going to see those type of coverages because those are higher percentage of plays for the offense to take a shot in the back of the end zone.”
Brock Osweiler – August 28, 2018
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Tuesday, August 28, 2018
QB Brock Osweiler
(How much do you think your experience will play a factor in what happens in terms of decisions made?) – “You would have to ask the coaching staff that question. It’s not really up to me to make that decision of where I sit on the depth chart. It’s just up to me to each day compete on the practice field, to work hard in the meeting rooms and really just be the best quarterback and teammate I can be.”
(Where do you feel like you’ve made the most improvement so far?) – “I think understanding what (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase is trying to accomplish with certain play calls. Now after having OTAs, minicamp, training camp and three preseason games … A lot about having success in this league is understanding your play-caller’s intent. And now at the end of training camp, I feel very comfortable with why Coach Gase is calling certain plays and where he wants that football to go.”
Jerome Baker – August 28, 2018
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Tuesday, August 28, 2018
LB Jerome Baker
(On the differences between playing linebacker in college and the NFL.) – “In the NFL, you have to know what you’re doing. There’s no more getting away with speed. Sometimes you have to actually know what you are doing.”
(But you could do that in college?) – “In college, yes. You can get away with it sometimes. But in the NFL, everybody is fast, so if you’re not there, your speed is not going to do anything.”
(What’s the challenge for you that you’ve found in this camp and now we’re going through preseason and just getting to where you want to be.) – “The challenge is coming in and learning the whole playbook – all of the checks, all of the different reads, all of the different formations they’re trying to do. The older guys, Kiko (Alonso) especially, pretty much after practice, we just sit down and go over everything. If I don’t understand something, he pretty much goes one-on-one with me and teaches me through it. It’s really just a credit to the older guys. So many of those guys just help me. If I have a question, I’m not afraid to ask questions (to them). I just give all of the credit to them.”
(Like questions on if they line up here, what do I do?) – “Yes. So if they line up this, what’s the read or the check? Are we doing this or are we doing that? Stuff like that. Little tips. If they run (a certain way), somebody has to come over. Just little things like that. It’s a constant process of just learning. I credit all of the vets for that.”
(Are you pleased with how you’ve done in pass coverage so far?) – “Yes. I did pretty good. I still have to stay square on some things but as far as overall, I think I’m moving in the right direction.”
Chase Allen – August 28, 2018
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Tuesday, August 28, 2018
LB Chase Allen
(How has it been moving around to different positions?) – “Just knowing the playbook. It helps you, I feel like, know the details and the ins and outs of what everyone’s job is. I think it’s helped me as a player.”
(Has any position been more difficult for you?) – “It’s just adjusting from … You have to be able to flip your mind from knowing Mike (and) knowing what your coverage is or whatever to moving to Sam. You just have to be able to flip that mindset and be able to know what you are on that play and focus in.”
(How is this year different than your first year coming here as an undrafted free agent?) – “I’m just much more comfortable with the defense. I know what to expect now rather than coming in and being an undrafted rookie and just running around and trying to impress somebody. This year I’m much more comfortable and more relaxed.”
(What do you tell to some of the other guys that are also in your situation a year ago?) – “You just have to work. You have to … When the opportunity comes, you have to prove it. That’s how this league is.”
(Just the competition at the linebacker spot, how has that been?) – “Great. I think the competition has been huge. I feel like we have a lot of guys that can play multiple positions, so that creates more competition.”
(Going into this fourth game, it’s crunch time for a lot of guys out here. How do you handle it, how do you approach it being kind of in that mix?) – “You just have to treat it like any other game. (You have to) come out and do your job and make some plays. I’m just focusing on my job and whatever position they ask me to play, and just do the best I can at that position.”
(Is your comfort level higher this year compared to last year?) – “Yes, 100 percent. I feel like everyone who goes through a rookie year, their second year they’re much more comfortable and they know what to expect and they can just play faster because of that.”
Kenyan Drake – August 27, 2018
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Monday, August 27, 2018
RB Kenyan Drake
(After this week, obviously this locker room will change drastically. How do guys approach that knowing some of these guys won’t be around starting next week?) – “Just making sure that everybody understands the task at hand. I know a lot of people understand the severity of the situation in terms of the logistics of this business. At the end of the day, I think people, like I said, take things one day at a time, trying to make sure they do everything they need to do to put their best foot forward for this week ahead.”
(What do you feel best about what you’ve done so far in the preseason?) – “I don’t know. It’s hard for me to look back. I’m looking forward to the season, so I’m just trying to play every rep 100 percent, make sure I have all of my responsibilities down. It wasn’t perfect just because it’s preseason. You’re trying to iron out the wrinkles, make sure that you get the details down so when the bullets really start flying in the season, you’re ready to go out there and play ball.”
(What have you learned from RB Frank Gore?) – “Just his meticulous preparation. He’s a guy who’s always in here first, he leaves last. He’s a guy that a lot of people can count on just because at the end of the day, he’s been there and done that; but he proves it on a daily basis every day. It’s really cool just seeing him in the flesh and not knowing necessarily a lot about him before he got here, but knowing that he’s a very diligent type of player and that serves his longevity well, and seeing it in person is definitely something that I can admire.”
(What kind of weapon do you see yourself as?) – “I’m just trying to make plays in any way possible. I feel like my versatility is something that I strive to put on display constantly. So, anything that the coaches ask me, I’m ready to step up to the plate.”
(Do you have a sense yet of how good this team can be?) – “I feel like the stars are our ceiling, honestly. We’re just looking forward to getting ready for the season, taking every game for what it is, going out there and using every rep as a teaching moment in the preseason, so when the game starts, we can go out there and execute to our best ability.”
(Do you think this group here is a playoff team?) – “I’m not really into making expectations. I’m just taking it one day at a time, one game at a time and see how everything plays out.”
(The coaches have said that they’ve seen progression with this team. What type of progressions have you seen?) – “It’s just early in the year. That’s just how it is. Every game you take, every practice rep, every game rep, it’s a learning experience in this situation. Even as the season progresses, you’re going to still continue to learn from mistakes or things that you’ve done, good things and bad things. The progression is just the nature of the game, just to be able to go out there and see what you did, good or bad, learn from it, build on it and try to do it better.”
(Do these starters feel ready for Week 1 right now?) – “We have one more week to decide that, so we’ll decide when that week rolls in.”
(Do you expect to be in the passing game more this year? Is that something you guys have talked about?) – “Yes. My versatility is a weapon for me, so catching the ball out of the back field, lining up in a wing set, in the slot or out wide against linebackers or safeties, I feel like I have an advantage. I see that as being an advantage with me being in that situation, along with running the ball inside or outside, in the back field. I just want to help this team win games.”
(Do you see the potential in the combination of weapons with what you can do with your versatility, what WR Danny Amendola can do, TE Mike Gisecki being at tight end – what do you guys kind of expect from that group?) – “It’s just a shame that we only have one ball. We have a lot of weapons out here to really display their explosiveness. The way that (Head Coach Adam) Gase crafts up these plays and the scheme, I feel like he’s going to put us in the best position to make plays. I’m just looking forward to the time for us to go out there and do what we have to do from the guys that we built from OTAs, from rookies we drafted, from people we added onto this team and see how everything kind of builds.”
(Do guys ever hit you up on social media about – I know it’s something you don’t ever think about – but fantasy, because your name, we hear this year, might be a real high value?) – “I’m not a fan of fantasy. I’m a real football type of person, so fantasy doesn’t bode any type of legitimacy to me.”
(You’re not a fantasy guy at all?) – “No. I’m not a fantasy guy because people, they hold their stock to individual players going out there and making individual performances. That’s fine and dandy, you need players to go out there and make plays; but I’m more of a team person. So when everybody asks me ‘are you going to score a touchdown, are you going to get 100 yards, are you going to do this, are you going to do that?’ That’s all good and dandy when you’re making plays and the team is winning. If your team is not winning, then it doesn’t really matter.”
(How often do you hear that?) – “A lot, so it’s not really something that I want to talk about because I don’t really care about it.”
(Does it bother you to kind of have fans do that?) – “No, because for them to be involved in the game is a great thing. I feel like it’s an awesome thing for fantasy to be around. It’s just not a topic of conversation that I want to have all the time, because I’m more about the actual game, not fantasy.”
Adam Gase – August 27, 2018
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Monday, August 27, 2018
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Can you say with certainty that whoever starts the season as the backup quarterback is on the roster right now?) – “Yes.”
(What has impressed you about the guys vying for that job that they can do it if should something happen to QB Ryan Tannehill?) – “Because I’ve called games for both of them.”
(We saw LB Chase Allen, I think he might have had 27 snaps and LB Jerome Baker maybe 31, but it was pretty close. Is that job more up for grabs than it was maybe a week ago?) – “No.”
(But it is up for grabs? Is LB Jerome Baker your starter or do you have a starter?) – “Baker’s our starter until we say otherwise.”
(All DE Robert Quinn seems to do is make plays. How much has he played in the preseason and are you intrigued with what he can do over a 60-minute game?) – “He’s been in there almost every snap with that first group. I know this, I’m really glad that we made that trade. They approached us and (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Mike (Tannenbaum) and (General Manager) Chris (Grier) acted quickly and they found a way to get it done. Ever since he’s been here, he’s just been so consistent with everything he’s done. He practices the way he plays in games, like there’s no change. He’s harassing the quarterback all of the time. I’ve personally faced him quite a bit between Denver and Chicago and he was a nightmare to deal with. Just being on the same side as him, it’s a good feeling because you know it’s just a matter of time where he’s going to make a play. He’s disruptive. It’s just consistent. You just feel … When you are playing quarterback, you can feel him coming all of the time.”
(Was DE Robert Quinn on your radar before the Rams approached you guys or was it kind of just a shock?) – “It was just one of those things where they were making some changes with that defensive roster with Robert and (Alec) Ogletree getting traded. I think we were just surprised. It was an opportunity for us and the good thing was (Executive Vice President of Football Operations) Mike (Tannenbaum) and (General Manager) Chris (Grier) didn’t hesitate.”
(Of the receivers competing potentially for one job with WR Isaiah Ford, WR Leonte Carroo before his injury, WR Rashawn Scott, WR Francis Owusu, etc. Do any stand out to you as you look at the whole body of work?) – “This last game, once we hit that second half, we didn’t have a whole bunch of guys on offense, especially, play real well. Right now, if we’re going to be doing anything with guys competing for whatever spot it would be … Everything is wide open right now.”
(Are there any injured players that you believe or know will return this week?) – “No. I’m not sure about that. I’m hoping that we get (Leonte) Carroo back. The way that everybody was talking going into the last game is that we thought we would (get him back), but until we can kind of get going and see how he feels, I really won’t know. Probably tomorrow I’ll have a better idea.”
(What’s your level of confidence in WR DeVante Parker for Week 1?) – “I don’t know. I haven’t even gotten that far. I’ll worry about that when that’s that week.”
(Asked another way, how is WR DeVante Parker progressing?) – “I mean he’s getting better. He still can’t catch a ball.”
(With what RB Kenyan Drake is showing as a receiver in addition to running the ball, how valuable is that from a play-calling perspective to have your main guy as a threat in both areas?) – “It’s difficult for the defense because, especially when you have a tight end and a running back that are threats outside, now the defense, if they want to play any kind of man coverage, they have to decide who they want to put on those players. There’s going to be a linebacker on one and a safety on the other. Drake on a linebacker, I like that matchup. If they want to put a linebacker on (Mike) Gesicki, I like that matchup. It just puts the defense in a bind and you start seeing less Cover 1 because they don’t want to get that matchup. Now you get a lot of zone which is softer coverage, which makes it better for our receivers.”
(Have you figured out what is the right touch amount for RB Kenyan Drake in terms of catches and runs? I know you always believe in a two-back system but do you have a good number there?) – “I have an idea but I think every game is going to be different. It really comes down to the amount of plays in a game. In the past, the last two years, we haven’t had the amount of plays we need. You’d love to get in that 70-75 plays per game (range) as a unit. If that happens, then you’re looking at hopefully anywhere from 15-20 carries and 6-8 targets. But that’s if you’re on the high end of plays per game. If you’re lower plays per game then you are looking at less attempts. That’s why, for us, it’s all about third-down conversions. Maybe first down, second down, first down. (That) keeps us on the field (and gives us) longer drives. That’s going to give us opportunities to get the ball in his hands more and now him and Frank (Gore) can kind of work that thing together.”
(Depending on how you want to define the term ‘big play,’ you could say RB Kenyan Drake has made big plays, DE Robert Quinn, CB Xavien Howard, DT Vincent Taylor with the blocked field goal. DT Davon Godchaux I guess on the 2-point conversion. WR Danny Amendola on a third-and-10. How do you define big plays and is this a big play team?) – “Well, you can look at it yardage-wise. I know a lot of teams probably look at it as 10 yards on a run play, 20 yards on a pass play is an explosive play. Danny’s play is probably a good example of you have third-and-10 and he catches the ball under the sticks, makes a guy miss and scores a touchdown. Really, to me, sometimes you are looking at what’s a field-position-changing type play and what sustains a drive. I think a lot of those times when you have those third-and-longer situations and you steal one, that’s a big play because the defense is expecting it. If it’s third-and-7-plus, percentages say they should win. If you get conversions on those down and distances, those are the types of plays that swing the game.”
(Is this a big-play team?) – “I think we can be. When we do things the right way and we execute the right way, we get rid of the ball, hand the ball off and block things well, I think there’s opportunities there.”
(What has prevented WR Leonte Carroo from being what you guys expected him to be to this point?) – “I think, really, for him, a lot of times it’s just been the consistency. When he has opportunities, take advantage of it. When you end up starting a game, which has happened a few times in the last couple of years, how are you going to impact the game? It might not be catching the ball. It might be blocking. It might be doing your job right to where you spring somebody else free. Just the little tiny details of being a complete wide receiver. Sometimes when you are a younger player, it doesn’t always go as smooth as you want it to go. It’s not college to where you can make an impact right away. Not everybody gets to do that. Some of the injuries, the minor – getting banged up sometimes – have hurt him in critical situations to where he’s competing for a job and he has a little setback on an injury. That’s tough for him because he knows every rep for him matters. Every time he has a chance to play a game, it matters. Missing a game … I can’t sit here and go, ‘Well, it’s his fault.’ It’s just kind of luck of the draw sometimes. It’s ‘are you available for a game?’ That’s one of the key things in the league: are you available?”
(Has WR Leonte Carroo gone about it urgently this training camp and played well and done the right thing?) – “Yes. The last two years have been … He’s been outstanding as far as his sense of urgency has been exactly what we want. The more we can get him on the field and the more opportunities we can give him, that gives him a better chance.”
(Is it safe to assume that the starters won’t play in the fourth preseason game?) – “There probably will be some guys that play and some guys that we end up sitting. I think everybody has a different situation. I don’t know if we’re going to look at it as ‘This group’s not playing.’ I think every guy is going to be treated different.”
(With the offensive line, the second unit, did you identify what went wrong there? What were the issues?) – “I mean, we didn’t block them. We didn’t do a good job of executing some of our protections, which snowballs real fast, because the quarterback had no chance. It was a little disappointing because that group has been at least good enough with knowing who we are going to and what we are doing. We just really tightened up a little bit. It was disappointing to see.”
(Did you get any feedback from RB Frank Gore on the number of snaps he got?) – “I heard about it during the game that he wasn’t real happy. (laughter) When we went three-and-out, I’m kind of going ‘You got a catch, so does this count? He has a carry and a catch. Can I get him out of the game?’ He wanted to go back in there. We had him go back in there and then (Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs) Eric (Studesville) is like ‘I took him out,’ which was smart. Really, our goal was to get him a carry. If he got a catch, we were going to be excited about that, then we wanted him out of the game. He’s had enough hits over his career. I’m pretty sure everybody in this room has seen enough football from him to know; but he’s such a competitor. I even heard him say after the game, he was talking to somebody and he was like, ‘I didn’t even play. I didn’t even play.’ He loves being out there. That’s what all of us love about him is the guy loves football. Everything about it from practice to games to meetings, how engaged he is, the amount of time he’s here. It’s awesome to see.”
(How has watching CB Bobby McCain at outside corner in the last few preseason games as well as all of those practices affected you and the rest of the coaching staff’s comfort with that arrangement?) – “I think we all feel really good about it because we know Bobby … If Bobby ever makes a mistake, that’s it. You’re not going to see that same mistake again. He is a very quick learner and he’s a competitor. A lot of times at that position, who are the guys that will compete for 60 minutes and who are the guys that can forget about the bad thing that happened to you? If you play corner in this league, you will get beat. At some point, you’re going to get beat. The best ones can recover. They go out the next one, jump right into a guy’s face and says, ‘Try to do it again.’ That’s what we want.”
(Is there anything you and the staff have reminded CB Bobby McCain of? ‘If you’re going to do this, we want you to keep this in mind.’) – “No. Bobby’s a self-starter. He’s the kind of guy that you don’t have to tell much. Give him the details of what his job are and let him play.”
(Any update on WR Jakeem Grant?) – “No. I have no update on him yet.”
(You have a decision – the tight ends and everywhere, obviously. How has TE AJ Derby looked since the foot injury?) – “He’s been good. He’s had good practices, which that was really the number one thing I was looking for. We got caught in a little bit more probably 11 personnel than really we anticipated going into this last game. So, he didn’t get as many snaps as we really wanted; but I have a really good comfort level of where he’s at right now.”
(I know you’re thrilled to get questions about kickers, but you guys threw us a curveball last year with the K Cody Parkey signing, so I wanted to know your thoughts on how those two rookies have done and if you have a level of confidence with them Week 1?) – “They’re doing good and yes.”
(You’d be fine with going into the season with one of those two are your kicker?) – “Yes.”
(With the backup quarterback situation, could you see yourself possibly keeping three?) – “Sure. We’ll keep as many as we can.”
(But with the roster configurations, can you?) – “We’ll figure all that out when the time comes. We’ve still got another game. I want to see those guys go out there and execute what we’re asking them to do, compete and then we’ll figure that out the next week. I just want to respect the guys that are playing in this game that are fighting for jobs. I don’t want to get ahead of myself on that.”
(I’m curious how dramatic the Atlanta game is going to be with those two quarterbacks – QB Brock Osweiler and QB David Fales. Are they close enough where this is almost a winner-take-all situation for them?) – “I don’t know if I’m looking at it like that. We haven’t even really said, ‘This is how many we’re keeping.’ If we keep three, then those two guys keep battling it out for however long we go. If we make a decision and we say we’re going to keep two, then does it really matter if it was this game that was winner take all? We’re going to look at all the information and we’re going to keep talking through this. I just want those guys to focus on what they’re trying to do right now, which is get ready for Atlanta and we’ll figure all that out next week.”
(Regarding the starting five offensive lineman, are there clear indicators to you that they are growing together, whether it’s communication, subtle signs that as five, they’re becoming one?) – “Yes, I just look at the fact that their quarterback doesn’t get touched a whole bunch. He’s back there and he has an opportunity to go through a progression and you don’t see free runners going through a whole bunch. I do think there has been growth since we’ve started. I really think the left side – between Josh (Sitton) and Laremy (Tunsil) – there’s a real great comfort level there. I think we had a couple ups and downs early in training camp with Jesse (Davis) and Ja’Wuan (James). I think that’s getting better. I think those two guys are doing a good job of working through any kind of issues they’ve had with whether it be pressures or stunts and things like that to where they’re getting on the same page and those guys are working well. I think Dan (Kilgore) is doing a good job of running the show up there. I like where that group is. I feel comfortable with those guys. I feel like they do a great job in the run game. I really do think that’s going to be something that’s going to be a strength of ours this year. When we get in third down, there’s not going to be any hesitation by me to say, ‘If it’s those five guys and they have to protect and we have to hold onto the ball, we’re going to be alright.’”
(What’s your comfort level in CB Tony Lippett and CB Cordrea Tankersley at this point?) – “I think we just are always going to be looking for that consistency. Right now with Tony, I just want to give him as many reps as we possibly can between tomorrow’s practice and that game and have him turn it loose and keep playing the way we want him to play, the way we’ve seen him play in the past. I know that injury is one of the worst kinds of injuries you can have for that position because it’s going to affect change of direction, speed, just confidence sometimes. Last game kind of getting him going a little bit and hopefully we can give him a lot more reps this game. And both those guys just let them go out there and play. My biggest thing is going to be let’s let those guys press and get their hands on receivers and see where we’re at.”
(DT Vincent Taylor seems to flash. What have you noticed about him this camp and where is he as far as the d-tackle rotation?) – “As soon as you put pads on, he seems to show up. He’s the kind of guy that he’s an old-school football player. He does a great job. When it gets physical, I think he enjoys that. He’s got a knack for getting his hands on kicks. There’s a lot of value in that. To me, that’s a turnover for you, because you’re getting great field position, you’re preventing points. That’s something that can help us.”
(Was acquiring DL Kendall Langford any reflection of your confidence in DT Vincent Taylor?) – “It wasn’t really having anything to do with that. We’re always trying to add depth and competition. When we worked all those guys out, he was our best guy that was at that workout. I think his history here and what people feel about him in the building and the confidence guys had for him to be able to come in and just jump right in and really compete, that was something that I think is hard to find at that point in camp.”
(You have a lot of rosterable players on that d-line. Is that a position you feel like you could go heavy in?) – “We’ll figure that out here after this game is over, but it seems like it’s worked out that way in the past. But we’ll just kind of see how everting shakes out.”
(LB Chase Allen got some run with the first team. Can you explain what that was about?) – “We’re always going to be moving guys in. We’ve got him playing a couple different positions, so we’re just trying to make sure that he’s settled in at multiple spots. Defensive guys are always doing a good job putting of pressure on the guy that might be starting a game and making sure everybody … If something happens in a real game, guys have to be ready to step in and play with a different group of guys that they might not practice with all the time. We want to do that more on offense to where all of a sudden you throw a backup quarterback in there and Ryan (Tannehill) gets pulled out and those guys have to be ready to go and there can’t be a huge change. Same thing (with the offensive line). Sometimes you start bumping lineman in there that were maybe on the second team to the first team and just mix that line up so the quarterback has to get used to, ‘How does this work out?’ And then those guys have to understand the intensity can’t change. We can’t have a huge drop off. That’s just not an option. Sometimes we do things like that just to make sure that guys are used to playing with each other and there’s a sense of urgency about a guy that fills in.”
(With DT Jordan Phillips, how would you assess what he did in that game against the Ravens?) – “I think he made some impact plays. There were a couple things that we need to clean up. After we watched that, a couple things on special teams he was involved in, we’d like to actually do a little better. I do think that it was good to see him in the right spot and be able to … On one of the sacks, just by him doing his job, he ends up getting a sack. It’s not really meant for him. That’s good to see because all the little details, that matters. When you work as a unit up there with the linebackers, that’s when you have success. When w’vee got those guys really humming is when they’re all trying to do their job and they’re all on the same page.”
