Brian Flores – November 29, 2019
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Friday, November 29, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(We saw that WR Albert Wilson and WR Allen Hurns obviously were limited this week. Do you expect them to play Sunday and do you think you need to give any thought to bringing another receiver to the 53-man roster if they can’t?) – “We’re still kind of working through that. We’ll make that determination tomorrow obviously. As far as bringing somebody up, those guys – like you mentioned both Allen and Albert – working to get back, have been able to practice to some degree, but both (are) definitely doing everything they possibly can to play in the game. They’re both tough – tough guys who want to get out there and help their teammates in what’s going to be a tough game.”
(How prepared is WR Isaiah Ford to contribute to this team? I know he played early this season and Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea said he’s one of the guys who’s more versed in terms of playing all three positions. Where is he in the development?) – “He’s gone in and been productive in games this year. I think he’s a guy who prepares as well as anyone on this team. Like you said and like Chad said – and I’ll echo what Chad said – he can play all positions. That versatility allows him to really go into a game and play where we want him to play or if we have an injury or a guy gets tired or needs a blow, he can go in and really fill in any spot. He’s a good player. When he goes in there, I would say he’s dependable, reliable and a lot of times finds his way open. (We’ve) been very pleased with him.”
(How was QB Josh Rosen’s practice week?) – “Good. It was. He had a good week. I would say he had a good week. He’s making progress and he’s in early, he’s studying, he’s going through his practice clips, his practice plays, going through his progression, trying to get the ball out quickly, trying to make the right reads, taking shots when he can take shots. I think this week in the Carson Wentz role, I thought that was good for him and kind of going through what they do offensively. I thought it was good for him, and he had a good week.”
(What have you liked about CB Ryan Lewis since you’ve gotten him?) – “He’s tough, he’ll tackle, he’s smart, he’s reliable and he loves to play; so all characteristics that we want in a Dolphin. He’s made a couple plays for us. When things don’t go his way, he just – he’s got a short memory, I would say. That’s a good thing. You need that at that position – you really need that at all positions – so I’ve been pleased with him.”
(With the offensive line, G Shaq Calhoun is obviously in there and he’s going to get an opportunity to start, I assume. What do you hope to see from a development standpoint from a young player like him?) – “Really every player – we’ve got a young team – so we want every guy to go in, or to come in every day with the same temperament. We want them to come in and work the same every day. That consistency is really what we’re looking for, but you wouldn’t be in this league if you couldn’t make a play or make a block or make a tackle. You wouldn’t be in this league. The fact that they’re sitting in those seats means that they’re talented. In this league it’s about consistency, so that’s what we talk about on a daily basis. Are you consistent in meetings, walkthrough, practice? That consistency will show itself in games. That’s what we want out of every player, specifically young players who really don’t – it’s their first time around – they don’t know what they don’t know. We’ve got to teach them how to be professionals. We’ve got to teach them what it takes to be successful in this league, and I think that’s what we asked of Shaq (Calhoun) and really all the young players. I think he’s done a good job of that. There’s going to be ups and downs for every player, and it’s an ongoing process. He’s got really an opportunity every day. At the end of the day, he’s judged on his production in games, like we all are. To me, in order to be successful in games, you’ve got to have a good process throughout the week, and we try to teach that and teach them how to go through that process; but at the end of the day it’s up to the player. It’s up to the player to put in some extra work, put in the work we ask them to do, but then also put in some extra work. I think Shaq’s done that. I think a lot of our players have done that. Hopefully they see the benefits.”
(With CB Ken Webster, is he at the point where he can get back in games?) – “He’s close and we’ll see. This will close. I think he’s done everything to get himself back. I think he’s getting to where we’ll see him soon. Will it be this Sunday? It’ll be close.”
Brian Flores – November 28, 2019
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Thursday, November 28, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(DE Taco Charlton – what did you like what you saw in him in those limited snaps last week and do you expect him to rev it up come this week?) – “He’s working his way back. I thought he had some good plays. I thought he had some plays he could improve on, but it was good to get him out there and I thought he really did a nice job working his way back and playing through some pain; so that’s a good thing and he’s getting better every day. Hopefully we’ll get him back out there this week and see some more improvement.”
(What is your philosophy as a coach when it comes to players going for individual accolades – Pro Bowl, All-Pro, things like that? Do you want them to strive for that or is it always team-first?) – “It’s always team-first. I think what I always tell those guys is – or just all players – do a good job of communication, do a good job with your fundamentals, do a good job with your technique, do a good job playing team football and let your talent show itself on the field. I think if you play consistently, if you play smart, tough, physical football; then you’ll make a lot of plays and the rest of that, those things – you get those accolades; but I think the team, I’m always going to want us to put the team first and I think we have a group of guys who do that. We don’t have a bunch of individuals who are just looking for their own stats or fame. I think we have guys who really are bought into helping this team win games and helping this team improve and get better on a daily basis.”
(Do you have a couple of guys who you feel are under the radar? Would you be comfortable lobbying for them and if so, is there anyone you’d like to single out?) – “I’m more interested in the team – the Dolphins – than one player. You need 11 guys out there. Another thing based – I want to talk about this conversation – nobody can make a play without the 10 other guys. If you’re a receiver, it’s hard to get any stats as a receiver if somebody doesn’t throw you the football. It’s hard to get any stats running the football if somebody doesn’t block. It’s hard to get an interception if you have no pass rush. It’s hard to get a bunch of sacks if you don’t have guys covering. I know there’s individual stats and accolades; but in a team game like this, at the end of the day, in a lot of instances, someone or a group of people helped you get your stats, your accolades, your whatever that is. At the end of the day, if you go out there one-on-one against 11 guys on Philly, it may not work out for you. It’s a team game. I guess that’s my thoughts on that.”
(What has stood out to you about DT Davon Godchaux in your first year working with him?) – “He’s big, physical. He’s a talented player. He’s got some real leadership to him. He’s a smart player. He loves to play. I’ve been very pleased with him.”
(You mentioned earlier in the season that DT Christian Wilkins is the type of guy that you want here for the long term, the type of guy who represents the qualities that you like. Would DT Davon Godchaux also fit that category?) – “Absolutely. Absolutely. I think we’ve got two young tackles we like. Both have lots of room for improvement; but I think they have the work ethic, the humility to want to get better (and) want to improve, and hopefully they can reach their maximum potential.”
(Those two guys seem to have a budding relationship kind of on the field and in the locker room. How can that kind of help them in their progression?) – “I think this is – the better the relationships on the team, to me, the better the team. You want those types of relationships really throughout offense, defense, special teams. Those two in particular, they spend a lot of time – obviously they play together a lot – and they spend a lot of time in that meeting room. Those are the bonds you want to form, so that when it gets to those pressure situations, you’ve got a guy you can trust next to you. The goal is to get 11 guys who trust each other and will play hard for each other.”
(How did WR Albert Wilson go through practice yesterday?) – “He came through okay. We’re still kind of working through some things. Obviously he was limited; but I think he’s doing everything he can to play Sunday and hopefully we see him out there.”
(I would be remiss – he’s been on the injury report for a couple weeks now – QB Ryan Fitzpatrick with the shoulder, is that just wear-and-tear or is there something that happened there?) – “When you play quarterback in this league, you take a few hits, you get dinged. We have to report the injury, so they’re on there; but he’s practiced and he’s fought through it and he’s fighting through it in practice and games. I expect him to be out there.”
Brian Flores – November 27, 2019 (Conference Call)
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores Conference Call with Philadelphia Media
(I know you coached LB Kamu Grugier-Hill when he was coming in as a rookie. What stood out to you about him from an athletic standpoint?) – “First, he’s a great kid. He’s smart. He’s very coachable. As a player, he’s athletic, he’s got good speed, he can play multiple positions, good in the kicking game. I really liked him. I’m not surprised he’s done a good job over there in Philly.”
(What stands out to you about Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson’s aggressive play-calling, at least from your experience against him in the Super Bowl?) – “I think it speaks to kind of who Doug is. He’s got an aggressive mindset offensively. Really, I would say this team really across the board is aggressive. They try to apply pressure really in all areas – offense, defense, special teams. That’s the kind of the team that they want to have and it shows up really in all phases.”
(CB Ryan Lewis was here for a couple of games during the season, ends up with you guys, started a couple – what stood out to you about him?) – “Ryan is tough. He’s smart. He really works hard. Football is important to him. He tackles and he’s a good overall team-first guy. I’ve enjoyed working with him. I’d worked with in previous stops. We’re happy to have him.”
(CB Eric Rowe was a second-round pick here. Obviously he landed with you guys in New England. You brought him with you to Miami. What was important about him that you wanted to kind of bring him into your new system – a guy that already knew what was going on?) – “He’s smart. He’s tough. He tackles. Obviously he can play multiple positions. He’s played corner, he’s played safety, he’s played some nickel, and I think he has a lot of the characteristics we’re looking for in guys on our team.”
Isaiah Ford – November 27, 2019
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
WR Isaiah Ford
(What was your reaction when you got the news?) – “I was excited. It’s a chance to get another opportunity to go out there and showcase myself and try to help this team win games.”
(What’s it been like for you this season kind of back and forth?) – “You kind of sign up for this. When you get in this profession, the biggest thing is to take everything one day at a time, one meeting at a time, one play at a time we’re out there, and to prepare like you’re the starter, because at some point you’re expecting that to happen where you’re going to have to step into a role and play and you want to be prepared when it happens.”
(How do you compare yourself today to say July?) – “I just think I’m sharper in the playbook and what they’re asking from the receiver position. I think I have a pretty good feel for what I’m responsible for, what I’m supposed to do and how I’m supposed to do it, things like that. And then just me mentally, I’m a lot more mature in terms of the obstacles and the adversity that I’ve had to overcome.”
(Do you feel some pressure? Because I don’t have to tell you, you look around the wide receiver room, there are plenty of empty chairs now.) – “I like to hang my hat on my confidence and the way that I like to prepare and go out and practice every day and I think everything else will take care of itself.”
(Is there anything that you and Wide Receivers Coach Karl Dorrell have talked about that could maybe get you from a guy who has been on the bubble last couple of years to a guy who’s consistently on the 53-man roster as far as skill development, stuff like that?) – “I think me and coach have a really good relationship in terms of pretty much talking every day, really every route. He’s always coming to me and giving me feedback and insight on if he thinks I did something really well or if he thinks I could sharpen something else up. He just tells me every day to continue to perfect your craft and try new things and see what sticks and what doesn’t to get a feel for your entire skillset.”
(The Dolphins keep bringing you back. Does that kind of tell you that they see you as somebody with a promising future that they want to hang on to?) – “I’d like to think so going in. Like I said, you can’t really get too high or too low, especially in this business, because you could end up hurting yourself in the end and I’ve tried to do that. It’s just coming to work every day and preparing like my opportunity was going to come and when it does, I want to be ready for it.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick – November 27, 2019
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(Question of the day – your favorite Thanksgiving dish?) – “It’s always right around my birthday, so Thanksgiving is a huge holiday for me. I really enjoy it. Now I don’t know how people say it here but I’ve always said ‘(puh-cahn)’ pie, but ‘(PEE-can) pie?’ I’ve got to go pecan pie for sure.”
(Players obviously have raved about you over the years in terms of how you get to know them personally – teammates – and how you spend time with them. What do you believe has been the value of that in terms of how it could translate on the field over the course of your career?) – “I think chemistry matters. Chemistry has a lot of different aspects to it, but one of those is getting to know people and especially as a quarterback – I don’t know if ‘dealing’ with is the right word – but dealing with receivers and tight ends and running backs and different personalities; not everybody responds the same way, so you’ve got to find what makes each person tick and what they respond to. I just think over the years, that’s something that I’ve come to learn in playing with so many personalities, is you have to figure out when to challenge guys and when to just talk to guys. There’s a different way to handle each individual person.”
(Along those lines, you seem to have a good relationship with TE Mike Gesicki. Is that accurate and how did that come about?) – “Yeah, we get along real well. I just think in terms of personality, in some ways we’re very similar and (I) just enjoy hanging out with him. He’s a guy that, in terms of guys that I’m close with on the team, he’s definitely near the top.”
(TE Mike Gesicki playing better this year than he did last year. Is that you? Is that comfort? Is that his second year in the league? Why do you think that is?) – “I wasn’t here last year, obviously, so it’s hard to comment on last year; but from this year, even from training camp to now and even from the beginning of the season to now, he’s worked extremely hard. I think playing tight end, playing receiver – it’s very difficult as a young guy to come in and understand all the nuances to the positions, so I think he has shown great growth even from not even last year, but from when I first saw him to now. A lot of that is hard work. A lot of it is seeing in practice or seeing it in a game and being able to recall that and learn from it. He’s done a nice job with all that, but I think there are very few rookies that have come in that I have seen at the position – tight end or receiver – that have fared very well just with all the different things that are difficult and intricacies in those positions.”
(A similar set of questions for you. Related to WR DeVante Parker, you’ve had so many – I don’t have to tell you – so many receivers go down with injuries and yet the guy who’s had a huge number of injury problems throughout his career has been healthy all year. What has DeVante shown you this season and do you ever get more than two words out of him because we don’t?) – “(laughter) Well again, I didn’t know a whole lot about DeVante’s past other than playing against him and seeing him or whatever; so what I can I guess talk about is what I’ve seen since I’ve been here. (He’s a) hard-working guy, super consistent, just kind of puts his head down and goes to work. He’ll make a joke every now and again. He’ll laugh every now and again, so there’s a human side to him, too. I said it a few weeks ago in terms of him being the most consistent guy we’ve had on offense all year-long, and he just continues to do a great job. Since I’ve been here, it’s been from Day 1. (During the) offseason he was super impressive with all the things he did and that’s carried over into the season.”
(This team has been – one of the most important things for the season is to identify and develop a core group moving forward that they can build around – who have been a few guys on this team that have surprised you that have kind of come out of nowhere? Obviously WR Preston Williams was one but he hasn’t played in a while.) – “I think from the beginning, Preston was the big one – a guy that (was) undrafted and undrafted for whatever reason he was – that really from Day 1 popped; and again a guy – talk about DeVante (Parker), Preston was the same way in terms of (he) really jumped out early, worked hard every day, (had a) smile on his face. He’s a guy I’m very excited for him and his future and whatever that holds. I know it’ll be bright. He’s already in here working his tail off trying to get back, but I would say he’s probably the first one that comes to mind.”
(WR Isaiah Ford is on the 53-man roster again. Just his skills as a receiver from being around him for six, seven months? What skills does he bring?) – “Isaiah, from the time we started installing this offense, he picked it up the fastest. (He is) Mr. Reliable in terms of being able to play every position. You can count on him doing the right thing, making the right read, being in the right place at the right time. As a quarterback – I think Allen Hurns is very much the same way, but Isaiah has done a great job throughout the year and a guy that we’re bringing up now, but I think that all of us in our room we’re real comfortable with in terms of throwing him the ball because he’s been around and been very consistent throughout the year.”
(What are your Thanksgiving plans? What is your family doing on Thursday?) – “Just that. Hanging out with family, enjoying the day. We usually – me and my brothers used to do the pre weigh-in and the post weigh-in. (laughter) Maybe I’ll do it with my kids, and we’ll just do like, a body composition percentage or something. (laughter) They’ve got the leg-up on me, especially the 30-pounder, so we’ll see. (laughter)”
(What are the logistics of a family of nine?) – “Yeah, I’ve – in the last few years – really come to like the deep frying of the turkey. It’s 45 minutes, frees up the oven for other things, I can kind of sit and feel manly and man the fryer a little bit. (laughter) So that’s probably what I’ll be doing – maybe two birds in there, so an hour and a half, 30 minutes of prep time. I probably have two hours set aside for just sitting by myself unless people want to come by and talk to me, which I don’t mind. (laughter)”
Mike Gesicki – November 27, 2019
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
TE Mike Gesicki
(How did that touchdown feel?) – “It was cool. It was fun for the time being. Ultimately, we didn’t come out for the win and all of that kind of stuff. That’s what we’re out there to do; but for that time and that play, we were able to execute. ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) gave a good ball and I was able to go up and make a play, so it was cool.”
(You seem to be getting more and more confidence as the games go. How much does QB Ryan Fitzpatrick have to do with that and how much does it just have to do with the learning curve of the NFL?) – “I think playing with him is kind of pretty easy. He gives you a chance to go make plays and then when the opportunity comes, like I’ve said for a long time now, it’s all about opportunities. So when you get the opportunity, you have to make the play. I think I’ve been given a little bit more opportunity and I appreciate that. My coaches put me in position to be successful. Everybody else on the field is kind of making plays. My touchdown, I don’t score that without (Allen) Hurns going in there and tracking the safety and running the corner route but kind of taking his time to get the safety to cover him and open up the space for me to fill that void and score the touchdown. I do appreciate all of the opportunities, but it’s not just me. There are a lot of guys out there that are playing their roles and helping me make my job a little bit easier.”
(When you made that catch, it looked like there was a sigh of relief like ‘Finally I got one!’ What did you do with the ball?) – “I’ve still got the ball, obviously. Like I said, it was a cool experience and it was fun for the time being and ultimately we kind of got back into the game for a little bit, so that was starting to get a little exciting; but then we weren’t able to finish. For the time being it was cool and it was fun but ultimately now, we’re on to Philly.”
(So Philadelphia is like an hour and a half from your hometown?) – “Yeah, like an hour.”
(So who were a few of the guys that you really liked on the Eagles when you were a kid?) – “I grew up a Giants fan, so I was not very fond of the Eagles growing up. (laughter) Obviously I knew all of those guys and all of their players and definitely did see in the beginning stages of his career (Zach) Ertz and all of that kind of stuff. It’s been cool kind of prepping this week. Obviously I have a lot of people back home that are talking about it but I’m just kind of taking it day by day.”
(It’s got to be a unique Thanksgiving week when you’re in the NFL. How do you plan on marking the occasion? What are you thankful for?) – “I’m thankful for a ton. I’m thankful for being here, the opportunity that presents itself each and every day, and just doing what I love each and every day. This has been cool. It’s been fun. Then tomorrow, I’ll probably hang out with Durham (Smythe), honestly, and go over to his place. I think his family is coming in for Thanksgiving so we’ll go over there.”
(Do you partake in all the food with all of the fix-ins or because of a game on Sunday…) – “Oh no, I’m definitely going to eat. I could use it. (laughter) So I’ll eat up and whatever Durham’s mom is cooking tomorrow, I’ll eat all of that and then enjoy myself. It will be fun.”
(You said people back home are talking about it. Is there anyone chirping as an Eagles fan that you know or what’s going on?) – “All of my friends are Eagles fans so hopefully they’re Mike fans for a little bit on Sunday. At the end of the day, we’ve got a job to go out and do. It’s going to be a fun game; it’s going to be a fun experience. It’ll probably be a nice little atmosphere out there. We’ll all be ready to go.”
(The touchdown, was it relief? Was it excitement? What was it?) – “It was fun. It was cool for the time being, for that play and just going out and getting the opportunity. I think that’s the most important part for me is just having the opportunity to go out and make a play in the end zone. It’s been quite a while. So to have that opportunity and go out and make a play, it was fun. I appreciate ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) putting the ball up for me and then all of the other guys. Like I said before, I don’t think I score the touchdown without Allen Hurns on that play, running his route the way he did and attracting the safety and giving me that open hole. It was a great opportunity. You just have to make the most out of it. Now I’m moving on.”
(Sometimes they come in bunches. Do you think this might be the first of a bunch?) – “Well, if it is – like I just said and have been saying for a long time, it’s all about opportunity. You have to make the most of it when it comes. If it does come in bunches and there are more opportunities, I’ve just got to be ready. That’s just how I’m handling this whole process.”
Brian Flores – November 27, 2019
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Wednesday, November 27, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Any roster moves in regards to anyone coming up to the 53-man roster if WR Jakeem Grant goes to IR?) – “Yeah, we’ll bring Isaiah Ford up, so that will be the move there with Jakeem going down.”
(Are you optimistic about having WR Albert Wilson this week to give you a fourth healthy receiver or do you need to bring somebody else in as well?) – “We’re still kind of discussing that. Obviously Albert is doing everything he can to get out there. I expect to see him to some degree today and he’s doing everything he can to work his way back.”
(Do you have any Thanksgiving plans?) – “Yeah, I’ll spend time with my family and have turkey with the kids and my wife. It’s my favorite holiday, to be honest. I think we have a lot to be thankful for. I just have a lot of memories of spending time with brothers, parents, cousins, uncles. Yeah, it’s a good holiday.”
(What do you have to be thankful for?) – “I have a lot to be thankful for – my family, health, friendships. I’ve had a lot of blessings and great opportunities and it’s a great opportunity and a blessing to coach this team and be part of this organization. I wake up every day and I’m excited and happy. I have a lot to be thankful for.”
(Effort has not been a problem with this team. I think you’ll agree with that. Is that right?) – “Yeah, I would agree with that. I think this team, they play hard. They work hard. It’s important to them. Yeah, I would say that’s something that we – we give good effort. But I think every team gives good effort. I think if you play in this league, that’s almost standard operating procedure.”
(But it is a long season and you are 2-9. In these last five games, where does the motivation come from?) – “I think guys love to play football and they’re competitors. I think I’m competitive. Those players in the locker room are competitive. Our coaching staff is competitive. Everyone in this organization is competitive. From that standpoint, if you are a competitor, you go out there and try to win every week. I don’t think we’re lacking in that area either. I expect these guys to come out and practice hard today and get themselves prepared to play a tough, physical and very good Philadelphia team.”
(With the decisions at left tackle and guard, are you going week to week or at this point would you like to see T Julién Davenport and G Shaq Calhoun out there moving forward?) – “I think we’ll go week to week like we have every week. We try to stay consistent that way. I think practice is an important part of this but I think Shaq and Julién, I think those guys understand that and I imagine they’ll practice or do everything they can to practice well and put themselves in position to play well. If they do that, I would expect to see them out there.”
(I know guys like WR Isaiah Ford and RB Patrick Laird are going to get opportunities now because of injuries; but realistically, how many skill position guys can a team afford to lose before it really has an impact? Have you ever gone through so many injuries at the skill positions in your career?) – “It’s not easy. You look at Philly and their situation, they’ve had a lot of guys go down as well. I anticipate that they’ll get some guys back this week but I think every team goes through some injury – not every team, but a lot of teams go through injuries like we’re dealing with now. Other guys have to step up whether it’s the tight end position or the running backs. The receivers we have, they have to play. They have to go. All of that, we have to take that into consideration as we’re game-planning and as we’re putting things together. We have a lot of confidence in our receiver group and I think they’ll prepare themselves to get ready to play. I think they’ll all play hard and give maximum effort and hopefully be productive.”
(What did you learn about Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson’s offense when you faced him in the Super Bowl?) – “It’s a tough offense. They’ve got a lot of good skill players. It’s a good scheme. It’s a good mix of shifts, motions, gadget-type formations/plays; but also your core runs, core passes, from dropbacks to play-action to the screen game. They do a lot. They’ve got good skill players. It’s a good scheme. We’ve got to play with really good communication, good fundamentals, good technique. We have to tackle well, like we talk about every week. It’s a good offense.”
(Did you go back ever and watch that film or were you just kind of…) – “No, I’ve watched it. I think you can – like anything else, you learn from that game, things you could have done better, things you may do the next time around. Yeah, I’ve gone back and watched it. I’m not afraid of watching a loss or something where it didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to. No issue there.”
(What did you learn from going back and watching it?) – “It was a couple of years ago. It’s a totally different set of players, situations. I mean I know that it’s a good offense. I know that they’ll have plays schemed up for us (and) what we do to try to take advantage of some of the things that we do. But I think every team is like that. They’ve got good players. That’s what I’ve learned. A lot of them are still there.”
(Will you at any point this week work on the Philly Special?) – “I think it’s – we may, we may not. Again, that was a different set of players there. That was (Trey) Burton throwing it. He’s not on their team now. It’s very different. They’ve got a lot of different players than they did in 2017. We’ve got a totally different set of players as well. We may work on it, we may not. We’ll definitely show it to them. They’ve got gadgets. They’ve got a lot more gadgets than that play, I’ll tell you that right now, if you’ve watched them over the years. We’ve got to be ready for everything. I’d say, if you spend too much time on those types of plays – in a lot of instances that’s what the offense wants you to do is spend time on that, then they hit you with their core runs and core passes while you’re thinking about the Philly Special and it never shows.”
(You’ve tried several times this year, more than a handful actually, to do something different – onside kicks, fake field goal, something to give a spark for your team. I understand the roster and all of that, but is that who you are at your core where when you get a better set of players, that you’re still going to be doing that?) – “I think it’s case by case, season by season, team by team, day by day. If we feel like we have something we think will work, we’re probably going to run it – offensively, defensively or in the kicking game. I think if you can get an advantage in any phase, you need to try to do that. Regardless of the situation, I think that’s just coaching football. It doesn’t matter the phase, it doesn’t matter offense, defense. If you can try to take advantage of any little thing, you try to do it. When the opportunity presents itself, you’ve got to call it. I think I’m not afraid to call it. Maybe that will change. I doubt it will, to be honest with you. (laughter)”
(During a week, how much to you study opposing coaches and coordinators tendencies versus just the team they have on the field?) – “I think you study all of it. You study all the tendencies. I think it’s easy to fall into a rhythm or routine. ‘Hey, on this we’re doing this, on that we’re doing that.’ I try to do that for our coaching staff. We try to do that on the opponents as well. I’d say for this staff (in the Eagles that) breaks a lot of tendencies. At the end of the day, you see that every week. You think they’re going to run it every time on third-and-1 and then they hit you with a pass and there it is. I thought, everybody thought, the statistics say this, the analytics say that, and it’s a big play. That happens at times. You’ve got to be ready for everything. I tell our players ‘read your keys.’ I know it’s run 99 out of 100 (times) but read your keys. Don’t come back and tell me it was 99 out of 100 and it’s a pass now. That’s always been a coaching point of mine. I think every coach to some degree – or not even to some degree, I think every coach is teaching that.”
(This franchise has a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, LB Zach Thomas. I don’t know how familiar you are. Can I ask your opinion?) – “Yeah. First, I think I’ve met him once. He’s a very, very humble, kind individual. In that instance and from everything that I’ve heard, he’s a great teammate, great leader and a great human being. So I’ll start there. I think he was a very, very, very good player. (He was) instinctive, made a lot of plays, really good tackler. I would say the ball found him or he found the ball in a lot of instances. I just think turnover after turnover, (he was) tough and physical. He made a lot of plays and they played a lot of great defense here and he was right at the forefront of a lot of that.”
(So you’d like to see LB Zach Thomas get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame?) – “Absolutely. I’d love to see him get in.”
(What do you hope your team can accomplish in the last five games of the season?) – “The same things I’ve been saying all year. Let’s improve, let’s get better in all areas – running, blocking, defeating blocks, tackling, footwork, hand placement, communication, overall execution, coverage on kicks and punts, punting, field goals, coaching – you name it, we need to improve and get better. That’s our job. That’s our job as coaches to teach and try to help people improve and get better. It’s not just on the field, but off the field as well. It’s Thanksgiving. I talked to our players this morning, it’s a great opportunity for you to – instead of you going on Instagram or Twitter, why don’t you write a note to somebody who has done a lot for you – a mentor, a coach, your girlfriend, your wife, your kids, your parents. It’s a great opportunity – not opportunity, you should do it all the time; but it is Thanksgiving and we all have a lot to be thankful for. They should go out – I try to encourage them to do that as well. There is a lot of areas we can get better. That’s my job. That’s what I like to do is help people get better.”
Patrick Graham – November 26, 2019
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Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham
(How would you assess the development of CB Ryan Lewis?) – “I think he’s getting better. It was good to see him come up with a big play in the game last week. I think the attributes that led us to wanting to go get him – he’s tough, he’s smart, he can tackle. I think his play at the line of scrimmage and being physical, that’s what kind of led to the play. I know he threw a little bit behind him and the ball tipped up in the air when it hit Odell (Beckham), but I think that’s the stuff we’re looking for from him and that’s what he’s trying to give us.”
(Obviously your secondary faced a very tough matchup with Cleveland. What can they take from that game with those struggles to build on, and how do they build on them?) – “The NFL is such an interesting place and just an interesting league. These guys are the best in the world at what they do. So for a young group like that to go against those guys and get a chance to play against them and experience those plays, they’ll learn those lessons, coming from two of the more skilled guys. Just like this week facing Philadelphia, they’ve got a very skilled wide receiver group and hopefully the lessons learned from this last game will carry over to the next game, whether it’s better at the line of scrimmage, better at coming up and through the pocket. Just things that (are) natural defensive backs plays that I think you learn and gain experience doing it against the elite. Then you hope the next time, it is better. That’s the main thing.”
(How was communication there in the back end?) – “Communication – obviously when you lose, everything could be better. Communication from me, why don’t we start there? Everything starts with me as the coordinator. I’ve got to do a better job of communicating and getting everything in the right spot and then obviously the fellows will probably tell you, they could’ve been better. Just like a bunch of stuff could have been better – tackling – but that’s what we’re going to get to tomorrow. We’re going to attack it full on. I love this group in terms of how they come into work and I know this, they’ll be ready to get going on the Eagles for this weekend. That’s one of the biggest things I can pull from these guys is meeting with them on Monday and knowing that they are already preparing for the Eagles right now. We’ll be ready to prepare for these guys. Most of the guys are starting today; but we’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
(What kind of challenge will it be facing a team that has two high-end tight ends like they do with TE Zach Ertz and TE Dallas Goedert?) – “It’s a struggle. Just with one tight end, it’s hard. Ertz is one of the elite tight ends in the league. These guys do a good job of working together, whether it is screens or down-the-field throws, intermediate throws, RPOs (run/pass options). They’re so highly involved with everything they do with the offense. You get to see all of the 12 personnel they are in. It does make it a challenge, but we’re at work trying to figure it out right now and we’ll see how it plays out on Sunday.”
(What challenges does TE Dallas Goedert present to the defense?) – “I think because he’s a good in-line blocker and then with the ability to flex out and give you the multiplicity – the same thing we’re trying to gain on defense, they can do on offense because their 12 personnel can look like 11, it can look like 10, it can look like 21. His toughness really stands out, his versatility stands out and then the fact that he can catch the ball. So you’re like ok, a lot of times you hope that the in-line tight end is just a blocker, so you don’t have to worry about covering him. No, not the case (with Goedert).”
(LB Andrew Van Ginkel had the big splash play on special teams. What did you see from him in his snaps on defense and what do you want to see form him going forward?) – “You saw a young player out there getting his feet wet and stuff. I think there are a couple of plays he would want back and he can improve upon; but you saw a guy who was out there and running around. It was good to see him out there, put it that way. I’m looking forward to see how his growth goes this week against the Eagles.”
(With this defensive line, the Browns got a lot of push at the line of scrimmage. Obviously they’re a good team, they’re in the NFL, too; but how well have you guys done at anchoring that point and holding the line?) – “I think one of the strong points again – and we’re going to need it this week dealing with the guys from the Eagles in terms of the run game because it’s such a good rushing team – I think our defensive tackles are, they’re in there competing and they’re fighting their butts off, honestly. In terms of staying square, playing with extension, hands out in front of their eyes, I think they’ve done a good job. Again, the whole stoutness of the interior of the defense doesn’t just fall on the d-line. It’s also pressing from the second level with the (line)backers, getting the right run reads and things of that nature. There’s no way in the world I could say if you perceived us getting knocked back – and again, obviously the run defense wasn’t great and we’ve got a ways to go in terms of improving it – but it’s not just a d-line problem by any stretch of the imagination. It’s more of a ‘me’ problem, making sure I get them in the right spots, making sure that I’m coaching it better. It starts with the coaching first and then we’ve got to get – really it’s 11 people out there that contribute to the stoutness of the defense.”
(Something that’s fascinated me is you’ve got an almost full hockey line change at times. You send five guys on, take five guys off from play to play. Is that based on maybe some limitations of the roster right now or is that philosophically how you want to coach this team?) – “Just in terms of change, it’s based on the situation and what we think is going to be best within that situation. We’re always trying to deploy the right guys to take advantage of their weaknesses, take advantage of the situation, provide us with the best matchup. That’s what we’re really trying to do. I don’t think it has anything to do with the roster. It is a good thing to be able to have guys that are multiple and able to move them in and out of the lineup like that. That’s a good thing, but it’s usually just to take advantage of the matchup or situation.”
(I guess I’ll ask it this way – if you put seven All-Pros out there, would you be rotating them as regularly as you are now?) – “If we had seven All-Pros out there, that would be nice. (laughter) No, I’m joking; but again, it’s all based on the situation and game plan for that week. I can’t answer that. I’ve never been on a field with seven All-Pros before, so I don’t know.”
(I wanted to ask you about DT John Jenkins. What has stood out to you most in your first year with him as a player and as a guy?) – “I think I said it last week, ‘Jenks’ (John Jenkins) is a guy that one, he’s from the great state of Connecticut. That’s a positive – wrong city, but great state of Connecticut. (He has a) great personality. He’s a physical football player, he’s a smart football player and he has experience. His experience – again – his experience in the division that we’re about to (go against) facing the Eagles this week, he has some experience there. He’ll be able to help us out in terms of talking about the offensive line and some of their schemes to help us there, but just also with our younger players, he’s a guy that they can go to to help figure out some of the stuff – ins and outs of the NFL that you learn from the players.”
(I was going to ask you as a follow-up, how much interaction have you seen with DT John Jenkins mentoring DT Davon Godchaux and DT Christian Wilkins?) – “You see it. They’re always talking. The football conversations that are happening now here in November on the sideline during practice are lightyears ahead of what they were when we first got here. That’s one thing as a coach I could take away from that and just say I’m really happy to hear those side conversations because sometimes I’m not involved with it, but I can hear it going on and we’re talking about the right things. We’re moving forward in the right direction with that.”
(The Eagles played Sunday without RB Jordan Howard and without WR Alshon Jeffrey and without WR Nelson Agholor. QB Carson Wentz hurt his finger. How tricky does it make it to prepare for them with all these unknowns?) – “(laughter) Like I say every week, the unknowns are the unknowns, but we’ve got to prepare for it all. That’s why we get paid, and that’s why it’s the NFL. We know it’s a physical league, but I always look forward to the challenge of that. Just making sure and we’ll see what happens on Sunday with inactives and we’ll go from there, but you’ve got to prepare for it all.”
