Eric Rowe – August 22, 2019 (Postgame)
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Thursday, August 22, 2019
Postgame – Jacksonville
CB Eric Rowe (transcribed by Anthony Gutierrez)
(Can you take us through the interception, a pretty athletic play there?) – “I mean, I was reading his body language. Obviously it came from film study. I knew what kind of routes they like to run, especially on third down. With the play we had called, I had inside help, so I was like I’m just going to stay on his outside and I know he likes to run the out on third down. I mean, they did it twice and I could’ve had the first one, but I’m surprised he threw the second one too.”
(Third preseason game, obviously typically the dress rehearsal game. You’ve been through a number of these. Did you feel that added sense of importance tonight on solidifying your role opposite CB Xavien Howard?) – “I mean, I take every preseason game, regular season game, postseason game with the same mindset out there. I’m locked in, whoever the opponent is, whoever the receiver is, I’m all in. I don’t really treat it as, ‘Oh, it’s just a preseason game.’ I use this to get in game shape, get my mind right. It doesn’t matter. It could be the fourth preseason game and If they play me in it then I’m going to have the same mindset.”
(Is there extra pressure playing opposite of a guy like CB Xavien Howard or do you look at it as an increase of opportunities because chances are the other teams are going to avoid him?) – “I mean, it’s not the first time I’ve played opposite of a great corner. I think my second year it was Malcom Butler, third year it was Stephon Gilmore, now its ‘X.’ I look at it as, alright well quarterbacks are not going to really want to throw their way, come my way and bring it to me and I want to take advantage of every opportunity I get.”
Brian Flores – August 22, 2019 (Halftime)
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Thursday, August 22, 2019
Halftime – Jacksonville
Head Coach Brian Flores (Transcribed by Vira Halim)
(On the first half.) – “We would’ve liked to start faster. That’s a good defense we’re playing against. They’ve got some speed that we had to deal with on the d-line, at the linebacker level. They made some plays defensively. Our goal right now is to move on to the next play. It’s a 60-minute ball game, and that’s what I preached to them, so hopefully we put some drives together here in the second half and punch one of these in.”
(There were a couple of big plays on defense – what are your thoughts on that side of the ball?) – “I think the kicking game and defensively, I love the energy. The effort was good, and the execution was good. A couple penalties hurt us, but we’re right in the game. We’re down one, and (it’s a) 60-minute ball game.”
(What do you expect from QB Josh Rosen out of here in the second half?) – “I want him to get in and out of the huddle. I want him to make good decisions with the football. I want ball security, and I want him to lead the offense.”
Christian Wilkins – August 20, 2019
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
DT Christian Wilkins
(A couple preseason games now – how has that been for you and are you making adjustments now that you’re a pro?) – “It’s been good because the biggest thing right now as a young guy and as a rookie, and just even as I’m getting my feet wet, is repetition. Everyone else at this level has more years of experience and repetition, so that’s how I’m going to catch up. Getting as many reps in practice and in the game is all huge and is all really important, so I just try to make the most of all those reps and make them all count – work on not just doing things just to do them, but being intentional with them and working on things to improve my overall craft so I could put my best performance out there when it comes Sunday.”
(How do you feel coming from a championship program like Clemson has helped you adapt to the NFL in knowing where you’re coming from?) – “Yeah, I definitely feel like Clemson has helped me tremendously, just the way we ran things there. There’s a reason why we were such a successful program at Clemson because we ran it like a pro team. Just the demand from the coaches, the level of competition I’ve been going against. Obviously, guys are better here in the NFL. Everyone’s great here in the NFL, but I feel like Clemson definitely prepared me – just having the right mindset every day and bringing that. That definitely helped me tremendously getting ready for this level.”
(In that same breadth, how has that prepared you to be a leader? We were talking to DT Davon Godchaux yesterday. He was like, “it doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a veteran. Anybody can be a leader.” He looked for you yesterday to get some juice. He was like, “Christian, I need some juice right now.” You’re the guy that generated that.) – “No, definitely. Like you said, I feel like leadership is universal. It doesn’t matter what’s the circumstance – how old you are, how young you are, whatever. I feel like if you can be a spark and be a bright light, then that can be you. Yesterday was one of those days, and hopefully I can begin and continue to take on more of a leadership role because I want that. I feel like I try to do the right thing so that I can be respected and looked at as a leader so I that’s how I try to carry myself.”
(How does that help build your confidence knowing that veterans are leaning on you sometimes for some things?) – “That’s definitely big. That’s definitely big for my confidence and knowing that and just learning that they’re respecting me enough to look to me as a leader – a guy to bring some juice, bring a little bit of energy because that’s what I’m all about. It’s just all genuine for me. I just love playing the game, loving being out there, so I always try to have fun with it, and that’s how I approach each and every day. So that’s good that a lot of those older guys, a lot of those veterans are starting to look at me like that because that’s what I want.”
(The third preseason game is the one with the biggest spotlight on it. Do you feel coming into this game a little more intensity?) – “Well, I try to – well, this is my third game in the NFL, period. So they’ve all been pretty intense for me. The way I’m approaching those games, I try to approach every game the same, I try to approach every practice the same so that the game’s easy. Just bring that intensity, bring that focus, bring that mindset every day just to improve, be the best and be the most dominant out on the field. Whether that happens or not, we’ll see what happens; but that’s my mindset, and how I try approach each and every day, each and every week, each and every game. I have that mindset each and every week. It doesn’t matter if it’s the third preseason game, which is like the big ‘dress rehearsal’ usually (or not). I just try to bring it every day.”
(I know it’s preseason, but how sweet was it to get that first sack?) – “Oh yeah, that was pretty cool. Hopefully there’s many more to come. I keep working hard, so if I can get a few more of those, it felt good and I like that feeling. I just love – the biggest thing is not just for my own gratification or anything like that, but I just love being able to help with the team as much as I can. If I’m doing that, then I’m helping the team win. Even if I’m not doing that, if I’m just doing the right things – playing my gaps, staying on blocks so the linebackers can make plays, whatever – I’m just always happy to do things that help the team ultimately.”
(Did you see Clemson’s preseason No. 1 for the first time in school history?) – “I did see that, actually. I just saw that yesterday. Then again, what’s preseason rankings? The season hasn’t been played. You can’t win a championship in the preseason. You can’t lose it, either. Nothing like that – well, maybe you can lose it. You’ve just got to bring it every day and have that right mindset. Just like anything at any level, all the preseason hype – none of that really matters. It’s all about performance come the games and preparing each week and going up against different teams and different opponents, who can be the most consistent throughout the year, so that’s always the most important.”
(How much do you stay in touch with those guys back there – your teammates, your former coaches?) – “Oh, I’m very in touch with them. I talk to at least a couple of my former teammates, a couple of the coaches every week or so. I definitely talk to a lot of my young guys there. I just actually caught up with some of the coaches throughout the last week or so. They’re always checking in on me. I’m always checking in on them because I take pride – I’m a proud Clemson alum. I hold those guys to a high standard, too, because I feel like we left it off in such a good place. They’ve got to do their own thing their own way; but we set the bar so high. So it’s not any pressure on them to live up to it or do it how we did it. (They can) do their own thing their own way, but there’s a lot of weight, there’s a lot of good pressure now at Clemson. So I always try to make sure those guys, whenever I can, are doing the right things; but also still focusing here and making sure I keep the main thing the main thing.”
(Are you watching HBO’s Hard Knocks to keep up on Oakland Raiders DT Clelin Ferrell a little bit?) – “Of course. Yeah, of course. Watching Hard Knocks – ‘Cle,’ (Clelin Ferrell), (Oakland Raiders WR Hunter) Renfrow, (Oakland Raiders CB) Trayvon Mullen, all my guys – I’m just sitting back dying laughing because, I mean, they’re getting ‘Cle’ at his finest. I’m sure there’s a lot of other stuff going on where they can’t put it on TV or they definitely should not. I’ll definitely be watching tonight. I don’t have any cable at my house right now or any WiFi, but I’ve been watching on my phone. I got the HBO GO app or whatever, so I’ve been able to watch that way which is good, so I’ve been able to keep up with my guys. ‘Cle’ obviously was my brother on the D-line, one of my best friends. Renfrow, again, one of my best friends. Mullen was a great teammate of mine. I always just like to keep up with them and check on them when I can. They actually don’t get enough TV time. I want it just to be strictly them, so I can just watch my guys and keep up with them. (laughter)”
(Did he ever ride horses around you before – Clelin?) – “No, I never did that. I don’t know how I’d handle that. One, I’m a little heavy, so pray for the horse. (laughter) Two, I’m not the best with animals either. Whether or not I like them, I’m just not the best around them. It gets a little hairy in there with me and animals. It’s like, ‘hey, what’s up? How we feelin’ about each other?’ So that’s how it goes, usually.”
(I wanted to ask you about your relationship with Head Coach Brian Flores because after the Atlanta game, you said he was nervous, and then in Tampa, he sent you the message, “he needs to play with his pad level – Christian, if you’re listening,” so what is this relationship between you and him?) – “Well, he’s from Brooklyn. Isn’t the saying in Brooklyn, ‘spread love. It’s the Brooklyn way?’ With me and ‘Flo,’ there’s no love. (laughter) All hate – that’s all it is. (laughter) No, I feel like we have a really good relationship actually. We have a good relationship. He has such a demand for me, holds a high standard for me and has such a expectation for me, and I try to match that with just my energy, my play and just who I am every day on and off the field. I feel like we’ve got a good relationship because – just like, we’ve kind of got that thing like we’re both rookies right now. I was his first-ever first pick or whatever and all that stuff. I think he likes me. I don’t know, (laughter) but I just definitely feel like we have a good strong relationship. He loves to coach me. I like to just try and buy into his beliefs, his thoughts. He’s been around a lot of success, so definitely try to buy into what he does and says. Every time I see him, I’ve got to mess with him. All day, every day.”
(See, that’s what I was getting at. Why do you and Head Coach Brian Flores have it?) – “Again, I just feel like because my natural personality is more laid-back, loose, fun, playful, and he’s a coach so he’s always serious, focused, locked in. He sets the tone. So whenever I see him, I’ve just got to poke fun at him or say something that’ll make him laugh. I’m like, ‘Coach, lighten up. Can I get a smile or something?’”
(Does Head Coach Brian Flores always smile?) – “Yeah, whenever I see him, I just kind of give him that look.Then we just laugh and keep it moving. That’s kind of our relationship.”
(Is anybody else able to mess with Head Coach Brian Flores like that?) – “I mean, I don’t know. I really don’t pay attention to everybody else when it comes to that; but every chance I get, I definitely make sure I poke some fun at him or try to make him laugh or something.”
(Is Head Coach Brian Flores funny at all? Like is he funnier than you think?) – “He tries his best, (laughter) but his best isn’t good enough. We’ve got a tough crowd in the meeting room. He always tries to get the team laughing in the meeting rooms, but we’re a tough crowd. We’re just kind of just like straight-faced the whole time.”
(Do you laugh to make Head Coach Brian Flores feel good?) – “Right. Yeah, yeah, right. We’re all trying to make the team right now, so maybe we should laugh a little harder. (laughter)”
(You obviously were a very good pass rusher at Clemson. We saw one of your pass rush moves on Friday. Did you and Defensive Line Coach Marion Hobby have a discussion about just how many of your pass rush moves have you guys thought could work at this level, as opposed to how much had to be refined, changed, added to as a pass rusher?) – “Not really a conversation necessarily about – and it’s not about how many pass rush moves you have. Number one, it’s more so how effective the moves you have can be and just learning how to rush at this level. It’s a little different. I feel like, well one, obviously guys are more talented, better technicians, more savvy and things like that, so it’s about how you rush guys, not just moves that’ll work. He coaches me up every day like, ‘oh, you can’t do this. Oh, yeah do this. I know you like this move,’ or whatever. Just little tools here and there that I’m trying to learn and improve on. It’s tough because when you get used to doing something for four years, it’s hard to kind of work out of it, so I’m still battling that a little bit. Just all of my bad habits, I’m really just trying to work and grind to get out of those as fast as I can, so I can be more successful at this level.”
(Are there moves you had at Clemson as a pass rusher where Defensive Line Coach Marion Hobby said, ‘this is just not going to work at this level. Let’s not try this. Let’s focus on these two or three other things?’) – “Not per se – I mean, you can’t just run down the middle of the people. Just little stuff like that. Guys are grown men at this level. You can’t bull-rush everybody. Yeah, there’s certain guys you can; but that’s probably like the most where it’s like – he tries to just give me little tools and a little tutelage here, so it helps my overall game.”
Josh Rosen – August 20, 2019
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
QB Josh Rosen
(Have you been given any update by Offensive Coordinator Chad O’Shea and Head Coach Brian Flores about where things stand with the competition whether you feel like you’re still very much in the race?) – “No. They just tell me to run plays and I run them.”
(Do you have any sense of where you stand obviously knowing that QB Ryan Fitzpatrick – Head Coach Brian Flores told us – is likely to be starting Thursday?) – “I don’t know. It’s not my job. I’m trying to be the best quarterback that I can be and it’s up to them to decide where that goes.”
(How have you been running those plays?) – “Better. Better every day. That’s the goal.”
(What’s one thing that you think you’ve done better?) – “Just command of the huddle. I think my Mike (linebacker) points, understanding. I think I’m getting more fluid and more efficient with everything.”
(Do you feel like if there was – a hypothetical, another two, three, four weeks of preseason you might be all the way there? Is that something is it just a matter of time for you because you got the late start?) – “I don’t want to really deal in hypotheticals; but yeah, the more time, the more reps you get, the better you’ll get with anything – the more you get to do it. Whether we had 100 preseason games or one, the next day will hopefully be better than the previous and that’ll lead to improvement.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores mentioned Patriots QB Tom Brady and Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes among the guys who benefited from watching and learning and not necessarily being on the field. How can you compare and contrast learning on the field experience versus when you can actually capitalize on from watching from the sideline?) – “I don’t know. I think that it’s really just trying to learn from any opportunity that you can. I’m still on the field taking reps in practice, it’s just not in a game. Everything is pretty much the same versus not getting hit. A lot of things aren’t the same – I don’t want to take that out of context. I sat for a couple games in Arizona, but I haven’t really sat much in my career, so there are opportunities to learn from whether you just took a sack and you’re on your back or whether you just threw a touchdown or you’re sitting on the bench with an ear piece dialed into every single play. Tomorrow will be a new day and we’ll see what comes. With regards to what happens, I don’t know what you’re going to get out of me. I got nothing to give you. It’s sort of all out of my control. I’m just trying to, like I said, make today better than yesterday.”
(Head Coach Brian Flores said that when players have to sit down behind a starter they gain a hunger to play, they feel more privileged to play and they understand how important the opportunity is when they do get a chance to play. Where is your hunger level? How much do you want to play? How much do you want to start and perform for this team?) – “I don’t need any additional drive or hunger. I’ve got plenty chips on my shoulder. I’m just trying to be the best player that I can be. I’ve sort of reshaped my focus and how I approach the game a lot, basically since the end of last year. I’ve tried to reign in the focus more on me and what I do every day and how I can help the team and becoming the best quarterback that I can be. Because a lot of the, ‘This guy played right away. This guy sat. This guy won a Super Bowl. This guy didn’t. This guy busted,’ it’s sort of extra information that I don’t really need in my life right now. Really, my goal is to perform the best that I can this preseason game and the next game perform the best that I can that preseason game, let the cards fall as they may and let the important people make the decisions that they have to.”
(Did someone suggest that to you or is that something you came up with on your own?) – “I’ve always been told since I’ve been a young kid – I don’t know if it’s a cliché or whatever – but control what you can control. I just insert a lot of the … that was going around, grab that from my memory and clung to it and I’m going to control what I can control.”
(It’s got to be a crazy six years for you from the time you were recruited, you got to UCLA, first-year starter and all that. Did you have to recalibrate how you approach the game after all that – chaos isn’t the right word?) – “Yeah. That’s what I’m saying. That changed – I didn’t change how I approached the game. I changed how I approached my day-to-day and tried to focus more day-to-day, day-by-day, as opposed to month-to-month, year-to-year. I think you can get caught up in not worrying enough about the little things if you’re constantly looking so far ahead, and it’s worked very well for me so far. I think I’ve made some pretty good progress since I’ve gotten here and I’m going to continue to progress and once coach thinks that I’m good enough to go, I’ll be ready to go.
(Are there certain techniques you’ve used or continued to use that help you refocus and stay centered on the micro rather than the macro?) – “There’s kind of temptation. Just resist it once you’re – I wouldn’t say it’s temptation. I don’t know. Just discipline. The second you feel your mind wandering a little bit, you’re like, ’I’m watching this film. I’m doing this set of plays,’ and whatnot and to not – You’re always going to hear noise. It’s almost impossible to not hear noise in today’s generation. If you’re not online, your family is and they’ll give you a call and slip it in there on accident or something. A lot of if it is just discipline to stay on the straight and steady and keep working.”
(How close do you feel to being ready to be an effective NFL starter?) – “Effective? I think I’d be effective right now. I think I was – in Arizona, understand the situation, we got three wins that we didn’t have while we were there, so I think I’m effective to a degree. It’s just about getting more effective.”
(What are you looking for Thursday to make this competition harder for the coaches to make that decision?) – “I think that’s – I’m not focusing on the competition at all. Anything ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) does well, I’m trying figure out why he did it well and how I can replicate that because we will run the same plays inevitably. Anything that he does poorly, I try to find out why he did it poorly. He’s humble and generous enough to help me out as to why that went well or why it didn’t do well. I’m trying to go out and execute my next play the best that I can. I obviously care about playing and all this; but in terms of where I stand, I really couldn’t care less about the whole competition. I’m really just trying to be the best that I can be. ‘Fitz’ is trying to be the best that he can be. We’re trying to help each other. A rising tide raises all ships, so either one of us that proves worthy to rise the tide the most I guess will be the guy. It’s about becoming the best quarterback that you can be. It’s not about one-upping the guy next to you, because that defeats the purpose of being a teammate in the first place.”
(What do you use are your own barometer? You said you feel like you can be an effective quarterback now. What do you say, “Okay I can be an uber-effective quarterback. I feel like I can be an elite quarterback.” How do you measure that?) – “Mental errors. On a per-practice basis, mental errors, physical errors and the overall general feel of practice and how effective our team periods were, move the ball, 2-minute (drills). And then on a plus-minus basis, how many mental errors I had, how many physical errors I had, and try to make those as small as possible. As your reps go up, you have more opportunities to mess it up. (laughter) So as reps go up, try to keep those MEs (mental errors) and physical errors down.”
(Do certain mental errors weigh more than others? Obviously we see interceptions, but is there something you look at, “That’s the ultimate mental error I want to avoid?”) – “Yeah. I mean it’s tough for you guys as journalists and all that to grade – you guys were all ripping our offensive line and stuff, but I had a couple of those mistakes by miss Mike’ing things and not throwing the right hot (routes) and stuff like that. It’s a tough job for you guys, because you weren’t really raised or taught about the Xs and Os in such detail. There’s a whole understory to the understory to the understory on why all things went wrong. It could be as simple as this sounded like this, he stepped with the wrong foot and I did this. It’s on everyone. There are MEs that look like someone else’s physical errors but were actually my mine. So there’s a lot going on.”
(How many sacks are you taking responsibility for specifically in the last game?) – “I’d probably give you a better answer right after the game. I couldn’t tell you right now.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick – August 20, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(Head Coach Brian Flores told us that you are likely starting Thursday. Are you cautiously optimistic that you will be the starter this season?) – “I mean that’s what I’ve been working towards all offseason. That’s what I want to be and where I want to be. That’s definitely where I want to be with this team and in this offense.”
(Your preseason so far – obviously for someone who has accomplished a lot in the league and played a lot – a dozen throws in the preseason doesn’t mean anything; but you would evaluate your work so far in games how this preseason?) – “Preseason, for me, I want to get in and I want to get hit once or twice. I want to have good communication in and out of the huddle, be efficient and I’m hoping we’ll do a better job and I’ll do a better job of that this game – just in terms of communication, efficiency, converting some third downs and then everybody staying healthy and getting ready for the regular season.”
(How important has getting rid of the ball been a point of emphasis for you guys the last couple of weeks?) – “I think in general, in the NFL, if you watch the teams that are successful on offense, they’re putting the ball in the hands of their playmakers, and that’s what we’re going to try to do. I think we do a great job here and (Offensive Coordinator) Coach (Chad) O’Shea does a great job. We found out some of those playmakers and their strengths and some stuff you’ll see and some you won’t. Some we’re just practicing on in terms of getting it into their hands and space. That’s a big part of it in the NFL now is getting guys in space with the ball in their hands and seeing what they can do. We think we have some talented guys to do that.”
(How big is it to do with also knowing that you guys have an offensive line with two rookies and a guy playing a new position, to help the offensive line along?) – “I think they’ve done a good job. It’s always a work in progress. There are so many things as a unit that they have to do to work together and to gel, and that’s offense as well. That’s quarterbacks and running backs on their mesh points. That’s quarterbacks and receivers or quarterbacks and tight ends with the communication and the timing of the routes. There’s a lot of stuff that I think we’re continuing to head in the right direction, with my communication and how comfortable I am with everybody and vice versa. I think we’re getting there.”
(When you take into account how you’ve done in practice and what little we’ve seen of you in preseason games, what’s your level of optimism that you’re going to win the starting job for the regular season?) – “Like I said to the first one, that’s where I want to be. I want to be the starter for this team, so that’s what I’m working towards.”
(How do you feel about your body of work so far? How would you assess it?) – “Again, me along with everybody else, I think it’s a work in progress. I think there’s a lot of stuff in installing a new system and being in a new building that we’re just kind of all coming up together. But I think we’re headed in the right direction. I think we’ve made a lot of progress throughout OTAs and then carrying that over to training camp.”
(I’m sure you’ve had a lot of these decision weeks where they have to choose a quarterback. Does it blend in or does this one feel different than previous years for you?) – “It really is just another day. It’s just another day in the life for me. Like I’ve told you guys a million times already – I hate repeating myself – but I try to be the best person I can be, the best player I can be. Usually for me, throughout my career, things have fallen into place when that happens.”
(Do you think you’ll get an answer – has Head Coach Brian Flores suggested to you guys, ‘After this game, we’re going to wrap this thing up?) – “No.”
(How happy will you be when it’s settled?) – “This is a tough position to play. Being a starting quarterback in this league, I think it’s something that you can never take for granted. You have a lot of people in the building, you have a lot of people in that locker room, a lot of fans that are relying on you to go out there and do your job. For me, it’s the reason that I still play. It’s a position that I love. It’s a position that I love being in. I’m excited to have the opportunity to compete to do it.”
(Do your family and friends pester you about these starting questions?) – “Not really. My family knows not to ask me too many questions. (laughter)”
(You obviously have a couple of kids. The older ones, have they experienced this differently than past stops along the way?) – “I think it’s fun for them, just living on the rollercoaster and getting to be a part of it a little bit and going to games and getting to wear dad’s jersey and things like that. That’s part of the reason that I still play too. They really enjoy it and enjoy being part of it. As they’ve gotten older, they definitely make more suggestions on things I could do better. They know not to ask me questions about fantasy football. (laughter) I set that one straight very early. Yeah, as they’ve gotten older – my two oldest are boys so they’ve really gotten into it. They play (football) themselves. It’s been a lot of fun to experience.”
(What kind of questions do you get?) – “Lots. (laughter) Lots of questions. Last week the main question was about me hitting that guy. They liked that one. (laughter)”
(I was going to ask you did they approve of the hit?) – “Yeah, they liked that one. (laughter) Every preseason, like I said, I like to get hit once or twice. That was just a good one to make sure that everything was in place and still worked and then I can move on from it.”
(You’ve got obviously two and a half weeks to go before the first game on Sept. 8, but the amount of work you’ve gotten to this point with WR Jakeem Grant and WR Albert Wilson, knowing that they haven’t been at full strength, are you comfortable with the chemistry you have with both of those? How much more work do you need with each? Albert in particular, obviously.) – “I think throughout my career, that’s been a strength only because I’ve worked with so many guys having been on so many teams and had to really pick up chemistry quickly. Sometimes you try to put them in a group or relate them to somebody that you worked with in the past and that helps me a little bit in terms of getting on the same page with some of those guys, if I haven’t had a lot of work with them.”
(I know last year you had WR Mike Evans in Tampa Bay. This year is a little bit different. How do you, in your mindset as a quarterback, change when you have a true No. 1 guy versus three or four guys that may be able to help you in a variety of ways?) – “I think we’re going to play to our strengths on offense. I think we do have some really talented guys on the outside. I think this offense, as well, is going to be able to feature guys on the inside and give them good matchups. We’re talking about just getting guys in space. This offense does a nice job of distributing the ball to lots of different guys. I think the main thing is figuring out the guys that we want the ball in their hands and knowing their strengths, and then going out there and executing it. I think we have a lot of talent on this offense and there’s definitely – there may not be enough balls to go around – but there is definitely not a shortage of talent for guys that are going to be able to make plays.”
(What did Head Coach Brian Flores tell you about the hit you delivered? Because after the game, it sounded to us like he was kind of halfway saying ‘I don’t know if you want your quarterback taking those kind of shots in a preseason game.’ But then it also sounded like there was a large part of him that just loved seeing it and the leadership that it showed when you were willing to do that.) – “Since growing up, I know that the quarterback has a certain aura to it or whatever it is, but I’ve always been a football player. That’s something that even though I’m old and getting gray hairs in my beard now and stuff, that’s never going to go away. I’m a competitor and I like to consider myself a football player, at least a little bit. (laughter)”
Brian Flores – August 20, 2019
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Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Head Coach Brian Flores
(There is certainly a mindset that would be out there – I’m sure some fans would have this – that if you have a young, rebuilding team that has added a lot of draft picks and you have an older player and a younger player that are about even – in this case talking about quarterback – a case could be made to go with a younger guy to invest in the future. As it pertains with quarterback with your team, do you agree with that mentality: if two guys are close, to go with the younger guy, with where you are as a franchise now?) – “That case could be made. A case could be made that playing the older guy – a case could also be made that the younger guy is not ready. I think a lot of times – I understand that thought process but I’m the one dealing with the individual player, and sometimes guys just aren’t ready. The whole sink or swim mentality, it’s easy for somebody on the outside to say; but for that individual player and the best interests of that individual person, that might not be the case. For those who aren’t in the trenches and dealing with the day to day, they wouldn’t understand that. If a guy is ready, we’ll put him out there. If he’s not, we won’t put him out there. I think that’s the right way to approach it.”
(As it relates to QB Josh Rosen and the quarterback position, if in fact the scenario is wait and learn, from your experience, what are some of the things that quarterbacks not on the field but watching, learning and listening from a veteran, how it can benefit them?) – “I would say there is a long list of guys who have gone through that process. Patrick Mahomes is a guy that comes to mind. (Tom) Brady is a guy that comes to mind – Steve Young, (Aaron) Rodgers. There’s a pretty good list. I’m not even naming them all. I think sitting – in some instances, not all – could be a good thing. Sitting, learning, improving your technique, improving your fundamentals, going through the mental reps of games and practices, I think guys have gotten better that way. I think there is a hunger to play by sitting and I think guys understand that it’s a privilege to be in this league and privilege to play. I think they take advantage of – when they get an opportunity, they understand how important that is and they take full advantage of it.”
(I don’t know if this plays into your thinking at all or not, but sometimes we’ve seen young quarterbacks thrown in there and maybe they get sacked at times or they just don’t have success, and you kind of wonder about their confidence level. Does that at all factor in, kind of wrecking a young quarterback’s confidence?) – “I think all of it factors in. Hopefully when you stick a guy in there – look, bad plays happen. We have to stay even. We can’t get too high, we can’t get too low. When the bad plays happen, if they happen, I think if you have a guy in there, that’s not what you are worried about. You’re not worried about wrecking his confidence because if that’s the case, you shouldn’t put him in there in the first place. But you want your players – at all positions – if it’s a good play (or) bad play, move on to the next play. That’s part of dealing with the highs and lows of playing in this league. There’s a discipline – a consistency – that you need at all positions. Again, guys who get too low, if you feel like their confidence is going to be wrecked, then they shouldn’t be out there.”
(Could it come down to whoever plays better Thursday will get the starting job? Is it that simple?) – “I wouldn’t say that. I would say there’s been a lot of practice reps, game reps, from the spring to training camp to games to our practices last week with Tampa. For it to come down to one game, no I don’t think it’s that. I think as a staff, we’ve talked about this position – as well as every other position on this team – a lot. We’ve spent a lot of time on it. We’ll make the decision we feel is best for this team and this organization.”
(How much does confidence from their teammates, does that factor into you picking a starting quarterback? Guys on both sides of the ball.) – “It factors in a little bit but the confidence that I have and our coaching staff has plays a lot more – there’s a lot more that we put into that. We’ll make those decisions. But yeah, you want all of your players to have confidence in everyone who steps on the field. We’ll make those decisions as a staff and the input will be primarily from our staff, from (General Manager) Chris (Grier), (Vice President of Football Administration) Brandon (Shore) and the personnel staff. Like always, we’ll do what we think is best for the team.”
(What have you seen this summer from RB Kalen Ballage and how unusual is it to have a guy who is that big who is that fast?) – “Yeah, it’s unusual. He’s a very, very talented young man. He works hard. Football is very important to him. He’s a big man. He’s fast and he’s athletic and he can catch the ball. He’s doing a lot of good things for us, so we’re excited to see him perform this week and moving forward. Hopefully we can get the best out of Kalen. I think we will.”
(There are a lot of clear-cut No. 1 wide receivers in the National Football League…) – “There’s a lot?”
(There are a lot of them.) – “Really? Do you have 15 (of them)? (laughter)”
(Fifteen would be tough. At least six or seven.) – “Six or seven? I’m just asking.”
(This team, in my estimation, doesn’t have that clear-cut guy.) – “Like a lot of other teams? (laughter)”
(Like a fair amount of them.) – “(laughter) I’m asking. I don’t know.”
(What do you see the benefits are of having a No. 1 receiver and what do you see the benefits of having a committee?) – “I would say we saw one last week in (Tampa Bay’s) Mike Evans. He’s big, strong, fast. The benefits of having a guy like that are defensively, that’s a guy you don’t want to wreck the game, so you make sure that doesn’t happen. Offensively, that’s the guy you get the ball to as many ways and as much as possible. Thankfully there’s not a league full of Mike Evans. There’s obviously quite a few really good receivers. They’re a problem. They’re a real problem. Defensively, how we handle those players, we have to game plan for them. Offensively, you game plan to get them the ball. I think we’ve got some good receivers as well – guys we’re going to game plan for. If teams want to match us up 1-on-1, we’ll try to take advantage of them and hopefully we get to a point where people are doubling our guys too. I think we’ve got a couple of guys who have that capability and just need to raise their level of play and get to that point.”
(Where – as a former defensive coordinator or play-caller – what are your views on cut-blocking and the approach that it has to impact the defense?) – “I think it’s something that you have to practice defensively. Cut blocks are a part of the game, specifically on the defensive line. (If) you get cut on the back side, there’s going be to be gaping holes in the defense, so you have to not allow that to happen. In space, it’s something we practice – not getting cut, sprawling, staying on your feet. Again, offensively, really you’re taking a shot when you cut. If you miss, then the guy’s going to go make a play. If you make the block, then you’re going to spring the running back, receiver or tight end. As a defensive guy, I think it’s something we have to practice. It’s something we have to not allow ourselves to get cut. It’s a part of the game. It’s always been a part of the game, and it’ll continue to be that way and we have to defend against it.”
(How do you know if an offensive line is good or catered to do that?) – “I think it’s film study. I think you see it over and over and over again. We have a pretty good idea of when it’s going to happen. I would say in space, it’s a little bit of one of those things where you’re not necessarily sure. The good space cut guys, it’ll look like they’re going to block you up top, and the next thing you know, you’re on the ground. We know who those players are as well, but I think a lot of it’s film study. Some guys are just – they run at you with their head down, so you know it’s coming. I think it’s something that we study as a team. We know which particular players are cut-blockers. A lot of tight ends are flashing across the line of scrimmage to go block a big defensive end. A lot of times, those end up being cut blocks. It’s something that we try to give our players that information pregame.”
(A lot of times you hear coaches and players saying, ‘you’ve got to buy in. You’ve got to believe.’ How do you know when a player has bought in to your system?) – “I think when they come out and they practice on a day-to-day basis regardless of weather – rain, heat – bumps and bruises, that’s part of the game. When guys are really trying to work hard to communicate. When it’s hot and you know it’s tough, those guys are bringing energy to practice. I think that’s when you know. I think we’re starting to get a little bit of that around here and hopefully we get more.”
(Does it have anything to do with on-field stuff? Doing stuff the way that they’re taught or these are separate?) – “I think it’s all-encompassing. It’s doing the fundamentals the way we ask, practicing with an enthusiasm and an energy and guys who just have fun playing the game. I think at the end of the day, it’s hard. We work them hard. We try to create an environment where it’s not easy. If you can make this fun, I think that’s what we’re looking for.”
(Can you talk a little bit about DT Durvial Queiroz Neto and him adjusting to a new role the past couple of weeks?) – “I think he’s one of the hardest-working guys on this team. He’s one of the strongest guys on this team, that’s for sure. He’s playing a little bit of o-line and d-line. We wanted to see – he had some good snaps last week in Tampa. He’s a young, tough, physical, young man. He needs a lot of work with his fundamentals and techniques. That’s what we’re working on on a day-to-day basis. We’re excited to work with him this year.”
(I wanted to ask you about K Jason Sanders – how he’s looking in your eyes, as well as the fact that you didn’t bring in another kicker, which I think in and of itself, makes a statement going in. How’s he doing?) – “I think he’s doing well. I think he’s somebody – he’s giving us the kickoffs we’re looking for. From a field goal standpoint, obviously he’s got a big leg, and he’s been accurate thus far. Even when he misses, he comes right back. Normally he makes (them). I think he kind of embodies a lot of the ‘never get too high, never get too low, stay even’ qualities that we’re looking for, and you need that out of your placekicker. He’s done a really good job, and hopefully he stays on the course that he’s been on.”
(What kind of progress did you see from CB Nik Needham from Preseason Game 1 to Game 2?) – “I think Nik has improved from Game 1 to Game 2. There’s a couple plays there that we weren’t so happy about; but again, I think every game’s an experience, specifically for these rookies. They get out there, sometimes it’s the first time they’ve seen a bunch or a stack – in this defense, at least – and what to do in those situations. When they get it right, it’s good, and we can reinforce the communication and why we do it. When they don’t, we can reinforce why the communication or whatever – the technique or fundamental – why it’s so important. Like every other rookie, every play is an experience, and it’s a good experience for them and not just a rookie but any player. The game’s evolving so much. There’s always something to – whether it’s a jet sweep or shovel or unbalanced formation, whatever it might be – all those variables and adjustments and things that are different, it’s always good for young guys and really anyone to see.”
(What is it about CB Jomal Wiltz and CB Eric Rowe – you had experience with them in New England – what is it about those two guys that made you want to have them here in your secondary?) – “I think they’re both and smart. I think they both play disciplined football. I think they work hard and they tackle. They’re both – they’re pretty good cover guys. Again, I think they’re versatile. They can play multiple positions, and again, they have familiarity with how we do things, and I think that’s helped some of the other guys.”
(To the question earlier on the receivers – you mentioned that you think you have a couple guys that if they raise their game, could potentially be feared? Who would you think are part of those guys?) – “I think we’ve got a few guys here. I think we’ve got a good receiver group. I think we need to play better, some of these guys. I think Preston’s (Williams) come on. You guys have seen that. DeVante’s (Parker) had some good practices, and we just need more consistency. Kenny (Stills) – obviously, he’s had some production in the past. We need to get more production from him and just continue to build at that position. Albert (Wilson), obviously. I think we’ve got a good group.”
(When you were in New England, was WR DeVante Parker the guy that you had to pay the most attention to facing the Dolphins, just because of his unique combination of size and speed?) – “Yeah, when he was out there. There were a couple games where he didn’t play against us; but yeah, he’s obviously got a combination of size, speed, athleticism, can go up and get the ball. You’ve got to be aware of where he is. He’s a good player.”
Bobby McCain – August 19, 2019
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Monday, August 19, 2019
S Bobby McCain
(You don’t get to show a lot of the defenes during the preseason but can you see how it’s all going to come together when you do that?) – “Yeah, for sure. You can see – we don’t show anything during the preseason but we have a lot of different guys that can play a lot of different positions, including myself. We’re going to definitely use that to our advantage.”
(As the preseason comes to a close, obviously you guys have established leaders. In your eyes, how is a leader established and developed here?) – “To be honest, you don’t have to be a ‘rah, rah’ guy. You just have to do the right things: do what you’re told, do the techniques that they teach you and understand that it’s bringing people along with you. If you bought in, have other people buy in with you. Just understand that it takes a team, it takes a unit, it takes cohesively together, it takes us all.”
(Talking to a couple of the guys, they mentioned your name specifically as one of those guys they might lean on to be a leader on this team. How do you accept that role, knowing that guys lean on you?) – “I just try to come in every day and go to work and do the best I can and give everything I have. Rather it’s vocally, physically, mentally. No matter what it is, just try to be the best version of yourself and be the best you. That’s what we try to do here each and every day, and try to get better. If that means I’ve got to tell a guy ‘Hey, get up and let’s get going.’ That’s what I’ve got to do. No one is going to sit around. You don’t have to be a certain age to lead. No. You’ve just got to do the right things, come in ready to work and do your job, take care of your business.”
(The motivational messages you see on the walls around the locker room, what does that do for you guys on a day-to-day basis?) – “Just understanding that it gives you – Like I said, it is a new coaching staff and we’re all coming together and we’re building chemistry. Understanding what their beliefs are, understanding what’s important to them and understanding what’s important to us, it should be the same. When you see those words and you see the things around the locker room, you see things like ‘be comfortable being uncomfortable,’ and things like that. That’s just telling you that – I’m in a new position. So if they’re telling you to be comfortable being uncomfortable, understand that you have to be the best at it. That’s my job and that’s my role.”
Xavien Howard – August 19, 2019
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Monday, August 19, 2019
CB Xavien Howard
(It seems like people might be surprised when the whole thing – when it kicks off for real – about the style of defense…) – “You said the style of defense?”
(Yeah, the style.) – “We’ve been busting our butt this whole offseason and training camp, so we get used to it.”
(Is it difficult that you’re not able to show everything that you guys will want to show in Week 1 and Week 2 to Week 3 in the preseason because…) – “No, we can’t do that now with the scheme and stuff like that. So we are just giving them what they can see right now. Each week is a different game plan.”
(As this team moves forward, obviously – not everybody wants to be a leader, but how do you guys establish the leaders in the locker room?) – “For myself, I say I’m a lead-by-example guy, but you know guys that talk – Bobby (McCain), (Jerome) Baker becoming a leader. I’m seeing a little bit of what’s that, what’s that – a little bit of it. Guys, some guys, they’re getting bigger, so people lead in their own way.”
(How do guys embrace it? LB Jerome Baker is pretty much a young guy.) – “We expect that from a linebacker, especially – he’s the play-caller, so people are listening. Even though it’s his second year, he still leads.”
(How has Head Coach Brian Flores tapped on you to be a leader?) – “Yeah, I lead in a certain way. I lead by example, but certain guys, if they need to talk to me about anything, I’m there for them.”
(Has Coach Flores maybe changed the definition of leadership and what a leadership role is or what unit is as a whole?) – “It’s always team-first, but the leader role is going to be there. A rookie can lead. It doesn’t matter who you are, you can come in and lead. We’re all just one team with one goal right now.”
(You’ve probably already spoken to this, but just the fact of having S Reshad Jones back out there on the field today, what does that do for your guys’ defense as you build toward the regular season?) – “It’s a great feeling having that guy back out there. We’ve been playing ball in the back in a little minute, so just having him out there and the leader he is also on the back end, it helps a lot.”
(You didn’t play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but do you anticipate playing this week?) – “Oh, yeah. Yeah, I’m definitely out there.”
