Bobby McCain – September 8, 2019 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 8, 2019
Postgame – Baltimore
S Bobby McCain (transcribed by Katharine Bohlmann)
(Why did it get away from you guys so quickly there in the first quarter?) – “We gave up big plays. We gave up big plays defensively. I can’t speak for all phases, but I know defensively, we gave up big plays and that’s not okay …”
(What was Head Coach Brian Flores’ message to you guys after the game?) – “We’re going to let it sink in. Let that (expletive) hurt. Let it hurt, let it hurt, because it does. Going out, we gave up 60 points today, essentially. So just going out and coming to work tomorrow. Like I told the guys, we’ve got to come to work tomorrow, put your head down and just work on it. At some point in the game, you have to play for each other and that’s just what it is.”
(What do you chalk this up to? Was it preparation? What was it if you had to put your finger on?) – “We didn’t start fast. We started really slow. We started terrible. Just going out and understanding that we have to be aggressive (in) every phase – players, coaches – everybody has got their hand in it. We’re going to watch the film, go back, critique what we’ve got to critique and just come back next week, because we’ve got a tough task ahead of us next week.”
Brian Flores – September 8, 2019 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 8, 2019
Postgame – Baltimore
Head Coach Brian Flores
(How do you explain what happened out there today?) – “Well, it starts with coaching. It starts with me. I’ve got to do a better job of coaching this team. We’ve got to play better. It starts with me. We’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got a lot of work we have to do. The good thing is, is we get to practice tomorrow, we get to practice this week, and we’ve got an opportunity to get better. That’s the goal, and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
(What surprised you the most about what you saw out there?) – “We talked about playing penalty free. We talked about having a clean operation, alignments, assignments, trying to play turnover free, and we didn’t accomplish any of that. We talked about starting fast. We didn’t accomplish that. But the good thing is, like I just said, we’ll come back tomorrow. We’ll make the corrections. We’ll try to get this team better on a daily basis, and that’s all we can do.”
(Of course, the score really reflects the way the game went. From where you’re standing, is there anything you can hang your hat on now that you can start to build forward on?) – “I thought we had a good drive at the end of the second half. I thought we were moving the ball, getting some plays in the pass game in the first half. I think we can build on that. But aside from that, we didn’t play well. We didn’t play well. Too many penalties…”
(QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, the way he played, he certainly was pushed around, hit, did everything he could to try to get the offense going.) – “I thought he did well trying to move this offense. I thought he made some throws, got some explosive plays in the first half. We had a couple drops that could have been bigger plays. I thought he played – He had the turnover, which we don’t – it was a bad decision there.”
(The timeouts at the end of the game, were you just trying to get QB Josh Rosen some more reps?) – “I was trying to get the ball. I was trying to get the ball back. Look, I’m going to always play to try to win, get reps and get our team better. There’s nothing like game reps, so let’s take the timeouts and try to get another drive. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to stop them, and they kneeled the clock out.”
(What was the thought process behind putting QB Josh Rosen in the game at that point?) – “The score got to a point where we felt like we just wanted to put Josh in there and get him some work. Look, getting game reps are important. Get him in there, get him some work. ‘Fitz’ (Ryan Fitzpatrick) will be the starter next week, let’s be clear on that; but we just wanted to get Josh in there and get him some game reps.”
(The opponent went fake punt up 35-3 and went for it on fourth down up 52-10. What were your thoughts on that?) – “It’s our job to stop them. Those are my thoughts. It’s not their job to let off. So it’s our job to stop them. (Ravens Head Coach) John (Harbaugh) is a good coach. They’ve got a good team. It’s our job to stop them. I’m not looking for handouts here.”
(What was your message to the team at halftime?) – “Again, there’s a lot we could have done better in the first half, so the message was, ‘Let’s play better. Let’s not have as many penalties. Let’s get aligned. Let’s tackle. Let’s not turn the ball over.’ There’s a lot that happened in that first half. I just wanted us to stick together, play together and fight. We’ve got to fight. We can’t lay down. We’ve got to fight, keep fighting.”
(Pardon me if I misunderstood, did you say QB Ryan Fitzpatrick starts next week?) – “’Fitz’ starts next week, yes.”
(How difficult will the problems on defense be to fix?) – “We’ve got problems on offense, defense and special teams. We’ll try to fix them all. Schematically from a personnel standpoint, we’ll try to fix them all. We’ll try to put our players in the best position to win. We’ve got a lot of work to do from that standpoint.”
(How do you evaluate a situation where you’ve got guys that weren’t even here last week inserted in the lineup, trying to get things going with them? How do you make an evaluation on them?) – “You watch the tape, evaluate it, as we’ve evaluated the entire training camp. Do they know their assignments? Are they playing penalty free? Are we tackling? Are we getting aligned? We’re just making our normal evaluation. The good thing here, the silver lining, is we’ve got an opportunity to come in tomorrow and go into this week and get better and try to improve and we’ll have another opportunity to play next week. I’m looking forward to that.”
(We saw S Minkah Fitzpatrick got pulled in the second half.) – “We were rolling guys the entire game. Reshad (Jones) was in, Minkah was in, Bobby (McCain) was in, (Steven) Parker was in, Walt Aikens played in there, so we were rolling guys. But I would say everyone has got to play better across the board. We’ve got to coach them better. There’s no doubt about that.”
(How much concern do you have about whether the roster is talented enough to be…) – “I don’t worry about that. We’ve got the guys we’ve got. We’re going to coach them. It’s our job to coach them. It’s our job to get them better. It’s our job to put them in positions to play well and make plays, and that’s my job. I’m not getting into – Look, I’m not an excuse maker. I never have been. Put that in the excuse bucket and you can kick it to the curb, because I’m not into that.”
(You’re going to play your former team next week. How does that affect you?) – “I’ll just go through my normal process, my normal routine. I’ll obviously reflect on what this was this past week and try to improve it and try to do a better job. At the end of the day, how this team plays is a reflection of me, and I have to do a better job, and this team has to do a better job, and we’ll come to work tomorrow and try to do that.”
(What did you think you could do defensively against that team that you thought this could work?) – “Obviously, what we thought we could do, we didn’t execute. I thought we could execute. We didn’t do a good job of execution. We’ve got to do a better job there. I didn’t think there was a scheme issue. There was an execution problem and we weren’t getting aligned. We’ll be better next week.”
Ryan Fitzpatrick – September 8, 2019 (Postgame)
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Sunday, September 8, 2019
Postgame – Baltimore
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
(It was a tough day in the office.) – “Yeah. It’s never good to be embarrassed like that, especially at this level. What we had talked about: nobody is going to feel sorry for you and your situation. That’s what happens. You go out there and if you don’t execute, you’re going to get beat bad like that. Obviously we need to play better, which is an understatement.”
(What do you recall about the first quarter interception?) – “It happened. Earl (Thomas) made a nice play. We tried to get Kenyan (Drake) down the seam and Earl came out of center field and picked it.”
(How surprised are you at this result?) – “Obviously we all had a much different outcome dreamt about in our head of how it was going to go today, and I think the only thing we can do moving forward is continue to try to string good practices together and continue to keep a positive attitude, and in doing that, hope that the results follow.”
(How difficult was it to try to get your offense going when the offensive line, there were position changes and putting new people in. Certainly they were putting a lot of pressure on you to get out of the pocket quickly. How difficult was that?) – “Every game is going to present its different challenges. We knew coming into this game, the Ravens, with what they did last year and obviously they have some new pieces, but they’re a tough defense. And not just from a schematic point of view, but really the personnel that they have in there, they’re a good defense. We knew we’d have to be at our best in order to combat some of that stuff, and it just kind of got away from us early.”
(You look for good things out of every game, and WR DeVante Parker did some good things. We saw some good things out of him after most of preseason. Anything else out there you felt was going your way?) – “DeVante went up and made a nice catch there. Preston Williams had his first touchdown in the NFL. If you’re looking for small victories, that’s about it. Other than that, not a great day for us at the office. We’ve just got to get back to work and continue to do our best.”
(It’s a small thing, but the first play of the game you looked like you all audibled and you had one-on-one coverage and the guy didn’t hear. What happened there?) – “(It was a) miscommunication, which that was the big thing that we were stressing all week with moving parts and pieces was communication was at a premium. That kind of set the tone for the day there, and not having great communication on the first play.”
(When they hit your head and knocked your helmet off, did you feel like they should have — that should have been called, that that should have been a penalty?) – “Those are always judgment calls, and sometimes they see them, sometimes they don’t. I think I feel protected back there by the refs. I think they did a nice job of it and try to take care of us when they see it.”
Daniel Kilgore – September 6, 2019
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Friday, September 6, 2019
C Daniel Kilgore
(On the honor of being named a team captain.) – “It’s a huge honor. I was a captain last year before the injury. To be voted on by your peers is a true honor. It’s not a job that I take lightly. I think it comes with a big responsibility and I’m ready for it, and get these guys ready to go on Sunday.
(What’s the biggest thing you feel like the captain should do?) – “Lead by example. I’m not like a big ‘rah, rah guy.’ I’m not going to stand in front everybody and give an emotional speech. I’m just going to do my job and come in with that attitude and get better.”
(Is there any difference on being a captain on team X, Y or Z compared to being a captain on a team as young as this one? Do you handle the captaincy any different because of so many young guys?) – “No. I’ll go about my business the same way I have for nine years. I go through the same routine. Be one of the first ones in and one of the last ones to leave. Well, not today. My daughter turns one (year old) tomorrow so I’m going to leave early today. (laughter) But no, it’s no different for me. (I’m) the same guy. The same responsibility – do my job.”
(How much are you going to spoil her?) – “She’s already spoiled. It doesn’t take much. Her mother does a good job of that. (laughter)”
Walt Aikens – September 6, 2019
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Friday, September 6, 2019
S Walt Aikens
(On being named a captain.) – “It’s a lot. Just being a leader on and off the field. We’ve got a lot young guys, as you can see – a lot of new guys, new faces. Just leading these guys in the right direction and trying to be the best special teams unit we can be, the best team we can be, the best defense, offense. Just going out there and doing our jobs.”
(With so many newcomers added to the team this week, how do you sew it all together on special teams?) – “Everybody’s got to learn fast. We’ve been coming in early, trying to get everything together, making sure everybody’s on the same page – just working it out. At the end of the day, it’s football. We’re going to go out there, do our thing and let it show on the field.”
(How much responsibility is on your shoulders to make sure everybody knows their assignment on that unit?) – “A lot. I take pride in my special teams, ever since I got here. We’ve got a lot of ball players out here, a lot of athletes, a lot of nice additions, so we’re just trying to maximize everybody’s ability, so making sure they’re in the right place to do everything. We’re just going to go out there and ball out.”
(Have you ever felt over the last few months that even though you’re really good at your job and you’re a good special teams – you’ve always been a good player – do you sort of have to prove it over again to a new coaching staff?) – “Yeah, for sure, and to my new teammates around me. I let them know that this is what I do. I’m going out there and ball in any aspect of the game, and just lead the way for them and let them follow, and we’ll some bright young stars show up and show out.”
J’Marcus Webb – September 6, 2019
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Friday, September 6, 2019
T J’Marcus Webb
(On Monday after you worked out, what had they told you? Was it ‘we will get back to you, we might have interest?’ How did the last few days go since Monday?) – “You work out and it is early in the morning, tension is high, but I just worked out and they told me that ‘we will get back to you and see what happens this week.’ I keep it optimistic and I came in this morning and just got right to work.”
(How do you feel you can help this team right now?) – “It’s not like I have been sitting at home. I have been with another team and been working hard and you’ve just got to come in at any point in time when you are a veteran and make an impact and I feel like I can make an impact with my experience and my ability to pick up things on the fly.”
(Were you in town the whole time or did you go and come?) – “No, I flew back home and just waited around. When you get that call, you’ve got to definitely make the move when it is your turn.”
(Do you feel you can play left or right tackle?) – “Yeah, I feel like I can play both. When you have to play, that is exactly what you need to do for the team to help the team.”
(You have started 65 NFL games – Is starting still important to you or are you happy at this point to be on an NFL roster after obviously being hurt and missing most of last year?) – “Starting is always the goal in mind. With last season, having to fight back from injury and having a whole offseason to prepare, that is the goal: always being a starter and contributing where you can.”
(Are you ready to play Sunday if asked, considering you just got here today?) – “Well, you know you have got 48 hours of prep time and there is always time for working and studying and I am here to do what they have me to do, which is play when asked. So, hopefully it is ample time to keep studying and communicating the way that this offensive line has been.”
(Did either General Manager Chris Grier or Head Coach Brian Flores tell you when you signed that you would be given an opportunity to compete to start or was that never indicated) – “It was never indicated. You kind of just have to have that mentality.”
(Was the hamstring something that you could’ve come back from last year if the Colts hadn’t put you on injured reserve or was it a serious tear where you couldn’t have played if they hadn’t put you on IR?) – “It is tough to say. Injuries happen all the time. You have to fight back when asked to. Those things vary, but if I would have come back, I would’ve tried to make the same impact as if I was starting. So (it’s a) mindset, really.”
Bobby McCain – September 6, 2019
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Friday, September 6, 2019
S Bobby McCain
(Your reaction to being named a team captain?) – “It’s just an opportunity, and it’s a role that you have to relish in and understand that guys are going to look up to you. It’s not saying all you’ve got to be is a ‘rah-rah guy.’ You’ve just got to do the right things all the time and try your best and give your best effort. It’s greatly appreciated. With myself, ‘Bake’ (Jerome Baker), Walt (Aikens) and (Daniel) Kilgore, we’re just trying to lead the way.”
(What does that tell you about what your teammates think of you?) – “I’m guessing they think highly. I hope they think highly of me. (laughter) Just trying to go out – they see the work you put it, and it’s just noticed.”
(With this defense, how do you guys put together a performance that could lead to a victory against the Ravens?) – “You’ve just got to play your role. Do your job. At the end of the day, that’s what this defense is about. You’ve got to do your job and play your responsibility. We know they’ve got some good players over there in Lamar (Jackson) and (Marquise) Brown, Mark Ingram. They’ve got some really good guys over there. At the end of the day, just doing your job. We know there’s going to be a lot of running. We know what they’re capable of, and we know what ‘8’ (Lamar Jackson) is capable of. Everybody playing their role and being in the spots you’re supposed to be in and doing their job – that’s what will get this game won.”
(How happy are you that the regular season finally is here?) – “I’m excited, man. I’m so excited. I’m excited to get going. I’m excited to actually hit somebody and it count. They all mean something. Preseason games and regular season games, they all mean something; but these really count.”
Jerome Baker – September 6, 2019
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Friday, September 6, 2019
LB Jerome Baker
(You were selected a captain in your second year in the league. How significant is that for you?) – “It is a true honor. Just to get chosen by your teammates, that is really an honor. I am definitely grateful. I don’t take it lightly at all.”
(Did that come as a bit of a surprise at all?) – “A little bit. It is always a surprise when your teammates are doing it. I was captain and going out for the coin toss in preseason, but when your teammates finally award you that, it is a great honor. It’s great.”
(What is the responsibility like? How do you make sure you hold this team accountable?) – “Go out there every day and just show the example. Whatever ‘Coach Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) – whatever his message is, I just carry it out to the team. It also means to just go out there and perform. Just do what I have been doing and just try to get better every day.”
