Adam Gase – December 9, 2017
Download PDF version
Saturday, December 9, 2017
Head Coach Adam Gase
(With CB Alterraun Verner, how do you envision using him in terms of boundary, nickel or is it just is he the third guy and CB Bobby McCain play on the outside? What do you…?) – “Yes, I mean I’d rather not give away exactly what we’re doing but the thing by having both Bobby and him is we have flexibility. Both of those guys can play outside and both those guys can play inside. It’s just really going to see how things are going on Monday night and we’ve got some flexibility there.”
(Where are you with the young guys? The CB Torry McTyer’s in terms of …?) – “They’re practicing well. I mean we’ve really kind of enjoyed working with those guys and bringing them along and getting them opportunities to compete. Really, it’s going to be about opportunity. When their number is called, they just keep getting ready and when they’ve got to get thrown out there, they’ll compete.”
(What kind of practice week did WR DeVante Parker have? There’s a lot of talk that he’s not producing as well as expected perhaps?) – “I thought he had a good week. It’s really just kind of transferring it over to game day. We’ve had a couple of good games since that injury. He had a couple of weeks where I’m sure he wished he had some plays back. I know there’s a few weeks where I wish I would have went to him a few more times and called maybe his number a couple of more times to get him going early in the game. Sometimes you try to do that and it doesn’t work out. I always feel like any time you try to force a ball to a guy, it never really works out the way you want it to. We’re just going to try to keep as many guys involved in the game as possible and make it hard for those guys to figure out who we’re going to every play and really that’s what we try to do every week.”
(How much has this become a confidence issue at this point for WR DeVante Parker?) – “I think if he makes a couple of plays, he’s going to be right back in the flow of things. We’ve had some good moments and a couple of times we wish we’d have a different outcome on a certain play; but this league is funny. Things can change really quick.”
(Do you need to have a conversation with CB Bobby McCain about being prepared for them to try to get under your skin and keeping your cool?) – “I’m pretty sure that conversation probably had a lot more people than just me. I’m not really worried about Bobby. That was a rare occasion there. I’ve seen him really fired up; but I’ve never seen him like that, though. It’s just one of those things. It’s a new game. We’ve just got to stay focused on what we’re trying to do.”
(With G/T Jermon Bushrod, is it something that he can play again this year?) – “Yes. We’re in a better stage than what we were a couple of weeks ago. We’ve just got to keep bringing him along and see where he goes from there.”
(What’s the balancing act between maybe poaching somebody else’s practice squad or playing your guys?) – “The personnel guys are always looking for things like that. If they felt like that there was somebody that would add value to our roster, then they’d go that direction; but I’m really focused on doing what my job is right now. Those guys are doing what they need to do.”
(The confidence level with RB Senorise Perry from scrimmage right now?) – “I have a lot of faith in him, I’ve been with him long enough. I know what he can do. I know how he works, how fast he bounces back from any kind of injury is really something that should tell you everything you need to know about the guy. He plays through pain, does everything he can to help us, whether it be on special teams or in the backfield. If he ever gets opportunities during the game, I know it’s not going to be easy to bring him down, because he’s going to run every play like it’s his last one. He’s going to give you everything he has.”
Jarvis Landry – December 8, 2017
Download PDF version
Friday, December 8, 2017
WR Jarvis Landry
(You have the Patriots again. Just talk about that and what did you learn from the first meeting?) – “They are a good team. They’re a great team. You can’t have turnovers and you can’t play behind the chains against these guys. They’ll make you pay for it. Also, we had opportunities there to take that game from them. For us, we’re trying to put another game together, one at a time.”
(Do you always feel like you have to play a perfect game against them because they are so talented?) – “As close to it as possible. No game is going to be perfect. Things are going to happen but I think the biggest thing for us is to control the ball and not turn it over. Try to end every possession with a kick, I think that’s the biggest thing for us, especially against a team like them.”
(I don’t know if you’re aware but they had Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick mic’d up for the game when you played at Gillette Stadium and he kept talking about ‘You’ve got to know where Jarvis Landry is, you’ve got to know where Landry is.’ Did you notice more attention from them that game than you get in normal games?) – “At times. I think a lot of the things they do are more situational. Obviously in most cases, it’s designated to a player. For the most part, it was all situational. I still made plays. I still had opportunities. I don’t expect nothing less these days. That’s just a normal thing. I’m still open.”
(How much of a point of pride is that to you to know that opposing teams are coming in and you’ve got to be aware of where you are?) – “For me, it’s a possibility for other guys to get open as well. It’s a possibility to take one guy away from their rush, to take one guy out of coverage – one extra guy. That means a lot of singles (coverage) around the board. It takes one guy making a play and we have the guys that are capable of scoring every time they touch the ball. It’s huge.”
(Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator said today that in 25 years of coaching, you’re the most competitive player that he’s been around. Where do you get that aspect of the game from because everybody is competitive? Where do you get that hyper-competitiveness from?) – “Just growing up. I was always just taught to win. Always compete to win. Never settle for second or less. I think it’s just always been will. I’ve always believed and approached it with pure confidence and with the understanding and knowing that I won’t quit until they do or he does. That’s got me through everything.”
(What works with you and QB Jay Cutler? Why has that been a successful relationship on the field so much?) – “I think it’s just like with all quarterbacks, it’s just trust. When the trust level is built, regardless of the situation, regardless of the defender or the play, some kind of way you find a way to connect and I think it’s been that way with Jay. Jay does a great job in the pocket moving around and extending plays and he gives all of us an opportunity to make plays down the field or in open field. It all correlates in some kind of way.”
(Was there a point during the year where you felt like you really could kind of predict QB Jay Cutler a little bit? Like you understood his tendencies and where he’d be looking in different situations?) – “A lot of times it depends on the play called. It depends on what (Head Coach) Adam’s (Gase) calling and the coverage we’re getting. A lot of times pre-snap, you know where the ball is going to go, where the ball’s going to end up and from there, it’s just Jay being on top of my body language, anticipating me and knowing that he’s throwing the ball right out of my break and catching it, and from that point on, it’s on me.”
(WR Kenny Stills was named the representative for the teams Walter Payton award. You work with him every day. What makes him a special guy?) – “Just his heart. Him being here and taking as much criticism as he does for standing up for what he believes in and still having the opportunity and the heart to go out into society and give back the way that he does, regardless of gender, regardless of color. He still loves everybody the same and that’s probably what is more the reason why he is nominated and deserves to be recognized for his actions and his works in the community.”
Kenny Stills – December 8, 2017
Download PDF version
Friday, December 8, 2017
WR Kenny Stills
(What does it mean to you to be nominated as a finalist for Walter Payton Man of the Year?) – “I’ve said it before, my dad played in the league back in the day with Walter Payton, so just seeing his highlights and knowing the man that he was off the field, it just is an honor to be even mentioned in the same breath with him.”
(How did you start really getting into community work? Did it start out with your father?) – “When I first came into the league in New Orleans, it was mandatory for all of the rookies to go to every community service event, so I think that’s where it started. That’s where I found my love and passion for it. I realized, too, that that’s a good way to get to know the people in the city and get to know the city, and really put a face to a name because a lot of people only see us with our helmet on. That’s really how I fell in love with it.”
(What’s been the most rewarding part of the work you’ve done in this community?) – “That’s a tough question. I think just seeing the faces on the kids, the expression, the happiness that they get from us being around. It’s just a good feeling to serve others. I encourage other people to get out and do some community service. There’s so many people that need help and that could use it, so I really encourage people to get out in the community and serve others.”
(Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke actually started his news conference by talking about you, which was interesting, obviously, as the defensive coordinator. He said he wanted to call you out as the number one player that pulls for the defense during games. Why do you do that?) – “I’m just into the game. I want to win and I know what this team is capable of. I love watching the guys on defense. We have so many playmakers on defense, guys that fly to the ball, guys that can change the game with one play. I just want to win. We work hard. We spend so much time together, so I really root for the defense and I know that, in turn, they’ll do the same thing for us.”
(Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke said that sometimes he tells you to make sure you don’t get in the way of his play call?) – “(laughter) Yes. I want to know the call. I want to be able to help the guys. I feel like knowing and being on offense and knowing football and understanding, I can help them as much as I can. Sometimes I’m a little bit too close to him or on the field or what have you. I’m just excited to be out there. I love playing ball. I know that at any point in time, the game can be taken away from me, so I’m just enjoying myself.”
(Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said that he tells some of the players, ‘Work like Kenny, do it like Kenny.’ When you hear things like that, sort of setting an example for teammates and younger players, what do you think?) – “I feel like that’s my job. I’ve got the most years in the league in my room. I was lucky enough to come in with guys that led by example and showed me how to do it, so I feel like that’s my calling for this group and for this team, to try and just lead by example, show guys how to do it, show guys how to be a professional and hopefully pass that on to them.”
(Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen said he thinks that you’ve become a more well-rounded player and that you expressed to him when you first met that that was a goal of yours. What are some of the ways that you’ve improved your route-running technique and consistency as a ball catcher?) – “Honestly, just taking the coaching and trusting in the technique that they’re trying to teach us and going out there and working on it. Just being able to make the intermediate catches, being able to make the short catches, getting off the press, understanding defenses, coverages, all of the little things that are part of being a receiver, not just catching the ball down field. I really appreciate the coaching staff and everyone that we have here for helping me grow as a player.”
(I saw that you were one of the players that the team nominated for Pro Bowl voting. Would you like to be a Pro Bowler one day?) – “Yes. When you’re a Pro Bowler, you’re recognized as one of the best players in the league at your position. Obviously that’s a goal that you put on your goals to start the year. It’d be really cool if the fans could vote me in. I’ve got to continue to play well and finish the season strong. The biggest thing for us is trying to make the playoffs, so it’s one game at a time and all of the other stuff will come after that.”
(Was there any personal goal in going from a good NFL receiver to an NFL receiver that’s talked about as one of the best? Has that been a goal for you personally?) – “Yes, 100 percent. You try to improve every year. For me, I was trying to figure out what the next thing was, and it was, like I said, the little things. Improving on the short catches, improving on the intermediate game and really growing as a player and being a leader and somebody that the offense can count on. I feel like I’m doing my best to do that right now.”
(You’re within striking range of 1,000 yards. Is that something that is one of your goals, one of your listed goals?) – “It’s always a milestone for a receiver to break 1,000 yards, so if it happens, it happens. I know that it’s out there and in reach; but as long as we win, everything else, like I said, doesn’t really matter.”
(About the Patriots defense, especially having played them two weeks ago, what’s the most challenging thing that they do, maybe even that’s a little different than many teams?) – “They do everything well. They’re assignment sound. They punch the ball out and force turnovers. They recognize our routes. They do a really good job in everything, so we’ve got to go out there and beat them at their game.”
(We talked about two different kinds of honors today, but when your career is over, would you rather be remembered for what you’ve done on the field or what you’ve done off the field?) – “A little bit of both. Striving to be the best player I can be and striving to be the best person I can be, as well, so I hope I’m remembered for that.”
Adam Gase – December 8, 2017
Download PDF version
Friday, December 8, 2017
Head Coach Adam Gase
(Do you want to read the injury report aloud for all of us?) – “Same as yesterday except for (Ndamukong) Suh and (Cameron) Wake will practice.”
(DT Ndamukong Suh said that it’s not up to him whether he takes days off for practice. Is that something that has been a difficult thing to get him to do, because he doesn’t seem like someone who’s inclined to ever want to take days off?) – “Anytime we’ve ever asked him to do anything that we feel like is in his best interest, he has never argued with us. He has been great with everything we’ve asked, from some of the things we’ve asked him to do on defense, things like that. He’s a guy that takes … Sundays are … He’s getting after the quarterback and doing a great job in the run game, but he takes a pounding. He has got two bodies on him every time.”
(I’m sure you’ve seen by now, Patriots QB Tom Brady yelling at Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels sidelines last week against Buffalo. Does that happen more often than we know and how do you handle that as a coach and a play caller?) – “It does. It happens a lot. You just move on. It takes a minute. It’s happened. I went through it with Peyton (Manning) a couple times.”
(I was going to ask that.) – “It just depends on whether or not cameras catch it or not.”
(Why does that work for some teams? It seems like that fires them up, but other teams, it can kind of make it tough or tear things a part.) – “I think a lot of times it just depends on the situation and the relationship you have. When you’ve got two people that are very competitive and striving for perfection, it’s going to happen every once in a while.”
(I asked Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen this earlier: it has only been a couple of weeks since the first meeting with the Patriots. Is that enough time to look and see if there has been any significant changes on film that you can exploit?) – “It’s always going to be … Every week you gain as much information as you can. When you play these guys, they’re going to look at what you do and really try to take away anything that you’ve shown that you’ve done well, if you have any tendencies that you’ve developed even from one game. It could be run-pass tendency. Maybe we were heavy this last game that tips them off or something. When you do your homework and go through all the steps, sometimes you might find something that you missed the first time.”
(Is there a greater challenge for a play caller than going up against that defense?) – “Like is it hard to go against this defense?”
(Against the Patriots defense, for you calling plays, do you look at it as the ultimate challenge or is it just the same every week?) – “I’ve played these guys 12 times in my career. I’ve called six or seven games against them. (Patriots Defensive Coordinator) Matt Patricia knows me pretty well. That’s the challenging part. How much hasn’t he seen? You just keep trying to find ways to move the ball. They do a good job of changing things up and showing you different looks. Every year it’s different. That’s what makes that whole organization tough to compete against because they’ve got good players and at the same time, they have really good coaches that make it very tough on your offensive and defensive play callers and special teams. They give you enough changes over year to year and then as the season goes on, they evolve. They figure out where their strengths are and they really emphasize those and emphasize all the good stuff and they stay away from the things that they don’t do as well.”
(Are you comfortable with RB Kenyan Drake getting 23 carries or in an ideal world maybe a little bit less?) – “I’m for whatever helps us win the game. That’s really what it comes down to.”
(As a play caller, when somebody is trying to take something away from you, whether it’s the Patriots or whoever, how do you decide when to force that matchup or when to just say, “Alright, you got me. We’re going somewhere else?”) – “I usually have an idea what’s going on going into the game. It’s not breaking news to anybody that I’m pretty sure I know who most teams try to take away on the offense. You just try to make it hard on them and try to keep Jarvis (Landry) doing the things he does well (and at the) same time, don’t make him a sitting duck where he lines up in the same spot play after play after play and everybody knows where he’s at. We made a big emphasis of it this offseason where I know he always wants to do more and always wants to be put in different spots. He has done a good job of learning all those different positions. We’re just going to keep trying to find ways to get him the ball and get it in his hands quickly, so he can make some plays after he catches the ball. It seems like he has made a lot of plays downfield. I don’t know if I gave him enough opportunities last year where this year, given the opportunities, he has made plays down the field. Unfortunately, probably some of his best plays have been called back because of a penalty on some of those third-and-longer plays.”
(How did WR Jarvis Landry do last game against New England? I think seven receptions for 80 yards or I think eight for 70.) – “He’s a tough guy to match up. Even on that fourth down, they had him doubled and he still found a way to find a little bit of a hole. The guy made a great play and jarred the ball enough loose to where he hit the ground before he could gather that. Even when he gets doubled, he finds a way to get open.”
(Lining WR Jakeem Grant up in the backfield, what was the thought process behind that and is that something that he particularly enjoyed getting the opportunity to do?) – “We were kind of down on numbers, so that’s your (Kenyan) Drake answer. We’re trying to take a carry off of Drake. We weren’t really sure what was going to happen with Senorise (Perry). He was in the concussion protocol, so we had some other ways to carry the football if we needed to. We thought it looked good all week in practice, so we gave it a shot. It might’ve been close … If he cuts it up and we hold onto a block a little longer, it might’ve been a bigger play.”
(In what ways has WR Kenny Stills refined and polished his game since he got here, since you got here?) – “I didn’t have any experience with him before. When I was in Chicago, we talked about trading for him, because those guys all knew him from New Orleans. He reminded me a lot of the guys that (Mike) Martz always had – a faster guy that can run the deeper and intermediate routes downfield and blow by people. I hadn’t really had really fast guys like him. I think (Broncos WR) Emmanuel (Sanders) might have been the closest to him. When we came in, he just said, ‘Hey, I want to do whatever helps us win and I want to get better,’ and he said all of the right things. We kept working with him and he really took to the offense and tried to learn everything about the whole thing, every little detail. It’s paid off for him. Now he really helps other guys and you constantly see him working with the younger guys. I think that helps him too, because it makes him really think of the details of every little thing in the offense.”
(How has the right side of the line played, since G/T Jermon Bushrod went out with G/T Jesse Davis and T Sam Young?) – “They’ve been good. They’ve done a good job. I think it’s the closest, if you want to call it, chemistry since those guys have gotten to practice together and work together. We’ve had some good d-lines they’ve had to go against. That’s been key for us. Those guys are just working well together.”
(When you talked about getting off to a fast start in any game, and specifically against the Patriots, would it be worth taking the ball if you win the opening coin toss or is it still “No, we need it?”) – “I don’t know. We’ll see.”
(Can you discuss pros and cons of that?) – “Yes, sure. We can take the ball. I don’t know what’s going to happen. If they have the ball to start, we have to do whatever we can to stop them and if we have the ball to start, we’ve got to try to drive down the field and set up field position or score points, whatever it is.”
(In the words of Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke, he was talking about DE Cameron Malveaux and he said he was ‘destroying’ the offense. Is that particularly true or what did you see?) – “You’re talking about when he was on scout team?”
(Yes.) – “(laughter) I don’t want to use those words. That might get me in trouble. He was doing a really good job. He was making our guys better. I asked Cam (Wake) about it when he was in a role when he first came in the NFL and he told me, ‘Thursdays were my game day and I wasn’t going to slow down for anybody.’ He’s like, ‘That’s how I got better.’ I think (Malveaux) is the same way. Every day for him is (game day), whether it’s Wednesday or Thursday. He plays the run tough. He’s a big man. He comes off the edge well. He does everything we ask him to do. It was great to see him get an opportunity, especially right away, just jump up and get to play.”
(Is there anyone else besides DE Cameron Malveaux that you’ve seen on the practice squad, or even on the 53 like CB Torry McTyer, a young guy that we haven’t seen a lot that’s caught your eye in practices?) – “It’s hard for me to separate them all, because these guys work hard. This whole rookie class has done a great job coming in every day. They put their heads down, they work, they try to help, they try to do everything that they’re asked to do. I think even some of the veterans have appreciated the way that these guys have gone about their business. They’ve been part of the solution and no matter what’s happened, they don’t waver. Sometimes when you get some of the younger guys in here that haven’t gone through some of the experiences that other guys have gone through where they’ve been through some rough seasons. You get in a bad place in this league sometimes if you go through enough of them. These guys have just constantly tried to find ways to get better.”
(No TE Rob Gronkowski for New England on Monday Night. I asked Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke about it earlier, how does that impact the preparation?) – “Whoever they’ve got up, we’ll get ready for. He’s always going to be a big factor in a game when he plays and when he doesn’t, they find ways to move the ball. That’s why (Patriots Offensive Coordinator) Josh (McDaniels) is good. He finds ways to take the group he has, that’s available to him, and causes problems, finds the mismatch and puts guys in a good position.”
(Is it too early to tell on CB Cordrea Tankersley or do you have a gut instinct?) – “Yes, I don’t know. Day-to-day.”
(With T Eric Smith coming back practicing, is the vision to eventually see if he can contribute on the 53?) – “We’re going to see. We’re going to just keep working him. He did a lot of really good things that we liked. I love how engaged he’s been since he’s been hurt. He just constantly kept working and when you see a young guy that, mentally, is just trying to make sure he doesn’t lose any time, because that’s really the hard part for some of these young guys. It just starts moving so fast and you’re trying to keep your body right and keep up with what’s going on because as the season goes on, you start evolving into certain things and if you’re not practicing, it can get tough. He did a great job of staying up to speed and making sure that when he got a chance to jump back out there, he was ready to go.”
Matt Burke – December 8, 2017
Download PDF version
Friday, December 8, 2017
Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke
(Opening Statement) – “Before you guys bombard me, I want to follow up at the end of (Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen’s comments), just something about Kenny Stills. For me, on the defensive side of the ball, he’s the most into us playing defense in the game of anybody on offense, for whatever that’s worth. Every single game, that kid gets his corrections and comes up and stands on the sideline and is either talking trash to the other team or cheering our guys on. I’m bumping into him half the time telling him to get out of the way to make my calls. I heard you guys asking and Clyde talking about him, and Kenny, as a team player and a leader and all of that stuff, he’s the most into the game from that side of the ball to when we’re playing, of anybody. I notice it. I said something to him about two weeks ago. ‘Hey man, don’t think I don’t notice you’re the only guy up – or not the only guy – but you’re the loudest guy, for sure; and the most energetic guy up watching us play defense and rooting for our side of the ball.’ He’s taken a lot of strides there.”
(Can you share with us maybe something you learned the first time against the Patriots calling defensive signals for the first time?) – “I think it just was an emphasis really for myself, going into the game, that you have to be quick with the calls. You have to get them out them. Even if they’re changing personnel groups and not necessarily going no-huddle, they’re probably the best in the league with (Tom) Brady and everything in terms of breaking the huddle, getting up and running their plays. For myself, it was a point of emphasis to get the call to the defense so they could get their eyes back to the offense so as they broke the huddle, they were able to line up and play. That was something going into the game that was a point of emphasis for me. I want to make sure that I don’t slow our defense down by being slow with the calls, so I really had to, for me, even be more on my game in terms of getting a huddle called out quick and anticipating what I wanted to get into so those guys could get the call and get their eyes back to the offense and be ready to go.”
(And were you able to do that?) – “I felt like for the most part, yes. They do a good job obviously. They roll personnel groups. They throw a lot of different things at you and they kind of pace the game. They’ll kind of be normal, normal, normal and then they’ll get up on you, then they’ll pull it back. They play that game. I didn’t feel like getting the calls out and getting the huddle call was an issue, which I felt like that was important for me to give our guys the best chance to compete.”
(No Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski on Monday night. Is that going to impact your game plan?) – “Yes, obviously he’s a great player. The thing that’s hard is even if ‘Gronk’ is playing, this is a team that game plans every game you play against them, and they’re going to change personnel groups. Not to sound like a total idiot but if anything, it almost creates a little bit more uncertainty. Obviously if ‘Gronk’ is playing, you know he’s going to be involved and he’s a factor that you have to account for. They’re always like this when you prepare for a team like the Patriots, but even more so now. You don’t know what they’re going to throw at you, really. They could come out and run unbalanced for the first 20 plays or they could go empty personnel. They could go three running backs. You don’t know. There’s a little bit more uncertainty. We always approach it like that. We’re going to have to be ready for anything between personnel groups and formational things and what they’re doing. Obviously, he’s a great player and he’s having another great season. Taking him off the field lessons some of the matchup issues you have. Obviously you have to account for him; but sort of the flip side is it creates a little bit more uncertainty in terms of groups they’re going to use and some of the ways they’re going to attack us. It’s an interesting approach to what we’re going to see here.”
(What do you hope that CB Bobby McCain takes from his first meeting with the Patriots in terms of the lessons learned?) – “I think it’s not just Bobby really. It’s everybody. You guys have been around Bobby. He’s a competitive kid and he’s feisty. That’s just something that we know they’re going to try to do. They’re going to try to get under your skin and it’s always been that way. Those guys are going to try to give him a little … Just let him know they’re there and try to irritate him a little bit. That’s fine. We just have to keep our composure. He understands what went on and how that came to be. I think we’ve moved past that. I think Bobby has. I think Bobby has been playing really well this year for us and having a great season and he knows we need him on the field. I think it’s just the awareness of that stuff doesn’t matter. If someone gets a little extra bump on you or if someone is holding you a little bit longer than normal or someone talks a little trash to you, that’s fine. We’re expecting those things to happen and we just can’t respond to it. We’ve just got to go out, play ball and execute our calls. I think Bobby will be ready to have a good game for us.”
(Is there any concern that if CB Cordrea Tankersley plays that him not being 100 percent would make him a target for Patriots QB Tom Brady?) – “Everyone is a target for Brady. (laughter) If we make the determination that ‘Tank’ is going to play for us, it’s because we think he’s healthy and ready to play a real game for us. So we’re not going to put him out there if we feel him dealing with whatever injuries and stuff he’s trying to fight through is going to affect the play. We’ll have other options for that. No, I would assume if he does play that they’re going to test him out but that’s just what they do anyways. They just try to find matchups and whether it’s a running back on a linebacker or a receiver on what they think is a less than 100 percent DB, or whatever. Or ‘Gronk’ on somebody, those types of things. They’re going to find the matchups they want. That’s what their plan of attack is always. We’re not going to make that decision unless we feel that he’s capable of competing for us.”
(When you see or notice a guy … Over the years, Patriots QB Tom Brady always finds a target. When you see or notice a guy who is being picked on by him, does that go into your thought process coaching wise or schematically?) – “Yes. Again, when you try to boil down what this team tries to do to you … For us, that’s what it’s about. They try to find matchups that they can take advantage of. For us, it’s trying to keep the matchups in our favor as much as possible. Whether it’s moving different personnel groups or moving bodies on bodies that we like better in terms of certain, specific skill sets or matchups for us. Or just trying to keep the target moving. It might look like this is a matchup you like and then the next play, we’re playing something different. That’s just the game you have to play with them. They’re going to try to put as many players on the field that they think are positive matchups for them, and find the one that they like the best and go to it. Our job is to try to take those matchups away as best as possible. You can’t take them all away, so whether it’s changing the target or changing the matchups, play to play, series to series or just coaching up. We have to tell our guys, you have to know if you’re lined up against this guy, that’s probably where they’re going, and you have to win that down for us. We’ll help you out the next down or we’ll change it the next down but we can’t protect everybody. Somebody’s got to go win some matchups for us.”
(With regards to CB Bobby McCain, to see him kind of lose his composure like that … Am I right that’s uncharacteristic of him?) – “It is. Yes, you’re right.”
(Do you expect that CB Bobby McCain is going to be tested?) – “I would assume. Yes, I think any team – not just the Patriots; but any time that you show as a player – not just Bobby but any player – that you show susceptibility to that, people are going to test you. Just anything or in matchups, right? If someone says he’s susceptible or he’s given up a lot of plays on this specific route or he’s done this, they’re going to test you and find out if you’ve corrected that or if you’re still going to go angry and react to things. There’s no doubt they’re going to test us. He’ll be ready. He’ll be fine. Bobby is going to play a good game for us on Monday.”
(How would you evaluate how CB Alterraun Verner did when he came in against Denver?) – “Yes, he did a good job. Again, that was something obviously we preach in terms of guys being prepared. ‘Tank’ essentially went down on the first play. He kind of went back in and tried to fight it out for a couple of plays and kind of couldn’t keep it going for us. I can’t remember the exact number but ‘Vern’ ended up playing 45 snaps for us or something. He did a really good job. He’s the ultimate pro. There have been times during the season where we kind of had him or told him ‘Hey, I think you might be up this time’ or ‘You might be doing this,’ and then he didn’t get to play. He’s been steady through the whole thing. He prepares like a pro. He’s always ready to play. He stepped in and competed and did a really good job for us.”
(What were some of the things that the secondary did much better against the Broncos than in previous games?) – “They caught the ball, right? That’s something we’ve both been talking about. (laughter) I wish I could bottle that up. Honestly, I’ll give (Head Coach) Adam (Gase) a little bit of credit. Some of the things that he’s done in practice in terms of just stressing and really putting the emphasis on getting our hands on balls and attacking things. We’ve talked. Even with a guy like ‘X’ (Xavien Howard) for example, who I felt has been playing good coverage and that was the final step he had to take. Now he’s getting five pass breakups and catching the ball and obviously doing those things. I think just taking the step of finishing those plays and not just being in pretty good coverage or not just kind of being in good coverage and still allowing catches but for us to finish those plays and obviously to get our hands on a few picks and obviously to break up a bunch of passes. That was something that we stressed all the time but it’s kind of just been a team-wide thing. I think from Adam’s side of things, his stress is not turning the ball over. He’s been emphasizing, even for the scout team guys, ‘Hey man, make us better. Attack the ball. Strip it. Go after it in practice.’ Then us from the same side, so as a team-wide thing, it’s become just more of an emphasis, just truly like ‘We have to protect the ball on offense and we have to attack the ball on defense.’ I think sort of the fruits of those labors are starting to show.”
(Aside from getting a victory, how do you know when you’ve done a good job of defending QB Tom Brady?) – “I’ll take a victory. That would be enough for me. Look, he’s a great quarterback and one of the greatest of all-time. He’s going to make his plays. I don’t think anyone in the building expects him to go 0-for-25 with seven picks. He’s going to make some plays. We measure everything by wins and losses. That’s how we’re judged. That’s how we should be judged. If we make enough plays on him to win the game … Obviously if he goes 30-for-31 with eight touchdowns, we’re probably not going to win the game. Whatever measure of success leads to us getting stops, getting off the field and trying to limit his success as much as possible … A win is a win. We’ll take it however it comes.”
(What was the skill with DE Cameron Malveaux that intrigued you guys? Is he stout against the run? What made you want to take a look at him these last few weeks?) – “He’s a big body for a defensive end for us. He’s kind of a little different body type than we have. He has been destroying the offense in practice and really getting after them. He does everything right. I know the cliché of being the first one in. He literally is the first person sitting in the meeting room every morning, waiting for stuff to start. In terms of skill set, he’s a big, long kid that is tough against the run. He sets edges for us. Even as a rusher, he’s not going to be super fancy but he does a good job in terms of long-arming with his length and speed-to-power and trying to just collapse the pocket and push guys, which is a benefit for us with our other guys that can do some things in the rush game and those type of things. And a little bit with losing a guy like Will Hayes, that provided us sort of that same element for us, we felt that was a nice complement to kind of fit (Malveaux) back in. Will did some of those things in terms of the run game and just power rushing and those things. We just felt it was a nice chance to get (Malveaux) up and give him an opportunity to go play and he responded. He had about 30-to-35 snaps and did a really good job for us.”
(With CB Xavien Howard’s improvement, is it just the natural improvement of a young player or did Defensive Backs Coach Lou Anarumo or you point out anything specific to him that’s been a chance in technique? What has led to these last three weeks of high-level cornerback play?) – “I’d like to take credit for that. I don’t think I will. You can ask Lou about his cornerback whisperer techniques. (laughter) I think ‘X’ has been in good coverage. Most of the year, I think ‘X’ has been in really good coverage. I think the emphasis on finishing those plays and that’s the next step. That was always the next step for him. I think we forget that he had somewhat of a lost season last year with all of the injuries and the limited time. As a young corner, some of the growing pains we’ve been going through with ‘Tank’ (Cordrea Tankersley), ‘X’ didn’t get as much experience as ‘Tank’ has got this year as a rookie. Early in the season, I think ‘X’ was still developing through that rookie experience and those sorts of things. Then, as the season started progressing, I think he was tighter in coverage and tighter in coverage and getting closer to what we were asking. Now, in the last couple of weeks, he’s kind of gone the next step and now he’s getting the ball out. I think it’s just a natural progression. Again, he’s just been working at it and I think he missed enough time last year that he wasn’t fully experienced through his rookie ups and downs and hopefully this is him turning the corner and really becoming what we’ve expected from him.”
Clyde Christensen – December 8, 2017
Download PDF version
Friday, December 8, 2017
Offensive Coordinator Clyde Christensen
(In trying to explain why RB Kenyan Drake in this particular year has had more success than RB Jay Ajayi did during the first seven games, how much do you think is a function of has the blocking been better in your opinion for Kenyan, and what are some of the other factors?) – “No, I don’t think so. I’m not sure he’s had, in my mind, more success. It’s different success. He’s a home run hitter. We’ve used him differently. They’re two different guys. You’re comparing apples and oranges a little bit and Jay (Ajayi) would out-do Kenyan at what Jay does well and Kenyan probably is better than Jay at what he does well. So I don’t think it’s necessarily playing better, he’s just a different guy and he’s going to have those big strikes. And Jay had his share to; but Jay was a physical guy. Kenyan’s a fast, kind of a bounce … What he does is really special when he gets rolling. That run he made for the touchdown, which was an inside run, but it was still kind of his style with five moves in a 2-yard area right there and then comes out of it, squirts out of it for a touchdown is big. He’s really special with that kind of thing.”
(Aside from the fumbles, would you give him high marks in all of areas, aside from two fumbles?) – “Protection. I think he’s still got a ways to go protection-wise and ball protection-wise. Then, as I always say to you, he’s got to prove he can do it after you’ve started 10 games. See if you’re still doing it in January on frozen fields and below-zero temperatures, etc., etc., etc. So there’s a long way to go before we start making the bust of him quite yet; (laughter) but we’re off to a good start.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase said yesterday that with RB Kenyan Drake back there ,it’s a little different for the offensive linemen.) – “Yes.”
(With RB Kenyan Drake’s lateral quickness, isn’t it an adjustment for the offensive line?) – “I think it is. Yes, I do think it is. Those guys have a different style and yes, I think it is. Just like when you have different quarterbacks in there, it’s a different thing. We’ve really stressed playing hard, finishing blocks. Jay (Cutler) in the pocket, Kenyan with the ball. The other thing that he makes it unique that all of a sudden an inside play goes around the corner and that’s where your holding calls come. So there’s a lot of factors that go into it. All of a sudden, you’re blocking the thing and you think he’s going up off my left hip here and then all of a sudden, I’ve got my guy locked down and all of a sudden he runs around the right corner and he starts to leave and I thought the ball was going … Now all of a sudden I’ve got to make sure that I don’t grab hold and restrict him. So yes, there’s a lot of things that go on and it makes it interesting for him; but it is different. It is different. Jay, you kind of knew where he was going to hit it and you just start bulldozing and pushing piles. This guy, it can go anywhere.”
(Are you seeing anything different from TE Julius Thomas in recent weeks?) – “Yes, production. I think the production has been different and up a little bit and I think that would be the biggest thing. Yes, I think he’s kind of getting in a little bit of a stride and (Head) Coach (Adam) Gase has done a good job getting it to him and giving him some good opportunities, so that’s encouraging.”
(We always hear about how Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick takes one thing away. What did he do last time and how do you adjust to that in game?) – “Yes, they’ve always done a great job there. They’re going to double Jarvis (Landry). They’re going to take away what you’re doing well and make you try to beat them left-handed. That’s what they’ve always done and they’ll do it a lot of different ways and so you never really have a beat going into the game. I think I’ve said that to you before that they do a great job of being one of the best fundamentally sound, one of the best fundamentals – leverage, hands, head, hands placement – they’re one of the best teams, if not the best team in the league, at (being) consistent that way and then their changeups don’t compromise their technique. They’ll do it a lot of different ways. They’re a good man coverage team. Now they may double the two inside guys. They could double anyone they want to; but their techniques are what is really, really good. So you focus on their scheme and you try and have good plays for their scheme and the next thing you know, you forgot that we’ve got to beat press coverage. They make you do things well and that will be a great challenge.”
(If they take WR Jarvis Landry or if they choose to take Jarvis away, do you force it to him, because I think he was seven for 80 last game?) – “Sometimes it happens that way. Sometimes it doesn’t. That’s a little bit of a … that’s a teach. When do you stay with a guy being doubled? There are some times, there are some routes where you have a chance to win even though you’re doubled, that Jarvis is just going to win anyway. There’s somewhere you’ve got to go ‘Hey, hooray for them. They took him away. Let’s move on and someone else has got to win.’ So it’s both. Both of the above and you don’t know when that’s going to happen. Some routes you feel good about, some routes you don’t. Sometimes they’re tight coverage, sometimes they’re loose coverage and the double comes from up top, above. Sometimes it’s from underneath and from the line of scrimmage with one of those (line)backers coming out. So it happens a lot of different ways and I think what they do a great job of is making you make your adjustments during the game. They’re not going to do exactly what they’ve done the last five games and you’ve got a beat on them and you scheme everything up for it and then they do it just exactly like you schemed it up. You’ve got to be ready to be on the sideline making some adjustments.”
(In what ways do you see WR Kenny Stills work to get even better in more areas? He got paid but it seems like he still puts in the …) – “I think he’s got some momentum. I think he’s becoming really, really one of the good receivers in this league and he just keeps working. I think the biggest thing, which no surprise, is he’s healthy. He stays on the field and he gets his practice time. That’s the best thing, right? If you’re on the field and you work, you’re going to get better. That’s in any field. That’s coaching. That’s whatever. If you just do it every day and you come to work every day and you work at getting better, you tend to get better at whatever you do, whether it’s writing and writing articles or coaching football or playing receiver, that just kind of holds true. That’s what he’s done the best thing of. He’s been working. He’s been really consistent. I’ve said to you before that when I got here, he was in this building. He made the conscious decision ‘Hey, I’m going to be a consistent football player.’ His words to me was ‘I’ve been good at times but I’ve been up and down,’ and I think two years ago he made a commitment that I’m going to be a consistent, steady, upper-echelon receiver in this league. I really think the sky is the limit. He’s a fast guy but he’s not just a big-play guy. His technique is good. He’s running good routes. He’s made catches this year that have been outstanding and one last week on the low ball was one of the three or four best I’ve ever seen in my life. That was a great catch. So he’s doing those things, which maybe he didn’t do as much last year. I think he’s becoming a well-rounded, good worker. The other thing I’ve said a lot is we’re dying for guys who you can say ‘Hey, do it like him. Work like him. Act like him.’ That’s what we’re dying for leadership-wise offensively. Just some guy that (you say) ‘Hey, he’s turning into a heck of pro,’ and where you say, ‘Hey, do you want to get better? Watch Kenny Stills. Watch how he works. Watch how he takes care of his body. Watch what he does on Tuesday on off days. Watch what he does after practice. Watch him during practice.’ He’s becoming that kind of guy, so that’s been great. It’s been fun to watch and he’s turning into a really, really fine receiver.”
(It’s only been a couple of week since the last meeting with New England but is that enough time to see any differences in the defense?) – “It really isn’t. It’s just weird. It’s a weird deal. It’s both ways, but we’ve played them so many times and you see them twice a year, and now you see them twice in three weeks that you know what they do. You know what you have to do, but it doesn’t make it easier to beat them. It’s still hard work to beat them and they do a good job. They’ll have their wrinkles and we’ll try to have a wrinkle or two but at the end of the day, it’ll come down to if we can block them, if they can tackle us, if we can beat man coverage, if they can cover us, if we can protect our quarterback and it’ll come down to the same basic things in football. It takes some of the scheming and all of that stuff out of it and makes it more about the fundamentals and who gets themselves ready and plays harder or longer.”
Darren Rizzi – December 8, 2017
Download PDF version
Friday, December 8, 2017
Associate Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Darren Rizzi
(Can you assess the performance of your two new kickers this year?) – “Sure. I guess I’ll start with Cody (Parkey). Obviously, after training camp, we felt like just looking through the NFL that there was a chance to make an upgrade. We really kept a close eye on Cody, really since he’s been in the NFL. He’s really been what we expected and I expected. He’s a consistent guy. He’s got a great approach. He has really a professional approach. He’s a very good self-evaluator and a lot of times, it might sound simple; but as a kicker, that’s a big thing, being able to self-correct a lot of times. He’s got a great demeanor. He never gets too high, never gets too low. He’s been consistent since he got into the league and hopefully that continues; but I’ve had a pleasure working with him. He’s been really good, not only in the field goal area; but also on the kickoff area. We ask him to do a bunch of different things between deep kicks, short kicks, onside kicks. Whatever it is, we’ve asked him to do. I think he’s performed very well in that regard. So he’s been a great welcome addition. Matt Haack, so far through this year, I think everybody saw or has seen, at points, that his talent level is very, very high. He’s got a really, really good skill set. You saw last week his ability to pin the opponent was really big in that particular game. I think he had seven punts inside the 20. Really the one that he didn’t, he actually hit a great ball, it just carried on him into the end zone. I think he’s been maybe a little bit disappointed with some consistency stuff; but again, to me, any rookie at any position is going to have some peaks and valleys. I’m very, very pleased with his overall performance. I think he’s second or third right now in the AFC in punts inside the 20, or whatever it is. The sky’s the limit for him. He’s really just scratching the surface, in my opinion. He’s a young punter with a lot of ability. Again, being a lefty and all of those things, I know everyone’s talked about that; but really, he’s just a really good punter. Forget about lefty and righty. (I’m) really excited about his future. Both of those guys have been really welcome additions. It’s been great. Obviously, having John (Denney), the veteran there to work with these guys, and I know they’re different positions, but just the everyday mentality and approach, there’s not a better professional in the building than John Denney, and I’ve said that many times. For those guys to be able to work with him on a daily basis has been huge, as well. Cody kind of had that already; but for Matt, I think it’s a great thing to come in and have two guys that are really, with the approach and mentality that those two guys have, that’s really helped Matt out in his rookie season. It’s really laid a really solid foundation for him. The bottom line is I’m really pleased with where both of those guys are.”
(Do you have any great, deep stats or info on K Cody Parkey, like something that will just blow our minds about how awesome he is?) – “(laughter) Like I said, he really has just done really well in all of the areas. I know a lot of people will point to the three missed extra points and I get it. One was a little bit of a field thing and the ground. One was the last play of the game in the Jets game, and I’m not making excuses for him; but he’s been really consistent in all of the other ways. There’s not one stat I’m going to throw at you. I really like his every day approach. He knows exactly what he does. He has a routine. From the minute he walked in the door, he had a routine. ‘This is what I’m going to do and this is how we’re going to handle it.’ He’s really done that every step of the way, so I don’t have one stat on the top of my mind to blow you out of the water; but I know since he’s been in the league, he’s been a guy that’s made field goals, and hopefully that continues.”
(You’ve coached WR Jarvis Landry his entire career. How would you describe his importance to this team and then to your group?) – “Overall team, I think since the moment Jarvis got in here and started playing in games, everybody saw what he brings to the team in terms of he’s an electric guy. He’s an unbelievable competitor. No matter where I’ve coached – college and the NFL – this is my 25th season and I don’t know if I can say I’ve had a more competitive guy than Jarvis on game day. He brings a lot of energy to the team, to the sideline, he’s very into the game. That’s really contagious and when he first got here, he was a guy that obviously could wear a lot of different hats. He was a punt and kick returner. We know what he can do as a wide receiver; but even when he got here, he was covering kickoffs. Most people forget about that. He’s a guy that really has done a lot of things. He’s a guy that wants the ball and there’s something to be said for that. He’s a guy that doesn’t like getting the ball, he wants the ball. I think there’s a fine line between the two. He’s got an extremely high football IQ, understands the game, loves sitting in my special teams meetings and watching situations and things like that. He’ll talk about it during the game. Last week is a good example, we had two safeties. How often do you get two kickoff returns after safeties? We haven’t had one in forever and then we get two in one game. Then, all of the sudden, they’re kicking off from the 50. Those are all situations we cover every week and you can hear him on the sideline, immediately, talking the coaching points and regurgitating what we’ve been saying. We go over those every week, because you never know when they’re going to come up. So his football IQ is maybe something that gets overlooked. I think he’s got a really good knack and understanding of the game, so those are really the things I think he brings to the table the most.”
(DE Terrence Fede blocks the punt. I think he came close on another one. He had the one a couple of years ago. What does it take to block punts? What kind of skill set does that take?) – “Believe it or not, some guys have a knack for it and Terrence is one of those guys. It’s something that we actually work on a ton in OTAs and training camp, the actual skill of blocking a punt. I think it maybe sounds easier said than done. Number one, Terrence has tremendous effort. He’s really another guy, though 12 games, who’s been very, very productive for us in special teams in every area, not just the blocked kicks and the blocked punts. His effort has been great, but he’s also been on punt coverage, he’s been on kickoff coverage, he’s been on kick return. He’s been really, at some point during the season, he’s been on all six units: punt, punt return, kick, kick return, field goal, field goal block. That’s an impressive thing to say about a defensive lineman. As far as the blocked kicks go, he gives great effort, he’s a tough guy to block, he’s a bigger body, he’s a good rusher, he’s a good athlete for his size, so all of those things; and when you get to the block spot, a lot of the times, those guys get back there and you see guys using terrible technique, swatting at the ball and hands apart and things like that. He executes what we’re looking for. That’s just Terrence. Terrence is a guy that comes here every day, does exactly what we’re asking him to do, unbelievable work ethic and that’s been him since he walked in the door, so it doesn’t surprise me that he’s having success.”
(You mentioned the importance that LS John Denney plays with your kickers, but can you give specifics on what he does?) – “Yes. Not only is John a great role model for the specialists, John’s a great role model for the team and really overall. What he does, I just think he sets an unbelievable example on what it is to be a pro, no matter the position. There’s not many long snappers in the league you could probably say – if you look at the 32 of them – that are going to be a role model. Because of his work ethic, and I could talk about him off the field as well – he’s a great father, he’s a great husband, he’s a great community guy – and that carries over. He’s a great leader by example. Apparently he’s a great violinist, as well. (laughter) I was actually joking around the other day, John’s one of those guys that whatever he decides to put his mind to, he does well. He’s one of those guys that’s always right here. He never gets too upset, never gets too down, which is a great mentality for his position; but I think a lot of other guys see that. He’s always in here working on his nutrition, working on his health, working on his body, working on the sports science stuff, so that’s why I think the longevity for him. He’s in great shape for a guy his age. So he’s just really a great guy to have around, not only for Cody (Parkey) and for Matt (Haack), but really for everybody. He doesn’t say a lot, and when does speak he’s like that old E.F. Hutton commercial. When he talks, people listen, because when does talk the things he’s saying are very (influential). He’s only been up in front of the team, maybe I can count on one hand in all of the time I’ve been here; but every time he speaks in front of the team, everybody gets something out of it. Again, he’s a guy that really has more importance in this building than people would understand.
(What actually is the upgrade with K Cody Parkey, when you talked about changing kickers? You felt like there was an upgrade to be made. What is the upgrade that you have made, specifically?) – “I just thought we needed more consistency at the position. Andrew Franks was a very talented kicker. I thought we were just inconsistent there the last couple of years. (Franks) made some big kicks and all of that. What Cody has done in his career is just the same thing over and over again. It’s not what you see, it’s what you get, more or less. It really is just that consistency thing. That’s where I thought we could make an upgrade, overall, in everything that we do: our kickoffs, our high kicks, short kicks, field goals, PAT’s, onsides kicks, whatever it is. I just thought it was a better overall upgrade across the board.”
Ndamukong Suh – December 7, 2017
Download PDF version
Monday, December 7, 2017
DT Ndamukong Suh
(What’s the key to stopping that running game of New England’s? They got 196 rushing yards on you last time.) – “Yes, it was way too many running yards for anybody. We’ve just got to find ways to execute. I think when we went back and watched the film, it came down to tackling as well as execution.”
(What do you say to Patriots QB Tom Brady when you’re lying on top of him?) – “(laughter) Since I’m not much of a talker…”
(Do you make an exception in that case?) – “I usually don’t like going to the ground. I like inflicting pain and then going about my business and getting ready for the next play. I usually try to not stay on the ground (and) hop up quick.”
(Do you have to be careful? You don’t want to make Patriots QB Tom Brady mad, right?) – “I’d love to make him mad. My job is to piss him off and have him yelling at his offensive linemen for not blocking me, his coach and everybody on the sideline. That’s my job.”
(That’s the thing you guys really have to do, in all seriousness right? You’ve got to make him uncomfortable?) – “Yes, no question. Uncomfortable (and) off his spot. We know he likes to drop back and throw comfortably and have this nice pocket; but my sole job is to disrupt that at all costs.”
(When was the last time you saw that? When is the last time you created something where you saw there was some frustration from Patriots QB Tom Brady?) – “I think the last game we played them, we had some good hits on him and understood what they wanted to do. Personally, I can reach back to some times in Detroit where they actually pulled him from a game. (It was) a preseason game, so maybe it wasn’t that important; but it was important for us just to get a gauge to see where we were at. I’ve had some success against him.”
(The eight hits on Patriots QB Tom Brady last time, what does that tell you about the pass rush and what effect do you think it had on him and the game?) – “I think it was good in the pass rush concept but when we look at the run game, we didn’t do so hot there. I think they stuck with that and we have to eliminate that. I think when we eliminate both of those pieces and they’re not successful on both sides of the running and pass game, that’s when we’ll find ourselves successful.”
(How do you feel about taking days off from practice? Does it bother you when you have to do that, that you can’t be out there with everybody else?) – “It’s not really my decision. When I look at it, I understand why they have me do it; but then I also look at it from the standpoint that I wasn’t wired that way, to take days off. It’s not something that I’m used to, especially over my career. I think prior to – I want to say last year or something of that nature – I had only missed one practice due to being sick. I had, unfortunately, the flu in 2014.”
(That’s why I was curious about it though because you don’t seem like someone that would want to take a day off; but you also seem like someone who could understand the value of it. So I just wonder how much internal wrestling is there with you on a day like today, for example?) – “As I said, it’s not my decision. I take orders and I’m a good lieutenant or whatever you want to call it. How I look at it is it’s not my decision. I take it in stride. I’m not wired to take days off. I wasn’t built that way mentally or physically; but I do understand the importance of it and just roll with the punches.”
(Is that something that when you’re done playing, you’ll look back and say ‘Okay, I see why.’ Is it hard to do it as a guy that’s in it right now?) – “No, no, no. I can see it now, for sure. I see it with my trainer, I see it with the coaching staff and there’s other reasons as well; but it’s not like I’m getting the entire day off and I get to be at home. (laughter) I’ve got plenty of work and things that I can do and study. It gives me an opportunity to learn it from a mental standpoint. I think prior to being in the pros, the biggest way I learned and advanced myself in this game is that I was out during spring ball. I had a torn ACL, so I had to sit on the sidelines and learn the game from there, and I think it served me right.”
(Head Coach Adam Gase spoke really highly of DT Jordan Phillips today. What are you seeing from him both on the field and attitude wise?) – “I think Jordan understands his role and I think he’s understanding, really, his whole overall ability as a player; and he’s growing into that. I think the best thing for him is to just stay consistent. I think he understands the attitude he has and the effect he has on this team and how he can be a dominant force.”
(Having said that, how terrible was that sack dance that DT Jordan Phillips did?) – “(laughter) I didn’t see much of the sack dance, but I saw a lot of excitement from Jordan. It’s always good to see a young guy like that get sacks and make plays. You’re obviously happen for your line mates.”
(You guys didn’t run that dance back and forth on the film?) – “(laughter) We didn’t run it back and forth on film.”
(What about the TE Julius Thomas touchdown dance?) – “That was beautiful. (laughter) It was a great display of riding a Bronco, to say the least. (laughter)”
(You could tell right away that’s what it was?) – “(laughter) Yes.”
(You immediately knew that’s what it is, just riding a Bronco?) – “(laughter) Immediately. Just riding a Bronco.”
(The Pro Bowl announcements are coming up fairly soon. I was wondering how much interest you have in that still at this point and whether that means anything to you.) – “I’d sit here and lie to you if I didn’t say I was interested in it. I hope you voted, to say the least. You’re always curious to see how things pan out. I’m happy to see other guys make the Pro Bowl. I’m happy to see guys like Cam Wake and Reshad Jones and many other guys – (Mike) Pouncey – on this team make the Pro Bowl and be successful and get accolades for it.”
(Does the event itself, going to Orlando, have any appeal to you still at this point?) – “Yes, why not? It’s just up the road. It was obviously great when it was in Hawaii. I got to take that trip over there; but Orlando, I’ve had fun up in Orlando plenty of times. There’s some cool things that I know in Orlando that I could be a part of outside of just playing football and being in that game.”
(So if you were selected to the Pro Bowl this year, you would intend to go?) – “Yes, I would. I would have went last year if I didn’t have the situation that I had physically. It’s always my goal to go out there if I was graciously enough to be selected to it and participate in it.”
(What part do you like the best about being around all of the players from other teams from around the league?) – “I enjoy it. I think the biggest interactions that I enjoy is going against the other guys and being around them, at my similar position. I think one of the most fun times I had was interacting with like Philip Rivers and guys like that, where most of the time we’re at each other’s throats and trying to combat each other but everything is just fun living there (at the Pro Bowl). That’s how I kind of look at it.”
(Has Patriots QB Tom Brady ever said anything interesting to you when you’re engaged, after a big hit, or anything funny? How does he react?) – “No. He hasn’t really said much at all to me. I’d love to sit down with him.”
(How well do you know Patriots QB Tom Brady?) – “I don’t know him at all. Maybe you can create that. (laughter) You seem like you have all of the connections over there.”
