Patrick Graham – September 17, 2019
Download PDF version
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham
(I know you don’t like to go backwards, however, there are specific plays I need an explanation for. On third-and-17, I believe you rushed four, and then there was a third-and-12 where it looked like you guys were in cloud coverage and you were rushing three. I know it’s Patriots QB Tom Brady, and blitzing is not exactly the greatest strategy, but what was the thought process in this?) – “Again, that was last week. Based on the situation, in terms of it was third-and-extra long, I think ‘Flo’ (Head Coach Brian Flores) spoke about it the other day, but we’re trying to do the best call that we think is going to help us in that situation. If it means dropping eight guys and we think it’s going to give the quarterback some problems, that’s what we’ll do. If we think rushing six guys is going to be the best way, (we’ll do that); but obviously, they got the first down. That’s the thought process into it. Sometimes, the situation calls for dropping eight guys and you guys see guys struggle with that or rushing six guys, so that’s how that normally comes into play.”
(What is the thought process with LB Raekwon McMillan moving forward? It seemed to me he was on the edge a little bit more this week. Is that permanent, or was that game plan-specific?) – “All the guys – we’re hoping all the guys are as versatile as possible. The more they can do, the better chance it is to get on the field. The role Raekwon had last week – that’s not indicative of exactly what it’ll be this week, but he excelled in it. He did a good job. I was happy with the work he did on the edge. He had plays when he was inside as well, too. Again, we plan on having guys that are versatile and being able to do different things, so that just fits into that mold.”
(LB Raekwon McMillan seems to be making a lot of tackles earlier this season. What is he doing well?) – “He’s moving well. He’s moving well and he’s diagnosing plays pretty well. He’s a physical football player. He’s a physical football player who brings a little thump to him when he hits people. To me, whenever you’re getting in on some tackles, it’s because you’re doing a good job of diagnosing what the offense is doing, and also you’re finishing plays, so that’s always a good thing.”
(You just lost a versatile player in S Minkah Fitzpatrick. Who are you counting on to fill that void now?) – “Minkah – he’s a great player. I wish him all the best at Pittsburgh. (He’s a) good player. I wish him all the best. In terms of guys that are going to make up for him, there’s a bunch of guys. We’ve got to work through it. We’re still in the game-plan process right now, but we’ll try to figure out the best way to make up for that spot in our defense and move forward from there.”
(CB Chris Lammons is a guy who you gave him a couple snaps to, same as CB Ken Webster. What do you see from those young defensive backs in terms of how they can help you?) – “You know what’s interesting about Webster being a newer guy and Lammons has been here for a while? I’m talking about hard-working, fast and tough. (Defensive Pass Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks) Josh Boyer, our corners coach, he’s looking for tough guys – tough guys that can tackle. On top of that, if you can run, those are some of the things that we’re looking for, and they’ve shown that. Then they get their chance.”
(What’s the skillset with – we saw S Stephen Parker – obviously Rams practice squad last year – played some. He’s in the mix at safety. His particular skillset that intrigues you?) – “I would say the mental part. You start there. He’s a smart guy. (He is) intelligent, has some football IQ to him. (He’s a) good, physical player, smart player that can have some range. He’s shown all of that stuff that’s been pretty good for us.”
(With S Walt Aikens, you used him in the first game to cover tight ends a little bit. Is that a role where you can see him emerging and getting some playing time on defense?) – “I think Walt – it starts off with the fact that (he is a) captain (and a) leader on this team. He’s a physical presence on the field whether it’s defense or special teams. (He has) good speed. (He is a) good communicator. Again, whatever role it’s going to be, it’ll be; but he does such a good job with every role we’ve given him. We’re just looking to see his role grow as the season continues.”
(We know this is a developing team and a developing defense. How do you measure progress?) – “Progress – we’re going to keep it real simple. Are we tackling better? Are we doing a better job of playing blocks and defeating blocks? Is the edge getting set? Is our communication better? Really, if we see improvement there, then improvement on the field will come. Where does that start? It starts with your day off – working to get better there. Then you get to the meetings and then the practice, but all of that stuff comes into play from the individual work you do on your own, in terms of communication, seeing how to diagnose the plays, to the meetings, getting information on the calls, and then going out and practicing it. That’s what we’re going to judge progress on.”
(I know you’ve been around Head Coach Brian Flores for a long time. Do you have a favorite story that he’s either told about growing up in Brooklyn or from the Patriots that illustrates why he might be able to succeed in this rebuilding process?) – “Individual stories – that could take all day, but I know this: A lot of my friends from college are from New York City, and my best friend from college, he’s from Brooklyn. I know where he grew up, and for him to have been at Yale with me and me having my background where I’m from Waterbury, Connecticut where I’m like, ‘how did you get here?’ It’s amazing. To me, just knowing where he grew up and just the perseverance and to be able to do that, to me, it means a lot. You’re a strong person. That’s just my opinion, just knowing the area, if that answers your question. My older brother went to college in Long Island. His friends were from New York City. Seeing them be successful, I’m like, ‘wow.’ I thought I had it hard, but no.”
(DE Charles Harris, where would you say he is two games into the season?) – “It was funny during the game, the look in his eyes. He’s a focused player. He’s improving. He’s improving, and all of that stuff will come as we progress during the season. He’s still a young player. He’s still learning football just like we all are. I feel like I’m still learning football every day trying to get better. I really like the progress in terms of the run game, starting there. Playing with his hands, and playing with low pad level. And then in the passing game, providing pressure, transitioning in the play action. I thought that improved during the game this past weekend. He’s making strides to being a better player and he’s working at it. You have to be diligent about that. You’ve got to work at it, because anytime you get complacent in this league, you’ll be out of here.”
(With the pressure, not necessarily from DE Charles Harris, but you did get two sacks against QB Tom Brady which is not an easy thing to do. Do you feel like you’re getting enough pressure on passing downs?) – “I think we’ll always have enough – I think you want more pressure. You want to be able to affect the passer more. We’re working towards getting more pressure in terms of making – whether it’s the passing windows for the quarterback or making sure we’re discipline in our rush lanes, we’re just trying to do a better job of affecting the quarterback. That’s amongst other things we’re trying to do a better job of. We’re really just trying to get better every day. I don’t know when I’ll ever be satisfied with the rush or the pressure; but we’re going to keep striving to get better at it.”
(You guys have allowed a lot of points obviously. How tough is it to shut off the daily or weekly competitor in you and keep the big picture in mind here?) – “I’d say the daily and weekly competitor in me never shuts off. I mean, I would hope not. Just like I said, if I got complacent and wasn’t being competitive, I don’t think I’ll be who I am. It always is there for me. Thankfully in this league, you get 16 opportunities and we’re on our third one this weekend. You move on and now we’re getting ready for Dallas, who is a great offensive team, built from the ground up – offensive line, to the back, to the quarterback, to the receivers. We’ve got plenty to get ready for. If I’m not competitive – I’m competitive right now when I got up this morning, whatever time this morning, to get ready for you guys. (laughter) Trust me, I pray that the competitive spirit never leaves me. I don’t care what happens.”
(How does it not drive you crazy, how do the results not drive you crazy?) – “Because I know – I know I have another opportunity this weekend. But before that, I have another opportunity today, Tuesday. When I woke up this morning, there is an opportunity to study the film, get to know these guys – whether it’s (Dak) Prescott, whether it’s (Amari) Cooper, they’ve got a lot of players you’ve got to get to know to try to put our players in the best position to defend them. I can’t imagine not waking up and being competitive. I was dreaming about them last night.”
(With LB Vince Beigel, it was the way that you utilized him this week – I know roles change every week – but did you see him as a pressure player when you guys acquired him?) – “The thing that – he has some length, he has strength, and he has some quickness and he has some natural knee bend to him. Right there, you just mention those terms right there. Whether you’re a DB, linebacker or D-lineman, that’s going to help you in terms of whether you’re a pass rusher or setting the edge. Those are positives right there – being able to play with some extension because he has length. Being able to bend, come around the corner, those are things that play into him being able to do that. Thankfully for us, he was able to apply some pressure on Sunday and we’ll see if we can improve that as we go through the week.”
(Back to Head Coach Brian Flores for one second. Do you think apart from his coaching ability, is it just the sheer perseverance that will serve him well?) – “I just think that’s the first initial in my mind. But then just knowing the man, the thing I value about him and our friendship is that he is very honest. He’s very honest and that’s why I trust his vision. That’s why I trust him completely, because he’s always been honest with me whether I’ve been in the wrong, or been in the right. And we shared an office together. So I know that. I know he’s going to be honest with me. I might not like what he says, but he’s going to be honest with me. To me, that’s no different from my mom, my dad, my brothers. To me, you don’t have to be all ‘lovey, dovey, buddy, buddy.’ As long as somebody is going to be honest with you, I value that more than I value somebody patting you on the back all the time. That’s’ why I think – I’ve said enough. I’m focused on the Cowboys right now. But I’ve got the utmost respect for coach.”
(What are you looking for from the players that you are going to put on the field Sunday, and every Sunday?) – “Smart, tough, tackle, heavy-handed, some of the stuff that I’ve labeled before – and passionate about their role. Passionate about their role and executing their job. That’s what I want. That’s what I want, and guys that play together – really play together. That’s going to be the big thing with us, just playing together. I was happy to see those guys playing together, having success together, and hopefully we’ll get more of that.”
(You do understand the mental toll that’s happening to this team in terms of draft picks leaving and what we call a purge. You do realize that it takes a toll on the players?) – “You’ll have to ask the players about that. I just know this: when I go up in front of those guys, the eye contact that I’m getting, the questions I’m getting, these guys are ready to go to work. I’m looking forward to seeing them when they get in tomorrow, and be ready to work. Again, we’ve got 16 opportunities. We’re down to 14 right now that are guaranteed. So, let’s go get it – this one this weekend.”
