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Zach Sieler – December 2, 2024 Download PDF version

Monday, December 2, 2024

DT Zach Sieler

(We were just having a talk about tackling in cold weather. How much tougher if at all is it to tackle in the running game in particular in cold weather?) – “I don’t think it’s tougher to tackle. I think we’ve got to do a better job on surfaces that aren’t ideal of breaking down and keeping our feet under us to make those tackles. And then running to the ball, swarm tackle.”

(What’s the spirit of the team right now? This team has been pretty resilient group. The five-game losing streak two years ago. All of the defensive injuries late last year. What is the team’s mindset right now?) – “We’ve got to take it one step at a time. We’ve got five weeks left. We’ve got to beat the Jets this week, we’ve got to roll. I don’t think there’s any step back or any hesitation from anyone. There’s no sense of that whatsoever. It’s make this push and let’s get this done.”

(Obviously you need help to get into the playoffs. Did you take a peek at standings at all or do you just figure you take care of your business and everything else takes care of itself?) – “I haven’t. That’s it. Absolutely.”

(What was said as much as you can tell us about the missed tackles? I don’t know if you guys have watched the film or anything. What’s been said about that?) – “What I (responded to the first question). Same thing. We’ve got to keep our feet. We’ve got to keep our feet. We’ve got to swarm tackle, run to the ball and play violent.”

(I’ll ask you what I asked WR Jaylen Waddle a minute ago. And it’s a narrative if you want to call it a narrative, but it’s something that’s been said and was certainly said after Thursday night’s game, that this is a speed team and not a physical team, not a tough team. What’s your response?) – “Shoot, I guess we’ve got to prove it wrong. If people think that, we’ve got to go out there and beat it. I don’t think that’s the case. I think we play physically up front. I think we play physically all around. I think we’ve got to make sure we’re showing that on Sunday.”

(Is there a mental switch that happens when you get into these December and later games? Or have you guys already had to turn that on with how the season has gone?) – “Ever since (our record was) 2-6 we’ve had to have that on. It’s definitely a mindset when you’re at that point. It’s like, hey, we’ve got to scratch and crawl out of here as best we can and it’s still possible. So it’s just a matter of winning these next five and it starts this week with the Jets.”

(What do you think of facing those Jets? Obviously a team you have a lot of familiarity with but haven’t seen them in such a long time and haven’t seen them with QB Aaron Rodgers either.) – “Yeah, I think they’re a great team. They’ve got a lot of weapons, they’ve got a great quarterback. He played a lot of ball. I think he’s probably one of the only ones that has played more ball than Calais (Campbell). (laughter) So definitely got to make sure we get in our playbooks and get into film study and see what’s coming at us.”

(All the good vibes you guys had from the three-game winning streak, I know that was a tough loss at Green Bay, but do those vibes still exist, the lessons that you’ve learned and all of that kind of stuff?) – “Absolutely. Obviously to get to this point, we’ve went through a lot and we’ve done a lot. And I think those games were a testament to that and I think it shows how powerful we can be; we just need to put it together in all three phases this week.”

(Have you given any thought either in the offseason or even during the season, under Head Coach Mike McDaniel you guys have had many streaks – win streaks and losing streaks – why do you suppose that is?) – “I guess I haven’t thought about that. I don’t know. I haven’t put much thought to that. I think it’s a matter of just the team in general and what we’re going through. We’ve got to stay tough when we’re winning and we’ve got to stay tough when we’re losing and either get out of it or keep it going.”

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