Opening Statement:
"Alright, what's up everybody? As we're getting rolling, I've talked a lot about identity and how we haven't turned that corner on that and that's so important for us to get that done. And it'll be great to have [WR] Terry [McLaurin] and [WR] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] back practicing today. They are definitely a big part of that, but the nature of our game is fluid and always will be. But you know, who could be in the game, that can change, but what we do and how we do it, that cannot change and that cannot be fluid. So, everything this week that I hit with the team is focus on what we're doing and probably even more important is the how we're doing it. And that's what we're going to dig into and as we get through the preparation, but what we're doing and how we're doing it, that's where I'm at and that's what I wanted to get across to the guys. And that'll all in turn bring us back to identity and turning that corner on that because we haven't yet."
On if there will be changes to the defense:
"I think what you'll see is improved play. I think that's obvious in that we want to dig in. So, when we wanted to look and assess to where we needed to make change and make adjustments, sometimes they're not these big overhauls that go, that make the major improvement. It's these small calibrations and adjustments. And so that is definitely underway as we get out of practice today, I'm looking forward to seeing the speed. We're trying to eliminate the hesitation, and we will do that."
On what he will do differently this week:
"You wanted to dig in as hard as you can and that's my job to help solve problems and make sure we're playing like that identity. Like we like. I absolutely did go back through the seven games and find out, you know, what do we like, what do we need to do differently, what needed to change and it was a good process to go through but the result has to be on the field and less hesitation, which increases speed, which increases our ability to go run and hit and that's the objective."
On if there was a particular moment that contributed to the team's current status:
"I don't think there's one specific, but what I do know, in visiting with the players too, we felt off and we wanted to make sure, all of us, what did that look like? And it starts number one, like man, let's throw a hell of a practice to go and when we did talk about from last year to this what were differences and expectations and those kind of things, but at the end of it, like it still comes down to like the practice, the work, the going for it. And so that's what I know works and make sure we can all do that together. And so that's where they're at, I'm at and so, the frustration and anger and all those things can turn into the good once you allow all that to work for you in a good way. And otherwise, you can feel tight and when you're tight you don't just play as fast and as aggressive as you need to. And I want to eliminate that tightness that I was talking about earlier about a hesitation, like a misstep. I think all of those things when you're tighter and one drop pass feels like the game's over or you know, a miss here and that's not it, it's into the next play, into the next moment and we'll capture that."
On if the previous comment is related to game performance, scheme or personnel:
"I think I'm just relating it to like the whole performance that we've had. And I wouldn't say just game day. I think, going into it, I'm looking for everything to level up and we've got an excellent crew together and we count on one another to get that done and we haven't turned that corner on our identity of how we need to. And so, that's why it is so important to get that done."
On if getting more speed on the field is related to how quickly players adapt:
"Partially. And here's the reason I wanted to go through and look at the calls to say what calls are causing some hesitation because they're, it's expensive, this one to this. And so, if we could eliminate some of those calls, I think that would allow as a unit for us to play faster. And so, I haven't seen the speed that I've wanted, but I know we have speed. So, the part of that to say, 'Okay, how can we feature some things that we can absolutely go?' Less hesitation, less misstep and eliminate that what could happen, what could happen and really allow us to play more free and so that's what I tried to dig in as hard as I could and now we have to go apply it."
On the current NBA investigation on gambling and on reinforcing league rules to the team:
"Yeah, you want to be able to apply any lessons that you can, whenever you can and the league does an excellent job of outlining this, this, this. But I do think it's important whether it's another league, another team, when things come up that you can take the minute, we have it, take the minute, is there a lesson that can apply to any of us and that's what we do. And sometimes it's in the sport, sometimes it's in life where it's away from the sport but it is important. The league does a very good job at the start, but I think anytime you get a chance to reinforce things, that could mean a lot. That's a big deal."
On confirming QB Jayden Daniels' game day status and future concerns surrounding the injury:
"Yep, he is [out], that is confirmed. Like he will be out this week, and [QB] Marcus [Mariota] will start. I'd said, I think it was Monday, I'm getting my days mixed up, but we knew it wasn't going to be significant meaning long but also not well enough to say in six days it's ready to go based on speed and how you would handle this type of injury. So, all of the week will be focused for him on the rehab in hopes of the following week. And so, I'll assess that next week, but as opposed to some practice, some not, just put all of it, all the time and effort into that."
On if they can learn anything from Daniels' injuries this season:
"From the first one, we tried to learn quite a bit to make sure there couldn't be a specific hit that could be avoided. When you're outside the pocket, when can you remain a passer, when can you run? And so, that's true for any quarterback that has the ability to scramble and turn plays into big ones. We're facing one this Monday night, similar in that way to extend plays and when to remain a passer, and when he runs. And so, that was the big lesson and takeaway for me on that. And so, not related to the hamstring, but I was pleased to see some lessons being learned for that."
On feedback from defensive players:
"It wasn't just that. I do ask the players a lot, is there any call that you don't like that costs too much –meaning like, check this, check this, check. And if we can eliminate any of those, I'm for that. And so, that is how I communicate very directly to somebody and sometimes it's, I understand but we still need to do X, Y and Z in that or it's expensive, but we still need to do it. The other part is about, hey we're going to really go compete against one another and that's what I'm looking forward to getting rolling with the guys, full week to get rolling, getting one another ready, that's a big part of it too. And so, I'm looking forward to having a full crew here with the exception of Jayden. Having some matchups, there'll be some just good-on-good battles and to go and sharpen ourself up and I'm looking forward to that too."
On how important the next few games are to see how the players respond:
"Yeah, you want to see momentum for sure about how you play. And so, when you make some changes, even if they're small, you want to see how are they being applied, how are they being used to gain that momentum shift that you're looking for? So yeah, all of that matters, but I want to see that applied onto the field."
On communicating with the players about finding their identity:
"We discuss it. One thing that's awesome about being a part of this team, there are some excellent leaders as a part of this group and some really smart people. And so, I wanted to say first, 'Hey man, these are the things that I'm seeing.' It felt off and before we ever got onto Kansas City to say, let's talk about us and things that we can do better and how can we play faster. And I love getting players' insights because they're able to share things from the view of the helmet. They're able to share things from them competing against one another that's different than coaching. And if you don't listen to that, man, you're missing it. About the guys who are directly in the fight and we've got a lot of excellent leaders, so I absolutely have leaned in on them hard to find out those adjustments, calibrations, it's not this major overhaul, but things that even though it seems small can have major dividends."
On if he relies more on weekly preparation versus in game adjustments during a game:
"Yeah, for sure most of it from the week. So, much of it also can be related to are we going for it, are we not, are we punting, is it field goal, is it going forward on fourth down? So, on the offensive side it's mostly that. And with [Special Teams Coordinator] Larry [Izzo] it's usually in between calls about what happened, what we would do. And I communicate with him when is punting, when is field goal. Defensively, obviously I've been in more of that to hear the call to know what could be said and done at that time. So, it's a little bit different by the phase, but all of it involves the prep work for sure."
On changing their philosophy at defensive end due to injuries:
"Yeah, it's a great question and for [DE] Dorance [Armstrong] and D-Wise [DE Deatrich Wise], these are heavy hitters for us and specific to how they play, not the same run edge setting, pass rushing to go. So, yeah when that new opportunity comes for somebody it won't be featured in exactly the same way. So, that's part of the adjustment to say how do we do it differently. It's not just plug and play. And so, that opportunity for that next person, how do they put their own flavor on it? Won't be the next Dorance or the next D-Wise. It'll be done a little bit differently and it might not be all with one person, you split that up and then it works its way through, but it is part of it. And you always are kind of thinking of the contingency plans to go do that and when they come up you adjust but yeah, for those two in specific it's a bummer because they brought a lot on and off and it's been great having Wise back in here. He can even make an impact while he is doing some of the rehab with the players, because it's sometimes not losing just the player, it's also the teammate and the man that goes along with it."
On areas that need to be scaled back on defense:
"Yeah, I wanted to go through and to find out what calls that could change to say is the juice worth the squeeze on a certain call to make if there was an explosive play or putting something into a better spot. That's our job to put those guys in those spots. So yes, that's exactly what we looked at to find what could change, what could look different, what do we have to have? This one, we thought it was going to be part of what we did, now we're not going to add that for a while. So, some of that condensing has helped all of it geared for us to play faster and to play better. And so, it's not the takeout just to take out, it's the specifics to say not more, let's make sure we do what we do better and so that's the goal."
