Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and head coach Sean McVay talk about Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen's strong leadership skills while wide receiver Davante Adams discusses shifting mindsets in order to prepare for two straight weeks on the road.
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
If you know, Okay, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Last time this team was in Baltimore was you know,
Puka and Davis had a number of impressive catches. Just
what do you remember about I guess the plays and
those catches that they made and how that maybe helped
them build their confidence as rookies.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Yeah, we relied upon those guys a bunch that year.
That was a great football game back and forth. Obviously
didn't in the way we wanted to, but great battle.
I imagine it's gonna be something something similar when we go
back there. You know, it's a tough place to play.
They've got good football you know, good good players, a
good football team and and uh, you know it's been
(00:43):
really good for a long time. So I know we'll
get a you know, their best shot. And as far
as those two guys, Davis made a great catch on
a seamball, got in on a wide screen where he
got his helmet turned all the way around and almost
ripped off. Puka made a number of great plays. A
couple come to mind, and you know, just the one
crosser from left to right into a tough coverage, made
(01:05):
a great layout catch. It wasn't an easy day to
throw and catch with some of the weather. So yeah,
I mean those guys have uh, you know, been great
since they've been here, and that was definitely a highlight
earlier for them in their in their careers.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
You're currently leading the NFL and passing yards, and through
a long career you've always were several times to have been
near the top, but never finished at the very top.
All right, I think I was gonna say, does does
that mean any anything to you? Would you would you
like to add that to your resume, which is obviously
(01:38):
long and storied.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yeah, no, I don't. I don't think too much about that.
I'm just trying to execute the plays that are called
as best I can. Obviously, you know, I've had some
success through the air early on in the season, trying
to do everything I can to just get the ball
to the guys that make the plays, and then if
there's opportunities for me to you know, make a play
by a little extra time, do something like that, throw
something down the field, and then those have come life.
(02:00):
But I'm not thinking about that surely at the moment.
And maybe, uh, you know, some other time when I'm
when I'm done playing this game. But no, I'm just
trying to get us in the end zone and score
as many points that can.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
Matthew Vapi's I's been a great player for so many years.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Is there anything that has surprised you?
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Doubt that you've cat this amount of opportunity to think.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I mean, I don't know surprise. I just I just
appreciate more and more every time, you know, we we
get to work together. I you know, watched him a
bunch of times early on in my career when I
was in Detroit and he was in Green Bay doing
what he was doing, and just had a ton of
respect and admiration for his game. That hasn't changed. It's
only grown since he's been here. You know, as good
a player as he is, he's you know, an even
(02:41):
better teammate professional the guys as prepared as they come.
He's doing everything he can to play at a high level
every single week and lead that group, which is which
is awesome.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
How do you, as say, the twenty twenty.
Speaker 7 (02:52):
Two season when lead Poland was here as doc, can
you describe what he was like, what his temperament was like,
and how he was as COVID year.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yeah, I mean, I think he's a pretty mild mannard guy.
He obviously, you know, he's he's passionate about the game
of football, passionate about the guys that he's coaching, and
about executing at a high level. It's which I respect.
I have nothing but great things and great memories, you know,
with my time with Liam. Obviously I didn't get to
finish the season. We didn't play as well as we
wanted to. But I think Liam's a really sharp coach.
(03:20):
I think he's showing that, you know, with what they're
able to do right now. But uh no, I think
you know, my time with him was was great. I
learned a lot from him and and you know, still
keep in touch with him a decent amount.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
I said that the breakfast club is carried over to
this year, even think he's not in quite as early
as you and Cooper used to be, Like, kind of
what do those mornings look.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Like this year?
Speaker 3 (03:42):
You know, not too uh, not too different than what
they used to Listen, doors always helpening the quarterback room,
so guys are popping in out all the time, and
and uh, you know, Pook's done a great job of
you know, being prepared and ready to go, and uh,
it's usually just eggs in a little bit of toast
and some football.
Speaker 6 (04:03):
Let you treat these, you know, mini buys in terms
of your recovery and how much of a boost do
you feel like it gives to have that extra.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Time towards up.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Yeah, I mean I use them as best I can.
I make sure that when I'm at the soccer games
for my girls, I'm sitting down and not up too
much trying to save my legs, you know, for painting pumpkins.
Trying to make sure my hands don't get too dirty. No,
I mean, I I rest as much as I can,
but it's a full time, full time deal on the
weekends when I get home. But I do, you know,
do appreciate them, especially, you know, as I get older
(04:35):
and longer in my career, it's it's important to to
try to use those times whenever you can to try
to feel as good as you possibly can. I did
that as best I could and feel refreshed and ready
to come back out and you know, try to get
this thing rolling again.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
For as for as much as you guys have your routines,
you know, in terms of when you're home or getting
ready for road games, when you go on a trip
like this where you're going to be out of town,
you know, for an extended time. How does that affect
your you know, your your weekly routine in terms of whatever,
body work and all that different.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
Kind of stuff.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
I mean, it'll change it some obviously, you know, won't
be sleeping in my own bed, won't be doing some
of the things that I'm accustomed to doing. Maybe might
just change location really, you know, like what I would
do maybe at home, I'll do wherever our setup is
when we stay there. So maybe just a little bit
more of that. But as far as the things that
I get in in a normal week compared to what
I feel like I'll be able to get in there,
(05:26):
I don't think that's gonna change much. Might just change
location or time and when we do something. But I mean,
biggest thing is you know, not being in your own house,
not having you know, family around, all that kind of stuff.
But as far as the football stuff goes getting ready
to go play, well we'll be just fine, really quick.
A couple of.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Questions about you know, you guys had a.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Couple of tough games, tough losses for you. How would
you say.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Adversity reveals something about a player?
Speaker 5 (05:51):
That maybe success can and then for you personally, how
do you try to reset after.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
A time Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Yeah, I think you learned most about players, teams, all
of that yourself when you go through tough times and
you realize, you know, what are you going to be
about after that? Is it going to be finger pointing
and all that kind of stuff or is it going
to be hey, rallying the troops and and looking inward
trying to figure out how you can help the team
be better. I feel like we have a locker room
full of those guys, start with our head coach and
and you know, everybody down through the locker room. So
(06:17):
I feel good about that, you know, as far as resetting,
for me, the time off was nice. A couple of
days to get to hang out with my girls and
my family and do all that and come back refresh
and feel ready to go.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
When he first had a throwing session with you after
he got drafted, he was really nervous and felt like
he had ruined the relationship by calling you, sir, like,
what what do you remember about those like early workouts
with him?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I don't remember him ruining him, but I remember him
being nervous. He might have thrown up a couple of
times here or there after some routes. But I remember
being impressed, you know, at the same time of just
how he moved, how he caught the football, how you
could tell the physicality he was gonna come out once
the pads came on, even with you know, nothing on,
(07:03):
just like no pads, nothing, just running shorts and a
T shirt.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
I mean, it was, it was evident.
Speaker 8 (07:07):
So there was a.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Willingness to learn the same personality you guys get to
see and talk to every single week. So an infectious
guy to be around and fun got to be around.
So I was, you know, pleasantly surprised with the late
round draft pick that we had that seemed like he
was gonna be uh, you know, pretty decent players turned
into a good one.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
He's played with a lot of star receivers in your career.
They've all had unique traits that have made them who
they are. What would you say is Popah's superpower?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
You know, I think his, I mean trying to put
one on it. I think if I can't, then it's
got to be versatility, right, you know, if it's like, hey,
if I can't say he's six of five, two hundred
and fifty pounds and runs four three like Calvin did
or whatever it was. Like, I think it's just his versatility,
right if you're a defense and you're going up against
him and really not unlike a lot of guys on
our team, but you know, you got to defend all
(07:55):
the blades of grass or are we gonna hand it
to him?
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Are we gonna throw it to him?
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Is he gonna lead block for us in a run player,
or is he gonna slip out into the flat, catch
it and run for another fifteen? So you know, I
think it's it's his versatility, his ability to affect the
game and in a new number of different ways and
and help our team.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Thanks.
Speaker 6 (08:15):
Okay, guys.
Speaker 8 (08:17):
As far as practice for today, guys that will be limited. Kolbe, Parkinson,
Cam Kitchens, Nate land Man, Omar Spates, Tyler Higbee, and
Rob Havenstein will be.
Speaker 6 (08:26):
D n Pece sometimes U No, not right now. We
haven't talked about that, uh Cam.
Speaker 8 (08:38):
You know, so with with Nate, you know, just some
soreness from his ankle, and then Cam some soreness with
his knee.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Staff wicks off to a statistically a great start. What
has there anything different area.
Speaker 8 (08:56):
I think he's playing really well Gary, you know, I
I like I would tell you I I don't care
about stats. They care about the efficiency snap in and
snap out. We want to be able to move the ball,
score points. And I think he's done an excellent job
of putting us in good positions. I think he's recognizing coverage,
you know, reading with his feed. I think he's throwing
the ball with accuracy and anticipation, and he's playing the
(09:16):
way that we believe he's capable of, you know, And
he'll be the first to tell you that. You know,
he's he's his biggest critic, which is also what makes
him great. But been really pleased with him, feel really
fortunate to have him leading the way. And you know,
we got we got a great opportunity this week and
looking forward to attacking the prep the right way. Are
(09:41):
you talking offenses in general around the league or go
ahead ask your question again. Well, I just think, you know,
when you can try to be able to create that
a little bit of hesitation, you know, the more that
you can make the defense. You know, when so much
of what their rules, roles and responsibilities are a reactionary,
(10:01):
especially in a lot of those down in distances that
you're talking about where some of the play actions can
be activated, you can cause a little bit of hesitation,
and you know, that's kind of some of the things
where we just talk about being able to marry looks together,
and so that's kind of been you know, the gist
of it. You know, I don't know exactly what you know,
the numbers are in terms of some of the analytics,
but we're always going to do what we think is
(10:22):
best relative to different situations. I think it already has compounded,
you know. I think for us, I think it's about
doing the next right thing. And you know the first
thing is is are we giving clarity as coaches the techniques, fundamentals,
the timing, the trajectory of the kick, the protection, the snap.
(10:44):
You know, there's there's a lot of layers to it.
If it was one thing, you know, I think it'd
be a little bit easier. There's been a couple of
different things, and you know, we have an idea of
what we think we need to be able to improve
without you know, putting too much out there publicly. And
I don't mean to not answer your question, but you know,
it's all hands on deck. And to answer your question,
it starts with clarity from US techniques fundamentals, what's required,
(11:06):
getting the right guys on there, and then everybody doing
their one eleventh and until we get that fixed, there's
going to be a continued emphasis of if I was
on the opposing team, I would be attacking that phase
of our kicking game. That's what's been reflected and if
you don't get things things fixed in this league, the
bleeding won't stop.
Speaker 6 (11:24):
But we expect to stop that bleeding. I think when you've.
Speaker 8 (11:36):
Gone through experiences where you've come out on the right
end and you've really grown through some of the you know,
challenging moments, I think that can be used as a
confidence that have been here before I can respond again.
I think you know it's first and foremost starts with
mental toughness or resilience, and then a security within yourself
to acknowledge where can I improve to ultimately help the collective,
which that's what football is. It's the greatest team sport
(11:58):
that there is. I think he's accountable. I think he
understands what his role is within the framework of what
we're looking for, and that's the kind of guys that
we want on our football team.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
It's still a little wild.
Speaker 6 (12:17):
Yeah, that's a good question.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Eight.
Speaker 8 (12:19):
I think that you know, once you start to see
some successful outcomes, well then people try to be able
to replicate it. And there's been a couple of different
issues or reasons for it. But I think these you know,
rush units are doing an excellent job of being able
to identify where are some of those you know, holes
and weaknesses, and so I think that's such a big
picture thing that you've seen more of it. I think
(12:41):
you're seeing teams you know rush a little bit harder,
and like you've seen when you see that that can
be something that you can attack. Man, it feels like,
all right, hey, here we go, and we better be
able to get it fixed otherwise that's going to be
something that people keep leaning into. But you know, we've
we try to have a big picture of perspective on
the landscape of the league and it and it has
seemed like there's more of an up. You know, what
(13:01):
are the reasons for it? I can't say other than
the specific areas that you know, you give credit to
some of the field goal block units, some of the
specific personnel, the different matchups and the timing at which
they're able to, you know, attack, whether that's internally.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
Or off the edges.
Speaker 8 (13:25):
You know, I think, you know, when we try to
get a bunch of different people involved. I think what
was good about the game the other day, I think
the ball got spread around. You know, he is obviously
a big focal point of our offense, and it's not
exclusive to win the balls in his hands. But when
he can do some really unique things as a receiver,
when he can contribute in the run game and then
you can also give him touches through the run game,
that is a valuable thing. But you know, we want
(13:48):
to be able to get all of our eligibles involved.
I think that's when we're at our best. I think
that's when you're the most difficult to be able to defend.
But he's done a phenomenal job. Obviously he's gotten a
bunch of recognition for the production he's had. We want
to continue to see that, you know, to sustain and
and continue to improve throughout.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
But I love what he's been about.
Speaker 8 (14:12):
Uh, you know what we'll probably give you know, you'll
you'll see Troy and and Dolac be able to kind
of split out, split up those reps.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
Looking back.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
I have, you know, I think it's about you know,
doing the next right thing. I love the resilience. I
love the mindset of this group. I think we have
to be honest with ourselves in terms of the totality
of the five games. Where can we improve? Where are
the things that we're doing at a really high clip.
Unfortunately we didn't finish that the other day. But that
doesn't mean that there wasn't some positive takeaways. But you know,
you lean into the things that you say, let's not
(14:49):
run away from some of the things that we all
can do a little bit better and hopefully contribute to
the collective outcome.
Speaker 6 (14:55):
That we're hunting up.
Speaker 8 (14:55):
And you know, and what I've seen from these guys
coming back on Monday, uh mindset of mentality today.
Speaker 6 (15:01):
I love where we're at. And you know, we got
a great opportunity to be able to attack the Ravens
this week. Throughout that. I think Williams a great leader.
Speaker 8 (15:16):
He's a great communicator, he sees the game through a
big picture lens. I thought he'd got some really valuable experience,
you know, when he went to Kentucky, did an excellent
job of leading their offense, being able to put his
identity on it. Then he comes here and you know,
he and I talk about it all the time. That
was a challenging year for us, but man, there was
a lot of growth that occurred, you know, in the
midst of a uniquely challenging year. I think there was
(15:38):
a lot of growth for us personally professionally. I think
he's used that, you know, to be able to use
some of those scars, if you will.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
To be stronger.
Speaker 8 (15:46):
And I mean I think you look at the way
that his team's played through five weeks. It's fun to
be able to watch him. I'm happy for him, except
for when we see them in a few weeks. I
think it's author you know. I think he's passionate. I
think he's got that you know, you could see that
that quarterback background. He's fiery, but he also knows when
(16:07):
to be able to stay steady, and I think he
picks and chooses his spots accordingly. But I think the
most important thing is authenticity, and that's exactly what he's been.
Speaker 6 (16:15):
Okay, thanks guys.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
What's having as much first stay back on the field
after last week's loss, What did you think of the
energy concentration of the team.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
I mean, I feel like we came out and did
were supposed to do after you know, a loss like
that or just a game like that in general. I mean,
if we would have won a game, I would expect
us to come out and have a good practice.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
So the intensity and the intentionality was there. It was
a good practice.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Had the situation where you're going to play a game
and then stay in the where you're at and then
travel to London, if you done that, No.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I've never done anything like that.
Speaker 7 (16:54):
I've played in New Orleans and then traveled to Sarasota
to play the Jags and we stayed there for the week.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
But that was the closest thing to.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
What challenge is it, if at all, for especially guy
veterans who have routines in terms of how you take
care of your body and everything else when you're what
do you anticipate anyway going on a trip like that?
Speaker 7 (17:13):
How For me, I got a lot of different checkpoints
and things throughout the week that I do locally, So
it's gonna be different for me for sure. And I
mean the main thing for me is just being away
from my kids, honestly, more than anything like that that's
a big part of my healing process, you know, mental
throughout the week, just resetting, going home, spending time with
them and my wife. So not having that element, but
I mean, we'll get through it. I've been I've been
(17:35):
away from them for a week or you know, so
before that, so it's not the end of the world.
But you know, if I was drawing it up, I'd
love to have my family with me. But yeah, I
mean it's it's a week that will be a little
bit different from what we normally do, but we'll be
able to get through it.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
And you probably have that five week after when you
guys come up.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Yeah, I think that's important.
Speaker 7 (17:55):
I wasn't thinking of it like that, but you know,
being off I'm certain there's more than just me that
have a certain regiment that they go through throughout the week.
But having to be off of that for a little
bit and then going on the road and traveling and
coming back it'll be good to you know, kind of
rest up and get the mind off football everything that
at that point.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
What are the parts of the regimen that are like localized.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
That I mean, the hot chech quality work from different
people that it's not as easy to fly them out
to London as it is to fly him from the
Bay Area or Vegas to come and work on me
in southern California. So a little bit longer trip even
going to Baltimore. But I'm sure they'll have different things
set up for us, massages.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
And stuff like that.
Speaker 7 (18:32):
But you know, twelve years in, you find a way to,
you know, keep it working for you. And I've found
my way, And like I said, it'll just be a week,
but I'd rather have them with me.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Can you when you see it, you know, twelve years in,
I mean you believe it's been that long since you
were coming out of college.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
And I mean it feels it feels like it flies by.
Speaker 7 (18:53):
But when it's time to heal after some games, you
get reminded that you've been around a while.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
How did did the many bye week help with that
or how do you look at kind of how that
fits in?
Speaker 7 (19:04):
No, it did for sure, just having those a few
days off to decompress a little bit. It helps with
the mental kind of having some time most times after
games like that. I don't like watching football, so I
made sure I watch as much as I could to
just put myself through that pain a little bit and
then get over it. And then you come back in
for a week like this, you feel like you kind
of remove from it. You know, we would have a
game tomorrow, you know, off of the week's schedule, the
(19:26):
normal week schedule, so to have a few extra days
mentally and physically as good. How does your.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
Mindset after games like that change since your real of
the year as you experienced.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
More than maybe as far as what it's loss and.
Speaker 7 (19:39):
Then having them anyvalue. You talk about not wanting to
watch football but making yourself do it. Yeah, well, I mean,
part of it is just because I love ball, just
wanting to see good football and see guys make plays.
But when you're younger, obviously it's a little a little different.
I feel like mentally you don't have as good of
a grasp on things and just the mental resiliency to
be a the power through a loss like that, especially
(20:01):
a game where you know we were anticipating coming out
and playing a lot.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Better than what we did. So yeah, being a vet,
it's just it's just different.
Speaker 7 (20:11):
Mentally. Now you can kind of shrug it off a
little bit better. It definitely stings still, but it's it's
a little easier to shake it off and move forward.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Well, mix Kyle Hamilton unique at the safety position.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
I mean, he's just he's just a football player. He's
one of those guys that's a football player.
Speaker 7 (20:27):
He's like, he's like how Pooka is Like it's hard
to really look at his forty look at you know,
how high jumps all of that stuff. Just having a
real feel for the game, understanding his role and you know,
they they obviously put a lot on him and you
can see it in the way that he plays.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
But but yeah, Rangy obviously long and you know, tall,
tall type dude.
Speaker 7 (20:45):
It's a lot different than what you normally see at
the safety position. So a lot of challenges just presenting
a He's a good football player for shure.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
I know you guys are all pros. Everyone in the
league is a pro. But is it hard for you
guys when you're facing a team that has a lot
of injured starters out to put that out of your mind?
Speaker 1 (21:03):
I mean, does that agree now? After last week? That's
for sure? I mean we don't.
Speaker 7 (21:09):
We didn't take the Niners like I mean, it's just
a game of execution, that's what it comes down to.
Like football, is not the best team that wins. You
got to play the best. So it's not the NBA.
You go out there the worst team in the league
versus the best team, Like I guarantee you ninety percent
of time, the better team is gonna win. But in football,
you know, it's you might off a couple of plays,
have it be a fourteen point swing, and and and that.
(21:31):
We know how hard it is to overcome stuff like that,
and you're working against the clock. You can change up
coverages and make it different, difficult for the team to
you know, expeditiously come back from from you know, being
in the hole.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
So it's not the same.
Speaker 7 (21:43):
It's just going on a twenty point run where you
you know, you run off some buckets and knock down
a couple of threes. Like, it's a little bit different
than that. So we, uh, we got a nice challenge
in front of us. But it's it's it'll be a
fun one, cool
If you know, Okay, I don't know.
Speaker 2 (00:09):
Last time this team was in Baltimore was you know,
Puka and Davis had a number of impressive catches. Just
what do you remember about I guess the plays and
those catches that they made and how that maybe helped
them build their confidence as rookies.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Yeah, we relied upon those guys a bunch that year.
That was a great football game back and forth. Obviously
didn't in the way we wanted to, but great battle.
I imagine it's gonna be something something similar when we go
back there. You know, it's a tough place to play.
They've got good football you know, good good players, a
good football team and and uh, you know it's been
(00:43):
really good for a long time. So I know we'll
get a you know, their best shot. And as far
as those two guys, Davis made a great catch on
a seamball, got in on a wide screen where he
got his helmet turned all the way around and almost
ripped off. Puka made a number of great plays. A
couple come to mind, and you know, just the one
crosser from left to right into a tough coverage, made
(01:05):
a great layout catch. It wasn't an easy day to
throw and catch with some of the weather. So yeah,
I mean those guys have uh, you know, been great
since they've been here, and that was definitely a highlight
earlier for them in their in their careers.
Speaker 4 (01:17):
You're currently leading the NFL and passing yards, and through
a long career you've always were several times to have been
near the top, but never finished at the very top.
All right, I think I was gonna say, does does
that mean any anything to you? Would you would you
like to add that to your resume, which is obviously
(01:38):
long and storied.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yeah, no, I don't. I don't think too much about that.
I'm just trying to execute the plays that are called
as best I can. Obviously, you know, I've had some
success through the air early on in the season, trying
to do everything I can to just get the ball
to the guys that make the plays, and then if
there's opportunities for me to you know, make a play
by a little extra time, do something like that, throw
something down the field, and then those have come life.
(02:00):
But I'm not thinking about that surely at the moment.
And maybe, uh, you know, some other time when I'm
when I'm done playing this game. But no, I'm just
trying to get us in the end zone and score
as many points that can.
Speaker 5 (02:11):
Matthew Vapi's I's been a great player for so many years.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Is there anything that has surprised you?
Speaker 5 (02:16):
Doubt that you've cat this amount of opportunity to think.
Speaker 3 (02:20):
I mean, I don't know surprise. I just I just
appreciate more and more every time, you know, we we
get to work together. I you know, watched him a
bunch of times early on in my career when I
was in Detroit and he was in Green Bay doing
what he was doing, and just had a ton of
respect and admiration for his game. That hasn't changed. It's
only grown since he's been here. You know, as good
a player as he is, he's you know, an even
(02:41):
better teammate professional the guys as prepared as they come.
He's doing everything he can to play at a high level
every single week and lead that group, which is which
is awesome.
Speaker 6 (02:51):
How do you, as say, the twenty twenty.
Speaker 7 (02:52):
Two season when lead Poland was here as doc, can
you describe what he was like, what his temperament was like,
and how he was as COVID year.
Speaker 3 (02:59):
Yeah, I mean, I think he's a pretty mild mannard guy.
He obviously, you know, he's he's passionate about the game
of football, passionate about the guys that he's coaching, and
about executing at a high level. It's which I respect.
I have nothing but great things and great memories, you know,
with my time with Liam. Obviously I didn't get to
finish the season. We didn't play as well as we
wanted to. But I think Liam's a really sharp coach.
(03:20):
I think he's showing that, you know, with what they're
able to do right now. But uh no, I think
you know, my time with him was was great. I
learned a lot from him and and you know, still
keep in touch with him a decent amount.
Speaker 5 (03:31):
I said that the breakfast club is carried over to
this year, even think he's not in quite as early
as you and Cooper used to be, Like, kind of
what do those mornings look.
Speaker 1 (03:40):
Like this year?
Speaker 3 (03:42):
You know, not too uh, not too different than what
they used to Listen, doors always helpening the quarterback room,
so guys are popping in out all the time, and
and uh, you know, Pook's done a great job of
you know, being prepared and ready to go, and uh,
it's usually just eggs in a little bit of toast
and some football.
Speaker 6 (04:03):
Let you treat these, you know, mini buys in terms
of your recovery and how much of a boost do
you feel like it gives to have that extra.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Time towards up.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Yeah, I mean I use them as best I can.
I make sure that when I'm at the soccer games
for my girls, I'm sitting down and not up too
much trying to save my legs, you know, for painting pumpkins.
Trying to make sure my hands don't get too dirty. No,
I mean, I I rest as much as I can,
but it's a full time, full time deal on the
weekends when I get home. But I do, you know,
do appreciate them, especially, you know, as I get older
(04:35):
and longer in my career, it's it's important to to
try to use those times whenever you can to try
to feel as good as you possibly can. I did
that as best I could and feel refreshed and ready
to come back out and you know, try to get
this thing rolling again.
Speaker 4 (04:47):
For as for as much as you guys have your routines,
you know, in terms of when you're home or getting
ready for road games, when you go on a trip
like this where you're going to be out of town,
you know, for an extended time. How does that affect
your you know, your your weekly routine in terms of whatever,
body work and all that different.
Speaker 5 (05:04):
Kind of stuff.
Speaker 3 (05:05):
I mean, it'll change it some obviously, you know, won't
be sleeping in my own bed, won't be doing some
of the things that I'm accustomed to doing. Maybe might
just change location really, you know, like what I would
do maybe at home, I'll do wherever our setup is
when we stay there. So maybe just a little bit
more of that. But as far as the things that
I get in in a normal week compared to what
I feel like I'll be able to get in there,
(05:26):
I don't think that's gonna change much. Might just change
location or time and when we do something. But I mean,
biggest thing is you know, not being in your own house,
not having you know, family around, all that kind of stuff.
But as far as the football stuff goes getting ready
to go play, well we'll be just fine, really quick.
A couple of.
Speaker 4 (05:42):
Questions about you know, you guys had a.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
Couple of tough games, tough losses for you. How would
you say.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Adversity reveals something about a player?
Speaker 5 (05:51):
That maybe success can and then for you personally, how
do you try to reset after.
Speaker 1 (05:56):
A time Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Yeah, I think you learned most about players, teams, all
of that yourself when you go through tough times and
you realize, you know, what are you going to be
about after that? Is it going to be finger pointing
and all that kind of stuff or is it going
to be hey, rallying the troops and and looking inward
trying to figure out how you can help the team
be better. I feel like we have a locker room
full of those guys, start with our head coach and
and you know, everybody down through the locker room. So
(06:17):
I feel good about that, you know, as far as resetting,
for me, the time off was nice. A couple of
days to get to hang out with my girls and
my family and do all that and come back refresh
and feel ready to go.
Speaker 5 (06:29):
When he first had a throwing session with you after
he got drafted, he was really nervous and felt like
he had ruined the relationship by calling you, sir, like,
what what do you remember about those like early workouts
with him?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I don't remember him ruining him, but I remember him
being nervous. He might have thrown up a couple of
times here or there after some routes. But I remember
being impressed, you know, at the same time of just
how he moved, how he caught the football, how you
could tell the physicality he was gonna come out once
the pads came on, even with you know, nothing on,
(07:03):
just like no pads, nothing, just running shorts and a
T shirt.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
I mean, it was, it was evident.
Speaker 8 (07:07):
So there was a.
Speaker 3 (07:09):
Willingness to learn the same personality you guys get to
see and talk to every single week. So an infectious
guy to be around and fun got to be around.
So I was, you know, pleasantly surprised with the late
round draft pick that we had that seemed like he
was gonna be uh, you know, pretty decent players turned
into a good one.
Speaker 5 (07:25):
He's played with a lot of star receivers in your career.
They've all had unique traits that have made them who
they are. What would you say is Popah's superpower?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
You know, I think his, I mean trying to put
one on it. I think if I can't, then it's
got to be versatility, right, you know, if it's like, hey,
if I can't say he's six of five, two hundred
and fifty pounds and runs four three like Calvin did
or whatever it was. Like, I think it's just his versatility,
right if you're a defense and you're going up against
him and really not unlike a lot of guys on
our team, but you know, you got to defend all
(07:55):
the blades of grass or are we gonna hand it
to him?
Speaker 1 (07:56):
Are we gonna throw it to him?
Speaker 3 (07:57):
Is he gonna lead block for us in a run player,
or is he gonna slip out into the flat, catch
it and run for another fifteen? So you know, I
think it's it's his versatility, his ability to affect the
game and in a new number of different ways and
and help our team.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
Thanks.
Speaker 6 (08:15):
Okay, guys.
Speaker 8 (08:17):
As far as practice for today, guys that will be limited. Kolbe, Parkinson,
Cam Kitchens, Nate land Man, Omar Spates, Tyler Higbee, and
Rob Havenstein will be.
Speaker 6 (08:26):
D n Pece sometimes U No, not right now. We
haven't talked about that, uh Cam.
Speaker 8 (08:38):
You know, so with with Nate, you know, just some
soreness from his ankle, and then Cam some soreness with
his knee.
Speaker 4 (08:47):
Staff wicks off to a statistically a great start. What
has there anything different area.
Speaker 8 (08:56):
I think he's playing really well Gary, you know, I
I like I would tell you I I don't care
about stats. They care about the efficiency snap in and
snap out. We want to be able to move the ball,
score points. And I think he's done an excellent job
of putting us in good positions. I think he's recognizing coverage,
you know, reading with his feed. I think he's throwing
the ball with accuracy and anticipation, and he's playing the
(09:16):
way that we believe he's capable of, you know, And
he'll be the first to tell you that. You know,
he's he's his biggest critic, which is also what makes
him great. But been really pleased with him, feel really
fortunate to have him leading the way. And you know,
we got we got a great opportunity this week and
looking forward to attacking the prep the right way. Are
(09:41):
you talking offenses in general around the league or go
ahead ask your question again. Well, I just think, you know,
when you can try to be able to create that
a little bit of hesitation, you know, the more that
you can make the defense. You know, when so much
of what their rules, roles and responsibilities are a reactionary,
(10:01):
especially in a lot of those down in distances that
you're talking about where some of the play actions can
be activated, you can cause a little bit of hesitation,
and you know, that's kind of some of the things
where we just talk about being able to marry looks together,
and so that's kind of been you know, the gist
of it. You know, I don't know exactly what you know,
the numbers are in terms of some of the analytics,
but we're always going to do what we think is
(10:22):
best relative to different situations. I think it already has compounded,
you know. I think for us, I think it's about
doing the next right thing. And you know the first
thing is is are we giving clarity as coaches the techniques, fundamentals,
the timing, the trajectory of the kick, the protection, the snap.
(10:44):
You know, there's there's a lot of layers to it.
If it was one thing, you know, I think it'd
be a little bit easier. There's been a couple of
different things, and you know, we have an idea of
what we think we need to be able to improve
without you know, putting too much out there publicly. And
I don't mean to not answer your question, but you know,
it's all hands on deck. And to answer your question,
it starts with clarity from US techniques fundamentals, what's required,
(11:06):
getting the right guys on there, and then everybody doing
their one eleventh and until we get that fixed, there's
going to be a continued emphasis of if I was
on the opposing team, I would be attacking that phase
of our kicking game. That's what's been reflected and if
you don't get things things fixed in this league, the
bleeding won't stop.
Speaker 6 (11:24):
But we expect to stop that bleeding. I think when you've.
Speaker 8 (11:36):
Gone through experiences where you've come out on the right
end and you've really grown through some of the you know,
challenging moments, I think that can be used as a
confidence that have been here before I can respond again.
I think you know it's first and foremost starts with
mental toughness or resilience, and then a security within yourself
to acknowledge where can I improve to ultimately help the collective,
which that's what football is. It's the greatest team sport
(11:58):
that there is. I think he's accountable. I think he
understands what his role is within the framework of what
we're looking for, and that's the kind of guys that
we want on our football team.
Speaker 4 (12:08):
It's still a little wild.
Speaker 6 (12:17):
Yeah, that's a good question.
Speaker 2 (12:18):
Eight.
Speaker 8 (12:19):
I think that you know, once you start to see
some successful outcomes, well then people try to be able
to replicate it. And there's been a couple of different
issues or reasons for it. But I think these you know,
rush units are doing an excellent job of being able
to identify where are some of those you know, holes
and weaknesses, and so I think that's such a big
picture thing that you've seen more of it. I think
(12:41):
you're seeing teams you know rush a little bit harder,
and like you've seen when you see that that can
be something that you can attack. Man, it feels like,
all right, hey, here we go, and we better be
able to get it fixed otherwise that's going to be
something that people keep leaning into. But you know, we've
we try to have a big picture of perspective on
the landscape of the league and it and it has
seemed like there's more of an up. You know, what
(13:01):
are the reasons for it? I can't say other than
the specific areas that you know, you give credit to
some of the field goal block units, some of the
specific personnel, the different matchups and the timing at which
they're able to, you know, attack, whether that's internally.
Speaker 6 (13:13):
Or off the edges.
Speaker 8 (13:25):
You know, I think, you know, when we try to
get a bunch of different people involved. I think what
was good about the game the other day, I think
the ball got spread around. You know, he is obviously
a big focal point of our offense, and it's not
exclusive to win the balls in his hands. But when
he can do some really unique things as a receiver,
when he can contribute in the run game and then
you can also give him touches through the run game,
that is a valuable thing. But you know, we want
(13:48):
to be able to get all of our eligibles involved.
I think that's when we're at our best. I think
that's when you're the most difficult to be able to defend.
But he's done a phenomenal job. Obviously he's gotten a
bunch of recognition for the production he's had. We want
to continue to see that, you know, to sustain and
and continue to improve throughout.
Speaker 6 (14:04):
But I love what he's been about.
Speaker 8 (14:12):
Uh, you know what we'll probably give you know, you'll
you'll see Troy and and Dolac be able to kind
of split out, split up those reps.
Speaker 7 (14:21):
Looking back.
Speaker 8 (14:29):
I have, you know, I think it's about you know,
doing the next right thing. I love the resilience. I
love the mindset of this group. I think we have
to be honest with ourselves in terms of the totality
of the five games. Where can we improve? Where are
the things that we're doing at a really high clip.
Unfortunately we didn't finish that the other day. But that
doesn't mean that there wasn't some positive takeaways. But you know,
you lean into the things that you say, let's not
(14:49):
run away from some of the things that we all
can do a little bit better and hopefully contribute to
the collective outcome.
Speaker 6 (14:55):
That we're hunting up.
Speaker 8 (14:55):
And you know, and what I've seen from these guys
coming back on Monday, uh mindset of mentality today.
Speaker 6 (15:01):
I love where we're at. And you know, we got
a great opportunity to be able to attack the Ravens
this week. Throughout that. I think Williams a great leader.
Speaker 8 (15:16):
He's a great communicator, he sees the game through a
big picture lens. I thought he'd got some really valuable experience,
you know, when he went to Kentucky, did an excellent
job of leading their offense, being able to put his
identity on it. Then he comes here and you know,
he and I talk about it all the time. That
was a challenging year for us, but man, there was
a lot of growth that occurred, you know, in the
midst of a uniquely challenging year. I think there was
(15:38):
a lot of growth for us personally professionally. I think
he's used that, you know, to be able to use
some of those scars, if you will.
Speaker 6 (15:46):
To be stronger.
Speaker 8 (15:46):
And I mean I think you look at the way
that his team's played through five weeks. It's fun to
be able to watch him. I'm happy for him, except
for when we see them in a few weeks. I
think it's author you know. I think he's passionate. I
think he's got that you know, you could see that
that quarterback background. He's fiery, but he also knows when
(16:07):
to be able to stay steady, and I think he
picks and chooses his spots accordingly. But I think the
most important thing is authenticity, and that's exactly what he's been.
Speaker 6 (16:15):
Okay, thanks guys.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
What's having as much first stay back on the field
after last week's loss, What did you think of the
energy concentration of the team.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
I mean, I feel like we came out and did
were supposed to do after you know, a loss like
that or just a game like that in general. I mean,
if we would have won a game, I would expect
us to come out and have a good practice.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
So the intensity and the intentionality was there. It was
a good practice.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Had the situation where you're going to play a game
and then stay in the where you're at and then
travel to London, if you done that, No.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
I've never done anything like that.
Speaker 7 (16:54):
I've played in New Orleans and then traveled to Sarasota
to play the Jags and we stayed there for the week.
Speaker 1 (17:00):
But that was the closest thing to.
Speaker 4 (17:03):
What challenge is it, if at all, for especially guy
veterans who have routines in terms of how you take
care of your body and everything else when you're what
do you anticipate anyway going on a trip like that?
Speaker 7 (17:13):
How For me, I got a lot of different checkpoints
and things throughout the week that I do locally, So
it's gonna be different for me for sure. And I
mean the main thing for me is just being away
from my kids, honestly, more than anything like that that's
a big part of my healing process, you know, mental
throughout the week, just resetting, going home, spending time with
them and my wife. So not having that element, but
I mean, we'll get through it. I've been I've been
(17:35):
away from them for a week or you know, so
before that, so it's not the end of the world.
But you know, if I was drawing it up, I'd
love to have my family with me. But yeah, I
mean it's it's a week that will be a little
bit different from what we normally do, but we'll be
able to get through it.
Speaker 5 (17:49):
And you probably have that five week after when you
guys come up.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Yeah, I think that's important.
Speaker 7 (17:55):
I wasn't thinking of it like that, but you know,
being off I'm certain there's more than just me that
have a certain regiment that they go through throughout the week.
But having to be off of that for a little
bit and then going on the road and traveling and
coming back it'll be good to you know, kind of
rest up and get the mind off football everything that
at that point.
Speaker 5 (18:11):
What are the parts of the regimen that are like localized.
Speaker 7 (18:15):
That I mean, the hot chech quality work from different
people that it's not as easy to fly them out
to London as it is to fly him from the
Bay Area or Vegas to come and work on me
in southern California. So a little bit longer trip even
going to Baltimore. But I'm sure they'll have different things
set up for us, massages.
Speaker 1 (18:31):
And stuff like that.
Speaker 7 (18:32):
But you know, twelve years in, you find a way to,
you know, keep it working for you. And I've found
my way, And like I said, it'll just be a week,
but I'd rather have them with me.
Speaker 4 (18:43):
Can you when you see it, you know, twelve years in,
I mean you believe it's been that long since you
were coming out of college.
Speaker 1 (18:50):
And I mean it feels it feels like it flies by.
Speaker 7 (18:53):
But when it's time to heal after some games, you
get reminded that you've been around a while.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
How did did the many bye week help with that
or how do you look at kind of how that
fits in?
Speaker 7 (19:04):
No, it did for sure, just having those a few
days off to decompress a little bit. It helps with
the mental kind of having some time most times after
games like that. I don't like watching football, so I
made sure I watch as much as I could to
just put myself through that pain a little bit and
then get over it. And then you come back in
for a week like this, you feel like you kind
of remove from it. You know, we would have a
game tomorrow, you know, off of the week's schedule, the
(19:26):
normal week schedule, so to have a few extra days
mentally and physically as good. How does your.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
Mindset after games like that change since your real of
the year as you experienced.
Speaker 1 (19:36):
More than maybe as far as what it's loss and.
Speaker 7 (19:39):
Then having them anyvalue. You talk about not wanting to
watch football but making yourself do it. Yeah, well, I mean,
part of it is just because I love ball, just
wanting to see good football and see guys make plays.
But when you're younger, obviously it's a little a little different.
I feel like mentally you don't have as good of
a grasp on things and just the mental resiliency to
be a the power through a loss like that, especially
(20:01):
a game where you know we were anticipating coming out
and playing a lot.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Better than what we did. So yeah, being a vet,
it's just it's just different.
Speaker 7 (20:11):
Mentally. Now you can kind of shrug it off a
little bit better. It definitely stings still, but it's it's
a little easier to shake it off and move forward.
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Well, mix Kyle Hamilton unique at the safety position.
Speaker 1 (20:22):
I mean, he's just he's just a football player. He's
one of those guys that's a football player.
Speaker 7 (20:27):
He's like, he's like how Pooka is Like it's hard
to really look at his forty look at you know,
how high jumps all of that stuff. Just having a
real feel for the game, understanding his role and you know,
they they obviously put a lot on him and you
can see it in the way that he plays.
Speaker 1 (20:40):
But but yeah, Rangy obviously long and you know, tall,
tall type dude.
Speaker 7 (20:45):
It's a lot different than what you normally see at
the safety position. So a lot of challenges just presenting
a He's a good football player for shure.
Speaker 4 (20:51):
I know you guys are all pros. Everyone in the
league is a pro. But is it hard for you
guys when you're facing a team that has a lot
of injured starters out to put that out of your mind?
Speaker 1 (21:03):
I mean, does that agree now? After last week? That's
for sure? I mean we don't.
Speaker 7 (21:09):
We didn't take the Niners like I mean, it's just
a game of execution, that's what it comes down to.
Like football, is not the best team that wins. You
got to play the best. So it's not the NBA.
You go out there the worst team in the league
versus the best team, Like I guarantee you ninety percent
of time, the better team is gonna win. But in football,
you know, it's you might off a couple of plays,
have it be a fourteen point swing, and and and that.
(21:31):
We know how hard it is to overcome stuff like that,
and you're working against the clock. You can change up
coverages and make it different, difficult for the team to
you know, expeditiously come back from from you know, being
in the hole.
Speaker 1 (21:42):
So it's not the same.
Speaker 7 (21:43):
It's just going on a twenty point run where you
you know, you run off some buckets and knock down
a couple of threes. Like, it's a little bit different
than that. So we, uh, we got a nice challenge
in front of us. But it's it's it'll be a
fun one, cool
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