November 21, 2025 • 8 mins
Tracy Smith speaks with the media before Friday's practice.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
The review.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
I'm just curious, like when you guys figure out the
wide receiver numbers. Hunter renfro has obviously been a healthy
and active for a while. He returned a couple of punts.
How much do you have to weigh in like speed
in traits when you're considering who could be your returner
based on the way everything's kind of going for the week.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
It's kind of based on their role, their offensive role,
and then their experience level. You know, if you showed
up with five receivers who had never caught a punt before,
then you're gonna start talking to the running backs and
then figuring out the defensive backs. So Hunter has an
experience level, he's ready to step in for, you know,
one of the top three guys if there becomes an issue.
(00:52):
Otherwise he's not as talented as a coverage player. So
then if you're talking about the fourth or the fifth
guy who's not going to get much offensive playtime anyway,
now you're looking for somebody who has a spot on
the punt team, who can go play on the kickoff
team outside of just the returner. So all those things
kind of factoring week by week, And recently we've been
(01:14):
pretty steady outside of the one the game that Bryson
missed that Dan took his spot.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Sure, any more questions per coach?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I guess. Also from the standpoint of San Francisco's Special
Teams unit, what have you noticed about them on film?
Speaker 3 (01:35):
They are fantastic kickoff return team, number one in the
country returning kickoffs, so I have to deal with that
for sure. I have an experienced punter. They're changing kickers,
are possibly changing kickers this week with the injury to
Eddie Panero, so that's sort of up in the air.
Have to deal with the both of the possibilities there.
But a well coached team, really solid in their fundamentals
(01:58):
to play very hard. I have to deal with some
star players that I won't pick individually out in this forum,
but it's gonna be quite a contest and they have
to go get them. Tackled Sky Moore, Brian Robinson, fantastic returners,
Mike Alarte, followed by David Newton.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
That's okay, good morning, Tracy. We you know it was
what week three that all the knuckle kicks and all
those things were working so well for you guys. Have
you noticed in film studies since the teams are have
really changed their scheming on kick returns and that sort
of thing to prevent doing or you doing to them
(02:39):
what you did do Atlanta, you know all those weeks ago.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Oh sure, week to week teams are much more prepared
against whoever they're playing to catch that particular kickers kicks,
So they're playing, they're aligning differently, somewhat different strategy of
the catchers. So then you have to change as well.
This is baseball. Once they see the fastball, you gotta
throw the car ball, and then once they see the curveball,
you gotta throw the fastball kind of thing. So we're
(03:03):
into that game, and now we're at the part of
the season where they've seen all of our pitches, so
they're a little better at each one. So yeah, week
to week we're seeing a difference between the true the
true surprises i'd say are out of the game.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
And then so you're playing that week's conditions and that
week's teams what they're good at as well.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
And then and then to follow that up, how I
guess how deep into the lab are you and Ryan
and trying trying to come up with something new? I mean,
is there is there anything more you can do, or
just mix up the mix up the way that you
know you're calling those pitches.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Uh yeah, we're trying to stay on the cutting edge
of all of that. Each each innovation comes with also
the downside of kicking the ball out of bounce or
kicking the ball short, and those are still tremendous penalties,
so all of it. So, so with what kick can
we execute at a high enough level that it's a
game ready kick? So and then it has to match
(04:02):
the conditions of that particular day to use whatever it
is that we're working on. But he is one hundred
ready for anything, like Okay, let's try this, let's try this. Hey,
I saw this guy on this kick kind of thing,
and he's open to all that. He was just trying
a couple of new ones yesterday that we saw from
a different team. So absolutely no problems with that at all.
(04:23):
And then can we bring it all the way to
the game.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Thank you?
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Hey, coach, I want to ask you a question about
the overtime coin toss when the official I think made
an era allowing Bryce to choose direction and we saw
all that. Have you seen that type of thing happen
before any kind of fun stories you have with that.
Do that make a difference.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, they messed one up. Let's see that was two
thousand and four Utah State versus Wyoming. Where you at
that game, David? They Yeah, they watched the game coin toss.
So after we went back in that was before you'd
call the coin toss and then go back into the
locker room. So the officials actually came into our locker
room and we reflipped a coin. That was kind of
(05:09):
a bizarre scenario that we had one time. All those
things that usually get sorted out pretty good. Bryce did
a really nice job. He said exactly the language that
he uses when we always defer. When we defer, they
take the ball and then he says the words we
want to kick that way. He said the same words
and it went the same direction. So it was fine.
(05:31):
There's no way to know if the Falcons would have
done the exact same thing otherwise they just didn't get
their say at it. So I don't know if it
was a real advantage, but uh, we enjoyed the outcome
of it.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
Were you aware of what was going on and when
it happened or did you? I mean, what was your reaction, Yes,
and your thoughts when all that was happening.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Also, yes, thanks you for asking.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
So it didn't have any copsquins on the game, though
it was great. It went.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
It went the way we wanted to go, and so
did the game. So happy for our joint success.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
All right, yes, yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Show time. Who's driving? Oh we got Joe on the road.
Be careful out there.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
I actually have a question if they asked it, I'm sorry,
but what's your philosophy on taking that overtime kick on
third down versus four?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Okay, Dave kind of gave that to y'all the other day.
I don't think there's a real advantage of second or
third down. It just it sort of throws you out.
We're a first down or fourth down team. So if
we get down there, if Tommy finished that run on
the two yard line instead of the sixteen seventeen eighteen,
we go ahead and go kick it on first down.
(06:50):
We're fine with that. We are. I think we're actually
zero for one on third down kicks this year. That's
what our hurry up kick against the Bills was on
a third down. I believe there was one of those.
But anyway, that the process is like, you don't want
to add anxiety to the whole thing unless there's undue
risk in not doing it. So if we thought there
was undue risk, you could actually kneel it to fourth
(07:11):
down and then go take the field.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
As you know.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
At the same time, when you have a system where
it's like it might be second, it could be third.
All that I don't have the example of you get
a kick blocked, or you catch the snap and throw
it away and then kick it again and have that
go well for you. It seems like such a nightmare
that let's just do our jobs on fourth down the
whole thing. So I was fine with that, Like, let's
(07:36):
kick it on forth and be okay. We were in
a spot where we didn't want to continue to lose
yards on kneel downs, so we let it happen that way,
the same way we did it in Germany, the same
way we're going to do it against Arizona at home
a year ago. And then Chuba walked it in.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Got it?
Speaker 5 (07:53):
Thanks?
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yeah, why not punch it in If you're at the
head of your line.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Well, then then in the field goal is almost guaranteed
because of how close you are. And then they are,
their entire team will be within a yard of the
line of scrimmage looking to get the ball out only
so then you're You're less risky snapping at eight yards
away and kicking it over their heads than you are
handing
Speaker 5 (08:15):
The ball up
The review.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
I'm just curious, like when you guys figure out the
wide receiver numbers. Hunter renfro has obviously been a healthy
and active for a while. He returned a couple of punts.
How much do you have to weigh in like speed
in traits when you're considering who could be your returner
based on the way everything's kind of going for the week.
Speaker 3 (00:30):
It's kind of based on their role, their offensive role,
and then their experience level. You know, if you showed
up with five receivers who had never caught a punt before,
then you're gonna start talking to the running backs and
then figuring out the defensive backs. So Hunter has an
experience level, he's ready to step in for, you know,
one of the top three guys if there becomes an issue.
(00:52):
Otherwise he's not as talented as a coverage player. So
then if you're talking about the fourth or the fifth
guy who's not going to get much offensive playtime anyway,
now you're looking for somebody who has a spot on
the punt team, who can go play on the kickoff
team outside of just the returner. So all those things
kind of factoring week by week, And recently we've been
(01:14):
pretty steady outside of the one the game that Bryson
missed that Dan took his spot.
Speaker 4 (01:21):
Sure, any more questions per coach?
Speaker 2 (01:27):
I guess. Also from the standpoint of San Francisco's Special
Teams unit, what have you noticed about them on film?
Speaker 3 (01:35):
They are fantastic kickoff return team, number one in the
country returning kickoffs, so I have to deal with that
for sure. I have an experienced punter. They're changing kickers,
are possibly changing kickers this week with the injury to
Eddie Panero, so that's sort of up in the air.
Have to deal with the both of the possibilities there.
But a well coached team, really solid in their fundamentals
(01:58):
to play very hard. I have to deal with some
star players that I won't pick individually out in this forum,
but it's gonna be quite a contest and they have
to go get them. Tackled Sky Moore, Brian Robinson, fantastic returners,
Mike Alarte, followed by David Newton.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
That's okay, good morning, Tracy. We you know it was
what week three that all the knuckle kicks and all
those things were working so well for you guys. Have
you noticed in film studies since the teams are have
really changed their scheming on kick returns and that sort
of thing to prevent doing or you doing to them
(02:39):
what you did do Atlanta, you know all those weeks ago.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Oh sure, week to week teams are much more prepared
against whoever they're playing to catch that particular kickers kicks,
So they're playing, they're aligning differently, somewhat different strategy of
the catchers. So then you have to change as well.
This is baseball. Once they see the fastball, you gotta
throw the car ball, and then once they see the curveball,
you gotta throw the fastball kind of thing. So we're
(03:03):
into that game, and now we're at the part of
the season where they've seen all of our pitches, so
they're a little better at each one. So yeah, week
to week we're seeing a difference between the true the
true surprises i'd say are out of the game.
Speaker 5 (03:18):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (03:18):
And then so you're playing that week's conditions and that
week's teams what they're good at as well.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
And then and then to follow that up, how I
guess how deep into the lab are you and Ryan
and trying trying to come up with something new? I mean,
is there is there anything more you can do, or
just mix up the mix up the way that you
know you're calling those pitches.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Uh yeah, we're trying to stay on the cutting edge
of all of that. Each each innovation comes with also
the downside of kicking the ball out of bounce or
kicking the ball short, and those are still tremendous penalties,
so all of it. So, so with what kick can
we execute at a high enough level that it's a
game ready kick? So and then it has to match
(04:02):
the conditions of that particular day to use whatever it
is that we're working on. But he is one hundred
ready for anything, like Okay, let's try this, let's try this. Hey,
I saw this guy on this kick kind of thing,
and he's open to all that. He was just trying
a couple of new ones yesterday that we saw from
a different team. So absolutely no problems with that at all.
(04:23):
And then can we bring it all the way to
the game.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
Thank you?
Speaker 4 (04:29):
Hey, coach, I want to ask you a question about
the overtime coin toss when the official I think made
an era allowing Bryce to choose direction and we saw
all that. Have you seen that type of thing happen
before any kind of fun stories you have with that.
Do that make a difference.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
Yeah, they messed one up. Let's see that was two
thousand and four Utah State versus Wyoming. Where you at
that game, David? They Yeah, they watched the game coin toss.
So after we went back in that was before you'd
call the coin toss and then go back into the
locker room. So the officials actually came into our locker
room and we reflipped a coin. That was kind of
(05:09):
a bizarre scenario that we had one time. All those
things that usually get sorted out pretty good. Bryce did
a really nice job. He said exactly the language that
he uses when we always defer. When we defer, they
take the ball and then he says the words we
want to kick that way. He said the same words
and it went the same direction. So it was fine.
(05:31):
There's no way to know if the Falcons would have
done the exact same thing otherwise they just didn't get
their say at it. So I don't know if it
was a real advantage, but uh, we enjoyed the outcome
of it.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
Were you aware of what was going on and when
it happened or did you? I mean, what was your reaction, Yes,
and your thoughts when all that was happening.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Also, yes, thanks you for asking.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
So it didn't have any copsquins on the game, though
it was great. It went.
Speaker 3 (06:01):
It went the way we wanted to go, and so
did the game. So happy for our joint success.
Speaker 4 (06:07):
All right, yes, yes, yeah.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
Show time. Who's driving? Oh we got Joe on the road.
Be careful out there.
Speaker 5 (06:15):
I actually have a question if they asked it, I'm sorry,
but what's your philosophy on taking that overtime kick on
third down versus four?
Speaker 3 (06:28):
Okay, Dave kind of gave that to y'all the other day.
I don't think there's a real advantage of second or
third down. It just it sort of throws you out.
We're a first down or fourth down team. So if
we get down there, if Tommy finished that run on
the two yard line instead of the sixteen seventeen eighteen,
we go ahead and go kick it on first down.
(06:50):
We're fine with that. We are. I think we're actually
zero for one on third down kicks this year. That's
what our hurry up kick against the Bills was on
a third down. I believe there was one of those.
But anyway, that the process is like, you don't want
to add anxiety to the whole thing unless there's undue
risk in not doing it. So if we thought there
was undue risk, you could actually kneel it to fourth
(07:11):
down and then go take the field.
Speaker 4 (07:13):
As you know.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
At the same time, when you have a system where
it's like it might be second, it could be third.
All that I don't have the example of you get
a kick blocked, or you catch the snap and throw
it away and then kick it again and have that
go well for you. It seems like such a nightmare
that let's just do our jobs on fourth down the
whole thing. So I was fine with that, Like, let's
(07:36):
kick it on forth and be okay. We were in
a spot where we didn't want to continue to lose
yards on kneel downs, so we let it happen that way,
the same way we did it in Germany, the same
way we're going to do it against Arizona at home
a year ago. And then Chuba walked it in.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
Got it?
Speaker 5 (07:53):
Thanks?
Speaker 4 (07:53):
Yeah, why not punch it in If you're at the
head of your line.
Speaker 3 (07:58):
Well, then then in the field goal is almost guaranteed
because of how close you are. And then they are,
their entire team will be within a yard of the
line of scrimmage looking to get the ball out only
so then you're You're less risky snapping at eight yards
away and kicking it over their heads than you are
handing
Speaker 5 (08:15):
The ball up
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