October 9, 2025 • 9 mins
OC Kliff Kingsbury speaks to the media before today's practice.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
What what did you see from crosskey merit that prompted
the increase in his touches last week And what I
guess generally since you've been working with him, has impressed
you the most about it?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Yeah, I think the work ethic first and foremost as
far as things that have impressed me. Doesn't make the
same mistake twice and throughout camp when he touched the ball,
good things happened. Still has the ways to go away
from the ball, but I would say just the constant
improvement earned him more touches.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
That away from the ball. Is that blocking that you're
talking about.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Yeah, everything that's not carrying it when you're talking about
pass protection and past game, any sort of lead blocks
that he's asked to do, Like, he just has to
keep working him become a complete back. But since day
one when he got here, when he touches the ball,
he tends to do good thing with it.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
And for running backs we often talk about how they need,
you know, kind of volume to get going, but he's
a guy that you know, even when he had limited carries,
he's been able to make the most of them. What's
sort of the challenge of doing that for running backs
and Why do you think he's excelled so much in
that area?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, I think the old lines played at a high
level for all those guys. When you look at some
of the yards per carry that all those backs have had,
I think it's been pretty good thus far. And the
guys like to play light to get in a rhythm.
But he has a knack for kind of finding it
whenever he gets his opportunity, and he can make some
some plays that that aren't there, that that aren't blocked
(01:36):
up as as well as you would like. And so
I think that's kind of allowed him to have some
success early and hopefully it continues.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Between him not really playing his last college football season
and you know, being the seventh round pick early on,
I'm sure he didn't get a ton of reps. You
know what work did you see him do when he
wasn't on the field and getting those reps to try
to improve.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Yeah, he just always wants more. I think that's the
biggest thing he'd hop in. You know, if we're not careful,
look out and he'd be out there with the ones
from day one. He believes himself high confidence level. But
I just think has a big chip on his shoulder,
like you said, from not getting to play a senior year.
You know, he went to the All Star Game, really
(02:14):
had a great week there and then has just carried
that confidence with him.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
What was your evaluation of Jaden's performance on Sunday and
I guess specifically with regards to sliding, taking care of
the ball, all.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
That kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, I thought he protected the ball. Well, It's a
good defense that we faced, and I liked that we
started slow and he was really unfazed by that, just
continued to play at a high level, had some good
throwaways and kind of knocked the rust off and led
his team to a victory.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
And then a guard with Chris Paul, I mean, really
hit the ground running. How do you envision the future
of that spot when when Sam comes back and is
this kind of his job to lose? I guess, for
lack of a better.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Way to put it, Yeah, We're taking it week by
week as we go. But I've been really proud of
Chris and his performances. He's played really well for it's
been physical inside there, and from last year to this
year is a completely different player. I think his play style,
the effort came back in better shape and has really
elevated his play.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
Tay Good after him, coach. I know you guys were
really high on how Luke McCaffrey came into the program
this off season. Even from that point to now being
able to contribute the way that he has, what have
you kind of seen from him since then?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, just continues to get better and better. Like we
talked about, I really liked how he came back, the attitude,
you know, the physical shape he was in and has
just taken in and run with it. It was a
lot to ask him to play inside and outside last year,
and I think he's settled in now and we have
full confidence where we put him, he's going to go
(03:47):
make a play. And I know Jade and knows too,
So that's been cool to see that connection kind of
grow in year two.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
And I know a lot of time receiver blocks don't
necessarily get noticed by all that mean, but there was
one specifically that big run by Bill on the right
side where he's engaged with one charge or another, he
kind of puts his body in the way. I know
it entertained Jad And what were your thoughts just kind
of when you watch it in real time? Then when
he broke it down on tape.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, that's awesome. We talk about that, like playing longer
than the guy with the football and playing away from
the football, being a lead at that and he takes
a lot of pride and he practices in a practice.
If you watch the film, he's a guy anytime the
ball is thrown or it's a good run, I mean,
he's sprinting into the screen. And so to see it
show up on Sunday was cool to see.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
We've talked about DPA before, but I'm gonna ask again
when you see, like people talk about his energy, how
do you see that playing out, whether it's in the field, meeting,
how do you see that?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yeah? Just the competitive nature. I mean he is as
competitive as I've been around. I mean on game day,
he sets the tone with the intensity, the focus. You know,
when he touches the ball, it's you're like, Okay, here
we go. And I think that gives us a lot
of confidence when he's out there. But it's he's practiced
every day. You know, when he hasn't had any sort
of issue that he's been here from spring workouts on,
(04:57):
Like he wasn't asking for a vet days one taking
days off and he just loves to play, and I
think that is infectious.
Speaker 5 (05:02):
And when you have guys like Terry no out and
he's obviously guy defenses no are going You're going to
want to get to what's the challenge for him and
why is he still able to get the ball so
much and do something.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
That I would say just his versatility. I mean, they
know we're going to try to get him touches, but
he can play outside, he can play inside, he can
play running back, he can do it kind of all
and I think that allows me as a play caller
and us as an offensive staff to be creative and
how we get him the ball and continue to try
and find ways to do that.
Speaker 7 (05:30):
Did you give Luke any instruction or set goals for
him in the off season to really work on certain stuff.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I just think as an organization, we all kind of
gave him a vision for what we saw in that role,
what it could look like, and he came back really
focused and really understanding, like, we have some really good
whiteouts on this team, and so if I'm going to contribute,
this is what my role needs to be and I
need to be a master of the offense. Understanding inside, outside,
(05:59):
and the place, and he's done that. So it's really
as a coach, and I know Bobby feels the same way,
it just makes you super proud to see a kid
dedicated whole off season to it and then come back
and have the results he's had.
Speaker 7 (06:13):
And then with Bill, I mean, given then he didn't
play all but one game at Arizona, how much did
you know about him before you got him? And you know,
after first seeing him, did you expect this?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah? I didn't know much. To be honest, I didn't
know his name was Bill first and foremost. But I
think from day one of just being here, just you
could tell the run style was unique. He had twitch,
he had quickness, and then just he wants to play
every play like he loves the game. He's eating up
(06:43):
by it, and so those things kind of shine through
from day one.
Speaker 8 (06:47):
Hey, Cliff, with regards to Josh Connery by the stat
to give up a few pressures, but I'm just curied,
what do you think of him? Not just in this
last game, but just now that we're into week five.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah, it just continues to improve as well. Talked about
the stretch he had to open his career there, right
tackle was kind of a murderer's row of some of
the top pass rushers in the NFL, and so I
think he learned a lot from that, and the more
he plays, the better he's gonna get. He's another guy
who he's very conscientious, comes from a great program that
(07:18):
Oregon that was really well coached, knows how to study film,
knows how to prepare, and so those things. As season
goes on, he's gonna have his ups and downs, but
he'll continue to get better.
Speaker 8 (07:27):
And with no disrespect to Andrew Wiley, when Sam comes back,
are there certain aspects you think are going to really
help Josh just based on what you've seen his strengths
and weaknesses and what Sam can do.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Yeah, we'll see how that all plays out.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I think anytime you have a veteran guy next to
you can help, you know. I mean, it's a guy
that's been through it and plays at a high level
like Sam. I think any tackle in the league would
be happy to have him next to him.
Speaker 9 (07:55):
Hey, coach, along the lines of the running back room,
Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols, what have you seen from
them so far?
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I think just what we've always known, like when they're
called upon to make a play, to make a block,
to do it right, they nail it each and every time.
And we feel comfortable with either one of those guys
as are starting running back, And I think that's the
biggest compliment I can give them. They can do it
in all phases, they play special teams, they can be
effective in the past game, and so very dependable, reliable
(08:25):
players that we feel like we can play at a
high level with.
Speaker 9 (08:28):
And looking ahead to the Chicago Bears, what types of
challenges might that defense present to you all?
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Yeah, they've really done a nice job of taking the
ball away. Dennis Allen's been one of the great defensive
minds in the NFL for a long time, and it's
a talent and roster. They're getting some players back that
have missed a couple of games, so I know it'll
be a big challenge for us.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Hey, coach, could you talk about the offense?
Speaker 9 (08:49):
Where have you seen them improve the most over the
last couple games.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Yeah, I just like the run game. The physicality of
the run game I think is really gotten better as
we've gone along. I think that last drive going ninety
nine and a half yards. There's a big step for us,
like closing the game out on our terms, being physical.
They knew we had to run it, we were stay
able to run it, and that's you know, that's the
(09:14):
type of football that carries you into the postseason if
you can get there as being able to have that
type of run game. So we got to keep building
off of it and just continue to be consistent in
that area.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
And past blocking.
Speaker 9 (09:25):
Could you talk a little bit about.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
That, Yeah, I think we're continuing to improve. It's a
group that we've had some moving parts, So I think
we can get consistent in there and have the same
unit for multiple weeks. That always helps, and I think
we made a step disk last week. We got to
take a step again against Chicago with a really good
pass rush. Thank y'all.
What what did you see from crosskey merit that prompted
the increase in his touches last week And what I
guess generally since you've been working with him, has impressed
you the most about it?
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Yeah, I think the work ethic first and foremost as
far as things that have impressed me. Doesn't make the
same mistake twice and throughout camp when he touched the ball,
good things happened. Still has the ways to go away
from the ball, but I would say just the constant
improvement earned him more touches.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
That away from the ball. Is that blocking that you're
talking about.
Speaker 2 (00:43):
Yeah, everything that's not carrying it when you're talking about
pass protection and past game, any sort of lead blocks
that he's asked to do, Like, he just has to
keep working him become a complete back. But since day
one when he got here, when he touches the ball,
he tends to do good thing with it.
Speaker 3 (01:01):
And for running backs we often talk about how they need,
you know, kind of volume to get going, but he's
a guy that you know, even when he had limited carries,
he's been able to make the most of them. What's
sort of the challenge of doing that for running backs
and Why do you think he's excelled so much in
that area?
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah, I think the old lines played at a high
level for all those guys. When you look at some
of the yards per carry that all those backs have had,
I think it's been pretty good thus far. And the
guys like to play light to get in a rhythm.
But he has a knack for kind of finding it
whenever he gets his opportunity, and he can make some
some plays that that aren't there, that that aren't blocked
(01:36):
up as as well as you would like. And so
I think that's kind of allowed him to have some
success early and hopefully it continues.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
Between him not really playing his last college football season
and you know, being the seventh round pick early on,
I'm sure he didn't get a ton of reps. You
know what work did you see him do when he
wasn't on the field and getting those reps to try
to improve.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Yeah, he just always wants more. I think that's the
biggest thing he'd hop in. You know, if we're not careful,
look out and he'd be out there with the ones
from day one. He believes himself high confidence level. But
I just think has a big chip on his shoulder,
like you said, from not getting to play a senior year.
You know, he went to the All Star Game, really
(02:14):
had a great week there and then has just carried
that confidence with him.
Speaker 4 (02:19):
What was your evaluation of Jaden's performance on Sunday and
I guess specifically with regards to sliding, taking care of
the ball, all.
Speaker 5 (02:25):
That kind of stuff.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, I thought he protected the ball. Well, It's a
good defense that we faced, and I liked that we
started slow and he was really unfazed by that, just
continued to play at a high level, had some good
throwaways and kind of knocked the rust off and led
his team to a victory.
Speaker 4 (02:44):
And then a guard with Chris Paul, I mean, really
hit the ground running. How do you envision the future
of that spot when when Sam comes back and is
this kind of his job to lose? I guess, for
lack of a better.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
Way to put it, Yeah, We're taking it week by
week as we go. But I've been really proud of
Chris and his performances. He's played really well for it's
been physical inside there, and from last year to this
year is a completely different player. I think his play style,
the effort came back in better shape and has really
elevated his play.
Speaker 6 (03:16):
Tay Good after him, coach. I know you guys were
really high on how Luke McCaffrey came into the program
this off season. Even from that point to now being
able to contribute the way that he has, what have
you kind of seen from him since then?
Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, just continues to get better and better. Like we
talked about, I really liked how he came back, the attitude,
you know, the physical shape he was in and has
just taken in and run with it. It was a
lot to ask him to play inside and outside last year,
and I think he's settled in now and we have
full confidence where we put him, he's going to go
(03:47):
make a play. And I know Jade and knows too,
So that's been cool to see that connection kind of
grow in year two.
Speaker 6 (03:52):
And I know a lot of time receiver blocks don't
necessarily get noticed by all that mean, but there was
one specifically that big run by Bill on the right
side where he's engaged with one charge or another, he
kind of puts his body in the way. I know
it entertained Jad And what were your thoughts just kind
of when you watch it in real time? Then when
he broke it down on tape.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Yeah, that's awesome. We talk about that, like playing longer
than the guy with the football and playing away from
the football, being a lead at that and he takes
a lot of pride and he practices in a practice.
If you watch the film, he's a guy anytime the
ball is thrown or it's a good run, I mean,
he's sprinting into the screen. And so to see it
show up on Sunday was cool to see.
Speaker 5 (04:25):
We've talked about DPA before, but I'm gonna ask again
when you see, like people talk about his energy, how
do you see that playing out, whether it's in the field, meeting,
how do you see that?
Speaker 2 (04:33):
Yeah? Just the competitive nature. I mean he is as
competitive as I've been around. I mean on game day,
he sets the tone with the intensity, the focus. You know,
when he touches the ball, it's you're like, Okay, here
we go. And I think that gives us a lot
of confidence when he's out there. But it's he's practiced
every day. You know, when he hasn't had any sort
of issue that he's been here from spring workouts on,
(04:57):
Like he wasn't asking for a vet days one taking
days off and he just loves to play, and I
think that is infectious.
Speaker 5 (05:02):
And when you have guys like Terry no out and
he's obviously guy defenses no are going You're going to
want to get to what's the challenge for him and
why is he still able to get the ball so
much and do something.
Speaker 2 (05:12):
That I would say just his versatility. I mean, they
know we're going to try to get him touches, but
he can play outside, he can play inside, he can
play running back, he can do it kind of all
and I think that allows me as a play caller
and us as an offensive staff to be creative and
how we get him the ball and continue to try
and find ways to do that.
Speaker 7 (05:30):
Did you give Luke any instruction or set goals for
him in the off season to really work on certain stuff.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I just think as an organization, we all kind of
gave him a vision for what we saw in that role,
what it could look like, and he came back really
focused and really understanding, like, we have some really good
whiteouts on this team, and so if I'm going to contribute,
this is what my role needs to be and I
need to be a master of the offense. Understanding inside, outside,
(05:59):
and the place, and he's done that. So it's really
as a coach, and I know Bobby feels the same way,
it just makes you super proud to see a kid
dedicated whole off season to it and then come back
and have the results he's had.
Speaker 7 (06:13):
And then with Bill, I mean, given then he didn't
play all but one game at Arizona, how much did
you know about him before you got him? And you know,
after first seeing him, did you expect this?
Speaker 2 (06:23):
Yeah? I didn't know much. To be honest, I didn't
know his name was Bill first and foremost. But I
think from day one of just being here, just you
could tell the run style was unique. He had twitch,
he had quickness, and then just he wants to play
every play like he loves the game. He's eating up
(06:43):
by it, and so those things kind of shine through
from day one.
Speaker 8 (06:47):
Hey, Cliff, with regards to Josh Connery by the stat
to give up a few pressures, but I'm just curied,
what do you think of him? Not just in this
last game, but just now that we're into week five.
Speaker 2 (06:57):
Yeah, it just continues to improve as well. Talked about
the stretch he had to open his career there, right
tackle was kind of a murderer's row of some of
the top pass rushers in the NFL, and so I
think he learned a lot from that, and the more
he plays, the better he's gonna get. He's another guy
who he's very conscientious, comes from a great program that
(07:18):
Oregon that was really well coached, knows how to study film,
knows how to prepare, and so those things. As season
goes on, he's gonna have his ups and downs, but
he'll continue to get better.
Speaker 8 (07:27):
And with no disrespect to Andrew Wiley, when Sam comes back,
are there certain aspects you think are going to really
help Josh just based on what you've seen his strengths
and weaknesses and what Sam can do.
Speaker 2 (07:39):
Yeah, we'll see how that all plays out.
Speaker 5 (07:41):
You know.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I think anytime you have a veteran guy next to
you can help, you know. I mean, it's a guy
that's been through it and plays at a high level
like Sam. I think any tackle in the league would
be happy to have him next to him.
Speaker 9 (07:55):
Hey, coach, along the lines of the running back room,
Chris Rodriguez and Jeremy McNichols, what have you seen from
them so far?
Speaker 5 (08:03):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
I think just what we've always known, like when they're
called upon to make a play, to make a block,
to do it right, they nail it each and every time.
And we feel comfortable with either one of those guys
as are starting running back, And I think that's the
biggest compliment I can give them. They can do it
in all phases, they play special teams, they can be
effective in the past game, and so very dependable, reliable
(08:25):
players that we feel like we can play at a
high level with.
Speaker 9 (08:28):
And looking ahead to the Chicago Bears, what types of
challenges might that defense present to you all?
Speaker 2 (08:34):
Yeah, they've really done a nice job of taking the
ball away. Dennis Allen's been one of the great defensive
minds in the NFL for a long time, and it's
a talent and roster. They're getting some players back that
have missed a couple of games, so I know it'll
be a big challenge for us.
Speaker 1 (08:47):
Hey, coach, could you talk about the offense?
Speaker 9 (08:49):
Where have you seen them improve the most over the
last couple games.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
Yeah, I just like the run game. The physicality of
the run game I think is really gotten better as
we've gone along. I think that last drive going ninety
nine and a half yards. There's a big step for us,
like closing the game out on our terms, being physical.
They knew we had to run it, we were stay
able to run it, and that's you know, that's the
(09:14):
type of football that carries you into the postseason if
you can get there as being able to have that
type of run game. So we got to keep building
off of it and just continue to be consistent in
that area.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
And past blocking.
Speaker 9 (09:25):
Could you talk a little bit about.
Speaker 2 (09:26):
That, Yeah, I think we're continuing to improve. It's a
group that we've had some moving parts, So I think
we can get consistent in there and have the same
unit for multiple weeks. That always helps, and I think
we made a step disk last week. We got to
take a step again against Chicago with a really good
pass rush. Thank y'all.
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