Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Bubba Ventrone (10.16.25)
Well, we know that Miami is struggling in a lot of areas, but it’s also a very speedy football team. What are you seeing from them on special teams? And I’m guessing they bring an element of speed to the air.
“Yeah, they have a good unit, a good unit. They have speed at the returner position. Both returners doing a really nice job. (Malik) Washington and 82 (Dee Eskridge), he’s a problem. So, both of those guys can fly.”
What did you see on the running into the punter penalty? Did you feel it was the right call?
“Yeah. I mean, on the actual, like was the penalty, the right call? Yeah, I think so. I mean, it was, look, here’s the thing. Like, I would have made the same call. I mean, they cut a guy free to the punter. We’ve got to do a better job of being able to avoid the contact there. It’s either get the block, get the ball or get away, so.”
So, if you don’t have Gage (Larvadain) on Sunday, what are you going to do for punt return?
“Yeah, I mean, IB (Isaiah Bond) did it. IB finished the game this past week. So, he’ll be ready to go.”
What can you say about how well Andre (Szmyt) has been doing for you guys and just how that has solidified?
“Yeah, he’s been doing a really good job. Obviously, we had a few issues in the first week and made some corrections. I think he’s had a good approach to it, so he’s been very consistent with his preparation. Hard working kid.”
Bubba, there’s been some talk about those field conditions on Sunday, I mean, for the Steelers specifically, there were two times when it impacted them on special teams. What did you think of those conditions? What did you see?
“Yeah, the field wasn’t in great shape. I’m not going to lie on that one. It was pretty obvious that it wasn’t in good shape. I know historically that field, there’s a lot of traction on it. Obviously, University of Pittsburgh plays their home games there. They play a lot of high school games on it later in the year. I know the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) has their division championships there. I think they play like four to six games within two days on the field later in the year. So, I mean, it is what it is. Look, everyone’s playing on the same field, get the right footwear and be ready to go.”
Is it something like that, you acknowledge it in the game, or did you I guess?
“No. And I think that when that happens, I mean, I remember, like, being a young player in New England and we had grass at the time. And Bill (Belichick) would always just emphasize, you know what the conditions are going to be. Play to it, right? Make sure your feet are underneath you, make sure you have the proper footwear, things like that. So, I think that, you have to understand, like, you can’t plant as aggressive at times. You have to know like, what type of shoes you’re wearing.”
Bubba, you know, other teams that are 1-5 are firing coaches, calling out players and different things like that are going on. What do you see as the mindset of this football team right now at 1- 5? What’s the vibe?
“Yeah, I would say amongst our group, I do feel that we have a very well connected football team. When we’re talking about the players and the coaches, how we interact with each other and how the offense interacts with the defense, with the special teams, players and specialists. I just think that we get along, we are a connected team, and I do think that we have the ability to right the ship. Couple things happen, a few things happen a little bit differently, we’re looking at a different record. Now, you obviously can’t change those things, and that’s just inevitable. Stuff happens in sports and in football. But I do think that, if a team can get it right, it’s a team that’s connected and are doing things that teams do and stick together. I think that we’re all supporting one another, and I think we all understand the situation. And I think I’ve referenced this before, I’ve referenced it to our players. I was on a staff, on a 1-5 team my first year in Indy and we turned it around. So, I believe that we can do it. We just honestly, we just gotta, we gotta play complementary football, we gotta play clean football, we gotta protect the football.”
I know that Andre’s (Szmyt) been down the stadium kicking, what can you do to replicate rain? You know, I mean, it’s supposed to be pretty bad on Sunday.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know if you can do anything to truly recreate that type of like, situation. We work wet ball stuff with our operation, I know we’ll do that here later this week with our offense and defensive players. And then honestly, like the, I think that you prepare your team through these, you know, I would say weather situations that can happen by practicing outside, practicing in the elements, practicing in the wind, the rain, the snow, all that stuff, because ultimately you’re going to play in it at some point. So, I think all the training that you’re doing in offseason program, training camp and have the opportunity to practice in those elements, help you in those situations.”
What’d you see out of Dylan (Sampson)? It looked like he was in that number one kickoff return goal for you last week. How did you see him handle that?
“Yeah, I mean, him and Jerome (Ford) were both back there. I thought he did a good job. He’s a good communicator, smart kid. I think he’s improving every week, even with his practice reps. So, he’s got good vision. We like him back there.”
Could you see him getting stronger? Feels like he’s not breaking up a lot of tackles right now. Do you see where that might become part of his game where he’s able to shake off a guy or two?
“I’m sure there’s areas for strength development. I think the one thing that he does bring is he’s just got a knack and instinct for running the football. I think he’s got good vision, so try to use that to his advantage.”
The Colts team that bounced back from a rough start. What were the intangible things that kept that team together that allowed that turnaround?
“I think we were – I mean, to my recollection, I mean, just thinking about the team in general, we had a relatively young team. We’re playing a considerable amount of younger players too. So, I think that it takes time to, that continuity within. We’re playing a lot of young players offensively also. I think that it takes time at times and I know no one wants to hear that, but I mean, that’s the reality. So now, can we do a lot of things better and should we execute better in a lot of areas in all three units? Yeah, I think that we’re on the right track. I really do.”
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