HC Kevin Stefanski (8.9.23)
Opening Statement:
“Okay. Obviously, today’s stay in the game day for us. I just want to acknowledge the kids that are out here. I know we’re collecting school supplies from our fans as they’re coming in. We know how important it is that young kids are staying in school and attending school. We know that school attendance can sometimes be tough, so we’re always encouraging the young men and women that are here to know how important that part is. So, excited to be part of that. Another good day out here. Obviously, it’s beautiful. So we’ll get some good work as we go into Friday night versus the Commanders. We’ll play the majority of our starters in this game. Deshaun will play in this game. We’ll see if it’s one (or) two series, we’ll kind of be playing that one by ear. I think Coach Rivera will announce what his plan is with his group. But it’s always a good opportunity to get guys through pregame warmups onto the field, get some of that game action in a setting like this. And it’s great for us to do it in front of our fans, so we’re excited to be down there on the lake Friday night. Sounds like it’s going to be a beautiful night. So, with that, I’ll take any questions.”
When you go into a preseason game, whatever game it is, do you go in with certain set things you want to accomplish with each specific game?
“I think you got to be really careful because you’re not game planning. So, to tie it into success can be a little bit difficult. You really want to just be able to function and simplify it so people can play fast. Obviously, they’re keeping scores. So we want to win and we’re competitive in that regard. But when you’re looking at from an offense, defense, special teams, are we executing the things that we set out to do.”
I mean, are there things like, we want to try this or we just want to see this?
“We did last week. I told you guys, just with the screen game, we wanted to get that going. Toss, cracks. So there are always different elements of your install that you may want to see, and that’s no different in this game. There are certain things we want to get some game reps on.”
What’s the status of Jerome Ford?
“He’s out this week, but he’s week to week.”
Kevin, when you say a majority of the starters, Myles (Garrett), (Nick) Chubb, will they play?
“Yeah, I’m not going to get into the specifics. Everybody, if they’re able, will be in uniform.”
Kevin, this seven-week lead-up to this regular season, just how challenging is it for you when you’re determining preseason, how much you’re going to work guys? Because it feels like it’s so unusual, right? I mean, that fourth preseason game.
“Yeah, not for us. Daryl (Ruiter) we kind of looked at it as that we had that opportunity to have a few extra days and we tried to use them to our advantage. And then right now it feels very normal. I told you guys before preseason game number zero with that Jets game where we knew we were going to play a lot of young guys, great opportunity almost in a controlled scrimmage setting. And now we really look at this as we’re right where everybody else is with preseason game number one.”
Will (Joshua) Dobbs relieve him?
“Yes.”
Kevin, we’ve asked Deshaun (Watson) several times in May, June, now here, if he’s shaking off the rust that we know he had. What do you see?
“What did he say?”
He said we’ll wait till the Cincinnati game.
“I’ll stick with what he said. That’s for him. Honestly, Jeff, to answer. I would tell you (I’m) very pleased with where he is right now in these practices.”
Kevin, at the outset, when you said something know, for Deshaun (Watson), a series or two, did you mean that literally or is that all you’re really thinking about?
“We kind of have a number of plays in mind but want to see how those drives go. Similarly, defensively, if you get two, three and outs, you’re going to be tempted to pull everybody. So, it’s really just dependent on if you’re getting what you want accomplished.”
Will any other quarterback play?
“All four will play.”
Kevin, are you concerned at all about adding more depth, with Alex (Wright) and Isaiah (Thomas) undergoing surgery and being out for some time? Do you feel good with where you’re at this point in time or do you feel like there still needs to be more (players) brought in?
“Yeah, I think we brought in a defensive end a couple of days ago. I feel comfortable with the group we have. As you guys know, it’s constantly evolving as you get through practices and get through games in terms of what you think you may need. So that’s something Andrew (Berry) and his crew are working through every day.”
Are you optimistic he’ll be ready for the open?
“It’s unfair to say yet. I mean, I’m hopeful, but I can’t go past that. He’s truly week to week. He’s getting treatment right now.”
Kevin, we saw Jakeem (Grant) back in team drills. How did he come out from that? And are you hoping he can kind of reestablish himself?
“Yeah, we’re very excited about Jakeem. I think all of us have seen him over the course of his career, how explosive he can be. He looks healthy. He looks good to me. It’s a process when you talk about coming off of those injuries. So, we’re trying to appropriately ramp him up, but I think he looks good.”
How did the back injury for Drew (Forbes) occur and what is sort of the prognosis short term, long term?
“We’ll see where that is in the next few days. But it was a very random kind of unlucky thing that happened there. Unfortunate.”
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