Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (12.17.23)
Opening statement:
“Okay. Obviously, a great team win. You know, I just – I appreciate that locker room. That’s a bunch of fighters in there. It’s not always pretty. Wasn’t perfect, not going to be perfect. But to see those guys fight for 60 minutes – which we needed all 60, to push through. Guys pushing through injuries, guys out of the lineup, guys filling in, that’s a resilient bunch in there. So really proud of them. Proud to get that one. And then we know where we are. Another big one coming up in the AFC next week. But really just proud of the effort again. Can clean up about a thousand things but to come away with a victory in that fashion, I’m pretty proud of that group.”
How about Joe (Flacco) overcoming three interceptions and just locking in and pulling that out?
“Yeah, obviously Joe made some unbelievable throws there when we needed him. I mean, the one to David (Njoku) there at the end on third and 14, maybe, that’s very similar – different, but similar to the David Bell one the week before. It was hot, drifted, made some room, felt like there was somewhere to loft the ball up and then Dave Njoku did what Dave does and he went and made a huge play for us. But yeah, Joe, just can’t say enough good things about how he played in that fourth quarter and leading that football team.”
Kevin, you guys set a franchise record today with scores in the final two minutes to win a game with five. What is it about this team where you guys are able to come through with winning plays over and over again despite the injuries mounting for you?
“Yeah, it’s the greatest team game there is and what I love about it is it takes the offense, the defense and the special teams. In a moment like you’re describing. Everybody has to come through and that’s what we’ve done this season. I think the guys did a great job of understanding the situation, what we needed to do, but credit to the players for executing.”
Talking about David Njoku, what can you say about the night that David had?
“Yeah, you know, I just talked about David in that locker room. I’m proud of Dave and the person he is and the player he is. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been around and the growth that he’s made both as a person and a player. He’s got that mentality where he fights for everything and I mean, he put it on display today. He really did. So, we needed him. He’s a great leader for our football team. Proud of him.”
We haven’t talked to (Bill) Callahan yet, but what was he messaging to the line who had a tough understanding, tough day to hang in there?
“Oh gosh. Yeah. Coach Callahan does an amazing job. Scott Peters, John Decoster, those guys did a great job. It’s hard. You have backups in there and you have guys playing different positions and he makes sure that they know that they have a job to do. Was not always pretty, wasn’t always perfect. I know there are places I can help them out for sure, but Coach (Callaghan) does a great job. Not just on Sunday. He does a great job during the week and making sure those guys are ready to go.”
Can you talk about the defense? Basically, two pick-sixes.
“Yeah, played outstanding. Again, I know Coach (Jim Schwartz) is going to talk about a couple of plays that he wishes we could have played a little bit differently, but man, to play how we did for most of that football game, again, offensively, turning the ball over was the story of that game that kept them in it. And then for us to do that and put our defense in some really tough spots, they score seven off of an offensive giveaway. So, for a large, large, large portion of that game, our defense was just lights out. Getting them in the third and long, harassing the passer, playing the ball when it was in the air. I thought they were stopping the run. Very impressive.”
We’ve asked you about Dustin Hopkins before.
“I like him.”
But just again, he comes through for you.
“We took the ball to start the game, felt like wind might be a factor and then leaned on Dustin and he wanted to go that way in the fourth. Just felt like where the wind was going. A guy you trust, I mean, really a guy that’s come through for our football team time and time again. He’s been outstanding.”
What happened to Joel (Bitonio)?
“Yeah, just something in pregame. Just felt it maybe lock up a little bit. Tried to go, just could not. Wanted to, just couldn’t.”
7-1 at home. Can you just talk about how much fun it is to have the fans and all this?
“Yeah, it was a beautiful day out there and proud of the crew that was in there cheering and I’ve said this before, we need them. It takes everybody, and I’m serious, it takes our fans, too. I mean, they make such a huge difference. I don’t think anybody likes coming here and playing in front of our fans. We love it.”
What’s going through your head on that last drive and then the Hail Mary?
“We were just talking about the situation. Make sure everybody’s on the same page. They should not have gotten that big play to get them down there, obviously. Then just conversations about what they’re going to do next. And obviously, it felt like the ball was going to go in the end zone on that last one. And you have to execute. I know it wasn’t perfect by us. I know you could say we got lucky or whatever, but I thought the guys understood what they had to do.”
What’s going through your mind when it’s sitting in his lap?
“I blacked out. I don’t know. Yeah, I mean, honestly, that’s this season, Jake (Trotter). There are going to be times that you just got to trust your guys. And again, that locker room, I trust that locker room because they work their butts off and then they fight like crazy.”
The wind here is so unpredictable. How sure were you that it was going to stay that way to take the ball?
“Yeah, well, you get to make the decision in the second half in terms of which direction ultimately you want in that fourth quarter.”
How about young safeties like D (D’Anthony) Bell, Ronnie Hickman, coming up big in this game?
“Yeah, I thought those guys tackled well. Obviously, you’d have to look at the tape, Mary Kay (Cabot), but really conscientious, diligent workers. Coach Ephraim (Banda) does a great job getting those guys ready to play. So really proud of those guys.”
Kevin, when you’re struggling to run the ball, you have the backup lineman in, there’s pressure on Joe, you’re down ten. How do you as a play caller kind of come up with the plan that’s going to get you the win?
“Yeah, it’s all those variables. It’s all those things. And you’re just trying to find ways to be explosive, find ways to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hand, find ways to… And at the end of the day, you’re thinking about your players and you’re thinking about Amari (Cooper) and you’re thinking about Dave and Elijah (Moore) and our guys and say, ‘How do we get the ball to those guys?’ But for us, in this instance, with an offensive staff, it’s what’s available to you. What do you feel like you can get to?”
How about finally getting a chance to go deep to Marquise Goodwin?
“You know, great throw. Joe handed that one off. I mean, that was incredible. Marquise did exactly what he’s supposed to do, tracked it well. Got a huge play there and that gain – that’s a good defense. Coach Flus (Matt Eberflus) does a great job. I think they have good players at all three levels of the defense, so that was a tough outfit for us up front. Really impressed with that crew in the back end. So it was a challenge.”
You had a lot of backups make key plays in the fourth quarter. Cam Mitchell tripped up (Justin) Fields, Alex Wright had the stop, Marquise had the catch. Can you weigh in on those guys stepping up in those moments because you don’t win without them?
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a next man up mentality, but I think we have the right guys that are stepping into those roles. And I think that is a credit to Andrew (Berry) and his staff and putting this roster together with guys that we feel really good about when we’re asking them to step in for a starter.”
You’ve touched on Amari, but for him to be able to read those two guys, the defense, and catch that ball and make that turn, what does that just say about his awareness?
“Great football player. You’re always trying to find ways to get Amari the ball. Joe fit it in a very tight window, and then Amari did the tight rope down the sideline. But very heady player, has made huge plays for us in these ball games, and we need them.”
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