Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (12.20.24)
Opening Statement:
“All right, good week of practice. Good to be outside. Energy, juice. Guys are really competing hard. So, got to go on the road, play really well as a team to find a way to win versus a good football team, so that’s our focus. But with that, I’ll take any questions.”
Do you feel like either Ced (Cedric Tillman) or Martin (Emerson Jr.) are close to clearing the protocol?
“They’re in the appropriate place in that protocol. You just have to follow each step, and we’re hopeful on both guys.”
With Ced, Kevin, usually a guy doesn’t practice for two weeks before clearing the protocol. So, I’m just curious how that kind of works where he’s allowed to practice but isn’t out of the protocol.
“Yeah, I’d have to get into the ins and outs of that thing. It’s a really good protocol. They do a great job communicating with us, what the guys can and can’t do based on how they’re feeling and that type of thing. So, we’ll just follow it to a tee, really.”
How’s Myles’ (Garrett) eye doing?
“Yeah, I think he’s good. Good to go.”
What happened with his back?
“Just felt a little something, but he’ll be okay.”
With David (Njoku), I know he didn’t practice for several days but today. That hamstring is, I mean, I imagine it’s something that right up until game time with him?
“He practiced today, he’s very motivated to play. We’ll see how he responds to practicing today and make the decision on Sunday.”
How have you felt like DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson) has looked over this past week of taking starting reps?
“Yeah, I think he’s doing a nice job. I think it’s so important for young quarterbacks, young players, period, to get better every single day of the week. I think what happens on Wednesday when you get handed a game plan, it feels like you’re drinking through a fire hose, there’s a lot of information, and then by Friday you feel really good about it. So, I think there’s a natural progression for a quarterback, certainly a young quarterback.
And the goal is for Sunday he feels really good about it, and I think we’re trending there.”
Speaking of Dorian, when he’s played for you, I know it’s been sporadically, but it feels like it’s kind of frenetic a little bit sometimes. Do you talk to him about having to calm down, whether it’s trying to hurdle guys or firing the ball too hard?
“Well, I think each player certainly has their own style, if you will, and his style is the way he’s played his whole life, and it’s gotten him here and he’s had great success. Certainly, you want to do things that take care of yourself in those moments, Scott (Petrak), like you’re talking about. But he really understands how to play this position and has to know when to take care of himself and those types of things. But part of playing free on Sundays is just knowing your job and understanding your role on the team.”
With Jameis (Winston) being a little bit limited with the shoulder this week, is he still going to be the number two?
“Potentially. I want to see how he feels really going through this week. Didn’t feel great, but we’ll see how he responds in the next couple days.”
What happened to it?
“Just sore from a previous game.”
Did you practice your fair catch free kick today?
“We watched it as a team. Great job, congratulations to Coach (Ryan) Ficken, the special teams coach out there who’s good friend and they were on top of it. So, we definitely watched that this morning as a team.”
Is that something you would have worked on at some point?
“We talk about it quite a bit. Bubba (Ventrone) was playing on the (San Francisco) 49ers when they did it the last time in a game and obviously was not good because that was the first one that was good last night. But it’s something you always think about on a backed-up punt. That punt, the punter was standing on what, the 10-yard line, so you’re not thinking about it in the moment until that 15-yard penalty kicks in and then certainly it’d be -with no time on the clock it’s kind of a no brainer there.”
The strength of kickers legs these days, I mean we’ve seen kickoffs challenge the uprights. Do you think that as that improves that maybe that can be something that coaches think about?
“I think it’s so rare though because if you miss that, you’re covering the kick. There’s risk involved there as well. So, I don’t know that it’s something that you’ll see more of. All those variables have to be in place in a very unique situation.”
Tee Higgins is expected to play this game, that’s the word out of Cincinnati. So, what does that add to the game?
“Yeah, great player. We have a ton of respect for this team, but certainly Tee Higgins is an elite player. He goes up against the ball versus every coverage, great speed. As you know, they have multiple guys that you have to concern yourself with.”
Chase Brown, just the last few weeks, just how has he sort of taken on an even bigger role in that offense running in and catching?
“Yeah, another player we know well. We know what he’s capable of. Can make plays, like you mentioned, in the run game, in the pass game. Runs hard, he’s quick, elusive. He’s a really good player.”
With Shelby (Harris) down, is that an opportunity for Mike Hall?
“Yeah, it’s an opportunity for all those guys, Daryl. I think certainly Mike, as he’s come back and had a role for us, his reps will increase. But I think Shelby’s played really, really good football for us. So, this is a thing where a bunch of guys have to take on a bigger role.”
Trey Hendrickson’s leading the league with sacks. What makes him so effective and how have you seen Germain (Ifedi) in, whatever, his four starts now?
“Sure, the first thing you notice about him is his motor. He just goes really, really hard throughout the down. You have to, even if you’re double teaming him or a running back is over there, or a tight end is over there, he’s just going to keep rushing. So, understanding that you have to play through the whistle versus him. And then he’s got a great combination of athleticism, bend power. Really, he can do it all.”
How did the emphasis go this week on ball security and trying to win this turnover battle?
“Yeah, I wish you could speak it into existence, Mary Kay (Cabot). You can’t, I’ve tried. It’s a technique thing is so much of it and that’s what we put the focus on. I think you don’t say to a player, if a player drops the ball, you don’t say, ‘Hey, catch the ball.’ You give them coaching points; you tell them about their technique. So, we focus on the technique and just understand how important that ball is to everything we’re trying to do.”
With Denzel (Ward) having arguably his best season as a pro this year, Ja’Marr Chase is lighting it up, so is Joe Burrow. Obviously, know you’re rooting for Denzel, but just as a football coach and fan, how exciting of a matchup is that?
“Certainly, two great players. I think when you talk about competition and this game, sometimes this game does come down to one-on-one matchups. Now it’s not every play, but sometimes it’s a great defensive end versus a great offensive tackle or a great wide receiver versus a great DB. Those are the matchups that I think are fun for our fans to watch, certainly as coaches and players, but it’s also within the framework of the greatest team game there is. So, there’s certainly matchups, but it’s going to be about us playing really good defense when facing the (Cincinnati) Bengals’ offense.”
Dorian earlier this week when I asked about if he thinks this is kind of like an audition for him to be the starter next year, he said, “Oh yeah. Excited for the opportunity, going to make the most of it.” Is that how you guys view you these last three games with him?
“Yeah, I’m so week-to-week, honestly, and every player should feel that way. That’s the right attitude to have. But I’m really — I don’t know who we play next week. We’re so concerned with this one.”
Who do you guys play next week?
“You guys have to tell me.”
It’s Miami.
“Okay, Miami it is.”