Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (9.26.25)
Opening Statement:
“Okay, great challenge this week, going on the road to Detroit. Really, really, really good football team, good players, good coaches. So, we have our work cut out for us, and then have a good day tomorrow, then we’ll get on the bus and head to Detroit. With that, I’ll take any questions.”
How’s Jack (Conklin) doing? I know he’s questionable.
“Progressing, yeah. Getting better each day.”
And are you optimistic that he’ll be able to go?
“Hard to say. I really think you have to take it day-by-day.”
I mean, do you think it’d come down to like it was in Baltimore (Ravens) where he, you know, pre-game workout, something like that?
“Potentially.”
Regardless of that, have you made a decision on who your tackles are going to be, or is it the that dependent on Jack’s availability?
“Yeah, I think it’s all interrelated.”
How disappointed are you that Mike (Hall Jr.) over these four weeks just hasn’t been able to get ready to be able to help you in a game?
“Yeah, I wouldn’t characterize it as disappointed. I think he’s working very, very hard. He’s getting really close.”
Did you get any word from the NFL on that Dawand Jones play that you turned in?
“I did. That should have been a penalty, which we all thought it was.”
Why is interior pressure specifically a more steep challenge for certain quarterbacks?
“Yeah, I think pressure in general is hard for quarterbacks, wherever it comes from, all quarterbacks. I will say the interior wise, you can get home quicker just for the distance you have to travel as opposed to the edge. So that team, all teams try to keep that interior of the pocket clean and firm, if you will, which is a challenge versus some of the rushers that you go up against would do.”
How is Detroit’s propensity to go for it on fourth down the way they do, you think you get off the field on third down but not with them. How does that change your approach?
“I think just the league in general, I think you don’t assume you’re off the field on third after third down. I think those days are gone. So, and Detroit certainly has been a team that goes for it quite a bit, we know that going into it. We’ll call the game accordingly and be ready accordingly, but have to see how the game plays out.”
Kevin, how do you think your offensive operation has been overall, and then how important is that in the dome when it should be loud, and make sure guys are communicating?
“Yeah, operation by and large has been good. I’ve had a few different people in there in the offensive line, so that can be a challenge when you’re talking about snap count, those types of things. Obviously, we’ve played in a loud environment already this year. We’re going to play in another loud environment on Sunday. I’ve been in that building and I know how the noise reverberates in there. That’s a great, great challenge for us.”
Their interior offensive linemen are relatively young, and even the center back to a different position than last year. Just what have you seen out of that group over the course of the first three games.
“I think they play as one is what I would tell you, just all five. So, I think they do a nice job playing off of each other. They’re well coached. Yeah, I think it’s a good offensive line.”
Kevin, what’s the coaching point on the play that Dawand got hurt on? How do those guys protect themselves?
“Well, it shouldn’t happen, obviously, and I’m not saying that there was intent for that to happen. Our guys understand the rules. In the old days, Tom (Withers), you’d have to defend yourself because guys could go low. I can picture Antoine Winfield, that was kind of his calling card on those plays, so you would be maybe more aware to protect yourself. So yeah, disappointed in the result of that play, of course. But, yeah, it’s unfortunate.”
With Mike Hall, how close you guys have said he is and that he’s progressing. Does that play into not starting him on IR for the season?
“I think you make all these decisions based on where the guys are. He continues to get better. I think it’s been beneficial to have him practice with the football team and be out there, which you can’t do when you’re on those lists. So, he’s doing everything in his power. He’s getting better every single day.”
Kevin, we don’t really get to see very much of practice anymore, especially the rookies or whatever they’re doing. So Shedeur (Sanders) said yesterday that he feels ready to play, and that he thinks he would be starting for a lot of teams in the league right now. So just wondering, how is he coming along and what are you seeing from him? Is he ready to go if he is called upon?
“Yeah, he’s doing a good job. I hope all of our guys feel like they’re ready, Mary Kay (Cabot), and they’re working very hard at it. We do a lot of work with our players, rookies, vets, all our guys, spending every available minute that we have with them, getting them ready physically, mentally, whether it’s in the weight room, the meeting room, out on the field. So, all of our guys are working very hard.”
Kevin along those lines, the (New York) Giants are making a change to start Jaxson Dart, and Brian Daboll said this week that he doesn’t think a rookie quarterback is ever really ready to play, you kind of throw them out there when you think that they’ve shown enough. Just do you maybe agree with those comments or what’s your view on that topic?
“Yeah, I think every situation is different, all the circumstances are different. I can’t speak to Coach Daboll’s situation. Yeah, it’s a very difficult position to play. You know, you’ve seen in this league guys play right away, you’ve seen guys sit for years, plural. So, I don’t know if there’s one right way to do it.”
Kevin, John Morton yesterday made the comment about not being sure if you guys have seen a rushing attack quite like the Lions. I guess, what do you think of that?
“I really have no response. It’s two well coached teams, good players.”
I know you spent a lot of time on the script. I don’t think you guys have scored in the first quarter yet. So, what have you seen kind of the issues early and how important is it to get off to that fast start?
“Well, I mean you’re trying to do that in every game that you’re out there, you’re trying to score and trying to, obviously, take a lead is very important. I think big picture for us, Scott (Petrak), it’s the mentality of doing your job, making sure you’re at every level, at every position, every coach. We’re just doing our job. That’s typically when you have some success.”
Given how good the front has looked so far, how exciting is to know that Mike hasn’t even played yet, that there could be even more meat left on the bone?
“Yeah, I think we’re excited when Mike is back. We’ve seen it from him in games, and he’s getting healthier and healthier every single day as he’s getting better. So, it’ll be exciting when he is ready, and he’s very, very close.”
Would there be any merit to using Dillon (Gabriel) some in this game, and spot situations or anything like that?
“Dylan Sampson?”
Oh, no, I’m sorry. Dillon Gabriel.
“Yeah, I think every week we make decisions based on roster and packages and those types of things.”
How important has Maliek Collins been at the start of the season to this defense? I mean he had 1.5 sacks last game.
“Was a game captain last week. He’s a guy that I’ve really, really grown to admire, only because I hadn’t coached him before. So, it’s my first time being around him, but to watch how he goes about his business, doesn’t say much, is out early, works at his craft, takes notes in a field goal block meeting. This is a guy, he’s a throwback to me. The way he approaches his job is an unbelievable example for our young players in that room in particular. But he also plays really hard, plays really well, makes plays in the run, makes plays in the pass. So, he’s been extremely valuable to what we’re doing.”
Mason (Graham) said during training camp even that he was kind of plopping onto somebody, they’re trying to learn from them. What have you seen? What kind of role model could he really be?
“I think we have great leadership on the team, on the defense and that D-line room. Also, we got some guys that have seen a lot in that room with our young players, where I see a bunch of examples of guys taking players under their wing, pointing out things, giving them a good picture of what it looks like to be a pro.”
Quinshon (Judkins) showed that he could block at Ohio State, and he seems to like that physical part of the game. I mean, how important is that, and how rare is it seeing a rookie running back so willingly stick his nose in there?
“Yeah, not surprised. I think that program does an outstanding job of getting running backs ready to play in the NFL, and particularly in blocking, pass blocking, run blocking. So, not surprised. And then I guess maybe the main point there, Tom, would be the first thing you’re looking for is a willingness, and he certainly has a willingness.”
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