Pass Game Specialist/Tight Ends Coach Tommy Rees (8.12.24)
How’d you think your first game on the sideline went? Are you on the sidelines?
“I was on the sidelines, yep.”
Was it good?
“It was good. Yeah, it was good to be down there with the guys, be able to communicate between series, make sure everything’s smooth. You know, such a big part of this game is in-game adjustments and being able to adapt and overcome some things that they show you that you weren’t prepared for. And being hands on with the players was really great.”
Tommy, having Mike Vrabel with you for a couple weeks into training camp now, what type of resource has he been on the field and in the building?
“Yeah, Vrabes (Vrabel) has been great. I’ve known him a little bit over the years. For him to come in and bring a defensive perspective is always really beneficial. Obviously he played a position that we have to block a lot and so talking through some of the nuances with the players on different moves, defensive end or outside backers want to play, it helps our guys a lot. You know, obviously he has that perspective as a player, as a defensive mind, but also as a head coach in some of the bigger picture items. So for me, as still a relatively young coach, it’s been really beneficial for my own learning and growth and development. And then I think it pays dividends with our players on the field. Just some of the nuances that he’s able to bring and continue to help the group get better.”
How did you know each other?
“Coaching is a small world sometimes, you know, and I think we have mutual people we both worked with and just were connected over the years that way.”
Vrabes said that he thinks that your experience at quarterback kind of helps you see the tight end room differently. What is your take on that?
“Yeah, like when you’re a quarterback or a coordinator, I think you have to look at the game in a wider lens and I think we’re able to bring some of that to the tight end room, understanding where they fit maybe in a progression or what we’re trying to do holistically offensively. So I think the more players know why, the better they’re able to execute and we try to bring them the why as much as possible and allow them to go play fast and a little bit more free.”
Do David’s (Njoku) responsibilities change much primarily in 11 personnel as opposed to the 12 personnel that he played in a lot last year?
“Right, I don’t think it changes a whole lot. You know, obviously what we do offensively maybe looks a little bit different and maybe there’s a couple schemes that you’re more likely to run out of 11 than you would be twelve. But for him it’s a very similar responsibility and role. I think this offense has the opportunity to be put in multiple positions and really show his full range of skill set and that’s something that he’s been working really hard at and we’ve been challenging him on and he’s been very receptive to that. So we’re really pleased where Dave’s at and how he’s progressed within the offense and the guy’s got a lot of talent. It’s our job to make sure we utilize it in the best way.”
Can we talk about the choice routes that you guys are going to be featuring a lot this year? Is that something that David will be responsible for doing as well?
“Yeah, whoever runs them well gets them, you know, and that’s kind of the message to those guys all the time. And, you know, if he’s one of the guys that can do it, then hopefully he gets those opportunities.”
Do you do multiple choice routes? I mean, on any given play, but how does that work?
“Yeah, they’re all a little different. I would say you can’t have more than one. You know, sometimes it’s just one guy. So much of it is about the confidence in that guy who’s running the route and the confidence in the quarterback from him, you know, trusting the decision making at the second or third level. So, you know, Dors (Ken Dorsey) and Kev (Kevin Stefanski) have done a great job of putting those guys in the right positions and utilizing our skill there.”
As a concept, what is the difference between a preseason rep and a joint practice rep?
“I’ll let you know in a couple days, I guess. I think there’s an intensity when you have your ones out there going against their ones in a joint practice. And there’s a level of expectation with how we execute, but really we try to hold that same expectation no matter what the drill is. Whether it’s the ones, the twos, the threes, preseason, regular season, playoff doesn’t really matter. We’re going to hold our guys to the same level of expectation and standard and that doesn’t deviate regardless of who we’re playing, if it’s against ourselves or an opponent or in a game or in a practice.”
What did you see from Tyler (Huntley) and Dorian (Thompson-Robinson) on Saturday?
“Look I have my hands full with the tight ends, so, you know, that’s up to, you know, Kev and Dors. And you know, I thought our quarterbacks gave us a chance to make some plays and, you know, it’s our job to help protect them.”
How have you kind of like, from your perspective, witnessed that partnership between Ken and Kevin so far this year?
“Yeah, I think it’s been really positive. You know, two really bright offensive minds, obviously, and, you know, seeing them work together and have cohesion in what they want the offense to look like and feel like. And, you know, there’s constant communication between the two of them and then down to the staff. So it’s really been a great partnership and expect it to continue to be that way moving forward.”
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