Todd Bowles on Baker Mayfield Look Ahead to Seattle | Press Conference Live Stream

Todd Bowles on Baker Mayfield Look Ahead to Seattle | Press Conference Live Stream

understand coach Pete took ill. Um do you have any update on him and just uh you know reaction to something like that? Right now he’s coherent. He’s doing fine. Uh still running tests right now preliminarily uh dehydrated. scary thing to have happen in the middle of practice. It is very scary. What’s your um understanding of of Buckyy’s situation? I know he had an MRI and and he’s he’s in a boot apparently. So, what is he available all this week, you think? Oh, they said we’ll know more by Friday. Right now, it’s a sprain. They’re taking a dayto day. If he’s not out of the boot by Friday, I’ll be more inclined to say he’s probably not going to play. He had some foot issues that he played through last year. Is this more the same or is this a new injury? Oh, it’s new. What jumps out, Todd, about Seattle’s defense? Uh, is it coaching scheme? U, you know, they don’t have a lot of recognizable players, so to speak, on on that side of the ball, but they seem to be playing really well together. I don’t think they’re recognizable to some people here. They’re recognizable to us. They got two great defensive tackles inside with Murphy and Leonard Williams and they got Demarcus Lawrence. Uh they got the corner weather from Illinois outside. They got they got a very good group. They play fast, they play physical and they play violent. Another part of that challenge is you might be missing three or four starters on your offensive side of the ball. So this to say that this is a challenging week. Uh I think uh would that be an understatement? Uh, it’s challenging, you know, but it’s a good team whether we have the starters back or not. So, we got to come up with a game plan and we got guys that’s got to step up and make some plays and we got to make sure everybody’s on the same page. With the guys that that went into the tube and had MRIs on Tuesday, do you have clarity on any more of them? Not at this time. We don’t The defense has only forced uh two turnovers through four games. Would you categorize that as disappointing or how do you look at that? It’s not disappointing. The season’s still young. They’re playing good defense. The key is to play good defense. You want to get turnovers so you make shorter fields and make it easier for the offense. So, we got to help out a little more in that category. You talk about evaluate the whole operation with punting and with the the block and turns um in moving forward with the same pieces. Just just what are the main things you want to see differently to to have this not be a problem? Attention to detail. I mean, that’s really all it was. You brought in a couple punters yesterday, but decided not to assign either one at this time. Why? Why is that? It’s always good to take a look at. I mean, Ryan’s been punting for us. Great. We got to protect for him. He’s probably a tick getting the ball out, but we got to protect for him. If you don’t protect for him, it’s hard to sign any punter. Do you have any news at all on the time? Is there a time change Sunday? Have you heard anything? There is no time change. You expect to play as scheduled? Yes. Okay. Todd, you certainly know Sam Donald a little bit. Now you have Baker. Are those similar kind are those stories kind of parallel in the sense that you know guys drafted high maybe didn’t make it with the original teams but now we’ve seen both of them play at such a high level the last few years I think both of them grown you know they came out in the same draft class two picks apart uh one at one at three uh to have some success a little bit of success early then go through the teams they both went through there’s some similarities there I think Sam has had success where he’s been Baker’s definitely had success here so from that standpoint you could see it. Yes. Todd, with the injuries on the offensive line this season, uh how has that affected um how you’re using Kate in terms of uh maybe being required to block more than being a target downfield? I think the injury to Cole Keith has really uh affected Kate, the way we use him more than the offensive line. But in addition to that, uh, it forces us to do some different things schematically and ask him to do certain things that he used to do probably two years ago that he’s got to get accustomed to doing right now. But Kade’s handling it well. Obviously, there’s been a lot of injuries. The offensive line and receiver, but your offense was the best in the NFL on third down last year, and it’s taken a step back in these first four games. You’re averaging half as many yards per play as you did a year ago. But is there one thing you point to for where you’d like that improve to get closer to last year’s results. Well, you said at first the offensive line, I mean, we got to get people out there getting accustomed and we got a different OC. So, everybody’s still kind of getting on the same page right now. We’re still shuffling guys around. I expect that to get better as we go. Third down passing in particular is is what’s taken a step back from what I noticed. How much of your offensive line is impacted on third down, especially when that’s when teams are, you know, they really dial up the heat? I mean, it’s all inclusive and you got new guys and then you got two guys playing in different places and moving people around. You’re going to see some things and they’re going to learn some things ahead of time, but those guys are battling. They handling it well and we’re getting some of them back and obviously last week was the first week we had the left side intact and I expect that to get better so they’ll settle down and play put himself on the map in week one and possibly even before that, you know, just being a first round draft pick out of Ohio State and the alltime receptions leader. that when Mike Evans isn’t out there and and so much of opposing teams’ attention focuses on him on the outside, you know, that that’s where the safety goes. We talked about that week with Jesse Bates, for instance. Um, how how did a Mecca fare this past week in terms of now he’s the guy that that people are focusing their attention on more? Well, he’s going to attract the attention. He attracted Quin Mitchell, who’s a very good corner, uh, in his own right. So, it was a good battle that way. But with Chris coming back and Shep making plays and with Tez coming on, we expect those guys to step up and make more plays too to take some of the attention off of them. Coach, Wednesday is usually a fairly heavy day for practice. You guys went with a walk through indoors. Is that just a reflection of your injury situation right now? What you can and can’t do. We probably had more people that couldn’t practice that could practice today. What about the death at your corner position? because I know like Jamal went out um you had you actually had um multiple injuries there um on Sunday, but just how how better I guess apt to be able to overcome some of those injuries, those soft tissue injuries even um by having just more overall depth at that position. Well, with Dean and Mars now, anytime you lose two corners, your depth going to be tested. So, you know, we got away with it in the ball game. We just want to see how the week goes with the other guys and see we got to move some people around. That’s what we’re gonna have to do. Todd, in hiring three offensive coordinators in three years, you had a chance to look at a lot of the young up and coming offensive lines of this league. Just ask you what you’ve liked about Clint Kubak and what do you see from that offense? He he’s very sharp and very organized. He’s one of the few coaches that can use every personnel grouping and do the same thing. And he can put you out on an island and put you in the bind. Very sharp mind. uh understands how to call a game. It’s a lot of guys that can call plays. He understands how to call a game and he knows how to use his pieces and he’s he’s a very bright coach. You mentioned that your defense has been playing very well these first four weeks. Just what has impressed you most about them? I mean Jayen hurts to over in the second half of Sunday. Well, we just got to have attention to detail earlier like on the first drive. We got to handle the first drive a lot better and play fast. can’t take that out of it. Even though they’ve played well in the second half and done some things, we got to keep the score down and we got to give the offense more turnovers. So, from that standpoint, they can be better, but they playing hard and they’re playing tough and they’re playing fast. Great grade out in his first return to action. I thought they graded out pretty good. Some rust in there, a little bit of rust and got the kinks out there, but he passed protected very well. What’s going on with is he in at this point? He’s dealing with a leg injury. So, we’re just waiting for him to get healthy. Is there a difference on defense when you are defending those first several plays that are scripted versus later on in the game? None at all. Coach uh Mcanjo said he thinks the K balls are juiced. I mean, you had a guy make a 65 yard field goal. We’re seeing some field goals from from distances that I know you’ve been in the league long enough that was unfathomable. As a defensive play caller, they’re in range at the 50. It makes it hard. It makes it awfully hard when you get it at the 35 and you’re kicking it from the minus 48 and you better get three TFLs in a row. If not, they’re either going for it on fourth down or they’re kicking 65 70 yards now. They make it awfully hard. So, you know, as defensive coaches, you have that problem in the league right now. I’m sure scoring is up with footballs. You you buy into that or not yet. I mean, the weather’s nice and everybody’s outside. They’re coming out of college that way now. It used to be the 50s something yard kickers were almost like original Terminators now and they got the T2000s up and they’re kicking out 60s and 70 yarders. So, it it seems to be the wave. Coach, the first four games, Taki Smith has played really well at safety and just handling that move. From your perspective, how would you assess his play and just his ability to take that next step? like he’s a good football player. He’s a heady football player. He’s very instinctive. Uh win has helped him out a great deal. He’s played safety before, so it’s not new for him. He settled in nicely with his role. He understands everything. I keep saying all the time, he’s one of our most instinctive football players over there. And he does a heck of a job and he plays tough and he plays well. He’s got hands that shed like a linebacker. He’s played nickel. He understands route concepts at safety. So, it was probably an easy move for him. What what has stood out the most for you with Elijah Roberts stepping up now with multiple injuries in the defensive line? Just him understanding the run game. You know, when he first got here, he was a little hesitant technique-wise and a lot of things. He’s really coming into his own and playing confidently now and I really think he he’s on his way to having a heck of a season for us. What enables Parish, a guy, you know, we’re so used to seeing the tall really tall corners, long guys. What enables him to play outside as well as as as he has done what you’ve asked him to do? Is that that’s something you may have to call upon him again? Uh he’s tall enough. He doesn’t seem like he’s tall in the program, but when you look at him, he’s tall and he’s strong. Um he has very quick feet. He understands the game and he knows how to play it whether he’s inside or outside. So that I think that really helps him. What’ you see on your breakdown of uh Mayfield’s interception, Todd? What’s up? Receiver open. Was the ball tipped? It was open early, but that was before he started moving. It was just an errant throw. How we doing? No. If it’s not, it should be. How you feeling? Good. I mean, disappointed. You know, we’re sitting at three and one instead of 4 and0, but um good opportunity to take on another team on the road and uh a good opponent. So, uh just to fix little things, like I said to you guys postgame, got to start faster. Got to be uh more in tune with that and and go from there physically. Oh, you feel good with what happened with Coach Pete this morning? I mean, does that just kind of put things into perspective a little bit? I mean, you guys play a game of football and it’s obviously very important to you. You guys take it very seriously, but but when something like that happens, medically it’s scary. Yeah. No, it’s it’s definitely scary. Um, luckily he was alert after and kind of making some jokes. So, that that’s that’s good. But in the moment, yeah, it’s much bigger than the game of football, especially, you know, when you come in to work with every day with teammates, coaching staff, everybody in the building, it’s just when something like that happens to somebody close to you, it’s uh puts things perspective. Big, you and Sam of course have similar parallels throughout your careers, not necessarily the path either one of you would have taken, but having been teammates and seeing where you both are at right now, just what’s your perspective of of sort of what he’s doing and how the two of you I don’t know how close you got together where you’re in Carolina? Yeah, Sam and I are really close. Um, I’m just happy for him. It’s just, you know, from going a couple different places that weren’t great for us to um having a good opportunity elsewhere. It’s it’s fun to see. Um and I knew he just needed that opportunity, another chance, and uh so he’s he’s thriving now. Um and it’s it’s good to see, but hopefully not this weekend. You guys reminisce about the good old days in Carolina. What are you talking about? Um reminisce about what days. Good old days in Carolina. Oh, nope. No, we don’t. What are the conversations like? You ever talk? Uh no. I mean, it was just like that whole QB room um with with PJ Walker, Sam and I, uh just it was fun. Guys that have played ball and uh just knew that we were we needed each other in that room. Uh just bounce things off of and just have normal conversations, football conversations, and and and grow and learn together and uh yeah, go from there. Seattle’s defense is off to a heck of a start. Baker, what what are they doing well and uh how are they causing problems for other teams? Yeah. Um I mean I think the the rookie number three, don’t want to botch how to pronounce his name. Um I think he’s a really good player. Uh and obviously he’s been injured a little bit banged up, but he he adds a different factor in at the nickel position. Um but it starts up front. Winner Williams and those guys up front. Uh really good Dline, aggressive Dline. They’re coached well. Mike McDonald coming from Baltimore, you know that you can tell uh it’s it’s similar system to that, you know, flying around different blitz looks. So they try and get your eyes in different spots, but then the guys actually I mean they just they execute so well. It’s a sound defense overall. Good pressure guys, good blitzers, and u obviously with the corners they have out there. Uh big tall corners that are physical, willing to tackle. So that that adds a different element for us. When the opposing team scores in the first like three and a half minutes of the game in three out of the four games that you’ve played already in, how does that take you guys out of your initial game plan on offense? It really doesn’t. we still have to go out there and execute um knowing that it’s it’s early in the game. Got to go out there and just accomplish the game plan stuff. We talked about the priority calls early on, the first third downs, red zone calls, things like that. So, just just got to be um like I said, starting fast and that that you know, hand in hand if knowing exactly what we’re going to get to on those first situational calls and go from there. And and speaking of third downs, I know third down passing uh was such a big thing for you guys last year and I know your numbers are down this year. How much is that a factor uh or how much of that is is because you guys are missing pieces on the offensive line and the way teams might be pressuring you and then you’re missing some of your wide receivers too? Yeah, when you don’t have continuity within the players um it’s it’s a little difficult especially, you know, it starts up front with with the rotating guys that we’ve had and hopefully going into this week having the same group um being able to to handle that better. Um but yeah, just some miscommunications. a lot of them, you know, you go back to the Jets game when we had, I don’t know how many third downs, had got some and then penalties killed us. So, a lot of shooting yourself in the foot and then just making sure we’re on the same page with the game plan. Baker, your rate of passes uh beyond 20 yards has doubled compared to last year with that. How do you balance like the aggressiveness that you have this year with the efficiency that you had last year? Um, taking the shots when they’re there. You know, I feel like we’ve had some good opportunities downfield. um not necessarily having connected on them, but uh that’s something you always try and iron out. But uh yeah, we’ve had good one-on-one opportunities down the field and we have the guys to go do that. After watching Chris Godwin on film, what did you think? What were your impressions? Um thought he looked great. Uh he he’ll probably tell you otherwise that he didn’t feel like he was cutting his normal self, which you know, I’m not in his body. He’ll only uh be able to understand that. But I thought he looked great. Um still still Chris Godwin. So we’re we’re lucky to have him back. Baker Bucky does so much for this team. Um, and he’s and he’s added the passing element to it now as well. If he’s not able to go, you obvious had a lot of reps with with Rashad, but what do you get for him and Tucker if that’s the way it is this week? Um, I mean, yeah, having a lot of reps with Shad and you guys have seen what Tuck’s able to do as well with with his speed. It’s elite, but um, yeah, just getting back to what we had prior to Bucky. And then then you add in a guy like Josh Williams if Buckyy’s not able to go, a guy that, uh, I told you guys during training camp that I really, really liked. um smart kid that knows exactly what we’re trying to get done. So, it’s it’s not the same without Buck because he brings a different spark to it and those explosive plays that you guys have seen for two years now that uh we’ll be missing. But, we’ll see. And uh hopefully he’s able to play, but if not, we trust the guys that are in there. Weeks one through three. I mean, like opposing defenses like there was no doubt like Mike Evans was the guy that they were keying in on. I mean, you saw that with Jesse Bates against the Falcons and and that’s one of the reasons why Mechco was able to get that game-winning touchdown for you. Um, so now that Mike isn’t out there and I know that Chris is working his way back. Amecha is getting a lot of attention and how has he kind of handled that? Are you noticing teams are are playing him differently now? Um, I think it’ll continue to change a little bit depending on when Mike comes back. But, um, that’s that’s also the difference. You know, we we have a lot of good skilled players, so uh, if you want to key into one of them, somebody else is going to have a one-on-one opportunity. So, our guys are ready for that. We communicate that and different looks and and the preparation of it. Uh but yeah, Mech’s handling it the right way and uh as he always does. You feel this team’s being tested a little bit now, Baker, in terms of uh the adversity right now and a tough part of the schedule and do you kind of relish that in a way to see how the team’s going to respond? Yeah. Um definitely. I I think, you know, from from an offensive perspective, not having a bunch of the guys the first few weeks we were getting tested early, uh, handled it well when it comes to just finding ways to wins to get wins. But, um, yeah, like I said, after the game, got to start faster. Got to be the the aggressor, not not wait to get whether it gets chippy or get hit in the mouth once. We we got to come out swinging. So, um, that’s that’s the thing that we’re looking to get fixed. But, yeah, it’s a it’s going to be a good test on the road. How do you feel like the team has responded in practice so far? I mean, good walk through tempo today. Um, but yeah, I think guys are aware with, you know, they got the message. Uh, they understand what we’re trying to get done. Uh, especially, you know, in an environment that we’re going to be stepping into. Um, so that that’s it’s clear and concise and the guys get it. Did it feel like a road game for you on Sunday and did you guys have to go to silent count? We did not have to go to silent count. Um, yeah, Eagles always travel well early in the year. Um hopefully see him again. It won’t be the same. We saw Jason went from you know 65 yards, right? Just a bomb and we’re seeing more of these ridiculously long field goals. Banjo thinks the K ball is loaded. Um as as a quarterback, you guys feel like if we cross the 50 yard line and anywhere near it, man, we might be looking at points here. Yeah, it’s I mean what kickers today are able to do, it’s kind of insane. Um, I mean the other week when uh Cowboys were in overtime with the Giants, the commentators were I mean the Cowboys were I think in the minus 35 and they were talking about only needing seven yards to be in field goal range which is wild to think about. But u yeah I mean it’s it’s kind of today’s sports day and age. Guys are training earlier there. There’s a lot different um aspects to it and guys are fine-tuning especially the kickers obviously they’re getting stronger. We’ve talked to you about the fact that like you seem to thrive in adversity and this locker room seems to be built with those types of guys and and you see that kind of come out in games, but I mean is now kind of the real test of that now that you’ve had your first loss of the season? Yeah, I mean you never want to have to react after a loss, but um this is like I’ve told you guys it’s a blue collar locker room. guys work their tails off, uh, play for each other, but, uh, now’s, you know, now’s the time when after a loss, you come together even more, um, and and really try and iron out the details. And for us on offense, it’s starting fast and like like you guys mentioned, getting better on third downs. Thank you. Thanks, guys.

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