We Have to Play Good Football for Four Quarters Press Conference

We Have to Play Good Football for Four Quarters Press Conference

Colts um really playing good football right now. I think offensively I don’t think they’ve punted. They’ve been really really good moving the ball. I think Jonathan Taylor’s playing really good. Their offensive line is strong. Um their group of skilled players is dynamic. Um they’ve had quite a few explosive plays. They do a nice job complementing all their all their different players in their different roles. Um I think Daniel Jones is is doing exactly what they want him to do. He’s playing really efficient. He’s going to the right place with the ball. Good coaching staff over there. I think Shane and and Jim Bob on offense do an excellent job. Um and on defense, a familiar friend of mine, very good friend of mine and very good coach and Lanna Rumo changing scheme. Um played them last year and Cincy have some familiarity with the scheme, but very multiple, very aggressive, very different than what they’ve run last year when we played the Colts. Um those guys are doing a really nice job on defense, taking the ball away. You know, I think they’re they’re second or second in the league maybe in in takeaways. Um they’ve turned the ball over on teams. They play with the lead. They’ve done a really nice job complementing each other uh in in all three phases really in their special teams group is a is a very good one. So, good divisional matchup. You know, all that stuff is what it is, but uh we got to go play well. We got them. Divisional games at home are always really important. Um and we’re we’re going to go out there and and try to get ourselves a divisional win this week. Brian, when you look at the sacks and the and the situation that’s been with the offensive line, how much of it has been guys just not winning at the point of attack versus guys being put in disadvantageous situations with long yards and things like that? It’s a little bit of both. I mean, we’ve certainly had a loss or two um in just pure technique and and blocking one-on-one. Uh there’s been some other times where uh the plays the coverage has been solid and we’ve had to hold the ball an extra second, so they’re blocking longer than than normal. And then there’s um some other things in terms of the running backs and we we’ve missed a protection or two that have given up some some heat. So um it’s a combination as always, but certainly need to play better there against this this particular group and and the interior of this defense is really good between uh Stewart and um 99. Man, those guys are are really good players. So, uh, we got to work cut out for us on the interior for sure. When you’re going up against a defensive scheme like the Colts, what are some keys or mustd dos for your offense, including the quarterback? Um, you have to see the post snap. You know, there’s a lot of there’s a lot of things that that change uh in the in the in the time between lining up on the ball and snapping the ball. Um, pressure package is multiple. Uh, he’s got every pressure. So, what they are for us this week, you got to be ready for a multitude of things. and the quarterbacks every way to handle those, whether they’re protection checks or they’re um quick throws or quick answers. Those things, there’s a lot on the quarterback to to manage when you play a defense like this. Um I think Cam’s up to the task and and he’ll be prepared for it. But uh it’s always one of those games where you’re likely to see something maybe you haven’t necessarily prepared for or they haven’t done in in 12 weeks or two years or something like that. You know, Lou’s got quite a bit of defense at his disposal. He’s got a deep bag, if you will. Um, so we got to be ready for to play our rules at the end of the day, which is always what you got to do when you’re facing teams that do a lot of different things and and try to keep you off balance. So, uh, plenty of plenty on camp’s plate this week for sure. And then we got to do well around him to help that. How’s JC and you anticipate going the same direction if he can’t go? Yeah, we’ll see how that goes throughout the week. Um, if he can’t go, you know, obviously both Oie and and Juice have played. Um, we got to find uh find some a little bit of continuity there if we can, but we’ll see how practice goes and see how those guys do during the week. What’s a reasonable expectation for that third tackle? I mean, just like anybody who comes in, our expectation is to to be able to do the job. Um, you know, are they are they going to go shut down one-on-one top tier pass rushers for 35 pass dropbacks? Probably not. But, um, we got to do our part to help and they got to do their part and play. any anybody who plays in a backup role is expected to come in and do the job and at least effectively enough to put us in position to win. When you were looking for offensive line depth over the offseason, I think you guys signed five or six players. What were you searching for and to what degree do you think you found it? Uh offensive line depth is a is something that everybody’s searching for all the time. Um every team in the league is searching for offensive line depth. Uh they’re trying to find guys that have played um or at the very least have traits that you think you can develop. um tackles are are it’s hard to find three tackles that are all, you know, top end starting caliber tackles. Nobody has that. Um but everybody’s trying to find guys that can go in and compete and play well and and know what to do and how to do it. That’s always a part of it and and hopefully guys that have some experience, which both Juice and Oie uh do. And then you’re looking for young players to develop. And I think you look around the league, a lot of teams at the cut down probably kept 9, 10, 11 linemen in some cases. And that’s just that’s just where the NFL is at right now in terms of the the total depth of of line play across the league and the amount of players that can play those positions. Um is not there’s not a lot of them on the planet. So you do your best to find guys that can function. Said yesterday that he feels more comfortable with the lineup this year maybe than last year. Do you agree with that assessment? I think from top to bottom I feel a lot better about it. Um you know I think Blake H is is a is a proven is a proven player that can play inside outside. He he started games in this league and played well. Um, you know, I think Cory Leven’s proven, you know, over the course of an entire off seasonason that he’s a very capable interior backup and, you know, like I said, both Oolie and Juice have have played in games. Um, and so I feel good about the guys that have played and and we got to play better than we have certainly. Um, but I do feel good about about the depth and and the and the the guys that we do have and got some young players in Kshaw Dixon and the practice squad and uh Jackson Slater who are who are developing and coming along. So, feel good about that spot. You’re talking about Hance as an inside outside possibility. Why does it seem like he’s not a tackle possibility at this stage? Uh he’s still more of an inside player than an outside player, but he can get you out of a of a spot in a pinch. Um which he’s done. He’s proven he’s done it over his career in different spots. Um but again, not something that you that you you put him at tackle, you lose your interior, you know, your interior swing, interior depth. So it’s always a puzzle piece on how you move those guys around and put them together. Um but yeah, he’s I mean, he’s done it before. I think your front liners have been on the interior, I guess, and especially Kush maybe just getting back in the flow of things again. Yeah, you see Kush coming back. Uh there’s definitely that residual from from not practicing over the course of training camp and getting your strength back and your legs back and and your and your pads back set the way you’re used to feeling when you’re in there. Uh I think every week he’s gotten better. Um and I’ve been pleased with Kush. which I think he’s only going to continue to feel more comfortable as he keeps playing just like any guys that are coming back from injury and have missed the amount of time that he missed. I think Zeitler’s been a physical presence for us inside. We’ve moved the line of scrimmage particularly running behind him quite a bit over the first two weeks. I’ve been pleased with him and I think Pete has probably quietly been a, you know, pretty strong performer for us both in the run game and the pass game. So, uh, feel good about the interior. I think they’re still coming along and still getting better. Um, I think we can still continue to get better, but I’ve been been pretty pleased with those guys so far. The iron manner and and war combination, how do you like where that’s starting to go, especially coming off of this this past game? What can you guys do this week to further, you know, take advantage? Yeah, I think every time you see guys connect like that in a game and and get on the same page. You know, we threw that one route on and a third down to Ell, you know, kind of back shoulder style route that uh Cam threw in the Denver game and missed it, you know, and it was very the exact same style route. Um it was just good to see them get on the same page, communicate, work on it, and then come back the next week and hit it. And I think that’s what you’re looking for from a youth perspective and development of understanding what we want from them and then figuring out, you know, what it takes to make the play. And um that was really a positive thing to see Alec perform in the game. The game is not too big for him. Uh he’s been everything that we were hoping he could be as far as that uh kind of exceiver style with his size and his speed and his and his strength. He’s he’s proven now that he can go, you know, combat catch with with guys in this league and um you know, we just got to keep coming along. He’s done a really nice job. And being opposite Ridley there, of course, like in in Denver, you know, he’s going to get that one-on-one safety shaded over. How much of a green light does does Cam have to look at him and check to that and and take that shot? Yeah, all the time. You know, anytime he gets to look for it, he’s he’s we’re we’re good to go. Um and that’s good. I think I think having uh you know relatively unknown player to start out now starting to make a bit of a name for himself um as as a good receiver thus far as in his first two games out and it’s got to keep coming. You know, he hasn’t arrived yet by any stretch, but having two good outside receivers that both have some speed and have some different things we can use from a skill set perspective is is great and and I’m really excited to see the rest of those guys keep coming too. Cam is such a confident quarterback. How how comfortable do you think he is already? This this really is any rookie quarterback drafted where he’s been in terms of being honest about I didn’t like this. I can’t do that. And because he obviously wants to present the image that he’s he’s capable of doing these things. Sure. He um I think he’s done a really good job with that. He’s not afraid um to to tell me something he doesn’t like. Uh which is which is really what I’m most concerned about. Most quarterbacks are going to tell you they like a lot of things because they generally do. Especially if it’s just involved with throwing the ball. of course he’s going to like those things. Um I’m really the most concerned though about things that he really doesn’t like that means more to me because uh as long as a quarterback’s fine with whatever the concept is, they generally can make it work. It’s the ones where they’re not certain or they don’t feel good about it, but maybe they’re afraid to say something because they think I like it or it matters to me. It doesn’t. Um if the quarterback doesn’t like it, I’m not calling it because they generally tend to to not play well in those situations when they don’t feel confident with a play. So, he’s been really good and that’s that’s things we’ve worked on over the course of training camp. And as you’re banking reps on plays, like I just I need to know, hey, how do you feel about this particular play? You don’t like it or you don’t like the throw or maybe the route’s not what you were expecting, uh, we won’t do it. And that’s that’s the feedback I need from him more so than what he does like because again, most guys like a lot of things, but it’s it’s the very specific things that you’re not comfortable with that uh guys sometimes have a harder time of of sharing. And and he doesn’t have that issue at all. He’ll he be he’s very honest about what he likes and what he doesn’t. said yesterday that uh he needs sweat out there to because he’s an impact player who can affect what goes on in the back seven behind him at all. Uh how is he doing and can and is he ready for full full load this week? He’s good. Um hopeful to hopeful to see him get back uh into the practice mix here this week. Hopeful. Um you know, we’ll see how the week plays out, but yeah, he’s he’s a he’s an impact player in a run game certainly and when he’s playing at his best, uh he’s a really nice tandem with Jeff and he makes our football team better. So, we’d love to have them. Would love to have them, especially against uh this group this week. They’ve run the ball well through the first two weeks and they got a really good back and a good offensive line. So, having as many good players on the front that we can have that are big and strong and physical is what we’re looking for. So, uh we’ll see ultimately where that shakes out this week, but um I’m I definitely would love to have him back. Brian, a bit off topic, but how do you how do you approach halftimes? Like when you have such a limited amount of time to make adjustments, making sure guys understand what they need to do before heading out for the third quarter. What What’s kind of your philosophy on that? Um, you try to get at least maybe the first drive out of the third quarter, ready to roll, you know, kind of preview some things. The only thing that we spend the most time on is just going back through any protection issues that we got to put up on the screen. That’s really the bulk of the time is, you know, it ends up feeling like 3 minutes. It’s probably like five or six. You know, it’s not that much time at halftime when when it’s all said and done. Um try to preview kind of the next handful of things that are coming. But, you know, those are all conversations that we have in in between series sort of the entirety of the game. Um you know, I do think as I’ve said before, there’s a little bit of a overblown nature of like halftime adjustments that that gets thrown around. There’s just not a lot of time at halftime and those conversations are ongoing. After every series, we’re having conversations about how we’re being played, what the counter is to the next play, what was good before we need to come back to, uh where do we need to continue to head or what part do we need to get away from. Those conversations are ongoing. They happen the entirety of the game. So, uh the halftime thing is is what it is. There’s a little bit of time to make maybe another have a conversation or two further, but for the most part, um it’s just a continuation of what we’d already been talking about leading up to it. Sorry. Did you say you you are able to put stuff up on on video for for guys to see in that? Not video. Um we get we still we can bring the surface down like you know there’s a normal sideline tablets and we plug it into a projector and we can go through like we can annotate on those pictures um over the course of the game. So we make notes and do stuff. So we go through during the series you just flip through them and the notes are on there. But then any like particular pressure looks or something we want to make sure we hit again uh you can pull that picture up and and and talk through it on a on an overhead. But uh no video. I understand what you’re saying about the potential for massive adjustments in that time period being overblown, but but considering how your second halfs have gone, should you not perhaps be looking to expand what you do during that time? Yeah, we’re always looking to try to improve that process and and whatever we think we need to do u from a communication standpoint, from a presentation standpoint, uh to the players, you know, clearly we got to perform better in the second half and particularly in the fourth quarter. And um you know, we look at all that stuff. If we can better maximize our time, um better present the information in the moment, those are all things that that we look at. And um we’ve we’ve done that a couple different ways and and looked at some things that maybe can help us. And so, um, yes, the answer ultimately is yes, we do look at that. Back through the tape, the Rams game, what were some of the things you felt like you could do to maybe help the offensive line out when you were under duress? Um, I would say just continue to get through progressions faster, especially backside. Um, moving on from my first three pre- snap, then just giving my guys a chance cuz we won, especially Ellie and Red, they won a lot of the backside routes I didn’t get to where they had to step up. Um then just really getting better in the pocket, moving within the pocket, keeping a short stride, getting the ball out. I think they officially timed it on a touchdown pass the ball for over 8 seconds. Um what did it what did it feel like during that time? And you know, maybe when you look back at it, is it pretty hard to to believe that you for 8 seconds and you’re still able to get a get a pass? Um no. Uh it’s something I’ve done before in my career. Um, I think the the best thing about it is that just the receivers in O line, they continue to play outside of it. Um, especially receivers just running around the back of the end zone, finding space and it gave me the opportunity to throw it to Ell. Um, but that’s something we practice from drill and it came to life in the game. That play though, is that an example of you still being able to do what it is you want to do out there when you were in college? Um, I think so. Um, I think the biggest difference from college NFL is just the the rush in the pocket. Um, whether it’s from the whether it’s from the detackles or the defensive end, it gets there faster in the college. But the end of the day, you can make the same amount of plays. What What do you feel like you’ve made the biggest strides from week one to week two? And maybe what are some areas that got to take go to another level for you guys to start scoring more, winning games? Um, I think attention to detail. um getting in and out of huddle as fast and I also think just the overall urgency has to continue to go up each week. Um and then just emphasize scoring the football, not settling for field goals. Um and then just continue playing together. Who’s the biggest thing that needs to change for you guys to finish strong in the second half and in the fourth quarter? Uh I just think we got to continue to play hard. Um at times whether it’s a low first or in the end of the game, whatever quarter it is, you know, there could be a low there, but we just got to continue to fight through it. Um, and that’s something that, you know, a coach can’t a coach can’t coach you. You got to come within the locker room. We just got to continue to get better. What are some of the things that stand out to you when you look at the Colts defense? Um, I think they play real hard, especially their defensive front. Um, I think their their DB core um is solid. I think they know how to play well together. Um, I just think overall defensively, you know, their DC, he’s going to put those guys in good situations. And so, you know, we got to end up making plays on the perimeter, making plays in the run game, and, you know, continue to stay on schedule. Callahan had mentioned that green light that you have, you know, of elephants out there, one-on-one, the safety, shaded over, etc. Like, how much do you like being able to have control of orchestrating the big play like that? Uh, I like it a lot cuz it it simplifies the game. Um, at the end of the day, you can always take a one-on-one matchup. It’s just really your guy versus their guy, and our guy got to win at the end of the day. So, um, me and him going to continue to continue to connect on plays like that. Um, he he reps those plays every day in practice. He he knows what releases he loves doing. Um, so, you know, he he makes my job easier. Knowing how much you do like to get vertical like that, you know, there were a few times a lot that may have been open underneath and things like that. Like, is it tough to come off that vertical desire and and go to some of those checkowns sometimes? Uh, no, it’s not tough coming off of it. I think it’s just more realizing faster. um whether it’s the coverage um or whether it’s the DB’s playing so over the top other receiver, you got to get through it faster. And so I I just think just over time the more we rep a play, the more you know install we have on the plays, uh you know, just continue to get better for me. I know there are throwaways and drops that factor in, but when you see a completion percentage just a touch north of of 50, does does that concern you? And are you conscious of of that number at all? You have a target or anything like that? Um, nah, I really don’t care about completion percentage. Um, I want to score touchdowns. I want to win football games. We 0 and2. And so, you know, we just got to continue to stick to the process. We have to get a win this week in divisional game. Um, that matters a lot. You know, just try to, you know, get the foot rolling. Cam, how would you say you are embracing the divisional opener just in general, but also with it being um against the Colts who are played so well? Um, I embrace it a lot. The team embraces it. Um, we know every divisional game, you know, that that’s where the best football have to be played both sides of the ball. So, um, we know the stakes of this game. Um, but at the end of the day, we just got to continue to play good football for four quarters. We can’t, you know, just play for good good for three quarters. We got to continue to play the whole game. How much did you know, Cam about Alex style of play way back when when he was drafted, you know, with you? How much did you know about that? And what have you learned about it since? What do you learn about his style? Uh, I knew a lot of him. Uh, especially him being in the pack 12 at Stanford. got a chance to play against him a couple times. Um, but he’s always been a physical receiver who’s good at 50/50 balls, who can win off the off press man with his releases. Um, then I think he doesn’t give enough credit for how fast he is and how it’s supposed to be is. So, uh, it’s good that, you know, we were able to steal him. He’s going to continue to make plays for us. Um, but he he for sure makes my job easier. Brian brought up how comfortable you are getting feedback and and receiving feedback from the coaching staff as you kind of figure out what works and what doesn’t. How valuable have the games been to kind of determining that as far as a playbook versus what you guys may have seen out here practice? Uh it’s been easier um especially with Cali giving me that authority whether I like a play or I don’t like a play where I want to cut it throughout the week or if I want to leave it. Um but I think the best thing about it that you know he’s allowing me to every game just get more free and more free. Um he he’s opening up for me. He’s making me see it from not only my point of view but the whole perspective point of view. Um especially the play caller’s point of view. previous point of view. Um, they also just continue to, you know, put the ball in space, let my guys make plays. What’s the biggest key for you guys to extend drives this week, get into the end zone more than you have, and how can you influence the offensive? Um, I would say where we’re not the best at right now is probably once we hit midfield. Um, it could be a load there. Um, or before we get to the red zone. I think that’s the more we got to emphasize. Um, bringing our best ball, bringing more urgency right there. Um, just got to continue to, you know, try to gain explosives in the run game in the past game. Do you feel like your teammates are matching your mentality, your intensity? Is that something you have to teach them to do or is that something you kind of just want to see them come to on their own time? Uh, everybody has their own mentality. Um, as a team, we have our own mentality. Um, but I think the biggest thing is like we grown men. We don’t really need someone to motivate us every day. We know we signed up for. Um, we just got to, you know, lock in four quarters. We trying to do that this week. try to get our first win. Brian said that uh you know your eyes usually are always downfield even as you’re moving in the pocket to try and create a play down the field. Do you feel like though that with this offense kind of struggling maybe you’re going to have to take off and use your legs a little bit more maybe just to move the chains, give the thing a spark? Um no. I think we average four yards to run. Um so I don’t think I have to really run that much. Um, I’ll say just really key situations, um, or different or certain coverage they play where I have to run and get a first down. But the the scheme just allows us all to, you know, play within our talents. Um, so, you know, I’m not too worried about that. How problematic is divorce, you know, as an interior lane, it’s about 66. Um, I mean, he he’s different, especially, you know, what what he’s done in his career. Um, he he makes sure that, you know, he tries to get his one-on- ones. Um, but I mean he’s someone that you have to get the ball out, you know, fast against. Don’t don’t give him a chance to get started. Um, and they really try to continue to play on schedule. What adjustments can you make to kind of better protect the ball in the pocket? Obviously, you don’t want to fumble like you had in the fourth quarter last game on Sunday. What adjustments do you think you can make there in that front? Uh, just keeping two hands on the ball. Um, just always know my outlet is, you know, trying to get grass in the new stadium. Who uh who who uh who ended up with that football one from the first touchdown pass? What are you going to do with it? Um I don’t know yet. We going we going to see about that one. Me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me and Ellie still got to talk. Still talking about Okay. He seemed like he was deferring to you, but uh me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me me and him still got to talk about it. You know I’m trying to I’m trying to get him a second one this week. Call said he wanted to see more continuity up front. How have you kind of adjusted to what seems to be a little bit of plug and play, especially on that right side? Um, I think it’s really my job helping them. Um, especially with just the the knowing why coach Callahan’s calling this certain play. Um, and then also understanding the protection standpoint of it and then just giving my guys a chance to make a play, getting it out fast and just helping them out. Especially last week, I took a couple bad sats when the ball should have been out. Um, but that’s just something that, you know, I’m learning every day. um playing with new guys um especially like you said when you rotate offensive lineman um then just you know helping those guys out. Have you mentioned the new drafts to anyone uh in particular or or is that just some kind of a joke? Oh no I ain’t I ain’t mentioning yet. It’ll get mentioned um eventually. Um but I mean we practice on grass while we don’t play on grass. Last one. This is Florida Miami week. That was obviously a good week for you. You only got to play one time, but your feelings on the memory and that rivalry? Um, that that rivalry was especially when I was there, it was way better than the than the Florida Florida State rivalry. Florida rivalry was way better that one. Um, but I think you you know Miami doing this year. Um, especially offensively. Um, them boys, they still making plays out there. Carson have a hell of a year right now. And then defensively, them vi them boys flying around. They playing together. Um, but I mean we we see which way Miami going. I think we all know where this game going to go. Um, they got to come to Hard Rock. So, it a it ain’t easy to win over there in Hard Rock.

Titans HC Brian Callahan and QB Cam Ward address the media on Monday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.

00:00 – 13:43 HC Brian Callahan
13:44 – 23:47 QB Cam Ward

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