Live Press Conference: 11:50 AM CT: Interim HC Mike McCoy

Live Press Conference: 11:50 AM CT: Interim HC Mike McCoy

Okay. Uh just start off with kind of a a little uh overview of the Chargers. Uh you know, Coach Harbaugh’s done an outstanding job uh putting this team together and bringing the three coordinators that he’s brought in and they’ve done an outstanding job. Very well coached. Uh it’s great to see both Keenan Allen um and Denzel both back there, guys that, you know, when I was there, we drafted, you know, two great leaders. And you see the way, you know, obviously one’s on offense, one’s on defense. The way they’re playing, great to see Denzel healthy again. Um, you know, because you never want to see guys get hurt. But, um, very well coached team. Um, they they’re very physical. You look at both the styles. Uh, Greg Roman and I were together back in Carolina long long time ago and with George Seaffort, so I know a lot about him and, um, you know, Jesse Miner’s doing a great job with the defense. You know, those two both have the Baltimore background in them, so the physical style of play. So we understand what type of game this is going to be and the type of uh you know style of football they like to play. So uh it’s a great challenge for us. So we got to have a great week of preparation and play our best game to date. When it comes to um learning not to hold on to the football too long is that one of the bigger challenges like pretty much any rookie quarterback faces and and maybe in particular is that something that Ken is still still learning? Well, I think over time, uh, you learn that those checkdowns are your best friends. And it’s a lot easier, like, you know, we’ve talked about this plenty of times before. You know, second and short, third and short is a heck of a lot easier than being playing behind the sticks often. And, you know, you hold the ball a little bit too long, you get sacked, um, or you force a ball downfield waiting too long. There’s so many things you learn. But, yeah, I I think he’s learning that. And I think one thing we’ve always told Cam and you know, you see it and you talk about it during games and sometimes you might be trying to throw the ball down field a little more and uh you know, he’s a very aggressive. He likes to throw it downfield and we’ve all seen uh the big plays he’s made, but it’s one of those things I think it’s another one of those things you’re learning that hey, okay, it’s not there right now. You know, especially with the pass rush you see in today’s game. I mean, that’s I think that’s an adjustment uh for what he’s seeing. And I know, hey, you know, college football, he played some great against some great teams, but at this level, you know, you go in Vegas, you got 98 breathing down, you coming at you every play, he gets there in a hurry, so you understand, hey, you could, you see it. You got to make sure you understand what the coverage is, who’s going, you know, are we going to win that one-on-one matchup? Are you running through a zone? And but then again, here we are. Here’s one of our two backs that are very explosive or our tight ends. You see the plays the tight ends have made when they’ve got the checkdowns, the things that we can do after the catch. I think that’s kind of a big alert for Cam what he’s seen those players do. You mentioned Keenan Allen and you know being leader and things like that. Yeah. You know, and you guys were there when he was drafted and all, but with this team, where where do you see young leadership coming from? What what are the traits you look for for some of these guys that can step up and be leaders to get you through what this team’s going through? I think the great thing about the young players uh that we’ve had or that are playing right now is is you see them performing at a high level, you know, for and you can see the growth that they’ve shown since the day they’ve got here. And there’s nothing like experience. And I think all all young players, regardless of what position you’re in, I think you’re you’re a little hesitant to speak up initially when you get on a new team, even when you bring some free agents in. You know, sometimes there’s some guys that come in, they want to kind of feel it out, even though they’re older, they want to kind of figure out their role in the organization. But as a young player, sometimes you’re walking around there and they’re they’re so focused on learning the system, trying to do what’s right, um, and just figure it out. So, they’re kind of hesitant to speak up. But, I think as they start playing more and the more experience they have and the more confidence they have, they speak up more. Same thing. The great thing about, you know, and I’m talking more offensively because I spent a lot more time um in the offensive meeting with the skilled guys is that, you know, all the young rookies on the offensive side of the ball, the questions that they’ve asked have been phenomenal. From the very first day, the very, you know, they ask more questions than anybody else, which is rare. I think you you don’t see that very often. But the big thing is I want the I want the young guys to be themselves and just go out there and play and don’t hesitate to ask questions and if they’ve got a comment about something, speak up. Um, and I think that’s what happens over time, but it’s a matter of just, you know, being in a system, getting to know your teammates, understanding your role in the team, but never hesitate to speak up. I know understands the importance of mechanics, is dedicated to that. The fact that he had success maybe not abiding by them in college and has made some big plays as a rookie on plays where he didn’t necessarily have to stick to them. How does that kind of how do how do you reach the balance on on that? Well, one thing I’ve tried, you know, um in the last couple weeks with Cam is just trying to talk to him about some things and show him some examples maybe if he’s missed a throw and show him an example of okay, when you do have the right target line and your feet are aligned, you know, the right way and where your accuracy increases. Um, and the one thing is you you never, you know, we’re always going to tell the players, say, listen, we have the individual period, you always talk about the basic fundamentals and things, but then once you get into live competition, you just got go out and play. And I think when you’ve played a certain way for so long, it takes time. It’s not going to your feet aren’t just going to change overnight. That that’s something you’ve got to constantly work on and just But once it starts to we go kick off, go play football. And I think it you can show him and just say, “Okay, hey, look, and here’s an example of, you know, you’re overstride, you’re doing certain things, you’re throwing the ball to the left a certain way versus going to the right.” But if you just look at your feet, look at your target line, more often not. The more consistent you are, the more accurate you can be. Um, and some guys, you know, there’s some players that are bad body throwers. You know, they can they’re out of position. I mean, you see some of the plays that Matthew Stafford makes. I mean, you’re like, I mean, how does he make that? And it’s you don’t know how those balls are thrown. Um you know, Philip Rivers had a very unique way of throwing the ball at times. And so it’s every player is different and when you go out there and play, they just got to go cut it loose. But we all we we stay on the you know, I think everything starts with your feet as a quarterback. You look at some sometimes and say, “Hey, this worked, but it worked despite these things. It’s kind of an exception.” Yeah. You uh you always point those things and he’s been throwing a certain like I said, he’s been thrown a certain way for a long time. Uh it’s same thing with throwing mechanics uh with where with with where is your arm, how high, but that’s hard to change that and that’s not something you just change overnight. That that’s thousands and thousands and thousands of reps you have to take to change those things. But I think the most important thing is you just show him those things and talk about them with him and you you see some improvement. And maybe it one thing that happens sometimes too is with maybe it just might be a slight movement in the pocket where he goes too far. So that leads to maybe another little bit of hey this is why it looks this way and if you just have a short little small little step to your left and then get your target line it’ll be better. Mike after eight games are you seeing any signs of improvement from Cam taking some of these teaching points. Yeah, that’s one of the big things we talked about on Monday when we were in here asked about you know, we saw some things that he did better this game and uh the same thing two weeks ago. And uh you know, the great thing about Cam is is he wants to be great and he wants to be coached hard. Uh I think they’ve done a great job there with helping him uh get to where he is today and he’s got a very bright future ahead of him and he puts all the time in and now it’s just a matter of continuing to get better every week and uh that’s always a challenge for every player with Cam and knowing Gohead. No, go ahead. with with Cam and knowing you know how much he wants to be great and it’s not happening right now and then the frustration of the mechanics etc. like how has he been handling that um just the whole process of failure before success? Well, I think he’s done an outstanding job. you see him, he’s kind of steady Eddie all the time. And you know, we had plenty of discussions. Um, you know, and I think when you first draft him way back when, the discussions that were had with him, uh, and then, you know, leading up to even to this game, you talk about, you know, being a rookie, it’s going to take time. It really is. It’s it’s playing the quarterback position. It’s not easy. And the each week you you just want to see him get a little better. Uh, it’s never it’s never going to be perfect. Um, you know, even coaching some of the greatest to ever play the game and Philip and and Payton and a lot of others, you know, they’re they come in Monday and they’re furious with themselves because they missed a, you know, you miss something and that’s just something that it’s going to happen and, you know, being a rookie at any position, you’re going to see something from time to time for the first time and it just you put you you just learn from it and you just keep rolling. And I think that he’s done a great job. I think the coaching staff’s done a great job with them um and just helping them get better week in and week out. Looking at the Chargers defense specifically, what are the types of challenges they bring especially to a rookie quarterback? Well, I think you know their scheme speaks for itself. It’s been very successful um regardless of what coordinator, you know, with the scheme that they play. And I think coach has done a great job of doing what his players do best uh with the Chargers. I almost said San Diego, sorry. Um, and I think, you know, they don’t give up a lot of big plays, so you don’t see the ball going over their head very often. So, you you’ve got to be very efficient in the passing game and take what they give you. Uh, and I think that’s a sign of a great defense, not giving up big plays. They make you go, you know, you got to extend drives, be great on third down, keep going. Um, so well coached team got a new corner and a new uh edge rusher. What’s the process in kind of getting those guys knowing getting to know them, kind of getting them up to speed? Yeah, it’s, you know, you got to uh take advantage of every rep you get in practice and and then, you know, carrying over, you know, from what you learned in the meeting meeting rooms, you know, the film study, all those things, spending extra time, um, since the day you got here, uh, to make sure that you’re up to speed and just, you know, the key thing is when anytime you have changes and you have guys in different positions or guys playing with, you know, certain players for the first time, communication is critical. that that’s the most important thing is just make sure everybody’s communicating. Overcommunicate um because you know you’re when you got 11 doing, you know, everyone on the same page, it’s a lot easier to have success. How are you seen Calvin work through the time away kind of mentally handled not being on the field? And I’m curious if you can compare it at all to what you saw from him in Jacksonville when he was coming back from that big time away and had to readjust to play. I think anytime um a player is trying to get back on the field for whatever reason it is, they’re all great competitors and there’s a reason why they’re where they’re at and why they’ve been so successful is because their work ethic. And I think that’s one thing that Calvin’s done, he’s working extremely hard to get back out there. Um but like I’ve told you guys a number of times is that, you know, you want to make sure these players are ready to get back out there and we’ll get them out there as soon as they’re ready to play. And that’s, you know, part of our jobs is, you know, in my role is just continue to encourage go encourage those guys. And I know there’s the frustrating days that they have depending on how long they’re out. Doesn’t matter if it’s a week, two weeks, three weeks, a couple days. Um, there’s days when you hold guys out of practice and they’re mad that they’re not practicing. Uh, you know, but there’s just there’s certain things you do and that that’s just that’s part of the business. And they’re all great competitors. Like I first mentioned, there’s a reason why they’re here. The reason why they’re one of the best in the business is because of their work ethic and they want to be great. You know, they don’t want to miss it. It’s You’d be shocked talking to some of these guys how hard it is for them to not be playing with their teammates. And I think that’s the great thing about the guys we have here is they care so much about each other and they want to help the team. Not just they, you know, they all want to be successful individually, but all these guys, they want to be part of this team because it’s a great group of guys. What do you think? the biggest adjustments or challenges when a corner, you know, goes from the outside to to maybe play in a slot and especially if he doesn’t have a whole lot of experience, you know, which I guess you guys might be dealing with a little bit here. Well, I think it just comes down to um, you know, really when you move positions is just trusting the system and the techniques you’re being taught and because there are a few things that are different. uh when you when you jump inside the communication, the rules, certain things, you know, maybe leverage because whether you’re inside leverage, you’re outside leverage, all those little things. But it’s just that and that’s why I said earlier, the communication part of it is critical. You just got to understand, okay, this is your job and there’ll be a couple mistakes. Don’t worry about move learn from it, move on the next play. Um that happens regardless whether you’re an experienced player, inexperienced players, you you’re going to get beat, you’re going to make a mistake. uh if it all but it’s like I I keep saying it but it starts with communication. Is it a significant difference you know outside or inside or or do we overestimate the difference? Asking a former quarterback. I mean no uh you know uh there is there is some there’s differences going in and out. I think um you know if you ask a DB they give probably give you a better answer than I I’ll give you. Mike, uh, Dinard mentioned kind of the conundrum of next man up with being down three corners technically that he started the year with. How do you reconcile the goal of trying to win football games with the continued lack of depth at certain positions? That’s, you know, there’s there’s things that happen during the season. Um, some you can control, some you can’t. And it it’s all part of the game. It’s there’s changes on a weekly basis. There’s injuries during games. Um you play different players and different personnel packages, do certain things and it’s we’re always there’s there’s no excuses in this business. You’re going to go out there and play and execute at a high level on Sunday and that’s what there’s a certain standard you play with and you expect those players to go out there and do their job. and is is you know when you go when certain players get injured you know sometimes uh you say you you don’t have that type of player that might be filling in but it’s a great opportunity for somebody else to step up and they’ve got a job to do so you can’t make any excuses go out there and they’re going to play at a high level and play you know do the best job they can yeah I just had one follow from my earlier question um in terms of holding on to the ball I wonder the one play against the Colts third and eight down near the goal He takes it sack back third and 16. Is that is that a teachable moment kind of situation because all of a sudden you’re throwing 16 yards and you get the ball picked on. Yeah. Uh yeah, that’s a He learned from that one for sure. That’s one of those uh that it’s going to happen from time to time, but you just got to understand throw the ball away, live for another down, and uh you know, don’t make a bad play worse, especially or make a situation worse. It’s a lot easier as a play caller to call it to where the ball where the ball was to where it went to. So, thanks everybody. Thank you guys. Have a great day. [Music]

Titans Interim Head Coach Mike McCoy addresses reporters on Wednesday at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park.

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