Opening Statement:
"Definitely had been, for us a challenging three weeks. And we talked about the urgency and what we wanted to see and really dedicating the performance to one another. That's really what we talked about. I thought [LB] Bobby [Wagner] was the catalyst at the very beginning of the week and talking to his teammates, which he doesn't do very often. So, for him, I knew there was something there that he wanted to share. And it's so impactful when it can come from a teammate. And I thought he was the one that set this week off and set it in motion. Like I said, it'd been a challenging few weeks and to not have the same urgency that we needed last week. I saw it there in abundance today. The way we started, the energy, the toughness, that was just exactly what we'd hoped we'd see from the guys. Because it's a long stretch when you go 13 or so in a row. And so, to see the response today, that was a big deal and especially how offensively running the ball and you'd seen that at practice as an extra emphasis for us. And so, couldn't be more pumped for these guys. And seeing that, I thought Bobby was the one, he led the way this week."
On what Wagner spoke to the team about this week and on what the coaches did differently this week:
"A lot. I would say one, he had talked about the sacrifice it takes from all of them. He wasn't pointing [blame] or anything of that nature, just knowing to realize what we can be as a group. And so, whatever that is for any of them. And so, it just carries more weight when it comes from somebody that's done that at that level. And I believe in the locker room, I discussed that this is 13 years straight of a hundred tackles, and so that's a remarkable tackler. So, that's consistency and so when you do something like that over and over and over again, it just breeds consistency within you and that credibility of how you do things. And he's an excellent example of that. I wouldn't say we changed a lot, but we did have full practice. We emphasized a lot in the run game on both sides as it got into December football. We had talked about the importance of that knowing that that's going to be the way it has to go. And I love today that the lead sled dogs led the way and that's the Ertz's [TE Zach Ertz] and McLaurin's [WR Terry McLaurin] and Wagner's and Payne's [DT Daron Payne] and others, they led the way. And that's what you want when you're going through the challenging times that the lead sled dogs, they're out in front and Wagner and Ertz and others were a classic example of that. And it was just that type of performance to see those guys lead the way."
On how much he was involved in the offensive gameplan this week:
"It's by the game plan. It's what we think we need to do. And I thought it came from [Offensive Coordinator] Kliff [Kingsbury] and more than anything, what do you think of this? And he'll hit me on some offensive things, and I'll give him the feedback on that, but that was 100% from him and just loved the way the guy started. And I felt that from [RB] Brian [Robinson Jr.] and man, is he a difference maker in terms of being downhill. This has been a good front against the run. It's been hard to get yards and short yardage plays. So, the guys really dug in on, had a good plan and No. 5 [QB Jayden Daniels] felt electric tonight. In terms of connecting, making plays, being decisive and to do all those things when it all comes together. It's a big deal, especially, it takes a lot when you're in those tough, dark couple weeks and you know there's something good just beyond the other side of the really hard shit that you keep pushing it through. And I try to be really consistent with our standard and how we do things."
On how important it was to get Robinson going early:
"It was, I think it created some energy for the team. You could feel the sideline, what they brought to it and the downhill style of runs. When Brian can kick through and step and get onto the next level, he's really difficult to tackle. I thought, especially the offensive line tonight, that's the one I'm looking forward to watching on tape. I thought they had some really good blocks and good design, the whole way through."
*On if he notices a change in the team when McLaurin is involved early: *"Yeah, I think that's true for most impactful players, and that's good reporting by you [laughs]. But to me, that's part of him. He does bring energy and create plays to go, but I thought having balance also helps, in the run game, the pass game and that's when we're at our best."
*On what the difference was for Daniels that led to a big day: *"Yeah, I thought so too. I have to think that there's probably a side of just the competitor, who he is, the innate talent competitor and all that goes into it. And then the next part of really going through all the practices, all the reps, and to see him do that, I thought that was a big deal. Even at practice this week, we had big wins, so we wanted to go into the win, not into the win, all the different ways and things that we do. And he just was kind of just ready for each of the challenges, but I think he was able to fully express himself today, the runs, keeping, creating on the move. I would say all of those weren't the same play Design, when the second play begins and he said that his magic starts to take place, that one's not in the book."
On why the team released CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr.:
"Yeah, [CB] Marshon's [Lattimore] close, we talked about that, I think it was Friday, for him being back in it. And so, when we made the decision to release him, really just the best opportunity for the team at this point. And I had a chance to visit with him and I explained to him sometimes that the change of scenery is good, and I've seen other players go to other clubs and it turns out differently and sometimes that's a good thing. And I said that that can happen with you too. And so, I wanted to make sure he heard that from me and there was even guys on his own team here that had started somewhere else as a first round player and all of a sudden, just a different scenery and different shift. The new system can help. And so, we wanted to wish him best on this football journey wherever that goes from here."
On what the narrative of the team is:
"Well, one, they do need this break. I think that's a big deal for us, going right for a while here. But to see us respond through the hard games, I think that's a big deal for us. To know that there's a lot out there for us and they do need this break. Our times together are really intense, as players and coaches and so they've really put in the work and that's one of the reasons I love coaching these guys is there's not, what are we doing? It's honestly been just the opposite and looking at me, 'What do you want Q? What's next?' And so, for them, I can't wait for this time, get a break cleared out, and then we come back and we go after it really hard. And my message for them, can we have the discipline to not look ahead? Can we really get our football in order and just take it to the next one and take it to the next one. The narrative is always so far out. Oftentimes, people talk about what's there and I'd much rather be, the most important thing is the fight that you're in. And so, when we come back, I won't talk much about the month ahead, I'll talk about the week ahead then knowing if we take care of those weeks, then they turn into more weeks. But I won't look ahead with them."
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On what he saw from the offensive line and on T Cornelius Lucas:*
"I felt that way too. Looking back, I talked to [Running Backs Coach/Run Game Coordinator] Anthony [Lynn] after the game, and he was the first one to say he really thought the line played well. And I sensed some of that on Wednesday at practice. There was a little more covering downfield, there was a little more pad level and they really put in the extra. In that time, I saw with Lucas playing over on the right side wanting to get extra work with [G Sam] Cosmi before practice, after practice on the combination blocks. Those are the things sometimes as a coach that, what do you see and what do you hear? What I saw was one player asking to the next one, 'Let's go through that again, let's get the extra work.' Because Lucas had primarily played on the left, and so he'd worked sparingly on the right, but this week we gave him more onto that side. I thought that's a guy that was ready for the challenge. Obviously, he's played it some of his career, but not as much this year. And so, that was a big deal for us to get the extra work in with those guys."
*On why DT Phidarian Mathis was a healthy scratch:
*"We elevated [DT] Carl [Davis] and so just in the spirit of competition. Carl Davis has been working at it hard. And so, they've kind of been battling as we're going through for practice reps and where we're going. So, it was just, honestly, just yeah being a coaching decision just to give Carl a shot, big, square inside. And with [Tennessee Titans RB] Tony [Pollard] and the line coach in [Tennessee Titans Offensive Line Coach] Bill [Callahan] and everybody else here, I know they know how to run the ball and so we thought we'd give Carl a go with that. He's been working at it, so had this competition really going internally on and so nothing more than that."
*
On what LB Frankie Luvu has provided for the defense:
*"Yeah, a lot. I think way back when the opportunity to bring him here, he would be a part of an identity we wanted to be. Of running, the physicality, of making plays. And so, to add into that identity, you have to also bring in the player to help create that. And so, I thought he's done a remarkable job of helping to establish that. I knew what the ball player would bring, blitzing, pass rushing, and that was on tape, I'd seen that. What I didn't know was the energy and love he brought as a teammate. And so that has been almost as impactful, about the way that he cares for one another, the way he looks after his teammates, the way he goes toward hard. They see that in him. And so, there's been this very good blend with him and Bobby of the one that's, everything is squared away with Wags. And he sees things you see around a corner and where Frankie brings all the energy to go. And so, it's not the odd couple, but there's a side to that, that is a ying to a yang. And he's brought incredible energy to what we do and so, he's got that spirit about him."
