SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATOR CHRIS HORTON
Opening Statement: "It's good to see everyone today. I hope you guys are all doing well. What a good challenge for us this week, to go out to L.A., [play on] Monday Night Football and just get ready to try to go play our best football. It's something that we've been focusing on since we really started the season. We have our moments – it's been up and down – but I do believe our guys are going out there, they're competing at a high level, and they're doing everything we've asked of them. Although not perfect all the time, those are the things that we're going to continue to chase. Questions?"
LS Nick Moore talked on a podcast, earlier this week, about how S Sanoussi Kane is just embracing being the special teams guy, and you've had a history of them throughout this organization. What have you seen from him in Year One? (Kyle Phoenix) "I just think, so far, after 11 weeks of football – preseason to training camp – just seeing [Sanoussi Kane] come in, the way he approaches the game ... Since he got here, he's been all in. He's been fully invested. Then, when he got out on the field, the physicality, the effort that he plays with, and then his attention to details. For a young guy, what he's done, as far as getting guys, rallying guys ... He's kind of like the energizer bunny for our group, and he's just a rookie. Our guys are pleased with him; I've been very pleased with him. [When] he's out there, he's doing a heck of a job for us."
K Justin Tucker, the other day, seemed about as irritated as we've seen him. When he had a day like he did in Pittsburgh, do you say anything? What have the conversations been like throughout the ups and downs? (Brian Wacker) "Throughout the whole process – and I've said this before ... On gameday, I really don't spend much time talking to Justin [Tucker], but I did after the Pittsburgh game. I went up to him, and I just talked to him and just told him, 'Hey man, you have to just find a way to continue to be you and be great at the things you're great at,' and kicking the ball is what he's really great at. And it hasn't been going his way as much as we'd like this year, but I have full confidence in him, he's got a lot of confidence in himself, and he'll get back to where he needs to get to with just a couple of technique things, a couple of little things like that, and I do believe we're on the right track."
How much of a challenge can that be mentally, not just for a kicker, but for any professional athlete who's accustomed to success and suddenly isn't having that same level of success? How much of a mental side is that tough? (Luke Jones) "You can see it probably being a lot for a guy, but I think when you have a bunch of guys and a bunch of people that love you, a bunch of people that have your back, that you're surrounded around, they can lift you up. They can give you the things that you need to really kind of clear your mind and just try to help you understand, 'You are a hell of a football player. You are a hell of a kicker, and you have done a great job.' He's built himself such a long resume of making kicks and winning games through making kicks, [it's not] that it's just not there anymore. It's not to say he's lost it; we just have to help him find that momentum in those swings to get him back to where he [was]."
Do you kind of have to avoid overreacting in a situation like this and trying not to tinker too much? (Childs Walker) "I don't think there is ever an overreaction. I think there are things that we have to get done. We send [Justin Tucker] out there ... And I think it just came up; there is no one that puts more pressure on himself than Justin Tucker, so no matter what we say, no matter the encouragement we're giving him, he's saying to himself, 'Man, I have to go out there, and I have to make these kicks.' I don't think there is any overreaction. I think we'd look at every kick, and we just try to analyze it from each individual kick and say, 'Hey, what could we have done here?'"
Along those lines, Steelers K Chris Boswell said that somewhat recently, he stopped kicking two days before games. Is there any kind of thing where you think maybe, because these guys are creatures of habit, changing some part of how they approach the games could be beneficial in the long run? Or do you refer to K Justin Tucker, because he has been doing it for so long? (Jonas Shaffer) "I think with the plan that [senior special teams coach] Randy [Brown] and [assistant special teams coach] Sam [Koch] have built for Justin [Tucker] over time, throughout the years ... I think we've kind of tweaked what we've done with Justin over the years. We also rely on Justin to say, 'Hey, do you feel like you've kicked enough? Do you feel like you need more kicks?' He's done it for so long. He knows his body better than Randy and [me], and so, we just kind of look at him, and we kind of say, 'Hey, do we need to kick more?' And if we don't need to kick more, we don't kick more. If we need more kicks, we kick more. So, we just kind of rely on him."
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR TODD MONKEN
I think this Chargers defense leads the league in the amount of light boxes that they play. What do they do that could make be advantageous guys in the run game? (Jonas Shaffer) "Well, first off, they do a great job with light boxes. Their interior guys do a great job of anchoring; you don't see a ton of movement. Their outside backers do a great job of setting the edge, so there's not a lot of space there, and the linebackers do an excellent job of fitting off of that. When [running] backs are hesitant, and they don't press the hole, then all of a sudden, then they play off the block and play back into the [running] back. So, we have to do a great job there of trying to force their hand and try to force them to get an extra defender down there. That's like any gameplan."
They've been really good in the red zone. What do you see from their defense in the red zone? And of course they're just doing a good job of not giving up any points. (Ryan Mink) "It carries over from that, like when you can play a light box and still stop the run. We're really good in the red zone because we're able to run the football, and then when we're not, we have the equalizer in Lamar [Jackson], and for us, we're lucky that way. And for them, it's like, 'OK, why are you good in the red zone?' Because you stop people from running the ball, and it just becomes more and more difficult to throw it. We have our work cut out for us; they're really good."
When you went back and looked at the Pittsburgh game, other than the penalties and the turnovers, did you see any other reasons why you guys didn't get enough offensive flow as much as you would've hoped for? (Childs Walker) "Well, [the Steelers] are good. They're good on defense – that's part of it. When you play good people or [they're] well-coached, [and] they have good players, obviously, turning the ball over is going to put a damper on that. The penalties that set you back put you off track. We had some other opportunities for some big plays, which we didn't end up capitalizing on. To the naked eye, [some] might not have seen it, but either [there was] a protection issue here or just progressing, or the rail route to Justice [Hill] that most of the time we come down with, [but] we didn't. [Those are] still plays that you have to make, but at the end of the day, we didn't play clean enough on the road, didn't start fast enough, and that's what happens. We did give ourselves a chance, but [we] didn't play good enough."
To follow up on that, QB Lamar Jackson talked about needing to be more consistent on offense aside from the penalties and playing behind the sticks. I'm just curious as to what that would like to you? I understand it's different to you, but what would that consistency look like to you? (Brian Wacker) "Well, like most teams, it looks pretty simple – you're pretty good on first down, and you're in front of the chains, so you can dictate [the] run [and the] pass. When you're having penalties [and] inefficient on first down – run or pass – we were inefficient throwing it. We weren't as bad running it, we were just inefficient throwing it, and that hasn't been us. We're pretty good. It happened a little bit in the Cincinnati game – [we had] penalties [and] some inefficiency in what you're doing that set you back, and that's going from happen from time to time, but it's all of us. It's from coaches to players – we have to coach better [and] have to play better to be as consistent as we're capable of, and we are."
What have you made of the ineligible man downfield penalty that has seem to have popped up a little more frequently the last couple of weeks. Is it as simple as the ball not coming out on time? What do you make of that being kind of an issue lately? (Luke Jones) "Some of it is RPOs where, if we end up keeping it and then throwing it later, you're going to get called for it. The screen, if it gets delayed, we have to stay flatter, [and] we have to dust it. We had one against the Bengals, where they had sent it back and said we had maintained contact and it shouldn't have been, but we have to do a better job. Usually, it shows up in the screen game in your RPOs. Some of that is the price of doing business, but we have to be a little more lateral [and a] little flatter."
It seemed like TE Isaiah Likely and WR Nelson Agholor were a little confused on that two-point conversion play in where they were lining up. Can you talk a little bit about that play and just the confusion maybe pre snap. Did you see that confusion? (Jeff Zrebiec) "I just think that [Isaiah Likely and Nelson Agholor] were communicating. I didn't see as much confusion; it looks like that. Obviously, we didn't execute it at a high level, and obviously, [I] have to call it better. That goes along with every call that I make in the game – we have to execute better, [and] we have to call it better, [and] we have to plan it better. [It's] disappointing. Just like the two-point play we got against the Bengals was not disappointing. When it looks like that ... I thought Lamar [Jackson] did a great job of trying to at least make a play. It's just disappointing at a critical point like that. What you're paid to do is to execute at a high level, starting with me and then our players."
When fans see this game, they see the No. 1 offense versus No.1 defense. What would you more describe this game as? (Kyle Phoenix) "Every team is different. And I say this every week, you can't carry over points, and you can't carry over yards like in execution. What's that got to do with this week? They're really good, and we're really good. That's why we're where we're at. We have to execute at a better clip. We kind of saved ourselves at Cincinnati – we really did. We really weren't playing really good. We got a turnover [that helped us], and we're certainly capable of [doing] better. [We had] a lot of self-inflicted [errors], starting with coaching. How do we get our guys really dialed in? OK, that's every team. The talk around the league, it's how do they get their guys really dialed in to what we're looking for, to let their talent to shine, and we're certainly capable of that. We're not where we're at this year without having done that, but to me, that's the biggest thing is, who's going to execute play-in and play-out and have it look the way you want it to look, because they're trying to get us behind the chains, and we're trying to stay on track. That's really the nature of the game."
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR ZACH ORR
Last week you talked about feeling crushed after a win due to the defensive performance. It's almost the inverse here, where the defense appeared to be strong and didn't allow a touchdown, but the final score wasn't what you wanted it to be. What was your reaction after such a turn of events? (Kyle Phoenix) "Honestly it was the same feeling, just because I'll honestly take a win over anything else. Obviously, selfishly, and what I'm responsible for is the defense, and we have to play well, and we know we have to play well to get to where we want to go. But, I want to win the game. Ultimately, if we win the game, that's all that matters. The numbers, they matter in a sense – I'm not going to act like they don't – but the most important [thing] is a 'W.' From our standpoint – from [a] defensive standpoint – [we] did see improvement. [We] did see things that we wanted to see out there that we talked about during the week. So, I'm proud of the guys in that sense, but it wasn't good enough to win. We talked about it. We [were] like, 'We have to go put our offense in better positions to win the game.' Obviously, we did some good things, but for this particular game, it wasn't good enough. We just keep on coaching; keep on looking at things we've got to get better at and correct and keep on improving."
After watching Chargers RBs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards here for so many years and then you see the season that J.K.'s having now in particular, do you notice anything different about anything they're doing out there right now? (Melissa Kim) "No, I mean both of those guys [are] real talented. J.K. [Dobbins] and Gus [Edwards] – [I] got a chance to know those guys really well [and] watched them grow up here in Baltimore. Anything that they're doing right now is no surprise at all. J.K. – he's been a top [running] back; Gus has been a top back. They've helped us win many games here, so we knew once they signed [with the Chargers] that they were going [to] help those guys out. What we're seeing on film are two explosive [and] physical backs, and I'm happy that those guys are finally healthy."
Head coach John Harbaugh mentioned the other day that S Kyle Hamilton and S Ar'Darius Washington might be the plan going forward back there. What do you like from what you saw – particularly from Ar'Darius last week? (Brian Wacker) "I like the communication. I like [Ar'Darius Washington] and 'K-Ham' [Kyle Hamilton] taking charge back there; leading [and] directing; making quick calls [and] getting everybody on the same page and then the competitiveness – the effort to the football [and] the toughness [and] tackling. 'A.D.' [Ar'Darius Washington]'s what – 5-foot-7? 5-foot-8? But he throws his stuff in there; that's what you want, [and] that's what you appreciate. He played like a Raven. I thought his first start was [really] good, and he's got some stuff he can clean up. I'm looking forward to seeing what he's going to do Monday night."
ILB Roquan Smith hasn't really been around and hasn't practiced all week. If he doesn't play, can you talk about the challenges not having him and how you guys feel like you'll adjust? (Cliff Brown) "Definitely, definitely it will be a challenge if Roquan [Smith] can't go. Like you said, we're holding out hope and everything like that. I think it'll just be by committee. Not one person is going to replace Roquan. Roquan's an every-down linebacker [and] a top linebacker in this league [and] All-Pro for a reason. Not one guy's going to replace him. We like our guys that we have in the room – they're here for a reason, and somebody [has] to step up. They got to step up, and we got to step up collectively as a defense, and that linebacker room [has] to step up collectively as a group."
What did you see from LB Malik Harrison in that situation being thrown in to play? (Cliff Brown) "It was a different situation, and Malik [Harrison]'s a pro. He's been around, and we tell these guys, 'You're one play away to going in there – you never know, so you got to stay ready.' Malik – he was ready. I thought he went in there and did a good job, especially after the first series, he settled down. That's what we expect from him. He's in that room, [and] he knows what to do [and] he knows how to play. He's played a lot of ball for us, so I was pleased with what we did, and that's just showing the young guys that you never know when your number's going to be called, so you better be ready, because it can happen at any time."
Obviously with S Kyle Hamilton – we've seen him move around a lot – we've seen him play deep safety in the past. This past Sunday was the most we've seen him back there this year. Is there still a balance also with wanting to still have opportunities for him to play closer to the line of scrimmage? (Luke Jones) "It's definitely something. I mean you always look at your best players and try to figure out how do you get them shots. For defensive players it's like, and for Kyle [Hamilton], in particular, 'How do you get them close to the line of scrimmage? How can you send them on the blitz? How can you just utilize his whole skillset?' It's definitely trying to find balance in that. The good thing about Kyle Hamilton [is he's] a great player, so wherever you put him, he can make it happen and be great there. I thought he played a great game last Sunday."
Do you anticipate S Kyle Hamilton calling the plays out and being the green dot guy if he has to be? (Jeff Zrebiec) "Yes if [Kyle Hamilton] has to be. If he has to be like we did this last game when 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] was out, I fully expect Kyle Hamilton to do that – he's great at it. We got reps at it throughout training camp and really throughout the season, so he'll be ready."
Do you anticipate if ILB Roquan Smith can't go that ILB Trenton Simpson will slide to the mike position and fills in for Roquan and maybe have Malik Harrison on the opposing side? What kind of goes into making those determinations? (Kyle Phoenix) "Honestly, it really just depends on what the Chargers give us. Like I said, if 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] can't go, it'll be linebacker by committee, depending on what we want to run and what they want to run, as well. So, it's a mixture of both, so you'll see – if Roquan can't go – you'll see a mixture of guys in there."
Did you feel like CB Tre'Davious White earned more snaps with the way that he played in his first game? (Childs Walker) "Definitely, definitely. When you can make plays on the football and compete at that type of level, you've definitely earned your way for some more snaps. I'm really pleased with 'Tre' [Tre'Davious White] and how he's [come] in – how he's worked so hard to learn the playbook, and he's been vocal in the meeting, which I appreciate. He's a pro's pro. I see why everybody we talked to about him liked him and said, 'You guys will like him in your building.' So I'm pleased and I'm eager to see where he's going to take this."
CB Brandon Stephens is a big part of this defense and has played a lot of snaps, but you have been balancing him and CB Tre'Davious maybe on that outside spot. Do you think that maybe Brandon Stephens could be more involved playing in the box or in the slot? His versatility has been from safety to outside corner, just with everything he's worked at. (Kyle Phoenix) "I think now adding Tre'Davious [White], that adds to our room [and] adds to our secondary depth, and that allows us to do more things. I think you've seen a couple of times throughout the game that we had both of those guys in at the same time, and it allows us to do a lot, because those guys can do a lot of different things – specifically 'B-Steve.' He's been at corner, but he can move all around. We haven't had him to, but if we have to, he's going to perfectly fine. He can blitz, he can play zone coverage, and he can still play man [coverage]. The more guys who can go out there and make plays for us in the back end, I'm loving it, because we'll put you out there."
With this offense, they run play action just as often as they have dropped back to pass, especially since QB Justin Herbert has gotten healthier. What kind of stress does that put on you guys? (Jonas Shaffer) "Definitely. The [Chargers] are rolling right now. [Justin] Herbert is playing at a high level. You can definitely see from early on in the season to now, he's feeling better, he's feeling healthy, [and] he's feeling more comfortable in the system, so it's definitely a challenge. With the run game, then you have the play-action, and then they just got the drop back. I was laughing, I was breaking it down, I was like, 'They run everything over there in L.A.' It's definitely a challenge; we have to be on Ps and Qs, but I really honestly feel this way. If we do our job, and [if] we read our keys, and [if] we play fundamentally sound, we'll be OK."
When you look at this version of Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman's offense, how much of it is familiar? And how much of it is maybe different with QB Justin Herbert instead of QB Lamar Jackson at quarterback? (Childs Walker) "It's really familiar - [it's] a lot of different things. You can tell that he's added a couple of wrinkles here and there, but for the most part, the offense is really familiar to what we've seen [to when] 'G-Ro' [Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman was] here."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On if the conversation about running backs in the NFL and their perceived value to teams contributed to his mindset coming into the season: "No, I wasn't really worried about that. I trust and believe in my work ethic and knew that would pay off when the season came around; I just needed [an] opportunity, and I feel like other guys felt the same way. I know guys want to get their worth, but we're just focused on [our] performance and the way [we] work and approach work every day."
On what the free agent class of running backs finding success on their new teams will do for the position moving forward: "I hope it does a lot. They're franchise players; they're showing that, [and] they're proving that week after week. Those guys work hard to let it showcase during the season, and I'm glad that they're able to showcase their talents and [are] having a great year. And hopefully, they'll open doors for the future and other running backs that are coming up [in] free agency to get an opportunity to get paid, as well."
On conversations he has with other running backs around the league during the season: "We're all focused. We just tell each other, 'Great job. You had a great game.' – [we're] just hyping each other up. [Running] backs, we've got to stick together, and [I'm] glad to see everybody doing well."
On if he ever has games where he's excited to go up against an opposing running back: "I wouldn't say I'm excited to go against anybody, but it's good to go against other great players. Especially at our position, guys who are franchise players, making a big impact, to see them doing well, and to go up against them and just root for them to do well, as well ... That's the cool thing about it – just going against guys that you want to see do well, except when they play us." (laughter)
On if there are any running backs in particular that he enjoys going up against: "No, not at all. No, I love every moment and think any player that gets a chance to play in this league and star and have a big impact is always special."
On if he's familiar with RB J.K. Dobbins' backstory, and if he's happy for Dobbins' success: "I'm always going to be happy for any running back. J.K. [Dobbins] had a short time of injuries, but he's bounced back and [is] showing his hard work and his heart to get back into it. He's having a great year, [and] he's doing a great job for them. Hats off to him and the year he's having. I'm glad to see him back out [there], making plays and doing big things for his team."
