Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: Quarterback?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think (quarterback) Drew (Lock) will be ok.

Q: Everything checked out, 'Okay', on whatever images?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah.

Q: So he (Drew Lock) starts and (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito) is the backup, again?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yep.

Q: Any update on (inside linebacker) Micah (McFadden)?

BRIAN DABOLL: No. He's not going to go today. It's early in the week.

Q: Who else is not going to practice? Anyone new?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'll just give you guys that aren't, right now. So, (running back Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.), he won't practice. Again, it's Tuesday, so it's a little different. (Wide receiver Malik) Nabers, (center) John Michael (Schmitz Jr.), (cornerback Greg) Stroman (Jr.), (safety Raheem) Layne, (defensive tackle Cory) Durden, (inside linebacker Micah) McFadden and (cornerback) Dru Phillips.

Q: Dru Phillips, for what it's worth, from Pro Football Focus is ranked one of the top five corners in the NFL this year. Has he had that kind of good year for you guys?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think he's done a nice job for us. He's a physical player, I think he's shown that. Where he plays in particular, he's part of a lot of run fits. He's an aggressive tackler and continues to improve. He's young player that definitely has a lot of upside and will continue to develop.

Q: What is his next… What's his upside?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think he's a good football player. Again, I think a lot of those guys that we drafted this past year have really done a nice job of performing when they've had opportunities to. So, he'll be a good young player to continue to develop. Create turnovers, knock the ball out, intercept the pass, those are all things that you need to do to be an elite defensive back.

Q: You went with Tommy (DeVito) out of the bye week. With two weeks here, he's a younger guy, undrafted rookie last year, why not give him an opportunity in the last couple weeks just to see what you have there?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'd say it's been one week, next week, based on, I'd say, injury, besides that first week. So, try to get two weeks of the same cadence, same play caller in the huddle and we'll go with Drew (Lock).

Q: Recognizing that there were business decisions involved as well, with what's happened at quarterback since then, does any part of you look back and say you wish you had stuck with Daniel (Jones)?

BRIAN DABOLL: I just focus on where we're at right now. So, we'll do everything we can do to get all three of those guys ready because, obviously, you never know. That's where our focus is.

Q: With this being the last home game, do you kind of preach that message to the guys, 'Hey, it's another week,' but also you guys don't want to be the first team that goes 0-9 at home?

BRIAN DABOLL: We'll try to get a win and do everything we can do to get a win.

Q: What would it mean to you to get a home win, at this point?

BRIAN DABOLL: We're trying to get a win in any way, shape or form. I can understand coming to a game and watching your team not win, that's no fun. It's certainly no fun for anybody involved and we're doing everything we can to try to do that for us but also for the people that come out and support us.

Q: I know you probably aren't paying a ton of attention, but the fan base is paying attention to it. Do you notice the other day when the Raiders win and you guys are in position now to get the No. 1 pick? Is there a reaction around here? Do people react to that at all?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'd say we are laser focused on what we need to do to get ready to play this week.

Q: (Indianapolis Colts running back) Jonathan Taylor. What's the challenge there? He had a pretty embarrassing moment two weeks ago and seemed to come back with quite some vengeance…

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I saw that play. He's an explosive player. He's big, he's strong, he's fast. They rushed for over 300 yards last game against Tennessee, but he had two of them that went for 140 (yards). He's a very good player. One of the better (running) backs in the league and we've seen (New Orleans Saints running back Alvin) Kamara and (Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick) Henry and (Atlanta Falcons running back) Bijan (Robinson) last week. The hits keep coming.

Q: Then Anthony Richardson, I know that wasn't a draft that you guys were in the quarterback market. But you and I think every coach I've ever talked to, always say you do work on all the quarterbacks. So, what was your pre-draft thoughts on him and where he is now?

BRIAN DABOLL: I'd say he's an explosive player, explosive athlete. He has a cannon for an arm, can throw it a far way. They're doing a nice job… Obviously, he runs the ball. But he's plenty talented enough to throw it where he needs to throw it. Anytime you have a young quarterback, you continue to develop him. It's not going to be perfect, for most of the quarterbacks that get drafted right out the gate. I think he's done a nice job. He's got all the skill set in the world. Again, he's a dual threat player and he can affect any part of the field. Whether it's with his legs or throwing it however far he needs to throw it. He's got some pretty good skill players that he uses. (Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh) Downs has done a heck of a job. I thought he was really going to be a good player coming out of there. He's continuing to develop and as he continues to develop, his skill set shows.

Q: The Colts don't have great defensive numbers, but what do they do that is a concern?

BRIAN DABOLL: (Indianapolis Colts Defensive Coordinator) Coach (Gus) Bradley, he's done it for a long time. Gus (Bradley) has been in this league for a long time. They got two really good interior players, and they have a good team defensive scheme. They play their certain style that they'd like to play with. Every team in the league is a good football team. They got a lot of good players. They got good coaches. They did a heck of a job, I know it ended up being 38-30 against Tennessee, but they really started out the game really strong. It was 38-7 with three minutes left in the third quarter going into the fourth. So, I think (Indianapolis Colts Head Coach) Shane (Steichen) has done a nice job. So has Gus (Bradley).

Q: Going back to (Jonathan) Taylor. You guys did a good job slowing down (Alvin) Kamara) and (Derrick) Henry. Can you take some encouragement from that? Or does how Bijan (Robinson) played concern you about your front?

BRIAN DABOLL: I would say every week is a new week. So, there's certainly different challenges for each week. I'm not saying it's the same, but you have (Derrick) Henry and Lamar (Jackson) and that duo and now you got (Anthony) Richardson (and Jonathan Taylor). Every week is a new challenge. I think we've done a much better job these last few weeks, really with our run defense. Yards per carry, tackling and those things have been a point of emphasis. They've been a point of emphasis all year, but these last few weeks, these young guys have done a nice job. I think the linebackers have really played well, downhill, tackled well and it'll certainly be a challenge this week with… Again, you don't really hear of rushing for 330 plus yards in an NFL game. It'll be a challenge.

Q: Obviously it's been a tough year overall for you guys, but do you give a special holiday message to your team when you go through times like this?

BRIAN DABOLL: We'll come out here to practice. We'll have tomorrow off to spend some time with their loved ones. We appreciate all their efforts and get ready to go out there and have a good week to play against Colts here.

Q: Assuming Micah (McFadden) is healthy. How have you been impressed with (inside linebacker) Darius (Muasau) of his game last week? And, obviously, if he has a bigger role, how confident are you that he can handle that?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's another rookie that's done a nice job for us. Smart, tough, instinctive and has been productive since he's been able to play. Him and Micah, they've done a nice job. He's continued to develop. I think (Inside Linebackers Coach) Egs (John Egorugwu) has done a really good job with him. He's got the right traits: cares about football, young professional, got a good skill set and tough. He's a good young player to work with.

Quarterback Drew Lock

Q: How are you feeling? (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs said you went for an MRI yesterday, how'd everything check out?

DREW LOCK: Everything came back good. It's one of those – right hand, right shoulder. If it feels just anything, 'hey, let's go get this looked at just make sure everything's all right.' It came back good, so rocking and rolling.

Q: Is that from a hit or from a throw?

DREW LOCK: Yeah, it was the third down conversion to (tight end Daniel Bellinger) Belly, just threw it. Arm came across, (Falcons outside linebacker) Matthew (Judon) got me there towards the end. Arm got yanked across, had to go check it out. So, played the rest of the game, it was the second, third down in the game, but just wanted to get it looked at.

Q: Do you have a feel for who you're going to be taking snaps from?

DREW LOCK: I've gone with just about all of them. (Center) John Michael (Schmitz Jr.), (guard Greg Van Roten) GVR, (guard Austin Schlottmann) Schlotty. Schlotty played center for me in Denver a couple times, played guard for me in Denver a couple times. I'm pretty familiar with all the guys that are rotating in there.

Q: When you went back and looked at the game, did you look at the first interception and say, 'what didn't I see'?

DREW LOCK: I mean I knew what I didn't see. It was more about the procedure pre-snap. If we're not right, it's a busted play. Like I said after the game, take care of the football. Trying to get everything set, getting back to the center, trying to get the ball off. A pivotal point in the game, take care of the football, just eat it and take a sack. Sacks are way better than seven points to the other team.

Q: How much have you guys talked about not wanting to go 0-9 at home this season? Does that come across as motivation or anything?

DREW LOCK: No, you don't want to lose anywhere. It's not extra emphasis whether it's at home or away.

Q: What would a win at home mean to you guys when you get there?

DREW LOCK: Everything. When you're on a losing streak, you want to get that win. Like I said whether it's at home or away, you're fighting every week for a win. And if you do lose, flush it and learn from it and move on.

Q: You've got a pair of rookies edging on that 1,000-yard mark. How aware are you of that when you're the quarterback, knowing (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) and (running back Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.) are right there?

DREW LOCK: Yeah, they never say anything to you, of course. But you hear about it, and you want to get that done for them. It'd be cool for them to have that achievement. But, the ultimate goal is to win a football game. So, by the way of the game, if we can get a win and pick that up for them at the same time, that'd be pretty cool.

Q: Things have been so disjointed at the quarterback spot this year. One of the things that Dabs said to us today is, 'I want to see him get two back-to-back starts.' That's an important thing. How does that factor into your comfort zone and what you're trying to do by getting back-to-back starts again?

DREW LOCK: It definitely adds to it. Being able to have a week of practice, back-to-back weeks of practice. Knowing what we did the week before, take the things we need to get better at into this week and actually be able to go out there and do it is something I'm looking forward to. Similar cadences with the guys, being in the huddle together. I think it can only be a positive for such a roller coaster out of that spot.

Q: In the middle of all this, is it good to have Christmas?

DREW LOCK: Of course, of course, you hear the locker room. It's a very important day for a lot of us, especially myself, family getting to be in town. It's a good little reset.

Q: Any fun plans for tomorrow?

DREW LOCK: My son's first Christmas. Don't know if he's really going to be able to open presents or if he's going to tear them up and then look to go tear another one up. Probably play with the wrapping paper more than the things we bought him. But it's the first one, I'm excited, it'll be cool. A day I won't forget.

Q: Got him a puppy?

DREW LOCK: No, (laughs) I got him a big stuffed elephant. That's about the only animal I'm getting close to, but no puppy, not yet. (Laughs)

Q: What did it say about (quarterback) Daniel Jones that he bought all the offensive linemen a Christmas gift, a quarterback tradition, even though he's not here anymore?

DREW LOCK: Class act. There's always the (quarterback) 'Tommy (DeVito), are you getting it?' 'Drew, are you getting it?' And then, out of nowhere, DJ comes in, saves me and Tommy once again, and then takes care of the guys. I expected nothing less from the guy. That's just who he is, and cares about these guys still. Texts here and there, he's just a good man.

Q: All that disjointed, I think, was the word used, quarterback carousel that you guys have had. Not that you wouldn't appreciate this stat anyway, but especially right now, can you believe (Former Giants quarterback) Eli Manning played 210 consecutive starts here?

DREW LOCK: That's pretty good. That's tough to do on any team, any position. That's tough to do, especially the quarterback spot.

Q: Just because he's up for the Hall of Fame this year. So, quarterback to quarterback, I imagine that stat blows your mind…

DREW LOCK: It's very impressive, especially with the amount – he was playing a couple extra games at the end of the year too, so add those into there. That's impressive.

Q: Going back to (Tyrone) Tracy, what makes him such a special running back? Obviously, he had that touchdown pass to him, he can catch up in the backfield really well. What makes him such a great back for you?

DREW LOCK: Yeah, he's got great feel, whether that's out in routes, whether that's in between the tackles, whether that's outside zone. Something you can't really coach, it's kind of something he's been born with and can feel. It's been impressive to watch, especially with him playing so little running back in his career. Being able to have that feel and without really having the reps in the position is special.

Q: Was it cool that he caught that pass and made you think, 'Oh that's why he was a receiver?'

DREW LOCK: Yes, being able to go up, toe tap, hold it on with one hand. I can appreciate that; I needed that one.