Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka
Q: What did you see from (quarterback) Daniel (Jones) on Sunday? He looked very confident. I thought he scrambled quite a bit a lot too.
MIKE KAFKA: I think he did a nice job distributing the football. When opportunities came up, he stepped up and ran it well as well. I think it started up front for him. The O-line did a really nice job protecting, (Offensive Line Coach) Carm (Carmen Bricillo) and those guys. The skill guys complemented that as well.
Q: There was one or two where he maybe could have slid or went out of bounds and not taken a hit. How much as coaches are you telling him to do that? Because I know that's a fine line because we want you to be aggressive, but at the same time, 'Hey, maybe don't take a hit on this one.'
MIKE KAFKA: I think for Daniel (Jones), he's a football player. He knows when he can be aggressive and when he can get down and slide. I think he's shown that over the course of his career. It's just a good reminder, as a coach, going in there and, 'All right, if you can take a hit or not take a hit, don't do that.' But, he's been smart about it.
Q: You've obviously been around younger players, younger skill players. I'm thinking of (tight end) Theo Johnson. The first couple weeks looks like he's swimming a little bit, growing pains. Is there a moment where you can actually see, whether it's on the practice field or on tape, that the light goes on and you say, 'All right, he's now taking that next step to the point where he's not having those kind of rookie issues that you're dealing with early on?'
MIKE KAFKA: Theo (Johnson) is a young player and he's continuing to grow each and every day. You see it in the meeting rooms. He's getting more comfortable with it. You see it on the practice field. I think the more opportunities that come his way, he's going to make those plays. That's really for any young player. You're getting into what the NFL game is like. You're getting more comfortable and more confident and Theo (Johnson) is doing that.
Q: As well as your receivers are playing, particularly last week without (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers), there's been still some drop issues. What do you do to combat that?
MIKE KAFKA: It always goes back to the fundamentals. Going back in practice and working on the catch point and seeing it all the way into the tuck. You're talking to the quarterbacks about ball placement. All those things. So, it's just the fundamentals and getting everyone on the same page. But, we worked on that yesterday. We'll continue to work on that throughout the week.
Q: I assume you had a feeling about how well (running back Tyrone) Tracy could play. Did he even surprise you with what he did Sunday?
MIKE KAFKA: I don't think he surprised me. He's been putting in great work all through camp, since he's gotten here really. He puts really good intent into the meeting rooms and on the practice field he tries to be as detailed as can be. And (Running Backs) Coach (Joel) Thomas has done a nice job of getting him up to speed. So, no, there's no surprise there. He's a good player and it's a guy that we expect him to do what he does.
Q: Obviously at the beginning of the game, you had that quick adversity after that great drive down the field. How deflating is that when that happens?
MIKE KAFKA: I wouldn't say it's deflating. It's not the mindset we've had. It's something that we have to learn from and grow from. Obviously, you don't want fumbles in general, especially at the inch yard line. We've got to learn from that and we can't have those type of things. But I thought our mentality was good. That's a hard play to sometimes overcome. But we've had good leadership that can overcome that.
Q: As an assistant coach, you see the way (Head Coach) Dabs (Brian Daboll) handles things, even-keeled as he is. What have you learned from the way he does handle something like that? There is no panic and, like you said, it's got to be as hard a turn around at the beginning of the game as you can get.
MIKE KAFKA: We've had a few of those. Our first play of the game was a fumble for a big minus, but we overcame it. It starts with Dabs (Brian Daboll). Then it feeds through the coaches, feeds through the players, feeds through the leadership on our side, the offense. That's a compliment to Dabs (Brian Daboll) and what he's built around here with the culture and how we're going to handle adversity as a unit.
Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen
Q: What kind of loss is it if you don't have (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) for a little bit here?
SHANE BOWEN: It's the NFL. Next guy up mentality. Every team faces it. That's why you have 53 guys and you don't have 22. Those guys got to step up if they're called upon, whoever it is. That's why they're here and (we) coach them all the same. Hopefully when they get their opportunities, they take advantage of them.
Q: Your defense has been keeping the scoring numbers down very well, for the most part. How are you seeing you guys progress in these last few weeks?
SHANE BOWEN: I think we're improving. It's always a challenge throughout the season to find continued improvement. The communication, I think, has increased. The familiarity playing with each other. We're young on the back end and we got some new pieces up front. So, I think that chemistry is continuing to build. Guys are making plays. Guys are making plays, they're being disruptive. Being able to get our hands on balls last week helped. So, credit goes to them. They're making plays when we need them. And it obviously helps us and helps get them off the field.
Q: At the end of halves, what is happening where at the end of the first half you had totally kept them off the board then they went down the field in like 30 seconds and got a field goal. Same thing at the end of the fourth quarter. I mean, why does that happen?
SHANE BOWEN: It was 22 seconds and they had three timeouts. They hit a screen. Ideally, you would like to tackle them in bounds and make them burn a timeout. Tackle them for ten (yards) there. All situational football, I think, is a big difference. If we tackle them for ten (yards) instead of letting them get 16 or 17 (yards) or whatever it is, that next play is dramatically changed situationally. You're looking at needing potentially ten yards for a field goal attempt versus needing 17 or 18. With the time, I think there's 14 seconds left, they still had all their timeouts, so they could throw it anywhere. But just understanding the situation, make sure we got positive plays early in those drives. Even on the second one, give up a seven cut to (Seattle Seahawks wide receiver) DK (Metcalf) on the sideline or we jump something in the flat short. Again, those positive plays, that's what offenses are looking for. Those positive plays early in those drives to kind of get going. So, just making sure we're at our best early in those drives and understand the situations and how they're going to attack us. It's something we got to keep working on and hopefully we can improve in that area.
Q: What have you seen from (outside linebacker) Azeez (Ojulari)? If he is asked to fill that role with Kayvon out.
SHANE BOWEN: He's been good. I think he's taken advantage of the opportunities when he's been out there. I think he's played over 20 plays in just about every game for us. He's continued to attack. The attacking demeanor on the edge. Run game. Pass game. Making sure we're getting off the ball. Making sure we're taking advantage of our rush opportunities when we get them. He's got good length. I think he utilizes his length really well. Just continue to improve and make sure he takes advantage of his opportunities when they're there.
Q: I have a two part question. How challenging is it to confuse (Cincinnati Bengals quarterback) Joe Burrow and how important is it to try to do that?
SHANE BOWEN: He's playing at an elite level, he has for a few years now. It's been impressive what he's been able to do up to this point this season. It is a challenge. He's really good at seeing defenses pre-snap, really good at reading them post-snap, getting through his progressions and, on top of that, he has playmakers that he knows can win matchups. So (it's a) big challenge for us. I've had experience in playing with him over these past few years and it's always a challenge with him. The accuracy, the decision making, can put the ball where he wants to put it, has the ability to extend plays with his legs. Then you're dealing with those guys on the outside, (Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr) Chase and (Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee) Higgins, and they're having monster years right now.
Q: What makes (Ja'Marr) Chase such a tough matchup for guys?
SHANE BOWEN: He's got it all. The ability to separate, the ability to get open, the ability to catch the ball down the field, the ability to catch the ball short and take it the distance. He's got it all and he's a problem. We got to know where he's at on every snap, be aware of where he's at on every snap, him and (Tee) Higgins both, but he's a playmaker. The quarterback gets it to him and he makes plays.
Q: That being said, real quick, what did (cornerback) Deonte (Banks) do better last week? I know he was matched up against DK (Metcalf), their top receiver. What was the difference you saw in him there?
SHANE BOWEN: I thought he was tight. I thought he challenged, and he got his hands on some footballs. He just continued to stay focused, play in and play out. We tell all these guys, every single snap, you need to expect the ball to come your way. It might not happen, but to have that focus, to have that sense of urgency, play in and play out, that they're going to come at me every single play. Whether they do, whether they don't, that's got to be the mentality. I think he had that mentality last week. He was up for the challenge. It was good to see him go out there and make some plays for us.
Q: With regard to (Head Coach) Dabs (Brian Daboll), as an assistant coach, what are the things that you've learned from him about maybe staying the course? Obviously, last week, you guys hit early adversity with the big swing at beginning of the game. What is it about him that allows him to stay the course and not panic?
SHANE BOWEN: I think it's staying level-headed, it's a tough league. It's not always going to be roses. We know there's going to be adversity every single game. Being able to respond when things happen good or bad. Understand it's a four-quarter game. Like last week, we're sitting on the bench and going to our guys and (saying), 'We've been here before. Cleveland. We were there two weeks ago, we've been here before.' I think he does a good job building that resolve within the team, within the guys. Guys play with confidence and we're getting to the point where we can overcome some things. They fight through it, they battle through it. Just the culture in general. It's not all doom and gloom. All it takes is one play. It takes one guy to make one play to turn the tide and I think our guys are buying into that and believing in that.
Q: When (defensive lineman) Dexter (Lawrence II) is playing at the level that he's playing with, for pretty much for all five weeks, when you guys sit down and start putting together your game plan, how much is it a counter to how they're going to try to counter him and set you guys up, up front?
SHANE BOWEN: He's one of the best interior rushers in the league, interior players in the league. He's a handful. I know if I was the offensive coordinator, I wouldn't want to leave him one on one too often. That's our job as coaches, is to find ways to put these guys in the best position to find success, to find ways to impact the game for us. It's something we discussed throughout. Ways to make sure that they can't just truly eliminate him from the game every single snap. So, it's a work in progress. We just continue to find different ways to counter as well. It's something we spend time on week to week. First, second down, third down, whatever it might be, just finding ways to really allow your most impactful players to impact based on their skill sets.
Q: On getting (cornerback) Dru (Phillips) and (cornerback) Adoree' (Jackson) back…
SHANE BOWEN: It was good to get them back out there. With Dru (Phillips), the more he's out there, whether it's practice, whether it's the game, the better it is for him, being a young player. We're learning by fire a little bit with some of the youth that we have back there right now and I think they are. They're learning. It might not be perfect every single snap, but they're learning. Trying not to make the same mistake twice. Just the skill set, he's tough, he's sudden, adds a different element of what we're able to do with that position when he's in there. Then getting Adoree' (Jackson) back was great, because the ability to cover, the ability to go in there and stay tight to guys and do some different things. I think the veteran presence is calming to me, too. Having that out there has been reassurance to me. It's been good to get them both back and I'm glad they're here.
Special Teams Coordinator Michael Ghobrial
Q: The block from (safety/inside linebacker) Isaiah (Simmons) from your vantage point, how did it come through?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: The same sentiment as everybody in the building. Fired up to see our players make plays. It was really cool to see Isaiah Simmons. Number one, understand what his responsibility was on that play. And throughout the week, just in my ear about like, 'hey, I'm going to get this thing if you call it'. I said, 'I'm not afraid to call it, man'. I have faith in him. And he kept showing up every practice and got a good amount of reps. And when his number was called, he was ready. And it was so cool to see him have that success. He basically manifested that play in his mind. And he was able to execute. And it was really cool to see the rest of the group carry out their responsibilities. Because it does take all 11 for you to have success on any play. And it was, again, I always talk about the power of positivity with our guys. And just to see the authentic celebration and enjoyment with one another. Obviously, it was a big-time play in the game. But to see them celebrate one another's success, it just speaks volumes about our team.
Q: (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs said he was wanting to maybe call it earlier. And you kept calling him off of it and saying, 'let's wait, let's wait'. What was the dynamic with that?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Yeah, so with every game, we have a lot of discussions. Dabs understands what our game plan is on every unit. As a coordinator, it's my responsibility to communicate to the head coach throughout the game. And it's awesome because Dabs is very well-versed with our game plan. So, he understands what we're trying to get accomplished. And he doesn't force us to make calls. We just have discussions. And I think that's why we have a healthy and great relationship because he brings up a lot of good points throughout the week and during game day and no different than myself. So, it was just good communication.
Q: What was the dynamic of waiting until that moment instead of maybe using it earlier?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: There's certain strategy elements with down and distance, time of game, dependent on hash. Just with any call, you want to make sure that you're giving your guys the most opportune look to run it. I think you never want to just be so stubborn that you're going to call it just to call it. You want to make sure that when the opportunity presents itself, like we talked about during the week, that we call it and then our players execute it.
Q: There's a chance you don't get the chance to call it, right? So, it just kind of goes away, right?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: No question, yeah. But that's any game. Like throughout the game, you have your list of plays and not everything is called on every unit. You just want to make certain that you're ready for it when that time comes and it happened to time up very well for our guys to take advantage of that play.
Q: How did you come up with the idea of the play? Is it something you've come across in other places you've been? Is it something you've worked on here?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Yeah, it roots back, honestly, from my days at UCLA and I've kind of carried something similar every spot I've been in. But the one thing, when you just look across the league, I'm not the first person to run it and I think there's a lot of good ideas out there. We're always studying trends of the league and certain things that come up, whether it's this year, whether it's last year and last five years. But that happens to be something that I have ran in the past.
Q: You've used that against the Giants when you were at the Jets last year, pretty much, right? Was it similar?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: There was something similar that was used.
Q: Just on that play, you mentioned how it takes all 11. Is part of that (cornerback Nick) McCloud and (wide receiver) Bryce (Ford-Wheaton) not getting in the way? Being there for when the ball is free? Is that discussed? Was that part of the game? Because it really looked like they were in the perfect spot, but they weren't rushing the kick as well, and it just seemed like it was Isaiah and you guys do your role outside. Is that fair to say?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: It is fair. You have to allocate certain responsibility for everybody on that play to where it all gels together. That's my job as a coordinator. Sending an all-out block where all 11 go, guys are going to end up picking each other and getting in the way of each other. So, when I install a play, whether it's on punt return, field goal, field goal block, it doesn't matter. Guys got to understand where they fit in the general scheme and why we're doing it. And that was something I explained throughout the week with Nick and BFW just being ready for that opportunity when we did block and what was going to happen. So again, a credit to all 11. Guys executed their assignment. They were in position to have success on that day.
Q: Is that one of those things where you've used it and could you use it again this year again? Or is that expected now from opposition?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: You always got to be ready to have a menu. Every game we go in and we have certain plays on every unit. And when the opportunity presents itself, I think our guys will be ready to run it. So, it doesn't matter whether it's ran once, or 10 times and other teams do it. If the opportunity presents itself, we'll move forward with that.
Q: So that's not necessarily like a one-time bullet, so to speak?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: I don't think anything is ever off the table. But I think you've just got to be very mindful of when you call things.
Q: When did you realize Isaiah was right for that role in that position, that spot? Was that training camp? Was that something that came to be as the weeks have gone on in the season?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Yeah. Just studying Isaiah before he even got here and knowing what his physical capability is. He is an unbelievable athlete, and he has really good size as well. So, you combine the two and you see a guy that can jump out of the gym, a guy that understands defensive fundamentals of getting off the ball. So just when you look at a roster, and Isaiah has contributed on our other units, and I was like, 'okay, this is a perfect opportunity for him'. And to Zay's (Isaiah Simmons) credit, whatever I've asked of him, he has shown up with a smile on his face and tried to do it to the best of his ability. And it's, again, so cool to see him put in the work to be able to execute that.
Q: Obviously, you communicate with Dabs all the time. Can you take us through the inner workings of when you took it to him last week and his reaction?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Yeah. Obviously, like I said, he understands what our game plan is, so it starts there. And then we go into the game. I'm talking to my guys. We're having conversations with Dabs. I'm seeing what the opponent is doing to us. So, there's a lot of general things that you're looking for. And then whether it's that play or any other play, you're looking at, 'okay, this is off the table, this is on the table. Okay, there's potential that this could be called'. And then, in my mind, you're always looking at score differential. You're looking at down and distance. So, all those situations are coming up. So, it's ongoing discussions. I know I keep saying that, but it really is.
Q: I meant more like during the week that particular look that you saw and the drawing up of the play for Isaiah and your conversation with Dabs when you brought it to him.
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Yeah, so when he walked into my office at the beginning of the week and said, 'well, what do we have up this week?' That was one of those things. I was like, 'okay, there's an opportunity for this to be present'. Showed him a few clips of it, and he was like, 'okay, let's do it'. It was pretty simple and awesome with Dabs; he lets us run with things. And I think with anything you present to anyone, you want to have evidence. I don't think you ever just want to call a call just to call it. So, again, with all our game plan, we're always showing them why we want to do things. And that's the same with the players, especially players nowadays. You got to show them the why. But I will say this, what an awesome play and so well executed by our guys. But very quickly, I've told our guys that we're in a week-to-week league and you have to show up this week now. It's no different. We got tremendous respect for Cincinnati, and (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Darrin (Simmons) has done a hell of a job for years and we got a good challenge ahead of us to be able to go out and execute.
Q: One thing that came up was (Seahawks guard) Laken Tomlinson. He didn't appreciate that, I guess. He didn't like the tactic of keeping the guards down. How much of that do you discuss beforehand? Is that just sort of like, 'hey, this is the rule. We're going to play it by the rule' And that's not illegal in this case?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Yeah, not to discredit your question. Again, in my mind, we do have to move on to Cincinnati, and it's not to say that I don't want to answer your question with that. We always coach our guys to make certain that they understand the rules and how to execute those rules with that play, with any play, and I think our guys were very well versed on what they can and cannot do, and they were able to execute. But with that being said, we're going to be presented with other situations throughout the season that, again, it's my job to tell our guys, 'hey, this is the strength of this. This is the weakness of this. This is how a ref could potentially call this. You've got to put yourself in this position'. It could be something as simple as a block in the back. So, whether it's that play, whether it's another play, our guys got to understand what the refs are looking at, and then it's my job also to show them the trends of the week, to be like, 'okay, this was called. Why? Put yourself in this play call. Why was this called?' And I think that's ultimately how you make any scheme come to life, is there is a real understanding of the NFL rules and how you can take advantage of it.
Q: This is just a more general question about Dabs and you guys faced early adversity in that game in general, obviously with the return. As an assistant coach, what have you learned about the way Dabs handles adversity? How he stays the even keel, however you want to use it. Just what's that dynamic to him that becomes a strength?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: He has been awesome. He's such a tremendous leader for our team and a tremendous leader for coaches, too. He empowers you as a coach. He empowers myself. I think we have a great staff that speaks the same language, and we believe in common things. So, whether there be good things, whether there be bad things that happen in a game, there's always healthy discussions because ultimately Dabs is a competitor. I'm a competitor. We have a team full of competitors, and I'm talking true competitors that aren't motivated by external factors, that want to truly be the best versions of themselves, including myself. And I think Dabs knows that of me, and I know that of Dabs, and I think our staff knows that of each other, and our team knows that of each other because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing. So, our relationship has been awesome because of the type of leader he is. And he's giving you feedback throughout, whether the game, the week, and he's been around this league for a long time. So, tremendous respect for him and love for him for the opportunity and look forward to many more good moments.
Q: Does the play have a name?
MICHAEL GHOBRIAL: Got to keep that within.
