Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale

I hope everybody had a good Christmas. That was a tough outcome, but I was really proud of our competitive spirit and how we attacked each play. We have some things to work on, but we scored another defensive touchdown. That was a fun thing to see, a great thing to see, especially for (cornerback) Adoree' (Jackson). We got another great challenge, a completely different challenge, but another great offense that we are going to face this week here. We are going to need all the crowd and everybody else to help us with these guys because it's a different kind of animal we're facing this week. But, getting back to Philadelphia, I give them all the credit, they deserve it. They've done a great job in building their offense and they play well to it. It was a tough challenge and it's the same thing we are going to face this week with the Rams.

With that, I'll open it up to questions.

Q: What's the difference between the Rams 3-6 and the Rams 5-1?

A: I think that (Rams quarterback Matthew) Stafford is playing at a Hall of Fame-type level and each team, we've talked about it here, each team gels and they have gelled offensively. I think that Matthew is - I mean, he's making throws that you just sit there and go, 'wow.' From all different kind of arm angles, no looks, all those things you've heard about, you're seeing him do it and they're playing at a very high level. I think that the thing that (Rams head coach) Sean (McVay) has done is that they've made a commitment to the run game and changing their offensive line this year. Now, it's a two-headed monster that you have to deal with. So, they put you in a bind of what you want to try to do and how you're going try to do it, but Stafford is playing unreal. I mean, he's a great football player, but I think that he and (Ravens quarterback) Lamar (Jackson) should be up for the MVP candidate. That's the kind of year he's having, and they've scored over 30 points a game since you when you were talking about.

Q: What do you see when you watch - I know he's not your responsibility this week, but (Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald?

A: We'll see him in crossover tape. Like I said last week, I don't evaluate other people's defense. He's just an alien. There's no other - he's just unreal and it's down after down after down after down. He is one of the best. He'll go down as one of the best three techniques of all time. That's just me at a flash looking at him or if the Rams are playing and we're watching the game or something before we play or whatever. This offense is, I think there's once in a generational type talent, I think that's what Sean McVay is because he and (Dolphins head coach Mike) McDaniel and (49ers head coach) Kyle (Shanahan), who I have the utmost respect for, they have meetings, and he runs the meeting. I mean, what he does, he's so innovative in the run game and the passing game with the motions and with all the different things, you learn a lot about yourself watching them. He'll have us here if we're in this and he knows and he'll see how you're playing and that's why you always got to keep things moving with him because he's just so difficult to defend, especially (with) the way they run the football and the way Stafford's playing and those two receivers are unbelievable. It's like they went to a lab and created those two receivers for his offense with (wide receiver Cooper) Kupp and (wide receiver Puka) Nacua.

Q: How is Nacua different from the Kupp?

A: They have a lot of similarities. They have a lot of similarities. I guess he's just younger, that's the difference. I mean, there's a lot of similarities that they have together. They're the two best blocking wide receivers in the league and that's also helped the run game. I think that it just shows you that Sean and (tight end coach/passing game coordinator) Wes (Phillips), they get together and Sean says, 'this is a guy I want and here's how we'll use him,' with his system and it's a tough system to defend. It's one of the toughest to defend in the league.

Q: Did you study Puka at all during the draft process?

A: I didn't. I'm too busy with defense. I don't do the offensive guys.

Q: You said they are similar. How are they different?

A: Like I said, I think he's younger. They have the same skillset. They got great hands, they run great routes, they are great run-after-catch guys, they're physical when they block. It's like having tight ends out there playing wide receiver, that's how well they block. So, we got to work on getting off blocks and shedding blocks and things like that, just like you would if there's a tight end coming to block you.

Q: How does a guy like that last until the fifth round?

A: There are all kinds of stories like that, you know what I mean? That jumps out. I don't have that answer for you. Like I said, I don't watch any offensive guys. We will watch some of the top round guys if there's a tie or something. We've done that before, but offense and defense, there's guys like that.

Q: I know you always say it's not about you, It's about the whole defense. Now, the last two teams you've played, the Eagles with (center Jason) Kelce and then Stafford yesterday both praised you and the scheme and how you kind of attack offenses. When you hear other players talking about the difficulties of preparing for your defense, does that even ramp it up higher for you and your guys in your room to make sure you come up with a plan that challenges them?

A: No. I think that, first of all, it's a compliment to our players and their execution of the package. I just think I have the utmost respect for those guys, as you can tell. They studied the game just as much as we study the game, those type of players do. I think that's why they say what they say.

Q: Pam Oliver relayed a message during the broadcast, and you said something like 'you guys need to outplay other teams' offense and their defense.' I'm just curious as to what you meant by that.

A: No, what I said was this: we talked about competitive stamina. Dabs talked about that and I said, 'Here's the thing: we want to be the best unit on the field. We want to be better than their offense, their defense, their special teams. We want to be the best unit.' It's just like (outside linebacker) Kayvon (Thibodeaux) wants to be the best pass rusher in the game, just like (defensive lineman) Dex(ter) (Lawrence) wants to be the best inside rusher in the game. However people interpret it is how they interpret it, but I'm positive all the time with these guys and that's how I think you have to attack every game.

Q: Kayvon was kind of uncharacteristically quiet last week. Is that kind of just sort of an anomaly or what do you kind of see behind it?

A: Kayvon is playing a lot of plays and Kayvon is, like I always tell you guys, he's gonna be fine. A lot of the plays didn't come to him. We ask him to do a lot of different things and, like I said before, there's no ceiling with Kayvon. He plays the run just as effective as he rushes the passer and that's an anomaly right there. It was a physical game, and he played a lot of plays.

Q: What does it say about (linebacker) Bobby (Okereke) and (safety) X(avier) (McKinney) that they are part of a very small, select group that have played every single snap for your unit this year?

A: I think it's a tribute to them that they've taken care of their bodies. They've been fortunate without any injuries but how they've taken care of their bodies resting, working out, doing all the things you have to do to prepare to play every Sunday to get in a 60-play car accident basically is what it is. I think they're both playing really well.

Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka

Q: Can you take us through the halftime conversations with Dabs (Head Coach Brian Daboll) when it came to the quarterback switch?

A: Well, I'll keep those conversations private. Whatever Dabs wants to kind of disclose on that, but a decision was made, and we went with that.

Q: For a rookie like JMS (center John Michael Schmitz Jr.), just how big of a challenge is going up against a guy like (Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald up front?

A: Aaron Donald is a Hall of Fame type player. He's a really good, talented player. He plays in a good scheme that's well coached. It's going to be a big challenge, not for just a rookie but for everyone on the front line.

Q: In that Eagles game, how does (wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt not have a target? I look at his speed and just say, 'maybe you give him a chance and he hits a big one.'

A: I think there was a few calls there that we had for him and just didn't get the coverage. Sometimes that happens, but every week is different and every week we're looking to improve to get everyone involved in the offense.

Q: What did you see from (quarterback) Tyrod (Taylor) in the second half?

A: I think Tyrod did a great job just stepping up. He made some big plays, he did some nice things with the football, with his legs. I was not shocked. I think he's a guy that's going to prep and do it the right way and he did a nice job stepping in for us.

Q: Does the playbook open up anymore with a veteran like Tyrod compared to an undrafted rookie (quarterback Tommy DeVito)?

A: I think there's differences, you're going to build the gameplan around each player's strengths. Whether it's quarterback, running back, receivers, o-line, you want to build the best game plan you can around the guys (and) what they do best.

Q: What are specifically Tyrod's strengths?

A: He's been in the league for 13 years; I think there's a lot that he does, not just on the field but as a leader, as a good teammate. I think Tyrod does a hell of a job in the huddle getting guys organized, so there's a lot of things that he does just outside of playing the quarterback position that makes him special.

Q: On the touchdown to (wide receiver Darius) Slayton, obviously, the throw was right on the money. Slayton's body control doesn't really get as much attention as his speed but to be able to – what kind of skill does he need in that situation to not only make the catch, but then kind of stop himself, start again and then get to the endzone?

A: It was, number one, a great route. Great job by the o-line, great protection up front. Tyrod gave him a great ball and he went down there and grabbed it. So great concentration, great catch, great balance, and he's a tremendous athlete with great speed so it wasn't shocking to see him make a play like that. He's done that several times this year. It was just a hell of a play.

Q: You mentioned Tyrod's huddle organization. How long does that take for a quarterback to get that under their belt and a person like Tommy who's only played six games?

A: I think in the NFL it's different over the last – call it 10 years, where you see in the college game a lot of teams are 'no huddling' so there's not a huddle mechanism at the college level as much as there is in the NFL level. So, you're getting signals from the sidelines, you're getting boards and those type of things, so when you get young players, that's kind of an adjustment. Whether it's receivers, whether it's the quarterback, it's kind of an adjustment period of getting the guys in the huddle, talking to them, getting through the situations, talking about the cadence and all those type of things, the play call. I think as you get young players, it takes time to develop, the more comfortable they get, some guys are faster than others. So, it just takes time. Everyone's a little bit different.

Q: How was Tommy with that just in the games that he was able to play?

A: As a young guy, it kind of was that process where it started off a little slow then it just got better each and every day and he worked to improve on it and he's gotten to a point where he's very comfortable in and out the huddle.

Q: I don't know if this would've made a difference but after (tight end Darren) Waller's catch in the late there seemed to be like, 'should I get off? Should I get on?' it was like a little bit of an extra run off, you might have one more play. What happened in that situation?

A: Waller landed funny or got hit and he was in that kind of no man's land where we've got to keep him on the field just to get the ball spotted. Wherever they spot it, you don't want to get that 10 second run off for an injured player. Obviously, his health is super important to us, but I thought he toughed it out and tried to get set as fast as he could and get the ball set and snapped so we could have at least one more play.

Q: Why didn't they bring the ball to the middle? What's the rule on that? I know (running back) Saquon (Barkley) ran over there and brought it to the middle. Why were they standing there with the ball on the side?

A: The procedure would be is that if you're the ball carrier, you catch it and you get tackled in bounds, you run it to the hash and get the ball spotted. Whether it's the center or giving it to the ref, but in that scenario, Barkley made a hell of a smart play and just went and grabbed it just to get the ball spotted where Waller was kind of in that spot of does he wasn't to run off or does he want to stay on there. We were telling our guys to stay on the field. Again, the injury side of it, there's a fine line right there in making sure the guy is okay, but he toughed it out and got the ball spotted for us.

Q: Now if he comes off in that situation, I know the injury runoff, but if he comes off, then it gives the defense time to substitute so that probably would've led to even more time coming off.

A: Exactly, yeah. If it was an injury timeout, it would have been a 10 second runoff. No, under two minutes if you sub on and off, there's no substitution time.

Q: Going into that game, did you think a quarterback change midgame was a possibility? Was that something you guys had talked about as something that was possible?

A: No, I think Dabs had hit it. It was kind of one of those things that wanted to see a spark for the offense.

Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey

Q: How is planning around (punter) Jamie (Gillan) this past week with the injury that he has?

A: I mean, anytime that you have to deal with those things, you just got to be smart, and communication is key. So, we talked every day about how he was feeling and we just kind of, just went from there. You always got to be – at this time of year, you are in the back end of the season, got a lot of reps in that leg, you just got to be smart. He's getting a little tender, so we are just trying to handle it the best way we both saw it fit and the training staff.

Q: The long punt return, what do you see when you see that? Would you say it's the punt is low, would you say the tackling was bad?

A: It was all of that, right? So, I mean you get a punt with no hang to distance against probably one of the best punt returners in the league. I want to say he (Eagles wide receiver Britain Covey) was ranked third or fourth going in, averaging almost 15 yards a return, so we talked about how we wanted to contain him, and we just didn't execute. Jamie didn't have a great punt; he would be the first one to tell you and then we didn't tackle very well in space. Our best five guys missed tackles. So, against that guy, that style of returner, you got to make tackles in space or he's going to carve you up and he's been carving people up all year. That's the first big one we've given up all year. But again, you've got to be able to execute under pressure when it's time. That's just what it is.

Q: You're sitting there raving about him; it makes me think like the entire league had an opportunity to claim that guy. He was cut. Are you surprised? Do you think about that in retrospect that teams don't obviously want to use that spot on just the returner.

A: Right. Young players, I say this all the time, young players make mistakes and they got to grow in this league and he's a little guy. So he's 5'8, he's a 170 pounds, and personnel people are not salivating all over themselves to get a little guy like that, but those are the guys that will get you. We're in the Serengeti. It ain't the big lions, they'll get you too, but them little dudes will get you too, right? So, you got to be alert for the black mamba in the tree, you know? So, that's just what it is. But he's a good player and you're right, everybody did have a chance, it's just – they grow up, they hit a stride, some synergy between him and their unit and he's doing a good job.

Q: Does (kicker) Mason (Crosby) not have a good kickoff leg? Because it seemed like everything was really short.

A: It's the first time he's kicked off in a while. Going in certain directions, it might not look like it, but going in certain directions, the wind was blowing a little bit. So, is Mason Crosby 23 years old? No, he's not. He's 38 years old, whatever it is. He's in his 17th year in the league. That's just what it is. I'm sure (quarterback) John Elway when he was 23 could throw it further than when he was 40. It's just over time, you lose power. You lose some of that stuff. But he's still definitely serviceable and he did a really good job for us Sunday.

Q: What was that like getting to the point where you had Mason here last week? Because when we talked to you, you were still thinking about what options you would have, and Dabs (Head Coach Brian Daboll) essentially told us, 'Look, it's going to be (kicker) Cade (York).' What was that like? When you have a veteran, what do you focus on when you get them in here?

A: Just the timing, just him in the operation. Those guys, when you get a veteran kicker, guys that have 10-plus years in this league, really seven-plus, they know exactly what they want to do and how they want to do it. So now it's just a matter of getting them in here with the snapper and the holder, and telling them, 'Hey, look, this is how I like the ball, this is how I want it. If we're in the wind, if we're outside and we're playing in windy conditions, I want you to lean it this way versus this kind of wind, and I want you to lean it this way versus…' It's just the small details of the job and they just get comfortable with each other and that just takes some time. It just doesn't happen through eight reps, right? They've got to get in there and kind of work through it. They don't have to kick a ton of balls, but you've still got to work the operation with it. So they all feel comfortable with it.

Q: On kickoffs, why have you gotten to the point where you're just not going to return them?

A: I mean, it's all analytical. It's all kind of based upon analytics. So, if we get a ball that's out past a certain point, we'll return it. But if it's deep, if it's one, two, three yards deep, at the goal line, we'll make other decisions, but it's just more based on analytics.

Q: What do you think of that? You're basically saying that kickoffs are dead unless it's a short kick.

A: Not necessarily. There're some situations where we will return, but for the most part, that's kind of our rule of thumb.

Q: Is that hard for you to come to that realization?

A: Life in the big city. It's what it is.

Running Back Saquon Barkley

Q: How do you look at this next game? Obviously, two to go.

A: Same way. This is the NFL. Go out there and compete, try to win. That's the goal every week, go out try to find a way to win the football game, and it doesn't change. Obviously, in two weeks we'll be going home, so the mindset is try to finish the season as strong as we can.

Q: Has it gotten old, though, not getting into the playoffs? I mean, I know last year you did have the run, so you had the taste of it, but how disappointing is it not to follow that up?

A: I think it definitely sucks more knowing–having a feeling of playing in the playoffs and going there the season prior. Obviously, that was the expectation to make the playoffs again this year, but we fell short. There are a lot of games that we wish we could have back to be in a different scenario coming into Week 17. But that's not the case and the case is we have two games left, and we have a tough opponent who is playing really well, and I think they're still continuing to fight for the playoffs, so you know you're going to get their best shot. As a competitor, that's what you want. So, our job is to go out there and compete and try our best to come out with a win, and we've got to be ready to play great football in all three phases.

Q: You being a leader on the team, or one of the leaders, do you sense that there's any attitude with some people who are just playing out the season, or is everybody having your attitude, 'No, let's win these two games?'

A: I think everyone is kind of focused with the same attitude not only that I have; I think that's kind of just the message from the coaches, from Dabs (Head Coach Brian Daboll), to go out there and win and compete. That's what the NFL is about. Obviously, like I said, it's unfortunate that we're not in a scenario where we can continue to compete and make the playoffs, but there's a lot of people that would love to be in our position, so you've just got to keep that mindset, go out there, play at high level, and try your best to come out with a win like every other week.

Q: How hard is it for you not to think about your future?

A: I feel like everybody is in a different position. Some people know that this is their last year here, technically. You never know, you could sign back or not. Some guys have multiple-year deals where they are here. Me personally, knowing that the future is kind of unknown, it definitely crosses your mind, but I just try to take in every moment and just enjoy my time and go out there and compete with my teammates. That's kind of the mindset that I've been having. Obviously, the future is uncertain. My contract situation last year was a hot topic, but I feel like whenever that happens, I'll worry about that then. So, just live in the moment, take care of these last few games, and focus on the Rams first.

Q: 1,000 yards mean anything to you?

A: Definitely. Definitely would be an important thing. Definitely a goal of mine to get, not just selfishly, for the offensive line. I feel like it's a big thing, 1,000 yards, and maybe even more hopefully. A year like this where we had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of adversity and me being injured, missing a couple of games, I feel like it definitely wouldn't hurt with the things I want to accomplish in my career. So, it's definitely a goal of mine and I would love to do that, and I feel me accomplishing that would be a big thing not only for myself, but for the offensive line, too.

Q: On the fourth down call, was that just a good play (Eagles linebacker Haason) Reddick?

A: Yeah, I mean, I can't take anything away from him. That's one of those things where, just miscommunication that happens. We've just got to do a better job of being locked in a critical situation. I'm not going to take anything away from him, he's a heck of a player, made a great play. Probably had an idea who was getting the ball, we were running it there, but he jumped it, made a great play. We definitely could help ourselves out a little bit more, and that's stuff you've got to learn from and you can't let it happen again.

Q. As someone who appreciates history so much, can you appreciate going up against (Rams defensive lineman) Aaron Donald?

A: Yeah, I'm excited for that one. Probably shouldn't say that, I don't want to–they say don't poke the bear. My mindset is – I really don't – whoever we're going up against, that doesn't bother me, but knowing how great of a player he is, arguably, probably the greatest defensive player of alltime, between him and probably (Pro Football and Giants Hall of Famer) Lawrence Taylor, it's definitely going to be fun. As a competitor, you want to go up against a guy like that. You know he's going to give you your best and you want to try to have a performance against a guy like that, so definitely a little extra motivation, too.

Q. Have your paths crossed at all?

A: Aaron?

Q. Yeah, you and Aaron in any Pro Bowl or anything? Nothing like that?

A: I don't think so. I don't think so, actually. Not that I remember. I've probably met him before, but I think this definitely will be–I know this will be the first time I've played against him and like I said, I'm super excited. Not just him, the challenge of that whole team. They have a great team. They have a really good defense, and the defense has been playing great, they've been playing great as a team, so it's going to be a fun challenge.

Q. I know you addressed this in Philly for the most part but if I may, to be out the playoffs means what, though? Because after last year I'm assuming maybe there was some heightened anticipation that you could continue the run and the run obviously stopped after just the one appearance last year.

A: Like I said, it sucks not being in there. You definitely wanted to build off that. I definitely do think we have the talent on this team, but one thing I've learned, I've kind of always known, each year is a new year. This year wasn't this team's year, for whatever reason. Obviously, there's a lot of stuff we could've done differently and just didn't accomplish that goal. Next year, it's a reset and every team in the league has the same goal: it's to try to compete for a Super Bowl. Make it to the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl.

Q. You're a student of the game. Is (Rams running back Kyren) Williams a different kind of running back or is he just a guy who isn't flying under the radar?

A: To be honest, I haven't really gotten to watch him. I got to watch him a little bit against the Saints, when'd they play? Last Thursday night? I got to watch him a little bit. Obviously, knowing the backs and seeing how well he's doing. I haven't actually gotten to sit down and watch his film so I'm excited to watch him play. He's been playing really well, hopefully he doesn't play well against us, but like you said, being a student of the game and being a fan of the position, definitely, when I get the opportunity to be able to sit down and watch all these guys, he's definitely someone that I'm going to try my best to watch and study him and see the reason why he's been so successful this year.