00:00:05
Speaker 1: Welcome to this week's 6th Friday edition of the From the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Kalura. Browns got their final day of work in for the week as they prepare for their second divisional showdown this season with the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday. On today's episode, you'll hear from head coach Todd Munkin, quarterback coach Mike Bajakian, defensive line coach Jacques Césaire, wide receiver KC Concepcion, linebacker Quincy Williams, and safety Grant Delpit. We'll start with your head coach, Todd Munkin, who gave some optimistic injury updates ahead of this week's game.
00:00:37
Speaker 2: All of these guys with.
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Speaker 3: A chance to come back and play for you in Barnett, Graham.
00:00:42
Speaker 4: Judkins, and Sweshen.
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Speaker 5: Yeah, it was good having those guys back out there today. And, you know, we'll see over the next 48 hours, you know, where we're at.
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Speaker 6: I think he's cleared.
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Speaker 7: Yeah.
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Speaker 8: Yeah, he was full today.
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Speaker 9: It seems like Lamar wasn't seeing the practice again today. I mean, we've talked about this, you know, earlier in the week, but just, you know, what does Snoop, you know, do for that offense and how much does it really change for you guys?
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Speaker 8: You say you're preparing for the Ravens.
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Speaker 9: How much does it really change?
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Speaker 8: Not much. Not much.
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Speaker 5: I mean, you know, Snoop has athleticism, ability to escape. make plays with his legs, use him in the QB-driven world. He makes quick decisions with the football. He's a very confident player like Lamar, so we have to prepare for the Ravens.
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Speaker 10: Was the plan all along to get a lot of these guys back today, and then were you able to see as much as you wanted out of those guys?
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Speaker 8: Oh, yeah.
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Speaker 5: No, in terms of some of the guys worked out before the practice and then the guys in the practice today. So we were able to see what we needed to see with all of them.
00:01:56
Speaker 11: Mason and Carson like you know they're only in the second year of their careers but anytime they've been injured it just seems like they fight through.
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Speaker 12: Whatever whether it's a broken rib or a.
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Speaker 11: High ankle sprain like how much do you appreciate that as their coach that they just kind of had that mentality.
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Speaker 5: Well they're wired the right way you know they just are they uh if they can go they're gonna go and not only the way they're wired but also in terms of uh how much the team means to them, right? And that's what team says when you're willing to play hurt, when you're willing to chase the ball, when you're willing to be connected on a daily basis. So those guys are wired the right way. We have a number of guys like that. I don't mean that just to single out those two guys, but they're wired the right way in their approach.
00:02:48
Speaker 3: Speaking of wired, I was watching Casey during the warm-ups and he was dancing and it just seems like he's rearing to go and has a great attitude heading into this game coming off a concussion. How great is it.
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Speaker 5: To see him? He's another one that's wired the right way. I don't know if I've ever seen him come in the building or have a bad day without a smile on his face and enjoying life and And he wants to be coached. He wants to be a great player. He brings it every day on the practice field. And he's very diligent in his approach to what we're trying to do offensively and from an assignment standpoint. And, you know, that's why he's ascended up the depth chart as fast as he has. Same with Denzel.
00:03:43
Speaker 10: Being around Derrick Henry for your time there, first, were you surprised that he's still playing at such a high level given his age and just.
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Speaker 9: What you learn about him?
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Speaker 5: Well, with Derrick, age is just a number. The way he takes care of himself on a daily basis, it's, you can say impressive and it's probably not enough. You know, in terms of what he puts in his body, how he brings it every day. He's very prideful, you know, doesn't like being wrong. Like, if you correct him and you're wrong, you're going to hear about it and deservedly so. And he'd get those eyes wide open and come right over to you and, you know, Because he's, again, very prideful in the work that he puts in. And, you know, it's fun to be around every day. And guys like that. And, I mean, a first ballot Hall of Famer, gold jacket guy. You know, he just, and he doesn't talk a lot. He just, he speaks with his work.
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Speaker 13: Derek also said this week that, you know, he knows you and says that you may be downplaying your emotions going into this game, but that, you know, in the background, I'm sure that you're talking trash to your players about that.
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Speaker 5: I don't know, talking trash? I mean, I saw that. About 18 people sent me that. Like, I'm not even on social media and you guys send me this. So, I mean, I got a ton of respect for Derek. I love being around him for two years and those guys, like, It's another game week. It's a divisional game. And it's not personal. It's strictly business. I'll do the whole Godfather thing. And, you know, basically it's a divisional game against a really good team that I have a lot of respect for and for those players. So, yeah, do I want to win? Not any different than any other week. And my message isn't any different this week than it was last. the previous five weeks in terms of the things we have to do to be successful that basically is us, right? What do we have to do first? And then what do we have to do relative to what we think they're going to put out there? And that's, that's really it. I mean, I, I get a kick out of it, you know, with those guys.
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Speaker 9: You mentioned the, you know, separating the personal from the business. How much of it is kind of the nomadic nature of the coaching process? of pro sports in general, even for both the players, that you do have to, you can't let personal feelings, the emotions of nostalgia or whatever come, you know, kind of come into play during a week like this.
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Speaker 5: Well, I don't, I mean, I don't have that. I mean, I had a great three years there. We did a lot of really good things. We had really good coaches and really good players. And everything in life has a shelf life. I mean, it just does. And it just happened to be last year. And I've said this. I mean, I don't get this job without being at the Ravens and without the success we had and the players we had. So why would I be bitter over that? I'm not. I have a lot of respect for them. And like I said, I look forward to competing. It'll be a little bit different. There's no way it's not. I mean, there's no way there's. It's not like they traded out half their team. I mean, there's a number of those guys that are still there that I was in the building with for a number of years. But that's part of it, right? Let's go out there and play our best football and see where it goes.
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Speaker 3: Todd, I don't know if you did know this for sure when you sat down, but Lamar Jackson has been ruled out for this game, so you guys definitely will be facing Snoop. Does that... change anything at all about your mindset, your preparation or anything like that?
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Speaker 5: No, I mean, it doesn't. I mean, Snoop's played well. I mean, he really has. I mean, if you go back to what the last game they played, our Green Bay game last year, our Bears game when he started, he's played well. There's a reason why they signed him back, right? You don't sign back players that you don't have a lot of trust in and plan on them playing well. And it's our job to, you know, negate some of the things that he does well and get after all of them. It's not just Snoop. There's a lot of good players around him and they do a good job schematically. So it's going to be a real challenge.
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Speaker 11: When it comes to Snoop, why do you think he's had such staying power as a backup and particularly mainly with one organization?
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Speaker 10: What about him has allowed him to do that?
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Speaker 5: Well, I think First of all, his confidence. He has a confidence within himself and loves to play the game. And so nothing gets too big for him. Like, it doesn't. And so the ups and downs of off-season and training camp or, you know, those kind of things or games that you play, it doesn't. And he's got such a great personality. He's fun to be around. He's diligent in his approach. And he mirrors some of the things you can do with Lamar. And so I think that makes him valuable to certain organizations more than others, right, where you don't have to change the plan so drastically, you know, should something happen to your starter. And I think that has shown to be true over the years with Snoop. And like I said, I got a lot of respect for him. He's fun to be around. I enjoy him a lot.
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Speaker 11: Todd, when you guys first kind of got KC in here, did Zake Flowers offer some sort of template, kind of what you.
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Speaker 5: Guys did with him in his career? Oh, yeah. No, I mean. you know, when you have a player that is a volume catch player, right, not only just a novelty fly sweep screen guy, but a route runner that you can play They can make plays down the field. And that's why they, at their size, they get elevated in the draft. I mean, that's why, because they can separate and they can, you can get the ball to them in a number of ways. It doesn't have to be down the field. But the other thing that elevates that is how they're wired. And both of them are wired at this level in terms of practice and terms of the day-to-day, how they approach it. They're fun to be around and they're fun to coach and they make you a better coach.
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Speaker 4: When you first watched KC on tape last February, March, did you say.
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Speaker 8: That could be Zay?
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Speaker 5: Oh yeah. I mean, I would never say that, that that could be Zay because Zay is Zay. But I said, there's a number of things you can do with him. not only because of his skill set, because of his mindset, because of the way he approaches every day, at least what we thought, right, or that we'd heard. We hadn't been around him, so there's a little bit there that you're not sure of. But, you know, KC's KC and Zay is Zay.
00:11:20
Speaker 10: Your screen game, I mean, what at first, what have been your.
00:11:25
Speaker 14: Impressions of your screen game?
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Speaker 5: It's been inconsistent. I think you could probably put it up there with most of the things we've been doing on offense, which has been up and down, some good and some bad. There's a lot of things we need to improve on. And at times, I felt pretty good about it. And then at other times, you don't feel nearly as good about it. And that's week to week, right? Like it felt okay, we came out of the Pittsburgh game feeling good about a lot of things. And We didn't handle the elements. We came out of that feeling not real good about a lot of things. And that's part of what happens, right, in this league. So what do you do? You look in the mirror and you say, how do we coach it better? How do we scheme it better? How do we execute it better? Across the board in everything we're doing, right, and every day.
00:12:13
Speaker 10: Is it all about timing?
00:12:15
Speaker 8: Some of it's that.
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Speaker 5: Some of it's timing. Some of it's when you're calling it. Some of it's the looks that you get. Your sample size in a given game can be pretty small. It's not as if, you know, you could say, how'd you feel about your rundown execution? You could say, well, we had 30 rundown snaps, a little easier. You threw three or four screens and they didn't go, you know, you were a block away or a time, whatever that is. And then, you know, there's certainly room for improvement in everything we're doing. That just happens to be one piece of it.
00:12:44
Speaker 12: Todd, you've talked a ton about just.
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Speaker 15: How you prepare, how your experience has prepared you to be the coach you are now. And you talked about, you know, how Baltimore sort of set you up.
00:12:56
Speaker 10: For coming here.
00:12:58
Speaker 15: What's maybe, I'm sure at each stop you kind of learn something different, but what's the biggest thing you feel like you took away from your time in Baltimore that helped you prepare for being ready.
00:13:07
Speaker 6: For this job?
00:13:10
Speaker 5: There's just way too many. You know, there just is from top to bottom. a lot of it having to do with Coach Harbaugh, you know, because that's who I directly work for, but there's more than that. In terms of drafting players, you know, the way the building is run, you know, when you come into work every day, and the people that are there, I certainly have improved greatly in the three years that I was there as a coach, as you should, and so, you know, I wouldn't be where I'm at today without those three years, and a lot of people and the organization and the players, you know, have a lot to do with that of, you know, what shapes you, right? Whatever that might be. And it helped shape me in a lot of ways. The good and the bad, right? That we go through, right? That you look back and say, I could have done this better or the things that you agree that we did a really good job at these things. That all comes from your ability to grow and learn from certain things that you would handle differently, right? the way you would approach things, not only schematically, but then as the head coach.
00:14:22
Speaker 12: You mentioned drafting players.
00:14:23
Speaker 2: Is that something that in Baltimore maybe you had more hands-on experience with than you maybe had previously in your career?
00:14:29
Speaker 5: I think Eric does a really good job of including the staff, and there comes a point where obviously in any draft procedure, you're not going to get your way, but I think they do a great job, just like here, of having your say. I mean, that's think that's all an assistant coach wants is the ability to have their say ultimately the people that are in charge of the draft have to make the decision and then it's your job to develop every player to get the most out of them that you can and I thought we did a really good job of that there and I think we're doing a really good job of that here to try and develop the players I mean you're not going to have a ready-made roster and you know I saw that close up I'm not saying other organizations don't do that, but I haven't been part of every organization. I just had a, an appreciation for Ozzie and Eric and the way that they went about their business. And obviously I have an affection for Harbs and, and the way he went about his business as a head coach. And I learned a lot really from, from coach, you know, on an everyday basis in terms of how you handle the team. And, and I grew in terms of being better at how you handle players, right. On a day-to-day basis. And, uh, That's what you do. You grow and you learn from your past experiences.
00:15:48
Speaker 6: Did some of what you went through.
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Speaker 3: With Lamar last year help you in how you communicate with Deshaun this year and how you deal with him and.
00:15:57
Speaker 10: All of that?
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Speaker 5: Some of that. I mean, some of it's a part of that. It's not just him. It's there was other players that, like anything, I mean, you're human. And I always say it, you own it and you fight like hell to fix it. And people have been really good over the years. It's not just there. I've been lucky enough to be around people that will tell you the truth. And that's what you're always hoping for in life is you get around people that will tell you the truth, good and bad. Man, that was a great job today, man. That was awesome. And then there's other times where they've got to say, you know what, you didn't really handle that as well as you needed to. And then it's up to you as a human being, are you going to change? And are you going to look in the mirror and say, this can be better. This X, Y, Z can be better. And so, but that's not just there. There were things at Georgia and before then here, right? And then before then at Tampa, it's just life.
00:16:52
Speaker 8: It really is.
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Speaker 5: And how you choose to pivot in terms of the information they had or build off what's good and, you know, fix the things that aren't nearly up to where you want it to be is is really the magic right there. That's really where it's at. Thank you.
00:17:08
Speaker 1: Quarterbacks coach Mike Bajiecki talked about how he's seen Deshaun Watson grow into this new system.
00:17:14
Speaker 9: I have a question in terms of, you know, Deshaun's ability to extend plays has obviously, you know, helped create a lot of big opportunities for you guys, but also what's the kind of the balance you kind of look for him as like, look, at some point you have to get rid of the ball or, you know, you just kind of see what you saw.
00:17:34
Speaker 8: Sometimes against the Jets.
00:17:36
Speaker 15: Sure.
00:17:36
Speaker 16: It's a constant conversation and it is a fine line because he's done such a good job of making plays with his feet that you don't want to take away his improvisational skill because it has been very productive and at times has led directly to points. But to your point, we, you know, there are times that we can avoid negative plays. So, It's a conversation, constant communication about, hey, understanding situations, understanding field position, understanding down and distance and when we can take those chances. And those are those are conversations we'll always have.
00:18:16
Speaker 3: Mike, we haven't talked to you, I don't think, since Deshaun was able to rebound from that opening game and come back and orchestrate three straight fourth quarter game-winning drives. Could have done it again in New York. Just what are your thoughts on how he's played for you guys this season?
00:18:36
Speaker 14: Deshaun's a heck of a player with a very good skill set.
00:18:41
Speaker 16: And when you see what he did from week one to week two to three to four, it's not surprising. What people need to understand is that, I mean, shoot, he hadn't played football for how long? Before the Jacksonville game? And I don't care how much experience you have, there's always an element to progressing as a player, to shaking off Ross, to the accumulated game reps that occur over the course of a season. I don't care whether you're a multi-year vet or rookies and second-year players like we have throughout our team.
00:19:23
Speaker 14: The more you play, the more you'll improve, the more.
00:19:26
Speaker 16: You get used to the timing and the speed, and all that goes into what we qualify as game reps. So it's not surprising to see the progression, and as is the case with all of our players, I think we've got to continue to elevate our game, and that will come no matter how experienced you are.
00:19:44
Speaker 11: Mike, it just seemed like, too, with him, in the in the Panthers game in particular, that to, to go to his comfortability, making plays with his feet, that he really seemed to find something there. I mean, him getting in a groove with that part of it coming off the two Achilles procedures, just how important do you think that was for him to, to making some of these explosive plays?
00:20:05
Speaker 14: I think it all helps build confidence.
00:20:08
Speaker 16: I've said, since I addressed you guys the first time probably in the spring, that he has demonstrated to me since the day he arrived in April here at our facility that there seemed to be no residual effects of past injuries. And he felt like he's in the best shape of his life, and I think it's been demonstrated on the football field in regards to his athletic ability.
00:20:37
Speaker 10: When you look at the sacks given up against the Jets, Todd and Travis both talked about how it's a combination of things, obviously. But from a quarterback standpoint, where did you think Deshaun could be better, whether it's recognizing or the communication?
00:20:51
Speaker 12: Sure.
00:20:52
Speaker 16: Boy, you're bringing up the Jets and the Panthers and all that. I moved on from that game Monday night. And Coach Monk and Coach Schweitzer mentioned that there's a lot of factors that go into it. me personally as a quarterback's coach, and I tell our players this all the time, the first thing you have to do is look in the mirror and say, what could I do better? And so I always look in the mirror and say, what could I, Mike Pajicchi, have done better? And so the emphasis that we place, that I've placed is on communicating well, is on getting rid of the ball on time, is on, you know, and again, We all progress in the course of the season. Hey, maybe I need to spend a little bit more time in my meetings on showing them different looks and on that type of stuff. Like Coach Schweitzer and Coach Munkin have mentioned, there's a lot of factors that go into it. I'm always going to look in the mirror and say, all right, what could I do better? Sure, that adjusts how we practice, the skills we emphasize, and what we do in our meeting room.
00:22:01
Speaker 10: Looking to the Ravens, are they a team that's going to make it difficult to recognize where that pressure is coming from?
00:22:08
Speaker 12: Sure.
00:22:08
Speaker 16: The Ravens are an outstanding veteran team.
00:22:13
Speaker 14: I think they have, as you look at their roster, they have.
00:22:16
Speaker 16: A lot of guys that have played a lot of football and do a good job with disguise and do a good job of bringing it, you know, in different directions and with multiple defenders. So, yeah, they will present a challenge that– we're always going to focus on and rise to the occasion on.
00:22:33
Speaker 17: As you look at some of the communication things between the protections on the O-line and Deshaun and some of the tendencies of holding on to the ball and extending plays, do you change maybe the approach in practice in the week as you kind of see things as maybe a collaborative effort between you and the O-line, Deshaun and the O-line? Is there additions to what you guys are working on when you see these things?
00:22:58
Speaker 14: You're always going to adjust what you do.
00:23:01
Speaker 16: Again, I probably sound like a broken record because I'm sure the last time I addressed you guys, I said this. We got to understand what our strengths are, what our weaknesses are. We play to our strengths and prove upon our weaknesses. And as it relates directly to the quarterback position, the guy that I coach, yeah, I feel I have a pretty good beat on that. And that's a constant conversation that I'm going to have with Deshaun and Shador and Palin and Dylan and all those guys and how do we how do we improve upon our weaknesses and play to our strengths so that that's you know as you look at hey how do we adjust to um to those situations yeah maybe we might spend more a little bit you know tweak the time we're spending in practice on certain things but uh it's not like a wholesale change not like a change of scheme a change in technique a change in what we're doing we we potentially devote a little bit more time to this and a.
00:23:56
Speaker 14: And you know what?
00:23:58
Speaker 16: Just like anything else, the more time you spend on something, the more emphasis you put on it, the more you'll improve.
00:24:05
Speaker 14: Time is limited. So what does that mean?
00:24:08
Speaker 16: Something else might show up this week that we're going to say, hey, you know what? Next week we've got to adjust how we're doing this a little bit.
00:24:15
Speaker 14: That's coaching.
00:24:16
Speaker 18: Mike, when you have a young backup like Shador who's still young but one play away from being in the starting spot and just a young groom for a matter of How do you go about, you know, do you do anything differently in terms of making sure that they're staying on top of stuff? I know all your attention really is devoted to getting DeSean ready, but when you have a young quarterback room and young backups who are, you know, waiting in the wings, do you do anything differently during the week to make sure that.
00:24:41
Speaker 8: They're on top of stuff?
00:24:42
Speaker 16: Sure, definitely a little bit differently than, let's say, training camp or the spring where everybody's getting, you know, this past training camp spring was balance reps, but even in situations where maybe you're going into that and you know the starter, two and three are still getting reps, maybe at a smaller percentage, right? As you get into the season, reps are so much harder to come by, right? And so I wouldn't say I've been doing anything differently. I've always structured the meeting room as a conversation between all the guys, right? And granted, Deshaun's getting the majority of the reps and the majority of the game reps, and we got to make sure he.
00:25:19
Speaker 14: Understands the game plan.
00:25:20
Speaker 16: But, you know, Shador and Talon and Dylan are all extremely engaged and and frankly have played a bunch of football and can contribute to those conversations that we have.
00:25:30
Speaker 14: So that's number one.
00:25:31
Speaker 16: And then number two, this time of year where the backups aren't getting as many reps, you spend a little extra time after practice making sure that you're working through the script, you know, with spotted routes or walkthrough setting or whatever it might be, whatever reps they don't get, you got to make sure that they've gotten, whether it be mental, whether it be physical, whatever it might be, you got to.
00:25:52
Speaker 14: Keep them caught up to speed.
00:25:54
Speaker 16: What you lose sight of there is that, hey, the timing mechanisms are often a little bit different. The procedural mechanisms are different in those settings. And that's where, as a backup, you've got to stay sharp on those parts of it.
00:26:10
Speaker 3: It seems like there's a trend in the NFL of maybe a bunch more blitzing. Maybe you can correct me if I'm wrong on that, but it seems like there's a lot more blitzing going on and a free runner coming and maybe even sort of spying on the quarterback or whatever. If that is the case, is that happening and what can you guys do to counter it?
00:26:35
Speaker 14: We study. I love the way Coach Monk.
00:26:39
Speaker 16: Executes the game plan process. But we're constantly looking at both offensive and defensive trends in the NFL every week. And as the season gets older, you see more and more trends. And so you're correct. And that's every year. That's what makes my job now in year 31 exciting and interesting is that it's never the same thing. And you have to continue to grow and evolve. and continue to study and stay sharp in those trends. And so, yes, you're correct. This is my first year back in the NFL after a seven- or eight-year hiatus. And, sure, it's changed a bunch, but it's constantly changing.
00:27:26
Speaker 14: And so you continue to study.
00:27:28
Speaker 16: You see it when you're doing opponent breakdowns and even when you, in your offseason studies, you say, hey, what were the big-picture changes?
00:27:35
Speaker 14: But you're correct.
00:27:37
Speaker 16: There are pressure changes. and how guys are pressuring the quarterback and how guys are pressuring rundown situations and all those types of things.
00:27:45
Speaker 14: That are obvious. I don't want to say, you know, not that they're predictable.
00:27:48
Speaker 16: But it's obviously obvious to see the changes in trend.
00:27:53
Speaker 6: And does it make it.
00:27:54
Speaker 3: That much harder when you guys are trying to find your way in.
00:27:58
Speaker 4: The running game?
00:27:59
Speaker 16: I think part of the beauty of Coach Munkin's system is that it's very flexible. And so, yeah, that's the challenge every year. is how do you adjust to what you're seeing and how teams are playing you specifically. You know, that's one of the things we study is, okay, they showed X, Y, and Z leading up to our game, but there's always going to be another element of what did they do differently against us that they hadn't shown before or that was maybe a little different than what they've done. And so then you ask the question, why? Well, you're always self-scouting yourself. You're always opponent scouting. And all that goes into how you build each game plan and progress through the season.
00:28:37
Speaker 2: I know you're always trying to develop all your quarterbacks, but especially Taylon, I guess, just in his rookie season, how you kind of continue to see him grow and develop behind the scenes, not necessarily getting the reps at practice like you mentioned and just kind of.
00:28:52
Speaker 14: Coming to his own as you try to develop him.
00:28:56
Speaker 16: He does a highly intelligent, highly motivated individual who does a great job in preparation. I think having a veteran like Deshaun right now is.
00:29:08
Speaker 16: Has kind of set an example for Taylor and on how to prepare on the process of preparation. Um, and then, yeah, we, we, like I mentioned, we spend the extra time, um, you know, at the end of practice and, and.
00:29:21
Speaker 14: Things like that. Uh, but he's doing a great job and, and continuing to progress. They all are.
00:29:25
Speaker 8: They all are.
00:29:26
Speaker 14: Thank you.
00:29:26
Speaker 1: Defensive line coach Jacques Cesar talked about the next man up mentality in the defensive line room.
00:29:32
Speaker 9: Can you just, um, what's.
00:29:34
Speaker 3: It like, you know, kind of heading into this game with some uncertainty for so many of your guys?
00:29:42
Speaker 7: Yeah, you know, we just try and stay process oriented and we just worry about, you know, the guys that are out there that are working, the men that are out there that are working. Those are the guys that that we're making sure that they know exactly what they need to do. They understand the game plan. They understand what that offense is trying to do. And that's kind of all we try and worry about.
00:30:06
Speaker 8: We control what you can control. That's about it.
00:30:09
Speaker 9: Chris and Sam both are guys that have been around. So how much did that help when they're kind of thrown into the fire?
00:30:18
Speaker 3: Right.
00:30:18
Speaker 7: So first of all, Sam Kamar, you know, the ultimate professional. And he's been with me every year that I've been here. And he's a guy that reminds me a lot of myself, you know. And he never looks at it as, you know, am I on practice squad, am I up, or anything like that. He takes every day like he is the guy that is going to be out there.
00:30:43
Speaker 12: And he.
00:30:44
Speaker 8: He works as if he is the starter. And that's what you need.
00:30:47
Speaker 7: You know, this system that we run has to be about waves. We need guys continually going in because how we ask them to play, right, hair on fire, run to the ball at stack monsters, playing very physical on the edge, penetrating and disrupting. All that stuff makes you tired. So, you know, you're not going to be out there five, six, seven plays. You'll be three, four, you know, and then we got to get the next wave of guys in there. So, Sam, He's done a great job of just understanding, like I said, the game plan and just working his craft every day since he's been here.
00:31:21
Speaker 8: Same thing with Chris Williams.
00:31:23
Speaker 7: You know, if you remember, you know, a few years back, you know, Chris Williams had three sacks for us in the preseason. He was a heck of a player for us. And there's another guy that just came in just very, very technique process oriented type of player that he understands what his role is and what he needs to do to make plays for us to win. So I'm really happy with both of those guys and their development and everything that they've been doing for us. And, you know, like I said before, I can't wait to see them go out and do it all over again.
00:31:50
Speaker 11: I know your guys always talk about Russian coverage and always preach that. I mean, how much do you think that they've taken advantage of, you know, some really tight coverage that the back end of the defense seems to be playing these last four games?
00:32:04
Speaker 8: Yeah, yeah.
00:32:05
Speaker 7: We always preach, you know, Russian coverage always works together. And we always preach four equals one. One guy can't go out there and do it all. And everybody needs everybody. We need the coverage to play like they've been playing. And we need to rush our butts off everybody. And we need to be coordinated when we're rushing as well. So that's what this thing is about. It's the ultimate team game. Not one guy is going to do it. We need everybody in the mix. So seeing those guys on the back end cover like they do, we know that our responsibility is to get to the quarterback or at least move him off the spot or get pressure on him or get hits on him.
00:32:38
Speaker 8: So That's what we focus on mostly in our room.
00:32:41
Speaker 18: Jared's production through five games, I think most people would kind of look at the surface and say zero sacks.
00:32:46
Speaker 8: Do you need more from him?
00:32:48
Speaker 18: What are you saying that you like?
00:32:49
Speaker 8: What are you saying that maybe you need.
00:32:51
Speaker 7: More in that? No, I like what I'm seeing with Jared right now. The thing about it is, like I said, it's four equals one. And a lot of those sacks, when you look at it, he's right there. He's either hitting the quarterback or he has his offense alignment in the face of the quarterback.
00:33:05
Speaker 8: That's what we need. We need a coordinated rush.
00:33:07
Speaker 7: Where all four guys are rushing together and we're collapsing and suffocating the pocket. And so we preach that every single day. And he takes that to heart. He takes that seriously. It's not about one guy getting all the sacks. It's about four guys getting all the sacks. And as you can see, there's a lot of guys on the team. There's six different guys right now on the defensive line that has sacks, including some second-level guys. So we're really happy with the overall production of the defensive line.
00:33:34
Speaker 8: You know, can we all use more sacks? Absolutely. I want more sacks.
00:33:37
Speaker 14: Okay.
00:33:38
Speaker 7: You know, but at the end of the day, it's not about one guy. It's about everybody working together.
00:33:42
Speaker 6: Along those lines.
00:33:44
Speaker 19: A lot of the guys in there have talked about if their production on the stat sheet was lower in the first couple of weeks and then they start to see it, they get excited, but they're still, they're still content with making an impact on the defense without those stats for you as a, as their coach, do you kind of measure that out too? Do you, praise them when they're not sitting on the stat sheet? Is there a way to measure that, the none?
00:34:07
Speaker 8: Oh, absolutely.
00:34:08
Speaker 7: We have factor points in the room where this guy was a factor on the play. You know, are you executing your rush plan? Is your man in the face of the quarterback? Are you moving the quarterback off the spot? Are you pressuring the quarterback? Are you hitting the quarterback? Are you in position to win? Because, you know, right now the ball is coming out faster than ever right now. And so, you know, when our guys, it's my job to make them understand, hey, look where you made the impact on this play right here. You know, not everybody's going to fill up the stat sheets. And truth be told, the only stat that really matters is the win.
00:34:42
Speaker 8: That's it.
00:34:42
Speaker 7: That's the only thing that matters. And like I said, the guys have done a really good job of You know, we take the ego mode out of it.
00:34:49
Speaker 12: All right.
00:34:50
Speaker 7: We are all task oriented. We were trying to figure out what is the task at hand? How do we get better at this task every single day? And so we're not we're not thinking about, you know, did this guy get this? Did this guy get that? It's truly four guys equals one. And we are this ultimate team game. And it's the ultimate team position where we get to rush the passer. You know, it's not one guy rushing a passer. It's four guys rushing a passer suffocating the pocket.
00:35:16
Speaker 3: In the offseason, you mentioned that you thought that Mason could have had six sacks last year, but he didn't necessarily raise his hand for the production, and you foresaw some really good things ahead for him. This was, of course, before he got to four sacks. So what is going on with him kind of this year? How did he get off to such a hot start, and what is the outlook?
00:35:43
Speaker 12: Yeah.
00:35:43
Speaker 8: I mean, first of all, I told you so. No, no, no.
00:35:46
Speaker 7: I mean, Mason, again, just another, just ultimate professional. And you want to talk about a guy that's very, very serious about his craft and just the precision of how he moves, you know, his, his hand targeting, what he's looking at and just his overall football IQ is at extremely high.
00:36:03
Speaker 8: It's elite, you know?
00:36:04
Speaker 7: So what, what you're seeing from Mason is what I've always seen from him. It's the reason why We picked him where we picked him. It's because he is an elite interior defender, and sometimes we get him on the edge sometimes. There's nothing he can't do, and I just can't wait for him to just keep rolling.
00:36:22
Speaker 8: Thank you very much.
00:36:23
Speaker 1: Wide receiver KC Concepcion is our first player up today, and he talked about the comparisons of his game to Zae Flowers.
00:36:29
Speaker 12: How scary in.
00:36:30
Speaker 9: The moment was that, you know, the hit being on the ground? You know, it looked like, you know, you've been completely knocked out.
00:36:37
Speaker 11: Yeah.
00:36:38
Speaker 12: Can you kind of describe how.
00:36:40
Speaker 9: That, you know, the emotions in the moment?
00:36:44
Speaker 20: I mean, yeah, it was a scary hit. But, you know, I got up from it, and I was actually trying to get back in the game. But, you know, due to league protocol, you know, I wasn't allowed back out there.
00:36:58
Speaker 3: And in terms of just– Do you have to get back out here so soon to recover? I mean, we saw your eyes roll in the back.
00:37:06
Speaker 4: Of your head. I know you got knocked out.
00:37:08
Speaker 9: Yes, ma'am.
00:37:09
Speaker 4: So, you know, has that.
00:37:11
Speaker 6: Ever happened to you before?
00:37:12
Speaker 3: And how remarkable is it that you're back?
00:37:15
Speaker 4: Yeah, that, well, that was my first concussion ever.
00:37:20
Speaker 12: Hopefully my last.
00:37:22
Speaker 4: You know, it was definitely, you know, scary.
00:37:27
Speaker 12: But, you know, I....
00:37:31
Speaker 4: I attacked the concussion protocol.
00:37:36
Speaker 12: I feel good.
00:37:37
Speaker 4: What did you think of the, I mean, I'm sure you've had a chance to watch now.
00:37:40
Speaker 12: What did you think of it itself?
00:37:43
Speaker 20: I mean, I don't fault anybody. I know the game that I signed up to play. This game is a very physical game to me. To me, it wasn't a dirty hit. It was just a football play. I'm not sure, to be honest. I haven't really checked.
00:38:14
Speaker 12: As far.
00:38:17
Speaker 9: As the Ravens, just getting the magnitude of this game, obviously you guys talked a little bit last week. How big is it to get a home division game to kind of.
00:38:28
Speaker 14: Potentially get yourself back?
00:38:29
Speaker 20: Okay, you know, it's a very, very big game, you know, a.
00:38:36
Speaker 12: Division game, home game.
00:38:38
Speaker 20: You know, they have some amazing players over there. You know, we have some amazing players over here. So, you know.
00:38:45
Speaker 4: I cannot wait to just line up the ball.
00:38:52
Speaker 12: And play, so.
00:38:54
Speaker 11: KC, was it difficult for you to, I know you said you wanted to go back in the game, obviously, but on Sunday, but, like, just knowing.
00:39:02
Speaker 4: It's a loss, too, does that add.
00:39:04
Speaker 11: Sort of an added layer of, man, I really wish I could have been out there and, like, what could have been?
00:39:08
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:39:08
Speaker 20: Yeah, you know, it was a really difficult, you know, for me to be inside a locker room, you know, and not out there with the guys.
00:39:20
Speaker 1: You know.
00:39:21
Speaker 20: The middle of the field was wide open, you know, the whole game pretty much. So, you know, so, you know, it was it was. it was very, very tough knowing that I couldn't be out there to help and knowing.
00:39:40
Speaker 4: That at the position that I played, you.
00:39:44
Speaker 20: Know, the middle of the field was wide open.
00:39:48
Speaker 9: I know it's part of it.
00:39:50
Speaker 10: But is there any hesitation getting back out there?
00:39:54
Speaker 6: Never.
00:39:54
Speaker 12: Whether it's punt return or anything? Never.
00:39:56
Speaker 20: You know, like I said before, you know, I know what I signed up for. You know, I love this game. You know, this game has brought so much positive, you know, into my life.
00:40:12
Speaker 4: So, you know, I'm never hesitant. I'm never– I'm never scared. It's just football. And it was just unfortunate that that happened to me.
00:40:31
Speaker 15: KC, Todd's talked so much about your play style. I'm not trying to compare you, but your play style being.
00:40:38
Speaker 12: So much like, say, Flowers.
00:40:40
Speaker 15: Again, not to necessarily say you're trying.
00:40:43
Speaker 4: To be him, but do you watch his tape? Yes, for sure.
00:40:46
Speaker 6: Do you feel That's what your career could be, and that's the type of player that you can target?
00:40:51
Speaker 12: Yes, yes, for sure.
00:40:52
Speaker 20: You know, Zay coming out of college, Boston College, you know, he was amazing, you know. So, you know, just, you know, watch him, you know, being able to be compared to him, you know, it's a blessing, you know, but, you know, but, you know, I do think that I'm different in certain ways.
00:41:19
Speaker 4: So, you know, so yeah.
00:41:21
Speaker 9: KC, I was watching you kind.
00:41:23
Speaker 3: Of dance in pregame warm-ups this morning, and you just.
00:41:26
Speaker 4: Look really fired up and into it.
00:41:28
Speaker 9: And I'm just wondering, you know, coming off of what you just did, does.
00:41:32
Speaker 3: This bring a, you know, newfound, you know, sort of gratitude to be able to just walk up and.
00:41:38
Speaker 6: Walk away from that hit.
00:41:39
Speaker 9: And just be back so soon?
00:41:40
Speaker 15: Does this find you in, like, a super.
00:41:42
Speaker 12: Joyful place right now? Yes, ma'am. You know, um.
00:41:46
Speaker 20: I thank the Lord, you know, just for him allowing me to get back up and, you know, and be able to walk off the field, you know. But, you know, I'm like this all the time, smiling, dancing, cracking jokes, you know.
00:42:08
Speaker 4: So, I mean, I would say that.
00:42:13
Speaker 20: I would say that I am glad that I was.
00:42:18
Speaker 4: Able to get up, you know, and be able to play again. Yeah, yeah.
00:42:27
Speaker 20: I don't know how to say the name of the school, Willoughby South and East Lake North.
00:42:33
Speaker 4: I heard that both teams are 8-0. So I heard that tonight is supposed.
00:42:37
Speaker 12: To be a good one.
00:42:37
Speaker 20: So me and the guys cannot wait to, you know, pull up there, you know, and watch the football.
00:42:42
Speaker 1: Linebacker Quincy Williams talked about facing Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
00:42:47
Speaker 9: I know you said in the moment that you weren't thinking about your individual performance against the Jets, but having kind of stepped back maybe and had a chance to really think about that, is that your best performance ever?
00:43:02
Speaker 12: One of the best performances, I think so.
00:43:04
Speaker 15: Yeah.
00:43:06
Speaker 21: I'm going to be honest, I don't remember all the performances, but I made sure that one was a good performance.
00:43:12
Speaker 3: And when you have a performance like that, is the bar then kind of set?
00:43:17
Speaker 12: Standard, yes. Is it the standard? Yes, it's the standard set.
00:43:21
Speaker 21: And then on top of that, just making sure the guys around me, coaching staff, people upstairs know that that is the standard that I would like to play at. So whenever they see me not playing to that standard or practicing to that standard, they're holding me accountable because that's where I want my game to go.
00:43:36
Speaker 12: Lamar has been ruled out. What has that changed for you guys?
00:43:41
Speaker 21: Oh, we just found out about that. Great news, great news. Y'all came with some good information.
00:43:45
Speaker 12: I like that. All right, what you're saying now?
00:43:48
Speaker 4: Just to me, not having to face him, but then you have Snoop who's played well lately.
00:43:52
Speaker 12: Yeah, he's played well. Snoop, he's came in, done his thing.
00:43:55
Speaker 21: Biggest thing is not actually preparing for the quarterback, but actually preparing.
00:43:59
Speaker 12: For the team. Now, where that changes, of course, Lamar runs around a little bit more.
00:44:04
Speaker 21: He'll give up 15 yards just to, you know, have a chance to make the play.
00:44:09
Speaker 12: Or get a game. So, Snoop, it's not like that. Get the ball out. So, really preparing for the team.
00:44:15
Speaker 15: What do you do to contain Derrick Henry's lead in the NFL in touchdowns, averaging over 100 scrimmage yards a game?
00:44:23
Speaker 12: Really, population to the ball.
00:44:24
Speaker 21: The first person taking their shot, getting them to stop his feet, and then everyone that's rallying to the ball.
00:44:30
Speaker 12: So, that's kind of like what we harped on as far as this week.
00:44:33
Speaker 21: Had that problem during last week's game with stopping that run. So we know for a fact they're going to come in with the run. So during the week, just populate it to the ball, and actually that first person that's taking that hit, just shoot your shot.
00:44:48
Speaker 3: How nice was it to see Carson back out on the field today?
00:44:51
Speaker 10: Great.
00:44:52
Speaker 3: You guys get to play together in this game.
00:44:54
Speaker 4: What impact did that have?
00:44:56
Speaker 12: It was amazing getting him to come out today.
00:44:58
Speaker 21: It's going to be very exciting to get him out there playing and stuff, so I'm excited about it.
00:45:03
Speaker 9: Did you ever have any doubt that he was going to? He's going to be ready to go?
00:45:06
Speaker 12: Not Carson, never.
00:45:08
Speaker 21: He'll probably get out there in a scooter or something like that. So he'll be there.
00:45:13
Speaker 10: When you have young guys like Carson and Mason that are going to fight to get out there, what does that kind of say about this team?
00:45:18
Speaker 12: It says we have dogs. That's the biggest thing. Saying that they want to be out there to contribute to the team, saying that they want.
00:45:24
Speaker 21: To be out there to make those plays and hold their end of the bargain up, end.
00:45:29
Speaker 12: Of their team up. So I like that.
00:45:31
Speaker 21: And then it also speaks volume to the team. far as like injuries or minor injuries that you may have and stuff. We got guys out here with major injuries that's coming out to play. So it's setting the standard for the team, setting the standard for the locker room.
00:45:44
Speaker 11: The Ravens are one of the top teams in terms of explosive.
00:45:48
Speaker 6: Plays that their offense.
00:45:49
Speaker 12: Has per game.
00:45:50
Speaker 15: What is the key to limiting some of that against any team, but certainly against a team.
00:45:55
Speaker 12: That has like skilled players? Fundamentals, number one.
00:45:58
Speaker 21: A lot of those yards off a yak yard as far as like yards at the catch or you're always.
00:46:04
Speaker 12: At the contact.
00:46:05
Speaker 21: So really the biggest thing is population to the ball. As soon as the ball out, we break into where it's being thrown. And then also when they're running the ball, we're breaking to where the person is, not where he's going.
00:46:18
Speaker 12: So a good tracking game.
00:46:19
Speaker 21: So it goes back to your fundamental tackling, wrapping up, running your feet.
00:46:24
Speaker 12: In the pass game, keeping your eyes good because.
00:46:27
Speaker 21: We know they're going to run the ball, but they're also going to have some type of boot or something like that.
00:46:31
Speaker 12: So really just playing with your good eyes and stuff.
00:46:33
Speaker 21: And then biggest thing, population to the ball, tackling or passing.
00:46:37
Speaker 3: Does this game have extra special meaning for you?
00:46:42
Speaker 21: Every game has special meaning just because it's the Knicks game.
00:46:46
Speaker 3: And then just because of the crucial catch that.
00:46:49
Speaker 12: October? Yes.
00:46:51
Speaker 21: October is very near and dear to me because my mom passed with breast cancer. So in October, I wear pink cleats throughout the whole month, really just bringing awareness to it.
00:46:59
Speaker 12: And then on top of that, encouraging early.
00:47:03
Speaker 21: Screenings, that's the most important thing, just because early detection helps everyone and yourself by getting up to it, catching it, and treating it. So it's a very big deal for me. I do a lot of stuff off the field also with Crucial Catch. And like I said, on the field, I wear pink cleats throughout the month. How old were you when you had it? 2010, so I was probably like 14. I'm not really good at math. Pretty good?
00:47:30
Speaker 15: Good.
00:47:31
Speaker 12: Appreciate y'all.
00:47:32
Speaker 1: Finally, here's safety Grant Delpit talking about Ravens starting quarterback Tyler Huntley and how he changes the look of the Ravens offense without Lamar Jackson.
00:47:41
Speaker 9: Lamar has been ruled out for.
00:47:42
Speaker 17: The game, and you guys are going to be facing Snoop.
00:47:47
Speaker 3: So what does Snoop bring? What does it mean to you that Lamar's.
00:47:54
Speaker 4: Not going to play and that Tyler is?
00:47:58
Speaker 21: Uh.
00:47:59
Speaker 6: I think there's some similarities in their game. Of course, you know, Lamar's a different player, but, you know, kind of the same kind of game plan that we have, but we just got to lean into, obviously, more of what Snoop likes to do and how he plays and how he sees the field.
00:48:14
Speaker 10: What's the biggest difference between them and.
00:48:18
Speaker 6: What's passing? The biggest difference? One is Lamar Jackson.
00:48:27
Speaker 9: Is there a certain level of disappointment when you don't get it? I mean, I know you play whoever you play, but the competitor in you wanting to go against the best, is.
00:48:38
Speaker 12: There a disappointment?
00:48:40
Speaker 6: Nah, I'm trying to win, so I'll take it. But listen, of course we want to play the best, we want it to be a good game and whatnot, but All we can control is ourself and what we put out there.
00:48:51
Speaker 12: How nice is it.
00:48:52
Speaker 10: To see some of those guys on defense come back today.
00:48:55
Speaker 6: Carson, Mason?
00:48:57
Speaker 12: Yeah, it's good.
00:48:58
Speaker 6: I know it's going to be hard to keep Carson off the field. This dude don't even like me helping him up off the ground when we're playing. As far as Mason goes, it's good to see him too. I know his is a little bit more serious, so I don't know. Hopefully we get at least one of the two back.
00:49:15
Speaker 1: What does it do for you guys as.
00:49:16
Speaker 11: A defense when you have two younger guys like them?
00:49:19
Speaker 12: I mean, even as rookies, they kind of box.
00:49:21
Speaker 11: Through everything and face the injury.
00:49:24
Speaker 6: Squad and play.
00:49:25
Speaker 11: How does that help kind of set the culture or.
00:49:27
Speaker 9: Tone or whatever?
00:49:29
Speaker 6: Yeah, I think that it even starts before them. It starts with older guys. It starts with everybody contributing and Just everyone trying to make a name for themselves and contribute to the team as well. So I think that's kind of the culture that we've been able to build. Just about the magnitude.
00:49:47
Speaker 3: Of this game.
00:49:48
Speaker 12: You guys kind of let one get away.
00:49:50
Speaker 5: In New York.
00:49:51
Speaker 19: Now you're coming back here.
00:49:53
Speaker 3: First place battle with the Ravens.
00:49:55
Speaker 5: Just how big.
00:49:57
Speaker 12: Is this game?
00:49:58
Speaker 9: How important is it for you guys to.
00:50:00
Speaker 6: Get back on the track? Yeah, I think that division games are always big. They count for double in our eyes. It's just about using our home crowd, man. I think it's going to be a huge advantage for us.
00:50:16
Speaker 12: We crazy.
00:50:20
Speaker 6: Slamming against the, what do they slam against the, what's that? Yeah, the pads or whatever. When we hear that on the field, man, I know the opponents hate it. So I know that home games, division games, man, it's nothing like it.
00:50:36
Speaker 15: What do you guys have to do.
00:50:40
Speaker 6: Collectively to maybe try and.
00:50:41
Speaker 4: Contain the game?
00:50:43
Speaker 12: Yeah, we have a couple of things schematically that we.
00:50:45
Speaker 15: Of course, game planning for this game to try.
00:50:48
Speaker 9: To combat that.
00:50:48
Speaker 6: Just 11 dogs to the ball, man.
00:50:50
Speaker 4: We've got to swarm them. We've got to attack them.
00:51:06
Speaker 21: Dave Flowers was talking about just how much more he's being just moved.
00:51:10
Speaker 4: Around all over the offense this year.
00:51:13
Speaker 15: How much does that sort of stress for you guys, just the communication piece.
00:51:17
Speaker 12: And kind of being aware of where he is.
00:51:18
Speaker 6: At all times and making sure he's on the PQs? Yeah, he's like a little Tasmanian, you know? He's just all over the place. Of course, he's a great receiver. You've got to be aware of where he's at kind of every play. You know, we know that they obviously try to use him in the game plan and move him around and get him the ball. So you got to be aware of him.
00:51:42
Speaker 12: How impressed were you by what Quincy did last week? And did he show you that he was a fast linebacker? Just that he could hit hard? No, yeah, he did show me he could hit hard.
00:51:52
Speaker 6: I haven't seen the fastest linebacker yet, but he did show me that. You know, listen, we got to get on the ball when it's on the ground.
00:52:00
Speaker 12: You know, talk to the guys about that one.
00:52:03
Speaker 8: You got to just.
00:52:04
Speaker 6: We're going to have a chance to scoop and score.
00:52:05
Speaker 12: We just got to get on it first.
00:52:06
Speaker 6: So, you know, that changes the game, man, when we can take the ball away like that.
00:52:12
Speaker 3: How about Snoop having been here, and he knows a lot of you guys, and I know a lot of you guys like Snoop.
00:52:19
Speaker 12: Yeah.
00:52:20
Speaker 3: Do you think he'll have extra motivation to beat his team on Sunday?
00:52:24
Speaker 12: I mean.
00:52:30
Speaker 6: Maybe, you know. I don't know. I think, of course, the Ravens was his first team. It came to us and then went back to the Ravens, so he might.
00:52:36
Speaker 8: Have some mixed emotions.
00:52:38
Speaker 6: I don't know what his emotions are.
00:52:39
Speaker 12: I don't know what that's like.
00:52:41
Speaker 6: But, of course, man, of course everybody wants to win at the end of the day.
00:52:44
Speaker 10: Has Todd been keeping pretty close to the vest with his Ravens history this week?
00:52:50
Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah, he's been pretty business about it, pretty straightforward about it.
00:52:56
Speaker 12: Of course, he was there for a long time.
00:53:00
Speaker 6: So a lot more probably goes on behind closed doors, but he's been pretty upfront about it.
00:53:06
Speaker 1: That'll do it for this episode of the From the Podium podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Keep it locked to Cleveland Browns Daily each weekday and follow the Browns on social media for more coverage from the cross-country mortgage campus right here in Berea.
00:53:18
Speaker 12: I'm Gabe Kalura.
00:53:19
Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to the From the Podium podcast.
Speaker 1: Welcome to this week's 6th Friday edition of the From the Podium podcast. I'm Gabe Kalura. Browns got their final day of work in for the week as they prepare for their second divisional showdown this season with the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday. On today's episode, you'll hear from head coach Todd Munkin, quarterback coach Mike Bajakian, defensive line coach Jacques Césaire, wide receiver KC Concepcion, linebacker Quincy Williams, and safety Grant Delpit. We'll start with your head coach, Todd Munkin, who gave some optimistic injury updates ahead of this week's game.
00:00:37
Speaker 2: All of these guys with.
00:00:38
Speaker 3: A chance to come back and play for you in Barnett, Graham.
00:00:42
Speaker 4: Judkins, and Sweshen.
00:00:43
Speaker 5: Yeah, it was good having those guys back out there today. And, you know, we'll see over the next 48 hours, you know, where we're at.
00:00:50
Speaker 6: I think he's cleared.
00:00:52
Speaker 7: Yeah.
00:00:52
Speaker 8: Yeah, he was full today.
00:01:01
Speaker 9: It seems like Lamar wasn't seeing the practice again today. I mean, we've talked about this, you know, earlier in the week, but just, you know, what does Snoop, you know, do for that offense and how much does it really change for you guys?
00:01:17
Speaker 8: You say you're preparing for the Ravens.
00:01:19
Speaker 9: How much does it really change?
00:01:21
Speaker 8: Not much. Not much.
00:01:23
Speaker 5: I mean, you know, Snoop has athleticism, ability to escape. make plays with his legs, use him in the QB-driven world. He makes quick decisions with the football. He's a very confident player like Lamar, so we have to prepare for the Ravens.
00:01:40
Speaker 10: Was the plan all along to get a lot of these guys back today, and then were you able to see as much as you wanted out of those guys?
00:01:46
Speaker 8: Oh, yeah.
00:01:47
Speaker 5: No, in terms of some of the guys worked out before the practice and then the guys in the practice today. So we were able to see what we needed to see with all of them.
00:01:56
Speaker 11: Mason and Carson like you know they're only in the second year of their careers but anytime they've been injured it just seems like they fight through.
00:02:02
Speaker 12: Whatever whether it's a broken rib or a.
00:02:04
Speaker 11: High ankle sprain like how much do you appreciate that as their coach that they just kind of had that mentality.
00:02:11
Speaker 5: Well they're wired the right way you know they just are they uh if they can go they're gonna go and not only the way they're wired but also in terms of uh how much the team means to them, right? And that's what team says when you're willing to play hurt, when you're willing to chase the ball, when you're willing to be connected on a daily basis. So those guys are wired the right way. We have a number of guys like that. I don't mean that just to single out those two guys, but they're wired the right way in their approach.
00:02:48
Speaker 3: Speaking of wired, I was watching Casey during the warm-ups and he was dancing and it just seems like he's rearing to go and has a great attitude heading into this game coming off a concussion. How great is it.
00:03:03
Speaker 5: To see him? He's another one that's wired the right way. I don't know if I've ever seen him come in the building or have a bad day without a smile on his face and enjoying life and And he wants to be coached. He wants to be a great player. He brings it every day on the practice field. And he's very diligent in his approach to what we're trying to do offensively and from an assignment standpoint. And, you know, that's why he's ascended up the depth chart as fast as he has. Same with Denzel.
00:03:43
Speaker 10: Being around Derrick Henry for your time there, first, were you surprised that he's still playing at such a high level given his age and just.
00:03:51
Speaker 9: What you learn about him?
00:03:54
Speaker 5: Well, with Derrick, age is just a number. The way he takes care of himself on a daily basis, it's, you can say impressive and it's probably not enough. You know, in terms of what he puts in his body, how he brings it every day. He's very prideful, you know, doesn't like being wrong. Like, if you correct him and you're wrong, you're going to hear about it and deservedly so. And he'd get those eyes wide open and come right over to you and, you know, Because he's, again, very prideful in the work that he puts in. And, you know, it's fun to be around every day. And guys like that. And, I mean, a first ballot Hall of Famer, gold jacket guy. You know, he just, and he doesn't talk a lot. He just, he speaks with his work.
00:04:58
Speaker 13: Derek also said this week that, you know, he knows you and says that you may be downplaying your emotions going into this game, but that, you know, in the background, I'm sure that you're talking trash to your players about that.
00:05:10
Speaker 5: I don't know, talking trash? I mean, I saw that. About 18 people sent me that. Like, I'm not even on social media and you guys send me this. So, I mean, I got a ton of respect for Derek. I love being around him for two years and those guys, like, It's another game week. It's a divisional game. And it's not personal. It's strictly business. I'll do the whole Godfather thing. And, you know, basically it's a divisional game against a really good team that I have a lot of respect for and for those players. So, yeah, do I want to win? Not any different than any other week. And my message isn't any different this week than it was last. the previous five weeks in terms of the things we have to do to be successful that basically is us, right? What do we have to do first? And then what do we have to do relative to what we think they're going to put out there? And that's, that's really it. I mean, I, I get a kick out of it, you know, with those guys.
00:06:13
Speaker 9: You mentioned the, you know, separating the personal from the business. How much of it is kind of the nomadic nature of the coaching process? of pro sports in general, even for both the players, that you do have to, you can't let personal feelings, the emotions of nostalgia or whatever come, you know, kind of come into play during a week like this.
00:06:38
Speaker 5: Well, I don't, I mean, I don't have that. I mean, I had a great three years there. We did a lot of really good things. We had really good coaches and really good players. And everything in life has a shelf life. I mean, it just does. And it just happened to be last year. And I've said this. I mean, I don't get this job without being at the Ravens and without the success we had and the players we had. So why would I be bitter over that? I'm not. I have a lot of respect for them. And like I said, I look forward to competing. It'll be a little bit different. There's no way it's not. I mean, there's no way there's. It's not like they traded out half their team. I mean, there's a number of those guys that are still there that I was in the building with for a number of years. But that's part of it, right? Let's go out there and play our best football and see where it goes.
00:07:33
Speaker 3: Todd, I don't know if you did know this for sure when you sat down, but Lamar Jackson has been ruled out for this game, so you guys definitely will be facing Snoop. Does that... change anything at all about your mindset, your preparation or anything like that?
00:07:54
Speaker 5: No, I mean, it doesn't. I mean, Snoop's played well. I mean, he really has. I mean, if you go back to what the last game they played, our Green Bay game last year, our Bears game when he started, he's played well. There's a reason why they signed him back, right? You don't sign back players that you don't have a lot of trust in and plan on them playing well. And it's our job to, you know, negate some of the things that he does well and get after all of them. It's not just Snoop. There's a lot of good players around him and they do a good job schematically. So it's going to be a real challenge.
00:08:34
Speaker 11: When it comes to Snoop, why do you think he's had such staying power as a backup and particularly mainly with one organization?
00:08:41
Speaker 10: What about him has allowed him to do that?
00:08:44
Speaker 5: Well, I think First of all, his confidence. He has a confidence within himself and loves to play the game. And so nothing gets too big for him. Like, it doesn't. And so the ups and downs of off-season and training camp or, you know, those kind of things or games that you play, it doesn't. And he's got such a great personality. He's fun to be around. He's diligent in his approach. And he mirrors some of the things you can do with Lamar. And so I think that makes him valuable to certain organizations more than others, right, where you don't have to change the plan so drastically, you know, should something happen to your starter. And I think that has shown to be true over the years with Snoop. And like I said, I got a lot of respect for him. He's fun to be around. I enjoy him a lot.
00:09:49
Speaker 11: Todd, when you guys first kind of got KC in here, did Zake Flowers offer some sort of template, kind of what you.
00:09:56
Speaker 5: Guys did with him in his career? Oh, yeah. No, I mean. you know, when you have a player that is a volume catch player, right, not only just a novelty fly sweep screen guy, but a route runner that you can play They can make plays down the field. And that's why they, at their size, they get elevated in the draft. I mean, that's why, because they can separate and they can, you can get the ball to them in a number of ways. It doesn't have to be down the field. But the other thing that elevates that is how they're wired. And both of them are wired at this level in terms of practice and terms of the day-to-day, how they approach it. They're fun to be around and they're fun to coach and they make you a better coach.
00:10:48
Speaker 4: When you first watched KC on tape last February, March, did you say.
00:10:51
Speaker 8: That could be Zay?
00:10:52
Speaker 5: Oh yeah. I mean, I would never say that, that that could be Zay because Zay is Zay. But I said, there's a number of things you can do with him. not only because of his skill set, because of his mindset, because of the way he approaches every day, at least what we thought, right, or that we'd heard. We hadn't been around him, so there's a little bit there that you're not sure of. But, you know, KC's KC and Zay is Zay.
00:11:20
Speaker 10: Your screen game, I mean, what at first, what have been your.
00:11:25
Speaker 14: Impressions of your screen game?
00:11:28
Speaker 5: It's been inconsistent. I think you could probably put it up there with most of the things we've been doing on offense, which has been up and down, some good and some bad. There's a lot of things we need to improve on. And at times, I felt pretty good about it. And then at other times, you don't feel nearly as good about it. And that's week to week, right? Like it felt okay, we came out of the Pittsburgh game feeling good about a lot of things. And We didn't handle the elements. We came out of that feeling not real good about a lot of things. And that's part of what happens, right, in this league. So what do you do? You look in the mirror and you say, how do we coach it better? How do we scheme it better? How do we execute it better? Across the board in everything we're doing, right, and every day.
00:12:13
Speaker 10: Is it all about timing?
00:12:15
Speaker 8: Some of it's that.
00:12:15
Speaker 5: Some of it's timing. Some of it's when you're calling it. Some of it's the looks that you get. Your sample size in a given game can be pretty small. It's not as if, you know, you could say, how'd you feel about your rundown execution? You could say, well, we had 30 rundown snaps, a little easier. You threw three or four screens and they didn't go, you know, you were a block away or a time, whatever that is. And then, you know, there's certainly room for improvement in everything we're doing. That just happens to be one piece of it.
00:12:44
Speaker 12: Todd, you've talked a ton about just.
00:12:48
Speaker 15: How you prepare, how your experience has prepared you to be the coach you are now. And you talked about, you know, how Baltimore sort of set you up.
00:12:56
Speaker 10: For coming here.
00:12:58
Speaker 15: What's maybe, I'm sure at each stop you kind of learn something different, but what's the biggest thing you feel like you took away from your time in Baltimore that helped you prepare for being ready.
00:13:07
Speaker 6: For this job?
00:13:10
Speaker 5: There's just way too many. You know, there just is from top to bottom. a lot of it having to do with Coach Harbaugh, you know, because that's who I directly work for, but there's more than that. In terms of drafting players, you know, the way the building is run, you know, when you come into work every day, and the people that are there, I certainly have improved greatly in the three years that I was there as a coach, as you should, and so, you know, I wouldn't be where I'm at today without those three years, and a lot of people and the organization and the players, you know, have a lot to do with that of, you know, what shapes you, right? Whatever that might be. And it helped shape me in a lot of ways. The good and the bad, right? That we go through, right? That you look back and say, I could have done this better or the things that you agree that we did a really good job at these things. That all comes from your ability to grow and learn from certain things that you would handle differently, right? the way you would approach things, not only schematically, but then as the head coach.
00:14:22
Speaker 12: You mentioned drafting players.
00:14:23
Speaker 2: Is that something that in Baltimore maybe you had more hands-on experience with than you maybe had previously in your career?
00:14:29
Speaker 5: I think Eric does a really good job of including the staff, and there comes a point where obviously in any draft procedure, you're not going to get your way, but I think they do a great job, just like here, of having your say. I mean, that's think that's all an assistant coach wants is the ability to have their say ultimately the people that are in charge of the draft have to make the decision and then it's your job to develop every player to get the most out of them that you can and I thought we did a really good job of that there and I think we're doing a really good job of that here to try and develop the players I mean you're not going to have a ready-made roster and you know I saw that close up I'm not saying other organizations don't do that, but I haven't been part of every organization. I just had a, an appreciation for Ozzie and Eric and the way that they went about their business. And obviously I have an affection for Harbs and, and the way he went about his business as a head coach. And I learned a lot really from, from coach, you know, on an everyday basis in terms of how you handle the team. And, and I grew in terms of being better at how you handle players, right. On a day-to-day basis. And, uh, That's what you do. You grow and you learn from your past experiences.
00:15:48
Speaker 6: Did some of what you went through.
00:15:50
Speaker 3: With Lamar last year help you in how you communicate with Deshaun this year and how you deal with him and.
00:15:57
Speaker 10: All of that?
00:15:58
Speaker 5: Some of that. I mean, some of it's a part of that. It's not just him. It's there was other players that, like anything, I mean, you're human. And I always say it, you own it and you fight like hell to fix it. And people have been really good over the years. It's not just there. I've been lucky enough to be around people that will tell you the truth. And that's what you're always hoping for in life is you get around people that will tell you the truth, good and bad. Man, that was a great job today, man. That was awesome. And then there's other times where they've got to say, you know what, you didn't really handle that as well as you needed to. And then it's up to you as a human being, are you going to change? And are you going to look in the mirror and say, this can be better. This X, Y, Z can be better. And so, but that's not just there. There were things at Georgia and before then here, right? And then before then at Tampa, it's just life.
00:16:52
Speaker 8: It really is.
00:16:52
Speaker 5: And how you choose to pivot in terms of the information they had or build off what's good and, you know, fix the things that aren't nearly up to where you want it to be is is really the magic right there. That's really where it's at. Thank you.
00:17:08
Speaker 1: Quarterbacks coach Mike Bajiecki talked about how he's seen Deshaun Watson grow into this new system.
00:17:14
Speaker 9: I have a question in terms of, you know, Deshaun's ability to extend plays has obviously, you know, helped create a lot of big opportunities for you guys, but also what's the kind of the balance you kind of look for him as like, look, at some point you have to get rid of the ball or, you know, you just kind of see what you saw.
00:17:34
Speaker 8: Sometimes against the Jets.
00:17:36
Speaker 15: Sure.
00:17:36
Speaker 16: It's a constant conversation and it is a fine line because he's done such a good job of making plays with his feet that you don't want to take away his improvisational skill because it has been very productive and at times has led directly to points. But to your point, we, you know, there are times that we can avoid negative plays. So, It's a conversation, constant communication about, hey, understanding situations, understanding field position, understanding down and distance and when we can take those chances. And those are those are conversations we'll always have.
00:18:16
Speaker 3: Mike, we haven't talked to you, I don't think, since Deshaun was able to rebound from that opening game and come back and orchestrate three straight fourth quarter game-winning drives. Could have done it again in New York. Just what are your thoughts on how he's played for you guys this season?
00:18:36
Speaker 14: Deshaun's a heck of a player with a very good skill set.
00:18:41
Speaker 16: And when you see what he did from week one to week two to three to four, it's not surprising. What people need to understand is that, I mean, shoot, he hadn't played football for how long? Before the Jacksonville game? And I don't care how much experience you have, there's always an element to progressing as a player, to shaking off Ross, to the accumulated game reps that occur over the course of a season. I don't care whether you're a multi-year vet or rookies and second-year players like we have throughout our team.
00:19:23
Speaker 14: The more you play, the more you'll improve, the more.
00:19:26
Speaker 16: You get used to the timing and the speed, and all that goes into what we qualify as game reps. So it's not surprising to see the progression, and as is the case with all of our players, I think we've got to continue to elevate our game, and that will come no matter how experienced you are.
00:19:44
Speaker 11: Mike, it just seemed like, too, with him, in the in the Panthers game in particular, that to, to go to his comfortability, making plays with his feet, that he really seemed to find something there. I mean, him getting in a groove with that part of it coming off the two Achilles procedures, just how important do you think that was for him to, to making some of these explosive plays?
00:20:05
Speaker 14: I think it all helps build confidence.
00:20:08
Speaker 16: I've said, since I addressed you guys the first time probably in the spring, that he has demonstrated to me since the day he arrived in April here at our facility that there seemed to be no residual effects of past injuries. And he felt like he's in the best shape of his life, and I think it's been demonstrated on the football field in regards to his athletic ability.
00:20:37
Speaker 10: When you look at the sacks given up against the Jets, Todd and Travis both talked about how it's a combination of things, obviously. But from a quarterback standpoint, where did you think Deshaun could be better, whether it's recognizing or the communication?
00:20:51
Speaker 12: Sure.
00:20:52
Speaker 16: Boy, you're bringing up the Jets and the Panthers and all that. I moved on from that game Monday night. And Coach Monk and Coach Schweitzer mentioned that there's a lot of factors that go into it. me personally as a quarterback's coach, and I tell our players this all the time, the first thing you have to do is look in the mirror and say, what could I do better? And so I always look in the mirror and say, what could I, Mike Pajicchi, have done better? And so the emphasis that we place, that I've placed is on communicating well, is on getting rid of the ball on time, is on, you know, and again, We all progress in the course of the season. Hey, maybe I need to spend a little bit more time in my meetings on showing them different looks and on that type of stuff. Like Coach Schweitzer and Coach Munkin have mentioned, there's a lot of factors that go into it. I'm always going to look in the mirror and say, all right, what could I do better? Sure, that adjusts how we practice, the skills we emphasize, and what we do in our meeting room.
00:22:01
Speaker 10: Looking to the Ravens, are they a team that's going to make it difficult to recognize where that pressure is coming from?
00:22:08
Speaker 12: Sure.
00:22:08
Speaker 16: The Ravens are an outstanding veteran team.
00:22:13
Speaker 14: I think they have, as you look at their roster, they have.
00:22:16
Speaker 16: A lot of guys that have played a lot of football and do a good job with disguise and do a good job of bringing it, you know, in different directions and with multiple defenders. So, yeah, they will present a challenge that– we're always going to focus on and rise to the occasion on.
00:22:33
Speaker 17: As you look at some of the communication things between the protections on the O-line and Deshaun and some of the tendencies of holding on to the ball and extending plays, do you change maybe the approach in practice in the week as you kind of see things as maybe a collaborative effort between you and the O-line, Deshaun and the O-line? Is there additions to what you guys are working on when you see these things?
00:22:58
Speaker 14: You're always going to adjust what you do.
00:23:01
Speaker 16: Again, I probably sound like a broken record because I'm sure the last time I addressed you guys, I said this. We got to understand what our strengths are, what our weaknesses are. We play to our strengths and prove upon our weaknesses. And as it relates directly to the quarterback position, the guy that I coach, yeah, I feel I have a pretty good beat on that. And that's a constant conversation that I'm going to have with Deshaun and Shador and Palin and Dylan and all those guys and how do we how do we improve upon our weaknesses and play to our strengths so that that's you know as you look at hey how do we adjust to um to those situations yeah maybe we might spend more a little bit you know tweak the time we're spending in practice on certain things but uh it's not like a wholesale change not like a change of scheme a change in technique a change in what we're doing we we potentially devote a little bit more time to this and a.
00:23:56
Speaker 14: And you know what?
00:23:58
Speaker 16: Just like anything else, the more time you spend on something, the more emphasis you put on it, the more you'll improve.
00:24:05
Speaker 14: Time is limited. So what does that mean?
00:24:08
Speaker 16: Something else might show up this week that we're going to say, hey, you know what? Next week we've got to adjust how we're doing this a little bit.
00:24:15
Speaker 14: That's coaching.
00:24:16
Speaker 18: Mike, when you have a young backup like Shador who's still young but one play away from being in the starting spot and just a young groom for a matter of How do you go about, you know, do you do anything differently in terms of making sure that they're staying on top of stuff? I know all your attention really is devoted to getting DeSean ready, but when you have a young quarterback room and young backups who are, you know, waiting in the wings, do you do anything differently during the week to make sure that.
00:24:41
Speaker 8: They're on top of stuff?
00:24:42
Speaker 16: Sure, definitely a little bit differently than, let's say, training camp or the spring where everybody's getting, you know, this past training camp spring was balance reps, but even in situations where maybe you're going into that and you know the starter, two and three are still getting reps, maybe at a smaller percentage, right? As you get into the season, reps are so much harder to come by, right? And so I wouldn't say I've been doing anything differently. I've always structured the meeting room as a conversation between all the guys, right? And granted, Deshaun's getting the majority of the reps and the majority of the game reps, and we got to make sure he.
00:25:19
Speaker 14: Understands the game plan.
00:25:20
Speaker 16: But, you know, Shador and Talon and Dylan are all extremely engaged and and frankly have played a bunch of football and can contribute to those conversations that we have.
00:25:30
Speaker 14: So that's number one.
00:25:31
Speaker 16: And then number two, this time of year where the backups aren't getting as many reps, you spend a little extra time after practice making sure that you're working through the script, you know, with spotted routes or walkthrough setting or whatever it might be, whatever reps they don't get, you got to make sure that they've gotten, whether it be mental, whether it be physical, whatever it might be, you got to.
00:25:52
Speaker 14: Keep them caught up to speed.
00:25:54
Speaker 16: What you lose sight of there is that, hey, the timing mechanisms are often a little bit different. The procedural mechanisms are different in those settings. And that's where, as a backup, you've got to stay sharp on those parts of it.
00:26:10
Speaker 3: It seems like there's a trend in the NFL of maybe a bunch more blitzing. Maybe you can correct me if I'm wrong on that, but it seems like there's a lot more blitzing going on and a free runner coming and maybe even sort of spying on the quarterback or whatever. If that is the case, is that happening and what can you guys do to counter it?
00:26:35
Speaker 14: We study. I love the way Coach Monk.
00:26:39
Speaker 16: Executes the game plan process. But we're constantly looking at both offensive and defensive trends in the NFL every week. And as the season gets older, you see more and more trends. And so you're correct. And that's every year. That's what makes my job now in year 31 exciting and interesting is that it's never the same thing. And you have to continue to grow and evolve. and continue to study and stay sharp in those trends. And so, yes, you're correct. This is my first year back in the NFL after a seven- or eight-year hiatus. And, sure, it's changed a bunch, but it's constantly changing.
00:27:26
Speaker 14: And so you continue to study.
00:27:28
Speaker 16: You see it when you're doing opponent breakdowns and even when you, in your offseason studies, you say, hey, what were the big-picture changes?
00:27:35
Speaker 14: But you're correct.
00:27:37
Speaker 16: There are pressure changes. and how guys are pressuring the quarterback and how guys are pressuring rundown situations and all those types of things.
00:27:45
Speaker 14: That are obvious. I don't want to say, you know, not that they're predictable.
00:27:48
Speaker 16: But it's obviously obvious to see the changes in trend.
00:27:53
Speaker 6: And does it make it.
00:27:54
Speaker 3: That much harder when you guys are trying to find your way in.
00:27:58
Speaker 4: The running game?
00:27:59
Speaker 16: I think part of the beauty of Coach Munkin's system is that it's very flexible. And so, yeah, that's the challenge every year. is how do you adjust to what you're seeing and how teams are playing you specifically. You know, that's one of the things we study is, okay, they showed X, Y, and Z leading up to our game, but there's always going to be another element of what did they do differently against us that they hadn't shown before or that was maybe a little different than what they've done. And so then you ask the question, why? Well, you're always self-scouting yourself. You're always opponent scouting. And all that goes into how you build each game plan and progress through the season.
00:28:37
Speaker 2: I know you're always trying to develop all your quarterbacks, but especially Taylon, I guess, just in his rookie season, how you kind of continue to see him grow and develop behind the scenes, not necessarily getting the reps at practice like you mentioned and just kind of.
00:28:52
Speaker 14: Coming to his own as you try to develop him.
00:28:56
Speaker 16: He does a highly intelligent, highly motivated individual who does a great job in preparation. I think having a veteran like Deshaun right now is.
00:29:08
Speaker 16: Has kind of set an example for Taylor and on how to prepare on the process of preparation. Um, and then, yeah, we, we, like I mentioned, we spend the extra time, um, you know, at the end of practice and, and.
00:29:21
Speaker 14: Things like that. Uh, but he's doing a great job and, and continuing to progress. They all are.
00:29:25
Speaker 8: They all are.
00:29:26
Speaker 14: Thank you.
00:29:26
Speaker 1: Defensive line coach Jacques Cesar talked about the next man up mentality in the defensive line room.
00:29:32
Speaker 9: Can you just, um, what's.
00:29:34
Speaker 3: It like, you know, kind of heading into this game with some uncertainty for so many of your guys?
00:29:42
Speaker 7: Yeah, you know, we just try and stay process oriented and we just worry about, you know, the guys that are out there that are working, the men that are out there that are working. Those are the guys that that we're making sure that they know exactly what they need to do. They understand the game plan. They understand what that offense is trying to do. And that's kind of all we try and worry about.
00:30:06
Speaker 8: We control what you can control. That's about it.
00:30:09
Speaker 9: Chris and Sam both are guys that have been around. So how much did that help when they're kind of thrown into the fire?
00:30:18
Speaker 3: Right.
00:30:18
Speaker 7: So first of all, Sam Kamar, you know, the ultimate professional. And he's been with me every year that I've been here. And he's a guy that reminds me a lot of myself, you know. And he never looks at it as, you know, am I on practice squad, am I up, or anything like that. He takes every day like he is the guy that is going to be out there.
00:30:43
Speaker 12: And he.
00:30:44
Speaker 8: He works as if he is the starter. And that's what you need.
00:30:47
Speaker 7: You know, this system that we run has to be about waves. We need guys continually going in because how we ask them to play, right, hair on fire, run to the ball at stack monsters, playing very physical on the edge, penetrating and disrupting. All that stuff makes you tired. So, you know, you're not going to be out there five, six, seven plays. You'll be three, four, you know, and then we got to get the next wave of guys in there. So, Sam, He's done a great job of just understanding, like I said, the game plan and just working his craft every day since he's been here.
00:31:21
Speaker 8: Same thing with Chris Williams.
00:31:23
Speaker 7: You know, if you remember, you know, a few years back, you know, Chris Williams had three sacks for us in the preseason. He was a heck of a player for us. And there's another guy that just came in just very, very technique process oriented type of player that he understands what his role is and what he needs to do to make plays for us to win. So I'm really happy with both of those guys and their development and everything that they've been doing for us. And, you know, like I said before, I can't wait to see them go out and do it all over again.
00:31:50
Speaker 11: I know your guys always talk about Russian coverage and always preach that. I mean, how much do you think that they've taken advantage of, you know, some really tight coverage that the back end of the defense seems to be playing these last four games?
00:32:04
Speaker 8: Yeah, yeah.
00:32:05
Speaker 7: We always preach, you know, Russian coverage always works together. And we always preach four equals one. One guy can't go out there and do it all. And everybody needs everybody. We need the coverage to play like they've been playing. And we need to rush our butts off everybody. And we need to be coordinated when we're rushing as well. So that's what this thing is about. It's the ultimate team game. Not one guy is going to do it. We need everybody in the mix. So seeing those guys on the back end cover like they do, we know that our responsibility is to get to the quarterback or at least move him off the spot or get pressure on him or get hits on him.
00:32:38
Speaker 8: So That's what we focus on mostly in our room.
00:32:41
Speaker 18: Jared's production through five games, I think most people would kind of look at the surface and say zero sacks.
00:32:46
Speaker 8: Do you need more from him?
00:32:48
Speaker 18: What are you saying that you like?
00:32:49
Speaker 8: What are you saying that maybe you need.
00:32:51
Speaker 7: More in that? No, I like what I'm seeing with Jared right now. The thing about it is, like I said, it's four equals one. And a lot of those sacks, when you look at it, he's right there. He's either hitting the quarterback or he has his offense alignment in the face of the quarterback.
00:33:05
Speaker 8: That's what we need. We need a coordinated rush.
00:33:07
Speaker 7: Where all four guys are rushing together and we're collapsing and suffocating the pocket. And so we preach that every single day. And he takes that to heart. He takes that seriously. It's not about one guy getting all the sacks. It's about four guys getting all the sacks. And as you can see, there's a lot of guys on the team. There's six different guys right now on the defensive line that has sacks, including some second-level guys. So we're really happy with the overall production of the defensive line.
00:33:34
Speaker 8: You know, can we all use more sacks? Absolutely. I want more sacks.
00:33:37
Speaker 14: Okay.
00:33:38
Speaker 7: You know, but at the end of the day, it's not about one guy. It's about everybody working together.
00:33:42
Speaker 6: Along those lines.
00:33:44
Speaker 19: A lot of the guys in there have talked about if their production on the stat sheet was lower in the first couple of weeks and then they start to see it, they get excited, but they're still, they're still content with making an impact on the defense without those stats for you as a, as their coach, do you kind of measure that out too? Do you, praise them when they're not sitting on the stat sheet? Is there a way to measure that, the none?
00:34:07
Speaker 8: Oh, absolutely.
00:34:08
Speaker 7: We have factor points in the room where this guy was a factor on the play. You know, are you executing your rush plan? Is your man in the face of the quarterback? Are you moving the quarterback off the spot? Are you pressuring the quarterback? Are you hitting the quarterback? Are you in position to win? Because, you know, right now the ball is coming out faster than ever right now. And so, you know, when our guys, it's my job to make them understand, hey, look where you made the impact on this play right here. You know, not everybody's going to fill up the stat sheets. And truth be told, the only stat that really matters is the win.
00:34:42
Speaker 8: That's it.
00:34:42
Speaker 7: That's the only thing that matters. And like I said, the guys have done a really good job of You know, we take the ego mode out of it.
00:34:49
Speaker 12: All right.
00:34:50
Speaker 7: We are all task oriented. We were trying to figure out what is the task at hand? How do we get better at this task every single day? And so we're not we're not thinking about, you know, did this guy get this? Did this guy get that? It's truly four guys equals one. And we are this ultimate team game. And it's the ultimate team position where we get to rush the passer. You know, it's not one guy rushing a passer. It's four guys rushing a passer suffocating the pocket.
00:35:16
Speaker 3: In the offseason, you mentioned that you thought that Mason could have had six sacks last year, but he didn't necessarily raise his hand for the production, and you foresaw some really good things ahead for him. This was, of course, before he got to four sacks. So what is going on with him kind of this year? How did he get off to such a hot start, and what is the outlook?
00:35:43
Speaker 12: Yeah.
00:35:43
Speaker 8: I mean, first of all, I told you so. No, no, no.
00:35:46
Speaker 7: I mean, Mason, again, just another, just ultimate professional. And you want to talk about a guy that's very, very serious about his craft and just the precision of how he moves, you know, his, his hand targeting, what he's looking at and just his overall football IQ is at extremely high.
00:36:03
Speaker 8: It's elite, you know?
00:36:04
Speaker 7: So what, what you're seeing from Mason is what I've always seen from him. It's the reason why We picked him where we picked him. It's because he is an elite interior defender, and sometimes we get him on the edge sometimes. There's nothing he can't do, and I just can't wait for him to just keep rolling.
00:36:22
Speaker 8: Thank you very much.
00:36:23
Speaker 1: Wide receiver KC Concepcion is our first player up today, and he talked about the comparisons of his game to Zae Flowers.
00:36:29
Speaker 12: How scary in.
00:36:30
Speaker 9: The moment was that, you know, the hit being on the ground? You know, it looked like, you know, you've been completely knocked out.
00:36:37
Speaker 11: Yeah.
00:36:38
Speaker 12: Can you kind of describe how.
00:36:40
Speaker 9: That, you know, the emotions in the moment?
00:36:44
Speaker 20: I mean, yeah, it was a scary hit. But, you know, I got up from it, and I was actually trying to get back in the game. But, you know, due to league protocol, you know, I wasn't allowed back out there.
00:36:58
Speaker 3: And in terms of just– Do you have to get back out here so soon to recover? I mean, we saw your eyes roll in the back.
00:37:06
Speaker 4: Of your head. I know you got knocked out.
00:37:08
Speaker 9: Yes, ma'am.
00:37:09
Speaker 4: So, you know, has that.
00:37:11
Speaker 6: Ever happened to you before?
00:37:12
Speaker 3: And how remarkable is it that you're back?
00:37:15
Speaker 4: Yeah, that, well, that was my first concussion ever.
00:37:20
Speaker 12: Hopefully my last.
00:37:22
Speaker 4: You know, it was definitely, you know, scary.
00:37:27
Speaker 12: But, you know, I....
00:37:31
Speaker 4: I attacked the concussion protocol.
00:37:36
Speaker 12: I feel good.
00:37:37
Speaker 4: What did you think of the, I mean, I'm sure you've had a chance to watch now.
00:37:40
Speaker 12: What did you think of it itself?
00:37:43
Speaker 20: I mean, I don't fault anybody. I know the game that I signed up to play. This game is a very physical game to me. To me, it wasn't a dirty hit. It was just a football play. I'm not sure, to be honest. I haven't really checked.
00:38:14
Speaker 12: As far.
00:38:17
Speaker 9: As the Ravens, just getting the magnitude of this game, obviously you guys talked a little bit last week. How big is it to get a home division game to kind of.
00:38:28
Speaker 14: Potentially get yourself back?
00:38:29
Speaker 20: Okay, you know, it's a very, very big game, you know, a.
00:38:36
Speaker 12: Division game, home game.
00:38:38
Speaker 20: You know, they have some amazing players over there. You know, we have some amazing players over here. So, you know.
00:38:45
Speaker 4: I cannot wait to just line up the ball.
00:38:52
Speaker 12: And play, so.
00:38:54
Speaker 11: KC, was it difficult for you to, I know you said you wanted to go back in the game, obviously, but on Sunday, but, like, just knowing.
00:39:02
Speaker 4: It's a loss, too, does that add.
00:39:04
Speaker 11: Sort of an added layer of, man, I really wish I could have been out there and, like, what could have been?
00:39:08
Speaker 3: Yeah.
00:39:08
Speaker 20: Yeah, you know, it was a really difficult, you know, for me to be inside a locker room, you know, and not out there with the guys.
00:39:20
Speaker 1: You know.
00:39:21
Speaker 20: The middle of the field was wide open, you know, the whole game pretty much. So, you know, so, you know, it was it was. it was very, very tough knowing that I couldn't be out there to help and knowing.
00:39:40
Speaker 4: That at the position that I played, you.
00:39:44
Speaker 20: Know, the middle of the field was wide open.
00:39:48
Speaker 9: I know it's part of it.
00:39:50
Speaker 10: But is there any hesitation getting back out there?
00:39:54
Speaker 6: Never.
00:39:54
Speaker 12: Whether it's punt return or anything? Never.
00:39:56
Speaker 20: You know, like I said before, you know, I know what I signed up for. You know, I love this game. You know, this game has brought so much positive, you know, into my life.
00:40:12
Speaker 4: So, you know, I'm never hesitant. I'm never– I'm never scared. It's just football. And it was just unfortunate that that happened to me.
00:40:31
Speaker 15: KC, Todd's talked so much about your play style. I'm not trying to compare you, but your play style being.
00:40:38
Speaker 12: So much like, say, Flowers.
00:40:40
Speaker 15: Again, not to necessarily say you're trying.
00:40:43
Speaker 4: To be him, but do you watch his tape? Yes, for sure.
00:40:46
Speaker 6: Do you feel That's what your career could be, and that's the type of player that you can target?
00:40:51
Speaker 12: Yes, yes, for sure.
00:40:52
Speaker 20: You know, Zay coming out of college, Boston College, you know, he was amazing, you know. So, you know, just, you know, watch him, you know, being able to be compared to him, you know, it's a blessing, you know, but, you know, but, you know, I do think that I'm different in certain ways.
00:41:19
Speaker 4: So, you know, so yeah.
00:41:21
Speaker 9: KC, I was watching you kind.
00:41:23
Speaker 3: Of dance in pregame warm-ups this morning, and you just.
00:41:26
Speaker 4: Look really fired up and into it.
00:41:28
Speaker 9: And I'm just wondering, you know, coming off of what you just did, does.
00:41:32
Speaker 3: This bring a, you know, newfound, you know, sort of gratitude to be able to just walk up and.
00:41:38
Speaker 6: Walk away from that hit.
00:41:39
Speaker 9: And just be back so soon?
00:41:40
Speaker 15: Does this find you in, like, a super.
00:41:42
Speaker 12: Joyful place right now? Yes, ma'am. You know, um.
00:41:46
Speaker 20: I thank the Lord, you know, just for him allowing me to get back up and, you know, and be able to walk off the field, you know. But, you know, I'm like this all the time, smiling, dancing, cracking jokes, you know.
00:42:08
Speaker 4: So, I mean, I would say that.
00:42:13
Speaker 20: I would say that I am glad that I was.
00:42:18
Speaker 4: Able to get up, you know, and be able to play again. Yeah, yeah.
00:42:27
Speaker 20: I don't know how to say the name of the school, Willoughby South and East Lake North.
00:42:33
Speaker 4: I heard that both teams are 8-0. So I heard that tonight is supposed.
00:42:37
Speaker 12: To be a good one.
00:42:37
Speaker 20: So me and the guys cannot wait to, you know, pull up there, you know, and watch the football.
00:42:42
Speaker 1: Linebacker Quincy Williams talked about facing Ravens running back Derrick Henry.
00:42:47
Speaker 9: I know you said in the moment that you weren't thinking about your individual performance against the Jets, but having kind of stepped back maybe and had a chance to really think about that, is that your best performance ever?
00:43:02
Speaker 12: One of the best performances, I think so.
00:43:04
Speaker 15: Yeah.
00:43:06
Speaker 21: I'm going to be honest, I don't remember all the performances, but I made sure that one was a good performance.
00:43:12
Speaker 3: And when you have a performance like that, is the bar then kind of set?
00:43:17
Speaker 12: Standard, yes. Is it the standard? Yes, it's the standard set.
00:43:21
Speaker 21: And then on top of that, just making sure the guys around me, coaching staff, people upstairs know that that is the standard that I would like to play at. So whenever they see me not playing to that standard or practicing to that standard, they're holding me accountable because that's where I want my game to go.
00:43:36
Speaker 12: Lamar has been ruled out. What has that changed for you guys?
00:43:41
Speaker 21: Oh, we just found out about that. Great news, great news. Y'all came with some good information.
00:43:45
Speaker 12: I like that. All right, what you're saying now?
00:43:48
Speaker 4: Just to me, not having to face him, but then you have Snoop who's played well lately.
00:43:52
Speaker 12: Yeah, he's played well. Snoop, he's came in, done his thing.
00:43:55
Speaker 21: Biggest thing is not actually preparing for the quarterback, but actually preparing.
00:43:59
Speaker 12: For the team. Now, where that changes, of course, Lamar runs around a little bit more.
00:44:04
Speaker 21: He'll give up 15 yards just to, you know, have a chance to make the play.
00:44:09
Speaker 12: Or get a game. So, Snoop, it's not like that. Get the ball out. So, really preparing for the team.
00:44:15
Speaker 15: What do you do to contain Derrick Henry's lead in the NFL in touchdowns, averaging over 100 scrimmage yards a game?
00:44:23
Speaker 12: Really, population to the ball.
00:44:24
Speaker 21: The first person taking their shot, getting them to stop his feet, and then everyone that's rallying to the ball.
00:44:30
Speaker 12: So, that's kind of like what we harped on as far as this week.
00:44:33
Speaker 21: Had that problem during last week's game with stopping that run. So we know for a fact they're going to come in with the run. So during the week, just populate it to the ball, and actually that first person that's taking that hit, just shoot your shot.
00:44:48
Speaker 3: How nice was it to see Carson back out on the field today?
00:44:51
Speaker 10: Great.
00:44:52
Speaker 3: You guys get to play together in this game.
00:44:54
Speaker 4: What impact did that have?
00:44:56
Speaker 12: It was amazing getting him to come out today.
00:44:58
Speaker 21: It's going to be very exciting to get him out there playing and stuff, so I'm excited about it.
00:45:03
Speaker 9: Did you ever have any doubt that he was going to? He's going to be ready to go?
00:45:06
Speaker 12: Not Carson, never.
00:45:08
Speaker 21: He'll probably get out there in a scooter or something like that. So he'll be there.
00:45:13
Speaker 10: When you have young guys like Carson and Mason that are going to fight to get out there, what does that kind of say about this team?
00:45:18
Speaker 12: It says we have dogs. That's the biggest thing. Saying that they want to be out there to contribute to the team, saying that they want.
00:45:24
Speaker 21: To be out there to make those plays and hold their end of the bargain up, end.
00:45:29
Speaker 12: Of their team up. So I like that.
00:45:31
Speaker 21: And then it also speaks volume to the team. far as like injuries or minor injuries that you may have and stuff. We got guys out here with major injuries that's coming out to play. So it's setting the standard for the team, setting the standard for the locker room.
00:45:44
Speaker 11: The Ravens are one of the top teams in terms of explosive.
00:45:48
Speaker 6: Plays that their offense.
00:45:49
Speaker 12: Has per game.
00:45:50
Speaker 15: What is the key to limiting some of that against any team, but certainly against a team.
00:45:55
Speaker 12: That has like skilled players? Fundamentals, number one.
00:45:58
Speaker 21: A lot of those yards off a yak yard as far as like yards at the catch or you're always.
00:46:04
Speaker 12: At the contact.
00:46:05
Speaker 21: So really the biggest thing is population to the ball. As soon as the ball out, we break into where it's being thrown. And then also when they're running the ball, we're breaking to where the person is, not where he's going.
00:46:18
Speaker 12: So a good tracking game.
00:46:19
Speaker 21: So it goes back to your fundamental tackling, wrapping up, running your feet.
00:46:24
Speaker 12: In the pass game, keeping your eyes good because.
00:46:27
Speaker 21: We know they're going to run the ball, but they're also going to have some type of boot or something like that.
00:46:31
Speaker 12: So really just playing with your good eyes and stuff.
00:46:33
Speaker 21: And then biggest thing, population to the ball, tackling or passing.
00:46:37
Speaker 3: Does this game have extra special meaning for you?
00:46:42
Speaker 21: Every game has special meaning just because it's the Knicks game.
00:46:46
Speaker 3: And then just because of the crucial catch that.
00:46:49
Speaker 12: October? Yes.
00:46:51
Speaker 21: October is very near and dear to me because my mom passed with breast cancer. So in October, I wear pink cleats throughout the whole month, really just bringing awareness to it.
00:46:59
Speaker 12: And then on top of that, encouraging early.
00:47:03
Speaker 21: Screenings, that's the most important thing, just because early detection helps everyone and yourself by getting up to it, catching it, and treating it. So it's a very big deal for me. I do a lot of stuff off the field also with Crucial Catch. And like I said, on the field, I wear pink cleats throughout the month. How old were you when you had it? 2010, so I was probably like 14. I'm not really good at math. Pretty good?
00:47:30
Speaker 15: Good.
00:47:31
Speaker 12: Appreciate y'all.
00:47:32
Speaker 1: Finally, here's safety Grant Delpit talking about Ravens starting quarterback Tyler Huntley and how he changes the look of the Ravens offense without Lamar Jackson.
00:47:41
Speaker 9: Lamar has been ruled out for.
00:47:42
Speaker 17: The game, and you guys are going to be facing Snoop.
00:47:47
Speaker 3: So what does Snoop bring? What does it mean to you that Lamar's.
00:47:54
Speaker 4: Not going to play and that Tyler is?
00:47:58
Speaker 21: Uh.
00:47:59
Speaker 6: I think there's some similarities in their game. Of course, you know, Lamar's a different player, but, you know, kind of the same kind of game plan that we have, but we just got to lean into, obviously, more of what Snoop likes to do and how he plays and how he sees the field.
00:48:14
Speaker 10: What's the biggest difference between them and.
00:48:18
Speaker 6: What's passing? The biggest difference? One is Lamar Jackson.
00:48:27
Speaker 9: Is there a certain level of disappointment when you don't get it? I mean, I know you play whoever you play, but the competitor in you wanting to go against the best, is.
00:48:38
Speaker 12: There a disappointment?
00:48:40
Speaker 6: Nah, I'm trying to win, so I'll take it. But listen, of course we want to play the best, we want it to be a good game and whatnot, but All we can control is ourself and what we put out there.
00:48:51
Speaker 12: How nice is it.
00:48:52
Speaker 10: To see some of those guys on defense come back today.
00:48:55
Speaker 6: Carson, Mason?
00:48:57
Speaker 12: Yeah, it's good.
00:48:58
Speaker 6: I know it's going to be hard to keep Carson off the field. This dude don't even like me helping him up off the ground when we're playing. As far as Mason goes, it's good to see him too. I know his is a little bit more serious, so I don't know. Hopefully we get at least one of the two back.
00:49:15
Speaker 1: What does it do for you guys as.
00:49:16
Speaker 11: A defense when you have two younger guys like them?
00:49:19
Speaker 12: I mean, even as rookies, they kind of box.
00:49:21
Speaker 11: Through everything and face the injury.
00:49:24
Speaker 6: Squad and play.
00:49:25
Speaker 11: How does that help kind of set the culture or.
00:49:27
Speaker 9: Tone or whatever?
00:49:29
Speaker 6: Yeah, I think that it even starts before them. It starts with older guys. It starts with everybody contributing and Just everyone trying to make a name for themselves and contribute to the team as well. So I think that's kind of the culture that we've been able to build. Just about the magnitude.
00:49:47
Speaker 3: Of this game.
00:49:48
Speaker 12: You guys kind of let one get away.
00:49:50
Speaker 5: In New York.
00:49:51
Speaker 19: Now you're coming back here.
00:49:53
Speaker 3: First place battle with the Ravens.
00:49:55
Speaker 5: Just how big.
00:49:57
Speaker 12: Is this game?
00:49:58
Speaker 9: How important is it for you guys to.
00:50:00
Speaker 6: Get back on the track? Yeah, I think that division games are always big. They count for double in our eyes. It's just about using our home crowd, man. I think it's going to be a huge advantage for us.
00:50:16
Speaker 12: We crazy.
00:50:20
Speaker 6: Slamming against the, what do they slam against the, what's that? Yeah, the pads or whatever. When we hear that on the field, man, I know the opponents hate it. So I know that home games, division games, man, it's nothing like it.
00:50:36
Speaker 15: What do you guys have to do.
00:50:40
Speaker 6: Collectively to maybe try and.
00:50:41
Speaker 4: Contain the game?
00:50:43
Speaker 12: Yeah, we have a couple of things schematically that we.
00:50:45
Speaker 15: Of course, game planning for this game to try.
00:50:48
Speaker 9: To combat that.
00:50:48
Speaker 6: Just 11 dogs to the ball, man.
00:50:50
Speaker 4: We've got to swarm them. We've got to attack them.
00:51:06
Speaker 21: Dave Flowers was talking about just how much more he's being just moved.
00:51:10
Speaker 4: Around all over the offense this year.
00:51:13
Speaker 15: How much does that sort of stress for you guys, just the communication piece.
00:51:17
Speaker 12: And kind of being aware of where he is.
00:51:18
Speaker 6: At all times and making sure he's on the PQs? Yeah, he's like a little Tasmanian, you know? He's just all over the place. Of course, he's a great receiver. You've got to be aware of where he's at kind of every play. You know, we know that they obviously try to use him in the game plan and move him around and get him the ball. So you got to be aware of him.
00:51:42
Speaker 12: How impressed were you by what Quincy did last week? And did he show you that he was a fast linebacker? Just that he could hit hard? No, yeah, he did show me he could hit hard.
00:51:52
Speaker 6: I haven't seen the fastest linebacker yet, but he did show me that. You know, listen, we got to get on the ball when it's on the ground.
00:52:00
Speaker 12: You know, talk to the guys about that one.
00:52:03
Speaker 8: You got to just.
00:52:04
Speaker 6: We're going to have a chance to scoop and score.
00:52:05
Speaker 12: We just got to get on it first.
00:52:06
Speaker 6: So, you know, that changes the game, man, when we can take the ball away like that.
00:52:12
Speaker 3: How about Snoop having been here, and he knows a lot of you guys, and I know a lot of you guys like Snoop.
00:52:19
Speaker 12: Yeah.
00:52:20
Speaker 3: Do you think he'll have extra motivation to beat his team on Sunday?
00:52:24
Speaker 12: I mean.
00:52:30
Speaker 6: Maybe, you know. I don't know. I think, of course, the Ravens was his first team. It came to us and then went back to the Ravens, so he might.
00:52:36
Speaker 8: Have some mixed emotions.
00:52:38
Speaker 6: I don't know what his emotions are.
00:52:39
Speaker 12: I don't know what that's like.
00:52:41
Speaker 6: But, of course, man, of course everybody wants to win at the end of the day.
00:52:44
Speaker 10: Has Todd been keeping pretty close to the vest with his Ravens history this week?
00:52:50
Speaker 6: Yeah, yeah, he's been pretty business about it, pretty straightforward about it.
00:52:56
Speaker 12: Of course, he was there for a long time.
00:53:00
Speaker 6: So a lot more probably goes on behind closed doors, but he's been pretty upfront about it.
00:53:06
Speaker 1: That'll do it for this episode of the From the Podium podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts. Keep it locked to Cleveland Browns Daily each weekday and follow the Browns on social media for more coverage from the cross-country mortgage campus right here in Berea.
00:53:18
Speaker 12: I'm Gabe Kalura.
00:53:19
Speaker 1: Thanks for listening to the From the Podium podcast.
