JAGUARS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JOE CULLEN
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021
(Opening statement) “First of all, [I] appreciate everyone being on and Happy New Year. Happy Holidays to everybody. Before I start, I’d just like mention that our game lost a legend and icon in John Madden. Growing up as a youngster when he was coaching for the Raiders when I really first started following football, I remember the ’76 playoff game with the Patriots came down to the wire when he won his Super Bowl. [He’s] just a Hall of Fame football coach, an ambassador to the game when he became probably the best announcer in terms of any sport, and then obviously a Hall of Fame person. Our prayers go out to Raider nation and the Raider family and obviously his family. [We’re] navigating through a tough week. We’re going to get ready to play a heck of a New England team up in a hostile environment. Our guys have been staying with it, staying the course. Whoever is ready to play, we’re going to go up there and battle and get a victory up there and do everything we can to do it. When you’re asking who’s playing, who’s out, we’re navigating through everything. It’s uncharted times. We went through it last year. We’re just going to battle, but they’re a heck of a team. We have our hands full. [Patriots QB] Mac Jones is playing at a high level. Their wide receivers, they have a great core group of wide receivers. Number 16, [Patriots WR] Jakobi Meyers does a great job not only catching the ball but throwing the ball. Their backs do a great job. They can run the football. They’re balanced. We have our hands full. In relation to last game, the result wasn’t what we wanted. [We] gave up way too many rushing yards, started with the quarterback scrambles [which was] uncalled for. We have to do a better job making sure we are gap sound, have gap integrity, tackle better. We haven’t been doing a great job of that and we got exposed a little bit obviously in the game versus the Jets. We did battle, had an opportunity to win the game at the end. We made some really good stops in the red zone, so the guys still played their tails off. We’re looking to finish this thing strong. We’re going to find out who really wants to be here. With that being said, I’ll open it up for questions.”
(On preparing this week without knowing who will be able to play each day) “Well, [it’s] a really good question. I had a little bit of practice last year. We had 35 players in the span of a week when I was in Baltimore get on the COVID/Reserve list. They kept delaying the game, so our Thanksgiving night game versus Pittsburgh wasn’t played until the next Wednesday at five o’clock. We didn’t know who we were going to have, who was coming off the list. We ended up, I believe, we had one starter in the front seven, we had our backup quarterback. The guys that played battled their tails off. We lost the game 19- 14. It was at Pittsburgh. But it gave guys an opportunity and it gave guys a chance to show who they were. So, I have been through it before. A lot of us have been through it before. Everybody’s going through it. Every team in the NFL’s going through it. When the ball’s kicked off at one o’clock, we’ll have a team on the field ready to compete to the best of our ability to win the game.”
(On sending a message to the players that this could be a great opportunity for them) “Absolutely, we hit that message right there. [It’s an] opportunity for someone to showcase why they belong, why they weren’t a starter, now why they belong as a starter. It’s a great opportunity [for] guys on the practice squad being elevated. Guys that we’re bringing in that maybe were on the street, [it’s an] opportunity to
showcase why they shouldn’t be on the street. I know there’s such a great opportunity for us as an organization to go up there and fight our tails off to get a victory.”
(On preparing a game plan without knowing the personnel that will be available on game day) “That’s a good question. You have to keep it simple and do the things that our players can do well. Again, you’re trying to navigate who’s going to be up, who’s going to be on not only the active roster, who’s going to
be up on game day. It takes some creative thinking, but obviously we’re going to line up, do things we do well no matter who’s in the starting lineup.”
(On what he has seen out of S Andre Cisco and S Daniel Thomas the past couple of weeks) “Well I’ll tell you, they both had to play a lot of reps in the San Francisco game when Ray[shawn Jenkins] was ejected and then obviously last week they played a lot of reps. I think both of those guys are doing well. They’re
playing faster, they’re doing a good job, so I’m excited to see those two. They have to communicate. that’s one big thing that [S Andrew Wingard] Dewey did for us. But I’m excited to see those guys roll and [I’m] looking forward to it.”
(On what he’s seen out of Patriots QB Mac Jones and their offense) “Well I’ll tell you, they’ve done a great job. One, they’re a balanced attack. They want to run the football and the play action with [Patriots QB] Mac [Jones] has been great for them. That’s something they’ve done for years and he’s doing a really good job, Mac is, and they have the pieces. Their offensive line does a really good job in the run game in terms of knocking people off the ball, the double team, so we have our hands full. They do a great job not only running the football, but also with the play action.”
(On LB Shaquille Quarterman’s performance as a starter last week) “Well I’ll tell you, he did a great job. He made some really good plays, the one there where he saved the touchdown. He’s a physical guy and he’s right here from not too far from our stadium. But [I] love his intensity and he’ll be playing a lot again this week. He’s physical and he plays 100 miles per hour all the time and [I] love his attitude. He made a great play down on the goal line.”
(On how the Bills and the Colts stifled the Patriots offense in the last two games) “Well I think the big thing when you look at it, they got the lead. The Bills are up 17-7. In the wind game in Buffalo, they only threw it three times. They ran the ball for 200 and some odd yards. Things change when you’re down in the Colts game and you’re down I think it was 20-0 at one point, and then you’re down 17-7 at the half [against the Bills]. I just think they get out of their rhythm of what they like to do. When they’re behind the chains like that, they did fight to get back in it, but it just changes your offensive calling I believe.”
JAGUARS PASSING GAME COORDINATOR BRIAN SCHOTTENHEIMER
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021
(On how difficult this week has been dealing with COVID and forming a team) “It’s a unique challenge, one that we have all been exposed to a little bit the last year or so. I would say for me, this has been a little bit unprecedented with the amount of guys, the uncertainty with of how things are playing out in
terms of the five day rule that’s now been passed but if guys still have symptoms and all that stuff. I will say this, Bev [Interim Head Coach Darrell Bevell] has done a great job. He’s adapted the way we are kind of doing some things with practice and the meetings I think have been as good as they can be with us being virtual and trying to keep our guys into it. Asking questions made it very interactive but it’s a unique challenge. The league itself, other people have to deal with it and we’re not any different than anybody else and I think we’re doing a good job of it, but it’s going to continue through the next couple days as we lead up to gametime.”
(On the challenge of filling spots with new players) “Yeah, there could be. We have guys flying in everyday and we’re prepared for different options. I think the biggest thing is that it’s a puzzle. Right now, we’re trying to piece together the puzzle but whoever goes out there and plays, what we expect is that they play well. We have to get them prepared and they’re working hard trying to prepare, the guys that are new and getting caught up. Again, you don’t feel bad because other teams are having to deal with it. You see the Saints the other night there having to deal with it and other teams have had to deal with it over the last couple years. We just have to do our part and get our guys ready to play. This group of players has given us everything we’ve asked all year through all the distractions and things like that and they go out there each and every week and lay it on the line. Whoever we put out there, I have no question that they will go out there and compete to the best of their ability.”
(On the process of adjusting as a coach during this time) “What we’re truly doing is we’ve got the depth chart up on the board. We’re just trying to look at different options of okay this would be the A lineup, this would be the B lineup in terms of pieces having to fit together. It’s an ongoing process and there are guys that pop up potentially each day so you have to be ready to adjust. To say we simplify things, that depends on the guys. I mean how many new guys have to play, how many guys potentially come back. We’re certainly prepared to be simple, we’re certainly prepared to do the things that we think give us the best chance to win but it has been a unique challenge and it’s probably the most unique just with the new players coming in. Tight ends, running backs and just trying to get them up to speed. This league is all about your ability to convert on third down, pass protection and things like that. I would say it’s a little uncharted territory for all of us with the specific numbers that we have but again there is no doubt that we’re going to play this football game and there is no doubt that our guys will be prepared to play and we have to put them in the best position to have a chance to succeed.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence has been a leader this week) “He’s been amazing. On Tuesday, he got the skills guys on a zoom and went back over the Jets game and started talking a little bit about New England. Again, he’s not the only one and we need all the leaders to step up and I think they’re doing
that. Again, it’s a great challenge and going to play a really really good football team. Very well coached, some really good players and again a lot of moving parts but again we’re going to go play this football game with the expectation that we’re going to play well and find a way to win the game.”
(On spiking the ball after WR Marvin Jones Jr. caught a pass with 30 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter) “Great drive, you look at that drive and you see Trevor [Lawrence] coming of age and you see some of the things he did were amazing but disappointed we didn’t finish it very well. The play goes to Marvin and literally it’s kind of a bang bang play. It looks like [C.J.] Mosely almost intercepts it and then the ball is in Marvin’s hand and then is he in or is he not? There’s a couple different ways to handle that situation and in my mind, again the one way to go fast and get both plays run, that term didn’t come to my mind so again I own that. I wanted to make sure we got the clock stopped in that situation, so I did in fact tell him to kill it because I wanted to run our kinda ‘gotta have it’ or our best play on fourth down. Of course, when we broke the huddle, we didn’t get things communicated very well and of course the penalty happened. It starts with me, I need to be better, but we should be able to get that play run on fourth down and it was kind of a ‘gotta have it’ play that we had worked and liked and we didn’t do that. Unfortunately, a lot to learn from and again I think we’re better equipped to handle that if it comes up this week or next.”
(On his message to QB Trevor Lawrence after making a turnover) “I wouldn’t say so, John. We certainly preach it’s all about the ball. You can’t play quarterback in this league and turn the football over. Trevor the last couple weeks has gotten a little bit loose with the ball when you watch him when he moves, he
has big hands but the ball does get below his belt line. He knows that and we’ve kind of cut out some clips and showed him those clips of the ball being a little bit low. For example, the one that comes out kind of backed up in our own territory like that cannot happen and he knows that. Again, just some drill work we did yesterday just to really drive home the fact that when you’re moving you still have to keep the ball in two hands. As you’re sliding in the pocket you have to protect it and when you’re corralled which he was. He didn’t really have anywhere to go on the fumble that he had but if one thing happens you have to make sure you end up with the football in that situation. He understands that but again it’s our job as coaches to drill through those things and make sure we’re putting him in the best position to do that. Again, it’s what this game comes down to, it’s all about the ball and he has to take care of it. I thought he really has made a lot of good decisions and he has been taking care of the football much better in the passing game, but some of the pocket movement stuff, we literally told him, the defensive coaches and Bill Belichick is showing that to the Patriots defenders and they’re seeing that the ball is low so guess what they’re going to do. Their going to attack your wrist and elbow and try to get the ball out in those situations so he has to take pride in that, which he does.
(On him making good decisions in the passing game and it being encouraging) “Yeah, without a doubt. He’s been really seeing the field really well and he threw the ball well down the field last week and he is making good decisions. When the defense is getting out of there, he is taking the underneath throws and showing some maturity. I thought it was very evident in the two-minute drive late in the game where he got us down into position to go win the game, so he is learning so much and he is maturing. I have no question that he is going to be a great player in this league.”
(On sitting QB Trevor Lawrence based on not a lot of depth with the offensive line) “I think everything is just so up in the air. Right now, we’re going into this game plan with Trevor Lawrence as our starter, why? Because we think Trevor gives us the best chance to win. Again, as the week goes and things pop up, Bev will be communicating to myself and the entire staff about decisions but right now we’re just trying to piece together the puzzle and we’re going to find the best 11 to put out there. Again, like I said
earlier, we expect whoever those 11 are that they’re going to go out there and give us everything they got to go beat a really good football team in their home stadium.”
(On his thoughts on the passing of John Madden) “I was very fortunate I had met him a few times with my father and what an amazing and big personality that he had. Really just enjoyed sitting around talking to him and listening to dad and him tell stories of the ‘good ole days’ as they referred to it. I just send out my blessings and prayers to he and his family and having gone through it, it’s hard but in these situations like this I think it’s great to remember what an impact he had not just on the game of football but really on a country, on professional sports. Again, what a big personality that I had the pleasure of getting to spend a little time with over the years.”
JAGUARS RB DARE OGUNBOWALE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021
(On his message to RB James Robinson after his Achilles injury) “Make sure he stays positive, know that his best days are ahead of him, attack rehab, and make sure that he makes the comeback special. We talked a bit since he got hurt and I’m praying for him obviously. I know he’ll attack rehab and he’ll be right back like he never left.”
(On his mindset stepping into the lead back role for the final two games) “You just help the team win, whatever I’m asked to do, run the ball, catch the ball, block, whatever, just help the team win, do what I can, be a leader, and continue how I’ve played. Nothing really changes. My goal has always been to help the team win, now I’m just doing it as starting at the running back [position] instead of kind of being a depth guy.”
(On the offense taking a step forward on the last drive of the game against the Jets) “It’s just stuff like that just will come with experience, just being a close group. Being able to win in those situations will come. It definitely was a positive thing seeing how we were able to drive the ball down there, make some smart plays in kind of tense situations. We just have to continue to grow off of that, watch the film. Like I said, as experience goes, a lot of guys will be able to make plays and win those types of games in those situations.”
(On the difficulty preparing for this week with the everchanging number of players on the COVID list) “I mean every week is difficult. Every game week is difficult. This obviously is some different challenges just as far as personnel things, but everybody has that next man up mentality. It’s the thing about the NFL; everybody’s hungry, everybody’s trying to get on the field regardless. All it really is is just opening up opportunities for guys to play. You definitely have to be concerned about the guys that aren’t there, but at the same time, we have a lot of guys that want to play and that want to make plays and put good stuff out there for everybody to see. I wouldn’t say it’s anything that we’re really too worried about.”
(On the increased opportunities to play given the current situation) “It’s a big opportunity for everybody. Making sure, one, you end the season strong, so you have a positive outlook going into the offseason. Two, like I said, just putting good stuff out there for everybody to see. It’s important for us football [players], film is our resume, so a lot of guys are getting a chance to kind of update their resume by getting more playing time these next couple weeks. So, [they need to] make sure they take advantage of it.”
(On QB Trevor Lawrence’s progression as a leader this season) “He’s definitely come a long way. It’s hard being a quarterback and being forced to start right away, but he’s attacked it and he’s done really well with it. Everybody respects him and his play is getting better. He’s being more and more comfortable back there, so we definitely appreciate the work Trevor [Lawrence]’s put in and everybody trusts him. He’s a great leader.”
(On how many reps he needs to get into a rhythm and his excitement getting a bigger share of the carries this week) “[I’m] very excited. Obviously, you’re always excited to be that guy starting the game off in the back field. As far as getting into a rhythm, I’m not sure. I feel like every back’s different. Me, I’ve always kind of been a depth guy, a change of pace guy, so I really don’t get a lot of reps to get into a rhythm so you kind of have to make sure you take advantage of those reps and just make sure you’re in a rhythm already. Throughout the flow of a game, obviously it’s a little different because obviously not every run’s going to be a big run. We kind of have to take what the defense gives you. Every back’s different so I don’t know if there’s a specific number. But I definitely am excited for the challenge to get a lot of carries this week.”
(On how getting 17 carries last week felt on his body) “17 felt good. My body feels fine. [I] get a lot usage on my body through special teams in games anyways playing all four phases. It was obviously just a different way just getting hit. It felt good. My rehab hasn’t really changed. My attack on making sure my body feels good hasn’t really changed. I’m just making sure I’m ready for Sunday.”
(On the COVID situation escalating again this week) “I mean at this point, it’s kind of nothing really surprises you when it comes to COVID like you’ve seen a lot of different teams have so many guys out. Just being levelheaded, you kind of have to prepare for it to be your team. We knew it was a possibility we would kind of get hit with the COVID bug and it’s happened. Like I said, guys are stepping up, guys are seeing it as an opportunity and not really much of a bad thing.”
(On the NFL changing the COVID protocol from ten days to five days and the impact it could have for certain players, such as DE/OLB Josh Allen) “Having Josh Allen back would be huge obviously. I don’t really kind of look into the way the protocols are set up. I’m just making sure I’m keeping my distances, wearing my mask, and doing things like that away from football. But obviously, like you said, it would be positive to get some guys back that are on that list with the new protocol, the new way that they’re getting back to play. It does seem like it’s more likely having five days instead of ten.”
(On how he has persevered through the season) “You just have to keep a positive mindset. I mean I know what I’m capable of doing. Obviously, I’m a big special teams guy so I’ve definitely helped the team in that capacity. When I get the chances at running back, I do what I can there as well. Like I said, nothing really changed for me. I’m still keeping the same mindset, just helping the team win the best I can. Now, I’m doing it more at running back instead of special teams, so I’m looking forward to it.”
(On the Patriots defense) “They’re obviously a very smart defense. They react well because they prepare well, so we just have to make sure that we don’t make mistakes against a defense like that. It’s more on us just to make sure that we play sound, take care of the ball, and we’ll take care of business if we do that.”
(On Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Byron Leftwich as a potential head coach) “[Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator] Byron [Leftwich], he’s a great guy, a great coach. I really enjoyed playing for him. He’s a very smart coach so I feel like obviously a head coach [position] is in his future and I wish him the best with whatever job he ends up getting. I loved playing for Coach Leftwich.”
JAGUARS S ANDRE CISCO
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2021
(On why he thinks it took him late into the season to get on the field) “Just waiting my turn. It was one of those situations where we had two vets that understood what it took to play at this level right away and that’s what the coaches were more comfortable with at the time and my role was mainly special teams. That’s how the lineup panned out. For me, my knee was fine and my knee has been good throughout camp and the season which has been really good for me. A lot of people experience some problems that first year back, but it has been pretty smooth with the rehab and everything. I am just excited to have my opportunity now.”
(On if he sees any reason why he can’t continue forcing turnovers at the professional level) “No, I see it happening for me on Sunday’s. I think it’s mainly just using your tools, playing with details and preparing the right way during the week and I think it can happen on every Sunday for myself. That is the mindset I have and I think what it starts with is mindset and that is what I plan to do.”
(On there being anything dramatically different he has noticed playing at the professional level) “Just details and how much every play counts throughout these games. The smallest things can lose you a game.”
(On how helpful S Rayshawn Jenkins and S Andrew Wingard have him been in the transition from college to pro) “They have been great. Since day one, the group that we started with in that room throughout camp has been a great group of vets. Guys that understand what it’s like to be a pro and have the right mindset and really attack each day. It was a great thing for me to learn from them on what it takes to get better each day. Sometimes, in college it is not as intense but in the league every day matters no matter how small [it is]. The walkthroughs, practice, a meeting [all matter] and guys are locked in and it was good for me to learn from them right away that’s what it takes to be great in this league.”
(On how big of an identity is his ability to get near the ball and make plays) “Yeah, that’s just who I am. I’m not afraid to gamble to take a chance and make a play. That’s the mindset I’ve always had and that’s how you can help your team win games. For me, if I have to make a mistake to go try and make a play every now and then I am okay with that.”
(On what took place on his near interception against the Jets) “That was just me kind of feeling the route combination. We were in a cover 2 so that was me just kind of me feeling the route combination. We have an out by two and then a vertical by one, so I saw the way Tyson [Campbell] kind of fall off it a little bit and I start working that way and the ball was on it’s way and I was able to get my hands on it and it was close.”
(On what strides he has seen himself take over the last couple weeks) “I like where my mind is at. Playing in an NFL game you have to have a short memory and certain plays you can’t let bother you throughout the game and things like that. I like where my mind is at and where I started at during camp and just the way I’ve grown with my approach to the game and how I am on the field. I think that’s my biggest growth this season.”
(On his opportunity moving forward) “It is all I have been waiting for. When you come into this league that is what you expect right away, but that is not always the reality. I was able to wait my turn and Week 17, I get my chance. I am not backing down and I am looking forward to it.”
(On if there was ever a moment where he felt he was overly frustrated with not playing) “I just took the mindset that my turn was coming. Once the lineups, I was like, ‘Alright, it’s all good.’ I have to embrace it here. I always said last year during interviews that my mindset was to embrace whatever role I get. It is not always going to be perfect and for me, I was looking forward to starting as every rookie does, but
that is not always the reality of the situation. I was looking forward to waiting my turn, embracing it when I got it and I have a chance to now.”
(On if he thought he had an interception last weekend on the play that was reviewed) “I think the angle did me pretty bad. I probably didn’t. I know the ball hit the ground a little bit. I cannot tell if my right hand was fully under it or not, but it was a great play regardless in my mind.”
