HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2023
(On injury updates across the team) “Right now, obviously with the hamstring, probably in a short week
the chances are he’s [CB Tyson Campbell] out for this game. We’ll just keep monitoring that. With
hamstrings, they can be a little finicky so we’ll see but right now it’s trending that way. Trevor [QB Trevor
Lawrence] and Brandon [OL Brandon Scherff] are both day-to-day. Both are feeling better today, they’re
sore obviously, but they’re day-to-day. Zay [WR Zay Jones] and Walker [OL Walker Little] are doing better,
they’re day-to-day and noncommittal on this game just yet. I think that’s the major ones.”
(On if the MRI showed anything for QB Trevor Lawrence) “You’d have to talk to Ferg [Vice President of
Player Health and Performance Jeff Ferguson]. That’s out of my realm, that’s out of my jurisdiction.”
(On if there’s a sense QB Trevor Lawrence may not play Thursday) “He’s day-to-day.”
(On if CB Tyson Campbell being injured puts the cornerback room in a pinch) “Buster [CB Montaric
Brown] will play. We have [CB] Tevaughn Campbell, [CB] Erick Hallett, guys are sitting there on the
practice squad and have been practicing. We have some options there.”
(On challenges of having a Thursday night game on a short week) “You just said it. It’s a short week.”
(On difficulty of adjusting to a short week) “It is what it is. You just understand that you’re going to go
through it, you get your team in here today, you got to practice today and practice tomorrow and then
you’re on a plane heading to New Orleans. Guys are going to be sore, guys are going to be dealing with
things. We don’t have the full compliment of a week for guys to feel somewhat normal. The gameplan is
the gameplan, it’s just based on what you see on film and trying to get something together for the game
and go play.”
(On difficulty of arranging offensive line with frequent injuries) “Well, it’s a challenge, but guys have
done a nice job of the guys that have been filling in. Blake [OL Blake Hance] did good yesterday and Tyler
[OL Tyler Shatley] has been filling in nicely. It’s obviously not perfect, but nothing is. These guys are
battling their tails off and they’re well coached and well prepared. We just put the next guy in and go
play.”
(On if practice reps will be split between QB Trevor Lawrence and QB C.J. Beathard) “Possibly, if Trevor is
sore, we’ve done this before and did it last year where C.J. took the Wednesday reps and Trevor took the
rest of the week, then played in the game. It’s possible that happens.”
(On when he anticipates they’ll have a decision of QB Trevor Lawrence playing) “7:20, kickoff on
Thursday night. I’ll be in central time.”
(On confidence in QB C.J. Beathard) “Yeah, a lot of confidence in C.J. if that’s the case. He prepares
himself each week as if he is the starter. He does a great job in game with Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence],
obviously the communication there. I’ve seen it the last year and a half being around him and his career.
A lot of confidence in him and I know he’ll be ready just like he always is.”
(On if he stands by his play calling decisions yesterday) “Yeah. It’s part on us, part on the players. We put
our players in situations where we have to understand the situation. We had talked about taking the
short sack in a situation like that if you don’t feel like you can get outside, you go down. Part of that is on
the player, and part of that is we can coach better and emphasize that more. The play call, I’m one
hundred percent behind the play call. It’s something that a lot of teams do in situations like that to get
the quarterback on the edge. Defensively, they’re pinching gaps and they’re edge pressures and it’s a
good of getting your quarterback on the perimeter to get the first down and ice the game at that point.
As coaches too, we can instruct our quarterback better, coach him [QB Trevor Lawrence] better, and
understand that if you can’t get outside, just go down.”
(On why he chose the play call that led to a turnover based on field position) “Again, this where we have
to communicate with Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] better. If he doesn’t extend the play, he goes down
sooner. It’s not a 51-yard kick, it’s a 41-yard kick or a 39-yard kick. That’s where we can, as a staff,
communicate with him better in situations like that.”
(On what the players have shown him over the last three games) “One, they’re confidence is extremely
high right now. I see this team playing better together, we’re playing with complementary football in all
three phases, especially the last couple of weeks. The defense yesterday with the takeaways and with
the offense scoring 17 points off those takeaways, that’s the complementary element that we talk about.
The confidence, we’re beginning to eliminate some of those mistakes that happened early in the season.
They’re not showing up as much, still some work to do each week but those are some of the areas I see
that this team is really beginning to mature and come together as a group.”
(On if the gameplan is simplified due to a short week) “It’s no different than any other week. You still
want to have the element of the surprise going into the game, things that you maybe haven’t shown on
tape. You’re also going into a place where regardless of a Thursday night or Sunday or Monday night or
Sunday night game, you’re going into a place that’s extremely loud. Communication is hard and snap
counts are hard. The more you can simplify motions and shifts and lining up in stagnant formations can
help you. At the same time, you still want to put your guys in positions to have successful matchups or
have at least some success on the field.”
(On how the team is navigating an awkward part of the schedule timing wise) “We can’t control the
schedule, but I honestly don’t think our team really cares that much about when and where and who we
play. Yes, you’re guaranteed a home game after the London trip and all of that which is great, but after
that, you go to the next one. I honestly believe that our players really don’t pay much attention to that,
nor do we. The schedule comes out in May and we see it, we’re excited for it. It’s a great opportunity.”
(On if RB Travis Etienne Jr. is taking the next big step like discussed in training camp) “I think so. He’s
really been impressive. I would say there’s still things he can improve upon, but he’s really taking a nice
step this year. Understanding the run schemes, understanding some of the fits and some of the holes. He
missed a few things yesterday, we’ll get that fixed, but he’s definitely taken that step. He’s a tough,
young, physical running back that we put him in a lot of different positions because he can handle it. He’s
taken a really nice step in that direction.”
(On how close the vision of the defense is compared to what the defense is currently) “It’s funny because
you probably have a vision of what it would look like, even your offense. But, each year, you’re almost
starting over and it’s dictated by your personnel and who your guys are. It kind of morphs and shapes
into different things. It still doesn’t mean you want to be able to stop the run, in our division, pass rush
we talk a lot about that in this room. That’s every week. You have to determine how much man coverage
you want to play. That’s predicated on your personnel. Pressure, do you want to be a pressure team or
do you want to play zone and keep everything in front of you? It’s something you talk about when you go
through the hiring process and what the vision might look like, but it changes and shapes based on the
personality of the team.”
(On how OL Cam Robinson looked in yesterday’s game) “Yeah, he’s really settled in nicely. He did some
good things yesterday in the game. He’s getting more comfortable. He had the one false start there, but
other than that, he’s playing physical and good pass sets. He just gets better each time out.”
(On growth seen from OL Anton Harrison) “Yeah, I think he’s played enough games to understand what
it’s going to be like playing in the National Football League. He’s played against some really good edge
rushers. He does a great job each week of getting himself prepared and Phil [Offensive Line Coach Phil
Rauscher] and Todd [Assistant Offensive Line Coach Todd Washington] and the guys do a great job of
preparing him with the entire offensive line. Especially with who he might be going up against, this is a
challenge again this week. This is a really good defensive line, they’re a physical defensive line. You’re on
the road and crowd noises and all that, snap count is important and getting off on the ball. I would say
the rookie tag has probably gone away now, and he’s settling in nicely.”
(On if he looks at New Orleans film sooner than usual due to it being a short week) “You do. You just
want to get a peak at them without confusing the game you’re currently in. Coaches definitely took
advantage of Friday afternoon and a little bit of Saturday, even yesterday coming in and getting some
work in yesterday, just trying to stay ahead as much as possible.”
(On how OLB Dawuane Smoot looked in his first game back) “I think last week I was asked if he’d be on a
pitch count and I said no. He was good, he had a couple of plays in there just settling into the game.
That’s one thing he and I talked about, just be him, don’t try to chase a play, make plays that come his
direction. I asked him this morning how he felt and he said he actually felt pretty good physically coming
out of the game. Overall, much like Cam [OL Cam Robinson], he’s going to be a week-to-week
improvement until he gets his legs under him, football legs that way. 32 of 70-plus snaps is a good chunk
for a first-time player coming off an ACL [injury]. He did well though, he did good.”
(On performance of CB Darious Williams in recent games) “It seems like the ball ends up his way and he
makes plays on it. He’s such a smart player, savvy player. He’s got really good hands and good ball skills;
he’s just been making the plays when they come and that’s what you want. It was a huge play against
Atlanta with the pick-six and then last week Buffalo and again Sunday. Just keep that going.”
LINEBACKER FOYESADE OLUOKUN
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2023
(On how the team has navigated the difficult travel schedule this season) “Just embracing what’s in front
of us, taking it one week at a time. We went over there to London and it’s already a messed up schedule
with the first flight, played that first game and then the second week was hectic just trying to navigate
and get through practice and stuff without all the training facilities that we have here. Being able to
power through that, we just came together as a team. Whatever was in front of us, we were able to
embrace, we used to call it in college, ‘embrace the suck.’ Whatever is about to happen in front us, just
use it as a unifying point and get through it together.”
(On if it’s more difficult being in London for two games or turning around a short week for a Thursday
night game) “That London period. I’ve never done it before, to stay overseas that long. That might’ve
been the longest I’ve been overseas since I was a little kid. That was pretty tough, just because it was
new. This Thursday, it’s whoever embraces this week and whoever handles this week the best usually
wins this game. Obviously with recovering and stuff, just trying to do your best for Thursday, but really
getting through that mental part of it. Get through the game planning and all of that, trying to execute
your best on Thursday is just the name of the game.”
(On if he carries any personal emotions over to the Saints in a rivalry) “I see when that happens when I
get into the stadium. I was just really trying to win every time I was over there. The rivalry, the fans and
stuff, you feel it being a [Atlanta] Falcon and them being Saints. I’ll feel what I feel when I’m in the
stadium.”
(On what it’s like playing in the Caesar’s Superdome) “You guys haven’t been there? Oh, it’s cool. It’s
loud, yes, it is loud. I’m trying to relay that to the defense and to the whole team how that atmosphere
is, I give them respect for their fanbase and how they keep that thing packed and energized. It’s a cool
atmosphere to play in, I’m saying to embrace everything that comes up to us and learn how to get
through it.”
(On what the Saints offense is like) “They got good skill at every position, [Saints RB Alvin] Kamara can
line up at different positions depending on how they want to use him. They got [Saints QB] Taysum Hill, a
lot of personnel, different things they can throw at you, so being able to handle that. Getting the guys
who have the ball in their hands down is important because I know a lot of those guys can break tackles
and run. A lot of skill on that side of the ball, so being able to handle that and make sure we stop the run
first. That’s what we pride ourselves on right now, is stopping the run and handling the pass game, keep
creating turnovers.”
(On if the defense a number of turnovers in mind in the season) “I don’t even think we thought of a
number to get to, just create turnovers. Right now, I think we’re first, keep creating turnovers to stay
first. However many that’s going to be, but really just to win the game. Whenever the opportunities are
presented, you catch the ones they throw you, you’ll have a lot of turnovers. Get pressure on the
quarterback and work on punching that ball out, give the ball back to our offense for more possessions.”
(On if creating turnovers feels contagious) “It’s really your thoughts. We’ve been having that thought
since last year. I think it helped us out through that seven-game stretch that we had last year, starting to
take the ball away. I think we finished fourth last year. We saw how cool that was for our team, so we
had that thought all through training camp; takeaways and turnovers really help the game. When you
see that taking part in and it working for you, that’s what we pride ourselves on right now.”
(On importance of winning on first and second down) “When you win on first down, it’s kind of
momentum for the rest of the downs. Hopefully it’s a second-and-long, get to the passer a little bit, a lot
of the NFL is throwing the ball on second-and-long depending on who the coordinator is. They might run
it, shoot if they run it on second-and-long, let’s get it to third-and-long. Then, really turn our heads loose
for the pass rush. If they throw it off the ball, a tipped pass or something, and being able to secure the
ball to go the other way with it. Winning first down is the most important down, one because it’s the
first down, but it’s the down we’re playing in and it sets the tone for the rest of the series.”
(On the momentum of the team currently) “It’s just learning how to win and how to sustain energy. It’s a
week-to-week business so whatever we did last week is really pointless going forward because any team
could beat you in the NFL. If you don’t bring in the right mindset going forward into next week and
throughout the whole week of practice and stuff, a team can jump out on you. It’s really learning how to
carry ourselves going into games, no matter who we’re playing. When you talk about momentum, it’s
really learning yourselves at a professional and winning team in order to win games.”
(On how his body feels going into this short week) “I don’t think most bodies feel great. If you did feel
great on Monday after a game, I don’t know what you had. A clean game or something.”
(On how he usually starts feeling healed after a game) “I’d say I usually start feeling better by Thursday.
It’s really just a mental thing, once the ball is snapped, nobody cares what you feel like on the TV’s or the
eyes in the sky. They don’t really care, it’s what the product is that you put on the field. Getting your
body right as much as possible, maybe accelerating to get yourself able to go on Thursday and let that
adrenaline take back over.”
(On what he does extra to accelerate the healing process) “I sleep. I do some stuff, recovery stuff.”
(On if this defense is the most confident since he’s been a Jaguar) “I think we always had confidence in
ourselves, I think it’s just knowing our personnel and knowing the defense being in a second year. Seeing
it come to fruition is really cool for us. We had confidence in ourselves all the time, I think it’s just being
comfortable with who we have out there right now.”
(On how easy it may be to block out distractions of if QB Trevor Lawrence is playing) “I don’t think we
really think about that. We got to finish games, I think we’ve started these past few games off really high
and we let them back in a little bit with explosives. Our whole meeting was learning how to play all the
way through the game, learning to take away those explosives, make sure they drive the field down so if
they do score, let’s make them earn it the hard way and keep getting turnovers. If the quarterback
doesn’t play or that offer is hindered at all, let’s put it on us to win the game. That’s probably the next
step that we can take as a defense, but continuing to do what we do well, let’s stop the run and create
turnovers.”
(On if he knew who DT Angelo Blackson was prior to him joining the Jaguars) “No, I just trusted that the
front office brought a good guy in. I see what he’s doing on the field, he’s given effort and all that. We
can work with that, he gelled with the guys really quick, he talked to me about things he’s witnessed in
the league and all that stuff, we were pretty much on the same mindset. I had no problem with him, let’s
go work.”
(On DT Angelo Blackson making the most of his playing time) “That’s all the effort. He know what it takes
and he’s had a long career to stay in the league. I don’t question his work ethic and when I like a guy’s
work ethic, I know we can work with him. Coaches see the same thing and just keeping what he does
and being useful for the team.”
(On the challenge of being on the field for 17 plays on the opening drive) “Kind of how they attacked us
on the second game last year, they came out with a lot of quick throws and we were expecting them
more to run with Taylor [Colts RB Jonathan Taylor] back and stuff. They came out with a quick game in
the first 15 and stuff. To hold them to three, we could’ve done better though. It was good to not let them
in the endzone there. Our offense went down and scored seven, then we started rolling. It was good to
hold them out of the endzone.”
(On how LB Devin Lloyd looks on the field) “Really good. I think our linebacking core as a whole is looking
pretty good. Two younger guys are growing and been learning very rapidly, Devin definitely put it on
himself while we were in London to keep studying and make sure he had an impact as soon as he came
back. He had all the confidence in the world with his thumb, he wasn’t playing hesitant at all so I love to
see it. Communication has been great, so when the communication is good, we know what to expect or
know what to call out, we both play faster. It’s been good to see when Chad [LB Chad Muma] came in,
same of type of thing. Even when Shaq [LB Shaquille Quarterman] comes in, it’s the same type of thing.
The linebacker core is definitely growing, we can always keep growing and keep playing faster to become
the linebacking core in the league. That’s what our goal is.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN CAM ROBINSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2023
(On the level of trust in QB C.J. Beathard) “Well, we trust C.J., he’s been here for us for a couple of years
now. We’ve got all the faith and all the trust in him in the world. If Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] can’t go
and C.J. has to go, our expectations and what we expect from ourselves offensively and as a team don’t
change.”
(On how his confidence feels after playing in a second game this season) “I think it made a huge
difference for myself. Just getting back in the rhythm, getting back into football shape. You can still do all
the training you want when you’re not playing, but there’s only one way you’re going to actually get back
and be ready to play football. That’s just by playing football. I think I’m trying to just keep taking steps in
the right direction when it comes to that aspect.”
(On how his body feels today compared to a week ago) “A little worse. A week ago, it was the freshest
I’ve ever been through four weeks since I hadn’t played. I’m kind of starting to feel it a little bit now, just
want to stay on top of it and keep myself in the best position I can be.”
(On if it’s harder on offensive lineman to adjust on a short week compared to other positions) “I don’t
know. I honestly think it’s equally as bad, I shouldn’t say bad, but it’s bad for all positions. Regardless of
offensive line, running back, linebacker, it’s just a tough transition.”
(On K Brandon McManus probably feeling alright on a short week) “Yeah, him and Ross [LS Ross
Matiscik] probably feel real good.”
(On how to prepare against a loud crowd on the road on Thursday night) “I think it’s just the stuff we do
leading up to this game, probably going to have to work in some silent cadence and work some stuff in
with the noise using the speakers outside. I don’t know if there’s a way you can exactly mimic that
environment, but just trying to be as best prepared as we can is the only answer for it.”
(On if he lost in the Caesar’s Superdome when he played for Alabama) “Yeah, I lost. My freshman year.
It’s cool, we didn’t lose too much.”
(On challenge moving around due to injuries across offensive line) “It was funny because I was thinking
about to myself. I feel like I played next to Shat [OL Tyler Shatley] so many times. Anytime someone goes
down or anytime there’s something, Shat is just our plug-and-play guy. He does such a good job for us.
When he walked into the game, I gave him some dap and I said, ‘Shat, we’ve been here before.’ I’ve been
in that position with Shat countless amount of times and he’s somebody that we can always rely on. We
know he’ll always be ready.”
(On how OL Anton Harrison has grown over the last few weeks) “Honestly, everything physically you
could have, he checks every box. I think he’s just getting more comfortable and just getting more used to
NFL football. I think everything with Ton will just be reps. The more reps he gets, the better and better
he’ll get. Physically, he’s God-given. As long as he can stay on top of his stuff mentally and just keep
getting better the way he has, I think the sky’s the limit for him.”
(On what he reads is the team’s identity so far this season) “I don’t know if we have it completely figured
out yet, but I think probably the reason he mentioned that is because we’re taking steps into that
direction and getting it figured out. I always just like to mention to people that in this league, it’s hard
wire-to-wire be the best team in the league and have the best record. I think the biggest thing from my
experience is just to be peaking at the right times. I think that was what happened to us last year,
towards the middle of the season everybody was just like ‘eh.’ But towards the end of the season, we
were rolling and then we just rolled right into the playoffs and we were able to have a little success. I
think it’s important to just make sure that we’re peaking at the right times.”
(On enjoyment of blocking for RB Travis Etienne Jr.) “It’s fun, man. A lot of times, we don’t see things. I
had no idea, the only thing I caught on the wildcat play was just him jogging in at the last second.
Oftentimes, we miss a lot of the good stuff he does. We just got to catch it on the replay or something.
We know what type of player he is, we know what kind of competitor he is. Week in and week out, we
know what we’re going to get from Travis.”
(On challenges of Saints defense) “I think one thing that helps them a lot is their core of guys. They’ve
been there for, I think they do a good job of keeping their core guys together. Those guys are also
veteran. There’s not really much you can show them that they probably haven’t seen before, so I think
for us, it’s just about being extremely sharp technique wise and mentally just no ME’s, no mental errors.
We just got to hit on all cylinders when you play a defense like this.”
