HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2024
(On S Darnell Savage’s value and versatility to the team) “First of all, he played really well.
He did some great things, great communication. So yeah, that was definitely a positive.
Antonio [S Antonio Johnson] played more of the dime position and Jarrian [CB Jarrian
Jones] the nickel. So, it was a good change up for us yesterday. As far as moving forward, I
could foresee that being the case. You’ve got to remember too, we’ve got [S] Andrew
Wingard still sitting there, potentially coming back in the next few weeks, so that could also
shake some things up again. But as of right now, that was a good move for us yesterday.”
(On setting aside emotions when playing a former team) “100 percent. I think during the
week you make more of it – maybe [QB] Mac Jones last week talked to some of his buddies
in New England and vice versa. So, I think that’s during the week. But once you tee it up and
kick it off, it’s definitely a game and you focus on your job.”
(On if OL Cam Robinson is in concussion protocol) “Yes.”
(On updates for Wingard and LB Foye Oluokun’s timelines for return from injured reserve) “
Both guys were in London with us, both guys rehabbed and worked out separate from the
team, obviously. But both guys are in a really good place and we’re optimistic and hopeful
that maybe this is the week that we can open their window up and they can practice and
get back with the team. So definitely something to look forward to. Both guys are in a good
place and obviously if we make that decision, it would be later in the week.”
(On if they will know when S Tashaun Gipson Sr. will be eligible to return) “I don’t. I honestly
do not. I mean, it’s a league decision right now. It’s in their hands as far as the being
released from the suspension. So, honestly, until we hear further, that’s where it’s at right
now.”
(On if he feels QB Trevor Lawrence is “streaky” and if that is a common tendency among
quarterbacks) “It’s an interesting question. Let’s hope he’s streaky and he gets on a streak,
right? I mean, that’s what we all hope for. I think too, he’s continuing to grow with what
we’re doing and learning. You’ve got to understand it’s only his third year in this system and
playing this position. So, he’s done a great job for us. Like I said, I hope if this is him getting
on a streak, let’s keep it going. Let’s stay with the hot hand.”
(On his assessment of OL Walker Little’s performance) “I thought he did a good job.
Obviously, about the fourth or fifth play, he has to come into the game and play from there.
Walker’s a pro. That’s what I like about him. He comes to work every day, prepares like a
starter, and he’s always ready, and you never know. We’re blessed to have three or four. If
you look at [OL] Cole Van Lanen and the way he played in preseason and [OL] Javon Foster,
but we’re blessed to have more than two or in this case, three tackles, but he did great. He
did a good job, and something that we’ll see how Cam does. If we had to go into this game
with him at left tackle, we’re obviously more than comfortable doing that and got a lot of
confidence in him, and he’ll be ready to go either way.”
(On the offensive line’s improved performance over the last few weeks) “I think what you’re
seeing is these guys have now logged a lot of time together and there’s some continuity
there. If you just go back to last year and all the different line combinations we had each
week, it’s difficult. It’s hard and it’s hard to get consistency. I think that’s what you’re seeing.
I think you’re seeing the consistency up front. We’ve scaled back on the amount of run
scheme, keeping it simple for those guys, keeping it to where we can call the same plays
multiple times in games. So, it’s been good for them, and it gives them a lot of confidence
to knowing they can go out and knowing exactly what’s going to happen, and just go
execute. So, it’s been good that we’ve had the five guys together really up until yesterday.”
(On DE Arik Armstead’s performance on Sunday) “I think he’s getting his kind of his game
legs. I think he’s obviously he’s a really good interior D-lineman – that’s where he’s made
the bulk of his success is coming from inside as a three technique, especially in nickel
pass-down situations, and he showed that yesterday. He did a nice job on the guard. He
had one of the higher-pressure rates yesterday. So, he’s doing a good job. We keep working
with him outside too, it’s a little bit of a new position for him on the outside, particularly in
first and second down situations. But he’s a veteran player that we count on, and we rely
on. He’s been great too for Josh [DE Josh Hines-Allen] and Travon [DE Travon Walker] and
[DE] Myles Cole, some of the younger players as well, teaching them just what it takes to be
a pro.”
(On what he’s seen from DE Travon Walker’s development) “Yes. Short answer is yes. He
definitely improves each week. He’s learning different pass rush moves, so you’re seeing
the power, you’re seeing the length. Now, really for the whole D-line, now we’ve got to just
finish better just strain a little bit better and we get a few more sacks. But Travon’s in a good
place. He works at it during the week, and it shows up on game day.”
(On how he would evaluate the secondary’s play) “You know what, it was good. I know there
were some big pass plays, but again those are nothing to do with the scheme, it’s just New
England making plays. They caught us in the right, I guess in the wrong coverage but the
right play against the right defense for them. But I thought overall they played physical, they
played aggressive. I thought the addition of Tyson [CB Tyson Campbell] back yesterday was
huge. He almost had a big turnover there – interception late in the game or I should say
probably in the third that would have been the third quarter, I think it was. So, these guys
are beginning to gel. They’re beginning to see the big picture, I think, as they prepare. Buster
[CB Montaric Brown] keeps getting better and improving, and it was good to be able to
allow Darby [CB Ronald Darby] the rest during the game and the rotation there. So, you
know other than a couple of big plays that – look it’s the NFL. They’re going to make their
plays too. Other than that, I thought the secondary played really well.”
(On if he planned to have more of a cornerback rotation last week) “A lot of times we’re a
match-personnel team, so when they’re in 11 personnel we’re going to go nickel, and then
obviously the plan yesterday was Jarrian [CB Jarrian Jones] at the nickel and Sav [S Darnell
Savage] was going to play the safety spot, so that was just by design, by game plan. Then,
when we go dime personnel, Antonio [S Antonio Johnson] comes into game. So, a lot of it’s
just by scheme, how Coach Ryan [Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen] puts the game plan
together each week. That’s why you probably saw more numbers by Jarrian, just because
they were more 11 personnel offensively.”
