On if he watched former Lions WR Calvin Johnson’s Hall of Fame speech: “I’ll be honest with you, 100% honesty, I didn’t even see it because I was up here grinding. So, I haven’t even been able to see it yet.” On what yesterday was like with the players off: “I would say that yesterday morning was pretty much a deep dive on the roster, doing evaluations now that we’ve had one week in pads. That was together with the coaching staff and the scouts, (Executive Vice President and General Manager) Brad (Holmes), myself. Just kind of hitting it from all aspects as it pertains to the player, where we see them, how they’re doing. Then once we’re done with that, then it’s about kind of moving forward for us as the coaches and the staff meeting and where we feel like we’re at and what we need to do moving forward into this week, and then schematic things, offensively and defensively, special teams. So, that’s the day.” On the player evaluation process: “I think there’s a lot of it where you do these evaluations and maybe you get an opinion one way or another now that you’ve been in pads. Then it’s kind of, ‘Well, let’s see where it’s at after this week and after a preseason game.’ I feel like, for the most part, within the first couple of weeks of pads, maybe by the second preseason game, you begin to have a real good idea of probably who’s going to make that team, what your roster looks like. Usually there’s anywhere from that three-to-five range of guys you just don’t know for sure and you’re waiting for one of them to separate themselves. That’s usually how it plays out.” On if the first team will play in Friday’s preseason game against the Buffalo Bills: “We talked about it yesterday as a staff. We feel like they need to play. So, I think we’re looking at about a quarter this first preseason game against Buffalo. So, we’re just going to kind of take it as it is right now instead of worrying too much about where we’re at for Indianapolis for that third preseason game. Let’s just take it as it comes. Let’s get these guys where they’re playing together in game-like situations. We’re calling it as coaches. We’re going through the whole mechanics of all of it. I think we’re shooting for around a quarter, somewhere in there.” On if he will put together a game plan for Friday’s game or if they just go out and play: “This is just, ‘Line up and play.’ They’ll have – the day, before we’ll prep them on just what they’re getting ready to face. Like, for example, offensively, getting ready for Buffalo’s defense. They’re really more of a four-down structure, whereas our defense is more odd structure. So, they just need to see it and kind of have an idea of what they’re getting ready to face. There will be a couple of concepts by them, they’ll have some read run stuff on offense that is part of their core. So, just an intro to what they’re going to do. But other than that, this is call what we call, what we are comfortable with, where we can really let these guys cut it loose, plays that they know by heart. They don’t have to think a lot and just see what the player looks like.” On the importance of practicing communication between coaches at Ford Field before Friday: “Yeah, it’s important. It’s important to at least begin the – working out the kinks and solving some of the problems that you don’t know are quite there yet. There were already a couple of things that popped up. Just as it pertained to the headsets like, ‘Who’s on with who and how do I get in communication with this coach?’ It’s always good to do that. And then between – even the play caller and (Offensive Coordinator Anthony Lynn) A-Lynn and (Jared) Goff and that communication and hearing it and, ‘Are we getting a clear line?’ Yeah, it’s good. Then it just gets some of those guys under the lights. I alluded to this the other day, to be able to – it’s a change in scenery. It’s a little bit more – it’s not game like, but yet, there’s a little bit more pressure that gets put on you. You kind of see some guys that responded positively and negatively when put in that situation, and you’ve got to find those out.” On what he is looking for stylistically from the third tight end spot: “I think really, ultimately, you need a guy who is smart enough and versatile enough to handle both duties, both jobs, if something happens to one of your guys. Whether that be – (T.J.) Hockenson is kind of the jack of all trades, but he certainly has the ability to separate in the pass game, and he can get open. You lose him, then that next guy is able to do some of those, you piecemeal that with another receiver, but yet he can also handle some things if you lost your blocking Y. He can mix it up a little bit and protect and block the point, but he’s got to be smart because he does. He’s got to be able to handle any spot at any time if something like that happens. That’s ideally kind of where you go. I think it’s a pretty good room. It’s young. It’s really young. You brought up (Alize) Mack. Look, Mack’s doing some good stuff. I told Mack this morning, I’m like, ‘Man, you’re growing as a tight end. You’ve got to help us on special teams.’ And he is. He’s growing. But I’m like, ‘Man, astronomically, you have to improve. Like, this thing’s got to come in a hurry.’ He knows that and he’s been working at it. But he brings kind of a skillset to that position that is unique. I mean, he can separate a little bit, and so that’s encouraging. (Brock) Wright’s just kind of – he’s a young buck. He’s learning. He’s growing, but he’s smart. He’s like a sponge. He’s taking it all in, and so he’s putting in the work. And Charlie (Taumoepeau), who’s maybe the farthest away, yet he’s the rawest, too. He really hasn’t played. He’s young, but man, he’s a pretty good athlete. He’s pretty crafty and he’s tough. I’ll be honest with you, we didn’t quite know about that. ‘Is this kid going to be tough enough to do some of those things that we’re going to ask our tight ends to do?’ I’ll tell you what, he’s out there. It’s been encouraging. He’ll mix it up. He just needs reps and reps and reps, but he’s been pretty good.” On if he is superstitious because he knocks on wood: “A little bit. You noticed that? I do. I’m a knocker. I am. I’m a knocker. I mean anything like – yeah, a little bit. If it’s something that could potentially be seen as bad luck in my eyes, I’m going to knock. Doesn’t matter what it is. It’s just me.” On if he has an article of clothing that he wears for his superstitions: “Well, that could come up. That could potentially come up. Maybe the same underwear, you just don’t wash it if you’re winning. But it’s worth it for a win, right?” On the cornerback position battle: “Let’s start with (Quinton Dunbar) Q. Q is still – he’s out with personal issues. But he’s communicating. We know where he’s at. We know what’s going on and we’re thinking about him. But as far as – look Amani (Oruwariye), I told Amani this morning and I’ve got to be careful giving too much sugar so it doesn’t rot his teeth out. But he is just kind of quietly different than everybody else and I mean this in a really good way. He’s just coming on. He’s just growing and he is just getting better and he’s getting more confident. He’s more comfortable. I feel like he’s in a really good place right now. You see (Jeff) Okudah, the way that he’s been practicing has been great. I think Will Harris is, just like we talked about the other day, I have not seen any dropoff. I see continued growth, which is outstanding. Tracy (Walker), like we talked about and then in that back end, we’ve got some young guys that are battling out right now. You’ve got Mike Ford – Jerry Jacobs has open our eyes a little bit. AJ Parker has opened our eyes at nickel a little bit and then (Ifeatu Melifonwu) Iffy, Iffy’s another guy that’s kind of quietly improving, young rookie. He just kind of goes about his business and you may not always see it, but what we see is just a little bit of growth every day. That’s really what you want out of your rookies. It doesn’t have to be here and you don’t always expect that, but just to know that you’re improving a little bit every day and you don’t make the same mistake twice, that’s really what you’re honing in on, and that’s Iffy. It’s what he’s doing. So, it’s a pretty good crew.” |
