DT Zach Sieler
(Head Coach Brian Flores was saying today that they’d like to get you more defensive snaps for you, maybe eight to 10 more a game. You’re in good shape. I assume you feel like you could carry an extra load if given it?) – “Yeah, I’m ready for whatever comes my way. Last year I had a good amount of snaps here and there with COVID, because you always have to be ready. And still this year with COVID. You never know what happens. I think we do a good job as a team making sure everyone is prepared and the next-man-up mentality.”
(Is it something you look forward to playing more? I know you’re a team guy, so you’re fine with anything, but…) – “It’s whatever we need. If there is a game with more runs and I play more great. If there are more passes and we need our pass guys to play, great.”
(What do you think about what DT Adam Butler has been able to contribute the times he’s in there?) – “Great. He’s a very good leader. He does a great job of bringing along the younger guys, explaining why we do things and what we’re doing them for, and helping them learn football.”
(What do you anticipate it’s going to be like facing QB Cam Newton?) – “We played him twice last year. I think it’s going to be a competitive game. There’s going to be trash talk both ways. I think we’re going to have to play our best ball.”
(It seems like DT Christian Wilkins has taken his game to an even higher level this year. What have you noticed about him and how he’s evolved in certain areas this year?) – “He’s evolved as a smarter football player, I think. He just keeps learning every day. His techniques, as you all know, and different things like that, he just continues to grow as a player. He’s always trying to get better.”
(Looking at the calendar you guys have, does it motivate you that you can go fix the record that you have now?) – “I think we just take it week-by-week. We’re not trying to look out four or five weeks ahead of time. We’ve got to worry about this game and worry about the Panthers.”
(It strikes me that you’re facing a unique offense in that the Panthers have a dual-threat quarterback and yet they also have a dual-threat running back in a different way. What sort of challenges does all of that mix present to you guys?) – “We’ve just got to make sure we know our plays, know what we’re doing and limit the errors. Just play good, sound, technique football.”
(Did you have a good Thanksgiving? Spend time with your family or teammates?) – “Yeah. My fiancé is here, so we had a good time. We ate, basically just made some food and stuff like that.”
DL Adam Butler
(What are the challenges of playing against QB Cam Newton? Obviously, you went up against him in practice for a year. Just your thoughts on what challenges he poses and what makes him so difficult?) – “He’s a versatile guy. He can do multiple things. Obviously, he’s a threat with his feet. He’s good and you have to respect that about him.”
(What did you learn about with QB Cam Newton that you might not have known after playing with him for a year?) – “I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”
(S Eric Rowe was joking about how QB Cam Newton will trash talk during the game. He’s like QB Philip Rivers in that way, would he do that in practice a lot with defensive players?) – “Yeah, he’s just a competitive person. That’s really all it is. He’s competitive.”
(How do you take it when there’s trash talk in your face? Do you get juiced up with that or does it annoy you?) – “I like it. I bring it back. I mean it’s football. That’s what it’s about.”
(Is preparation any different when you get such a big day like Thanksgiving, a family day? I don’t know if you have family here but is it any different on Thursday and Friday?) – “You can’t let anything get you off your routine. You have to try to stay on that same routine as much as you can. Obviously, there’s some things you can’t control that can get in the way but you just have to re-focus.”
(Did you watch a lot of football yesterday or non at all?) – “I watched a few games.”
RB Patrick Laird
(It’s been an evolving running back room the last couple of weeks with you moving up, RB Phillip Lindsay coming in, RB Duke Johnson coming up for a game. I know you all get along obviously but is it a competitive room right now with you and everyone that is just hoping to emerge?) – “Yeah, competitive in the sense that we’re all a competitive group that wants to help our team win. But I’d also say it’s a complementary group as well. There are certain things that guys do well so we can kind of just play off of each other and game plan that way. It’s always great to bring in more talent. Yeah, I really like where our running back group is right now and everything that all of the guys can do.”
(How much did you know about RB Phillip Lindsay before he got here?) – “So we played each other in college. I actually remember the first time I met him, it was after a game that we played at Boulder and he came up to me and he knew my story. He’s like ‘Hey man, I know you’re a walk-on and now you’re starting. I think that’s awesome.’ So he was just like – to me, I’ve always thought he was a really good dude so we’ve stayed in touch over the years. We’re both undrafted guys. He’s a really good dude when you get to meet him.”
(You had a play that might have flown a little bit under the radar. It really shouldn’t have but it might have. On that first drive, you caught a swing pass on third down and it looked at the time when you caught it that there was no way in hell you were getting the first down. What was your initial plan when you caught the ball and does that rank as one of your most satisfying plays?) – “Yeah, it was definitely one of the most fun plays I’ve been a part of just because – I talked about this a few weeks ago with you guys. When you convert on a third down to keep a drive alive, it just feels great. So I was happy I could do that for the team. But yeah, that’s my role. It could be limited at times but when I have an opportunity that comes my way, I have to take advantage of it. That’s what the coaches expect. That’s what my teammates expect. So I was happy to do that.”
(When you first caught the ball and you turned around, you had two guys converging on you. Did strictly instinct kick in or did you have like an inkling before you caught the ball that you’d have to make a quick move?) – “I think it was just instinct. And it was funny because it was a teammate at Cal that was the first one to come at me. I didn’t even know that until after the game and he told me, so I felt bad about that. Not really. (laughter) He was another walk-on at Cal too, which is cool. So it was fun to play against him. Then obviously he made some good plays so I got that one on him but he got us on a couple of other plays.”
(S Ashtyn Davis?) – “Yeah, Ashtyn Davis. He’s a really good player. That was fun. Again, it’s more about making that play for the team and keeping the drive alive, and we ended up scoring a touchdown.”
(What was the reaction from your teammates when you have a play like that? You don’t get a lot of opportunities but you have a great play that keeps the chains moving.) – “I think – this team that we have, the guys, I think we love playing and competing with each other and whether you’re a starter or a role player or you got brought up from the practice squad and you make a play, everyone is going to be happy for you no matter who it is. Yeah, guys were excited on the sideline but they’ve seen me make plays like that before. Maybe a couple of guys said they were surprised but a lot of people were just happy that I made the play. That was pretty much the reaction.”
(What impressed you about RB Phillip Lindsay as a runner? Obviously that’s a great story about you talking to him after a game in college. What impresses you just watching him as a runner, about his skillset?) – “He’s capable of a heavy workload. Obviously we’ve seen him run the ball. I think he’s run for 1,000 yards a couple of times, caught a lot of passes and made plays in the passing game. He’s just a versatile back. Yeah, he’s a great football player all around.”
(What did you think of RB Duke Johnson, who was elevated last week and got into the game a lot, especially on that last drive and got a few carries there.) – “Yeah. He’s an experienced back. I think he has the most experience of all the running backs. He’s another good guy just to have around. He’s always – I’ll ask him for tips and advice on stuff and he’s happy to give it. He’s a good running back veteran in the room and he’s not afraid to share his opinion on anything. He’s just been helpful since he showed up so I really appreciate having Duke around.”
TE Hunter Long
(It’s good to see you’ll get an opportunity this weekend. How has the rookie year been for you from an emotional standpoint in terms of not playing a lot? Has that been tough at all to deal with?) – “No, not really. I mean I knew coming in this year that I’d get some opportunities and have to try to make the most of them. I’ve tried to keep it even the whole year and attack each week the same, so this week was no different and the past seven or whatever (weeks) were no different either.”
(We already know TE Adam Shaheen will be out, so what you mentioned, trying to attack each week the same, is that easy or could it be difficult to do when you know an opportunity could be coming?) – “I don’t think it’s that difficult. I did kind of the same in college. I redshirted my freshman year and didn’t play a whole lot my sophomore year, so I’ve kind of been through this before where you just have to be as prepared as possible for when that chance comes. And when it comes, make the most of it.”
(Did you kind of know coming into your rookie season that it could play out this way and maybe that helped you prepare for it?) – “Yeah. I came into this year with really no expectations for where I was going to fall and what chances I was going to get. I think that probably helped the most. I’m not expecting too much or too little and trying to stay as even-keeled as possible through it. Obviously we have a lot of good tight ends and I love those guys, so it’s been awesome to see them do their thing. But like I said, I attack each week the same and I’m excited for this week.”
(What area do you think you’ve improved the most in since training camp?) – “Probably just understanding defenses and being able to read it fast. It was obviously – it’s not that much of a speed change from the college level to this level but there is definitely a speed change and with that, you have to adjust a little bit. I think just studying defenses each week – I mean the weeks I haven’t been playing, I’ve spent a lot of time studying defenses and watching film of other defenses. Probably just being able to recognize stuff faster and process a little faster at the line.”
(How much have you been picking the brain of your teammates and the tight end group?) – “All the time. They’re phenomenal tight ends and I got pretty fortunate to come into this room. Obviously I haven’t gotten a lot of playing time but I’ve been able to practice with those guys and see those guys and watch what they do and ask them all sorts of questions. I’ve got the best of both worlds in the variety of tight ends that we have. It’s been fantastic. I’ve enjoyed it.”
(Is there one piece of advice that they’ve given you that’s really resonated with you?) – “Probably just even less football related is just stay ready for your time to come. I mean they’ve been great through all of it. I’d probably say that’s the biggest advice they’ve had is just be ready, stay ready and your week is going to come.”
(We know from your college tape that obviously you can catch the ball, you can run routes, you can block. Of those parts of the game, what’s been the biggest challenge at the NFL level and where it’s taken the most work? Blocking, getting open, route running?) – “I don’t think there’s just one thing that’s ben the biggest challenge. Obviously at the NFL level, everything is a little faster. The windows are a little tighter. The people are bigger, stronger and it’s the best of everybody in college. I wouldn’t say there’s one area but just getting accustomed to that. We have a great team here so being able to practice against them every week, it’s been – I’ve definitely gotten better being here.”
(Have you had an opportunity to talk to Head Coach Brian Flores this week and what is your relationship with him like?) – “Yeah. I have a great relationship with ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) and his message has kind of been the same. We obviously have a lot of tight ends but my chance is going to come and like the tight ends were saying, just be ready and stay ready. That’s what I’ve been focused on doing.”
(In terms of the tape you’ve watched of other defenses, is it just the team you’re playing this week and you’ve made sure to sit there with TE Durham Smythe and TE Mike Gesicki and TE Adam Shaheen and just study each opponent’s defense?) – “Yeah. Definitely the focus each week is the team (we’re playing) because I’ve got to stay ready. Anything can happen throughout the week so I’ve been ready every week to play. But then just watching other tight ends around the league, picking up stuff that they do and trying to incorporate it into my game, and then obviously watching the tight ends that we’ve got and incorporating that stuff.”
(What guys have you watched from around the league that you think you’ve been able to maybe try to take stuff from?) – “Pretty much all of the big names. Every team has elite tight ends now, pretty much. The tight end position has evolved so much over the past couple of years and there are a bunch of great ones out there. So just taking bits and pieces from different games and trying to mold my game into something better.”
(Would that include TE Travis Kelce, TE Darren Waller?) – “Yeah. (laughter) Those types of tight ends. I’ve tried to dive into football and watch as much football this year as I can. So yeah, those names are included. (laughter)”
(Have the guys on this team been receptive to you asking for advice?) – “Yeah, they’ve been fantastic. They’ve answered every question I’ve come to them (with). I’ve probably asked them too many questions. (laughter) I’m sure they’ve gotten annoyed a time or two but they’ve been fantastic through it and answered all of my questions. They’re great friends off the field and help me on the field so it’s been awesome.”
Head Coach Brian Flores
(Do you expect to have TE Adam Shaheen Sunday and if TE Hunter Long is indeed needed, what sort of skills has he shown you throughout training camp and in regular season practices?) – “It looks like we are not going to have Adam this weekend. Hunter has done a good job practicing really over the course of the entire year. He’ll step into that role and he’ll get an opportunity and, again, against a very good team. We’re going to need him to step up and play well for us.”
(Have you and General Manager Chris Grier seen, I remember thinking back to what you guys said in April, have you seen the skills to be a complete tight end? TE Hunter Long can catch the ball, he can block. Has he shown you that in opportunities going back to August and in practice and preseason?) – “He’s a young player. He’s trying to improve and get better every day – technique, fundamentals. He has a lot of talent and potential. There’s a lot of work that goes into playing in this league, specifically playing tight end in this league. There’s blocking, there’s route running, there’s a lot that goes into that position – protection, from a protection standpoint. A lot of potential. He’s doing a lot of good things, or he’s done a lot of good things in practice I would say, and he’s developing. It’s a little bit of a deep tight end room and he’s learning from those other guys whether it’s Durham (Smythe), Adam (Shaheen), Mike (Gesicki) or Cethan Carter. He’s made improvements in practice and he’ll get an opportunity this week.”
(You picked up RB Phillip Lindsay off waivers. Obviously getting another running back in here, what do you think of that..?) – “Obviously Phillip is a guy who has had a lot of production in this league. We’re excited to have him join our team and we’ve just got to get him acclimated to the way we do things here, get him up to speed on the playbook, the terminology and the sooner the better on that. He’s been in, he’s been working with Eric (Studesville) trying to get the verbiage, the terminology, the plays down. We’ll see how it goes. It’s been two days.”
(On running backs, I know RB Myles Gaskin has been the primary guy. Is that your anticipation going forward or do you want a situation, and I know there is competition every week, do you want a situation where RB Duke Riley, who has another elevation, and RB Salvon Ahmed and RB Patrick Laird and RB Phillip Lindsay and Myles are competing every week and every week you’ll take a fresh look at who will be your lead back that week?) – “I think every week the gameplan could be different based on who we’re playing. I think they each have a different skillset. I think they each can help us in different ways. I think they’re all selfless and want to help the team have success in any way they can, whether that’s running the ball, whether it’s protection, whether it’s protection, whether it’s catching the ball out of the backfield, whether it’s in the kicking game. There’s always competition and I think the gameplan will dictate how much or how little guys are in there.”
(Is it safe to say that that considering how late he joined the team that it’s not realistic for RB Phillip Lindsay to be ready to play on Sunday?) – “I think it’s safe to say it’s hard to get somebody ready in a walkthrough and one practice and play him. Phillip is motivated to give himself an opportunity to do that. We’re going to try to get him as up to speed as possible but yeah, that’s not an easy thing to do – a walkthrough, a practice and you’re out there. I think a lot of this is getting to know his teammates, the names of all the offensive linemen, the names of all the receivers. I think that’s something that is an important piece to that and it’s hard to get that in a couple days, although he’s working towards it. He’s, ‘What’s your name? What’s your name?’ (It’s been) one day. He’s got a lot of juice, energy and excitement and we’ll see him in practice today. But we haven’t even seen that as far as more of a live practice. We’ll see what that looks like today.”
(C/G Michael Dieter was practicing this week. It’s the first week he’s been back. How have you seen him progress and could he be activated?) – “Dieter is making a lot of progress. He’s had a good couple of days. Again, yesterday was a walkthrough but Wednesday I thought he did some good things. We’ll see how it goes.”
(Both your safeties were not able to do everything in practice this week – your starters in S Jevon Holland and S Brandon Jones. Will they play Sunday?) – “We’re taking it day-to-day with both guys. Both are doing everything they can possibly do to get out there. Today will tell us a lot.”
(How is LB Vince Biegel coming long?) – “Biegel is doing well. He’s doing well. There’s no, are you speaking specifically about something?”
(In terms of his comeback and physically. He said the other day that he feels pretty good right now.) – “I think he looks good in practice. I didn’t know if you knew something I didn’t know. You get all the scoops around here. (laughter) He looks good. He’s looked good in practice the last few weeks. He’s been running around well, moving around well. Getting him implemented into the defense and the kicking game is a lot more this week. I’m excited to see him go out there and play this weekend.”
(CB Trill Williams was downgraded on the injury report and also CB Elijah Campbell hasn’t participated this week. Is it something serious with them?) – “Trill was injured in practice the other day so he’ll be out this weekend. Elijah, we’re going to see what that looks like today.”
(LB Elandon Roberts was the other guy who couldn’t participate fully this week. Is he in question at all for Sunday or do you expect to have him?) – “I expect to have Elandon.”
(There was optimism earlier in the week with WR DeVante Parker and WR Will Fuller. Are they getting closer to practicing?) – “Yeah they’re both getting closer. Not this week obviously. But both getting closer, both working to get back out there as soon as they can. I know that you guys hear that from me all the time but that’s just the truth. We’ll just take it day-to-day and see what it looks like next week.”
(WR Preston Williams has had few catches this year. Are you seeing the same receiver he was before he had the two significant injuries he’s had each of the last two years?) – “Physically, yeah he looks the same. He’s been out quite a bit so those fundamentals, those techniques – those fundamentals, you have to work to get those back, which he’s done. He’s still working to get all those fundamentals back. I think he’s in a good place right now and I’m anxious to see what this looks like in the second half of the season over these last six games.”
(We know how productive DT Zach Sieler is per snap. Have you and Defensive Line Coach Austin Clark talked about maybe getting him in a little more? Obviously, you have a lot of depth and talented guys there and you want to keep guys fresh. But do you think – he’s been generally in the 20-range of snaps, is that a good number for him?) – “Yeah, that’s a conversation that we’ve certainly had. Maybe get him eight to 10 more snaps. We kind of combine that with maybe taking eight to 10 snaps off of somebody else. You mentioned it that we’ve got a few guys there that we like. I think Zach has done a good job with the snaps that he’s been given and we’re always going to do what we feel is best for the team. If playing Zach more is what’s best for the team, we’ll do that. But I like the role he’s in right now. He’s been productive in that role. But yeah, we’ve had those conversations, certainly.”
