Opening Statement:
"Alright. What's up everybody? We will hit today like our Friday tradition and talk about five of the captains elected by the team, and one honorary captain. So, [WR] Terry McLaurin was one and it was great to talk about Terry as the competitor who just always shows up and is absolutely down for it. [LB] Bobby Wagner and we talked about the unseen work with him as a rare teammate and player. [TE] Zach [Ertz] on the impact he's had, the winning margins, and showing what that looks like to a lot of guys. [S] Jeremy Reaves, I spoke about his resilience, and I can still remember our first OTA, I don't even know if he was supposed to be cleared or back, but got an interception and just kind of spoke to the competitor of who he was and what he stands for. And I just, I remember that play of him. And then [QB] Jayden [Daniels], I thought, what a great tribute by his teammates to name him. And I thought just humble, he's hungry and ready for the moment. And then added a captain, which would be [Senior Advisor to the General Manager] Doug [Williams]. And I think it's hard to describe his impact on our team, his support and I love that dude. So, I wanted to hit you up on those and good week of prep for us. Tampa provides a hell of a challenge in all three phases, a lot of winning time moments for us to prepare for. We did more of that today and we'll play our best complimentary football this weekend. And this opponent, and this game calls for that. So, our guys are ready for that. A lot of matchups, fun as hell and so we're ready to get rocking."
On what it means to get CB Marshon Lattimore back this week:
"Yeah, we're pumped to have him back into the mix. He's had really good week of practice, so just guys like him and [DT] Jon [Allen] and [RB] Austin [Ekeler] to have these guys back after injuries. They all make a big impact here. And so, we're really pumped to get him back. He's been chomping at the bit to get going, so he hit all the markers that we needed to see, so we're pumped to him back."
On what it says about QB Jayden Daniels that he was named a postseason captain:
"I think everybody saw early the work ethic and the humility, and I think as the older players, 'Is this guy for real?' And he is, and they saw the toughness and just the way he handled all these moments. And so, to see that happen at the end, I think that's a culmination of watching him develop both as a ball player and as a teammate here. And you couldn't ask for it to be any other way. But if it's before it's time, I think that's risky. And you have to earn it and that's what leading is all about and he certainly earned it."
On Senior Advisor to the General Manager Doug Williams' connection with Daniels:
"Yeah, they're very connected and it's nice for both of them to see this relationship grow from a distance. That's their relationship and so only things, whether it's quarterback wise or being in this community that Doug has a special lens for that. And I think he is the best person to share that. And you feel Doug's support, but couldn't be more pumped to see that relationship grow with the two of them."
On what he's looking for from DT Daron Payne:
"Yeah, I think that's, when we talk about matchups for the game, you're right on it. The inside, the interior part of the game, offensive line, interior, defensive line interior, I think absolutely on both sides. That might be the game within the game, and on both sides. And so yeah, we're aware and pumped for that."
*On RB Austin Ekeler, WR Terry McLaurin, LB Bobby Wagner and LB Frankie Luvu being named to the All-Pro Second Team: *"Yeah, all of it. I'm incredibly proud of those guys and for different reasons, for all of them. I'm incredibly proud for Bobby to have 11, All-Pro nods, that's remarkable. That is absolutely remarkable. And you guys get to know him and what he stands for, who he is. And so, to see your off the field and on the field worlds in order, it's what it looks like. And I was pumped for Austin to see from the return side of things, Terry, just all the guys. Luvu, he's an impactful player for us, Frankie is. And we had a vision for what he would do and how he would attack. And so, the energy and the love that he's brought for our team, man, it is huge."
On Luvu and TE John Bates' status for Sunday:
"Yep. Both of them are good to go. Sometimes we protect those from themself, they are absolute warriors of ball players and competitors, so they are ready to go."
On how Luvu has grown this season:
"There's a good yin and yang balance to that and Ken's [Linebackers Coach Ken Norton Jr.] also a really significant part of this as well, Norton. He has the longest history, obviously, with Bobby, but to see the position, all that goes into that. I think that kind of opens a lens on what it takes to do it. And to see Frankie get rewarded for that is, that's really impactful. And so that's why to see that happen, I was pleased for that. I thought he's really had an impact. And Bobby's definitely been right there of encouragement, support, but they do it in their own way and they impact the game differently. But Frankie has been all that I thought he would bring to our team and more because I then found out about the man, not just the ball player. And so, the energy, the love that I said he brings for the team, he was one that got a lot of the votes as a captain as well. And so, as a coach, you see more people leading and into spaces, like that's what you want."
On his confidence level before the season that this coaching staff would work well together:
"Yeah, we were really intentional about [General Manager] Adam [Peters], myself, about, much like with a team, the staff has a team element too to strengths and weaknesses. Who could balance off of whom, what would they add to the group? Really, you could almost take out the word coach and put in teacher. That's, to me, the first part of coaching is the teaching, the getting the guys ready. And so, Ken [Norton Jr.] is one that's remarkable about that, heart, mind, body, everything that goes to play. And so, that's where it started. And then like any team, what is the role? And it has to evolve a little bit too, I'd love to say that, it plays out a little bit as the season goes, and it may start as one role and it splinters into some other areas that you can make an impact. But it's a really connected group as coaches as well. And I love how they work across the hall. You see [Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Passing Game Coordinator] Brian Johnson talking to [Senior Defensive Assistant John] Pagano and talking about a different scheme, and if there's a play that we saw on a breakdown, they'd give it to the offense and 'Hey, this was a good blitz.' And so, to see that take place where they're not a country unto themselves, that's a big deal."
On their process of eliminating procedural penalties on offense:
"We've had highs and lows in just our overall penalties. Having [Senior Vice President of Football Initiatives] Dave [Gardi] here has been a big part of that because not only does Dave Gardi teach game management, but we also talk officiating and things from around the league. Talking about a procedural one, like 'This would be shaving by the tight end.' They're going across the formation but going towards the line. 'This was an illegal shift.' We did one today, I believe it was in the New Orleans and Tampa game last week where people weren't set and, maybe it was Atlanta, I can't remember. Anyway, I'm saying we get a chance to teach on those on Fridays. And so, it's one thing to talk about it, but you have to teach it. And then having the officials at practice as a step in the right direction. We still have work to do for sure in a lot of spots, but the more we can emphasize that, the pre-snap especially, that'll go a long way."
On if his game management will be more aggressive in the postseason:
"Not more, so just whatever's best for this game. And so, as it sits right now, everybody's zero and zero. And so, that's what I love about a new start. Doesn't matter who won the division, who did this, who did that, it's are you ready to get down? And so, that's what it comes down to, whether you're home or on the road. But no, we won't play outside the guidelines of things that we know we want to do, and it changes by opponents as well, score. So, we spend a lot of time on that, but it won't be a different process when we're at."
*
On what he has learned and seen from Ekeler this season:*
"I knew the competitor from coaching against him was absolutely legitimate. Then I found out a really professional approach in terms of assignment techniques, what to do. And so, he and Zach [Ertz], in different positions have like a very high football IQ, awareness, space awareness. And so, when they play in the passing game, they can be more effective than most based on they see a rotation and know where to change. And that can be quarterback friendly of where to deliver the ball. So, I knew getting him here would be a significant addition for us. I thought [Offensive Coordinator] Kliff [Kingsbury] and [Running Game Coordinator/Running Backs Coach] Anthony [Lynn] and the guys have done an excellent job of knowing how to feature him into different roles in different spots. It is awesome to have him back. And so, there's a time we didn't know that. Would he be back and going? So, to see that take place and be able to participate last week and being back into it, man, that's a really cool thing."
*
On CB Mike Sainristil this season:*
"I see improvement, number one. And I thought we would see that, if you remember, I can't remember the game, maybe it was three or four games in when we moved him full time to outside corner and would we stay that, we were kind of just still learning our way about where we would feature some of the players. And he was one that I thought he would just put the work in and figure it out. And sometimes that's what problem solving is, right? You just figure it out. And he is somebody that's capable of that. So, coming in, I had one vision of where he'd play and due to his work ethic and playmaking ability, it changed. And I thought having that was a significant move for us and for [Defensive Coordinator] Joe [Whitt Jr.] and [Defensive Passing Game Coordinator] Jason [Simmons] and the guys to do that. And then adding Marshon here, you see that relationship, asking questions. He's just that kind of competitor. So, he'll be one of the leaders here for a really long time. He has an instant connection with the teammates because they trust him."
On how long Wagner can continue playing at this level:
"The guy works incredibly hard, so I wouldn't want to put any number onto that one. You came here early, you'd see his car here. That's the early, unseen work that goes into his performance. So, like I said, I'm incredibly proud of him, of what he's accomplished. But I know he's another one that's got a lot more on the tank."
On how he informed players about the All-Pro rosters:
"Oh, it just came out."
On Offensive Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury showing up at 3 AM every day and on when he shows up to the facility:
"Not three, yeah [laughs]. Yeah, Kliff's car is here before mine. I get here, not at three. I get here early, but yeah, I don't think he sleeps. He's like a vampire."
