OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR LIAM COEN
(On QB Baker Mayfield throwing to WR Jalen McMillan early against Las Vegas)
"I think that was big for his confidence. You've just seen him each week play a little bit better and a little bit better. That's the guy we've wanted to be out there, and he's starting to prove it. He's starting to show it. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer or a different timeline, but I've been really happy with his energy, his level of focus, and concentration throughout practices and walkthroughs. You can see that there's always been a natural connection between those two. Hopefully, we can continue to evolve that deal."
(On the team having 150-yard rushing performances in the last three games and the factors contributing to success)
"Probably just the mentality, the energy around running the football. Just like when we talk about the run game, and the guys up front and just the cohesiveness… I read something that [Head Coach] Todd [Bowles] mentioned that I do think goes unnoticed is the tight ends, the receivers, some of those things that do go into it…I will say from a mentality standpoint upfront – those guys and their coaches – I think it's been really cool to watch that transformation in terms of seeing guys really bought in to what we're trying to get done. The coaches are doing a fantastic job of getting these things detailed. There's a lot of detail that goes into running the football, and then there's ultimately times when you don't block a safety that's in the box and your [running] back makes them miss, and things are good for you. We have those type of players, and they're doing it at a high level right now."
(On the change in the team's blocking scheme this season and how that's led to success in the rushing attack)
"Sometimes some [running] backs are maybe better when you define the hole a little bit and then let their skill set take over. Sometimes when you're getting movement up front, the gap schemes can ultimately help you stay on track, whereas some of the zone schemes versus movement fronts and penetrating fronts can create some natural penetration early in the line of scrimmage. I just think that getting the line of scrimmage moving that way…The biggest thing that we talk about is playing the game on their side of the ball. We do not want to play the game on our side of the football. That's not how we're going to win any games. So, creating movement, how do we do that? Giving these guys different ways of hitting blocks, whether it's a B [gap] combination on an outside zone away, how does that make it feel like a deuce combination on the front side of a gap scheme? Trying to let the defense feel multiple different ways of getting hit while also creating an edge for us and trying to change the math in our favor."
(On RB Rachaad White and if he's a more decisive runner this season)
"That has been an emphasis since we got here. We've had a lot of meetings and conversations and film sessions with Rachaad, showing him where we think he could take the next step. He's been bought into that, he's understood that can help him in his game and as well as, in the same term, help us and help us run the football more effectively. Sometimes the gap just allows that to occur just a little bit more naturally than some of the zone schemes where you're truly pressing it one gap at a time, and it could hit in the D gap, C gap, B gap, front side A, or backside A. That's kind of how zone is. I think just defining some of those things are a little bit more beneficial for us at times."
(On facing the Los Angeles Chargers' top-ranked red zone defense and what allows them to be effective down there)
"They're a salty crew for sure – they're very well-coached. They play the game the right way and are fantastic against the run in terms of how they squeeze blocks and they understand scheme. I've got a lot of respect for what they're doing over there. In the red area, not a lot of people have scored a ton of touchdowns. I think they have something like 13 touchdowns on the season being allowed in the red zone. That tells you not a lot of people are getting down there, and they're not scoring a lot of touchdowns. They play with a little bit of shell safeties and try to make you run it, try to make you earn it. They're not going to let you just throw it in there too easily. We've got to be patient, we've got to understand that we're in field goal range, take points when we have it, while also be aggressive to try to get the ball in the end zone to score some touchdowns."
(On Tampa Bay's improvement on first down, offensively, this season)
"We've emphasized that a lot here – both sides of the football – winning first downs. When we get one, how can we win that one again? That's been an emphasis of [Head] Coach [Todd] Bowles since we got here: talking about those early downs, that early-down success, emphasizing it and putting it in situations in practice so that you're not just aimlessly running plays. You get a first down [and] now it's not time to breathe [and say], 'Oh man, we got a first down.' Let's try to go get another one. That's the mentality and the standard to try to go press the envelope. Balance, I think, sometimes helps with that, too. When you can create balance and keep the defense off their toes in a way and try and be one step ahead, that can help as well."
(On Tampa Bay scoring 20+ points in all but one game this season)
"I think that's a result that is probably there but if you were to talk to our players and our staff about what occurred Sunday, I don't think we'd all be sitting here jumping for joy. I do believe there were a lot of good things that did occur, but we can't do the things we did to our team and expect to go continue to do what we're asked to do – go score points. To ultimately continue to score when you need it…Todd [Bowles] said this week, it doesn't really matter how we win, but yeah, we care about how we play, we do care about the process, and how we execute in games – specifically in crunch time. I was proud of the way we were able to do that, especially after some frustrating quarters."
(On QB Baker Mayfield's three turnovers against Las Vegas)
"We were probably waiting for stuff to occur in that Raiders game that sometimes wasn't happening, and then when it did happen, it caught us a few times. We were really waiting for [Cover-] Zero to happen and they weren't doing it. I think we started seeing it a little bit when we weren't. That's preparation, too. That's on us as coaches, to help put him in the best possible position to be successful, while also him understanding that he can do a better job of being on time and in rhythm with some of his decisions. Just get the thing out. We've got good athletes, there's checkdowns available…Like Coach [Tom] Moore always says, 'There's a completion out there – it's his job to find it.' That's not just on him, that's on us, as well, as coaches, to make sure that he's truly in the best possible position to be successful."
(On the Chargers being one of the least penalized teams in the NFL)
"I think there's a sense of urgency for sure. I don't think there's anybody walking around here worried, but you do have to have an understanding of what's the style of game that we're going to go play. This is going to be a physical football game that both teams are going to want to run the football, and whoever takes care of the football and wins situational football is probably going to win this game. They've done a phenomenal job of not turning the ball over and playing their brand and style of football that's been successful for them so far this season."
(On why the Chargers are so effective against the run in the red zone)
"Their personnel helps. They've definitely got some football players in that box, especially when you put Derwin [James] down in there, that can be disruptive and they can be stingy against the run. Their two linebackers are fast-flowing, hard-hitting guys, and I have a ton of respect for their front as well. I've coached against them, I coached with Morgan Fox in [Los Angeles], and I have a ton of respect for him. They've just been disruptive. They're very well-coached down there. They have a sense of urgency to not let touchdowns in there, and that's where we're going to have to be on point."
(On the impact of bringing in wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon who has worked in a run-heavy offense before)
"That was huge. That's a very good point. That was what we were looking for, in terms of understanding what this offense and system does ask of our skill players. It does take somebody special that can get that out of everybody. I've heard some wideouts say, 'I don't get paid to block.' There's an argument to be had, but if we want to stink in the run game, then go ahead. His mentality, the way he operates every day, his demands and standards in that room has elevated things to have a mentality like the rest of the group and sometimes really mix it up in there."
(On Bill Belichick taking the UNC Head Coaching job)
"I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things. If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually."
(On the differences between coaching college and NFL players)
"It's a cultural change. You wake up for a game Saturday morning, and there's just a difference. There are 18-to-22-year-old guys that are being counted on to go do the right thing that your livelihood is dependent on, versus men in a business that truly take care of it in a lot of ways. It's just a different deal. Whether you want to go impact people, and that's what it sounds like he's trying to do – go impact this game in a positive way – I think he has the opportunity to do that."
(On the wrinkles that he adds to the team's 'Pony' package)
"I think that it does offer a little bit of creativity for us. Those three [running backs] can do a lot of different things and you see when Bucky [Irving] is down a little, now Sean [Tucker] is in. Thank God we have three. Those guys give us the ability to do that because they're smart football players – all three of them understand the game, they're good football players, they're talented, and they help us operate. You're trying to supplement personnel and [with] '11,' '12,' '21,' whatever it is, we can't live in the same personnel all game. Just being able to move around those chess pieces has obviously been a little bit more successful for us."
(On if he's surprised on the play calls that the 'Pony' package has allowed him to get to)
"A little. I did a good amount of it in Kentucky in 2021, my first time there. You can kind of see where it can evolve a little bit to…But, yeah, I'm probably a little bit more surprised at how much we've been able to use it and been in it this season so far, yeah."
RUN GAME COORDINATOR/DEFENSIVE LINE COACH KACY RODGERS
(On if there's a certain trait to focus on when preparing for a Jim Harbaugh offense)
"Well, you know they're going to want to run the ball and they're hard-headed about running the ball and it's going to be tough, hard nose, and they [aren't] going to turn it over. It's no secret what you're getting because they have a 290-pound fullback so that's kind of telling you what you're about to get. That's where you battle it right there."
(On the challenges of stopping Los Angeles RB Gus Edwards)
"The thing is, what they do offensively is they kind of pull and trap and do all that stuff. They want to get downhill, so it poses some problems because it creates some matchup disadvantages for us. That'll be the chess match right there."
(On how Los Angeles QB Justin Herbert poses a challenge for the defense)
"You're still talking about arguably a top ten quarterback across anybody's board in the league. [He] has all [the] arm strength, athletic, can run, can make all the throws, but the way they utilize him in their system – they're buying into the culture change [of] running the ball, then when everybody cuts off the run, they're throwing over their head. That's exactly what they're doing. [Ladd] McConkey is having a heck of a year, but you know, if you watch the routes he's getting, everybody is getting sucked up trying to stop [the run] and he's fast and elusive and making a lot of plays. It's all what you see, from the way they're utilizing the quarterback is kind of into the culture that they want. We all know he can throw it 40 times a game if need be but that's just not the way they play."
(On if discipline will be a challenge for the defense because of the way the Chargers offense runs)
"From our standpoint, if you look at it and watch their games, most of the time in this league it's always something like four minute – you're practicing four-minute offenses. These guys, the way they play when you have two scores, there could be 14 minutes to go in the game and they're in four-minute mode. That changes your whole train of thought. [It's] like more pressure because if you look at them as a team as a whole, if we run the ball, play good defense, and don't turn it over – well that's a recipe for winning games and that's what they do. So our deal is No. 1 try to disrupt them, [No.] 2. try to create turnovers from a team that don't turn it over. You have a multitude of challenges right there."
(On what has led to the defense allowing the fewest points per game since the Bye Week)
"You kind of get in this stage of the year, the team has told us what they are. You know now, 'We can't do this. They told us we can't do this. It's evident we can't do this.' But also, 'They showed us we can do this so let's do what they can do.' And that's kind of the thing you face as a coach. You want to do this. They are not allowing you to do this. They're telling you, 'We can do this.' That's kind of where we are. We're figuring out what we can do and let's try to do it the best we can."
(On how much of the Bye Week is a catalyst for self-scouting)
"It was huge for us because everybody does the same thing. You do all the [self-scouting], see what you're good at, what you aren't. You have to look at the personnel you have available. What can they do? How can you get your best people on the field? How can you get them in the best position to make plays? That's kind of where we are. That's what we saw coming out the Bye and now we're making a conscious effort to do that."
(On LB Lavonte David's leadership qualities and him occasionally being the only linebacker on the field)
"Having 'Vonte' in there has just been golden for us, but then the [utilization] of our different packages – I think I kind of spoke to you guys earlier in the year – we're having a unique situation of, [we have] Logan [Hall], but now you have Calijah [Kancey] back, so where does he fit? Now people are giving us a lot of '11' [personnel] so now we're able to get him on the field and it helps us coverage-wise because we keep the nickel on the field so it's kind of letting us play some games with people. We're so far so good."
(On occasionally playing with only one linebacker on the field)
"It's really just base defense. We just substitute a guy for a guy and then from our deal, what we're trying to do is go back to what we talked about earlier – try to put our guys in the most advantageous position because now we want to try to dictate protection. We want to try to be in a five-man front a lot of the time. Now who's the fourth rusher? Let them decide and maybe we can get a bad matchup, one of our outside [linebackers], or Vita [Vea] turns somebody loose, that's kind of what we're trying to get in and match the protections where we have five bigs. Usually you go man[-to-man], so we have five guys with five one-on-ones, somebody needs to win."
(On OLB Yaya Diaby improving in multiple aspects of his game and how he can get more sacks)
"Like you said, the numbers are up across the board and he's the ultimate team player. Anything you ask of him, he's willing to do. In our system, at that position is not easy to learn. Sack numbers – I think I spoke toward this – sacks come in bunches. You can have this right here… You can have a four-sack game and everybody thinks you're the greatest rusher in the world. Just keep working at it, just keep working at it. The thing you don't see with him is his technique is improving. If he keeps working, keeps working, they'll come."
(On what the vision is for LB Deion Jones's role)
"It's just kind of injuries – just making sure, based on their timetable of return – making sure we have coverage. You're still talking about a veteran player with athleticism that's making plays that kind of fits what we do. We're just trying to secure ourselves just in case."
(On how frustrating all of the injuries have been from a coaching standpoint)
"That is the hardest trial. That's sometimes why they call you 'Coach'. That is what you find – you kind of mentioned it. We think back and we talk about it all the time – our Super Bowl year, we stayed extremely healthy for the most part. This year, it's just… but that's the key to this league. The healthy teams kind of go on runs. The teams that aren't healthy… You have to have some guys that weren't counted on in the beginning to step up and keep you afloat until you get some people back or continue on."
RUNNING BACK RACHAAD WHITE
(On what stands out to him about the Chargers defense)
"I just think they play hard. They're one of [those] defenses that might bend a little but they try not to break. They fly around. They have a lot of energy. Jim [Harbaugh] makes them play with effort."
(On how they plan to limit mistakes against the Chargers)
"We've been winning, but we've been feeling like we [haven't] been playing our best. Our big focuses are obviously not to shoot ourselves in the foot because like you said, they're not going to shoot [themselves] in the foot. We're just taking it one day at a time as of right now. We have a good game plan going in and we just know it's going to be a grimy game and a good game. We can't go in there with turnovers and things like that. They're one of the best teams – one of the good teams in the league and in order to get to where we're trying to get to, we have to beat a team like this."
(On he and RB Bucky Irving's relationship growing throughout the season)
"It's huge, man. We both root for each other. We both understand how much we mean to each other. The success of everything that has went on – obviously, I've been here for three years now – just watching the dynamic of the room change and watching, learning what to do and how to do it, just young guys coming in like Bucky and 'Tuck' (Sean Tucker). [We] just all complement each other and me and Bucky complementing each other how we do when we get in a groove. It's been amazing. I'm happy for him, happy for his success. I tell him that all the time. The mentality of us, it just makes it fun. We compete against each other, he breaks [free], I try to break [free], that's just how it goes. It's good for our room."
(On where he thinks he's improved his game the most)
"For me, just go, man. Just be you, just have fun. Obviously, my run style is a lot different than a lot of guys but basically just being comfortable with being who I am, understanding the game, the time and place of certain things. I'd say that's where I've grown a lot."
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