Opening statement
“First day, Wednesday, pretty normal work week schedule. Any questions?”
In his role supporting OLB Jonathon Cooper over the last few months
“It’s been good. All the league protocol things relative to what he can and can’t do. He’s in good shape. He’s able to be in the building training. He hasn’t been able to practice yet, but the six weeks—And we’ve gone through it a little, just his steps and his journey. So we’re following that path.”
On what OLB Jonathon Cooper needs to show in practice to play this week
“I think it’s just acclimating, and if that’s the case, what’s the pitch count? All those things when you come back.”
On whether QB Bo Nix’s character helps put him in a better position to move on again
“I think he’s seen a lot. I’ve shared it with you guys, and I’ll say it again: I’ve got to get better with the flow of the game. Every game is going to have a different feel or style, if you will. Overall, I think his play will all be a result of doing our jobs better.”
On the areas he wants QB Bo Nix to improve
“Just related to third down, finding throws where you’re looking at receivers more open than you’ve seen. Play design. Last week was a different defense. It’s hard to see down-the-field throws the way they play. This defense is a little different, but every week there’s a challenge behind it.”
With how the team has performed the last two games with him calling the offensive plays
“You don’t get complacent. The first half last week was good where we are in relation to the game. The second half could be better. So it’s still one of those yellow tape agreements work in progress.”
Getting back into the rhythm of play calling
“I think it’s just our focus here, putting the right plan together. Tonight is an important night. It’s a pressure defense. They give you some looks where they’ve been a problem for the Rams. They’ve been able to build a good offense and a good quarterback and can get them out of rhythm. So we’ve got to have the right answers.”
In order to correct some of the offensive terminology
“I think players, coaches, all of us, have a language and some things are easy.”
How much terminology has changed
“Immaterial. Some things became easier to call, and we moved on.”
Little if any of his other responsibilities have changed since resuming playing duties
“I don’t think there’s much difference during the week, in offensive meetings like ours. It’s just when game time comes, it’s different.”
In S Taylor Rapp’s performance last week
“Good. He’s smart, tough, loves the game and is one of those players who can come in like he did and move cleanly. That’s hard to find. His experience, his football IQ, all of that shows on tape, and it’s one of the things that attracted us to him.”
With what a great Arizona defense
“They give you different looks. They’re on base defense. They have a penny package. You have to ID if they have that. Then their pressure package from the nickel. They affect the quarterback. I think the other thing that stands out is they cause more fumbles in their wins. Their takeaway numbers are great, and you can see that.”
On Cardinals TE Trey McBride
“Obviously he reminded me a lot [Raiders TE Brock] Bowers, these unique skills set tight ends who can match up with safeties or even corners. He has really good feel, really good movement, and they do a great job of moving him around. When you just look at the hit numbers, [No.] 85 [Cardinals TE Trey McBride], [No.] 14 [Cardinals WR Michael Wilson]. If you look at the targets, those two combine for a lot.
On whether he wants the team’s wins to be better
“I think always, when the game is over, the debrief relates to, ‘This should have been better.’ That always exists, win or lose. Then to your original question, there are some games that open a certain way. [Pro Football Hall of Fame Coach] Bill [Parcells] it used to be always talked about, ‘There’s a way to win each of these; we just need to figure out how.’ So there were some important lessons in the win on Thursday night, just in terms of field position, a couple of things.”
In how the make up allows players to shop around finding different ways to win each game
“In your question, that’s a strong element in our player acquisition, whether it’s free agency, the draft, especially with the challenges today. I think always when the tide is flowing a little bit, you’re going to lean on that.”
On last week’s defense performance
“[Seahawks WR] Jaxon [Smith-Njigba] made a lot of amazing plays. It’s funny, every week a lot of attention is attracted to a player like that. It’s not just his, and yet he gets a… I thought we did a good job minimizing the run after the catch, but the turnovers were huge. The pressure and the hits on the quarterback, that has an impact and it’s really impressive.”
Starring CB Kris Abrams-Draine
“He finds the ball a little bit, and it happened the other night. He’s really got great ball skills. He’s got really good football IQ, and we saw that a year ago. So I’m glad we have that depth. We really needed it last week.”
Turn on whether the running backs or offensive line contributed to the run game struggling
“There are some things that we’ve done over the last few weeks that we’ll continue to work on. Again, it’ll probably still go into the work in progress, and we’ll continue to do that.”
On the potential impact of RB Jonah Coleman’s return
“We think it’s a deep room and a talented room. So all those things are positive.”
On the status of OLB Jonah Elliss
“He’s going to be someone that it’s not season-ending, and so we’re lucky. So that will come out later in the week, but it’s more good news.”
How DL Zach Allen’s stamina allows him to maintain his level of play throughout a game
“Me. When you’re asking that question, sometimes you’re around players, one of Zach, [Raiders DE] max [Crosby] is one, [Saints DE] Cam Jordan has been like that for years. The stamina of those guys wrestles every play, and a lot goes into that. He will be one of the players. I will agree.”
How much influence he sees 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams Head Coach Sean McVay have on Cardinals Head Coach Mike LaFleur
“Somewhat. You see their personnel groups and their play designs have a feel, I think. Then everybody has a little bit of a different spin, but you definitely see some of the Rams stuff.”
With the potential benefit of having OLB Jonathon Cooper back while OLB Jonah Elliss is banged up
“You never know how it’s going to go, but that’s a positive relative to our team. We’ll see how this week goes.”
In how he works with veteran players who are starting slowly
“I think we as coaches… I know myself, we internally look at ourselves and the plan and [ask]’How do we get better?’ So it’s always the self-lens. I think we always look at it as teachers.”
On how extra reps for young players like CB Jahdae Barron can help check their development
“I think it’s extra work, extra reps. Where he’s playing, his versatility and all of that factors into your roster. Like I said at the beginning, drafting sometimes at a position of strength is a good thing.”
In balancing familiar offensive concepts with new ideas
“There’s no idea we’re doing what we did in… In 2006, through ’15 through ’18, all of that has changed dramatically every season. So the good news is we’re six weeks in, and we’ll see where we go.”
In whether he resists the urge to rely on familiar offensive concepts
“No, because I’ve forgotten things that were probably really good in 2008 or ’09 that would apply. They run together, the years, and it’s just a constant adjustment, transformation. Who are our players? What do we ask? It evolves. So it really starts with our people, and it moves.”
As the years begin to run together
“Yes. Some of you can attest to that.” (Laughs)