Offensive Coordinator Tim Kelly

Q: What did you see on tape of (offensive lineman) Marcus (Mbow) at left tackle the other day?

KELLY: Yeah, Marcus did some good things. There are times where he passed protected well, was solid in the run game. I think as always, when you watch the tape, you're going to have one or two plays that you're going to want to have back. Whether it's technical, finish, whatever it may be. But for the most part, I thought he did a good job. Always areas to improve and I think you could tell having the entire week to prepare and take those reps and really get ready to go start a game showed up and he played well enough for us to win.

Q: How much do you think an offseason of being able to put on strength and muscle can help him? It seems like if there's something in his game, the power seems to be something that can probably improve moving forward.

KELLY: Yeah, I think for a lot of these guys, particularly in that position, but really from any position, the jump from year one to year two physically is huge. There's more opportunities. They're now in a position to go and train year-round, if you want to call it that. Not worrying about running a 40, not worrying about some of these things that you're never ever going to do again once you leave Indy. So now you're preparing your body for those extra months to go and play football. So, for all these rookies that are going into year two next year, I think they all have a tremendous opportunity to go and get bigger, stronger, and get themselves ready to go play a full NFL season. I think that's another thing, the season's long for these guys coming and playing however many games. It's a big difference coming here and having to go from, call it the middle of July, until hopefully February. You know what I mean? So being able to mentally understand what you need to do in order to get your body ready to do that is just as important as the physical part of it. So, there's definitely room for growth there in terms of his ability to go and get bigger and stronger, but I would say that's the case for the majority of these rookies.

Q: (Offensive lineman) Austin's (Schlottmann) had to step in a few different times this year at center. Has anything changed when he's in there, or how valuable is it maybe to have a guy who you can just plug in?

KELLY: Yeah, it's great. He's done a great job being able to go and step in. Like we said last week with these offensive linemen, a lot of times the biggest compliment is that you don't notice them. He's done a great job of not only going and executing his individual job, but really kind of driving the ship up front. We put a lot on the center's plate. We kind of set the table for everybody else, and we haven't missed a beat.

Q: With (quarterback) Jaxson (Dart), just what's been the most, just you working with him now, what's been the most impressive part of his growth from when he started to this point?

KELLY: Yeah, I don't know if there's one thing. I think every time he takes the field, he's getting better in a certain area. He's done a great job as a rookie of not really exposing the football. Hopefully, we continue that on Sunday. But his demeanor, his instincts, his ability to see things is really unique. So being able to get to kind of know him a little bit better and work with him a little bit more, you're able to kind of see those things that you may not notice if you weren't working closely with him.

Q: When you say ability to see things, what do you mean by that?

KELLY: Instinctually, being able to go and see the field, leverage, coverage, different tells, things along those lines. He's got a great feel for space. So, knowing when can I jam this ball in there, or when do I have to pull off. Yeah, there's just certain things where some people may have to wait to see somebody open, and some people can anticipate it because they can feel the space and I think he's one of those guys who can feel that space.

Q: Obviously, as the offensive coordinator, you probably have a little more direct relationship or working relationship with the quarterback room, you can see more of how they operate as a whole. What have you learned about that room in these last few weeks with you stepping into a role where you probably work more directly with them now?

KELLY: Yeah, there's a lot of personality in that room, and that's a good thing. Jaxson's been very fortunate to have two vets that have played at a high level, that have seen a lot, that have been in different systems, to provide insight, to provide guidance, and to give opinions on certain things. And it allows you to go and have discussions and kind of open up your eyes to there's more than one way to do things. That's been the biggest thing. I think both (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) and (quarterback) Russ (Wilson) have just such a great knowledge and it's different than, they've played at a high level, right? They've won a lot of games, thrown a lot of touchdowns, Russ has won a Super Bowl. So being able to draw on that experience, what it looks like, what it's supposed to look like, is not only for Jaxson, but me individually, has been great too. Just kind of going and having conversations with them, what they see, and really just being able to kind of draw on their wealth of knowledge has been great.

Q: How much does that help you that he has two different perspectives, right? It's not just one guy, it's two veterans.

KELLY: Yep, yep, and I think that's great, and I think Jaxson's a unique individual in his own sense. I think he's able to kind of filter out what he needs, right? And what's helpful for him. And again, I think that's just a testament to the type of person he is, his emotional intelligence. But he's, again, been very fortunate to have those two in the room with him, and I think he's grown from it.

Q: You started off tight ends as your primary focus to start the year? A guy like (tight end) Theo (Johnson) has had some drops, a guy like (wide receiver) Darius (Slayton) has had some drops. As a coach, how do you, and they're professionals, so they know how to do it. So how do you coach that? How do you approach that with a guy maybe who's going through that?

KELLY: Yeah, I think you look and see what's the issue with the drop? Is it hand placement? Is it timing? Is the ball on him before he thinks it's supposed to be? Is he not ready for the throw? Should he flip his hands? And then sometimes it's just kind of giving him a reminder, like you're pretty freakin good, right? And being able to show him examples of that, being able to go and make those types of tough catches. But if it's a fundamental issue, being able to go and try and emulate or replicate those drops in practice in terms of the situations they were in and be able to hammer it, and okay, well, this is what you did last time, let's go and make sure you get your hands flipped and just try to recreate that situation. So the next time it comes up, they're able to make the play.

Q: What do you think it is when you look at Theo specifically?

KELLY: I think some of them are timing issues. I think he had two against San Francisco, ball was on him probably before he thought it was going to be on him. And then some of those, like you look at the play in New England and the play in Philly, he's got to make those catches for sure. They would have been great plays, but the expectation is that he makes them. So being able to track the ball when it's in the air and being able to talk about basically his ability to go and pluck the football, as opposed to waiting for it to get to him.

Q: What's the next step in his development?

KELLY: Theo's?

Q: Yeah.

KELLY: I would say playing consistently with the confidence that he has and his ability to do that day in and day out from the first day, from the first play to the last play is something that's going to be able to take him to the upper echelon of tight ends in this league.

Q: Jaxson, he didn't have his best three weeks previously, how important do you think it is for him to finish the season strong and be able to kind of take that and move forward towards next year.

KELLY: Yeah, I think not only for him, but for everybody. I think you want to make sure that you're finishing strong and you're playing your best football at the end of the season. So individually for him, for sure, that's important. But I think for the entire team, and everybody involved with the team, that's really important.

Defensive Coordinator Charlie Bullen

Q: What are you looking to get from the guys this last week?

BULLEN: Just one more performance of continued improvement. Really been happy leading up until this moment at the guys' commitment and dedication to just getting better every week. I think there have been some good moments on the field and you're seeing that. These guys are playing a pretty good brand of football right now and I'm proud of that and appreciate their willingness to keep pushing. So that's what I expect this week, is just to keep trying to get better.

Q: What have you seen from (outside linebacker) Abdul (Carter) just the last few weeks, probably since the Patriots game or since the bye?

BULLEN: Just, again, his desire to be great. He's committed to it and we've talked a lot about him committing to his process and making some tweaks and changes, which is great, and it's just been more of that. He's learned a lot in his rookie year and I think you can't always force the process as well. So, I think it's just been continued commitment by him off the field and then on the field, he's had some success. I think now, at this point, he's in a little bit of a groove and a rhythm and gaining confidence and so that's what you're seeing on the field, for sure.

Q: I know you've got a game on Sunday, but looking forward, it's probably a big offseason for him just to continue that development. What is the next step for him to come back next year as a consistent player like he's been the last couple weeks?

BULLEN: Just to build off what he's built at this point. I think he's in a pretty good place in terms of the production you're seeing on the field and he's had a month of a good rhythm, again, on and off the field. So, for him, going into next year, being able to draw from that confidence and start off, even in this offseason in OTAs and training camp, where he left off, I think that'll jumpstart him for next year. And that's the importance of having these moments for him and feeling that success on the field and the payoff from his commitment to his process. He knows how that translates to NFL games now, so all offseason, when it's time to come back to work, he'll be able to draw from that and that'll fuel him as he works for next year.

Q: What do you make of the 16.5 sacks from (outside linebacker) Brian Burns?

BULLEN: Again, a result of a commitment to his process. We've talked about that. It's been remarkable to see just how much or how he approached his process this year and how intentional he was and so he's gotten some payoff from that. Every great pass rusher has a freebie or two every year in the sack department, so he's had some fortuitous moments in that regard. But again, it's reward for the work that he's put in, so that's how I see that.

Q: What's it been like to be able to just draw up plays on third down with the guys that came in? Abdul, you obviously used him a little differently. What is that like as a playcaller?

BULLEN: Oh, it's great. I mean, again, players over plays mentality. That's one thing to put guys in positions to succeed, but as imaginative as we can get as coaches, they still have to execute. But with those two guys in particular, the sky's the limit. Because they're so good and they're so versatile, you can do a lot, so the ways that we've been able to use them has been fun. But again, they're the ones that have to execute it, and they have. So as a staff, that has been enjoyable for sure.

Q: What's it been like watching (defensive lineman) Darius Alexander these last few weeks, just seeing him kind of grow and make some strides a little bit this rookie year?

BULLEN: It's been great. Again, just going back to continued improvement and development. We talked about Abdul, I think it's been much the same for DA. He's just been working every week and focused on trying to get better and it's kind of coming together for him now at this point in the season. And that's what you're seeing. But he's stayed focused and steadfast and tried to get better and it's paying off now. Has it been perfect? It never is for anybody, but he's been working the whole time and I'm proud of him. On (inside linebacker) Bobby's (Okereke) interception, we talked about it a lot last week, the rush and coverage being tied together, and it will be no different this week with (Cowboys quarterback) Dak (Prescott). But on Bobby's interception, DA had a great rush, a power rush on the guard, and was able to walk him back and affect (Raiders quarterback) Geno's (Smith) throw. So as great of a play as it was for Bobby, DA was as much a part of that and ended up contacting Geno to the ground. That was part of last week's game plan is just getting hits on him early, and that was in the first quarter. He kind of felt us the rest of the day, but that was an early blow that we talked about. And DA, that was a result of him striking with power, using his length, running his feet. So, that rush for sure is a high-praise moment for him, but he also did it in the run game as well. There are a couple clips where he's striking and running his feet. And a couple weeks before that, he was striking blocks really well and not running his feet. So, here he was just continuing to work and took it to the game, run and pass. It was great to see.

Q: This is probably the last time we're talking to you this season in this format. Moving forward, how much do you think you've proven to people here and really the rest of the league that you can do this job, that you're a defensive coordinator in this league?

BULLEN: I'm really not that concerned about that. It's just been a great honor and privilege for me to even be in this position and the way it came about, of course. So, I've just enjoyed having the opportunity to work with the players and coaches to make this as best as we can and try to win games. That's where my focus is at right now. I tell the players, all that stuff takes care of itself. Just work hard, compete, do your best to win and improve and that stuff takes care of itself, so that's really not on my mind at all right now.

Q: Do you feel more comfortable, though, doing it? Do you feel more yourself game three or four than you did in game one and two maybe?

BULLEN: I do. I do for sure. Yeah, yeah, no doubt.

Special Teams Coordinator Michael Ghobrial

GHOBRIAL: What's up everybody? Good to see you guys. Happy New Year. Happy New Year. Yeah, appreciate you guys and hopefully you guys are staying warm. Obviously with this crazy weather, I found out what a squall, I think is what it is. I've never even heard of that until this morning. That was wild driving in. I mean, the freeways look like residential streets with the snow. Obviously, something I'm not used to. But yeah, I'll take questions.

Q: Take us through the (cornerback) Deonte Banks kickoff return.

GHOBRIAL: I think that was a culmination of a lot of hard work, not just on that day and the execution of that day, but throughout his time here. Like I've said from the jump, Tae has consistently put in the work to be a returner that hasn't necessarily done it at this level and hasn't done it in college. The last time he had returned kicks was in high school. So, for him to put all that work into the ball security, the catch mechanics, studying the kicker's approach, how to set up blocks, the ball security, is a credit to him and just his ability to try and change a game in a positive manner. Going into that specific rep, our guys have known that we've been close all season. We've obviously generated multiple explosives throughout the year on that unit, so there was belief in terms of the blockers that either him or (wide receiver) Gunner (Olszewski) or anybody back there, because we've mixed in a lot of people, could score. So, in that huddle, it was kind of a cool moment going into obviously the latter part of the game. Guys looked at each other with zero panic, looked at each other and said we could change the game right here, right now, and we could take it from them just with this play right here. And it was really cool to see that transform into, obviously, scoring and feeling like we took it from them at that point. So, it was really cool to see all those guys, just the genuine excitement for Tae, the genuine excitement for one another, and the ability to help this team win that football game.

Q: You might have been one of the only guys maybe who wasn't in the end zone there celebrating. What was it like to see that?

GHOBRIAL: You know, obviously we don't want the unsportsmanlike penalty at the end, but I'm not going to shortchange how much these guys care about each other. Obviously this season hasn't gone the way we wanted to in terms of production, but just to see the genuine appreciation for one another with their style of play and the genuine excitement for somebody to make a play, one of your teammates, and how everybody came together there was a cool moment because it just speaks volumes in terms of how these people are as men and the way they approach this game. So, it was a cool moment to see.

Q: For Tae, just mentioning how he hadn't returned kicks since high school, how impressive is it for someone who literally just kind of did it this year to be able to have a moment like that, just to learn it and really kind of thrive, I guess, this year?

GHOBRIAL: Yeah. Like I said, I mean, just the work ethic that he had in terms of all the little nuances that it takes to be a successful returner in this league with priority number one, taking care of the football, I think showed up. And the cool thing throughout his time returning kicks, he wasn't pressing for the super explosive. He got what was there, he had made the right cuts, he took care of the football and he always knew that he was close. One of the coolest moments in practice leading up to that game was right before we started the kickoff return period, he went up, stopped the period, went up to each of his blockers and said how much he appreciates all of them and how we're so close to scoring, let's go score this week. So, it started off with that sentiment and our guys obviously have belief in Tae and belief in Gunner back there that it was just cool how it all transpired into that type of production.

Q: What have you seen from (kicker Ben) Sauls in these two games?

GHOBRIAL: He has done a nice job. He's made all his kicks, which is critical. The moxie that he's had, regardless of distance, regardless of environment, whether you're on the road, whether you're in windy conditions, he approaches each kick as one singular kick, which to me, some of the best kickers in this league do so. So, I've said this before, but he's wise beyond his years. Certainly he's wanted a couple kickoffs back, but he's trending in the right direction and he always thrives on critiquing things to make his game even better. Really excited about his future and to see how he transforms.

Q: How important is this three-game audition he's getting here at the end of the season for a young kicker?

GHOBRIAL: Yeah, I think every game for any young player is important to them. Ultimately, we are what we put on tape and every opportunity he gets, he wants to show that he can take advantage of it. So, to finish off strong I know is something that he'll be very eager to do. I don't think that he'll, I don't believe he'll press for anything and he's just going to take it one step at a time, one kick at a time, and he'll do a nice job.

Q: (Cornerback) Art Green looks like a difference maker for your coverage unit, especially on the punt as a gunner. What does he sort of bring, in your opinion?

GHOBRIAL: Multiple things, one of them being the person, the passion you see in his style of play. You see the emotion that he brings to the game without it jeopardizing any penalties. He truly wants to be the best special teams player in the league and you see that in how he approaches every practice rep and it shows up in the game with his style of play. Obviously, he has a skill set to impact the game, so it's really good to see him back and see him covering kicks for us. I know he's really eager for every opportunity he gets, wants to finish off strong. So, really excited where Art's at and I believe he's an ascending player in this league.

Q: What did you make of the whole dust up there on your sideline with (cornerback Rico) Payton on the punt?

GHOBRIAL: Yeah, I kind of lost it in the middle of it. Obviously, I'm trying to see where the ball is going and all that. The nature of it is we've got to play cleaner in terms of just sideline operation, understand the little nuances on how that's officiated. So, certainly something when we watch the tape, we want to be cleaner on just to make certain that we don't potentially get a penalty there. But I love the aggressiveness of Rico. I think that mentality also applies to his coverage ability on punt, on kickoff, and now he just has to hone in and kind of narrow in on just the fundamentals side of things to be all tied in with the rules.