Jeff Ulbrich, Tommy Rees & Craig Aukerman look ahead to Week 3 matchup vs Packers | Press Conference

So Brick, uh, things were close at the half, you know, defense was was playing well and then things kind of got away from y'all in the second half. What happened, would you say? >> Yeah, there's a few plays here and there. Um, you know, it's it it comes from the best of places, but it's it's a learning experience in itself that like we have such amazing character and DNA of the defense. Um, that when we're struggling as a team like that, there is that sense of I got to do more than my job, you know, and ultimately uh it led to some some breakdowns, some failures, some explosive plays. So, um, just it's a it's a great reminder, learning experience to just in these moments, trust your training. Go back to what we do. don't make anything up, be the same guy every play. And in that, we've played pretty good defense when we've had that type of mindset and approach. Um, we lost it in the second half, you know. So, um, the greatest thing about that is the young guys because we got a lot of young guys playing. It's a great learning experience in that way. and for the vets for that matter too because there was an element of of some of our veteran guys that we trust implicitly like making some very uncharacteristic mistakes, you know, and at the same time of course I could have helped put these guys in a better position to be successful. So from a collective standpoint, um we got to play better. That is not even close to our standard. >> Brandon Doras has been playing more on the edge this year, it feels like to me, um than previously. What has kind of gone into that decision? Obviously, you know, you lost some pieces in training camp and and kind of what kind of uh growth does he need to take to to fulfill that role? Yeah, he so he plays the big end in our our system and that role um is defined that he has the ability to play outside inside and it's like you said you know um we have lost a few pieces on the edge and from that standpoint he gives us great flexibility like when we're when we're light or deficient on game day at edge he provides that for us you know and then the beauty of of Doris is his ability to reduce inside and and at the same time be a very effective inside pass rusher. So, um, although the production isn't where I know he wants it and where we all want it, I do believe he's playing at a high level. When you really watch the tape, a lot of one-on-one wins, a lot of really good run, um, defense from inside and outside. So, uh, he's playing really well for us right now. you know, it's just uh opportunity hasn't knocked yet, you know, but it will keep playing like he is, keep developing and pushing and growing like he is and and uh we're going to be really happy with the the version of him that we're going to get. But um I'm I'm super excited about not only what he is today, but what he will be here. >> Along the along the lines of the pass rush, Harold Perkins Jr. had a I thought a really good bull rush to kind of force an incompletion and price out of the pocket there. What have you seen from him through two games so far? a young guy that's learning and growing every single play, every single game. Um, you know, like as much as the successes, we all can celebrate that, I think sometimes, as painful as it might be, young guys have to have the kloids, the scars, the the the failures, too, you know. So, he's gotten a little bit of all that, you know, and that's, you know, that's the the life of of featuring and playing young guys, you know, and um to me, it's exciting cuz I know what this is going to look like when it's all said and done. what's in his body is so unique. You know, he's so fast and explosive. He knows ball. He's he's he's learning it and his acumen is growing, but at the same time, there's some natural instinct that you can't coach with him. So, um we're going to just going to, you know, keep developing him, helping him grow. Um he's unique because he's got a a skill set where I feel very comfortable with him in coverage even against really like like speed, you know, receivers included at times, you know, and then there's times where we got to bring them cuz he showed glimpses of that here and then he's definitely shown glimpses of that at LSU, the ability to rush and and provide some pressure on the quarterback. So, um another young guy that we're just we're excited to to feature early here and and I'm excited to see where he'll take his game as the year goes along. You've got a lot of relative youth in that front seven right now. What What's the potential if a group like that can grow together for, you know, even a couple of years? >> Yeah, it it's huge because in my in my opinion, like there's two type of really good defensive lines. There's one that has the the superstars, right, that just they got one-on-one winners. Um, schematically, you create for those guys. I've been part of defenses like that where you do it and they have great success. Um, and then you've got other groups that that work really well together. I feel like we're that and that and that's not to say we're void of of guys that are special that can win the one-on-one. Um we've got a group of guys that that want to rush together which in this day and age is fairly unique. And I know that sounds crazy like four rushing is one is is it's hard to find that on tape nowadays cuz you have so many guys out there across the league that are mercenary mindsets. you know, they're out there to get their sacks, their production, their pass rush, you know, and they're not necessarily worried about creating for the man next to them, about running uh, you know, games with cohesion and as one, creating for you, you create for me. U, we have that type of group that that four guys that are completely unselfish that want the the guy next to him to win as just as as much as they want to win. So, in that we're going to find um some really like we we can find consistent pass rush. It's going to look a little different than maybe it has in the past, but it's still going to be super effective in my opinion. >> Beyond just the willingness to be unselfish, what has to happen on the field for I mean, is it just verbal communication? Is there some innate stuff on the field of just knowing the guy beside you well enough in the moment to react to what he's doing? >> It's both 100%. Yeah, it's feeling space, filling space. It's um it it's time on task. Like two guys that worked together for a long time. I kind of saw it from the peripheral um and and I had just left the 49ers, but Justin Smith and Alden Smith, like those two, they had a they had a language their own, you know, that was unsaid, you know, but they knew when to cover each other. They knew how to create space. They knew how to um work at the highest level together. And uh yeah, I'm excited about our group in that way because it's it's just it's so rare nowadays. Um typically the guys that are are garnering 15 sacks, you know, they're doing it because there is an element of selfishness to them, you know, and and some of that you celebrate, some you don't obviously, but we got a group of guys that I'm not saying we don't have a guy that's capable of 15 sacks, but we do have a group of guys that want to do this thing together, you know, and special. >> The linebackers you guys have are probably about as long and tall as you have in the league. What's the advantage of that? Oh, >> so many things. As you guys know, like that I've spoke on that before. Like length in my opinion is one of the most critical um attributes uh for linebacker. Um it gives you the ability one to get on and up blocks to tackle in the open field cuz there is when the tracking is off by that much, you know, or your your your angle is off by that much, length provides this assurance that you can get the guy down. Um there's an element of you know coverage radius we talk about where it's not just height but it's but it's wingspan and arm length. So it's now all of a sudden like Da Vinci Code think of the picture you know like what type of coverage radius do they have? Um so there's there's so many benefits to it and it's uh it's one thing that I truly believe it's the one of the number one characteristics measurables that that to to create a good linebacker group they need. to that point, Jordan Love when when you played this past weekend, he had a lot of success over the middle of the field and and I I wonder if there's any correlation to between what you're talking about with like the coverage radius of Devon Diablo and Kendall Daniels and getting in those pass lanes over the middle of the field. Do you do you feel like there is opportunity there for for those guys in this matchup? >> Oh, 100%. Like when you just when I look because I get to do some of our our walkthroughs and jog throughs from the quarterback's perspective and and to drop back and to see those two avatars in there like that's unique, you know, two guys that are long and tall and like super athletic, smart, instinctive. Um it makes it feel really unsafe here, you know, and and and in this day and age, in my opinion, you want to push the ball outside, especially when you have a secondary and a and a corner group like we have. >> With it being a short week, how do you how do you plan for going against a group like the Packers who offensive line has been kind of a one of their um areas they've struggled in? Um how do you go about having your line attack them this week? Yeah, like we uh how do I say this without giving away you we're fortunate here because we're a little bit more reliant on base fundamentals and principles and and stuff that we do every single week. So, um do we game plan? Of course we do. But are we as extensive? Like if you watch our defense from week to week, it's going to look fairly similar. Some defenses you look across the league, they're they're completely different from week to week and they completely they morph in the game plan to the opponent. Um we're not built in that way as much. So because of that, I feel like these short weeks can be they're a little bit more conducive to what we do. >> Talk and how do you um assess CJ um having to step in the last two games? Yeah, it's just it's rare in this league to have a backup corner that because obviously AJ in my opinion is the best boundary corner in the NFL. And saying that when he gets whatever nicked, broken shoelace, whatever, has to step out. Normally, that's like, oh my goodness, I got to cloud that guy. I got to protect that guy. I got to get the safety over the top. I got to I got to do whatever. They're going to go after him. I don't feel any angst when CJ goes in the game. I don't. Um, I have tremendous uh confidence in him and he's proven that. You know, he goes out and every time he's called upon, he he uh he steps up and and answers the bell. So, fortunate to have him. >> I know you talked a lot about Zidius Smith last week, but in the last two games, what have you learned about him going through a game day with him and seeing who he is on a game day? What have you learned? Yeah, and I probably spoke on this before, but um you know, like you you know a player from the outside in, you know, the tape, you know the the player, you don't know the person, you don't know the man, the teammate. Um to be around him these last two games, especially on game day, has been exceptional. Like just such a consistent energy of positivity. um constantly sharing with the young guys, providing the experience and the toutelage and and the mentorship and um yeah, he's been tremendous like not just you guys have obviously seen what he's he's brought from a football perspective. He's brought rush, he's brought the ability to get the quarterback and and he's historically done that. You know what I didn't know, what I'm learning is that he's a force multiplier off the field as well. So, great leadership energy. um fortunate to have him too and especially the time in which we got him is just so unique. You know, for a guy like that to to be on the street when we acquired him is is uh it says a lot about Ian and and Kevin and what they're doing with this roster. >> What do you think about the development and growth of X? >> Yeah, the you guys know how I feel about X. Like I think this guy the you know the sky's is the limit for him. I I truly believe it's in his body. it's in his his makeup to be one of the best safeties in this league, if not the best safety. So, um to see him grow from week to week, challenge himself from week to week, and for him to keep like raising the standard, it's uh it's it it it's really cool to see because it's it's so unique. Um you know, he's a guy that like there's certain things that not that safeties are going to get beat up, but there's certain coverages that are going to concede certain routes. You know, it's just you can't cover everything all the time. And um typically like a safety would be like a that's a hard route to that. He won't accept that ever, you know, like it's hard to get that sail or that 973 versus that quarters concept and he's like no that's not hard. He's like I'm going to push over the top. I'm going to smash the corner down. I'm going to get So he's he's uh he's got a very high standard. his um and then his, as we've all talked about, his instinct is just so rare. Like for for a guy like himself who is still so new to this league and still so young and inexperienced to break on balls nine times out of 10 before the ball comes out the quarterback's hand is is it's a unique thing. >> Go back to just the rushing as a group. Uh do you think and like and Zidarius and the camaraderie he's trying to build and stuff, do you think those two are connected? Do you think that this this group really is kind of building that really tight-knit relationship? I know it doesn't hurt, you know, like the fact that, you know, he's been here what, a month, three weeks, whatever it is. The fact that he's having the defense, not just the Dline, the defense at his house already. The fact that he got a house already and then had them to the house already. I mean, that it's just um I just feel so fortunate, you know, because it's something that I truly believe in. as I've spoke on before, the the connections that are created within this sport, it's what makes it so special, you know, and and um and for him to not only invest in the football stuff, but in into the people of this building, it's uh I feel fortunate. >> I saw a chart this morning that was it compared blitz rate and pressure rate. And I believe you guys were in a quadrant, top left quadrant of very low blitz, very high pressure rate. collectively, how how pleased are you with that rush you guys have had? And again, I'm I'm sure it frees you a lot when you aren't having to blitz, aren't having to attack as much. Are you a little bit surprised by how much you guys have been able to harass, you know, Rogers and Young without having to blitz a lot? >> Yeah, like that that is always my mindset. Um, let our front provide the pressure. That is like I go into games typically like my my whole the the I really believe this game it championships are one with the players. You know coaches have to be we have to be you know competent and we got to put the guys in the right places to be successful. But at the same time like the guys that cross the white line are the ones that are going to bring this the the trophy back to the organization. And in that, I try to stay out of their way as much as possible because I really believe great defenses are ran by the the players and the guys the guys that cross the white line. And I believe it becomes even more powerful when they know it's them doing when when I all of a sudden become the puppet master and I want to control everything. Like that's me trying to put myself into the game. Now, from a pressure standpoint, when I have to do it, I will. And we always go into a game with bullets, you know, but if I feel the rush humming like I'm not messing with them, you know, I'm gonna let the covers guys cover and I'm going to let the rushers rush. But um yeah, I have been happy with it cuz you didn't know there was a lot of unknowns in regard to to our rush. So I think they have played well. Have they have they played as well as they could play? Probably not. But I could coach better. They could play better. We all could. And uh and that's another thing. Even on a short week like this where we don't have a ton of time to get on the grass and work, these guys are still all in. You know, meetings today, walkthroughs, loud, energetic, positive, um energy, everything. So, as long as we keep approaching every day like that, we got a chance to just keep getting better. And in that, um we're going to be happy with the results. We will. >> All right. Thanks, y'all. >> Thank you. Now that that Mike is positioned a starter, how much does that change things? How much does the playbook open up? >> Yeah, it's um first of all, very excited for Mike. Um he's put in a tremendous amount of work since we got here. You know, he was one of the first people we saw in the building rehabbing when we first got here a while back. And uh to see how far he's come and put the the work he's put in and see, you know, his teammates and the other quarterbacks support him and rally around. I'm very excited for Mike. you know, obviously he has a tremendous skill set and um you know, we got to do things that fit him and and make him comfortable out there. It's been a you know, a little bit since he's played and got to make sure that we're doing our job as coaches and the other 10 guys with him. Um that we give him a great chance to go out there and have success, but you know, tremendously proud of him, really excited for him and, you know, his skill set's one that you can do a lot of things with and we're excited about um undergoing this starting starting this week. to that point when you have someone like Mike who's who's coming back after a long time coming back from injury. I'm sure there's a level of excitement and and wanting to go out there and and do as much as he possibly can. How do you as his offensive coordinator potentially in those first couple drives allow him the opportunity to to settle in to the game? >> Yeah, it's a great question. I think you know you when you call plays for a quarterback for the first time, you know, you try to build the rhythm and and um connection with them. You know, I think there's been a lot of conversations even dating back to the spring about, hey, these are the things I like. These are what get us going. And, you know, you want to build, you know, early success around things that they can do well and that they feel confident and comfortable in and that fit the scheme and fit the game plan. So, again, like I think it's our job as coaches, my job specifically, you know, the other guys on the field with him that we all do our part to make sure that he can go out there and play as fast and free as possible. Does him coming in on a a short week make this more difficult or have y'all been preparing for this long enough going back into the off season that that ne >> Yeah. Yeah. I mean I I think everything matters, you know, but um I would never say that. I think he's he's had a lot of work dating back to the spring. You know, you saw him getting reps last week um as he continued to get get going. You saw him, you know, start a little over a month ago, start getting reps again in team setting. So, I think this has not been like a a 4-day preparation. You know, this has gone all the way back into the offseason program. And um when Mike's ready, he's ready. And, you know, that's where we're at right now. And um I think him signaling that he's ready and us signaling that he's ready really is a sign to all the work that's been done up until this point. And now it's really just applying all those things to the game plan in front of us. >> The arm is so impressive. Was there a moment, whether it was watching film or seeing him on the field where you were like, "Wow, like that is that is kind of next level. Yeah, >> I'll say there was one in the first day of him playing in 11 on 11s where I don't know if you remember this, he hit Drake on like kind of a >> in the red zone. >> It was like a crossing route right over AJ and uh >> Oh yeah, I do remember it to the left. Yeah. Um yeah, I mean like Mike makes some throws now where you're like there's not a ton of guys out there that that have that arm talent. Um you see it on film, like when we first got here, you saw it on film. Um, yeah, there's moments in practice dating back to the spring where you see the talent and you see the upside and, um, you know, I think when Coupe first got here, he's like when he first started repping, he's like, "Oh, there's the first round pick." Like, you can just feel it when he's out there, you know? And so, um, the great thing about Mike is how humble he is and how great of a person he is and like speaks volumes to to the guy he is and the way he's put in the work to get ready to go. And, um, again, like we just want to pour everything in to help him showcase all that talent that you're talking about. to that. Yeah. To that point. I know it's still kind of early in the season and you guys grow and develop as you go along, but do you feel like he allows you to access maybe other parts of the playbook that that you haven't previously? >> Yeah. I mean, Mike's a talented guy and again, our job is to build a a plan and a system to highlight their strengths and um he has a lot of them. So, that allows us to to do some things that um but it's there's still things that you want to protect. again like first time back out there. Let's make sure we get him comfortable and confident and we want to see him operate, play fast and play free and as much as we can do on our end to allow that to happen. >> Tommy, when you look at the uh look at the tape of Green Bay, they do a lot of stuff pre- snap defensively. >> How much will New Zeal kind of dial in to get him going? >> Yeah, I mean we have a we have a veteran O line. You know, News has played a lot of ball. We have uh really good communication up front. The cool thing with Mike and and his preparation again dating all the way back is he's been able to do all those blitz walkthroughs, all those mental um preparation items where it's calling things at the line, getting us in the right protection, getting us in the right run. So, a lot of that work's been done. Uh Green Bay does a really nice job mixing it up on defense. Like you watch their first game to their second game, like it looks like two different groups in terms of how they prepare for opponents. And Coach Ganon obviously has has a a good track record in this league and has done a really nice job. So, they present challenges. you know, there will be things early in the season that are always unscouted looks that we got to adjust and do a good job on game day of communicating and um but we have a lot of confidence in Mike and obviously the the veteran group up front supports that and we have players that have played a long time. >> You mentioned uh you know being with him the first time and trying to understand what gets him into rhythm and um and then obviously he's coming back from injuries so maybe there's some rust. What are and then and now you're on a short week. what are maybe the complexities of of trying to get everything together in in a compressed amount of time? >> Yeah, I think it's just that you know time um you know is finite prepping and um you know again the communication's been really great since you know Sunday night and um getting the plan together you know our staff's worked really hard to put together a plan that gives us a um you know gives Mike comfort and gives our group comfort and allows them to go play fast and that's really what we're after on a short week. You know we got to lean on our rules. We've got to lean on the things that we know we can do well and allow us to go operate. >> The Packers defense has a lot of good players, but kind of right there in the middle is Edin Cooper. >> Yeah, he's a stud, man. Um he's really good. You know, he's really good. Uh disruptive. They play him in a couple different spots. You know, he's good on the line. He's good as a in the run game, you know, has range in the pass game. You know, has a knack for finding the ball. But yeah, he's a really good player. We saw him a year ago. um and he's playing probably at an even higher level than he did um as a young player. And so um you know those backers they both do a good job. You know I think them bringing in Franklin has helped you know just the communication and you know they feed off one another and a free scoop up a little bit to make some plays for him which which he has a a knack to do. >> I believe Kyle is at like one catch a very small amount of um collective targets. How do you involve him more? >> Yeah, we got to get it going. You know that's my job. um he's an intricgral part of what we want to do and um you know we had a couple missed opportunities there in week one. Probably didn't have as many last game and then you know there in the second half coming out and all that but um you know just we know what he does well. We know where he can be a matchup. We know where we can you know really make sure that he's impacting games. But you know I got to do a better job with that and make sure that you know his talents coming to the forefront and um yeah we take a lot of ownership on that as a staff. So >> sorry. No, go ahead, please. >> You guys love tight ends, right? Does it when that position isn't >> with your stats, it doesn't say so, but yeah. No, I'm with you. Like, we do love tight ends and Kyle certainly fits that mold. So, like I said, like we take a lot of pride in that and getting him going something that's important to us and you know, it's got to fit into what we're doing and it certainly does. So, um Kyle's done nothing but work his tail off, put himself in the right spots and um you know, we hit him up the seam a couple weeks ago. you know, it's a big play opportunity that we missed and we had another one batted. It's just we got to make sure that, you know, we're finding ways for him to impact the game. And we've had a couple missed opportunities, but again, we can do better to to allow him to do that. >> Without one thing, without giving away the game plan, you're not going to do that. Um, early Thursday game, early in the season, not a lot of tape to look at defensive standpoint. >> You talked about the staff, the advanced staff kind of preparing all this stuff. probably maybe a week or so ago getting ready for game. How difficult is that with an early Thursday game? >> Yeah, early Thursday game. Defensive coordinator in his first year there all, you know, I know he's a defensive head coach, but they're a little bit different in Arizona. And so, yeah, there's challenges. I think throughout the early part of the year, you always have challenges of the unknown and the unscouted looks. So, kind of when I talk about falling back on our rules and what we do well, you know, so much of the focus has to be about things that our guys know and understand and can go operate and and solve problems on the field because um there's going to be problems. You're not going to have every look that you could prepare for, especially early in the season. So, you want to give your guys the tools and the answers to go do that. Um and that's really been our goal while combining how they've played the first couple weeks and, you know, taking a peek at the preseason and comparing it to Arizona and see where it applies. So like this goes all the way back to the offseason. You know, you start looking at your first couple opponents back then and you know, start to feel out who you are and then how it applies. >> Has the not yet made the red red zone that weigh on you? >> Yeah. Yeah. It's not fun. You know, um we got to we got to convert. You know, we've had missed opportunities in short yardage. You know, we've had penalties when we cross the 50. We've had missed opportunities whether it be the run or the pass. um you know calls certainly I want back execution that we need to do better with and um you know all those little things that we harp on they they pay dividends on the in game and so when the margins are that small you got to make sure that you're on it all the time I got to make sure I'm doing the right thing all the time to give our players the chance to be successful but I really look at the short yardage situations on the plus side of the 50 um that have that have really hurt us in the first two games >> one more on on Matt sorry or Mike um you mentioned like the arm talent all of that But >> talking Matt or Mike? >> I'm kidding. >> Um the feel for the game, the details, you know, the touch on a screen pass, where to put the ball on a slant, like how do you feel like he looks in in kind of those regards? >> Yeah, like I said last week, I think like when you don't play for a while, you talk about timing and all those things. He's had a lot of reps, you know, throughout the last couple months. And so the timings look sharp. You know, I think the feel looks good. Obviously game speed's different. you know, there's going to be things that he's going to adjust to, but look, Mike's a a high level achiever for a reason. Um, it's a good ringtone. If you're going to have it go off, it's a good one. Um, but he's in this position for a reason. And, you know, like I've said, I sound like a broken record, but we got to do everything we can to let him go showcase that. And, uh, proud of him, excited for him. And, you know, let's all do our parts, you know, as a staff and as the other guys around him to make sure that we can lift him up and highlight what he does well. how and when did you find out that Mike was going to play and kind of what was your reaction? >> Yeah, those are private conversations. You know, I'm not going to get into all that, but um again, really excited for Mike and proud of of what he's done to get himself to this point. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. >> Y you guys have been so good on special teams. Had one break out on this last >> fixable. I mean, was that just a breakdown or what? >> Yeah, definitely fixable. I thought, you know, Jake probably wouldn't say that his that's his best a ball that he end up hitting. Uh but we got guys there to make the play. You know, we just got to finish there. And then uh we always got to have contain. You know, no matter any coverages that we have, whether it's punt coverage or kickoff coverage, we have to have some type of contain. Didn't happen on that one. They end up getting out on us. Uh it was one of the first things that we talked about uh yesterday, you know, in our meeting. So, we'll get that corrected. I got to do a better job of coaching it up. And then, you know, we just got to make the plays that are in front of us, too. So, um, you know, excited to get back going on Thursday and get ready to go for Thursday night football. >> Is it easier to kind of get that message across when you can turn on a clip of how dangerous Skymore looks, uh, returning and breaking contain? >> Oh, definitely. We we we've showed all of his explosive plays, whether it's at San Francisco or even now at Green Bay. They've had three explosive returns already uh in two weeks. So, you know, guys are locked in. I thought we had a really good meeting this morning. We've got practice in the afternoon. Uh it's going to be big because we know anytime he touches the ball that he could go and and score a touchdown. So, uh really important for us on our coverage units this week. >> Where are things at right now with with Nick and any concerns about, you know, the recent misses? >> Yeah, no concerns. Um you know, obviously we'd love for him to make those kicks. Uh you know, our biggest thing is to really focus in on the technique that he's been doing. uh continue to hone that in. Make sure his steps are good. Make sure his swing is consistent. Uh and then, you know, just have him go out there and continue to kick. This guy's done it a long time in the NFL and he's been consistent the past couple years. We've got to get him back in that rhythm. Uh but what I've talked to him about is it's one kick at a time. It's not, hey, we need to make these many in a row. We need to do one kick at a time. Whether it's a 33 yard, whether it's a 54 yard, let's have that same mindset and uh just continue to work one kick at a time. >> What are the traits you guys saw in Josh Woods that made you bring him back in here and and had him make made this roster? >> Yeah, I mean, my biggest thing just last year when I was with the Dolphins, we played the Falcons and I loved his energy. Uh, you know, I thought he did a really good job with technique-wise and the defensive coaches during the offseason kept talking about what big of a leader he is on special teams. So, anytime that you can have a guy that does really well, he's very productive. He's disruptive on special teams and he's a good leader and he works hard, to me, it's a no-brainer, we're really excited to have him. And he he brings the juice every single day, whether it's in the meetings uh or in practice. I love he's always meeting with me. Um, I always tease him that he's always in my office, you know, wanting to get better, which is great. And hopefully now we continue to have those rookies come up there as well. Uh, but we love having him. Um, and I'm looking forward to him, you know, playing a really good game on Thursday night, too. Going back to to Nick really quickly as a coach in your coaching philosophy when you have someone who's been in this league as long as what he is and he's kind of going through what he's gone through the last two games specifically. How do you balance you know coaching and wanting to coach him up but understanding too that this is a veteran who's seen it all done it all and and to a certain extent like wanting him to work it out himself like what's the balance of that? >> Yeah there's there's a big balance and that's a great question. You know, my thing is, you know, I go over there and just talk to him, see what he's feeling. Hey, how'd the hit go? What do you think about your steps? Uh, and then just kind of give him some space because I know he wants that. He wants to figure out things on his own. And then it's my job just to go in there and maybe give him one piece of advice, you know, whether it's, hey, bring your hip through, whether it's, hey, make sure your steps are good, make sure you're contact. So, it is a good balance. Nick obviously, you know, in some of the games when I go and talk to him, he's like, "Don't worry, I got it, Craig." So, you know, my biggest thing is I'm always there to support him and I'm there to support any of the players, but that's my biggest thing with Nick. I'm there to support him. If he needs the help, I'm going to give it to him. Uh, and might be able to give him a little tip here and there. >> Anything you do with a young kicker like they've got? Is there any, you know, gamesmanship you play on? >> Oh, sure. You know, there there's there's always different things that you can do. I, you know, Trey has been a really good kicker in college. I thought he did a great job at the University of Florida. Um, and he's been, you know, consistent so far this year. I thought he's been doing a really good job of hitting a consistent ball. Does a great job on kickoff as well. But I'm sure, you know, our players will end up saying hello to him at some point in time during the game. >> On this note of gamesmanship, did you see the story that came out a few weeks ago about the Patriots with their what they were doing with the jumbotron? >> Yeah. Yeah, as as a special teams coach, I'm curious what you thought when you when you saw that. >> So, we've kind of known that's going gone on for, you know, some time and it's, you know, coming out, but, you know, it's also good to have two guys that were in New England for a while, too. So, you know, it's it's one of those things. Everyone's trying to have a competitive advantage and, you know, it is what it is. And, you know, the guys that go in there with the field goals, I'm sure they'll tell you, "Hey, we didn't notice it. We're just trying to make field goals." Uh, you know, we try to do things for a competitive advantage ourselves. uh whether it's little tricks of the trades on a return, whether it's on a punt, certain things. Uh so, you know, I didn't really think much of it, you know, it is what it is. >> I was wondering if you had begrudging respect for it. >> Oh, you know, >> just because it feels like special teams go, to your point, always trying to find those little edges in whatever way they can get it. >> Sure. One of the things that we tell our players is we we have to know the rules and then don't complain about them. You know, we've got to be able to take advantage of rules in certain aspects, too. So, you know, I think one of those things as far as special teams, you're always trying to tweak things and take advantage of stuff. And, you know, we'll try to do some things, you know, to take advantage of certain things as well. But, um, you know, I again, I didn't really think much of it other than, hey, they did what they did. Anything else? >> Thank you.