Coach McCarthy, Warren, Watt, Heyward & Rodgers Postgame Press Conference (Week 8 vs Browns)

[0:01] Happy birthday. [0:06] Thank you. [0:07] Talk about this one and what it means to be able to get this win today going into a bye [0:12] against 6-2. [0:13] It means a lot, obviously. [0:15] Division win. [0:17] 6-2 before the bye. [0:18] We knew what it was going to be. [0:19] We knew what it was going to take, and so we came out executed. [0:22] What has just been working so well for you? [0:25] It feels like every single game you're getting better, better setting record on the record. [0:30] Just playing with the boys I play with. [0:32] I wouldn't want to be part of any other team. [0:34] We all built that camaraderie during camp, and we've all been with each other, and we [0:39] see eye-to-eye every week, and so it ain't like I'm just out there playing football. [0:43] I'm playing football with my brothers. [0:45] Stay with you, Jim. [0:46] Consider yourself an explosive back. [0:48] All these big runs you have, these big plays, 20-plus yards. [0:52] Any secret to that? [0:54] What should they do? [0:55] Just keep your legs moving. [0:57] That's pretty much it, yeah. [0:58] Can you take us through what you saw in that 51-yard run, especially as you were kind of [1:04] weaving in through traffic there? [1:05] It was a trap play. [1:08] When I got in open space, I liked to pick the guy closest to me, or I liked to hit the [1:12] sideline. [1:12] I did that. [1:13] Was hitting the sideline, seeing his momentum pushing him that way. [1:17] I forgot what, I don't know what receiver was over there. [1:19] Seen him changing directions, so I just cut up. [1:24] Made the safety, made the safety miss. [1:26] Was running, running out of gas, and then I was finding the next dude to make a cut. [1:30] I tried to make cuts into my blockers so I can get a blocker on my way down, and so that's [1:36] basically what it was. [1:37] I don't know what it looks like. [1:39] I don't know what I was doing, but yeah, that's what it was. [1:42] In the games, since you last saw these guys, it felt like you have really leaned into your [1:47] identity of a team, and so far as you're running the ball a lot better, you're stopping [1:50] the run, and you're getting out of the passer. [1:52] Those are the three phases of the Steelers who you want to be at this point this season? [1:57] Yeah, for sure. [1:58] Yeah, we like that. [2:00] Was there an emphasis on that from the moment you guys lost the Browns that you've heightened [2:04] over this last month? [2:06] Not much. [2:08] You know, we saw little things that was, you know, obviously you need to adjust to what [2:13] it was. [2:14] We lost that Thursday night game, got in the film room, and I think that's what makes [2:18] us great is we look past adversity. [2:21] We run to the smoke. [2:22] We don't run away from it. [2:23] Jay, was it nice to play a lopsided game for a change, and were you kind of brewing [2:28] those two failed opportunities down by the goal line where you had to settle for field [2:31] goals? [2:32] What do you mean lopsided? [2:33] Well, you guys won easy 27 to 6. [2:36] Usually you guys are- [2:36] Oh, usually it's a close game? [2:38] Yeah, it was nice. [2:40] Yeah. [2:41] I know my parents and my grandparents, they didn't have as much of a heart attack as they [2:46] tell me. [2:48] Jay, Jay, coming into the game, this team was, I believe, last in the NFL with scoring, [2:54] rushing TDs. [2:56] Today you had three. [2:57] Was it a special emphasis in that area? [3:00] I know when Rico scored, you met him in the end zone. [3:04] Yeah, it was good to see that, especially the shaky start of the year. [3:07] Like I said, that's my brother. [3:09] And so seeing him success, seeing him being successful, it makes all of us happy, and [3:16] that's what makes us great. [3:17] Jay, did you see what Jared Burst was saying this week? [3:19] Did the team see that? [3:20] Did that get motivated for you guys overall? [3:22] Yeah, but we didn't really pay attention to it. [3:25] You know, some walk, some talk. [3:27] Jay, when I've asked you at training camp just about some changes you've made in your [3:30] career. [3:31] I think one of them you said was you focused more on recovering, you know, and taking care [3:35] of your body during the season. [3:36] How much has that paid dividends for you as you're progressing in your career, maybe some [3:40] of the success you've had this season? [3:41] I'd say it's definitely paying off. [3:43] I feel the difference. [3:44] Yeah, coming in, just being, I'm in year five, so I know what to do and what not to [3:50] do, things to stay away from, things that help my body, and stay on top of that. [3:54] Do you think your big tight end was going to score on that play down the sideline? [3:57] I thought you did score. [3:58] I went up to him afterwards. [4:00] I was like, I thought you scored that, but you say you wanted to give it to me? [4:03] Jay, it might mean fewer carries, but how did, does Rico being in there for more opportunities [4:09] help you? [4:09] How do you define that relationship and having him in there a few times? [4:13] Yeah, yeah. [4:13] I don't think there's a change of pace. [4:16] Either of us can go in and ball. [4:17] As y'all seen, yeah, Rico, great back, very complimentary. [4:24] It seemed like you guys were doing some more quick hitting runs, stuff like trap. [4:27] Was that kind of a focus to bring in the pullers and hit them up the middle this week? [4:30] Yeah, it was. [4:32] We knew what kind of front they play and how they play it, and so took advantage of it. [4:36] Jay, did this feel like the most complete game that you guys have played as a team in all [4:40] three phases? [4:40] 100%, yeah. [4:42] Score shows it all. [4:43] When you guys came out at the beginning of the season and were installing this offense, [4:47] it didn't look like it was going to be as run heavy as you guys were today. [4:51] Do you feel like there was a turning point over the course of the season that's gotten [4:55] you to this point, or was it just little by little it seemed like this is how you proved [4:59] your own identity? [4:59] Yeah, maybe. [5:01] You know, we spend a lot of time with each other in the film room, and so we know what [5:06] it takes. [5:08] Every team's going to play us differently, and so whatever adjustments we were willing [5:12] to make, we got unselfish players, and so everyone's bought in. [5:16] That's what makes us great. [5:17] Back now, after you lost the Thursday night game to this team, you had the self-scouting, [5:22] McCarthy called it for those couple days, the mini-buy and everything, and you guys haven't [5:25] lost since. [5:26] Was that even more of a turning point for you guys coming together and becoming the team [5:30] you want to be? [5:30] Yeah, yeah, 100%. [5:32] We didn't look at the day as, like, nobody took it personal. [5:35] We took it and grew from it, and I think it's showing, you know, throughout the course of [5:40] the season since then. [5:41] Yeah, what's it been? [5:43] What's the impact of Riley coming to you? [5:45] He played a lot today. [5:46] How's he been as a lead blocker? [5:49] Oh, he's been great. [5:50] He's willing to put his head, you know, take somebody's head off. [5:54] You can ask more from him. [5:56] That's what you want from your fullback. [5:58] He's willing, and that's Riley for you. [6:01] You said in the summer that one of your goals was individually a crush for 1,000 yards. [6:05] Seems like you're on pace now. [6:07] What did you potentially see from your role in the summer that made you think you could [6:10] have that kind of production, and how rewarding is it going into your bye to be such a big [6:14] player for this team? [6:16] You know, I just trusted my teammates. [6:19] Like I said, the camaraderie we built, the brotherhood we have over here, you know, speaks [6:23] volumes, and so, whether that's 1,000, as long as we win in, I don't really care about [6:28] that. [6:29] Good. [6:30] All right. [6:30] Thank you, guys. [6:30] Thank you. [6:31] Thank you. [6:31] 90 and 8, as well as... [6:34] Is it nice to play a lopsided game and get two stops down there by the goal line like [6:42] you did on those games? [6:43] Yeah. [6:43] I mean, the amount of times we've sat in here and talked about at halftime we had a [6:47] lead, and we weren't able to keep the foot on the gas are countless. [6:53] So, to be able to have that tenacity throughout the second half and continue to push and have [7:00] those splash plays and bow up when it matters is very important, and it's huge to show that [7:05] we have it in us. [7:06] T.J., what do you like about what you did from a pressure package point of view coming into [7:11] this one that perhaps was absent in the first half, at least against Cleveland on that Thursday [7:15] night? [7:15] I don't know. [7:16] I mean, we always have a lot of good packages and a lot of good schematics. [7:22] I think it just comes down to execution, and any time you can make them as one-dimensional [7:27] as we had to make them today, and you stop the screens, there's really not much else left [7:31] for them to do. [7:32] And we were able to pin our ears back and get after them. [7:35] A little bit help, you seem to be active. [7:37] Yeah. [7:38] PQ's been rushing really well, and I mean, that's something that you throw on the tape, [7:43] and PQ's always been a phenomenal picker on the inside, a phenomenal rusher. [7:47] Getting to the quarterback and being able to finish against a quarterback like that, he's [7:50] hard to get down to. [7:51] So, awesome plays by PQ. [7:54] You like where you are heading into the bye, and what do you like? [7:57] Yeah, I mean, I like that we've won games many different ways. [8:01] We've come from behind. [8:02] We've been able to hold leads. [8:04] We've played games we haven't looked great. [8:06] We've played games we've looked great. [8:07] So, we just need to continue to grow and build off this performance, and it's awesome to see. [8:13] I mean, Joby, I mean, it's just continuing to be young guys, and I think DeHarm's coming [8:17] back soon, too, hopefully. [8:19] So, I think this bye week comes at a great time for us. [8:21] Talk, other side, just kind of rumblings about this game, things like that. [8:27] And you guys all week kind of said, you know, hey, we're going to just let our play do the [8:30] talking. [8:31] How do you feel that, especially with the fact that you're going to do that? [8:36] I mean, I don't care, honestly. [8:38] We didn't discuss it one second, what they were saying about us. [8:42] So, we just want to go about our business. [8:44] We have a lot of mature guys who have done it here and done it other places and had a lot [8:48] of success, and a lot of young guys who want to continue to grow and be great. [8:52] And we're just focused about what's in the building right now. [8:56] TJ, as a football player, we appreciate about Jalen. [8:59] He's a bowling ball with teeth, man. [9:03] You can't get them down. [9:05] Jalen's just funny, man. [9:06] He's the guy that's out there in December when we're practicing. [9:09] It's like 12 degrees, and he's in t-shirt and shorts, and it's like, what the heck? [9:12] And that's just who he is. [9:13] He's a hard tackle. [9:15] He's a great locker room guy. [9:17] Very selfless. [9:20] But, man, he loves football, and you can see in the way that he plays. [9:23] TJ, this defense, the last seven quarters, haven't given up a touchdown. [9:28] So, what do you have to say about the effectiveness of the defense? [9:34] I don't know. [9:35] I'll just say there's more work to be done. [9:36] I mean, you want to continue to play great football, and we have so many great guys that [9:42] can make plays, as you saw today. [9:43] I mean, the distribution of the splashes is going all about the whole defense, and I [9:48] think we just need to continue to play good. [9:50] Obviously, when we're playing good, we're having a lot of fun. [9:52] We can't take the foot off the gas one second here, get our bodies back for bye week, and [9:56] come back blazing. [9:59] Yeah, it's been one month since you lost to those guys. [10:02] You haven't lost since. [10:03] That was a mini bye week. [10:05] Coach McCartney talked a lot about the self-scout and everything that went into that. [10:08] Was that week a big transition? [10:10] I mean, it looks like a turning point for your whole season, what happened. [10:13] Did you remember looking back to how you felt after that loss? [10:15] Yeah, I mean, obviously, it sucks. [10:17] You never want to lose, especially a rival game like that in a division. [10:21] Obviously, self-reflection took place, and we just have so much talent, and we have everything [10:27] we need, and we just need to continue to play for each other and play together, and I think [10:31] the trust, like I talked about this week in the press conference on Friday or Saturday, [10:34] whenever it was, is huge. [10:36] When you have this many new people, especially in the staff and players, you need to build [10:40] that trust over time, and I think that trust is being there from the game plan to execution [10:44] to halftime adjustments to everything along those lines. [10:47] Your historic tent poles of the Steelers have always been run the ball, stopped, and [10:51] run good after the pass. [10:52] Do you guys feel like you're leaning into who your identity has been? [10:56] Yeah, I mean, that sounds great, but we need to continue to go. [10:59] I mean, our identity is still being formed as the season goes. [11:01] A lot of football left. [11:02] TJ, you have the most sacks ever against anyone, for anybody against the Browns. [11:06] What does that mean to you in history? [11:07] It means I've been playing a long time. [11:09] Things you could do better, but how complete a game was it for you guys in general, and [11:18] the offense maybe in particular? [11:22] Well, not very complete. [11:23] Defense played excellent. [11:25] Special teams did fine, but offense should have been a lot more points. [11:34] If you look back at those two goal line opportunities there, what happened on those? [11:37] Well, there were a couple other opportunities, but yeah, we didn't execute down there on the [11:42] goal line. [11:43] Do you think that's about this team, that you can not play your best, but win? [11:48] We'd like to play our best and still win. [11:51] We also like to win, so we're 6-2, going by first in the division, so right where we [11:57] want to be. [11:57] Aaron, the side end, did you have a good feeling about that potential coming into this [12:01] game, or was that just a matter of they happen to be open? [12:04] They happen to be open, but we always feel good about our tight ends and our backs and [12:08] trying to get them the ball in space, especially when there's going to be, you know, some [12:13] man-match coverage, where we like the matchups inside. [12:17] Anything left to be surprised about Aaron, about Jake? [12:21] Is there anything left to be surprised about with Jalen? [12:24] No, he's, I mean, he's put himself in all the conversations. [12:27] He's playing incredible. [12:30] You know, to be able to call a trap on third and 20, get a first down, it's pretty wild. [12:36] Don't expect that. [12:37] I couldn't remember the last time that happened when I was out there, so I love having him [12:41] on our team, fantastic teammates, and he's just making a lot of plays. [12:46] Game success today? [12:48] No, for guys up front. [12:49] You know, I thought we controlled a lot of scrimmage. [12:52] You know, when we played up there in Cleveland, we had a bunch of sacks, you know, didn't run [12:57] it super efficiently, but I felt like from the first go, we had a good mindset, we protected [13:02] well, we opened up some holes, and Jalen and Rico ran well. [13:05] What kind of attitude do your guards bring? [13:08] Yeah, a lot of attitude, a lot of trash talking, good trash talking, but love being in auto [13:12] with those guys, thought they played really well, felt like both the tackles played well, [13:16] and Frey seems to always play well, so definitely, definitely love those boys up front, and they [13:23] dominated the last scrimmage. [13:24] Was Mason's takedown at first, was that a moment you guys rallied around, or? [13:30] No, I mean, I didn't even see it, so, he was on the kick, extra point, wasn't it? [13:35] Yeah, I didn't even see it. [13:35] How much pushed the pad, did you guys at all think about kicking it? [13:40] How much does a touchdown in that situation go into the halftime, how much momentum-wise [13:45] for you guys going into the second half? [13:46] Yeah, it's huge, I wasn't coming off the field, so we were gonna go for that, and, yeah, we [13:52] feel good about that, it was a half yard, we gotta get that, and guys did a good job. [13:57] You talked about the fact that these four games here, which is gonna be a big, crucial stretch [14:01] for you guys, and you found different ways to win all four of them, just how big is that [14:05] for you guys with where you are in the season, and obviously looking to move forward? [14:08] Yeah, winning's the most important thing, two and one in the division now, after a split [14:13] with Cleveland, home and home. [14:16] I'm not sure what happened in the Bengals game, but either way, that game next week is, or [14:21] the two weeks is gonna be really important, but, yeah, right where you wanna be. [14:26] Aaron, what does it do to have two running backs that can do as much for the offense as [14:31] you guys have? [14:31] Yeah, those guys are both playing really well, give us a lot of flexibility. [14:36] Adam, on the field for a number of plays today as well, which is good, but, yeah, they're [14:41] dynamic players, we got a hole in the football, there's a couple of, you know, a little loose [14:44] with it, but I love playing with those guys. [14:47] Last one here, last one. [14:49] How do you feel that this offensive line is playing? [14:52] Yeah, playing well, playing really well, you know, I think we had a good balance today [14:56] running and throwing, but I felt like they controlled line scrimmage really well, there's [15:00] a lot of movement on defense, but I felt like, you know, we got to our doubles and got up on [15:05] the second level and didn't receivers block well on the edge, but the line's playing with [15:08] a lot of confidence. [15:09] All right, how do you head into the bye? [15:17] Six and two, taking care of the run, taking care of the ball for the most part, you know, [15:23] I think we're just growing each week. [15:25] Every week it's something different, but we're building on what we've done the previous week, [15:30] whether it's pressure, sacks, running the ball on offense, and, you know, it's not just [15:38] one person, it's a group of individuals doing the job for the team. [15:41] In that same vein, do you guys feel like today was the most complete game that you played [15:48] as a team this season? [15:51] For the season, I would say yes. [15:54] You know, I thought we controlled both lines of scrimmage, especially when you get 200 yards [15:59] for the rushing, and then on defense, you hold them to, what, 30-something yards, so that's [16:05] something we preach around here, that's something we always want to do, and when we do that, it's [16:09] going to lead to a win most of the times. [16:10] Cam, what does it say about the defense when you've got so many different guys? [16:14] Making splash plays in a game. [16:17] It says that we can execute at a high level. [16:21] Obviously, there can be broken plays, but when multiple guys can add to the party, it [16:27] leads to, this can be sustainable. [16:30] This is something that, you know, multiple guys can be a part of, so we've got to continue [16:34] to keep doing it from here on out. [16:35] First, you talked about before, what did you see on film from the previous game against [16:41] Cleveland that you wanted to do better, and how did that come together today? [16:44] Better extension, better control of gaps, you know, and then just throwing darts at [16:50] Deshaun. [16:51] You know, he's electric back there, so you've got to have multiple guys getting after it, [16:55] and I thought we controlled the B gaps a lot better this time, and so we were able to flush [16:59] them out and make them go, but can't say enough about good things about everybody on the D-line. [17:04] Our outside linebackers, obviously, you know, you can't just go one-on-one with them, and [17:10] then inside, you've got Keanu, YA, Joe Biddy played well today, and so it's a group effort, [17:16] and we've got to continue to keep doing it. [17:17] Is this Queen one of those darts? [17:19] Yeah. [17:19] Coming from the second level? [17:21] That's something that we've started to pick up in the last couple weeks. [17:24] You know, you've had Jalen get these sacks, but Queen being a part of it, too, is definitely [17:28] big, too. [17:28] Some things Jared Burst said, you said at the address, did you get to talk to him at [17:33] all, or did you get at all? [17:34] I didn't. [17:37] Can't say I was looking for him, but, you know, there was a lot of people, you know, [17:41] Buckeyes that I wanted to see, so, yeah, it's just a game. [17:46] Was it motivating for you guys as a group? [17:48] Not motivated by that. [17:50] We were motivated because we wanted to get this damn win before we got to the bye, so [17:54] there's bigger fish to fry. [17:55] Cam, speaking of Buckeyes, your college career, you saw Vinnie Wills keep you guys on the [17:59] defense on the bench in college, then Le'Veon did that. [18:01] Do you get that same vibe or feeling watching, you know, Jalen and his running game kind [18:05] of keep you guys on the bench while they're churning up yards on the clock? [18:09] I've been blessed to play with a lot of great running backs, and Jalen is no short in that. [18:14] He is every bit as advertised, and having Rico as well. [18:19] They do a great job of being a one-two punch, and so when they're able to sustain drives, [18:23] that means we're on the sideline, and we can put our feet up. [18:26] You said earlier this week that the AFC North is more about walking than talking. [18:29] Is that your guys' mentality as a team, you feel like, or are you going to let the talking [18:33] on the field? [18:35] We'll let our paths talk every single time. [18:38] AFC North is built on, I don't think you can ever win a game by just talking about it, [18:42] so, you know, you got to go out there and execute. [18:45] You got to stop the run, and you got to make sure you run the ball, and that's all that's [18:49] always been about in AFC North. [18:51] Cam, your numbers call this a great defensive performance. [18:54] Some of the guys in there said it's not yet good enough. [18:56] If it's not yet to your potential, what else needs to be done, what yet wasn't good enough [18:59] about this? [19:00] I think we can get more turnovers, and we still got, we still left some sacks on the [19:05] table, and when we clean those up, we'll be even more dominant. [19:09] You know, there were a couple times we could have got off the field a lot earlier, got the [19:12] ball back to our offense, but we'll take this into the bye and grow from it. [19:17] Cam, talk about the attitude and the mindset of this defense. [19:22] You haven't given up a touchdown in seven quarters. [19:25] There was one play where Fanning actually took the ball down to the two-yard line. [19:30] So, what was the attitude and mindset as far as keeping them out of the end zone? [19:34] As a defense, we just try to be as stingy as possible. [19:38] You know, when we want to win games, it's about keeping them out of the end zone, and [19:42] we take a lot of pride in that. [19:43] You know, we understand that it's not going to be as easy, or, you know, it could be tougher [19:47] in the future, and so we're always going to make it extremely hard to, you know, get in [19:53] our end zone. [19:54] Cam, I know it was already at that point, 27 to 6, but how big was it for your unit once [19:59] they had the ward interception, they came back down there, you didn't allow any more points, [20:02] you guys finished the game. [20:03] What does that mean for this defense? [20:05] We didn't blink. [20:06] You know, we always talk about controlling the sudden change, and we took the field, and [20:10] we're able to get off pretty quickly. [20:13] Thank you, guys. [20:13] Thank you. [20:14] I think we're trending the way you're trending, right? [20:21] I mean, definitely, you've got to say trending, you know, winning four in a row, but, you know, [20:26] I think we're exactly what our record says we are. [20:30] You know, I think we've really focused on improving in certain areas, and I think we're [20:35] doing that. [20:36] I think our run defense has really, you know, set the bar really high these last two weeks. [20:42] I just thought the way they started the game was real impressive. [20:47] So, you know, we wanted to run the ball. [20:50] It was a focal point today. [20:52] I feel like we accomplished that, but, you know, we still have things to work on. [20:57] The complementary formula, football style that we're playing is, you know, what we're [21:03] looking for. [21:04] So, I think we improved today as a football team. [21:08] Ultimately, we want to win and improve, and I think we definitely took the step today. [21:14] I thought the guys really coming back from France, you could see, you know, midweek or even, you know, [21:20] not even midweek, probably later in the week, there's still a little rundown. [21:24] I thought they did a hell of a job getting ready to go and kept the game, you know, kept [21:29] it about winning football. [21:30] You know, we understood it was a division game. [21:33] This really didn't pay no mind to anything else, but just getting ready to play, and I [21:37] thought our men did a really nice job today with that. [21:39] The run game that we saw today. [21:43] What led to it? [21:44] I mean, it starts up front, obviously, but we got two, you know, we got two dynamic backs. [21:48] I mean, Jalen is on fire, you know, it's just, you can't get him the ball enough, [21:53] you know, and Enrico's, you know, he's playing well too. [21:56] So, I think those two are hitting their stride, and it's important for those two men to touch [22:00] the ball each and every week. [22:02] Your thoughts on the defense keeping the rounds out of the end zone, including that turnover [22:08] on down. [22:09] Yeah, definitely. [22:10] I mean, I think when you get into division games, you know, the bigger the game, the importance [22:15] on making, you know, those critical plays, and I thought our defense really, really highlighted [22:20] that today. [22:21] You know, the fourth down stops, you know, the state of keeping them out of the end zone, [22:24] the turnovers early, you know, giving us the field position. [22:29] You know, when you're taking care of the ball, you know, getting the takeaways, you know, [22:33] running the football, winning the time of possession, you know, offensively, you know, [22:37] we definitely feel like we should have scored more points today. [22:39] That goes without being said. [22:40] So, you know, it gives us things to keep working on, but we took a step in the right direction [22:47] today. [22:48] You know, it was important for us to come out of the stretch six and two, and that's where [22:51] we are. [22:53] Touchdown. [22:54] Aaron said that he wasn't. [22:56] Was there any consideration to kick it there and scoring a touchdown there? [23:00] What does that do for you guys' momentum? [23:01] Yeah, no, it was a great call there by Aaron, you know, the two-minute drill, and obviously, [23:06] you know, going to the Nittany package there. [23:09] So, yeah, he did a great job orchestrating that, you know, getting the clock and giving [23:13] us time to get that playoff. [23:15] Is there something about your faith in that group up front, though? [23:18] Because, I mean, there's five seconds left, no timeouts, you don't get in, nothing happens. [23:21] I mean, is there something about your faith in the group to call that play and then to [23:24] have that next key? [23:25] Yeah, definitely. [23:25] I mean, frankly, actually, Aaron called that play, you know, the Nittany. [23:28] It was really, obviously, everybody agreed with it. [23:31] But, you know, the whole mechanics leading up to that, I think it just shows, you know, the [23:37] confidence they have and, you know, obviously, Aaron's experience of handling those situations. [23:42] But, yes, it's a group we have a tremendous amount of faith in. [23:46] You know, Zach Frazier, I think, is a special player, a unique player. [23:49] And, you know, who wouldn't want to run behind him? [23:52] What does it say about your team that players in the locker room are talking about how the [23:56] defense still could have been better? [23:58] Aaron's saying the offense still could have been better. [24:01] Yet now you're top of the division, you had a big win. [24:02] Numbers say you were great. [24:03] Yeah, I think that's the reality of it. [24:06] And that's why you've got to keep it about, you know, keep it about the main thing. [24:09] It's about, you know, winning games and self-improvement. [24:11] We, you know, we're at a point now in a season where, you know, everybody has an understanding [24:16] of, you know, how we're going to do things, what we need to do. [24:19] You know, you're getting in and out of game plans each and every week. [24:24] And, you know, I think we've talked about this before in here. [24:27] I think that, you know, training camp really, in my view, extends into September. [24:31] You know, October is where it was really, really going to get going. [24:34] And, you know, and then the real football really picks up here in November. [24:37] So I think we're in a good spot right now. [24:39] The red zone possession where you guys came up short, you got really close to the goal line, [24:44] two of them passes. [24:44] Was that your call or Aaron's call? [24:46] Did you leave that to Aaron? [24:47] Yeah, that's it. [24:47] That series there. [24:48] That's, that, I wish I could have those three plays back. [24:51] Yeah, so definitely, that was, you know, those are things that you go back and you look [24:57] at and, but yes, I, I, I wish I had that sequence back. [25:02] Mike, what was your message to the game? [25:04] What was your message to the team coming into this game? [25:07] Coming into the game? [25:09] I mean, just really, it was all about getting the sixth, you know, the sixth win, keeping, [25:13] keeping above football. [25:14] And, you know, it's a division game. [25:16] You know, I think, you know, really the second time you play a division opponent, there's not [25:19] a whole lot to talk about. [25:20] I think that, you know, they obviously have more to talk about at the game than we did. [25:24] And I, you know, really didn't acknowledge it, you know, frankly, I was more into the [25:30] players, just, you know, making sure, you know, it's, you spend the amount of time on [25:34] a plane that we did in the last, you know, four days, four or five days, it's, you got [25:40] to, you got to do everything you can to make sure they're ready to play. [25:42] And I think we were clearly ready to play today. [25:44] I thought our guys did a great job just keeping about, you know, keeping about beating Cleveland [25:48] and doing the things that we need to do to beat Cleveland, you know, play, play the [25:53] way we want to play schematically, but, you know, we're, you know, we're chasing a play [25:57] style and a standard of play style and, and, you know, continue to get the production from [26:01] that play style and because, you know, the pads are, you know, it's the padded work and [26:07] the things that you need to work on, you're in a main, you start getting into a maintain [26:13] mode here in November, December. [26:15] So we want to get our, you know, our level as high as we can. [26:18] So we're competing each and every week to win. [26:20] How much stock do you put into getting a win before the buy? [26:25] I want stock. [26:26] I mean, it definitely feels better. [26:30] I mean, you know, I think it's, it's important to, yeah, I mean, I don't know, you say stock, [26:37] I don't know really to apply the stock to, I mean, it's, yeah, it feels great. [26:40] It's, it's important, you know, but this, this buy was going to happen regardless, you [26:45] know, so it's not like you can, you're going to, you know, change direction. [26:48] And so, and our team needs a buy, you know, I don't think I've ever been in a season where [26:54] your team didn't, didn't need a buy, you know, didn't buy week. [26:58] And, you know, I think it's be really good for us. [27:00] And, you know, I look for us to come off this buy, you know, really healthy. [27:03] And then we've got a big three game stretch. [27:05] You know, I'm, I'm already looking forward to this, this three game stretch, you know, [27:08] two on the road and come home and play, you know, a Friday game here after Thanksgiving. [27:11] And so this is a big, you know, three game stretch where we got to, you know, we got [27:16] to, we got to get this next sequence done and this will give us what we need. [27:20] And we just let the guys get home and rest, recovery, most importantly, reboot family time, [27:25] fill, you know, fill their, their space up with, you know, all the things that we all [27:29] appreciate and, and they'll be ready to go. [27:31] It's, it's, it's, it's a good locker room. [27:33] These guys like each other. [27:34] You can see, you can see what's building here, obviously winning and the fuel from winning [27:39] adds to it and the confidence grows. [27:40] But it's a great time for a bye. [27:43] Brock and Troy talked about the excitement for the amount of traps that you guys were [27:48] going to call for this game and to execute. [27:51] What about the, what's the strength of this offensive line that you saw would be so effective [27:55] in him in that way? [27:56] Well, I think it's like anything, you know, we're a first year staff, you know, we're, [28:01] you know, we're going through some things where, you know, you know, you, you worry about [28:05] volume, you, you really hone to the fundamentals. [28:09] You know, I, I think that's at the end of the day, that's what football winning football [28:13] comes down to. [28:14] So, you know, the, the trap is something that we, you know, haven't done a lot of and, [28:20] and, and I think everybody was excited to get the traps called today. [28:23] And, and, and obviously it was a good scheme verse, you know, verse their defense and so [28:28] forth. [28:28] So, you know, the first one was, it was huge, you know, and you look like a rocket ship [28:32] the way it opened up. [28:33] So yeah, it's, it's, you know, we're, we, we did a little more pattern schemes and things [28:38] were, so we're starting to get more through our menus and that, that speaks to the, you [28:42] know, to the players and the coaches. [28:43] And today was, we, I thought we had a good mix there. [28:47] Two more, two more thoughts on Patrick Queen's play, led the team in tackles with 12, had [28:53] a big sack, a tackle for a loss. [28:56] I love the way Patrick's playing. [28:58] You know, I just think the whole communication and some of the things we've done, I think when [29:03] we, we've up, we've upped the pressure, you know, I think, I think just the intensity [29:07] of that front seven is, is, is, it looks the way it's supposed to look and then, and he [29:13] deserves a lot of credit for that. [29:14] Last one. [29:15] How many buy you made up front about the self-scout and sort of the, I don't know, reset on the, [29:21] obviously you haven't lost since. [29:22] I'm not going to use the words I use because it would cause a little bit of a, you know, [29:27] scurry. [29:28] Maybe it was my accent, but, is that it? [29:31] Oh, thank you. [29:32] Thank you, Bert.