#Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald full press conference after taking down undefeated #chiefs

[0:00] Really, really proud of our team. [0:02] The message this week really was like trying to double down on 12 is one, [0:06] trying to stack plays, finding plays, you know, all three phases picking each [0:10] other up, which I think we really, we really, the guys did a great job, you [0:15] know, just kind of doubling down on our core philosophy and it was a great [0:19] environment, so shout out to the 12s and just really proud of our team to stand [0:24] steadfast and in some adversity and that's what we do. [0:28] We find solutions, we move forward and have each other's backs and it was [0:31] great to see that, you know, come to light today. [0:33] So with that said, I mean, there's so much more opportunity for us to improve [0:40] and I wish it's exciting and still within our control, just some procedure [0:43] things, you know, red zone, I mean, you guys know the things, which is great. [0:49] It's a great opportunity for us to move forward and get better, but I'm really [0:53] proud of our team, just really proud of the attitude, people being great [0:59] teammates, having each other's backs, pushing each other and I think we got [1:03] better, so it's a great opportunity, but the opportunity, but like there's a sense [1:09] of urgency now to really take another step as a football team, so it'll be fun [1:13] next couple days and we'll get to work on Chicago. [1:16] Yeah, our guys, our guys played, they played great man, they're just a bunch of [1:29] warriors, we had some guys that were banged up that played through some things [1:33] that went into the game, so I just, you watch really the effort of our football [1:37] team, but you know, really over the last few weeks, the effort that they've played [1:41] with, the physicality, you know, going into the short week playing the way they did [1:46] against Denver and then coming back and putting themselves in position to play the [1:50] way they did today, I just, I mean, how do you, how do you not just tip your cap to [1:54] those guys, so we love, we love our group, we have a great group and I think [1:59] to a man, if you ask them, you know, they're proud of the effort, but they also [2:02] know that maybe we could be better, you know, so it really starts with, there's [2:05] some things that I put us in a couple tough spots that they built me out of today, [2:08] so that was, that was 12th one right there and that was pretty cool. [2:12] What are you thinking about? [2:17] Well, I just think, you know, there's, you know, all the conversation we had [2:20] throughout the week of where we wanted to get better and really everybody's just [2:24] been steadfast and having those backs, trusting the people in the operation [2:28] and knowing that, you know, we're going to take a step as a team, but you lose, [2:31] you know, I don't know, what was it, three or four or something, you know, [2:35] there's, there's probably as much noise as they've heard in, in a while, so, [2:41] you know, but it didn't affect them, you know, it didn't really affect our [2:44] operation, which, you know, you're, as a coach and just like understanding [2:48] their process and the, you know, the spirit of the team throughout the week, [2:51] you're just really proud of that. [2:53] Yeah, how about that? [2:56] It's pretty cool. [2:57] Yeah, we didn't, we didn't want to put the ball in jeopardy there on the [3:04] fourth down, so we were going to go for it regardless, but inside a yard, [3:08] we felt like give it to A.J. [3:11] Yeah, third, I mean, third down's been a point of emphasis over the last few [3:19] weeks, especially this week, and I think defense, I think they're good stats. [3:25] I think we can, we can be better at some of it and operationally and how we're [3:27] rushing offensively. [3:30] I'm really proud of the process that we've had. [3:31] We really, the guys went to work and it was a, it was a great team effort. [3:35] Brian led the charge and I thought we came up with some really great ideas and solutions. [3:40] And then with Rashid going down, being able to kind of, you know, evolve and pivot and [3:45] get to some other, some other answers as the game started to declare. [3:48] So some, some really good stuff by our offensive staff. [3:55] Yeah, that's one of the areas we can be better is being more efficient, creating some shorter [4:00] third downs. [4:00] But, you know, that third down and medium to long area is something we took a good hard [4:05] look at and I thought he protected Sam well, got the ball out on time and some great after [4:09] the catch plays. [4:10] I mean, we talk about, you know, EAT as a football team, but I mean, there's great, I mean, there's [4:15] great examples all over the tape. [4:16] I'm thinking of George Helani on the sideline, AJ Barner on the sideline, Charles Cross after [4:21] the interception. [4:22] I mean, every yard matters in that situation. [4:24] We needed it going into that field goal attempt. [4:26] So to get the guy to cut back so George could tackle him, I mean, that's, that's 12-1 football, [4:30] man. [4:30] You know, it's just, that's just, you know, really proud to see our guys play like that. [4:35] Pretty good. [4:52] Well, I think as coaches, there's, to me, we bear the responsibility of trying to have [5:02] him and really our best players affect the game the best we can without overloading him. [5:06] And so that's, that's a, that's kind of a burden that we carry every week of, you know, [5:10] how can we best utilize his skill set and get him ready to play while he's still the best [5:14] version of himself, you know, it's something that we're always chasing. [5:17] I mean, but we got, we got several guys like that, like Murph, Leo, our edge guys, you [5:23] know, Spoons, a guy like that. [5:25] You're always thinking through that lens. [5:26] I mean, there's a lot of guys who are thinking through that lens throughout every week. [5:36] Yeah, it's, I mean, it's just, he's tremendous. [5:45] He's, he's tremendous. [5:46] I don't know how else to describe him, but he's just, he's been, he's like, he's had some, [5:54] some adversity this week, so don't leave it like that. [5:57] But I'm just really proud of him as a person. [5:58] And he's just a person, competitor, teammate, how do you not, how do you not just have the [6:05] most respect for the guy and love him for how he, how he operates? [6:08] How much down do you, do you see the way he's been? [6:16] Pretty good confidence that if we're throwing him the ball, he's going to come down with it. [6:20] But when you see him, you see him singled like that and based off that play call, I knew that's [6:25] where Sam was going to go with the ball. [6:38] We have to, we have to play in waves and we need, because I, you know, I don't know, he's still [6:43] going to break tackles. [6:43] I'm sure he broke a host of tackles. [6:45] That's what he does. [6:47] And so we had to get people to the football and that gave us the best chance. [6:51] And I felt, I felt the guys play like that. [6:53] You know, I felt we played great team defense today. [6:55] Jackson, he's 200 yards more than any other receiver in the NFL right now. [7:00] He's coming off offensive player. [7:02] It's not like he's surprising anybody out there to do what he's doing right now. [7:06] It seems pretty cool to do it. [7:08] Yeah. [7:12] Yeah, he's, I mean, I'd love to brag on him more, you know, but he's tremendous. [7:21] And, you know, I think we felt the ball get, you know, get distributed a little bit more [7:25] today, which is great. [7:26] But, you know, you'd be crazy not to try to make him the primary on as many, many concepts [7:34] as you can, or maybe sometimes he's on the backside of a concept and we can get to him. [7:37] So, yeah, let's keep it going. [7:45] Now, obviously, we're only able to finish the game. [7:47] I think, I just don't have the information. [7:50] I think Charles has got an ankle sheet, I think, is his knee. [7:54] Sam got hit only twice and no sacks tonight. [7:58] I guess what was the difference there both in him and in him? [8:00] Well, I thought we ran the ball more effectively. [8:02] There's some procedural things, especially early, that I felt like we can attack and be [8:07] cleaner on that front so we can, you know, stay on the attack offensively, which I felt [8:13] that today. [8:13] I just was just cleaner football. [8:15] I thought our protection plan was great. [8:16] Obviously, the third down stuff, as we talked about that earlier, but definitely felt more [8:21] like how we want to play the game. [8:23] I think so. [8:27] I can't wait to watch the tape. [8:29] I know he got through the game well, so it's great to have him back. [8:39] That's Sam. [8:40] I mean, you guys know him as good as anybody. [8:43] Don't expect anything more or less from him. [8:45] He's just like, he's a ball player, man. [8:48] And just, I mean, that's what he does. [8:53] He just keeps pushing through. [8:56] And by the way he handled it, like, again, he's part of the solution on how we play. [9:02] So I'm proud of him. [9:03] He's done a great job. [9:04] Have you been chasing a game like this, Mike? [9:06] Assuring, or what's your thought of getting to that point, knowing there's ten more to [9:12] go? [9:12] Yeah, sure. [9:13] It's a good point. [9:15] We're definitely chasing. [9:17] I think this game shows us, like, reminds the guys what we're capable of. [9:23] And it's also, like I said earlier, I think our guys understand that there's more levels [9:30] to where we can go. [9:32] And so I hope they feel the sense of urgency that we can get there because it is stuff that [9:36] we can control. [9:37] You know, I'm talking about procedural stuff, red zone stuff, negative plays, how we rush, [9:41] our red zone defense. [9:41] All those things we've been attacking. [9:44] And, of course, I mean, the guys have been working so hard, you know, and so you want [9:49] that for them. [9:49] You want them to feel what it feels like to play our brand of ball again. [9:53] And you want our fans to feel it, too. [9:56] You know, like, it's great for them. [9:57] I think that they can feel that, you know, we still have the, you know, we're still a championship [10:04] caliber team. [10:05] And that's what we're chasing. [10:06] How big was the drive first half end? [10:11] Yeah, the guys are great at the second half. [10:12] I mean, we know we miss an opportunity there. [10:15] But there's, I mean, we're just focusing on how we want to open the second half. [10:18] And I thought our guys actually will have been great to, you know, finish the drive in the [10:22] end zone, which is going to be something to look at. [10:24] But that was a great job. [10:26] Took a ton of time off the clock. [10:28] Ball's never in jeopardy, so that was good. [10:40] AJ's always within the plan. [10:42] We're always trying to get, I mean, believe it or not, you know, we are trying to get him the [10:46] ball. [10:48] But I thought we had some great stuff for him today. [10:50] And then you can, obviously, you can feel what happens when he's a tough guy to bring [10:54] down once he gets the ball in his hands. [11:01] Yeah, I think our staff and our players did a great job this week of really identifying [11:07] where we can improve. [11:08] And I think when we watched our self-scout tape, like I said earlier in the week, you [11:13] know, I left those meetings more enthused with our ability to be able to run the ball. [11:18] It's just we had to be able to fix some certain things that we needed to improve on. [11:22] And so I think you saw a result of that, of us taking a step. [11:26] But every game is kind of like an independent, every week is like an independent observation. [11:30] You know, you have to go back to work. [11:31] You got to put a great plan in place. [11:34] You got to have, you know, you got to have answers, things like that. [11:37] And the guy's got to be able to execute it. [11:39] So I thought we did a great job this week. [11:41] I think it shows a better little blueprint for where we want to, how we want to move forward. [11:44] But, you know, it's a week-to-week, I mean, I'm hitting you with a bunch of cliches here. [11:50] But it's like, you know, we got to reprove it again next week. [11:53] And we have an opportunity to get even better. [11:56] Drew Locke, he was inactive. [11:58] Yeah, he's working through that elbow. [12:01] Not sure on the severity or how long it's going to be. [12:04] But just what it was best for us right now to, you know, kind of try to calm it down the best we can. [12:10] And so Jalen was ready to go if he needed to be it with the number two. [12:13] All right, thanks.