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Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher – Post Practice – October 4, 2016
(Opening remarks)
“As we said yesterday, we turned the page, moved on, and we’ve done that. We got an outstanding opponent coming in this week, a lot of respect for what they’ve done. Two tough losses to start the season against one familiar opponent, and then to come back and beat Arizona at home, and then go to New England, speaks volumes to what (Head Coach) Rex (Ryan) has done with his football team. Highly talented team; a defense that’s keeping our offensive coaches up late at night, and same thing with the offense. (QB) Tyrod (Taylor) is playing good. (RB) LeSean (McCoy) is making all kinds of plays. They’re well-coached, so it’ll be a big challenge. But again, we’re happy to be at home.”
(On what challenges QB Tyrod Taylor brings in comparison to the other quarterbacks the team has faced)
“He’s a healthy Russell Wilson, if that gives you an explanation or definition. He can extend the plays, he makes all the throws, he’s a little taller than Russell. They’re using him a little differently than Seattle uses Russell. There are called runs for him, there’s all kinds of stuff in their offense. They’re very creative. They went through a coaching change, but the last two weeks, they’ve been challenging from a defensive standpoint, with personnel groupings, unbalanced formations, Wild Cat, and all that stuff. So, it’s going to be a long week for us defensively.”
(On DB Coty Sensabaugh)
“Coty has a role, and Coty has done fine. The roster was a little unusual last week because of injuries, because of necessity on special teams. Coty doesn’t have the background on special teams, so that was a primary reason. But, it doesn’t mean to say that he’s not going to be active this week.”
(On the performance of special teams)
“They’ve got the job done. We haven’t had a whole lot of opportunities in the punt return phase, but we did have the one, and we made the most of it. We blocked it like we blocked it out on the practice field. We’re hoping that we get those opportunities. (WR) Tavon (Austin) is not someone that you want to punt to deep down the field, and we understand that. But when we get an opportunity, we have to make it count. Our coverage units have been fine. Our return stuff…we’re getting out of the end zone, when we have opportunities to. We’ve been close on a couple field goal rushes. For the first four weeks of the season, they’ve been really solid. Keep in mind that, we got some new players in the core guys. (TE) Temarrick (Hemingway) came in and played on all four teams last week, and did a nice job. They’re only going to get better. There’s turnover there every year, but they’re going to get better as we go along.”
(On the growth of DE Ethan Westbrooks and DE Matt Longacre since last season)
“They both have had good offseasons, and worked, and productive preseasons. Ethan got an opportunity to start, and Matt an opportunity to play 30 or 40 plays, and he was productive. That’s the key, is that you have to have depth, and you have to keep them fresh all the time. When you get to the end of the game when you need a play, you’re getting the plays out of (DT) Aaron (Donald) and out of (DE) Rob (Quinn) because they’ve been subbed for, and they’ve got an opportunity.”
(On where does P Johnny Hekker rank among punters you have coached or worked with)
“You know, I’ve really spent most of my time with Craig Hentrich, and there’s similarities there from an athletic standpoint. Craig could throw it, he could run it, and “Hekk” is doing a great job. He’s a threat, he’s a threat. Just go back and look at the tape over the last few years of the plays that we’ve made without his leg, creates more opportunities for him as a punter. He’s hitting the ball really well right now.”
(On DB E.J. Gaines performance last game)
“It was fine, it was fine. There was no evidence of any injury, or anything. He just went out there and played like he did a year ago.”
(On if DB E.J. Gaines brings anything specific to the team)
“It’s a year of starting experience at the position in our defense. That’s what’s helpful for him.”
Rams Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel – Post-Practice – October 4, 2016
(On how he feels the special teams units have performed)
“The first four games, I think we’ve helped. There’s been, like the Seattle game, there wasn’t anything that was spectacular, but we gave our team an assist in field position – where the drive starts at the 18, the 17, the 12. Last week, we had a good punt return that helped the team at the end of the game. And we don’t get a lot of opportunities, because (WR) Tavon (Austin) doesn’t get a lot of punts where we get a chance to return it. But we know if we get one, we have got to make it work – and the guys did a really good job with the one opportunity, helping the team with field position. The Tampa Bay game, we had to go in and punt from the minus-five under two minutes. There have been a few situations where we’ve had an opportunity to help and I think the guys have stepped up. But we’ve still looking for the big play, the touchdown or the blocked kick that everybody wants to see. I’m proud of the guys, a lot of young guys, and they’re working.”
(On how much it helps to have a punter like Johnny Hekker that he can rely on, especially in close games)
“A lot. When we’re punting from around the 50 – I don’t think he has a touchback yet this season, so he’s putting the ball down where they have to fair catch it at the 10 or the 8 or the 12. A 90-yard field for an opposing offense against our defense, we just don’t think they’re going to score, so that’s critical. When we have to punt backed up, he has the ability to hit a big ball, where maybe we can flip the field 50 yards like we did a couple of times against Tampa. He’s a great weapon. We have guys that also can go cover it, because when you hit a big ball, you have to run down and tackle a pretty good returner. He’s a weapon.”
(On K Greg Zuerlein’s good start to the season after his performance last season)
“Yeah, kind of the same thing, kind of under the radar, I’m glad you brought that up. He’s made every field goal, he’s made every PAT – which, I don’t know how many kickers, after four weeks, can say that. His kickoffs have been solid. I’m proud of him – a lot of games left.”
(On if talking about the kicker means something is an issue)
“Yeah, you could have not brought that up and been fine. Just keep going under the radar because, you know, as soon as you bring that up, all of the sudden it’s a jinx. No, but Greg, he’s worked really hard, he’s really good and you have to keep it going.”
(On if he wanted to get out of the new kickoff and touchback rule)
“I think everybody thinks, you kick it shorter and you tackle him inside the 25, then you win. So that’s kind of been quite a few teams’ mindset. But it kind of depends on the game. If there’s a really good team back there, you might want to kick it deeper and kind of bait him into taking it out from six, seven, eight deep where you can tackle him, hopefully around the 20. Or a team that you don’t this is as solid on kickoff return, maybe you shorten it up. So it kind of depends on the game, but the rule, I think, has influenced kickoff teams’ to a degree. Ours is game-dependent.”
(On how he thought players making their first appearances on special teams against Arizona did, like TE Temarrick Hemingway)
“That was good that you noticed Temarrick came in there and got a lot of action on punt and punt return. It was great to see him – it’s really fun, from a coach’s perspective, to see a guy play in his first ever NFL game. I think for everybody else, it’s just a guy in a hat and a jersey, but there’s a kid behind those pads. And they take their first NFL rep or play in their first NFL game, it’s super special to that kid. For Temarrick and (LB) Josh Forrest and (LB) Cory Littleton and (WR) Michael Thomas, a whole bunch of rookies out there running around, they’re trying their best. But it’s like a dream that’s coming true in front of your eyes, which is pretty cool. And they’re performing well.”
(On what CB Troy Hill can bring on special teams)
“The last two games, we haven’t been able to use him because he’s started at corner – and we were planning on using him a lot, but once he starts at corner, we lessen the load on special teams. If we get him back, he’ll be on all of them. He’s a good runner, super slippery as a cover guy, as far as teams having to try to block him, he’s got a good sense as a blocker – usually as a corner, you’re a tackler – but now, on the return game, you’re a blocker, which is usually an offensive skill. He’s kind of got that knack for doing that. You guys are pretty good, kind of the under-the-radar, core guys that are super valuable and critical to helping our team win.”
(On Hill almost blocking a field goal last week)
“Yeah, he’s pretty good off the edge. He has good timing.”
(Opening remarks)
“As we said yesterday, we turned the page, moved on, and we’ve done that. We got an outstanding opponent coming in this week, a lot of respect for what they’ve done. Two tough losses to start the season against one familiar opponent, and then to come back and beat Arizona at home, and then go to New England, speaks volumes to what (Head Coach) Rex (Ryan) has done with his football team. Highly talented team; a defense that’s keeping our offensive coaches up late at night, and same thing with the offense. (QB) Tyrod (Taylor) is playing good. (RB) LeSean (McCoy) is making all kinds of plays. They’re well-coached, so it’ll be a big challenge. But again, we’re happy to be at home.”
(On what challenges QB Tyrod Taylor brings in comparison to the other quarterbacks the team has faced)
“He’s a healthy Russell Wilson, if that gives you an explanation or definition. He can extend the plays, he makes all the throws, he’s a little taller than Russell. They’re using him a little differently than Seattle uses Russell. There are called runs for him, there’s all kinds of stuff in their offense. They’re very creative. They went through a coaching change, but the last two weeks, they’ve been challenging from a defensive standpoint, with personnel groupings, unbalanced formations, Wild Cat, and all that stuff. So, it’s going to be a long week for us defensively.”
(On DB Coty Sensabaugh)
“Coty has a role, and Coty has done fine. The roster was a little unusual last week because of injuries, because of necessity on special teams. Coty doesn’t have the background on special teams, so that was a primary reason. But, it doesn’t mean to say that he’s not going to be active this week.”
(On the performance of special teams)
“They’ve got the job done. We haven’t had a whole lot of opportunities in the punt return phase, but we did have the one, and we made the most of it. We blocked it like we blocked it out on the practice field. We’re hoping that we get those opportunities. (WR) Tavon (Austin) is not someone that you want to punt to deep down the field, and we understand that. But when we get an opportunity, we have to make it count. Our coverage units have been fine. Our return stuff…we’re getting out of the end zone, when we have opportunities to. We’ve been close on a couple field goal rushes. For the first four weeks of the season, they’ve been really solid. Keep in mind that, we got some new players in the core guys. (TE) Temarrick (Hemingway) came in and played on all four teams last week, and did a nice job. They’re only going to get better. There’s turnover there every year, but they’re going to get better as we go along.”
(On the growth of DE Ethan Westbrooks and DE Matt Longacre since last season)
“They both have had good offseasons, and worked, and productive preseasons. Ethan got an opportunity to start, and Matt an opportunity to play 30 or 40 plays, and he was productive. That’s the key, is that you have to have depth, and you have to keep them fresh all the time. When you get to the end of the game when you need a play, you’re getting the plays out of (DT) Aaron (Donald) and out of (DE) Rob (Quinn) because they’ve been subbed for, and they’ve got an opportunity.”
(On where does P Johnny Hekker rank among punters you have coached or worked with)
“You know, I’ve really spent most of my time with Craig Hentrich, and there’s similarities there from an athletic standpoint. Craig could throw it, he could run it, and “Hekk” is doing a great job. He’s a threat, he’s a threat. Just go back and look at the tape over the last few years of the plays that we’ve made without his leg, creates more opportunities for him as a punter. He’s hitting the ball really well right now.”
(On DB E.J. Gaines performance last game)
“It was fine, it was fine. There was no evidence of any injury, or anything. He just went out there and played like he did a year ago.”
(On if DB E.J. Gaines brings anything specific to the team)
“It’s a year of starting experience at the position in our defense. That’s what’s helpful for him.”
Rams Special Teams Coordinator John Fassel – Post-Practice – October 4, 2016
(On how he feels the special teams units have performed)
“The first four games, I think we’ve helped. There’s been, like the Seattle game, there wasn’t anything that was spectacular, but we gave our team an assist in field position – where the drive starts at the 18, the 17, the 12. Last week, we had a good punt return that helped the team at the end of the game. And we don’t get a lot of opportunities, because (WR) Tavon (Austin) doesn’t get a lot of punts where we get a chance to return it. But we know if we get one, we have got to make it work – and the guys did a really good job with the one opportunity, helping the team with field position. The Tampa Bay game, we had to go in and punt from the minus-five under two minutes. There have been a few situations where we’ve had an opportunity to help and I think the guys have stepped up. But we’ve still looking for the big play, the touchdown or the blocked kick that everybody wants to see. I’m proud of the guys, a lot of young guys, and they’re working.”
(On how much it helps to have a punter like Johnny Hekker that he can rely on, especially in close games)
“A lot. When we’re punting from around the 50 – I don’t think he has a touchback yet this season, so he’s putting the ball down where they have to fair catch it at the 10 or the 8 or the 12. A 90-yard field for an opposing offense against our defense, we just don’t think they’re going to score, so that’s critical. When we have to punt backed up, he has the ability to hit a big ball, where maybe we can flip the field 50 yards like we did a couple of times against Tampa. He’s a great weapon. We have guys that also can go cover it, because when you hit a big ball, you have to run down and tackle a pretty good returner. He’s a weapon.”
(On K Greg Zuerlein’s good start to the season after his performance last season)
“Yeah, kind of the same thing, kind of under the radar, I’m glad you brought that up. He’s made every field goal, he’s made every PAT – which, I don’t know how many kickers, after four weeks, can say that. His kickoffs have been solid. I’m proud of him – a lot of games left.”
(On if talking about the kicker means something is an issue)
“Yeah, you could have not brought that up and been fine. Just keep going under the radar because, you know, as soon as you bring that up, all of the sudden it’s a jinx. No, but Greg, he’s worked really hard, he’s really good and you have to keep it going.”
(On if he wanted to get out of the new kickoff and touchback rule)
“I think everybody thinks, you kick it shorter and you tackle him inside the 25, then you win. So that’s kind of been quite a few teams’ mindset. But it kind of depends on the game. If there’s a really good team back there, you might want to kick it deeper and kind of bait him into taking it out from six, seven, eight deep where you can tackle him, hopefully around the 20. Or a team that you don’t this is as solid on kickoff return, maybe you shorten it up. So it kind of depends on the game, but the rule, I think, has influenced kickoff teams’ to a degree. Ours is game-dependent.”
(On how he thought players making their first appearances on special teams against Arizona did, like TE Temarrick Hemingway)
“That was good that you noticed Temarrick came in there and got a lot of action on punt and punt return. It was great to see him – it’s really fun, from a coach’s perspective, to see a guy play in his first ever NFL game. I think for everybody else, it’s just a guy in a hat and a jersey, but there’s a kid behind those pads. And they take their first NFL rep or play in their first NFL game, it’s super special to that kid. For Temarrick and (LB) Josh Forrest and (LB) Cory Littleton and (WR) Michael Thomas, a whole bunch of rookies out there running around, they’re trying their best. But it’s like a dream that’s coming true in front of your eyes, which is pretty cool. And they’re performing well.”
(On what CB Troy Hill can bring on special teams)
“The last two games, we haven’t been able to use him because he’s started at corner – and we were planning on using him a lot, but once he starts at corner, we lessen the load on special teams. If we get him back, he’ll be on all of them. He’s a good runner, super slippery as a cover guy, as far as teams having to try to block him, he’s got a good sense as a blocker – usually as a corner, you’re a tackler – but now, on the return game, you’re a blocker, which is usually an offensive skill. He’s kind of got that knack for doing that. You guys are pretty good, kind of the under-the-radar, core guys that are super valuable and critical to helping our team win.”
(On Hill almost blocking a field goal last week)
“Yeah, he’s pretty good off the edge. He has good timing.”
