Q: Have you ever seen a player change positions the way Bennett Jackson has from corner to safety?
A: Yeah, I think so. Sure. Guys change their position whether it be somewhere in the college ranks or in the pro game. He's progressing and we hope he continues to because it's early and there's a lot to go.
Q: The guys that do it successfully, do you notice a commonality with those guys?
A: Well, basically they have an awareness and the big picture of how to play--what the game is all about. Because they've been in the secondary, they listen, they see, they listen to corrections. Whether you're a corner or a safety and you're playing a specific coverage and if you listen over and over again to what the important ingredients are to play the coverage well, and then the corrections. He's a smart kid. I'm sure he adapted some of that, although he may not be able to put his finger on it like I'm saying it. There's the commonality, I think—you're a player, you're a football player.
Q: How bad is Ereck Flowers?
A: He doesn't seem to be bad. It's a hip flexor issue. This morning he was sore, but by the time I caught him in the meeting room, he was doing this [stretches leg]. Hopefully, it's just a short amount of time.
Q: Is it something that happened during the practice yesterday?
A: No, a couple of days ago.
Q: So he played through it for a little bit?
A: He tried to, yeah.
Q: What have you seen out of Robert Ayers and can he be that dynamic presence?
A: Robert has played well. He's been a really good soldier, he's been a good teammate. He's grabbed guys and talked to them, whether it be in the meeting rooms or out here. He's worked hard. I've seen nothing but good things out of him.
Q: Chykie Brown looked like he walked off. Anything on him?
A: I'm not sure what it is. They said something about a foot or possibly a shoe issue or something. Hopefully, that's it. He's been doing pretty well, he's been flashing a lot. I'd like to see him stay with it, he's very motivated.
Q: Can you talk about Justin Pugh's versatility and what he brings to the table?
A: Well, he's obviously played left tackle in college. He came here and played right tackle. In the spring we moved him to left guard knowing full well that he would have to move around. So, we thought today would be a good day to put him at left tackle. [Geoff] Schwartz came back out, so we had Schwartz out there. We had John Jerry out there so that he could do a little something with the right side as well. His versatility—he's a smart player.
Q: I know he's only a rookie but how vital is Flowers to your offense at this point because you lost Will Beatty?
A: He's a first-round draft choice. The left tackle from last year tore a pec, he's out there trying to learn how to play. He's important.
Q: You've been using Devon Kennard as a pass rusher, do you envision him doing that?
A: I hope so, but he's playing linebacker. You see the pressure packages, so he comes in the packages.
Q: If you have to replace the sack total from JPP, is he going to add to that?
A: I hope so, I hope there's lots of guys who will add to it. I hope that we develop more people that are effective as pass rushers, no matter where they come from--secondary, linebacker, up front.
Q: The first skirmish seemed to be heated but quick.
A: That's the way they usually are.
Q: You have any problem with that one?
A: Oh yeah, I've got a problem with all of them because they're out there swinging. I've been hurt firsthand by a guy who broke his hand in a fight. In the old days they used to wrap it up and play with it, they don't do that anymore. I was upset about the fight and losing their temper and all that stuff. The bottom line is you can't afford to do it, to lose a guy.
Q: Did you have to say something or did they self-regulate?
A: I usually say something to everybody.
Q: Gently, right? Nice, calm tone.
A: However it comes out, it comes out. Sometimes not so gentle, sometimes it is.
Q: This morning Jerry Reese said that he spoke to JPP yesterday, have you had that chance to speak to him yet?
A: No.
Q: Is that disappointing that you haven't had the chance?
A: As long as he's talking to Jerry [Reese] or somebody in the building, it looks like there's a chance that the communication thing will open up and when that does, I'll end up on the phone, I'm sure.
Q: How did Adam Gettis do today?
A: He had a good day yesterday, I'd say so-so today.
Q: Why did you decide to go that direction without Flowers, with Pugh at left tackle and Gettis there?
A: Because Gettis played well yesterday and we thought this would give him a chance. If he was going to catch our eye, this would be a good way to do it.