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Wednesday Media Transcript: Head Coach Ben McAdoo

Eric from BBI : Admin : 8/17/2016 3:54 pm
Head Coach Ben McAdoo

August 17, 2016

Great to get back to work today. Caught a great day out there, a little bit of wind, but we had a lot of fun with it.

Q: How disappointing is it that Victor Cruz was not able to practice?

A: He had a bounce-back day today. He’s out there running on the side and looked pretty good. Of course, you’d like to get him in team reps and individual, but we’ll progress that way.

Q: Why would you say bounce-back when he’s not actually practicing?

A: He was able to do a little bit more today than he has.

Q: Is there a plan now? Maybe the third preseason game or have you not ruled out the Buffalo game?

A: We’re still early this week. We’re going to take it day by day.

Q: Do you expect him on the field tomorrow?

A: We’ll see. We’ll see how he wakes up and how he got through today. He has to recover from today first.

Q: What does he have to do in your mind to be ready for a preseason game? Is there a number of practices, reps?

A: He has to make it through the week of practice and be cleared by the medical staff.

Q: Do you expect to give Eli Manning a few snaps this weekend?

A: Absolutely.

Q: Why do you think it’s important to get your first team work in the preseason?

A: Anticipation and instincts. It’s a big part of the game, it’s hard to train it in practice. You do the best you can by creating situations, but there’s nothing like the games to get those reps.

Q: How would you assess the linebacker play so far this camp and what does that group need to do to be successful this season?

A: They’re bringing a lot of energy to the game right now. There’s a lot of competition at the linebacker position. There’s going to be an excellent competition moving forward and we’re looking forward to seeing these guys play on Saturday.

Q: What do you like about Kelvin Sheppard at linebacker?

A: He’s an instinctive guy. He gets football and has a nose for the ball. His energy impacts everybody out there. He’s a big energy guy.

Q: Has he caught up in terms of the playbook and stuff?

A: Yes. I don’t see him being behind anyone out there. He’s a football get-it guy.

Q: Where do you see Keenan Robinson’s progression at this point?

A: Keenan is back. He’s in the mix when he’s out there. He looks good and physical and we know what he brings to the table in the pass game. We need to see him be consistently physical in the run game, but it’s good to see him out there.

Q: How important is Sheppard’s versatility? You obviously liked him in the nickel spot but the fact that he can be in the base defense, as well. How impressive is the versatility?

A: Versatility is longevity in this league. The more you can do the longer you’ll be around and the more you have to offer.

Q: You look like you did some preparation for the Bills today?

A: A little bit. We wanted to transition. It’s a dress rehearsal for the dress rehearsal, so to speak. We’ll have a dress rehearsal next week. This week we will dust it off and teach them how to use the cards a little bit. We’re still in training camp mode, still competing and we still have to get our work done. There’s still jobs to be earned, but we’re out there just going through the process right now.

Q: Saw Bennett Jackson working at corner, is that something in the plans or was it just you doing it today?

A: It was great. We were short on bodies out there at corner. It was great to have the extra set of legs. Bennett is a smart, conscientious guy and he stepped out there and did a nice job. Ended up getting a pick.

Q: Was that unfair that Bennett’s first play he has to go one on one with Odell on the left side?

A: If you’re looking for fair, you’re in the wrong business.

Q: Zak DeOssie is one of the guys that is a holdover from the Super Bowl teams. How important is it to have a guy that knows some of the old traditions?

A: It’s important. Zak obviously has great pedigree. He’s a guy that’s a natural leader for us. He’s been around the block, and I think the locker room listens and responds to him.

Q: Regarding Cruz, can you only coach the guys on the field or are you preparing as if he will play Week One?

A: If you’re in the building, you get coached. Coaches get coached, players get coached, you don’t have to have to strapped up to get coached. Everything is coachable. The way we go about our business, the value system that we have, the fundamentals. You can coach it off of film, you can walk through, everything is coachable.

Q: Where is JT Thomas right now at this point?

A: He’s progressing. His speeds have been pretty good. We’ll see where it goes from here.

Q: How serious do you consider Justin Pugh’s shoulder?

A: He wasn’t out at practice today, so it’s serious if he’s not practicing. I don’t know that the scan showed anything, but I’m not a doctor.

Q: How would you assess so far the camp that JPP has had?

A: JPP flashed a few times today. He brings a ton of energy. He is one of the most disruptive players in this league and his energy impacts everyone out there on the defense. He can make a mess anywhere at any point in time. We anticipate that going into the season.

Q: Are you starting to get a sense of this defense going into the season of what you might have or is it still too early?

A: We talk about it all the time. We want to be a heavy-handed, physical football team and we’re starting to see that coming to light. You’re starting to see it on the tape, but we need to play more games. We’ve only played one game. We need to get out there with the ones and play some significant snaps.

Q: How much progress has Anthony Dablé made since he first arrived here?

A: Good. He doesn’t lose many things in the language now. He’s a guy that when he first walked in the door, we were surprised how well he took instruction. You can see that he continues to take instruction well. He takes the coaching, it translates on the field and it’s nice to see him out there making some plays. It looks like he’s having some fun.

Q: How did Justin hurt his shoulder?

A: He was pulling the trap.

Q: It wasn’t during the fight?

A: No, no, it wasn’t. There was no fight. It was a disagreement.
Great to hear, re JPP:  
UberAlias : 8/17/2016 4:08 pm : link
"He brings a ton of energy. He is one of the most disruptive players in this league and his energy impacts everyone out there on the defense. He can make a mess anywhere at any point in time."
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