Head Coach Tom Coughlin
December 3, 2015
Q: How did your offensive line come through yesterday?
A: (Justin) Pugh did okay; he’s going to do more today. We’re going to try to get (Weston) Richburg with some more snaps today as well.
Q: Richburg seemed pretty encouraged by how he felt yesterday. Did you share that sentiment?
A: I saw him early in the morning, and I am as well.
Q: How’s Marshall Newhouse? Still not practicing?
A: He’s not going to work today. He may have some kind of shot or something, so they wouldn’t work him until that’s taken care of.
Q: If he can’t play, would you consider putting Justin Pugh at right tackle or Bobby Hart there?
A: There’s all kinds of things we might consider, thanks for asking.
Q: Are you, in these five games, going to remain committed to using the four running backs? If some guy happens to get hot in a four-play series, he’ll actually get more, but otherwise someone else is coming in? Is that just the way this is going to go for your running game?
A: First of all, you’ve got to remember, we’ve had four healthy guys for the whole season, okay? So give us a little bit of credit for thinking that way as well. (Shane) Vereen is the third-down guy. He comes in in long-yardage, as well. It may be attached a little bit to personnel, but that’s kind of the way it is. The other three guys, they play on first and second down primarily. Although you’re going to see 23 (Rashad Jennings) on third down, as well, because he’s a good protector. So they all have different levels of skills and we try to take full advantage of them. I would like to be able to say to you that in certain games we ran it 30 times and this guy carried it 20, but it has not happened that way. We’re a little bit a product of that as well.
Q: You ran the ball well on the opening drive last week.
A: We did. We did.
Q: What was the difference? You really didn’t do anything on the ground game after that.
A: No, we didn’t and we probably got away from it a little bit. And, of course, when it was 20-0, patience is not necessarily a virtue under those circumstances.
Q: How has the change you’ve had at tight end affected the run game?
A: Well, that’s been an effect, too, no question.
Q: Do you have any response to Steve Tisch’s comments last night just about being unhappy with the season so far?
A: What’s that now? I don’t know anything about it, so I wouldn’t comment.
Q: He was at the owners meeting and he basically expressed disappointment with the season so far.
A: Well, I’m not responding to any of that.
Q: Do you feel any more pressure? You haven’t made the playoffs the last three years. Does that add pressure to you guys this year to make the playoffs even more?
A: The whole reason for being in it is to get to the playoffs and get a chance to compete in the tournament. I don’t know how you could feel any more pressure. Do I? No. That was the objective all along.
Q: Did Devon Kennard come through okay yesterday?
A: He didn’t.
Q: Did not?
A: No, he didn’t. He won’t work today.
Q: Jason Pierre-Paul said he was really pleased with his practice yesterday. Did you notice anything different?
A: Practice was good yesterday on the part of a lot of guys. And I felt good about our intensity, how hard we practiced, and hopefully we’ll have the same kind of practice today.
Q: Do you feel like guys responded to that message that you gave them?
A: It’s continuous, though. It’s continuous, it’s not just a one-day message. It’s a message for today and for the rest of the season. We need to look at it as we go along.
Q: Did that need to be voiced to them, do you feel?
A: Why would I say it otherwise?
Q: Well because sometimes people think that people know it inherently but they need to be--
A: It’s better to spell things out. It’s better to spell things out, then you leave nothing for misunderstanding.
Q: More than one of the Jets defensive backs yesterday mentioned that even when Odell Beckham makes a catch, they want to come down on his arms, perhaps taking a page from Malcolm Butler. Are you, and do you think Odell is, aware that people are going to notice that play?
A: Well, I didn’t know about this quote, but now that you give it to me, I’ll make sure he hears it. Yeah, it’s continuous, we’re always coaching that. Ball security is a huge, huge issue. I don’t care what team you pick in the league, look down through the Jets schedule and season, when they’ve done well with the turnovers, they’ve won. And the games they haven’t, they’ve lost.
Q: How much does it change the look of the Jets if Darrell Revis doesn’t play? Does it change anything for you?
A: Probably not. They’re going to put 11 good players out there and we’re going to have to compete against whoever plays. He’s an outstanding player.
Q: How much easier does it make life?
A: Well, it’s not easier at all. I told you, they’ve got a lot of players that can run and play and they’re learning from guys like Revis and (Antonio) Cromartie as they go, too. We’ve got to compete and produce against whoever goes on the field.
Q: Did that need to be voiced to them, do you feel?
A: Why would I say it otherwise?
A: Well, I didn’t know about this quote, but now that you give it to me, I’ll make sure he hears it. Yeah, it’s continuous, we’re always coaching that. Ball security is a huge, huge issue. I don’t care what team you pick in the league, look down through the Jets schedule and season, when they’ve done well with the turnovers, they’ve won. And the games they haven’t, they’ve lost.