Offensive Coordinator Mike Sullivan
December 8, 2016
Q: If Shane Vereen is able to return, how will that affect the running back position?
A: That’s a great question. I’m hoping he’s able to return and we’re going to see how that plays itself out. Obviously the things he did before he got injured helped our offense a great deal from a pass game perspective. He also was running the ball quite well. Obviously we have to wait and see where he’s going to be at physically. Hopefully he’s going to be there for us and certainly he could be a weapon that can help us get back to where we need to be.
Q: You always preach next man up with the guard position. I was wondering what kind of affect that had had on Ereck Flowers, playing with a rotation beside him?
A: Well you know, continuity is very important, you hit the nail on the head. The communication, the calls, the anticipation and there’s no substitute for having the consistency, having the same guys on your left and on your right. It’s been a challenge for those guys and I think it’s a credit to those who have been given the opportunity that they’ve been able to step up and do some good things. It also helps the development of Ereck Flowers and Weston Richburg to try and get themselves to be able to compensate from a communication standpoint and help whoever is in there to be successful.
Q: Was Sunday the most frustrated you’ve seen Victor Cruz?
A: It’s hard to say, I really didn’t have a lot to say to him after the game other than you go around the locker room and check to see how everyone is from a health standpoint. Obviously no one is happy, everyone is disappointed and frustrated. So I really couldn’t speculate if he was more disappointed than anybody else was in that locker room after a disappointing and tough loss.
Q: I’m sure you heard his comments after the game and he spoke to Coach McAdoo, what did you make of all of that?
A: Well, I spoke with Victor as well, had a very productive and positive conversation. I have a history with the young man and have a great deal of respect for him. He’s made plays for us this year and we anticipate him making plays for us in the future. The week before, it was Sterling Shepard as far as the targets not being there and this game happened to be Victor. Those things aren’t by design and sometimes they turn out that way because of the quarterback read. He might have been the primary receiver but maybe the protection breaks down and some other things come about. It’s unfortunate in terms of how that plays out because obviously we need all of our receivers and all of our offensive players on the perimeter to be able to win for us and be successful and be able to contribute.
Q: Why hasn’t he played in the slot more?
A: We try to cross train guys as much as we can and you’ve got a guy like Sterling Shepard who’s done a good job on the inside and has been very productive on the inside. One of the things is that we’ve had these kinds of conversation in terms of how we can kick start things and how we can get more productivity offensively. It’s about trying to move people around, so he’s had some more opportunities recently and we’re constantly looking at that from a matchup standpoint, from a cover standpoint, to try to be able to put those guys in the best position.
Q: As much as you guys commit to the three receivers, wouldn’t you have to also commit to involving all three of them?
A: To a degree, absolutely. There’s definitely merit to your comment or your point as far as trying to get all three involved. Sometimes the defense can, I don’t want to say dictate and give them too much credit, but they can do things from a look standpoint, particularly when they’re going to commit extra players to Odell, for example, one or the other is going to get singled up and there can be a more advantageous opportunity for one over the other based upon alignment or based upon matchup. Those are things we do look at and, again, from the surface there is definite merit to what you pointed out but sometimes based upon what we’re seeing from a coverage, one or the other is going to be in a better position and based upon the concept. That’s going to direct the quarterback in where he’s going to start.
Q: How do you get the disparity you have where Odell gets one target in the first half but 15 in the second half. Did Pittsburgh change something because it seemed like you were forcing the ball.
A: Talked about it throughout the year and mentioned it last week, there’s obviously good things that will happen when he gets the ball. Obviously if we’re turning the football over, if we’re having penalties that negate 36 yards of gain, if we have some of those tackles for loss, that is going to set everything back. We try to find ways and get the ball in the hands of playmakers but that isn’t going to be exclusively for him. We’d like to have other guys have their opportunities and step up and have attempts at the plate, so to speak. I think it depends on how we’re being played and where the openings are and how it plays itself out.
Q: How far is this offense from what you envisioned in week 7?
A: It’s been disappointing. Everyone wants to know why, why is the offense struggling and why is there no consistency and rather than go through the litany of various reasons and mitigating circumstances, if we had to look at one thing that jumps out, it’s ball security. Right now we’re 28th in the league, we’ve got 21 turnovers and it’s hard to get consistency and get those snaps and score points. It’s hard to … the ball, get the run game going, you name it. If you’re on the sideline without the ball, you can’t do those things. It’s things we’ve addressed. It’s been a combination, whether it’s the fumbles, or the interceptions. The most important thing that we have to do, and certainly this week against this team, we’ve got to take care of the football. In terms of not being able to have that consistency, being unable to have the offense that we all want to have and expect to have, that’s really something and when you go back through, as much as coaches, we’re so locked into this week, but if we take a step back and I’m sure in the off season looking at cut ups, it’s really going to jump out how we have a turnover in the first play of the game, or here’s a turnover when we’re in a position to score points. That’s probably the biggest thing when you talk about why we’re not where we want to be, that probably jumps out.
Q: After the game Ben said, we are what we are right now. What makes you think that 13 games into the season anything can change?
A: The thing that I think it goes back to, first off, it’s cliché but it’s true, the past doesn’t equal the future. Just because we’ve had inconsistencies, the penalties, the turnovers, that doesn’t mean that there’s no magic wand or force field power force that’s going to make that happen on Sunday night. That future is in front of us and that’s where our focus is. I think if we can do the things as far as taking care of the football, if we can do the things where we have an explosive play and get a first down then suddenly a penalty negates it, some of those self-inflicted wounds. I know everyone says that and we certainly give the defense credit for things they’re doing. I think we have shown those flashes, we have had those runs, if you will, those drives; the first drive in Chicago, the first drive in Cincinnati, when things are in a good groove. I think it’s just been those turnovers, negative plays and penalties that have shot ourselves in the foot, so to speak. I think from a confidence standpoint, we really believe that we’ve had a great preparation, we had a heck of a practice out there today and being in the elements was a lot of fun. We’re going to build upon the success we had this week and bring that preparation to Sunday night and we know that the future and everything we want is ahead of us and there’s no reason we can’t eliminate those things and be the type of offense we want to be.
Q: On one of the receivers tipping plays by rubbing hands together before pass plays
A: I don’t read too much into those things. I think it’s always easy after the game to second guess or comment. They did a heck of a job...Oh he made his comment before the game or after the game…?
Q: Before…
A: I wasn’t aware of that. To share with you guys, we’re constantly in the mode of having people somebody take a look at TV copies, and all the little tells and the unusual words that have been reported that you hear at the line of scrimmage. There’s a method to the madness.
Amen.
Q. Mr. Sullivan, are my questions difficult for you to comprehend?
A. That's a great question.
In comment 13255782 Eric from BBI said:
Agree, it was like we could have gotten more from the guy who washes the towels in the locker room.
Sullivan, Sullivan... There's something about that name. It's - what, Korean? Peruvian? No?
Bringing Sullivan back after he flopped in Tampa was on Coughlin. Promoting him is on McAdoo, even if the suits pushed for it.
Q: As much as you guys commit to the three receivers, wouldn’t you have to also commit to involving all three of them?
If the Eagles had hired Coughlin and he took the whole staff with him, the Maras would have had egg all over their face and been a laughing stock of the NFL. Thank God the Eagles hired the next Richie Kottie.
They Push TC out the door hand Mac the Keys and how the
hell does he not just bring in a new staff ????
Sullivan the response to Cruz and the no knowledge of
the tipping the plays off blows my friggen mind .
Yet we still have Quinn as well ...
I honestly didn't even read through the responses if anyone
is impressed with him and what ever he brings to the
offense it can't be much . Every damn part of this offense
has gotten worse and with the most boring play calling
that I can call 3 out of 5 times exactly what there gonna
run makes my head hurt ...
Good Lord its pathetic ..
Right? They'll never win any games! Lololollollol.
We lost to the Steelers
We Now get the 11-1 Cowboys
The rising 1st place Lions
At Philly is never easy but a game we should win
2nd Road game Vs Washington I hope its not for the last
wildcard . We got to 8-4 because of the defense do they have
enough left in the tank ? We shall see ...
Get us a real OC please.