Friday Media Transcript: Head Coach Ben McAdoo

Head Coach Ben McAdoo

December 16, 2016

Start off by talking about the walkie-talkie incident in the game. We've touched base with the league, we're working through it right now. I don't have anything to add, but we are working with the league on the incident.

Q: Were you aware of the rule beforehand?

A: We're working with the league on the incident.

Q: At the 15 second point, does your headset usually shut off or does the receiver in Eli’s helmet?

A: The communication shuts off. So whether it's through mine or Eli's.

Q: Using the walkie-talkie, would you be able to...

A: I'm not talking about the incident.

Q: When did you learn that the league was looking into it?

A: That's a great question, but I'm not talking about it.

Q: There's talk that the team can be fined. You want to win no matter what, so if your headset goes out, what kind of deterrent is a fine if that doesn't really affect your team.

A: Listen, we're working through the league, doing the best we can right now to help the investigation and we'll move on when we can move on.

Q: Moving on to Sunday’s game, Justin Pugh's not on the injury report. How great would it be to have him back?

A: It's great to go out there and tomorrow we'll take a look at everybody out there on the field again. Justin's practiced well this week, so we'll take a look at him again tomorrow in practice. He's a good player, he's been a good player for us and when we can get him, as soon as we can get him back, we'll take him.

Q: Have you had any problems with communications in previous games this season?

A: No, not that I can recall.

Q: Is this something that's ever happened before?

A: With the previous setup, yes, but with this new setup, no issues.

Q: What's the new setup?

A: There's been a new system put in place for communications.

Q: In the past when it's gone out on you, would the opponent have to shut theirs off?

A: I know the rule, this past week, no, the opponent would not have had to shut it off.

Q: You guys are in a bit of an unusual situation playing two games in less than week with a Thursday nighter coming up next week. Are there any changes you have to make in the practice schedule or anything in the preparation to make sure that they're well-rested and conditioned?

A: Yeah, we made some adjustments to the schedule at the end of last week and this week and we'll continue to do so as we move through the rest of the season.

Q: What has Sterling Shepard meant to your offense this year?

A: Sterling is, again, a young, developing player who seems to get better. Had a great day of practice yesterday and he's a guy that we trust inside and out and can do a variety of things for us. It's encouraging to see him grow over the course of the season.

Q: What did he do yesterday that caught your eye?

A: Just the way he's developing into a precise route-runner. How he understands blocking and the angles it's going to take to get the job done. He'll make some mistakes, but he learns from them and he improves.

Q: Last week you mentioned that you had a package ready for Shane Vereen. Should Shane play this week, would you guys execute that again?

A: Yeah, if Shane's able to go, we will have a small package in there for him.

Q: Is he still in the concussion protocol?

A: Yes.

Q: Is Nat Berhe in the concussion protocol as well?

A: Yes.

Q: Mark Herzlich is out?

A: He's out.

Q: I know with Keenan Robinson you will say you have to wait until tomorrow, but is he making progress?

A: We haven't seen him do much this week. He knows how to take care of his body with the injuries he's had in the past, similar type injuries. So we'll see more from him tomorrow to know if he can go or not.

Q: Is there one guy who could step into Keenan's role?

A: He's played some good football for us. He's really bought into the culture here and into the locker room and he's been a nice player, he's played some nice football for us and we're fortunate to have him and we'd have to wait to see how that goes, who's up and who's down, as far as who can contribute in his role.

Q: When do you make a decision if you're going to defer the coin toss? Is that game day or done earlier?

A: It depends on the situation. It could be based on numbers going into the game. It could be in the game management meeting before the game. Could be right as the weather turns during the course of the game or if the pyrotechnics is a little heavy pregame, you may choose to change your decision. Right up until the coin toss, you leave all of your options open.

Q: So were you guys planning on going on defense against Dallas with how heavy the fireworks were?

A: It weighed into our decision. I thought about it, yes.

Q: Did you make that known to anybody and the powers that be that the pyrotechnics were a bit much?

A: We had a great atmosphere at kickoff, it was exciting.

Q: What gives you confidence that Romeo Okwara's game last week was not just a one-game wonder?

A: The way he prepares. He's a young player, so there are going to be some ups and downs and he's going to learn from those ups and down, and consistency is the name of the game in this league. But he's a guy that prepares each and every week with the same amount of intensity and attacks it the same, so we believe that he'll continue to develop and grow.