Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey -- November 1, 2019
Q: Any consistent mistakes Aldrick (Rosas) is making?
A: Not really. It’s just, he has to get into a rhythm. It’s kind of hard when you don’t have a lot of attempts. We’re talking about six field goal attempts. It’s just getting in that game rhythm. We all, as a group, are kind of struggling with our rhythm, practiced a little bit, but it’s getting better. We’ve made some breakthroughs this week as far as our rhythm and cadence and everything with our snap, our holder, and our kicker. It will work itself out, it always does.
Q: The Lions obviously had success with short kickoffs and I think that’s something they do all the time…
A: Yeah, they do that all of the time.
Q: Why don’t more teams do that? It does seem like it can work to your advantage.
A: That’s a good question. I think it’s more of a philosophy. In order to do that, you have to spend time at it and I don’t know if people are willing to dedicate time to it, or resources to it. In order to hang a kick up, you better have some people that can cover the kicks. Again, organizationally, it’s just their philosophy and how they see it.
Q: What do you need to do to be more successful against that?
A: You’ve got to execute. It’s extremely important to time it and to space it for kickoff returns, especially for what we do, is extremely important. So, anytime the timing and the spacing is compromised, it’s where you get in trouble. You want to be able to hit the creases at full speed, and if you’re hesitant or there’s too much space or there’s not enough space, all of the timing gets thrown off. Again, that part, the execution part of it, has to be there.
Q: If Corey (Ballentine) is eligible to play, do you throw him right back there as a kickoff returner?
A: I mean, he’s an option. We’ve got options back there with Cody Latimer, Darius (Slayton), we’ve got options. I don’t know if I’ll put him back there, but he’s been practicing at it— he’s done a good job at it. He was one of the better kickoff returners in the league before he got hurt. We’ll figure it out. By the end of the week, we’ll figure out who will be back there.
Q: As a player coming off a concussion, is that a variable in making that decision?
A: Yeah, anytime you have a guy coming off a concussion, for myself as a special teams coach, I’m always kind of leery about it. It’s from player to player. Each guy is different in how they react to the concussions. For me as a coach, I am very cautious in my approach of putting them out there.
Q: You’ve talked a lot how Darius doesn’t have a lot of experience. Is it something where maybe it’s just hard to do in season or can he still be in that mix?
A: It’s a hard skill. Don’t get me wrong. Situation dictates some things, and the situation dictated that he needed to be back there. He just needs to get more experience, needs to get more reps, and he’s a young player, he will.
Q: You did put Cody (Latimer) in for a while, I wonder now that Darius has a bigger role on offense is that maybe an option?
A: Could be. It’s just, again, each week is different. It’s all situational and each week is different. As we move forward, we just have to address each situation as they come.
Q: Is (Dallas Cowboys Kicker Brett) Maher one of the better long-distance kickers in the league?
A: Yeah, he has a very strong leg. Anytime you’ve hit over three, four or whatever it is, over 60 yards, and not just indoors— he did one right across the street over here (at MetLife Stadium). He’s pretty talented, he has a big, strong leg. He’s got some skills, for sure.
Q: How big of a deal do you view the lefty punters?
A: It’s always something that you’re conscious of. It’s a different spin of the ball. We had Ryan Anderson here all through the offseason and during training camp, so our guys got used to catching the lefty punter. We got a kid in this week that is punting to us. It’s always something that you’re conscious of.
