Post-Game Transcript: Head Coach Brian Daboll

Head Coach Brian Daboll

Q: What went into the decision of which starters to play and which guys to sort of keep back?

A: We took a look at some of their play time in practice and then their play time in the games. Some we just decided to not play. It was a case-by-case basis, and we thought we did what was best for the team.

Q: (Wide Receiver Kenny Golladay) Kenny's played a lot this summer. So, why play him?

A: We were playing all the receivers. I said it's a competitive group, so they're out there competing.

Q: I think your first offensive play. Did you see him on that? Did you have any question with his effort? It was the (Running Back Matt) Breida run on his side.

A: I have to take a look at the tape.

Q: Is his roster spot potentially in jeopardy considering you said it's a competitive group and you wanted to see everyone out there? He's a big salary guy who's been a veteran who's done a lot in the league.

A: I mean look, all of those receivers are competing. And Kenny's had a good camp. (General Manager) Joe (Schoen) and I will sit back, we'll talk about everybody.

Q: Any word on (Quarterback) Tyrod (Taylor)?

A: He should be okay. I don't think there's anything (serious). He just landed hard, and I talked to him at halftime. And he said he's okay.

Q: The other two guys (Tight End Daniel Bellinger and Defensive Lineman Jalyn Holmes) have concussions?

A: Don't know yet. They're getting evaluated for them. So, we'll see.

Q: You want tough decisions, right? You don't want easy decisions. You want tough decisions. Does Davis (Webb) make it a tough decision the way he's played?

A: Yes, certainly. He's been in the offense for a while. I think you can tell out there he feels fairly comfortable in our scheme, and we know what he likes. And he's done a really good job since he's been here.

Q: So that's the last game action you will have this preseason. Is there anything from the start of training camp to now that has kind of stood out and made you either optimistic or pessimistic going into when the games will count?

A: No. We're day-to-day. I think our guys do a job of understanding that's what we need to do in terms of getting better. I think there's a lot of guys that have gotten better. We're getting to know one another. We're trying to develop our schemes. We're trying to develop our fundamentals. We've done that since the start of camp really all the way back into the spring, and we're going to need to continue to do that.

Q: You said the other day about guys on the bubble having to focus on the football and not worry about the numbers. But now there's no football to worry about until Tuesday at four o'clock. Does that change – did you have a conversation in the locker room at all with any of them?

A: I told everybody I appreciate all their efforts. This is a tough time for players. It's also a tough time for coaches, for equipment staff, for trainers, for video, for cafeteria workers that have built relationships with players that have been here since April or whatever it may be. And you build relationships, and when someone doesn't make it, again, you're empathetic towards that. But that's the business we live in, and I'm glad everybody put their best foot forward, and now there's decisions that need to be made and talked about over the next 48 hours.

Q: What have you learned about (Inside Linebacker) Austin Calitro?

A: Tough. Dependable. Smart. He's played in multiple roles. He's done a good job in the kicking game. He's really been a good addition for us at that spot.

Q: (Wide Receiver) Kadarius (Toney). Could he physically not go, or you were just kind of cautious with him today?

A: No. He wasn't ready to go. Nope.

Q: What did you think of Davis Webb's preseason?

A: It was good. Yeah. I think he was efficient. Made good decisions. Led the team down to score points when he got his opportunities. Finished a couple of the games. Tried to give the ball back there with, whatever it was, 26 seconds, to see if we could do it one more time. But I have a lot of confidence in Davis, and I've seen him grow a lot the last few years that I've been with him: his fundamentals, the way he plays the position, his decision-making process. The last few years he's gotten better and better.

Q: Did (Inside Linebacker Micah) McFadden get banged up there at the end?

A: I got to ask these guys.

Q: When you have so many young guys – you brought in I think it was over 25 rookies that were actually coming into camp – some of it I would imagine is projection. You like coaching these guys; you see where they could be one, two steps down the line. Does that make these decisions harder going into Tuesday knowing that you may have a young guy who you have a longer-term plan for, but you kind of have to weigh that against what you have right now?

A: I'd say they're all tough. At this time, they're all tough regardless of – it's a tough decision anytime you're releasing a player. Whether they were capable enough to make it or not, it's still tough. But there's certainly a lot of conversation that will happen here tonight, tomorrow, the next day to try to do what's best for our team.

Q: What do you literally do? Are you going to meet with Joe tonight and start talking the roster through tonight? Or tomorrow?

A: I'll go, I'll watch the game. And then, I'm sure we'll have conversations tonight. We'll meet in the morning. We'll meet again in the morning. We'll meet again in the morning. And then, we'll meet in the afternoon. There will be a lot of meetings.

Q: What do you think of Kenny's summer? Like, how do you evaluate how he's performed in practices and games?

A: He's done a good job with what we've asked him to do. He's competed. And he's played multiple spots for us. He's continuing to learn our offense. I think he's done a good job of learning it. I know numbers and catches and all that, I've got all that, but he's done what we've asked him to do.

Q: I think some people will read into your kind of non-committal quote earlier and say, 'Wait a minute. I mean, this guy was supposed to be one of your top receivers, and you're not committing to him being on the roster?' It seems a little weird.

A: I'm just saying I'm not going to commit to anybody being on the roster or not on the roster until I sit down with Joe and have a conversation with Joe. I mean we have a lot to talk about at a lot of different positions. That's really not what I meant. I'm just saying in general we have a lot of conversations to have.