Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey
Q: Does (punter) Jamie (Gillan) just kick all the time to catch?
A: Obviously. He's done a great job. He's getting better and that's all we can ask for. Hang to distance is getting better. Talking about being at your best when your best is needed – backed up punt in that situation, that's huge.
Q: That last one seemed to never come down.
A: It had some good hang on it.
Q: Is touch still a thing you need him to refine?
A: That's something he's going to always have to deal with because he has such a strong leg. But no, he's getting better. That's the thing, he's getting better. That's all you can ask for as a coach. Just keep working at it, keep trying to control the power. It's encouraging, for sure.
Q: Where are your options at punt returner if (wide receiver) Richie (James) can't go? Who are the other options?
A: We got a bunch of other guys back there that can do it. I'm not really worried about it. (Corner back) Darnay (Holmes) has done it before. We've had some guys that can do it. Richie will be fine. Hopefully he will be back there but if not, we'll be alright.
Q: How can (kicker) Graham (Gano) make 55-yarders but the 37-yarder? How do you explain that?
A: It was gusty the other days It was crazy. The wind would go from five to 20, it was just gusting a lot. When you look at that last kick, it's going right down the middle and then it gets to a certain point and just moves left. I'll account that to the wind on that one.
Q: What's it say about (running back) Matt (Breida) that he can play gunner and then when (safety) Julian (Love) goes out, you trust him to put him in as the PB?
A: You love to have guys like that with position flex. That's one of the main reasons why he's here. He can do a bunch of different jobs and do them well. Any time you can maximize your value as a football player, obviously it helps him and that helps us in turn as a special teams unit.
Q: I'm thinking about (linebacker) Cam Brown on special teams – how does his length help him if it does help him in that role?
A: He's a hard guy to deal with at the point of attack when he uses his length and not his head and shoulders. He's hard to deal with. You can't get your arms around him because he has those 35 or 34-inch arms. In space, he's able to reach and grab – put his body in positions and extend himself, make plays that the average player can't do because they don't have that kind of length and Cam can run. You couple the length with being able to play fast and be physical, it's a lot of boxes getting checked with that guy.
Q: I know (running back) Gary (Brightwell) hasn't had a lot of opportunities but what have you seen from him? Do you need to see more?
A: I think as a unit, we need to be better. Gary can't do it by himself. We have to do a better job of blocking for Gary. I think once that starts to happen, you'll see Gary Brightwell shine.
