Thing Discussed

• Shea Patterson's playmaking ability, avoiding turnovers
• The offensive line's development in the run game
• Don Brown's meetings
• Injury updates on Tarik Black, Aubrey Solomon, Kwity Paye, Lavert Hill

[After THE JUMP: Nick Baumgardner's dog gets famous]

“Hello.”

 

Sorry for me asking this, but status on Lavert Hill?

 

“Being evaluated for concussion protocol.”

 

Coach, Shea (Patterson) had 12 interceptions through 10 games at Ole Miss. He’s got three through 10 here. How much is that natural maturation, how much has how he’s been used here and your staff’s input had a role?

 

“Well, I think all those things are factors. The fact that he makes really good decisions when he throws the ball, throws really accurate balls, sees the field really well. From the first game he played here, that was really evident with him. That there’s not a lot of times where it could have got intercepted. … So, the fact that he makes really good decisions, throws the ball very accurately. The highest percentage … 17 touchdowns, three interceptions.”

 

You’ve had guys banged up a lot on the defensive line. Just talk about the job that Greg Mattison has done in keeping that unit cohesive and operating at a high level

 

“Yeah, Greg’s done a great job. They get a lot of contributions from a lot of guys on the defensive line. Chase (Winovich) has been a stalwart, no question about it. Rashan (Gary), defensive lineman of the week this week, good for him, back in the lineup. Kwity Paye, done a great job. Josh Uche as well. Bryan Mone’s had a very good season. And Aubrey Solomon has played very well. Lawrence Marshall, having his best year, so gotta give a lot of credit to Greg Mattison for sure. He’s done a great job coaching the defensive line.

 

“There’s two other coaches that don’t get talked about as much, who are doing a fabulous job. And that’s Al Washington. You notice, just good play out of Khaleke Hudson, Josh Uche. His contribution has been huge. Also, does — just a high-end coach — does a great job in recruiting. And the other is Sherrone Moore, who has done a fabulous job with the tight ends. … Sean McKeon, the things that he does. Blocking, mainly, blocking. There’s just nobody better that I’ve seen. Talked about how he can block defensive lineman, he can block linebackers, he can block safeties. His level of blocking is so high right now that he has this ability, with his back turned to the runner — the running back’s behind him, he can’t see — but he knows where the running back is going to end up. He’s able to ebb engaged with a blocker and then shift his backside, not even seeing where the running back’s going but knowing where the running back’s going. He had one of those in this past game that really bore that out. And (Zach) Gentry of course, is really playing well. What a difference from last year to this year in his play. And Sherrone’s done a great job in recruiting as well. Just really wanted to mention those two coaches in particular, cause I don’t hear people talking about them that much. But really, two rising stars in the profession.”

 

You mentioned in the past that establishing a run game as an identity is one of the last pieces of the blueprint to fall into place as far as what you want. Why is it that that takes long to develop?

 

“When did I mention that?”

 

A long time ago. Maybe, if you don’t believe that, maybe I’m misremembering that

 

“It does seem like a long time ago. Yeah, I feel like it’s really come together. The reason for why we’ve had to take longer than some other things is there’s five guys, really are working together. There’s trio blocks, there’s double-teams, there’s fullbacks involved, there’s tight ends involved. Getting that all orchestrated.”

 

Jim, what are the biggest ways that (Donovan) Peoples-Jones has developed this year, and really the wide receivers as a whole as well?

 

“Well, the biggest thing is the way they catch the ball. All past receivers, still, the amount of drops is so low right now for the year. Where they’re catching the ball is really good. This past game really was about catching the ball. I dropped two in the pregame, which — I pride myself on catching the ball. There was those two drops by me and none by the receivers. It was outstanding. They continue to be really good at that. Also, the separation they’ve gotten in the passing game, the precision in how they run the routes has been really good. And the third thing I would point out is the blocking. Nico (Collins), Donovan, Grant Perry, really (have done) the best job that a receiver’s doing in terms of blocking on the perimeter.”

 

Donovan in particular, some of the steps that he’s made?

 

“Boom, boom, boom. Top of the list.”

 

Jim, going back to Shea’s (ability) throwing the ball. Is that an innate quality in a quarterback or did you have to work with him when he came in, on decision-making?

 

“Yeah, for sure. He’s, ever since, he’s been different, so gotta reprogram reads, progressions.”

 

Back to what Dan asked about, the run game. Everything together, do you feel like it’s now working in concert? Of course, it’s better, but do you feel like it’s there, as much as it’s been at all?

 

“I kinda forgot your question. Thought about your dog. Do you have a dog?”

 

I do

 

“A big dog, right?”

 

Yeah, how do you know this? Have you seen me walking with it?

 

“No, you were talking about a run play or something. Pin-and-pull scheme, I think you were taping it on your TV. On your phone. I hear a dog barking in the background.”

 

I do have a dog. But I don’t remember — (crosstalk)

 

“What’s his name?”

 

Biff is his name

 

“Biff! How old? That sounds like a good, strong dog.”

 

10, 11

 

“Your question?”

 

Dan asked about the run game and how complicated everything can be, and how hard it can be to get everyone on the same page. Do you feel like it’s there?

 

“I think we do a good job. Yeah, I think they’re playing well as a group. Individually, they’re each playing the best football of their careers. Ed Warinner has done a great job, and getting a lot of help in perimeter blocking by the receivers. Backs are really running hard. And fullbacks have done an excellent job blocking. And the tight ends are as well. So, it’s well-coordinated. It’s schemed up really good. They practice and work at it, they make adjustments.”

 

Are you seeing with all the linemen, the second five, are you seeing all of them starting to click into what they’re being asked?

 

“Yeah the second five, it’s not — wouldn’t say it’s humming as well. But it’s a process there. Guys are coming along well. There's a good, defined second group that I feel like is on track.”

 

In the time when coaches don’t always get long enough, maybe, to establish an offensive run game and keep momentum going and build that into the culture of the program, why did you think that was an essential thing to do here?

 

“We’ve always thought that.”

 

And why is it — coaches today don’t have as long, right, to establish the culture of the program, keep momentum going and build what they want to build. And if it takes a long time to build a running game, they go away from that. Why do you feel that’s an essential piece, wherever you are?

 

“Just feel very strongly about it. Time it takes is the time it takes. Costs what it costs. Feel strong about a good run game. Which I woud like to also congratulate Frank Gore. The record he set this past Sunday — and Frank is my favorite player of all-time, that I’ve ever coached. 14 years of, each year rushing for over 500 yards, surpassing Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith, is incredible. Just, most of those 14 years, 1,000 — he rushed for 1,000 each year. His first 10 years were each 1,000. … Just, all respect to that accomplishment.”

 

Coach, has the lengths to which Jon Runyan Jr. has improved this year surprised you at all or is that something you expected?

 

“Yeah, we figured that he would have a good year. Staying healthy was key. He had a couple of fluke type of injuries along the way. Off-field injury, things that slowed him down. But he had a really good year in the weight room, uninterrupted the entire offseason. As did all of our offensive line. The job Ben Herbert and his staff have done, really came right on time for our team. The offensive line benefitted as much as everybody.”

 

What catches your eye when you watch film of Indiana?

 

“Well, they score a lot of points. And they’re really good on defense. … Just always been tough games. Two ties, two overtime games. 20-10 game here in 2016. … Kinda think the reason why, they’re good on offense. They attack really well down the field. They got backs that run hard. And they always have a good line. And defensively, they — we feel like we know what they do, and they are really good at covering up problems. Any kind of problem that they have, anything that the opponent’s doing to them, they have calls, they ahve ways to get that addressed. And that’s a big challenge. They do a great job.”

 

And then, I hate to bring this up, 1986, you guys — the game before the game. Is that a cliche when you get this late in the season, not to look ahead, maybe to the big game of the year, maybe this late in the year?

 

“Yeah, probably a good idea.”

 

You said you enjoy sitting in Ed Warinner’s meetings, learn a lot. What is it like being in Don Brown’s — do you sit in Don Brown’s meetings? What is that like?

 

(Covers his ears) “My ears. Yeah, you don’t have to sit in on Don Brown’s meetings to know what’s going on in Don Brown’s meetings. Just have to be within 50 or 75 feet. He brings the enthusiasm and energy every single day. Paint peeling off the walls, gotta repaint it every couple weeks.”

 

Do you learn from it?

 

“Oh yeah. Learn so much from Don. He’s — we talk about, Indiana does a great job making adjustments and they have calls, fixing things. Don’s the best I’ve ever seen, of any coach, either side of the ball, or special teams. He can be standing on the field, know what happened, how a play hurt our defense, had a gain and then fix it with a call. Know exactly what needs to be fixed and have it without needing to be in the press box or look at the game film. … Just in-game, not even have to chalk it on the sideline, he’ll eb able to have a call already ready to fix the issue. We got hit with one against Rutgers. Fine play. They faked the reverse, and then the way we were handling the motion in the secondary, gave up a gap. Chase’s responsibility, changed the responsibility to the two safeties and they ran the same play at least once more. And the quarterback — or, it was the back, ended up having to eat it for a no-yard gain. He’s the best.”

 

Can I ask about Tarik (Black), is he full-go? I don’t think he got in on Saturday

 

“Yeah, he got in on Saturday, yeah. Progressing good. He’s just fully engaged with the trainers, with him. The things that he can do, we’re gonna have him do. Progressing more. Some certain types of routes we’re just saying, ‘Ok, maybe that’s not as good.’ Puts more pressure on that outside part of his foot. But it’s — he’s gotten more confident with it. Coach has done a really good job with him. The doctors and the trainers, to be able to get him out there without taking unacceptable risks.”

 

Do you expect Aubrey and Kwity to practice?

 

“Yeah, I just said, I think Aubrey’s — I did tell you — Aubrey was sick. It’s cold and flu season.”

 

Yeah, it is

 

“Get your flu shots.”

 

(Crosstalk)

 

“Doctor Chengelis?”

 

I just don’t like them

 

What about Kwity Paye?

 

“He should be good. He got hit in the funny bone. Had never been hit in the funny bone before. Scary the first time that happens.”