Q. This time last year you guys were averaging 134 yards a game rushing, now you're last. You made one change in the offensive line, of course at running back. Why has it been such a significant drop-off?
TIM KELLY: I think there are a number of factors that are going into it. Obviously with the success that we're having throwing the ball, we're structured a little bit differently, personnel-wise as far as that's concerned. Some of the ways the games have played out really haven't led to us being able to stick to the run.
Yeah, we've got to do a better job schematically of putting our guys in spots to go out there and have more success in the run game.
It's a number of factors. We've obviously shown the ability to run the ball at times. You look at the Jacksonville game, we were able to close out the game in a four-minute drive by running the football. We had some success doing it early on against Kansas City.
We need to be continue to be more consistent in that area. That's what we're spending a lot of time this week trying to figure out and trying to figure out the best way to continue to do that for the upcoming games.
Q. How much do you worry if you can't run it more, then teams will tee off?
TIM KELLY: Yeah, obviously that's a concern. We want to make sure we're balanced. The more that the defense has to defend obviously is going to help us be successful. Obviously that's a concern.
But our guys are doing a good job pass protecting. You look at some of the sacks that have come up, we got sacked on a screen last week. You know what I mean, it's not like as people say, the horns are coming over the wall.
We've just got to continue to do a good job of grinding it out, and as a coaching staff over the next couple days, figuring out what we have to do, what schemes we need to run in order to get the success we want in the running game.
Q. The offensive tackles, from the way they played. Laremy Tunsil has graded out behind all of the analytics. And Tytus Howard, now that he's healthier, what have you seen from him the past few weeks, knocking guys down, finishing blocks, run game, where he is right now?
TIM KELLY: Both of those guys have continued to get better each and every game. Laremy has played on a high level. We've talked about that the last couple weeks. He's been out there consistent, playing hard, finishing blocks, doing a really good job protecting D, his blindside.
Tytus, like you said, as he continues to become more healthy and more comfortable, you really notice his level of play improve also.
Hopefully we're able to keep those two on that track and playing at a high level.
Q. With David Johnson, he's had most of his success running outside. What is happening when you try to run up the middle, whether him or Duke? How would you evaluate his play so far?
TIM KELLY: Yeah, first of all, he's done everything we've asked him to do. He's done a good job coming in and learning the scheme. He made big plays in the passing game. Had a big 16-yard reception last week to put us, I believe, at the two yard line. Good in the two-minute drill. He's been able to show his versatility.
He's had some success running on the outside. You look at the 13-yard run, I think it was. That was power that was designed inside run that he did a good job seeing it, puncturing the defense and getting north and south.
In every area, like we talked about, as far as the inside runs, up front, with the quarterback, with the Mike points; the running backs, with seeing it, being physical, we all need to do a better job, myself included, of getting the running game going.
Q. What are your thoughts about your usage of tight ends? Use them more going forward?
TIM KELLY: Yeah, we've got a unique deal here with the amount of wide receivers we have, the amount of speed that we have with those guys. Sometimes we're going to want to get one tight end on the field or two tight ends on the field. Maybe sometimes we'll want four wide receivers on the field.
Having all these different skill position players is a good thing because it allows us to be multiple in our personnel groupings, try to get different people in different places in order to put us in advantageous situations.
We're going to continue to move our tight ends around and use them in ways that they're going to be successful and are going to help us score points.
Q. Earlier you mentioned David (indiscernible). What has been the challenge to get him and Duke more consistently involved in the game this season?
TIM KELLY: Yeah, I think when you have multiple people that are out there winning routes, like I said, you look at our wide receiver position, some of the success our tight ends have had, sometimes where they're at in the read doesn't necessarily -- he doesn't have to get all the way through the progression because someone is winning before that.
They're doing a good job, like we talked about that one play, the certain plays that are designed to go to them. They're winning on their routes. We just got to continue to find ways to get them open and get the ball in their hands in space.
Again, Duke on his 30-yard reception, did a great job finishing the run. Deshaun had an interesting block that play which was different. But he is electric with the ball in his hands. He with just got to continue to find ways to get the ball to him and David, let them do what they do best in space.
Q. How much does it hurt you not being able to run the ball better in the red zone, specifically when you get in close?
TIM KELLY: Yes, obviously there are times, especially like you look back at the Minnesota game, where you want to be able to punch that one in. That's something that, again, as a staff we're looking to improve upon, looking for different ways to do it, not get lined up in similar formations and bang our head against the wall.
We're looking at different ways schematically where we can improve in that area, take advantage of their skill sets, where we are not just one-dimensional when we get down there.
Q. Obviously the passing game is what you got going best right now. What is Watson doing the best that you like? What does he need to improve on?
TIM KELLY: He's doing a good job of really taking care of the football, especially the past couple weeks. He's doing a really good job of making good decisions. For the most part getting through his reads, finding the open receiver.
Again, a lot of credit goes to, obviously, Deshaun for doing that, but a lot of credit goes to the wide receivers because they're running good routes and multiple people are winning and multiple people are getting open.
As far as things we want to improve upon, we just got to continue to work with D on being consistent, sticking to the reads, and we're a good job for all 60 minutes. He does some really great things. Our goal is any time he takes the field to do that for the entirety of the game. He's been close. He's playing at a high level. But my expectation for him is that he's able to take that next step. I feel being able to do that is what is going to get him there.
Q. What has gone into preventing Keke Coutee to get on the field and contribute for you guys?
TIM KELLY: Obviously it's a numbers game, right? You can only have a certain amount of people on the field at a certain time, a certain amount of people active.
With how we're structured, it's difficult to carry that many receivers. The other thing is Randall is playing at a high level. Randall is doing a good job winning. You saw that the other day. What did he have, almost 90 yards, something along those linings?
He's being productive, getting open when Deshaun needs him to get open. They're starting to build a relationship.
Nothing that Keke has done or is not doing, just kind of a numbers game at this point in time.
Q. You made a change where Max Scharping was replaced by Senio Kelemete. What have you seen from Senio so far? What is your opinion on all three interior guys the way you're structured right now, with Zach, Nick and Senio, the way they're playing? Not a lot of push up the middle. In terms of getting more push, being able to run more effectively up the middle.
TIM KELLY: Yeah, I think when you're asking me to talk about basically the skill set and how they're playing, I think everybody on the offense can play better. If we were sitting here at 6-1, I'd give you the same answer.
Those guys, they're in there, they're battling. They're working on getting double-teams. They're grinding through it. Senio has done a good job coming in and really working well with LT in terms of the pass protection in some of the games, things along those lines.
We're going to look for those guys to get healed up, get rejuvenated overhead this week, come back and improve on the areas that we're going to ask them to improve upon. They come in every week, they bust their tails, try to play hard, physical. In that area we're pleased with that. We just need to make sure we're doing a good job of getting better results.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Tim.
TIM KELLY: Thank you. You guys have a good day.
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