Q. DeMeco, what were you really hoping to see from the first team offense in particular, and how did you like what you saw?
DeMECO RYANS: Overall for this game and set out in the goal by playing the starters was just to see us go out and play real football. We haven't done that, I believe, in getting real reps in games. It means a lot for our guys to be able to go out and be able to do that. I just wanted our guys to go out and play efficient, play fast, and do the things we've been coaching the guys to do and execute.
You always want to see the offense have nice drives and finish with the score, and they did that. To see C.J. get out and get live reps, to see him and Nico and their connection, they're in a really good spot. Expect to see them continue that.
Just really, really proud of the offensive line again. I think this is the second week in a row now that they're just improving, they're getting better. They were able to run the football.
Again, Chubb did a really nice job playing physical, running behind his pads. Just like the way the whole team played a physical brand of football, the type of football I expect us to play, and I'm really proud of the guys for that.
Q. You answered the question I was going to ask about the run game. Can you talk about some of the young players, some of the rookies that you saw and how they did?
DeMECO RYANS: These games are invaluable for rookies, so for our young guys, Higgins, Noel, for them to get reps, try to keep them in an extended period of time just so they can get real reps, I think is important. I think those guys continued to improve.
I thought Woody definitely shined today. Talk about playing a physical brand of football, like Woody did that. Running through four defenders, three defenders at times, still falling forward. That's what I expect from our backs, and he did a really nice job of that.
Also with our backs, they've done a really nice job in pass protection, picking up the blitzes. I think Jawhar had one. We had a couple last week. We've done a really nice job picking up the blitzes in protection and giving our quarterback time to finish the down.
Q. You said earlier this week that some guys start to separate themselves on game day. Did you see that with some of the guys that are in competition areas?
DeMECO RYANS: All of our guys are improving. Some guys are separating themselves. We have a really competitive team. That's what I like about it. It's tough to make our team, and it's going to be tough decisions that we have to make when it comes down to the final 53. Again, I want to keep all these guys. These guys play hard. They're together. It's a tight team.
I really like where we are as a team. They don't make it easy. You see guys go out and play the way they played today, just really proud of the coaching staff and everybody for the effort and work that went into us just improving this week as a team.
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DeMECO RYANS: He knows what it takes to get himself prepared for games. Luke has done a nice job. As a rookie coming in, he plays, again, the right way. Tough, physical plays, great hands, great catch radius. He does a really nice job. Still, things can improve, but pleased with the tight ends and where we are now.
Still thoughts and prayers are with Brevin knowing what he's going through. It's a tough one, a tough injury to see for Brevin. He's always on our minds. We love Brevin. Praying he has a speedy recovery.
Q. You mentioned the offensive line. Can you talk about what it is you're seeing from them and what you want to see? Is it moving as a unit, communication? What is it you they're doing well and you want to see more of?
DeMECO RYANS: The thing I'm seeing from the offensive line is that they're playing together. That's the main thing. They're playing together. They're communicating well. They're picking up the pressures and stops really well. They're playing as one. They're resetting the line of scrimmage.
The physical play I talk about when we have a double-team, like to see the offensive line actually displace the defensive line and we're able to run the ball without having negative plays, like I'm seeing that consistently. There are not many mishaps on the offensive line.
So it's just consistent play, giving us a chance to get the play started and a chance to have productive plays because everything starts up front. When those guys are sound in what they're doing, they're playing together, they're playing smart ball, playing with great awareness. Now we have a chance to have productive plays.
Q. Didn't see a ton of him today, but what have you seen from Christian Kirk so far, and what do you hope he can do to improve this offense?
DeMECO RYANS: Christian Kirk has been outstanding, so happy to have him on our team. The way Christian shows up and works every day, it's such a great lesson for our young guys to watch a guy just do it day after day. Consistent, that's one thing. Chris is as consistent as ever. Makes some nice catches. Made some nice plays in practice against the Panthers this week, and always a reliable guy.
That's the thing that's important to me. I talk about building trust among teammates, coaching staff, everybody building trust, becoming a tight unit. Christian is that guy who's proven that you can trust him in any situation, whatever we ask him to do, he's a guy that we trust. And looking forward to him continuing to flourish on what we ask him to do on offense.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports