THE MODERATOR: We'll start with questions.
Q. I know the bye week is an opportunity to self-scout. What area of the game do you start with?
PETE CARROLL: Everything. Where we start? You got me.
We have to look at everything. This is our chance to do that. This is a full week of evaluations. This is a great time for us. To be where we are and have a chance to look back and fix things and get better and all of that, as well as get healthier, this is a great time for us.
Q. Demontre Moore, how does he get on special teams?
PETE CARROLL: It's a good story. I think if I have this right, he was drafted by the Giants when Larry Izzo was there. Izz was part of special teams there. He used to cover kicks for them way back when.
When we first got Demontre coming back in, he said, This guy can cover kickoffs now.
Come on, no, he's too big. He can't do that.
No, wait till you see him.
Demontre has a motor, really a great-effort player. That lends to it. He's going to be going as fast as he can go all the way down the field. Sure enough, he hit one up on the hit he made. Sidelines were 10 feet off the ground for that moment right there. That culminated the surge we had in the game that was just thrilling. It was a blast. It was my favorite play of the game by far.
Q. How do you practice sudden change moments? You have been really good when you get takeaways at scoring pretty quickly. If you're able to replicate that at all in practice, on both sides?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, I don't remember ever really talking about this. We do practice sudden change. We do our move-the-ball periods in camp about half the time - maybe not quite half the time - but maybe four out of the 10 times we do it, we're going to do sudden change, it's a sudden change kind of scrimmage. We do it just to practice the routine of it.
There is a real routine to get your mind together on both sides of the ball when you take the field that we have always found has made us better at it. We've always been pretty good at this stuff, pretty effective.
I think it comes from having a routine to it. Everybody comes off the bench, when they get to the field, they've been connected in the moment, the opportunity, the situation, what's there, what just happened, all that.
A lot of times guys are drinking Gatorade over there, they're talking about the game. All of a sudden, bang, something happens. We want to get them all reconnected. We've been doing that and practicing that for a long time.
That was a good question, man.
Q. What is your message to the players this week about how to handle this week, given everything that's going on in the world?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, we have to be so, so tuned in. Remember, always protect the team is number one. This is what this week is about. That rule is all about conscience, staying connected to team, your players, who you represent, all that.
Everything is at stake. I mean, why it's such a big deal is that we're out of our normal routine. We can't practice this one. This is the first time. We just got to do it. I love practice, being prepared, having the mentality for it.
This has just got to carry over from all the time we've had. Our guys will test every day in the morning. They'll stay at least connected in that manner. I'm kind of hoping that our guys will work out and be around the facility, do their thing in a fashion so that it's somewhat normal because we're entering a new week. Their routines, they're starting over.
I'm concerned about guys making errors, the error in their ways. They run into the wrong people, go to the wrong place, they get themselves vulnerable. We change the bubble effect of what we've been creating here, working so hard to keep.
It's all about conscience. We'll do everything we can to remind them. The players are going to work at it amongst themselves, all that, with real direction. Real crucial. Hopefully we'll be able to pull it off.
Q. You mentioned Demontre Moore just a second ago. He and Benson are two guys that were in your program in the past, have come back. What kind of growth have you seen in them from the time that they were away? What has enabled them to come up big for you guys in big moments?
PETE CARROLL: Two totally different kind of relationships with our program. We brought Benson out of Idaho way back when. He was just a raw kid, all that. Gained so much from his experience of playing in the league. He's just a really smart football player, game awareness, scheme awareness, just personal awareness about presenting his best, preparing every day.
He's just grown up. He's really grateful coming back, which is always fun. He's really happy to be part of it. It's been a great connection again.
With Demontre, he was just here a short time. He was in and out of here. He'd been in a lot of programs. He's really had some run-ins over the years that haven't worked out, been through a lot of places. I say that because when he came back to us, he made a real statement about how important it was to him now to put his best foot forward. He's got a family that he's protecting, baby that he's taking care of. His perspective has changed.
I hope he can hold onto it because he's a guy that loves to play this game. That part of it. You couldn't hide whether he was 10 years old or 25 or 30 years old. Always going to be that kind of person. Just loves to play. Great energy, juice, motor, all that. That's still there, but he has a different outlook. I hope he can continue to make the good decisions to keep himself available for the opportunities. He's a fun guy to have on your team. I like the heck out of the guy.
Q. You already mentioned Demontre Moore's hit on coverage. Your thoughts of special teams overall, Dickson punting, David had the catch on the punt return.
PETE CARROLL: Was that David Moore or Hugo? It was David?
Q. Talking about the punt return where he's back pedaling.
PETE CARROLL: On the return, yeah.
Special teams has been just lights out. We have been so clean and so, so disciplined. Execution has been terrific. The kicks, the guys have been almost perfect, both guys, Jason and Mikey. The balls Mikey is dropping on them, he had almost a perfect game punting the football last night. We didn't always take advantage of the field position he gave us, but those two guys, as you said, David had a nice play on return.
We're not getting many kickoff returns. The ball is getting kicked deep so much. The whole function of all of it is just great. Hopefully we can keep it going. No penalties for five weeks, I don't think we've ever gone a streak like that. Maybe we have, but I don't think so.
That's attention to detail, really good leadership. Larry Izzo is doing a great job with those guys.
Q. You've talked a couple times so far this year about how pleased you are with the progress of L.J. Collier. The stats haven't been there the first four games. First sack last night, almost a second one. Do you think the light switch has come on for him here the last few weeks?
PETE CARROLL: I think he's been on since we've been back. He's just been a different guy. He's been the best of him. He's been in great shape. He's mentally right. His effort has been excellent. Technique-wise he keeps getting better. I think that's what you're seeing. His experiences are starting to show. He's just more precise with how he's making his plays.
I think he's going to have a great season for us. He's already been real effective. He's had to play a lot. Hasn't had the rotation because Rasheem hasn't been in there. He's had to play more than we would have liked.
There's a an advantage for these guys to be rotating up front. You are keeping them fresh, they're a little bit quicker, a little hotter on their rushes and play. He has not had the benefit of that as much as we'd like.
I think he's doing great. We're really excited. Really thrilled that he has a chance to contribute. We're counting on him.
Q. DK has been unbelievable throughout the time he's been with you guys. There's already talks about him being one of the best in the league, comparison with some Hall of Famers. How do you make sure you keep him focused, not let that get to a young player?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, there's a lot going with this. A lot more than just trying hard, playing good, making some plays and all that. There is expectations and pressure, outside influences, all kinds of stuff that DK is dealing with and has to deal with. He has to find his way to balance all that out and sort it out.
We've been through kind of the ascent of players that get a lot of attention, a lot of acclaim and all that. There's some real lessons that I know I've learned, that I can help him with as he's going through it.
There's a big balancing and juggling type of act going on here with all the stuff that can happen around him. He needs to stay focused and really clear on what's important to him, and that's preparing every week to go play like that.
He's got a great one in Russell as a mentor. He and Russ get along incredibly. Their rapport is not just on the field, it's off the field as they prepare, too.
All of that has to take place. Everybody is going to have their ups and downs. DK hasn't played perfectly. He's made his mistakes, missed some balls that he could have caught. It's still out there for him.
What people are noticing, you can't help but notice his presence, his physical presence when you play against him. It's so obvious. He's so fast and so strong, so tough. Again, he's getting after guys when he's blocking them. All of that goes together with his game. We need to find a consistency. He'll have to find the rhythm of what that all takes as he's learning.
He hasn't had enough success to know that yet. He's still working. But he's available to learn it. He's really bright and he cares so much. I wish everybody knew him like we know him. He's a beautiful kid. Really exciting to watch.
Q. You mentioned the bye week has a lot of things that helps you. When you're 5-0 for the first time in franchise history, great momentum, how do you keep that going throughout the bye week?
PETE CARROLL: One day at a time. Really, one day at a time. It's one day at a time, one step at a time when you get down to it, one moment at a time. It's the ability to be disciplined, hold to the present, that will allow us.
We get caught up in everything else, stuff on the outside, all the hype. These guys are going to hear a bunch of hype all week long, this and that. We'll address that in the meetings today. They have to handle it properly.
Somebody said one day that hype is kind of like poison: you drink too much of it, you get sick. We just got to stay within ourselves and keep taking it one step at a time, one championship opportunity at a time.
Q. I wanted to ask about the guys that could be coming back after the break. Rashaad Penny, Darrell Taylor, Colby Parkinson, D.J. Reed. How are those guys right now? Also Phillip Dorsett, and Rasheem.
PETE CARROLL: Every one of our guys is on his own schedule in the return. It's not like, Okay, these six guys are ready to go. Not like that.
I checked before I came down today to make sure if there's any updates. We really don't have any updates on those guys. It's two weeks away for some guys. We'll just have to use all the time. I know everybody would like to have, this guy is coming back, that guy is coming bark, all that. I don't know that. The trainers don't know it yet.
The workload is how do they handle it. This week will be a very vigorous week for a bunch of guys in those settings. That will mark the tipoff to the game week, then we'll see how that goes. We just have to wait and see.
But we're going to get stronger. We know that. We're going to get some real comebacks coming to us. We know that. When is the question. That I can't answer.
Q. How much are you considering hiring back Dan Quinn?
PETE CARROLL: Can we give Dan a chance to just try to reel with it? I haven't talked with Danny yet. We don't know. We love Dan, all that. I'll have to see what's happening in his world. I'm not even thinking about anything like that right now. This is about him getting reset and balanced. It's an enormous undertaking to get let go in a program like that, the profile of all of that.
I'm going to try to support him, help him any way I can.
Q. Anthony Rush got injured last night. Do you have an update on him, and were there any other injuries coming out of the game?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, his knee swelled up in the game. He had to get some fluid taken off his knee. I don't know what that's going to mean. He was unavailable and only played 11 plays I think last night. Really we had no major injuries that came out of the game. We had some cramping and some different situations and stuff that occurred. Nothing major.
Q. Not many teams have run for 200 yards against you guys in the past decade. What was Minnesota able to have success with last night?
PETE CARROLL: They were good, man. They were good. What they had success with was 13-0. They were ahead of us. They're a running team. They want to run the football. They don't want to have to rely on the throwing game. That's the way Coach Zimmer does it. They got everything they needed. They played great in the first half. They had a perfect game going for themselves.
Russell is sitting on the bench. Offense can't get out there. They're staying on the field, getting to run the ball. This is the game that they wanted to play. They had their way for a half. Fortunately we turned it over, got the thing switched. We weren't ahead by much for very long.
They could stay with the running game. They had developed a rhythm to it. They were effective. That's not going to happen very many times against us, but it did this night.
I was really impressed with their line of scrimmage. Where they had some trouble pass throwing it was they didn't have any trouble coming off the ball running it. We just need to play better.
It's how these games go. Played into their hands. I think in their other four games, they haven't had more than 60 plays, 62 or something plays. They've not been in games like this where they could utilize the run game. You could see the run game, the availability of it. He's leading the league in rushing. But they weren't leading the league in rushing as a team. You could see the expertise. They got to use it. It played right into their strength. That was unfortunate.
Q. I know you like the fact that your defense comes up with timely plays, fourth-down stops when you need them. Do you think you'll get to a point for some more punts, getting off the field before needing to make those plays?
PETE CARROLL: We had our best night on third down. We were 40 something, moving the right direction. The turnovers were huge for us. But really the third-down stops are really where we have to continue to work on.
Points are down the last couple weeks. I know it's not a major difference. Where transitioning. We are changing right now. It's good. I thought Quinton Dunbar played terrific last night. Great to see him back out there. He's a player that's going to help us. I think when Jamal gets back out there, we know how impacting he's been.
We've got a lot of improvement that's going to happen. I think as I said earlier, Jen kind of set the stage, I don't really care what happens, it don't matter. We can't do anything about those five games that already happened, the yards or the plays or nothing. But we do have the ability to do something about what's coming up.
For us to kick into a whole better level of our performance in all aspects of our game when we have a good start behind us, it can make us real dangerous going down the schedule. But we got to improve. We got to get better.
Like a lot of times have gone through a lot of injuries, we have too. We've had a lot of changes we have to deal with. We need to overcome those, come out of those, be better for it. I'm hoping we can get that done.
Q. Second possession of the third quarter you finally had a breakthrough with a four-play drive. What went into that drive that was different from the first half?
PETE CARROLL: Well, just the real obvious ones. We didn't hurt ourselves. We didn't fall behind the sticks. We had big minus yardage plays in the first half. You couldn't even evaluate us. Like I said, third-and-22, third-and-16, third-and-24. You can't play football like that and expect to do anything. It was like throw that one out and we'll start over again, unfortunately.
It wasn't because of our third-down play, it was because of first and second down. We never did convert a third down in the game. We were explosive. We were just on the move. The first drive of the second half we ran the ball a few times, tried to get something going there. Weren't able to make the first down. From there on it was really couldn't stop us. That's kind of how we've been playing all season. It was good to get back to the rhythm of it.
Q. Did you and Shotty talk about particular plays for that drive?
PETE CARROLL: Not the particular plays, no. Other stuff, but you didn't ask it right so I don't have to answer it that way (laughter).
Q. What other stuff did you talk about?
PETE CARROLL: I can't tell you (smiling).
We talked about we just need to go. That meant make sure that Russ is in the middle of everything. Not being able to make a first down the first drive, Russ never got a chance to get started. Some of his own doing. He got sacked a couple times. He never got going until the second drive of the third quarter, as you noted. From then on it was kind of lights out.
Q. What is are your thoughts on the job that Brian Schottenheimer has done?
PETE CARROLL: I think he's been on fire. I think he's done a great job. The changes that we made in the off-season and the adjustments and the work that we put forth in the Zoom season was obviously remarkably effective. I think you've seen, this is the culmination of three years of work to get to this point with h e and Russ and the coaches and all that. They're just functioning at a really high level.
Even when we get shut down, we don't do anything in the first half, we can rip and put points on the board. It's really important for everybody to know that we can score 21 points in two minutes. We're going to need that again likely down the road. That belief, the truth.
I think Shotty is right in the middle of all of that. He and Russ... Russ is playing fabulous football, so that means there's some fabulous coaching going on, too. Russ knows he has his guys around him. Offensive line is just better than we've been, more consistent than we've been. I don't even care about any of the numbers that came out of this game. We're just better.
Look at the connection that he has, that they've developed, benefit the receivers. New with Greg Olsen, new again with DK. That's the result of really good work by Shotty leading the whole thing.
Q. In terms of Brian being up in the box, in your previous head coaching stops what did the coordinator do in terms of where he was? What does that mean? Change anything for you in terms of your communication with that person?
PETE CARROLL: Not really, no. Not really. Nothing that's noticeable. You get to look a guy in the eyes, you can communicate better when you go face-to-face. No, it's only been better. It's enhanced every aspect of what we're doing. It was a good move.
Q. Back to the third down, 0-7, what is the teachable moment there on the offensive side?
PETE CARROLL: Stay out of third-and-20s really (laughter).
That comes from the plays that happened preceding. It's all connected. We're not doing very well earlier, getting knocked down, in the minus yardage situations, negative plays. Got to stay out of those.
Again, we did really well penalty-wise. Three penalties in the game is fantastic. It wasn't that. It was just some execution issues that we got caught. Good play by them. Sometimes that happens. You hopefully have a chance to overcome it, like we did.
Q. What did you see out of Snacks Harrison last week? What can you get out of him going forward?
PETE CARROLL: We really didn't get a lot done because of the setup for the week, the practice. We were in walk-through mode on Wednesday. We didn't put our pads on at all last week, just in helmets. We really didn't get a great look at him.
He's got some work to do. He's a big man. He's got to get in shape before we can see him at his best.
Q. Jonathan Bullard played about 20 snaps for you last night. How did he fare?
PETE CARROLL: It's remarkable that he was able to play that much. He came in on Wednesday. It's a statement about his background and his knowledge of the game and all that. I don't think he made any big errors at all scheme-wise.
His communication with Clint because of their history showed up. He did a nice job for the first time out. I don't know how you can expect much more of a guy coming off somebody else's practice squad. Really happy for him. Bodes well for him getting into rotations for the future.
20 plays, that's a good contribution in your first game, for sure.
See ya next week.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports