PETE CARROLL: It's great for us to get back in action. The week off was -- it worked out terrific for us. We're fresh and ready to go. This is as fresh as we're going to get in the middle of the season. So we're going to try to take advantage by putting together a really good day today and have a great day's work and go to the next one and take them one day at a time, getting ready for a terrific matchup.
The Cardinals couldn't have done more to catch your attention than what they did Monday night. They looked great. They're red hot and explosive and fired up and all of that. We'd better get our game right to have a chance.
You can't watch this team without watching Kyler Murray and seeing his effect on the game. He's a game changer. Athleticism, poise, play making ability, and all of that. They've got guys around him. Kenyan Drake is an explosive football player, as we saw again on Monday night. Remember all the things he's done in the past. Receivers are terrific. It's a really good team to be dealing with. It happens to be division time for us.
We want to play it just like it's a championship game like we do every week and go for it and do everything we can to get a great win. I don't know about you. I'm all fired up about it and can't wait to get to practice today.
Q. Speaking of being everywhere, Buddha Baker has been great. Talk about his development a little bit, and how close was he to becoming a sea hawk possibly?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, we really liked him. We saw him grow up here. He was just such a natural, instinctive football player. It just was clear that the size factor that might have deterred some people was just not the consideration. He's just too good. He has become a fantastic factor. We have to know where he is and make sure that we're aware of him because he's making plays everywhere.
Q. Pete, Jordan Simmons has gotten a lot of run for you guys the first five games at both guard spots, started against the Vikings. Looks like he's really found his niche as that swing guard for you. Considering all the injuries he's had dating back to college, what does it say about his character to keep coming back time and time again and playing at a high level for you?
PETE CARROLL: I have been aware. He hasn't had a chance to just really enjoy playing the game and been out there and keep coming back and growing with the game. Think how far he's come with the limited amount of background play. It's because he's a really talented kid and plays really hard and tough and huge and all of that.
It's wonderful to see him out there. He does give us flexibility. He's a run blocker and a pass protector. He's a monster of a size guy to keep the guys away from Russell. So really excited that he's been playing so well. We have no problem. He plays like a starter for us, and that's a real bonus for us.
Q. Coach, we saw that you signed Mychal Kendricks to the practice squad. What do you hope he brings to the mix?
PETE CARROLL: Mychal is a really good ballplayer. We thought he did great stuff for us in the past, had a huge injury. He's done a marvelous job of returning. Right now this is the first day that he's practiced since he got hurt, so we're going to take it slow and see that Mike gets enough time to get going again, and we'll see where it fits in. He's versatile. He's going to start at his best spot and get in and see what he does there, knowing that he can play the same spot.
We used him all over the place when he was here the last couple of years, so we're really excited to get him back. We're thrilled that Mike will take this time to get himself football shape. He's a well conditioned kid, and he's strong as hell. So it's none of that stuff. He just needs to get football-wise ready, and I'm happy that he's here. I really like Mike, and I'm glad that he's with us.
Q. Pete, this game kicks off a stretch of four division games in the next five weeks. You haven't played anybody in the division yet, but how good does the NFC West look, and how tough is it going to be for whichever team emerges?
PETE CARROLL: I think this is as tough as it gets. I don't know that anybody's got to play a row of teams like this. A month from now, we'll have a pretty good feel for how everything's fitting. It's exciting to see the division come back around like this. We've seen it go kind of up and down over the years, and it always seems to keep coming back strong, and we're strong again. Everybody can play football.
There's injury factors have entered into some of the play of the teams, and everybody kind of finds their way and gets back to balance, it's a really difficult schedule for us. So we'll take them one week at a time, and we're going to play every one like it's the only game in the world and go for it. That's what we're doing this week.
Q. Pete, just about 30 minutes ago, Adam Schefter reported that the Seattle Seahawks are in a position to push to sign Antonio Brown after his reinstatement in week 8. Just curious if you can comment on that and your potential interest in Antonio.
PETE CARROLL: We have endeavored to be in on everything that's going on, and John has done a marvelous job of always being tuned in to what's happening, and this is no exception. We'll see what happens as we go forward. But we're tuned in to what's happening there.
Q. With a player like that, how much digging do you have to do into his troubles both on the field and with teams and to what has happened off the field?
PETE CARROLL: We're nowhere there right now. Let's wait and see what happens and all that. We do all of the homework we can think of doing. We will never think that we can leave a stone unturned. That's how we approach everything. So we'll continue to do that here.
Q. Pete, how much is that decision to pursue brown related to Josh Gordon's situation and whether you're going to get him back or not?
PETE CARROLL: Well, you know, all I could tell you is that we're doing -- we're in on everything. We know about Josh's situation as well, and we take them as they come kind of, and hopefully we're really well prepared to make the right choices and figure out how it fits ask all that kind of stuff. Those situations are not connected. They're handled independently.
Q. Fans see the name Antonio Brown, and of course, they go crazy and the possibilities of that. Can you at least handicap how realistic this possibility is, or is this just an agent floating something out there for getting leverage and interest?
PETE CARROLL: Okay. I don't want to answer either end of that, the way you presented that question (laughter). This is what happens. This is a high profile football player, and he's had a tremendous history and all of that. So the fact that it's really -- everybody's curious about it, it makes sense. I don't think I answered either one of those. Next.
Q. Pete, what's the plan for this week with Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks?
PETE CARROLL: They're on their own plans. Jordyn is at practice, will be at practice today, and Jamal we'll hold out. We'll need more information there. Each one of these are just one day at a time, see what happens, and then see what happens the next day on how guys return. We won't really know anything until later in the week.
Q. What more information are you seeking regarding Jamal's injury?
PETE CARROLL: Whether he's full speed or not.
Q. Hey, Pete, just wanted to ask is there any correlation with this Mychal Kendricks move into how Jordyn Brooks is playing now or how Cody Barton has been playing?
PETE CARROLL: No, right now it's just getting good football players that are available and give them a chance to compete. It's a long season. So much stuff happens, and we need all the help we can get to endure. Mychal's been a really good ballplayer. The fact that he's played all over the place, he's experienced and all that, we're fortunate to get him on the practice squad right now. He's still a free agent and all that, but he's -- he's on his road to recovery right now, coming back in, proving that he can do it.
But the side of it -- let me say this too, Jordyn coming back this week and that's what happens and he can play in the game, that makes us happy now. We're excited to get that guy out there. Love to see him play some more and just get some action and just get comfortable with our play. Cody's done a nice job filling in with the will spot. So this is a competitive situation, and we'll just let it play itself out.
Q. Going back to Kyler Murray, how has he developed in his second year here in the league, and just what challenges does he present with his mobility?
PETE CARROLL: He really presents the ultimate challenges. There's only a couple guys like him that play -- because of the explosive speed that you see. This year, more than last year, he just looks more in command of the game. He's making really good choices to take advantage of his ability to run, and he's averaging 11 yards a scramble. That's really huge numbers. He's had some big plays with those opportunities.
And he's really smart about it. He does a really good job of not getting hit. You can barely lay a glove on the guy. So he's got great awareness of what he can do, what he can get away with, and all that. It's really difficult. He's a really difficult factor for their team as he continues to grow. He's doing really well in the red zone. That's a good indicator that a young quarterback is really coming on. So he's going to be difficult. He looked great Monday night.
Q. Hey, Pete, maybe just to get all these out of the way. On Josh Gordon, did you guys anticipate you would know something by now when you signed him, or is there any frustration with not knowing on that situation?
PETE CARROLL: We weren't sure, and we just had to kind of wait it out and wait for the information to come to us. We didn't have a timeline on it.
Q. And Philip Dorsett, is he any closer to returning? What's his situation?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, I'm getting really good reports from Phil. He's feeling good about his running. We're just trying to make sure and guarantee that, once he's back, he stays back. We don't want to rush that at all. Yesterday they say that was the best day he's had since he came to camp. He's getting closer. We're pretty excited about that.
Q. Pete, you talked a lot about Buddha Baker, how good he was. Back in the 2017 draft, were you close to taking him with your top pick?
PETE CARROLL: Really, I can't remember what that situation was in terms of Buddha, but we wanted him as a guy to be on our team. It wasn't necessarily about our pick. We might not have had a chance. I don't remember exactly the circumstances of who else was there at the time.
He's a great talent, and we would have loved to have had him on our team. We just weren't able to get it worked out.
Q. Just going back to Jackie's question, how rare is it to see a quarterback develop from year one to year two in terms of decision-making and just knowing -- yeah, and that presence of commanding the offense? Is there anyone you can equate that to besides 3 on your team?
PETE CARROLL: There's just a logical learning curve. That first experience can be such a blur to the guys that, when you come back, everything looks different. This is a really natural football player. I mean, he already has great feel for the game, and he understands his own ability well. I think he seems to be more bold this time around in taking off and making things happen.
It's a natural emergence and growth that happens. Russ is the best example because they have a similar style and impact in the way they play the game. So there's just so much to learn and so much to grow, but when you have that much natural ability, like Russ had, the decisions just kind of come to them, and they make things look easy kind of at times. They're just really special ball players -- the instincts, the savvy, the awareness, all that stuff.
I would really attribute a lot of that to his all around athletic ability, playing baseball and football and probably was a ridiculous point guard in high school and all that. I don't know if he played or not, but it's all of those skills it takes to have the awareness to make the decision that's they do and create the opportunities and the options that they find. So he's going to be a fantastic player for a long time. He's just getting going.
Q. Russ talks about his commitment to greatness, and given everything you said, can you kind of see that as well in Kyler? Because it has to be that commitment.
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, I don't know that. I don't know him well at all, so I don't know. I would just -- the big time decisions he's always made where he's chosen to go and play and put himself in position, not go baseball and go football, he's deep, deep, deep into competing. So I would think his commitment to it is a classic, if you will, commitment to being a great competitor. I can't imagine him not being that. I don't know that, but everything leans that way and looks that way.
Q. Pete, how have these conversations you've had with your team about voting differed from maybe 2012 or 2016?
PETE CARROLL: We're in a whole different ball game. I'm wearing shirts all the time and everything else when we're talking about stuff, gave an update on the national voting numbers today in the meeting. We just kept it topical. I think our country has taken a whole new step in this regard in awareness and all of that, which is a really positive move for all of us. People allowing themselves the power of making their vote is really a wonderful aspect of what our country and democracy is all about.
So I'm thrilled that we're involved with it, and I regret the fact that we weren't better talking about it before. We should have known. Why didn't I know then? But we know differently now. This is a really special time. Hopefully, all of the young kids, the ones that are turning voting age and those that are approaching it, will be part of this wave of focus and interest on what's so important in our country. So it's a really great time.
Q. Was there something personally for you that created a sense of urgency this time around versus those other election cycles when you were coaching the team?
PETE CARROLL: Yeah, I do think so. I think that I'm more socially aware than I've ever been. I've been more influenced, more clearly committed, and really respecting the role that I have and the opportunity I have to help other guys and influence the people around also to vote. We've been making commercials. We're doing everything we can think of to help out. It's just been an outpouring of awareness.
Honestly, I feel kind of bad that it wasn't more obvious before, but this is where it is now, and we need to cash in and make change. So to do that, we've all got to be the change, and that means we've got to act in accordance and speak on the topics and be willing to make a statement and all of that.
Q. Just to be clear, did Jamal suffer a setback?
PETE CARROLL: No.
Q. And then with Josh Gordon -- and I know I've asked you about it a ton -- but have you gotten a reason why this has taken so long? We've seen Aldon Smith and David Irving and other players get reinstated, but it's been complete radio silence with Josh. Even Antonio Brown it came out this is the length of his suspension, and you kind of knew what the timetable was. It's just seems real interesting that the NFL hasn't announced anything. I'm just curious if you've been told anything.
PETE CARROLL: No. Everybody is in their own cycle. Each one is considered independent of the others, and the decisions are made by the league. We really don't know, and we don't have contact to speak of here. We don't know any more than you do at this point. We're just waiting it out for word from the league unfortunately. So are you done asking those questions or keep going (laughter)? We can do it again, Joe. I just don't know that I have much for you on this topic. Don't mind you asking.
Q. Pete, have you or the club had any conversation with public health officials about admitting fans for the next home game?
PETE CARROLL: I don't know specifically about that, but I do know that we're listening and waiting for all of the information that comes in. We're just going along with whatever guidance tells us. We want to do the right thing.
This is a very difficult time right now. It's not like everything is getting great. It's a very difficult time, and I can see, if we don't make any move in that direction to change from where we are, I can totally see that and support that. They're not asking me. I'm in the ball, so I'm not really included.
But I do know that our guys are listening in part of the conversation they can be part of.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports