Q How do you assess a game (inaudible) where you've had multiple weeks doing really well?
CLINT HURTT: Well, you don't necessarily throw everything out. You grab the plays that need to be obviously corrected with the unit and you move on to the next one. Obviously it's a far outline for where we've been going and the direction the defense has been going. So you try to get on, make the corrections, move past it and get ready for the next opponent, obviously, with Washington.
Q Tackling seemed to be an issue as the game wore on a little bit. What do you point forward to that, why that would happen?
CLINT HURTT: Leveraging the football, guys trying to create takeaways going after the ball as opposed to going for the play on the ground, things like that, is where you can be better at. Most important thing, get the guy on the ground, go play again and just be timely and be smart when you're actually going for the ball when you have multiple players to the football.
Q [Inaudible] what was it about the way he played?
CLINT HURTT: Each game that's coming he's played in the last three he started to play faster and faster, more confidently. Want him to continue to take the steps in the right direction, being more physical at the point of contact, getting off blocks faster, continue to see his development. But he's definitely been showing up more.
Q The pass rush a little bit, [inaudible].
CLINT HURTT: Cross chop. Last year, did a lot of different things, was trying to find his place and get comfortable but just working his cross chop with his inside arm. And I don't want to get into the whole detail, but cross chop and the club is really what he's using. That's been his primary move and looking forward to seeing him mix his counters and things like that because he has that readily available when the time comes, but cross chop really has been his move today.
Q [Inaudible].
CLINT HURTT: Very similar, yes.
Q Against Cleveland, is that how --
CLINT HURTT: No, that one he took that was his counter side, that's how he got the sack on Cleveland, came back underneath on that one.
Q Same question defense-wise, regarding all the players and individual battles, how important is it to bounce back?
CLINT HURTT: Very important. Obviously you want to get back on track when you put the other one behind you, but guys, everyone collectively playing as a unit and, yes, whether you're winning playing the run game, guys strike blocks, winning one-on-one matchups, you get in a coverage situation, it's the same thing. Guys have to be sticking one-on-ones there and one-on-ones on pass rush. All collectively matching together, meshing together. We have to get back on track with that that for sure.
Q A young quarterback has a big arm but isn't afraid to take shots [inaudible].
CLINT HURTT: He's a competitive guy and plays with a lot of moxie, a lot of confidence, as he should. He's a talented kid, has talented players around him. Watching them play, you can see why players, teammates think a lot of him. He brings a lot to the game with his competitive nature, can make the throws, athletic guy, extend plays and get out of the pocket. He's done a nice job. We have a lot of respect for him.
Q What did you think of Leonard Williams and how it was coming together [inaudible].
CLINT HURTT: Really smart football player. Good communicator too. Obviously coming in, he adapted and jumped into things really, really well. The guys really got on with him good and was a good mesh. Usually the last thing that comes along is pass rush, and guys rushing off each other, guys getting a feel how guys rush one-on-one and "D" line games, that will continue to get better each day each week.
Q [Question about Jordan].
CLINT HURTT: He's always been an explosive guy in the blitz, just a violent rusher. In all aspects of his game he's gotten better.
Q You get a rusher out of college like a high route guy, they typically have a big repertoire [inaudible] do you have to define those in the NFL?
CLINT HURTT: Depends where they come from. There's a lot of guys, if they come from Ohio State, Larry Johnson has been one of the best "D" line coaches in the country. NFL or college football for decades -- generally you get an Ohio State guy there, they're well advanced when they come in and a couple other guys, obviously, coming from the college level.
But for the most part, a lot of those guys need some tutelage and some refining when they get in to really put the skills, the mastery with their hands and rush angles and things like that and understand the protections and when the slide is coming. To me where I can get an overset from the tackle or when the protection's away so I have a better chance to set up my counters for later in the game, all those things take time.
For a young kid, that's why you see the big jumps like Moffe [phonetic] got three sacks in a rookie year, this is all new and foreign, where this year very well into a double digit season. It doesn't always happen that fast, but the kid has a good work ethic and put the time in on his game.
Q Learn anything about Leonard Williams you didn't know?
CLINT HURTT: Yeah, a lot of things because they didn't know anything about him personally coming in or his knowledge in terms of, like, football understanding, but just understanding the fundamental part of him is really, really good. Pad, level, hands, especially for a guy that tall, plays with outstanding leverage, can understand the calls on the O line where he knows where certain plays are going.
And then obviously in the pass rush aspect of it, his ability to get on page with Jaron and Trey was really good early on. So he'll just continue to grow and come along with the group. He was impressive, did a lot of good things. He'll be even better going forward.
Q [Inaudible].
CLINT HURTT: The last few weeks, going into Baltimore, was improvement. Starting to go in the direction we wanted. Took a little step back with a lot of things obviously in that game, but it's coming along with the rush and obviously the coverage stuff and guys being on the same accord we'll continue to get better in that area.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports