Q. What did you see as the difference in the two halves last week to be able to finish drives in the second half compared to the first half?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, last week we a good job of creating explosives, still want to look for areas of improvement on 3rd down overall, and then I think just in the second half just keep playing football, keep playing football. I thought Geno and the rest of the offense did a great job of that, and then as the tide started to change towards the end and getting points on the last three drives obviously leading to the victory was important for us.
I thought it was great for our confidence and great for our offense moving forward.
Q. Do you ever notice Geno getting frustrated when things aren't going quite as smoothly?
SHANE WALDRON: I don't know if frustration is the right word. It's more the competitive nature of wanting to score every time you have the ball. That is the goal of the offense. But also knowing that we're playing against some great defenses around the league and it might not play out that way every single drive, so how do you harness that want-to and expectations of scoring every drive to also if it doesn't work out on a particular drive, get to the sideline, hit reset, learn from what happened on that drive, and then apply it to the next one moving forward.
Q. We've seen Jaxon Smith-Njigba really involved like in short passing game screens. What about his skill set is good for those kind of plays?
SHANE WALDRON: I thought he did a really good job, especially on the shallow cross he caught on the 3rd down of the game, of really being able to catch the ball, ground it, accelerating up the field, getting the yards after the catch, finishing strong at the end of the run.
And I think Jaxon has just done a great job of improving every single week, really getting a great handle on the offense, the time and the rhythm of the pass game and how he fits into that, and it's just showing up week to week now with his ability to let his skill set shine on the game day.
Q. Do you feel like you guys are feeling the screen game a little bit better at this point, too, with just kind of the way it's coming together? You've had some successful ones here the last few weeks.
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think as far as complementary football in terms of different offensive plays, I think having a screen game is always going to be something we're striving for. We've worked hard at it to improve it, and it has worked out the last few weeks, and then just depending on what defensive structure we're going against or what may present a positive look for a screen, just working on those and working on the execution.
But like the rest of our offense whether it's the run game, the pass game, play actions, keepers, having all those things at our deposal and being balanced an utilizing them at the right time I think is the most important thing and it's been nice to see a few screens hit over the last few weeks.
Q. The 25 combined carries, Walker and Charbonnet, is that sustainable? Is that a goal going forward?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think it was great to get that balance that both guys getting that you are touches. I think it's hard to put a goal on every single game because the games might play out a little different.
Even this past one where we felt like we were getting some runs going, you still have multiple two-minute type of drives within those games. Yeah, getting a good mix of those guys, they both bring a great skill set, both deserve touches, both deserve to get a chance to make plays within the game, so getting their guys involved like the rest of our offense, whether it's the wide receivers, tight ends, the more guys that we can get involved every single game feels like then we have a good balance and a good attacking mindset on offense.
Q. Have you ever gone back like 60 percent runs, 40 percent -- anything like that or do you just...
SHANE WALDRON: I think going with more an idea and knowing that, hey, in certain scenarios, whether it's 2st, 2nd down, having an idea of what we would like to be in that sense, in that game.
But each game that might change depending on the fronts or the defensive structures we're going against, and then as the game evolves, adapting and adjusting during the game, as well.
Q. I think it's fifth fewest carries in the league for you guys. Is that a problem?
SHANE WALDRON: I think it's a combination -- I think some of the games have gone that way where we've had some extended two-minute drives, especially looking back at the Baltimore game where we end up throwing heavy at the second half of that game.
But our goal is to get that number up and get to be a more balanced offense. I think for us overall each individual game has had its good and had its bad and we've had a couple of the games offensively this year where we've lived in the wrong extreme, playing catch-up.
Even looking at the second half of our game against the Rams week one where we had the three-and-outs and don't get enough runs. I think those run totals are really a product, like I mentioned before, 3rd downs of our execution throughout the four quarters of the game, and with our goal to be balanced, and in order to do that, we have to do a good job of holding our end of the bargain on offense and scoring consistently throughout the game.
Q. In that position, is there a certain amount of yardage number you need to get to 100 that you're comfortable with, because you had 99 last time? Is there a certain number?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think the 100 always sounds better just to get to that century mark, but even the distribution, how the game plays out, the number of carries, the time of possession, which, again, can go both ways in the time of possession world, because if you're scoring and you're explosive you might not possess the ball that game, but in a perfect world you do want to get over the 100 yards, you do want to get that time of possession up, you do want to have more carries.
But each individual game is going to play out, and I still think obviously the winning the game is going to take precedence over anything that happens. So whatever we need to do, week in and week out on offense, the main goal is to get the victory.
Q. When you look at this defense, of course you're going to look at Aaron Donald, but what about Byron Young because he's gotten in the backfield an awful lot this year? How is he doing that?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think he's done a great job. A lot of it obviously plays off of the focus that Aaron is able to get. So whether it's Young or Hoecht or all their other guys that are rushing the passer with their games that they present, doing a really good job knowing and respecting Aaron, but also respecting the other guys that are part of the rush package, including Byron there that have done a good job of getting home.
For us it's that focus, that commitment to our communication, how we're handling those different pass rushing situations, and then also, like I said, not getting out of line because you're so focused on one individual who obviously deserves the attention, has earned every single bit of respect that he's gained around the league.
Q. Going back to Jaxon, the first 3rd down play, you mentioned he stayed on his feet. It seems like the tendency is for receivers to jump. Is that a common coaching point?
SHANE WALDRON: The ability of different receivers, staying grounded, being able to play with your feet in the ground as much as possible is a great trait, and I think part of that is when your catch transition happens, are you able to catch the ball with one foot on the ground that leads to two, three, and now you're instantly transitioning.
And there's certain scenarios in traffic where guys might jump to protect themselves, but as many times as we can catching the ball grounded with that ability to instantly transition, it's really something that Jaxon has showed to be a unique skill set that he has.
Q. The second to last drive for you guys, the touchdown drive, we saw four catches for Lockett, including the touchdown, the game winner in Detroit. Seems like so often a big 3rd down late game it's Tyler Lockett. What is it about his game that he's been in those situations?
SHANE WALDRON: I think the first is Geno's unique trust in Tyler. It seems to me in a lot of those clutch situations, his ability to just win, to figure out a way, whether it's a sideline catch where you know his feet are inbounds, even if everyone around the stadium is kind of wondering, it's hey, he's always in.
That's the starting point.
I think that confidence that Geno has in Tyler through the hard work and through the resume that he's able to put out there I think gives everyone the confidence that he's going to come through in those most crucial situations.
Q. Geno said when you guys are assessing the offense and 3rd down in particular you guys are process over results. Why is it important to look at that?
SHANE WALDRON: Because for us every 3rd down there's not just one over umbrella policy on 3rd downs. This is what it is. Every 3rd down play is such an individual entity. There's 11 guys that are committed to that play and breakdown might occur here or there, one play that's totally different from the next play right there.
So I think making sure that our process is right, starting with our communication up front, starting with our protection plan, and then to the route depths, the route timing, to Geno's decision making, to Geno's processing what he's going through.
I think in my mind because a few of the 3rd downs you might luck out on something. It might be, hey, something flashed or something that happened and you maybe got away with a throw and you're happy about that.
Obviously you want to convert and keep going, keep the drive alive, but the process would say, hey, that was a risky throw. That's not really where the read would have taken you. Let's go ahead and look through it for the next time.
There could also be a similar 3rd down where you go through everything perfectly and the ball might get tipped at the line of scrimmage or something went wrong right there.
So to me that's the process over the results of those, and if we're doing it the right way over the long stretch of the season, we'll be happier with the outcome than if we're just using hope as a method just because something worked out nice maybe out of the clear blue sky.
Q. Do you and Geno have time to go over stuff like that in the game or do you do that afterwards?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think that's one thing that Coach Olsen and Coach Joseph do a great job and then I'll jump in there, too, in between getting the next drive ready, is recapping the previous drive.
You can't go back and change the plays, but you can instantly learn from them, especially those 3rd down plays where you're going through the surface right there and talking about the detail, what happened, why did it happen, good, clear communication, and then be able to move on to the next series.
Q. What have you thought of the process on you guys' 3rd down...
SHANE WALDRON: I think the process has been there. I think the guys are bought in. Everything is where we want it to be.
And I think for us, it's living in the -- some games we've had really positive results on 3rd down. Other games it's dipped a little bit. I think for us, just making sure that are we on the details, and we talked about that two weeks ago coming back and the basics of everything that we're doing. I think just keeping harping on that, no different than the screen game, no different than the red zone, 1st and 2nd down I think if we're good on the details and the fundamentals, then the results will come.
Q. Brett Rypien was saying when he was with the Rams was really impressed him about McVay is how well he knew defenses and new defensive responsibilities, where this guy might go in this formation. How much did you learn from him?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think it's a big part of what Sean has been able to do. I go back, different experiences, different stops in coaching where you're able to really learn the other side of the ball. I think it's important as an offense for now, and as an offensive play caller, but even going back to being a position coach, having the experience like for me when I was a quality control coach for Josh McDaniels and learned a ton about defensive football form him as he was on the other side of the ball.
I think Sean has the unique ability to really -- like right when we got there Wade Phillips as a D-coordinator. I am sure it's the same with Raheem where he was able to really understand and digest the full defensive structure of the Rams' defense.
You know, not just being in there as an offensive coordinator. You really saw that right away with Sean.
I thought it was something even in the Washington days with him when Joe Barry was the D-coordinator, Sean knew all the calls there and he's really done a good job of that.
For me it's opened my eyes to understanding how important that is as an offensive coach, making sure that you're really up to date, whether it's your own defense that you're going against, understanding their calls, understanding the things that they're going to look to bring to the table, and then throughout the league.
I think looking at it through the defensive lens is just as important as anything we can do.
Q. How do you do that? Do you do it in the off-season? You don't have time for game planning and coaching your own guys --
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think it's a good thing in the off-season when you're battling your own defense over and over again, you start to get a feel of the structure there. Then I think it's putting the defenses in different families. Throughout the course of the league, there's different coordinators that come from different trees, and figuring out, okay, what style of defense does this week go into, and then as you build up, accumulate the years, you start to understand what family are you going against this week, what were some of the tips and notes from this, maybe not that exact defense but someone that's in that tree or in that system that you played in the past.
Q. What is it about Jason Peters' play that has made you guys comfortable running him as much as you did last week and kind of the time that you've seen him play over the last few games?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, I think when Jason first got here, the person was unbelievable, his willingness to help, his willingness to get here and fit right in with the Seahawks and with the culture here.
But then as he gets on the field more and more, you really just see his unbelievable athletic ability start to shine. I think this past week was a great example of it. I think age is just a number for him, and his ability to move, his foot speed combined with his power is still at a high level right there.
Puts it on tape and now it's exciting to see him as he keeps growing and developing in our system.
Q. What did you think when you see Zach lower his shoulder into the guy but he doesn't get out of bounds?
SHANE WALDRON: Yeah, there's a time and a place. Sometimes the end of those game situations there, we know, hey, you do want to get out of bounds. There's certain times, like when Noah a couple weeks back was able to cut back and against the grain and gained a bunch of extra yards.
DK did an unbelievable job at the end of the game. I think there are some times when you can pick and choose when is the time to get what you can get and maybe not get out of bounds, and other times like Zach has had some success running a few folks over this year. Maybe that's not the ideal to time to run someone over, but don't want to take away from his play making ability, but he'll learn and keep growing in those scenarios.
Q. Does his style remind you of anyone? Zach's?
SHANE WALDRON: Zack's style? Oh, man. Pick a back that's run somebody over. I do think you've got some of those throwback Adrian Peterson runs where he's finishing lowering his shoulder and staying in that slasher run style there.
But I think he's his own guy. He's his own player. He brings a lot of combination of some different guys. But obviously the physical finishes will remind you of any of those type of guys.
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