You had some success early, and what happened down the stretch when you had a chance to it finish off?
I think just playing on time, being good in the run game, being efficient in the pass game. And at times, myself getting big-play happy with trying to push the ball down the field and then just me having to connect with the receivers. So, everything takes in part to when we're good and when we are bad. But, it's all about us just continuing to go up and stay on the right trajectory.
On the giveaway, did you not feel him coming from behind and the way that he was able to strip you?
No, not really. Just having to move away from pressure on one side, then I need to keep two hands on the ball. That's why they were able to get one off of us, but I just got to protect the ball.
Today it seemed like you were able to find those rushing lanes that you were able to find early to mid-season and you had a really good day getting extended plays. Is that something that you would see on tape or is it just a natural progression of the game slowing down for you as you go and progress this year?
Just a lot of stuff I see on film. But then also after the first drive and second drive getting the feel for the rushers and then just trying to buy time for my receivers to make plays for us. I think the O-Line did a fantastic job in pass pro and that's just something that we got to continue to build on, our scramble drill rules and receivers always making plays.
What did you think of Chig (Okonkwo) getting into the end zone after that catch?
I loved it man. That's a free touchdown for the quarterback, but that's all Chig (Okonkwo) right there. I'm talking about spinning out of somebody, do a cartwheel, going in end zone, hit his dance. So, that's a Chig play. That the plays that what we expect out of him. I'm just happy he's able to do it and I'm looking forward to it next week.
On that play to Tyjae (Spears) that ended up being called back, how do you know he would be there? Was that part of the progression? Was that just school yard?
Just Tyjae (Spears), I always know where he is. He's in the right spot every time, then they just me getting through the progression, knowing where my back is. But then just trying to give us a play on fourth down to not let it be a sack just try to put the ball in a playmaker's hand. Did that, unfortunately got overturned. Defense gave us a stop to give us a chance to get another drive in. We just didn't come up with it.
Is it difficult to come back for another drive after something like that's been overturned?
It's not difficult, it is motivating, if anything, you just got to, have an next play mentality. We have that as a whole on offense, and we just didn't get the job done today.
Do you feel like this result is representative of who this team is right now?
Um, no. I think the best thing about this team is that we know change is coming. Change is coming in seven days. But back in August, everyone said to each other that we got each other. Every game that we're going to, whether it's win or lose, we know the culture that we have and that's something that we've got to build on. This game, at the end of the day, will never define us. But, the biggest thing that we want to have in the locker room is a winning culture. That's something we're trending upward and getting toward. We just got to make that emphasis on every day.
Knowing that change is coming, what's the next week going to be like for you knowing this team is going to a lot different next year?
To win our last football game together, I think that's the biggest thing. Excited for guys to step up and make plays with their number's called. Not a lot of people get opportunity to play out there on Sundays. So, the guys we have in our locker room, we take advantage of each and every opportunity and just try to put the team and ourselves in the best situation to try to win games for the franchise.
But do you do you feel the ebb and the flow of the game like that? Is that exciting to be part of that?
No. You get touchdowns or you die trying. So, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter whether you're up by a lot or you're down by a lot, just got to take every drive the same and try to score points.
You referenced a winning culture just a little bit ago, as far as having to be built about here. Where does that start for a team that's been down as long as this one has?
Starts one, individually. Every person in the building have to have the right mindset to win games. It doesn't matter whether you're a player, whether you're in front office, or you're in the IT department. So, at the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. We have a great building to have that culture, everyone in the building trending towards that culture. At the end of the day, it's about winning games on the football field. The coaches, the fans and the front office, they can only do so much. But at the end of the day, it's about the players putting their best film on tape each and every Sunday trying to win for organization.
How do you assess this team in terms of growth from the beginning of the season to now in your estimation?
The growth has been terrific, especially from a young guys' standpoint. The rookies, whether it's Femi (Oladejo), who unfortunately got hurt early, just him seeing the field through film instead of actually being out there, I think that's the biggest help that a rookie can get. And then obviously with Chim (Dike) being a Pro Bowler. Elic (Ayomanor), Gunnar (Helm). I think the rookie class will continue to get better, leaning on the vets, especially if vets like Cody (Barton), Jeff (Simmons), just to continuing to pick us up. So, I'm looking forward to continuing those relationship with those guys.
How do you feel next week the University of Miami is going to do in the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State?
Man, I wish I could be there, but I feel like they're going to do something to shock the world. A lot of those guys I got a chance to play with in Miami. Mark Fletcher, I'm pretty sure he's going to have a big day, the O-line up there. So, I mean, I'm excited for them. They know I'm going to be the first one to watch. I'm always tuned in with those guys, and I'm exciting for them to shock the world.
