San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak, and quarterback Mac Jones spoke to reporters after Thursday's practice as the team gets ready for its Week 10 game against the Los Angeles Rams. Here's everything they said.
Transcripts provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh
How challenging has it been this year for your D-Line room and your coaching staff with all the injuries and guys always filling in and moving around?
"No, it's the same. The season's exhausting whether you're healthy or not, but a lot of guys have stepped up to the opportunity and there's been an extreme amount of growth over the past year, especially with a lot of guys getting new opportunities or unexpected opportunities. But, we've got a long way to go. We're only halfway through and it's really just more opportunities for guys to continue to show that they belong in the League."
How valuable is it to have DL Bryce Huff come back right before this divisional matchup?
"Always. Bryce is a closer. When you're sitting there in the fourth quarter and you need a play and you need it now and the speed at which he can do it, having guys like that are invaluable."
When you have guys like S Marques Sigle and DL C.J. West who are getting some reps early in the year and then injured guys come back and they're not getting as many, what's your kind of message to them in terms of what you want them to take away from the time that they did play and then now when they're waiting for their next opportunity?
"They've got to be deliberate in everything they do. They've got some game time experience. Now it's working with the show team and making sure they're being deliberate with their techniques, their fundamentals, taking advantage of every rep and individual drills throughout practice, their one-on-ones, the reps that they do get in team, so they're not just on the bench they're still getting those reps. Special teams, locking in on that and making sure that they're being deliberate in that regard. But, their job is to be a pro, regardless of whether they're playing or not and to continuously put themselves in position to be available and effective when their time comes up again."
Wouldn't that be helpful for them to maybe take a little step back and review what they did actually having those reps?
"I think it's valuable. They've got the experience of playing in a few games and now they can see another guy go and do it. Especially if it's a veteran who knows how to play the game. Sometimes it's not helpful, but in this case, I do think it is beneficial for those guys."
What makes Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford a big challenge compared to other elite quarterbacks?
"Man, he still slings it. His arm talent is still ridiculous. He sees the game extremely well. He's decisive. He doesn't turn the ball over. He hardly puts it in harm's way. He's just a challenge. He's a coach on the field who happens to be able to throw a football at a pretty elite clip. So, he's a challenge. Then you mix it in with their scheme and the weapons he has from the back to his receiving corps, then [Los Angeles Rams head coach] Sean [McVay] and the way they call it, it just makes it a tremendous challenge all the way across the board."
This defense in year's past has obviously had a big vocal leader in LB Fred Warner. There have also been enforcers like Denver Broncos LB Dre Greenlaw. Without those guys here, who is surfacing in those roles that you're seeing?
"That's the exciting part. I mentioned it a couple weeks ago, when we were here in '17 and '18, I was like, 'well, who's going to be next?' You saw this little skinny linebacker named Fred Warner. No one expected it to be him. And you know, [Houston Texans S] Jimmie Ward and [former 49ers S Jaquiski] Tartt and [Indianapolis Colts DL DeForest] Buckner and [Jacksonville Jaguars DL Arik] Armstead, all those guys were so young, [former CB] K'Waun Williams was young. They all rose to the occasion and made a name for themselves. So, this group being as young as it is, I wish I could tell you. I have an idea. But, I'm excited for everybody to take advantage of their opportunity and to evolve into the player that we all know they're capable of."
Would Fred be offended if he heard you call him skinny?
"He was tiny (laughter). Just go watch that first clip of his rookie year. He looked like a safety playing middle linebacker."
What's the balance you have to find between what you did in Houston with a lot of blitzes and you've got a young defense with what you did last week versus New York?
"Every game plan is different. We tried to be aggressive with Houston and it didn't quite work out. We tried to do our best to make the rookie play quarterback and it worked out. Some days will be good, some days not so much. This game plan is going to be specific to the Rams and Stafford and what we've got to get done in that regard. They're going to challenge you. Schematically, they're a tremendous challenge. It's a big-time cat and mouse game, but we're going to do the best we can to put together the best game plan for that particular team. But, always toe the line of what our guys are capable of executing. Then we're going to roll it out on Sunday and evaluate on Monday."
Do they have to develop and kind of take on those roles when it's different stuff that they have to do out there and more?
"Yeah. We're always going to push the envelope. I wish I can get Houston back because I felt like I probably nudged it a little bit too far. Last week, I thought they did a great job of executing the defense. Up until those last two drives, I thought we played a really solid game, clean game. This week it's no different. You're going to try to push the envelope but always try to find balance. We as a coaching staff are learning our players. They're learning us. I think that evolution, like we talked about today, the objective is to continually get better and to master our techniques and be deliberate in everything we do. We don't do a lot, and because we don't do a lot, we can focus more on our technique and fundamentals. Usually at the end of the year, that's what takes over in the League, in my opinion, are the people who can execute the best, play fundamentally sound the best and play the fastest are usually the ones who are surging towards the end of the year. And that's what our goal is."
You described your familiarity with the team and this cat and mouse game. How much can you maybe over second guess what they're doing and just have to go out and do what you do?
"Yeah, it's like hey, they know, we know that they know (laughter). No, there's definitely like, 'God, we've done that before,' which is why division games are so cool because you know each other. So, it comes down to technique and execution. Players know players, O-Linemen know D-Lineman and vice versa. It always comes down to execution."
The Rams are using a lot of 13 personnel probably to try to run the ball. What does it look like? Without giving away the game plan, how do you match up with the bigger bodies?
"We feel like we match up pretty well against any personnel grouping we get. We can get big if we need to. We can get small if we need to. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw more 12 personnel with [Los Angeles Rams WR] Puka [Nacua] coming back healthy. We'll be prepared for all of it. I know they've done a lot more 13 personnel, and I think it's kind of been out of necessity because of the injuries they've had at receiver. But, with a couple of guys coming back, we could very well see a heavy dosage of 12. But, whatever they roll out, we were expecting 12 last week and all they did was run 11. So, you just roll with the punches that you're getting on game day."
How much has CB Renardo Green improved since OTAs and how well is he playing right now?
"He has had a really good last two or three weeks where he's really taken a big step. He missed some time in training camp, so I think he kind of got off to a slow start. But, he's been deliberate, he's been working. I'm excited about the trajectory that Renardo is on for sure."
Special teams has improved here this year and the last few weeks especially. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has talked about how proud he was of that. You worked with special teams coordinator Brant Boyer in New York. What is he good at? How does he mobilize the special teams unit? They're pretty disparate little different groups that they have to have up.
"Brant has been in this League a long time. I'd be lying if I knew anything about him when I got to the Jets, but I feel like I got a million phone calls talking about how great this guy was. He's pretty good. He's detailed in how he approaches the game, his film study and his game plans and his schemes. He's a guy that definitely from a special team standpoint, will push the envelope in terms of scheme and technique. Once those guys get it, I feel like we're at a schematic advantage with him and how he does things. He's pretty fun to watch from a meeting standpoint, funny too, but when it comes to being detailed and making sure that everybody knows exactly what's being asked of him and how to do it, he's as good as they get."
How can you help along in development of a player like DL Keion White? This is his fourth coaching staff in three seasons, was a young guy with a lot of potential, he was drafted in the second round but has really not been able to have continuity. How do you help along his development?
"Everyone's a little bit different. With Keion, it reminds me of someone like [New York Jets LB] Quincy Williams who we had at the Jets. He was drafted in the third round by the Jaguars, didn't quite work out, cut after the second year. We get our hands on him and he's All Pro, an All-Pro linebacker, which credit to him and the work he put in. So, sometimes it just takes being in the right situation with the right staff. It's not one staff being better than the other, it's just a matter of just that connection. So, with Keion being in this situation, we feel great about his skillset. We know exactly what that skill set looks like and how it fits for us and what we do. I know he's excited about it and I think with everyone being so excited about what he's capable of, whatever he's capable of in the NFL I think he's going to be able to show it here."
Kyle Shanahan on Monday spoke about how much growth DL Mykel Williams was getting to and how sad it is that he won't be able to see that through. Have you had conversations with Mykel about how this could impact his career and how to respond? If so, how have those conversations gone?
"Not yet. But, once he's done with his process of getting the surgery and getting back into rehab and all that and I get a chance to sit down with him it's definitely something that I'll have a conversation with him on. The good news but bad news is he has also got players like [DL] Nick Bosa to lean on who are going through the same thing that he is with regards to recovery. He has [S Malik] Mustapha from last year going through that recovery. The good news for Mykel, he's built the right way, he's made of the right stuff. There's no doubt in my mind that he's going to come back next year as good as he was this year and continue to improve as he develops as a player."
Offensive Coordinator Klay Kubiak
Are you ready for head knocker 2.0? The first game was a true head knocker. You guys couldn't run it but stayed with the run and it was like 2.2 a carry, but over 30 carries.
"I think we had like 88 plays in the game. And when we have that many plays and it was 33 runs, it's just because we were able to stay on the field, convert third downs. We weren't getting a lot out of the runs, but we were able to keep calling them and that's kind of why we were able to do that. But expect the same kind of game. These guys we're going to have to stay on the field and keep a really explosive offense off the field as best we can and score points. So, however it shapes out though, however it goes, we'll be ready. So yeah, hope it's that kind of game again."
How much are you thinking about putting together long drives when you're facing a quarterback like that?
"It's not really conscious. You'd love to score on two or three. You'd love to hit explosives and be off the field, but it's definitely not a conscious thing for sure. You're not thinking about that, but it's just kind of how things have gone this year too. We haven't had a ton of big explosives to score fast, but if we're staying on the field converting third downs, that's going to help our defense. It's good for us."
How has RB Brian Robinson Jr. been with his role? RB Christian McCaffrey's going to get the bulk of the work. Brian has never had this few of carries at this point in the season before, and he's even returning kicks, which he's never done before. So how has he helped? How has he been through all that?
"He's been awesome. Brian's a pro and he's been nothing but a great teammate. A humble leader for our guys in the locker room, and when he's getting his opportunities, he stepped up and played really well. I was really happy for him on Sunday that he actually got to kind of see the benefits of that by getting in the endzone. He's had two big kick returns two weeks in a row. Brian is ready when his number's called. That's what a pro is. I'm sure for him, he'd love to be out there more, but he knows Christian's our number one back and he's gone in there and played good. And Brian just keeps staying ready and if the time comes and Christian's got to come out or whatever he needs, he's ready to step up. And so really happy with Brian, real happy he's part of our team. He's been a great teammate."
He almost seems he was running as strong as he has all year. Has the limited amount of carries kept him pretty fresh?
"Yeah, probably. He practices really well and you can see he's ready, he's fresh. That's the kind of runner he is though. I think he also is getting more comfortable with our offense week-to-week. He's very comfortable, just seeing the holes, knowing his tracks a little bit more confidently, probably playing a little bit more fast because of that. But he just gets better every week. So, we love where he is at."
Having been around Christian, as long as you have now, what have you observed about him that makes him such a good pass catcher out of the backfield and route runner?
"It just starts with his attention to detail. The way he approaches route running, it's very much like a receiver. He has a plan on every route on how he's going to get open. He's one of those guys who is incredibly instinctual, once the ball touches his hands, he knows how to drop step, how to turn and get YAC. He's got great hands to do that. He can catch it and get vertical. And he's a guy who really studies route running and he thinks about the route and he's not just going out there and doing what's on paper, he has a plan. So, it comes down to his preparation and how much he works at it. And this just makes him a really unique talent for us out of the backfield."
Does he do things when you watch the tape in that regard, where you're like, 'I've never seen a running back do this before.' Do you find yourself saying this is different?
"Yeah, I think he's different from most guys. Obviously, he is. I've seen great backs who are great route runners and guys who can do a lot of stuff. But Christian, just his consistency with it and the way he can just do it every week, and then the way he can do simple things really effectively too. Where he is just running a check option over the ball, which is a really routine thing, but the way he can separate and use his hands and get YAC with that stuff, it's really cool."
When you look at how the Rams defend third-and-long, does that just put more importance on not falling behind the chains on first and second down?
"Big time. I think they're number one in the league once the team gets behind the chains of getting off the field. That's every week, you always want to emphasize staying ahead of the chains, but this team they go into attack mode when it's second-and-long, third-and-long and they're really hard to block and they're really hard to sustain drives. So, obviously we go into every week saying, 'we got to get ahead of the chains. We got to be efficient on first and second down.' But it's a huge deal with this defense because it's where they thrive when they get you in those situations."
Christian is having another offensive player of the year caliber campaign. He's also getting a lot of touches again. When he enters this age, 29 getting close to 30, as a running back, was there ever a concern about his workload and trying to lighten it or if he's healthy, we're just going to give him the ball?
"I feel like we've talked about this a lot with him, and you got to try to balance it. You have to balance a player who does not want to come off the field and who is our leader and who is a huge part of our offensive production. Then you want to balance that out with keeping a guy healthy and taking care of him and getting other guys opportunities. So, it's something we're always thinking about, something we're always trying to balance out. At the end of the day, he's a great player, he's an elite player, and he wants to be on the field. And so, it's hard to convince those guys that they need to be out of the game but it's always something that's on our mind and we just always try to balance it out."
Does make an impact even when he doesn't get the ball? When he goes in motion, can you see what that does to a defense?
"For sure. Absolutely. You can see when team plays man, what their plans are for Christian. Are they going to double him? Are they going to put a safety on him? It's always something we're paying attention to as we go into games. Yeah, people's eyes are on him. And you like to see as games go on, how is that affecting the rest of the defense? Does that make them vulnerable somewhere else? So, for sure."
How does Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula use S Quentin Lake in this defense?
"He's a really smart player. You can tell. They put a lot on him in terms of that nickel position and playing safety in base. He's all over the field with all the coverages they play. He's incredibly detailed with his technique, with everything they ask him to do. When he plays man-coverage, he's a really good coverage guy. So he's one of the most impressive players we've seen just in terms of how smart of a player he is, how instinctive he is. To me, he's one of the leaders of that group just because he kind of gets things going and he gets guys lined up back there. He's tough to go against."
What led you guys to land on QB Adrian Martinez as the third quarterback. You guys had former QB Tanner Mordecai in at one point and brought in former QB Carter Bradley.
"Just the guys in training camp, they had injuries at the end of camp, didn't make the team. And then when [QB] Brock [Purdy] got hurt, we needed a third guy and he's one who tried out. We were real impressed with him. We loved his preseason tape from this year and in the past couple years. You don't really know that much about those guys until you get them here and you get to see him in your room. And man, he's been impressive. We think we got a good one in him, so just happy that we kind of lucked into him."
How did OL Spencer Burford look? I know he gave up the one sack, but overall, how did you grade his film?
"He played good. For the first game back, I thought he played solid. He played very aggressive, and he played fast and he played hard. He didn't play with any hesitation. That was really cool to see. Are there things he can clean up? Yes. The details always something we're working on, but I was really happy with how he came back and the mindset he played with. Just got to keep practicing and keep pushing him in getting better."
Martinez hasn't played much in the NFL, what are his strengths as you guys see it day in and day out in practice?
"He's really smart. I think we had a week where [QB] Mac [Jones] was banged up. Brock was obviously banged up and he took a lot of reps and he didn't miss anything. He was on it. He's a guy who can absorb the game plan and just be comfortable with it, without getting a lot of reps. He is a really good athlete, natural thrower, just kind of things we look for."
Jones has had a really good year, but you didn't know him though before he got here. How impressed are you with his ability to lead on a team where he's not the starting quarterback?
"Really impressed. A guy comes in here and they're not aggressively leading at first, they're getting to know guys, they're getting a feel for our culture and kind of where his role is. And he did that. He didn't step in and start demanding things and he wasn't this kind of 'rah rah' guy. But as he's been on the field more and the way he's played, you can see he gets more confident around his teammates. His teammates start to kind of take to him more as a leader. He just kind of has a natural leadership to him. It comes out in just how he plays. He doesn't force it. So, it's been cool to see."
QB Mac Jones
Having been around RB Christian McCaffrey for a little while now, what is it about his receiving skills – how is he so talented at that? What makes him so good?
"I think he's been like that his whole life, honestly. He's just super talented and I've obviously seen it from afar, but to be on the practice field with him in OTAs and training camp, I really got to experience it. He's just explosive and he trains all those movements is what I've noticed. He puts a lot of practice into it. So, he obviously gets open and catches the ball, which are the two vital parts of being a good receiver."
How much of an added element is that for an offense and for you, especially as a quarterback, when it's like every scenario, I know I've got Christian?
"Yeah, I think that's a big part in NFL football, especially nowadays, they're trying to eliminate explosive plays. So just having a guy like that where you can pop him the ball and he's going to get some yards for you is definitely important. And that's everybody. That's all the backs. [RB Brian Robinson Jr.] B-Rob does a great job of that. He's done that since college, and then obviously the young guys too. So, we've got a good group of backs and really love playing with them."
Is there more of an emphasis in the NFL now, speaking generally, do you think this year, especially on top-down not going to let them beat us with big plays more so than you've seen before?
"Yeah, I'd say a little bit of that. And it changes every year. A lot of teams are different, but you can either blitz a lot and give up those plays but expect to get to the quarterback or you can play soft defense and really that bend-don't-break mentality. So, I've seen both and it's definitely a trend thing. So, it kind of just goes back and forth."
Your teammates talk about, whether it's a bloody nose or throwing up on the sidelines and eating bananas or whatever, they talk about how tough you are and what a good teammate you are. What does that mean to you to have the respect of all those guys?
"Yeah, it means a lot. That's a big reason why I play, to be honest is to get the respect of people that I trust and people that I would take an opinion from. So, I try to show that every day. I have to continue to do that. It's not a one game thing, so I want to show it for the whole season. And that's my goal."
There was a play out there where Christian was running the ball and you just went in and pushed him through to make sure he got that first down. In your mind, what made you want to do that?
"[Head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] always yells at me on the headset whenever I do that, but (laughs) it's just kind of how my competitiveness is. If it's close, I've seen it so many times where there's like a pile of people and then it kind of goes the other way and then the refs like spot it like five yards back. I did one my rookie year where I pushed the pile in and that's where I got it from. We scored on it and I was like, 'alright, well I might as well help.' It's another 225 pounds sometimes more depending on my diet, but (laughs), if I can get that momentum behind it and the offensive line's doing it, so I'm like, might as well jump in there and try. So, I definitely have to be safe about it, but it's just competitiveness."
Can you repeat what Kyle says exactly?
"(Laughs) I wish. It's a lot of gibberish. I can't really hear it all."
When does he come on after the previous play? When does the radio allow him to start talking to you?
"Pretty soon after they spot the ball or whatever. I don't know, he does a good job communicating. And obviously you get up until 15 seconds, so that's always part of it. There's emotions in the game and you are getting the play call, but then you're also getting information if he has something for you. So that's always helpful."
Is it all code? Like it would sound to us like an air traffic control or is there ever any "nice play" or anything like that because there's not time, right?
"Yeah, for sure. I think it's very like business casual, but it's very like, 'alright, that was good, next play.' Or 'that was really bad, next play.' So, I always talk about that and Kyle does a great job just keeping me on track and really as a quarterback, you just have to play each play as a life of its own and go at one play at a time. So that's what I try to do and just hear the call, paint the picture of the call in my helmet and then make sure everybody's lined up and let it rip."
Your offensive linemen have talked about how when you're down and you maybe look injured, that they were scared at first, but now you just seem to pop up. Is it kind of for dramatic purposes?
"Nice. Okay. Yeah, dramatic. I like it. Yeah, I haven't really done that much in the past to be honest, but this year just dealing with some stuff, so just trying to get up quick is always my goal, but they're really tough guys. So I think they don't stay down long, so maybe I should be more like them."
A lot of times, a rookie, especially a rookie receiver will be injured for a while and then be behind the eight ball and not be able to kind of get going. WR Jordan Watkins has made catches in the last two games. Where is he and where are you two as far as chemistry and connection and all that stuff?
"Yeah, he's been awesome. He's a really fast guy. Definitely has vertical speed and really good in and out of breaks, so I trust him a lot. I think he's just, like you said, it's not his fault that certain things happened. I know he has a positive attitude and comes to work every day and he's in shape and runs and gets open and catches the ball, kind of like we talked about with Christian. So that's what you want. And a lot of our guys are doing that and the challenge is just doing it every day consistently. So, I've been really happy that he is getting in there and just getting his feet wet. I know he's really just trying to get better each day."
Along the lines of the offensive linemen and what they say about you, T Trent Williams says you don't act like a quarterback. What does that mean exactly?
"I don't know. (Laughs) Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
In terms of toughness.
"Oh, okay. Yeah, I mean, Trent's one of the toughest to play. He doesn't miss a lot of games and he's played forever and is going to be a Hall of Famer. So just being in the huddle with him has been awesome. And like I said, I just want those guys to have respect for me and I have respect for them and we're going to go out there and go to battle."
How challenging is it for you to go from OL Jake Brendel to OL Matt Hennessy and potentially back to Jake this week?
"Yeah, definitely it can be a challenge, just rotating different guys, but I feel like both of them just do a great job playing their role and very consistent snapping the football. So, I trust both of them, gotten reps with both of them. Obviously, Jake during the season and then we're working through with Matt. He got a few starts here, which is awesome for him and played really well. So really just like both of those guys. They do a great job setting all the protections and everything too."
Do you feel like you're a better quarterback today because of the struggles you had when you were younger in your career?
"Yeah, for sure. I mean, that's a great question. I think just anybody that goes through an NFL season, you learn so much each year and I try to just take the information that I've gathered from each season and work on it in the offseason and apply it the next year during the year. So, I think that's every good player, anybody in their profession, they're going to look at themselves and see what they can do better. So, I've tried to do that and my goal is to, I always talk about, be consistent every day and don't be complacent with good results or bad results, just stick to your process. I've gone through a lot and a lot of people have gone through a lot, so it's all about moving forward and really excited for this game coming up."
Has "Return of the Mac" become a part of your playlist?
"Yeah, I hear that one sometimes and it is a good vibe, but I don't know if it's on my playlist. It might not be hype enough for me."
What is on your playlist?
"It's a mixed bag to be honest. I have rap, country, a lot of different stuff, techno, so I do it all."
Kyle and president of football operations/general manager John Lynch have talked about the Rams defensive front as maybe being the best in the league or close to it. What was your impression the first time and how good are they?
"I think that's a very valid statement. They're definitely a top defense overall in the league. They play together well, really well-coached and they played well against us and they're going to continue to grow. They've done a great job the past couple weeks on just limiting all the teams they've played against. But yeah, it's going to be a huge challenge. Obviously when you're playing a team again, you've experienced it, but they're also so good that they're going to be consistent and you just have to match the energy."
Have you kind of been an admirer of Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford from afar?
"Oh yeah. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback and has potential to win the MVP this year. So, he's the one of the best quarterbacks to ever do it, to throw, just watching his tape growing up and all that stuff. So, I have all the respect in the world for him and he just plays the quarterback position exactly how it's supposed to be played."
Did you start watching NFL quarterbacks tape when you were at Alabama?
"Oh, well before that. I started watching when I was probably like 10, nine or 10 years old."
Just on YouTube I'm guessing?
"Mostly like camps and my quarterback coach, Joe Dickinson, he used to pull up clips. He had the tape so I would watch it with him at quarterback camps and I was the youngest guy there, but he was coaching NFL and college guys, so that's when I started watching."
What were some of the first couple quarterbacks you remember?
"I'd have to really think about that one. That's a great question. I know like [former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger] Big Ben, we liked to watch him just moving around in the pocket and [former NFL QB] Tom Brady, all those guys. So had a lot of good quarterbacks growing up to watch."
Did you get to know Brady at all just from crossover in New England or just over the years where he's bounced around now as a broadcaster?
"A little bit, yeah. I mean Tom obviously played very well in this league and is doing a great job in what he's doing now, so have a lot of respect for him."
Have you ever played with a running back that was as much of a workhorse as Christian is like just in terms of sheer volume?
"Probably not, honestly. I mean, for him being where he is at in his career and just, he never comes out of the game and that's just not in his blood. So, I really respect him and it's because he takes care of his body and he's always giving a hundred percent each day. So, got a lot of respect for Christian and what he does and think he's a great role model for every kid out there that wants to play NFL football at a high level."
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