Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik
On what it will be like to get WR Nico Collins back this week
"I know he's been grinding. I don't know if there's been someone that works their tail off quietly as much as Nico Collins does. Just endlessly behind the scenes, putting in the hours, putting in the work, I know he really wanted to go last week. He gave it all he had. Couldn't quite make it. And I know he's doing the same this week. And if he's there, we'll be as excited as you could be."
On how much it helps to have WR Nico Collins back from a play-calling standpoint
"He's a really good player. He changes, I'm sure, how defenses have to look at what they want to do coverage, scheme-wise and how they want to handle him with a person, with a certain wrinkle in coverage. How they want to handle the box. I mean, he changes a lot of things. Any time you have a really good player, guys have got to account for that. But then additionally, I think, it more so just helps us. It's just another guy that has the quarterback's trust, an immense amount of trust, an immense amount of reps, a rapport with each other. And in the run game, it's really the same the amount of time and work and physicality he's put into the run game, obviously plays a huge factor as well. So, any time you get a player like that back, you're always excited."
On what caused the inefficiencies in the second half of the game against the Lions
"I would say generally – I think we all know in the second half for probably the last five weeks or so, we've struggled. And it's one of those things when you look at – I mean, I think we haven't scored a touchdown like 19 straight second-half possessions. And honestly, our approach is football is football. And what I mean when I say this is when we dissect it, because we've known about it for three, four, five weeks now, when you really dive in and you're like, 'OK, what's going on? Is something off with the play calls? Are they doing something different? Are we doing something different? What's happening –,' it's football. Like it's the exact same as it was in the first half. We're not operating and executing the same. And that's kind of been something that we've been going back and forth on as an offense, really, for a couple weeks now and ultimately, I think it's one of those things where you keep doing the same thing and you're operating the same way, things aren't working out in your favor, and then even though there may not be, necessarily, a mental roadblock, it becomes a mental roadblock. And that's kind of what we're working through. And I think we're all in the right space and have the right intent in what we're going to do in the second half going forward and be on the same page."
On if he takes their second-half struggles personally
"I mean, yeah. Any time you're not successful, I think that's anybody. I know the players do. When you're not successful and you know you can be, you know you can be better, I know I could be better. That's always something you strive to improve."
On how the staff went about approaching this week coming off a loss
"Truthfully, no different. Like I've said before, the NFL, there's a lot of ups and downs in the name of the game in the NFL and with how long a season is, is how consistent can you stay in your standard. So, for us, it really hasn't changed much at all. I mean, we always talk about what happened. You talk about what went wrong. You talk about what went well. And, really, you endlessly try to tie in over and over again to we need at every given moment to play at our standard so that at the end of the year, we're playing that more consistent than anyone else. And that's usually going to be the team that's standing at the end."
On if he thinks they should change how the offense has been operating
"I say we haven't changed 'big picture,' there's been changes, I can assure you of that. But there's been always, you're always making subtle adjustments. I mean, you're talking through the week, you're talking in-game, you're talking what we do at halftime. I mean, we've talked about a lot of different things."
On why people believe that he is the one to get the offense back on track
"Well, I think it really starts – I mean, for me, and where I'm at, it always starts with the organization. I think from there it's really the players. Do the players believe in what we're doing and how we're doing it and how we can go operate and execute? Does the staff, does everyone else in the organization believe in what we're doing, what we're putting out there, how we're constructing the offense and how we're trying to go about what we're doing with the offense? And, I mean honestly, from there, you play with the standard that you believe in and eventually go get it done."
On how much the challenges with protection on the offensive line change everything else that happens on offense
"I thought last week, I mean we had a couple – and they were critical errors, in protection. But by and large, we were on what we were doing. We executed the calls and guys up front in protection did their job very well by and large. So, that was good to see that step. But there's a lot that goes into it. I mean, you're talking just from doing what the call says to then executing your technique to then blocking elite pass rushers like we'll face this week and all the wrinkles that go along with that. And that's also combined with, OK, well you can't just drop back and protect every snap. So, then what are the offsets? How do we help out on the in-betweens? And there's always a lot that goes into that. I thought we took a huge step last game in protection compared to what we had put out there the previous couple of weeks. I also think we took a step back in the run game. So now we've just got to keep forward in both regards. I would say, for us, it was probably the worst run game we've had since [RB] Joe [Mixon] has been really running and back there that again, I go back to our standard and what we want to put out there, we're a good running offense when we do it to the best of our capabilities and we're also a good pass offense. We've just got to get everything clicking."
On if QB C.J. Stroud is making decisions as quickly as he did last season
"I think C.J., honestly, I think he's doing a heck of a job. I really do. I think he's taken his game from last year and I think he's grown even more. And there's always this process that you go through. You roll out there as a young guy, you're just playing ball. The center snaps you the ball, everything moves really fast. You're like, 'What's happening? I'm looking over here, let me throw it over here.' And then all of a sudden, the game starts slowing down a little bit and you start to take in more information and you still can also go just play ball and then eventually, the game slows down so much, you kind of start to see everything that's going on. And the first time that starts to happen, it's almost information overload. It's like, 'Man, I see this, this, this and this.' But you've still got to go execute your small responsibility within that. And then the hardest part at quarterback is that any given moment with all that going on, you can play a spectacular game and in the most critical third down of the game, you could make one mistake and all of a sudden you played terribly because you threw an interception. There's just a lot of weight on that, that he does a phenomenal job embracing, taking ownership of and I really think he's gone through the process now where the game has slowed down for him. And he's been able to really recalibrate his rhythm. And for two weeks there, we had some issues where I don't even know if his back foot could hit. So, being able to still weather the storm when that happens while also still trying to operate in rhythm, that's a massive challenge. It hurts when you get hit. So, that's something, I think, he really has embraced. We all know it as an offense. We're doing everything we can to make sure he's as clean as possible because when he's as clean as possible, he's going to get the ball out where we want it to go, when we want it to go there. And he will be aggressive when he does it. Which is why he's so good."
On how the offense gets past the mental hurdles they may experience in the second half of games
"I would say at this point, it's kind of beyond us. We're just – I would probably say that was more of a thing like something you talk about actively. Or like, 'OK, this is a thing we've got to work through,' the previous couple of weeks. I mean, at this point, when we go do what we did in the first half, we'll be just fine. And truthfully, in the second half, we were closer than it seemed, far closer than it seemed. And we had probably one mistake on any given play that happened to be at the critical spot. So, for us, it's ironing out. We can't have that happen. Just one guy can't have a mistake on every play. We've got to get that eliminated. We've got to play more consistent football. I've got to be more consistent as a play caller. And we just keep pressing forward."
On how much input Quarterbacks Coach Jerrod Johnson has in game planning
"Just the way a staff is made up and how it works. Really, all the coaches have a pretty significant amount of input. We kind of work in, I guess you could call, pods, for lack of a better term. But everybody's kind of broken up in individual areas they have to look at, to study, to attack. And some of that is first, second down. Some of that is third down. Some of that is red zone. Some of that is two-minute and all these other situations. And each coach within their individual area is really my right-hand guy in that area and has direct input as we go through the week, has direct input in the game plan, has direct input in when we're calling, how we're calling. And ultimately, it's up to me if that's what we're going to do or not. But it's significantly a staff-driven thing, really across the NFL. It's the only way – it's gotten so advanced schematically now that it's really the only way to feel like you can just have sound answers and be able to supplement the players with sound answers is – nobody can do it as a one-man show."
On if he has seen QB C.J. Stroud's approach to the pass game change this week
"I'd say more than anything this week, I've seen a guy that's extremely locked in. I feel like, really like the whole offense. Almost feel like your back's against the wall mindset. Which when we go day-to-day with that kind of mindset, we usually operate pretty well. I would say he's very aware of – I mean, only C.J. could tell you exactly what's going on in the inner workings and in his mind. But my guess is he just wants to get back to doing his small things, his details really well and owning that. And he's been doing that in practice. Like I said, I mean, it's the hardest position in sports. You have to play very, very aggressively if you want to be good. But you can't be reckless. And that's a hard balance to strike and I think he's just doing everything he can to get that right balance."
Defensive Coordinator Matt Burke
On the challenges the Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb presents and how it feels to have CB Derek Stingley Jr. back at practice today
"Yeah, he is a really good receiver. Obviously, one of the best in the league. I think the thing that makes him really special is that he is good at everything. He lines up everywhere, inside, outside, underneath throws, getting open on short, intermediate stuff, catch point, run after catch, they hand him off the ball, put him in the backfield. He can do everything well. That is the challenge defending a guy like this. Obviously, he is a good receiver, but the fact that he is good at a lot of things and everywhere they put him and everywhere they try to use him in every part of the route tree. A huge challenge and yeah, I am happy to have 'Sting' [CB Derek Stingley Jr.] back at practice."
On the challenge of balancing S Calen Bullock and S Jimmie Ward
"We are always trying to put our guys in the best position to play. [S] Calen [Bullock] has, obviously, proven that he is capable of making plays in this defense and [S] Jimmie [Ward] with his experience, same thing. I think similar to our d-line when we get everyone going, just trying to pick the spots and the calls in the situations that we like, this grouping together sort of thing. I wouldn't look at it as, one guys is going to lose snaps over this, I think we are trying to put all those guys and [S] E[ric] Murry has done a really good job for us this year and how we are utilizing some of those pieces. Our view is that getting Jimmie back enhances our defense and enhances what Calen can do because now we can utilize some of those guys in some different spots or jointly. I am excited to have all those guys back and getting all our players back out there going."
On the challenges the Cowboys offense presents
"They have one of the best receivers in the league. The system has been the system, and they have operated at a really high level for a long time. Our challenge is about us and us being in the right spots. It is a little different than some of the schemes we have been playing. Some of the run scheme is a little different, a little more inside stuff and the challenge in terms of they are going to get four hands in our inside pieces and try to move that way and stay heavy on blocks. Not as much as the lateral stuff, things like that. It is a good week for us to reset our technique and focus in on, 'Hey, this is how we are going to play and let's be good on what we are going to do and try to finish it out'."
On if he expects teams to have more attention on DE Danielle Hunter
"We feel good about [DE] Danielle [Hunter] matching up with anyone, will say that. He is a really good player. We always have pitches of, 'Okay, what if they do this in a protection?'. Whether it is for [DE] Will [Anderson Jr.], Danielle, whoever. [DE] Denico [Autry], obviously, started coming out a bit too which helps to have other answers at other spots it helps to not dedicate too many resources to one guy. That is our job in game, how are they doing, are they sliding to him all the time, are they chipping him? Dallas is a very big chip team, we are expecting out edges to get chipped a lot. So how do we put him in a position to combat that and obviously do what he does well. They are always structures, in terms of how we align or where we move him to. Or pressures or patterns that we are doing to combat anything. Hopefully, as we keep going and our rush keeps generating some success that teams are going to have to do stuff to combat that and we have to have counter answers to. We always plan on that stuff, so I hope he keeps rushing well."
On if the play schedule inconsistency is a struggle
"It is, we are creatures of habit, I will say that. Literally when you walk around here and everyone is like, 'It's Thursday'. It throws some of your rhythm off but that is part of the NFL, we know that, and I would say hopefully we continue to be a competitive team. Last year was an anomaly having a string of 12 o'clock games and this is just part of the league. We have to get used to it, I think it has been good for us to go through the stretch in a row, I know a little unusual. But it is part of what we do."
On if there is anything they can take from the Minnesota Vikings game to use this Monday with the similar usage of players and matchups
"I think in general, when you play an elite receiver like that, just having an understanding of how a team is trying to get them. Like we talked about Danielle, we have plans to get Danielle off of protection issues. Every offense is going to have a plan to get their star receiver off of whatever kind of coverage you are trying to throw out there to combat. Obviously, you go back and look at all the stuff we have done and that is one of the reasons they do that obviously, teams have their radars up when [Cowboys WR] CeeDee [Lamb] is moving around and where they are putting them. I would say in general, that is the cat and mouse back and forth that we play in terms of what is their answer and how are we going to utilize him and how are they going to try and get him off some stuff we are doing and do we have counter pitches to that. I will be honest with you, I haven't gone back to look at our Minnesota game too much this week but you always have your thoughts on how you will handle elite receivers and then we figure out what their answer to that is going to be and play that game."
Special Teams Coordinator Frank Ross
"This going to be so fun. Going in and going against the legend John Fassel. KaVontae Turpin, stakes couldn't be higher for the Texans. This is everything. Super excited for the opportunity. For them, dynamic kicking game unit. They've collected kind of some unique characters from around the league that are really good freaking football players. We had Buddy Johnson here on our practice squad for a year in 2022 and that guy is out there knocking people to the ground. They've got Hunter Luepke, a full back that can run and scoot. They've got two penetrators and their leading tackle Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell flying down on kickoffs making our lives a living nightmare. We have really got to play ball and it's going to start and stop with us neutralizing KaVontae Turpin. Again, Monday Night Football, super excited in Dallas and we've got to find a way to change a football game in the Texans favor."
On what about KaVontae Turpin makes him so different
"Some people glide across the grass, but this dude steps like nobody else. I mean it's not only like the stretch and cut Marcus Jones from New England. He's real sudden in and out of cuts. This guy can turn the corner while at full speed. Like that's a skillset in itself. Long speed is real and the ability to reverse field. Then you've got a coach that's telling them 'hey, we're supporting you. Go bring that thing from nine [yards] deep in the end zone.' We're going to have our hands full. He can really run."
On if the video board at AT&T stadium is a problem for Tommy Townsend
"I hope, but I also hope we're only punting from the 50-yard line and in so we have good field position. That has happened before, the wider the punt then the more you can net coverage the corner. Hopefully we're putting that thing outside of the tick marks there and neutralizing Turpin with our coverage. Hopefully we can stay away from that thing anyways, but yeah that has happened before in game and you just have to play it out."
On what happened with the 58-yard field goal and the snap being high
"Yeah, every time you walk on the field and you're a specialist, the precision is your job. We've got to be precise all the time, but everything has to work for you. Everything has to work for you and that's why we go out and practice and hopefully we get the opportunity again to knock it through."
