Kevin Stefankski Press Conference November 3, 2023
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00:00 >> Yeah.
00:00 >> [LAUGH]
00:03 >> That's the easiest one.
00:05 >> No, it's not, he's a big kid.
00:06 [BLANK_AUDIO]
00:09 Okay, great challenge for us this week.
00:12 Can't wait to get down there on the lake in front of our fans,
00:15 gonna be a beautiful day.
00:16 So looking forward to seeing our fans down there,
00:19 certainly looking forward to hearing our fans down there.
00:22 So good week of practice, we needed it.
00:25 So I thought Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, the guys came prepared,
00:29 we still have some work to do with our walkthrough tomorrow.
00:32 But we really are intent on playing our best football, offense,
00:36 defense, special teams, we have to do that, that's our focus.
00:40 So excited about the challenge, and with that, I'll take any questions.
00:43 >> Who started at quarterback for you Sunday?
00:45 >> Deshaun.
00:45 >> Was he full today?
00:47 >> Yes.
00:47 >> Just what has this week been like as far as his progression and
00:52 has he ramped up, so to speak, each day, I guess?
00:55 >> I would say every day has been a ramp up, making progress every day.
01:01 Limited the first couple days, but really good practice Wednesday,
01:06 Thursday, Friday, I think that was really important, and I thought he did a nice job.
01:11 >> How much do you have to adjust things so he doesn't take a big hit like that?
01:15 I mean, it's inevitable he's gonna take a shot at some point.
01:18 >> Deshaun's been playing this game for a long time.
01:20 He understands how to protect himself.
01:23 As you can imagine, our offense, our offensive line,
01:27 you wanna protect your quarterback, but you also understand the game.
01:30 So he knows how to protect himself.
01:32 He knows when to get out of bounds, when to slide, those type of things.
01:36 But he's also a very competitive player, and he makes plays with his feet.
01:39 So it's all part of the game.
01:41 >> You look for throwing the ball from your perspective.
01:43 >> Good.
01:44 >> What gives you confidence in that shoulders?
01:48 >> Like we've said all along with anything, it's every day you see how
01:53 the player's feeling and you watch how the player's doing.
01:57 And I think, again, just going back to this week, felt that he had a really good
02:01 Wednesday, really good Thursday, really good Friday.
02:04 And I think he's comfortable and he looks good.
02:07 >> How much thought was given to maybe one more, even though he looked good,
02:11 everything looked good on the surface, but
02:13 how much thought was given to maybe giving him one more Sunday off?
02:17 >> Yeah, I think like we've said all along, when he's ready to go,
02:20 he'll be out there.
02:22 >> Did he take all the first two games this week?
02:23 >> Yes, sir.
02:24 I shouldn't say, Wednesday, Thursday, limited.
02:26 >> Yeah.
02:27 >> Yes.
02:29 >> We talked about taking hits, like the medical people told you that he's
02:33 better prepared to take a hit than he was against the Colts.
02:37 >> Yeah, I can't characterize it other than to say constant communication
02:43 with medical, with Deshaun on all of this.
02:45 And I think everybody's comfortable and certainly Deshaun's comfortable.
02:49 I mean, it's again, had a really good week of practice.
02:52 >> You said he maybe pushed it trying to come back against Indianapolis,
02:55 kind of looking back, is that how you see it?
02:57 And how is this time kind of different?
02:59 >> Yeah, honestly, just focusing on this week and I think, again,
03:04 strong practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.
03:07 I think that's where he feels confidence.
03:11 I have a ton of confidence in him, his teammates have a ton of confidence in him.
03:14 But I think the important part was having a really good Wednesday,
03:16 Thursday, Friday.
03:18 >> Kind of a boost, do you think, that his return can give to the rest of
03:21 the guys just having your start quarterback?
03:24 >> Yeah, well, I mean, like we've said all along, Deshaun's one of
03:27 the elected captains of this team, he's one of the leaders of this team.
03:31 He brings the energy when he's out of practice and in the game and
03:34 in the meeting rooms, etc.
03:35 So that I'm sure gives the team a boost when you have your leader out there.
03:40 >> Does he have to wear protection or harness or anything?
03:43 >> I don't believe so.
03:44 >> Do you overall just like to follow up on Dan's question, I guess,
03:49 like the confidence aspect of it.
03:51 Does he seem more confident out there?
03:53 I mean, I know it's hard to replicate game speed, but
03:55 do you see a difference with that?
03:57 >> I just think confidence in your ability.
04:00 I think when you're any player coming through any injury, you wanna make sure
04:04 that you can do your job and do it to the best of your ability.
04:08 So I think that's where, again, having a good week of practice is really important.
04:13 >> How do you feel about the fact that you know what you're gonna get from PJ now?
04:18 So if you had to go to PJ, I'm sure you feel really confident you can-
04:22 >> Yeah, Mary Kay, honestly,
04:23 I'm comfortable in all our guys just kind of go up and down the roster and
04:26 think about the guys that have had to go in there and play at times.
04:30 Sometimes you lose a guy early in the game, sometimes late in the game.
04:34 We have confidence in our backups.
04:35 That's why they work so hard with the coaches.
04:38 That's why they work so hard out here on the field.
04:40 And we understand that the guys are ready to step up at a moment's notice.
04:44 >> What do you see out of Cedric this week?
04:47 I'm sure I would assume in a larger practice role.
04:50 What do you see?
04:51 >> Yeah, like we've kind of talked about earlier, he's worked very hard.
04:55 He's been diligent about learning his assignments.
04:59 And I'm excited for him to get his opportunity.
05:02 And he'll have more of a role.
05:05 Marquise will have a little bit more of a role, obviously,
05:08 losing Donovan snaps, but I got a ton of confidence in those guys.
05:12 >> Cameron Mitchell, obviously, with Greg out,
05:14 is gonna find himself in a much bigger role.
05:17 Just wherever you've seen him grow over the course of this year.
05:21 >> He's given us some good reps already.
05:24 And obviously, he's been ready in a pinch if need be.
05:28 But very smart player, plays with a savviness of young players.
05:34 When you play nickel, you have to understand route combinations and
05:38 run blocking.
05:39 And I think he's got a really good feel for that for a young player.
05:41 >> What about the fact that Donovan Dannon is not meeting his quarterback yet?
05:47 What does that do to your preparation?
05:50 >> Really, it goes back to the beginning of the week, Mary Kay,
05:52 where we know the possibilities.
05:56 We study those guys, try to understand all their strengths.
05:59 I think they have a bunch of guys.
06:01 I think they have really good quarterbacks.
06:03 I think they have options there.
06:04 We'll see what it is, just like everybody else will.
06:07 But that's just part of our preparation in a given week.
06:10 Sometimes there's uncertainty at a position and you have to study maybe two or
06:14 three guys so that you're prepared on Sunday.
06:16 >> No limitations in the game.
06:18 Do you feel like you can make any throw you need in the game?
06:20 >> I do.
06:21 >> The Titans played Jeffrey Simmons at fullback last night.
06:24 So I wanted to ask you about- >> I was sleeping.
06:26 >> [LAUGH] >> Were there other candidates for
06:29 the job?
06:30 Is he getting better at it?
06:31 Is he calling for the ball?
06:32 I just wanted to ask you about that.
06:35 >> Yes, we certainly can put other people back there.
06:37 I think Nick has a, you have to be tough to go play that position.
06:42 You have to have a physicality to what you do.
06:44 He's very intelligent.
06:45 And he's got good movement skills.
06:47 I think we've all seen those on display in games with Nick.
06:51 He can really get on the move and I think that comes with that fullback position.
06:54 But we've had James Hudson has been back there before.
06:57 Drew Forbes has been back there before us.
06:59 So we've had a bunch of different guys back there, but
07:01 feel confident with Nick, certainly.
07:04 >> How much was DeJuan able to do this week?
07:06 And is that a game time thing or do you feel like he's gonna be able to go?
07:10 >> Yeah, we'll see.
07:11 I don't know that I'm figured out yet if we're gonna work him out, but
07:15 we'll see how it goes over the next 48 hours.
07:18 >> Can't go, would it be, James?
07:19 >> It would be.
07:19 >> That's Zedarius.
07:24 I know he didn't feel too concerned, but
07:27 getting him through a week, feel pretty good about it.
07:30 >> I do, yeah, I do.
07:33 >> Okay, thanks guys.
07:34 >> All right.
07:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]