Brad Idzik Talks Panthers Offensive Philosophy
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00:00 First of all, got the recording thing just bumped on.
00:04 But thank you guys for having me.
00:07 First of all, I just want to say thanks to the Tepper family
00:09 and the Carolina Panthers organization.
00:12 It's a blessing to be back in North Carolina.
00:14 It's a blessing to be here with the coaches
00:16 and the people in the building that are fired up
00:18 to be a part of this Panthers organization.
00:20 I'm right there alongside of them
00:21 and I couldn't be more happy to be here.
00:24 My fiancee for in the span of eight months
00:27 going to her third team,
00:29 she's fired up to be here as well.
00:31 We're going to bleed blue and really look forward
00:34 to attacking this offseason and getting after it.
00:39 - All right, let's jump into questions.
00:40 Let's go to Josh Graham first.
00:43 - Hey, Brad, Josh Graham here in the triad,
00:45 in a place you know well, in Winston-Salem.
00:48 Just starting with that,
00:50 how did Jim Grobe help mold you
00:54 when you were in Winston-Salem
00:55 and how did that really jumpstart your coaching career?
00:59 - Hey, Josh, I appreciate the question.
01:01 Jim Grobe, to this day, continues to reach out
01:05 and I think it's the personal aspect
01:07 that he brought to coaching
01:09 that really, for me, kind of opened up the door
01:12 to when I was a senior trying to figure out
01:14 what I wanted to do next.
01:16 I thought coaching might be a possibility
01:18 just 'cause he put his arm around every single player
01:20 he had in the program,
01:21 myself included, as a transfer walk-on.
01:24 And he gave us all opportunities to get out there
01:26 and play at the highest level.
01:28 So I just, for him, he really inspired me.
01:31 Coaching is more than just the X's and O's.
01:33 It's about investing in people.
01:35 And he did that in every single person in that building
01:37 and I still, I thank him for that.
01:39 And I love the friendly reminders I get from him
01:42 every now and again as I take my own coaching journey.
01:45 - And one more, when you started at Wake Forest
01:48 or when you arrived at Wake Forest,
01:50 the Panthers drafted some guy named Cam Newton that year.
01:53 So I wonder, was there a consciousness of that
01:56 while you were in school?
01:57 Did you adopt the Panthers while you were playing at Wake?
02:00 - A little bit.
02:03 My dad has been in the NFL,
02:04 so I was adopting whatever team he was with.
02:07 So I sported a lot of different colors during my upbringing.
02:10 And I think, being around the league,
02:12 you kind of find, and my fiance's finding out pretty quickly,
02:16 you change shirts and your loyalty is with the people
02:20 that you're currently working with.
02:21 And man, I just can't say enough about the building
02:23 we're in here today and just how excited I am
02:27 to be with this organization and this group of people.
02:30 We're so proud to just be a part of it.
02:33 - Thanks, Brad, welcome.
02:35 - Thank you.
02:36 - All right, let's go to Mike K followed by Joe Person.
02:39 - Hey, Brad, welcome.
02:41 Mike K from the Charlotte Observer.
02:42 When you look at this group of coaches,
02:46 it seems like everybody kind of speaks the same language
02:51 just because you've either been in Seattle
02:53 or you've been in Tampa together, especially offensively.
02:56 Can you speak to how important that is
03:00 as you guys are trying to build this program under Dave?
03:03 - Yeah, vocabulary and language is really important.
03:07 It's the first thing we addressed as coaches,
03:09 from philosophy all the way down to what we're doing
03:12 detailed on a route or a run scheme.
03:15 The first thing we did when we came in as coaches
03:17 was go ahead and nail down what we wanna call things
03:20 and how we wanna teach it.
03:21 Because we all have experiences
03:24 and I think opening up the floor to those conversations
03:26 of the different experiences we've had
03:28 and kind of nailing down how we wanna present it
03:30 to the players, that was the first order of business.
03:32 So we really enjoyed those first four or five weeks or so
03:36 of just getting to know each other on a personal level,
03:39 but then also, hey, what do we wanna be as an offense?
03:42 How do we wanna present this to the players
03:44 to grow and all kind of march in one direction?
03:46 - Brad, and then with your experience
03:50 with the wide receiver position,
03:52 there's several people on the staff
03:55 that have wide receiver backgrounds.
03:57 I'm just curious, what do you see in this wide receiver room
04:01 as it's currently constructed
04:02 and how do you think you can get more out of this group
04:05 than maybe the previous staff got last year?
04:09 - Just looking at the group from here forward,
04:12 we're really, we're operating with a blank slate.
04:15 So we are starting from square one with every single guy
04:18 and investing in them and his development this off season.
04:20 So we're really, from a veteran who's been around
04:23 like Adam Thielen and Deontay Johnson,
04:25 all the way down to a young guy like Jonathan Mingo
04:28 going into his second year,
04:29 we're just letting them show us through the tape
04:32 that they put on, the things they put on tape
04:34 this off season, okay,
04:36 what is their progression looking like now currently?
04:38 So we're just excited to really just strip this thing down
04:41 to the bolts and build things up one day at a time.
04:45 - Hey Brad, Joe Persson with The Athletic.
04:50 How you doing, man?
04:52 - Good.
04:52 - Appreciate you doing this.
04:54 I had a question about Bryce.
04:57 I'm trying, I don't think I'm making this up.
05:01 Did Dave tell us that when you guys were at Tampa,
05:04 you guys looked at some film of Bryce?
05:07 I know obviously you signed Baker in March,
05:10 but did y'all do any early study of Bryce prior to that?
05:15 - Every year we evaluate all the quarterbacks
05:18 as if we need one.
05:19 I think that's a healthy process to go through
05:22 when you're in the NFL.
05:24 At the end of the day, at the very least,
05:26 it's something that we could provide EJ
05:28 when we're preparing for him.
05:30 At least we know what we're going up against.
05:33 So there's definitely familiarity
05:35 with all the players that are coming into the league.
05:37 Will Herriger has done a phenomenal job this off season
05:40 breaking down this whole QB draft class
05:42 from top to bottom.
05:43 So we really treat every year the same
05:46 and don't leave any stone left unturned
05:49 when it comes to the draft.
05:50 - Wonder what your impressions were of Bryce
05:54 last February, let's say.
05:56 - Obviously a winner.
05:58 You look at a guy, he finds a way to win.
06:00 His arm talent is phenomenal.
06:03 He makes great professional throws all over the field
06:05 at the short, intermediate, and down the field as well.
06:10 But he's a winner.
06:11 And that's something you can't truly quantify all the time.
06:15 And we're really excited to have him here.
06:18 Really excited to watch him progress this off season
06:21 alongside his teammates.
06:23 - All right, let's go to David Newton
06:27 followed by Vashti Hurt.
06:29 - Brad, David Newton with ESPN.com.
06:32 Welcome to Charlotte.
06:34 Wanted to follow up on Joe a little bit.
06:38 What have you seen in Bryce now
06:40 that you didn't see in him last year
06:43 when you were going through film study
06:45 that either impressed you
06:46 or you feel like he needs to work on?
06:48 - You know, you look at the film
06:51 and he put plenty on tape to show you
06:52 that this is the guy we thought he was.
06:55 But as far as who we see now,
06:58 we're in the classrooms right now.
06:59 So we're really excited to just see that professionalism
07:03 that he brings to the table,
07:05 why he won so much throughout every step of his career.
07:09 We're excited to build on that
07:11 and just watch him progress
07:12 as we get the chance to hit the field with him
07:15 and watch him take this team and lead it.
07:17 - And I also wanted to ask you,
07:20 I know, I guess Dave's calling the plays,
07:23 but you're the coordinator.
07:24 So how does all that work?
07:26 How much input do you have in the play calling?
07:29 And how would you describe the philosophy
07:32 that Dave and you are bringing to this team?
07:35 - Yeah, I think there's a familiarity and trust
07:38 with me and Dave that runs pretty deep.
07:41 We've known each other for a long time
07:42 and we've always pinged ideas off of each other.
07:44 So we kind of play devil's advocate to each other,
07:48 which I think for us keeps each other in check.
07:51 But at the same time, we know what each other wants.
07:53 We know philosophy, when you mentioned philosophy,
07:56 we know we want to run the ball
07:58 and we want to start up front and play a physical game.
08:01 And then the rest will kind of build off of that.
08:03 And then, as we grow, start to see,
08:06 where does our team go?
08:07 What path does it go down?
08:09 Whether it's the quarterback, the running back, the O-line,
08:11 what schemes do we need to put in that fit our team
08:14 and kind of start to angle our team and our philosophies
08:18 as far as X's and O's are concerned
08:20 with what they're showing us.
08:22 So I think it's not being too rigid
08:24 in what you're presenting the guys,
08:25 giving them a good enough width
08:28 and a good enough sample size
08:30 to see where this team wants to go.
08:33 - Sam Strath, obviously looking for wide receivers
08:36 to add to what you already have.
08:38 How would you classify the depth of this class
08:41 and finding impact players?
08:44 You feel like there'll be plenty in second and third round.
08:47 - Yeah, I think top to bottom,
08:49 this is a really deep receiver class.
08:51 We're really excited.
08:52 Rob Moore has done a phenomenal job evaluating these guys.
08:55 So has Nate Carroll.
08:56 It's nice having a lot of eyes on the film,
08:59 a lot of crossover.
09:00 And Bercovici has done a little quarterbacks,
09:03 a little receivers.
09:03 So we're doing a good job as a staff,
09:06 just kind of cross-checking each other.
09:07 And then a lot like the X's and O's we mentioned before,
09:11 just doing, bringing it, putting things on the table
09:13 and having conversations about guys.
09:15 Who's our Panthers fit, right?
09:17 The football player, not just the numbers or the stats.
09:21 Who's a Panthers fit as we build this culture?
09:24 - Thanks a lot.
09:26 - Thank you.
09:26 - All right, let's go to Darrell Horwitz,
09:30 followed by Jeff Hawkins.
09:31 - Hi, Brad.
09:35 - Hey, Darrell.
09:35 - Hi, Brad, Darrell Horwitz from Queen City Nerve.
09:38 Welcome to Charlotte.
09:40 - Thank you.
09:41 - You're welcome.
09:42 I imagine you've had a lot of time now
09:43 to look at film from last season of Bryce Young
09:46 and some of the concerns there were with him in the pocket
09:50 and the backfield there.
09:51 And I'm wondering without revealing too much,
09:54 if there's anything you could mention
09:55 that you maybe saw that you think could be corrected
09:59 or helped this upcoming season?
10:01 - Oh, we really focused on the positives.
10:04 We went back, yeah, we studied last season,
10:06 but we saw what he did throw.
10:08 And we're going to, just like we mentioned,
10:11 where do you want to take this team Xs and Os wise?
10:13 Where do you want to take your quarterback?
10:15 And what does he show immediately
10:17 that he's willing to sit back there and rip?
10:20 And then we'll, as we go,
10:21 and he shows us on the field here this off season,
10:24 we'll continue to build on the fundamentals.
10:26 Will Harrager, one of the most prepared
10:28 quarterbacks, coaches you'll ever come across,
10:31 has examples of everything.
10:33 And he's showing it to them on the daily.
10:35 And then I can't wait to watch him get his hands dirty
10:38 with him on the field,
10:39 just honing in on all the fundamentals, the footwork,
10:42 and then just being on time with the wideouts.
10:44 - Thank you, appreciate it.
10:46 - Yep.
10:47 - Greetings, Jeff Hawkins from the Charlotte Post.
10:53 Regarding, thanks for doing this.
10:56 Regarding NFL draft,
10:57 I know you're not in the QB market,
10:59 but as an OC,
11:01 what do you think of the local prospect, Drake May?
11:04 Is he a top three pick in your opinion?
11:07 - Oh, I can't give away the keys to the castle right there,
11:11 but Drake's a phenomenal player.
11:14 I think just like the receiver position,
11:16 they, top to bottom,
11:18 there's some really good quarterbacks in this draft too.
11:20 And being a Wake Forest guy,
11:22 I've watched him kind of torch the Deacs a couple of times,
11:25 and it's really hurt at a personal level.
11:27 So got to rub shoulders with him a little bit in Indy.
11:31 It seems like a phenomenal personality.
11:33 Really excited to see where his career goes.
11:36 I think the sky's the limit for him.
11:37 He's got a lot of talent.
11:38 - Any more questions for coach?
11:43 - Hey, Brent, I got one more for you.
11:47 Tight end is a position you guys have kind of kept static
11:51 as of now,
11:52 but when you look at the way you guys use
11:56 the tight end position,
11:58 what traits do you look for in that position?
12:02 Maybe that can compliment the room you already have.
12:07 - Yeah, I think we have a couple of complimentary players.
12:11 And for us, it's about,
12:14 it's going to sound like coach speak,
12:15 but finding the best football player,
12:17 and then we will mesh the X's and O's
12:19 with who we have in the group.
12:21 We really don't want to pigeonhole ourselves in the same.
12:23 We need a route runner, we need a blocker.
12:25 We want the guy who can do both.
12:27 And then, as we go and we want to trot out there
12:30 with 12 or 13 personnel,
12:32 we'll figure out where are the best spots to put them.
12:35 And Pat McPherson has plenty of experience doing just that
12:38 with a bunch of different types of athletes.
12:40 So it's truly about finding the best football player
12:43 who also fits the culture,
12:45 and then is willing to absorb what Pat McPherson
12:48 is teaching them in the individual room.
12:50 - And then Dave said in Orlando
12:52 that he was fired up about the running back room.
12:54 How do you view a rotation lining up here?
12:57 - I think they let that,
12:59 that kind of sorts itself out
13:01 as we go throughout the off season,
13:02 you go through the preseason,
13:03 and you let them compete right up until game one.
13:06 We do have a lot of good runners.
13:07 We put the tape on and talk about watching last year,
13:10 and you see some guys that they finish runs,
13:13 they run with attitude,
13:14 and we're really excited for that as a starting point.
13:16 And then, Bernie's going to take them to the next level
13:19 as far as just honing in on the details of pass pro,
13:22 being well-rounded backs.
13:23 But we have a couple of different talented runners
13:26 in their own right,
13:27 and we're just going to let them compete,
13:28 let that thing sort itself out leading up to game one.
13:31 - Thanks.
13:32 - Go ahead, David.
13:34 - You mentioned your dad earlier,
13:37 and how did he influence what you look for in players today?
13:42 - Yeah, when you grow up on the personnel side of things,
13:46 and you're sending him mock drafts
13:47 when you're in third grade,
13:48 and you're telling him who he needs to pick,
13:51 I think there's dialogue that's been going on there
13:54 for, I don't know, 20 years now.
13:56 And he's definitely influenced me,
13:58 and I think we think very alike.
14:00 And what I love about his process,
14:03 even though he was on the personnel side of things,
14:05 was he never forgot the football aspect.
14:08 He never got enamored with a guy in gym shorts.
14:12 He always went back to the tape.
14:13 So I think that, for me, it's always a solid reminder.
14:17 Maybe I'll shoot him a pros,
14:19 "Hey, what do you think about this guy?
14:20 What do you think about this guy?"
14:21 And he'll always be like,
14:22 "Hey, go back and watch this game."
14:24 It's never, "Go back and watch his pro day,
14:25 go back and watch his work,
14:27 go back and watch his game, and watch the football player."
14:30 - Have you done that with Bryce?
14:31 Sent him some tape and said, "What do you think?"
14:33 And what did he say?
14:35 - Oh, I do it every year.
14:37 I do it every year just because, I mean, that's family,
14:39 and that's our biggest common ground is football.
14:41 And my mom, as much as she rolls her eyes with it,
14:45 we kind of fall back into our ways
14:47 of just talking about ball when we're around the house.
14:50 - Appreciate it.
14:51 - We've got time for a few more.
14:53 Go ahead, Cassidy.
14:53 - Hey, Brad, how's it going?
14:57 - Good, how you doing?
14:59 - Good. First thing, who were you mock-drafting
15:01 in third grade?
15:02 Like, who was your first pick?
15:03 - Oh, man.
15:04 There was a guy, Leonard Pope was a tight end at Georgia.
15:08 And it might not have been the third grade.
15:10 I might've been, that might've been a hyperbole.
15:13 I think I was maybe in the sixth grade.
15:15 And I was in Arizona.
15:16 They ended up drafting him.
15:18 My dad called me right before the pick.
15:19 And he's like, "Hey, this might just be happenstance,
15:22 but we're about to draft Leonard Pope."
15:24 So I asked him if I could get a jersey
15:25 and they weren't really selling them.
15:27 So you have to get the custom jersey.
15:29 But that was the one that I'll always remember.
15:32 - You called it.
15:33 I know you said you're going to let this team kind of grow
15:35 and see who they become,
15:37 but when you do get them on the field next week
15:39 for the first time,
15:40 are there any sort of parameters you want to reach
15:44 or see right off the bat,
15:45 just to kind of know where you're at?
15:47 Like, how do you determine off the bat,
15:49 like what you're working with?
15:51 - Well, for us, we're not going to,
15:53 you don't need to inundate them with too much quantity.
15:55 And you just want them to own the pre-snap
15:57 and just own the fundamentals
15:59 of what the core of our offense will be.
16:01 How do things marry up?
16:03 How can we stop a play, coach the finer details,
16:06 and get them to really buy into the things
16:08 that make the difference as the season goes on?
16:11 So that's really it.
16:12 It's just not being in a hurry.
16:14 It's teaching them to slow down
16:15 and focus on those finer details and fundamentals.
16:19 - All right, thanks coach.
16:20 - Thank you.
16:22 Thank you.