Chargers GM Tom Telesco did not give a timetable for a decision on Philip Rivers, but he left the door open for the veteran quarterback's return to Los Angeles.
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00:00 It's usually on the GM's plate.
00:02 So I just feel like moving forward, I need to do a better job getting this team in
00:08 a position to win consistently and sustain that.
00:12 We can't have these spikes.
00:14 So that's what we're working on right now.
00:16 But I can tell you for myself and Anthony, we were disappointed, a bit angry,
00:22 which is kind of normal for this time of year after a season like that.
00:25 But I can tell you we're not discouraged at all.
00:28 I mean, I like the culture here.
00:32 I like the foundation that's been built.
00:35 I love our head coach.
00:37 So those are three things, if you're gonna build a championship level team,
00:40 you have to, those three things are critical.
00:42 I feel like that has been built.
00:43 Now it's more of we gotta make sure we bring in the players with the skill set
00:48 to fit the schemes we're gonna run.
00:50 And then also make sure we adjust our schemes to the skill set of some
00:53 of the players we have.
00:54 So that's saying a lot, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done.
00:58 Obviously when you go five and 11 and you go 0 and 6 in the division,
01:02 you got some work to do.
01:04 So, but I can tell you we're excited to get moving on this,
01:08 cuz we feel like there's a foundation there.
01:10 But obviously there's a lot of work to be done.
01:13 So with that, I'll open up to anybody who wants to ask a question.
01:17 >> How do you find that consistency?
01:19 You talk about building a consistent winner.
01:21 How do you do that now moving forward?
01:23 >> I think a lot of it's just communication.
01:25 We've already had, this is not a great week to be having really difficult talks,
01:30 cuz we're just so emotional when the season ends.
01:32 I think as a coaching staff, they just went through like 24,
01:35 25 weeks of a grind, okay, every single day, seven days a week.
01:39 But we had some discussions this week and
01:43 we got some things we gotta get better at moving forward.
01:47 A lot of it's just communication inside the building.
01:48 Not that I don't think our communication's bad at all.
01:51 That's not what I'm saying.
01:53 But as we evolve and change, make sure everybody's on the same page and
01:58 fix what didn't go right this year.
02:00 Cuz the whole league changes year to year.
02:01 Every team changes year to year.
02:02 We gotta make sure that we get on a more consistent path than we've been on.
02:06 >> As far as the changes, two part question.
02:11 What's your evaluation of how Phillip played last year?
02:14 And then the second part is, do you want him to come back?
02:16 Is he gonna be part of this team moving forward?
02:18 >> Yeah, I think I can answer all that.
02:22 I think Phillip would say the same thing.
02:23 There's some plays he probably definitely wants back.
02:25 But there's also some throws he makes still that a lot of quarterbacks in this
02:30 league can't make.
02:31 Doesn't matter how old you are.
02:32 So I think he can still compete at a top starter level.
02:36 But that all being said, when you go five and 11, 0 and 6 in the division,
02:42 I'm doing a disservice to the organization if we don't, hey,
02:45 let's look at everything.
02:46 Let's see how all the pieces fit into this.
02:49 So that's what we have to do with really with every position.
02:52 But like I said, I think he can still compete at a top starter level.
02:56 >> So you still need to do an evaluation process before making that determination?
03:00 >> We gotta look at it.
03:00 I mean, like I said, you go five and 11, and the biggest problem,
03:04 you go 0 and 6 in your own division.
03:05 We gotta make sure we look at everything.
03:07 And we're at four days out right now.
03:09 But we gotta make a real good look, see how everything fits together,
03:13 financially and performance wise with everybody.
03:16 >> Sorry, Tom.
03:17 >> It's all right.
03:18 >> Do you feel like Philip and what he does matches the way that your head coach
03:23 wants to play offense?
03:25 >> Yes, I think we've done it before, right?
03:28 So.
03:29 >> What's the timeline with Philip?
03:31 I mean, how long down the line do you wanna make a decision about whether you
03:35 want him back or don't want him back?
03:36 Like how long is the evaluation process gonna be?
03:38 And what's your hopeful time?
03:40 >> I mean, I don't have a time frame right now.
03:41 I think in a perfect world, number 17's your quarterback forever.
03:47 Hopefully I'm not offending Dan Fouts when I say that.
03:49 But I mean, he's meant everything to this organization.
03:53 You work with different players differently.
03:56 He's been here for a long time.
03:58 When I talk with him, I mean, he's a joy to work with.
04:01 I mean, nobody has better perspective on what goes on, not only just with him, but
04:04 with the football team than he does.
04:05 I mean, I can see why he's gonna be a great coach when he's done playing.
04:09 So, but we need to get removed from this season a little bit.
04:13 Like even like right now, it's just way too early.
04:16 I've been out in a couple games.
04:18 We just finished the season.
04:19 We need to take a step back for a little bit of time.
04:22 But we've got time and we've got first day of the league year is March 18th.
04:26 Our players come in April 20th, camp starts in July.
04:30 We'll know before July, obviously.
04:31 But you need some time to kind of let things decompress a little bit.
04:35 So I don't have a hard time for you.
04:36 >> [INAUDIBLE]
04:43 >> Actually, yes.
04:44 So that can kind of help us get to where we're trying to figure out where the
04:47 problems are.
04:47 But in the losses and even in a couple of the wins, there were some common threads.
04:51 Turnovers, obviously, and not just the offense turning it over,
04:56 the defense not causing enough turnover.
04:58 So that differential is just huge.
05:00 The offense gets a lot of the flack, but defensively, our interceptions were down.
05:07 Our fumbles were down.
05:09 Now, fumble recoveries, the ball's oblong, it's not circle, okay?
05:15 But the more times you put that ball on the ground,
05:17 the better chance you are of recovering fumbles.
05:19 So we didn't get enough turnovers overall.
05:22 Red zone offense has been an issue this year.
05:25 We moved the ball, yardage wasn't a problem, red zone was.
05:28 And then third down defense.
05:30 And if you look at our losses, and even a couple of the wins,
05:33 there's a common denominator with those three things.
05:35 So we got a lot of work to do.
05:38 >> You mentioned Anthony, saying you love Anthony.
05:42 Is it, he's going to the last season of this contract.
05:44 Are you comfortable with that situation or would you rather extend him and
05:48 so there's more, there's no one that he's gonna be here?
05:51 >> Yeah, I mean, the contract will work itself out.
05:53 I just know he's tough, he's smart, he's a leader.
05:58 And he represents his organization on and off the field like no one else.
06:03 I love working with him.
06:04 Like there's nobody else I wanna go into battle with than him.
06:06 So the rest of the stuff will work itself out.
06:08 But I think we have a championship level coach.
06:10 I need to do my part, make sure I don't let him down.
06:14 So, but I love what he's doing.
06:16 >> Wait, Tom, when it comes to turnover differential and you look at Philip,
06:20 how do you guys evaluate, obviously, offensive line being in that factor as well?
06:27 >> Well, it's all part of it.
06:29 It sounds like an excuse, but I mean, it's a fact.
06:34 We lost two guys that were pretty good players for us.
06:36 They were Pro Bowl caliber players for us here, left tackle in the center.
06:40 So, but don't forget too, I mean, we threw the ball probably 600 times this year.
06:47 A lot of straight drop backs, weren't aggressive offense,
06:50 we threw the ball down the field.
06:52 And despite all that, our sack percentage was seventh least given up in this league.
06:57 So it wasn't all bad, but I agree with you.
07:01 When you look, look, there's some things we need to fix up front.
07:03 There's no doubt about that, but it wasn't all bad.
07:05 But when it comes to turnovers, yeah, it's offensive line, quarterback play,
07:10 running back play, receivers, it's all kind of part of that.
07:12 So there's like I said, there were like easy things to fix.
07:17 If it was just one thing, we'd probably make that fix in season and away we go.
07:22 But it takes a little more than that.
07:24 >> Going back to Philip, is this something that you wanna get sorted out before
07:27 the new league year so he doesn't become a free agent?
07:29 Is that- >> I mean, yeah, more than likely.
07:31 Yeah, there's no doubt.
07:33 >> Tom, would it be feasible to, assuming that you would wanna bring Philip back,
07:39 if there's a quarterback there at number six, to draft him and have him as
07:45 the backup and learning under Philip much the way Philip learned under Drew Brees?
07:50 >> Sure.
07:50 I mean, it is something that we've been looking at for years.
07:54 So yeah, I got no problems with that.
07:56 It's certainly feasible.
07:57 >> But we said you wanted Philip to be here and he's a charter for life.
08:00 >> Yeah. >> But just for
08:01 the first time, he might be wearing a different uniform.
08:04 How would you feel about that?
08:05 And does it provide this possibility?
08:07 >> I mean, it's all hypotheticals, but I can only really picture him with a
08:10 lightning bolt on his helmet.
08:11 But yeah, I haven't gotten that far down the road yet.
08:13 >> After the game, I was talking about it,
08:15 he just feels like the roster has a lot of question marks.
08:17 And it's not just about him coming back and playing well.
08:19 I mean, how much of this is you convincing him that you guys have the talent here to
08:22 be a Super Bowl?
08:23 >> Yeah, that you'd have to ask him.
08:25 Like I said, I don't think anybody, yeah, I'm not into this recruiting business.
08:29 But I think, like I said, I don't think anybody has better perspective on the game
08:33 of football, him himself, and then our football team.
08:36 And like I said earlier, there are many factors why we were 5-11.
08:41 It isn't just one thing, so I think he's right on with that.
08:43 But like I said, we got things to fix.
08:47 I kinda like where we are with the base of the pyramid, but
08:50 we got some work to do.
08:51 >> Has Philip said that he wants to be back?
08:54 >> Pardon me? >> Has Philip told you that he wants to
08:56 come back?
08:57 >> We've had discussions, and I think I know where he stands.
08:59 I think he likes it here, he likes playing football.
09:02 So, but like I said, you'll have to ask him that.
09:05 >> There seems to be a perception, and you can correct this if it's wrong,
09:09 that Anthony might want a more mobile quarterback, where other people in
09:13 the organization are so, I mean, there's so
09:15 much behind Phil that there could be a disconnect there.
09:17 Is there any truth to that at all?
09:19 >> Have you asked Anthony that?
09:20 What was the answer he gave you?
09:21 I'm sure you must have asked him that.
09:24 >> No, I mean, I don't know if he's, he's answered it very diplomatically.
09:29 >> No, I mean, he's answered it honestly.
09:30 I mean, we won 12 games last year.
09:34 Went to the playoffs, won a playoff game.
09:35 So, obviously it's worked, nine or seven years before that, it worked okay then.
09:40 So, obviously it can work.
09:41 >> As far as coaching staff changes, you had an interim and
09:47 offensive coordinator, is there any timetable on going through the staff?
09:51 >> Yeah, so, I mean, that's sooner or later.
09:54 The player stuff kind of has to wait a little bit, the staff is sooner than later.
09:57 So, it's things we're talking about right now.
10:00 Like I said, when you go five and 11, you do have to have these tough discussions
10:04 without forgetting that this is the same staff that went 12 and 4 the year before.
10:07 So, but those are discussions we have.
10:10 I thought Shane, it's hard coming in the middle of the season and
10:14 taking those duties over.
10:15 I thought all in all, he did an excellent job.
10:18 I think he's got a really bright future in this league.
10:20 He made some tweaks and some changes, but it's hard.
10:23 If you're not the coordinator in training camp or
10:26 even the off season program where you're installing what you wanna do,
10:29 you can't make major changes during the season.
10:31 And I thought he did a really good job, I thought he handled it well.
10:33 I mean, think about you coming in on Monday and
10:36 then by noon, all of a sudden you're the coordinator.
10:38 I mean, that's a pretty tight turnaround.
10:41 And he didn't blink, he just jumped right into it.
10:43 And like I said, he's got a bright career in this league and
10:46 I think he did a pretty good job this year.
10:49 >> With Pickens sixth in the draft,
10:51 has senior Bull folks reached out to you about possibly being one of the snares?
10:56 >> No.
10:57 >> Where do you stand with Melvin Gordon and wanting to bring him back?
11:03 He said he wants to return.
11:04 >> Yeah. >> Obviously,
11:05 things didn't go the way he wanted in terms of negotiation.
11:08 >> I mean, he falls in the same boat as almost everybody right now.
11:11 We gotta evaluate and assess everything.
11:15 So that's the answer.
11:16 You go five and 11, no one's six in division, you gotta look at everything.
11:19 So, if I can tell you this, obviously Melvin held out.
11:25 So that doesn't make me very happy.
11:28 And I think it affected our team early, but you do have to get over that.
11:31 But despite all that, I love the kid.
11:34 I mean, on a personal level, on a professional level, I mean, I love the kid.
11:36 He does, even watching him play against Kansas City this past weekend,
11:40 I don't think his statistics were great, but I thought he had a great game.
11:44 I mean, toughness, heart, I mean, that's how I feel about him.
11:49 However, we gotta really look at everything.
11:51 Like I said, we gotta see how everything fits together.
11:54 But he's an excellent football player.
11:56 >> How do you feel he handled coming back and kind of integrating himself into the squad?
12:01 >> I thought he handled it very, very well.
12:03 I mean, that was a very difficult situation, very unique situation.
12:07 I thought he handled it as well as he possibly could have.
12:10 And I was hopefully we handled it as well as we could have.
12:12 Unfortunately, the product and the feel of the result didn't look like the way it
12:16 was supposed to.
12:16 But look, I understand there's two sides of it.
12:20 I understand why he did it.
12:22 I didn't agree with it, but I don't hold a grudge on him.
12:24 Partly, I really feel for the kid.
12:28 I like him a lot.
12:29 So, but it is what it is.
12:32 >> Is there a different type of approach you would do,
12:35 knowing what you guys gonna do last year with him, coming into this year?
12:38 >> So, yeah, when things like that happen, I go back and look, how do we handle it?
12:42 Where we could have done better?
12:44 I'll probably still give us some thought.
12:47 Unfortunately, at this stage,
12:48 I'm still in the same position that I probably would have handled it the same way.
12:50 Even though the result, early on, and more than likely hurt our football team.
12:56 Anthony did not have all of his weapons to start the season.
12:59 But this is a tough business and these things happen.
13:03 But it's not like I'm gonna sit there, put my head in the sand and say,
13:07 it was perfect, we handled it the right way.
13:10 Who cares what the result was?
13:11 I don't look at it like that.
13:12 But as I look back, it was a unique situation and the way that we handled it.
13:17 We tried it the best way we could at the time and that's how it worked out.
13:21 >> With that situation happening, would you look to maybe not have that happen
13:26 with Joey Bosa and try and get a contract worked out with him this offseason?
13:30 >> Well, every situation is different.
13:33 There's no two same.
13:35 Just like Joey's contract this time will be different than his rookie contract.
13:38 So yeah, that'll be down the road at some point,
13:42 not really focused on that right now.
13:43 >> From a variety of perspective, when you go through seasons like this and
13:48 you go through the evaluation process, how hard are you on yourself and
13:52 the things that you did or could have done or what have you?
13:56 >> I mean, when you think about these jobs, and
13:58 I'm not trying to separate our job from other people's jobs in real lives.
14:02 But we put, this is seven days of work every single day working with these people
14:07 in this building, and it's an emotional game.
14:09 And obviously everything you do, everybody sees, and
14:12 if you don't do it well, everybody tells you.
14:15 So when you grow up in an atmosphere that you wanna win, and
14:18 you wanna win for everybody in the building, and it doesn't go that way, yeah,
14:21 it hurts, it hurts a lot.
14:23 That's why this week, I try and avoid having, making any decisions,
14:28 but make having big talks because we're just, the coaches are exhausted.
14:33 I'm upset, coach is upset, and we put everything into this.
14:38 So when it doesn't go the way you want it to go, yeah, it hurts.
14:40 But like I said earlier, I'm disappointed, I'm a little bit angry,
14:45 I'm getting a little better as we get to Thursday.
14:47 But I'm not discouraged, cuz I know we have the right head coach.
14:50 I know we have a good core of players here, and
14:54 I know we have some really good people in our building to keep growing that.
14:57 So that's the answer to that.
14:59 >> How much work do you feel like needs to be done to the offensive line this
15:01 offseason?
15:03 >> How much work?
15:04 That's a tough question.
15:05 But there's work that needs to be done, obviously.
15:08 So again, that's part of the evaluation process as we move into the offseason.
15:13 But yeah, it's not a finished product by any means.
15:16 >> How much more difficult is the job of sort of revamping the offensive line when
15:20 you do have question marks?
15:21 You don't know if Mike's definitely gonna be back next year.
15:24 Russell obviously has dealt with a lot of stuff this year.
15:26 >> Right. >> He might not be a guy you can rely on.
15:28 How much more difficult is it to make it with the uncertainty surrounding some
15:30 of the players? >> Well, I don't know if you have to
15:31 revamp, but there's gotta be adjustments.
15:34 And yeah, I mean, that plays into it.
15:35 Mike Ponce had a season-ending injury.
15:38 There's some question marks there.
15:39 Russell's thing is a little bit different.
15:43 But yeah, certainly, see how he comes back.
15:46 Those are two key guys for us, but they're also up there in age as well.
15:50 And Michael Scofield's a free agent.
15:53 So yeah, we got some work to do.
15:56 I mean, I'm not gonna hide from that.
15:58 >> Mike did say he wants to come back.
16:00 He's cleared by doctors.
16:02 Do you have any clarity on that?
16:06 >> I haven't asked him.
16:07 I haven't even talked to the doctor specifically about where he is.
16:10 I know he has some things coming up at the end of the month,
16:12 kinda see where that is.
16:13 We gotta make sure we talk to the doctor, see where everything is.
16:16 But man, he is an incredible leader.
16:19 I mean, first of all, he's a good player.
16:20 He's an incredible leader on the offensive line at a key position.
16:23 I mean, center and left tackle, if you had to rank the spots of those front five,
16:27 nothing against the other three, but they're critical.
16:30 And I thought Scott Quisenberry came in and played pretty well.
16:34 Okay, he had his rough spots from time to time.
16:36 But there's just no substitute for what Mike Pouncey brought to that group.
16:41 I mean, Mike's not gonna play forever, we know that.
16:44 But yeah, we'll have to kinda see as we move through the offseason where he is,
16:49 where medically he is, and kinda take it from there.
16:51 But I mean, those are the guys you wanna go to battle with every week.
16:55 >> In the years, Tom, that you've been doing this, and
16:58 the various layers that you've mentioned about evaluating everybody, and
17:02 finances, and all that.
17:04 This year, you're also moving into a new stadium.
17:06 Does that play 1%, a little bit, 0%?
17:11 >> Into- >> Decision making.
17:13 >> Decision making?
17:15 No, it wouldn't come into decision making.
17:17 I think if there's ever a year we gotta turn the page, it's this year.
17:22 So this season's done, it's a new decade, it's a new stadium.
17:25 I think our players will be excited about it.
17:27 But as far as the decisions you make, we're under pressure to win.
17:34 Doesn't matter where we're playing and who we're in front of,
17:36 that's the pressure, the pressure to win.
17:38 But I do think our players will get something out of it, there's no doubt.
17:42 >> How comfortable would you be with Tyrod as you started going into-
17:45 >> Say how cool would I be?
17:47 >> How comfortable?
17:47 >> [LAUGH] >> I was really excited when we saw
17:52 Tyrod, he's a starting quality quarterback in this league that we had as a backup.
18:01 And that meant a lot, we hadn't had that here since I've been here.
18:04 So yeah, I think he can play, he can start in this league.
18:07 He's a great leader too.
18:08 >> [INAUDIBLE]
18:15 >> Haven't got that far, but yeah, he did a great job.
18:19 Yeah, his knee gave him some issues for almost the whole second half of the season.
18:22 I don't think it's anything serious, but it's something that bothered him.
18:27 But he still put up big numbers for us, yards, average per catch and catches.
18:33 And I still think he's got a high ceiling moving forward.
18:37 So yeah, I mean, he's a big time playmaker for us.
18:40 >> Coming up with 12 and four season, do you feel like you did enough to put
18:44 a winning football team on the field in the off season?
18:48 >> Obviously not, I mean, we go five and 11.
18:51 So, nope, didn't do enough job last year.
18:53 >> Said a couple times here that you feel like Anthony Lynn is the right man for
18:56 the job of championship Calvert coach.
18:58 Why do you feel that way?
19:00 >> I mean, I think I told you, I mean, he's tough, he's smart.
19:05 He's an excellent leader.
19:05 He works very well with the staff and he holds them accountable.
19:11 He's great with the players.
19:14 He works great with myself and our whole staff.
19:17 And he's a great representative of this organization.
19:19 So, like I said, we're very, very lucky to have him.
19:24 We just gotta get a better product on the field and
19:27 make sure he has everything he needs when he needs it.
19:29 And I love working with him.
19:31 >> You mentioned based on the results, five and 11,
19:33 there's gonna have to be some changes in the off season.
19:36 >> Right. >> In terms of the cap space,
19:37 do you feel comfortable with the fact that you have enough cap space to do those
19:41 things and was that an impediment last year?
19:45 >> I know into next year, we have a healthy cap.
19:48 I mean, our dead money is one of the last in the league.
19:52 And we have plenty of space moving into next year.
19:54 So, but I never saw it as an issue last year that we couldn't do things.
19:59 But now we'll definitely have more space, probably the most space we've had since
20:05 I've been here in the last six or seven years moving forward.
20:08 So, yeah, we've got some flexibility there.
20:10 >> And Henry's also a free agent.
20:11 Do you wanna bring him back next season?
20:15 >> Like I said, everybody falls in the same category.
20:18 We gotta make sure what fits, what pieces fit.
20:21 And I've talked to Hunter.
20:22 He had a great season for us.
20:24 He's gonna be a really, and again, he has a higher ceiling too.
20:27 Excellent player for us.
20:30 Can't figure out all the finances and the cap and
20:33 the performance and everything, how everything fits.
20:35 But yeah, like I said, it's a draft pick of ours.
20:40 And as you know, our philosophy is to resign our own when we can.
20:44 It may not be everybody.
20:46 We would like to resign our own first and then go outside after that.
20:49 >> Between Phil's situation, and
20:51 now in Hunter's situation, and the situation with Pouncey and Michael Sheffield.
20:56 This off season can turn out weird no matter how hard you try.
20:59 Some leadership in that locker room goes out the door.
21:02 How do you approach an off season knowing that some leadership might?
21:05 >> You know what?
21:06 Every year there's major questions, major concerns, how you gonna fix this,
21:10 how you gonna fix that.
21:12 And every year, players leave the locker room.
21:15 And as players get older and as leaders leave the locker room,
21:20 that's when the next crew of players, the second, third, fourth,
21:23 fifth year players move into those leadership roles.
21:25 It happens every year.
21:27 We have some players in our football team that aren't team leaders yet, but
21:32 they have it in them, and as the boys open up, they move into those spots.
21:37 So if you have the right culture and you have the right foundation and
21:40 you have the right head coach, and we have the three of those,
21:45 that takes care of itself.
21:46 We'll make sure we're bringing in the right players that have those leadership
21:50 characteristics, but it kind of takes care of itself.
21:52 >> Who are those employers on the team right now?
21:55 >> I'll keep that to myself for right now.
21:57 Well, one easy one is, and really he was a leader last year as a rookie,
22:01 which is a little bit rare, is Derwin.
22:03 Derwin, he's just a natural leader.
22:05 Guys gravitate towards him.
22:07 But we have some other guys that,
22:09 you don't have to be a rah-rah type guy to be a leader.
22:12 I told that to Austin Eckler the other day.
22:14 Austin Eckler has great leadership ability.
22:17 And there's other guys that fit in that category too.
22:19 And that's kind of in that age group, as they start to grow,
22:22 the longer they're here, they kind of take on leadership capabilities.
22:25 >> How high of a tender will you have to give them to make sure that their team
22:30 gets that?
22:31 >> Yeah, it's January 4th.
22:33 I don't know how high a tender yet, but he had a great year for us.
22:38 >> Austin pretty much had a red shirt year, a hamstring injury.
22:43 What do you hope to see from him this offseason?
22:45 And what do you think his role could evolve into in his second year?
22:49 >> Yeah, well, he needs to get healthy, number one.
22:51 So that's what this offseason's about.
22:54 I mean, he's already had a number of weeks and months to get a head start on that.
22:58 So, and he moves into the offseason, he's gonna be a defensive back.
23:03 It could be safety, could be some nickel corner, could be corner,
23:06 we'll kind of see.
23:07 The good thing in his brief amount of time that we saw him in the preseason and
23:13 a little bit in the regular season, I feel good that he can play in this league.
23:17 But we need to get him out there.
23:19 So he has some instincts, some quick twitch, he'll hit.
23:22 Good feel for the game, but he's gotta get healthy and
23:25 then get out there and start competing for time.
23:27 >> What would be your evaluation of Jerry Tillery, his version?
23:30 >> Yeah, well, him, like most of our guys, just come in and
23:33 earn a role in the rotation first, which he did that.
23:36 And then after that, try and expand that role.
23:39 As we got towards later in the year, saw a lot more.
23:44 And then this will be a big offseason for him and
23:46 the rest of our rookies to kind of take the roles they have now and expand on those.
23:50 But yeah, I think the last, let's say, three, four weeks,
23:53 that came along pretty well.
23:54 >> And then thoughts overall of the rookie class, what do you think about the class?
23:57 I know it's first year, expectations aren't.
24:01 >> It's just, it's hard to generalize a whole draft class.
24:03 I think, like I said, I like them to all come in, just earn a role in some way.
24:10 Even like Bouley, just earn a role in special teams.
24:13 Maybe a couple snaps on defense, which he did.
24:15 And then go into the offseason and start expanding on that.
24:20 So obviously, Nas did not, Nas got hurt.
24:23 So, and even Trey Pipkins, the negative is Russell got hurt.
24:29 Positive is Trey got a chance to play a little bit.
24:32 And although it was rocky at times, there were some good things that we saw.
24:36 So that's just good experience for him.
24:39 But as a draft class generally, it's just hard to generalize it.
24:42 But we expect them all next year, yeah, start taking the next step.
24:47 >> How did you feel Drew Tranquil played?
24:49 He started off as a special teams guy, ended up towards the end of the season
24:53 playing a lot of crucial snaps for you guys.
24:55 >> Right, so he falls in that category.
24:58 Earned a role in special teams, earned a role playing in nickel,
25:02 and then earned a role playing in base.
25:04 And did a really nice job.
25:07 He's smart, he's tough, he runs well.
25:10 Fits a lot of things we wanna do on defense, and did a really nice job.
25:14 Gets tough.
25:14 >> You mentioned that Anthony is the right coach.
25:16 Did he get distraction, he doesn't take the new year without an extension?
25:20 >> I've never really seen coach distracted, have you?
25:22 He just doesn't, he does, he doesn't, he doesn't get distracted.
25:26 Like he handles things extremely well, so.
25:30 >> You talked about at the beginning about kind of being disappointed and
25:33 angry, and I don't wanna rip a scab off, but when you watch the playoffs.
25:38 And kind of what's your time frame to say, okay, last year's behind us.
25:43 Do you get away a little bit, and when do you start going into drafts?
25:47 >> Yeah, it's hard to get away this time of year, but
25:50 the playoffs are painful to watch, cuz it just reminds you
25:54 every time you watch a game that you're not there, so.
25:57 I mean, it's hard for me not to watch some of the games, but
25:59 it's not a pleasant experience.
26:01 But we're right into right now getting ready for next year.
26:05 For me, now getting more into the draft process and
26:08 getting to look at a lot more guys.
26:09 We've got a couple of all-star games this month.
26:12 Bowl season's wrapping up, start meeting with our scouts in February, so.
26:17 Look, if you wanna get this going, you gotta put the work in, so.
26:22 >> With moving into a new stadium, is there pressure from Dean and
26:27 the family that you'll have to make a splash signing or
26:31 splash trade during the offseason?
26:34 >> There's pressure to win.
26:35 There's pressure to win.
26:36 And I mentioned this to the players and coaches on Monday.
26:42 And I know this is on a smaller scale, but
26:44 I thought there was at least some perspective to it.
26:46 So in 1998, it was my first year with the Colts.
26:50 And the Colts had moved from Baltimore in 84.
26:54 So they had been there for 14 years when I got there.
26:57 When I got there, it was at that point still Indiana Pacers,
27:00 college basketball, Indy race car driving.
27:04 So it was Pacers and Racers, and then the Colts were distant.
27:10 And in 1999, we go 13 and 3, had a great year.
27:13 We had a home playoff game against the Tennessee Titans.
27:16 We had Eddie George and Steve McNair, Javon Kurs.
27:20 We have a home playoff game, and we had to go silent count the whole game, okay,
27:23 at home.
27:24 So this is not a new phenomenon that we had to go with silent count here.
27:28 So we lose that game.
27:30 And in 2000, 2001, 2002, as we move forward,
27:34 started winning a lot of games, one with some flair.
27:38 Did a lot of work in the community, made it to a Super Bowl,
27:42 built a new stadium.
27:43 And now that city is a Colt city, it's a football town.
27:49 And the Colts are loved there, and the support is great.
27:53 But it took playing really consistent, winning football for a long time, and
27:58 having some fun with it, having some flair.
28:00 I mean, we had Peyton Manning.
28:01 We also had a lot of other players that were fun to watch, and it grew.
28:06 So bigger scale here with Los Angeles,
28:08 you can't really compare Indianapolis to Los Angeles.
28:11 But I think here, I mean, the bar is high here, and that shouldn't scare us.
28:17 That should really drive us even more.
28:19 We gotta play winning football and be exciting, and the support will come.
28:24 So we're the solution with that.
28:25 It's nothing to complain about.
28:27 So, but as far as Splash,
28:31 there's a difference between exciting to me and Splash.
28:34 Splash doesn't have any substance to it.
28:35 Exciting can still have some substance to it.
28:37 So, no, I think we can get there.
28:41 It's gonna be a lot of hard work, but I think it's gonna be fun as we try and
28:44 build this.
28:44 I think it's gonna be fun moving into a new stadium, especially now.
28:47 I mean, we can really just get this year out of our minds,
28:50 move into a brand new stadium.
28:51 We'll probably bring the players up there in the off-season program so
28:54 they can see it.
28:55 None of them have really seen it.
28:56 I mean, I haven't been up there in two years.
28:58 Last time I was up there, there was a hole in the ground.
28:59 So it'd be exciting for them to see what this is gonna look like.
29:04 And it gives a little bit of energy this off-season.
29:08 >> So is there pressure to make an exciting signing for training?
29:12 >> [LAUGH] >> Since you said there's a difference
29:15 between Splash and- >> Joe, you're good.
29:16 >> [LAUGH] >> The difference between your exciting
29:21 and my exciting may be different.
29:23 I can't define exciting.
29:24 I don't know what that is.
29:26 You have to be careful of players with big names,
29:29 and maybe the performance isn't there anymore.
29:30 That's our job to make sure.
29:33 But we're trying to find the players and come in and win football games.
29:38 >> How do you feel like Sam Tavi played this year?
29:39 And do you feel like he's a starter in this league?
29:41 >> I do.
29:44 He is tough.
29:46 He is tough beyond your dreams, and he's got great feet.
29:49 But yeah, he does have starting ability in this league, yep.
29:56 >> How well have you and
29:57 John been able to work with each other in the past couple of years?
30:01 >> Very well, yeah, very well.
30:03 Yeah, I get great support from ownership.
30:07 I can't ask for any more.
30:08 >> Did that pressure win any greater than when you started here in-
30:14 >> 2013?
30:15 >> 2013.
30:17 >> I mean, for me, it's a year to year job.
30:19 There's pressure every single year.
30:20 There's pressure in 13 and 14 and 15.
30:22 To me, that's no different.
30:25 It's pressure to win every single year.
30:27 Pardon me?
30:28 >> You've never been in the building mode.
30:29 You don't have the quarterback.
30:32 >> Yeah, I'm not real big on rebuilding.
30:35 If you wanna get technical, maybe retool.
30:37 But in the end, I mean, you can build it on the run.
30:43 It may not be exactly the way you like it, but you can build it on the run.
30:46 That's what we did in 2013.
30:47 We kind of built it on the run.
30:48 >> Going back to Melbourne for a second.
30:54 With the long-term high-priced contracts still out there running back and
30:58 the performance really not matching them,
31:01 do you think the market is coming back a little bit?
31:04 You might wanna come around with them for an extension?
31:07 >> You're being very general with the first part of that statement, but I don't know.
31:12 We'll see.
31:12 Every back, every team situation is a little bit different.
31:16 It's hard to be very general and say, hey, this is what these four guys did, and
31:19 it did work, it didn't work, and it will work here.
31:21 I don't know if that really fits.
31:22 But we'll see.
31:25 It's really extremely early right now in January.
31:27 >> In your interactions with agents and players,
31:32 do you have any sense that being in Los Angeles and
31:36 also moving into this highly acclaimed stadium will give you a little bit of
31:41 an edge in terms of either extending guys or assigning free agents?
31:46 >> You know what? I don't have a great feel for that.
31:48 Honestly, I just don't.
31:51 I haven't had an agent mention that to me.
31:53 I haven't had a player mention that to me.
31:56 But we're selling our culture, our head coach,
32:01 our building, more so than selling Los Angeles.
32:04 I wanna make sure we have players that wanna play and win, not just hang out in
32:08 Hollywood.
32:09 So, but- >> When you say building,
32:13 you're talking about the culture, not the stadium.
32:15 >> Yeah, I'm sorry, yeah, like right here.
32:17 But no, actually, I really haven't had anybody even mention that to me yet.
32:21 But you know what?
32:22 The stadium has been, the new stadium has been so far out there,
32:26 it really hasn't been a topic of conversation for anybody yet.
32:29 So, I guess we'll see this offseason if that-
32:31 >> I'll ask you next year.
32:33 >> Yeah, sounds good.
32:33 I don't see you very often, so I guess I'll see you here next year at the same time.
32:36 >> [LAUGH] >> It's the first time you've asked me
32:38 a question since last year at this press conference.
32:41 >> [INAUDIBLE] >> Right.
32:46 >> What do you think of him this year?
32:48 What do you make of his season?
32:50 >> I would put him in a category with a lot of our players that he did not play as
32:52 consistently at a high level as we would like to have.
32:56 I mean, and I can put a lot of players in that group.
32:58 It's the reason why we went 5 and 11.
33:02 Doesn't mean he didn't work hard.
33:03 I mean, he worked hard.
33:05 I don't think he missed a day of practice.
33:07 He got hurt in that last game, but puts in the time.
33:11 But like a lot of players,
33:13 we just weren't consistently playing at a high enough level.
33:15 But the talent's there on defense, as a returner, we've seen it before.
33:19 So we'll see, this will be a big year for him.
33:22 >> Tom, you mentioned you have a great communication relationship with Anthony.
33:29 Is there anything in particular that he's come to you for,
33:32 saying we gotta do this, I need this guy, or that sort of thing?
33:36 >> Yeah, I mean, we talk daily, often.
33:42 During the week, I try and pick my spots when I go down to his office,
33:46 cuz he's got so much going on, but we're talking all the time.
33:49 Talking about all different things, philosophy, specifically about players.
33:54 I mean, it's a relationship that's a daily occurrence.
33:57 So yeah, those discussions happen all the time.
34:01 And what I like about him as a head coach, he's not narrow focus.
34:05 He has a big picture involved.
34:07 So when we make roster decisions, I don't have to explain if we make this decision,
34:11 this is how it could affect something else a little bit farther down the road.
34:14 He knows already, so our discussions are easy, very easy.
34:21 I thought you retired.
34:22 >> What?
34:22 No, I got a couple more weeks.
34:23 >> All right.
34:24 >> I got a couple more questions.
34:25 >> [LAUGH] >> I'm glad you're here.
34:28 >> Well, thank you.
34:28 >> Yeah.
34:29 >> Has he come to you with a list for the new year, his new year wish list or
34:35 say, resolutions?
34:37 >> It's January 4th, he's given me a couple days.
34:40 But no, we talk so often, it's not like we have to sit up in a meeting and
34:44 say, all right, let's go down your list of what you're looking for.
34:46 And we're talking constantly.
34:47 If we never had a conversation between now and March,
34:51 I probably pretty much know what he's looking for.
34:54 Now we will, but yeah, I know exactly what he wants, his position,
35:00 different players, yeah, we talk all the time and the communication is very good.
35:05 >> Do you guys ever have strong differences of opinion about players,
35:09 whether it's guys in this building or guys from outside that you're-
35:12 >> Yeah, yes, and I think it's healthy.
35:14 I really think it's healthy.
35:15 And when you're talking about players, it's opinions, really, and
35:21 no one's ever right.
35:21 He listens, I like to think that I listen.
35:26 I know I don't have all the answers, and I know he always says he never has all
35:30 the answers, but usually you put enough good football people in a room together,
35:34 you discuss something, you'll come out with the right answer.
35:37 Doesn't mean that result's always going to work, but
35:39 you'll make the decision for the right reasons.
35:42 >> Tell me about almost exactly a year ago,
35:45 you guys eliminate Lamar Jackson in the playoffs.
35:48 A year later, he's got a first round bye.
35:50 Is there anything to be gained from that, from the standpoint of what a difference
35:56 a year makes for your team moving forward?
35:58 >> Probably not.
36:00 That year's removed by now.
36:03 Teams adapt and change, and I don't know, that's hard to answer.
36:10 But obviously, they took off after our playoff game.
36:13 We came back, so we gotta figure out how to do what they did last year.
36:17 >> Tom, you keep mentioning January 4th, it's only January 4th,
36:20 this is very raw still.
36:22 Do you give yourself sort of a time frame, a pause,
36:26 to not respond emotionally when you do make these decisions?
36:30 >> Yeah, I mean, I try not to, I don't even know why we do this this week.
36:34 Talk to Josh.
36:35 >> [LAUGH]
36:43 >> I mean, it's hard to put a direct,
36:45 I mean, at least a couple weeks.
36:46 Usually by the time you get to the Senior Bowl, which is late January,
36:49 you're a little bit clearer thinking.
36:52 At least by then, some teams have been eliminated from the playoffs,
36:54 you feel a little bit better.
36:56 But it just takes a couple weeks.
36:58 I mean, just like if you lose a game on Sunday, you're in a bad mood Monday and
37:03 Tuesday you're still feeling it.
37:04 By the time you get to Wednesday and those players hit the field,
37:07 you've forgotten about it and you feel great for the next week.
37:11 But for a couple days, it's hard.
37:12 So we figure about after 22, 23, 24 weeks of the season,
37:17 for it just to end like that, it takes a little bit of time.
37:20 >> Tom, Andy's mentioned that he uses analytics during games to make decisions.
37:25 Do you use analytics in any way in the scouting process?
37:28 >> Yeah, there's not a decision we make without looking at the data and
37:31 the metrics.
37:32 I mean, it just helps you make decisions.
37:34 So yeah, it's a pretty big part of it.
37:36 >> What kind of data are you looking at?
37:40 >> A lot.
37:41 I mean, what do you mean what kind of data?
37:42 >> Like athletic composite scores and stuff like that.
37:46 What are you- >> Yeah, I mean,
37:47 the athletic composite scores I look at a little bit for draft.
37:51 It's okay.
37:52 We use all the raw data from pro football focus.
37:58 I think it's really, really good, all that raw data.
37:59 There's some data that I really believe strongly in.
38:02 There's some of it that I don't think correlates well, but
38:05 they give us a lot of data.
38:06 There's also another piece of software we have that has more of the NGS
38:10 tracking data, which is relatively new within the last couple years.
38:13 That's something that we're getting more into, and it's really new.
38:16 And as far as just the numbers, the combined numbers and
38:23 workout numbers, we've been using that for 20 something years.
38:26 But yeah, I just think with all the decisions you have to make,
38:31 you can't make them all just with your eyes and with your gut.
38:33 I mean, you gotta use the tape, you gotta listen to people.
38:36 But you gotta have some data and some metrics just to have a cross check,
38:39 to ask critical questions.
38:41 Does it line up?
38:42 Does it not line up?
38:43 Why?
38:43 And it just helps me make decisions.
38:47 I mean, it just does, so.
38:49 >> All right, thanks guys.
38:52 Thanks, Tom.
38:53 >> All right, thank you.
38:53 >> Thanks, Tom.
38:55 >> Thanks.
38:55 >> Thanks.
38:56 >> Appreciate it.
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