Andrew Janocko and Rob Leonard Presser - 11.12.26

Andrew Janocko (0:00)

I didn't want to talk about it today, but... All right, here we go.

SPEAKER_2 (0:04)

With Fernando's running ability, how much does that help maybe having to make the defenses account for it, which they didn't have to with Kirk, to help open up the running game?

Andrew Janocko (0:13)

I think every player, no matter the position, brings a different and unique skill set whenever they step into the starting role. So Fernando is no different. And we're just looking for him to go out and play the position and put us in a position to help the offense and just be part of that one eleventh and how we attack each play.

SPEAKER_2 (0:35)

I appreciate that. But the question was, how much does his running ability possibly help the other running banks?

Andrew Janocko (0:41)

Yeah, we're going to ask him to play the position. And there are times when your legs come into play, that's something that we'll ask him to do. That's something we ask every quarterback to do. And if his skill set gives more of an advantage for that, then that's something that you might see show up. But playing the position of quarterback is about putting the offense to be successful. And however he can do that, that's what we really want him to do.

SPEAKER_3 (1:07)

You've been working with him since rookie mini camp. What's something you can ask him to do within this offense today that maybe he couldn't do when he first got here?

Andrew Janocko (1:16)

I think just to articulate everything, the way he sees it, the way he feels it, and then do it in a manner that can explain to everybody. So just from a mental standpoint, being able to paint the picture in his mind and paint the picture to everybody else within the offense.

SPEAKER_4 (1:31)

Is there a moment that stands out to you since Tuesday where it's been like, okay, he's ready for this?

Andrew Janocko (1:37)

I think ready for this is a collection of preparation. So I don't think there's an aha moment. I don't think there's ever an aha moment. We're a collective of preparation, and that's what we want to see each other as an offense. And really, not him, our offense. It's not really about him being ready. It's about our offense being ready to play, our offense being ready to go, and then helping this organization be successful.

SPEAKER_5 (2:01)

Coach Sullivan talked to us a couple weeks ago about how you would notice Fernando being out on the indoor practice field late at night going over the game strip. I was wondering, articulating the play calls and everything. I was wondering, how much did that, you think, help him be able to get to this moment?

Andrew Janocko (2:14)

I think anything you can do to prepare yourself, any extra edge you can get, that's what we're looking for. So however a person learns and however a person puts himself in position to be successful, what player, what position group, how they go about doing that, that's just trying to chase an advantage.

SPEAKER_6 (2:33)

Yesterday, some of the players were saying that Fernando is the same competitor even before and then after a couple of days of practice, do you still see that he's just the same person or does something change mentally wise knowing that he is preparing for your starting role?

Andrew Janocko (2:47)

I think whether it be quarterback, often right guard, whether it be receiver, whether it be running back, we ask every person to come in there and be the ultimate competitor. And so with him, it's no different than what we ask Tyler to do or what we ask Jalen to do or any of our players. We ask them to come out and compete on every single rep. Every single meeting is a competition to come out and do that.

So he's one of the 11 that we're asking to do that.

SPEAKER_7 (3:20)

Andrew, when you look at Mike McDonald, historically against for the quarterbacks, the blitzes and the pressures go up, not surprisingly. So how do you replicate that in practice for a quarterback that's getting ready to see it for the first time in an end of the game?

Andrew Janocko (3:35)

You know, obviously, knowing coach and knowing, you know, how well that defense is coached and how well they perform week in and week out, we know that that's going to be a heck of a challenge for us. So we're trying to put him in position as much as a game like, whether it be this defense or the next defense or the next defense. You know, there's always things that you're looking for on tape to try to put yourself in the game, make as many game like reps as possible. Well, we understand that this is a very well coached team. It's a very well run organization. They're world class for a reason. So we have to be on our best and every position has to go out and be able to execute at a high level. We try to replicate everything in practice, but at the end of the day, it's about going out, trusting your training and sticking to your techniques.