Head Coach Mike Vrabel on being down at halftime 11/1: "It was a good opportunity for us to not be frontrunners"

Mike Vrabel (0:03)

Well, just to keep our composure, and, you know, chip away at it a little by little. Get connected, get connected, and figure out a way to complement each other.

Get some points, get some stops, get a turnover. You know, put ourselves back into it, and it's a good opportunity for us to not to be frontrunners. And to have that, you know, we can rely on that. That's going to be huge as we move forward.

SPEAKER_2 (0:30)

So what do you attribute to the stark difference in performance in the first and second?

Mike Vrabel (0:35)

Well, I mean, I thought we started okay. We got going. We had a field goal, and then, you know, didn't finish off drives, missed field goal, defensively gave up, you know, some longer drives, some conversions. Give them a lot of credit. You know, they competed. It's a young, tough football team, and I know Jeff is headed in the right direction with what he wants to do, build a program. So, you know, give them some credit.

But also, I think we hurt ourselves, and again, we just have to try to stay out of our own way.

SPEAKER_3 (1:05)

I'm pleased for you to see the Bayard interception turn into points, which you've been looking for, complimentary football.

Mike Vrabel (1:10)

Yeah, again, that's just, you know, we have to be able to tip passes, affect the quarterback, the weather. You know, we had the one unfortunate one there, you know, with Chiz and the defense did a heck of a job in sudden change.

So again, the more that we can turn the football over, that makes a huge difference, especially on the road and then the offense be able to capitalize and make it some points and touchdowns.

SPEAKER_4 (1:37)

Hunter goes down here, he was sending a head full of guys.

SPEAKER_5 (1:39)

What's it say about your offense for what they were able to do in the second half?

Mike Vrabel (1:42)

Well, I mean, everybody prepares as a starter, and we missed Hunter, certainly, that leadership and his understanding and tough, close games. And he always seems to come up and make plays for us. And so again, the guys were ready to go. I thought Josh and the offensive staff did a really nice job of moving guys around and guys being ready to go. And it's a tough game on the road in the division. These are never easy.

SPEAKER_6 (2:13)

Mike, how certain were you about the challenge flag? That was a pretty emphatic throw. Is that the longest you've thrown the flag?

Mike Vrabel (2:21)

I was a lot more certain than the officials were the first time they called it, I guess I'd say that.

SPEAKER_5 (2:27)

Mike, how do you think the conditions played a factor in the game?

Mike Vrabel (2:31)

I mean, both teams played it and I thought the field was good. They resided it Monday, you know, rain came and went, you know, we were okay, you know what I mean? I don't think we were great, but there were times where I don't think it affected us.

Everybody played in the same conditions. I think maybe there were some times where we tried to push the ball when there was a lull in the weather or, you know, a couple of times the ball was on the ground, but, you know, God loved Drake. He just picks it up and keeps playing.

SPEAKER_7 (3:01)

What have you kind of seen from him through this stretch without his top three wide receivers, without his top tight end today, just to, you know, keep it rolling?

Mike Vrabel (3:09)

That's what, he's going to be a great quarterback in the National Football League. There's not a whole lot of excuses.

You go out there and you find ways to win for your football team, and I know that that's one who he is and that's what he wants to continue to be. So, you know, that's just, it throws at the open guy and controls our offense and gets guys in the right spot. That's, being one of the best quarterbacks in the league, that's what the job description requires.

SPEAKER_8 (3:37)

Mike, what is the switch about the character of the group, given the adversity within the game, injury situation? What do you learn, if anything, about this group today?

Mike Vrabel (3:46)

I mean, they learn that, you know, if I can keep my composure, I think they'll keep their composure. You know, I have to do a better job of, you know, understanding that they can make some plays, and we can make some plays, too. And so I felt like our team really responded.