A few excerpts from Matt Rhule's portion of the American Athletic Conference coaches teleconference, which just ended.
I asked him about what has gone wrong with the defense over the past two weeks, specifically Saturday night in Tampa. He said that while he normally tries to protect the players, he couldn't do that this time around, even though he didn't call out anyone specifically.
"Guys are trying to do their own thing," he said, "trying to make a play they're not supposed to make."
I also asked him about Ryquell Armstead and Kip Patton and why they didn't play. Rhule said Armstead was hurt and that he hopes to have him this week. Patton, he said, did not play because he's not performing well enough in practice and has to earn those reps. Stern decision considering Colin Thompson went out with an injury and Sal Major was ejected following the targeting call.
When Rhule was asked later if he's concerned with his team's psyche after the loss, he said, "No. I'm confident we're going to play really well this week."
When asked about Memphis QB Paxton Lynch, Rhule said he's "probably a franchise quarterback at some point."
As for Thompson and wide receiver John Christopher, who is also banged up, Rhule said he's not sure if they will play Saturday.
I asked him about what has gone wrong with the defense over the past two weeks, specifically Saturday night in Tampa. He said that while he normally tries to protect the players, he couldn't do that this time around, even though he didn't call out anyone specifically.
"Guys are trying to do their own thing," he said, "trying to make a play they're not supposed to make."
I also asked him about Ryquell Armstead and Kip Patton and why they didn't play. Rhule said Armstead was hurt and that he hopes to have him this week. Patton, he said, did not play because he's not performing well enough in practice and has to earn those reps. Stern decision considering Colin Thompson went out with an injury and Sal Major was ejected following the targeting call.
When Rhule was asked later if he's concerned with his team's psyche after the loss, he said, "No. I'm confident we're going to play really well this week."
When asked about Memphis QB Paxton Lynch, Rhule said he's "probably a franchise quarterback at some point."
As for Thompson and wide receiver John Christopher, who is also banged up, Rhule said he's not sure if they will play Saturday.
