FLOWERY BRANCH – Jacksonville coach Gus Bradley spoke on a conference call with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday.
Bradley, who coached with Dan Quinn in Seattle in 2009-10, is set to face the Falcons at 1 p.m. Sunday at EverBank Field.
Here’s what he had to say about his team and the Falcons:
Q: Are you all hoping to build off of the 51-16 win over the Colts?
A: "It seems like every week there are big, valuable lessons for our team to learn. We had a couple of losses there in a row. I really liked how our team kind of embraced it and learned from it. To see it come back and help us do some of the things that we did poorly in other games, to get those things corrected and have an effort like that, it's always good to build on those things."
Q: Could you comment on the job that offensive coordinator (Greg) Olson and quarterbacks coach (Nathaniel) Hackett are doing with your quarterback?
A: "They've really done a nice job. The whole offensive staff. I think the players have really brought in to it. There is a distinct philosophy to it. Starting in OTAs, when we got together and they just kept building on it. We reflected back, like a week ago, we went back and looked at the first game and where we are at right now. I think that at times it takes some time for them just to completely understand the system. Now, you're seeing that on tape. You're seeing in practice. It feels like they've got more ownership of it. Then, with our quarterback's development, I think that he's made really good strides this year. He's got two good coaches that are working with him. I've seen him mature real fast in some areas that he needed to work on."
Q: How are wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns playing for you?
A: "They are doing a good job. With Allen Robinson some of the things he's doing in games we saw in OTAs and training camp. The challenge was to start seeing them in games. I know I think the first game he had a couple of drops, but since that point I think he's really learning and understanding the game move. Understanding coverages and he's playing with a lot of freedom out there. You are starting to see some of the skill set that we've seen in practice show up on game day. Allen Hurns, really we are young group, that leadership part of it, we really don't have a veteran wide receiver for those guys to rely on and lean on. But I would say that Allen Hurns is the closest things to that. Just a true pro with how he takes care of his body to how he prepares and his practice effort. I think he's been a good leader for that whole group."
Q: How are both of the tight ends doing?
A: "Julius (Thomas) had that injury in the first (exhibition) season game. It took some time for him and Blake to develop that timing. But every week that we have him in practice and in the game, you feel that trust that they have between each other. They speed a lot of time after practice together just working on the timing and the precision part of the passing game. I think that's still a work in progress, but they've really made good strides the last couple of week."
Q: How did Jordan Tripp perform at middle linebacker for Paul Posluszny last week?
A: Jordan did a nice job. He wasn't with us and we brought him in. He's a guy who knows all three possessions. The challenge for him in the one week time, he really locked into the (middle linebacker). When Paul was down in the Tampa game we struggled a little bit without his presence. When Jordan came in, the players had a lot of trust in him. I thought he did a good job under the circumstances. I think our players really trusted him and that goes a long way. As far as Pos, he'll be out there today so we'll take a look at it. I know that he's meeting with our medical staff right after our meetings today. So, we'll have a better idea today where he's at."
Q: How’s Telvin Smith playing for you at outside linebacker?
A: I've seen a lot of growth from him over the year, too. He's always been a guy that's got pretty good instincts. His speed shows up on the field. I just think that he's maturing with the position. I think he's understanding the issues that could up to him during a game. It seems like he's playing more consistently with each game. He's around the ball a lot and he has the ability to keep plays from being explosive plays because of that."
Q: How’s cornerback Nick Marshall playing for you?
A: "We had the opportunity to coach the Senior Bowl and Nick was there. He worked with us and we had him for a week. We really liked his traits and his mindset. He moved from quarterback to DB in that Senior Bowl and we really liked just being around him for that week. We really took a developmental approach with him. He had OTAs, training camp and each week in practice he was getting better and better. We had a very competitive situation last week and we felt strongly about giving him a chance."
Q: What’s your running back situation with T.J. Yeldon’s injury and the signing of Jonas Gray?
A: "With T.J., we'll see, that's going to be a day-to-day thing. We'll find out. Just in the last day and half, two days, he's made really good progress. Again, that's one where we'll wait and see on…Denard (Robinson) was a guy who was getting five or six carries a game, but in that role when he took over when T.J. got hurt, he got more carries. Denard is very explosive and has really good speed. He's learning the running back position. I thought last year there was a learning curve for him. I've really seen him, as far as all aspects of the game and the position, he's really had great growth. It was cool to see him get more touches and take advantage of that last week."
Q: What’s your assessment of the Falcons’ offense here lately?
A: "I know when you look at this past game…. When you look at it overall, we've got great respect for Matt (Ryan) for what he is as a quarterback. He's completing close to 66 percent of his passes. Their offense I know is top 10. I think they are seventh in the league. Just having the chance to go against that offense, I know Kyle for when he was at Cleveland, although there some different things that they are doing now, that's made them even more effective. Their passing yards are seventh. Their third-down is high. I think it looks like they are having no problems moving the ball and getting explosive plays, it just some turnovers at some inopportune times. They lost two games in overtime and a couple of one-possession games. We know how that is and it can turn in a hurry. With their style of play and the players that they have on the offensive side with Matt, Julio (Jones) and the backs (Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman), they've got some skill sets, some very good players. We know and understand just how explosive they can be."
