Derek Carr speaks with the media following Sunday's big win over the Patriots.
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00:00 [LAUGH]
00:03 >> I had to wait on this kind of game,
00:05 been five weeks in, but this is what you envision the conference being like,
00:09 when everything's working.
00:11 >> Yeah, like I said at the beginning of the year, we wanna be able to go into
00:14 game, it doesn't matter who scores, who has the touchdowns, who played.
00:17 We just wanna play good football and win.
00:19 And today was the perfect example of what we've been hoping for, right?
00:24 Like it doesn't, no one's in here thinking about stats and
00:27 Pro Bowls and all that, we're thinking about how many wins can we rack up and
00:29 can we win the last game of the year, right?
00:31 And so to see us play the way that we did today from a whole team aspect,
00:37 makes us feel good for sure.
00:38 >> From the opening drive, you guys had the ball first,
00:41 that was a different approach from the offense.
00:43 It seemed like you guys wanted to be aggressive.
00:44 There were a couple balls you threw down the field,
00:46 they didn't end up in the hands of the Saints player.
00:48 But it was kind of a different mindset this week from what it was last week.
00:52 Was that a point of emphasis?
00:53 >> It definitely was, yeah, absolutely.
00:55 Cuz if teams are gonna play a certain way, especially,
00:57 they're thinking about my shoulder and things that we're trying to do and
01:01 all that kind of stuff.
01:02 We had to show them that the potential for down the field shots were there.
01:05 We were able to hit a couple, not on the first drive, but
01:07 we were able to, you throw enough of them, you can hit a couple.
01:10 And we were able to do that today cuz we had some good looks to do it.
01:14 And so as an offense, we still have so many things to correct penalty wise and
01:20 so many little details that could have got us an easier field goal or
01:22 easier for a first down or completion.
01:24 And we gotta clean those things up.
01:26 And if we can keep cleaning those things up and be better next week,
01:29 we feel like we can keep getting better as a team.
01:31 >> Eric, another thing was that third and 11 that you did, Mike,
01:34 and Paul was your 26th, that you eventually got that first touchdown.
01:36 Was that kind of like the, I guess, the spark for the day for
01:39 you guys offensively?
01:40 >> Yeah, I don't think our demeanor or mindset changed at any point
01:44 throughout the day.
01:45 I thought we came in with a great focus.
01:48 I just felt like that play, obviously, it's third and long.
01:51 We don't wanna put the defense again back out there so quick.
01:54 And Mike did a great job going across the middle, taking a hit,
01:57 and making a play.
01:58 And he did that a couple times for me today.
02:00 He even knew it was gonna be that type of day.
02:03 It just is one of those things.
02:04 And he was able to stand in there and make every play that we needed,
02:08 except for the first one that we talked about.
02:11 >> Eric, earlier this week you said that running game and
02:15 defense, quarterbacks, best for anything.
02:17 I mean, just specifically on the running game today,
02:21 having that beat as a fact as it was, how much did that open things up for you?
02:24 >> Well, then we run a play action, and they get back under the play action,
02:28 cuz they come up for the run, and they turn their backs and go for the play action.
02:31 I check it down for 30 yards.
02:32 >> That's the one to Kendra?
02:34 >> To Kendra, that's a perfect example of how it all works together, right?
02:39 Like if they come down a little farther and there's a window for Mike or
02:43 Chris on that play, I throw it to them.
02:44 If not, I check it down, and they're playing the run, and
02:47 now they're getting back, they can't just be one dimensional.
02:50 And so it all works together, and this is the ultimate team game.
02:55 And so if I can do my job, it helps AK.
02:57 If AK does his job, it helps us.
02:59 If the line does their, it all is moving and working together all the time.
03:03 >> How important do you think the performance was this for Pete?
03:06 Basically with the last one.
03:08 >> Again, there was no different thought this week, there was no different feeling.
03:13 We knew what we have in Pete, and we believe in it.
03:17 And like I never lied to you, we think the world of Pete.
03:22 And so I just know that I've been in tough times, and
03:27 when you do go out and have a good day, it's always a relief.
03:30 No matter, it's always like, all right, let's at least get seven days answering
03:34 nice questions about some things.
03:36 And so, but that's this business, and he knows that, I know that,
03:40 playing quarterback, head coaches always know that, right?
03:43 They gotta always answer questions.
03:45 And so it is what it is, but our confidence never changed in Pete, for sure.
03:49 >> Earlier this week, you said that every time you go against the Bill Belichick
03:53 defense, it's mentally exhausting.
03:55 I think it's kind of the term they use.
03:57 >> Yeah. >> How are you feeling now?
03:58 And how are you feeling now?
04:01 >> Yeah, I'm tired.
04:02 Yeah, it is mentally taxing.
04:04 They do a great job with personnel groupings, putting sub defense,
04:08 playing base fronts, and you gotta get everybody on the same page.
04:12 So we're blocking the right guys.
04:13 And they do a great job of trying to mix those things up, and
04:16 different pressure looks, not running the ball into those, and making sure.
04:20 They'll hold the disguise until that play clock's at two seconds, and
04:23 you gotta make sure you're right to help the team.
04:25 And Coach Belichick is, like I said before,
04:29 he's one of, if not the best coach of all time.
04:33 And so, anytime you go against him as a quarterback, it's a tough out,
04:37 it's a tough day, but you just try and be efficient, make the best decisions.
04:41 Do your film study during the week, which is a tall task, but yeah,
04:45 I'll be asleep on the plane probably.
04:48 >> Sorry if you've already asked this, but with the red zone conversion today,
04:53 how, I guess, relieved is it that you guys are able to convert there?
04:56 And is three for three okay?
04:57 I know you said four for four.
04:58 >> I said four, and then I'll give you a high five.
04:59 >> [LAUGH] >> Once we go four for four,
05:01 I'll give you a high five.
05:03 I gotta be a man of my word.
05:04 My yes is my yes.
05:05 So we got three of them, and that just helps the defense.
05:09 If we can get touchdowns when we get down there, it's a big emphasis for
05:12 us this week.
05:13 Is we felt confident always in the game plan that, hey,
05:18 when we get down there, let's make sure that we execute.
05:21 And sometimes it may be a field goal, but to come away out of a game,
05:24 especially in this stadium, against this game with those players,
05:29 that's an exciting day for sure.
05:30 >> They came into this game with two pretty key injuries on defense with
05:35 Judon and Gonzalez, did that change how you guys approach the game or
05:40 anything like that in terms of going after tendencies, anything like that?
05:44 >> No, but like I've always said, those are two really good players.
05:48 I haven't played against the young corner, but
05:50 watching him on film, he's very impressive.
05:53 Especially the job he did against Tyreek and
05:55 the things they were asking him to do.
05:56 And then Judon's one of the best pass rushers in the NFL.
06:00 So whenever someone gets hurt, it's always hard to replace those guys.
06:03 But for us, especially when you play Coach Belichick, it doesn't matter what 11 he's
06:08 thrown out there, he's got something he's gonna try and stop.
06:10 It's gonna be a tough out for sure, no matter who's out there.
06:12 >> You talked about it, it seems like his role has just continued to grow.
06:16 >> Who's that, sorry?
06:17 >> Kendrick Miller.
06:17 >> Yep. >> What have you seen from him in terms
06:19 of his progression, his trust level, and his ability?
06:22 >> Well, I just love his mentality when he gets in the huddle.
06:23 I've been in there with some young guys sometime, and
06:26 I'm having to remind them of everything.
06:28 And make sure you do this, now go fast.
06:30 I'm trying to remind them to play fast.
06:32 And Kendrick, he just is a football player.
06:34 You tell him one thing, we break the huddle, and I'm like, hey, make sure on this.
06:38 He's like, I got you, bro.
06:39 And boom, I hit him in the flat, boom, he breaks tackle, gets the yards.
06:42 It's like when you have a young guy like that with that much confidence,
06:47 you just hope that his confidence just keeps growing.
06:49 Because he'll just keep getting better.
06:51 He'll play faster and faster, and he'll see the cuts faster, he'll play faster.
06:54 But he's got a great guy in front of him to learn from, too.
06:58 >> Derek, you've talked a couple times in the last month or so about Mike knowing
07:02 he's gonna be in a spot where he might get hit when he's catching the ball.
07:07 Do you appreciate that in a receiver, just the physicality of knowing that you
07:11 can throw a tight window ball and he's gonna come up with it?
07:15 >> 100%, we did some today, we didn't even talk about during the week.
07:21 They went cover zero on one, I saw it.
07:24 And versus certain look, I just looked at Mike and gave him a hand signal.
07:28 And we didn't even talk about it.
07:30 But through our communication and our growth together and our relationship,
07:34 there's certain things I just had to be ready all the time if this.
07:38 And he's like, yeah, I like this route.
07:40 And they gave us a blitz, they're bringing one free for me.
07:42 And he's got to stand in there and take a hit, and I got to stand there.
07:46 And that's football sometimes.
07:47 And to see us complete that, him take that hit, hang on to the ball,
07:53 and pick up really a big first down for us in that moment.
07:57 They're all big, but just the way that that happened,
07:59 I thought that was a big play in the game.
08:01 And it shows the rest of the team that 13 will do whatever it takes to win.
08:05 >> That was third and fourth quarter, right?
08:08 >> Yep, yep.
08:09 >> And how is your- >> I thought it was third quarter.
08:13 >> It might be.
08:14 >> Yeah, yeah, okay, all right.
08:15 >> They sound like an A gap, that's how they got the play.
08:17 >> Yep, yep, yep, yep.
08:19 >> How is your relationship with him?
08:22 Even in the season, it seems like it's kind of something you guys have been
08:26 continuing to build on.
08:27 >> Yeah, it's growing, and I love Mike.
08:30 And the one thing about him is his communication is so
08:34 great during the games.
08:35 And him and I can't grow and do that in training camp.
08:40 We can't grow and do that in OTAs.
08:41 You have to play real football games.
08:43 You have to get on the same page when it's live bullets.
08:46 And I'm not even saying preseason, it's gotta be like regular season games,
08:50 where teams are really game planning and trying to scheme and doing things.
08:53 And so for us to be on the same page and
08:55 be able to communicate about some things and then hit those.
08:58 We communicate about one thing.
08:59 We ask Pete, hey Pete, we like this play.
09:02 He's like, okay, boom.
09:03 We go into a drive second play or first play, boom, he calls it, we hit it.
09:07 And that not only builds our relationship, but
09:10 it builds a relationship with the coaching staff and the trust in it.
09:13 The trust is growing for everybody.
09:14 But you can only do that with real games.
09:17 And to do it in a hostile place like this against a good defense is always fun.
09:21 >> What'd you see on the touchdown to Foster?
09:23 >> Without getting too schematic, it was just a good look for the play.
09:29 And it was a great design by Pete.
09:32 And then Pete puts the players in good position.
09:36 And Foster and the offensive line made an amazing effort to get into the end zone.
09:41 And I thought that was a big drive for us to go down there.
09:44 We're winning the game, but still to go down there and punch it in,
09:47 get another touchdown.
09:48 It's not even about the Patriots.
09:53 It was about us, and in that moment, for us to punch it in like that and
09:57 build that confidence, I thought was great.
09:58 >> Thank you.