Coach JacNOff Week 2 Postgame Interview

Alex Carter: “Coach JacNOff, congratulations on the Week 2 win. It was a solid team effort, but I know you’re the type of coach who evaluates wins the same way as losses. What’s your overall assessment of the game?” Coach JacNOff: “First off, thank you. And you’re absolutely right—we treat wins and losses the same when it comes to evaluating how we played. Let me just say it: the offensive line had a terrible day in pass protection. Granted, some of the pressure came from Lamar holding on to the ball a little too long, but when my quarterback ends up on his back multiple times, I have to call out the O-line. To their credit, they owned up to it and are committed to being better. It’s tough with Roger Rosengarten on the shelf for a few weeks, but we expect improvement across the board.” Alex Carter: “That accountability is important. Now, let’s talk about the positives—starting with Lamar Jackson. He went 13 of 21 for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. How would you grade his performance?” Coach JacNOff: “Lamar played a clean game. He made smart decisions, got the ball to our playmakers, and kept the offense moving when it mattered. It wasn’t flashy, but it was efficient, and that’s what we needed from him this week.” Alex Carter: “Jaydn Ott had another impressive outing with 14 carries for 118 yards and a touchdown. That’s back-to-back games with over 100 scrimmage yards. How important is he to this offense?” Coach JacNOff: “Jaydn has been a game-changer for us. His ability to find holes, break tackles, and make defenders miss is special. He’s showing consistency, and that’s huge for a young back. We’re excited about what he brings to this team.” Alex Carter: “Mark Andrews stepped up as usual with 6 catches for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. How valuable is it to have a dependable playmaker like him?” Coach JacNOff: “Mark is the heartbeat of our passing game. He’s always there when we need a big play, and he’s a leader in every sense of the word. His connection with Lamar is as strong as ever, and we’re going to keep leaning on him.” Alex Carter: “Nyck Harbor had 3 catches for 57 yards but missed out on a touchdown by not getting his second foot in. What’s your message to him after a moment like that?” Coach JacNOff: “Nyck knows he has to finish those plays. He’s a rookie, and moments like this are part of the learning process. The talent is there, and he’ll make that play next time, no doubt in my mind.” Alex Carter: “Devontez Walker contributed with 4 catches for 41 yards. How do you see him fitting into the offense moving forward?” Coach JacNOff: “Devontez is a reliable target. He may not have had a breakout moment yet, but he’s doing the little things right, and that consistency will pay off as the season progresses.” Alex Carter: “On the defensive side, Flip Dixon bounced back after last week’s tough moment with 9 tackles and a tackle for loss. How proud are you of his resilience?” Coach JacNOff: “I couldn’t be prouder. Flip took last week’s moment personally, but instead of letting it bring him down, he used it as fuel. He rewarded our trust in him, and that’s exactly the mindset we want from our players.” Alex Carter: “Derek Stingley Jr. had the tough task of shadowing Ja’Marr Chase after he was giving Cordale Flott trouble. He gave up just one catch, had an interception, and deflected a pass. How would you rate his performance?” Coach JacNOff: “Stingley was outstanding. Ja’Marr is one of the best in the league, and Derek didn’t back down. He played physical, stayed disciplined, and made big plays when we needed them. That’s exactly what we expect from him.” Alex Carter: “Trenton Simpson and Roquan Smith each had 6 tackles and combined for 5 tackles for loss. What can you say about their impact?” Coach JacNOff: “Those two were absolute beasts out there. Trenton was flying around and disrupting plays, and Roquan did what Roquan always does—lead by example and make big stops. They set the tone for our defense.” Alex Carter: “Caleb Bacon got his first career sack this week. What does his performance say about his potential?” Coach JacNOff: “Caleb stepped up big time. That sack is just the first of many, and his effort shows why we love him. He’s got a bright future, and he’s already making an impact.” Alex Carter: “His college teammate, Jeremiah Cooper, had 5 tackles and two interceptions. Both could’ve gone back for touchdowns, but he chose to give himself up to let the offense kneel the game out. What does that say about him?” Coach JacNOff: “Jeremiah is special. Those two interceptions were a direct result of him taking tips from Tyrann Mathieu and applying them in practice and the game. The decision to give himself up shows his maturity and team-first mentality. Having him back there with Kyle Hamilton makes our secondary a nightmare for offenses.” Alex Carter: “Coach, congrats again on the win and thanks for the insight. Best of luck heading into Week 3.” Coach JacNOff: “Thanks, Alex. We’ll be ready.”