Brian Flores

Head coach Brian Flores offers his thoughts on a wide variety of topics, including Bobby McCain’s progress at safety, interacting with fans, veteran leadership, and Charles Harris handling his assignments

Q. How would you assess Bobby McCain’s development at safety?

BF: From a communication standpoint, he’s probably one of our top communicators. He can get himself along with some other guys lined up, which is definitely helpful when things change and the offense, whether they go to empty or shift or motion, he can kind of handle all that, those adjustments within the defense. We missed him last week so we’re happy to have him back, and I think he’s played well at that position.

Q. Two numbers that jumped out in the first four games are how well you’ve done in punting with P Matt Haack and the kick return with not too many people returning kicks against you guys. What have you seen out of those two units and those guys in particular?

BF: The coverage units have been kind of a bright spot. I think Matt (Haack) has kicked the ball well. He could kick them better. Some of those mis-hits, he’s gotten a good bounce on a couple of those. We’ll take it, obviously, but we’ve gotten good play out of gunners and the unit overall. It’s the same in kickoff coverage. Those are field position plays. I’m big on “every yard is important.” The better coverage, the better field position, that makes it better for us defensively. Obviously you force the opponent to drive it on a long field. Again, I’ve said this before. The kicking game is near and dear to my heart. I think we spend a lot of time on the punt game. You put a lot of time into it. It’s nice to see some results in those two phases.

Q. Regarding veteran leadership on this team, I am wondering what you are seeing whether it is more pronounced because it is such a young team or whether it is a little more laidback because these guys haven’t been together for very long or is it about what you have seen earlier?