 How are you, Teresa? I'm good, Mike. How are you? Good. How is Ryan doing today? Are you expecting him to practice? I think we're expecting him to do some things. Yeah, we'll see how it goes and, you know, continue to work through preparation and, you know, we'll see how he feels. Yeah, you're preparing for their offense, but Kaderis Tony has joined them recently. How do you, what kind of weapon is he and how do you think they could use him against you guys all Sunday? I mean, you know, explosive player and we probably will focus on, you know, Patrick and, you know, Travis and the guys that have been there. But, you know, if Tony's out there, he's fast, he's explosive. And, but we'll have to make sure that, you know, those other guys are taking care of first. How much is he talking with Malik this week? I wonder, what do you hope that he gained? What do you think that he gained from? I mean, I think he gained experience. I think we all, you know, gained experience, you know, having been, you know, coaching my first game in the National Football League or whether I played, whenever I played in my first game, it's, it's something that you, you know, won't forget, but you learn and you make mistakes. We all make them. I try to learn from them and, and continue to improve and develop. Travis, what is it about him that makes him such a weapon for them? Well, I think first is instincts. I think he's got great instincts of coverage and leverage and man and zone. I think he's extremely athletic and, and very competitive. So it's a huge catch radius, obviously. And I know he's always a challenge. How would you develop each year? Well, I'm at just this comfort level, you know, of kind of what's going on with the defense is there's ability to extend plays, but, but stay out of trouble, you know, it really changes his arm angle. He doesn't get a whole lot of passes battered down at the line of scrimmage. His eyes are always downfield. They're always, you know, looking at the receivers. And I think that they, you know, relish that because they know that they have a chance to get the ball. There's not a place of the football field that he can't throw it regardless of where he's at in the pocket or outside the pocket. The possibility of getting Elijah back, at least on the practice field, how much does, can that give you another piece to work with on defense? Yeah, I mean, we've said all the time, we need everybody and we'll see where, you know, he's at, he's just, you know, getting back into it now and see how he looks today and see how he, you know, responds to some of the work. Is it harder for a guy who missed a lot of time in training camp too, in addition to being injured during the season or is he smart enough to, to kind of have a grasp of things you think? You know, you practically, you know, when you think practice is important, you know, that, I'm sure there'll be some technique things and there's some things that we can't create in rehab and the return to play that, you know, he'll probably come across and some of the reactionary things so we'll see how he responds. And, you know, I think mentally, as far as knowing what to do, he would be, I think, more than prepared, but potentially, you know, doing it at a speed that would be, you know, commiserate with being on the game field and in a game setting, I don't know if we can create that. So we'll have to just see where he's at at the end of the week and try to make a decision. Mike, this franchise has had a lot of success running the ball even before you arrived with the running backs that have come through here. Right now across the league, at the league, the rushing average per game is at the highest in about three decades. Do you think that maybe in this passing era, as it's seen in the NFL, that the ability that you all particularly have shown in running the ball, reminding people that you can win in this league if you're able to run the ball effectively? Well, I mean, I think any great football team is balanced. Every great football team has a level of physicality that they're going to need. You know, I think you kind of see what you have on your roster, you see who you have and you build a team around it. I don't know what the numbers are. Theresa, we're just trying to focus on final ways to win. And I know that the Edge rushers in this league are good, defensive players are good. The premium on taking care of the football and the winning percentages that are tied to turnovers. So, you know, there's a lot of things, but, you know, I don't know what it could be or what reason that it might be. What do you think makes Dantro a good compliment to Derek and how maybe has he progressed since he's been here? Again, I'll just go back to the special teams and his willingness to go out there and want to be our personal protector on our punt team. Saw him go down there the other day, make a tackle, great ball disruption attempt, try to rake it out of there. You know, that's just from sitting in meetings and listening to me talk to defensive players. You know, rakes not something that you would normally practice on the punt. But, you know, he went out and executed it, bought it and come out. I'm hopeful that next time it will. But his man is a runner. I think he's progressed as a first and second down back. He's got good vision. He's got quickness. He's decisive. You know, he runs from under center, runs from behind the quarterback. You know, as well as in the gun. So, you know, I like having him around. He's been a really nice addition. From your perspective, how is that synergy between Tannehill and Todd Downingman as far as like what plays are up, what plays are down from week to week? Great. I mean, I think there's great synergy. I think there's great communication. I think they get to the end of the week and meet and visit and go through, you know, things that the quarterback really sees well and has a vision for and feels like he's got answers for different coverages or pressures. You know, and then you kind of go into the game and then you kind of work through about what you're getting and sometimes those things change. Expecting Hooker back out there today. I don't think Amani will be out there today. From this team, the next three days of practice? You know, I mean, we talked about, you know, upgrading our standards about how we do things, how we come into the building each and every morning. You know, we choose the type attitude that we have. You know, we choose to be on time, to be accountable. Our mental preparation, you know, just all the things that, you know, you don't want to, you know, take for granted this time of year. You want to make sure that, you know, everybody is, you know, elevating the things that we do. Do you emphasize at all this week what this game could mean in tie-breaking procedures later on or anything like that? No, no, I don't. I just focus on, you know, ways that we think we can beat the Chiefs and how we can, you know, prepare. Because I think all that stuff really takes care of itself. I think the preparation and how we get ready and how we ultimately play and not what could be or what might happen down the road. Return? Yeah, man, I think he ran around. I mean, it looked like he was trying to be physical. And, you know, this week, you know, he'll have to prepare for a different offense, but it was good to have him back out there. And, you know, he came out of it good. And I think he'll continue to get back under it. What's the difference to Nate getting back in the lineup made for you guys and what kind of strides have you seen him make this year in general? He's been limited. I think that there's been some strides. I think that he's doing some good things and then was out. But, you know, Nate's one of our better offensive linemen. So, you know, it always helps to have your best players in there. Mike, kind of circling back a little bit, even though it's a passing league allegedly, that ability to be physical and play hard and hit people. It's football, Teresa. It's football, you know what I mean? And I think that you got amazing athletes that are, you know, competitive and physical and fast. And, you know, that's what the game is designed to be. And whether you have, you know, I mean, there's been plenty of teams that play with 11 personnel that are physical. There's teams that play with two tight ends and two running backs. It's just it's still football. At the end of the day, you're going to have to have collisions and people are going to have to be able to withstand that, you know, over the course of a game and a course of a season. And that's how it goes. What province does the Chiefs defensive front pose for you? Well, you know, Chris Jones is one of the most athletic three techniques, interior defensive linemen that will play. But they also, you know, have guys that are going to be able to grind it out. And so they're a good compliment, you know, to Chris. You know, he kind of reeks a lot of havoc and has, you know, penetration. He's so good with his hands and his hips, you know, hips are loose. And for such a big man, he can play all over the front. You don't tag, you know, don't block Bolton. He'll make the tackle gays fast and explosive edge guys all do a good job. I know Frank's not out there, but, you know, Carl Loftus is getting more acclimated. And, you know, so it's, I mean, they don't give up a whole lot of, you know, rushing yards and they do a good job of affecting the quarterback. Have they done minus Tyree continuing to push the ball? I mean, amazing quarterback. Guys are available. They're at the spots. They know, you know, there's some catch and runs. They've broken some tackles, you know, Juju's broken some tackles. You know, offensively, they do a nice job of getting guys the ball in space, you know, whether that's, you know, 50 yards downfield or, you know, eight or nine or 10 yards and they break tackles. There's nice to have a Monday night football game where they have to kind of prepare all day or kind of manage that time and then be ready for something like this another night game. Yeah, we probably won't use any examples from the Monday night game previously. Yeah, so they're not using the example at the time, but do you get what I'm saying? Yeah, I get what you're saying. Yeah, about having a game day pregame routine and about not laying in bed all day and getting up. Yes, I got all that. Ask me, what do you think there's a reason for this sustained success? I, I, to Andy, you know, Andy reads good for football. He loves football. The relationship seems that he has with his players is something that, you know, I obviously would love to emulate. He's very consistent. You know, he's been, you know, some of these same plays is, you know, plays that he ran when I played against him. You know what I mean? There's just a consistency, but also, you know, a willingness to always push forward and take advantage of his personnel. And he's obviously a Hall of Fame football coach. That's, yeah, that's what we're doing today. So you'll be able to participate in the walkthrough today? Yes. How surprised were you the week played out like it did and you weren't able to go Sunday? Disappointed. You know, I think obviously wanted to try to, try to be out there as I, as I still do. So we'll, we'll have to deal. You know, we, we dealt with what last week was and unfortunately wasn't able to go and, you know, trying to get myself ready to go this week. I mean, it definitely helps it heal, right? And it's just kind of where I was at just, just needed the time and, and, you know, wasn't able to do my job or protect myself. So, you know, wasn't able to go. Sickness, right? Was it the sickness factor more than the ankle? The same? Or, you know, was it a combination of? No, it was, it was the ankle. It was the ankle. It was the ankle. It was the ankle. It was the ankle. It was the ankle. Was it a combination of? No, it was, it was the ankle. Yeah. Sickness sucked, but, you know, would have been able to get through that one. What did you, what did you watch it and what was the experience like? I watched it at my house. It was weird. You know, it kind of felt surreal. Didn't feel right at all. My kids are asking me, you know, why am I yelling at the TV? Like, you know, you don't use a yell when you watch football. I'm like, yeah, this one, this one means a little, a little bit more, you know. So, yeah, not a good feeling and not something I want to make a habit of. What's it like seeing Derek do his thing from that perspective, though? I mean, obviously it was fun watching those guys play. The offensive line was surging all day. You know, we had more finished points in that game than we've had in a long time. Guys were getting them into the line of scrimmage. You know, he was able to hit the line of scrimmage with the full head of steam, which is what we talked about. Pushing piles, finishing downfield. Receivers were blocking downfield. You know, receivers battled all game. You know, even though they weren't getting much, much attention outside in the past game, they battled all game. So, you know, I have to tip your ass to them in the way that they just came to work and were unselfish about it. And really, as a full group, it was fun to watch them run the football. When you watch film, you've been so used to watching and evaluating yourself. What was it like when you watched the film and you're not out there and you're having to evaluate that film and go full? Well, different, right? Definitely, you know, like being able to work on specific things that I did or could have done better. But still try to take a look at the tape, see what we did while as an offense and things we can build on and things we have to get corrected. Gloria, did you guys get a little chance to talk about the game and his experience? Yeah, it talks a little bit. I told him I was proud of him. You know, at the end of the day, he went out there and found a way to get a win. And that's the job each and every week. So, you know, I was proud of him. Ron, you mentioned that this team right now is 32nd in the league in total offense. As long as the record is what it is, is that the most important stat for everybody? Yeah, of course. I mean, you play to win. It doesn't matter if you have, you know, some prolific offense or some prolific defense, but you can't find ways to win games, then, you know, what are we doing for it, right? So, the ultimate goal is to go win games each and every week. But when you're out here practicing, I mean, what do you hope to accomplish this week that will convince you, hey, I feel good? I'm a go. Yeah, just being able to do my job effectively, be able to move around, like I said, do my job, protect myself, and, you know, be able to not be a statue back there, right? Because that's not going to be an effective way to play a game, is to not be able to move at all. So, you know, have to be able to, you know, move around the pocket, evade a rush, get outside if I need to, that type of stuff. What do you think is the arrowhead rank in terms of the toughest places to play in this league? Oh, it's tough, yeah. It's a fun place to play. It's an atmosphere that you dream about when you're a kid, you know, going into a rowdy road environment, and that's exactly it. And they love football there. They're loud. They're into it the whole game. Just a great, great place to play football. Excuse me. How do you feel 30-second ranked offense? I mean, 5-2 is obviously more important, but that's not ultimately where you guys want to go and want to be. And your guys are going to have to be higher than that to get there, aren't you? Yeah, ultimately, you know, we want to win championship. And so, you know, whatever it takes to score more points than the other team each and every week, that's our job. If you take a second and look back at how things have changed since the last time you were at Arrowhead for the AFC Championship game, how do you feel this organization has taken a step forward since then? Yeah, it's been a few years now. So, you know, lots changed since then, especially people-wise. You know, don't have a ton of guys on this team that were on that team. But we've stayed steady. You know, I think the organization is true to what we believe in, and no matter who comes in the building, we stay true to that and get everyone to buy in and keep charging ahead. And you guys are one-two consecutive AFC South Division titles. I know it was a loss, but do you feel like that just getting to that game may have been a launching point for the organization? I don't know. I don't know. You know, I think, yeah, it was a good thing, but we're talking about four years ago now. So, you know, I don't know. We have a lot of things we believe in and people we believe in in this building. So, you know, it all starts with Rable and the Tony sets from the top. And J-Rob and the guys he brings in and, you know, that message is preached day in and day out and our guys buy in and we've seen our formulas effective. It's been a long time since your rookie game, your first game, obviously, Ryan, but when you were watching the Tape and Bleak, were there any things that you could relate to say, oh, I see what happened there or I see what he was maybe doing or thinking or seeing in that regard as a rookie? Yeah, it's been a long time. My rookie, my first game wasn't too good. So, you know, just watching him, you know, I could see, you know, his mind going and things he's going through. It's all learning experiences just like it is for me out there, you know? So, like I said, proud of him and the way he battled through and found a way to win. Ryan, what's the process of working your way back in this week? The process of what? Working your way back in this week. Yeah, just getting back into it. You know, slowly, slowly working into it with the ankle and, you know, see where I'm at day by day, just moving around and getting ready to go. Overall, the pain kind of going away a little bit or do you feel like it's still? I mean, pain's going to be there. That's just kind of where we're at with it. Unfortunately, with the nature of the injury it kind of is there. So, just going to be a matter of if I can do my job or if I can't. Is it like this week than you were last week? Like, have you progressed to that point? Yeah, we'll see. We'll see how it goes. You know, going to take some reps today. So, we'll start there and move forward if we can. Is there anything you've done so far on your own or is it just today is going to be the first day? As far as what? Just working with the ankle. I mean, rehabbing every day. You know, doing everything I can, working through with our training staff here, all the modalities and treatments and not working into exercises and just getting the thing as strong as possible can. Is one of the challenges of Chris Jones just how long he is for you? He's a great player. All around. You look at him. He's disruptive. In the run game, disruptive in the pass game, gets to the passer. He's long. He's strong. He's quick. He's great with his hands. So, you know, definitely one of the top players on the D-line in the league. Thank you. Thank you.