 A year ago, the defensive rankings weren't that great. You had people wanting you to be fired. How nice is it to see the production and the improvement in so many categories and what this defense has been able to do this season? Do you ever have a moment where you think, told you so? I mean, I'm happy for the players. I am. I think they're doing a heck of a job week by week preparing and going out there and executing and making plays, right? And I think you see the production, the stat line, whatever it is, increase as a result. So I'm happy for them. What they're able to do week in and week out, feel like we've been improving as the seasons kind of went on. So hopefully we can continue that this week. We've got another big game this week, obviously going to Houston. So hopefully we can continue to prepare these next few days and go down there and put up another good show. Kayla. Pat, Coach, how much of a difference has Danico Autry been to this team and just the ongoing consistency that he's able to put out there on game days? Yeah, I think he's been huge for us. Obviously, on third down, what he brings, being able to go inside and he rushes outside some for us on occasion on first, second down. So I think his versatility to do some different things has been a big piece for us. And he's been a factor. Very rarely do you see him not factoring the game. He's productive. He's able to get those one-on-ones with guards and you find ways to win. And I think they're doing a really good job across the board all four of those guys of being coordinated, understanding who they are, understanding who the guy next to them is, and being able to execute the plan with a good understanding of, hey, this guy next to me is more of this type of player, whether it's Nico or Jeff or Harold outside versus Bud. They're all unique in their own right. And I think as a unit, Russian, I think they've done a good job understanding that. Paul? Shane, I know we've not learned much about what Schwartz does probably on purpose that that's vague. I'm wondering if you might be able to offer one small example of something that he does or has done that's had a bearing on the defense, on a guy, on you? Yeah, I think just like all our other assistant coaches, they're all extremely valuable. They do a really good job of providing input for the game plan. He's involved. He's in every defensive staff meeting. I think a big asset for me is he's somebody I can bounce the talk of. He's been there. He's done it. So when I got a thought, when I got an idea, when I have a question, he's someone that I can turn to. And he's an invaluable resource to me. He has been throughout the season. And I think it's been a great addition for us as a defensive staff. Toronto? The run defense you guys have, I mean, your second in the league, how big is just the sheer want to from the secondary as far as tackling this concern? How big is that in your run defense? Yeah, it's huge. I mean, you go back and look at it like I think a lot of those ex-play runs that end up showing up at times. I mean, it comes down to the second day, right? Those guys' ability to get guys on the ground is the last line of defense. And you eliminate some of those big games like that's going to show up in the stat sheet and rankings and all that other good stuff. And then also like just their role. And there's times when we play an eight man box and those guys have to fit, whether it's on the edge, whether it's in a gap, in a big gap, like they're asked to do some of those things. So I think the willingness of those guys has been good. I think their ability to go up there and tackle and show some physicality in the run game has been a great asset to us throughout. But they're always involved, whether it's a corner, whether it's a safety. And I think the willingness has been there. I think they take just as much pride in it as our linebackers. Because again, it all comes down to being able to play unit defense, whether we're defending the run, whether we're defending the pass, it really takes all of it. Jim. And Shane, I know a lot of guys, including you, I'm proud of what you guys have been able to do in run defense this year. I mean, it's a big picture type deal, but what have been the biggest reasons in your mind, you guys have improved so much there? Yeah, I think, I think tackling has been good. I do. I think other than really that first Jacksonville game, I think we would tackle pretty well for the most part. You know, even though we had a few hiccups, I think guys are playing with technique in the run game. They're swear, we're able to set edges. Guys are getting downhill and they have to get downhill and fill up some gaps. So we've been able to really build that wall in there. I think that the team and the rushers and everybody else's understanding like, you've got to earn the right to rush, right? Like first, second down defense isn't always about getting your fastest sporting stance and going off the ball, like, there's a responsibility that comes with stopping the run, creating those third amongst, creating those passing situations where you're able to rush and cover and do some of those things. So I think they've embraced that part of it. And then I think really the understanding of fits and gaps and units and just with kind of our plan and what we're doing, I think guys are pretty coordinated in their understanding of how we're fitting things up for the most part. And there's time when we see something new and it catches us a time or two. I have been last week against Miami early again, but you know, overall, I think their understanding, I think their assistant coaches has to go and save things, right? We're both in mid, I think all those guys have a good grasp of what we're asking in terms of fits. And Ben? Hey, Shane, I was wondering what you saw from David, from David Long in his first game back in close to two months. And KB was kind of saying after the game, you somewhat of an emotional leader. I was wondering maybe kind of what that meant to you as well and just in terms of kind of the depth you guys have at Inside Linebacker. Yeah, I mean, it was good to see David back out there. I think he plays with passion. Like when you watch him play, like we know every single play that he loves football and it's not always perfect, but he finds ways to be productive, right? He finds ways to be productive, whether it's tackling, whether it's playing it, being able to play the ball in the air. But I think he shows that passion, the speed he plays with, the physicality that he brings. I think it shows. And I think our guys see it and it's like we see it as coaches. You guys see it as you're watching the game. I mean, that breeds some juice, some energy. And I think that's where KB's really moving to with that. And again, like that linebacker room, we've got a lot of depth there, man. It's a great problem to have. You see as it goes, but it gives us some versatility of how we can use guys, what we're asking them to do. And as the league goes and our game plan plays out with what we're asking each guy to do, like that's how we go with the league. We're getting short on time, but I'm gonna try to squeeze in these last four. So quick, rapid fire. John Glennon. Hey, Shane. One more on the run D. You know, a lot of these guys were here last year when the team struggled to stop the run. What would it mean to you think to finish first against the run? I know you're pretty close. I know wins and losses more important, but that also be a significant for these guys. Yeah, I mean, I think the D line guys are all about it. Obviously, I mean, that's really what they do with the team stopping the run. That's from passive, so I think it's a big deal for them. Ultimately, we're gonna do what we gotta do to win the game. And I even got to, whatever we got to do to win the game, whether it's hopefully we can hold them and we can stop the run and do those sorts of things. That's always part of it. But I know those D line guys up front, the line backers, again, moving back to what Sean asked about leaving the DBs to some degree. I think they're aware it's on their mind. But right now, really, our focus is really finding a way to use whatever we got to do to win Houston, however we got to do it, understanding the game plan and being able to go out there and execute and see how it goes, but finding a way to win the game. Terry. Shane, with Jay on coming back, now you've got four healthy inside linebackers who all have started for you at times this year. Now, what's it like trying to sort through who to put in what package and who's going to be out there? Yeah, I mean, it's part of it. You always want to create competition on your roster, whether it's in training camp, whether it's week 18, like that's what makes guys better. It's having somebody nipping out their heels, never getting comfortable, like understanding it's a competitive league, whether we play a team or whoever we're playing or on our own team. Like that's how a roster is structured, that's how it's supposed to be. And I think the guys understand that. And again, it's a great problem to have for us. It really is. It's being able to kind of pick and choose based on their skill sets, what we want to do with each guy, you know, find ways to incorporate them as we see fit based on the game plan and kind of go from there and make it to the game. Obviously, it's going to play. Last two, Davis. Along those same lines, Shane, is there a risk of overthinking who to use in what situation out of that quartet or do you almost feel like you can't go wrong with whatever you decide? Yeah, I mean, I think we play it. We play it in one game with all of them, right? Doing a bunch of different things. So, I mean, it's not like things are true dramatic. There's situational stuff that comes up or a second down or a third down. Some of that stuff shows up at times on how we're going to use guys, but I think all of them got good grasp of it. No matter who it is, it's going to go out there and play. They're all going to go out there and be productive and play around and play hard. I agree. We don't need to overthink it. We've got two guys out there and let them go play. Last one, Luke. Hey, how do you approach blitzing when for the most part, you haven't really needed to because of the four guys up front and you can just sort of send seven and cover it, will? Yeah, I think, I mean, I think there's time and place. Just as the game going, you kind of get a feel like we always have a variety of things up in the game plan. I mean, as the game is going, you kind of get a feel for how it's being played, how you're able to affect the quarterback, whether you're able to do the four, whether you need to add a piece. The coverage plays a big part in that as well. Just how effective you feel like you're able to cover maybe a man down in coverage or if you need to make sure you've got that seven piece and you can do some different things. So I think it's really a deal thing as the game's going, just kind of seeing where we're at. We always have things on our call sheet. You feel like our best bet if we need something, but at the same time, like it's really kind of deciphering and seeing how it's going with the guys and what we need in certain situations throughout the game.