Highlights

TODD HALEY: “Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everybody. We’ll be in tomorrow (Christmas Day) and practice starts at 12:55.”

Q: Talk about your importance of defending the run?

HALEY: “I think the most significant thing to win in the NFL is you have to be able to stop the run, just like you have to be able to catch the ball. That’s fundamental and it’s something we’ve been up and down with all year. In some games we’ve been able to execute some better technique at times and, in that (Cleveland) game in particular we played at a level that is not going to get it done. Again, it’s wasn’t effort. To me it was technique and them winning at the line of scrimmage and us losing.

“You could see it live standing there. You could see the movement throughout the game. I think it’s been a wake-up call to these guys that if you don’t play with perfect technique, or close to perfect technique you’re going to be on the losing ends of those double teams or even single blocks.”

Q: You said you saw signs last week that the players themselves were taking charge?

HALEY: “I won’t get into the personal conversations but looking around on the sideline and then after the game and then in here on Monday you saw it from the guys. That’s really where we need to get to. It’s not acceptable that when things don’t go right, whether it’s on a Wednesday practice, Thursday practice, Friday practice or in the game. It’s not acceptable. It’s not all right. Not from me or the other coaches, which it’s never going to be, but from the players where they draw a line in the sand and say, this isn’t going to be all right. I think you saw some of that towards the end of that game.

“Around good teams it goes on and we’re trying to be a good team and we’re obviously not there yet. That’s why when I talk about progress, there is progress being made and each week and each game is another opportunity to take another step. This weekend it’s against a playoff caliber team on the road.”

Q: But that encourages you doesn’t it?

HALEY: “Yeah, and I encourage that type of action. But the people doing that have to be doing there job, too. They have to be doing their part. You just can’t be holding other people accountable if you’re not doing your job. That’s why people aren’t jumping front and center to be that guy always.”

Q: Does it become a matter of pride?

HALEY: “I think again, when you come together as a defensive unit, that is number one. We have to stop the run and set that standard. This is a young team, a young defense that is trying to learn new technique and new positions and like I said, at times, we have done a better job at it than others. It is all the little things and these guys have to understand. It is a wakeup call to the fact that if you don’t play with great technique all the time, you are going to cost yourself.”

Q: How important is it to get off blocks when you are double teamed?

HALEY: “It is a very difficult position to play when you are getting double teamed by two, 300 pound plus bodies and you have to try and figure out where they are going and try and figure that out on the fly. Once you have good technique, it is critical because if you are a second late responding or a second late using proper technique than it is too late. It is happening fast and you just have to be on top of what you are doing to be successful.”

Q: Are you going to try (CB) Donald Washington at safety this week?

HALEY: “Again, without getting into specifics, we have a bunch of moving parts right now with (S) Jon McGraw fighting through his injury and (S DaJuan) Morgan getting nicked up in the game, we have to be covered in all areas as we progress through the season.”

Q: The players after the game said it was about time someone besides you get upset. Do you think it is that time?

HALEY: “Yeah, without getting into my conversations with the team, I think it is critical that the more guys you have that don’t accept it, the better off we are. It is part of the process that we are in finding the right players, identity and then finding the right leadership. That doesn’t happen overnight and like I said yesterday it is frustrating and hard for everyone who loves this team and wants to succeed. Sometimes it happens faster than other times and sometimes it doesn’t. We are trying to make it happen as fast as we can but it does have to happen.”

Q: Did you flip off a fan at the game on Sunday?

HALEY: “No it did not happen. I think we are moved on from that.”

Q: Do you have a favorite Holiday memory that sticks out?

HALEY: “As I have gotten older and had a family, some of my memories have turned into their memories. I don’t know if there is anything specific, I think it is a terrific time of year and time to count your blessings and be grateful for what we have in this country. I am grateful to have a healthy family regardless of how rough the waters get here, they don’t recognize that. They are excited about Christmas and once I get through the doors, that is what it is about. It is just a great day, a great time of the year.”