Below is a partial transcript of defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s Thursday press conference:

Q: Obviously, Cincinnati has some good players. Ja’Marr Chase, what kind of challenges does it present?

Coach Graham: “Some good players? Yeah, I mean, he’s one of the best in the league. If you want to make an argument that he’s the best, I don’t have a good, strong rebuttal for that between him, (Justin ) Jefferson and some of the other guys. And on top of that, they have a bunch of receivers. They’re all fast, I think they’ve done a really good job in the department of how they’ve shaped the team offensively Considering that the defender, who is elite, it’s the first time I’ve gone against him, and I’m very impressed with his toughness at the level qualification, you talk about the toughness he shows in the pocket, he sits there, he puts the ball down the field, he steps on throws, his intelligence there you see him switch plays and you can see that everybody is on the same page, the receivers, the O-line, the back of the guy those together. I mean, you see there are some smart players out there, not just because they have the Ivy League guy, but there are some smart players that are really skilled and present a lot of challenges. So, it’s going to be a tough one.”

Q: I know it’s probably not fun to try to prepare for?

Coach Graham: “Oh yeah, it’s exciting. I’m a competitor.”

Q: I guess when you see a player for the first time like that, like going deep on a guy like Joe Burrow, is that a fun challenge for you?

Coach Graham: “Yeah, it was fun. I mean, again, on Monday, you could hear us talking in the office, like some of the guys were against him before. man and I smile because of the challenge. I understand it causes late nights and some headaches I guess, but I’m excited to go against him And then spaces, very impressed with the backs, (Chase) Brown and (Zack) Moss, I mean, as far as their ability to go into the hole, I think they got a good combination. Again, I think the personnel department has done a good job of putting that staff and that group together, and they’re obviously well-coached.”

Q: Yesterday, Antonio Pierce talked about Tre’von Moehrig and how his game allowed him to make more plays on the ball. What went into that transition for him? I know in the past it was mostly a safety post. What kind of level of play have you seen in the last two games?

Coach Graham: “Football is a big man’s sport and he’s a big man, so get him out there next to the action. And the other thing is that it does both. It does both. It’s in the deep end of the field, He’s disappointed, even with the position, especially in today’s league, where you have to operate from a safety standpoint, to stay there, but I mean, Tre (Tre’von Moehrig) just raised as a football player. I think GA (Gerald Alexander) did a really good job when I got here two years ago, he did a good job of bringing him (Gerald Alexander) in there and he’s just growing and maturing and again so like I told you guys before, it’s a choice that I make, a choice that I make to say, “Okay, I’m a professional football player. player. I really don’t have anything else to do but get good at football,’ and then you have to do that. I am very proud of what he has done to see him reap the rewards of his hard work. I’m very proud of that guy.”

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