Head Coach Mike Martz
Wednesday, December 8, 2004
(Opening comments)
“With everything you do in the beginning of the year, you just hope at this point, with four games to go, you’re still in the hunt, which we are. Obviously, we are a half-game up on in the division, with our destiny in our control. We are looking forward to this game in Carolina, another NFC (team), and a team that we met in the playoffs last year. We are familiar with them. We have played against (Carolina head coach) John (Fox)’s defense on several occasions, and we are somewhat familiar with him. Their defensive line is terrific. Their quarterback is playing really well. He has that big, strong arm. Even though they are without their starter at running back, (RB Nick Goings) has done a tremendous job rushing the football. The offensive line is still significant, and of course, their receiving corps is good. They are on the mend. They are on a streak, winning four in a row, and winning some tight games. It should be fun. We are looking forward to this game, and it goes without saying right now, but this is as big as it gets.”
(On if he expresses the importance of this game to his team)
“Yes, absolutely. At this point you need to. This is the time, where early in the year you start talking about this is a big game and it’s hard to do that, but at this point these are all playoff games. The significance grows each week. It’s a four-week season, and it starts with this one. We are all excited about being in this position, and this opportunity. We have done a great job defensively and given up the big play. Those are the mistakes within the defense that we are mending and resolving. I think we are kind of adapting that personality defensively, and the understanding of what we are trying to accomplish. Offensively, there are some issues that we need to mend and fix, but I’m excited about the perimeter and the offensive line and where we are heading. And I think Chris (Chandler) will do a good job for us.”
(On QB Chris Chandler)
“When we signed him, he’s not 500-years-old, he’s 38. It doesn’t matter how old he is, he can play. He has terrific legs. He’s in there on the treadmill for 35 minutes on (level) nine. I don’t know if any of you can do that, and I know I can’t. I think that, and the fact that his arm strength hasn’t been diminished at all. He’s still on top of his game, in terms of seeing things and accuracy. All of those things, physically, would lend itself to believe that he still has a lot of football left in him. Otherwise, we would have never signed him to a two-year deal. He’s been through all of the playoffs. He’s been to a Super Bowl. He’s been there. He knows how to prepare. He knows how to get himself right. A lot of quarterbacks, and this is going to sound silly, but they don’t know themselves in big games yet. If they have not been there, (they don’t know)...
-12-09-2004, 05:32 AM
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