Head Coach Mike Martz
Friday, October 1, 2004
(On DT Jimmy Kennedy)
“He’s fine, he’s been completely cleared. Which means he’s about two weeks away. He’s going to start running next week, but he’s a long way away from being in football shape. He’s two weeks probably from having contact, a little press and drive off that thing. It’s healed very quickly, and it’s further along than you’d anticipate. That’s real good news for us, and we’re going to have him back a little bit earlier then we anticipated.”
(On Kennedy improving the depth)
“Who knows what he’ll bring inside. When he got injured he was just beginning to learn how to play inside and do the things we want him to do. He’s a good size, physical guy, and he’s really improved his strength remarkably. So who knows what he’ll do, it’s up to him. He has the opportunity now, within the next few weeks, to really start working to get back.”
(On if LB Robert Thomas practiced today)
“We’re trying to take it easy on that bad ankle. It’s a minor ankle, it’s a lower ankle sprain. If you do too much on it, it will be puffy and swollen most of the week. We’ll let him get a lot of reps on Friday. Trev Faulk came back and he needed to work. So that combined with the fact that Trev needed to work, gives us an opportunity to sit him down for a little bit. We also had a chance to get (Brandon) Chillar some work inside. As the season goes on, and the linebacking crew, if those guys get nicked, those guys have all got to be kind of interchangeable. Having Trev back is a big issue. He’s an inside guy, that has practiced here all year, and to have him back obviously helps us.”
(On CB Travis Fisher)
“They did a scan on him, and they’re very pleased. He’s probably about two weeks away or so. They are just concerned about the strength, the bulk of the muscle and the forearm, so he doesn’t re-fracture it. It’s healed very nicely, so he’s pretty much on schedule. He’s out here doing everything, moving around and back peddling, doing all the things you have to do to stay in shape. They won’t completely release him for contact until they test it to make sure it’s ready to go, and he has strength.”
(On ***** Head Coach Dennis Erickson saying he’s up till three in the morning with the Rams shifting and motions)
“Well we do a little bit of it. We’re getting better. The thing I’m most pleased with is the offensive line. I thought the last game they played exceptionally well. They’re gelling, and everything is kind of falling into place again, and I’m very pleased with their progress. It’s gone from the biggest question mark and worry in preseason, to being one of our more solid attributes of this team right now.”
(On T Grant Williams play versus vs. New Orleans)
“One of the plays wasn’t his fault. It was a screwed up route downfield, and Marc (Bulger) pulled the ball back and got sacked. The other play he just got beat, so he got beat once. He’s played very well, and the transition for him from left to right is pretty substantial. His whole career he’s been over on the left-hand side. That’s not an easy thing to do, get in a different stance then you have been your whole career. I couldn’t be more pleased with Grant, I think he’s playing very well.”
Friday, October 1, 2004
(On DT Jimmy Kennedy)
“He’s fine, he’s been completely cleared. Which means he’s about two weeks away. He’s going to start running next week, but he’s a long way away from being in football shape. He’s two weeks probably from having contact, a little press and drive off that thing. It’s healed very quickly, and it’s further along than you’d anticipate. That’s real good news for us, and we’re going to have him back a little bit earlier then we anticipated.”
(On Kennedy improving the depth)
“Who knows what he’ll bring inside. When he got injured he was just beginning to learn how to play inside and do the things we want him to do. He’s a good size, physical guy, and he’s really improved his strength remarkably. So who knows what he’ll do, it’s up to him. He has the opportunity now, within the next few weeks, to really start working to get back.”
(On if LB Robert Thomas practiced today)
“We’re trying to take it easy on that bad ankle. It’s a minor ankle, it’s a lower ankle sprain. If you do too much on it, it will be puffy and swollen most of the week. We’ll let him get a lot of reps on Friday. Trev Faulk came back and he needed to work. So that combined with the fact that Trev needed to work, gives us an opportunity to sit him down for a little bit. We also had a chance to get (Brandon) Chillar some work inside. As the season goes on, and the linebacking crew, if those guys get nicked, those guys have all got to be kind of interchangeable. Having Trev back is a big issue. He’s an inside guy, that has practiced here all year, and to have him back obviously helps us.”
(On CB Travis Fisher)
“They did a scan on him, and they’re very pleased. He’s probably about two weeks away or so. They are just concerned about the strength, the bulk of the muscle and the forearm, so he doesn’t re-fracture it. It’s healed very nicely, so he’s pretty much on schedule. He’s out here doing everything, moving around and back peddling, doing all the things you have to do to stay in shape. They won’t completely release him for contact until they test it to make sure it’s ready to go, and he has strength.”
(On ***** Head Coach Dennis Erickson saying he’s up till three in the morning with the Rams shifting and motions)
“Well we do a little bit of it. We’re getting better. The thing I’m most pleased with is the offensive line. I thought the last game they played exceptionally well. They’re gelling, and everything is kind of falling into place again, and I’m very pleased with their progress. It’s gone from the biggest question mark and worry in preseason, to being one of our more solid attributes of this team right now.”
(On T Grant Williams play versus vs. New Orleans)
“One of the plays wasn’t his fault. It was a screwed up route downfield, and Marc (Bulger) pulled the ball back and got sacked. The other play he just got beat, so he got beat once. He’s played very well, and the transition for him from left to right is pretty substantial. His whole career he’s been over on the left-hand side. That’s not an easy thing to do, get in a different stance then you have been your whole career. I couldn’t be more pleased with Grant, I think he’s playing very well.”
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