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Head Coach Mike Martz
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
(Opening statement)
“The Bills, obviously at home, have played very well. Defensively, they are one of the top teams in the league. The defensive line, particularly the two tackles, are very physical guys that are very disruptive. Of course we know what London (Fletcher) is. With his range he is very active and very involved in both the passing game and run game. Offensively, both backs I think are outstanding. (Willis) McGahee has really taken off and done a great job. Any game on the road like this is very difficult in the NFL as you know. As our players learned down in Miami, you have to bring your best every week. I think this is a better football team then Miami obviously, and we know that we are in for a dog fight when we get up there. We will prepare as such.”
(On the players reacting to the tougher practices)
“I don’t know if it was any tougher, we tackled. We went back to basics. I think we’re all upset with ourselves as well as the players in terms of the attitude. Sometimes you let things slip and as I said last week, sometimes what you see is what you coach. So we had to go back to basics, and we will again do that today. We’ve got to block and tackle better we just do, that’s the basis of this game. If you don’t enjoy those things you’re not going to play well. They enjoy it, they had a good time out there on Wednesday. Practice was a lot of fun, they got into it pretty good, and I’m sure they will do it again today. We got better. We’re not where we need to be but we’re making progress and that’s all you can ask. We have a lot of young players on defense who have to learn how to stay at a high level and get off of that roller coaster, and this is probably the best way that you can avoid that.”
(On keeping up his attitude with his team)
“I’ve been with some of these guys for a long time, and I think they understand my frustrations too. Not just with them, but with myself and not realizing what was going on sometimes. I think it really comes down to, more than anything else, is everybody being on the same page to make it right. They know that we are always going to try and do the right thing by them. None of this was ever intended to or meant as any type of punishment. If you get mad at football teams and start taking it out on them, then you’re going to lose your team. You need to get out of coaching and get an attitude readjustment. It was never about that, It’s about going back to basics, getting your feet on the ground, getting physical again, and enjoying that part of the game.”
(On missing LB London Fletcher)
‘There’s no question that we miss London. He was such a good leader on this team and so productive. You go back and look at the years that he was here, he is hard to replace. Guys that didn’t practice at a certain level, he was right there in their face. He demanded it out of everybody that everybody practice like he does. There’s no question that that you lose somebody like London, it’s going to affect you. It breaks my heart that he’s not here. I know how important he was to this organization and all the things he did for us. It just didn’t work out, in some things your hands are strung financially. That’s a different arena then what I am in, but I know that we did as much as we could.”
(On the Bills defense)
“I like the corners. I really do like (Terrence) McGee, number 24. I really like him a lot, I think he’s a pretty terrific athlete. He reminds me of Dre’ Bly in a lot of respects. He has that kind of athleticism, quickness and confidence. It’s a very good defense, it really is.”
(On QB Marc Bulger’s performance as opposed to last year)
“Like I’ve said many times, having camp and off season with the first group of receivers has had an impact. I also think that each week he gets a little bit better at different things. Whether it’s managing the game, a decision to throw it away instead of taking a sack, or tucking it and running with it, or a check down. I think it really has slowed down for him a great deal. He looks so confident and poised when he comes off the field, even when things aren’t going quite right he knows exactly what to do and his demeanor never changes. He’s constantly getting better every week. We thought that he might struggle early, and he did, but he’s doing pretty good right now.”
(On G Tom Nütten playing again)
“Well the timing for this is outstanding, in terms of Tommy. Tommy, before this, I’m not sure if he would have been ready physically with his strength and his weight. At this point he’s ready to play. The toe that had been injured is not an issue anymore. I think his strength is back and his size. I was talking to him today in the weight room, and I told him it’s good to see 61 back in the huddle.”
(On his thoughts on New England QB Drew Bledsoe)
“I’ve never analyzed Drew because we never play them. I’ve just never been exposed to him much, I just don’t get a chance to see much of him. I wouldn’t feel comfortable (analyzing him) without knowledge of him, it’s just not my place to do that. I’ve always thought that he was a terrific player. He’s always made plays over the year, and he’s very capable, that’s for sure.”
(On WR Torry Holt’s injury)
“He’s fine. They did a neuro-psyche test on him and everything came out fine. (After the collision) it looked like there was little birds around his head. They felt like we would have him back. I was just really concerned. Anytime you have a head or neck injury it scares you to death. I was just very relieved it wasn’t anything serious.”
(On the run defense against seattle)
“The one where the ball gets stripped out, we have a defensive player clean to the ball carrier. He was out of position and he shouldn’t be. He was a young player. Those are the things that you have to fix and move on. That’s what you do out here today. The one good thing about this, it’s like I told our guys, you never fault a team, you always have a chance, when you play with passion throughout the game and it never waivers, which they did. When you do that, then Aeneas (Williams), on a bad play, finishes and strips the ball and we get the ball back. So if you continue to play with that kind of energy and enthusiasm, you’ll make good things happen like that. In the interim, the mental errors have got to come up to the same level as the intensity and the attitude that you have. We have some fixing to do in some certain areas, and some guys have still got to learn their responsibilities in terms of that defense better. We’re headed in the right direction. We have a ways to go, but we’re making progress.”
(On S Aeneas Williams’ shoulder injury)
“He had a stinger in the preseason against Chicago. I didn’t realize it was an issue until last week at practice I talked to him. What we try to do is really limit (his play). We’ll see how he is this week. Like Marshall (Faulk) we’ve kind of paced him based on how he feels and what he thinks, and not try to project on him how many snaps he needs to play.”
(On DT Jimmy Kennedy)
“Jimmy got his feet wet last week for the first time. He has a terrific practice last week. As always when you get into the game for the first time, things go a little faster. He was a little stunned there for awhile but he’ll be fine. He’s going to be a real good player he just needs to play. We have to get him in there and play him, it’s the only way he’s going to get better.”
(On Bills special teams and special teams coach Bobby April)
“He’s done a good job with the three returns. They’ve got some guys, with the three touchdown returns, that we have to hem up. Very talented group.”
(On if kickoff coverages are different)
“There are a lot of differences, but there’s a vast difference in who’s running down those kicks. Who’s available and what not. We’ve changed personnel on our kickoff team. We’re going to take a different approach with that.”
(On if he was surprised about his name being mentioned for the Miami head coaching position)
“Shocked. Not surprised, shocked. Very flattered. That’s a terrific organization, probably one of the best in the NFL, in the history of the league. They have a great winning tradition. What they’ve accomplished there over the years is magnificent. That being said, I think that is just speculation by somebody. There is no substance to it. I couldn’t have a better job than what I have right here. I love it here, this is our home, I have no desire to coach any place else. When I took this job to be the head coach here, there was potentially other opportunities, and I had no interest and I still don’t.”
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
(Opening statement)
“The Bills, obviously at home, have played very well. Defensively, they are one of the top teams in the league. The defensive line, particularly the two tackles, are very physical guys that are very disruptive. Of course we know what London (Fletcher) is. With his range he is very active and very involved in both the passing game and run game. Offensively, both backs I think are outstanding. (Willis) McGahee has really taken off and done a great job. Any game on the road like this is very difficult in the NFL as you know. As our players learned down in Miami, you have to bring your best every week. I think this is a better football team then Miami obviously, and we know that we are in for a dog fight when we get up there. We will prepare as such.”
(On the players reacting to the tougher practices)
“I don’t know if it was any tougher, we tackled. We went back to basics. I think we’re all upset with ourselves as well as the players in terms of the attitude. Sometimes you let things slip and as I said last week, sometimes what you see is what you coach. So we had to go back to basics, and we will again do that today. We’ve got to block and tackle better we just do, that’s the basis of this game. If you don’t enjoy those things you’re not going to play well. They enjoy it, they had a good time out there on Wednesday. Practice was a lot of fun, they got into it pretty good, and I’m sure they will do it again today. We got better. We’re not where we need to be but we’re making progress and that’s all you can ask. We have a lot of young players on defense who have to learn how to stay at a high level and get off of that roller coaster, and this is probably the best way that you can avoid that.”
(On keeping up his attitude with his team)
“I’ve been with some of these guys for a long time, and I think they understand my frustrations too. Not just with them, but with myself and not realizing what was going on sometimes. I think it really comes down to, more than anything else, is everybody being on the same page to make it right. They know that we are always going to try and do the right thing by them. None of this was ever intended to or meant as any type of punishment. If you get mad at football teams and start taking it out on them, then you’re going to lose your team. You need to get out of coaching and get an attitude readjustment. It was never about that, It’s about going back to basics, getting your feet on the ground, getting physical again, and enjoying that part of the game.”
(On missing LB London Fletcher)
‘There’s no question that we miss London. He was such a good leader on this team and so productive. You go back and look at the years that he was here, he is hard to replace. Guys that didn’t practice at a certain level, he was right there in their face. He demanded it out of everybody that everybody practice like he does. There’s no question that that you lose somebody like London, it’s going to affect you. It breaks my heart that he’s not here. I know how important he was to this organization and all the things he did for us. It just didn’t work out, in some things your hands are strung financially. That’s a different arena then what I am in, but I know that we did as much as we could.”
(On the Bills defense)
“I like the corners. I really do like (Terrence) McGee, number 24. I really like him a lot, I think he’s a pretty terrific athlete. He reminds me of Dre’ Bly in a lot of respects. He has that kind of athleticism, quickness and confidence. It’s a very good defense, it really is.”
(On QB Marc Bulger’s performance as opposed to last year)
“Like I’ve said many times, having camp and off season with the first group of receivers has had an impact. I also think that each week he gets a little bit better at different things. Whether it’s managing the game, a decision to throw it away instead of taking a sack, or tucking it and running with it, or a check down. I think it really has slowed down for him a great deal. He looks so confident and poised when he comes off the field, even when things aren’t going quite right he knows exactly what to do and his demeanor never changes. He’s constantly getting better every week. We thought that he might struggle early, and he did, but he’s doing pretty good right now.”
(On G Tom Nütten playing again)
“Well the timing for this is outstanding, in terms of Tommy. Tommy, before this, I’m not sure if he would have been ready physically with his strength and his weight. At this point he’s ready to play. The toe that had been injured is not an issue anymore. I think his strength is back and his size. I was talking to him today in the weight room, and I told him it’s good to see 61 back in the huddle.”
(On his thoughts on New England QB Drew Bledsoe)
“I’ve never analyzed Drew because we never play them. I’ve just never been exposed to him much, I just don’t get a chance to see much of him. I wouldn’t feel comfortable (analyzing him) without knowledge of him, it’s just not my place to do that. I’ve always thought that he was a terrific player. He’s always made plays over the year, and he’s very capable, that’s for sure.”
(On WR Torry Holt’s injury)
“He’s fine. They did a neuro-psyche test on him and everything came out fine. (After the collision) it looked like there was little birds around his head. They felt like we would have him back. I was just really concerned. Anytime you have a head or neck injury it scares you to death. I was just very relieved it wasn’t anything serious.”
(On the run defense against seattle)
“The one where the ball gets stripped out, we have a defensive player clean to the ball carrier. He was out of position and he shouldn’t be. He was a young player. Those are the things that you have to fix and move on. That’s what you do out here today. The one good thing about this, it’s like I told our guys, you never fault a team, you always have a chance, when you play with passion throughout the game and it never waivers, which they did. When you do that, then Aeneas (Williams), on a bad play, finishes and strips the ball and we get the ball back. So if you continue to play with that kind of energy and enthusiasm, you’ll make good things happen like that. In the interim, the mental errors have got to come up to the same level as the intensity and the attitude that you have. We have some fixing to do in some certain areas, and some guys have still got to learn their responsibilities in terms of that defense better. We’re headed in the right direction. We have a ways to go, but we’re making progress.”
(On S Aeneas Williams’ shoulder injury)
“He had a stinger in the preseason against Chicago. I didn’t realize it was an issue until last week at practice I talked to him. What we try to do is really limit (his play). We’ll see how he is this week. Like Marshall (Faulk) we’ve kind of paced him based on how he feels and what he thinks, and not try to project on him how many snaps he needs to play.”
(On DT Jimmy Kennedy)
“Jimmy got his feet wet last week for the first time. He has a terrific practice last week. As always when you get into the game for the first time, things go a little faster. He was a little stunned there for awhile but he’ll be fine. He’s going to be a real good player he just needs to play. We have to get him in there and play him, it’s the only way he’s going to get better.”
(On Bills special teams and special teams coach Bobby April)
“He’s done a good job with the three returns. They’ve got some guys, with the three touchdown returns, that we have to hem up. Very talented group.”
(On if kickoff coverages are different)
“There are a lot of differences, but there’s a vast difference in who’s running down those kicks. Who’s available and what not. We’ve changed personnel on our kickoff team. We’re going to take a different approach with that.”
(On if he was surprised about his name being mentioned for the Miami head coaching position)
“Shocked. Not surprised, shocked. Very flattered. That’s a terrific organization, probably one of the best in the NFL, in the history of the league. They have a great winning tradition. What they’ve accomplished there over the years is magnificent. That being said, I think that is just speculation by somebody. There is no substance to it. I couldn’t have a better job than what I have right here. I love it here, this is our home, I have no desire to coach any place else. When I took this job to be the head coach here, there was potentially other opportunities, and I had no interest and I still don’t.”
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