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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) how they will respond. But the players look to him for guidance. They know he’s been there before, and he knows the right things to do. He’ll manage the game properly, and if it’s something he’s confused about then we’ll stay away from it and move on. He can make those clutch throws and clutch plays to win a game.”
(On C Andy McCollum)
“The thing that Andy does, is he’s just flawless in terms of the mental aspect. Getting the right calls, his quickness, his ability to reach guys and get into linebackers, I didn’t know he could do the things that he is doing. He did them in the past. But where he is right now, to pull him and have him get on the outside linebacker is really unusual. He’s been very consistent all year long. He’s been the most consistent player in the offensive line all season. I keep saying this, and I’ve said it since the beginning of the year, he really is having a Pro-Bowl year. Regardless of what happens to us, he’s playing out there in another level and he’s doing a terrific job for us.”
(On RB Aveion Cason)
“We brought Aveion in the event that we sustain more injuries in the backfield, but more importantly, to give us another kickoff return specialist. We know where his speed is. We are very familiar with Aveion. We had him here in the past, and I’m excited about what he might bring. In the event that we start Arlen (Harris) at halfback, which I might suspect that we do, then you would like to have Aveion returning kickoffs.”
(On RB Steven Jackson)
“I think he’ll be ready. Obviously, it’s hard to start him if he doesn’t practice. I think he’ll be ready to play. When will he practice? Maybe Friday, I don’t know. You’re going to have to assume that you won’t have him and get Arlen ready, then if you have him, you have him. I believe we will have Marshall (Faulk) too. I think we will have all three of those backs, but in the event that we don’t, you have Aveion and we will try to keep him up on the roster to return kickoffs.”
(On keeping his defense focused and aggressive, despite the roughing the passer penalties)
“You have to be careful on how you emphasize those things, too, when you talk to the team after the game. If you let that become an issue for the football team, then it’s a distraction for everybody. Then when it does happen, it becomes a major focus for them. You have to move on. When those things are over with, they are over with. Whether it was a good call or bad call, it is what it is and you can’t change it. You have to have that resolve, or perseverance, to move on in spite of those things, and over come it. That’s really our focus. Whether it’s a sack, a turnover, a penalty, it doesn’t make a difference. (They need to) continue what they are doing. They are doing the right thing, you are doing what we are asking you to.”
(On QB Marc Bulger’s timetable for return)
“I really don’t (know). I would suspect that there would be a potential to have him next week. But whether we do or not, I don’t know. I do know this, it was a very similar injury that he sustained in Miami. He would not have been able to play that next week. I think we would be very hopeful for next week, but we’ll have to see. I think that might be a little over-optimistic.”
(On QB Jamie Martin)
“I think, initially, we will try to get Jeff Smoker in a capacity until Jamie comes along in what we are doing mentally. I think Jeff is up to do most of the things that we do, but he hasn’t played. Jamie, the last time he played for us, brought us back in the fourth quarter on Monday Night to beat the San Francisco *****. I know he can win. We didn’t have a real good supporting cast around him when he had to play, that’s why we lost two quarterbacks and he was playing. We are a better team in that respect, and he will play better with better people around him. I’m excited that he is available to us, because he can make the throws and decisions, and run this football team the way we want our quarterback to run it.”
(On if QB Jeff Smoker will back up Chandler)
“We’ll see. I just don’t know he is in practice, or how much he has absorbed. I don’t know Jeff well enough to say that he is ready to go play in a game. I know Jamie is. Providing he has the information, he’ll play.”
(On the pressure placed on G Blaine Saipaia to stop Carolina’s Julius Peppers)
“I think every player out there feels that type of pressure. That’s why we put Blaine in that position. Blaine, obviously, understands the opportunity ahead of him. But I also think he is very confident in his physical capabilities. I’m excited. We went back and looked at that Buffalo tape. I have great confidence in him. He’s a guy that I looked at all year, throughout the season, and felt like he was going to be one of our feature starters here, eventually. When it was going to happen, I didn’t know. But he has the athleticism to line up on the edge and block a guy like Peppers, with his feet and his strength and all of those things. The experience is going to be a factor, so we’ll need to help him there.”
(On if last year’s playoff loss to Carolina will serve as a motivating factor for this game)
“The players who were here understand that, obviously, just as we as coaches do. When you start to dwell on those things, it becomes a distraction for you. That has nothing to do with this game, at this point. If you need that as an emotional lift to go and compete, you are probably in the wrong business. This team is a different team. We are a different team. We are fighting for our lives here, to try and get in the playoffs and win this division. That’s significant enough. You start talking about what was, that all becomes a distraction. We are moving forward. We are focusing on this football game and getting after that.”
(On Carolina)
“I think they are a very power-oriented running team. Their receivers have made some big plays for them. (QB Jake Delhomme) has a big arm. He has that Brett Favre-type arm. He can zig it down the field with terrific accuracy. They have come in and out of it. Obviously, when their backs went down, they went off in a different direction a little. But they have their running game to the point where they feel very good with it. I think they are pretty well rounded at this point.”
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) how they will respond. But the players look to him for guidance. They know he’s been there before, and he knows the right things to do. He’ll manage the game properly, and if it’s something he’s confused about then we’ll stay away from it and move on. He can make those clutch throws and clutch plays to win a game.”
(On C Andy McCollum)
“The thing that Andy does, is he’s just flawless in terms of the mental aspect. Getting the right calls, his quickness, his ability to reach guys and get into linebackers, I didn’t know he could do the things that he is doing. He did them in the past. But where he is right now, to pull him and have him get on the outside linebacker is really unusual. He’s been very consistent all year long. He’s been the most consistent player in the offensive line all season. I keep saying this, and I’ve said it since the beginning of the year, he really is having a Pro-Bowl year. Regardless of what happens to us, he’s playing out there in another level and he’s doing a terrific job for us.”
(On RB Aveion Cason)
“We brought Aveion in the event that we sustain more injuries in the backfield, but more importantly, to give us another kickoff return specialist. We know where his speed is. We are very familiar with Aveion. We had him here in the past, and I’m excited about what he might bring. In the event that we start Arlen (Harris) at halfback, which I might suspect that we do, then you would like to have Aveion returning kickoffs.”
(On RB Steven Jackson)
“I think he’ll be ready. Obviously, it’s hard to start him if he doesn’t practice. I think he’ll be ready to play. When will he practice? Maybe Friday, I don’t know. You’re going to have to assume that you won’t have him and get Arlen ready, then if you have him, you have him. I believe we will have Marshall (Faulk) too. I think we will have all three of those backs, but in the event that we don’t, you have Aveion and we will try to keep him up on the roster to return kickoffs.”
(On keeping his defense focused and aggressive, despite the roughing the passer penalties)
“You have to be careful on how you emphasize those things, too, when you talk to the team after the game. If you let that become an issue for the football team, then it’s a distraction for everybody. Then when it does happen, it becomes a major focus for them. You have to move on. When those things are over with, they are over with. Whether it was a good call or bad call, it is what it is and you can’t change it. You have to have that resolve, or perseverance, to move on in spite of those things, and over come it. That’s really our focus. Whether it’s a sack, a turnover, a penalty, it doesn’t make a difference. (They need to) continue what they are doing. They are doing the right thing, you are doing what we are asking you to.”
(On QB Marc Bulger’s timetable for return)
“I really don’t (know). I would suspect that there would be a potential to have him next week. But whether we do or not, I don’t know. I do know this, it was a very similar injury that he sustained in Miami. He would not have been able to play that next week. I think we would be very hopeful for next week, but we’ll have to see. I think that might be a little over-optimistic.”
(On QB Jamie Martin)
“I think, initially, we will try to get Jeff Smoker in a capacity until Jamie comes along in what we are doing mentally. I think Jeff is up to do most of the things that we do, but he hasn’t played. Jamie, the last time he played for us, brought us back in the fourth quarter on Monday Night to beat the San Francisco *****. I know he can win. We didn’t have a real good supporting cast around him when he had to play, that’s why we lost two quarterbacks and he was playing. We are a better team in that respect, and he will play better with better people around him. I’m excited that he is available to us, because he can make the throws and decisions, and run this football team the way we want our quarterback to run it.”
(On if QB Jeff Smoker will back up Chandler)
“We’ll see. I just don’t know he is in practice, or how much he has absorbed. I don’t know Jeff well enough to say that he is ready to go play in a game. I know Jamie is. Providing he has the information, he’ll play.”
(On the pressure placed on G Blaine Saipaia to stop Carolina’s Julius Peppers)
“I think every player out there feels that type of pressure. That’s why we put Blaine in that position. Blaine, obviously, understands the opportunity ahead of him. But I also think he is very confident in his physical capabilities. I’m excited. We went back and looked at that Buffalo tape. I have great confidence in him. He’s a guy that I looked at all year, throughout the season, and felt like he was going to be one of our feature starters here, eventually. When it was going to happen, I didn’t know. But he has the athleticism to line up on the edge and block a guy like Peppers, with his feet and his strength and all of those things. The experience is going to be a factor, so we’ll need to help him there.”
(On if last year’s playoff loss to Carolina will serve as a motivating factor for this game)
“The players who were here understand that, obviously, just as we as coaches do. When you start to dwell on those things, it becomes a distraction for you. That has nothing to do with this game, at this point. If you need that as an emotional lift to go and compete, you are probably in the wrong business. This team is a different team. We are a different team. We are fighting for our lives here, to try and get in the playoffs and win this division. That’s significant enough. You start talking about what was, that all becomes a distraction. We are moving forward. We are focusing on this football game and getting after that.”
(On Carolina)
“I think they are a very power-oriented running team. Their receivers have made some big plays for them. (QB Jake Delhomme) has a big arm. He has that Brett Favre-type arm. He can zig it down the field with terrific accuracy. They have come in and out of it. Obviously, when their backs went down, they went off in a different direction a little. But they have their running game to the point where they feel very good with it. I think they are pretty well rounded at this point.”
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