That's the most important thing in my mind, to keep this game within striking distance, ... If we can do that and not beat ourselves and not give up some of the big plays, make them do things methodically and slowly, the longer we can keep this thing going into the fourth quarter. Then it becomes a play here or a play there. |
That's what we talk about, our girls. |
That's what's good. You get those picks, get some extra picks, maybe move a little bit in the draft or stay and get some good quality players. |
The biggest concern I have is making sure we understand that we aren't going to pick up where we left off. |
The biggest thing is not to overreact and to keep responding. Our guys just kept responding. You can't get caught up in the emotion and the finality that these games can bring. The fact this team's been there before, I think, they really understand that mindset. |
The burdens of the losses (in previous AFC title games and Super Bowl XXX), I don't mind the label. All the teams we've lost to, they went on to win championships. Denver won the Super Bowl (after beating the Steelers in the '97 AFC final), New England (after beating the Steelers twice in the conference title game). ... We did it in 2005. We kind of did our thing, our way. |
The call was made to try to get us a spark and get us another possession. That's my decision. If it works, it's a good play. If it doesn't, you're open to second guessing, which is the nature of this business. But I have no second thoughts about that, I really don't. |
The Chicago game was a big game for us establishing ourselves as a running football team. We started to get Ben back at that time, too, when he came back from his (knee and thumb) injuries. |
The circumstances are such that we don't have a choice. We were put in that situation by losing three games in a row. We know the path that is ahead of us. It's a tough journey, but the guys are looking forward to it. |
The consensus was this was something that if we let it go he probably could have played this week, but the longer we went the risk of injury would increase and there is a chance he would be out for an extended period of time. |
The difference between Ben last year and this year is night and day. |
The extra day won't have any effect on it. We're going to have to weather the flurry that will be involved with the emotions, the speed of the game and playing a high-quality football team. |
The first time you face someone, you are not sure how they are going to approach you on both sides of the ball. I think the second time through, you have a better sense of what they are about. So there is a little bit of adjustment that goes into the game planning on both sides of the ball. |
The first two games have been a good start, but we have to prove we can do it consistently. Right now it's too early to make any judgments. |
The focus is on winning. There will be no talk whatsoever about any other scenario. We're well aware of what the deal is with San Diego. But that certainly will have no effect with us, because I've always believed you prepare for the worst and hope for the best. |