A handful of guys are struggling. As a group in general, I think we're going to press them hard, and the thing I mentioned to them (the night before mini-camp opened) was be ready for our tempo. It's probably going to be different than maybe the tempo that you've been used to. |
A poorly conditioned football team gets penalties, a poorly conditioned football team holds, a poorly conditioned football team turns the football over. The other way to look at it is, if your not in shape, you can lose games, so I think being in shape is a must. You need to have stamina ... you need to have some staying power in the fourth quarter to win football games and if you're not I think you're going to lose. |
But the most important thing obviously is the relationship and work in progress that you go through to arrive at a decision. I think that we will all be on the same page, and I think that part of it will be pretty smooth. |
For this area and this region, symbolically, it's important to have their team back. It's significant for the city and the region. We welcome them out. |
From a coaching standpoint, it's about measuring what kind of condition they're in right now, where we're at in each position group, but for this city ... I think there's a little bit more to it. |
Gary stresses the fundamentals and has a sound philosophy on what he expects from a defense. But he doesn't allow that to take away from aggressiveness that you look for that is necessary to make plays. |
He's a guy that was a former first-round draft pick that's got good ability, can run, is excited I think to get back in the game. He's someone who's had experience in this league. |
I don't know if it's new because I can't compare it to maybe what's been the norm before. With regards to hustling to and from the drills, I just think that's how you've got to practice. They'll get used to (our tempo), and I think the players want that by and large. I think it will pay off in the long run. But we've got a lot of work to do, and a lot of guys are sucking some air right now. |
I don't know what's going to happen. It's going to take a few days to see what direction we're going with the coordinators or if anyone will come with me. |
I get nervous when these guys all over the (NFC South) division are paying me compliments, but they're guys that have an impact, certainly, in my life. |
I get nervous when these guys all over the [NFC South] division are paying me compliments, but they're guys that have an impact, certainly, in my life. |
I think one of greatest compliments you can give a coach is to say that someday you want your kids to be coached by them and I can say that about Lou. He has a real good handle on what he wants. I think the world of him. |
I think there's a prototype we're all looking for, whether it's Brett Favre or Troy Aikman. And everyone's got that picture in their mind of the prototype at the position. |
I think this was an opportunity unique to the NFL. |
I think this was different that the situation in Oakland two years ago. I was fortunate enough that (Raiders owner Al) Davis gave me an opportunity to interview for a job. It was the first time I had ever gone through that process. After two weekends with him, I felt like I could interview with anybody. It really helped me grow a little bit. I think the timing today, the timing now, the timing this year was right, and I took advantage of the opportunity. |