TOM COUGHLIN
Q: Is there anything new with Terrell Thomas?A: Yeah, unfortunately there is. He came in this morning with a swollen knee, went down to HSS (Hospital for Special Surgery). I don't know where they're at, I haven't heard the results.The fact he came in this morning...He walked up to me after practice, he thought he felt good. He didn't really seem to have any issues and then this morning, when he came back and he was swollen, they sent him to HSS and we'll hear something probably this afternoon.Q: You don't sound like you were anticipating that…A: I don't like the fact that it is swollen. I'm not a doctor. Don't go basing it on me.
Q: Did he have any body language or anything that would suggest he's …?A: I didn't see him this morning, but I saw him yesterday afternoon. He walked up to me and said, 'I slipped.'Q: What about Michael Boley?A: He's down there, too. They're just checking to make sure to what degree the hamstring is an issue**.READ MORE >>
PERRY FEWELLQ: We were just talking to Osi. Obviously, he doesn't have some of the issues that he had hovering over him in the past. Do you notice any difference in him because of that? Any difference in how he is out on the field?**
A: No, Osi has always been focused when he's out on the field and even in the meeting room. We've never, since I've been here, had a problem with his focus on football. He's a professional, and all of the distractions outside of the football arena he was able to handle. Osi's been great for me.
Q: Perry, basically you have all your starters back on defense. I don't know if that's ever happened in your career before. Does that give you a better inclination trying to mix things up knowing that these guys know you and that they'll be able to handle whatever you throw at them?
A: Yes. Well, Deon's [Grant] not back for us and he was a big part of our defense and what we did, but we do have a good feel for each other because a lot of the starters are back. We're on the same page as far as the calls and our communication is concerned. We're tinkering with different way that we can use our personnel so that's a little adjustment for the guys; as we continue into practice 3, 4, and 5 you'll see that we'll tinker with the personnel a bit. But, yes we do have a flow right now, it's very good.Q: The defensive players specifically are citing the last 6-game run last year, talking about how everybody got all in, everybody believed in things, everybody communicated. Is it really that simple to make it all work well?
A: It's simple but it's not easy. Yes it is that simple, but it's not easy to do because you have 11 guys and you need to get those 11 guys playing together. Without that 11 together we all have to be on the same page and we all have to believe in the same things. So I think that what we were able to accomplish in the last 6 games is a testament to them, when we all think alike we can do some good things.
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OSI UMENYIORA
Q: Are you happy here?
A: I'm happy to be here, I can say that. I don't derive all my happiness from football, but I'm happy to be here.
Q: Because last year every time we talked to you it was like, when are you getting a new contract? And now, you've got the new contract.
A: Yeah. Well I'm glad I don't have to answer those questions. That's pretty much where it ends.
Q: What were some of the keys to the defenses, improving the way it did during that stretch?
A: Well, I think everything came together for us. I think obviously the injury situation helped out. I think the calls were different. Everybody bought into the philosophy and we decided we had enough. We were going to perform to the level of our capabilities and that's what we were able to do.
Q: When you got the game plan for the Super Bowl, what were some of the things that excited you about it?
A: It was nothing really different. It was basically the same thing we had been doing so, I don't think we were really excited about any of the calls. We were just excited to go out and play in general.
READ MORE >> RUEBEN RANDLE
Q: To this point, you've made a lot of good impressions. What's the most difficult thing you've had to learn?
A: Just picking up on everything in the meeting rooms, learning all of the different positions, moving around a lot, and just the flow of the game. Just trying to go at the same pace with the ones, on the same level as those guys as a rookie.
Q: Of the positions you've been working on, is there one that you're starting to get a feel for?
A: Well, yeah. I just started working at the X, so I'm getting a feel for that right now. During the OTAs and things, I was working at the Z and W. So now, I'm moving to the X and learning that position now.
Q: You talked about how there's a sense of competition over the position.
A: We don't look at it as competition. We're just looking at it as going out there and getting better, making each other better, each and every day. The coach is going to decide whoever he wants to play on game day. So, our job is to go out there and do the best we can and let the coaches decide.
Q: With Hakeem out, can you sense that you could possibly make contributions right away?
A: Yes. That's my plan. Just go out there and try to prove myself each and every day. Like I said, leave it up to the coaches hands. As long as I do my job, everything else will take care of itself.
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KENNY PHILLIPS
Q: How many times have you watched the final play of the Super Bowl?
A: I actually don't. If it comes on T.V. or a commercial or something like that, I check it out and… Other than that, not very much.
Q: Don't want to see it?
A: Not really. It's over and done with, so I don't. I'm not that type of guy to just keep watching something over and like, 'Wow. I did that.' That's not me.
Q: Last year at this time, Perry Fewell was telling us that he thought you were going to make a quantum leap last year; that you were going to have a breakout season. How do you feel like the season went?
A: I think I had a pretty good season. I made the plays that came our way. Our role changed a little bit; not that much. I wanted to be more involved in the defense. That time, it didn't really call for it. Whatever it takes for us to win.
Q: What did you identify as the biggest difference in this defense down the stretch, that final 6-game winning streak as opposed to maybe some sporadic play earlier on in the beginning of last season?
A: I think we all just bought into the system, bought into the scheme. We had a lot of key guys go down early, so we had our young guys in. Our defense is pretty complicated and toward the end of the season, we got a lot of guys back healthy. Coach made the defense really simple so we can play fast. I think everybody bought into the scheme.
A: I think we all just bought into the system, bought into the scheme. We had a lot of key guys go down early, so we had our young guys in. Our defense is pretty complicated and toward the end of the season, we got a lot of guys back healthy. Coach made the defense really simple so we can play fast. I think everybody bought into the scheme. Q: How many times have you watched the final play of the Super Bowl?
A: I actually don't. If it comes on T.V. or a commercial or something like that, I check it out and… Other than that, not very much.
Q: Don't want to see it?
A: Not really. It's over and done with, so I don't. I'm not that type of guy to just keep watching something over and like, 'Wow. I did that.' That's not me.
Q: Last year at this time, Perry Fewell was telling us that he thought you were going to make a quantum leap last year; that you were going to have a breakout season. How do you feel like the season went?
A: I think I had a pretty good season. I made the plays that came our way. Our role changed a little bit; not that much. I wanted to be more involved in the defense. That time, it didn't really call for it. Whatever it takes for us to win.
Q: What did you identify as the biggest difference in this defense down the stretch, that final 6-game winning streak as opposed to maybe some sporadic play earlier on in the beginning of last season?
A: I think we all just bought into the system, bought into the scheme. We had a lot of key guys go down early, so we had our young guys in. Our defense is pretty complicated and toward the end of the season, we got a lot of guys back healthy. Coach made the defense really simple so we can play fast. I think everybody bought into the scheme.
