On S Jason Shivers Opening statement:  “When you put the tape on, the first thing that strikes you is Jason’s range and speed.  He’s very productive, I do believe he led the team in tackles, which is good news and bad news, obviously.  If you’re making all those tackles, that’s probably not good.  But he’s very active, runs by a lot of players to get to the ball.  I was very impressed with his range.  We have a need there.  We’re a little short on numbers, and this is a terrific opportunity for him to come in and compete.  He plays with a terrific attitude, which is one of those things for defensive players that we stress and is very important to watch how they play, the passion on which he plays the game.  And he certainly exhibits this when he plays.  So we’re very pleased here.”

On whether he’ll play free or strong safety:  “He’ll be a free safety at this point.  He’s a little bit slighter, and give him time to be able to develop.  We like our safeties to be able to play both, free and strong, be interchangeable in this defense.  I think eventually he’ll be able to do that, but he’s a little slighter than what you’d want at strong safety.”

On some teams having him as a first day pick:  “Yeah, that’s kind of where we had him value-wise.  Actually we discussed him when we drafted (fourth round pick LB Brandon) Chillar, so fortunately we got both of them.”

On Shivers’ weight:  “I think he’s probably a little leaner than what most people want as a safety, he’s probably a little bit more of a cornerback in body build.  I think that may have something in it.  The range of his ability to get to the ball and make plays is pretty impressive when you put the tape on.  He’s one of those guys, just like (S Adam) Archuleta, that was running past guys to get to the ball.  He’s done a terrific job in the passing game, in terms of having a feel to break up balls.”

On his special teams play:  “I think he’s a terrific special teams player.  He plays with a terrific attitude.  Again, the biggest thing for us when we watch defensive players, the thing that’s very difficult to develop is someone who doesn’t play with that attitude that you’re looking for, that intensity.  All these guys that we’ve drafted so far, the three defensive players, have all shown that they’ll fit in with intensity and running to the ball and speed that we’re looking for.”