Coach Scott Linehan
July 27, 2008

 
(Opening Remarks)
“This was our first one-a-day schedule today, got a lot of kicking game work this morning; abbreviated practice and a lot more meeting time on a one-day then we get our one practice. We are through our first cycle. I am very pleased with the work ethic and the attitude of the team. Right now, we’re starting to get a little; two guys banged up, nothing serious but it kind of affects our depth and things like that at some spots, so we’ve gotta evaluate what we’re going to do. We might have to add a player in the near future to replace some guys that we’re short on, so I’ll let you know as soon as I know who it is.”

(On what positions may need replacement)
“Well, I think just because of what happened to (CB) Fakhir (Brown) yesterday; probably, I think corner would be our first. And then we had a couple issues with some of the linemen today. We’ve got a couple guys that are probably going to be out a couple of practices at least. So that might be something we will consider as well.”

(On how long the replacements will play)
“Well, I mean, they’re long shots. They’ve got to come in and make an impression right away, but anybody that’s in a camp now with the camps being down to 80 and players being out, I know some teams had started the year with a multiple number of guys on PUP. You never know. There’s longer shots than that that have made it. We will wait and see, but right now it’s kind of hard to explain exactly what they guys rep toll is going to be like at this point.”

(On LB Quinton Culberson)
“Yeah, I mean that was always the plan from the beginning. (LB) Chris (Draft) we feel really confident in playing Sam linebacker for us and he is going to play great for us this year. Q is a guy that is really interesting so if he can come around and push at that spot it’s going to be better for our team so the biggest thing is he needs snaps and needs snaps with the first group so we can really take a good look at him.”

(On his impressions of Chris Long)
“I’ve been very impressed. First of all, he’s an extremely humble kid. He knows he’s got a lot of work to do. He doesn’t get too phased. If he has maybe a rough snap or he makes a mistake, you don’t see him getting too hard on himself. He’s pretty much moved on to the next play. Which, that’s a pretty mature approach, I think that’s going to be a mistake for him as a young guy.”

(On the competition between C Brett Romberg and G Richie Incognito)
“They’re in an extremely competitive situation right now and (C) Brett’s (Romberg) been good. He’s one of the guys who has really showed up as being very, very consistent. You know, he’s working with the first unit, so (G) Richie’s (Incognito) working with the second unit. He’s got a little bit of an advantage right now as far as what unit he’s working with. But, we’re not evaluating on who or what group he’s working with. We’re evaluating how they’re playing. Right now, it’s really too early to tell. I think Richie had a day where he was having some problems with the snap, but it’d been awhile since he was pulling that ball up with the pads on too. But, we haven’t had a problem since. We’ll be working that pretty good in here the next week or so.”

(On TE Randy McMichael catching deep balls and his helmet)
“Yeah that was strange.  I don’t know how that happened.  He should get style points for that.  He’s pretty well documented.  He does an extremely good job of involving the tight end in this offense.  I know Randy has really embraced whatever he is going to do.  Randy is still going to be a guy who is big in the run game and the pass protection.  But he is going to be a weapon for us, because people know that they got to make sure to try to take away our “X.”  They know our “Z” receiver is a big factor in our offense.   Our tight end is in this system is going to get some pretty good looks.  And he has done a really good job.”

(On Anthony Becht’s blocking)
“Look at the guy, he is a big fella.  I remember when he first came into the league, he led the league in red zone touchdowns for tight ends one year with the Jets.  He is an accomplished receiver, but he has really become extremely effective in line blocker.  He made an impression, I told you guys this when we signed him in the spring.  He played very well against us a year ago.  He established the line of scrimmage.  I just thought that’s when you start looking at your personality and say, ‘is this guy going to be a free agent or he might be released,’ or whatever you keep an eye on those guys because that probably is the best way to make a couple job interviews.  Play good against another team if you are going to be free.  He does a great job and he’s a great veteran, does all the right things and he has a lot of leadership quality as well.”

(On how James Hall looks)
“Yeah he is actually.  We had talked about that last night as a staff.  He comes in, and we draft young guys and from the get go say he is going to be a starter.  I really like the way James approached it.  He’s going to come out and prove himself, reestablish himself.  One thing he’s doing is playing the number positions. We have played him in the different spots, and he is pretty darn effective, which is something we were unable because some of the injury things to do with him a year ago.  He did a lot of that kind of stuff in his younger days in Detroit and it is something he is real comfortable with.  I think he has been playing very, very well.”

(On James Hall being more hurt last year than he let on)
“No question, and again, you know, not going down that road if I can. But the one thing that I will say for him, we are not about making any excuses.  He had reasons for not being as effective as he would’ve been.  But I will tell you this, he showed up every Sunday and was on the field and that was just said a lot about him.”

(On young wide receivers)
“Well I feel it is going to continue to be a battle.  They are young guys.  They have a lot of talent and because they are young guys they are going to have up and down days.  But they’ve got the ability and the right mindsets.  That thing will continue to be something to watch because their guys do it the right way and I think they’ve got a lot of ability to help us this year.”