05:57 Wed 11-04-09
Head Coach Bill Belichick
(On the benefit of an extra week to prepare for the Dolphins' offense) - "Well, they give you so many different looks that I am not sure more time is necessarily better, sometimes it just confuses the issues. They do a lot of things. [Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan] Henning does a great job with all the formations and play calling. Really keeps you off balance. They have new looks every week. In the end I think it is going to come down to playing good fundamentals, tackling well, and defending the passing game. If we try to sit here and out guess them as to what we think they are going to do, I think we will probably be wrong. A lot of that we will just have to react to during the game once it unfolds."
(On what point he thinks Tom Brady was back to 100% not just in health, but overall play) - "Well I think every player at the beginning of the year is not where they are in mid-season or the end of the year. We have had over 70 practices and I can't imagine after 10 practices a player would be where he is at after 70. It is just not realistic otherwise why are we practicing. I think everybody improves along the way in their techniques, their recognitions, their reactions and all those kinds of things as do so all the other players. I think everybody continues to get better from the beginning of the season to somewhere around this point. After you have done it for a while then the rate of increase probably declines a little bit and it starts to level off. I think that is true for every player. I think it is true for Tom, I think it is true for everybody else, coaches included. As a coach you do a better job after 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th games then you do after one when you are just... as much as you prepare for in the offseason, watch film, and think about it and all that. The quick decisions and reactions you have to make during the game as you do it more and more frequently, you probably do a better job of it. Tom has had a good year. He hasn't missed anything all season, any practices, any spring stuff. He has been out there every day, he has worked hard. Tom always get better over the course of the year, because that is the type of individual that he is and the work ethic that he puts into it always comes back to produce good results."
(On the Jake Grove vs. Vince Wilfork matchup) - "I think Jake is a real good center. We played against him last year in Oakland. I thought he did a good job. We knew getting ready for him he was good and then playing against him he played well in our game. I am sure that is why [Dolphins executive vice president of football operations] Bill [Parcells] brought him in there because of how he played against the AFC East teams that Oakland faced last year. I think Jake is real good football player, one of the best centers that we have faced. He has good quickness, he plays strong, very good technician, knows how to use his hands. In all the different techniques that the lineman use in there as far as leverage and all those types of things and he works well with his teammates, [Donald] Thomas and [Justin] Smiley. So I think their offense line is a very good cohesive unit and that is showing up. Vince has meant a lot to us, player that has good playing strength obviously. Runs well, has a real good balance. Plays well on his feet and again he is a versatile player that we have ask to do a lot of different things. He is very instinctive and he knows how to do them and can do them. He is certainly one of our best football players. I am sure everyone in this division was a little disappointed when we saw that Miami picked up Grove."
(On how his off-season was different without having longtime general manger Scott Pioli helping him shape the roster) - "Really wasn't a whole lot different. Scott and I go back a long ways and we had a real good working relationship, but [director of player personnel] Nick Caserio has done a great job for us; he has been here a number of years and [senior football advisor] Floyd Reese came in. We went through the same process we always do. We evaluate our team and try to figure out what needs we need to address and what areas we want competition in and we look at the options, whether it be draft choices or pro free-agents or potential trades or whatever it happens to be. I go through the process and try do things that we think will improve our football team or improve the competition on our team. Then let the players decide that themselves with their performance on the field. It really hasn't been a whole lot different from that standpoint."
(On when he knows a rookie is ready to play in the secondary) - "I think, of course, it starts on the practice field. And then you want to see improvement from day-to-day, week-to-week, whether that be on the practice field or the game field. I think back to '89, back in there with coach [Bill] Parcells, we had Myron Guyton and [Greg] Jackson as our two safeties. We started two rookie safeties, and then in their second year, I believe it was their second year in '90, where we ended up winning the championship. I think guys in the secondary, any rookies, no rookie players, very few anyway, are going to come in and really dominate the game like a Lawrence Taylor did. But in the meantime, they have got to find their role, get comfortable with the new system that they're playing in, and the skill of the players in this league compared to what they saw in college. Sometimes those adjustments happen a little quicker than others. I think with the case of the Dolphins that [Sean] Smith and [Vontae] Davis looked to me like they had a real good competition in the preseason, I thought both of them played well, and they both have kind of alternated here until Will Allen went out, and now they're both in there, and they're both big, big guys, quality players. [Chris] Clemons brings a lot of speed to the field, both in the kicking game and defensively. We saw him play a couple weeks ago in the kicking game, and then it really didn't surprise me last week that he had a role defensively, and it's not going to surprise me going forward if that role increases a little bit. I don't know in what way, but I wouldn't be surprised to see his playing time on the field increase. He certainly brings, as Smith and Davis do, a level of speed and athleticism. To any defense he would add that . So, I think those players have done a good job there for them."
(On who has taken the leadership role on his defense) - "A lot of our younger players are very good leaders, and they contributed in terms of leadership from the moment they got here. Whether that be [Brandon] Meriweather, or Jerod Mayo, or Gary Guyton, players like that. But we also had some new players come in, or come back to the team, like Tully Banta-Cain, or a defensive lineman like Vince [Wilfork], or Ty Warren, Jarvis Green, guys like that - Mike Wright - that have been here for a number of years. That's the way it is with every team. Every team loses players and adds new ones each year, and over a period of time, eventually that roster turns over, or a very high percentage of it does. Just like when Rodney Harrison and Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, and all guys like that came to the team around 2000,2001, 2002 in there, they weren't the big leaders on the team. There were other more established players, and then eventually, those roles changed, and they became the more experienced veteran players with more leadership responsibilities. That's just a part of the transition in the national football league. I think our players have done a good job of that. Again, both the younger ones, and also some of the newer guys coming in, like the Brandon McGowan's, and Derrick Burgess, and guys like that. And of course, [Junior] Seau certainly gives us a work ethic and a leadership perspective that is very unique to any football team at, certainly, that position. So he adds a lot there too."
(On the challenge of game planning for Jason Taylor this year at a new position as opposed to seasons past) - "It's no fun. He plays linebacker in their regular defense and then it goes down into sub-groupings, so I'm sure we'll see him in both places, they flip him around. Scooped up a fumble, ran it back for a touchdown, we have seen that a couple times around here before, that was a familiar sight [laughter], one I hope we don't see this weekend. I think he showed great pass rushing ability against Buffalo, he had a big rush there, strip sack against New Orleans, so he's shown what he's always had, which is great speed at the edge. Speed to power, and then an inside move off his speed move, and those tackles get running and worry about the edge, and then he beats them on the up-and-under and speed to power. Plays the run well, he's very long, long arms, big guy that has great length that blockers have a hard time getting into, and he certainly knows how to use that to his advantage. It looks like he's still got a good burst off the edge, and a good technique rusher. So we hate to be playing against him twice a year."
(On Nate Jones' ability as a nickel defensive back) - "I think he has done a good job for them. I was a little surprised to be honest with you when I started looking at the Dolphins even in preseason that Will Allen was not playing in there, because I thought he did an excellent job playing that position the last couple of years for the Dolphins. But I can see what they are doing. I think Jones has done an excellent job and that has allowed them to play Will back outside up until a couple of weeks ago [when he was placed on injured reserve]. Now of course it is [Vontae] Davis and [Sean] Smith but he has been playing there. He earned the job. They felt like he was one of their three best players in that situation, in the sub defenses. I think he has done an excellent job playing that slot position which we all know is very hard spot to play because of all the stuff that happens in there. Also I think he has done a good job in the kicking game. He has been solid and like I said he has earned that spot all the way through. He has played in preseason and of course in the regular season games he has done a solid job there inside."
Quarterback Tom Brady
(On the challenges that Jason Taylor poses) - "I was a little disappointed when he signed back. I thought that once he left for Washington I'd never have to play him again. He's a great player. I've always enjoyed the rivalry with the Dolphins, and he's really been, he and Zach Thomas were really the defensive leaders for an awful long time. He's back to his usual playing style and he's playing great football, leads the team in sacks. He's a tenacious player, he's always been that way, and he gives great effort on every play. When he makes plays, the entire team rallies around it. We have to try to do a good job of trying to keep him out of the backfield and certainly keeping him out of the end zone. He was in the end zone last week after the fumble recovery, and he's been in the end zone a couple other times versus us. Have to try to eliminate those."
(On what his relationship is like with Chad Henne and what he thinks it was like to be a four year starter at Michigan) - "I haven't had too many opportunities to be around Chad. He's younger that I am, and our paths haven't crossed very often. But I have obviously watched a lot of him when he was playing for the Wolverines and followed his career since he's been in the league. When he's had his opportunity like he's had this year, he's done a great job taking advantage of leading the team to some really big wins. To beat the Jets on the road last week gives you a lot of confidence as a quarterback. To play the way that he did at home against the Jets gives you a lot of confidence. He's a good player. He throws the ball with a lot of accuracy, he's got a really live arm. He's a great leader. From everything I've heard, he really loves the game, and those are the kind of players that coach [Bill] Parcells loves to have on his team."
(On what his thoughts were when he saw the Wildcat last year) - "It took everybody by surprise on our team, and it took the league by storm last year. That's all you heard this offseason was ‘whose going to be running the Wildcat, and which teams will be good at it,' and everyone has some version of it at this point. They've done a great job with it. Anytime you have Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams on the field at the same time, there's a lot of danger. They're big, powerful backs, and when the strength of your team is guys like that, then you have to find ways to get them the ball and they've done a great job of that. It still catches teams off guard, it's hard to defend, and you've got the threat of two of the best backs in the league running the ball. And then when they decide to throw it off of that, it's usually one-on-one coverage out there. It's a great weapon for the Dolphins and they've used it very effectively, used it to a division title last year. We have to do a good job of defending it."
(On what he thinks of Joey Porter) - "I have a lot of respect for Joey. I've had a lot of great matchups against him and he's a lot like Jason Taylor. They rush the passer, they get after the quarterback, they really rally the team. He had a great year last year, Joey did, and he's had a good year this year. They have two great ends, they have a really good defensive line and a great defensive front seven that are all big, powerful guys that are able to stop the run. We've got to play a very good game. I've had some of my worst games of my career against the Dolphins. It's always a team that gives us problems, and we've got to go out there and try to play our best game this week."
(On what point he felt he was back at full strength and if he ever doubted he would return to pre-injure form) - "I never really had a lot of doubts in the offseason. An ACL reconstruction surgery, there's a lot of people who have gone through that, a lot of guys come back form it very successfully. I never really had a doubt that that would be the case. And really I've felt good all season. I feel good, I haven't missed a practice all year, I've taken almost every throw in practice, so my health has been great whether it's my knee or my arm, things that have bothered me in the past, I'm feeling really good. I don't think too much about it anymore. I just go out there and I think that the challenging part for me every week is leading the team and getting the ball to the guys, and throwing the ball well. Those are the things that I'm always focused on, certainly not the injuries or anything like that."
(On if this is a transition year for the team) - "It has been quite a bit different. Anytime you lose [Mike] Vrabel, and [Larry] Izzo, and [Rodney] Harrison, and [Tedy] Bruschi, we lost a lot of valuable players with a lot of valuable experience. The reality is that it's been like that every year that I've been here I think because those guys have been a part of a lot of championships. You recognize that. We play some teams this year that have turned over half their roster. The Dolphins really turned over their roster last season and a little bit this season. So, with free agency and people needing to win and needing players, that's been the reality. So you have to sometimes replace the guys that have been really successful, Richard Seymour is another one we traded earlier this year, with younger guys, and with that, younger guys get opportunities. We were all young guys at one point, I was a young guy, I got the opportunity in my second year and tried to take advantage of it the best I could and I think we've had some young players, Darius Butler, and Patrick Chung, and Brandon McGowan, guys all new to the team that have really stepped in and played key roles for us."
(On if he approaches the game any differently when he knows there are two rookie cornerbacks on the other side of the ball) - "You would say yes because they're rookies, but I tell you, these two don't play like rookies. Sean Smith is a big kid, he's played every game this year. He's a rookie, but he's had a lot of playing experience, eleven or twelve games including the preseason. Vontae Davis probably played his best game last week against the Jets from what I saw. He's been in there quite a bit too this year rotating with Sean. They do a great job, two physical guys, they're big, they get their hands on the receivers, they can be very disrupting in the passing game. It's not really like you want to just lob the ball up and see if they can make the play. That's what [Mark] Sanchez tried to do last week and Vontae picked it off on the two point conversion. They have some playmakers back there. [Chris] Clemons was in there a lot last week, another young guy that's doing a good job for them. [Yeremiah] Bell and [Gibril] Wilson, I've played against those guys in the past, and they played very well against us. It's a good secondary and it's a great front seven. It's a very good defense that challenges you in a lot of ways."
(On where he was on game days last season after his injury, and how much input he had game plan wise in assisting Matt Cassel) - "I did my rehab at the stadium, so I was there every day and every week. On game day, I was I guess where most inactive players were, at home watching the game at home."
(On the fact that Chad Pennington has also decided to handle his situation that way and why he was comfortable handling the situation as such) - "I had pretty major knee surgery, so standing up on the sideline for four hours wouldn't have been the best thing for my knee [laughter]. Coach told me to get my rehab done and we had Josh McDaniels as our offensive coordinator, so he sure as hell doesn't need much input from me, and Matt did a great job with the team last year. They both got their opportunities to advance, and I'm really proud of those guys. We had a great relationship, but they were doing a great job without me."
(On how he explains his struggles against the Dolphins and if there are any common threads between the teams that he has faced over the years that give him difficulty) - "They've played a really unique style for a lot of years. Rushing basically four guys, whether it was Trace Armstrong and Daryl Gardener, Jason Taylor obviously, and [Tim] Bowens, and they had three very athletic linebackers over the years. With different guys in there, and then with Sam Madison, and Patrick Surtain, and Brock Marion, and Arturo Freeman playing, and Sammy Knight played. Anytime a defense can rush four and put pressure on the quarterback like they could and still play basically a cover-two style defense, where the outside corners have help over the top and they can be very aggressive on underneath stuff, that to me is always the best defense. Few teams over the years were able to do that. Sometimes when you need to pressure the quarterback, you need to take one of those safeties and drop them down, it ends up singling the outside guys, which you tend to have more quick throws to the outside when you do that. They were just able to get to the passer because Jason, Jason primarily, and then the other group of guys, Adewale Ogunleye, he was there with Jason and had a great year one year. They were able to rush us and then cover up our guys on the outside. In order to complete passes, you had to hold onto the ball, but you couldn't hold onto the ball very long because they were going to sack you. You try to protect, and then you protect and you have a chance to get the ball [out], but they'd be covering all your guys. So it was tight man coverage with a great pass rush, and I threw for 70 yards a few times and three interceptions, and it was just awful. I learned a lot from those experience over the years playing against them, but there was always a lot of sleepless nights, like I said, before the games certainly and then after the games because we played so poorly against them."
(On how Ben Watson fits into the offense) - "Ben's had a great year. He's a big part of this offense, and anytime you have Wes [Welker] and Randy [Moss] split outside of you, they attract a lot of attention. Ben is a very athletic player, he's got great size for a tight end, 255-260 pounds, 6-4, but he runs like a receiver, so that's kind of the way tight ends are these days. Whether its Dustin Keller or Dallas Clark in that Tony Gonzalez mold, where you're big, physical, over powering the smaller guys, but you're faster than most of the bigger guys. Ben's been a huge part of this offense, he's made some really critical catches this season, and that's what we're going to need form him. That's the role that he's in and he's done a great job for us this year."
(On if Lloyd Carr was underappreciated as the head coach at Michigan) - "Yeah, I think he was underappreciated. Won a national championship in 1997, we had a lot of Big 10 championships over the years. He was a great man and a great coach. I love playing for him. He taught me a lot about how to play quarterback. He put a ton of pressure on the team to perform well, he was a really attention to detail type of coach. Then I can to the pros and played under coach [Bill] Belichick, which coach Carr really prepared me for that type of coach. I watch Michigan every week, and I'm one of those fans bitchin' at the TV screen when we're not doing well, so hopefully we get it turned around. We haven't had a great year this year, but if we beat Ohio State, it will be a good year. That's how it works with Michigan."