Wide receiver André Davis underwent surgery to repair a dislocated finger.
Wide receiver André Davis could miss three weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a dislocated finger. Head coach Gary Kubiak talked about how that will affect the lineup.
Head coach Gary Kubiak
(on the update on WR André Davis) "They put a pin in his (WR André Davis) finger. I think the pin has to be in there from two to three weeks, if I'm correct. He came out of the surgery and everything was fine. He's just not feeling very good. So, we just told him to stay at home, but we did expect him to be here today. He's just been nauseated and not feeling well."
(on his best case scenario for WR André Davis) "He (WR André Davis) can't play with the pin in because it's actually sticking out of the skin. When it comes out and we go back to the tape job that we did before, he should be ready to go. But, I think, the key is when does the pin come out and I really couldn't tell you. I'm being told three weeks at the most."
{QUOTE}(on if there is anything new today with the team) "No, we just bounced around pretty good. We've got a lot of things to cover. This group presents a lot of problems for you offensively. They do a lot defensively. On the offensive side of the ball, they spread the field out. So, we've got a lot of things. We've got to have a big week to get ready to play them."
(on the team talking about how the Bengals are 0-7 but they're not really an 0-7 team) "No, all you've got to do is look at their offense and who've they've played. In seven games, they've played the top four defenses in football. They've played Tennessee, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and the Giants. Those defenses can make a lot of people struggle, and then defensively, they've been on the field more than anybody in football. They're still ranked I think 16th. They're holding up. They do a lot of things. This organization never beat that team. So, we've got our work cut out for us. We'll have to play well, better than we did last week."
(on what he has to do now that WR André Davis is going to be out) "Well, what happens is that (WR) Jacoby (Jones) goes back to work full time right now. So, he's in the rotation. In three wides, (WR) David (Anderson) will come and play inside, but Jacoby will know all of the spots. So, (it) just basically puts number 12 back to work."
(on who will return kickoffs) "Well, we haven't made a decision yet. We're looking at a few guys back there. Of course, I told you that (RB Steve) Slaton could do it. (WR) Jacoby (Jones) can go back there. (RB Ryan) Moats, a kid on our practice squad, has the ability to do it. We're just going to take a look and watch them this week and let (special teams coordinator) Joe (Marciano) make a decision."
(on what are some things that go into the decision on who to let return kickoffs) "I mentioned the (RB Ryan) Moats kid, we would have to get him up to do it. He's not active, on the active roster. But with (RB Steve) Slaton, that's a tough call because he's our starting tailback, to put him back there. So, we'll look at the end of the week and see where we come out."
(on if he saw something in WR Kevin Walter in Cincinnati that made him want to sign him) "It's interesting how it happened. When I first got here, we had a big receiver problem. Charlie (Casserly) and I were trying to figure out where we were going to go, and I was looking at some unrestricted free agents and I saw him on the list. I watched a playoff game. If you guys go back, I think that playoff game that year they lost a player and he went in and played and had like eight or nine catches. So, we started putting two and two together to see if we could get him down here. And when we brought him in, he was so impressive. So, we were fortunate. Charlie signed him to a deal that they didn't match. So, that's how we got him. We're very fortunate."
(on if he watched film of WR Kevin Walter on special teams before they signed him) "We watched everything we could because he hadn't played that much. He was covering kicks, and I think he caught like 16 or 17 balls that whole season. So, you just hope you're getting fortunate finding a kid. But the great thing was we got to visit with him and when we did, he was a fine young man. So, it's been a big surprise."
(on if he was impressed by how hard WR Kevin Walter worked on special teams) "Anytime a guy will do that to make it in this league, then that tells you what he's made of. So, he made his way onto a roster covering kicks and tackling. That tells you he's tough. Now, he's becoming a polished receiver. So, you knew what he was made of."
(on what he sees from Bengals QB Ryan Fitzpatrick) "I followed him a little bit coming out and studied him coming out. I know he's very capable. The fact that he's now been playing for a few weeks, he's getting only better. That's what usually happens when these young guys get put into a tough situation. He's got a lot of weapons to throw it to. So, we have to make sure we defend their offense and he's part of that."
(on what the key to winning the time of possession) "Well, we really won it the other day, but it didn't show at the end. We're trying to get to the point where we run the football pretty good and stop the run. That's been a big emphasis. We did that the other day, we just need to put some of the other pieces together. But, that definitely helps our defense."
(on how much running the ball and stopping the run correlates to wins) "I think there is a big correlation in running the ball and stopping the run in this league. It proves that you're a physical team too and in our division are some of the most physical teams in football. So, it's something that we have to improve upon."
(on if LB Zac Diles has played better than he anticipated for a first-year starter) "Well, you ask me about (WR) Kevin (Walter), I could talk about (LB) Zac (Diles) just like Kevin. We made a decision on Zac in the offseason. We said, 'Hey, he's our starting linebacker.' We felt like we should have played him at the end of last year. Well, that's a lot to hand a kid. Say, 'You're the guy,' before you even go to camp. What he did, he's worked extremely hard and he's gotten better each week. He's taken advantage of that opportunity much like Kevin did last year."
(on LB Zac Diles making a lot of tackles) "Yeah, he's been playing extremely well. He's got the respect of the guys. He was the defensive player of the week last week and really got a big ovation in the meeting room today. Guys are respecting how he's playing."
(on what kind of season T Eric Winston is having) "He's getting better every time out. I think that (assistant head coach) Alex (Gibbs) and (offensive line coach) John (Benton) have done a great job with him. (T) Eric (Winston) is going to be here for a long, long time. The thing that's going to make Eric a Pro Bowl player in my mind before it's said and done, is his demeanor as a player, having that same demeanor, the same nastiness throughout a whole football game. We're headed in that direction. He played very well last week."
(on T Eric Winston would get recognition without having stats) "Well, it's hard to have stats as a tackle other than not letting your guy touch your quarterback. It's about respect. Guys that play against him start to talk about him around the league. The good thing, ever since we put (T) Eric (Winston) in there, he hasn't missed a day. He's been hobbled at times and he's really taken to what we're doing. He's doing a hell of a job."
(on if it is shocking to find a player like LB Zac Diles in the seventh round of the draft) "Well, it's not amazing. It doesn't happen very often. But when you see a good football player, whether you drafted him in the seventh round of the second round, when you see a good player, you have to forget about where they were drafted. Give them a chance to play. You look at (WR) Kevin (Walter), you look at him. It's the same situation. I can go back to (former Broncos RB) Terrell Davis that I had many years ago, a sixth-round player who we had covering kicks opening the preseason. It tells you how smart we were. When guys show they can play, hell, you need to let them get out there and play. And that's what he's done."
(on if it is hard to get noticed when you're a low-round pick) "Well, I think it's obvious when those guys come in. You can say what you want as coaches, but those higher drafted kids probably get a quicker look than they do. But the one thing about him from the start is he would hit you. That's what impressed us. Now he's taken his game to a new level."
(on if they will limit CB Dunta Robinson again this week) "Well, we'll put another play count on him. It will definitely be higher than it was last week. I would like his play to come from base defense and nickel this week instead of just nickel. He's a little sore today but as he got going with practice, he's ok."
(on if CB DeMarcus Faggins will start again) "Well, we'll keep rotating those guys. I think of all three of them as starters. This team we're fixing to play this week could make us have all of them on the field every snap the way they are throwing it around. So, we'll keep rotating them, we'll keep competing in practice. It's making us all better."
DT Tim Bulman
(on making the most of his playing time and how does that make him feel) "It definitely makes you feel good, but I take the same approach every week. I try to practice as hard as I can. I try to prepare myself every week for the opportunities I might get. I don't know how many it'll be. And when I get those opportunities, I try to capitalize on them. That's all I try to do. That's what I've been taught to do, and if I can just keep it going, good things will happen."
TE Owen Daniels
(on opening up WR Andre Johnson with his play) "Hopefully, I'm opening stuff up for (WR) Andre (Johnson) and he draws so much attention that it helps other get open too."
(on LB Zac Diles giving TE Owen Daniels credit for his interceptions because he has to cover Daniels in practice every day) "I won't. He gets after it every day in practice. He works hard and he doesn't make the same mistake twice. If he gets beat on something he's going to do the right thing the next time and make the play. I think that's what happened in that Indy game. He's working hard and getting better. I'm impressed with him."
(on how it feels to statistically be the best tight end in the AFC right now) "I'm trying to gain respect from my colleagues around the league - just trying to gain respect from the guys we play, the defenses we play, those defensive ends, the linebackers, the safeties. So if I can get the respect from them, that's really the most important thing for me."
(on his end zone dance last week) "I'm not a real flashy guy. I really contemplate what I'm going to do in there. I think about it long and hard and I think it's going to be a few more touchdowns until I… if I do anything else ever. I'll just revert back to spiking it, a good old fashioned spike. That's not because of what he (ESPN radio host Calvin Murphy) said, though. I think just brushing it off is a pretty classic dance that pretty much everyone can do."
(on what it would mean to get three wins in a row for the first time in franchise history) "Well, we have to get that third win. We have to work for it. Cincinnati is a dangerous team. They're not a 0-7 team. They've played a lot better than that. If we're able to do that, bounce back from the hole we dug ourselves into early in the year and kick it within one game of .500 would be huge for us at this point."
LB Zac Diles
(on his progress) "There's plenty of help around here, plenty of good coaching, and plenty of good people around me just to help me out and transitioning into being a starter. There's a lot of things going into it."
(on if the competition at the beginning of the season helped to spur him on) "Oh yeah. Competition is always good because it brings out the best in everybody. When there's competition, you've got to go out there every day and fight hard and work hard to maintain spots. That was a biggie. There's still competition throughout the year, so it makes you want to go out there and just work hard and play hard and do you thing and do everything right."
(on how important is it to be a starter and get in a rhythm and flow of the game) "That's big. That's real big because coming off last year, I really didn't get a lot of reps. That's why it was a little slower coming along this year. I feel now, having six games under my belt, we can go out there and just play now. You have a better feel for the game and what the offense is trying to do to you and everything like that. So it's been a real big help."
(on what he has seen from the Bengals on film) "(RB) Cedric Benson back there, he's a really good running back, so you've got to be aware of that. They have a really good offense. They've just played a lot of really good defenses, so we can't overlook anything. Just because of their record, it's 0-7, you can't overlook them because they really do have a potent offense. So, we've got to go back out there again this week and be on our p's and q's and execute."
CB DeMarcus Faggins
(on going against WR Chad Johnson and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh) "They are great receivers - talent all the way around the board. Run, good routes, catch the ball. What else can you say?"
(on if Chad Johnson will talk a lot to him during the game) "Previous games, no he didn't say too much during the game. I think he'll do the talking before the game I think. You can't let him start getting a lot of catches and going on, that's when he'll start doing a lot of talking."
(on if he pays attention to the things WR Chad Johnson says leading up to the game) "No, it's entertainment to me. I like to see it. I like to read about it. It's fun to see to me."
(on how hard the cornerback position is to play) "Come on now, it's a no-brainer. It's one of the hardest positions on the field. You're out there on an island all by yourself. You mess up on one thing, you get exposed. Everybody sees it. Like in the trenches, somebody will mess up and then really nobody really notices unless you really just know football like that."
(on if the defensive backs have played up to par this season) "I think we've gotten better as the season is going on. We've been trying to make plays back there. I think we're kind of getting together out there, kind of playing as one unit. My thing, as the season goes on, games coming, I think we're playing pretty much on one level."
(on if CB Dunta Robinson coming back energizes the secondary) "It was nice to see him out there running around, flying around, trying to make plays. We were all excited to see him out there playing. Not just for him, just for the team, period. For the program because he's a great player. He's been playing good since he's been here. It was good to see him back out there."
(on if CB Dunta Robinson being back makes him raise his level of play) "Oh yeah. I love the competition. He comes in and plays hard. He makes a play, I want to make a play. I make a play, I know he wants to make a play. That's just how it's been since we've been playing together."
(on WR Andre Johnson saying that the Bengals remind him of the Texans of years past where they are just a few plays away from getting wins) "Yes, I do see it. If you look at their team, you look at the games that they've played, they've been ahead in games. It's just a couple of plays that they make mistakes on and other teams kind of capitalizing on it. Just a couple of plays missed. If they make those plays, then they have a totally different team."
LB Morlon Greenwood
(on the key to going up against the Bengals and QB Ryan Fitzpatrick) "They key this week is the same key as every week. We definitely have to make sure we control the run. They have two pretty good running backs. We've just got to play very disciplined football. A big thing is we can't really give up the big play. We've got to let them earn everything that they get."
(on if QB Ryan Fitzpatrick is a more developed and mature quarterback) "I think he's playing the same because I thought when he came into the game again us back in '05, I think he seemed real calm and real focused and everything. So, he's actually playing the same."
(on if watching the film this week gives him flashbacks) "No, it doesn't really give me any flashbacks. Actually, I wasn't even thinking about it until the guy mentioned it."
WR Andre Johnson
(on losing WR André Davis for a couple of weeks) "I think that's big. You want to have a guy like that every game. He (WR André Davis) can stretch the field. He's come in the game and made some big plays for us this season. He's our kickoff returner. He's a dangerous kickoff returner for us, and we're going to miss him."
(on what he thinks about having the chance to win three games in a row) "It's a big challenge for us. It's something we've never done here. We're just going to have to keep working and trying to become a better football team. We have a Cincinnati team that is coming in and everyone is going to talk about them being 0-7, but when you look at their season, they'll win games. They kind of remind me of the Texans at some point in time."
(on why he says that the Bengals remind him of the Texans) "Just because they've been in games and let games get away. We've been that team before. I remember we started off I think it was 0-7 as well in a season a couple of years ago. I know what they're going through, some tough times because I've been through the same thing they've been through. But when you look at them on film, those guys have played for 60 minutes on the defensive side of the ball. We're going to have to go out and play for a full 60 minutes and execute our offense."
(on what it's like to go seven or eight weeks without a win) "Yeah, guys are just going to go out and lay it all out on the line just to try to win a game. You see that on film. Like I said, they play for a full 60 minutes and like I said, they've been in games and somewhat at the end, they're offense hasn't been playing that well. They have a really explosive offense. They have great receivers in (WR) Chad Johnson, (WR T.J.) Houshmandzadeh and (WR Chris) Henry. They're offense just hasn't been playing as well as they have in the past."
(on how surprised is he about WR Chad Johnson and WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh not playing as well) "It's rough. (WR) Chad (Johnson) has put up great numbers since he's been in the league. (WR) T.J.'s (Houshmandzadeh) been playing really well. They've just been struggling this year. (QB) Carson's (Palmer) been hurt. I can understand what those guys are going through. I know it's very frustrating for them. But, you still have to play games on Sunday, and I'm pretty sure they're going to come out here Sunday and give it their best shot. So, we have to be ready for them."
(on if looking at what the Bengals have been through is painful when it reminds him of what he's been through) "Yeah, you can understand how they feel because you've been there before. It's tough. It's frustrating. Everybody wants to win. You want to win really bad, but it doesn't happen. Sometimes it makes it hard for guys to even come to work because you're getting up every morning and you're like, 'Man, I've have to go out here and just try to make it happen.' But, like I said, we're going to get their best shot. So, we just have to be ready for it."
(on since him talking about his frustration and then everything going in the right direction and if he can take credit for firing this team up) "I can't take credit for that. I can only take credit for what I do out on the field. I just try to do everything I can to help this team win games."
(on how much of difference has he seen since he talked about being frustrated) "It's been a difference. Guys seem like they're having fun out there now when they're playing. I don't think we were doing that the first few games of the season. Guys are out there having fun, enjoying their teammates, and wanting to win. We've been able to win the past two games and hopefully we can win another one on Sunday."
(on how much better of a position is the team in now than a just a couple of weeks ago) "We're still 2-4, but there's definitely something positive going on when you win two games back to back. So, hopefully, we can keep this win streak going."
WR Jacoby Jones
(on what he thinks about the added responsibility of returning kickoffs since WR André Davis may be out) "(WR André) Dre's (Davis) is a heck of a return guy, some shoes to fill, but I'm trying to step up to the challenge and pick up the slack."
(on if it is extra pressure) "It's not pressure, just returning kicks like I did in college. I did both in college, so I should be able to do it."
(on if it is an opportunity to touch the ball more) "Yeah, you could say it's an opportunity. But, like I said, Dre' is a guy that you've got to fill some shoes. So, hopefully, (I) can pick up the slack.'
(on if it is a different mindset returning a punt than a kickoff) "It's not really a different mindset. Kick returning is kind of easier than punt returning because of the type of kicks you get. But, like I said, it's a different turn of the ball."
(on if it moves him up in the rotation with the receivers) "I don't know. I'm just going to practice and work everyday and whatever happens, happens."
C Chris Myers
(on what he thinks about the Bengals defense with what he's seen on tape) "I think they shouldn't be 0-6 or 0-7 or whatever they are. They should be right in the race. They're dog fighting every single game and should have a few wins under their belt. They've had a couple of tough losses, what we've suffered in the beginning of the season. They're scrapping every single play to get that first win."
(on if it is the same situation as last week with the Lions) "It's the exact same situation, and we were in that same position two weeks ago. We've been able to bounce back and get a couple of wins under our belts, but they're that same team and they're everything that we need to prepare for."
(on the offensive line starting to click and gel together) "That's the biggest thing about the zone scheme. As long as everyone is really comfortable with each other and knows that the next guy is going to be there for them if they pass another guy off, it's going to work. As long as those backs keep getting the good reads, we're going to keep getting yards."
(on the offensive line being the one unit that has to work as a unit and if it just takes reps) "Big-time communication and big-time reps and comfort factor. Everyone has to know that the next guy knows exactly what he's going to do just in case you don't get that call out, that one guy next to you knows exactly he has to be in this spot. We're getting those cuts down. As long as those backs keep making those reads, we're going to be fine."
(on if the unit is better now or if the Texans played tougher defenses early on) "I think that plays into it, but it just takes time. The zone scheme and whatever team starts to install it and with (assistant head coach Alex) Gibbs, every team he's been to it's taken a little bit and then they become successful. There's a lot of teams in the league that run it now. We're just getting slowly along with it. There's big holes left. Just watching the film from last week, there's a lot of missed blocks and missed opportunities that we had. We should have had over 200 yards rushing, but that's if, ands and buts. So, we're going along with it though."
(on what it would mean to win three games in a row) "It means a lot. We've got to get back to .500 and start working towards those division games that are coming up and getting some wins in our division and working towards the playoffs. But, right now, it's Cincinnati."
(on how important it is for the team to have a healthy RB Ahman Green back) "Big. Just having that one-two punch with him (RB Ahman Green) and (RB Steve) Slaton, it just helps out tremendously. They're two somewhat similar backs but totally different. Ahman's got that experience and Steve's got those young, fresh legs that can break out those long runs. So, sometimes the offensive line doesn't even know which one is in the huddle. We're going back to the huddle, looking at (QB) Matt (Schaub), and getting the play and going. So you don't really know until pick them up from the ground after the tackle, but we're looking forward to what they can do this week."
CB Jacques Reeves
(on preparing for the Bengals) "I just have to come in with a fresh mind every week and get to it. Know what the teams are doing; know what the receivers are doing."
(on what defenses best exemplify his talents and which ones expose his weaknesses the most) "It's just situational. I don't think I have a glaring weakness, but it's just situational. Depending on the situation of what I like to do. Some situations I like to play man, some situations I like to off, kind of read the quarterback a little bit in the zone. So, it just depends."
(on needing a short memory to play cornerback) "Oh yeah. Yeah. Whether it's a good play or bad play, you can't dwell on it. You can't sit back and think about it. You have to move on to the next one."
(on how many times he has played against Bengals WR Chad Johnson) "Once, like three years ago at Cincinnati. I think we won. It was kind of frustrating the way we were playing them. Like any receiver, they don't like DBs to get their hands on them. That was our game plan a couple years ago."
(on if Bengals WR Chad Johnson did a lot of talking when he played against him) "I don't remember much talking. It was a serious game. Both teams needed a win at the time so there wasn't much talking."
(on if he pays attention to the things that Bengals WR Chad Johnson says to the media before the game) "It's fun. He brings another aspect to the game. It's fun. It makes you want to go out and play and makes the game that much more exciting to you."
LB DeMeco Ryans
(on what it would mean to win three games in a row) "It would be big. I'd be very proud of our team. It's always good to do something that's never been done around here. So, just to be a part of that would be special for us - go out and accomplish that this week."
(on if the Bengals giving up a lot of sacks makes the defensive players even more ready to play) "When you're watching the film and you see that, of course as defensive players, especially defensive line like Mario and those guys, I know they are licking their chops. They're ready to really get after the quarterback because like you said, he has been taken down a lot."
(on if they have to fight not having a letdown against Cincinnati) "We're still hungry ourselves. We're still scratching to get those wins. We know the position that they're in without getting that win. We know they're going to come in here and they're going to fight very hard to beat us. We have to fight our butts off to continue this winning streak. To try to get a win is going to be hard. It's hard every week to get a win. They are a good team. They've been in a lot of games. It's been close but they just kind of lost it there at the end. They are a couple plays away from having a totally different record, but we've noticed that on the film and their record doesn't justify the talent they have on the team."
(on if he feels like the team has overcome not finishing games) "I think we still have a ways to go. We still have improvement to do in the area. We still have a lot of things to improve on. Even though we've been getting better each week, overall as a team, there's much better ball for us to play than we leave out there on the field. I'm just eager to see how it's going to be when we put a complete game together."
(on how hard it is to play in the secondary and what they DBs go through back there) "It's tough. You're in the secondary. You're the last line of defense. You're on an island on the corners and as safeties; you're the last guys to stop them from scoring. It's very tough – a lot of pressure playing on the back end, being in a lot of one-on-one situations with the ball up in the air. Trying to make a play on the ball, it's very tough. It's very tough. I know it's tough from a linebacker's standpoint when we're in coverage, so I know it's even tougher on those guys."
(on the play of LB Zac Diles) "(LB) Zac (Diles), he's been getting better every week. You watch him and I'm excited just to watch him grow as a player. Watching when he first came in and just watch the way he's grown and developed into a great player. He shows up every week. He's making big tackles for us, making big plays, sacks, interceptions. He's making things happen and he's becoming a big-time playmaker in this league. He's just going to continue to get better and better as a player. He's going to be a big-time linebacker in this league."
(on the defense as a whole and how much more they can improve) "I think we're alright right now. We're solid, but I think we have a lot of improvement. I feel like we give up too much silly stuff, too many silly plays that we just screw ourselves on. Things that we work on, that we practice, things that we shouldn't be making mistakes on, that's what we're doing in the game. We have to find a way to stop that; correct it. That's what I'm talking about us putting a complete game together. Once I see our defense do that and fight hard for four quarters, not just being the tale of two halves - just putting a complete game together and just fighting hard and not making those silly mistakes. Let's make the other team beat us, make them work for what they're getting, not just give them plays."
QB Matt Schaub
(on the possibility of winning three games in a row and what that means to him) "Well, it's just a huge step in the right direction. We had a rough start, but we're starting to play a lot better and doing the things that help you win games. That's across the board: offensively, defensively and even special teams. So, we just need to keep finding a way to get better and keep improving. We've got a good team coming in here this week. We just have to be prepared to go out and play our best game."
(on the Bengals being a much better team than their record suggests) "Oh without a doubt. If you look at any of their games and their in a lot of those games in the fourth quarter and one play here, one play there and they win those games. They're a tough bunch that can make a lot of plays. We really just have to be focused on ourselves and what we have to do to be successful."
(on WR Andre Davis not being there and WR David Anderson and WR Jacoby Jones stepping up) "It's tough to lose a guy. You never want to see a guy get injured, but it will be a few week. (WR) André (Davis) is a big lift for our team. He's a big play type of guy and does a great job with the kick returns. We just have to have (WR David) Dave (Anderson) and (WR) Jacoby (Jones) step in there and pick up the slack like we know they will."
(on how much does he attribute WR Andre Johnson's turn around to his leadership ability) "Well, it's just guys taking ownership for what we're doing and being accountable. We need him (WR Andre Johnson) to win, and we need him to play well, as we do everybody else. It's a collective effort on everybody on this team's part. We just have to focus on our job and what we need to do to be successful. If we all do that as individuals, as a group, we'll be very good out there."
(on his leeway on making choices to audible) "Well, it depends on the play. We have a good chunk of things, but it depends on the defense and what the looks are. We'll have things built in, but it's obvious we're only going to do it if it's an advantage for us. So, as we get down the road and we see defenses that it's (audible) going to help us, then we're going to us it. But, if not, there's no sense in making things difficult for ourselves rather than trying to keep it simple and do things really well."
(on if defenses are approaching them different because of what RB Steve Slaton has been doing on long runs) "Yeah, he can. I don't really see much differently because of what he can do. Now, in the past game, teams have to be aware of where he is I think because of what he's shown out there by himself in space catching the football and making people miss. As far as the run game, I don't see much different."
(on the one-two punch with RB Ahman Green and RB Steve Slaton) "It's tremendous for us. You've got a guy with experience and a guy that loves to go between the tackles like (RB) Ahman (Green) - brings a lot of experience and leadership. Then you've got a guy like (RB) Steve (Slaton) that can really hit that hole and break a big one for you. So, it's a good one-two punch combination for us. They're both good blockers and good pass catches out of the backfield. So, they bring a lot of good things to our offense."
(on the confidence of the team and looking at the big picture and where the team stands) "Well, right now, we're not focusing on that. We're focusing on what it takes to beat Cincinnati this week. We can't think of what's in the past. We can just think of what's here and now and that's the Cincinnati Bengals and what it's going to take to get number three this week and just keep things rolling."
(on if the playoffs are still in the picture) "We're not thinking about that right now. We're just taking it one week at a time. We've got Cincinnati this week and we can just go out and look for number three. We can't look for eight or nine or 10 right now. We've got to look for number three."
(on a lot of people saying 0-4 and the season was over and that not being the case in the locker room) "No, it's not over until it's over. It's not over yet. We've still got ten games left. So, we've just got to go looking for number three right now."
(on what it would mean to get that third consecutive win which has never happened here) "I think it's just going to be big for our team this year in general. To start the way we did and then come back home here and get three in a row, that would be a big lift and huge boost for us. We just have to focus on what it's going to take to get that done and not think about what it's going to be like afterwards. Let's focus on what it's going to take to get there."
(on if the Phillies are going to win in four or five games) "However many it takes. Like we're doing, they can only get one. They can only start with one, and we'll see what happens from there."
(on if people are overlooking the Phillies with all of the focus on the Rays) "Maybe a little bit because the Rays beat the Red Sox and what the Rays have been through going from one of the worst teams to in the World Series. But, that's the way we like it up there in Philly."
(on how he became such a big Phillies fan) "Just growing up there for ten or elevens years and just following them all the way back to the '93 World Series when Mitch Williams gave up the walk off to Joe Carter. That's ever since then."
(on if he is going to be watching tape on one TV and the Phillies game on the other) "No, I'll get all of my tape watching done so I can watch a little of the ball game. I'll probably be long asleep before the game's over though."
WR Kevin Walter
(on if he's excited about playing his old team) "Yeah, I'm excited for it. We have to go out there and keep them on their losing streak. So, we have to obviously come out with a W."
(on if he has surprised himself with his play when he finally got his opportunity to start after leaving Cincinnati) "No I've never surprised myself. I knew I could always come in and make plays and be a starter. But obviously I'm excited to be here to have the opportunity to be a starter. There, they had their guys set in stone for a while. I learned a lot from those guys, (WR) T.J. (Houshmandzadeh) and (WR) Chad (Johnson), and (former Bengals wide receivers coach) Hugh Jackson, the coach, when he was there. He's not there anymore. I learned a lot from those guys, and I try to transfer it over here and I'm excited to be here and I just have to continue to grow here and make plays."
(on if Bengals WR Chad Johnson is the same as he was when he was in Cincinnati) "Is he the same? I don't know if he's the same right now because in '05 we were 11-5. We went to the playoffs that year. They're struggling this year. I think he's still the same. He's a fun-going guy and he likes to entertain. Obviously, you guys know that. He's a great ball player too."
(on how much the Bengals miss QB Carson Palmer) "They miss him a lot. He's a great quarterback, a Pro Bowl quarterback. Not having him out there, he's a leader first of all. Not having him there, obviously it hurts them, it hurts the offense. I think it hurts the team. He's definitely the backbone of the organization. He's the face of the franchise and they need him out there."
T Eric Winston
(on what winning three games in a row would mean) "You know, just excited for another chance to keep the streak alive. We're only at two, but we have a long way to go. I guess I'm not looking at three. We're just looking at this week, just to get one more win. We want to extend it out and get back to where we want to be."
(on S Nick Ferguson saying that Cincinnati being 0-7 is a lot better than their record indicates) "I think he's right. There's so little difference in teams in the NFL. They could easily probably be .500 right now. We have to view them that way. You got a look at a team that has (WR) Chad Johnson, (WR) T.J. Houshmandzadeh, (QB) Carson Palmer - I know he's not playing but (QB Ryan) Fitzpatrick is a more than capable backup. They have a lot of talented guys on their team. They can put up a lot of points. So, we have to go in with the mindset that we're going to have to put up some decent numbers to beat this team."
(on how the running game and offensive line has been coming together this year) "I think we've continually gotten better throughout the year. Our communications keeps improving. The guys we're getting on, we're performing the blocks. Technique's a little better. I think it's just a tribute to all the guys. The coaching staff, we just stayed with it. That's the big thing; we've stayed with it through these games. I think we've gotten ahead in some of these games where we can run the ball more and we're able to break some big ones, too. So that helps."
(on if running the ball has been key to winning the time of possession battle) "Yeah, you have to think that's probably a big part of it. I think we're picking up a lot of third downs too. We're keeping ourselves in positions, on third-and-shorts, not third-and-long situations. I think with our receivers and our backs, those are high percentage downs for us because we can move it around to so many different people."
(on how important the time of possession is) "Well, obviously you want to be on the field as much as you can. You have to think at some point that that translates into points and into wins. I think every team wants to win the time of possession battle. I think if we can do that consistently, that we'll be tough to beat for a lot of different reasons - as far as executions, as far as putting points on the board. And, obviously, when you're on the field it's hard for the other team to score."
