Q: What's the outlook for this week for you?
A: "The same as the last couple of weeks. I'm just taking it day by day, just trying to get as close as I can to being out on the football field."
Q: Have they increased your workouts?
A: "We've been making strides there and it's looking pretty good. It's only Wednesday so we've got a chance."
Q: How close are you?
A: "I don't know I'm going to do some running today and test it out.
Q: So do you think you will practice today?
A: "No, I won't be practicing today. I will be doing some running on the side."
Q: How difficult is it not being able to play these past two weeks?
A: "It's very difficult. You ant to be out there and helping your teammates win and them pull of a win, but injuries happen and you just have to deal with it."
Q: Do you sense where you're at compared to the Tampa Bay week, that Wednesday?
A: "No."
Q: You don't sense if you're further ahead?
A: "Not really, I haven't really thought about that"
Q: Is it frustrating that the running game is what's killing this team and you are not being a part of it?
A: "I didn't know it was killing us."
Q: Well maybe not killing you, but it's not what it was in the past.
A: "Every guy has got to step up and make plays. We've been struggling trying to do some different things. We're trying to do whatever we can to win football games and we just need everybody out there."
Q: No one in this locker room makes excuses, but how tough is it when so many guys are injured?
A: "It's hard. You want to be out there in full force. When guys are down, you don't want everybody down at the same time. With so many guys down at the same time it makes it difficult."
Chris Redman
Q: What's the outlook this week?
A: "We've just got to win. We've just got to go out and play a good game. Obviously when you're playing in December everything counts. We're going to hopefully have a good week of practice and show up this weekend and put together a good effort."
Q: Are you going to start?
A: "I don't know. They haven't told me that yet. I'm just going to go out and practice like I am and been preparing. We'll see what happens but they haven't told me anything."
Q: Defensively the Jets are tops in the league.
A: "They are. Rex Ryan brings that mentality that he had in Baltimore. It's a good defense and they're very aggressive. We know that we're going to have our hands full. Let's go out and play a very good game."
Q: Roddy says they try to confuse their opponents in different schemes, is that what you see?
A: "A lot of different looks from the defense, but when you do that sometimes you leave things open. We're just going to go out there and hopefully pick up what we need to pick up on offense and make some plays."
Q: How do you compare their pass defense to the Eagles?
A: "I think they probably give a few more looks, but probably similar as far as being aggressive. They try to create turnovers as well. We know we're going to have to go out there and take care of the football and hopefully just play a good game."
Q: They've got real good defensive backs.
A: "Very good. The corners are very good and their whole secondary is very good. We know that we're going to have to be very precise on offense with our route running and throwing and take care of their blitzing schemes."
Curtis Lofton
Q: Talk about how difficult it will be to win on the road?
A: "We're on the road so it's going to be a difficult game for us, but we've got to come out firing on all cylinders and be read."
Q: You're not sure what quarterback you'll see, but you do know about their running back.
A: "Thomas Jones is a great running back. He's been in the league for many years and I think he's had 1,000 yards for every year he's been in and they're leading the league in rushing right now. It's going to really test our defensive front seven and we've got to stop the run."
Q: What's the number one thing you guys can do to right this ship?
A: "I think the number one thing starts at practice. Just doing the little things right, if you do the little things right you do the big things right."
Q: How's practice been so far?
A: We haven't practiced yet.
Q: What about the team's walk through?
A: The walk through went real well. All the guys were tuned in and focused and ready to go.
Q: Is that what you like about this team that everyone's still keeping their head up and working hard?
A: "That's not the character of this team. We're going to fight until the finish and everybody's going to keep putting the work in come away with the win this week."
Q: Is that the message from the Head Coach?
A: Yeah that's the message from the Head Coach and it's trickled down to his players.
Q: These are two teams in similar playoff situations.
A: "We still have a chance. We don't control our destiny, but there's still a fighting chance to make the playoffs. It's the same way with them, so it's going to be a good game."
Q: Have you gotten any Christmas shopping done?
A: "Yeah I've done a little but man its tough. The malls are packed, the lines are long and I'm tired. But, I got a little in."
Q: What's on your wish list?
A: "I don't know. I've got a couple of watches that I want but I don't have a wish list yet."
Q: What's on the family's wish list?
A: "The family they've got everything: Hats, shoes, watches, necklaces, everything."
Q: Have you been naughty or nice?
A: "A little of both."
Tony Gonzalez
Q: What are you looking at going into the Jets game?
A: "As far as us on the offensive side of the ball a lot of multiple defensive fronts, a lot of blitzing. Probably, right now statistically the best defense in the NFL. I think a big reason for that is the way they're covering guys on the outside. They've got some stout guys. The linebackers really stand out in my mind. They're really good in tough situations. It's going to be a tough challenge for us that I think we're up to."
Q: Is it difficult for you not knowing what quarterback will play this week?
A: "The same way we have for the past two weeks. Right now, at the very least, we're counting on Red and I think Red played really well last week. If Matt is available then obviously we'll take that as well. It's important that we can't worry about this as receivers we go out there and try to get on the same page and communicate with whoever's in there at the time. We've got to get open and make some plays."
Q: You seem pretty upbeat about what this team can do.
A: "I don't see why not. I know the situation for us to get in the playoffs doesn't look good. It's a long shot, but we've still got a shot. So it's important that we go out there and play. Even if it wasn't we're playing football. It's something that we love to do and I don't care what the situation is, I don't care if we're down forty-five points in the fourth quarter, it's important that we go out there and we play hard. This is what we do for a living, that's what's expected out of us and every guy will and all of these guys will be playing their butts off because that's what we're supposed to do."
Q: Can you talk on Bart Scott and Calvin Pace?
A: "Bart Scott and Calvin Pace, I've played against them both before and they can bring it. They're not only good against the run; they're good against the pass as well. It's going to be a tough challenge for us, especially with Calvin. I know they have him listed as an outside linebacker, but he's defensive end size and creates a tough matchup there. But, at the same time it's the NFL and we're going to go against great players every single week and step up and make sure we take care of them."
Q: Is it important that you all have faced a three-four defense already this season?
A: "We have that experience so it's nothing new to us. Obviously in our own conference Carolina does that. It's one of those things, but they're blitzing all over the place. You have to remain disciplined, stick and stay. Don't put your hand on someone unless you have them and I think that will work out for us."
Q: Teams are converting at a twelve percent rate on third downs against this Jets defense.
A: "It's going to be tough. That's the NFL, it's a tough league and it's a good challenge for us as far as I'm concerned. Let's go out there and see where we stack up.
Q: Or get yards on first and second down?
A: "Or get yards on first and second down. Let's not even get in third down."
Q: Can you explain the road woes of the Falcons this season?
A: "I have no idea why. We're playing against some good teams too. We've played against some really good defenses, really good teams in general. Obviously it makes it tough, but at the same time its good experience for us. Carrying that into next year, I don't want to start looking ahead and that's something we need to correct. Hopefully we can put together a good performance and hopefully we can get this one."
Q: Have you gotten any Christmas shopping done?
A: "Yeah I've been to the mall a little bit. I went up there with my wife. I'm not doing that again, I spent too much money. It's not even Christmas and I was spending money. I'm out there and I'm getting my shopping done."
Q: Does your wife shop better than she cooks?
A: "Yeah, oh yeah. I love my wife, I love you baby, but she can shop with the best of them. Not in a bad way, she's not too much."
Thomas DeCoud
Q: What are your challenges in facing the Jets and Sanchez?A: "Most of all stopping the run. They're the best running team in the league and we need to be on top of their run game and know how they like to attack us and what fronts they like to attack."
Q: Going on the road and being able to get a win, can you talk about that?
A: "We're going to have to come in and play well. We've played in that stadium before when we played the Giants. We are kind of accustomed to that crowd. We just have to play over it and play our game to come out with a win."
Q: These are two teams in similar playoff situations.
A: "We're kind of in the same boat because we're fighting to finish off this season strong. Both teams are going to come out and play hard."
Q: What was your vantage point on the Grimes play?
A: "Actually at the beginning of the play my back was to it and once the ball was thrown I whipped and I saw him make a great play on the ball. I didn't see any real touching or anything like that going on."
Q: So you agree with the ESPN guys who had it on Monday Night Football's "Come on Man" segment?
A: "I actually didn't see that. I though it was a pretty touchy call, but those things are judgment calls for referees so once it's made you can't cry over spilled milk."
Q: What do you think about dome teams playing in cold weather?
A: "I haven't really paid any attention to that kind of statistic. I don't think it makes too much of a difference. You grow up playing football outside and now the change is really playing indoors instead of outdoors. It's something that everyone is used to."
Q: What is the mood of the team right now?
A: "It's just any other team. We're not putting any extra emphasis on it. We're not thinking too hard as if we've got to save our season. We're not thinking too hard as if we are going to play a soft game. We're going to go up there and prepare for them like every other team this year."
Mike Peterson
Q: You're not sure what quarterback you'll see, but you do know about their running back.
A: "A great running back, a veteran guy and he's been in the league a while. We've got our hands full this week but I think the defensive line and the linebackers are up for the test. It's definitely going to be a running game."
Q: This is a team that's fighting to get in the playoffs.
A: "I'm sure they've got a lot to fight for, but we've got a lot to fight for as well. I think it's going to be a great game. It's going to be exciting and we're looking to come out on top."
Q: The mood in this locker room is still good?
A: "Oh yeah. You see my mood is still good. We've got a lot to play for. There's nobody that's down or pointing fingers. We're just staying the course of the job at hand and try to get a win this week."
Q: You said you've got a lot to play for but the playoffs are practically done, so what do you have to play for?
A: "Our job man. Our job is to come in and win football games. Regardless of if you win and go to the playoffs or you're not. Our job is to go out and win ballgames and that's what we're going to do."
Q: Have you gotten any Christmas shopping done yet?
A: "No, I'm focused on football. I let my wife do all the Christmas shopping. I'm just a linebacker. I don't really do all of that."
Q: Who does the family come to for the presents, you or Adrian?
A: "Me, I'm the oldest so they always come to me. I played Santa back in the day so this year I think I'm going to do some ducking and dodging."
Q: What did you ask Santa for?
A: "To get in the playoffs. I'm still asking him so we'll see."
Jason Snelling
Q: Talk about preparing for this week for the Jets defense.
A: "Hopefully I get some more opportunities to go out and prepare for any situation that they need me to be in as I do every week. Hopefully I will go out there and make some plays and help the team get a win this week."
Q: You feel like the more touches you get the more productive you are and its really show this season hasn't it?
A: "Definitely the more chances I get to do different things with the ball, whether it's blocking, receiving or running the ball. I feel like I can make plays and all year that's happened for me. I look forward to going into this game against the Jets and making more plays."
