PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: Coach, your defense has been the saving grace so far this season. When do you see the offense stepping up their game?
A: Our offense has been just fine. The numbers are not gaudy, but we don't need them to be. I don't expect to have an offense that instills fear in oppossing defense. We just work on keeping them honest and respecting what we can do. That's all I ask of my guys.
Q: You were limited with your recievers, and we didn't see Justin Gage at all this game. Why was he held out?
A: Unfortunately, Gage had lacerated his hand before the game. It was a fluke accident, but the injury kept him from playing in the game.
Q: Safety Chris Hope went down in the second quarter with an injury and missed the rest of the game. Is this something to be concerned with?
A: Chris suffered a left arm injury on a tackle of Kevin Barlow that looked serious, but the x-rays came back negative. He won't miss any time, and is looking forward to getting back onto the field next week.
Q: Coach, Vince Young put together a complete game, and we didn't see Collins enter the game at all in this win. Is this a sign of you finding your starting quarterback?
A: Vince played a hell of a game, and he is still learning from Kerry as well, but he played well enough to solidify himself as our number one option.
Q: Does this mean that Vince will be the starter next week against the Vikings?
A: As of this moment he's at the forefront. There's no doubt about that. But it will all depend on practice this week. I wouldn't be surprised if Vince starts next week again.
Q: You're keeping up this quarterback controversy every week. Is there a reason behind it?
A: It's not a controversy, as I said last week. If anything, the only thing it is is me using the best players I have. None of the quarterbacks on the roster are my players. Hell, most of this roster is from the previous regiment. I will use whoever is better prepared for that weeks game, regardless of who they are. Even if that means I use rookie Joel Drendy.
Q: In the first half, your team could get nothing going on offense. How did that change?
A: I would say we just stuck to the gameplan, but that's not true. In all honesty, everything fell on the shoulders of Vince Young. He took it upon himself to bring us back into the game. His decision making, his throws, his legs, he used everything at his disposal to bring us back. Add in timely runs by Buckingham and Rice, and we controlled the tempo in the second half.
Q: By completely controlling the clock?
A: *laughs* That wasn't what we had planned, but it worked out well. You don't gameplan to dominate time of possession like that, but you do want to control the ball longer than your opponent. Still, holding them to barely over three-and-a-half minutes of possession in a half is never done.
Q: Your boys must have been tired during the second half.
A: They were. As you may have noticed, we had some unusual formations during the second half, and some players at extremely unusual positions. But it all worked out.
Q: Next week the Vikings come to town. How do you plan on stopping Adrian Peterson?
A: Peterson is a once-in-a-lifetime player, and a challenge to stop. Our linebackers will need to be ready to stop the run on every play, and we'll have to stack the box.
Q: What about Jackson and the recieving corps?
A: If they can beat us, then they will beat us. But we cannot allow Peterson to beat us. That much is certain. We know what he can do. But the rest of the offense is still uncertain.
Q: So you're saying you don't respect the passing offense of the Vikings?
A: I said nothing like that. Jackson is still learning at the NFL level, and has yet to really take off as a quarterback. He has the legs to extend plays, and the arm strength to make the throws, but he doesn't have the experience yet. His recieving corps isn't the best, but they are capable. However, everyone knows what Peterson brings to the table, and we cannot allow him to beat us.
Next week the Tennessee Titans (3-0) take on the Minnesota Vikings (2-1) in what should be a battle of defenses.