 |
It came through as expected. Well probably go with the same approach as last week and hopefully be ready to play on Sunday.
Q: By same approach, do you mean not throwing until Friday?CP:
Throw as little as possible and let it rest as much as possible, and make a decision later in the week and see what the doctors say.
Q: Did it affect you on any throws last week?CP:
No. There were a couple times where I didn't have the confidence I normally have, just because my arm's not the same as previous to the injury. But as far as throwing balls, I felt like I missed a couple I shouldn't have missed, but the only thing I noticed was just a little less confidence in throwing some. I saw holes in certain spots that I kind of held back on and moved on to the next guy.
Q: Looking back on it now and knowing how your elbow feels, do you think you could have made those throws?CP:
No, I think they were good decisions not to throw. Balls I normally zip right by somebody, I felt maybe there's a chance they get their hands on it or make a play on it. Just pulled some of those down and moved on.
Q: Did it (sore elbow) affect the play-calling, specifically not throwing deep?CP:
I'm not sure. I know (offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski) was definitely conscious of it. He knew the situation, what was going on. We talked. There weren't a ton of opportunities where we wanted to be sitting in the pocket and really throw the ball downfield long, to let those guys get off press and get downfield, just because you've got DeMarcus Ware on one side and (Greg) Ellis on the other. We did such a good job in protecting in five steps and getting the ball off quick -- the offensive line, like I said after the game, played so well.
On one of their sacks that they got, it was a seven-step drop with two-hitch timing, and DeMarcus Ware got off the ball early and came around the corner, it was a big sack in the game. I think Brat just felt we didn't need to put ourselves in that situation. We were throwing the ball effectively when we wanted to, getting it out quick and moving, so there was no need to try something when other things were working.
Q: So it was more a byproduct of the defense than your elbow?CP:
Possibly a combination of both. I know Brat was conscious of it. But not too many teams have been successful throwing the ball from nine yards deep, with seven-step drops, and really holding onto it long.
Q: Every team you've played hasnt been easy to stand in the pocket against:CP:
Yeah. With the exception of maybe New York, the Giants without their top two guys, with Strahan and Umenyiora gone. But yeah, the first couple games we played were against good defenses and really good pass-rushers. We've kind of hit a different part of the schedule now, where we still play some good defenses, but we don't have Terrell Suggs and Ware and Vanden Bosch and Albert Haynesworth and all those guys.
Q: Does Cedric Benson bring a different element to the offense?CP:
I think so. He and Chris (Perry) look like they'd be similar backs, but I think they're very different. Chris does such a good job running in and out of the backfield, running routes on the outside. You saw him catch a receiver route in the game this past week. And Cedric is more of a four-yards-and-a-pile-of-dust that can really explode if he gets a seam and hits it. But I think it's a really good changeup for us, because they're backs that can complement each other and complement the offense. I said it last week: I can't wait for this guy to get more and more settled in and understand the zones and understand the schemes and the protection and all that, give him a little bit bigger package as the weeks go on.
Q: Is this situation with the running backs like in 2005, when you guys had Rudi (Johnson) and Chris (Perry)?CP:
I wouldn't compare Rudi and Chris to Chris and Cedric (Benson). Those three guys all have three different styles of running. But the good thing that Chris and Rudi did was complement each other well, and I think now Chris and Cedric can complement each other. We just need to see more from Cedric. We've only seen him for a week, and the more he's around, the longer the look the coaches can get at him and see what more of his strengths and weaknesses are, and hopefully build a little bit more of a package for him. But he's only been here for five days, six days.
Q: Was it the game plan or just the way the game flowed that Chris Henry didnt get much action?CP:
He hasn't been here for a long time. It was his first week back. He had a couple of plays, just to kind of get him back on the field and get him in the rhythm of things. Being in a situation when you're suspended and you can't be around the facility, that makes it extremely difficult on you. I've never understood that part, when a guy's suspended, to be home by himself and not here to work out and run routes and be at practice and be a decoy for the games he's suspended. Playing scout team receiver and doing all that. It's tough to come back in one week, and all of a sudden hey, here's your game plan, you're going to catch five or six balls. Really last week was just a chance for him to get the rust off and get in a game-type atmosphere, and hopefully his role will expand as we go on.
Q: How different is the Jets defense from last year?CP:
They've gotten better. That's one of the first things we said. They've had a couple of personnel changes. I think they've started to understand and learn their scheme more and their philosophy of their coordinator more. The improvement on film is definitely noticeable.
Q: Are they more of a pure 3-4?CP:
A little bit more. I wouldn't say they've changed their style of defense. They were pretty much a 3-4 team last year. They do have a couple of changeups here and there, but that's a majority of what they do.
Q: Do you marvel at the way Brett (Favre) has been able to keep doing what he does at such a high level?CP:
It's amazing. I've said it before: I think it's the single greatest record or achievement in all of sports. I think it's 17 years? Is it 17 or 18? Seventeen years without missing a game. Three weeks ago, I wanted to shoot for that record. I thought I could do that. Things happen. It's just amazing. Any little thing could happen. Like what happened to me, a guy can fall on your knee the wrong way and it's surgery, or you can break a bone in your arm and you could have it in a cast. Little crazy things can happen over 17 years. You know, some guy sidesteps, you roll up on your ankle and have a high ankle sprain and be out for two weeks or whatever the situation may be. It's amazing to go 17 years and to play at a high level like he has.
Q: What was it like to play against him?CP:
All I remember is winning. It's been a while since we've had one of those. You watch that last drive, and I think we were up by five or six points, and it's one those things where it's 'Uh oh, it's Favre.' You never know. You never know when the game's over. Fortunately we had some fan interference that helped save that win for us.
