Q: How was Osi's mood today?A: It hasn't changed from previous days. Still smiling and I feel like he's having fun being around the guys.
Q: Does he make you better just being on the field?A: Definitely. Having the quality of defensive ends we have, all of us make each other better. From a practice standpoint, getting to work with him and learn things on the fly with him being on the field. With him on the football field on Sundays, it makes it very difficult between either one of us. You've kind of got to pick and choose. Then you throw JPP in the mix, it really gives us a lot of freedom to do a lot of different things. So yeah, we definitely make each other better.
Q: Some quarterbacks must feel pretty uneasy with all of you coming at them.A: Well that's part of the battle. They have to account for where we are and it goes a long way as far as offensive coordinators putting a lot in their game plans, things like that, but we still have to go out there and perform. That's what we're focused on.
Q: You've gone against this offensive line for a long time now. Do you think they still need time to gel?A: I think that's definitely what it is. We lost two guys that knew each other, knew this whole o-line and knew how the other guys played together and when you try to fill those voids, no matter how talented they are, it's still going to take some time for them to get comfortable with each other. That's all it is. It's timing and I think week one we'll have everybody in place and on the same side.
Q: What did you think of Linval Joseph?A: I think he played very strong. That's one thing we've come to expect from him. He's a very strong individual and he played strong and he held the point. A lot of things that he did on the football field won't show up on stat sheets but I think he did very well for his first start.
Q: Is it strange not having Barry Cofield lined up next to you?A: It's just like the o-line. We've got some guys that we have to replace and it's going to take some time for us to know how to play off of each other, things like that, but like I said, you don't replace a Barry Cofield you just hope the guy that was behind him steps up and so far, from what we saw from Linval, Chris Canty also had a good game inside, so our d-tackles played well.
Q: Are you excited to get back in front of your fans?A: Definitely. Any time you get to play in that stadium with the fans we have, it's exciting. I'm looking forward to it, I know a lot of guys here are excited about it and hopefully our showing on the football field will resemble that.
Q: When did you first know for a fact that Osi would be back out there?A: A lot earlier than y'all did. Probably Thursday for me.
Q: He told you Thursday?A: Yeah.
Q: And your reaction?A: More of an ok, we'll see. Osi's spoken a lot of things in the past that didn't come to fruition but I could just tell he was ready and itching to get back on the football field.
Q: Are you convinced his contract situation is now in the past?A: Well there are still some things in the works as far as him and his contract, things like that, but for us as players it hasn't been a distraction. He's done a great job of not letting it become a distraction with how he's approached it in the meeting rooms he has still been that guy that's coached up the young guys and doing everything possible to help this football team. I look at it as he's back on the field and we'll take it one day at a time.
Q: Do you have any questions about whether or not he'll give 100%?A: No, I know Osi. When he steps on a football field, his focus is as high as anybody's. He knows how to separate the game. A lot of guys don't have the capability. I know he does.
Q: Is he going to talk to us?A: That I can't answer.
Q: You've got influence.A: I do have a lot of influence.
Q: How do you expect the snaps to be distributed at defensive end?A: I don't know. I think you'll see JPP working on both sides. He's that capable and he has that ability to help out both sides. I don't know, that's up to Coach Nunn and the coaching staff.
Q: As a defensive end, how much do you guys care about starting?A: I really don't care. Obviously, that question will go a lot of different ways depending on who you ask but at the end of the day it's all about helping the football team. I don't care either way.
Q: For a young player like Jason, do you think it would be better for him if they kept him on one side?A: Well it worked for me. My opinion is, the more you can do…
Q: Your football background is a lot different from his.A: That's true. He's made some great strides, maybe that is because they left him on one side but like I said, we're just going to continue to kind of feel Jason out I guess and see what works out best. He played both well last year so we'll see what happens.
Q: Do you think you'll move inside to d-tackle at all this year?A: I don't know where I'm coming from. We'll see. I'll be all over the place.
