Head Coach Scott Linehan
August 19, 2008
(Opening remarks)
“Got one roster change. We added (RB) Lavarus Giles, he was previously on Jacksonville’s (Jaguars) roster. He is a running back. We placed (T) Brandon Gorin on IR today. So that opened up that roster spot. He was here, didn’t take many reps, he is a little behind on what were doing and those kind of things. Get him up to par there, he is going to be immediately involved in our special teams right away and probably have an abbreviated role as a running back for us in this next game.”
(On (T) Orlando Pace and (WR) Dante Hall taking the day off)
“Yeah Orlando is still sore and Dante got a sore hip that is bothering him. He is not able to run, he just came out and we let him do the walk through but I just told both of them that we will kind of go day-to-day with them.”
(On why the team added another running back)
“We got three guys that are suiting up and you go through… It is not just the running back position you know, running backs are a key component in special teams and so we are getting light in that area too. It was kind of for both reasons.”
(On if he will play)
“Yeah, we are going to do some stuff tomorrow. He got here kind of mid-day and it’s a different system. I didn’t want him to go out and put him in a position that he would not have any success. We would like to have him ready to take a look at him.”
(On Orlando Pace’s status)
“It is more just that he has been playing and played a lot. He used his arms and shoulders really well this last game and just felt sore. There is no reoccurrence of any injuries it is just, he is sore. The guy really hadn’t played live until this last two preseason games, a little in the scrimmages down in Tennessee but other than that he was pretty physical, he was out there for 40-something plays which was good.”
(On if T Alex Barron has to improve to put himself at the next level)
“Maybe the general thing for everybody is just consistency. Just doing things right all the time; I’m talking about on the field. He’s been really having a very good camp for us and has played pretty well the last couple games. I would say he’s definitely a bright spot. So, if he can continue to do that and do it every practice and every week, then we’ve got something.”
(On if T Orlando Pace will need a spot during games)
“Not really. He came in and I was kind of thinking we would just be starting doing some things now and really we’re just backing up because we started at the beginning of camp and really pushed him and never missed a beat. Once we started that second week of camp we were pretty much working him with as many ones as we could. And then we had no idea we would get 40-something snaps out of the first unit and he was able to do that and play in a game where we were running the ball and having him be physical and use that. So, it’s just a matter of giving him some time off to get feeling a little bit better.”
(On if he knows WR Torry Holt’s status for the Baltimore game)
“Not yet. I think we pretty much decide how much we’re going to play the players as we go through. He’s had good work this week; he feels much better. So, as far as how much he would play we don’t know yet, but plan on him playing.”
(On whether or not, at this point in WR Torry Holt’s career, he needs practice during preseason)
“Everybody needs to practice. We’ve decided based on managing what’s been bothering him the last couple years is no matter what we do we’re going to go out and he’s going to be able to give real quality reps when he’s in there. So, that’s what he needs. Whatever snaps he takes they have to be real quality snaps as opposed to just having him in there because we need him with the first unit. He’s done really good with that and last week and feels good this week; he feels much better and has got a lot done.”
(On DE Victor Adenyanju having to play with a “club”)
“Victor for one thing and I joked about it, but he played with a club before so it’s not new to him. For a ‘D’ lineman it hinders you probably as it does any position, not being able to use your hands, but he’s gone through that before and he’s never slowed down. He’s so anxious to get onto the field that he came out right away and was effective. He really is one of our best run defenders and played well even with the cast on there.”
(On former Rams DL Deacon Jones using a “club” with plaster of paris in it)
“He used to use it on the side of the helmet, too, if I remember right.”
(On what Rams 2007 Defensive MVP LB Will Witherspoon can do and has done to become better)
“He’s obviously got a great grasp of what we’re doing defensively and now he’s taken even more of a leadership role as far as the defense on and off the field. That enables him to be so effective. Middle linebackers are the quarterbacks of the defense. I’ve always said that. He’s just taking more control, more than just playing his role well. He’s doing that and other things so I think that will just make him that much more of an effective player.”
(On using LB Will Witherspoon in many different roles)
“That’s a big part of it, but he’s played really good football for us two years in a row. All he’s done, like you said, is gotten better and he’s just gotten better at his game and playing his position and his versatility, but he’s also gotten better at being a leader and being a guy that represents our defense.”
(On S Sabastien Sejean helping with a shortage of safeties healthy)
“He’s had a lot of snaps. I don’t think when we first had that particular guy assigned to us, we knew much about him at the time. He was a linebacker/safety and we were looking, before we started camp, that safety is probably where we would need him more. As it turns out, obviously, that has been the case. He’s done a great job. He’s having to get through the language barrier and he does it with a smile on his face and a great attitude. He’s a very good athlete and he’s going to be around here this year. He’s going to be able to help us in a lot of ways and it’s definitely a bonus to have him.”
(On the injury to S Oshiomogho Atogwe)
“Day-to-day. It seems to be still grabbing, still tight and can’t open up. That’s not really conducive to the position. I’m not sure what position cannot run full speed and have it hurt. It just feels like its grabbing and he feels like he could re-aggravate it, so we are just being patient with it.”