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JacksonvilleJaguars Conference Call
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HEAD COACH JACK DEL RIO (on how difficult it is coming off a big win and playing another big game) Wednesday, September 20, 2006
"Obviously we expended a great deal of energy Monday night taking on the defending Super Bowl champions (Pittsburgh Steelers), and we know we're on a short week and we're traveling, so we've adjusted our schedule a little bit. We pulled the guys out of pads today and shortened up the day. We're aware of the fact that we're on a short week and we spent a lot of time on Monday night getting (that) victory. So we're trying to do all we can to be as healthy and fresh and get prepared for Indy when we get up there for Sunday's game."
HEAD COACH JACK DEL RIO (on if it helps playing a division opponent on a short week, knowing them a bit) Wednesday, September 20, 2006
"I think certainly the fact that it's a division opponent that we play and study twice a year, it is from a coaching standpoint—the hours we have to put in to know about them—is probably a little bit better for us. If we had been trying to figure out Pittsburgh's blitz schemes on a short week and traveling, it would have made for a bigger task. But obviously, they have a lot of weapons and they're a darn good football team. So, it's plenty of work as it is."
HEAD COACH JACK DEL RIO (on LB-Mike Peterson changing the way people look at MLBs being lighter and faster, and how MLBs were when he played) Wednesday, September 20, 2006
"Well, he's a little lighter. I think you can have different styles of players. I think the biggest thing is to have guys that can make plays and be productive for you. After spending his time at outside linebacker (in Indianapolis), he's moved to the inside for us and he's done a really nice job. He's very competitive, very fiery. And he's given us some playmaking, some range at the middle linebacker position that we covet, and it's been a good fit for us."
HEAD COACH JACK DEL RIO (on MLB being a natural fit for Mike Peterson) Wednesday,
"I think each year he's gotten a little more comfortable in terms of where he belongs, where he fits, how it all ties together. He's really been very productive the last couple of years, leading our team in tackles, coming up with sacks, coming up with interceptions. He's really playing some good football for us."
HEAD COACH JACK DEL RIO (on LB-Mike Peterson saying the days of playing the respect card being over, being behind them) Wednesday, September 20, 2006
"I believe that. I think we're playing for more than respect. I think for us, the respect, we want to respect what we're doing and our approach and our preparation and be respectful of our opponents and go out and compete. In terms of other people noticing, I think at some point, you quit asking or talking about, 'Can you compete in games,' and you start talking about other more important factors. So, that's kind of where we feel we are as a football team. We're maturing as a football team. We need to be more mature as a football team, but I think one of the areas where we've come up a little short in the past is not keeping our poise and composure in some of the big games. Certainly, we've started very well this year in two 'big games' and played with a great deal of composure and a great deal of poise. Even in the Dallas game, when we were behind early, we continued to do the right t
