HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (General Comments) Monday, September 28, 2009* *
"I think our team played well. I think we were pretty sharp in all phases. The guys certainly demonstrated a lot of resolve in terms of this victory. They played hard. They played smart. They executed well once we got that rolling. I think our defense really accepted the challenge that was placed before them after the previous week's performance. They (defense) came out and did a very nice job of stopping the run and making Arizona one-dimensional. That gave us the opportunity to rush the passer. Once we got rolling offensively after our first four possessions we really got hot. We had great pass protection. We ran the ball, I think, fairly well. We had a lot of big plays. Peyton (Manning) had a big day and the receivers did a nice job as well. In our kicking game, I thought we were solid. I thought we covered well, particularly with a team that has a real fine kick-off returner and punt returner. I think our guys did a nice job overall."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On being undefeated in September) Monday,
"The thing we're pleased with is we are improving every week. We are getting a little bit better. We are getting to the point where we think we are a pretty consistent performing team. We've been a little up and down the first couple of weeks. It's tough to win a game in this league. All the 3-0 start has ensured us is we won't go 2-14. We still have a lot of work to do."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the character of the team) Monday, September 28, 2009
"They (players) do a great job of adjusting. A lot of that deals with the foundation that has been established here in the past. Tony (Dungy) always did a great job of setting that pace. Our veterans have picked that up. I just think we can carry on, regardless of the situation. It can be injuries or climate change or time zone change, the team has been able to adjust and play well anywhere and anytime. This is something we think is vital, and we want to keep it going."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On any updates on DE-Dwight Freeney) Monday,
"I know Dwight has spoken to a couple of you and expressed he had an injury in a particular area. We are going to reserve comments until after the MRI, which he had this morning. The results should come back a little later on."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the shifting of the defensive line) Monday, September 28, 2009
"We've been doing that since the first game. It is something we've installed to use a bit of their (the players) versatility. It gives them a chance to rush from a different angle. It makes the offense not be able to count on where they can chip our players and things of that nature. It adds a little variety to what we do."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the production of WR-Austin Collie and WR-Pierre Garcon) Monday, September 28, 2009
"They work extremely hard. They are skilled individuals that can run and catch. They keep getting better all the time. I think you can attribute that to our personnel department as well. They do a great job of finding talent and getting them in place to make certain we can continue to be productive. I think those two guys are an example of that. Pierre has been with us two years now and has learned the system and is operating in it pretty well. Austin is doing the same thing. Both of those guys were strong contributors yesterday."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On QB-Peyton Manning's success this year and what he attributes it to) Monday, September 28, 2009
"There is a difference between last year and this year because he started the (2008) season after surgery. In years past, he's been pretty productive around here. His preparation and dedication is always the same. He is never satisfied with a performance. Every single snap he takes in practice, he exhibits the same type of effort and enthusiasm. He plays it as if it's the most important play in the Super Bowl. That's how he prepares in the meeting room and in everything he does. That's the reason why he's so consistent. He does it week in week out, day after day, meeting after meeting. He's a real professional."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On his evaluation of the running game) Monday, September 28, 2009
"We are improving. I thought we were improving even last week. I think we averaged a little over five yards a carry. We are getting a little bit better. Joseph (Addai) and Donald (Brown) both had some nice runs. We were very productive. The offensive line did a nice job in terms of opening up some holes and some creases for them to get in. They mixed it up pretty well. I think our coaching staff has done a great job of getting them ready. The players have accepted the challenge because we weren't as productive as we would have liked to have been in that area. We just have to continue to keep working at it and continue to get better."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the play of LB-Freddy Keiaho) Monday,
"Freddy played well. He did a lot of things really well. He rushed the passer a few times from the interior. He put pressure on the quarterback. He did a great job in terms of getting our defense in line with the right calls. He did a very nice job."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On playing OG-Kyle DeVan) Monday,
"We think he's earned it. We were looking for an opportunity to get him in to play against some very talented guys. He's been practicing well. He's been performing well. We decided to put him in and give him an opportunity to play. We just created a rotation."
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HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the play of OT-Charlie Johnson) Monday,
"Charlie has been doing well in both the run and pass. He has done a good job for us."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On the attitude of the defense) Monday, September 28, 2009
"They just don't get frustrated. They play with poise. They depend on one another. They trust one another. They give tremendous effort. It does not matter how many injuries we have. Whoever steps in is expected to play and play well. You can be young or a seasoned veteran. We expect players to prepare like they will play every week. We don't make any excuses. Oftentimes, you hear teams talk about the injuries and how many injuries (they have), and how they are going to be affected by it. Players get that in their mind and you play a substandard game because you're missing a few guys here and there. That's not the way it's ever been around here. I don't know if there's ever been a time we've gone into a game completely healthy. It doesn't happen in this league very often."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On any league impact of being 3-0) Monday, September 28, 2009
"I don't think so. This league is so tough win a game. It doesn't give you any indication for what we are going to do in the future. It doesn't give you any indication for what will happen this week. We'd better get ready to play a tough Seattle team and focus in on that and don't worry about subliminal messages. It's results that count in this league. Every week we have to go out and prove ourselves."
HEAD COACH JIM CALDWELL (On winning the second quarter of the season) Monday, September 28, 2009
"I don't talk about future events very often until they come to fruition. I'll be a little bit more narrow in terms of scope. I like to play them (games) and add them up at the end, tally them and see where we are."
