C-JEFF SATURDAY (on the demeanor of Peyton Manning during his 'struggles') Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Obviously, he got attributed to a lot of the struggles. He was getting blamed media wise, but the reality was we were struggling throughout the entire offense. We weren't really running the ball very well at the time. He (Manning) made some errant throws and admitted them. It's like every great player, he went out there and gave it is all, but not everything is going to be perfect. But I wouldn't rather have another guy back there. It didn't really make any difference."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on if Peyton Manning changed the way he prepared) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"No, preparation is always the same. He has a real constant routine that he has always stayed to. Nothing changed as far as that went. Obviously after the games you are frustrated, all of us. We have some trips back where we were away some and those were tough trips. But other than that you get back on Monday and it is time to get it back on and prepare for the next team."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on if the pass rush has slowed down during the past few weeks due to the running game having more success) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Yes, for sure. I think that goes in any level of football. When you start running the football, you get them tired more than anything. Defensive lineman have to cover the run and they have to run down balls from the back, chase down things, guys get tired. I think that is just a consistent thing about football, you like to run the ball well to allow you to get some pressure off your pass rush. Every time they know you have to throw it, they can tee off, bringing blitzes, you name it. It makes it much tougher to pass protect."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on if the importance of the running game is different in the post-season versus the regular season) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I think it gives your offense a sense of rhythm more than anything. You start rushing the ball, instead of the 3rd-and-8s you are at the 3rd-and-3s. So you convert a whole lot more and your first and second downs are much more consistent when you are running the ball well. When we say 'running the ball well,' we are averaging four or five yards a clip, so you are halving the distance on your first possession. I think those kind of things are what lead teams, and then obviously in the playoffs when you get teams down you run the ball to eat up clock, so you tend to get more touches and carries in the playoffs when you are winning playoff games."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on why the running game is more important in the playoffs versus the regular season) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I think again you are possessing the ball and you are giving the other offense fewer opportunities. You are putting more pressure on their offense as a whole—'We have to make plays, we have to get out of this.' I think the momentum of games shifts a great deal in running the ball in the playoffs. You start grinding it out on teams, you can break guys wills because there is so much pressure in the playoffs sometimes teams don't really react to it in the best way."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on what the difference has been with the offensive line during the past few weeks) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I think there are a few things. One is we have had the same group going out there each and every week, which goes a long way to helping your run game. We have committed ourselves to running it more in December, and you can see how that pays dividends. You start out the game, they are not going to be six and seven yards a carry, but as you kind of move throughout the game and move forward, you see how teams are wearing down and we are getting those bigger runs late. Peyton is even breaking them out now and again putting 30 on to it. Those are the kind of things that you do when you get more committed to the run game. If you are sold on it you know you are going to get your touches, running backs seem to see holes, linebackers seem to overplay it, or a defensive lineman will try to take a back gap. It is just consistency. If you run it 14 times it is not hard to shut it down. They don't have to be perfect to get it. If you run it 30 times, then it makes it much more difficult. It is very similar to the pass game."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on if the coaching staff made a commitment to the running game after the San Diego and Dallas games) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"We talked about, 'Listen, there has to be something that we can hang our hat on in the run game, and we are putting a lot of pressure on our receivers and quarterback to make plays and teams are feeding off that.' I think just as an offensive unit we have committed ourselves to be better in the run game. I'm not going to tell you that we are going to average 40 carries a game, but to get enough touches to make it count and mean something goes a long way."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on what the Jets do defensively that the Colts are going to have to handle) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I think they change fronts a lot. They give you a lot of looks. They will go from covering guard-center-guard, to four down, to a true 3-4, to a nickel four-down. They give you a number of different looks that you have to prepare for. I think they do a good job of when they blitz you of overloading you to where you can't pick them up so they are going to get a shot on the quarterback. Your timing has to be good, and overall they are a physical defense. They feed off of negative plays. They want to get you behind the line of scrimmage and then pin their ears back. For us, we need to stay in phase. This is every time you play a blitzing style defense that is willing to gamble. You need to stay in phase and you can't let one play sway your game. You can't turn the ball over, just control it and sometimes you have to punt it and know that you are going to get another opportunity at it."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on the chess match between Rex Ryan and the Colts offense) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"He is obviously one of the best defensive coordinators in the game. He has been and we have played him in Baltimore and in New York, there have been a number of different times we have played him. He is not going to change. You go back and watch film from years ago and they look very similar. It's 4th-and-3 and he is bringing the house. He does not want in the guts (defensive approach) department. He will put it all on the line and believes that his guys will make the play. You've got to respect it, and I'm sure for their players they believe in that system and those guys are going full tilt. We just have to match it, and you have to match that intensity understand that that's their mentality and you have to meet it and hopefully break its will."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on if he gets a kick out of Rex Ryan) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I do. I do. I think he does a lot to pub his team and he gets guys excited. I don't think he ever says anything that other coaches and players haven't thought or said. He just says it. I think he makes it fun and I think he is honest. When people ask him questions, the whole 'personal' comment and all that, that is just being real. He (Ryan) has played him (Manning) a bunch of times and he wants his team to be the best team. I don't think he ever disrespects teams, I just think he says it and stands up for his own."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on why is it so hard for other players and coaches to be honest and say those things) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"It probably is just his personality. He has a big personality. He enjoys that and I think the team that he is with, that kind of fits their personality as a team. I just think it is different styles for different folks. We have never really had a talker for a head coach here. We have people who believe in just showing up, do your job and let your play speak for itself. I think it is just two different philosophies of coaching."
C-JEFF SATURDAY (on the respect that Gary Brackett has in the locker room) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Gary is one of those guys that has done it since he has been here. I played against him when he was on the scout team and I remember him running through making plays. I used to make fun of him because he would be three yards away from the running back and he would run by him and make all these loud noises like he was going to blow him up. But he is just one of those guys that plays tenacious defense, and I think he is very underrated in our league. He is a great middle backer. He sees the game very well and gets to plays that not a lot of mikes are getting to. He has done a lot to help our defense and be that captain that you really want heading up your defensive unit."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on how he feels) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I'm fresh. I don't think I've been fresh since I started playing football since 1996. I think it's kind of a good and bad thing. I'm fresh, but at the same time, missing all that time, nine weeks, regardless if you're in the meetings, just not being out there on the field, you miss a lot. You've got to study more. It's coming back. I'm not saying I missed a whole lot, but there is stuff that just flows that I've got to get back to. Third game back, I think I'm getting a good feel for it. The first two games I was getting in there, we had the rotation going, which was a good thing. We wanted to keep everybody fresh. This game is just playing ball, all of us—me, RB-Donald (Brown), RB-Dominic (Rhodes), whoever is in the game, I think we'll all be ready."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on how much did he need those two games) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"The Oakland game, I didn't get my mind right until halftime, to be honest. A nerve injury, I don't know if you've ever had one of those, but it has a mind of its own. I was kind of scared that if I get hit on it I might go back down. I didn't know the situation. But as the game was going on, I was getting confident. Like I said, the rotation, the way we were going, it was a good thing, I think, so I wouldn't expose myself. 100 percent? I don't think it will be 100 percent until next year. Full game? I feel like I can play a full game and be productive. That injury, it took a lot to get back, but at the same time, I think each game is helping me out, the Oakland game, this last game we played and going into the playoffs, knowing that the playoffs everybody steps it up a notch because the losers go home. I think right now I'm in a good situation. I'm feeling confident."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on having RB-Dominic Rhodes back and if it is like 2006 at all) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I can't lie to you, 2006 was a big blur to me. I was a rookie. It was a big blur. But at the same time, having Dominic back, he's a guy that's been around, playing a lot of football. His insight on the game helps us out a lot, me and RB-Donald (Brown) both. I really can't say it's like 2006 until we get to the big game and win it, but I feel like we're in a groove, all of us. Now, it's not two of us, it's three of us that can run the ball and do some things. I think it's good to have depth at the running back position. Early on you were saying, 'Where are we going to find a back?' Now, everybody is kind of healthy. I think it's a good thing that you could put anybody in and be comfortable."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on if RB-Dominic Rhodes is any different in 2010 than he was in 2006) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"As far as the locker room, Dominic is going to be Dominic. Now, I see him, he's more calm. He acts like a veteran. I'm not saying back then he wasn't, but you can see a difference between the (2010) Dominic and the (2006) Dominic. He just goes out there and plays and has fun. That year (2006), Edge (RB-Edgerrin James) was gone, his first year starting, my first year in the NFL, so a lot of confusion, trying to make sure everything was on point. Dominic, now, he's just playing. It's kind of good for me and RB-Donald (Brown) to watch, to just go out there and play and not think. I think it's a great thing that we do have Dominic back. Like I said, in his 10th season, he's just playing ball and he's doing it well."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on what this season has been like for the team) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Since I've been here we've always been winning. Me, myself, that's all I've known as far as being a Colts player. I think us going through this season, it kind of brought the team closer, willing to do whatever to get a win, and that's what we've been doing. Now we are at this point. I think it will carry on into the playoffs, doing whatever it takes. Even though we have some guys back, we still have some key players that are out and won't be able to come back. I think a lot of the young guys stepped up and helped us out."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on if the team was more desperate or just got into playoff mode earlier than usual) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I don't think we panicked. I won't say that. But we really made it a point to believe that every play counts. I mean every play counts, but we really, really focused in on that, and not even just in the games; walk-throughs, at home, meetings, all of that. I'm not saying we took a different approach, but you just learned something new about the guy beside you. If anything else, it really brought us together as a team. In the playoffs you really need that. It might be a blessing in disguise."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on QB-Peyton Manning when the team was in their three-game slide) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"He was getting all the young guys, getting everybody together. Peyton was being the kind of quarterback that you want to be in a tight situation. Whenever you're in a bad situation, it's just like a family, whoever is the head of the family and you're in a crisis, the person that is supposed to lead, stands up and gives you the right direction. That is what Peyton was doing. No matter what the situation, come back Monday, let's get back going. Everybody was following along. All the veterans were doing that, (and) all the young guys were seeing that."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on QB-Peyton Manning's leadership during the team's struggles this season) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Talking, practice, examples, all of that. That's what they teach the young guys when they come in: if you don't know how to do it, watch the older guys. That is what Peyton was doing, just little things. We'd have extra meetings, not punishment, just extra meetings to focus in on what we were trying to do for that particular team. I think Peyton did a great job as far as showing us what we needed to do when we were in those bad situations."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on QB-Peyton Manning have a down year by his standards) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I mean everybody is human. You struggle, it's what you do after. He was still able to do some good things, even in whatever you call a 'slump', he was still able to do that (be near the top of the league in most passing categories). I don't think you can judge a quarterback as far as that because regardless, nobody in their career will have a perfect career. The way you answer after something goes bad, I think that shows your character and that's what he did."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan saying it was personal with the Colts) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"We just do what we do. I don't really have any response for that. Me being here five years, whatever the Colts do, (if) we take control of what is going on, we'll be alright. It's never about the other team. We respect the other team, as far as what they have, but I think if we're solid with what we do, we'll be alright."
RB-JOSEPH ADDAI (on New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan's personality) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Every coach goes about it in a different way. That's obviously how he gets his team ready for a game, and that might be the right way for them. We might go about it a different way, another team does it a different way, everybody has a different concept. They've been doing good, obviously, so it's been working. Whatever we do, it really matters about us."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on his tweet about liking Rex Ryan) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"He has a lot of charisma and he gets his guys going and is a players coach. I can always appreciate that. Whatever gets his team going, he does it."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on the contrasting the styles of Coach Caldwell with Coach Ryan) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Night and day. Oil and water. Coach Caldwell is a no nonsense kind of guy. He is not going to give you a whole lot of bulletin board material per say. That is the way they are different, but both coaches are effective."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on if he has ever seen bulletin board material make an impact on a team) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Not really. If you need that to get you through a game then that's a problem, because you are going to need it every week. As long as we do what we do, we really don't care what people have to say."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on how much he looks at film of an opposing quarterback reacting to a pass rush) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"When looking at film you dissect and digest it every way you can—mannerisms, body language, whatever you can to get some kind of read. If he spins one way and goes another, that's one key you can use. We try to use everything we can on film."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on the differences he sees in Mark Sanchez from last year to this year) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"There's a difference a year makes, and he is a more mature quarterback. There are a lot of things, and we call them 'young boy mistakes,' that he doesn't do this year like he did last year. He is more mature and more comfortable, and we have our work cut out for us."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on the specific things that Mark Sanchez doesn't do this year that he did last year) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"He doesn't force things or make errant passes. He lets the game come to him and we just have to be more composed than he is."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on the play of the Jets' offensive tackles) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Very stout guys. They work good within the system. They are very effective and try to root you out of there."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on what he has learned about teammates having gone through such a challenging season) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Yes, like their names. A lot of guys that have come in and helped us out. We had a lot of front-line guys go down, so you learned a lot of new guys, made new friends and teammates. The locker room is like a family, like a brotherhood, and you just try to ride it as long as you can."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on dealing with the Jets running back duo of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Just know what type of beast we are dealing with. LT is the slash type guy and Shonn Greene, he is kind of what you want to call the ground-and-pound speed guy. We have to know that the first guy has to make the tackle or hold him up so the cavalry can get there. You can't just depend on one guy on defense just to make all the plays."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on if the recent success of the run defense can be attributed to simplifying things defensively) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Pretty much in a nutshell, defense is reacting to what you see. On top of better tackling, it has just worked as a better overall defensive game for us."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on the development of Fili Moala) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"He developed leaps and bounds. First year, come in learning the ropes and pretty much taking it all in and just happy to be in the NFL. This year he is a professional down to work, all about his business and being effective."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on Rex Ryan calling the game 'personal' or seeing the Jets as a rivalry) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"I see it as a playoff game. Win or go home. You call it what you want."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on the difference between coming in the playoffs having to win the last four games versus resting the starters during December in the past years) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"Whatever the situation you are in you just have to deal with it. Last year, we had the luxury of being able to sit out those games, whereas this year we dug ourselves in a hole early on in the year and we had to get ourselves out. We couldn't take a loss in December or the season is done, so we are going to take it for what it's worth. We are going to take all the good and eliminate the bad and try to ride the wave."
DE-ROBERT MATHIS (on if the mood is any different this year because the Colts had to scrap to get into the playoffs, or does the building have the same mentality as past years) Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"It is the exact same. You just have to win because we don't want our season to end. We didn't like the way our season ended last year, so we want to end it on a high note."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on facing the Jets as a Patriot and a Colt) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I think when you get to this level, and you make the playoffs, every team is good. I don't think there is any extra feelings one way or another for a team. Obviously we know the Jets are a good team, they're a really good team. We're going to have to play very well. As far as animosity to one team, no, I don't think so, not at all. I think we realize the great players that they have on their team, and how well they're coached and how prepared they're going to be for this game. So we're just going to go out there and try to do the best we can and try to get a win and continue on at this level. At this point in the game it's single elimination and the better team goes on."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on the new playoff overtime rules) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I've seen and heard people talk about it back and forth about it gives both teams an opportunity to get the ball. Honestly, I'm not a fan of it one way or another to be honest with you. It's okay I guess. I don't know what the percentage is of how many times the team that gets the coin toss actually marches down the field and kicks a field goal and wins. I guess the way I look at is that your offense is supposed to score and your defense is supposed to keep the other team from scoring, and if they do that you get the ball back anyways. It is what it is and we play by the rules and it's great. It just takes us out of the mix a little bit more. Where strategy changes where if you win the coin toss you go down to kick a field goal and now all of a sudden you start to contemplate, 'Well do we want to kick a field goal, or do we want to try to score a touchdown?' It puts a whole other aspect in that and kind of puts a little more strategy into it rather than simple football, 'Let's go and score the points.'"
K- Adam Vinatieri (on if he thinks the Competition Committee is trying to eliminate field goals in crucial situations) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"Well, you know special teams is a third of the game. A lot of times they don't like at it that way, but it really is. And that is the way I feel. I feel kickers and punters and returners and all the specialists are just as important as any other position out there. I don't know. It is what it is, and I can't argue and fight about it, but we'll just play by the rules that they say and hopefully it works out."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on kicking his first game-winning field goal since 2008) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"Every year it's a little bit different. There's some years where you get a handful of those in the course of year. It's been a little while like you said since I've had the opportunity. There were a couple of games earlier in the year that was looking like we might have a chance and it didn't turn out that way. But it's always nice to have an opportunity to go out there and try to help your team win a game. It was nice to get it when we did and hopefully we'll carry that momentum into the post-season."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on Rex Ryan) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I think he's a great coach. His players love him. He's not afraid to say what he thinks and it's kind of fun to watch that. I've never heard a bad thing about him. What he says and stuff is sometimes controversial, especially to you guys, but I think his players love him. I know he knows football really well, and he'll have his team ready to play. As a player on the opposing team, we're just concerned about the other 11 guys that are on the field at that time. We know they've got a lot of great players. Coach Ryan or Coach Caldwell won't be on the field, they'll be coaching, but they won't be on the field. So, we're just going to go out there and try to play the game between the lines, and not worry about the rest of that."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on if he had ever wanted to play for a coach like Rex Ryan) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I guess the closest I've ever probably had to that was maybe Coach (Bill) Parcells my rookie year. He was a pretty verbal guy I guess is a good way of saying it. But you know what, I've got a lot of respect for him (Ryan) and Coach Parcells and any of the coaches I have been under. Obviously they know the Xs and Os. He's a highly-motivated guy and he motivates his players and they play well. There's a lot of different ways to skin a cat, and he's doing great job doing what he's doing."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on the Colts 'mentality of not getting caught up with what the opposition is saying) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"It's funny, because I see teams that verbal joust back and forth a bunch, and we don't have a lot of guys that do a lot of talking. We try to step out on the field and do our talking with our pads. It's just a different philosophy. I guess for us we're just going to try to get prepared on the field and let the chips fall as they may. We'll discuss and talk about it after the game is over."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on if being in a close game last week helps prepare the Colts for the playoffs) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I think the more reps you can get at any position, kicker, receiver, running back or whatever, I think it's a good, I don't want to call it a tune-up because all these games are meaningful and they were the whole season long, but the more experiences you get gives you a higher comfort level I suppose. Just because you did well the week before doesn't mean you're going to do well the next week. You still have to go out and prepare, get focused in and play well. I think every time you can get those type of experiences it's good."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on at what point he felt 100% after his surgery last October) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"Last year I was still feeling it quite a bit throughout the season. I tried to get back onto the field as much as I could last year and it took me a little while. But this whole year, this offseason, we spent a lot of time strengthening back and doing some rehab and making sure that I was healthy. Knock on wood, I've felt great the whole season long and it hasn't been an issue whatsoever. I can't say that I feel like a new man, but I definitely feel like a repaired man."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on if he thought he would come back off the injury and have the season he's having) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I didn't have any doubts that I could make it back. I knew that the surgeries that I did have were definitely non-career threatening surgeries. It was just a matter of getting back and getting healthy. That's the nature of this sport. After seasons are over, a lot of guys have shoulders and knees and stuff that has to be fixed and then you go into next year. I figured if we had the offseason to get ready and prepared and get healthy again it should be a successful season. The 10 guys that are on the field with me at the same time, the nine guys up front blocking, and Justin (Snow) and Pat (McAfee), they do a great job. So it makes my job a lot easier."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on what goes through his mind when his team is driving down the field late in the game and he might get called on to kick a game-winning field goal) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I definitely pay attention to what's going on, down and distance, just to know where we're at on the field, when to start warming up, how much you need to kick to get warmed up and that kind of thing. I kind of loosely pay attention to the game and get myself prepared at the same time. Obviously when we get to about the 50 yard line it's time to get into the net and start kicking a couple and loosen up, make sure you're focused in. Sometimes it's different. Sometimes the drive takes longer, and sometimes it's one or two quick plays and boom you're ready to go. I can't say what other kickers do, I don't know what their mindset is, but for me I just like to get into the net and get into my own little focused world and make sure I'm loose and ready to go."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on a cameraman in his face while he's warming up for a game-winning field goal) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"The funny thing is that usually we've got some security over there that they do it for me. I usually don't have to say anything. When it comes to that point of the game, everybody usually gets a long way away and doesn't want to get anywhere near you."
K- Adam Vinatieri (on not playing in Super Bowl XLIV and being in the post-season again) Wednesday, January 05, 2011
"I was extremely proud of our team last year. They did a great job. It was a little difficult to stand on the sideline and try to be a cheerleader instead of a participant in the game. I tried to do what I could as far as leadership, not being on the field. It was difficult personally, but professionally it was great watching our team do as well as they did. That's water way under the bridge now obviously. It's nice to get back to the post-season this year and it's nice to be a part of it on the field rather than on the sideline."
