Q. With some of those long runs from last night, was there anything consistent going wrong?
A. They were just ripping them off. Obviously, we need to do a better job against the run. It wasn't a good performance but we are going to go back and look at the corrections. Look at exactly what the problem was but for the most part I think you have to give them credit. They came out with a good game plan and they ran the ball really well.
Q. What is the feeling on this team right now? You guys know the schedule and the first two games you had in the division, they are as tough as anything you are going to face. The opponents that are coming up aren't the caliber of the Redskins and Cowboys. Do you feel confident that you guys can get off to a pretty hot start?
A. I think going into the first two games that was definitely a big deal. A couple division games, one at home, one on the road. We knew that if we could get two wins we would be in a good spot. With that being said, we all know how long the season really is. We are just trying to keep our focus level the same. We're good and we are happy about the position we are in right now. We are ready to go forward.
Q. Did you get a good look at the Flozell Adams play? The trip on tuck.
A. No, I actually haven't had a chance. There are a bunch of guys in here talking about it right now. From being out there and seeing the quick replays, it looked like a pretty bad play. Guys get beat and they have to do anything to save their quarterback, but that is not an excuse.
Q. That was the same thing, as far as saving the quarterback, that you encountered with Chris Samuels in the opener last year, right?
A. Yeah.
Q. When you look at that, is that an excuse?
A. No, no, that is absolutely not an excuse. This is the NFL. People put their careers on the line everyday, in every practice, in every game. You don't want to risk somebody getting hurt off something cheap like that. You understand that they have a job to protect their quarterback, but there are rules in a game for a reason. For it to be a like that, that's bad enough, but that is inexcusable.
Q. Seems like it happens a lot against you guys. Do you think that you frustrate lineman to the point where they try stuff like that?
A. Absolutely. That is our goal everyday is to get them frustrated. Obviously, this game we did a pretty good job of it. We know that they are going to be frustrated, but like I said, there are rules to the game. If we get frustrated and we throw a punch or do something of the same caliber, we are going to hear about it, fines, or what not. So, we try to play within the rules of the game and if you can't win within the rules of the game, then you don't need to be out there.
Q. Have you had a chance to talk to Justin Tuck today, in terms of how he is coming along and how much do you worry if he is going to have to miss any time?
A. I actually haven't spoken with him yet today. But, he is a tough guy. We know that if there is any chance of him being on the field, he's stepping on it.
Q. Defensively, what do you guys need to do better?
A. We had a couple of missed assignments and other things of that nature can be cleaned up real easily from film studying. We definitely have to do a better job of stopping the run. I don't know how many games we can win giving up two hundred plus yards.
Q. When you look around town, most people are talking about Jets-Patriots, you guys are almost an afterthought. It is unusual for you, but do you care, is it motivating, is it a big deal?
A. Not at all, because this is Week Two. I am sure you guys remember, at this point a couple years ago when we made that Super Bowl run, we were 0-2. So, we understand that there are a lot of games left to be played. They can talk about whoever they want at the beginning of the season, as long as they are talking about us at the end of the season, we are okay with it.
Q. The sack numbers themselves are down, but in the past we have always talked its about hits on the quarterbacks and pressure to affect his throws. Do you feel that those areas are where they need to be?
A. We like throwing quarterbacks off their rhythm, but we are trying to get there. There is no other way to go about it. You want to get to the quarterback. That is what our job is, and that's what the defense is supposed to do.