ChiefsPlanet - Chiefs Locker Room Quotes

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LOCKER ROOM QUOTES - 10/22

Posted 6 hours ago
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QB MATT CASSEL

Q: Where did this go wrong?

CASSEL: “I think it’s a team thing. I think we all wish we could look back and would have said that we wish we had a better season up to this point. But collectively, we haven’t put it all together. I was part of the problem and so were a lot of us. We’ve got to do a better job of playing, coaching and that’s where we are right now.”

Q: There were a lot of guys that weren’t playing well, but you’re singled out. Do you feel that’s fair? Unfair?

CASSEL: “Am I going to say that I’m happy about this situation? Absolutely not. I’m frustrated, but at the same time, I’m a team captain on this team. I care about this team, and again, as we move forward, I’m a big boy. I’m not going to hang my head. I’m going to do what I’ve always done and work hard, tremendously hard. I’ve said this from day one, we’ve got a great room. My role has changed at this point. I’ll support <nobr>Brady Quinn http://www.kcchiefs.com/assets/nflim...ticle-link.gif</nobr> and get him ready to play. That’s my role as a teammate and as a captain of this team.”

Q: Did you try to make a case to Romeo?

CASSEL: “It’s the fruit of the situation at this point because he’s made his decision, and again, I can complain, but at the same time it is what it is. I’ll move forward and this team is going to move forward, but again, I’m going to do everything I can if my opportunity comes again.”

Q: Did Romeo give you any explanation?

CASSEL: “He told me exactly what the situation was going to be. As a player, I’m not going to sit here and say that I was happy about it, but at the same time, we’ll move forward. In this new role that I have, I’ll support Brady, and I’ll support the team. I’ll work tremendously hard if my opportunity comes up again.”

Q: Did you see this coming?

CASSEL: “I can’t tell you that I saw this coming, but at the same time, when you’re 1-5 and your team is struggling and the coach wants to find a way to spark the team, he felt like this was the best way to do it. He made that decision.”

Q: Do you expect you’ll be the backup the next 10 weeks or longer?

CASSEL: “This is the situation. Right now I am the backup. That’s my role on this team. I’ll embrace that role, and I’ll work hard and if my opportunity comes up to play, I’ll be ready to go.”

Q: What’s it like to be at practice running with the twos?

CASSEL: “Obviously, it changes the dynamics for sure. I’ve been in this role now for four or five years, and it will take a little time, little bit of an adjustment period. But, again, it won’t change my work ethic or how I work.”

Q: Will you change anything about what you do during the week?

CASSEL: “Obviously, practice will be different, but I’ll continue to work on the little things, the details. I’ll have to get more mental reps and get prepared to play in that capacity.”

Q: You’re just one play away from being back out there. Is that how you have to look at it?

CASSEL: “Absolutely. You’re not going to take the fight out of me, so I’m going to continue to fight, compete in whatever capacity that is. Again, if that opportunity comes up again, I’ll be ready.”

Q: How do you feel? Back to 100 percent?

CASSEL: “I feel fine.”

Q: Is that the first concussion you’ve had?

CASSEL: “I had one in high school, but other than that, nothing major in the pros.”

RB JAMAAL CHARLES

Q: Your thoughts on the change at quarterback?

CHARLES: “That’s not my decision to talk about the quarterbacks. Romeo, he made a decision and I’m just going out there and playing football.”

Q: Does that shake up the offense at all?

CHARLES: “No, we won’t worry about that because we were moving the ball with rhythm. He has experience already playing in the NFL as a quarterback already so we’re not going to lose any rhythm.”

Q: Is it different in the huddle with Brady rather than Matt?

CHARLES: “Oh no, it’s the same. We just go out there to make plays at the end of the day.”

Q: Have you had a chance to talk to Brady yet?

CHARLES: “I talked to him and he’s really excited that he’s got the opportunity to play, like any other player he’s got the chance.”

Q: Did the bye come at a good time for you?

CHARLES: “Yeah, I feel like everything happens for a reason. I had a long break and I chilled at home, I didn’t go anywhere, I just stayed up here and I feel ready to go.”

QB BRADY QUINN

Q: When did you find out?

QUINN: “This morning. I was informed about it by the head coach.”

Q: What was your reaction?

QUINN: “I’m excited about the opportunity. I think, especially after coming off last week, we have a lot to do. I’m excited about the opportunity of getting to play. Oakland is a great team. There is a lot of work ahead of us.”

Q: What do you take away from the Tampa game?

QUINN: “I think the one thing is, again, we just have to find a way to not have any turnovers. I think that’s been killing us, especially where it’s been happening. A lot of times it’s happening in the red zone and we’re not coming away with any points, so that’s a big key for us. The thing is for us to just continue a sustained drive, whether it’s making a play here or there. Having a bye week, sitting back watching these games this weekend I noticed guys are making plays. It’s not exactly how they draw it up, and guys are making plays. We have to put in our selfless players to be able to make the most of opportunities when we’re given them.”

Q: Did you have a feeling after the game that maybe this would be your shot?

QUINN: “No.”

Q: Romeo Crennel said he didn’t want you looking over your shoulder. Did he express that to you? And if so, how do you feel about having a seemingly long look at this?

QUINN: “He explained that to me, and really when it comes down to it, I’m not worried about anything else except just getting better each week and focusing on Oakland and the game plan. Again, they’re an extremely talented defense. I know Coach (Dennis) Allen. He’s a great coach. He’s an aggressive coach, so we have a lot to prepare for. That’s really my only focus right now.”

Q: What do you build on from the Tampa game?

QUINN: “I think I did some good things out there. There was some efficiency with passing the football, but still, there are some things that we’re still trying to work out. I think anytime you’re coming into a situation where you’re playing with a bunch of guys that you didn’t necessarily play with in OTAs, so you’re still trying to get into a rhythm with some of those wide receivers, etc. I think besides that, really, again, going back to the turnovers. You just have to eliminate the turnovers and do a better job in the red zone, coming away with some sort of points.”

Q: Last game the ball didn’t go down the field much. Was that the calls or defense? Is that something you want to stress a little bit more?

QUINN: “We tried a couple times early in the game and then really we had a few plays called there in the end, but the problem is their defense didn’t allow that to happen. We had a couple plays early, there was one to Jon (Baldwin) and a couple more. We tried to have a couple shots down the field, but their defense did a good job trying to take it away. At the end, we were in a position where we had to go down the field, but they took that away from us.”

Q: What is your strength in this offense?

QUINN: “I don’t know. I really couldn’t say right now. I haven’t been playing enough to really give you an idea.”

Q: Is there a sense of a fresh start after the bye week?

QUINN: “I don’t know. I hope so. You hope guys would be focused and ready to go. First half of football really wasn’t quite it. Right now, we’re in a 10-game season. We need to focus on one day at a time, one game at a time. This is a big one for us.”

Q: Are you ready to deal with the pressure?

QUINN: “There is always pressure. Pressure is what you make of it. As a quarterback in this league, you get used to it. We do a good job with our coaching staff and really with the players in here of rallying around each other and focusing on what’s on the field and not necessarily what’s around it.”

Q: Did you ever have any doubt that you might actually get an opportunity to be a starter for a reasonable length of time?

QUINN: “I’m not the type of guy to file hypotheticals, so I don’t let my mind wander to those thoughts. I just try to do the job that’s called upon.”