AL WALLACE
Practice- 8/22/07
On being at practice with the Bills…
I'm happy to be here. There are obviously some other alternatives, but I'm happy to be here. Glad to come in here and get some work, and hopefully I can be productive and help the team in any way I can.
On how he felt as the season neared and he didn't have a team…
I've been around a long time and seen a lot of things. One of the unfortunate things about training camp is injuries and people go down. I have full confidence in my abilities to play- it's just what team needed my services at this time.
On what he sees at training camp…
Just to come here, they definitely have a couple of great defensive ends here. I'm kind of playing the same role I played in Carolina, backing those guys up. When I get my opportunity, (I intend) to come here and make plays.
On the defense and his assimilation…
Absolutely. It's just a situation with terminology at this point. I've been playing a long time, and you get up there, put your hand down and play football, so I'm all good with that. They've been getting me up to speed here this morning. I got an opportunity to get up here and run around, having been strapped up since December, so it was a good feeling to get out here and play football.
On what he's been doing in the off time…
I've been in Carolina, May, Carolina, my home, and I've been there and dabbling in a little bit of [high school] coaching with a couple buddies of mine that were former Panthers. Kind of getting out there with the kids and running around and getting in shape. Keeping my strength up and waiting for this opportunity to come up.
On Coach Jauron…
Dick and I have crossed paths a number of times - when I was rookie in Jacksonville in '97 and then when I was in Chicago. Knowing what he's all about and the system and the program he's running, it's easy to kind of make a transition to get in here. I know exactly what he is expecting, and I'll get in here and give him everything I have.
On the quickness of everything…
It happens pretty quickly. You come in for a workout, and obviously they liked what they saw. And right a way, you're trying to get a physical and get things going, get a contract signed, so you can get out on the field. That was my goal- to get out here as soon as possible and hopefully I'll be able to get out there on Friday and get back into some football because that's what it's all about… You have plans to go home. I kind of packed lightly. But you never know. It's part of the business- quick change, you stay, you get things done. I'm out here on the field, and I'm headed back to Buffalo. Hopefully I'll get in there and get some time on Friday. We'll make some preparations to go back to Carolina and hopefully be up here for the long run.
On the rotation of defensive linemen in-game situations and helping the defensive coordinator …
I think all defenses and all defensive linemen are going assist them when they're trying to keep their defenses fresh and attacking these high-skilled highly athletic quarterbacks. The more you can do that, keep guys coming out with fresh legs, the more effective you can be. And I think they're going to run that system, and I'd be more than happy to accept getting in there and getting my reps and do what I do.
