COACH DICK JAURON
Practice – August 28, 2007
On Lee Evans and Roscoe Parrish leaving practice temporarily…
Lee's calf was sore so it was in our best interest and his to give him the day off. Roscoe just kind of ran out of gas. You know you've all seen Roscoe Parrish and he doesn't hold anything back and it looked like he had enough. We told him that was it. I don't think it was cramping but he was out of gas.
On Peerless Price leaving and coming back…
Yes, he did. The trainers checked him. I didn't get a chance to talk to the trainers about Peerless because he came back to practice. So they checked him in the end zone and I think he missed one play.
On Sam Aiken…
Sam went through individuals. That was the plan. He went through individuals and we conditioned him some more inside afterwards. And he said he felt pretty good. Yes, he's got a chance (to play Thursday).
On Aaron Merz…
Aaron is on IR (injured reserve) and so that's where that is. Terrence certainly won't play, Terrence McGee. And that's the only one and I would say and that Lee is a long shot to play in that game at all.
On why Merz when on IR…
It was really based on his feeling about his shoulder and the condition of it. We don't know. You'll have to talk to Bud or I'll have to talk to Bud and you can ask at a later date, hopefully after I've talked to Bud.
On an update of the starting middle linebacker…
It hasn't changed since yesterday, I can tell you that. They'll both play a good deal on Thursday night and then we'll talk it over and see where it goes. I like them both. I like both of those guys. I think both of them will contribute on special teams, both of them will contribute on the field. Depending who our starter is then the other guy will get a lot more special teams plays.
On how much of an adjustment special teams has been for Paul Posluszny…
I think it's a significant adjustment. He's a real good athlete and he's a linebacker and so those things tend to bode well for you as a special teams player and he's athletic. So he should be and he will be functional as a special teams player and better than that.
On JP Losman and veterans playing time Thursday…
I would say at the most probably two series.
On how much Merz's injury affects the depth of the offensive line…
It doesn't affect it at all right now because he hasn't really been practicing for quite a while. So it doesn't really do much to us.
On if he has decided who will follow JP Thursday…
(It will) Probably be Craig. It will be Craig and Craig will get a series or two. Obviously it just depends on how the game goes but all of them will play.
On if he is ready to name the backup QB…
No. We'll let it go.
On the last few roster spots up for grabs and the game will affect those…
Well it's important and we have made a strong point of telling them that every game, they are being watched. Individually, they should know they are being watched and studied. Now it comes down to the last one and not just by us. We've made that point to them too. It's not just us watching them. Every team will watch their performance. And if you're good enough to play in this league, you'll play. You'll be somewhere.
On talking to Coach Bobby April about special teams…
They'll be long but it's been continuous. We talk all the time about special teams and who's performing at a high level and just like every position we rank his teamers. So we know where he believes where they stand and their importance to him. It's huge. Special teams is huge. If you can't kick it, cover it and return it, then you're not going to win. You're not going to beat anybody in this league.
On if Josh Scobey will be back and his unfortunate circumstance…
He will play. It's really set him back and there's no way to get around it. The good news about Josh, he does have a track record. This is the first time we'll get a chance to look at him.
On if Marshawn Lynch is ready to be a starter …
I think so. I think he is. He's very athletic, diligent in his preparation. Clearly got a lot to learn but he's also clearly a very good athlete by any standards including this league.
On if they have looked at Denver in terms of preparation…
I think everybody in the league is preparing in some way or fashion for their first opponent.
