HEAD COACH JON GRUDEN
(On Thursday’s practice)
“We’ve got the same injury report as we did yesterday, but I’ll answer any questions that I can.”
(On TE Alex Smith’s injury status)
“He did a little bit more, but we still have to call him limited because he wasn’t full-go. But he has a chance, both he and Jermaine [Phillips]. We’re excited about Jermaine. It looks like he’ll be able to go and Alex looks better and better.”
(On Jermaine Phillips’ impact against the run)
“He’s a really good player. Any time you lose one, the next guy has to step up. Sabby clearly did that. That’s been our mantra around here. If you go in, if you’ve got to replace somebody, you’ve got to play as good or better. Not comparing the two, but we need Jermaine Phillips. He’s one of our leaders and one of our best players.”
(On winning at home and what the difference has been)
“We’ve been in a lot of tight football games since I’ve been here, in the good seasons and in the not-so-good seasons. I think our placekicker has a lot to do with that. You guys that have covered the team know we have areas where we have really not done well in that phase of the game. Our special teams is making a big difference, scoring on special teams. We’ve blocked a punt, returned a kick, returned a punt, making our field goals, [Josh] Bidwell is a Pro Bowler in my opinion and our quarterback play has been steady. That makes a big difference in tight games.”
(On Clifton Smith overcoming the odds)
“It really is amazing. We took a guy in the second round to do just what he’s doing. The guy has come in here exploding onto the scene. We’ve got to get him to take care of the ball better, but Donald Penn, a lot of these guys, Earnest Graham, we’ve had a lot of guys come out of total obscurity and play very well here. That’s something we’re excited about.”
(On Cadillac Williams getting an increased workload)
“I think so. If we have the ball and we’re able to possess it, he’s a guy that we need. We’re running out of backs. We’re going to need him.”
(On Aqib Talib’s play since the season opener)
“If you go back and look at that play, he just mistimed his jump. I don’t know if he was a basket case. He’s going to intercept that every time, I think, he just mistimed his jump. Hopefully he times his jump this week.”
(On how much Talib has improved)
“He’s going to be a great player. He’s got everything you’re looking for. He’s a great kid, he’s a great talent and he’s really helped us in our nickel package. I think he’s elevated the play of everybody. [Phillip] Buchanon is playing well, Ronde [Barber] is playing really well, and that’s a good sign as we get ready for a team like this.”
“I hope that everyone has a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.”
