On his thoughts about LB Jeremiah Trotter coming back after being away from the game for so long: "I think having a couple years off from this game sometimes is a good thing. You can get the body healed up and actually add years to your career. I've trained with Trot for the last couple years, I've seen him move around, I've seen him do some good things so I know he's still got it. So far on the field I see a guy who's been excited to get back with us. He's talkative, being the leader type and doing everything it takes to help us win. I think he's done a great job so far."
On whether he saw this coming: "Yes I kind of saw it coming. It was funny, early in the offseason I remember him telling me, 'I feel like I'm going to be back in the league. I feel going to be playing with you guys.' It's funny how it worked out that way. I knew it was going to happen, not necessarily here, I knew he was going to be able to play. You're talking about a guy that can get it done. He moves around a lot better than he did when he left so I knew he could still do it."
On whether he sees Trotter as being a potential difference maker: "I think so. I believe in the guys that we've had here. (LB) Omar (Gaither) and (LB) Joe Mays, they've done a great job. But at the same time, and they'll tell you the same thing, that Trot, what he brings to the table, it's just incredible so I think he's going to help us."
On whether Trotter can be a leader without playing: "Whether he's playing or not, some guys have the ability to command that leadership role and he can do that whether he's playing or not. Some guys have to be on the field and earn that respect. We all respect him and we know what he's done, it's not an issue there."
On how the defense will look different with Trotter: "It's tough to say because we haven't been out there. So far what I see is aggressive defense, we're going to play well, and we're going to play downhill. We're going to continue to play well against the run and get in the face of those (offensive) linemen and running backs."
On how this week will be different given that they are going up against a very mobile quarterback in QB Josh Johnson for the first time this season: "It's an issue. He's a young guy but he's definitely a factor. I think what he brings to the table is an added dimension. If we cover all our guys and he takes off running, then that's going to be a problem. We just have to change up our looks a little bit and do a couple of different things. The main thing is we have to get after him and our front seven, they have to be relentless when they are trying to get after him. They've done a great job so far, they just have to step it up."
On whether the defense is licking their chops at the opportunity to go against an inexperienced rookie quarterback: "I think it's a little bit different in years past, because first of all, he's a smart quarterback and he has a good system and he has a lot of weapons around him. But he also has the ability to run. He reminds us of (QB Michael) Vick when he was early on (in his career). I think you can't just go into the game thinking every play once we get there is going to be an automatic sack and we're going to do all these different things and he's just going to shut down. I think the main thing is we have to get to him early and stay on him. He might get some plays, but we have to make more."
