QB ANDREW LUCK
(on getting back on the field after a blowout loss)
We're eager to get back out there. I think we're excited that it's a Thursday game that we can get back on the field as soon as possible and atone for our sins if you will. I'm sure the Titans are feeling the same way, but it should be a fun, tough-nosed, heavyweight matchup.
(on Reggie Wayne's absence)
It's tough. It's not ideal by any means, but we'll make it work. It's part of football, next man up is I think a theme, an unfortunate theme, but part of football. Our guys have done a heck of a job stepping up, DHB (Darrius Heyward-Bey), T.Y. Hilton, Griff Whalen, LaVon Brazill, David Reed—they've all done a marvelous job stepping up, and hopefully we won't miss a beat.
(on T.Y. Hilton's skillset)
Great skillset, dynamic, fast, can do a lot of things, great competitor, even better teammate, better person, great high character guy, really fun to play with. He's really embraced this opportunity to be the guy. It's been fun being rookies together and now being in our second year maturing football wise. It's truly fun and a pleasure to play with him.
(on the team developing a consistent run game)
I think we've done some good things running the football and also at times been not to successful. We realize that running the football is integral to our success, and we'll continue to do so. We have the backs, we have the O-line to do it, but it's also a challenge every week.
(on taking hits this season)
You know, I'm glad I'm still young. I realize the hits are part of the game. A lot of times it's myself putting myself in the way of the hit in a sense. Our trainers do a great job. I've learned a lot from the older guys, the veterans, on how to take care of my body, so it's alright.
(on who stands out on the Titans' defense)
I think a lot of people are playing at a very, very high level on their defense. I know Alterraun Verner has a ton of interceptions, playing good football. You see Jurrell Casey show up a lot in the backfield. Obviously, (Michael) Griffin and (Bernard) Pollard are two very, very good safeties. We know we're going into a tough, hostile atmosphere from our perspective as an offense against a very, very good defense that can do everything well. We know we have our hands full.
(on whether the cornerbacks are playing more aggressive this year)
You can tell that it is different than last year I think with Gregg Williams' influence. You can tell they maybe got a little more aggressive attacking style. We're preparing for that and realize it's going to be a dog fight.
(on whether he faced Alterraun Verner in college)
Yes I did play him. I always had a very high amount of respect for him. You sort of learn about the different players when you play in college. He was always an All-Conference guy, an All-Academic, All-Conference. It's great to see guys from the Pac-12 do well.
(on whether Alterraun Verner ever intercepted him)
You're going to have to ask him. I don't think so, but then again, I try to put all interceptions away in the memory bank. I don't think so though.
(on Thursday's opportunity against a division opponent)
Absolutely. I think anytime you play Tennessee—especially down in Nashville against a division rival on the road—it's huge. We realize it's big for us, it's big for them. It'll be fun being on a Thursday night. It'll be the only game on NFL-wise, so we know it's a huge opportunity. Any division game is very big in its own right.
(on his top qualities as a quarterback)
I'm going to be very cliché, but I've got everything to work on. Situational football I think I've improved on from last year, but still understanding when to throw the ball away and when to avoid taking a hit or when you do need to sort of put your body on the line or try and force a ball in there. (In terms of) situational football, I've still got a lot to improve there.
(on Matt Hasselbeck's impact with the Colts)
I did not know him before he came, but he's been everything you could have hoped for in a teammate, a guy to have in your meeting room. The way he prepares, his professionalism, personality fits in so well. He does talk a lot as I'm sure you guys know, so we kid him on that. He's been a great teammate and a great mentor. I feel truly blessed to be able to play with him.
(on fixing slow starts)
That's a good question. We realized it has been an issue, but I don't think we're focusing all our attention completely on changing that. We want it to change—we've had some games with some very fast starts. You can't survive your mistakes, and a fast start can be so critical to having success in a game.
