HEAD COACH JEFF FISHER, JAN. 8, 2009
(On if the team is right where he wants it to be heading into Saturday)
Well, we had a good week of work and we have players back on the practice field. They did very well in their meetings. They're anxious to play. It's been a while since we played but they've been able to keep that in perspective.
(On how he prepares the young players for their first playoff game)
What's important for them is their football. Their Xs and Os. Make sure they're executing and carrying over what they've done on the practice field into the game. We'll put into perspective for them the emotions and the emotions associated with the start of the game. One way of pushing yourself through that is to focus on your football.
(On how the Ravens have rebuilt their offensive line)
Well, they're playing very well together. Individually, they're talented and they play especially well as a group. They don't make mistakes. They don't have protection problems because it's a priority of theirs to protect the quarterback.
(On how he would characterize the level of the defenses playing Saturday)
Well, I think you saw a lot of good things from both defenses during the course of the year but I think they'll both step up. I expect both defenses to be better and play harder than they did during the regular season.
(On Jevon Kearse characterizing the Ravens defense as a Ferrari and the Titans defense as an off-road vehicle)
I'd have to give that some thought. Clearly our defense has respect for their defense. It should be a well-played defensive game.
(On if Kerry Collins experience over Joe Flacco is a Titans advantage)
Not necessarily. We watched him improve throughout the year. It's about executing is what it's about. You would expect that a veteran quarterback would go in there and be relaxed and be hard to unsettle. But the other side of that is you don't see any of those types of issues out of Flacco. He's very poised, he played well, he made good throws throughout the second half of the season.
(On if he's worried the team may be too fired up for the game)
No, we'll keep it in perspective. I mean both teams are going to be ready to play. It's the playoffs. It's a whole new season and they understand that. Fortunately, most of us got to experience that last year so I think it will be exciting to play here at home. But again, if things do start to heat up a little bit we'll just remind them to get back to their Xs and Os.
(On if there will be certain players he will talk to about avoiding fineable plays)
No, I think they all understand the importance of playing between the snap and the whistle. They understand how devastating a 15-yard penalty could be in a game like this.
(On what they take from last year's playoff loss to San Diego)
I'm not going to sit up there and talk about losing a playoff game with them between now and kickoff. We're a highly motivated team after the loss and I think that's why we're at where we're at.
