TITANS HEAD COACH KEN WHISENHUNT PRESS CONFERENCE TRANSCRIPT - August 7, 2015
(on Marcus Mariota bouncing back from a rough period of practice)
Yeah we have so many plays, we go through so many periods. The defense has seen that a lot of times, they know what's coming, so we know it's going to be tough. But yeah, it is good to see him bounce back.
(on if he likes seeing the quarterback find ways to keep the ball out of the hands of the other team, now that Marcus Mariota has made it through seven practices without an interception)*
Yeah, I mean who's going to ever complain about that.
(on if the defense needs to step up, considering Marcus Mariota's lack of interceptions)
The defense, it seems to me, I mean you guys (the media) may have a different perception of it, but they've made a lot of plays on the ball in this camp too. I think it's been a good give and take. I like what I've seen. The real test you know is in the live situations in the games. That's where you get a chance to see. Hopefully our defense will continue to do that and we'll continue with this big story that we have with the quarterback not throwing an interception.
(on if he is surprised the story line of Marcus Mariota not throwing an interception has taken off the way it has)
You know what, I'll be honest with you, I don't really think that much about it. No, I'm not surprised.
(on if Marcus Mariota's reputation for few interceptions was something the team saw in him as he didn't throw many in college either)
I think when you're beginning to look at a player and scout a player, and when he's a high-profile player like that, you'll watch him. Obviously Oregon was playing some games and one thing that stayed in the back of my head was the announcers saying he doesn't throw a lot of interceptions. I think he had about 28 touchdowns, 4 interceptions. My stats, I'm sure are off, but it was something like that, so you're like, 'Wow, ok.' You wonder what it is going to be like when he gets to this level. So I know it's still early but it's obvious that he does a good job with the football, and playing that position that's a good piece.
(on defense testing Marcus Mariota over the past few days and how he handled the pressure)
Oh there's no question as far as pressure goes. I mean we've had some guys moving around on the offensive line playing different spots and that's going to contribute to that too because we're trying to work guys in different spots and build the chemistry, but he's been consistent. He's good in the pocket and he makes good decisions. We've had a number of pressure periods which is, I think, important because that's what you're going to see when you're a young quarterback. So all of this that he's getting I think is great work, it's valuable, and I've been pleased with how he's handled it.
(on if tomorrow's practice will be any different as it will be held at the stadium)
It's a regular practice but we'll do drives, which is staying on the field. A little bit competitive, not anything like tackling or full-go like that. But it's a different environment, we'll see how they handle that.
(on how much the issue of fatigue weighs on the team now being a week into camp)
They're doing a good job with that. They came into camp in good shape. It's tough when you come off of an afternoon practice in pads and go to a morning practice in pads but so far, they're handling it very well.
(on how beneficial time with Kurt Warner could be for Marcus Mariota)
It couldn't hurt, that's for sure. I just hope Kurt (Warner) doesn't try to get him to wear gloves.
(on his appreciation for Hall of Fame weekend given his love and appreciation for the game)
Yes I've actually been on an induction weekend so it was when Coach (Dick) LeBeau went in and when Russ Grimm went in. If you haven't experienced that, you should. If you're a fan of the NFL, they do a great job. The impact that those players have made on this game, the reason it's so popular is because of what they've done. I have a lot of respect for that and it's certainly an interesting thing for me to watch what they say about their experiences, the history of the game, all of that is so special.**
(On if he has seen improvement from Coty Sensabaugh and Blidi Wreh-Wilson so far in camp)
Early, yeah, I have. It's hard with Blidi because he missed the spring and he's still getting his feet under him, but he's working well. Coty Sensabaugh has come in, very focused, and has done a nice job. We gave Jason McCourty a day off today just with the idea of putting Coty Sensabaugh in there and seeing how he handled it, because of the way he's practiced, though, that's a credit to Coty Sensabaugh. I hope it continues.
(on the plan for practice tomorrow, the first time at Nissan Stadium for many players )
Well, let's be accurate here, it's the first time in Nissan Stadium for all of them. I got you with that one, didn't I. I don't know, that's a part of it. A lot of them don't even know where it is, so getting on that field, getting in that environment is certainly a part of moving practices around, putting them in locations, trying to give them a different feel that they have to respond to. It's always an exciting, fun day. Not only does it serve to prepare them for that Sunday night game, because it will feel a little more familiar when we go in there. It's a good part of the camp process, it's different.
* (on if there is an update on injury statuses for Delanie Walker and Byron Bell)*
I think Byron Bell will probably practice tomorrow. His jaw was just a little sore today. I knew that it was going to be physical at times this morning. It's better to take him out. I think he'll go this afternoon in the walkthrough and potentially tomorrow. Delanie Walker I think it's just time. I mean there is no rush to get him back so he'll start working back into practice I think next week. It's not about the injury or not being able to play, just want to make sure we're being smart with that.
* (on Delanie Walker working back into practice)*
Well it's going to be hard to keep him out. That's how Delanie Walker is. We'll see how it goes. I think he'll practice in some fashion next week. We've just got to see what we're going to do with that.
(on if it's difficult to keep Delanie Walker out of practice)
Yeah, he is. That's why he's been such a good player and been in the league for a long time. As we continue to progress and certainly as you get closer to the game, the first preseason game. Even though it's just a preseason game, he's going to get a little antsy. It'll be alright.
