S BOB SANDERS, DEC. 24, 2008
(On if this game will resemble a preseason game with many players resting)
You know, we're expecting everyone to play. I think we've had a lot of momentum going and we kind of want to keep that going. So we definitely want to get some work in. We're assuming that they might rest some guys. We might have guys not play, we just don't know yet. But right now we're expecting everyone to be ready to go.
(On if it's important for him to play since he's missed some time with injuries)
Yeah, my goal is to go in and I'm not exactly sure how much I'll be out there or what we're going to do but I'm expecting to play a full game and get a lot of reps and just keep it going. I think I've missed a lot of time this year and I need to get myself grooved in and continue to get work.
(On if this is the grittiest Colts team he's been on)
You could call it that. I'd say we're a little different because we're in a situation we're not used to. Since I've been here, we've won a lot of games. We haven't had a start like this and had to really come from behind and show everyone that we're capable of making the playoffs and we're one of the better teams in the league. So I think it's something new but I think we've really rallied around the opportunity of us making it into the playoffs and playing well. We've had a lot of injuries this year but guys who've needed to step in and step it up have made plays for us and kept us going. It's definitely been a great year, it's been a long year but we're excited about this opportunity coming up.
(On if a defense is measured more by points allowed or yards allowed)
I would say points allowed. I think if you give teams a lot of opportunities to score and they're putting points up on the board, that lessens your chances of winning. I think it really doesn't matter about the yards. You want to hold a team to less rushing yards and hold them on big plays in the passing game. I think overall the score really means everything and if you can hold a team to no points or hold a team to field goals when they get in the red zone, I think you have a better chance of winning.
(On having not lost a game since the Monday night game in Nashville and if that game woke them up)
I think we understood during that time that we needed to pick it up. I think eight weeks ago we really, really felt like we had the team, we had the personnel, we had the coaches, everything about this team is there it's just us going out and doing our jobs. I think just the way our defense is, if one guy's not doing their job it kind of messes things up for everyone. You have to be on the details, you have to be ready to execute and everybody has to be accountable and take care of their jobs. I think once we kind of realized that, it was just kind of getting back to what we do and that's just playing Colts ball, playing fast, reading our keys and just going all out.
(On how well Melvin Bullitt played in his spot when he was hurt and if he thinks the Colts will find ways to get him on the field next year)
Oh yeah, definitely. I think he did a great job. He came in as a rookie, made some plays on special teams, he started off on special teams. I ended up getting injured and he was able to get in and get a lot of reps and play a lot more. He's gotten better week in and week out. He's definitely a guy that we'd love to keep around here because he's got a lot of upside. He's getting better day-to-day. It's very exciting to see and as a safety, you want to see those type of guys be able to improve and get better because you need them. You don't know who's going to go down, you don't know who's going to get hurt. You need someone to step in there and be able to lead and be able to get the corners going, get the linebackers going and be able to make plays. Melvin has done an excellent job.
(On if Bullitt has been playing as the dime)
He's all over the place. That's one thing about Melvin is they can put him anywhere. They can put him at dime, nickel, safety, if they need to put him at corner he can go there. It's very exciting to have a guy like him on our team who's real versatile, who can cover man-to-man and also can drop back to zones so we're definitely glad to have him on our team.
(On if Peyton Manning is the MVP of the league in his mind)
I'd say so. In my mind, I'd definitely say so. We really came through a hard time, starting off the way we started off we're not used to. But I think he's been the one who really has led us. [When] we were 3-4, it's easy to just give up and kind of say with a couple more games here or there as losses, we don't have a chance. I think he's a guy who really picked it up. He understands. He's one of the few guys that has actually been in this situation before where they've started off not so well. With him stepping in there saying, 'Hey, we have to get this thing going, we can do it and we need to get it going right now' he's definitely the MVP of our team and we're glad to have him and glad to see he's doing well and back to himself.
(On who he thinks should be this year's defensive MVP and where he thinks Albert Haynesworth belongs)
I like Haynesworth. I think he's definitely a great player, he's done a lot. He's had two excellent years. We'll see what happens. There's a lot of voting going on. It's too bad I can't make that person go ahead and win the thing but I think he's definitely a great player and he's getting better. He's getting better and playing a lot more physical and he's an all-around great player.
(On who he would pick as defensive MVP if he had a vote)
I don't really want to say a guy because I know we have a lot of guys who play well on our defense so I don't want to point anyone out. There are a few people this year that I think definitely deserve it and have played excellent the whole season.
(On if he buys the idea that 13 or 14 games of an elite defensive player is worth the 16-game price)
It's kind of tough to say. I guess it depends on how important you are to your team and how important you are to your defense. I guess that all depends. We're not the people to decide that, there's other people to decide how important you are. I don't know.
(On the challenge the Colts had getting the season going after a rough start)
Yeah, this year has been definitely different for most of us. There are a few guys that have been here during seasons where the Colts haven't played so well and [who] needed a lift and a boost and just didn't start out on the right foot. For most of us, we've been so used to winning and making it to the playoffs and the season going well for us. The way we started off this year was definitely tough for us. Definitely hard but I think you always face adversity whether it's in the beginning of the season, the middle or the end of the season. You face it and you just have to be ready. I think when it came around and us having to change and start to win and get on a streak, we were definitely ready. Like I said, I give Peyton [Manning] a lot of credit for pushing everyone.
(On if there was a point in the season where they figured out what was wrong)
I don't think we have it all figured out. It's just about doing our job and doing what we have to do. That's what we've done in the past and that's how we've won and gone on to win a Super Bowl. It's just doing what you do. Our defense, we play fast, play smart, we play physical and our offense puts points up on the board. If we play a full 60 minutes, that's what we want to do. Continue to build on that and keep going.
(On what the problem was when they started off 3-4)
I don't know. You could have a lot of things to blame. We have no excuses, no explanations for it. It's the NFL. Those things happen. Whenever those things happen, you have to be ready for it and ready to kick it in gear and get moving.
(On if he'd rather intercept a pass or deliver a big hit)
I'm all about the team. I'm not a selfish guy, I'm not about myself. Getting the interception I think is most important. It's a turnover, it gives our offense another chance to get on the field and put points up on the board. I'd definitely say an interception. Maybe four or five years ago I'd say I'd like to hit a receiver but now I understand the game a little bit more and I understand it's about the team and helping the team move forward.
(On if Clint Session is symbolic of the Colts figuring things out and being successful during the second half of the season)
He's our type of guy. He's fast, he understands what's going on and he's a guy who wants to get better every day. He works very hard. With someone like that, you want them on your side because they have a lot of upside, they grow, they mature everyday and they want to get better and want to win for the team. He's been that way and as you say he's been doing an excellent job making a lot of big, big plays for us.
