Dick Vermeil Week Quotations

We didn't work any harder or any different. As we said all along, that one game that we broke down last week was a tribute to the New York Giants, but that was not us when you've gone 20 games in a row without giving up a 100-yard rusher. The 20 was a lot better reflection than the one as far as the kind of defensive football team you are.

When I'm ready I'll let everybody know because I want to reserve the right to change my mind. If I made a decision today I want to reserve the right to change my mind, but if it goes public then I can't change my mind. I'm just hanging on to my last week here and having fun with it.

I feel very confident we can play. I go through these concerns all week because we can't practice like we normally practice. But when we line up and play Sunday I'll expect the people on the field to line up and play well enough to win.

I don't think one game proves anything other than we're going in the right direction. It's a very euphoric experience to play well and limit a team to no first downs rushing and those kinds of things. But that's behind us. We're playing a totally different kind of team this week that presents different kinds of problems.... Doing it once in a while isn't the way you gain credibility. You have to do it often.

Last week we did a lot of maximum protection. Tony was in pass protection a lot. Also, tight end stuff takes a little more time downfield. If you get harassed in our play-action passing and that kind of stuff where Tony's a major key in, and the quarterback's getting knocked around, you use less of that.

Last week we did a lot of maximum protection, ... Tony was in pass protection a lot. Also, tight end stuff takes a little more time downfield. If you get harassed in our play-action passing and that kind of stuff where Tony's a major key in, and the quarterback's getting knocked around, you use less of that.

Our chances aren't real good, but we know who we play Saturday. Right now, San Diego is playing probably like they were playing last week when they beat the only undefeated team in football. They might very well be the best team in the AFC right now.

You just stop and think about the injuries he's had, and to line up each week with guys off the street and to bring back a quarterback that's retired ... it's a tremendous tribute to Herman and his staff.

Early in the week (Green) had a numbness develop in his calf that went down into his toe. He could play, but after the second series, because it was bothering him, we just took him out. It comes and goes.

That kind of motivation brings tears to my eyes, ... as do thoughts of Priest Holmes playing in week thirteen.