POSTGAME QUOTES
OCTOBER 14, 2007
BENGALS COACH MARVIN LEWIS
Q: On today's game:
"What I told our football team in there just now was that I thought for the first time this football team played like a football team that second half of the game. Although we didn't win the game today, I thought we made progress and showed some signs of a football team, not a bunch of individual guys."
Q: On what the offense needs to improve on:
"Third down. Third down gives you an opportunity to get a chance to keep scoring touchdowns. We're one or two-for-whatever in the last two games on third down and you're going to have a hard way that way. Conversely, those teams are converting at about 50% in the last two football games. This was a team that coming into the game struggled a little bit in those situations. So we have to do better. We're struggling because we get balls tipped at the line and we don't execute or get things done right. We just have to do better."
Q: On the Bengals struggling on third down:
"It's a combination of things. Not necessarily pass protection, but just a combination of things. We have to do better. We have to approach it differently and we just have to go back and figure it out and do better not being frustrated by it and understanding that if we don't' get one, don't let that play into the next one."
Q: On DE Jared Allen:
"We were a little unnerved early in the game. Jared did a good job of getting two or three good rushes there at the beginning of the game, but we were able to settle down and get back on track a little bit."
Q: On the failed challenging of calls:
"The official told me that I had a valid case, but he didn't have a good enough angle. That's the way it goes. Those were two opportunities where, other than not winning it, with what (the official) told me and why it didn't go the other way."
CARSON PALMER
Q: On the Bengals offensive play:
"I think that we had a good feeling going. I felt like we could do a number of things on offense, but when it came down to it we just weren't productive at all on third down. It starts with me to get us in the right protection and get the ball to the guy that is open and I didn't do that today, and we were unsuccessful on third down because of it."
Q: On the Bengals third-down conversion rate:
"It's terrible and we are going to go back and look at it tomorrow morning to see what areas we can improve on. I think what I'm going to see is that I need to play better on third down, point blank."
Q: On the field position game:
"We lost that battle today and the main reason is turnovers. I had three turnovers and when you give a team that holds onto the ball like Kansas City and runs the ball and keeps possession of the ball, you don't get as many touches on offense."
T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH
Q: On today's game:
"It's was a tale of two halves really. The first half we didn't move the ball and, for the most part, our defense played pretty well, we just didn't move the ball. In the last two games, if I'm not mistaken, we're probably converting, I would guess, 10% on third down. We're just not consistent. Why? I don't know. I think we are a good team, but I'm halfway saying that because we are in last place at 1-4 and we are not very good."
Q: On Head Coach Marvin Lewis' message of making progress:
"That's just one of those things where you can only beat a guy so many times when he's down and right now we're down. We all know what's going on here, we know. We're not good right now, that's the bottom line. You can sugar coat it any way you want, but as of right now, I mean I think we're good. I say it every week that we are losing to teams that aren't as good as we are, but eventually I'm going to have to quit saying that and we are going to have to start beating them. As of now we are not so it is what it is."
JUSTIN SMITH
Q: On today's game:
"It's just one of those deals where we had them where we wanted them. The game is four quarters and it's a long football game. We allow them to make some runs and then they started focusing on TE Tony Gonzalez and stuff like that. That was their game plan and they wanted to utilize the guys that they had with guys like Gonzalez and RB Larry Johnson. They went to those guys and we knew they were going to go to those guys, it's just a matter of stopping them."
CHIEFS COACH HERMAN EDWARDS
Q: On the game:
"Offensively that was probably our best output – especially to finally score in the first quarter. We felt that we would have to have 27 points against these guys because they have a potent offense. We were able to run the ball and throw the ball and that's a good sign for us. We had the ball for 35 minutes in time of possession and generally you have a great chance of winning the game when you do that. And, we ran it for 100 yards.
"Defensively, we did a great job on third down. They were nine percent on third down and when you can play good third down defense against a football team like this that's good offensively you've got a chance to win.
"We're 3-3 – not where we'd like to be – but we've dug ourselves back out of that hole again and we're hopeful we can stay out."
Q: On the defensive effort of CBs Ty Law and Patrick Surtain against the Bengals receivers:
"For the most part we limited a lot of big passes. We brought some pressure at times and got to the quarterback - eliminated their ability to run the football and made them one-handed where they had to throw. That kind of works in your favor, although you know they're going to move the ball at times in chunks. But we were able to get off the field on third down. The corners did a good job in not letting them get too explosive."
Q: On matching up man-to-man instead of Cover 2:
"Just to give them a little something different because they had a bye week and had never seen us do that. We wanted to do some things differently defensively."
Q: On what helped the running game improve:
"When you run the ball for 10 yards [vs. Jacksonville] and you're supposed to be a running team you don't have to say much in practice the next week. The players and everybody felt very compelled that we were going to run the football. My whole deal was not to overkill, as in keep running and never throw a forward pass. We didn't do that. We ran it consistently and sometimes we didn't run it very well. But the effect of running the ball helped us in the passing game, helped Larry (Johnson) get going. We played better in the first half and in the second half – especially in the third quarter – we bogged down and the big [TD] pass to Tony got us that lead. But we left some points on the field. They went for it on fourth down and we got it and were in pretty good field position and we went backwards. We turned the ball over on another drive and the one the guy (Deltha O'Neal) got the ball out of Larry's hands. But we were able to withstand them defensively.
"Every time they go out there offensively you always ask if you can hold them again because you know they're going to make some plays and move the ball. We were able to keep them out of the end zone in the first half, for the most part."
Q: On the importance of the TD record to Gonzalez:
"Yeah [it was important to him], but I don't talk about stats to players. I'm not a big stat guy. It was big to him and I think it's great for him and for pro football. But I've never been a big proponent in talking to players about stats. There's only one in the end. But Tony is a great football player at that position but he's not just about stats. Tony wants to win."
Q: On the penalty against Larry Johnson for spiking the ball and being charged a delay of game:
"Five yards and it hurt us – all those penalties hurt us. We had a couple of them by veteran guys early. (Larry Johnson's) was emotional and you have to keep your composure. We lost our composure at times. (Jeff) Webb lost it; Benny (Sapp) lost it one time. Cincinnati's the kind of team that can get you going. They have some talkers over there and our guys were talking back and it was getting chippy. You don't want to do that. You can't lose your composure.
Q: What was LJ's mindset coming back to the bench after that big fumble into the end zone that came back as a touchback? It was a big momentum turn:
"Our mindset was: give him the ball. Don't shy away from him; give it right back to him. No different than when a receiver drops the ball. You've got to throw it right back to him. Don't hide from him. It shows you've got confidence in him. He came back and he was determined to score and he did."
DAMON HUARD
Q: On his offensive performance and the number of hits he took today:
"Playing quarterback, it's part of the position. You're going to take some hits but, for the most part, our offensive line did a pretty good job today. When you throw the ball 35 times you're going to take some shots. But at the end of the day, when you win, those hits don't feel too bad. Give credit to the Cincinnati defensive line. That's one of the better groups in the league. Those kids really come off the edge."
Q: On the difference Larry Johnson's running made today:
"Getting Larry going was important, especially early in the game. Once he started getting going he really turned it on. It was a great day for him and finally scoring a rushing touchdown."
Q: On whether or not he was thinking about Tony Gonzalez's record:
"No, no. It was obvious he was going to get it at some point this year and I'm glad it was today."
Q: On having a hand in Tony Gonzalez's TD record:
"Very cool. I told him that you have to put up with me for the rest of your life even though I'm a [University of Washington] Huskie and you're a [California] Bear. It's a great honor for him. He truly is the best tight end to have ever played this game. He's just such a great competitor and what makes him so special is his work ethic and his preparation. He practices like it's a game."
Q: On scoring 27 points that could have easily been more:
"We had our chances and it was kind of a fluke that Larry got the ball knocked out of his hand on the one-yard line. It was a great play. But then right before the half we had a chance to score a touchdown. You put 14 more on the board – that certainly puts us up to 40 – that we could have very easily done. Then I took a sack that knocked us out of field goal range. As good as we feel about the win and the 27 points there are obviously a lot of things we can do to improve."
Q: On Larry Johnson coming back from the fumble on the one-yard line:
"It was great. I told him in the huddle that we had good field position and we're going to get it back right here. It's a fluke and those things happen."
Q: On guys losing their composure in this game:
"You just encourage guys. Keep your head in the game and one snap and clear. But football is an emotional game and sometimes you just lose it."
TONY GONZALEZ
Q: How big a relief was it catching the record-breaking touchdown:
"It wasn't the easiest one, was it? Damon and I were just talking about it. I was like, 'I'm not letting this one get away.' I've been waiting a long time for it and I wanted to get it over with. I'm glad. But honestly and most importantly, the thing that makes it sweet is that we went out and won. That's the most important thing. We were able to get a victory against a pretty good football team. As for the record, that's just icing on the cake for me. I'm just so happy. A lot of guys have helped me along the way. I owe a lot to the quarterbacks I've been able to play with, guys like Rich Gannon, Elvis Grbac, Trent Green, Warren Moon and now Damon Huard and to play with these offensive lines. I'm just happy to get it over with."
Q: Did you think you would make the catch when it was up in the air?
"I saw it up in the air, and I was like, 'Oh no, he threw it way out there'. Like I said before, 'I'm not letting this one get away from me.' I'm going to go and sell out and dive for it. Fortunately I was able to catch up to it. Last week towards the end of the game, we got down in the Red Zone and my mom said, 'I'm sorry you didn't get the touchdown.' And I was like, 'I don't want it like this.' If I'm going to score a touchdown and break the record, I want to make sure that it's in a game that we win and something that counts and everything is going in the right direction. I didn't want it to be like a garbage touchdown. I'm just happy and fortunate enough to go out there in a good situation and help this team and get a victory."
Q: How relieved are you?
"Really relieved. It's just one of those things; I'm glad to get it over with. I'm looking forward to seeing Shannon Sharpe and saying 'Ha! got you.' It's been a long time coming and that's another thing too, a guy like Shannon Sharpe, a guy I've looked up to, especially in the beginning of my career. He's a friend of mine and there's much respect there and I'm just glad to get it over with."
Q: What are you going to do with the ball?
"I'm going to give it to my brother. He's the first person that threw me a football when I was younger. I remember we were out of the house and he was like, 'Come on, come out and play with me across the street,' and I hated football. He dragged me by my shirt literally and said 'C'mon, you're going to play catch with me.' Ever since then, I liked the sport and it was something I was good at. He gets it. My mom got the tie-breaker [ball]. He's actually here today. It was good to get it done in front of him."
Q: Since there have been so many great Tight Ends in the NFL, is this record humbling?
"It's humbling. I like to consider myself a student of the position, especially when I was younger. Gunther (Cunningham) brought in a tape of Kellen Winslow. I watched it and dissected his game. And watching guys like Shannon Sharpe, watching Ben Coates, watching Mike Ditka, I met John Mackey and he gave me some tips. There have been so many great guys at that position and I'm just happy to be one of them. It's just surreal in a way. I'm very, very happy that I've been able to achieve something like this."
Q: What was the difference in today's offensive performance:
"We were able to run the ball. We were able to go out there and establish the run right away, especially on that first play of the game that set the tone. It got Larry (Johnson) going and got his confidence going. This is something that we have to do to be successful. We know what we're capable of doing. We know how good we are. We were able to go out there and prove it today. It only last 24 hours and after that we have to go do it again next week against the Raiders."
Q: At what point and time were you thinking about the record?
"When we get down into the Red Zone, I think 'Okay, it's a possibility.' That's why I'm so relieved to get it over with, because I felt like sometimes it would take away from my focus. When I'm down in the Red Zone, I'm thinking 'What are you going to do when you do catch it?' This and that, your mind starts playing tricks on you and I guess you got to play tricks back and overcome it. Damon (Huard) put the ball out there and I was able to go get it."
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