Mike Singletary talked to the media, just moments before hitting the field for the first time for the team’s walk-through.
Singletary entered
the cramped room off the team’s practice field that is used for Wednesday
morning press briefings. He had no prepared statements. He fielded questions
immediately.
He said it’s
a little strange not to have Mike Nolan in the building. He said being named
interim head coach is humbling. Singletary promised to take the team to the “next
level.”
When asked
about “the next level,” Singletary did not define it. He said the club will
stress the details that are needed to make a difference. He said he thought
onlookers would see a difference.
Last night,
Singletary got the coaches together. This morning, he met with the players. “To
me, the most important thing is to reset the agenda and vision,” Singletary
said.
When asked
about what kind of role he’ll have in the offense, Singletary said he has full
confidence in Mike Martz. Singletary chuckled when he talked about the
interaction between the two men yesterday. Singletary went to speak to Martz
about some things.
“What do
you want to talk about? Why do you want to talk about that?” Those are the
words Martz said to Singletary, according to Singletary. It wasn’t entirely
clear whether Martz was being as defensive as it sounded or if there was any
humor involved.
Singletary
said Martz told him the most important thing was to move forward together. “Mike,
you’re the guy, so let’s go get it,” Martz told Singletary.
When asked
about how a defensive coach prepares for the game- and clock-management parts
of the game, Singletary said this is something for which he’s been preparing
for a long time. He spends his offseason talking to coaches and referees, he
said.
“I’m
confident everything will go smooth,” Singletary said.
Singletary
talked about the defensive coaches all contributing to the game plan. He said
he looked at the game plans last night for the upcoming
team will be doing.
Is the team
a 3-4 or 4-3? Singletary said, “We’ll see at game time. We’re schizophrenic. We
don’t know what we do.”
When asked
whether he’s going to make it a priority to get younger players on the field –
such as Kentwan Balmer and Chilo Rachal – Singletary said he’ll do whatever it
takes to win. “We just need to play better.”
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INJURY REPORT: DE Ray McDonald (knee) and S Dashon Goldson (knee) are both out for this week’s game with injuries sustained Sunday against the Giants. To be ruled out this early in the week would seem to suggest these are injuries that will keep them out a while.
Also, T Jonas Jennings (shoulder), S Michael Lewis (knee), WR Josh Morgan (groin), S Mark Roman (groin) and RS Allen Rossum (groin) will not practice today. All but Jennings are expected to be available for Sunday’s game. (Walt Harris will also not practice, but he’s fine.) And CB Nate Clements (ribs) will see limited work, but he should be good to go for the game.
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From the pages of today’s Press Democrat:
Click here to read, “Nolan talks about losing his dream job.”
Click here to read, “Singletary takes over with Nolan’s blessing.”
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