Head Coach Bobby Petrino
Q: How is the team following the long weekend?
A: “We spent a lot of time over the weekend watching the video and evaluating everything. We came out ready to play and the coaches and players did a good job of preparing. Our players played with good effort and we didn’t have anyone who didn’t give an effort. We took a good lead, got on them right away and then we missed some opportunities. That’s really what hurt us. We had some chances for a couple of touchdowns early. We had three interceptions in our hands that we didn’t come up with. When you play a guy like Peyton Manning, you can’t miss those opportunities. That would have given us a chance to have a bigger lead. I’m most upset about the costly penalties at key times. Those really hurt us whether it was taking field position from us or giving them field position.”
On the Falcons penalty on a Colts punt:
A: “You could probably call it or you probably couldn’t call it. The punter has to have a place to land. You can always say that’s why he called it. We have to stay away from those situations.”
Q: Can you give an update on the health of the team?
A: “There is nothing new on Todd (Weiner). He did get some workouts in over the weekend and we’ll probably know more on him by Wednesday. It was good to see Joe Horn out there practicing. I had to tell him to slow down a little bit because Joe always goes 110 mph. We need to make certain that he’s ready for the game.”
Q: If Joe Horn is healthy, would he take that starting spot?
A: “Yes. We need him to get healthy and get going.”
Q: What is the health status of Kynan Forney?
A: “He was ill and couldn’t play. That’s really all it was.”
Q: How did D’Anthony Batiste play against Indianapolis?
A: “He battled hard and played with good effort. That was the first time he was active this season. He missed a couple of blocks here and there, but he did a nice job of competing. I think Todd McClure did a nice job inside of helping him out, as did Tyson Clabo.”
Q: How do you deal with different players coming in and out of the offensive line?
A: “It’s hard. You’d like to have five guys healthy all year and let them know each other. I think that’s what has been tough on (Justin) Blalock. He’s had a new tackle next to him three times now and we haven’t gelled completely. We are running the ball better and run blocking better. Now we just have to put it all together in the last five weeks.”
Q: How is it coming up with a different game plan every week knowing that you are juggling with different linemen?
A: “The game plan shrinks a lot. There are only so many practice reps and it’s not like we have all experienced players in there. We have inexperienced back-ups going in the game. You have to try to shrink your game plan and get reps at it.”
Q: Did Byron Leftwich practice today?
A: “He was out there and threw the ball around.”
Q: Do you know how you are going to handle the quarterback situation?
A: “We are going to stick with Joey (Harrington). Right now, he understands everything we are working out. Either Bryon (Leftwich) or Chris (Redman) will be the backup.”
Q: What are some of the areas the offensive line can improve in?
A: “We can work on our communication so we are all on the same page. I thought Tyson Clabo played his best game and he did a nice job handling a very good rusher. We missed a couple of communications, but we are doing a better job of rushing the football. We also have to work on the overall continuity.”
Q: Do you wait until the offseason to say whether or not the team is on a two or three-year plan?
A: “We have to do that, but right now we are tying to focus on the game this week. One of the first questions I get in here is who is healthy. Basically, when the season is over we need to have a good plan and move forward.”
Q: Do you have any doubts that you won’t be the coach here next year?
A: “No, I don’t think so.”
Q: Have you given any thought to any of the college jobs that are open?
A: “I haven’t given that one bit of thought. I certainly don’t want to get into any speculations or rumors. I’m focused on our football team here and I’m focused on playing the Rams next week. One thing I’ve really liked about this team is that we’ve come out, practiced and we worked hard each week. We have shown improvement and we have to keep working at it. I’d like to get a run together. I told the team to look at the situation the Green Bay Packers are in. A year ago at this time, they were 2-8 and pieced six wins together. We have to take it one at a time, but we want to finish the season with momentum.”
Q: Talk about the power package you used against Indianapolis.
A: “We did OK. I thought Jason (Snelling) ran very hard and made some yards on his own. We blocked it well twice. I would have liked to get one more first down out of it. It worked pretty well for us.”
Q: Do you want to use that power package more down the road?
A: “With Jason carrying the load on short-yardage and goal line situations, that will help us.”
