Pettine: Defense 'likes that us-against-the-world mentality'

[Cheesehead]

(on fixing the run defense)


It’s always critical. It’s not something we ignore. There are times schematically we’ll lean one way or the other way at times. But our issues were fundamental. When we went back and looked at the tape there were a lot of plays our guys would want to have back, just from a technique standpoint. We weren’t good enough. Stopping the run, there’s no secret about it, it’s the basics. I have to win my one-on-one. I have to knock the guy back across from me. You’re going to get blocked, the key is don’t stay blocked. The internal clock of when to separate needs to get sped up a little bit.


(on Burks getting back up to speed)


It takes time. On a case by case basis, some guys would be able to jump back in a little bit quicker. Usually the start is on special teams. We know he’s close. Times he’s been out there in practice, he looks like he’s getting back. The guys call him fresh legs because he’s moving a little quicker than some other guys who are leg-weary. We’re looking forward to getting him back.


(on the Philly game)


It was tough and our guys handled it well. There’s a resolve there that we let one get away. We didn’t take the ball away, didn’t sack the quarterback, and let down in the red zone. They saw the film and saw the reasons why. We could have played better and our guys know that. We feel like it’s a lost opportunity. This is a group that isn’t going to wallow in it. They’re looking forward to the challenge. Our group likes that us-against-the-world mentality on the road. We’ll see how they respond.


Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett


(on game-planning with injury uncertainty)


You don’t want to try to change everything for one person typically. You want to try to get the best plan to attack the team you’re going against, and the guys who are up have to be ready to go.


(on Adams)


Davante is a competitor. Whether he’s out there or not, it’s one of those things, he changes the game. That’s who he is. You saw that last game, he pretty much took it over. Whoever’s up there, whoever’s got an opportunity, you want them to step it up if they can.