Bledsoe's Press Conference

Drew's Press Conference
March 13, 1998

Last Updated: June 8, 1998

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Q: Offense is similar to last year’s?

A: It’s very similar. All the terminology is almost exactly the same. In my conversation with Ernie (Zampese) this morning, there are some changes that he’s going to make simply because he’s been running the offense for 30 years. And there are certain words that he uses that are different. I’m very happy to say that I’m not going to have to learn a new offense.

Q: The timing and rhythm - you did that at times last year?

A: I think in a conversation for an hour with Ernie this morning it seems that his emphasis will rely a little more on some quicker timing type of throws than what we’ve used in the past. We’ll still obviously, with the weapons we have, work the ball down the field some. But, there will be more emphasis on the timing aspects in our passing game.

Q: In some sense this is the third system in three years - is this more or less of a departure of changing in past years?

A: This one is a lot less of a departure from what we did last year. As I said, the changes are very subtle. Having to do with just some simple terminology. The mechanics of the language are going to be very, very similar to what they were in the past.

Q: Have you reflected on the 1997 season?

A: I’ve kind of put it behind me to be honest with you. And I’m trying to move on and into next year. I’m excited about it. I’m excited about moving onto next year. Obviously last year was a disappointment to me the way that the season ended. For me, I still say, that game, our last game of the season against Pittsburgh was for me probably the toughest loss that I’ve taken emotionally in my career. I’ve tried to figure out for different reasons why exactly that was. But I think what it really comes down to is that when I took the field when we were back one the one yard line I knew we were going to score. And I knew it was going to be a fun victory and a last-minute comeback and all of those things. I just knew that was going to happen and when it didn’t it was really a shock. That was an emotional thing that I had to get over for a while. Now I’m moving on and I’m excited about this year.

Q: Does that taste serve as any motivation?

A: It always does. There is generally only team in the NFL that finishes the season and feels happy about it and that’s the SuperBowl Champions. Unfinished business is always a motivation. There was a motivation for us last year. There were all kind of different things with the SuperBowl loss. And this year is the same thing. We have some things that we want to fix from last year. Obviously there are some teams that kind of have our number. We want to overcome that with Pittsburgh and with Denver and some of the teams that we had trouble with last year. There are some things that we want to accomplish.

Q: How much easier will it be for Pete Carroll this year?

A: It all depends on you guys. I think that Pete last year did a lot to establish his credibility with the team and I feel with the people in this area because he weathered the storm and was the same guy throughout the same season. I think that really says a lot about him because of all that he had to go through. That was a tough situation. He made it through and produced a winning season for us.

Q: The change in the quarterback coach?

A: I now have had a few coaches in a few years. Maybe I’m really hard to work with because all these guys keep taking off. First of all, I’m disappointed that Larry (Kennan) is gone. I’ve said before and will say again that I really feel like Larry was an excellent football coach and a guy that I learned a lot from and enjoyed working with. It was a disappointment when I heard that he had resigned. The various changes that I’ve gone through, I think that is a positive thing. I’ve been able to work with a number of different people and take the best of what they’re able to give me and then move on and learn from a new person. I think that the opportunity to work with a number of different coaches has been a positive thing for my career.

Q: What do you want in a QB coach?

A: It’s important, first of all, that it’s somebody that can communicate with me and present game plans and ideas in a way that I understand them and in a way that I relate to. Outside of that, a quarterback coach is somebody that is going to have to watch me mechanically and make sure that my footwork and my mechanics and my throwing motion are up to speed. Because that is something that during the course of the season whether it’s fatigue or laziness or whatever you may call it that I can get a little sloppy if I don’t pay close attention to that. That’s another thing. Also, a quarterback coach is one of the guys, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have the people that I’ve worked with in the past have done this for me, is somebody that is on your side no matter what. You come to the sidelines and he says "okay, whatever happened." He’s on your side. He’s with you and he’s going to try to help you through whatever. And I think that’s important for a quarterback coach and all the guys I’ve worked with have done that. It builds a certain level of comfort which a quarterback needs to play.

Q: Dallas’ offensive system over the years?

A: It is a system that I think fits my style of play. Obviously, like anybody that is involved in football or a football fan you got to see plenty of Dallas over the past 6-8 years. I think that system fits my style of play and hopefully is something that will allow me to be successful and allow the team to win ball games.

Q: The wide receiver situation - changes - Terry Glenn?

A: I haven’t talked to Terry since I took off. I’m going to give him a call in the next couple of days and just find out what his schedule looks like so we make sure that when we start throwing that we’re on the same page as far as working together. I’m excited for Terry to come back and play an entire season and be healthy. I know that he was extremely frustrated by last season as I was with not having him on the field. I’m looking forward to having him come back and play an entire season healthy and see what he can produce for the team.

Q: What one aspect of your game will you focus on for this upcoming season?

A: I haven’t established that yet for this year. Every offseason there is something that I focus on inparticular and I haven’t established what that will be for this offseason yet. There will be, as I move into the spring and we start throwing, there will be specific things that I will talk over with Ernie (Zampese) and with whoever ends up as my quarterback coach and we’ll establish a couple of things to be a focus for the work during the Spring.

Q: Vincent Brisby may be on his way out?

A: I would be obviously extremely disappointed to lose Brisby. We came into the league together. He’s a guy that at times has been a great target for me. A guy that has been competitive and played a lot. I know that Brisby has been frustrated with what’s gone on the last two years with his injuries first of all, and then with lack of playing time last year. I can understand him wanting to shop his talents around. If in fact we do lose Brisby I will be disappointed.

Q: David Meggett?

A: I think that everybody knows that I have some strong personal feelings for Dave Meggett. He’s a guy that I’ve played with now for a while. As far as what’s gone on I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment.

Q: Have you been working out this offseason?

A: There’s a gym out there in Montana that I go down and get a little workout in. Outside of that, it’s been a lot of R&R time. Spending time with my wife and with our little guy who’s growing up real fast. One of the great privileges of playing professional football is that you do get that vacation time and I’ve been able to spend all of it with the little guy. That is something that I will never take for granted and really enjoy.

Q: Ernie has mentioned 50 minutes of practice for quarterbacks - is that a lot more than you have been doing in the past?

A: That’s something that you gauge as it goes along. Very rarely in my career have I had problems with arm fatigue. You go through a little period at the start of training camp during two-a-days when you’re throwing so much and your arm gets a little tired. I like to throw.

Q: Is there anything in this offense that could be added personnel-wise through the draft or free agency that could make your job easier?

A: I think that personnel-wise this offense is in great shape at every position. I think that the team as a whole, there aren’t many places for somebody new to fit in. I think that obviously we’ll try to strengthen ourselves through the draft with some young people but I couldn’t point out to you a single area on this team that I think is a weakness that we particularly need to address.

Q: How long did it take to get over the Pittsburgh playoff loss?

A: I don’t know. Just long enough to where I didn’t think about it anymore. Just that opportunity and that time in the ball game in that kind of a game. That’s what you dream about as a football player. I just don’t think about it anymore. I’m moving on to next year to make it right.

Q: What do you know about Tony Carter?

A: I don’t know much about him at all. I know that in speaking with Pete that he’s a guy that Pete believes is a great football player. A guy that’s going to be a good addition to our team. Obviously, we’re sorry to see Sam Gash go. I think that Tony will offset that loss for us hopefully.

Q: Can Tony Carter makeup for the loss of both Sam Gash and Keith Byars?

A: I don’t know. Those are some big shoes to fill. He’s coming in here. He’s got to follow Sam Gash who to a certain degree is kind of a cult figure, a legend if-you-will, around this area because of the kind of guy he is and the way that he played football. Keith Byars. His numbers and his career speak for themselves. Tony has some huge shoes to fill at that position. Hopefully he can at least fill that role to the extent to where we won’t feel the loss dramatically.

Q: How big is the loss of Sam Gash in the locker room?

A: Sam was a popular guy on the team and a guy that is universally respected by everybody on the team. We’re going to miss him in the locker room and we’re going to miss him on the field. As I said, it’s disappointing to see him go. At the same time that happens in the league and you have to move on. There have been some guys in my career that I hated to see go but I’m learning to deal with that fact and we’ve got to be able to move on.

Q: All your offensive linemen are coming back?

A: I’ve been fortunate the last two years. I’ve been perfectly happy throughout the course of two complete seasons. I think in two years I’ve had a sprained ankle. I’m probably jinxing myself. Those guys have done a great job of protecting me over my entire career. And to have the whole group intact is a good feeling.

Q: How do you convince yourself the team will be able to take it to the next level with the personnel losses of this offseason?

A: As I said earlier I really feel like we are strong in almost every area. We’ve lost a few players but we also have players to fill the roles of the players that have departed. Every year you lose some players and the important thing is to replace the guys and have somebody to step in and fill that role. And I feel like we do have those players. I feel like the talent level, when people are healthy on this team, is on par with the best teams in the league. Last year I feel like as much as anything injuries hurt us. If we can stay healthy this year the talent level on this team is on par with anybody.

Q: Have you worked out a schedule for the offseason?

A: No. Not yet. I know that we’re going to wait a while before we start throwing. Right now the emphasis is still on strength and conditioning. I like to give myself a little while after the season to just let my arm rest. By the time we start throwing I’ll be ready to go. But, I don’t know exactly when that will be yet.

Q: When do you usually start throwing?

A: I don’t remember exactly when we start throwing. Probably the middle to the end of April. That would be a guess. I’m not positive.

Q: When will you be here this offseason?

A: The next week I have to go back. We are baptizing the little guy and I have some other family commitments. But I will be back following that. I’ll be around for the bulk of the offseason program.

Q: The Colorado hat?

A: It’s my brother. He’s out there. They’re in the middle of spring ball. He’s battling for the starting position for the Buffaloes. Hopefully he’ll win that job.

Q: Do you recommend the team draft a wide receiver - another Terry Glenn?

A: I’m going to let them handle that. Bring me another Terry Glenn. I’d be more than happy. I don’t think there are anymore Terry Glenn’s out there. He’s a pretty unique talent.

Q: Have you been here in the past for the offseason programs?

A: I’ve been around for most of it every year. And I will be here for most of it this year. I have some offseason commitments but I’ll be here for most of it hanging out with my buddy Johnny Parker.