DT Johnathan Hankins
December 7, 2016
Q: How are you feeling?
A: They just want to make sure that I am full-go on Sunday, so it is really just taking it a day at a time and not really trying to push myself.
Q: Do you feel like you kind of got whacked in the face when you hear about JPP’s surgery?
A: Yeah, that was tough losing him, but I am confident that we have some guys that will step up and play the position well and get the job done, so we all have to step up now that we have him out. We are going to see how it goes, we are going to continue to practice and see what happens.
Q: What about those guys gives you confidence?
A: Well, Romeo [Okwara] is, I feel like he is pretty good at setting the edge and getting to the quarterback. Kerry Wynn is probably one of the best, after JPP, at stopping the run, so I think we have a great group of guys that can get the job done and with me, Snacks [Damon Harrison] and OV [Olivier Vernon] we can lighten the load on them. But we do have a tough challenge ahead of us.
Q: Is it discouraging when you have that chemistry going, and you lose a guy?
A: It is always discouraging when you lose a guy on the defense, but it is football, things happen, injuries happen, so it just has to be the next man up goes out there, steps in, takes care of the job and I think that this week of practice will help prepare us to get to where we need to go. So we are praying for JPP, hoping that he can get back soon, but we have to get ready for Dallas.
Q: What is the challenge with Dallas' offense?
A: It is probably one of the best offenses in the league. They can run the ball, they can pass it, they are well balanced. It is going to be a challenge. I feel like the first game we played them pretty well, so hopefully we can imitate that and carry that on to this game.
Q: What about a rookie quarterback who looks like a veteran?
A: Dak [Prescott] has been playing good. They have all been playing good. They have gone on an 11 game winning streak, so you have to give them credit. They are one of the best teams out there, we are going to give it our all and hopefully we come out with the win.
Q: How much do you enjoy playing a Sunday night game at home in the division?
A: This is huge. Not saying the last game we had wasn't huge, but this is big in the division. We have got to win this. My ultimate goal is to win the division and they are in our way, so we have to make sure that we get them taken care of.
Q: How much do you think Zeke {Ezekiel Elliott] has improved since Week 1?
A: Man, I knew the cat was going to be good when he came into the League, and to see him continue to play as well as he has isn't really shocking. He has a great offense, great quarterback, good weapons around him, so I expect him to play great and do great, which he is.
Q: Is this a match-up that you guys relish?
A: Oh, yeah. I love it. It is always a match-up when you go up against Dallas. Since I have been here it is the first time beating them at their home, so they are coming to our home, so we have to protect home field advantage. It is going to be a challenge and I am up to it, we are all up to it, so we are going to see.
Q: What is the message from Ben in relation to dealing with JPP's absence?
A: Just next man up. It is football. People get hurt, people go down and you have to count on the backup that was behind him to step up and fill the spot. But with me, OV, Snacks and the group of guys that we have in that room, I feel like we will be just fine.
