S Michael Thomas -- December 5, 2018
Q: In the safety room, how do you guys replace (Landon Collins)?
A: Obviously everything else he has brought to this team from his leadership, embracing all of us that’s new coming in, trying to make sure we’re all prepared, we know what to do, especially if we’re in like new spots and stuff like that. It’s tough and obviously I don’t know everything that’s going on, I pray it’s not that serious, but obviously we’re going to miss him, but it’s an opportunity for young guys to step up, our new guys to step up. You don’t just replace a guy like LC, two-time Pro Bowl player, All-Pro safety. You don’t just replace that, so that’s my brother, we’re going to ride for him.
Q: How about old guys stepping up?
A: Oh yeah, you need everybody, but like I said, when injuries happen, it’s a chance for guys to get their opportunities that weren’t otherwise there.
Q: What has impressed you about Landon, he’s been pretty durable until this?
A: Obviously his durability, the best ability in football is your availability, but the fact that he’s as humble as he is with all the success he has so young in his career, he’s a great teammate, he understands football, he knows where to be on his run fits and stuff are great. He helps other guys, he communicates well, so that’s what I’m really impressed with about him
Q: The way he came back into the game after that and then played out the rest of the game?
A: That just speaks about who he is. I wouldn’t want to play with anybody other than him at that position. He’s going to leave it all out there on the field, it sucks. I’ve been through it, a lot of guys have been through it, you got a lot of decisions to make about, ‘oh, do I want to keep going out there, putting on the line for my teammates, but also I got to think about my long-term career as well.’ Like I said, I’m praying it’s not too serious, but it’s tough.
Q: What do you guys in the secondary have to focus on without him out there?
A: Everybody at the same time has to do their job. Do your job. If you’re in for him, you got a new role, you got to just make sure you communicate. It’s not going to be one guy that’s just going to replace LC, everybody’s got to step up and do your job, do whatever (James) Bettch and coach Lou (Anarumo) are asking us to do.
Q: What have you thought of the guy next to you, Sean Chandler, the way he’s played?
A: Like I said, I don’t know if everybody heard me say it before, but I coached Sean. I had the pleasure of coaching Sean in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl game and what was that – January, and I saw it from then that he’s got it, so I’m impressed. I’m proud of him, but I’m not surprised. That’s who he is as a player. He works hard, he always makes sure he’s where he needs to be, he goes hard every single play, leaves it out there, so I’m happy for him. I’m happy for all his success.
Q: What do you like most about his skillset from what you’ve seen so far from back then through camp and now?
A: Somebody who literally has it all. He has enough size to play at the position, but he’s very quick, very aggressive style. He’s willing to tackle, he can cover well so he has all the talent, he’s just got to keep improving and learning the pro game now compared to what he did in college and once he gets that, I’m excited for his career.
Q: Is it important for some of these young guys on this roster to experience some winning and develop some winning habits?
A: I think it’s important for everybody and like you said, each season brings its own challenges, its own entity, but at the same time, to be able to say, ‘hey, regardless of how we started, this is how we finish.’ That’s the mindset of this team going forward, so whoever’s going to be here has to understand that’s our mindset. Every single person that’s finishing these last four games and has been here for the second half of the season, in our eyes, this mindset is like, ‘hey, your name is on this.’ This family is going to stay with you forever, so what you do when you’re 1-7, everybody’s going to see.
