Friday Transcript: Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence

Defensive Lineman Dexter Lawrence

Q: What happened on that play on the field goal attempt and how frustrating is it for you for that end result?

A: That's on me. I've got to be more disciplined in that time at the end of the game like that in a critical situation. That's why I'm on the field. It was unfortunate to have it happen then, and he missed it, but I've just got to do better.

Q: Can you kind of take me through what's going through your head when the field goal misses and then the yellow flags come flying down? Did you know right away that you had committed the penalty?

A: Not really. I didn't see the yellow flags, honestly. My opinion, it really doesn't matter. We lost the game and the refs called what they called. So, we've just got to move on, shake it off and get ready for next week.

Q: It kind of sounds like you're saying that you didn't think you were actually offsides on that play? Is that what you're saying?

A: I mean, that doesn't really matter I don't think. Like I said, my opinion doesn't matter right now.

Q: Take us through your keys there. What is a guy playing on the inside there on a field goal supposed to do? Was there anything you saw that maybe made you start going, what they considered, a little bit early?

A: I'm supposed to move when the ball moves. Obviously, I gave it to the ref to make a decision to think that I moved before the ball moved. My job is to get off and attack whoever is in front of me.

Q: Last night after the game, are you thinking, 'this is on me?' Did you have trouble sleeping, or is it just part of the game?

A: I hold myself to a high standard. I don't play for myself, I play for my brothers on the field with me. For things like that, it is part of the game, but at the same time, for me, I can't make that mistake. I don't want to let my brothers down. I don't want to let my family down. It's just an unfortunate turn of events. The frustration is there on myself, not because of the call or anything like that. It's just more that I've got to be better in that situation.

Q: Was it hard sleeping last night?

A: No, I like to sleep, so it wasn't hard (laughs).

Q: What's going on with the defense? We're asking you a lot about that special teams play, but what's going on with the defense? How angry are you? What's the mood of the unit?

A: We all trust each other to do our jobs, do our 1/11th . Not everyone is going to play a perfect game. Even behind the mistakes we make as a defense, we can't all make mistakes. We've all got to do our job, do our 1/11th, be disciplined, and do that. Obviously, we're not at the start that we wanted right now. We hold ourselves to a high standard and hold ourselves accountable. We hold each other accountable, so there's only one way to go for us and that's where we tend to trend.

Q: What do you think needs to be fixed?

A: We've just got to stop beating ourselves with the little things. We've got to be more disciplined and honed in on the little things, so those little things don't continue to build to one big thing that may cost the game. We all understand that. We've all got to do better in whatever it is that our job is to do on that one play.

Q: It's not just you guys, it seems like every football team at every level has a really hard time preventing a field goal there in those last two minutes when the other team has the ball playing for a win and needs to get in field goal range. Why is that such a tough spot for the defense?

A: I would say just during that time, that's just when you've got to know they're probably going to do their best stuff and we've got to stop them from that. Our goal is to defend the grass behind us, and not always we're able to do that. We're going to get plays here and there, but we've got to stand up and make the right play at the right time to help the team win the game.