*FRIDAY PODIUM TRANSCRIPT: WEEK 7 AT VIKINGS
Head Coach John Harbaugh
Opening statement: "Good to see you guys, appreciate you being here. Friday practice, and we're ready for a challenging Minnesota team. It's going to be a big challenge, a tough challenge, but we're up for the job."
**What's the level of concern on the number of receivers that could be available on Sunday? *(Jamison Hensley) *"We'll just see how it plays out. Everybody has practiced, so we have enough guys to play. We'll just have to work out the math on it – who can play, who can't go. If someone can't go, someone else will replace him. It might be another position; we [might] have to go light in one position and heavier in another. We'll just have to find the 46 guys that can suite up and play for us. But, we're pretty hopeful for those guys. They seem to be doing well and making good progress. It's just something you can't really predict."
Have you seen what you wanted to see, physically, from DT Brandon Williams, to like his chances of being able to play on Sunday?* (Luke Jones)* "Yes, I do like his chances to play. He's going to have to get out there, and just before the game, make sure he's OK. We don't want to put him out there if he's not right before the game. So far in practice, I'd say [so far], so good."
Does gaining extra reps in practice help during times like these, when guys may have to step in come game time?* (Jeff Zrebiec)* "You're right – reps are just critical. We're a practice sport. You have to practice, and the opportunities in games are kind of rare. It's not like baseball, basketball, hockey, where they play so many games, and they get so many opportunities in games to make plays. When these games come in football – they're big, and the body of work underneath those opportunities is repetitions in practice. So, that's what we look for in practice. You look for the guys to do the job right, make plays in practice, play fast, get that chemistry and cohesiveness right; and that's why we practice so hard and so long the way we do in our sport. But, once you get out here on Sunday, it's go time. You have to do it for real."
RB Danny Woodhead could, conceivably, return to practice next week due to the six-week rule. Is he close to that return? (Bo Smolka)"I don't know – and if I did know, I probably wouldn't answer completely honestly, to be honest. (laughter) There is a two-week buffer there, so the way I understand the rules [is] when a guy like that comes back to practice, you still need a two-week cushion. So, if he does come back next week, you'll know there's a two-week possibility. If it's the week after that, or the week after that, there's that two-week cushion. I can't say he'll be back next week, or if he's even that close to it. If he was back next week, I'd be the happiest guy in the world – I can tell you that. It's just a matter of where he's at with rehabbing."
Are you anticipating making a move to add another healthy offensive lineman to the roster? (Luke Jones)"We are. We'll work that out today and tomorrow and see where we're at. We're going to want to go into the game with seven offensive linemen that are healthy, that can play for us. So, we'll have to do something."
Did CB Maurice [Canady] look good in practice this week?* (Jeff Zrebiec)"You can put the list out there. It's pretty obvious who the guys are that are possible [to be called up]. Everybody looked good in practice. You obviously have your order – which is cool." *(Reporter: "I'm referring to Maurice Canady, not Maurquice Shakir.") "Oh! I thought you were talking about the offensive line spot. Canady – yes, he looked good! I wouldn't say he's game-ready yet, but he can't play anyway. I was kind of happy with it, to be honest with you. I thought he – for not practicing for this amount of time – I thought he looked pretty sharp."
