Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn met with the media after Tuesday’s practice, though he had a to wait a few minutes for Darrell Bevell to talk, because the offensive coordinator won the game of rock-paper-scissors that determined who went first (usually Bevell talks Wednesday and Quinn on Thursday, but with a condensed week, both went Tuesday).
Here’s what Quinn had to say on Kam Chancellor’s improving health, the 49ers offense, and the defense playing as well as it has all year.
(On what Kam Chancellor has been able to do this season even with the injuries he’s been dealing with) Really, we count on him for so much. I think it’s the toughness, the factor that he brings, the way he can tackle, and all the different variety of ways that we use him. So for him, to finally say, ‘Man, I’m feeling like myself,’ brings a smile to most of us as well. The explosiveness – went through a long rehab. We count on him for so much on our team – the leadership, the toughness. He’s everybody’s big brother to look to and ask to. So for him to be back and be part of it again after missing a few weeks – it’s huge for us.
(On how Kam Chancellor said he hated watching himself on film earlier this year because he wasn’t able to do what he was normally able to and what were some of the things he wasn’t able to be himself with) I think the movement part of it. He’s such an explosive guy so for him some of the movements that he didn’t like I think that’s probably what he saw because he’s such an explosive hitter so for him not to uncoil on the hits or have the change of direction but you certainly feel that on the tape now.
(On if the defense feeds off Kam Chancellor) I think so. He’s one of the igniters for us, for sure. We talk about, at times, who is going to be the one to set it off and usually he’s at the front of that line.
(On if he was surprised by how much Bobby Wagner was able to play) No, I wasn’t surprised. I knew how hard he worked through the rehab. When we came out, Ken [Norton] and I had worked him out last week as he was starting to get ready. We watched his end of the session rehab and you could tell he was in really good shape. For him to not miss one snap, no I’m not surprised because I know what he’s capable of and what his mindset is like so it was great to have him back out there and a little bit of a reward for how hard he’s worked to get back and it was good to have him back in the mix.
(On how much cleaner the run game felt with Kevin Williams having a second week at nose tackle and getting K.J. Wright back at his spot and Bobby Wagner back) I think it was a culmination of a lot of guys and talk about hitting our fits and the way and the intensity the we like to play at so for us, that felt more natural in terms of the way and the style that we like to play. I thought it was a good outing for them and can’t wait to get going again this week.
(On how it is telling if the 49ers can run the ball or not against them) We know how good these guys are. They can do it in a variety of different ways. They do it quarterback under center, they do it in gun. They’ve got the quarterback runs. They’ve got where Frank [Gore] and the guys can run. It’s certainly a team that we regard well in that way. We’re certainly looking forward to the challenge of going against them.
(On the importance of pressuring the quarterback and how difficult that is with Colin Kaepernick) Yeah, a lot of times, as you know, one of the things we talk about is trying to get a quarterback off the spot. One of the dangerous parts with Colin, when you get him off the spot, he’s still a dangerous guy on the move. So it will take all of us, in terms of the rush and the way that we cover and the way that we can attack him because we know he can be so dangerous with his legs.
(On if the defense feels “back” right now) Yeah, that game certainly felt that way. That was just one game for us. So we’re looking forward to the next challenge and the next thing ahead for us. It did feel like we like to play and you certainly feel the connection from the players on the field but it was one time for us and we can’t wait to get going again.
(On if that’s the first time this season he has felt that way about the defense)I would say for our whole unit. I think there have been good games by individual guys and outings by the team but I think that felt maybe the most connected we’ve had been defensively this year, yes.
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