Quotes from Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas, Russell Okung and Jermaine Kearse

A handful of Seahawks players talked with the media upon arrival in Phoenix Sunday afternoon. Among the highlights, as you might expect, were Richard Sherman and Michael Bennett’s sessions.

Most notably, Sherman suggested that the Patriots probably won’t be punished for the deflated ball scandal because their owner, Robert Kraft, is friends with NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell.

“Will they be punished?” Sherman said. “Probably not. Not as long Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell are still taking pictures at their respective homes. (Goodell) was just at Kraft’s house last week before the AFC Championship. Talk about conflict of interest. As long as that happens, it won’t affect them at all.”

Bennett, meanwhile, suggested the controversy was “propaganda” designed to hype up the game, saying, “I think it’s all propaganda, just to get a chance to build the game up. It’s all inflating the game right now. It’s like just to make it even more worth it than what it’s really about. It’s really just about us, two great teams, playing. I think a lot of people are shying away from that aspect of it. They have the Patriots, who are arguably one of the best teams of this decade, and we’re starting to try to catch up to where they’re at and what they’ve done in the last 10 years. (New England Head Coach) Bill Belichick is one of the best coaches of all time. I think people are forgetting that. The coaches going and the players playing, it’s too much about the balls. Hopefully, everybody starts to talk about the game again.”

Here are the full transcripts:

CORNERBACK RICHARD SHERMAN

(on the team’s fan support this morning leaving Seattle) “It was great. It’s outstanding. Our fans are always phenomenal.”

(on this week’s distractions) “Our team is a very focused team. We’re not an easily distracted team. We know what we’re here for, so it should be a good week for us.”

(on his elbow) “It’s getting better. I had a good week of practice so it should be good.”

(on if he was able to stretch his elbow out) “I’ve been able to move it a lot better than I did earlier.”

(on New England tight end Rob Gronkowski) “I think he’s a good player. Obviously he does well in their offense.”

(on Seattle cornerback Jeremy Lane’s comments on Gronkowski) “(Lane is) entitled to his own opinion, but I think (Gronkowski) is pretty great.”

(on what Seattle can learn from the experience of playing New England in 2012) “They’re still running the same plays. There are some tricks here and there, but they run the same offense. You can take a few things. They were a lot younger then. I think they’re more polished.”

(on the differences he can see in himself since 2012) “I have three more All-Pros.”

(on the historical significance of attempting to repeat a Super Bowl win) “I don’t think much of the historical significance of that. We’re just out here trying to win a ball game. Our focus is on that. Our focus is on playing good football. The rest of it will fall in place.”

(on how he felt regarding the recent controversy in New England) “It was indifferent. It doesn’t really affect us at all. It wasn’t like we cared either way, honestly. It didn’t really affect us either way.”

(on not having the intense media coverage that they normally would due to the New England controversy) “It’s all the same. No matter what. Pressure is something that is created by the media. I don’t they feel much pressure, and neither do we, about the situation. There’s no imminent threat of anything happening. There’s no pressure there. Probably a little annoying about being asked the same questions over and over, but that’s not something that anybody isn’t used to.”

(on if the recent controversy has made New England into a ‘villian’) “No. I think they’re still looked at the same way they are always looked at. It’s not like one little thing. I think their fans are still saying, ‘Let’s move on.’ That’s nothing, just like everybody else. That’s not made them the villains. I guess the league comes out and hands out punishments and confirm wrongdoings. Then, I think you have a little bit of that.”

(on how his game measures up against New England cornerback Darrelle Revis) “I don’t measure my game to anybody’s. I don’t have a great answer to that question. I think my game measures up pretty well to myself.”

(on his relationship with former teammate and current New England cornerback Brandon Browner) “We have conversations. He’s still a great friend of mine. We wish him nothing but the best.”

(on Seattle’s wide receivers) “Our receivers are outstanding. They’re outstanding. They do a great job of doing what they’re asked to do. The majority of that time it’s blocking. When the game is on the line and it’s happened on a few occasions throughout these playoffs and playoffs last year – they step up to the challenge. Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse make big plays for us. Our tight ends – Luke Wilson, Tony Moeaki, Cooper Helfet – have made big-time plays for us. I think they are good as we need them to be. If they were in a pass-happy offense, their numbers would swell just like everybody else’s. But they’re not in a pass-happy offense. They’re in an offense with Marshawn Lynch as a focal point and Russell Wilson and our running game. They do a great job with what they’re asked to do.”

(on not being able to participate in the Pro Bowl) “That would insinuate that I’m disappointed that I’m in the Super Bowl, so, no, I’m perfectly fine with being in the Super Bowl. The one thing I’m disappointed in is that they won’t give us our gifts from the Pro Bowl, which is kind of dumb. The NFL is the only league that punishes the players that make the all-star game.”

(on the perception of New England being close to the line in following the rules) “I think perception is reality. It is what it is. Their resume speaks for itself. You talk about getting close to the line, this and that. I don’t really have a comment about that. Their past is what their past is. Their present is what their present is. Will they be punished? Probably not. Not as long Robert Kraft and Roger Goodell are still taking pictures at their respective homes. (Goodell) was just at Kraft’s house last week before the AFC Championship. Talk about conflict of interest. As long as that happens, it won’t affect them at all.”

(on facing New England quarterback Tom Brady) “We just faced Aaron (Rodgers). We face great quarterback every year. We faced Peyton (Manning) last year. You have a great feel and respect for what they’ve been doing in this game and their longevity.”

(on New England’s receivers and how Seattle matches up against them) “I think we match up fine. I think they’re similar to our receivers in that they’re underrated, they don’t get a lot of the spotlight. But they do a great job. Julian Edelman has had a fantastic year. They do great with what they’re always asked to do. They’re not always asked to have huge games and to have a huge effect on the game, but they work hard, they run their routes precisely and when they’re asked to make big plays, they make them.”

(on how well cornerback Byron Maxwell has played since being thrown in late last season) “Maxwell has been phenomenal for the past two years that he’s been allowed to play. He stepped in and we had a seamless transition. He made big play after big play whether it was an interception or tipped balls, or the play in the Super Bowl where he had a big-time punch out (fumble) on Demaryius (Thomas). I think every year he just finds a new way to develop his game and take it to a new level. I think he’s a tremendous asset to the defense.”

(on where the edge continues to come from in regard to Russell Wilson and the rest of the team) “Well, the motivation for a lot of us is a chip on our shoulder. Obviously, he was drafted in the third round, it’s repeated. But no matter how much you get paid, no matter how many career goals, how many accolades you get you never forget that disrespect that you had to deal with. He was a third rounder, thought he should have been a first rounder and peoples’ slights on him were physical traits that he couldn’t do anything about. It wasn’t his ability on the football field, it was he’s too short. Obviously, he’s tall enough to make the Super Bowl twice, you know? There’s 6-5 quarterbacks that are at home right now. I think that’s the biggest motivation for a lot of our players, the slights.”

DEFENSIVE END MICHAEL BENNETT

(on how the experience has gone so far compared to last year) “It’s all the same. With the media and everything going on, it’s always just everybody talking. I’m ready to just play the game honestly. I wish we could just line up and today could be the game instead of waiting for another week.”

(on last week’s practice week) “I think we had a great week of practice. Obviously, we’re trying to get guys healthy, giving some of the veterans (the ) day off because that’s the most important thing – having (Seahawks running back) Marshawn (Lynch) rush the way he can and just getting out there and understanding what type of offense they have and what type of defense they have and the coaching staff that they have over there.”

(on the support of the Seattle fans at the airport and at the team hotel and what that it means to the team) “It’s really good to see all those fans come out like that, but we’re used to that. It was like instead of having the game in the stadium it was in the street today. It was over 60,000 people, maybe even more, all over the place. Kids were throwing Skittles at the bus. They had all kind of stuff going on.”

(on if he’s finding that the team is handling this experience better the second time around) “Yeah, I think so. With the leadership that we have and all the young guys just see how we handle it. We’re not letting it get too big and just understanding that it’s ultimately just about the game, not too much about hype around it, what hotel we’re staying in, when the family gets in. You’ve just got to let your wife deal with it or whoever you’ve got dealing with it and just come out here and play the game.”

(on if he has to worry about distractions around the game) “No, I’m not worried about distractions. I told my wife I can be a husband next Monday and a father too. This is the most important thing this week is everybody just worried about the game more than anything else like I said. Everything else is for the guys that aren’t playing in the games – the guys that went to the Pro Bowl, the guys that lost in the first round, some lost in the NFC Championship. They get to enjoy the festivities and stuff.”

(on how much the team is riding the wave from last week’s win against Green Bay) “I think after we won that’s pretty much it. You really can’t dwell on the last game, especially when you go into a Super Bowl and you play against an AFC opponent that you haven’t played in a couple years. You really can’t worry about what happened last week. You just move forward and just get ready for this game.”

(on how much the team took from its last game against the Patriots in 2012) “I don’t think we’re really worried about that game. 2012 was a whole other team. They had a whole different team out there. We had a whole bunch of different players, and both teams are made up differently now. The only thing we can take from that is that we played them before and the only thing that’s the same in that is (Patriots defensive tackle) Vince Wilfork and (Patriots quarterback Tom) Brady playing at the same level they’ve been playing at.”

(on how much game planning the team did this week and Seattle head coach saying that they were just polishing) “I think sometimes you don’t want to overdo it. You don’t want to have guys over-thinking out there. You want to watch it and understand what’s going on, but you don’t want to get to the point where you have guys thinking they know what’s going on. When you have two weeks to prepare, they can do whatever they want. You’ve just got to be ready to play the way you’re capable of playing.”

(on if the team went out at all in New York at last year’s Super Bowl) “No, just one night. Other than that we just stayed in and rested the whole week. We understood that you have all offseason to party and do all those things. You can go to Vegas anytime you want if you win a Super Bowl, and you probably can go for free.”

(on the biggest challenge that New England’s offense provides) “I think it’s the up-tempo offense. (Patriots running back) LeGarrette Blount, I played with him for three years in Tampa. He’s an awesome back. (Patriots tight end) Robert (Gronkowski) is a great tight end. Thomas (Brady) is a great quarterback. It’s one of those things where they have a great team, and we have to be ready for the weapons that they have.”

(on if playing in Phoenix every year gives the Seahawks an advantage in the Super Bowl) “No, because you play down here every year, but it’s a different team you’re playing. We’re playing the Cardinals, which they don’t have a quarterback. We’re playing New England, which has a great quarterback. It’s one of those things where it’s different.”

(on how he feels about this season after being signed to a new contract and how different this year is from last season) “It’s always the same for me. The money situation is always going to take care of itself as long as you’re capable of playing the way that you think you can play. For me, I just love playing the game and just going out there. This is only time you can hit people and curse and kick people, and it’s legal.”

(on what it was like for Seattle to see what New England went through last week) “I think it’s all propaganda, just to get a chance to build the game up. It’s all inflating the game right now. It’s like just to make it even more worth it than what it’s really about. It’s really just about us, two great teams, playing. I think a lot of people are shying away from that aspect of it. They have the Patriots, who are arguably one of the best teams of this decade, and we’re starting to try to catch up to where they’re at and what they’ve done in the last 10 years. (New England Head Coach) Bill Belichick is one of the best coaches of all time. I think people are forgetting that. The coaches going and the players playing, it’s too much about the balls. Hopefully, everybody starts to talk about the game again.”

(on how good Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas are capable being this week with their injuries) “I think at this point in the season when guys…Injuries don’t really matter right now because when you play through this type of injury in this type of game, we have all offseason to heal, get in the cold tub and do fancy things. Right now, you could just go out there and just play as hard as you can and worry about what happens after.”

(on the challenges of playing against Gronkowski and if there’s another player that looks like him on the field) “Yeah, my brother (Chicago tight end Martellus Bennett). I think Gronkowksi’s the second-best tight end. My brother’s first, obviously. He faces the challenges of being 6-7-plus. His body’s pretty good. He’s a good blocker. I think he does great. I think his run-after-catch is second to none. I think he has great hands. He’s just a great player, honestly.”

(on if everything New England went through last week will help New England focus for the game) “No, I don’t think we ever talked about that. I think we just know that with the kind of coach that they have and the kind of players that they have and the leadership that they have, I doubt that they’re worried about it. I think you’re more worried about the balls than they are.”

(on what the focus will be this week as opposed to the other things going on around the game) “Like I said, it’s just like a big fight. The NFL, they’ve got all their things going on trying to get the viewer ratings up for people to watch the game. For us, it’s just about the game. Last year, you thought it was going to feel different because you’re in the Super Bowl, but honestly it was just like a preseason game. The fans were the same. The game was playing, and it ultimately comes down to just playing football.”

(on if that was the mindset of the team coming into this week) “I think that’s always the mindset – try not to make any game bigger than this game. You hear a lot of teams saying this is the next game. This is a championship game, but in this organization, every game is a championship game. We’ve been in this situation 18 times already.”

(on if he feels good that Seattle is not facing the distraction that New England is) “I think they’re not worried about the distraction. I hear Bill say he’s more worried about the task at hand and I heard Thomas say that they’re not worried about that and (New England owner) Robert (Kraft) said the same thing. I think it’s one of those things where they’re not too much worried about it. I think the media’s more worried about it than he is.”

(on how close he was last year to not coming back to Seattle after the season) “It was really hard. My brother plays for the Bears and there were a lot of teams that came, but the only teams I took really serious were the Bears and the Seahawks. My brother playing for the Bears played a big focus to me almost going there, but ultimately I came back. ‘Sherm’ (Sherman) called me a lot. The rest of the guys called me, and they said that I was one of the key players of the defense. That made me want to come back.”

QUARTERBACK RUSSELL WILSON

(on if he does anything special with his footballs before games) “No. In terms of the football pregame, I just want to have a football out there to throw. That’s all I look forward to.”

(on the mental aspect of football) “I think the mental aspect’s huge, just being locked in all the time and being able to motivate other guys. My goal is to make the other 10 guys better on the field. So through ups and downs, you stay mentally focused, stay mentally locked into it and you keep fighting for one another, and that’s what we were able to do those last three minutes of the game. We were able to stay in it and play one play at a time, and stay positive and have that same outlook throughout the whole game. I never want to change. I want to be that even keel person, but also the type of guy that’s always going to be positive and motivating, and find a way somehow.”

(on how he feels differently this year as compared to last year having already been through this process) “Well, this year is a little bit different than last year because we’ve been here before. We have the experience of knowing as soon as we get off the plane what media day is going to be like, and then media day Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday pretty much. So you kind of get adjusted. You know how to set your plan for the week and you know how to get ready for practice, and we had a phenomenal week this past week getting prepared just like last year, so we’re looking forward to that. We’re looking forward to just getting out there and practicing. What it really comes down to is playing great football come game day, and that’s the goal.”

(on if the team’s approach changes at all having gone through this last year) “I don’t think the approach changes at all. I think that we did a great job even though we had no experience going to the Super Bowl before. I think that our approach this year is no different; it’s to go 1-0. It’s to have that same championship mindset that we’ve had all year and we’re looking forward to that opportunity of stepping on that field come game day.”

(on the challenges that the New England defense poses) “Well, they fly around first of all. They’re so experienced and they’ve got a lot of guys out there that can make a lot of plays. Their defense is a great defense and we’re going to have to be ready to go. They do a great job with their defensive backs and their pressure up front in terms of their defensive line and all that. So we’re going to have to make plays and we’re looking forward to that.”

(on what the news surrounding underinflated footballs for New England in the AFC Championship meant to Seattle as the opponent of New England) “It had nothing to do with anything. We’re not focused on that. We’re focused on playing our football and playing one play at a time, and trying to find a way to win the Super Bowl.”

(on his message to fans concerning the integrity of the game being under assault) “I don’t think the integrity of the game’s under assault or whatever you want to say. I think that we have a lot of great football players in this football league and we do things the right way. I know this organization, we try to do everything the right way. We’re looking forward to this week and that’s where our focus is. So all the other distractions have really nothing to do with us.”

(on what it would mean to him personally to win back-to-back Super Bowls) “To be here back-to-back years shows a lot about our football team and what we can do. It means a lot to me just to be able to come back and have that championship mindset throughout the whole entire season, and to potentially win back-to-back years is huge. I think it’s really big for our organization and for our players. So I’m looking forward to that potentially, but you can’t look too far ahead. You’ve got this game coming up, you’ve got this practicetomorrow and then practice Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and then a light practice on Saturday, and go from there and play a great game on Sunday, and we’ll see what happens.”

(on if he can tell whether a football has been overinflated or underinflated) “I’ve never experienced it before so I don’t really know. I don’t really know how to answer that. I think that our focus is just on playing this game this week. All those distractions about the footballs have nothing to do with us.”

(on if having already played in this stadium provides any competitive advantage) “You know, I think throughout the week of last week, I think it gives you a little bit of an advantage because I’m big on visualization. I believe in that and seeing the stadium, and knowing where the shot clock is, knowing what the grass is like and knowing all those things. I think it gives you a little bit of an advantage for me personally because I use it mentally throughout the week, but I can’t say it gives you a huge advantage. Hopefully we have a few more fans than the Patriots fans.”

(on continuing to believe that people are against Seattle) “Well, you know, last year the kind of theme that we talked about was, ‘Why not us?’ I kind of told the team at the beginning of the year a story that my dad used to tell me. He used to always say to me, ‘Russell, why not you?’ So I kind of explained that story to the team early in the year in a players-only meeting, and kind of said, ‘Why not me? Why not us?’ That type of idea. So we kind of fed off the idea of, ‘Why not us?’ last year and we still have this year, we’ve still talked about that. One of the things we’ve been saying this year is just, ‘One mission.’ There’s one mission, and that one mission week-to-week is to go 1-0, and also our goal was to get back here. We didn’t really talk about it too much; we just focused on doing the work, the steps that it takes to get back, and now we’re here. We’re looking forward to this game. It’s still 100 yards (long), it’s still 53 and a third (yards wide). There’s going to be a lot more attention on maybe some good commercials, and maybe there will be a great experience throughout the week or something like that, and we’ll have a great halftime show and Katy Perry. But other than that, the game’s still the same, so it doesn’t change.”

(on winning back-to-back Super Bowls, and where that could put this team in history) “I can’t look that far ahead. For me, I think the biggest goal is for us to win because of all the hard work we’ve put in this year. The journey that we’ve been on has been unbelievable. We’ve had a great journey and we’ve come a long way, so to get back back-to-back years is pretty special. So hopefully we get this win.”

(on why it’s so hard for teams to win back-to-back Super Bowls) “Well, there’s 31 other teams – that’s why it’s hard. You have some great teams out there, obviously, and great players. We’ve found ways to just feed off one another and make plays when we needed to and be clutch, but also be consistent in our approach and the way we practice and the way we play games. We’re looking forward to the ball to be kicked off come Sunday.”

(on Seattle’s receivers) “Well, the receiver guys, they’ve been doing a phenomenal job. (Seattle wide receivers) Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin, they’ve been lights out for us all year. They’ve made a lot of big-time catches; Jermaine’s catch last week, Doug’s catch last week. I love the guys that I have around me. We had a guy named (wide receiver) Paul Richardson who is playing for us; he got hurt, but he was doing a great job for us. You have a lot of guys who have stepped up. I’m looking forward to (wide receiver) Ricardo Lockette having a great game hopefully, and (wide receiver) Brian Walters is our punt returner back there and does a great job. We brought a guy up named (wide receiver) Chris Matthews, who’s done a phenomenal job. There’s so many different guys I can get the football to, and (wide receiver) Kevin Norwood’s made a lot of plays for us too. I love the guys that are around me. I trust that they’re going to make the play when they need to make the play, and I trust that they’re going to make the consistent play.”

(on if having a bad game like last week messes with him mentally during the game) “It doesn’t mess with me at all, shockingly. It’s just laser-focus. I never waver, and I think the unwavering mindset that we display, that the receivers displayed and that the defense displayed and the o-line, the running backs, the tight ends, just everybody, it’s pretty special.”

(on what makes Seattle Head Coach Pete Carroll a successful coach) “What I think makes Coach Carroll so successful is his consistent approach. He’s consistent; you know what you’re going to get every day. You know that he’s going to be that positive coach. You know that he’s going to be uplifting. You know that he’s going to challenge us. You know that he’s going to make us compete at a high level. So that’s what you love about Coach Carroll. He’s a difference-maker and he’s unique in his own way. Not many people can be like him and that’s what makes him arguably the best coach in the National Football League in my opinion.”

SAFETY EARL THOMAS

(on his shoulder) “It is pretty good. It is pretty good, especially with this type of environment it makes it better.”

(on having doubt in his mind if he would be ready for the Super Bowl) “Since I was a kid, every time I got hurt I always came back in the game. I remember I played third base on my all-star baseball team and there was a weird ground ball that hit me in the mouth. I had braces at the time. My lip got stuck to the braces and I had to go to the emergency room. My dad said, ‘Do you want to go back and play?’ I was like, ‘Of course.’ This is me. I love competing. I am just glad we are reliving our dreams. It feels like a movie.”

(on his range of motion) “When I come alive nothing is limited. I can still play fearless and throw my body around and whatever happens, happens.”

(on whether his braces stuck to his lip or the shoulder injury hurts more) “Both of them. You can’t really feel it because you are pumping inside and you just love everything that comes with sports. The injuries, you learn from them. When I get older in my career, I will learn how to play with more focus. I can’t do what I want to do as far as creativity-wise. All of this is a learning lesson for me.”

(on how this Super Bowl is different from last year) “We did it different as far as the people. It was a different journey, different situations as far as adversity. We learn from all those situations that got us to this point.”

(on whether or not there is anything this team cannot accomplish now after the win against Green Bay) “We can do whatever we want to do if we are all together. We haven’t lost sight of the same mindset that got us here. No matter what misdirection we may give off. We still know who we are.”

(on former teammate and current New England cornerback Brandon Browner and what he brings to the Patriots) “BB. OG. His attitude. The way he prepares. The way that he loves football. Anybody that loves the game no matter what they do because everybody is going to be different. You can tell they love it and it is contagious in their own unique way.”

(on whether or not Browner will ever be recognized because he went from playing across from Richard Sherman in Seattle to now playing across Darrelle Revis in New England) “When you win, especially like a game this, in the Super Bowl, you are going to get your due.”

(on whether or not New England becomes a more dangerous team given all the adversity they have faced this week) “They are the only team in our way. They are definitely dangerous. Tom (Brady) is a general. He understands the game so well. His pocket presence is smooth. He doesn’t predetermine too much. He kind of flows with the game and that is why he has been so great.”

(on the team’s legacy after this Super Bowl) “I am too young to be thinking about legacy right now, but sometimes you don’t have to say anything because your work speaks for itself. So we definitely have that on the table.”

(on cornerback Richard Sherman referring to safety Kam Chancellor as a lion) “I think Sherm got that line from me. That is how I talk. Anytime you hear Sherm talking bold like that he definitely got that from me. Kam is – You can’t reproduce what Kam brings to this team.”

(on preparing for New England tight end Rob Gronkowski) “We worry about what we have to do. We worry about our job and it is just the personnel and the matchups. We match up very well in this game, so we are going to focus in our job and own our role. I want to be the best free safety for the Seattle Seahawks and we will see what happens at the end of the game.”

(on what his team has proven after a comeback win against Green Bay) “You should tell me, you watched the game. We were us in my eyes. I don’t over-analyze. We were just grateful to be out there. We are playing in-sync. At this time that is all you can ask for.”

(on trying to win a second Super Bowl) “It has been 10 years since a team repeated, so any time stuff like that is on the line – it is a regular game, but when you really take it like that and you play to the final whistle blows, all the love outside, because you can’t really watch. You can’t really worry about who is watching the game or what is behind the camera. You just have to focus on – this is natural. This is what we do. This is another game. Don’t let the outside sources interfere with what we have going on. After that one, I walk off the plane and I am back in Seattle and the parade and stuff like that is happening. That is when you realize what you are talking about.”

(on how to prepare for the New England running game with Shane Vereen and LeGarrette Blount) “They do a good job of changing it up. They have a scat-back that is a strong, physical runner. With me with this shoulder, I definitely have to have a tackling plan.”

(on whether or not it was hard to make his first tackle after coming out of the locker room with his shoulder injury) No it wasn’t hard. Really and truly, if my mental game is right my body just mirrors perfection in that aspect.

(on the benefit of coming to town and seeing Seattle fans) “The sendoff was great. Somebody needed a recorder. They had the helicopters up in the sky. Coach Carroll even had to give us a space before all this stuff happened. He was telling us keep being humble, because what we are about to go through with the helicopters in the sky, you see everybody along the highways, the gas station is packed and they have their different signs. It was nothing but love. We just don’t want that energy in the wrong place.”

(on his thoughts regarding the controversy with New England) “I don’t really hear too much about what goes on the media. I am in my own little world. I don’t watch TV too much.”

(on facing New England quarterback Tom Brady) “With me, I am banking on my experience. I am banking on eye discipline. Then we will see because you just have to get in your rhythm. You have to get in the flow of what is going on around you. You just let your body be free. You can’t really predetermine anything.”

(on sitting out some practices last week) “I practiced Friday. I was trying to get over it in my head. That is a lot to deal with. It is my first major injury in a way, so mentally I was pissed, but I got the big picture. My teammates needed me. I am going to do whatever I need to do for them.”

(on his mindset playing with an injury) “My mindset is that I have an opportunity to really trust my teammates. This is the first game I am going to have to trust them because of my injury. I really, really need to trust my teammates and that is what I am banking on – my teammates doing what they need to do and I need to come through myself.”

TACKLE RUSSELL OKUNG

(on the sendoff in Seattle) “It’s just how Seattle is all the time. Our fans show tremendous support and they’re always behind us 100 percent. If it takes waking up extra early in the morning to get there, they’re willing to do it. And that just speaks volumes of who they are as the 12th man and what they’re capable of.”

(on playing for the fans) “All the time. They’re the 12th man, and I mean it. They are part of our team. They are part of what we do day in and day out and while we are out there, when we’re out on the field, they are just as important as the player next to us.”

(on the biggest difference from a year ago to today) “It feels the same. I think a lot of people get to the point where they are saying we’re defending something, but we’re just as in the chase as anyone else. If it was just the same, our hopes are that we come out with the same result.”

(on this week’s preparation and how Head Coach Pete Carroll mentioned it was a big week) “It’s a big day every day. It’s a big day every day and another opportunity to compete and do what we love and what we do best. It was great to have that extra week. Guys were getting healthy and getting ready to play this upcoming Sunday.”

(on if his health has been key this season) “It’s been important. It’s been important especially for our team. We play very hard and (with) a lot of toughness. Obviously injuries are part of the game, and that’s inevitable. It’s good to have that extra week and have guys get healthy and getting ready to bounce back.”

(on running back Marshawn Lynch) “I would say he’s definitely a tenacious runner. When he has that ball in his hands, you don’t know what he’s going to do. He’s part of what makes us who we are. Whether he’s catching it, running it or even sometimes blocking he’s very important to us.”

(on how he feels about the game) “Very excited at getting another chance to play one of the best games in the world. I get a chance to come out there and do what we love to do. Obviously the Super Bowl is a chance to see who is the best team in the world. We’re looking forward to it.”

(on feeling more at ease having played in the Super Bowl last year) “No ease at all. People say that we’re the defending champs and I think that’s a lie. I think we are just in this pursuit and chasing a title as well too. We’re still just as competitive and just as on edge to come after a win.”

(on how last week was an important week) “Every day is pivotal to our success. We want to be that team who day and day out, regardless of the situation, prepares the same way for the opponent. We competed in that way and wanted to get a jump on these guys early.”

(on the appreciation for the Super Bowl and all that comes along with it) “We’re a very grateful team, especially from the beginning of the year and have a couple struggles. For us to be able to persevere and be constantly persistent throughout the haul of the season and end up where we are, it’s a blessing.”

(on if it is ‘old hat’ being here for the second time in a row) “No, I hope it’s a new one. That hat’s worn out, so we want another chance at it and we got it this year.”

(on what is it like going against Seattle’s defensive line in practice every day) “I think we have one of the best defensive lines in the league. We have Cliff Avril, Mike Bennett, Bruce Irvin and some of the baddest interior guys in the league too. Day in and day out it’s a battle to really win.”

(on how he gets practice against the speed rush with Seattle’s defensive line) “You get practice against every single rush, whether you talk power or a guy who is quicker and has more speed too.”

(on why people around the country have become fans of Seattle) “I would say it’s more the way we play. Obviously we have those who are more loyal to us and the 12th man who are with us either way. It’s great that people really hope and believe in us and believe in what we do. They see us finishing and fighting for games. Obviously it’s something they like and decide to follow.”

(on playing loose and confident and Head Coach Pete Carroll’s coaching style) “At the end of the day, it’s still going to be a game. Pete does a great job of keeping those things into perspectives and really challenging us to be ourselves and be who we are. Never rise to the occasion. Always look at ist as the task at hand is just as important. That way of thinking becomes normal to you.”

(on having played New England in 2012) “I remember New England was a top team. Obviously historically they’ve had a lot of success and we were guys coming into ourselves and really knowing our identity as a team. I guess you could say that was our coming out party. We started really challenging the top tier teams in the league.”

(on quarterback Russell Wilson in the 2012 game against New England) “Obviously he stayed true to himself and stayed true to his character. The whole body of work that he’s done it’s uncompromised. He’s guy that comes in and puts his hard hat on every day and he leads.”

(on what he will do different this year) “Nothing; not going to do anything different. We are going to stick to who we are and what we do best. And the result will be the result.”

(on whether the controversy in New England has led to the Patriots receiving more media attention) “I don’t really get a chance to watch it much, but that’s all right. We’ve earned the right to be here. We’ve definitely earned the right to be here. We’re looking forward to a good game regardless of what people say.”

(on if it is better to have the media focused on New England) “Keep it on them. We do our talk with our play.”

(on whether there was a moment in the season when Seattle questioned whether they could be at the Super Bowl again) “I would say earlier in the season. We don’t think about the end result, we can only think about what’s at hand. And we kept things in perspective each week as they kind of went along. We kept challenging, kept fighting, kept scratching, kept striving, and the end result is the Super Bowl.”

(on what Offensive Line Coach Tom Cable has brought to the position group) “He’s an amazing coach and he’s our leader on offense, especially with the offensive line. I wouldn’t be here and wouldn’t be the player I am without him. He constantly talks about staying on schedule and staying on course. You take your losses but again you get your wins too.”

(on how the New England defense looks on tape) “They are very talented. They play really hard, they show a lot in their scheme. We are going to see a lot and probably some things we don’t expect either. They are pretty solid. They know their ball. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

(on players being drafted together and playing together for a while) “I think it’s very instrumental in the process. I’ve been very fortunate that Pete (Carroll) and John (Schneider) believed in me as one of their first picks. And getting guys who understand what they want and what they desire. Just getting guys that fit the mold and guys who are tough and who are willing to fight that fight. When it all comes together you can get some wins.”

(on how much the offense has grown in the past few years) “It’s all about identity. Obviously we want to be a team that runs the ball and plays it tough and throws the ball explosively over your head. We have all those guys that can do it. I don’t think there is anything we can’t do.”

WIDE RECEIVER JERMAINE KEARSE

(on if there is a different vibe from this year to last year) “I don’t think so. Coach (Pete) Carroll does a nice job of keeping things the same, not changing things, but I mean it feels good to be back here at the Super Bowl again.”

(on whether returning to the Super Bowl makes the experience more comfortable) “Not necessarily. I feel like it gives us a heads up on how it is sometimes, how we can handle certain things, but I think every week a lot of guys treat it, every week as a championship week. I think that helps us in the long run.”

(on if he thinks Seattle’s wide receivers are an underappreciated group) “I think we just kind of go out there and all of our guys have a chip on their shoulder. The majority of our room is undrafted, minus two guys. A lot of our guys play with chips on their shoulders. We have a lot of talent in our room. I’ve watched these guys practice. I’ve watched these guys play. There’s a lot of talent.”

(on the experience of going through the Super Bowl again) “I feel that the only difference would be the location, but other than that I feel that Coach Carroll has done a nice job of just keeping things normal, of how our normal weeks are, how we practice and everything, just a different location. I think a lot of guys are doing really well with this week.”

(on last week’s preparation) “It was good. We had a chance to install our game plan without, I wouldn’t call you guys (media) distractions, but without distractions. We got a chance to install our game plan and just prepare for the game, more so this week. We’re just looking forward to playing.”

(on the controversy surrounding New England) “I don’t think we really pay much attention to it. We are focused at the task at hand and that’s trying to win another Super Bowl. I don’t think too many guys are focused on that at all.”

(on going against former teammate and current New England cornerback Brandon Browner) “It’s going to be exciting to go against BB especially in a game like this. Going against him last year in practice with stuff, he’s a real competitive guy and I feel like our guys are extremely competitive as well, so I think we will be looking forward to the matchup.”

(on the different challenges that New England’s secondary presents) “They move a lot of guys around. They game plan for their opponent. You just have to prepare for everyone. You’ve got to watch enough film on each guy and be able to know the ins and outs of each coverage. You’ve just got to do a lot of film study and when the game goes, you’ve got to adjust.”

(on what he learned from winning a championship last year) “Last year was just learning to play for one another. I think that was a huge key to winning last year’s Super Bowl, just every guy playing for one another and then going into this year, I think, was playing for one another after going through adversity. I feel like these guys have done a great job doing that. We have a real tight team and to win another Super Bowl I feel like it would be a testament to our team’s motivation and how they can push through adversity.”

(on the difference in the team’s confidence between last year and this year) “I think guys are motivated. The last time a team won back to back Super Bowls was with the Patriots. I think a lot of guys have a lot of motivation for that. We’re just going to come out here and try to compete. That’s the ultimate goal right there is just compete and make plays when your opportunity shows.”

(on the mindset being different for this year) “I wouldn’t say so because I feel like we go through the season with the same mindset. It’s a championship mindset each week and you’ve got to bring it each week and every team is going to. You have a target on your back when you win the Super Bowl and you’ve just go to defend that.”

(on the sendoff in Seattle this morning) “It was unbelievable. It just shows that we have the best fans in the world. Just the amount of people out there, all the cheering. It just shows the pride that they have in their team. It was unbelievable. Words can’t describe what that sendoff was like. It was something that you have to be there to really grasp the whole concept of it.

(on feeling better prepared for this year’s Super Bowl) “It’s a totally different season. It’s a new season. You’ve got to go about it like that. last year’s Super Bowl is not going to win this year. You need to game plan, prepare and just compete.”

(on being one of the few players chosen to speak on the first day of Super Bowl week availability) “It’s really cool. I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, the support from them, my family, my friends, and everyone throughout Washington. To be able to be here and speak on behalf of them is such an honor and blessing.”

(on whether Seattle is still riding the wave from the way the NFC Championship Game ended) “I think that game’s totally behind us, a lot of players. We have one mission and that’s to bring a Super Bowl back to Seattle. Last week was a lot of fun. We got to enjoy it. Now that we’re here it’s a business trip and we’ve got to prepare to get ready to go.”

(on the week following the NFC Championship Game) “Probably the first two days after, maybe the first day after, it was a lot of congratulating, people telling me how proud they are of me and the team. We enjoyed the win. It was a huge in for us, but once we started practicing again, that game got put in the shadows and everybody started focusing up on this game.”

(on quarterback Russell Wilson’s positivity throughout the NFC Championship Game) “The power of positivity is huge. When you can stay positive in situations like that, it’s kind of hard to just crumble. His leadership on the sideline continuing to keep guys in it was huge. That just shows the type of leader he is and the type of belief that he has in his teammates and in this team.”

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