Q:Do you like playing in pads?
BW:I probably don't love them as much as [Jerod] Mayo does but it's definitely something needed to get the work done that you need to.
Q:How much does being in pads help you prepare for the mental approach of taking on their defense?
BW:There's no way you can really get the looks that you need without getting some pads in. As far as the run game, timing and different issues like that, you have to have some pad work at times. I think it's showed that it's not overly necessary but it's definitely necessary, especially with this much time. I think it's something that's definitely needed.
Q:What's the biggest adjustment when they bring in the four defensive ends?
BW:That's the biggest difference, is knowing who you're going against from play to play. You have to know that every one of those guys have different elements of their game from JPP [Jason Pierre-Paul] and his long arms and his super athletic ability to a guy like [Justin] Tuck who is a veteran, a guy who is always going to give you one look and do something different to the bigger guys in the middle, the guys who are real physical. It's a lot different; you have to know from guy to guy who you're going against.
Q:Is it tougher to run block or pass block against guys like that?
BW:It's probably about the same to be honest with you because you know they're probably not going to stand still if it's the little guys. But again, you're going against the big guys when it comes to pass blocking, you know that their job is to press the pocket, get in the middle, get down the middle, try to force Tom [Brady], not to give him an opportunity to step up. Like I said, it's really focusing on the guy that you have in front of you and understanding what their strengths and weaknesses are as far as per play, for the scheme you're going to be doing for that particular play.
Q:How much does the defensive line move around laterally?
BW:I don't think as much as you would expect with them having smaller guys - most of those small guys have a lot of power - [Justin] Tuck and even Osi [Umenyiora]. When he gets it going, when he gets a three, four yard hard start, there are times when you could think he's going to be doing a lot of stuff and he just comes right down the middle of you. You have to play him honest. I don't think, they don't move as much as people would expect.
Q:As a veteran going to your first Super Bowl, do you walk a fine line because you're a veteran leader but you might be as excited as some of the young guys?
BW:The one thing about here, you don't really to look too far past Bill [Belichick] to look for leadership. Here, as players, the one thing you get a great opportunity to do is just come and do your job. You're not asked to do more than that. It's great when you do have leaders. There are natural born leaders among every football team and that cream will rise to the top and those guys will step out when necessary. You don't really have to take that upon your shoulders to be anything other than who you are and do your job.
Q:They substitute a fair amount on the defensive line. Can you exploit that with the no-huddle?
BW:We're going to try to do a lot of different things in the course of a game and they're going to try to do a lot of different things. Exploit, at this point in the season, I don't know if there's really anything you can exploit at this point. We're very familiar with each other, we've played a lot of games, there's a lot of film to watch, there's a lot of stuff you'll be able to practice on. You just don't know what you're going to get for the game. They don't know what they're going to get from us; we don't know what we're going to get from them come Sunday. We just have to be ready to adjust to whatever they throw at us and I'm sure they'll be saying the same thing.
Q:How many teams contacted you when you were released this offseason and how did you wind up here?
BW:A number of teams contacted me but it was all about trying to find that right place for me and finding the team that gave me an opportunity to be in this situation. I think clearly this is one of the premier teams of the league, by far, from the head all the down, the owner all the way down. I feel very comfortable, I've worked with those guys before so it was definitely one of those things where it was an easy decision for me.
Q:What does Logan Mankins mean to the offensive line?
BW:He's one of the hardest working guys I've been around. The way he plays the game, the intensity, the way he finishes every play, the effort he gives you on every play is definitely motivating to you no matter who you are. No matter how many years you've been in the league, whether you're a young guy or an older guy, when you watch him play it definitely motivates you. He definitely pushes. To be on the same - I've played with some great guards before, I've played with Will Shields and it was the same thing but a different type of player. Playing with Logan is definitely one of the things, when I look over there and I watch film and watch the way he plays, it's definitely one of those things that motivates you to step your game up.
Q:Do you have to pinch yourself that you're at this moment now; that the moment you came here for is here now?
BW:I've tried really hard to really control everything to this point; try to get all the administrative stuff out of the way and really focus on the details of the game as much as possible. I haven't gotten there yet, I have a feeling that things will change once we land. It's something I'm going to fight real hard to control my emotions and try not to peak at the wrong time.
Q:Are you going to take a video camera around and document the experience?
BW:No, I'm not that guy. I'm sure there will be plenty of those guys.
Q:Osi Umenyiora was saying that Matt Light does things to get under the defenders' skin. How much of a factor can the mental game be in the trenches?
BW:There is a little bit of that but for the most part, it's a physical game. The mental part is making sure you know who you're blocking from play to play. For them, they have their own assignments that they have to be accountable to. That's probably the strongest mental part. All the other itty-bitty games that are played during the course of a game, there's definitely going to be some of that gamesmanship at some point. Honestly, if we know who to block and the physical part is finishing and putting out and not getting outworked then I feel like we have a good chance. What he's talking about, I don't know, you'd have to ask Matt. I'm sure they'd be able to explain a little bit better than me.
Q:How helpful is it to have so much film on an NFC team? It's rare now but you have played these guys with all the preseason games.
BW:I don't know. I think in this day and age in football you're able to get as much film as you need. I don't think we're at any kind of advantage by the fact that we have a lot of film on them. I think the way the game is, you can put up film on pretty much anybody. I don't think that makes a difference or not.
Q:How does Tony Gonzalez compare with the two tight ends here?
BW:Totally different. I think that there's a little bit of Tony in both of those guys. I think both of those guys are definitely, not to knock Tony because I have a great amount of respect for Tony but both of those guys are tremendous athletes to go along with their skill. Tony, to me, is by far the best tight end to ever play. These two guys give you something that a lot of teams haven't ever had to my knowledge. I don't know the history of football, you probably could ask Bill [Belichick] or some of the older coaches about it, but to be honest with you, I haven't seen a duo like this since I've been in the league by far.
Q:Is it their ability to run with the ball after the catch?
BW:Amongst other things. Amongst Gronk's [Rob Gronkowski] ability to block, amongst Aaron's [Hernandez] versatility, amongst their intelligence for their game - they clearly have a great understanding for Tom [Brady], a feel for the game and how he's looking at the game and connecting with both of them. The way they finish each play and their ability to make plays outside, inside, red zone, middle of the field, the ability to catch the ball in front of them, over their shoulder - they have an unbelievable amount of skill that they use and they're just getting better. They're at the beginning of how good they're going to be.
Q:Can you talk about Vince Wilfork elevating his game on the biggest stage thus far in the AFC Championship Game?
BW:That doesn't surprise me. I see the guy every day. I know he works hard, I know he has a clear understanding for the game plan, I know he works as hard as anybody especially on that side of the ball. Vince is a hard guy to deal with. I've had the opportunity to play him in a different type of defense. The guy is a big guy who has some very good movement, very good feet and hands. That's something very difficult for a lineman to deal with. When you see him, you think it's all power; you just want to get your hands on him right away. As soon as you get too far over your toes, make too quick of a decision, he does something that all of the sudden gets you off your rocker and then he does have amazing amount of power and leverage. It doesn't surprise me at all that he's been able to be as productive as he has so far in his career.
Q:In watching the film from the first game, it seemed like in the second half you had five or six man protections instead of seven or eight in the beginning of the game. How important is it for you guys to hold those guys off so you don't need extra guys in there to block?
BW:I'd have to go back and look at the film. I really haven't broken the film down in that fashion. Whatever they call, we're going to do. Whatever the coaches, Billy [O'Brien] and those guys have a great plan and they're going to have a great understanding. Coach [Dante] Scarnecchia is going to make sure that we're going to be in the right places. I don't know. I know one thing, we're going to do whatever we have to do to get the job done. However many guys are asked to step up, I'm sure we'll be ready to go.
