Q: What is your response to what Miami linebacker Joey Porter said yesterday regarding you and the Patriots?
MC: I haven't read Joey's [Porter] response or anything like that. I don't know what he said and I don't really care to know. Everybody is allowed to have their own opinion. I respect him as a player. I think he is a great player. That is the NFL. Everybody is going to have an opinion and you just have to go out there and play.
Q: It sounds like you are taking the 'high road'...
MC: That is just part of it. It's just a little smack talk...that's OK.
Q: Two words that coach Bill Belichick used when talking about preparing for the Miami Dolphins was 'physical' and 'aggressive'. Is that what you are preparing for?
MC: There is no doubt. They are a physical team and are very aggressive. We have to do the same on our side of the ball. We have to go out there, match their intensity both physically and aggressively and try to execute.
Q: It seems like you were relieved to get your first start over with against the New York Jets last week. Is there a different feel to this week's game and the preparations for it?
MC: Everything was new last week to a certain extent. This week, you kind of have a better basis of what the role is and how to approach it. It is a little bit more comfortable this week then it was last week.
Q: Can you talk about the running backs and how important they are to the passing game?
MC: We have been blessed to have five or six great running backs on this team. They will continue to be a big part of the game plan. Hopefully, they can keep running the ball like they have been and continue to give us a boost.
Q: Quarterback Tom Brady has attended some of the team meetings since his injury.
MC: He's been here, in and out, throughout.
Q: Do you expect him to be mentoring you through the season?
MC: I hope so.
Q: What would that mean to you?
MC: I've leaned on him through my career so far and I'll continue to do that.
Q: Is red zone offense kind of a focus this week?
MC: We're focusing on all aspects of the game. The Jets did a good job of keeping us out of the end zone this week. Hopefully, we can go in there this week and score some more touchdowns.
Q: Are there some similarities between executing on third down and in the red area?
MC: There are, in the red zone everything gets a little tighter, you have to make decisions a lot quicker and the defenses get a little bit tougher down there. In terms of third down, it's a one-play series at that point because you either get the first down or you're off the field. Both are critical aspects of the game that you have to execute if you want to move the ball and win.
Q: Are you excited that you don't have to face Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor?
MC: There's no doubt that I'm excited that Jason [Taylor] is somewhere else. He's wreaked havoc around here and in this division for a long time. I'm actually looking forward to not seeing him on Sunday.
Q: In regards to Randy Moss, what did the Jets do and do you expect to get the ball to him more this week?
MC: You always want to get the ball to Randy [Moss]. He's one of the best receivers in the NFL and we're going to work hard to do that. He's a great player and if I could, I would throw the ball to him every time. Wes Welker might get a little upset but you just have to continue to work and when they give you your opportunities you have to hit them.
Q: Do you feel like your chemistry with those guys [receivers] is getting better?
MC: You just have to continue to work and continue to build chemistry. That's just something that we work on out on the practice field and as we go into the games as well.
Q: Can you comment on the run blocking in the fourth quarter?
MC: The offensive line did a great job all day. They really did a great job in the fourth quarter. They were able to open up some holes and let those running backs do what they do best, which is run the ball. If they can continue to do that it will be a big help for us.
Q: The mentoring roll that you mentioned Tom [Brady] took on with you, have you taken on that [role] with Kevin [O'Connell] now?
MC: I always try to help the young guys because Tom [Brady] taught me how to do that. I try to help Kevin [O'Connell] in whatever way that I can. I try to help him become a better quarterback. There are a lot of things that you learn as a rookie and you grow the most, I would say as a rookie from your first year to your second year. Any questions that he has I'm always open to helping him grow as a quarterback.
Q: On the throw to [David] Thomas late, [Calvin] Pace got a hand on it did you wish you put more air under that or what was going on that play?
MC: I definitely wish we would have scored on that, but that's football. They are going to make some plays and we're going to make some plays, so you just have to move on.
