Jason in LA
05-29-2005, 09:47 AM
I don't remember everything that was said, but I'll give you guys as much as I remember.
When he was asked about the new rules for tackling, he said that the ball carriers are big guys, and it takes a lot to take them down. So a defensive player needs to use what he can to make that tackle. He said he didn't like the new rules. But he did say that he didn't have a problem with the rules for the QBs. He said it was because if Elway ever got hurt, they'd be in trouble.
When asked about the rules about hitting WRs who just made a catch, he said they didn't have to go for that ball. If they are scared they shouldn't put there hands up to catch it. Spoken like a true safety. If you're scared, don't look for rules to help you, just don't be out there. That answer showed what kind of safety Atwater was. He was just average in coverage, so he scared WRs from going over the middle. He also said that these new rules made defensive players think, instead of relying on instincts. That cases defensive players to miss tackles. They are in a catch 22. If they rely on instincts and make the play they might get fined. If they think about the rules they might miss the play, and end up on the bench, or cut.
Atwater was asked about TO and McNabb having problems. Atwater said that as long as they play well together it won't matter. He said that when the Broncos were winning Super Bowls they didn't all get along. I was hoping he'd go into it a little deeper, but that's all he said. I was hoping to hear a little gossip.
Atwater was asked about the Winslow situation, and he was kind of on the fence. He said that as players, they don't want to be told what they can't do. But he said that he understands why owners write certain clauses into contracts. He said that owners have a lot invested in players. He then said that if he was an owner, he would tell players that they couldn't do certain things. It's just the nature of the business. He told a story about him going skiing during his rookie season. One of his teammates (he didn't say who), tore up his knee skiing and it pretty much ended the guy's career. Atwater said he didn't go skiing after that until the end of his career.
He gave an interesting answer when asked about the Okoye hit. He said that going into the game he knew there was going to be a collision. He didn't know it would end up like that though. He said the hit could have gone either way. He said that he wasn't even concerned about how big Okoye was. That right there tells me why the hit ended up the way it did. Hitting is all about attitude, not size and strength. Atwater went in there full speed, and ran right through Okoye. I think Okoye saw Atwater coming at full speed, and he flinched. He braced himself for the hit. That's what killed him. When ever somebody slows a little to brace himself, he's going to get blasted by a guy going full speed. Atwater gave a hit, and Okoye took it, instead of giving it. No way Atwater runs over Okoye like that if Okoye didn't punk out at the last second. If Okoye gives a blow I think they would have stood each other up, and Atwater's teammates would have helped him take Okoye down.
Atwater said that he liked the Clarett signing. He said the guy has a lot of talent.
When asked about players, like TO, asking for more money when they are already making a ton, he kind of laughed it off. He said that TO was the 3rd highest paid WR in the league, so what is he complaining about.
That's all I can remember. Maybe somebody else heard it and can say some mroe things.
When he was asked about the new rules for tackling, he said that the ball carriers are big guys, and it takes a lot to take them down. So a defensive player needs to use what he can to make that tackle. He said he didn't like the new rules. But he did say that he didn't have a problem with the rules for the QBs. He said it was because if Elway ever got hurt, they'd be in trouble.
When asked about the rules about hitting WRs who just made a catch, he said they didn't have to go for that ball. If they are scared they shouldn't put there hands up to catch it. Spoken like a true safety. If you're scared, don't look for rules to help you, just don't be out there. That answer showed what kind of safety Atwater was. He was just average in coverage, so he scared WRs from going over the middle. He also said that these new rules made defensive players think, instead of relying on instincts. That cases defensive players to miss tackles. They are in a catch 22. If they rely on instincts and make the play they might get fined. If they think about the rules they might miss the play, and end up on the bench, or cut.
Atwater was asked about TO and McNabb having problems. Atwater said that as long as they play well together it won't matter. He said that when the Broncos were winning Super Bowls they didn't all get along. I was hoping he'd go into it a little deeper, but that's all he said. I was hoping to hear a little gossip.
Atwater was asked about the Winslow situation, and he was kind of on the fence. He said that as players, they don't want to be told what they can't do. But he said that he understands why owners write certain clauses into contracts. He said that owners have a lot invested in players. He then said that if he was an owner, he would tell players that they couldn't do certain things. It's just the nature of the business. He told a story about him going skiing during his rookie season. One of his teammates (he didn't say who), tore up his knee skiing and it pretty much ended the guy's career. Atwater said he didn't go skiing after that until the end of his career.
He gave an interesting answer when asked about the Okoye hit. He said that going into the game he knew there was going to be a collision. He didn't know it would end up like that though. He said the hit could have gone either way. He said that he wasn't even concerned about how big Okoye was. That right there tells me why the hit ended up the way it did. Hitting is all about attitude, not size and strength. Atwater went in there full speed, and ran right through Okoye. I think Okoye saw Atwater coming at full speed, and he flinched. He braced himself for the hit. That's what killed him. When ever somebody slows a little to brace himself, he's going to get blasted by a guy going full speed. Atwater gave a hit, and Okoye took it, instead of giving it. No way Atwater runs over Okoye like that if Okoye didn't punk out at the last second. If Okoye gives a blow I think they would have stood each other up, and Atwater's teammates would have helped him take Okoye down.
Atwater said that he liked the Clarett signing. He said the guy has a lot of talent.
When asked about players, like TO, asking for more money when they are already making a ton, he kind of laughed it off. He said that TO was the 3rd highest paid WR in the league, so what is he complaining about.
That's all I can remember. Maybe somebody else heard it and can say some mroe things.