Have you been doing anything different to get ready for the season?No, it's just pretty much the same progression. Like I said, I'm just trying to approach and attack every day and make it count.
Does this unit have enough with you not in there? That's 71 catches they're trying to replace.Oh sure, yeah. There are a lot of good players on the roster every year. There are plenty of guys to make plays. We just have to figure out how to play together and work as a team. I know the guys are going to do that while they're here.
With you out for possibly a while and WR Mike Wallace gone all together, that's 16 touchdowns the team has to replace.Yeah, but with Mike gone, it just creates opportunity for other guys. There are plenty of capable men in training camps everywhere. It's just about guys earning their opportunities and what they do when they get them.
How do you think you will know when your knee is ready?I'm not sure. I'm sure it will be a collective decision made by a lot of people. Like I said, I try not to think about the big picture too much and just approach every day and try to get better.
What are you able to do now that you weren't able to do during mini-camp?I'm pretty much doing the same. I'm just trying to get better at what I was doing. Really, mini-camp was only a few weeks ago so it wasn't that long ago. Just get better and better and feel more comfortable with what I'm doing.
Does the process seem like it is dragging?Like I said, I'm just trying to maintain my focus on the short-term and make progress every day and not think about the big picture. That will add up to a good outcome, whenever that may be.
Is it going to be difficult sitting back and watching these guys practice and playI don't think it's easy for anyone to sit around and watch. It's kind of what we love to do and that's why we're here, is to be out there playing and to be a part of the team. It's never easy for anyone to sit to the side and watch. I'm sure I'll find that out.
Will you be working out on the third field during practice like the PUP players usually do?I'm not sure. I'm just going to do whatever Coach [Tomlin] and [Head Athletic Trainer] John [Norwig] tell me to do. I know what time I'm showing up this afternoon, so we'll see what they have in store for me.
How far along are you in the rehab process?I'm seven months post-surgery.
Are you back on the field running?Sure, yeah.
And cutting?Yeah.
There are a couple of tight ends on the PUP List. Is there enough depth at the position in the interim?I don't know. You're asking the wrong guy. We've got a really good room, to be honest. The four guys that are going to be working are really sharp. Matt [Spaeth] has played here and has played in the league a long time. We know he's more than capable. [David] Paulson did a great job. Jamie McCoy has been around here a while. He's a really good player. Our new guy, Pete [Tuitupou], is sharp. So, I'm excited to see what he can do when we get the pads on. We're going to be okay.
