(nm) M Loomis to Appear on Sirius NFL Radio @ 10AM Central (01/20)

Schein and Gannon (hosts)

Gannon: Q about defense. “Really settled in after Hightower run”

ML: “A shock to us on that play, but we got angry after that, played well the rest of the way. Guys responded, really good performance, real physical game but we are used to playing that way earlier in the year/before injuries”

 

Schein: What about R Bush?  That punt return! “Unbelievable performance” on ST

 

ML: “Had a big day on punt return, on offense as well. Explosive running, knew he had those skills. Sean had mentioned weeks ago to me that he’d have an impact on postseason.”

Gannon: Bush really ran physically. What got into him?

 

ML: First time he’s been truly healthy in a while (mentioned knee). Also, we have guys on the team that have told him that you can be that sort of physical runner, you need to play like it. “Certainly helped on Sat”

 

Schein: Deuce…how did you reach that decision, walk us thru it.

ML: Had a roster spot available (Lelie), didn’t have anyone in line to take that spot, so we went ahead and did it as “an act of showing our appreciation for this guy who epitomizes what this team is about, the kind of guy we want on this team”. “A recognition of him being the ultimate team-first guy.” “Right thing to do”.

 

Gannon:  Minny is the matchup people have wanted for months now. Last year’s MNF…how do you slow that Minny D line?

ML: Tough challenge, but we have confidence in our OL, plus Sean “will have a plan for it”. Particular faith in “our two young guards”. We’ll see what happens, will be tough challenge.

 Schein: Surprised by the “ease” of Minny’s W against Dal?

ML: Dallas has been playing well, really “took it to us good”, so yes I was a bit surprised. But, I think it was DAL got behind early on the road, sort of snowballed, plus Minny was rested (like our game vs Az). “If we played Az 10 times, wouldn’t beat them 45-14 again, likely, just the way it goes sometimes (implication is same thing happened in Minny v Dal game).”

(Talk about Jets, who cares-?)

Schein: How about Shockey’s health? Rest of club?>

ML: We’ll look at practice today. Expect to “have all hands on deck today”, but “we’ll see how it goes”.

Gannon: Minny talented, Favre playing “at high level”

ML: (Sigh-maybe already tired of hearing how effing great the Vikes are all week long) Yep, they’re good, “not going to tip our hand on how to handle them”, plus “hopefully, they’ll have their hands full against us as well”

 

Schein:  Is your defense “opportunistic”?

ML: Yes, esp. when we are healthy?

 

Schein: Is Brees the single best FA pickup in NFL history?

ML: We’ll see, but he’s off to a great start, that’s for sure.

 

Gannon: 70.2% completion percentage!  How do you do that in the NFL? I’d have trouble doing that without defenders in practice?

ML: Hard to fathom sometimes, great protection, etc.

 

Gannon: Aaron Kromer (who I’ve worked with in OAK) has done a great job

ML: Agree, evident in Bushrod’s progression, our ability to run the ball, to keep Brees clean, “great job”

Schein: Vilma’s impact on defense (playmaker, leadership)?

ML: Hard to put into words…a great leader for us. Manages the game so well.

Gannon: Game vs AZ, thought your rush really impacted the game. Talk about the DL and G. Williams

ML: Definitely affected the QB, “and we absolutely HAVE to do that again” (emphasis on HAVE). Need pressure in order to win this week.

Schein: What would a potential SB mean to NOLA?  Do you think about it?

ML: Really are focused on task at hand, I know people are very excited, but we’ve taken “a bunker mentality here, trying to avoid distraction and focus on Vikings, won’t worry about other stuff until it happens.”

Schein: Thanks.

ML: Thanks, “hope I get to talk to you again next week”  (Laughs) 

Schein: Agreed, best of luck to you.