Fisher, 9/10…transcript & video

Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher– September 10, 2014

(Opening statement)
“I’m going to start off with this, (DE) Chris Long has played in all 95 games in his career here. He is second in the league as far as consecutive starts at the defensive end position to Jared Allen. He will miss his first game this week and will miss a few more. He’s having surgery either tonight or tomorrow morning, unfortunately. We are going to put him on the designated IR list, designated to return. The players are aware of it. Obviously, they’re disappointed, I’m disappointed for Chris. I won’t go into the specifics on the surgery. It is unique however, and he will be back. When I can’t predict at this time, but we have a good feel that he will be back at some point late in the season. (QB) Sam Bradford also had surgery that was successful Monday. He’ll be back in town here Friday and will be back with us next week. Doctors gave a good report. Sam decided over the weekend and we talked prior to the game that he wanted to go ahead and get it done and get on that comeback trail again that he knows so well. That will basically take care of the injury situation.”

(On if finding out about Chris Long was a jolt to him)
“Yeah it is. We talked, Chris and I talked, he’s obviously…the doctors did an excellent job with the diagnosis and we’ve talked to several other specialists. They felt that this was the best course of action for his ability to return this season, but also for his career.”

(On if Long will be around post-surgery)
“Oh yeah. He said he will be here as soon as he can and to expect him to be around and probably watching practice next week sometime.”

(On Long’s morale and dealing with his injury)
“Well, he’s not taking it very well. Obviously, you guys know him, his personality is such that he’s let the team down because he can’t be here. That’s what he’s most disappointed about.”

(On if he got stepped on from the back)
“Yeah, it was kind of a unique injury. I’ve been here for a few years now and it’s not good when he doesn’t get up because he’s never on the ground.”

(On if DE William Hayes has to step up and if there is a chance DL Ethan Westbrooks will get an opportunity)
“There’s a chance Westbrooks will be up now, Will steps up. Obviously, ‘Gene’ (DE Eugene Sims) can play both sides. We’ll be fine there until he gets back.”

(On the mood in practice)
“It was great. I complimented them just a few minutes ago. They practiced like they’re, 1-0 and that’s what you need. You need that on Wednesday so we just have to continue with that. We’ve got a huge challenge. We’ve got a similar set of circumstances, although the Bucs made a comeback late and had a chance, nonetheless, both teams lot home openers. As coach (Buccaneers Head Coach Lovie Smith) says down there, they’ve got a lot to improve on, as we do.”

(On QB Shaun Hill’s status)
“Shaun did not practice today. He’ll be day-to-day. (QB) Austin (Davis) took the majority of the reps. We got (QB) Case (Keenum) some reps, first time. He’s starting to feel a little more comfortable in the system. Keep in mind this is still just his fourth day on the practice field with us, so he’s working hard to get up.”

(On if Shaun Hill will play this week)
“He’s day-to-day, that’s all I can say right now.”

(On OL Rodger Saffold’s status)
“Rodger was fine. Rodger practiced today.”

(On how encouraged he was about WR Brian Quick’s performance on Sunday)
“I was encouraged. The questions that followed the Brian Quick question were, ‘What about (WR) Kenny Britt?’ and my response is, ‘Well if Quick’s got seven catches for 99 yards, the odds are the ball’s not going to anybody else.’ Especially considering we only had 11 drives. But, Brian came on. He made every catch. The only thing that he could improve was the facemask penalty. He’s learned from that. But, he was very productive. Made different types of catches, contested catches-the third down catch where we ended up fourth and one and a half was a good catch, it was a good concentration effort.”

(On the role expansion for WR Tavon Austin)
“We’re just trying to get the ball in his hands. He needs the ball in his hands in space. I don’t know if I mentioned this earlier in the week, but he was very, very close to going a long way on two punt returns. Secure the ball and take-off and trust your blockers. That’ll be another way that, obviously, we can get some production there.”

(On which punt returns Austin was close to big returns)
“One was the muff and then the other was just another