Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Quotes: Andy Reid, Jamaal Charles, Alex Smith, Dontari Poe, And Derrick Johnson
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 18, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) is pressured byKansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Dontari Poe (92) in the first half at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
DONTARI POE
Q: Is this camp harder and hotter than anything you were doing at home?
POE: “I mean, camp is always hard. It was pretty cool today, but we will run into those days that are worse where you need a little bit more water than normal, but it’s all good.”
Q: Does it take putting on the pads to know you’re really at camp?
POE: “Yeah, you know you’re here when you have to wake up at six in the morning anyways. Like I said, it’s all good once we’ve got the pads on; you’re physically on the field and real bump. Like I said, we’re just working to get the job done.”
Q: You’ve played more snaps than anyone in the league at your position; do you expect that to change at all this coming season?
POE: “Whatever the team needs. If I play that much, or even more. I’m ready for it; I conditioned for it this whole offseason. Whenever the coaches put me in, I’m ready anytime.”
Q: How do you view the changes around you on defense?
POE: “The way I look at it is I let them do their job upstairs, and I’m just here to play. Whatever they do, it’s alright with me. Whoever new comes in, I let them be a part of the Chiefs team. I’m not too worried about that.”
Q: Does that make any difference to you being around new guys on defense?
POE: “Yeah, yeah it does. It’s just like it is for a new person coming in getting used to the team. There’s a certain point in time where you have to know who you are as a person, just stay strong as a person and you’ll be alright.”
Q: Is this training camp any different than years past?
POE: “Quite a bit from my first one. Coming in this year, we know how it is from last year, we were all kind of flying through it. We don’t get used to it because camp is camp. It’s kind of brand new. It’s always a good experience.”
Q: Have the coaches emphasized finishing?
POE: “All in all, we have to come into practice strong and finish stronger. Start strong, finish strong. Same with the season. We have to rep it up and get better as the year goes on. We’ll be alright.”