Steve Spurrier
Q: How much concern is there about Patrick Ramsey's ankle?
A: Well, it's not his ankle; it's his foot. It's a bone in his foot that's either fractured a little bit or bruised or something. It gives him discomfort. He should be fine by the weekend. If not Tim Hasselbeck practiced today, and he knows what to do. At some point, he's probably going to play this year. Could be this week, but Patrick probably should be ready to play. Q: When would you make that decision?
A: Oh, we don't have to make that decision until the weekend. Patrick we think should be able to practice a little bit tomorrow, the next day. We think, but we'll have to wait until then.
Q: How has it affected his throwing?
A: Just planting on his right foot has been a problem. At times, he's been very good. At times it bothers him, so hopefully we'll get it fixed.
Q: Did you ever have an injury similar to Patrick's?
A: Just my right knee, not my right foot.
Q: How do you stand at halfback?
A: At halfback, John Simon was out there running around with Trung Canidate today. Rock [Cartwright] sprained his ankle but should be fine by the weekend. Chad [Morton] took the day off with his ankle, but he should be ready by the weekend also.
Q: Is Ladell Betts still out of the picture?
A: Yeah, his arm is not completely healed yet. He's doubtful.
Q: Is it possible John Simon would start?
A: No, I doubt it. I'd say Trung would probably start in all likelihood.
Q: Did Ramsey practice at all today?
A: No, he just watched mainly and threw a few standing still. He didn't move around on his foot at all.
Q: Have you given any thought about giving Ramsey the week off to let his foot get better?
A: If that seems to be the thing to do, we would, but if Patrick's healthy, he's going to play. We're still believing something good's going to happen. We're still believing that we can start winning our close games and play better and coach better and all those things, so we got to go down there with that attitude and throw everything we got at the Miami Dolphins.
Patrick Ramsey
Q: How does your foot feel?
A: I feel better today than I did yesterday. Still a little bit sore. I'm just trying let it rest and let it heal.
Q: Do you think you'll be able to play Sunday?
A: I hope so. I mean I've played, what, 10 games so far on it, so I hope that I will be able to. It's more sore than it's been thus far on a Wednesday, but I'm going to go out there and evaluate it, and hopefully I can play. I'm expecting to play as of this point.
Q: Does this injury date from your college days?
A: I don't know. That's what everybody wants to know, and I don't know. I talked to the doctor, and he said I probably could have had it sore for a couple days, and then just little by little it's gotten worse. It was first really sore during preseason, during training camp when we were here. We X-rayed it, and basically they saw that it was broken or fractured, and then it's just gotten worse the past couple weeks than it has been throughout the season.
Q: How does the foot affect your play?
A: It limits it. It limits my sliding in the pocket a little more. A little more last week than in the previous weeks, but I'm just going to see if I can go with it.
Q: So it was broken during the preseason?
A: Well, I don't know if it was broken during the preseason. The thing is, when the doctors looked at it, they said it looked like an old fracture, and I bruised the bone where it was trying to heal, and then I've done that again now. It's just a little more sore at this point than it was before.
Q: Is it broken now or just bruised?
A: I don't know. You're going to have to talk to the trainers. It's sore, I'll tell you that.
Q: Do you think some defensive linemen would try to step on your foot?
A: It gets stepped on plenty, so it's not a case where somebody's going to intentionally do it, I don't think, but they might. It's something to expect.
Q: What will it take for you not to play?
A: It hinders me, but I don't think it keeps me from being . . . it limits me a little bit, but I think I can still perform. Until I think I can't perform, I want to stay out there and play. This experience that I'm gaining, we still have a chance with this football team. I want to be a part of that.
Q: Do you think the best thing might be to give a couple weeks of rest so it doesn't become chronic?
A: Well, I don't want to do that until I have to. I don't want to do that until I can't go, and if that happens, then we'll take it from there, I'm sure.
Rock Cartwright
Q: What is the injury situation with the running backs?
A: I think all three of us are making progress. Hopefully Ladell will be back real soon. Trung is going to be back, and I think I'll be able to play Sunday.
Q: Do you have to make any adjustments with your sprained foot?
A: Just make sure I get it properly taped. I'll probably get more tape or get more protection, but I don't think it's going to be that big of a problem.
Q: So you don't see it affecting you at all?
A: I don't see it affecting me at all. Like I said, pretty much all the swelling is gone. I'm just trying to get treatment, a contrast of heat and cold, and just trying to get all the swelling down, and I'll be ready for Sunday.
Fred Smoot
Q: How important is this game?
A: Very important. We've got to win this game. It's a must-win. Point blank, every game from here on is a must-win.
Q: Are the playoffs still a reality?
A: Yeah, they're still a reality. Ain't no give up around here. We're not running around here talking about going home early. I'm not, and nobody else is. We're still going to put our best effort forward.
Q: Do you care who's playing quarterback for the Dolphins between Jay Fieldler and Brian Griese?
A: No, it doesn't matter. Both of them are going to try to win the game, so it doesn't matter who's back there. But I know who will be a big part of their game plan, and that's Ricky Williams. So if we stop him and force them to throw on us, I think we've got a great chance.
Q: Do you see this as a desperation game for both teams?
A: It really is because they're far from their expectations, and we're far from ours. So I think it could be a turnaround for whichever team wins.
Redskins
