DE Brandon Graham
On his first preseason performance: "You know, there were some good things in there, but (there is) a lot of stuff that I need to work on that I'm going to work on for this game and that's just coming off the ball, exploding a little more and making sure it (happens) every play."
On whether he envisions himself moving inside to the defensive tackle position in pass-rushing situations: "I don't know, but I know (defensive line coach Jim Washburn) put a lot of ends inside because he wants you, (and) you know visa-versa, to be able to go inside and go out. I don't really worry about it. It's just getting to the quarterback; that's all I worry about."
On the difference between playing inside rather than at the end position: "Well, you know, you can get caught in the run on a third down sometimes. You've got to be able to hold the gap and be able to take on double teams, which I feel like I'd be able to do. But other than that, it's no different. It's just, you've got to get a quicker move in than you do outside."
On whether he expects to play a lot of snaps in Monday's game: "Yeah, I think I'm going to play a lot. Me and (DE Phillip) Hunt (are) going to have a good little rotation going and then you've got Cullen (Jenkins). I don't know how long Cullen's going to play, but I know we're going to get a lot of action from me and Phillip Hunt and (DE Darryl) Tapp."
On what defensive coordinator Juan Castillo means when he says Graham is on a mission this season: "Well, he just knows my focus; taking it one day at a time and, you know, every day, just trying to get better. That's what I've been doing up to this point. You know, one of my goals was not to miss a day in camp and I accomplished it so it was pretty cool. That's what I told him before. So, right now, I'm still on a mission because the season's not here yet and I need to get better right before the season."
On the importance of having success on third downs and whether that has been a focus this week: "Yeah, because you know we want to get off the field. Why go hard for the first two downs and then the last down, where you need it to get off the field, why back off? That's what we really made adjustments and stuff like that just on what we need to do and most of the time, it's just blown assignments and that's something we can control. I think everything worked out this week so far, but we'll see in the game."
On where he feels he has improved the most since his rookie season: "Basically, everything now is kind of settled down and it's not as fast as it was to me in the beginning. Now, I feel like I'm back in my college days, just ready to go out there and just put in extra work. I can think about helping my game in different areas than I (could) when I first got here.
QB Trent Edwards
On the difference in his approach in the preseason: "My approach is still going to stay the same. I'm going to do my job the best that I can. I'm going to prepare the best that I can and get out there and hopefully put some points on the board and move the chains."
On how much the team is game-planning for New England's defense: "We're doing quite a bit. We're doing more than any other preseason game we'll do. We're getting a full week of practice in against these guys so we're watching a lot of tape and doing quite a bit."
On whether he has been told how much he will play against New England: "No. Nothing yet right now."
On whether he has been in a situation before where he hasn't received many practice reps: "Yeah, in Jacksonville and Oakland. The last two teams I've played for have both been in the same situation."
On how difficult it is to fully grasp the offense with limited reps: "You can still do it by taking mental reps, by getting some work in with guys after practice. There's still a lot of different ways. There's ways to get better in the film room and here in the locker room. You just have to find ways around it, but I don't think it's difficult at all."
On whether having two games in five days changes your mindset in terms of preparation: "No, not at all. The only thing I'm focused on right now is the New England Patriots. I haven't looked at any tape of the other two teams. It's going to be tough for me to name who they are; I think the Jets and the Browns. But, beyond that, it's more Patriots right now."
On potentially seeing more time against Cleveland in the third preseason game: "I mean, that's what the preseason's here (for), is to see guys like myself perform. A lot of guys in this locker room are fighting for jobs here so that's kind of what you have to be prepared to do."
On whether he feels as if he's been given a fair chance to make the team: "Yup, for sure. I was clearly explained what my role was here and I've felt like I've been treated properly. I'm very thankful for the opportunity and I've tried to get better each day. We've got some great coaches, great players in here. (I) just try to get better each day."
On what he was told when he signed with the team: "We'll give you a chance to learn our system, see what you have. Get a chance to get better. I know I've been saying that a lot. But that's kind of the opportunity here is to play for the coaches, play for this organization, play for this city and, right now, it's been great so far."
