From the F hole

On the first mini-camp practice: It was a good start, but that's all it was. I think our goals in this camp are to get acclimated to our system, our coaches and players getting use to each other and what we expect and how we go about our business. It was a good first practice.

On the depth added to the team through free agency and the draft: Right now, there are numbers there, and the quality of the depth is something we have got to figure out along the way. I think our college scouting department, pro scouting department and Marty Hurney have done an outstanding job of getting those numbers. Right now, it is up to us to coach them up and get them better.

On getting back on the football field for the first time since the end of last season: We've had our share of offseason things, and it's nice to get back out here and practice football.

On having practice without former linebackers coach Sam Mills: He will be missed, not just today but for many days to come. In fact, I walked out here with Sam III and shared a couple of thoughts. We will definitely miss Sam Mills.

On starting first-round draft choice Thomas Davis out at strong safety: Some people use this mini-camp primarily for rookies. In fact, they don't even bring their veterans in. That's not how we run it here. We bring everybody in, so it's the first time we are together as a team, both veterans and rookies. I think there is a lot to be learned from the veterans. Whenever you bring a rookie in, you want to give him the best opportunity to give you his best first impression. He has been (played) there the last two years. I think that (strong safety) is where his comfort level is. That is why we started him there.

On if Davis will play linebacker at all during this mini-camp: More than likely not. We want to take a look at him in the defense as a safety. Then we'll evaluate our whole defense and see where we can utilize our best 11.

On if Davis will play linebacker during the team's coaching sessions in June: I think it's fair to say that at some point we'll take a look at him at outside linebacker.

On how much he will tinker with position changes and new schemes during mini-camp: A little bit of both. You take a look at things schematically that you are doing, things you looked at and studied over the offseason. Our defensive staff, offensive staff and special teams coaches are tinkering with those things, so you get a look at some things schematically as well as where your players are. We had guys that were injured most of last year, seeing where they are. We added some guys in free agency that we have not seen, personally, on our field, as well as the rookies. There is a lot of evaluating going on.

On the competition created by adding new players: What we do is try to better our football team. In my opinion, competition brings out the best in everybody. We brought in (running back) Eric Shelton. Stephen Davis is still here. We signed Ken Lucas with Ricky Manning here. What that does is force guys to work hard. I think at the end of the day that makes you a better football team.

On incumbent strong safety Mike Minter being challenged by Davis: Mike is a pro. I know he'll handle it right. At the end of the day, I think Mike Minter is going to be a very, very big part of our defense this year. He'll do everything in his power to make that happen, whether it's helping a young guy or doing things he's got to do to get better.

On if Minter could play free safety: Potentially. This was only our first practice of the season. What we are doing is evaluating guys. As we prepare for New Orleans in the opener, hopefully, we'll have our best 11 on the field. I can't tell you who that's going to be or what position they're going to be at right now.

On how players who missed last season with injuries performed: Rusty but from a health standpoint very good.

On how wide receiver Steve Smith looked after practicing for the first time since breaking his leg last season: Very good. In talking with Steve, he told me that he is 100 percent. Now, he is just getting his football legs back and the conditioning that goes along with playing football.

On the status of offensive lineman Bruce Nelson: We're just waiting for him to get healthy. We can't do much with him until he gets clearance from the medical people.

 

Fox should go into politics if he ever quits coaching.

 

If we do sign Az Hakim can we hear from the Az-hole?

 

Buddy Ryan he's not.

 

I'd pay to see that!

 

I haven't heard many at TRB pointing out the positions of most concern this post draft. Is anyone concerned with those over the middle passes we gave up on third down last year? The poor LB pass protection. What have we added that will help out there?

 

I have this funny feeling that's why we drafted who we did.

 

You would? Really?