On defensive performance
"I think that's the standard we hold ourselves to. Once we got on the field, we got to control what we can control and that is dominate every single snap. I felt like we executed out there. Everybody was aligned, everybody was sharp. We had a dominant performance. So it's something to build off of. Obviously, there's a few mistakes that we could correct, but starting off the season like that now allows us to separate ourselves further down the road."
On facing Titans QB Cam Ward
"I think the pressure and coverage goes hand in hand. We just send in different looks at him, different pressures, simulated pressures, giving him different disguises. We tried to make it tough on him because Cam [Ward] is a great quarterback, he's going to be a great quarterback in the league. We did what we had to do, as far as giving him different looks. Obviously the front is going to do what they do. That's what they do, they eat all the time. It was great how the D-line, the rush and the coverage went hand-in-hand today."
On containing Tennessee's offense
"We had situations where they were in our territory, and we had to find a way to capitalize. We had to find a way to get off the field. We always say to ourselves, if they get down there they're not going to score. Holding them to a field goal is very key in this league. That can separate a win and a loss with how close the game was. I think we were assigned, assigned and focused during those drives, knowing that any error that we made could potentially result in the touchdown. I think we were sharp when we had those opportunities out there on the field when they were in our territory."
On opening the season with a win
"It is always important, getting the win is all that matters. No matter how it looks, no matter how it may seem ugly, it may seem great, but a win is a win, no matter what. Like I said before, we have a lot to correct in the film room, get better at and learn from. We have a debrief session tomorrow. We're going to look at the film, see different errors we could correct on and fix at the end of the day. We got a long season ahead of us. I'm very optimistic on what this team could be."
On holding the Titans scoreless after the muffed punt
"It doesn't matter if they get the ball on the 1-yard line by the goal line or they get the ball on a 30-yard line, in our territory, it does not matter. It just matters on what we do out there and that is executing. Our pressure got there, like I said before, every time we are out there on the field, the rushers are going to eat regardless. That makes it easier for us in the back end. We'll be covered well in the backend, too. That results in sacks as well. When the defense ties in together, we go hand in hand. The result is great. This defense has the potential to be greater down the line, so that's what we look forward to."
On if he was surprised that it was a close game in the fourth quarter
"I feel like week one, you never know how the game may vary. Obviously, there are mistakes in Week 1. You may see, you know, certain tendencies throughout the game where there's a lot of mistakes. That's part of football at the end of the day. We just have to learn and correct from it. But it's NFL football at the end of the day. It's always going to be tough to go out there just get a secured victory. We have to go out there and give it our best and give our effort each and every play. I'm just glad we got to win and just keep on getting and improve."
On OLB Nik Bonitto
"As long as I know [OLB] Nik [Bonitto] is on the field, I'm very confident. His ability to disrupt games, his ability to affect the quarterback and change the whole situation of the game. I think it's pretty special and rare. A guy with his structure it's just unbelievable the things he can do. His ability to bend around the edge, how he generates pressures, I just sit back in awe. I just sit back and watch them go to work. I always say that makes my job easier. I'll be thinking in my head that it's a certain playing call. I'll be thinking, 'If it's one or two seconds he's going to get there somehow.' Nik Bonitto, that's the type of player he is."
On embracing difficult situations
"Yeah, I think pressure makes diamonds. We live up to that. That's our standard, no matter what goes on or if the pressure is on us, we love that. That is something that we uphold. If we are backed up, if there's a situation that we need, it always seems like we come through and make a play. We talk about that and we work on it every day in certain situations. It's us getting aligned and everyone doing their 1/11th. That's what we did today."
