Lovie Smith Quite Quotations

We're confident. It's been awhile since we've been 3-3 and where the next game means quite a bit. We're just trying to get respect. The NFC North has talked quite a bit about the records. But I see it getting better and I think we're leading the charge.

Last year we had quite a few sacks ... I think 66 or so. This year we gave up 31. Quite a bit of an improvement on that side.

We expect to get blitzed each week. Even though I've said that Kyle has grown quite a bit, he's still a rookie quarterback. Everyone we've played has blitzed us quite a bit, starting with the Redskins (in the season opener). That's just a part of what we're going to deal with. We expect it each week and go from there.

I think they definitely should shop him and get him out of the division. I don't know if that is the case or not. I just know he's an excellent football player. He's caused us to stay up quite a bit trying to defend him.

We're talking a lot about Kyle, but I'm excited about what Jeff will be able to do for us too. We will play Jeff quite a bit in this game. He will get the majority of the reps for this game. He hasn't gotten as many reps as Kyle, so this is an important week for him.

Once you get into company with Walter Payton, that's saying quite a bit.

Once you get in company with Walter Payton that's saying quite a bit. (It was) an outstanding year by Thomas and our offensive line to get that for him. I think we established that through the course of the regular season we are a good running football team and can run the football on just about anybody we play.

He's a quick healer, as he has let me know quite a few times. We don't want to rush him, but we would like to get him out there as soon as possible. We have a long injury list, but we're getting guys back.