How big is the loss of Keith Hamilton in the locker room?
It is. It's tough. It's part of the whole message I gave to them. I believe
this team is tough-minded. I really believe this team is tough-minded. We are
going to really find out now. When you lose a guy, you have to pick up the
pieces and go on. Keith is a bona fide guy. When you look out there in the
street, he is a tough hombre. We are going to have to just move on without
him right now.
Have you heard anything that makes you think he could come back this season?
Well, Ronnie Barnes had a feeling that it may be a partial tear. He is over
for an MRI and to see the doctor. I don't know, with a partial tear, what
that means or how partial it is. Could he come back, could he not? I don't
want to speculate on that. I'll wait to hear Russ Warren's opinion. But they
felt like it was a pretty much a sure thing where surgery was needed. I don't
know that right now. I may know that later today.
What do you do if he is out?
We are searching right now the availability of a guy. We will have a plan A
and a plan B. You can go find a guy on the street right now. First of all,
you have to make sure they are in shape. Second of all, learning the scheme.
You can't say this guy is going to walk right in and fill his shoes. We'll
fill it from within, but we are going to need some help, some depth.
Michael's back is acting up on him. When are we going to get Matt Mitrione
back? I am not sure of that, but we have some guys with flexibility and we
have to be ready that way.
Do you believe Hammer has played his last down?
No. No, I do not.
Why?
Because when I talked to Russ Warren last night, he says the repairs and the
position he plays...I think it affects a guy that might run a little more,
like a receiver or running back. But, I think Keith and knowing Keith, he'll
work and come back, and I know a big part of that is a serious surgery, and
after that the guy's work ethic and desire to come back. His is as strong as
I have seen. I don't think we have seen his last play.
What is Strahan doing in terms of treatment?
He went over to see the chiropractor and visit with him and then he'll be
getting treatments. There is nothing there right now except you get a back
spasm and you just twist it. And when you twist it, I am sure that it will
take a few days to go down. I am very certain that he will be available for
Philly.