Nick Sirianni

Q. Yesterday T Lane Johnson looked like he was moving really well. How do you feel about his chances for Sunday, and what would his return mean for the offense? (Rob Kuestner)

NICK SIRIANNI: We’ll get you that information later today as far as where he will be. We’ll see how today goes. Still got another day to go.

Like I said, wouldn’t count Lane Johnson out. As far as Lane being in the lineup, he’s one of the best players in the NFL. When he’s in the lineup, no doubt we’re a better football team because of who he is as a football player, who he is as a captain, who he is as a person.

So, if he’s able to go, that will be a big boost for our offense.

Q. How careful do you have to be with somebody like WR Julio Jones who hasn’t been here when you think about elevating him, or even CB Josiah Scott? (John McMullen)

NICK SIRIANNI: I think Josiah’s situation is a little bit different than Julio’s because Josiah has been on a team. Josiah seems to be healthy now, which is a big positive for us.

Julio, you’re going to be tempted to want to put him in because he’s a phenomenal player that’s done a lot in this league. We are going to have to make sure that we’re not putting him in danger.

Doing what we need do to help us win the game and doing what he needs to do to help us win the game, and also being smart with his rep count just because of elevated risk of injury if you put him in for too much.

Q. How does WR Julio Jones look? (Dave Zangaro)

NICK SIRIANNI: He’s looked good. Yeah, he’s looked good. Exciting when he’s out there, so we’re excited to have him.

Q. As far as the schedule, what was the reason for the walk-through on Wednesday? (Tim McManus)

NICK SIRIANNI: Every week you’re looking at different things. There are so many different factors that play into it. We had just played two turf games in a row. That’s what went into the decision this week, is the guys’ legs from two turf games.

We also understand that we get really good work and extra plays in our walk-through than you would normally get because you have more time, you can run more plays, you can do more.

Our guys really, when we went to some walk-throughs last year more towards the end of the season — we did it some at the beginning of the season — you know, we felt like we really handled that well and played some of our best football at that time.

The guys were so locked in mentally and fresh on Sunday.

Q. How has DT Jalen Carter handled his setback? As a rookie, did you feel the need to check out, see how he’s doing? (Jeff McLane)

NICK SIRIANNI: Anybody that’s going through an injury I’m always going to check in on and see how they’re doing. I think he’s done a nice job being in there and getting the extra work done with the trainers to make sure he’s ready to go.

Again, we’ll see where he is at the end of the day today, but I felt like he handled it well, so that’s — being able to play through pain, which he can, he’s extremely tough, and then doing the things you’re supposed to do to make sure your body is ready to go; felt like he did that.

He’s been in positive spirits. He wants to play. He’s a competitor. He wanted to play last week. We have to do what’s best for his body because all our guys are going to want to play sometimes when they can’t.

Q. This is the number one motion team in the NFL versus the number 32 motion team, but they’re one and two offenses in yards. Can you give us the 101 version of what’s different about these respective offenses that puts them on these divergent courses? (Tim McManus)

NICK SIRIANNI: That’s a good question. I think they did a phenomenal job with motion and different things they do with hiding things, getting guys free. That’s what [Dolphins Head Coach] Mike [McDaniel] has done and the system he’s been in.

What I really have a lot of respect for Mike is that he’s running a lot of different systems than he’s been in the past because he’s adapted to who his players. He uses different things with motions for different reasons. I’m guessing as I watch, but I’m taking educated guesses.

And we do less of that, right? It’s like anything. I have a philosophy of the way I think things are supposed to look, right? But it always starts with the players. What I mean by that is there are a lot of different ways to do things. Are you convicted in what you do? Do you coach the heck out of it to help the players succeed?

I say this in our staff meetings all the time. I get there are a lot of ways to do it; this is how we’re going to do it, and let’s be all in on this. Mike does it a certain way with his offense and they’re all in on that.

That’s a good example for everybody. This can go from game management to the way you run practice to the way you travel or anything. There are multiple ways to do things. It’s about doing them with attention to detail, doing them the right way, being all in on the way you’re doing it.

Many different things can succeed, especially when you have good players like they have and good players like we have.