LOVIE SMITH: Some of the players won't play. The majority will. We have a play count that we would like to get for -- as you watch the guys play. There's guys that we feel like we need to see finish plays. I'm excited about that.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
LOVIE SMITH: By you asking about him, we've noticed him a little bit. He's a pro. He's serious about his job. And as far as his play, he shows up every day. We have seen more action, him around the ball a little bit more. Last couple training camp practices, we took notice, but that's what we expect from him.
He's played good ball in this league for a long time, and we expect that to continue.
Q. Having the head coaching headset back on, how excited are you about that?
LOVIE SMITH: Yeah, you're right, about a minute. I've done that a few times. They say when you ride a bike you kind of know how to ride it most of the time. But I'm excited about it. To have an opportunity to lead a franchise like this, I love our football team, so it's all good. Can't wait to get there.
Q. Does it make it easy for you (indiscernible)?
LOVIE SMITH: I think whenever you've done something before, you know what to expect, it's easier, yes.
Q. (Indiscernible.)
LOVIE SMITH: Did I just talk about that a second ago? There are some players that -- yes, we would. We have a play count that we would like to get for him. I assume you're going to be there Saturday, and you'll see it then. He will play, all right, and right after he finishes, when we talk, then we'll talk about how many plays he got then. How's that?
Q. Can you talk about what do you want to see from your team this first game in particular?
LOVIE SMITH: I mean, that's pretty simple. We haven't tackled full speed. We haven't put anybody down. We haven't cut blocks, we don't cut below the knee. Just finishing plays. Playing against another opponent. Just that competition. I see preseason games, it's all about the regular season, getting ready for Indy, and we're going to -- I want to see the guys in as many situations as possible and see how they react to it. Some of the players, most of the players on our team I've been with, I kind of know, but there's a lot that we don't, and things change from year to year. That's what, guys finishing plays.
Q. (Indiscernible) is it a little bit too late in the week?
LOVIE SMITH: I think there are a few positions I think where you can get them in, out there fairly quick as far as catching them up on what we like to do. Running back is one of those positions. We plan on playing B.J., simple as that.
Q. Of the players you have right now, is it important to get them out there and adjusted to an NFL season?
LOVIE SMITH: Yes, it is important. It was important tonight for the routine. When you've never gone through anything. Now they know exactly what we do, and we went through everything from our pregame all the way through our pregame routine to what we do at halftime.
But yes, I was talking to Pitre earlier, the first time you do something, it's exciting, and you can't wait to see how you compare. We have quite a few young players that will be contributing with us this year, and it starts this Saturday.
Q. Some players have pregame rituals. Do you have some as a coach?
LOVIE SMITH: You know, I have a routine that I go through. My routine is pretty set. I don't know if some of you out there early in the morning -- I do kind of the same thing a little bit. So yes, there are things I like to do before. It has nothing to do with the outcome of the game or any of that, but that's kind of what I do.
Q. (Indiscernible) is that still a position that you hope to address?
LOVIE SMITH: By us trying to get that trade through, kind of said, we felt like we needed a little bit more help there, because we're a little banged up at the position. We've had a couple of our tight ends that have been down. But they're getting better. But we'll -- maybe. It's a maybe. Again, I hope the guys that we have here get back on the football field, and we may not have to go down that road.
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FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports