(on what things he would like to see the defense improve upon from last week)
“I would like to get some takeaways. I would like to take the ball away. That’s one thing we’re really going to focus on. We’re trying to force some errors, force some takeaways and get the ball back in our offense’s hands so they can put points on the board.”

(on if it's football instincts that kept him playing after his helmet was ripped off)
“Yeah, it’s one of those things where people made such a big deal out of it. Literally, I didn’t even think twice about it. I wouldn’t have thought it was a big deal until people made a big deal out of it because you’re playing the game. It’s like if a glove falls off, or a shoe falls off, you’re not just going to stop in the middle of the play. You’re going to go make the play. I don’t think I did anything different than anyone else would’ve done in that situation.”

(on how he controls himself when things like people ripping his helmet off happen)
“I got a sack. What am I going to be mad about? It doesn’t bother me. I’ve seen everything in the book. I don’t really get that angry unless something is blatantly dirty and cheap. I don’t think that was dirty or cheap at all. I think he was just trying to block and maybe I got a little lower and his hands got high. I don’t think there was anything wrong with that play. No harm, no foul—it’s just football.”

(on if he has told the coaches he can be the third tight end with TE Ryan Griffin going on IR)
“Maybe.”

(on how many tickets he has bought for the game in Carolina)
“About 30-40 tickets for this game. My whole check’s gone.”

(on being able to play in front of his friends and family)
“It’s awesome. It’s going to be great, just getting them guys out there. Some of them have been asking me for years, ‘When they come play Carolina, make sure I’m there.’ Everybody’s been asking me for tickets, so I’ll try to get as many of them to the game as I can. Who knows, we’ll see how it turns out.”

(on how long he’s watched Panthers QB Cam Newton)
“For years, yeah. I’ve been watching Cam since he was in college. I know he likes to get outside that pocket and make a lot of plays with his legs. Hopefully, keep him in the pocket and get him to the ground and make him become a passer.”

(on if he was a Panthers fan growing up)
“Yeah, I used to love the Panthers. Julius Peppers played there, Mike Minter, (Chris) Gamble was out there. I used to love their defense. I used to get out there, so it’s going to be a good feeling to be out there playing against them.”

(on what he thinks it’s going to be like for him and Clowney to play back near their hometown)
“Of course, I think overall you’re happy to be around your family and give them the opportunity or someone who’s never had the chance to come to an NFL game and things like that. You know for him it’s like playing another college game or high school game right in your backyard.”

(on if people thought Clowney was going to be something special even when he was that young)
“I think that probably started when he was in little league probably, everybody saying he’s going to be special back in little league and I think he’s made a name for himself and it’s stuck with him. I think he’s playing great now, and I’m sure he’s excited to get back in front of some of his family and give them a chance to watch him.”

(on if he’d ever seen anything like OLB Jadeveon Clowney)
“Not up close in person, a guy that’s able to play all the positions. What’s funny was him playing running back in high school.”

(on how many more plays he expects OLB Jadeveon Clowney to play)
“He’ll play more. Yeah, he’ll definitely play more. I think he’s still on I would say a bit of a count, but he’ll play more.”

(on if he’s worried about Panthers QB Cam Newton’s ability to run)
“You bring up running, let’s talk about passing first. He has a very strong arm, very accurate arm, he’s big, he’s 6’5”, 250 pounds, very difficult guy to sack. There’s not many guys like that in the league. I would equate that to kind of a (Ben) Roethlisberger, a very difficult guy to bring down as far as just pocket passer and sacking him. Then you add on the fact that he runs a read-option, quarterback power, all the things he does scramble-wise. This guy is a dangerous player and he’s a great player.”

(on if the quarterbacks know who is starting)
“It’ll be in the best interest of the team. The quarterback that plays on Sunday, you guys will see who it is the first offensive snap of the game on Sunday.”

(on having WR DeAndre Hopkins as a weapon)
“It’s like he’s Spiderman. You throw the ball and it sticks to his hands. Anytime you got a guy like that; you feel confident. You feel good about it.”