DQ: Hey guys, how you doin? It’s been an incredibly exciting time since I was introduced just a few weeks ago. That time, having the partner ship with Thomas has been everything I hoped it would be. As we got started, it was time to go through and start evaluating the roster, and being here is the next part of that process. Being here in Indy, and having the chance to go look at these guys and see who has the stuff to be a part of that. In my opening press conference, I talked about playing fast and physical- and as we get started this week, those are the things we are looking for. The guys who can compete. The guys who can finish. As I’m starting this process, I’m so fired up to be here at the Combine to see the guys who have the stuff we are looking for. So, I’ll open up to some questions and get started.

Question: Could you talk about that evaluation and update us on that process?

DQ: Sure, the biggest part was getting to learn about the players here. That process with Thomas and I, let’s put that tape on and watch the guys as we are going through it. After that, then it was on to get ready for this part both in free agency and in the draft. So, it’s been a big process but it’s one that going through it with Thomas has been exciting. Let’s go watch together, and getting to learn the guys has been the biggest part for me.

Question: What do you see from the guys specifically that are heading into free agency, and on your roster in terms of pass rushing ability and how much that needs to be enhanced, based on what you’ve seen

DQ: You guys know me, in terms of affecting the quarterback. It’s one of the things that’s near and dear to me. There’s a number of guys on here, that I cannot wait to work with that are already on the roster, and continue to develop and teach those guys. As we go through the Combine and free agency, now let’s get a vision of who else could be a part of this team and add to that. So, when you look at a guy you’re trying to see and picture the things that he can do. So, that’s what I saw with the guys on the current roster, and I was fired up about them. And them, as we add into it with whether it’s draft of free agency all of the unique stuff that a guy has, is how can we use them- and how can we feature them?

Question: Anybody in particular really jump out at you, when you were watching the film?

DQ: Not necessarily, any one person in specific. It’s just when you first watch this, it’s like (umm) this where things can get better with a number of the guys. That’s where I’m so excited to get started

Question: When you were envisioning the structure of the what you have with Thomas, how much of what you saw in Seattle affect your decision?

DQ: You know, it was a big factor. I saw how closely connected that John and Pete are, and so I thought if I had the opportunity I wanted to make sure I could have a partnership with a guy that I just wanted to align with, and all the personnel decisions- do it together. When Thomas and I first met, it was one of those times when you instantly connect with somebody and you go “ok” this would work. This is what I’m looking for. Now that we’ve started, over the last few weeks we’ve been in lockstep together. The line between his office, and mine- the carpet has been worn out, for sure.

Question: When did you make the decision to bring in Kyle Shanahan from Cleveland. Obviously, he came with some controversy from Cleveland and Washington. Any concerns there?

DQ: No, when we found out that he was available to be a part of it- is when we reached out to him. I think the one thing that is so unique about it is he does a great job attacking, and he’s great balance the way he can run it and pass it. When I went through the process last year, he was one of the guys that I was connected with if an opportunity had happened. I was so fortunate this year, when he was available that we could connect again- thrilled to have him here.

Question: What stood out about Raheem Morris?

DQ: Raheem is a really unique guy. I actually coached him in college. That’s where our relationship began. We’ve remained close ever since that time. He is an unbelievably terrific teacher. He’s one of the very best coaches that I’ve seen on the grass, and really as an assistant coach- that’s where you make your mark. How far you can develop the guys, pushing them, and drilling them to get them right. For me to have the opportunity to have him here, with us, I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Question: How will that work structurally?

DQ: He’s going to help support Richard, as well as Mark in every way that he can. We had a similar structure, Rocky worked as a pass game coordinator in Seattle and he’ll be in charge of specific situations- 3rd down, and 2 minute. A number of different areas. An absolutely thrilled that he’s here. He’s such a unique guy. For that to connect, and happen- it fired me up.

Question: What is your evaluation on Davante Freeman?

DQ: My first impression, is you feel the quickness. So, in our outside zone scheme, I thought this is tailor made for a guy who can really explode off the edge. I love this guy’s competitive spirit. I remember it all the way back to him coming out of Florida State. The mindset, the attitude that he brings. So, high hopes for him. I can’t wait to get started with him.

Question: Is the defensive scheme going to be similar to Seattle?
DQ: That’s where we start. We learn the guys to feature them, and put them in the very best spot for them. That’s what the process is right now, is to get to learn these guys as well as we can to put them in the spots. It’s not really what we play, but how we play. The attitude, the style- that’s one of the things that we do to connect with these guys. From a scheme based standpoint, that’s where we like to start.

Question: Is there anybody like Michael Bennet on the roster?

DQ: I don’t know if there is anyone like Michael Bennet. He’s such a a unique guy, and one I’ll always be close with. That kind of versatility is really what we’re looking for. Here’s a defensive end who can also play defensive tackle. We’re looking for linebackers we can add as pass rushers, defensive tackles that can move inside and play nose. That type of versatility is really valuable. We will push that every way we can. There’s going to be corners who can play nickel. There’s going to be safeties that go down to play outside. All the guys, we are going to find out what kind of versatility they have and let’s try to feature every way they can.

Question: What do you know about Dante Fowler?

DQ: He’s a terrific player, somebody I’ve known all the way through coming up. He is that kind of versatile player who can play on his feet, he can play down, he plays inside / outside, that’s the way they tried to feature him at Florida.

Question: How does your history with Fowler affect your ability to evaluate him now?

DQ: One of the fun parts about recruiting, or going through the draft process- when you get a player and you want to find out what that vision of what that player can become. Sometimes, the players don’t even know that- like how good they can become- they don’t even know. It’s our job to pull it out of them. It’s very rewarding for me to see that Dante’s become the player that maybe he would have been 3- or 4 years ago, and now it’s up to him to continue and take the next step in his development. It’s one of the most fun parts in coaching- is finding guys, see what they can become and then have it play out right in front of you- it’s a blast. I’ve seen it first hand my first time in Seattle with the two safeties- Earl and Cam. From where they were their first year to what they’ve become, and that vision for what they could become, it’s been awesome.

Question: Coach, with the personalities that you have in the wide receiver group, how important is was to get a guy like Terry Robiskie?

DQ: Terry has been a terrific coach in the league one for a longtime. When I knew we had the opportunity to possibly connect and get together, it was you know one of the very first guys I wanted to reach out to. Lots of respect, lots of regard for what he does, how he does it and yes he’s a huge part of what we’re doing forward.

Question: Have you talked to Matt Ryan at all about….he’s had a couple of different quarterbacks coaches in his career, there hasn’t been a whole lot of stability there. Just any thoughts?

DQ: You know, I haven’t talked to him about that specifically, but what I have talked to him about is just- you feel that challenge that he has- and he wants to be great. He wants to push, and he wants to keep getting better and better and finding that edge. So, those are the things that most fire me up about him and you can feel that in your conversations right off the bat from him. I couldn’t be more fired up to partner up with Matt, as well.

Question: Coach the last few years we’ve heard a lot about the size of the defensive backs in Seattles, when you evaluate Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford, how do they fit into that mold in your system.

DQ: Yeah, they absolutely fit. The first part of the makeup is competitiveness, and so that’s where Robert and both Dez totally have it. Where they can step and kick and get their hands on guys and stay on top with that mindset and that attitude to keep playing down after down. At corner, it’s a special spot. We love guys who have length and when they do we know how to feature them in that way where they can play on the line of scrimmage. Both those two guys, they certainly fit into the profile and I can’t wait to get started with them.

Question: You had guys like Bennett in Seattle who could create havoc from multiple gaps, how important is that in today’s NFL, and when you’re looking at a draft class of lineman- how does that affect your overall evaluation?

DQ: I think it’s really important, because often times your nickel defense may play as up to as many as 500-550 snaps in a year of your thousand or eleven hundred snaps. When you have guys who have the ability to play both on first and second down and then kick down to play another position on third down- that kind of versatility just adds all of this value to your team. All the unique-ness, guys like Mike (Bennett), guys you can play outside-inside- guys in Seattle like Jeremy Lane was that way- that’s kind of my process now finding all of the unique guys on the team now who else can we add to it, and let’s find all of the things that they do well and let’s try to feature them.

Question: Dan, what have you learned personally the last 17 days, and what has changed for you personally?

DQ: Lots of things have changed. One of the real things I wanted to make sure of, is to stay true to yourself in terms of the attitude and the style of what you want to do. That part has been great, it’s been an absolute blast over the last couple of weeks getting connected with the staff and the players. So, as we’re going through it- just stay true to you are, I think is the real message.

Question: Dan, there are guys like Mike Zimmer and Rex Ryan who call their own game. What are you going to do this year on defense?

DQ: You know, I haven’t gone all of the way through that. I’m certainly going to be involved on the defensive side, and whether Richard calls it or I call it- we’ll kind of move down that road as we go. The biggest part right now is just finding all of the unique stuff that goes along with the players. That’s what this offseason is. For them, let’s have the best offseason they’ve ever had. That’s been my message for the players, and that goes for the coaches as well. As far as Rich and I go, in terms of who would be the play caller- we’ll push that further down the line.

Question: Independently, do you run the same defense as Coach Carroll? Also, when Gus left Seattle a few years ago-all we heard about was the need for a “LEO” in Jacksonville when he went there . Still not sure, they’ve completely filled that role- is that a position of interest for you, as well?

DQ: Yeah, I think pass rushers in general- always finding ways to affect the quarterback. Sometimes, it’s with the guys outside who can cover so well- sometimes you blitz to do it. But, having multiple pass rushers who can keep attacking and try to get the quarterback move, that’s always at the front of our thinking. Yeah, it started with Coach (Carroll) through his system, where we both did it together- it kind of goes way back to our time in San Francisco so that’s where it really began- there was a guy by the name of Bill McPherson who both Pete and I worked with- that was the Charles Haley’s of the world. That’s where this LEO position was created, so through the years we’ve had some terrific guys who’ve done it who remind me of the way Jason Taylor played it. Then we had Chris Clemons, and Cliff Avril who have done it. That spot, it’s a unique one but it requires a guy who has speed and length to keep rushing, keep attacking, it’s a blast to play that spot. So we’ll find some guys who can do it.

Question: Thomas Dimitroff spoke earlier about how the organization works, are there any takeaways about how the organization worked in Seattle that Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider working together that you would like to bring to Atlanta?

DQ: Yes, that was the one that was most important to me (coach/gm relationship in SEA). I knew if I could partner up with a guy and saw it the same, and could keep connecting and keep trying to evaluate, and keep trying to push to find ways to get better. So instantly, when I met Thomas, I decided this is the guy I would like to partner up with. For us to have a connection that way, it was awesome.

Question: Was it important for you have final say over the 53 man roster?

DQ: No, the biggest thing is my collaboration with him (Dimitroff). It’s going to be a total partnership as we go through the whole thing, and like I said I couldn’t be more fired up to connect with him.