In radio interview, Mawae not optimistic

<em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em> <p>In an interview Tuesday on SIRIUS NFL Radio, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=ten" shape="rect" target="_new">Tennessee Titans</a> center <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=602" shape="rect" target="_new">Kevin Mawae</a> didn't sound too optimistic about his chances to play Saturday in the divisional playoff game against the Ravens at LP Field.</p> <p>Initially Mawae said he wasn't going to play, then he backed off and indicated his status is yet to be decided.</p> <p>Here's a piece of his conversation with Adam Schein and John Riggins of "The SIRIUS Blitz" courtesy of SIRIUS:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Riggins</strong>: "Will you be there this weekend?"</p> <p><strong>Mawae</strong>: "No, I'm not going to play this week. It's still questionable. We're day-to-day and hopefully things progress to where I'll be able to play next week. But again, we're day-to-day right now."</p> <p><strong>Schein</strong>: "So you're not going to play this week against Baltimore?"</p> <p><strong>Mawae</strong>: "Don't know. We're preparing like I'm not. <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=10559" shape="rect" target="_new">Leroy Harris</a> is taking the snaps right now and my job is just to get healthy and get stronger. But the final decision has not been made yet."</p> <p><strong>Riggins</strong>: "This has got to be a difficult week for you, I think, given how you've gone through this season [and] played as well as you have. Your offensive line [has been] very dominant with you certainly being a huge part of that. How will you prepare this week? You're the only one who really knows where you are and if you can go and if you think you can contribute at the level that you are capable of contributing. What do you do this week to help your team? How do you approach this week? Because I've got to believe it has got to be different for you than previous weeks."</p> <p><strong>Mawae</strong>: "Well, I think the most important thing is just being in the meetings and knowing what's going on and knowing what to do. The Ravens have a great defense. They do a lot of different things and mentally you've got to be on your ball game. So being in the meetings, paying attention, asking the questions and understanding what our scheme is for this week and understanding what our game plan is going to be. And then from there it's on to the field, the conditioning, as long as I'm staying in shape and things like that. As a guy who has played the whole season it's frustrating because I got to Week 15, I've had a great season, made the Pro Bowl, and all that and then to have an injury at that moment in the season, it's frustrating. But at the same point you've got to have the right attitude because as a leader on the team my attitude is infectious to the guys in my room. If I'm mullygrubbing and pouting about me being hurt or whatever then it's not good for my guys. I need to be in there and keep them going, keep them upbeat and let them know this is what you guys need to think about. Especially, in the event that I don't play, Leroy Harris. 'Hey, here's some tips about these guys that we're playing against. Think about this on your technique.' Just being involved, letting the guys know that you're part of it still and that it's just as important to you now even though you may not be playing as it is if I'm the one going for sure. I think the guys appreciate that and I think that's what leaders do."</p> <p><strong>Schein</strong>: "Kevin, take us through the thought process for the week because, as you just articulated, realistic chance as you explain it to us that you're not going to play in the playoffs this weekend. What would have to happen for you to play? Do you need to practice? Do you need to pass certain tests? How involved are you going to be, [and] coach Fisher, in the ultimate decision-making process?"</p> <p><strong>Mawae</strong>: "Well, any time a player is injured or hurt the player is the one that's got to be honest and forthright with his injury to the coaching staff and the medical staff. How well do I feel I can go? If I can go can I help the team or am I just going to be a hindrance to the team? So that's something that in my mind I'm thinking about, I'm communicating with Jeff Fisher about and the training staff about and with my offensive line coach. But the very real possibility that I might not go, I've got to make sure the guy behind me has to be prepared and knows the level of communication that the other guys on the offensive line are expecting and things like that. So, again, I'm not getting caught up on whether or not I'm going to play this weekend. I'm getting caught up in trying to get better, rehabbing, strengthening exercises, things like that. Again, it'll be a decision that'll be done late in the week. As far as what am I thinking day to day? Coming in, going to meetings, doing my treatment, doing my rehab and hopefully, if things go well I can be out there but I'm not going to do anything that's going to either 1) damage myself even more or 2) hurt the team. And at this point in the season I think hurting the team is the most important thing that I've got to be aware of."</p> </blockquote>

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