I think he's comfortable as our starting quarterback.

We left the field not feeling like we played like we're capable, and I think that's a similarity to how we left the field against Tennessee [in a 30-27 overtime loss on Sept. 26]. It's a fundamental response, very personal in nature. Anytime you know deep in your gut you didn't get it done, it puts a little more edge on your team.

I think there was a sense of urgency in the locker room. I don't think anybody wants to celebrate wildly about a sloppy game offensively. I think they understand what they've been able to accomplish with these errors. Certainly, it can be fixed and the final style of team that we want to be is there for us. We just need to make some corrections.

I was never satisfied with just being here and being the starting quarterback, ... I always wanted to be the difference-maker, and it got me in trouble at times. But I'm still here and have been able to play at a high level for a long time because I believed that. And that's what's been so disappointing this year. If we lost, 30-0, then I don't think I could sit there and say that I was the difference.

I'm very comfortable with the starting rotation. We have [Curt Schilling], I think he's going to be a lot healthier than he was last year, and myself, and Bronson [Arroyo] and Josh Beckett. And we have a lot of setup guys, so from the sixth to the ninth inning, we're pretty much set.

It becomes awfully important at the end of the game when it's yours. If that trophy goes away from you, it means a lot more to you whether it be a boot, a shoe or a toothpick.