Compiled by Arthur Arkush
April 4, 2008

Random quotes from around the league

Friday, April 4, 2008

Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver, quoted in the Charlotte Observer after securing head coach Jack Del Rio with a five-year contract extension Thursday: "Clearly when I reflect back on the last five years, great things have happened. Under Jack's leadership, this franchise has continued to really make great progress. We believe the arrow is up and we ought to be able to compete at the very highest level this year."

Dolphins new head coach Tony Sparano, excited about the opportunity he has in Miami to turn the NFL’s 28th-ranked offense and 23rd-ranked defense last year around, as quoted on Star-Telegram.com: "It's a challenge, and I love challenges. That's why I'm here. I sleep very little at night, because I'm excited about what I'm doing. I look forward to the challenge. We know it's a challenge. We know it's a lot of hard work that lays ahead of us, but I enjoy it." Sparano went on to say this about new head of football operations, Bill Parcells: "Bill is going to let me coach. I mean, there's no doubt about it. I know he trusts me. I know Jeff trusts me that way. That's why they hired me. They know what they got from that standpoint.”

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, endorsing former Atlanta coach Jim Mora, who is set to take over for Mike Holmgren after the 2008 season, as quoted on (Everett, WA) Heraldnet.com: "He is a very fine football coach and he is a great guy and I think the Atlanta experience is a very maturing one for him. Seattle will be fortunate to have him as a head coach. He has a great relationship with the players, the community as well, and I think he will do a very fine job. Unfortunately things did not work out in Atlanta, from my perspective and from Jimmy's, but we still maintain a good relationship."

Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden, elated that former Panthers DT Kris Jenkins is no longer in their division (the Jets traded a third-round and fifth-round pick for Jenkins’ services Feb. 29), as quoted on Charlotte.com: "I did a celebrating drive down Dale Mabry (Highway). I gave (Jets) coach Eric Mangini the biggest hug I've ever given a coach and told him, 'Good God, do we appreciate you taking that guy out of our division.' "

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Broncos QB Jay Cutler, disappointed in the latest incident involving WR Brandon Marshall, as quoted in The Rocky Mountain News: "I support him and stuff, but it's always something with him right now. Going into his third year, coming off a big year last year, it's disappointing. … I mean, a DUI is a wake-up call. He's had many wake-up calls. He's been in (coach Mike) Shanahan's office many times. I've been up there with him and he's said the same thing, 'It's a wake-up call, a lot of things are going to happen.' Blah, blah, blah. Until he goes out and proves it, we'll see what happens."

Panthers head coach John Fox, quoted in the Charlotte Observer on his team’s QB situation: "I feel as good about our quarterback situation as I ever have in my tenure. Every indication is that Jake is making great strides, possibly even being stronger than he was before his surgery."

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb, relieved after speaking with head coach Andy Reid regarding the rumors that he’ll be traded before the draft, as quoted in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "Andy has addressed that to me and let me know that he would never let me go anywhere. You know, that kind of promise provided confidence in him, but it wasn't like I was looking to head anywhere unless I was told otherwise. … Not too many quarterbacks have been here past probably 12 years. I definitely look to surpass that and bring a Super Bowl here to Philadelphia like I told them I would. We've been close, but we just weren't able to finish it off like I wanted.”

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, quoted in the Boston Globe regarding the continued silence of former Patriots video department employee Matt Walsh: "I believe when somebody has made an accusation like this, it's important for us to get to the bottom of it. I don't like anybody putting out accusations against the league or any of our clubs, which he certainly implied, if he hadn't said. … But the reality of it is we haven't had any (new information) for seven months. If it's just taping of defensive signals, we know that. The Patriots admitted to that. He seems to imply that he has something different and certainly something that I would be concerned with if it's true. So I'd like to see the evidence."

Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, addressing the status of trade talks between Dallas and Tennessee involving troubled CB Adam “Pacman” Jones, as quoted in the Dallas Morning News: "We haven't done anything yet. I'll wait until something happens, and we'll go forward with it. There have been a lot of rumors certainly, and we have talked. We'll just wait and see what happens and then we'll comment on it."