Compiled by Billy Wellner and Arthur Arkush
Feb. 28, 2008

Random quotes from around the league

Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008

Panthers GM Marty Hurney, excited to have former Panther WR Muhsin Muhammad back in Carolina, as quoted in the Charlotte Observer: "He brings an attitude. He brings a work ethic. He was somebody that was extremely highly regarded when he was here. It was a sad day when he left and it's a happy day now that he's back."

Free agent CB Ty Law, quoted on kansascity.com regarding his tenure in Kansas City, which ended this week when the Chiefs announced they will let the 34-year old Law enter free agency: “I played 16 games for the last three years. I’m not done. I can still play at a high level. This is the best situation for the team and for myself. They’re in a rebuilding stage there. They’re trying to get younger. At this point in my career, it’s best for me to move on. I’m not interested in rebuilding. I want to play for a contending team before I decide to shut it down. … I can’t say it was a bad experience in Kansas City. I wish the outcome had been different. We had high expectations and it just didn’t work out. My intention going in there was that we were going to be a championship contender and that it was going to be a two-year window. We all knew that when I signed the contract.”

Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt, confident that WR Justin Gage will be valuable asset moving forward after inking him to a multi-year deal Wednesday, as quoted in The (Nashville) City Paper: “Justin is a player who made the most of an opportunity and we expect him to be a significant contributor to our offensive success. He can play outside or inside, has the ability to make tough catches and should continue to grow as a receiver as he and Vince [Young] play together more.”

Eagles president Joe Banner, quoted in the Philadelphia Daily News regarding the anticipated shorter signing period for free agents this year: "My own opinion is, there's going to be a very, very short market this year. It's not to say there aren't any opportunities out there, but I think you're going to see the market accelerated . . . the second tier of free agency, where maybe that kicked in 2 weeks into free agency in the past, maybe you're going to see it kicking in 3 to 5 days into free agency this year.''

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008

Former Panthers RB Stephen Davis, who is planning to sign a contract with Carolina in order to retire a Panther, according to agent David Canter, as quoted in the Charlotte Observer: “Even though he played longer with the Redskins, Stephen wanted to retire a Panther. There were a lot of different reasons, but it’s mainly a testament to the Richardson family (team owners), general manager Marty Hurney and coach (John) Fox. They are among the classiest people he’s ever been around.”

Bills owner Ralph Wilson, expressing his team’s need for a veteran wide receiver, as quoted in the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle: “I’m high on the quarterback, very much so. But he needs some help. Everyone knows our need for a tall wide receiver, but they take two or three years to develop out of college. There are exceptions, but we need a tall receiver with speed and toughness.”

Bears QB Kyle Orton, quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times on the one-year contract extension he signed Monday that will keep him with the Bears through 2009: “I wouldn’t have signed the deal if I didn’t think [it would be a real competition]. I’m excited for this year. I’ve got a great opportunity here.” Orton went on to say: “Rex (Grossman) and I have been around each other for quite a while now, and we’ve got a good relationship and we’re comfortable around each other. I expect it to be a stiff competition. That’s how both of us want it. I know that’s how I want it, and [I’m] looking forward to it.”

Agent Kennard McGuire, who represents Lions NT Shaun Rogers, quoted in the Detroit Free Press regarding the possible trade involving his client: “I have never heard him so excited. I have tremendous respect for Matt (Lions president Matt Millen) and admiration for Matt, and I believe in time Rod (Lions head coach Rod Marinelli) is going to be able to build the type of team that he wants and desires. It’s just at this time that I believe for Shaun Rogers a change of scenery would be the best case for all parties.”

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008

Newly signed Chargers LB Derek Smith, excited about the opportunity to play for a Super Bowl contender, as quoted on SignOnSanDiego.com: “It's too good to be true, if you ask me. We've got a chance to go win a ring. Whatever my role is I just want to provide a positive contribution.”

Free-agent CB Fernando Bryant has nothing but good things to say about the Lions after being released Monday, as quoted in the Detroit Free Press: "I wish the Lions the best. I think Matt Millen has everything going in the right direction. I don't have anything negative, other than it was just time to part ways." Bryant continued: "(William Clay) Ford Jr. is a good man and everything. Both head coaches were good to me and everything like that. The way some of the stuff ran out there was a little different. But like I said, ownership was great, and the head coaches were great. I think this year it's going to be even better just because of less turnover as far as coach."

Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, hopeful that his team can retain unrestricted free agents Antwan Odom and Travis LaBoy, as quoted in The (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) Daily News Journal: "It's something we didn't have the luxury of doing before. For years we would have graduating classes, going back to Kenny Holmes, John Thornton, Jevon Kearse. You would develop your guys and have to see them go somewhere else. Our team was structured a lot differently. We didn't have the cap money, we couldn't re-up those guys. Hopefully that can change. … What we need to do is be at the point where we can enjoy the fruits of our labors."

Giants LB Antonio Pierce, lobbying for teammate Michael Strahan to decide to come back and attempt to repeat as Super Bowl champions, as quoted on Newsday.com: "The ring we get [this year] is going to have to be pretty good, but not the best, so that we'll get another ring next year, and he'll want to come back for that.” Pierce added: "You can't replace that guy. You can't. It was obvious when he wasn't there in spring ball or training camp. He was missed, not only as an athlete but as a person."

Monday, Feb. 25, 2008

Chargers TE Antonio Gates, leaning toward having surgery on his big left toe to repair a torn plantar plate suffered in the opening-round playoff game against Tennessee, as quoted in the San Diego Union-Tribune: “It just doesn't feel right. It doesn't bother me right now (walking), but it's still a tear. I need to play and perform the way I am supposed to.” Gates went on to say that he plans to decide by Wednesday if he will in fact have surgery: “I have to have enough time to rest. There's a higher chance I'm going to have surgery.”

New Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, enjoying the opportunity to get to know his new players, as quoted on topix.com: “Every guy that comes in, it's almost like they've got a script. Guys are coming in and they're saying certain things that we really want to hear that are going to be foundations of our program.” Harbaugh added: “Ed Reed was in the other day; we had a tremendous conversation. That's been the most fun because those guys are hungry. They want to put together a real good football team. They want to exhaust every resource to build a team.”

Zach Thomas’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, explaining why Dallas had the advantage in signing his client to a one-year deal yesterday, as quoted on BostonHerald.com: “The Saints and the Patriots were right there. Those two teams were great. I met with Mickey Loomis today, the Saints general manager … we talked to (Pats vice president) Scott Pioli. Those organizations are all class. We’d do business with all three. It was just that Zach is from Texas. The Cowboys had a huge advantage. They were so good last year. And they got a great defensive scheme, and Zach really likes (coach) Wade Phillips. Zach and Wade were a great fit. They’re both from Texas. Zach being a Dallas Cowboy is very natural.”

Lions head coach Rod Marinelli, discussing the interest DT Shaun Rogers generated at the Combine last week, as quoted in the Detroit Free Press: “Yeah, people are, I think, very interested. Like I said in the beginning, he had a good year. We can look at the negative things, maybe. You put his full year together, he had a beast of a year now. Do I want more? Yeah. Better? Yeah. But he had a beast of a year.” Marinelli went on to say he expects WR Roy Williams to be on the opening-day roster (trade rumors have been circulating regarding the star wide receiver being moved, as well), and he’s very excited to see what he can do paired up with Calvin Johnson: "I know the rumors that are out. Those two guys together, I want to see those guys where they can really impact a game. They are special. They've got to have, and they will have, great years for us. We have to ensure they have great years. Those are explosive weapons. Not many people have two guys like that on a team. We've got to do everything we can do to protect our quarterback — get the ball to those two big guys. I'm very confident he's (Williams) here. Very confident."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, looking forward to the scouting process now that he has a season under his belt in Pittsburgh, as quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "There's a considerable difference [between last year and this year]. There is a level of comfort, there’s less unknowns, you know the football team, you've been through a season with them. You've got a concrete example of what they're like on a day-to-day basis and what you need to add to as we move forward. It's a second lap around the track, if you will, and like I'm sure in any job, you do it, you know your co-workers, you know the people that you work with and there's a level of comfort as you move forward."

Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008

Rams head coach Scott Linehan on whether or not he thought QB Marc Bulger could bounce back from a subpar 2007 campaign: “I don’t think there's any doubt. That was a great example of things that can go wrong. I think, No. 1, we get the offensive line thing squared away so that we can protect him. But also get back to our ability to run the football. That’s probably the best way to protect the quarterback, to have a very effective running game. That takes all the pressure off Marc, who now can stand back there and do what he does best.”

Redskins V.P. of football operations Vinny Cerrato on the team’s expected lack of participation in free agency: “The price of what these guys are going to be paid is astronomical. So I don’t foresee us being a big player in free agency. I don’t think Dan’s (Redskins owner Daniel Snyder) plane is going to be fired up ready to go. I just think it’s going to be a relatively quiet start of free agency for us.”

Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards on the status of DE Jared Allen, who was upset that he was designated as the team’s franchise player: “I don’t deal with contracts, I don’t read the newspapers, so if there is anything that has been said, I wouldn’t know. But I know Jared is with us now … Will Shields and Tony Gonzalez were franchised, too. That’s happened in this organization, and they ended up with long-term contracts. Jared is a part of our football team, and it’s good to have him back. He’ll be ready to play.”

Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio on whether he envisioned changing the tag-team RB approach involving Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew with Taylor now a year older: “I’m not into the crystal ball business. Obviously, Maurice is an excellent football player, a very explosive player. We like the fact that both of them are still playing at a very high level right now. We also know Fred can’t do it forever. At some point, Fred will get less, and Maurice will get more. There is no reason to rush that. We’re very happy to have two guys that are great teammates. They’re both explosive. They give us a very strong 1-2 punch.”

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy on the unexpected emergence of RB Ryan Grant: “I knew Ryan was going to play that well, I just didn’t know it in Week One. No, I think Ryan was a great surprise for us. He came in and we really liked what he did in the preseason. I thought he’d be a core special-teams player and be able to contribute. But I think he’s another excellent example of a young player that took advantage of a great opportunity and was very productive. He’s another player I’m looking forward to being around in the offseason program who can maybe add a few pounds, add some strength. It will be exciting to see how he builds off of this past season.”

Browns head coach Romeo Crennel on if he was surprised at how well RB Jamal Lewis ended up playing in 2007: “Not really. When I got here everybody told me how good a runner he was by running for over 200 yards against the Browns several times. I knew he had the ability. I was glad to see that ability is still there. He was very productive for us this year, and we think he can still be productive for a few more years. We’re going to try to ride him all the way to the house.”