Compiled by Arthur Arkush
April 25, 2008

Friday, April 25, 2008

Former Boston College QB Matt Ryan, quoted on ajc.com regarding the unpredictability of the NFL draft: "The draft is a funny thing. Not many people give you information as to what's going on. A lot of things depend on what shakes out early in the draft, who goes to which team and how certain things are going to play out. I wish I had a better feel for it, but your guess is as good as mine."

Giants DE Osi Umenyiora, responding to speculation that he’ll hold out of training camp if his current contract situation isn’t addressed, as quoted in the New York Post: "To be honest with you, whenever you see players who you don't feel are as good as yourself getting paid the way they're getting paid now, of course you're going to have some questions. Of course you're going to try to see what's going on. But I'm definitely not going to hold out. I don't think it's the right time." Umenyiora continued by saying the thought of holding out had crossed his mind: "For sure I was thinking about it. Come on. You see what's going on out there. But I don't think it's the right thing to do. I think when it's time for them to do something, they will, man. Whether it be next year, the year after that, three years, four years, whenever, man. It doesn't matter. I'm happy to be here. And I want to be here."

Disgruntled Eagles CB Lito Sheppard, quoted in The Philadelphia Daily News on the imminent trade he’s demanding from the Eagles: "I'm just playing it by ear right now and waiting. I really just want to get things situated so I can move on with everything. I hope I find out soon. I mean, right now I'm as excited about this weekend as if I was one of those kids being drafted.''

Bengals QB Carson Palmer, excited about his team’s first-round pick, ninth overall, as quoted by the Associated Press: "I check out everybody's mock drafts. I kind of make my own mental mock draft. I've researched a lot of players, watched a lot of film and have a good idea who I think are the best guys at each position." Palmer added this when asked who he would like to see his team draft: "I hope it's (fellow USC star) Sedrick Ellis. I hope he's still there."

Cowboys LB Bradie James, quoted in The Dallas Morning News about his team’s newest addition, former Titans CB Pacman Jones: "I don't want to have to rely on him and try to depend on him and then something happens and then he's not there anymore. That's the only thing. Other than that, he can make his own decisions. I don't really know him.” James added: “We've got a lot of talent. We've got a pretty established group of guys, so he's just going to have to fit right in. He's going to have to get in line when he gets in there."

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Attorney Michael Levy, who represents former Patriots video assistant Matt Walsh, quoted by The Associated Press regarding the agreement he reached with the NFL Wednesday to allow his client to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell: "Today, Mr. Walsh and the National Football League reached an agreement under which the NFL will provide legal indemnification and a release of claims against Mr. Walsh relating to his employment by the Patriots and the Patriots' videotaping operations. I am pleased that we now have an agreement that provides Mr. Walsh with appropriate legal protections. Mr. Walsh is looking forward to providing the NFL with the materials he has and telling the NFL what he knows."

New Vikings DE Jared Allen, excited after being traded to Minnesota for their first-round pick in the draft this weekend, No. 17 overall, and two third-round selections (the two teams will also swap picks in the 6th round), as quoted in the Boston Globe: "I have chills right now. It's just starting to sink in. As a player it's cool because it shows appreciation for what you have done. But at the same time, personally, I look at it as a new challenge." Allen continued when asked about playing alongside the ‘Williams Wall’ (Pro Bowl DTs Pat and Kevin Williams): "The biggest problem we're going to have is who is going to hit the quarterback first."

Cardinals GM Rod Graves, quoted in The Dallas Morning News in response to rumors that WR Anquan Boldin is on the trading block: "Obviously, because of those rumors, a few teams have called to inquire, and my response has been consistent with everyone: We're not interested in trading him."

Bears GM Jerry Angelo, explaining that no exceptions will be made in the way the Bears operate with regards to Brian Urlacher’s demands for a new contract, as quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times: ''Are you saying, 'Well, Brian's special, so we should do something for Brian and the other 52 will understand it?' '' There's a lot that goes with that. It's not an isolated situation. It affects everything we do from a business standpoint. Who doesn't want to be treated special? It's not that simple. Fifty-three people want to be treated special. How in the heck would we be able to run a business if we acquiesced to every situation from every player when they come to us? It's just not practical. And we think the world of Brian. The good news with Brian is he is a Bear. He wants to be a Bear. Everything is going well with his rehab. We can't wait to see him. That's all good news, and that's what we're playing on internally.''

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Former Panthers DE Mike Rucker, retired Tuesday after nine successful seasons in the NFL, as quoted on (Greensboro, NC) news-record.com: "I just want you to know that I gave you everything I've got. The tank is empty. It's empty." Rucker added: "One of the hardest things to do is to not be in those trenches with my boys. I'm done. I have to let it go."

Recently released RB Shaun Alexander, has every intention to play in the NFL next year after being released by Seattle Tuesday, as quoted in The Seattle Times: “While it really isn’t a surprise, this news marks a major transition in my life. I started my NFL career in Seattle and hoped I could remain with the team through the rest of my days as a player. That said, things change. I will be playing for another NFL team this fall, and doing everything I can to contribute. I am healthy, energized and looking forward to beginning the next chapter of my NFL career.”

Saints GM Mickey Loomis, responding to rumors that his team plans to change positions in this weekend’s draft, as quoted on (South Mississippi) SunHerald.com: "We've talked to a number of teams in front of us about the possibility of moving forward. It's all preliminary discussion. You know, nothing concrete. We've just expressed a desire to talk about it with a number of teams." Loomis continued when asked if there was a particular player or need they were planning to address: "Clearly, we've had a top-five offense the last two years and our defense hasn't been in the top five. So, that's probably the side of the ball we're going to look to, but again we have a history here of taking the best football player that we can when we're drafting.”

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, quoted in The Associated Press regarding WR Chad Johnson’s trade demands: “I’ve stated our case with Chad. He has a contract through 2011. He’s stated without an opportunity to go to a different team and a new contract, he wasn’t going to play. I think he’s a man of his word and says he’s not going to play, so don’t play.”

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, explaining there was never any question that former Michigan OLT Jake Long was going to be the first player selected (Long signed a five-year contract with $30 million guaranteed with the Dolphins Tuesday), as quoted by The Associated Press: ''Jake was our guy from the beginning. Jake Long was on the top of our board for a long time. There wasn't a whole lot of debate. We thought it was a very good fit with the Miami Dolphins.''

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Packers GM Ted Thompson, entertaining the possibility of his team selecting a QB with their first-round pick (30th overall) in this weekend’s draft, as quoted on insidebayarea.com: "If we take another guy at 30, we're not saying this other guy's going to be our quarterback. We're saying that we've gotten another guy to play the position. You can never have too many people, especially at the most important position in the National Football League." Thompson added: "There are other ways to get quarterbacks as you go through the spring and the summer, so we don't feel compelled to do anything. But again, if we can create more competition, that's a good thing."

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, quoted in The Associated Press regarding LB Odell Thurman’s reinstatement to the league after a two-year suspension as a result of violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy: "Odell has met the NFL's conditions for reinstatement and has been added to our offseason roster. It is now up to Odell to continue to meet all NFL guidelines, and to maintain a standard of personal responsibility that will allow him the chance to compete for a spot on our team."

Panthers WR Steve Smith, voicing his opinion on teammate and fellow WR Dwayne Jarrett, as quoted in The Associated Press: "You know, the party session is actually over. This is the NFL. You make plays. You're here to play football. You do the party scene at your own discretion, but on Sundays, we're here to play football. If you can't play football, you won't be playing with the Carolina Panthers or any NFL team."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, quoted on Amarillo.com about the appeal in trading their draft pick in this weekend’s draft: "There might be great value for our team with some of that collateral we have with those (first-round) picks. What if someone wants to give us a hell of a player that really fit and improved our offense? That's the kind of universe I can conjure up. We could set up here and get a premium receiver on the other side of Terrell and have a tandem." Jones added: “If there's a premier player out there, you have to ask what does he do to make Romo — and in the process, our offense — better? The No. 1 thing I'm looking for is what can I do to make Romo better."

Monday, April 21, 2008

Cardinals GM Rod Graves, quoted in the East Valley Tribune on the success of his ball club in the 2004 draft in which Arizona selected WR Larry Fitzgerald, LB Karlos Dansby, DE Darnell Dockett and DE Antonio Smith: “You saw a tremendous amount of competitiveness in those players. That’s the thing we’ve tended to try to focus on more and more: the competitive nature of the player and his production … playing hard, playing physical and competing at a high level.”

Panthers GM Marty Hurney, discussing the RB prospects in this year’s draft, as quoted in the Charlotte Observer: "We use the phrase a lot of `playing big, running big.' There are a lot of guys who are 200 pounds (or) 205 pounds who run like 220-pound backs. (And) you can reverse that. Just because a guy has good size doesn't make him your `big back.' When you say `big back,' it's more of a running style.” Hurney continued when asked about their other need at offensive tackle: "They're hard to find. It might not be the sexiest pick, but it certainly is one that is extremely important to being successful on offense and winning as a football team."

Ravens director of college scouting Eric DeCosta, quoted on chicagotribune.com about the importance of this year’s draft for his team: "This is probably the most critical draft we've ever had, based on our needs on this team, based on the future, our record last year and where we want to get to. I'm very excited. We've all talked, the three of us, about sleepless nights and waking up in the middle of the night." DeCosta added: "The wounds from last season are still fresh. That was a very trying season for me, personally. This draft is very strong in comparison to last year's draft. We've got nine picks, we hope to have some more at some point possibly, and I think we can really legitimize the roster for the next four, five, six years with an excellent draft this year."

Seahawks president Tim Ruskell, admitting that despite signing free agents T.J. Duckett and Julius Jones, there is a definite possibility that Seattle could draft a running back this weekend, as quoted on (Everett, WA) Heraldnet.com: "You never stop looking for running backs. There are probably some names that have popped up during our meetings in the last two weeks. (The group of incoming running backs) is a pretty strong." Ruskell added: "Coming into a new scheme with a new (running backs) coach, who knows how it will go? We are all in agreement that we like the guys that we brought in and we think they are going to be heavy-duty contributors."