They Said It: week of May 2

Friday, May 6, 2011

49ers rookie QB Colin Kaepernick, who is forbidden from having contact with his new team as long as the lockout is on, quoted in the Sacramento Bee on using one of his friends, Stanford QB Andrew Luck, as a resource to start learning Jim Harbaugh's playbook: "Especially if the lockout stays on. I'm going to try and pick his brain as much as I can and try to get a jump-start into this offense, and pick up as much as I can from him."

Packers DL Cullen Jenkins, a potential unrestricted free agent once a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is reached, quoted on NFL.com on why he believes his time in Green Bay is over: "I've always been up there and always been a Packer, and I wanted to stay a Packer. So we approached the team and wanted to get some type of security, some type of longer-term deal before the season so I would know I would be there. It wasn't about money, it was about security, about trying to see if we could work something out." Added Jenkins: "I knew in going to them, I know Green Bay, I know the market, I know how they handle business, and the thought was if we could get something reasonable worked out, I knew I would take less than what I could've gotten in free agency. But they never approached me with anything and never got any type of negotiations going. It's just how the business is. They had a lot of younger guys and felt they could move forward in that direction."

Texans DE Mario Williams will transition to outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Wade Phillips' new odd front, as quoted on chron.com: "I feel great about it. What an opportunity for me. Wade told me he'll put me in the best position to make plays, and the biggest thing that got my attention was when he said, 'Just go.' He wants me to get after the quarterback 90 percent of the time. He said, 'When the ball's snapped, I want you to go, be fast and get the quarterback.'  When they want me to cover, I'll do it. I don't think that'll happen too much. I don't think you'll see me turning and running and covering somebody man-to-man down the field."

Cardinals new CB Patrick Peterson has his sights set on making Arizona's secondary the best in the league, as quoted on USATODAY.com: "It's going to be fun. I'm definitely going to have plans sometime in the year for having the best secondary in the league. That's something I always set my sights on in any secondary I ever played. So I know this secondary is going to be special." Added Peterson: "I don't want an island. I want a universe."

 

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall, apologizing for controversial remarks he made on his Twitter page following the death of Osama bin Laden, as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "I apologize for the timing as such a sensitive matter, but it was not meant to do harm. I apologize to anyone I unintentionally harmed with anything that I said, or any hurtful interpretation that was made and put in my name. I want people to understand that I am not in support of bin Laden or against the USA." Mendenhall continued: "I understand how devastating 9/11 was to this country and to the people whose families were affected. My heart goes out to the troops who fight for our freedoms everyday, not certain if they will have the opportunity to return home, and the families who watch their loved ones bravely go off to war."

Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome, quoted in the Baltimore Sun on his optimism that 2010 second-round LB Sergio Kindle eventually will play for the Ravens: "Well, Sergio has made a lot of progress from the time he fell down the stairs. Right now, it's still in medical hands. We are very optimistic that there may be an opportunity for him to get back on the field. When will that happen? We're not sure. We're very optimistic that Sergio will get back on the field at some point."

Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, endorsing on his Twitter page the club's decision to trade up and land WR Julio Jones, as quoted on ajc.com: "Just finished watching a highlight film of Julio Jones. If he can carry that over to the NFL … SCARY."

Titans CB Alterraun Verner, who was a college teammate of Titans second-rounder, LB Akeem Ayers, quoted in The Tennessean on what Ayers will bring to Tennessee's defense: "What Coach [Jerry] Gray has talked about, that is how I envision Akeem being in the NFL. He is versatile and you can play him in so many spots. He has such great natural instincts, he can rush the passer, keep containment, make tackles and he can drop back in coverage, which is evident with the six interceptions he's had. He is a great athlete. There's no doubt he can help us early."

Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz, discussing how he expects rookie fifth-rounder Nathan Enderle to compete with Caleb Hanie for the backup QB job, as quoted in the Chicago Sun-Times: "We didn't draft [Enderle] to be the third quarterback. If that was the case, then there was no reason to draft a quarterback. You have to be good at that position to win, and one just isn't enough. We feel really good about Caleb, but what if Nate is better? Who knows? I don't know that he is or isn't."

 

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Cowboys QB Tony Romo, quoted on ESPN.com after his club on Tuesday had its first on-field workout during the labor strife: "It went great. We had a great turnout. It was crisp. It was fast. You could feel the energy from the guys being back out there. Guys were committed. It was great to see." Added Romo: "It [his collarbone] feels great. I wish the season was ready to start."

Ravens first-round CB Jimmy Smith, confidently calling himself the best cornerback in the rookie class, as quoted in the Baltimore Sun: "No disrespect to Patrick Peterson and Prince Amukamara, but I just think I have better cover skills. They get tested a lot, and that's for a reason. The other team sees something in their game that they want to attack, and me playing in the same league as Prince, we played the same teams and they didn't attack me the same. So why does that happen?" Added Smith: "I just want to prove everybody wrong, all of the naysayers. The only thing I can really do is make sure I'm always staying out of trouble and doing things the right way so nobody can say anything."

Giants TE Kevin Boss, quoted on NYDailyNews.com after the Giants organized their first unofficial offseason workout: "It was great. First, it was great just to see everyone. I don't remember the last time we had gone this long without seeing our teammates. So it was nice just to kind of catch up with the guys and fun just to get back on the field and get back to work." Added Boss on the advantage of working out with teammates during the labor strife: "Yeah, it definitely can't hurt. Just to kind of get out there and hear the terminology again and work on the timing with Eli, it's definitely something that's going to help down the road. If you go too long without hearing plays called, you'll forget things. So it's nice to get back out there and hear everything again."

Former Cardinals QB Kurt Warner, discussing the upside of Eagles QB Kevin Kolb, who has been heavily rumored as the next triggerman of the Cardinals, as quoted on Arizonasports.com: "You see the athleticism, you see the big arm, you see the ability to make big plays, which he's done. But you've also seen, at times, maybe a lack of vision, being able to see the whole field and make all the decisions that need to be made. But you've got to remember, this guy's only been in the league a couple of years and only played a few games." Added Warner: "He's probably the best upside [of all the potential trade possibilities for the Cardinals]. Obviously being a young guy, this is a guy you could get, this is a guy you could build around for 10 years. That's got to excite an organization, or excite the Cardinals if they're able to land him."

49ers new head coach Jim Harbaugh, describing Browns new FB-LB Owen Marecic, a rare two-way player at Stanford, as quoted on recordpub.com: "In 30 years of being in college and pro football, I haven't seen a guy like him. He does everything right, all the time, the first time. He has everything — strength, humility, intelligence. He's everything I envisioned being as a football player."

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall posted controversial comments on his twitter page following the death of Osama bin Laden, as quoted in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side… I believe in God. I believe we're ALL his children. And I believe HE is the ONE and ONLY judge." Added Mendenhall: "We'll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style."

 

Panthers OT Jordan Gross, quoted on heraldonline.com sharing that he obtained a playbook during the short return to NFL activities last week: "I was in there and got my playbook and actually met with our O-line coach (John Matsko) a little bit and got some stuff installed. So a few of us have playbooks now. So those are out there. We'll for sure get together and meet now on our own and try to get some knowledge dispersed. That was huge to even get the one day, especially for us with a new (staff). Hopefully, guys share that." Gross added: "It's a little messy with the free agency. I'll get together, especially with the O-line guys, tight ends, working on the protections and the run game. I'm not really a pass guru. But I can probably help out (second-year receiver) Armanti (Edwards) understand what it's talking about. I've played longer than most everybody on our offense."

Cardinals GM Rod Graves, discussing the team's QB situation after it failed to address the position in the draft, as quoted on arizonasports.com: "I would say that we would certainly have to take a strong look at it [trading an early pick in next year's draft to acquire a QB], we're not opposed to doing that. We'd have to take a strong look at it but we are open to a lot of different scenarios. It certainly may entail us having to give up a high round draft choice in order to make a trade successful if we are in that situation." Graves continued by discussing the decision to bolster a running back corps that includes Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower with second-rounder Ryan Williams: "We'll see how it shakes out. I don't think anyone is secure or has been promised a position."

Broncos new head coach John Fox, stating his goals for the 2011 season during a conference call with season-ticket holders, as quoted in Denver Daily News: "When I was in Carolina, we went from 31st in defense to second in just one year. I think that can be done. I'm not making any predictions, I'd rather understate and over-perform, but it can be done. I have the utmost confidence in our staff and the players. Without putting numbers on it, I think our goal every year, No. 1, is to win the Super Bowl. Before that, you have to get in the playoffs, so a realistic goal every year is to win your division and get in the playoffs. Then, once you get into that tournament, anything can happen."

Jets head coach Rex Ryan, who is out promoting his new book, "Play Like You Mean It," quoted in the New York Post on the Jets being the Giants' "big brother": "The facts are we've played better than the Giants the last two years. Those are the only two years I've been here. Those are facts. We've gone to the playoffs. We've won four road playoff games. I don't think you can dispute that. What happens these next eight years that I talked about? We're getting ready to find out."

Monday, May 2, 2011

Bears first-round draft pick OT Gabe Carimi, who grew up in Wisconsin cheering for the Packers, quoted on Chicago.cbslocal.com on becoming a member of Green Bay's biggest rival: "I had my errors of my way and I sinned and repent, so I'm good now. I saw the light." Added Carimi: "If you ask any of my close friends, I've told them. 'Where do you think you fit best, where do you think you want to go?' And I said I wanted to be a Bear, probably."

Agent Ken Staninger, describing the impact the labor impasse could have on rookies, as quoted on pittsburghlive.com: "The quarterbacks and offensive linemen and wide receivers, these young guys, can you imagine? With no minicamps and no OTAs, if they show up Aug. 1 to training camp, they're going to be so lost."

Eagles head coach Andy Reid, moments after saying it was unfair to compare second-round S Jaiquawn Jarrett to former Eagles great Brian Dawkins, did just that, as quoted on philly.com: "They're the same stature, size, same speed, and they both will torch you. [They're] different personalities, different guys, but I don't think you want to run over the middle on either one of them. They'll both blow you up."

Texans GM Rick Smith, quoted on HeraldNet discussing fifth-round S Shiloh Keo, who addresses one of the club's biggest needs after its secondary was torched seemingly every week last season: "He is one of those players that you talk about as a diamond in the rough. He doesn't have great measurables, but what he has intangible-wise and what he adds from a physical standpoint, he has tremendous ball skills. He is a very heady player with great football instincts. He's the type of guy that you look for in those rounds, and we really think he can come in and help our team."

Falcons new RB Jacquizz Rodgers, quoted on ajc.com after falling to the fifth round on Sunday: "It's a little disappointing, because I was expecting to get picked the third or fourth round. But everything happens for a reason." Added Rodgers: "It's always about motivation. Guys underestimate me because of my height. They pick me later. I'm ready to go in and work and make a name for myself."

Source: http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/05/06/they-said-it-week-of-may-2

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