"DON'T QUOTE ME BOY,
CUZ I AIN'T SAID SH*\!"
-By The Director
last updated 8/28/04

As we turn the page to our new host, we take our site to even greater heights as we reflect on off-season quotes that will either 'ring true', or be 'ringin in the ears' of coaches on short fuses in the 2004-2005 season:

...On Tennessee, Offense, The Daily News, 8.14.04
'"The offensive line is really good right now," (Chris) Brown said. "Those guys are getting it done. I expect they're going to open some great big holes for me."'


...On Buffalo, Drew Bledsoe, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
'"We're using the clock to let him know, not that he's being sacked (necessarily after four seconds) but that 'All right, it's time, dump it down, right now, move on,'" (Coach Mike) Mularky said. "He's really done excellent with it. It's creating a habit that's positive."'


...On Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburghlive.com, 8.13.04
'"He throws a heavy ball," (Plaxico) Burress said, "and when it hits you, it's like BOOM!"


...On Buffalo, Willis McGahee, Democrat and Chronicle, 8.16.04
'"Backs split time in high school and college," (Travis) Henry said. "At this level, if you've got a feature back, you let him run. You let him do what he does. You get three plays; he gets three plays. Nah. You can't get into a rhythm like that."'


...On Redskins, Quarterbacks, Washington Times, 8.16.40
'"I don't think we're doing smart things," Gibbs said as he took a late-afternoon break. "I think we're making some glaring errors. You don't throw the ball where we threw it and win football games...I don't think we were smart or made good decisions, and we turned the ball over. You turn the ball over, you lose."'


...On Denver, Denver Post, 8.16.04
'the biggest concern is Denver's offense. Through two preseason games, the Broncos' starting offense has six possessions that have accounted for no touchdowns, two field goals and three interceptions.

"What's the date?" Plummer asked, a reminder that the Broncos' regular season does not open until Sept. 12, a home game against the Kansas City Chiefs.'


...On Buffalo, Willis McGahee, AP, 8.12.04
'Willis is wearing his intentions on his neck...He's sporting a new tattoo that reads: 'Guess Who's Back?'..."I can't tell you what it means," McGahee playfully said after practice on Thursday. "That's for me. And for you to find out."'


...on San Diego, Chargers.com, 8.04
'"What you try to do in the preseason is evaulate your players and see if they will improve through their work on the field and in the classroom," Schottenheimer said. "The thing you don't want to do is focus so much on winning that you lose your opportunity to evaluate people. Then you risk making an (uninformed) decision on the selection of your 53-man roster."'


...on Tampa Bay, Kevin McCardell, Tampa Tribune, 8.12.04
'"I'm not big on absolutes, but no he's a Buc," Allen said of the holdout Pro Bowl receiver. "We want him here. We have jersey No. 87 waiting for him. But until he changes his mind, there's nothing we can do."'


...on San Diego, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sportsline.com, 8.04
'When Tomlinson signs, he'll be tied to the Chargers through 2011 season, which he likes. "Because I want to be here to make the change," said Tomlinson,..."I want to be here when people say what the organization used to be when they were down, and now these guys are up and they are winning. And I want to be part of that group."'


...on N.Y. Giants, QB Kurt Warner, N.Y. Daily News, 8.9.04
'"It doesn't matter what his passes look like because the stat sheet doesn't show the aesthetics of a pass," said running back Tiki Barber. "He's smart. He knows how to throw the ball where it needs to be."'


...on N.Y. Jets, WR Justin McCareins, Newsday, 8.9.04
'"I think this can be our most explosive offense since I've been here," Curtis Martin said. "I truly believe it will be our best offense."'


...on Atlanta, Defense, Athens Banner-Herald, 8.9.04
'"We have depth issues at d-line, no question about it," Mora said before giving the players Sunday off. "Our scouts say there should be several guys available when the final cuts are made, but right now, as far as getting our work done and not disrupting other parts of the team, it's a concern."'


...on the Browns, RB Lee Suggs, www.ClevelandBrowns.com, 06.04
'Suggs says he doesn't wonder if he can be the go to man in the NFL."That last game (against the Bengals) was real big for me," he said, "I always knew I could do it. For those who were doubting me, I had something to prove. Now I have the confidence I can do it."'


...on the Jaguars, WR Jimmy Smith, www.Jaguars.com, 06.04
'"I want to have an outstanding career and end it here in Jacksonville."'

...on the Ravens, QB Kyle Boller, Baltimore Sun, 05.18.04
'"I can definitely sense a change in his demeanor," said Todd Heap, the Ravens' Pro Bowl tight end. "You see that confidence that maybe wasn't there as much last year. This is the year where he knows he has to step up."'


...on the Broncos, TE Shannon Sharpe, Denver Post, 05.04
'Asked who he sees as Denver's starting tight end in the post-Sharpe era, Chamberlin said: "I see myself. And all of those other guys see themselves. So that's good because it will create some competition."'


...on the Raiders, RB Troy Hambrick, Santa Rosa Democrat, 05.18.04
'"Troy is pumped," said his agent, Jordan Way, who also represents Terrell. "He wanted to go to a place where he could come in and legitimately compete for a starting job. He should do that here...he's the same type of back as Wheatley, but Wheatley is 32."'


...on the Steelers, WR Plexico Burress, GoPBI.com, 05.04
(on missing offseason workouts)'"I thought he was going to be here, but obviously he's not said Hines Ward, the Steelers' other starting receiver. "It's sad. I don't think it had to come to this...I've got to prepare like we're going into the season right now without Plax, we don't know what is going to happen."'


...on the Chiefs, Defense, Kansas City Star, 05.25.04
'"I've never had the kind of depth we have on defense at any place I've ever coached," Vermeil said, "Defensive line, linebackers...they can all play. It'll be an unbelievable training camp."'


...on the Raiders, QB Rich Gannon, GoPBI.com, 05.25.04
'"Obviously I've played a lot in this league and started a lot of games," Collins said Tuesday. "But when I came here they made it clear what the situation would be. I understood that Rich would be the starter and I will be the guy that's there if something happens to Rich. That will be my approach."'


...on the Patriots, RB Corey Dillion, Boston.com, 05.04
'"I went from the bottom to the top," said Dillon, 29, who accepted a restructured contract loaded with incentives. "It's night and day. There ain't going to be no problem. I think people have got this perception of me, 'Oh, he's got an attitude.' Yeah, I've got an attitude if we're not winning. I doubt if I have an attitude because we're going to win here. All this, 'Corey cries, he gripes' stuff, yeah, when we're not winning. There ain't going to no crying or griping here."'


...on the Browns, Plains Dealer, 05.04
'In an interview with the Baltimore Sun, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis had this to say about off-season changes made by the Browns: "I don't disrespect Cleveland, but Cleveland just doesn't have enough right now. That's as simple as it gets. It's a lot of togetherness that you have to have to go through before you reach great, even before you reach good, as a team. Just by having a big name over there means nothing. I saw Jeff Garcia, and he's done nothing against us..."'