Thanks to the NFL, here are a bunch of the players who were selected to the 2010 Pro Bowl who were interviewed about going to the Pro Bowl and their thoughts on the game the Super Bowl and playing alongside some of the best players in the league.
Quotes included below:
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· Champ Bailey · Darrelle Revis · Vince Young · Chris Johnson · Andre Johnson · Dan Carpenter · Vince Wilfork · Shaun Ellis · Kyle Vanden Bosch · Yeremiah Bell · D’Brickashaw Ferguson · Kevin Mawae |
· Wade Phillips · Terence Newman · Antrel Rolle · Adrian Peterson · Jared Allen · Tony Romo · DeSean Jackson |
2010 NFL PRO BOWL QUOTE SHEET
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
THURSDAY JANUARY 28, 2009
DENVER BRONCOS CORNERBACK CHAMP BAILEY
On if the Colts will win the Super Bowl
"They’ve got (Indianapolis QB) Peyton Manning. He’s the best, very best. No one has played like him for 12 years. I know. I’ve played against him."
NEW YORK JETS CORNERBACK DARRELLE REVIS
On the Pro Bowl occurring before the Super Bowl
"Like I said, it’s something that they scheduled it for us. It’s something that you have to deal with and move forward."
On the Pro Bowl:
Well they scheduled it this way for a reason. You can’t fault the guys that are replaced the other guys. They deserve to be here.
On comparing his playing style to Green Bay CB Charles Woodson’s
"Everybody has different things in their game that make them themselves. They do a great job—the Green Bay Packers with Charles Woodson—moving him around a lot in different packages and having him blitz and being back at safety at times. He’s everywhere. That just shows that he’s an impact player on defense."
On the New York Jets’ loss in the AFC Championship Game
"It’s in the back of my mind still, but right now, the Pro Bowl, we’re just out here with some guys, some great NFL players. You’ve just got to enjoy this time and have fun. If we played them again in the future, that taste is going to come back for us to get a win over those guys."
On the Saints and what they need to do to win this game
A defense needs to stop an offense. Both teams are powerful offensively, and it comes down to who’s defense can stop the offense. It comes down to defense.
TENNESSEE TITANS QUARTERBACK VINCE YOUNG
On today’s Pro Bowl practice
"(It was) fun, exciting and just learning. It’s all good and all fun just getting ready to play. I’m taking it one day at a time."
On making the Pro Bowl after not being the Titans starter at the beginning of the season
"I’m definitely happy. I am not satisfied yet. I still have a long way to go. Like you said, to get a chance to get back in there, try to change it around and get some wins and get to the Pro Bowl shows the respect of the fans, players and coaches around me. I’m excited to be able to be out here, having a good time and be laughing and joking."
On other players declining their Pro Bowl invitations
"Everybody has their own decisions. For me, it has been one of my dreams ever since I was a little kid, being in the Pro Bowl and seeing the keys it takes to get to the Hall of Fame. Being in the Pro Bowl is an individual goal as well as a team goal that I am trying to accomplish right now. This is one of (the reasons) right here, to go out and be able to represent my team."
On playing alongside the AFC’s All-Pros
"It’s fun. You get to learn a lot of the other guys’ characters and how a lot of different guys function. (It’s fun to) just to be out here lively and joking so they can see what type of quarterback I am. I am a different breed. I am goofy and have a good time, but also when it is time to get focused and win a ball game; it is all about that as well."
TENNESSEE TITANS RUNNING BACK CHRIS JOHNSON
On why it’s so hard to beat the Colts:
Peyton Manning. He is incredible. The best defense against the colts is a great offense.
On his break out season:
This was a dream season. I was just waiting for someone to wake me up but it never happened.
HOUSTON TEXANS WIDE RECEIVER ANDRE JOHNSON
On the offense:
Well the offense we’re running is a little different for most of us. We just try to relate it to what we do and home, translate it over.
On representation from the University of Miami Hurricanes:
There are a lot of us here. We have put a lot of talent in the NFL, and we have good football players. About 10 guys here at the Pro Bowl.
MIAMI DOLPHINS KICKER DAN CARPENTER
On being a "no-name" at the Pro Bowl:
A few guys might know who I am, but I’m pretty much a no-name here. It’s pretty amazing being here and being around these guys.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS DEFENSIVE TACKLE VINCE WILFORK
On the number of players that had to be replaced:
Well it goes to show you the type of players that Indianapolis and New Orleans put out, the talent they have.
On the matchup between the Saints and Colts:
There is nothing really you can break down; I mean both of them are two real good football teams, by far the best teams in the NFL this year. You are getting it on Sunday. I mean they are two great quarterbacks, great receivers, great core offense, and good defenses. It is going to be a good game.
On the comparison between QB Peyton Manning and QB Drew Brees:
Right now, they are playing at a high level. Peyton (Manning) has been doing it for so long, he is the best of the best out there. He is a very good quarterback. I think (Drew) Brees has been under the radar for a long time, now that he is in the Super Bowl I think a lot of people are starting to see the real Drew Brees but Drew Brees has been playing good football for a long time, but he has just been kind of under the radar just because he hasn’t had big game experience or the playoff experience and all that. But every year he throws for a bunch of yards, and throws touchdowns and everything just like some of the great quarterbacks around. I am happy to see him get his props because it is well overdue.
On the Colts running game:
They’ll find one, trust me. A good team will find a way to win, I guarantee you that.
NEW YORK JETS DEFENSIVE END SHAUN ELLIS
On Kurt Warner retiring:
He is a tough guy; he has accurate passes, and overall he’s a winner.
On preparing for the Super Bowl over the Pro Bowl:
It’s two different events. I think if the fans voted you in, you should be here.
TENNESSEE TITANS DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH
On whether he would prefer to play the Pro Bowl in South Florida or Hawaii:
The Pro Bowl is the Pro Bowl. It is a great trip to go to Hawaii, but this is nice for a change.
MIAMI DOLPHINS S YEREMIAH BELL
On playing in the Pro Bowl in South Florida:
It is exciting. It is exciting for South Florida. It is exciting for me and for all the players out here. It is just a great experience and I am glad to be a part of this. It is something that has always a goal of mine and a dream of mine. For me to reach this goal is just great.
On having K Dan Carpenter on the AFC Roster now:
Oh yeah, I do have a teammate that is great. I was the only Miami guy out here, but now it’s great that I have Dan (Carpenter) out here, I have a little back up power so that feels good.
On his Super Bowl plans:
Actually I think I am going to go back home to Kentucky. I think I am going back home and be with my two kids so I think I am going to be with them. Probably watch the Super Bowl with them and just have some fun there.
NEW YORK JETS T D’BRICKASHAW FERGUSON
On being a role model to young kids facing adversity:
You are going to face adversity; sometimes there are different degrees of it. It is about how you react to that adversity, but character is built on how you react to that adversity and I think being in your faith, reading, and just having faith allows you to react well to adversity. You can see many instances of it when things go bad in the game, the ability to turn the page and keep playing, you can make one thing that is bad even worse if you dwell on the negativity. It is always important to transition, be positive and understand that adversity is going to happen, it is just how you handle it.
TENNESSEE TITANS CENTER KEVIN MAWAE
It is huge, it is an eight billion dollar business, and it probably was more than that this year because the numbers haven’t even come all the way in yet. I think there are further underlying issues, when owners figure out how they want to share revenue I think that a lot of these problems would be solved
On if there was an NFL lockout if it would be like the MLB lockout & take years to recover:
You would have to ask management that. I think so; it would really do more harm to this business than good.
On the possibility of 2010 being an uncapped season:
You never know, the way negotiations go you go back and forth and we could pull an eleventh hour deal right before March 5, but you know that would be the best case scenario. Worst-case scenario, we get locked out, or somewhere in between we play an uncapped season figure something out by March of 2011 and we move on.
On the Colts Defense:
Their defense is built on speed, I just got asked about if they changed their M.O to the size up front; but it is really the speed on the ends, the speed on the inside linebacker, and the linebacker positions. They don’t give up a lot of points, the key for any offense or any team to play against them is to stay on the field as long as possible and keep 18 (Peyton Manning) off the field. You just don’t want to give the ball to him; you want to use up the clock. They score so quick you can’t catch up and they are a very good team. Peyton does a great job with that offense and controlling that entire team.
On where the Pro Bowl is next year:
There is a contract in place in the state of Hawaii that the next two years it will be in Hawaii.
On whether the Pro Bowl should be played before or after the Super Bowl:
I don’t have an opinion right now.
On the NFL’s decision to move the Pro Bowl to Miami:
I don’t know, I think at the end of the day it boils down to money and dollars. It is about the cash cow and the cash flow. This is a business, and I think that is what prompted the NFL to bring the Pro Bowl here to Miami.
On the change in venue:
I don’t know, there is a lot more media here that is for sure. Less access to the fans than when we have it in Hawaii. It’s not as relaxed.
On it being a shorter trip to Miami:
You have to ask everybody, they all have different opinions on it. It is definitely a shorter flight from Nashville than Maui.
2010 NFL PRO BOWL QUOTE SHEET
NATIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE
THURSDAY JANUARY 28, 2009
DALLAS COWBOYS HEAD COACH WADE PHILLIPS
On receiving a contract extension with Dallas
"I really want to be with this team because they’re a special group, and I think we’ve got more to do. I’m happy about being back, obviously."
On his contract negations with Dallas Owner Jerry Jones during the season
"We said that we’d settle it after the season, so that was the most important thing."
On the Cowboys’ future Super-Bowl potential
"I think we’ve got a great base. We’re winning, which is the big thing. We’ve got to win some more. We all know that, and we’re going to work hard in the offseason. We’re going to change some things that need changing and go forward from there."
On the key to beating New Orleans
"I don’t know. They’re a resilient team. Even when you have them down, they’re going to come back. We wish them well as the NFC team."
DALLAS COWBOYS CORNERBACK TERENCE NEWMAN
On if selections from Super Bowl teams should participate in the Pro Bowl
"I think they’ve got a more important focus right now. They’re trying to be world champions. The fact that they’re not here, everybody understands that. We respect it. They’ve got a lot to live up to next weekend. It’s going to be an important day for all those guys. There are going to be new players, old players alike. New Orleans, they’re trying to win a Super Bowl. It’s their first appearance, ever. It’s important to them."
On the key to stopping the Saints’ offense
"(The key is) just to understand their whole mentality. As long as (New Orleans QB Drew) Brees can sit back in the pocket and pick his targets, he’s going to have a successful day, so you’ve got to get him moving around. You’ve got to send some pressure at him and make him uncomfortable."
On where Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning will rank among all-time signal callers if the Colts win the Super Bowl
"It’s already set in stone this year. He was arguably the best quarterback in the league, (along) with Drew Brees. That will set his legacy, for sure. He won a Super Bowl three years ago; this would be his second one. He started off kind of rocky. He’s ending his career way better than he began it."
On who will win the 2010 Super Bowl
"I like both teams, but I want it to come back to the NFC. I’m going to say Saints by a field goal."
ARIZONA CARDINALS CORNERBACK ANTREL ROLLE
On not originally being named to the Pro Bowl
"I’m still happy to be here. It’s an honor to be able to play."
On the Super Bowl teams
"Both teams have great quarterbacks who can pick you apart and point out your weaknesses. They’re both great teams."
On playing near his hometown
"It feels good to be home. There are several of us here from the ‘U’ (University of Miami). I think we have set a precedent."
MINNESOTA VIKINGS RUNNING BACK ADRIAN PETERSON
On if he plans on staying for the Super Bowl
"I don’t know yet. I might go back home and relax in Texas."
On how he likes Miami compared to Hawaii
"It is different. This is not Hawaii, but as of now, I’m enjoying the experience."
On when he decided to play in the Pro Bowl
"I decided Tuesday. I just wanted to come down and play football."
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DEFENSIVE END JARED ALLEN
On having the opportunity to rush the passer in the Pro Bowl
"We’ll see how the game goes. I don’t want to (upset anyone). It should be fun. The rules kind of are nice because you don’t have to worry about too much. The crowd wants to see the high-flying balls, so we’ve got to get a couple sacks, probably."
On if he would have liked more Pro Bowl selections to play in the 2010 game
"I don’t know if it really matters all that much. A lot of those guys don’t come sometimes. It depends on injury. We’ve got a lot of guys who just got off AFC and NFC Championship games who are not here because of injury and stuff like that. I think it’s kind of new to everybody having it the week before the Super Bowl. You can’t really make a judgment until you get done with it and see how the game plays out and stuff like that.
"We all enjoy Hawaii and stuff like that, but it should be fun. Obviously, we didn’t have to travel 17 hours, so that works."
On if he prefers having the Pro Bowl in Miami over Hawaii
"I’m not going to judge this until after the week is over. We’ll compare it to Hawaii when the game is over. It’s personal preference whether to come or not, and some guys feel like they didn’t have enough time to recover, and they opted not to play because of injury. You’re going to have that no matter what. It is what it is. That’s why we have alternates, and those guys are going to come over and they’re going to represent themselves and their teams just as well."
On how Indianapolis can stop New Orleans’ offense
"You can’t give (New Orleans QB Drew Brees) the same look. You can’t just sit back there and let Brees get in a rhythm. You’ve got to get him off his mark and make him throw from the run and stuff like that and tackle. Tackling is a big thing. You’ve got to protect the football. That defense over there in New Orleans, they’re great at getting the ball out."
DALLAS COWBOYS QUARTERBACK TONY ROMO
On the Pro Bowl occurring the week before the Super Bowl
"For me, it’s enjoyable. It’s fun to play no matter when it is."
On if it is bittersweet being in Miami but not for the Super Bowl
"You’re always hoping to play in the big game, but it’s a process. We’re building."
On if he is happy to be playing in the Pro Bowl
"Yeah, it’s still, obviously, so soon after the season that it’s a bittersweet taste, but it’s also enjoyable to get out here and be able to throw the football and keep improving and have some fun with the guys."
On the Saints’ defense
"They’re good. They do a lot of different things and have a lot of different fronts. You’ve got to be prepared for everything against them."
On Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning
"Being in the system for so long, he’s allowed to put his own stamp on a lot of things over the years. Now, he has an understanding. He can teach everybody else. That goes a long way. Obviously, he’s talented. In simple terms, he’s got good instincts and is very accurate with the football."
On Dallas WR Miles Austin’s first career Pro Bowl selection
"It’s important. I’m excited for him and I’m excited to see his progression. He just needs to keep going and keep working. He’s got a great future ahead of him. He was raw a few years back, but he was getting better and better each year. It was just a matter of opportunity for him. When he got it, he grabbed it."
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES WIDE RECEIVER DE SEAN JACKSON
On being at the Pro Bowl
"We’re just all enjoying it and just going with the flow."
On if he would be surprised if Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb is not an Eagle next season
"Yeah, kind of sort of, just knowing the situation, I would (be surprised), knowing he’s been there a long time in Philly and things like that. It probably would definitely be a worse situation but so far so good. Hopefully, he will be with us and get us to the Super Bowl because that is our goal."
On the Pro Bowl practices
"It’s been real cool. We’re just out here having fun. That’s the biggest thing. It’s been a good experience for me, and I’m just taking it in stride."
On playing in the Pro Bowl on Sunday
"We’ve got some good quarterbacks out here to get me the ball, so we’re going to have a good time and enjoy it."