New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick joined The Big Show on WEEI in Boston to talk about releasing Adalius Thomas, his relationship with college coaches, and different aspects of evaluating players in the draft. To listen to the interview go to Sports Radio Interviews.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says his relationship with Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer doesn’t much affect his assessment of college players.
What was the thinking behind releasing Adalius Thomas?
Belichick: I think he was a good football player. He came in and had a heck of a year for us in ’07. At this point in time, we felt that that was the direction we were going to go in.
Every year after the draft, teams get certain players and then release players that we were with them in previous years – some with bigger salaries, some not – experienced players that have been productive in their careers. I’m sure we’ll see some more of that in the next week or so. Then it will probably die off. Then we’ll see some more of it when we get into training camp and towards the end of training camp.
You can kind of mark those days down on the calendar as things that are going to happen. Who and how many and all that is a team by team decision. People get new players and want to give them opportunities to see their teams develop in a certain way. You move on from older players and bring in younger ones. It’s the nature of professional football.
Did Belichick’s relationship with Urban Meyer give him inside information about Florida Gators players?
Belichick: I don’t think so. At the pro day down there in Florida, there were almost 140-150 people there from the NFL at the pro day. I don’t think those players are any big secret. We’ve scouted the Florida players since last spring, all fall, all through the all-star games just like everybody else has.
There have been plenty of drafts when we haven’t taken Florida players. We haven’t taken players from Coach Saban’s program, Coach Ferentz’s program, Coach Hill’s program, Coach Schiano’s program, or anybody else’s. We are not partial to any particular school, but I do think that players from some of those programs, because of the way they play, what they look for, what they look for in players age 18, 17, 19, whatever it is coming out of high school, that often there is that same correlation fit the profile and the program that we are looking for. I don’t think that hurts those kids, but it’s certainly not a situation where we are drafting from those six schools…
Do I think we have any inside information? Not really. I think everybody has seen the same games and watched as many practices and film and done as many interviews at the Combine as everybody else does.
Was Devin McCourty the player he had targeted going into the draft?
Belichick: No. We didn’t go into the draft looking at one player. There are a lot players in that draft that are good players. There are a lot of players in the first round that are good players. There are players after we picked that are good players. We felt like the value and the pick at that time, the best player was Devin, obviously.
Each time you have a draft pick, you look at the board and the board looks different. That is very much different than, "We have three players targeted in the draft." What happens when we they are gone? What happens if other players that you didn’t expect to be there are there?
I would have never thought that [Rob] Gronkowski would have been there when we took him. I would have never thought that [Brandon] Spikes or [Aaron] Hernandez would have been there when we took them. And quite frankly, I was surprised that [Jermaine] Cunningham was still on the board in the second round. And I definitely didn’t think that [Thomas] Welch or [Ted] Larsen would be there at the end of the sixth or seventh round.
We have taken players that didn’t nearly have the grades that they had in the fourth round because of the board being so depleted – like in the ’07 draft for example. You just never know.
What are Belichick’s thoughts on measuring how important football is to a player?
Belichick: It’s very subjective. There’s no real chart that you have. It’s just kind of an intuition and a little bit of feel.
I think you can tell by the way the player prepares and what he puts into the game, his conditioning, his training, his film study, his knowledge of the game, the amount of time he spends thinking about both what he is doing and what his opponents are doing, and how well he prepares for it from a physical standpoint – you can certainly get an idea of the commitment, both physically and mentally, that he puts into the game. That’s a good indicator of how he will improve.
How does Belichick evaluate wide receivers?
Belichick: A lot of production of college receivers is related to three things: One, the system. Two, the quarterback. And three, the skill level of the player. When one and two aren’t really there, no matter what three is, it’s hard for that person to be productive when the offense doesn’t throw the ball and the quarterback is not a high producer.
More from SRI
Leon Washington talks about going to the Seattle Seahawks
Raheem Morris talks about the Tampa Bay Bucs’ draft
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick joined The Big Show on WEEI in Boston to talk about releasing Adalius Thomas, his relationship with college coaches, and different aspects of evaluating players in the draft. To listen to the interview go to Sports Radio Interviews.
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says his relationship with Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer doesn’t much affect his assessment of college players.
What was the thinking behind releasing Adalius Thomas?
Belichick: I think he was a good football player. He came in and had a heck of a year for us in ’07. At this point in time, we felt that that was the direction we were going to go in.
Every year after the draft, teams get certain players and then release players that we were with them in previous years – some with bigger salaries, some not – experienced players that have been productive in their careers. I’m sure we’ll see some more of that in the next week or so. Then it will probably die off. Then we’ll see some more of it when we get into training camp and towards the end of training camp.
You can kind of mark those days down on the calendar as things that are going to happen. Who and how many and all that is a team by team decision. People get new players and want to give them opportunities to see their teams develop in a certain way. You move on from older players and bring in younger ones. It’s the nature of professional football.
Did Belichick’s relationship with Urban Meyer give him inside information about Florida Gators players?
Belichick: I don’t think so. At the pro day down there in Florida, there were almost 140-150 people there from the NFL at the pro day. I don’t think those players are any big secret. We’ve scouted the Florida players since last spring, all fall, all through the all-star games just like everybody else has.
There have been plenty of drafts when we haven’t taken Florida players. We haven’t taken players from Coach Saban’s program, Coach Ferentz’s program, Coach Hill’s program, Coach Schiano’s program, or anybody else’s. We are not partial to any particular school, but I do think that players from some of those programs, because of the way they play, what they look for, what they look for in players age 18, 17, 19, whatever it is coming out of high school, that often there is that same correlation fit the profile and the program that we are looking for. I don’t think that hurts those kids, but it’s certainly not a situation where we are drafting from those six schools…
Do I think we have any inside information? Not really. I think everybody has seen the same games and watched as many practices and film and done as many interviews at the Combine as everybody else does.
Was Devin McCourty the player he had targeted going into the draft?
Belichick: No. We didn’t go into the draft looking at one player. There are a lot players in that draft that are good players. There are a lot of players in the first round that are good players. There are players after we picked that are good players. We felt like the value and the pick at that time, the best player was Devin, obviously.
Each time you have a draft pick, you look at the board and the board looks different. That is very much different than, "We have three players targeted in the draft." What happens when we they are gone? What happens if other players that you didn’t expect to be there are there?
I would have never thought that [Rob] Gronkowski would have been there when we took him. I would have never thought that [Brandon] Spikes or [Aaron] Hernandez would have been there when we took them. And quite frankly, I was surprised that [Jermaine] Cunningham was still on the board in the second round. And I definitely didn’t think that [Thomas] Welch or [Ted] Larsen would be there at the end of the sixth or seventh round.
We have taken players that didn’t nearly have the grades that they had in the fourth round because of the board being so depleted – like in the ’07 draft for example. You just never know.
What are Belichick’s thoughts on measuring how important football is to a player?
Belichick: It’s very subjective. There’s no real chart that you have. It’s just kind of an intuition and a little bit of feel.
I think you can tell by the way the player prepares and what he puts into the game, his conditioning, his training, his film study, his knowledge of the game, the amount of time he spends thinking about both what he is doing and what his opponents are doing, and how well he prepares for it from a physical standpoint – you can certainly get an idea of the commitment, both physically and mentally, that he puts into the game. That’s a good indicator of how he will improve.
How does Belichick evaluate wide receivers?
Belichick: A lot of production of college receivers is related to three things: One, the system. Two, the quarterback. And three, the skill level of the player. When one and two aren’t really there, no matter what three is, it’s hard for that person to be productive when the offense doesn’t throw the ball and the quarterback is not a high producer.
More from SRI
Leon Washington talks about going to the Seattle Seahawks
Raheem Morris talks about the Tampa Bay Bucs’ draft
Sporting News staff reports
Ryan Howard’s five-year, $125 million contact extension with the Phillies "bodes well" for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, John Boggs, Gonzalez’s agent, tells FanHouse.
Howard’s deal "validates the fact that [Gonzalez is] worth that kind of money or more," Boggs said.
Meanwhile, trade rumors continue to swirl around Gonzalez, with the Red Sox and Braves among the possible suitors, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gonzalez, who turns 28 next month and is 2 1/2 years younger than Howard, can become a free agent in November 2011, FanHouse notes. He’s guaranteed $4.75 million this year under a four-year, $9.5-million deal he signed in 2007. The Padres hold a $5.7 million option on him for 2011.
The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols and the Brewers’ Prince Fielder are other potential free agent first basemen after the 2011 season.
MLB power poll: Padres shoot up to No. 4
Sporting News staff reports
Ryan Howard’s five-year, $125 million contact extension with the Phillies "bodes well" for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, John Boggs, Gonzalez’s agent, tells FanHouse.
Howard’s deal "validates the fact that [Gonzalez is] worth that kind of money or more," Boggs said.
Meanwhile, trade rumors continue to swirl around Gonzalez, with the Red Sox and Braves among the possible suitors, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Gonzalez, who turns 28 next month and is 2 1/2 years younger than Howard, can become a free agent in November 2011, FanHouse notes. He’s guaranteed $4.75 million this year under a four-year, $9.5-million deal he signed in 2007. The Padres hold a $5.7 million option on him for 2011.
The Cardinals’ Albert Pujols and the Brewers’ Prince Fielder are other potential free agent first basemen after the 2011 season.
MLB power poll: Padres shoot up to No. 4
Chris Bahr, Sporting News
What to watch for in the major leagues today:
First of 19?
The Twins and Tigers are scheduled to meet 18 times this season, but that also was the case last season — when a 19th game was needed to decide the AL Central title. Minnesota’s 6-5, 12-inning win in that one-game playoff was the sixth matchup between the teams decided by one run and the fourth that went into extra innings.
Justin Morneau hopes to pick up where he left off against the Tigers.
Among the reasons the Twins were able to erase what was a 6 1/2-game division lead for the Tigers on Sept. 8: a 5-3 record vs. Detroit after Sept. 17. Making Minnesota’s late run even more impressive was that it did it without first baseman Justin Morneau, who didn’t play after Sept. 12 because of a back injury. In 11 games against Detroit last season, Morneau hit .340 with three homers and 10 RBIs.
Morneau and the Twins will open a three-game series at Comerica Park tonight.
Double-digit drive
Cardinals co-ace Chris Carpenter is coming off back-to-back outings with 10 strikeouts — the first time in his career he has accomplished that feat. He will try to make it a trifecta tonight when St. Louis continues a four-game series against Atlanta at Busch Stadium. Interestingly, Carpenter’s worst start last season came at home against the Braves, when he allowed seven earned runs in six innings.
AL East mismatch
The last-place Orioles set an all-time attendance low at Camden Yards earlier this season, but there should be plenty of fans in the seats tonight for the first of three against the world champion Yankees. Just don’t surprised if most of the additional fans are wearing pinstripes. And if 2009 is any indication, many of those fans will be cheering often for Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. In 18 games against Baltimore last season, Cano hit .478 with six homers and 17 RBIs.
Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Chris Bahr, Sporting News
What to watch for in the major leagues today:
First of 19?
The Twins and Tigers are scheduled to meet 18 times this season, but that also was the case last season — when a 19th game was needed to decide the AL Central title. Minnesota’s 6-5, 12-inning win in that one-game playoff was the sixth matchup between the teams decided by one run and the fourth that went into extra innings.
Justin Morneau hopes to pick up where he left off against the Tigers.
Among the reasons the Twins were able to erase what was a 6 1/2-game division lead for the Tigers on Sept. 8: a 5-3 record vs. Detroit after Sept. 17. Making Minnesota’s late run even more impressive was that it did it without first baseman Justin Morneau, who didn’t play after Sept. 12 because of a back injury. In 11 games against Detroit last season, Morneau hit .340 with three homers and 10 RBIs.
Morneau and the Twins will open a three-game series at Comerica Park tonight.
Double-digit drive
Cardinals co-ace Chris Carpenter is coming off back-to-back outings with 10 strikeouts — the first time in his career he has accomplished that feat. He will try to make it a trifecta tonight when St. Louis continues a four-game series against Atlanta at Busch Stadium. Interestingly, Carpenter’s worst start last season came at home against the Braves, when he allowed seven earned runs in six innings.
AL East mismatch
The last-place Orioles set an all-time attendance low at Camden Yards earlier this season, but there should be plenty of fans in the seats tonight for the first of three against the world champion Yankees. Just don’t surprised if most of the additional fans are wearing pinstripes. And if 2009 is any indication, many of those fans will be cheering often for Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. In 18 games against Baltimore last season, Cano hit .478 with six homers and 17 RBIs.
Chris Bahr is Sporting News’ baseball editor. E-mail him at cbahr@sportingnews.com.
Sporting News staff reports
According to one oddsmaker, the NFL has no clear-cut Super Bowl favorite in 2010.
Online wagering site Bodog.com has set its early lines for teams winning Super Bowl 45, and it installs the Colts, last season’s runner-up, as the top choice, at 8-1. The champion Saints are next at 9-1.
On the other end, fans of the biggest long shots — the Rams, Bucs and Bills — can back their teams at 100-1.
The full list, in alphabetical order:
Arizona Cardinals, 40/1
Atlanta Falcons, 25/1
Baltimore Ravens, 18/1
Buffalo Bills, 100/1
Carolina Panthers, 30/1
Chicago Bears, 35/1
Cincinnati Bengals, 30/1
Cleveland Browns, 80/1
Dallas Cowboys, 11/1
Denver Broncos, 50/1
Detroit Lions, 80/1
Green Bay Packers, 14/1
Houston Texans, 25/1
Indianapolis Colts, 8/1
Jacksonville Jaguars, 70/1
Kansas City Chiefs, 90/1
Miami Dolphins, 30/1
Minnesota Vikings, 14/1
New England Patriots, 10/1
New Orleans Saints, 9/1
New York Giants, 25/1
New York Jets, 12/1
Oakland Raiders, 80/1
Philadelphia Eagles, 18/1
Pittsburgh Steelers, 18/1
San Diego Chargers, 10/1
San Francisco 49ers, 30/1
Seattle Seahawks, 40/1
St.Louis Rams, 100/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 100/1
Tennessee Titans, 28/1
Washington Redskins, 25/1
Sporting News staff reports
According to one oddsmaker, the NFL has no clear-cut Super Bowl favorite in 2010.
Online wagering site Bodog.com has set its early lines for teams winning Super Bowl 45, and it installs the Colts, last season’s runner-up, as the top choice, at 8-1. The champion Saints are next at 9-1.
On the other end, fans of the biggest long shots — the Rams, Bucs and Bills — can back their teams at 100-1.
The full list, in alphabetical order:
Arizona Cardinals, 40/1
Atlanta Falcons, 25/1
Baltimore Ravens, 18/1
Buffalo Bills, 100/1
Carolina Panthers, 30/1
Chicago Bears, 35/1
Cincinnati Bengals, 30/1
Cleveland Browns, 80/1
Dallas Cowboys, 11/1
Denver Broncos, 50/1
Detroit Lions, 80/1
Green Bay Packers, 14/1
Houston Texans, 25/1
Indianapolis Colts, 8/1
Jacksonville Jaguars, 70/1
Kansas City Chiefs, 90/1
Miami Dolphins, 30/1
Minnesota Vikings, 14/1
New England Patriots, 10/1
New Orleans Saints, 9/1
New York Giants, 25/1
New York Jets, 12/1
Oakland Raiders, 80/1
Philadelphia Eagles, 18/1
Pittsburgh Steelers, 18/1
San Diego Chargers, 10/1
San Francisco 49ers, 30/1
Seattle Seahawks, 40/1
St.Louis Rams, 100/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 100/1
Tennessee Titans, 28/1
Washington Redskins, 25/1
SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Howard took a good-natured jab at those fickle fans in baseball-crazy Philadelphia.
"Hopefully there’s no riots taking place back in Philly," he joked of his new megadeal.
Ryan Howard (left) and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. discuss Howard’s contract extension before Monday’s game in San Francisco.
Get used to it, City of Brotherly Love. This guy’s going to be around for a while.
The slugging first baseman agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract extension Monday that could keep him with the Phillies until 2017.
Howard preferred securing his future in Philadelphia to testing free agency in two years — and boy, is he getting his payday. He also felt loyal to the franchise that gave him his chance to reach the big leagues, saying, "That wasn’t a very hard decision."
"I tell you what, it’s a great feeling to have that security and know where you’re going to be," Howard said. "I feel what I’ve been doing over the last couple of years, I feel pretty confident that down the road, I’ll be right where I want to be and still doing the same things."
Howard’s teammates wasted no time hitting him up for favors, either.
"Where we going to eat, Ryan?" Ben Francisco asked.
Howard just chuckled.
"He’s going to take all your money," quipped Shane Victorino.
Even general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. got into the fun.
"As part of this deal, he has agreed to buy a second home for me," Amaro joked during a news conference at AT&T Park, where the Phillies opened a three-game series with the Giants.
But in all seriousness, Amaro pulled off a deal that keeps the centerpiece of the Phillies’ offense in place for the long haul.
"We just felt it was good timing for us," Amaro said. "We felt No. 1, he’s one of the elite offensive players in the game. We could have waited another year and a half or so and dealt with it later on, but the fact of the matter is we decided he is that important to our organization and to our club and to our future."
The 30-year-old Howard will make $20 million each in 2012 and 2013 and $25 million annually from 2014-16. The Phillies have a $23 million club option for 2017 with a $10 million buyout. Howard also receives a limited no-trade provision: He can select nine teams each year he can be traded to with his consent.
"This is a very good contract for him," Howard’s agent Casey Close said. "The reason he felt the time was right was he loves his teammates, he loves the city. He wanted to be a part of something special for a long time to come."
Howard flied to deep center in the first inning Monday, with Andres Torres going to the wall to make the tough catch. Howard, a two-time All-Star, led the Phillies to two straight trips to the World Series, winning a championship in 2008.
The $25 million guaranteed average salary in the extension will be baseball’s second-highest behind Alex Rodriguez’s $27.5 million average under a 10-year contract with the Yankees running through 2017.
Howard was happy to land a new deal now and avoid the craziness that would have come once he was eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, when he will be 32.
All-Star right fielder Jayson Werth was thrilled for Howard, but uncertain how this might affect his chances of staying put in Philly beyond this season. He has had preliminary discussions with the team about an extension, but said, "I think they’ve been busy with Ryan."
Werth is making $7 million this year, the final season of his $10 million, two-year contract.
"This is all so fresh. I haven’t given it much thought yet," Werth said. "I think it’s awesome. He definitely deserves it. Look at the type of seasons he’s put together and the player he is. He’s one of the premier players in the game. At the end of the day, I’ve got to go out there and hit. I’m happy for Ryan and the organization. It’s a good thing, a step in the right direction."
Amaro said Howard’s contract is structured to give the club flexibility to keep players like Werth and shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins’ $8.5 million club option for 2011 was exercised in December. The 2007 NL MVP is making $7.5 million this year, the final season originally guaranteed under the $40 million, five-year extension he signed in June 2005.
"Actually we’d like to keep all those guys," Amaro said. "Hopefully we can keep this group together."
After being briefly stuck in the minors while Jim Thome manned first for the Phillies, Howard was the 2005 Rookie of the Year at 25, the same age A-Rod signed his first free-agent deal — $252 million with Texas in 2001.
Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, is earning $19 million this season as part of a $54 million, three-year deal that pays him $20 million in 2011.
He signed that deal in February 2009, avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration hearing.
"This is absolutely great," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We signed Ryan Howard quite a few years ago and that means we’re keeping him. He’s one of our guys, he is a Phillie. It’s big for our team. That’s what you set out for. He’s very worthy of it. He is a great player and he is going to continue to be a great player for a while. Everything about it’s good."
Howard hit .279 with 45 homers and 141 RBIs last season and entered Monday’s game with three homers and 16 RBIs in 80 at-bats this April.
While he has put up monster numbers, averaging 49.5 homers and 143 RBIs over the past four years, he has averaged 191 strikeouts over that span.
In addition, he has committed himself to a rigorous fitness and training routine in recent years. He even reached out to Barry Bonds this winter and ended up working for about a week in Florida with the home run king — "one of my idols growing up."
"Ryan has clearly dedicated himself to being a very complete player," Amaro said. "He’s worked on his defense. He’s worked on his body. He has a special attribute with his power and his run production that not many in the history of this game have been able to accomplish. … The numbers don’t lie. He’s also one of the most durable players we have. Ryan’s basically ready to play 162 games. I think that means a lot."
Howard’s deal could influence Derek Jeter’s next deal with the Yankees and Albert Pujols’ next contract with the Cardinals.
Jeter, who also is represented by Close, is in the final season of a $189 million, 10-year contract.
Pujols is making $16 million this year, and St. Louis has a $16 million option for 2011 with a $5 million buyout. Of the 2011 salary, $4 million would be deferred without interest.
Howard isn’t worried that he could be one-upped by those guys down the road.
"Whatever the other guys get, hey, that’s great, that’s fine, that’s dandy," Howard said. "You don’t play this game for money. You play this game to come out here and win championships. Yeah, we get paid a lot of money to do what we do."
Twins MVP catcher Joe Mauer signed a $184 million, eight-year extension this spring.
"It allowed us to see how the market was shaping up," Close said of 28-year-old Mauer’s deal.
Said Amaro: "He kind of set the market for himself by his performance. It’s something that he deserves."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
SAN FRANCISCO — Ryan Howard took a good-natured jab at those fickle fans in baseball-crazy Philadelphia.
"Hopefully there’s no riots taking place back in Philly," he joked of his new megadeal.
Ryan Howard (left) and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. discuss Howard’s contract extension before Monday’s game in San Francisco.
Get used to it, City of Brotherly Love. This guy’s going to be around for a while.
The slugging first baseman agreed to a $125 million, five-year contract extension Monday that could keep him with the Phillies until 2017.
Howard preferred securing his future in Philadelphia to testing free agency in two years — and boy, is he getting his payday. He also felt loyal to the franchise that gave him his chance to reach the big leagues, saying, "That wasn’t a very hard decision."
"I tell you what, it’s a great feeling to have that security and know where you’re going to be," Howard said. "I feel what I’ve been doing over the last couple of years, I feel pretty confident that down the road, I’ll be right where I want to be and still doing the same things."
Howard’s teammates wasted no time hitting him up for favors, either.
"Where we going to eat, Ryan?" Ben Francisco asked.
Howard just chuckled.
"He’s going to take all your money," quipped Shane Victorino.
Even general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. got into the fun.
"As part of this deal, he has agreed to buy a second home for me," Amaro joked during a news conference at AT&T Park, where the Phillies opened a three-game series with the Giants.
But in all seriousness, Amaro pulled off a deal that keeps the centerpiece of the Phillies’ offense in place for the long haul.
"We just felt it was good timing for us," Amaro said. "We felt No. 1, he’s one of the elite offensive players in the game. We could have waited another year and a half or so and dealt with it later on, but the fact of the matter is we decided he is that important to our organization and to our club and to our future."
The 30-year-old Howard will make $20 million each in 2012 and 2013 and $25 million annually from 2014-16. The Phillies have a $23 million club option for 2017 with a $10 million buyout. Howard also receives a limited no-trade provision: He can select nine teams each year he can be traded to with his consent.
"This is a very good contract for him," Howard’s agent Casey Close said. "The reason he felt the time was right was he loves his teammates, he loves the city. He wanted to be a part of something special for a long time to come."
Howard flied to deep center in the first inning Monday, with Andres Torres going to the wall to make the tough catch. Howard, a two-time All-Star, led the Phillies to two straight trips to the World Series, winning a championship in 2008.
The $25 million guaranteed average salary in the extension will be baseball’s second-highest behind Alex Rodriguez’s $27.5 million average under a 10-year contract with the Yankees running through 2017.
Howard was happy to land a new deal now and avoid the craziness that would have come once he was eligible for free agency after the 2011 season, when he will be 32.
All-Star right fielder Jayson Werth was thrilled for Howard, but uncertain how this might affect his chances of staying put in Philly beyond this season. He has had preliminary discussions with the team about an extension, but said, "I think they’ve been busy with Ryan."
Werth is making $7 million this year, the final season of his $10 million, two-year contract.
"This is all so fresh. I haven’t given it much thought yet," Werth said. "I think it’s awesome. He definitely deserves it. Look at the type of seasons he’s put together and the player he is. He’s one of the premier players in the game. At the end of the day, I’ve got to go out there and hit. I’m happy for Ryan and the organization. It’s a good thing, a step in the right direction."
Amaro said Howard’s contract is structured to give the club flexibility to keep players like Werth and shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins’ $8.5 million club option for 2011 was exercised in December. The 2007 NL MVP is making $7.5 million this year, the final season originally guaranteed under the $40 million, five-year extension he signed in June 2005.
"Actually we’d like to keep all those guys," Amaro said. "Hopefully we can keep this group together."
After being briefly stuck in the minors while Jim Thome manned first for the Phillies, Howard was the 2005 Rookie of the Year at 25, the same age A-Rod signed his first free-agent deal — $252 million with Texas in 2001.
Howard, the 2006 NL MVP, is earning $19 million this season as part of a $54 million, three-year deal that pays him $20 million in 2011.
He signed that deal in February 2009, avoiding a potentially contentious arbitration hearing.
"This is absolutely great," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We signed Ryan Howard quite a few years ago and that means we’re keeping him. He’s one of our guys, he is a Phillie. It’s big for our team. That’s what you set out for. He’s very worthy of it. He is a great player and he is going to continue to be a great player for a while. Everything about it’s good."
Howard hit .279 with 45 homers and 141 RBIs last season and entered Monday’s game with three homers and 16 RBIs in 80 at-bats this April.
While he has put up monster numbers, averaging 49.5 homers and 143 RBIs over the past four years, he has averaged 191 strikeouts over that span.
In addition, he has committed himself to a rigorous fitness and training routine in recent years. He even reached out to Barry Bonds this winter and ended up working for about a week in Florida with the home run king — "one of my idols growing up."
"Ryan has clearly dedicated himself to being a very complete player," Amaro said. "He’s worked on his defense. He’s worked on his body. He has a special attribute with his power and his run production that not many in the history of this game have been able to accomplish. … The numbers don’t lie. He’s also one of the most durable players we have. Ryan’s basically ready to play 162 games. I think that means a lot."
Howard’s deal could influence Derek Jeter’s next deal with the Yankees and Albert Pujols’ next contract with the Cardinals.
Jeter, who also is represented by Close, is in the final season of a $189 million, 10-year contract.
Pujols is making $16 million this year, and St. Louis has a $16 million option for 2011 with a $5 million buyout. Of the 2011 salary, $4 million would be deferred without interest.
Howard isn’t worried that he could be one-upped by those guys down the road.
"Whatever the other guys get, hey, that’s great, that’s fine, that’s dandy," Howard said. "You don’t play this game for money. You play this game to come out here and win championships. Yeah, we get paid a lot of money to do what we do."
Twins MVP catcher Joe Mauer signed a $184 million, eight-year extension this spring.
"It allowed us to see how the market was shaping up," Close said of 28-year-old Mauer’s deal.
Said Amaro: "He kind of set the market for himself by his performance. It’s something that he deserves."
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
In the wake of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension by the NFL after being accused of sexual assault in Georgia, there’s been precious little substantive commentary from those close to him. That’s slowly changing.
Bill Cowher coached Roethlisberger for three seasons, and he joined WFAN in New York with Boomer and Carton to share his opinion on the whole situation. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended by the NFL for at least four games to start the 2010 season.
What does Cowher think about the suspension Roethlisberger received?
Cowher: I think it’s good, in my personal opinion. I think it sends a very strong message that your conduct is something that you’re going to be held accountable for.
It was well documented what took place — obviously, no charges have been filed to this point — but that still does not dismiss any NFL player from the responsibilities that come from their actions when they’re in the public eye. I think Commissioner Goodell has taken a very strong stance in the past and I think he’s doing that right now. I think it got the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Steelers and everybody else. I think right now it’s up to Ben to deal with the punishment that has been handed out, to adhere to whatever these guidelines are that he must adhere to, and to try to make this a four game suspension as opposed to six. That would be in the best interest of the football team and that’s what he owes to his teammates.
That being said, I would think he would do that. They could see something was coming down. They went out and got Byron Leftwich and it’s either going to be him or [Dennis] Dixon, probably, one of the starters when it comes to opening day and the first four weeks before the bye.
Does he think the Steelers will trade Roethlisberger?
Cowher: I do not. I think the message was very loud and clear that they are very disappointed to have to go through this. I think he’s got an opportunity to rekindle his reputation.
He’s a young player, he’s made some very poor judgments in the last few years, and if he’s ever going to learn from something, he’ll learn from this. I think they’re going to give him the opportunity to do that.
Was Roethlisberger well-liked within the organization?
Cowher: I think we like anybody that can help us win football games. I think there’s no question that this guy, on the football field, is tremendously respected by his teammates and he’s respected by opponents. He’s a talent. The guy is an unbelievable competitor. He’s got a great feel for the game, but certainly with some of the things that have been brought on in the last couple of years, it kind of puts a damper on it.
I think again, as you know, the bottom line is trying to win football games. You have young single guys and you have people that have three kids. The dynamics of every locker room are a little bit different. Usually when 4:00 comes or 4:30 comes, everybody goes their separate ways.
The one thing you want to make sure the players do is they don’t do anything to dampen your ability to win football games. What Ben has done is put himself in a situation where he’s going to miss six games. Hopefully, he’ll do the right thing and minimize that to four.
Why will the Steelers hold on to Roethlisberger and not trade him?
Cowher: I think the circumstances are something where there’s no reason to say they wouldn’t, but I would be very surprised. This is a guy that was brought up, and again there’s no way they would condone his actions, but at the same time, this is a behavioral thing. There’s been no drugs involved, there’s been no series of events of that nature.
They made a very big investment in Ben. Again, I think he’s a guy that has proven to be a big commodity on the field and certainly want to get him to be the leader off the field. I think they still believe in him. I think that’s what is the bottom line. If there were a trade to be made, it would show that they really feel like they have exasperated every opportunity to try to change him. I still believe that they feel like he will learn from this and they can move forward with him as their quarterback.
More from SRI
Tim Tebow talks about joining the Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant discusses how he felt about being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
In the wake of Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension by the NFL after being accused of sexual assault in Georgia, there’s been precious little substantive commentary from those close to him. That’s slowly changing.
Bill Cowher coached Roethlisberger for three seasons, and he joined WFAN in New York with Boomer and Carton to share his opinion on the whole situation. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has been suspended by the NFL for at least four games to start the 2010 season.
What does Cowher think about the suspension Roethlisberger received?
Cowher: I think it’s good, in my personal opinion. I think it sends a very strong message that your conduct is something that you’re going to be held accountable for.
It was well documented what took place — obviously, no charges have been filed to this point — but that still does not dismiss any NFL player from the responsibilities that come from their actions when they’re in the public eye. I think Commissioner Goodell has taken a very strong stance in the past and I think he’s doing that right now. I think it got the endorsement of the Pittsburgh Steelers and everybody else. I think right now it’s up to Ben to deal with the punishment that has been handed out, to adhere to whatever these guidelines are that he must adhere to, and to try to make this a four game suspension as opposed to six. That would be in the best interest of the football team and that’s what he owes to his teammates.
That being said, I would think he would do that. They could see something was coming down. They went out and got Byron Leftwich and it’s either going to be him or [Dennis] Dixon, probably, one of the starters when it comes to opening day and the first four weeks before the bye.
Does he think the Steelers will trade Roethlisberger?
Cowher: I do not. I think the message was very loud and clear that they are very disappointed to have to go through this. I think he’s got an opportunity to rekindle his reputation.
He’s a young player, he’s made some very poor judgments in the last few years, and if he’s ever going to learn from something, he’ll learn from this. I think they’re going to give him the opportunity to do that.
Was Roethlisberger well-liked within the organization?
Cowher: I think we like anybody that can help us win football games. I think there’s no question that this guy, on the football field, is tremendously respected by his teammates and he’s respected by opponents. He’s a talent. The guy is an unbelievable competitor. He’s got a great feel for the game, but certainly with some of the things that have been brought on in the last couple of years, it kind of puts a damper on it.
I think again, as you know, the bottom line is trying to win football games. You have young single guys and you have people that have three kids. The dynamics of every locker room are a little bit different. Usually when 4:00 comes or 4:30 comes, everybody goes their separate ways.
The one thing you want to make sure the players do is they don’t do anything to dampen your ability to win football games. What Ben has done is put himself in a situation where he’s going to miss six games. Hopefully, he’ll do the right thing and minimize that to four.
Why will the Steelers hold on to Roethlisberger and not trade him?
Cowher: I think the circumstances are something where there’s no reason to say they wouldn’t, but I would be very surprised. This is a guy that was brought up, and again there’s no way they would condone his actions, but at the same time, this is a behavioral thing. There’s been no drugs involved, there’s been no series of events of that nature.
They made a very big investment in Ben. Again, I think he’s a guy that has proven to be a big commodity on the field and certainly want to get him to be the leader off the field. I think they still believe in him. I think that’s what is the bottom line. If there were a trade to be made, it would show that they really feel like they have exasperated every opportunity to try to change him. I still believe that they feel like he will learn from this and they can move forward with him as their quarterback.
More from SRI
Tim Tebow talks about joining the Denver Broncos
Dez Bryant discusses how he felt about being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
CHICAGO — Northwestern’s Nov. 20 date with Illinois at Wrigley Field will bring a college football festival to Chicago. But Wildcats officials hope the excitement and the financial benefits continue for more than one afternoon.
"We’re trying to increase our season tickets, absolutely, to leverage our season tickets," athletic director Jim Phillips said Friday.
Fans will need to buy Northwestern season tickets for five games at Ryan Field to get the tickets to the Wrigley game. Northwestern has a 31,000-seat allotment for the Illinois matchup, Wrigley’s first football contest since a Bears-Packers game in 1970. The field’s capacity for football should be around 40,000 fans, Cubs president Crane Kenney said.
As for logistics, the 100-yard playing area will stretch from the third-base line toward right field, and the area will be completely grass, Kenney said. Teams will share a sideline that will cover left and centerfields. Players will dress in locker rooms, though Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said some of his players might dress on campus in Evanston. The Wildcats also might take an elevated train to the game instead of a chartered bus.
Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.
CHICAGO — Northwestern’s Nov. 20 date with Illinois at Wrigley Field will bring a college football festival to Chicago. But Wildcats officials hope the excitement and the financial benefits continue for more than one afternoon.
"We’re trying to increase our season tickets, absolutely, to leverage our season tickets," athletic director Jim Phillips said Friday.
Fans will need to buy Northwestern season tickets for five games at Ryan Field to get the tickets to the Wrigley game. Northwestern has a 31,000-seat allotment for the Illinois matchup, Wrigley’s first football contest since a Bears-Packers game in 1970. The field’s capacity for football should be around 40,000 fans, Cubs president Crane Kenney said.
As for logistics, the 100-yard playing area will stretch from the third-base line toward right field, and the area will be completely grass, Kenney said. Teams will share a sideline that will cover left and centerfields. Players will dress in locker rooms, though Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said some of his players might dress on campus in Evanston. The Wildcats also might take an elevated train to the game instead of a chartered bus.
Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.
New Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has directed many drafts in his career, first as coach of the Oakland Raiders, then with the Denver Broncos. He joined The Score in Denver to talk about drafting quarterbacks and how he’s going about rebuilding the Redskins. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan says his job is to put quarterback Donovan McNabb in a position to succeed.
When will Denver’s first round quarterback pick, Tim Tebow, be able to start in the NFL?
Shanahan: Oh, I can’t answer that, but I can say is I would never bet against the kid. He’s one of the most enjoyable people I’ve ever been around. You’re talking about a class guy, and almost too good to be true, and then when you meet him, he’s the real deal. What you see is what you get, and I’m a really big fan of his. I think Josh [McDaniels, the Broncos coach] will do, and I don’t want to speak for Josh, but he can run the offense he’s been running very, very well.
It will take him time to adjust to an NFL system, but along the way he can really keep a defense off balance by implementing some of the things he did in college and obviously him learning the system as time goes on.
What are Shanahan’s thoughts on Jimmy Clausen falling out of the first round?
Shanahan: I actually went and worked Jimmy out when we worked out Sam [Bradford] one day, and I got a chance to work out Jimmy the second day. And he had a heck of a workout.
You really don’t know. You really don’t know what people are thinking, especially in the later rounds. Everybody’s got needs.
He’ll go early here in the 2nd round; I know Kansas City won’t pass him up, obviously, with Weis coaching him before. It will be interesting to see what type of future he has, but it really doesn’t matter where you go. You got to take advantage of the opportunity when someone does pick you, and hopefully he’ll take advantage of it.
What does he expect from Donovan McNabb?
Shanahan: I love the older quarterbacks. You get a guy like Donovan McNabb, obviously he’s been there, he’s got credibility, he’s really a class individual, he’s a natural leader, he’s been there during the big games, and now what I’ve got to do is surround him with a supporting cast so that he can just do his job and doesn’t have to worry about the other things.
But I think we’ve got a system that he’ll really enjoy. He’s hungry right now. He’s kind of like me. Anytime that you get fired or lose your job, you’d like to go out and prove to people that you can still coach or still get the job done. So he’s in a situation where he’s fired up, it’s been neat to be away for a year and to come back, be energized and look forward to just getting back to the competition.
Can Shanahan comment on Albert Haynesworth’s status with the Redskins?
Shanahan: I don’t plan on trading him. Rumors came out, but I don’t really spend a lot of time with them. What I would really like to do is evaluate the people that we have. I’m not going to make moves on anybody until I go through mini-camps, I go through the preseason, and see exactly what I got, and see what type of team players they are. I’ll find out in the next couple of months exactly where our players are at, and find out, after probably our first two preseason games, where we’re at relative to our talent. And if you do make any changes then it’s usually through free agents on other teams.
More from SRI
Rolando McClain talks about being drafted by the Oakland Raiders
Mike Tomlin discusses drafting a center in the first round
New Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has directed many drafts in his career, first as coach of the Oakland Raiders, then with the Denver Broncos. He joined The Score in Denver to talk about drafting quarterbacks and how he’s going about rebuilding the Redskins. To listen to the interview, go to Sports Radio Interviews.
Washington Redskins coach Mike Shanahan says his job is to put quarterback Donovan McNabb in a position to succeed.
When will Denver’s first round quarterback pick, Tim Tebow, be able to start in the NFL?
Shanahan: Oh, I can’t answer that, but I can say is I would never bet against the kid. He’s one of the most enjoyable people I’ve ever been around. You’re talking about a class guy, and almost too good to be true, and then when you meet him, he’s the real deal. What you see is what you get, and I’m a really big fan of his. I think Josh [McDaniels, the Broncos coach] will do, and I don’t want to speak for Josh, but he can run the offense he’s been running very, very well.
It will take him time to adjust to an NFL system, but along the way he can really keep a defense off balance by implementing some of the things he did in college and obviously him learning the system as time goes on.
What are Shanahan’s thoughts on Jimmy Clausen falling out of the first round?
Shanahan: I actually went and worked Jimmy out when we worked out Sam [Bradford] one day, and I got a chance to work out Jimmy the second day. And he had a heck of a workout.
You really don’t know. You really don’t know what people are thinking, especially in the later rounds. Everybody’s got needs.
He’ll go early here in the 2nd round; I know Kansas City won’t pass him up, obviously, with Weis coaching him before. It will be interesting to see what type of future he has, but it really doesn’t matter where you go. You got to take advantage of the opportunity when someone does pick you, and hopefully he’ll take advantage of it.
What does he expect from Donovan McNabb?
Shanahan: I love the older quarterbacks. You get a guy like Donovan McNabb, obviously he’s been there, he’s got credibility, he’s really a class individual, he’s a natural leader, he’s been there during the big games, and now what I’ve got to do is surround him with a supporting cast so that he can just do his job and doesn’t have to worry about the other things.
But I think we’ve got a system that he’ll really enjoy. He’s hungry right now. He’s kind of like me. Anytime that you get fired or lose your job, you’d like to go out and prove to people that you can still coach or still get the job done. So he’s in a situation where he’s fired up, it’s been neat to be away for a year and to come back, be energized and look forward to just getting back to the competition.
Can Shanahan comment on Albert Haynesworth’s status with the Redskins?
Shanahan: I don’t plan on trading him. Rumors came out, but I don’t really spend a lot of time with them. What I would really like to do is evaluate the people that we have. I’m not going to make moves on anybody until I go through mini-camps, I go through the preseason, and see exactly what I got, and see what type of team players they are. I’ll find out in the next couple of months exactly where our players are at, and find out, after probably our first two preseason games, where we’re at relative to our talent. And if you do make any changes then it’s usually through free agents on other teams.
More from SRI
Rolando McClain talks about being drafted by the Oakland Raiders
Mike Tomlin discusses drafting a center in the first round
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Sam Bradford had some extreme ups (winning the Heisman Trophy) and some extreme downs (missing most of the ’09 season with a shoulder injury) during his college career. The former Oklahoma quarterback experienced a new high Thursday night when the Rams selected him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Afterward, he talked to Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon and other reporters on a conference call from New York.
Rams make Sam Bradford first pick in 2010 draft.
Q. What was going through your mind when you got that call from (GM) Billy Devaney?
A: You have no idea how excited I am. Just to have the opportunity to come to St. Louis and start my NFL career there is a blessing. I can’t wait to get there and get to work.
Q. What was it like hearing your named called?
A: It was a dream come true. You grow up and you dream about playing in the NFL, and you dream about going in the first round. It just seems so far-fetched at the time. And then to be up there tonight and actually have it happen, it’s just an unbelievable feeling.
Q. What did Billy Devaney say when he called you on the phone?
A: He just asked me if I was ready to be a St. Louis Ram, and I told him there was no doubt in my mind that I was.
Q. What was it like going through the adversity of missing most of last season?
A: Obviously, last year was tough. It was not something I wanted to go through. But I feel like I made the most of the situation. I learned a lot about myself, how to deal with adversity, how to deal with things that don’t go right in your life. I feel like I matured mentally going through that situation, and I think I’ll be much more prepared to make this transition after going through an experience like I did last year.
Q. The Rams have learned a lot about you over the last four months. What have you learned about them?
A: I love the coaching staff. I love the attitude they have. They’re ready to start winning football games. When I was in St. Louis for my visit, it seemed like there was such a good group of guys in the locker room. I really enjoyed meeting them. It seemed like they all had a great attitude. They were working hard. They want to win, and hopefully I can come in and help them do that.
Q. Do you feel like you can step in right away?
A: That’s tough to say. Obviously, I haven’t looked at a playbook. I haven’t gone through any practices or anything like that. But I can tell you that I’m going to work as hard as I possibly can to get on the field as soon as possible.
Q. A lot of people second-guessed your decision to go back to Oklahoma (in ’09). Looking back, can you talk about how things have worked out for you?
A: I definitely heard a lot of criticism about my decision to go back to Oklahoma last year, but with all the information I had, I feel like I made the right decision. Even though I wasn’t on the field a lot last year, I was around the game for another year. I was able to mature mentally, I was able to mature physically. And I feel like this year, when I do make that transition to the NFL, I’ll be much more prepared than if I had tried to make that transition last year.
Q. What are your thoughts about coach Steve Spagnuolo, coordinator Pat Shurmur and quarterbacks coach Dick Curl?
A: I love those guys. I got a chance to spend time with all of them. Most recently, I was with Pat Shurmur and Dick Curl at my workout last Friday. We went through a couple of drills that they do at practice, talked about the things they would do in their offense. It was great, and I feel like those guys are very knowledgeable. You can just tell when you talk to them that they love football and they love coaching. And coach Spags, I got to spend quite a bit of time with him on my visit to St. Louis. I sat down with him for half an hour. I just think he’s a great man, a great coach, and I really look forward to playing for him.
Q. Sometimes the contract can be out of your hands, but how would you assess the upcoming negotiations, and do you see any circumstance where you wouldn’t be at training camp on time?
A: That’s totally out of my hands. I’m not worried about that. All I want to do is play football. The contract, that’s up to my agent; he’s going to handle the business side. And I cannot wait to get on the football field.
Q. Can you tell us more about what you know now as a football player and what you learned over the past year when you weren’t on the field?
A: When you’re not playing, you’re really able to look at the game from a different perspective. I feel that was what I was able to do. When you’re out there, especially in the no-huddle system we were playing in, things just happen. We get a play call, you make the call, you execute it. You obviously understand what you’re doing, but then sometimes, as you look back and watch the tape, you’re like, "Did we do that? Why did I do that?" When you’re not playing, you don’t have to make those split-second decisions, so you’re really able to analyze what we were doing as an offense, why we were doing things. You were able to look much more in detail at a defense in a game, see how they were playing, see their adjustments. I just feel like I was able to look at the game in much more detail from the sideline.
Q. At what point did you know your shoulder was OK?
A: It was about two weeks before my pro day. We were down in Pensacola (Fla.) throwing, and it was just one of those workouts where I was accurate, my ball was coming out quick, my arm strength felt good. After I went through that workout, I called one of my friends and it was like, "I think I’m back. The arm felt great today. It felt like a normal shoulder."
Q. There has been some talk that you take too many hits. What are your thoughts about your playing style and the physical side of it?
A: I’ve never heard that, but I’ve heard that one of my strengths is the ability to stand in the pocket as long as needed and deliver a ball accurately. I feel like I can do that outside the pocket as well. I really haven’t heard that, but it’s always good if you can eliminate hits and keep yourself healthy.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
EARTH CITY, Mo. — Sam Bradford had some extreme ups (winning the Heisman Trophy) and some extreme downs (missing most of the ’09 season with a shoulder injury) during his college career. The former Oklahoma quarterback experienced a new high Thursday night when the Rams selected him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Afterward, he talked to Sporting News’ Dennis Dillon and other reporters on a conference call from New York.
Rams make Sam Bradford first pick in 2010 draft.
Q. What was going through your mind when you got that call from (GM) Billy Devaney?
A: You have no idea how excited I am. Just to have the opportunity to come to St. Louis and start my NFL career there is a blessing. I can’t wait to get there and get to work.
Q. What was it like hearing your named called?
A: It was a dream come true. You grow up and you dream about playing in the NFL, and you dream about going in the first round. It just seems so far-fetched at the time. And then to be up there tonight and actually have it happen, it’s just an unbelievable feeling.
Q. What did Billy Devaney say when he called you on the phone?
A: He just asked me if I was ready to be a St. Louis Ram, and I told him there was no doubt in my mind that I was.
Q. What was it like going through the adversity of missing most of last season?
A: Obviously, last year was tough. It was not something I wanted to go through. But I feel like I made the most of the situation. I learned a lot about myself, how to deal with adversity, how to deal with things that don’t go right in your life. I feel like I matured mentally going through that situation, and I think I’ll be much more prepared to make this transition after going through an experience like I did last year.
Q. The Rams have learned a lot about you over the last four months. What have you learned about them?
A: I love the coaching staff. I love the attitude they have. They’re ready to start winning football games. When I was in St. Louis for my visit, it seemed like there was such a good group of guys in the locker room. I really enjoyed meeting them. It seemed like they all had a great attitude. They were working hard. They want to win, and hopefully I can come in and help them do that.
Q. Do you feel like you can step in right away?
A: That’s tough to say. Obviously, I haven’t looked at a playbook. I haven’t gone through any practices or anything like that. But I can tell you that I’m going to work as hard as I possibly can to get on the field as soon as possible.
Q. A lot of people second-guessed your decision to go back to Oklahoma (in ’09). Looking back, can you talk about how things have worked out for you?
A: I definitely heard a lot of criticism about my decision to go back to Oklahoma last year, but with all the information I had, I feel like I made the right decision. Even though I wasn’t on the field a lot last year, I was around the game for another year. I was able to mature mentally, I was able to mature physically. And I feel like this year, when I do make that transition to the NFL, I’ll be much more prepared than if I had tried to make that transition last year.
Q. What are your thoughts about coach Steve Spagnuolo, coordinator Pat Shurmur and quarterbacks coach Dick Curl?
A: I love those guys. I got a chance to spend time with all of them. Most recently, I was with Pat Shurmur and Dick Curl at my workout last Friday. We went through a couple of drills that they do at practice, talked about the things they would do in their offense. It was great, and I feel like those guys are very knowledgeable. You can just tell when you talk to them that they love football and they love coaching. And coach Spags, I got to spend quite a bit of time with him on my visit to St. Louis. I sat down with him for half an hour. I just think he’s a great man, a great coach, and I really look forward to playing for him.
Q. Sometimes the contract can be out of your hands, but how would you assess the upcoming negotiations, and do you see any circumstance where you wouldn’t be at training camp on time?
A: That’s totally out of my hands. I’m not worried about that. All I want to do is play football. The contract, that’s up to my agent; he’s going to handle the business side. And I cannot wait to get on the football field.
Q. Can you tell us more about what you know now as a football player and what you learned over the past year when you weren’t on the field?
A: When you’re not playing, you’re really able to look at the game from a different perspective. I feel that was what I was able to do. When you’re out there, especially in the no-huddle system we were playing in, things just happen. We get a play call, you make the call, you execute it. You obviously understand what you’re doing, but then sometimes, as you look back and watch the tape, you’re like, "Did we do that? Why did I do that?" When you’re not playing, you don’t have to make those split-second decisions, so you’re really able to analyze what we were doing as an offense, why we were doing things. You were able to look much more in detail at a defense in a game, see how they were playing, see their adjustments. I just feel like I was able to look at the game in much more detail from the sideline.
Q. At what point did you know your shoulder was OK?
A: It was about two weeks before my pro day. We were down in Pensacola (Fla.) throwing, and it was just one of those workouts where I was accurate, my ball was coming out quick, my arm strength felt good. After I went through that workout, I called one of my friends and it was like, "I think I’m back. The arm felt great today. It felt like a normal shoulder."
Q. There has been some talk that you take too many hits. What are your thoughts about your playing style and the physical side of it?
A: I’ve never heard that, but I’ve heard that one of my strengths is the ability to stand in the pocket as long as needed and deliver a ball accurately. I feel like I can do that outside the pocket as well. I really haven’t heard that, but it’s always good if you can eliminate hits and keep yourself healthy.
Dennis Dillon is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at ddillon@sportingnews.com.
