Jon Gruden Game Quotations

We've always said Chris is going to get better with opportunities to get better. He's got a pizzazz about him on game day that I'm real comfortable with. He's charismatic and clutch. He's shown great resolve and toughness.

We're going to play the regulars a little bit. They'll give way early to a lot of guys who we think are in key battles at certain positions, and guys who are young players who we think need game time.

To open the game up like that (the muffed return) was a downer. We'll open it up to competition this week, for sure.

To open the game up like that (the muffed return) was a downer, ... We'll open it up to competition this week, for sure.

He has intense stamina. This guy is a workaholic and he is at his best when a game is on the line.

He gets stronger as the game goes on. Some people say he can't run between the tackles and we're going to wear him out. But if you don't try to wear this guy out, you're never going to find out how great a back he is.

He made a big play to block the kick to extend last week's game in overtime. What he did today was come up with the signature play of the game. His best times are ahead of him.

He's helped me get better as a head coach and he's got great energy. He's in great shape. The game means a lot to him. First downs mean a lot to him. He doesn't like giving up inches, let alone yards. He still has a blinding passion and believe me, he's very proud of his roots. I know he talks about this place all the time, and I just wanted to come back and see it with my eyes.

Kenyatta started every game last year and helped us make the playoffs. We made great strides on offense last season and it was our goal to keep everyone on board so that we could continue that improvement.

Lack of intensity didn't have anything to do with it. The Patriots played a much more physical game than we did.

I thought the play of the game was Kenyatta on the interception.

I think we have beaten some pretty darn good football teams and have been fairly consistent throughout the year. We've got a talented defense. We have a good running game and we are looking forward to seeing what we can do. Every year there are dark horses that jump onto the scene.

We have got to win this game. It's a big game for us. The Saints have given us trouble, at least since I've been here (0-3 at Raymond James Stadium). This is a big football game for us.

Veterans Stadium is a historic landmark as far as I'm concerned. I hate to see that place go. I lived under the Vet for three years. ... Our offices at that time were underneath Veterans Stadium. I can recall a lot of interesting things I saw early in the morning underneath the Vet. They were crawling. ... I think it's fitting for Veterans Stadium to close with an NFC Championship Game of this magnitude.

Veterans Stadium is a historic landmark as far as I'm concerned, ... I hate to see that place go. I lived under the Vet for three years. ... Our offices at that time were underneath Veterans Stadium. I can recall a lot of interesting things I saw early in the morning underneath the Vet. They were crawling. ... I think it's fitting for Veterans Stadium to close with an NFC Championship Game of this magnitude.

We wanted Cadillac to watch this game tonight and get in there for one play. We faked it to him.

Everybody is an option. It's going to come down to good, solid execution. You've got to knock somebody off the ball when they pretty much know you're running it. That's what makes the game great.

As I said, I talked to Anthony on Saturday. We've been in constant contact with him throughout the organization and my understanding is he'll be back here Thursday morning. His status for the game obviously is doubtful. It's been a very tough ordeal for him, and we just have to support him every way we can.

I've been trying to say all along that he gets stronger as the game goes on,

This game will play into those decisions, no question about it, ... We've got a pretty good idea what we're going to do on opening day in Minnesota in terms of who the starters will be, but the competition is still pretty tight at those three spots.

It's a big game. It's the last regular-season game and I think everybody realizes what happens if you win and what happens if you lose.

For a lot of guys, it'll be their last game as a Buc, ... It's a sensitive time for them and for us. There's been a lot of hard work put in by a lot of people. We're going to let a lot of these guys play again and get one more chance to shine.

It still ticks me off. I've never seen a fake punt in the Senior Bowl. It blew my mind. We were going to have a hell of a game and win. They faked a punt and they blocked a field goal, and you're not supposed to do either of them.

I just have to keep reminding myself that that the game is officially over. That was a real gut check. Things did not look for good for a while.

He thought it would be best for him to sit the rest of the game and try to get right for next week, ... We don't really know the severity of this hamstring. It might just be a contusion of some kind. ... We're meeting with him at this time and I can't speculate publicly any more until Carnell and the doctors have had a chance to look at this further.

He's an exciteable type of guy. He needs to cool it out a little to start the game and have a little bit more poise and confidence in his footwork, his timing and his decision making. He's rushing things early in his stints.