Bill Cowher Talk Quotations

I don't know what will take place. I didn't want to get into it, at least at this point. We'll have time. We'll talk and we'll see what we can do, maybe what he wants to do.

He is very much wanted back here. So we will continue to talk to make sure that he is comfortable with what his role will be.

It is an opportunity to utilize this as a home playoff game. There will be no talk whatsoever about any other scenario.

We just tried to limit Ben's access this week. You'll all have plenty of chances to talk to him.

Ben's 23, but when you talk to him, you realize he's a lot more mature than that. I don't talk to him a lot about what to do or say. He understands. He's got a good perspective on things. He realizes you're only judged by your next game.

People can look at our run-to-pass ratio, ... but I will say this: Watch us in the first half (this season) because we're still a balanced football team. But when we get a lead, that element is taken out of the hands of the quarterback and we will run the ball. So, we just shut it down. It distorts the numbers a little bit, so talk about the numbers in the first half.

You talk about guys who are unselfish, who are tough, and he exemplifies that. He's a tough player, a dependable player, and he's a really good player. I like tough players.

This is a supreme team with the same aspirations we do. They're playing with a high level of confidence. It's not going to get done by showing up and we really have not accomplished anything. That's the thing we have to keep in mind because some people will give you kudos, and will talk about all the good things we've done, but that can all change with one play, with one quarter or one bad game.

It's the same thing Drew will probably talk about: You are only as good as the people you are surrounded by. (Ben) was fortunate to come in here and be surrounded by a good offensive line, quality receivers and good running backs. And he has certainly done his part to hold up his end of the bargain.

I know we just tried to limit Ben's access this week, so I think it was just the way it is. You'll have plenty of chances to talk to him throughout the course of the week.

I'm really not too involved in that. You'll have plenty of chances to talk to him throughout the course of the week. That was just the way it unfolded.

I never talk about it unless someone brings it up.

I just saw him briefly after the game. It was kind of a whirlwind. I'm sure we'll talk in the next couple of days. I've never been one to stop anybody from having an opportunity to live out a dream ... If he wants any advice from me, I'd give it to him, but certainly the decision would be his.

But it is a competitive advantage. I said last week, if I were coaching in Houston and I had a team from the North coming down, I would -- with all due respect to the fans -- have the roof open, make them wear black and talk about it enough to have it work in their minds.

You can only talk to so many guys. Athletic ability is certainly a part of it, but it's not everything. These kids are still maturing as people. You can never lose sight of that.

The focus is on winning. There will be no talk whatsoever about any other scenario. We're well aware of what the deal is with San Diego. But that certainly will have no effect with us, because I've always believed you prepare for the worst and hope for the best.