Pro Quotations | Page 2

I can tell you nobody has ever asked me and I've never had a conversation with a union about a quid pro quo, ... It's just not the way I do business.

If I wasn't a pro player, I would have gone to law school because I love to argue. When I was in college (at the University of North Dakota), my major was criminal justice and it was something I enjoyed.

Getting Moose has meant the world to the team, and these young receivers. He's a Pro Bowl receiver who works like he's still a rookie.

Fourth quarter results from continuing operations met or exceeded our long-term targets for earnings, revenues and, on a pro forma basis, return on equity. Higher spending by affluent consumers, small businesses and corporate Card members more than offset the impact of an industry-wide spike in bankruptcy filings before new legislation went into effect last October.

From October to March I can't get out of here. I might have a one-day weekend, and that doesn't work. There are people I work with who go to the (NFL) Pro Bowl (in Honolulu) every year. This year I'm going.

From Willie Brown's perspective, that was the honorable thing to do, and Arnold thanked him for it. There was no quid pro quo. There was nothing strange.

I don't think anyone, other than maybe a pro golfer, would really understand the type of scrutiny and pressure that a quarterback plays under. And he has so many other people that are looking to him to lead the team.

For whatever reason, the pro world has kind of died out, and the skaters are staying in, staying competitive, putting in the effort, the training to stay at the top of their game. It's difficult.

He's had a great career; I think he's done a lot for pro football. But I don't think he deserves to have anything. I think you have to earn what you get. He's had a great career, but it's not my fault that he hasn't been to the Big One. Hopefully we can take care of him this week.

He was a pro in the true sense. Tony did his homework and was always prepared.

He would have had to practice up here for a while, and there is very little to be gained having him play in three games. He can play in Houston as long as they do, adjust to the pro game and come to training camp next year more ready to challenge for a spot on the roster.

He worked very hard to adapt to our system and I think that's going to be helpful to him a year from now. We tried to teach players how a pro football player prepares himself, which is different than how a college player prepares.

He was unbelievable, really. You come out of nowhere to go to the Pro Bowl, that's a great achievement. That says a lot about him.

He was the first person I met in pro ball because we both wore a size 14 shoe. He had interesting comments on exactly how far to stand away from the plate. He introduced me to the importance of being prepared for everything that you do. I took that in, on calling games and accepting responsibilities as a catcher.

He's become the face of a big part of the United States, a big part of the New England fan base and he deserves it. He's a pro on and off the field, a very likeable guy, and he's true. He's legit. He's not faking anything for a long time now, and he deserves everything he's got right now.

He has been doing that all year. He should have went to the Pro Bowl. All the guys who vote, they stole one from that man right there and he showed it right there.

He has learned a lot playing behind Eddie. He has learned a lot about preparing for games and being the kind of pro Eddie is. Eddie is still No. 1.

He hadn't been in Hawaii for more than about two hours. We're disappointed, but with Rod, family comes first and family has always come first. In my opinion, he should have played in the last couple of Pro Bowls.

He has all the confidence. He moves like a pro in only his second fight and he had hand speed that's just terrific.

He has to learn the game at a different speed at safety. I love how he gets at it. He's young, and he's hungry. He'll be a Pro Bowler before it's all said and done. Probably next year, in fact.

He has to learn the defensive scheme of the pro game.

He is a Pro Bowl receiver. I think what he has done this year kind of really shows what this team's about. We've asked him to block like a tight end this year and he couldn't care less as long as we're doing whatever it takes to win.

He had a big ego. His comments to me in the locker room were, 'They need to play me. I'm better than those guys.' We had a Pro Bowl quarterback (Chris Miller) and I could see why he was still sitting, but he felt he was better than them. Why he was doing what he was doing, I have no idea. I think if you ask him he probably couldn't answer it either.

He needs to have a big year. It's his third year pro and that's usually when players start stepping ahead. He showed flashes in the (Calder Cup) playoffs and now all we're looking for is consistency.

He might be the quietest guy I've ever met in pro sports, period.

We're only going to do something if it's going to help us. I met with our pro scouts two weeks ago and we went through every team. If there's a prospect that we can think can help, we'll look at doing something. We've got a good idea on the guys we like . . . we went over it thoroughly and we're not going to take any fliers.

When his senior year comes around, there will be some pro scouts looking at him.

We take this seriously. The pro gambling culture is something we educate our players about extensively.

What we have here at the Classic is power in numbers, especially when you have groups like BASS joining forces with companies like Berkley and Bass Pro Shops, combined with the support of state fish chiefs and federal agencies speaking with one voice. We become a powerful entity and through this initiative we can make the rest of the country understand just how important our natural resources are economically and socially.

He's a big name, not only for publicity but for recruiting. And he's a hell of a coach. He has a good football mind. Knowing that he's a former pro athlete, the kids will be very attentive and will work hard for him.

He's a complete player. He is going to be an excellent pro and he could be playing for the Sonics right now just as much as for the Huskies.

He's as good as there is. Just from the little bit I know about him from some Pro Bowls and around the league, he's a quality guy, too. When people were asking me about the deal he signed, I said if anybody's worth that kind of money, he is. In my opinion, he's that good.

He's a rookie, but he's 23 years old. He's had some pro experience, he's played a couple years in Hershey (of the American Hockey League). ... So I think he's a little bit more mature than people think he is.

He's got Pro Bowl ability. Obviously, he's a guy we really couldn't afford to lose.

His surf career is kinda over, so he's at a crossroads when a friend comes to him and says here's an opportunity to work with these girls. ... He has to make sure they train, don't stay out late, and show up to events on time. I'm grooming them for a pro career.

He's going to go to a few Pro Bowls. He's completely unfazed by what he's been asked to do.

There aren't 10 players better than Alexis. She has the deep-down desire to turn pro and, without a doubt, she has the potential to make money.

He's played outstanding this year. He's kind of like the heart of this team, and for him not to make the Pro Bowl as a starter, it's not a slap in the face, but it probably hurt him.

I almost didn't turn pro at all. I was tempted to be a career amateur. I worked as an investment banker for nine months after I got out of school, and the money was fantastic and promised to get even more lucrative.

He was a late-inning stud all through college and continued in his first pro year. He has an 88-90 fastball with a good slider. He's an outstanding strike thrower, missing bats down in the zone with a low, three-quarters delivery. He has presence, confidence and instincts on the mound with a history of success.

He was a guy that a lot of scouts came out to see and I benefited from that because I ran routes with Freddie. You just have a smaller window of opportunity. You have to impress somebody that wasn't expecting to watch you at your pro day.

He was a consummate pro in the way he handled himself. I just loved him.

He is so hard on himself because he's such a great competitor. But I think he has a chance. If he just keeps playing with the attitude that he is right now, he'll be a great pro player.

He is really athletic and I think he will do well. He has to be in the right system and everybody has to be patient with him. He has a really good arm and can scramble, and he'll have to learn to do it at the pro level.

Kevin showed me so much as far as what it takes to be a true pro. If I'm fortunate enough to go to the Pro Bowl this year, I'm paying for Kevin, his wife and kids to go, too.

Jamal's a house. I tried to tackle him in the Pro Bowl a couple times and he's not an easy guy to bring down. He's a big boy and he runs hard. We've got our work cut out for us. We've got to stay in our gaps and be sure tacklers.

Jamal's a house, ... I tried to tackle him in the Pro Bowl a couple times and he's not an easy guy to bring down. He's a big boy and he runs hard. We've got our work cut out for us. We've got to stay in our gaps and be sure tacklers.

(Jacobs) has two receivers that are going to get a shot at pro ball and have the ability to play. They're averaging over 100 yards a game in receptions. They have a combination of things that makes it very hard to stop.

Kauai is home to many wish-list golf venues such as Princeville and Kauai Lagoons, but locals, such as former LPGA pro Mary Bea Porter King, favor Waialua Municipal. Tucked on the eastern coast of Kauai, Waialua winds through groves of coconut, Norfolk pine and ironwood trees, with four holes adjoining Waialua Bay and Waialua Golf Course Beach.

Joe told me something after the first practice Friday and it was just a tiny little thing, but it made a big difference, ... I even got to pass him once today, but it didn't take him long to retake his position. It's great to have a teammate like Joe, he's a pro and I appreciate the help he has given me. I just want to learn and get better in each race. I think I did that today. I am starting to figure out this oval racing.

John has a great deal of hockey experience and success on his resume, and he will help us immensely in our evaluation of pro prospects.

John Elway , when I was an assistant, sent me to the Pro Bowl a couple of times.

It came up as, 'Oh, by the way, did you know Ralph was sitting as a pro tem (judge) in this case,'

It comes down to experience. You look around the locker room and we've got talent - five guys in the Pro Bowl and a whole gang of honorable mentions. The whole year was a learning experience that we can come back next year and build on.

It didn't make sense to me, but the combine is set up for people not to do well, ... They make you get up five in the morning to do this, right after you do this, and this. It's not something that a lot of people end up doing well at, but if you do well at it, it's very good for you, but I was able to focus on my pro day.

I think you will walk away understanding our confidence in the fourth quarter, ... We are highly confident in our ability to deliver pro forma operating profitability in our fourth quarter.

I think the chances are increasing. The priority now has to be to institutionalize having such games, or the Pro Bowl, played outside the U.S. in the future.

I was a first lieutenant in the army in the early part of my pro career, ... I would work during the week and then fly and meet the team and play that weekend. Then, I would hop back on a plane and be back for roll call at 6 a.m. Monday.

I think we have two really good receivers. We have Chris Chambers, who went to the Pro Bowl, and Marty Booker, one of the leaders in yards per catch. If we could find someone who would complement those guys, that would certainly be something that would be a secondary priority on offense if we had the opportunity to do it.

I think it was time for Jake to move out of the situation he was in and get a fresh start. And the Pro Bowl quarterback that you see now is something that's probably been in him all the time. He's finally getting a chance to go out on the football field and put those skills to work.

I think urban legends, whether true or not, are a pretty sensitive gauge of people's frustrations over things like gasoline prices. The situation in Iraq is frustrating to both pro and anti-war folks, and in some of the other realities of modern life you look for someone to blame, and you start at the top.

It is my opinion that most probably I will be getting a recommendation from my mayor pro tem (today),

I want to turn pro and become a Class A professional so when I do go out and try to join a tour, I'll have that to fall back on. I'll probably be in the golf business the rest of my life. I love being around the people and everything,

I was able to see his first pitch in pro ball and his last pitch.

I think they took a real long hard look at me because of the numbers that I put up on Pro Day. It was like, 'Can this guy play professional football?' They were always critical of our level of competition until they finally sat down and watched our games.

It is a similar position, and he's got traits like Derrick -- but Derrick has been to nine Pro Bowls, so that's where the comparison stops.

It is also very important to note that Mr. Blunt does not accept campaign contributions from Indian gaming interests, so any 'quid pro quo' argument is baseless here.

I think sometimes you just need to play in this league. As a rookie coming out of college, you don't understand the real significance of being a pro unless you're playing other pros. It doesn't help you to play sporadically here or there.

Our goals are to expand the Hooters Pro Cup Series into another division in the near future. This race will be a perfect way to showcase our product to Midwestern fans on a grand stage and possibly lay the groundwork for a Midwest division.

Our job is ensure that those deals that injure consumers don't go through, ... On the other hand, we don't want to prevent 99 out of the 100 deals that are either neutral from a competitive point of view or actually pro consumer and pro efficiency.

Over the quarter, our pro forma gross margins grew to nearly 35 percent, we generated positive cash flow from operations, and channel inventory remained within our desired range. And we have positioned the company to address broader market opportunities with innovative new products this fall and when the industry moves to a new growth phase.

Over the past year, our U.S. pro forma operating loss decreased from 24 percent of net sales in the fourth quarter of 1999 to less than 2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2000,

Our audience clearly resonated with the concept that answers the age-old question whether you've really got what it takes to compete against a pro athlete.

Our company's first-quarter growth was exceptionally strong through a healthy combination of 7 percent pro forma revenue growth and ongoing cost management,

Other than being named the golf pro of the year in the New Jersey section two years ago, this is my biggest thrill in golf.

Robbie was great and put me in a lot of situations, a lot of power play and a lot of penalty kill. Any time you can get a year of pro experience under your belt is great. Coming right of college I needed to adjust to the pro game from college and that season was great for me.

Rocky Bernard should be going to the Pro Bowl. All those guys who vote, they stole one from that man right there. You can't tell me there's a better defensive tackle in the league -- against the run, against the pass, and making big plays in big moments -- than Rocky Bernard. And today he showed it on a big stage.

Pittsburgh's offensive line is very physical. They have Pro Bowlers all over the place. We've got to use our quickness. We can't stand in there and hand-fight with them.

Really, no thoughts. I'm here to enjoy this game. Thank God I was able to play in the Pro Bowl and let some of that anger out.

Reggie White was the ultimate player at his position for two decades. To have a player of that caliber cast with your players speaks volumes for your team and the direction you want to take with your organization. You're talking about a man selected to 13 straight Pro Bowls.

Reggie White is one of the finest players and human beings ever to play in the National Football League, and he is most deserving of being elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is certainly one of the top players in the long history of the league. Reggie was more than a great football player. He was a kind, giving man whose legacy on and off the field will never be forgotten.

Our position has always been that O.J. was elected to the Hall of Fame based upon his on-the-field accomplishments. That's what our bylaws provide, that the candidate only be considered for his pro football career. And as such, he is in the Hall of Fame and will remain in the Fall of Fame.

Our minor league hitting coordinator, Sean Berry, said he's made a good transition from high school to pro ball.

I was too short for basketball and too little for football, ... They had (three-time NFL Pro Bowler) Bucko Kilroy about a year ahead of me. He was full-grown then.

I think so. But Darren also taught me a lot. Him being a Pro Bowl player and being to the top of the league in the safety position was good for me last year to come in here and see how he does things and see his work ethic,

It doesn't mean you're going to have a good pro career, or even do well in the bowl game. But to get to that point means something. Now you're in the club.

I tell you this is a crazy league. There's an analyst on every corner who can figure it out. If you can control turnovers and have success on third down, you have a chance to win in pro football.

I think I'm more excited about it than he is because he's now a rookie. When he gets to Hawaii, he's a Pro Bowl rookie.

I stunk as a player, ... Facing those guys, I knew what a pro player looked like, and I knew I wasn't going to be one.

I think he's got a great opportunity. I know that the pro scouts that have been through here have been very complimentary and have rated him very high.

I think he'll make an excellent pro once he learns how to catch buses on time, be at the airport and discipline himself. He has to learn hockey is the most important thing in his life right now and make the sacrifices.

I think he is the most-improved player (in the NBA). I also thought he should have been all-rookie (NBA selection) and things like that. But people look at him as already a pro player. I understand that because he has played professionally for a long time. I know everybody respects him around the league, they just tend to look at him as a long-term veteran, or whatever, even though he's in his second year.

I think he's a great player. I can't speak for Brad, but I think if it would be me, it'd be motivation. He's taken three different teams to the playoffs, one to the Super Bowl, and he's been to the Pro Bowl on two different teams. At some point, even Rodney Dangerfield gets some respect.

I think he would be successful with anybody he plays with. He's extremely consistent and he has a good chance of being a great pro if he decides to go that route.

I still think his pro career is in football. But he's one of those gifted athletes. Who knows what he can do?

I think Linus would've liked to stay on with the team next year, but I don't feel it would be feasible for us to invest a lot of time and effort in a young talent who's already got one foot out the door. We gave him a contract offer for 2007 and 2008, but another team out-bid us. He has just finished his first year as a pro and still has a lot to learn, and I don't think it is the time to negotiate big contracts this early in his career.

I think I will have a lot of fun next year playing all of these very good tournaments and then I'll probably turn pro after the British Open next year.

I thought I was mentally tough before, but this made me even tougher, and pro hockey is going to be even tougher than this. Now I know that no matter how bad a season is, you have to stay strong. You have to find the positives out of anything.

Joint Pro is a product that we are confident will do very well in the marketplace, and the assets we've acquired include formulas for upcoming, related products that will make this an excellent line for us. We've spoken to a number of physicians who carried Joint Pro and they have patients who consistently ask for the product.

Judge Velasquez engenders strong feelings both pro and con. There are a lot of people who love him and a lot of people who hate him.