Ricky Proehl Quotations

We're going to have the ball in our hands a lot on offense this season, because that defense of ours is as stout as any team's in this league. And I think that's part of the reason we're so excited and we've got so much confidence. This team works hard. We're just looking forward to getting the season started.

Now that I really think about it, of all the people I've known in all these years, it was those two guys that were most instrumental in my career,

Obviously the division (title) may not happen, but the opportunity to get into the playoffs is there, and that's what we want. We don't have to wish on any other teams to win or lose. If we win, we're in -- and that's all we can ask for.

Right now, I'm just worried about Atlanta and trying to get a win and getting into the playoffs.

Right now, I'm enjoying it and having fun,

If we don't get in, it's going to be very disappointing. And that's the message in this locker room: let's finish what we started. 'We've got everything we wanted in front of us.

For what they've asked me to do, I feel I've made plays when given the opportunities. I think that's why they wanted me back and that's why I made the decision to come back.

I was just mad because if it was earlier in my career I would have scored. Parts were starting to fly off of me a little bit. I was trying, praying, and hoping to get in, but at 37 years old, it just kind of catches up with you a little bit.

I think so. We're going to find out.

That's the message in this locker room, that we need to finish what we started.

With a little over a minute, you give Tom Brady and his offense the ball and all they need is 25 yards ... . It's tough.

We knew that they were going to kind of bump him at the line and have a safety over the top and they did that. We knew that myself and (fellow wide receiver) Drew (Carter) were going to have to make plays and that we were going to have to get the running game going, but we couldn't get anything going.

We were playing to win. We weren't coming in here feeling sorry for the New Orleans Saints. We just didn't get it done.

At my age, I think they sleep on me a little bit. They don't expect me to go deep.

Earlier in my career, I would have scored.

... I use that stuff now even more than ever. A lot of times when you first come in, you're getting by on your speed or your athletic ability. When you start to lose that, that's when you start going to that kind of stuff. At that time, those guys were using that stuff and I was lucky to pick it up at a young age.

Sometimes it isn't pretty, but we've found a way to get it done and we've found a way to be in the position we're in right now. So if we beat Atlanta, we're 11-5 and we get in the playoffs. Anything can happen.

As players, we're just not playing consistently enough. We've played great. We've played good enough to win at times, but on a consistent basis we have to play better.

This football team plays well on the road. We have a better record on the road (6-2) than we do at home (5-3). We knew we just wanted to get in. As you all know, once you get in, anything can happen.

They took away a lot of things. They took us completely out of our game, and that's a tribute to them.

It's exciting to see Drew. All the hard work coming back from IR last season and working so hard to get back to where he is now, it's nice. It's great to see all the hard work paying off for him. He's a great kid. He's going to get better, and he works hard at it.

I told them it's tough for me, being 37 years old, to handle two-a-days, especially in this heat. At my age it's just hard to lose eight or nine pounds in the first practice and then come back out in the afternoon.

I told them I'm proud to be a part of this team. I've been on some great football teams. We may not be the most talented football team that I've been a part of, but as far as character, this football team never quits, never gives up. To me, those are the things that mean more than just wins and losses. Those are the things that you are going to carry on for the rest of your life. If you keep fighting and never quit, you can come back. It's all in how you respond. This football team has always responded, and that's what they did today.

It's funny now because when I mention his name, these guys around here just look at me because they've never heard of him, ... ... He took me under his wing and taught me a lot. There were some guys that were worried about job security. Roy wasn't like that at all. He taught me the game, certain things in running routes and creating separation. I only had him for a year and, then, he left and Gary Clark came in. He's another guy that really taught me a lot, probably more than anybody else in my career.

That's as ugly as you get. Have you seen much uglier than that?

I'm going to throw a name at you and see if you remember him, ... Roy Green. He was a heck of a receiver. Remember him?

I'm going to take away a lot from the game that I love so much, that has given me so much. I guess I have learned in the past not to make a decision now - especially going out like this. It's tough.

I'm not even thinking about that right now. I'm thinking about Atlanta and trying to get into the playoffs.

I'm pleased. For what they ask me to do and when I get my opportunities, I make plays.

I just told them how honored and proud I am to be a part of this football team. I've been on some great football teams and this may not be the most talented team, but as far as character and heart and never-die mentality, this is as good as it gets.

If I do decide to walk away, I'll be able to say, ?Hey, we had a great football team, it was a great experience. 'We played well, we made it to the playoffs and hopefully we make it to the Super Bowl.

He smashed my chin. That didn't feel too good.

You could just see it when he came in the huddle. He took control. It's the first time I've really seen him do that. At that point, it became his offense. He took control of it and had a great deal of confidence in himself.