Bill Cowher Certain Quotations

We don't ask people to run differently, ... Runners are runners. I never try to curtail a runner. Our offense has got enough plays that within the running play a ball carrier has a chance to express his ability. I think Willie has gotten more comfortable with the plays we've run. He's had a chance to watch some pretty good backs in front of him be patient on certain plays, hit it on certain plays. I think he's earned this opportunity if indeed Jerome can't go. I'm not concerned; I'm rather excited.

Confidence is a very fragile thing, and it certainly is something that has to start with your mental approach and your ability to respond and stay focused and not allow negative thoughts to enter into your own mind. When you're successful, it's easier to expect success. All of a sudden it's not there, it becomes more of a challenge.

He's very important, not just to our defense but to our football team. He's certainly a very explosive player defensively. He can cover. He can rush. He plays the run. He's a complete outside linebacker. He's been very productive on a consistent basis.

He's a quality receiver and he can do a lot of things for you - certainly with what he can do for you after the catch. He's got excellent hands and obviously his ability to throw the football is something that is very unique to that position.

Disappointed in the effort tonight, certainly offensively. We are not in sync on offence, and that was evident.

There's going to be a lot of excitement in their stadium. We're certainly going to have to play better than the last time we faced them.

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.

We won the game, but we certainly didn't play our best game. We're going to have to play better if we want to move on. There's no question we were fortunate. But we won the game and that's what is most important.

This will be our third time playing them. They're explosive. They played well defensively down the stretch. There will be a lot of excitement in that stadium. It's a big challenge for us. We certainly have to play better than the last time we played them and better defensively than how we played today.

Willie's done a good job. Willie's earned an opportunity he's been given, and I don't anticipate changing Willie. But certainly we'll have to sit down and see how the rest of the mix plays out.

I've never had a problem with that. It's flattering to be wanted, and certainly I would never stand in the way of any of our coaches if they have a dream of becoming a head coach. If I can help them in any way I would certainly do so and will do so.

I've never had any issues with Ben. I certainly have talked to him sometimes about choices and consequences, the same thing you do with any other player. But I have never had any problems with him in terms of our communications and what his responses are, and that's all I can ask.

They are all very unselfish guys and that certainly will make my job easier (in choosing who plays). While it's a tough decision to make, they have recognized it, and, that position has epitomized the unselfishness on this team the last couple of years.

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.

He will miss approximately five weeks, four games. That is the early diagnosis. Certainly that can be give and take, a week here and there. Really, what we thought initially, that is probably good news based on what we were concerned about the last couple of days.

He's certainly playing a lot older than his age.

He's been looking pretty good the last couple of days. He's not ready to play a whole game and James will certainly spell him at times.

Joey's comments at the end of the game were certainly made out of frustration. But there's no conspiracy or things of that nature. That's ridiculous.

I think he'll be fine. Certainly he's an integral part of what we want to do. I'm very encouraged by his situation.

He certainly has a much better chance of playing than Jerome does. We'll see how Jerome is by the end of the week.

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.

They certainly will look at his last few games where he probably didn't play as well as he did earlier,

We score there and the game's over and you certainly don't question that.

A lot of stuff we have done during training camp was done competitively. When you game plan, there are certain elements that you prepare for, certain things that you want to do. Certain plays will complement other plays. It's a pretty dramatic difference from that point. (But) we'll see. I'm not going to say that was the result of anything. You still have to go out and perform and do it.

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.

They're playing at a high level. They're explosive. ... We certainly have to play better than the last time we played them, and better defensively than how we played today.

We've been close many times. So certainly I think you cherish the opportunity that you have coming here, and you try to relay that to the players.

We certainly have to play better than the last time we played them. It's going to be a challenge for us.

We certainly aren't going to let history dictate our journey. As I told the players a lot of times, your journey can make history.

We understand what it's like to play in the playoffs. It goes up even further. The speed of the game is faster, the magnitude of each play becomes greater. Certainly our play this week has to indicate that.

If that's the right situation for him, I would talk. If he wants any advice from me, I'd give it to him. Certainly the decision would be his and I'd share with him any advice that I would give to him. We'll see what happens and we'll go from there.

A lot of it comes down to, in my mind, respect for the game and respect for the players. Do unto others as you want others to do unto you. It's a physical game that we play. It's a very competitive game that we play, but within that, there are certain lines that you don't go over.

I knew Mike, obviously, beforehand, and then after talking with him, it was kind of a no-brainer. I think it was a choice up to Mike and I certainly respected any decision that he made.

Maybe in two or three games, it's going to start to come together. I certainly want to see our first units go out and show some continuity. We don't need to be on all cylinders, but we need to show some positive steps.

When you game plan, there are certain elements that you prepare for, certain things that you want to do. Certain plays will complement other plays, ... You're always going to have complementary plays that set up other plays. It's a pretty dramatic difference from that point. ... There's a lot more focus on what you're trying to do.

It's still Week 3, ... Certainly there's a degree of importance for both teams, certainly from New England's standpoint.