Bill Cowher Players Quotations

We're going to have a lot of flexibility with some of the things we're doing, and the players have been very receptive. It's more definitive than things we've done in the past. The onus is being put back on the players to execute, and I think they like that.

No one feels worse about losing a game like that than the players and coaches in that locker room. They throw everything into it. No one felt worse than Tommy. I mean, this is a quality individual. We all understand the criticisms that come with this game and we understand that, but when you start taking it outside the field, to the house, to the kids, to me, you've crossed the line.

Good football teams have quality depth. When players are asked to step up, there's not a drop off. Ideally, you go through the whole season and don't lose anybody. But those are rare occasions.

He's been here and he knows our players more than the last couple times I've brought guys in,

Jerome has been an inspiration to everyone, players and coaches. He's more than just a great player, he's the consummate team mate.

We'll continue to keep our options open. But I feel good about the players we have.

We have a lot of players back; we lost a couple of key players and we'll have to fill those voids. But when you realize what you accomplished and you're part of history and you have an opportunity to do it back to back, it would be an unbelievable feat.

But our players know. This is still Baltimore. They still have some good players, and their coach challenged them and they responded.

We had a special group, but it's hard to bring everybody back. That happens every year. You hope to keep a good nucleus, draft well and maybe pick up some free agents. It's going to be a challenge, but I like where we're starting and the players we're starting with.

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.

I've been waiting a long time to do this. This is yours, man. This is special group of coaches, a special group of players and I was a small part.

This is a special group. This is not about me. It's about this team; it's about this ownership; it's about the players and coaches. I'm one small part of this, believe me.

They've got a lot of football players who are trying to build something. I don't think there's any question they're making strides in the right direction.

There's a lot of good football players out there. There's no direct science to this. You try to base it on an interaction of maybe 15 minutes, so you never know.

It starts at the top, there is no question about that. I've been very blessed and fortunate to be in a very stable organization. At the same time, you can take nothing for granted. You still have to go out there every year and improve yourself. You ask players to do it and I think as coaches you have to do it. I think we all understand that. I'm just very fortunate and blessed to be part of an organization that is very open, very stable and very understanding.

It's almost surreal right now. We've got a special organization, and it starts at the top. I couldn't be more happy for Mr. Rooney, for the coaches, for the players and for the city of Pittsburgh.

It's big. We all know the days back when there were 12 rounds. We know there are a lot of good football players out there, and they're not all here.

Their defense is a lot like ours, from the standpoint of scheme-wise. They have good players down there that run it.

I know a couple of times our players were ready to celebrate prematurely.

I know a lot of people have looked at Tennessee and talked about rebuilding. But we have to be careful because there is still a core of players on that team that, not only are we familiar with, but who've also had success.

Good teams win close games. Good teams have quality depth, and when players are asked to step in, there's not a drop-off, ... It's not the circumstance that affects you. It's how you deal with it. I truly believe that.

These kids are still maturing as people. I've watched players we've had mature tremendously in a short time, and then sometimes it takes players three or four years. These are still young men. You can't ever lose sight of that.