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Thursday Gruden Quotes

Posted Sep 13, 2007 by Alex Vila

Updated Sep 13, 2007 at 05:11 PM

Courtesy of the Buccaneers

(On injured players)
“We have no news on the injury front other than Cadillac [Williams] did practice today. The other men are still as they were yesterday.”

(On if he was encouraged by Williams’ practice)
“Yes. I’ve been optimistic that he would play and today was a good sign, although we’ll see how he feels tomorrow when we practice again.”

(On if Williams wore a flak jacket in practice)
“I don’t know. I don’t believe he did. He looked slim and lean out there, so I don’t think he had any extra padding. It didn’t look like it.”

(On if Brian Kelly looks doubtful to play on Sunday)
“I can’t really say doubtful; this new injury list is new, you know what I mean? But he is making progress and we’ll just try to update you better tomorrow.”

(On DT Chris Hovan)
“He did not practice today. We wish he would have practiced but we think he’ll be ready to go on Sunday.”

(On whether Joey Galloway returned to practice)
“Yes.”

(On if Williams’ ability to play is a pain-threshold injury)
“Well, he’s a man of few words. He doesn’t say a lot. He’s played enough football, I think, to know whether he can or can’t. We’ll give him another day to see where he is after he sleeps on today’s workout. We’ll have some dialogue before, during and after the game, I’m sure, about how he feels.”

(On if the team can have a repeat of Drew Brees’ performance against it last year)
“No, it can’t. He had a great day throwing the ball particularly here in Tampa. We did a great job stopping the run but he hurt us throwing the football. He’s an outstanding quarterback; he’s proven that. He’s got a really good supporting cast. Just a simple check-down can become a 25-yard gain with these guys. They are very explosive and Drew knows a lot about what to do with the ball. He’s got a creative game and he’s a very heady player, a great competitor. We’ve got to get to him. We’ve got to disrupt his timing and we’ve got to make some plays against the pass, that’s for sure.”

(On why Joey Galloway has done well against New Orleans)
“I don’t know. Sometimes we’ve had guys open and we haven’t hit them, either. Joey’s had his moments just about every Sunday. We hope that we can get him some good looks down the field. We hope we can get some good looks anywhere on the field for him, because as you’ve seen, he can take a short pass the distance or he can hurt you down the field as well. We’d like to get some other guys involved, honestly, and we’re trying to do that.”

(On if the pressure Galloway puts on a defense allows other guys to get open)
“Yes, I think so. I think it does. Obviously it will be a hot day. It won’t be a clear, cool day like it was in Seattle, so we’re going to need all of our receivers to contribute. Joey is a guy that is going to give us all he has, and there will be some spurts there where he’ll come out of the football game. He’s a threat not only to catch the ball and make a big play himself, but he’s got to be accounted for and I think New Orleans would admit that.”

(On if this game is an opportunity for WR Michael Clayton to get back in the mix)
“Yes, it is. He’s worked hard. He’s had a couple very frustrating seasons; he’s had a number of injuries. He did do some very good things last week in Seattle. He’ll get more looks against the Saints. He’s a fellow Louisianan, or however they say that. I’m not exactly sure. He’s on his way back. He’s on the right track and we need him to continue to move forward because he’s a very physical wide receiver that can certainly help us.”

(On if Clayton could put some juice in the offense)
“Yep, he sure could. So could Cadillac if he got back to his ways. That’s what we’re counting on, we’re hoping for, and we expect him back.”