Jeff Bower Team Quotations

J.R. is a valuable member of this team and someone that we have hopes for. Our hope is that he continues to develop, continues to improve and is approaching this final stretch of the season with the objectives of making a difference and with the objectives of being a part of this team and helping it get better.

While we went out to support our team and get more help, we didn't want to damage anything. We didn't jeopardize our first-round picks, we didn't want to hurt our salary cap flexibility and we didn't want to add a player that didn't understand what the coach wanted and was trying to create here.

We've got over 35 guys from Hattiesburg or south of there. A number of our players' families have sustained total or substantial loss. We encouraged them to stay in touch with them. I think this has brought our team together. They're excited to play a game. I think it was a relief to get back on the field. I didn't know what to expect, but it the players were like kindergartners.

With Hurricane Katrina, our schedule was very hectic. But our guys battled through all of those times this season. After the hurricane, we became a closer football team and we rallied around each other.

Thank goodness for the city of Memphis and especially the University of Memphis. I don't know what else we could do. I know our football team is very appreciative of everything Memphis is doing for us.

It was a good year. I became closer to this team than any other team because of everything we've been through.

There's been no ifs. I've been told we're playing Saturday, Sunday or Monday. Now, if those ifs change, then I'll have something to say about them then. The only thing I can do is prepare this team to play.

It's always exciting to get back on the field. It's a critical time of the year. You find out so much about your team and you're trying to improve.