Mark Bruener Quotations

My belief and desire to play has changed dramatically since I got here. Football is fun again.

I would say he's one of the more underrated outside linebackers in a long time,

I would say he's one of the more underrated outside linebackers in a long time. He's extremely quick, and he has great instincts. He's really mature and he has great strength at the point of attack. I can remember him as a rookie out of Colorado State and how impressive he was then. I just really think he's one of the underrated players in this league.

If that indeed happens, then I'm going to welcome that young man with open arms. Because from what little I've seen, he seems like a very impressive collegiate player. I think if we do decide to go in that direction, he can only add to a team that already has a lot of talent.

(Steelers owner) Mr. (Dan) Rooney is one of the kindest, most genuine people I've ever met, ... He's so unassuming. He's a role model for a lot of people.

You have to embrace and welcome the role that you're given. A lot of people on the outside always said to me, 'You need to have statistics to say you're a great player.' I didn't buy into that. The only statistics I looked at were wins and losses. Whether I was catching two passes in a game or clearing the way for Jerome, I just wanted to win. There was a year when I had 18 receptions and six went for touchdowns (in '97). I made plays when I had to. I just don't think you can make a fair judgment on a tight end based solely on numbers. I'm sure Heath feels the same way about this, because from what I've heard, he's an unselfish kid who wants to be a winner.

We have to quit finding ways to lose. I've never been part of a team that finds so many different ways to lose. It's like we get up on an opponent, and then the wheels come off.

Well ... it just didn't work out that way.

When you have two players of that caliber, those two players alone can be such a factor in a football game, ... They can totally disrupt an entire offense.

To see people carrying all their worldly possessions in a black trash bag is tough to see. This weekend is going to be one of acknowledgement to the hurricane victims. When you see what these people are going through, it's hard to complain about your life. This is a tough situation for so many people.

This game's extremely important for the Texans organization. I want to do everything I can to help the team win.

I just wished him the best and offered my assistance in any way I could.

It was a flashback for me because I was in that young man's shoes 10 short years ago, ... You move to a strange city and you have all these football expectations on you and I really just wanted to call him to welcome him to the city.

It was a flashback to when I was a first-round pick in 1995, ... I congratulated him on being drafted by the Steelers. I told him I knew what he was going through. I wanted to welcome him to the city. I told him that Pittsburgh's a small city but it's also a great city. He'll build a lot of good relationships.

It was a flashback to when I was a first-round pick in 1995. I congratulated him on being drafted by the Steelers. I told him I knew what he was going through. I wanted to welcome him to the city. I told him that Pittsburgh's a small city but it's also a great city. He'll build a lot of good relationships.

This is a great game, but it's an extremely tough business.

For him to be in one place for so long and the team to be so successful for so long just shows you're dealing with a class guy, a very reputable guy, who continually perseveres each year to put a great product on the field.

As a member of the organization, I have to roll with it, accept the change and know that we have to move on,

We knew he was going to come. He's an outstanding football player. He may not be 100 percent sound with his blitz, but he's a relentless football player.

It's going to be a weird feeling, to be honest. I built a lot of great relationships during my nine years with the organization.

I can remember him as a rookie out of Colorado State (as a fifth-round draft pick in 2000) and how impressive he was then. I just really think he's one of the under-rated players in this league. Don't be surprised if he's one of the best around, soon; he's that good.

Heath and I could really relate. And I know he'll go through a lot of the things I did 10 years earlier.