You've said anybody who says they like this [training camp] is nuts. And we know you're not nuts.
"No I'm crazy, I'm crazy. To do what we do. This is crazy, but it's necessary and we're here. It is what it is. I heard that from a wise man this morning, our offensive coordinator [Mike Mularkey]. It was special this year. It is a lot easier when you know you got something special you are playing for, for each other and I like our chances. We just got to stay healthy and go out there and start today. It's not going to be given to us, but we know we got a great team on paper and all that good stuff, and I'm excited. I'm excited as I've ever been and there is no reason why we can't e a highly, highly competitive football team in this league. And when I say that I'm talking about one of our goals is to go to the Super Bowl, and I don't think there is any problem saying that. That's our goal and hopefully we'll get there."
There are some teams and some individuals who won't throw it [Super Bowl] out there. Is it a measure of this team's not necessarily cockiness but confidence to throw it out there?
"It's not cocky. I've been around a long time and I've been excited about going into a season before. The first thing you have to have for anything, especially in football, is you got to have talent. And we got talent. It's not guys who try really hard and over achieve. It's guys who have talent and I think they are going to over achieve this year. A lot of guys are hitting that third and fourth year and they are coming into their own. Obviously out quarterback is one of them and this is the year they got to start playing. If we do that and everything goes according to the normal schedule of NFL evolution I guess we're going to be pretty good."
Tony, how have you adjusted to the heat here, and how have you seen the evolution of the heat being addressed during training camp?"
"I was out there in the same area where Kory Stringer passes away in the heat, and that was hot, and this is very close to what it is. But they are at least taking a lot of precaution and for good reasons because it is just smart. We're out there and we're staying hydrated and we've got tents. Let's put it this way, they're giving us every reason to stay hydrated and we'll do it because that's what helps us keep going."
How much motivation is it to know that the Super Bowl champions are in your division?
"It's great. You know somebody asked me about that and I think it's the best thing that could ever happen. You get that measuring stick for us last year. Both those games [against New Orleans] we could have won. There is no doubt about that, but we didn't and that's just how it goes in the NFL. Playing them twice is only a plus for us. It's competitive and if we can do well against them and stock up and the championship goes to them, I don't care AFC or NFC, it the championship goes to them. We'll see how we do against them this year."
Talking about the offense opening up to try and get [WR] Harry Douglas back from the injury, will that open up some holes for you?
"It can only help. That' what I'm talking about. Like I said, we got a lot of talent, so obviously a lot of guys are going to have to realign to get the ball and touch the ball. I think that we put aside our egos, and if a guy like Harry, who's an unbelievable talent, not only in the receiving part of the game but in the kick return game, it's a huge plus for us. Him, [DB] Brian Williams, [DT]Peria [Jerry], it's only going to help us bee a better football team, and like I said that's why I'm so excited. That's why this 100 degree weather is just a side note as far as I'm concerned. Let's just come out here and get better and see how far we can take this thing."
