Rod Graves Quotes (26 Quotes)

Coach Green's leadership and focus in terms of what he wants and what he feels he needs. He's defined that for us very well, and then we just go after it.

We addressed our concerns with respect to his contract. I don't want to get into the details, but I will tell you the concerns over play time, those were a part of our negotiations. If Kurt is playing and we're producing as a football team, then I think everyone is happy.

I think what it does demonstrate is that we're committed to building a strong nucleus for our football team, and part of that effort is making the right decision about the players you reinvest in. We just consider Kurt Warner part of that process, to reinvest in quality people and quality players.

There are probably only a few situations that would entice us to move up. I'm less likely to recommend that just because of the cost involved.

At one point in Wednesday's news conference at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, site of this week's NFL annual meeting, Cardinals vice president Rod Graves even was asked if any part of Smith's contract was tied to ticket sales. There is nothing in this particular contract about that, ... Thank goodness.

There is a mutual interest in continuing our relationship. We'd like to have him back.

When you look at so many positive things that have gone on here the past several years, to me, it's hard to deny the fact this organization is making strides in a positive way.

We went in there last summer to Cliff Lake and had a really good time -- good swimming, good fishing, warm water, beautiful scenery and a nice peak to summit where you can see the whole country. We'll hike five or six miles the first day, go over Devil's Peak and spend the next night in the Sky Lakes Basin, then hike five or six miles out. If you haven't seen Sky Lakes, this is a good one to see.

They (NFL officials) are still in the process of clarifying issues with the union as well. Much of that information will have a bearing on future contracts, and so we're anxious to get a lot of that information and to get clarification, because it will have a bearing on our ability to get deals done quickly.

We certainly haven't expressed any interest and won't until March 3. But we feel we are poised from a cap standpoint to be aggressive in free agency, and we have identified guys we will go after.

I'm not sure how much of an advantage. We are still trying to put our arms around that. There are so many rules and implications on uncapped years, so we have to be guarded in what we do.

It does not preclude us from taking a look at the quarterback position in the draft.

We were certainly poised to take advantage of other teams' inability, if you will, to act quickly in free agency. And now obviously the field's been leveled quite a bit. We're disappointed solely from a football operations standpoint that we weren't able to jump out there and take advantage of some players and opportunities that might have come about because of teams having to clear cap space.

Since becoming aware of the situation at NAU, we've spent a considerable amount of time in discussions with the University officials, outside health professionals and our own medical personnel to determine the best course of action, ... The overwhelming concern obviously was the health and well-being of our football team.

Ever since we've adopted sort of this best player approach to the draft, it really doesn't matter to us as much as to what happens ahead of us. We're just prepared to take whoever we feel like is available from our top board. That concept has worked effectively for us the last couple years.

This contract required a creative approach from our standpoint as well as the agent's standpoint.

I feel it was a very positive meeting. We'll evaluate our decision today and expect to have an announcement soon.

I accepted his visit as typical of one you get from a veteran player who has a strong interest in seeing his team in a better position to win. In my opinion, it was a great discussion we had.

Players that come in here have to have a high competitive level and have to have an intense desire to succeed beyond just a desire to play in the National Football League. Those are the type of guys that we'll be after in this year's draft.

This contract took on challenges that in many ways we have never faced before,

We make a real strong effort to get as much done, as much as we need to during the spring and in Indianapolis.

Anybody that's watched this organization over the last two or three years would have to say we're doing things in a different way,

We're very respectful of the collective bargaining agreement and are taking the appropriate measures to make sure this does not re-occur,

The risk is probably no greater or no worse than it is for a lot of other players, but the spotlight is always heavier on the quarterbacks. It's just the risk that we're involved with. You hope you're making the right choice.

We need to improve our running game and we have to start up front.

We have considered both of those, but we're going to weigh that against draft considerations as well, and see where we come out. There's certainly no opposition to looking at Joey Harrington.