Quotables: Tony Gonzalez says ‘temptation would be there’ to return to NFL
The retired tight end said he’ll be tempted to chase a long-awaited Super Bowl trophy if a contender comes calling late in the season. Elsewhere, Mike Ditka barged into the Washington mascot controversy and Robert Griffin III called out his doubters.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The recently retired Tony Gonzalez told Newsday that he's already turned down multiple teams who have called and asked about his services, but admitted those offers will be harder to refuse late in the season. Though Gonzalez is destined for the Hall of Fame, he never won a Super Bowl during his 17-season career. He said it would be tempting to jump on board with a contender for a late run at a title, but added that it would cheapen the achievement.
You’re really trying to get that ultimate goal. But I’d be a mercenary to come in and get a Super Bowl ring, play with a team for, what, six, seven weeks? And even if I got the ring, it wouldn’t be the same as going through the fight with the team from the beginning to the end. I don’t think that will happen. The temptation will be there, but I’m 100 percent happy with my decision.
"Seahawks got their ring, they did it their way ... now we have to pay the consequences."
NFL refs have been throwing defensive interference flags at a record pace so far this preseason, and Washington cornerback DeAngelo Hall is blaming the Seattle Seahawks, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC.
The Seahawks secondary, led by the in-your-face (both on and off the field) Richard Sherman, was one of the most physical units in the league en route to last season's Super Bowl win, and one can presume that Hall thinks their style of play inspired the league crackdown.
Hall isn’t alone -- Jerry Jones dropped the blame in Seattle as well.
"A team like Seattle, who basically played a style that would risk a holding penalty as opposed to not having an aggressive defender back there," the outspoken Dallas Cowboys owner told Fox Sports. "That got a lot of complaints, and you're seeing it [called] during the preseason."
“What’s all the stink over the Redskin name? It’s so much horse s**t it’s incredible. We’re going to let the liberals of the world run this world.”
- Mike Ditka
Here comes Mike Ditka into the Washington nickname controversy. The Hall of Fame former coach voiced his opinion to the undoubtably unbiased RedskinsHistorian.com, saying he sees nothing offensive with the besieged moniker.
It was said out of reverence, out of pride to the American Indian. Even though it was called a Redskin, what are you going to call them, a Proudskin? This is so stupid it's appalling, and I hope that owner keeps fighting for it and never changes it, because the Redskins are part of an American football history, and it should never be anything but the Washington Redskins. That's the way it is.
“They doubted in high school. They doubted a turnaround at Baylor. They doubted a Heisman was possible. Keep doubting. It’s nothing new.”
Speaking of Washington, their star quarterback took to Twitter to call out those who doubt he can return to the form that made him the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Griffin suffered through the effects of a surgically reconstructed knee last season, falling well short of the high expectations set by his rookie year. He's been unremarkable through two preseason games in 2014, going 8-of-12 for 121 yards and an interception. Much more concerning for Washington, however, is the fact that Griffin allowed himself to take several hard shots while scrambling out of the pocket on Monday against the Browns. If he's going to stay healthy enough to be the team's franchise quarterback, he'll will have to start learning to avoid contact.
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