HEAD COACH JON GRUDEN
(On injured players)
"The only update I have really is Derrick Brooks was limited today, did practice and we're hopeful he'll be ready to go Sunday."
(On alterations to the schedule due to Christmas)
"We let the players spend the morning hours at home. Some of the players, as you know, have children, and they came in at 11 o'clock and we had a fairly normal Thursday practice. We just moved it back a little bit."
(On how injuries have made the end of the season tough)
"Well, we've played okay. We've had injuries and certainly they're…if you just add them all up throughout the year it's been challenging. But I like this team. I'm really proud of these guys. We've lost six games but we've been close or ahead in all six of those in the fourth quarter. We've come from behind and we've hung in there. But no, we're alive and well. Our hearts are bumping and thumping and we're anxious to play."
(On if he thinks about that it could be his last game coaching certain players)
"No I don't think that deeply at this point in time. We can't pay attention to that kind of talk. We've got to finish the season. I try to be as strong and committed to that as I can.”
(On if he's run across many players with a heart like Derrick Brooks)
"No. I tried to say that yesterday. [Jeff] Garcia with the calf and with his nose banged up, and Brooks with the ribs and then the hamstring and [Chris] Hovan pushing through things…I hope the young players, not only on our team but in high school here in Florida, are paying a little attention to that and saying you've got to to be tough as heck to play in this league, this game. Those guys are rare in that way. Hopefully it really helps the development of some of our young players. But, no, I'd rank Brooks up there at the top of my list in terms of intestinal fortitude and all those things that make a great player great."
(On what advice he can give Raheem Morris as a coach who was previously one of the youngest coordinators in the league)
"He's had a lot of training. He's been around some really good coaches and he's been in this system for a long time. And I was fortunate to be in San Francisco and Green Bay for years before I got an opportunity. But I think he realizes and I realize it still now that you never have all the answers or close to all the answers. He's going to need a great supporting cast like every coach does – players, assistant coaches, support – but he does have a lot of talent and he's got real charisma and he's got a vast knowledge of football. We're excited about his appointment but we'll talk about that a little bit more later."
(On a particular memory of Monte Kiffin)
"He's a night owl, you know. I've got a lot of great memories of him and I get choked up talking about it because I'm going to miss him. He's my friend. I remember at One Buc Place, when I first got here, I was a three o'clock in the morning guy and he was a one o'clock in the morning late-night guy. I remember one time coming into work and going into my office, wherever it was, having a hard time finding it. Dark as heck in the hallway and I heard some sounds – it was Monte Kiffin, almost knocked me over walking to the bathroom, waking up in the middle of the night. He's put countless hours into his football. I love the guy. I love him and thank him and wish him the very, very best."
(On what stands out about Derrick Brooks)
"Derrick Brooks has the rare ability to process information in seconds. He can call out…if he sees a backfield set or if he senses a situation, he has tremendous retention for the things that he studied and learned during the week. He's as smart a football player as I've ever seen. His instincts and that football savvy have allowed him to have great success. But I think the most impressive thing about Derrick Brooks is he ain't ever changed. With all the success, we've had some ups and downs, and he has never changed. He's been here at six o'clock in the morning in the offseason, he's put forth the work, he's been a tremendous leader and he's very special."
(On what he thinks about players talking about their impending free agency with games still to play)
"I don't like that. Sometimes they have to answer the questions that are asked to them, in fairness to the players. I don't hold a grudge. I realize that there are a lot of tough decisions that are going to be made and these are people's livelihoods that we're talking about. But it's league-wide, you know? It's league-wide. You hear talk of that during the season, in the preseason, things of that nature. It's part of this world, the NFL now. Again, it's your job to try to keep your team focused on the task at hand. As you get late in the season sometimes it can be challenging with some. But we've got a collective good group of guys who I believe are focused on finishing the season together."
(On if he's concerned that players are not focusing on the game at hand)
"No, I'm not. I'm not worried about it. Again, they're going to field questions from the media that maybe ask them about their future and they have to answers those questions in the best way they can."
(On what he will do after the Bucs' game if they beat Oakland)
"I'll probably go over to Ronde [Barber]'s house. He's got a nicer house than I do. I'll go over to his house and watch the game with him. I just want to win this game, and I know Oakland wants to win this game. But if I do win this game I'll probably end up at Ronde's house."
(On if the whole team is going to Barber's house)
"I've invited everyone, yes."
(On if he's been in many situations like this)
"Sometimes you're in this situation in Week 14, Week 15. You're going to be in this situation. It's an elimination game for us and hopefully it brings out the best in us. But we're not alone. There are a lot of teams every year at this stage of the season that get involved in these kinds of games."
(On believing the Eagles when they say they will be playing all out no matter what)
"I think everybody in the league does that. I really do. I think when you put the helmets on on Sunday it's anybody's game. There have been some surprises I guess, but when you really look at the reality of it, anybody can beat anybody on any given Sunday. Some of those old-school rivalries that still exist – Dallas-Philly – they'll bring out the best in every football player."
(On if a game against the Raiders still means a lot to him)
"Yeah, it does. Again, I'm proud of where I came from. I'm very fortunate to have had that opportunity. Their trainer, Rod Martin, is one of my best friends. [Sebastian] Janikowski and [Shane] Lechler are still banging balls around there. I've got a lot of respect for Mr. [Al] Davis obviously, but I want to win this game. I learned a lot of football there, had a great experience and opportunity to coach some of the best players in the league."
(On if he thinks Al Davis has respect for him)
"I don't know. All I know is I did my best. I don't know. But I do have a lot of respect for him. He's a Hall of Famer, okay? Whether you want to admit it or not, he's deservedly a Hall of Famer."
(On how fresh the memories of the Super Bowl are)
"That was a great day in my life, for sure. Weird day, really. [Rich] Gannon's here doing our game; that's even weirder. We'll reminisce on some great times that we had. But you are a human being. You have memories and things you're attached to a little bit. That's certainly one of the days I'll never forget."