QUOTES FROM PITTSBURGH STEELERS PRESS CONFERENCE
RIGHT OFFENSIVE TACKLE FLOZELL ADAMS
(Will absence of C Maurkice Pouncey affect offense) “I don’t think it’s going to affect us at all, because we have a lot of guys on this team, let alone offensive line, who can step up if someone goes down. There’s no doubt that Doug (Legursky) will do just as good a job, if not better, than Pouncey, being in for him in this Super Bowl. And I mean that.”
(On the “76” Michigan State jerseys his offensive line teammates were wearing on the charter flight) “I had no idea. When I got through security at the airport I saw a bunch of them and I’m like, ‘Whoa!’ I don’t know where they got them from but it was quite surprising. It was special for them to bring back the throwbacks (jerseys) and they’re all still walking around here with ‘em on. I’m grateful for it. They probably were planning this for at least a couple of weeks, and I had no idea. Trai Essex gave me the jersey. He’s the master planner around here, so if you want to know anything about the O-line, he’s the one to ask.
(On whether he wondered if he’d ever make it to a Super Bowl) “It’s a sweet taste. It was a goal of mine to make the Super Bowl no matter what team I was with. Fortunately, it’s happened to me this year. Going through all the years, you get totally disappointed, and you’re the one sitting at home watching the playoffs on TV, watching other guys that you beat, just makes you want to work harder.”
(On his reaction when Cowboys released him) “It’s on one of the things of the game, whether you’re a rookie or an old veteran, it’s gonna happen, and I was just did what I had to do to pick the team I was going to go to.”
(On adjustment to move from LT to RT) “You’re used to setting left, now you have to switch to right, you have to switch your style. So, the first preseason game I was happy I got my set right. But then, I took a step and this guy ran right by me and I thought ‘Man, it’s gonna be a long training camp!’”
(On the challenge of going up against Clay Matthews) “Clay’s a great player, so it’ll be a great matchup whoever he goes against because he flops sides and everything, and I’m just looking forward to the challenge.”
(On the transition from Dallas to Pittsburgh) “It was tough for a little bit, because I’d never been in that situation before, and when I got there I was like, ‘OK, how are these guys gonna react to me,’ but they all embraced me with open arms and just showed me the ropes and all the things I need to know.”
(On comparing playing for Jerry Jones and for the Rooney family) “They’re both great organizations, and I liked being with the Cowboys and I like being here. It’s a two-way street going in the same direction. I talked to Doug Free (his replacement on the Cowboy’s offensive line) and he did a pretty good job this year, so I taught him well. I’d watch his game’s whenever I good and sometimes I’d text him and say, ‘You know you’re not supposed to do that!’”
(On how it feels to know his teammates want to win one for him) “It feels good. You know, there’s 20 something guys on this team that have already won a Super Bowl, but one is never enough.”
(On having a “home field” advantage) “You know, I lived here for 12 years and so it feels like you’re at home because I’ve been everywhere in Dallas. It’s only been 7 or 8 months. I’m gonna take the guys some places around town, first to Bob’s Steak House.”
(On how far in advance he thought about playing a Super Bowl in Dallas) “In the playoffs you just concentrate on the team you’re playing. We played Baltimore, and then the Jets, and then when you make it you think ‘Super Bowl Super Bowl’ and now, I’ve got questions about how I feel about going to Dallas. But as long as the Super Bowl’s the Super Bowl, you don’t care where it’s being played.”
