Quotes from a feature article on Chad Owens

Thank you to Tombo for finding this article!

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070808/SPORTS/708080684/1006


About how Chad Owens can win their job returning kicks and punts, Bucs coach Jon Gruden said:
"He's a guy that will make the kicking game interesting, I think." (HT)


About how he's one of the smallest players in an NFL camp (5'7", 188 pounds), Chad said:
"My whole life has been an uphill battle. It's nothing new for me. That (size) and having to walk on in college, earn my scholarship, I was a late-round draft pick despite my success in college. I'm still climbing, still trying to get there, that's real motivating, knowing I'm not there." (HT)


About Owens, Gruden said:
"He's from the University of Hawaii, so a lot of us haven't seen him. We're in bed when they play. But he has had a knack for making huge plays in the kicking game. (He) struggled hanging onto the ball, it's been well-documented, at times in Jacksonville. But he's got a real compact build. He's got some power and instant acceleration and quickness." (HT)


About the 2 punt returns he fumbled when he was with Jacksonville as a rookie (both were recovered by the Jags), Owens said:
"That's just from trying to be so quick with it. I don't drop balls. I muffed a couple balls, a couple punts, because I'm trying to go, I'm not trying to waste any time. I wish I made all the right moves and did everything right in Jacksonville, but it didn't happen that way. I've learned to just relax. My first job is to secure the ball." (HT)

HT Note: "Owens has not returned a kickoff in the NFL."


About why he signed with the Bucs, Owens said:
"They initially showed me the most interest. They kept calling and wanted to bring me up during the season last year ... I was on the practice squad. They had injuries elsewhere that they had to take care of. From my understanding, they were looking to draft me when I came out. But Jacksvonille grabbed me." (HT)


About how the Bucs have never returned a kickoff for a touchdown (31 years, 1825 kickoffs), Owens said:
"It's crazy. I can't believe it. Beside making the team, that's probably my No. 1 goal, being the first guy, making history. You have to face the reality you're not going to score every time." (HT)


About how he wants to bring to Tampa the same thing he brought to UH, Owens said:
"My no-fear attitude, my willingness to always want to make that big play, just playing fast, just going 110 mph, using my quickness, my reactions." (HT)