Quote about Chad Owens

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070806/SPORTS/708060328/1002/SPORTS

About blocking the 6'6" 305-pound Kevin Carter in a recent practice, 5'7" 188-pound Chad Owens said:
"It's one of the smallest guys going up against one of the biggest guys. It's a mismatch. It's like Shaquille O'Neal (7-1) posting up against Spud Webb (5-6). It doesn't mean that you're not going to try your hardest to get the job done. That's all you have to do, is put forth your greatest amount of individual effort." (FT)


About how Tampa want him to return punts and kickoffs for scores, Owens said:
"That's what I was known for in college, Mr. Excitement. I made the fans feel like they needed to get to the stadium in time to get to the opening kickoff. That's what I accomplished there, and that's what I hope to bring here." (FT)


About how Owens was a dangerous returner at UH, Gruden said:
"He's from Hawaii, 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." (FT)


About the NCAA records he set as a returner, Owens said:
"It's always fun to look back and see what you've accomplished. I use it sometimes as a motivator. I look at highlight tapes and see how I did things. I love to play football. I get excited when I'm doing things the way I know I can do them." (FT)


About Owens' struggles in Jacksonville, Gruden said:
"He had a hard time in Jacksonville hanging on to the ball. That's been well documented, but he is very compact, thick and quick. He has tremendous cutting ability at full speed. In the kicking game and as a creative receiver, he can do some things for us. And he's made some plays the last two days that are pretty easy to see." (FT)


About the 4 words flowing out of his heart tattoo, Owens said:
"Faith, love, perseverance and family are coming out of that heart." (FT)


About his family, Owens said:
"That's what drives me. That's my perseverance. If you look at me, I'm one of the smaller guys. I hear all the time, 'You're not going to make it. You're not going to make it.' It's a constant, uphill battle." (FT)


Hoping that Tampa gives him a chance like JJ did at UH, Owens said:
"You've got to get the ball first. Then you have to really believe in your special teams unit. You've got to have your unit believe in you. That's the thing I had in college. They just knew I had the chance to go all the way whenever I got the ball. They would block their butts off. It was just amazing. We have a great special teams unit here with Tampa. I'm looking forward to it. I feel like I have a great opportunity. A great chance." (FT)

FT Note: "Owens said he probably would be working in construction in Hawaii, were it not for finding a walk-on spot under coach June Jones. Owens said he hoped the Bucs would give him a chance just as Jones did."