It's a blow to us, but there's no better feeling than seeing a guy who has worked to earn this type of opportunity get an opportunity. I know he's ready.

He did some damage to us. That was the type of scenario where you could envision him doing that for us. No doubt that will be fresh in many people's minds.

There were some tempers that flared and got out of whack for about two days and then festered some over the winter, which did concern me. It's been taken care of now.

He was not comfortable in leaving camp to play. He wanted to make sure that he would be fresh for an entire year.

He's been in a couple of these situations recently, and there's nobody that feels more grateful for getting this assignment than he. He's been close a couple times, and I'm sure he was wondering if it was ever going to be reality. But it was a matter of time. It was just inevitable. All he needed was the right mix.

He's creative. He finds ways to get contracts done.